davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18
The End Of the ATthur Spring
Tragedy.

Our readers cannot have forgotten the
case of Arthur Spring, who was convicted,
in Philadel phia, OF murder, on the evidence
of his own son. The boy VAS taken by
some gentlemen of Washington, provided
with place in the Treasury Department,
and would, it was hoped, come up useful
and respectable man. The Washington let
ter.wrter to the Times thus gives the .fnale
of his history:
Two or three weeks ago he induced a
young man by the name of Claxton, to 60
with him to house Of i'll repute in this city,
to attend ball. A fire breaking out in the
neighborhood, drew together body orwCrth-
less fellows, including members of gang
of rowdics know os the "PIug Uglies."
A fife riot, such as has become a frequent
occurrence here, Of late, ensued, in which
fire arms, stones, clubs and brick-bats were
freely used. Spring and Claxton were ns'
saul,cd, the former receiving blow upon
his head With bat, from the effects
OF which he died on Saturday.
Poor CIaxton, who, unused to dissipation
had been rendered almost unconscious by
the drusged liquor provided at the dance
fell into the canal, during his flight, ant
wss drowned.
The efforts for Springs reformation Ger
tainly do not seem to have been very sue
cesSful.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18
of the Possnaster Gen
er;tl,s Report.


On the 18Th Of June, 1856. there we're
1856 post offices, being an increase of4,.
664 in four years. On the 18Th Of June
there we're in operation nearlp 5000 mail
routes, the total length of which was esii-
mated at 236,642 miles, costing S6,O75, ,474.
These mail re utes were divided as follows:
%, 1923 miles OF railroad; 1881 of steam.
boat; 50,453 coach, and nearly $4,000 in
ferior grades. The increase during the last
fiscal year was nearly 10000 miles Of rail-
road; S32 Of steamboat; 1850 coach, and
81 600 inferior grades. In Nebraska and
Kansas lO,23S miles were added to the
length Of the routes. Between the lst OF
July, 1852, and the lst of July, 1856, the
railroad service was increased l0,l77 miles,
exhibiting the fact that within that time this
description of service was more than doubled.
On the lst of December. 1856, the length Of
The railroad routes had incrt aSed TO 81 ,3l0
miles.
The total cost for this service at that date
amounted to S2,4O3,747. The whole cost
Of the inland service on the lst Of July us
S6,5sG,O2S.
The Postmaster General alludes to the
Panama Railroad Company sezing on the
occasion of the withdrawal Of the steamers
vid Nicaragua to force the Department to
pay what he considers an exorhitant price
across the Isthmus, and recommends reeu.
lar contracts with them, not exceeding $50,,
600 per annum, and contract not exceed
ing 100000 per annum Uia the Nicaragua
or Tehuantepec route, SO as to give a week
ly mail.
The California expenditures for the yeal
1856 were $40, O,5OO,2S6, and the gross reve'
nue. including annual approbatons for free
matter, 81, ,620,S3l. The deficiency is So,
/ 7S7. 600.
lie recommends the abolition oi the frank
ing privilege, and compulsory prepayment
on ali transient printing natter; also the re
peal of the act Of l845, which gives the
Postmaster General discretionary power tt
make new contracts for ocean steamship
service. He alludes to the fact-embracinl
the branch frem New Orleans to Havana
that there ire now four ocean steamship
lines running out Of New York, at an ex
pense to Government of Sl,49S,000 per an
mum, and says that there is no reason VIII!
one part Of the country should be preferre,
10 the exclusion of others.
Among other points, it is stated that ne
gotalions are in progress with view TO tn
reduction Of the British transit charge OF
United States closed mails, and the rate G
postage between the United States an
Great Britain to twelve and half cent
single letter. .....
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18
Ohio Editorial Convention.

The Fourth Annual Meeting Of the Ohio
Editorial Association will be held at Mans
field, on the Thursday preceding the l5O'h
Anniversary Of ofFranklin's birth day, Jan. II
1857.
The Convention will meet at 10 O'Clock
on the 18th, and will hold its session during
two days.
Public exercises on the evening of The
10th. A Poem by Meta V. Victor, o. San
dusky. An Grafton by H. L. Hosmer, o
Toledo. A discourse on Chas. Hammond
by w. T. Coggeshall, Of Columbus. A
discourse on Moses Dawson by w. B. Thrdll
Of Columbus.
Ample arrangements will be made by tht
members of the press in Mansfield, aud i
is expected that the Editorial fraternity o
the State will be fully represented.
S. MEDARY, President.
J. II. BAKER, Secretary.
P. S.--Editors Of Ohio generally vii
please notice or copy.
Columbus, Dec 9Th, 1856.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18
Wnnt OF Harmony among Re
pubticans. E7
The Washington correspondent Of th
PHILADELPHIA PeznSvlvdnian thus writes:

The Washington correspondent Of the
Philadelphia PsnnsylvdniaH thus writes;
at is evident that there is very little
harmony among the leaders Of the late
Republican party. Governor Seward was
very cold in the cause of Fremont and the
differences between the Herald and ITi-
bune, as TO the principles that should gov
ern The Territories hereafter, are certain to
produce their natural results upon the rank
aud file of the sectional party. One cause
of the dissensions is the fact that Un immense
amount OF noney-was sent into Pennsylya-
MIA, aud was either pocketed BY those who
received it, or else recklessIy distributed
This has been repeatedly alluded to in the
newspapers, bot no notice has been taken
it. Burlingame, Banks and Wilson, who
stumped Pennsylvania, are on hand here,
and seem to be quite uncertain 0s TO what
course they shall take in the future. The
friends Of John Mclean are hopeful and
point to the late election as the evidence
that il he had been nominated he would have
defeated the Democratic candidate.
But what's Going more than all 10 di>heart-
en- and disgust the opposition 10 the Democ.
IuCl is tue dtteHpt Vi tHS NS" w" - y
ers to force Fremont into the field for 1860,
This will break the whole fabric down
At first, il looked to me like mere expfdi-
cnt after the campaign was over. but there
is no doubt that the California Colonel Is
doing all he can to hold on to the nomlna-
ton, and compel the opposition party to ac-
cept him as their next Presidential candi-
date. You will perceive by the debstes in
the Senate, that the Republicans are labor
ing hard to keep up the excitement, but it
is all Of no avail. They are like men on
board leaky ship; oil hands are at the
pumps, and it will require perpetual labor
10 prevent the craft from sinking. The time
between now and 1860 is too long, and this
labor pumping up enthusiasm would wear
out the most numerous crew, particularly
when there Is no haven within sight.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18
An Important Dscision.

The election of John Fadden, elected to
the Office Of Sheriff for the county Of Sibley,
in this Territory, was contested by W. w.
Clark before his Honor, Judge Chatield,
Judge of the District Court for the third Ju-
dicial District, on the 10Th ult. The cause
of contest was, that Fadden was not citi.
zen Of the United States. Fadden's coun.
sci claimed that any person who has declar
ed his intention to become citizen of the
United States, aud takes on oath to support
the United States Constitution, and the pro
visions Of the organic act Of theTerrtory OF
minnesota, could hold the Office. The
Court SO held, and decided that Fdddeu vas
eligible to the Office of sheriff. n. -,.
The officer Of Register Of Deeds,of Sibley
county, was contested on the same grounds
but the Court ruled the incumbent was le
gally entitled TO the ofice.-G Paul Pho
neer. rg r, II,
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

BUCHAEAE's CABINET. Governor Wise
at the entertainment given to the Presiden.
tia Electors, in Richmond, on "Wednesday
evening. made speech, in which he took
occasion to declare that nothing could tempt
him to resign his present Office. but at the
same time he thought it due to Virginia tba
she should have a member of Mr.. Bnchan
ans Cabinet. Subsequently, it is said, al
the members Of the College, with three
exceptions, signed paper, addressed to Mr.
Buchanan, recommending Ex Gov. Floyd
Of Virginia, for n position in the Cabinet
1t is further stated however, that wher
Governor Floyd heard Of this proceeding
he promptly insisted that nothing Of the sor
should be sent to Mr.. 3. with hs cousent.-
Baltimore stu. ......
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

Gr 1t appears that the population Of
California has actually decreased within the
last year. 1t was proposed to form an
association to cooperate with similar associ.
atoms in California and Oregon, and princi-
pal cities Of the Atlantic slope. The mea-
sures likely to receive attention are wagon
road and then q railroad to the Pacific; re-
duction of fare, and increased accommodation
by way of the Esthmus; providing the emf.
grants with employment on arriving OUT
getting lands into market at low prices ant
on favorable terms, and issuing publications
explanatory of resources and capabilities o
the country.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18
Later from Nicaragua.

New YoRK, December 5-The steamer
Tennessee arrived this morning. The Nj.
caragua accounts brought by her of Walk
er's movements nrc the same as those tee,
graphed from Charleston on Saturday. We
have no papers and our intelligence is fur
nishetl by the purser Of thesteamer. Gene
raj Walker had fought several unsuccess.
.ul battles since the departure Of the last
steamer. He had, however, on account of
the sickness prevailing atGranada, found it
necessary to evacuate and burn the city,
having 6rst.removed tho sick and wounded
to Ornetept. He was at Virgin Bay await
ing The arrival Of reinforcements when he'
would attack Rivas. The Naval engage
NETT before reported took place in the har.
Dor OF San Juan between the Nicaraguan
schoone Granada, with Q six FOUNDERS and
20 men, and the Costa Rican brig, of nine
Founders and l4,mer;. the latter was blown
up, and 40 Of her crew were rescued by the
Granada. The brig had on board large
supply OF stores, ammunition and specie foE
the allied darmY.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

A BOLD OPERATIoN.-A man named
Charles Town has been arrested for forgery
in PhiIadeIp phia. He appears TO have been
very bold in his operations, in one of which
he forged note and check, and drove to
Bristol, and went with them to the Farmers
Bank. Bank hours were over; he visited
the cashiers house and presented them. and
the cashier, after sUme scrutiny, actually
took the trouble to go to the bank to get the
money to pay the forged check. The audaci'
ty of this move is hard to equal.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

A You've AMERICA BABY.-The editor OF
the Newark JacdSoaian tells some great
truths since his triumph over the fanatics.-
Here is only part of his baby story:
"a gentleman, resident Of this city, has
asister living at New Paitz, opposite Pough
keepsie, who two weeks since gave birth Il
a fem ale child with two front teeth, and now
this specimen of our telegraph and hcomo
tive age has eight teeth. This fast baby il
no humbug, for its uncle is one of the Gun
terrified Democracy Of Newark, who youch
es for its truth.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

The ONO DEMoCRAcY.-The Democrat.
ic State Central Committee met at Colum-
bus, on the 18th inst, and by vote. of IA
to z determined to postpone the meeting oI
the State Convention from the 9Th Of Janu
ary until the 9th Of August next. A reso
.ation was adopted returning the thanks o
tho party in Ohio, to Col. McdaTy, for hi
able and eGEient management of the latt
gubernatoria and Presidential campaign
also making the representation in the mex
Convention to be one delegate to each fiv
hundred Democratic votes cast for James Blu
chanan at the late election, making the en-
tire number three hundred and orty-thrce.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

GEN. WHITFIELD ScoTr From letter o.
John Van Buren, read at the Boston Demo
cratic banquet, we learn that. in the late
Presidential canvass, "Scott, the great sol!
diHr OF our day, victorious oyer all the enc
mics of the country, aud only defeated
when arrayed against its friends, gave the
weight cf his great name to the Democrat
ic cause. The Democratic muster roll fol
1856, for the first time, has inscribed on i
together the great names of Jackson, Clay
and Webster, and it's cause upheld by tht
united efforts Of the possessors of those
Meccas of American devotion-the Her
mituge, Ashland, and Marshfield!"
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

GFThe Committee on Patents in the
House are aboutreporting bill to establish
a reciprocity of the privileges of patentees
between this country and the British provin.
ces. 1t is thought there will be no opposi
ton in either branch Of Congress, and it is
understood that the British Government will
readily agree to the proposed arrangement
II successfully established, it will greatly
benefit American inventors and add to tht
income OF the Patent Office.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18
Death OF GEN. Rufus Welsh.

We regret to learn from the Philadelphia
Bulletin that Gen. Rufus Welsh, lessee Of
the National Circus and Theatre in that
city, and formerly o! the Front Street The.
sire, Baltimore, and one Of the Oldest mana
gers in this country, died suddenly at his res
idence in Phiade lphia, on Friday sight
His disease was rheumatic gout, and its pro-
gress was rearfully rapid. Gen. Welsh was
born in New Berlin, Chenango Valley, N.
Y, in September, 1900. He went to the
West whe n only eleven years of age, and
soon alter became connected with the cir
Gus business, which wos then in its infancy
in this country. He has travelled in nearly
every quarter ofthe globe. One of his jour
ncys extended two thousand miles into the
interior of Africa, from which country he
brought over the largest and finest lot OF
wild animals, including several giTafes, that
were ever imported into America. He ex-
hibited these animals in Baltimore about
twenty years since. To his great business
energy and enterprise he united extreme
amiabiity and degree Of probity in his bus
mess affairs that secured him the respec,
and confidence Of oil who knew him, ant
especially those who were associated will
him. General W. was extensively known
throughout the whole country and in Europe
and his death will be regretted by his nu
merous warm friends.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18
The Kansas Funds Gross Frauds
upon the PCOp:c.

From the beginning, we have believed
that the efforts of eminent leaders in the Re.
publican party, to raise funds for "Bcedng L"
Kansas" was fraud. Millions of dollars
in money have been raised. The sympa'
thies of the kind hearted have been appeal.
ed to, the virtuous Indignation Of the zeal
ous has been excited by eAhortations from
the Republican press and the dcnuuciatons
of a prosttuted pulpit, unit! money from
thousand channels has flow ed in to fill up The
Kansas treasury. ItwGs, under all the cir
cumstances, a foolish and useless cxpendi-
ture of funds even when applied TO the os.
tensibe purpose for which it was raised
Still it might have done some good. Farm
ing utensils and me ch0nics tools could
have been purchased. Food and clothing
could have been provided for the destitute
and needy But facts have recently come
to light, which show that the money contri
bute4 for the benefit of "bleeding Kansas"
has ney er been distributed among The peo-
pie OF Kansas, but it has been used and dis.
posed of by Republican leaders for the pro-
motion Of their own private ends and as a
means Of accamnlating prirate fortunes. Men
under the preteDse of making Kansas a
Free State, taking advantages of the bcne-
VIOLENT hearts of the people, have stolen funds
by thousands and tens Of thousands from
their pockets.
That the game might be the more sue
cessfuFly played out whole families have
been induced to abandon their homes ant
friends and make their abode in the territory
under the. solemn promise that when once
there, they should be provided with provis
ION for twelve months, suitable clothing ant
necessary utensils for labor. But how have
their hopes been disappointed! All these
promises by which they were induced te
come have been broken; all the pronereC
privileges have been denied them. There
are now in the Territory Of Kansas, hun
dreds of families from the North, in starv
ing and helpless condition. They are with
out food, and without shelter! Winter is com
ing on. To stay there, is to starve or per
ish from the cold. They have not the mean
to return to their former homes. All thi
while, there are thousands Of dollars in th,
treasury OF the Kansas Aid Society and il
the pockets Of freedom shriekcrs which wer
donated for the purpose Of relieving thei
wants.
Such is Republican honesty. The citi
zens Of Portage county have given liberall,
Of their means to the object here refcrre
to. Almost every church has done some
thing. Almost every community has contr
bWed. What has become of the money
Why is it that our Republican brethre
in Kansas are starving for want of it,
"Bleeding Kansas" is left to bleed. Poo
victims OF the fraud are left to suffer. w
have before US q statement signed by ubor
one hundred Of the Free state men Of Ker
sas, certifying to the truth Of all and eve
more than we have stated above.
Never was there a more transparent
atrocious fraud played off upon the credulo'
citizens OF a country.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

rPresident Jeferson's scheme of draw
ing up guaboats from the water, and preserv-
ing them from decay by keeping them un-
der cover, has been adopted by the English
Government; and il is now going into prac-
ticsl operation at Gosport, in Portsmouth
harbor, having been introduced on the REQ.
ommendation Of Mr. Schamp, Of the engi.
neering department of the Admiralty. sH
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

ONE THOUSAND Persons KILLED BY A
STROKE OF LIGHTNIyG.--Accounts from
Rhodes state that the lightning struck the
immerse store of gunpowder which was
placed in the vaults belonging to the
Ancient knights, destroying the whole Turk
ish quarter SO completely, that only three
children were saved One thousand per
sons are said to have perished.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18
Later from Cn!ifOrniR-EEe Pres
idcEtial yOte-EEnportant from

idcniial VOte-EGmpoTtAnt from
Nicaragua.
New ORLEANS, Dec. 12.-The steamer
Texas arrived with California dates to the
goth ut., and San Juan to the 5th. The
steamer Tennessee takes forward $270, 900.
The vote Of California is--for Buchanan,
10000; Fillmore, So 900, and Fremont, 49,,
600 votes. The Democrats have a majority
in both Houses.
The Nicaragua news is important. Walk
er has been successful in a series of battles
with the combined forces of Central Ameri.
ca On the 10th of November, Gen. Horns.
by with 200 men defeated l,100 of the ene-
my under the Costa Rican General, Canas;
the enemy lost 200; Hornsby's loss was two
killed and eleven wounded. There was
fighting for four days at Massaya, which
ended in the entire defeat of the enemy
Walker returned to GRANADA, giving three
days notice OF his intention to destroy the
city, in order to allow the inhabitants time
to remove their vuluabIes. He thnn fired
Granada, not leaving vestige ofthe place.
He then remo"ed oil the effects of his men
and the inhabitants TO Rivas, which is here-
atter to be the capital OF Nicaragua. A ma
val buttlc took place between. the Nicara.
guam war steamer Granada, Captain Faycox,
and Costa Rlcan brig three times its size.
The Costa Rican vessel was blown up, and
the lives Of all on board were destroyed.--
! The Costa Rican loss is 5000 in the various
battles since October.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

or The people of Alexandria, Va, have
been greatly alarmed for several days past,
in consequence of a threatened insurrection
among the negroes. The military were
called out last week, and twenty-five slaves
were arrested at ball, where they had
assembled without permission, against the
laws of the State.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

JEFFERSON COLLEGE was rumnred in
this city, yesterday, that Jefferson College
located at CaDonsburg, in Washington Co.
had been destroyed by fire on Saturday last
The rumor was contradicted by gentleman
who arrived in town yesterday from that 10
cality. He states that the report had it'
origin in the burning Of barn near tho Col
Iege. e.--PusbGrgh Union, Dec. 10.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

6FTbe Steam FIGURING Mill Of THOMAS
W1LsoE, situated few rods North Of the
Railroad Depotin Hudson. Summit Co., was
entirely consumed by fire last Thursday
night. e7a.'f bslattA y gos.2'
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18
Destructive Fire im Albuny.

ALBANY, Monday, DEC. To-
The freight honse and passenger depot OF
the Hudson River Railroad, at East Albany,
were destroyed by fire yesterday. The
freight depot contained large amount OF
country produce and other goods. The total
loss estimated at $l50,000.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

{ OTThs health of DR.. Kane, the Arctic
navigator, is said to be in very precarious
state. His night sweats are "terrible,"
and his cough alarming. He ia advised
By his physician to proceed Immediately to
warmer climate.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

OF A movement 'is on foot in Canada, to
secure the passage Of an act in Parliament,
by which fugitive slaves may be sent back
to the United States. fia#
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18
The OE2icial Popular Vote Of the
Union.

We are at length enabled to make pret-
ty accurate and complete table Of the popu-
lar vote OF the United Sta tes on the Presi-
Dental question. The true figures are about
thGs-lhe fTst-numed twenty seven States
being official, und the remaining four very
nearly correct:
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18

0EGov. Adams, of South Carolina, CATCH
es it North and Souths and in his own State,
for his barburous proposition to revive the
African slave trade. 'f
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18
Total, 1,8s4,77l s35,2s5 1,ass.52s

Buchanan's majority over Fremont in the
Union is 546,243. The total vote is over
4.oOo, ,00e, being about double what it was
in 1910. Mr. Buchanan has got 100000
more votes than any other Presidential can.
didate ever received. Who 10 the minority
PRESIDENT }oem,9 g
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18


Below is choice article from the New
York Iadepeadeat. a religious paper, OF
what PUrports to be a religious paper. Il
Is edited By a corps of Congregational min
listers, among whom HEERY WARD BEECH
Err is the acknowledged lead r. We pub
lish the article, that men can see to what
extent religious .blasphemy is carried,
that they may see what are the real designs
Of the Republican party, and that they may
Judge whether ministerial interferencc with
the politics of the land is likely TO do
any substantial service to the county
When you have read the blackguard extract
below, reflect what are the consequences,
when ministers OF the gospel, are, on ac-
count of their love for the Republican party,
led into falsefcations of history and libels
upon the character and virtues Of our patri.
otic fathers: