davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16
WHOLE NO. 2137.
CORN STATISTICS IN OHIO.

The statistical and agricultural editori-
al articles of the Cincinnati Gazette are
not surpassed by any Journal in the
United States. From an article in that
paper Of June 80, on the corn crop of
Ohio, we gather the following.
1. The corn crop of Ohio has never
failed.
2. The depreciation of twenty per-
cent. below an average crop is equal TO
loss of eighty millions of dollars. an
amount equal TO four ifths the value of
the entire cotton crop.
3. The fact proves the importance of
corn culture as perfectly as possible. A
very little depreciation in this immense
crop costs the nation many millions.
4. The average crop is about thirty
five bushels to an acre, which makes the
land cultivated in Indian corn in the
United States about twenty four millions
of acres. In Ohio. at the present time,
just about one tenth part of the States is
in Indian corn. We suppose that one
fourth might be so cultivated, one fourth
in grass, and one fourth woods. With
this culture the State would support six
millions of people, and have more to ex-
port than there now is. Although the
average per acre of corn varies but little,
the average on particular farms varies
prodigiously. There is on record, and
properly authenticated, an instance in
Ohio of one hundred and eighty five
bushels of corn per acre! And there
are large fields of bottom land which
range from eighty to one hundred BUSH
els per acre. On the other hand, to
counterbalance this, there are numerous
farms where the corn crop is not more
than twenty bushels per acre. Corn
depends more than any other plant on
the character of the soil. Manures and
salts will enrich ground for wheat, but
broad cornfelds cannot be treated in
that waY.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

The act of 1916 authorized the Treas
urer of State to call upon County Treas
to deposit in advance of their FEBRUARY
settlements. Mr.. Breslin was not back
ward in availing himself of The powers
conferred upon him by that law. The
County Treasurers were liberal in their
deposits. In 1856 he refunded to them
sci, 1897. 49, which they had paid above
the amount Of taxes due from their coun-
ties to the State. At the annual state
ment in 1856, Mr.. Gibson refunded 10
them an excess of S44, 1873. .89, which
had been deposited with Mr.. Breslin pre-
vious TO his retiring from Office.
WHO is THE DEFAULTER.
The evidence against Mr.. Gibson con-
sists Of acknowledgements made by him
to public officers and committees of the
Legislature in his official character and
under the solemnity of his official oath.
There is nothing liz the testimony of the
witnesses indicating that he had embez
zled .he public funds. Though we have
made diligent inquiry, We have found
no trace of any investments made by
him beyond what his private pecuniary
resources would justify.
The books of the Office do not show
that any portion of the balance due 10
the State from Mr.. Breslin has ever been
paid to Mr.. Gipson, or that any funds
we're ever placed in his hands TO redeem
outstanding certificates to County Treas
urers.
In his settlement with County Treas
urers in 1856, Mr.. Gibson received the
certificates of deposit or receipts issued
by Mr. .Breslin. and charge, himself with
them as cash in his account, with the
several classes of revenue. The act of
1916, required the County Treasurers,
to make their deposits to the State Treas
urer, and prescribed the time and man
ner of making them.
They had been made in exact conform
ity with the provisions of the statute. 1t
was not. therefore, competent for him TO
pronounce them illegal. or refuse to cred
it them on the account of the several
parties to whom they had been issued.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

in one side Of the scale, and in the other
his obligations TO these men; and if the
latter out weighed the former his course
was plain one. To all this, his answer
was ''I will think yet" After few
general remarks, our interview ended
and 1 have not seen Mr.. B. since.
No one we think can read the testi-
mony which is here appended, and of
which we have given brief abstract in
the foregoing pages, without being con-
vinced that the two late treasusurs were
wholly unworthy the positions which
they have occupied. 1t is our opinion
that John G.. Breslin distracted the
money from the Treasury, and that
William II. Gibson, by concealing the
defalcation. has disregarded truth and
his sworn official duty. Whatever may
be their respective legal liabilities, we
are not able to discover any difference
in the moral character of their action.
"WuERE Is THE PEOPLES MoNEr?"
We are not able TO give a full and
satisfactory answer to this question. 1t
is unreasonable to expect that investiga-
ton of few weeks duration, should un-
ravel all the intricacies of a complicated
fraud which was many years in its con-
summation and development. The de-
falcation is not of recent date. The au-
thor of it has had time to cover over the
traces of his guilt and obstruct the sour
ces Of information. The parties to whom
the money may have been loaned, or
with whom it has been entrusted, are
interested in Withholding the facts
Some of the witnesses have testified with
great reluctance. The answers of one
of them not being very fall and salts
factory, we addressed him letter max
ing more specific inquiry; our letter and
interrogatories remain unanswered.
Had time permitted, the law had not
conferred upon US the power necessary
for the complete solution of this problem.
Without authority to send for persons
and papers, enforce the attendance Of
witnesses. and 10 punish for contempt,
no commission will ever be able to tell
where the money is to be found, or how
it is invested. 1t is doubtful whether
even their ample powers will bring 10
light all the secrets of this fraud. All
The facts are known to one only, aud he,
though importuned to do so. has refus-
ed to disclose them. Enough has been
elected to render it probable that the
money has been scattered with free
hand, and that the parties who now hold
it are numerous, and many of them be-
yond the boundaries of this State.
Respectfully submitted,
THOS. SPARROW, Commissioner.
F. NJ. WRIGHT, Auditor of State.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

collector to deposit all money received
by them in some bank designated by the
Treasurer of State.
The act making appropriations for the
year 1857, authorized the county Treas
urers TO make their payments into The
State Treasury, by depositing the sums
due the State in some neighboring bank,
The same provision was Incorporated in
to the appropriation bills for 1S4I and
1842. The law of 1856, that fruitful
source of mischief in our financial ad
ministration, has authorized the continu-
ance of the practice up TO the present
time. State Treasurers have collected
the State taxes from the banks and not
from the County Treasures.
Mr.. Gibson says that he Iesorted 10
borrowing. in order to meet the demands
on the Treasury and conceal the deficit.
If it is true that he received but $685.
600 from Mr.. Breslin, the books of the
Office corroborate his declaration. The
balance in the Treasury, on the 18th of
November last, was 50 so. 548 SO. If
Mr.. BresIin owed al that time $3.50, 900,
Mr.. Gibson must have borrowed nearly
$500, 900.
Notwithstanding the Act of April Sth,
1856, forbids it, The practice of receiv-
ing deposits and issuing certificates still
continued, and furnished portion of the
funds by which the Joint Committe and
the Auditor were deceived in regard TO
the condition of the Treasury. The
holder of a draft on the Treasury, on
presenting it for payment, instead of the
money, received a certificate of deposit,
signed by the Treasurer, for the amonnt.
The draft would pass into The Treasury
and be credited on the books. The bal
ance in the Treasury would be then ap-
parently diminished, though if actually
remained the same. Certificates issued
under the circumstances amounting TO
S775, ,003, are now outstanding.
With all these resources at his COM
mand it is not at all surprising that the
late Treasurer succeeded in conc ealing
the defalcation.
There was no obstacle to the use of
the money of the State by Mr.. Breslin
nor was any effort on his part necessary
to conceal deficit. There was no thor
ough examination of the Treasury dur
ing his term in Office, nor any inquiry
into the condition of its funds. The sur
plus in his hands was seldom less than
half million. The average balance of
the 18th of November of the four years
of his adminislI alton, exceeded S622,
600. The following table exhibiting the
balances in the Treasury at that date,
for the last ten years, is not destitute of
interest. II shows that large surplus
has been allowed to accumulate:
STATEMENT EXHIBITING THE BALANCE THE TRE lsuRY
REPORTED ny THE TREAsCRERs, FROM Nov. 18TH
IS47, TO Nov. 18TH, 1856.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16
BAYARD'S WARMING, PAN.

Bayard Taylor, in his last letter from
Norway, thus describes the Norwegian
method of giving the traveller a warm
reception:
"At sunset we left the lake, and
climbed a long. wooded mountain, to
height of more than two thousand feet.
II was weary pull until we reached
the summit; but we rolled swiftly down
to the inn of TeteruJ, our destination,
which we reached about ten P. NJ. 1t
was quite light enough to read, yet eve-
rybody was in bed, and the place SEEM
ed deserted, until we remembered what
latitude we were in. Finally the landlord
appeared, followed by a girl, whom, on
account of her size ard blubber, Brais.
ted compared to a cow whale. She had
been turned out of her bed to make
room for US, ane zoe t.pO Instantly rolled
into tie aOarm hOllOw she had lJ1-my
Nilotic friend occupying separate bed,
in another corner. In the morning, 1
was aroused by Braisted exclaiming,
"There she Blowsi" and the whale came
up to the surface with a huge pot of
coffee, some sugar candy, excellent
cream, and musty biscuit"
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16
RESPECTFULLY yOuTS,
W. III. GIBSON, Treasurer.

In statement of the condition of the
Treasury submitted by him 10 the J0int
Committee on the 18th Of December last,
the balance due from Mr.. Breslin, exclu-
sive of the suspended debt OF S204, $50
GA is said to be Sc ,399 90, which it was
understood Mr.. Gibson was willing TO
assume, AMI for which he was liable TO
account.
The 5th section of the act 'suppIe-
mentary to the act prescribing the du-
ties of the Auditor and Treasurer of
State, relative TO the receipt. disburse-
ment, and safe keeping OF the public
moneys and accounting for them" is as
follows:
"The Treasurer shall, during the first
ten days of each month, make out and
publish in at least two daily and weekly
newspapers Of general circulation, print
ed in the city of Columbus, an abstract
exhibition the true condition of the Treas.
ury, as it shall have existed on the first
day of the month; which abstract shall
set forth the amount of money actually
in the Treasury at Columbus, the amount
of drafts, bills of exchange and other
evidences of debt held by the Treasurer,
specifying the amount of each, the date
thereof, and when payable, with the
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

Treasurer OF State.
Sworn to before me this 9th day day of April, 1857.
4. HUME, Notary Public.
N The foregoing is Of the 9Th instead of the lst,
as the act was not published until the 3d Of April and
in my absence. W. H. G.
There is no doubt that the above
statement is tolerable accurate exhibit,
with the exception of the condition of
the Treasury at the time it was publish
ed. The last item should have been
S7,45O 90.
1t will be observed that the last COL
umn of figures is not added. 1t amounts
to SI46,15 OF. This sum subtracted
from S675,04 O5, the amount Of his
dePts leaves 1851. .89l o., which is a
close approximation to the real amount
of The defalcation.
The statement is carefully and skill
fully drawn. 1t is so constructed
as to enable him TO swear to it without
subjecting himself to a criminal charge,
ond yet leaves false impression.
The law required him to "set forth
the amount of money actually in the
Treasury at Columbus" as well as "the
amount Of the drafts, bills of exchange
and other evidences of debit" yet as be-
fore stated he has not added the column
containing the amounts Of the drafts, evil
dences of debt, &c." Nor is such an
item as "money in the Treasury" 10 be
found in the statement. The natural in
ference of an honest mind, trusting in the
official integrity of the Treasurer, would
be that the credit column balanced the
debt; or if he took the trouble to add it,
that the difference between them was
money" and that "money" safely
lodged in the Treasury.
Mr.. Gibson published no statements of
the condition of the Treasury for the
months of May and June.
Mr.. Gibson has appeared before us,
and submitted TO an examination. In
his deposition which is hereto appended
he declares that all his official communi-
cation relative 10 the payments alleged
to have b en made by Mr.. Breslin to
him were false-and that he received
but S3O3, ,865 81 from him.
1t is not unjust to say that his present
declarations, however solemnly made,
are not entitled 10 any credit, unless sus-
tanned and corroborated by the records
of the Office, the testimony of others or
the declarations and conduct of Mr.. Bres.
lin.
His mfr. GibsOn's) motives in max
ing such official communications he
states were iwo-fold
1st. He was one of the sureties on
Breslin's official bond-and the exposure
of the defalcation would involve the pc
cuniary ruin of himself and co-sureties,
who were his friends and neighbors.
9i. He thought that by concealing
the fact of the defalcation, he could Sc
cure the amount due the state.
Whether his motives constitute a JUS
tifcation fer breach of official duty we
leave to another tribunal to decide.
In considering the evidence against
Mr.. Breslin, in order to illustrate the
mode in which business has been trans
acted between successive Treasurers, il
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16
Respectfully submitted,
THOS. SPARROW, Commissioner.
F. NJ. WRIGHT, Auditor of State.
A CORONER CALLED TO A LIVING
SUBJECT.

A day or two since, man drove in
great haste to the Seventh Police Sta
tion, and informed Capt. Seaver that a
dead body was lying behind pile of
lumber on Huckins' wharf. Capt. s.
inquired if he was sure that the body
was dead, and was answered by the in
formant, certainly, for the face is COW
cred all over with flies, and IL begins TO
smell already" An officer was imme-
diately dispatched for Coroner, while
at the same time another was sent to
watch the body. The body being in a
confined place. the officer who was sent
to watch him thought it best 10 pull it
out into more open space, and was pro
ceeding so to do, when the supposed
dead man sprang to his feet, and in an
angry tone inquired, "what in thunder
are you doing here?"
The astonished officer informed the
individual that he had been reported as
dead, and that a Coroner had been sent
for to hold an inquest on his body
"Dang it ALL" said the fellow, very
much alarmed. al amt dead; 1 don't
want any cussed Coroner about me-
After some parley, both officer and man
went to the Station house, where the
man stated he had eaten something which
made him sick, and he "keeled up on
the wharf to take a nap" After ex-
pressing his dread of Coroners generally
he was jocosely informed that inasmuch
as he had been reported so dead that
he smelt, he must submit to the process
of having a Coroner TO sit upon him.
This seemed TO give new impetus TO
his bodily vigor, and without even say
ing "by your leave, gentlemen, he dar-
ted out of the Station house, and the last
seen OF him, he was travelling at 9 40
gait towarns Chelsea.--Boston formal.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

WnY DO WE HIGCoUGu.-Hiccough is
caused by sPasmOdic twitching of the di-
aphragm, thin, muscular membrane
which divides the chest from the abdo-
men. 1t generally arises from symPa-
thy with the stomach; and it is highly
probably that the muscular twitches and
jerks are so num- efforts on the part Of
the diaphragm to assist tie stomach to
get rid Of some uRIigested matter. Tile
Reason Why.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

name of the makers, endorsers, accep-
tors and drawers thereof; the amount of
deposits in the several repositories of
money belonging 10 the Treasury; which
abstract shall be attested by the oath of
the Treasurer, Or his principal account
ing Clerk
In obedience to the provisions of this
section. on the oh of April last, Mr.. Glib
son published in the Ohio State Joum-
al the following statement of the condi-
ton Of the Treasury:
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

Total amount. lOl 81
This includes all that have received from the late
Treasurer to this date.
There is yet outstanding S0000 dollars Of his cerf
Gates. held by the Treasurer of Hamilton county.
Inthe gross receipts. have included the redemption
fund Of the Canal Bank Of Cleveland.
Respectfully yours,
" LII EIRSnN
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

Bion, seeing preson who was tearing
the hair on his head for sorrow, said
Does this man think that badness is a
remedy for gr;ef?"
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

The best mode of revenge is not to
initiate the injury.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

Man is never wrong while be lives for
others; the philosopher who contemplates
from the rock, is a less noble image than
the sailor who struggles with the storm.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

THE MORALS OF ART.-Coleridge says,
EVERY human feeling is greater and
larger than the exciting cause--a proof
that man is designed for higher state of
existence; and this is deeply implied in
music. in which there is always some
thing more and beyond the immediate
expression" But not music only-ev-
cry production of art ought to excite
emotions greater, and thoughts larger
than itself. Thoughts and emotions
which never, perhaps, were in the mind
of the artist, never were anticipated,
never were intended by him, may be
strongly suggested by his work. This
is an important part Of the morals OF art
which we must never lose sight of. Art
is not only for pleasure and profit, but
for good and for evil.
/ GRANDILoaUENr.- The first paragraph
of the new treaty between Persia and
the Uuitei States is as follows:
"The President of the United States
of North America, and his Majesty, as
exalt d as the planet Saturn, the sover-
eign 10 whom the sum serves as stand
ard; whose splendor and magni6cenee
are equal to that Of the skies; the sub
lime sovereign, the monarch, whose ar
mics are as numerous as the stars; whose
greatness calls to mind that of Jeinshig;
whose magni6cence equals that OF Darius;
the heir of the crown and throne of the
Keyanians, the sublime Emperor of ali
Persia, being" &c., &c.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

Few things are impossible to skill and
industry.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

The foregoing is correct to the best of my knOwl-
edge. W. II. GIBSON,
Treasurer Of State.
Sworn to before this 9th day day of April 1857.
K. HUME, Notary Public.
n The foregoing is Of the 9Th instead of the lst
as the act published until the 3d Of April and
in my absence. W. H. g.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

STATEMENT EXHIBITING THE BALANCE THE TRE ASuRY
As REPORTED ny THE TREAsURERs, FROM Nov. 18TH
IS47, TO Nov. 18TH, 1856.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-16

STATE TREAsURER's oFFIcE,l
Columbus, March 90, lS56. !
Hon. A KELLEY, Chairman, &c.
DEAR sIR:-Below find statement of the gross and
several sums of money paid me by John G. Bresln,
ESQ., late Treasurer, account of balance due from
i'm
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-09-01
State of North Carolina.

UNION COUNTY.
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
July Term, 1857.
James r. Winchester, Admir-
of Rachael Winchester, decd, Petition
VS.. for Set
Hosea James Winchester, ct al. J Element.
1t appearing TO the satisfaction of the Court
that the Defendants, Hosea J. Winchester.
Leah K. Winchester, William V. Wine hester,
Joseph A. WINCHESTER, Rufus Z. Winchester,
John Potter Winchester, Eliza C. Winches-
ter. Perlina Winchester, Nancy Winchester,
ID. Bronson Winchester, William Winchester
John Winchester, Allen Winchester, Jane ].
Winchester, Rachael II. Winchester, Rebec-
ca, wife of Harry Fisher, Jane Steagall, John
Steagall, Ann, wife of Holden Horget, John
Winchester, Joseph Winchester, Jason Win
chester, and Moan Winchester. are not in.
habitants ofthis State, hut reside beyond the
limits of the same; it is ordered by the
Court that publication be made for six weeks
In the Western Democrat, notifying the said
Defendants TO be and appear at the next
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, TO ne
held for said county. at the Court House in
Monroe, on the first Monday of October ext.
then and there TO plead, answer or demur
otherwise judgment pro confesso will be
taken against them, and the PRAYER OF the
petitioner heard exparte as 10 them.
WTrsKss, ]. NJ. Stewart, Clerk of our said
Court, at Office ia Monroe, tie st Monday
of July, 1887.
GIL J. Nj. STEWART, Clerk.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-09-01
A BAD CASE OF AGUE.

The following is quite rs tragic if not so
beautiful as the death of Minnehaha. Its
talented author is unknown to US:
And he took the ague badly;
Oh it shook him, shook him sorely,
Shook his boots off and his nails,
Shook his teeth out and his hair off,
Shook his coat all into tattcrs,
And his hair all into riHbOnd,
Shirtless, cOatless, hairless, tootEless,
Minus boots and minus tOe-nails,
Still it shook him, shook him, till it
Made him yellow, gHunt and bony,
Shook him till lie reached his death bed,
Shook him till it shuffled for him
Off his mortal coil and then it
Having made him cold az could be,
Shook the earth still down upon him;
And he still lies meath his grave stone,
Ever shaking, shaking, shaking!