davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30
Didn't Know Her Sex.

A few nights since the house ola prominent
resident Of New York was entered by burglar,
and some valuable jewelry and other property
stolen and carried away But before leaving
the house, it appears that he paid visit to al
most every apartment in it. Traces of him were
found above and below stairs--wherever, in
deed it was propable that valuables could be
obtained, 1t so happend that one member OF
the family belonged to that much abused aud
very excellent class Of society called ''old
maids" She is a free-hearted, generous lady,
intelligent and refined, and the only fear that
her we'll balanced mind has ever known,
is the apprehension that in some evil hour
Satan will lure her affections in to the keep
ing Of that abomination Of her mind, man.
Now, whether the burglar knew this popularity
of the lady's mind or not, he, at all events,
determined to pay her very practical Joke.
To this end he carefully removed from the chair
on which she had neatly folded and laid it, all
her wearing apparel, and substituted from
another room complete suit Of gentlemen S
clothes. Then taking off a huge pair of false
whiskers, he carefully adjusted them to the
face of the sleeping lady Ofcourse he could
not wait to see the denOaement, but that plea
sure was reserved for the family the next
morning. Awakening at an early hour, the
lady proceeded to the mirror to enjoy look
at her face The first glance petrifed her with
horror Was she indeed man ?-The latest
superstition of her nature reviving, she imagin-
ed that Satan had been playing her horrible
revenge for her animosity to the male creation.
She staggered to a chair, and, almost broken
hearted, concluded to dress and send for bar
Der. But now, she noticed for the first time
that her clothes were gone, and a gentleman S
outfit was substituted in their stead. She was
certain now that the n,etamorphose was COM
plete, andresigning herself 10 the situation tried
to don the apparel. But having no experience
in the adjustment of this new-fangled apparel,
and habit being stronger than instinct, she
found that every time she put the pantaloons
over her head. she encountered an impeachment
hatdefed all her efforts to overcome. 10 short,
the pants would not go over her head. At
last, in despair, she rang for assistance, and
her maid appearing at the door, she cried
out:
Don't come in Betty, for am man, now
but Just please step and ask my brother if he
usually puts his breeches on over his head, or
commences feet foremost"
1t is needless to say the message astonished
the household. 1t was some time before the
lady would admit to her apartment any one Of
either sex, for fear she might make mistake
but finally, one, more adventurous than the
rest pushed open the door, and soon convinced
the sorely troubled maid that she had not for
saken her estate, but was yet one of the angels
ofthe earth.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30
Horrible Death by Railroad Acct
dent.

The accident on the South Carolina railroad
last Saturday morning, caused by the breaking
of portion Of the treste over the Congaree
river, has been mentioned by telegraph. The
particulars represent that ten freight cars and
contents were burnt, but the two coaches, filled
with passengers. escaped injury. Among the
number was Mr. G. W. Conner, Of Baltimore.
Sad TO relate, the engineer, Mr.. A. S. Hargrave,
was burned alive, aud the fireman, james Gill
bert, was instantly killed His body, like that
Of the engineer, was burnt almost to Cinder.
The terrible death of the engineer is thus re-
lated by an eye witness:
"Some of the train hands now proceeded to
the engine, where the sight that met their view
was terrible. The engineer, Mr.. A. 5. Har-
grave, in attempting tO'reverse the engine, had
been caught between the quadrant and the
frame, and was crushed down beneath the
weight of mass of ruins, perfectly sensible,
within the reach Of his companions, but, most
horrible to say, placed in such position that
it was impossible to remove him. Mr.. Gilbert,
the fireman, had been instantly killed by the
fall. and his remains were not discovered until
the flames had been subdued Mr.. Symes and
others now approached the engineer, and en-
deavored in vain to extricate him, but seeing
the inpossibility of doing so, went in search
of assistance. The flames, which were now
approaching him, leaped nearer to the doomed
man, as if to mock his agony. He called to
Mr.. Symes, "0h Tom, come here" His
friend approached and asked if he could do
anything for him. He replied in calm tones,
while the flames were licking his fSeh, No,
it is too late; you can't do anything for me but
tell my family how l died, and that nothing
could be done for me- He then sent mes
sage to his wife, folded his arms upon his breast,
and died slow, lingering, torturing death,
without struggle, save when an involuntary
shrek was wrung from his lips by the fierce
torture of the devouring element. His friends
and a number Of the passengers could only
stand by and shed tears, utterly powerless to
render the least assistance. Mr.. Hargrave was
about thirty-four years old, and during a term
Of twenty years, in which he has served the
company, was universally respected and es-
teemed. He leaves widow and child"
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30
Governor of Virginia.

The Inauguration of Governor Walker, Of
Virginia, (says the Baltimore Sum- which took
place on the DIST inst, was, it should be re-
menibcred, in accordance with his appointment
by General Candy as provisional governor, to
the tenure and functions Of which position he
will be limited till the State is admitted by
Congress, General Candy, in the meantime, re-
tanning the supreme authority. In the event
Of the admission of the State, the beginning
Of the Governors term, as we have before sta
ted, will date, as fixed by the constitution,
from the 1st day of January succeeding his
election. No special form Of Inauguration for
Governor has ever been employed in Virginia,
the official SIMPLY taking the oath Of Office
before a magistrate. BY the constitution just
adopted. the returns of the elections are to be
transmitted to the Secretary Of the Common
wealth. to be delivered to the Speaker of the
House of Delegates Cd the first day Of the next
session Of the General Assembly, who shall,
within week thereafter, in the presence of
both branches, open the returns, and, the votes
being counted, declare the persons ascertaiued
to be elected. When this process is completed
and Gen. Walker inaugurated under it, we
may hope for the inauguration ola new era in
the affairs Of the Old Dominion Governor
Walker, as is known, is a native Of New York,
but he is not the first native of that State who
who las been elected to that Office by the
voice Of the people, Governor Joseph johnson,
Of Western Virginia, who was New Yorker
by birth, having been elected some twenty
years ago over George W. Summers, a Virginia
competitor. 1t is true that the circumstances
under which Governor Walker has been elect
ed are peculiar, but they are such as to cast no
discredit either upon himself or those who have
elected him to his responsible position. He
became a resident of Virginia since the war;
not as political adyeuturer, but as an enter
prising aud intelligent business man, intending
in good faith to cast in his lot permanently
with the people. To this resolution he has
strictly adhered, and had proven himselfa val
liable accession to the business men and in
terests Of Virginia before his name was an
Eounced as the conservative candidate for Gov
ernor. His conduct during the canvass and
since has been characterized by sound judg-
ment, moderation and tact, and though he has
been viglautly watched by all parties, has
committed no act which could reasonably af-
ford a pretext for unfriendly criticism. Gov
ernor Walker is understood to be the represen-
tative of the liberal republican party, but he
has only to stand clear Of cliques, rise above
all parties, strive to heal divisions, be Just to
all races, and exert his practical mind in the
development Of the material interests Of Vir-
ginia, to secure the ultimate restoration to that
State Of its former power aud prosperity.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30
Terribly Tragedy.

We are exceedingly panied to announce the
death of Miss Kate Walker, the heroic young
lady who lost her life in saving her fathers
She died on Monday morning, after suffering
for more than two days intense agony-which
VIC learn, she bore with spartan fortitude and
christian resignation.
The particulars of the affair are as follows ::
Mr.. Walker being disappointed in pecuniary
matters, in fit Of temporary insanity, attempt
ed to shoot himself with pistol which act,
being observed by his daughter, at the instant
when the instrument was pointing to his breast,
she caught the pistol and brought the muzzle
to her own, and at that moment the pistol was
discharged, its contents passing through her
right hand and lung. 1t is the saddest thing
we have ever been called upon to chronicle
She was an estimable lady, young, handsome,
and accomplished and beloved by all who
knew her. She leaves a vacuum in her circle
of friends and acquaintance that cannot be
filled, and utterly brushes the hopes Of an af-
fectionate mother and father who idolized their
only daughter. Could kind words, springing
from sincere sympathetic hearts soften their
sorrow or mitigate their grief, there would be
no lack Of friends to utter them; but anguish
resulting from so great loss, can scarcely be
alleviated by human sympathy, and consola-
ton can only be obtained by trusting to the
wisdom of Him who "ordcreth all things. -
Orange Natice NTgiAiaa, PAN.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30
The Siekles' Blunder.

Just about this time, when there is quite
dearth Of political news, the papers have quite
an item in the fdsco Of Gen. SicSIes, our Min
lister to Spain. If half Of what the Republi-
can journals say of him be true, he is totally
UNFIT TO represent US anywhere, but especially
at the Court Of that unfortunate country. We
axe not disposed to credit al the hard things
brought against Sickles by The papers Of his
own party, who ought to know him, but we
are strongly inclined to the belief that better
and wiser representative Of public opinion
might have been entrusted with the delicate ne
gotiations attendant upon such a mission.
To the credit Of his party be it said, that
there was strong opposition to his appointment,
and the sequel has proven that there were good
grounds for it. The itself, now
says that it was never intended that Sicklos
should manage the Cuban difficulty, hence, a
special commissioner was sent to Spain, who it
was presumed was possessed Of the necessary
tact aud qualifications to transact the business.
lis now stated, however that after Offering
the mediation Of this government to Spain in
the Cuban difficulties, Sickles very unwisely
and also very unauthoritatiyey stated, that
should the mediation be refused that public
opinion here would compel the government to
acknowledge Cuban independence. OF course
the high-toned, proud Spaniards Indignantly
refused to accept the mediation. The pros
poet Of the sale or loss Of Cuba caused a gene
ral and violent commotion in Madrid Ii the
possession Of the Gem Of the Antilles is made
point Of honor, the Spaniards viii fight
There is enough Of the old Castilan blood yet
running in their veins for that Whether
Spain viii have the sympathy Of European ma
tions in the event Of war is another question,
as unfortunately for her cause, the manner in
which her troops have conducted the war in
Cuba has not tended to establish her claims to
rank among christian nations. Too many bar
bariticS unknown to civilized warfare have
been perpetrated there.
The republican papers so so far as to say
that Sicklesw would be glad to be recalled, hoping
thereby to make political capital in New York
City. In other words, he would insult a whole
nation, a friendly power, to advance his own
ambitious views.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30

IN the Circuit Court Of Jefferson County.
September Term, 1869.
JOHN T. HENKLE, ct ais, Plaintiffs,
JAMES w. CAMPBELL'S Admir- d ais,
DEFENDANTS, an C9Gncuy.
The Court doth adindge order and decree
that this cause be referred TO Joseph 1rapnel
as Special Commissioner, with instructions
First, TO state and settle the accounts of
Robert Lucas, Jr., James ID. Gibson and Sam
uel 5. Moore as deputies Of said James W.
Campbell, late Sheriff Of Jefferson County,
Virginia.
Secondly To state and settle the accounts of
said James w. Campbell as Sheriff of Jeiler-
son County.
ThTdly To audit all debts due by or claims
against the said james w. Campbell rs such
Sheriff as aforesaid which shall be proven b
the satisfaction of the said Commissioner. AMI
so ascertain the entire liability of the SAID
James W. Campbell as such Sheriff. together
with all other matters deemed pertinent by
himself or which any Of the parties may de-
sire TO have stated and notice Of the taking Of
this account published for four successive wesks
in tie Free Press newspaper shall be equiv
alent 10 personal service upon all the parties,
and make report Of bis proceedings to a future
term Of this Court.
A Copy-Teste--
w. 4. CHAPLINE, Clerk.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30
Expensive Funerals.

An exchange, in condemning the growing
custom of snowy and expensive funerals, says
" We dare not undertake to estimate the cost of
respectable" funeral, but it may be safely
assumed that a man could live for year on
what it costs to get him buried in a manner suf-
fciently impressive to soothe the grief of his
friends a friend of ours counted over one
hundred and fifty carriages in funeral pro-
ceSsion a few days ago, and did not count
them all at that. 1t would seem as though,
by a combined effort on the part Of the clergy
Of all denominations something might be done
to stop this vast waste of time and money
which is most INDUCED in by those least able
to afford it, for it is q noticeable fact that the
funerals Of the most wealthy people are the
least ostentatiouS. The late Bishop Timon,
Roman Catholic Bishop of BUfnalo, seeing the
evil effects Of this extravaganza, forbade, in his
diocese, more than four carriages appearing in
a funeral procession, and we believe other pre-
lates in the same church have made similar
regulations. Protestant clergymen have not
the same authority, but they could exert their
influence, and ought to do so. This practice
oflong professions seems doubly ridiculous when
it is remembered that two-thirds of the car
riages are often occupied by people who
wouldn't have known the deceased had they
met him on the street, and who readily admit
that they only go for the ride"
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30
Col. John B. Baldwin

We have been permitted by a friend to quote
the following extracts from private letter
lately received from this gentleman says the
Winchester Sentinel:
" l am, as you know, thoroughly disfrau-
chised aud disqualified for all official prefer
ment, either State or Federal, and have never
had any idea Of applying for any relief from
my disabilities in advance Of that general am
ues;y which some day or other, ! presume, will
come alike to all the people Of Virginia. 1t
would, therefore, be very absurd in me to en-
gage in any political combinations at a time of
such political uncertainty as that upon which
We have fallen. | am not in the political mar
ket as buyer or seller, nor have | anything to
barter g My politics are emphatically
Nirgiuian. If have ever forgotten for one
moment to look after her rights, her interest
or her honor, | am not conscious Of the delin-
quency. If have ever seemed to surrender
any Of her rights, it has been only because
had utterly lost all means and all hope OF main
tanning them entire, and felt that the only way
TO save anything would be to let 20 frankly
whatever was clearly lost If I have ever con-
ceded anything to a Radical, it was because he
had it already
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30
Commissioners Notice.

EIRCUIT COURT Of Jefferson County,
September Term 1869.
JOHN II. CAMPBELL ct ais, PlaintGs.
rs.
n. W. MANNING ct ais, Dcfndants,
In OGWoy.
The Court doth adjudge order and decree
that this cause be referred 10 joseph Trapnel
as a Special Commissioner with instruciious-
First, 10 audit MI debts due by ~ claims A.
gainst the said Nathaniel W. Manning, a dep
uty Of Robert Lucas, Jr., Sheriff Of jefferson
County, which shall be proven to the satislac-
ton Of the said Commissioner
SecondW To ascertain the entire liability
which has been incurred by al aud each II
tire securities Of the said Nathaniel W. Man
ming in any Of his bonds as such Deputy Shcr-
if, together with all other matters deemed per-
tinent by himself or which the parties may de-
sire to have stated. And notice Of the taking
Of this account published for four successive
weeks in the Free Press" newspaper shall
be equivalent TO personal service upon an tho
parties, and report his proceedings 10 future
term Of this Court
a Copy-Icste-
w. A. CHAPLTNE, Clerk.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30
Interesting News and Relics from
the Sir John Franklin Arctic
Expedition.

NORWICH, Sept. 26.-The whaling schooner
Cornelia has arrived at New London from Cum
berland Inlet, with three men belonging to DR..
C. F. Halls expedition in search of Sir John
Franklin. DR.. Hall is passenger on the ship
Ansel Gibbs, for New Bedford. He has num-
Der of articles belonging to Sir John Franklin,
including spoons and chronometer box. He
was also successful in finding skeletons Of
many of his men and the remains of their
boats. Skeletons and other relics were found
at King Williams Land.
The Cornelia brought an anchor, found at
the extreme North, marked f. S, I776. which
is supposed to have belonged to the first explo-
rers. DR. Hall found a native, who claims to
know all about the party. He says the ship
was stove aud the crew took to their boats and
went ashore, where their provisions were ex-
hausted and they died from starvation. Ice
and snow prevented Dr. Hall from making full
explorations. He will return midsummer and
further prosecute thesearch. The Ansel Gibbs
will arrive in day or two.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30
An Old Actor Dies in the Almshouse.

y fortnight ago VIM. Anderson, the veteran
comedian, died in the eighty-second year of
his age, at the almshouse Although I'M
known to the present generation, Mr. Andcr-
son was veteran in the theatrical profession,
and in his prime occupied a prominent posi-
ton as an actor in line of characters now
given by Adams, Wheatley and other popular
light comedians The deceased was a men,
Der of the Richmond (Va.) corps under Pla-
eide, Green and Twaits, when the theatre was
destroyed by fire in December 1911. In 1914
he was attached to the old South Street Thea
tire, in Philadelphia, and in the following year
he appeared at the Chestnut Street Theatre
He was a native Of England where he received
a fine education, and connected with a good
family, had the entree into fashionable society.
He brought to the stage his natural and ac-
quired talent and was considered ali actor Of
great promise He married one of the elder
Jeferson'S daughters, much against the wishes
of the father He had certain peculiarities that
estrangcd him from friends and relatives, and
finally he was compelled to seek shelter in
his declining years in the almshouse, where he
was an inmate for number of years.-Phila-
clelphia Age.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30
oE7CscsT7TJE1 or - IA NTTIY JOURNAL.

TESTIMONY FOB THE SoUTH.-Mrs. ii. Wad-
diuger, lady ofGgh social position and much
intelli yence from Hanover, Germany, has re-
Gently made tour of observation through the
South. Her purpose was to determine, in be-
half of herself and others, the question OF re-
moval to America, and her impressions are
communicated in a letter to the Memphis APP
peal from which the following extract is
taken:
"The opinion entertained previous to my
visit that the Southern States were in many
respects far better adapted to the wants of my
countrymen than the Northwest has been fully
confirmed, and shall not fail to so advise them
of their interest in the matter, and to use what
ever influence l may be able to exert, both
among my friends in Germany as well as those
in the States north and west of yours, in giving
such directions to emigration"
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30

The OCTOBER ELEcroxs.-There are but
three weeks now intervening before the Octo-
Der elections Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska Ohio
and Pennsylvania hold their elections on the
second Tuesday, the 18th Of that month. In
Indiana the republican majority FOR Grant was
9572, and the republican majority on Joint
ballot in the last Legislature was so. Cover
nor Baker was elected by 96l majority. In
iowa. Grants majority was 4G,359, and tie
republican majority in the Legislature was
lo7. Grants majority.in Nebraska was 200,
aud Governor Buffers . 49l. The Legislature
was strongly republican. In Ohio Grants
majority was 4l42S, and the republicans
elected Sherwood Secretary Of State last year
by 1883 majority The Legislature had 10
democratic majority on Joint ballot. In Pen
nsylvania Grants majority was 2S,sOS. and
General Hlrtrafts 9.G77. The republican
majority in the legislature was p on jilt
ballot.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30

The Traditional OLD MAN.-Mark Twain
thus describes, in the Buffalo Express, a re-
markable citizen Of that place John Wagner
the Oldest man in Bufao-lO4 years-recently
walked mile and a-half in two weeks. He
IS as cheerful and bright as any of those other
old men that charge around 50 in the news
paper, aud is in every way as remarkable.
Last November be walked five blocks in a rain
storm without any shelter but an umbrella.
and cast his vote for Grant, remarking that he
had voted for forty-seven Presidents-which
was lie. His second crop Of rich brown
hair arrived from New York yesterday. and
he has new set Of teeth comiug-from Phil
ade'Ihia. lie is to be married next week to 2
girl Of lo2 years Old who still takes in wash
ing. They have been engaged eighty years.
but their parents persistently refused their
consent until three days ago.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-30
HOUSES AND LOTS

on the public square, and along the public tho
rouehfares of the town. 1t also contains some de-
lightfullv situated sites for Private Residences,
commanding views of Jeferson's Rock. the Mary
land and Loudoun Heights, and the meeting Of the
Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.
In view of the SALE BY GOVERNMENT OF
its Real Estate and Water Power in Harper's Fer
nv, to Immediately take place, and the consequent
increase of the business and prosperity ID the
place, the above sale offers splendid opportunity
to those who think Of investing in this part Of the
country.