davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13
Letter from Chesapeake city,
correspondence q We MlddIctopn ITdnScTlpf,
CHESAPEAKE CRY, Feb. 9th, 1860.

Mr.. EDITOR In reading your valuable
paper, am pleased to find communications
from many parts of the country, but as
yet, have seen none from our divided City.
l will, therefore, endeavor to give you
some items which may be of some interest
to your many readers.
The Chesapeake g. Delaware Canal Co.
are busily engaged repairing their Lock at
this place, during which time all trade will
cease, except that of the Philadelphia and
Baltimore Transportation Line, which pro-
poses to transfer their freight from one
boat to another, at this place, during the
time it takes to repair said Lock, which
will take from six to ten days.
Our ice men are getting little sick on
the question thus far there has not been
a pound of this Summer luxury saved.
The protracted meeting, which has been
in progress for some four weeks, came to
a close last evening, with very little sue
cess. Ephraim appeared to be joined to
his idols, and the decision of those in au-
thority was, to let him alone"
The closing scene of the Masonic Fair
took place on last Friday evening. in the
drawing ofthe Grand Scheme. Everything
passed off pleasantly; the names of the
lucky ones are as follows
Moving Machine, drawn by the Lodge,
at Chesapeake City !; Ladies Gold Watch,
Eugene Biddle, Chesapeake; Single Har-
ness, r. T. Lockwood, Middletown Wolf
Robe, e. P. Bowen, Chesapeake; Ladies
Saddle, Chesapeake Lodge Ladies' Gold
Chain, Thomas Price, Delaware City Af-
CHAN, William Malster, Chesapeake Buff
falo Robe, G. H. Bennett, Elkton; Bride
and Martingale, John Reese, Chesapeake !;
China Set, William Lindsey, Chesapeake !;
Silver Castor, Thomas Price, Delaware
City; Counterpane No. 1, Lodge, Chesa-
peake; Counterpane No. 2, James Van
Horn, Bohemia Manor Glass Ware, Ed
ward Stephenson, Chesapeake; Child's
Sled, Mrs. E. Watson, Bohemia Manor /;
Box Segars No. 1, Lodge, Chesapeake ;
Box Segars No. 2, Walter Buckwith, Bo-
hemia Manor; Glass Pitcher, Samuel Savin,
Bohemia Manor; Arctic Over Shoes No.
l, Lodge, Chesapeake; Arctic Over Shoes,
No. 2, William Fowler, Chesapeake; Car
riage Whip, No. 1, William j. Barwick
Chesapeake; Carriage Whip No. 2, Jos.
Pennington, Del. City.
The Fraternity realized quite a hand
some sum as proceeds of said fair much to
the satisfaction of all concerned
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13

BOLD ROBBERY ON BRoADwAY.-An.
other one of those desperate robberit
that have become SO frequent of late was
perpetrated last evening on our most
crowded thoroughfare about seven and a
half o'clock Three men were observed
lettering in front of the jewelry s4ore Of
Messrs. Benedict Bros. at No. 691 Broad
way. Suddenly one with large piece Of
iron dashed in the heavy plate glass win
dow and glass case that lay inside, and
another of the gang seized a tray con-
tanning diamond jewelry valued at 81 800
and with this the thieves fed. In the
store at the time were Mr., Benedict, two
clerks and messenger, but before either
OF them could reach the street the thieves
had fled. Numbers of persons were pas
sing along the street at the time of the
robbery, and their attention being at
tracted by the crash of broken glass, many
turned in time to see the theft committed.
A few of the bolder followed the thieves
in their fight through Great Jones street,
but after proceeding short distance, one
of the latter turned, and in threatening
manner wanted to know "Who in HI
they were following? What did they
want 2? This had the desired effect; the
crowd fell back, awed by the ruffian's
threat. and he and his companions depar-
ted unmolested. The case from which the
tray of diamonds was taken, as well as
the show-window, was of heavy plate glass
and had been constructed with a view to
prevent the depredations of thieves. 1t
was conjectured that, even if the show
window was smashed, the heavy glass
case would delay the thieves sufficiently to
enable them to be secured. The faliacy
of this was proven on the first attempt Of
the thieves. The instrument used to
smash in the window is piece of fiat iron
about six inches square, with spike one
inch in length in the centre of the outer
surface. 1t is fitted with handle, and
the hand of the thief was further protec-
ted with piece of cotton cloth. In spite
of these precautions, however, the thief
who used this had his hand badly cut.
The instrument was found on the pave
ment in front of the store, and is now in
possession of the police. Several of those
who witnessed the robbery can fully iden-
tify the thieves, should they be arrested.
N. Y. Tribune, FEB. 9.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13
Attempt to Shoot President johnson.

The National Intellgencer of Thursday
evening, says The whole corps of repor-
tiers and correspondents were filled with
excitement by rumor that an attempt
had been made to murder President John
son. The facts, as we learn them from
the police officers, are simply, that about
nine o'clock last night woman attempted
to force her way past the usher in charge
OF the door, into the Presidents Office
Upon questioning her it was evident she
was insane, She refused to give her name
and answered the interrogatories as to her
business by sayingi 81 am the arm of
Him who sent me; war is this day de-
clared, and have been delegated by God
Almighty to kill the President of the
United States" Upon searching her a
double barrelled pistol was found concealed
under her shawl. She was taken in charge
by Officer Shelton, detailed for duty at
the Executive Mansion, and conveyed To
the Central Guard-house, where q preli-
minary examination was had by Justice
Clark.
From papers in her possession it was
concluded that her name is Annie O'Neil.
living at the corner of Twenty-fourth and
L streets, and she was committed by JUS
tice Clark for further examination. The
pistol found in her possession was ascer-
tanned not to be loaded Subsequently
she was visited at the station-houso by her
father and sister, from whom it was Ie,rn-
ed c, that she was formerly employed in the
Treasury department, and with her earn
ings had purchased the property where
they reside, Yesterday it appears She
was notified that her title to the property
was imperfect, being only iitaK title,h
ana tnis information produced insanity
the result of which was her visit to the
Executive Mansion. There will be fur
ther examination of the case this morning.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13

IMPORTANT TO ToBAccoNIsTs. There is
ever seme new law. regulation, or interpre-
tation, IL relation to the internal revenue
tax. Dealers scarcely know how to pro-
ceed' and as soon a. they become familiar
with one regulation. there ia change, and
Shey have to learn their duty under the
law over again:
On and after February 18th, 1869. all
smoking, fine cut chewing tobacco. and
.sauff. in the hands of dealers, not packed
and stawped with tar paid stamps as re-
quired by the new law, must be SO packed
and stamped at the expense of the owner
or holders before being sold or offered for
sale. though tax may have been previ-
,ously paid on 1t. Heavy penalties are at
Aached to violation of the law besides con-
6scation of the tobacco.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13
ALLEGED RoBnEnY OF ADAMS EXPIRES,

ALLEGED ROBBERY OF ADAMS EXPRESS
CoMPANY.-An agent of the Adams Ex-
press Company at Ridgely, absconded on
Tuesday last, taking with him little up
wards of eleven hundred dollars. Of this
amount, thirty-odd dollars belonged to the
railroad company, and the remainder was
money left with him to be expressed to diff
ferent parties in Baltimore and elsewhere.
The parties, however, all hold the recent
OF the company in the agents name, and
will of course, be no losers thereby. -Four
hundred and thirty-eight dollars of this
amount was left with him by Mr.. II.
Blackiston, of this town, to be expressed
and Mr.. James NJ. Salisbury had also de-
posted near eighty dollars. DR.. Colds
borough, the superintendent of the rail
road, telegraphed in every direction as
soon as it was ascertained that the agent
had departed, and expert detectives are on
the search for him. Our latest adyiccs
state he is still at large, yet we have no
doubt but that he will be eventually cap.
tured. We learn that an agent of the ex-
press company is at Ridgely endeavorinn
to ascertain the amount of money MISSING
in order to make future reparation. Den.
ton { Nd.) Uuion.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13

VIGILANCE COMMITTEES FORMING.
are surrounded, enveloped, nay, immersed
in crime, and in the dark, mysterions
agencies Of crime. In the cryptic places
and dungeon holes of the thieves Quar-
ters in New York, the lowest and most
degraded wretches who are lost to con-
science, to hope, and to mercy, assemble
nightly to concoct crimes against person
and estate. Murders are o daily cron.
Dear friends, well in the morning, 20 out
to business, and are brought home mutt
lated corpses. Old men 90 out to sween
the sidewalk, and be out to pieces with
knives. Gentlemen sitting quietly in their
own rooms, awaiting company, are seized
bound, gagged, robbed, and threatened
with bullet if they resist. Robberies are
committed in the public streets, as a sort
OF makeup farce to the heavy tragedy Of
the murders. 80
Vigilance Committees are being formed
in town and country, and it is this alar-
ming riot of crime that has driven good
citizens to this last resort of desperation.
The Vigilance Committee of Westchester
is understood to have been formed to sum-
port an extraordinary secret police force,
in addition to the ordinary force, and to
act in conjunction with the uniformed no.
licemen that are to be seen in the streets .
but the secret force is SO to be managed as
to defy the most searching scrutiny of the
thieves. We may add that the Westches-
ter side of the Harlem river is soon to be
made very unsafe place for thieves.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13

HEAVY ROBBERY III. lamar, the
paymaster of the Philadelphia, Whining.
ton and Baltimore Railroad, arrived here
about noon on Saturday with his car. He
had been paying the operatives on part
of the road below. He took the money
box out of the car and locked it in the safe
in the Office of Mr.. Mahoney, rear room
in the Railroad Depot building. On Mon
day morning about o'clock, the safe was
found to have been robbed of the box con-
tanning from $15, 900 to $4,000. There
was in the safe beside, 1000 which was
not taken by the skillful thief. On Sun
day morning segar-maker by the name
of Willis, who works for r. E. Hayes
found a skeleton key in Fourth street,
near Whann's factory. Monday morning
some of the railroad men were talking c!
the robbery when this key was produced
and upon trial was found to fit the safe and
open it readily. As the safe is all sound
it is supposed it was opened in this way
The Office is in charge of the watchman
who locks it at night; but the precaution
is taken to have the gas kept dim
ly burning. 1t is presumed the thief also
had keys to the office door and that he
walked in while the watchman's attention
was given to some other portion of the
premises. No clue it is said has yet been
found to lead to the guilty party. The
safe is patent. with small key about an
inch in length.-DeIaVare Gazette.
Suspicion points, we hear, to a young
man. son of an old and faithful official, for
many years connected with the railroad Of
Gee.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13

prepcnse he said "yes bring me some
like that F'
But in other respects the Voshell House
is an excellent hotel. Its sleeping arran-
gements are equal to any in the State, and
the proprietor is courteous and obliging.
It was built by an enterprizing citizen
Of Kent County, then and now a resident
of Baltimore, and not by the capital or
enterprise of Chcstertown. So far the
Transcript agrees with me and is right.
Most, perhaps, of the new buildings
erected in the town within the last six or
eight years have been built by Major
Richard Smythe, citizen, not Of Clies-
tertown, but of the county. -
Yours, as pungent as ever,
SINAPIs.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13
For the Mddleto,rn TRANSCRIPT.

Dear Transcript In company with O
friend, on the night of the 9th inst. after
a short ride, we brought up in front Of
" Rose HILL" and as we approached its
quaint mansion the soft sweet strains OF
music mingled with the merry laugh of its
assembled guests, contrasting with the
signing winds as they died away amid the
surrounding evergreens, gave our proxim
ity sprinkling of romance. On entering
and interchanging salutations we were
ushered through corridor into large
double parlor handsomely arranged for the
occasion, where brilliant array of ele.
gaantly attired ladies and gentlemen whirl-
ed and turned in the merry dance. The
Amphions, as they discoursed some Of
their thrilling, or if you please soul-stir.
ring airs, reminded us of Byron's Childe
Harold:
" Music arose with its yoluptuous swell,
Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again
ana all went merry as marriage bell"
Many of the smiling faces which met
our gaze were familiar, giving zest to ou,
partlcipations. Among the fair ones at
tracting our attention for exquisitness wer,
Misses K, c., r., D., M. A. G., q. d
NJ, j: W., M. S., A. NJ. and G.. who's,
natural grace and sprightly expression
won for her the plaudit of belle of the eve
ming l ask pardon for thus ipdulging
for by so doing I nm but doing injustice
as the rare taste exhibited by the ladies il
their rich costumes, gave the scene rathel
a unique appearance.
Refreshments being announced VIC re-
paired to large saloon where tabl,
groaned meath the good things of earth; il
fact all the luxuries of the season. Her,
we regaled the inner man with a gust,
seldom equalled. Our good hosts wer,
scions of some of the old standard fami
lies of Cecil, to their honor be it said
thereby the mantle of their fathers has no
departed from them for high-toned hospi
tality, for never in our social history have
we had more agreeable nights entertain
ment. FABAU.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13

Coal WEraHING.--A correspondent,
who thinks they manage things better in
England because they have SO long been
accustomed to so much roguery, says the
coal dealers in London are obliged to have
their "carts' or wagons so made that
each of them is in effect weighing ma
machine. By the use of lever near the
wheel, the load of coal is placed upon the
scale and the true weight Immediately and
easily ascertaincd.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13

There is said to be great anxiety in
Washington to learn the names of Gen.
Grants Cabinet. The most prominent
Republicans express themselves as entire
ly ignorant on the subject. Let them pos
sess their souls in patience, the secret will
leak out, after awhile.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13

Solomon II. Sharp, of the town of Root,
n. Y. murdered his father-in-law, John
Pulver, aged 70, last week, by breaking
his skull with a maui. Sharp had come
home late at night with companion, both
drunk. Sharp dragged his wife out of
bed and compelled her to wait on them.
Pulver objected to this treatment of his
daughter, when Sharp seized the maui and
beat the old mans brains out. He and
his companion were arrested.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13

We learn that the bill to divide Red
Lion Hundred was defeated in the Senate
yesterday morning. 1t will probably be
reconsidered and passed on Monday. The
Legislature adjourned yesterday until
Monday. ,
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13

STATE ELEorIoNs.-The political CAM
paign of 1869 will open with the following
State elections: New Hampshire, March
8; Connecticut, April 4; Rhode Island,
April 7. A Governor is to be chosen in
each.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13

Tomorrow is St. Valentines day. As
it is Sunday, all tender missives must be
attended to to-day. Like notes in bank,
if deferred for day, they may go to pro-
test.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13

The Postmaster at Portland, Oregon.
has been convicted of robbing the mails
and sentenced to twelve years imprison-
ment.
Middletown transcript., 1869-02-13

The new postage stamps will soon be
out.
, 1869-10-08
FRIDAY, 8TH OCTOBER, 1869.

AFTER an unusual spell of dry weather
we have at last to record a favorable
change. On the 10th of September
we experienced a thunder storm without
rain. The next day was one full of study
for the meteorologist. At a quarter of
three a severe shock of earthquake took
place. Then began the struggle for an
electric equilibrium. Another dry thun-
der storm followed; the thermometer stand
ing in the shade 920. A shower of rain
soon fell: and then commenced a season of
rain which this Island has not been blessed
with for about fifteen years. From that
day to the 9th inst. we have had one hundred
and t0elUe lines Of rain. What we record
with the greatest thanksgiving to Provi-
dence is that this rain fell not in destroy
ing shower, but so gradually that not a
single street in this town has suffered any
injury.
, 1869-10-08
From the Specta tory
THE WORKING-CLASSES IN THE
UNITED STATES.
BY ROBERT C%ONINGSBY.

d. hObEhI
NO. III.
In most European countries, the mid
dl%e-class, the "comtortable'' people, re-
present the nation. this is The class
with which most travellers mix, and con-
s%equentIy have most TO tell about when
they return home. But in the United
StateS-aIthough, strictly speaking, there
is no working-claSs at alI-the people
who hew aud draw are "~everybody," the
rest being outsiders, without either real
or apparent power. Birth beyond Mas
sachusetts goes for nothing, and the dol
lar is far from being almighty, a million of
them not being able to purchase one
ounce of. respect for the person of their
owner. L think many Of the popular mis-
takes about America have arisen from
the fact that the uneasy and grasping
"middle-class" has too often had to sit
for the national portrait. I thought so
before | went to America, and although
many other ideas [ had cherished were
shaken severely, this one was strengthen
ed every day. To take one instance, the
question of American sobriety, how much
has been said on both sides of this? I was
most curious upon the point, and, as the
result of my observations, am as we'll
satisfied that the charge of intemperance
so generally brdhgh against Americans
is a false one, as / am with the evidence
, 1869-10-08

lildt the eaftn IS not nat. The working
people in the United States are beyond
comparison more temperate than ours
the middle and upper classes, as remarked
Just now, infinitely less representative
than The s1me strata of society are here
are beyond comparison more intempe-
rate than ours. OF course there is much
hard drinking among the American work
ing classes +; but, as far as outside appear
ances 60, 1t would almost seem that every
body, except the workman, goes TO the
whisky shop. The highest in office and
deepest in pocket all take their drains.
II would not be becoming TO speak of the
President or his Cabinet, but, in the in
terest OF truth, | may perhaps be allowed
to observe that "gin-slings' and "cock-
tails" have, to my certain knowledge,
been taken in the front of a bar-which
was not that of public opinion-with
gentlemen who have ruled America-Say,
within the memory of man. regret 10
say that | remember once-but that was
In the Far West-going "odd man" for
''e~ye-openers' with a Judge and popular
candidate for the governorship of a state,
and the Judge being 'let in for the three"
insisted upon having "another fire." and
was unfortunately "let in" again. Per-
haps if the sobriety of the workpeopIe
were balanced against the general habit
OF dram-drlnklng among the wealthier
minority, it would be found that English
men and Americans are about on a par in
the matter OF lntemperance, but | cannot
tor one moment believe that they are
mora Intnu, ornto 4too ~, M. ~ ..
Iabourers drink a great deal of beer, and
the lnSh spirits, and to. be enabled to
continue to do so most of them belong to
the Democratic" party, which systema-
tlcally opposes the passage of any laws
to regulate or prohibit the sale of strong
drinks. The "RepubIican'' party-which
really means the working-man's party
the Great Ungenteel,-are too strong for
them, and with a firm but gentle hand,
the nation is removing the temptation
from the men whose want of s~elf-control
disgraces it. am not a teetotaler, and
should be sorry to see anything like a
Maine Liquor Law imposed upon the ma
Jorlty here by ever SO well-meaning a
minority F.; but if were an American, for
reasons which would take up too much
space to set forth here, I should be with
those who are labouring to make the sale
of spirits a crime. In several states it is
already forbidden by law, and as far as
my observation went, the law is IN ac-
cordance with the wishes of the most re-
spectacle portion of the inhabitants. Of
course, it is Systematically evaded, SO is
our law which closes public-houses on
Sunday mornings, and evaded by the same
, 1869-10-08
TABLE OF THE FALL OF RAIN,

during the week from goth septb. to 9Th Octb
Christiansted. Frederiksted. Kings Hill.
, 1869-10-08

MIED at AlIendal on the 3rd inst.
W Frances, wife of Hugh MacWil-
liam, Esq, Engineer. Friends will
please accept this intimation.
, 1869-10-08
TIE E'AVTS,"

gtr5atta4s3r8, 81, groi=,
The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-03-26
NewsdeaIer, Grocer, sc.

John z. Wootton, Stockport, Nor.
gan 90, Ohio, dealer in newspapers,
Magazines, Books, Groceries, No
tons, Garden seeds, &C., would in
form the people that he is agent
for tho sale, in Marion, Penn, and
Windsor fps, of the new work en-
titled Secrets Of the Great City"
written by Edward Wmslow Mar.
TIN, which is q grand expose Of the
Virtues and Vice, Mysteries, Miser-
les, and Crimes of the Great city
Of New York also, that he is agent
for the sale Of DR.. NJ. L. 3yrno's
Antldoto for Tobacco, which is war;
ranted to BIO purely vegetable, and
which will eradicate, on using it,
desire for Tobacco. Ho will also
trade for all mutilated money. All
books, papers, or magazines sent by
mail to any address on receipt of
price and stamp.
March26-6t.
The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-03-26
COURT.

On last Saturday night the Court Of
Common Pleas adjourn cd sickness of
a near relative of Judge Changers de-
handing his presence at home, and
shortening the term of the Court by
some days. Little, of general impor-
lance, was transacted, if we except the
sentencing of few individuals for VIC
lAting the State liquor laws. Beal Eb-
ert, the individual convicted of burning
with malicious intent some hay stacks,
the property of one Rose, was sentenced
to u years imprisonment in the pen
itentisry, but the execution ofthese
tsnce was suspended for the present.
The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-03-26
Spring GOOda.

A. W, Walker & Co., OF Malta,
have received by steamer Julia No.
2, a complete stock of New Goods
direct from Philadelphia. In ad-
ditIon to a superb line Of blue coat
ings and Globe & HarrIson's cassi.
meres, they will in.oduce to this
market the Velocipede and Grecian
Bend Hats and Caps. They have
also have on hand II fine assortment
OF Alpine hats. Call carly.
The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-03-26

A Massachusetts, editor tells a
tough story of conductor Oh the
Eastern Railroad, who lives in
Gloucester, who was recently AVA
kensd from a sleep in church, and,
with his secular twang, called out
Beverly | Change care for CLIQUE
Manchester and Beverly
Farms !" Tho effect upon the COM
gregation may be imagined.
The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-03-26

DEATHs.-Mrs Caroline Walker, wife
of Mr.. A. W. Walker, Of Malta, died of
consumption, on Sunday, the 7lst.
Mr.. George Hibler died of consump-
ton, on Tuesday night, at the residence
Of his brother, MIR, VIM. Hibler, of this
place. The deceased was raised in this
village.
1t has been reported here for the
past week that Mr. John c. Edwards,
for many years wharf-master here, and
recently engaged in the oil and lum.
Der interests on Kanawa, W. Va, died
Of a fever M day last week.