davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21

Timber is scarce. Water is much better
than expected to find it. The runs and
creeks dry up in the summer. Fine, i'm
proved land can be bought at from $40 to
SIS an acre. Unimproved land, as good
as the sun ever shone upon, is worth from
two to three dollars an acre. You NAV
travel week and never see an acre of
worn out land. l believe, with bare eul-
tivation for one hundred years, the land
would produce as we'll as when first put
in cultivation. Take it altogether, it is a
land ofplenty,
l returned from Bryan last week on
wagon expedition. We met, probably,
about $50 wagons per day going to that
place with cotton, with from to s bales
on each wagon, and topped off with hides.
The estimate is that one and half mil
lion of dollars has been brought to Texas
this year, for hides alone.
Corn is abundant and selling in some
places at twenty-five cents per bushel.
Pork is worth FIVE cents per pound beef
almost nothing. Four and FIVE year old
steers, ten dollars. Sweet potatoes fifty
cents per bushel.
This is the best laboring mans country
l ever saw. There are fewer vagabonds
here than in any country in the world.
The soil here, and north of this, is of a
black, waxey character, and from two to
thirty feet deep, South of this it is san
dy, but very productive of corn, cotton,
and sweet potatoes. A man can suit himself.
in any kind of soil, climate or production,
corn, wheat, rye, barley, oats, Hungarian
grass, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, cab
bage, sugar, and everything else. 1t
comes as near being independent as any
country l ever saw. y = 1t is
my purpose to buy an unimproved piece
of land at three dollars per acre, the dust
of rchich would manure the richest spot
in Svsetwaisr Uallsy. I can stand on it
and see ten thousand acres If as good land
as it is; and when Gabriel sounds his
horn in the last day, I will rise up,out of
the black land in Texas.
Iget the FoRERUNNER regularly and
like it very much.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
House.

The Niagara Falls ship canal bill was
postponed until after the morning hour by
vote of 10 to 80.
Mr.. Ashley, from the Committee on
Territories, reported bill to extend the
boundaries of Nevada, Minnesota and Ne
braska, and the Territories of Colorado,
Montana and Washington.
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, said the
bill proposed to dismember Utah, and
that before final action it would be better
to await the arrival of the delegate from
that Territory, who was detained from
sickness.
Mr.. Ashley said the bill didn't design
to interfere with the settled portions of
Utah, but intended to take away so much
that there would not DO enough left to
make State. He consented to postpone
it two weeks.
Mr.. Cook, from the Committee on Elec-
tions, reported resolution that G.. W.
Anderson is not entitled to a seat from
the Ninth Missouri District, and that w.
F. Switzler is. He would call up the re-
port tomorrow.
The special order was taken up, and
Mr.. Van Horn, of New York, spoke at
length in support of the bill for the con-
structon of ship canal around the Falls
of Niagara.
HUMPHREYS followed against the bill.
Mr.. Paine, of Wisconsin, delivered his
own views, showing that the interest of
the great States of the North very imper-
atively demanded increased facilities for
transporting their surplus agricultural
products to market. He said what they
wanted and must have is cheaper trans
portation.
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, desired a
time be fixed for taking a vote on the bill.
1t was now the middle of January, and
they had passed only three of the general
appropriation bills. The others should
be passed SO as to be sent to the Senate.
There was conversation on the subject,
but no conclusion reached as to what time
the vote would be taken.
Adjourned.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
DataotiYe Barmore.

/
The Nashville detective Barmore who
was taken from the cars at Columbia so
quietly aud mysteriously has not yet been
found. The affair has created much ex-
citement, and the whole country has been
secured in the vicinity of Columbia by
parties Of citizens in search Of the miss
ing man. The Union and American of
the 10Th says: Up to. a late hour last
evening nothing had been heard from
Barmoro. The dead body discovered on
Duck river turned out to be another man
whose name We did not learn. The citi-
zous of Maury county and the soldiers
stationed there have made dilligent search
throughout the country, without being
able to make any discoveries, and the
opinion is now entertained that the miss
ing detective is having lots of fun over
his supposed capture.
The Louisville Courier-Journal of the
18th says; This parsonage, who was spir-
tied from railway train by the Kuklux
at Columbia, Tennessee, The other day, is
we'll known to many of our citizens. lie
was in the secret service Of the govern
ment in this military department during
the war, From the nature of his office or
his personal character, we are unadvised
which, Barmore was exceedingly unpopu-
lar in this region. 1t appears that he
was also in very bad odor with the ghost
ly clan. Still, there is nothing to Justify
his rude abduction,
1t is to be hoped that the paper first
quoted from above is right in its apparent
conviction that the affair is joke being
perpo.rated by Barmore himself. If not,
it deserves to be rigidly inquired into, so
that the guilty parties may be held re-
sponsible. 1t is full time that this Ku-
klux business should be stopped. In nine
cases out Of ten their reported outrages
are but the nonscnsical exploits of wild
boys, bu: as the consequences are always
damaging to the peace of the State, these
youngsters should be taught to behave
themselves better. 1t is an encouraging
sign that the great body of the con-
party in sections of the State
where "Kuklux outrages' are most fire.
quently reported is united in its condem-
nation of such exhibitions, whether in
farce or tragedy, and the efforts being
made to rrown them down are being sec
onded by almost the entire Democratic
and Conservative press.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
The nulkluN.

We join with our Democratic contcm-
poraries in Tennessee in urging the people
to put down at once the Organization of
bad boys known as the Kuklux Khan. 1t
is doing infinite harm, and is in itself en-
tirely wrong. Tue people of Tennessee
must bear and forbear. They must wait
yet little longer. We are aware of the
provocation they have received and declin-
ed. We are aware of the fact that the
Kuklux Klan is mere neghborhood So
ciety of wild young men, di3countenanced
by the community at large. But it must
cease to exist. AS long as it exists, Ten
nessee will have no peace. 1t is an imta-
ton of Brownlow's own devitry, and that
should be put down wherever it manifests
itself, whether on the one side or the
other. Ultimately reason and repose will
settle the temper Of affairs to natural
condition. Violence mover will.
Louisville Courier-JournGl.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21

General Grant has authorized the state
mcnt that the articles written by an occa-
sional correspondent of the New York
/ World, and purporting to relate coversa>
tions or furnish opinions of his (Grant'o)
in regard to public men and public mat
tiers, are utterly without foundation. No
human being has ever listened to or shar-
ed such conversations as those reported.
General Grant would not deem it becom-
ing in him to contradict the article in
question if they simply affected himself,
but as they are evidently written with a
view to embroil his relations with promi-
nent gentlemen, most of them his person.
al or political friends, or at least to out
rage their just sensibilities, he deyiates in
this instance from his usual course, and
pronounces the articles alluded to incor-
rect, indicate, and impertinent in an ex-
traordinary degree.
louisville Courier-Journal.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
Mysterious Disappearance.

Mr.. Abijah johnson, living on Beaver
creek near Powell's station on the Knox
vile and Kentucky Railroad, left home
on Friday last for Knoxville, with the
purpose of collecting money for lot of
corn sold by him to party in Knoxville
few days before. He las not been heard
of since that day. He was seen in Knox
vile on that day by several persons, one of
whom was our informant, of whom he
asked, "What time does the train start 7"
A section master says he saw johnson
walking along the track on Friday after
noon with another man, stranger to him.
On Sunday a party of about twenty citi-
zens of Beaver creek came to town in
search of him, but got no track of him.
johnson has wife and child. He lived
in peace with all and was specially noted
for his quiet, unobtrusive habits. He is
% years old, S feet inches high, stoop
shouldered and has sandy whiskers.
The general opinion among his acquain-
tanccS is that he has been foully dealt
with.--Prsss and Herald.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
Martial Law.

The bill authorizing the Governor to
call out the militia to be CHARTERED in
such counties as he may direct, and to
declare martial law wherever he pleases
was passed in the House of Representa-
tives OF Saturday, and is now law. The
Nashville Union and American says that
the impression prevails but a few days
will elapse before the people of several
counties in Middle Tennessee, and per-
haps in West Tennessee will have an OPP
portunity of experiencing the horrors of
martial law with an unbridled militia at
their doors. Our telegraphic dispatches
from Arkansas this morning convey an
idea of what We may expect when mar
tial law is declared and the ''loyal militia"
shall be turned loose to prey upon and
harrass the people. The militia have
scourged the people of Arkansas in a
manner that has no parallel in the history
OF a civilized country. Martial law was
declared there, and the people have no
redress for the terrible wrongs they have
suffered. We ask the members Of the
Legislature who voted for and passed the
militia bill to read the dispatches this
morning which give a terrible picture of
what is transpiring in Arkansas under just
such state of affairs as this law will in
augurate in Tennessee. We anticipate
more trouble and serious trouble too,
from this law than any that has been
enacted since the reorganization of Ten
Dessess -
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
the Legislature on the 95th instant.

M. Prosscr offered an amendment to
the effect that all such moves as that of
Mr.. Agee is only waste of time. A mo-
ton to lay the original resolution and
amendment on the table was lost by a
vote of 39 to SO. A mott n to lay Mr..
Prosser's amendment on the table was
lost by vote of 40 to 81.
Mr.. Richards took the floor and said
that the people of the State were burden
ed with a taxation of 100000 for the
purpose of paying interest on bonds given
to railroads, and these roads were not only
not paying their interest, bnt we're deter
iorating in value every day, and he would
not vote for adjournment until something
was done for the relief of the people,
There wore bills before the House now
which had in view the relief of the peo-
pie, and he thought those bills deserved
the serious and respectful consideration
of the House.
Mr.. Prossor's resolution was then put
to vote and carried.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
A Brute.

LOUISVILLE, Jan. IA few nights
since man named Weathers, living in
the lower portion of the city, while under
the influence of liquor, asked his little
boy four years of age to spell word
which it was impossible for the child to
do. Weathers then seized him by the
hair, picked up stick and beat the child
until the flesh upon its body was lacerat-
ed in many places. Needing not the cries
of the little one, who pleaded for mercy,
he picked it up and held it over hot
fire in the stove until its whole body was
burned to blister. Weathers was sub
sequently arrested.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
CONGRESS.
Senate.
to a vote and
20 HNN VT
WASHINGTON, Jan. IA.

ASHINGToNJ Jan. IL
Mr.. Grimes, from the Naval Commit
tee, reported adversely on the memorials
of Commodore Meade to be restored to
the active list, and on his motion was in
definitely postponed
Mr., Morton introduced bill giving
pension to Mrs. Mary Lincoln from the
date of the death of her husband, late
President of the United States.
Mr.. Sumner suggested to make the PEN
sion $4,000 per year, and the bill was
then referred to the Committee on Pen
sions.
Mr. Wilson Introduced a bill to amend
the act of March 2, 1867, regulating the
tenure of certain civil Offices, which was
referred to the joint committee on re-
trenchment.
Mr. Cragin entered a motion to recon-
slider the vote Of yesterday refusing the
use Of the Capitol for the Inauguration
ball.
The Senate resumed consideration Of
the bill for the relief of Sue Murphy.
During the discussion Mr.. Wilson pro-
posed the creation of board, consisting
of Generals Meigs, Thomas, Howard, and
Ekin, to examine and report the claims of
loyalists and sit for two years, from April
next. Without action on the bill the
Senate adjourned.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
How il WuR.

By private letter from trustworthy
gentleman residing at Cookville in Put
nam county, We give some further infor-
nation in regard to the recent execution
near Livingston, in Overton county, By a
body of supposed Kuklux, of the young
man VIM. German, an account Of which
we published Thursday morning. He
says that few days before the execution.
German shot and badly wounded, and
supposed he had killed, negro man liy,
ing in his neighborhood. The shooting
took place in public road, and the negro
managed to crawl to the house of his EN-
ployer, where he told who had shot him.
The negro had the character of being a
quiet, peaceable man, and as there had
been no previous trouble between him
and German, it was supposed the crime
was perpetrated in pure wantonness. 1t Is
thought that the persons by whom Ter
man was killed were members of secret
organization, to which he also belonged =
but whether Kuklux or not, nobody in
the neighborhood appears to know. The
body of men concerned in the execution
numbered about two hundred, and none
of them were identified by citizens who
witnessed their appearance and departure,
Nashville Union and american.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
Interesting from Texas.

AS rule we don't like to parade the
attractions Of other sections of the coun-
try to the disparagoment of our own. But
when our friends have left and settled in
other States, it is exceedingly pleasant to
hear that they are prosperous and happy.
The following extracts from letter re-
ceived BY gentleman Of this town will
be found interesting. 1t was written by
an East Tennessceau known personally to
a majority of our readers, gentleman Of
intelligence and the strictest reliability ::
ELLIS County, TEXAS, Dec. %, '69.
DEAR SIR Il have often intended to
write to you, but owing to our sickness in
the fall, and press of business, | have
put it off from time to time. We are all
well in fact the family never enjoyed
better health. We are all pleased with
the country, and nothing could induce us
to return to Tennessee The climate is
mild in the winter, but rather warm in
the summer The soil is rich and very
productive. Corn, wheat, sweet potatoes,
pumpkins, ground peas, &C., grow finely
here. 1t is the best upland cotton coun-
try in the world, producing one bale Of
five hundred pounds to the acre, and of a
fine staple.
Society in Ellis county is good. Fine
schools in all the towns, and many in the
country. 1t is healthy county, more SO
than in any other State this far South.
Tho country is beautiful to look upon.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
THE KU-KLUX.

Senate bill to amend an act passed
Sept. 10, 1868, to enforce the laws of the
State, was taken up. The bill is known
as the ''Ku-Klux BILL" and gives the
Governor the power to declare martial
law in certain counties where it is neces.
sary. After considerable discussion, the
bill was passed on its third reading, by
ayes II, noes A, as follows:
Ayes-NIessrs. Aldridge, Eckie, Eaton,
Frierson, Fuson, Garner, Henderson,
Keith, Mathews, Nelson, Parker, Rodg-
ers, Smith, Underwood, Wisener, Wyatt
and Speaker Senter-l7.
Noes-Messrs. Cate, Lindsey, Mccall
and Patterson.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
Virginia.

After several conferences between the
Virginia Committee and its individual
members, tile Judiciary Committee Of the
Senate and members of the Senate and
House, it seems to be pretty well UNDER
stood that the following definite arrange
ment has been substan TALLY agreed to:
Following the precedents in the Mis-
souri, Compromise, and the proceedings
upon the admission of Oregon, Kansas and
Nebraska, bill will be prepared author
izing the admission of Virginia upon the
adoption Of the proposed constitution,
with certain obnoxious clauses with re-
gard to disfranchiscment, test oath, and
probably other Objectionable features
stricken out. When this bill is passed,
it is believed it will be followed by an
amnesty bill, to take effect upon the rati-
fcation of the Constitution. 1t is under
stood that this adjustment meets the ap-
probation Of General Grant, General Scho-
field, and large number of the most
prominent members of both Houses. So,
at least, says the telegraph.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
Horrible from Arkansas.

MEMPHIS, Jan. l6.-LaSt night nine Of
the miiitiamen from the force at Marion
Arkansas, went to the house of u widow
lady, whose name is withheld at the re.
quest of numerous relatives here, and out.
ragged her three daughters, aged sixteen,
eighteen and twenty years, after helping
themselves to what things they wanted
Information of the affair was given to Col
Watson, commanding the militia, who this
afternoon succeeded in arresting all the
guilty parties.
The greatest excitement exists at Marion,
and but for tue promise of Colonel Wat
son that the villains shall have stern JUS
tice melted to them, doubtless the COM
munity would now be in arms.
Another party also went to the house
Of Jefferson Reeves, near the same place,
and outraged his wife. They went then
to the house of Mr.. Skepson, County
Clerk, and maltreated Mrs. Watson, an
elderly lady from New York, living with
him. This party have not been arrested,
as yet.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
GLouisuille Courier-Journal.

On Sunday afternoon last an ARRAY oc-
Cured at Bailey's Mill, about four miles
from Macon, Georgia, on the Columbia
road, which resulted in the killing in
stantly of one negro, and, probably, the
mortal wounding of another. The ARRAY
was brought about in dispute between
Mr.. Alfred Hoy and two negro black
smiths, named Aaron and Dick, in regard
to some money matters. Mr.. Hoy and
Aaron first got into the dispute, and after
quarreling awhile, Aaron went off and got
Dick and returned to where Hoy was. lie
told them to keep away and not to lay
their hands upon him or he would kill
them. Aaron, however, walked up as if
he intended to lay his hand on Hoy, when
he was shot dead with a revolver and as
Dick sprang forward, Hoy shot him also
through the head.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
NEW BUSINESS.

BY Mr.. Lindsey A bill to allow new
insurance companies to be chartered where
the sum of 100000 shall have been Sc
cured. The number of incorporators will
not be less than l3, and $4,000 of the
capital stock must be deposited with the
Comptroller of the State for the benefit
of the policy holders.
By Mr.. Rodgers: A bll authorizing
the people of Coffee county to hold an
election to determine whether or not they
would subscribe stock to any of the vari-
Gus manufactures about to be commenced
in that county. >-
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
~ In the United States Senate on

" In the United States Senate on
the 18th instant, Stewart, from the Judi
ciary Committee, reported favorably on
the resolution for Constitutional amend
ment. 1t declares the right of-all citi-
zens to vote and hold Office. not to be
abridged on account Of race or color.
Congress is empowered to enforce the
above.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21

A petition four yards long, signed by
the members of the Equal Rights ASCOT
alton, asking suffrage forthe women of the
District of Columbia and the territories,
was presented in the Senate Thursday =
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21

" The Election Committee in the
House reported on the Sixth Georgia Dis
trict election substantially as follows:
Wimpey is not elected. Christy is elect
ed but not entitled to seat, having vol
UNFAIRLY aided the enemy.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
Tennessee Legislature.
Senate.

THURSDAY, Jan. IA, l8G9.-The Senate
met to-day at 10 a. m. Speaker Sentel
in the chair, and twenty-five membors
present.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
Call and Examine {!

: It impossible, within the limits of an adver
tisement 10 specify everything. But those desir-
ing to purchase will be apt to find any ar
ticle at my store usually kept in like establish
ments. Prices moderate and uniform. Any nr-
ticle not on hand win be promptly ordered.
EP Persons wishing my professional seryi-
ces will find me at the Drug Store.
8 e R. r. SCRUGGs.
sweetwster,. November 20, 1868. ly
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
House.

THURSDAY, Jan. IA, 1869 The House
was called to order at 10 a. M, Speaker
Richards presiding and sixty-six members
present. .o
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
NEW BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.

By Mr.. Bosom Bill to incorporate the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Muir
freesboro.
By Mr.. Thornburg, of Granger: Bill
to restrain intemperance in the General
Assembly of the State Of Tennessee, max
ing it the duty of the Speaker of the
House to order the doorkeeper to take in
charge and con6ne until sober any such
obstreperous member that may be found
in the hall Of either House.
TO ADJOURN.
Mr.. Agee called up House joint resolu-
tion 275 providing for the Adjournment OF
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21

The final signing of the treaty for the
settlement of the Alabama's claims ELECTS
favorable comments from London papers.
The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1869-01-21
Window Glass of Every Size.

Also Fresh Stock of everything usually
found in an establishment OF the kind, snch as
Indigo and Nader, Copperas,
Blue Stone, Family Dyes, Alum,
Soda, Pepper, Spice, Ginger, Ep-
sons Salts, Cream of Tartar, Gum
Camphor, Assafoetida, Aloes, Ex-
tract of LoSwood, Cochineal, Mu-
riate Of Tin, &c.