davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
Death of a Virginia Millionaire.

The Lynchburg tya.l papers record the
death of Mr.. Samuel Miller, an old citizen, who
was formerly a merchant Of that city, and one
of the wealthiest men in Virginia. He CON-
menced life as poor boy, but by industry and
strict integrity amassed Tery large fortune.
The Lynchburg Virginian says:
"He leaves will, but what are its provi-
sions is not yet known. Two of his requests
have been made known, but they are simple
transfers of stock, and are outside Of bis will.
They are, first, about $4,000 for the estab-
lishment of female orphan asylum at this
city, and second, 100000 for the endowment
of chair of agriculture at the University Of
Virginia. Beyond these donations nothing is
known. 1t is believed, however, by those most
familiar with his views, that Lynchburg will
share largely in his benefits. What Mr.. Mil
lers actual wealth Isl is impossible to say, but
it is thought that it will not fall much, if any,
under three millions. He has no family, was
never married, aud had only some distant rela-
tives, and it is supposed that this great accu-
mutation of wealth will go to charities and
public enterprises"
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
Alexandra Loudoun and Hampshire
Railroad.

As indicated before, the Gazette arnoun-
ces the gratifying intelligence that the Alex
andria. Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad
Company has closed contract that will start
that road, and, as a necessary consequence, this
city, on career of prosperity, which, in the
range of probabilities, cannot be obstrncted.-
Vigorous measures will be taken to prosecute
the work as soon as some minutie in the ar
engagements are completed, and tits confidently
expected that during the current year the road
will be in operation as far on its way across
the State as Winchester. A branch of the
road will, of course, go to Washington, but its
main business will be transacted here; where
also will be located its depot and work shops.
At a meeting of the Board Of Directors of
the Railroad Company, held at their Office, in
this city, to-day, three members Of the present
Board, Messrs John Janney, of Loudoun
John Powell, Of Fairfax, and S. J. c. Moore,
OF Clarke CoUaties, resigned and the Board,
as now constituted, is as follows: Lewis Nc
Kenzie, President; Cakes Ames, of Massachu
settles; Henry D. Cooke, of Washington, D.
c.; H. S. McComb, of Delaware; Benjamin
Morgan of Clarke County; c. F. Lee, of Alex
andria; G. W. Janney, and J. NJ. Orr, of
Loudoun Comfy. With such management,
and with the assistance of Washington and
Georgetown, the speedy completion of the road
to the coal fields and the mineral beds of Vir
GINA, and to the Ohio river, and the accraing
advantages to Alexandria, are but foregone
conclusions.
At the meeting of the Board Of Directors
this morning, Mr.. Blythe, the Superintendent
Of the road, was ordered to the field, at once,
to supervise the surveys for the proposed ex-
tension, and Mr.. Nathaniel Hayes, the present
Master Of Machinery, appointed Superinten-
dent.-Alerandria Gazette.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
DIED.

At Washington City, on the 27,h of March, 1859,
after long and painful illness, in the Seth year OF
her age, ROSALIA SHANNON GALLAHER,
Youngest daughter of John S. and Catharine
Gallaher, formerly Of this town. A kinder, pureT,
nobler heart than hers never beat in human bosom.
sness and spotless the gentle spirit of the beloved
one has gone to her reward.
Rarely do we meet in the every day walks Of!
with such q lovely character as the dcceasedi gen
tie and unselfsh, aGrctonate and guileless, she
has left bright example Of patience while eEda-
ring for many months the most agonizing suffer
ipcs. the memory of which will be cherished as a
precious relic BY large circle Of mourning rela-
tiyes and friends Truly may it be said Of her,
"none knew her but to love her, none named her
but to praise" and nought OF earth can fill the ter
riblc vacancy, caused by her death, in the family
circle.
On Friday week, very suddenly, Mrs. ELIZA.
BETH GcQuILKlN, aged IS years.
On Thursday evening, March IS, at the Pcctory
of Christ Church, Washington, u. C., Mrs. j. c.
B. SHIELD, wife Of Re-. e. II. Shield. and dlush-
ter of the late ID. W. Barton, OF Winchester.
On the 18th ult, at the residence Of WIN. Mera-
Gle, in Martinsburg, JOHN GRIFFITH, aged "a
years.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
The renure-of-omce Bill.
,,...,..ioD IN the House Friday.

Discussion in the House Friday.
Mr.. Butler, Mass called up the motion to
reconsider the vote by which the House refer
red the Senate bill and amendments relative to
the Tenure-of-Ofice act to the Committee on
the Judiciary He said he intended to sub
nit an amendment to the bill which he thought
would suit all parties, and then he would move
concurrence.
Mr.. Wood N. y wanted to know if But
Ter had abandoned his position of yesterday.
Mr.. Butler Mass replied not in the least.
Mr.. Wood IN, " said if the bill went to
the Committee of Conference, the right of the
House and Of the Executive would be compro-
missed
Mr.. Butler Mass said if the amendment
which he proposed was adopted, the rights of
the House would be protected, and also Of the
Executive.
Mr.. Eldidge wis., thought the gentleman
from Massachusetts, (Mr. Butlerl intended to
have this bill referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary.
Mr.. Farnsworth tIIl.) was sorry to see the
friends of the President falling out by the way.
Laughter
Mr.. Garfield tOhio said that if the allied
forces Laughter had settled matters, he would
like to ask Mr.. Butler a question.
Mr.. Butler Mass declined to yield for that
purpose.
Mr.. Logan tIll.l said he wanted to state that
these insinuations about allies were unworthy
Of the gentleman who made them.
Mr.. Farnsworth (llll said he did not wish
to be lectured by bis colleague.
Mr.. Logan CIlll said he was not lecturer,
in the ordinary acceptation Of the term; still,
as he thought his colleague needed lecture, he
gave him one.
Mr.. Bingham Ohio asked to be heard on
the question.
Mr.. Butler Mass said he would yield to Mr..
Bingham.
Mr. Bingham Ohio did not ask leave of
the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr Butler
to be heard. lie objected to Mr. Butler farm
ing out the floor in this way. Ee wanted JUS
tice
Mr. Butler Mass said he hoped his friend
would get Justice and when he did he would
get his dues. laughter.
Mr.. Niblack (Ill.l said as allusion had been
made to the Democratic side of the House, he
would say that he did not think they were in
in any hurry for the repeal of the law. They
had seen its effects upon President who was
hostile to the dominant party, aud now they
would like to see how it works with another
President.
Mr.. Butler Mass moved the previous ques-
tons on the motion to reconsider, but it was
not sustained
Mr.. Bingham Ohio then proceeded to ad-
dress the House in favor Of the bill and amend
meut
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
To Prevent Kerosene Explosions.
WAsH1NeroN. March s. 1869.

w AShlNOlONg oAaASu W ASN~.
Editor Evening STAR Ammoniacal gas is
the most powerful extinguisher of fire there is.
Now, added to one gallon of ordinary kero-
sene six ounces fluid of liz ammonia worth
niue cents and three-quarters of an ounce OF
muriatic acid. Before adding these ingredi-
ents you will find that you can set fire to coal
oil with match Immediately, at least to all |
have lately seen. Now, after adding these, 1
have poured into a tin cup a small quantity,
and lighted match and held it close to the
oil. 1t would not set ere to it till had burn
ed nearly three matches, or, in other words,
until the oil got very hot. find in burning
it gives brighter flame, and, Of course, bet
ter light, in consequence of the chlorine pre-
sent in the oil. The addition Of muratic acid
forms muriate tchloride) of ammonia, and with
the quantity use leaves an excess of ammonia
in the oil. There is no precipitate formed, but
the oil, when burned out dry, will leayea crust
of salt Of ammonia behind, which can be cleaned
out with water. The can in which the oil is
kept should be kept stopped tight to prevent
the ammonia cooperating. 1t is impossible
for any lamp to explode which burns this oil.
The combusti6le gas is burned out by the wick,
leaving some free ammonia and chlorine gas
in the lamp, and in the presence Of these every
chemist knows that explosion or even combus-
ton is impossible So much for this, then.
Now, please let me call your attention to
the importance Of ammonia as an extngulsher
of fire from any cause. Ispeak from expert
ence, as it saved our gallery from burning out
last winter at the Naval Academy. The coal
lamp fell down by accident in my room and
broke. The oil caught fire, and in moment
one-third Of the room was in blaze. threw
a blanket over it; no use, it had proceeded too
far. and the blanket would not cover it all. /
Immediately seized the ammonia bottle near at
hand with about six ounces of ammonia in 1t,
smashed it into the blaze, closed tho door to
shut of draft, and within two or three seconds
the fire was Smothered by the ammonia gas
or course there was devil ola smcll-ammo-
MIA, yon know, has strong odor-but the fire
was out, and the wooden building saved. Now,
sir, with quantity of this in every house, two
thirds Of all the kerosene fires could be pre-
vented. This is no new theory Of mine, but
chemical fact, only it has not been very extern
sivcy applied heretofore l am yours, truly,
DAVID BACHRACT, JR.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
VIRGINIA FREE PRESS.
Thursday, April LIST, 1863.
sympathy for the Cubans.

There is a glazing inconsistency IN the very
intense and openly displayed sympathy Of the
prominent Republicans in ,bs North wj,h TIE
Cuban Rsbels. How The radical, war-,o-the-
death, crush-the-rebellion, sublue-tbe-iraitor,
party can consCientously If they can be &C.
eused ofhaving conscieuoesl give their counte-
nance and support towards the encouragement
Of a similarly rebellious and equally traiiorous
party in a foreign country who are only acting
over again the old, otl-repeated tragedy, and
fighting, as the South did, for freedom from
tyranny. relief from desPotisTn, and all those
National privileges which a people have d
right to demand from their rulers; how these
extremists Of the North can lend aid and
comfort" to such as these we cannot under
stand.
Yes we can, too. Il is all pure se!i-inteTcs'
and grasping, soriii avarice. Not merely an
exsmplfcaiion to al the world Of the practi-
cal working ofthat homely old saying there's
a difference between SHINING and being
skinned, but profession Of philanthropic IN
terest in a party Of struggling reyOluticnists
which is a well-assumcd mask covering de-
sire and expectation Of absorbing the said par
" and their country, and rendering them the
subjects Of government capable Of deeds not,
less despotic, and more ingenious in devices to
work evil againstall who oppose its movements,
than the one from which they are trying to
free themselves. In short, though these Nor
thern politicians didn't want to be skinned
Of the South.-the richest, most productive
portion Of their country.-and raised their
hands aud voices in holy horror al the Rebels
who fought to the death for their homes and
their liberties, they are very willing to help to
skin Spain Of Cuba for the purpose Of see
ing it annexed to the United States. aud viii
be very apt to come in for their full share Of
the benefits accrueing thercfrom.
We, who have some little experience Of the
nature Of the strife through which the Cuban
reyoludoaists are passing, can extend 70 them
an earnest, heartfelt sympathy and best wishes
for their success, though We have nothing else
10 offer them, yet our motives are not those Of
Eelf-aggrand.zemeut, but purely Of sympathy
with the suffering; for whatever beialls this
Nation, Of good or evil concerns but slightly
the disfranchised, prescribed SOutherner. The
yanquished Rebe, is but tolerated-scarcely
that-by his powerful foe.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
Death of Edward Bates.

The Hon. Edward Bates, who died in St.
Louison Thursday, was aged seventy-fve years.
Born in Virginia, of Quaker parcntage, he emf
grated in 1914 to Missouri, aud has passed his
life there in the practice of law, holding many
honorable official positions. he FIRST acquired
a national distinction as the president Of the
great River and Harbor Improvement Con-
vention, held at Chicago in 1s47 During the
year 1850 President Fillmore offered him the
position Of Secretary of War in his Cabinet,
but Mr.. Bates declined the Office. Three years
later be was elected Judge fthe st. Louis Land
Court, holding the office until 1856, when he
resigned He was presiding officer Of the
Whig Convention held in Baltimore in 1856,
which was the last national meeting Of that
once powerful political organization. He final
ly allied himself with the republican party,
and was prominent candidate for the presi-
dental nomination in 1860. Cordially sup
porting Mr.. Lincoln, he was appointed Attor-
ney General of tie United States in 1861, and
held that Office until 1864, when he resigned
He has since remained in private hle.-Bali-
more San.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
The Case of Governor Wells Of Vir-
glnla.


1t is supposed that Governor Wells, of vir-
giuia, was suspended by General Stoneman in
consequence Of the accusation Of the mail rob-
berry preferred against him. The letter, it is
stated, contained a plan which it was alleged
Governor Wells and other radicals had agreed
upon for the purpose Of selling out the repub-
lcan party in Virginia. The Richmond cor
respondent of a New York paper says:
Z" As to the probable cause Of these removals
there are various rumors, and the utmost OK
element prevails in relation to the removal If
the Governor on all sides. 1t is generally con-
coded, however, as the probable cause Of Weiss
removal, that the commanding general thought
proper 10! suspend an executive officer who
was charged with the crime of felony, in hav-
ing been party to the robbery of the United
States mails, as recently alleged. In this con-
nection the missing letter which is charged to
have been purloined by Wells & Co. is said to
have contained an intimaton that Governor
Wells, Judge Bond, the register in bankruptcy
General Orlando Brown, late Of the freedmen's
bureau, L. Edwin Dudley, clerk of the Circuit
Court, and D. B. Parker, special agent of the
Postofice Department, were enga yed in a con-
spiracy to sell out the republican party in Vir
giuia to the rebels; and further that Judge
Bond and General Brown, in consideration of
their services, were to be sent to the United
States Senate The letter closes with the re-
mark, Amt they precious set ?
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
Lineage of the Fairfax Family.

Debrett's Peerage, called by Thackeray the
" Englishmans Bible" contains many curious
stories in reference to the noble families Of
Great Britain. When the last lincal heir of a
title dies, there is always a long search for the
collateral relatives, and frequently the latter
are found in position far removed both in
wealth aud station from that occupied by the
head of the house Debrett, however, mana
ges to keep these collaterals well advised Of the
probabilities of the future, and in this way lis
book is swelled out into undue proportiOns.-
The last edition, among many other romantic
episodes, contains an account Of the tenth Lord
Fairfax in tho peerage Of Scotland, who now
holds the Office Of reporter Of the Supreme
Court of California, one Of high position and
responsibility in the United States, as the Peer
age declares. A long story is also given of
street fight in 1859, in San Francisco, between
Lord Fairfax and an ordinary reporter
Charles Snowden Fairfax, tenth Baron Fairfax,
is collaterally related to Thomas, the sixth Ba-
ron, who having relinquishcd his English cs-
tates to his brother Robert, came over to Amer
lea, and settled at Greenway Court, Clarke
comfy plantation Of more than half mill
lion acres Of land in Virginia, which he inner
tied from his mother, Catharine Colepepper.-
Thomas Fairfax, out Of Virginia, is better
known as the person who employed George
Washington as a surveyor. On the death Of
Robert Fairfax, in 1893, the estate descended
to Rev. Bryan Fairfax, second cousin, who
became eighth Baron. The present Lord Fair
fax, great-grandson Of Bryan, was born at
Yauclusc, Fairfax county, Va, in 1929, and
succeeded to the title in 1916.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
A Suggestive Fact.

The Rebellion ceased in the Spring Of 1866,
nearly four years ago. The work Of restora-
tion and reconstruction Of the South has pro-
crossed 50 well, especially in Virginia, that,
,cw dlys ago, an unfortunate oolored woman
in Chesterfield Couty, having committed sui
eide by banging herself 10 an clubhouse, could
not be taken down, because no one would as
sumo the responsibility In consequence oil
the wholesale decapitation Of all the civil OH
GERS Of the State, there was no coroner to SIT
in her ease. no magistrate or police ohieer'-and
no one Else would take the responsibility OF
taking Ier down. Aud there she hangs yet,
f,r ougl. we know to the contrary, melan-
eb.uv sttestatjon Of tie fact, that, notwith-
standing al that has been done to reconstruct
the state. old Virginia is not yet q" in statu quo
ante 5.Vpn.'
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
Virginia's Chief Magistrate.

Poor old Virginia has come to pretty pass
with her Governor, one Of her Registrars in
Bankruptcy, and the clerk Of one of her Circuit
Courts, arrested and held to bail on the charge
Of robbiug the United States mail 1t is pro-
per to say that Of the parties implicated, their
accusers, the officer before whom they are to
be tried, and the attorney prosecuting for the
the Government, not one is Virginian-nor
does either of them hold his position by the
election Of our people Nor is this case Of
Conservative persecution. The people of Vir-
ginia have no connection with this scandalous
affair in any form or shape. All of the parties
to it are outsiders, and of the same political
party.
Still, who does not feel the disgrace Of hav-
ing the name of Virginia connected with SO
shameful proceeding, and who docs not long
for that period which, if we have patience,
must yet come, when our suffering State will
be relieved from the scurvy set of men who are
mismanaging our affairs, making spoil Of our
most vital interests, and sullying our good
name.
Can the Washington authorities be so cruel
as to keep such men in high official positions
among an honest pcople-who have scarcely
anything left but their good name? Is it not
time for our now President to speak the word
that shall relieve us of rulers and officials whose
names are scarcely ever heard save in connec-
ton with some intrigue, scandal or iniquity?
Richmond Wig.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
Fatal Affair at Fort Washington.

Lieut.. Casey, Of the fourth United States
artillery, was killed on Wednesday while drill
ing the battalion stationed at Fort Washing
ton, Maryland, on the Potomac river. He was
shot ly private Brewster, of company N. Of
the same regiment, the ball entering below the
eye and coming out behind the ear, tearing
away part of the brain. Lieut.. Casey lived
four hours afterwards lie had been married
only four months, and bis young wife. who
heard the report of the musket aud saw her
husband lying on the ground, was restrained
with difficulty from leaping over the parapet
from the officers quarters to run to him.
Brewster was put in irons. He had been con-
fined in the guard-house previous TO drill by
order Of Lieut. Casey, and had been released
but q short time before the fatal occurrence
Brewster asserts that the shooting was acciden-
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
MARRIED.

On the 18th ultimo, BY Rev. W. d. Lcfevre, Mr..
W. j. HENSELL, of Berkeley county, TO Miss
KATE 5. DOLL, of Martinsburg.
On the 18th ult., in Martinsburg, b. the Rev.
ID. III. Riddle d. D., Mr.. LEVI WILLIAMS TO
Mrs. VIRGINIA z. N. BR0ADWELL, all Of
Berkeley county.
On the 23d ult.. BY Rev. VIM. Gerhardt, Mr..
OSCAR NJ. DARLINGTON, of Shepherdstown,
to Miss ANNIE Z. Y0NTZ, Of Martinsburg.
On the same day By the same, Mr.. CHARLES
4. U. GATRELL, 10 Miss EMMA L. HESS, both
of Martinsburg.
In Baltimore, on the 18th ult., by the Rev. John
MeCron, CHARLES II. TRAlNuR to Miss
LYDIA A. BENNETT, both Of Shepherdstown.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
Removal of Gov. Wells.

Gen. Stoneman on Saturday last issued the
following order removing Gov. Wells, and as
Stunning the duties of the Office himself:
Headquarters First Military District, State
Of Virginia, Richmond, Va, Narch q, 1869.
Special Orders No. 62.-"1. All the powers
conferred upon the chief executive officer OF
the State of Virginia by its constitution and
laws, and heretofore exercised by the provision
al governor thereof, under reconstruction laws
of Congress, are hereby devolved upon the COM
handing officer of the first military district,
and will, until further orders, by him be as
sumed aud performed"
By command Of Brevet Mai Gen. SLOVENIAN.
S. F. CHALFIN, Asst AdJt General.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-01
Fancy Colored Ink.

The Philadelphia Ledger says Some weeks
ago we called attention to the folly, as well as
the danger Of using ink Of any other color than
black. We did it on that occasion at the in
stance Of a gentleman who had a State bond
that had been filed up with violet colored ink,
and found on taking it from its place Of keep
ing, the filing up in this particular ink had en-
tirely faded away. We had, years before, de-
nounced all pale inks-thoso Of other color than
back-as a nuisance, and gave notice that
those using it in their communications with
this Office could not be sure Of a reading.
There is neither apology nor excuse for the
manufacture or use Of light colored inks, even
if they would stand. The contrast on the
white paper being less decided, they are diff
cult aud painful to the eve to read. but now it
has been demonstrated beyond all doubt that
some Of them will not stand. When it is re-
membered what serious consequences mightre-
suit from notes, bonds, mortgages, wills, being
filed mp by designing parties with inks that
will not live on paper or parchment, The Legis-
lature might, with propriety, forbid its use by
any one, and lis its duty to prohibit il by any
public officers. When we called attention to
the matter some weeks since, a gentleman in
the Office Of the L. S. Assistant Treasurer in
this city, wrote on ordinary cap paper few
lines in each of four or five kinds Of ink. and
stuck them up against a window exposed to
the sun. After remaining thus exposed for
fifteen or eighteen days he took them down,
and recently brought them to this Office for our
The black held its color nearly or
quite as well az ever. and the red was still legi-
bic; but the violet had almost entirely vanish
ed. Not one single word Of what had been
written with it could be read. The paper was
almost as white as before it had been written
upon.