davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12
From h y. Y. Evening Post, May ~
The Story Of the Merchants Union
E~uracS Homnanr
Express Company.

The investigation by a special commit
tee of the Assembly of the affairs of the
Merchants Union Express Company was
concluded two or three weeks ago, but
the committee did not report until YES
terday.
The Merchants Union Express Conn
pany was, it GEMS. originated by Gin
ton T. Backus. of Union Springs, Cayuga
county. in 1865. He made a journey to
the Western States, and found the idea
popular, and on his return communion
ted with General Slocum, John y.
Knapp, VIM. c. Bradley and others, who
entered heartily into the project. In 1866
the Company began business with a NOM
inal capital Of $50, 900, 900. of which about
SIG, 100000 had been taken. Some 5000,
900 more were afterward sold in the stock
market 10 raise funds; and a little over
S2.c0O.OO0 of stock were never issued.
The opposition encountered by the
Company was fierce. The railroad CON-
panies generally doubled their rates for
Transporting their express freight. and
exhausted the earnings Of the Company.
In the three wears of its existence the
Company earned from eight to nine mil
lions of dollars. and expended three and
a half millions more. The railroad com
panies took sixty-five per cent; salaries
and litigation absorbed the remainder.
In 1868 the four leading express COM
panies formed an association and pool
ed their earnings, and the Merchants
Union, as part Of the agreement, cancell-
ed S2.C00,OOO- Of its capital. stock
certificates 9,JO9. 9,5IO and 9.5Il. which
had never been issued. were then
cancelled. In the fall the American and
the Merchants Union companies con-
sOlidated.
The amount OF stock of the Merchants
Union was about SI7, 10000, ON which s.
per cent. had been collected. The
property which was turned in by the
company was appraised at 81, 10000.
The American had turned in $3.50. 900;
and so the Merchants Union made a call
of ) per cent to supply the deficiency.
This makes the capital of the american
Merchants Union Express Company"
No. II5 Broadway, actually S,300,O0O.
Nominally il is SIS, 600, goo.
All the express companies are part
nerships, not corporations. Every stock
holder is liable for every debt. Brokers
are aware of this, and never place the
stock bought by them in the name of a
responsible person. Besides, in their
management, these companies are close
corporations, and there is little power to
disturb the officers or terminate their
official life.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12

%s-The woman suffrage question is
beginning TO be regarded as otherwise
than a farce in Massachusetts. Those
women who have been demanding what
they claim 10 be their rights from the
Legislature have gained a decided victO-
~, and their joy and enthusiasm know
no bounds. The committee which has
been considering the matter for W. or
three months submitted a favorable re-
port in the Senate last Friday, in the
presence of a gallery full of jubilant wo-
men, and when the reading of the docu-
ment was completed their impulse was
to unite in a round of cheering. The re-
port is signed by nine out of ten of the
committee. The article of amendment
proposed is as follows:-The word male
is hereby stricken from the third article
of the amendment of the constitution.
Hereafter the women of this common
wealth shall have the right of voting
at elections and be eligible to Office on
the same term, relations and qualifica-
tons, and subject TO the same restrictions
and disabilities as male citizens of this
commonwealth now are, and no others.
The matter Will come up for discussion
this week. and in the meantime the
friends of the measure are industrious
in securing the influence of the members
in its BEHALF and they are not without
hope that it will pass both branches.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12
From the 18th Annual Report Of the
State School Commissioner.
rRUMBULL cot

The common schools of this county
have always been, TO its people, a our
of pride. Go where you Will, in tins
county, and you will find, in every sub
district, a neat, substantial schOOl-house.
The houses are generally in excellent re-
pair, and well furnished. Painting and
fencing was TO some extent, neglected
during the war, but the presidents OF the
common peoples seminaries'- the
school directOrs-are giving these nat
tiers much attention just now.
Old Trumbull is, we believe, unlike
any other county i'm the State, in n res
pect. 1t is just five townships square,
and each township again is just five miles
square, and, of course. the township cen
tiers are Just five miles apart.
1t is a matter Uf remark that fall select
schools are getting To be very common
at these township centerS. We are en-
cOuraging this and observe h tendency
I'm this direction with much satisfaction.
The common branches for which the
sub-district schools We're intended have
been neglected, in some parts of this
county by the UeTV improper intrOduc-
ton uf the higher branches. This has
been Occasioned by the steps being 80
great from the common school 10 the col
lege preparatory school. Central high
schools are what we want. With these
We would have "A very good series Of
graded schools; the common school, the
central high schools, and the preparatory
schools and the colleges and universities
4 good series of graded. schools, with
their examinations and graduation, is the
perfection of all school systems. The
great universities of this country and
! Europe. with their various classes are
hut graded schools, and the series, 80 far
As they are concerned is complete. The
preparatory schools in this State are nu-
merOus and in their proper place, and 50
likewise. the common or primary schools.
One term of the series is wanting, the
central high schools, and this the peO-
pie of this county are fastening to sup
PLY. The legislature by One compulsory
act. might establish these schools, but it
could not maintain them. We must
grow to this in population. wealth and
intelligence. We recommend that the
present enabling act for central high
schools be made more practical, and that
their establishment under said act he en-
couraged in every possible and proper
way by the legislature and school COM
missioner.
We lean supply the schools of our
county with teachers and reject Oue-third
of our applicants for certificates. Thus
we have been able 10 establish and main
Laln a nlgn Staiiuaru OF quallncatlon. AS
matters now stand. we cannot raise our
standard of qualification much without
crowding the higher branches into the
common schools. We therefore anxious
" await the establishment of a higher
grade of public schools, when we will be
free 10 raise our standard of qualification
and make our school system the most
perfect Of all on this continent.
LAUREN COLEMAN.
GEO. p. HUNTER.
Examiners.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12
Inevitable Pennington,

EDITO OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the de-
bate between the Methodists and Spirit
u~alists,'' we have had ocular demon
stratiOn'' that ''all has not been quiet, -
and that some kind of spirits, or spirit,
''haS visited the place. and that 1.-THE
supporters Of the doctrine are not dis
cOuraged." We have had ocular demon
stration' that the Methodists tried TO run
S~piritualists out of office at 1.-THE last ''Town
Meeting" and got beat at it. We have
had ocular demonstration that the
spirits, or something else, has postponed,
for the present, the erection of a SI5, 900
brick Methodist church. We have had
ocular demonstration that a prosper
Ous'' school has gone down from $50 to so
scholars; and charged. most foOlishly.
by IN Methodist friends, as the work of
spirits, OF S~piritualists, and ''that Hail."
It is your own insane attempt to black
ball the hall and its supporters. You
have scared your dupes about the coun-
try. and outraged liberal minds. We
have had ocular demonstration of
another thing that is the pride and joy of
liberal and lust minds, and is 10 redeem
Pennington and make the school what it
was a few years since.
Prot. II. L. johnson has assented to
the opportunities of those who seconded
a bit of priestly arrogance a few years
since and dismissed him from the school,
and is coming back to take charge of the
same. And he m untrameled-he is
master OF the situation" Whilst he is
a Methodist, and has a right TO be, he can
understand the spirit of the age, and
treats all with cordiality and respect, re-
gardleSS of religious opinions. And
when community finds out, as they will,
the falsity of the charges made against
Spiritualism. and Spiritualists, and
Union Hall, We will have 200 scholars
here.
Times are no harder here than in
Hiram and Orwell il is your heart, my
friend. and those who sympathize with
yOu. But under the genial influence of
the spirits" they are fast S~oftening, and
in ten years we will he lone fold with
one shepherd here in F.; and her we
Will all Join together and build a monster
brick Union Hall, that shall be what its
name implies. and give the present hall
to the school for a gymnasium.
That will be a glorious time when ''the
lion and the lamb shall lie down togeth-
er, and a young child shall lead them
Now suppose rot stop your inVidious
filings at S~piritualism, and, instead there
of, 90 TO work for the above heavenly
contamination, and we will be with you
in every good word and work. We will
all be made happier for it here, and SO,
getting a large soul growth here, will he
fitted for a higher sphere as we pass TO
the beautiful beyond"
NAV !, 1863. A SPIRTTUALIST.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12
4 Bill TO Amend an Act for Fixing the
Rate of Interest,

SEC. ]. Be Il enacted BIZ the General As
Sea5IV al tie State of Ohio, That the
parties TO any bond, bill, promissory
note or other instrument Of writing for
the ~forbearance or payment of money at
anV future time, NAV stipulate therein
for the payment of interest upon the
amount of such bond, bill, note or other
instrument of writing at any rate not
exceeding eight per eentum per annum,
payable annually.
SEC. .. That upon all judgments, de-
crees o. orders rendered upon any bond,
bill, note or other instrument of writing
containing stipulations for the payment
of interest in accordance with the provi-
sions of the first section of this act,
interest shall be computed till payment
at the rate specified in such bond, bill,
note or other instruments of writing.
SEC. 3. In all cases other than these
provided for in the first and second sec
lions Of this act, when money shall become
due and PAYABLE upon any bond, bill, note,
or other instrument of writing, bearing
date after the passage of this act, upon
any book account or settlement hereafter
made between parties, upon all verbal
contracts hereafter entered into, and
upon all judgments, DEGREES, and or
ders Of any judicial tribunal for the
DdNlnCIl u utOhcN aAlelhS OuA VI dhN
contract made, OF other transaction Oc-
curing after the passage Of this act, the
creditor or creditors shall be entitled to
interest at the rate of six per cent. per
annum. and no mOre.
SEC. 4. All creditors shall be entitled
10 collect and receive interest on all
bonds, bills, notes, and other written
instruments heretofore entered into,
upon all balances struck on settlements
heretofore made. upon book accounts
heretofore accrued, upon all verbal con-
tracts heretofore made. and upon all
judgments, DEGREES and orders of courts
heretofore tendered, precisely as if this
act had not passed.
SEC. d. That section n Of ian act
fixing the rate of interest" passed jan
uary -, 1924, be and the same Is hereby
repealed.
SEC. o. This act TO take effect and be in
force from and after the LIST day Of Octo-
Der. 1859.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12
From Grnene.

EDITOR CHRONICLE:-Ast there appears
TO be some reflection cast upon those
who voted against a new jail; and being
n of that number, 1 wish 10 say a few
words in u defense. INA we are
less human, or possess less feeling and
sympathy for the suferings Of the guilty
or unfortunate than others, | am not
willing To admit. For a period of fifty
two years, we have been under the
necessity of travelling twenty miles to
transact all county business. Not
mfrequently have we been compelled TO
remain half a day 10 get IN opportunity
of paying u taxes: necessitating us to
travel twenty miles in the night, through
storms and had roads, or remain yer
night on expense: and all because those
residing in the south part Of the county
are unwilling 10 be Just, and locate the
county seat at some more central point.
If real estate is doubled and trebled in
value near the county seat, and those
residing there are favored with the priv
ilege of HranSacting their county business
with no Inconvenience. then it is but
morally just that they should build the
Jail on their own private expense; and
not compel those a. a remote part of the
county 10 pay equal tax, and then sub
ject them Ia the inconvenience above
alluded To. When the south part of the
county are willing to do As they would
be done 10y, and locate the county seat at
some central point say BacOnsburg, we
will unite Our purse strings and vote for
a tax To erect the county buildings pro-
vided. however. that our money can be
judiciouSly expended. Nearly N hun
dred thousand dollars was expended in
erecting a COur House, which when
completed came very far short OF meet
ing the expectations sf the people, or OF
answering the end for which il was built.
There l. N more item in our bill OF
complaint which Is deserving of notice,
We are not extremely anxious for office
neither DOVE make any high p%retentiOns
10 talent, Yet we like to see fair play.
During the whole history of our expe-
rience as a township, there has never
been but two instances where any of our
townsmen have held any county Office
When our candidates have been present.
ed, there has always been some one
seeking the position at or near. the coun,
ty seat, and our claims have been treated
with indifference and neglect; and in
some instances with contempt; though
they have beer men capable of filling
any county office with credit Ia them.
selves and honor n the county.
When the county is willing to be Jus
We will vote for a new jail at the centel
of the county, but while the county sea
remains at one side of the county, as al
present, we shall Ote against any fur.
ther tax to erect county buildings. AND
il il is our misfortune To find u way
inside of the old nuisance, We will en-
deayor to bear the Inconvenience witt
patience.
l am glad To see our neighbOrs il
BacOnsburg and MesopOtamia possessing
sufficient Independence to speak out fol
their rights; and hope while they arr
working so justly for the railroad enter
prise that they viii work with equa
central point. ID. RIB.
April 30th, 1863.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12
Queer Case.

one rainy day last week a RaVenna
man procured at Poe's livery stable a
horse and carriage to drive to Kent. Ar
irving there he drove his horse under a
livery stable shed TO keep it out of the
rain. Upon going back to the place
where he left his horse it was not 10 be
found and so he came home by rail-
road. The same day a Kent man applied
10 a livery keeper for a horse and car
rage to drive to Ravenna. Livery man
told him he would leave a horse and car
rage underth shed which he could take.
The Kent man, in due time proceeded to
the place where a carriage was TO await
him, and finding it, drove with his wife
10 RaVema. Soon after the arrival of
the Kent man, Nh. Poe discovered hjS
horse and carriage hitched in front of
the Court House, and proceeded to take
possession of the same. The Kent man
discovered the movement and claimed
the custody Of the establishment, AZ n
he had hired in his own town. After
some parley he was Obliged to surrender
his claim and to make his way home by
train. 1t seems that the Kent livery
man, neglected to hitch up and place I'M
der the shed a carriage for his customer,
and that person in consequence took
Rayenna mans carriage and 80 an anu
sing and somewhat embarrassing JdiLc
pas ensued and the two parties were OBJ
liged 10 make railroad trips between the
two villages which they had sought to
ayuid.-RUpenad Democrat.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12
Local

1t is the wish of all editors to give
in their columns as much Of the local
events of their town or county as they
possibly can. No matter how trivial
an event may appear when it occur
red, it becomes new when it is put in
print, and reaches through the news
columns of a daily or weekly paper to
a distant reader. Newspapers are
printed to give people just such infor-
nation as these trivial events furnish.
In so doing, they serve to refute
many false reports which gain cur
reney. 1t is true that-sOmetimes by
carelessness, sometimes by willfulness
errors do get into print. But when q
responsible person sends q judicious
editor news, it is generally reliable
The trouble generally is with cores
pOndents, that they do not condense
their articles enough. We should
like to furnish letters from every
township in the county in each weeks
issue, and would be able TO do so if
they were only ''boiled down" suffi-
GENTLY. Give US facts, and let them he
dressed up tersely and briefly. There
are sufficient items of local news i'm
each township during the week to
make a letter of quite a respectable
length.
We r happy to be able to state that
our present corps of township cores
pondents has nc equal in the State,
and We hope to add many TO its mum.
Der during the coming season.
Remember to give the real name
and to beware OF personal articles.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12
From Cuba via Washington.

WASHINGTON. May lO.-The govern
ment to-day received advices direct from
the discretionary portion of Cuba,
giving information as to movements in
that quarter. Parties here in the inter-
est Of the CubanS state thar there are
now in the the Cuban army 2,0CO men,
800 of whom are Americans, and that
about 5000 Of the latter nationality have
recently been added 10 the number. II
is said by representatives Of the reVolu-
tionary army of Cuba in Washington
that success would be placed beyond a
doubt if the United States would recng-
nize the belligerent rights of those who
are striving To effect The independence of
Cuba, and in that case the men and
money already promised would I've fur
nshed in abundance.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12
RAILWAY Across the continent.

That which seemed a few years since
to the great mass of men a scheme as
visionary as the tales of an Arabian
romancist, is To-day an accomplished
fact, an existing reality-a grand line Of
railway across the continent, from ocean
TO ocean-from Plymouth Rock to the
Golden Gate! On Monday last, at 2:23
Columbus time, the last spike wa driv-
en- that completed the connecting link
between the east and west divisions of
the grand Pacific Railway. As was
meet and proper, great reioicings and
publications were held in the principal
commercial cities of the country in hon
or of the event.. Soon the silks, teas and
spices of China, Japan and all the
orient will be bOrne in ponderous trains
from beyond the Rocky Mountains to
the lakes and Atlantic seaboard. These
are the days Of great things.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12
Affairs in Wall Street.

The New York Herald of last Satur-
day says:-The wide fluctuations in
stocks which have been prevailing for
some days past in Wall street were
premonitory of a sort of financial storm
which burst upon that locality yesterday
and produced great CONSERVATION. A
decline in hve-twenties at London. fol-
lowing an advance in the Bank of Eng
land rate of discount, led TO a decline in
bonds mere and a rise in gold 10 l39i-
over three per IA in n day. The
excitement was suggestive Of the war
days, when gold used to yibrate so
violently. Simultaneous with this rise
in gold there was a sudden decline in
railway shares, and a panic seemed i'm
pending at the Stock Exchange. The
''bulls'' were in great trepidation,
particularly during the half hour around
five O'Clock. when the building was
closed and the excited thrOng was lock-
ed out upon the street. Towards six
O'Clock the crowd began to question the
necessity of being guided by the state of
the money market in London, and,
with Yankee independence, took another
view of the situation, the result being
quite a reaction, although the feeling
vas still neryou when darkness drove
them home.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12
Bridge Notice.

NOTICE is hereby given, that sealed
~ proposals will be received at the Audi
tors office in Warren, Trumbull County, o.,
until Monday, the 3lst day of May, 1859, for
the superstructure Of ar Iron Bridge Of 50
feet span, and Il feet roadway, to be erected
across Pymmatuning creek, at the center
crOssingtn Vernon Ownship.in said County.
h commissioner reServing the right 10
accept or reject any or all bids made. Also,
that the commissioners Will be at the site Of
said bridge on Wednesday, the ID day of
June, 1863, between the hours Of 10 a. m, and
l p. m, to sell TO the lowest responsible bid
der the masonry for said bridge. Also, the
Commissioners will, on the same day, be-
tween the hours of l and s o'clock D. m, sell
to the lowest responsible bidder, the mason
ry for n bridge across the same stream,
known as North Crossing in said Township.
By order Of D. h. WOLCOTT,
+. A. REED,
I. b. PAYNE.
County Commissioners.
JAS. d. KENNEDY, Co.. Auditor.
May Z, lS69-3t
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12
The Pnfrint Dead.

Quite extensive arrangements are be-
ing made at Washington, to decorate the
soldiers graves in that vicinity on the
10Th inst. The principle ceremonies will
be as last year at Arlington. Sub-cOm-
mittees of the Grand Army Of the repub-
lie have been appointed To orange the
the details. There will be brief Grafton
and an original poem by a gentleman of
that CITY. Several hundred persons Will
participate in the exercises. and flowers
viii be distributed by children. Papers
for subscriptions of money and dona-
tions of flowers are being circulated in
all the departments and throughout the
CITY. Mrs. President Grant is a member
of the committee on decorations, andwill
furnish q large quantity OF flowers from
the White House.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12

In Sharon township, Clinton County,
Ill, recently, a farmer named Stanton
had gone out in the morning to pillow,
and was followed by his two little
children, a boy and girl, who stopped to
play in the high prairie grass. Not
being aware of this fact, Mr.. Stanton set
fire TO the grass. and the children were
soon envelOped in the flames, the noise
of the fire drowning their shrieks. The
father went home TO dinner, and the
children not returning. search was made,
when the body of the little girl was
found. burned to a crisp. The boy had
managed TO escape to the plowed ground,
but was dangerously burned.
Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-05-12
EurOpean News.

The cable kilograms are dated May 9.
On Friday last General Prim declared
in favor of "honOr and liberty in the
Spanish Cortes, whatever that may mean.
The Belgium Senate has refused to rat
lily the bill for the adjustment of inn
priSOnmens for debt.
The object Of the German Protestant
Congress, which will meet in Worms on
the 5lst inst, is TO consider a proper re-
ply to the recent appeal of the Pope.
\ new Cabinet has been formed in
Italy.