davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16
The Maine State Prison,
THoMAsToN. Feb. IA, 1870.

THoMAsToN. Feb. IA, 1870.
10 the Editors Of the Press:
THE ATTEMPTED ESCAPE OF sIMMs AND
BARTLETT.
The community has been very much exer-
clsed since the attempted escape OF Bartlett
and Simms, to learn the particulars of this
extraordinary and adroit undertaking, The
Warden has been aware of the purposes of
the Bowdoinham robbers and has had in his
possession some evidences of efforts in other
directions where they had planned an escape.
and had been able to Illustrate their PURPOSES
what has been done, therefore, has been eff
fected in the face and eyes of a vigilant and
watchful administration of police and ouard
regulations; which illustrates the results
which men schooled in wrong are able to
reach. We understand that Simms confesses
that he has been one year at work in boring
Oil the ends of two perpendicular bars which
form part of the iron network of the door of
bis cell. The boring was done at the lower
end OF the bars by drilling up, using the
space left for passing the prisoners food into
the ICELAND by an inseniously contrived 'instru-
ment which he himself had secretly made in
the work shop. The instrument was several
inenes In length, and in performing its work
was rotated by small bar inserted in holes
pierced IN the four faces. The instrument
was leu W" to its work by screw in the low
CT end. 1t was rather rough and unpretepding
iu us constructon,but years patent labor at
selected intervals, when the noise and wind
and storm, or the temporary absence of tho
guard rendered it safe.
The bars were finally so weakened at tbeir
base that the application of very little no,yer
broke them off and separated them. so as 70
allow Simms to pass through. He then with
very simple instrument turned an old lock.
and also with burglars key Unlocked pad
lock which secured the door of Bartlett's cell.
The reason why this particular night was
taken is easily accounted for. 1t was un-
doubtedy the purpose of the Bowdoinham
robbers, when every thing was ready, at an
opportune moment, to seize the Waterman
with all the risks, and thereby take possession
OF the prison. 1t so happened that on that |
day there had been some whitewashing done |
in the corridor of the prison and the parties |
who had been doing the work, left behind =
adder which was noticed by Simms as he en-
cred his cell ard afterwards seized by him
or the purpose Of gaining the attic. The
plank in the attic used by them for bridge
rom the prison window to the wall of the en-
~ had been there since the erection of
,h o PRISON and probably some one had made
ha,iar asquainted with the fact, for it is now
had 'meie were some among the prisoners
" AZ na a., an understanding of these plans.
AFTER their escape from the prison thau hoa
made put little advance before the guard ,rora
IN position to do execution. S;m,n1 "e.
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16
General Eexys.

Dr. M. H. Page has been elected City Ply
sician Of Boston.
The United States steamer Seminole from
Key West with yellow fever on board is in
quarantine at Portsmouth.
Col. Kurtz, chief of the Boston Police, has
resigned, and the probability is that the de-
teetive system in Boston will be abolished.
Citizens of st, Louis held meeting on
Thursday night to raise funds for the "na-
tonal" monument to Stonewal Jackson. Gen
James Shields presided, and letterfrom jeff.
Davis was read.
Earthquakes are still felt in Germany. The
last reported from Gross-Gerau were on the
18th, 18th and 18th of January. A shock was
reported from Marseilles on the loth' anu
from Vienna on the 10Th ult.
The Amoskeag Veterans are preparing TO
celebrate Vashineton's birth day in grand
style at Manchester, N. H., as we learn from
oeneral order No. 4, issued by Gen. Matt
Head, Commander
The report of Special Agent McIntire to the
Treasury Department says there are less than
two hundred legal voters in Alaska. This
TACT Will be duly considered when the Com
mittee on territories takes up the project 10
give that country territorial organization.
Two coal-wagon drivers in Vienna got into
quarrel few weeks ago as to which should
allow the other the right of way. From words
they soon began to beat each other with their
whips. Both men died on the following day
from the wounds received.
Two persons guilty of the sale of naval and
military cadetships have been found, one a
| member from Alabama in the last House, and
the other member from South Carolina in
the present House. The evidence in each
case is direct and positive, and of such a char
acter that no apology can explain it away or
break its force.
@Justice Clifford, of the Supreme Court, de-
livered an opinion Monday on McGarrahan's
| quicksilver claim case, holding that McGarrs-
hans title is radically defective because he
does not allege and show that the land is not
a mineral land, and without this allegation
and proof the case is as unmeritorious as if
no allegation of purchase had been made.
The Court below erred, being wholly without
jurisdiction in the premises. The opinion
fully and completely sustains the position of
Secretary Cox. The Judgment is reversed
and the case dismissed. Justice Miller con-
ours in the reversal but dissents from the dis
missal
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16

The LAWRENCE MURDER TRIAL.-The
trial of ]. F. Lawrence for the murder of his
mistress, Mrs. Atwood, began Monday in the
Supreme Court at Bangor. The first days
proceedings were not of special interest. AZ
ter the usual difficulty in empanneling ju-
ry, Mr. StetSon, the Penobscot Countv-Attor-
ney, opened the case for the State. Referring
to the anticipated defence of insanity, he said !:
The government is not obliged to satisfy
you that the prisoner is sane, but the burden
OF proof is on the prisoner to satisfy you that
he is insane or was insane at the time he COM
mitted this act. The presumption of law is
that every man is sane. That presumption
must be overcome. This defence of insanity
is one to be examined with great care. 1t
has been alarminely frequent of late. 1t is
set up where crimes have been committed
when all other defences fail. The law de-
fines certain principles upon this SUBJ
iect, clearly and plainly. Every man who
commits crime is, in one sense of the word,
insane: He is actuated by some passion,
prejudice, spirit of revenge, or desire for
gain. There has been an advance from
the first principle laid down upon the subject
OF insanity. The first principle was that ev-
cry man was responsible for his acts unless
he had SO far lost his reason that he knew no
more than an infant or beast. An intelli-
gent advance of that was that if man had
understanding enough to distinguish between
right and wrong then he would be response
BILE for the acts committed by him; if not, he
was considered insane, and not punished for
crime.
There was further advance, and this 1
.hink the true test. Ii man had understand
ing enough 10 know that tbs AFT vas nIS6 he
stood towards the party on whom the act was
committed; although his intellect might be
somewhat clouded, if he knew that the act
was wrong and one that would be punished,
he IS sufficiently sane to be made responsible
for that act.
An abstract of yesterdays proceedings will
be found in our telegraphic columns.
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16

OUR Legislative report this morning shows
That fhe project of removing the State Capt.
tol has reappeared, this time in novel form
Mr.. Gushing proposing the appointment of a
Commissioner "to consider the question and
report to the present or the next Legislature"
Thus are the people of Augusta to be put on
their good behavior, we suppose, the vision of
this terrible commissioner, sitting in solemn
and solitary deliberation, considering the
question:" being sufficient to check any evil
propensities, like the vice of extortion, that
they might be subject to. 1t is like holding
sentence in terrorem over criminal. 1t will
be seen also that the Governor is afraid the
Legislature will be blown into the air by the
detective heating apparatus. We hope that
in anticipation Of that catastrophe both
Houses will be willing to make very liberal
appropriation for a General Hospital.
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16


MARCH PERIoDICALs.-Old and Neao is the
first of the monthlies for Merch to appear
The articles are brief and numerous, as in the
former numbers; and we notice among them
especially poem by DR.. Parsons; discuss
ion of the Cincinnati school question, by Rev.
A. d. Mayo; the beginning of the story trans
lated from the German of Elise Polko: an
anonymous paper on the dependence upon
England in the matter of books; and paper
by Sidney Andrews on the Bureau of Educa-
ton, its aims, record and possibilities. The
installment-of Mr.. Hale's serial has the genu-
inc snap of the authors style about it this
month. Illustrations make their first appear
ance in the magazine, IN few wood cuts ac-
companying Mr.. w. 7. Brigham's paper on
Mature and the Great Railroad" The ONLY
theological paper is by an orthodox gentle
man, Rev. Washington GLADDEN..
The March number of the Riverside Maoa-
zine is also ready. 1t opens with one of Mr..
Stephens characteristic drawings, illustrating
fable of La Fontaine, and has among its con-
tents contributions from j. E. Kuntze, C. P.
Cranch, Paul 81. Hayne, Anne Silverhail, and
others, and many good pictures.
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16
Capital Punishmeut i'm Eurnua

Now that the subject of capital punish
ment is once more fairly before the Lesisla-
ture we hope that it will be considered with
the seriousness that its importance demands.
IL will probably be conceded at the present
stage OF the discussion that the mere applica-
non OF the epithet "sickly sentimentalism" to
all efforts in the direction of the abolition of
the death penalty is not an entirely satislac-
tory answer to the arguments in favor of that
reform. We may at least claim that the day
for fighting the proposed measure with inter-
jectons is past. And just at this time comes
very OPPORTUNITY little pamphlet printed oy
Sprague, Owen and Nash at Augusta, ehtil'eo
Letter from Oruiue d. Baker, an farsS' on
Capital Punishment. We nope every HELL
her of tho LEGISLATURE has seen it. We be-
ljeve that The author is son Of Hon. Joseph
Baker of Augusta-the same that we remem-
Der as "Bowdoin boy" few years ago, re-
markable even in his college days for the ma
turity of his intellect. No "sickly sentiment
tality" about this letter! 1t shows from En-
ropean statistics not that capital punishment
is unchrlstlan and inhuman, not that the eff
feet OF the spectacle of violent death inflicted
py law is brutalizing, but that the death pen
atty Shields the murderer, protects him in
Tue great majority Of cases from any
punishment at all, and makes it safer
TO aSsasinate an enemy than to work in
coal mine. In England during the years
1857 and 1868. only ~ out of 81 murderers
were convicted, and of the 27 only 10 were
executed. Taking long series of years only
one murderer in eight has suffered punish
ment. In Germany from 1850 to 1865 only
one person out of every fifteen guilty of muir
der was punished, and in France the case is
no better. In the latter country the effect of
the law is SO Enthusiastically to defeat the ends
of justice that the celebrated Liberal, NJ.
Jules Simon, who was formerly an advocate
OF capital punishment, has declared that his
early views have been overcome by the logic
Of fact and experience.
This is view of the case that must adj
dress itself with much force to the minds of
those to whom the sentimental and even the
ethical phase of the question is distasteful. II
is OF course useless to appeal to such men on
the ground of the hardship and injustice of
the extreme penalty Of the law to persons
guilty.of great crimes. But when it is proved
to them by figures that there is in mankind
such an instructive repugnance to the penal
ty, no matter what their theories may be, that
as matter of fact they prefer in the majority
OF cases to let murderers go scot free rather
than hang them, the aspect of the case is
changed We have little hope that the pres
ent Legislature will abolish the penalty, but
such pamphlets as Mr.. Bakers will serve a
good purpose as educators and perhaps lay
the foundation of reform in the future.
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16

HE CONSOLIDATION QUESTION IN BAN
aoR-This question, which our own CITY
government took final action upon Monday
night was before the Bangor City Council
again the same evening. j. W. Emery. one
Of the Directors of the Es,ro--------~-
-----s..s- ruad, f. A. Wilson, Director in
the Piscataquis road, and George M. Weston
spoke in favor of consolidation, and W. G.
Crosby, F. Muzzy, Geo, w. Ladd and joseph
+. Snow spoke in opposition. At the close
OF the hearing the following order was taken
up by each board, the result being that both
branches of the Council refused it passage: :
Ordered, That the order passed by both
branches of the City Council on the Doth of
January, requesting our Representatives to
oppose all forms Of consolidation of Rail-
roads" be reconsidered, SO that the whole sub.
Ject may be again brought before the City
Council for the pmpose of allowing the
friends of that measure to be heard before
final action be taken upon the subject.
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16

THE CANADIAN FIsHEKIEs.-An exchange
says that sit is semi-officially given out at Of
tawa that, after the next session of Parlia-
ment American fishermen will not be allowed
to fish in Canadian waters, unless the United
States authorities remove the duties now lev
led on Canadian fish," The exclusion of the
American fishermen from Canadian waters is
something that the Dominion government
has attempted to enforce ever since the term
nation OF the reciprocity treaty. 1t is con-
tended by that government that the three
miles from the shore over which it has iuris-
diction is to be reckoned from line drawn
from headland to headland. If this doctrine
is insisted upon it may lead to troublesome
complications between the two governments,
to say nothing of the constant. danger of COL
isions between Americans and the Canadian
fisherman and the Canadian vessels detailed
to act as police on the fishing grounds.
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16

ATTACKS ON Mr.. SUMNER.-The Boston
Journal very properly ridicules the fashion
prevailing among the younger members of
the Senate, like Carpenter, Stewart and Conk-
lin, OF attacking Mr.. Sumner, supposing that
they vindicate their valor thereby and fill the
place left vacant by Mr.. Fessenden. 1t adds
The contests between the late Mr.. Fessen-
den and Mr.. Sumner sprang from mere con-
stltutlonal inability on the part of the disput-
ants to see great public measures in the same
light, even though they shared the same car
dinal principles and had for each other mu-
tual regard. Mr.. Fessenden, when he was
once rallied upon these conflicts, answered:
the truth is, respect and honor Mr.. Sum
ner, but" he added with smile, eve were
quilt up SO differently that am afraid we
never can agree"
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16

The CITY DEDT.-The following is a copy
OF the communication read in the Board of
Aldermen by the Mayor, Monday night:
, me late decision of the Supreme Court of
the United States in relation to the character
OF the currency in which debts incurred pre-
10 Feo: %, 1862, must be paid demand your
immediate attention with reference to CITY
bonds. " WY
The amount of city bonds proper now out
standing issued previous to that date is
1851 900. 80
In addition in 1854 the city assumed bonds
issued in aid of the Atlantic & st. Lawrence
Railroad Company, in 1852, to the amount OF
S5OO.OOO, the city receiving as an equivalent
$50o0O0 currency bonds of the State of
Maine. OF the bonds in aid of the railroad
company S121 900 have been retired by ex
change for them said State of Maine bonds,
leaving outstanding $4,000, SO that the
whole amount of Outstanding city bonds for
which the city is now liable as principal
aated previous to Feb. IS, 1862, is $93O,OO0.
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16

frightened at what might follow, and fell flas
in the snow and seemed willing to give up.
Bartlett was more determined and said he
would die first, and did not yield until ball
overlook him and made its way through the
feshy part of his arm. Bartlett also injured
the ball of his foot when he struck the
ground. His wound is fast getting better and
he will be able to 60 to work next week.
They both protest that they are innocent of
the crime for which they are in prison, and
affirm that the close surveillance which is ex-
ercised over them is on account of the infu-
ence of their enemies, particularly the repre-
sentatives of the Bowdoinham bank. in order
to compel them to raise money for the loss
which the bank has sustained. For good be-
havlor these prisoners, by the rules of the
prison, were credited eight days each month,
the ssme to be deducted from their original
term OF service. The time they are under
discipline, wearing the ball and chain, will be
deducted from this credit.
PERSONAL NOTES.
There are now 1873 prisoners in the State
Prison, the largest number ever confined in
that building. In 1869 the largest was IT'S
with an average of 154. Doyle, the alleged
murderer Of the Libby girl in Strong, appears
| to be suffering acute mental trouble. Thorn
of Harpswell is still laboring under the inn
preston that he will soon be pardoned.
Cleveland, the murderer of George, who is
under sentence OF death and will probably be
executed, is in i'll health, evidently breaking
down in view of the future.
MORE COMING.
Warden Rice left to-day for Alfred to bring
back Henry Pugsley of Hiram, James Avery
and Edgar Emery of Saco, who have been
lately sentenced to State Prison, the first two
to three years each and the latter TO two
years imprisonment. Avery completed a
years sentence only last August, which shows
that a short sentence in his case was of little
consequence. LIMESTONE.
|
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16

NO iNFLATIoN.-The failure of the House
on Monday to table Mr.. Loushridge's reso-
luton instructing the banking committee to
report bill increasing the currency s5o0Oo.
900 is not by any means TO be regarded as in
eicating tendency toward initiation, unless a
mysterious change has come over the men,
bers within few days. Many voted against
tabling the bill merely that it might be sent
to the committee. 1t is gratifying to learn
that all the Maine members voted to table the
resolution. I'll
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16

THE argus does well to republish so much
matter from thePress instead ofdrawing on its
ewh feeble resources. 1t has only to continue
~. ,ew weeks the policy begun with so
,,on s ,oun tuesday to establish its reputa-
correct taste, though perhaps a ,r;aa a any
in originality. We should prefer ,es ueucient
tracts from our columns should he sa' ,ts ex-
sented, but the intelligent reader will rsa pre-
infer from the imperfect transcript the t,ns
meaning of the original.
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16

The remains of the murdered Greenwood
have arrived at New York from Havana.
The elevated railway in New York is COM
pleted from the Battery to Both street and cars
ran over the whole length of it on Monday.
Five prisoners in the Hudson County IN.
" Jail devised plan to escape from that in
stitution Monday, but were discovered by the
jailor. The SCENE contemplated a general Jail
delivery.
The boiler in paper staining factory on SD
Street, New York, exploded Monday after
noon, fatally scalding John Donnelly and Will
liam Wright. The building was consumed by
fire. Loss $4,000.
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16

POOR Mr.. SEWARD now brings sorrow and
trouble wherever he goes. The entertain
ment the Mexican President gave the ex-Sec-
fetary OF State has proved very costly one
70 tne most The jealous Mexicans object to
Tue expense, and, not unmindful of Mr. Sew
aru past history imagine that he came to
guy iana Oh the needy Mexican COVE; nment.
aenee 'ile serious revolt against Juarez is
strengthened, and threatens to overthrow him
though he has been made dictator,
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16
Patent Double Action
Rubber MOusEdin.

And Weather strips, for Doors md Win.
The only article ever invented which excludes the
dust. snow, raj" and air from two Sides
fut on by experienced men, and will effect a saw
ing OF nearly fifty per cent. in fuel "
: GB- Office at Kendall a. Whitnev,s MorLat
"4uaIe, rortiand. BISHOP BROTHERS,
JanAfuusN @Ee s 4sts Sole Agents.
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16

Senator Wigfall, formerly of Texas, is now
an exile to the wilds of Colorado.
Tall and unusually slim, pale complexion
small black whiskers and glittering spectacles
stoop in his gait, and small black cap on
his head; voice soft and clear, speeches
Astounding in metaphor, and language remark
ably elegant, with a reputation in the last
French Chamber of speaking better French
than any one, except that grand master of his
language, Berryer-such is the portrait of M
OLIVER, constitutional Premier of France,
drawn by an able hand
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16
Warren's Cough Balsam.

Is beyond question the very best medicine OF the
day for all COUGHS COLDS, Sore THROAT and
LUNGS! Also, ior WhoopiDg Cough and Croop in
Children it is the NEST effective medicine ever used
Sold by all Dealers in Medicines. --A-.a-
b. F. BRADBURY, Proprietor, Bangor, Me.
GEO. g. GOODWIN s. Co., Boston, Agents tor
New England. oct2seodemsp
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16
DUPEE. BECK de- SAYLES.
kO2 State St Boston.
GEORGE OPDYKE Dc co.
No. Is Nassnu.st., New York.
Eebl6-d end13t
O Mce Of the A. G. q.

FORT PREBLE, MAINE,
February l6, 1870.
EAIED PROPOSALS in duplicate. with copy
~ OF this advertisement attached to each, and
pies oil each article, invited and will be received
at this office until O'Clock, p M March 9th, 1870
Tor supplying the Subsistence Department OF this
Post with the foil wing subsistence stores. viz:
FLOUR, 40 Dbs and 35 lbs). Forty bbls. and
thirty five pounds in quality equal to "extra family
-four Aa
COFFEE, Green Rio (29O). Two hundred and
ninety pounds. Isl.
CAN DLES, Adamantine, u9;l Thirteen and three
fourths pounds. quality good"
SALT, t2s3l Two hundred and twenty-eiebt and
three iourlhs lbs, quality good"
SOAP, t36il. Three hundred and sixty-four
pounds. quality ''goOd." -
good"
The above articles to be delivered at this Post free
of cost. wv "
In case of failure or deficiency in the quality or
euanuty OF me ABOVE mentioned articles, tb n the
A. G. 5 at Fort Preble, Maine snail have bower 10
supply The deficiency by purchase. and the contrac.
Tor VIII be charged with the difference OF cost
Eacn old must be accompanied by a guarantee
signed by two respons BILE persons. ard in case tine
pd IS accepted and the cont act entered into they
VIII become surrey, in sum equal to one halt the
amount OF the contract for the faithful performance
OIL the same.
No bid will be entertained that is not made in ac-
coIdance with This advertise meni. .-- .-... &
Jhe government reserves the light to reject any
all bids regarded as disadv antag. ous.
bdders have the privilege OF being present at the
opening OF the bids.
Proposals must be addressed to the undersigned
and endorsed, Proposals tor Subsistence Stores"
b. K ROBERTS,
r. list. Lieut.. 9th Artillery, A, C.S.
The Portland daily press., 1870-02-16

UNIFORMITY OF SCHOOL BooKs.-On the
outside Of to-day's PRESS will be found an
able article on this interesting question from
the pen of c. B. Stetson, Esq, of Lewiston,
scnool Supervisor for Androscogsin County,
70. which we ask particular attention, -