The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-02-25
HOME MATTERS.
Lent.

Wednesday of the present week was both the
anniversary Of the birtA of Washington and the
first day of the religious season called Lent. Tho
day, in the church calendar, 10 called Ash Wed.
aesdsy, from the custom, in the earlier days of
the Christian Church, Of penitents on that day
strewing ashes over their heads The origin Of
the Observances Of Lent is, like many other Gus.
toms and observance Of the church, lost in an.
tiquity. Allusions to it date back as far as the
third century. As to the meaning, however,
there is no dispute. As Noses tasted forty days
in the mount, as the Ninevites were given forty
days for repentance, and ~ our Saviour tasted
forty days before he entered upon his divine
assason of forty days abstinence aud self-exsm.
ination and basement preparatory to the cele.
bration Of the glorious festival of the completion
Of the work of redemption by the triumphant
resurrection of our Saviour, which event ia com.
memorAted in the hig festival Of Easter.
The season of Lent is observed at the present
day, in this country. only by the Episcopal and
Roman Catholic churches. The ''ndependent-
churches, as well in England as here, entirely
ignore the season, finding substitute in the fire..
quent appointment Of days or short seasons Of
fasting and prayer, sid seasoas of revival" and
Especial effort" as circumstances seem to favor
In this city Ash Wednesday was observed BY
religious services at the Episcopal and Roman
Catholic churches, and during the season Of Lent
there will be morning prayer at 8 A. N. on Wed.
nesdsys and Fridays, and evening prayer and a
lecture at ~ r. NJ. "a Fridays, a. the Episcopal
church. during Lent Tho special observauoes
al the Roman Catholic church will be annouuc.
ed on Sunday.
CIRCUIT CouRT.-On Monday last the case Of
Hillsy IS. Pierce was called. THIS case was
tried before in this Circuit Court, at its March
term. 1867. The general facts are briefly these ::
In October, 1866, at Whitefeld, in this county,
Nathaniel S. Pierce, the defendant took little
girl. Julia Ann Millay. aged 6 years, into his
buggy to carry her to his house, and on the way
there the buggy overturned, and tho Childs
arm was broken, and suit was brought for dam
ages. The jury found q verdict Of $4,000 and
costs. The case went to the Supreme Court and
was remanded for excessive damages. The Jury.
on Thursday, found a verdict assessing the dam.
ages at s., 600, half OF the amount awarded BY
the first jury.
Here is how the Republican reports one case
tried lately in this court:
"On Monday last the case Of Schlosser vs. the
city OF Ottawa was tried by q jury, and a verdict
rendered for $50 and costs. 1t was an old case
aud founded on al injury received by plaintiff
In consequence of bad sidewalks"
The above is correct, with the following excep-
tons: 1t was tried before the Judge, jury being
waived. 1t was not founded on an injury receive
ed BY the plaintiff in consequence Of 5 sidewalk,
good, bad, or indifferent. 1t was because the
city caused drain to be dug on a vacant lot,
claimed to be street, but which plaintiff alleged
was private property. That's all !"