davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

The House committee on claims
have 142 cases upon their docket,
about 100 Of which have been acted
upon favorably, 180 unfavorably, and
the remainder have not been reached.
but even this large number does not
include all the claims introduced. -
The House pension committee have
moro than 800 pension claims; the
military committee have about 500
war claims, while the committee on
private land claims, naval affairs,
post Office, patents, judiciary and:ap-
preparations, in al over 5000
There is probably q Thousand moro
in the Senate. The ablishment of
q court of claims for the express
purpose of relieving congress Of this
business of passing upon claims, has
had no apparent effect of lessening
the flood Of demands for relief that
pour upon both houses.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23
Special Message.
TO the Senate and House of Represen-

10 the Senate and House of Represen-
tdtiUes-
l have this day transmitted to the
Senate the announcement that Sem
ato bill No. 218, an act prescribing
an oath of Office to be taken by per.
sons who participated IN the late re-
bellion, and who are not disqualified
from holding office by the Fourteenth
amendment to the constitution Of the
United Stntes; has booome law, in
the manner prescribed by the CON-
stitution, with the signature Of the
President
If this wero bill for the repeal of
the test oath required to be taken by
persons elected or appointed to Offices
of honor or trust, it would meet my
approval. The effect of the law,
however, is to relieve from taking
the prescribed oath all those persons
whom it was intended to exclude
from such offices, and to require it
from all others. By this law soldiers
whoss fought and bled for their coun.
try are sworn to their loyalty before
assuming official functions, whilst
generals who commanded forts for
the overthrow of the government are
admitted to places without it. I
cant afiix my name to q law which
discriminates againstupholding them.
| believe, however, that it is not q
wise policy to keep from Office by.
oath those who are not disqualified
by the constitution and are loyal
voters; but whilst relieving them
from an oath which they can't take,
would recommend to relieve also
those 10 whom tho oath has no up.
plication.
(Signed) U. 8. GRANT. .
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

The other day = New Orleans de-
teotlve arrested . man on suspicion
ofhaving stolen q valuable diamond
pin. Being hard pressed, the thief
owned mp. and surrendered the jewel
to the officer, who placed it in his
shirt bosom. On tho way to the
lookup the officer and the prisoner
got on board . horse.car, and in
doing so the former was consider.
ably jostled by . crowd on the plat
form. just then the prisonSr whis-
pered in his ear, ''Look out, Captain,
that was q thief who passed you Just
now" The officer glanced hurriedly
at his shirt front. The pin Da,
goMei He sprung from the car ant
started in pursuit of the imaginary
thief. It is needless to say that b,
was not to be found and when h,
returned his former prisoner wa
miseing also. The next day th,
vigilant detective had his already
overweight feelings lacerated anew
BY the receipt of . pencil line saying
"CAptin, I'm gone; I take the piI
withlme: it was to nice too give mp.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23
HEAR what the Cedar Rapids
Times has to say Of tho r. r., tax
just voted in Rapids township. It's

LEAR what the CEDAR Rapids
Times has to say Of tho r. r., tax
just voted in Rapids township. It's
remarks are eminontly sound:
Tho special election for voting q
tax OF one and one-half per cont in.
Rapids Township to aid in tho con-
struction of the Cedar Rapids Il st.
Louis Railroad and to secure it's
termination ut Cedar Rapids, passed
off quietly on Tuesday last and re-
suited as follows:
Whole No. votes, 674.
For Taxation, 4O4.
Against " go.
Majority for Taxation, 1874.
Thus arc wo ablo to chronicle tho
securing of another important enter
prise in tho interests of Cedar Rapids;
an enterprise the completion ofwhich
will mako perfect our railroad sys-
tenn and give Cedar Rapids the most
prominent position as a railroad cen
tor in tho State. With this direct
communication with st. Louis, Civ.
ing US access TO q new market, opon-
ing up now and rich folds of CON-
morco, giving us competing limo Of
load, choice Of markets, opening
up to us tho vast coal deposits south
OF Us in our own State and thus at
fording us cheaper fuel than we
could obtain in any other direction,
together with many other advanta.
ges resulting from it in connection
with our other roads, what may
wo not reasonably expect Of
the future of Cedar Rap
ids? Tho result of this election
proves conclusively what wo have
always claimed for the citizens Of
Rapids township, viz: that they are
= wide-awake, shrewd business poo
pie, over alive to their true interests
and ready to secure a good bargain
when it is offered them, even though
it does cost little at the start
This is doubly proven at this par
ticular time; as just now tho citizens
Of Rapids township arc paying two
per cent. tax for the machine shops
OF the b. G. r. Il NJ. Road, and, as
times now are, it pulls protty heavi-
ly upon them. But the tax is voted,
the road is secured, and We do not
believe that the most rigid epposers
of tax regret it. We feel sure they
will not when they see its results.
tor we were honest in our belief in
advocating the claims of this road
that we could not afford to lose it,
and we are now expressing our hon.
est conviction in saying that we be-
iieve the citizens ot Rapids township
| will find that the tax in favor of tho
G. Z. & St. l.. road is the best invest.
ment in this kind of !. business ven
turo they have ever made.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

The Bloomfield. Republican gives
the following account of a high old
time at Drakeville
Parties from the, INDICATION meet
ing held at Drakeville last Satur-
day night represent the feeling of
the people who had subscribed sums
Of money to the capital stock of the
C.& 8. W. Railroad as red hot and
tho siuation growing still hotter.
Tho meeting was tho second Of the
kind held within tho last two weeks
and which were prompted by tho
course of tho swindIers, who have
systematically gougod the honest poo.
ple along tho line out Of largo sums
Of money, merchandise and produce.
Those who have given note to this
company complain that the sub-con-
tractors wero in league with the
"high-priests" and the stealings
wero mutually divided. The citi-
IONS will resist tho payment
Of these notes and wo trust they will
bc successful in defeating oollec-
tions on them. At oil events it will
require o big fight on the part
Of the railroad to force payment
Tho Subscribers Of stock have &c.
cured the legal services of Gen. Weay-
or, N. II. Jones, Traverse & Eichel-
berger, and Judge Knapp, Attorneys,
to combat the company. and from
tho nature of the contract entered
into between lawyers and defend.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23
A Coop HINr.-Mr. Spurgeo

A GOoD HINT.-Mr. Spurgeon
says:f at IL . remarkable fact that
ministers ofthe Gospel are not able
to live on much less than other peo-
pie. They cannot make shilling 60
- far - other people can make sov-
ereign. Some Of them try very hard,
but they do not succeed. A mem
ber once said to . minister who wan
ted little moro salary - his family
increased: Il did not know that
you preached for money NO, 1
don't, said the minister. II thought
you preached for souls" $50 I do !;
but I could not live on souls-and il
l could, it would take . good many
the size Of yours to make meal"
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

A rough Western Pennsylvanian
once said OF the late John Covode:
she hasn't much learning but he
knows q heap" This criticism was
shrewdly correct. There is another
class Of men who are the exact op,
posite Of Mr.. Covode. They have a
heap oflearniDg. but they don't know
much. 6
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23
The Davenport Gazette pays the
following vory worthy compliment
editorially to the present Secretary

The Davenport Gazette pays the
following vory worthy compliment
editorially TO the present Secretary
Our Stats has just occasion for
congratulation in the representation
it now enjoys in the councils Of the
National Executive. As Secretary
Of War, our time-honorod Iowa citi.
zen, Gen. w. w. Bclknap, fully ius-
titles the high esteem ii which he
was before held by President Grant.
Only because Of that esteem, based
on intimate acquaintance with his
character % man, and his ability
as . soldier, and as an officer in the
civil service no less, the President
promptly, on the death of Secretary
Rawlins, tendered to Gen. Belknap
the position he now occupies. But
If the chofco wero again to be made.
Gen. Grant would find only addition.
al reasons for repeating the same Sc.
lection. Ever attentive to his official
duties continuously alert in advan-
cling tho best interests Of the public
service; kosnly sagacious in the con-
sideration Of public business; possess
ed Of rare decision and ever prompt
in its exercise, Gen. Belknap is still
one of the comparatively few men ia
high official station who never forget
the relation they sustain to the peo-
pie. Therefore, the head Of tho War
Department surprises the old time
habitues of Washington quito as
much BY his unvarying courtesy to
all visitants to his Office, as by the
.rapidity with which he dlsposes of
the official business presented for his
action. seThat Gen. Belknap cuts
red tape with ruthless rapidly; he
pushes business through in half the
time usual in the Departments" said
. Washington gent in our hearign
the other day. The compliment was
unquestionably well deserved; but
better than the earning Of even such |
praise is that higher award ofrespect
paid Gen. Belknap because Of his
sterling merit and unquestioned in |
tegrity, on every hand, even in WASH
ington, whore envy and malice most
delight in detraction and slander.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

We notice by paragraph in tho
Centrovi'lo Citizen that II. II. War
den, Assistant Assessor of Internal
Revenue in this District, is now con-
nected with tho Ottumwa COURIER.
We are glad to hear of this Us "Dick"
is one of tho best men on top Of the
ground. and was the original founder
Of tho CoURIER.--Aitia Union.
This overeomes US entirely and
all we can say, brother George, is,
that "you're another" M
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

According to tho published returns
of the revivals which have prevailed
in every county Of the State, over
ten thousand converts have pro-
cssed religion this winter.
Mr.. Sullivan. of Lockport, N. Y,
introduced o new fashion in suicide
by cutting his throat with . hand.
saw.
A countryman in Q Detroit factory
bot tho engineer dollar that he
could seize the fiy-whee and hold it.
He seized it and was picked up on .
pile of bricks outside the building,
with a window sash for ne.ktie.
Three large scholars in Grange,
Blackhawk county, recently made a
preconcerted attack upon q school
miss. She made such good use Of
the poker that the assailants will not
be able to attend school for awhile
Tho school has been very orderly
since.
The committee appointed to invcs-
tigate the charges against Senator
Sprague, Of being implicated 10 block
ade running during the war, have
decided that there are no just grounds
tor such a charge.
The Cistercian order of monks cul.
tivate farm Of twelve hundred acres
nine miles southwest Of Dubuque. In
the centre OF the tract the largest
monastery in America is being built.
The gross rooolpts Of the b. Il H.
II. II. r., during tho last year
amounted to S l56, ,767. 20, on which
the tax amounts TO 33,239.0l.
Detroit poulterers stuff their chick
ems with old Junk to make them
weigh heavy.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

The Sioux City Journal says o
drug firm IN that city has received
an order for fifty pounds of Indian
war paint for Spotted Tails camp.
This is considered equivalent TO u
declaration of war against somc of
the troublesome tribes in that coun-
try NH bH #stattGf sGW tt@t6s :
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23
A Shoemaker Killed.
We copy the following from tn
Jackson (Miss. } Post:

we copy the toiioWlng from the
Jackson (Miss.) } Post:
A negro man was killed at Fan.
min, in Rankin county, on Monday
last. We arc informed that q man
by Che name of Casteel employed q
colored shoemaker to make him q
pair Of boots, to be finished on Mon
day last. Casteel made threats that
should the boots not be finished, and
failed to 1it him and be done by two
o'clock on Monday, that he would
kill tho c0lored man. At the time
iesignated, Casteel repaired to the
Shoemaker's shop. The boots were
not satisfactorily finished.
As is charged, Oasteel took
double-barreled shot gun and shot
the shoemaker in the back of the
head. The friends of Castsel who
were witnesses of this outrageous
murder have left this part Of the
country, but Casteel is in custody at
Brandon, and we presume that every
reasonable endeavor will be made on
the part Of the officers Of the law to
mete out justice to him. Can not q
better state of OWL order bo attained
BY our State authorities?
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

An exchange says there is one
county in Pennsylvania totally des-
titute Of democrats. That 10 Porter,
county, which has no jail, no whisky
shops, within it's borders, and oil
the people attend church.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23
!, Tho morninp .fter Anna Dickin.

g Tho morning aftor Anna Dickin.
son lectured IN Rochester, N. Y,
the ungallant critic Of the Democrat
brought out long article in which
he said: "Her success is not due to
personal attractions, for shc has
none. Her head projects forward
most ungracefully, and her mouth is
horrid." A new wig will cost him
about twelve dollars.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23
Referring to the efficient aid Secre.

Referring to the efficient aid Secre.
rotary Belknap has rendered in re-
tanning the Land Office ut Fort
Dodge, Gov. Cue, in the North West,
snys:
We knew Con. Bolknap in 1858,
then afDemocratic member Of the
Legislature, fine looking young
lawyer from Keokuk, but unknown
to fame. We have watched his bril-
liant career since with great salts.
faction as he was generous, noble
hearted young man thirteen years
ago, and has by his own merit won
his way up among tho trusted coun-
sellors Of tho President, and is in
cvery respect, worthy Of tho high
honor he has attained. e5
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

The Illinois Agricultural Report
for 1864 says: "The fences OF the
United States have cost moro than
the houses, cities included; more
than the ships, boats, and vessels OF
every description, which sail the
ocean, lakes and rivers; more than
any one class Of property. aside from
real estate, exccpt, it may be. the
railroads OF our country iu (.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

a.-4Hs0nD (
". IN agood ola rebei s+
NOW InaLs just what am,
FOR TINS lair Land OF freedom"
I'm giad we nt axin 1t. tgg,
eniy Wlsh we'd won.
lyanst want eny pafd0n
fof ofanythin9 I've uOne.
nates the Constitution,
Inis great hepuDllc, TOO,
l nate the Ereedmen's buro.
| hates the nasty eagle:
WIN al MS rag enu FUSS;
Inc lying. theving Yankees,
hateS en- WuSs ana WuSs.
''f
mates the fankee nRtlon.
Auu everySnln8 tney 10.
: na1es nne Deciaration
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

Gen. Shermah says the cannon
with which the prussian artillorists
did SO much damage TO the city of
Paris arc Krupp's steel cleven-inch
breech-loaders. They each cost
about $4,000 in gold, and the pro-
joctilc and powder for each dis
charge, costs another thousand dol
lars.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

The reason given by one of the
intelligent Democratic Senators of
Virginia for voting for portrait of
Robert e. Lee was that cleo fit and
fit until he could Mt fought NO Ion
ger and then gin up."
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

New York which uscd to be the
great wheat-growing State Of tho
Union, now produces fourteen mil
lion bushels less Than her people con-
sumo.
Tho Nevada legislators are in
in trouble. Tho Treasury is without
funds to pay their per diem, and they
threaten to adjourn sine die in con-
sequence.
A young lady in Terro Hautc
Indiana, recently swapped her en-
gagement ring for new bonnet,
Clarke county has /. panther lying
aronnd loose.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

A USEFUL Ia sE.-To aid farm.
srs in narriving at accuracy in ascer-
tanning tho amount of land in differ
ent fields under cultivation, tho fol-
lowing table is given by An agrlcuI-
turAl cotompOrary:
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

From the Protestant Episcopal AZ
n,0ndc for 1871 the Protestant Church
man complies the following table
from the whole United States, and
appends, also, tor comparison, the
rofurns for 1859
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23
ORDERS SOLICITED.

! The Central Star, publihed in
Goodman, Miss, has tho following
poetic effusion, which wc suppose is
a fair expression of its sentiments
and those Of its readers.
o.rMA GOOD OLD REBEL.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

The Adslphia Theatre, on Wash
lngton street, Boston, was totally
destroyed by fire, last Saturday
night. Loss, $685.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

The celebrated Franklin iunu OF
boston now amounts TO Si5l, 1913 81.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

Tho nomination. Of Gen. Hcdrick,
Of Ottumwa, for Supervisor OF In
tcrnal Revcnuc, rice Drummond. pro-
moted, was mado on Tuesday, and
will without doubt be confirmed by
the Senate. Tho nomination Of Gen.
Hcdrick will bo a matter Of surprise
to many friends who unite in con
graduating him upon his securing SO
comfortable and profitable q position
under the present administration
Register. ~
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

Contradictions. s4,soJ,S72.N u .eoal7aN
An increase Of religious interests
is reported in many OF the Episcopal
churches Of Iowa. Bishop Lee has
confirmed seven AZ Cedar Rapids,
four at Waterloo, four at Charles
City-a mission station-and four at
Cresco.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

One acres surface OF ice will upon
an average harvest about aU0e Tons
of ice.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

The Iowa Central Railroad has
but twenty-five miles of track to
complete its connection with the
North Missouri. Tho grading and
bridging is all done, and 165 miles Of
iron wore laid during the past nine
months Sixty miles have been in
operation for six months past, and
tho president estimates from tho
eAsainso thnsL tar. that the earnings
of the whole line when opened witt
equal 100000 per annum. Tho
building of the road from Oskaloosa
to Abba (twcnty-five miles) has do
veloped one coal field twenty-one
miles in extent. Within six months
after completing tho road, the profits
of the coal trade alone will be suffic-
lent to pay the entire cost of opcr-
alton. Contracts arc making with
lumbermcn IN Oskaloosa, Eddyville,
and Abba, for lumber by all rail
from Minneapolis, 81 pcr thousand
less than from the Mississippi.
Register. '3l ~ fit2lf i
This is proof Of what VIC havc
boon telling our readers in relation
to tho Cedar Rapies Il st. Louis
Railroad. If that Road was built
wo should have the Same advantage
in the way Of the coal and timbet
trade, and also the difference in price
~ u 4
of lumber at points above tho Missis-
sippi Rapids, and those below
them, which in the aggregate void
be q saving Of 10 TO 20 per cent. on
oil the timber used in tins county.
We must say however, that the
Register has drawn on the imagins-
tion Of somebody, or something else,
tor it's statistics.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

The Democratic Legislature Of
Missouri has been discussing the
question of building nm Executive
mansion. They evlnce great caro-
and economy Of the peoples money,
No difference seems to obtain ameng
them IS TO tho propriety of erecting
the mansion, but o wide difference Of
opinion a. to the amount to DO OK
pendad for the purpose. Senator
Todd would oxpend the vcry modest
sum Of 100000. Mr.. Lancaster
would go $4,000 on it, while Mr..
timer thought $50, 600 q proper sum,
and Mr.. Birch thought that any man
who would propose . less amount
than the latter sum should be con-
demned to live In y State where they
have radical governor. This last
argument was a crusher, and so $780,
900 was the amount agreed upon.
Fl Democrats of Iowa how like in-
fsrnat devils you would have howled
if the legislature of Iowa had ap.
propriated . sum like this for q res
idence for the Governor Of this State
though we be far better able to spend
money for such purpose than is the
State of Missouri. However, these
chaps odorous Of rebellion, occupy
ing seats IN tho Missouri Legislature,
ought TO build palace for Governor
Brown, for through his brilliant, il
not honorable political coup detat,
they succeeded in obtaining their
seats.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

q Hon. J. +. Wilson, one of the State
House Commissioners, has written .
letter to the Mt. Pleasant journal in
reference to the letting of the stone
contract, which that paper publishes
with it's reply. This controversy is
becoming very warm, and will doubt
less be fully ventilated before the
fight ends. Having really but very
little information upon the subject
we have been disposed to think that
our Commissioners have acted faith.
fully and wisely, although this coun-
ty was beaton in the contest. It Is
certainly very important that the
stone should be of the first quality,
not only beautiful to look on, but
eminently durable. We should dis
like much to take tho responsibility
that will ia after years rest upon the
Commissioners should they fail to
secure the best quality of stone, and
We hope the discussion now going on
may thoroughly veAtilate the ques-
tion. E
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23

II
The resolution Of tho Democratic
State Legislature Of Indiana attompt-
ing to repeal the ratification Of thAt
State to tho 18th Amendment Of the
Federal constitution came up in the
q. s. Senate on the 10Th inst, whbn
Senator Morton made one ofth6 midst
noticeable speeches Of the session,
taking position against tho power|of
the State Of Indiana to, withdraw the
assent Of that State once gwen to the
amendment. He was replied to BY
Frank Blair, of No. Blair took the
ground that tho 18th amcndment
was passed by fraud, and against the
wishes Of the people, and reaffirmed
the fposi.ion he took in his famous
Broadhsad letter. in regard to the
reconstruction acts. The democratic
party becomes very nervous when he
opens his mouth. His rash, unbri-
a. :
died tongue tuned to tickle the ear OF
the late rebels Of the country in the
south, whose champion and protege
he unqucstionably is; will not bo
controlled by the willy Tammany
ring, or at least has not boon hereto
fore. Neither in heaven, nor in hell,
NOR on any neutral ground between
the two, can there be found q place
whore this man would not kindle
Tophet on his own account, and
therefore he is only dangerous to
those with whom hS puts on the ex-
terror of friendship.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23
DEDICATED TO rHAp STEVENS.

o.rM A GOOD OLD REBEL.