davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09
LIFE OF
RUDOLPH COUGHEN INCUR,
BEING AN
AUT0BIOGRAPHIOAL SKETCH


p. BEING AN
AUT0BI0GRAPHI0AL SKETCH
: OF the numerous Incidents Of his Lie
} From his Birth TO his present Career.
CONTINUED
The first knowledge l ever
had of the robbery of Rachel
Shoemaker was my arrest Tor
The crime. l will give a syn
opsis of the evidence as nearly
as | can remember, leaving
naught out Of Importance, nor
adding anything thereto, so
that the reader may judge for
himself. Mrs. Shoemaker was
the fret witness examined on
the part of the State. She was
an old woman, scventy-fve or
eighty years of age, infrm, and
almost blind. She testified
that on the night of the 22d of
March, 1859, her house was bro.
ken into, and she was robbed
Of $3.50 by Rudolph Coughe-
nour. 1t was done about 8
o'clock. There was no light in
the room. Tried to stir up the
fire to make a light so she
could see but they wouldn't let
her. They made no threats
against her, but made her give
up her money.
Anna Thomas testified that
on the night Mrs. Shoemaker's
money was stolen she had
heard persons pass by her
house about 10 o'clock, down
the run. Did not know who
they were nor how many there
were. James Johnson testi.
fled that he saw me together
with VIM. Coughenour and
VIM Swisher 60 past his house
in a Skif, on the river. lie
was within about a hundred
yards of us. 1t was early in
the morning; it was ioggy;
lived five miles from Mrs. Shoe.
makers. Andrew Lemley ties.
titled that lie had seen tracks
going down the run the morn.
ing after the money was stolen,
but could not say whose they
were. DR.. Saunders testified
that Mrs. Shoemaker would be
as likely to know persons af-
ter night as persons OF her age
generally. These were all the
witnesses examined for the
Stale.
VIM. Swisher was then call.
ed and testified that on the
day he started to Pixies Peak
with VIM. Coughenour and my.
self there was a warrant out
for his arrest to stop him
tor a debt, and TO avoid which,
we met near MIR. Peterson's
where we remained until after
shutdown, when we started for
Portland, travelling all night,
and going through Porter, Har.
riSburg and Centreville, arriv.
ing early in the morning, and
taking the early train for Gin
cinnati. The point at which
we met was about two miles
from Rudolph Coughenour'S'
two miles from VIM. Coughe.
hours, three miles from Ra-
chel Shoemaker's, and eight
miles from the river. All three
of US remained together after
we met at 3 o'clock. l never
knew of the robbery of Mrs.
Shoemaker until after | return
ed from Pixies Peak. / did not
60 down the river in a skiff
with the two Coughenours.-
Eliza j. Kinney testified that
while berrying she had seen
Mrs. Shoemaker shake hands
with VIM. Coughenour and call
him Mr.. Flint and ask about
the health of his family. She
told Mrs. S. of her mistake
when she excused herself, and
said she could not see good
any more, and could scarcely
tell anybody unless it was some
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09
Road Notice.

NOTICE is hereby given that q petition will
ular session in March,A. D. 1871, praying for a
review and alteration ofthe county DAD lead.
ing from Allensyille to Ellsworth in Jackson
county. MANY PETITION R5.
feb 2 1870 G
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09
NEiGHBORHOOD NEWS,
CHILLICOTHE.

~ hNaS.hNSh WIZ w NShhaNhS'
by P. B. ingalls, and T. II. Plat
ter, under the firm name of In,
gals & Platter. They are cleveI
business men, and no doubt viii
monopOlize the large business o
their predecessors. - Lorenzo
England, a we'll known farmer
was drowned on the 25th inst.
by the breaking Of the ice on
Paint Creek, which he was ut
tempting to crOss.--The Musical
and Literary Association has
quit the business in disgust
and debt.--Alvah Perry, first
Assistant Sergeant.at arms Of
the House of Representatives,
will take charge Of the Emmitt
House, March 1st.--COuncil hes
appropriated $500 to the poor.
"A mo Q nent is on foot for two
days racing at the fair grounds
in the Spring.-Dr. Lansing, who
has the neatest and best arrang.
ed drug store in Southern Ohio,
is not satisfied with what less
tasty persons would regard as
perfection, but has employed a
corps of workmen, among them
q celebrated artist of Cincinnati,
to reft, repaint, gid, ornament,
and add more marble top coun-
tiers to his already handsome es-
tablishment.
IRoNToN
Has six physici None Of
them drink or swear. Four be-
long to church. Two chew to-
bacco; two smoke; five are mar
REDS. B. Steece intends build
ing a large brick business block
in the spring.--The dwelling of
Jacob Snyder in Aid township,
was destroyed by fire last Fri
day night. The loss is estima.
ted at about So, OOO,--G Geo. Scott,
a colored youth, cut James Cole
man in the arm, another indi-
vidual in the wrist, and punctur-
ed the clothes of a third person,
"just for fun" The Mayor be-
ing of a more serious mind
bound him over in the sum of
$200.--The contract Of the Hol-
ly Company for building water
works has been accepted by the
Couneil.--Anna Dickinson can
celled her engagement to lecture
here; also, her engagements at
Ghillicothe and Portsmouth
A a meeting of the Hanging
Rock Iron Association, Hon. H..
S. Bundy, L. G. Damarin, W. M.
Bodies, W. W. Culbertson and
Cyrus Ellison were appointed q
committee to establish a general
agency for the sale of all irOp
manufactured in this district.
eALLlPoLIs.
Mrs. Henry Hutsinpillar, of
Green township, fell on the ice
and broke her thigh bone.--John
Williams fell into an excavation
being dug for a cellar and broke
two of his ribs.--Gallia County
Building Association shares sold
for 1869 at last meeting.--Wm.
Shoebe- has broken ground for a
new business house opposite the
public square.--John G. Vanden,
assistant editor Of the Journal,
is off for New Orleans, Mobile
and Florida.--Jennie Tucker, an
inmate Of lewd house, commit
ted suicide by taking opium
Mansley Woodruff, VIM. Thorn
as and Fred. Wart we're killed
on the 25th, by the explosion of
a portable saw mill. Wart is the
cJlored man who was accused of
firing the market house and lock.
up.
ATHENS.
A grand celebration of the an
niversary of Washington's birth
day occurs on the 22d.--Capt.
Chas. A. Barker died at Long
view Asylum on the 18th ult.,
from softening Of the brain, caus''
ed by overwork.
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09

within me at the prospect o
this long dreary term of five
years in prison, separated from
wife and family, Tor a crime o.
which shall protest my inno'
cence upon my death bed.
had just arrived from a long
weary trip across the plains
where | had suffered the sever.
est hardships, together with
hunger and almost starvation
Money and property were all
gone, with a wife and five chill
dren to be left 10 shift for them
selves. Hunger and rags ]
knew were before them, and is
it any wonder that, / cursed
the injustice which brought
this misery on me and mine.
Yeti trust | hold no spirit Of re-
venge. Vengeance is mine,
saith the Lord" The die was
cast; justice had fled, and on
the 9th of July, Sheriff James
Campbell turned me over to
the authorities at the Peniten-
tiary. l was washed and dress.
ed as before, and taken to the
hospital, where | was examin.
ed by the prison physician and
pronounced unable to work by
reason of exposure. | was put
in the yard, tinkered around as
best | could for four months,
when l was put in the hame
shop, where l remained until
my time was out.
Mr.. Van Slack was the War
den during the fist two months.
Many changes had taken place
since my first term. About six
&C es had been added and ma.
ny new shops built. The cat
had been abolished, and i'm
prisonment in a dark cell sub
stituted. Mr.. Van Stacks rule
was from twelve hours to forty
days with four ounces Of dry
corn bread and a little water.
A number. were brought to an
early grave by this cruel treat
ment. The shower bath was
also abolished, and IN its stead
prisoners were hung up by the
wrists from three to thirty min.
utes - as long as they could
stand it, and long enough to
make many of them crlpp!es.
This was the state OF affairs un
der Van Slack. The sleeping
apartments were improved
The wooden frames were re-
placed by iron ones which
bung on hinges which ran
through the wall. The bed
clothes were cleaner and bet
ter, and instead of a candle
each one had a gas lamp in his
cell. The mighty army of bed
bugs was thinned, but there
were still enough eft for home
guards.
Van Slack was superseded
by John A. Prentice. The first
thing he did was to abolish the
rule tor hanging up by the
wrists, and reduce the longest
term of close imprisonment 10
ten day s. There was also a
decided improvement in the
dining room. He gave us bet
ter grub than we had before,
and allowed those who had
money to send out and buy
anything they wanted to eat.
We all had our task 10 per-
form. Some could do their
part readily, but at times 9th
ers failed, when they were pun.
ished. Everything worked
smoothly under Mr.. Prentice.
He was succeeded by Ma
thaniel P. Marion, and he was
not long In introducing the
most rigorous discipline. He
shut down on all our little
privileges, and punished men
severely for the most trifing
offenses. Things were getting
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09

Hon. ii. s. BUNDY would
make an excellent Governor.
Southern Ohio is justly enti~
tied TO the Ports
mouth Republican.
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09
AGENTS WANTED

for Groesbeck's calculating machine, rapid,
accurate, reliable, simple, easily operated,
cheap and beautiful. Giving instantaneous nd
ditions or subtractons, takihg from one to hive
columns Of figures at a time, carrying and Dor.
rowing its own tens, hundreds, ETC., without
the least lhoaght 0fthe operator. Address
ZlEGLER 4 McCURDY, Cincinnati, OHIO.
Jon26lS7l4wdd
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09

DSYCOMANCY.-Any lady or gentlss
/ man can make 81 900 a month, secure their
own happiness and independence by obtaining
PSYCOMANCY, FASCINATION or SOUL
CHARMING. Full instructions to use this
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osophy of 0mens and Creams, Brigham
Young's Harem, Guide to Marriage, &e., all
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mail, in cloth 81 IS, paper covero 81. HoTien.
Any person willing to act as agent will receive
a sample copy of the work free. As no capI
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ployment should send for the book. enclos-
ingi0 cts for postage, to T. W.. EVANS q Goa
Al South 9Th 81. Philadelphia.
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09
JACKSON.

The Standard speaks of the
probable shock of an earthquake
on Thursday, probably, of week
before last, the same that was
felt here. We we're both wrong
about the day, however, 1t being
Friday morning.--If Bro. Mack
Icy wants to know the name of
the old man who was killed on the
railroad near Jackson he will
have to apply to the Portsmouth
Times.
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS
G. +. ID U e e U,
JEwELER, IMPORTER Of WATCHES,
DIAMONDS, &C., FINE GOLD JEWEL
RY AND SlLVERWARE.
The Largest and Finest Selections
Ever Offer ed in this Market.

Ladies Gold Lever Watches from $50 to sla5.
Boys and Ladies' Silver Watches, Sl2. Also
Watches; also the u. S. Watcn Co., IN fine
gold and silver cases; solid silyerware, and q
full line Of plated ware for table use. Tea SETS,
ice pitchers, ~cSs,ors, cake baskets, &c. Spet,
tacles, telescopes, microscopes, and all kinds
Of optical instruments, blrometcrs, thermom-
eteTs, &c.
Agent Tor the celebrated Diamond sprciN-
also II GLANDS Pens. Agent Tor Laval Watch.
Jewelry made TO order. Engraving neatly cx~
ecuted. Watches, Clocks and Jewelry res
paired by experience work men.
Agent Tor Weed Sewing Machine.
G.. +. DUFEU,
9ieb3m 2S Pant street.
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09

5. Newman's store.-An election
for Postmaster, it is said, will b.
held shortly. - Shuflin, the muir
derer Of Burke, of Jackson, fail
ell to get a new trial.--The city
claims to be free of aristocratit
whims and airs.-Capt. William;
and Jas. Salisbury bagged thirteen
dozen quails one da last week
Street railroads are proposed,
wAvERLY.
u Isaac Foster and Philip Shoe.
Ter captured a deer which had
been worried nearly to death by
a dog.
MIDDLEPoRT.
A half. witted son of John W.
Lyons has been going around
town soliciting subscriptions for
his mother and children. They
were in no need of assistance, but
he procured considerable
amount before the falsity of his
story was ascertained.-A col.
ored girl gave birth to q child,
which she murdered, and went to
church the next day to avert Sus'
picion. This is the third time
she has committed the same
crime.
PoMERoY.
John B: Hampton's harness
shop was destroyed by fire last
week. Mr., Fieger, a photograph
err who occupied the upper part
of the building, loses $780,
Two colored men were shot in
the Mason City coal mines, OPP
the city, one of them, it is
believed, fatally. As the min
ers were on a strike, they are
of the crime.-A man
Mckee stole about 70
and has been selling
them in this vicinity. Detec-
tives are after him.
MARIETTA.
There is talk of building a pa
per mill.-Prof. Andrews says
here is enough salt in Duck
valley to supply the whole
lad named Ere Idly
had his arm broken while
,oasting.-D. G.. Matthews has
'een appointed cashier Of the
Bank in place of +. E.
resigned.-Thc price Of
Ill is advancing.-P People are
at the prospect of tie
passage of the Middle District
Judicial ill., One of the Cow
oil wells is to be put down to
he pebble rock-estimated dis
;ance, 1000 feet.
LANCASTER
the noise Of the 9th ult.,
,ut felt no shock. The Gazette
kinks it was the explosi on of an
Ierolite. Mrs. Henry Lehman
became frightened, jumped from
sleigh, and broke her ankle
zone.
JACKSON.
The Standard speaks Of the
probable shock of an earthquake
IN Thursday, probably, of week
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09
FREET0BOOK AGENTS

We Will send q handsome prospectus OF our
Now Illustrated Family Bible containing over
900 fine scripture Illustrations to any Book
Agent free OF charge. Address, National Pub.
llshIng Co., Chicago, H., Cincinnati, OHIO, or
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The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09
THE CELEBRATED
CRAIG
M

IL an optical wonier, reveals the thousands
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Reveals countless little worlds, all around US,
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The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09

VyTANTED-AGENTS, ($20 per day. to sell
w The celebrated HOME SHlT1LESEW
ING MACHINE, Has the under feed, makes
the clock stitch" (tike on both sides) ana Is
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sewing machine IN the marRet Addre ~,
JOHNSON, CLARK 4 CO.. Boston, Mass,
Pittsburgh, Pa, Chicago, Ill, or 81. Louis,
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The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09
Agents!R eadThis!

wv Will Pay Agents o Salary Of $50 per
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Marshall. Mich.
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09
Our Colored Chrome for 1871

VIII he ready 10 send ont in January. The
Chtomo Will represent forty two varieties or
snowy aud popular flowers Unnatural SIZE and
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we shall, however, furnish il to customers az
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upon orders for seeds. See catalogue when
ont
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The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09

No marriage licenses were IS
sued during he last week.
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09

The Magic Combc%d5IIIor change ESr any os
beard 10 n permanent black or brown. 1t con.
tains no poison. Any one can use it. O..e
sent by mail for 81. Adde'S MAGIC COMB
CO., Springfield, Mass. Jan 90 4wdd
The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1871-02-09
ATHENS.

ATHENS.
A grand celebration of the an
niversary of Washington's birth
day occurs on the 22d.--Capt.
Chas. A. Barker died at Long
view Asylum on the 28th ult.,
from softsning Of the brain, caus''
ed by overwork.
LOGAN
Has an exhibition of model ar
lists IN full laSt.--Liquor deal
ers are just now driving a live
lier business than any of their
eighbors.-Burgessvill is the
name Of q new town on the II.
v. R. R. King Coal is bailding
it up rapidly.
PORTSMOUTH.
The Ohio has a good stage Of
water. James Rafferty, waf
teroi ovnr fnr hregbinc intn n
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-07
aEDgNG THE ELEPHANT.

The New York Tribune makes capital
application Of recent happening GU, West
IL appears that on the occasion of recent ex-
hibition by a travelling menagerie in the vii
lage Of Pottaw Kansas, some of the
braves, taking advantage Of the darkness OF
might, stole the elephant, and undertook to
ride the animal about town. But Old Empe-
ror resented such treatment. In few min
utes the air resounded with the crash of de-
molished wigwams and the shrieks of the
terrified Indians. 1t was not until he had
trampled large part of the village into ruins
and driven the inhabitants out into the praires
that his keeper appeared upon the scene, and
the father of all the animals was secured.
"The Southern Democrats says the Tribune
''have just been trying to ride an elephant
with similar results. Their Old Emperor.
Mr. Jefferson Davis, was picturesque and
profitable feature in the Democratic menag-
erie SO long as he was securely hobbled and
kept quiet in his corner. Once in while a
cautious Snowman might walk him around the
tent, to the delight of the gaping rustics and
small boys, and occasionally he raised his
trunk and emitted mild roar, not at all alarm
ing in itself, but suggestive of terrible posi-
bilities. In an evil hour some unauthorized
persons let the Old Emperor loose, and what
an uproar he made! The new platforms
which the Vallanligham Democrats built with
SO much pains have been knocked into splin-
tiers. Organizations have been scattered, and
the Northern leaders run about screaming in
the darkness, and breaking their necks try
ing to get out of the animals way. His path
is strewn with ruins, and before his rampage
is over he will probably have done the De-
more mischief than they can repair
in another four years."
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-07

The daily paper printed at Wild Cat, Ar
kansas, is very appropriately named the
Evening Ca;erwaul.
The Troy Times protests that there Is TOO
much swearing in official proceedings IN TINS
country. The frequency of Official oa'hs anu
the fiippant way in which they are administer
ed takes away all the sanctty and reverence
from them.
Perhaps a scion of Captain Cutie edits the
New Orleans Republican. Here is its latest,
Opinion as is an opinion "Hypoeraey in
high places is despicable; the absence of i,
in low places is equally bad"
5. ], Daley, of Washington County, Ohio,
had II teeth shot away at An,ietam. The
a hard substance near the upper surface OF
his tongue. Ii was removed by his wife, and
vas found to be tooth which had remained
buried there, without, detection, for eight
years.
Mr. David Butler is no longer Governor Of
Nebraska. twill be recolec,ed that be was
iuapesehed by the legislature last winter Tor
nlisAppropyia,ing the school funds Of the
State, and ether naisdeusanors. The Senate
has jus; rendered decision removing him
from ofsce
At the Young meas Christian Convsu;io
IN Washington. the question was put 70 the
delegates, WI 30 Won 60 with people who
pes3s,e0;ly indulge in loas prayers = ant,
somebody answering, Mover give them S
chance to pray. another brother luckily added
THE explanation, ''Excep; in private
The Observation-Disclosures eAse IS soon to
he hrcarh; before the puhli> agAin- The In
aI&aapolls journal says il will he remembered
| iAxi " F&-lAaas stforRey moved Ia the Nor
| saa coansy cogrs- s shor. time since. that the
case be dismissed, as he had information ;hA,
Ais client was an inmate Of the insane asy-
lum; hut % Wednesday last, notice WAS filed
IN the Supreme Cour; al an appeal TO that TIL
ban&l. The attorneys say that it is their in
ientioa to bring the case to trial a, the earli-
est possible moment
Some settlsrs..near Portage Lake, Michigan,
objected 10 the existence Of natural dam,
which kept the waters OF Lake Michigan
abou, ten feet above those of Portage Lake
and therefore they recently dug small ditch
through the neck of land which separated the
two. The waters rushed through with ire
mendous force, carried away forest trees and
hills, and now have forced channel twenty
feet deep and nearly four hundred wide.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-07

though it cost three millions. And let II
cost what it may, after it is built the PEG.
pie along the route would not be without
it at any sacrifice. There is that fact
about railroads, that though they pay not
a cent upon investment. they are of so
gre at benefit to the public that it is gain
to build them, even at that expense. The
towns will have this road, and its advan-
tagcs will amply compensate them for the
outlay which they make to construct it. IL
will be one of the best business routes IN
the State; and though its cost may appear
large now. ii will prove n profitable pub
lie enterprise. and none of the towns will
regret the aid which they give ii.