davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

"What is that nasty Polly Ives let
ter doin' in my box" screamed ru.
raj swainest on the right OF attack
ing column. "Mistook your name."
Madame thought it was politoncss.
But the greatest pest of all was the
school children.
AS soon as school was over, there
was one wild race for the poet Office.
They began to inquire as soon as
they came within shooting distance.
They would inquire for themselves
and then for every body that lived
within five miles Of them.
Anything for any ofthe Murphys2
yells little freckled-faced yellow
topped potato mound, with national.
ity SO strongly developed that you
could smell it.
Anything for Jane Murphy p No.
"Anything for Ann Murphy ?" NJ.
Anything for Tom Murphy ?" No,
nor for Pat Murphy, nor Dennis
Murphy, nor Pete Murphy, nor for
any Murphy, dead, living, unborn,
native or foreign born, naturalized
or otherwise, male or female-why
created he them? The Murphy
family disposed of, the Fitz Geralds,
and Fitz.Patricks, and Fitz Moonleys
were thrown ut me until | caught
them myself. | had Fits chronic,
and could tell every day when they
We're coming" on
Children came TO the office to in
quiro for letters, SO young that they
hadn't strength to carry home the
weekly Tribune, and who didn't know
the difference between u letter and
door plate.
Not weekly or semi-weekly, nor
daily, but hourly, Us often as they
could think of it.
1 have often seen them hang
around the outside waiting for their
hour to come and inquire for letters.
Great strapping girls came every
day for weeks and months, who had
the measles oftener than they had
letter, but they might have come to
see the deputy which was better
than the measles, if not quite so good
as receiving letter.
One man came every day for three
weeks and made terrible rumpus
every time he came about the care
lessness and inefficiency of the mail
service. At last his important letter
arrived, and it proved to be a patent
medicine almanac OF last year, but
he had got fifteen or twenty dollars
worth Of labor and information out Of
me for nothing, and he was accord
ingly satisfied.
I like an inquiring mind. 1t shows
research and progress.
1t is o spirit reaching out tor some
thing by which to draw itself higher
and it gets hold of q soft thing when
1t grabs deputy postmaster.
He gets more civil answers out Of
him in one minute, than he can blast
out of all the railroad conductors in
G Christendom, and he gets it for moth
ing, which is wrong.
If the government would charge a
for every NO that is given in
answer to the inquiry, "Is there any
thing in the Office for me? it would
pay off the national dedt in six weeks
and another great advantageit would
be, their deputies would not be re-
quired to NO so much, which would
give people of ordinary minds and
women a chance to display them.
selves.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09
The Result in Iowa.

The figures from official sources,
show that the Radical majority this
year in low. is 1928. In 1870, the
radicals carried the State by 42,480
majority. In 1869 Merrill's majority
over Gillaspy was 39,l45. 10 other
words the radicals only gained 2, LIS
votes over the last Gubernatorial
election.
Now We ask some sharp littlc De
parturist to figure out how long il
will take the democratic party Il
elect Governor on the New Depar
ture plan, taking the results OF th'
last two Gubernatorial election for I
basis - OHumlcd Democrat.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

TELL YoUR WIFE.-H you are in
trouble, or a quandary tell your wife,
that is if you have one, all about it
at once. Ten to one her invention
viii soive your difficulty sooner than
all your Logic. The wit of a woman
has been praised, but her instincts
are quicker and keener than her
reason. Counsel with your wife, or
your mother or sister, and be assured
light will fash upon your darkness.
Women are too commonly adjudged
as verdant in all but purely womanly
affairs. No philosophical student OF
the sex thus judges them. Their in-
tuitions or insights, are subtle, and il
they can not sec cat in the meal
there is no cat there. In counseling
a man to tell his trouble to his wife
we would go further and advise him
to keep none OF his affairs secret
from hor. Many a home has beer
happily saved and many fortune
retrieved, by mans full confidence il
his "betler half" Woman is fa
moro Seer and prophet than man
she have . fair chance. AS q genera
rule, wives confide the minntest o
their plans and thoughts to their hus
bands, having no involvements t
screen from them. Why not recil
roeate, If but for the pleasure 9
meeting confidence with confidence
We are certain that no man succeed
: so well in the world as be who, II
king partner tor life, makes Der tn
f partnerior all hispurposes and hope
What is wrong of his impulses 3
Judgment, she will check and ST
right with her almost UNIVERSAL
right instincts. "Helpmeet" was \
: insignificant title as applied to man
b companion. She is meet help
Q him in every darkness, difficulty ar
/ sorrow of life. And what she mo
Graves, and most deserves is con
dence-withou which love is ney
s free from shadow.-JourndL Of t
, Farm.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

> HaUk-Eye goes for the City
cil Of Burlington in a lively
Itsays: 4" We give it as our
30 that Barnum, or any other
1prlsingiman could realize q large
.ohe, in short time, by hiring
harrington City Council to visit
garious cities Of the United
and hold sessions such as they
here. We could make money by
l Engagement, and be rid of the
nee ct the same time. We do not
ate to state that the proceedings
) Council are a disgrace to oul
ShouId the petition which has beer
~ up, asking the:Council to re
r. be circulated it would doubtless
med by q large majority Of th'
I and Taxpayers. Men wht
4 Aeet week after week and refus
bcharge their plainest dutie
m DO business to hold The positions
y hem discharge their duties o
= q, the people say, and we 50.
r eOple are riQht."
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09
Tho Discovery OF the Open Polar Sea
WASHINGTON, Nov. /.

The information received by the
Navy Department from DIR. A. Peter-
man, of Gotha, concerning the Ger
man discovery of tho Open Polar
Sea, starts in the most northernpoint
reached, 79o north, on meridian aS9
east, was found the most favorable
state of ice toward the north pole,
with probAble eonnection with tho
open sea on the north side toward
tho c,.si. The expedition was made
in small sailing vessel al the ox-
! pense OF the officers,
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

JunkiD, Of the Fairfield Ledger, is
trying to convert Chss. Negus to
christianity and fepublicanism. Bet
ter sleL him alone, he is joined to his
idols" y
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

The Hapkeye, in noticing the visit
Of Hon. NJ. NJ. Walden and j. X,
Walden, to their brothers in Cory
don, says: ave copy the item to say
that the mother of these excellent
gentlemen is one OF the most intelli-
gent and respected ladies of Primrose,
in Lee county, whore she has long
lived. Mr.. Walden, senior, If We are
correct in our information, died many
years since, and the chief duty Of
raising the family devolved on the
mother. How we'll she did it, those
who know the boys can testify. TO
say a word in honor Of such woman,
when favorable opportunity oc.
ours, is . pleasure not to bc omitted
in the columns of the Hasckeye."
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09
chief, who sat there smilin blandly,
retired from the presence.

Culel, " HO but buCEc puiiiu oiohu'J
retired from the presence.
But the great mans work wuz not
yet done. He promptly telegraph
every prominent Democratic editor
and politishun in the State to de-
nounce him in the blttercst terms,
and then tellln the convention who
to nominate and what to do, went
home.
There is greatness and grand
eur in this man which l can't suf-
ficiently admire. Some men wood
be so puffed up with the possession nv
the twenty-Gve millions which he
hez made ez to insist upon an in.
dorsement by the party through b
which he made it; but not 80 with
Tweed. There amt no vanity about
him. So long ez he hez control of
tho party, he don't care cent wheth-
er he is publicly recognized OIL not
Ez he remarkt to me, "Ef the way
to my continuashen in power is in
denunsiashun Nv me, very good, de-
nounce me. I kin stand it. amt
the first man who, to get on, hez
to trample over the dead body Nv his
own reputashun. I'd jest az soon
pull the wires behind the curtain ez
to manipulate the puppets in front
Nv it. amt agoin to let personal
vanity stand in the way NV the
grand success Pm hopin for next
year. I'm rather heavy head for
the party to carry jest now, and Pm
going to relieve em-till after tho
presidenshul elecshun.
Then l saw wat motive wuz 40.
tooatin the Amerikin Napoleon, and
l wuz agin lost in wonder Who.
ever the Democratic nominee Is, he
will be the substance. Tweed will
be the power behind the throne,
wich is greater than the throne itself.
And wat q glorious prospect opens to
MS? Think of q Democratic .Presi-
dent in 1873. with Tweed behind
him! Think of Tweed making col
lectors, and assessors, and postmas-
ters, ard all NV EN- bein responsible
solely to him. Ef he hez made Nv
himself Cresus, aud his friends
likewise, out Nv the revenues Nv one
city, wat will he do when he hez the
nashen TO bleed?
! shell tn wunst cultivate pleasant
relashens with Tweed.
PETROLEUM V. NAsBY, p. NJ.
(Wich wuz Postmaster.)
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

| fod0rato6, IL lS charged .Cnat OUohcn
| and ono, Victor G. Powell, q clerk in
the Treasury, defrauded the govern
| ment of $6s, 400 through claims OF
Capt. Beatty's company Of Tennes-
see Mounted Infantry which served,
or pretended to serve in that State
during the war. Under resolution
Of Congress- passed in July, 1870, an
appropriation was made to pay these
soldiers. 1t is charged that Mr..
Stokes engineered this resolution
through both Houses Of Congress
and that the certificates for the pay
were issued directly to him. 1t has
since been ascertained that the COM
pany, instead of numbering 1O3 men
as provided for in the resolution. re-
ally embraced about 36 officers and
and privates all told. The conse-
quence of this manguver is that
fraudulent claims were awarded for
$68, 400. Mr.. Stokes arrived here
yesterday and was arrested, but was
released upon securing requisite bail.
Mr.. Powell was also arrested and
not being able to secure bail was
committed to durance vile. Wheth.
or all these charges can be sustained
against the parties I know not.
Time will tell. But what I wish to
call particular attention to is the ca
gerness of the Democratic press to
hold up to public indignation these
populations on the public Treasury
as evidences of Radical misrule and
dishonesty. Oh most virtuous and
honest Democracy Let us look into
these matters. If tho Republican
party is in anywise responsible it is
for allowing Democrats to hold on to
the public teat. When Major l.. L.
Hodge was arrested for misappro-
priation of the public monies,
this same Democratic paper was
one Of the first to denounce the
transaction as another evidence of
radical corruption. But upon inves-
tigation of the present political views
CT the defaulting paymaster and his
antecedents, it was clearly proven
that he is noo and alaoays ,cas DEM
ocrat. Stokes, Of Tennessee, has
never enjoyed the confidence OF the
Republican party, and if he is prov
en- guilty it will only be another in
stance of Democratic honesty (?)
PERSONAL.
Hon. James F. Wilson, of Fairfield,
arrived in this city to-day and is
stopping at the Ebbitt House.
Hon. James Harlan was here yes.
terday, but left to-day for New York
Colonel Thaddeus II. Stanton and
his estimable lady, arrived from an
extensive tour through Europe, and
are at the Ebbitt House. The gal.
liant Colonel is looking remarkably
well. He has been ordered to duty
on the Pacific coast.
Fred. Douglass has declared him
self for Grant, without any mental
reservation or secret evasion what
ever. He goes the whole hog. So
says Judge Higgins, the Washing
ton correspondent of the Philadelphia
Daily City Item.
Colonel J. H. Tall, of Pennsylva-
mia is also in the city.
General Belknap has just returned
from brief visit to his son who is
at Princeton College, New Jersey.
Tho yound man is chip off the old
block and as 'smart as whip.
PoToMAC.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

"THANK GoD, It's RAINING. The
following incident, at the park IN the
northern part Of Chicago, on the
night of the terrible fire, is related
by an eyewitness:
1t was toward morning, when
hope had been dismissed and despair
had entered the weary hearts of the
watchers, when gentleman felt a
rain drop on his hand. He thought
at first it was tear from his wife,
who was leaning on his arm, her
head forced down and her soul CIV
en- to sorrowfnl thoughts. But an
other and another drop in quick sue
cession and pattering in the leaves
over his head assured him that it
was raining. He was on the point
of uttering remark to that effect
when o hundred voices, it seemed,
Grid out, "Thank God, it's raining!"
A pale, careworn lady, who was try
ing to soothe the sorrows Of . wo-
man who had lost her two children,
looked up and said, "No, it's not
raining; the angels are weeping for
US; their tears are falling on our
ruined homes"
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

Our friends at Eldon are much
elated at the actual commencement
Of one section OF 10 stalls OF o round
house for the G. & s. w. r. r. They
tell us that the machine shops Of that
road are to be erected there immedi
ately.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

DR.. Mendlicott, having been con-
victed for the murder of Ruth, in
Kansas, Mrs. Ruth has been arrested
as an accessory. Her discarded hus-
band Voullaire, has gone TO Law.
renos from st. Louis to interpose in
her behalf.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

Rev. Mr.. Cheney, in a letter from
Chicago, says: 81 have fed from our
supplies sent from the noted hearted
people of other cities families who
never knew o want. A bride, whom
| married q few weeks ago, with all
the paraphernalia OF fashionable
wedding, has come, driven by actual
starvation, TO eat at the common
table in our basement. The family
Of an ex-member of Congress, one of
our first citizens, who, two weeks
ago supposed himself rich man
were, until the day before yesterday,
huddlei on the north pier, where,
during the terrible Sunday night and
Monday, they kept each other from
burning to death by throwing water
which they dipped up from the lake. "
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

v Moines Valley Road has with.
b last six weeks sold ovor two
bn dollars worth of their lands
erthwestern Iowa. They were
<ly sold to the parties who hold
first mortgage bonds on the
=. The prices paid range from
to $1,000 per acre.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

Miss Jennie Swinney, late postmis-
tress at Blairstown, got married re-
Gently and thereby lost her office.
She thinks that matrimonial male
is worth more than United States
mail, any time.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09
At Dubuque the other day, a hors

At Dubuque the other day, q horse
disappeared in the ground where q
leak in the water main had washed
away the soil underneath, leaving
the astonished rider astride of where
the horse ought to have been, and
still holding on to the reins. Hard
shovelling saved the animal.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

A Cincinnati horse doctor adver
tises to teach horse to sing, which
suggests to tho Boston Post that We
have enough one.horse singers al
| paaIxy
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

S. B. Raymond OF the Hampton
Free Press, Franklin County, is a
candidate for Sergeant at Arms, OF
the Senate. Mr.. Raymond would
make good officer.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09
J. P. Thompson, Pastor OF

bv. ]. P. Thompson, Pastor OF
Broadway Tabernacle Church,
=, rendered publicly bis resigna-
Ltn consequence of failing health
ed by exposure in his visits to
onion armies during the rebel
His pastorate extends over a
d Of some twenty years. The
lch in its corporate capacity
nted him with $4,000 on hit
ment and $4,000 more wat
q for him by voluntary subscrip
Verify he does not rest from
lbors in want.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

Hon. VIM. Loughridge favored this
Office with o number of bound vol
umes Of the Congressional Globe.
which we prize very highly,
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

The following are the States in
which elections will be held on the
7th Of November, Maryland, Massa
chusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New
Jersey, Few York, Illinois, Wiscon
sin and Virginia.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

The sales of Burlington T. Missouri
River Railroad lands in Iowa, daring
the month of October, 1871, were
2S7 83 100 acres, at an average price
of 81 S33-100 per acre, amounting
TO s33, ,9S2 55 100. The company has
yet about 205, 900 acres choice farm
lands for sale on ten years credit at
six per cent. interest, or at prices 20
per cent. less for cash or bonds of the
company, or one-third down with
balance on one and two years credit
| at 10 per cent. till paid.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

There is new town just started in
Kansas called tho ssDevips Delight"
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09
The Davenport Democrut says !:

"John P. Irish politically prosper
GUS, politely publishes poor poetry
in place of pungent pokes at played
out politicians"
John is naturally a poetical cuss,
almost as much so as Porter Clay
Welch, and the Democrat has nc
business to be meddling with his at
fairs. Johns "poor poetry" is JUS
as good as the most of his "poor'
prose, and not any moro prosy either
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

The Coryd"n Monitor says: "This
fall, it is estimated, u larger crop of
buckwheat has been grown in South,
ern Iowa than ever before. When
the chintz bugs had destroyed the
wheat during the summer, many
farmers plowed down their green
wheat and sowed buckwheat instead.
Buckwheat cakos will, in many
families, supply the place OF wheat
bread tor the winter.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

O0llQfon ana olmplotOns generally
" truthful expression to their
.oughts which the more cunning
Oh.
A Allison follower grows faoetious
. d drejoices over the defeat of good
publican candidates for the legisla-
=. This don't show, according to
- peoples notions, why the Du-
lqee Tines charged along the Re-
lblican line, on the eve of battle,
q Harlan men were boiling ALI
. eondidates for the Legislature, but
ii lot difficult for the unbiased to
Men, for the most part, smile
they are tickled.
NJ clip the following from the
Register, for q long time noted
H. armed neutrality, on the Sen.
o1nl question, but which is now
lskvowed champion Of Gen'l Dodge,
ID possibly, in a certain event, the
p11rter of ex-senator Grimes. The
q br clips from the Bee. But her
~ little tit-bit Of chuckling; a
i'll that will be apt to be out Of
either corner of the mouth before
eArst month of the new year shall
.veexpired:
NEhe bpsy J efferson Bee has gone
to NE business Of breeding excur.
~ Itthanks the Hon. James r.
ilDpn, very kindly, for the good
rtshe took in securing the invita-.
,nfromthe Pacific road to Iowa
t1(rs for q free ride next June, and
switches the subject off on the
nttoriA track, to say: Harlan
haye to retaliate by getting uT
other, say in January next, the
ute to be up Salt River, where We
. meet Frank Hatton and Johr
ahin; while Allison could arrang.
tke tho boys along to Washing
&;th hs,,o ~
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

The LEGIsLATURE.-The Register
publishes full list of Senators and
Representatives, with the following
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09
Zen. Booth, Republican, is chosen
preventative from Dubuque coun-
land the home Of VIM. B. Allison.

Zen. Booth, Republican, is chosen
I preventative from Dubuque coun-
and the home Of VIM. b. Allison.
= Henry county the Republican
ohinee was defeated. Henry is a
Z Nbublican county and the home Of
sator Harlan. The result tells
spwn story Dubuque zGTcs.
Kes one Of the regular Republican
cminses was beaten by an indepen-
sat Republican. Whether the Re-
ullican Gnd.) be hostile to, or the
idd of Mrs. Harlan, doth not yet
eshaps appear. In dialogue Co.,
oUever, either because democracy
rein love with Mr.. Allison and hate
4 Harlan prodig gcusly or for some
aer cause, they send . Republican
lenber to the House,a thing very
n1sual with them. The defeat u
rnk Hatton in Henry Co., grows
of no want Of popularity of NJ.
Ian.
+ there be any ono cause more
in another which created disssn-
oDs on the Legislative ticket in this
ete, it was that about ten days
Aere the election, in . long editorial
MDubuque Times hissed on it,; fol-
Wers to deeds Of bolting by dharg.
Z that Harlan men we're going
* on Allison candidates for the
islature.
o such fire brand Of disorganixa-
ever was before thrown into the
snblican party Of this State BY
leof its friends as that Of the Times,
ldmade at q time just before the
sction, when . chance was not
ve1 to counteract it. Further, it
- made without the slightest pro-
Notion, and in our opinion for the
purpose of inducing Allison men
BIT candidates known to be for
azlan, and which we think all
biased persons will admit.
The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-12-12
Why Workingmen Leave England.


Morris Phillips, ESQ, of tie Home
Journal, writing from England, men-
tions the following:
"1u the railroad station at Holyhead,
on the Welsh coast, was witness to a
scene painful to any one who believes
all men are born free and equal. The
mail service, between Dublin and Lon
den, only carries first and second class
passengers. One of the splendid sea-
going boats that cross the Irish camel
took us safely. and, strange to say,
pleasantly to HGlyhead, where the
train is made up for London. 1t was
Sunday, and only the frst.class re.
froshmcnt room was open. Into this
nearly all the passengers hurried for a
sandwich, cup Of coffee, or glass of
wine, for we had started on our jour.
ney at six A. NJ. it was then eleven
o'clock and we should not stop any
where for refreshments until we reach
ed the magnificent station and pretty
town of Crewe, at two p. NJ. Among
us there were three respectable-louking
but poorly-clad members of the work
ing classes, who stepped up to the bar,
asked politely for glass of ale, and
met with fiat refusal. The pert and
pretty barmaid answered that she
would be pleased to serve them, out it
was against the rules to deliver any,
thing to workingmen: They expostu-
lated with her; then applied to the
proprietor of the restaurant; remark
ell that they were hungry and thirsty;
said the third-clas reireshment-room
was not open,' and asked if their
money was not as good other people's?'
But argument was unavailing. The
harmaid was polite but firm; her ern.
ployer supported her, and the working
men left the saloon unreGreshed and
detected. Here were three honest
looking, sober, well-behavcd men, re
fused meat and drink because they
were not arrayed in purple and fine
linen. An American present proposed
to obtain and convey to the men out
side the refreshment-room some ale
and sandwiches but before the excel
lent idea could be carried out, the
whistle warned us to take our seats in
the carriages. :"