davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

rier journal Of a recent date ascrbes
the disaster to its proper source, the
inhamable and unsubstantial character
fits buildings. We make the follow
ing extract from the Journals long
article on the subject:
The very existence of Chicago seems
a sort of fable-a queer legend of the
current hour-which men have fancied
might slip away from them as strange
ly as it came; and so, like the mythical
sprites Of other inland seas, "smit by
the crook Of MEEfIN," it has drawn to
itself the mOtliest and most fantastic
elements along with that universal
stare, which dazzled, has watched it
open, as it were a flower, night by
night its marble petals to the dawn.
Not only all nationalities, but the quain-
test of all nations, crowded into Chica>
go, whose architecture, like its morals,
began early to hetoken q defiance of
preoedents ard usage, became a curl
Gus patchwork, original and aboriginal,
the Indian, the Chinee and the monde,
script contributing each his influence
to the more conventional aims Of mod
ern civilization and Yankee enterprise.
In all this there needs was, in the nature
Of the case, much gilt and tinsel paste
board work, mere filagree and gawdy
tissue-paper, brilliant but unstable.
The popular morals initiated the dwell
lings Of the people-motley. ill-con
structed and Of no prevailing type or
standard. Chicago was eminently a
free city. That which caught the eye
prevailed over that which appealed to
more serious consideration.
Thus, as the moral sense Of Chicago
has been Aimsy or mercurial and of
easy access, was its outer and visible
habilments the sure and ready prey Of
any strong natural element, such as
commotion Of the earth, or a visitation
Of water or fire, that might assail it.
The latter has at length laid it low.
The wickedest city in the world is thus
scourged, not because it was wicked,
nor yet because it was unthrifty or un-
cleanly, which it was not, but because
it was built Of wood and decorated with
cobwebs, needless in its structure as in
its vices, and trusting to its muscle,
pluck and energy to fight its battle
against the laws Of nature and Of God.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

The fight between the Brindles and
the Minstrels, at Little Rock, (and
perhaps elsewhere is getting furious.
Just now both parties are talking about
funerals and eodins, and such things.
We hope that subject will be more
popular, with both parties, about No
vember, ~, when we expect the funeral
of the whole radical party, as such, to
be celebrated. IIurrah for one-well
done t'other.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

We speak for everybody in welcoming
home again Capt. Simon Il. Sanders,
who has been absent most of the summer,
spending the time principally, we be-
lieve, in Little Rock, and Pine Bluff.
We are glad to see Capt. Sanders
looking well. %Time seems to be deal
ing gently with him, for which we, in
common with his hundreds of friends
here, are dcvoutly thankful. May it
he ever thus.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

Just prior to the Chicago fire, a suit
instituted by Gen. 5. b. Bucknor for
a large and valuable property in that
city, had been decided in his favor.
The Louisville Ledger thus refers to
the matter: The friends Of General
Buckner will be gratii-d to learn that
the decision goes further than was at
first stated, securing to him the repay
ment in full Of all the rents and profits
accrued since the transfer to Henry
Kingsbury in 1861, which will amount
to very large sum, probably quarter
of a million dollars in cash. The late
fire, we learn, has resulted in conIpara
lively slight loss to the general. Only
about $3.50, 200 worth Of his property
was destroyed, and that was fully GOV.
cred by insurance. We understand
that his rental from property untouched
by the fire will amount to about $40, ,00C
per annum.'I
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

The Chicago disaster and the proba-
ble cause of it, constitute the general
topic of conversation just now. Ideas
upon the subject are as various as the
types of men. Some men go so far as
to say the great Ruler of the Universe,
by special interference has contrived
to devastate and humble proud and
wicked city. We have not the heart
or the mind to charge upon that per-
fectly just Being, a calamity which
leaves naked, hungry, and in every
way destitute, innocent women and
children by the thousand, The Coz,
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

LOOK TO THE WEsT.-We have no
hesitation in speaking plainly to the
people of Memphis, when we think their
interest demands plain speaking, and
in our opinion that time has arrived,
and we say to them, "If you regard
the future growth and prosperity of
Memphis, LOOK TO THE WEST"
1t is true to,day, beyond cavil, that
the Memphis and Little Rock road,
leading westward, is doing more TO
build up Memphis than any other rail-
road. Can we afford to lose the busi,
mess of that read Ought we not
rather endeayor TO extend il and its
branches so that all Arkansas, the
Indian nation and northern Texas may
pour their wealth into Memphis, making
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

TEXAS REDEEMED.-The result Of
the election in Texas, by which four
Democratic Congressman are secured
beyond question, is all the more graft,
fying because of the extraordinary
means resorted to by Governor Davis
to prevent a fair expression of the peo'
pie. The issue was direct and positive
between the administration and the
Democratic party-the powers of dark
ness and the powers Of light-and no.
bly, have the citizens Of the Lone Stal
State acquitted themselves, in view Of
all the uItoward circumstances by
which they were surrounded.
This victory more than Offsets the
perpetuated ascendancy OF Republican,
ism in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Iowa.
because in each of those States the
party was in the full flush Of power
and favored by an aggregation 0.
probabilities trenderod its overthrow
by the Democracy a matter Of great
doubt. No sanguine anticipations
were entertained Of any different re-
suit from that which has just beer
chroniclcd. Texas, however, like {
brand from the burning, has been res
cued. The administration overreach'
ed itself in its greed of power. II
miscalculated altogether the reaction
that had been set in motion there, and
may now reflect at its leisure upon the
folly of attempting by the show Of
bayonets and an array of arbitrary reg
ulations, to curb the spirit Of a people
determined to be rid of bad govern.
Louis Times.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

At last that splendid assortment of
merchandise so long expected by our
leash merchant" Mr.. II. lnglish, has
arrived, and, as will be seen by refer
ence to our new advertisements, is
ready for the inspection of purchasers.
We do not hesitate to say that good
bargains can be had at Inglish's.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

We regret to hear of the death of
Mr.. Virginius Block, formerly of this
place, which occurred at Groesbeck,
Texas, on the 18th inst. Mr.. Block
was well known throughout South Ar
kansas as one of the first business men
of the State, and his death will be a
matter of universal regret in this coun>
try. lie leaves wife and two chill
dren at Groesbeck, and numberless
friends andfelatives in Arkansas, Lou
isiana and Texas TO mourn his loss.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

it second to no city Of the valley of the
Mississippi? To do this, we must act,
and that now. We must not stand,
Micawber-like, waiting for something
to turn up" but must go to work and
turn up something for ourselves; if we
do not, other places will have secured
this trade, md then long farewell to
all future greatness"
st. Louis the young giant of the
northwest, is stretching her long iron
arms through central Arkansas toward
Red river, cutting off from us a most
valuable trade, and now Helena pro-
poses, by the Central road and its
southern bran hes to Shreveport, con-
Meeting at Camden with the Camden
and Red river road, to transport all
the immense trade Of that section to
Helena, and by its Helena and Col~
inth road to send it south of Memphis
on its route to northern and eastern
markets.
Col. Dorsey, the president of the
Central road, is an energetic, working
man, and having secured the means to
build his road, is now pressing bis
southern branch from Clarendon, on
the White river, through Pine Bluff
and Camden to Shreveport.
We know that the people from Pine
Bluff to Camden and Shreveport are
aroused, and determined to do all they
can to all the building Of roads through
their country, and they will give that
aid to the first who are in the field
asking it. They might prefer Mems
phis, Notwithstanding the yeXatious
delays of their freight from the east at
this point, but they will not wait for
Memphis if any other offer is made
them. -liemphjs appeal.
Yes, well may eastern cities cry
'Lool to the West" We quote the
above article to show the interest felt
by these peopl, in all our western rail
road enterprises, and to assure onr
people that whenever we manifest the
proper interest ourselves and exhibit a
proper degree of energy and enterprise,
in helping ourselves, capitalists east
will be glad to lend US a helping hand.
Even the Camden and Red River Rail
road, though in its incipiency, can get
all the help it wants from the east, as
soon as the people along the line map
ifost their willingness to do their duty,
by subscribing for its stock as liberaliy
as their means will permit. Although
we believe the people of the counties
through which the proposed road will
run are fully able to build it themselves,
it will be encouraging to them to know
that help is at hand, if needed.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

We commence again to-day the reg
ular publication of Price Current of
country produce, &c. This will be
corrected every week with great care,
by Messrs. Taylor g. Jett, and our
country friends may rely upon it as
being as near as possible correct rep
resentation of our markets.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

We hear that it has been said by
one of the Little Rock Ministries, that
"I.ittle Rock is Arkansas"
Say, Mister, do you propose to for
get, your subs and understrikers seats
tered all over the vast territory COM
monty known as Arkansas soil?
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

The Gazette Of the 22nd contains an
account of a fire which occurred at Ar
genla, opposite Lite Rock, on the DIST
inst, by which two buildings and con,
tents were destroyed, and one man
burned up. The fire originated in the
drug store Of Mr.. Glenn Schaer, and
was caused by the explosion of a
kerosene lamp. The body burned is
supposed to have been that of Mr..
Charles Summer, late of Illinois. This
is tho year of fires.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25
Next!

A few days ago our streets were
thronged with apple wagons, but they
are all gone now. Our Washington
county friends are a little too early this
year. Come down, gentlemen, about a
month later.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

The post Office has been removed to
,be front entrance ofthe same building
II has been in for sometime. 1t was
there early this morning-we can't say
where it is now.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

Gen. O'Neill, the Fenian leader,
crossed into Canada on Monday Of last
week, at Pembina, Minnesota, with a
small force, and attacked and seized a
Canadian custom-house and the post
of the Hudson Bay Company. As he
might have expected, he was promptly
overtaken and attacked by United
States troops, and capturned.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

Definite returns from Ohio say the
Democrats will have a majority Of two
in the senate, and the Republicans a
majority Of eleven in the lower house
thus giving the Republicans a majority
Of nine on joint ballot.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

We saw yesterday on the gallery at
Winn's Hotel about six or seven car
pet-bags, and as many strangers. Fear.
ing that the worst was coming to the
worst" we made some inquiry about
the singular circumstance, and learned
that the carpet. bags belonged to party
of peaceably inclined young gentlemen
on their way to Texas. The young
gentlemen seemed somewhat at los
to know how to equip themselves fol
their trip--they having been takin il
Tennessee for ku-klux and in Arkansai
for carpet-baggers. We suspect tha
the ku.klux of Tennessee and Missis,
sippi are carpet baggers. These, how
ever, we believe to be nice youn.
gentlemen, some Of them, at least
having been students in Washington
aud Lee University at Lexington, Va
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

Commodore Maury resigned the
Presidency Of the University of Ala
bama, on account of the general poverty
OF that institution.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

The Gazette of the 10Th inst, coz
tains the following:
Reports from the Indian country are
anything but peaceable. On Tuesday
of last week faction opposed to the
railroad now being constructed through
the nation, set fire to large amount
OF hay belonging to the railroad COM
pany, consuming about one hundred
and fifty tons. In addition to this a
large quantity Of ties were destroyed.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

The Little Rock Gazette of the 18th
has the following bit of information
relative to the location Of the Agricul-
tural College:
We neglected on yesterday 10 men
ton the fact that Washington county,
by her liberal action, has secured the
Agricultural College The contest was
narrowed to two places-Batesvillc
and Washington county. What part
Of Washington the board, j! seems, has
not yet determined. Fayetteville and
Prairie Grove both want it, and are
subscribing literally to secure it. The
vote to locate the university in Wash
ington county stood six to two-Messrs.
Cohn and Young in the negative.
Gen. \. w. Bishop was elected
treasurer of the board of trustees.
Messrs: Searle. Young and Clayton
were elected an executive committee
for two years.
Messrs. Prather, Bennett and Cohn
were elected a building committee.
And now, that the board is thor
oughly organized, the college deter
mined upon, and all preliminary mat
ters are out of the way, it is to be
hoped their management Of the fund
placed at their disposal will be such as
to reflect credit on themselves and on
the state.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

The papers say that "Gen. L. W.
CAN'T has announced himself as an in"
dependent candidate for governor OF
Arkansas
Next
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

The Trenton and Fulton r. r.
Company has been chartered and or@
ganized.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

JohnR. Fellows, Little Giant" was
delegate from New York city, to the
recent State democratic convention.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

The London firm Of Jay Cook sent
Cl, 900 for Chicago.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

The sustaining Of the demurrer in
the case of Ex-Governor Clayton, by
the Federal court, is already causing
considerable comment throughout the
country. The St. Louis Republican
says Of it:
The trial of Senator Clayton, Of
Arkansas, on a charge of fraud in the
congressional election of 1870, has
resulted in his discharge, without go
ing into the testimony. The indicted
senator did not plead not guilty to the
indictment; he only pleaded that the
governor ola state is not an "ofiicer of
election" within the meaning of the act.
Judge Dillon took the same view of
the case, and released Clayton.
We do not say that Judge Dillon's
decision is not correct; but the mean
ing of it is that a dishonest governor,
particularly if he be a republican, may
violate TIE enforcement act as much
as he pleases to, and commit any num-
Der of frauds with perfect ihpunity.
He may dicate tue registration so as
to return defeated candidate to con-
gress in spite of the enforcement act
and in defiance OF the will Of the peo.
pie, without fear of punishment. The
case of the republican senator is the
first conspicuous one that has arisen
under the enforcement act, and he
slips through it without even denying
the charges against him.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-10-25

ITEMS BY TgJEGRAPH. The towns
and cities on Long Island, outside cf
Brooklyn, will raise 100000 for CHI
cago. Ladies 90 round in teams among
the villages collecting contributions.
The n. Y. Herald says monetary
crisis can only be ayerted by eXtraor7
dinary efforts.
Five thousand dollars were raised III
Beecher's church on the 18th inst. for
Chicago.
The Liverpool, London and Globe
Insurance Company pay all their losses
in Chicago, amounting to near two and
three-quarter millions, and subscribe
SO, 200 to the relief fund.
Capt. Houston, of the steamboat
Hesper, has brought suit ih'the federal
court, at Memphis, for $50, 900, against
G en-. Forrest and others, for the value
of the Clayton arms destroyed some
years since by Il party of disguised men.
The official report of the agricultural
bureau says the cotton crop will not
exceed 5000, 900 bales.
Up to date, Baltimore has contrib~
uted to Chicago Sl97, ,OOO and Boston
S4O2, 600.
A great storm and flood in China,
details of which represent 5000 people
to have perishcd.
Destructive fires have been raging
in Deer creek and Harrison creek val-
leys, Kansas, extending to Jefferson
county, Missouri.
The North American Insurance
Company, of Hartford, Conn, has
made an assignment of its property.
The Chicago Times of the 18th inst.
upon what it deems candid estimate,
makes the total loss by the recent fire
ono hundred and fifty millions dollars.
Alexander T. Stewart, the great
merchant prince has contributed fifty
thousand dollars to the sufferers Of
Chicago.
The troubles in the Creek Nation
have been settled by a convention.
Chicote was elected chief by three hun
dred majority.
New York city's contributions TO
Chicago relief amount to 81, 200, 600.
A railroad barbecue came of at
Camden on the 10Th inst, at which
speeches were made by Judge Rearden
and Col. w. w. Leake, on the subject
OF the Camden and Red River road.
We learn that the attendance was hot
as large as was expected, on account
ofthe insuficiency if the notice given.
Yet some three or four hur lred per-
sons were present. The subscription
books of the Company were opened,
and some stock taken. From what we
learn through private sources, we think
the plans Of the company are not suf,
ncientIy matured and formulated vet,
and would therefore suggest meeting
OF the Directory, to take this matter
into consideration. What is TO be
done must be done quickly.
The Gazette of the 01nd conto;r, a.,
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-27

IMPORTANT LEGAL CHANGE CoNTEaPLA-
TED.-The bill reported in the State Senate
authorizing new trials when fresh evidence
is furnished, would, if carried out, assimi-
llte the working of our system to that of
Scotland. In tnat country a jury can re-
turn either of three vcrdicts--guilty, not
guilty, or not proven. If the latter, the
defendant is liable to 90 through the ordeal
of trial again if the prosecuting officer
thinks the nature Of any later-discovered
evidence warrants it. If Onr system were
thus changed, new trial would, of course.
continue impossible, if an unqualified
verdict of innocence were returned by
the Jury, and therefore it is to be
presumed that the bill makes some
provision for it. The Scotch feature has
never been introduced into other parts Of
the British empire, although in certain
cases it possesses a decided advantage. The
opponents of it say it is unjust to one who
is innocent, but unable to substantiatc it,
to be tainted with the stain OF guilt - not
proven" implies; that a full acquittal,
even if guilty persons escape occasionally
through lack of evidence, is better than
throwing cloud Of crime around single
innocent person, to he a lifelong stumbling
block. They also maintain that non-sut-
ticieDcy of evidence should be an undis-
puted proof of innocence, and a guarantee
against further prosecution.
The objection is unanswerabIe where no
good suspicion Of guilt exists. An equivo-
cal verdict ought to be used with great
caution, and only in cases where no doubt
or guilt remains on the minds of the jury.
Where there be the least doubt it is the
best to return an unqualified verdict Of ac-
quittal. But caSeS frequently occur where
"not proven" might be the means Of ulti-
mately bringing to punishment criminals
whom juries have no other course, though
convinced of their guilt, than to acquit
simply through the absence of important
witnesses spirited away until the day Of
trial is over, or where they have volunta-
rily abSented themselves.
Before the bill is finally acted upon we
hope it will be thoroughly discussed. II is
Il matter of much importance to our crimi-
nal jurisprudence, and ought neither to be
adopted or rejected until all its bearings
haye been explained by the legal minds in
the Legislature, and its advantages or dis
advantages thoroughly made manifest.-N.
Y. Comm eTCiat.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-27

APLEAsAsT GERMAN REUNION. The Ger.
man Social -Mannerchor Of this city had @
most pleasant reunion on Wednesday even.
ing at General Won d.. Nays, on Broad
street. The club assembled at about
o'clock, and under the leadership Of Pro.
lessor. Krause, one Of ~Riclimond's most
popuiar musicians, began series Of choice
German chornsses lamong them Die Wacht
am ,kheln) and, aHartettes, which they gave
WIN great harmony and effect. The Social
Mannerchor OF this city is In. q very pros
porous condition, and will one day compete
cities. o. 's,,.'-,>' N''''' ,' : =. -
During the evening bounteous repast
was furnished by mine host May after
which toasts were the order Of the evening.
Gen. May made speech first in German,
which was followed by one in English, in
which he hoped that the German and
American citizens Of Virginia and of Rich
mond would cultivate the friendly feelings
already existing between them, and hand
IN hand work together for the. prosperity
OF the State, He alluded to the kind feel
lngs that Governor Walker had always
manifested towards the German citizens of
Virginia, and proposed three cheers for the
governor, and also for the Speaker of the
House, the Sergeant-at-Arms and his staff.
Mr.. President Edward Euker made a
happy speech, In. which he alluded to the
kindness which de and his fellow-citizens
had always received at the hands of Vir-
ginians.
MIR. Marx Nelson made speech in Ger
man, which we do not hesitate to pro-
nounce the most humorous speech of the
kind we have ever heard, although we do
not speak German-much.
Messrs. Rick, Sauer, Hattorf, l.. Wagner,
and others, also made good speeches and
at a reasonable hour the party broke up,
after most delightful evening.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-27

JURISDICTION OF THE RICHMOND CoURrs.-
4 bill is now before the House of Dele
gates, and has been fayorahly reported by
committee, defining the jurisdiction OF
the courts of the city of Richmond. 1t is
provided that
= "1he Chancery Court Of the city ol
Richmond shall exercise exclusively all
jurisdiction now vested in circuit or cOrpo.
ration courts concerning the probate and
rccordation of wills, the appointments,
qualifications, and removal of tiduciaries,
and the settlement Of their accounts, the
docketing of judgments, the recordation in
the manner prescribed by law of deeds and
other papers required by law to be re-
corded, and shall have exclusive jurisdic.
ton of all suits and proceedings in chan.
Gerry cognizable by law in any circuit court
of the Commonwealth. The said Chancery
Court of the city of Richmond shall also
have all the jurisdiction in cases of probate
or administration not already conferred by
other statutes upon other courts of probate
in the State of Virginia"