davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-06
The Value of Horses.

The epidemic among horses, which has so
affected the business of the coun-
try for the last few weeks, has led people to
go beyond the indispensable necd of the
horse in their everyday business, and look
into the census tables to learn the magnitude
Of the horse interest throughout the country,
and which has been placed in jeopardy by
this new disease. II seems that the number
Of horsesin the country has more than doubled
since 1901, and is estimated to have been s.
100000 in February last. They ore cstim-
ated to have been worth s659,707 ,0l6, the
average price of each animal being s73 81
They arc owned in the largest numbers in
New York, Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Iowa and Pennsylvania--tho great agricul.
tursl States of the country. There are also
in the United States ,27G,300 mules, valued
at SO ,242 220 The gross value Of the horses
and mules Of the whole country is s7S0,735,-
232, compared with 1921, 562, 693 in oxen
and other cattle; 1929, 40s,9s3 in milch
cows ssS,77l, i97 in sheep, and s13s,73S,-
S2S in hogs It will be seen from these fig.
ures how serious an inroad would be made
upon the business Of the country, iffrom any
cause We should be deprived of our horses
permanently or for any length Of time. 1t
is fact, in spite Of the great additions that
are constantly making to the means Of gen
eral locomotion, that the demand for horses is
rapidly growing in all parts Of the world
The horse is an indispensable agent in civili-
zation. Every one has been made to feel how
mach discomfort as well as actual loss is en-.
4iled upon the community by the absence Of
horses for few days from their usual work,
but it is too early yet to ascertain the actual
diminution of numbers which will result from
the disease now raging. The number Of
horses in the country has increased very rap
idly since the close Of the war, and for the
past year or longer the price of horsefest
has been much reduced. If the result of the
epidemic shall be to raise the value of gooC
horses for time, some of the horsemen vii
not be sorry.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-06
The Wheat Crop.


The October returns Of the Department Of
Agriculture informs us, among other things,
that the wheat crop will not fall short Of
240000,000 bushels, upon an area Of 90
000O 900 acres thus averaging twelve bushels
of wheat to the acre. 1t is also shown that
the product Of this cereal is variable in the
different States, and that the central line Of
its production continues to move further
West, the line being now in Illinois and Wis
consn. The increase in the States west Of
the Mississippi river is about 100000
bushels, or, in comparison with last years
product, eighty-fve million to seventy mil
lion bushels. The report shows however,
and contrary to previous accounts, that the
supply Of wheat is in excess Of last years
yield, while the quality is better, notwith.
standing the grain itself has tended to degen.
crate in quality during the past ten years
according to the statement of an eminent
agriculturist. 1t is however, a fact that
within the knowledge of every observing
man, the average product per acre of whea;
everywhere throughout the United States has
diminished in quantity, for the reason that
our wheat growers have not studied to know
what crops and what rotation of those crops
are best adapted to their soil. While the
growth of the various roots enters largely into
their system Of cultivation, English agricul.
turists have been taught by experience that
proper rotation Of crops conduces to the
growth and value of wheat
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-06
Notes and Comments.

The German Government has denied that
it has adopted any measures designed to pre-
vent emigration to this country, or that it
has nterfered with it in any way.
The Philadelphia mint has commenced
melting one million one dollar gold pieces, to
be converted into pieces of larger denomina-
tons Twenty millions of these pieces are
to be used.
Late intelligence from the polar expedi-
ton informs US that new and valuable explor-
atoms and discoveries have been made. 1t is
found that what was formerly regarded as
separate islands in the Polar Sea, comprises
one large area Of land, Astounding in birds,
seals and reindeer. 1t is stated that full
report of all the discoveries will soon be
given to the public.
The Jews are holding general confer
ence in Brussels, which is composed of many
of the representative men Of that race.
Among the matters which will receive thor
ough discussion is the condition Of their peo-
pie in Roumania, and delegates from the per-
secuted unfortunates have already presented
full statement of their case. They pro-
pose to make further effort to secure civil
and political rights before emigrating en-
masse to the United States.
Those notorious and pestiferous women,
Victoria G. Woodruff and Tennie c. Clafin,
are now in the hands Of the law, on charge
of libeling and attempting to black mail re-
spectacle citizens, and Of circulating an OBJ.
scene publication in the shape Of revival Of
the filthy newspaper entitled Woodruff &
Clafin's Weekly" 1t is to be hoped that
enough evidence will be found against them
to send them to Sing Sing for term o.
years, in order that the community may be
spared the disgrace and shame of their further
presence in its midst.
One of the most lanlentabe disasters Of
the year occurred last week in the destruc-
ton by fire of the sea steamer =" Missouri"
on the voyage from New York to Nassau.
OF one hundred persons on board only thir-
teen were saved, and most of these were per-
sons employed on the ship. The motion of
the ship carried the flames toward the stern,
destroying some of the small boats and pre-
venting the passengers from reaching other
boats that were safely launched. We observe,
in the list of passengers, no Vermont names.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-06
State Officers.

The election Of state officers, Thursday last
in joint assembly, went "morry as mar
riage bell" so far as the most important Offices
we're concerned. There was no division until
the Office Of Railroad Commissioner was
reached For this place, the most onorous
duties Of which are to ride free and receive
the salary, an unusually large and fine crop
of candidates appeared. They are all com.
potent for much more important services, all
deserving Of the favor of their friends and
the public but unfortunately only one could
be elected for the next two years. The choice
fell upon Hon. Myron W. Bailey, of st. Al.
bans, ard we are heartily glad Of it. He is
a cripple for life, through a wound received
in the service Of the country, gentleman Of
estimabe character and qualifications for q
much more important Office His compete
tors even can hardly be dissatisfied with the
result.
The following is the list Of officers elected :
Secrefarv of Stafe-GEoRoK NcHots. Of North
field.
Auditor Of accounts Whitman G. FERRIN' of
Montpelier.
Sergoaaf-at -Arms-TRrNAN G. PmNNrr, Of
Montpelier.
Adjmant and Inspector General-JAMEs s
PEcK, Of Montpelier.
Quarter Master Genvai-Wn1tAN W LyNpF,
Of Marlboro,
Judge Adrooate Geacrai-SIDNkY NJ SouTnAHp,
Of NeTpennes.
RAILROAD ComHissioHer-MY W. BAILEY,
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-06
The GO-0uterS.

MeSsrs. Editors Your Clarendon cor.
respondent, 49," is brilliant luminary, and
| desire to express to him in this public mau-
ner, the profound gratitude of considerable
number of men, whose claims to the admira.
ton Of their fellow citizens have been hith.
erto neglected. If the Commuters, who
shrewdly calculated the advantages of staying
at home during the war, are to be honorod
for a remarkable degree Of patriotism, surely
much more are the Go-outers to be honored,
since they left their country for their coun.
try's good" And If the Commuters have q
just claim upon the Treasury, for sdping to
the State the payment Of seven dollars per
month, then | submit that these men, whose
claims | hasten to advocate, are entitled to a
double, yea a treble, measure Of reward; for
first, they S1red to the State the seven dollars
per month for such of them as would posi-.
bly, have served in the army if they had not
deserted; second, large part Of them sdped
the State, or the togaS, from the burden Of
supporting them as paupers; and third a
still greater sariag was made by the consid.
crate and self-denying conduct of these men
in this: they might have enlisted, pocketed
the bounty money, and then deserted. But
it is evident they were too honest for that
they were not bounty,jumpers they left the
money in the pockets of the people They
sared 10! These are self-evident propositions
which nobody will venture to deny.
Now, Messrs. Editors and gentlemen of the
General Assembly, whom | wish to address
through these columns,-I am proud to say
that have espoused the cause of these dou.
bly, poor men,--the poor in purse and " The
poor in spirit" And what Christian man
among you dare disregard the divine beati-
tude-" BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT for
theirs is the kingdom Of heaven" In behalf
Of that class of citizens who so greatly re-
lieved the State by DESERVING to Canada to
escape the draft, urge upon you the argu-
ments Of the twinklng star Of Clarendon !;
but am not content with that. | press
upon you the unanswerable Bible argument !
Only think of the selfdenial Of these men, in
leaving their homes, their families, their bust
ness; and think, too, of their intense humili-
alton, in being compelled to consort with the
rebels who then filled Canada; such as the
official commissioners of JEFF, Davis, who
treated with Horace Greeley; the raiders,
who robbed the banks of st. Adams; and
that distinguished Doctor, who forwarded in
fictitious clothing to SOW disease and death in
the cities of our country. Are men who
have suffered so much for the State, and who
have sared so much for ai-are these men to
be neglected When you vote to take a
million Of dollars out Of the Treasury and
pay it to the Commuters, shall expect you
to do equal justice to the great Go-oUrERs
Oct. 81, 1872. JoNATHAN LoNGBow.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-06
For the Journal.
The COnscript.

To be conscript was formerly an honora-
bic distinction that was applied to the Senators
of Rome, and became military system du-
ring the French Revolution and, Of more
recent date, has become Amercanizod, and
used as United States or Federal scourge,
or lash, for the purpose Of making the yolun-
tary system effective and even among us it
is honorable, as our country is honorable,
implying no deficiency in the individual,
more than others,) but rather deficiency in
society Somewhat like the old hostage sys-
ten, it sezes upon the honorable class in
society to promote and to incito volunteer
ing. And although it may subject the iudi-
vidual to suffering, privation, and loss in
thus suffering, there are in it all the elements
Of patriotism and devotion to country. 1t
also brings this reflection These losses are
not the acts of choice, or of compensation,
but rather our country's necessities. The OBJ
legations to avert draft on the part Of the
individual by becoming voluntary in his acts
to Gil a military organization, are no more
imperative on himself than any one Of the
large class of citizens from which he was
taken. And to heap contempt upon the con.
script is not only threat toward the indi.
ydual, but of olass-and through class,
the commonwealth. This fact should be re-
membered, that the 1925 drafted men of
1868, land we may justly include the l59
drafted men previous to September 80, in
1863 and perhaps the SIG who furnished
substitutes for enrolled men liable to be
drafted,) were contributors to the States de-
fence for the sum of over a million of dollars,
in way that no other citizens Of the State
were, and in excess Of all other citizens. Or
should you insist to place them in the field,
and call them soldiers in service by au equiv
alent, standing shoulder to shoulder with other
classes, aud in all respects equal, for if they
were not equal it was no fault Of theirs, as
the substitutes were generally hired from
other classes) how does the account then
stand We reply each drafted man, or mar
that procured substitute, pays fully five
hundred dollars in excess to the advantage oil
the State, besides man in the service
namely; seven dollars per month for tire,
years of service, and $500 taxable polls
now amounting to fully one million nine hun
bred thousand dollars
Does any one deny this? The reply is a
hand What is saved for the State, Tor what
under other circumstances, it would have cos
the State,) is a contribution 10 the State
The Adjutant and Inspector Generals re
port of 1865 shows that out Of "a, $50 mel
furnished from Vermont, the State fnruishe,
only 30,755 for her own defence out of tb,
Treasury of the State and that $500 o
her enrolled citizens for the like purpose, a
an expense to themselves of some 5000,
600, paid for the balance, and caused to b
accredited to the State $500 men, which
under any other circumstances, would hay
cost the State over s3,04O,0OO of treasure
Clarendon, October 2s, 1872.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-06
The Board OF Education.

The Vermont Chronicle says 1t is mani.
fest that there is widespread dissatisfaction
among practical teachers and friends of the
common schools in Vermont, with the present
plan Of appointing the Board Of Education
and its officers, and the nature Of its duties,
If not with the existence OF the Board itself.
1t is regarded as possessing too much of a
political aspect, and as being likely to be
composed Of men who, although Of high lii.
erary qualifications and Of the best repute,
may, for the most part, be wholly inexperi-
enced in our common schools, and really de-
fcient in positive sympathy with and practi-
cal insight into the real wants Of the rural as
well as the village district schools. In other
words, as now wont to be constituted and con.
Quoted, the Board Of Education is more likely
to be adapted TO the wants of the colleges
and academies, than to those Of the common
schools among all the hills and valleys.
This, We understand TO be the view Of
many experienced teachers, and we confess
some sympathy with it, without the slightest
disrespect to any Of the able and excellent
men that do now and have hitherto composed
the Board. Whether anything can be done
TO amend the law, as to rectify the workings
Of the present system in this and other res.
poets, is subject worthy Of the careful atten.
tion Of our legislators who have the matter
now in hand. We do not believe that the
leaders Of the movement for changes in the
present law have any desire to 20 backward
In the cause Of public Education. They are
themselves men Of work. experience and ear.
nestness in educational affairs, and they mean
progress upward and forward, not backward
aud downward. Let their views, at least,
have fair consideration.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-06
Letter from Northeastern Vermont.
CoNooRp. VI. Oct. 9

CoNcoRD, VT, Oct. "a.
This town lies betwixt st. Johnsbury and
the Connecticut river, on the line Of the Port
land &, Ogdensburg railroad, in the stock Of
which it took 100000. The Moose river,
which flows through the town, affords numer.
GUS water powers upon which wooden goods
are produced to the amount of $4,000 and
$4,000 worth of lumber are cut. Other
manufactures sum $4,000. The means for
transportation have been so poor until recent
ly, that all our industries have been cramped
and resources kept undeveloped. A vast
timber country on the north of Concord will
send out several hundred million feet of lum.
Der now standing We shall ship from this
station about 100000 feet year for the
present, and more by-and.by. There is a
mine Of roofing slate here, hitherto not work
ed on account of the cost Of transportation,
the railroad having but just got in operation
to junction with down-country lines at St
Johnsbury. There is also copper mine Of
value, from which large quantities Of ore
have been sent by eight miles trucking and
800 miles railroading to New York. The
ore turns out Of fne quality. Long litiga-
ton, suspending work, has just terminated, and
upon opening the railroad to Portland ex-
tensive operations will be set in motion.
The town next east, on the Connecticut
river, Lunenburg, took $4,000 Of the Port.
land x Ogdensburg stock. Potatoes are q
great crop here. Some 100000 feet oil
lumber are manufactured, and 200 tons oil
starch. Beyond this town, across the river
the railroad opens an immense lumber coun.
try. There are estimated to be 900, 100000
feet Of lumber ready to be cut betwixt tn,
White Mountains and the Connecticut river
At Lunenburg, at the point where the rail
road crosses the river, there is great water
power, sufficient to operate 10000 spindles
Hundreds of millions of lumber about the
head waters Of the Connecticut river can be
hoated to this point, manufactured and put
upon the rail.
We feel confident that the territory ada.
cent to our railroad will give it local business
enough to sustain it, The tourist and through
business must likewise be large, for the line
opens the finest scenery in New England, and
affords the shortest route from the Great
Lakes and the Dominion to the ocean. Heav.
lily as our town has invested, we are sure it il
the wsest step we ever took. AT any rate
the road is ours. We, the communities inter
ested, are to manage il, not a clique of out
side capitalists The road is being built anC
managed most economically and judiciousy
--Greeafeld (Mass.) Courier.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-06
The Coming Ok.

The N. Y. Times says that when, in the
first days of the horse disease it was proposed
that oxen should be brought into the city to
supply the place of the dead and dying horses,
no one, probably, imagined that the proposal
would be seriously adopted. Nevertheless,
so great has been the interruption of business
in consequence Of the dearth of horses, that
oxen have already made their appearance,
chiefly in connection with market-wagons,
while it is understood that large numbers Of
draymen have sent into the country in search
of teams'of oxen wherewith to resume their
interrupted occupation. 1t is thus possible
that should the horse disease prevail for any
length Of time, the OK would become as ia
miliar a feature Of our streets as the horse
has been; aud il is by no means certain that
he would not win as high place in our re,
spect aud affection.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-06
4 Fearful Crime.
HORRIBLE TALE or BLOOD rnon SEW HAMPSHIRE.

CoScoRp, n H., Nov ga.
The mystery concerning the disappearance
Of George Lowering Of Northwood, girl
thirteen years Of age, has been partially
solved. 1t will be remembered that she dis
appeared on Friday Of week before last. She
was last seen in company with + b. Evans.
grand uncle Of hers, 81 years of age, who
said that he got Miss Lowering to tend bis
bird snares in the woods Since that day tho
girl has not been seen alive Her absence
caused great anxiety to her relatives and
friends Hundreds Of people searched the
woods for her, and near fence traces of her
we're discovered in the shape Of pieces Of
Der dress some Of her hair and u broken
comb. This led TO the arrest Of Evans by
Sheriff Drew So firm was the belief Of the
citizens that Evans had outraged the girl and
then murdered her that they came near lynch
ing him. Evans was reticent until Friday
night, when he acknowledged the crime, or
at least took the sheriff and ten or more per-
sOus to wild spot 10 tho woods, aud there
under an old stump showed them the mutt
lated body Of the girl. Then came to light
a terrible crime. The remains we're carried
to Mr.. Mead's store, where the inquest was
held
The Concord Monitor Of last night has the
following tale Of the murder We learn
from the NOrthwood stage-driver that the
granddaughter Of Mr.. Sylvester Day, who
has been missing from her home since Friday
morning, October 25th, was found abomt mid
night by Sheriff Drew. who had the suspected
murderer, Franklin b. Evans ia his custody.
He took Evans to the woods not far from the
spot where the trail Of them was lost in the
previous search, and underneath stump the
mulllated body Of the young girl was found
1t Was removed to the store Of John G..
Meade, where an inquest was to be held to.
day These are all the particulars We have
been enabled to learn thus far. The william
who perpetrated the murder is a man at least
sixty years of age, and will be remembered
BY some OF our citizens as a former resident
of this city in the early days of the war, and
as an Amindab Sleek hypocrito, with a
squeaking voice, and a most detestable beg
gar. The confession was brought about in
the following manner: Suspicion was very
strong against the man, but there was no d.
rect evidence in the case The officer repre-
scented to him that if he would confess the
deed and show where the murdered girls body
lay he would assist him to escape TO Canada
and give him half the reward Evans fell
into the trap, confessed the crime, and went
with the officer aud eight men to the woods
and pointed out the grave The murdered
girls body was exhumed and found to be bad
y cut up"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-06
The Boston Traveller.

The Boston Trareller objects to the man
agement of the Vermont Central for employ
ing or paying legal counsel to protect its in.
terests against its rivals or its enemies. 1t
has discovered n memorandum of thousand
dollars paid to ten lawyers, for services or
retainers; and this hired slanderer, which is re-
ported as receiving one-ffth as much for each
column of its insinuations and misstatements,
as all these attorneys received for their legal
services; this advocate of all tho corruption
of the Hartford & Erie ring, is lost in pious
horror at the Central the lawyers and the
Legislature of Vermont
Its publishers, in order to conciliate the
Legislature of this State, proceed very grossly
to insult it, and have laid upon the desk of
each member, its issue of Oct. 20, in which
occur such paragraphs ss the following
Hitherto these bold operators, who never
speculate in stocks have found the Vermont
Legislature cheap. All they had to do was to
engage few leading members, and the rest,
either unable 10 see through the wool, or not
uhfhlg 10 oppose nave lollOWeu ike sntcp, even
when they knew that the power which they were
perpetuatng was impoverishinr the people of
Vermont at the rate OF hundred thousand dol
lars year by It's exemption from taxation"
This is news in Vermont. We we're not
aware that our Legislature could be bought
so cheap as by the payment of thousand
dollars in the aggregate in fees to counsel,
most Of whom were not members of the Legis.
lature. In fact, living here for twenty-five
years. and watching ,he course of legislation
very narrowly, we are confident that it can
not be bought at all. And we are confident
also that there are not ten lawyers in the
State who could, on any question, "pull the
WOOL over the eyes Of the Legislature of
Vermont, He would be a bold or ignorant
lawyer who should try it. The Trareller
may take its ISLANDERS to another market, nor
attempt again so bare-iaced an insult to the
honesty and the intelligence of Legislature
which, we venture to say, has never been
either bought or wheeded. The Trareller
also calls Mr.. Jo d. Hatch king of the
Legislative lobby, and the adroa manager of
political Conventions" Pshaw We lay
down the Traveller as Hamlet did the empty
skull Of his father, and say with him, 4" pah
it smells"