davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31

The Credit Mobiier investigations at
Washington have continued TO attract a
large share of public attention, and large
amount of evidence has been taken by the
Wilson and Poland committees. Most of
the evidence constitutes very interesting
reading, and 1t is hardly possible that all
the Congressman charged with being i'm
properly interested in the Credit Moblier
and the Union Pacific Railroad Company
will pass through the ordeal unscathed.
Messrs. Wilson and Dawes of Massachu-
sets, Logan of Illinois, and Speaker Blaine
seem to have entirely exonerated them
selves from any appearance of wrong-do-
ing; but with Vice President Colfax and
Senators Patterson of New Hampshire,
Brooks Of New York, Kelley of Pennsyl-
vania, Garfield of Ohio, and some others,
matters now look dubious. Mr.. Colfax
promises to clear himself yet and it is GER
tainly to be hoped that he will. The inves-
ugation Is evidently TO be thorough, and
every honest man, be he Republican or
Democrat, will desire to see the guilty ones
exposed.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31
THE CREDIT .uOBILIBR I.vV.RS-
TfGaTGO.r.

A correspondent thus describes the scene
during tho examination of Cakes Ames by
Judge Poland's Committee:
THE scenes in Poland's committee. to-
day, were dramatic and painful. Mr.. Ames
from the beginning showed bitter and
sullen temper, rising occasionally to red
hot. His answers were given in growls,
his words Were curt and fierce, striking
ike club or clenched fist. Sometimes
they seemed TO sound like thud. He was
evidently at bay. He was determined TO
make good, If possible, his state no
matter at what cost. His previous contra
dictions and present recklessness are like
ly, however, to convince the public that he
either docs not know or does not care what
he says. Certainly he ought to have coun-
sci present, if only for protection. There
was quite dramatic period when Judge
Kelley demanded the Mobiler stock GER
titicates and dividends, if as Ames said, he
was the owner of said property, and the
latter produced the certificate, and declared
he would bring tomorrow Union Pacific
bonds understood to be part of the divi-
dends. Mr.. Kelley transferred them to
the chairman, Mr. Poland, for safe keep
Ing. But the scene between Ames and the
Vice President was extremely painful. Mr..
Ames fatty, even brutually, contradicted
Mr.. Colfax, declared Crounse, the corre-
spondent Of the Times, untruthful, and at
one time charged Mr.. Colfax with directly
false swearing. The latter, under oath, de-
cisred in the strongest manner that he new
er had the $1,000 Mr.. Ames says he paid
him in dividends. Mr.. Colfax was white
In the face, but determined in expression.
Ames was fierce, angry and nervous
throughout. ..
So painful was the scene, and so rapidly
did both show less control, that Mr.. Nib
lack suggested in kindness that they APP
pear with counsel. There is tendency to
overlook the investigating committee in
view of the short period before the session
adjourns, and malicious persons here think
II Is designed to prevent report and ac-
ton. The impression is gaining ground
that Ames is now endeavoring to inculpate
members as means of self-defence, and
has gone beyond the facts to prove their
share in Credit Mobilier. BY the extension
Of the scope Of the investigating commit
tee OF the House yesterday, 1t will consume
the remainder of the session and delay the
report until:very close on the 4th of March.
Another correspondent thus reports the
examination OF Ames by Colfax.
Mr.. Colfax.-Mr. Ames, In your private
memorandum book, which 1 hope the
Committee will have brought here, have
you the names Of members of Congress
whom you lot have stockY
A. Yes, sir.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31

The question is often asked nowadays,
what punishment will be meted out if any
of the persons implicated in the Credit Mo-
biler proceeding shall have crime fasten-
ed upon them. The law covering the
case is an ''act TO prevent frauds, ",approv-
ed February 1858, which DEGREES that any
person offering bride of any kind to any
member of Congress, or any member re-
ceiving the same, shall, on conviction, be
fined not more than three times the amount
offered or given and be imprisoned in a
penitentiary not more than three years !;
and the person holding Office shall forfeit
1t and shall be forever disqualified from
under the. United States.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31

The Wilson Credit .Moblier committee
has opened up the WHOLE subject of the
s400, 900 expended by Durant in Washing
ion TO aid railroad legislation. Itappeared
that Durant put about $500, 900. in the hands
of two notorious lobbyists, and that they
expended much of it without taking any
vouchers from the persons or corporations
who received it. lie called it prelimina-
ry expensel fund. 1t also came out that
247 miles of completed road were thrown
in with the Ames contract, and that the
price paid over again for this section was
greater than the original cost, so there was
about 100000 to divide among the Credit
Mobiier shareholders as soon as The con-
tract was signed.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31

@. Will you tell me why you made that
check, which you say you paid me, paya-
BILE TO IS. c." when you made the one you
say you gave to Mr.. Allison payable to
William b. Allison2 .-NH
A. l can't say, for some of the dividends
did not put in my name.
Q. Did 1 give you any receipt for this
check2
A. No sir; ii never belonged TO me-
q. Have you ever told me during the
past four years that was the owner Of the
stock
A. l don't know whether did or not, 1
don't know whether anybody has told me
in the last four years that, l own my hat.
[Laughterl. gave you the check and here
is the proof of it by the books. What is
the use of trying to get. around il or over
It?
Mr. Colfax-Where was when you gave
me the check, in the chair or on the fioor2
Mr. Ames-Oh, 1 don't know. can't
remember that.
Mr.. Colfax then addressed the Commit
tee:
Gentlemen, said he, l repeat exactly as
stated before, that never received a dollar
on any account from the Credit Mobilier.
l never saw this check and don't know
whether 1t was signed by o. Ames or Oak es
Ames. Why he made this check payable
to rs. c." 1 cannot imagine. could not
have added to my income sl2OO,without re-
membering something about it. During
the whole Of this four. years he has never
proposed to pay me anything and never
told me I was the owner of the stock. 1
told Mr.. A mes I would not buy into a law
suit, and that ended the matter between us.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31
To srHshema.



Some Of the men and maidens fair, OLA.
Wishing to take the open air,
And for time be free from care,
formed happy sleighing party, aud be-
hind the tinkling Of merry bells, rode to
the neighboring village of Grafton. There,
we suppose, they and the good landlord,
Mr.. Phelps, paid their best respects to each
other, he by providing his guests with the
best of fare, AS he always does, and they by
passing to their worthy host the required
sum in greenbacks. BY the way, the peo-
Pile of Townshend seem to have mania
for making Grafton their point of destina-
ton whenever they wish to go a slelghlng.
1t can be accounted for in no other wav
than that good deal of Staying (of turkeys
and chckens) has been done heretofore on
their account in the said town orc.
One day last week, Col. Reynard, who
has ever been fond of making war upon
such hen roosts as were open to his attack
was routed from his stronghold on the
neighboring heights and driven through
our village. He did not on this occasion
come with foul intent, as he has been wont
to do in days gone by. He came because
his most deadly enemy, Capt. Greyhound,
followed down upon his heels. As he pass
ed, his pitiful countenance seemed to say
that he would claim the protection of the
good people here. But they, alas were
IMPLYING and hard-hearted for soon,
men, boys aud dogs in numbers that were
not counted, were on the track. In brief
space of time, the fowl-captnrer was him
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31
NEWS ITEMS.

Maine railroads killed ninety -one per-
sons last year.
The Legislature Of Georgia has made
Gen. Lees birthday legal holiday.
The whole number of cigar manufact-
urers in the United States is 1921 en-
ploying II ,49l men.
Luther Tucker, the veteran editor of
the agricultural journal, the Cultivator,
died at Albany on Sunday.
An Edinburgh telegrapher has discov-
cred how messages can be transmitted both
ways on single wire, simultaneously.
There is an extensive emigration move
ment to America among German colonists
in Russia. One hundred and twenty fam
lilies have LEFT Beresina.
Foster, the New York car-hook muir
derer, has been sentenced 10 be executed on
Friday, the 9TH day of March.
The cashier of the Granite State Ma
err to the amount of sl25, 900, and has ''mys-
teriously disappeared"
Through the wickedness of some per-
soma New York stock jobber, some say
a report gained considerable credence Sat-
urday night that Frank Blair had shot
President Grant
"A new and disastrous horse disease Is
prevailing in New York, and has already
proved very destructive. The surgeons
call it spinal meningitis, and think 1t is an
outgrowth Of the epizootic, resulting from
imprudence in working the animals before
their complete recovery.
A freight train on the Boston and AL
bany road broke through a bridge near
MIDI letield, Mass, 80 miles west of Spring
field, last Friday night, precipitating the
train into the Westfield river. Eben Steb-
bins, engineer, was killed, az we'll as the
fireman. Charles Basfield, brak eman, OF
Sprl ne6eld, was badly injured and two
other brakeman were wounded. Stebbns
was a son of ''Sam'' Stebbins, late engin-
Ger on the VT. Central.
The emigrant ship Northfeet, bound
from London to Australia, lying at anchor
two miles off Dungeness, on Thursday
steamship and cut down 10 the waters
edge. The panic which ensued was so
dreadful that the captain had to use his piss
toll on the most disorderly, and the vessel
sank so rapidly that out OF 4l2 souls on
board only niDety-seven are reported saved,
the captain being among the lost. Fears
are entertained that the unknown ship also
sank, as nothing was seen of it after the
collision.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31

foLITIcAL.-S. w. Dorsey, the new Sem
ator from Arkansas, is native of YER
mont, where he was born in 1910. He grad
uated at oberlin, was Captain of Ohio Ar
ullery In Virginia, then became an IRON
monger at Sandusky, o.. and is now set
tied at Helena, Ark, as President of the
Arkansas Central Railroad. f...r.
The Senatorial contest in Georgia ha.
ended in the election of Gen. Gordon. His
chief competitor, A. II. Stephens, has been
Modified by a nomination for seal IN the
lower branch Of Congress.
Senator Howe Of Wisconsin is reelected
to the United States Senate. Cameron has
been reelected U. S. Senator from Penn
sylvania. The Illinois Legislature has
elected Richard j. Og lesby, Senator.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31

safety, and the additional floor surface be-
ing required for some classes Of bulky
freight, such as wool, furniture, agricultur-
al implements, &c. For the great bulk OF
our traffic, however, our present cars are
ample to accommodate their authorized
load.
An experience Of eighteen months in OPP
Grating this gauge has been most satisfacto-
ry.. Our passenger trains make, with ease
a speed Of 20 miles per hour. During the
heavy SHOWS of last winter, when all con-
meeting roads we're blocked with snow 10
TO 20 days at a time, our line, though cross
Ing mountain summit nearly as high as
the highest on the Union Pacific road,
made It's regular daily trips, overcoming
the heavy snow drifts without any great
difficulty. In transportation of freight the
average proportion throughout of paying
to dead weight has been to 2-l0. The
best average ofgreat trunk lines east, where
but Few cars are run empty, has rarely
been greater than Of freight to - of cars
and, on western roads, the proportion is
rarely greater than to 5. This is due to
entirely TO the greater capacity of our cars
as compared with their weight.
have never ridden in trains, either in
this country or Europe, with greater ease,
comfort or security, than in our own.
Very truly yours,
HOWARD SCHUYLER.
Asst Minager of Denver Il Rio Grande
Railway.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31

The U. S. Senate by the decided vote Of
81 to Is, tabled Mr.. Hills amendment to
the judicial appropriation bill increasing
the pay of members of Congress to $4,000 a
year, and the House passed bill reducing
the salaries of the ministers of Uruguay
and Paraguay to $500, and amended the
Senate appropriation to the Vienna expo
sition, reducing it from 100000 to 5000, 900.
The Senate has adopted Mr.. Edmunds' a.
mendment to the Legislative appropriation
bill, authorizing the secretary of the treas
ury to withhold all dues to railroads for
government service, till the question of
their liability for interest on bonds is settled
by the courts. The House surprised itself
and everybody else the other day, by pass
Ing bill repeating the bankrupt act.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31
wHoLEsALn porsoNINa AT cAMpnrpor,

WHOLESALE POISONING AT CAMBRIDGE,
N, Y.-Charles Shaw Of Cambridge, Wash
ington county, N. Y, has been arrested on
suspicion Of having poisoned his wife and
six children. Two of the children are al
ready dead, the mother and one other child
will die, and the others may possibly re-
cover. Shaw had become enamored with
married woman named Briggs, which is
supposed to have been the ruling reason
for his conduct, as he had long lived very
unhapplly with his wife and family. lie
visited the Briggs woman on Sunday, the
18th, and afler returning treated the fam
lily to whisky and sausages, one or the other
of which is believed to have been poison
ed. He once tried to hire his nephew to
put "a white powder" In the food of his
family, and the Briggs woman had told
Mrs. Shaw that she would get even with
her for making fuss about her intimacy
with Shaw. Shaw manifests no concern or
feeling over the deaths In his family, but
he suddenly Processes great affection for
his wife. The stomschs of the dead chill
dren have been sent to Albany for analy-
sis, and the circuu,stantial evidence is al
most conclusive against Shaw.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31
.s.sRRou' G.sUGB R.rrLu.srs.

10 The Editor Of the Ptgntr Since pre-
pairing the paper ON Marrow Gauge Rail
ways, which was published in the PuGN1x
OF January 10th, have received the fol-
lowing very interesting and instructive
letter from Howard Schuyler, Esq, civil
engineer, and the responsible manager of
the Denver and Rio Grande narrow gauge
railway, giving the result of their expert
ence in building and operating that import
ant lire of road. The letter is In response
to inquiries made several weeks since, and
contains 50 much valuable and reliable in
formation, that its publication cannot fail
to be acceptable and beneficial to your pa
irons. Is. ID. HARRIS.
Brattleboro, Jan. 25th, 1873.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31

MAIDS STATUE OF LINcoLN.-No finer
work OF art in bronze has been wrought in
America than statue of Lincoln recently
completed at the shops of the Ames COM
pany In Chicopee, and about to surmount
the Lincoln monument in the cementery at
Springfield, III. MIR. Meads fame, as in
the front rank of American sculptors, may
rest entirely secure with this cbef-d euvre
1t is grandly satisfactory both in general
effect and in every detail. The great presi-
dent stands in an easy posture, grasping in
his left hand, little extended, the scroll of
emancipation, and in his right, resting on
fascice representing the indissoluble union
OF the states, and draped with the national
flag, be holds pen. The artist has wisely
chosen this concentrating act, the signing
Of the emancipation proclamation, to en-
body his ideal Of the lanlented patriot. The
statue Is Of heroic size, about IL feet high,
and while little idealized as TO breadth Of
form, considering the leanness of the presi-
dent when the nation knew him best
and when he bore on his shoulders the
weight of cares that belonged to our terri
BILE struggle, yet not ialsifying in the least,
the just proportions Of his frame. His
natural awkwardness and lankness are
just suggested, and the combination of all
his prominent personal characteristics is
wonderfully supplied. The heavy shock
of hair has his own careless arrangement
there is the same pensive sadnesss,-t
manly firmness with the womsnly gentle
ness CHANGING out beneath, 1.-THE prophetic
thoughtfuness of his prominent brow and
deepset eyes, and, as you walk around to
get the profile, there Is suggestiveness of
humor lurking about the under lip, which
calls to mind the "litte stories' which
were ever ready to light up that sad face,
and TO oil the wheels of grinding care. We
congratulate the citizens of that beautiful
town, our namesake, which gave Lincoln
to the nation, and now guards his sacred
dust with such reverential love, on such
worthy statue" the double gift not only of
their hearts, but of American genius of the
highest rank Sprfnafeld Republican.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31

self most Jowt1y captured and made pris-
oner and he has since gone the way OF all
the earth.
The Spring Term of the Leland and
cray Seminary will begin Feb. Goth and
continue eleven weeks, under the super
vision OF the present Principal. Ample
accommodations as to board, rooms and
lodging, VIII be afforded students at rea-
sonable prices. EPSILON.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31
FORRBsTvS "EDIOT BOr.,


Colonel Forney, in his "Reminiscences of
Public men," gives the following interest
ing sketch of Mr.. Forrest:
Edwin Forest was one of us whenever he
visited Washington, and was the toast and
the star of the night. He gave literally to
the Union cause, without being a Republi-
can. Though he did not unite with us
when we sung "John Brown" none could
have been more graceful and ready In con-
trbuting to the general pleasure. One
dramatic night shall never forget. Forest
was in royal condition. He came early and
stayed late. He seemed prepared to make
everybody happy. He needed no solicita-
ton to display his varied stores of humor
and of information. Sketches of foreign
alike of the master and slave his celebrat-
ed French criticism upon Shakespeare his
imitation OF the old clergyman of Charles
ton, South Carolina, who deaf himself, be-
lieved everybody else to be so his thrill
ing account OF his meeting with Edmund
Kean, at Albany, when Forest was a boy /;
his incidents of General Jackson; his
meeting with Lafayette at Richmond, in
1925. Few that heard him can ever forget
that night. But nothing that he did will
be remembered longer than the manner ia
which he recited 1.-The Idiot Boy" pro-
duction up to that time unknown to every
body in the room except Forest and my
self. and to me only because 1 heard him
repeat II seven years before, when lived
on Eighth street, in the house lately known
as the Waverly. These lines are so beau
tiful and unique that print them for the
readers of these hasty sketches;
THE IDIOT BOY.
1t hath pleased God to form roor Ned
thing OF idiot mind
Yet, to the poor uureas'ning boy
God hath not been unkind.
Old Sarah loved her helpless child,
Whom heplessnsss made deer;
And he was everything to her,
Who knew no hope or fear.
She knew his wants, she understood
Each half -articulate call
For he was everything to her,
And she to him was all.
Aud so for many year they lived,
Nor knew wish beside;
But age at last on Sarah came,
And she fell sick-and died.
He tried In vain to wahen her,
He called her DER and DER;
They told him she dead
The words to him no import bore. .r
They closed her eyes and shrouded her,
While he stood wond'rins by,
And when they bore her to tho grsye
He followed silently, .....
They laid her in the narrow house,
They sung the fun'ral stavs:
And when tho funral train dispersed
He fingered near the grave.
The rabhle crowd that used TO jeer
Wiener they poor Nod,
Now stood and watched him by the grave,
And not a word they said
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31

They came and went and came again
Till night at last came on;
Yet still he fingered by the grave
TIL every one had gone.
And when he found himself alone
He swift removed the clay,
Then raised the coffin up In haste,
And bore It swift away.
He bore TO his mothers cot, -
And laid II on the floor,
And with the eagerness VI Joy
He barred the cottage door.
Then ont he took his mothers ,rpse,
And placed IL in chair, FfFt'
And soon he he,ped the kindling hearth,
And made the fire with care.
He put his mother in HER chair,
And in her wonted place, ....r
And then he blew the fire,
Which shone reflected in Der face.
And pausing new her hand would feel,
And then her face behold: tHt ..t'
WHY, mother do you look so pale, t..
And why are you so cod7"
II had pleased God from the poor wretch
His only friend to call;
Yet God was kind TO him, and soon
In DEATH restored him ALL
Aud when the neiehbors on next morn
Had burst the cottage door,
Old ssrsh's corpse was in the chair, y 100
And Ned's upon the floor. ~
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31
Hffffnns

The Festival of the Universalist society
will take place at the "s,chool Hall' on Fri
DAY evening, Feb. 7th. The entertainment
VIII consist of music, dialogues, tableaus,
supper, and dancing. A general invitation
is extended to all.
Charles Morse has bought the nice
farm OF r. p. Pratt, one mile from this
village, and takes possession next month.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31
CONN ITTEE.
CARD.


BRATrLEDoRo, VT, Jan. 80, 1873.
To the policy holders of II Mutual Life
Insurance Company of New York:
Kittrodge Haskins, Esq, of Brattleboro,
Will, from and after Feb. 1st. prox., collect
the renewal premiums for this company,
heretofore paid through the agency of
Moody & Howe, until further orders.
Faye.te p. Brown, Gent Agent, A. p.
Childs, Special Agent
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31

Warren Boyd and Son have sold from
their farm during the past year produce
and cattle to the amount of g., 900.
&C. w. Chapman has bought a house of
Ashley Stone for $500.
M. r. Crosby has sold the Daniel Rice
farm to Henry c. Ware. Price $500.
The donation party at the Methodist
parsonage which occurred on the 18th inst,
was an occasion of exceeding pleasantness,
1t being the last one of the kind which will
be holden with the present much beloved
pastor, Rev. Mr.. Gaylord, aud bis estims-
BILE wife. Although the snow was falling
without, the house was filled with kind
and loving friends. who were anxious to
show their respect and appreciation for
those who have labored for them 30 truly
and earnestly during nearly three years,
thereby promoting not only union and
harmony, but the prosperity of the church
In all its branches, and religion, temperance,
charity, and brotherly kindness through
out the town. In speaking OF the party,
the pastor remarked that "The donstion
amounted to fifty dollars, and an untold a.
mount of kindly feelingi"
There was an enterprising public meet
ing at the Good Templars hall last Tues
day evening, though the audience was
small on account of the inclenency of the
weather. Rev. Mr.. Gaylord presided.
Prayer was offc ed by Rev. Mr.. Goodnow,
after which he gave an interesting address
upon the vital importance OF training up
children in the district school TO avoid the
use Of all stimulants. His views were per-
tinent and sensible, and if followed would
reform the world. A short speech was
made by Rev. j. IL. Parmelee OF Dover,
showing that he was in sympathy with
this cause. Misses Belle Morgan and Mary
Spencer gave some fine and appropriate
readings, and the music and songs by the
young ladies was excellent.