davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19
MARYLAND ITEMS.

An Old Woman Anna Ridgaway, formerly
a slave OF Mr.. Hughlett, of Talbot county,
died in Baltimore on Monday week, at the age
OF l05 years She lived with Mr.. Hughlett
until emancipated by the war.
Singular Grse Of Group Mr. Leonard
Baker, of Salisbury, young man seemingly
enjoying the best of health, was taken sud-
denly i'll with a severe attack of the Group,
on the 18th inst, and died in very few hours
afterwards.
4 Fanny OLjccfion- A female teacher in
Cecil county applied to the School Commits.
sioner for an assistant, and young girl of
sweet sixteen was sent on the next day. The
teacher, however, sent her back, and wrote a
letter to the Commissioner saying that she
would not sleep with a girl younger than her
SELF Whether bed-companiOn of ripper years
has been sent we have not learned. The Cecil
Hhig of last week is responsible for the story.
Land Sales IN Tdlbot-The following trustee
or forced sales of land in Talbot CO., took place
last week The farm known as Woodstock, "
near Easton, 394 acres, to DIR. p. Cherbonnier,
of Baltimore, at 500 per acre-$l ,426 The
farm in Chapel District formerly belonging tu
VIM. Ii. Arringdale, 2S2 acres, to mortgage,
Dr. Harrison, at SO per acre; also to Thos.
J. Brode, of Pennsylvania, the farm in Chapel
District, formerly belonging to John Outram,
containing Aba acres, at $40 per acre.
A Mean Ddrkey-The Denton Un6n tells
of mean trick performed by negro man in
that town last week. He was to be MARI ed,
but hadn't enough money to get license,
($450l. His intended bride made up his
deficiency by giving him So so, all she had,
and he procured the license and married
another ,uOnsan that night and left for Balti-
more in the morning He started for Ridgely
immcdatly after his marriage, concealed by the
darkness, leaving the minister's fee unpaid and
the disappointed gill really heart-broken
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

CHESTER llETGHTs CAMP-Ihe managers of
the Philadelphia Carap Nee ing anl Excursion
Association have determined to erect on their
groun Is at Chester Heights the coming Spring.
a capaeiOus boarding-hOnse with large dining
room and sitting rooms on tine first floor, and
some forty-eight dormitories in the second and
third stories, for the accommodations Of excur-
sOnistS, transient boarders, and attendants gp, n
the camp meetings. This, with th-, compl
ton of other Improvements nnw rnler way,
will absorb all the stock they are at present
authorized to issue. This stock is now being
sold at par, and is passing off quite rapidly,
some $1,000 worth being sold on the loth inst.
The subscription books will remain open for
week longer, 50 that all who desire it may
>ecnre portion Of the stock, and a share in
the management Of the Assocstio0--Ere,
EreAing.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

The Piatrr M,rier TmL V,uI;ct of U..
Sfd"ghter.-The celebrated Platter t1i;L w..
brought 10 close last Thursday at Canhriduo
the jury rendering a compromise verdict TLa
excitement IN the court room was iuta,sa
Alter the jury retired every one was talk ing -,
once, and untavorable expressions of n,;,;,' ~
prejudging the accused came to his ears 'fon, fron,
every side The ladies', of whom tbnro VIII
number present, were especially severe !, 4.
nnnclatlOn, and from more than one ,air u
fair bps was beard the wish that the accu>od
might get long rope and a short sbrift
During the argument Of Mr.. Syest.r wlIa IT,
proceeded to unfold the black record Of crnrI,,
and crime which he alleged was resfs,s,sJ
against the accused, the composure which baJ
marked the manner of the latter forsook him
gradually his head dropped lower and lowcr
until finally, with his face hidden in cla>nrj
hands, he presented the pitiabe sight Of
strong man wholly unnerYed In G.~
minutes bailff entered and informed ,La
court the jury we're agreed. The iurv was
called in and rendered verdict of mot guilrv
OF murder bat guilty Of manslaughter. " Tbo
prisoner manifested no trepidation but much
| feeling when the verdict was delivered When
Judge Stewart asked him if he had anytb;na
to say in the matter, he arose and said Nav
1t please the court, | am not accustomed tc
SP0"Nt"G OuC VIII say Ihat nave not had q
fair trial. | do not blame the court or inrv
but | have not been able to get witnesses tbat
| should have had and many who have tested
have neglected many things that could have
been said in my favor | am not the frst man
that has made an unfortunate marriage nor
am the first that has beea unable 70 r5}e a
woman. | have done many improper things
| know, but l have never committed a
criminal 9fense Public opinion ha, been
strong against me because there was a woman
concerned. have nothing to say against his
however aud think that we should always
Sympathlzc with the ladies. The State has
been very hard and has brought eyeTy,bing
that could be raked and scraped up against me
and all the evil reports that could be gathered"
lie was sentenced to Imprisonment in the
pcnitentiary until the % day of April, 1873;
that is confinement tor five years and forty
seven days.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

The verdict in the Platter murder case (see
" Maryland Items meets with general dsap-
probation from the Eastern Shore press 1t is
said that seven of the jury were for a verdict
of murder in the first degree, but the balance
were not, and being unable to agree they com
promised on "manslaughter." That is, Mr.
Platter is about half guilty. The murder was
most cruel one, and if Mr.. P is guilty how
could the crime be short of murder in the first
degree; if he was not guilty how could he have
been convicted of manslaughter?
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

PROTECTING MARRIED WOMEN IN THE
RIGHT OF PROPERTY.-A most liberal bill for
the benefit of married women is now before the
Legislature. 1t was introduced by Mr.. Lewis
Thompson. Section one provides that the
real and personal property of any female, who
may hereafter marry, and which she shall own,
at the time of her marriage: or that any female
now married may have or may receive by gift,
or oequest, from any person other than her
husband, shall be her sole and separate
property; not subject to the disposal of
her husband, nor liable for his debts. The
husband, however, shall not be liable for the
debts OF his wife; except SO far as he may have
been placed in possession and control of her
property; = but all debts contracted before
marriage B the wife or by her authority after
marriage, shall be charge on her real and
personal property. Section three provides
that any married women may receive the
wages OF her personal labor mot performed for
her family and hold them in her own right
against her husband, or any other person;
and section four provides that any married
woman may prosecute and defend suits at law
for the protection of her property, as if unmar
ried or may do it jointly with her husband
but he alone cannot maintain an action respect
ing his wife IS property; and further, that an,
married w'Hau may make any and all manner
oi rh --ary to be made with respec
to her own property. Section five provide
that marrie1 women may dispose of thei
property by will, but such disposal shall M
effect the rights Of husbands as tenant b,
courtesy. Should the wife die without a vii
her property shall descend to her heirs, as nov
provided by law; but a husband and wife. by
marriage contract, executed in the presence q
two witnesses before marriage, may determin
what rights each other shall have in the other
estate during marriage and after its dissoutio
by death, and may bar each other of all right
IN their respective estates not so secured
them. Section six provides that any Marie
woman may give to her husband the right
control her property, and to dispose of II
income thereof for their mutual benefit. nm
may, IN writing, revoke the right. This
surely most liberal and just bill, and shou
1t pass into law will prove a serious damn
to those of the male persuasion who are bun
ing matrimonial fortunes.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

Theodore P. Haughey, native Smyrnian,
and President of National Bank in Indian.
apolis, comes to the defence of Vice President
COlfax in the Credit Mobiier scandal. The
indianapolis Journal of Feb. 18th, publshe.
the following:
| recollect very distinctly of Mr.. Colfaz
saying to me at my house, during the political
campaign of 1868, that friend had sent him
during the summer s. 900 to pay his political
expenses, and that he paid the same to A. Fl.
Conner, Chairman of the Republican State
Central Committee of Indiana.
THEODORE F. HAUGBEY.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

Gov. PONDER is now being patted on the
shoulder very affectionately. The Office Of
Clerk of the Orphans Court will be vacant
next week, and he has to make another appoint.
ment. Mr.. A. j. Taylor, the present incum,
bent, would like to continue Mr. Alfred Fl.
Smith, of this town, is also an applicant,
together with Mr.. Titus Irons, ex-Deputy
Sheriff, and A. j. Wright, ex-Recorder.
Nearly all the applicants are from Dover, and
have been living off of political nubbins, except
Mr.. Smith, who has a strong support of
influential men.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

THEJURIsDICTIoN QUEsTIoN-A few weeks
ago committee of the Legislature reported
and had passed bill 20 settle the dispute and
the question of jurisdiction between Della
ware and New Jersey over the fshry question.
Three commissioners, (Messrs. Whiteley,
Comegys and Martinl were appointed to do
the work on the part of Delaware But the
Legislature is now made aware of the fact that
the Supreme Court of the United States is the
only body authorized to settle questions of
jurisdiction arising between the States hence
the commissioners occupation is gone When
the question of jurisdiction is settled every
thing else involved in the matter will settle
itself.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

The ship canal bill passed the Senate yester-
terday afternoon, with but one dissenting voice
Speaker Leslie. Great interest was mani
tested both for and against this bill, and a
strong outside pressure was at work, in both
directions.
The supplement to the charter of the
Smyrna & Delaware Bay Railroad Company
was also passed in the Senate, without opposi-
tion.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

MORE ABOUT VESTS "GAs."-A Young
man in Baltimore, who was student with
PROT" West at Dickinson College. has
written letter to the Commercial stating that
he is OF the opinion that the gas West used
will produce insanity. He says that the DIR.
Way of Baltimore, (son of Rev. f. J. Way)
who bought West out was made insane, a
fact that was never doubted in Baltimore, and
his physicians ascrbed his insanity to the use
of the gas He further says that ''gas
doctors" (of whom there are quite a number, J
believe the gas is the underlying cause Of the
Turner homicide, is evident to those who have
watched them for the past few weeks. As
soon as the homicide was announced general
commOtion was noticed among them. He
says, also, that at College West had a good
reputation for honesty and sobrety, but that
he was eccentric" and queer. The writer
says: "ln speaking of any kindly disposed
person, it was common thing among the
students TO make the comparison: as good
natured as Ike West The writer also says
that the report, extensively circulated just after
the murder, that West had been lett large
tract of land in South America, had some
foundation In 1868, the writer says, when
West was still at College, letter appeared il
the Carlisle Herald, and among other state
ments in it was this in reference to Vest
good luck. Mr.. Rheem, the editor of the
| Herald, stated that he knew the writer who
prior to the War, lived in Pennsylvania. Hi,
description of the party to whom the land was
left did not quite agree with West, but We
supposed that a mistake. Whether or moi
this writer is trying to create sympathy FOL
West we leave the rea1cr to judge.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

THE "TMES is published Wednesday afternoon by
JOSEPH H. HoFFEcKER Editor and Proprietor at Smyrna
Delaware.
TERMS-SUBsCRtPT,0H-On advance or So sol
paid till the the paper
all the option of the Publisher
ADVERTISEMENTS will beinsered atthe rate Seven Gents
aline for subsequent insertions Threead
shalf cents. liberal discount made TO quarterly semi
nual and yearly advertisers.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

WEDDING IN CHURCH.-A fashionable wed
ding took place in Red Lion, Del, last Wed
nesday evening. The bride and groom were
Mr.. Will II. Dawson, of Smyrna, and Miss
Carrie f. Stewart, youngest daughter of Sam l
W. Stewart, Esq. The ceremony took place in
the Lebanon NJ. +. Church, Rev. A. j.
Crozier officiating Two bridesmaids and
grOomsmen attended the happy couple to the
hymenial altar, viz Mr. s. A. Stewart and
Miss Sue Stewart, Mr. n. Caulk of Whining
ton, and Miss Ellie Short, of the same place
The bride and her lady attendants were al
dressed in suits to correspond, white Swiss.
en- train. The bride wore veil extending
down her train and falling over the face 'tw,
tastlly arranged over her head with
wreath OF orange blossoms entwined. The
whole party made a very interesting and i'm
presslve appearance as they moved gracefully
up the aisle and arranged themselves in front
of the altar Tor the ceremony, after whicl
the bridal party, with the brothers and sisters
and few relatives of the bride and groom
repaired to the home of the brides parents
where reception was held, and though tn,
weather proved most incement, all the com
puny enjoyed themselves, and everythin.
passed off pleasantly and happily.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19
PEACH GROWERS MEETING.

The PeninSular Fruit Growers Association
met IN the / Ourt House at Dover yesterday at
3 =. NJ. The President and Vice President
being absent, on motion, Saml Townsend took
the char. j. A. Fulton, Secy.
The committee of five appointed at the last
meeting to confer with the Legislature in regard
to the tax on Fruit Growers was on motion in
creased by adding the names of Samuel
Townsend, Sewel Z. Biggs and John Cochran.
The Committee, through their chairman, r..
| II. Cummins, reported that they had examined
the law OF 1911, taxing the =. W. Il b. Co..
These taxes were-on capital stock of per
cent. on It's net earnings, 10 per cent also,
! 500 per year on each locomotive, $2j on each
passenger car and $40 on each burden car.
The r. K. Co. objected to these taxes, and
went into litigation. 4 verdict in their favor
was given by the court against the tax on loco
motives and cars, and SO much Of the 10 cent
passenger tax as applied to ''through' pas
sengers but judgment was rendered against
them on the tax on net earnings and capital
stock. They took an appeal and now pay this
tax under protest
The Co. laid this tax on the shippers on the
road, taxing each fruit car ST. 50 per trip. At
ten trips per car per season this would amount
to $50 for each car. The Co. 5 tsxes for 1872
were-on net earnings, $2l, lOS 90 ; Oh capital
stock, Sl4, 1873 sc :; passenger tax, SIPS 90
bonus, 81 1873 3d. Total, 81 ,5SG15. OF this
amount $2l 900 was levied on the peach grow
ers who ship By rlil. Shippers by water pay
no tax.
The Committee drew up petitions favoring
the repeal Of the tax, which, after receiving
the signatures of large number Of peach men,
were presented to the Ways and Means Com
mlttec of the House, and at a conference with
said Committee it was recommended that the
written offer of the President of the 2. w. 4
b. K. X. Co. to the last Legislature be accent
ed, as they believed it would be to the best in
terest OF the people of the State
The written offer referred to was for the Co.
to pay $4,000 in lieu of all other taxes. aDC
relieve the shippers from paying any share Of
the same.
The peach buds were reported to be seriously
injured above Smyrna, while below it the re-
ports were all favorable for a good crop.
Mr.. Fulton moved that when the meeting
adjourned it adjourn to meet on the second
Tuesday in May, which was carried.
! On motion it was Resolved that the Execu
tive Committee and the Committee on new
markets and new routes be requested to make
a full report at the adjourned meeting"
! On motion Of Mr. Ilillyarl it was declared
to be the sense Of the meeting that from ten
to fifteen cars daily Of peaches can be sent
beyond New York from this Peninsula.
Il. IL. Cummins offered the following:
REsoLvEn, That the recomusndation Of Committee
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

:, PORT DEPOSIT. latest dispatch from
Fort Deposit says: The water is lower than
Monday and fears of break up are subsiding.
Inc lce-gorge remains about the same. b1t
Inere is some change in height, showing that
the water flowing beneath is gradually wearing
M:ay: II away: Ihe weather is clear and cold, An
"iiilamsport no change is reported
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19
Mr.. R. H. Griffith offered the following;

kESoLvE That committee of five consisting OF MeSsrs
= T. GIt2n H. H. CummnS. Z. r. Cochran r. II. Griffith
J"h cochran be appointed prepare present to the
present session OF the Legislature, incorporating the
FehIBauar Fruit Growers Assoc ionwhIch carried
On motion the Executive Committee and
the Committee on new markets and new routes
We're requested to invite the President of the
r., W. Is. K. K. Go. to meet with them and
the Committee OF Ways and Means of the
House to take into consideration measures for
the relief of the fruit growers, and to present
the same to the legislature.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

Two sisters in Boston, both of whom wers
married several years ago at the same tine
now simultaneously apply for divorces with q
view to an exchange OF husbands. WIN
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

SUDDEN DEATH.-A Mrs. Smith, wife Of
Mr.. Alexander Smith, living in the neighbor-
hood Of Vernon, in the lower part of this
Kent CO., died very suddenly on Tuesday
night, the 4th inst. She was in the enjoy.
ment OF accustomed health, and just before
retiring for the night, was sitting before the
open fire when she fell from her chair and
called for water, but before the coveted
storm was raging just at the time and sharp
fash Of lightning followed by heavy peal OF
thunder occurred, and it is not known whether
the lightning struck her or she died from
fright.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

PREACHER ELECTIONEERING' is now the
order among the Methodists, in view Of the
approaching Conference. Smyrna neither
desires or expects any change, but number
of churches must change "by act of limitation "
Dover has to give up Rev. Mr.. Merritt, who,
it is said, is looked for at st. Pauls, Will
mington, while Rev. G. d. Watson is being
asked for by the Doverites Both of the
Messrs Todd, of Wilmington, (Jacob, OF
Grace and Robt. W., of St. Pauls) have
ten1ered their designations" so to speak
The former is to be transferred back to Phila.
delphia, and the latter has already been APP
pointed Superintendent of the Rehoboth
Beach Camp Meeting enterprise, and expects
wants Rev. L. G. Mattack, of Elkton. Who
is to gill Rev. DIR. Thompson's place as Presid
ing Elder of this (Dover) district is matter
of speculation among our citizens, but as yet
no successor is named.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

TIE DIVORCE BUSINESS goes briskly on in
10 the Legislature. Upwards of thirty pet
tlonS of this character have been, or are now
pending, and there is Il good prospect for more
to come. There have been some interesting
eases, but none more SO than that of Mr. &
Mrs. Roberts, of Dover. Both want a divorce
but are claiming it on different grounds He
claims 1t on the ground of adultery And one
night last week the Divorce Committee gave
them a hearing. Both parties were present.
with witnesses and counsel, Mr. Massey for
Mrs r. and Mr.. Walcott for Mr.. K. The
charge OF adultery was not sustained but there
seems to be such an antipathy existing between
the parties that it is thought their petition
will be granted. Another interesting case !,
that of Irene Fumcle of Wilmington, a young
girl who was married last spring, when she
was about sixteen, to boy of eighteen, nrmcd
John tulmele a German. 1t seems that he
has never given her support, and she ha>
proved him to be jealous, cruel Of no account
and mot tit to be husband" Her petition
has been defeated, however Still another
case is that Of Joshua Marshall, New Castle
cOuntian, who married in June, II, and in
September last his wife became the mother of
a negro or muatto child, since which time she
has lived with a negro family and he has
lived alone. Another case is that JAS Farrell
| of Sussex. He and his wife lived as happily
as could be tor fifteen months after their mar
rlagc in 6S, but she left him all at once and ha.
not lived with him since. Since she deserted
him she has managed to get a very bad repu
tatlon. All the cases are for unfaithfulnes
and deserton.
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

MIR. MAHOOD'S 5 ENTERPRISE Mr.. Adams
MahOOd, OF Clayton, our enterprising peach
basket manutacturer has had handsome
little steam yacht built in Wilmington by
PuSey, Jones X Co, called the Maggie, which
has been sent down to his basket factory at
Williamsburg, Dorchester county, Md. to be
used IN towing RATS of lumber, vessels, &c, up
and down the Nanticoke river, to and from
his large sawmil. Last Wednesday tl2th)
the ltte steamer made trial "trip up the river
as lar as fredericksburg, and quite surprised
the citizens OF that stad old village, who are
not used to seeing steamboats, at their wharf
She propelled up the river at the rate of Is
miles per hour. She is splendid little iron
built craft, about 80 feet long, constructed at an
expense of about $1,000, and was shipped
down on the cars.
DEAD BODY FOUND. The body of Peter
iardcastle cOlored man about 81 years old
was found IN woods near Little Greek Land
ing yesterday Tuesday afternoon and was
taken to Dover by Coroner Cats to hold an
inquest. About too weeks ago Hardcastle
went out In the woods with his two sons ia
haul some wood and while the sons were load
ing the wagon he went off in the woods; wher
they were ready to go home they called to him
and he answered saying he would come on soon.
lie had been in the habit of going over tC
South MurierkiIl and staying a week or two
at time his family supposed he had gone
there until Sunday last. The jury rendered
a verdict in accordance with the above
TIE usURY QUEsrToN.-The Erery Erenias
Dover letter of Saturday contained the state
ment that il s)me amendment of our usury
laws is not made that gentleman in Dover
attorney for a party living outside the State
had instructions to foreclose over $3.50 900 o
mortgages in Kent county alone. The gentle
man holding the mortgages is Mr. McFarlant
executor of David McConkey late Of Chester
county, Pa, (dcceasedl who had invested
about S250, 900 on bond and mortgage in thi
| county il is said
Smyrna times., 1873-02-19

RESOLVED. That the recommendation the Committee OF
peac| Growers to the Committee aud Means of the
iouN OF Representative accept the proposition OF the
President p the P w & b. r. r. 70. submitted in writing to
the a| Lrgi,aiuIe accepted by the Legislature now in
session. would be wise and and in
the tax Of $50 load Peach Shippers cause read
ustment OF The general freight tariff and The remva
h the ten cent tax travelling between all short
stations along the line OF the p W. and Del r. Cos
a lnnf