davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31
Tho Cedar Falls Stabbing ARnir.

From the Cedar Falls Gazette we
eli the following particulars Of the
disgraceful affair in that city last
week:
The parties figuring in this affray
were Fltzroy Sessions, Harry Pier
sol and Charley Harrington. The
three were i'll Lloyd's saloon at 3
A. NJ; under the influence of bad
whisky. a dispute arose between
Sessions and Harrington over an
old feud. Piersol stepped up and
interceded in behalf Of Harrington,
asking him to go away, which he
did. Picrsol then argued with SEES
sions about the matter and during
the dispute was struck at by SEES
sion, but lodged the blow. Pier
sol says, "Whatare you doing that
for, Sessions; you can whip adozen
like me-" and leaned back with his
elbows on the countcr.
At the same time he noticed Il
knife in the hands of Sessions. In
an instant more Picrsol was stabbed.
The wound was inflicted by n com
mon pocket knife, the blade enter
ing the neck, midway bctw cen the
"Adam's apple" and jngular vein,
passing no and striking the jaw
bone. What followed would be
difficult for any one to tell who
were in the saloon. Piersol said,
Sessions, you've stabbed me-" and
immediately got ont Of doors.
The saloon was closed and the
lights were eXtinguished almost in
stantly. Sessions called to Geo.
Bickel, the night Waterman, to go
at once for Dir. Pierce. Judd Muir
ply, who was also in the saloon at
the time of the occurrence, assisted
Piersol to the Carter House. Pier
sol bled profuseIy, and before the
Doctor could check the flow of blood
his clothes were completely satura,
ted.
DR.. Pierce, upon his arrival, pro
bed the wound and found it to be
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31
a Plea fog Candor
TO The Editor Of the Bulletin:

To The Editor OF the Bnletin:
| do not wish to enter the lists as
a disputant upon this question of
Capital Punishment, yet the article
by Clerici in this weeks Conserya-
tiue provokes Il few thoughts l
would like to express.
Now l have the very highest re-
spect for the clergy and for their
Judgment upon all moral and re-
ligious questions. And as for the
Bible, il is to me the word of God.
The first thing that struck me in the
article referred to was its spirit
The writer, whoever he may be, APP
pears to regard the opponents of the
Death Penalty not SO much as hon
est inquirers after the better way a
opposers to the Bible and the All
thority Of Jehovah. Now my ac-
quaintancc in the ranks Of those
who favor the present state of the
law is limited, but so far as it goes,
| believe that sentiments of human
itv, and desire to secure the high
est ends Of Justice, are the prevail
ing motives with the minority
1t was my privilege, while Il resi-
dent of Michigan, to form quite an
extensive acquaintance with the bar
Of that State, and rs that feature Of
legislation was q novelty to me |
took particular pains to learn its
workings, and also the opinions of
Christian .iurists respecting it. The
sentiments of Judge T will sum
up the results Of my inquiries:-
"Since the abolition of the death
penalty the cases of murder as com
pared with the statistics of other
States have not increased. | think
they have been somewhat less. AS
to the feeling of our profession up
on this subject, | must say we are
still divided, yet believe the ma
jority desire to give the present law
a fair trial, while many are in favor
of it T." This in substance was the
candid answer Of candid Chris
tian man. a.."
1t is mistake, if we are disposed
to regard those opposed to us rs
other than candid and honest. This
is plainly question with two sides,
| whether viewed from the stand
point of cxpediency and sound leg
islation, or from that of the Scrip
lures, and it becomes us all to avoid
the spirit of arbitrary dictation, and
rest the cause we advocate upon its
own worth and correctness.
| am led to these remarks not
alone by the letter named above,
but by what seems to me to be the
spirit largely characterizlng much
that has been put forward upon that
side Of the question. 1t forcibly re-
minds one Of the early days of the
anti-slavery agitation. The denun-
citation of the northerH abolitionists
was met with the reply, slavery
is supported by the Bible" and it
was a clergyman who gave the key
note to this cry. "But," said the
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31
The Credit MOSilicr

We quite agree with a coten'
porary which says that the two
morals which the Credit Mobilier
business has for public men arc
prudence and frankness. If the
gentlemen whose names are so con-
splcuous in the investigation had
possessed the first virtue in any con
siderable degree they would not
have been blindly led into a pro-
ject of which they had very imper-
feet knowledge, and which was re-
commended by man Of such mer-
cenary and INSCRIPTIONS character
as Cakes Ames. But having taken
the first step in it, without corrupt
motive or intention, as we believe a
majority of them to have done, and
afterwards receded from it when it
was found that it would compromise
them, they should have had the
frankness to have told the whole
truth about it, without evasion or
regard for consequences. In view
of undisputcd facts drawn out by
the investigation we must confess
to a feeling very much akin to con-
tempt for the denials cvasions and
bubbles of certain public men when
first taxed with connection with the
Credit Mobilier. They surely, if
not guilty of completely with Cakes
Ames and his confreres in fleeing
the stockholders of the Pacific
Railroad, must nevertheless feel
Inundated at the light thrown upon
their personal veracity and candor
by the testimony before the COM
mittee. In this as in every case in
which a public man has to deal with
his constituents or the general pub
lie, straightforward truth-telling and
courage is the safest and best pol
lev.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31
Duran.'s $4,000.

The information which thus far
Mr.. Harlan has not given to the
public respecting the use made of
the two drafts for $4,000 each drawn
by Durant of the Pacific Railroad,
ostensibly to assist Mr.. Harlan, in
his contest with Gov. kirkwood, for
the Senatorship in 1867, is likely to
be derived from others quarters and
from parties not inimical to the
Senator either. The Iowa City
Republican one of the ablcst aad
most devoted adherents of Mr..
Harlan in his contest with Mr..
Allison, furnishes the following
light upon the subject, which we
submit to our readers without COM
mcnt. The Republican quotes the
testimony of Durant, and the state
ment of Mr.. Harlan's organ, the
Washington Chronicle in reply,
and then proceeds to say:
That money acas freely used in that
election by Mr. HarlaL's friends was
well known at the time. and its plcnti-
fulness WAS taken as evidence of Mr.
Uarlan's reputed wealth. The Chroni-
Gle says Mr.. Harlan was not present 1T
Dcs Moines at the time of that election
This we were not before aware of but
did know that Elijah Sells was present
as his chief manager, with abundant
means to work with. Sometime after
the election was over Sells became com
municative, and rather free i'll his revela-
tions. 1t was well understood that q
najority of the Legislature, as elected,
ecere IN ,f"cor Of Goceraor Kirh'rood for
Senator. 1t was believed by those in
position to Judge that money secured the
miority to the ether side. Sells met
Bob Finkbinc some time after the clcc-
tion, at Vinton, and asked Bob if he
knew hoW the votes necessary to elect
Mr.. Harlan were ottatned' Bob thought
he did well" says Sells, she .Jact IS
zoe bought hem" Now WE HAVE THE
MONEY CAME FROM AND WHAT USE WAS
MADE OF IT. This does not prove that
ill.,. Harlan had any knowledge OF such
| use. AS he was not there he cntrust ed
the matter to Sells, as General in Chief,
with numerous and efficient corps OF
assistants, and turned the money oeer to
them. He may have given them the
most definite Instructions TO use the
money only in fair and honorable
way, but those who know Sells better
than Mr. Harlan did then, aao,o that he
rcouM not scrapie at any means acithin
his reach. and he regarded his general
ship with So much satisfaction as to
boast of it afterwards. We trust Mr.
Harlan will be able to show that he is
in no way responsible for the work of
Selis-that the latter violated his con
fidencc in buyiRg gotcs acith Durants
money, contrary To his wishes aud with
ont his knowledge. We earnestly hope
| that Mr.. Harlan is not to retire from
the Senate with the least stain upon
hiN record.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31
Tho Eranking Privilege Abolished

The House of Representatives on
Monday, agreed to the Senate
amendments to the bill which had
previously passed the House, abol-
ishing the ranking privilege, by a
vote Of 43 yeas to IS nays. These
amendments provide that the law
shall go into effect July LIST, 1878,
and that no allowance shall be made
to members for postage. They also
struck out the section of the House
bill providing for the issue Of
stamps to cover official correspon-
dence or public documents, making
the measure a clean and sweeping
repeal of the whole ranking abuse.
Congressman ana government
officials will hcnceforward like their
betters the people, pay their own
postage. The bill now goes to the
PRESIDENT.
Immediately following this act of
grace however and partially ac-
counting for it, comes the intelli-
gence that the judiciary committee
Of the House, have agreed upon q
bill increasing the pay Of Senators
and Representative from $4,000 to
$4,000 per annum, the increase to
date from March 4th, 1871. Those
who were preparing to bestow their
plaudits upon Congress for its
economy and self sacrifice in doing
away with the franking nuisance,
will doubtless suspend judgment
until the fate Of this new crusade
against the public treasury is de-
termined.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31
The Rankin Investigation.

The examination of the Rankin
defalcation by the investigating
committee appointed for that pur
pose, is yet in progress at Des
Moines. On Wednesday of last
week, Rankin himself was before
the committee and was subjected to
4 long and seaching examination
He made a detailed confession OF
the matter, accounting for the loss
of the $4,000 belonging to the Col
lege by stating that he had used it
to pay personal debts, the bulk OF
which were due to parties outside
Of the State, as he averred. lie
also made the statement that no
part Of the State funds was used in
these transactions. When asked
the names Of parties outside the
State to whom he had thus paid
money, he persistently refused to
answer. While the examination of
Rankin was proceeding on Wednes-
day, the House was occupied with
the reception of the opinion of the
Attorney General to the effect that
Rankin was amenable to a criminal
prosecution, and, rs stated in our
columns last week, on motion of
Duncombe instructed the Attorney
General to commence such prosecu-
ton. When Rankin appeared be-
fore the investigating committee
the next morning, he made this ac-
ton the pretext for further per-
sistent refusal to reveal the names
Of parties at the east to whom he
had paid the College funds. And
so at this point the investigation is
at o dead lock- A statement signed
by the committee was submitted to
the Legislature, setting forth these
facts, and asking action upon the
contempt of the witness Rankin.
Mr.. Brandt, Deputy State Treas
urer, was put upon the stand the
same day. His testimony, which
was, in cases where it was possible,
fully confirmed by the records Of
the Office, fatty contradictcd that of
Rankin in important PARTICULARS
He states that Rankin did on re.
peated occasions draw from the
State funds to meet drafts on the
College fund, and would replace
the same when appropriations or
funds belonging to the College came
into his hands. Mr.. Brandt testi-
fies that at the settlement with the
State Auditor, last June, this def
cheney in the State fund amounted
10 $4,000. So it appears that the
defalcation was in the State Treas
ury. But being under bonds to
account for that, Rankin ;,droitly
transferred the deficiency to the
College fund, for the safe keeping
Of which, owing to the criminal
Of the trustees, he was
not legally bound. The testimony
of Brandt places Rankin in a bad
predicament, and has alienated from
him the sympathy of many who had
heretofore deemed him merely I'M
fortunate. His counsel, Judge
Nourse, insists that he is insane
1t would be well for him if the
claim could be verified,
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31

THE question Of the constitution
ality of prohibitory liquor laws is
about to come before the Supreme
Court Of the United States, in the
shape Of an appeal from decision
by the Supreme Court of Iowa. 1t
is maintained by the appellant, that
the prohibitory law of that State is
in conflict with the Federal Consti-
tuition, because it fol ids the i'm
portation Of liquors into the State
under certain restrictions.-This is
held to be in conflict with those
provisions Of the Federal Constitu-
ton which vest in Congress the
power to regulate commerce be
tween foreign nations and between
the States, and forbid preference
between the ports of one State over
another, and the laying of impost
or duties on imports or exports
The case is Of considerable public
Importance, inasmuch as the genera
principles underlying it have equa
reference to all other States in
which prohibitory liquor laws exist
and are proposed. 1t is, we believe
the first instance in which the ques
ton has been appealed to the Cour
of last rcsort.--Pusbury CONNER
ci0I.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31

s = . + =
THE investigation Instituted by
the Senate regarding the manner in
which Caldwell, one Of the Kansas
Senators secured his election, has
revealed afperfect mine of, corrup-
ton. The testimony proves Cald-
we'll to have purchased votes in the
Kansas Legislature in the most I'M
blushing manner, paying for the
same from $500 to as many thou
sands, calculating as he avowed to
confidential friends to reimburse
himself for the outlay by drafts upon
the Kansas Pacific Railroad. He
will undoubtedly be expelled in
disgrace. This and other transac-
tons of the kind, which are con-
stantly coming to light will, hasten
the time when Senators shall be
elected by the people.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31
si,eriri's Sale.
STATE OEiOMA.

STATE OF IOWA. ..
Buchanan County,
NOTICE is hereby given, that on the 22th day
~ of February A. u. 1873 ut o'clock D. M i, Al
the Court House. in the City OF Independence
and county aforesaid, will be sold ~ Public Auc
ton to the highest bidder, for cash. the follow
ing described Real Estate, levied upon aGd takeI
by virtue of Special Execution, issued from tht
Office OF the Clerk of the District Court. within
and for the comfy of Buchanan, state Of Iowa
in favor of J II. Campbell, and against the prop
crty of Conrad Schimme, to-wt:
Sixty-scyen acres OFT the south side OF The ncii
of section five (5l twp 81, range nine, 90 excep
Gvc acres ont oil the south corner, forty rods
cast and west and twenty rods north and south
all in buchanan County, Iowa, 10 satisfy said
writ OF execution ana all accrsing costs. sole
subject to redemption.
Sheritrs ONCE. Independence,
$t.50. January, -, l|5 @9W%
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31

A disastrous fire occurred at
Ottumwa on the 22d. The Union
Block, the largest and most valua-
BILE one in the city, was completely
destroyed, together with the con-
tents of several stores, involving a
loss estimated at $4,000. 1t was
very fully covered by insurance
wc clean from the Courier,
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31
SYCAMORE, DeKalb Co.,
ILL.,, Jan. %, 1878.

Ed. BULLETIN:-It is remarkable
how good home grows in all that
is excellent as one leaves it, how
you are readily able to call to mind
a thousand virtues it possesses that
you did not fully appreciate when
in its immediate presence, how
anxious you are to speak a good
word for it and to vindicate its good
name everywhere. ! never suspect.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31
- --------------------
The Now Penitentiary.

Some OF the papers OF the State
are discussing with eigor, and in
some instances with considerable
heat, the necessity for the appropri.
alton made by the General Assem-
bly,, last winter, for 4 new State
prison at Anamosa. Some Of these
papers, especially the Waterloo
Courier and Burlington Xankeye,
whose editors claim to base their
statements upon actual inspection
,, and examination of the records Of
the prison at Fort Madison, charge
that the location of the new peni-
Tertiary at Anamosa was brought
about by fragrant misrepresentation
Of facts, was generally corrupt and
| tlagitious, and was not warranted
by any present or imminent neccssi-
ty for more prison room; in short,
that it was a job concocted by inter-
ested parties who wanted to sell
worthless property to the State and
secure fat contracts. These papers
| furthermore maintain that the true
interest Of the State would be better
subserved by the enlargement of
the Fort Madison prison.
a notable argument on the other
side of the question is the letter of
Hon. John Morrison, of Keokuk
county, until his resignation, March
10th, chairman of the House com
mittee on Penitcntiary, and MEM
Der Of the Legislative visiting
committee to inspect the prison.
1t is published in the Ottumwa
| Courier, of last week. Mr.. Morri-
son defends he action Of the Legis-
lature in so far as it refused large
appropriated to enlarge the old
Penitentiary, and quotes from the
report of til" communicative accu-
racy of which was not at the time
questioned b, the people or repre-
sentatives o.: Lee county--to show
that the pr .on WIS crowded, and
that it was utterly impracticable
and dangerous to attempt to enlarge
it. He expresses no opinion regard
ing the charges Of corruption in
connection with the purchase of The
quarries at Anamosa, and misap-
preparation Of funds there, but say
that if they have no more founda-
ton than the recent statement con
corning the Fort Madison institu-
ton, they are malicious fabrications
1t is to be hoped that the com.
mittee appointed at the present
session to examine the State institu
tons will sift the alleged corruptions
in connection with the new Peni
tertiary thoroughly and withou,
favor, but we apprehend that the
people of the State generally will
acquiesce in the wisdom of not at
tempting to enlarge the old prison
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31

The election for U. S. Senator to
succeed Pomeroy took place in the
Kansas Legislature on Wednesday,
and resulted in the election of John
J. Ingalls,, of Atchison, on The first
ballot. In the same dispatch an
nouncing the above result comes
the intelligence that Senator Pome-
roy was arrested and held TO bail
for an attempt to bride State Sena-
tor York, by the offer of $4,000 for
his vote. Just before the ballot for
Senator, York arose and gave the
details of three alleged interviews
with Pomeroy, at the second of
which he received from Pomerov
$4,000, and at the last one $1,000,
and then producing a roll Of bills
from his pocket, he SAID: "Here is
the $1,000 paid to me by Pomeroy,
which l now desire to place in the
hands Of this joint convchtion." A
motion for a recess to allow Pome-
roy to explain was voted down in
stanter, and the balloting proceeded
with the above result.
The transaction as detailed, with
its sensational denouement and the
atrical flourish, just before the vote
was taken in the Legislature, has
an inevitable. flavor of trickcry
about it, and although no admircr
of Pomeroy, we are prepared to
hear Of his complete vindication
from the charges.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31
ORIGINAL Notice.

Rhoda Gille:t. Plaintiff, In the Circuit Court OF
Against Buchanan Co.. Iowa,
Alexander Gille,t, ncft. Jsn'y Term, \, D.l5i3
10 sail DEFENDANT:
NrOU are hereby notified that therS is now or
Tile in the Office of the Clerk ct the CircNi
Court of Buchanan County, Iowa. the petition OF
Rhoda Gilleu, the Plaintiff aforesaid, praying The
court for divorce on the grounds OF cruel treat
ment and adultery. Also asking for aimony.
You are also notified that unless you appear
thereto and defend, before noon OF the SECOND
day OF the Jan'y term OF said Circuit Court o.
buchanan County, to h. held at independence, Il
said county, on the eth day of January A. d. 1873
default will he entered against you and ladg
mcnt rendered thereon. as prayed
HART ~ BRC CiIART,
2Swl Attorneys for PIN.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31
r.N-~
Ky = g. .
1879 1870
Iowa State Register,
DAILY AND WEEKLY.

The p7opri2tors of raE REGISTER. hayiag learn
ed from experience what newspaper should re
TO suit the peop.e of Iowa, enter upon the new
year WITH increased facilities for the collection
and distribution OF news, from all parts OF Iowa
and all quarters Of the world. IL all the general
features of modern Political, News, Literary,
and Family JoGrnal, TuE REGISTER il row able
10 compete, before the Iowa puhic, with any
paper Published.
We Heed not say that Politically ii will he Nc
puhlican. It's recoAl is its promise here All
its pnwcrs shall be lent to the aid oil pure, old
fashioned Republioauisu}. which never changes
any more thau liberty changes. Devoted 10 the
party, il viii Yet preserve the I!ec agency oi hon
es; opinion, and The rihl Of ranky expressing il.
We know NJ party; we know nolhins; of part!
| I'm iDr.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31

Charles Aldrich, writing from
Washington to the Hamilton Free
man, says that Hon. Frank Palmer
takes one-third interest in the In.
ter Ocean, for which he pays $50
600. He will be Vice President of
the publishing company and receive
salary of $4,000 per annum.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-31
Referees Sale.

IN compliance with the order of the CircuI
L Court of Bacaaaan County, Iowa, the 0nder-
signed who were appointed Referees IN the case
of Anna h. DeBnr, VS. Joseph a, DeBar. James
w. DcBar and Mary c. De8ar, will proceed 10
sell the followin. described property, to-wit:
Commencing At point twenty (3v) rods east OF
township eighty nine. (sA) north of range nine
(9) west in Buchanan, Couuty Iowa. Thence run
ming north twenty two (aa)rods. Thence east fogr
(4D rods, Theme south twenty-five (a2) rods.
Thence west four "a rods to the place OF
beginning. Which property We will offer for
sale to the highest bidder at the front door OF the
Court House in independence Iowa, on Saturday
The Sth day of February, 1873, ut o'clock, p. N.
II. p. HENSuAW,
II. A. KING, fRenerees
27w!. JAS. FORESTER.