davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

There is a counter crusade-a
mems movement-up in Ionia
county, and it is rumored that a
similar one is under discussion
here 1t is called the "calico
movement" and is designed as a
companion piece to ten perance, a
reciprocal pledge signing. The
men from praying clubs and pray
to women to abstain from the use
of stimulants as beverage or ex-
travagance in dress. They have
drawn up "a pledge which is strong
and double, and to BIZ signed in
couples, one part by men and the
other by women. The mems
pledge binds them to abstain from
the use of intoxicating liquors as
"a beverage. The women's pledge
is to wear only their own hair,
and to discard all cOuuterteits or
substitutes for that appenda &c to
the head, except in cases of bald
ness; to dress in plain material,
cheaply, discarding jeweIry, pan
iers, bustles, cOrsets, stays, hoops,
switches, chignons, &c &c. The
obligation is mutual, and every
violation by one party releases
the other of each couple signing
the pledge.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25
D. r..

These two letters are usually in
terpreted by the printers on the
Washington capital to. mean Don
Piatt, but many of the readers Of
that paper, as well as others, who
read articles with these letters at
the bottom, understand that ID. r.
means Tam Phool, which answer
ed in the flesh would produce Don
Piatt. This gentleman is full Of
puns, and has a natural habit Of
pitching into things generally, and
accomplishing nothing in particu-
lar. His latest effort is three
column letter in the Washington
Capital, in which he does the pro-
prietor ofthe Berkeley Hotel great
injustice, and in his anger scores
Martinsburg for streets as muddy as
his lingo. and because the colored
folks only turned out to view
him on the street corners, and the
old ladies instead Of the young
ones fiattened their noses on the
window panes looking at him.
We hope Don will call again, and
inform our people of his visit, and
we haven't the slightest doubt but
that an elegant repast will be fur
nished him, and all the people,
young and old, will turn out and
greet him. But we pray you, Don,
don't put ID. p. to your letters of
acceptance or the people will
think you one of Mark Twain's in
nocents abroad.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25
MODEST PERSEVERANCE.

The Cincinnati Commercial saws.
1.-THE machinery in the press room
Of the New York Times ism charge
Of son o. Mr.. George Jones, the
principal owner of that paper. 4
correspondent relates that this
young man; after a thorough edu-
cation, chose, at the age Of seven
teen, to commence with the hum
blest mechanic the ladder of work,
though he had wealthy father,
able and willing for him to go
soft-gloyed in whatever path of
life he desired. AT seventeen years
CT age he put on q blouse, and,
1inner-pail in hand, Joined the
rolghest mechanics in the Morgan
Iron Works. In three years and
a half, by manual labor, and with
greasy hands and grimy face, he
worked his way from piler and
filler. through metal casting, ma
chiRe boiling and fitting, by riv-
citing and joining in the close, mas
ty holds of monitor and iron clads
and step by step, to running en-
gines, constructing machinery and
finally modelling and designing
work for others. He went into
the Times establishment, labored
and practiced as assistant machin
list, learned every piece of engine,
mould, folder, proved himself of
value, and there he is to-day, with
a perfect set of machinery under
his control, and administering his
important department with skill
and system"
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

The .Keokuk, Ia, spirituallsts
are running city ticket.
The Gothamites drink SO little
water that the Hudson river has
had three freshets this season.
a New York State doctor gave
woman acoAite to cure her deaf
ness, and since her funeral they
can't find him.
Kerosene does not meet with
favor down in Georgia, almost ev-
cry househould sticking TO the
time-honored tallow-dip.
Mrs. Erchenfelder, of Waterloo,
Delaware, is another gasoline VIC
tim. Filling lighted lamp, with
the usual result.
An old woman in Illinois has
forwarded ten cents to Washing
ton to pay her share OF the national
debt before she died.
A Clermont, Iowa, farmer put
out poison for the wolves. The
next morning his dog and seven
hogs were dead.
A stranger who threw $40 i'm the
plate of Savannah church, OBJ
tanned credit for $500 worth of
goods the next day.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

Among the numerous causes oil
the potato disease, raccoding to DR..
Alfred Carpenter, a, principle one
consists in the accidental introduce
ton of diseased tuber into o pile
destined for subsequent planting,
and the spores being transmitted
from one to other, SO that the en-
tire mass is more or less affected.
DIR. Carpenter thinks that gen.
eral rule, tue germs Of disease
must be pre-existing in the moth
er plant, but they rel-ain entirely
dormant or altogether inactive for
a considerable period, or until ia
vorable conditions of excessive
moisture, heat or other causes
combine in proper ratio to quick
en- their growth. If measures can
be taken completely to disinfect
the seed potato before planting, he
thinks no apprehension need be
felt as to the future.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

The repeal of the Thanking priv
ilege, according to the Washing
ton Chronicle, has so crippled the
the Agricultural Department of
the Government that it fails long
er to beof any use to the American
farmer for whose interest it was
established, But it is not the fault
OF the Agricultural Committee of
the House, nor its chairman Mr..
Hays. This committee recon-
mended the printing of 100000
copies Of the Agricultural Report
of the last year, sthe most valuable
ever produced in both foreign and
home correspondence, statistics,
and other information. But for
three months past it has remained
in the Senate committee Enacted
upon, probably awaiting the pass
age OF q law for its free distribution
when printed Thousands of let
tiers from grangers and other agri-
culturists reach the House COM
mittee, asking for copies of this yet
Imprinted work
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25
Railroad Extension .

We understand that many Of our
citizens, living in the direction of
Bunker Hill, are di atisfied with
the idea of extending the Martins
burg d Potomac Railroad to Char
lestown and there connect with
the Washington 81 Ohio railroad.
They seem to be under the impress
sion that branch railroad in that
direction, interferes with and ends
the projected route to Winchester,
by way Of Bunker Hill. This is a
mistake. The subscription to ex-
tend the road to Winchester cam
not be molested and when Freder-
lex County performs the conditions
required in the ordinance appro-
priating the m oney, then Berke-
ley County isready to perform her
part of the contract. But it is
well known that they failed in
Frederick County to held any cleo
ton, to decide for or agains Sub
scription and we have a right to
assume that they are paying more
attention and devoting more labor
toward the extension of the w. d
M. II. II. to Winchester than to
the M. & p. r. r.
Martinsburg is just as ambitious to
succeed as Winchester, and hence
finds herself as able to offer induce
ments for the connection with the
w. & O. Railroad and therefore
desires to make the effort for a con
nection at Charlestown. Now why
shouldn't we have two railroads i'm
stead OF the one? All this can
surely be accomplished without in
terfering with the rights of other
persons. If the people of Winches-
ter find it important to make tho
tvo connections should not the peo-
pie of Martinsburg and of Berke-
ley County find it equally as i'm
portant and bend every energy to
the work of securing the connec-
ton. 1t gives us increased facili-
ties one additional route east and
probably the advantage of two
routes South. In fact we know of
no other enterprise that would con-
fer so many advantages as the com.
pletion of their projected railroad.
We think therefore that neither
envy or suspicion will be permit
ed to retard the work, but that all
will realize the importance ofioin-
ing their strength in order to pre-
vent defeat.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25


Rochefort's escape is likely to
lead TO complications between
France and England, and has al
ready led to the exchange of dip
lomatic notes. The craft, fitted up
for fighting, in which Rochefory
and his friends escaped, the En-
glish maintain, had fraudulently
hoisted the British flag, but the
French Government believes it
can prove that the vessel was
equipped and prepared in a Brit
ish port, and that the government
there could not have been igno-
rant of its destination; also that,
as the escape took place under the
protection of the flag of England,
that country should be held re
sponsible. Very likely, but we
don't think it will get Rochefort
back to New Caledonia. Feast
ing, winning and lecturing in San
Francisco will be the next news
heard of him.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25
Boutwell, j. so AS to be out.
Dawes is the same.

For sometime there has existed
at the mouta of the Big Sandy, on
the West Virginia side, some nui-
sances, in the shape of whiskey
boats, which are supported,by the
roughs and bummers of Catletts-
burg and that vicinity On last
Sunday afternoon, one of these
boats was the scene Of an ARRAY,
which was intended as a murder,
but which has not as yet terminal
ed in death. 1t seems that be-
tween two brothers-in- law, James
Meek and Joseph Davis, Il feud
has existed for sometime. They
met on one of these boats on sun
day, and Meek at once drov re-
volver and fred at - wis four
times, three of the shots ticking
effect on his person, one entering
his shoulder, one his hip, and the
other his lung. Only one of the
balls, that in his shoulder, was
found, the others are still in his
body, and the wounds are all Sc
we're. The surgeon who is attend
ing Davis could not say whether
the wounds would prove fatal or
not, but gave as his opinion that
there was great danger.
Meek made his escape to the
mountains,a and was not very close
ly pursued. -Htmtingt0a Adaer-
deer.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25
THE COUNTY COURT

This ancient institution seems
to be available only as an instru-
ment TO destroy very good men.
It had upon the passage of the
Constitution a few friends. Cor a.
mon sense and practical ey oar;.
ence are teaching those W ~ eun-
ported it, that the day Of ia use-
fitness is past, and We verify bo-
lieve that in Berkeley county no
man can be elected to Office who
openly advocates its continuance.
It is apparent that the gentlemen
who occupy the bench, feel them
selves out OF place, and denounce
the system as violently as other
citizens. The gentlemen justices
are therefore not to be blamed for
the County Court But so far as
Berkeley county is concerned, one
of her delegates to the legislature
is responsible for disobeying the
wishes of a large majority of
her citizens, expressed in
the plainest manner. We
refer to Mr.. Legg's action in the
Legislature. He defeated the de-
cided wishes Of the people. The
dissatisfaction is not only In Ber-
kelley county but is general
throughout the State, and wnen
the first years financial exhibit is
made, the popular condemnation
fthe SYSTEM, will be more general
and more united, and may force
the next legislature to amend the
constitution and abolish the county
court system. Gentlemens who
form the court must not for a mo-
ment think the people are fight
ing them. That is % mistake; they
are fighting the system and not
the Justices, for many Of the JUS
tees have always been its avowed
opponents.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

Brooks, the usurping Governor
of Arkansas, is a native of Butler
county, Ohio. 1t seems impossi
bic for Butler county to keep out
of devilment. Baxter was elected
by Republican votes. Brooks was
supported by the Democrats and
Conservatives BaXter's conduct
in office for two months past has
been such as to win the approval
of the people who opposed his
ole ton, and to lose the admiration
Of the politicians who elected him,
The scene is shifted. 1t became
easy for Brooks to get court to
pronounce him Governor. Baxter
won the Democrats and Conserva
tives, and lost the Republicans,
and in losing the Republicans, of
course, lost the courts, or some OF
them. When he lost a court he
lost the state house and the privi
lege Of using the great seal of the
State of Arkansas. This is alb out
the situation, as near as we can get
at it.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

Observation-Disclosures a LONG VA
CATIoN.-The offer by Plymouth
Church to Mr.. Beecher of a six
months vacation with uninter-
rupted salary and the expenses of
an European tour paid, has been
declined by him. He says that so
long an absence would be irksome
to those who have paid high
prices for pews He will not 90 to
England, and will take only his
usual vacation Of three months on
his farm next summer.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

Syracuse turned out 100000
pounds of salt last year.
Charleston strawberries are sell
ing in New York at 81 rs a quart.
New York and Brooklyn are
again exercised over the swill-
milk infamy.
Partisan aeronauts propose a bal
loon exploring expedition to
the North Pole.
Temperance or total abstinence?
queries an indianapolis paper.
We should say neither, for you.
Swiss landlords are expecting
great influx of American tourists
this year, and talk of raising their
prices.
Initiation is less to be dreaded in
California than elsewhere, for the
very river banks rest on specie
basis.
An enthusiastic public meeting
in favor of cremation versus inhu-
minatiOn was recently held at Zu-
rich, Switzerland.
The most important personal
items in the Omaha papers are
those which chronicle the move
ments of prominent monte throw
ers.
A Richmond paper thinks that
the moving of the mountains in
North Carolina must be owing to
the increase of faith in that re-
gion.
1t is probable that Summers sue
cess0r will have to stand as can
didate longer than he will sit as a
Senator. He won't get time to
rest.
Fashion articles explain to the
average man what the average wo-
man wears. The ladies need very
little information on the subject.
They eye one another and hook all
their new fancies.
Rev. G. w. Field, Of Bangor, is
said to have created quite a sensa-
ton, Sunday, by telling the ladies
of his congregation that they had
better reform some of their follies
in dress before undertaking to
make angels of beer drinkers.
A Connecticut man proposes 10
fine every man $500 who adulter-
ties liquor, and only s. where he
sands his sugar.
A man in Keokuk lately drop
ped dead while combing his hair
and yet there are people who will
persist in this dangerous habit.
The ''reigning" sensation in
London-King Koffee's umbrella.
Illicit distillers are called Moon
sinners in Kentucky.
The town of Amity, Iowa, holds
twenty-e eight prisoners, while the
town of DeU0'S Corners Nevada,
has not single person uuder ar
rest.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

A PROSPECTIVE STRIKE. The
Cincinnati Times, referring to the
prospective general strike TO be
authorized by the National Pud-
dIers' Union, says "The "Union"
should send some delegates to
Newport, in this vicinity, to see
how the thing works. They will
find mill offered for sale at auc-
ton, and lot of workmen trying
to live on nothing. 1t is a foolish
thing to kill the goose that lays
the golden egg.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

The corporation election in
Berkeley Springs will take place
May End. The Mercury says it is ru
mored there will be three tickets
in the field, two anti-license and
one license.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

The Committee en- Transports
ton are not unanimous on the
question of the power of the Fed
eral Government to regulate the
railroads of the country, and they
will present majority and minor
ity reports on the subject.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

Senator Foreman has introduced
in the U. s. Senate bill to reim-
burse West Virginia for money
expended in arming and coupling
militia for the suppression of the
rebellion.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25
INDEPENDENT
Published Daily and Weekly by the
INDEPENDENT PRINTING GO.
BIondegs uildins Corner Queen mnriInSt:

The Post master general has sent
communication to the Post Office
committee of the House Of Repre-
sentatives, advocating the passage
of law to compel prepayment OF
postage on all newspapers.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25
THE VETO.

Pfes dent Grants veto or the
rms nee, Bill is likely, as we be-
y eyed it would, to bring him in
( direct and bitter conflict with those
Senators and Representatives who
have heretofore been his Warmest
supporters. We confess we did
not look for a veto. 1t is as much
surprise to the opponents az il is
to friends of imitation. Party lines
are completely broken up on the
question of finance. And it is one
of the most important now before
the American people and, in all
probability, it will be the leading
issue in the next Presidential cam
paign. President Grant has shown
great nerve and determination in
vetoing a measure that at the
present time certainly has the
sanction of a majority of the PEG
pie. But, like Andrew Jackson
in his veto of the National Bank,
he has run counter to public opin-
ion only to be sustained when the
wisdom of his veto becomes, as it
will,apparent to the most rabid in
hationists. We notice that Sena-
tors Morton, Carpenter, Logan,
West, Harvey, ingalls,, Pratt,
Pease, Ferry of Michigan, Oglesby
and others, have determined to
fight the veto, but we doubt if it
can be passed over the President,
and we hope it will.not be. An ire
deemable paper currency exposed
to the imminent danger of yearly
expansion by tickle Congression-
al majority, never will answer the
needs of great and progressive
manufacturing and trading people
like ours. We must have a solid
basis for our industries and enter
prises to rest upon. We should be
less intelligent than Ashantees if
we did not perceive that the coun-
try must have a fixed standard of
value and good, honest money
with which to reward the toll Of
our labOring millions.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

Shepherdstown has a building
association at lasts. The incorpo-
rators are Luther Smith, John F.
Welshans, j l. Richard, Ii G Mar
tin and George M. Beltznoover.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

A tornado swept through Nash
vile, Tenn, Wednesday, doing
great damage to property. A liv-
cry stable containing horses was
blown from its foundations
into a body of water, and one
man and several horses drowned.
Houses were unroofed or badly
shaken, and families rendered
homeless.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

The last number of the Potts
vile Daily Standard, published
and edited by Frank Burr, Esq,
formerly of this town, has reached
us. We regret its early demise,
and extend our sympathy, but
whilst doing SO must congratulate
the publisher for the grand effort
he made to support his paper. We
like such energy, especially when
it is mixed with a little audacity.
If we are to fail at all in life we
would rather 60 down doing our
level best to succeed, than to be a
common failure of the every day
kind.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

Bismarck is using every means
in his power to prevent emigra-
ton from Germany to the United
States. The police annoy emil
grafton agents in every conceiva-
ablenanner, and as it is well known
that the severe military service is
one of the great incentives to en-
igration, the silly and idle story
is circulated that Prince Frederick
Charles has been offered the Amer
can crown, and that he would en-
force military system here. We
opine it will be the last of the
Prince when one attempts to as
sumo regal sway in these United
States.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

To show the low depths of in
fanny to which politics seem to
have descended the Senate of Lou
isiana furnishes fitting.example
The Senate refused to confirm
Judge Cole of the Fifth Judicial
District Of that State because he
is an honest man. Cole is Re
publican, and leading member of
that party named Loud was
brought before him on a charge of
embezzling school funds. LIQUIDS
friends threatened that if Cole did
not dismiss the case they would
prevent his confirmation. They
did not succeed in frightening
Cole, but succeeded in carrying out
their threat. And in the face of
such facts every man is expected
to yell for and vote with the par
ty, no matter whether it is in the
West Virginia Democratic or Lou
issana Republican Legislature.
We say be independent, and de-
nounce wrong in any party.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25


after the peddlers who roam over
Jefferson county, and wants TO
know whether they comply with
the license laws of the State. 1t
says:
DO the squads OF strangers occa-
sionally operating in our county
selling cloths, cassimeres, &C., at
farm houses and private residences
generally, but more especially in
remote places comply with the
license laws as do our regular mer-
chants? And are those who buy
profited by the so-called bargains
obtained ''Things are not always
what they sesmn-and, not know
ing we will not venture an opin-
ion as to the quality Of the goods
now peddled with so much energy
but, we hare knotca, since the
war, our people, many of them
most egregiously taken in" by
strangers who palmed 'shOddy''
upon them. We think all selling
goods should be placed upon a
common footing our regular cit
izen merchant should be protected
and our people should aid the law
by refusing to buy OF parties whom
they have reason to believe are
doing an illegitimate business.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

The senatorial contest in Massa-
chusetts is over, and Governor
Washburne has carried of the hon
or. He was chosen on the thirty
third ballot. The result was as fol-
lows Whole number of votes, 267;
necessary to a choice, 1874 /; VIM.
b. Washburne, Isl; Curtis, "a ;
Dawes, 26; Adams, Is; Lorin. 4 /;
Banks 4; Wendell Philips, l /;
Stephen n. Clifford, , John G..
Whittier, l.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

James Shoaff, editor of the Paris
(Ill.) Gazette, suicided on Sunday.
He had for some time past been
vigorously prc1ecuting a private
personal crusade against whiskey.
Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25

Wheat is soid to be knee high in
Alabama. How high is that?