davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-27

The MCKEE PIATT AFFAIR. Mr. john j.
Piatt writes as follows concerning this affair."
''rbe account given in the Washington Star
this evening of the personal difficulty between
the Hon. Mr.. Mckee and myself contains one
or two errors which wish to correct. | was
not editor pro tempore or otherwise OF the
Capital. am not, and never have been. con-
nected with the paper, nor do Lapprove of its
course. | was requested BY my cousin, COL
Dom Piatt, to read certain proofs during his
absence, and this | did. When Mr. Mckee
called upon me was lying back in my chair
quite ill, as that gentlemen must have observ-
ed-too ill. indeed, to get up, which is my
habit TO do when a member of Congress or
stranger enters the library of which | have
charge. The conversation may have occurred,
but the blow in the face and the swollen lip
are imaginary. There was flourish of stick
large enough to fell an OK, and this, with the
exhibition Of handle Of pistol, was quite
enough to leave me in doubt as to everything
except the vanishing back of the indignant
gentleman. 1t was too sudden for an assault
and too demoDstrative for an iDsult. Had MIR.
Mckee asked me quietly and kindly, should
have been pleased to give him any proper off,
clal information In my possession. l have
striven to do my duty as Librarian of the House,
without mingling in any personal or political
differences. Finally, desire to say (for dis
like to appear in public in this manner or to
drag any other man unnecessarily before the
public that if Mr. Mckee is willing to let the
matter rect, am sure am.
Very respectfully, JOHN j. PIATT.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-27

TIE FREEDMEN BANK.-The Washington
correspondent of the Baltimore American says:
s.Since the publication of reports showing the
condition of the Freedmen's Bank, the tact mas
come out that number Of the largest loans
made On District securities and numerous others
to persons holding close relation to the District
ring have been the chiefcause of its embarrass-
mept 1t was the full understanding OF the
bank officers that many of the loans should be
taken up when Congress made its last appro-
priation, but the promises were not kept
though other banks here, similarly situated
were helped out of the same difficulties The
explanation given by those who have attempt
ed to prevent the publication Of the facts re-
garding the real condition of the bank is that
they hoped that under the new officers its mis-
fortunes might be retrieved. On the other
hand, those urging the publication asserted a
purpose to protect the class that continues Its
deposits
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-27

The GRAND JURY LAw.-The General AS
semby has passed the following bill in relation
to grand juries:
/. Be it enacted by the General Assembly,
That sections and of chapter 200 Of the
Code of 1873, as amended by an ac entitled
IAN act to amend and reenact sections /, 2, 8,
4, 5, and 9 Of the 20Uth chapter Of the Code of
1878, 10 relation to grand juries, ''' approved
March 9th, 1874 be amended an re-enacted
so as to read as follows
Il. There shall be grand jury at each re-
gular term of the Circuit Court, and at any
special term thereof and at any term of a cor
poration court, upon the order OF such court,
or the judge thereof IN vacation; and authority
is also hereby given to the said Circuit and Cor
poration Courts, during any term. to order the
empanueling of grand jures for such term.
70. 1t shall be the duty of the clerk of the
corporation court, at least five days before the
terms of the corporation courts designated un-
der the first section Of this act, and of the
clerk OF the circuit court, at least FIVE days be-
fore the regular terms thereof, or on order Of
the judge thereof, 10 vacation, at any time be-
fore a special term, or upon the order Of said
corporation or circuit court, at any time to
place In the hands of the officer Of such court
lists of the grand jurors selected by lot as pro-
yided in the previous section, made off by
townships or wards, as the case may be, &C.
cording to the place Of residence of the several
grand jurors, and embracing sufficient num-
Der of such persons to form such grand jury;
aud it shall thereupon be the duty of such Of
icer TO summon the persons mentioned in such
lists to attend on the first day of the regular or
specinl terms of said courts, or on the day des-
ignated 10 the order of the court.
q This act shall be 10 force from its passage.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-27

Tax ON RAILROADS. The bill taxing rail.
roads, canals, &C., has passed both houses OF
the Legislature. 1t provides that on the real
and personal property of every railroad there
shall be tax of so cts. on every one hundred
dollars Of the value thereof, estimating the said
value at not less than sl2, 600 per mile for each
mile of the completed road bed within the
State.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-27
ALEXANDRIA, VA.
MONDAY, APRIL q, 1874.

THE WEATHER. The Baltimore American
says: s.Che weather in this latitude yesterday
was tolerably pleasant, but storm OF snow
sleet and rain, accompanied BY heavy gaze
from the east and northwest, prevailed through,
ont the New England States. The 500" iei'
from an inch to foot in depth. At Rockand
Maine, the gale was the severest experienced
: there for years, and resulted in much damage
60 the shipping which was unprepared lot IT,
Six or seven vessels are reported ashore. "a
wind aud rain storm passed over Phllade'phia
Yesterday, causing considerable damage. Two
houses in course of construction on MIND
street :; between Seventh and Eighth streets
were blown down, and also house IN Frank
ford. Before daylight yesterday morning twelve
canal boats broke from their tastenlngs above
the wire bridge, and were blown upon the piers
of the Chestnut and South street bridges One
of the boats STAYED hole IN brig. Inc cana'
boats were secured without much damage
The piers of the bridges were slightly injured.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

APPLETON IS having some fun with the
railroad, as witness the following from
last Thursdays issue of the Post:
Last Sunday, force of thirty or forty
men were engaged in tearing up the
Wisconsin Central Railroad track, be-
tween this city and Menasha. It would
seem that this is q matter which demands
some attention from the people, as it is
a proceeding IN utter defiance of law
Last winter a bill was introduced to
the legislature of this state asking the
privilege of removing the iron from this
track for tie purpose, as was stated of
using 1t to connect Appleton and Mena-
sha by 8 different route. Our represen-.
tatiye, Major Richmond, offered an
amendment to the bill to the effect that
the iron should not be removed until the
new road bed should be completed. The
advocates Of the company's interests re-
fused to accept this amendment which
showed clearly enough that they were
not sincere in the overtrlres which they
made. And failing in this effort the
company has now proceeded in defiance
Of law TO remove the iron from this road
bed. And by doing the work on Sunday
they hope to escape the legal penalty
which would otherwise follow their I'M
lawful proceeding.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

In Quebec the other day a defaulter
from France was arrested lust as he
landed from shipboard His story is
peculiar. 4 German by birth, he was
employed in the Paris house Of an
extensive Anglo-French firm of bankers,
and though young in years and Younger
IN appearance, he possessed the entire
confidence Of the house, was it's princi-
pal representative in the absence of the
firm, and was even authorized, so Who'll
ly was he trusted, to sign its name. His
habits We're exemplary, and In every way
he was worthy Of this trust until some
years ago, when he met q pretty young
woman, Of superior education and in
ferior morals. To crafty her expensive
tastes he speedily disposed of his own
stock of savings, and then madly plung-
his horse won, and in a very short time
he was the pOssessor Of some $50, 900
obtained IN this way. Then he COM
menced dual life. Maintaining his old
bachelor ouaTters, modestly furnished,
he appears ] at the office in his custom
airy garb. But upon retired avenue
he established pretty house, in which
mann 'sele was enthroned: surrounded
AlAi1ASS-A N~&Al AlOISSS tiiilt SERVANTS wore
fashionable clothes, and assumed for
eign name. As he spoke English excel
entity, the neighbors supposed him
wealthy nobleman from the island. There
came q change in his fortunes. Come
lightly. Is the proverb, and money made
on the race-course and at the gaming
table was lost in the same way. Then,
to preserve his state and please mann sell
le, he commenced to steal from his en-
piOyers. He kept it up for three years,
his statements as 10 the condition OF the
business being accepted without ques-
ton. Finally one of the firm arrived
and proposed TO look into the young
mans bookkeeping. The game could
be no longer played, and, Selling $780,
600 IN bank notes he hurried over to
London, thence TO America. It was in
tended that the girl should accompany
him, but she, woman-like, fingered too
long over her trunks, and failed to take
the same boat. Before she could pro
ceed on the next she was taken by the
police, with several thousand francs in
her purse.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

THERE viii be a Democratic Niger
in the next House OF Representatives.
What is the world coming to?
IT is reported that the President ia
vors the re-enactment OF the law pro-
viding that each new Congress shall
meet on the 9Th Of March.
TIE dispatch to the effect that the
president had written to Minister Wash
b1rne, requesting him to return TO this
country and take a cabinet position, is
confirmed, and Elihu is expected back
in the spring.
TIE latest thing in the line Of tickets
Tor 1876 IS For President, Elihu B.
Washburne, Of Illinois for Vice Presi-
dent, Marshall Jewell, of Connecticut.
The above IS said to be after Grants
OWL heart.
The Erie railway has contracted to
pay its new president $40, 900 year for
ten years services, but If he should be
oIsted before the end Of that term, he
can collect the whole amount Of his sal
ary for the full term Of ten years.
4 CIRCULAR has been issued calling
convention Of Congressman in favor of
an expansion of the currency and OPP
posed 10 immediate resumption, to meet
in Indianapolis about the LIST OF Deem
Der. Both old and new Congressman
are included.
IT is thought that Mr.. Grant will take
ground against the passage Of the civil
rights bill in its present shape. While
he is in favor of guaranteeing all men,
white and black, in the possession of all
legal rights, he is opposed to any inter-
ference in their social relations.
AMERICANS in Syria have been insulted
and Minister Boxer has demanded of
Turkey full satisfaction. The grand
viz;er has promised to attend to the case
as soon as he hears from the governor of
Syria. He declares that the stars and
stripes must be respected even by fol-
lowers Of the prophet
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

THIS is the day upon which, by APP
pointment of the President and the
Governor of our State, the people are
requested to give thanks for the bles-
sings bestowed upon them as nation
during the past year. And much there
is which should call forth grateful
acknowledgement. We have been
blessed with peace, bountiful harvests,
the absense of pestilence /; and while
there are in neighboring States fellow
men suffering for the necessaries of life
whose crops have been devoured by
the grasshopper plague while in the
East scores of laboring men and their
families are struggling with all their
might to keep the wolf from the door
yet, upon the whole, there is good cause
for thankfulness. And while we who
are surrounded by friends and the COM
forts Of life, sit down to our Thanksgiv-
ing dinner, let us remember those whose
lot in life is harder than ours let Us re-
member and do for those around us who
lie upon a couch of pain, whose cir
cumstances are such that to ask them to
give thanks would be presUming greatly
upon their faith in the Great Giver, and
by our action as individuals alleviate
their suffferings. There are those in this
city who need such assistance. There
are poor widows and orphans whose
dinner upon this day consists OF perhaps
crust. Think of them and if there be
in your neighborhood such ones, see to
it that their present wants at least are
supplied, and give them occasion TO be
thankful that their lot was cast among
a community whose heart and purse is
open to the needy. ''The poor are
always with YOU is a truth which should
never be lost sight of.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26
National Thanks giving.
by tie President Of the United States:

Hy TIE President Of the United States:
am reminded by the changing season that
Il Is time to pause in our daily vacations and
offer thanks to Almighty God for the mercies
and abundance of the year which is drawing to
close. The blessings of free government con-
-tinue TO be youchsafed. The earth has respond
ed to the labor of the husbandman. The land
haa been free from peStilence, internal order is
maintained and peace with other powers has
prevailed. 1t is fitting that at stated periods
we should cease from our accustomed pursuits
and from the turmoil OF our daily lives and
sgnite in thankfulnes5 for the blessings of the
past and the cultivation of kindly feelings to-
ward each other.
Now, therefore, recognizing these considers
eions, |, u. S. Grant, President Of the United
~states do recommend to ali citizens to assemble
IN their respective places of worship Thursday
the 26th of November next, and express their
thanks for the mercy and favor OF Almighty
God, and laying aside all political contentious
end all secular occupations to observe such a
Day day of Thanksgiving and praise
In witness whereof | have hereuntO set my
i.snd and caused the seal of the United States
he affixed.
Done at the City of Washington on the Goth
day Of October. 1874, and of the independence
OF tho United States the 9Sth year. (Signed:
u. S. GRANT.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

Our readers, without doubt, remember
the female forger, Mrs. Sarah j. Van
Vhet, arrested for swindling the Wiscon-
SIN Marine and Fire Insurance Co. 8
bank out of 5000, by ''raising" a check,
and sentenced to States Prison, by
Judge Mallory on the 21st OF July,
1873, for two years confinement, on one
count-four others being untouched.
The woman is one of the most notorious
criminals of the day, having been invol-
we'd In crime for years in fact, her pho
tograph now hangs in the s'Rogues
Gallery at the Police Station.
Well, Gov. Taylor, with his immence
amount of clemency, has pardoned this
female, and let her out on society again.
She is, to use the expression, smarter
than chaln-lightning,'' and we haven't
the remotegt. doubt that somebody will
find it out shortly, to his disadvantage.
Mrs Van Vliet made an unsuccessful
endeavor to have her photograph reno
we'd from the Rogues' Gallery, a few days
ago-just sitter her pardon. The officers
however, know her somewhat too well to
be deceived
We can't predict the next pardon
The Governor has about a year left
plenty of time to clean out the entire
prison. Wisconsin.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

Ajax PoxoN lives near Buffalo, and is
rich. Lately he was drawn on jury in
that city, and this is how he turned the
event, usually considered misfortune,
to actual profit The pay was s1.50
a day for four weeks, aggregating Ss36.
He found lodgings at Is cents a night
with poor and dirty family, the total
bill being $4.2O. He bought a tin pail
for 90 cents more, and here his expen-
diture ended. How did he. eat? Every
morning he went to free soup-house,
established for the feeding of news boys
and bootblacks, and had his tin pail
filed. Clear profit for the month, S31.
so. Ajax Poxon is a self-nlade man.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

News from Jamaica has been received
at Washington of enormous damages all
over the island by hurricanes of Oct. 81
and November l and 2. It swept the
parishes of st. Thomas, East Kingston.
St. David's, st. AIMS, Clarendon, Man
chester, Portland and Trelawney. The
sugar was all blown down. The river
rose six feet higher than ever known be-
fore. The coffee and pimento crops in
Trelawney and ST. AIMS were seriously
injured Enormous 1and-slides occurred
The roads and river sources were blocked
with huge trees. Iron bridges were
bent, and cattle and horses driven to
sea.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

THE people of Wisconsin decided by
a very large majority, at the last election
that hereafter no town, city or county il
this State shall borrow money or lend
It's credit, TO any corporation, or incur q
debt, for any purpose whatsoever, e1-
ceeding five per cent. Of the total valu-
alton Of real and personal property with
IN said town, city or county. We con-
slider this the wisest safeguard ever put
into constitution against heavy local
liabilities. Had this been q provision
IL the constitution OF Wisconsin twenty
years ago, Milwaukee, Fond du Lac,
Watertown, Kenosha, Beloit, Racine,
Mineral Point, Sheboygan, Geneva, and
other towns would not be groaning under
heavy debts incurred injudiciously to
expedite the construction of some rail
road but it is better late than never,
and we are learning a wise experience
from the bitter past. And now every
person who comes into our State to re-
side viii be assured that the town, CITY
or county cannot be bankrGpted by
loans recklessly or iniudic1ously voted
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

THE New York Herald says that the
mystery regarding the supposed death
and resuscitation of little Bertha Miller,
at Yonkers, n. Y, is not yet solved. The
child, after her removal from the ice,
showed signs of life, the blood still cir
culates to limited extent, and the beat
ing of the heart is perceptible, but phys
icians have been unable to restore her
to consciousness. The body, which has
now been partially inanimate for six
days, lies coffined, awaiting the decision
of the doctors. There are no signs of
decomposition. It is understood when
the child was only two years old, re-
manned in similar state of apparently
suspended aninimation for nine consecu-
tive days.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

A case has recently come 10 light in
Baden. Germany. IN illustration of one
OF the odious laws of that country. An
English woman, while temporarily So
journing there with her children, incur
red a debt of so, failed to receive expec-
ted renlittanees from her husband, and
was thown into prison for the debt, and
her children left to the cruel mercies
of the class that prosecuted her.
Yet that country does not imprison for
debt its own citizens. Suppose this
country were to inaugurate a similar
system Of special oppression for foreign
erS
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

Last Sunday force of men were
employed in tearing up the track of the
Wisconsin General Railroad between
Menasha and Appleton. The reason Of
this strange procedure is only to be CUES
sed at. The .citizens of Appleton of
course feel wronged, but as the work
legal redress. The only cause we can
assign for this act is this: When the
track was laid the Central COMPANY
were looking for connection with the
Manltowoc Road, but not getting this,
and leasing the Milwaukee and Northern
instead, they have little or no use for i.
4on can't most always tell what these
railroads are going TO do.-Neeaah Gaz.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

Fun official returns of the Eighth
Wisconsin Congressional District give
McDill, Republican, 9,444, and Cate,
Beformer, 6, AS. This does not include
the vote of the First Ward OF the city of
Grand Rapids, nor that OF the town of
Lincoln, Wood County, which gave ma
iorities for AfcDin. The rejection OF
these precincts will be investigated
NeDill is fairly elected and will doubt
less receive the certificate.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

The Postnaster-General is about to
make a further reduction in the special
agency force of the Post Office Depart-
ment- The number of the present force
is forty-nine. Ii is to be reduced to
thirty. With these reductions a differ
ent system of operations will be inaugu-
rated. One agent viii be assigned to
each of the principal cities. The remain
der viii be stationed at Washington, to
be detailed for special duty as the neoes-
sites of the service may require.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

TIE President don't propose to inter
fere ii Arkansas Smiths behalf, and
that carpet bagger's goose is about
cooked
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

GENrEEL smuggling is what ais the
New York importers. They claim that
thousands OF Americans go abroad yearly
and bring back as wardrobe kid gloves,
Iaces, cloaks, silks and other articles
upon which the duty is heavy, thus de-
fraudlng the government of the revenue
and depriving the importers of the sale
OF Just the quantity OF goods that is pur-
chased abroad. There is no question
but that this species of smuggling is car
RED on TO a great extent, bnt there is no
legitimate means Of checking Il.