davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09
Shepherd Letter.
Burlington Hawkeyt


lie is emphatically what the Chi
cago Times would designate "a fossil
lied relic of the party of putrid re-
miniscences." If Mr.. LETTER has one
living sentiment in harmony with the
intelligence and patriotism of the
present age it is not apparent to his
immediate neighbors and fellow citi>
zens. He is Bourbon in every sense
of the word, and no more fitted to be
elevated as the representative of the
progressive and energetic people of
Iowa than would the ghost of Chief
Justice fancy.
Mr. LETTER is 4 Virginian by nativ-
ity, and was born, not with silver
spoon, but a negro in his mouth, and
was reared and has ever since lived
upon his vencration for human slavery
and the part his ancestors took in that
iniquitous system of oppression. He
removed to Iowa in the early days OF
the Territory, and succeeded in secur-
ing to himself that political prefer
ment which the pioneer conditions of
society in that day enabled man of
his mediocre ability to reach. Mr..
LETTER was elected delegate to Con-
gress from the Territory at period
when Democracy meant slavery, and
in the days when it tried mems souls
to raise voice in opposition. Float
ing with the tide, he landed in the
House of Representatives, where he
achieved distinction rs a successful
operator in franking privileges "a
distinction which penetrated the wilds
of the west and was always held in
lively remembrance by the stage
drivers between Peoria and Burling-
ton. The old post-office in the Bar
ret House block had to sublet cellar
to stow away the frankcd documents
which LETTERS chirogarphical indus
try had sent westward to an unappre-
ciative constituency. After a brief
service in Congress-, Mr.. Letter sank
out of sight, but in 1856 he again
tloated to the surface, and upon the
slender capital of past responsibility
and the heightened character of de-
sccndant of the +. F. VS. secured a
nomination as the Democratic can
didate for Congress in the (then)
Second District OF Iowa. He was
defeated by Tom. Davis-the vote in
Des Moines county standing, Davis
81, 1865; Letter 1925.
In 1862, Nr. LETTER was Il candidate
for State Senator, and was defeated
by Hon. John G. Foote, of tins city,
now Capitol Commissioner; Foote
getting 267 majority in Burlington
and 449 majority in Des Moines
county. From 1861 to the present
time Mr.. Letter has vibrated between
his farm in Flint River township,
this city, and the Union Stock Yards
ut Chicago. After his defeat for the
Democratic nomination for Congress
in this district last fall, it was rumored
that he would remove to Chicago,
but we believe he has finally settled
down IN this city, where we doubt
not, the patriotic and intelligent vot-
ers of Iowa will permit him to re-
main.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09
FRIDAY. July Q. 1878.
REPUBLICAN STATE PLAT.
EORM.1S75.

We, the representatives Of the Republican part,
of the State Of Iowa, in convention assembled, d.
adopt the following platform of principles;
ciple Of Republican faith that the Republic is
nation, one and indivisible. within which the con
stitutional rights of the States and of the people
to local self-government must be faithfully main
tanned.
2. That we favor the early attainment OF cur
rency convertible with CON- and therefore advo
cate the gradual resumption Of specie payments
by continuous and steady steps in that direction
B. That we are in favor of tariff for revenue
90 adjusted as to encourage home industry.
4. That the earnest effort of the government t.
collect the revenue and prevent and punish fraud.
has our unqualified approval.
s.. That we are opposed to further grants Of
lands to railways or other corporations, and we de-
mand reservation of the public domain for set
Element under the homestead laws and for Other
bona fde settlers.
s. That we demand such revision of the pat
ent laws as will relieve industry from the oppres-
sion Of mOnopOes in their administration.
z. That We cordially approve the policy of the
present administration in the settlement Of diff
cnitiee between ourselves aid other nations by ar
bisration instead Of appealing to arms.
8. That the Republican party Of Iowa is oppos-
edko third term in the Presidency.
~ That we demand that all railway and other
corporations shall be held in fair and just subjec-
tion to the lawmakng power.
10. That we stand by free education. our pub
lie school system. the taxation of all for its sup
port, and no diversion of the school fund from the
public schools,
II. That our National and State administrat:o on
of public affairs has our hearty approval.
IL. That we cordially invite all who are oppos-
ed to the restoration Of the Democratic party to
power, to forget all past political differences and
unite with the Republican party in maintaining
the cause of true reform.
ID. That the persistent and tyrannical efforts
of the enemies Of the Union, by murder and in
timidation of the newly enfranehised citizens, and
the ostracisms and prescriptions Of the white Re
publicans of the South for the purpose Of render
inU mil and vOid the Constitutional Amendments
merit the condemnation Of every honest man.
That we heartily endorse the action Of President
Grant in enforcing the laws when called upon to
do so by the proper authorities of the State.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

ORRIN SAGE, ESQ. wealthy citi-
zen of Ware, Mass, for whom the
town of Usage in this State was Or
iginally named, died at his home on
the 23d Of June. Mr.. Sage had been
a most liberal benefactor to his name
sake in the way Of donations to pub
lie institutions, &c, the most con-
splcuous of his gifts being lands and
money to build and equip free pub
lie library, which should stand as a
monument to his liberality and zeal
in the cause of popular education and
morals. Upon reception of intelli'
gence of his death, by telegraph, the
people of Usage made arrangements
for a public manifestation OF Their
sorrow for the sad event. Accord
ingly on the day of Mr.. Sagc's burial
at Ware, by proclamation of the
Mayor business was entirely sus
pended at Usage, and the people as
sembled at the Congregational
church, listened to eulogies Of the
virtues of the deceased, delivered by
prominent citizens, and passed reso'
lutions expressive ofthciresteem, and
respect for his memory.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

DR. Ranney has resumed the Supcrin-
tendency of the Iowa Hospital for the In
sane at Mt. Pleasant, vice Bassett, resigned.
"A monument to the patriotic soldiers
OF Muscatne county, was unveiled at
Muscatine on Saturday. Gov. Kirkwood
was the orator of the occasion.
Three or four thousand live hogs arc
received and slaughtered weekly at the
packing house of T. NJ. Sinclair & Co at
Cedar Rapids. Right in the middle of
summer, too.
The Cedar Falls Gazette says that
MIR. Note, of that town, has realized
$500 off two lots, comprising less than
one third of an acre, of strawberries this
season.
A Cedar Falls man circumvents the
potato bugs by pulling up the potato tops
and flinging them over the fence. Wheth-
er the bugs follow or not, he cannot say,
bit he thinks the plan calculated to re-
tricvc the producer from all anxiety re-
garding his potatoes.
--Zimri Streeter, OF Cedar Falls, other
wise "Old Blackhawk," who has been
troubled some time with cancer in his
hand, has been obliged to have the dis
cased member ainputated, as we learn
from the Gazette.
The Iowa Methodist Conferences are
to be held this year rs follows: Iowa, at
keokuk, Sept. IL; Upper Iowa, at Du-
buQue, Sept. 23; Des Moines, at Indiana
Ii, Oct g. Bishop Merrill is to preside at
each of these conferences. Conferences
of I.aymen, which are held once in four
years, also meet at the same time and
places as above.
The Denison Repiew says that the
Crawford county court house is incom-
plete for lack of bell, and in the same
column complains bitterly of "a veteran
COW that roams in the neighborhood of
the editors domicil, nights, numbering
sleep" with big iron bell suspended from
her neck. We sugges. that j. Fred
have that bell placed in the court house
"A Peoria, H., woman writes to the
Prairie Farmer about the Iowa tannin
plant" to say that she knows nothing of
its value for tanning leather, but that she
does know that it is Il good honey produc-
ing plant, and that its common name is
kiss me over the garden fence" 1t is
presumed that all the farmers girls will
go to cultivating it assiduously on account
of its suggestive name, and that much
honey will result therefrom Honey sip
ped from dewy lips"
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

JUST before the Republican State
Convention the Gate City made Il
serious charge of plagiarism against
Judge w. E. Miller of the Iowa Su-
preme Court, and late candidate for
denomination. The substance of the
charge is that the lectures delivered
by Judge Miller before the law class
of the State University, in November,
1873, and published in pamphle.
form, are taken bodily-with the OK
ception Of two pages Of the thirty
two-from All article in the United
States Monthly Lac Magazine for
January, 1851. The accusation is
explicit enough, and if true is very
damaging to Judge Miller's reputa-
ton. If it is not true, and concocted
only to defeat his denomination, then
no language is strong enough to
properly execrate the author of so
foul an assault. The Gate CITY is
not among the papers that we would
suppose would make statements that
it cannot make good.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

The monthly report of the Depart
ment of Agriculture for June, con-
tains an interesting account of a SER
les of experiments conducted by
VIM. McMurtrie, chemist of the Bur-
eau, to ascertain the effect of arsenic
in the form of Paris-green when ap
piled to destroy the Colorado potato
beetle, both upon the soil and upon
the tuber. These experiments were
instituted in consequence of the fears
entertained by correspondents that
when Paris-green was applied to
crops year after year, a sufficient
quantity might accumulate in the soil
to destroy its fertility and render it
incapable of producing vegetation.
Mr.. McMurtrie's investigation was
made to determine () if arsenic ap-
piled to the soil can be absorbed in
the economy of plant growth? (2) if
absorbed and assimilated, can enough
be taken up to become injurious to
the health Of the consumers? 81 if
not taken up by the plant during
growth, does its presence in the soil
exert poisonous influence upon the
plant itself? and a. if it excrts a
poisonous influence upon the plant,
to what extent may it exist in the
soil before it becomes injurious?
1t is not necessary to go into de-
tailed description of the experiments,
or to note the process of reasoning
by which Mr.. McMurtrie arrives at
his facts. 1t is only sufficient to say
that he finds that Paris-grcen is not
absorbed and assimilatcd in the
economy Of plant growth, and conse-
quently plants treated with it do not
become prejudicial to the health of
the consumer. He finds also that
while Paris-grccn does produce an
injurious effect upon the soil, such eff
feet is not apparent upon plants UNI
til the quantity exceeds 900 pounds
per acre. So there is no possibility
that by regular application Of Paris
green in quantities sufficient to des-
troy the Colorado potato bug, the
soil can be injured. When rotation
of crops is observed, and application
of the poison is made not oftcner
than once in three or four years, the
natural solvents Of the soil together
with drainage will extirpate it.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

The lever that was used two years
ago to hoist many well-meaning Re
publicans out of the party, was the
cry of railroad oppression, and the
promise of redress by the new orga-
nization to which they gave in their
adherence. How consoling it must
be to these parties to see that their
new allies have, in two short years,
so far forgotten the grievances inn
posed by grinding monopolies, as to
ignore the subject entirely in their
platform; nay, more than this, throw
ing contempt upon the old issue by
boldly nominating a railroad attor-
ney for Supreme Judge. 1t must
add to the comfortable feelings of
those who took leave of the Republi-
can party on this and kindred issues,
to know that the old organization is
now the only one that defends the
cause of the people against monopo-
ly. 1t has no hesitation in declaring
that railroads and other corporations
must be amenable to just and healthy
legislation. Such declaration is but
consistent with the whole career of
the Republican rarty, which has ev'
cr been the champion of justice and
the foe of oppression of every sort.
Any man with particle of sense and
discernment must see that the oppo-
sition party in Iowa has fallen into
the hands of that controlling ingredi-
ent of it that has no principle but
spoils, and has ever been the refuge
of fraud and the bulwark of wrong
and oppression. He who expects re
form from a combination so control
led, is to be pitied for his infatua'
finn
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

The Bourbon organs are intensely
Disguised at their failure TO drive the
Republican party of Iowa into max
ing the temperance question an issue
of general or State politics, and still
more disturbed are they that the
Temperance Convention, at Des
Moincs, adjourned without organic
ing a Prohibition party: BY this
means they hoped to divide and con-
quer, and are not expected to feel
gratifed over the miscarriage of their
designs. The truth is, that very
large majority of the temperance men
of the State are satisfied with the
record OF the Republican party and
do not propose to antagonize 1T to1
the purpose of helping the whisky
Democracy to attain power, which il
would surely exercise in the interest
of the rum traffic.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

THERE is not much consolation for
Democracy in these words from the
Springfield Republican: cit will bo
bad for the Democracy whether they
carry Ohio or not, this year. Defeat
will be general Encouragement; vic
tory will make bourbonism and infa.
ton uncomfortable, if not fatally
rampant in their ranks. On the track
they are now, they had better be gen
orally discouraged, and as severely as
possible."
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

TIE Burlington Hapkeye says:
"We understand that Mr.. LETTER con-
templates challenging Gov. Klrkwood
to meet him in a series Of joint de-
bates, at the principal cities and
towns in this State. The letters of
challenge and acceptance will proba-
bly, appear before long"
1t would be discourteous to call
Mr.. LETTER a fool, but the above an
nouncement forcibly calls to mind
that adage: 'Fools rush in, &C.,
We predict that unless the ancient
Bourbon has stubbornly taken the
bits between his teeth, his friends
and the Democratic Central Commit
tee will dissuade him from his Quix-
otto intention of subjccting himself
to Sam. Kirkwood's sledge-hammer
logic on the stump. There would
not be enough of him left next fall
to prove that he had ever been resur-
rected from the tertiary deposits.
Apropos of this, an incident which
took place at Dcs Moines during the
session Of the Republican State Con-
vention, indicates how the Demo-
cratic managers feel about letting old
Shep. "loose on the deestric." A
prominent gentleman of Iowa City, a
Republican, just after the nomination
of Gov. Kirkwood, approached Ed.
Campbell, Chairman of the Demo-
cratic State Central Committee, and
said to him: "Nlr. Campbell, both
parties have nominated men who
make some prctcntions to oratory,
and your own candidate, Mr.. Letter,
has already announced his inten-
ton to take the stump and grind
the Republican party to pieces in
this campaign. Now cannot we
make some arrangement for joint dis
cussion by the candidates for Cover
nor" Campbell hemmed once or
twice, twitched nervously, and final
ly in harsh tone of annoyance, said:
"Look here; zoe are running our side
of this thing" OF course the gen.
tleman had no more to say, and con-
cluded that the Democratic cam
paign was to be one horse affair.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09
NEW ADVERTISEME It's.
SiIERlFF'S SALE.

10y VIRTUE of an execution issued out of an(
ID under the seal of the District Court, Of Blu
chanan county, Iowa, in favor of ii. o. Hanna, ad
minstrator of the estate of Sidney G. Adams, ant
against the goods and chattels. lands and tepe
ments Of Harry &. Cone, Whipple N. Cone, ant
Harriet +. Cune, have levied upon the following
described property, to-wit:
The south one half Of the northeast quarter o
section eight, Twp. eighty eight, range nine, west
in buchanan county, Iowa.
Which property, as above described, vii, Offe
for sale ut public auction, at the Court House, il
the city Of independence. ON Saturday, the Sis
day of July A. d., 1875 at two O'Clock, r. NJ. o.
said day. to the highest bidder to satisfy said exc
cution and costs.
GEO o. FARR, Sheriff.
d. s. LEE, ATTORNEY for Plaintiff. 2w5O
SheriR's Ohlce, Independence, June 80 1873,
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09
Items of Interest.

Gen. Roberts, the Democratic candi-
date for Governor of Maine, served his
country in the War of the Rebellion until
the second battle of Bull Run. In that
dark hour he resigned, although in full
bodily vigor: and his resignation was ac-
cepted. Gen. Selden Conner, his Rcpub-
lican competitor, entered the Amy as q
private soldier, and served through the
War.
- Washington society is stirred to its
depths, because the Japanese Minister'S
wife has little margin of exquisite native
embroidery about one of her dresses that
cannot be duplicated for money. She
cannot understand the bitter words spoken
by the other ladies, but she sees their Ell
w in their looks, and is made just as
happy.
Cant help 1t, SIR said Boston no.
tel clerk to Il Massachusetts, Senator, who
came in about midnight to get a ROOM
Cant help it, sir if you're the Vice-Pres-
ident himself Why, we've got ten gov
errors of states sleeping on dining-room
tables. thirty odd mayors sleeping around
on the parlor floors, and hundred coun-
Try eOltOrS snoring ike Tie DullS Oh DaSilan
on the back stairs."-N Y. Com. Aduer-
ttser.
One of the South Carolina soldiers in
Boston, drinking with some friends the
day after the Bunker Hill centennial, ex-
hibited IA marked interest in the entrance
Of a stranger and eyed him closely. Soon
the Carolinian asked him if he knew him.
No" "Were you not in the war;"
eyes" "And you were once stationed at
such place." yes" "And took part
thought So" said the Southerner, lifting
his hat and disclosing large scar on his
forehead, there is your saber mark, my
boy. Come up and take drink" And
then wounder and wounded took centen-
NAL cocktail.-Neao York Tribune
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

SCHUYLER CoLFAx, in his letter to
Edward Russell, Esq, of Davenport,
has these good words to say Of the
Episcopal Bishop elect, DR.. Eccle~
ton: 81 am not an Episcopalian, and
! believe you are not; but having
known the Bishop-elect, can say to
you that if he changes his residence
to Iowa, that noble State will, when
her people know him, be glad that
his field of labor is amongst them,
those whose membership may be with
other churches"
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

H. G. VAN LEUvEN writes to the
Dubuque Herald that r. Hubbard,
of McGregor, the newly appointed
p. NJ, assaulted the former recently.
We join in the universal regret that
Hubbard's fist was not Il pile driver.
-Ce0ar Falls Gazette.
What is the appropriateness OF a
pile driver to demolish a pumpkin.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

It's all very well for party of eminent
citizens to so down to Lyme to sec seine
drawn for shad, but when they come back
and give you big fish and you have it
nicely cooked, and then you find that it is
stuffed full of sinkers and old iron, and
pieces of flannel drawers and old leather
and things-wliy, then, you begin to think
that if the world isn't hollow, it's whitfield
out pretty thin.-Norvick Bullstin.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

THE Xa,cheye suggests that as
Iowa Democrats seem in need of a
policy, they take out one in some ac-
cidental insurance company, as that
sort of "policy'' will doubtless be
in demand by our Democratic friends
between now and the next election.
- Waterloo Courier.
They would, but the accidental
companies are not taking reckless
risks this wear.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09
Oh My, how Sweot!

Jefferson Davis had his hands kiss.
ed by two fair enthusiasts on rail
road train in the South, and a Loulsi'
ana paper says that thereupon "the
Confederate chieftain touched, with
lips which have spoken words OF
stern command amid the fire Of bat.
tie, the soft, white hands that lay like
snow-drops in his own, while to the
fair ones cheeks the blush roses stole
and mingled with the lilies there .
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

HERE'S rough experience for the
What-ls-It party. Their candidate
for Superintendent of Public Instruct
ion, Mr.. A. r. Wright, of Sioux City,
refused to run, and worse still, puts
his dcclination on the ground that
s'the educational interests of the State
would be better subserved by the re-
election of Alonzo Abernethy."
Verify, it was some monstrous mis-
take that mixed up so sensible man
as Mr.. Wright in that crazy crowd.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

THE New York World, the lead
ing Democratic paper in the country,
says of the financial plank of the
Iowa Democratic platform:
1t is not worth while to discuss a
fiscal policy founded upon such ig-
norance, and fabricated with such
absurd incoherence.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09
THE Conservative implicitly con,

THE Conservative implicitly con-
fesses that it cannot define what the
anonymous party is, and then makes
an attempt to tell what 1t is not.
This may be comprised in few
words. 1t is not honest, or trust
worthy; furthermore it is not going
to come within 10000 votes of a ma
iority.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

DURING the three weeks that the
St. Louis Times was in the hands of
its creditors, under execution, it Wig
orously denounced the Whiskey
Ring, an exhibition of honest princi-
pie unparalleled in its previous his
tory. With Hutchins at the helm
again, however, the Times don't
want the honest interval counted in
its record. What enhancement of
political morality and independence
might cnsuc if every Democratic
newspaper was seized by the Sheriff.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

THERE is one thing that the Du-
buque Herald never loses faith in,
and that is the Ignorance Of its read
ers. One of it's latest efforts is to
prove that Gov. Kirkwood is not
popular in Iowa, and especially in
his own home, the proof being its
own unsupported averment. We
may naturally expect that the Herld's
next raid upon the credulity of the
public will be embodied in the state
ment that Shep. LETTER was the au-
thor of the Declaration of Independ-
ence, and commander of the Ameri-
can forces in the Revolution. The
theory would be chonolosically
plausible.
Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-09

The Supreme Court of Iowa has de-
cided that his personal recognizance is all
that committing magistrate has the
right to demand of u witness in criminal
case as security for his appearance to tes-
THY.