davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09
TEMPERATURE
AS REPORTED BY FERGUSON & scHNACK
Happy Yet.

There is perfect let down in the
steamboat line in the Red river trade,
one so marked and so remarkable
that we stagger at the cause. There
are actually less boats at the present
time, than at any time since 1886,
plying their vocation in our river,
that we are appalled, at the fact and
would like some light on the dark
picture. Four steamers, the G. II.
Durfee, Maria Louise, Lotus No. 8.
and Col. A. P. Kouns, all stern-wheel-
ers, make up the sum total of ton
mage plying between New Orleans
and Shreveport. What falling off,
what decadance in our hitherto
great trade, our hitherto fine feet of
Packets, -wheelers and stern
wheelersp Just noy it is too much
sad trouble for us to inquire into the
cause, for we merely have the will
and spare time to congratulate our
people here on the important reality,
that they have amid all this dearth of
boats, a packet, side-wheeler, a
Bart. Able. in their trade. Surely
this should be pride, a pleasant
remembrance to plant on, to boast of
and to cherish, that we should not
have failed, like our brethren in the
upper trade, in the steamboat line,
but can still blow our horn through
the columns of the Democrat, that
we yet bask in the steamboat sun
shine of the halcyon days Of the De
Soto, Cora, Saxon, Dalmau, Kimball,
Rapides and the two Piotas! People
of Rapides, think on this blessing
and Irvine fresh wreaths of support
and sustenance to your Bart. Able.
and her owners.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09
Our Agents.
ALEXANDRIA,, La;
TO NEW SUBSCRIBERS

OUR FRIENDS and subscribers will be
pleased to hear that we have perfected
arrangements with the publishers of
the INDUSTRIAL RECORD of St.
Louis, whereby we are enabled to fur
nish the DEMOCRAT and the INDUS
TRIAL RECORD, (both weekly) for
the low price Of $3.50. We make this
offer for the purpose of largely increas-
ing our circulation. Those who have
been in the habit of subscribing for
foreign paper instead of that published
in their own Parish, can now have both
for the price of one. The INDUSTRI-
AL RECORD is an Agricultural, Me-
ehanical and Family Newspaper, of six
teen pages, full of choice reading, mar
ket reports, &c., costing alone $3.50 per
annum. We want the subscription OF
every farmer, merchant and mechanic
in the Parish for this Splendid Offer
NOW IS JUST THE TIME TO BEGIN.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

The District Court adjourned
sine die on Saturday, having sit the
entire number of days allotted by
law, and keeping the Jury on hand
the whole of that time. This last act
of the Courts inexcusable freak is
unprecedented, and never occurred
here before. All the Jury cases
could and should have been tried in
side of ten days, thus doing the right
thing and saving the Parish many a
dollar, but perhaps Others should
bear a part Of this blame, and helped
the Court in this 'deadbeat'' process
of bleeding the Parish purse, there
fore, we had better bring the Courts
obituary to a stop right here.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

-JAcKsoS's Magic Balsam, the
Great Master Of Pain, which cures
headache IN five minutes, and many
other ills to which human flesh is
heir to, can be had for the present at
the Post Office, and is well deserving
Of fair trial.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

The Republicans of Ohio have
nominated General R. B. Hayes as
their candidate for Governor. The
Democrats will trot out old s'Rise Up
Bill Allen" the invincible, who will
put Hayes through in good, double
quick, democratic time.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

SO far as newspaper sentiment indi-
Gates anything, the Honorable. NJ. C.
Kerr, Of Indiana, stands the best chance
OF being the next Speaker of the House
of Representatives. Whether the DEM
ocratic majority in Congress takes
similar view is very different ques-
ton. Meanwhile Mr.. Kerr shows great
fitness for the position by strenuously
refusing to better his chances by giving
pledges Of any kind.-[New York
Tribune.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

The CRoPs.-From all quarters,
from all sources, we continue to re-
ceive good and encouraging reports
from the growing crops ofthe Parish
Several genial and desired showers OF
rain have added to the good, pros
poets of the past week, and the con-
tinusd good work of the laborers
have tended to increase these good
prospects and keep them well up to
work and clean of grass. We reiter-
ate what we pleasingly asserted in
our last, the signs are propitions and
unerring for the biggest yield and
harvest in Rapides since the sur
render.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

COLONEL D. F. BoYD, our former
well known and esteemed fellow Par
ishioner, is about to shake the dust
of America from his heels and HE to
a foreign land, to grapple with this
hard world. He has resigned his
position at the State Seminary and
goes to Egypt, where many Confede-
rates have preceded him. He has
been appointed Superintendent of the
Government Military School by the
Khedive, has accepted it, and, ere
this, is on his way there. Colonel
Lockett, who was here with him at
the Seminary, has also received some
military appointment, and leaves us
too. Success, ample success, attend
them both.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

THE Mississippi Democrats are go
ing to introduce new feature into
their State Convention, which they
have decided to hold on August 8.
They have invited Senator Thurman, Of
Ohio, Governor Hendricks, Of fndfansS
and Congressman B. H. Hill, of Geor-
gia, to be present and deliver addresses.
They hope to awake enthusiasm enough
to enable them to carry the State.--lN.
Y. Tribune.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

"A. J. ALEXANDER, Of the great
WOODBURY. Farm, in Kentucky, sold
on the Goth of May, two of his valu-
able short-horn cattle to Mr.. Fox, of
England, viz; The Twenty-fourth
Duke of Andre and the Twentieth
Duchess Of Andre, at $4,000 for
the pair.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

u 81 f. -
HAY AGAIN There are two pro-
verbs that sum up a fundamental law.
ofnature, and which are contained in
the familiar and homely adage, "You
can't make a whistle out of pigs
TAIL" or, as it runs in Freueh;, s.Yon
can't make a silk purse out Of sow's
ear" But Hay, good Hay, can DO
made in Rapides, and is made right
here in brickbat throw of our Sane
tum, and COTE is the man who has
gone and done that very thing. At
his grand Depot you can purchase
cheap, very cheap, any quantity of
the best, purest and sweetest Hay ev-
er cured under Southern sky. We
think every man here owes it to HIM
self and his stock to patronize homo
feed, if not for interest, self interest,
at least for the sake Of meriting the
poets couplet:
"Who does the best his circumstance
allows,
Does we'll; acts nobly, angels could no
more"
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

Our Pineville friends are to have
charity entertainment, on the 18th
inst, aud specially desire the compa-
ny Of the Alexandria good folks
Their programme elsewhere publish
cd, speaks for itself.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

--GAIoprS, the French horse, won
the English Derby at Epson on the
18th Of May, at the ninety fifth Of
the Derby stakes. There were 223
entries, Of which only Is started.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

-Hor weather and stagnation in
all branches of business, which have
settled on us here, do not seem to
touch harshly the live firm Of Fergu-
son s schnack. They are pursuing
the even tenor Of their ways in their
usual ayocation, and yet court the
public's favors on the same Score Of
continued additions to their already
varied stock of varieties.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09
"A. 1 do not.

Horace Reed sworn
@. Do you know the meaning Of
plaintiff and defendant?
a. I suppose the meaning ofplain-
tiff and defendant is criminals, and
they call defendants name first.
@. Do you know the meaning Of
the word verdict?
A. A verdict is I suppose man
guilty of a crime, wants me to save
him or to sink him.
@. Do you know the meaning Of
homicide?
"A. I don't know.
G. Do you know the meaning Of
larceny3
A. I don't know.
@. Do you know the meaning Of
capital punishment?
A. Capital punishment is if man
does crime they would rather than
kill HIM punish him.
G. Do you know the meaning Of a
qualified verdict in a case Of MUIR
,der2
A. It is if a man don't want to kill
another man, rather than to kill him
he makes ii up.
Q. Do you believe in spirits and
ghosts9
A. Suppose man has got no bus
mess in the world unless he believes
in ghosts. Ghosts have talked with
me. I believe we ought to do what
spirits tell US.
@. If you were on Jury and a
spirit were to tell.you to render GER
tain verdict, would you do so?
A. If 1 was on a Jury and the spir-
it was to tell me the person was
guilty I would have to believe it and
bring in that kind of a verdict.
@. How many Jurors does it, take
to agree on verdict?
A. l think all twelve in a Jury
must agree to bring verdict.
Alfred Neil sworn
@, Can you read and write?
A. No.
@ What is the meaning of the
word defendant?
A. Defendant is bringing in a
straight report.
@. What is the meaning of YER
dict?
A. Verdict is to bring in man
guilty or he amt.
Q. What is the meaning of indict-
ment?
A. Indictment is to bring in a
straight report.
@. What is the meaning Of homf.
cipe?
A. I don't understand homicide.
@. What is qualified verdict in a
case of murder?
A. 1t is their being qualified with
one another.
@. What is required Of Jury to
bring in q verdict?
A. What is required Of me is to
bring in straight report.
Counsel for defence here reads in
dictment to Juror and asks:
G, What is the meaning Of indict-
ment?
A. l understand indictment to
mean if he done murder to say so; if
not, not to say so.
Q. Do you believe in spirits and
ghosts?
A. I believe in ghosts. Spirits
have talked to me. There is good
and bad spirits. I can tell the differ
ence between them. IT. you do bad a
bad spirit leads you; if good, a good
spirit.
Q. If you were on a Jury and a
spirit was to tell you q certain man
was guilty, what would you do?
A. If was on a Jury and a spirit
was to tell me a man was guilty
would find him SO.
Jerry Grimes sworn
I can't read and write; can't tell
what plaintiff and defendants are;
can't tell what verdict Isl; can't tell
what homicide is; can't tell what
capital punishment is; CAN'T tell
what a qualified verdict is; can't tell
what Indictment is. ] believe in
spirits; there is good and bad ones;
a good spirit talks to me and n had
spirit. If | was on a Jury l would
do as a good spirit told me. I would
have to yield to that.
---~>~~o~..-0~..>~~~>~
Colonel D. F. BoYD, our former
we'll known and esteemed fellow Par
ishioner, is about to shake the dus,
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

-THE Court moved up to classic
Colfax, and opened the Spring term
in course for all of the Parish of
Grant, on Monday. The District
Attorney and some Of our lawyers
are in attendance.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

-THE obliging clerks of the Bart.
Able supplied our Office with usual
late papers.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

-CoRN is selling in Town at one
dollar and twenty cents per bushel,
foreign corn at that and scarce in the
bargain. Not much self-sustaining
principle in this and mighty little
knowledge learned by dear bought
experience. Still some folks swear
we are on the road Of progress.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

Mrs. LINCOLN, the widow Of the
late lamented, has been interdicted
and sent to q lunatic asylum.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

The cotton crop is nearly as
sured in our Parish, and planters
must turn their attention to repair
ing their gin houses and other neces-
sary buildings, and above all needfuls
a good cotton gin is the most useful
and indispensable necessity wanted
by them. Knowing this we recon-
mend them to the Agency here of
Pratt's famed Cotton Gins, of which
j. A. Williams is the sole Agent.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09
THE FAIR ASSOCIATION.
The stockholders of the Fair Asso

The stockholders of the Fair Asso-
citation assembled together at called
business meeting, at the Town Hall,
on last Saturday, and the same eve
ming a meeting of the Board OF d.
rectors was held. AS we are true
friends and strong advocates OF that
Association, we think just at this
time resume of these meetings will
not be ill-timed, but on the contrary,
be of material interest to the commu-
nifty of Rapides, and the people OF
Louisiana at large.
AS we have before stated, we now
start out with the strong financial
fact, that the soundness of the Asso-
citation is beyond question, only ow-
ing 1880, and having due them by
it's stockholders the sum of $4,000.
All these latter gentlemen have to do
is to pay up each fifty cents on the
dollar of their dues, and the Associa-
lion starts out, on the 5th of October
next, with a clean slate. By q vote
of the stockholders the capital stock
of the Association has been advanced
from one thousand to two thousand
shares, which gives fine chance to
those of our people who thus far have
been dormant in the good home cause
to now come forward and add their
mite to the enhancement of merited
institution.
The first Tuesday in next October,
being the 9Th Of the month, has been
fixed upon as commencement day OF
the Third Annual Grand Fair and
Races of the Association, closing on
the 9th of the same month, making
five full days the exhibition will last.
One thousand dollars in Premiums
and one thousand dollars in Purses
will be given and hung up as in the
old days of the Rapides Racing Asso.
citation, every dollar of which has
been arranged and raised. A Grand
Calico Ball will be given on Friday
night of the week, at the Fair
Grounds, feature which passed of
with so much ecldt at the last meet
ing. We desire our people who ia
vor such enterprises as the Fair AS.
ISOLATION, to remember that it is q
home institution, an agricultural un-
dertaking, fostering and protecting
the true instincts Of Rapides, and
that every one should smile in its ia.
vor, in it's behalf, and more than once.
between this and the 9Th of October
we shall punch their dormant ener-
gles in behalf of what we know to be
good and believe to be right, in the
grand efforts of the Directors to re.
deem Rapides from the sloth Of des,
pond in which we have all permitted
her to fall and linger.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

The Lotus, on her down trip.
left US a late Daily Shreveport Times,
for which thanks.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09
THE NEGRO As A JUROR.

cleS OIL EvafCS ana the OLler great
lawyers engaged in that cause
Whilst all this has been going on,
our District Court, that is the Court
which has been fastened on us, has
been in session here for a full month,
and whilst it's obscenity may not be
equal to the Brooklyn concern, its
stupidity, ignorance and bear garden
propensities have. been as patent and
as glaring as any deadfall, ever re-
corded in ignorance's doings.
AS little side show to the great
Scandal Court" and as a poster to
far off people who believe in the in
telligence of the negro "down South"
we place on record a verbatins report
of questions and answers taken down
by our reporter few days since, in
the trial Of the estate VS.. Andrew
Lewis, colored," for murder. Seve-
raj negroes, whose names we give,
were summoned as Jurors, and were
sworn on their pov dire before being
accepted or excused, and the follow
ing are the true and exact questions
and answers, to which we call the
particular attention of the more in
telligent Journals ofthe North, more
particularly those Of the Republican
Party:
Dallas Mitchell sworn:
@. What is your age?-
A. Twenty-Five.
@. Can you read or writer
A. I cannot.
@. Do you know meaning Of words
plaintiff and defendant
A. No.
Q. Do you know meaning of word
verdict?
A. ] suppose that means if Jury
finds prisoner guilty or not guilty.
@. What is the meaning of word
homicide?
A. I don't understand it.
@. Do you believe in spirits?-
A. No.
Q. Do you know meaning Of word
prosecution
A. I suppose if man lis found
guilty of a crime, that is the mean
ing.
@. What is an indictment?
A. I understand that to be the ev-
idence given in for the prisoner.
Joe Howard sworn
Q. Can you read and write?
A. No.
@. What is the meaning of words
plaintiff and defendant
A. / don't know.
Q. What is the meaning of verdict?
A. / don't know.
@. What is the meaning of word
homicide?
A. / don't know.
Q. Can a verdict be rendered by
Jury unless unanimous-can ma
jority render one?
A. ! don't know
G. Is there any difference between
Unsuitable homicide and homicide
without cause?
A. I can't tell.
Q. Do you believe in spirits and
ghosts? /
A. O, yes!
@. Do you believe there is two
kinds, good and bad?
A. / can't answer.
@. If spirit told you to render a
certain verdict would you do so2
A. If I thought it was right, yes;
if wrong, no.
Dick Tighlman sworn
@. How old are you?
A. Sixty odd years old.
Q. Do you know the year you were
born?
@. What year is this?
A. Don't know.
@. Can you read and write?
A. No.
Q. What is the meaning of words
plaintiff and defendant?
A. Don't KNOW.
@. What does verdict mean?
A. Don't know.
q. Do you know the meaning of
prosecution
A. No.
Q. Do you know meaning Of word
Indictment?
A. No.
Q. Do you know distinction be.
tween justifable homicide and homi-
eide without cause?
4 NJ
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

VIZ have received and democrat
ically welcome the first number of
the Sunday Dclta,'' a weekly Jour
nal started in New Orleans by E. L.
jewell, an old, able and experienced
printer and journalist. The name it
bears and the political tcnets it adj
vocates are dear to us and we shall
certainly give Jewell all the aid in
the Democrats locker to keep him
and his favorite moving.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

-SLowLY and steadily the river
approaches it's usual Summer and
Fall decline, and soon may we expect
the low water season with its dull
ness, its monotony, and still further
scarcity of boats. But we will still
have a Packet, for Captain Dick Sin
mott is resolved to keep the Bart.
Able here SO long as there is good
six feet water to navigate one, and
chicken money in sight for her.
-JUDGE W. B. Phillips passed up
as prisoner under arrest, on the
Bart. Able Monday morning. He
has been indicted for Illegal voting
in Grant Parish.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

The only place in Town Ice
Cream can be had. IS at the Saloon
Of Brehme and Bradley.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

THERE are 240 Oranges in this
State, numbering from ten to twelve
thousand members. ]
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

The wandering heiress b e
wind-lass.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

SUMNER may now be regarded as
a permanency-Grant took up his
abode by the sad sea-wave on the
first of this month.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

The New Orleans Post Office
has seven female clerks. How would
one do for Alexandria under the new
regime.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

-CHARI1E Drown, Of the Col. A.
2. Kouns, has once more placed our
Office under obligations to him.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

The GREEN RooM.-The enchanted
days of the old Camp Street Theatre,
under the management Of James FL
Caldwell, with its Green Room, famed
in those days for its bon govt and
choice beverages, has gushed upon
us here in Alexandria, and Levin's
talismanic wand is the sorcerer in
this instance. He has just finished
his modern Green Room, which re.
wives the memories Of the Original
and first-born one of the days past We
allude to, and which we commend
rs prototype of what we have seer
nearly forty years ago.
The young gentlemen, Brehme
and Bradley, who run the Refresh.
ment Saloon, ON Jackson street, cor.
ner of Third, certainly deserve en-.
couragement and share of the pub
lies patronage. Their. Soda Water
is pure, cooling, excellent, whilst their
Ice Cream can't be excelled. We
write by the card and have been
made au tait more than once last
week of what we are writing about
and must surely praise deservedly sc
good bridge, over which you car
pass with coolineAnd pleasing safety
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

SEE advertisement Fosters SEQ
ond Texas Drawing postponed, for 1
few days.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

-sIsGuIAR-to see a garden walk.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09
BLACKWooD.

Blackwood's Magazine for Nav
leonard Scott Publishing Co., ii
Barclay St., N. w opens with a
new serial-a loveIstory-giving
graphic pictures ofAnglo- Indian SO.
ciety. It promises to be very fasci.
mating.
'Lord Lytton's Speeches. SIN
this review Of his political lspeechcs
We have devoted ourselves mainly to
the matter which they contain, and
only touched very briefly and Incl
dentally on the manner in which he
expressed himself as an orator." We
find in them "luxuriant wealth and
grace of diction. There is equal
wealth and power of illustration -
There is ardour and elan.'' In short
they contain everything to make
them models of the highest and no.
blest eloquence, and of deep thought.
"The "Scenes in Kashmir," de-
scribed in. the ''Abode of Snow" arc
really scenes Of enchantment. The
floating islands in the Dal Lake, and
the Gardens of Delight and Of Pleas.
ure, seems to have come right out Of
the "Arabian Nights and we may
say the same of those who planned
these lovely spots Mihrunnisa, the
Light of the World, and her husband
drunkard,'' who punished all who
used wine," and who, "after the un-
successful rebellion of his son, Krus-
ru, made that prince pass along a line
of 700 of his friends who had assist
ed him in rebelling. These friends
were all seated upon spikes--in fact
they were impaled."
We turn next to the review OF
''New Books" The Life of Isaac
Cassaubon, who lived in the sixteenth
century, and was "the first Greek
Scholar Of his times" the Macready
"reminiscences ''Untrodden Spain
by Mr.. Hugh Rose, the English Chap.
lain Of a mining town in Anlulusia,