davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21
Rum Did If.

James Plat, the convicted policeman.
sat sullenly on his couch, his eyes fixed
on spot on the floor. His position was
indicative of meditation, and his pale
face was filed with an agony certain to
elicit sympathy. He shook hands trem-
bhngly. For while the unhappy man.
sat silently. Then, to an inquiry, he re-
piled i: You see, was irresponsible at,
the time the unfortunate event occurred
that put me into this hole, and [ was
aggravated beside by Craig. Itwas rum
did it, not l." s-.-
The murderer then sank into melan-
choly meditation, which afforded the re-
porter time to look about the cell. A
simple bed, chair, and a small table are
the only furniture. The table was Gov
cred with books brought by sPlatt's
spiritual visitor, and by the members Of
his family. Asked with reference to the
books, Platt replied: "Yes, they are
trophies of friendship. My mother
brought them to me. This one was
brought by my good minister.
Then the unfortunate man reverted
again to his condition with the words /:
"Rum did it. If my fate should be
most dreadful. oh, that every young
man might learn from my end lesson
in life. PhiLGdeLo1eS0 Item,
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21
A Horrible Existence,

Peter Larkin, the convicted murderer
OF Daniel Corcoran, who has now been
IN jail for sixteen months, heavily
irOned, has q weary time of il. and :
minute description of his daily Life mnet
fill one with pity for any human being
SO placed, no matter what his crimes
may have been. His cell lisa badly YER
tilated wooden box, air being admitted
only from small hole in the top and an
ski wicket in the door. The box is Sc
dark at noon as at midnight, and the
only light furnished is tallow candle.
Each day he is allowed to leave the cell
and walk up and down the corridor for
q short time. dragging his shackles with
him. This is called exercise. Once in
a way, as an especial favor, the taller
opens the door and lets him into the
outer apartment. Here Larkin can re-
gale his eyes with the daylight and
watch through the window the people
passing on the street. The friends of
the prisoners are allowed to bring them
Eastern and San Francisco ne Rspapers.
and they thus manage to while away
many weary hour. But Larkin cannot
read, and he has only his pipe and his
own horrible thoughts for company.
There is dog that makes his home in
the jail, and the murderer, when allowed
to have the. animal in his cell, spends
hours in petting and playing with his
four-footed friend. 1t is his only amuse-
ment and he never tires of it. He is
now buoyed up with the hope that his
friends will save him from The gallows
and succeed in getting his sentence CON-
muted to imprisonment for life. HIS
lallers say that he hopes for lifelong
cell in the State prison as ardently as
other men long for riches and all the
pleasures they give.-Gold H3U (Neu. )
| NeeOS.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21
zens Of the United States exceeds that sum
$3,975,123.
POLITICAL POINTS

The Mayoralty election III Boston, last week,
resulted in the success of Prince, Democrat,
by 2, 141 majority.
While on visit to Dayton, Ohio, last week,
Gov. R. B. Hayes made speech in response to
a serenade, in which he said:
In the excitement that has pervaded the country
before and since election. people of ardent tenn
permanent have said and done things that indis-
Greet, but as the excitement subsidies we begin to
return to our better Judgment. have too much
faith in the common-sense of the American people
to think they desire to see in their country Next
canized government Whatever may be the result
at which the lawful authorities shall arrive, you
and will quietly submit. and have sufficient re-
spect and confidence in the great majority of the
opposite party to believe that they will do the same.
The appended addresses explain themselves
The first is from the Democratic National Com
mittee: a4ia fs5ts s*s.
Rooms OF THE NATIONAL DEM. CoMMrTTEE,l
WASHINGTON, Dec l3, 1876.
To the people of the United States:
The National Dem. Committee announce, as the
result of the Presidential election held on the 7h Of
November, the election of Samuel J. TiIden, of New
York, as President, and Thomas A. Hendricks, Of
Indiana as Vice President of the United States We
congratulate you on this victory for reform. Itnow
only remains for the two Houses of Congress, il.
the performance of their duty, on the second
Wednesday in February next to give effect to the
will of the people thus expressed in the constitutional
mode by majority of electoral votes. and con-
frned by majority of all the people of the United
States. l5# 81
By order of the Executive Committee.
ADRIAN S. HEwr1T, Chairman.
FREDERICK o. PRINCE, Secretary.
And the second from the Republican National
WASHINGTON, Dec. Is, 1876.
To the People: .tttHfs
An address tonight has been issued by the DEM
ocratc Committee. 1t is the last desperate attempt
to prop falling cause. Gov. Hayes has been fairly
elected by clear majority of the electoral vote.
There is no indication that any citizen
has doubt as to the result. The address of the
Democrats is an impudent and audacious attempt
| to prejudice and prevent public Judgment Hayes
and Wheeler are elected, and the will of the Ameri-
| can people will be carried out and maintained.
tt z. CHANDLER,
| Chairman National Republican Committee.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21
An AStNnished Whale.

The Philadelphia Press tells a tough
story as to how Massachusetts fishing
schooner was carried off by a monster
of the deep. Acco1d ding to the run Of
the yarn told by the Press, the vessel
was riding at anchor, when suddenly
she began to move through the water at
the lively rate of ten to fifteen miles an
hour. It was then discovered by the
astonished crew that whale had twist
ed the anchor cable around his tail, and
was making off with the schooner. His
whaleship, perhaps equally astonished,
lifted himself out of the water several
times during the free tow, and finally
made off with about lao fathoms of the
cable, leaving the vessel free to return
to port.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21
WASHINGTON NOTES.

Lucy Taylor, formerly q elave Of Lawrence
Washington, died at the capital last week, aged
104 years. II 5e 1.. .s...,
The Postal Appropriation bill, IS reported
by the House Committee on Appropriations,
shows reduction of about $1,000, 600 from
the amount Of last sessions postal bill, and
reduction Of some $3, 600, 900 from the depart
next fiscal year. o..
The Senate committees appointed, under
Judge Edmunds' resolution, to investigate the
recent elections in Florida and South Carolina,
have left for their respective fields of inquiry.
A delegation from the National Board of
Trade vas before the House Committee on
Commerce last week, and presented views on
several questions of Importance to the COM
mercial community. They advocated the es-
Enlistment of Department of Commerce,
new executive branch of the Government, to
be presided over by Cabinet minister, and to
have the supervision Of all matters reiating to
the commerce and trade Of the United States.
They also urged the negotiation of areciprocity
treaty with Canada. tA
The Postal Appropriation bill, as reported
to the House by Mr.. Holman, appropriates
total of $32, 983, 625, which is reduction OF
about $1,000, 900 from the amount of last $685.
sion's Postal bill, and a reduction of some
$3, 600, 900 from departmental estimates OF the
amount required for the next fiscal year.
The President, in conversation with
friend the other day, is re-
puted as saying that Immediately
after the expiration of his term of Office he
intends leaving for Havana, and from thence,
after few weeks sojourn, will sail for
Europe, to be absent for some time.
The Trustees, superintendent, and ten
other teachers of the various State and public
institutions for the instruction of the blind,
representing the interests Of over 80, 900 blind
persons in the United States, have united in
petition to Congress to take into consideration
the needs of the blind in accordance with the
views OF petitioners 31a as
The United States and Mexican Claims Com
mission, organized under a treaty negotiated
In 1858, has at last concluded it's labors al d
dissolved. Sir Edward Thornton was the final
umpire, and while 1894 was found due by
the United States to citizens Of Mexico the
total amount Of claims due by Mexico to citi-
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21
Good Winter Wife.

A negro man has just applied to Mil
ton magistrate to know how to get his
wife back. Milton is only separated
from the Virginia line by small creek,
and it seems the woman's brother had
run her off from her husband and taken
her across the creek. "How can I get
her, boss, un what's de law in Virginny?"
asked the negro. "The cheapest way"
said the magistrate, {" is to have no law
about it; just go across the creek and
overpower her and bring her home"
:" I'll sho do it, boss" said the negro;
ga hard winter sett'n in, no wood, and
no muffin; but dat gal weighs 200,
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21
New Discoveries i'm POmpeii.

The city of Pompeii, it will be re-
membered was completely buried up in
the year 70, nearly 1900 years ago, by
ashes from the neighboring volcano Of
Vesuvius. The ruins of the city were
discovered in 1748. A recent discovery
has been made there, consisting of
a number of objects of gold
and silver, and close to them the car
BOMBED skeletons of two men, who
would seem to have been borne down
in the storm of ashes while endeavoring
to escape with their yaluables or. plum
der. Among the articles found are
eight rings, six pieces of money, two
pairs OF earrings, two large armlets,
each ornamented with thirteen pairs of
half globes, with little shells upon
them, held together by chain-work, and
necklace of chain work, all of gold, a
silver ring, 332 pieces of silver money,
a casserole of the same material, broken
pieces. and three large bronze COINS
Boston Herald.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21
MISCELLANEOUS aLEAN1NGs.

OF the 295 persons known to have persisted
in the Brooklyn fire, and of whom 100 have
been identified, all but forty two were males.
Eleven Of the victims were from New York
city. Fifty-three were between Is and 20 years
OF age; ffty-one between 90 and 25 years
twenty between rs and 80 years fifteen be-
tween 80 and IS years and twelve we're over
so years of age. t@a
5 The Brooklyn calamity has directed the at
tention of the officials in. several cities to the
methods adopted in theaters and public halls
for extinguishing fire.
BANDS Silver bill, which passed the lower
house Of Congress last week, provides that sill
yer dollars of the weight of 4121 grains shall be
coined, and shall be a legal tender for all debts
public and private, except where payment OF
gold coin is required by law. This weight Of
412I grains is the same as that of the old legal
silver dollar which was full legal tender for
eighty years.
Inspector General James 81. Hardee, Of the
United States Army, is dead.
The era OF cheap freight and passenger
A6tSS, 1uduSU 6OAuS mOuLIl5 ago Dy CQ0
war between the East and West railway trunk
lines, has been brought to sudden termina-
ton. Scott and Garrett, of the Pennsylvania
and Baltimore and Ohio roads, it seems, were
too many for Vanderbilt. The old Commodore
hoisted the white flag for the first time in his
life cried "Hold enough" and an armistice
was declared, followed by Treaty Of peace,
offensive and defensive. Result-a marked
increase of freight and passenger rates between
the East and West. ~
The Oxford England Rowing Club has de-
clined the challenges of Yale and Cornell Col
leges. 5a. &#s A--ta 41f8
Postmaster Fairman, of Philadelphia, has
been removed.
Recent deaths: Inspector General James
A. Hardie, OF the United States army Ex-
Gov. William Cozzens of Rhode Island Gen.
William f. Bartlett, of Massachusetts.
A vast amount Of property has been de-
stroyed by fire in the United States and Canada
within the last two weeks.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21
East.

2 AL the pool-room keepers in New York city
have declared off all bets On the general re-
q cult of the Presidential election, and will re-
frnd the money put up. f..st ....
a. 1t is announced from New York that COM
promise has been effected by which William
MI. Tweed and his pals are to refund to the
city their stolen plumber, and to receive in re-
turn immunity from prosecution.
There are 1875 idle workingmen In the city
4 Of New York. the families Of many of whom,
tits stated, are on the verge of restitution.
G92 The New York Security Life and Annuity
a Insurance Company has collapsed.
"a. A sickering casualty, resulting in the burn
ing to death Of four children, is reported from
Round Top, village not far from Pittsburgh,
Pa. Ames McGowan and his wife left their
four children, aged respectively 3, S, and
years, alone in the house. From some un-
known cause the building caught fire, and it,
WITH the little innocents, was reduced to
ashes.
a fire at Pontiac, r. l., last week, destroyed
mill property valued at 100000.
. West.
a., The corn yield OF Illinois, says the Chicago
y Journal, which, earlier in the season. YVES esti-
mated by the official reports at 1852, 00O 900
bushels, it is now estimated will fall short of
those figures by so, 00o, 600 bushels. This is a
falling off Of more than one-half as compared
with the crop of the previous year.
A number of steamers were sunk in the har-
boz, Of st. Louie, by floating ice, last week.
s The loss will reach upward of $3.50, 900.
At The bank of William NJ. Ream, at Somerset,
q" Perry county, Ohio, was entered by robbers a
few nights ago, who secured $4,000 Ream
y was forced by the rascals to open the bank
2 vault, after which they bound and gagged him
and made their escape.
= very dangerous counterfeit silver half
dollar is in circulation in the West. The Chi
cago Times states that hundreds of them were
received by the banks Of that city before their
spuriousness was discovered. The coin is
heavily plated with silver, and it's composition
sls thought to be block tin and glass mixed. 1t
Y lie deficient in weight, but not much 80 as to
Ill create any suspicion. The coin has the ring
OF the true metal, and bears date of the year
1876.
a9JJ. III. McVicker, proprietor of the leading
theater at Chicago, has for some weeks had
in y preparation new play the
right of producing which he has purchased,
and which will be brought out for the first
time in America at this house during the holi-
days. 1t is entitled ''The Law of the Land, "
was great success in London, and win no
doubt be received with like favor in Chicago.
Those who have Witnessed its rehearsal say
that the dialogue lis extremely witty, the plot OF
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21

The Prismoidal System in California-The
Most Curious of All Railroads.
IS TErOm he SAM From Fly


Most Curious of All Railroads.
GFrom the San Francisco Examiner.l
Yesterday the steamer Sonoma con-
veyed to Norfolk, on Sonoma creek, a
number OF our prominent citizens, who
assembled to witness the opening of the
Prismoidal railroad. The road COM
mences at Norfolk, on Sonoma creek,
and extends three and half miles to-
ward Sononae. The steamer arrived in
good season at Norfolk, on Sonoma
creek, the terminus of the Sonoma VAL
ley Prismoidal railroad, where the party
landed, and at once proceeded to inspect
the line and the works generally. The
Prismoldal railroad is laid upon prism
OF wood built of beveled boards, forming
continuous prism twenty inches
wide at the base and fifteen inches high,
with the single rail laid on top. The
car which travels on the line is supported
by two wheels, one at the front and one
at the rear, with independent revolving
t1anges. On arrival the first thing to be
done was to test the road, and in a few
minutes two platform cars, with Pris-
Modal railway locomotive between them,
were at the stations. The locomotive is
the first OF its kind constructed in this
State, and was built under the superin-
tendence of George w. Fogg, of the
Pacific Iron Works. The party took
their places on seats which were ranged
on each side of the cars, the passengers
being face to face. The first impression
suggested was that which ordinarily fills
the bosom OF the novice who makes his
maiden effort to ride the uncertain
bicycle. A certain assurance that the
whole thing would topple over at the
first movement was the general belief of
the uninitiated. But the engineer sound
ed his whistle, the passengers gave their
tremulous cheers, and the train moved
off smoothly, and soon the pace was con-
siderably augmented. Wonderful to
relate, the oscillation was scarcely
perceptible, and the locomotive
and cars rode the single rail
as firmly as the trains on the broadcast of
English solidly constructed broad
gauges. The faster the train proceeded,
the smaller in number and extent be-
came the lateral oscillations, beautifully
and practically exem plifying the great
principles of the whole prismoidal sys-
tenn, that the greater the speed the less
liability to oscillate, principle clearly
demonstrated by the gyroscope and
velocipede. To those making their first
trip on the new railroad the ease and
comfort Of this mode of travelling sug-
gested itself most strikingly. The train
was run out to the end of the completed
line, where forty five men were found
continuing the building of the prism on
ward. The construction of the road has
cost, for the present three miles and a
half, including the costof the road bed
over the marsh, about So, 500 mile, one.
half of the cost of the narrow gauge
railroad, the most economical of the two
rail system. The road was commenced
on the 10th of August last by the build
ing of the road-bed.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21
The Color ado Senators,

Mr.. Chafee and Mr.. Teller, the new
Colorado Senators, are both natives Of
New York. Mr.. Chaffee has grown very
wealthy in Colorado, and holds much
the same position there, says the Troy
Times, as Mr.. Jones does in Nevada.
He is a large mine-owner, and a rich
banker.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21

and she gibs out heat like stove. d.
only time wife's a comfort" He
waded the creek with steer whip in ore
hand and a long rope in the other
Raleigh iSeatsneI.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21

In Georgetown county, S. c., are
offered for sale $4,000 acres of land,
forfeited In default of tax payments.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21

Ten o'clock is Tweed's bedtime, and
he takes ten hours sleep.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-06-10
MISSING.

II is not great while since all tongues, and
especially those of mothers, were talking OF
the lost Philadelphia boy, Charley Ross. lie
had almost passed out of mention when the
other day his father reappeared, and brief
paragraph announced that he was still search
ing for his child, and still hoping against
hope. There was something exceptionally in
tercsting in this case but those who read the
newspapers carefully know that there is al
ways somebody lost and being looked for.
Only yesterday several such instances were
among the current intelligence. Uptown there
was Mr.. Bohnberger, who by reason of the
death of his wife had become insane. and who
cannot be found. Again there was Mrs.
McDonough searching for her daughter, aged
Is years, who has disappeared. a family
in East Fifty-second-st. was reported to be
alarmed by the unaccountable absence OF
Katie Mullen, a servant. The police records
would probably tell us that there is every day
n little legion Of lost children in tbs city.
most of whom are happily recovered. The
fact however remains that of great aud small
there is every year considerable number of
missing persons who are never heard of again.
Suicides may float out to sea. Kidnapped
children may die. The bodies of the muir
dered may be put beyond the reach of re-
covery. There are fugitves from justice, from
shame, from social retribution. who may have
their own reasons for keeping the rest of their
lives from the knowledge of those they flee
from. Out of shame out of fear they throw
off AS far as possible their identity. They are
chiefly anxious to be considered dead.
When child or parent, or husband or wife
is certainly known to be no more, there is a
sort of sad relief in the certainty. There is at
least escape from the sickness of hope de-
fcrred. When no positive information can be
obtained conjecture becomes torture. On
Thursday an unknown man jumped from one
of the WILLIAMSBURG ferry boats and was
drowned. Should his body not be recovered,
how are those who are seeking lost father or
son to know that the suicide of the river was
not the missing member of their familyi a
lad named Bright was drowned at the foot
of One hundred and -eighth-st. last Saturday.
The body of lad was found in the
Hudson on Thursday. 1t is supposed to be
that of Bright, but it might easily have
been so changed that recognition would
have been impossible. and his family
would have been in doubt whether to receive
it and accord to it tho last offices. Perhaps
we arc making too long the tragic catalogue,
and we forbear to add to it. But it is well to
remember sometimes the sorrows which are
always putting out the light of somebody's
life. No matter who is missing, the gay still
laugh, and the solemn train of care plods on"
and each one chases AS before "his favOrlte
"phantOm." We shall get a more accurate
flea of our own personal Importance if We
only consider how little the missing are
really missed
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-06-10
PERSONAL.
really missed

Mr.. Moody will spend the Summer at North
field Mass rocupcratng his strength for Autumns
work
Prof. Washburn was presented with gold
headed cane by the students II the Harvard Law School
at the close OF his final lecture on Wednesday
The library edition of the works of Shelley.
be published in England. Will contain poem
Sheey's death by his widow and hitherto unenlaycd
portrait Of tho poet.
a number of relics of the poet Schiller are
shortly to bo exhibited at Hamburg Among chem ia the
petition which he addressed to the Duke Of Wurtrmbog.
PRAYING for " gracious permission which would allow
HIM to continue publishing MS literary productions"
The United Canadian Association of Toronto.
Canada. have taken the remains OF
the Indian chief Tccumsch which suppos' TO be
buried at MOravan Town, and 10 have thou removed To
Queenstown Hghts aud reinforced at Brooks Monument
At the laying of the cornerstone of the
Moutrle Monument in Charleston s. c. the silver trowel
used BY Gen. Lafayette in LAYING the DeRalb monument
at camden. IN 1928 In tnat state win be used The
trowe has On 1t tie same blue ribbon thnt was gwen by
Lafayette.
DIR. II. N. Martin, Fellow and Lecturer in
Biology Christ College in the University of Cambridge
England and Joint author with Prot Huxley of
and successful Course OF Practical obstruction
nsntary Bioo W" has accepted proessoyship in tue
Johns Hopkins University
At the request of Gov. Ingersoll, tho Hart
ford Historical Society has sent ~ the Connecticut
painted after ~ accession OF the house OF Han
over 10 the English throne, aud that used to hang
the Speakers seat IN the AS emily.
The trouble between DR.. Schweinfurth, the
African explorer and Gen. Stone Of the Khedvcs staff
which came near resulting In duel was caused by DIFF
ference Of opinion to the usefulness Of OF the
American officers ON tho Egyptian staff The dissensions
ended In the Doctor resnng the Presidency OF tho Geo
graphical oocety II Is thought that he VIII take his
Residence ut Leipzig where he Ia been invited " accept