davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16
SHOCKING TRAGEDY.


story of an Extraordinary AFFAIR In Arkansas.
tKensett CArk) Cor ST. Louis Globe-Democrat
The subjoined are the sIcKening details Of
one of the strangest and most extraordinary
tragedies ever enacted in the history of the
world Before referring to the murder, a few
curious facts by way of introduction are ne
ccssary. About two and Il half miles south
of Searcy, the seat of White county, is wild
looking place known as Gum Spring the res
idents of which are known as Cobbites, be.
cause an old man named Cobb, who claims,
TO be Christ, rGlcS with an iron hand. His
crazy followers claim to identify him by Ger.
tain marks IN the palms of his hands, and he
has during the past year made great many
believe in his doctrine, the main point OF
which Is that every one in his community
should live IN adultery in order that the souls
of the women might be purified. The princi-
pal rendezvous Of the Cobbites Is an old log
hut. in Gum Spring, which is on The main
road leading from Searcy to Little Rock.
During the last few days the attention of
paSsers-by has been attracted by strange nois-
eS and this fact being conveyed To the citi.
zens OF Searcy, they determined TO investigate
the matter. On Tuesday last Mr.. {. ID Hum
phreys, of Searcy, and Mr.. Blake, from FL
Paso in tins county, determined to visit Gum
Spring and see what was going on. The
strange noises were heard as they reached the
locality. On driving past tie hut they were
accosted by Mr.. Dover, who claimed TO be
one of Gods people Mr.. humphreys pro
posed that they should turn back and see what
was .anted They did SO, and were invited
into the hut, Dover asserting that God was in
there. Humphreys remarked, as he got out
OF the buggy, that if God was in there he
wanted to see Him. As soon as they stepped
from the vehicle Humphreys was seized by
four men, and Blake by four women. The
latter succeeded IN breaking away, but the
former was unable 10 do 50. Blake ran about
100 yards, and, on looking back, saw the men
cutting his companion 10 pieces with lone
knives He at once started for town, but the
buggy vas upset and demolished. He then
mounted his horse and rode at albreakneck
speed, aud reported the terrible occurrence TO
the ciIIzens A force was at once raised, aud
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16
HOW THE STORY GREW.

Mrs. Grey has a new bOarder perceive
remarked her opposite nelghbor, Mrs. Linn,
turning the shutters trlile to observe q lady
come down the steps and cross over. "a
member Of that select circle carries letters of
respectsbility," she added, laughing "Mrs.
Grey is mOrbidly afraid of any suspicion
lighting upon one OF her flock"
The caller addressed replied, with some
animation:
II presume the person is Mrs. Judge A,her.
ton. heard that she was TO spend the sum
mer at Eastman, and the Blakes have moved
out in season to accommodate her withrooms
Judge Anterior is in Europe"
"A very pretty woman she is; but do you
know what | have known or where | have
heard of her' cannot think" And Mrs
Linn looked perplexed, while Miss Harri,
knotted her forehead In sympathy.
she was an Earl before marrlage-Mary
Earl, that's it! My sister Lu went TO schoo
with her at H., and when somebody mention
ed her last summer at home she SAID tina
there was something very queer about her
i wonder now what"
Some tribe, possibly" suggested kline
Miss Harris. Queer may mean nothing
worth speaking OF"
THAT is true, and / shall call directly
answered Mrs. Linn. So the conversation
turned into different channel.
But left to her own reflections, the oppo
site neighbor once again required 10 the sub
jeci ofMrs James Anterior and her unknown
od5ity.
Wouldn't Mrs. Grey idgit If hint Of tn,
sor. were 10 catch her ears? she unused
III Lu was not So far away as Switzerland
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

The Republican papers all chime in with
one accord. ".abcr, capital, and northerners
are unsafe throughout the entire south" Yet
IN the very next column to these statements
we read this paragraphs lone of the largest
= cotton factories in the world Is nearly ready
. for operations at Atlanta, Ga 1t will con-
. tain 81 500 spindlcs and 500 looms, and will
give employment 10 over 1000 operatives"
Now if it is so dangerous for northern men
10 go south, how comes it that New England
capital is being invested TO such al extent in
me very centre of the souihs for II is New
England capital and skill which is establish
ing this gigantic cotton factory. This sim
ply shows the boSh resorted 20 by strictly
partisan papers.-Rocl70rd Journal
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16
a Curious Case.

Mr.. d. w. Pomcroy, of No. 1863 Madison
street, had a horse and buggy taken from IN
front OF his place on the Gath of last July Mr.
Pomeroy sent out postal cards, and on the
day following received information TO the eff
feet that couple of men had passed through
Niles Centre with his rig. He Immediately
started after the supposed thieves and fol
lowed them into Wisconsin. lie heard OF
them at almost every town through which he
passed, and at La Crosse was only an hour
and a half behind them. In spite OF his Ell
forts, however, the men managed 10 get INTO
Minnesota, and Mr. Pomeroy gave up the
chase. Yesterday developed a remarkable
SEQUEL to The case. Mr.. POmeroy wanted q
burgy, and seeing an advertisement from
sale Stable at No 16J West Monroe street, he
went over to look at the stock. On looking
over the buggies his eyes fell on one which
looked familiar, and on drawing 1t out he
found il to be his own lost vehicle. little
inquiry developed the fact that the buggy was
claimed by constable named O'Brien, and
the latter was called on to explain. The con-
stables story was very simple. lie had an
execution against firm OF coal dealers on
La Sale street, and at the date above men,
toned he found Mr.. Pomeroy's rig standing
in front of the coaldealers' place. The OIL
Ger made a levy on the horse and buggy. The
coal men said nothing but smiled a broad
smile. The constable drove off and sold the
horse al the Westsiae horse market, and re-
ceived enough to satisfy the judgment Hav-
inc fulfilled his duty he brought the buggy
back TO the coal dealers, but they, OF course,
declined to receive it as they had no claim
on it. The constable, therefore, not knowing
" hat to do with the vehicle, deposited 1t at
| this place. Mr. Pomeroy's horse and buggy
never left Chicago, and his chase into WIS
consin was after imaginary thieves. lie VIII
now sue The constable for the value of the
horse.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

Chicago Courier: The radical journals in
this state are greatly worried about Steward
letter of acceptance. AS he has not been re-
quested to write one by either of the parties
which have Endorsed him, we presume he
will do as he thinks best about the matter,
without consulting the wishes OF the af0re
said radical journals. Had he intended to
decline the nominations he would have done
so long ago. The fact that he has not declined,
shows that he accepts the support of both the
democrats and independents IN the spirit in
which it has been rendered. But how about
Culiom? He has written no word OF accept
ance, nor stated his position in regard to the
platform. The Springfield platform upon
which he was nominated is greenback plat
form. The Cincinnati platform is hard mon
ey. Which does Mr.. Cullom favor? If he
stands upon the Springfield platform, he has
been eating crow ever since Hayes and
Wheeler were nominated. If he indorses the
views of Hayes and Wheeler, he cannot ask
the support of the greenback republicans
Speak out, Mr.. Cullom Let's have no dodg
ing in this matter. These radical pinks of
consistency are exceedingly sensitive about
their Cul-no, Steward.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

their own affairs, peace, quiet and prosperity
prevail, while in South Carolina, Louisiana,
and Mississippi, where the carpct-bagger, the
negro, ard the bayonet rule, there is constant
riot, bloodshed, and murder This, to me, Is
the stron gest evidence that the people of the
south are capable of selfgovernment, and
should be LETT alone to govern themselves
The southern people want government. 1t is
their interest to have it-Gcn. H. b. Banning
N TjurjDUgt
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

ExSecretary Bristow and Gov. Hayes of
Ohio are, individually, two of the best men
in the Republican party, and if they could
have their way, would make their party a
great deal better than ii IS. But they cannot
have their way; this was proved in the case
of Bristow, and it would be proved in the case
of Hayes, if he should be elected president.
These two gentlemen agree in one very i'm
portant national problem-the Southern ques.
ton. Mr.. Bristow, In his Burlington (Vt)
speech last week, said: "Now, what the
South needs is political repose, freedom from
agitation, and perfect acquiescenCe in the re.
suits of the war" And Gov. Hayes spoke to
the same purpose when IN his letter of accept
ance he said What the South most needs
is peace, and peace depends upon the supre-
macy of the law"
Peace is, indeed, what the South needs; and
whose fault it is that it has not peace! There
is peace In some of the Southern states, but
thew are Democratic states. There is politi-
cal repose in Virginia, North Carolina,
Georgia, Texas and Arkansas; but there IS
disquiet in those states ruled by Bristow and
Hayes party-Louisiana and South Carolina.
Is not this significant fact worth all the IN
tlammatory declarations INDUCED in by the
Republican orators and writer's? Is 1t not a
conclusive answer to the false predictions by
Mr.. Schurz Of trouble and disorder in the
South as the results of Tiden's election.
1t is the fault of the Republican party that
the whole South has not been pacitied. That
party would not allow it to be pactied; 1t saw
that as fast as the Southern states became pa
Gifted they became Democratic; and for this
reason the Republican leaders have kept them
in turmoil. 1t has been so under Grant ;
it would be so under Hayes. Democratic
rule has made eight of the Sothern states
peaceful, and Democratic rule would give
peace TO the other three.-lSt. LOuis Rep
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16
TO A YOUNG ROBIN.
BY ADDISON y. BROWN.

Fer the beauty OF springtime
Had come DER the hills
To Danish cold winter
From meadows and rills;
Mid the thick woven branches
or the maple trees dome,
Thy light-hearted parents
Constructed home.
And while the bright summer
So brilliantly fair,
In all its refulgence
Made golden the air;
Within the dark shadow
OF foliage green,
Thy mother was waiting
In patience serene.
Soon with sisters and brothers
We heard thy shrill voice
Then each parent supplied thee
With morsels most choice,
And in true robin fashion
Strove to rear thee Alright
Untll thy young piniOns
Should learn to take flight.
And when thy bird courage
Had made thee SO tame
That oft TO my window
You fearlessly came;
What O JOY | received
When taking your stand
On the low running ivy,
iOu fed from my hand
But Boreas is telling
" The winter il nigh"
And soon TO the southland
Each songster will fly.
So, e'er you depart, dear robin,
My blessing give,
And hope, IN cOntentmcnt,
All winter you'll live.
When the fragrance Of spring time
Again shall return
Aud yerdure shall soften
The picture so stern;
May we have the great pleasure
When other birds come
Through the boughs OF the maple,
To welcome thee home.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16
THE PRIDE OF BATTERY b.
BIZ F. II. GAssAwAY.

,outh Mountain lowered on our right,
Far off the river lay,
nd over on the wooded hight
We held their lines AZ bay.
{ last the lnutterng guns were still,
The day died slow and wan;
AT last the gunners pipes ala MI,
The Sergeants yarns began,
When-as the wind moment blew
Aside the fragrant Hood
Our brierwoods raised, within our view
A little maiden stood.
A tiny tot of six or seven,
From Preside fresh she seemed,
(Of such a little one in heaven,
One soldier often dreamed)
And, as we stared, her little hand
Went to her curly head -,
In grave salute. land who are you!
At length the Sergeant said;
"And where's your home:" he growled again
She lisned out: "Who Is me?
Why. don't YOU knowg I'm little Jane,
The pride OF Battery b.
INV home? Why that was blurred away,
And pa and ma are dead,
And so / ride the guns all day
Along with Sergeant Ned.
"And I've a drum that's not toy,
4 cap with feathers, too,
And ! march beside the drummer boy
On Sundays at review;
"But now our 'bacca's all give out,
The men can't have their smoke,
And so they're cross-why, even Ned
Won't play with me and joke,
And the big Colonel said, to-day
I hate TO hear him swear
led give leg for good pipe
Like the Yanks had over there.
And so thought when beat the drum,
And the big guns were still,
I'd creep beneath the tent and come
Out here across the hill.
"And beg good master Yankee men,
You give me some Lone Jack,
Please dO-when We get home again
III surely bring it back
"Indeed will, for Ned-says he
IT do what | say
I'll be general yet, maybe.
And ride prancing bay"
We brimmed her tiny apron DER;
You should have heard her laugh
As each man from his scanty store
Shook out generous half.
To kiss the little mouth stopped down
4 score Of grimy men,
Until the Sergeant's husky voice
Said, "'rention, squad"'-and then
We gave her escort, till goodnight
The pretty waif We bid,
And watched her todde out Of sight
Or else twas tears that hid
Her tiny form--nor turned about
A man, nor spoke word
Till after awhile a far, hoarse shout,
Upon the wind we heard!
We sent IL back--then cast sad eye
Upon the scene around.
A baby's hard had touched the tic
That brothers once had bound
That's all--saye when the dawn awoke
Again the work Of hell,
And through the sullen clouds Of smoke
The screaming missiles few;
Our general often rubbed his glass,
And maryeled much to see
Not single spell that whole day fell
in the camp OF Battery b."
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16
Curious Contrasts.

'ylatOr," In the ECeniRg Post makes notes
of some curious contrasts: "One hundred
wears ago it took two days to go from Con
cord to Boston; now 1t takes three hours
Then the price of supper, lodging and break.
fast on the road was II pcstareen and hall
uhlrty cents; new it is three dollars. Then
all work was honestly done (as witness two
pork barrels in the cellar under the house in
which | write, which have been IN use since
113D; now honest work, AS the term then un-
ders,ood is unknown. Then girls were cdu.
Gated 10 become thrifty wives and healthy
mothers; now il is considered more impor-
tant to make good match. In l112 the
average number of children in each family
in New Hampshire was seven, now il Is two (;
there was at that time one physician To every
four hundred soul; there is one now to every
seventy five; suits at law Tor all purposes not
criminal then averaged one annually for
every hundred Inhabitants; they now average
one for every twcnty.four The expenses of
"A wel!.to.do family incurred every year for lis
support were at that time -four hundred dol.
lars: they are now nearly thrice that sum.
When the war of the revolution began there
was but one man in this state who was worth
more than thirty thousand dollars; there are
now forty worth more than one hundred
thousand dollars. There were then bat thirty
five wheel carriages and they were al chalSes
save two; there are now forty seven thousand
Oxen then did all the agricultural work, and
there were one thousand two hundred and
forty-one yokes of them in the state; oxen and
horses now equally divide such work, aud
they number hundreds OF thousand.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

My friends, | never had any feeling of re-
venge against the southern people for the re-
bellion against our government. served al
most five years In the army to help conquer
the rebellion. | would serve five more years
now, and give my life, If necessary, To help
accomplish the same end again. do not be.
lieye, however, that any such occasion will
ever arise | believe that the people of the
south are glad they are back IN the union /;
that they would not enslayc the blacks again
if they could; that they are honestly and pa
ItrioticaIly devoted to the government; that
they are patiently endeavoring 10 make the
best of their misfortune, that 1t Is their inter
est, and they want good local government,
and that they should be let alone to manage
their own state, county, and local affairs. II
is remarkable fact that in every southern
state, such as Kentucky. Virginia, Georgia
Alabama, North Carolina, Missouri. Texas,
and Tennessee, where the people manage
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

told everything WAS adjusted after the Judge
returned from Europe. was glad to know
tho Cnci -
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

The FREE TRADER and Chicago We.tly Times
one year, for sSl5.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

| IL. DRUiI'I', Attorney and Counselor at
Law, OTTAWA Ill., once. No 2S La sale street over
Phillips Bros grocery VIII attend promptly 10 all
business entrusted to his care. Special attention paid TO
collections. aug29.Omos
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16
3)rafes1tDaal GiatGa.
AT OR N c Y 9.

ALHX. T. CAMERON. d. MDOu6ALL.
4 "a NJ E;I<O4s ~ McDO UG;A ~, Attor =
~ ncys and GoufsclOfs at Law. once, IN GioNer d
Cooks Block, Ottawa Ill. u. McDouSal, L. s. Commis-
sl0uer. sepE'd
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

RUSH ELL. ~ CHINA n, Attorneys at
- Law Office IN Bushnes building, west OF the Cour
House, Ottawa. Ill. may2r,6-ly'
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

Fine Stationery q, osnan 6 Haponan's.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

- II. DAVIS, Counselor at Law. Rooms "
~ Opera Hall Building, La SALE III. Special care given
TO Insurance Cases. June l0-ly.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

A.. c. FRENCH, T. W. ID, CRANE.
LNIt k;NCI 81 CRAM Il, Attorneys and Coun
sellers Law. In the office formerly occupied by
ford Bowen Maloney east side OF Court House Square
Ottawa LIS Prompt attention given TO all business
trusted to lt iullY15
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

u r.. bUL LII. Attorney at Law Office over City
H. Drug store, northwest corner of La Sale and Mad
son streets, Ottawa ILL., mayors
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

A NJ IcS Is. JOHNSTON, Attorney and
counselor at Law aud Notary PdbiC. Otic9, second
moor Hoes Leands block north Court House
Square, ottawa Illinois. jun3',6
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

7 l.. THOMPSON Attorney and Counselor
-. Al Law. once east Of the Court House, 0ttaws
Illinois. fes5 16-t
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

ID X. az g. A. LEILA ND, Attorneys at Law.
L Rooms formerly occupied by Dr. 1sscom. Ia Hoes
Leands Block northwest corner OF Court House Square,
Ottawa. H. dec4-u
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

NICHOLSON. D. b. SNOW.
NICHOLSON * SNOW, Attorneys and
IL Counseors Law. wIll practice in the courts OF La
Sale and adjoining counties Uice, west oil Court House
Ottaus Ills, noyii
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

Autograph Albums, beau
tiful and novel, at OSman &
Hapeman's, west Of Court
House Square.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

NIiAS. IL. BRUSH, Attorney and Counselor
" AT Law. Oihce-Room No. Post Once BLOCK; qua
wa, Illinois. marIio
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

nR. GLIB GIST DEF French Ply
~ sician 81 practice the last ten years IN ot
Louis Mo- Office La Sale ST., T. ollie and d. Bern
ard Residence Washington ST. north OF Supreme Court
BockJ Otice hours, from TO IL O'CLOCK A. anu ron
2to5P.M. hayio
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

- T.. LING In, Attorney al Law. Office over
ID. No 10 La Sale street, west Side OF the Court House
Ottawa, Ills. JulyyIo
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

I IL. FILE MING. Attorney and Counselor az
y. Law, ottawa LII. Office in Clancys block northwest
OF Court House, iebl2'I6
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

w IL. ENSMfNG FIR. NJ. d., Physician
w. and Surgeon. Office over the Exchange Bank, OF
tawa Illinois mar3
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

EDWIN n. LEWIS, Attorney and Counselor
Il at Law, Glover d Cooks Block, Ottawa, III. apr3
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

uIItA Nj II. GILL ERR, Attorney at Law.
III Room No. / Post Office Block. sep2575
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

JONES. L. W. BREWER.
ION Els ~ BREW Eis, Attorneys and Ioun
sellers at Law, Ottawa, Ills. Office, Rooms NOS q
second door. Metropolitan Block octl9,'72
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

| n GORGE NJ. LELAND, Attorney and
VI Counselor at Law, and Solicitor In Chancery. Once
over BENEFITS store. west OF Court House maylS16
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

GEORGE ~. ELDN Il q r., Attorney
VI az Law. Office In p q. Block. ottawa, H. april
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

L,IkANK j. Ora w FORD, Attorney
Law. Room IL $50 Clark St., S. W. cor Monroe, On
csgo. Notary Public. marlfIi
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

DK.J. II. ROSEN B URG H. Once
~ Van Doren's brick, stairs. near CITY Mills teSl'
dencc Sd house Lutheran Church, West Ottawa
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

nRR NJ. NcAIt,I'HUIs, Ottawa, Illinois.
~ Ofice-Roonis & Z. o. Block. Open from O'Clock
NJ to clock p. NJ Residence Benton street, south
of Illinois Ave jah14'o