davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12
DEATH AND DISASTER.
Terrific Thunder Storm at
Dubuque.
The Town of Rockdale En-
tirely Swept Away.
Forty-two Persons Missing
---Nineteen Bodies Re.
covered.
Heart-rending shrieks Of Wo
men and Children.
Railr0ad Bridges swept away and
Commu mi ication Cut Oft.

HailroAd bridges swept away and
Communicates. Cut OFT
DUBUQUE, July GA fearful storm
swept over this city last night, carry
ing death and destruction in its work
Rain commenced falling about ten,
and continued for three hours with
a solid sheet Of water, accompanied
with thunder and lightning, making
the worst storm ever experienced.
Death and destruction are visible on
every hand. All the bridges and
wagon roads and railroads are swept
away, and no trains can arrive for
several days. Honses were carried
down stream by the torrents, and
their occupants drowned, cellars were
filed with water, streets are washed
out. live stock is drowned, and mour-
ming takes the place of joy.
The village Of Rockdale, two miles
from this city, built in a .rayine on a
stream, was inundated at the dead
hour Of night, while the storm was
raging and the lightning flashing, by
the breaking away of mill dam
some distance up the stream, by the
rush of water. Every building in
the place was swept away with the
food, except the mill, and their oc-
cmpants carried away and drowned.
OF forty-two persons missing, nine
teen dead bodies have been found
along the bank of the stream. Rock
dale was d small place of about 200
inhabitants, built Upon . creek, and
contains postoflice. hotel, store and
other structures. The rain fell in a
solid body for three hours aiid the
stream rose. About one o'clock,
while the lightning was ilashing and
and the thunder rolling, the residents
were terror-stricken with the rush of
mighty waters and in an instant every
building in the place, save the mill,
was carried down the stream or NOV
ed from its foundation. After the
storm had abated, search was made
and fortytwo persons were found
missing. or this number nineteen
dead bodies of men, women and
children were picked up along the
stream. Death and desolation are
seen on every hand, the scene, with
the shrieks of women and children in
the blackness of the night, was heart
rending. Search is being made fol
those still missing. The railroad
bridge at that place was carried away
and the road made impossible. All
the railroads have suffered with wash.
outs. No trains have arrived or de.
parted to-day from any section.
John klassen's cooper shop first
gave way, then came the hotel barn
then Peter ID. Becker's house, then
Martin +. Cary's saloon, then Thos
Blank iron store, Tom Coates black
smith shop, Peter Beckcr's meat mar
ket, Klassen's house, Becker's saloon
Horns store and house. Mr.. Horl
and family luckily were saved. tn,
house lodged against strong tree
| The water had risen and driven tn,
!. family into the upper story, wher,
they clung by the rafters and othe
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12
The Ranuhlir of Mayico will hold a

The Republic of Mexico will hold a
national election for President, two
Supreme Court Judges, and an At
torney General, on Sunday, July o.
Here is the way they give official no.
tice of the national election i'm that
country:
Sebastine Lerdo dc Tajada, Constitu-
tional President Of the United
States of Mexico. to the inhabitants
thereof be it known:
The Congress of the Union has seen
tit to decree the following:
"The Congress of the United States
OF Mexico DEGREES:
"ARTICLE |. The Mexican people
are convoked to the election of fourth
and fifth magistrates of the Supreme
Court of Justice, and Attorney Gen
eral of the nation. Said elections shall
be held by the same electoral colleges,
which, in conformity with the law,
are to elect the President of the Re-
pnbljc, and on the same day with the
latter election.
"ART. 2. The primary elections
for President of the Republic shall be
held the last June, and the final cleo
tions on the second Sunday in July OF
the present year.
''FRANCIsCo DE p. GocHICoA,
Deputy President.
"FRANCIsco "A. NALEz,
Senator President.
.PArarcIo NICoLI,
Deputy Secretary.
j. SANCHEZ yAzcoNA,
Senator Secretary
Which / order printed. published
and circulated for its due fitlfillment
SEBASTIAN LERDo DE TAJADA.
National Palace in Mexico, May
IL. 1876.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

a. r
The Tilden men kicked up . great
fuss at st. Louis over the great ad.
vantage the candidate would have in
the assistance Of Mr.. Carl Schprz and
the German vote. The opposition to
Tilden, who knew quite Is much of
Mr.. Carl 6chnrz as they, presumed to
doubt Mr.. Scharz's FsptNxoas sdyo-
cacyi of Tildea aud his ability to de-
liver the German vote, but they were
treated as malcOntents and denounced
as enemies Of the Democratic party.
The Westiiche Post, Mr.. Schnrz's pa
per, now comes out and spits upon
the platform and the ticket and says
It cannot have its support. Unless the
Democratic party can bid higher for
Mr.. Schurz's able efforts, the chances
are that Gov. Hayes will have the
benefit of the aforesaid in the October
elections. Mr.. Schurz is q political
adventnrer, and his eloquence is not
to be had for any sentimental notions,
but has q market value, and he knows
how to drive q good bargain. The
German vote which Mr.. Schucz un-
dertakes to deliver, is an uncertain
Quantity when II is to be taken from
the friends of good government and
administrative ii Reform. 1t wont do
to depend too much upon men like
Schurz, and papers like Jay Gonld's
Tribune. - Burlington Gazette (Dem)
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12
projections, when they were able to

projections, when they were able to
keep their heads only above water.
Joseph Becker and his wife and
two children; James Pierce, Emma.
his wife, and two children; Peter
Becker and five children, also his
housekeeper and her two children
Mrs. Carene and two children; John
klassen, wife and eight children
Mrs. Kingsley, Thomas Blenkison, o.
Blenkison, William Bradbury and
Rick Burk-thirty-n mine in all. Alto
gether the scene was one to touch a
heart of stone. Thousands of people
have visited the scene during the day.
and people are going and coming
constantly. The ncighbors with
kindly alacrity opened their doors to
such of the afflicted as remained, and
afforded every comfort in their pow
er.
The bodies of the dead were wash
ed by kind hands and many of them
taken into dwellings near by.
LATER-Thirty-one bodies Of the
drowned have been recovered. Fur
ther. search will be continued until
all are found.
Farther Particulars Of sse Rock Aals
DUBUQUE, July GA Herald re-
porter has just arrived from the scene
of the Rockdale disaster. Tie reports
that with the coming Of daylight a
large force of men renewed the search
for the missing, bodies. Up to this
time but one more has been found,
that of a girl, Minnie Bauer. The find
ing Of this body confirms the fears of
Yesterday that more were missing
than reported. A sister, Lizzie Ban-
er, is now known to be missing, which
will swell the number lost to Al, of
which only 33 have as yet been found.
Funeral services are being held on
the bank of the stream for such of the
dead as have surviving friends, but
the greater number composing whole
families who have been swept out of
will have to be buried by
the county.
Of the missing bodies it is not un-
likely some have been swept into the
Mississippi river, and will never be
recovered.
The telegraph company are hard at
work to restore communication. The
Central railroad have large force of
men at work at both ends of the
break from Dubuque to Julien, dis
tance. of nine and a half miles. 1t
will be two weeks before trains are
in running order. In the meantime
the company have arranged for the
transfer Of passengers and mails by
stages. Such devastation never be-
fore visited this conuntry.
The damage to the city Of Dubuque
win not be repaired in many months.
1t is impossible to esti mate the loss
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

Both platforms oppose any further
grants Of land to railroads. The
democratic declaration attempts, how
ever, to make special virtue out of
their hostility to such schemes.
The st. Louis Globe Democrat has
dug mp the fact that Republican Con-
crosses have given to railways 3l,-
100000 acres, and democratic ones
100000. In this calculation, how
ever, no account is made of the land
given to the Union Pacific, which act
was supported al the time by all the
people irrespective Of party and
which land is, for the most pant, as
valueless as so many acres Of the un-
columned air. asi a a
1t will be borne In mind that lpder
Douglass at an early day, an immense
grant of land was secured from q
democratic Congress for the Illinois
Central railroad, and that at about
the same time over a million acres of
the finest land i'm the world was Civ
en- to improve the Des Moines river
which was for the most part stolen
by democratic reformers of that Pc
riod. In fact the Democratic party
is responsible for this plan Of squan-
dering the public domain, and that
we have any of it left for the older,
sailor and other homesteaders, is
owing to the fact that democratic re-
formers went out of power fifteen
years ago. a
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

CARL ScHuRz, in his paper the
Westliche Post, has come out square,
ly for Hayes and Wheeler, in card
over his own signature. Judge David
Davis who, after the Cincinnati nom-
ination, wrote letter to q friend en-
dorsing Hayes and Wheeler, and re-
fnsing to have his name 60 before the
st. Louis convention, Is out advising
his Liberal friends to stand by the
Republican ticket. He speaks in the
highest terms OF Governor Hayes.
John d. Defrees, Of Indiana, who
went off into the Liberal movement
after Greeley, and who was for many
years prominent Republican Of the
Hoosier State, has also declared for
Hayes and Wheeler. aI
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM
We hold the United States one nation,
! With equal rights for every station
We safely brought the country through
Rebellion-and welt keepit, too.
Congress and President must see
Whist free we made must still be free.
All obligations of the State
Must be fulfilled inviolste.
Appoint we none but honest ncn
And hold them to their duty then.
The public schools must be maintained
And not by sectartes be stained.
Protect our native Industries
And not those of men beyond the seas
For railroads not our broad domain,
But for our yOeman's nerve and brain.
Our fiag must still protect all men,
B0rn or adopted citizen.
The Chinese problem must he solved
Al once by those on whom devolved.
Well list to what the women say
OF r'ghts-and then act as We may.
Poiygamy must be crushed out,
And oil such doings, without doubt.
Our promise must be fulfilled
To tn boys In blue; tits thus we've willed.
The Democrats must be demolished,
And Senatorial jealOusies abolished.
And. as eight years he's seen us through,
Here's health to Grant; and 80 atlieu.
4 -tNew York Graphic
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12
Captured By = snak 9.

Horace Shipley, Of Berlin town.
ship, had quite an encounter with a
snake last week. lie saw the snake
in the field where he was at work,
and attempted to kill it with a fence
stake. As he raised the stake the
snake darted at him, and coiled itself
around his legs. He reached in his
pocket for his knife /; it was not there,
and no stick or stone was within his
reach. while the snake was coiled SO
tightly around his legs that he could
not walk. He threw himself on the
ground and rolled over and over nn-
ill he reached some stones, when he
smashed its head with one blow. II
was d blacksnake, and measured six
feet eight inches in length.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12
LAW PS.
Why ana when They Explode.

We extract from the Scientific
American the following useful hints
on the dangers of petroleum lamps
All explosions of petroleum lamps
are caused by the vapor or gas that
collects in the space above the oil.
When full of oil, OF course lamp
contains no gas, but Immediately on
lighting the lamp consumption of oil
begins, soon leaving a space for gas,
which commences to form as the lamp
warns up, aud, after burning short
time, sufficient gas will accumulate to
form an explosion. The gas i'm a
lamp will explode only when ignited.
In this respect it is like gunpowder.
Cheap or inferior oil is always most
dangerous.
The flame is communicated to the
gas in the following manner: The
wick tube in all lamp burners is made
larger than the wick which is to pass
through it. 1t would not do to have
the wick work tightly in the burner
on the contrary, it is essential that il
move up aud down with perfect ease.
In this way il is unavoidable that
space in the tube is left along the
sides of the wick sufficient for the
flame from the burner to pass down
into the lamp and explode the gas.
Many things occur to cause the
flame to pass down the wick and cx
plode the lamp: First, a lamp may
be standing on table or mantel, and
a slight pun Of air from the open win
dow or door may cause an explosion ;
second, lamp may be taken up
quickly from table or mantel, and
instantly exploded; third, a lamp is
taken into an entry where there is a
draught, or out of doors. and am eX-
plosion ensues fourth, IA lighted lamp
is taken up a flight of stairs. or is
raised quickly TO place ii Oh the man
tel, resulting in an explosion. In
| these cases the mischief is done by the
air movemcnt---eithcr by suddenly
checking the draught. or forcing air
down the chimney against the hame
fifth, blowing down the chimney 10
cX.ingnish the light is frequent
cause .of.explosion; sixth. lamp explo-
sions havs been caused by using q
chimney broken off at the top, or one
that has piece broken out, whereby
the draught is variable and the flame
unsteady; seventh, sometimes 9
thoughtless person puts a small-sized
wick in a large-sized burne., thus
leaving considerable space along the
edges of the wick. An old burner
with its air draughts clogged up
which rightfully should be thrown
away, is sometimes continued in
use, and the final result is an explo.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12
The K.,led O0ace,s.
saaERmAN MAD.
He says they viii Conquer the Sloux
or EXloflMlnAtN Then


New York, July 7.-Gen. Sherman
confcrring with reporter, on the
Custer massacre, said that the truth
was, the army was unable to carry
out the purposes of the Government
in the Indian country by reason of
its weakness. l have, lie said, sent
every man could spare into that re-
gion, even taking troops from Lara
mie and Salt Lake. The Govern
ment in its wisdom, directs the doing,
of certain things. In these regions il
directs an expedition, like this Of
Terry; an expedition necessary for
the development of the country. We
do the best we can with our material,
but we are in no condition to do the
work required Of u.s.
In answer 10 questions as IL what
We're the reasons for this campaign,
Gen. Sherman says we are doing this
at the special request of the Indian
Department. 1t does not originate
with the War Department at ALI
Our purpose is TO drive these Indians
who are of the very widest and most
savage sort down on the reservation.
ion can say that we will do it now
or exterminate them.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

THE Chicago Times has got its price
.Tilden's barrel of money held out
long enough to strike the Times, and
that paper, after having berated in its
choicest billingsgate, Hendricks, and
declared the mixture Of Tilden and
the Democratic Hoosier chief fraud,
swallows the dose it has thus labeled,
and now, daily publishes its little
piece for the Democratic nominees.
Prior to the meeting Of the St. Louis
the Times declared that
the nomination of Tilden would be Q
revival Of the old "rotten putridity,"
aad triumph for the Confederates.
II siso dug up Tilden's peace'resolu-
tion Of 1864, to show how Tilden's
would be a Confederate
trinnaph. Further, it declared that if
Tilden Was nominated he would be
badly beatan. Now, however, Til
denis advertising agent has scen the
Times man, aad it has bartered its
political principles for one Of those
barrels of greenbaeks.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

Last Sunday mornings Washing
ton City Republican has two column
statement supported by sworn evil
dence charging that Chief Revenue
Detective Yaryan extorted $4,000
from crooked whisky operators at st.
Louis as the price Of destroying off,
cial reports of their criminal acts. The
action of the President in summarily
dismissing this corrupt detective is
generally approved at the Capital
State Register.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

YANKToN, d. r., July 6.-The Dem
ocratic Territorial Convention here
to-day nominated Solomon L. Sphinx
as candidate for Delegate 70 Congress.
Union county, the strongest Demo-
cratic county in the Territory, re-
fused to accept Ills nomination, and
the delegates Heclated that their
county would 'reputiiate him. 'hMr.
Sphinx is one Of the Centennial Com
missioners, was at one time Sectetary
of the Territory, and subsequently,
represented the Territory two years
in Congress.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12
A I'M. MGR bounced.

y commercial traveller visited the
house of Mrs. Wray, a widow ut Mon
tour, few nights ago, and, in
sisted on admission after being
warned by the indignant woman to
go away. lie refused to leave, when
she arose, drew a seven-shootcr from
beneath hes pillow, opened the door,
and fill i itsa air about that hummer
with bullets, and calmly retired,
without further molcstation. The
le of revolyefg Ia women has reach
ed an unprecedented extent in this
State the paa few weeks, and an ex-
ira pocket is ordered in every new
dress.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12
Jacob Gs Ter slx MentAs And ere,
ObO

CHICAGO, July Tin the United
States Circuit Court this morning,
Jacob Rehm, ex-chief of police in
this city, was sentenced to pay fine
of $4,000 and to be imprisoned in
the county Jail for term Of 6 months
for his connection with the whisky
frauds
Waterman, gauger, was sentenc-
ed to pay fine of 1000 and to be
imprisoned in Jail for six months.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, July 7.-Gen. Sher-
man has telegraphed to Secretary
Cameron, who arrived this morning.
He will leave Philadelphia to-day for
this city. 1t is probable that upon
the arrival of Gen. Sherman there
will be an immediate conference be-
tween the President and Secretary of
War and the General upon the sub
ject of an Indian war in general.
WASHINGTON, Tuly Z.
Senator Morrill, took the oath of
Office as Secretary of the Treasury
this afternoon at the Executive Man
sion. Judge Wiley administered the
oath. -
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

ARM Torn yesterday after
noan boy about sixteen years of age,
named Robert Wilmes, who was en-
ployed at Carter's mill, while at work
at the planning machine, got his right
arm caught in some way and literally
torn oil clear to the elbow joint, the
injury presenting ghastly sight.
The mangled member was amputated
between the elbow and the shoulder.
Gate CITY
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

To the demonstration of Professor
Huxley that the horse is an evolu-
ton from the archippus, the Buffalo
Express very politely responds: "No
reputation is safe in these days.
This scandal wouldn't have come out
if the horse hadn't been running for
something
Double-decked street cars are to be
used in Boston more generally than
heretofore,
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

When the news Of the st. Louis
nominations was received At the Dem
ocSat Office, the enthusiastic editor,
pro tem., got mp q ratification meet
ing oil by himself. He got out an old
paper-board, and pasted on it some
posters, In the display type used for
horse chromos, the words, "TildeG,
Hendricks, victoryp An old seed
corn Democrat, who chanced to come
that way, stopped and gazed at II
awhile, In wonder and admiration,
and then remarked: "l've heard Of
Tilden and Hendricks; but that
other fellow-who's he ?"-Bloon.feid
Commonwealth.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

The Chicago tribune conservative
Republican paper with Democratic
tendencies), has discovered the fact
that slippery Sam Tilden, in 1866 and
1867, during the glorious reign OF
Andrew johnson, was connected with
a distillery of Tilden Brothers at Leb-
anon Springs, New York, which de.
frauded the revenues Of some six to
seven hundred dollars per day. We
are not in the habit Of voaching fol
everything in the Tribase, but that
paper, in this case, makes its statement
on the evidence Of the offer who dis
covered the fraud.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12
Tho storm 10 Central loWA-Htreesn
pePs00s X llleA II 0aASoOn aDA
Warren Counties,

CHcAso, July 6.-The Journals
Des Moincs, Iowa, special says the
latest reports show that the storm of
Tuesday night extended throughout
the most of Central Iowa, and was
terrific in its effect.
In Madison and Warren counties
ID persons were killed aud consider
able damage done to live stock aud
crops. Much property was also
damaged at Pclla. The railroad
tracks are all right.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12
a Chsiatinn Warntag.

She was colored lady and attend
ing a revival Of religion, and had
worked herself up to the extremc
pitch of going to good place in y mo-
ment. or sooner ii possible. As her
friends gave vent to theic feelings,
she likewise gave vent To her feeling
and exclaimed:
IL wish | was June bug
A brother Of sable hue, standing
near by, inquired:
"What you want to be one fori"
"That might fly TO heaven"
You fool niger; woodpeckel
ketch YOU fore you get half way dar.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

According to Washington dis
patches in the Chicago Times j.
Proctor Knott proposes to have
Grant impeached for removing for
cause one H. T. Yaryan, revenue
agent.
The question about whether Grant
or Knott has the sole power to re-
move and appoint subordinate on
GERS In this country is one Of the
pressing QUESTION: Of the hour.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12
Mr. n,.,ne Consi.ues VERY Low.

AUGUSTA, Me-, July 6.-Mr. Blaine
has now been at holne eight days.
So for there has been no special
change in his case. The nervous pros
tration is still marked characteristic.
He is not able to leave his room, and
is almost entirely confined.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12
A regular whisEv crusade has a

A regular whisky crusade has COM
menced at Iowa City. The leading
saloon keepers Of the place were mp
Wednesday for selling whisky con-
trary TO law. The Sheriff has nearly
100 Vt the most prominent young men
Of the city subp0naed 70 appear on
The stand against the saloon keepers.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

4 It will be seen that bill was intro.
dnced in Congress to-day authoriz-
ing the enlistment Of five regiments
Of volunteers to hunt the Sioux.
Excuse us. We haven't lost any
Sioux.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

+. d. Sewell, formerly Internal
Revenue Supervisor for New Eng.
land, has been appointed Chief Of the
Special Agents Of the Internal Reve-
nue Oface in place Of Yaryan.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-07-12

CENTERvILLE, IA, July 4, 1876.
Mr.. Ed. Mcqueen, of Columbia,
Boone county, Mo-, had both hands
blown of and both legs mashed by
the accidental discharge Of a cannon.
No hope Of his recovery.