davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03
RED cLoUBIN DlANs sTARvlxo.


Danger OF kaid On tho whites.
CnIcAGo, April 27.--A dispatch just
received by Gen. Sheridan, fro.,
Gen. Crook, says the Indians at Red.
Cloud are on the verge of starvation,
owing to neglect in forwarding sup
plies, and that unless immediate steps
are taken to supply them, they will
all leave the reservation, and fears
are entertained that from their pres
ent temper they will make raid on
the whites.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03

As the impeachment trial of Gen'l
Belknap will now soon be in full blast
that is, il the Senate decides that ii
has jurisdiction of the ease, and we
that the verdict win be one OF ac-
quittal. The prcjudiced and wicked
ly biased partizan who is opposed to
us in politics, would doubtless say
that we so predict because we expect
Republican Senators TO favor the ex-
Secretary. We expect this from
them, though the accuser himself wo'd
know that he falsified when he so
stated. The real reasons why we be-
licve that Gent Belknap win be
acquitted, are mostly honestly enter
tanned, and are as follows: First
So far as we have been able to learn.
there will be no witness to testify to a
single thing which will serve to sus-
tain the charge, but Marsh and his
wife-that no other act of the ex-
Secretary has been found which can
be basis for the charge, but the
transaction concerning TT. Sill, and
that the testimony of Marsh, as given
upon two different occasions already,
il SO at variance as to greatly discred-
il what he may say, in addition to the
fact that he is, by his own confession,
a very guilty party in the transaction.
iSecond-Marsh has not, nor has any
body else, sworn 20 such a state of
facts as to clearly prove that Genl
Belknap had any knowledge Of Marsh
paying money to Mrs. Belknap or to
anybody else, on account of his post
leadership. 1t is one thing to have q
suspicion, and a strong suspicion, that
Bclknap had guilty knowledge of
what the money was paid for, and IL
is quite another thing TO prove the
fact. II is ono thing to convict q man
of wrong doing according to the ver-
dict of gossip, which carries with it
no legal punishment, and quito an
other TO convict upon good and suf-
ficient evidence, under such restrict
ions rs the wise provisions Of law
have thrown around the accused. to
guard him against being uniustly
condemned. In short, we believe
that however much men may honest
ly, perhaps, differ in suspicion,
amounting to an opinion, as to the
innocence or guilt Of Bclknap, yet.
we feel quite confident that the evil
denee adduced will fall clearly short
of warranting conviction. After the
trial, and thorough sitting shall be
had of all the circumstances In the
case, the popular verdict i'm regard to
Belknap will, in our opinion, under
go much of change, though IL is too
late to hope for more than partial
amelioration from the torrent Of cal
umny that has been heaped upon him
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03
Callsorn far Binane.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 27.-The
Republican convention, last night.
adopted by large majority resoln-
tion favoring Blaine as the Republi-
can candidate for President, but the
delegates were left uninstructed.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03
FIRE.

CINCINNATI, April 27.-A fire broke
out in the dome of the Court House
at Shoals, Morton county, Ind, about
ii o'clock this morning. The build
ing Is total loss. Loss about $50
600; insured for $4,000.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03

Recommendation

In wagon made Of willow
Wheeled once q little maiden.
Ri. giets shining on the pillow.
Rolling homeward treasure laden,
Like boat npOn the billow.
Ten years fed. All, how missed her
When we let the village SCHOOL,
But she said she d be my sister,
As we fingered by the pc J.,
And ! passlonately kissed her.
Ten more frctting years renew It;
Little wagon made Of willow;
Loving eyes are bent to view Ii:
Loving hands adjust the pillow.
And we've fitted rockers 10 1t.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03

There were never any facts to war
rant them, and 1 think that state
ment to the public is due both to you
and myself.
/ desire, as President of the compa-
NY, to repel any such inference in the
most emphatic manner, and would be
glad to hear from you on the subject.
Very Respectfully,
SIDNEY DILLON, President.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03
A SAMPLE pIsfClS

A Washington special gives the
following interesting account of pro-
ceedings before an investigating COM
mittce on the 2ith inst.
IL was only n few days ago that a
Committee permitted the false and
statement to he telegraphcd
throughout Christendom that the
President had been detected in taking
money from the Treasury to pay for
his election, but 1t was left for the
Committee on Expenditures in the
Interior Department to-day to sur
pass all others in the attempt to
catch Grant. The Democrats on the
Committee had caused all the Repnb-
lieans to be notified that
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03
DONE HIM MORTAL WRONG;

that he had ruined his (the witness')
betrothed, and since that time wit
ness had been a prescribed and per-
secuted man. Hence the detectives,
hence those mad-house bars. The
President had frequently come to the
house Of witness about ii at the dead
of night, and had impertuned him at
his bedside not to ruin his great fame.
'sBut7 interfered a Republican mem
Der, chow did the President get to
your bedside at that time of night
Did he ring the bell?" The climax
had come. The Democrats were en-
thusiastic in their sardonic Joy,
and were just ready to render
their verdict against the President,
when witness the guilty influence
81 want you TO understand, gentle
men, that President Grant i'm the body
never did me or mine harm. lie has
only done me that great wrong as a
spirit
The collapse came; the witness
was madman. The Committee in
stansly discharged him, Immediately
ordered the stenographer t0 suppress
his notes. and begged the Republican
members to keep the matter silent.
One of the latter, with good deal
OF indignation, said that he hoped he
might be as mad as witness If he kept
still. In this way the Democrats OF
the Committee on Expenditures in
the Interior Department caught the
President
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03
AN IMPORTANT mIrNrss

was to be examined, and that all
should be present. No hint was Civ
en- of the nature of the expected evil
dence, but the fact escaped from some
of the less careful Democrats. that
the Committee held President Grant
in the hollow of its hand. The Com
mittee had been sitting with open
doors. but the mysterious witness
was produced, and the doors were
barred for two hours. The witness
upon whose lips the fate of the Pres
ident of the United States hung was
an ordinary-looking business man.
The Democratic members were on
tiptoc with expectation. The Repub-
licans were interested, but ignorant
of the forthcoming results. The wit
ness was almost Indifferent.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03
HIS MARVELLOUS STORY

was this: Some years ago person
in high station did him great injury.
II became important to the peace of
mind of that great parsonage that
witness should be harmless. Hired
detectives soon hurried him to the
Government mad-house. He was
kept there, friendless and powerless
for months, when one day agents of
this great parsonage approached him,
giving him his choice between life
Imprisonment with lunatics or a life
of exile in Europe. He chose the lat
ter The detectives accompanied him
to the steamer, and he left for Europe.
Becoming weary of Europe, he re-
turned, and appeared before the Com
mittee to-day to tell the story. The
Committee seemed paralyzed in part
with astonishment, in part with dia-
bolical joy. ''Who was that great
parsonage that wronged your" "The
President of the United States" was
the reply. "What wrong did he do
youy' There the witness paused.
He would die before he would tell.
1t was delicate subject and should
not be mentioned. For an hour the
Committee piled him with questions.
They threatened him with imprison-
mcnt, with severe punishment, and
with terrors Of contumacy. The wit
ness yielded. lie said the President
of the United had
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03

OFFICE UNION Pacific RAILROAD,
New York, April %. 1876 Hon.
JAMES G. BLAINE, Washington-Dedr
SIR: AS l advised you some days
ago, wrote Col Thomas A. Scott,
and beg leave to enclose you his re-
ply. | desire further to say that l
was director of the company, and a
member of the Executive Committee
in 1871, and to add my testimony to
that of Col. SCOTS in verification of
all that he has stated in the inclosed
letter. Truly yours,
SIDNEY DILLON, President.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03

OFFIcE UNION Pacific RAILROAD,
New York, April 10, lS76.--Col.
THOMAS A. ScoTT, Philadelphia--Dear
SIR: The press of the country are
making allegations that certain bonds
of the Little Rock aud Fort Smith
Railroad Company purchased by the
the Union Pacific Railroad Company
in 1871, were obtained from Hon.
James G.. Blaine, Of Maine, or that the
avails in some form went to his bene-
tit, and that the knowledge Of these
facts rests with the officers OF
the company and with yourself.
These statements are injurious,
both to Mr.. Blaine and to the
Union Pacific Railroad Company.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03

And this closes the ties stimony have
wished to offer. Several newspapers,
some of them doubtless from friendly
motives, have urged that should ask
for committee to investigate these
charges. might have done that,and
waited the delay and slow progress
that inevitably attend all congress
sional investigations. Three and a
hal: years ago | moved a committee
to investigate
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03


within the last IL years. In addition
to my investment bonds, united with
others In raising some money for the
company when it met its first financial
troubles.
Proceedings are now pending in
i'm the United States Circuit Court in
Arkansas, In which am party Of
record for reimbursement for the
money so advanced. All the bonds
which l ever purchased / continued
to hold, and when the company was
reorganized in 1874, Il exchanged them
for stock and bonds in the new con-
cern, which / still own. MY whole
connection with the road has been as
open as day. If there had been any
thing to conceal about il should not
have touched it.
Wherever concealment is desirable,
avoidance is advisable, and I do moi
know any better test to apply to the
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03

Ihat instead of receiving the
bonds of the Little Rock and Ft.
Smith road as gratuity, never had
one except at the regular market
price and that, instead of making a
large fortune out of that company,
have incurred severe pecuniary loss
from my Investments in its securities,
which | still retain, and out of such
affairs as this grows the popular gos-
sip of the large fortunes amassed in
Congress.
can hardly expect MIR, Speaker.
that any statement from me will stop
the work of those who have so indus
trionsly circulated
THESE CALUMNIEs.
For months past the effort has been
energetic and continuous to spread
these stories in private circles. En-
issaries of slandcr have visited the
editorial-rooms Of the leading repub-
iican papers from Boston to Omaha,
and whispered of revelations to come
that We're too terrible even to be spo-
ken in loud tones, and at last the rev.
elation has been made. / am now,
Mr.. Speaker, in my fourteenth year
of not inactive service in this hall.
| have taken and have given blows.
| have, no doubt, said many things in
the heat Of debate which L would
now gladly recall. l have no doubt
given votes, which in fuller light /
would gladly change, but have nev
ef done anything in my public career
for which could be put to the faint
est blush in any presence OF for which
cannot answer to my constituents,
my conscience, and the Great Scar
cher of hearts.
Mr.. Blaine summarized what he
had presented, in very impressive
address which he delivered from
written slips and was listened to with
eager attention by every member
and person within the crowded hall.
As he concluded there was murmur
of applause from both sides of the
hall and one of group of prominent
democratic members having tempo.
rary seats near a reporter, exclaimed
as he finished, his asseverations OF
innocence, II believe il, every word Of
it,. to which others replied: "And
so do l."
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03
SINGLE DOLLAR
THE TRUTH OR FALslrY

of these charges. II must be the Off
GERS of the Union Pacific Railroad
company. accordingly addressed
note to the president Of the company,
a gentleman who had been a director
of the company from its organization
I believe, and who is more thorough
ly acquainted with its business trans
actions, probably, than any other man.
The correspondence which l here SUBJ
init, will explain itself and leave moth
ing to be said. will read the letters
in their proper order. They need no
comment:
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-03
THE REQUISITE MEANS


they placed the bonds OF the compa-
ny on the New England market in
the summer of 1860, Offering them on
terms which secmd very favorable to
the purchasers, and offering them at
time when Investments Of this kind
were fatally popular. In common
with hundreds of other: people in
New England and other parts of the
country, l bought some of these bonds
not a very large amount, paying for
them atprecisely the same rate as 9TH
ers paid. l never heard and do not
believe that the Little Rock company,
which | know Is controlled by highly
honorable men, ever parted with a
bond to any person except at the reg
ular price fixed for their sale. The
enterprise, though apparently very
promising. proved unsuccessful, as SO
many similar projects about the same
time. lost a considerable sum Of
money--nycr $20,000--by my invest
ment. aud presume New England
made net loss of $2,0O0,OO0 in COM
pleting that road for Arkansas, as she
has lost over $l,00O,OO0 by similar
ventures,
Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-04-08

CAN BIRDS CoNvERsE 7--Dr. Charles
G. Abbott cites tho following occurrence
to show that birds possess some mode Of
conveying IDEAS TO ono another: In tho
spring Of 1879, a pair Of cat-brds were
noticed carrying material for nest 20 n
patch of blackberry -brars hard by. To
test their ingenuity, DR.. Abbott took
long, narrow strip of muslin, too long for
one bird conveniently to carry, and placed
II on the ground in such position as to
DO seen by tho birds when searching for
the material. In few moments ono of
tho cat-birds spiod the strip and endcsv-
orod TO carry II off; but its length and
weight, however hc took hold OF it--And
he tried many times--impedod his fight,
and after worrying a long time over IL
the bird flow OF for assistance. In few
moments he returned with his mate, and
then, standing near the strip, they APP
pearcd to hold n consultation. The chirp-
ing twiltering, murmuring, and occa-
sional cjaculstions were all unmistak-
able. In few moments theso all ceased
and the work commenced. Each took
hold oftbe muslin strip at about the same
distance In each case from the ends and,
taking fight simultaneously, bore II a
way. Soon there was much jabbcring at
the nest the birds could not agree how
To use the strip, ard 1t was finally aban-
doned but so, too, was the nest, and tho
birds loft tho noghborhood.
Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-04-08
YEARS AGO.

Bless me, boy, that was years ago
And you tell me that's the girl
That sleek old dowagor moving slow,
Just there ahead in the purple bow,
Tho train, and tho chain of pearl.
A dream, not faded, but met full-grown,
And draped in Cashmere shawl
I'm man of business, sinew and bono,
And weigh, won't say, how many stone.
But She oh, confound it all
Lots SEQ ten twenty-odd years ago
shut her door in rago,
That jar-l felt it woek or SO:
A fellows nerves will quiver you know,
Before ho is quito of age.
remembered the room wo parted in;
The twilight the twittoring birds
Her sunny hair with its turquoise pin,
Her flashing eyes whore II tear had been =
Our passionate parting words.
She waits me yet in somo twilight place
Flushed with that passionate glow
A wraith-like creature of light and grace
A dream, vision, whose iieoting faco
Iworshippod, those years ugo.
No old acquaintance for mo, my lad
No resurrcctions here.
Rosalias, Maries, grim or glad,
Tho old loves hide that have had
But in rosior sphere.
-Radlic Opinion.
Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-04-08

THE VENTRILoQuIsT AND THE Pro.
Among the many amusing stories rolat-
cd of vcntriloquists is the following
At Macon fair, France, a ventriloquist,
named Comte, saw II countrywoman
driving pig before her, which could
hardly move, so laden was IL with lat,
I" What's the price Of your pig" my
good woman
"A. hundred francs, my good-lookinp
gentleman, Mt your service, If you wisl
to buy"
"Of course l wish to buy but it's q
great deal to much. can offer you
ten crowns"
~ want one hundred francs, no more
and no less take IL or leave it,"
"Stay," said Comte, approaching the
animal 81 am sure your pig is more
reasonable than you. Tell mo, on you
conscience, my fine fellow, are you wortl
ono hundred sous 2"
"I'm measlcd, and my mistress is try
ing to take you in."
The crowd that assembled around th'
woman and pig fell back in terror, fan
cyng them both bcwitched, while Comtc
returned to his hotel, where the story
was told, with sundry additions, and h'
learned that some courageous personi
had gone up to the woman begging her t.
be exercised. and thus drive tho wickec
spirit out of tho pig.
Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-04-08
Weaverville, April 8, 1876

RARE QUALIFICATIoNs.-George H.
Pendleton has shown rare qualifications
for Democratic candidate for the Presi-
dency. He is hired by Kentucky rail
road TO look out for the loose change and
keep the track in running order for the
modest sum of $4,000 year. As presi-
dent he overooks the company's books,
and accidentally stumbles over a little
balance of Sl4S, 900 said to be due from
Uncle Sam to said railroad. Here is n
good chance for George to make good
record, and put goodly sum of money
into the pocket of poor corporation -
OF course, as president, he has an eye
single for the company's good. SO he
proceeds to collect the money. The debt
is an honest one-so President George af-
firms under oath-and for all honest debts
the Pendletons charge high fees. SO
George calls upon Uncle Sam, gets the
claim allowed, after briet interview of
n quarter of an hour, and the cash paid
over in one day, takes out $74, 900 for his
own trouble, four-fitths of the remainder
as due the estate of some near relative,
and puts to tho credit of the stockholders
about $4,000.
Here we have, in n single frame, n
model president, model collector, and a
model Democrat. Had Pendleton been
President of the United States when the
Alabama claims were settled, what fee
would have been his, on this Kentucky
railroad principle ? Some innocent par
ties may dream that this Pendletonian
revelation may hurt the distinguished
George in his political aspirations. Not
bit of it. 1t places him in the front
rank of candidates, and commends him
to the confidence of the faithful. Pendle-
ton and Cymer should be the battle-cry
Of Democracy in the coming campaign {.
Tie Republic.
Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-04-08

SINGULAR CRTME.-Last evening, as
the passenger train from Charlotte, on
the Lake Shore Rond, was coming t.
this city, under the direction of Conduc-
tor Day, a peculiar smell was noticed by
Mr.. +. p. Eagle, who was passenger
on board, and on looking around he dis.
covered that n strange appearance oi
stupor had come over all tho passengers.
His suspicious being aroused, his action
was prompt and energetic. He was not
long in discovering the culprit in n sus-
picions looking character who occupied a
seat in the rear end ofthe car. He lit upon
him at once and discovered in his posses
sion curiousy constructed tin pan, and
demanded to know what he had in it.
Coffee" said the fellow, with tho ut
most cfi'rontery.
"Ill coffee you," said the Oswegon.
liant as his olfactories took full dose OF
the anesthetic, which was fast escaping.
Here, conductor Dick Help Up
with the windows Seize the rascal We
are all being chloroiormed lt's the
same fellow who chloroformed and robbed
II whole passenger train on the Michigan
Central last week.
The now thoroughly aroused passen-
gers sprang from their seats, the win
dows were put up and the doors thrown
open, instanter, and as the train moved
along there was enough of the pure sterl-
ing air forced through the car to counter
act the effects of any quantity Of stupo-
flying ether.
The culprit was seized by Mr.. Eagle
and Conductor Day, and his "can" was
found TO contain enough "cofee" TO
have stlpe6ed dozen car loads Of pas
sengers.
A vote of thanks was rendered 10 Mr..
Eagle by the grateful passengers, who
folt that they had been saved from rob
berry, il not worse evils, by his remarka-
BILE self possession and prompt measures.
Oswego Nv. " Times.