davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17
What Is It2

Mr.. p. 7. Barnum has offered twenty thou
sand dollars to Mr.. Conant, the finder of the
petrifed Colorado giant, just as it is, and
twenty-five thousand dollars, If, on examine
ton by Professor Marsh, of Yale College, or
any other eminent geologist, this proves to
be petrifed human body. The public
seem to be divided in opinion about this
curiosity, some affirming it piece of ex-
humed statuary, and others, among whom
are a number of medical gentlemen, that it
is genuine petrifaction. The discoverer,
Mr.. Conant, is a man of acknowledged
probity and honor, who is regarded entirely
above any suspicion of fraud. The circum-
stances attending the discovery are these (:
Mr.. Conant is resident of Colorado Springs,
and gentleman of cultivated tastes. He
was at Pueblo recently, and while there,
went to place about twenty miles distant,
where he had before frequently found speci-
mems of petrifed fish, turtles, fruit, etc. He
has fondness for collecting curious stones
and petrifactions. On this occasion his sou
was with him, and while they were resting
under the shade of tree, his eyes were at
tracted to something that looked like a
mans foot protruding from the ground.
They Immediately began to dig, and the Gu.
riosity was revealed. It is seven feet five
and oHe-half inches in length; its arms are
four feet long, and the hand is twelve inches
from the wrist bone to the end of the longest
finger. One foot has been broken off below
the toes the other is perfect and is thirteen
inches long. The features of the face re-
semble those of an Indian-the forehead re-
cedes from the eyebrows and the back of
the head is quite large Whatever it is, it
is a curiosity and will attract much interest.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17

PLAIN TRUTHs,-Colonel lngersoll tells
Western farmers and the country generally
very plain truth in the following from an
address to the Illinois Agricultural Society
"There is not a scarcity of money, but there
is a scarcity of business, And this scarcity
springs from the lack of confidence in one
another. So many presidents of savings
banks run off with the funds so many rail,
road and insurance companies are in the
hands of receivers, there is so much of bank
rutcy on every hand, that all capital is held
in the nervous clutch of fear. Slowly but
surely we are coming back to honest meth
DDS of business. Confidence will return
and then enterprise will unlock the safe and
money will again circulate as Of yore th,
dollars will leave their hiding-places anC
every one will be seeking investment"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17
The Eastern War.

The weeks events at the scene of war show
that the Turks are still multiplying their
advantages over the Russians. 1t appears
that the Turkish commander deemed it adj
visable to occupy less extended line, and
withdrew his right wing which stood near
Sarbatan, holding an advanced position on
Kill Tepe, and retired to IIadjivei aud
Vezinkoi. The line occupied till lately on
the spurs of Alaja Dagh was a very formida-
BILE one, most of the positions being we'll
nigh impregnabe in front, but it extended
at least fifteen to seventeen miles, so it would
have required an army much larger than
Mouktar Pashas to keep it. lie has about
thirty-fve thousand men, and it clearly was
the intention of the Russian attack to break
through this long line, especially as the ad
varced position on the right extending to
Sarbartan and the Kill Tepe left gap be-
tween his right and left. 1t was, according
to Mouktars account, while this movement
was being effected Tuesday morning, that
the Russians commenced an attack in strong
force with sixty pieces of artillery. The
Turkish guns and two columns of infantry
speedily took up position, and a duel be-
tween heavy cannon took place all along the
line from Khodjan to Hadjiveli. The bat
tie ragged from the afternoon till an hour
and half after sunset, when the Russians,
despite being frequently reinforced during
the conflict, were thoroughly beaten, and re-
treated under the cover of darkness with a
loss which Mouktar estimates at twelve
thousand killed and wounded. Tuesday
night the Turks remained in camp on the
field, and the following morning successfully
accomplished the movement to Aladja Dagh,
which the enemy had attempted to Illustrate.
A dispatch dated London, October 18th,
says "To the end of September the total
of Russian dead is said to have reached at
least forty-seven thousand men-as many as
the Germans lost in the Franco-Prussian
war The sick, wounded and dead since the
passage of the Danube number not less
than seventy-fve thousand The Rouma
nian press are clamoring for the Withdrawal
of that principality from the war. The
people are just finding out that over a thirt
of the Roumanian army were placed hors d
combat in the battle in front of Plevna, ant
the greatest grief and CONSERVATION prevail
Meantime the Russians are concentrating
heavy force near the LON, where an attacl
from Suleiman Pasha is looked for. Sieg,
operations under direction OF Todleben, tn,
new chief of staff, are still going on arounC
Plevna, in spite of the wintry weather al
ready set in"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17
Our Indian War.

The campaign against the Nez Perces In
dams, with whom General Howard has been
dallying during the past season, has come to
a sudden end by the surrender of Chief
Joseph and his band to that veteran soldier,
General Nelson A. Miles. General Miles
has made a splendid campaign, which is only
equalled by the magnificent one of Chief
Joseph. OF all the Indian leaders with
whom our troops have had to contend none
have ever equalled in audacty, in strategy,
or in bravery, this celebrated chief. He has
played with General Howard all the season,
bursting on him when least expected, cap
turing his horses and stores, killing his men
and disappearing with such celebrity that be-
fore this redoubtable general could open his
eyes he was far away, enjoying the fruits of
his raid. 1t is evident that the wrongs com
mitted by the whites upon these Indians,
who had always been friendly until now,
had aroused them to a pitch of desperation,
and rendered them formidable foes They
were amply prepared, and their splendid
fighting proves how rapidly the Indian has
progressed in the arts of modern warfare
while the engineering skill and military
strategy displayed by these Nez Perces
braves elicit our admiration. Surely SC
brave and heroic tribe of red men deserves
honorable treatment at the hands of the
government. Though they fought desper
ately, they betrayed none of those brutal in
stincts and practices which have hitherto
accompanied the operations of the hostil,
Indians. These Nez Perces warriors re
Trained from numbering wounded prisoners
in their hands, and they even declined t.
take any scalps from the dead and the off
GERS and men who fought them express /
high appreciation of their foes. Brave mel
like these can be made good citizens if Tn,
government pursues a generous course will
them. The surrender of Joseph Is not onl,
gratifying end to a troublesome and ex
pensve campaign, but it is important in it
influence on the attitude of Sitting Bull
The leader of the retellious Sioux will
doubtless see the futility OF airy further OF
position TO the government and speedil
initiate the Nez Perces chief in surrenderin
himself. That the commission appointe
10 treat with him hold this view is a goo
sign, and the probabilities are that the el
tire Indian trouble will be settled withor
further bloodshed.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17

UNNATURAL.-It is said that all babes born
in the Oneida On. W community are at once
taken from their mothers and given to some
other woman to nurse, and are changed
around so that no mother ever rears, or even
knows, her own child, the object being to
destroy all family feeling and to keep a
woman from loving her own child better
than anybodys else children. Many good
things as well as some very absurd things,
have been reported of this community, but
the above, if true, is enough to overbalance
all the good that could be told in fortnight
1t is a curious fact that all these "com.
munites," though founded, professedly, on
the principles of the broadcast philanthropy
soon run into the most absurd practices, and
those which do violence to all the noblest
instincts of human nature The seclusion
the members affect soon produces morbid
and unnatural feeling, and the would-be
perfectionists are sure to grow worse in
stead of better. The philanthropy which i,
not broad, catholic and active is no philan
ihropy at all.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17

PROBABLE FAILURE.--We regret to see
that the Permanent Exhibition at Phiadel-
phia is evidently on its last legs. 1t would
have been an excellent thing if so fine and
instructive an industrial collection could be
kept on exhibition and be self-supportng,
But while the great city of London fails to
sustain literally the Crystal Palace show, it
is not to be expected that city of only one
fourth the size can support still more ex-
pensive and elaborate exhibition. 1t could
only be done by state or municipal aid, and
even then would become an expensive ele-
plant. The Philadelphia exhibition, after
running through the best season of the year
finds itself with debt OF two hundred and
sixty-four thousand dollars, for which the
creditors are pressing, Colonel Scott, Of
the Pennsylvania road, and Mr.. Gowen, Of
the Reading road, two of the largest stock
holders, are now investigating the condition
and prospects of the enterprise, and their re
port will probably decide whether anothe
effort will be made to keep the exhibition
going, OF whether it will be shut up.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17

WELL ArrREcIATED.-The Newcastle
(England) Chronicle of September 2ith-a
mammoth sheet, as large as the London
Times -devotes the greater portion to re-
port of the grand reception given to General
Grant by the city authorities and the work
ingmen. II was evidently memorable &C.
casion, in which the people of every grade
participated with enthusiasm. After devot-
ing two pages to report of the exercises,
another page is given TO biography of Gen
eral Grant and sketch of the great cam
| paign in which he participated.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17

THAT NEW CATTLE DISEASE -Messrs. Editors !.
i read In last weeks WATCHMAS of the new
and fatal disease that had broken out among the
cattle Of Mr.. Harvey Wait, Of Warren. Perhaps
| cannot elucdate the matter by naming the dis
ease, or decide whether 1t be contagious, but can
give my experience with an OK which has to all
appearances had the same disease. | need not
enumerate the symptoms and descriptions OF Mr..
Waits cows-they are ndentical with those of my
OK, except that by constant and watchful care we
pulled him through. At first we tried everything
that neighbon recommended aud we could think
of-wormwood, cider brandy, etc, etc, but the
OK grew rapidly worse. We gave him sweet
spirits of nitro, which relieved him in one respect
lie seemed to grow worse and we expected to lose
him, but watched him closely day and night, and
kept dosing him. At last we hit upon the REM
edies that finally cured him. We gave him
laudanum, large tablespoonful at once-two or
three times day; also teacupful Of strong
sennet at time, and made balls OF scorched -four
and put In his mouth. lie began TO improve aud
| is ali right now y. G, fLErcnIR, Vershire, VT
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17

ARREsTED.-Govemo Wade Hampton, of
South Carolina, made arequisition last week
on Chief Justice Cartier, of the District of
Columbia, for the rendition of John j. Pat
terson, United States Senator from that
state, on a charge of bribing members of
the Legislature and hiring one N G. Parker
to commit petit larceny, and now described
as fugitive from justice. The Senator
was arrested in Washington on Saturday,
but appeared for hearing before Justice
Humphreys under hdbeas corpus, who ad-
ourned the case to the 18th instant, two
days after the meeting Of Congress, and adj
mitted the Senator to bail in two thousand
and five hundred dollars.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17

Too TRUE.-In letter to the Churchmdn
Bishop Whipple shows, with great force,
from official documents, that war in Mon
tana, with the Nez Perces Indians, has been
brought about by the failure of the national
government to fulfil its treaty obligations,
and its delay in settling the rights of the
non-treaty portion of the tribe. The letter
closes with the following strong language
"Is it not nearly time for the whole people to
demand for the Indian tribes government
and law, aud for the pioneers protection ?
One wearies over the sickening story of the
Minnesota massacre, the Modoc, the Sioux,
Cheyenne, the Apache, the Idaho war-and
all in less than fifteen years. May God in
cline the whole nation to deal righteously.
We have tried wrong-doing, and have reaped
the harvest of sorrow"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17

THE PARIS ExHIBrTIoN.-The latest adj
vices from Paris indicate that the Exhibi-
ton buildings are going forward rapidly,
and are sure to be completed in ample sea
son for the appointed opening, which will
take place in spite of the Eastern war
and any possible changes in the government
of France. Three kings have already en-
gagged quarters, as well as any number OF
other dignitaries. The awards placed at the
disposition of the international jury for
works of art are seventeen medals of honor,
thirty-two first medals, forty-four second
medals, aud forty-eight third medals. For
industrial and agricultural exhibits, one
hundred grand prizes, one thousand gold
medals, four thousand silver medals, eight
thousand bronze medals, and eight thousand
honorable mentions. These medals are all
on the same model.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17

HANrsoME.-A graceful compliment to
President Hayes was paid last week by the
Southern members OF the Board of Trustees
of the Peabody Education Fund, in nomi-
mating him to fill vacancy caused by the
death of Judge jackson, of Georgia. II is
the custom of the board to have the South.
ern trustees make selection to supply any
vacancies occurring in the membership from
their section. In accordance with this GUS
tom it was supposed they would name a
Southern man, and it was pleasant surprise
10 the Northern members to hear that Presi,
! dent Hayes had been unanimously chosen.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17
CLUBBING RATES.

We are prepared to furnish Har.
per's Monthly Magazine, Harper's
Weekly, Harper's Bazaar, Scribner's
Monthly, or the Atlantic Monthly,
at clubbing rates with the WATCH
MAN for one year, for 1925: st.
Nicholas with the WATCHMAN for
one year, for S4.4O; and The Muir.
sery with wATCHMAN, for $40
Subscriptions for these periodicals
can commence with any number.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17

BARSuM Is said to have remarked, as he looked
at California artists painting of n COW, " Good
gracious, do you mean to tell me that's from lifeq
II there is really such strange beast in existence,
III have 1t for my show, II it costs ten thou
sand dollars"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17
v TIE rRIsoNERs, APPEARANCE.

As the men were marched from the workshop
TO their cells they were formed in line and
marched in chain-step, each prisoner keeping his
right hand upon the right shoulder Of the one i'm
mediately preceding him, to a certain point when
each one took his pail OF mush, aud marched to
his cell In marching by one could but be struck
with the general appearance OF the men. While
their uniform was not of character to greatly
improve their personal appearance, still their
faces-with few exceptions-were rather pleasant
and intelligent than otherwise This fact was no
tced and commented ON by all present
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17
CONCLUSION

As the several acts providing for detailed re-
ports from the different departments of the gov
ernment require their submission at the beginning
Of the regular annual session, defer until that
time any further reference to subjects of public
interest (Signed) K. b HAYES.
Washington, October 10Th, 1871.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17
IN GENERAL.

From as thorough an examination Of the prison
as WE could make--and we believe IL included
every department OF tive have, against our pre-
conceived notions of the facts, come 10 the con-
cnson that the institution is at least at the pres
ent time, as economically aud humanely managed
as any institution of the kind could possibly be,
To this end the services Of the directors and the
new OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, MI. ner,..,p
been of the greatest benefit The prisoners APP
pear to be remarkably healthy; nor did we, In
conversation with at least twenty OF them after
the closest questioning, hear any complaint rs To
the discipline, food, or clothing furnished them.
Indeed, the only complaint we heard was from a
bright-looking young prisoner who had been con-
yicted OF stealing, who deplored his detection and
confinement aud said that II all the people in the
state who broke the law were fodnd out aud prose-
cuted, he should have plenty of company Per
| haps he was right
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17
AN ATTEMPT AT ESCAPE.

While we were inspecting the workshop some
commoton was caused among the keepers by an at
tempt at escape by prisoner who, fourteen years
previously, had effected an escape from the same
prison and had only been remanded for a short
time His plan of escape was the same In both
instances which was IN dig under the wall while
AT work in the wood-shed, where he was assigned
To work His design had been discovered some
time previously, however, and guard placed out
side, who only interrupted his labors when he was
about fourteen inches from freedom. lie will
have ample time for reflection and repentance in
solitary confinement.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17

From there we made a hasty visit to the tailor's
shop, where the mems clothing is made and re-
paired and to the chapel in the latter of which,
in addition to divine service, is held an evening
school, for the instruction of such convicts as de-
sire to avail themselves OF its advantages In this
school reading and writing are taught by such
convicts as are capable of so doing and are willing
to do it, Attendance upon the school is not, how
ever compulsory, There is connected with the
school library OF about one thousand volumes
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17
THE DAMPNEss

The prison. too is quite damp, so much so in
deed that except in sunshiny days In summer
it is necessary to keep brisk fires in the corridors
where the cells are located in order to render
them healthy for the prisoners As it is, they
suffer more from rheumatic complaints than from
all others combined We are not prepared to
state what measures should be taken to obviate
this difficulty but II any plan can be devised To
remedy it, it should clearly be adopted as soon as
noaathia
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17

We previously intimated that the drainage of
the prison was not such rs it should be. This be-
came painfully evident as one crossed the court
yard, where the odor of sewer gas was plainly per-
ceptible We learned that an injunction had been
procured against the completion of new sewer,
by means OF which 1t was proposed to thoroughly
drain the prison, at the instance of some party
who felt aggreved because the pipe crossed his
And This is, Of course, very unfortunate, to say
the least and as the prisoners must suffer from
it, we trust the suit will be speedily adudicated
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17

The National UHiOn, oil TINS city, IN It's Issue OF
the 18th instant truthfully says Senator Ed
munds, of Vermont reached Washington yester-
day, coming from Boston by water, via Baltimore,
lie seems in the enjoyment OF completely re-es-
tabished health, and his spirits are as fresh and
healthy as the breath OF May morning In his
upland home. The country will be glad OF this,
for Mr. Edmunds Is the strong man OF the Senate
and upon his counsels will the nation, in this hour
OF commotion, lean with great confidence"
Mr. Finley, democratic Representative from
Secretary shermans district, came to Washing
ton on the same train with the Secretary the
night OF the Ohio election In the morning when
Mr. Finley awoke he found Mr., Sherman up,
reading paper. Well" said Mr., Finley, chow
do YOU like the result?' Mr.. Sherman replied,
You've got us this time" Mr.. Finley speaks
highly of MIR sherman, says he Is greatly re-
spected at his home in Mansfield, but that he was
a badly demoralized community" on Wednes-
day morning
Ex-Secretary Delano was assaulted on the
street in this city, yesterday, by Judge j. W.
Wright who struck MI Delano twice over the head,
and would have followed up the attack had he not
been prevented by friends who interfered The
cause assigned IL that Delauo, when Secretary, in
dicted Wright for frauds committed while acting
as Indian agent The ex-Secretary was stunned
for the moment but fortunately for his tall beaver,
his scalp was saved lie refuses TO prosecute.
Captain Amont Barnes, formerly editor OF the
| St. Albans Messenger, and latterly Chief OF the
Bureau Of Statistics, has accepted consular posi-
ton in Venezuela and has left for his distant post
General Bristow and Hon Il. W. Stoughton are
| most prominently mentioned FOR the coming va
! cancy at the Court OF st. james. Sol
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17
INTERNATIONAL Prison ooNanEss.

The government of Sweden and Norway has
addressed AN official invitation to this government
to take part in the international Prison Congress
to be held at Stockholm next year The problem
which the Congress proposes to study-Ilow to
Diminish Crime-is one in which all civilized ma
tons have an interest in common, and the Con-
gress of Stockholm seems likely to prove the most
important convention ever held for the study Of
this grave question. Under authority OF a joint
resolution OF Congress, approved February l6th
1873, commissioner was appointed by my pred
ecessor to represent the United States upon that
occasion, and the Prison Congress having been at
the earnest desire Of the Swedish government
postponed to 1878, this commission was renewed
by me. An appropriation Of eight thousand dol
lars was made. In the sundry civil service act OF
1878, to meet the expenses Of the commissioner,
recommend the re-appropriation Of that sum for
the same purpose, The former appropriations
having been covered into the Treasury and being
no longer available for the purpose without
further action by Congress, the subject is brought
to your attention at this time in view of circum-
stances which render it highly desirable that the
commissioner should proceed to the discharge OF
his important duties Immediately.