davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05
THE SITUATION.

On Wednesday, Governor DREW, the
Democratic governor Of Florida, was in
augurated peacefully with the acquiescence
of Gov. Storms, the Republican incumbent,
whom the Returning Board had at first
declared elected. The work of the Res
turning Board will now be gone over
again.
In Louisiana the Democratic and Re-
publicans legislatures are both in session,
but no prospect for disturbance.
In South Carolina the people are paying
their taxes to Governor HAMPToN's COLI
l~ectors, which will Don starve out the
CHAMBERLAIN government.
at Washington the Congressional joint
committee has done nothing as yet. Grant
who evidently had taken four fingers got of
another interview last week in which he
told the reporter that there hadn't been a
fair election in any Southern State except
Delaware. CRoNIN, the Oregon Elector,
testified before the Congressional Commits
tee Wednesday that a nan told him hi
could get anything he wanted by casting
his vote for TILDEN.
Not one step in any direction has beer
taken in the past week for the settlement
of the Presidential count.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

The Hon. Carter H. Harrison, Congress-
man from Chicago, went home to enjoy
his Christmas turkey. While there he ad-
mitted frankly that he expected to see a
compromise on Tilden and Wheeler. ~
base my opinion" he said, upon private
information to an effect that Republicans
OF high standing have already taken the
position that Louisiana should not be
counted at ALL"
Mr.. Charles N. Vallandigham, a son Of
q. J.. Vallandigham, prints a card in de-
fence Of his fathers memory, in WHICH he
says: Perhaps the spirit that animated
him through life, that Of fidelity to his
COMPETITIONS and of devotion to the prin-
ciples OF constitutional liberty and popular
government, may be tested in the near
tut ure."
Midshipmen Hero, Taylor and the Ja~
panese student, j. G. Kunitomo, were dis
missed from the Annapolis Naval Aca-
deny Friday for taking French cave and
other Irregularities.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05
The Goose BOne--Hts Marvel0Ns
Weather Vaccinations.
Nashville american,

We have before US twogoose-bones-one
of the spring of 1875 and the other of the
spring of 1876. Presumably no one, in
this nineteenth century of civilization, can
nave the audacity to question the lnfalli-
blllty Of the gosse-bone as a weather in
dicator.
:. The goose-bone SO called, is simply the
sternum of the domesticated Anser Sege-'
tuna of Gimelin, an inhabitant OF the North
Elm regions and one OF the migratory birds
Of our vast continent. 1t is doubtless from
its ancestor 1.-THE migratory Anser Segetum
or Anser Bermile), that the domesticated
fowl gets its peculiar faculty as aprognos-
ticator IF climate changes and its marvel
Gus pramonition OF atmospheric phenOme~
ma. The rudder-like projection from the
breast bone of a goose hatcEied in the
spring Of the year, carefully scraped and
cleaned, presents upon it smooth surface
when held up to the light, certain discolo-
ration 8, which are, to the seerS who Lave
made it the study of their valuable lives, a
language quite as Ineligible and perhaps
aver as reliable as the hieroglyphics of
Egyptian tombs to patient peerers into an
tiquities of the stored land of the Nile.
Along the surface Of this elevated goose
bone there appear distinct alterations OF
light and shade, where the thin blade is at
one point Opaque and at another transpar-
ent.
The opaque portions of the bone indicate
the durations of severe winter, and the
transparent portions the fair weather. For
example, the goose-bone OF 1S75-;76 opens
In the early autumn with a sharp, short
spell Of severe winter weather, swiftly
changing to balmy weather and SO contin
uing to mid-winter, when another spell of
intensely severe cold, short aud sharp as
the tirsl, is swiftly succeeded by mild, soft
weather on into the spring of 1876. This
is the goose-pone's record of the winter of
1876, aud vino will say that it has not
been cur
Now. with this promise, observe the
goose-bone for 1S76-'T. The unmarried
transparency Of this years bone, for at
least one-fourth OF the surface indicated
the unusually %spring-like weather with
which we nave been blessed this fail. But
mark the prophesy which follows, and be-
GIN to lay il your stoves and coal. The
opacity begins about Christmas, and from
thence on throughout the entire winter,
not one transparent CLEAN of hope CT re-
taxation of the North Poles icy fingers,
until the late spring of 1877 is usllered in.
ticated Anser Segetune's inmost thoughts
upon her breast-bone produces the chart
by which oDservant mai has for centuries
diagnosed the impending meteoric siJua-
ton, as confidently as the Signal Service
officers nave traced, with the finger Of
~phrupheSy, over a continent, by aid Of
wires and batteries, the tracks of storm
centres.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

MORE DEATHS FROM KEROSENE.-Mrs.
John D'Sylvia, forty years of age and the
mother of three children was burnt to
death in Alexandria Friday morning. The
Gazette" says:
While making her kitchen fire, shortly
after seven O'Clock, this morning, she at
tempted to hasten the flames by pouring
coal oil on it from a can. AS is usually
the case the Oil took fire and the can eX-
ploded, scattering the burning luit over
the clothing Of the unfortunate lady and
setting fire to the room. The fire in the
room was speedily ex%tinguished and with
out serious damage, but Mrs. D'Sylvia was
terribly burned, her entire clothing being
consumed and her skin from head to feet
being burned to a crisp. DR.. Brown was
called in and did what he could to relieve
her slfferlngs, but at once pronounced her
beyond mortal aid, so far as cure was con-
cerned. Although a physician Of many
years experience he says that he has never
seen as horrible q case of burning, except
where the victim was burnt to ashes.
Aletter from spottsylvania county to
the Richmond ''Dispatch," says:
Mrs. Johnson, who was so much injured
by the explosion of a kerosene lamp. which
also killed her daughter. has just died.
Previous to her death one CT her arms fell
off up to the elbow, and the flesh from one
side, so that the beating of her heart could
be seen-a most horrible state to linger in
SO many days.
VIM. F. Manson and S. Blair Morris
have been arrested in Rich mond to pre-
vent a duel.
VIM. D. Hart, once a Wing member of
of the legislature from Albemarle, died
asst week.
Hon. Clement Hugh Hill, a prominent
Massa chusetts~ Republican, declares his be-
lief that Tilden is elected President.
Every place in Vermont where liquor is
sold as a beverage is by law declared Il
COMMON nuisance, and the keeper is sub
iect to d fine Of $500.
The failures in SO counties in Virginia
last year were 4s, with So, 0o2, 915 of liabili-
ties ana $S99, 944 of assets.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05
Voices of the Coming Wave.

EG- Gov. Joe Broeon Of Georgia.
eve are satisfied shat our Democratic
brethren in the Northern States concur
with us in this, and that they are ready to
stand by and vindicate the right. What,
then, should be our course in this crisis,
when the future existence of the Repu bli-
can movement hangs il the balance, ar
IDENTIFY desiring a peaceful solution of the
difficulty? We should do no rash act; we
should be quiet, dignified and cautious !;
but we should be firm and true, we should
sacrifice upon the altar of patriotism all
personal interest and ambition which con-
flict with duty, ard we should have but a
single reply to inquiries after our position,
which reply expressive OF our firm resolve,
should be this: 'We have confidence in
the Northern Democracy: we leave them
to decide this issue, and we will, during
the emergency, stand by them with i'm
movable tirmnesS, be the consequences 1Uhat
they may"
Inaugural Of Coz. Vance Of N. @.
las q m%outhpiece of more than a mil
lion OF people, [ believe | Can with propri>
ETY. say for them that North Carolina may
confidently be relied upon to sustain that
portion of the people of the United States
which shall convince us that it is a strug-
gle for the Constitution, the laws, and pub
lie justice, which are the life and soul of
the American Union. On the other hand
we do not wish it to be understood that
we are ready or willing to embark in revo-
luton, nor on the other hand that we are
willing to quietly submit to any outrage
that physical force directed by party zeal
may see fiC to impose; the Il course
tending to provoke violence and the other
to invite oppression. We do wish it
understood that we will follow Che lead of
the constitutional men of the North. Show
us the law and it 5 ufficeth us.
Inaugural Of Coz. Robinson Of N. Y.
The people of the United States will
never CONSENT to have their representa-
tives in Congress stripped of their powers,
or tolerate this usurpation by a deputy of
the Senate or by any single person, still
less by an officer who is frequently interest
ed as a candidate in the result of the count
In this sentiment and purpose the state of
New York cordially concurs. Foremost
among all our American commonwealth
in population, in the variety and extent Of
her industries and interests, she has in
every vicissitude of public affairs put forth
all her strength. moral and physical. to
maintain the existence and just authori-
ties f the union, and she Can never con-
sent that the time-consecrated methods of
constitutional government shall be supple
men.ed or overthrown by revolutionary
eXpeuientS."
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

WIDE AWAKE O THIS YEAR.-Wlde
Awake for the opening Il onth OF the new
year is a perfect number in every respect.
The article that will strike Southern
readers most is that by Mrs. M. P. Handy
of Richmond, about ga Confederate
Christmas Tree" SO true is the description
of the makeshifts in those unhappy times.
In this number FL. E. Hudson furnishes a
funny Christmas tale, 'Two Days Before
Christmas" Margaret Eytinge's what
Happened to the Baby' is still funnier.
But the ssstar'' story is "Lill's Travels in
Santa Claus Land" 1t is magniicently
illustrated by A. &. Wand, with scenes in
Santa Claus Land, "Santa Claus and his
Reindeer appearing on one of the pages.
VIM. NJ. F. Round opens his "Child Ma
rian Abroad" with Child Marian's jolly
ssChristmas On shipboard." Sophie Mays
serial, ''Quiunebasset Girlss'' opens well.
@'Good- for-nothing Polly,'' who is growing
in character, is still the same good TO-
nothing boy in his daily practice. The
Little Folks all oyer the country are rep
resented by the letters which they have
sent with their dolls to the Dolls Fair, as
Christmas gifts to the children in the hos
pitfalls.
Only $500 per annum, free of postage.
ELLA Farman, editor. D. Lothrop Il Co.,
publishers, Boston, Mass.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

REVERSE THE CASE! Suppose Tilden
had only 166 votes uncontested and un-
tainted by fraud, and Hayes had received
a million majority of the white votes Of the
country and 1874 uncontested votes and il
Democratic President with d handful of
troops Was to attempt to back up all addi-
tional fraud in Congress to retain the gov
eminent I! Does anybody suppose there
wouldn't be resistance?
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

THE proprietors OF the Baltimore weekly
sSun," closed the year with what they
ronounc zone of the best numbers it has
aver issued" and they might have added,
one of the best issues Of a weekly paper
ever made IN this country. The weekly
sSun," is the best combination of a news
and literary paper in America.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

Mayor johnson, of Alexandria, evident~
ly believes in the efficacy of whipping.
Two boys were brought before him charged
with fighting, ana, being found guilty,
were sentenced to whip each other we'll,
with eowhide. Much against their will
they we've obliged to execute the sentence.
Ex-senator Tranabull, Republican, of
Illinois, finds it as difficult to speak with
moderation of the action of tbs Iouis;ana
returning board as the U. S. Supreme Court
did Of the decree of Judge Underwood in
the McVeigh case.
Prof. J. L. Campbell has been re- appoint
ed Superintendent of Schools for Rock
bridge 90 q good dssi OF psspP baS b Mflsia don 1e
for nothing.
Indianapolis "%sentinei'.: llnaia4a led off
in the campaign which elected Tilden ana
Hendricks. and she is taking the lead iiE
that which will insure their Inauguration.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

THE work Of the Congressional commit
tees at the South will be convincing to the
Northern mind. The reports will show by
incontestible proof that there has been as
much Intimidation and brutality towards
colored Democrats by Republicans, black
and white, as was shown to colored Repub-
licans by the Democrats. In other words,
that the intimidation game was played by
the Republicans, and can't now be put
forward as an excuse to throw out the re-
suit. This is particularly the case in Lou
lslana, where a colored witness confessed
to belonging to an organization whose
members pledged themselves to put to death
any colored man who voted the Demo-
cratic ticket. The printed constitution
and bylaws containing this, were produced
before the committee sitting in the Case Of
Louisiana. Such facts as these will in
the colored Republicans OF Louisiana are
not the hunted, prosecuted lambs they have
been told. The rascality Of the Louisiana
Returning Board has been fully arrived at,
at the North, but the excuse was first
formed, that it was only arascality intend
ed to undo the work Of the Democratic in
timidation at the polls. The committee
reports will sweep away even this dishon-
est standing ground.
WE have been reading the annual report
of President G. L. q. Minor, Of the Vir-
~;r;o A rr;o,lfnra1 onH Mooborioa1 (In1
lege, at Blacksburg. 1t is the best school
in Virginia for a boy who is to lead a life
of intelligent usefulness to his fellow-men.
He receives an education which is a for
tune in itself, ifhis health remains. Practi
cal agriculture and mechanics are daily
taught on the farm and in the machine
shops of the institution. One sample may
be given in the fact that last session the
students built a grist mill. a brick kitchen,
and an addition to the shops. all except the
mason's work being done by the boys. A
telegraph line is worked by the students
in connection with the Western Union
Line. There are this year 255 students,
and it only costs each boy $40 a month to
live. 1t is this sort of institution that is
truly to build up Virginia, and the State
has much to thank President Minor for in
his sharp comprehension of the intent of
this Virginia experiment and his energy in
giving it effect.
There are, we hear, some vacancies in
the college to be filled from the counties
around Augusta, and applications can be
made to the faculty at once, so that the stu
dent may enter by the Oath of February.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

IT is noticeable how an honest man now
a days shrinks from %pronouncing the
words ''the PRESIDENT" and how rarely we
hear any one say sour PRESIDENT" The
feeling inspired in the breast of a true cit
liens is akin to that sense Of humility and
helpless shame we imagine a son of a con-
Wet or fugitive from justice would have
when compelled to speak of his father. BY
way of contrast look back 10 the days of
Washington, and Jefferson, and Jackson .
O, Temporal! o, mores!
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05
THE REVOLU ITONARY STEPS

The party of the bayonet and OF re-
volution in the politics Of this country is
the Republican. To pin a political
party, opposing it, to the wall, with
the bayonet if it will stand and be pin
ned. is its cardinal doctrine in this
crisis of free government. With it, it is
Force first, last, and all the time. The
presidential election was ushered in with
bayonets stationed at the polls in Lou
isiana, Florida. South Carolina and Vir-
ginia. The moment it was .ascertained
their cause had failed before the people
the talk of Force began with the Republi-
can conspirators. Troops gathered at
Washington and army stores lay be II
transferred from the west to the east. A
telegraph line has been run from the Senate
chamber to the arsenal, to bring soldiers
in easy call.
This sort of work is not that of men who
wish to avoid collision with the people; it
is not the sort of thing that should precede
the calm elaboration Of a legislative body,
the results of which alone, acquiesced IN
by a powerful people, can prevent blood
shed in the Union. 1t is the work Of COM
spirators for power, led by an almost IL
responsible President, who have made, and
are making, these demonstrations for the
purpose of aweing the Democrats into sub
mission to usurpation. So drunk have
these meu become in their reckless struggle
for power that the National Republican,, y
of Washington, the masters man, says
that if a member of the Dem ocratic House
attempts to ballot for Pres ident, upon that
instant she would become tn e assailant OF
constituted authority, and a traitor to
1sthe lawful government of the United
estates, and would be summarily arrested
''in company with all those disposed to join
chin in his revolutionary action" This
is the talk of a revolutionist, and prepares
the people for the attempt in contempla-
ton. 1t is useless to close our eyes to the
fact that if the conspirators at Washington
attempt this revolut ton there will be TWEEN
ty-four hours Of skirmishing at Washing
ton, to end no one knows how or when. A
political party that makes war has been
met by Wal in every free nation that ever
existed.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05
IMPORTANT MEETING OF LIFE MEM

IMPORTANT MEETING OF LIFE MEM
cIETY.-The first general meeting Of the
life members of the Virginia State Agri-
cultural Society which has been held in
twenty-three years, is called by President
w. G. Knight to assemble in Richmond
next Wednesday, the 10th inst. The OBJ
ject is of vital Importance to the society.
and it is hoped, while a large attendance
in person of life members is desired. that
those to whom such attendance. is impossi-
BILE will send their proxies to others who
can go. The call of the President will be
found in another column.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05
JuNAT1c AsyLUM.-We have receiy

LUNATIC AsYLUM.-We have received
from DR.. Robert f. Baldwin, the reports
of the Board of Directors and Physician
and Superintendent of the Western Luna
tic Asylum for last year. This is d very
interesting document to all who feel real
concern for this unfortunate class. We
wish we had space to copy what the phs-
stefan has SO we'll, and we think. ably said
OF providing for the harmless class" as
also for what he says in regard to these
who are for want of accommodation in
asylums, confined IN the jails OF the State.
It would be well if a copy Of this report
were gent to each county judge and board
of supervisors in the State.-Lynchburg
NeWs.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

AT the Loudoun street Presbyterian
church in Winchester, Va. Saturday
each of the $50 members of the infant class
OF the Sabbath School, received a Christ
mas tree handsomely decorated. Rev.
VIM. Ham who has done so much for the
Sunday Schools of Staunton will read this
notice' with interest.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

THE most pleasing Christmas item we
have read is that va boy fell do II on the
street in Petersburg, and the tin horn he
was blowing was driven against the back
of his mouth with such violence as to kill
him.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05
New AdVertisesue mts.
[For other..New Advertisements see Sd pagel

M cCoMB's ADMINISTRATOR VS.. Nc
wi COMB, &C,
In purs ance of decree of the Circuit Court
for Aug. sta county entered in this cause De-
cember 6 1876, | snail proceed at my Office in
Stauptc n, on
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY l, 1877,
o take, state and settle a further account of the
+, transactions of James X. McCoub> as Admin
istrator Of Alexander H. McComb, decd, &c.
JOS. A. WADDELI, Comm'r.
jan5-4t
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

SAMUEL THORBURN, a clerk OF the Bank
of Petersburg, Va, has excited some com
ment among his friends by clipping with
SIG, 900 of the funds of another bank
deposited there.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

MAJ. GEN. JOHN P. BANKsoN, Treas
urer Of the Eiannlsville Distillery Company
of M~artinsburg, W. Va, committed suiA
eide in Philadelphia Tuesday.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

DIR. RE3EIELD. SO well known for his
letters from the South to the Cincinnati
"CoRnnercial," writes to that paper
FShat if there is to he any fighting the
Republican party needn't count on the
white or black Republicans of Ste South
to help them. The negroes will be passive
and the white Republicans will get ~opt of
the country.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

THE Republican eonspirabors want peace
at any price-and the Democrats to pay
the price!
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05
and she was probably killed. Her de
nation was Elyria, Ohio.
CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.

CAUSE OF THE CCIUEN
The fall of the bridge is attributed to
the action Of the frost on the iron. Inc
bridge was a Howe truss. built entirely OF
iron, and about eleven years old. LII was
sixty-nine feet above the water. and had
an arch one hundred and fifty feet long
the clear, the whole length of the brldge
being one hundred and 6fty-seven ieeG.
It has been tested with six locomotives,
and at the time Of the disaster it was con-
sidered in perfect condition.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-05

THE FIRST EXPRESS IN VIRGINIA.
The first express that ever ran in Virginia
was run OF rather walked by the we'll
known railroad contractor, Capt. q. R.
Mason, The Captain was then a boy at
work in Louisa county and took a contract
to carry the U. s. mail twenty-seyen miles
once a week for $17,5 so a year. He would
when he finished work Saturday evening
take the bag on his back and walk the
route, returning home by Sunday even
ing in time to go to work Monday morn
ing. With the mail carrying he would
carry small packages for the farmers at ter
cents each. After he made some money
at this he bought a horse and enlarged his
package carrying business and his income
in proportion. This was the first EXPRESS
of which there is any record in Virginia.
INsTALLATIoN.-In S%taunton Lodge
No. As, l. 0. O. F., last night, P. G., VIM.
NJ. Simpson installed the following Off
GERS: G. ". Long, N. G.; L. Cohn. V. G.:
S. N. Miller, Sec.; J. H. Waters, Treas,
and A. M. Simpson, Chaplain. The Noble
Grand then made the following appoint
ments: VIM. M. Simpson, Warden; S. W.
Wehn, Conductor; W. B. Berry, o. G.;
J. W.. Ailor, L. S. and W. C. Straughn,
Il. s. to N. g.; J.W. Cook, R. S. and Jno.
Fauber, L. S. to V. g.; Thos. E. Fuller.
X. 81 5. and Charles Crowder, L. S. S.