davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02
Christmas.Letter from Spotsy1yap;s.

CufiStHlaS'A eSteT lTO1u Sp0jSvIfaniGs
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch
FIEE-FIEND LOOsE-HoUsE AND PEOPLE
| BURNp-SEGRQ SHOT-ACCIDENTA Al
! SUPERINTENDENT
The fire-fiend seems to have been lei
loose here lately. r. G.. Kendall had
one of his stables burnt, as is supposed
by an incendiary, and III. NJ. Dickerson
his neighbor, came very near losing his
dwelling the next day-saving it only
by cutting away and throwing offa con.
siderable part of the Fcof and the whole
of large front porch.
AT another neighbours a child was
burnt to death under very remarkable
circumstances. The mother was drying
flag-tops (cat-tails) on the hearth they
took fire, her clothes caught from them,
and the child's caught from hers while
she was trying to extinguish the flames.
The child caught fire and ran out doors
into tie wind, and was past aid before
| the mother even knew OF its danger
At aEothef hoyse . woman stood too
close to the FIRE Wilt warning her
burnt before the flames could be extin
guished.
Mrs. johnson, who was so much in
jured by the explosion of kerosene
lamp, which also killed her daughter.
has lust died. Previous to her death
one IF her srns fell of up to the elbow,
| and the flesh from orc ids, ,sa-tbat$iise
beating of her heart could be sssn--a
! most horrible state to Iinger in so many
| days.
4 white man named Ennis was killed
yesterday near Tolersyilie in row, il is
said, with man named Johnson, who
struck him with slnlg-shOt. Too
much Christmas.
A negro youth was shot yesterday by
another, and died this morning. | hap
pened to be passing at the time and saw
the parties; but whether the shooting
was accidental or Intentional seems to
be doubtful. The thigh bone Just above
the knee was horribly cut by the shot,
and the knee joint was considerably cut
up. The wound was made with large
shot, and though the gun was fired only
about ope yard distant the wound was
big enough to lay yaur fist in.
Another negro boy was shot and killed
by a negro, near New Brioge in this c..
one day last week. This also was said to
De ali accident. The boy was shot thro'
end died in few minutes.
THE TEBAgUgER OF RIPARIAN
MOCK KILLED By BEING THROWN FRoM
HIS Observation-Disclosures, VA, Deceni
Der 25.)-Mr. John Miller, late sheriff of
Rappahannock county, and at the time
OF his death the county treasurer, was
on Saturday evening thrown from his
horse and fatally injured. st the time
ofthe accident Mr. Miller, who was a
large, fine looking man, in company
With several friends, was returning
home from social gathering, when his
horse, slipping upon the ice. threw Mill
Ter, who. falling on his head, it is sup
posed, dislocated his neck. He remain
ed totally unconscious until his death,
at o'clock Sunday morning.
Mr.. Miller had just returned from
eoSatg &c h Ahef f Is tes s his af the a
counts. ~
A good citizen, an honest, jealous,
and efficient officer, his loss to the coun-
ty is irreparable. CULPEPER.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02
Views of Hon. Reni. H. Hill.

The Hon. Benz. H. Hill, of Georgia,
has written a letter under date of Dec.
2lst, published in the Atlanta ga
Constitution, which concludes as follows
1.-THE political situation was never so
critical as now. Our constitutional sys-
tenn is on magazine of powder, and TO-
900 fools and some that are not fools are
striking matches all around it.
None but cool men and patriots who
love country more than office can avert
the most horrible civil war that ever dis
graced and destroyed liberty and human
ity. And yet there was never less excuse
for any war in the history of the world.
"Such a war, if it come, will be the
elimination of human crime in the das-
tardly destruction of human rights by a
disgraceful scramble for office.
I'm the late election both Mr.. Tilden
and Mr.. Hayes received some votes.-
Will it not be better to have either for
President than to have a ruler W no re-
ceived no votes ? He is too stupid for
argument who does not see that the last
alternative is possible. But whoever
may or may not be made President by
returning boards or bayonets, one thing
is certain {: Mr.. Tilden cannot and will
not be made President unless he is made
so by fair, honest count of the votes of
the people,.
THAT count can be neither fair nor
honest unless it be had under interpreta-
tons of the Constitution long accepted
and by methods of procedure long estah-
lished. The party that now demands
q new Interpretation or new form or
method of count will be party in re-
beilion and treason against the Consti-
tuition, the Union, and the people.
II am, therefore, in favor of fair and
honest constitutional count of the votes
of the people.
II am laboring to secure that count,
and when secured shall abide its re-
suit; and SO will every other man,
North and South, who is not willing to
destroy his country.
II am brave enough to want peace,
but not cowardly enough to accept dis
honor.
u believe we can avert all the calami-
ties L now SO much dread. If we can
peacefully inaugurate the man elected
ny the people, We shall have new and
long lease of constitutional government.
Ii we cannot, then our beautiful, glo-
riOus, and constitutional system will
perish and my friends will find me on
the front line Of the last fatal charge in
its Defence"
Yours very truly,
BENZ. II. HILL.
A. B. CuLBERsoN, ESQ, Atlanta, Ga.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

A large number of leading business
men of New York city, including promi.
nent Republicans, have sent petition
to Congress in regard to the presidential
situation. The New York Sun, which
publishes the petition and many of the
names attached to it, says: "Such an
appeal for the adoption of a proper mode
of counting the electoral votes is one
which Congress cannot fail to heed. All
we want is to secure fairness and to pre-
vent trickery and fraud"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02
by telegraph to the Herald

A STRANGE STORY OF A DOUBLE TRAG-
EDY-THE MURDERER COMMITS SUI
eide AND THE PLUMBER Is RECOVER
ED.
by telegraph to the Herald
ATLANTA, GA, Dec. Pa double
tragedy in the adjoining county to this
created a good deal of excitement here
on last Wednesday night. Jim Jackson,
of Decatur, went to Jack Thompson's
house at Stone Mountain, and at three
o'clock in the morning decoyed Thomp-
son from the house on the plea that a
friend of his who intended leaving for
Texas early in the morning wanted to
exchange $500 in gold for greenbacks at
par.
Last night mob was collected for the
purpose Of lynching, and the sheriff
made preparations so defend the Jail
with a posse of sixty men. Jackson,
fearing the mob or the consequence
early part of the night by choking him.
self with pocket handkerchief. Hear
ing of Jackson's suicide the mob dis
persed, grumbling at being cheated out
of the death sport. Much excitement
still prevails. Thompson was highly
respected and much loved by ALL who
knew him.
The next morning Thompson was
missing, and on Friday Jackson was ar
rested. Thompson's pistol and about
$50 in money, $50 bill which was iden-
titled, were found on Jackson's person.
On Saturday $3.50 of Thompson's money
was found concealed in Jackson's house
and yesterday Thompson's body was
found buried near Jackson's house, and
it was proved that Jackson had dug the
grave the evening before the murder was
committed,
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

DIR. Schliemann has made some more
discoveries at Mycena. In the tomb
previously explored he has found a
great quantity of jewelry in gold, and
handsomely worked. Immediately af-
ter commencing excavations at an adj
joining tomb large head of COW in
silver, with immense horns of pure gold,
was found. A large girdle OF gold, five
gold vases, and immense golden buttons
were also found. All these objects are
said to be marvellously worked. Among
other discoveries are nine silver vases
and numerous swords of bronze, but no
trace of iron work.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

DEATH OF THE DoORKEEPER OF THE
SENATE.-Coionel John w. Minor, of
London county, and doorkeeper of the
State Senate. died of pne umonia at his
residence, Goresvilis, on Sunday, of
last week, and was burr ed at the old
family burying ground near Fall.
Church Tuesday. Colonel Minor rep
resented his county one term in the
Legislature, and vas subseq uently cleo
ted doorkeeper of the Senate, which po-
sition he filled at the time of his death.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

AN OLD WHERE'S AN OLD.
ER?-Dr. Spicer Patrick, living neal
Charleston, Kanawha county, w. Va,
now in the seth year of his age, has
been member of the Masonic Frater.
nifty for O. years, having joined that Or
der in 1872. He first joined Auburn
Lodge In New York, after which he
Joined Kanawha Lodge No l04 of which
he was Master in 1922. In 1924, he was
made District Deputy Grand Master,
which position he held almost constant.
ly for g years. He was also the first
Noble Grand Of Kanawha Lodge No.
25, I. O. O. L.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

LIQUOR STATIsTICs.-Ql Sunday of
last week, at the Broad street Methodist
church in Richmond, Rev. Mr.. Steel
preached sermon on temperance in
which he gave some startling statistics,
as reported by the Dispatch.
There are in this country four liquor
shops to every church, six liquor dealers
to every minister, and two liquor dealers
to every teacher. Sixty millions of dol
lars are spent to support the gospel, one
hundred millions to carry on education,
against seven hundred millions spent for
whiskey. Whiskey gives us annually
six hundred Thousand drupkards, one
hundred and thirty thousand widows
and orphans, and sixty thousand hope
less graves. Mr.. Steel quoted figures to
show that Philadelphia receives fourteen
cents profit on the license of the trade,
and pays one dollar for the crime it pro-
duces. He thought the traffic and the
use of ardent spirits ought to be prohib-
tied upon strictly economical principles,
not to mention religion, and urged his
people to use their influence in favor of
reform
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

COMMISSIONERS SALE OF VALUA.
~ BILE MILL.PROPERTY.--B virtue of
decree of the circuit court OF Augusta county
rendered on the -d day Of, 1875, in the cause
of Waesch VS.. Cupp and ais, we WILL ON
Friday, the 19th day Of January, 1877,
on the premises, in the village of Mt. Scion, in
Augusta county, offer for sale at public auction,
''The Mount Scion Mills
This is one of the best Mills in Augusta county,
situated at the head of Messy Creek, in the
midst of a popuous and thriving community
with an abundance of water power which new.
er varies in its supply and never freezes. The
Mill can be run night and day the year round.
TERMS Ten per cent. of the purchase money
In cash; fifteen per cent in four months from
the day of sale, and the balance upon a credit
OF one, two and three years from the day of
sale, the purchaser executing bonds for the de.
ferred instalments with approved security,
bearing interest from the day of sale, and title
retained as ultimate security.
GEORGE NJ. COCHRAN, JR.,
ALEX. H. FULTZ,
WIN. f. CRAIG,
del9-tds Commissioners.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

VIRGIN7A.-In the circuit court for Angus
Y ia county, November 9th, 1877:
George Hefner's Widow. &C., ......, Plaintiffs,
against
George Hefner's Defendants,
IN CHGnce7y-0n q RUE, dc.
This cause came on this day to be again heard
on the papers formerly read, and was argued
by counsel. And it being suggested to the
court by COmr w. E. Craig. that John E. Nc
Nair, the purchaser of the tract of land in tins
cause has not paid the balance of the purchase
money, as directed by decree of June 18th, 1876,
herein, viz: The sum of Si6..74, with interest
on 1881 SO, thereof, from June LIST, 1876, it Is adj
judged, ordered and decreed, that the Clerk Of
this Court do issue Rule against the said ohm
E. McNair and James W. Mccormick, his sure
ty, for said purchase money, returnable to the
first day of the next term of this Court, sum-
moning them to appear before the Judge of this
court, to shew cause, 1t any tiaey can. why the
under decree in this cause. snail not be re-sold,
to sati fly the said balance Of unpaid purchase
money due by him thereon. And it being sug-
gested that said surety James W. Mccormick
is a nonresident of the State of Virginia, it Is
ordered that the Clerk of the Court do notify
him of this proceeding by publication for four
successive weeks in one of the newspapers pub
lished in Staunton, which shall be equivalent
TO personal notice rs to him.
And it appearing by affidavit filed that said
James w. Nc ormick is nonresident of this
state, it is ordered that he appear here within
one month after due publication of this notice,
and DO what Is necessary to protect his inter-
]. n. RYAN, Clerk.
: w. E. CRAIG, Pc. jan2-It
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

ANOTHER BRIDGE DIsASTER.-An-
other one of those terrible catastrophes
which occasionally startle and shock
the public mind is reported from Ashta-
bula, Ohio. During severe snow storm
last Friday evening a train containing
about one hundred and seventy-fve pas
sengers fell with or through an iron
bridge, seventy-five feet in height, into
stream below. At least one-third of
the number of passengers, it is believed,
were killed, burned to death in the ruins,
or drowned or frozen to death in the
stream. All the rest, of course, were
more or less injured, and the fact that
the storm prevailed for some time after
the accident, and was succeeded by in
tensely cold weather, leaves the conclu-
sion that the death list by the cold will
have largely encroached upon the list OF
the wounded before the whole sad story
is told.
A dispatch from Ashtabula, under date
Of Sunday last, says: 1.-THE work of re-
moving the bodies from the wreck is
going on. Forty bodies have already
been brought out. 1t is impossible to
identify more than three of the bodies.
All the rest are burned, charred, and
blackened beyond recognition. The
dead-list can only be ascertained when
it becomes gradually apparent that those
who were known to have been passen-
gers on this Inflated train do not make
| their appearance
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

Moody and Sankey are to open their
Boston campaign about the l4th OF Jan
uary. A great tabernacle for their use,
covering an acre of ground, is nearly
ready, its dimensions being 40 by 204
feet, and its seating capacity about {, 600.
All the seats are on one floor, there be
ing no galleries.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02
Stauntott Spectator.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2. 1877.
South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana.

The sub-eongressional committee OF
the House of Representatives completed
their work in s. c., on the Goth ult., and,
from the returns submitted, give that
State to Hayes and Wheeler by about
700 majority, but show that the entire
State ticket of the Democrats was elect
ed by a much larger majority.
In Louisiana, the return Board, by
rejecting, in defiance of the action OF the
Court restricting them to mere minis
terial functions, the honest return OF
Clay county, that they had unanimously
counted before, and accepting the palpa-
BILE fraud from Baker county that they
had unanimously rejected before, give
the electoral vote to Hayes and Wheeler.
1t is supposed that this singular action
of the Board was in accordance with
instructions from Washington.
What course the Court will adopt in
view of this defiance of its mandate by
the returning board remains to be SEEN
1t seems now that the Presidential
election may depend upon the result III
Louisiana, in which there was no mate
rial difference between the votes cast fol
the National and State tickets, ant
which seems to have given, upon fail
count, some seven thousand majority
for the Democratic ticket.
1t is difficult to keep up with the
changing prospects of the result, as they
change with the rapidity of figures in 8
kaleidoscope. We are decided, however
. in the conviction that Tilden and Hen
bricks have been fairly elected Presi
dent and Vice President, respectively o
the United States, and that they SHOULD
be peacefully inaugurated on the 9Th 0
March next, as the 4th, the regular da,
OF Inauguration, falls this year upor
Sunday. Such, we earnestly hope, will
be the case.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

SUIcIDE.-In Philadelphia, on We'd
nosday last, Major General John p.
Banksea, secretary and treasurer of the
Hannisvil!e bisti.iirg Company, Qocat-
ed at Martinsburg, West Virginia, and
commanding officer ofthe First Division
First Brigade National Guard of Penn
sylvania committed suicide.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

All physicians in Texas, under the
new law, are required to appear before
the county board Of examiners, appoint
ed by the District Court, and stand an
examination in chemistry, anatomy,
physiology and lnateria medica, before
they can have legal assistance in collect
ing their bills.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

In commemoration of the successful
political campaign of "Blue Jeans" Will
liams last October in Indiana number
Of ladies of Louisville, KY, have pur-
chased for him Il suit of fine blue jeans
cloth as Christmas gift.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

The FLORIDA PARTICIPATION
Geo. f. Drew, the Democratic Cover.
nor-eiect ofFlorida, will be inaugurated
to-day, the End inst, at Tallahassee,
Florida, and grand Inauguration ball
will be given there tonight in honor of
the occasion,
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

That Republican Senator or Represen.
fative. says the New York San, who
shall call On bis party leaders to stop in
their career of fraud and TO halt in theil
attempt to inaugurate by the aid of bay.
onets President not elected, will right
ly interpret the will of the people, and
warn desperate men OF the danger in
store for them if they persist In defying
it.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS Oh
THE VIRGINIA STATE AGRICULTURAL
Soc1ETY,-In compliance with a reso-
luton adopted by the Virginia State
Agricultural Society at its annual meet
ing in November last, there will be a
meeting Of the stockholders of the Soci-
ETY. in Richmond on the 10th inst, of
. o'clock, P. M.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

PUBLIC SENTIsfENT AT THE Morrill,
The Richmond Wing of yesterday says
Public Sentiment we find at the North
upon hasty trip there within the last
few days, has pretty well settled down
to the conclusion that it would be a
dangerous experiment to undertake the
Inauguration of Rutherford B. Hayes,
or to attempt to prevent the installation
of the duly elected President, Samuel
J. Tilden. In this opinion all appear
ed to concur save the desperate and ex-
treme Rad!eaie.'i
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

The Hon. Carter H. Harrison. Con-
gressmei, from Chicago, went home to
enjoy his Christmas turkey. While
there he admitted frankly that he ey-
pected to see compromise on Tilden
and Wheeler. ~ base my opinion"
he said, ''upon private information to
the effect that republicans of high stand
ing have already taken the position that
Louisiana should. not be counted at all y
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

The RENNET-MAY MARRIAGE.-The
marriage of James Gordon Bennett to
Miss Ida May is to occur on the I'd of
January, or the morning of the 3rd.-
The marriage is 10 be very private. The
bridal party will sail ON the Russia
next Wednesday. Mr.. Bennett and his
bride will probably return 10 this coun-
try next June, in time for the Newport
polo ssason.-N. i. San.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02
The Outlook.

We have not yet been able, says the
Petersburg Post, to comprehend the rea-
soning of those who maintain that there
should be, and most probably will be, a
compromise effected between the two par
ties in Congress by which Tilden may be
made President and Wheeler Vice Presi-
dent of the United States. It seems to
us to be matter which admits of no
compromise, for if Tilden has been elect
ed by the people SO has Hendricks, and
the Office of the latter cannot be honora-
bly, bartered away by Congress to anoth-
er. If these gentlemen were not SO elect
ed, then Hayes and Wheeler were, and
are entitled to their respective positions
at the head Of the nation, without any
compromise or trade on the part of Con.
gress.
When the question reaches Congress
for solution, on the 18th of February
and it shall appear that, by informality
or fraud in some of the States, no lega
election has been had, and that the duty
of making a choice shall devolve upor
the two houses of Congress in separate
session-the House to choose Presiden
and the Senate Vice President-ther
it cannot properly be made matter o
compromise" because there will b.
nothing to compromise. The action o
the two houses will be clearly matte
of duty. Tilden being the majority can
didate, he will certainly be made Presi
dent by the House, and if the Senat'
shall have any proper respect for thu
will, or Difference to the voice of the PEG
pie, it will proceed to elect Hendricks
and take no party advantage of the situa
ton. Mr.. Wheeler, if heightened man
would not accept such an advantage o
an adversary, even if rendered him, fol
his seat would be one of thorns ant
humiliation if secured by such fou
means of party trickery.
In full view OF all tho facts in the case
and the probable action of parties with
in the next six weeks, we are confiden
that the election of Tilden and Hen
bricks is compelled to be fairly an
nounced by the Congress of the United
States, without hesitaney, or compro
mise, or equivocation, or interpolation
of machinery, and that their Inaugural
ton will be peaceable one.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

William D. Hart, Esq, died at his
residence in Albemerle county, near
North Garden Depot, on the 2Ist ult.,
in the SEVENTEEN year Of his age. He
was before the late war a prominent
member of the old line Wing party, and
represented that county In the Legisla-
ture
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

DESTRUCTION OF OIL-AN EXPO
sIoN.-At Oil city, Pa, at o'clock, P.
M, on Christmas day the boiler-house
of the American Transfer Coinpany's
station took fire. followed by an explo-
sion of the boiler, which was thrown a.
gainst an iron tank containing about
fifteen thousand gallons of oil, bursting
the tank and setting fire to it. The to
tai loss In oil, about $1,000 barrels, and
five iron tanks; two were owned by M.
E. Whitney, two by Cochrane and one
by the American Transfer Company
There were also five Erie railway cara
burned. Loss estimated at 1920, 900; par
tally insured.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02

A YOUNG MAN ACCIDENTALLY SHOT
AND KILLED.-On last Tuesday, near
Richmond, Samuel E. Hatcher, ayoung
man residing on Nicholson street, Rock
etts, was shot and killed by "a youth
named Martin Falls. Samuel Hatcher
and his brother Edgar, who was the
younger, between 10 and II o'clock, left
their home with their guns, intending
to go into tie country short distance
to shoot birds. On the River road, a
little way below the old dis:iilery, they
met Falls and some companions, and
the two parties stopped and engaged in
friendly conversation.
Falls had gun with him, too. His
hands becoming cold, he stuck them
into his breaches pockets, placing the
gun under one arm. From that loose
position the gun slipped to the ground
exploding the cap and discharging the
load, which latter took effect upon Sam.
uel Hatcher's left ear, penetrating to the
brain.