davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12
Vanderbilt and Bliss.

In the Friday evening prayer meet
ing, Mr.. Beecher spoke quite at length
about the death of Commodore Van
derbilt, and closed as follows:
Another man has died within few
days, not in his home, surrounded by
sOrrowing friends, or with physicians of
skill about his bedside; not with the
thermometer of his life recorded, like
the weather, each day in the newspa-
pers. He died death in the midst of
unutterable horrors for in that terrific
plunge made through the broken bridge
at Ashtabula, it would seem as if all
the horrors of tearing and rending and
burning and decorating were there COM
bined. There Mr.. Bliss died; not a
great man, but one whose whole life
was devoted wholly and sweetly to en-
nobling the dispositions of men. His
hymns will not live as long as Wattss
or Wesley's, but they were witten for
our time and they have moved whole
generation of Christians and thinkers.
They have had silent influence, gentle
as the dew in summer, and have nour-
lshed ten times ten thousand tender
roots. His life suddenly ceased, and Il
few papers noticed it. He held no such
place in the world as Commodore Van
derbilt. 1t is not right that | should
compare them except to say that the
latter was vastly more strong in mind
and possessed of a more expansive char
acter. But Mr.. Bliss has done a far
grander work he has made the heav-
ems not brass but transparent. He has
brought something of the heavenly
chants down to earth. He has been as
the tongue of the Lord. 1t was IA glori-
Gus career; it lies not within the cir
cult of every ones imitation in the same
way; but each one can do the duty
that stands over against us. To us
these accidents seem terrible; but to
most of those who met their death at
Ashtabula it was no more than falling
asleep. The soul of Brother Bliss wing
ed its way at once into the presence of
God.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12
Death of Commodore Vanderbilt.

We simply announced the death OF
Commodore Vanderbilt last week, it
occurring just as we went to press. The
following are the particulars of the last
hours of this wonderful man:
The evening before his death, Mr..
Vanderbilt had been moved from his
bed chamber to his sitting room, and
there reclining in his large wheeled
chair, he passed the time until 10 O'Clock
in chatting pleasantly with his family
and one or two intimate friends. His
son, Mr.. William I'll. Vanderbilt, who
spent part of the evening with him, APP
pretended no immediate danger, and
returned to his home shortly before his
fathers bed time. Even his physicians
had no apprehensiOns of any sudden
change, although they had noted that
their patient had been rapidly growing
weaker during the past few days. About
2 o'clock A. M. change for the worse
took place, and at o'clock he was de-
cidedly weaker and failing rapidly.
Shortly after daylight his family were
summoned to his bedside to bid him
farewell. He was too weak to say
much, but expressed much qualification
at having them around him, and after
they had been with him a short time
them to join in singing his
favorite hymns. Prayer was then offer
ed, by his pastor, Rev. DR.. Deems, in
which he tried to join. Shortly after
ward, gradually becoming weaker and
weaker, he quietly passed away with
out struggle. His last words were,
''That was a good PRAYER"
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12
Golden Wedding.

To the st. Johnsbury Caledonian:
One of the most interesting gatherings
OF which we have had any knowledge,
was made on New Years eve, at the
house of Mr.. Samuel Bigelow of Beebe
Plain, p. Q. The occasion for this
gathering seems to have vested in the
fact that fifty years ago in Wheelock,
VT, Mr.. Samuel Bigelow and Sally HI.
Davis were Joined in the bands of we'd
lock. And marriage laws being of a
very peculiar and patriarchal descrip-
ton in Canada where they now live.
and they having had half a century of
trial, they seem to have thought it now
quite safe to be bound to each other by
golden ties in Province where divorce
laws are unknown.
A goodly number of the friends of
Mr.. and Mrs. Bigelow from Sheffield.
Wheelock, st. Johnsbury, and Lyndon,
together with friends from this place.
filled the large honse of the large
hearted Mr.. B., whose careful wife
having had some intimations that a
large company of friends were intend-
ing to visit them, had made large and
excellent provisions for the refreshment
OF the many joyous visitors, After a
proper recognition of the nuptial bands.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

by Rev. Erastus Miller, all did evident
justice to the excellent marriage feast.
After which several complimentary and
patriotic toasts were proposed to which
there was ready response.
Then came the golden scenes. On a
table in the centre of the drawing-room
were placed significant boxes and sug-
gestive paper parcels. The Rev. Ernest
M. Taylor then stepped to the table
and with a catalogue in his hand called
the attention of the friends. He then
addressed Mr.. and Mrs. Bigelow in be-
half of the friends assembled, and pro-
ceeded to open up the boxes and par
GELS before him, each in its order, max
ing such remarks as were thought
required. Some of them somewhat
heightened the merriment which already
ran high. l will not take up your
space in giving full list, but there
were gold coins, gold pens, sleeve-but-
tons, rings, breach, and a gold-headed
cane, the last named being in value
twenty-five dollars.
Mr.. BigelOw made very graceful ac-
acknowledgement of the gifts he had re-
ceived, after which Rev. Jonathan
Woodman, who has known the vener-
able bridal pair for over sixty years,
made very instructive as we'll as en-
tertaining address, in which he touched
upon many instances during the fifty
years of their married life in a very
appropriate and interesting manner.
The Rev. Ernest M. Taylor then read
two letters, the one, from Rev. M. C.
Henderson and the other from o. G..
Tinkham, each of an interesting char
acter. Then the party INDUCED in
pleasant greetings and social entertain
ment all of which passed off to the en-
tire satisfaction of all present. II.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

Tabernacle for that purpose, but in both
places it was requested that no one
contribute more than a single dollar.
On Tuesday morning the sum for the
education of the children had reached
$4,000 generous recognition of the
merits of a life which had been conse-
Grated to the service of mankind.
OF BOOKS.
One of the numbers that will be read
with interest from east to west, is a
little volume written by Mary P.
Thatcher, and published by James R.
Osgood & Co., entitled "Seashore.-and
Prairie" 1t is made up of near a score
of interesting sketches, among which
IA Hundred Years Ago." "Some Little
Folks who Live in the Dark, !" and "The
Last Angel of Corrigio," will hold the
attention of any reader who takes up
the book. 1t is a nice book to have at
hand in a leisure hour, or to lay upon
the centre table for a guest to look at
if he happens to be left to his own
musings few moments. O.P.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

ness arranged every detail of business
connected with his enormous estate
many months since.
His wishes regarding his funeral were
also clearly expressed and were singu
larly opposed to display of any kind.
No flowers were to be permitted, no
eulogy to be spoken over his remains,
and while some unobtrusive token of
his decease was permitted to be dis
played at the stations along the line of
his railroads, he expressly forbade all
drapirg of locomotives or cars, and all
ostentatious signs that the greatest rail-
road monarch of the world had passed
out of it.
The effect upon the stock market of
counted by the false report in October
of which l wrote at the time and this,
together with the gradual transfer of
management of bis roads during his
last sickness, robbed his death of most
of its danger to the street. In fact.
New York Central stock instead of
dropping at the news, steadily advanc-
ed throughout the day.
Discoveries having been made that
the mails were being Systematically
robbed in this city, Postmaster James
has been having the matter worked up
by special agents and detectives with
the result of breaking up an organized
gang, who, having got in as drivers on
the transfer wagons, had been helping
themselves literally to the contents of
the bags entrusted to their care. Some
5000 letters have already been recOv-
cred. The total amount of loss incur
red is not known, but must be small
fortune
The amusement furOre just now is
skating. The waters of Central Park
present broad surfaces of ice which the
crippled Park Commission, with money
from nobody knows where, keeps free
from snow, and the steady cold weather
has continued long enough to give the
fun time to regain its lost popularity.
The beautiful groves are leafless, and
the balmy breezes which play through
them in the softer months are turned to
nipping winds, but the slippery attrac-
tons of the ice fill the hooks and cor
ners of the winding lakes with whisper
ings of love, delicious as in the verdant
summer, but, alas, too often interrupt
ed in their most witching periods by
sudden ''sitdOwns" which rack the
frame, tax the dictionary, and cause
grieved Cupid to spread his wings and
seek some place where he can have fair
play. RADIX.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12
Bloody Riots Threatened.

The trouble in New Orleans is alarm
ing. With two Legislatures organized
and two Governors inaugurated, the
case would seem to be sufficiently COM
plicated; but with thousands of White
Leaguers armed and differed, parad-
ing the streets, taking possession of the
police stations and court rooms, and
besieging the state house in which is
the Republican Governor and Legis-
lature, the case is still more alarming
The hope lies in the fact that Presi-
dent Grant is informed of the situation,
and that he will preserve the peace by
means of U. S. troops if necessary, and
the latest news is that he has tele-
graphed Gen. Augur to dispense all
armed bodies of men in the streets of
New Orleans
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12
Commodore Vanderbilt's Will.

FIRST, L direct my executors, imme-
dlately after my decease, to pay to nv
beloved wife, Frank A. Vanderbilt.
the sum of $500, 600 in bonds of the
United States of America, of the five
per cent. loan, under the act of Con-
gress approved March 3, 1864, common
ly known as 1910 bonds, at par. In
performance of the ante-nuptial con-
tract made by and between me and
SAID Frank A, bearing date of the Doth
day OF August, 1869, whereby l agreed
that II she should survive me as nv
WIDOW, my executors or administrators
should, Immediately after nv death.
pay to her 100000 in first mortgage
bonds of the New York and Harlem
railroad Company, at par, aud she
agreed to waive and release all dover
In my real estate and all right, title
ana interest in and to my personal es-
tate, except such sum of $500. 600 of
bonds. This direction or beouest is on
condition that my said wife do accept
Ghe same as the performance of nv
part OF SAID ante-nuptial contract and
ih lieu OF dover in any and all real es-
late OF which | may have been seized
aC any Tune during my marriage with
her, and of all claim upon or share in
the personal estate of which l may die
possessed, except as hereinafter ex-
pressly bequeathed to her.
L also give, devise and bequeath to
my said wife, Frank A, the house and
lot No. 10 Washington place, in the
city OF New York, with the appurte-
nanees, and also the statuary therein
for and during her natural
lie. | also give and bequeath to her
absolutely all furniture, pictures and
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

other household articles which NAV, l..
in OF appurtenant to said house at tba
time of my decease, including book
and musical instruments, plate and all
other chattels of that kind, but excent
ing the portraits of my mother and NV
deceased wife, which two portraits +
give to my grandson, Cornelius Van
derbilt, Jr., son of my son William Fl
and upon the decease of my said WIFI
l give, devise and bequeath said stat
uary to my said grandson Cornelius
and said house and lot to my said SON
William H., in fee. also give and
bequeath to my said wife two carriages
and one pair of carriage horses and The
harness dppurtenant thereto, to be Sc
lected by her from those | may own at
the time of my decease.
The remainder of his vast wealth /,
distributed among his children, grand
children, brothers and sisters and Ohio.
relatives, with the sole exception or
$4,000 to his family physician. DR.
Jared Laisley $4,000 to Capt. James
Braisted, formerly in his employ; 500
900 to Lambert Mardell, an old and
faithful clerk, and $4,000 to Rev. DR.
Deems, his pastor. His son William
H., his grandsons Cornelius and VIM
H. Vanderbilt and his nephew, Samuel
Barton, are appointed executors of the
estate, to serve without compensation
In cOdicil, 1000 shares of the capi.
tai stock of the New York Central and
Hudson River Railroad Company are
given to his wife, Frank A. Vanderbilt
in addition to the sums previously
mentioned.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12
Accident ON the Rutland Railway.
PASSENGER TRAIN THROWN FROM THE
TRACK.

PASSENGER TRAIN THROWN FROM THE
TRACK.
Rutland, VT, Jan. 8. The mail train
from Boston, on the Rutland Railroad,
was thrown from the track about 2
O'Clock this afternoon by broken rail
near East WallingtoId station, thirteen
miles east of Rutland, and rolled about
~ feet down an embankment. There
were about thirty passengers. and sew
eral of them were injured more or less
seriously. r. A. Brown of Westfield.
Mass, had his ankle sprained Edward
Crosby, flour merchant, of Brattleboro.
was injured on the head and chest
Mr.. Nichols and son of Ludlow were
both badly bruised upon the head and
face; }. w. Snow of SOmerville, Mass,
route agent, was injured in the stomach
and back; Miss Julia Conant, daugh-
ter of John A. Conant of Brandon, and
Mrs. F. Sampson of Boston and a few
others were slightly injured.
Lieut.. Gov. Proctor of Rutland was
In the train, but escaped unhurt. The
train consisted of Central Vermont
locomotive, and Cheshire baggage,
mail and passenger cars. The rail was
split about three feet at the end, and in
the inside removed. The passenger
car was thrown from the track, severed
from its trucks, and rolled completely
over, bottom side up. As it went over
1t threw the mail car down the bank
upon its side. The locomotive and
baggage car were not thrown from the
track. The passengers and train men
went on to their homes or to the end of
their routes.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

Edwin w. Major, who poisoned his
wife at Wilton, N. H., two years AGO.
and was supposed to have previously
seduced and poisoned her sister, was
hanged at the Concord Jail, Friday
noon. He protested his innocence to
the last, has been quite religious of
late, and was remarkably cool. his
greatest anxiety appearing to be that
his clothes looked well. At the last
moment, however, just as the drop was
sprung, he fell upon his knees, but died
without struggle. Nearly all who
knew the circumstances or the map
believed him guilty.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

ND. help would come to him for our
cbildren,s sake.n 81 was afraid she
gnnldn,t be strong enough to break
NV Ieg.p added the husband, "and then
if wo1ld be all up with me. | was
going to have her get out, and then,
Father than be burned alive, was go
inc To-. Well, had this big knife
in my right-hand pocket, and my.
right arm was free to get it and use it,"
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

New POSTAL CARDs.-Another new
design of postal cards is soon to be is
sued by the Postoffice Department.
Many people, it is said, still persist in
writing the message, address and sig
nature all on the same side with STAMP.
and it is to be the object of the new
design to make it impossible to write
more than the address on the proper
side.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

A policeman, the 4th, found Thomas
Nolan and his wife intoxicated at II
Garrison street, Brooklyn, and their
three children huddled togather in a
corner crying fom cold. There was
no fire in the room and had not the
officer removed them they would I'M
doubtedly have frozen to death.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

70 At the Moody meetings to be held
in Boston, commencing this month, a
new singing book is to be used-"Gos-
pei Hymns No. 9" This is the last
work of Mr.. Sankey and the late evan
gelist, p. p. Bliss, who with his wife was
killed at Ashtabula. The old ''Gospel
Hymns" by these same authors, so ex-
tensively used the last year or two, are
of such a character as to ensure in ad-
vance the value of the No. 2. As this
book is to be used in the Boston meet
ings, these new songs will be on the
lips of people all over New England, at
least. Churches and Sunday Schools
that are about getting new books will
be likely to try the Gospel Hymns No.
2, thus making them the universal book
for the social meeting, as "Winnowed
Hymns" have been for the last three
years. Specimen copies sent on enclos-
ing 35 cents to the publishers, Biglow
81 Main, New York.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12
Action of President Grant.

THE LAWLESS WARNED-NEITHER PO-
LITICAL PARTY FAVORED.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9. The Cabinet
session to-day continued nearly three
hours. There was much conversation
about political affairs generally, but
with regard to the condition
OF those In New Orleans. AS various
kilograms had been received from that
city, expressive of fears of violation of
the public peace, owing to two State
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

~ AS an evidence of the hard times,
OF the growing unpOpularity of the great
preacher, it is stated that on Tuesday
last the amount realized from the sale
of pews in Rev. Henry Ward Beecher's
church was SIS, ZOO less than last year.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

~ The Tabernacle at Boston will
be ready for Mr.. Moody next Sabbath,
but the Evangelist will not occupy it
then, nor is it known, just how soon he
will
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12
Special Notice.

The time Of year has come for settle
ment. We respectfully ask those NTH
,ohOm zoe haze deal to square their ac-
counts. Subscribers IN tOlCns a0here ace
hare agents, aoiH find their accounts a0ith
them. We ask that settlement be made
aOith them or at this office, at an early
day. Those DhO haze accounts against
as, iciH present the same.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12
FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Business dull in the billiard and sa
loon business, is the verdict of one who
packed and shipped his tables to Bur
lingtOn this morning $500 out of
pocket, he says, since opening Pretty
good; we hope more will follows.
Adams Messenger.
On Thursday evening, 4th, Sheriff
Halbert of st. Adams, received from
Gov. Fairbanks a pardon for John
Fleury, sentenced for drunkenness Aug.
4th. The pardon was granted on the
petition of G. w. Newton, Esq, and
others. John, doubtless, has had ample
time to learn that the way of the Trans
gressOr is hard.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

r. President Smiths health is so
much impaired that he insists on his
resignation as president of Dartmouth
College, which will be great loss to
the college.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

said to be gentle, modest lady, and
who just escaped the too frequent oc-
currence of being bound for life to a
drunken brute.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

~ Gold fell on Tuesday to 1864,
the lowest point since June, 1862. We
are gradually getting down to hard
nan.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

The three richest men in the United
States-AstOr, Stewart and Vanderbilt
have died within fifteen months.
The aggregate wealth of the three was
propably S250,OOO,OOO.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12
ORANGE COUNTY.

Vershire can boast of some smart old
people. Mrs. Lucy Hinkley, aged 95,
has the care of family of three pei
sons, and a small child, besides taxing
care of the milk of one COW. MI. Rod
erick Derby, aged 80 years, is us erect
as man of 20; walked four miles to
cast his vote for president, saws and
splits his own wood, and takes care of
one COW
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

Loss BY THAw.-The storm on Sat
urday night which was snow in this
vicinity, was rain in Boston. The ice
which had formed in the cutters and on
the caves of buildings, forced the water
back under the shingles and other roof
coverings, and many valuable buildings
were badly damaged by water running
down inside. The most serious damage
was probably done the stock of choice
books in the store of Little, Brown &
Co., who sustained damage to their
stock of over $4,000; and the damage
would have been much more, had not
clerk gone into the store about eleven
O'Clock Sunday and discovered it.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

NEW HAMPSHIRE REPUBLICAN Con-
vENTIoN.-We learn by a despatch over
the new international line, that at the
Republican State Convention at Con-
cord yesterday, Hon. BENZ. F. Prescott,
of Epping, was nominated as candidate
for Governor. Mr.. Prescott is the pres
ent Secretary of State, and man of
fine abilities. The election is in March.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

organizations and the consequent ex-
citement over the acts of the respective
parties, the following dispatch was sent
to Gen. Augur Immediately after the
adjournment of the Cabinet, by the dl-
rection of the President, and which in
dicates the purpose of the Government,
as expressed by the President in recent
interviews:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Washington, Jan. 9, 1877.
To Gen. G. C. Augur, Ne,0 Orleans, La:
A dispatch just received from the
United States Marshal at New Orleans
indicates that unauthorized armed bod
les of men are organized and assem-
bling in manner to threaten the peace
and safety of the city. If this be so,
notify the leaders of such organizations
that they must desist on pain of coming
in conflict with the United States au-
thority, sustained by the military pow
er of the Government. Report at once
the situation and your action, keeping
in mind the fact that this order has no
reference to a recognition of either of
the claimants for the Governorship, or
either Legislature.
(Signed) j. ID. CAMERON,
Secretary of War.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12

A HAPPY THOUGHT FOR THE WEATHER
BUREAU-OUR NEW GOVERNMENT
STIRRING UP NSURANCE-NO WE'D
DING IN THE HERALD OFFICE-COM-
MoDORE vANDERBILT's LAST WISHES
PEACEFUL END OF HIS EVENTFUL
L1FE-$6O, 900, 900 OF PRoPERTY-THE
MAIL ROBBERs-SKATING IN THE PARK
BAD FOR CUPID.