davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

may protitably employ all the facilities
the last ten years have created, and adj
just this burden of debt so that it can
be carried and eventually repaid. Only
III proportion as that period Is ap-
preached, may more healthy and
prosperous condition be anticipated;
but the immediate future possesses no
such hopes, more than it possesses abili-
ty to iquidate or make profitable the
debt which has been accumulated with
such fearful rapidity"
The agency concludes with the fol
lowing in regard to the fall trade:
Meanwhile people must eat, drink,
and wear, and in the supply of these
necessities a certain extent of trade is
secure. And this trade ought not TO be
unsafe in sections of country mainly
dependent on agriculture, which in
cludes the great west and south, where
the purchasing and debt-paying power
is not so restricted as elsewhere The
chief difficulty is that the number en-
gagged in trade thus limited is so far
in excess of its extent that the compe-
tition is destructive of profit. The evil
is one which will, it is supposed, cure
itself Unfortunately the principal pro-
cess by which this will be affected is
that of failure, as the voluntary with
drawals, especially from retail trade,
are very rare The failure statistics
are, therefore, likely to show contin-
ued large number of casualties, but in
this view may be more significant OF
health than disease. If large proper
ton of traders who succumb could be
kept out of business, and be provided
with some other pursuit than that of
helping to divide small trade among
a large number, failures would not be
an unmixed evil. But the facilities
which wholesale merchants themselves
afford for effecting settlements at fifty
cents on the dollar and less, and which
the national bankrupt law encourages,
are not infrequently an effective prem
lrlm to the greatest rascality and poor
est capacity. But time cures all, and it
is to be hoped that a business sentiment
against compromises and in favor of an
amended bankrupt law will be gradual
ly developed and be effective toward
remedying existing evils
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19
MINNESOTA.
The Vote on the Bond Question.

The total vote of Minnesota in the
last annual election was 124, ,053. The
whole vote cast at the bond election in
June was 76,500. OF this aggregate,
80, 176 votes were cast against the bond
settlement, and II ,324 for it, while A.
533 voters did not vote at all We find,
then, that considerably less than half
of the voters of Minnesota voted
against the bond settlement, and the
matter stands on the record about as
follows: 80, ,176 voters, mainly from ig-
nOrance and misconceptiOn, were OPP
posed to paying fifty cents on the dol
lar of the outstanding bonds; 1924
voters heartily favored the proposed
adjustment, while AZ ,533 voters were so
Indifferent to the matter that they
would not take the trouble to vote on
the question. 1t is not true then that
a majority of the people Of Minnesota
have voted against the payment of the
bonds, and it is fair to infer that the
A ,533 voters who did not take interest
enough in the matter to vote, were at
least not opposed to the proposed settle
ment They were simply neutral and
Indifferent. 1t is also fair to infer
that every man who was actively hostile
to the settlement took the trouble to
vote against it. So it is safe to assume
that the 59,176 persons who voted
against it constitute the strength of the
repudiationists in Minnesota, and a
good deal more when they come to un=
derstand the question. On the ether
hand those who voted for the bond set
tlement and those who didn't vote at all
constituted a mass of GA, ,877 voters, who
are either Indifferent or positively in
favor of the settlement. And we NAV
reasonably presume that if the PROPOSE
ton were again submitted, at the end
Of a long campaign Of active and uni
versal discussion, that the small army
of 1924 friends Of public honesty
would be swelled by many recruits
from the 30, 176 persons who ignorantIy
voted for reputation, and by nearly
the whole body of the AZ ,533 neutrals
At any rate if one campaign would not
bring a majority of the. people of Min
nesota to the side of public honesty,
two campaigns would be pretty certain
to result in an overwhelming victory
for State honor and State credit.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19
Hopeful Signs.

The cotton manufactures of New
England show healthy signs Of the grad
ual improvement of business. Forty
nine of the largest of those mills, which
turn out 80 per cent. Of the whole
Northern product, have for the first six
months of 1877 used about 3 per cent.
more raw material than in the same
period in 1876. Their annual average
consumption IS about 3S5O00 bales.
During the first half of last year they
worked up S6,730,S05 pounds of cotton.
For the corresponding time this year
they used 89,23S,942 pounds. But as
the quality of cotton used this year was
superior to that of last, the actual
amount of manufactured goods exceeds
that of the first half of 1876 by fully )
per cent. And though the manufacture
has been so much larger the goods have
all found ready markets, there being no
considerable accumulation on hand,
while the demand Is still perceptibly
improving. If prices continue at the
present low figures it is expected that all
the New England mills will be kept
running at their highest capacity during
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

THE pooling system adopted by the
trunk lines Of railway between Chicago
and New York is causing great dissat-
isfaction among New York merchants.
! Ii seems that this action is only hasten
ing what is already transpiring in the
way of diverting trade to Baltimore,
philadelphia and Boston. The subject
If cheap transportation. is now felt more
keenly by New York ,CiN:thapiit Is by
the people ofHthewes The coWpeti-
ttion OF Baltimore, Philadelphia and
Boston for western trade is such that
New York has become one of the most
active cheap transportationists. Il
will he some satisfaction at anyrate tC
the west to know that she don't have to
do all the howling and pay all the costs
in the bargain.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19
CUSTER.
An Indians Description of the Generals
Last Battle.
Correspondence New York. Tribune

Correspondence New York. Tribune
FORT ELLIS, Montana, June 23-One
OfGen. Miles scouts, an eX-sOldier named
Howard, who married q niece of Sitting
Bull, in whose camp he lived some time,
reached the Tongue River cantonment
on the 18th. Howard talked with the
Indians regarding the Custer massacre,
and, in consideration of his residence
among and relationship with them, talk
ed to him as one of themselves. They
state that many of Clusters men were
killed by mountain Indians, who ran
over them and killed them with their
knives. The poor fellows were huddled
together here and there, and fought at
great disadvantage; yet they killed a
great many of their assailants, fighting
desperately to the last. Sitting Bull as
serted that the battle lasted only thirty
minutes all told, ending with the death
of Custer and few men and officers
who rallied around him. This fOrlorn
hope had gotten off some distance, and
could have escaped; but, unfortunately
Custer changed his mind, turned, and
ordered charge. The devoted party
rushed upon the Indians with revolvers,
shooting down the astOnished sayages
right and left Custer killed five him
self, when, his pistol emptied, and the
foe pressing about him, he closed with a
graphing savage, and, beating out his
brains with the butt, was shot as his vic
tim fell to the ground. This doubtless
true story supports the theory advanced
by military men at the time of the mas
sacre-the idea of some desperate final
act receiving support from the position
and location of the group of bodies about
Custer-viz., that he, seeing his com
mand annihilated, and fearing to face
the consequences, or scOnlng to live
when his soldiers lay dead about him,
had deliberately rushed to certain death.
His body was not recognized at first,
the Indians thinking him a scout; but,
being soon identified, all that remained
of the famous general was prOpped up
against the corpses of two soldiers, and
so left to receive the advancing but too
late troops. Poor Tom Clusters heart
was not cut out, as previously y reported,
but he was barbarously killed with
knives. Lieut.. Sturgis was knocked off
his horse, shot and killed, his body strip
ped, and thrown into the river 1t must
be Sturgis' death which is thus described,
as the Indians tell of this poor fellow as
a young warrior who rode with buck
skin coat strapped to his saddle, and it
is known he was so equipped. They
also relate that two soldiers, who threw
down their guns and surrendered, were
turned loose and advised ''to return to
their people and tell them all the whites
would follow Custer unless they would
let the Sioux alone" The poor fellows
left, but the next day, probably crazy
from fright, attempted to return, when
they encountered some Indians who had
been engaged against Reno, and were
killed. Howard recognized many of Gus
ter's trophies i'll the camp, among them
Cooks saddle and accoutrements.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

THE latest news from the RussO-TlIrk-
iSh war continues to be favorable to the
Turks. Concerning the field of military
operations in Asia it has been mainly
transferred to the territory of Russia
south of the Caucasian mountains. The
rout of the Russians under the Grand
Duke Michael seems to have been com
plete and the contest will in all proba-
hility not be renewed in that quarter by
the Russians this year. On the Danube
the latest reports would Indicate that
the Russians have really crossed the
Balkan mountains, but if this is the case
ii is merely Il movement on the guerril
In system of warfare. All or nearly all
the force of Turkey in Europe is north
of the Balkans, and aS Russia will be
compelled to have line of commune
cation open across Bulgaria, she must
drive the Turks out of that country be
fore she can throw large force across
the mountains The distance to Com
stantinople from the main passes of the
Balkans is about two hundred miles and
the fortitications at the capital of the
Empire are such that it can only be
taken by siege; hence the work YET
before Russia is one of great magnitude
All the country from the Danube tc
Censtantinople is most favorable for the
Turks. On the other hand the Russian
army on the Danube is large, III excel
lent condition and well of1icered; while
that of the Turks is in the most abiec
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

OF the lumber of the Mississippi and
Wisconsin waters shipped south, it APP
pears that 90 per cent. Is consumed at
river towns, or thence sent east or west,
and only 10 per cent. reaches st. Louis.
The average value of east-bound freights
is $50 per ton; of freights going to St.
Louis, IS per ton.
The greater portion of the report is
devoted to the discussion of railroad
affairs, with essays upon the subject OF
competition and combination, on which
many volumes have been written, and
which is discussed in every annual re-
port by every railroad in the United
States We regret to state that in the
matter of statistics the report is very
meagre. 1t is to be hoped that the sec
ond report Will be better, otherwise il
might be omitted altogether-G Chicago
Tribune
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19
GEN. HOWARD's FIGHT.
The Internal Commerce of the United
STATES

In 1876 Congress directed that there
shall be an annual statistical report
made to Congress of Information rela-
tive to the internal commerce of the
country Mr.. Joseph Nimms, Jr., Chief
Clerk of the Internal Commerce Divis-
ion Of the Treasury, has Just completed
his first report under this law, from
which we gather the following particul-
lars:
Estimated value of shipping en-
gagged in foreign trade .,........S 1000 00C
Estimated value of railroads in the
United States. l. 6O0, ONO, O00
Value of imports and exports .... l. 12l. 634 ~,
Estimated value Of commodities
moved by rail in United States. IS, 900, 000 0OC
One chapter of the report embraces
SO far as was practicable, Il statement OF
freight which crossed the Mississippi
river between st. Paul and St Louis
over railroads and bridges, and which
passed down that river. Thirteen
bridges have been constructed by rail
road companies between Wmona and
St. Louis, at an aggregate cost of $50
$4,000, The trade of Minnesota is
mostly with the East. A few articles
reach there from New Orleans and St.
Louis, but even the sugar and mOlasses
received from these cities is so small
compared with the imports of the same
goods from the East that it is difficult to
estimate it. The trade with st. Louis is
still mainly by the river, and is daily
growing less in proportion. The direc-
ton of the trade of Iowa is thus report
ed:
The business of all the north and
south roads in Iowa is practically east
bound business. The north and south
roads carry their traffic to the main east
and west trunk lines, and over them it
goes to Chicago. There is practically
no south-bound business. Nearly al
the traffic of the Keokuk & Des Moines
railroad, striking the Mississippi river
at Keokuk at the foot of the lower rap
ids, goes to Chicago. 1t is safe to calcIl-
late that 80 per cent. of the business OF
Iowa goes to Chicago and Milwaukee. .
The whole tonnage received at St
Louis g from the north - was only 49,
0SS tons, of which 60,993 tons were re-
received by the R. r. l. & st. Louis r
R., 153, ,995 tons by the Illinois river
and 1913, 100 ton by the Mississippi river
OF the wheat shipped from Minnesota
in 1875 only l per cent. went south Of
Iowa and 80 per cent. went east by rail
The following shows the tonnage cross
ing the Mississippi river bridges in 1875
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

condition, the men really starving, and
consequently under no discipline; the
army is badly officered; and the gov
ernment does not seem to be capable of
maintaining itself even against internal
dissentions. The movements of the
two armies on the Danube for the next
few weeks will be of the greatest import
ance to all Europe and will be watched
with the deepest interest.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

lT is said that frontier settlers have SO
little faith in the method of fighting In
dians in regularly organized military
commands that the call Of the Governor
of Idaho territory for troops was only
responded to by three men in Idaho
city. Old frontiersmen who love to
fight Indians will do SO only in one way
and that is to hunt Indians as they do
game and pick them off from concealed
nlacns
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

THE latest news from the Idaho In
dian war indicates that Chief Joseph is
not having things all his own way out
there, and the chances are that the old
frCntiersmen who have been attacked
viii convince the band of Chief Joseph
that they have long ago learned the
lesson of taking care of themselves
With the cid of the government uoops
now on the ground, it is expected that
this last Indian war will not last great
while longer.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19
NO. 80.

the fall and winter to meet the demand.
At present throughout the United States
there are annually used l 100000 bales
of raw cotton, while from 100000 10
3,O00,0 900 bales are exported. With the
rapid means of distribution to all parts
Of the world, which England and France
ENJOY, our cotton manufacturing capaci-
ty might be vastly increased, and doubt
less will be in due time-Albdny j01jl-
nal.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

The CircasSians who caused the Rus
sian army so much trouble by attacks
upon its line of communication while
il was operating agains Kars, are now
paying for it; the whole Russian army
has turned upon the rebellious
CircaSsians, and will leave but few of
them to harrass the next campaign.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

The attempt to reorganize the Char
ter Oak Life Insurance Company has
failed, and application has been made
for the appointment Of receiver.
This Insurance Company failure will
entail great loss upon the people of
this state, as the Charter Oak has done
an extensive business in Wisconsin.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

THERE IS prospect of a general sus-
pension Of operations in the anthracite
coal regions Of Pennsylvania; the OBJ
iect being to restrict the supply. The
suspension will throw a great many
thousand miners out Of employment,
and cause untold suffering and proba-
llS trouhln
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19
VOL. Xxx.

BRIGHAM YoUSG has been giving the
government some more of his pronis-
s Of good behavior Brigham is a lit
tie like poor Lo; he is remarkably good
when he sees federal bayonets sticking
up on all sides, and his insolence pro-
trudes just rs soon as he loses sight of
the bayOnets.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

GREECE has at last decided not to in
terfere in the war now in progress be-
tween Turkey and Russia 1t is said
that it was the influence of the king
and the English representatives there,
but it is even more than probable that
the recent victories of the Turkish forces
has had great deal of influence in
bringing about this decision.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

IT seems that the Mexican general in
command on the Rio Grande has more
discretion than his government, and
Notwithstanding he has received orders
70 give Gen. Ord's forces battle if they
cross the river, he has announced his
determination not to do SO and adds
that such course is not the best way
10 settle the border difficulty
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

Never quit your hopes. Hope is
better than enjoyment. A hopeless
person is deserted by himself, and soon
forgotten by friends and fortune.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

II Is stated That the 1alIures fOr the
first six months of 1876 were exception
ally large, and hence it is inferred that,
so far as the number is concerned, the
failures in the first six months of 1877
are larger than for any previous similar
period. In the aggregate of liabilities
a decline is noticeable, though for the
past quarter the averge Indebtedness is
more than maintained, as will be seen
by the following table:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19

his report of HOward's success, which
comes most opportunely y, as reservation
Indians had been supposed fivOring, If
not disposed to join the hOstilts because
of Joseph's first success. [ fhink this
defeat will tend to cause them 70 remain
peaceable, and make it unnecessary to
act under the presidents authority to
call out volunteers for Temporary ser
vice [ will at least defer action till |
get Howard's report.
Signed MCDOWELL.
Major General.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE BATTLE.
san Francisco. July IA Portland
press dispatch special just received from
an eye witness of the fight on the south
fork of the Clearwater, gives the follow
ing details: Lieut. Fletcher nd A. d.
Chapman, the guide, found the chief
Joseph after a long and arduous march,
with his full force camped in an almost
inaccessible defile between two high
mountains near the river. Our COM
mand numbered 400 and Joseph had
800 braves and determined warriors
The fighting was carried on very care
fully on both sides The Indians fought
in a recumbent position, and kept up a
steady fire from behind rocks, trees, and
every advantageous rise in the ground
like skirmishers and sharp-shooters.
Our men were forced to approach
through open table land and receive a
CALLING fire. There was desultory firing
from rifle pits all day. A squaw who
fell into our hands says that seven In
dians were killed outright and q very
large number wounded. She says the
chief wanted 10 fight and die at the
river but the women prevailed upon
him to retreat. Capt. Bancroft of the
Fourth artillery was wounded badly in
the left side. Lieut. Williams was
wounded in the arm and leg. Both will
recover. Both sides fought with great
determination.
GEN. HOwARD'S FIGHT
WASHINGTON, July 14.-The official re-
port of Gen. Howard of his recent
fight with the Indians, has been receiv-
ed by the acting adjutant. 1t is the
same as that received in the press dis
patch from San Francisco, except that
Capt. Bancroft and Lieut.. Williams were
wounded, not killed. Eleven men were
killed and twenty-four wounded, instead
of twenty-nine, as stated in the San
Francisco dispatch.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19
HARD TINES STATISTICS.
Failures in the United States and Cana
da During the First Half of 1877.

It IS evident, says the quarterly circu-
lar of r. G. Dun's mercantile agency,
that the business of the country, gen
orally, only very slowly improves. The
results of the first half of the present
year are by no means satisfactory.
Neither in extent or profitableness are
there many signs Of improvement;
while in the recovery of stability of
values, the indications are uncertain,
and not unfrequently the tendency is
still decidedly downward. The statis-
tics of failures, also, are not re-assuring.
The failures for the United States for
the first six months of three years are
stated rs follows.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19
GRAIN AND FLOUR :

Total tonnage pass
ing East. ......... ., ,344, 354
The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1877-04-27

A man and wife who have been liv.
ing at FernIand for some time. on last
Monday night had general row, which
resulted in the woman being van.
qnished for the time. He kept posses.
sion OF the field, or house rather, till
next morning, when she surrounded the
premises, made general charge, and
rec ured the lost position, bat in the
meantime he had evacuated, leaving the
following note, which we copy verbatim:
"As you soposd me to bee damd
fool But CESS its somboddy els on the
other sid Yon can tax up all that's in
Mark Dees st. so you can do as you
can told you to let me slon SO good
By your 's and nees soon max we'd
din fare well Nancy and II yon amt
rooind III bedsmi J. 7. n.