davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14
The Eastern War---FaII of PIevna.

The Russians have at last struck d blow
which it is generally believed will prove to be
the beginning of the end in the Eastern war
The important stronghold of Plevna III Bull
garia, which the Russians and Roumanians
have been besieGng SO many weeks. has UNI
condluonallv surrendered, and the vlctors
now occupy II. The Agence husse thus an
nounces the battle 'Osman Pasha attempted
70 break through in the direction of Widiu
He was attacked in front and rear and com
PEELED 10 lay down his arms after a glorious
struggle in which he was seriously wounded
All with one voice praise his conduct" The
Turks in Plevna We're dying of hunger and
cold. There is great JOY at Bucharest. and
the town is covered with flags The London
Times urges that the moment has arrived
when mediation between Russia and Turkey
is possible, and it is TO be hoped that the
British government will use ull its efforts to
'iiA' eHee''
Later and fuller particulars of this great
Russian victory show that ~. 600 prisoners
and 400 guns fell into the hands of the Rus
SLAMS, The ground which was the scene Of
the sortie was literally strewn with thousands
of dead and dying II was at 80 Monday
morning that Osman Pashas army prompted
solely 10y the entire failure of provisions, at
tackled the Russian Grenadier Corps holding
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14
h the West River valley 10 Have a
BaiIrOadf

In an interesting and suggestive open letter
which appears in our columns this week, writ
ten by prominent resident of this town TO IL
well-known resident of Londonderry, renew
ed attention is called to the newly-completed
Billerica and Bedford. Mass. narrow gauge
railroad-the pioneer two-feet gauge railway
in this country. With the history of this nov
ell enterprise, its manner of construction. and
all its leading features our readers are already
familiar. through the admirable series of arti-
cles on the subject contributed by local cor
respondent. as well MS through articles and
paragraphs copied at different times from the
Boston daily papers. The road is now i'll
practical operation. and Mr.. Harris whose
long experience, study and observation in
railroad matters entitle him TO speak as an
expert in tine premises, states that he found
its working to be in every way satisfactory,
and all that could be asked or expected. The
road bed and track are substantial and dura-
bic, tine locomotives are compact, powerful.
and admirably adapted to their work, the pas
senger cars are models of convenience and
elegance, and the freight cars carry II load
more than double that carried by cars on the
ordinary gauge roads in proportion to their
weight. Add to this that the road permits a
high rate of speed 10 be attained with perfect
safety and it will be seen that this new enter
prise promises to answer every requirement
that could be demanded OF u railroad for any
ordinary local business.
The suggestion that Mr.. Harris makes that
a road after the pattern OF this Massachusetts
venture would be admirably adapted to meet
the needs OF the West River Valley is one
which will receive the earnest and careful at
tention of every resident OF the valley. For
ourselves we have never for moment lost
faith in the merits of the Brattleboro and
Whitehall enterprise, nor have We ever ceased
TO believe that the towns West Of the noun
tain would eventually awake 10 sense of
their duty and interest in the matter and
take such action would assure the building
of the road At present. however. the pros
peet that they will so act is by no means an
encouraging one and if they are TO continue
to delay III the future they have in the past
it would be only wise and timely act of self
preservation for the towns in the West River
valley 10 take immediate steps to secure the
construction of a two-feet gauge road, us far
as Londonderry or Weston, for their own To-
cal accommodation. Such ROAD would be
easily within the means of the towns directly
Interested, and every argument i'll regard 10
the development of the natural resources of
the valley which has been adduced in favor
of the Brattleboro and Whitehall road would
apply to a local road of only two-feet gauge.
The annual meeting of the directors of the
BrattlebOro and Whitehall road is not many
weeks distant, and it is none too soon, there
fore, for this subject to come up for intelli-
gent public discussion
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14
70, FRIDAY, DECEMBER IA, 1877.

varied drnperies. is now exchanged for winter,
with its more sombre aspects. With the
change comes the best time in the year for So
cial, moral and intellectual improvements
which we presume our people will not mis-
improve
The leading oyster supper of the season
was held ut W. S. Bennott's This week n
pleasant time is plannedin the form of birth
day anniversary party for Mrs Belle Shat
tuck
The ladies' sewing society is revived and
again at work with Mrs G. y. Fuller as
president
School in District No is taught by Miss
Abbio a. Wellman. and the school in No g..
by Miss Frances Brown of Townshend
-seyeral Of our young gentlemen are stu-
dents at Leland and Gray SEMINAR
Mrs Clnrssa Stebbins. lady in her soth
year. has recently had a cancer removed from
her cheek by DR.. Greene Of Boston. and is en-
tirely recovered
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

can be built and equipped for a sum which,
by united and determined effort, may easily
be raised along its line so that, when finish
ed, it will be owned and controlled by its
stoClthuldcrs. free of mortgage or other in
cumbmnce. And, beyond this. / firmly be-
lieye that such u road, chcaply built and opor-
ated as it may be. besides saving our good old
county from threatened depopulation and de-
cay would yield fair returns on its capital
But you will ask, have You abandoned the
Butteboro a. Whitehall 1uilroad BV ne
m,aHS. We arc apt to cling closest TO that
for which we have labor,d and sacrificed most
Recognizing this truth. you mnv well count
me among the last TO lose heart and hope I'm
TINT enterprise. or 20 cease earnest efforts in
Its behalf. But the people ON the east side of
the mountain cannot. unaidod. carry this
project through; and our friends on the west
side. ] regret to suy. have not yet come up to
the work iu IL manner to inspire unlimited
confidence. The Brattleboro a Whitehall
railroad, now, as heretofore stands first with
me. l embarked I'm it because of an earnest
belief In Its merits. and viii resist It's ubau-
donmcut so long as hope remains But If the
conviction should be- absolutely forced upon
Us. us may possibly happen. that those who
should aid us iu it's contraction. and whose
hearty cooperation Cau alone insure it's sue
cess will not stand with us. then shall We of
the West river valley mecldv fold our hands
and make no further effort TO avert the doom
that is upon us: / do NOT So understand our
duty nor so interpret the spirit of our people
] do not. however. suggest this now project u.
IN any sense or to- any degree, "a rival of the
Bratticboro and Whitehall road but simply
as an alternative proposition. which. IN case
of failure OF the original PLAN Iaay well Pc
ceVe our earnest attention. We may not be-
able TO command success for our favorite
scheme but We certainly can have this other
road, If. after due examination. we decide it
is worth having. Yours sincerely.
j. ID. HARaI.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

The new road between Jacksonville and
sadawga IS completed. and will soon be ready
for travel
At the annual meeting Of the Jacksonyill,
Library Association. held On the 9TH inst. tn,
following othcers were elected for the ensu.
ing year President. L. L. Roberts secre.
tary. W. T. Jones; treasurer. L. D. brown
librarian Mrs. NJ L. Hicks 1t was voted to
assess ten cents On each share
dexter L. Stone Of Wilmington. Il recent
graduate Of Harvard college. viii deliver a lee
ture at village hall on Saturday evening til,
22d inst. at Z O'Clock. on ''BIisused Words
Mature. IN one of her freaks. has pro
duced. as a rare curiosity. a 5rAite rat which
was recently caught by Rev II. Eastman. OF
tins place. His rutship Is young and sleek
OF medium size. and OF pure unmi1ed white
If any doubts are entertained. these facts can
be ratified by ocular demonstration
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

souru LosuoSnI.ls. \i. Dee. l0. ~.
H0a. b. n. Hdrri
Dear Sip. Yours o. tl. 5.l is received.
and l hasten TO- reply / ln glad That you
still hope fyr the salvation ut this valley
yves, River Unless We clu have some kind
of railroad facilities We shall IN tine future. na
IN tine past. step by step GO to decay A
glance az the past too plainly demonstrate
that our population is and has been decreu BE-
ing. our grand lis. grows smaller and smaller
Us each list Is taken. oar manufacturing en-
tarurIse b. fast drifting away. and the alum
dance of orr water power BIS but cipher. for
the buzz OF machinery hardly echoes In TIM.
valley. Vacant mills. shops. tsuements and
farm houses, with acres of land around them
once productive. bul now worthless. most
plainly tell u- oi our future destiny. And u.
long Us We can read tins tale or hear this stury
uumoyed, inst so long viii TINS march of de
CRY continue. The only ding. m my iudr-
m.ut That viii serve 10 develop tire grent nat
uru wealth and advantages which We possess.
ana save ms from certain decline is Tor our
people heartily 20 unite their energies and ,f-
iorI- IN favor of the enterprise You suggest
IL We can boz united i'm this work. with a rcu-
souabl- otou by the people. success will GER
tainiv crown our labor Personally l very
muuu appreciate your work and zeal and
like youren still confidently hops Let u-
take hold of TINS jwo-teei gauge and push i
with VIII remain, your- truly.
o. J.. MiErIs.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

vice in the matter, and thus bring the nomi-
nations directly before the full body for ac-
ton What the result would be in such case
can only be coniectured, but il is not impos-
sible that enough Democrats would vote with
the administration Republicans TO secure the
confirmation Of the nominations One thing
at least is evident. and that is that the Presi-
dent intends to show his ''amiabio stubborn
ness 10y making such nominations as seem to
him good and fit without dictation from the
Senate and then leave TO that honorable body
the sole responsibility OF their confirmation or
rejection.
Ldter.--The Senate IN executive session on
Wednesday rejected Roosevelt and Prince Of
the New York nominations by II vote Of %
to 81 The session lnsted from half after .
till after s. Conkling and Blaine both made
speeches for rejection. The only Republicans
voting with the President were Dawes Hour
Burnside. Christiancy. Mathews and Conov,r
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

VIM H. Deylin of Lowell Mass. on Sat
urday night last. murdered his wife by beat,
ing and jumping upon her PROSTATE body,
and then smothered their infant child Mon
day morning he locked up the house and fed
but was captured the same evening at Below
Falls. IN response TO telegram from Lowell.
He AT first resisted arrest, but afterward
broke down, confessed his crime, and Tues
day morning left with the officers for Lowell
without resistance
"A lively time occurred in harrington,
Mass, last Friday, after the examination of
Ten Eyek, the supposed murderer of the aged
Stillman couple in Sheffield. When the sher-
i'll and his posse brought him from the court,
a mob met them with rope and demanded
Ten Eyck's surrender. The sheriff, however,
by the use of threats, and the display of a re-
vOlyer, safely took his prisoner 10 Jail
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

Both houses of Congress have agreed to
take a holiday recess from Saturday of this
week to the 10th of January. On Friday the
Senate made the silver remOnetization bill the
special order for Tuesday of this week, when
the debate on the subject began in that body.
The bill will take precedence of all other
business until finally disposed Of. The friends
of the scheme hope 10 force II to vote this
week. but its opponents will try to stave of
hnal action until after the recess.
OnMonday the last contested election case in
the Senate was settled by the seating Of Mr..
Eustis. Democrnt. of louisiana His admission
had become foregone conclusion, and there
was no extended debate on the subject. The
Senate is now full for the first time since the res
ignanation of Mr.. Kellogg in 1873. Mr. Eustis 5
term will expire March 4, 1879. On the same
day. Monday. the Mexican question came up
incidentally in the House, and after a full dis
cussion OF it. the committee on foreign affairs
was instructed 20 take into immediate con-
sideration the best means OF removing the eX-
listing and impending causes OF difficulty be
tween Mexico and the United States
President Hayes has returned 10 the Senate
the names OF nearly all of his former appointees,
which the Senate at the extra session failed TO
act upon and which therefore became void
The list includes the nominations for collector
of customs. naval officer and appraiser at New
York. These nominations are not approved by
Senator Oonkling. whose friends 1t Is thus pro
,,osed 10 remove 10 make room for the new
ofhoers. 1t is believed that Oonklng's com
mittee ON commerce will probably report
AGAINST these nominations, or not act upon
them at all, which would be equivalent to
their rejection. unless the Senate should vote
A .aiscllnrge the committee from further ser
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14
W est IOWnsIaend .

The exhibition and festival of last Friday
evening proved a success ana passed of quite
pleasantly. The exercises consisted of three
plays music. tabieaux, and a pantomime.
The various characters were well represented,
and the parts performed IN a creditable man
ner. The music was good, and the songs by
George Pierce were well rendered, and par
ticularly well received 10y the audience, A
part of the proceeds will be used TO replenish
the Sunday school Library
Mrs. Zadoc Lawrence died last Sabbath
evening, aged 50 year,. The funeral was held
at the house on Tuesday.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14
HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT


As the holiday season Is approaching We
trust that none Of our readers viii forget that
tine advertising columns of 1HE PHuS1x arr
by no means the least attractive feature
Of the paper The announcements which
they contain to-day are of a widely varied
character. but all Of them arr exactly To the
point. Cheney u Ciapps list of goods Is Ger
tainly not less formidable than III previous
years. and as tins enterprising tirm well sug-
Gests an early examination of their stock will
alone disclose its extent and variety. For val
liable and reliable goods no place IN town Of
fcrs more decided attractions than does Ran
ger & Thompson This year this long es-
tablished concern Will make a specially of the
Gorham company's solid silver goods. and of
elegant plated ware from various manufac-
turers. For articles which. while being use
full, are also elegant. handsome or substantial
as tie case may be- one need not go farther
than the dry goods stores Pratts old-time
customer will find that his large establish
lnent was never better filled with valuable
and desirable goods, and that prices never
were lower AT Hnwley's the ladies will md
Il carefully selected stock Of staple goods. and
no end Of attractive specialties, for full infor-
nation III regard to which We must refer them
to his column advertisement Ray. always
enterprisIng and up 10 the times, SHOVE
larger stock OF elegant silk handkerchiefs than
We nave ever before seen IN Brattleboro and
line of fine linen initial handkerchiefs forms
an interesting feature in his show windows
In neck wear, aud in all sorts Of specalities
IN gentlemen's furnishing goods, his large as
sortment gives a wide variety TO select from
Van Doom Son call especial attention 10
their large variety of silyer-plated ware. which
Is comparatively new feature in their trade
Carpenter, as usual, announces a large and
carefully selected assortment of TOYS for the
little ones, and last, but not least, several of
our grocers have hints and suggestions which
will not come amiss to the prudent housewife
as she plans her Christmas dinner
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

AT the meeting of the lyceum club Dec.
g. the by-lnws prepared were adopted, and
the society viii be known as the Union Ly-
ceum Club Of East Dover and Brookside. %
The debate was warm and the affirmative
won the day. The destinations were good
the paper was excellent The company wa-
large for this place. there being about go per
sons present, and taking everything into con
Aderation the meeting WIS pronounced sue
cess. The question for the next meeting IT,
Resolved that the press has more influence
than the pulpit" Aiessrs Hale and Lazelle
leading disputants Adjourned to Dec. IS. al
q o'clock M
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

SECRETARY SHERAIAN's REPORT discusses the
nations finances fully and clearly, and shows
that the Secretary mas mastered MS problem.
The attainment Of specie basis he deems as
of tlrst importance. and to this end suggests
that Congress can assist him by authorizing
him 10 fund. In four per cents. the excess of
greenbacks over $500. 600 OOO not otherwise
disposed of before Jan. l. 1879. But he pro-
poses, further, should this b. contrary 70
the views of Congress, that he be given au-
thorlty 10 redeem the excess in silver dollars
protected 10y such Legislative enactments as will
maintain their current value AT par with gold
As regards the matter of refundlng the public
debt. the Secretary says that something over
SlSj 600 600 Of the new bonds have been Is
sued since lac came into Office. $50. 900 600 a
per cents having been previously disposed OF.
Of tins amount, SO. OOO, 900 has been devoted
10 resumption purposes and the remainder 70
the refundlng e per cent bonds. BY this
process the annual interest Is reduced 50. 775,-
600. This bonded debt the Secretary regards
as sacred and is absolutely and unalterably
opposed TO any measure that contempates the
payment of the principal or interest in any de
based coinage On this point he is explicit
and no one need err IN regard TO his position.
! The report contains q recommendation for the
revision of the tariff 10y enlnrging the free list,
and that revenue equal 10 the present may
be insured lac proposes tax Of two cents on
coffee and ten cents on tea. which would net
about So. 900, OOO. Minor matters in this de
partInent are thoroughly discussed and the
report as a whole. bears witness 10 the ability
of its author.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

The Methodist society are papering and
otherwise repairing their church.
Mrs. H. II. Harrington fell from a child
high chair which she was standing upon while
cleaning a window casing on the Sd inst. and
broke her wrist
A young man 10y the name of Downing.
OF Bratiieboro. while at work chopping i'll the
woods for J. +. Washburn, the Attn inst. cut
his foot very badly. He was standing upon a
log some eight feet from the ground. cutting
1t of, when his axe came IN contact with a
limb AS he brought 1t down. going entirely
through his foot, and nearly cutting it in TWO.
The wound is healing well W
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14
y erm0u

The Ladies Aid Society meets with Miss
Minnie Lee, Wednesday, Dec. 18th, after
noon and evening
The Evangelical Aid Society meet Thurs
day afternoon and evening, Dec. 20, at Mrs.
T. W. Johnson
Citizens Club meeting Saturday evening.
Question for discussion: Resolved, That a
classical education is essential to the Ameri-
can gentleman.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

Reuben Stewart. democrat and superin-
tendent Of the Cheshire railroad, was elected
mayor Of Keene, Tuesday by l59 majority
The republicans have a majority in both
boards of the council
A negro named Hamilton has been arrest
ed at New Orleans and is now Oh his way 70
heene. who is supposed to have murdered the
fruit tree agent Foster. IN that city about a
year and a half ago.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

The steamer City of Berlin of the Inmar
line, from New York for Liverpool. for the
safety of which there were serious fears be-
cause she had been on the voyage ever since
November 24 arrived at Crookhavcn. Ireland
on Monday. with broken shaft and in tow
of the steamer City of New York. and pro
ceeded to Queenstown. The City of Berlin
shaft broke when she was about two days
west of the Irish coast and she made but lit
tie Roadway against the easterly gales till she
spoke the City of New York.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

Town meeting next Saturday TO raise
money for town expenses
John II. Flagg, formerly of this town has
resigned his position as Legislative clerk of the
United States Senate
-Chaunoey CushmRn's new house progress
es finely. He has moved into the ell part to
live.
e L Wheeler has moved into the Kings
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

In the Boston municipal election on Tues
day the Republican or Citizens ticket tri-
umphed in the election Of Hon Henry /.
Pierce mayor by a majority Of 22l2 over may
or Prince. Democrat, who was candidate for
reelection. The contest was Il hot and excit-
ing one, and the result is a net Republican
gain Of 5000 since last year, when the Demo
Gratis We're greatly elated by the success Of
their ticket
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

The judgment of Ss,53T 17Ol5, which was
rendered last week in the suit Of the city Of
New York against Richard b. Connolly, one
of the ring thieves. is said to be the largest
ever given by a jury. 1t is a waste of effort,
however, for Connolly is in Europe and
means to stay there he has his stolen treas
ure with him, and will keep it,
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

Mr.. John Welsh. new minister Of the Unit
ed States TO England, landed at Liverpool
Tuesday. and was received by the mayor,
members of the council, and others. and sa-
lutes were fired, while band played Hail
Columbia and the crowd cheered The may
or formally welcomed Mr. Welsh in the name
of Liverpool and on behalf of the country at
large to which Mr.. Welsh replied, expressing
sincere thanks for the cordial welcome.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14

The advocates of the silver dollar of the
fathers are willing 10 cheat the poor man out
of ten cents ON every dollar of his small wages
for the sake of defrauding the public credit
ors and running the good name of the coun-
Try. Inasmuch the workman or work
woman who has a single dollar in savings
bank is also 10 that extent one of the public
creditors. the bargain will white down the
poor mans property on both sides. The bar
gain. however, will be a very good one for the
owners of silver mines. by the way. how
many silver mines are owned by our day Ia
borers and servant girls IN. y. EgeaiHg
Dgsf
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14
WillianasViIIe.

Arthur Merrifeld is teaching the winter
term of the village school. which commenced
Monday, 10th inst We have three terms,
$50 weeks of school in a year Miss Rose
Merrifeld taught the summer school. and
Miss Ella Rice the autumn, closing Nov 10th
Dana d. Dickinson has just slaughtered
pig 8 months and 10 days old, which dress
ed 425 lbs