Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-08-01
Saratoga Free Love Institution.

Saratoga Free Love Institution.
FORT EDWARD, n. Y. July 2j.--Great ey.
element has prevailed 10 Fort Edward since
the 18th Instant on account Of the mysterious
disappearance of Miss Lydia Ashton. young
lady of about nineteen summers good looking,
of more than ordinary intelligence, having a
good education, her parents being we'll OF Pc
cuoiarlly aud moving 10 the best society. She
vas much sought by the beau1 of Fort Edward
and surrounding villages.
It appears that one Schlessrger. who pre-.
tends to be healing medium, has of late been
nfesting the villages of Glen's Falls, Sandy
Hill ard Fort Edward, and has succeeded to a
greater or less extent 10 inncculatiog many per-
sons, male and female. with his peculiar tenets.
Some of bis victims are prominent and wealthy.
Schlcs:oger is very adrolt and has conceived the
idea Of making himself second Brigham
Young. They have rented dwelling in Saratoga
Springs for the season, and there the perfect
principles of free love" ard higher plane
of life" will be carried out. The institution Is
already started, and there Miss Ashton nov Is.
OF curse the inmates deny the carna! idea
which the populaca naturally attach to the idea
of free love-
Among the many victims of Schlessinger,
aided by medium by the name of Miss Weeks
and other ''spirtuelles," we're two members Of
the Ashton family. The mother. Mrs Ashton,
it appears, inclined to the belief of Schlessingeri
self called NJ. D. Mr.. Ashton is down. on
the whole business. Among the devotees Of
the doctor is "Sherry" Wait, a young man Of
afabe manners and pleasant address, about 20
years of age. He is firm believer, although
brought up under entirely different belief.
The doctor has frequented the Ashton dwell.
Jog on the pretence of prescribing for sister OF
Lydia and other members of the family. With
engaging manners, and being superior con-
vcrsatonalist, he has gradually, with the efhcl'
ent aid of young Wait, who was frequently 10
the company OF the young lady. lndocriuated
Miss Lydia Ashton With his perniclous theories.
70 such pitch was she wrought that she
openly announced her belief 10 the fullest ex.
tent in these doctrines to her own family and her
friends. She also announced that, she should
leave home, and should 60 among the clan TO
live as che expressed it, Tin higher plane
Aad she has gone.
A piliable picture was tia: on Ike l2th-s
mother, too late, SEEING the danger o! trlb'ng-
sister, most estimsble and refnd young
lady, that night arguing, entreatng, weepln
over and pleading with the misguided girl to re-
| nounce her absurd and ruinous ideas and not 10
leave her home. The aorrowlul interview last
| ed until midnight. The erring sister was i'm.
| movable, and announced her intention Ct lesv-
| ing in the morning. The weeping mother anC
| sister retired to their rooms.
| Scarcely were they gone when Lydia left tht
| house silently and alone. She went directly tc
the residence of young Wait, who doubtless
| was expecting her, as she found ready shelter.
There she remained until about four o'clock the
next morning, when she went with the horse and
carriage of young Wait to Glen's Falls 10 the
residence of one Mickle. Whether she drove
alono, or Schessinger or young Wait went with
her, is unknown. She was insensible of hel
shame and downfall, and expressed the deter
| mination never to return home.
TRIAL. OF STEAM ROAD WAGONS. A year
or two ago the Wisconsin Legislature offered 6
prize Of $4,000 for perfect steam wagon fol
general agricultural and hauling PURPOSES, tt
be able to stand such tests as board Of tbret
commissioners should propose. Among Other
things the contesing machines were to make q
200 mile trip along tho country roads Of the
State, due north and south, haul heavy wagon
behind them, be able to plow, run threshing
machines, and perform other feats such az the
Ingenuity or wisdom of the commissioners Nigh
suggest. The commission wae duly appointed,
and met at Green Bay, Wis, 90 the 18th inst.
There were but two entries-the "O5hkosh,
by Schooner II Farrand, Of Oshkosh, and tho
Green Bay by CoWles Bros, Of East Green
Bay. The latter machine met with several &C.
odents, which detained it on the road, but the
former mado the trial trip according to the
conditions named, traver5ing the distance be-
tween Forts Howard and Madison, POI miles,
in 80 hours - second, or six honrs less than
the time required by the specifications, which
called for an average speed Of live miles an
hour. At various points along the line, how
ever, it attained much greater speed, 10 one
instance making 81 miles in two hours and ten
minutes, and on the Oshkosh raos course doing
mile in 1896. At Fort Atkinson it was at
taohed to gang Of two ploW5, and turned over
goodly portion of two acre field. The ma.
chine weighs 4,S00 pounds With water and
coal for eight miles, G.6O0 pounds, and hauled
throughout wagon weighing $500 pounds.
Sixty YEARS A MASON. Mr. Alexander
r. Newman, Of this cuunty, is doubtless one
of the Oldest MasoDs living. He has shown
US certificate granted him by Front Roya
Lodge, No. l02, dated on the 2lst day OF June,
1921. commencing him as worthy member OF
said Lodge, and in which it is stated that he
was initiated on the 10th of October, 1918.
The certificate is signed By VIM. NJ. Robert
SOD, Master William P. Brown, 8. W., New
ton Headley, J. W., and Samuel Simpson,
Secretary. Mr.. Newman served in the war Of
1912, and 10 the Confederate cavalry during
the late war. He is yet hale and hearty. and
apparently has many years OF life before him.
Winchester Times.
Political.
PORTSMOUTH, N. r.. Anpnst 1-Hon.