davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07
PerIIs Of Travelling Alone.

The news of an atrocious affair that oc-
CURED nearly fortnight since has just been
made public. 1t seems that young mar
ried lady of high social position in Boston
had been on a visit TO some of her friends
in the interior of New York state, and
started home via the New York Central
railroad, expecting to reach Albany, where
her husband was to meet her. Towards
evening she changed cars at Rome. and no.
ticed two men get on the train with her,
who seated themselves near her, and by their
glance and gestures seemed to have her I'M
der discussion. There was nothing suspi-
cious in the appearance of the men; they
were middle aged, neatly and soberly dressed,
and had an air of entire responsibility.
When the conductor of the drawingroom
car came through, she was on the point of
paying him the extra price, as she had Sc
cured a through ticket when one of the two
men said quietly, DO not take that lady's
fare; she is in our charge; we will pay for
hers" and informed the conductor that she
was insane, and they were taking her to the
State Asylum at Utica. Despite her pro-
testations and prayers, that she was not in
sane and did not know them, the conductor
and passengers allowed the villains to take
the lady off the train at Utica. Here she
was placed in carriage, choroformed, and
taken to house on the outskirts of the
city, where she was robbed of her jewelry,
money, stripped of her wearing apparel, and
outraged, being left almost nude. She was
richly dressed, and had good deal of Jew
elry on her person, among other things a
pair of valuable earrings, containing large
solitaire diamonds. The hackman at Utica
being known by the conductor, furnished a
clue to her whereabouts, and she was found
by her husband in terrible condition and
taken to Boston. The husband has made
every effort consistent with privacy to dis.
cover the villains who played the part OF Gus
todans of his wife, but all to no purpose
For the sake of the lady and her family and
friends, no names are given. On the first APP
pearance of the account of this terrible af-
fair its truth was called in question, but
there is evidence that the facts are unhap
PLY too true.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07
Heating Buildings by Steam.

The ordinary modes of heating dwellings, |
stores, shops and other buildings are so ex-
pensive that scientific men have long sought |
to discover some new and cheaper method. |
Many devices have been resorted to, but the |
problem is still unsolved, unless indeed what
is known as the Holly system shall finally
prove successful. This system has been on
trial for one season in Lockport, n. Y, with
results which entitle it to the careful at
tention of all who are interested in the sub
ject. The system consists of a stationary
apparatus for making steam, with the neces-
sary pipes for distributing and the needful
appliances for regulating its flow on an ex-
tensive scale, somewhat as the flow of gas is
regulated now. In the works at Lockport
steam is conducted two miles, and Mr.. Holly
claims that distance of five miles can be
reached. The pressure on the pipes in the
streets is about fifty pounds and in the houses
about ten pounds, although only one or two
pounds is needed for heating. The Lock
port company began on the basis of charging
for the heat about as much as had been be-
fore paid for fuel, but introduced meters as
soon as the enterprise was fairly established
| The amount that can be saved to consumers
by this system is evidently large, since there
is inevitably waste of fuel in connection
with every fire and great deal of dust and
dirt that are injurious TO furniture and
health. Some of the Lockport housekeepers
told visitors from Springfield, Mass, ESQ the
Republican sayS) that they hardly considered
it necessary to clean house il the spring,
while their houses had been heated through.
out so thoroughly that they scarcely knew
of the changes of temperature out of doors.
The steam is also used for cooking aud is
equal 10 almost any culinary operation ex-
cept frying and broiling. The steam dis
tributed by this system has not been much
utilized for power yet, but the Springfield
Republican thinks there can be no doubt
that it is available, since the requisite pres
sure is kept up on the pipes, and engines of
considerable size have actually been run by
it. It is thought that connections can be
made for sewing-maohines in private houses,
for printingpresses, coifee-grinders and sim
liar purposes. The works at l.ockport, which
have now been built for about year, have
attracted very general attention, and Spring
} field is one of number of cities that propose
} 10 avail themselves of the plan, company
. with Sl,000,0O0 capital having been formed
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07
Third District MIDDLE.

When General Grout succeeded in obtain
ing majority of the votes in the Hydepark
convention, and Colonel Albert Clarke, as
the next friend of the defeated candidate
moved and obtained a unanimous confirma-
ton of such nominations and especially
when Mr.. Barlow gave the General the right
hand of fellowship, and assured him of his
active and cordial support-it seemed rea-
Sonable to believe that the heated contest
was happily ended. But it seems that be
lief was unwarranted Report says that the
friends of Mr.. Barlow, especially in Frank
lin county, refuse to be bound by the pledges
If Colonel Clark and Mr.. Barlow-claiming
that the former was wholly unauthorized by
Nr. Barlow, and the latter given under a
false apprehension that his friends had adj
vised to the step taken by Colonel Clarke
Moreover. it is alleged that the Burlington
Free Press has made some offensive post NOR
'em statements concerning the Barlow can
vass, and that some of the Grout men hal
threatened bolt in case their candidate
failed of the nomination. But, as if hardly
satisfied with these flimsy pretexts, the
yreenback dodge is gratefully seized upon
AS affording happy solution of their
troubles. Accordingly, greenback clubs, with
rapidly Increasing memberships, are being
formed in all the towns throughout Frank
lin and the adjoining counties, and the pro-
iect seems to be seriously entertained of ul-
timately making Mr.. Barlow the congress
1ional candidate of this faction, in the hope
of thus defeating General Grout. 1t is now
sufficient to say to all this, that it seems too
childish" too thin to satisfy either the
editor of the Messenger, Mr.. Barlow, or the
sensible Republicans of the Third District.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07
The Late Eclipse.

The late total eclipse of the sun being
only partial in New England, and even
that in good part obscured by the clouds, of
course no information and but meager salts
faction was obtainable but other parts of
the country, where the eclipse was total,
we're more highly favored in respect to the
views, and the various scientific parties sent
out to observe the phenomenon give inter
esting accounts of what they observed
Along the track of total observation in our
land the sky was comparatively cloudless,
and photographs were taken, and phenomena
noticed which will doubtless add to mans
knowledge of solar facts. The spectroscope
furnishes wonderful help in the enlargement
of knowledge. When Humboldt published
his Kosmos over score of years ago, he
was compelled to say that all our positive
knowledge of the constitution of worlds out
side our own planet was derived from the
meteors that occasionally descend to earth.
The instrument named however, has, since
his day, been so perfected that we are ac-
quainted with many of the elements in the
constitution of the sun, of some of our plan
cts, and even of some of the stars. And as
a total eclipse gives special advantages for
observation, many enthusiasts in science
were prompt to avail themselves of this OPP.
portunity to unfold a few of the mysteries
| which yet shroud the wondrous luminary
that gives our planet light and heat, One
| question of special Importance to astrono-
mers was, if possible, to be settled. An
eminent astronomer had hazarded the con-
| lecture that there is small interior planet
revolving around the sun inside of Mercury.
As no opportunity so favorable will occur
again for nearly score of years for deciding
the point, scientific men were on the alert /;
and Professor Watson at Rawlings, on the
Union Pacific railway, reports that he dis
covered the wanderer about two degrees
and half southwest of the sun. Other
watchers at other places, however, state that
they failed to discover such a planet. Pro-
lessor Watson, of Michigan University, is
confident that the planet he detected during
the last moment of the eclipse is Vulcan
which nobody has got sight of before since
Lescanbaul, a French astronomer claims to
have seen it crossing the disk of the sun in
1850, and calculates that it is about seventy.
eight millions of miles off.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07
Washington County Convention,

The keynote of Saturdays convention was
speech, wherein he quoted from our bill of
rights, that all power being originally in
herent in, and consequently derived from the
people, therefore all officers of the govern
ment are their trustees and servants, and at
all times accountable to them that all
elections ought to be free and without cor
ruption, and that all freemen have a right to
elect and be elected to Office. These funda.
mental truths found most striking fulfill
ment in the deliberations and results of the
convention.
The nominations were unanimously and
enthusiastically ratified in the convention,
and we learn that the only ballot in commit
tee was in respect TO the first Senator-Mr.
Dillingham; and Mr.. Randall receiving, at
first, an equal number of votes, with two
scattering. A second ballot gave Mr.. Dill
bingham two majority, when his nomination
was made unanimous
We understand the friends of Mr.. Ran.
dali complained that the position of Mr.
Dillingham; was not fairly understood that
while he uniformly and unqualifedly refused
to be considered candidate for the Office
and frankly expressed personal wish to be
let alone, few of his special friends Were
industriously insinuating that if the choice
fell to him without his seeking, it would moi
be unacceptable, and would by no means b.
declined And special complaint was mad,
of the WAToHMAN, that it failed to publish
Mr.. Dillingham's Dispatch ,cah his signatur
appended, wherein he "unqualifedly with
drew from the Senatorial canvass" Now
while it would be asking quite too much o
Mr. Dillingham; TO hold him responsible TO
all the indiscretions Of his friends, colore'
more or less as they inevitably would be b
their personal friendships or snimosities W
do not for one moment believe-nor do tn
Republicans of Washington county, nor tn
best friends of Mr. Randall nor eUen M
RandaHhimsel f-believe, that Mr.. Dillinghar
is justly chargeable with any such dupli'
ity as this. His inmost nature and his whol
record pronounce it false. His uniform r.
plies to to the inquiries of his friends hay
been, that he would not consent TO be car
didate, and that he did not desire the nor
instion; and he truthfully adds in one
his letters" am not the man to talk OIL
way and look another" And so far as II
WAToHMAN is complained of, we can on
say that we gave the exact and entire la
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07

guage of Mr.. Dillingham's dispatch, placing
it in quotation marks that it might have all
the force and conclusiveness of the authors
own words. The signature was not appended,
for the reason that IL was not asked, and
probably not expected to be given. But
even were it true that the friends of Mr..
Dillingham; were justly chargeable with mis-
representing his position, and the WATCH
MAN with having blunted the force of his
withdrawal it seems that majority OF the
nominating committee, with all the numer-
Gus and unqualified verbal aud written and
telegraphic refusals of Mr.. Dillingham; be
fore them, enforced by all the arguments of
Mr.. Randalls friends, was nevertheless OF
the opinion that he was the choice OF the Re
publcans of the county, and ought to con-
sent to serve them in that capacity.
The essential fact in respect to this nomi-
nation may be stated in word: it was
marked instance of the Office see king the
man, and not the man the Office" of which we
hear so much but see so little; and happy
will it be for the country when this becomes
the rule, instead of so rare an exception.
The result was in no sense reflection upon
Mr.. Randall. As one delegate happily put
it, it was not because he loved Caesar less,
but Rome more" Mr. Randall is an intel
ligent, energetic and successful business
man, and would doubtless have made a
highly respectable Senator. He may well
be proud of the fact that he came within
two votes of a nomination by the represent
atives of such noble body of Republicans
as composed Saturdays convention, and
that he was so unanimously and enthusiasts
tically supported by his own neighbors and
townsmen.
OF the other nominees we have no need
to speak, having done so in previous issues
1t is sufficient to say that they were sponta-
neously chosen, and we confidently predict
that they will fully meet the expectations of
their constituents
OF the convention itself we felt Justly
proud Every town was well represented,
and the utmost harmony pervaded all the
proceedings. So long as such men look af-
ter the public affairs, there is small danger
from traders and schemers.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07
Western Emigration.

Commissioner Williamson, of the General
Land Office, has prepared a comparative
statement of the disposal of public lands
during the fiscal years ending June 3Oth
1877, and June Both, 1873, which shows
general movement Westward during the
past year from regions of the East. The
statement is prepared from the records in
his office. and is valuable at this time. In
nearly all the Eastern cities societies of emf
grafton have been engaged in forming col
onies from among mechanics and unem-
ployed laborers with view of settling them
by companies Or colonies on the rich lands
their superfiuous and idle population. As
Commissioner Williamson says, all this is
certainly the good that has come from the
evil of hard times. The mechanics, instead
of sitting down to groan over the dullness
of business prospects, have packed up their
families and gone where work will bring an
honest return.
Taking Dakota, Kansas, Minnesota and
Nebraska, the comparative statement of the
disposal of lands during the above period
shows how vast the emigration has increased.
Lands are disposed of by cash purchase, by
homestead settlement, for timber culture
aud by warrant and scrip location-four diff
ferent methods-and the records of each are
preserved separately in the archives of the
General Land Office at Washington. For
Dakota the figures are:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07

Messrs Editors There are so many misstate-
ments in your last weeks Barre item, relative to
the letting of the contract for building the new
bridge, that corrections seem to be in order In
the first place. your correspondent, who doubtless
claims to be among the best informed, has made
a mistake OF whole week in giving the time
when the contract was awarded which was on
the 10Th, and not the I'D OF July, rs stated.
Again, Mr. websters bid was not supplement
ary" in any sense, it being the first and only bid
which was presented, and though not made until
the last day, not, by two at least, the last bid
received Indeed, the only supplementary bids"
were those of the two last bidders who, by the
way, are the most bitter complainants Of the ac-
ton OF the selectmen in awarding the contract to
Mr.. Webster And 1t is worthy of note that for
one of these complainants the time of receiving
bids had been expressly prolonged, In fact, there
WAS no chicanory," or "unfairness about the
whole proceeding, so far as the selectmen are
concerned nor has anybody reason to be dssatis-
fed with their action, outside OF those unsuccess-
full bidders, who have suddenly conceived bitter
personal spite against somebody else because
their own bids were unfortunately too high,
CITIZEN
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07

INDIANA CoMMUNIsTs.-A factory for the
manufacture of agricultural implements was
burned Sunday of last week, at Liberty In
diana, by the communists who have been
posting warning notices on the barns and
fences of the farmers in that section, de-
nouncing the use of agricultural machinery
by farmers. This warfare against the use
of improved tools by farmers strikes blow
directly at the pockets of farmers. The de-
struction of very few factories of agricul-
tural implements will raise the price of all
agricultural machinery. 1t will also frighten
farmers who use such machinery. The re-
suit will be that it will cost more to run a
farm the crops will be less, and a serious
blow will be struck at the prosperity of
farmers. 1t will not escape notice that these
outrages occur first and most in those States
where the farmers have voted to encourage
the communistic warfare on capital and
manufactures, and have lent the most ready
ear to the demagogca harangues of the
rag-baby style, and all this is in accordance
with the inevitable laws of compensation.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07

THE long-awaited Kearney, the chief Of
the Labor party in California, who " has left
the plains strewn with the fostering car
cases of public plumbers" arrived in Bos-
ton last week, and was rendered a sort of re-
ception. His oratory deals chiefly in epithets,
and in hinging these he is exceedingly ready.
He calls the newspaper men of the Golden
Gate " the INSCRIPTIONS minions of thieving
capitalists and blood suckers in general"
The gentleman proceeded to Brighton, where
his mother lives, and rested for the week.
Monday he began to spill out some of those
ideas with which he says his head is filled.
There are of course many who will applaud
his schemes, but the sober, thinking work
ing-men OF the commonwealth will not fol-
low the lead of this widest of agitators.
His following will come mostly from the
disreputable element, and will affiliate with
the Butler tribe. And here is where the
danger lies. 1t is not what Kearney can do
alone, but what he and the Mddlesex states
man and democrats who will sell out to him,
and disturbers and malcontents of every sort
can accomplish, that is to be feared.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07

its differences, and impending changes therein,
turns out to be as baseess such rumors have
all been during the present administration In a
recent conversation relative to this and similar
rumors, the President said "These reports must
be purely imaginative, for there is not the slightest
warrant for Them so far as ! know" OF the
Cabinet as as whole, he expressed himself en-
tirey satisfied, both politically and personally,
while, of course, we differ sometimes, said he,
ION questions of public policy, as independents and
there has been any misunderstanding between
u.s. or anything unpleasant. On the contrary the
relations between all the members Of the Cabinet
and myself have been from the first, and are now
entirely harmonious, and it is one of my amb-
tons, as far as am concerned, that my admins
tration shall be notable as one whose Cabinet was
coexistent with it in its entirety from first to last
unbroken by any changes and unmarried by any
flaw of unkindy feeling" lie further said there
was not the slightest truth in the rumors of a
difference between himself and Secretary Schurz
relative to the st. Louis postmastership. He re-
garded Schurz as a true patriot, and an adopted
citizen of whom the country should be proud.
The President regarded Postmaster General Key
true representative of the union sentiment of
the South, while for each member OF the Cabinet
he had some kindly and appreciative word, and
said no change was contemplated by him, nor
was any likely to occur, so far as he was aware.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07
Letter from II. X. SlaytOn.
SENATE CHAMBER,

CONCORD, n. H., August q, 1878
Messrs. Editors The Washington County Re-
publican Convention nominated an excellent ticket.
One Of those nominees Albert Dwlnell, Of Calais
was an old schoomate and friend of mine, and
| trust that he and my old friends in the county
will pardon me for saying (ths from an acquaint-
ance of thirtysix years, and intimate business re
lations of some twenty years. that he is man of
integrity and honesty. The Republicans OF the
county have honored themselves by this nomina-
ton. Old Calais deserved this recognition from the
county, for although it has been many years since
she has been thus honored, and though her sons at
many times have felt that her Just claims have
been passed by, still they have always given gen.
erous support to Republican principles She has
many sons in the states Of this Union occupying
honorable places of trust in business and state af-
fairs, who are an honor to their native town and
state, and many deserving men at home who will,
trust, maintain the od-time love Of her sons
for integrity, fair dealing, devotion to and love
Of their town, state and country. trust my
friends in Washington county and the state, will
use every honorable exertiOn to increase the ma
iorty of that party which opposed the rebellion,
saved the nations life, and has thus far main
tanned its credit H. X. SLAYToN.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07

DURING the great plague in London one pit was
dug in the Charter House forty feet long, sixteen
feet wide and twenty feet deep, and in fortnight
received eleven hundred and forty-four bodies.
During this dire calamity there were instances of
mothers carrying their own children to these
public graves, and OF people delirlous or in de
spar for the loss Of friends, who threw themselves
alive into these pits
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07

THE national revenue shows heavy fall
ing off. Of course it does. As soon as
Congress met in October it proposed to
modify the tariff, reduce the tax on whiskey
and tobacco, and to abolish the duty on
other commodities In addition, every men,
Der almost who thought he had an idea
about the finances introduced bill, until
business men became bewildered and con
cluded to wait. Congress raralyzed indus
tries, and hence the shrinkage of revenues.
This decrease is fair indication of losses
in business suffered from the same cause.
But the country is in an improved condition
now Business is in the upward scale, and
it is almost certain there will be an active
fall trade
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07

WHEN the remains of Henry Clay passed
through New York. thirty-fiye pall-bearers were
in the procession, OF all that number but four
remain alive, These are-Peter Cooper George
Law, Mayor Westeryelt, Mr.. Phyfe. The little
company keep the memory of their idol green,
and meet occasionally to revive the memory OF the
past. As Clay said; "No man ever had such
friends or such enemies"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07

sTowE.-'Iosiah Stone, who lives at what is
known as the Forks, In Stowe, has made quite u
record as walker. one day last week he started
from his place at Ave o clock in the morning and
reached this village at haltpast eight the same
morning-walking distance OF sixteen miles In
three hours and half. Well done for a man
that has seen fifty five summers come and wane