davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-06-05
A VIRGINIA TRAGEDY.
Which Reads Like Chapter out Of
"Les Miserables.'


"Les Miserables.''
Among the numerous moss-grown old
tombstones in the graveyard of Will
lliams burg, Va, is one which bears the
following inscription
Sacred to the Memory of
SARAH SEMPHILL,
Who died at the age of 25, slain. witt her two
infant daughters, by her own
husband,
She was fair to look upon. pure as snow and be-
loved by all who knew her Divine PrOvl-
dence alone knows why she had to
perish so miserably.
The epitaph, some of the words of
which are hardly legible any longer, is
the only record left of one of the most
terrible tragedies that ever took place
in the Old Dominion.
1t was in 1898 that John Semphill, q
young man, who said he was from Santa
Cruz, in the West Indies, arrived at
Williamsburg and settled there as a to-
bacco-planter. He had plenty Of money,
and was able to purchase about 1000
acres of the finest soil within short
distance Of the old town.
Being apparently a gentleman in
every sense Of the word, Mr.. Semphill
was admitted to the best society in his
new home, and year later he was mar
rien to Sarah Jones, u beautiful heiress,
the wedding festivities being celebrated
with extraordinary pomp and splendor.
In course Of time two daughters were
born to the young couple, and every
body predicted long career of cloud
less happiness for them. Alas! How
terribly these bright anticipations
were to be disappointed. 1t was on
Christmas eve. in 1901, that a strange
looking man, in sort of military uni
form, appeared at the house of Mr..
Semphill. who was in Richmond at the
time. Mrs. Semphill received the
stranger in the parlor.
"Do you speak French, madame ?"
he said to her in very broken Ian
guage.
She replied in the affirmative.
"Then, madame, please send your
two nurse girls with the children out Of
the ROOM"
She did so, and looked interrogatively
at her visitor. The latter hesitated a
moment Then he said in a tone Of
deep emotion
10Y Oo y '"0'' ''''o 'eii'0'o ''''i's'
~ n w., p, sho or;od .,,r,,;,,a wow,
o,o 9. nv, V,i h,,sh s,u 49, '''i''''s 'oiS
p. q Yo,r bnshand i On ;nt.n,o,s W.,
lain"
90 hos basolv doco;v ,al y "mS uo
:, ~ nsoonod aoIiS,, sioUo n, &C. I'D
,,. e y, s'o' ''''' ''''0'' '''' q
i' Sh w, ,,tto.o5 hu+ l;
Do ~o, tell tho es tr,th ." sbe so as ei
az ;' c g. +h;af 'iiI $500 pe,1t
~ 20 ' Rao .1 teno r T' 'I IT,
y" .le .'leso W nar oelo,a III nlI 10
70 Cha wbere ba o rohhed nd CIV, n'1 ,n7,eu
ed a rich n1anter am hove to taLa
hin, to Cnha whore tho 500 ffoId surely
.u.;ts b;n, ,; ~ WY ''''0N 'N'' ~
'" Tho '. am;otod loar bod hoooo
str a anool, .'' na1n, ''''S ''"' e0o'l0
" "SiSr s be'i sod 70 tho .tra,,oor :. bo
foro wy, orro Gu bin, viii ror nern,;t ~ .
70 bold nrivato ;nterv;ew w;thN
u,;tb y
w "H;s tr,o mama ;s Imam Cefir,o IF
vo,, viii lot mo- ron, ain in an ad;oin;no
u,l, oro no hcc oo,,o r ,,,IorCt,n1 wa,
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-06-05
A Good Account.

"To sum it up, six long years of bed
ridden sickness and suffering, costing
5000 per year, total, $1,2OO-all Of
which was stopped by three bottles Of
Hop Bitters, taken by my wife, who
has done her own housework for year
since without the loss of day, and /
want everybody to know it for their
benefit" "JoHN WEEKS, Butler, n. T."
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-06-05

HE Cincinnati Conanaercialsays of the
competent teachers Of its public schools
The work in these grades, the hardest,
steadlest, and most perplexing work in
our whole system of instruction, is done
by the $500 and 500 women teachers.
1t would be the basest ingratitude to
cut down their scanty earnings, and it
would seriously affect the usefulness Of
the school besides. The best teachers
IN the district schools could certainly
40 better than to work for less wages
than many good shop-girl gets"
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-06-05
A Manifest AhSurditY.

1t is manifestly absurd to claim for mere slim
ulant tonic and Alternative properties. Yet this
ls what is daily done by the vendors of cheap,
local bltters colored to make them look attract
I've, and agreeably favored but the alcoholic basis
of which is of the vilest and most hurtfu descrip
ton. The transcendent success of Hostetter's
stomach Bitters the leading Alternative tonic of
the United States, has induced many OF these
counterfeltlng of this standard medicine but
their efforts have never proved successful on a
large scale, and they have themselves in many
instances VIGOROUSLY 'Come to grief" through
the fundamentally of the law
The genuine Bitters have, indeed, a spirituous
OASIS, but they are emphatically medicine, since
their botanic ingredients are sgnaly efficacious
~ overcoming and preventing chllls and fever
dyspepsia, liver complaint, CONSTITUTIONS and
many other disorders e..
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-06-05

,LAD1Es.-When you buy Saleratus
please notice how much larger d. B.
DE Land & Co.'s Best Chemical Sazerala.s
papers are than others; also how much
better article you get.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03
Use and Abuse of tIcohoI.

So much is said against the use of alcoholic
drinks IN any shape and in any quantities that
II Is only fair occasionally to remind advocates
OF total abstinence that there are two sides 10
the question. and that, although alcohol taken
III excess produces crime, disease aud death
yet, on the other hand, il remains 10 be- proved
that when taken in moderation il does not
promote geEiaiity and good health: and
against many disorders. DIR. w. Fdrr, i'm
letter on the causes OF death in England and
Wales, printed with the RegiStraT-G Generals
annual report Just issued, says that alcohol
has undoubtedly a medicinal effect in MANY
naladleS; II stimulates the fainting heart after
shocks of every kind. Port wine rs a potent
remedy in levers Instead OF raising il reduces
the burning heat of the blood and calms tie
denrlum OF the brain. Alcohol appears TO ar
rest the action OF ZymOtic diseases as it pre-
vents weak wines from fermenting. Like cam.
ph0r, alcohol preserves animal matter: this IL
not now disputed. But may il not do more2
May IL not prevent the invasion of some kinds
OF Zym0tic diseases? DR.. Farr invites the at
tentlon OF those who have portrayed the bad
effects OF alcohol TO consider whether it does
not preve4s the action of various infections on
the temperate The neglect of this side OF the
question throws doubt on many of their in
terenceS. The deaths ascribed to ZymOtic dis
ease in 1876 were g6, go: To alcoholism ll2D
Now 1t is evident tnat any effect depressing
the prevalence oil ZymOtlc diseases that Kill
their tens of thousands will save the lives of
thousands; the same sanitary Improvements
THAT diminish the pre- yaence of disease un-
dOuDtedlN mlnlSh lntemperance and feVeriSh
Thirst. The primary step to put a stop to
deaths from alcoholism will, rs DF. FaTr truly
observes, be 10 secure air and ample supplies
OF pure water in every town and every house
tOr bad air disorders the head, and water as
men as well as by women and children.-[ PdH
MdW Gazette.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03
.-WHITE BIRD. On THE WAR
PATH.
Indians Threatening Settlers I'm the
kaniAh (0unlrV

San FRANCISCO, August "a Portland de-
Spatch says: The following despatch was re-
ceived here from Lewiston, July 3lSt, via Wal
la Walla, August ID: White Bird is on the
forks OF Clear creek, above Kamiah and has
about forty warriors with him. Kamiah Indi-
ans have interviewed White Bird to ascertain
his intentions. He declared that he will not
surrender, but has come TO get what belongs TO
ally mounted. They have been in the Elk
City mountains for weeks. Excitement on the
kamiah prairie is great. Sixty volunteers are
Hancock has advised little delay until more
can be aScertained of White Birds intentions
ApprehenSionS exist that White Bird is backed
by some OF Sitting Bulls men who are scat
tered through the mountains. There are no
troops In this section that can make stand.
even against White Birds band of forty. Vol
unteerS will be compelled TO do the fighting, if
any is DONE "
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03

,.AI BALTIMORE, I0RE August s.--virginis skies, de;
Ierred, "a; do. consolidated. 55A; do. second
series 2S past due coupons 1886 North CAROLINE
Today Sugar quiet and easier, Sra9S.
BALTlMORE, August 3.-CoJton firR-mld-
ding, 1l4. Flour steady aud unchanged. Wheat,
southern active and higher; western opened strong
and higher and closed quiet and easier.southern
RED, prime, 95al.O3; do. amber, l-O4a1OI; No.
2western winter red, spot, 1.04>s; August, l.044;
september, LOO. Corn. southern steady and firm;
western firm and higher-southern white, 81; do.
yellow, 81; western mixed, spot and August, 4sl
September, 49k; October, 5o steamer, AZ. OauS
firm and demand fair-southern; 32a36:. western
3sa35. Rye aominal; Hay dull and unch snge1.
Provisions firm. Pork, IL 90. Bulk meats, zoos g.
shoulders, 51s; clear rib sH sides 81; packed, IA
Hams. lesls. LaIdmrefnsd. 81. Butter firm aud
sas4. Conee firm and Unchanged. WHISKY dali
rs. COO: oats, 4, 100. Shipmsnts~wbeaf Isa 0o1. q.
corn. II. GOO. Freights TO Liverpool per steam or
NEW YORK, August s.-stocks strong. Money,
9: Gold, 1OO53. Exchange. long, 482; short,
NEW YORK. August 3.-Flour quiet and
sfsadyy. Whest dull and heavy. Corn inactive.
LONDoN August 8, 1880 p. m.-U. d. bonds,
new hvss, lOSs. Erie, lsE; do. preferred, 33t
sS1f. Reading, 10,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03

A PREACHER WITH TOO MANY WIVES
pastor of the Baptist church at Great Bend
and formerly of BinghamtOn, has Just been
expelled from that denomination by the Ecce
slast1cal Council, assembled at Great Bend
for having more wives than the laws of the
state OF New York allow. He had previously
been convicted of adultery by the criminal
courts Of SusQuehanna county. Both of Tay-
his first wife he had four children, and by his
present one. In defence Taylor claimed that
he had obtained a decree of divorce from his
first wife, She still being resident of this
state. The opinion prevailed, however, sup
ported by very good evidence, that the bill of
divorce produced was a.fOrged one. Taylor
and his second wife are now living under the
same ROOF, but he clai mS.nOt as man and wi te.
He is a man of fine talents, and were it not for
his overreaching tendency toward Mormon
practices, might be appreciated aid success.
full MiddLetOrn Ar0lS
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03

A WIFE's COMPULSORY ACT VoID.-The
superior court, general term, handed down
yesterday decision i'm the suit of Anderson
Fowler against Henrietta BITTERLY. Nicholas
Butterly, in September, lS67. insured his life
In the North American Life Insurance com
pany for 5000, TO be paid him in ISL or on his
death TO his vile, the defendant, or IN case of
her death before him, TO his daughter. In
October, 1872 he assigned this policy for
Sl,5UO to one Mccormack, who assigned il t0
the plaintitf. Mrs. Butterfly and the daughter
assigned their interests for a nominal c1nSid-
Grafton. Mr.. Bitterly died in ISIS. The plain
TN and defendant both made claims 70 the
1und, and the company Withdrew from the
contest by depOSiting the money, leaving the
parties TO this suit TO contend for it. The sDe
clal term found that Mrs. Butterly's assign
ment was made without consideration and
without any knowledge of its purpose or pur.
port, and under such undue influence by her
husband as amounted to cOmpulSiOn Her
assignment was, therefore, void, and She was
entitled to the money. Judge Sedgwick, Civ
my the decision OF the court, on appeal holds
that the testimony 1uStifeS the finding of the
court at special term, and that all that was
conveyed by Mr.. Butterfly was an interest con.
tlngent on his living until ISL. The wife's as
Slgnment being imperative, he atfirms the de-
clSl0n OF the court 5elOw.-TN Y TriJHue 5d
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03
The Sad Case of DR.. HarraI.
INSANITY SAID TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED B
DRUGS HIS FRENCH WIFE GAVE HIM.

INSANITY SAID TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED Bf
DRUGS HIS FRENCH WIFE GAVE HIM.
DR.. Frederick F. Harral, who belongs to a
good family. in Bridgeport, Conn, and who
was at one time head surgeon in the New York
Hospital, has been declared Incapable OF man.
been Sitting In Hackensack, n. j., and which
was composed of George 81. COffey, of Hack
ensack; Charles D. Kellogg and the Rev: JnO.
W. Payne. The inquiry was taken before a
Baldwin testified that DR.. HarralS mind was
impaired by incipient softening of the brain,
and Mr r. James W; Tucker, ir of the firm of
IN Paris, said that he attributed DR.. Harral's
condition to drugs adm histered by woman
whose acquaintance DIR. Harral made in Paris
ana who induced him to marry her while he
was under the influence of these drugs. Mr.
Tucker said that the woman had admitted to
drugs. c ,
brother of DR.. Harral, said that the latter had
been graduated at Yale in 1863 and had
studied medicine at the Twenty-third Street
College Cole After being attached to the New
europe to study surgery. After studying in
BRUNSWICK and Vienna he went to Paris. Mr.
George Har:al was afterward informed by
was rescued at once he would die. He went
to Paris to take care of him, and found him
complete wreck. DR.. Harral was unable to
speak coherently, and had forgotten his own
language. He was in Wretched health, and it
was said that his wife did not give him suffi-
cient food. MI. George Harral examined his
brothers affairs, and found that he had been
swindled out of large sums of money. DR..
Harral was brought to this country, and taken
to the house of his sister, Mrs Muliken, at
EnglewOod. Although he had not seen her for
several years, he greeted her coOlly, and then
asked for his room, as if he were in hotel.
Hamilton Wallace, DR.. HarralS attorney,
testified that DR.. Harral was worth about
$4,000. The jury decided that DR.. Harral was
incompetent to manage his estate, and he was
taken to the Kirk bright asylum in Phladel-
phia.-[N Y. World, I'd.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03
Investigation of the Labor Question.

"NATIONAL LGREENBACk LABOR MAN 5 VIEWS
The Congressional committee on the labor
question resumed its session in New York
national greenback labor party, appeared be-
fore the committee. He ascribed the depres-
sion in labor to the bond system, saying that
the people take their money out of the manu-
obtain interest. He denounced railroad land
grants, and thought the government should
have built its own railroads. A great means
labOring classes was for the government to
assist them to settlement Oh public lands and
insure them support for the first year, un Ill
ali laws Of s were in favor o
manufacturers and dealers, and tended to
crush out the middle and small classes. After
hearing a few other witnesses whose views
were similar to those given above, the com
mittee passed resolution inviting manufac
turerS, business men, &C., to come before
them and give their views on the subject
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03

AF People who are only piouS during camp-
meeting season are called grasshOppe,.
Christians. Boston Post.
aB-Twenty bishops attended a soiree given
by baroness Burdett-Coutts.
Es-Ihere is some complaint in army circles
III England over the fact that Sir Garnet Wolse-
,ey took none but Ashantee campaigners with
him to Cyprus.
<8Dreaming that tramps were after her a
NeWcomerstown tOhiOl woman rose in her
sleep and was badly hurt by jumping from a
second story window.
ks-A woman of Miftineague, Mass recent
ly gave birth to a child with cats face and
black cat that she finally killed.
As-The late Thomas Goode, OF Boston
thought his wife's spirit was pursuing him
and lumped out OF a second story window 1ast
as II II had been She in the flesh.
AsThe drouth is SO severe i'm Johnston
county, NC, that on Friday the people OF
Pine Level closed their stores and houses,
weht 10 church and prayed for rain till late u
the afternoon.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03
Saratoga Races,

SARATOGA, August 3-The first race today,
a mile dash for $500, was won by Belmont S
Glenely, Belle second, Rhadamanthus third
pool of $3.50.
Second race for maiden two year olds, five
furlOngs, won easily 10y Boardman, King Earn
est second, Lulu third. Time, 1:04I. The
French pools on the first race paid S249
Third race, two and quarter miles, was
won by Danichef, BuShwhacker second and
Albert third. Time, :0S.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03

A GIRL KILLED By A FALL FROM A SWING
At Homecoming, Md, about dusk Tuesday eve
nlng, Mary Prltchard, aged L., and Abraham
Lynch and Robert Dick aged about twenty
years EACH were swinging on a swing made of
a pole fastened TO a tree by fork cut i'm the
end, when the forked piece broke, throwing
the SWiagerS a distance of about fifty feet
Miss Pritchard'S neck was broken and her
skull fractured. Death was instantaneous
Dick sustained severe conclusion of the
brain, but Is in an improved condition. Lynch
escaped with few bruises
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03

THERE ARE FEW TRAMPS in the South The
negroes who have autOcratic sway in almost
every kitchen, do not take kindly to them and
will not give them anything to eat. Another
reason Tor their absence is that the South does
not afford the same advantages for pIunder
and free living to be found in the north 1t is
expected that the cotton crops this year will
be larger than the natives can pick, and the
to help get the crop all in. The general senti-
ment, however, is that it will be more prOita-
ble that the extra cotton 60 to waste than to
introduce the tramps into the country.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03
The Mysterious Murder in Jersey
City.

Jersey justice is again called upon to deal
with a crime as mysterious as ii is revolving
The story told by Mrs. Smith, of Jersey City, IS
strange enough to satisfy the most faStdlouS
Paris journalist who ever diShed up horrors
with sauce piQudnte. Between and clock
on Thursday morning she says, she woke up.
Something cold was on her face. She pulled it
off it was towel wet with blood. Beside her
lay the dead body of her husband. His head
had been crushed in, his breast was covered
with CHASTITY wounds. Her ShriekS alarm I'd
the household, and the police were soon in the
room. They found there small phial of chic
form, half empty. Later, a carving knife was
found, which brother of the murdered man
thinks he recognizes as one he had seen on the
atter's table. There is little doubt that this is
the weapon with which the stabS were infiict-
ed-probably after Smith had been stunned. or
Killed outright. by the SECOND blow on the head
or course, The Jersey City police have their
theory of the crime, and are working upon it,
1t is much too early to assume the correctness
OF this theory. Mrs. Smiths story, strange as
it is, may be the simple truth. and the man
with whom her husband is said To have had
words on her account, may be wholly innO-
cent. Suspicious are often miSdirected and
appearances in such cases are always to be
miStruSted. But it is clearly necessary that
the man in question, if he can be found Shall
give satisfactory account of his whereabouts
[ ". Y. Sun. ed.
A telegram from New York last night says
" 1t is reported in Jersey City, n. j., that Cove
johnson, suspected of being implicated in the
murder Of Policeman K. H. Smith, has been
captured in New York and has confessed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03

THE DEBATE IN THE BRITISH House OF
COMMONS on Lord HartingtOn's resolution
was continued yesterday. Sir Stafford North
cote stated that he could not promise that the
reforms proposed in ASiatic Turkey and the
guarantees for their execution which are yet
to be agreed upon would be submitted to
Parliament for its sanction. Mr.. Fawcett
duce a resolution declaring that such prior
submission to the House of Commons is neces-
sary.. Lord Elcho violently attacked the op-
position, attributing the Russo Turkish war
to their conduct. Mr.. Foster charged the
blame to the government in isolating Itself
from the other powers. He declared the An
glO-TurkiSh convention unconstitutional Mr.
ROebuck said the conduct of the liberals dur
ing the crisis was such that he did not think
that either Mr.. Gladstone or himself would
live to see them in power again. The debate
was continued at great length by a large num-
Der of minor members, as many as thirty of
the opposition rising simultaneously in their
anxiety to sneak.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03
EOUaIiZfuS Rates,

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, August 3-The Phila-
delphla and Reading railroad company issued
circular to-day TO the effect that on and af-
ter Monday next and until further notice a
drawback of thirty-tfve cents in addition to
those provided by existing circulars, will be
paid on all anthracite coal shipped by way of
Schu. IL canal or from Port Richmond to
New AOrk, or through the Delaware and Rari-
tan canal. This change is made to equaliZe
rates TO New York with those on the Lehigh
Valley railroad. This does not influence the
price of coal in New York
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03

GEN. BUTLER has at length cOnSeatad TO
address the New York nationals i'm mass meet
ing, IN Union square, on the evening of the
lOth instant. The committee of preparations
declare that - il will be such demonstration
as New York has not witnessed for many Il
day, and that il will make the politicians of
both the old parties quake" Dennis Kearney
the California agltator, is expected TO be on
hand at the same meeting
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03

at Ottawa yesterday, Chief Justice Harrison,
Sir Edward Thornton and Sir Francis Hincks
being present Hon. Mr. Mowat, On behalf of
ali elaborate historical argument, going back
as far as 1905. He cOntended that the western
limit line of Ontario is the Rocky Mountains,
that the northwestern limit lies north of the
lies in the vicinity of Hudson's Bay This
claim rests upon the supposed title of France
to that country as having been the first to dis
cover it. He introduced the relations between
the HudsOn's Bay company and England and
France and French traders in the early his
tory of the country
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03
Another Boston DefauI,er

BOSTON, August 3.-The directors of the
Elliott National Bank of this city recently dis
covered that their cashier, r. B. Conant, is a
defaulter to quite a large amount, and at the
request OF these officials the cashier resigned
day or two since. 1t is thought that the
bank will not be seriously affected, as COnant's
bonds ale s25,OO0, and the bondsmen are
reliable,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03

EXPLOSION OF 4 GRINDsTONE-At Jefferd's
axe factory, III jamestown, y. Y, yesterday,
four thousand pound grindstone exploded,
one piece, weighing l,5OO pounds, striking an
employe named Weber in the breast and face.
de was knocked Senseless and remained un-
conscious all day, being probably fatally hurt
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03

THAT HORsE-RACE for the benefit of a Wis
cOnsln Church was in one sense success, for
there were twelve entries and d liberal colIec.
deacOns quarreled as to the merits of their re-
Spectlve nags, the preacher expressed an in.
JudlclouS preference, and the grand result was
that the judges declared the Congregation no
ter was shut ont
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03

A GEORGIA DUEL - Nobody Hurt r.. S.
SALISBURY and j. S. Iverson, of Macon, Ga,
Had a hostile meeting at point near Augusta,
Ga, on the Carolina side of the river, yeStaT
day morning. Shots were exchanged but no
damage was done. The parties declared them
selves satisfied, but refused TO make known
the cause of the trouble