davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1879-01-08
ARCTIC EXPLORATION.

CAPTAIN HowGATE ON THE BENEFITS TO THE
WHALING INTERESTS FROM THE EFFORTS TO
FIYD THE OPEN POLAR SEA.
WAsHrSGToS. Jan. 7. 1879.
The following self-explanstory letter was to-day
addressed TO the Secretary of War by Captain How
gate. the Chief Signal Oficer:-
WASHINGTON. Jan. :, 1872
SIR-Referring to the bill to authorize and eqrip
an expedition to the Arctic Seas have the honor TO
submit that aside from any benefits that may accrue
to science from thorough exploration of the vast
area within the Artic Circle yet unknown 20 civilized
interests of our country would alone Justify the ex-
penditure of .ten times the cost of the
PropSSs,sd colony on the r,,, shore Of Lady
to discover and develop new whaling grounds.
OPINION SCIENTISTS.
1t may be that there is large body of water
"no open polar sea''-within this unknown area. but
il Is the opinion of some of the most distinguished
geographers experienced explorers that one
exist, and that it abounds in such forms Of
lite az are found in more southern waters.
Professor Maury the distinguished scientist says .
within this Polar area the whales have their
nursery" Professor Agassz. another distinguished
scientist. Of whom New England is justly proud,
ica society in favor of Polar expedition then before
the public, says:-'I consider IT rs highly impor-
a Sa sny en tns o M G wss
fisheries The discovery Of passage into the open
water around the Pole which would render whale
fishing possible would be one of the most important
results for the improvement of whale fishing"
DECAY THE WHALE PIsHEnIEs.
The following figures. taken from Mr.. Starbuck's
exhaustive history OF the whale fisheries OF the
United States show the startling decadence in this
important branch of national industry. AMI the
necessity Of prompt action to prevent its total
tinction:-
I'm 1916 there belonged to the various portions of
the United States 6'S ships and barks. IS briggs and
22 schooners with an aggregate capacity OF 23.ls9
tire feet was reduced to III ships and barks
and 81 brigs and schooners. having q total
capacity Of ;, s2s tons. Tho value Of oil brought
into the United States in 1854 amounted TO
$10.s02, ,504 20. and in 1876 TO only S2.6ss453 II.
While believe that the interests OF geographical
aud scientific discovery. set forth by Professor
Henry J. Looms and Others in connection with the
proposed Arctic colony of themselves Of sufficient
magnitude to warrant favorable legislation the addi-
tonal practical and commercial results that pos
sible would to demand such legislation
matter of justice to that section of the country
whose inhabitants depend largely for their en-
ployment upon our whale fisheries as do those Of
the New England States"
The New York herald., 1879-01-08
NEW JERSEY POLITICS.
REPUBLICANS FIXING THE SLATE FOR LEGIsLA.
TIVE oFFICEs-REFoRMs PROMISED.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HEaALD.1

REPUBLICANS FIXING THE SLATE FOR LEGIsLA-
TIVE OFFICEs-REFoRMs PROMISED.
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HEaALD.1
TRENTON. Jan. :. 1879.
The arrival Of q large number Of republican poll
ticians this city to-day wrought change from the
dull monotony which has lately existed here and the
state capital at one time presented a busy scene.
Much wrcpuing relative TO the organization of the
two houses of the Legislature. which win convene
next Tuesday. was the order Of the day. Senator's
and members elect arc bored by scores Of Office
seekers. and there is bitter rivalry between
them. Knowing ones say that the slate has already
been nxed rs follows President of the Senate Gen.
eral Sewcl: secretary, N. W. voorhees,; AseiEtant
Secretary. William Clokc: Engrossng Clerk. William
Hunt; speaker Of the House, Schuyler b. Jackson;
Clerk. Cummins o. Cooper; Assistant Clerk, J. Her
bert Potts. and Sergcant-at-Arms John B. Fell
Most Of the minor offices to bc given to South
Jersey However, Mr.. Stiles, of Union county,
and w. Budd Deacon. Of Burlington are each
feeling confident OF being elected Speaker.
There Is lively scramble. and next Monday
night will record q most exciting struggle. when all
the city will with legislators lobbyists Office
seekers aud numerous other statesmen and followers.
There bitter ght for the state Treasurcrship be-
tween xSenator Hays, of Sussex George NJ. Wright,
the present incumbent, and ex- Speaker Carscallaw.
PRINTING REFORM,
II is said that law will be passed this winter CIV
awarding IL to the hungry crowd of small fry
paper owners thus saving the state thousands OF dol
lars.
II In predicted that acrimonious contention will oc
cur between tho Governor and Senate IL the former
nominatss none but democratic candidates for judge.
ships The Senate expects that half the number will
he republicans; II not confirmation will he given.
The senate stands eleven republicans, nine democrats
and one independent democratic House. thirty-thrcc
republicans and twcnty seven democrats IL there s
no trouble between the Governor and Senate the scs-
sion will last about ten weeks.
The New York herald., 1879-01-08
FATHER COONEY's WILL.

PROVIDENCE, Jan. z, 1879.
In the Municipal Court this afternoon the will Of
the latc Father T. J. Cooney, Of the Church OF the
Immacul Conception of this city, offered for
probate The will gives all the estate, which is Of
considerable value, to Father James Hughes. Of
Hartford. Conn. Tho probate opposed by
seven kinsfolk Of the deceased priest, Including
\ brother. sisters, nephews and nieccs on tho
ground Of alleged undue influence Tho testimony
of Father Hughes and attesting witnesses showed
that the will drawn by Father Hughes in his
house at Hartford and witnessed by three in
mates of the same house. Tho Court admitted tho
will to probate. N is not known whether the con-
test will be pursued.
The New York herald., 1879-01-08
THE INDIAN CHIEF MOSES.

SAN FRAScrsco Jan. Z, 1879.
correspondent at Yakima City has interviewed
the Spokane Chief Moses who recently captured
and is held rs . prisoner at the reservation.
Moses dsclaims any hostility toward the whites.
and gives plausible account of his actions immcci
atcy preceding his capture. Strong Inducements
have been offered to the chief to remain the
reservation and induce all his people to join him.
number of them have already done so.
and it is believed that when Moses
fully understands the impossibility of his obtaining
the reservation he has asked for he will assent to the
proposition. At all events the Chief will be detained
until his future place Of residence is Determined.
The New York herald., 1879-01-08
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
[DY rrLEcnApH TO THE HERALD

WHEELING, Jan. Z, 1879.
The Legislature Of this state will convene in this
city tomorrow At noon. in biennial session. The
politics OF tho body is very similar to the handle
lug. all one side In tho senate the democrats have
~, the republicans and the grccnbackcrs 1. In the
House are ~ democrats 16 grcrnbackers and rcpub
licans. The Legislature viii not transact any busi-
ness OF national interest at it's present session other
than probably creating Hygichc1Iustitutc for the
State. which viii la turn create on Office worth about
siHo Tor some physician. Tho democrats will
caucus tonight for speaker of tho House.
cArtCs NOMINEES.
Tonight In caucus, the Democratic members Of
the Legislature nominated II. d. Johnson OF Tyler
county. speaker OF the Senate. and q. H. Nfoffatt
former editor of the Dduy Regisfey. Speaker Of the
Housc OF Delegates A. tho democrats have ma
jorisy Of thirty-thrcc over both republicans and
ervsnbsckcrs, both VIII be elected.
The New York herald., 1879-01-08
OHIOs DEBTS AND RESOURCES.

Columns. Jan. :. 1879.
Governor Bishops annual message was read 20 the
General Assembly to-day. lie says the total funded
debt OF Ohio is sc470,so5. The total local deb,
is sn.205.slo, TO which ~ 20 bc added an
irreduciblc debt composed of school AMI other
trust funds amounting to si29si. The receipts cf
the state Treasury for the year s5,ssi.3s-. M
the close Of the year balance OF sgis6a remained
i'll the treasury. During the past year the money
collected for state taxes aggregated tsdns7o. for
county and local taxes, $21,y5f27 making total
for lSIS Of s29,52s,' 'ii.
The New York herald., 1879-01-08
CONNECTICUT LEGISLATURE.

HARrronp. Jan. :, 1879.
The Connecticut Legislature begins its annual SOS.
sion tomorrow. and most Of the members arrived
to-day making full attendance at caucus this even
ing The senate republican caucus nominated
@. W. Phillips Of Putnam. President pro ,,r.
and j. L. Barbour of Hartford. CLERK. Tho
House caucus nominstcd Dexter p. Wright, of
New Haven. speaker; Edgar NJ. Warner OF plsinfcid.
Clerk and Clinton spencer of suffeli. assistant.
Tomorrow's session will br merely for organization.
and on Thursday the joint convention will elect .
Governor and other state officers
The New York herald., 1879-01-08
MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE.

sr. PAuI. Jan. Z. isTe
The Minnesota Legislature met to-day. and or.
ganzed by tho election Of c. A. Grcnsn OF st Cloud
speaker OF tho House. and &. W. Johnson. cf Min
ncapolis Secretary OF the senate both these gen
tcmcn being the nominees " the republican caucus.
Both houses then adjourned until to.morrow. when
the Governors Message will probably be rvcciyed.
The New York herald., 1879-01-08
MISSOURI TREASURY DEFICIT. :

ST. LOUIS. Jan. Z. 1872.
II is given ont on the authority of Of the
mittee appointed by Governor Phelps to examine the
accounts Of State Treasurer Gates that shortage Of
between $3.50. 900 and 100000 has been found The
most II not ALL of this occasoncd by the failure
Of the Mastin Bank in Kansas City. in which State
funds were deposited.
The New York herald., 1879-01-08
A PAwNBRoKER ROBBED.

CHICAGO, Jan. Z, 1879.
A bold robbery occurred on East Madison street
at seven O'Clock this evening. Two unknown
men drove up to Goldsmiths pawnbroking
establishment in cutter. One locked the
door while the other broke in the showcase and alb
structed trays OF diamonds valued at 81 900. The
two then rc-cntercd the cutter and drove rapidly
away. Nothing has been learned of them since.
Litchfield enquirer., 1879-06-05
CONGRESSIONAL.

The Democrats have been holding caucus to settle upon some plan of future action.
 Both Houses adjourned from Thursday over till Monday.
 Senate. Anthony has been criticising Rhode Island appointments. bill has pass ed for the redemption of small coin. .-Messrs. Blaine and Hill have been having a tilt over Southern elections. Monday MT. Ed wards criticised Wallace's reports as one sided pamphlets. Cenkling opposed the bill for improving the Great Kanawha and Kentucky river, which nevertheless passed.-The bill relating to cattle transportation was finally amended and postponed.
 House.-The Senate Quarantine bill was substituted for the House bill ndpassed. d.-The bill regarding the removal of cases from State to National courts was discussed but final ac- tien was prevented by Republican fillibuster- ing.-On motion of Gen. Joe. Johnston, the House adjourned over Decoration Day.-The Presidents veto of the Legislative bill was received Thursday, and it failed of the two thirds vote necessary to override the veto.- The Senate amendments to the Subsidiary Coinage bill were agreed to.-On Monday a number of new bills were introduced, includ- ing one by MT. Springer about the stations of the troops on election day.-The bill for a Mississippi River Improvement Commission was taken up and passed.-The bill to allow producers of tobacco to sell $100 worth with out tax was called up, but the House refused to suspend the rules and pass the bill.-The bill to appropriate $20, 900 for the Austrian Exhi- biti0n was passed.
Litchfield enquirer., 1879-06-05
West Cornwall.

The latest sensation is the sudden disappear ance of Mr. R. P. Foster, with all his worldly effects, to parts unknown even to his relatives or wife.
 Recently party of three gentlemen start ed from Pittsfield to row down the Hopsaton- ~ic river at their leisure in very light canoes, stopping at most of the villages on the route. They spent one night at the Foster House.
 Last Sabbath Mir. Dwight Pratt preached in both north and west churches.
 MT. Ambrose Rogers, of New Milford, was with us last Sunday with his family' He was invited by our superintendent te address the Sunday school, and informed us that it was nineteen years since he left Cornwall, and alluded to the many vacant seats owing to deaths and removals to other places Mr. Sheldon Whittlesey and wife, of New Preston, were also with us.
 MT. Noah Rogers has been having his house repaired.
 Most of the farmers have stopped sending milk to New York, and the cheese factory is receiving more applications to take milk than it can accommodate. A.
Litchfield enquirer., 1879-06-05

ENJOY LIFE.-What truly beautiful world we live in Nature gives us grandeur of mountains, glens and oceans and thousands of means for enjoyment. We can desire no better when in perfect health but how often do the majority of people feel like giving it up disheartened, discouraged and worried out with disease, when there is no occasion for this feeling, as every sufferer can easily obtain satisfactory proof that Greens August Flower will make them as free from disease as when born. Dyspepsia and Liver Complaint is the direct cause of seventy five per cent of such maladies as Biliousness Indigestion, Sick Headache Costiyeness, Nervous Prostration, Dizziness of the Head, Palpitation of the Heart, and other distressing symptoms Three doses of August Flower will prove it's wonder full effect, Sample bottels 10 cents. Try it. Sold by A. s. Wright & Co.,, Ltchfeld.
Litchfield enquirer., 1879-06-05
New Preston.

The thermometer marked 89 ? above 90 :, Saturday, and 94, last Sunday, which fact brings to mind pleasant recollections of last winter when we were wont to remark, twill summer never come!" We must have surely been out of our head, for now, when soda wa- ter foams for parched lips, we remember it as a cool and comfortable time then.
 Has Decoration Day become more hon. ored in the breach than the observance ?'' The even tenor of New Preston's ways was not disturbed by this holiday.
 Mrs Marvin Beeman of Litchfeld, Ill.,. is visiting friends here.
 Mrs Eber Tomkins who died in Dan- bury at her sons, Perry Tonpkins was brought here, May 27th, and buried from the Congregational church, Rev. MT. Isham offici- ating. She had been suffering with an enfee- bled mind and body for nearly nine years. She was Al years of age
 The Sherman Hotel at the lake received thirteen boarders last week Thursday There seems to be growing opinion among those who ought to know that there will be more boarders here this summer than ever before. We sincerely hope their expectations will be realized
 Ben Griswold's and Hen. Browns boat has been receiving repairs, and new coat of paint at the hands of that firm, and as soon as this noble craft, HI. M s. Pinafore," is launched, hew angle worms will suffer-
 -The temperance meeting, Friday night, was an enjoyable affair, so we hear. At it's close, collation. was given to the Morris dele gation in Union Hall. More ought to be said of this meeting. no doubt, but we were not present we can not do it.
 MT. Faber, of New York City. one of the guests at the Sherman Hotel, met with slight fall Sunday morning and broke his arm
 Rev. Mr. Mclean, of your place, supplied our pulpit last Sunday both morning and cve- ming, preaching two excellent discourses In the morning his words were founded upon the 18th verse of the XVI psalm: ''I shall be sat- isfed when awake in thy likeness" Two weeks before, Rev. Mr. Crofut, of New Mil ford preached a sermon in eur church from the very same words.
 Last week, through the courtesy of some one, we received some Houston and Galveston, Texas papers. AS they were simply directed to "Pen Dragon" New Preston, Ct, we ex- perienced little difficulty in receiving them,. but we did at last, and have to thank the send CT, whoever he is. We suspect it was Capt. John E. Whttlesey who is in Houston, Texas, and we are eversomuch obliged to him.
 Now, "Littlc Ghonnie," seated at the desk with the ponderous unabridged before us we are racking our brains tremendously for fit words, and elegant phrases, in which to accept your kind offer to take HIS as ''some other tel- lows sister" to the Herald reporters ''pow- WOW" at Winsted. We shall be 80 delighted, etc., and so on. We've lain awake two nights trying to decide what to wear, but-why !- the-the hilarity we speak of transpires today June End, and we ain't there! Even now, in the minds eye" we see you, inrafort upon the table, harangulng the assembled knights of the quill. We hear the cheers, and we wish we were there. PEN DRAGON.
Litchfield enquirer., 1879-06-05

WoLooTTvILLE resident physicians report an unusual amount of sickness in town.-John Brooks and Charles McNiel sailed for Europe Friday. 90o and 94o in the shade. Hottest known for years.-Mrs. Doctor Phelps died Wednesday morning May 18th, after an illness of two months. The straw berry and ice cream festival at Trinity parish cleared $160.-Decoration day services were feature of Friday. The members of the old G. A. R. turned out in force. = Another install ment of extra fine Vermont horses arrived in town short time since-''Ten nights in a Bar room" presented by amateurs on Wednesday and Thursday evenings of last week was a suc- American. were visited with heavy frost last Friday night.-The gross re- ceipts of the dramatic entertainment last week were about one hundred dollars. Wilbur W. Birge has purchased the farm of the late Hen- " Bssel, ot Torringford. Mayor of East Litchfeld had a few ribs broken short time ago, but like true Modoc he stuck 'em together with gum arabic, mounted his wag- on and made the adjoining village resound with his musical cries of Cash paid for bones, scalps, furs. old copper, second hand tooth. bricks, oyster shells, bar-post roots and wam- pum.-Register.
Litchfield enquirer., 1879-06-05

It is expected that Mrs. Mix will visit Dan- bury either this or tue coming week. We are sorry to report that the patients treated on her former visit are not doing well. In the case of Mrs. Hollister the improvement noted in The News was not warranted by Mrs. Ills actual condition. She was but very little help ed at the time, and has since been very much worse. It seems to be a settled conviction with many that Mrs. Mix's medicinal virtue is simp- ly mesmeric, although Mrs. M. is not aware of such possession, and honestly believes. as she claims, that the help comes from the pray CT of faith-Da7bat,v NeaoS.
Litchfield enquirer., 1879-06-05

At temperance meeting held last winter in a certain township ia Connecticut the minister who was presiding proposed that the exer- cises should commence with the reading of a chapter from the Bible; but, on discovering that he had left his glasses at home, said that read wherever he chanced to open the book
 Accordingly he opened to the third chapter of Proverbs. This was read without incident till suddenly his mind became confused and his voice faltered as he read So shall thy barns be filled with plenty and thy presses shaU burst out aosM neao aoine'-amid the approving smiles of the audience H.
Litchfield enquirer., 1879-06-05
Thomaston.

The clock shop shut down half of Decora- tion day. -
 Decoration Day services in this place were far ahead of any former attempt, showing that the people of this town continue to appreciate the great work done fo: them by the 'sBoys in Blue." The services were In charge of Mir. Wm. B. Atwood of the Veteran Association. The procession formed at the Congregational church, and consisted of some 40 veterans, and a long line of citizens, headed by the Seth Thomas Clock Band who gave their services and marched to the cemetery. After decerat. ing the graves of some twenty soldiers they halted on the top of the hill In the shade of the wood, and commenced the programme, which consisted of music by the band, and singing the decoration hymnby Messrs. J. Fish CT, Jones, Beardslee and Davies. Then there address by Rev. H. C.. Hitchcock Rev E. B. Hilliard., of Plymouth, also made an ad- dress that stirred the hearts of the people, and was warmly applauded. The quartette then sang the "Vacant Chair," the band played America, and the company joined in singing it. Rev. H. Q. Judd made a few remarks and dismissed the people with the Benedic- tion. The line was again formed, and pro ceeded to the church, and after giving three cheers for the band, broke; and so ended our decoration day.
 The band give a concert every Saturday evening.
 Presiding Elder Hill is expected to preach in the M. E. church on Sunday evening. Deputy Sheriff Chatfield has arrested five or six boys for stealing boat frem Camps Mills. G.
Litchfield enquirer., 1879-06-05
Plymouth Sketches No. 316.

Thomaston having so lately been a portion
 of this town, it will suppose be allowable to | occasionally step within it's precincts. Mar | win .Blakeslee, who died few weeks since l deserves perhaps especial mention, as having been, probably, the last of the older class of | clock makers. He was born in Watertown, | subsequently, Plymouth, now Thomaston, in 1791, and was the son of Colonel Micah, grandson of Ensign Jude," and great grand
 son of Captain Thomas Blakeslee, who, his tombstone informs us, was ''the first Captain in N9rthbury." When Heman Clark (who had learned the trade of Eli Terry) lost by fire his small shop situated part way down Castle hill, and subsequently, went down the river and put up the original building where the extensive case shop now stands, Marvin worked for him year or two, until Clark sold out to Seth Thomas who had been couple of years in company with Silas Hoad- ley, in what is now called Headleyville. When MT. Thomas came up to see about ob- taining the place, he engaged Marvin to work for him, in case he made the. purchase A bargain was struck, and he came on to the new place, bringing with him two of the old hands, Riley Bakeslee and Eaton Sanford: but Mar win Blakeslee was the first neU workman hired in by Seth Thomas, when he commenced the manufacture of clocks in Plymouth Hollow about sixty seven years ago. After being in Mir. Thomas employ number of years, Mar win, in 1916, married Miss Ruth Graves, of Harwinton, and was some half dozen years engaged in farming, excepting that during one year of the time he daily came down and worked for Heman Clark and Miles Morse at brass clocks. In 1922, he moved his family to the Hollow, and in connection with his brother Edward, and brother law Randall Andrews, engaged to make for Mir. Thomas 5000 short clocks Mir. Thomas to furnish all the materials, and they to do the work. and have three years in which 10 complete the job; and also to have one half the clocks. They were fnished on time, and when completed had all been sold. During t!.is period Mr. Thomas was lot making any others. Ahont the year 1732 Marvin and his brother Edward commenced to manufacture clocks for them selves, and continued to do so a number of years. They would have greatly prospered, but for the unfaithfufness of their agent at the West, who squandered large sums of money, instead of remitting to it's proper owners. The consequence was that the brothers were obliged to suspend business, and, to part with the fine house they had built, and occupied number of years. These were sold to Mr. Thomas, and have long been occupied by his spn-in-law, Thomas J. Bradstreet, and Doctor William Woodruff. Marvin has been very fortunate in having considerable land to dis pose of for building lots, 80 that his latter years have been rendered comfortable so far as pecuniary matters were concerned. Edward Blakeslee, who was a very superior man, died in Cincinnati quite number of years since.
 May 1879.