davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
reported for The Spirit of Democracy
Destructive Fire.
LAINes, Quo, Feb. l3, 1S7

LAINGs, OHIo, Feb. 10, 1919. ?
Mr.. EDroR: give you brief de-
scription Of Ere that occurred at about
ii o'clock On the evening of the 10th
inst, at the residence Of Mr.. Geo Neff,
one mile west OF New Castle, Green
township. Mr.. Neff was at temper
snce meeting oa Irish Ridge and on his
return, when on the hill west OF New
Castle, beheld his barn in flames. Mr.
Isaiah Coen, who accompanied him, re-
turned 10 New Castle to give the alarm
while Mr.. Neff and daughter proceeded
homeward as rapidly as possible When
they arrived they found the fire at the
height of its fury, and the remainder Of
the property in great danger, especially
the granery and dwelling house, the for
mer being but short distance from the
barn. He gave up all hopes OF preserv.
ing it, and directed his attention to the
dwelling house on which the Ere was de-
scending in showers The family had
been aroused few minutes previous to
his return. and aided by the energetic as
sistance of D K. Lnthy and Thomas
Pogue had prevented the FIRE from ia !.
king effect upon the dwelling Help in
abundance soon arrived, and the safety
of the buildings, except the granery aud
poultry house, was assured The entire
contents Of the barn and granery with
the exception of the wagons we're de-
stroyed. ,. .
= =
The origin of the Ere is not known ;
but it is supposed to have been the work
of an incendiary, for the purpose Of in,
ducing Mr.. Isaac McCurdy, who lives
near, to leave his dwelling that they
might have the opportunity OF plunder
ing him, as he was supposed to have in
bis possession q considerable amount Of
the township funds What led to this
supposi,ion was the fact that McCurdy
and family had heard footsteps on his
porch q short time previous to the COM
mencement of the confagration, and af
ter the FIRE had commenced the doors OF
his out, buildings we're thrown open and
disturbance caused among his horses,
| in order to attract his attention, but he
wisely remained in his house with weap-
ons in hand and thus prevented the &C
complishment Of their nefarious designs
Mr.. McCurdv had but little Of the funds
on hand at the time and has deposited
it in the bank and requests the teachers
and all other persons drawing from the
funds of Green township to receive the
same by check on The Monroe Bank
Loss about 81 900; mostly covered by
insurance. 4.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18

FArALLY INJuRED.-On Sunday NOR
ming last, a young man named Carpenter,
son OF Gallespie Carpenter was fatally
injured, ,nesr Calais. He was attending
to some muskrat traps, when one of the
animals, which had been caught by the
leg. endeavored to escape Young Car
penter ran towards the trap, when his
foot caught in the abutment Of q bridge,
and he was thrown violently to the
ground, striking his forehesd against a
small stump, fracturiug his skull and rem
dering him insensible for a short time.
Two boys who were with him succeeded
in getting him on bis feet, and without
much difficulty he walked a mile towards
home, when he complained of being
sleepy and laid down in fence corner.
after which he never spoke but once.. He
fingered until twelve o'clock Monday
when he died.-Enterprise, 13th inst.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
THE sCAFFOLD.
Execution Of Charles McGill at
Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Feb. Is Charles McGill
was hanged in this city to day for the
murder OF Mary Kelly. December 2,
1877. He awoke at s o'clock this morn.
ing, partook Of a hearty breakfast, aud
during the forenoon took leave OF his
brothers, counsel, Sheriff, spiritual advi
ser and other friends. At ID o'clock the
signal was given to bring thecondemned
to the scafold. The cap was drawn over
his head and the rope adjusted during a
short PRAYER by Rev. Lathrop. Sheriff
Wilcox sprung the drop ct precisely IL.
80 o'clock. After hanging l3t minutes
McGill was pronounced dead, The fol,
lowing condition of the pulse was OBJ
served before life was pronpunced ex
tinct: First minute &c, second 95, third
s3, fourth 80, fifth 80, sixth Ito, three.
fourths of a minute u. This execution
was undoubtedly the most humane, or
derly and systematic OF any ever con.
Quoted in Ohio. The only words spoken
by the condemned man on the scaffold
were, "Don't make any mistake about
that rope"
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
New York .Herald.l

Clergymen as a rule are poorly paid,
In fact, as Dr.. Hepworth once said.
"They don't like to talk about their in.
comes, they are so very small The
Herald recently treated Of "Mr, Beecher
as Money maker" showing that in
thirty years that distinguished preaches.
had drawn into the Golfers Of Plymouth
Church the round sum of $1,000 900,
and accounting for $750,0O0 that he hsd
made in his several cal!ings ON bis own
account. The subject thus started seems
to have attracted universal attention, and
in places the unfair inference is drawn
that ministers have big pay and an easy
life. The fact is that the average com.
pensation ofclergymen of all denomina.
tions, city and country. is less than $500
per annum. A few favored dominies are
paid from $4,000 to S45, 900, but there
are thousands who have from $3.50 to
$500, and are lucky to get that-half OF
it possibly in vegetables and "truck."
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
sHERlFF's SALE.
Jesse Shnmaa
We.
N. Barber ct sl.

zs5t S NN Ge2Ea#
DY virtue Of . certain order Of sale issued
u from the eourt of common pleas, 'within
and for the county Of Monroe, and State IL
Ohio. in case pending in said court between
the above named parties, and to me directed,
will offer for sale ct public auction ~ the
east door Of the court house in woodshsld On
Saturday, the 8th dayof Aarck, 1879,
between the hoursyof 10 O'Clock .. n, and 4
O'Clock p. m-s Of said day, the following de-.
scribsd real estate situate In Aonros county,
Ohio, to wit: iuasu girsss.sl sass -
ALI ;of the west half Of the Southwest,
quarter Of section nine, township I've ef
range six excspt ten acres Of Of the nofth
end Of said half quarter: :sseotiou SET % By
3 straight line fnnding from east 10 Wsss
parallel with the north boundary Of said haK
quarter section entirely across the SAME,
containing seventy acres more or lsss;; alse,
seven acres thrss troods'and thirty six and :
half poles, being . part Of the southwest
quarter and sa part Of the northwest quariss
Of the aforesaid section, beginning for the
same at stone on the west boundary line Of
section twenty north of.the scathwest corner
of the, northwest quarter OF said section;
thence south one, degree west forty poles;
thence south eighty nine dssfssi eist sixty
eight pcles and eighteen links; thence north
forty three degrees west twelve poles; thence
south eighty one degrees west fourteen poles
and; sixteen links to . beech thirty inches;
thence north eighty and fourth degrees
west thirty-two perches to . sycamore thirty
Eve inches; thence north 6fty eight and {
half degrees west twenty ave poles end fear.
teen links to the place Of beginning, contain
ing in al seventy seven aerss three reeds
and thirty six andsas half poles. sska
Said property 90 ordered to be sold Il ap.
praised at 81 ,2s2' 30, aud may sell for two.
thirds of said sppraassmsnt. Terms Of sale
one third down on day Of sale, and balance
before confirmation. ss.a
wn. READ,
feb4, 4,'7sw6, Sheriff n. G. o.
srRIses 4 Dsises, Ass'ys. sss j
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18

Explains His Vote on the Booth
Fee Bill, I
And Proves Clearly that the
Bill, ,as It Passed the House,
" as Unconstitutional.

COLUMBUS, o, Feb 10 In reply to
the letter which appeared in the Monroe
Co. Gazette of February Z. 1879, asking
ME to explain why / did not vote for the
Booth Fee and Salary Bill, this / do in
justice 10 myself and TO the satisfaction
of the people. sf
The bill as it was introduced 10 the
House, before IL was amended, was
pretty fair one, and would have received
my most hearty support, for it did not
apply to officers already in office, but
when it was put on its passage, 1t was so
amended as TO apply TO officers already IN
office
1t has been decided unconstitutional
by the Supreme Court of the State TO-
reduce the salary of any officer who is
already in office For that reason, and
thot alone, l was compelled to vote
against the bill When l entered upon
the duties of my Office l took a solemn
oath to support the Constitution Of the
State, and faithfully and impartially dis.
charge the duties of my offi'e. :,
Section 28 Of the Constitution posi-
lively declares that the General Assem-
blv shall have no power to pass retror
active laws impairing the obligationset
contracts, &c. Now if had voted for
the bill. knowing it to be uncenstitus
tional, wonld then have violated that
which l promised to support. Fifty
three members of the House either did
not vote or voted against the bill. not
because they did not believe in reduc-
ton, hut for the same reason that l did;
which ! have heretofore stated. !:
The bill is now in the Senate, and !
am reliably informed by members OF
that body that they will by no means
pass it in the shape the House passed it,
on account of It's unconstitutionality, but
will amend it so as not to apply to off
GERS already in Office. Then l will as
cheerfully vote for it as any member OF
the House, for certainly am In favor OF
retrenchment, and have cast my vote for
economy when an opportunity would
permit me to do so for do think that
nearly all the public officers are being
too well paid, considering these hard
times; but the General Assembly should
be careful not to pass any unconstitu
tional laws merely for the sole purpose
of gaining popularity with their con-
stituents. 1a a.F
ARTICLE III. SECTION 20, of the Con-
stitution reads: "The General Assembly,
in cases not provided for in this Consti
tutien, shall fix the term Of Office, and
the compensation Of ell officers; BUT NO
CHANGE THEREIN SHALL EFFECT THE SAL
AIRY OF ANT OFFICER DURING BIS EXISTING
TERM, UNLESS THE oEFioE BE ABOLISHED. :"
Further explanation l think is not ne
cessarv. H. MAURY.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
The Wright Bill.

Followingis copy of the bill intro
duced by Mr.. Wright, of Hamilton, and
which passed the House last week, and Is
now pendiDgin the Senate:
A BILL to punish improper familiarity with
female pupils and teachers.
SECTION l Beitenacted by the Gen
erat Assembly Of the State Of. 0hio,
That any person in q Sabbath or other
religious school, or school of music, art,
or any other branch of learning, who,
during his term of office, or employ ment,
in the presence of \ female pupil, or fe-
male teacher, uses any obscene language,
or takes or uses, or attempts to take or
use, any improper liberty or familiarity
with the person ofsuch female pupil or
female teacher, shall be imprisoned in
the county Jail not more than one year
nor less than six months; but upon the
trial Of person accused of such offense,
the evidence of such female must be cor
roborsted to the extent required as 10
principal witnesses IN case OF perjury.
Sec. 2. This act shall take effect and
.te in force from and after passage.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18

vA hill has been introduced by
Senator Marsh which provides that
whoever asks or demands from any cau
didate, for the nomination by any polit.
ical party or convention to any Office, OF
from any candidate for any Office under
any law, any money or other thing of
value not then due and owing, or make
application to any such candidate to par,
chase any tickets to give any money or
other thing of value for any real or pre-,
tended ball or picnic, fair, entertainment
or charitable enterprise, shall be fned
not less than $50 or more than $500, or
imprisoned in the county Jail or work
house, if there be such an institution in
the county, or both
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
The Oldest Free Mason.

Much interest has been made in oil
parts Of the United States by the Jefer
sonian' claim that James Scott was the
oldest Free Mason in the country A
grand lecturer, who was here some little
time ago, after the publication, examined
the records of the old Guernsey lodge
and found that Mr. Scott was made a
Mason at Killeleagh. Ireland The time
Of his taking the Master Mason's degree
was sixty. nine years ago 1t is claimed
for Augustus Stone, of Marietta, that be
was made mason in the first American
Lodge 10 1908. That would be seventy
years ago. Scott was made Master in
August. Stone was perhaps entered in
November, 1903. So that as between
these men there can be but little differ
epce of time unless the making of Stone
as Master was unduly deferred VIM
Miller, of Noble county puts in a claim,
but no dates or facts are given upon
which to base an opinion, 1t is sure,
however, that one of these men is the
oldest Free Mason in the United States.
Cambridge Jefersonian f,4.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
sHERIFFs SALE.
James H. Polin
Mary iTwaddle.

DY virtue Of = certain order Of sale, issued
- from the court Of common pleas, within
and for the county Of Monroe, and State Of
Ohio, In case pending in said court tetween
the above named parties, and to me dirsctsd,
l will offer for sale at public auction at the
east door Of the court house in Woodsfsid,
on I'M T., ~,'---- y- :
Saturday, the 18th day Of March, 1879.
between the hours of 10 O'Clock, a. m. and 4
o'clock, p; ~. of said day, the following de.
scribed real estate, situate in Aenroe county,
Ohio, to wit: @
The southeast. quarter of the southwest
quarter ot section thirteen. township four OF
range five. containing forty acres, more or less.
Said property 30 ordered to be sold IN ap.
praised at $3.50, and may sell for two .thirds
Of said appgaisement Terms Of sale, cash
before confirmation.
SO WILLIAM READ.
fsbl1,'7ow5. Sheriff n. G., o.
srRfoes & DRIeos, Att'ys.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
sHERIFFs SALE.
:. Nelson Rogue
George Keller ct al.

Or yiftus u 4, certain order 81 sale III
Dsusdffom thsoourt OF common pleas withiH
and fortAe codntyi 'SSffs Monfus, and State u
Ohio. in case pending in said cTurt betwssa
the. sbose named parties. and to me DIRECTED;
will offer Tor sale &c public sictfcn It tRt
east door Of the const house in Woodsdsidty&
Saturday, tie 15tk day Of -Marsh, 1878,
between the hours Of 10 O'Clock .. m. and 4
o'clock P..m., Of ssid day, the following a.
scribed real estste situate In Monroe ssunty,
Ohio, to Wit: . ,asE aaisiss7 .i,ss,,i' s1
The west half OF the northeast auSstsf
and the northeast corner Of. the southeast ;
quarter Of the northwest quarter Of section
twenty seven, township four OF range SKI
containing eighty f6lr acres more 81 lsss, !
situate in Bethel township.
Said property so ordered to be sold II q.
praised %, follows: The frst described trsst
at 81 900; the second described tract at $sS
and the whole of said premises. being eighty
four acres. At 81 .4ss, sndl lmay sell for i've /.
thirds Of said appraisemsnt. Terms OF sale,
cash before confirmation. go .an,..i,.. j.
= - s3sss 'vi ''sss's1e lis WM.sRHAD, r-s
febl1.'7sws. Sheriff n. c. o.
0xsH 4 0KEr, Att'ys. s 81 SIG q
= . = y
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
8 SHERIFF's SALE.
John N. Genin, Ex'r,.
Samuel H. Petty 4 ux.

DY virtus Of certain order Of sale issuel
ID from the court of common pleas, within
aud for the county of Monroe, and State Of
Ohio, in case pending in said court, between
the above named parties, and to me directed, /
will offer for sale at public auction at the east
door Of the court house in Woodsfield, on
Saturday, the l5h day of Murch, 1879.
between the hours of 10 o'clock a. 10. and 4
o'clock p. m. Of said day, the following do
scribed real estate situate in Monroe county.
Ohio. to wit:
The northeast quarter ofthe southeast
quarter. and the northwest quarter Of the
southeast quarter OF section thirteen, in
township three, range i've, Marietta District,
containing eighty aores, except about three
acres sold to Simon Whitney, as described
in deed of John Porter and wife to said
Whitney, lying in Monroe county, and now
occupied by said Petty and wife.
Said property SO ordered to be sold is ap-
praised as follows: the first described tract
at $440, the second described tract at 1926
aud the whole Of said premises being seventy
seven acres, at ,s73s, and may sell for two
thirds Of said appraisement. Terms of sale,
cash before confirmation.
., wM. RRAp,
/ fsbfl,'7sws, Sheriff N. ce.
oKzt& K OKsr. Attys,
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
Child with q Mules Ear.

MILLERsBuRa, OHIO February 10
There was boro, about three weeks ago,
eleven miles west Of this place, child
which has the ear of mule. The par
ents live in a small village named Center
vile, and the fathers name is Samuel
Speck. man of about thirty years Of age.
The child is q male. three weeks old, and
weighed at the time of its birth nine
pounds. The head is we'll developed and
has profusion OF hair, The eyes are
perfectly natural, but in front Of the right
ear small, slim ear. about three quarters
of an inch in length, resembling some
what that of mule, is attached.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18

EThe substantial facts elected by
the cipher investisa cations are: That the
Returning Boards Of Florida and South
Carolina offered the votes of their States
for sale: That two obscure Democrats,
self appointed agents, we're negotiating
with these Boards: That TILDEN heard
OF one OF these projects and promptly
aud indignantly sqnelched it out: That
he did not hear of the other for months
after it was all over: That these votes
which we're for sale were not bought by
the Democrats, and that they we're cast
for the Republican candidates.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18

nwNotwithstanding the facts that the
dispatches which doubtless gave the de-
tails OF the transaction, were prudently
burned, and that Senator MeRros who
was in the secret has gone beyond the
reach Of subpoena, enough is disclosed
to make it morally certain that the Re
turning Boards which TILDEs refused to
pay money tor sold out tc'the other par
fy for fat Offices And it is matter of
public notoriety that every scamp OF
them was furnished With an Office rang
ing from a foreign minister down to .
soft place 10 custom house.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
County Correspondence.
written for The Spirit of Democracy
/. From jackson Township.

CTOm OaCkSOn IOWnSn1ps
Ed SPIRIT: In the last No, OF your
paper, You say: $50 Tar as we have
been able to learn public sentiment in
this county upon the subject Of County
Superintendent OF Common Schools, it
is decidedly adverse to the m. asure."
Surprising this to- be the popular sen.
timent of the county, l wonder why il
is that measure so uniformly recomman
dcd ny the State Commissioner, and so
essential to the best Interests Of the great
majority of tho schools, should be So un-
popular with the people,
Is it the taxpayers, or the teachers,
whose opposition is 30 marked?
Can it be poss be that the paltry sum
ofthe superintendent salary, is consid,
cred an all-sutIicent reason for decided
opposition to The measure2 Or are the
teachers so fearful of losing their indie
pendence that they stir up tue brcezes Of
opposilion?
Is it not much easier TO, say, "the
money involved could be much better
employed, then to prove the saying cor.
rect?
Can it be, that there is not room for
one more county officer around the
county crib? or cannot the objections
,hle features of the bill be removed by
jndicious amending?
With reference to another bill. you say ;
ITO leave the selection Of the school
text books, to the respective coanties
throughout the state, is like setting up a
complicated piece of machinery turning
on the steam, and leaving, it without sn.
perintendence. y" y IL E.
Will not the same remark apply with
redoubled force to the schools : .s.
There must have been very great i'm.
provement in the last few years, il q few
weeks spent in visiting the schools in
snch manner as to find out really jus,
how they are managed and taught, and
the true measure of their progress. would
thoroughly convince the most skep,lca
that, judicious supervision, was mos,
imperatively demanded.
Will not some OF your readers who
are we'll posted, give Us through the
Spirit, few good strong reasons why
County Superv ision soould, or would
not promote the interests Of education in
'.old Monroe" or any other county in the
Buckeye Statep E. D. ].
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
-7-, SftsT 80 = =.
SHERIFFS SALE:
Z 49,, ~ seE .fas :
William D. Lowry
lSH Mary e. Logan.


DY virtue of certain alias order Of sale
u issued from the court Of common pless
within and FOR the county of Monroe,
and State Of Ohio, in case pending in said
court between the above named parties, and
to me directed, will offer :or. sale at public
auction ~ the east door Of the court house
in Woods6sld. on -, s..
Satardau,the 18th day of March. 1S7s.5
between ths houls of 10 O'Clock a, m and4
O'Clock p. M. Of saids day. the following de-
scribed resl estate, situate in Monroe ooup-
ty, Ohio to-9it: - X ..s...,. :, y f.''' ~
Lot number forty Eight In the ',ovag Of
Calais.
Said, property so ordered to be sold is apl
praised at Ssss., and may sell for ve-thirds
Of said, appraissmsnt. Terms Of sale. one.
third on day Of sale and balance before con.
frmation. -
81 WV. RRAD,
febll, ,'7sw5. Sheriff ". C. o.
0Ksr 4 oKKY, Att'ys. s~fgsS
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
Uncrowned Kings.

Enro,e is ruled by its crownless
Kings. Germany is the dominant power
on the continent, and BIsMARok is just as
certainly the dominant power in Germa.
ny In an importsnt European crisis no
one ever thinks Of enquiring what the
Lmporer WILLIAM will do, but the keen
est anxiety is felt to know what WILLIAM
YoS BlsHARcK thinks about it.
In Russia The veteran GoRr-cHAKoFF
overrules the Au'ocrat nearly as often as
they differ 1t is true that the Emperor
likes to have il believed that he is the
zeal sovereign. hut it Is only when pur
suing Corr 'oHAkorgs policy that be
makes hims.lf felt.
France is a. completely iu the power
Of the gifted GAMBrrrA as she was in
she power Of the third NAPOLEON
GRlvY is President bccause GANBErTA
w;llsd it, and will probably remain so
only during the lal,er's pleasure. GAN
xKTTA is q great statesman and brilliant
orator, but the secret Of his power lies
| In the fact that he persorifes the will OF
the French people.
But perhaps the mos. remarkable In
stance OF s pon.sceptered monarch Is in
England. DisRAELI not only lacks no.
BILE descent. hut is OF that tabooed race,
she Jews. Yet be wields power that
has not been felt In England for cen
Iiury. He takes liberties With the Con-
s,i,ution which none Of the later sover-
eip,s would have dared to take. The
pretence is kept up that he is only en-
acting the will OF the Queen, but this is
merely one OF those pleasing actions so
common to throne.
FREDEs,c .was the last of the sover-
eigns in the royal line who was an emf
nent ruler. The great NAPOLEON can
scarcely he regarded as an exception,
although the great minister TALLrYRAKD
was obscrred in his shadow, for NAPo.
LEON was himself from the lower ranks.
All the work OF building up nations
and Of changing the map Of Europe du-
ring the last half century has been
performed by men not born to royalty,
and for the most part not born to title.