davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

We publish, more as a curiosity than for
any other reason. very queer document from
Tonica in the shape of a protest against allow.
ing the corner stone OF the new court house at
Ottawa to be laid on the 4th in accordance
with the forms and ceremonies of the Free
Masons. In the name of all the gods, what
objection can there be made to the masonic
form any more than to the use of any other
collection of Sound words!" The modern
Free Masons, who claim at least to trace the
origin of their order back to an ASSOCIATION of
Operative" or practical stone masons
and house builders happen to be the only So
ciety we know of that has prescribed set of
suitable forms and ceremonies for such an oc-
casion. There are none in the ritual of the
Episcopal, Methodist, Roman Catholic, or 9th
er church that we know of, nor of the Red
kibboners, Odd Fellows, Sons of Temperance
or any other secret or non-secret order, so far
as we are advised. The Masons are not only
peculiar IN having such a set form, but it has
ate, that no other order, church, or association
appears to have made an attempt to improve
upon it, The result Is, that on nearly all not
ed occasions of laying corner stones, the Free
and motions" by which it is to be done. Their
form was used in laying the corner stone Of
the national capitol and most Of the other gov.
eminent buildings at Washington; it was used
in laying the corner stone of the custom house
at Chicago; Is frequently drawn upon 10 lay
corner stones OF church buildings, and was
used on the oath ult IN laying the corner stone
of the new Schuyler county court house at
Bushnell IN this state.
Or have these Tonica bigots a better form
of their own? We should like to see the queer
thing they would get up should they attempt
It. without stealing from the Masons.
Or do they object to the Masons because
their ancestors are said to have murdered
Billy Morgan? Then we object to the New
England Congregatonalists laying 1t because
their puritan ancestors prosecuted Roger Will
liams and murdered the Quakers; to the Pres
byterians, because their ancestors, the Scotch
covenanters, prosecuted Catholics and Episco-
palians to death; to any Americans, because
they have ruthlessly maltreated and murdered
the Indians; and to any white men, because
all their ancestors at one time or other were
guilty of the heinous and murderous crime of
slaveholding! Evidently, in the view of our
Tonica blgots, there can be nobody good
enough to lay that corner stone except an an.
gel of light or purity direct from heaven, Or
themselves!
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

the cause of the great snow storm on the lakes
early in the fall. Indeed, the tail of the comet
may have swept all over that portion of the
continent. Many recent hurricanes can
think be accounted for if We accept the
above theory"
it does seem curious, however that Profes.
sor Klein should have known Of the approach
of this remarkable comet, and the world,-at
least the scientific world, know nothing about
this modesty being such that even hiS
knowledge of it was concealed from the world.
1t seems great deal more probable that Prof
Klein was sky.larking after some other tugi.
tive through space-or his imaginatlon-and
now seeks to identify it with our present
splendid celestial visitor
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02
MORE JOHN SHERMANISM,

The L. S. Treasury revelations brought out
by the partial investigation of the little scapc
goat Pltney, involving John Sherman, as it did
IN maze of petty pilferlng, are said to afford
but faint Introductory inkling OF the numer
Gus and really vast money making operations
IN which he was engaged while Secretary OF
the Treasury, at the expense Of the people
ugly rumors are atloat," says Il Chicago
| Times correspondent, ",hat important records
of the treasury department, relating to refund
ing and other important business, have been
taken away, and that committee has been
searching for bat failed to find them. In the
absence Of specific details, 1t may be assumed
that the refunding papers in question relate to
the extensive operations Of that nature con.
Quoted during the service of Mr.. John Sher.
man as secretary of the treasury. While these
operations were IN progress, IL may be remem.
bercd, there was a good deal of talk about
national bank in New York, in which Ii was
said he was largely interested. The profits Of
that institution upon single transaction in 4
per cents, by which all that renamed of that
al banks could secure the amounts they requir-
ed as basis Of circulation, amounted to sew.
eral millions If the records of this business
have been removed from the department, sus.
picion will certainly arise that the spo'iatlon
was the work Of parties who might be damag.
ed by them Such an act will go tar to DIES.
troy all the public confidence in the possibility
of official honesty IN Washington that remain.
Granlism. The loud professions of the Hayes
administration, backed by some pretense of
reform, arrested the decay of the
peoples faith in the integrity OF their Official
routes and the custodian" ring have shown
that the rule of Hayes differed only from the
rule of Grant in the superior adroitness of the
Hayes gang IN concealing their rascalitles."
1t is a great pity that the next congress
threatens to be so far under the control of the
republicans that probably it will be impossible
to get an investigating committee that will
make such an honest ard exhaustive eXplora
ton of all branches of the public service as
shall lay bare the details of the thlevlng and
that were really practced by the
pretentious hypocrites OF the humbug reform
era which came in with and smiled and snlf
fled during the reign of Ibis fraudulency"
Hayes. Such an investigation, 1t is now be
comes daily more evident, would demonstrate
that the "thievlng administration of Grant" we
have heard 50 much about, and which, dear
knows richly deserved the name, was yet pur.
ty itself compared to that of the old fraad
who stole the presidency from Tiden.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02


A MEXICAN HoRROR-Mexico has had a
rather rude foreshadowing of the felicities that
await her on the completion of the numerous
railroads American capitalists have lately
mapped out over her broad territory. About
her first railroad Except the English line built
some years ago from Vera Cruz to the capiaD
was opened two weeks ago from the capital 10
Cuantla, distance of some rs miles. II was
a narrow gauge, cheaply and hurriedly built,
entirely by government means and under the
direction of Mexican engineers 1t was ,nau
gurated ten days ago by President Gonzales
who took battalion of soldiers with him 10
add eclat to the occasion. On Friday evening
Of last week the soldiers, with numerous citi
zens, were returning by the railroad from
Cuantla TO the city Of Mexico. Ii had been
raining heavily during the week, and at Mail
pois, some so miles southwest Of the city, the
San Antonio river had to be crossed by rather
frail bridge from which the sudden freshet In
the stream appears to have washed out the un
'dsrplnnings. Atall events, - the train ran on
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

The Republican papers are rejoicing in the
fact that Grant and Garfield had "cordial In.
terview" at Long Branch on Saturday and tina,
IN spite of Grants warm partisanship for
Conkilng in the Robertson affair and some
Unpleasant utterances about Garfield, none bu,
the most friendly feelings exist between the
Appomattox hero and De Golyer's eminent at
torney. A Herald correspondent, however
detracts somewhat from the warmth of the in
;eryicw by relating literally and exactly wha,
occurred. TheJ met rather by accident than
design, upon which Gran. extended his hand
sayng-
How do you do. Mr.. Presidentf"
How do you do, General, :" was the presI
dents counter query.
They shook hands cordially AID parted.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

The Office OF marshal for the southern dis
'nct of New York is second in importance on.
iy to that OF collector of the port, yet when
John |. Davenport proposed to Garfield to buy
Senator Strahan to vote against Conkling with
the office the President candldly admitted that
he had never heard of the man and knew moth.
ing about him: YET il Johnny said he was all
right and his cote could be secured, he was viii.
hing to appoint hun marshal of the most i'm.
poriant district in the United States no matter
now unfit he might be. The president thus
showed willingness not only to incur the
guilt OF bribery to injure Conkllng but to fill
an Office OF the highest importance without re.
gard to the appointee's competency.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

to the bridge It gave way, and locomotive ard
cars were plunged into the torrent below. To
add to the horror of the accident, after the
train had been plunged into the water, CON
slgnment of alcohol In q freight car took fire
and exploded No less than Is officers and
alive, while 80 others sustained serious inju.
res. The engineer and fireman were scalded
10 death
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02
A GEORGIA MALONE.

Congressman Speer, Of Georgia, elected as a
democrat is apparently SO envous of the motto.
riety gained by Malone in the Senate, that he
has concluded to initiate HIM in the house. A
week ago he called on Garfield at Washington
and Intimated that he would like to have
hand in arranging the federal appointments in
his state. Garfield, great civil service reform.
er as he is and oblivious of party advantage in
matters pertaining to the public service, said:
81 am inclined to accede to your wishes IN this
particular Mr.. Speer, but before do, | wish
TO know from you exactly how you intend to
vote in the organization of the next House."
To this Speer replied: II expect, Mr.. Presl-
dent, that the opening of the next session will
| bring upon me an attack similar to that made
upon Senator Malone by Ben Hill Twill vote
with the Republicans; want to break tho
Bourbon element in Georgia" The President,
who of course scorns the imputation that no
offered Senator Strahan the New York mar.
shalship TO vote against Conkling or that he
would attempt to influence any congressman's
vote by the allurement (bribery) Of Office las
sured Mr.. Speer, $50 the correspondent of the
Courjer-JoWnal writes, who AYERS that he got
his information from Mr.. Speer hlmself) that
his wishes IN regard to federal appointments
in Georgia would be granted
In the next house, as the case now stands,
the republicans have l47 members against lat
democrats and greenbackers, should they com.
bine, and one vacancy, likely to be filled by a
democrat. To President Garfield to whom
the election Of friend of the administration
as speaker of the house is of the highest impor-
lance the vote of Mr.. Speer, or any other pur.
chasable democrat is therefore matter of vital
concern. The first question that suggests it.
SELF whether the overtures to sell out were first
made by Mr. Speer or by the President is of
little consequence; but the next question
should be OF immense consequence to the coun-
try: whether the lndecency, If not crime, on
the part of the president, of openly peddling
out the public offices as brides to secure party
ends should not be rebuked by some signal to-
ken of condemnation if not punished by im-
parchment.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

The storm of Wednesday morning, of which
we had no other realization at Ottawa than
sudden rather lively blow, affording grateful
relief to the intense heat that had preceded IT.
and very dazzling display of celestial py-
rotechnics, appears to have been quite wide
spread in Its effects and in some localities to
have been as destructive as small cyclone. 1t
seems to have come down from the northwest.
leaving track of destruction across northern
Iowa from Sioux City to Dubuque and Gin
ton; then ranging across Illinois to Chicago,
thence across southern Michigan, northern Ia
diana into Ohio, exhaustlng its force against
the mountains of West Virginia Some houses
were blown down along the railroad from
Sioux City TO Dubuque; also through Steph
enson, Ogle and Dekalb county IN Illinois.
down to Earlville and Mendoza, where we hear
some houses and numerous trees and fences
were blown down. At Chicago the most nu-
merous casualties appear to have been from
lightning, dozen or more buildings having
been struck and several persons killed. Tho
wind also blew down the new Episcopal
Church at Austin, the steeple of the Methodist
Church on Michigan Avenue between 32d and
SD street. and played fearful havoc with the
Sangerfest decorations that had been put up
the night before over the city. II was genes-
ally accompanied with q heavy rain fall, and
10 some places with hail. Neither rain or had
fell NJ OttA IA
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

having murdered Gould and thrown HIM from
the train, but has escaped. He's but 90 years
OF age, newspaper reporter, claims as his
own the comedy of "Plns and Needless" play
cd in many cities OF the United States and
also represents himself as the author
OF several successful burlesques and opera
boulles, which were performed in Melbourne
and AM erica
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

The Warner prize of 5000, offered by the
Rochester Observatory to the first discoverer
Of a new comet, will probably not be awarded
for Tie discovery of the present comet blazing
In the heavens, as at least dozen of persons
have put in claim to have seen it on the
morning of the ed Prof. Klein, of Hartford,
KY, claims, however, to have discovered 1t in
September last, over ten months ago, and that
he predicted, in the Louisville CourierJ our.
nal six months ago, that it would be visible to
the naked eye in June or July of this year.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

While of course 1t would have been very
undignided in the President to consult with
Conkling and Plat about New York appoint.
ments, it was quite the proper thing for him
to advise with Johnny Davenport about SO i'm.
portant an appointment as the marshashlp.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

The New Hampshire Legislature, in session
at Concord, though in the midst of the throes
of senatorial election, was unable to resist
the temptation to adjourn ever to visit Bar.
NUNS big show on its VISIT last week to that
city. Looking around anxiously for suffi-
cient excuse. member happened to bethink
him that one Haynes, - worthy and respected
member of this body" had died, and the mo.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

Why the deuce didn't Lo Sessions, when
caught at offering Bradley $4,000 to vote
against Conklng, insist that 1t was merely a
loan9
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

New Orleans has gained back all Of It's old
time commercial prosperity, being now the
largest exporter, after New York, of southwest
ern produce.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

The Illinois railroad and warehouse com.
mission is preparing new schedule of rates,
making reduction of 90 per cent. in passen-
ger fares, and but few roads will be permitted
TO exact over three cents per mile.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

Five persons were killed and five more dan.
gerously injured by the explosion of the boiler
OF the steamboat Phaeton at Maysvlle, Ky, on
Tuesday. The boat was racing with another
boat at the time, but of course there is nobody
TO blame"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

Mr.. Thomas Garfield, uncle of the Presi-
dent was killed at Warrensvlle, Ohio, on the
23d ult., by being run over in his carriage by
a railroad train. Mrs. Arnold, lady in the
carriage with hun, had her skull fractured by
the same accident, and will probably not re.
cDynr
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

ton was put and carried at once to adjourn as
a mark of respect to his memory. No men
ton, however was m ade Of the tact that the
worthy member had been dead and buried
over two months,
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

The rumor from Washington that the inves-
igstion into the star route frauds. like that In.
to the robbery Of the treasury contingent fund.
Ia to be abandoned because 'the scent Is get
ting too derned fresh" on the heels Of Blaine,
Garfield and Others, q the treasury investiga.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

The Cincinnati Commercial says that IN put.
ting Robert Lincoln into cabinet position
Logan has overreached himself and created a
dangerous rival for 1S44-"that is, if Logan
thinks that he has himself great hereafter"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

The experimental cargo of 10000 bushels
Of wheat shipped from st. Paul in barges for
Glasgow reached New Orleans in perfect con-
ditiOp
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

A veritable and rather interesting railroad
war has broken out in Colorado between the
Denver and Rio Grande and the Union Pacific
son, Topekasand Santa Fe, the Kansas Pa.
cliic, the Union Pacific and other like huge
corporations proposed to invade Colorado and
swamp the then young and struggling into-ex
istence Denver and Rio Grandc company, tho
local legislature lnterfered in its behalf and
threatened to bar the other roads out of the
state entirely if they did not give their own
pet, the d. e. r. g., fair show. The result
was "tripartite treaty" by which the Atchis
son, Topeka and Santa Fe agreed not to con-
struct any railroad west of the line Of the Den
yer and Rio Grande railroad; the Denver and
Rio Grande agreed not to construct any rail
road east of Its north and south line; and tho
Union Pacific agreed that it would not direct
ly or indirectly construct any competing line
of railroad from any part of its line or lines to
any point in Colorado south Of the latitude of
Denver on the line of the Kansas Pacific. At
the time this agreement was made, however,
there was short road from Denver to south
Park that had been constructed by Governor
Evans under independent ownership, and
which took no part in the agreement; and now
the Union Pacific company, with its charac-
teristic Punc faith has bought up this short
line, under the charter of which it claims the
right to push extensions IN all directions and
grd.iron Colorado with rival lines to the Den.
yer and Rio Grande and its branches. Byway
of beginning the U. p. recently commenced
the construction of branch from its Denver
and South Park purchase to Gunuison, to
which point the Denver and Rio Grande Is
engaged In building branch, The war be-
tween them took definite shape and form
week ago when the forces Of the rival roads
met on ground which both must occupy to get
from Como to Breckenridge. The Denver and
Rio Grande force proved too numerous for the
Union Pacifickers at the time, and they were
driven off; but of course the war cannot end
there The d. s. r. G. thus far has shown
abundant spirit and pluck, but Its combat
with the huge Union Pacific may be llkened
to "a sparrow flying at the throat OF an eagle"
as Times correspondent aptly expresses It,
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-02

The Bradford oil district is alive with excite
ment over two rich strikes across the line IN
New York flowing 100 to $50 barrels per day
The Lambertville record., 1881-12-07
III MAKES NO
DRUNKARDS,
Breaks No Hearts, Excuses
No Grimes.

Z DR.. David Kenncdy's FAvoRITE REMEDY is NOT a
disguised enemy OF the human race; where II cannot
help. it does not harm. FAyoKITE REiEDYlis a
combination Of vegetable alternatives. II does not heat
or niiame the blood, but coos and purides it. In all
cases of Kidney troubles Liver complaints, Conspa-
ton Of the Bowels aud the delicate derangemens which
aiIlies women, the action Of FAvoRITE REMEDY is
beyond praise. Thousands Of grateful people volun-
tary testify to this In letters to Or. Kennedy and
with warmth and fullness ofwords which husi-
ness documents and certificates never possess, II
makes no drunkards, crimes, breaks no
hearts, In its coming there is hope and in its wings
there is healing. DR. Kenne would have it UNDER
stood that, while he is engaged in the introduction Of
his medicine Fayorite Remedy he still continues the
practice of his profession. He treats all diseases aud
performs all the minor and capital operations of
surgery.
DR.. Kennedy's "Favofite Remedy for sale by all
druggists si.oO bottle address DR.. David Kennedy
Rondout, N. Y. oct5,-4w.
The Lambertville record., 1881-12-07

CHILDREN IN LAPLASD, The operation of
dressing In cold weather in the far North is so
elaborate that II is difficult to understand how
deliberate boy or girl in Lapland can be
ready for breakfast before dinner time. First
two suits OF thick woolen nnderciothing arc
put ON, and over these goesa shirt of reindecr-
skin, with cloth bands to fasten at the wrists;
sometimes two OF these skirts or kaptas, are
worn, and reindeer-skin vest beneath them.
The trousers are OF reindeer skin also. Two
pairs of heavy woolen stockings are worn,
aud the child who puts these on when they
are damp is sure to have trouble with bis
feet. Around the feet peculiar grass, well
dried, is carefully wound, and over all this
The Lambertville record., 1881-12-07
NO J: No7,oN ]. or CRY zxRE.

:
The monotony of life 10 the central streets
ofany greatmodern city, where every emotion
intended to be derived by men from the sight
Of nature, or the sense of art is forbidden
forever, leaves the craving of the heart for a
socere, yet thankful, interest, to befed from
one. source only. Under natural conditions
the degree Of mental excitement necessary to
bodily health Is provided by the course of the
seasons, and the various skill and fortune of
agriculture.
In the country every morning Of the year
brings with it q new aspect of springiug or
fading nature new duty to be fulfilled up
on earth, and new promise or warning in
heaven. No day is without its innocent hope,
its special prudence, its kindly gift, and its
sublime danger aud in every process of wise
husbandry, and every effort Of contending or
remedial courage, the wholesome passions,
pride, aud bodily power of the iaborer are ex-
cited and exerted in happiest unison. The
companionship of domestic, the care of ser
viceable animals, soften and enlarge his life,
familiar VISIONS aud unboastful fortitudes !;
while the divine laws of seed-time which can
not he recalled, harvest which cannot be hast
eied, aud winter in which no man can work,
compel the impatiencies and coveting of his
heart into labor too submissive to be anxious,
and rest too sweet to be wanton.
What thought can enough comprehend the
contrast between such life, and that in streets
where summer and winter are only alterna-
tions of heat and cold. where snow never fell
white, nor sunshine clear; where the ground
is only pavement, and the sky no more than
the glass roof of an arcade where the utmost
power of a storm is to choke the cutters, the
finest magic of spring to change mud into
dust where-chief and most fatal difference
In state--thero is no interest of occupation for
any of the Inhabitants but the routine of
counter or desk within doors, and the effort
topass each other without collision outside !;
SO that frcm morning to evening the only
possible variation of the monotony Of the
hours, aud tightening of the penalty of ex-
istence, must be some kind Of mischief, limit
ed, unless by more than ordinary godsend of
fatality, to the fall of a horse or the Sitting
of a pocket--Raskin.