davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-02-23
A California Trial.

Persons familiar with the early his
tory of this country are well aware of
the potent influence of eloquence on the
uncultivated masses and how they
were moved by the fervent oratory
of Patrick Henry and Clay, and
Webster and Corwin, and Crittenden
and Tom Marshall and those old time
men of the primitive bar, which had
never been excelled in the annals of hu-
man pleading.
An'episode ofaI similar nature occurred
out in the early days of California min
ing, ofwhich the writer was a spectator.
The circumstances were as Follows:
A miner had been caught stealing
gold dust. That kind of business
couldn't be permitted in the mines; for
clble examples had to be made of all
such offenders. Murder regulated itself;
there was rough code of honor recog-
nized and based upon public sentiment.
Ii the man who killed another had iusti-
fable proFocation, he went unmoIested;
but if he had killed his man without
sufficient cause, he probably paid the
penalty with his own life the first time
relative or friend of the murdered
man "got the drop on him." The only
other public offence was theft; that was
so contemptbly mean and so vitally
affected the interests of the miners and
their sense of safety, that they rarely
ever failed to string up the offender even
after rough courts were established and
trial by jury granted.
On this special occasion bag of gold
dust had been taken from under miners
bunk by one Of his working companions
and he had been captured with it on his
way to San Francisco and brought back
for quick and effective trial.
"HAve you any counselP" asked the
Judge.
"No, I amt got no friends nor any
body to talk for me; 80 you might as
well cut the chinnin' Shorthand pull me
up"
eff you will allow me to act as counsel
for the prisoner, I'll say few words for
him." replied a tall ungainly miner,
who was stranger at that particular
''diggin's."
Gall right, there's the jury. Bring
up your client and let him plead to the
charge" "
The prisoner stood up and admitted
the theft, and at the request of the
stranger stated the circumstances which
had tempted him to take the dust. He
had just gotten letter from his wife in
the. States, in which she wrote that her
mother and one Of his children had died
and she begged him if he loved her to
come home, even If he had to borrow
the money of some of his friends, and
she would help him to work and pay it
back. He also stated that as he had been
unable to borrow the money, he had
taken the dust with the intention OF
paying it back when he returned home.
The letter was produced in court to
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-02-23

substantiate the truth of his statement,
and 1t evidently weakened some of the
jury, but there were stern, unmoved
men in the crowd, all belted round with
knifes and pistols, who knew that any
letting up on theft would render gold
dust too unsafe; besides they spoke up
right and left, saying that they got just
such letters from home an well; that the
same kind OF sorrow in their own de-
mestic life came up every day or week
to some OF them, and the very mutual
condition of deprivation and toll should
establish code OF honesty above every
thing else. OF course, said they, the
fellow can have his counsel to chin for
him, but we must graft him to hub
all the same.
1t happened however, that this tall,
ungainly old miner who had undertaken
the defence was an old Methodist camp
meeting revival preacher, and although
he began very quietly, and. cautiously
treading on the dangerous ground of
talking in the prisoners defence, the
first thing that judge, jury and specta-
tors knew, he had got warmed up to his
old work, and, although he had the sing
song style of delivery of those old revi-
valists, his words rang out with all the
thrilling eloquence of Clay and the fer
Vid devotional oratory of Wesley or
Bascom. One by one the human icioles
began to melt around him; one by one
they began to turn back on their early
lives, to their old homes, their father.
mother, brothers and sisters, the old
church and Sunday school, and all such
tender influence. Many one of them
was carried back by that peculiar voice
and style to his old camp-meeting DAYS.
1t was no longer a mining camp; it was
no longer q court room, no longer a
trial; 1t was camp-meeting, and the
old preacher was leading them by stu
waters; he was reaching down and lifting
them up out of the mire and clay; and
when he closed and solemnIy said. sIe
Ills pray for the soul of the man whom
we that are innocent are going to slay,
there was nota dry eye in the court
room, the writers included. And that
prayer! who can repeat or describe its
fervent words for the soul going TO its
maker, for the wife and little children
waiting in their distant home with love
and hope and tremulous expectation for
him who would never return, listening
to every footstep, responding to every
sound?
Never before or since have been such
trial and such defence i'm the mines
OF California. The Judge, jury and
audience rose to man and cleared the
prisoner. They did more: they made
up purse and sent the poor fellow
home to his wife and children, and he
did just what he intended to odo-returned
the money to them in six months after
his arrival at home.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-02-23

''Baby is deadl" Three little words
passed along the line; copied somewhere
and soon forgotten. But after all was
quiet again leaned my hand rpon my
head and fell into deep reverie of all
that those words mean.
Somewhere dainty form, still and
cold, unOlasped by mothers arms to-
night; eyes that yesterday were bright
and blue as skies of June dropped to-
night beneath white lids that no voice
can ever raise again.
Two soft hands, whose rose leaf finQ-
ers were wont IL wander lovingly al ound
mothers ne1k and t4oe locsqly hold
ing white buds. quietly folded ii confne
rest.
Soft lips, yesterday riprling with
Laughter, sweet as woodland break
falls, gay as triIl Of forest birds; TO,
night unresponsive to kiss or call of
love.
A silent home-the patter of baby
feet forever hushed-a cradle impressed
little shoes half worn-dainty garments,
shoulderknots of blue to match those
eyes of yesterday. folded with aching
h heart away.
A tiny mound snow covered in some
quiet graveyard.
A mothers cropping touch in uneasy
slumber for the fair head that shall nev-
or again rest upon her bosom. The low
sob, the bitter tear, as broken dreams
awake to said reality. The hope of fu-
ture years wrecked, like fair ships, that
suddenly go down in sight of land.
The watching of other babies, dimp-
led, laughing, strong, and this one gone.
The present agony of grief, the future
emptiness of heart, all held in those
three little words: ''Baby is dead.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-02-23

Whence the termP A reference to the
authorities show that two hundred years
ago it ment "a cheat" San imposter, .
but it became obsolete, perhaps from
the dying out of cranks. III it died out
and disappeared from general use, how
ever, it did not die out with that grand
old veteran of literature, Carlyle. He
has used the term repeatedly, and
brought it down to the present day as
meaning ''dim of vision, violent of tenn
per-" and the meaning is further devel
oped by the following description: "A
headstrong, very positive, loud, dull
and angry kind of man. '"This is Car
lyle's notion, and it gives pretty good
idea. 1t must be admitted that the word
is not like so many of our latter words
of Yankee birth or origin, but comes
form royal stock. Tt was born in the
old scandinavian days and had an ezis-
tence before the Saxons went into Eng
and. Primarily it meal.t "twist" and
as good to-day as ever.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-02-23

| ureu maybe Ii piece WhIermlllloH BS
mighty good, so I jes' fetch it long
when we came through de ole mans
place up dah. Is you ready for the
watermillion now2" he asked innocently
Having turned the theft to such good
account, "Mars' Henry" was not dis
posed to quarrel over the wrong, and
Peter escaped easily.
After this diverting incident W. lay
down upon the ground and Walker Tay.
lor went to sleep and snored. We did
not. After this rest another start was
made III the direction of the river and
our wagon. We reached the bank just
as the sun began to tinge the clouds and
the hills in the east. A steamboat laden
with freight and passengers plowed its
way toward Cincinnati, and came near
us just as the hound opened cry that
she had "treed" the coon. Taylor had
gone off to "run his trout line, and
while we waited for him the dog sat
qnietly under the tree, and Peter threw
his rope over the lowest limb and pro-
ceeded to climb into the boughs. Once
there, he sprang nimbly from limb to
limb looking for the game. AT last he
found it, and announced in an exultant
tone that il was an sole 'un." The
coon was clinging tightly to large
limb and could not be shaken down.
Then Peter began to cut with his ak.
The limb came to the ground with a
crash. The coon took to his feet, but
his run was short one. Soon the dogs
had him.
Far plays jewel" and fair play,
more than far play, was given his
'coonship IN tie fight that ensued. He
and the small bulldog were put to 1t,
the other dogs being restrained. Soon
the animals caught a death-hold; the
dog had the coon by the throat, the
coon had the dog by the neck. There
was no let go in that struggle. While
the two held each other in this way one
of us caught the dog, another the coon.
With three swings they were thrown out
into the river where the water was deep.
That made things more nearly equal,
4 coon fights better In the water than
dog. The struggle was severe, sicken-
ing In its ferocity. Tho water about
the animals was in "a foam and was
bloody. Soon the fight was over. The
coon gave mp, the dog shook him un-
resisted and the coon fioated, 1t was
dead. The dog tried to swim ashore,
but he sank; he, too. had expended all
his powers in the battle. Peter was
ready for the emergency. Without
wasting time to trip he plunged into the
water and the dog was rescued, though
he lay for several minutes ifeless upon
tue bank while we did what we could to
revive him. Finally he was himself
again, and, with never look back, he
walked quietly to the wagon. Then
in the broad light of day we concluded
our chase, hume more wear1some but
hardly less exciteing than the run after
an anisee-seed bag.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-02-23

After the showers, the tranquil sun;
After the snow, the emerald leaves;
Silver stars when the day Is uone:
After the harvest golden sheaves,
After the clouds, the violet sky;
After the tempest, the lull of waves;
Quiet woods when the winds 60 by,
After the battle, peaceful graves.
After the knell the wedding bells;
After the bud, the radiant rose;
Joyful greetings from sad farewells;
After our weeping, Sweet repose.
After the burden, the hlissful need;
After the fight, the downy nest;
After the furrow, the waking seed,
After the shadowy riVer-restl
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-02-23

''OH, | tell you, you can't abolish the
Jury system. It's one of the abutments
upon which rests the structure of freedom
and equity, and all those things. If you
bust the jury system you'll have to abolish
also three-card monte and other games OF
chance. | tell you Americans will not be
denied this kind of mental relaxation. It's
about all the fun we have.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-10
INSTALLED.

Quite a good audience was in attendance
last evening upon the installation services
at the Central Presbyterian church, Rev.
S s. Cryer being officially indicted into
the pastorate of that society. The usual
sermon, preached by the Rev. Mr.. Fife.
was generally considered very superior
effort and the charge to the pastor, by Rev.
Mr.. Holiday, was of deep interest and was
attentiyely listened to. The charge to the
people, by Rev DR.. Williams. aboundsd in
pertinent suggestion and advice, and was
in every way worthy of the occasion. The
interest in the musical portion of the ser
vices was considerably enhanced by solo,
sung by Mrs. Rouel, and a cornet accompa-
niment to the organ. AS an evidence of
the esteem in which Rev. Mr. Cryer is held
by his people presentation, or rather a
series of presentations, occurred just be-
fore the benediction which were not down
on the programme" In behalf of a lady
member of the society City Attorney Parks
presented the pastor with superior en-
craving representing Michael Angelo at
Work" A cash present from Mrs. P. L.
Gable and gold tooth pick from Mr. L.
II. Hemenway were also passed over to the
custody of Rev. Mr.. Cryer after which the
ing services, memorable in the history of
the Central Presbyterian church, were
over
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-10
A GENERAL GOOD TIME.

Last evenings meeting of the demo-
cratic forces ia Union square, althou oh
gotten up at short notice, was highly en-
joyable throughout, and its main design,
that of having a season of cordial con
graduation, sort of democratic love
feast, was most admirably carried out, al
though the evening was not one calculated
to attract people out of doors except
upon special business. Plenty of
inspiring music was discoursed and
excellent addresses, delivered by Ma
jor G. n. Connolly. Messrs Virgil
M. Banding and M. M. Corbett each of
whom rose TO the requirements of the oc-
casion without the arts of the stump
speaker or the demagogue. In fact, as
heretofore intimated, the meeting was not
intended as an oratorical or rhetorical ex
hibition, but rather as an informal meeting
of good citizens generally. most of whom
were necessarily of the democratic persua
sion, to express their happiness over the
glorious results of Tuesday. both local and
general, especially over the election of
Niece, Reticker and O'Mara There
fore there were no 3'cut and
dried" speeches, possessing no
more life or sparkle than the average re-
publican caucus, but everything that was
said from the stand was to the point and
was well received by the crowd, as their
frequent Interruptions with enthusiastic
cheering, demonstrated. The climax was
capped, however, when Chairman j. III.
Yore, of the democratic county committee,
Whose yeoman service during the late
campaigns most gratefully born in mind by
the party which he served so acceptably,)
introduced Sheriff elect Reticker. Then there
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-10

was, indeed, hurrah, which caused the
republican fog to lift perceptibly and after
Mr.. Reticker's brief, yet hearty, acknowl-
edgments cheer after cheer, rent the air.
which wa&& reminder to the people in that
immediate neighborhood that the Rock
Islanders know a good man when they see
him.
Unfortunately Mr.. O'Mara had been
summoned to Sheffield, and much against
his inclination, was compelled to leave on
the Ais p. m. train, but the ARGUS will
gladly bear witness that he tried his best
to '.get left" in order to thank his friends
at the meeting for their solid and telling
support. This was the reason, and the
only one. why he was not heard from last
evening. This genuine democratic love
feast then broke up, with more music
handshaking, etc. Even the republicans
present felt the true inwardness" of the
meeting in marked degree.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-10
PERSONAL.

| Miss Ida May Walters, who will leave
| the city to night for her southern home,
| Mobile, Ala, will bear with her the warm
| est wishes of many friends in Rock Island
and Moline for future happiness. She has
promised to contribute from time to time
to the columns of the ARGUS, sketches of
southern life, customs, ETC., which will be
read with interest.
Major Jcsiah circuit, Secretary of the
Moline Scale Company has returned home
from Vermont.
VIM. G. Krieke, who represents large
Milwaukee confectionery house, is calling
on the dealers in this city.
Hotel arrivals during the last "a hours;
ROCK ISLAND HOUSE.
Hollis, Millersburg; L L Hollis Chi
cagO; ID Winter Boston; ] w Gray, Peo-
ria; III Cunan, j CuHan, Mishwaka, Ind;
w Baker and wife, Rochester; r c Wynn,
DesMoines; w Grady, o Anderson, Iowa
City; j 2 Palmer, Boston, Mass. A Hauss
Ter, Emporia, Kan; c II Sheridan, G L
Mitchell, ST. Louis; c B Camp
bell, Chicago; F Gym Dubuque;
Patterson, VIM Bright, j J Frankton,
Dubuque; W C KnIche, Thes. Fuller, Mil
waukee; Dick Collard. r Frazer, ST. Louis;
S c Campbell Gcneseo, w r Wolff, Burl-
ington; ] G Stanton, St. Louis; E P Farr,
St JohnsburyiVt; J II Hutchinson, Peoria
A d Brown North Henderson; j Flaherty,
Beardstown; E Dahins, Moline; G F.
Horn, Bushnell; Chas juicy Peoria.
COMMERCIAL HOTEL.
E r Daggett, Milwaukee; ] Sullivan,
Chicago; Geo Davis, Milan; A E James.
c III Critchfield, F M Goldzier, w Scott,
M Hurley. w s Kirby. Beardstown; w
Bristol, L r Hefner, Monmouth; J. Mich
OILS, W III Henderson, Beardstown; W
Barnes and son, Lyndon; W Neal, c Schaf-
fer, Racine; j Wheat, w Atkins, ST Louis;
G. w. Cone, W Kirby, J Nichols, ] A
Carey, Beardstown; ] c Smith, Cable; Pc
ter Bear, Petersburg; j E Haley. A Rogers,
Beardstown; M Goble. Milan; T D Pat
erick, Aurora; S M Tenney, Davenport.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-10

Ed Abbotts mother, of Chicago, is in
the city, on short visit
The new cornice for ]. T. Browning's
new brick was put in place to-day.
| Uncle Toms Cabin at Wagner's opera
house one week from to night.
| The board of health meet on Tuesday
evening next.
The work of macadamizing East Ann
| street, was commenced to-day
| Wanted at once-At the 222 restaurant
| two dining room girls, one cook, and one
| chambeTmaid. 10d3t.
The C. r. l. & p. r. r. company are
making preparations to straighten their
track at this point.
Wallace Kelsey, of St Paula brother of
Officer Kelsey is here on a short visit with
| the latter
S. II. Page, bookkeeper at Hoods
crossing, returned this morning from
Monmouth
The Deere hose company now hold their
monthly meetings in the upper room of
their new hose house.
A flag staff for sale cheap. Inquire at
the Keator House drug store must be
disposed Of price no object.
The reading circle of the Woman's
Suffrage society have meeting this even
ing at the residence of Mrs Henry Candee,
on South Lind street
A. ". Mann, clerk at Clendenin's drug
store, is about to sever his connection with
the above firm, and will make Clinton his
future home
Prof. Mack is booked to read a paper
on Arithmetic, at the meeting of the
teachers institute at Reynolds, at ten
o'clock to morrow,
Mr.. Ira Reed, now representing the
Mutual Life Insurance company, of New
York, but formerly of this city, is here for
a few days visit with friends
The school board viii open night schools,
commencing on Monday next Emery
GunneH will teach one and Prof Hubbard
the other.
Mac, of the Union, thinks he has a good |
one on the ARGUS reporter when he says
that con Tuesday last he felt that he was
influencing nearly every voter in his pres
ence, and that las Reticker was elected he
would probably Apply for a deputyship.
Now we can 90 them one better 1t is cur
rently reported that che did not know it
was election day until o'clock in the
evening. How it happened is not known.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-10
TRUE DEVOTION.
over.

Everybody who went to the Opera
House last evening, and saw the play of
True Devotion" as put upon the stage
by the Forbes Dramatic company, left the
house with the most happy impressions
many of them with the determination to
go again tonight. While all did surpass
Little Idalene" were simply marvellous.
We will not attempt to tell the story as
this excellent company can tell it upon
the stage, but the hope is expressed that
their excellent efforts to entertain will
meet with the fullest encouragement dur
ing the remainder of their stay here.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-10
sAFE-BLowING IN MILAN.

This morning about l o'clock, the safe
was blown open and between $50 and $50
in cash taken. also some valuable papers
The burglars effected their entrance
through q rear door There is an electric
burglar proof alarm in the store but it was
in bad condition and would not work
Both proprietors sleep over the store but
singular to relate neither OF them was
awakened by the shock of the explosion.
The burglars were evidently experts, as
out the combination. No clue to the
depredators.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-10
TWINS,

The Same Old story-Another Girls Down
fall,-A Promise of Marriage Which wa:
Not Redeemed.
The Piow City has, during the past year,
gained an unenviable reputation for the
vast amount of crime committed within
its confines, and it undoubtedly ranks
second to few of its size in the number of
young ladies led astray from the paths of
virtue While in great many cases the
culprit is allowed to go unpublished and
the girl is compelled to bear the blame. to
have the finger of scorn pointed at her on
account of her indiscretion, he who
was the cause of her ruin and downfall is
allowed to go his way, to try his wiles on
other unsuspecting girls. If a severe pun
ishment was melted out to all such of
tenders there would be less debaucherv
and we would not now have to chronicle
another downfall, making no
less than six which have been
brought to public notice within few
months, in one case of which the girl was
foolis6 enough to accept the paltry sum of
a few hundred dollars, as a recompense
for her downfall The last case brought
to our notice is that of a young girl upon
the bluff, a Miss Lizzie Brown BY name,
who recently gave birth to twins. Who
the author of her ruin is we were unable to
learn, as she refused to make known his
name, saying he had promised to marry
her which of course is the old, old story,
"A girls love and trusting nature, and a
scoundrels promise of marriage which he
never intended to redeem, and the girls
future blighted. AL through the trickery of
some young man. Miss Brown led the re-
porter to infer, though, that he was. as
seems usual of late, society young man
Who he is it matters not, if he concludes
to marry the girl, which seems to be inn
pro 1able at present, but if he does not he
should be treated as that which he ia
curse to societv-and should receive the
punishment which he deserves.
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-10

At late hour this afternoon the ARGUS
learns that Mr.. Reticker's majority, for
sheriff, is 248, as officially declared. This
noon some lunatic started the report of
but III" majority, which was caught up
and sown broadcast. On Wednesday the
ARGUS placed his majority at upward of
200, and the result shows with what degree
of judgment.
Sheriff-elect Reticker, here's to ''248, F"
which beats 1929" out of sight ''if the
court knows itself"
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-10
COME AND SEE ME

John Hoyt, wholesale and
IN musical merchandise nora 'eIal d
Steinway, Chickering and p'' a. a. aged
pianos. and john Hoyt organs 'iocCapl
street Davenport, Iowa. 7 lag "5 @
direct from the factory fr "''e reca
those superb Steinway Cl lsI iayo1
McCammon Pianos. Also - a'IIAeillg
OF their superior Taber organs - T., t. M
the market. Also new sioct ''g 81
instruments, all the new patterns VI !
cities Some beautiful Mopdo,''1aa
tremulo music boxes, very large ye' ..i
A large assortment of elegant eI,. aaa
with rich silk embroidered ho o,2,l 81
assure my many old patrons as ', u.',
public at large that I have the I Wi 4
est and best stock in the Nortbwo.,o, va.
prices defy competition. aal
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-10

Marriage licenses for this week to date
Henry Wolmsley and Miss Esther Thoma-
son, Rock Island; Frank Bowker, Port
Byron and Miss Cassia Reece, Rapids City;
George w. Price and Miss Belle Caldwell,
Moline; Charles E. Riley. Kirkville, Ia,
and Miss Estella F. Rowe, Rapids City;
Peter E. Olson and Miss Christine John
son, Moline; Peter A. Alden and Miss
Johanna O4son; William w Wilmerton and
Miss Anna E. Brahme; John johnson and
Miss Emma Colsor; Robert ]. Hutchinson
and Miss Matilda Johnson; Daniel McKin-
ney and Miss Nettie Stewart.