davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07

clump of bushes. Her windpipe was
severed, and her remains bore evidence
of desperate struggle. Of course, va
rious theories, probable and improoa-
BILE, are ahoat, but no direct evidence
concerning the guilty parties, who are
at present at large, are atiOat.
Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and
Miss Susan B. Anthony arrived from
Liverpool on Wednesday. They APP
pear in excellent spirits, and according
to their own opinion are determined to
push forward the cause of woman sui
frage with renewed strength and hope.
Those of your readers who are vet
Grams will be interested in knowing
that a "Veteran's Rights Union" was
organized on Wednesday in the interest
of Grand Army men. The object of the
organization is to protect their rights
guaranteed by section lI5l OF the
United States revised statutes, which
says, that honorably discharged soldiers
shall be preferred for government APP
pointments. They also seek modlfi-
cation in the civil service rules by
which soldier passing on examination
for office at the maximum grade, shall
be preferred before any one else hav-
ing the maximum excellence. General
SIocum has pledged himself to the
movement, which, | think, has strong
claims upon public approval. But
fear it may tend towards becoming
eventually political machine. Herein
lies its chief danger.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07

San Francisco has a Tilden club
which issues an address to the people
of California, ''of whatever religious or
political belief, and of all nationalities,
excepting only the Chinese" 1t is to
be hoped that exempting the washee
men from Tilden talk will greatly
ameliorate their condition.
The prominent churches of all de-
nominations have been more or less
affected by the musical epidemic and
have determined to secure first-class
vocalists, no matter what the cost.
Good tenOrs are now in position to
demand $500 to $4,000 year, while
baritone and bassos come even higher.
IN. Y. Church Journal.
The graves of the Pilgrims who came
to America in the Mayfiower and died
during the first winter after their ar
rival, have been discovered on Coles
hill at Plymouth in the making of i'm
provements there. One was opened
and found to contain the skeleton of a
middle-aged man five feet nine inches
in height. In another grave the skele-
ton of an elderly man was discovered
These are the only graves of the frs
settlers which have been positively
identified. Tablets will be placed t.
mark the exact location.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07
Opening Of Congress-.

The Forty eighth Congress opened
at noon Monday. An immense throng
of people were present. The desks of
many members were loaded down
with flowers. There are a great many
new members in the House. John G..
Carlisle of Kentucky, democrat, was
elected speaker, receiving I9I votes.
The republicans voted for j. w. Keifer
of Ohio to the number of ll2, with two
for Geo. ID. Robinson of Massachusetts.
The election of Carlisle is IA victory
for the revenue reform democrats, over
Speaker Randall of Pennsylvania, who
is a strong man in the party, but pro
tectionist. The result of this contest
in the democratic party-for it has
been IA cOntest-puts the party i'll the
line of progress, the most hopeful sign
we have seen in that party in a long
time.
President Arthur's message was de-
livered on Tuesday and is fairly
spoken of. He opposes postal tele-
graphy-an opposition which will
cause considerable disappointment.
He recommends the reduction of drop
letter postage to one cent. He favOrs
the creation of a commission to govern
Utah urges the passage of legislation
fixing the Presidential succession ;
urges further measures for the protec-
ton of the colOred race and COM
mends civil service reform.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07
An Exciting and Deadly Fight
with Burglars.

A Shelby (O) special gives these de-
tails of fight with burglars there :
Four burglars robbed "a safe at New
Washington Friday night and escaped
on a hand-car to Vernon Junction
where they threw the hand-car into Il
creek and went to Shelby. The au-
thorities telegraphed to have the gang
arrested. Marshal Sutler found the
burglars near hotel and ordered them
to go with him, whereupon they fired
five shots, two of which struck Sutler
in the leg, and one in the side. The
marshal then shot one of the burglars
through the head, killing him instantly.
The Others fled toward the woods fol-
lowed by citizens. When two miles
north of the town, one of the gang
turned and fatally shot John Longacre,
IA Bee Line baggage man. By that
time three hundred men were in pur-
suit of the burglars. Two miles
further on NJ. A. Cunningham captured
Longacre's murderer and took him to
town. Almost the entire population
then turned out, armed with all man
ner of weapons and greatly excited.
One of the burglars found the horse
and buggy of member of the pursuing
party and started away with it. Finding
the buggy an encumbrance, he cut the
harness and attempted to get away on
horseback. EncOuntering Will May,
who was in pursuit, the burglar at the
point of a revolver compelled him to
give up his pistol and exchange horses.
Mays horse proved to be slow, and the
burglar meeting two women in a buggy,
ordered them, with drawn revolver, to
give up their rig. One of the ladies
struck him with a whip, whereupon he
fired at them, but with the only effect
of frightening their horse, which ran
away. The burglar presently met a
boy with team and frightened him so
that he gave up the horses. The bur
glar started the team, but they ran
away and collided with a wagon and
the burglar was thrown out and the
wagon turned over on him. The pur-
suers shortly afterward came up, when
the burglar piteously exclaimed
''Boys, | have a nice mOtherr-and in
stantly he was riddled with bullets.
This occurred thirteen miles from
The body was borne triumph
antly to town. The body of both dead
burglars were exhibited in an under
takers establishment and this increased
the excitment to such an extent that
the one who was in Jail would have
been lynched if the sheriff had not
quietly taken him to Mansfield. 1t is
reported that the last of the four
burglars had been captured at Ply
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07
Our New York "Radix" Letter.
New YORK, Nov. 80, 1888.

NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 1888.
Thanksgiving day was quietly OBJ
served, and the theatres were crowded
both in the afternoon and evening.
Thanks to the large hearted liberality
of the public and private institutions
of the city the poor were amply pro-
vided for, one day, at least. What Il
vast amount of good could be done by
systematic distribution of the crumbs
that daily fall from the rich mems
tables in this second London!
The most noteworthy incident of the
day was the destruction by fire of the
Windsor theatre in the BOwery, which
broke out after the audience had dis
persed. Thanks to the efficiency of the
fire department no lives were lost.
A steady dOwnpOur of rain literally
threw a damper on the proceedings
consequent upon the centennial cele-
bratiOn of Evacuation day. Yet, not
withstanding the deluge, it was re-
markably successful. The influx of
strangers during the week is estimated
at one hundred thousand. Provisions
were supplied to ten thousand military
men, and the citizens donations tow
ards their entertainment Appropriated
towards Sl5, 900. The speeches were
far ahead of the usual "spread eagle"
OratOry, the gem being the magnificent
Grafton of George William Curtis, the
talented Editor of Harper's Weekly, at
the unwilling of Washington's statue
in front of the sub treasury in Wall
street, to mark the site upon which the
first president of the nation took the
oath of office. Apropos of the occa-
sion reminds me that Il patriotic Irish
man insisted upon calling it "Excay-
vayshun day"
"But, why Z" asked his friend,
"Faith then, and didn't the British
dig out o. here a hundred years ago 2"
"An' small blame to EN-" responded
the other, "if it rained then like it does
now"
President Arthur's unconditional
pardon to Sergeant Mason, who shot
at Guiteau while on guard at Washing
ton, has created Il good deal of inter
est, and Mason has temporarily been
promoted to the grade of a second class
hero. A proprietor of IA New York
BOwery museum informed me he had
offered Mason $500 for a three weeks
engagement to appear as curiosity"
To MasOn's credit, be it said, he took
no notice of the proposal.
Over two hundred journalists, mem
beers of the New York Press club, cele-
brated their tenth annual election by
banquet at DelmOnicO's on Tuesday
evening. | cannot begin to tell you
of all the good things that were said
by and about the working reporters of
the New York press, at which the we'll
known English journalist and novelist
of the London Times ably assisted by a
a modest but telling speech. go"
Howard, Jr., of the New York Herald,
evoked rOars of laughter by his fund of
repartee.
regret to again draw attention to
another dreadful murder. Murders
are becoming almost mOnotOnous by
their sad frequency. This time the
scene of the tragedy is laid in Orange.
\. j., and the victim is Miss Phoebe
Paulin, whose horribly mntilated
trunk was found on Tuesday in a
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07
The LacOnia Murders.
THE FIEND CoNFESsEs.

Thomas Samon, who murdered Mrs.
John c. Ford, James Ruddy and Rud
dy's baby at LacOnia, n. H., recently,
has broken down completely and made
a full confession to the sheriff, assum
ing the full responsibility for the
butchery. He says he killed Mrs. Ford
about nine o'clock Saturday morning,
November "a. He had been drinking
heavily the night before. The next
morning Mrs. Ford entered his room
intoxicated and asked if there was any
more beer. He replied in the negative,
and a squabble ensued. He flung her
to the floor and pressed his foot on her
breast. She lived perhaps ten minutes.
He had no intention of killing her.
His first thought was what disposition
to make of the body. He tried to put
it in a box, which proved too small.
He then got a trunk and cut the body
across the knees with an AK, so that it
would fit i'll the trunk. He pulled the
trunk down stairs and got wheel
barrow, his idea being to wheel the
trunk off somewhere and then drown
himself. After starting upon the road
it occurred to him to go to Ruddy's.
He had no intention then of injuring
the Ruddy family. He remained in
the house with Mrs. Ruddy until her
husband came home, and ate supper
with them. At night, after all had re-
tired, Samon became so nervous and
| frightened that he could not sleep, and
got up and walked about the house.
The Ruddy family did not know what
was in the trunk. They got up and
dressed. Mrs. Ruddy made tea about
midnight which he drank. He could
not conceal his feelings, and grew more
nervous every minute Mrs. Rudy
went back to bed and Ruddy sat up
with Samon, who did not intimate tG
Ruddy what the trouble was. SamOn
was all worked up and imagined the
house was surrounded by people. 81
walked about the house," he says, "un-
til about three o'clock, when it occurred
to me | might kill the whole of then
and burn the house. The very mOmen
that thought came to me | struck Rud
dy. | do not suppose he saw me.
killed him instantly. He made NJ
noise more than dropping off the chair
His wife ran out. There was a ligh
on the table When she came i'll til,
) room | grabbed at her, and struck he
with the hatchet. She screamed.
80
; off the bed, but do not remember cut
ting him with the Ratchet. | canno
tell whether | struck the woman after
ward or not. chopped the rope OF
the trunk and turned the body of Mrs
Ford out i'll some way. pulled the bed
clothes around every way and poure,
kerosene over it and set it on fire
Then | ran ont into the street an,
went right over to Ford's but could no
get in. Then l started for Plymouth
| did not hear the fire bells nor did
hear the woman scream. | did no
know the house was not burned unit
Mr.. Jewell told me. | supposed tin
bodies might have been destroyed"
Mrs. Ruddy continues to improve
. She told her physician before Samol
| confessed that she wanted to meet Sa
mon and ask him why he had kiIle,
her husband, and baby. The doctO
said, ''What if he denies it ?" "HI
cannot he cannot" she replied, 1"
saw him strike my husband with
. hatchet.n
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07

her started the horse. She was crushed
by the wheels and killed.
B. d. Harris of Brattleboro has got
$50, 200 verdict in his favor in a rail
road suit at Pittsburg, Pa.
Rev. DR.. johnson of Rutland has de-
clined his call to Connecticut.
There Is a centenarian in BridpOrt-
Mrs. Wright. Her centennial ami
versary was celebrated Dec. |.
The teachers assembled at Water
bury, Monday, to begin school, but, by
the orders of physicians, the schools
were closed on account of diphtheria.
-[Boston papers.
Dogs are making sad havoc with
sheep. In Tunbridge one man recently
had eight killed in a single week. In
StraffOrd two farmers lost forty sheep
| from the same cause.
Ira Mellendy of Fairlee has at last
won Sl2, 600 from the town of Brad
ford for injuries on the highway. The
case has been in court for ten years,
and the costs which the town will pay
are as large as the damages.
Erastus Z. johnson, twenty-five
years old, while hunting at Coventry,
K. l., accidentally discharged the con-
tents of his gun into his body near the
heart and dropped dead.
A fire, Saturday, in the beautiful and
costly Masonic Temple, on Twenty
third street and Sixth avenue, New
York, ruined the upper or Mansard
story, occupied as the "'asylum" o.
the knights Templar. The fine fres-
Goes, etc, are all spOilt, and othel
damage caused, amounting, it is said, t.
100000. Two firemen were yer!
, nearly suffocated, and were restored
with difficulty.
An attempt was made to blow opel
the safe in the store of A. w. Tewks
bury & Sons, West Randolph, Monda.
. night, the Doth. The firm endeavore,
to keep the matter quiet but it ha
now become generally known. TIVE
holes were drilled into the safe ant
; two others started, when the burglar
were evidently frightened away. Ap
pearances indicated that they wer
amateurs at the business.
The discovery was made the othe
. day of another attempt to burn TIL
Pine street schOOlhOuse in Burlington
Matches, dried leaves and paper wa
# found in a corner by one of the teach
: ers. A Waterman was appointed 70
= several nights afterward, and he SUE
ceeded in capturing a man claiming t
he the .janitOr, but on being taken be
:, fore one of the teachers living near b
r he was not recognized as such.
A dwelling house at Braintree wa
4 burned Saturday night. The owne
= Mrs. EnOs Bolton, aged nearly ninet,
e living alone, was unable to escape an
v was burned with the building. Th
q origin of the fire is unknown.
o The sale of rum has nearly ceased q
Middlebury, and so good order has NJ
- prevailed for months. The bushes
# men, becoming Disguised with the Law
20 lessness and drunkenness, entered upC
is a crusade which promises to result
n | a rafOrm
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07
The Southeastern and Ex-GOV.
Hendee.

The Montreal Gazette says that the
trustees of the Southeastern railway
have instructed their attorney, Mr..
O'Halloran, to institute immediate pro
ceedings against Ex-Governor Hendee
of Vermont, the receiver of the St
Adams bank, for SSO0,0OO, represent
ing that amount of bonds of the Mont
real, Portland and Boston railway.
which, the trustees claim, belong to
the Southeastern railway company, and
which were merely deposited with the
bank for safe keeping. The bonds in
question were acquired by the South
eastern company from Mr.. Raymond,
and were placed in the bank at the
suggestion of Hon. Bradley Barlow,
for safe keeping.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07
District Convention ". NJ. C. A.

The meetings were held in the Con-
church at Norwich, Nov.
%, and were conducted by the State
secretary and the Executive committee
of the Y. NJ. C. A.
The convention was called to order
at 10 a. m. by the State secretary, d.
F. Moore. Geo. II. Hale was elected |
secretary of the convention. A prayer
meeting led by Rev. {. A. Walters,
showed the earnestness of all present,
and the purpose of the convention. AS
some of the speakers were not present
the topic appointed for the 1910 SEES
sion was not used. In the afternoon
Prof. Henry Fairbanks led the devo-
tioual exercises. A. b. Hazen was first
to present the topic, personal Bible
study, the best time and method" lie
regarded three ways as most important
in studying the Bible: LIST, Reverent-
w. 2nd, In the Sunday school, and
Bird. In personal work to the develop
ment of all. Prof Fairbanks, in speak
ing upon this subject said, eve
should continually read and feed upon
Gods word and seaOch for something
to carry to Others" J. Il. Quimby
urged that the Bible be studied prayer
fully with teachable hearts ready to
obey. He thought that time the best
when we are alone with our Divine
teacher. Rev. A b. Nichols spoke of
studying in two different ways
"critically and devotionally." Mr.
Moore thought Gods word is read
more than studied; he advised study
ing it by topics or from one reference
to another. The subject was earnestly
considered and made very profitable
A prayer meeting followed in which
earnest prayers were offered for the
manifestation of Gods Spirit.
"Our work for Boys" was introduced
by c. II. Sage "God bless the boys,
was the opening sentence. He remark
ed that great gain is made by simply
taking notice of them and also 10y
=. setting them good example. Others
spoke of the early impressions made
upon their minds and that they ough
to be won for Christ while they arr
boys.
In the evening a half hour prais
meeting, or as the leader, Mr.. Sage, ex
pressed it, "a preliminary Thanksgiv
ing" was held. At 40 p. m, tn
topic "Christian Workers: the call
the character, and the privilege" wa
taken up. II. B. Odds, president q
the Norwich Y. NJ. c. association
spoke of the call as coming from 60
and said that "it ought to he heede
now" He asked in the words
e Christ, to "Pray We Therefore the Lor
= of the harvest that he may send fort
laborers into his harvest" A Christ
s ian workers character should be mold
ed in Christ's-strong in the ''grace I
:, Christ Jesus" willing to ''endul
= hardness" and not he 'easy-goln
g Christians" were thoughts given b
, Mr.. MCDOWELL OF Dartmouth cOlleg
IS Mr.. Aiken of the college presented IL
st privilege of Christian workers in vii
v ming souls for Christ. He spoke of tt
,e ''sowing" which we are always dOir
20 either for good or evil, if good it
l;f, .+n.nol
T. OF N0rwlcE Tor their KIND hOspItalIt
" the convention adjourned. With ii
s, blessing of God the gospel meeting
y held on Saturday and Sunday follow
Is ing were profitable. C. IL. II.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07
TIC. Fletcher & Go.
A N NU AL
CHRISTMAS OPENING.
MONDAY, DEC. 10, 1883.
CAT Christmas play and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once "A year.

We shall display this the largest and finest stock
of HOLIDAY GOODS both useful and ornamental that
have exhibited We have special bargains in every
department. making for the interest of every to visit
Among fancy articles are Plush and Leather Toilet
Sets, Bags, Jewey, Photo and Autograph Albums Caen
dars Pacques Ink Stands Picture Frames Vienna Gilt and
Leather Goods Wall Pockets Broom Cases Mirrors large
variety of
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07

mouth. One of the dead burglars was
about twenty-five years old. He had
1900 on his person. The other was
middle-aged. A satchel was found
containing full set of burglars tools
and quantity of chloroform and dyna
mite. Longacre died last Monday.
Sutler is improving.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07
Accounted For.

Now we know just what caused the
red sunsets last week. Prof. Brooks
of the Red House observatory, n. Y,
"belieyes that either the earth is pass
ing through shower of meteOric dust
or is developed in the tail of a gigan-
tic comet" See here, now, this red
sky is all very pretty. But this earth
can't afford to be fOoling around the
tail of a gigantic comet It's danger
Gus business. 1t entails too much
risk st. Adams Messenger.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07

O'Donnell, the murderer of James
Cary. the Irish informer, has been
found guilty and sentenced to be hung.
The prisoner made frantic EXPLANATIONS
and curses while being hurried out OF
the court room. 1t will be remembered
that O'Donnell assassinated Cary in
the presence of his wife, after long
voyage, just as the boat was about to
land.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07
Holiday Goods Now Arriving.

CHRISTMAS CARDS. The best of all the
best makers. Cards designed especially for Sun.
day Schools. Something new. All at
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07

The Congregationalist offers rare
paper for 1884. Among special con-
trihutors we notice that Rev. DR.. Ran
kin of Washington is to give six papers
on the Bible-tirst, the Bible a fact ;
second, the Bible fact to he account
ed for third, two methods of account
ing for the Bible, etc. These articles
must be of interest and great value.
The Congregationalist also advertlses
twelve story writer's, some of the best
talent in the country-and some fifty
other persons who will contribute one
or more articles, including the leading
Glfsrl a a4Hd AfeSh2gr4 aptRyd Hkff6tfnRs Y6f
umns, and frequently it has seventy
columns of matters. including religious
missionary intelligence, the Sunday
school, the news from the churches, as
well as family reading of the most in
teresting aud useful kind. The paper
is sent through December for examina-
ton for fifteen cents.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07
CARPETS.

We have very choice patterns be seen else
where If you have an idea of buying carpet don't fail
to our stock Elegant Tapestry, Smyrna and Velvet
Rugs Oil Cloths and Hassocks at prices to suit Fancy
Library Lamps Elegant Brass Ones Parlor and Student
Lamps in great variety.
Crockery and Glassware, Fancy China Ware Tea Sets
Cups and Saucers Chamber Sets in Oriental and Antique
styles, Vases, Decorated China Ware, &c.
Remember this special grand sale will take place our
Christmas opening, Monday, December TO- All are cor
daily invited to attend whether wishing to purchase not
believing you will be repaid for your visit Come early
you will not hesitate to buy.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07

CelnlOid Combs and Brushes, Pocket Knives,
Razors, Shears, &c, Wallets Purses, Cigar and
Cases, &c
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07

A school for Indian children is to be
opened in Philadelphia.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07

IL will be some relief to know that
Samon confesses the murder of the
Rmddy family ut Laconia, although
since he did not kill Mrs. Ruddy, there
has been scarcely doubt as to who
the monster was who committed the
horrid deed, us Mrs. Ruddy was suf-
ticiemtly an eye witness. The case of
Samon emphasizes the impression that
is gaining ground, that all tramps and
cranks should he shut up before they
commit some dreadful crime. 1t also
goes without saying, that this butchery
WAS the Immediate result of strong
drink. Mrs. Ford was killed by Sam
on in Il drunken spree, aud he did not
know how to conceal her body and so
conceived the monstrous idea of muir
dering whole family with whom he
was on intimate terms and then burn
ing the house to conceal the quadruple
crime.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07
SOAP.

A full line of Fine Toilet Soaps, White and Mot
tied CASTLE, Hydraulic Pressed Pure Olive Oil
Soap &c.