davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
A BIG FAILURE.
Assignment of the Standard Coal and
Eron Company.

NEW YORK. Dec. 19.-The despatch from Co
lumbus Ohio a nouncing that the Standard Coal
ard Iron Company had made an assignment there,
mas caused many inquiries in this city. According
to Bradstreets reports the Company was incorrora-
ted alb nut eighteen months ago with an authorized
capital Of $22, 100000. Thirty thousand acres of
mineral land in the Hooking Valley were purchased
and SO, 100000 were spent in opening up and
equippng small part of the property. Several
iron companies and furnaces also bought up
and it was evidently the design of the company 10
control the coal and iron production of the Hooking
Valley, by absorbing the various companies there.
W. d. Lee of Newark, Ohio was the original pro-
moter of the enterprise. The officers Of the compa-
nv were samuel Thomas of Columbus, President;
w. ID. Lee, General anager; Oliver Ames. + cas-
nrer; j. Henry Brooks, Secretary; George Chap
man, Assistant Treasurer and Secretary. Among
the directors and largest stockholders we're james
G. Blame Eugene Hale and Gen. j. A. Hall of
Maine, and Gov. Charles Foster of Ohio. There
were alb out 1 800 stockboldel in all.
1t was learned yesterday that the New York cred
itors had taken steps to reoganze the company for
their own benefit, under name. and that
Messrs. d. N. Stanton, job T. Mason, and George
G. Chapman had been chosen trustees of the new
company. Al the office of Mr.. Stanton it was sta
ted that he and others had lent the old company
money and saw no way of getting it lack except
by reorganization. The creditors are to take bonds
in the new company for the amount of their claims
at par, and most of them have done so. The name
of the new company is the Ohio and Western Coal
and Iron Company; the capital stock is fixed at
So, 900, 900, and there are So 500 900 of bonds
All the old stock will be wiped out.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
MADE A MANIAC BY RE
MORSE.
The Peculiar Case of Martha Battles, who
Killed Rival i'm n Fit of JeaIonsy.

Killed a Rival i'm n Fit of JeaIonsy.
CHARLOTTE N. Y. Dec. 1S.-The death is re-
ported here of Martin G. Battles, who has lived
life OF constant terror in insane asylum for
ly fifteen years, He was the son of well-to-do
farmer who lived in this town. and twenty years ago
lived wi h his father. Sarah Lyon, young woman
was member of the family, and young Battles was
in love with her. Cornelius LYNCH the hired man,
was in love with her. and he and Battles frequently
quarrelled about her. After one of tn quarrels
Bat les lay n it for his rival and murIered him.
He was convicted. and, under law which had
Their just been passed. and still untried he
sentenced to be imprisoned in Auburn prison for
the term of one year, and then to be returned TO
Chautauque county and hanged This law his coun-
sci believed unconstitutional, and to TEST and
settle the question he carried the to the Court
of Appeals, which body decided that the law
unconstitutional, and the sentence of Battles WAS
illegal. He was released.
He enlisted in the Union army, and served until
the close Of the war. when he returned home. His
life was wretched. He was hBunted constantly by
against the Court of Appeals for interfering with
the execution CT his sehteuce and said that in en-
listing in the army g was prompted solely by the
hope that he might be killed He had not the cOur-
age to commit suicide, and endeavsred to have his
case reopened in order that he might be tried
again and hanged At last he became q maniac
and he was taken to the Western Asylum, where
for fifteen years he constantly raved over his crine
declaring that his victim present with
him. mocking and iorturing him in many ways. He
said he doomed to live forever, and TO be eter-
nalls puuished by his victim. Before he % his
hair had turned as white as snow, and his appear
was that of man of 10.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
WASHINGTON.
Nominations by the President,


WASHINGTON. Dec 19.-The.President sent the
following nominations to tho Senate today
To be Postmssters-Edwar T. Merrill Farming
ton, Me-; Alfred Il. Jaques, Wilton, n r.; John L.
s Read, Woonsocket R. l.. Thomas j. Tilley East
Greenwich, K. t.; Julius W. Knowlton, Bridgeport,
Conn; Albert c. Green, Greenville, Conn.
The Department of Justice.
The Attorney General has appointed Cecil Clay Of
West Virginia to be chief clerk of the Department
of justice vice James X. Young Of Pennsylvania
resigned. The appointment took effect from today.
Holiday for Letter Carriers.
Representative ,ox of New York has prepared a
hill, which he will present to the House the first
carriers upon equal footing with other employees
of the government. 1t provinces that letter carriers
shall after one years service, be granted annual
thirty days leave of absence, with pay.
Confirmed by the Senate.
Tie Senate in executive session today conf rmed
the following nominations:
Walter Evans, Commissioner of Internal Revenue.
:. Albert O. Wyman, Treasurer Of the United
E. o. Graves. Assistant Treasurer of the United
States.
Richard Gibbs of New York, Minister to Bolivia
The Profeus Inquiry.
The Prot sus court of inquiry began this morn
ing. Capt ain James W. Powell of the Sixth In
fantry was sworn. He was acting chief signal OH
Ger during the several absences of General Hazen.
one occasion including the latter part of May and
the first few days of june, 1888, and during this
time he carried on the work of preparation OF
Lieutenant Garlington's expedition merely in the
line which General Hazen had already sketched,
bus without originating anything himself.
garding the preparation and conduct of the expe-
oition.
Miscellaneous.
The Democratic National Committee will meet
February I'D to select the place and date for the
convention. The impression is that it will go to st.
Louis and be held in June.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
FOREIGN.
Proof .hn. O,Donnem wa. nm Invineible

Proof that O'DonnelI was an Invineible.
LONDON, Dec. 19.-It has been shown that o'Don.
nell on reaching Dartmouth to embark for the
Cape exhibited ticket by the Orient line for Aus
tralia On being informed of his mistake, 0'Don-
nell, who could not read, =as much embarrassed
and after fumbling in his pockets, produced the
proper ticket by the Cape line for Natal. This fact
is Construed in support of the government theory
ODonnel in the service Of the Invincibles. The
impression first prevailed in England that Carey
was to be sent to new South Wales and 1t is sup
posed thai O'Donnell furnished with ticket BY
the Australian line in order TO follow him there but
when it was learned that the .overnment had de-
cided to send the informer, Carey to Natal ticket
was hastily procured for O'Donnell by the Cape
line and he had boil tickets in his possession when
starting on his journey.
American Life Insurance in England.
The Standard remarks that energetic American
life insurance companies are now actually com
peting with home companies for business In Eng
land The American companies, the Standard adds,
must moderate the liberality of their Inducements.
There ae several points Ia their psospsctnssss 70
in preference to the conservative methods based US
on science and experience.
Fears fer ur. Gladstone's Safety.
Mr. Gladstone was escorted by policemen while
attending prayers at church at Hawarden to-day.
skirmishes Between Austrians and Bss-
mans.
BANJALUKA, Bosnia, Dec. 19.-Frequent skir-
mshes have taken place recently between Austrian
troops ard maraud ng bands In this province In
which the Austrians have suffered serious losses.
1t is feared that one company of Austrians has
been surprised and massacrtd.
France and Tonquiu.
PARIS Dec. 10.-It is reported here that the
Chinese forces have been concentrated at Hung
Hoa some 20 miles above Sontay on the Red river
and at Bac Mini.
The National, the France and the Liberte news
papers, all publish rumoIs TO tho effect that Ad-
miral Courbet has occupied Sontay without re-
sstance, the Chinese having evacuated the place
upon seeing the French troops advancing.
Matters in Berlin.
BERLIN, Dec. l9.-The lower house of the Prus-
sian Diet has adjourned until Jan. 8th.
Emperor William and Empress Augusta gave
audience yesterday to Cardinal Van Hohenlohe at
the royal palace.
Foreign Notes.
The funeral of Henri Martin, the historian, took
place in Paris Wednesday. 1t was attended by NJ.
Ferry prime minister and other prominent persons.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
BUTLER'S BUSINESS HABITS.
The Suit Against Him TO Recover
$4,000.

WASHINGTON, Dec 19.-The National Board of
Managers OF the Soldiers Home meet here tomor-
row. Gen M. /. Mcmahon, who is here tonight
gives the following explanation of the suit against
General Butler: 1t has been the object of the man
ayers to keep the inmates of the Homes at work
much possible, in order that they might earn
something for themselves. The Governor of the
Maine branch near Augusta, to carry out this OBJ
ject, established shoe shop. General Butler,
secretary, advanced to the Home $4,000 to pur-
chase the plant for this shop. This advance
loan which tie Governor repaid in instalments,
and Tor which he holds receipts. General Buffers
books contain no record of the repayments and
the books of the Treasury the entire amount of
the Augusta branch. He, however, has established
to everybodys satisfaction that he has repaid the
money. Suit was brought against General Butler
to recover in the United States Court at Boston.
Buffers defence is lack of jurisdiction, He claims
tna sne SUIT noula @ nave osen 1TougnI IN Massa-
ernor of the Home is citizen of Connecticut,
he resides there; hence the suit should be brought
in the I'm ted States Couris. This is General But
lers only defence. We expect to win the suit.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
FINANCIAL.
Other Failures.

NEW YORK, Dec. 10. Schedules in the insolvent
way clothing merchants, were filed today in
court they state their liabilities to be $742, 93
90 nominal assets, S5S4 "a 81, and actual as
S265 377.54.
The firm Of Bomaun & Van Bernuth, importers of
ZEPHYR worsteds and ladies' dress trimmings of
81 Greene street. made an assignment today with
preferences amounting to $74, ,525.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
A Conneciicut Factory Burned.
AN IMPORTANT SUIT.
Will of "a Man who had NO Special Love
for the Roman Catholic Church.

BALTIMORE Dec. 19.-Judge Fisher rendered
his opinion in the Of Taggart executor of the
will of the late Zenas Barnum vs. Frank Barnum
and others and the mayor and city council of Balt
more The bill was nled by the executor for the
construction of the will of Zenas Barnum who be-
queahed his entire estate to Mr. Taggart in trust for
his brother f ank Barnum but provided that upon
his bee )ming priest member of any order
society of the Roman Catholic church the estate
should pass to the mayor aud city council Of Ia til
Frank Barnum having become member of the
order of Jesuts the city claimed the fund for the
purposes declared by the testator but the brothers
and sisters of the tesator claimed that the devise to
the city is void and that therefore the estate be-
ing und sposed Of descends to the heirs and next Of
kin. The decree rendered is in favor Of the mayor
and city council for the McDoDOugh estate.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
Western Nail Manufactories TO shut
Down.

PITTsBURo Dec. 19.-The Western Nail Associa-
tion met this morning and after session lasting
till 2 O'Clock this afternoon decided to close down
for a period OF six weeks from December 29Lh till
February L tn The meeting of the largest
ever he d. every mill in the west being represented.
The stoppage for ths purpose of restricting pro-
duction. Stocks are light AID i'll assorted bnt
trade is reported to be fair The card remains
unchanged.
The stoppage will throw out of employment sew
eral thousand men, who have already lest nearly
four months this year by similar suspension.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20

JOLIET, Ill., Dec. 19.-Geo. Fii1sture ageu s5
years, a boarder of the Auburn House, entered the
room of the head cook, Jane Haycock last night.
He bound her head to prevent her screaming and
then outraged h, T. When Ee started to leave the
room the woman gave an alarm when Fillsiune re-
wss arrested while his hands were still covered with
the blood of his victim He afterward confessed tho
deed and deelsrded that he was intoxicated at the
time. The woman is unconscious and will probably
die. Her assailent was taken to jail amid threats
of lynching.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20

The foregoing named gentlemen, with the excep-
tion of Stephen j. Young, L. Strickland and Jonas
H. French, were declared elected.
Abner Coburn, Darius Alden and F. W. Hill, al
though opposed to the lease cast ther 5000 shares
in favor of ths ticket presented by the Eastern.
Adjourned.
The new board of Maine Central directors will
meet in Portland Wednesday, the 26th inst, for
organization. 1t is conceded that Geo. E. B.
jackson and Payson Tucker will be reelected presi
dent and gener manager respectively.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Pa,rons of EIusbandrr.

MANCHESTER, Dec. 19.-The state Grange Pat
rons of Husbandry elected the following officers
this forenoon: Master VIM. H. Stinson OF Dunbar
ton; Overseer, Chas, Mcdaniel OF West Springfield;
Secretary John d. Lyman of Exeter; Steward
Frank NJ. Weld, of Cornish; Assistant Steward,
Geo. c. Paitee of Gotfstown; Chaplain. Geo. l.,
Dascomb of Wilton; Treasurer, Edw. Osgood OF
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
The Passenger Rate War.

NEW YORK, Dec 10. Commissioner Pearson
today said that there would be no further reduc-
tion in passenger rates and that there nothing
new in the situation Ticket brokers say that they
are prepai ed to underse the reduc ions of yester-
day fro 81 to S5 each ticket, and will be able
to meet any future reductions
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
E.cnpe mith over s2. .00O.

Hishwaynacn Escape with Over S27 200.
CHICAGO, Dec. l9--A despatch from Huntington
Baker county, Oregon, reports a number of high
way robbegies at that place. by gang of seven men,
At the point of the pistol they robbed merchant
named j. Tyler of cash and ats to the amount of
$4,000 The paymaster OF the railroad construc-
tion company was robbed of $12 900. Other per-
$500 to $780, AS there is conslabulary force in
the county it is thought that the highwaymen will
escape with their booty.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
Suicide of nPa.,,nas,er. n

BATEsvILLB, Ark, Dec. 49,. W. j. Pearson,
postmaster, s found dead in his room in the Ho-
tel Barnum, st. LOUIS, Monnay night. 1t was sup
posed that he committed suicide The post office
authorities there say that he was some $4,000 short
in his acc uuts, and that his whereabouts had not
been known for week prior to finding him dead in
ST. Louis.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
Cnp,ain coraon Founa Guil,,.

JERSEY CITY. N. j.. Dec. 19-Last evening, the
jury rendered verdict of guilty in Of Captain
Gordon, trial for the abduction and betrayal Of
Adde Bresnan, 13 years old. the daughter OF
Patrick Bresnan of Astoria. The sentence win be
pronounced ON Friday. Under the laws Of New
Jerse, the penalty for his offence is the fine Of
$1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding twelve
wars or hofh
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
RAILWAY MATTERS.
The yermont Central Receiver.hip,

ST. ALBANs, Dec. 19-Refore Chancellor Royce
to-day the petition for dismissal of the Langdon
suits and discharge of the receivership of the Ver
mont Central and Vermont and Canada roads was
postponed to January 18th. B. F. Fifeld for the
Central Vermont asked tor an order of court con-
irming the mortgage given by the new consolidated
railway company to the amount of 81 100000.
Decision was reserved.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20

BALTIMORE, Dec. 19.-Col Elijah Stansbury, for
many years prominent member of the Asso ,ia-
lion of Old Deenuers, ded at his home in this city
this morning. He was born in Baltimore county in
May, 1891. At the age of 81 he volunteered in
the war of 1872 and was enrolled in the Baltimore
Union Artillery and took part the defence of
baltimore in 1914.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
st. Louis Wants the Democratic Conven-
fi0u

ST. LOUIS Dec ia number of prominent cit
ize' held meeting last night and took preimina-
ry steps obtain the next Democratic national con-
vention in that city. The chairman was authorized
TO appoint executive committee of thirteen to
have chat g. of tiers aud another meeting was
ordered for next Friday.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
Tern Iimh from Limh.

PITTsBURG, Dec. 19.-,Iames Weaver aged so,
employed in Hussey, Howe q Co.'s steel works, was
caught in the betting of the engine this morning and
torn limb from limb, portions of his body being
scattered distance of hundred feet.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
THE PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
Published every day Sundays excepted by the
PORTLAND PUBLISHING COMPANY,
AT 81 EXCHANGE ST.. PORTLAND, Me.
WEATHER INDICATIONS

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.
The indications to-day are: For New England,
colder clearing weather northerly winds, backing
to westerly higher barometer.
Cautionary signals from Hatteras to Eastport
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
Cxelon. CoIernAs,

FORT COLLINS, Col, Dec 19.-There was great
destruction by cyclone here yesterday. The
houses in the city were blown down and many per-
sons injured, two fatally. The damage to farm
houses is also very great.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
FIRES.
BaI,imore warehouses burned.

BALTIMORE, Dec. 19.-A FIRE broke out this
morning in three warehouses of the Baltimore
Warehouse Company on Union Dock. The entire
fire department was called out About two thou
sand bales of cotton were in the buildings, much OF
which was badly damaged and great deal de-
strsyed Shor ly after IL O'Clock the fire got
under control, warehouse No. 1 being completely
burned and also the third stories of warehouses
numbers 2 and g. The south wall and gable end of
warehouse No. fell severely ipjuring two truck
men.
A later dispatch says the fire is now under con-
troll. The losses cannot be defnately ascertained,
but it is thought wi iaggregate $4,000 All the
warehouses were filed with cotton, canned goods
and tin plate.
A Connecticut Factory Burned.
CHESHIRE Conn Dec. 19.--Peck Stowe g. Will
coxs edge tool factory, burned early this morn
ing. The cause of the fire is unknown. Loss from
$40, 900 to $4,000. Fifty to sixty men are thrown
out of employment. The building is partially in
sured.
second dispatch says the loss is $50 900; insnr-
ance SIS, 500 The cause was the explosion of
watchman's lamp.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
BowDoINHAM.


AT preliminary meeting held Thursday evening,
Dec 49, the proposed Kennebec Lodge of Knights
of Pythas elected the following officers: George W.
Thompson, Past Chancellor j. l.. Browne, Chancel-
lor mmander; j. Il. Cornish Vice Chancellor;
Lewis NJ Fulton, Prelate; George F. Blake, Keeper
of Records and Seals; Charles E. Purlngton, Master
Charles F. Staples, Master-at-Arms; Charles E. d.
Elliot. Inside Guard; Edward S. McKeeman, Out
side Guard; Benz. L. Higgins, John P; Rideaut,
Charles E. Purington, Trustees. The lodge will be
instituted night this month and bids fair to be
one of the working lodges in the State.
BIDDEFoRD.
Andrew j. Small. proprietor of the Biddeford
Daily Times, is spending few days in Boston.
City Marshal Harmon and other Democrats have
been making very active canvass of Biddeford,
and rumor says they have found the soreheads dis
agreeably numerous.
CANTON.
Lemuel Andrews house and contents at Canton,
were destroyed by fire Sunday. The family were
away from home at the time A total loss of every
thing, including hay and grain.
HARMONY.
An attempt was made steal the horse of Silas
Raymonl last Friday night. A son of Mr.. Raymond
ing the horse out of the stable, and when the boy
spoke the thief took to his heels He could not be
identified but it is thought he is the one who stole
Kew. Mr.. Turner's horse in the fall.
HoULToN.
VIM. Lucy, the Oldest inhabitant of Houlton. is
The Catholsh parish of Oldtown and Orono has
been divided Dy direction of the Rt. Rev. James
Healy, Bishop of Portland. Rev. Far her Haymak-
err for several years assistant Rev Father Trude
has been appointed pastor of the newly formed
parish. Rev. Father Trudel, who retres from the
pastorate of the Catholic church of Orono will
main at the head of the Oldtown parish. The new
church when completed will be 40 by 100, with a
basement 40 by Az and 10 feet high.
OLD ORCHARD.
The Methodist Episcopal church here will give a
of lectures the proceeds to be applied to a
reduction of the church debt. The first lecture will
be given by Rev. j. j. Hall. The other lectures
wi be delivered by Hon A. A. Strout OF Portland;
subject, Aaron Burr; Rev. d. w. Lei aeheur of
Portland subject. Courtship and Mar iage. Rev. j.
j. Hall of Auburn; subject, London and Life there
Rev. E. I. Adams of Biddeford; subject, Luck VS..
Pluck. j. M. Lowden of Portland; subject. Success
or Failure. Rev. w. III. H. McAllster of OLD Or
chard; subiect,Iths Problem of Human Develop
ment.
wATERvILLE.
The dedication of the classical institute build
ing at Wateryiile will in connection with the
commencement at Colby University next July.
Rev. S. l.. Caldwell, d. D., class of 1886 of Colby
now President of Vsssar College, will deliver the
principal oration. The building however will be
ready for use about the first of March.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
INDUSTRIAL MATTERS.

he House then at o'clock adjourned.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20

Governor Bourne of Rhode Island has offered
$1,000 reward for the apprehension of the murderer
of Francis j. Parmenter.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20
RAILROAD MATTERS.



At special meeting in Chicago, OF represen-
tatives of the Grand Trunk junction road and
the Chicago and Grand Trunk road, it was
agreed to acquire additional facilities in that
city through the Western Indiana road, be-
sides such additional property as may be re-
quired. All property of the former company
will be leased to the latter, including
the formers interest in the new depot The
new facilities and properties will be paid for
by means of a new mortgage OF S4, 900, 900 which
Is to cover and include all outstanding obligs-
tions. For property acquired from the juno
tiop Company, the Chicago and Grand Trunk
road will pay on basis OF per cent Der an
mum.
The jacques Cartier Road.
The JACQUES Cartier Railway Of Canada,
which was formally opened on Saturday. is
only six and half miles long, and connects
the Grand Trunk with the Canadian Pacific
near Ssult su Recollect, the only stopping
place being St. Laurent, where. a temporary
station has been fitted up. A permanent one
will be erected early next year.
The Portland daily press., 1883-12-20

An attempt was made 10 steal the horse of Silas
Raymond last Friday night. A son of Mr.. Raymond
happe ned to go the door just the thief lead
ing the horse out of the stable, and when the boy
spoke the thief took to his heels He could not be
identified but it is thought he is the one who stole
ON Mr. Ertrrao rso ltarca I'm fall