davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17
The Speculation Bill.

As was stated yesterday, bill hes
been introduced in the Legislature for
the purpose of prohibiting what is call
ed in general terms speculations in fu-
lures, and speculation in margins.
Following is the text of that bilI
An act to prohibit the making of fagree-
ments or contracts to sell for delivery
at future time, stocks, bonds, securi-
ties, grain, food, provisions, cotton,
sugar, oil, or any other article of mer-
chandise, and to provide for the recov
cry of money paid on such agreements
or contracts.
SECTION l. Be it enacted, &c,
That from and after tie passage OF
this act all agreements or contracts to
sell for delivery at future time any
stocks, bonds, or other Sc curities, or
any grain, food provisions, cotton su-
gar, oil or any other article of mer-
chandise by any person who is not at
the time of entering into such agree
ment or contract to sell, the owner,
assignee or trustee of the property
sold or agreed or contracted to be sold,
or the authori zed agent of such owner,
assignee or trustee, shall be absolutely
null and void
SEC 2. That all money paid upon
agreements or contracts, as ire speci-
fed in the first section of this act,
whether it be payment in full or par
tial payment or margin, shall be re-
coverable from the person TO whom it
is paid by the party paying the same
as like amounts are now recoverable
at law, provided suit be brought to re :
cover the same within six months from
the time of paying said money
With some amendment this bill will
probably, if it became u law, accom-
plish all that can be accomplished in
the direction of prohibiting gambling
with stocks, grain, oil, and SO forth.
One amendment that ought to be made
Is TO impose Il severe penalty for the
PRONUNCIATION of deceptive news intend
ed to affect the market of any of the
articles employed in illegitimate spec
ulation. If this deception can be pro-
hibited, one of the fine arts of the gam
bier in margins or futures will proba-
bly, be lost.
1t is doubtful, however, if this or
any law that can be framed, will pro-
hibir such injurious speculation. All
laws against maintaining places for
gambling are partially imperative.
But that such law would be severe
blow to illegitimate speculation can
hardly be doubted. Though it might
be evaded in some measure, specula-
tors who respect themselves, but
who have engaged in the business be-
cause it was made respectable by the
wealth of Wall street, would doubtless
seek other occupation, rather than con-
tinue in calling which was under the
condemnation of the law, even if the
law cannot be made TO apply to it in
its most delicate distinctions from leg
itimate trade. The passage of such
law would also assist to render such
speculation odious to society, and thus
tend TO induce those engaging in it TO
seek new avenues for the exercise of
their genius for money getting.-PHs-
burgh Dispatch, Jan. H.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17
THE "BOOM" HAS COME.

There is now every reason to be-
lieve our oil "boom" has come to But
ler "to stay" The late news from
Bald Ridge is Of the most encouraging
character. The new well on the Dodds
farm started off last Thursday at the
rate of 600 barrels and which, since
then, continues to flow at the rate Of
300 per day. Being struck at night
most of the first oil went to loss for
want Of tankage Phillips Bros well
on Wallace farm also turns out good
one. The C. A. Sullivan well, near
the Dodds one, isexpected in this week
with every indication of being good
one. Everything looks favorable for
Bald Ridge yet coming out first class
territory.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17
An Anle-NupliaI Contract.

The Supreme Court last week, in
the matter Of the appeal of Ephraim
Ludwig, an bcir.at-law Of Abram Lud-
wig, late of West Salem township, re.
vcrsed the decree of the Orphans
Court Of this county, The facts in the
case, briefly presented, are as follows: I:
In 1861 Abram Ludwig, fllty-seven
years old, widowcr with eleven adult
children, and possessed Of property 10
the value Of about $4,000, proposed
marriage to Mrs Eva Rckert desti-
tute widow sixty-thrce years old De-
string to secure his property TO his
children whose labor had assisted him
in obtaining the same, Mr.. Ludwig,
threo days before their marriage, enter.
cd into II written contract with Mrs
Rickcrt, by which she relGquished, re-
missed and qut-claimed all her right Of
dover in his estate in case she survived
him, he agreeing to provide for her q
comfortable maintenance and support
during life, and decent Christian
burial Mt her death
They were married and lived happily
together until the death Of Mr. Ludwig
in 1891. The value Of his estate Mt his
death. wos neatly 100000. A short
time after her husbands death Mrs.
Ludwig refused to accept the provisions
Of the ante-nuptinl contract aud claimed
her dover under the intcstato laws.
Appraisers were appointed and proper
iy TO the amount Of $500 set apart for
her Mr. Ludwig's heirs filed cxccp-
tons, setting forth the marriage con
tract as bar to such proceedings, but
the Court overrulod tho exceptions
Al appeal was takon to the Supreme
Court which, as stated rcversod tho
decision of our Court and, affirmed the
validity Of the contract Mercer Dts,
Jdfch ,JdU -
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17
To the Pastors Of All Churches
in Butler County.

We. the undersigned, pastors of the churches
indicated below. scad greetings IN the name of
our common | ord and common cause, We de.
sire TO call your attention 10 the following i'm.
portant facts The Legislature of this Com.
mOnwealth, now in session, will he asked 10 al
low the pe0pie to vote on the adoption of n
constitutional amendment prohibiting the man
uiacture and sale of all Intoxicating liquor
TO be used rs a beverage. That our legislators
may know the will Of their constituents on
this matter, petitions should he signed and pre-
sented to them requesting the passage of the
bill authorizing aud directing the question
to be submitted to vote OF the people. As
we propose to that congregations are
urged TO sign these petitions we request you
TO do the same in whatever way you may
deem best. There are two kinds of petitions,
first, those TO be signed by voters only see nd
those to be signed by women aud minors II
titions, write to either Of us and we will see
that you get them. You will greatly aid this
important cause if you will attend to this I'M.
mcdiatcy, and send in the petitions as soon
possible I'VE sign ourselves your co workers.
HOMER J. SMITH,
Pastor Methodist Episcopal Church
II. G.. FERGUSON,
Pastor United Presbyterian Church;
w. T.. OIIEn,
Pastor Presbyterian Church
w. II. MCKINNEY
Pastor Baptist Church;
j. q. WATERS.
Pastor English Lutheran Church:
+. +. STAuFFER
Pastor Reformed Church.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17

ing over, clear of the ladder, while the
brave man held her by one of her
ankles. The crowd below held their
breath in suspense, expecting every
moment to see the ladder turn over or
break beneath the terrible strain. The
man, however, was equal to the emer-
gency, aud by herculean effort pulled
her up on the slender bridge and finally
placed her out of dan ger, while the
crowd, which had endured the most
painful suspense for fully ten minutes,
burst forth with round after round of
che ers.
The dead and portion of the wound
ed were conveyed in the first instance
to the American Express Office, while
the wounded were cared for at the
kirkly House and stores on East
Water street.
IN THE MORGUE.
The Morgue, to which the bodies
were conveyed, presented a hideous
sight Two small biers were soon
filed with bodies, tightly packed, and
then bodies of girls, women and men
were laid promiscuously on the stone
flags, almost in a heap, as the patrol
/ brought in the bodies three or four at a
time Thirty-two bodies were soon in
a ghastly heap on the floor of small
room 1t was heartrending beyond
human power of description. A strong
police force was necessary 20 keep
anxious inquirers in line. Nineteen
bodies have been Unidentified and eight
bodies are b.yond recognition
NIGHT SCENES AT THE RUINS.
At this hour (nine P NJ engines are
still playing on smoking ruins and an
immense crowd of people linger in a
driving snow storm, mingled with
| fumes of fire and sickening smell that
comes from burning bodies of the un-
fortunate dead not yet taken from the
ruins. Relatives of the lost are rush
ing about the ruins anxiously inquiring
for the missing, and the agonizing
shrieks of mourners are heard in all
directions. In spite of the efforts of
police to keep them away, people
with lanterns insist on cropping amid
the ruins, whose remaining walls may
fall at any moment, looking for bodies.
The scenes here have beggar-d dcscrip-
tion all day, and awful solemnity in
creased with deepening Of night. Every
minute intensilies the horror Of tho
drama-death The actual number
dead and missing is now ifty, aud it
is believed the list will be swelcd to
seventy or eighty when the ruins are
cooled, so that search may be made.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17
After the Standard Monopoly.

The bill providing for the appoint
ment Of an Official oil gaugcr, introduc-
ed at Harrisburg yesterday, is another
step in the direction Of putting check
upon the operations Of the gigantic
Standard monopoly. Whether good
will result If the bill pass, depends up
on the boresty Of the official who
would be appointed. II dishonest
person were selected the bill would
operate against the producers and the
public. for the State gauger would in
reality become the Standard gauger,
and his reports would all be in the in
terests Of the Standard.
The Standard monopoly is not accus-
toned to permit any opposition that
money can buy over TO It's support or
to silence. 1t has practically crushed
out all opposition among the reGners.
1t controls the pipe lines. and produc-
crs cannot get their oil to market ex-
cept by the magnanimity Of the monop-
oily and by paying it royalty. 1t
has bought up the older newspapers Of
the oil country, IA appears from n
special telegram from Oil City this
morning, which quotes nh article from
that spicy little anti-Standard daily,
the Bltzzard This bas been known
TO many for some time, but the state.
ment has not been given plainly TO the
public before.
II may be thought, probably. that
Mr. Rockefeller, Mr.. Flagler aud other
gentlemen Of the Standard monopoly,
have tho right TO acquire all the power
they can, legally, by the uso Of money
and business cunning. Waving this
question Of personal right, it will, Of
course, be recognized, on the other
bnnd, that it is the business Of the
State to give equal protection to every
one Of it5 citizens. This it has failed
to do, or The Standard would never
have been ablO to practically crush out
all rivalry aud to manipulate the spec.
ulative market TO suit itself The leg
i5lnturc, with ts-anti-speculation bills
its gaugcr bills and its anti.discrimina
ti0n bills, appears 10 be bent upon
wreslle with the grcnt monopoly. A
contest between the Slandard OIL
and the Legislature Of Penn
sylvania will have many interesting
phases, aud tho public nt large will
watch anxiously 10 see which IL the
gcr.-PatSburgh Dtspatch, Jun.
u.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17
MARRIED.

McCI CIELLAN-M0RRI5. January 9. 1888,
by Rev Samuel Kerr, Mr.. John Mcclellan, of
Yenanso county, and Miss Nancy j. Morris,
OF Butler county.
STARR BES TER Dec. IL, 1852, By Rev. J.
IL. Marshall. Mr. Perry Nj. Starr. OF Hooker,
Pa. and Miss 5, II. Bcster. OF Greece city, Pa
DUFF-ROBB- On Jan. 10. 1888 by the sar
Mr.. ID. h. Duff Of bloomfield. Ohio, and
Miss Anna Leah liobb OF oakland, Pa
COCHRAN CT Nj ERLAND-0n January IL.
1854, by the ssne, Mr.. Amos Cochran and
Miss Mahala \. Cumberland. both OF Hooker,
Pa.
McCASLIN-PATTON- January II. 1885,
by the same Mr.. d. H. McCaslin OF Glade
Mills, and Miss Mary Patton, of Hooker.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17
A Terrible Fight.
Mercer Press

Mercer Pressl
Some weeks since Mr. Eli B. George,
of delaware township, made a very
narrow escape from most horrible
death. For some time he had been
keeping a two year bull which he was
fattening for the market, in a log
barn.
II was his custom to feed the ami
NAL, and although it was very cross,
yet as he always carried short stick
with him W hen in the barn he never
felt afraid of any injury. One morn
ing just after he had entered the barn,
the bull appeared to be UNUSUALLY y cross,
and came towards Mr.. George below
ing and acting in very savage man
ner. Mr. George was unable to get
ont of the barn. but proceeded to de-
fend himself with the stick he was
armed with He succeeded in keeping
the animal away from him for short
time, but the stick having broken, it
made savage attack upon him. Mr..
George caught 1t by the horns, and
was tossed up some distance in the air.
He came down, and in an instant the
bull was upon him and attempting to
gore him, but he again caught
it by the horns and was again tossed
up into the air Thus the battle wa
ged forever half an hour, the animal
endcavoring to gore Mr.. George to
death and he trying to save himself.
AT last he was tossed near the door
Of the barn, and making a final strug-
gle, be succeeded in getting out Of the
building and closing the door. There
he remained until assistance arrived
and he was carried to his house bad
ly used up man. An examination
showed he had only received some
very severe bruises. His escape from
most horrible death is indeed mrac-
ulOug
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17
Half a Million Stolen.

Marshall r. Polk, State Treasurer Of
Tennessee, has been absent from his
post for three days A committee Of
the Legislature on investigating the
affairs of his Office, reported to the
House that they believed that there
was II defalcation Of $500 900 in his ac-
counts The House thereupon ordered
that the business Of the Treasury De-
partment should be suspended, and that
the payment on all checks signed by
the Treasurer should be stopped. The
committee continued its Investigation,
and at late hour Friday night several
dis;rep ancics had. been discovered
One Of the committee stated that the
dcfalcation would exceed $500 600
Treasurer Polk's bonds are for $780,
600, aud it is said that his bond4men
are not secured IL is believed that
the Treasurer is in Texas. Some of
the largest holders Of the bonds in New
York were greatly surprised II was
suggested that Mr.. Polk in using the
money might haye acted for ring, in
cluding possibly some Of the other
State officers 1t is generally believed
he used the money in Wall Street spec.
ulations.
Polk's high social position and his
heretofore unblemished reputation
caused the announcement Of his dis
grace TO send thrill Of excitement
through the whole city. The vener-
able widow Of James X. Polk, feels
kcenly the blow, especially slooe the
Legislature, while scaling other bonds,
has decided to pay hers in full The
affairs Of Pok's Office have been loosely
administered, he having served two
years without renewing his bend,
which had expired. Suspicion points
strongly to other prominent mop oing
implicated, and It is believed that
$l,000.0O0 will not cover the deficit.
In u private drawer Of Polk's desk were
found notes signed by two leading
politicians, one for $50, 900 and the
other for $s5, 900.
Treasurer Polk is Gfty-onc ycar5 old,
"A graduate Of West Point, aud served
four years on the frontier He was
captain Of artillery in the Confederate
army, In Cheatham'5 division Ho
lost n leg Mt the battle Of Shiloh. He
afterwards served on the staff Of Gen.
cral Lconidas Polk, TO whom he was
related. After the war he resided on
farm near Bolivar, Tennessee until
elected Treasurer sis years ago He
was n nephew Of the late President
Polk He has large faulty and 90.
cupiod high social position in this
city and in the State.
A year ago, in view Of the cxtraordi.
nary large amount Of money on hand,
an cllort was mado ia increase the
Trcasurcr'4 bond The hill passed the
House, but while pending IN tho ,3enatc
the clerks desk was broken open and
this bill was stolen and was never
found. As the Legislature was then
on tic eve Of adjournment for the
session this killed the bill. Who stole
the bill has never hecn ascertaiucd, It
was then Suspected that aniirs wcro
not 2'raIght, bat the friends Of Treas.
nrer Polk succeeded Ia having killed n
legislative resolution providing for m
Investigation into the affairs Of his
Office.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17
The Bad and Worthless

are never initiated or counterfeited
This is especially true of a family
medicine, and it is positive proof that
the remedy initiated is of the highest
value. AS soon as it had beer tested
and proved by the whole~~worId that
Hop Bitters was the urest, best and
most valuable family medicine on
earth, many limitations sprung up and
began to steal the notices i'm which the
press and the people of the country
had expressed the merits of III. b., and
in every way trying TO induce suffer
invalids to use their stuff inst, ,ad, ex-
pecting to make money on the credit
of II. b, with variously devised
names in which the word Hop" or
"Hops" were used in way TO induce
people TO believe that they were the
same as II Bitters All such pre-
tended remedies or cures, no matter
what their style Of name is, and es-
pecially those with the word Hop" or
'llops" in their name, or in any way
connected with them or their name,
are limitations or counterieits. Be-
ware of them: Touch none of them.
Use nothing but genuine Hop Bitters,
with bunch or cluster of green Hops
on the white label. Trust nothing
else. Druggists and dealers are warn
ed against dealing in Imitation or coun-
tericts
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17


am pastor of the Baptist Church
here, ard an educated physician. l
am not in practice, but am my sole
family physician, and adyise in many
chronic cases. Over year ago | re-
commended your Hop Bitters to my
invalid wife. who has been under med
ical treatment of Albany's best phys
icians several years. She has become
Thoroughly cured of her various COM
plicated diseases by their use. We
both recommend them to cur friends,
many of whom have also been cured
of their various ailments by them.
REV. Il. Il WARREN
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17

SENATOR CAMERON got off the
"great effort Of his life" last week in
the Senate 1t is the only speech he
has made this session. Senator CoDger,
of Michigan, closed bis speech, in which
he opposed the restoration Of FItz John
Porter to the army by saying that the
bill might pass the Senate now, but it
would not pass the House, either in
this Congress or the next, because, al
though the political friends Of Porter
might have large majority in the
next House, the members would have
heard from the people in the meantime,
and members of Congress were some
times afraid to meet their constituents
when they had done some unpopular
thing. Senator Cameron hustled up
and added: land dcmagogues always
are." How proud the Senator's friends
must feel Of his great speech, and how
courteous, digniiied, and Senatorial it
was, to oe sure. BY the way, be is
voting regularly with the Democrats
TO restore Porter to the army. Sup
pose it was Senator Mitchell who was
doing this, and Cameron was voting
against it, how the postoilicc and reve
nue. collector and soldiers orphan school
organs would howl. But they are as
silent az the grave, now.-CramIord
Journal
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17
kiIverxgnr n rn.

Under this head come all those mr.
ticles 30 necessary TO every well regu
lated household, and 80 ornamental to
the home table. We have an elegant
and varied assortment of Knives,
Forks, Spoons, Sugar-bowls, Crcnmers.
Butter-dishes, Syrup-pitcbers, Salyers,
etc. If you wish anything special and
do not see it in our stock, inform Gs
and we will obtain IL for you and be
pleased TO render the service.
u GRIgB.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17

Gov. HoYT, who retired from Office
Yesterday, during bis term Of four years
signed % death warrants and granted
1853 pardons. Gov. Hartranft, during
his six preceding years as Governor,
signed Al death warrants and granted
$50 pardons.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17

FRoM last weeks Eagle It might be
inferred that It's editor, Mr.. Thomas
Robinson, has access to or information
Of correspondence passing through the
post Office here. This is the second
instance In which II could be inferred
he bad knowledge Of correspondence
sent from the CITIZEN Office. There
is nothing regarded as more sacred
than correspondence through the mails.
That community is In very unpIeas-
ant condition which has reason 10 fear
there isincompetent or careless manage.
ment Of their post Office matter A
post Office, from It's nature, as well IA
under and by the law, Is the medium or
much that IL strictly OF a confidential
character, and no one has ever been
deemed sproper person to control such
once whose character for honesty and
prudence was not above su u.picion.
Ofall positions the post ofIic, Is the
one 10 which there must be carefulpeas
and certainty In the service. That there
are frequent complaints made by per-
sons receiving their mail at the post
ofiice here ID certainly not news to
many Of our people.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17

THERE was but one application made
1t this term of the Greene county court
for license 10 retail liquors and it was
promptly refused. Greene county has
not had q licensed hoCse within her
limits for six years.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17
The Legislature.

Several important bills have already
been introduced in the Legislature:
One to prevent the sale of liquors
on days of primary elections.
One to check up the Standard Oil
Company, by the appointment Of a
gauger to ascertain if they always
have the amount of oil ON hand that
they profess to have, etc.
One to make accepted orders for oil
negotiable.
One to prevent and punish all assess
ments in this State for political pur-
poses.
A member has introduced an Appor-
tionment bill, which places our county
with Mercer and Venango counties
for the next Congressional district.
Another proposition on this subject
Joins this county with the northwest
part of Allegheny county and Beaver
and Lawrence counties.
Senator McCracken, of Lawrence
county, is at the bead Of the Committee
on Congressional and Legislative appor-
tionment of the State, and Senator
Greer, of this county, is at the head OF
the judiciary apportionment commit
tee.
Senator Davies, late defeated candi-
date for Lieutenant Governor, when
he moved to elect q whole lot Of minor
officers for the Senate, evidently disre-
garded the popular belief that there
are many useless Offices in that body.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17

NELSON P Dryden, Esq, formerly
of Franklin, Venango county, died In
San Francisco, California. on Christ
mas day last. He had relations here
who regret to learn of his early death
ut his new home.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-01-17

IT looks very much as if that Mercer
county Poor House story, started by q
correspondent of q Charleston, South
Carolina paper, was intended as joke
upon Mr.. Miller, our amiable member
of Congress from this district.