davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03
The COMEDY OF THE GOLDEN SPIKE

The COMEDY OF THE GOLDEN SPIKE
When the last rail was dropped the crowd
closed in round it. pushing and surgine
about in the anxiety of each one to be
nearest the golden spike" President
Willard had arranged to have his family
witness the triumph of his recent endeav
ors, Mrs. Willard and the baby, Henry
Willard. Jr., who is about three months
old, being the only ones of the dignitares
whom the crowd forebore to press upon
The child was held above the heads of the
men, and was heartily cheered as the
Youngest spectator witnessing the compile
ton of the great railroad. There was in
fact no spike of gold. either in miniature
Or full size. Mr.. Willard undertook to
say something, when the crowd set up a
yell for the "golden spike" He then held
up an iron spike, whereupon the crowd
chafed him. demanding still sight of the
suppostious gold. When the president
could be heard. he announced that his
company had no golden spike nor any
silver hammer. He had. instead, an iron
spike-the identical first ona that was
driven in the construction of The Northern
Pacific railroad. 1t was driven years ago,
when the enterprise was started by II. V.
Davis. who was present on this occasion
Of completing the work, and he desired
now to unite the extremilies of the under
nking by having Mr. Davis strike the first
blow on the last spike. The gentleman,
who, reginning rs The foreman of a tack
gang as long ago Ms he first rail was laid.
IS now assistant passenger agent in the
general Office at S. Paul, took the cere.
nonla) hammer. and with blow Set the
historical spike in the sleeper. Blow,
we're then delivered npon 1t by unprofes-
,ioral track lay ers, in the following order:
President Henry Willard. FIX President
Frederick Billings, Mrs. Henry Willard,
Mayor Harrison of Chicago, Mrs Freler-
'ck Billings, William NJ Evarts, Carl
Schurz, General Grant. Who further
punished the spike. history may never
accurately record. Mr.. Willard assisted
his little child to touch the handle of the
hammer AS the Utmost his youngest child
;ould do toward building the road. The
'quabble for place prevented any one from
accurately keeping track of subsequent
proceedings over the spike, even if they
we're important. Then came the locomo
ives, each hauling train. The western
'nglne was handsomely decorated. A
Eield bordered by an evergreen wreath
vas borne under the head lamp, with the
words, "St. Paul. Minnesota, to Portland,
)regon," printed upon it. The engine
rom the east carried only few small
lags. When the COW catchers touched, as
hey were made 10 do with great skill on
he part of the engineers, the latter went
Onward and shook hands. Cannon sent
heir boolns out among the mountain
leaks. declaring to the rocks and the
orests that the iron band was welded
Northern Pacifc Cor. N. Y. Post.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03

BEFORE THE LUCIFER MATcH.-Young
men and even middle aged people. accus
toned to the convenience of the modern
lucfer match, can hardly imagine the
time when the finder box, with its cumsy
flint and steel and broad birthstone matches
was the only means Of procuring a
light. Some people were more sklllful
than others in striking light and blowing
the spark and match to a flame; but often
on IA wintry morning it was weary work
with the servant who had to kinde the
first fire if the finder happened to be damp,
or worn out, or the flint and steel ''in a
temper" Indeed, in many houses rush
light VS. In some bedroom or other
always burnt, SO that in case of sudden
illness, or any disaster, there might be
light ready. The rushight. having, as its
name implies, a rush wick, was aboul
fifteen inches long. and was burnt in II
huge perforated shade; it was the "far
thing ru>hlight," which verv poor people
we've said to use for other purposes han II
night light. The picture of half starved
Seams,ress in her garnet would, in thos
days, have been incomplete without tn,
hin rush candle but its fame was 81
feeble that Can hardly fancy any eyes
could have served 10 thread needle by it.
London Society,"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03

The shade roller manufacturing compe
ny of lVergenncs have their bui,dino,
lnc'osed and are placing boilers and
machinery in position for largely increased
production on the site Of heir former
works, recently destroyed by fire.
"lLLETr ACQUITTED The first ballot
taken by The jury in The Wilett murae,
case Monday ut Glens Falls. N. Y
resulted nine for acquttal and three toy
conviction. The second ballot WAS eleven
for acquittal and one for convic ion. the
remaining one going with the others Az
the ballot was announced. 1t is stated
that some jurors were seen winking at the
prisoner curing the trial. Wilelt lei, the
same eve ming for Burlington, Vt The
verdict Is a great surprise.
In the United States. during the mas,
year 2S9. l9O,7S3 persons, nearly six times
the total population of the country, we,o
transported on 10000 miles Of railwaV.
The total number OF persoas killed on the
roads was something over ono In
Europe in 1881, scprct " 1870 OyO 600 mas.
sengers were transported over l72SO4
miles Of railway. The European railways
in the year 1881 killed $500 persons. In
America the ra 10 oi travelers per mile ia
AS 1850 to ! In Europe it is unly 900 10
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03

A national bank has been organized
ut Fac DRY Point with these drec ors
Allen l.. Graves, Mason S. Culburn
Robert Ames and David o. Wilson o
Factory Point, George W. Farwell G
Dorset, William Root of Rupert and
Sherman Weed of Pawlet.
American match makers have formda
BILE rivals over the water and will bt
compelled to come down n notch or two in
price or they will lose heavily in custom
English m ttcheS put up in neat liltlt
boxes containing about 100 are now being
imported and sold here for one cent box
A child of Orion Barnum of Monkton
aged about two years, while playing n
the stone bridge Of barn in process OIL
erection the 9th, fell to the ground, sus.
tanning fatal injuries, death occurring Fri.
day.
Burglars went through the Colchester
Mass post Office Monday night and Sc
cured 5000 in cash, and book of postal
which is supposed to have been their chief
Object. They secured several thousand
dollars worth Of property.
Appleton Oaksmith, the slave trader
who escaped from B 'ston prison and was
subsequently pardoned by Grant, has
become a wealthy railroad owner in the
south.
There will be ten entertainments at the
Howard opera house, Burlington, this
month.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03

Truman F. Murray and Warren Murray,
brothers, have been in the lumber business
in Duxbury for some months, owning a
mill which they bought of II. o. Ward.
Last April one of them borrowed money
of VIM. d. McIntre of MiddIescx upon
two notes, one for $3.50 and the other for
5000. The notes purported to be signed
by 7. F. and Warren Murray, Hiram o
Ward and S. M. Turner. Ward and
Turner say they never signed them and
Monday the Murray boys were arrested
by Sheriff Atherton for forgery. They
were examined before o ID CLARK, ESQ,
Tuesday and Truman discharged and
Warren held in the sum ,2f 5000 for
appearance in court Not finding bail he
is still in Jail
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03

The law reducing the postage on letters
addressed to any part of the United
States, from cents to 2, went into effect
Monday. Its workings will be watched
with interest, although this reduction is in
no sense such IN experiment rs the reduc-
tons Of 1915 and 1851 were Before 1915
the postal rates varied with the distance,
from i cents for thirty miles to % cents
for more Than 400 miles. By the reduction
of that year letters were carried for any
distance under 800 IN les for cents, and
tor any greater distance for 10 cents. The
law ct 1851 made the cost of postage 8
cents for 5000 miles and 6 cents for any
greater distance. All those changes were
much more radical than the one which
went into effect ionday; yet slight as the
present reduction il, there is good reason
10 suppose that the falling off in revenue
this time will not he so great us on similar
occasions in the past. Many eommuuica,
lion which hitherto were sent by postal
card or circular will probably be mailed
nov in sealed packages-thus becoming
first class matter. The president in his
letter to congress last December estimated
the dec ease in revenue incident to such IL
reduction rs this AT about three millions of
dollars for the first year. In that case
to make both ends meet.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03

VERMONT BAPTIST CONVENTION The
5Sth annual convention of the Vermont
Baptist association closed very success
full two days meeting at West Randolph
Thursday evening, the 9Th. The attend
ance was large, nearly every church in the
state being represented, and the deer
interest manifested made the meeting Of
unusual interest. Much of the time
Wednesday was given to hearing the
reports of the different committees. In
the evening the annual sermon was
delivered by Rev. j. G. Lorimer, Of
Georgia Plain. Thursday forenoon there
was public meeting of the board OF
managers and also the ladies missionary
meeti, g in the Christian church. There
was a meeting of the Vermont Baptist
historical society, after which the reports
of committees occupied the afternoon. In
the evening an excellent sermon was
delivered DO George G. Baldwin, of Ben,
nington. Following this was the final
adjournment
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03

The western people, or at least "A portion
OF 'hem' are having chance just now to
rae cheaply. When one can ride from
indianapolis to Chicago for five cents and
be presen ed with a chrome in the bar
gam travel in that direction ought to he
heavy-and it probably is. This low rat e
Is the result of war between competing
lines, which is rather rough on the roais
but must be intensely amusing to the
pubic along the routes concerned. The
war promises to wax even hotter, and
before 1t is over people may be carried
Tor nothing or be paid premium Tor
riding.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03
OBITUARY

In Moretown Sept IA. Mrs. ELLA FLORENCE HAIR
RAND, aged "a years
Capt. Horatio Ross. Great Britain
most famous shot, is still living at the age
of 80, and last year climbed mountain
8 545 feet high without resting on the way
He is the only child of a sporting sire,
and was born at Rcssie Castle, Forfarshire.
His father was colonel of regiment
raised during the French invasion panic
early in the century When colors were
presented to this regiment a salute was
fired, and young Ross fled in terror. His
father, exasperated, told servant to fire
n gun over the boys head every morning
At last the man persuaded him to fire al a
sparrow. 1t fell and thenceforward young
Horatio took to his gun. Capt. Ross was
also first rate horseman. He was for.
merly member of parliament.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03

An astonishing rece pton greeted King
Alfonso of Spain on his arrival in Paris
Saturday. Met at the train with the
respect due the ruler OF nation
by President Grevy and the cabi-
net ministers, he was greeted by the Paris
mob with boots and Kisses, and cries of
Down with The 'uhlan king!" All the
streets through which he pissed were
lined with peope.-houses, balconies and
paw mrnts.-and the uproSr of noisy
insult continued without cessation The
soldiers and police had all they could do
TO keep order. This is the F, er oh feeling
toward Germany breaking beyond bounds,
stimulated IN some degree by the Neder
wad ceremonies the day before, bul draw
ing Its animuS before that from the alliance
that exists between Germany and Spdn.
The fatal weakness of ho French charac-
ter, " hich Bismarck refers to when be
says that France is perpetual mepaca to
the peace of Europe. betrays itself in such
childish demonstrations.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03
she freeman.
MONTPELIER, VT
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 3. 1883.
Kings and Countries.

mugs hhu SuuhiiOos
Though nice customs courtesy to grea
kings bad customs do not to small king
as last Saturday evenings performance il
Paris shows. Alfonso, the son of hi
mother Isabella, arrived at that time il
Paris and though he is king of Spain wa
howled and hooted at by Paris mob
The only wonder is they did not do worse
and hurt the man.
This demonstration came about from
the Partisan hatred of the Germans
Alfonso who has been king of Spain
since the last day of December. 1874 has
been making little journey among his
friends and went to Germany among other
places. Now the Germans have just been
closing out their efforts Of commemora
ting united Germany and the freedom of
the Rhine obtained by the war with France,
by defeating at place opposite Bingen Il
great monument. This is formed of the
cannon of the war and has lot of statues
and inscriptions annoying to the French
VINO lOSJ AlSaCe ana Lorraine.
Alfonso while in Germany was made
colonel, or some such officer in German
regiment besides one that connects itself
with Slrasburg. a place the loss of which
the French felt deeply. Alfonso appeared
in The uniform of an officer of this regi
ment in accepting the honor, and this fact
got to be known in Paris.
The result was that some of the news
papers denounced Alfonso and when the
Spanish king got to Paris Saturday even
ing to be the guest of President Grevy a
mob lined his route and behaved in a
most unseemly way. All of which Alfonso
might have expected after having dressed
as German officer but though he may
have expected it be was far from pleased
with it.
President Grevy humbly apoligized and
did everything possibly TO appease the
royal wrath but Alfonso got away home
about as quick as he could, arriving at
Madrid Tuesday. And now that he is
home he is very angry king, and his
people are very enthusiastic about him
and wrathful against the French. {
In old times wars grew out of just such
incidtn ts rs this, and, indeed, the Franco. {
Prussian war was precipated because the j
French count, who was minister to Prus, J;
STA, accosted King Villa Ii when the lat. d
ter was taking walk and in no mood 10 /
talk politics. This is good chance to t
see how far old notions and the pride of F
kings, will be allowed to urge whole coun- c
tries into war. b
Alfonso pretends that the insult to him is Il
an insult to his people and indeed theSpan. Ii
iards as a body act AS though they thought "
so too. They may be foolish enough to 90 "
on from this point and find or make occa. d
sion for war between France and Spaiu [
but this does not seem probable. Mean. e,
lime the old German emperor and his Oh
Bismarck no doubt smile grinl- "
y at the great pohcr they kicked up by I'll
irving that colonelship to their young bt
yisitor. pr
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03

THE BURLINGTON MUSICAL FEsrlyAL-
We again Gail attention 10 his conino
grand festival, which will be held in the
Howard opera house, October S,h to - h.
inclusive. under the direction. of the
veteran conductor, Carl Zerrahr There
will be three concerts and two nlatinees
At The first concert and matinees mis-
cellaneous programme will be given. On
Thursday evening, October 1lth, will be
given Rossini's 'Stabat Mater" and selec.
lions from the oratCrio of The Redemp
ton" On Friday evening, October - h.
the oratorio of The Prodtgal Son, - by
Arthur Sullivan. will be performed.
There will be rehearsals daily, 9 A. NJ, 9
and 1880 p. NJ. Members tickets. admit.
Ting singers to chorus seats only, are 81. so
Season tickets, admitting 10 all exercises
of the festival with reserved seats. are
$3.50 Concert tickets, first evening. so
and IS cents; second and third EVENINGS.
rs and 50 cents; matiuees. 81 and So cents:
children under II years, IS GEMS; single
rehet rsals, 10 cents Application for
and concert tickets by telegram or
letter will be promptly attended TO by the
treasurer. AS before announced, the SOLO
talent will include Miss Fanny Kellogg.
soprano; Miss lta WEIGH. contrallo: @, |
w Want, Tenor; d NJ Babcock, bas,o,
Mrs Martha Dana Shepard, pianist; ana
he famous Beelh oven sextelte club, all of |
" HON will take part 10 all the concerts
and matinees.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03

There is an i.land eff the cons, NJ
California which is covered by three acres
OF eggs. A sea captain who recently
Vlsi ed 1t says the island is of rock, with !,
surface of about three acres. 1t is cov.rad
with guano. IN which sea fowls OF ever,
description were found laying or incpba.
ting their eggs. The suriac, seemed IN
be almost entirely covered with egcs,
principally those of sea gulls, shagcs AMI
small bird known rs the salt water ,iurt
lie -hys it was difficult to walk witbour
treadipg on The eggs, and a ship could bs
easily loaded with them,
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03
BOSTON MARKET. Oct. o.
Furnished by DARLING b HoSMER, OF the Bosto
Produce EKehange. Commission Merchants,

Furnished by DARLING h HoSMER, OF the Boston
PRODUCE EXCHANGE. Commission Merchants,
No. Commercial street. Boston.
~ shippers should bear In mind that the ouotationn
oeloN rspresent receivers prices for round lots and
are made up from actual transactions, Extreme ono
tstons can only be realized for produce that comes
to the standard o. choice in every respect The qua
lty, oouotlon ana manner of preparing Produce for
market are very closely observed by buyers and
PACKING BUTTER
The following suggestions in regard 10 packirs hr.
yer ior tnis market may prove TO those
the sale than most shippers are aware OF In this
market there decided preference for neat Pa ~
ern made white ash spruce tub, netting from "a -
gu s s aaa swSSs Spills the resdiest tubs oud
ed solidly and allied within half an inch Of tbe nn -,
the tub; Cover the tor with a piece OF clean ppay ~
neatiX down ~ the edge In packing butter and tef
unR " ready Tor market, neatness Is NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
and besides that II pays Never pack two eooss ia e.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03
TIE Pores NOTIoNs ABOUT HIsTOl

The PoPE's Notions ABOUT History
When the fist intimation was giver
that The pope was about TO open tn,
vatican library to students of history, we
dld not give it entire credence, but sug
gested that it might be opened only to the
pupils OF the church of Rome. And nh.
indeed proves TO he the case. Leo XIII
proposes TO fer the privileges of the
tap,l library 10 writers who will devote
themselves to vindicnting all the popes
from wha ever evil repute may have
attached to them in the memorable course
# history. Tins is the extent and purpose
of his offer. The vatican library is MOI
open Tor nntrammeed research after
tn h, but tor great whnewashIny
scheme that is the long and short Of 1t
The letter Of Leo Xiii TO Cardinals d.
Luca (vice chancellor of the Roman
church,) Pltra (librarian) and Hergen
b. Other (keeper of the archves) is like all
his writings an elaborate and skillfu
composition, though its merits are pretty
well disguised by the awkward translation
given us in the Catholic ReuitW of New
York
The motive of the pontiff is to counter,
act tho vigorous enmity to the papacy
displayed in Italy, where the popes have
been the most Intimately known both as
sovereigns and spiritual, and
where they seem to be appreciated in
way that turaly does not please the
pope. -Rfpublican.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03

THE 1912 CoMEr.-Rev. George NJ.
Searle of New York recently c. lied the
attention of the Harvard observatory TO
the fact that The b. ooks comet is identical
with the long expected comet of 1872,
saying that the date of its perihelion pas
sage il Jan. 25, lc84 A computation of
the same nature made at the Harvard
observatory confirms Mr.. Senrles hypoth
ess The date of its pei helion passage
is found 10 BIZ half day late. The orbit
Of the comet of 1912 satisfies all the
observations of the comet discovered by
Mr.. Brooks, including ono made ut Cam
bridge in Sept. 10 The orbit of the
comet of 1912 has been thoroughly discuss
ed by Messrs. Schuyos and Bassert, and II
was computed that its return would BIZ
about September 8, 1884. When it is
considered that this orbit is based upon
observations made seventy years ago,
which were neither numerous nor widely
distributed at the Time. its accuracy is
remarkable. The period of the comet Is
II years. four months and len days.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03
L II E NJ A RK e T S.
Reported and tete9raphed expressly FOR tn, rec
Mountain Freeman.
BOSTON CATTLE MARKET
CAMBRIDGE AND BRIGHTON
For the Week ending Tuesday, Oct q 1859.

ClttLs Sheep. Hogs Caioes
At market this week....... 3,si9 lOls5 1873 $40
last week Iva $3.50 1929 BUS
one year ago.. 1914 2l,O45 1888 507
PRICES.-Extra fat and heavy prem um oxen as ONa
50; first quality 1885, second quality S6O0a6 30
third quality s. OUs5 50per loo tbs total weight
hide, tallow and dressed beef A few choice single
pairs, 5000 fscwt Bulls etc. s400947b Working oxen
$lOos9a5 pair or according to their yalne beef
oosOo with or Without calves IS may BE- srreed
tarrow and ordinary, SlS 1s33 o. Stores, yearings
896aA. Sheep 2kCS41ac: extra, 4495Ac b Dor 81
.da0l " head Sprnx Lambs, ~ doc; o 10 Fat hogs
5 S57zc n northern dressed hogs 6d0c u b Veal
calves s{aiHc p n Brighton hides 7(a74c.; country
country. 495c pelts with wool of 61c each country
lots. 25a9Oc each Lamb skins, 60ds5c each. Dairy
skins, 2O65O each.
"REMINISCENCES were nearly 900 cattle at market
in excess of last week. The market receipts being
3Si9 head The market shows fair irmness separate
from the exprt business For all western cattle iul
prices we're obtained with considerable tn quail
cover the best qualities with sales low as c II is
Country lots were cents h. dressed weight This
week sales of s. head OF western steers average 81 ms
at 500 y cwt live weight: II do, 1857 MS Mt
&c v n; do, average I9l4 bs at 1855 D cwt The
sheep market has improved wit sales OF best lambs
moderately supplied, and the city meat market ran
clo.e butchers we're Obliged TO raise rates O. H. Bragg
sold 800 lambs ,average s fbs at SIC ~ there beng
about II old sheep in the lot s. A. Cleveland sold 81
sheep weight $3.50 fbs, at 3c y n 1874 lambs, of 80 ms
at &c v N. Mich cows moved with a moderate cali
steady as previously quoted and change to note on
hogs. ~ va
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03
GRAIN. TRADE.

GRAIN. TRADE.
CORN.
The market is steady for corn and prices rer,a;n
about the same with hrmer feeling We quote steamer
III Aea az sS aoi3c steamer yellow at 65d66c: hish
No. . and high mixed ~ "u i''
OATS,
New oats have been arriving pretty freely and prices
remain abont the same We quote No I and eNtra
white at Al 43c; No. white al 80 a lac: No awhile
at 81 @ SIC; and mixed at % S754c q bushel
RYE.
The market quiet aud the sales hsv bean confined
to small 10, g at 20 "a 72c D bushel.
FEED.
Shorts have been selling at 1880 IsO and fine
feed and middings at 80 % F5ton Cotton seed
meal sells at S27 % 30 Fton.
BARLEY
quite nominal. "