davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
CAPT. HAM SHEPHERD.

We do not remember seeing more una
nimous expression of opinion in favor of
any prominent Democrat, than that now
being made by the Democratic press of
Virginia in favor of the recognition. by
the National Administration. of the ser
vices of Capt. Ham Shepherd, the secre-
tary Of the State Central and State Exc
cutive Committee of Virginia. The Alex
andria Gazette, Richmond Dispatch, War
renton Inder, Norfolk Virginian, Pied
mont Virgintaqi, Iseesburs Mirror, Rich
mond Stcte-in fact, aimost every paper
we pick up expresses that opinion in be-
half of its community. While this is a
aattering tribute to Secretary shepherd,
it has been fully meFited by the value of
his services. The earnest self-devotion,
and methodical energy displayed by the
Secretary of the State Committee in his
campaign work put his promotion on
grounds of State breadth,
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
" Eaten by Panthers."
Etitor Vlndicdtor,

Eltt1f P2ndacdt0f.
recent issue of your paper contained
brief notice of tragic story, located at this
place, which has gone the rounds of the press.
1t is related that the dead body of a young lady
and that they were probably eaten by panthers
(which have of late infested the woods y
Sundry newspapers have enlarged upon har
rowing details and doubtless stirred the sympa
thies of those at q safe distance from the
denizens of such wild and dangerous neigh
borhood.
The story is tragic, but it is not true. 1t is
fair specimen of the power of Imagination
and its author is genius in the way of inven-
ton, whose descriptive powers are not to be
confined within any pent-up Utica of facts.
No persons of the names given are
known in the vicinity no young man is mis-
ing no dead body of o young lady has been
found no buggy has been broken to pieces,
and above all no panthers have been seen or
heard
An elopement in which the parties droy to
the nearest railroad station by night, caused
b6LSdIlOH Ill oIlO SOuuty3 puV uhioieuoueSiy III
the story, these have since returned in good
health and can lend no support of fact to the
tale.
The story is worthy of notice only 50 far as
1T ministers to q tendency TO exaggerate the
dangers Of mountain travel, and thus deters
some from visiting our county. Fears of this
sort are groupdless. ] have travelled Ran
aoiph and the adjoining counties for several
years. without any weapon of defense, by
turnpike and road and path and through the
unbroken woods I have yet to see a panther
for the first time, or indeed. any dangerous
beast.
Randolph has ever welcomed Augusta to
her borders and her homes, and she cannot
allow intercourse so pleasant and profitable,
to be interrupted by tales So wide of the
facts-so entirely creation-out of nothing.
Yours respectfully,
w. S. p BRYAN.
TYaART VALLEY CHURCH,
HurroNsv111E, W. Va, Nov. 28th. 1884.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
FRIDAY MORNING. DEC. -. 1884.
THE VINDICATOR SUPPLEMENT.

l.
The VINDICAToR supplement this
morning contains Synopsis of Superinten-
dent Farr's Report Of the Schools of the
the state; Spirit of the Virginia Press;
Account of How she Chose the Old Love;
The Business Outlook in Iron; Eighteen
Signs of Rain; Miscellaneous brevites
and general news besides. In the advertis-
ing columns is large Christmas display
Gladke's announcement of the opening of
the latest fashions at his house, to-day,
Dec. 18th; the Christmas announcements
of j. E. Taylor & Sou. confectionery and
toys; Jos. Barkman's great line of toys
and candies and pastry; e. F. Hughes &
Co.. 8 beautiful assortment of Christmas
presents: Wayt Bros Christmas exhibit
tlon Of bronzes, blsque, card and dressing
cases; Craig's endless variety of all sorts
and kinds for Xmas; Olivier's presents
for the holidays books, work
boxes, everything; q. S. Walkers Christ
mas display of beautiful goods; HeWitt's
art display. None looking for news, or a
Christmas directory. should omit reading
the supplement-.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12

journals reprinted the walls of the Demo-
cratic press of short time before, with
only the names changed, and we learned
from them daily that yesterday the rev.
dictionary body now sitting at the capitol
illustrated their greed By turning out one
of the best officers the State ever had,
whose administration has been an honor
to himself and an iDcalcuahle benefit to
the State. If this thing is to continue
we can only say God help the poor old
Commonwealth It may be noted here
that it is creditable feature of all pollt
ical parties that in times OF disaster their
first apple ,tion to Providence is to take
care of the poor old Commonwealth that
pays the salaries. This is one of the beauti
full traits of political human nature that
we are glad to recognize in the storm toss
ed office holder-no matter how high the
waves run he wants the old Common
wealth saved over for future use. While
not many defendants of the fathers fell
in the second devastation it was astound-
ing to find that every man sacrificed was
the main stay and exclusive representa-
tive of the People and was man on whom
they had set their hopes Of just and honest
government. The times did indeed seem
ous Of joint when the People themselves
were tomahawking those IN whom lay
their only hope of political salvation. But
in time the poor old Commonwealth lev
elled the graves of these of her children
who had been tomahawked, took off Ter
mourning and affairs went on within her
borders as smoothly as if they and the de-
scendants of the fathers had never lived.
Indeed many flowers bloomed on their for
gotten graves that were not Indigenous to
the soil of Virginia. Many new and
beneficial ideas came to the old State, and
altogether the result showed that it may
not only be sweet and decorous thing
to die, officially, for ones country, but
that sometimes such death is of great
practical benefit to the country ITSELF
Such a reflection must be precious con-
ISOLATION to the last moments of the office
holder, dlvertng his mind from the con-
temptation of the paltry palf Of salary, to
the honored rest in what is known to the
commencement orator as the beyond"
and to the man in the minority as ''coy-
entry"
It is not therefore with unmixed grief
that the incumbents of Federal office
should look forward to the changes that
may come under President Cleveland. 1t
is true that the lean and hungry Demo-
cratic dog who has been treated by them
to kicks and contempt, which had at least
the merit of unaffected sincerity and
heartiness, mas suddenly developed into
powerful and dangerous enemy who may
demand alimentary subsistence of more
substantial sort; but they should never
forget that come what may the country is
safe. This muchswe think we can safely
say to the friends who are gathered at
their departure, and we shall try and find
additional words Of comfort at the con-
Guiding services at the grave.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
A Card from an Unchanged and Ua-
changeable Democrat.
MoUNrsv1LLE, LoUDoUN Co., VA, I
December 4th. 1854.

MoUNrsv1LLE, LoUDoUN Co., VA,
December 18th, 1854.
Editor Yiad5cator:
When I left my native city, being turned
out of Office on account of my Democracy by
the Mahonites, did not think the time would
eoer come when I should have to appear
before the public in defense of my Democracy
I hear that there is q report in circulation in
Staunton that T. A. N. Breckenridge, the
Borboun Democrat of the Ben Hill stripe, was
now Republican, and voted for that tattooed
man Blaine It is an infamous lie and the re-
port must have been started by some interested
wishy-washy Democrats from selfish motives.
1t is true that the Democratic policy was not
carried out in my case, as was slaughtered by
a select few in the house of my friends, but I
stuck to my party and will continue to do so,
as ! ana a Democrat from principle and not
like all in the Republican party, for the sake
of Office. I had the honor to vote for Cleve-
land and Hendricks and Barbour and hope to
live and die staunch Borboun Democrat and
shall never vote with the enemies of my race
and color. 1t is absurd to discuss this matter
any further, and refer the people of Staun~
ton to my near neighbors if they want any
further evidence ef a;;g Democracy.
Respectfully yours,
A. N. BRECKENRIDGE.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
Congress.

Especial Telegram to the Staunton Findicatorl
WASHINGTON, Dec. u.--Sen0te.-Mr.
Van Wycke offered resolution to consid-
er the new Spanish treaty in open session.
The resolution was laid over.
Most of the session was spent in the de-
bate of the Oregon Central r. r. land
grant.
House.-The desks of all the Democrat
ic members from Michigan were ornamen-
ted with roosters sent by their constitu
ents.
Mr.. Hancock, of Texas, from the Com
mittee on Appropriations, reported the
Pension Appropriation bill, which was re-
fered 10 the Committee of the Whole. 1t
appropriates S6,00O,000
The consideration of Rsagan's Inter
State Commerce bill was resumed and &C.
CUPID the remainder of the session.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12

There were two attendants at public
amusements in New York Friday
night who met with suggestive re-
ceptions. In the Academy of Music at
the Benefit for the Actors Fund, when
Grover Cleveland appeared in private
bog with his sister and d party of ladies
and gentlemen, the men aud women in
the audience rose and cheered and waved
their handkerchiefs frant;cally for several
minutes, aad even the actors On the stage
stopped and joined in the applause. A
few hundred yards from this scene James
Il. Blaine with Mrs. Elkins aud Mrs.
Wbitelaw Reid and small company of
friends. entered a private box at the Me-
trop0lltan Opera House. He was dressed
in fullevenlng suit. The only tribute
that was paid him by the audience Was
that f curiosity, from which many opera
glasses we're levelled IN silence at his box
AND yet change of SIS votes in a total
of ten million would have given Cleve=
land the opera glasses and Blaine the ap-
plause!
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12

It appears to the disinterested public
that if sort of civil service could be in
PRODUCED into the basement Of the Virgin
ia Capitol by which regular commercial
set of books could be kept by expert clerks,
there would be far better business sys-
tenn than seems to have prevailed there
for the last six Or eight years, or perhaps
for the last sixty or eighty years, for all
the people know. The general history of
the recent alleged discoveries Of irregu
larities in the basement conveys the i'm
preston that one man had pretty much all
the expert knowledge of the business Of
the departments that there was, and fur
nished information to legislative commit
tees. heads of departments, in fact to all.
With such multifarous duties it could
not be wondered at # he tangled up affairs
so as to be unable to unravel them even
had he been guided by the most honest
intentions. If he has been dishonest, his
opportunities have been vast, and the
probabilities in that case are that the
sureties for the different Auditors of the
past few years will have heavy losses to
Lear.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
POLITICAL NOTES.

senator BaydrQ, VINO mas just returned
from visit to Gov. Cleveland, informs
the correspondent of the Baltimore Sun
that from what he gathered there, no dis
tinction of section will be made in invi-
ting cabinet members, and those IN har-
mony with the ideas of the incoming ad-
ministrati0n will be selected without refer
ence to North and South. The Senator said
that it was probable that Gov. Cleveland
will carry out such Southern policy as is
advocated by men like Hampton, Colqultt
and Gordon.
The Washington Star says that while
Hon. John S. Barbour does not seek the
position of Postmaster General, yet if it
is rendered him he will accept. Senator
Mr.. Barbour is the choice of all the South
ern congressman for place in the
cabinet.
There seems to be very little doubt that
Gen. Malone will be the Republican can
didate for Governor of Virginia at the
next election.
There is Virginia lady who dur
ing sixteen. years Of residence at the Fed
eral capital has never seen an inaugural
procession; she is determined, however
to see Cleveland sworn in.
Two South Toledo, Ohio. men, made
novel bet on the election. The Republi-
can offered to wager with the Democrat
that there would be more men killed on
election day below Mason and Dixon's
line than above 1t. Three judges were
appointed to canvass 1.-THE returns" The
Democrat won his bet.
Hon. Samuel J. Randall and party ar
rived at Augusta, Ga, at midnight Friday
night to attend the State democratic dem
was invited to seats on the floor of the
House of Representatives, and the body
was adjourned in Mr.. kandall's honor.
On being presented to the Legislature
MI Randall said he would do violence to
his head and heart if he did not acknowl-
edge the compliment paid him. He took
pleasure in congratulating the people of
the country that they have thrown aside
the expressions "Solid South" and "Solid
North, - and that the people of the whole
country are now united In the cause of
good government. The great Demo-
cratic demonstration took place that
night.
The most pronounced of the Republican
appointment Of Secretary McCulloch Of
the Treasury, WAS Senator Riidleberger,
Of Virginia. He said that Blaine lost
several Thousand votes in Virginia on
account of Mr.. McCulloch's appointment
to the cabinet, and he said to some of the
Democratic Senators that they could thank
Mr.. McCulloch's connection with the
Virginia debt question for the presence of
Mr.. Malone and himself IN the Senate.
He expressed the intention to call the
ayes and noes when Mr.. McCulloch 8 con-
irmation came before the Senate. Another
Republican Senator said he did not know
that he should fight Mr.. McCulloch, but
he cid not think President Arthur was so
essary for him TO put Democrat in the
cabinet.
In the contest for the senatorial seat
from the sixth district of Chicago, Gov.
Hamilton has awarded the certificate to
Lemam, rep. which makes the Illinois
Legislature a tie on joint ballot. The
IroQuois Club, the leading Democratic
club of Chicago, has passed resolutions
denouncing the ATTEMPT to elect Brand
dem, by the substitution of false ballots.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12

We see that the Republican press of
Virginia are trying to reinforce their
cause by the claim that the State debt is
not settled. Too late! The State debt
may remain an issue with the creditors,
but it will never be an issue again with
the political parties in Virginia. The
Democrats of Virginia stand towards the
slavery, they Wers its warm ADVOCATES
once but at proposition made now to re-
turn to either, every Democrat in the
State would emigrate. There is nothing
short of the Array and Navy of the Uni-
ted States that will ever get dollar out
of Virginia beyond what is provided for
the creditors in the Riddleberger bill.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12

We have received from W. A. Burke,
Esq. pamphlet containing the address
Of Robert Beverley, of Fauquier, as Pre-
sident of the National Farmers Congress,
which assembled at Nashville, Tenn, on
the 10Th ult. 1t is a brief, strong, and
pointed address Here is an extract:
mo longer will we submit to be told by our re
personalities and servants. creatures whom
We have made, that We kno " not what we want
Rights we have under the Constitution which the
government is bound to respect, and ace know
them. of these rights We do not intend to be de-
feated by our servants. as too long we have been
The end of that sort of thing, long delayed at
length has come"
If that extract is fair representation
of the feeling of the agrculturists of the
United States, as it ought to be. and as we
trust it is, then they will not be long in
seeing the following conviction of Presi-
dent Beverley realized:
ut is my conviction that we should firmly insist
upon the creation of Department of Agrc allure.
whose chief shall be constitutional adviser Of the
President equal in dignity influence and power
with every other officer of the Cabinet. In that
way, and IN that way only, as I believe. that is to
say, by and through our Cabinet Minister, can we
hope or expect to gain for such measures as may
be vitality important to interests that wise and
respectful consideration which the welfare Of all
the people demands
1t Was an oversight in the construction
of the Republic that the largest and most
important division of it's industry has had
no representative in the cabinet. And yet
it is one that the farming population
could remedy easily if they would only
unite in the effort Mr.. Beverley is tight
when he says that is the ''only way'' in
which they cap expect to gain considera-
ton for measures which they deem, and
which are vitality important.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12

Old Virginia seems to be blossoming
out equal to the new States of the West.
We read in letter from Martinsville,
Henry county, which three years ago had
three hundred inhabitants, that the village
now numbers 2 500 inhabitants; has 8
bank, a macnine shop, a foundry, ten
tobacco factories, four churches for whites
and two for colored people. and all the
mercantile houses, great and minor In
dustries that make thriving village. A
Virgin1an does not need to go west, now
a DAYS, to make new start.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12

Last week we adverted to the fact that,
cans of the election laws, it was only late
ly that prominent citizens of the netropo-
lis of our State stood in the prisoners
dock of a Federal court charged with
their violation, Since that was published
the Richmond correspondent of the
Petersburg Appeal, of Saturday, prints
the final result Of the case. He says:
In the United States circuit court for
the eastern district of Virginia, the fol-
lowing order has been entered. "For
reasons appearing to the court, and on the
courts own motion, the following cases
were dismissed: w. Fl. Talman, r. B.
Henry Fl. Wilkins, John A. Meanley,
Jno. D. Whitehead. l.. B. Gibbons. q. A.
Bayliss and Others, for violation of the
election laws" ..
Those are the celebrated cases that were
brought before the United States court in
the contest between Jno. S. Wise and
John E. Massey, in November, 1882, for
congressman at-large, aud were brought
up through the fundamentally of MI.
Wise, aCho, at that time aUdS the district at-
torney for the United States court here. He
appeared as prosecutor in the case, and
tue defendants were represented by cloud
of attornies from Richmond who volun-
teerad for the defence. Judge Robert W.
Hughes presided, ard had the order en-
tered upon the books in the cases men
toned.
And so ends case in which prominent
citizens Of metropolitan city went
through all the humiliation of arrest, pub.
in court-aEd all for the above result
Verify the Republican administration of
the laws had a touch Of bussianlsm about
it that i'll the very nature of things could
not have lasted long in free country.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
THE INA UGURATTON ON
MARCH 4th,

If all the parties now being made up in
the Valley of Virginia to go to the inau-
guration of President Cleveland carry out
their programme, there will not be enough
men and women left between Harper's Fer
ry and Fincastle, to get breakfast for the
thousands of orphaned children who re-
main behind. 1t begins to look like there
was to be roll call of the whole valley in
Washington that day. If Mr.. Robinson
of N. Y. gets bis resolution through
it will be genuine Democratic inaugu-
ration. 1t prohibits all displays of bayo-
nets and triumphal arches in the city on
Inauguration day, and provides that the
Chief Justice shall call upon the Presi-
den elect and accompany him, either on
foot or in plain carriage, drawn by not
more than two horses, and without deco
ratlons or livery, to ths Capitol, where he
shall take the oath prescribed by law and
address such citizens as may be there to
near hltD.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
NO Free Trade for London.
Special tie the Stanton indicator !

' IITUTCdJUT ]
LONDON, ENGLAND, Dec. 11.-Tbe Lon
don Chamber Ct Commerce to-day adopt
ed a resolution asking Parliament to in
quire into the cause OF the prevailing
agricultural depression in England, with
a view to protection. An amendment
offered in favor of free trade was rejected
BY a vote of 2S to 8.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
4 Bad Decision.

Especial Telegram to the Staunton Vindicatorl
WASHINGTON, Dec. ia majority
of the House Committee on coinage, is
said to be in favor Of Buckner's bill to
suspend the coinage of silver dollars. and
it will recommend its passage. 1t is the
prevailing opinion that the bill will not
pass.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
BY TELEGRAPH.
Markets..

Especial Telegram to the Stanton Vndcator]
BALTIMORE, Dec 11.-Flour steady and
quiet. Southern wheat steady and quiet
Southern Red, s2(@84; Amber, s9@92.
Southern corn igher-White, 4S(05O;
Yellow, 4s05 so. Provisions easy and dnll.
Oats steady-Southern, 3O(d33. Coffee I'M
changed. Sugar quiet.
CHICAGO, Dec. 11.-Wheat, 4(03c.
higher. Corn, hose. higher. Lard, TIC.
Pork, 100 124c.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
A. N. BRECKENRIDGE

Maj B. L. Woodson, q native of Fincastle,
has been elected Commemorative Attorney of
Kansas City, Mo. This Office is worth sc, 600
per year.
fall from step ladder has broken the
wrist and shoulder of Henry Wulfert the
proprietor of the Taylor Hotal, Winchester
Fanny Ellsler, the once famous danseuse,
died in London on Friday, aged seventy
years.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
Telegraphic Items.
Especial to the staunton vindicator j

NEW YORK, DEC. 1.-THE Gale Man
afaeturing Company's works, at Albion,
N. Y, covering half a block. were burned
last night. Loss $65 900 and 400 men
thrown out of work.
A. B. Wilson, Inventor of the Wheeler
& Wilson Sewing Machine, was sent to
the Hartford Insane Asylum to-day, a
perfect wreck in mind and body-the re-
suit of dissipation.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
No Protection for a Murder
Gus Marshal.
Especial to Staunton Vindicator

ISpeClaI 10 Staunton VIndlcat0r..
CHICAGO, Dec. 11.-At the Presidential
election BLACK Jack' Yattaw. a notori
Gus rough, was appointed deputy U. S.
marshal, and in row at the polls killed
a constab bic. U. S. Judge Gresham, Qate
Postmaster GENERALLY, to-day refused to
transfer the case from the State Court to,
the U. s. Court.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
Methodist Centennial.
Special to the Staunton Vindicator. ]

Special to the Staunton Vindicatorl
BALTIMORE, Dec. 11.-In the Methodist
Centennial Conference to-day, Rev. jesse
Bowring made an able review of what
Asbury and Whatcoat did for Methodism.
There was also an address, by Rev. Al
fred Wheeler, on the relations of John
Wesley to Methodism. Two Temperance
mass meetings will be held Saturday un-
der the auspices of the Conference.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
The Mexican War Pen
Especial to the staunton indicator

Especial to the Stanton Vindicator.
WAsHINGTON, Dec, 1.-The GAUGES OF
the Republican members OF the House de-
cided to-day 20 support the Mexican War
Pension bill as amended last session by
the Senate.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
Tammany Coming to the
Inauguration in Force.
Especial to the staunton vindieator.

Especial to the Staunton Vindieator]
WASHINGTON, Dec. lit is reported
from New York that Tammany is coming
in strong force to the Inauguration OF
Cleveland. Quarters have been secured
here for $40 members of that Association.