davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
THE RECORD OF EVIL DEEDS.
Long Island the Scene of Another
Bloody Tragedy.
An Illinois Farmer Attempts to Kill His
Wife, and Is Stabbed to Death
The ROwell Murder Case.
ANOTHER LONG ISLAND TRAGEDY.
SeIah Sprague Assaulted and Fatally Injured
by a Mulatto.

SeIah Sprasue Assaulted and Fatally Injured
by a Mulatto.
HIcKsvILLE, L. l., Jan. 25-About 6:30 o'clock
this morning Selah Sprague awell- o-do farmer of
East Meadow, went, as usual, to the barn, to milk
cows and feed the horses. He had just reached
the barn when tall, slim mulatto attacked him
with fshplate, used in coupling railroad
tracks, and striking him several murderous
blows on the head, left him for dead and made
his way to the house. Here he saw Mrs. Sprague
in the kitchen, and struck her one blow and de-
manded money. She told him to get it out of
the drawer, and then ran screaming from the
house. Before she had gone very far, the man
overlook and passed her, soon getting out oe
sight Some neighbors, hearing Mrs. Sprague's
cries, hurried to the spot, and found Sprague
lying in pool of blood near the barn. general
alarm was sounded and the farmers of Hicks
vile, Hampstead, Westbufy and Farmingdale
hitched UP their horses and started in all direc-
tions, securing the country for the assassin.
The man, whom Mrs. Sprague described as tall.
slim, young-looking mulatto, is supposed to be
the same who attempted the burglary at South
Oyster Bay Wednesday night. He is sup
posed to be hiding in the neighborheed. All
points on the island have been furnished with
his description. There is great excitement all
through Queens county in consequence of this
third and similar outrage following so quickly
upon the Maybee and Townsend affairs. Mr..
Sprague and wife are about fifty years of age.
Physicians give no hope of the recovery of Mr..
Sprague
The barn presented the appearance of slaugh-
ter-house. The body of Sprague lay against
bin filed with grain The bin was bloody on one
side. Sprague seemed to recognize the voices of
the men, though he could not speak. There was
blood everywhere. Near the double door there
was a great pool of blood, frozen into ice.
SPrague lost SO much blood in this
spot that it ran over the door
iamb and discolored the ground outside.
Both eyes were closed and his face swollen
and blackened to the chin. The weapon, an
iron bar eighteen inches long, was covered with
blood from end to end and where the hair ad-
hered there were clots of blood. Sprague is
forty years old. He powerful man and
the negro must have stolen up on him to over
come him
Charles A. Smith is the name of the negro
who committed the assault. He lived in Pow
erty Hollow, Oyster Bay. Smith was fully
identified by Mrs. Sprague. 1t is thought he
may be implicated in both the Msybee murder
and Townsend assault.
After the arrest crowd gathered, and it was
only by strenuous exertions that the officers pre-
vented the infuriated people from lynching the
prisoner.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
Assaulted by a Negro.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
FRANKLIN Jan. 25.-Yesterday, about o'clock,
Mrs. Melissa Smith, the wife Of a respected
farmer residing at New Bargersville, was re-
turning alone from town, and when within per-
haps one mile of her home she met negro, who
accosted her with request to ride with her in
her buggy Mrs. Smith refused the request.
The negro then seized hold of the buggy,
jumped in from behind, and seized
Mrs. Smith, who, becoming very much
alarmed, released her hold on the
lines, screamed and attempted to jump out, but
was held firmly by her assailant The horse,
becoming frightened, anyway, and soon reached
the house of near neighbor of the Smiths, where
he was stopped by two gentlemen. Mrs. Smith,
becoming released, jumped from the buggy.
The negro, refusing to get out was knocked out
with club by one of the gentlemen and bound
with ropes, and late in the evening brought to
this place and lodged in jail. He is a most re-
pulsive looking fellow, and gave the name of
Hamilton Swain. The clothing of Mrs. Smith
was very badly torn
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
STATE NEWS AND GOSSIP.
Twin Babes Frozen to Death in Their
Crib in a FirelesS Room.
Daring Assault on a Lady-Wild Beasts Suf-
fOcated-New Developments in the Fora
Burns CaSe-GleaningS
INDIANA.

Two Children Placed in a Cold Room by
Their Parents and Frozen to Death.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
WABASH, Jan. 29-Word has just reached
this city of an account of earelessness almost
unparalleled AT Liberty Mills, this county,
twin babies, three months old. children of Isaac
and Rebeeca Martin. were frozen to death in
their crib, which had been placed in a cold room
Martin went to the crib during the night and dis
covered that one child was dead and the other
suffering intensely from cold. 1t, too, soon
passed away. The clothing was frozen to the
infants. The parents are in good circumstances,
and the negligence and carelessness is most Sc
verely commented on by the community.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26

Five nuns in ST. Hyacinthe's College, Mon
treal, have died of typhoid fever.
Thirteen children were drowned at Bonn by
the ice breaking and letting them into the water
The Marquis Of Hartford. who was thrown
from his horse while hunting, and kicked, died
on yesterday.
The police surprised a nest of Socialists at
Charkow, a majority of whom were arrested.
Important papers were seized.
Seven of the twelve English lads conspiring
to burn the refolmatory ship Clarence in order
to escape, have been arrested
There have been three suicides and one muir
der this month, at Nice and Monte Carlo, in con-
sequence of losses at the gaming tables.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
A DOMESTIC TRAGEpY.
A Husband Attempts to Kill His Wife and |
Is Fatally Stabbed.

ELGIN, Jan 25.--Win. Coombs, % farmer,
forty years old, living five miles south of Elgin,
attempted to cut his wfes throat In her dying
agonies she wrenched the weapon from him and
fatally stabbed him.
Tt appears that Mrs. Coombs staggered to the
h ouse Of a neighbor, forty rods away, covered
with blood flowing from deep gashes and with a
long northumberland. Shesad her husband tried
to murder her and thinking he had done so, cut
his own throat Coombs was found dead on the
floor of the house, which showed evidences
of a fearful struggle. The woman was alive at
last accounts. She was Coombs's third wife, and
marriage with him, and had one
child Some features OF the story and
the fact that she and her husband had frequent
euarrels recently. lead to the suspicion that she
may have murdered her husband and received
the wounds in tho struggle or attempt to commit
suicide.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
NEWS BY TIE OCEAN CABLE.
Egypt Determines to Abandon ALI the
SOudan, Including Khartoum.
General Gordon Given Full Powers to Con-
duct the Evacuation and Secure
the Safety of Civilians.
EGYPT AND THE sOUDAN.
Authority Given to General Gordon to Com
pIete the Evacuation.


pIete the Evacuation.
CAIRO, Jan. 25-The mission of General Cor
don is in effect to complete the evacuation of
the Soudan, inclusive of Khartoum. The Khe-
dive has appointed him Governor of Soudan
with full powers, and has strongly advised him
to take measures to secure the safety of civilians
and Europeans.
The Khedlve has summoned to Cairo Ameer
Abdel Shakoor, son of the late Sultan
of Darfour, and offered to cede
to him the province of Darfour on
the condition that the freedom of commerce
should be maintained and the slave trade sup
pressed promising that he would not be required
to pay tribute. Abdel Shakoor intimated that
he would probably accept the offer.
Colonel Coetlegen writes there is food enough
at Kbartoum to last 5000 men for five months,
and the usual grain supplies are arriving.
General Gordon is comforting with the civil
and military authorities in Egypt and England
General Gordon shares fully Evelyn Barings
views in regard to the necessity of withdrawal
from Khartoum. AS the sole alternative Gen
eral Gordon is willing to recommend retention
of the Soudan, and if Great Britain will pay for
its reconquest he will undertake to govern the
country.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
Notes and Personalities.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 25.-Colonel Isaac r.. Hill,
of Ohio, has been appointed Assistant Sergeant
alarms of the House.
The drift of opinion here among Indiana
politicians is that General Manson will be the
next Democratic candidate for Governor of that
State.
The House committee on postoffices and post
soads has agreed to report favorably Mr.
Moneys bill fixing postage an secondclass pub
icatons, deposited in letter carriers Office, at .
cents per pound
Mr. Eaton, of the House committee on naval
affairs has changed places with G. D. Wise,
member Of the committee ON foreign affairs
Senator Cockerell has introduced in the Sen
ate bill to extend the provisions Of the act of
1855 for the relief of purchasers and locaters on
swamps and oyerhOwed lands.
The Treasury Department has decided that
under the new tariff shoe hastings do not pay
duty as goods of like description to italian cloths
but are dutiable under the provisions for manu-
faeturers Of wool according to their value per
pound.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
THE OFFICIAL sTENoGRAPHERs.
Benjamin Gaines Testifes in Regard to His
Appointment by Speaker Kiefer.

Benjamin Gaines Testifies in Regard to His
appointment by Speaker Kiefer.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-Benjamin Gaines,
nephew of ex Speaker Kiefer, was to-day examined
by the House subcommittee on accounts, investi-
eating the removal of employees with the last
Congress. Gaines was appointed to fill the posi-
ton of stenographer made vacant by the resig
nation of Mr. Tyson. He testified that he was con
fdential clerk to the ex-Speaker at the beginning
of the Forty Congress. About the mid
die of the first session he remarked to Mr. Kiefer
that the positions occupied by Messrs. Dawson
and Tyson were very desirable places. and if
things could be brought about" he would like to
have one Of them. Gaines said there was tacit
understanding between himself and his uncle
that he should have one OF the positions. "At
about the close of the last session, he continued.
Dawson and Tyson made proposition to me
that they would each give me 500 a month if /
would allow them to retain their positions.
refused, and a few days later told my uncle
# the offer. He said, Have nothing
o do with the proposition With
LOCO could have hired assistance and done
ne work performed by both Dawson and Tyson
It the last session of the Forty seventh Congress-
md with So, 900 could have done all the commit
tee work the stenographers of which cost the
government over $2e- Co.,
Ex-Speaker I<efer was to have appeared be
fore the committee to testify under oath, but
pleaded fatigue, after the delivery of his speech
in the Fitz Ohm Porter case. and asked to be al
lowed to appear tomorrow. The request was
granted
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
VIII Case Decided.
the IndiaDapolis Journal

Special to the Indianapolis journal,
GREENFIELD, Jan. 25,-The case of Walker,
administrator of Samuel Steele's estate, against
Franklin Steele, guardian of Samuel Steele, in
volying nearly 50 900, that was secured to Samuel
Steele, namesake of Samuel Steele, deceased,
was decided to-day in favor of defense The
heirs of Samuel Steele sought to recover the
amount to distribute under terms of the will,
and long trial. lasting one week, was required
to straighten the cause.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
The Bill of the Stock Men for Its ExtirpatiOn
To BE Reported FavOFably.

The Bill of the Stock Men for Its EXtirpatiOn
To Be Reported FavoFably.
WASHINGTON Jan. 25.-The House committee
on agriculture will, tomorrow, report the bill
prepared by the committee of cattle men. A
number of memorials from live stock associa-
lions viii accompany the bill; also a communica-
ton from DR. E. Salmon, the veterinary surgeon
Of the Department of Agriculture. The commu-
rication points out the dangers to the West by
pleuro pneumonia ''These infected districts, y
he says, though small, are of real danger to
the whole country. because all the way from
Connecticut to Virginia there is a large and in
creasing number of herds of thoroughbred cat
tie which frequently shipped West, and some
of which from time to time have been infected
with this disease With the increased price Of
cattle, large number is being shipped from
the East to the West and the danger of carry
ing the disease is increasing. / have been in
formed if the Connecticut outbreak had oe-
CURED few months later, one or more of the
infected herds would have been sent, according
to contract, to a Western State While it is
true that pleuro pneumonia has existed in the
East for forty years without having been carried
West it must be admitted from what occurred so
many times in Pennsylvania and Connecticut
that there has been danger of this, and this dan
ger is increasing with the large number of cattle
now being shipped in that direction.
Though number of attempts have been made
in the States now trying to rid themselves of
pleuropneumonia, these generally OF always
failed, for various reasons. The work is not
thoroughly done. At best, the attempts of
States were spasmedic, and while one is earn
estlE striving to accomplish something, neigh
boring one will allow the shipment of diseased
cattle, and thus contract the influence of the
latter lack of unity between the States has
prevented any lasting benefit even when much
has been arcoIapli shed "
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
FOREIGN MISCELLANY.

The Captain of "a United States Vessel Pre-
vented from Landing Mt Tamatave.
LONDON, Jan. 25.-Madagascar advices state
that the captain of the United States steamer
Brooklyn, when at Tamatave started to visit the
town in the ships boat but was prevented from
landing. He declined to land in French boat
Queen Ravanallah, III her coronation speech
said: 81 shall prove myself soldier ever ready
to defend the land of our ancestors
The Paris Temps denies the truth Of the re
port that the French bombardment of Momon
dava Madagascar was because the surrounding
houses were flying British and American flags.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
MINOR MENTION.
A Compromise Recommended in Cases
Arising Out of IA Cotton Claim.

A Compromise Recommended in Cases
Arisins; Out of Cotton Claim.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-The Solicitor of the
Treasury has recommended the acceptance of
the offers Of compromise in the cases of the
Union Bank and Citizens Bank, of Louisiana,
for 81 800 and 81. 700 respectively. These are
the cases arising out of the cotton claim of
Noblon & Bellerque, of New Orleans, which is
now before the United States Supreme Court, on
appeal from the Court of Claims The latter
gave Noblon & Bellerque judgment for $29G 600,
but subsequently reconsidered the case and
reversed the Judgment The money, however,
in the meantime had been turned over to the as
signee's of the claimants, who have gone into
bankruptcy, and had been distributed among
their creditors, about sixty in number. The list
inelnded the two banks already mentioned. The
government has brought suit against all these
persons to recover the money in question. Many
of them are willing to compromise, and the SO
Gcitor is in favor of accepting their terms He
says the government may receive 500. 600 in this
way, whereas otherwise it might not get Il cent.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
Wild Animals suffocated.

Special to the indianapolis journal.
PERU, Jan. 25.-At o'clock this morning fire
broke out in brick building on Second street,
known as the Gould chair and furniture factory.
Messrs Wallace & Anderson were using the
building to winter their wild animals ia The
keeper was at breakfast and the entire building
was in flames when discovered Wallace & An
derson lose a white deer, twohyenas, one lioness,
a black bear, and large baboon. The animals
were valued at SO, 600; no insurance Loss on
building and machinery, s., 800; no insurance
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
VINCENNEs, JAM 25-At o'clock this morn
ing the immense warehouse of +. & j. W. Calf,
of Aurora, situated on the corner of Scott and
Second streets, and occupied by R. o. Apologize
and Durham q Warner, wholesale poultry deal
ers, burned to the ground. The origin was
doubtless from the sparks of an o. & N. engine,
as it has frequently been afre from locomotive
sparks Loss on building, s., 800; insured for
$500 The poultry dealers lose about $500; I'M
insured
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
A Defective Bridge.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WABASH, Jan. 25.-Last night the large
double-span iron bridge over the Wabash river
at Rich Valley, five miles east Of this city, gave
way without warning, precipitating the north
span into the river together with two men,
Ephram and Milo Phearson, and a team which
they were driving. Neither the men nor the
horses were injured by the fall of TWENTY-FIVE
feet The iron of the broken portion of the
structure is rotten and worthless.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
The Imperial Family Libeled.

BERLIN Jan. PA book containing a series
of bitter articles upon Berlin society, first ap-
pearing in Nouvelle Revue Paris, has been
seized in this city. The articles are grossly Ii
belous of the Emperor, imperial family, and
German Ministry. The book causes great in.
dignation at the German court.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
Tax ON OccunatiOnS.

SPRINGFIELD, Jan. 25.-The Supreme Court of
the State, in test case before it, decides that
the city of Chicago is authorized to tax occupa-
tons, the only restriction being that the tax
must fall alike on the same class. The decision
is one of great Importance to the city, as the
limitation of the tax real property has caused
the authorities to seek other sources for revenue.
The test case was made in a suit commenced
by livery stable keepers to prevent the imposi-
ton Of an annual tax upon their business.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26

ported that Turner committed suicide but later
developments led to the arrest of Charles John
/ 4, step-son and Sarah Clayton, a grand
ner and to-day johnson was lodged in the
Springfield jail and Sarah Clayton was taken to
the Marshfeld Jail. A confession is said to have
been made by these parties that in connection
with Mrs. Turner they conspired to kill Turner
to get his money
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
Minor Notes.

The Manis murder trial has begun at Terre
Haute.
Jesse Way, one of the Oldest and most re-
spected citizens of Winchester, fell dead at the
postoffice on Thursday. Cause, heart disease.
Orvlle Moore, the school teacher who was ar
rested at Catlettsburg, KY, on requisition of
the Governor, charged with seduction, has been
placed in Jail at Liberty to await trial
j. J. Mills, of indianapolis, has been elected,
for three years, president Of Earlham College,
the Quaker institution near Richmond Allen
jaw Is continued as superintendent and treas
urer, and Martha A Jayas matron. The college
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26

ERIE, Pa, Jan. 25.-Frank S. Heath, late pro-
pretor of the Cory Herald, and chairman of the
Pennsylvania State Greenback committee i'll
1882, was arrested last evening" on the charge of
sending indecent matter-advice to abortionists
etc.-through the mail. AT the hearing to-day
he gave bail in the sum of 81, 500 to appear in
the United States Court at Pittsburg in Febru
arY
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
ILLINOIS.
The Fora Burns Observation-Disclosures Re
fecting on Carpenter.

LINCOLN, Jan. 25.-The claim is now made
that the prosecution in the Fora Burns case is
ready to produce a negress as witness, who
who went to Kentucky Immediately following
the tragedy who will testify before the grand
jury that Carpenter and Fora Burns made her
cabin a trysting place, and that the night
preceding the finding of Zoras body Carpenter
took Fora away from the place III buggy.
Late this afternoon the grand jury completed
its labors, and found a true bill of indictment
against A. o. Carpenter, charging him with the
murder of the girl Fora Burns. Carpenter was
out on $4,000 BAIL but the court declared the
ofense not bailable, and remanded Carpenter to
the custody of the sheriff, who conveyed him to
iail
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
Car-RuiIders Discharged.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
Fort WAYNE. Jan 25.--One hundred and ten
more employees of the Pittsburg Fort Wayne &
Chicago railway machine shops, were dismissed
to-day on account of dull business on the line.
This makes two hundred and fifty discharged
within the past week. The working force of the
shops is now about six hundred men.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
Assignment at Greenfield.

Special to the indianapolis journal.
GREENFIELD, Jan 25-M g. Alexander &
SoE, grocers assigned, this morning, to Merrett
w Magann. Assets about 81, 900; liabilities con
siderably larger. The principal creditors are
Nelson Bradley and G. T. Randall, who are pre-
ferred, and will lose nothing; Spfers, Mcbride
& Co., $3.50; Schnull & Kray, 1925, and mum
Der of small amounts.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
Reoeptlon to General Beat!l.

Special to tho Indianapolis Journal.
ELKIIART, Jan. 23.-Howell Post, of Goshen,
held campfire to night. Commander-in-chief
General Robert Beath of Philadelphia, was in
attendance; also Deputy Commander General
Carnahan, of indianapolis. Posts from all the
neighboring cities joined, and it has been the
grand G. A. r. event of the season
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
FRANCE AND CHINA.
Hostile Demonstrations Against Foreigners
in Chinese Provinces.
tt. 7 WI
country.

in Chinese Provinces.
Hone KONG, Jan. 25.-Plaeards proclaiming
hostility to foreigners have been posted through
out Hollow. A mob recently attacked for
eigner, who took refuge in the British consulate
The Chinese officials have taken precautions
against recurrence of such demonstrations.
The Canton river is open to navigation.
Admiral Courbet telegraphs to Paris that he
has established a blockage in Tonquin, prevent
ing the entry of material contraband Of war
Legitimate trade is unmolested
The French expedition to the south, against
the insurgents, was successful
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
The Buzzard Gang Captured.

LANCASTER, Pa, Jan. 25-Mrs Abe Buzzard
and three members of her husbands band have
been arrested on Ephrata mountain. The names
of the men captured are Heiney Hornberger
and Brenezizer. The arrests were made on in
formation of a Philadelphia detective who joined
the band on Jan. ], and has been travelling with
them since
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26

shot twice by the murderer, who also attempted
to explode the bomb to kill himself and captors.
Bloch recently arrested one of the suspected as
sassins of Police Commissary Klubeek. Several
arrests were made in connection with that crime,
including Schoffhausen, a leading Socialist work
man, and William and Joseph Till. brothers.