davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17
81 Am Free at Last


Many people are in the habit of
studying the last words of dying
men, to see f.they indicate in what
channel the mind was running.
Others, who have deep religious be
liefs, studyadying words to see if
from them some glimpse into the
profound beyond this life cannot be
obtained. Without following either
path, it seems to us that the last
words of Vice President Hendricks
were exactly the words which any
old politician and statesman, or of
any other over worked man of &c
would, could he send a message
back from the other shore, return
to this world. No more struggles /;
mo more cares (: no more defeats no
more hollow honors; no more de-
layed hopes. II am free at last /;
send for Eliza" In eight brief
words the tired man.. tired unto
death, gave to the world notice
that all it's honors were as nothing
that the only thing on earth worth
the final cherishing of a man was
home and the affections which
make the real home a shrine. He
must have felt that his supreme
moment was at hand; that he was
free; but he wanted one more
glance at the face of the woman who
has been all and all to him through
so many years the woman who
has held up his hands when he was
ready to faint who cheered him on
who, with abiding faith in her hus.
band and in herself, has alwaysb be.
lieved that "the greatest was be.
hind ;" no wonder when the calm
of the grave began to steal over hin
and he felt that he was "free a
last" he wanted the brave wifi,
near him. No thought of the hon
ors that were his came to him then
no thoughts of the hard fights tina
he had lost and won no thoughts
of what might be, could life b.
spared to him for q few years more
Only over him stole the ineffabl
peace of the eternal rest into whicl
he was sinking, and the only wisl
was that she who for forty year
had been his better half might b
near. In such a death the Americal
home receivesi its fullest vindicatiol
and the sacred name of wife take
on new dignity and new honor
Ambition may be satiated or out
lived; the highest triumphs ma,
lose their enchantment the strue
gle for fame or gold may at last be
come a burden. Then there is moth
ing left except the sacred circle G
home and the affections which Civ
to home their charm. 1t is onl,
there that the tired man may turl
and feel that he is free at last th
great world for him contracts t
that little circle and there the mira
Gle of babyhood is repeated for hir
as loving voices make a lullaby, i
listening to which unconscious
he sinks into his final sleep.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

General W. S. Rosecrans thinks
that the military career of General
Grant is subject to question and
criticism. With that view, Rose
Grams has contributed an article to
the North American Rcriew (De-
cember number), on "The Mistakes
of Grant" in which he gives many
new facts relating to the Army of
the Cumberland while it was under
his command. "Old Rosy" is rather
severe in his little p%eroration. He
says:
The principles and habits of a
long life with me have against the
obtrusion of personal views upon
public attention but truth and JUS
tice require that upon historical
events especially within my cogni-
zance, l should not in silence per
nit Unsuitable and constituencies
egotism under the shadow of a
great name to masquerade as the
muse of history,
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

There are, according to the report
ofthe Governor of Washington Ter,
saysthe Chicago Inter Ocean, within
its limits 23,00O,0 900 acres of public
lands unsurveyed, and of this at
least 100000 acres is excellent
agricultural land well timbered.
The Territory at present has a pop
ulation of 1873, 43S souls, being an
increase of 36,939 in two years.
The assessed value of property in
the territory is $50, 494, 437.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17
Ward B. Surface, who for a num-

Ward B. Surface, who for a num-
Der of years was city editor of the
Dayton Journal, but at the time of
his death assistanttelegraph editor
of the Commercial Gazette of Gin
cinnati, died in Dayton on Satur-
day last from the result of injuries
received in a quarrel at the saloon
kept by Charles Gilliland on Mark
ct street, on Thursday. Surface
and Gilliland, who struck the blow
have in times past been fast friends,
but two years ago the former be-
came infatuated with a waitress in
the employ of the latter and the
two fell out. Since then, Surface
has been most bitter in his enmity
against Gilliland, and on Thursday,
it is said, went from Cincinnati
with the express purpose of attack
ing him. He entered the latter's
saloon and at once began his TRADE
on both Gilliland and his family,
whom he called all sorts of ugly
names.
Gilliland, unwilling to take the
abuse any longer, picked DIP a beer
glass and threw it at Surface, strik.
ing him in the face. Surface stag.
gered and in falling his head struck
the footrest of the bar, which caus.
ed the fatal injury. He was re.
moved to his brothers residence il
the city, where he died Saturday.
Surface went to Dayton from
West Sonora, Preble county, si1
years ago, and during his career or
the Journal developed into a brill
ant journalist. Whiskey and bac
women finally took hold of him
and since, he has been running {
sure race to ruin. For a time b,
tried to do better and succeeded, bu
he again reverted to his old habits
and it was during a state of intoxi
cation hat this difficulty occur
ed on Thursday.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The Presidential Succession bill
introduced last winter, by Senator
George F. Hoar, and which passed
the Senate, will, it is generally con-
ceded, be taken up early in the pres
ent session, and passed. 1t pro-
vides that in case of death or disa-
bility of President and Vice Presi-
dent, then the Cabinet officers, be-
ginning with Secretary of State,
shall assume and have full power
vested in the Executive. This is
the only succession to the highest
officein the government, that would
insure peace and harmony, and it
should be passed.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

Butte City, Montana, has a popu-
lation of $4,000; 1000 to 5000 of
whom are employed in the mines at
$3.50 per day, and fully as many
men are idle. The town supports
five daily newspapers, five brass
and string bands and fifteen gam
bling establishments, four variety
theatres and one operahouse, which
are doing a rushing business every
night.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

In an interview lately held with
Roscoe Conkling he said, among
other things:
"The Republican, party has been
dragged down to its present low
stage by the manipulations of one
man, whose overwhelming ambition
for the Presidential seat led him to
go to all lengths to accomplish his
lifelong dream and ambition. He
wrecked a President by his manip-
ulation in forcing him to make APP
pointments that lead to disruption
of the party he performed acts to
attain his end for his own advance
ment that even high Heaven would
protest against he practiced venal-
ity to that extent that it became a
proverb, and still remains a kissing
among the good men of the party
and of the whole land but he has
his reward. He has been relegated
to that privacy that should have
been his lot eight years ago. His
adherents have admitted since the
last election that they were hood
winked, and many men who are of
high political standing have stated
to me that they rued the day that
they aided him in what they now
call his unholy schemes. Poor COM
fort have they obtained from. him.
These parties are now enraged at
finding their hopes blasted, and in
Weigh as heavily against their one
time hilarious Plumed Knight as
they were heartily and conspicu-
ously shouting his praise a year
ago"
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The continuance of the New Or
leans Exposition of last year as an
exposition of the trade of North
and South America is a matter of
congratulation. The exposition
was opened on November 10th, and
the rooms are in better condition
now than at the opening of the
prior exhibition. New Orleans is
the nearest largest port of entry to
Central and South America, and it's
natural advantages and progressive
spirit are giving it prominence as a
competing commercial port The
Government now sends the Central
American mails by way of New Or
leans instead of by New York, as
formerly.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The will of Vice President Hen
bricks is a model of brevity and
good sense. There will be no wrang-
ling over it by attorneys. Here it
is:
II, Thomas A. Hendricks, of
Marion county, Ind, do make this
my last will and testament, hereby
revoking any and all wills by me
at any time heretofore made. I
give, bequeath and devise to my be-
loved wife, Eliza C. Hendrix, all my
personal and real property of every
description whatever, and wherever
located, also my rights, claims,
chooses in action in fee simple to
have the same to her and her heirs
forever. In witness whereof, and,
if agreeable to her, I desire that she
shall be the eXecutrix thereof.
THOMAS 4. HENDRICKS.
Signed and delivered in our pres
ence and attested by us in the pres
ence ofthe testator, and in the pres
ence of each other at his request,
August s, 1868.
WINsLOW S. PIERCE.
J. III. MCKERNAN.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17
The LIQUOR question is rapidl

The liquor question is rapidly
taking the form of license ofsno Ii
cense everywhere. Massachusetts,
is to vote upon it at the approach
ing municipal elections. 1t would
take that shape in Ohio but for the
Republican opposition. It is too
good a thing for Republican politi
clans to juggle with as it is, and
they never will consent to its settle
ment so long as it can be used for
political purposes.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

Gen. S. B. Buckner, of Kentucky,
is prominently mentioned for the
Governorship of that State. His
friendship for Gen. Grant at a time
when friends were most needed, has
in turn, won him many admirers
who would be glad to see him thus
honored. Kentucky cannot do
much better than to select as its
next Governor, the man whofought
well in war and in peace so mob
ly sprang to the help of his former
opponent.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The committee appointedto wind
up the affairs of the collapsed
Freedman's bank report that they
have paid individends all the mon
ey available except about $4,000.
They have paid 50 cents on the dol
lar. The commissioner renews his
recommendation for the relief by
congress of the unfortunate credi-
tors of the institution, and adds:
The great majority of them are of
the poorest and most illiterate of
our people. Many of them have
grown old and decrepit. 1t seems
impossible for these people to real
ize that they are to be deprived or
have lost a portion of their earn
ings, which years ago they labored
so hard to acquire and save. Thou
sands of them to this day believe
that the dividends paid them by the
commissioner are but the interest
on or earnings of their deposit, and
that sooner or later their original
deposits will be returned to them.
No explanation seems to convince
them to The contrary, and calls are
made daily, both orally and in writ
ing, for their money. Nor ought it
to be considered strange or unrea-
sonable in view of all the circum-
stances for these people to look to
the government for reimbursement
of their losses.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The terms of the State officers
elected Oct. 18th, will commence as
follows: Governor Foraker, Lieu
tenant Governor Kennedy, Treas
urer of State Brown, Attorney Gen
eral Kohler, and Member of the
Board of Public Works Jones as
sumo on Monday, January1 II, 1886,
the duties of the offices to which
they were elected on Oct. 18th. Su-
preme Judge Spear takes his seat
on the bench ASSOC as he receives
his commission and takes the oath
of office. Judge Minshall takes his
seat ON the bench on Feb. 18th,
1886. The Sixty-seventh General
Assembly convenes on Tuesday,
January 5, 1885.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17
No Need of a Quarrel.
New York SUM-

NSN - ooH
There seems to be some appre-
hension among some Democrats,
as there is a vivid hope among Re
publicans, that a conflict will be
'.precipitated" somehow or other
between the President and his par
ty in the present Congress. The
prophets of evil think, or pretend
to think, hat the irritation against
the President, of which there are
sporadic local symptoms, will
break out virulently when the flood
gates of talk are opened at Wash
ington this month.
Now, of course nobody can tell
what the President may do Or what
Congress may do but it should be
borne in mind that love for compe-
tent examinations, unsatisfactory
distribution of offices and delay in
distributing them are the only
causes of offence yet manifest in
MI. Cleveland. None of these
things is matter for the Democrats
in Congress to make row about. The
competitive examinations are pre-
scribed by a statute which cannot
now be repealed, and the delay may
be a little Disappointing, but sooner
or later, and on the whole pretty
soon, the Offices will be in Demo-
cratic hands and as to the appoint
ments already made, it is absurd to
suppose that anybody but the Re-
publicans want to be disagreeable
about them. Take out a few Mug
wump appointments, given for sup
posed value received, and Mr.. Cleve-
lands appointments have been
Democratic. In a few notable in
stances the party would have pre-
ferred other Democrats than those
he selected, but as long as the Presi-
dent appoints Democrats, and not
Republicans, his party is not going
to quarrel about him. That he has
stepped on the toes of a number of
Congressman is very probable, but
congressman with sore toes will
keep to themselves if they have any
sense of propriety.
This matter of the offices, impor-
tant as it is, is, after all, a minor one.
The Democratic party has no inten-
!tion and the Democrats in the 49th
congress can have no intention OF
quarreling with the President about
offices. The Republicans have the
patent for doing that sort of thing
That the Democrats in Congress
will disagree with some of the Pres.
ident's recommendations is as like.
lily as that he will object to some de
f tails of their Legislative work. Disa.
; greements Of this kind are inevita
ble.. They have frequently occurred
between Republican Congresses and
; Republican Presidents. They arc
} not fatal or even dangerous. They
are differences OF opinion, not quar-
l rels.
l There will be grave differences o
opinion among the Democrats il
the next Congress, but we hope they
will be able to get along withou
quarreling either among themselves
or with the President. With the Re
: publican Senate they may have t.
e quarrel.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The State Supreme Court has re-
yersed the decision of the Circuit
Court and ordered in effect that the
certificates of reelection be given
to four Democratic Senators. This
is claimed as a "partizan" decision.
So was the Circuit Court, but the
Supreme Court had the last
"whack" and is on top.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The cattle kings who have sought
to occupy the public lands to the
exclusion of other. people have
heard it announced from the court
of last resort that they must GO
Justice Miller, ofthe Supreme Court
has Just rendered Adhesion on this
matter whichis of greatimportance.
1t is on the celebrated Brighton
ranch case, and involves the right
of cattle kings to fence in Govern
ment land. The Brighton Com
pany has fenced in $4,000 acres of
Government landin Custer County.
Neb., with ffty-seven miles of wire
fence. Proceedings was begun some
time ago to compel the company to
remove the fence, and they have
fought it desperately, carrying the
case to the Supreme Court, in which
they have been defeated. Justice
.Miller's decision settles all doubt
full points on the question of fenc.
ing public domain, and this case
will be used as a precedent in SINH
lar suits whenever they are brought
The Brighton Company will have
to Immediately remove the fences:
and others will be compelled to dc
the same. On the land and Indian
question, the administration is
striking out in a new line in the in.
terest of settlers against corpora.
tons in the one case and of the In.
dams against the jobbers in an
other.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The commissioner of the general
land Office says that his annual re-
port will show, that between Is and
95 per cent. of the land entries
made are fraudulent. He will re-
commend a revision of the system
of making entries, and the utmost
care in appointing land agents and
registers who, he says, are honest
good men.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The seventh day of April, 1888,
will be the centennial of the first
settlement in Ohio at Marietta. The
Ohio State Board of Agriculture,
the Ohio Archaeological and Histor-
ical Society are DESTROYS of appro-
priatcly celebrating the occasion,
and are already making some prep
arations to honor the day.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

In 1876, Iowa gave Hayes $1,000
plurality in 1880, she gaveG Garfield
$4,000, in 1884, Blaine 10000; and
in 1885, the republican candidate for
governor 5000. This shows that
the republican majority in Iowa
has been subsiding at the rate of s.
600 a year, on an average, since
1875, and indicates that things may
come to a very interesting pass at
the next State election.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

1t is rumored that Mr.. Geo. H.
Pendleton is dissatisfied with the
Berlin Ministership. Well, let him
resign and come home. He can,
and ought to live without it. There
are plenty of good Democrats who
will accept it and be satisfied.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

It seems as if John A. Logan is
getting himself ready as a presi-
Dental candidate for 1888. A bu-
reau has been organized at Wash
ington city to boom himI We don't
believe John will ever "git thar !"
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

Abraham Hendricks, grandfather
of the late Vice President, was a
Justice of the Peace at Lancaster,
Pa, in 1904. A stone house which
he built near West Fairchild is still
standing.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The Illinois Soldiers Home is to
be located at Quincy. Quincy was
chosen only after three hundred and
ninety-nine ballots had been taken
by the commissioners to decide up
on the site.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

Oregon is the next state to move
in favor of a uniform day for cleo
tons, a bill having been introduced
in the Legislature changingt the time
for the state election from June to
November.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

In the States voting in October
and November, this year, the Re-
pubicansl lose $4,000 of their last
years majorities. The yawp of the
bloody-shirt rs gradually growing
less effective.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The Sandwich islands are offered
for sale for $14 100000. The Phila-
delphia Press remarks that "the
property consists of two sugar
houses, one extinct volcano and
seven hundred cases of leprosy, all
in middling repair
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The Ohio State Journal followed
by other Republican papers, have
threatened any Republican men,
Der of the Assembly with ~assassina-
ton if he Joined the Democrats to
elect a Democratic or conservative
Republican U. S. Senator. This is
q fact.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

One of the Atlanta Prohibition
lists who was most active during the
recent campaign has been turned
overto the police by his family. His
head has been turned by the excite
ment.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

Ohio furnishes the United States
seven Senators: Sherman and
Payne Harrison and VOORHEES,, of
Indiana Allison and Wilson, of
IoWamd Plumb, of Kansas. Good
enough for the Buckeye State.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

Hon. John w. Daniels has been
chosen United States Senator by
the Virginia Legislature to succeed
Malone. He is one of the brightest
men of the present day and famous
for his eloquence. 1t is the grand
est swap ever made in the American
Senate.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

snndavac Congressman Campbell drew a
q. lat on the Republican side of the
to Texasbuse. He will do as wei on that
womsde for his constituency as on the
o. LocSther side.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

Ladies' Toilet Sets and Odor Gases, Plush and Oxidized
Metal Photo Frames, Photo Albums in new and elegant
binding, Ladies' Sewing Boxes, Handkerchief and Glove
Sets, Writing Desks in wood and leather, Ladies' Shopping
Bags and Reticules in latest shapes, Collar and Cuff Sets,
Card Cases and Music Rolls, Gold Pens, Pencils, Cases
and Holders, Unique Bronze and Glass Inkstands, Mirrors,
Paintings and Engravings,
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The Chicago Inter Ocean aptly
Asys: "one thing is sure, the
sssfends and enemies of the late
Thomas A. Hendricks always knew
where to find him"
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The Advice year 1885 will be noted be-
Tax define of the death of Gen. Grant,
year. d. Mcclellan, Vica-Pros't. Hen
Fat hogsks, Senator Sharon and w. II.
Eaton iroRiderbilt.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The next Ohio Legislature will
be composed of 30 lawyers, %
farmers, 6 merchants, 5 editors, Z
a~physicians 4 laborers, 3 preachers
l. pd 2 colored gentlemen.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

more, will find Gid Nebraska average 364
margin of his psof o to the acre, and it
I-sa..acul to say which state. will
hampton.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

The Pittsbnrg Dispatch, the lead
ing Republican paper of that city,
is much disturbed over the condi-
ton of the Republican party. It
demands that the faction fighting
be brought to an end, and that the
only way to make an end of it is to
send Blaine and Conkling to the
roar
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

it keeps from ral John C. Fremont is -ad-
amount lhsd.to be- old and feeble, but he
ptpoor, aslhe has large and prof
~ 70 thosek landed interests in California.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

To Our Denbusiness of importance
There are many win Congress until after
our subscription book
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

9HOCAI. NH Legislature will meet
DOOlA-anday in january.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

subscription. and to theral thing President
tee is addresses. message was well re-
say, ine p..s.sas parties. 1t is an able
heeu nnmsI document.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

1,sase call in and(kInd will sing in public
edness. Were we z for the first time in
which is due us, " eFears. Her appearance
Again we say, pleasss charitable purpose.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

We gave the Presidents message
last week in an extra and we hope
all our readers read it. 1t was long,
but considering hat it astwenty-
four years since a Democrat had the
privilege of addressing the people
from the White House, don't think
there was any too much of it.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

There will be grave differences of
opinion among the Democrats in
the next Congress, but we hope they
will be able to get along without
~quarreling either among themselves
or with the President. With the Re-
publican Senate they may have to
quarrel.