davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
Which Was to Have Been Put into Execution
Last Saturday. but Which was Pre-
vented by Timely PrecautiOn.
An Angry Spat Between an Indiana
Democrat andan Illinois Dynamiter.
A Couple of Stories Bearing Testimony to
the Remarkable Efficiency of the Pro-
family of Ex-Treasurer Spinner.
DYNAMITE AT WASHINGTON.

Rcmored Discovery Of an Alleged Plot to
Blow UP the Capitol.
Special to the Indianapolis journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. GA sensational state
ment came from the Department of State this
afternoon, through congressman, in connec~
ton with the dynamite question. 1t confirms the
intimations made in the Journal dispatch that
there are fears entertained in official circles here
that the dynamiters may next turn their atten-
ton to property belonging to this government.
Two or three days before the London explosion
occurred. lady who has charge of certain cor
respondence at the Department of State went to
a prominent congressional friend and informed
him that she had clew to plot to blow up the
Capitol At first the congressman ridiculed
the suggestion, although he knew the
lady's marked ability and perspcu-
ity in foreign and domestic diplomacy.
When she laid her information before him, how
ever, he was startled. He fastened to Secretary
Frelinghuysen and informed him of the matter,
and it is said there was not little agitation
about the department for time. Immediately
an investigation was begun; detectives and po-
lice We're set to watch the Capitol and discover
the plotters 1t is believed now that it was in
IChucu lndt Vic SdpltOl Oc OcSbIoyou de
the same time the House of Parliament and the
Tower in London were attacked andAtliat- the
building here was saved by the precautions taken
by the Department of State. The investigation
of the matter is still progressing. Should the
House adopt Mr.. Findlay's resolution calling
upon the Secretary of State for information
corning dynamite and dynamiters in the United
States, it is probable the facts concerning the
investigation now progressing will be disclosed.
Mr.. Findlay, it is believed, introduced his reso
luton yesterday after learning of this design
upon the Capitol His resolution will probably
be reported to the House by the committee on
foreign affairs on Friday, and although it will
be bitterly antagonized by such men as Finerty,
of Illinois, Collins, of Massachusetts,, and Robin
son. of New York will be adopted.
There is no doubt that fear exists at the De-
partment of State that this country will yet
have trouble with the revolutionists. 1t is said
that certain of the customs agents at New York
are under instructions to gather all the iaforma-
ton they can upon the subject, and the secret
service officers will cooperate with those of
England in New York in ferreting out the con-
spirators, and the work of the future of England
in this country towards suppressing the use of
dynamite to destroy lives and property in the
British dominions is that of the United States,
al
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
THE FIGHT wITH MurINEERs.
The Governor ofLower California Crosses th,
Line With an Armed Force.

The Governor ofLower California Crosses the
Line With an Armed Force.
WAsHINGToN, Jan. 27.-Secrerary Lincoln has
received a telegram from Maj. Gen. Pope, COM
manding the department of Arizona, forwarding
a telegram from Lieut. Mcdonald, dated January
%, in regard to his engagement with Mexican
mutineers, on the Mexican frontier, on the Goth
inst. BE says the troops were in ambuscade
when the leaders came along, and man in
front made break with his revolver which
caused the troops to fire. A charge was then
made by Lieut.. Jepks and four Of the mutineers
were killed and twelve captured. The mutineers
were scattered along the road for long distance.
The day after Lieut. Mcdonald left the field
the Governor of Lower California came along
with about thirty armed men whom he claimed
to have picked up from ranches he gathered in
nine others who were still in hiding, half starved
and frozen. An Indian runner informed Lieu
tenant Mcdonald that more mutineers were
coming to procure water at Pilot Knob, and were
anxious to fight the troops. No attention was
paid to this challenge, and the two parties
marched away together until they had passed a
few hundred yards into Lower California In
structions asked as to dealing with the Gov
ernor OF Lower California, and the party who
crossed the line at Indian Wells. Lieutenant
Mcdonald is very indignant at the conduct of
the Governor, and protests strongly against
turning the prisoners over to him.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
MISS ASSING'S WILL.
Her Souvenirs and the Interest on $4,000
Given to Frederick Douglass.

JERSEY Cry, N. j.. Jan 27.-Henry Bergh,
of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Ami
mails, appeared before the surrogate in the Hud
son County Orphans Court, today, and filed the
will of Miss Otillitn Assine. in which he is
named sole executor. Miss Assng formerly re-
sided in Hoboken and, with her sister,
Lindmolta, translated the works of several
German authors, She. was we'll known in
literary circles. Last August Miss Assing com
mitted suicide in hotel in Paris by taking pois
on after suffering intensely from cancer of tho
breast She was about sixty years of age. The
will was found on her person, and is dated Nov,
0, 1871 After disposing of her laces and
jewels among her friends. she bequeaths her
pens and souvenirs to Frederick Douglass ex-
Marshal of the District of Columbia She also
leaves him $3.50 in trust, in recognition Of his
labors in the nti-siavcry cause The ;nterest.is is
TO be paid quarterly to Douglass, and upon his
death the trust is to revert Internationally to
the Society fer tie Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
ALMOST A FIGHT.
Hot Words Between an Indiana Member and
Fenian Finerty.

Hot Words Between an Indiana Member ana
Fenian Finerty.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan 27--Mr Cobb made an
other exhibition of himself to-day. He got into
dispute on the floor Of the House, while the
session was in progress, with Mr.. Finerty, the
Fenian member from Chicago abont dynamite
The conversation was unpleasant, and, by reason
of Mr.. Cobbs overbearing manner, soon became
noisy, and they adjourned to the cloak-room
where it degenerated into quarrel, Mr.. Cobb
trying to bulldoze the fiery Fenian. But Finerty
was not born in Galway for nothing. He hotly
resented Cobbs personal inuendo, and was
about to rush upon him when Sergcartat arms
Leedom, who, with several members,
was called to the spot by their
loud and angry tones and belligerent
gestures interfered, and. by virtue of his
Office, assumed the role of peacemaker. Thus
forcibly and authoritatively persuaded, the bell-
cose gentlemen suddenly resumed their seats
They occupied them tor short time only and a
wild hunt by correspondents, anxious for
particulars, failed to disclose their whereabouts
TO make up for this slight, the correspondents
at once sent off dispatches stating that duel
would be fought. and that the principals had re-
tired to prepare therefor. But there will be no
duel. Finerty might not mind it so much, but
Cobb is careful and cautious man, and, as he
has been re elected, doesn't care to have his hide
perforated for the benefit of rival
politician Finerty was counted out by the Dem
ocrats, and has only the doubtful outcome of
a contest in Democratic House to restrain
him. Had they come to blows. Finerty would
have knocked Cobb out, as he has eighteen years
advantage of Cobb in age, Cobb being forty
eight and Finerty thirty. Both are big men
six feet three inches high. Cobb weighs about
225 pounds and Finerty 2l0. Cobb is a good
deal of brawlcr and has had many rough and
tumble battles. Finerty is handy with his
dukes and possesses the traditional Irish
courage and love for row. Cobb has we'll
earned reputation here for quarrelsomeness
and domineering disposition; his high
handed way of doing things and his overbear-
ing manners have brought him into personal
difficulties on several occasions, notably with
Representative Belford, of Colorado, and Rep
| resentative Payson, of Illinois. These quarrels
have not resulted in blows. There are those who
predict that if he and Finerty had been let alone
two minutes longer. Cobb would have emerged
from the executive session with great deal less
personal vanity and a great deal more wisdom.
cav F1nerty at his rooms tonight He was
as pleasant May morning. When asked
about the report of duel. he laughed and said
that what passed between him and Cobb was not
sufficiently personal to cause them to
fight q duel In cold blood, though
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
sPINNER's PROFANITY.

An Instance Illustrative of His Copious Flow
of Unparliamentary Language.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2Z--"Yes," !" said the Treas
ury official, "Old Spinner had the reputation of
being one of the most profane men in Washing
ton. And his reputation had a good basis
must say. | remember an amusing incident
that occurred right here in this room during the
old gentleman's term as treasurer 1t was soon
after the war An ex-confederate army officer
came in one day with a check drawn on the sub
treasurer at New Orleans. The check bore q
date previous to the breaking out of hostilities.
The funds on deposit at New Orleans to meet
this and similar drafts had been stolen by the
Confederacy. The officer stated his mission
and requested payment on the check Spinner
opened up his batteries and although that officer
had fought bravely through many battles he
had never before been subjected to such fire.
The old gentleman cursed him, and swore at him
at such a rate that / almost tainted with
fright. He called him scoundrel and
villain for daring to request payment after
having been party 10 the robbery of the New
Orleans sub treasury. Finally when he had ex-
hausted himself the officer crawled out There
Was q plOuS Ola UnlOn lduy III the room WdltlHS
for an audience with the treasurer. AS soon as
she could obtain the opportunity she spoke: Mr.,
Treasurer she said, as a rule most emphatic
ally object to swearing, but must say, sir, that
what have just heard sounded to me more like
prayer than anything else can imagine"
There is another good story concerning
Spinner's profanity. which, although old, is still
good enough to tell, in this connection" con-
tinued the speaker "When he was in the House
it was said that he did all the 'cussing for the
popular branch of Congress, while old Ben Wade
filed like position in the Senate. On
occasion after Spinner had been appointed
United States Treasurer he met Mrs. Wade,
wife of Old Ben,' on the street one day. How
is the Senatorg inquired the Treasurer. He is
not getting along we'll at ALL replied his wife.
How is thatp asked Spinner, I had not heard
that he was ill., 'Oh, he is not exactly ILL.,, Mrs.
Wade responded, but he is completely worked
out You see when you were in the House the
labor was divided and Ben could occasionally
get some rest. Now, however, as you are not
there he has to do all the swearing for both
branches of Congress, and its wearing on him
rapidly There is no record of Spinners reply,
so that can only imagine what he said"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
Sympathy for tho Boomers.

TOPEKA, Kan, Jan. 27-There is an increas-
ing septiment throughout Kansas in justifca-
tion of the Oklahoma settlers. Both Houses of
the Legislature have adopted strong resolutions
requesting senators and representatives in Con-
gress TO favor the opening of the territory to
settlement and there are scarcely any express
siorAGs Apublc or through the newspapers in
favor 81 the action of the United States troops
People watching developments with great
interest, ami the threatened conflict is generally
condemned New colonies are forming in diff
ferent parts of the State, and those now in the
Territory receiving daily accessions. Three
hundred men are said to be ready to move from
Caldwell next Monday if matters are not
brought to crisis before that time. A State
convention is called to meet at Topeka, Feb g.
to take action in the interest of parties desir-
ing to locate in the Oklahoma country.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
PRICE FIVE CENTS.

digniied. The question ASKED by the CORE
spondent was unfortunate It was:
Have you anything to say regarding the al
legged connection between these dynamite ont
RACES and what is known as Parnellism4s
The answer came like shot: aNop
After awhile Mr. Parnell became more calm
and said
Il repudiate the idea that It is necessary for
me or those who think as do to disavow respon-
sibility for these outrages. To do so would be
to admit the justice of the suspicion, Who
excuses, accuses To try to connect the Irish
Parliamentary party with last Saturdays crimes
is a wanton insult to each one of us. Why don't
they put it on the Toriesi Simply because they
fear them and they think they can insult
us with impunity because we have been insulted
so oftep.n
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
CLOTHING STORE
KIDNAPPED AND HELD FOR RANSOM.
Arrested on a Bogus Warrant and Carried to
the WoOds-The Case of Mr. Sheldon.

KANSAS Cry. Mo-, Jan. IA Jefferson City
dispatch from the Times correspondent states
that Governor Crittenden has within few days
received letters from the British minister at
Washington informing him of Alfred Sheldons
arrival in England, alive and well. Mr. Shell
don, who was a resident of this city, and a mem
ber of the Blue Springs Milling Company, dis
appeared mysteriously on the night OF May a.
last. He was said to be short $40, 900 in his &C
counts and one theory was that he had been
kidnapped and was held until wealthy friends
in England should make up the deficit;
another theory was that this was a ruse on
Sheldon's part to get away. At the request of
the British government, through the State De-
partment at Washington Governor Crttenden
took active secret measures for investigation of
the case and the rescue of Sheldon if kidnapped
as alleged. The correspondent gives the follow
ing account of the affair, which, he asserts, is
from reliable sources:
On May 4th, about midnight, two men came
TO Sheldon's house in a buggy and arrested
him on a pretended warrant and took
Tim away. They were joined by
two other men and the prisoner
was carried to place near Blue Springs and de-
tanned in a eamp in the woods for several weeks,
to his friends for money. the men demanding
$4,000. AT tlength, one night, member of The
gang promised secretly to release him. This
man then took him railroad station near by,
gave him 80 and left him Sheldon took a
Vain at rae stations but the narrative does not
state where he went The conclusion is
that Shedon's captors were pressed so
closely by the detectives that becoming alarmed,
they released their prisoner Sheldon's wife,
who remained some time in Kansas City. is now
III England Rumors have arisen from time to
time in this city that Sheldon had been seen in
various parts of the State in disguise, but none
of them have been verified The intelligence
from Jefferson City at least establishes the fact
that Sheldon is now in England.
There have been no recent developments hero
in the case. Opinions are divided, but the gen
eral belief is that the apparent abduction was
planned by Sheldon himself to mslead his cred
itors. The State authorities will not pursue the
matter further. now that they have been in
formed by Minister West of Sheldon's arrival in
England
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
General and Personal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27-The postofice at Ha-
leysburg Washington county has been dscon.
tinued; the mail goes to Medora
Secretary McCulloch today addressed com
munication to the Speaker of the House, recon-
mending an appropriation of O0G for con-
struction OF additional vaults for storage of sill
yer and for expenses attending the transfer of
silver from sub-treasuries which are now or
which may become. overcrowded with that coin
The President held his third regular reception
of the season at the White House tonight, in
honor OF the army and navy, the diplomatic
corps and members of Congress being invited to
meet them. The reception was held in the blue
parlor, and the President was assisted by the
wives of the Cabinet officers.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
NEWSPAPER POSTAGE.
Favorable Report the Bill Proposing a
Reduction Of Rates.

Favorable Report on the Bill Proposing
Reduction of Rates.
WASHINGTON JAN 27-The House committee
on postofices and postroads will favorably re-
port the substitute for the bill pending before it
relative to reduction of newspaper postage from
two cents to one cent per pound. The bill will
provide that publications of the second class,
when sent by publisher and from the Office of
publication to bona fde subscribers. or when sent
from news agents to actual subscribers or other
news agents, shall be entitled to transmits ion
through the mails at one cent per pound such
postage to be prepaid.
Representative Money, chairman of the com
mittee, has prepared report to accompany the
bill, in which he SAYS: Postage on second-class
matter can justly be called privilege tax paid
by the publisher for permission to prosecute his
business. The revenue derived from second
class matter is about 4l3 per cent of the whole
an inconsiderable proportion-amounting for
the last fiscal year to 81, $50. .592 The PROPOSE
tion to reduce postage from two to one cent per
pound does not mean reduction of this gross
amount onehalf; on the contrary, it is not GER
tain that the revenue in total amount from Sec
ond-class matter would be reduced at all by
the change. Under the present rate the govern
ment does all the business of transporting and
handling second class matter on long and un-
profitable hauls and the express companies do
the short or profitable hauls. Upon the rcduc-
tion of rates the government will do the short
hauls also, and the revenue will, in the opinion
of the committee, be maintained and probably in
creased. even with the additional expense of
| transportation, handling, etc There is no ques-
ton that the tax, as it now stands, is consider
able burden upon publishers, which they cannot
share with the general public, who are the great
est bene6ciaries of the service. Admitting the
importance of newspapers and magazines
generally. and more especially those
devoted to the arts and sciences,
to particular industries, to religious and techni-
cal instruction, as great educators and consider
ing the great burden to the class engaged in
| this work, upon whom the whole tax falls, and
little, if any, loss to the revenue of the country,
the committee respectfully recommends the pas
| sage of the bill. The reduction in rate would
| enable papers to live that are struggling and
others to improve their facilities for gathering
| news. 1t would also induce correspondence, in
| creasing first-class postage. The government
| of the Dominion of Canada in its enlightened
treatment Of this question, carries newspapers
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
DYNAMITE IN NEW YORK.
Discovery of Suspicious Box Near the Offices
of the British Consul General

Discovery of a Suspicious Box Near the OHlces
of the British Consul General.
New YORK, Jan. 27-.Ths afternoon. Eugene
w Spofford. of the firm of Spofford Bros dis
covered lying in the hall way of the second floor
of the building an odd looking package partly
wrapped up in newspaper, TO which was attached
a lighted fuse The fuse was extin;uished and
the bundle carried into the Office and found to
contain cylindrical shaped tin box about eight
inches wide and four inches high, with hole in
the top and quantity Of blue powder within.
Several gentlemen present pronounced tile pow
der dynamite. The British Consul generals
Offices are on the second floor of the building
Later developments show that the affair was
simply hoax, evidently perpetrased for the
purpose of causing sensation. The tin box
contained about quarter of pound
of black powder which later investigation
proved to be smaltz a coloring material used by
painters, and perfectly harmless The fuse
consisted of wire covered with gutta percha.
and it was not lighted. The British consul and
vice consul regarded the affair rs joke from
the first
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
THE OKLAHOMA SETTLERS.
They Conclude to Leave the Country Without
Fight.

They Conclude to Leave the Country Without
Fight.
WASHINGTON, Jan. ga telegram from
General Augur, at Leavenworth, to the Ad-
Jutantgeneral of the army announces that the
following has been received from General
Hatch, dated Saltwater Creek, Indian Territory:
The Boomer colony has come to terms They
will leave the country for the nearest point on
the Kansas line, and troops will be sent with
them. Reinforcements from Coffeyville were
turned back to the Kansas line when within
sight OF this place, on the approach of troops
and are hurrying out of the country / will
send troops to look for the men coming from
Wichita by way of Hunnewell. We have troops
sufficient"
Caldwell, Kan, telegram says: IA tele-
gram arrived to-day from General Hatch, stat
ing that Crouchs colony had surrendered and
agreed to Immediately vacated Saltwater and
Oklahoma. From other sources it is reported
that the colony is en- route to Arkansas
City, under escort of Captain Moore
with a detachment of troops. About
fifty teams have been loaded with
stores FOR Saltwater and Camp Russell in the
past twenty four hours. and another train will
be loaded tomorrow Major Gillis quarter!ras-
ter of the department of Missouri, arrived to day.
and is forwarding stores rapidly. General Augur
will arrive on Thursday to look the situation
over. A threelnch field piece, with shell, will
arrive tomorrow from Fort LeavenWorth with
four troops from that point
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
Mr.. Finerty Indorses the Dynamiters.

Mr. Finerty Tndcrses the Dynamiters.
To the Western Associated Press.
WAsHISGToN, JAN 2L-Shortly before the
House was called to order to-day. a number of
members were discussing the recent explosions
in London. The discussion took place in the
cloak-room on the Democrats side. Among
those present were Representatives Cobb
and Finerty. The former expressed
himself strongly opposed to the means resorted
to by Irishmen to effect the result desired.
Finerty replied that under the circumstances
the explosions in London were justifable it
was the only way in which the Irish could gain
their cause.
'You claim such acts to be iustifable," said
Mr. Cobb; '.justifable, when the lives of inno-
cent women and children are jeoparized. If
you look upon it in that light, you are not
humane"
Il am humane, sir, retortel Mr.. Finerty ''as
humane as you are, and sight more so.
l wish those people would be blown to -"
The dispute ended at this Both members
were considerably agitated, but controlled them
selves and confined their dispute to words
The House committee on foreign affairs has
postponed until Friday consideration of the reso-
luton calling upon the Secretary of State for in
States was concerned in bringing about the Lon
don explosions. While no vote was taken that
would show the feeling of members toward the
resolution, there was an expression of opinion
that there was no occasion for an investigation.
Members say the resolution as referred will not
be reported back to the House; one of a different
character, however, may be reported.