davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press., 1885-03-25
Too Much for .he Rear.

There resided in the town OF franklin two
old maids by the name Of Abbott, says the
Mt. Desert Herald. They we're sisters and oc-
cupied the same house. Everything was held
in common, and what one owned the other al
so owned, of course. One night on going after
the COWS they found they had strolled g long
way off They followed the trail and after a
long walk heard the tinkling OF the bell. Az
they drew near they were startled by sudden
rush OF the cattle, followed by loud below
ing Mistfustiug that something was wrong,
they rushed on as fast as they could, and 10
their dismay discovered that large bear had
caught favorite heifer, which he had thrown
between two logs and was pounding unmerci-
fully with his big paws. Armed with clubs
they rushed upon the savage brute, yelling
with yell that only such occasions will draw
cut Bruin left his prey and squared himself
for battle; bat our heroines continued to ad-
stopping now and then to show a certain
amount OF ivory which was not very pleasant
to behold. One now kept guard over the pros
trste heifer, while the other ran for home TO
procure help. All was still, and nothing was
heard save the distant tinkling OF the bell
which showed that the frightened cattle were
fast nearing home. She was Just counting the
minutes that her sister woHd probably be gone
when looking up she saw that the bear was
again approaching. Nothing daunted she
beat the ground with her club, and assisted BY
a small dog that now and then sprang up and
barked furiously, the bear was kept at dis
tance till help arrived, when he Suddenly de-
camped,
The Portland daily press., 1885-03-25
FORTY NINTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.
WARRINGTON. Marc

WARRINGTON, March "A.
When the hour OF IL O'Clock arrived there
was nearly quorum present. Vice President
Hendricks laid before the Senate several me-
MORALS, one of which related TO the obstruc-
tion OF navigation of the Arkansas river at
Rob Roy, Ark; one from the Arizona Legisa-
ture, praying for the return of lands granted
to railroads to the public domain; also one
praying for the enactment of law providing
for mounted patfsl for the apprehension of
criminals, AID for the amendment of treaty re-
latious relative to the extrsdition of criminals
between the United States aud Mexico. All
these were appropriately referred.
Mr.. Dolph earnestly appealed to the Senate
to consider his resolution authorizing the COM
mittee on coast defence to sit anywhere they
may deem proper during the recess; but the
Senate was apparently in no mood to further
consider such resolutions, fearing, perhaps,
that IL the question of employing clerks for
committees during the recess should be re-
opeued at this time, Mr.. Shermsn's pending
resolution resembling all such orders made since
March 4th might be passed.
Mr.. Dolpb's endeavors were frustrated by
Mr.. Miller OF Nov York, who moved that the
Senate proceed to the consideration OF execu-
tive business which was carried, and at 1910
p N. the galleries we're cleared and the doors
closed.
In executive session Mr.. Morgan continued
his speech of yesterday on the Weilla Abra
Mexican treaty, speaking in favor of its ratifi-
cation.
No action was taken on the We'll and La
Abra treaty in the executive session. There
were about dozen Senators in the chamber
When at $50 p. M. the doors were reopened,
the credentials of James H. Berry, the Sem
ator-elect from Kansas, were presented,
Senators voorhees, and Spooner were ap-
pointed by the Chair members of the board of
visitors to the Naval Academy at Annapolis.
Adjourned.
The Portland daily press., 1885-03-25

Mr.. Clement Z. Staples, our able representative
to the legislature, and the gentleman who rendered
such Invaluable service to the people of Ferry and
Willard villages in his untiriug zeal, which lead TO
the passage Of the act incorporating the Peoples
Ferry Co, has been confined 10 his house since The
adjournment of our legislature, with severe cold
and sore throat. We hope to see him about soon, as
well as ever, 10 order to go the excursion TO the
islands iu the new double ender.
Mr.. Charles Hamlin, speaker of the House of Rep
resentatives pays a we'll deserved tribute TO our
representative. Clement Staples. Esq, when he
said that he of the most careful, keen, able
and best Legislators he had ever met.
10 the Editor of the Press:
We find 10 the Cape Elizabeth Sentinel OF
March the Goth, the above articles, which we
heartily endorse. But after such Invaluable
services to the people Of the villages named
above were rendered by Mr.. Staples, most OF
the Republicans Of those villages at our annu-
al town meeting threw away the Republican
ticket with the name Of our worthy represen-
tative on the same for first selectman, and vot-
ed the straight Democratic ticket, expecting
thereby to make doabiy sure their double
ender. And now see tho tAffy. To conciliate
him they hope he will be able to take an ex-
carlson 10 the islands with them ia the cele-
brated doubs-snder. Comment is unnecessary.
Oh, consistency thou art jewel indeed.
The Portland daily press., 1885-03-25
THE DOMINION.


WINNIPEG, March 24.-The telegraph line
near the scene of the riots and rebellion is still
cut and no dispatches can be received from any
point ia that vicinity. The Halt-breeds num-
ber 500 and are armed with Remington and
Winchester rifles. They are trying to stir up
the Saskatchewan district. The Goth battal-
ion of Winnipeg rifles has been ordered to be
ready to start for the scene. They will prob
ably leave Wednesday morning.
Detachments of mounted policemen with
field guns will depart from Winnipeg this
morning for the scene of the half-breed trouh-
les ct Prince Albert. The Goth battalion at
Winnipeg Is now under orders for forward
movement II necessary.
1t is admitted that Riel's location at Prince
Albert could not be better for the accomplish
ment OF his purpose. Big Bear is situated
near the spot and would doubtless be willing to
follow with his tribe in the lead of Louis Riel.
French half breeds are also in close proximity
and the place If Riel could capture it would be
advantageous to b inn in every way.
The mounted police department at Ottawa,
is in close communication with the officials at
Prince Albert, sndsful details are expected
soon. A rumor that Fort Carleton had been
captared By Risl is denied.
Mr.. Casey has given notice in the Dominion
Parliament that on "Wednesday he will in.
quire OF the government whether Louis Risl
has been in its employ at any time, or in any
capacity during the PAST two years.
Suspected Dynamiters at Quebec. SD
QUEBEC, March 24.-Two Irish Americans
have been arrested here on suspicion of being
dynamiters. They arrived at Qaehec via
Grand Trunk railway few weeks ago, and
have been closely watched since then on their
frequent trips between that city and Lewis.
They were examined to-day, but nothing could
be learned as to the result OF the examination.
The Portland daily press., 1885-03-25
A MILLIoNAIRE's WILL.
How tise Late Gordon w. Burnham Dis
posed of aAis Estnie.

posed of aAis Estnte.
New York, March "a The will aud codieil
OF the late Gordon w. Burnham, the nil
lionaire manufacturer, was filed for proba g
to-day. By the eodici he -beqnsatbs to Miss
X ate Ssnborn, his atfiaDced bride at tbs time
OF his death, the sum OF $4,000, payable from
his estate within one year, "in lieu OF any
right OF dover In the estate to which she may
claim in case of sad marriage, and Of her sur
vivorship as my widow"
The codcil is signed March 13, 1885, and
ratiles in every respect the last will and testa-
ment drawn by him. This will was executed
July "a. 1884, aud witnessed by A, e. Still
man. Edward Townsend, Theodore Miller and
I. ID. blanchard. The document was filed
in the surrogate's Office by ex-Judge Fancher
who made a petition stating that Mr. Burn-
ham left no widow, bat that his heirs are
Douglass William Burnbam of Ffshkill and
Thomas BTownel Burnham of this city, both
sons of the deceased. The citations to the
by the CLERK. They are made returnable
April 9th.
By the provisions of the will, the testator
gives his son Douglass the works of art now
IN the house l28 Fifth avenue, and certain por-
tlon5 OF the plate and furniture; also $3.50, 600,
TO be paid within two years, or sooner, proyid-
ed it can ba done without sacrifice to the es-
tate.
The testatOr then gives in care OF board Of
trustees $600,OO0 for the benefit of his son
Douglas during his life To his son, Thomas
Bromnsll Burnham, he gives numerous works
OF art and other miscellaneous articles; also
his library, carriages, horses, diamonds, jewell
ry, etc, and 100000 when he arrives at the
age Of 21; 100000 when he attains the age of
%: 100000 when he becomes 30; S150,0O0
when he becomes 80, and $100,000 when he
reaches the age of 40. The testator next places
the sum Of S400 600 IL trust for the use of his
son Thomas. To his aaughter-in-law, Eliza
beth Blodgett Burnhsm, he gives the sum of
$4,000; to his grandchildren, $40 GOO in trust
70 be divided equally, and $4,000 to his sister,
Harriet Burnham Preston; to his sister Maria
the residence she now occupies at Wexford,
r. l., and S15,000 TO his sister Emily, 500
COO, and the children of his deceased sister
Ph9be $4,000.
The testator also makes numerous small be-
quests.
The Portland daily press., 1885-03-25
NEW HAMPSHIRE,
Fraud ia n occasion case.

CONCORD, N. H., March 24,-Mrs. Celeste
Ann Phelps of Oxford, was arraigned before
United States Commissioner Hackett thia eve
ming. charged with fraud in pension case.
] he respondent YVES married to George NJ.
Phelps, who lost his life while member Of
the Third New Ham pshire Regiment, in 1864.
Two years later she was granted pension as
his widow. hch she has since drawn, furnish
ing every quarter the evidence Of two persons
that she was = soldiers widow and had not re-
merried In January, 1867, she became the
wife OF George Phelps of Oxford, father of her
first husband, with whom she has since resld-
ed Mrs. Phelps appeared at the hearing with
out COUNSEL and admitted the correctness of
the foregoing ststement. IL answer to Dis
trict Attorney Burns, who conducted the pros
ecution, when asked why she bad drawn the
pension after her second marriage, she replied
that she had been Informed that her last mar
rage was in violation of the laws of New
Hampshire and invalid, and that, therefore,
she was still the widow of soldier and enti-
tied to draw pension as such. Ia view of the
fact that there is statute in this State proilib.
iting the marriage of q father to his sons Wild
ow, the commissioner continued the case until
April Dist.
The Portland daily press., 1885-03-25
RAILWAY MATTERS.
ST. Johns Interest in the Megun,ie.

A very large and enthusiastic public meet
ing was held in st. John last Friday evening
in regard to the Magantic Railroad matter.
The Telegraph in report Of the meeting of
more than two columns length said the hall
was packed with an audience assembled ir-
respective Of party or politics. The citizens Of
the adjoining town OF Portland also parti-
cipated and the Mayor OF st. John presided.
The matter is creating deep interest there
aud the citizens, rich and poor alike, atte nded
the meeting. Speeches were made by all the
prominent men OF St. John and the adjacent
towns and stirring resolutions wsre adopted
among which was the following:
Resolved, That the line via Megantic, AIattawam-
keag and the New Brunswick Railway, connecting
the NJ iritime seaports with the West fulills the
conditions of the grant by the Dominion Parlia-
msnt Of 1884, as cited in the preamble, and is the
line which this meeting deems necessary to be
built.
AS will be seen from the above, St. John
people favor the route across Maine as now
proposed, and a committee of three were
elected at the meeting TO go to Ottawa and
work for the route before the Dominion Par
lament. The Province Of New Brunswick
appears to bs fully aroused and have begun
work in manner that indicates success for
the project.
The Union Pacific.
The summary of operations of the Union
Pacific Railroad for 1884 has been made public
preliminary to the annual meeting in Boston
to-day, and is as follows: For the last six
months of 1884 the earnings excluding the St.
Joseph and Western Railroad were $l4. 1888 i.
4O6; expenses $6,SO7 ,194; taxes S549. 296; sur
plus earnings of the entire system for the last
six months of 1884 were 81 381 9f5. other ra.
CENTS from miscellaneous sources make the
total income 81 1892, 107, as against total in
come for the first six months OF the year of
So, ,S49, 1926. The expenditures for the last six
months OF the year were 3,795. .904. Total
surplus for the last six months OF the year is
S4. .096, ,203 From this is deducted $3.50, 1O3 for
the United States requirements leaving the
net surplus income for the last six months of
So 346 099 as against deficit of 1888 6l4 for the
first six months of the year.
Fast Freight Line.
The Chicago & Grand Trunk, Grand Trunk
of Canada and Vermont Central roads have
arranged for fast freight line between Boston
aud Chicago. Two trains each way daily are
to be run, on a schedule of ninety hours.
Minor Notes.
1t is thought that as soon as the snow block
ade is broken on the New Brunswick Railway
a large number of special freight trains will
be required to clear away the Aroostook
fraighJ now waiting at the stations.
In the Court of Appeals at Montreal yester-
day, Judgment was rendered in the case OF the
Montreal, Portland q Boston Railroad Oompa.
nv appellants VS.. J. E. Hatton ct al, respond
ents The court confirmed the Judgment Of
the Superior Court, which ordered tho compa.
nv to call a meeting of shareholders for the
election of directors.
The Portland daily press., 1885-03-25
SHAKEN Up.
The Biddeford House Ihe scene Of Great
Excitement.

For some time past guests of the Biddeford
House in Biddeford have been very much an
noyed by the odor of escaping gas, and many
have been unable to sleep on account OF il.
Yesterday morning about o'clock Charles
Mitchell, employed in the barber shop of the
hotel, lighted his FIRE in the stove, and after
remaining in the shop a few moments he went
down into the basement to obtain supply Of
coal. He had been there but q moment when
he saw blue fash of fire running along the
wall in a zigzag course and then q terrific ey.
plo9ion occurred. 1t shook the house. ripped
up some of the floors, smashed the mirrors in
the barber shop, knocked the plasteriDg from
the wall and ceiling, broke the glass In the
front doors, and performed many other similar
pranks. Two young ladies occupying one room
up stairs were thrown out Of their bed upon
the floor. Everybody in the house was startled
by the noise and jar and rushed toward the
office, while people upon the street came from
all directions to learn the cause Of the explo-
sion.
The frout of the hotel was set on fire, and
for half an hour the flames hal full sweep,
being so located in the walls that it was a very
difficult task TO get at it, and much more water
was thus thrown upon the building than
outside. 1t was about an hour before 1t was all
extinguished, and then the water was some
four inches deep on the office floor some OF
the iAg stones being removed 20 allow it to
pass off.
After the excitement was somewhat abated,
an inspection of the rooms showed that most
of the damage had occurred in the front OF the
house. The fire was caused by ths ignisiDg OF
gas in the chimney, aud 1t had passed up to
the roof, making a commoion in each room
adjoining the chimney. In the barber's shop
and wash room the walls were badly damaged,
the ceiling cracked and some OF the rafters
broken. The next room in the rear, the
sample room, was somewhat injured by water
The plate glass in the door was demolished,
and the fire had burst through the wall near
the top of the door. In the office about the
only thing noticeable in addition to wet floor
was large piece OF plastering which was torn
from the wall. Rooms l, 2 aud upon the sec
ond floor, Is and 10 upon the third, and AZ
upon the fourth were considerably damaged,
the floors being torn up and the walls shat.
tered. The other chambers and other rooms
in the house we're uDharmed, though the fresco
work snd ceilings in the Railways were con-
sderably injured by smoke and water.
The loss, 1t is expected, will amount to about
81, ,000, which is covered by insurance.
The Portland daily press., 1885-03-25
DROUGHT AND STARVATION.
Terrible Condition of Affairs in the Ente.
rior Counties of West Virginia.

WHEELING, March 23-The frightful dest-
tuition in the interior counties of this State is
gradually coming to light. A Charleston spe-
cial to the Register says: "MT. d. w. Cum
ningham, who has been travelling during the
past week IN the counties of Calhoun, Braxton
and Gilmer, arrived in the city yesterday.
Soon after his arrival he was met by your re-
porter, to whom be related the following
touching story: Daring the past we0k, have
been travelling through the counties OF Clay,
Calhoun, Braxton and Gilmer. had heard
coed deal before going out into this section OF
the country about the suffering caused by
drought and the severe winter, but could not
believe that the accounts had net been fright
fully exaggerated. A few days experience,
however, sufficed to satisfy me that was mis-
taken. The destitution and suffering are inde-
scribabie. In many localities the people are
on the very verge of death by starvation. The
horses and cattle are no better off than the
men, women and children. Animals are liter
ally dying for want OF food. This state of af-
rairs is sickening in parts of Jackson and Ro-
ane counties. In some sections OF the stricken
districts the people have subsisted on beans
and kind OF Cruel made by grinding up
wheat in Coffee-mllS and such other means as
we're at hand, and boiling it. This is the case
among hundreds Of people, Of course I am
speaking of these regions OF country which
are isolated from villages and towns where
supplies could be obtained.
For miles there Is scarcely a village stors to
uo AVehui anu Sho 40" lnat are kopt are so
poorly stocked that they do well if they pro
vide something for the owners family to sat
In addition to the scarcity of food for man and
beast, the low state of the springs during the
warm, dry, fall months, when the drought ex-
listed, sowed the seeds of disease, aud hencs
there are many sick people. The difficulties
met with in Obtaining medical aid adds anoth-
er terror to the situation. This is what / saw
in my journey through the counties named.
The people there ought to be helped, but how
it is TO be done, and who is to do it, is more
than am able to saw
The Portland daily press., 1885-03-25
RECORD OF FIRES.
An Entire Block of Buildings i'm Clifton,
q. Il. Rnrneh-E.nss Over 2Hn.AnN.

y As Bnrned-LOss Over $5O,OOO.
NEW YoEK, March PA destructive fire
at Clifton, Staten Island early this morning.
completely erased an entire block of buildings
on Bay street, near st. Johns church. Eight
buildings were leveled 60 their foundations.
Ehe loss will exceed $4,000; probably insured
Ior one-half that amount The cause of the
nre ls believed to have been incendiary. The
contents of the eight buildings were almost
eDtlrely burned or ruined, as very little could
be saved. There is only one fire apparatus and
no water works in the village.
The Garrison House at aedaIia, NO., De
strOyed-Escape of the Guests
SEDALIA, Mo-, March 24.-At ton minutes
past IL O'Clock this morning FIRE broke out in
the laundry adjoining the Garrison House, q
large two-story frame structure. The fam es
speedily communicated to the hotel, which
was almost destroyed. The house was full of
guests, all OF whom made their escape. Tue
furniture was also saved. The passenger office
and station of the Missouri Pacific and Mis-
souri,, Kansas & Texas railways were located
on the first floor of the building. Ii was the
Oldest and best known hotel in Sedalia, having
been built in 1874. The hotel was conducted
by George L. Brown, and the building was
owned by the railroad company. The house
CONTENTS were fully insured.
Another Big Fire in Bastsn.
BosToN, March 24.-Fire tonight on the
premises of VIM. W. Webster, papier msche
manufacturers, who occupied the upper floor
OF the i've story granite block, corner OF Com
mereial and Clinton streets, caused very
heavy damage to his stock; insured. Theodore
Pinkham, strawboard manufacturer, Utley
a. BoyntoD and George N. Emery, produce
dealers, who occupied the stores in tho block
suffered heavily from water. The fire which
was confined to the upper story was an ex-
tremely stubborn one and immense quantities
of water were poured upon the building. Ut
ley & Boyntou are insured for S25 coo and
Emery for $4,000. 1t is impossible as yet to
estimate the losses. The building is owned by
Silas Pierce's heirs
Tho total damage will undoubtedly reach
SO, eco or $4,000. In addition to tbe above
named firms, several others had offices in the
building, the contents of which were thorough
ly dren3hed and ruined.
The Portland daily press., 1885-03-25
MASSACHUSETTS.
Hard weather for ,be Fi.ermen.

GLoUCEsTER, March 25.-Returning Georges
men report severe weather on the Georges last
Friday and Saturday, with Intense cold and
frequent snow squalls. The vessels were iced
mp so badly that it was almost impossible to
pay cut cable or handle craft. Sunday night
there was heavy snow storm. Schooner s.
r. Lane lost anchor string cable, and was COM
PEELED to return without fare. Schooner Fly
ing Scud lost anchor and 150 ia hons of cable.
Schooner Tidal Wave lost her main BOOM The
harbor froze over last night SO that the ferry
boat was stopped twice on the passage across
this morning. The mackerel feet is fttiog
away rapidly. The following vessels are being
cut out in the upper harhor, and will sail to-
day: Schooners Robin Hood, Mystery, John S.
McQuinn, Martha c., j. E. Garland of this
port, Abbie Dssring, Portland, Lizzie Maud,
do, Hattie Orne, Boothbay. No news received
from feet. Last season the first snacSerel
were landed at New York year ago today.
Schooner Mollie Adams was the fest of the
fleet to sail March 4. She was spoken week
ago Sunday. forty miles south of Cape Henry,
but had seen no mackerel anu was working
south. Today s fish receipts we're 12S,000 lbs, /,
Georges Goldfish and 1000 pounds Of haliDut.
The Portland daily press., 1885-03-25
MORE APPOINTMENTS.
A Number of EnapOriant Offices Filled by
tSe President Yesterday.

WASHINGTON, March "a.
The President sent the following nomina-
tions to the Senate to-day:
Francis 3. Torrey Of Maine to be Collector of
Customs for the district of Bath
John 2. Donworth of Maine, to be Collector Of
Customs for the district of Aroostook.
Daniel McConvle Of Ohio. to be Auditor of the
Treasury for the Post-otfice Department.
Henry L. Muldrow of Mississippi, to be Assistant
Secretary of the Interior.
VIM. A. j. Sparks of Illinois, to be Commissioner
OF the General Land Office.
First lieutenant Geo. S. Anderson of the 9Th
Cavalry to be Captain.
Second Lieutenant John N. Glass, 9th Cavalry, to
be First Lieutenant.
Capt. Samuel N. Whitside, 9Th Cavalry TO be
Major of the 7th Cavalry.
Lieut.. Col. John C Iidball, Sd Artillery, to be
Colonel of the lst Artillery.
First Lieutenant Geo. Mitchell, I'd ARTILLERY, to
be Captain.
Major Robert N. Scott, Sd Artillery, to be Lieu
tenant Colonel.
William A. j. Sparks, the new commissioner
OF the general land Office was born near New
Albany, lad, Nov 10, 1923, and removed with
his parents to Illinois in 1886. He attended
the county schools, labored on the farm and
taught school. He was graduated at the Nc
kenZie College in Illinois, studied law and
was admitted to the bar in 1851; was United
States land receiver from 1853 to 1856, and
was subsequently Presidential elector, MEM
ber of the Illinois Legislature in 1873, State
Senator III 1868 and 1864, and was a member
OF the House OF Representatives from 1878 to
March 3 1888, declining to seek a reelection.
MIR. McOonvie who was nominated to-day
to be Sixth Auditor Of the Treasury and as
signed to the Post-ofice Department, is a resi-
dent of Steubenvills Ohio, and at present
holds the office of private secretary OF Gov.
Hoadley. He has always taken an active part
In politics, and for several years has served on
The Democratic State executive committee.
He is about AZ wears old,