davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04
A oLEYER sWiSDLER.
How He Made Money Through the
Order tsStar of HIcayen.,y


A dispatch from Warrensburg, NO., says
Charles Ii. smith, who was arrested here on
last Friday, had succeeded by a well-devised
swindling scheme in defrauding the inhabi-
tants of this and adjoining counties to the
amount of $780, 900.
His plan was as follows He pretended to
have been especially ordained by God to
form new secret order, from which was to
grow u new and the only true religion Ac-
cordingly he began establishing the order of
the Star OF Heaven" He would grant u
charter to any six persons who applied for
it, provided each paid into the common
fund $25. Charter members pledged them
selves not to take more than six members
into lodge, thus allowing only II members
OF a lodge. Then no had prophetic visions
In which great avenues of wealth were
opened up TO him. On the basis Of these
visions he induced his dupes to mortgage
their farms to the order, and thus 1t be-
came sort of loan association. The sec
Rotary had charge of the notes, deeds
and mortgages of the lodge, which he
turned over to the treasurer VINO con-
yerted them into cash. Smith was
financial agent OF all the lodges, and here
is where the swindle Is. When the lodge
was organized the first duty OF the financial
agent was to buy land near some town.
divide 1t into town lots, which were bought
by members of the lodge from the financial
agent as follows: A member paid $50 a lot,
one-third cash and note for the balance
bearing III per cent interest and gave a
mortgage on the lot. He then got $50 of
the treasurer, gave 1t and his note for 800
to the financial agent and gave the
treasurer receipt for $50. The agent re-
turned $50 to the treasurer and had the
note for the 800. In this way each member
got lot and the agent many notes of from
300 to $500 each. The notes were good.
inhA aDant aOlh than md Tfa d., . a,
manner. His victims are numbered by the
hundreds
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04
THAT Mr1FoRD eHAB GAME.
What n Milford HHan Says OF ths
oliver Claim.

Oliver Claim.
A correspondent Of the Milford Nesos
aays: NV attention was called some days
ago 10 an article In the Philadelphia Press
Of the 18th instant and copied, believe,
In your paper of the Goth. This is not
the first report Of the kind that has caused
the people to gossip little about the old
Oliver claim to property held here. But
little attention, however is given to the
rumor by those holding Oliver lands. /
have before me communication which
may interest some OF your readers, from
an old lawyer, resident of Milford in
the days OF bis boyhood and written
many years ago al time when the sub
ject was agitated in Milford. 1t was in
reply to an article published in New
York paper of that day. He says; II do
not think our Milford friends need TO be
much troubled about this stale claim, if
indeed claim is seriously contemplated
10 your town"
Mr.. Joseph Oliver owned the land on
which the town was built. remember
the old gentleman very we'll he lies
buried in Milford. ] have frequently
heard my father say that Oliver bought
| the land Of man named Walton. There
was then but one house on the land called
| the .'Old Walton House" standing,
think, on the corner where Mr.. Wallace
kept store.
4. w. Zadoc or Levin Chopper about
| that time, built house and engaged in
business. Milford was at that time
called Choppers Landing. In the year
1880 Joseph Oliver obtained an act of the
General Assembly to erect bridge over
| Mispillion creek. This was at Choppers
Landing, in Milford. This act was after
wards repealed.
Before the construction of the bridge
and the subsequent erection of the Mil
ford mills, the State or Kings road, lead
ing from Dover to Lewes, crossed the
Mispillion at point called '"The Three
Runsn traces of the causeway are still
to be seen above the upper islands in the
Milford mill pond. The road ran from
the Presbyterian meeting house, ON the
south side of the creek called the "Three
Runs Meeting House." This road then
ran across the lands of MIR. Chopper by
or near the old Rodgers burying ground.
The tide of the Mispillion then flowed
up to the dam of the Haven Mills, and
vessels passed through the drawbridge tc
the wharves above.
MIR. Joseph Oliver, called the LORD
Mayor sold off very many town lots, a
a ground rent, from the land he ther
owned. He left will devising most o.
his estate to his son Samuel Oliver, o.
whom Elias Shockley was guardian.
very we'll remember all these people, blu
| in regard to the "claim," said to be nov
set up by MIR. Thomas Oliver, 1 am in
clined to think it is, and will be found Il
be myth.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04
Nebraska Farmers Happy.

LINCOLN. Neb., March 1.-During the
month Of February, with the exception OF
two or three days, the weather has been
very fine and promising. The snow disan-
peared slowly and no floods resulted. mncb
Of the moisture sinking Into the ground,
thus preparing the soil for good crops, The
corn left In the field when the snow came
has been found In rather better Condition
than could havo been anticipated. Farmers
will soon have the entire crop in. The corn
LETT In open cribs or on the ground, comes
into the market now rather damp. Some
time will be required to dry It thoroughly,
Farm operations have already begun, and
in the southwestern part OF the state, some
seeding has been done and the ground is
found In excellent condition. Winter wheat.
what little there Is, has passed the winter
thus far safely and is nowin excellent condi-
ton. Reports from the cattle regions are
not more unfavorable than for previous
years and the losses, while large In the aR-
gregate, will chow only small percentage.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04
WoRK ON THE h. q o.
Ten Hours "A Day from Baltimore
10 the Ohio River.

BALTIMORE, March 1.-The Sun this morn
ing says: In accordance with an order from
General Superintendent David Lee of the
Baltimore Il Ohio railroad, the employees Of
the eastern division of the road, extending
from Baltimore to the Ohio river, will to-day
go on 10 hours a day.
No notice Of the increase has been posted
In the shops at Mt. Clare, but 1t was known
to quite q number yesterday and Master
MaGhinist Andrew j. Cromwell, to whom
Col. Lees order was sent on Saturday, will
officially notify the various foremen of the
shops this morning. The order affects
thousands OF men all along the eastern
division, there being between / 900 and
1900 men at Mount Glare alone.
The men were reduced some time last
fall from 10 to $ hours, as the company had
| placed its rolling stock in excellent condi-
ton, and had no work for the large force IL
had. Between 800 and 400 men were
| dropped from the shop as the work
| slackened, Since then the business OF the
road has so greatly improved that many Of
| the discharged hands were taken on again
| and since the early part OF this year, most
Of the different shops have been running
nine hours.
/ The present increase to 10 hours Is be-
lieved to be permanent. 1t means to the
laborers at Mt. Glare an increase of from 81
| cents to l.10 and a proportionate increase
| among the mechanics. One of the men, OF
| hearing OF the runor yesterday afternoon
discredited it, saying "it was too good t.
| be true
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04
GREAT sNOWs IN CANADA.
Trains buried i'm Drifts 10 and is
Feet Deep.

RrvIERE Do LouP, QUE, March 1.-The
worst storm known here for years has been
raging since Friday morning. Fridays
down express train was buried in 10 feet OF
engines with snow-plow were running
about 15 miles ahead) until this morning,
when 1t managed to reach the station.
Another train is buried In is feet of snow
on Bic mountain, blocking the line and pre-.
venting the passage Of trains on Friday and
Saturday. Ten engines and all the men
that can be had from Saint Flavie to Rlviere
du Loup have been working to clear things
drifts swell faster than they can be shoveled
or plowed away, work has had to BIS sus-
pended until the storm Is over.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04


There is the real old Jaclssonian ring in
this concluding sentence of President
cleyeland's message to the Senate
Neither the discomfort of party friends,
nor the allurements constantly offered Of
confirmation of appointments con
ditioned upon the avowal that
suspensions have been made on
party grounds alone, nor the
threat proposed in the resolutions now
before the Senate that no combinations
will be made unless the demands of thai
body be complied with are sufficient tc
discourage or deter me from following in
the way which l am convinced leads tC
better government for the people,"
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

Fearful Accident 10 IA Lady Said TO
be Ex-Governor SeymOnrss Sister.

BUFFALO, N. y, Feb 26.-About Q
O'Clock last night, while the wind was
blowing a strong gale, lady, said to be
the sister of the late ex-Gov. Seymour
was blown from Lake Shore train
between Erie and Dunkirk. Sheattempted
to pass from the dining car to the sleeper
with her husband, aud had no sooner
stepped upon the platform than she was
carried swiftly of the train. Her husband
barely escaped following her.
The train was stopped and backed fol
nearly mile before they found the lady,
who had escaped death, but received o
deep cash over her left temple. She was
taken to q hotel in Dunkirk. She is
about go years of age. The names of hel
companion and herself could not be
| ascertained.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04
rns carr AT pH1rADEtpHlA.


DclasvRre River
PurLApEupHIA, Feb. 27.-The wind
storm which struck the CITY over 46 hours
ago at sundown was still blowing gale,
but its fury seemed to have been spent.
The beds Of the Delaware and Schulkill
rivers were almost naked all day long,
and the fish padded around in midstream
fighting for "more cover.n The nor'wester
had blown nearly all the water out Of the
rivers into the ocean, and at $50 this
morning, when IL should have been high
water, the Delaware was only two inches
above low water mark. During the
afternoon all the slips were dry and the
long sand bar above Ridgeway Park
covered with cleaning Ice, lay exposed for
/ 900 feet. The mouths of the sewers along
the river front gaped at the passing tugs
and ferryboats 10 feet above the surface
of the river. The channel above Ridge
way Park, which was cut about three
years ago by the government, was i'm
passible for boats. AT 6 o'clock tonight
there were about 900 people gathered in
the ferryhouse at the foot of Market street
hungrily calculating the chances of get
ting home by supper time and watching
the efforts Of two ferryboats TO extricate
themselves from mud bank 200 yards
from the opposire shore.
The steamer John A. Warner, which
plies between this city and Bristol, had
hard work in fighting its way down the
river this morning. Engineer Bilderback
of the Warner, said that thare was great
deal of ice up the river, which impeded
their progress as much as the low water.
The steamer was unable to make the re.
turn trip tonight, and will lay up in this
city until Monday. The Wilmington, O
steamer running between Philadelphia
and Wilmington, did not come to-day.
II is supposed that she is stuck in the
creek in the latter city. The Wilmington
steam barge of the Warner line arrived al
the wharf at the foot of Chestnut street
late in the afternoon orabout eight hours
behind time. The Cambria line steamer
Surrey, Captain Murrell, from this port
for Baltimore, ran ashore below New
Castle during the day and was high anG
dry tonight. Little news has beer
received from down the river, but il il
supposed that many vessels are in tn,
same predicainent us the Surrey. NJ
vessels drawing more than 10 or 16 fee
of water have been able to proceed down
the river, and no vessel has passed in tn,
| vapes since the storm began.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

SUSPENSION BRIDGE, N. Y, Feb. 49,
A man 35 or 40 years old came here from
Buffalo this afternoon. He took car
riage to the rapids, and thence to the
falls, where he went on the ice-bound
base of the American Fall. He fell or
jumped over and was lost. 1t is said he
was from New York, The man was of
medium size, sandy whiskers and wore a
silk hat and frock overcoat. He looked
like q German.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

Is very prevalent at this season, the symptoms
being bitter tastes, offensive breath, coated
tongue, sick headache, drowsiness, dizziness
loss OF appetite. II this condition Is allowed To
continue, serious consequences may follow. By
promptly taking Hoods Sarsaparilla, fever
may be avoided or premature death prevented.
y Is positive cure for biliousnesB. Sold by all
druggists.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

The Pennsylvania courts have decided
that mo boundary line can be made OF
barbed wire without the consent of parties
owning the adjacent lands, and any man
who puts barbed wire fence along the
highway renders himself liable for all
injuries resulting to stock passing along
said highway
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04
A F atnI Runaway Accident.

CHESTER, Feb. PA span of horses
attached to a cab ran away this afternoon,
and James Dougherty, the driver, was
thrown against telegraph pole, striking
it with his head and receiving injuries
which resulted in his death shortly after
ward.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

The New Jersey senate bill to empower
the Baltimore * Ohio Railroad Company
to bridge the Arthur Kill is in a shape
which recalls that in which the final action
of the Delaware house of representatives
left the increased representation amend
ment at the last session of our own gen
eral assembly. 1t will be remembered,
without any mental effort to recall the
exact nature of the tangle, that the
friends Of the amendment main.
tanned that it still possessed some
vitality, while its opponents held
that it was legislatively dead and buried.
OF the Jersey bill it is reported that il
'cau be called up ut any time on the
motion to take from the table TO motor
to reconsider by majority vote Here
is plenty of room for would-be parlia
mentary experts to get in some fine work
But we predict that the bridge will b,
built, if the Baltimore & Ohio is reall,
| in dead earnest.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

That the Harlan & Hollingsworth Com
pany should have secured the contract for
building the Vanderbilt yacht is another
very big feather in Wilmington's cap. As
our local columns show, the new vessel is
to be the largest and finest steam pleasure
craft afoat. We feel assured, from the
excellent reputation which these works
have built up and maintained during the
nearly half century of their existence,
that this contract will be carried out with
completeness that will further convince
the world that we have here in Whining
ton the knowledge, the skill and the plant
to turn out as good a job as can be OBJ
tanned anywhere.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

Noting the award to the Harlan Hol-
lingsworth Company of the contract for
building the William X. Vanderbilt
yacht, the Nautical Gazette says "The
builders and owner are alike to be con
gratulated-in their specialties they are
unequaled-a they cannot fail to be
satisfied each with the other"
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

CHICAGO, Feb. 26.-The visit of the
committee of Is to the Mccormick works
yesterday afternoon was not productive of
results. But two of the committee were
employees of the factory, all the rest being
outsiders. They claimed, however, to
represent nine-tenths of the men. The
committee made another demand for the
discharge of the non-union molders That
ended the conference, Mr.. Mccormick
again declaring that he would listen to no
such proposition.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

Reports to BTadStreets from 277 towns
iii the cotton belt show that the stock of
unsold cotton on hand at the time the
rep )rts were made, an average of
ten days ago, aggregated 15S,791 bales, as
against BIB bales similarly stored at
the same time last year. From these
returns the estimate is made that the
amount held upon plantations, taking the
whole belt will not exceed per cent of
the crop. The replies received as to the
financial condition of theplanters indicate
that the series of short crops, followed by
the present year of low prices, has left
very little money in the south. The good
grain crops generally made will however,
from all appearances, make the coming
cotton crop the cheapest Of any ever
made in the south. The effect of the
tendency to diversity crops, added tc
these causes will, from all appearances
decrease the total acreage of cottor
| planted this year,
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04
DON'T take tbot ..eocktail in The morn

Don't take that cocktail in the morn
ing If you have ''swelled head,n
nausiated stomach, and unstrung nerves
resulting from the convivial party last
night. The sure and safe way, to clear
the cobwebs from the brain, recover zest
for food, and tone up the nervous system,
Is to use Dr.. Pierce's PLEASANT Purgative
Pellets" Sold by all druggists.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

II is indeed hum ane TO relieve those who
are paying the penalty of a vicious course OF
life, but far more TO induce the young to keep to
the path OF v rlue, h alth and happiness. The
"Scirnce of Life directly Accompanies both 1t
contains secret truths that every young man
should know. Don't fall 10 send for II next
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

The GAZETTE notes with pleasure the
receipt of the following letter of explarA-
ton from the Hon. Charles B. Lore:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, o. S., WASH
NaToN, d. O., March I'd, 1SSG.-Editor Ecery
Euening- SIR: In your issue Of yes
terday you copy an article from the Wash
ington National Republican which charges
that insult my constituents and the coun-
try at large by voting to go to Europe for
marine engines"
/ desire to say 1t Is a misrepresentation of
my views and votes. / am in favor of
building up our navy by American work
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

for Coughs and Colds II do not see how
1t is possible for public man to be himself
IN winter without this admirable aid,n-
Rev. r. N. Dspsns, Pocassst, Mass.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

NEW YORK, March 2.-Michael McCabe
Patrick Condor and an unknown man were
found frozen to death In the streets OF New
York this morning,
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

THE M'CORMICR LGCK-oUT.
A conference That Gives Promise Of
an Adjustment.

CHICAGO, Feb. 25.-Three of the owners
and two managers of the Mccormick reaper
works gave IN interview to two delegates
from the strikers yesterday. It Is said the
delegates conceded that the trouble of ar
ranging settlement had arisen from the
Interference of outsiders with the strikers.
Another conference will be held this after
noon at which 1t is thought some adjust
ment of the difficulties will be made.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

CHICAGO, March2 The Mccormick works
opened as usual this morning. There were
large crowds of idle men about the works,
any outbreaks on their part, even though
they had contemplated one. Five hundred
aud forty men reported for work. an in
crease OF 200 over yesterday, and the man
ayers Of the works expect that the number
will be increased to 600 tomorrow. The
officers think the strike is practically
ended
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

CHICAGO, Feb. PA meeting of McCor-
mick's employees was held last night. Five
hundred attended, and non-employes we're
rigidly excluded. Notwithstanding the
declaration that the lockout was at an
end, every man In the hall except two OF
three voted against returning to work If Mr.
Mccormick insisted on his right to hire
nom union men IL he wanted to.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

This Characterization OF the document by
Mr.. Edmunds met with approving mods
from Republican Senators, while Demo-
cratic Senators were yisibly pleased at the
disturbed appearance Of the other side.
Mr.. Harris remarked that for reasons to
which be might not refer here he had no
desire to discuss the matter involved and
moved that the message be printed and lie
on the table-the usual course, he said.
Aftera little sparrlng between Mr.. Edmunds
and Mr.. Harris as to the disposition OF the
message the motion Of Mr.. Edmunds was
agreed to, referring it to the Judiciary COM
mittee and ordering It printed.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

ofoSoh, Wefo uIlNen OUT between midnight
and O'Clock Monday morning bv q NOR
OF so masked men, divided into s1uads Of
2O each. The Chinese, 1870 In all, offered no
resistance, and were quietly put on a ferry
boat, which took them into Portland,
The war department has received no on
clal Information OF the reported refusal OF
Geronimo, the renegade Apache chief to
surrender Internationally to Gen. Crook
The officials at the department do NOT
doubt, however, that the reports are In the
main correct. The latest official informa-
tloh received was that Gen. Crook had
gone to the border to meet Geronimo.
In the evangelical conference at Reading.
Monday, resolutions were adopted. decIar.
Ing in favor of the passage of laws to pro-
hibit the manufacture and sale OF intoxicat-
Ing drinks; pledging the members not to
buy, and to oppose the purchase of Sunday
newspapers; denouneing the running Of en-
cursion boats, railroad trains and street
cars on Sunday, and urging the enforce
ment OF the laws requiring the closing Of
stores on that day.
The court of claims decided Monday In
the case OF the Union Pacific Railroad Conn
pany that on the authority OF several de-
cisions OF the supreme court of the United
States, the right OF the government to re-
tain under the subsidy acts and the sinking
fund act the whole compensation due the
company for services applies only to COM
pensation for services upon the 1856 miles
OF aided portions of its road, and not to
the :, 175 miles, for the building OF which
the United States furnished no aid, either
by bonds or chartered rights.
According to telegram from st. Louis,
about "two or more years ago, J. v. Lewis,
an extensive manufacturer OF cotton seed
oil, Of Cincinnati, conceived the idea Of
forming pool intended to control the price
OF the commodity, and has since that time
been quietly but zealously at work with
several other large manufacturers to put
into execution his plan" 1t is now stated
that she has formed a corporation known
as the. Cotton Oil Trust Company, which
controls every desirable mill west OF the
Mississippi river, and so per cent of the
mills OF the entire country. The capital
stock OF the company Ia placed at $40 900, 900,
OF which about eli ,000, 900 has been issued
to the mills bought by the pools.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04

Chestnut, Thirteenth and Market strata
aud City-hall square.