davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-08

A writer thus briefly tells the story of Ira
D. Sankey, Evangelist Moodys associate:
He was born in Edinburg, western Plnnsyl-
vania, in 1870 He is of Methodist parent
age, and had no such experience of struggle
with poverty in early life as fell to the lot of
Mr. Moody. His father was a man of prop
erty, at one time a member Of the state legis-
lature, and held an official position in the
Methodist church to which he belonged.
Young Sankey was musical from boyhood
He became church member among the Meth
odsts of Newcastle in his sixteenth year. His
solo singing was event then effective, and he had
been in much request at religious conventions
before Mr.. Moody knew him. The two met
at Young Mems Christian association con-
vention, when Mr.. Moody proposed the part
nership in evangelism which has continued
ever since. Mr.. Sankey makes no preten-
sions to high art; song is with him a means
to an end, and he employs it with direct ref
erence to this end ON all occasions. 1t might
be said that the ballad has come into vogue
again, this time in the service of Christianity.
One Of his most famous pieces, "The ninety
and nine," was found in Scotch paper, but
the melody is his own. His enunciation in
singing is peculiarly distinct, and the song
sermon adds TO the effect Of the spoken ser
mon of his associate.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-08

House. he received no salary whatever. l
chatted with him to-day about his bill. Said
he:
II had been my fathers amanuensis ever
since can remember and at this time when
l had just graduated from the College OF
| William and Mary, and where | was, in
fact, prosecuting my masters degree and the
study of law, my father called me to wash
ington to act as his secretary, first as vice
president and after Harrisons death as presi-
dent You can have no idea of the expenses
of the White House at that time. We kept
thirty-six servants, and my fathers social
reign was perhaps the most popular OF that
of any president Thousands called at the
White House every week They wore the
carpets in the East room to rags sat out the
lotions of the chairs, and their entertain
ment cost great deal more than my fathers
salary. We had to pay for the wood and
for everything, even to the street lamps.
Although Andrew jackson, Van Buren, and
Harrison had each had private secretaries
who were paid by the government congress
awarded no salary to me, and at the next adj
ministration think the office of private sec
rotary was raised to salary of $500 and
with its assistants II now costs many thou
sands / first systematized the business of
the White House. | was my fathers bust
ness manager and devoted my entire time
for four years to the Office. During the lat
ter part of my term / spent many days III
signing land patents, and | averaged about
1000 day, working continuously. Still
got nothing for this work which the govern
ment received, and when | left the White
House was reduced to such straits that
sold for $35 to my brother-n-law a gold
watch chain which had cost me $50, and this
was all the money | took away from the
White House. AS Uncle Sam received my
work it is only fair, it seems to me, that he
should pay for it,"
"Can you tell me, General, how the Office of
private secretary originatedp
EYES," was the reply. "All Of the presidents
from Washington, with Tobias Lear, down to
Cleveland, with Dan Lamont, have, think,
had private secretaries. None Of them re.
ceived pay until the days of Andrew Jackson.
Up to Jacksons time the presidents had to
sign all of the land patents issued by the
United States This labor, as the country
grew and settlement increased, became very
arduous The land patents were great sheets
of parchment as large as the page of the or
binary newspaper. jackson used to spend
his evenings in the work of signing them.
Dressed in gown and slippers, with one of his
long clay pipes in his mouth, he would have
perhaps 900 of these laid on table which
he placed between him and the great fire
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-08

she was talking. She wanted to know from
what part Of Illinois, and talked about the
weather and the commonplace, finally
leaving the parlor wit knowing that she
had been conversiug with perhaps the most
noted woman in the United States. Mrs.
Logan left her undeceived, lut after she
had gone she dropped into chair, and with
a sigh moralized to friend at her side, say
ing, "And such is fame!"
Postmaster General Villas is fast developing
into a good story teller. OF the different
members of the cabinet he is said to tell the
most and the best stories, and in illustrating
the American French used at the capital he
said it reminded him of remark made to
him when the first railroad came to Madison,
Wis. Villas was young man then, and
Madison was much mailer than it is now.
The people were gr' ltly elated over the adj
vent OF the railroad. They thought Madison
would rival Chicago, and that it would in
time become the center of the world, so that
people who wanted to go to China or else
where would come to Madison to start. On
the day that the last rail was laid celebra-
ton meeting was held at the depot, and
| young Villas made the grafton Of the day
Said he: "Every one was happy in the pros
poets of the town, and l was much congratu'
lated for my speech, which was of the spread
eagle order. AS l went up town after the
meeting was over / met oEc Of the old citizens
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-08
Tspecia, Correspondence. F.,

WASHINGTON, March 22,-I see every day
here at Washington straight, fine-looking
old man, with beard of silver, and silky
white hair, which twists itself into short
curls as it touches his neck. He has a fair
complexion, and his features are hose of
President Tyler, He is courtly in his bear
ing, and is as active as young man about
to cast his first vote This man is Gen. John
Tyler, the son of President Tyler, who
becomes public figure Just now from the
bill before congress, in which he asks pay
ment for his services as private secretary to
his father When John Tyler was president
congress was arrayed against him, and it
treated him with all the meanneSs in its
power. 1t refused to pay the ordinary ex-
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-08

place. There he would sit and sign for hours,
smoking and writing as time went on. But
the hot fire would make the parchment curl,
and the sheets would fold themselves into
rolls as he attempted to sign them. He would
grow angry and break pipe every now and
then in his disgust at the work, and finally
one night when the papers were especially re-
fractory, he threw down his pen, broke his
pipe and swore ''by the eternal that he
would not sign another patent, and that
If congress wanted this drudgery done
they could hire some cheaper man to
do it. The result was that the
office of signer of land patents, with a
salary of sl,500a year, was given to the White
House, and jackson made his adopted son,
Maj. Donaldson, and his private secretary, its
incumbent When Van Buren, came in he
gave the place to his son, John Van Buren,,
and Harrison appointed his nephew, John
Henry Harrison, as his private secretary and
to do this work. Folks private secretary got
81, 800 a year, and the Office has for long time
been next to that Of the president in import
ance.p
Strangers in Washington lose half the Joy
of their visits here from not knowing the
great characters whom they meet. There
are so many ins and outs of Wash
ington society that you stumble across
prominent persons or their friends every
where A senator or chief justice in street
car does not look different from other men,
and the simply dressed old lady on the other
side Of you, who might be taking in sewing
for all you know, may be senator's wife or
a cabinet officers mother. think it was at
reception the other day that lady visiting
in Washington, apparently well educated and
certainly well dressed, was introduced for the
first time to Mrs. John A. Logan. The sen.
ator who performed the introduction left i'm
mediately it was over, and the following con
versation took place: logan, did you sayi
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-08
1 STORY 0F SUCCESS.
POTTER PALMER, LANDLORD OF
THEi FAMOUS PALMER HOUSE.

One Of chicago's NInionaires--A Great
Fortune Twice won-How lie Succeeded.
The Interior OF the Renowned Hotel
How He Hired a New Engineer.
Especial Correspondence.l
CHICAGO, March 23.-Probably not one n
q thousand of the multitude of travellers who
enter the great portals OF Chicago's greatest
hotel is able to recognize the elderly, but erect
and active man who occasionally hurries by
"a busy man, with his hands full of papers,
high hat, none too new or glossy, worn well
back upon his head, clothes severely plain,
small but kindly ewes, and pinched mouth
whose hard lines are ever ready to
break into smile of good nQture.
This man is Potter Palmer, builder
and landlord of the hotel which is by many
pronounced the greatest in the world. The
story of his life is story of success-of two
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-08

successes, in fact
of a great fortune
twice won. Like
most of the self
made men of Chi
cago, Potter Pal
mer was in youth
a farmers boy. He
was born nearly
sixty years ago in
Albany county, N.
Y. His parent
were Quakers, and
the lad was raised
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-08

penses of the White
House, and the ex-
penses of lighting,
heating and SER
wants all came out
of President Tyler's
private pocket.
John Tyler, Jr.,
was his fathers
private secretary,
: and though he had
to keep anumber of
clerks under him to
carry on the bust
ness of the White
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-08
SOME SMALL STORIES
OF PROMINENT MEN AND WOMEN
IN WASHINGTON.

The Son of President Tyler and His
Biii-How the ONCE of Private secre-
tary to the President originated-Gen.
Jackson's Land Patents.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-07-16

Haines, committee, acknowledged the
receipt of $500 for which he directed
the editor of the Cecil Wing to send
copies for fiv. months, to the address
of list of names which was furnish.
ed the secretary, and credited to the
Union. He also reported the editor
of the Port Deposit call on the
fence, but could be induced to make
his paper an organ of prohibition for
a consideration, and it was proposed
TO send that paper temperance con-
tributions for publication.
Superintendent of unfermented
wine, reported u letter from Mrs. H.
NJ. Wilson, which was read by the
Secretary, enclosing certain forms
in regard to The same, and requested
we send them to the clergy of the
neighborhood. Wine could be Oh.
tanned at the Methodist book depart.
ment, No. 16S Baltimore St. Balti-
more, Md, which was made from the
following receipt: Scald the, grape,
expressing the juice, and hermetical-
ly seal while hot.
1t was decided to request Rev.
VIM. Sheppard, minister in charge of
Woodlawn Camp, to use only infer.
mented wine at their Sacramento
service. Superintendent of Fair De-
partme1t was requested to CORES.
pond with the Union at Elkton and
ascertain if that Union propose hav-
ing lunch booth at the Fall Fair.
Supt. of Juvenile Department report
ed she thought it best to postpone
organizing her department until Sep
TENDER, as she would be absent from
home.
The Union resolved to attend the
Temperance Service at Wcodlawn, on
Friday, August, 18th in body, each
member wearing the society badge.
The next meeting of the Union will
be held on Saturday July 18th at 3
P. NJ. owing to the absence of the
President and Vice President on the
regular meeting day.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-07-16
Letter from Reading Pa.
Special Correspondence to MIDLAND JOURNAL.
DE- I'll, F.I. 1909


Reading Pa July It'll, 1886.
Well, 1 suppose all your readers know
where Reading, Pa is situated. 1t is on
the Schuylklll river, So miles from Phila-
delphia, and 70 miles from Wilmington
DEL, with four rail roads, the P. u r.,
Pennsylvania, w. & N. & R. & C. r. r.,
with so Passenger trains out and in bound
daily. This city is beautifully situated in
the Schuylkil valley, with many attract
ions, of which we name a few. Mineral
Spring Park, Klapperthal, at Heener's
Wissell, on the Neversink, at the High
land House, with two grand views known
as the Look Outs,) Hampden Spring, An
tetam Lake, High Woods, Fritz Island,
The Pines, Flying Hill Park, White Spot &
Black Spot, on Mt. Penn, Dreekles Orchard,
Hessian Camp Ground, Oakleys Woods,
Flamms Spring; within two miles of the
centre of this city is Lovers Leap and White
House. All these resorts are within two
hours drive of the city, besides many pub
lie and private parks, not herein
mentioned. AS to the parks, we can't
speak very favorably, owing to the majority
being public drinking, beer gardens. The
value of these retreats will become more
evident with each succeeding year. Here
are ample accommodations for the popula-
ton of Reading for the next fifty years.
The fourth or rather fifth of July passed
off quietly with the usual display of fire
works, which far exceeded any previous
years. and thousands of dollars were spent
which resulted in many accidents. ''Boas"
lumber yard was fired and loss of $40 ,OOO,
with two or three smaller houses. Saml.
NawS, in north Reading, struck in the face
with sky rocket and badly burned, c. A.
Frantz, 9l7 Franklin, st. badly cut by ex-
plosion of Cannon cracker, and many others
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-07-16

Mr.. Childs shows all the useful nov.
elites that the inventive genius of the
American people are constantly plac-
ing in the hands of the public. The
company are urging the owner of the
building. MIR. Cald we'll, to enlarge it
and afford them sufficient space to
display a line of stoves, which it is
their intention to put in before the
busy season for those goods is on.
They have been handling the Arm
strong Company's stoves, and speak
very highly of their make, which are
both popular in style, utility and
quality of material. Mr.. C. also spoke
very favorably of the native afability
and liberal business principles of the
manager of that firm, Mr.. Armstrong.
The stove works of this company, as
all our readers are aware, are situat.
ed at Perryville, and the Armstrong;
are old Cecil countians.
C. M. Child & Co.'S heaviest opera
tions are in coal, brick, hay. fertiliz-
ers, lime, salt and tobacco. The lat
ter in a jobbing way. he furnishes re-
tailers in Cecil, Hartford and Lancaster
counties. Carriage work is also a
speciality with the firm. Their adver.
tisement in the MIDLAND JOURNAL,
gives a more detailed statement of
the lines of goods the firm handles.
They have large warehouse at this
point and one few miles above at
Haine's Station.
The facilities for business which
Conowingo offers are not nearly
utilized, and we hope to see in the
near future in addition to many
other extensive industries, large
paper mandatory created, which
will be worthy companion industry
to that on the opposite side of the
river. There is an immense water
,power here and with the active, bust
ness ability which Mr.. Bell possesses,
and liberal inducement to parties in
that line of business, large paper
works might soon be added to the
other industries of the place.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-07-16
ORPHANS COURT.

The Orphans Court was in regu-
lar session on Tuesday.
Letters Of administration upon
the personal estate Of Jesse L. Ward,
deceased, were issued to Martha A.
Taylor and w. S. Evans.
Letters testamentary were issued
as follows: Upon the estate of Mary
s. Bayard, deceased, to Jno. W.
Thomas; upon the estate of Martha
Maddox, deceased, to VIM. S. Evans;
upon the estate of John H. Shannon,
deceased, to Ann Z. Shannon,
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-07-16
The Friends First Day School Tenn.
perance Day.

The Friends West Nottingham
First day school, set aside the 18th
inst. for a demon stration in favor of
temperance. and to strengthen the
sentiment in favor of prohibition.
The meeting hour was 2 o'clock P. NJ.
by which time the meeting house was
we'll filed. The exercises were open
ed in the usual manner of the school,
by reading a chapter from the scrip
lures, which was followed by recita.
ton and essays, all bearing on the
evils of the use of spirituous liquors
and the injurious effects of the traffic
The original essays were generally
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-07-16
Proceedings Of the last Meeting of
the w. G.. II. u. of Rising Sun.

the w. G. T. u. Of Rising Sun.
The Union met at SIS P. NJ. on the
10th inst. Mrs. jewell, President
in the chair.
After singing, reading a chapter
from Psalms and prayer, the roll of
members was called, followed by
reading of the minutes of last meet.
ing. -Four new names were proposed
for membership and one name for
Honorary membership. Dues and
donations amounting to $3.50 were
received.
The question was raised by Ella r
Haines, whether membership ceases
at the expiration of the year for
which dues are paid. The President
decided that membership ceased at
that time, unless renewed by prepay,
ment of annual dues. Correspond
ing sect. reported the receipt of one
number of the Union Signal, and one
copy of the paper ordered by the
Union. The President advised mem.
bers to subscribe for the Signal which
is the official organ of the W. C. T.
U. The Sect. also reported that
subscriptions could be made for the
MIDLAND JOURNAL by the w. G. II.
U. Thos. Waring, com. reported
that six copies of the Cecil Ne,os,
and six copies of the North East &c.
Gil Star, could be had at the same
rate as twelve copies. Action was
postponed till next meeting, when a
list of suitable names could be obtain.
ed for the several copies. H.H.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-07-16

strong papers in favor of prohibition.
Addresses were made bv w +. Over
holt, principal of Friends Normal H.
stitute of Rising Sun, +. r. Buffing.
ton of Rising Sun, Miss Bell Short.
ledge. of Chester county, Pa, and H.
H. Haines of Rising Sun.
Miss Shor lie Ice is member of the
noble corps of lady lecturers, who are
designated as strong minded" part
ly as a dersive, and partly as dis
tinctive epithet, which marks their
originality and forcible eloquence.
The women who compose that band
OF tribunes, must first become tenn
pered with the fire of intense earnest
ness. They feel all they say, and
they say all they fell, with a convinc-
ing emphasis. We plead guilty to
facinating pleasure in listening to
one of these orators. Women are all
masters, or rather mistresses of Ian
guage, and never stumble and halt
oyer words; but their discourse moves
on like steadily flowing stream, with
dashes of eloquence ever and anon,
like little cascades which break the
monotony and sparkle in the silver
thread.
The meeting served its purpose
we'll, as an educator Of the young in
the line of thought, which has come,
generally to be acknowledged neces-
sary, the evil effects of alcohol on the
human system, and the necessity of
fortifying and holding the ground
conquered by moral suasion at an i'm
mense cost Of labor and effort, by
laws. Hold the ground that one gen.
Grafton conquers by fortifying and
making it secure by law, from the
incursions of the Ishmael of ruin
whose hand is against every mans
hand, for the next generation to en-.
joy in peace. This was the object of
the temperance day, of the unostenta-
tions, "Friends First.day School of
West Nottingham" and it served its
purpose we'll. Educate the people,
especially the youth in the knowledge
of the great evils which accompany
the use of alcohol, and fortify the
ground gained by prohibitory law, is
the plan Of the present and future
campaigns in this war against rum.
Miss Shortlidge confessed, in the
course of her remarks, that the third
party, or st. John movement was a
vital mistake on the part of the oyer
anxious temperance people, although
she was a strong advocate of the
movement at the time. We hope
this will prove a salutary warning for
the future, and that the effort, in place
of disintegration, will be 30 make
existing party organizations both or
all of them, prohibition parties. This
is the course the liquor traders pur-
sue. They raise an immense fund
under "Protective Union" which
they have, and gain all the leading
members in both parties they can to
their cause. If they came out as a
distinct political party, they would
be no where in popular contest,
They are wise as serpents in their
generation, which the temperance
leaders are not
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-07-16
Conowingo, It's Business, Present
and Prospective.

After a hasty inspection, or rather
cursory observation of the many i'm
provements which Mr.. Bell has
wrough since he has been in poses.
sion of the nights overlooking the
ancient village of Conowingo, in CON-
pany with Mr.. C. M. Childs, who had
been acting the part of guide, we de-
scended the hill. Several fine sites
overlooking the village and command
ing beautiful views, where long reaches
of the river open from little benches
on the hill side, would make charm
ing situations for residences. There
are two hotels in the village, one
newly built by Mr.. Bell, and occupi.
ed by Mr.. Alexander, the other is the
old hotel, reftted and occupied by
the popular landlord Mr.. O. Nickle.
The village has become head quarters
for fishing parties and during the bass
fishing season, Mr.. Nickle has a
profitable run of custom composed of
sportingmen who delight in rod and
reel.
One of the prominent industries is
the flint mill of B. G.. & j. G. Smith,
which reduces large quantities of
feldspar and flint, which is shipped
to Trenton, N. j., where it is used in
the manufacture of "stone china" or
rather crockery. The flint is first
burned and then crushed by heavy
stones, and finished by reducing it to
an impalpable powder by grinding
under water, with burrs in large watts
When reduced to the utmost degree
of fineness, the -four is dried and
shipped to the potters. The teldspar
is treated in the same manner except
that it is not burned. The spar and
flint are brought from the west side
Of the river.
What a splendid field awaits this
industry in the Blue Ridge of North
Carolina where we have seen hun.
dreds of tons of feldspar, white as
chalk, thrown out as waste from the
mica mines.
The large paper mandatory on
the Hartford side of the river, a mile
and half below the bridge, affords
considerable trade to Conowingo.
Within two years or three, village
of 200 population has been built up
about the mills. The company select,
ed a site for their works on the Cecil
side at Conowingo, but they and Mr..
Bell who owns the location suitable
for the buildings, and we believe the
water right also, could not agree
upon terms of purchase and this fine
manufacturing industry was diverted
to the Hartford side, which was q
serious constructive loss to the village.
The village is a net work of telegraph
and telephone wire, which branch
and run in all directions. The bridge
serving as q convenient supporting
medium for crossing the river, makes
this concentrating point, and when
these numerous lines are added to
the extensive system of wire which
follows the Columbia & Port Deposit
Railroad, the whole compose quite a
web Of wire suspended over head.
Perhaps the most active business
man in this growing little trade town
is Mr.. G. NJ. Childs. G. NJ. Childs
& Co. carry ON an extensive ware
house, shipping and hardware bust
ness at this point. Their retail store
and sample building is at present
too small to afford all the room which
could be proftably utilized, but it
serves as the focus of quite an extern
slye business. In the hardware line