davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
A valuable Scrap of Paper.

NEW YORK, Dec, 24-At the beginning of the
present century Roger Merritt owned three sec
tions of land in Westchester county, adjoining
of the property and died intestate in 1870 Un-
der the lease filed in White Plains in 1902 sub
sequent small leases for parts of the land were
made to several parties for niDety-nne years
Then the old house and lands were converted
into business places, and in 1860 the inhabitants
incorporated the place into the village of Port
chester. The land on which the village stands
is valued now at from $15, ,00O 900 to 500, ,00O 0OO
In the year 1860 the leaf in the registers office
containing the record of the original lease was
torn out by some unknown person, the only evil
dence of it being in the index. The matter was
put into the hands of an attorney. who finally
got clue and left yesterday for q small town in
Alabama, where, it is claimed, the identical
missing leaf is in the possession of the family of
John Merritt, son Of the original owner, who
quarreled with his brothers, and the claim ia
that he tore it out through spite.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
SUNK AT ANCHOR.
British Ironclad ColIides with a French
Vessel-Thirty Lives Lost.

British Ironclad ColIides with a French
Vessel-Thirty Lives Lost
LISBON, Dec. 24-The British ironclad Sultan
ran into and sunk the French steamer Vile de
Victoria while the latter was lying at anchor in
the Tagus. The Vile de Victoria had 25O per-
sons on board, and several of them were
drowned. The Sultan is an iron steamship
armor plated, and is of 1900 tons burden
Later intelligence shows that most of the crew
and passengers of the Vile de Victoria were
drowned. 1t is also learned that both vessels
were at anchor at the time of the collision. The
Sultan dragged her anchors and drifted against
the Vile de Victoria.
The Sultan's captain admits that the collision
was due to the Sultans breaking her moorings.
After the Sultan's collision with the Vile de Vic
toria she collided with and damaged the steamer
Richmond The Vile de Victorias crew and pas
sengers numbered sixty three, of whom thirty
were drowned An English lady who was saved
lost bag containing 600 sovereigns which she
had suspended around her neck previous to the
collision.
The Minotaur also dragged her anchors and
ran into and damaged the Monarch.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
MINOR MATTERS.

Efficiency of the Quarantine Sexvice During
the Year just Closed.
WASHINGTON, Dec. "a In his annual report,
Surgeon general Hamilton of the Marine Hos
pital Service. makes the following statement in
regard to the quarantine services
''No epidemic diseases have been imported
into the United States during the past year.
While this report was passing through the press,
fever of suspicious character was reported at
Biloxi Miss. The government, however. was
not called upon to extend any aid, and the mass~-
ter remained under the management of the local
authorities Cholera has been threatened from
Europe. This disease, which last year extended
from Marseilles and Touon to Sicily and various
towns on the west shores of Italy has extended
to the eastern shore. to Fiume and Trieste, at
the head of the Adriatic, and several towns in
Austria. and had appeared on the Danube, at
Buda Pesth, at the time of sending this report
to the printer. In each of the districts named
the disease has exhibited its usual virulence. At
Trieste during the month of August, there were
290 cases and 1873 deaths AS usual, the disease
haunts the houses of those too poor, or too neg
ligent, to pay regard to cleanliness Of person and
surroundings. A map showing the progress of
the disease in Europe Is subioined"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25

An Ofense Which 1t Is Impossible for Dem
Ocratic Office Holders to Commit.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. Dec. a. Surprise is expressed
here that no action is taken by the President
and heads of departments in regard to violations
of the executive warning order" relating to
''perncious" activity on the part of Indianians
holding federal positions here It will be remem-
bored that for months after Cleveland took con-
troll, Republicans were removed from the depart
ments, simply because they were members of
their State club in this city. For a while the
rosters of these clubs wore in great demand as
they disclosed the membership and afforded am
pie proof Of offensive partisanship" to warrant
removal; but Indiana Democrats have organized
club composed of men who occupy positions in
the departments, and although they have passed
resolutions denouncing civil service reform, no
notice is taken of it. Assistant Land Commits.
sioner Stocksager was in the chair at the last
meeting, and utterances are reported by mem
bembers on the floor who are federal officers
which not only come within the limit of the
Presidents warning, but the letter Of the civil
service law, and yet no notice ia taken It seems
to make great difference whose OK is gored
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
Failures Yesterday.

BALTIMORE, Dec. "a Morton D. Banks, fur
iiture, made an assignment to-day to G. C.
isaaes for the benefit of his creditors. The bond
of the trustee is $50O00
NEW YORK. Dec 24.-The property of the New
York and Boston Rubber Company No. 80 Park
place, has been seized under ten attachments,
procured by Thos. Frazier, aggreeating SIS, 200
The company has factory at Englewood, N. j.,
i,nd salesrooms in New York and Boston. 1t
lately reorganized as the New York and
Boston India Rubber Company, with a
sapital increased from $50 900 to 800 000
TSe latter then became one of the four rubber
concerns to form new company, called the
central Rubber Company, the other three being
che Star Rubber Company, the James Brooke
Rubber Company, and the Goodrich Rubber
Company. The Central Rubber Company's Off
cere say they will not guarantee the debts cs the
New York and Boston company. An offer has
been made to creditors of the latter to nav 100
cents on the dollar in deferred payments. The
assets are $780, 600 and the liabilities $50 600
The trouble is supposed to have been caused by
unskful management of the process of reor
gambling the concern.
Boston, Dec 24-The Advertiser will say to-
morrow that Pliny Nickerson has made an as
sienment 10 Thomas ii. Russell, of the law firm
~ e. H. & 7. II. Russell, 27 State street His
liabilities are about 5000 000 with nominal as
sets OF $3.50, eJA Nickerson is an extensive ship
owner, has been doing business nearly half a
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25

Indications that the Charge Against Hin
Will BE Proven in Due Time.

Indications that the Charge Against Him
Will Be Proven in Due Time.
Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec. Mr.. Dabney, Pension
Office examiner, who has been charged with hav-
ing served as guard at Andersonville prison, is
ont in another card, denying that he was a guard,
and declaring that he never boasted of having
been guard. The whole question is now one Of
veracity between certain gentlemen. There are
officials at the Pension Office who state unquali-
iedly that they heard Dabnev declare that 70
was guard at Andersonville, out these officials
are Republicans, and admonish those to whom
they have made their statements that the source
of information must not be disclosed, as 1t would
cost them their positions to, .tell tales out of
OF SCHOOL, So, for the sake OF protecting the
loyal officials who heard Dabney make his boast,
it may not be proven on him; but it is not prob
able. Your correspondent is informed that per.
sons outside the Pension Office, and who are not
afraid Of being known in bearing TESTIMONY y
against Dabney. will make oath to his having
boasted rs stated Justice il seems, must move
as slow In the matter, it usually does, but it is
coming. Ex Representative E. John Ellis, of
Louisiana, is here, and said to-day that he had
known Dabney since boyhood; that Dabney was
at Macon, Ga, when General Stoneman made
his raid. Old men, women and children turned
out to defend the place and Dabney was among
them aud bore arms further, he knows nothing
of Dabney's services. He doesn't think Dabney
guilty of any service except in his mind, and
bears witness to his being a boaster Ellis was
q confederate officer.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
Cable Notes.

The French press have been warned against
publishing military news which would be OF use
abroad.
The snow-storms which have prevailed through
out central Germany for several days have
abated and railway traffic has been resumed.
Mr.. Herbert Spencer, vino has been restored
TO good health, will publish, in January, "Fact-
ors of Organic Evolution" enlarged from article
already printed.
A dispss~si from Cologne says the Bulgarian
deputation of notabes met Prince Alexander at
that place yesterday. The greetings exchanged
are said to have been most cordial.
The German newspapers publish list of Ger
man merchants engaged in trade at Bordeaux,
whom the Reveille of that city demands shall be
rigidly boycotted and driven out of France.
John Bright has written letter in which he
refuses to give an opinion on the Welsh church
question. He says he expects that that question
will not be settled for long time yet, pending
the settlement of the Irish question.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
GENERAL FOREIGN NEWS.
Great Fire in LiverpoOl-Daring Rescue of
Polar Bear from the Flames.

Great Fire in LiverpoOl-Daring Rescue of q
Polar Bear from the Flames.
LIVERPOOL, Dec. 24-The largest and most
disastrous fire in Liverpool since the year l847
occurred this morning, when the extensive gen
eral retail stores of John Lewis & Co., on Bruins
wick road, were entirely destroyed. The stores
contained an enormous Christmas stock. all of
which was consumed, as was also an attractive
menagerie connected with the establishment.
The loss is placed at So, ,O0O,0 900.
When the fremen had secured such control of
the ames as to be able toconfne them to the burn
ing promises, it was noticed that the large polar
bear in the menagerie was still alive and com
paratively unhurt, though surrounded by flames.
determined effort was at once made to rescue
the fine brute A powerful stream of water was
kept in full play on the cage, and number of
daring msn made their way. under the current,
to the cage. This they wrenched from it's
fastenings, and. graphing it with chains and
bars, managed. the bear desperately flying at
them all the while, to drag it and it's occupant
from the fire just before the walls of the burn
ing buildings fell in with a crash. The rescue
of the bear was witnessed by thousands of peo
pie, and was greeted with great cheering.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25

Correspondents assert that the action of Presi-
dent Bernardo Soto during the recent troubles
in Central America is deserving of severe con-
demnation."
Recently number of Colombians were or
dered out Of the republic. Respecting this
summary order. a friend of some of those inter
ested writes IAN idea of the reasons which
led to these men being turned out of the coun-
try may be gathered from number of Las
Bruias, 8 paper of somewhat similar nature to
Puck. in New York It's first article. IN imagi
nary decree, so irritated President Soto that he
sent for the editor, Senior Marichal, and, upon
the latter reaching the government house. the
President fred shot at him. This act disgust
ed everyone. But subsequently Editor Mari
chal was arrested and taken to prison, where he
received 100 lashes. On the following morning
he was marched off to Punta Arenas, together with
some other Colombians Prior to leaving he
was also struck by the brother of President
Soto, who is in command of the artillery bar
racks. Almost all the Colombians here will
leave for Panama. inclose herewith the decree
expelling Colombians, and the public protest
made by citizens of the republic"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
The BROWN Telephone snit.

WASHINGTON Dec. "a. Justice James, of the
Supreme Court of the District Of Columbia, sit
ting in equity. decided the suit of George W.
Cothran, of Chicago, against Fred Fl. Brown,
inventor and owner Of a patented telephone
Cothran had agreed within thirty days to or
ganize a company with capital stock of SO, 000,-
600 to put Browns telephone in use. He also
agreed to give Brown So 900 and one third of the
capital stock, and to furnish $4,000 working
capital. After the thirty days had elapsed with
out the performance of the contract. and it's ex-
tension was refused. Cothrau brought suit to
prevent Brown from alternating the title to his
patent aud to compel him to allow the plaintiff
to carry out the contract, Notwithstanding the
expiration of the contract period. Brown de-
murred.to the bill on the ground of total failure
of consideration and expiration of the contract
period. Justice James decided the case in favor
of defendant stating that the plaintiffs case was
without merit
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
The President Will Find Himself Opposed by
Some of His Best Friends, and the NOmi-
nation Will Certainly BE Rejected
The Charge Against the Boastful DR..
Dabney Will Be Proven in Due Time.
Some Illustrations Showing that 1t Is I'M
possible for Democratic Federal Office
Holders To Be Offensive Partisaus.
THE MATTHEWS NOMINATION.
1t Will BE Rejected Again, and This Time
with Unmistakable Emphasis.

1t Will he Rejected Again, and This Time
with Unmistakable Emphasis.
special to the IndianasoIis Journai.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24-Tho action of the
President in nominating ]. G. Matthews
to be recorder of deeds of the District
of Columbia, after the Senate had once rejected
his name, is likely to lead to very serious row.
and Mr.. Cleveland may find himself bitterly op-
posed by some of his best friends. The Senate
IS far as can be ascertained up to the present
writing, is not disposed to consider the nomina-
tion of Matthews favorably, and will undoubted-
ly reject his name with even more emphasis than
was done in the last session. 1t has been assert
ed that the opposition to him arises solely on ac-
count of his color, but this story is absurd.
Matthews is resident of Albany, and one of
Mr.. Manning's most trusted lieutenants. He
is power among the negro population OF that
city, and is, withal, a very bright young man.
But at the same time there are dozens of men
in the District of Columbia, both white and col
ored. who would be entirely unobjectionable not
only to the Senate but to the people having bust
ness with the Office Matthews knew nothing
whatever of Washington affairs when he was ap-
pointed, and he knows very little more about
them now. It is well said by members of the
Senate who oppose him that if the President
desired to furnish place for this young man he
might have done so by making him postmaster
at ALBANY
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
The Silver Certificates.

WAsHINGToN, Dec. 24-The Treasury De.
partment began issuing 81 silver certificates on
the 4th of last October, and the issue to date
amounts to $6.3O00 00O Two-dollar silver GER
tficates were first issued on the 9th of Decem.
Der, and the total issue thus far amounts TO $l,-
O40, 600. The supply is not equal to the demand,
and the certificates are not yet distributed from
the sub-treasuries. They are distributed from
the Treasury Department to localities In all
parts of the country. in sums not exceeding
$5,000 but this can be done only, of course, as
the certificates are ready. In other words, the
Treasury Department is placing the 81 and 81
certificates in general circulation as rapidly as
possible When the general demand is. to some
extent, appeased, these certificates will be dis
tributed to the different sub treasures for issue
as required
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
Entertaininp the T,tt,a one.

WASHINGTON, Dec 24.-Seventy or eighty
little boys and girls, mostly children Of people in
Official life, were entertained at Christmas eve
party tonight by Secretary and Mrs Whitney.
A huge pine Christmas tree, galy decorated,
was set up in the ballroom, and around II tha
children danced for an hour or two. Great
bundles of presents, piled on benches around the
tree, were distributed among the children
Among the older folks present were Mrs. 1Endi-
cott and Mrs. Villas and large number Of
Senators and diplomates with their wives. airx
Cleveland. Mrs. Folsom, with little Miss May
Cadman. were expected, but did not come The
Christmas tree, will all its decorations, will be
left standing for the delight OF the orphan chill
dren. whom Secretary and Mrs Whitney will
entertain to morrow.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25

ing traits of character and temperament, 1t is
equally notorious that his habits furnish every
warrant for these accusations.
Here is an editorial from the New Orleans
Evening Chronicle of Nov. 26:
A grave responsibility attaches to those who urged
upon the President the appointment of ex.Justice
Manning TO the important post of minister to Mexico
with the knowledge of an infrmty known to them to
be unconquerable This indscretion or intGelity to
duty might have been repaired after the appointment
by information which would have induced the revoca-
ton of the appointment before the Judge had reached
the Mexican capital and brought upon the Republic
and the administration the shame of exposure OF
his weakness by repetition of the same unseenily
and undignifed conduct that marked his travel to this
city in the sleeping and during his soourn here
All this must have been known to the prominent
gentlemen of the party well the conductors of
the press 1t was msdirected charity, especially in
federal officials and friends of the administration
when they failed to warn the government of the dan
ger to which the national dignity was exposed by IN
trusting this most important of foreign missions
TO gentleman of many brilliant traits of intellect
and character aud of so imposing address, but
alas, affected with what would seem, from long
perence to be an incurable fraty and uncomfortable
and dsqualifying infrmity
1t is painful duty of true friends Of the admins
tration of honest journalism and of the afflicted gen
tlenan that we feel bound to make this humiliatng
confession.
The editor of the Chronicle is Judge Alexan-
der Walker, one of the most prominent mon in
journalism. He has known Judge Manning all
his life, and knows whereof he speaks when he
blames those who connived at the deception
which must have preceded Judge Manning's sp-
pointment.
Tho question. therefore. is not so much
whether Minister Manning has been wronged as
to one special occasion, as whether all the facts
and probabilities of the case do rot promiae
constant repetition of the scandals and whether
those who importuned the President to make
the appointment have not been guilty Of gross
and unpardonable breach of confidence.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
A Child Tortured to Death.

woman A. Brown and Chloe Robinson living
near Montezuma. we're arrested to-day for tor
turing to death Browns xyear-old grandson.
The boy was found lifeless in bed, yesterday
morning. having died during the night Inves-
tigation showed that Brown and the woman
Robinson had been in the habit of numerically
beating the child upon the slightest occasion,
and that death resulted from their inhuman
treatment The testimony at the inquest indi-
Gated that Chloe Robinson had suspended the
little one by the heels, and belabored him with a
rope thirty minutes for some alleged offense.
Subsequently Brown suspended the boy in like
manner, and wore out on his frail body half a
dozen switches, concluding the castigatiop by
washing him with salt and water
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
Imnortant Patent Decls,on.

WASHINGTON, Dec. "a. The Commissioner of
Patents to-day rendered decision in the impor-
tant case of the Celluloid Manufacturing Com
pany, of Adams, Mass, which is said to involve
millions of dollars The latter company OBJ
tanned letters patent for the manufacture of
artificial ivory, and had engaged extensively in
the work. when the Newark company set up a
claim for invention, and Immediately litigation
ensued for the ownership Of the invention. This
began in February, 1884 and was concluded to-
day by decision of Commissioner of Patents
Montgomery, who holds that the Newark COM
pauy had no right to the invention, and directs
the rejection of their application.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
TELEGRAPHIC BREVITIES.

Nell Hubbard, notorious character of Salem,
Mass, was stabbed eight times by her husband,
William Shanahan. during e quarrel last even
ing The latter was arrested.
A dispatch from Deputy Marshal Tyson, at
Muskogee, Creek Nation, reports the assassina-
ton of Capt Sam Sixkller, of the Indian po-
lice, by an unknown person.
A telegram from Maysville, KY, reports the
killing of Frank Jefferson. aged forty years by
Alf and Sam Jefferson, both under twenty. The
parties were not related. There was general
quarrel and shooting serape, with the above
results.
In June last the Union National Bank, of
Cincinnati, sent by United States Express $10,-
600 to the Van Vert, (O.) National Bank. When
the package reached the Van Vert bank It con-
tanned no money, Suit was brought against the
express company and the jury in ten minutes
gave verdict for the money and interest
Capt. Peter Lefevre, superintendent of the
Savannah line of steamers, was found in his bed
yesterday morning. at his residence at New Ro-
chelle, suffocated by coal-gas. Mrs. Lefevre was
also found unconscious, and is not expected to
recover. The couple retired at 10 o'clock Thurs
day night, and, the weather being warm, the
doors of the heater were left open and the gas
escaped into the room.
James Embree, employed as Archer McNeils
kalsominiDe establishment at Memphis, Tenn.
shot and fatally wounded Georgia Bissn, last
night He afterwards shot himself in the head,
lnnlctlng mortar wound. Emoree IS twenty
six years old and came from St Louis. The
woman is only eighteen and was an inmate Of
house of il-fame on Desota street. Jealousy
is the only known cause.
The body of Miss burlington, the deaf mute
young lady who disappeared from Raleigh
N. g. with w. l.. Bingham. and who was from
the first supposed to have been murdered, was
found yesterday In the woods eight miles from
Raleigh and one mile from Carry, village on
the North Carolina and Raleigh s. Augusta
railroads. She had been shot through the head
and her throat had been cut
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
Murdered by Masked Men.

KoscIUsKo. Miss, Dec. N.-At midnight on
Wednesday night four or five armed and masked
men went to the house of Jordan league, a
colored man, living on Mr. Dodd's place, about
four miles below town, and demanded entrance
claiming to have search warrant A son of
Jordan opened the door. and, on discovering tho
men masked and armed, made quick exit
through the hack window, the masked men fir
ing at him: They then killed Jordan and shot
his wife several times, it is believed, fatally
She was shot through the tongue and cannot
speak, but signifed that she knew who shot her
There are different opinions as to the cause of
the crime and who the parties are. The COM
munity is highly incensed at the cowardly out
rage. and, no doubt, the case will be thoroughly
invastipated