davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
European War Clouds.

1t is difficult for one on this side the
water to intelligently comprehend the
condition of affairs in Europe. For a
year or more there have been in pro-
gress preparations for war in greater
or less degree on the part of Russia,
Austria, Germany and the lesser pow
ers, the representatives of these pow
ers all the while protesting that they
desired peace.
Prince Bismark caused to be pub
lished last week the treaty of alliance
concluded between Germany and Aus
tria in 1879. The publication of the
terms of the treaty at the present
juncture recalls the recent utterance of
Bismarck when he was reprOached in
the Reichstag for refusing to submit
to that body certain diplomatic cor
respondence. "Once government
determines to publish important docu-
ments," he said, "matters should have
gone so far that nothing but war is
likely to be the outcome of the situa-
ton" The publication of the treaty
after an utterance like that is indeed
significant. Its publication is regard
ed both as warning and an explana-
ton, warning to Russia that she is
considered the common enemy of the
other powers and cannot fight any one
alone without others participating, an
explanation that as regards the rest of
Europe the alliance amounts to a
pledge of neutrality on the part of one
if the other is attacked.
Bismark addressed the Reichstag
Monday on the general situation of
Europe, declaring that the prospect
has become more peaceful as regards
France and that there is no fear of an
attack from Russia. He took pains to
caution the people against Judging the
situation from press comments the
rest of the world, we imagine, will be
equally careful in forming judgment or
opinions solely on Bismark's talk, mas
much as he is all the while making ac-
tive preparation for war and would
maintain peace by the addition of 700,-
900 soldiers to the German army.
How near these foreign powers can
come to war and yet remain at peace
is the problem. The present outlook
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
That Extradition Treaty.

The treaty with Great Britain,
which Senator Riddleberger would like
to have discussed in open session, is
the extradition treaty concluded by
Minister Phelps early in the present
administration, which the secretary of
state presented to the senate nearly two
years ago, and which the senate has
pigeon 1t is believed that had
it been promptly ratified, as the secre-
tary, of state recommended, at least a
majority of the embezzlers who have
fed from the United States to Canada
during the past two years would have
been extradited, and might now be
serving sentences under lock and key.
A memorial recently presented to the
senate shows that in less than two
years, more than fifty defaulters have
escaped to Canada, and that the ag
gregate of their defalcations exceeds
four millions dollars. This method of
reducing the surplus of banking insti-
buttons in this country would receive
check were the senate to wake up
and ratify the treaty.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
The Educational Commission.

At the meeting of the state teachers
association ut Brandon the assembled
teachers rejOiced in the appointment
of a commission to study our school
system and suggest its Improvement,
but no one present was able to tell
what this commission had thus far ac-
cOmplished. Indeed, as we intimated
two weeks ago, there is n suspicion
abroad that the members of the COM
mission have but just walked up to the
importance of their work. The Wood
stock Standard, commenting on the
matter, says:
The announcement is made that the
state educational commission have be-
gun their labors and hope to publish
their report in August. Isn't this a
late day to publish the result of their
labOrsf The Originators of this scheme
expected that the findings of the com
mission should be made public in am
pie season for consideration by the
people before the September election,
and certainly before the next session of
the legislature. 1t cannot be claimed
that report issued Gin August" will
answer this just expectation.
1t seems to us that this question is of
more Importance just now than any of
the various political questions before
the state, but tue commission seems to
have been forgotten by the state press.
AS we understand it this commission
were not limited in the expenditure of
money and nothing was put in their
way to prevent thorough investigation.
They will have had nearly two years
in which to do their work, the greatest
work of their lives. They ought TO be
stirred up to a realizing sense of the
grave Importance of the situation.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
LYNDONVILLE.

The snow roller is giving good salts
faction.
There is scarcity of dry wood here
this winter. Very little has been
drawn by farmers, and nearly all that
is used has been furnished by the R. r.
Co.
Riverside Lodge has elected the fol-
lowing officers G. t., N. L. Parker
V. t., Bessie Cook; Sec, Mrs. III. Will
marth f.. S., Mrs. III. G.. Staples c.,
Mrs. j. L. Parker; M, H. H. Powers
g., E. G.. Campbell Sent, Leonard
Leach; trustees, E. M. Campbell, G..
III. Smalley, G. l.. Smith.
Various stories derOgatory to the
Lyndonville national bank and its late
cashier have been circulating in this
and surrounding towns for several
weeks. We will say to Caledonian
readers that the cashier has not %run
away" that there has been no "run'
on the bank, that the only sale of stock
that has been made public was five
shares at par and interest. The bank
is in condition to pay every deposit
tor his money today if called for, and
any stakeholder who wishes to dispose
of his stock can find purchasers at
price above named.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
RYEGATE.

Miss Lois w. Meader has been quite
i'll for a few weeks past but has par
TALLY recovered cause, rheumatism.
time ago visited her father and other
cident few days ago, by slipping on
the sidewalk and breaking her hip.
A. H. Gibson is doing his share
towards feeding the inhabitants of
Boston and vicinity. Last week he
shipped liz sheep and lambs, 10 fat
hogs and IL calves; this week rs
lambs, and as many to ship next week,
all of his own fatting.
Mrs. j. G. Gray and two boys of
Yates Centre, Kansas, now expect to
return this week, stopping a few days
in Boston and at West Hebron, N. Y.
Miss Belle Nelson will accompany her
through to Kansas, and visit friends in
other western states.
Many farmers have adopted the
practice of making pork in the winter.
1t is not uncommon for farmer to
slaughter from one to two tons of pork
in the course of the winter. VIM.
Kicker probably handles the largest
share of this. The latest price paid is
u cts. per pound.
The w. C. T. U. are making things
lively this winter by having sociables
every two or three weeks. The invi-
tation is general, and no one is expect
ed to leave without depositing ten
cents with the treasurer, all of which
goes to purchase books for the free
public library.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
Prison Abuses.

While the readers of the Century
magazine are horror stricken over the
revelations concerning the Russian
prison system as revealed i'll the arti-
Giles written by Mr.. KEENAN,, they may
as well bear in mind that the prison
system of some of the states i'm our
own nation is hardly better. There is
good reason for believing that the life
of convicts in the chain gangs of
Georgia equals the horrors of Russia
and Siberia. An Associated Press dis
patch says that convicts are strung up
and fOgged on the bare back for refu-
sails to work. At other times they
are stretched across barrel or tied
to a wheelbarrow and wheeled through
IL gauntlet of their fellow prisoners fly
ing sticks. In winter, prisoners at
times had their hands and feet frozen,
owing to improper housing and insult
ficient clothing. SO cruel is the treat
ment of prisoners in the state that
death is often preferred to undergoing
the sufferings of the Georgia chain
gang.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
The Snow Roller.

"Out where have been, recently, i'll
the town of Hardwick, W.T." said a
Maine man the other day, "they don't
fuss with the country roads as we do
here, and they have immense snow
storms and lots of trouble with drifts.
They have a new device that is saving
much work and trouble. 1t is double
roller, the two parts twelve feet long
and from six to seven feet ill diameter.
They weigh about Il ton and a half.
Put six horses on one of these rollers
and start out on the roads in the cOun
try and the result is that the roller
presses the snow down into a hard,
level bed. By going over them twice
you get an especially fine winter road
from twelve to twenty feet wide. 1t is
better than breaking reads and don't
cost over half as much"
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
Vermont Prohibitionfsts.

The prOhibitionists of the state will
hold their state convention at Middle
bury this year, February ii. At the
morning meeting the state Organiza-
ton will be completed, the subjects of
finance and literature discussed and
delegates elected to the national con-
vention, and the time and place for
the state nominating convention de-
termined There will be short ad-
dresses in the afternoon by prominent
prOhibitionists of the state, and a mass
meeting in the evening which will be
addressed by Prof. Samuel Dickie,
successor to the late Chairman Finch
of the national committee, good
speaker whom Miss Willard calls the
"MOses of this nation" Dinner and
supper will be served by the Middle
bury w. G.. t. .. and entertainment
provided those coming from a distance
who NAV desire to remain over night.
Reduced rates will be allowed on the
railroads.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
The People VS.. The Schemers.


1t has become altogether too common
thing to try to forestall, or circum-
vent, or manufacture public opinion by
specious publications of some sort in
the newspapers; and of late it is very
much the fashion to do this through
the medium of letters sent to some
outside papers like the Tribune, the
Boston Journal or the Springfield Re-
publican. Men who are parties to
tactics like these ought to be frowned
upon and sat upon. The people, fort
unately, are finding them out, and in
doing this they are coming more and
more to have an idea of taking their
affairs into their own hands and man
aging them for themselves. We hope
it will be the people and not the
schemers, or the men who try to six
things" who will take controlling
hand in our state and national politics
this year.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
MONROE.

There was very pleasant gather
ing at the home of N S. Bolton of
North Monroe, Wednesday eve, Feb.
LIST, the occasion being the marriage of
his eldest daughter, Eliza, to Hugh
Nelson of North Monroe. The cere-
mOny was performed by Rev. Mr.
Langford in the same room where the
grandmother of the bride, Mrs. Hannah
Paddleford, was married over seventy
years ago, and Mrs. Paddleford now in
her ninetieth year was present at this
gathering. The bride wore a pretty
travelling dress, with bouquet of
lovely roses and orange blossoms, and
the house was filled with the fragrance
of similar flowers about the room. Only
the nearest relatives of the bride and
groom were present. Presents con-
sisted of silver ware, pictures, money,
etc. A bountiful collation. was served
during the evening. The bridal pair
started for the home of the groom, fol-
lowed by showers of rice and the good
wishes of the friends present.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
THE TOWNS AROUND.
BARNET.

Lieut.. Joseph Hall from Michigan,
has been visiting old comrades of the
18th VT. Reg. During his stay there
was soldiers reunion at the houses
of j. S. L. Wallace and Henry A. Gill
fillan.
William Stevens and wife from Chi
cago are stopping at Solomon Stevens.
Homer Hazelton has bought farm
at st. JOhnsbury Centre and takes pos
session in March. 1t would be pc
lite thing for St. Johnsbury to send us
about twenty-five good families now.
At the annual church meeting
Thomas Gilfillan was reelected to the
office of deacon, and A. S. Lau ghlin
clerk and treasurer. The church and
community are pleased with what
they have been able to do for them
selves, and benevolent objects the past
year, especially as we are weaker in
numbers than usual. The church was
repaired at an expense of 5000; their
expenses, including minister's salary,
$3.50 benevolent objects, $l025. 1t is
suspected that the pastor and clerk
are better informed in regard to where
the money came from, than the aver
age church member.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
ST. JoHNsBURY CENTRE.
business Ch.npes

Batchelder 81 Underwood of St.
Johnsbury have bought out VIM. Rob-
bins meat business. Mr.. Batchelder
will run the business assisted by Mr..
Robbins, and Mr.. Underwood will re-
main in the shops for the present. Mr..
Batchelder has rented the lower rooms
of Horace Brockway's house and will
move in at once and Mr.. BrOckway
takes the up stairs tenement.
James Howard has gone to Douglass,
Mass, for medical treatment.
Ben Squires is at work for L. D. Ha-
zen this winter driving team.
Mrs. B. F. Gognon who had slight
shock short time ago is much better.
Judson Hulburt has gone to work for
G.. III. Cross in the bakery, place
where he formerly worked.
Miss Stella Stanley of Monroe, N. H.,
has been visiting friends in the village
the past week.
E. M. Ide was called here last week
to see his mother who is quite low. Mr..
Ide returned to Washington Saturday
leaving his mother little improved.
j. r. Stevens has sold his farm to
Homer HazeltOn of Barnet, who takes
possession in March. Mr.. Stevens
sells his stock, etc., at auction Feb. 20.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09

An exchange says that when the
thermometer gets down to twenty be-
low zero it is about time to talk about
the "solid North"
At last accounts Mr.. Blaine was at
Florence, Italy, confined to his bed
with severe cold.
Congressman w. w. Grout has intro
duced bill into the House for the
erection of new federal building at
Newport.
Gov. Hill of New York has, it is said,
decided to relinquish all claims to the
gubernatorial nomination in that state
and to ego for" the democratic presi-
Dental nomination.
A minister of twenty-five years.
standing, states that he has never in
that time collected $25 for home mis-
siOns from men who are opposed to
foreign missions.
The Burlington Independent thinks
that if the people, instead of the pOliti-
clans, had the right to name the next
candidate for governor, Mr.. Ormsbee
would undoubtedly be his own sue
cessOr.
Springfield, Mass, produce dealers
advertise potatoes "just received di-
rect from Ireland" A number of ship
loads of potatoes have been received
in this country from Ireland and Eng
land this season.
The Massachusetts legislature is
again struggling with the biennial ses-
sion problem, but the reform starts
hard. The Boston Transcript very
pertinently asks that if the politicians
think the people are in love with per
petual legislation, why they do not
give them a chance to say so.
The trial of Stain and CrOm we'll in
the famous Dexter bank case, which
involved the murder of Cashier Bar
ron, comes off this week at Bangor,
Me. An interesting feature of Stains
imprisonment is that he has been rec
ognized by considerable numbers who
are positive that they saw him lurking
about Dexter a few days previous to
the tragedy.
Contrary to the popular belief the
general executive board of the knights
of Labor in their January report rela-
tive to the membership of the various
assemblies throughout the country,
show an increase of $4,000. The in
crease has been marked in Pennsylva-
mia and in the western and southern
states. In New York, Massachusetts
and New Jersey the decrease has been
marked
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
Lincoln and Seward.

The February installment of the life
of Abraham Lincoln in the Century
magazine tells the story of a strange
proposal made by the then Secretary OF
State, w. H. Seward, to President Lin
coin at the time when the latter had
held his pOsitionhardly more than a
month. The acceptance of Stewards
proposition would not only have radi-
cally changed the policy of the admin
istration, but would also have been a
virtual surrender of the presidency to
the secretary of state. Said Mr.. Sew
ard in concluding his proposition:
"Whatever policy we adopt there
must be an energetic prosecution of it ;
for this purpose it must be somebody
business to pursue and direct it inces-
sanity either the President must do
it himself, and be all the while active
in it, or devOIve it on some member of
his cabinet. Once adopted, debates Oh
it must end, and all agree and abide.
1t is not my special province. But
neither seek to evade nor assume re-
spOnsibility.
To this remarkable letter Mr.. Lin
coin returned an equally remarkable
answer, showing that he comprehended
the situation and was equal to it. To
the closing words of the proposition
quoted above he said: 81 remark that
if this must be done, must do il, and
the subject was never mentioned
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
The st. JOhnsbury Encampment.


Those who were present at st.
JOhnsbury will long remember their
generous and hearty welcome. There
was favorable comment on all hands
made of the change from the customary
banquet to the popular campfire, in
which the largest possible number of
citizens could take part. 1t is alto
gether probable that these campfres
will be adopted as the popular features
of future encampments as they should
be. The presence of the ladies at their
department convention had a most
beneficial influence and it is to be
hoped that this may also become a
settled feature of the future. The G..
a. r. encampment, besides being the
largest, was the most harmonious ever
held, and the determination was mani
fest to increase the vigor and useful
ness of the order.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09

by aspirants in Windham county, and
that by this means the county will go
into the state convention hOpelessly
divided against itself. In this expec-
tation we believe they will be disap-
pointed. We don't know of any gen.
tleman here who means to make a
scramble for the governorship, and we
don't know of one who wants to be
governor unless the people want him
to be. The probability is that when
the state convention meets this county
will present a candidate for that hon
orable office. If it is done it will be
done unitedly and without factional
fight or personal contest of any kind.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
DisreputabIe Journalism.

It is quite common in somebody
without giving name and with no con,
slant abiding place, to boom favorite
candidates through outside journals.
1t is very similar to sneaking in at the
back door to buzz the hired maid, or
leaving the unfortunate infant on the
doorstep in the darkness of night to
remove all trace of its paternity. 1t is
a disreputable species of journalism.
We do not wonder that all concerned
now desire to make the matter little
joke. Better call it so and let the peO-
pie at the proper time select their gov
ernor. He will be a good man. In
the meantime let every one possess his
soul in patience.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
SUTTON.
l.. B. SanbOrn is on the sick list.

l.. B. Sanborn is on the sick list.
S. j. Whipple and wife are visiting
friends in New Hampshire.
Miss Esther Stevens was called home
last week on account of the dangerous
illness of her father. Her school had
but one more week to complete her
third term here.
Several of his friends made B. M. r.
Wiley visit last week Tuesday even
ing. The next day Mr.. and Mrs. Hale
Atwood were also visited and remind
ed of their wedding anniversary.
The West Burke snow roller comes
over and rolls the road out to the de-
pot, making much better road than
we usually have out that way. A. Ii
Ball and G.. M. Campbell engaged the
roller to make one trip up over the
big drifts to Gibbs.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
SOUTH RYEGATE.

H. j. Hotchkiss has been granted a
patent on mop wringer.
The old board of officers were re-
elected in the Farmers club with the
following changes Frank McColl, re-
cOrding secretary; w. A. Gibson, IL
brarian, and three directors were add
ed, viz: w. III. Symes. o. P. Dickey
and o. H. Renfrew. w. N. Gilfillan
was elected corresponding secretary
and accepted for the time beingn and
is in fact only acting until the next
meeting as he cannot retain the posi-
ton. The directors will meet at RYE
gate Corner on Monday evening, Feb.
IL. A full attendance is desired as
important business will be transacted.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
SHEFFIELD.
Ida Hanscom is home from Boston

Ida HanscOm is home from Boston.
Miss lisa Doe of Ryegate finished a
very successful term of school last
Friday with an exhibition in the even
ing.
Calvin Chase is going to live with
his son, w. H. Chase. They have let
the place at Wheelock to Nate Sawyer.
David Wood has sold his farm to
Geo. Welch and is talking of buying
the o. M. Sturtevant place in this viii
lage.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
McINDOES FALLS.

Another smash up at the mill caus-
ing several days delay.
Sociabe next Friday evening from 6
to 10, at Mrs. nj. G.. Morrill's.
Last Friday afternoon and evening
was spent very pleasantly by large
company of friends and neighbors at
the parsonage.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
WHEELOCK,

Mrs. Staples is quite sick with con-
gestion.
Mrs. King, who has. been quite sick,
is better.
Old Mr.. and Mrs. Leslie have moved
down to their sons, ID. B. Leslie's.
George Weeks from Dakota has been
at his brothers, S. HI. Weeks, visiting.
Mrs. Benjamin Morgan is very sick,
with grave doubts of her recovery.
Mrs. Calvin Chase died very sudden
Saturday. She had been sick only
three days.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
LYNDON.

B. F. Lincoln started on Tuesday
with Raymond excursion party fol-
California via New Orleans. Mrs.
Lincoln is now in California and will
return with her husband some time
during the summer.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09

girls farm for one year and will move
in about two weeks.
Hale Ransom formerly of this place
while walking from Montpelier to
Barre with his brother Eugene last
Saturday, dropped down. He lived
but fifteen minutes afterward.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09

w. H. Cutting, Guilford boy, of
st. Louis Mo-, has secured a patent for
his invention of an electric call, which
may be made to ring at any time. A
pointer moves across the face of Il plate
provided with contacts. The contacts
may be adjusted into or out of the path
of the pointer, according to the time at
which it is desired the alarm should
ring.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
EAST HARDWICK.

DR.. Jones moved here last week and
is now ready for action.
V. Munsey of Stannard, died very
suddenly last Thursday.
Mrs. Melen Smith fell down stairs a
few days ago and was severely injured.
The village school closes the even
ing of the 18th with the drama entitled
"Our folks"
E. H. Gage has taken the Goodrich
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09

again. As this most interesting histo
~ progresses the reader is more and
more impressed with the greatness of
Abraham Lincoln.