davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10

Mormonism deals in evasions and meaning
less words or words of double meaning,
hypocriticnl pretenses and false assertions.
Its attitude toward polygamy is delusive in
the last degree. 1t knows there has been
no change on the subject, but seeks to con-
vey the impression that there has been.
Prominent church officials, the governor
states, have declared that the church does
does not now grant permits to enter polyg
amy, and the nominal head OF the church
has announced that polygamous marriages
do not now take place. The governor adds,
however, that when the attention of the
head Of the church was called to a notori-
Gus case uncovered in the First district
court, he disclaimed any knowledge of it..
Admitting that these statements, however.
are literally true, the governor says it does
not prove that the church has met the
public sentiment Of the nation as expressed
in its laws, nor does it prove that the
church is loyal to the law. There is no
reason to believe, the governor asserts, that
any earthly power can exact from the
church any declaration opposed to polyg-
amy. He accounts for the hold which Nor
monism has upon the people by the fact
that they are taught to keep aloof from in
fluences outside of the church.
The governor recommends the passage Of
the bill reported in the senate by Senator
Edmunds, which authorizes the governor to
appoint certain county officers, and provid-
ing for legislative reapportionment. He
states that IL this bill becomes law it will
place the control of twenty five counties in
the hands of men loyal to the government.
He also recommends the passage of
either the Cullom bill or the struble
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10

as sportsman, knew the place we'll.
When he hunted in this swamp there
was access to the lake, but during his
absence in England fire had burned
out the spongy, peaty, surface of tho
ground, causing the small cedars, of
which the swamp is composed, to fall or
lean so that access to the lake was
prevented. The position of the
body when found was such as to
indicate that when shot the man
was looking over the trunks of two
trees which had fallen, completely bar
ring the way to the lake. The theory
that Birchall intend"' to throw his VIC
tim into the lake, " nc the undcrcur-
rent would tend to draw him beneath
the DOGGY surface or shore of the lake.
is completely in keeping with the rest of
tho story.
The court was presided over by Judge
Mcmahon, one of the best men on the
Canadian bench. On the side of the
crown the lead was taken by b. b. Os-
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
engagements in England to take an IN

engagements in England to take an IN
terest in a horse ranch or farm which
Bircha.l claimed he owned in Canada.
According to Pe!!y, Birchall had repre-
scntcd this farm to be q mile and half
from Niagara Falls, the stables lighted
with electricity, and the place generally
in tirst-class shape. Bcnwell's father, u
retired British Colonel, was to pay $500
for an interest in this farm as
soon as his son should write from
Canada that he was satisfied with
his bargain. Young Pclly also had paid
Brcllall d large sum on condition that
he was TO have employment on the farm,
with a small share in the profits. Peliy
explained how the party had gone
through from New York to Buffalo,
thence to Niagara Falls. and how on
Monday, Feb. IL, Benwell and Birchall
had taken the Grand Trunk Southern
Division train to go to the alleged stock
farm. That night Birchall returned
alone, explaining that Bcnwell had gone
on further, probably intending to call at
London, Ont, upon Mr.. Hclmuth, a
lawyer who had been one of their fellow
passengers ON the Britannia. Pelly told
with blanched face how Birchall subsc-
quently took him about Niagara Falls,
while his (Pelly's) suspicious of his COM
panion grew stronger. In private con-
versation the young fellow declared that
he believed Birchall meant to tip him in
to the river just below the falls, or
otherwise to make away with him, and
it was quite evident that he believed he
had had an exceedingly narrow escape.
Everything pointed to Birchall as the
guilty man. Had the victim been. shot
in a quarrel or by tramp, as was at one
time suggested, the marks on the cloth
ing would not have been cut out. That
was evidently the work of man who
believed that if he could prevent the
corpse from proclaiming its own identity
1t would fill nameless grave and in
quiry would soon die out. Birchall and
Pelly were the only men who could have
known that the man was an entire stran-
ger in the country. Birchall was
the last person seen with Benwcll,
that is sure. He left Niagara
Falls with him, and credible witnesses
swore to having seen the man whom
they knew as Birchall or Somerset in
company with young Englishman whose
description answered to that of the vic
tim. They were seen to get Of at East
wood Station and go across the fields in
a direction which would take them to
the swamp. Birchall was Subsequently
seen to return alone. He spoke to a
Miss Smith ut Eastwood Station on his
return and stated to her that he was
going East, but would be back in few
days. He did not buy return ticket,
but single ticket, however He stated
when he went to identify the body that
he had never seen Benwell in the clothes
in which the corpse was dressed. All
the testimony went to prove that on the
train Birchall's companion wore the very
clothes in which the corpse was found.
The swamp is on the edge of one of
those strange ponds, of which there are
several in this country, which have no
visible inlet or outlet and which seem to
extend under the swampy land by which
their surface is surrounded. Birchall,
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
Damages for a Deserted Hu.band.

BALTIMORE, Oct. 4.-John siebrecht, the
deserted husband who valued his wife's of-
fections at $4,000 and sued his old friend
William H. Evans, a wealthy marble con-
tractor, for that amount, was to-day
awarded $4,000 by the jury, and is willing
10 accept the amountff the court OF appeals.
TO which the case will now be carried. does
not change the order of things by reversing
tne rulings OF the lower court. Evans
played the part of the mutual friend IN I'D
oustlng quarrels between siebrecht and his
spouse, ana finally pursuaded siebrechi to
sign deed of separation and helnod ~
wife to obtain q divorce. Then Evans 49,.
ricd her and siebrecht discovered that no
had been duped by the two persons he lnva1
pest IN the world. Several of the iurymen
were In favor of giving him the full .n,onn+
OF MS claim and it took four ballots to a y
tn efigure. W -"
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
WHERE BnswrL1's BODY WAS FOUND.


in England with whom he claimed to be
acquainted or connected. He signed
himself Birchall or Burchell, but spoke
of himself as the possessor or heir
apparent to the title of Lord Som
erset. Many people in Oxford County
knew him only as Somerset. He had
an inordinate passion for sports. A
horse and a gun were the twin objects of
his first affection. As q sportsman he
sought game far and near and became
more intimately acquainted with the
country than many person who has
spent lifetime in it. He spent money
freely. There did not seem to be any
thing vicious about him, but he was
simply bent on having good time. His
wife seemed to second him in what he
did and was known everywhere as "Lady
Somerset These two disappeared in
the fall as quickly as they had come.
leaving certain unpaid bills. When a
man was arrested in February for the
murder of the stranger whose body was
found in the swamp near Princeton the
people were made aware for the first
time that Lord Somerset, or Birchall,
had returned.
There had been great difficulty in
identifying the body, for the pockets
had been empticd Of all but one or two
unimportant articles, and the name had
been cut out of all the marked clothing.
But cigar-case was found having the
name of "F. G. Benwell" on it, When
this announcement was made in the pa
pers, Birchall came on from Niagara
Falls to Princeton and identified the
body as that of fellow passenger of his
on the steamship Britannia, which had
landed in New York but couple OF
weeks before. Itappeared from Birchall's
own statement that Benwell had been in
his company buta few days before tho
body was found, sohc was arrested on sus-
picion, and his wife, also, was taken into
custody on a charge OF aiding and abet-
ting in the murder. There had been a
good deal of excitement about the dis
covery of the body in the swamp, but when
1t was known that "Lord Somerset" had
been arrested for the murder, and that
the case, If proven, would be shown to
be one of almost unheard of atrocity, the
whole country was wild with curiosity
and indignation. There was only one
person who remained cool, collected and
smiling, and that was Birchall. He man
ifested no bravado, but he simply kept
quiet, said nothing except to his, lawyer,
and seemed to be rather amused sht the
course events had taken. But against
Birchall there were scraps of evidence
which, while not making complete
case, were all consistent one with the
other and together were certainly very
strong. The principal witness was o
young Englishman named Douglas r.
Pelly, who had come out on the Britain
mic with Mr.. and Mrs. Birchall and Ben
well. Pelly and Benwell had made ar
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
states Control Thor H,ghways.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, Oct A decision
made in the United States court is very i'm
portant to the entire country, as it affects
the right of the Western Union Telegraph
company to use the highways for their
wires. 1t is the opinion of the court that
the act OF congress permitting the Western
Union to use all government postal routes
to string their wires is permissible only and
does not give the company the right to go
into the states and use the highways unless
by state authority. The court further
holds that the charter gives the city author
tiles power to regulate the use of the public
highways, and that the city authorities can
exclude the wires from any street and can
designate in which street the company can
set their poles and string their wires.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
THE MARKETS..
Sioux City Live Stock.

SIOUX CITY, Oct 4.-The run of hogs to-day
was sh very light and Of not any too good quality
s4a5 against Si7h Yesterday. but tSe ave co S1
be counted on the fingers Of ones right hand,
@4.9. raise of loc was noticeable in some
grades of heavy, but it was a tight squeeze to
hold it at that price, with no perceptible change
1000 oficial yesterday, eaas. ' A''''f's'
me cattle market was dull on everything ex-
f sep COWS: Stockers and feeders fell off during
mixed in the yards, but buyers were shy and
sales We're ooI made but slowly. Estimated
epsseat SCI Fat o ssesrs p ysSterds
fat steers, fair TO good, .sss5@s.7o; feeders
I Rsias, &c., eeG to S9 o ss h. s@75
prime, ssso@ass iair to coca, ss sosssls
common, sa.00@215; yearlings, prime, ss.255
@s:5o; fair To- good; s2.0o92@5; fat cows,
R %on sS fa asn ss so0d a
choice si;7@i.s5; common si.sSgie5;; caves lives
E.2602.6O; calves. veal. 62.5O035O.
south Omaha Live Stock.
mated receipts, 1900; Official yesterday, 6,O75:
g. sh1pments, 10 cars. Hogs opened strong at
Cattle@Estimated receints Ion. on,c,a, ves.
terday; 1,2s5; shipments, 10 cars. Market
opened steady with common quality.
Chicago Live Stock.
CHICAGO, Oct. 4--Cattle--Receipts 5000.
AoAAOe sAOW uuG SGcduy prime corn led steers
scarce and gradually going up. There were
more steers sold during the past week than any
Hogs..Receipts, 1900 Market strong;
heavy, u: 10@435; prime heavy and butchers
sheep-Receipts, 900. ''; Magket slow and
weak Chicago Produce.
CHICAGO. Oct. 4.-Closing prices: Wheat
sstrong; cash. SSH09SAc; December, 81. O2; May,
el.O69s@1.O7z.
cornaoFirm; cash, 4sAc; November, 1850;
Qats-Firm; cash, SOC; December, sshc; May,
Provisions Mess pork steady; cash, so.eeM;
January, sll.671l; May, 1920. Lard, steady;
cash, $40; January, $3.50; May $3.50.
Rye-FirIn at 59Hc.
Barley-Easy at 73c. o..
Flax-Quiet ut 81. 49, t
TimQthy--Quiet at $l.2a0l.25.
Whisky-e1.l3.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10

clergyman who lived in the north of En-
q student at Oxford, and was known as
q harum-scarum fellow, good-natured
spendthrift with pleasure as his princi-
pal ambition in life. He is now about 81
years old. He got married few, years
ago, and about the same time financial
troubles eliminated and he was forced
to leave England. He came to Canada
early in the summer of 1882 to become
farmer, but, finding the work harder and
the pay smaller than he had been led to
expect, he staid in Woodstock. Birchall
talked great deal about aristocrats
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
toms In Brief.

ARTICLES of Incorporation for ths
Madison Chautauqua association has
been filed with the secretary.
In a friendly scufile at the Pierre
brick yard, w. w. Sorenson had one Of
OF his collar bones broken.
Gen. Erickson, of Trail county, is un1
der bonds for assault with intent to con
NIT rape upon a 13-year-old girl.
Mrs. OLIVER JENSEN, of Pierre
dropped dead of heart disease while en-
engaged in her household duties.
Deadwood is overrun with footpads
One evening last week a woman going
home was made to deliver up her pocket
book.
The Homestake mine at Deadwood
pays its employees the Goth of each month. !
About $4,000 is the amount disburscd
each month.
A 2-YEAR-o1D Pierre child swallowed
bottle of liniment and for a while sui
tered terrible torture, but doctor SOON
averted all danger.
John White, of Bear Gulch, recently
took gold nugget from one of the pla. !
Ger claims in that district that weighed
forty-nine pennyweights and six grains
DEADwooD sports acknowledge tol
have been taken in by the fake wrestling
match between Prof. Will Willie and the
unknown. 1t is asserted that Willie IS
an imposter.
HEAVY timber fires have been raging
in the carbonate district of the Black
Hills. The fire on Richmond ELL was
four miles square and the one at Squaw|
creek was one mile square.
A COMMERCIAL man by the name of
Gordon was robbed the other evening az
Mayville of mileage ticket, gold waten
and $s5 in currency. 1t is believed tha1
the guilty party is under arrest.
FRED NEWTON. JR., member of the
mercantile firm of Newton & Son. VOL
sey, is dead. He had been in very poor
health for over two months and there
lore his death was not a surprise to any
one.
The west-bound freight one day last
week set fire to the prairie grass west OF
Bookings. Before the fire was gotten
under control it destroyed two gram
stacks belonging to Jens Kjolset, occa-
sioning quiet loss. The railroad COM
pany is said to be willing to make all
amicable settlement.
The third trial of John Woods, indicted
Tor the murder of John Mcleod, will pc
gin in Deadwood on October /. Two ,
trials have resulted in disagreement OF
the jury. The case has cost several thou
sand dollars, and has been the most ex-
pensive murder case ever tried in the
county.
WHILE working on excavations for the u
Homestake Mining company's now OIL
ces at Deadwood, Michael Strobell wass
caught by caving in, and buried be1
meath several hundred pounds OF WEI
clay. His companions extricated him IN
few moments, and his injuries were
found to be painful but not dangerous.
The state veterinary surgeon exam
ined several horses in LaRoche township,
Charles Mix county, said to be affectca,
with glanders. One team Of ponies ana
ono colt belonging to VIM. Havilana
were condemned and shot. Others are
likely to be condemned A purse is PC DC
ing made up Ly neighbors to indcmnh Y
Mr. Havi!and for his loss.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10

THIN tho memory
of man no Canadian
criminal case has at
tractcd the attention
or created the inter-
est that has been
manifested in the trial
of j. Reginald Birch
all, which wasbrougLt
to a conclusion At
Woodstock, Ontario,
on the Goth of Sep
TENDER. Tho trial
consumed ten days
and resulted in the
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
MoRMoNlsM in UTAH.

Gov. Thomas Finds Mormonism in Every
Way IN Enemy TO America.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4.-The Mormonism
question is discussed by Gov. Thomas, of
Utah, in his annual report. He asserts that
the Mormon people are governed by priests
and that in every political and business
act the church is put first and the country
afterwards. The population Of the territory
is estimated at 22O, 932, an increase Of IS per
cent, during the past ten years. The Nor
mons are recruited by immigration from
Great Britain and the Scandinavian coun-
tries. The average number of foreign born
brought to the territory by the Mormons
during the past nine years was about 800
annually, and this average has probably
been maintained the past year.
The governor. says political and Official
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
HISTORY OF THE CASE.
Iwoonsrock (oNr.) CORRESPONDENCE.

Birchall was tried on an Indictment
charging him with the murder of Fred
erick G. Benwell, whose dead body was
found in q wild and unfrcquented swamp
in Oxford County, Ont, in February last.
The evidence upon which the jury found
the murderer guilty, was purely circum-
stantial.
There are many conflicting and frag-
mentary accounts of Birchall's identity,
but those who ought to know best say
that he is the son of an English Church
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10

MAD uOgS are very numerous IL
Georgia
NEVADA Indians predict mild, short
winter on the Pacific coast.
IMPROVEMENT societies are being
formed in nearly every town i'll Georgia
THERE is more shipping now in the
port at Charleston than at any time for
the last five years,
GERMANY produced in 1889 2,s7e, 41a tons
of wheat, 5, 363,426 tons of rye, l,93s, 4lo
tons of barley, and 4,197,l24 tons of
oats.
AUSTRIAN insane asylums are now the
subject of special governmental in
spection, provoked by the numerous
scandals in them.
LATE advices from Labrador says tina:
the fishing is excellent. Every craft
heard from is loaded, and the catch this
season will be the best for twenty years.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
THE TIPPERARY TRIAL.
GREAT INDIGNATION MANI.
TESTED AMONG CATHOLICS.
A Policeman Testifies That He Followed
the Defendants Into . Catholic Church
vestry-Grcat Disorder in tho Court and
the Defendants Attorney Thrown Out.

DUBLIN, Oct. 4.-Much excitement was
Occasioned in the court room at Tipperary
yesterday by the evidence OF one OF the
witnesses, q policeman, who testified that
he followed several of the defendants into
the vestry of the Catholic church and tried
to overhear what was said there by them.
This testimony aroused the indignation of
the counsel for the defense and he de-
manded to know IL the feudal days had re-
turned when the sanctity of the confess
sional could be invaded.
The courtroom became babel of cries,
and the confusion was SO great that 1t was
impossible to go on with the proceedings.
Court was therefore declared adjourned for
half an hour. When court reconvened the
policeman was cross-examined by Harring-
ton, who called the witness a shadow"
The magistrate called upon the counsel to
withdraw the expression. Harrington re-
fused to do SO and was ordered to leave the
case. An uproar ensued, O'Brien and Dill
Ion commenting freely upon the manner in
which the case was conducted. Finally
another half hour of adjournment was
ordered.
During adjournment Harrington's clients
decided to defend themselves. When the
proceedings were resumed Dillon had just
begun to address the bench when cheer
was raised for Harrington. This SO eXas-
perated the magistrate that he ordered the
court cleared, and the proceedings adj
journcd abruptly, amid the greatest con-
fusion. A large body Of police was massed
outside of the court. There was no rioting.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
OMAHA MAN ARRESTED.

While Embarking for Europe, He Is Ar
rested for Embczzlement.
NEW YORK, Oct. 4.-Earnest Rail, cashier
for business house in Omaha, Neb., was
arrested this morning as he was going aboard
the steamer Servia, to sail for Europe. The
arrest was in consequence of q telegram re-
ceived ut police headquarters stating that
Rail is an embezzler. The prisoner was
taken to Jefferson Market police court and
held. His counsel offered to produce bail
for him, but the justice refused to accept it.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10

cused. When asked by the Judge If he
had anything to say why sentence should
not be passed upon him, Birchall re-
piled simply: II am not guilty of muir
der" He was thercupon sentenced to
be hanged on Friday, Nov. IA.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
wolsey's Artesian Wen.

The Wolsey artesian we'll has ATTAINED
depth of 900 feet and has pressure d
40 pounds per square inch. 1t is mol
known whether or not drilling will con
tinue, as the drill has struck very harl
formation of copper quartz-so hard, in
deed, that it batters the finely tempere,
drill points and renders them useless
only after a few hours use. Although
this fulfils the contract, which onl,
called for pressure of sixty pounds
yet it was hoped that a much create
force would be obtained. The water i
perfectly clear and is splendid for drink
ing nurnnses.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
JUDGE MAC MAnoS.

Ter, Queens Counsel, the leader of tho
criminal bar, and he was opposed chiefly
by George T. Blackstock, Queens Coun-
sci, rising man, young and eloquent.
Tho courtroom was crowded to sutfoca-
tion every day of the trial from the
opening to the close:
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
Weekly Bank Statement.

NEW York, Oct. 4.-The weekly bank
statement shows that the reserve decreased
s2,664,0o0. Banks now hold S11, 511, 1000 in
excess of legal requirements.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
A CELEBRATED TRIAL.
THE MOST SENSATIONAL CASE
IN cANADA'S HISTORY.

Trial and Conviction of j. Reginald Bir.
chall for tho Murder Of f. q. Bouweu,
His Travelling Companlon-StrauHe Cir
cumstanc-s surrounding thu A1Yelr.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
Vote Of the Unorganiz.a Coun,,..

Settlers in from Nowlin county 81
press themselves in no uncertain Ia
guage regarding the attempt to have III III
supreme court declare void the action d
Hughes county in making possible ID
them to take part in the coming e)e1
tion. Many of the settlers of these nj
organized counties are former resjdens]
OF the eastern part of the state-or eal
OF the river-and they feel that it is n
more than right that they be given
chance to cast q free ballot at the com
ing important election. These countjc
were attached to Hughes for judicis
purposes, and the commissioners in max
ing it possible for them to have a vote
it is understood, were advised by Gov
Mellette and Acknowledgement Dollar
that they were complying with the la,
in establishing precincts and namin
clerks, etc. Therefore, the decision q
the supreme court regarding the matte
is watched with interest