davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25
FLORENCE DIED A MASON.
Facts in support OF This Statement Given
by . Friend.

Facts in support OF This Statement Given
by . Friend.
NEW YORK, Dec 24.-William J.. Flor.
ence, the comedian, died a Mason, Noble
of the Mystic Shrine in good and regular
standing. His widow will receive 81, 900
from the Northwestern Masonic Mutual
Aid Association and $1,000 from the
knights Templars' Insurance Association.
This statement is made ON the authority of
DIR. Walter NJ. Fleming, who was associated
with Mr.. Florence in the founding of the
Noble Order in America, and was mem.
Der with him in the organization in this
city.
i'Of course" said DR.. Fleming to re-
porter, ''Florence was a member of the
order at the time Of his DEATH No secret
was made of it at the time. l issued
the proclamation of his death, which was
published in the newspapers. The story
that he renounced the order on his DEATH
bed is false. He was not accountable for
anything he may have said to the PhiladeI-
phia priest. Besides, we have no positive
assurance that he did say anything like
renunciation."
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25
SENSIBLE FARMERS.

They Will Hold a Meeting and Secure
Money to Make Good Roads.
WEST CHESTER, Dec. 24.-The spirit of
road improvement has reached the farmers
and taxpayers of Westtown township, this
county. They have held a public meeting
and discussed plans for the work, and
nearly all the citizens are bent on giving en-
couragement TO the project. There are in the
township 25 miles of public roads, of which
10 miles are reported to be in need of i'm
provement. Another meeting will be held
in a few days, when it is expected that
arrangements will be perfected for borrow
ing the sum of $50, 600 with which to accom-
plish the desired result.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25
Governor Campbell a. santa Claus.

COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 24.-[Speciai. i
JEFF Boiling, the Licking county life pris-
oner and murderer, will be pardoned by the
Governor tomorrow. He is the man whose
sentence was commuted to life imprison-
ment a few hours before he was to be
hanged iE 1886. He murdered John Doug.
las, his father-in-law, farmer. Allen T.
Miller, Pike county man on life SEN
tence for assault, was pardoned to-day, as
also was Charles Leyerton, a Highland
county two-year man for robbery.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25

ran off the track in cut near Williams
station this morning. and the passengers had
narrow escape from death. As it was II
were injured, but none badly.
The accident was caused by the rails
spreading. Four coaches were derailed and
pretty badly smashed up. Fifty feet beyond
the cut was deep fill. The train was
almost on the brink of it when it ran off.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25
Virginia Sales of Leaf Tobaceo

DANvILLE, VA, Dec. 24.-The sales of
leaf tobacco on this market for December
were $685. ,706 pounds. The sales in De-
cember Of last year were 1,4ss, 763 pounds
The sales from October /, the beginning of
the tobacco year to the close of business IN
December were 1885,, OIL pounds. The sales
during the same period of the last tobacco
year were Q, 52s, AS pounds
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25
A DISASTROUS MUD BLOCKADE
Merchants of the Mississippi Valley Suffer-
ing From Dirt and Water.

Merchants of the Mississippi Valley Suffer-
ing From Dirt and Water.
BURLINGTON, IA, Dec. 24.-[Special. J.
The worst mud blockade known in the his.
tory of the Mississippi yslley has existed
for two weeks. Country districts have been
virtually isolated from the larger business
centers and have lost heavily in their in.
ability to market their products The loss
to merchants depending on the country
trade, especially in holiday purchases,
amount to fully $4,000, in Iowa alone,
while 81 900. 900 will not cover the loss to
shippers, merchants and farmers during the
present month.
The miserable situation still continues,
and it is feared that numerous failures will
result among country merchants, while
business generally will be seriously
affected
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25

vantage. 1t is said that several Of the post
Office employees refused to pay the assess
ments, and say they will resign rather than
be mulcted of half months salary. Post.
master Higgins, when asked about the truth
Of the report, refused to talk. A district
convention has been called by the Republi-
cans for January 3, to meet in this city,
when the fight will be settled.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25
CANADA WANTS SETTLERS BADLY.
Trying to FIJI Up at the Spigot rs Much Al
Is Lost at the Bung.

OTTAWA, Dec. 2i.-The Cabinet at its
meeting to-day, considered the policy of
immigration bonuses which has been in
forca during the past season, and arrived at
the determination to continue the system
for the coming year. 1t is understood
transportation companies decline to pay the
proportion of the bonus, which they did
this wear. The amount is to be fixed by
order by council, in which the Government
will pay $40 for the head of a family, and
So for each member of a family for the
settlement of land at any point in the
Dominion west of the eastern frontier of
Manitoba.
The time in which a settler is allowed to
take up land and yet receive the bonus may
be extended until IL months, if necessary.
An active immigration campaign will be
entered upon both in Great Britain and on
the continent.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25
DRILLING THE NAVAL RESERVE
The Militia of the Water Prove to Be Apt
Students on a Warship.

Inc ulHtid Oh tne water ffOVo TO be ADJ
Students on q Warship.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 24.-About $50
officers and men of the naval reserve. under
command of Frederick B. Chandler, Wis
tied the United States cruiser San Francisco
to-day and spent the day in working the
ship and drilling with the guns. The regu-
lar naval officers of the ship acted as in
structors and were much pleased with the
proficiency and zeal exhibited by the re-
serve.
Arrangements will be made for the re-
serve to drill on every cruiser that may
come here, and it is expected that the ship
Hartford will be detailed and fitted up for the
use of the reserve and as recruiting ship
for the navy.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25
westmorelaud,s Judicial Candidate.

GREENsBURG, Dec. Special. 1.-The
Westmoreland Bar Association, at meet
ing to-day, Endorsed Judge Harry White,
of Indiana county, as candidate for Su-
preme Judge. The Endorsement was made
irrespective of.party.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25
APPLYING THE CONSPIRACY LAW.
Three Union Seamen Indicted by the Chi.
cago Grand Jury.

aSV UTNuu Jury.
CHICAGO, Dec 24.-The grand jury
brought in an Indictment at noon to-day
against Thomas J. Elderkin, Thomas Mel
son and Robert Lindholtz, officers and men,
bers Of the Seamens' Union, for con-
spiracY.
1t is alleged that the defendants conspired
to keep non-union seamen from shipping on
lake vessels, or from performing certain
labor at less wages than tho scale estab-
lished by the Seamens' Union.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25
SEVENTEEN PASSENGERS HURT
A vestibuIe Train Deraiied just short of a
High Elnbankmcnt.

ATLANTA, GA, Dec pa vestibule
train ON the East Tennessee Railroad
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25

nurse thought he was resting easier than
he has done since Tuesday last. At his age,
72 years, the prolonged weakness is sure to
end fatally soon. Surprise is expressed by
the attendants over the fact that death has
not already claimed the aged sufferer.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-30
COSTS ON THE INnScFNT.

The verdict Of Schuyllill county jury
in a libel case, recently, illustrated ten
dency of juries to give verdicts as utterly
illogical as some of the compromise find
ings by which juries evade the diss gree
able duty of sendinga man to the gallows.
The verdict declared man not guilty on
the charge of criminal libel and then as
sessed him with two-thirds of the costs Of
prosecution.
The man thus declared innocent of the
charge against him in one breath and in
the next mulcted to considerable sum
for costs was the editor of the Pottsville
Miners Journal He had treated the let
ting of a contract on very favorable terms
to the contractor, after the latter had
taken the Commissioners off on junket-
ing tour, as proper matter for comment
in his paper. On the suit for criminal libel
the Judge held that the publication was
privileged one and its accuracy was
proved. There was, therefore, no posi-
BILE finding than the verdict of not guilty,
but the jury, by some occult process of
reasoning, concluded that it would not do
to let his innocence go without any penal
Gy DIT oil, duu 81 dSSCoStu tWO-UlllluS Ol UQG
costs on him..
This way in which juries arrive at such
verdicts is more easily ycomprehended than
the fact that the practice of Pennsyl-
vania courts allows them. The juries re-
fleet the indisposition of the rural tax
payer to have county expenditures en-
HANGED by costs; and while they have this
power are apt to use it. At least that
meanness is the most charitable explana-
ton of such verdicts. But legal rules
should forbid anything of the sort The
declaration of mans innocence simul-
taneously with making the false charge
a penalty to him is violently self-contra-
dctory. It not only imposes an injustice in
cases where the prosecution is genuine,
but it even holds out an incentive to ma
licious prosecution in the hope that while
the defendant is proved not guilty he may
still be saddled with the costs.
This should be entirely reformed The
declaration of a mans innocence should
relieve him entirely. 1t is rank injustice
to impose penalty on a man because he
is forced to show that he has not disobeyed
the laws.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-30
THE ROADS OF EJTROPE.

The steady agitation of the road i'm
provement question has had the effect of
producing from the State Department a
large volume of consular reports on the
streets and highways of Europe. The re-
ports contain good deal of valuable in
formation, both as to the value of the i'm
proved roads of Europe and the methods
of constructing them.
The most salient impression made by
these reports on the American mind is that
even such comparatively poor countries as
Ireland and Switzerland have far better
roads than the great and wealthy republic
OF the New World. For this we might
find the excuse of the comparative new
ness of our country. But when we find
that Canada's road system also rises supe-
rior to our own, and that even British Co
lumbia, which hardly numbers as many
years as Pennsylvania does decades, pos
sesses fine highways, we must acknowl-
edge that in this important respect the
United States is far behind the rest of the
civilized world instead of leading it, as
is our boast in other respects
The testimony of the reports repeats
what has so often been asserted in these
columns, namely, the practicability when
once road is properly constructed of
maintaining it in first-class order, and the
economic value of good roads to the agri-
cultural class In France, where the road
system has been carried to the highest de-
gree of perfection, the results are stated as
follows:
The road system of France has been Of far
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-30
MAJOR M'KINLEY RETURNS HOME.
A Parting Reception Given to Him b
propainopt Naxu

A Parting Reception Given to Him by
Prominent New Yorkers.
NEW YORK, Nov 29.-Major Mckinley, after
a rest of about three weeks, left last night
for his home in Canton, O., where he will re-
main until he is called to Columbus to as
sumo the Office of Governor. He expects to
devote his time from Monday until he is in
augurated to the preparation of his message.
Governor Mckinley has had very enjoy
able time since he has been in New York.
He has become acquainted with many men
whom he knew before only by reputation,
and he has met a number of Democrats who
hold precisely the opposite view that he
does with respect to the tariff, and has found
them to be men as well informed upon tariff
subjects from their point of view as he, a
protectionist, is from his.
Major Mckinley said before he left last
night that he did not know when he had
Oughly enjoyed. Everybody here had been
kind to him, and low-tarif Democrats had
shown fully as much courtesy as his pro-
lection friends among the Republicans in q
social way. Governor Mckinley finished up
a round of pleasant entertainments at the
Murray Hill Hotel yesterday afternoon. Ex-
had a warm friendship with Governor Nc
Kinley at the time of Garfeld's administra-
tion, and Mr.. Samuel Barton, the broker,
united in rendering breakfast to Mr.. Nc
Kinley. 1t was non-partisan gathering
Men very prominent in business affairs and
some of them in politics. were there Gen
eral James presided, and at his right was
Major Mckinley, who had at his right ex-
Mayor Grace At General James left was
Commodore Van Santvoord, who was intro
duced to Governor Mckinley as very likely
to become the President of the Union League
Club. The other guests were DR.. W. Seward
Webb, Mr. Fred W. Vanderbilt, Mr.. John W.
Davis, the business partner of one of the
hosts. Mr.. Barton; MI. John R. Van wormer,
and Mt. E. j. Edwards.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-30

greater value to the country as q means Of
raising the value of lands and Of putting the
small peasant proprietors in easy communi-
cation with their markets than have the
railways. 1t is the opinion of wellinformed
Frenchmen who have made practical study
Of economic. problems that the superb roads
of France have been one of the most steady
and potent contributions to the material de-
velopment and marvellous financial elasticity
OF the country. The far-reaching ana splen-
ditly maintained road system has distinctly
favored the success of the small landed pro-
prietors, and in their prosperity and the
ensuing distribution OF wealth lie the key
to the secret of the wonderful financial
vitality and solid prosperity of the French
nation.
1t is one of the unsatisfactory phe-
nomena of the century that, while this
country, founded upon a democracy of
commerce as well as of political power, has
lately experienced the growth Of great
millionaires, concurrently with depression
and decay among the small landed pro-
prietors, France has maintained q wonder
full prosperity by development in exact
ly the opposite direction. The roads OF
France and the absence of anything CORE
spending to them in this country are not
the sole cause of the diversity so unfavora-
BILE to US. But that it is more active and
important cause than appears at first blush
may be seen when we give due reflection
to the fact that ON such roads the corporate
devices of rebates, pools, stock manipula-
tions and the other means by which great
fortunes have been built up for the privi-
legged few at the cost of the many are
utterly impossible
Every argument from the condition OF
things, and every testimony of experience,
points to the immense gain that can be
secured by an intelligent, scientific and
comprehensive system of country road
construction. The literature of the SUBJ
ject has already demonstrated this beyond
doubt. The only thing necessary to
secure the reform is to bring the literature
home to the minds of the people and to
secure an adoption of the best methods for
prosecuting the work.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-30
THE POOR FARM PURCHASE.

1t is to be presumed that the poor farm
purchase will come up before Councils this
week, either on the question of permitting
the Alexander option to be withdrawn, or
on the original proposition to sanction the
acceptance of the offer. There are various
interesting aspects about the proposed
withdrawal of an unexpired option; but a
very complete and satisfactory solution of
them all is to be found by adopting the
shortest and most authoritative declaration
of the fact that the city does not want the
farm.
This should be done, for two reasons.
In the first place, after this property has,
by the present offer at $3.50 per acre, ex-
posed the want of integrity in former at
tempt to make the city pay $500, it is still
evident that the price is much higher than
it should be- The evidences on this point
are varied but harmonious, that the price
asked the city is 40 to 75 per cent above
what private buyer would have to pay
for the same or similar property. The
city should take the very clear ground
that so long as there is trace left in any
quarter of the disposition to make the city
pay more than other purchasers, it will be
defeated by the simple device of abstain
ing from the purchase.
Beyond that is the fact that the pur-
chase still exceeds the needs of the city.
1t has so lately been brought out in the
discussion that the city may make the best
possible arrangement by joining forces
with county poor authorities, that it is by
no means certain that farm is needed at
all. But, if the purchase must be made, a
tract of 100 acres will give all the inmates
of the farm all the bodily exercise they
can be induced to take. The selection of
the Alexander tract showed an abandon
ment of the purely imaginary necessity of
river front When the size is brought
down to 100 acres and tract is purchased
at 5000 to $3.50 per acre the city will at
least be sure that it has not been forced to
pay exorbitantly for its property
The city has lest nothing by waiting.
But the good results are not more than
half secured. Let the same policy be kept
up until moderate offers are made, and
there is practical certainty that the city
can either provide for its paupers on the
county farm, or purchase all the land it
needs at a cost between $4,000 and
$50 000
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-30
LAND BILL ALLEN DEAD.
The Man Who Spent a Fortune for Others
Dies in q Poorhouse.

The Man Who spent a fortune Tor others
Dies in q Poorhouse.
COLUMBUS, Nov. 29.-[SpeciaLl - George
Wheaton Allen. better known as Gland
Bill" Allen, one of the noted characters of
Ohio, died to-day, at the county poorhouse,
aged SO. He was recognized as the origina-
tor of the land bill by which it was sought
to give all settlers coming to Ohio in the
early days, 160 acres of land. He had spent
over $50, 900 of his personal money in agitat-
ing the movement and in efforts to get the
measure through Congress in early days.
He was born in Window county. Conn.,, in
MAY, 1909, and received the benefit of fair
education. His father was tailor and ex-
tensive land owner, under whom the son
served an apprenticeship before they re-
moved to New York. He learned the
printers trade and came to Ohio in 1880,
settling in the vicinity of Columbus, where
he became peddler, claiming to be the first
engaged in this and the auctioneer business
in Central Ohio. On the side of his peddling
wagon he had printed, Land Bill Allen"
and "a Pome For AL"
He was at one time worth an immense
fortune but his hobby reduced him to a
small cabin in Plain township, this county,
where he spent his latter years. The little
home was taken from him short time ago
and sold at sherlfTs sale. Being without any
means of support he was taken to the in
frmary against his loud protests. Since his
confinement at the poorhouse, the superin-
tendent has received many letters from all
Da rts of the country enclosing contributions
for Aliens aid, and others proffering him
the comforts of old mems homes. The land
settlers in the West also have been generous
in their contributions through sympathy Tor
the man who made 1T possible for them to
gain homes. The contributions which have
poured in from various parts Of the country
will be sufficient to purchase lot In the
cemetery and erect respectable monument
to the memory of the land bill agitator.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-30
KNOWN TO THE WORLD.

SENATOR HIsCocK passed through New
York yesterday. Strange to say he did not
feel inclined to talk politics.
CONGRESSMAN BAKER, of Kansas, is
proud Of daughter who can handle plow
or turn furrow with the best of his men on
the farm.
BJoRNsEN, the Norwegian novelist, writes
so badly that no one but his wife can read
his manuscript. She copies all he writes be-
fore it is sent to the publisher.
COLONEL P. DOMAIN has earned the dis
tinction of being the "Great American Trav-
eler." He makes it a point to cover 10000
miles of the earth's surface every year.
THIS is the way the ex-Empress Eugene
recently gave her personality to a census
agent: Marie Eugene, Countess Of Pierre.
fond, GA years of age, born in Granada, Spain;
naturalized in France;a widow; a traveller.
The Rev. Mr.. Hunter, of indianapolis,
has some radical ideas. He said recently
that if it was decided to open the Worlds
Fair Sunday he wosld lead an army to Chi
cago and pitch it bodily into Lake Michigan.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-30
SENATOR BRICE'S SEAT.

THE general opinion is that Senator Sher-
man will not care to interfere, and that Mr..
Brice will not be molested.-Syrdcmse Herold.
CERTAIN gentlemen with "reminiscences of
Wall street will watch the investigation Of
Calvin s. Brice by Ohio Republicans with
close attention.-N Y. Telegram.
OHIO Republicans are "going slow" in the
matter of ousting Brice-a good assurance
that they will make sure of the game if they
go after it.-Sprin1J5e,d (O.) Republic Times.
The Republicans of the Buckeye State are
evidently in earnest in their intention to
throw Mr.. Brice out of his seat, provided it
can be proven that he has no legal right to
it-N Y Press.
SENATOR SHERMAN's embarrassment on the
subject Of Mr.. Brice's Senatorial status is
graceful and dignified. Mr.. Brice himself,
however, shows small evidence of trepida-
tion. He appears to have the comfortable
faculty of letting the other people do the
worrying Washington Star.
SENATOR SHERMAN's keen sense of the RI
diculous does not come out very strongly in
the matter of unseating Senator Brice. As
he is to be judge in the case, he is unwill-
ing to express an opinion on its merits, but
he voluntarily tells the plaintiffs how best
to conduct their case.-Ne,U York Commercial
Advertiser.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-30
Pittsburx Not the Worst Place.


Permit me to reply through the columns of
your valuable paper to an article in a recent
issue of Pittsburg paper headed "1s Pitts
burg so Bad" In this Rev. Mr.. Robinson, I
think, gave your city an overnauling on its
Sunday observances, and stigmaCized Pitts
burg as a bad city. Permit me to add, as
nonresident and with no. particular inter-
est, only for justice and to give credit where
credit is due, that he cannot have travelled
very much if he calls Pittsburg very bad
city, or else he is seeking notoriety, and
takes poor way of doing it to run down q
city 80 we'll conducted, especially on Sum
day. If the reverend gentleman is looking
for city that has no regard for the Sab
bath, where the front doors of the liquor
saloons swing wide open seven days in the
week and "a hours in the day, such a city Is
Buffalo, N. Y. 1t is the worst liquor law
breaking city have found in all my tray-
els. There may be chance for some i'm
provement in Pittsburg's Sunday observ-
ances but they are so slight when COM
pared with Buffalo and other cities that /
would advise the reverend gentleman not
to waste his time and talents in casting re-
Elections on Sunday law abiding city like
Pittsburg, but fly to some other city, where
tn ey need his attention more. This is not
written in malice-God forbid-but in JUS
tice to well-governed city
COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER.
PITTsBURG, November 2S.