The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-01-11
A Century Ago.

The name of the sheet was the Columbian
CeltiRel. The latest European news was
dated In October OF the previo US year and
the latest news from Philade Dhia, where
congress was then in session, was no to the
oath of December The Christmas recess
did not beginsevidently with that congress
until the morning OF the universal holt
day. The editor of the Centinel had, of
course, to brag somewhat about the circu-
lation of his paper at the opening OF tire
new year, just as his followers in the pro-
fession have been doing during the cent
ury that has elapsed since the paper ap-
peared.
Massachusetts, it has always been under
stood. never contained a slave and her citi-
zens have frequently boosted OF the al
legged fact. Ex-Vice President HENRY Will
SON in his Rise and Fall of the Slave
Power" says:
Massachusetts,. while vet the war was
raging for national independence, and be
fore that indie pendence was recognized by
the treaty OF peace, became a free state;
taking her place in the van-a relative
position she has honorsOly maintained,
not indeed without some faltering and
mistakes, in the long struggle with slavery
and the slave powar.
The paper above referred to. the Centipd
of January 1898, contains the following
advertisement:
Run away from the subscriber on Fri
day evening last, a bond servant. named
UFFMoRDICAI CARNEs, a negro about thirty
years old; is tall and very sim; had on
when he went away grav great coat. a
olaret colored coat and Waistcoat and
corduroy breeches; also a red cap and ne "
boots. Whoever will take up said negro
and return hin to the owner shall receive
s. reward. And this is to forbid all per-
sons harboring or trusting the said negro,
and masters OF vessels carrying him TO
sea. on penalty of the law.
PHINEAs SMITH.
Mr.. WILSON, it would seem. was wrong in
his record and the peculiar institution
flourished in the old Bay State" quite in
the same general manner that it did in
states farther south.
In this old paper too we find that lot
teries hourishel and that the Boston mer-
chants advertised tickets for sale in sew
eral ventures OF this description. Lot
teries for a bridge in Connecticut and one
in Rhode Island were openly advertised
and the beat tradesmen cOuntenanced the
sale of tickets. Apprentices used to run
away 100 years ago just as they did be-
tore that time and continued to do later
on. Here is one advertised for. but he
evidently was not very valuable person,
as only sixpence 123 cents was offered
for his re urn and it seems, from a gentle
hint in the al. that the chap loved his
beer or something stronger. The adver-
tisement reads as follows:
a bsconded from the subscriber on Tues
day evening last an apprentice by the
name OF JosEPH STACEY HASTINGS. five feet
FIVE inches high, of a forid complexion
and FURNISHED hair FURNISHED hair is
good |, a true epicurean and no enemy to
Bacchus. Whoever will return said walk
away for to run he never was inclined }
will be entitled to pence reward. but no
charges paid. All persons are cautioned
against hsrboringor credihng said appren-
tice.
Counterteiting was not fine art in those
days, as the following interesting item
would indicate. 1t was taken from New
Jersey paper of December, 1892:
Was apprehended and sent back to New
York in irons a person who said his name
was WEBB and was a native OF Massachu-
sets. On examining him 1l6 counter.
felt $50 bills of the Bank of the United
States were found concealed in the socks
OF his boots, and the plate on which they
were struck was also found on him. They
were very badly executed. especially the
signatures OF the president and cashier.
| Two of his accomplices were apprehended
in New York Monday previous.
From Philadelphia there came cry in
January, 1898, that the building there for
the president of the United States had al
ready cost ell 900 or about S55. 600, and to
complete it the commissioners wanted a
further appropriation OF 10000 or $4,000.
1t looks as if the early fathers of the coun-
try had system of 'jobbery" to contend
| with. even as their patriotic successors do
now. We must not forget, however, that
| our own state house was bull: for a sum
within the scope of the original intention
and appropriation. Those who remember
the old-fashioned fire departments of even
twenty-five years ago will appreciate the
Boston situation 100 years ago. as the fol
| lowing suggestions indicate:
The owners of pumps will be pleased to
/ have Thorn put in order without delay, as
an examination of all is intended to be
made Immediately.
The several fire societies in town are
requested to take into consideration tine
expectancy of furnishing one or more
ladders for their own use. and also oil
making it a rule to inspect the pumps OF
the members at the time inspection is
made OF buckets.
Those whose business leads them to
barns. etc. in the night time, where
lighted candles are necessary, are very
particularly requested to make 1t a stand
Ing order never TO take them from under
| the cover of a lantern.
When the water in pumps is apt to
freeze, it has been found useful to pump
late at night, setting the handle up, and
early in the morning. Some bore a hole
in the lower box, others have surrounded
the pump with q cask. filing the vacancy
| with straw, hay or seAweed.