davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1894-06-07

The Trustees OF the Pubic
school met last night for the
purpose Of elseting = Superin-
tendent aud assistant teachers.
Prof ] L Pope was elected
Superintendent.
Hiss Dale kimmons was elect
ed to teach the classes hereto
tore presided over by Mss Susie
GgYhan, who goes to Paris Tex.
No selection was made TO oil
the place Of Aiss Ida WEbourn,
Who has decided not 10 teach
Tie next year. All the other
teachers we're retained In THEN
respective rooms.
= Mss Gentry was CHOSEN &c
teach in the room formerly
taught By MIss Dale kimmOns
Who WIS Ersm0teds
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1894-06-07

Judge Eugene Johnson presiding.
W, A Roaae, District Attorney.
Court meets Second Mondays u March
4ni S~eutambar.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1894-06-07

Cards are out announcing the
marriage 81 June 18th, 1894, in
Bzowzzville, Tenn ~ high
noon.bof our handsome young
friend, Yr. Il d Beanland and
siss Aileen Bennett, the popu-
Tar and most lovable young lady
who made so many friends N
our city last session while COM
neeteG with the L + College.
We acknowledge the receipt
Of an rnviiation &c be present.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1894-03-01
LWATER, MINNESOTA, MARCH l, 1894

post letters. and the crime of coming
and putting off of base coin. The opin
ion on which this is founded is that
crushing severity will put down these
miSdeeds. and cruel and relentless has
been the intlction. Such an opinion
ought to yield to reflection and expert
ence. This hardness has always been
employed. and yet the Otfenses have re-
cured with unerring certainty. 1t any
one will consider. he will see that no
man would commit an Otfense it he felt
sure of being captured. No, he believes
his precautions, his skill and his craft
make the deed safe, and escape certain.
What effect therefore, is the possibility
of detection and a heavy consequent
sentence likely to have upon the mind
Of man confident of safety and sue
cess? Detection is more effectual than
punishment. Our present habit OF pill
ing Imprisonment, proceeds more from
thOughtleSSness and the effect OF exam
pie than from deliberate adoption
When it is the result Of cool judgment,
it deserves to be denounced: it is sub
mitted that it is unjustitiable; stupid,
because unnecessary. barbarOuS III any
ease. and often productive OF crime.
Take this authentic instance: n poor
woman convicted Of two or three theftS
was then tried for stealing some butter
and received one years Imprisonment;
she came out and stole some other pro-
visions. and received seven years penal
servitude: that sentence served. she
stole piece of meat and was again
awarded seven years of penal servitude.
She served that period. came out. stole
duck from poulterer and received a
third sentence of seven years. Twenty
one years for stealing a few shillings'
worth of food The Howard Associa-
tion has published a number of similar
dreadful sentences for tritling otfenses,
but there is no need to print them
afresh. The most casual reader of the
daily papers will come across many
a shocking disregard for the value Of
human life. in comparison with that Of
the property pilfered, i'll the mainte-
nance of a stern code of morals little
adapted to the trials and temptations
of ordinary life. The detail of such
eases is enough to make the heart
bleed New Review.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1894-03-01
DANGERS OF PUNISHMENT.
The Object Should be Simply and Soley
a Vindication of the Law.

Neither vengeance nor arbitrary I'M
proper principles of punishment. The
Judgment seat should be occupied with
d sympathy for WretchedneSS, pity for
the criminal tempering the just indig
nation which cruel violence, Wickedness
and depravitA naturally excite. The
offender is not to be prosecuted OF eN-
terminated. The violent unworthy ha
rangues and unfair topics urged by
some advocates should be moderated
bv firmnesS. The object of the sentence
should be a consistent VindlcatlOn OF
the law. joined with d desire that the
Door wretch should. if possible. have a
chance of reclamation and not be drlV
4n to despair. Long sentences destroy
the moral fibre. the strength OF Will OF
the convict. and corrupt his nature to
The last degree From being the perpe
orator of mere theft and dishonesty. by
such severity man is converted into
helpless Waif at the sport of clrcum-
stances. a hardened villain ready to be
the tool of more capable but less des-
perate and less courageous Scoundrels
Let this be considered. One who is
made a thief through pressure and
want. may be converted into burglar.
Burglary may be of different shades in
she law between the mere lifting of d
latch during certain hours of the night,
and the forcibe entrance Of house
with all the appliances of a past master
IF the profession. The indiscriminate
punishment of ten years OF the offense,
often inflicted in practice, makes fight,
a desperate defence for the chance of
escape worth trying. Hence the use Of
she revolver and murder made prOba-
ole. Yet if more sensible or moder
ate punishment were the rule the Grim
NAL taken in the act would surrender
peacably and valuable life would be
spared. The teaching of the past illus
trates this. Formerly, every burglary
was punishable with death. The cOnse-
quence was that it became necessary to
the safety of the marauder to destroy
every one who might be witness
against him. The punishment was al
tered. and murder by burglars has be-
come rare.
Two classes of offenSe are visited
with atrociOus severity the stealing of
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1894-03-01

most of uscare to go. If the approval
of society at large is sought for, | am
afraid that we will have struggled and
fought is vain. Mortal man, endowed
with the strength and endurance of a
Sampson could never wholly obliterate
the stain or name of ''felOn" in its eyes
But, | ask, is society, in the aggregate,
competent of rendering decision? If
so, upon what does it base it's verdict !?
If we should await its decree, before
satisfying ourselves regarding this
problem, we would never reclaim our
character; at least, not unless evolution
worked more rapidly and with differ
ent effect than at present HY.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1894-03-01
Can We Reclaim Our Character?

There is not one of us who does not
fully realize the extremely difficult task
which we must face when once more
we are reinstated to citizenship; and
the fight will be long and hard before
we can answer the above question in the
affirmative. We have paid an exorbi-
tant price for our knowledge of vice.
and it is possible that we may realize
something from the costly investment
if we apply it properly and judiciously.
If our inclinatiOns tend toward a better
life. we must avoid entirely all cOnnec-
ton with those elements that will tend
to detract us from the paths of honesty
sobriety and true manhood. Our Grim
inal education and our quick percep-
ton in detecting evil, will act as safe
guard against all incurslons OF wicked
ness that may manifest themselves.
Equipped with this weapon of defence,
it rests entirely with us whether we
pursue reformation, Or, after a brief
struggle, relapse into old paths. We
cannot expect confidence to be restored
and extended towards us upon the mere
assertion that we intend to live exem-
plary lives Promises. no matter how
heavy laden with truth, will avail us
not one iota; time, actions and deeds,
are the only qualities that will help us
to regain our lost position. | am sure
that if we adhere strictly to our deter
mination to implicitly follow our better
impulses, we will gradually regain the
esteem, respect and confidence of those
who are most directly interested in our
welfare. When we have, by reformed
mode of living, convinced these friends
that we have forsaken former paths,
then can we truthfully say that we have
made great stride toward redeeming
our characters. When our friends and
relatives are satisfied with the reform
that has taken place in Us, we have
then reached point that is as far as
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1894-03-01
Conniving at Crime.

The methods of the New Y ork police
authorities and prosecuting officers in
dealing with thieves are worthy of at
tention as illustrating policy in the
administration of municipal govern
ment which finds favor in certain quar-
terS of the northwest. The New York
Tribune declares that in that city
whenever an Individual Of social or
political prominence. or any one who
has intimate relations with the heads
of the police department or the district
attorney. is a victim of the pickpocket,
gambling sharp or burglar, he has only
to make it known at headquarters to
have the losses made good or his stolen
property returned in short order. The
explanation is that the police authori-
ties and prosecuting officers are SO well
acquainted with the whole "machinery
of crime. the names and hauntS and
habits of criminals and the pawn bro
kers with whom they deal, that they
have only to send out word that the
wrong man has been robbed. to bring
down the thieves and recapture the
goods. Evidently there is an under
standing between these officials and the
criminal classes as to how far thieying
shall be permitted. and how far the
laws against it shall be enforced. In
most instances there is no attempt to
enforce the laws against theft. probably
from lack of the moral support and co
operation of those whose profits depend
upon their breaking these laws. EX.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1894-03-01
The Prison Mirror.
NOT GOOD.

"IDon'C praise me. don't call me good she crled
will not more offend; for only one,
Of woman horn. is good. straight replied.
But as the crystal waters whimperlng run.
tSorlered with verdure down the rugged side
OF frOwnng hll-AS the swift rivers glide
Onward unto the Sea-AS the bright sun
Whose benefits to earth are never done
A. the light breeZes ply their gentle craft
gfither and yon with incense-bearlng breath
AS the soft dewS unto the heated earth
Nightly refreShment hear-AS the cool draught
OF water to his lips anigh to death
chou ever art to me of priceless worth.
Thou art the carols of the birds at morn
Thou art the SunbeamS' Bosom rays.
Sweeping the teeceS from nights elf-l0cks shorn
To leave the world uIclOuded to my gaze
Thou art the rose that decks the biting thorn,
i}ut for whose graces it would not be horne
Thou art the balm whose soothing unguent pays
For wounds entailed through mOil OF weary
days
I EniDe is the hand to cool the fevered brow
iFurrowed with care-Thy voice is magic. sweet
70 Danish phantaSeS that haunt the mind,
And in their place bright Hope-born thoughts to
are these not good: Vet are they all hlest
meet
pf life bestowed by d God most kind.
February %. 1894.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1894-03-01
Science in Prison.

While Siemans was stationed in 1910,
at Wittenberg, he became interested in
the discovery, then recently made by
Jacobi, of the PRECIPITATION of metallic
copper from the sulphate by means of
the galvanic current. He repeated the
experiments successfully, and applied
the process-so far as his means would
permit to other metals. His studies
were interrupted by his arrest and i'm
prisOnment for connection as second
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1894-03-01
Use Time w ell.

In spite of the Importance and value
of time. there is class of people, whose
only aim in life seems to be to kill
time. But then that should cause no
surprise, because there are many peo-
pie in the world who would even kill
the hen that laid the golden egg, were
she in their possession. Time, instead
of being mans enemy. is his best friend.
And. the saying, that it is better to
wear out than to rust out; Better to
be killed by the hard usage of time
than to be always trying to kill it by
doing nothing, contains truth which
all would do well to heed. Use time
wisely and you may be sure that it will
use YOU well---The Summary.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1894-03-01
Society's Responsibility.

We have been diSguSted. many times.
while in Chicago. by the people who
clamor for the gibbeting of Prender
gast. This miserable wretch committed
murder and forthwith the majority of
the community. who also condemn
murder, propose to become guilty of the
same act. Why are men and women so
held by the savagery of the past? Why
seek the life of another. under any cir
cumstances but those of self-defense? :?
Why condemn Prendergast as being
wholly responsible? Why not seek for
the causes of homicide and not tarry
1t is most lamentable that humanity is
SO determined to spend its force in fight
ing the effects Of causes that lie at the
foundations Of social generation. Who,
permit us to ask. is this Prendergast :?
Who were his parents? Where was he
bOrn9 Who furnished him with the
blood and fibre Of his being? Who
gave him his environment, and who
furnished him with the civilization
which led and fashioned his impulses? :?
These questions, rightly answered, will
suggest sharing of the responsibility
Of the murder of Carter Harrison by so
ciety itself. Prendergast is one Of the
specimens. one of the products. from
the lOins of society. He is one of Soci
ety's children. Then why should soci-
ETY. hang him for carrying out its teach
ings. and crystaliZing its impulses into
homicide?
Society would be more rational II 1t
would hang many Of its institutions.
1t would be more worthy in throttling
social system which makes might
right. and offers to greed the spoils of
| victory over the unfortunate. No.
Away with with the coarse thought of
killing to avenge. Protect society by
the strong bar that prevents escape, and
by the rational treatment that will give
mental and moral equipOise to those
badly developed ones. This is only to
meet the demand of our day. For the
safety of posterity, let us revolutlonlze
the ideals Of society, and lOp off the
barbaric eXcreScences that load it down.
/ Live better, and breed better offspring
Improve the surroundings of the indi-
Vidual. 50 that his temptations will be
| toward good. and not evil, and crime
and criminals will pass away. This is
not dream. 1t is among the possibili-
ties of the next century. Above all,
society should not be brutal against the
! individual because the individual has
been brutal against afellowman. Soci-
ETY., in passing judgment upon one of
it's unfortunate members, should show
more discretion than the individual
whose whole being is unhinged by pas
sion. The state should be rational.
above the reach of passion and revenge
and above the crime for which it tries
one of its family-Progressive Age.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1894-03-01

in duel between two of his brother
officers. Not rellshing the idea of spend
ing an indefinite period in idleness, he
managed on his way to the citadel to
make arrangements to have the mate
rials required in his electro plating re-
searches smugged in to him. He set
up small laboratory in his cell and
made himself contented there. Recol-
lecting. from experiments he had made
in the Daguerrean process, that hypO-
sulphate of soda would dissolve the in
soluble salts of gold and silver, he ap-
piled the principle to electrOlysls with
astonishing success: and he believes. he
says, that it was one Of the greatest
joys of his life when a newly silvered
teaspoon which he had immersed at the
zine pole of Daniel cell into a cup
filled with hyposulphite gold solution,
while the copper pole was connected
with a louis dor as an anOde was
converted in a few minutes into a
gilded spoon of the most beautiful, pur-
est golden luSter. GalvanO- plating was
then new in Germany. and his discovery
made much talk. A ]eweler Of Magde
burg. visiting him in prison to examine
into its merits, he sold him the right
to use it for forty louis, and thus OBJ
tanned means for continuing his eXper-
iments He counted upon enjoying
still several months of captivity. and
the unmolested prosecution of his re-
searches. when the unWelcome message
came to him of d royal pardon. and he
was obliged to leave the citadel at once
without house or other spot in which
to set up his apparatus. He asked
leave of the commandant to stay little
longer, but was denied. accused of be-
ing ungreatful for the royal clemency,
and was hurried out OF his quarters at
midnight From a Sketch Of Werner
Won Siemens in the Popular Science
Monthly.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-03-14
Court.

The trial of james B. Dixon, charged by
~ B. Randle with breach of trust, which
was in progress on last Wednesday consumed
two days and resulted in mlstrial. The
case was given to the jury late in The after
noon, and after an hour or more they re-
ported that they could not agree. They
were sent back. but still failing to agree were
discharged at 80 90 Friday night. Mr.
Randle is dealer in Sewing Machines and
musical instruments at Orangebug, and has
had branch of his business here with Nr.
Dixon as manager Mr.. Randle claimed
accounting for about $1,000, which was
not denied by Mr.. Dixon, but the latter dis
claimed the charged of fraud, and claimed
that he had spent the money in business and
for the support of his family.
The counsel for the defense, Messrs T. B.
Fraser, Jr., and A. B. Stuckey took the
ground that the articles of agreement
between Raudle and Dixon constituted a
copartnesbip, and therefore that Raudle's
proper remedy was to sue for the recovery
of toe money. This was vigorously combatted
by Solicitor Wilson and R. o, Purdy, Esq,
who assisted the prosecution. The result
was as mention above, aud Mr. Dixon gaze
bond at once and was released from custody.
1t is little singular that Mr. Randle was
the only witness for the State, and Mr..
Dixon for the defence The other proceed.
ings of Court have been as follows;
The Grand Jury concluded its work for
the term Jas, Friday aud was discharged.
The presen tmsnt will be found elsewhere.
James Coclough-housa-breaking and
larceny-pot guilty.
John Lewis, Jr., Emma Lewis and Mary
Lewis-,arceny of live slock-not guilty.
L. W. Edwards-breach of trust with
fraudulent intent-pleaisd guilty. year in
the pen!tentiary.
Joe Neson-house-b breaking and larceny
guilty. year aud months in the peni-
tentiary.
Isaac Cummings-guilty-2 years in the
penitentiary.
Nelson Black-burglary and larceny
not guilty.
julius McRae- e-house-oreskiug and larceny,
guilty. years in the penitentiary. The
prisoner confessed his name was Charles
McFaddin, an escaped convict from Williams
burg County.
Joho Evans-privily stealing from the
person-gulty-2 years in the penitentiary.
A true bill was found against John 7.
Green, Ex-School Commissioners, for breach
of trust with fraudulent intent. Mr. Green
was here ready for tria! but on account OF
sickness in his family he went back home,
and the case will probably go over to
the next term of the Court. Mr.. Green asks
the suspension of public opinion until the case
is tried.
The other two cases aganst l.. w. Edwards
were continued by the State.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-03-14
"Courtship and Marriage Of the
Japanese" or tsThe Japanese
Bride

1t gives me pleasure to announce that Rev.
T. Masao, of Japas will lecture in the Court
House on the above named subject on the
evening of March 18th, at 30 o'clock.
was in echool with Mr. Aasao at Wander
young man and interesting speaker Heis
we'll up on the customs of bis country,
especially this one, and as he appears in the
garb of his native land and presents this
Interesting feature of the life Of every conn-
try enc cannot but be Interested and enter
tained, and from time TO time amused as the
curious customs of the Japanese are set
forth
Mr.. Masac is young man. but being
in the newspaper bushes for some years
before coming 10 America, be has become
we'll acquainted with the English language
and speaks readily and distinctly. In order
that every one may attend | have put the
admission at only Csc. Mr.. Masao has very
kindly agreed TO lecture for one half the
proceeds, The other half 10 go toward the
erection of the Sumter City Mission Church.
He delivered this lecture in New Orleans
last sammer and held an audience of eighteen
hundred people in perfect quiet for one hour.
knowing that the night of this lecture in New
Orleans was very warm, this certainly does
not speak for Mr. Masao's humane qualities
but /: does speak we'll for his ability as a
lecturer.
Come then and spend a pleasant hour
listening 70 Japanese, dressed in bis native
GARD, speak of the work OF Cupid in the
Gland Of the Rising Sun" Tickels on sale
at the drug stores Of Drs. l. A. Mckagen and
A J. China. r. GRlasBY HERBERT.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-03-14
Deaths.

Major William j. Singleton died at his
home near this city on Wednesday evening
last al 80 o'clock, after long illaess, horne
with Christian patience and fortitude. he
was in his SAITH year, and up to within
few weeks Of his decease WAS possessed of
wonderful physical activity, and flow OF
spirits that betokened u heart at peace with
God and man. Major Singleton once held the
Office of Clerk of the Court for this county. A
farmer most of his life, he was once engaged
in mercantile business when this city was
known as Sumterville. He had many good
qualities of head and heart, won and retained
a large number of friends, and while 6rm and
outspoken in his convictiors, cbeerfully con-
ceded the right of others to differ from him.
He married in early life Miss Hortensis Hayns-
worth, who left him for the rest of Paradise
some years ago. Their union was most
happy. and they were hlessed with \ number
of children, who took pleasure in ministering
TO the wants of the old people, and especially
Major Singleton after be had been bereaved of
his wife
The funeral services were held at his late
residence on Friday afternoon, the Rev.
Messrs. J. W. Daniel aud w. w. Mood off,
ciating in the presence of large concourse Of
relatives and friends of the family. The re-
mains were inferred in the family cemetery on
the place, near which he was born, aud lived, i,
and passed away. Peace to his ashes
On Thursday last after protracted illness,
during which be rallied a number of times,
Mr.. j. E. sSuares departed this life at his
home in this city, in the 18th year of his age.
Mr. Suares was an old citizen and we'll
known in this vicinity. He was loug en-
gagged IN mercantile business in this city,
having previously been one Of the leading
furniture dealers in Charleston, from which
place he removed to Sumter. He was buried
90 Sunday morning III the Jewish Cemetery,
with the rites of Masonry, he having once
been Master of the Lodge here. The burial
services were attended oy Claremons Lodge
in body, and a large number of citizens
who had assembled to pay the last tribute of
respect to his mortal remains He leaves q
widow and several children and grand
children to mourn bis loss.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-03-14
Our Advertisers

Attention is directed to the advertisements
of Ry,tenberg l. Sons, Schwartz Bros, snd
Miss Mcdonald, in this issue.
The Messrs. Ryttenberg present their usual
Spring announcement of new and seasonable
fabrics Their display consists of entirely
new fabrics OF better quality and higher
beatty than usual and they wish everybody
to come and see and price their goods, before
purchasing elsewhere.
Schwartz Bros. announce their Spring
opening for March 19 and 20. They say
that their display Of dress goods, trimmings
and millinery surpassal previous efforts, and
their imported hats and bonnets, cannot be
surpassed for beauty and perfection of style,
Those who have attended previous openings
AT Schwartz's know what TO expect.
Miss Mcdonald politics her customers thai
she will he ready for her Spring opening on
Marca 81 and %.