23 Apr 1863
Page 1
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Newspaper
Athens Messenger
Location
Athens, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Apr 23, 1863
Page
1
Athens Messenger reports on a local development labeled Watching Gap with details attributed to reporter Mabel At. Clair. The piece outlines concerns and expected actions by city officials, highlighting community impact and proposed remedies.
In 1809 Pierre Pitois a sergeant in the 12th regiment asks for leave to visit his ailing mother, is denied, and deserts as the regiment advances on Vienna. He is court martialed and condemned to death. A dying officer offers friendship, learns of his devotion to his mother and Saintly duty, and the Emperor intervenes granting life but urging devotion to France. Pierre later dies in battle with a shout of Long live the Emperor and France.
The Ohio General Assembly imposes a 1 mill state levy in 1863 to aid families of soldiers and Marines, with county add-ons up to a half mill. It creates an enumeration of service members, directs trustees to report, and outlines fund distribution and oversight for relief in each ward, township, and district. A proclamation from President Lincoln declares a day of national prayer on April 50 1863 to humiliate, fast, and seek divine mercy amid the Civil War.
A private named Richard Lee was hauled before the Glasgow mayor for playing cards in church after a sergeant noticed him with no Bible or prayer book. He argued cards illustrated divine truth, listing biblical numbers and events to equate a deck with scripture. The mayor called him a knave. the constable was mocked, but the soldier offered a pithy Bible themed card sermon.
The excerpt outlines borrowing limits up to four fifths of a tax share with repayment from the relief fund at up to six percent interest. It defines family as dependent minors or parents, prohibits compensation for services, and notes the act takes effect upon passage, with leaders Hubbell and Tiponcoack signing March 21.
The Charleston Mercury argues only a heavy tax and forced loan can save the Confederate currency from ruinous depreciation. It cites eight hundred million dollars of debt and predicted yearly expenses of eighty four million, equating to about seven dollars per person for the twelve million population, white and black. It urges continued taxation rather than reunion with the Union.
A report recalls giant produce from California with James Wilson growing a twenty one pound onion and a turnip matching a flour barrel top. Thomas Fallon reaped a thirteen foot six inch cabbage and San Jose yielded a sixty three pound beet. Stockton produced a one hundred pound turnip and a potato as large as a hat serving twelve men. California is a great country.
An extraordinary note from Bayard Taylor then at St. Petersburg to Governor Tod describes Russia’s Imperial Chamber planning a full legal code overhaul. Ohio purchased about $30 of legal texts from Randall & Aston, including Swan's Revised Statutes and Pleading Commentaries, forwarded by Judge Harbaugh and the State Library.
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