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Newspaper
Aurora Standard
Location
Aurora, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Jul 03, 1851
Page
2
A local endorsement of Col Johnson Watts for Congress appears with praise for the Standard, urging wider circulation in Dearborn County. The piece notes reduced postage and calls for at least a thousand subscribers, promising a gratis year or a dollar for ten new names.
The Brookville Americar notes Fenny Robinson cannot laugh off his enormous mileage and claims it exceeds 1000 miles from Rushville to Washington. The article mocks the figures printed in the Rushville paper as flimsy and barefaced, praising the vast distance in a satirical tone.
In a charged district scene nearby Dearborn County, Robinson is accused of a house to house campaign push, likened to a “Bushwhacking” tactic by opponents while his rival Watts faced similar entreaties. A farmer recounts Robinson’s effort to secure a vote by offering payment for pork halves, exposing frontier campaign trickery amid cholera fears and local political rumor.
The Pacific Railroad project attracts expected strong bidding with multiple competitors. The outcome will affect the scale and pace of the work, seen as an important opportunity for progress and regional development.
A St Louis based editorial calls for rapid construction of a western railway line. Directors plan to break ground on July 4 inviting Governor and public leaders to a grand ceremony and jubilee celebrating a project seen as transformative for state wealth and commerce.
In 1843 the Wigs of this District backed John L. Matson, criticizing him as aristocratic and urbane. Democratic papers attacked Matson for a comfortable house and old carriage, praising "Tanner" Watts as a plain farmer. The piece argues the Democrats once despised aristocracy but now prefer it in their nominee, urging a rally to Farmer Watts.
Gosport Indiana letter by Ehler J. M. Mathes to Dr Benedict, Bloomington, details a late poisoning near Stilesville with several relatives involved. Accounts include a bread poisoning plot, accomplice Mrs Clark in custody, and fears of fatalities among relatives, with the writer signing from Copper. Also notes copper shipments to the lower lakes and a Michigan conspiracy case involving railway depots and track tampering.
An editor writes to Stanpard-I defending Col. Watts against criticism from John L. Robinson tied to the Rushville Jacksonian. He argues Watts stands for a fair Fugitive Slave Law and questions Robinson’s opposition and voting record, urging Watts’s election and criticizing Robinson’s stance and tactics in the district.
A Napoleon convention on June 16 1851 organized by J C McCoy for president and Saxforp Expainee as secretary debated resolutions upholding the Buffalo Platform, Jefferson Proviso, abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, and opposition to the Fugitive Slave Law while demanding due process and habeas protections. Delegates from Ripley Decatur and Dearborn counties approved the report by committee and discussed nominating an independent congressional candidate.
The Napoleon Convention discussion corrects misimpressions and outlines the spirit of the anti Fugitive Slave Law meeting. It notes a committee considered nominating a Free Soil candidate, the Watts letters, and opinions on supporting Johnson Watts to avoid electing Robinson. The article records votes and editorial directions.
In the district, Watts gains broad support as Robinson and his allies push boasts and aggressive campaigning. Democratic confidences claim Watts could win if his supporters vote, while Robinson denounces rivals with frequent speeches. Watts conducts a quiet, steady campaign, contrasting with Robinson’s aggressive touring. Cholera concerns resurface on the canal, with few cases among workers but two deaths on a distant section. A precocious two year old from Macon Ga exhibits extraordinary musical talent, able to mimic tunes after one hearing and drum along with expert timing.
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