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Newspaper
Bristol Phenix
Location
Bristol, Rhode Island, United States of America
Date
Oct 22, 1859
Page
2
Discussions critique dueling and praise civic virtue amid Harper’s Ferry rumors. The piece weighs equating duels with murder, suggests daily shooting to determine guilt, and condemns sensational political capital while defending Hamilton, Cilley, and Brederick. It also covers Downing’s school integration stance and local timing issues.
The Rhode Island and American states issue a public thanksgiving call urging citizens to abstain from unnecessary labor and to close stores while worshiping. The message praises civil and religious liberty, highlights gratitude for Jesus Christ and the Gospel, and calls for neighborly love as directed by the divine injunction. It is dated October 17, 1859, signed by Thomas G. Turner with John R. Baxter as secretary.
John Hallow, alias Hallam, was arrested in Warren by Sheriff Johnson on liquor selling charges and suspected of involvement in Burrill murder. He was taken to Providence and had recent work at Newport and Gardner's stable. Kent County pursuers arrived Friday after him.
The proclamation sets Thursday November 24 as a day of Public Thanksgiving to Almighty God for blessings and benefits of the past year. Governor Turner appoints the date for statewide observance.
The Bristol Musical Association held its first regular meeting at the Court House on Wednesday evening. Many ladies and gentlemen attended and signed the Constitution. Charles Pollack, Esq., to direct the association which will meet weekly at the Court House. Officers named include President M. T. Bennett, Vice President Ezekiel Rich, Secretary and Treasurer J. N. Burgess, with executive committee members Charles Pollock Charles H. Spooner and Thomas Piereg.
Readers recall a teachers institute to open in Providence on Tuesday next the 25th inst with three days of sessions. Eminent lecturers on education are expected to attend making the session likely to be interesting.
Among the travelers aboard the Africa from Europe, the record lists George St Norman and his wife of Newport as recent arrivals in New York, with details appearing in port notices.
The WS thanks John Norris Jr Req of Birmingham England for forwarding late English papers. The note notes gratitude for the courtesy shown through the Africa steamer service.
An improvement in coal hod manufacture swaps cast iron for the usual white iron bottoms, promising greater durability. Users report lower wear and longer life, with savings estimated at about four times that of the old style. Availability noted at John Allerton’s Stove and Trade Warehouse at State and Thames streets.
The city notes six gentlemen guiding a lecture series and says plans for a new Town Hall are lagging. Officials hope the hall is ready for occupancy in the coming season and that a lector committee will announce courses next week.
The report chronicles the Harper’s Ferry raid led by Captain John Brown, with armed resistance at the armory, a siege by Marines, and casualties on both sides. Brown and others are captured or killed as federal and Virginian forces secure the armory while residents and militia respond to the insurrection.
Reports from Baltimore dated Oct 19 describe marines and volunteers visiting Brown's house and a school house. They found blankets clothing tents and 1500 pikes with blades plus documents including a constitution and letters from Frederick Douglass Gerritt Smith and others indicating wider support. Governor Wise has issued a reward for Cock and battles continue with casualties and prisoners awaiting trial.
A meeting of city clergymen chaired by Rev Mr Conklin approved a series of temperance meetings in local churches. Each session will be led by the hosting pastor and discussion will cover the temperance cause to awaken interest in reform and sobriety across denominations.
The overland mail arrived with San Francisco dates of the 26th ult. The Pacific Railroad Convention favored a central route and adjourned to Sacramento in January. Judge Terry faced a $90 000 bond on a murder charge. Ashore, ships from the Anwor river and new steamers reach the region amid varied commercial and emigration news.
A reader reports cheap shoes with thick pasteboard soles that collapse after short use, noting the seller’s misleading craft. The letter warns against inferior repairs and urges buying from trusted manufacturers. A separate note summarizes a treaty-related court department table showing merchant fleet counts and foreign ships. A tragedy is reported as Robert Rosa and daughter from East Franklin died after ingesting unknown poison.
European shipping news reports the arrival of the Europa at Hatwax from Liverpool, the Kangaroo at Queenstown and Liverpool, the Ocean Queen at Southampton, and the Persia sailing out. It notes U S frigate Constellation at St Vincent and political dispatches about France Austria talks in Zurich and British China correspondence. It also mentions the death of Mason in Paris and Col Anviti’s assassination in Parma amid disturbances.
The brick Stewart Street church, built by Perry Davis and Bug and now used by the Stewart Street Baptist Church, was purchased by the nudity Methodist Episcopal Church under Rev Milliam McDonald and will become a free church on the Westside. The building cost $36,500 originally, valued at $32,000, and sold for $16,000. Mr Davis contributes $19,000 toward the free church, with possession hoped in December and an appeals drive planned for funds.
Chief Justice Lowrie, whose driver was fined $25 for violating the Sunday law while taking his family to church, has paid the fine and issued a card. He says ignorance of the transgression caused the error and declines to pursue the case further to avoid affecting other suits before the Supreme Court.
A Glasgow public meeting debated gas pricing with a detailed claim that manufactured gas costs 1s 9d per 1000 feet, while selling should be 2s 9d. It argued high local rates stem from capital costs and interest on £350,000, seeking a price reduction to match British prices and curb wasteful investment.
A fragmentary letter expresses heartbreak over the Villafranca outcome, noting the hoped deliverance of the country was within reach like a ripe fruit, yet exile returns after four months, ten years older, emphasizing disappointment over deceit.
New York reports reveal the steamer Philadelphia carried arms and munitions intended for Walker’s Nicaragua expedition. The cargo included boats for inland transport and was retained after discharge at New Orleans. Authorities allegedly planned to move Walker and associates aboard the vessel on the 20th, with the weapons later said to be claimed by an owner. A separate Allister steamer departed for New Orleans without cargo.
A Salem telegraph reports the murder at sea of Captain Henry Ewanda while aboard the bark Said Bin Sultan returning from Zamibar. The cook, a colored man, stabbed him three times in the galley. Ewanda died soon after. The assailant, William Harris of Baltimore, 28, is jailed after capture and admission of abuse prior to the act.
Joan Y Mason American minister to France died in Paris on the 3d of a month in 1795 after a Virginia birth. He studied at University of North Coolingiaels14 and served nine years in the Virginia bench. From 1831 to 1837 he was U S Representative from Virginia. In 1844 he became Secretary of the Navy under Tyler and later served as Attorney General under Polk. Appointed minister to France by Pierce, he held that post until his death after a stroke and apoplexy during his term abroad.
A note from Montreuil Switzerland states Pastor Parker cannot return to lead the congregation. He resigns as pastor and urges the society to appoint a permanent minister. The society adopts resolutions to accept the resignation under no circumstances and to notify Mr Parker of the action.
Frederick Cumberland, the Great Eastern’s agent, arrived at Eastern Portlum Me to arrange hotel and vessel plans. He expects the ship to sail from Portland, Mac in mid October. The company planned only Portland as a port this trip, with a three week stay expected.
The colonization packet Mary Caroline Ste vona will leave Baltimore on the first of November for Munravin offering a path for letters and parcels to the Librarian settlements and the African squadron. Letters forwarded if sent to Dr James Bull, agent of the ship.
Summary of recent reports includes a Woolwich meeting denouncing naval flogging, a Marblehead schooner ashore with three men abandoning ship and two chests recovered, and a noted exchange on old Bank of England notes misstated as dollars. Also covered are large German gatherings at Cooper Institute seeking better Sabbath observance, with speeches in German and English.
A seventeen year old, described as a tall weight three hundred and fifteen pounds, stands six feet two inches, son of the renowned Scotch giant James Randall. Randall previously exhibited at Peale's Museum in Philadelphia about a decade ago.
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