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Newspaper
Defiance County Express
Location
Defiance, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Apr 30, 1885
Page
4
Reports from April describe Gen. Ulysses S. Grant improving, with doctors noting less throat irritation and better general condition. He receives condolences from leaders, plans visits to lookouts and private cottages, and a birthday marked by public thanks and floral tributes.
The Pullman Palace Car Shops in Philadelphia burned destroying seven cars and machinery valued at about forty thousand dollars. The steamer City of Mexco was seized in New York with captain John O'Brien arrested for alleged war munitions for Colombian insurgents. A Sharpsburg fire left sixty homeless and sixty thousand dollars in damage. A New York suit, Epson M. Boynton versus Hussey Howe & Co., seeks six hundred thousand dollars over delayed steel plates, trial set May 11 with Benjamin F. Butler representing the plaintiff. George Smithy of Pittsburgh died from roller skating strain, and William G. Carr was shot in Troy after clashes involving Colonel Joseph Egolf. Isaac W. de, longtime New York Sun publisher, died. Barnegat catches yield over two million mackerel traded in New York. A Pittsburgh fire caused building collapse killing four.
A Medicine Lodge dispatch details a waterspout driving floodwaters across lowlands east of the town. Drowning survivors clung to trees in night clothing while rescue efforts failed on the far bank. six bodies recovered and one old man identified three family members among the dead.
Dispatches report at least thirty seven dead from a major Vicksburg blaze with six bodies recovered and fifteen to twenty still buried in ruins. In New Orleans Amelia Evans and Casper Wenger were found dead in bed with bullet holes, husband of Evans implicated. Also Constance Edgar joined the Visitation Order in Baltimore with Archbishop Gibbons officiating.
The Treasury reports 916704 from Union Pacific split between sinking fund and bond accounts. A. A. Wyman resigns as Treasurer to become Omaha bank VP. C N Jordan named successor. Manning plans to move 35000000 in gold from San Francisco to New York with a 100000 shipping appropriation.
The first clash between Middleton forces and Northwestern rebels occurred near Batoche Crossing on April 24. Seven Canadians were killed and many wounded as rebels fought in Indian fashion. the engagement was brief with initial picket fire and heavy losses on both sides.
A Panam dispatch reports that rebels including Aizpura pledged not to interfere with American interests or erect barricades. Troops withdrew from Panama Railroad Company property and the city remains quiet with no shots fired. Delaware’s peach crop is expected to be unusually large unless a disaster occurs.
London reports indicate unclear outcomes in Anglo Russian relations with Baron de Staal signaling further strain. Dispatches note Afghan frontier battles where Russians suffered heavy losses, and Gladstone moves to London with maps of Penjdeh. The Commons approves a $55 million credit amid diplomacy and rumors of Bismarck pressing Turkey to side with Russia. The Prince and Princess of Wales drew huge crowds in Londonderry while the Pope may send a pastoral remonstrance to Irish clergy over their Dublin visit.
London reports a possible new battle fueling war fears with uncertain location. Buenos Aires notes Baltic coast fortifications. U S pensions agency suspends many payments for dead or remarried widows and threatens suit. Flood fears in Arkansas, Egyptian and French diplomatic fixes, and U S railroad labor and tax moves accompany domestic turmoil.
General Grant was sixty three years old on Monday April 27 and cities marked his birthday with informal observances. Flags were displayed as in previous celebrations of his notable victories.
In New York the General’s family observed the quiet moment as crowds sent thousands of congratulations and his name remained on everyone’s lips after he ended his world tour.
The Grant clan remains close as General Ulysses S. Grant and his wife never lost a child. Sons Fred Dent Grant and Ulysses S. Grant Jr. marry, and daughters Nellie Sartoris and Jesse Grant also wed. Grandchildren include Julia and U. S. Jr., plus Algernon, a girl, and a baby. The third generation shares the family vigor and features of their famed sire.
A fragmented wartime tribute praises Ulysses S. Grant with reverent language, thanking him for bringing peace and delivering the nation. The text alludes to sacrifice and national prayers answered, praising his life and legacy while honoring his role in leadership and salvation.
Telegram from Tennessee Pass reports eleven miners crushed in a night snow slide at Homestake Mine. Frank Sanderson found two cabins buried. a relief train reached the site and ten bodies were recovered in the cabin the next day. Victims include Martin Borden and Sylvester Borden of Nova Scotia, Horace and Jesse Matthews of Iowa, John Lock, John Burns of England, Charles Richards of Nova Scotia, Chris Harvey of Leadville, Robert Campbell of Red Cliff, and another John Burns of San Francisco.
C A King Co of Toledo publishes 900 crop reports from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Kansas, Missouri. One third report favorable winter wheat prospects, one quarter poor, the rest poor. Kansas tops, Michigan better than last year. Illinois shows no improvement. About one tenth report half the old crop left, seven eighths hold due to poor prospects and war rumors.
An 1850s newspaper item lists an eighty ton gun costing £10075 and a claim that Paris hosts lively MonRpPHINE parties. It notes Montreal will gain a botanical garden and cites 64000 lawyers in the country. Rosa Bonheur is described as a 62 year old animal painter, Arthur suffers sciatic pain, and a Russian army note appears alongside depots. A New Jersey ironclad speculator plans to plant over 200000 coconuts at Biscayne Bay, aiming for 1000000. 1854 railroad accidents total 1191 with 445 collisions and 681 derailments, 389 killed and 8760 injured. Pennsylvania provided eight ministers to the Russian court including Dallas and Buchanan.
Russia declines further discussion after Liaison report on the Penjdeh clash. Afghan forces numbered 4000, with 100 tomas offered for British officers. Turkish intrigue via Fehmi Pasha and Hobart Pasha aims to mislead Britain while Sultan Abdul Hamid contemplates an anti English alliance.
The War Office calls out the first class of army reserves totaling fifteen regiments for immediate service. other reserve classes likely to be summoned soon as troops flood barracks nationwide. Portsmouth works to boost labor while ports split fleets into channel flying and reserve squadrons. In St Petersburg, Neva ice breaks and Cronstadt navigation may reopen within ten days as tensions rise with England over the Pensdeh incident.
Ameer Abdurrahman Khan born 1830 heir of Afzal Khan grandson of Dost Mohammed and nephew of Shere Ali. Pursued by Shere Ali and Yakoub he sought refuge north of the Oxus and later Russian protection in Samarcand. After years of intrigue the throne was secured in 1880 with British support from India including £160,000 yearly pension and military aid.
Franz Abt died at age sixty six after a long career as a composer totaling about five hundred works. Rev Dr Talmage notes Abt rests in Europe with family. Other notes mention a giant child born to Patrick and Fanny O’Brien in Peoria, and Mrs Garfield planning a five week stay in Williamstown Massachusetts.
Forest and Stream describes deer traveling in ordered herds of twenty to a couple of hundred as they move along island ledges toward the southwest or south in winter. Each detachments led by a tall stag, connected by pickets, forming regular lines like marching soldiers. The sight of bright-eyed, nimble animals bending their course in parallel lines is noted as glorious for hunters from an elevated view.
A tale of Mar tha Maria a counterfeit blonde and a court case over coal and oil. The father sues the youth for damages claiming excessive light use during courtship while the girl notes they kept the lamp dim and states they spent little on oil. Martha Maria ends each night with cold feet.
The Pittsburgh Chronicle argues writers gain distinction by setting stories in local scenes and unfamiliar worlds. It cites Cable's "The Grandissimes" and Cor's "Last of the Mohicans" as reshaping readers. Irving and Dickens are praised for making distant places feel familiar.
A Detroit woman renowned in society has never worn a finger ring, despite owning several valuable rings. She views rings as deformities and married without one, resisting any persuasion to wear a diamond. The passage also notes two other women: one who never heard Pinafore and another who never saw Uncle Tom's Cabin acted.
Joseph Cook warns that Mormon influence could balance politics across Montana Idaho and Dakota for a quarter century except California and Oregon. He notes threats to a Utah Legislative Commission and imagines Salt Lake City under siege from Camp Douglas in thirty minutes.
In Philadelphia a coroner’s inquest verdict blamed a patent cough syrup containing morphia for a child’s death. Dr Sam K Cox of Washington notes most cough medicines carry risks and endorses Red Star Cough Cure as vegetable and free from opiates.
Quoted chatty line from The Graphic praises a Colorado rock salt find as a boon for miners. The passage then shifts to social commentary on restless urban figures and a joke comparing a woman to a locomotive, highlighting the era’s gender and class tones.
A Toledo banker M C Warn touts Athlophoros after his thirteen year old daughter recovers from rheumatism. A barber Thomas details his dramatic relief, describing weeks of pain and rapid return to work after two doses. The piece concludes with a sales pitch for direct order from Athlophoros Co. at 112 Wall Street New York.
A vintage health advert asserts mental and physical work suffer when the liver is out of order. It claims fatigue signals sluggish liver function and promises a mild yet effective remedy called PrickLy Asu Brrrers, urging a trial to prove its merit.
The article declares Dr Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery a lasting monument to physical emancipation. It claims the medicine has relieved thousands from consumption bronchitis coughs and weak lungs through its use across generations.
A passerby notes Miss Jones’s charm but cites her catarrh as a social drawback. The speaker claims Dr Sage’s Catarrh Remedy would cure catarrh every time, reframing the girl’s appeal if she used it.
The Colfax Hotel at Colfax Iowa near Old Magresian Chalybeate and Colfax Springs on the Rock Island line opens May 6 1885 for summer guests. It seats 30 guests offers first class appointments and amenities with croquet billiards bowling and live music by Thayer's orchestra. The springs are touted as restorative and the hotel supplies water direct from fountains with weekly rates from ten dollars.Forties seeking rooms are urged to reserve promptly.
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