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Newspaper
Freeport Journal
Location
Freeport, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Dec 22, 1869
Page
2
In this city on Saturday December 18 1869 Mrs Sarah Dykins Atkins aged 76 years and one day widow of Adna Stanly Atkins who died last August at eighty years. For over fifty years she was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and died in full confidence of immortality.
A list of items includes probate notices for Brond, Bolender, and Moore, ads for Lazarus Morris spectacles and Wilcoxson Hall opening, and notices for James Roberts and John Smith. It notes the Municipal Council adjournment, Florida seeking troops, Grant appointing Stanton to the Supreme Court vacancy, Tennessee election for a Constitutional Convention, Georgia reconstruction, and a London Times editorial on Alabama claims amid Grant’s message to Congress.
The notice describes widespread business failures in Eastern cities and some Western towns. It notes strained times, slow farmer payments affecting country merchants, bank notes unpayable, and notary protests. It ends with a blunt moral urging payment.
Senator Conkling argues for paying out gold to reduce national debt then tax imports to reclaim the gold, circulating idle gold in the treasury. He favors removing the franking privilege so Senators and Congressmen pay postage, with government postage costs handled openly. A list of new United States Circuit Judges appointed by President Grant follows.
Democrats gain temporary control led by Dement of Dixon and Hitchcock of Cook County as permanent president. Delegates debate oath to support current Illinois Constitution and set rules for submitting new provisions to voters, with Missouri news and Grant salary chatter adding chatter for a lively update.
General J Wilson Shaffer of this city has been appointed by President Grant as governor of Utah Territory. The article extols his integrity and administrative ability, notes his Civil War service including Chief Quartermaster roles and staff duties with Generals Pope, Butler, and Hunter, and lauds his support among Illinois troops and the Mormon community in Salt Lake. It also reviews a related discussion from The Nation on the future of Legal Tender and greenbacks.
The passage recalls regimental and line officers honoring Colonel Shaffer with a warm remembrance. It quotes Major General Butler’s farewell letter dated September 25, 1864, praising Shaffer’s unwavering duty, loyalty, and the deep friendship shared, while noting his health ending his service.
The public note urges readers to study ex-Gov Wells letter on disenfranchisement and proscription in the South. It calls his election loss and current stance an example for Republicans and rebukes opposing views as foolish, citing the Tribune as the source of the quotation.
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