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Newspaper
Freeport Journal
Location
Freeport, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Jun 17, 1874
Page
2
In Freeport and Cairo reports the wheat harvest has begun with a heavy yield. Crops in Alexander county and the Alton region show promising prospects despite drought near Cairo. General McClellan and family are reported in Switzerland while the Pope gains $100,000 from American pilgrims.
In Green Bay Township, Towa, grasshoppers are plentiful and currently target the hay crop, raising fears that the entire area’s hay harvest may be ruined. Local observers warn the pest may spread further, jeopardizing fodder supplies for farms this season.
Treasury return shows the total spent by British taxpayers to prosecute and convict Arthur Orton as £55,815 with odd shillings and one penny. In Illinois a quarrel between two Sabbath school boys left one wounded by a knife in the back during their walk home.
A special meeting of the Illinois Masons Benevolent Society will be held in Princet on Tuesday July 7 for the purpose of consolidating the Illinois Masons Benevolent Society with the Illinois Masonic Benevolent Association.
About 170000 dollars have been raised from all sources for Mississippi valley flood relief. On the 12th the House passed a 500000 dollar appropriation. The flood covered 6065000 acres with about 70000 people dependent on charity. President Grant nominated William H. Parker for Internal Revenue Collector in Colorado. Senate confirmed J. C. Bancroft Davis as Envoy to the German Empire effective July 1, 1874 following Bancroft’s resignation.
In Harrison county Kentucky at the fifth mat a mob of masked men seized Robert Brecket from his employer’s house and riddled him with bullets Then soaked his clothes with coal oil and set them alight burning the corpse Brecket was charged with killing a man named Elliz about a year prior but he was free on bail.
A Bisparch dispatch reports 300 Indians stampeded the Government herd at Fort Peck last Thursday, killing most of the animals. Chief Two Bears defies Custar and says he is ready for him, with 43 more bears to be collected, promising a lesson long to be remembered.
The Senate approved the Conference Committee currency bill last Friday while the House voted it down Saturday by 35. A new House Conference Committee on banking and currency has been formed, with none of its appointees from the existing committee. Dawes of Massachusetts, McCrary of Illinois, and Marshall of Indiana are named among the members.
Kendall County resident J M Gates submits to Governor Beveridge a reorganization plan. It aims to equalize county populations, grant each county one Legislative representative, abolish Circuit Courts in favor of County Courts to cut litigation costs, and expand the total counties to 105 while keeping old names and adding new ones.
Stephenson County sent multiple farmers to a Springfield convention including Christopher Columbus Shuler, Edward L. Cronkrite, Jere Pattison, and Bill Preston. Cronkrite stands as a congressional candidate, Pattison as chief Democratic orator, with Preston described as a genuine Democrat of the strict school. The passage notes all are “horney handed” farmers, except for Shuler.
The Springfield Democratic Convention divides over Hessing and German support. It backs a hard Democratic ticket while Hessing challenges the platform. The platform calls for legal tender currency from the Treasury, risking inflation. David Gore and S M Etter are nominated for state offices but face long odds.
County Clerk I B Kleckner notes the 1873 4 revised Illinois statutes creating a new marriage framework. Key points: incestuous relations are void, insane persons cannot marry, license form and age oath, penalties for minors and unlawful marriages, and state attorney prosecutions in the People. The changes take effect July 1 1874.
Washington June 6 The Senate is not in session as the House closes a discussion on deficiency appropriations and amendments. The Conference Committee reviews measures including a Mississippi Levees commission of engineers and a Postoffice bill on prepayment of postage for printed matter. Other bills address preventing straw bids for mail transport and restructuring Postmaster salaries, with New York at 6000 dollars and four salary classes ranging from over 1000 to under 1000. A Senate-consented appointment rule applies to the first three classes. A committee on Justice department expenditures presents a report.
The article outlines a Senate committee urging the abolition of the Western District of Arkansas and its annexation to the Eastern District to create one district, one judge, one district attorney, and one marshal for the combined territory. It notes large expenditures with insufficient vouchers, calls for reform, and mentions related bills and political debates in Congress.
Translated from the Illinois Staats Zeitung the report denounces a Farmers Convention in Springfield as a mockery of parliamentary order. It compares the presiding officer to an authoritarian German official, noting suppression of dissent and a platform endorsing paper currency. The piece accuses the convention of opposing national honor, opposing protective tariffs for labor, and opposing lowest-bid public contracts, while urging extensive state control of railroads.
Cuba reports the government will issue bonds totaling 5 million dollars at eight percent interest to fund the coming insurgent campaign. The move follows a decision not to issue further banknotes from Treasury revenue, while brokers withdraw from business amid the new policy. France and Paris updates detail diplomatic dinners and rising tensions as political news in nearby Europe continues to unfold. Paris reports a likely Left Center bill shaping a republic under 1878 terms and potential dissolution of the Assembly, with MacMahon possibly governing temporarily. A large crowd gathers at a depot as events unfold, and Gambetta is assaulted, with police arresting several at the railway station amid clashes.
A Rockford dispatch to the Chicago Post and Mail reports strong citywide criticism of the Times for an infamous article about two respected locals. Residents deem the Times explanation weak and an unjust attack on domestic happiness, noting the piece has been widely copied and recanted with reluctance to publish retractions.
A lengthy note on Freeport’s cost of living claims most families spend about $500 a year for basics while some reach $1,000 to $2,500. Taxes are low and amenities abundant, inviting families to relocate for a metropolitan lifestyle despite missing daily papers and a watch factory. The piece praises local schools, churches, architecture, and rail access, then shifts to Anniversary Week at Rock River Seminary with storm damage, exams, and large crowds.
Plans for Tul Fest accelerate with rapid progress and strong Turner Society energy. A grand procession, decorative arches, and multiple venues are planned in Freeport led by Chicago and local Turners, featuring a Mayors welcome, diplomas, concerts, and late night dances at Turner Hall and Hettinger Hall.
Secretary announces redemption of 5-20 bonds and interest accrued. Coupon bonds issued under the act of February 25, 1862 will be paid on September 8 1874 at the United States Treasury in Washington. Registered bonds amounts and numbers listed total one million dollars.
A Des Moines druggist sent his clerk to drum for gales of oil. He claimed the establishment he represented. The tradesman examined the card, noted years of affiliation, and questioned the youth who admitted the error and returned the picture to his pocket.
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