This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 21 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Freeport Journal
Location
Freeport, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Jun 22, 1881
Page
2
Governor Cullom reappoints Joseph A. Glover Benjamin F. Shaw and Martin King as canal commissioners in a formal administrative action. The appointments extend to oversee canal operations and infrastructure governance.
Henry S Lane, who died Saturday in Crawfordsville at age 80, served as a U S congressman for his district in 1841, was elected governor at the war onset, and later resigned as governor to become a United States Senator.
The text notes Queen Victoria’s distress over the Victoria steam boat disaster in Canada viewed as an omen. It recalls the Princess Alice tragedy on the Thames in September 1880 near London with hundreds dead, including the Queen’s daughter. It mentions the Canadian Victoria steamer named after Victoria or the Crown Princess of Germany.
Col W W Dudley of Indiana Iron Brigade fame has been appointed Commissioner of Pensions succeeding Col Bentley who resigned. Dudley, now U S Marshal for the Indianapolis district, accepts by telegraph and will start July 1. He is praised as a faithful officer and brave soldier likely to ensure justice for invalid soldiers.
A Washington special reports Gen Grant wrote to Senator Jones privately criticising President Garfield over Judge Robertson and other appointments. Garfield sent a reply to Grant in Mexico, not arriving before Grant left. Public concern grows to publish both letters, but Garfield will release them only with Grants consent.
The state legislature amended the school law with changes including annual schedule submissions by July 7, allowing land condemnation for school sites, abolishing districts after two years of 110 days of schooling, shifting county superintendent elections to 1882 and every four years, appointing county superintendents for one year, and adjusting petition timing for township board changes with notice to affected boards.
General Grant has booked hotel accommodations for himself and his party for September in Mexico City. The arrangement covers lodging for the group during their stay in the Mexican capital as part of forthcoming travel plans.
The State Journal lauds Secretary of State Dement for printing and readying new laws by the 20th, three months earlier than prior practice. It credits him with a record better than any former secretary and characterizes him as a fair representative worthy of pride for the state.
The New York senatorial contest sees continued rumor and testimony. Senator Strahan testified that Davenport offered him a U S Marshalship to oppose Conkling, an offer refused. Garfield likely did not authorize such a swap. The assembly is abuzz with reports of Grant and Garfield meetings, possible compromises, and a persistent knotty stalemate as sessions proceed with daily ballots.
The New York Tribune quotes Bradley and Sessions, recalling Bradley’s checkered career and a prior asylum stay, and condemns Sessions as a lobbyist who misrepresents Republican integrity in Chautauqua and Cataraugus. It argues constituents deserve a different character in the Senate.
The State Journal portrays Loren B Sessions as a controversial lobbyist with connections in Washington and Albany. It notes his long-known dubious reputation and questions Republican confidence in him while acknowledging Bradley’s checkered business past.
Judge W R Rowley returned from Chicago after a telegram from General Grant requesting a meeting before the Eastward departure. Rowley stayed at the Palmer House with Grant and Mrs Grant, reporting a delightful visit and Grant's optimistic view of his Mexican railroad ventures. Grant is in good health though fatigued. Mrs Grant is feeble but hopes to regain health at the seashore.
General Grant travels to New York to report to the company directors about Mexico ventures. He secured land tracts on both Gulf and Pacific ends, with timber reserves, for a proposed railroad route from near Vera Cruz to Mexico City and the Pacific coast. Engineers survey the route as benefits to the United States are outlined, including access to tropical products and new markets.
The June 16 Boston Herald reports Democratic judge Flynn sentenced to a year and six months for malfeasance in office during a Jersey City election. His sleeve allegedly held ballots as the box was counted, with critics calling the act fraud and party-driven dirty work.
A fragment notes a released convict aided by an executive pardon is set to resume influence at the polls as party speakers demand a free ballot and a fair count, reflecting tensions in the election.
Charles Hoffman reports from the Liquor Dealers Association on annual license fees hours and penalties in Illinois cities. Bloomington leads with 600 dollars, closing at 11 pm, penalty 100. Other cities range from 50 to 125 dollars and penalties up to 100 dollars. Bloomington reportedly enforces its ordinances less strictly than others.
The passage argues women dominate social spaces in boarding houses and church circles, shaping family life and communal norms. It notes women manage lovers yet struggle to sustain harmonious marriages, while mothers-in-law appear constrained by tact. Men, by contrast, find harmony in clubs, where women often cause division.
Mrs. A. V. Richards and her daughter Bessie traveled to Warren on Monday afternoon to join a reunion of the children of Mr. and Mrs. S. K. Miner, the gathering held in observance of Miner’s birthday.
Frank J. Pilling, advertising agent for W C Coup and other major shows, visits the JOURNAL to discuss the circus circuit. He estimates fewer than 48 circuses on the road and notes over three million dollars in the business. Coup is 43, a Delavan Wisconsin native, described as square and popular.
A detailed reminiscence traces Billy Coup of Delavan from cheese maker to impresario. It covers his 1870 Wisconsin meeting with Dan Costello, hempen path through Barnum ventures, the Hippodrome battles, and his later Aquarium era. It highlights Coup’s bold risk taking, the huge profits he earned, and the scale of the operation including personnel, animals, and finances.
Rev. D B Byers preached at Salem Church on Sabbath describing Peter's denial and repentance. He outlined three points: immediate awareness of sin, heartfelt and real repentance, and turning from fellowship with the murderous company.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.