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Newspaper
Monticello Express
Location
Monticello, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 31, 1896
Page
2
The Express notes Uncle Sam holds 969000000 acres still for sale for cash while last year's deadhead mail matter reached 52348000 pounds with half diverted as waste paper. An old farmer cites thunder as the most reliable weather report and Britain orders 10000 bicycles for mail carriers signaling a growing role of wheels in business and daily life.
A Turkish historical note states that out of 38 Ottoman rulers since Constantinople’s conquest, 34 died violently. The record emphasizes the perilous fate faced by sultans and the unstable nature of imperial power in the empire’s early chapters.
The picture of Sheridan's Ride by John Mulvaney, author of Custer's Last Rally, has been unveiled in Philadelphia and will soon be placed in the National Art Gallery in Washington.
The commissioner of internal revenue reports rising moonshining activity. Last year 1,005 illicit distilleries were seized, the highest yearly total. Over 12 years ten federal officers were killed and 15 wounded in clashes with moonshiners.
Latest estimates place nine states New York Pennsylvania Illinois Ohio Missouri Texas Indiana Michigan and Iowa with a combined population of 38,225,000, more than half of the nation’s total about 72,000,000.
The piece notes Herr Mann's estate shrinking as if by magic and jokes about wives buying gifts for husbands. It compares depleted coal supplies in England with a future of cheap heat from chemicals and electricity, predicting stored sun heat and a wiser generation.
A weekly Cincinnati pamphlet lists nearly 400 conventions scheduled across states for the next three months, illustrating American habit of gathering and discussing ideas.
The Italian criminologist Lombroso endorses Elmira reformatory practices as the most scientific method for criminals. The ticket of leave parole system is central, with prisoners trained in trades before release and 328 paroled last year all but one pursuing a skilled trade. The article also defines trocha as trotsha, noting its shift from footpath to a fortified road amid Cuban tensions.
Baby Helen Herschell Sherman, claimed as the only white child born in the Arctic circle, arrived May 8, 1895 in Capt. Albert C. Sherman's cabin aboard the Beluga at Herschell Island. The Beluga captain, with 14 years in Arctic whaling, plans retirement to New Bedford, Massachusetts.
The so called king of Fanning Island endures pressure from his father's executor who threatens a receiver appointment over alleged misused funds. The royal claimant awaits a San Francisco court ruling to determine his status as king or as a man in legal jeopardy.
A young man in Illinois faced a suit over singing "Q Promise Me" but was freed by paying costs. The piece remarks that songs with alleged personal intent should be restricted to avoid social unrest. It notes the difficulty in distinguishing singing from hysterical conversation and suggests caution for listeners.
The Second Session records show private pension bills passed in the Senate including one for a 90 year old revolutionary soldier's daughter. The urgent deficiency bill of 854,886 dollars passed, and a state department inquiry was urged into the killing of Charles Gavin by Spanish forces in Cuba. The House adjourned to January 5 after approving a 1,668,370 dollar legislative budget with 10,005 salaries.
1896 saw only 1,802 miles of railroad built in the United States the smallest figure since 1575. The five months of the current fiscal year show a revenue drop of 651,957 in general internal revenue collections.
Across the nation readers note the New England Society’s 91st anniversary and the 276th landing of the pilgrims. Fire damages Walbridge Co. in Buffalo for about 150000 dollars. Henry Pierce of Boston leaves 2,000,000 in public bequests and over 2,500,000 to relatives. Fire also hit Elmira reformatories. gunboat Annapolis launched in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Fire destroys parts of New York Polyclinic hospital and St. Stephen’s church in Wilkesbarre. Oldest New York resident Peter Cannon dies at 115. The Hawaiian queen visits Boston for a sleigh ride.
West and South notes report Bank of Minnesota closing with heavy liabilities, Union Stockyards Bank shutting, West Superior Bank also closing, and Ulitors National Bank failure cited. Also drowning near Paducah, a Chicago Alton train robbery, notable deaths including William Henry Hatch, and several fires, explosions, and drownings across multiple states.
Reports summarize a string of calamities from conflict and murder near New Madrid Missouri to a massive Chinese certificate fraud in Seattle Washington. Other incidents include a fatal gas mine explosion in Princeton Indiana a collapse of a Birmingham Mineral railroad bridge near Cahaba river deadly wrecks and a mob murder in Owensboro Kentucky.
News briefs report amnesty for Armenian prisoners in Constantinople except death sentences for murder. Floods in north Greece inundate villages along the Salambria river with drownings. Montreal fire devastates fashionable districts. Yaqui Indians renew war in Mexico with killings and property destruction. France abolishes slavery in Madagascar. European powers reportedly back Spain against the United States, rumors denied. Fortunes risk starvation near Fortune Bay due to herring collapse. Gen. John Meredith Read, longtime diplomat and former U S consul general for France, Algeria and Greece, dies in Paris at 59.
Opening day in Washington sees Ways and Means committee hearings shaping a tariff bill with broad business input. Reports list Arthur Lingard’s Lancaster death at 107 leaving $2 million. Batavia bankers Van Nortwicks defaulting with $2 million liabilities. Scandia Bank Minneapolis suspends with $300k liabilities.
Governor Drake issues a semicentennial proclamation calling Iowans to observe the 50th anniversary of Iowa admission to the union on December 28. The notice urges flag displays on state buildings and nationwide remembrance in religious services for unity and future prosperity under God.
Silas D. T. Hudson, 81, longtime Burlington figure and early Iowa organizer, died in Burlington. An ardent Whig, he practically organized the party in the territory. He drafted Burlington’s charter and city ordinances and served as mayor in 1855 and 1856. He came to Burlington in 1839 and was first cousin to Ulysses S. Grant.
About 500 horsemen farmers and others attended Burlington for the first horse market sale in the state. Buyers came from Boston Chicago St Louis and many other places. Many horses sold at fairly good prices with brisk bidding until all were sold. Buyers hope to establish a Burlington market as the only one in Iowa if enough support is found.
Judge Woolson of the federal court in Des Moines postpones action against soldiers' home trustees for withholding pensions. Trustees agree to stop withholding and amend rules immediately, while seeking congressional passage of a law to legalize such pension collection.
Authorities rush to investigate after thousands of hogs die from cholera near Blakesburg and men circulate the countryside buying the carcasses for shipment to cities and packing plants. The law requires immediate burning or burial of all diseased bodies. Boards of health will act at once.
The recent cigarette law passed by the legislature is a dead letter in Burlington with all cigar stores openly selling cigarettes. A Supreme Court decision regarding original packaging is noted as the cause of the lax enforcement.
A wave of bank failures prompts receiverships in Minnesota Illinois Texas and Ontario. Key actions include Judge Otis appointing William H Lightner and Frank A Seymour as receivers for the Bank of Minnesota. American Banking and Trust Co Auburn closed with assets to cover deposits. Wasmansdorff and Heinemann bankruptcy linked to Chicago collapse. Atlas National Bank of Chicago to retire with clearinghouse support. Norton & Co Lockport Illinois enters receivership. Security Mortgage and Trust Co Dallas seeks a receiver. F X Messner private banker Walkerton Ontario assigns liabilities 80000 assets 40000.
Madrid dispatch quotes Senor Canovas del Castillo denying any negotiations with the United States to pacify Cuba. He says the Cuban question is Spain's internal affair and that Spain can quell the uprising without foreign mediation or good offices from any government.
Charles D. Kerr judge of the Fourth Minnesota district died in San Antonio Texas of brain trouble He was born September 9 1835 Kerr had been active in public life the past 35 years His death was sudden as he had reached San Antonio from St Paul only the day before
R G Dun reports a slow holiday period with two major bank failures in Chicago and St Paul. Banks and rail pools falter while wool and cotton markets soften. December trade shows 4.6 percent below last year with limited wholesale activity and cautious retail demand.
Memorial services held in Trinity Episcopal Church for Kate Field after her cremation in Honolulu. Rev George Walk led the burial rite as mourners filled the church and floral tributes from President and Mrs Cleveland Gov Budd and many others adorned the casket.
The St Louis United States subtreasury will join the local clearing house association on January 3 with Secretary Carlisle's approval. The change will eliminate the need to transfer about 100,000,000 between the hunts and the subtreasury per year.
A French cook advises cutting raw potatoes quarter inch thick at a slant for better cooling and puffiness when fried. Tips cover aging metal teapots, pillow wax sealing, down pillow ticks, lace refreshment with weak green tea, and a decorative table setting featuring heliotrope satin mats, tulle, violets, and greenery.
A fragment discusses snake eggs with soft shells like hens when calcium is absent. It notes a European belief that aging serpents eat fennel to regain sight. It also explains venom fangs are bone tissue coated with a translucent cement.
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