16 Feb 1886
Page 1
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Newspaper
Philadelphia Times
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Feb 16, 1886
Page
1
A Concord era report from New York recounts Senator Blackburn's 10 year view of political shifts from Hayes era to Garfield and Blaine, notes on patent litigation growth led by Commissioner Martin Montgomery, and reflections on Jefferson Davis letters from Danville with soldierly portraits and Confederate cabinet anecdotes.
The Supreme Court yesterday ruled in two suits against railroads, one with Pennsylvania and Duncan and the other against Reading Railroad Company Patent. Both suits argued whether railroads fall under the 1874 Constitution requirement that property owners receive compensation for consequential damages from public use. Justices delivered the opinions in two penetions by the court.
Dr. Frederick P. Pfeiffer, former cashier of Gloucester City Savings Institution, faced Camden Criminal Court on an eleven count indictment for misusing bank funds. Testimony showed a $6,179.39 deficit in the Gloucester City Reporter account and two failed settlement offers. The case, tied to a bank collapse that left depositors largely in Gloucester City, will continue over several days.
John B. Gough famed temperance speaker collapsed during a lecture on Peculiar People at Frankford Presbyterian Church. After forty minutes his head dropped, suspected apoplexy as doctors moved him to a sofa and later to Dr. Burns home where left side paralysis was feared. Condition labeled serious by early morning.
Street-car drivers and conductors organize to push for a twelve hour workday. Knights of Labor and substitutes pledge support. new members enroll and some suspensions noted amid tensions with a Columbia Avenue supervisor. Morris Weiner, a conductor and organizer, was discharged.
A five member curtain weavers committee met with Hancock street and Lehigh avenue manufacturers at Andersons Hall to settle a new price scale for curtains and chenille goods. They agreed on most items but differed on raw silk and cross stripe price goods, seeking one cent more per yard. About 150 workers did not report to work, with at least two firms signing the alliance.
The hand loom carpet weavers of Kensington gathered at Friendship Hall Norris and Sepviva streets to review strike advances. John H Clyde presided James Harper kept minutes. Several shops reported granting the demanded rise and will return to work at new rates. A four shuttle job dispute led to adherence to the previous scale. Another meeting is planned for next Monday night.
The Statera Union met at its hall on Thirteenth street and Girard avenue with Lawrence Nelas presiding. Members dismissed circulating reports of a planned strike for higher wages and shorter hours, stating there is no truth slaters plan to strike.
Eighty power loom curtain weavers at Harry Davenport on York Street went on strike yesterday morning after their wage demand was denied. The hand loom weavers also acted yesterday and authorities expect a quick compromise to end the dispute.
Rev. P. J. Baltes bishop of the Diocese of Alton died in Saint Louis after illness. The cleric who guided Alton parishes for years passed on February 15 in the local era.
A NJ farmer, B A Appleby, died at The London on Seventh and Arch streets after a visit with a tall dark woman who posed as his daughter. The woman and a male companion disappeared, hotel keeper resisted inquiries, and a postmortem found brain disease though officials seek full facts. The couple, who had rented rooms for months, left with Appleby’s son and drew police attention amid conflicting statements.
At the Nineteenth Ward Bank in Manhattan, Christian Rabe used a hatchet and tools to pry a vault. He set off the alarm and was arrested by Sergeant Woodruff as he escaped through a window. Bank president 8 H Rathbone pressed charges for a $300,000 theft attempt. Rabe pleaded guilty claiming hunger and was committed for trial in $7,000 bail.
In Camden last night the Democratic primary produced little opposition to Mayor Claudius W. Bradshaw. Delegates will nominate Henry Paul for Receiver of Taxes and Frank L. Vinton as his likely successor, while David Lammis is favored for City Assessor. City Council nominees include Hall, Dickson, Sayers, Mead, Roberta, Pfeiffer Jr, Sauders, and Donges.
Three men George Phillips Albert Zimmerman and Henry Weaver jailed for robberies in Lehigh County confess to the crimes totaling over $2 000 in value They also admit to robbing a man near Newark New Jersey knocking him senseless and placing him on a railroad track where the coroner ruled accidental death Zimmerman previously served two Lebanon terms and Weaver is on Lehigh Jail records twice.
A blast in a Reading Railroad quarry near Tuckerton injures workers as unexploded dynamite from an earlier charge detonates during cleanup. Daniel B. Gloss and Charlies Heist were sent to clear the hole and were affected by the ensuing explosion.
A three story Lawrence Street building at No 12% collapsed on Sunday, killing and injuring residents. Crowds gathered, police controlled access, and owner Robert Frank faced damages claims while tenants planned to sue over dangerous conditions. Both affected families planned to vacate.
The Boston flood scene reports widespread damage and relief as waters recede. Rail lines from Old Colony to Albany face washouts and delays. bridges fail or threaten collapse. dams in Franklin and Moody street raise fears. Towns like Brockton Wrentham Natick and Newton report varying impacts and partial restorations.
Special Dispatch reports the Shetucket and Quinnebaug valleys flooded since Friday causing extensive damage. Eastern Connecticut was inundated with farms deluged, bridges demolished, and houses submerged. Jewett City suffered dam and bridge losses while Greenville dam failed. mills halted and thousands lost work with total regional losses surpassing 1 million dollars.
The ice flows into the Chesapeake Bay drive a flood that has forced the poor to camp on higher ground near Port Deposit Md. Residents gather aid from Baltimore and Philadelphia as fires light the night hillsides. Ice blocks the Susquehanna near Perryville but no further damage is expected.
Two men were found deceased in the Susquehanna River near Wickesbarre. The first, identified as John D. Harrington from papers in his clothing, was found near Creasy Station on the Pennsylvania Railroad. The second, identified only as Mogens, was found among ice at the foot of South Street, with a coal bill receipt showing the name Charles Hune and signature Patrick Conyngham as identifying clues.
A special dispatch reports that after Saturdays Republican primaries Democrats gain leverage. Prothonotary Wilson H. R. Manley and Democrats with Samuel P. Rush Joseph Chadwick and Caleb Yarnall Mugwumps met at Manley’s office and nominated a ticket. It mirrors the Republican lineup minus Calvert McClintock and Byers in certain posts.
Dave Campbell accepts Billy Madden's sweepstakes match with Jack Ashton for $1000 under London or lose rules. Dempsey covers Madden's $1000. Campbell, from Oregon, is described as a first-class pugilist and powerful. He reportedly lifted 280-pound dumbbells, a feat unmatched by others.
The Broadway Railroad investigation adjourned until next Saturday after a brief session. Seward said subpoenas could not be served on Aldermen Dempsey McCable Miller Pearson and Rothman and notified them via press to appear before the committee. George Bliss said Foshay wished to testify to deny bribery but was not allowed to today.
The Municipal Council of Paris adopts a resolution favoring amnesty for all political offenders. Elsewhere in Europe two Americans are expelled from Holstein for troublesome conduct. In Tennessee two brothers quarrel ends with one shooting the other dead. A New York Coroner's jury finds baker William Hutt guilty of murder after a drunken rampage and a fatal street stabbing and wagon collision.
The Socialists plan a Hyde Park rally to demand immediate public works for the unemployed and fair wages, blaming Home Secretary policy delays and Chamberlain’s proposal rejection. Hyndman Burns Champion Williams are named as key figures amid nationwide hardship and warnings of potential unrest.
London on February 15 reports promise of features at a Wednesday hearing before Justice Ingram for inciting to riot and contempt of law. Socialists substituted for Gladstone Chamberlain and Broadhurst to be examined while a Home Office riot causes inquiry meets in secret. Unemployed workers riot in Yarmouth and Birmingham with eight thousand attendees and inflammatory addresses. Rioting suppression by police noted. Leicester sees rising striker numbers as crowds parade and one firm arms itself with revolvers to deter mob attacks.
London February 15 Lord Dufferin Viceroy of India plans to garrison Burmah with 16 000 troops under General Prendergast. Martial law will continue until November as civil law is not yet feasible. A strong expedition to the Shan Hills will also be sent.
Viscount Edward Cardwell, Liberal politician and former Chief Secretary for Ireland, later serving as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Colonial Secretary and Secretary, died in London at the age of seventy three.
London reports the British steamer Douglas, operating in China seas, wrecked at Swatow with eighteen lives lost. One European and seventeen Chinese perished.
Secretary Manning informs the Ways and Means Committee that the Treasury surplus beyond 100 million is not a surplus but a reserve for redeeming 346,051,016 of United States notes. He notes pension legislation and a Supreme Court decision will raise demand and urges maintaining a credit to meet unforeseen obligations.
The Senate in executive session confirmed numerous nominations on February 10 but withheld public notification pending a future session. Postmaster appointments listed include Augustus Owen Canton J I Moore Monongahela James McKinney Susquehanna William McFarlan Downingtown Maurice Litsch Mahanoy City and many more across Pennsylvania New Jersey locations.
Special dispatch from Corning New York reports Major Fegley Salvation Army preacher escaped a lynching after a divorce and quick marriage to Belle Plaine. A mob armed with ropes tar and feathers chased him from Wellsville to Corning then to Belmont as the couple hid aboard trains.
In Trenton on February 15 the Senate rejected Mr Herring’s amendment to raise Deputy Inspectors of Child Labor from four to three. The bill was laid over until tomorrow. A State Board of Pharmacy bill was introduced. Petitions oppose railroad law amendment threatening Baltimore and Ohio Bridge access. House members Law Taylor Hutchinson and Chamberlain presented them. High license bill debated with amendments by Mr Corbin, postponing the bill for one week. A F R Martin announced an invitation from Hon William Walter Phelps to visit him during the Washington trip.
At six this evening Drs. Yandell and Robb reported Mr. Watterson’s condition more favorable with pulse 114 and temp 102, after hours of critical illness. Harvey Watterson and friend Mr. Sealey arrived from Washington. prognosis remains guarded with sub acute meningitis suspected and three days needed to assess recovery chances.
At six this morning a Williamsburgh Branch Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train struck Joseph Reed a nineteen year old stone mason who lay across the track in a drunken stupor near Canoe Creek Station. He was dragged about one hundred feet before the engine stopped and railroad workers spent an hour freeing him from under the machine.
Walter Swayne a druggist at Forty first and Powelton avenue was held for a further hearing on Thursday next on a swindling charge. He sold tickets for a February 24 ball by the Young Men's Beneficial Society which he claimed to lead. He disposed of bar privileges to Philip McGrath and to Brickley a tavern keeper, with the claim the hall would host the event, though the hall had not been rented for that night.
The Girard Life Insurance company board devoted time to the Charles H. Humphreys default case. They referred action to officers. Humphreys and Treasurer Tatnall planned further talks and restitution is hoped to avoid criminal proceedings. Also notes Democrat nominations in West Chester with a full ticket listed for tomorrow.
The Executive Board of the General Assembly of the Knights of Labor of North America continued their deliberations yesterday. They are formulating plans to advance the order’s interests while handling a large amount of routine work, with sessions to continue for several days.
Benjamin F. Jones of Easton Maryland died last evening at his brother in law's residence 2051 Walnuta Street after a period of ill health. He was en route to Chicago for treatment when he fell ill on the train and died of paralysis upon arrival. A longtime publisher in Chicago he is survived by his wife and five children and will be buried at Chestnut Hill where he was born.
Sr. Loui reports W. H. Crane of Robeon and Crane is recovering after a mishap in Chicago. The incident left him shaken but not seriously hurt, with friends tending to his condition as he recuperates.
The late J B Lippincott's personal estate is inventoried at 3 590 188 45 with a share in J B Lippincott Publishing Co listed at 641 000 He held 1 016 800 in Philadelphia and Ohio properties and 1 408 acres in Pennsylvania details indicate extensive holdings and asset categories across multiple states.
The article outlines ward by ward election prospects for the city council, naming key candidates such as Vanderslice and Bardsley, notes Republican and Democratic splits, and discusses party strategies, loyalties, and uncertainties as polls close and results loom. It highlights impacts on the new city charter, gas works, water supply, highways, and the county prison.
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