22 Feb 1879
Page 1
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Newspaper
Philadelphia Times
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Feb 22, 1879
Page
1
A Harrisburg dispatch outlines intense weeklong clashes over riot damage relief for Pittsburgh, a broad tax overhaul, and motions to revise mortgage taxation. Senate and House actions include committees on uniform taxation, a Sabbath bill, and a banking department proposal, with broader debates on two-year appropriations and public notices.
A London meeting on the 11th instant set a plan to lease the Atlantic and Great Western Railway to the Erie Company for 99 years. English trustees foreclose the mortgages totaling about $56.2 million, wiping out capital stock and altering debts. Erie would guarantee interest on two obligations and oversee reorganization, with net road value split two thirds to the Atlantic and Great Western and one third to the Erie.
The Essex left Rio in 1878 bound for Tristan d’Acunha and Cape Town, returning via St Helena. Two crewmen, Marcus Johnson and Abel Giam, remained on Tristan where Johnson married the governor’s granddaughter with the governor presiding. Six crewmen reportedly perished. papers may reveal exact losses. The ship stayed eight hours off Tristan, then reached Cape Town on October 28.
Washington February 21 The House committee on expenditures in the State Department met in secret and read two reports. The majority urges contempt for noncompliance with a subpoena seeking books, and calls for Seward to be brought to the bar to justify noncompliance. The minority argues Fifth Amendment protection applies, exempting production of the self-incriminating records. Arguments set for Monday evening. Consular clerks Lewis and Coffee were ordered back to Shanghai after being discharged.
Trustees pledge from their pockets to furnish four hundred thousand dollars in securities to secure eight hundred thousand dollars of bank bonds. Secretary Sherman had demanded security before releasing funds. Negotiations continue as the bank plans to resume operations on Tuesday.
A Cincinnati Commercial dispatch reports numerous leading Democrats in Ohio and nearby states discuss the relation of Tilden to the party after cipher dispatch investigations. The conversations show a clear tilt toward renominating Tilden for the presidency, with many expressing support for Thurman as a first choice but making Tilden their second and confident that he could win if he becomes a candidate.
A fire at the Alhambra saloon and Music Hall at Randolph and Dearborn destroyed the interior and the world’s largest orchestrion. Loss pegged at 20,000 dollars with 35,000 dollars insured. James Spencer, a cook, died from burns sustained.
The Signal Corps observer at Portsmouth reports the steamer Torpedo of Lubee Maine bound for Boston loaded with ten thousand herring went on the rocks at Rye Ledge during a storm at 3 pm Thursday. She broke up this morning with four crew saved. vessel not insured.
February 21 report from Mandalay cites a royal murder spree causing widespread consternation. Eighty six victims alleged. British interference urged to curb bloodshed and restore order amid turmoil.
A Philadelphia merchant Luther Dock travels to New York to cash a $2200 check in a Havana lottery scam tied to A J Drexel Jr. The case, W A Ryan vs Dock, unfolds as Dock stops payment after discovering deceit and a Windsor hotel ruse. Lawyers frame the matter as a gaming debt dispute with indorser liability at stake.
In Louisville Kentucky on February 21 a Black man named George Washington was hanged for the rape of Frances Otte. A crowd of about ten thousand watched as the rope twice broke, then the trap released him, and he died after a prolonged hanging. He had asked doctors to take his body, and requested his parents, but they did not respond.
A special dispatch notes the House agriculture committee and senators touring the Columbia dam site to assess removing the dam and extending the Tide-Water canal to Chickies. Engineer Sharpless reports a second high dam would be needed to link Pennsylvania with the Tide-Water canal, signaling impracticability.
Ocean steamship arrivals list ships visiting Queenstown Copenhagen London Glasgow Zante and Liverpool with origins New York Baltimore and details of lost vessels. The note mentions six boats and two deck houses lost.
The fiercest snow storm in five years blocks roads and halts mail in Haxtrax and surrounding areas. Barometer plunges, snow drifts reach fifteen feet, shipping and railway service suspended across the province with trains snowed in near Amherst and Debail Station.
In the Court of Common Pleas Chief Judge Brown presiding a suit against the Northern Central Railroad to recover 20000 damages for killing Mrs Barns by a train the jury awarded 10000 to the plaintiffs for the minor children. The judge instructed the jury that liability could arise from the railroad agents failing to warn or post a lookout even if the mother did not exercise ordinary care.
Special Dispatch reports Hodges area teacher Austin Clarke hospitalized after February 4 assault by pupils William Shires and Emery Shires. Emery, 18, is at large. William Shires and Samuel Lear bound over for trial. Clarke sustained broken jaw and nose, removed to boarding house.
Special Dispatch reports Kate M. Cobb’s counsel have withdrawn the January motion for a new trial. Judge Park called the motion full of errors and ungrantable in its current form after it was remodelled by additons and erasures by Judges Park and Culver. Mrs. Cobb likely to be removed to Wethersfield. petition for a new trial possible if new evidence appears.
Hearing in the discrimination case was continued before Commissioner Sweitzer and adjourned to Tuesday next in Philadelphia. H. C. Ohlen of New York will be examined. A. T. Rowand testified a fifteen cent rebate was allowed by the Allegheny Valley Railroad. John D. Archbold and B. B. Campbell were examined with no new significant testimony.
A $50,000 fire leveled the Atlantic Knitting Mills in Conors N Y this morning. The blaze spread to Nort's Block and sent about 100 operatives, mainly women, fleeing as the factory and machinery suffered heavy damage. Total losses reach about $60,000 with roughly $18,000 covered by insurance.
Special Dispatch reports Jacob Winn’s clothing and general store in Monroe Bucks County was looted early this morning. Five hundred dollars worth of goods stolen, shelves overturned, remaining items scattered. Entry gained by forcing the front door. robbers escaped in a wagon.
Cairo reports calm as Mahomed Tewfik, heir apparent, is slated to replace Nubar Pasha. A cipher Telegram from Cairo to Paris claims discontent at the cabinet’s civil list refusals spurred ex-officers to foment disbandment to restore personal rule.
The Boston legislative reaction to a proposal that would require railroads to grant free passes to all lawmakers failed in the House by a wide margin after discussion. The move aimed at courtesy passes was not approved.
Melbourne reports the laying of the first stone for the International Exhibition building set to open in 1580. The ceremony occurred last Wednesday with officials present and the project advancing toward the planned 1580 debut.
Ontario reports temperatures from zero to 38 below as fires destroy the Columbus Indiana Opera House block with a 79000 dollar loss. a mine accident in Boyertown Pa seriously injures Andrew Gruber and Aaron Moyer. Lisbon welcomes the bark C E Robinson from Philadelphia. snow disrupts London and Paris, while the Senate weighs several new U S consular nominations including Adams Lane Montgomery Stewart and Weaver.
Special dispatch details Congress focusing on war claims and test oath repeal while House and Senate committees work on appropriations and civil bills. Debates include Alexandria claims, Bragg remarks, and Davis Island dam opposition. Governor Pollock's naval officer nomination advances with committee action pending.
Washington February 21 Five of twelve regular annual appropriation bills have final action. Pension Military Academy Consular and diplomatic Indian and naval appropriation bills passed. Post Office bill passed both houses, awaiting Senate amendments. Army defici ency river and harbor bills in Senate committees. Other bills pending in House include legislative executive judicial and sundry civil. Internal revenue Chinese immigration and patent revision measures pending. Northern Pacific extension Geneva award distribution steamboat and inter state commerce bills in Senate commerce committee. House must address pension arrearages and Sherman revenue deficit.
The Senate approved a bill authorizing two ocean steamship routes between the United States and Brazil. The contracts, for up to ten years, cover a New York to Rio de Janeiro line from July 1879 and a New Orleans to Rio de Janeiro line from March 1880. Each route to receive up to 150000 dollars annually, with a total amendment appropriation of 200000 dollars, contingent on both lines being contracted and operated.
Washington February 21 The House committee on post offices and post roads adopted a report sustaining charges against Thomas M Cheney division mail superintendent for the New England States The report accuses him of unnecessary absence from his office general negligence and using a Meredith New Hampshire vacancy to aid Republican campaign funds The report will be presented to the House at the first opportunity.
Washington February 21 The river and harbor appropriation bill faces many amendments and may grow by at least half a million dollars. A Senate appropriation sub committee has worked on the deficiency bill all day and expects to report to the full committee tomorrow.
Lieutenant Lucien Wyse of the French Navy arrived in Washington to discuss an interoceanic canal across the American Isthmus. Ferdinand de Lesseps has declined inviting all nations to Paris on May 15 to choose the canal route, and Wyse will explain de Lesseps plans as he has surveyed the isthmus from 1576 to 1878. He met today with the Secretary of the Navy and Admiral Ammon.
A large meeting of the Society of Friends at Race Street Meeting House approved a plan for the Western Land Association of Friends. The stock company aims to raise 50,000 to 200,000 pounds for land purchases, roads, schools, and emigrant aid. An initial 25,000 dollars triggers formation. shares due, land sold to settlers at cost with similar restrictions.
Charles F. Beville, owner of a livery stable and May-Day’s proprietor, reports two men stole and overdriven the trotting mare. Joseph Cohen, 64, arrested for larceny after Beville obtained a warrant. Cohen’s son found the exhausted horse tied near a saloon on South Street. The mare was later placed in custody of police.
Washingtons Birthday closes federal and municipal offices and banks. A 3 PM artillery corps parade, a veterans gathering, and a Sons of America concert are planned. Route runs Fifteenth to Locust to Thirteenth Chestnut Fourth Walnut Nineteenth Spruce Broad to armory with Major General Patterson saluted and Colonel John W. Porney delivering an oration. Company D of the Washington Grays to attend on stage.
Ex Methodist clergyman T T Ken drick was arrested on a fraud charge over a $1,600 bedstead patent mortgage from George Detlinger. He prayed at the Methodist Sunday School last Sunday where the superintendent was alerted to his character. He had appeared at Dateh Reformed Church earlier, and the pastor, once of Long Island, knew him before he left. Kendrick is out on bail.
D H Montgomery of 8 BE Montgomery Co absconded with several thousand dollars, including six thousand of county funds and one thousand borrowed from two widows. He fled with a striking Starkville belle. The county treasurer attached all assets and efforts to arrest Montgomery continue as authorities trace him to New Orleans.
Sheriff Work and his posse left Brownsville for Washington after most miners posted bail to answers charges of conspiracy and riot. The sheriff believes further arrests are unnecessary as miners resume work. Charles Toynby, who fired on Sheriff Work during arrests, was captured and held to bail.
John Gormley aged two and his four year old brother were left alone at 831 Dean Street on Wednesday afternoon. The older boy lit paper and ignited John's clothing, flames spreading. Mary Chew rushed in to save him, shielding the boy and suffering severe burns to her breast and hands. She fainted. the boy died Thursday from his burns. An inquest yesterday returned a suitable verdict.
At a Tiguish meeting on February 21 Prince Edward Island fishermen passed resolutions urging Dominion House representatives to press the government for immediate steps to curb American fishing near their coast. They vowed to use all possible means to prevent further encroachments along the shore.
George Steinmetz an election officer in the Eleventh ward 339 North Third street faced Magis trate Smith yesterday for illegally receiving a vote from E. 8. Rowland while not a resident of the division Rowland was charged with fraudulent voting They waived a hearing and posted bail of 600 to answer
A string of obituaries notes G O Gorter former Belgian consul at Baltimore died on Thursday. New Orleans merchant and ex city administrator Charles Potthoff is dead. Dr Fesher president of St Lawrence University died this morning in Canton. U S consul Pliny M Nickerson died in Batavia. John Clarke English comedian and manager died in London after a rumor of failure. Dr Pieter Philip van Bosse Dutch minister of the colonies died after a brief tenure. Ex Mayor Jacob A Westervelt of New York died yesterday. John Parry London comic singer and pianist dies at 1810 birth era. notes on life and later health.
In Paris the amnesty debate resumed in the Chamber of Deputies with M. Marion arguing for preserving the May 16 ministry. Amendments proposing plenary amnesty or full amnesty for all except specific offenders were rejected. The government bill passed 340 to 1 as Bonapartists joined the majority.
Count Stolberg Werningerode announces an understanding on broad Prussian financial policy and Empire wide reform aims after the diet's closure. In Reichstag debate Bismarck backs protection for home industries in treaty with Austria while noting shifts in his views. A second Reichstag ballot in Bremen sees Freund win with 8,959 votes over Kernacker's 7,544.
William Mower heard a noise at a back window of his home at 938 Hutchinson Street and confronted two men who had pried the window. One struck him with a jimmy. both were pursued and captured. The attackers, named King from Euston and Phillips of New York, were committed to answer at court after a magistrate branded King as the active burglar.
Cs WL Angell, once cashier for the Pullman Car Company in Chicago, fled with a large deficit. He was found in Lisbon after a £5,000 reward, returned $80,000, and now faces arrest on arrival aboard the Shooting Star to be sent to Chicago for trial under a governor’s requisition.
A friendly audience filled the hall on Walnut Street above Eleventh for a soiree musicale honoring Miss Clarice Vaughan Miss Amanda Turner soprano Miss Evangeline White contralto the American Lady Vocal Quartette and Mr Charles Schuitz who presented a creditable classical programme The quartette’s singing was notably good with excellent time and moderation reflecting careful training
Arthur Chambers, John H. Clark and John King faced conspiracy charges over a prize fight. A sealed verdict found them not guilty. They each posted $1,000 bail to keep the peace for one year, with a West Philadelphia saloon-keeper acting as surety.
Northerly winds shift to easterly and southerly with a slow daytime temperature rise. Barometer falls, sky becomes clear or partly cloudy. Night brings increasing cloudiness and possible light snow as conditions change.
An edition notes Edward Pennington’s arrest on a suspected theft after attempting to sell a $60 harness net for $2 at Eleventh and Somerset. A crayon portrait of Charles 8. Austin, city treasurer candidate, is shown in a Chestnut street window. George Ebley’s spree is linked to a Fort Washington origin, while James McDonald faces arrest after a $10 theft. Amateur Opera Company plans a repeat Pinafore performance at St George's Hall. Construction contract for a Narrow Gauge Railway to West Chester awarded to Walker & Clark of New York with works to start and a terminus at Thirtieth Street. Inquests on Gottlieb Klieber and Levi B. Wolf reported. A concert honoring May V. Hunter set for February 24 at Concert Hall. Miss Matilda Lees Dods to give a course at Assen Hall starting next Friday with sessions twice weekly at 12.15 pm.
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