12 Jan 1889
Page 1
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 35 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Jan 12, 1889
Page
1
A flood of bills hits the Pennsylvania House with local focus. Representative Kauffman demands all appropriation recommendations be reported by March 4 to curb wasteful spending. He faces opposition but gathers support from allies as he argues for tighter fiscal control.
Harrisburg January 11 local bills include ex Speaker Graham’s measure to let Allegheny County dispose of the old University building used for court and county purposes. Representative Marland proposes a public morgue funded by the public, and others touch motor power company property, grand army posts, and a soldiers list with 4,000 copies printed at public expense.
Representative Marland proposes fines and up to 12 months imprisonment for inciters to law breaking with fines up to 500 dollars. He hints at targeting Law and Order Society agents. Representative Lemon advances a Sunday commerce bill allowing many services including druggists, newspapers, railroads, telegraphs, lighting and heating firms to operate. The measure also permits non alcoholic beverages and ice cream sales at public venues and protects boarding houses.
A special telegram from Harrisburg reports January 11 measures including funding for Union monuments up to 10000, penalties for anti assault handbills, governor commissions for elected officials, reform of election laws with uniform ballots, life imprisonment for first degree murder, veteran preference in public employment, uniform fire insurance contracts, and requiring foreign insurers to fund local fire departments.
Staff correspondent reports no introduction of petroleum pipeline charge regulation in this Legislature. Billingsley denies plans to reintroduce the act that made his name famous in oil regions. McKean county reps Burdick and Griffith deny any such intent, with others silent on the issue.
Ex Lieutenant Governor Chauncey F. Black spent a day in Harrisburg returning to York in the afternoon. He has set up National Democratic Club headquarters in touch with the State Committee and will convene delegates for a national session at Henry Watterson’s home in Louisville. State Chairman Eisner plans for the Democratic State Committee meeting. Republican Chairman Andrews shows no concern as Democrats organize.
Harrisburg notes list appropriation bills under debate in the House. Key items include funding for an additional hospital for the insane in multiple counties, gifts for deaf education in Pittsburgh, and allocations for homes and hospitals such as the Home for Aged Colored Women and Mercy Hospital.
Harrisburg January 11 Attorney J Ross Thompson failed to appear in a case against officers of the Pittsburg Shenango and Lake Erie Railroad for issuing fictitious stock. The story suggests the Pennsylvania Railroad backs the suit to block Vander competition linked to a Nickel Plate connection.
The Plasterers International Union completed its work this morning and adjourned. The election of officers resulted as follows Robert Tenary of Pittsburg was elected president with P Hayes of Kansas City as secretary and a vice president from Omaha. The next meeting will be at Toledo.
In New York a brass finisher, Frank Butler, was arrested at 5:40 AM for stealing from 86 South Street. He was tried by noon and sentenced to Sing Sing for 2 years and 11 months, beating the prior time record set by Policeman Charles Rickerd.
Erie residents react to the sudden return of L. S. Norton of Kirkbride asylum fame. He faced a habeas corpus claim after threatening letters, refused hotel registration, and displayed a revolver. Dr. Drake secured a peace bond. bail was set at $500 for a Monday court appearance.
In Chambersburg Pennsylvania two youths Charles Meredith and Perry Rhone clashed at a calithumpian serenade. Meredith struck Rhone at a crossroads, Rhone died from abdominal injuries. Meredith went home then surrendered and is jailed. Both men were about sixteen. This marks the county s fourth murder in six months.
At Conconp New Hampshire the convention approves striking Protestant wording from article 6 of the bill of rights and adopts a substitute ensuring every religious sect is equally protected by law. An amendment allows each sect to choose its own teachers without cross funding and is accepted.
Henry Kriz the man who shot Ward McManus a prominent St Louis capitalist yesterday shot himself at 2 PM in a lodging house at 716 North Third Street. Police had searched for Kriz who was said to be driven insane by failure to secure funds to push his car motor.
Special telegram from New York reports Francis Astrada a 25 year old man who wed Maggie Brown three weeks earlier. Unable to support her he learned of her association with other men and died this morning before arrest or investigation could be completed.
A provocative piece ahead of tomorrow’s edition presents OUIDA’s critique of women’s clubs. The author’s stance aims to challenge public expectations and spark debate.
Washington dispatch reports President Cleveland omitted Senate President John James Ingalls from the Cabinet dinner guest list. Officials debate if the omission was a deliberate snub tied to last year’s dinner, with intrigue over Mrs. Whitney’s interview and seating near the hostess.
In Jersey City a colored woman took 13 year old George Graham from Public School 12 claiming to be a relative. The foster mother reported the disappearance and police arrested a boy matching the description, then the woman, at the railroad depot. Mrs Graham had mentioned prior ties to the suspect and threats to take the boy.
Greenville battles over liquor licenses show majorities from 10 to 80 amid affidavits to strike names from papers. Charges of crookedness surge as affidavits and petitions flood the contest with possible developments. In Stoneboro similar activity unfolds as Mercer county indicts six for selling liquor without license and a local doctor is linked to prescriptions for alcoholics.
The United States sloop of war Yantic sits at quarantine at Port-au-Prince with a yellow fever flag. Lieutenant Charles Miles and Cadet Bristol plus Yeoman Kellar are ill or recovering. Corporal Rowe was buried at sea with honors. The ship remains isolated as officers assess the outbreak and await recovery before any shore access.
After six years of unsettling missives to El mira residents and church members, the anonymous writer is identified as Mrs. A. V. Rothwell. She confessed under police pressure and faces appropriate action. Many families faced breakups and public scenes due to the hostile correspondence.
The Supreme Court hears the motion to dismiss an injunction against Judge Guthrie and compel reporting of Kanawha County returns. The Senate held a brief session with one presidential ballot. the House adjourned to Monday. General Goff, arriving from Washington, reportedly declined the Navy secretaryship to pursue the Governorship.
Gerard B Douglass is jailed in Rome New York for marrying Florence Barbier last October then eloping with her sister Emily who accepted him. The pair wed in Hartford four weeks after Douglass began marrying the family and were followed by Mrs Douglass and her brother. A policeman with a warrant intercepted him.
A telegram from New York reports James A Prosperi, a former Portsmouth navy yard marine, with three wives. He abandoned his first two spouses years ago, married Mary Duffy in New York a year ago, and disappeared during a blizzard Monday after going out for a drink. He was arrested by a police officer when Duffy confronted him and is turned over to the U S Commissioner as a deserter.
The body of a stranger was found in a log heap north of the city and brought to the Coroner's office. Identified as Thomas Wilson of London, Ohio, missing since Friday. Police suspect murder and disposal in the logs.
The Indiana Legislature held a joint session as Governor Gray urged new election laws. Lieutenant Governor-elect Robertson failed to force entry past Senate guards, drawing Republican criticism for lack of grit while Chase sat beside the presiding officer. Gray proposed debt repayment to the school fund, stricter election rules, and White Caps suppression.
A quirky note previews Bill Nye material in tomorrow's Dispatch issue. The mock record hints at playful historical humor with Nye as the lead.
Dr C Meyer aged 34 was shot dead by Phillip Griffith his father in law in Stevens Point Wisconsin after a street quarrel with Meyer’s brother in law William Griffith. The elder Griffith confessed to the killing and both Griffths were jailed. Mrs Meyers had died by gunshot December 19 and authorities questioned whether it was suicide.
In Caushowe Missouri a quarrel between Dr. Starke and Dr. Pitzer over a small debt led to a fatal shooting. Pitzer fired wounding Starke, who returned fire causing Pitzer’s fatal chest wound. Elderly bystander Alexander Molin was wounded in the side. Starke in custody.
Investigators in Hayszmat Missouri report new findings in the December murder of Amos J. Stillwell. Clothing and money found outside misled about a robbery motive, with evidence suggesting the assassin was concealed inside the house. Mrs Stillwell provides conflicting accounts but aids officers as the city follows ongoing developments.
The British sloop Emerald seized nearly $5,000 worth of opium and 12 Chinese from Victoria near Port Discovery Bay. Smugglers fled as Revenue Cutter Oliver Wolcott approached, dropping opium overboard. All 12 Chinese held with British certificates to return home. smugglers bound over $3,000 each for trial.
In Fluorenco Missouri D R Driscoll the city marshal was killed by Isaac Willis who had escaped from Danville jail. Willis was killed by a pursuing posse after attempting to reach his former wife’s room. Willis had earlier escaped December 30 after an attempted murder of his wife.
New York January 11 John Burke, accused of fatally stabbing Michael Moore in an uptown saloon, appeared in court. The incident followed a quarrel with Moore three weeks earlier and Burke was captured in Newark last night.
Two shabby men assaulted Arthur Creighton near East Liberty station before fleeing toward Penn Avenue. Police pursuit ceased when the robbers fired on officers, injuring no one, as witnesses described tall and short suspects, with more masked in the crowds. Creighton was treated for a head wound and a ruined coat, watch valued at 150 dollars. The East End remains on edge and demands mounted police patrols.
New York January 11 John R R Fowler a bookkeeper earning 13 dollars weekly and father of six children has been jailed for stealing 1600 dollars from the Bidwell & Co safe. He allegedly concealed the loss by altering the ledgers and hiding the funds in the tiger's lair.
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.