31 Dec 1870
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 27 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Quincy Whig
Location
Quincy, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Dec 31, 1870
Page
1
A fragmentary verse imagines a haunted window scene with nocturnal imagery. The speaker, Oliver Uplic, hints at a departed figure returning in pale light, but the text is garbled and stylistically antique, leaving the core meaning elusive.
Art gossip notes Boston painter Nes Wright has completed a painting on Puritan life, an original work by Paul Delaje, shown alongside Napoleon era canvases. The piece is part of a New York exhibition highlighting historical portraits and era scenes.
Governor Palmer in Indianapolis argues the General Government has constitutional power to correct grave wrongs through legislation if the need is clear. Butter’s bill, though its adequacy undecided, starts reform and exerts influential pressure likely to yield beneficial outcomes in the upcoming Congress session.
The piece critiques Democratic speculation on the Illinois senatorial question, noting inconsistencies in their reasoning about Gen. Logan. It cites the Springfield Register’s claimed lists of supporters for Logan and the governor candidacies, argues Republicans will unite in the legislature, and suggests cross-party fusion would be resisted by Republicans and Democrats alike.
Gov McClurg appoints D T Jewett of St Louis to the U S Senate seat vacated by Drake. Opinions split among Missouri papers with criticism over locality and brief tenure. Legislature to elect a successor January 17. Jewett likely to serve only until then, as Blair or another candidate may replace him.
The United States Senate passed Morton's joint resolution by a strong 31 to 9 vote to appoint a Commission to examine the condition of San Domingo. Supporters see it as a prudent, impartial inquiry by the Administration. opponents like Sumner challenge annexation implications and Alaska precedent. The piece notes potential regret if acquisition of the Bay of Samana is rushed and argues broader regional stakes and historical ties.
Debate grows across the state over how the new constitution affects county officer salaries. Some insist the County Board may adjust pay only for future officers, while others note elected pre constitutional terms retain existing fees. Adams County Supervisors, after legal counsel, set sheriff and coroner salaries and assigned the circuit clerk role under the transitional rule.
The article notes growing delays in fixing the cable network beyond the initial brief promise, with two weeks of interruption now stretching into unfavorable seasons. The French cable remains slower and less reliable, and talk of an additional line faces doubts about profitability. costs cited include around 3 million dollars for the 1865 and 1866 cables, and about double that for the French cable.
Scientists predict a total eclipse over Southern Europe and Northern Africa, invisible in the United States, to be observed by parties funded by the US and English governments. Prophesied tidal disturbances may affect the Mediterranean, western Europe and Africa, with effects reaching as far as the Bay of Fundy and the St. Lawrence mouth, and possible earthquake agitation concurrent with the event.
The Senate held a long night session Wednesday, voting 81 to 9 in favor of Morton's joint resolution to appoint a commission to visit San Domingo and assess its condition. Morton led supporters while Sumner opposed. the outcome heavily rebukes Sumner and could lead to his removal as chair of Foreign Relations.
The House favors repealing the income tax and will likely pass a bill. The Senate remains determined to keep the tax, with the Finance Committee reporting against repeal. Public sentiment seems closer to the House stance.
Dispatches report that railroad managers at Erie have taken important action on freights. Rates will be markedly lower under the new winter arrangement, though live stock freights from Quincy to New York rise slightly. The new scale takes effect on the 26th inst.
A heated dispute rages between two Democratic newspapers in Decatur over which should remain in publication. The public sentiment leans toward each paper's view of the other, with consensus that the feuding papers will mainly affect the Democracy rather than others.
The St Louis Republican sketches Hon D T Jewett newly appointed by Gov McClurg as interim US Senator replacing Drake who resigned. Born 1810 in Maine, a 30 year lawyer, he aligned with the Radical Republicans and helped shape key Missouri measures including railroad and court affairs. The piece also recounts the Starved Rock episode and the Illinois exodus, tracing tribal history and the Potawatomi retreat to the Missouri River.
The San Francisco correspondent reports a long buried ship found upright in southern California’s Yuma desert. Col Evang, exploring in 1863, first sighted a vessel thought to be rock. An Academy expedition confirmed a 200 foot ship with bow and stern above sand, prompting further research into its origin and date.
A St Louis Dispatch from the 16th reports Col Whitley of the U S Secret Service seized a large cache of counterfeit dies about six miles from St Louis. The haul included dies for 320 gold pieces 100 pieces and 250 pieces plus plates for ten dollar greenbacks, bank note paper and other counterfeiting materials. The items belong to the Biebusch and McCartney gang.
A New York letter recounts actor Afr. Jefferson failing to identify himself to bank clerks. He offered a signature and asked if Schneider would recognize him, leading to recognition and release of funds. The piece parallels Landseer, who identified himself by sketching a painting after being asked if the other party knew The Three Friends.
The piece questions whether Protection really safeguards, calling on self styled Revenue Reformers to consider the gain and purpose. It argues reform may be needed if protection proves ineffective. The tone reflects party critique and policy debate.
A Richmond theatre presents Tuckle Tom's Cabin for the first time in ten years, drawing large crowds despite local prejudice against Stowe and her book. The piece showcases changing attitudes in the Old Dominion toward the famous work and its dramatic portrayal.
The Western Social Science Association selects Detroit as the site for its next session on June 13, 1871. Special winter meetings are planned at Springfield Indianapolis and Lansing in Michigan.
The Rock Port Weekly Sentinel launches as a new Democratic newspaper with editor John O. Turk. It marks the county’s first such paper under Turk’s leadership.
The New York Herald presents a broad portrait of Alexander Dumas, praising his genius and influence on French literature while detailing his public egotism, libertine conduct, and social geniality. It notes his wit, charitable acts, and disdain for marriage, with anecdotes of autographs, newspaper puffery, and a notable encounter with a notary.
The Rock Island Union notes leading Quincy citizens back the new association and predicts benefits. It cites similar efforts in other Illinois cities, urges Rock Island Moline and Milan to act to attract manufacturers, and stresses publicizing advantages like water power coal and shipping to draw capitalists and residents.
Peoria Transcript reports a Cincinnati Commercial item tracing the Enock Arden case through papers. A married couple, divorce, child taken by wife, second husband dies in a fall, child dies, first husband reappears as mourner, reconciliation proposed. The romance ends with reunited destinies at last note.
Central Park sculptor C. J. Innes, employed by the Central Park Commissioners, has completed a fall-sized bust of the Savior. The statue was presented to Col. John McArdle of Albany.
Statistics for Missouri Freemasonry in 1870 show Initiated 1963 Passed 1723 Raised 1665 Admitted on demit 1147 Demitted 1207 Died 210 Suspended 140 Expelled 75 Reinstated 55 Rejected 1068 Total membership 17493 Increased since last year 2203 Average membership per lodge 3123.
San Francisco dispatch reports several live lizards embedded in solid stone inside a petrified fir tree in a Calistoga area forest. One lizard is on exhibition here and they appear unlike any known living species.
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.