Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 May 1896 — Page 6

OUR SOLDIER BOYS. ■•Mrencq still those brave defenders, honor to the sleepers brave: Oof« with flagrant flowers, adorning each ■ ; lone, hallow'd soldier's grave; M»*H«ss they In time of battle, conquerors K'CIWP the gory field, True to God, and home and country, freedom's flag to ever shield. can dim the lasting glory of the hero’s deathless name, For upon his proud escutcheon resteth not the brand of shame. Mighty is the army sleeping In Its lasting, long rtpose. Reverenced still with admiration,' e'er alike by friends and foes. 11. •' Still In fond retrospection I see ranks go fll- ‘ lag by. As upon the breeze aflontlng comes the loud triumphant cry Of the conquerors borne returning, with a firm and martial tread, •Victory perched upon their banner as It proudly Heats o'erhead; An In long and dim procession they pass by In grand review, Soldier boys—our noble heroes—wearing still the loyal blue. Hall! y#i fearless sons of freedom; still In memory ye shalt be ' Dear to all, with -reverence honored In the > blest labd of the free. * f ' ■ The Phantom Army. And 1 saw a phantom army come, 'Vlth never a sound of fife or drum, ut keeping step to a muffled hum Of walling lamentation; The martyred heroes of Malvern Hill, 'lf Gettysburg and Chaneellorsvllle— The men whose wasted bodies fill The patriot graves of the hatlon. And there came the uukobwn dead, the men Who died in fever swamp and fen, The slowly 1 starved of prison pen; And, marching beside the others, Came the dusky martyrs of Pillow's fight. With limbs enfranchised and bearing bright; I thought—'twas the pale moonlight— T —They looked as white as their brothers. And so all night marched the nation's dead. With never a banner above them spread, ? No sign, save the bare, uncovered head Of their silent grim Reviewer; With never an arch but the vaulted sky. With not a flower save those which Ue On distant graves, tor love could buy No gift that was purer or truer. • So all night long moved the strange array; So all night long, till the break of day, I watched for one who had passed away With a reverent awe and wonder; TUI a blue cap waved in the lengthening line, And I knew that one who was kin of mine Had come, and 1 spoke and, 10l that sign Wakened me from my slumber. —Bret Harte. -

THE LIEUTENANT’S ROMANCE.

of this confusion and uproar, tbe company of which I had assumed command after my captain’s death was ordered to change its position from the spot near the road where it had been fighting for an hour to a point half a mile away. We obeyed with military precision, and when ■we reached our new point of vantage halted near the roadside for a rest. As we did so I heard from a thicket near by what seemed a groan from some one in pain. I determined to learn the cause. Thirty or forty steps from the road, in a perfect tangle of brush and vines, I espied a hlne uniform on the ground. Approachtag nearer, I discovered a Federal soldier lying face downwards, apparently dead. Pulling aside the brush, I knelt and turned the body over as gently as I could, to ascertain if life was extinct. With a groan and a shudder his eyes opened, while his lips moved as if to speak, but no sound came from them. Raising his head slightly, I placed my canteen to his lips, and in a few moments he seemed much revived. “What regimens?” T" asked. In a weak voice he replied, “Fifth New York Cavalry,” which was confirmed by the brass letters on his forage cap lying near. Hardened as I was by scenes of blood and suffering, my sympathies were deeply aroused as I looked in the face of the young soldier, for he seemed not more than 2d years of age—a mere boy, though taking a man’s place under man’s most trying circumstances; a fair, frank, blueeyed boy, dying, perhaps, far from home or friends. “How are you hurt?” I asked. , t»-his hipT*a" 3 iflfEr~reirt"and a blood spot or two told the story. Placing him in as easy a posture as possible, 1 left him for a short time to rejoin my company. Finding everything quiet, I called one of the men, and together we returned to the wounded youtn. With our pocket knives we cut away the brush and tangle for some twenty feet around him, and carefully swept up the leaves and rubbish, aa fire was raging in the woods' not far away. We then built a of green branches above his head for protection from the sun, filled his canteen from the creek near by, and divided our rations of bacon and bread with him. He seemed ▼cry grateful; offered his watch in return -» 'or our services, which I placed in his

A FEDERAL SOLDIER LYING FACE DOWNWARD.

pocket again, and, bidding him good-bye. promised to see him again, and went back Kor many hoars more the conflict raged •ad when the smoke and din had passed •way, thoughts of wounded boy in blue never again crossed my mind. of wfif. I had been captured at Hanover STXSU6 of soldier life. Arrived there I found existence almost intolerably monotonous. Discipline was strict and the only relief we had was when, on certain fixed days, * : BBwm'u'&i .Jn i'l * ‘ •

N the midst of the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, ’G4, while the roar of musketry ebbed and flowed all along the line, and hundreds of bleeding soldiers lay gasping under the tangled undergrowth whioh extended for miles along what was known as the Plank road—in the midst

visitors were permitted to come and gaze upon us. Many came as a matter of curiosity, others to bring us food and bits of clothing. One day a ladjv accompanied by a very pretty girl, passed me and incidentally inquired what State I came from. Being civilly answered, the elder of the two asked if I needed anything for njy personal comfort. I forced a Up from my lips and replied that I needed nothing. My naqie and regiment were asked for and they eral days later the same couple appeared and greeted me cordially. After a pleasant chat they departed, the younger of the two placing in my hand a small copy of the New Testament. Opening it to sec whose name I should find, I was surprised to see, written on the fly-leaf, in a deli'cate feminine hand: ‘'Would you place

I SURRENDERED MY PERMIT AND WAS FREE.

yourself in the hands of a friend and assume the attendant risks? If so, tie a bit of white cord to the bottom button of your coat when we come next week. Confide in no one else and destroy this." InstantTyT" tore'"oui~the into pulp. There was no sleep for my eyes that night. What did it mean? Who and what were these people who thus interested themselves in me? And why? Was it a trap? No, surely these two ’women couldn’t entertain such a thought toward a poor devil of a prisoner. These and a thousand similar ideus occupied my mind all through the night, and when the reveille sounded I had decided to trust them. Within a week they came again. My bit of white ribbon was displayed’ and when my angel approached she put into au4 -Biitlwi,, most indifferent look, passed on. I held the tract carelessly for some moments and then placed it in my breast pocket. When I found myself alone I opened it tremblingly. On a blank page, pinned inside, was written: “Two' Weeks from this date a woman with-a red-bordered handkerchief in her belt, will give you a thin linen coat and vest, Carry them to your quarters, conceal them, and return immediately. An old man, with gold eyeglasses, will give you pants, shoes and collar. Do likewise with these and return. We will give you a hat, ip the lining of which will be found a permit, signed by the commandant, allowing William J. Pool, of Syracuse, to visit the prisoners. As soon as possible, put on your new suit and walk quietly to the exit, surrendering your permit to the guard. When*outside, walk slowly, straight away front the "'prison for 200 paces, when a young man will meet you. yourself to him, and ponfido in no one else. Should anything transpire endangering you or us cdt- the two bottom buttons‘ s from.your coat.” Having thoroughly memorized my .instructions, they were likewise chewed up, audJL began to have visions of freedom, conspicuous among them being the picture of the fairy who was taking this hazard on my account. The days went by as months do now and nervously, anxiously, I waited for the fatal day. I was fearful lest some one should read my thoughts, and I not only endanger myself, but' bring my fair benefactress to grief. At last the day arrived and with the numbers of visitors entering the prison came the woman with the redbordered handkerchief. She carried several goodly sijsed packages of what appeared to be food and distributed them indiscriminately. As I approached,, site gave' me a thin, hard-pressed bundle, which I placed in my pocket, and, shortlygoing to my quarters, hid it under a small wooden box which served the purpose of a seat, and immediately returned tojsthe crowd of visitors. 1 waited only a short ttaie for my old man. There he was, givIng out tracts and Testaments, with a package or two in his pockets. As I drew near him, he placed one of the packages in my hands, with a benediction, and, having lingered a short time, this was placed under the box with its companion, A tedious half-hour passed before I saw my two angels. Coming near, the young lady said to me: “Here’s a Yankee hat from h Yankee girl. Will a rebel accept it?” “No, miss,” I replied, “but s Southern gentleman will,” and, suiting the action to the word, I placed it on my head, and she unconcernedly went her way, * . f , , . ' ;

handing a pair of half hose to one, a handkerchief to another, until I lost sight of her. A Jittle later I was in my quarters, trembling all over. Should I try the risky experiment now, of later? “Now or never,” I thought, in desperation, and donned my new attire. Dressed as a citizen,' I paused a moment to collect myself, and stepped forth for freedom. As I walked across the grounds, iViy heart beat so loudly that I feared others would hear it. On 1 walked, mingling with the visitors, no one seeming to notice me. As I neared the gate, Walter White, one of my fellow prisoners! recognized me. He was in the net of speaking when I drew my knife from my pocket, and, speaking loud enough for,the guard to hear me, said: “Here, reb, take this to cut your beef with,” adding in a whisper, '“For God’s sake, say nothing.” Ho understood instantly. Passing slowly through the exit, I surrendered iny permit And was free. Following instructions carefully, I found a young man waiting former Wrth--out a word he took my arm and we ed away from the prison as if we had been friends for life. Finally my conipanion spoke. IJe told pie his name was Harry ('-hauncoy; the two ladies who first met me were his mother and sister; the woman with the red-bordered handkerchief was his aupt and the old gentleman with the tracts his father. Thus the whole family had been enlisted in securing my freedom. Why this kindness had been shown me, this dangerous risk undertaken in my behalf, he would not say. All that he could tell me now was that I was to be taken to his father's residence and secreted in a ,den in the attic, where I would be free from danger should the prison officials undertake to search for me. This program was carried out to the 4 still -wondering - what it meant and wishing that I might catch a glimpse of my angel, whom I had not seen on entering the house. In this den for four or five days I was kept a close prisoner. Young Chauneey was most attentive to me, visiting me Several times daily, but no one else was admitted except Chauncey, pere, who visited me twice. The old .geiUhm.um.-KWS..-Myjlne_ss it.self, assuring me that he would gladly do all liTE!s~power until such a time as I wished to return South. Both informed me that no effort had been made by the prison officials to capture me. One evening Avery crawled into my deti and said: “The ladies are expecting you in the parlor this evening, and we think there will be no risk.” I was rejoiced at this, for my confinement was growing irksome and I longed for the time when I might see my fair deliverer and thank her and the others for their great kindness, the reason for which I also longed to learn. When we descended to the parlor, the entire family Sarah Chauncey, the aunt, and Miss Esther, piy angel, to each of whom I was duly introduced. A general conversation followed. I was too deeply interested in Alias Esther to permit an opportunity for engaging in conversation with her alone to pass by; and -when- this-opportunity presented itself 1 seized it rapturously. During our conversation I broached the subject of my relense and inquired what had brought it about. She hesitated a' moment, her face flushing, and then she si*>ke: —* —;— ‘‘Last Spring brother Avery was badly wounded down in Virginia. A rebel—l mean a Confederate —officer was very good to Jlim, giving him food and water, and protecting him from a lire which

HE STRANG FORWARD, THROWING HIS ARMS ABOUT ME.

would soon have burned him to death. When he was able to, move-’we brought him home, and he often said that when he recovered he would return the kindness to some Southerner. He has never regained his strength sufficiently to return to the army, so he decided to psy his debt by releasing one of the prisoners, ail of us promising to help him. The selection of the victim was left,to me, and I thought you—you looked—nice, and I felt more sorry for you than any of the- others, and——" I did not permit her to finish. A light flashed through my mind at that instant and I turned to Afery, who had just returned after a temporary absence from p the room, sad said:

“Were you ever in’Virginia?” “Yes, ami 1 carry very undesirable proof of the fact in my hip now." “Got it at the Wilderness,'! guess?” “Yes, sister told you, I suppose.” “Fifth New York Cavalry, I imagine?” "Yes.” “Lay in the bushes and came near being burned?”, “Yes.” “Fellow came along and fixed you up in some sort of way?” ~ l "fes.” “Brought you some water and left a niputhful of rations, and took your watch for pay?” “No. I gave it to him, and he refused it.” “Would you know the fellow again if you met him?” Gazing at me fbr a moment, he sprang forward, throwing his. arms about me and saying: • “Well! well! well you are the very man, old fellow! Since the first time I saw you I had.a notion?! had seen you somewhere. What a fool I wasf not to have known you!” -« No need to tell the rest. In the weeks that followed Esther listened and her eyes gave me my answer when I whispered words of love. Thirty years ago she became my bride; and the union of blue and gray has been a blessed one. —Blue and Gray Magazine.

With all the fifes awailin’ an’ a roar o’ muffled drums. Art’ tattered flags a-flnttertn’ on high, A-windin’ slowly down the road, the long procession conics, WliliflJilie ftp’ Luey watch ’em marehin' by. With heads erect the veterans step,'though mem’ry’s tears may flow, An’ bearded lips may tremble jes’ a bit. They do not mourn their dead alone—their woe’s a common woe They know, an’ are rejoicin’ over It. They’s wagon loads o’ flowers sheddin’ sweetness everywhere, An’ Lucy sniffs their fragrance eagerly. An’ gray, disabled soldier chaps a-hrtbblln’ here an' there, Rut jes’ cz proud an’ spunky ez can be. An’ lots o’ little fellers tramplu’ by their fathers' side, Ez peart ez though they'd fought in ’6l— so .they pass until the dust the ragged bunrrersrhlri-e'"- , ■ An’ faint an’, fainter sound the fife an’ drum. An’ then we turn an’ start fer home across the fields, while I Jes’ have to gulp somehow an awful lot. An’ Lucy’s sort o’ gaspin’ like she’s goln’ to start to cry. An’ I ain't carin’ if she does or not. Then as we reach the house there comes borne on the balmy breeze A rumble from the distant hpryin’ ground; Three times we hear the volleys, then there’s silence ’cept the bees An’ Other hugs ft-t)u7,zirr’ all around. T. L. S.

BRAVE, BUT SHOT AS A COWARD

An Incident that Had Many Duplicates in Military Life. There was a solemn stillness resting over Hill’s Corps of Lee’s army, encamped along the Itapidnn when the sun rose on a beautiful morning in the early spring of ’O4. The most sorrowful scene of army life.was about to be enacted —two deserters were to be snot by their former comrades. Desertions had become too numerous and now that these two fellows who had escaped, one from a North Carolina, the other from a Georgia regiment, were recaptured, they were to be summarily dealt with. The two brigades were marched out to witness the execution, and were arranged in the shape of a half circle, on two hills. The stakes were driven in the valley between. The men were called to “attention,” as the band of music, from the Thirteenth North Carolina Regiment, was heard playing in the distance the “Dead March.” The music, with drums muiflod, was in front, and then u plutoon of armed soldiers marching in rear of the deserters. Th'e North Carolinian had his head down, but the Georgian was erect, kept a firm step to the music, and peered fearlessly into the men’s faces a* he passed uy. He was a naudsome fellow, well set, of round and ruddy face, and black hair and eyes. When they reached the stakes the North Carolinian fell down with his face In his hands, and remained in that position. No so the Georgina; he showed not the least fear. The chaplain prayed over them, and then they were asked if they had anything to say. *The Georgian stood up, asked permission to pull off his overcoat, and then said substantially as follows: ‘ l I want to say that my sentence is a just one. I did wrong to leave my colors, add I want all you soldiers to take warn>lng at my fate. The only thing that I regret is that it will bring my old fatb«r’t

gray hairs to the grave in disgrace, but.l want you, sir (to the chaplain), to write to my wife and tell her that I died like a and a soldier.” He then asked for a drink of water, and his captain, leaving the company to go to him, handed him a canteen. After drinking and returning the canteen, he requested the officer in charge of the details

REQUESTED THEM NOT TO TIE HIM.

not to tie him or bandage his eyes; he wanted to look in the guns and die without flinching. Thus he died without a quiver; the bravest man those soldiers ever saw die, and he was shot to death for cowardice! At one of the battles in Tzee's Gettysburg campaigns he had forged a surgeon's certificate, and kept out of the fight on the score of sickness. He had -been a gallant soldier all before this, and wore honorable scars on his person. But in a moment when that dread so fatal to the soldier came over him, he had faltered and his life and disgrace paid the penalty. Officers and men all felt sorry for him; they knew he was brave, but military laws are inexorable.

NO FLOWERS FOR THIS GRAVE.

The Woman Had a Revolver and Defied tits. Veterans.. Eliza Spangher is the widow of a veteran who fought for his country during the ciyil war. She lives at Myerstowh, Pa. The local Grand Army post and tue widow had a quarrel last year and the latter celebrated Memorial day with a warlike demonstration. She notified the G. A. R. men that she would not permit them to decorate her husband’s grave, and she and four men went to the village cemetery. One of the men was stationed at each end of the burial plot, while the widow took up her position at the foot of the veteran’s grave with a loaded revolver

NO FLOWERS ON THIS GRAVE.

in her hand. The G. A. R. men passed by without leaving flowers or flags and the woman went' home satisfied.

Portable Buildings.

A sort of portable construction which, although, as wo believe, it originated In this country, has nearly gone out of use here, while it is becoming popular abroad. Is thus described: This construction consists simply in suitable of iron pipes and connections, and has the great advantage that the pieces are light and portable, while the work is very readily put to feether with the simplest tools. France Is now extending so rapidly its colonial possessions that these portable barracks, warehouses, hospitals and dwellings are greatly In demand, and it seems to us that we, who can make iron pipe, and cast connections, at least as cheaply and skillfully as our friends across the Atlantic, might find such"buildings useful and the materials for them very salable. No architect needs to be told how to combine iron tubes and connections so -is to make a cheap and strong roof; but in the new French structures the system Is applied to the floors, which can easily be trussed to sufficient stiffness. With covering and sides, and perhaps floors, of corrugated metal, such buildings answer well for temporary purposes; and to substitute expanded metal, covered with plaster or cement, for the corrugated sheets, is to make them much more comfortable and permanent, at a small additional expense.

The Bivouac of the Dead.

On fame's sternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread. And glory guards with solemn round 4 The bivouac of the dead. —Theodore O’Hara. It Is hard to convince some people that a thing can ba wrong .If it looks harmless.

PERISH IN THE LAKE.

FIVE OF A SCHOONER'S CREW DIE IN THE WAVES. • • 1 „ # The Mary D. Ayer Sinks as the Result of a Collision with the Steamer Onoko—Vessel Floats Help* lessly for Hours a Prey to the Gale. Collision Off Racine. The schooner Mary D. Ayer collided with the steamer Onoko, in Lake JJichlgan, off Grosse Point. Eleven hours later, while the steamer City of Duluth .wag trying to tow it ashore near B,acine, the schooner sank, andfive of the crew were drowned and the remaining two were saved and taken to Chicago. From the time of the collision until she was picked up, drifted a distance of forty-live miles. The spqt where she was taken hold of by the City of Duluth was about fifteen miles from shore. There was a dense fog on the lake at the time, and Without an instant's warning the,schooner loorifetTup directly ahead of the steamer. jib-boom of tlie Ayer ran into tin 1 pilot house of the OnpkOj’barelyTni.ssing the wheelman, and then tore, its way. out through, the end.-" The rail from bow to quarter was torn from its fastenings by the jib-boom, and at last that spar gave way. The bows of the schooner were brokeh in by the impact of thAegllisinn, and her master immeal iately ordered her anchor overboard. The Onoko, which is one of the few iron boats on the lake nnd belongs to the Minch fleet of Cleveland, was-eoming up Lake Michigan loaded with iron ore for the Illinois Steel Company at South Chicago. The Mary 1). Ayer, one of Ed E. Ayer's fleet of cedar vessels, was bound down the lake light from Chicago to A-1--pena. Rain had been falling heavily all the evening, making it impossible to see any distance.

STRICKEN BY CLCLONE.

Three Comities of Devuatated by a “Twister.** Nemaha, Marshall and Cloud Counties were swept by a death-dealing cyclone late Sunday afternoon. Dismantled buildings mark the path of the fierce .storm, fourteen persons are known to have been killed, from forty to sixty are reported injured, several of whom will die, and scores of families are homeless. The small number of casualties is accounted for by the fact that nearly all of the people fled to their cellars and cyclone caves. Seneca, the county seat of Nemaha County, appears to have been the chief sufferer. One third of the resident part of the town, according to a dispatch, is in ruins, five persons were killed and fifteen badly injured, and 500 people have no roof to shelter them. Tin* property loss at Seneca is estimated at SIOO,OOO. Sabetba, also in Nemaha County, according to report, was a severe sufferer. A brief dispatch states that tiyenty or twentyfive persons received injuries more or less severe, and that at least three or four of the victims vi[l probably die. Twenty families lost all their worldly possessions and are temporarily dependent upon charity for subsistence. Sabetha is a small place north of here, near the Nebraska line. / After leaving Sabetha the cyclone took a narrow path toward (Falls City, uprooting trees and dismantling farm buildings In its fhrious progress. In Frankfort, in Marshall County, the entire western and northwestern part of the town is in ruins. The property damage was far greater than at Sabetha, but the number of human victims of the storm’s fury is happily considerably less. As far as heard from there was no loss of life there, and the number injured was hardly more than a dozen, probably three-score of buildings were razed to the ground. Some of the best residences of Frankfort were blown to atoms, and Veports from the surrounding country, Where heavy has been done, will materially swell the loss. Many head of horses, Cattle and other stock were killed. Two couriers reported that everything In the village of Reserve was demolished by the cyclone, and that six people were tilled at Reserve and many others injured. The little hamlet of Bodaville, in Riley County, was entirety swept away- by the cyclone. At Spring Valley, some six miles south of Barnes, it tore down a ehifrch, in which 150 people were worshiping. Many were injured.

GIRDLED THE GLOBE.

Message Sent Twice the Distance Around .the Earth. A message around the world by telegraph was the feature at the national electrical exposition in New York Saturday evening, and on that occasion Dr. Chauneey M. Depew delivered an oration ■ssh '''T'rogre«S‘ «ad- F-ut;<>:re -o's Electrisitpkto 10,000 people. The message was written by Dr. Depew and addressed to Edward D. Adams, president of the Cataract General Electric Company. It was transmitted over the lines and Connections of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company, from New York via Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Canso, to London, and back via Boston to New York. was started at 8:34 o’clock, and was received by Thomas A. E<ji»on at 8:38 o’clock. The Western Union Company and connections also transmitted a copy of the message from New York through Mexioo, down the west coast and up the east coast of South America, thence to Spain and, back to New York, the time occupied being two minutes..

DEBS FOR PRESIDENT.

Chicago Labor Congress Names the American Hallway Union Leader. Eugene V. Debs wan named for the presidency of the United States by the Chicago Labor Congress at its regular meeting Sunday afternoon. The resolution, introduced by Victor B. Williams of the printers, provoked a discussion which consumed nearly three hours; but it finally was adopted. It was recited in the resolution that as the corporations, syndicates and trusts are seeking to have presidential candidates nominated who are in sympathy with the existing order of industrial things, labor, organized and unorganized, should be equally sdlicitous that a man be nominated who is known to be friendly to workers and wealth producers. The congress expressed the belief that Eugene V. Debs is best fitted to become the leader of the industrial classes.

News of Minor Note.

A trip of Anspectlou of many of the local land offices in Minnesota, Montana, Idaho, California and Colorado will be made during June by Commissioner L&tnoreux of the general land office. Assistant General Manager P. P. Shelby, of the Great Northern, has sent his resignation to President Hill. So far as known there has been no friction and Mr. Shelby leaves of his own apCord. Four firemen were severely injured when fighting firetn P. W. Terry A Co.’s fuel and feed store at Denvar, being buried tander a falling wall. The damage by the fire amounts to only a few thousand dollars.

RECORD OF THE WEEK

* INDIANA INCIDENTS TERSELY ;|told. Democrats Gain an Apparent A - vsntQge ill the Apportionment Matter—Wabash County Wheat and Rye Have a New and Woolly Enemy. Upholds the Apportionment. The Supreme Courf has decided that the legislative apportionment act of 1885 cannot be set aside, and that it is the only act under which Senators and Representatives can be elected this fall. The majority opinion was written by Judge McCabe. Judge ! Monks filed a dissenting opinion. The effect of the decision is to eleqt members oUthe Legislature under an act that" the Democrats passed when they had a majority in the Legislature, and which, if there is any advantage in it, Ts in their favor. When the court set aside the laws 0fT893 and 1895, and thus brought the law of 1885 into effect, the Democrats proposed that no further questions should be raised, and that the two parties should acquiesce in th<s decision. The Republicans, however, attacked “the law of 1885 on the ground of unconstitutionality, and this decision sets the matter at rest, although there are suits pending to set aside all apportionment laws under the present constitution, which was adopted in 1851. The couft enters upon the discussion of the points involved by declaring that the law of 1885 is the only net now upon the statute books under which an election of members of the Legislature can legally he held. Priifrr to 1879 the franchise was limited in this State to the white male population above the age of, 21 years, and nil apportionments made before that time excluded the negroes from voting. If a law, argues the court, were revived trader which this-class of citizens could not vote, it would be in conflict with both the State and Federal constitutions, nnd no election held under it now would be legal.

Additional Pest in Indiana. In addition to the rust and the Hessian fly, which have been destroying the wheat and rye in Wabash County, the farmers of that locality have a new enemy to contend—with. Ex-County Commissioner J. I y. Starbuek, of Largo township, has found thousands of woolly worms about an inch and a half in length' and totally unlike any other pest he has eyer seen destroying his corn crop. They nppeared to come from a strip of woods and, invading a fine field of corn, ate four acres of the grain off just above the ground. Mr. Starbuek says they are Hi—evidence in countless numbers on his place and farms adjacent, nnd his neighbors are much alarmed by their appearance. k—l— Over the State. Henry Stefke, aged 40 years, was found dead in Bloomington, the presumption being that he met death in a runaway. William Coglin,- who was killed by a Big Four train at Muncie, did not live in Cumberland, Md,, as he said just before lie died. He had been working at the Union steel works in Alexandria, Ind., and leaves a widow there, to whom he was married only three weeks ago. He came to Muncie on business and was killed an hour after his arrival. The State Superintendent of Public Insi root ion announces that the i numeration of persons of school age, taken tinder tin 1 -law of 1895, shows a total falling off of (55,000 persons. This is taken ns proof Hint much dishonesty was practiced under . the old law. The falling off is till in the cities, so that the country districts will have longer school terms than heretofore. The Terre Haute Council has passed an ordinance fixing the maximum bicycle speed on 'the business streets at six miles and on’all other streets at eight miles an hour. „ Children under 12 years are not allowed to ride on Main street. Lights are to be carried and' warning bells sound- > Ft! nvt crossings. An unsue-eossfu! effort was made to include a section prohibiting the carrying of infants on wheels. The Indianapolis sanitarium has addressed a note to the superintendent of the city schools, and among other things suggested that kissing ns practiced by women school teachers among their pupils lie interdicted, because disease is thereby llif to be crmimniricatcd. He—also-eon — Semned the habit of pupils of drinking from a common vessel and of using tin) fame lead pencils. The superintendent has promised compliance with those suggestions. An official sensation was caused at ATkierson by Judge Divun, of the Superior Court, appointing Attorneys Foster and Walker and instructing them to at once prepare and fib* cases against Prosecutor ttcaWou and ex-Proseeufor Doss to disbar them. Doss brought suit against Prosecutor Seanlan severnl weeks ago asking fur an accounting of fees, claiming the "official' tlie'iff'. '-'TfH’Tflvt •judgment for $230. In the trial he endeavored brshow Scanlon was conducting ttie office on a boodle plan and . was. accepting bribes. Evidence was alary introduced to show that Doss, the Elwood deputy, was accepting bribes. Judge Diven proposes to sift the matter to the bottom. It is claimed criminal prosecution will follow.

All day Tuesday a gang of tramps, com,H)sed of about twenty-five of the worst looking specimens in the country, hovered almut Decatur. At nigKt they made their headquarters near the Chicago and Erie Railroad and kept up their' carousing until a crowd of citizens, accompanied by the entire police fyee, moved on thorn. When the .officers attempted to mnke the arrests the tramps, who were armed, opened fire. Daniel Haley, a citizen, was" shot down probably fatally injured. The tramps were finally run down ami eight of them placed in jail. Several of the tramps were shot', but were helped away by their companions. Great excitement prevailed on the streets, and lynching was strongly talked of and is a possibility if Haley should die. At Warsaw, fire destroyi-d the lurge furniture factory of Robert 11. Hitzler, causing a loss of about $15,000. There is $3,500 insurance, SI,OOO on the building in the Concordia, and $2,500 on the contents in the Milwaukee Mechanics’ and German of Freeport. ■ John Abnet, a very wealthy farmer living a few miles south of Decatur, attend-, ed a circus at Portland on Tuesday snd while there he was robbed of $4,100. He' did not believe in banks and w is afraid to leave his money at homo because‘he lost a large amount that way by. tire i few years ago. John Baum, aged 90, and Emeline Hendrick, aged 00, were married at Valparaiso. The bride Was given the deed to a farm worth SB,OOO before the nuptial knot was tied. , On account of the prospects of a mammoth fruit crop Ball Brothers, of Mancie, the largest fruit jnr munufneturem in the world, have decided to run all summer. Heretofore all the glass factories In the world have shut down 4 n the summer on account of the excessive heat. The blowers at Ball Brothers only consented to work when they were offered wages of $l5O per week from now until Sept. 1. Ball Brothers average 172,800 jars, or 1,200 grow ■ day. —‘—— ——S — —