Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 7, Number 36, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 3 March 1877 — Page 1

Vol. 7.—No. 36.

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

SECOND EDITION. Town-Talk.

CURIOSITIES OF THE REVIVAL. If Mr. Hammond has any vanity— and it is not impossible that ho has—it mast have been flattered somewhat by the attentions shown him Thursday afternoon at the depot, as he was taking his departure. He was followed thither by about two thousand people, chiefly women, and tho scene is described by those who witnessed it, as extraordinary. It had been the intention to spend the time before the train was due, in prayer, but this "the rain prevented"—how, T. T. is unable to say. Instead of a prayer meeting the time was spent in singing and in listening to Mr. Hammond talk. who addressed the assembly from one of the windows in front of the waiting room. Sobs and groans arose from all quarters, and when, finally, he endeavored to make his way on board the train, he was so surrounded and beset by weeping women and men that he could only make any progress with the greatest difficulty. He had literally to tear himself away. To a perfectly unbiased spectator it might have appeared a little as if many of the people placed rather more reliance on Mr. Hammond as their savior than was strictly necessary or in good taste, and were in sonu danger of worshiping him rather more than God. It is exceedingly doubtful if any of the early disciples ever had so flattering a farewell.

But he is gone, and now those interested can begin looking about calmly to see what he ha* done. On the whole, it can hardly be denied by anybody, that good has been accomplished. The fact is too plain to escape anyone who is not the worst sort of a bigot. His peculiarities have been the subject of much criticism. He has not shown great talent as an orator. He has not uttered any very profound truths in any very original or striking way. He has told several thousand aneodotes, amusing, interesting, instructive, and all that, but they have not at all times had a pleasant effect, or at least a convincing one, as illustrating anything in particular. Nearly all of these anecdotes have been given as inoldents occurring within his own personal experience, and on many oocasions his bearers have felt a twinge cf suspicion that they were

44

made up." And yet, for all, his labors have been successful, wonderfully so, and the past four weeks has seen the greatest religious awakening that ever occurred in Terre Haute.

Of course every one is entitled to his or her own theory accounting for such a result. What is the true one, is perhaps of little importance anyway. He did successfully what he was employed to do and T. T. doesn't see that anybody lias cause to grumble about his methods or his ability. Still, It is interesting to study the peculiarities of the man and if it was not for the fear of offending some of his ardent admirers, or doing mischief In some other way, T. T. would enjoy discussing Mr. Hammond. Kindly, be It understood not in a fault-find-ing or petulant way. T. T. believes the man is engaged in a good work and that he is ainoere enough for all practical purposes. He would not, for any consideration, say one word to impair his influence. And this, he takes it, is the feeling every .man and women ir. this city who cares the slightest thing for the public morality, should have. If they cannot entirely approve, they should carefully oonsider effects before they publicly^ condemn.

By the way, a curious little story has come to T. T's. ears. Its truth is vouched for by a number of very respectable citizens. At one of the meetings, a few dsys sinoe, a little girl thirteen years of age, made a profession of religion. 8he also made a public recital of her expert ence and conversion. At a subsequent meeting, either the next day or the day following—on last Sunday afternoon, at any rate—she brought a letter which she gave to Mr. Hammond with the statement that it had been written by her little brother, who a week before, had attended the meetings and been converted by Mr. H., and who bad aince died, this letter being found after his death in tho pocket of his jacket. Mr.t Hammond read the letter, with much emotion, to the audience and it had a decidedly fine eflect. One of the wicked reporters present, not feeling exactly satis&el about the authenticity of the letter, hunted up the girl's mother, who testified that the boy had died more than a year ago and had never heard of Hammond! It is one of tbe most extraordinary cases of female depravity on record. Mr. Hammond was notified of the discovery, but requested that it should not be made publie. "Why," said he to the meddlesome reporters, "you have nothing to do with that. It is your business to report things

just as they take place, in the audience room. Of course you don't want to mention this. The letter was a good one, the incident affecting and effective and it wo,uld be wrong to destroy its effect by any such exposure. We must look at the main point and what is to be accomplished. Say nothing about it!" Now, who shall undertake to say that Mr. Hammond

was

wrong in this thing?

Who shall say that the end did not justify the means T. T. says nothing. People are surprised at the amount of physical labor Mr. Hammond under goes in the course of a revival like the present. Nothing but the perfect health the man enjoys would enable him to stand it and nothing but the most careful attention to the laws of health would preserve that health. He is as regular in his habits and as careful in his diet, exercise, etc., as a man training for the prize ring. One example will illustrate, During the time he was at the Opera House, it was his invariable custom, as soon as his sermon was over, to go down below into one of the dressing rooms and be treated to a sponge bath, and afterwards to be rubbed down with alcohol. This service was performed by a well-known citizen during all the time he was here. After the bath he took two charges from a galvanic battery, dressed, came up stairs and sailed into the inquiry meeting, refreshed and strong. People may smile at this sort of regimen, but there is good sense in it. It takes live men to do live work.

As an advertiser, T. T. would class Mr. Hammond as the Barnum of the revival business. He understands the value of printer's ink and manages to get more of it tbaa any other man traveling. And he doesn't stop with the newspapers. He makes everything and everybody advertise him. He seizes the most trifling incident and turns it to his own use. For example: An old, dirty, seedy tramp, foul with the odors of countless station houses, and stinking with whisky, approached him on tbe street the other day, and in the well known whining tones now familiar to almost every one, told him that he was a desperate sinner, living in a neigh boring town, and that he had heard of the wonderful work Mr. Hammond was doing in Terre Haute for such as he, and that he bad come forty miles—walked every step of the way—to see him. Mr. Hammond took him into a neighboring office, held a little prayer meeting, and the old man was converted. "Take the man," says Mr. Hammond to a friend, "to a book store and buy him a bible." The old fellow hesitated—wanted to say something. Finally be called Mr. H. aside and said, confidentially: &»

It wouldn't work. The old fellow was trotted down to a book store and furnished with a bible and Went off mournfully to find some place where tbey would take it in pawn for two drinks of whisky. When Mr. Hammond told the affecting story of this man's conversion, in the evening meetinj, he omitted the part relating to the man's appetite for temporal things.

Mr. Hammond is a good organizer. In this respect be has scarcely a superior. He sets people to work and keeps them at it. It is not too much to say that the ministers of this city, excellent and worthy men that they are, could never have done without his assistance what has been done and there is not one of them but what T. T. believes to be, in sincerity and earnestness, all that Mr. Hammond is and more. But -the meetings being over, and having become acquainted through them,with everybody, tbey will be able to work more effectively hereafter. Their motives, all know, are pure and worthy. T. T. wishes them abundant success.

Notes of Revival.

An open-air meeting was held in front of the Normal School building, Sunday afternoon. It was attended by a tremendous crowd, and much interest was manifested. The services were about the same as those which have characterised similar out-door meetings. Among the audience were near four hundred people who had come In by an excursion train on tbe E. T. H. A C. railroad from Danville and points this side, especially to see and hear Hammond.

Sunday night the Opera House was crowded to its utmost capacity before dark, and an overflow ^meeting held at the Congregational church, which building was also jammed fall of people.

Monday and Tuesday evening the revival bad to give way to the Frank Mayo entertainment, the Opera House having been engaged for that purpose five months ago. The meetings, oonse* quently, were held at Dowling Hall, and so far as any dimunition of either audience or interest is concerned it eould not be perceived that &be change inadeany differenced $

The meeting at the Congregational cliurch, Tuesday, was an all-day affair.

It began at nine o'clock in the morning and lafted till ten o'clock at night. A number of notable conversions took place and the meeting abounded with interesting incidents. Tbe attendance was very, large during the entire day.

At all the meetings, the converts have spoken freely of their conversion and have joined heartily in the efforts to influence others to come forward. «,

At the morning meeting Tuesday, Mr. C. N. Gould, a prominent spiritualist, being called upon to express his opinion in regard to the work, promptly responded that he was convinced that much good was being accomplished and the movement met with bis hearty approval. He announced his belief in an over-ruling God and that "spirits can and do visit their friends after death." He was listened to with much attention. On Wednesday he signed the covenant.

Four conversions have taken place in the establishment of Messrs. White fe Mewhinney, including both proprietors.

Over one thousand coversions are reported since tbe revival began. All of the Magdalenes who have professed conversion, without exception, so far as is known, are conducting themselves properly and give every evidence of a disposition to continue steadfast in the faith.

There is no more hopeful feature about the revival than tbe fact of so large a number ofyeung men interesting themselves in it and promising to lead virtuous and christian lives. They may not all "stick" but enough undoubtedly will hold out to very sensibly change tbe tone of the society in which they mingle. The change will be for the better.

About thirty fallen women have made professions of religion and announced ,their.determination to abandon their life ^ofshame.

Mr. Louis M. Cook, a prominent member of the Episcopal church, has signed the "covenant."

The revival at the United Brethren church, on Fourteenth street, closed Monday, nignt. Fifty-five conversions {are reported and forty-eightj^ssions

rPreachingtook

.'v.

the church. ...

place Wednesday fore-

nooh in front of McKeen's bank, on Main street, and quite an interesting meeting was had.

An affecting incident is thus described by the Express:

14

s.

"It's all right—I'm converted—I know that—I feel a good deal better'n I did. but I tell ye, boss, I'm desput hongry —hain't had a bite to eat fur three days I'd like to git abont a four bits from ye to gitsumpin to eat." *?.-

A lady who chanced to witness a scene at the close of the morning meeting yesterday, relates that all the reclaimed fallen ones met in a body in the rear of the stage, and gathered about Mr. Hammond, weeping bittering. As tbey stood with bowed heads around him for the last time, in the shadow of a coming separation, realising that more than ever their faith was put to the test, and as Mr. Hammond lifted up his head and earnestly besought the Divine protection and care over these lambs of the fold. It was a remarkable scene."

The Express reporter is considerably stuck up." Mr. Hammond alluded to him publioly, Wednesday evening, as

Brother Anderson." As long as Mr. Hammond was here we had the mosi beautiful weather ever known in

thiB

latitude at the time of

year. It began raining the day he left, and hasn't stopped yet. And its tbe most disgustingly disagreeable drizzle remembered by the oldest inhabitant.

The covenant book contained at the close of the inquiry mooting the day of Mr. Hammond's departure, 1,080 names. This, it is thought, does not represent the actual number of converts by several hundred, many being converted each evening who go away without inscribing their names.

The pastors of tbe several churches which have participated in the revival work, joined in a letter to tbe churches in Syracuse, New York, where Mr. Hammond. is to commence operations to-morrow, commending him to their good graces and certifying to the great good that had resulted from his labors here. Tbe letter was signed by Reverends Sterrett,"Darwood, Martyn, Pavey, Henderson, Abbey and Wulzen, and a number of prominent laymen.

Mr. Royse, treasurer of tbe executive commityee, reports the total amount of money received by him for revival purposes, 91,020. He has paid out |995, which sum includes |400 paid to Mr. Hammond. The remainder was for ball rent and other expenses. There is yet due tbe committee on subscriptions 950, and there are bills not yet paid amounting to about (65. In addition to tbe $100 paid Mr. Hammond by the committee, a purse of |130 was made up by the new converts, and presented to him just before starting. At the meeting Wednesday night, sufficient money was raised to pay everything up in full.

Mr. Darwood conducted tbe meeting at the Opera House, Thursday night and Mr. Henderson, the one of last night. Both were well attended, eon sidering the weather, and fall of interest. •As soon as the uniori Revival ipeetings are discontinued, the Baptist congregation will bold services at Dowling Hall, of Sunday evenings. The ball has been engaged for one month for that purpose,

TERRE HAUTE, IND., SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 3 1877. Price Five Cents

with privilege of longer time if desired. Tbe Baptist church is not large enough to comfortably seat the present evening audiences.

Rev. J. F. Soule has b( en conducting a revival at South Vigo church, in SHgar Creek township, and thirty-six persons have joined the church.

On Wednesday evening—Mr. Hammond's ]pst evening service, the crowd began assembling in front of tbe Opera House by six o'clock and at half-past six, the streets were literally packed. When, half an hour later, the doors were thrown open, there was such a rush as was never witnessed before in Terre Haute. In eight minutes, there was not apparently an inch of unoccupied space in the building. All the approaches and tbe stairways were packed and hundreds of people were turned away. One inside could only shudder if tbe thought of fire occurred to him. It would have been an utter impossibility to have emptied the building suddenly without horrible loss of life.

Force of habit may take a number of tbe revivalists to the Opera House tonight who will be more than astonished when the curtain goes up and reveals the naked truth in tha shape of tbe seductive though dangerous living art statues. May they have the grace to a a a

The number of signatures on the covenant book up to the close of the meeting last night, was 1.101.

There is some curiosity among outsiders regarding the nature of the "Covenant Card." Here it is in full:

1'

I, the undersigned, hope I have found Jesus to be my precious Savior, and I promise with His nelp to live as His loving child and faithful servant all my life.

Name

I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that 1 will not tura away from them to do them good but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. JER.XXXII, 40.

Shows and Show Folks.

Frank Mayo gave us his masterly creation of Davy Crockett, at the Opera House on Monday and Tuesday evenings to immense audiences—on the first night the Opera House was filled from orchestra to gallery. Considering the revival meetings in progress at Dowling Hall and the Congregational church, these audiences were a surprise. Of Mr. Mayo's "Crockett," too much praise cannot be given. It is a cameo of dramatic work. It is cut out of rough material, is mefiowed and smoothed by a romance of life, finally takes a true polish, and a great human heart shines through and through it with an illumination of its own essence. A song of love and heroism comes to him in the backwoods, and having the heart motive himself it tunes him to the heroic pitch. Mayo's treatment of his role is quiet and thoroughly artistic. The homely pathos thrown into hts avowsl of love deserved and won high praise, while his devotion and bravery in withstanding the onset of the hungry wolves was so judiciously managed as to avoid the overacting into which a less accomplished actor would have lapsed. By tbe way, even those wolves acted well their part. The beads were under the door at just tbe right moment, and tbe growls were so artistic as to cause an involuntary shudder. Tbe gentlemen at the other end cf the sticks—we presume the beads were on sticks—are certainly deserving of this word of praise.

To-night at the Opera House, the New York Living Art Statues and Specialty Troupe will appear in an interesting performance, and 4an elegant series of mythological representations from tbe most re no wed masters." This company when here on its recent first visit disappointed many who expected something of the can-can style. The statues are given in the most chaste and modest style, in tableaux set at the back of the stage. Between the tableaux are introduced new muaio, songs and sketches.

Frank Mayo dined with R. G. Wheeler on Tuesday. On the way from the hotel to Mr. Wheeler's residence, Mr. Mayo dropped into McKeen Tuell's bank and sent his wife a draft for three thou sand dollara—enough to make her comfortable until she next bears from him.

After to-night, the only engagements booked at tbe Opera House for this month aife Henry Ward Beecher on tbe 20tb, and Buffalo Bill on the 30th and 31st—two very noted characters and snre to draw.

Lawrence Barrett will play hereon the 6th of April, and tbe Boucicalt Comedy Company will give us "Forbidden Fruit" on the 13th and 14th of the same month.

Miss Genevieve Rogers, who was taken ill in this city, and obliged to cancel all engagements, is playing Maud Muller in Chicago this week. We hope she may come this way before tbe close of tbe season.

The Vienna Ladies Orchestra that gave a performance in our Opera House to a fashionable audience, soon after coming to this country, seems to have fallen from its high estate. The party was recently arrested in San Francisco, where there is a law against women be­

ing employed in places where liquor is sold. The members were marched through the streets* in their evening dress, by the police.

HENRY WARD BEECHER will lecture in this city two weeks from next Tuesday evening. In view of the met, which must be apparent to every intelligent person, that the seating capacity of the Opera House is insufficient to accommodate the vast throng that will want to see and hear the noted and gifted preacher, we suggest to the management that in tha sale of seats, after those in tho auditorium are taken, that arrangements be made for seats upon the ige. By opening the stage back and extending the wings at the side, the stage will accommodate as many people as an (Ordinary church. Let none be turned away for want of room, for this is no doubt the only opportunity our people will have of hearing Mr. Beecher in the west. By some sort of blundering at Chicago, there was a failure te obtain Moody's Tabernacle, hundred were turned away from the next largest hall in that city and the people and papers up there are still quarrelling over tho matter. In St. Louis, where he lectures the evening before coming here, the papers are seriously discussing this question of a hall'of sufficient capacity. The GlobeDemocrat says:

Tbe only way to do this is to obtain the use of the new Merchants' Exchange, which we have every reason to believe could be obtained. The gentlemen who have invited Mr. Beecher to lecture here, or who have accepted the responsibility of providing him with a platform and an audience, have probably undertaken a larger responsibility than they intended, but they need be under no prehensions of the result if they will only grasp the question boldly. Jf Mr. Beecher is willing, in addition to his other engagements, to deliver a lecture in the Exchange for pay, he can make it pay very well if he will lecture for lory, it would not need twenty-four ours to get up a subscription to meet the expenses of preparing tbe hall but in the face of the wide-spread desire to see and hear a man who has been so much talked about, we can see no reason why Mr. Beecher should not consent to give the publie tbe opportunity they desire, and we can see no other way of doing it than in the way we have suggested. -1 in ,$•

THE OFFICES.

It is somewhat difficult to find out just who are after the offices, under the new administration, tho applicants being, like Joey Bagstock, so "de-vilish sly." Several gentlemen, however, have either gone, or are going on tonight, just to witness the inauguration ceremonies, you know. Gen. Frank White is, of course, down at home sick —too aick, in fact, to see anybody yet whenever that fact is mentioned, some one smiles a knowing six-inch smile and immediately exclaims, "Good-evening!" We infer from this that a belief is current that Gen. White is in Washington. He may be. We will not say that he is not. In fact we are sure that if he wants to get abpad of Nick Filbeck for the collector's office it would be just as well to be getting his work in before the last mentioned patriot reaches the Capital. It is aright prett race between the two, as it stands, and if some unknown third party does not get in ahead of both, one of them will be certain to get it.

For tbe postofflce, all. the applicants we can hear of who seem to have any sure thing on it, are T. C. Buntin, Major Wood and L. A. Burcett and tbe last named gentleman has only partially consented to go into the race, but the pressure is hesvy. There would have been more competition for this position as well as for the othor, if circumstances over which he had no control had not disappointed a gentleman by the name of Tilden in certain plans which he had' •n hand in the interest of Reform.

THE CITY OFFICES.

It being pretty early in the season and pretty hard to tell which party is tbe strongest, candidates, on both sides, are lying low and singing small. There's plenty of them, but, as a general thing, tbey would prefer not having the matter agitated just yet. "Something might happen, you know." The names that are talked of are:

For Mayor—Edmunds and Edwards Havens, we understand, having signified his iutention not to run.

For Treasurer—Duenweg, Steinmehl, and Tom Snapp. 1 For Clerk—Schwlngrouber, Carter, J. M. Allen, Lee Cbadwick and John Tolbert.

For Marshal—Ab. Buckingham, Fred Schmidt, John Cleary, A. J. Robertson, J. H. Kidd and Henry MoCabe.

THE CHURCHES TO-MORROW. Preaching to-morrow morning at Centenary M. E. Church, at 10J&, after which members will be received.

Christian chapel—G.-P. Peale, pastor. Servioes st 11 a. m. and 7:15 p. m. Morning subject, "The King's highway Evening subject, "The Ministry of the Holy Spirit." All are invited especially to the evening service.

First Presbyterian church—Alex. Sterrett, pastor—a young people's meeting will be held this evening in the parlors of the church—every body invited. Public worship to-morrow at 10:80 a. m. Members will be received at tbe close of the service. Sunday school and Bible classes at 2:80 p. m.

PRETTY BAD ON PERDUE. The saloon men are going to punish Perdue for joining the church. In their opinion he has acted outrageously, and tbey propose to make him feel the weight of their displeasure by not buying ice of him—without he sells it a good deal lower than anybody else. No saloon-keeper who has any respect for his business can afford to tolerate an iceman who belongs to tbe church—with-d out he sells ice eheaper than the ungod-*\r ly. The saloonatics are indignant at^ such treachery as has been displayed by" Perdue, and they would just as soon*5 destroy him utterly as not, if therefl wasn't some doubt about the ice of the^ Eugene Ice Company holding out all'# the season. However, they have shown, this week, the exalted spirit that ani-J mates their swelling breasts, by signing^ a paper agreeing to take ice—as long as it holds out and costs no more—of the Eugene Ice Company. The Eugene Ice 1 Company will not go back on them. It4 will not disgrace itself by getting reli-1 gion. At lea8t,they are certain Lou Town send will.not, and he is the man who circulated the agreement and procured the signatures. The Eugene Ice Company is now the saloonatics' ice company, and' Mr. Perdue will have to scratoh for CUS-K tomers the best he can. It's pretty rough on Perdue, just after he has made so largo an investment in ice and religion but then it's what he might have expected and nearly every infidel in?town will say, "served him right." And" the worst part is, that they hold out no hope of receiving him back into favor if he determines to abjure religion. So far as can be seen, they consign him to eternal infamy—so long as he doesn't selL ice lower than the Eugene Ice Company. "f sjgl 'd

CHEAPER OAS.

Tbe question of new gas works and cheaper gas is up again. As the agent of certain waletby parties in the East, C. J. Brackebush is cironlating a petition, for signatures, to be presented to the cityf council at the next meeting, asking for a charter for a new company, and per-'' mission to lay mains in all the streets.^ No money nor any contract from the, city to take gas, is ssked. The company?--simply desires tbe privilege of using the1 streets as the other company does, under proper restrictions. Tbey pledge themselves not to charge more than 92.50 per thousand feet for gas of a superior quality, with ten per cent, off for prompt,« payment. This is «ne dollar per thou»^ and less than tbe present company charges. If granted a charter, they will' begin operations at once, and expect to have a large part of the work completedby the 1st of October. Tbe petition is being extensively signed, as there is no earthly reason why it should not be. If granted and the work is begun, it will afford employment to a large number of men now idle, and save citizens several thousand dollars annually in there* duced cost of gas. The gas is to be made of coal but by an improved process, and is said to be much better for illuminating purposes. The company will be composed of the same parties now erecting works at Indianapolis. In that city they were required to give bond of |100,000 not to "sell out" to the old company. Tbey will not consent te do that here. In fact we see no very good reason why they should be required to doit. Tbey do not ask any pecuniary aid from the city. They use their own money and are ready to undertake the enterprise as any other business enterprise is undertaken. The city will suffer no loss however it may turn out and the work going on will, at least, be a present advantage. The undertaking can hardly meet with opposition enough to hurt it.

ill

wst

THE LONG POINT MURDER. The parties arrested here last week for participation in tbe Long Point villainy were, on Thursday evening, indicted by the grand jury of Cumberland county and will probably have their trial at a special term of the court, in July. Indictments were found against Charles St. Clair, Budd Shewmaker, Billy Carr, Alex, and Sam. Cauthern and Jennie Osgood. No evidence was brought out to implicate Jack Splann in the crime. The evidence against Charles St. Clair and Jennie Osgood is especially strong. One member of the gang—the one who, it is believed, in conjunction with Jennie Osgood, boarded the engine that night—is still at large but the officers say tbey know him well and will soon place him beside his comrades. The prisoners are to be distributed among the different jails in that locality.. They seem somewhat dispirited by the evidence brought out against them, and are not nearly so cheerful as the were a week ago.

'i'.i -fii'r.-V

D. N. FOSTER, formerly of Foster* A Brothers, this city, bears this testimony1/ in his paper the Grand Itapids Post:

No man understands tbe science of. advertising who sdvertises only darings tbe busy season. Along personal expe-d# rience as a large advertiser convinced ns that advertising dene in tbe dullim months told more powerfully on our|d% sales when tho season's trade openedpb than that done after the spring or trade had commenced."