Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 14, Number 20, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 10 November 1883 — Page 1

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE*

Town Talk.

SOLVED AT I.A8T,

It teems that tbe mystery surrounaing tbe murder of tbe woman whose remains were found in Sugar Creek, on tbe sixth of last month, baa been solved at last, and that the perpetrators of the crime will soon be In tbe mesbes of tbe Jaw. Last week in tbe woods near where the body was found Webb Bay lees, a Macksville saloon keeper, succeeded in finding afire insurance policy for two hundred dollars on household furniture, drawn in favor of Susannah Nelson, of Anderson, Indiana. The policy was torn and blood stained, but was not the least worn or defaced by exposure to the weather. It was dated September 6th, 1883, and was to run a year, being signed by Bain and Harris, tbe agents at Anderson. At tbe spot where the documeut was found a stick had been fastened in a stump, and both it is said were covered with human hair. It is a remarkable fact tha't the day following the recovery of the remains every foot of ground within several hundred yards of where the bones were found was thoroughly searched for about six hours by a crowd of from thirty to forty peisons without finding any trace oi this evidence, although a number of scraps of clothing and small pieces of bone were found at greater distance than tbe location named. However, it Is now certain that tbe murdered woman is known, aud it now remains to follow up the work and fasten tbe guilt upon tbe proper person. Following the clue furnished by the insurance policy it was discovered that the Nelson woman resided in Anderson, Madison county, this State, a town of about 4,200 inhabitants, about thirty-live miles northeast o^ Indianapolis, where she kept a house of questionable reputation. At one time she was wealthy, but squandered most of her money. Her relatives are among the best and wealthiest in the county, but from the fact that none of them seemed to kuow that she had left town it is presumed she was not on very Intimate terms with tbeiu. She has. a son residiug in Nobraska, and about the first of last September she concluded to arrange ber worldly affair* and go to him. With this object in view she packed up her furniture and stored it away. On September tSrd she insured her house for $1,200. This policy was put away in her trunk. Tbe second policy was taken out the day she left home, after tbe trunk bad been aeut to tbe depot, which accounts for Its presence on her person. She was also known to have seven hundred dollars in the house, in addition to which she drew three hundred dollars more from the bank, making a total of a thousand dollars. She was traced to Indianapolis, and It was found that her trunk had been taken from the baggage room there, and from that point the course of neither can be definitely traced. It is certain the murder waa committed in this county, and it now remains to follow up the -clews which her murderer left behind him. The trunk cannot be very far away. Its description and con ten ta are kuowu, and ft can surely be found in this locality. If thapfulltv one waa so careless about leaving evidence of his guilt near tbe body there is every reason to believe that be would leave his tracka uncovered in other directions. There is now no doubt that it was a foul murder for money. The deceased waa an old woman sixtynine years of age, and everything connected with the crime goes to show that she waa Induced to come heie in order that she could be murdered for her money. It was a moat unnatural crime, and it ia to be hoped that tbe guilty one will ba pointed out and made to auffer the punishment be so richly deserves. Tbe number of mysterious murders in tfrta vicinity of late leada to the belief that it would be no difficult task to find a jury that would Inflict the heaviest punishment known to tbe law, and no better case for It ooold be found than this one/ l,-A TBI ttltCTIOWSU "The state elections this week have given politicians something to talk about, and they have all been improving their opportunities to the beat of their ability.

It is ft very strange thing, but is, nevertheless, true that both parties seem very well satisfied with the result. The well known form of the newspaper rooster baa pat in a general appearance for both parties. Tbe democrats avow their ability to sweep tbecouutry next year, and republicans are equally as con a dent that success will perch on their banner. -s

In New York, the democrats seem to have a little tbe beat of it on tbe atate ticket, but their opponents have control of tbe legislature. Of course John Kelley comes in for the blame. He doeent care s." tinker's case" who conuols tbe state or nation, so they give him tbe the patronage of New York City. He divides his votes with berth parties when it Is to his in tenet to do so, and no mat

Jos Gilbert

ter wbiflfe.ffe^wlna he is generally In Massachusetts, tbe irlutler has been sat down upttiyJonp^Htoore. and no-tone has any tears to dl&d over it. He tito been a political renegade lo! these tflany years, and no one cares what beefifties of him if tbe people of his state vill 017 hury him deepenoagh to be beyond the power of redirection. While few democrats are to be found mourning over /Butler's defeat, there are still fewer republicans who cars what becomes of Mabone in Virginia. He represents a repudiation party and .once succeeded in carrying his state on that issue. His state and county can now congratulate themselves on bis recent defeat. It was no honor to the admiolatration that Mahone bad its support, and bis defeat will by no manner of means strengthen President Arthur's chances for a nomination. Tbe result in the other statea is not startling. It was looked for, and no one loses sleep over it.

found

Tbe talk of the old ticket—Tilden Acd Hendricks—is steadily gaining ground, and it now looks very much as though bis party is going to give the old man another chance. It is conceded that New York and Indiana will be the battle ground. Tilden is a strong man in tbe former and Hendricks in tbe latter. In fact the followers of each look upon him as being invincible on bis own particular heath. It is true that both men are well up in years, which is Against them somewhat, but tben there is nothing so invigorating as a presidential nomination. Even the prospeet of such a thing bas for some time so invigorated both men that nearly every day tbey are bulletined aa athletes. If there Is any doubt as to their physical condition it would be well for their managers to send tbem around tbe country on a tour of inspection and allow tbe unterrifled to judge for themselves.

The Republicans do not seem to have yet commenced the manufacture of political states. Tbe candidates are taking matters easy. The Arthur boom does not boom as serenely as it did some time ago—In fact It seems to be gently petering out. Blaine stock is coming up again. Tbe gentleman from Maine is a living example of the saying that "it is bard to keep a good man down." He is to-day bgr fa&*4b* strong«at man in bis party, and the* enthusiasm which his nomination would create would extend throughout the length and breadth of tbe land. Those who think Mr. Blaine a dead political duck are mistaken. When the fight commences he will be found on band with all the vigor which has heretofore characterized bis movements, and it is by no means certaiu that he will lose the race.

A Woman's Opinions.

IT#®! WOMEN AS WRITERS. The Indianapolis Herald, in common with every well regulated newspaper, has a lady contributor. In her last week's article, discussing the dress of Boston ladlos, is found the following sentence: "But if the abnormal specimens of 'fit attire,' as seen upon tbe average Boston women when she takes ber walks abroad by aliena, is regarded aa a consolation by bar and by tboae of her species, it must be recorded in the interest of true intellectuality that the sight is not so comforting to lookers-on whose standard of the ootnbination of the beautiful and the true la more advanced." If this writer demanda a salary in proportion to the length and clearness of her sentences we may look fot the Herald to go into bankruptcy.

There ia no avocation in which women are treated with so much courtesy and so much consideration a* in literature. Until recently we bad no meana of knowing the opinions and ideas of women upon current events for many years the world had only men's views of the social questions of the day and when women began to express themselves it had all tbe charm of novelty. People are curious to know what women think and what ability they have to write these thoughts. Tbey will read an article juat because a woman wrote it, and for the same reason, tbey will excuse faulty composition and even poverty of Ideas. The very fact that it Is written by one of that sex which has always been distinguished for talking but not for writing givea it au interest and insures readers. Women, for tbe moat part, are apt to adopt a lighter, simpler atyle than men and thia aults the majority who read.

The proportion of women will always be amaller than the proportion of men who write well, because of the immense disadvantages under which the\ labor. It la almost an impossibility for omen to write upon politics, that moot prolific lbem&, on account of the difficulty tbey would have in collecting facta. One who writes intelligently upon tbe political situation most mingle with different class as of people, attend caoeuuw, ireqneot hotel offices. Interview prominent men, nop into the saloon*, be in all places where IK discussed. This a woman csnr.rt In writing letters of travel she is greatly hampered. There

1750 1115

are many localities she is not permitted to visit, she is subjected to constant watching and suspicion, she must be ever on ber guard not to transgress the proprieties and her researches end .at night-fall unless she can procure a male escort. At every turn she is handicapped by her sex and it ia in appreciation of these disadvantages that a generous public applauds these ambitioi^s writers aud icrioa, "encore."

WOMEN AS DRIVERS.

To descend to tbe very commonplace, will women ever learn to drive? One of tbe London papers in some very caustic remarks on this subject declares that "women seldom have any strength and never have any discretion," and the New York Sun replies that at the eastern watering places where ladies drive dogcarts, tifburys and everything but four-in-hands, Occidents are very rare. It would be impossible to decide this question, but every woman who is obliged to walk can tell you that it is policy to get out of the road when a sister woman holds the reins. Whether it Is accidental

or

or

HAUTE, INT)., SATURDAY EVENING. NOVEMBER 10. 1883.

because she can not take

her eyes off of the horse or simply because she doesn't care, tbe fact remaius that if you do not look out for yourself, madam will run over you.

Tbe lady who drives is often laughably self-conscious. Fullyawareof ber inability to properly hold the reins or manage the horse she fancies other people do not observe it. She puts her trust in the gentleness of ber horse and depends upon the gallantry of those she meets not to run into her wheels. If tbe day is fine, tbe buggy new and ber hat becoming she bids farewell to every fear and makes a bee line for Main street..

THE THEATRE^

Almost daily we read in the different papers that we must have a better class of plays at the Opera House, that tbe public demands It, that the people protest against the sensational stuff we have had this fall, and that lessees and managers must make a change or the theatrical season will be a failure. To fully appreciate the sentiment of the dear people one must go and see for himself. Night after night these worthless plays draw crowded houses while tbe "legitimate drama," unless made attractive by some distinguished star, is not much mora than a private rehearsal. First class plays are very much like the higher order of music and literature, people must be educated to an appreciation of their merits. Classic music can never have tbe hold upon the public that is obtained by a tender ballad

some simple

melody that everybody can comprehend. Tbe best class of literature can never be the most popular because only tbe most cultivated minds can understand its beauty. It is utterly impossible for one who has not had an elocutionary training to recognize the fine and delicate touches of tbe best elocutionists. Only tbe most skilled in mechanics can fully comprehend tbe perfection of modern machinery. It needs a competent lawyer to thoroughly appreciate a learned legal argument, and a skillful surgeon to understand the merits of a difficult surgical operation. It not only requires great study to obtain eminence in any department but it also requires a certain amount of knowledge in other people to recognise true ability.

A very few persons go to the theater for an intellectual feast, to hear great sentiments grandly expressed. For those who do we have occaaionally a play from Shakspeare, interpreted by a Booth, a McCullough or a Modjeska. The majority of tbe people go to pass the time, to be amused, to escape, for a few hours, vhe worry and vexation of life. For these we have tbe light, sensational farcea that seem so well to answer this purpose. These two kinds of plays are fairly proportioned to tbe two kinda of people that go to hear them. The reason tht're seems to be dissatisfaction la hecause only the lovers of the better class of the drama express themselves in tbe papers. The rest or the theater-goers, after the manner of people who are sstiafied, keep still.

If one should attempt to judge of tbe character of an audience by the applause he wonld be potsled. When tbe heroine makes a tragic speech in regard to the beauty of virtue, they applaud vociferously when the villain Informs hia mlstrasa be ia tired of ber and wants another and knocks her down, virtue takes aback seat and the applause grows louder than ever and when a anub-noaed, variety sotress gives ber skirts a whirl and winks one eye at the gallery, it brings tbe tbe boose down. Die more absurd and improbable tbe performance the better lt"takee." A suggestion of a dog dance and a meauingleaB song la mom favorbly received than tbe finest pa swags Shakespeare ever wrote. Tom-boy beroinea are the demand and noble and refined womanhood hi out of date. Tbe old and senaelesa "gag" of slapping a piece of dough in somebody's fiace still retains Us bold upon tbe public. Plenty of flesh and very few clothes make up for a lack of dramatic talent, and a word or an action bordering upon lodecency frfves tiavor and piquancy to the play.

Each season tbe plays grow a little worse. It seems somewhat saperfluou-*

suppress obscene literature when the bast theaters in the country are coming down to tbe level of tbe variety show and the beer garden concerts. Which is the worse, to read an immoral work, or to see it portrayed upon the stage by lifing characters [t is only when cultivated and intellint men and women cease to patronize tbi present lew grade of plays that we mAy hope for Improvement. Tbe lessees of theater must be expected to look to their own interests. Tbey will send out on£be road whateveirbrings in tbe most mofiey, but they cannot afford, even for

mqfeey,

to lose tbe respectable portion of

tbdlr audience and have tbem replaced by roughs and low characters. When our best people show their disapprobation by a systematic absence, then, and not before, we may expect a higher standard of dramatic entertainments.

IHA A. HARPER.

WOMEN'S WA YS.

The Boston girls are going wild over tbe banjo. ,, Mrs. Langtry, it is said, has left her husband for gotod. She says, however, that she will support him awhile longer.

Tbe life of a society belle is said to be one of excessive hard worK, and yet tbe 9upply of women willlug to immolate themselves in that way continues inexhaustible.

Just now it Is said to be a craze among the fashionable ladies of New York society to own valuable cows, payfrng for them sums varying from 16,000 to $ 15,000. Tbey affect a glass of milk night and morning, which is quite as expensive as the masculine cocktail at that rats of investment.

A Boston paper says: If there are idlers in Boston they are not women. The occupations open to women there include everything there is, from tbe arts and professions to the industries, lu stores, shops, libraries, restaurants and offices you arc served by women. In the city postofflce the registry of letters is superintended by a woman, with women aasistants. In the Athenaeum, and public library women almost exclusively attend. In the boat restaurants me^ serve as waiters, while a daintily dressed woman sits behind tbe desk with cases of cot flewers

and

attends to the

cash accounts. It used to be considered a little prououncod for a lady without escort to go to tbe ladies' restaurant at tbe Parker House, but now the presence of a refined and dainty woman at the cashier's desk baa quite done away with that feeling.

LITTLE SERMONS.

Roguery is tbe last of trades. Every fox praiaea bisown tall. A debt is adorned by payment. A good beginning is half the work. AQ eld friend is better than two new ones*

1

Every little frog is great in his own bog. Trust in God, but do not stumbl? yourself.

Money is not God, but it shows great mercy. Be praised not for your ancestors, but for your virtues.

Never take a crooked path while you can see a straight one. Fear not the threata of the great, but rather tbe tears of the poor.

The bad man may think he is having a good time, but he la aimply peppering hia food with snuff and must by and by eat it.

When a man spends hia time in making too long prayers he generally exhausts himself so completely that he oan teven he honest after it.

Life la like a tree. When you climb to the top yon must keep a fast hold on every limb, but when you want to drop you have nothing to do but to let go and nature will see to tbe rest.

People build house by patting all the carved freestone and costly embellishments on tbe front and all the cheap brick at tbe hack. Some characters are are built in the same way precisely.

THE Mail can be bad In this city from any one of some 800 news boys who deliver it at houses each Saturday afternoon at five osnta a week or, it will be ssnt through the postofflce by tbe letter carriers at 9240 a year—60 cents for three months. Send your order to The Mail office, or bail a newsboy.

BOYS WAXTZD!

Tbe Mail ia delivered to dty subscribers almost exdusively by newsboy*. Tbey number about Three Hundred, bat there Is room for mors. Any wideawake boy ma, by going to all the booses in bis neighborhood, get a number of subecribera to start with. The Mail is sold to boys for 2)f cents, and tbey sail it for 6 cents. Many boy* are now etraiog 25 cents to $1X30 and more, la an boor twoon each Saturday afternoon. See announcement in another place of cash pmnfotm to newsboys, to be given on tbe Sstsnr&ay following

Sum Year's Day.

FORTY YEARS AGO.

Retrospective View of Matters as they then Existed.

PROGRESS SINCE THAT TIME.

How Ladies and Gents Dressed—PolitiesAmusements—Travel—Customs.

Forty years ago the flint and steel were used in many a farmer's household for kindling the fires. Matches, not so plentiful as now, were called "locofocos,'1 a name also for a time applied to tbe Democratic party.

Tbe spinning-wheel hummed and buzzed in many houses. Farmers raised flax and hemp and wore their own "home-spun'' and home-dyed.

Gentlemen wore ruffled bosoms, "stocks" in place of cravats and high shirt colors. False bosoms, termed dickeys" tied on with strings, served such as would make a pretence of wearing a shirt.

The "stock" was a collar of steel encircling the* neck, covered with silk or satin and having a permanent bow in front.

Shoemakers in the country made everybody's shoes and never kept their word. The village tailor sewed baggy trousers and black coats, generous in creases, and our fathers wore them with contented and placidminds. A suit of clothes a year was tbe average limit.

Pantaloons were strapped under the boots buttoning pantaloon straps was a bird and irksome and unclean business.

Pantaloous and boots were frequently, when worn with straps, taken off and put on together to save time and trouble. The boots were "Wellingtons." The gaiter was little worn.

Long, heavy cloaks, reaching quite to the heels, were worn by our elders. Such a cloak lasted almost a lifetime. Jesse Lee, the tailor, Is, we believe, tbe only person still wearing one In this dty.

No male attire was perfect without a big "fob chain" and seal dangling from the waist-baud. Gold watches were scarce. Silver watches were large in-di-meosious. The vulgar called them ^turnips." They wete wound up with a key, which was always getting lost, and In the winding the machinery was noisy.

Some of tbe styles and changes in cut and fashion wereeven more marked than those of to-day. At one time gentlemen, wore a summer garment called a "blouse," though very unlike that of the French woikman. It was of linen, reaching to the knee, belted at tbe waist, buttoning in front from tbe skirt to the bosom, and pleated above and Usiow tue belt. It resembled tbe old-time Ameri can hunting-shirt, and was a very comfortable and becoming garment. At another period men wore white duck-linen jackets, much shorter than the present sackcoat.

Gentlemen put tbei'r feet in pumps, or low slippers, at balls and dandng parties. Dandng then in shoes or gaiters would have been deemed as great a lack of propriety as would be going to an evening party now in a pair of rubber boots.

Tbe ballrooms were illuminated by candles stuck in sockets on the walls, Or, if more pretentious, in a chandelier suspended from the celling. Thenandles would drip, and the ladies' and gentlemen's apparel frequently testified to that fact. "Round dances" were barely tolerated—waltsdng was scandalous.

Some of tbe "steps" peculiar to that period required no small degree oi agil Ity ou the part of the gentlemen. The "pigeon wings" aud the "double shuffle" lifted a man quite off tbe floor and wonld startle a modern ballroom. Tbe ladies lifted their skirts so as not to in terfere with their freedom of pedal locomotion and were not averse to tbe display of well-turned ankles. Striped and colored hosiery were unknown.

Custom had not then sanctioned femi nine skating. A girl on skates in 1848 would have been a phenomenon. So would also have been a feminine swimmer.

Vegetables were far leas in variety than now. Tomatoes were regarded with suspidon. Tbey were called "love apples," cultivated as a garden ornament and aospected of poisonous tendencies. Canned fruits and vegetables were generally unknown.

Children were more respectful to their elders. Boys were required to bow and giria to "courtesy" in entering and leaving tbe schoolroom. "Boys ssid "sir" wben addressed by a grown person, a juvenile habit now generally dispensed with and swept aw&y by the march of progress.

Party spirit wis never more bitterly demonstrative than to-day. Sworn foes existed in every village, who bad not spoken to each other for years on account of political differences. Men cried like children because Henry Clay was not elected President Tbe old aristocratic who lad held office since the time of Washington and who deemed Federal office theirs by a sort of divine

Fourteenth Year

right, held firmly to their hatred of Andrew Jackson until relieved by death, of their capacity for hating. A Congressman thep l^ad a standing in the community which, in many cases, might now be envied.

The bottle of the period 'feas a very thick, very heavy, very dumsy, very, dark green and almost black "junk bottle*" That, too, has gone out of existence with the "old soldier of the revo-' lutionary war" and warming-pans. The, common lantern of the time was of tin, pierced with many

holes

somewhatafter

the fashion of tbe nutmeg-grater, through which the light rom a oandl© end glimmered and was often blown out by the strongest blast.

A man returned to the East from Illinois, then one vast prairie, was deemed an adventurer and explorer. 'One who had sebn London aud Paris was a man of note In the community.

On the schoolboy's map of that period the "Indian Territory" covcred a great area, now occupied^by prosperous States. California was known only In cottnec-' tiou with bides and tallow. Westoi thQ, Rocky mountains, all save a small area of Oregon, was wild, vague and misty, and consequently mysterious and fascinating.

1

,-t

Straw brooms were made "round" and "flat." The round broom, for floor sweeping, is obsolete. Tho country wife's favorite duster for cupboards and corners difficult of access was the wing 5 of a wild goose.

Woiden clocks were universal. ''Brass clocks" were considered as "something extra," and sun-dials were occasionally seen.

Old people called auctions "vendues."1 Children were whipped on their birthdays—a custom of unexplained origin.

A woman or girl under the pressute' of familiar rebuke was often called "a good-for-nothing trollope." This was due to Mrs. Trollope's book criticising so. severely and justly tbe raw American manners and customs of that time. Our., fathers swallowed criticism with a very* wry face, especially when its origin was English.

All meu in ttoese days chewed fine-cut tobacco. Tbe spittoon was found even iu the family pew. Cigarettes were unknown. The richer and older families kept sideboards in the dining rooms well stockod with liquors. Tbe parson, making a parochial call, was still open to a cheering glass of spirits. A big jug of New England rum always accompanied a "house-raising." The whole village would turn out to help. Red-nosed deacons were not uncommon. Prosperous merchants sometimes walked unsteadily home about five or six o'clock lu the evening. Such a gait and Its inference was not then laid up against A Hid..' ».• now.

Spitz dogs, English pugs and Skye terriers were .unknown so was lager beer. f,

A divorced woman was a sodal pariah and a curiosity. Horticulture was confined to pinks, roses, sweet william, marigolds, sunflowers, lilac and holly ho k.

Unpainted houses were plentiful otherwise the color was a glaring white, "picked out" with green blinds. Shades of color in house painting bad not ap? peared.

The pump waa of wood, long-handled, blg-spouted, wheezy, and often out of order.

The more pretentious architecture of the time ran largely to Greuuun pillars and porticoes of wood.

At tbe theater the entertainment commenced with a farce, was sometimes sandwiched with a pas seul by a danseuse, and did not terminate before midnight.

The coarseness of the farce and also tbe play wonld not be tolerated by the respectable audience of to-day as it waa tben. Tbe "gags'? was sometimes vulgar and indecent.

Church members were never supposed to enter the theatre. From the moral standpoint, it was dangerous from tbe religious, a "dark and bloody ground." Barnum, tbe ahowman, at last made matters easier by inventing the temperance drama and calling hia theater a "lecture-room.** Good people, ministers and deacons went to see this play and sugar-coated their consciences by the thought tbst they were learning "a great moral lesson," though had tbe same lesson been preached from the "lecture-room" stage instead of played on It, tbey wonld have paid no money to hear.

OUR BOOK TABLE.

"Tbe Cottage Kitchen,1" is tbe title of a valuable collection of practical and inexpensive receipts—a volume of the "Common Sense it* the Household Series," by Marion Harland, published by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, and sold here by E. L. Godeckc, st tbe Opera House Bookstore. Besides the receipt* it has familiar talks on various housebold topics, snd is altogether worth much more than tbe price asked for tbe book—one dollar.

THE Apollo Band announces its first bal^at Oriental Halt next Monday even* Ing.