Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 19, Number 30, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 19 January 1889 — Page 1

mm

Vol. 19.—No.

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

DEAD.

DIED—On Thursday, January 47th, J'brkv 8. Wkktfai,t,aged &< yearn.

1888,

There is never a time when words seem so weak to express the feelings of the heart as when one is called to the unpleasant

task

of recording the death of so

honorable a man, so devoted and loving a son, husband and fath&r, so good and true a friend, as Perry S. Westfall. The pen is to feeble too follow the thoughts which come trooping to the mind—memories of the good actions and kind words of a life trul}' well spent.

Born in Parke oounty, December 18, 1834, Mr. Westfall had been since 1841 a resident of Terre Haute, had witnessed Its transition from village to town and then to city, and had grown to be one of its foremost citizens, and a self-made man in every respect. Since coming into man's estate he had been prominently identified with its best interests. For more than thirty years bo was connected with the newspaper business in Terre Haute, and in every branch of it his efforts were for the advancement of her interests, moral and business. Terre Haute, the home of his boyhood, youth and manhood, the scene of his eajly struggles and final success, loses a citizen most honored and respected—his familiar form will be sadly missed, alike by young and old.

His newspaper career practically began 111 1857, when he became foreman of the Daily Express composing room, Col. R. N. Hudson being at that time editor and proprietor. Gen. Charles Cruft subsequently came into possession of the establishment, and when in 18(1, Mr. Westfall succeeded J. N. Silverthorn as its business managor, the paper entered upon an era of prosperity it bad never before enjoyed. Terre Haute was then a city of no inconsiderable size, and the man connected with a daily newspaper, who, at one and the same time was business manager, local editor, book-keeper and advertising solicitor, and, in addition, iraiutained a

partial

supervision of

the mechanical department, had too much on his hands for one man. In the light of lator events one can plainly understand the peculiar feolings which came over him in late years—hard to explain, and still more difficult to trace. Untiring devotion to the interests of his employer—this, in itself, an index to the character of the man—and the labors consequent thereto laid the foundation for the illness which seizod him in its fatal grasp long before iue had attained his allotted three score years and ten.

For noarly seventeon years he had been editor of the Saturday Evening Mail, (which he purchased of Major O.J.Smith in 1872), the history of that enterprise being as household words in Terre Haute. The Mall was tho original of the class of Saturday papers now so popular, and his suocens with the "father" paper led to the establishment of similar enterprises elsewhere. It is notable that the most successful of all those papers, the Saturday Call, of Peoria, was founded by men who, in a sense, had served an apprenticeship under Mr. Westfall. Apart from bis homo and family The Mail was the prido of his life. Indeed, it seemed almost a member of the family, a child he had nurtured and reared, in whose unvarying prosperity he delighted. It was never out of his mind, and when absent from tho city, endeavoring to secure much needed rest, ho maintained a supervision of the paper—as if feeling that he had left one behind that needed his kindly care.

So

associated

stroug was hts

"ruling passion" that the last rational act of his life before unconsciousness came upon him, was to advise his elder stin,

with him in its manage­

ment, not to dispose of the paper. It was during his ownership of The Mail that the newsboys became such an important factor «n its circulation, and many a newsboy-—now grown to man hood—will recall his first modest business venture, when he became interested with the editor of The Mail in enlarging the prosperity of that paper. The aunual Thanksgiving dinner to The Mail newsboys was long a feature of that pleasant dav. The feasts which his, bounty spread for "the boys" were greatly enjoyed, and by none more than hiuisetf, and many a little fellow went awav with the inward wish thai his lot might always be cast in pleasant placc* "where all men were aa good aa Mr. Westfall." Nowhere will there be more genuine regret at tote death thau among the army of little one*, who every Saturday -will mlsa the pleasant smile and kindlv word with which he greeted them—his "junior partner*," as he aptly expressed It,

Outside of his family his greatest

4 ». vu r-v

pleasure was in the theater, and the performance at the opera house without bis presence was rare. Indeed, the night he was seized with the paralytic stioke which caused his death, he stopped at the opera house a short time after finishing his work at the office, and it seems a merciful act of Providence that he was permitted to reach home before the terrible visitation came, but a few moments later. Few of those who knew of the great enjoyment he derived from the theater-going, were aware that it was the outgrowth of a natural taste for the stage, or that he had once been a prominent member of a local musical and dramatic organization. Years ago when the "Haymakers" was a wellknown and popular opera, he sang one of the leading parts with a company that gavo a delightful rendition of it in this and surrounding towns. Among the members of the company were Mrs. Anna Lange Gould, Mrs. George E. Farrington, Mrs. Fanny Ryce, Miss Sattie Early, and "Messrs. W. H. Paige and Edward Moore. Quiet and unobtrusive in such affairs, as in business life, he was always willing to help, and it is said of him that many of the entertainments of the earlier days were made successful by his shrewd business management, notably a benefit to the Sanitary Commission during the progress of the war. Mr. Westfall was a long time connected with the choir of the Congregational church, of which he had been for many years a faithful and consistent member.

Honorable and upright in his dealings with the world, respected by all men, it was in the home circle that his merits were displayed to the greatest advantage. Thoughtful, kind and generous, his devotion to his family was such as to make him a model among men. Aroujid his hearthstone were gathered those he held dear, and his devotion to them was equalled only by their faith and trust In him. To the stricken wife and children must come, in this desolation, the thought that it is given to few men to pass away as has he, possessed of the good will of all men, leaving behind a character in which there is so much to emulate, so little to condemn. To the aged mother his death is peculiarly a crushing blow. The sole tie which bound her to earth is severed—the loss of "her boy" inflicts a wound on the mother heart, for which even Time, the universal healer, can furnish no relief.

Unconscious and without suffering his life went out peacefully and calmly, and he has sought "that rest which remaineth for the people of God."

Dust to its narrow house beneath, Soul to Jts place on high, They that have seen thy look in death

No.moro may fear to die."

*$•

A. C. D.

Notes and Comment.

It could be truthfully said this week that the streets were "in the soup."

The river has risen because of the recent rains and the boats are now running between here and points South.

The moon looked as if it had gone through a political campaign on Wednes day night. It had a bandanna over one eye in the shape of an eclipse.

Mrs. Potter is said to have "scandalized" New York by her lavish display of charms In Cleopatra. She will doubtless have full houses from now on.

It is noted that while there were 2,184 murders committed in 1888 only 87 of the murderers were executed. Can it be doubted that criminals are given the benefit of the doubt?

Senator Stanford is reported to have given a dinner recently at which hothouse strawberries were served which cost $3 a dozen. Thus does California forge to the front as the great state for prod ci ng legislators.

President-elect Harrison arrivod in the city this morning from Indianapolis arriving in President McKeen's private car ht 10 o'clock. Ho was mot at the depot by Mr. McKeen and Col. Thompson, and the party were driven to the residence of Mr. McKeen.

Young Jfrn Blaine has now set himself to learning a trade. He hks undertaken to do several things. He tried journalism and brokerage but did not stay at either very long. If he keeps on advertising himself at this rate he may some day aspire to an entrance upon the

Successful authorship nowadays means greater financial reward than before in the history of letters. There are many writers who have a generous income from their pens and there are a few whose rewards are princely. Among the latter Frances Hodgson Burnett stands at the head. Her income is now said to be 960,000 a year, about half of which oomes from royalties of the dramatization of "Little Lord Fontleroy" and the other half from the sale of her

books and new work, for which she has more demands than she can fill. Great! as was George Eliot and her fame, liter"| ature never rewarded her so magnificent"# ly, although shej^rned mofmous sums by her pen. I

Gen. Le\v -W&Tlacesays he doesn't^ want a cabinet position. He is building^1that him a house in Indianapolis and wi stick to literature. That will leave roons for some others of the boys who dpn'fc want to stick to literature.

The press of Indiana is for progress and reform. Almost unanimously and without distinction of party it demands a better eloction law, cheaper school books and advanced temperance legislation. Indiana is a good State bflt if we had all these things it would be a jtill better one. ______

It is stated that General Harrison has received so many presents that his residence is filled to overflowing. Inasmuch as a large quantity of cabinet timber Ju»' been presented to him inquiry maybe made if it will not require an addition in which to store it prior to the selections being made.

Buffalo Bill, Broncho Bill and others with wild Western cognomens have bipn powerful while they held their sw4ys but the most daring feat has been, Accomplished by the Oklahoma Bill which has stood in the doorway of the National legislature and refused to permit bffsl ness to proceed. fa

Our navy, which has been the. the world, can boast of the fastest vewef afloat. The new dynamite Jfel^er Vesuvious has been found to .p% the swiftest steamship ever construdted. With the incoming administraticrnyWe may expect protection at hom§tys t^ell as on the high seas. .V..

The press of the State is still er gafed in cabinet making for the Presidentelect. The great perplexing questions mains, whether or not Indiana will

khe

represented. Friends of A. G. JPotler are urging his claims rather, strongly, but it is not likely that he will be narnj&d. Indiana has the President. Isn'fi this sufficient honor for a single ad ml titration without representation in theijpibinet?

A Crawfordsville editor has- be^ tlned $36 in mayor's court for ptibl lAHTrj&att? advertisement of the Louisiana"lottery, and other cases are to be filed against him, it is said. The Athens of Indiana seems to have a mania for investment in lottery tickets equalled only by this city. It is reliably stated that from $500 to $1,000 is monthly spent in this city in this manner, without any returns to speak of. ______

Judge Woods, of Indianapolis, delivered a charge to the Federal grand jury on Wednesday which places a final construction upon the Dudley case. The instructions were to the effect that it was necessary to show actual fraud before Dudley can be indicted. There is no evidence that the letter was sent to Indiana and the simple writing of the letter, if it was written by Dudley, does not constitute an indictable offense. The charge to the jury will end the Dudley matter.

There is still hope for the South in the matter of suppressing lynching bees. Recently, a negro departed this life at the hands of a mob and at the end of a rope. The ghost of the departed haunts the lynchers and they are subjected to so great torment that they are leaving the neighborhood of the hanging. If public sentiment will not stop such outrages against law and society, it is to be hoped the supernatural will accomplish what a decent regard for jushas failed to perform.

It'8 a snide legislature that doesn't tackle the trust legislation this winter. Nearly every embryo statesman since his eleotion has had some sort of a bill soaking in his intellect of magnificent comprehension. Dreams of greatnes have been built upon a forensic effort upon the subject. Since every legislature is to be afflicted with this legislation and the projectors of the measures have a common causc, why would not a combine be of advantage to all of them—a trust of trust legislation, as it were?

Tho question of supplying text books to tho pupils of the public schools at less cost than is now required, is attracting the wide attention that its importance warran ts. Every parent who has several children in the different grades of the public schools, can testify to the very considerable expense that is involved in keeping them supplied with books and stationery. To the rich it may be a matter of small importance, bnt not so with the poor, among whom the families are usually largest and the school books tax the heaviest. Something ought to be done to lessen this expense but just how to accomplish it is not easy to determine. It has been suggested that the State go into the publishing business on Its own account and furnish school books at cost. Whether this plan would work well or not could only be decided by experiment. It seems tolerably certain at any rate that the books are coating too much now, and some plan should be devised for cheapening them. It Is a good thing to pound away at until we get it.

News and Interviews.

.Councilman Storz and City Attorney D. N. Taylor have been circulating a subscriDtion paper for the purpose of relieving the nail works from taxation for ha period of three years. It was found the couucil eould not legally remit the taxes and while there would probably not have been any objection to the action, it was considered best to raise the money by subscription. The nail works has been and will be of great benefit to the city and those who realize this are willing to assist in keeping the works here. A gentleman who was instrumental in procuring the option for the home capitalists stated that the option expired inDecember and that it was not renewed. There is no prospect now of the nail mill being sold to home capitalists. All negotiations have been suspended. In the event foreign capitalists should conclude to purchase the plant the donation of the amount of taxes for a number of years would be quite an inducement. There need be no alarm that the plant will be removed, yet it would be much more encouraging if there was some prospect of the works resuming operations. The plant is among the largest of its kind in the entire country.-

A paragraph has been going the rounds that the Naylor opera house was to be fitted up with proscenium boxes for next season. Mr. Naylor when asked concerning the truth of the statement, replied that it had not yet been determined on. Much of the improvements will depend upon the present season. The boxes could be put in without much inconyenience and would no doubt be a great improvement, besides adding to the interior of the theatre. In speaking of this year's business Mr. Naylor„said it was less thus for than the season of '87'88. He attributes the falling off in the early part of the season to the influence of the campaign.

The Murphys continued their excellent work in the cause of temperance this week. Notwithstanding the rainy weather on Sunday the opera* house was crowded with men from the parquet to the gallery. In his address Mr. Murphy displayed his excellent powers. One is impressed with his earnstness, and as he iu!3 of tiro wretchedricfts brought about by drink, pictured its suffering, many stout men whose eyes are almost unknown to tears, were visibly affected as their emotion was swayed. Handkerchiefs could be seen in every part of the theatre wiping away the tears. Father and son devoted their time week day nights to lecturing at the Congregational and Baptist churches. Day meetings were also held at various manufacturing establishments in the city. Crowds attended all their meetings and hundreds signed the pledge. The meetings have been of incalculable benefit. Many lives have been reformed while perhaps some have only signed the pledge to violate it after a short period of sobriety. Many persons are seen wearing the blue ribbon who for years have been addicted to drink. One gentleman who, mistaking one of the Murphys, invited him to take a drink, is now wearing the blue. He promised to attend the meetings and he was convinced of his harmful indulgence in liquor. Of those who have signed the pledge a number have been engaged in assisting in the cause, by encouraging their friends to take the pledge. The awakening has been one that has been needed in Terre Haute for a long time. The Murphys by their friendliness, their sincerity and manliness have won admirers from among those who are engaged in the liquor traffic. Their work will be lasting and the good they have accomplished will remain long after thehy ave departed for work in other fields, and no doubt many a man will be thankful in time to come for having been brought under the influences of their teachings. A longer (his in this city would be desirable and beneficial, and it is hoped that at some future time the Murphys may again visit this city.

Some amusing incidents occured during the meetings, yet were founded on good principle. One who proved to be among tho most energetic workers was atoue of the meetings under the influence of liquor. He was .induced to sign the pledge. Returning to the rear of the church with a blue ribbon, he placed his arm around the neck of a companion who was also addicted to drink, and attempted to persuade him to follow the example that bad been set. In speaking of such cases, Mr. Murphy remarked that it had been his experience that men who signed the pledge when the effects of drink were noticeable, come to their sober senses with a determination to keep the pledge Inviolate,

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Superintendent Joseph Elder, of the street car company, returned from Lafayette where he went to inspect the electric street railway, with a few eyeopeners on the subject. He found the electric system all that could be desired. The line, however, is badly managed. The cars are old and through the cracks the floor could be seen the motors in operation. The can are provided with stoves and a pine box half filled with

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TERRE HAUTE, IND, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 19M889. Nineteenth Yeat

sawdust and the other half with tobacco juice. Mr. Elder said he thought the line in this city was not the best but when he saw the Lafayette and other lines he was better satisfied with the service in this city. When asked if the electric system will be adopted by the company in this city, Mr. Elder replied it would be safe to say that an electric line will be in operation from the Union depot to Collett Park by the first of next May. Figures have been based upon the equipment of 15 cars with motors. This with the expense of putting in the plaut, constructing the lines, etc., would cost the company 960,000, It is figured that for every car equipped the expense attached will amount to 94,000. President Hudnut and the superintendent figured the relative cost of maintenance of horse car and electric lines in this city. It was estimated that the latter could be operated for 65 per cent of the present cost of operation. The company has one hundred horses and mules. Help at the stable amounts to about 960 a week, forage to nearly 96,000 per year, shoeing and iron work over 91,000, besides the expense of harness and incidentals. In speaking of the proposed electric line, the superintendent said the intention was to use horse cars as well as the electric. In the electric system one car with amotor will draw two or more cars,which would be of service in hauling the crowds to and from the parks. The next line to be equipped after the CollettPark would be the Main and south Third street, but for the present an outlay of 960,000 will probably be all the company will be will be willing to make. There are only six cars in operation at Lafayette, yet it seems to require a president, a Secretary, and a superintendent to operate the line. Mr. Elder is the only one who directs the operations of the lines here, with the assistance of a young man whose duly it is to draw the fare boxes in the evening and count the receipts of the day.

The derrick is in position aud everything in readiness for drilling at the oil well except the boiler of the engine which is being repaired. Progress, when drilling is started, will be rapid. There seems to be but little doubt but that oil will be found. The new well will be drilled in the rear of the Phoenix foundry, about two blocks distant from the site of the old well which was near the Tuller warehouse at Canal and Main streets. A gentleman who took great interest in the old well informed the writer that when oil was struck it flowed from 3 to 4 barrels per day. The oil poured out of a three inch pipe for a short time each day and would cease for 24 hours. In the meantime pumping was resorted to and larger quantities were obtained. A, large tank was constructed and into it the oil was pumped before being put in barrels. At one time, said the informant thero were 500 to 800 barrels of oil at the well. The oil was not very valuable at that early day and the well was abandoned. The oil was not like crude petroleum as many people suppose. It nature was much like lubricating oil and in fact it was used for oiling cars on one of the railroads at that time. It was a greenish brown color and was heaYy. If a large flow of the oil is obtained thete may be great possibilities for Terre Haute. If it can be used as fuel it may supersede in a measure coal and inasmuch as we are not to have natural gas, the oil may prove the next best thing to tliei city's advantage. It will not require much time to determine in what quantity the oil exists. In the meantime there are many who have great expectations.

Chicago weather is not an unmixed blessing by any means but there is one good thing it may accomplish, viz: the expulsion of "lights" from the stage. Miss Lillian Russell, the comic opera singer, declares that she caught cold from wearing tights in Chicago and wfll not wear them any more. Several other stage women make the same complaint of having taken cold from wearing scant attire on the nether extremeties in Chicago and threaten to discard stage tights altogether. And indeed why should they not? Has not the vulgarity of apparently nude limbs about had its day? It is high time for a change and if the damp, penetrating atmosphere of the windy city shall bring about this reform we shall feel like scoring one for the big city by the lake.

Not a winter passes that the preachers do not take a tilt at dancing. They are at it now in Rockford, 111., where the ladies are getting up a grand charity ball and the ministers have attacked the thing so^viciously that it promises to be an unparallel success. The feeling is so strong over the matter that some people who never dance at all have sent in five or ten dollars eajh to show their approval of the action of the ladies. It is an open question—a very open one in faet..

Mr. Blaine is being made a real live social lion of in Washington. Can it be that this was part of an adroit plan for forcing his way into the cabinet? If everybody thinks be is the greatest of living Republicans, as shown by the honors done him, how can he be ignored in the make-up of the President's politleal household We shall see*

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A Woman's Chat.

BY BKRRXDA BLOUNT.

All women must be interested in what Gov. Ames of Massachusetts has recent ly said in favor of woman suffrage that women should be given the ballot as a simple act of justice. That is just where theJJGovernor is right. "As an act of justice." That is it. A women is, to all intents and purposes, a citizen. Give her the rights of citizenship. Let her do all things that men do, if she chooses. A womanly woman will not want to do anything she should not. But I say anyhow, that if they want to swear and jostle at the polls and sell their votes and chew tobacco like the men do, let them. If they want to get drunk to "celebrate," haven't they the same right as a man? If they choose to condescend to every sort of political intrigue and chicanery, shouldn't they be as privileged to do so as their brothers? This sentimental stuff about the purity of woman and the "preservation of her illusions" makes me very tired. There is the same need for purity among the men. A woman does not owe to heaven and humanity one whit more nor less than a man does. If politics area bad thing for women, they are bad for men. If women are to be contaminated by going to the polls, what about going to church, to balls, to theaters, traveling in the cars, wralklng in the streets? The men are in all of there places.

I think women are needed in the political arena. All of the vices for which laws are made are men's vices. They will never make suitable laws for their suppression without the help of women.

And let us have done with the talk of that sort which declares a woman to need goodness more than a man does. Let us have men and women who stand on a level in morals as well as in politics.

I am inclined to differ with Ella Wheeler Wilcox about' the benefits of marriage to a woman. I think it is the man who derives the most. It is the woman who has the discomforts which aro often so mauy as to overbalance the benefits altogether.

The man makes the money and is done, the woman perforins all drudgery, bears the children, darns the stockings, cries for every ailment of the household, suffers untold misery with incompetent servants, keeps the domestic machine running in good order at the expense of her own mental and physical health and life. After supper, tho husband retreats, to a cosy corner, smokes bis cigar and reads the evening paper while he toasts his tons. The wife has to wash the dishes, put the children to bed, mix hor bread for morning, sprinkle the clothes and get the kitchen fire ready for lighting. All of this after a day's work twice as trying to her strength as her husband's has been.

Then Bhe is so tired when she does sit down for a half hour before bedtime, that she almost falls asleep. But she dare not do that, for she remembers the hole in Willie's coat, the buttons to be sewed on baby's shoe**, the ruffle to put on Susie's dress. Does she ever have an hour of peace and quiet, all to herself? Never! O, I know how it is. I have seen it in a thousand cases. The woman has a hundred cares to the man's one.

I look back to the early years of my own life and remember with a feeling of reverance how my own mother, served her family. Sweet, patient, steadfast soul! Those early years of her married life made an old woman of her before her time. And now it is my cbiefest delight to do something for her that will repay in even the smallest measure, the wealth of love and tenderness bestowed upon me. Do you not feel the same way about your mother? Do you think she derived the most benefit from marriage more than your father? I think most of my readers will agree with me, that the men enjoy the privileges and comforts, the women are the burden bearers.

In the'matter of real estate trading the new year starts out remarkably. Since the first there have been a number of important transfers besides several others of leaser considerations. Deputy Carmack in speaking of the business thus far said that there bad been very few cbattle mortgages filed for record in comparison with other years. It is usual that quite a number are filed after the close of a year, but such has not been the case in '89. There have also been few real estate mortgages. Should the record continue to maks as satisfactory showing, it would indicate more than usual stability and prosperity in the business affairs of the city and county.

Some have been found to assail Miss Anderson's contribution to the North American Review for it« criticism of wometi who step from tliediawing-room onto the stage as stars in the classiu drama. These remind Miss Anderson that she herself began at the top, without previous training. In general practice it is not enstomary that two wrongs make aright anC if Miss Anderson offended as a presumptuous novice tbo faet does not invalidate her mature conclusion that it is better amateurs should begin modestly the work of professional •eting.

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