Terre-Haute Weekly Express, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 29 December 1869 — Page 1

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Death of Edwin 31. Stanton.:

Thousands of hearts will be filled with nadness at the announcement of the

death of the

HON. EDWIN

Mr.

DOUOLAS

STANTON

STANTON,

late Secretary of War who departed this life, in Washington, at 3 o'clock

on Friday morning. The death of such a man Is a national calamity. A few dayR only have passed since his elevation to the bench of the United Stales Supreme Court was announced, and now, before he has occupied a neat there, he haw obeyed the final summons. Every loyal heart in the nation will mourn over the event, and even those who have villified and maligned him will concede that a great man has fallen, and that the country has lost a faithful servant, who wore out his life at the post of duty.

was a native of Ohio,

born and raised at Steubcnville. After lie commenced the practice of the law and had acquired a high reputation for ability, he became a citizen of Pittsburg, where his learning and industry soon placed him in the front rank of his profession. In the celebrated Wheeling Bridge case, which he argued in the Supreme Court of the United States, he displayed such ability as, at once, gave him a most prominent position at that bar nnd when, afterwards appointed Asnitant Attorneyj^f/eneral, under the Administration of Mr.

and other patriots, who loved

their country better than they did their party, So distinguished had he become in support of the Union, that lie was made Secretary of War by Mr.

Entering upon these duties in the midst of the rebellion, Mr.

perfectly and had the utmost confidence in him —often deferring to his judgment in matters about which lie had doubt. There was the utmost harmony between them in all their official intercourse, and they dealt together with that freedom and frankness which showed the depth of their anxiety in behalf of the cause of the Union. Both impaired their health bv their labors, but so assiduous and unreniitti ng were those performed bv Mr.

STANTON

that his constitution ultimately

gave way, anil he has been unfit for physical exertion since his retirement from public life. It was evident to everybody that lie did not desire to remain in office, after his breach with Mil.

JOHNSON,

and his

disgust at his treachery. But lie felt himself constrained to do so from a sense of duty to the country and because of this alone, lie remained until

JOHNSON

was

stripped of all power to do mischief. When he did resign it was very evident to his friends, that he had broken down a strong and vigorous constitution in the ulilic service.

CKX. CHANT,

1 ago.

a few days

nnuitinted him for the office of Judge of the Supreme Court of the United Stn'es, :nd he was immediately ui'irmed lv the Senate. I he commission found him an invalid—too far gone !o wear the honors which the nation thus, so handsomely, bestowed ujion

him. But lie has died with honor* thick upon him,—such as the most ambitions might cove!. He served his country well and faithfully—aud no higher epitaph can be «ugraveu upon any tomb. Let now the vile slanderers who defamed him, a»l back abashed, when they see every loyal heart in the n.ition tilled with grief at the death of such a man. If they could nor appreciate his lofty virtues while he lived, let them cease to villifv him, now

tliat he is dead.

A nu.L is before Congress to appropriate $130,000 to have a group of statuary, placed on the pediment^ of the wing ofthe capitol Iniildin H-tl.

Senate1

—Intl. Jour-

Any man-who would introduce such a bill at a lime like this, when the patient, patriotic people are bending their wean backs beneath the heavy burden of taxa

tion

rendered necessary to pay cutren. expenses and reduce the public debt, deserves to be passed trom Maine to Texas an 1 into the Gulf of Mexico, on the toes

-payers'heaviest bonis. 1 his ma_\ not be an elegant manner of putting it, but it is the truth, and we should be willing to man one pair of boots to be em-

ployed in helping the introducer of that

hill on the proposed journey. no

(\iu the Indianapolis Journal give us his

his name? This is not a time for trifling

at npolis, on

TERMS $2.00 A YEAR)

THE London papers teem with communications and editorials on the subject of the "Alabama" claims. Some of the correspondents try hard to show that the United States Government is occupying an untenable position in the dispute. The journalists, on the other hand, acknowledge the fairness of the claims, but incline to the opinion that we ask too much, both in money and considerate treatment and assert that Messrs.

and J. L.

BUCHANAN,

there

was a universal feeling of satisfaction amongst both his political friends and adversaries. While he held this position he rendered most important services to the country, by visiting California and detecting a number of fraudulent land claims, under old Mexican grants,by which he saved millions of dollars to the national treasury. lie was a most indefatigable worker, and soon became known as one in whose hands any trust might be safely placed. At the disruption of Mr.

CHICAGO

LINCOLN,after

retirement officii.

the

CAMERON

from that po

sition. And it was while lie held tliisoflicc that he gained for himself an honorable name that will long outlive the reckless and mendacious assaults that have been made upon him.

STANTON

was

surrounded bv difficulties and embarrassments, well calculated to try his courage and patriotism. They were terribly tried —hut most bravely did he surmount them all. Whether he dealt with immense armies in the field, with the hosts of officers who commanded them, or with the complicated and tangled details of military affairs, his wonderful administrative talent was felt everywhere. He brought chaos ond confusion into order, nnd stamped all the busiuess of the War Department with the impress of his powerful mind and will. When the coursc of duty seemed clear to him, no power on eurthcculd make him swerve from its performance, lie went straight forward to th« result lie designed to accomplish, riding over all difficulties in the way. And this was the real secret of his success, while the iTflairs of the army were under bis control. Mr.

LINCOI.N

REVERDY JOHNSON

MOTLEY

yielded to British in

fluence. The London Spectator defends both the latter gentleman from these charges, and facetiously asserts that Minister

JOHNSON

impartially took in

the English people and their dinners, in which remark there is about as much truth a wit, and there is considerable of both.

HON. SOLOMON

BUCHANAN'S

Cabinet, just preceding the actual breaking out of the rebellion, lie was made a Cabinet officer, but did not hold the position long onougli to develop those high administrative qualities for which he has been since so much distinguished, lie, however, took so bold and decided a stand in favor of the government and in opposition to the rebellion, that he ranked amongst the most loyal men of the country. Although a member of the Democratic party, he was most earnest in his support of the loyal cause,—along with

PAPERS intimate that the Illi

nois Constitutional Convention has not made a very bright begining in thedirection of retrenchment—atleastso far as its officers are concerned. The Republican is credibly informed that one of the subordinate officers of the Convention purchased a ten-dollar trunk in Springfield, filled it with about a hundred dollars' worth of the State's stationery, and took it home at the adjournment for the holidays. A hundred dollars' worth of stealings the first week is pretty fair, and if the officer in question doe. as well for the balance ol the se-sion, lie at least, will have made a "pretty good thing" out of the Convention.

LOOKINO over the multitude of bills presented in Congress thus far—most of which will probably be smothered in the liands of the Committees to which they were referred, a fate which many of them deserve—the editor of the Chicago Republican selects three which he thinks particularly worthy serious eon-ideration. We agree with our Chicago coteniporary in in his estimate of these "good measure*" and hope for their enactment into laws. The first is

INGERSOLL'S

DRAKE

understood him

bill providing

for an extra issue of $44,000,000 of greenbacks, to be devoted to purchasingI nitcd States six'per .cent, bond-*. Second in importance is the bill drawn by Senator

for securing uniform national elec

tions. It provides that the Presidential

Electors shall be chosen on the second Tuesday of October, and that, on thesame dav, preceding the beginning of new Congressional term, Representatives shall be chosen in all the States. The Republican believes the sub-Uitution of a dale a mouth earlier than the present for holding Pre.-idential dec.ion4 is *f no grcal importance, ye', on the whole, thinks it would be preferable. It would give ample time for the summer canvass, ami the election day would come at a more favorable season of the ye.ir, so far as weather are concerned. The si-multaneousne-is of Congressional electionis a good feature, which ought to have been realized before. Indeed it is high time that the incongruity of Congressional elections was done a way with. 'Ihird is the bill submitted by Mr.

SARGENT,

requiring American Consuls residing in countries which produce crops coming into competition with our own in the markets of the world, to furnish accurate quarterly reports of the condition of such crops to the State Department, which will transfer them to the Department of Agriculture, for circulation in its monthly cirlars. There is much force in the Repubhcaiisuggestion tnat such a course would be of the greatest value to the producing interests ofthe country by enabling our farmers to dispo of their crops intelligently and to the best advantage. It would stimulate legitimate business and prevent speculation to a great degree. The majority of our Consuls abroad are not so laboriouslv emploved but that they would have ample time to make up and forward these new reports.

PERSONAL.

Gen. B. F. Butler thinks of investing $50,000 in a co-operative boot and shoe factory.

Prim is charged with having spent $300,000 in buying votes for the Duke ot Genoa.

The oldest Senator is Simon Cameron, who w.os born 17!H).

A London piper sta'e-1 that Mrs. .John Wood, the aetrc-s, is down for 10,000 in the late George l'eabody's will.

Mrs. Susannah G. Ilcndiaw, the nio'.her of Emma 1- E. N. Souihworth, died recently in Washington. She was 72vcars of age.

Seventeen thousand copies of Tennyson's new book have been subscribed for in London, and retail dealers have ordered 30,000 more.

Kor fort vears Deacon Bachelor lias led the singing in the congregational Church at Northbridge, Mass.

(ioodloe "Yancey, son of the iate William L. Yancey, "has become connected with the Atlanta Intelligencer.

Gen. W.J. Hardee has been elected President ofthe Historical Association ot Alabama.

Daniel Southwick, one of the mast respected citizens of Troy, N. V, died on Thursday, aged So years.

A coteniporary describes Brigham

wi ii-*? i!c heieht, hut

with the jieople's earnings, and it is the ,l( ,|10 i-

be their name or station. 7"*T* 7, Trii There ate now living on Canandaigua A MEETING of the Board of

the Executive Department, Indian-

very heavily built, slow

esen*:illo fellow ot mul-

inan ncr

altogether bovine in ap-

1)0a,..incc."

Bovine is good.

)ie

ijolnisi, Bi-diops who ate present

Cilllunical

duty ofthe press to hold all such rascals years of age, two others 00 and upward, ii ha iv a to an a an up to public reprobation, "hate

Council, two are

v)|mRest botwccn ij

Tnl stroe iainivra,

Purdue University was held

«tees of Purdue University was mm h,

live

ahf Indian-

dpfinitelv fix the «ite of: The following are said to be the pnncing was to definite Waters he ni.ed .states: the University, and this work was sue- \ij-s May Edwards cessfullv accomplished. It.was detcrmin-

an(

ed to locate it upon a fine tract of one Mis Nellie A.-Doan. Miss Sarah Tolled to locate 0f

Jand on

hundred acres the Wabash river, opposite -Lafayette.

THE value of the real and pe roperty of Cook county, Illinois, is about

00 000 000. Of this, sonic $2*0,000,-

and So vears of

N\ Y., ten old ladies

aggregate ages are 837 years

aggregate ages are years, the

0l(Je~t

Wednesday, the entife Board and ten days, and the youngest. .0 vears, /. five months nnd fourteen heinr present. The object of the meet-

of whom is 100 years, three months

,»UI

Henrietta Bedel), of New "iork

west side of! and Miss ^mise iobey, ol hicago.

Mrs. Dr. L. S: Butchclder stated in a leetnrc delivered in Boston on ^aturdiiy -ff0nal evening, that there are now engaged in that citv 2,000 young women who are

c"^(s

nmU

half nude, in low

=enient halls, vith a gratuity, of ten

or nine tenths of the whole, is in the cents for each new customer whom they induce to patftnjia their employers.

THE SCAFFOLD. —————

Execution of Morgan! —————

HIS PREVIOUS HISTORY! —————

Brief Resume of the Case! —————

HIS CONFESSION! —————

STATEMENT OF REV. S. M. STIMSON. —————

Last Hours of the Condemned! —————

HIS FAREWELL WORDS, AND —————

WITHEY,

who has

been nominated by President

GKANT

for

Judge of the Sixth United States Circuit —comprising the States of Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee—was born at St. Albans, Vt., in 1823, and was educated in Ohio. He removed to Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1838. and has been a continuous resident of that city ever since, lie was chosen Probate Judge in 1S48, State Senator in 1860, and in March, 1863, was appointed District Judge of the United States Court for the Western District of Michigan. Jle was also a prominent member of the Michigan Constitutional Convention of 1807.

FAREWELL WORDS, AND

"Leap Into the Dread Unknown!" —————

On Thursday at a few minutes after 12 o'clock, Oliver A. Morgan, the murderer of John Petri, at the hands of stern justice paid the extreme penalty of the highest crime known to the laws, by suffering death upon the gallows.

The events in this tragic affair are of such recent occurrence as to demand nothing more than a brief resume of the case.

THE MURDER.

On a bright Sunday afternoon, the 11th of July last, John Petri, the proprietor of a grocery store at the junction of the Lafayette road and the road running out from Fourteenth street, locked his store and dwelling, and with his wife and children started down town to spend the afternoon. He had proceeded but a short distance, when his wife looking back saw a man climb over the fence and go towards the rear of the house. Petri turned and drove back, entered the house, found a man in an upper room, and in attempting to recover money and other articles stolen, or in the endeavor to arrest him, received wounds, from which he died at six o'clock on the evening of the next day. Petri was a German, highly esteemed by his countrymen and as may be expected the most intense excitement and indignation prevailed. It is needless to detail the circumstances connected with the search and capture of the murderer, so familiar to our readers, except to state that during the night of the murder he was arrested, as he was approaching the house of his divorced wife, where he went to obtain clothes in which to flee. It was then discovered that the murderer was Oliver A. Morgan, a carriage blacksmith in the employ of Scott, Oren & Co. He was placed in jail, being conveyed there very privately, and the fact

of the arrest was known but to a very few persons. This was done to provent lynch law being put in operation, and subsequent events proved that the precautions were well taken. For several days excitement ran quite high, fears were entertained that the man would be taken from jail and hung by a mob. Cooler counsels prevailed however, a strong guard was kept in attendance day and night, and the law was allowed to take its course.

The grand jury was immediately convened, an indictment found, and on Thursday the 15th he was arraigned, and the trial was set for Monday the 19th. The prisoner having no money to employ counsel, nof friends willing to do so, the Court appointed County Attorney Forrest and Messrs. McLean and Simpson to defend him. It is proper to state, that throughout the proceedings these gentlemen did everything in their power to save the man from the gallows. They asked no lighter punishment than imprisonment for life, but in this they were not successful.

The prisoner was put on trial and at the time fixed, on Wednesday, the 21st, <just ten days after the murde>, the jury returned a verdict finding the defendant guilty of murder in the first degree and that he suffer <Death!>

THE TESTIMONY

as to the killing, which of coursc was Petri's declarations, was in substance that on going up stairs Petri found a man under a bed and told him to come out and give up what he had stolen; said he would do so; the man came out and putting his hand in his pocket threw some money on the floor and at the same time drew a pistol and shot Petri twice—once in the face and once in the abdomen. Another statement made a few hours before Petri died, was that, before any shooting was done Petri took down his gun and brought him to order. When asked what he meant by "bringing him to order,'' Petri said it was to keep him until he could get help to give him to the police.

SECOND TRIAL.

An appeal was taken to the Supreme Court, which ordered a new trial. The undue haste with which the proceedings were conducted, probably induced this more than any thing else. The second trial was commenced on the 20th of November, before Judge Chapman, of Indianapolis, and on Saturday, the 27th, the jury returned the same verdict as before. A motion for a new trial was overruled, and the day of execution fixed for Thursday, December 23d.

THE DAY BEFORE THE EXECUTION. On Wednesday, the day before the execution we visited Morgan, and had quite a long interview with him. During the day large numbers of friends, and others, impelled by curiosity, called to see him and were freely admitted to the jail.— He received them with smiles and kindly greetings, and it seemed more like an ovation to a dear friend, who had been long absent than the final visit to one who was so soon to take the fearful leap into "the dread unknown." The condemned man talked of the weather, of events in his past life, of current incidents, of work he had done for various persons who called, remarking that no one was ever dissatisfied with his work. Occasionally he would single out an acquaintance and go up to him in the most unconcerned manner possible, talking in a light and easy manner, ready to reply to any remark or observation addressed to him. We watched the man closely, and must confess that he was the strangest man we ever encountered. His entire conduct has been a wonderful enigma. Underneath all this apparent composure it could be seen by the close observer that there was an undercurrent at work. At one time we suggested that he stand out of a cool draft, he being in his shirt sleeves, but he said: "No, I like that my head is hot." Cool perspiration was standing on his forehead.

Rev. S. M, Stimson, who had been quite

constant in his visits, called late in the afternoon, and on parting with him asked if he would like to have him call in the evening. He said no, his sleep had been much disturbed of late, and as this was his last night on earth he desired to have a good rest. Mr. Stimson then asked if he should call in the morning and go with him through the trying ordeal. He first said, he had better not do so, as he intended to say something on the gallows that perhaps would not be pleasant to hear, but he finally consented, and at last requested him to come.

Towards evening, while Rev. S. M. Stimson was present, Father Chassi, of St, Joseph's Catholic Church, called, and exhorted the condemned man to embrace the Catholic faith. He urged him not to put faith in any doctrine of salvation— said these other ministers who have called are very clever gentlemen, but they have no power to intercede for the forgiveness of sin.

During our visit, which lasted for a couple of hours, we pressed him to give us a sketch of his past history. At first he evaded all our interrogatories. He said it would do him no good after he was gone, nor anybody else. Besides what he should state would be considered lies.— We mentioned that he was accused of being implicated with a number of burglaries committed in this city. He positively asserted these reports and accusations were not true that since he had been back from the penitentiary he had done nothing of a criminal nature up to the time of committing the deed for which he now stood condemned. It is true, said he, that I have known some things an honest man ought not to know, but I have not participated in any crimes. After talking some time in this way, he finally gave us the following brief sketch of

HIS PREVIOUS HISTORY.

Oliver A. Morgan was born at sea, three days out from New York, on the 29th day of June, 1843. He remarked, with a smile, that it was so long ago he could not remember the name of the vessel. His parents were Welsh, and upon arriving in this country settled in Butler county, Ohio, where they lived four years, and then removed to Rush county, in this State, twelve miles from Rushville. Both parents died there—the father in the year 1851, and the mother following the next year. They left, besides Oliver, three daughters, who are now living in Rush county. Two of them are married.— Neither of them have been to see their bother [sic] since his arrest.

In the year 1853 young Oliver commenced learning the trade of a carriage blacksmith, serving his time with Wm. Marsh in the town of Rushville, where he worked six years. For a period after that time he said that he could not give all his travels.

He was raised in the same square with Gen. P. A. Hackleman, and on the 14th day of April, 1861,. enlisted in his regiment, the 16th Indiana, serving one year, in Co. F., Capt. Beachbard. For nine months he served as a Union scout and spy for General Banks. He was twice taken prisoner, and confined in the "old South prison" in the city of Richmond, making his escape therefrom in both cases. He scouted from Harper's Ferry through the Shenandoah Valley up to Winchester, thence to Strasburg, and along the Rapidan and James river. He said he could relate many hair-breadth escapes.

After his time was out he came to Vincennes and worked a short time for James B. Beart, and from thence be came to this city for the first time on the 8th of March, 1864.

On the 3d of September of the same year he was married in this city, to Margaret E. Girton, a yonng girl only 16 years of age. She was an orphan; he could never get a clue to her parents but her stepfather was an old blind doctor, <Lyons>. They were married by Esquire Thomas J. Forrest, at his house, on Third street. The issue of this union was two children —a girl born on the 20th of June, 1865, and a boy born after their separation.— From the third week after this ill-fated marriage troubles commenced in their household. He says that it was a perfect hell on earth for both of them, and they were separated four times before the final separation, which was followed by her application and reception of a divorce. This was granted her, he believed, about a year since. He was very bitter in speaking of her, and said that all his troubles began in her coldness and aversion toward him.

He worked for A. J. Woodmansee until early in 1865, when he was arrested for stealing a coat from Jeffers & Miller, and upon trial at the March Court was sentenced to two years imprisonment in the Southern Penitentiary at Jeffersonville. He served out eighteen months of his time, when he received a pardon from Governor Baker. He says in reference to this charge, that he was entirely innocent of the crime, having unwittingly bought the coat before he found out it was stolen. Upon his release from Slate Prison he returned to this city in Aug. or Sept. 1866, and after three weeks idleness went to work for Scott, Oren & Co., carriage makers, where he was constantly employed up to the time of the commission of the crime for which he is to suffer.

On returning from the penitentiary he brought a young fellow, a M———, and took him in to work at Scott, Oren & Co's. He said this man was running with his wife which was the cause of the separation.— Since then he said he had been in continual trouble, and feared his life. He said he was told several times that if he didn't join certain clubs, he would be put out of the way. In reply to a question as to the nature of the clubs, he said his confession which would be handed to us after he was hung, would tell. We asked if his wife had been to see him since he had been in jail. He said she had been there but once since his first sentence and then only for ten minutes. He had been told she was in town. He again asserted that she and her club had been the cause of all this. He had formed no acquaintances in Terre Haute except the families of the shop hands, and that of Mr. W. R. Lunghead, where he boarded for three years. Said he attended to his own business.

He said that during his incarceration he had had everything that could be desired, except liberty. He spoke in the kindest treatment received from Sheriff Stewart, his assistants and family. He would not allude to the murder of Petri, saying that his confession, which would be handed as after he was gone would explain everything.

With yesterday's sun came THE FATAL MORNING. Morgan rose at an early hour, and

Cray

dressed himself in a suit of dark clothes, considerably worn, but looking quite tidy. He wore on his shirt bosom a gold pin in the shape of a horse-shoe. He ate a very hearty breakfast, the same food as that prepared for the family. One of his attendants remarked that he ate three times as much as he did.

Quite a large number of persons called upon him, including his most intimate spiritual adviser, Rev. S. M. Stimson, his attorneys, Messrs. McLean, Forrest and Pierce, reporters of the press, his nearest friends and others. On being asked how he rested during the night, he said: "Rested well enough to do me the few remaining hours I have to stay," and immediately remarked, "it is quite chilly this morning." The same indifferent bearing and unruffled feeling were the outward indications of a firm and determined purpose to die in the same spirit of nerve that he has all along exhibited. It is believed by those who have watched him closely that he expected assistance from the outside, and up to the last he entertained some faint hope of having his sentence commuted to imprisonment for life. He seemed animated with a hope that something would occur to avert the doom which the law had pronounced with <repeated> emphasis. The seeming absence of all terror would give this impression. As we scanned the small assemblage it was interesting to note the various emotions of pity, sympathy and dread depicted upon the countenances. The terror of mind, in active exercise of its powers about to meet death, with a body wasted by no disease, would seem but natural—and that terror which seemed to be wanting in the prisoner—took possession of those present, and a silent dread fell upon all as the fatal hour approached.

HE WRITES I.ETTERS.

A couple of weeks since he received the following letter from a former lady friend at Indianapolis:

INDIANAPOLIS, IND, Dec. 7, 1869.

To OLIVER A. MORGAN: <Friend Anson>—You no doubt well recollect me—as you once lived in our family—and, when you were a stranger to the vices of this unfriendly world. I saw a paper on Saturday that stated "you were to be hung" on the 23d of this month and I have never had that sentence out of iny mind one moment since reading it. Only to think, your days are numbered. I have wanted to talk to you about your soul—and that is why I am writing to you now—not to talk of anything you have done, but to ask you seriously, if your peace is made with God. Remember the instructions and motherly advice you received from one who was a second mother to you, and one who was a sister to you in kindness, at least. Remember human justice is not divine justice—and how much more have you sinned against God than man. Remember not those who can kill the body-—but cannot kill the soul—but the soul lives forever either in torment or happiness. Oh! the few days allotted to you spend in preparing to meet that God who will require a strict account of all your deeds; prepare for the solemn Judge who sits upon the immortal throne, whom no one can evade but must face. Think of your departed mother, who prayed with her last breath that all her children might meet her in Heaven. Do you not think she is looking down upon you now from her happy home above, and eagerly and anxiously watching for your coming. Oh! will it not be a torture to you if you are sepaated from her then. Do think upon this. I have heard some say that you were a hardened criminal. I do not believe it, for only eight years ago you were kind-hearted to the widow and the orphans who found a home with you under my mother's roof. You always listened to my advice and warnings then, and I cannot think you have forgotten my teachings, or become so reckless as to now scorn my words just as you are to close your career upon earth to try the realities of another world. No! I give you credit for more sense than that, and, as a true friend of all erring humanity, I implore you to turn your eyes towards the cross of Christ, the friend of all sinners, and plead for forgiveness that you have a guide to accompany you through the dark valley that you may safely reach that blessed home where your parents await you, and where air is peace, love, and joy. My prayers arise for you constantly, and will arise until that dreadful day that will witness the severing of the soul from the body. Oh! may God help you to repent and seek forgiveness from him who is ever ready to forgive and save a soul from endless death. God help you, is the prayer of an old friend.

JENNIE NICHOLS.

The chirography was quite elegant, and appeared to be from a lady of refinement, and possessed of true Christian feeling. Whether it made any impression upon him at the time could not be oberved. He seemed, however, to set great store by it, and was pleased to show it to many who called. Yesterday morning he replied to it, of which the following is a copy:

TERRE HAUTE, IND., Dec. 22.

MY DEAR FRIEND:— It is with pleasure that I take the present opportunity to write to you. Jennie, I have but a few hours to live on this earth. You heard that I was a hardened convict. Jennie, if there ever was a man died in the faith ofthe Lord Jesus Christ, it is me; you know that I always was a kind hearted man to every one. Jennie, in these cold, damp cells we can hear praying, swearing and singing, then comes the last cries, 0! water! water! Jennie. I pray that we will meet in a better world. If we had not this prospect death would be horrible, but in Jesus Christ we can put our trust and die easy.

Kiss the little ones for me. Give my best respects to Norman. Yours truly, OLIVER A. MORGAN.

He also wrote letters [sic] John Bodine, Rushville, Ind., and Norman Nichols, Indianapolis.

EFFORTS FOR COMMUTATION. On Wednesday morning Rev. Wr. W. Curry went to Indianapolis, bearing a petition to the Governor, asking commutation of the sentence to imprisonment for life. The mission was unsuccessful, for at about ten o'clock yesterday morning, the following, dispatch was received:

<To W. H. Stewart, Sheriff:> The application for the commutation of the sentence of Oliver A. Morgan is overruled. There will be no Executive interference with the judgment of the Court. [Signed] CONRAD BAKER.

The dispatch was read to him at halfpast ten o'clock, and with it came the knell of hope for the doomed man.— He immediately began to prepare himself for the death, which was now inevitable. He asked to be left alone in his cell, and commenced writing. It was the general impression that he was writing a second and truthful confession, but on completing it, he folded it up, placed it in an envelope, and handed it to the son of Mr. W. R. Laughead, the proprietor of the Early House, where he boarded, since his return from the Penitentiary. It was found to be as follows:

TERRE HAUTE, Dec. 23, 1869.

II TB. Dec. 21. 1,1)0.

The last hour of life. This is the last words of me, Oliver Anson Morgan. You have been a Mother to me I can say to you that I did kill John Petrie, he robbed me and then tried to kill me, then I shot him. I do not know the other man that took me in. Pray with James and Sissie that they may go through life with the blessings of Jesus on their heads: there is no other way that they can go. I will bid you farewell. In a few minutes I will be on my way to Eternity, Good bye.

OLIVER A. MORGAN.

TO MRS. LAUGHEAD.

Rev. S. M. Stimson then went into the cell and remained in close consultation for a few minutes. He was asked if he desired to join in prayer, and replied that he had no objection, when Mr. Stimson and the doomed man knelt down, while the former offered a fervent prayer for the soul that was so soon to meet its God. The bystanders stood with uncovered heads in solemn awe at the death which was soon to come in their midst. When the minister had concluded his prayer, Morgan joined him in an audible Amen! and remained kneel- ing with head bowed down for some minutes longer, either in prayer or overcome by his emotions. On rising he asked "are you ready to go out?" and being told all was in readiness, put on his hat and gloves. Picking up a testament on the table he put it in a pocket over his

TERlE-HAUTE, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 29,1869.®-*-.' ^{PAYABLE INADVANCE

heart and said: "That goes with me." As he was going out of the cell he said "It is pretty hard to give up life, but all men must die. Then came the

PARTING WITH FELLOW PRISONERS. Going from cell to cell he said: "Boys, good-bye: may you lead a different life when you get clear of this!" "Maggie" behave yourself, when you get out "Stevens, try and prepare yourself. 1 killed Petri; I don't deny it but I killed him to save my own life. I can hardly expect justice on this earth. Make your self happy as possible. May we meet in another world. Good-bye." Stevens said: "My best words to you, Morgan, are that I will meet you in Heaven.", [sic] From all outward appearance Stevens seemed more deeply affected at the parting than did Morgan..

THE START FROM THE JAIL. Sheriff Stewart had selected for his assistants, Samuel Conner, Frank Stewart, Nelson Mrakle, Edward Vandever and Henry McCabe. Supported on each side by Markle and McCabe, at a few minutes before twelve o'clock, the prisoner started for the gallows. Just before reaching the door, Mr. Conner advanced and the process of tying his hands behind him was gone through. This was the first active demonstration towards the execution, but the condemned man stood it bravely.— This being accomplished the party with reporters and others took up the

MARCH TO THE SCAFFOLD.

The condemned man walked with a firm step but with head bowed down out at the gate and through the curious crowd, into the enclosure and to the steps of the scaffold, which he mounted without any sign of trepidation and took his place on the fatal drop, from which no more on earth a living man was he to depart. He surveyed the instrument of death without any manifestations of fear.

THE GALLOWS.

The instrument of death was erected in the center of the two streets crossing at the jail, and was composed of four upright beams, with a frame work at the top from which was suspended the fatal noose. Six feet from the ground was a platform on which the criminal, the officers and some others stood, and opposite was another platform level with the same, for the convenience of the press and witnesses. Many of the latter, with the physicians, stood on the ground below. An enclosure surrounded the whole, and was partially covered over, shutting the scene from those outside. Underneath the feet of Morgan was the fatal trap.

WITHIN THE ENCLOSURE.

there were about thirty persons admitted by cards of invitation reading as follows:

SHERIFF'S OFFICE. VIGO COUNTY, INDIANA.}

TERRE-HAUTE, Dec. 17th, 1869. }

MR. ———, DEAR SIR:—Yon are hereby notified that you will be admitted to witness the execution of Morgan, to take place on the 23d inst., at 12 o'clock M. Respectfully,

W. H. STEWART, Sheriff.

STEWART,

Sheriff.

These cards were issued to the following persons, nearly all of whom were present:

Judge Chapman, B. G. Hanna, Prosecuting Attorney; Martin Hollinger, Clerk; Physicians—Dr. Ezra Read and Dr. A. Arnaud.

Witnesses—L. A. Smith, Henry Ehrenhardt, Prof. Cuqua, Nathan Balding. S. H. Potter, Chas. A. Davis, Dr. Thompson. Dr. Swafford, L. Seeburger, Wm. Coats, A. C. Mattox, and D. Debs.

Press—P. S. Westfall, EXPRESS, J. B.

Edmunds, <Journal>, Major O. J. Smith, <Gazette>, S. R. Davis, l<Hoosier State>, W. D. Latshaw, Paris <Times>, Murray Briggs, <Democrat>, Will Pound, Cincinnati <Gazette>, E. W. Halford, Indianapolis <Journal>, G. C. Harding, Indianapolis <Mirror>, C. W. Ainsworth for New York <Tribune>.

Several other gentlemen were admitted. Among these was Charles May, the broth-er-in-law of the murdered man. Morgan, on seeing him, said: "I want that man out!" May was allowed to remain, however.

THE CROWD OUTSIDE

Numbered two or three thousand people, filling the space formed by the crossing of the two streets. Except at the time the prisoner first entered the enclosure it was orderly and quiet. Some disturbance was caused at this time by a number of persom endeavoring io crowd into the enclosure. The police, however, forced them back.

When all was in readiness, Frank Stewart, Deputy Sheriff,stepped forward, and in a distinct voice read the DEATH WARRANT. <The Suite of Indiana,>

<To the Sheriff of Vigo County>. GREETING:

Record signed: GEO. H. CHAPMAN

State of Indiana, Vigo County, October Term, A. D. 1869—In the Vigo Criminal Circuit Court.

TUESDAY. November 30, A. D. 1869.

Prosent— Hon. George H. Chapman, sole Judge of said Court: Martin Hollinger, Clerk, and Wm. H. Stewart, Sheriff of said Court. The State of Indiana, vs. Oliver Morgan—Indictment for Murder, No. 42.

NT.

42.

It is therefore considered and ordered by the Court, that said Oliver Morgan shall suffer death, which shall be inflicted upon him by hanging him, said Oliver Morgan, by the neck, on the 23d day of December, in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and SixtyNine, between the hours of nine o'clock in the forenoon and four o'clock in the afternoon.— This judgment shall be executcd in some private enclosure, as near the jail of this county as possible, and that he be confined in said jail till the day of his execution.

MORGAN'S LAST WORDS

Morgan listened attentively, and at the close stepped to the front of the platform, and resting his hands upon the railing, said in a slow and hesitating manner:

GENTLEMEN—I am not brought up here

to convict any one of crime, I am put on this scaffold to suffer death, for a charge for which I am innocent. I killed Petri but it was in self defense; I killed him; and what for? Because he was a robber, and a thief in the bargain. He robbed me of what I had in my pocket, and I lose my life for it. It is a hard struggle to give up my life for killing such a vagabond as that. 'Tis hard. [Here the prisoner hesitated, and for the first time was observed to tremble.]

It seems to me when I look back that you are inviting a nation of people to visit your land, and so they are doing it. One-third of them that comes to this country are convicts. No one of class can deny this. The man I killed was a criminal from justice.

Here Charles May, who was standing at the same platform on which the prisoner was standing, became very much excited, and advancing towards the criminal as if to seize him, shouted:

"That is a G—d d—d lie!" This created quite a sensation, but was promptly quelled by the sheriff interposing, saying: "No we can't have any of that!" Morgan stood for a few seconds, as if at a loss what to say, and then re-sumed:

I don't know that I have any more to say. I expect I had better be going—no doubt of it—I feel prepared for death—I trust I may meet all true Christians on the other side of Jordan, where will be no waverings or tampering with sin.

Mr. Conner then pinioned the prisoner's legs together at the knees, the latter looking down and closely watching the same, with no more apparent emotion than would one of the Davenports when being tied for one of their <seances>. At fifteen minutes past twelve o'clock the black cap was drawn over his head, and the scene around was shut out forever from his eyes. Sheriff Stewart, with his

that was a dealing with stoling goods, I went out to John Petre's house and watched diferent ones that lurked around that house. I seen two men there that I knew was robers. I follored out these twice one of them was a rival of mine. I will not tell any names let them live if they can. I went out there one night and as I came out of the doore one of them met me there and told me that if they caught me there again that they would fix me, but what did I care for that. I wanted to send one of them to his long home, as for John Petre I intended to put him up for dealing stoling goods, witch 1 would of done if I had not traped on the [paper missing]

foot upon the spring, exclaimed: "Morgan, prepare for death!" the trap was sprung, there was a heavy thud, and at 12:16 the soul of Oliver A. Morgan was

HURLED INTO ETERNITY.

Here ensued a scene of the most horrible and exciting character. By some miscalculation the rope was a little too long, and the feet of the man touched the ground—at least, such was thought to be the case. The fact is, however, as was afterwards ascertained, the neck was dislocated by the fall. This was not positively known at the time, and the excitement was the same as it the man was suffering a terrible death by strangulation. Several persons on the scaffold seized the rope and pulled him up a few inches, while one man rushed underneath and seized the body, whether to lift it up or to pull it so as to cause speedy death is not known. The sentence that he "be hanged by the neck until he be dead," was fully carried out, Drs. Read and Arnaud noted the pulse and heart. There was no severe struggling, but a number of convulsive shudders shook his entire frame. The extinction of the vital sparks was narrowly watched. The pulse ceased to beat in ten minutes, and the heart at the expiration of thirteen minutes stopped pulsation. After hanging twenty-one minutes the body was cut down and placed in a plain poplar coffin. On taking off the cap, it was found that there was a complete dislocation of the vertebrae at the neck. The eyes and mouth were closed, and the expression of the face quite natural, with a slight discoloration. The body was then delivered to Mr. Isaac Ball the undertaker, who was directed to place it in the vault at the cemetery, until to-day when it will be buried.

——this is al that I am able to give—— STATEMENT BY REV. S. M. STIMSON. This gentleman visited the condemned man almost every day during the present month. He has watched him more closely than any person outside the jail building, and his statement, noted down from day to day, will be read with interest. He says:

I visited Morgan in his cell the second time, on the first day of December, and nearly every day since, when at home, up to the present date.

I have, from day to day, noted down, carefully, my own impression, concerning him, or what he had said to me, as nearly as he said it, as possible. The first time I visited him was before his second trial. On that occasion he did not receive me kindly; left the impression on my mind that he regarded my visit as an intrusion.

In all my conversations with him, I have confined myself exclusively to religious subjects, reading and explaining the Scriptures to him, and endeavoring to lead him to Christ, as a penitent sinner, for pardon. He always listened to me respectfully, knelt with me in prayer, but never, in a single instance, seemed, either in word, response, or gesture, to join in the prayer, up to the morning ol the exe-

THE EFFECT

Of the hanging upon many of those who witnessed the same was to create a hope that this would be the last execution in Terre Haute. Upon the mass of spectators, outside the enclosure, it was a very clear demonstration of the brutalizing tendency of such an exhibition. It is a relic, of barbarous despotism that calls for energetic hostility until it is utterly abrogated.

MORGAN'S CONFESSION.

Below we print <verbatim> the confession written by Morgan, and handed to Mr. Nelon Markle, to be made public only in case he should be hanged:

TERRE HAUTE, IND., Dec. 20, 1869.

Dec. "20, lS(3i.

OLIVER ANSON MORGAN, <Convict of Death>. I Will Give In This my Hand Write As to How John Petri Came to His Death.

In the spring of 68 I was in the secret work with Cheaf of Police Alloway in so doing it brought me in contact with a grate many of the one horse grocery keepers and saloones however before the death of mr Alloway we gained some little ground, just enough to work on. he then Died in the spring of 69—in the winter before his death our expoier (exposure?) was grate but the cold snow and rain never stopped the task that we undertook to work on—but death did I could not trust any one that I knew so I had to go it alone, it was with grate care that I saved my life more than once, for I was accused more than once and was told that

if I was Caught a interfearing with thair busysness that they would put me out of the way, but I didn't care for that, I worked away, Remembering that Alloway told me to do that witch I did—fowling (following?) the track he put me on. I found six different, groceries keepers

s?s?4

cution. He would invariably assent to everything I said, and yet I could gain no evidence that he believed a word of it, or that it made any impression on his mind. I made from day to day every effort, and used every means I was master of to reach his heart, and to make an impression upon him, and each day went away, feeling I had failed. My mind was constantly impressed with the idea that if his sentence was not commuted by the Governor, that he would either escape or commit suicide, notwithstanding he frequently declared that he had given up all hope and expected to die.

Thus it went on until the 18th, when I made the following entry: To-day Morgan described to me how he came to kill Petri.

He said he had been employed for some time by Chief-of-Police Alloway (now dead) on secret service watching the premises of Petri to detect him in bringing in or taking away stolen goods, as Petri's was one of the places where burglars disposed of their stolen property. That on this Sunday himself and and [sic] another man, went into Petri's place and called for drinks, and drank, and left the place. Soon after they returned and found that Petri and his wife had gone into the city—that he entered the house by the back door and the other man by the front door. They then drank again together helping themselves to the liquor. The man that was with him then handed him two damaged pistols and asked him if he could repair them, and he said he could.

They then went up stairs and he sat down on a chair, and soon became very stupid and he fell asleep. When he awoke he found he had been robbed of his gold watch and about twenty dollars in money —that Petri and the other man were in the room—that he demanded his watch and money, and was knocked down—that when he got up Petri was before him with a double-barreled gun—that he then drew his pistol and fired, and ran down, and out at the front door, Petri following him. Said he had no intention of killing Petri, that he did it in self-de-fense—that if he had not killed Petri, Petri would have killed him. When asked why Petri did not fire on him as well as follow him, he said he snapped both barrels at him but they did not go off.

He said futhermore that there were other parties as guilty as himself, that he could expose them, but he should not, for the hanging of one man was enough.

He said there were some very respectable people doing business in the city, who bought up the goods brought in by burglars and thieves, and who were constantly hounding them on to more frequent and extensive operations. He thought these more guilty than himself.

He said that it was drink and bad associations that brought him and many others into this fearful condition; that he intended to make an address on the gallows, in which he should warn the young and all others, and regretted that the execution could not be made public so that all could hear it. He thought if a man was hung for an example that all should have the benefit of it.

Monday, Dec. 20.—Morgan seems a little more cast down to-day, but is evidently clinging to some hope of commutation or escape. Morgan said, "This is a dreadful place. Here men and women are brought in and locked up in these cold cells, and they rave and curse and moan and pray. They cry for water in the night to quench their burning thirst. When I hear all this and think of my own case sometimes I almost lose my mind, and don't know what I may do. I asked him if he had ever contemplated taking his own life. He did not answer me directly, but said he should not do it if he kept in his right mind. He denied indignantly the rumor that he had sold his body for what whisky he could drink before the day of his death. Denied that there was any truth in the rumor that he had or was about to sell his body to the physicians; that if he could have his way about it he would have it buried in the grave.

Tuesday, 21.—After reading the Scriptures, religious conversation and prayer, in which no perceptible change appeared, I asked him how be came to choose this course of lifs [sic]. He said it was in consequence of the misconduct of his wife, and went on to detail the character of her misconduct. In it all he could not be brought to see or feel that be himself had been very wicked or bad. He said his life had been one of terrible suffering— that if he was standing on the gallows and could have his choice between hanging and the continuance of such a life of suffering he would rather hang.

Wednesday, 22.—Morgan seemed a little excited this morning at something the Catholic priest had said to him, and related to me very clearly the conversation.

July last. I got on a drunk [paper missing] some means. I got out that way as I come back I stopped in at Petries and got a couple of drinks and then came southeast towards town. I had not come very far when I met a man he asked me to go back with him to the grocery again with him and I did. I knowed his face, I did not know his name, he went in at the back Doore, I went in at the front Doore witch he had opened for me to the Counter and took a drink then went up stairs. I took a chair and sett down by tlie side of the bed, he then went down stairs and brought up a couple of pistols and asked me what I could do for them, he then told me that he would go down stairs and bring up a Pitcher of Beer, the first thing that I knew I was throwing (thrown;) on my back on the floor he ks)ked for some time, the other man took my watch when he was kicking. When I seen him draw my watch I commenced struggling for when I got up I asked for my watch, the answer that I got was this it come from Petrie God Dam hell I kill you, as he said this he drew the gun on me. I grabbed for a chair as I did, I saw some money on the floor. I then missed my money. I asked for money. Pe trie held the gune against my breast and snaped it twice. I nocked petrie down at this time, the other had a Chair drawn. I nocked him baak. petrie then punched me in the face with the gun which threw me back on the bed. I raised up and then he struck me with the breach of the gun that nocked me back. again when I saw him next he was coming down on my Head that blow would seal my fate what was I to do. quicker than a flash I put my right hand in my pocket drew it out and fired the other one was coming at me with a chair. I fired at him with the left, by this time I received another blow from petrie witch I returned by giving him another shot, as I did this the other jerked the pistol out of my left hand and run. I was surprised (by) another blow witch (caused) me to look around as I did I saw the Blood a gushing from his mouth, he struck at me and as he did I struck him with my fist or pistol I dont know which I seen him go a tumbling I don't remember how. I got downstairs I remember of a going out of the front Door ———

After his mind became a little composed he talked at length upon the subject of religion. He talked about it, gave his opinion concerning it, wanted to be saved, thought he should be, but when we came to the subject of himself as a sinner in the sight of God, he seemed as far away as ever.

Saw him again in the evening. There had been many to see him during the day. Found him out of his cell and many about him, coming and going. He seemed perfectly quiet and easy in his manner, and it would have been hard for a stranger to distinguish between the condemned and uncondemned.

I asked him if I should come and see him again at 10, or 11 o'clock, he said no as he wanted to sleep for it hurt him to be broken of his rest.

I asked him if I should come and see him again in the morning and go with him through to the end. He replied that he did not wish any minister present as he expected to say something on the gallows they would not like—he should say he had done right, and was now doing right—that he intended to walk firmly up to the gallows and die like a man.

When I come to take my leave, however, he requested me to come again in the morning and go with him through.

So far as I can see yet, he has made no preparation for death. He is evidently expecting in some way to escape. He, in all probability has not yet seriously thought he will be hung.

Thursday, Dec. 23.—Found Morgan this morning surrounded by reporters and others. There was a manifestation of much more concern in his manner than last night. Got him into his cell, talked and prayed with him; he prayed audibly himself but strange to say, more for others that had injured him than himself.

A young man came and said: ''Morgan, I could not feel worse about this, if you were my brother. We have slept together; we have been together on many occasions, and have enjoyed ourselves," and when he said this, he wept like a child; but, so far as we could see, Morgan shed no tear. He talks about the same as usual. I then read several passages of Scripture to him, to which he listened attentively, and prayed with him again.

About half-past ten o'clock the Sheriffs son came and told me that they had just received a telegram that the Governor would not intercede. Morgan overheard the conversation. I went back into the cell, and his whole manner was changed. I informed him of what had been told me. He said he knew it. He sat down immediately to write a letter. I offered to write for him, but he declined, and went on and finished it himself. From this time his agitation increased, notwithstanding the powerful effort be made to control his feelings.

A gentleman came in and appealed to him to tell the exact truth in the matter before us. He replied that what he had stated was the truth so far as he knew. He then requested us to leave the cell for a little while and take the candle out. This we felt constrained to decline, as the conviction flashed upon our minds that he intended to take his own life. The time having come, the final prayer was made in the cell. At this point he seemed very much overcome, and laid his head down in the chair and wept. After taking leave of the prisoners, he walked to the gallows, and when there I asked him if he put his trust in Christ, he replied that he did. And after making a short speech the drop fell and Oliver A.

Morgan was no more. My impression is, that if all hope of Executive clemency could have been

taken away a day and a half instead of an hour and a half before his death, Oliver A. Morgan would have died a different man from what he did. ———<>———

OPERA HOUSE ^SUBBED,

LAFAYETTE, IND,,Dec.24.—The Mont: ••omery Opera House, until recehtly known as Snyder's

Opera House, was bnrn-

ed to the ground this afternoon. Tho building was owned by James Montgomery, of Chicago, and valued at $-10,000. Insured $10,000. The west room was occupied by the Postofficc. The mails and office fixtures were saved. C'. O. Comstock's billiard room in the basement was burned, loss $3,500. No insurance. •Wallace Bros.,gas fitters and plumber*.,occupying thc.adjoining room, slight loss from hasty removal of stock. The fire issupposed to be the, result of a defective^, flue.:,

A NATIONAL CALAMITY

DEATH OF EBWIX M. STASTOS.'

WASHINGTON,

Dec.

24—Hon.

Edwin

M. Stanton died suddenly at three o'clock-i this morning of congestion of the heart. Mr. Stanton had been confined to the} bo se for about a week. The President and Vice President called last Sundav, his 54th birthday, when the former tendered to him his appointment as Associaio .Justice of the Supreme Court, for which .j which Mr. Stanton expressed his gratittide and acceptance. Yesterday Mr. Stanton complained of sickness, but his family were not alarmed as to fatal rostilus, as he had apparently been in worse condition previously. Shortly after midnight his symptoms became alarming. |j.,| Surgeon General Barnes was present, hit accustomed visit, btit found it impossible to afford relief.

Rev. Starkey of the Church ofthe Epiphanv, Protestalft Episcopal, was summoned, but shortly afterwaTd the sufferer lost consciousness and was unable to eonverse with any one. The pulsation of his heart ceased for a few seconds, and then returned, his breathing being very faint. It was not until half an hour before his familv could realize that lie was dying. About .T o'clock in the morning he expired, quietly breathing .away «itliout a struggle. At the bedside in his la.-.t moments were his familv, consisting ot Mrs. Stanton, his eldest son Edwin M. Stanton, Ella, his oldest daughter, about

years

of age, I.ewisj his sccond son Xini, aged

years, and Bessie, his youngest child aged five. A large number of prominent citi/.ens and persons holding high official positions called to-day at the late residence of the deceased, some being unable to credit the report of his death, so unexpected and sudden, until they had satisfied tlieniselves by personal inquiry.

OUIICU FROM THE I'RKSIPENT. The President has issued the following order:

EXECUTIVE MANSION',

WASHINGTON,

December

2-1,

lStil).

The painful duty devolves upon the President of announcing to the people of the United States the death of one of its most distinguished citizens and faithful v.i servants, the Hon. Edwin Al. Stanton, which occurred in this city at an early hour this morning. He wa- distinguished in the councils of the nation during the entire period of its recent struggle for national existence, first as Attorney Genera I, then as Secretary of War. He vas unceasing in his labors, eanic-t and fearless in the assumption of responsibilities necessary to his country's success, respected bv all good men and feared by. wrong doers. In his death the bar, the bench and the nation sustain a great loss, which will be mourned by all. As a mark ot respect to his memory, it is oidcicd, that the Executive Mansion and the several Depart men's at Washington be draped in mourning, and that all busine.-s be suspended nil the dav of the funeral. [Signed] U. S. (ill A NT.

ORDER KROM TIIE SECRETARY OF WAR. The Secretary of War this afternoon issued the following order:

WAR DEPARTMENT. Dcc. 21., lbG'J.— The following order has been rcccivcd from the President of the United States. (See above.) The eminent ability of the late Secretary of War, his great legal acquirements, his firm patriotism and his steadv devotion to duty in the most trying time "ofthe Republic, ,when many others faltered, have commanded the admiration of the country, while his management of this Department during the days when a man of determination, energy and will was demanded, has marked his term of of office as one unequalled in administration. It is ordered that the offices con-

nected with the Department of War hedraped in mourning for a period of :'0 days, and all bussiness suspended therein on* the day of the funeral, and that on the day after the receipt of this order at each military prist 15 guns will be fired, at appropriate intervals, commencing at meridian. Signed,

WM. M. BEI.KNAP, Sec\'. of War.,

The Sorrowful History of a Cnrdiiml. Miss Brewster writes from Kome: "Of course there arc a great many distinguish- ,, ed prelates assembled together now in 'T Kome, and one of the greatest pleasures I ,v had on Monday morning was the chance of looking at each and all of them leisiirlv, as thev walked through the Sala licgia. Cardinal Prince Schwarzeubiirg, Arahbishop of Prague, attracted the most of my attention, lie is a tall, line-look-ing man of about fifty-five or sixty. lif- ,, teen vears ago, .when this Cardinal was bust in Kome, they tell me lie was very handsome, and 1 can well believe it.

Cardinal Scliwarzenburg is tall and slender, has light hair—now gray—fair skin, high, beautiful temples, a keen,cold eye, thin lips find delicate features. We laughingly compare him to some of our intellectual, cold-looking American lawyers. The Cardinal's history is a sad one.

"lie is the son of that famous Prince Scliwarzenburg who was tho Commander-in-chief of he grand army (Bohemian) in the war of the allied Prince against the ,.- first and great Emperor Napoleon. Of this General, Heeren says in his Historical Researches: 'History consecrates the name of a Scliwarzenburg, a Blueher and a Barclay de Tolly." His eldest son. who is now Cardinal as well as Prince, in his -:n votinger-manhood was disappointed in love. It was a sorrowful story, and the heir of great estates and an old and princely name sought in religion that resignation and consolation which the l*ss of his desrest hopes required. •'In Holbein's 'Dance of Death,' when '', Adam leaves the Garden of Eden, we sec Death quietly walking along with him and where our fir-4 father delves the ground there is Death laboring closc bebesi.de him, stroke for ?trokc, not as an enemy, but as a constant companion. And thus it has been with Prince Scliwarzenburg. Ever since bis voiith, when disappointed love drove hi -.i out of his paradise, sorrow lias been hi.i constant friend. His mother, whom he loved fondly, was burned to death at a theatre conflagration and a darling sister, the Princess Windischgratz, was shot in the Austrian revolution of 1748. The Princess went io the window, and received in her heart the ball that was intended for her husband. So no wonder I looked at this stately, lordly Prince, and recalled his own sad life-history wliil* 1 remembered that of his ancestors. When we see the representatives of famous emperors, kings, marshals and generals, it is as if the pages of history had taken form and flesh, especially when these representatives are such trulv regal persons as Olga Nicolaiewnaof Wurtemberge and Cardinal Prince Schwarzenbtirg.

This German princely prelate made many whom we bad formerly admired appear A-T. shorn of their grandeur. Cardinal Bona--. parte, for example, looked more like a stage prince than ever. The brilliant Parisian chemical diamond paled in the presence of the real gem." U-.-

TUB Topeka (Kansas) Recorde says:: About a dozen years ago the Reams Ijval at Leavenworth, the father of Vinne being the landlord of .the Shawnee Jfousct Afterward the family removed to X\ yan^ dotte, and Keam senior kept the Eldridge House. On the journey to Wyandotte 'Mi Ream drove the cow, and ivent with, iier snapelv feet bare to save her shoes.he worked about the hotel at washing wishes, and was remarkable fov nothing save her being an uncommonly pretty, plump little girl, with bright eyeg. If she bad artistic tastes oraspiratioiisf nonov ofthe boarders of "Shawnee", or tbtji "Eldridge'' ever found it out. Thev. ate the hash which Yinnie's fair hanJ served up^| nnd never dreamed that the tmme.. haiufr.^ would ever mold statues at jhe Capitol-