Arkansas Gazette Abstracts, Tues., Dec. 25, 1877

Compiled by Bonnie Baker-Palmer
Note!  This does not include advertisement information.  Nor does it include most of 
the information from outside of Ark., unless personal names are mentioned.

Foreign
Criminal notes:
Mail robber arrested.  St. Louis, Dec. 24 - Mr. Buxton, Postmaster at Morrisonville, 
Christian Co., Ill., was arrested by Special Agent Williams this morning for detaining 
& destroying mail matter from St. Louis, Chicago & Decatur.  Buxton is a merchant at 
Morrisonville, as well as postmaster.  He is said to be well off, and the drafts destroyed 
were drawn on him by parties here & elsewhere & sent to the Morrisonville Bank for 
collection.  He confessed to destroying 2 letters containing drafts from Spaunhorst  & 
Huckman, of this city.  He was taken to Springfield today for examination before US 
Commissioner Adams.  The matter was worked up by Postmaster Filley, of this city.

Horrible Outrage & Murder
Rochester, NY, Dec. 24.  Early yesterday 3 men entered the house of George Mingle, 
near Attica, knocked him insensible, gagged his wife, aged 56, ravished & then 
murdered her.

The Work of a Fiend
Boston, Dec. 24 - Cornelius Tobin threw a lighted kerosene lamp at Mrs. Mary L. 
Mekegan, setting her clothes on fire, and she was burned to death.  Tobin was arrested.

The Jetties
Further Test Required Before Payment of 2nd $500,000.  
St. Louis - Mentions Capt. Eads, of the steamer Halcyon.  Messrs. Barnard & Wright, of 
New York to inspect.

River News
Memphis, Dec. 24 - River fell 3 in. & now stands 10 ft. 3 in. Weather rainy.  Max. 
thermometer 68.  Arrived - Belle of Texas, White River; Baum, Cincinnati; Phil. Allin, 
Vicksburg.  Departed - Belle of Memphis, St. Louis; Donnally, Cincinnati; Joe 
Williams, Thos. Sherlock, New Orleans.

A Handsome Testimonial
Richmond, Ind., Dec. 24
The subordinate employees of Superintendant Miller, of the Indianapolis Div. of the 
Pan Handle Railroad, with a few personal friends, this evening presented a silver 
service, costing $1700, to Mrs. Miller.

Caught in the Toils
New York, Dec. 24
U. M. Mier was arrested last Sat. charged, with others, in being concerned in uttering 
Quincy, Ill., forged bonds.  He was admitted to bail today in the sum of $10,000.

Death of Parrots
Poughkeepsie, Dec. 24
Herbert P. Perrots, inventer of the Parrott gun, died at Cold Springs this morning.

Horrible Accidents
Detective Pryde of Memphis Unconsciously Kills His Wife & Child.
Memphis, Dec. 24
A horrible accident occurred at 3:30 o'clock this morning on Alabama St.  Detective 
William C. Pryde, while half asleep, imagined that he heard a burglar at his window, 
took a pistol from under his pillow, and in attempting to cock it the weapon was 
discharged, the ball passing through the body of his 5 month old child, and also 
through the body of his wife, causing the death of both in a few hours.  The inquest is 
now being held.  Mr. Pryde is almost crazed in consequence of the terrible accident.
Memphis, Dec. 24
The coroner's jury, in the case of Det. Pryde, who accidently shot & killed his wife & 
child this morning exonerated him, his wife having repeatedly stated that it was an 
accident before her wound proved fatal.
Postmaster Clarke, of Hernanda, Miss., was garroted Sat. night while going home, and 
robbed of $600 Post Office funds.

Death on the Rail
Kansas City, Mo., Dec. 24.
A young man, named Swan Peterson, was run over by a Missouri Pacific Freight train, 
about o'clock this morning, and so shockingly mutilated that he died soon after 
daylight.  The accident happened near the Grand avenue depot, and the man in 
crossing the track got his foot caught in a frog, where he was held like a vice, until the 
train ran him down.

From the Frontier:
Indian Depredations in Arizona....
All Quiet in Dakotah...Maj. Chas. G. Bartlett
Insolent Bannocks...St. Lake City, Col. Jno. Smith, ...who was sent to Ft. Hall, Idaho, to 
investigate the threatened war with the Bannocks, has made a demand for the 
surrender of the Indians who murdered Alex. Rhodes at Ross Fork...

A Lady's Long Trance:
The Des Moines (Iowa) Register, of a recent issue says: Yesterday evening there 
stopped at Given House, Mr. & Mrs. Shadle, of Guthrie Co., accompanied by some 
attendants.  They are escorting to Mt. Pleasant Mrs. Shadle, who has been in an almost 
continual trance ever since last March, without any premonitory symptoms, the lady 
became insane, wild at first, & finally violent.  She was visiting a sister near her 
residence.  Soon after her arrival there she began to talk strangely, and a few days later 
was raving with insanity, & at times very violent.  On the 12th of June, Mrs. Shadle 
had a spasm, from which she passed off into a comatose state, which continued 
without intermission until Oct. 1, when she awakened & conversed, although 
incoherently.  The next day she again fell asleep & has not been awake since.  She is 
fed by forcing her mouth open & placing food inside.  Her respiration is regular, but a 
little more frequent than that of most people her age, which is at 29.  She has 1 child, a 
boy of 4 years.  The first evidence of wakefullness she has exhibited since the 2nd of 
Oct. was the day before yesterday, when she was carried from home to a vehicle to be 
transferred to the cars.  The little boy climbed into the wagon & placing his arms about 
his mother's neck, kissed her.  Tears immediately rolled from the closed eyes, but they 
remained closed, & there was no other sign of waking.  She is to be taken to the 
asylum for the insane at Ft. Madison.

It is not clear if Patterson, of South Carolina, is through with his troubles.

Capt. Eads wants the 1/2 million that is due to him on account of jetty work.  The 
Secretary will send down an engineer to inspect the work.

Senator Blaine is at Hot Springs.  He may be a very "stalwart" Republican, and 
opposed to the President's policy of pacification, but a sense of justice impels us to say 
that once upon a time he helped Ark. when she stood badly in need of help.

(LOCAL NEWS)
Commissioner's Sale:
Notice is hereby given that in pursuance of the authority & dictions contained in the 
decreial order of the Pulaski Chancery Court, rendered in the cause pending in said 
court, wherein William B. Walt (could be Wait - copy smeared) is plaintiff, and Henry 
Linden, Louisa M. Oliver, William S. Oliver & A. P. Curry are defendants, the 
undersigned...will offer & sell at public outcry...in the City of Little Rock..Jan. 1, 1978, 
the following described tracts or parcels of land to wit: NW 1/4 of theNW of sect. 15, in 
township 1 N, range 12 W, in Pulaski Co., Ark., except a strip 20' wide off the -- side of 
said parcel of land... J. W. Calloway.

From Marion
Marion Co. & Yellville, Yellville, Dec. 15, 1877.
Editor Gazette: I recieved a letter a few days since from a friend requesting me to give 
him a description of our county, etc.  I beg to do so through the Gazette.  Marion Co. is 
bounded on the east by Baxter Co., on the west by Boone Co., on the north by the State 
of Missouri, and on the south by the Co. of Searcy.  The surface is undulating, 
generally speaking, but its hillsides are being rapidly cleared up & prove to be 
productive.  Crooked Creek runs through the center of the county.  Its valleys are very 
extensive, and yield a great quantity of corn, cotton, wheat, etc.  The soil of this county 
is of a thick sandy loam, and is adapted to the growth of almost everything necessary 
for the support of the people.  In traveling over her surface in spring, viewing the 
products, blooming in prospective splender from the richness of its soil, one might 
suppose that nature had decieved herself.
The 3000 bales of cotton, the 75,000 bushels of corn, & the 50,000 bushels of wheat 
produced this year are but a faint evidence of her untold riches or future prosperity.  
As to health she can compete with any county in the Union.  Her temperate climate, 
her abundance of pure spring weather, and her few cases of sickness are grand 
evidence of this.  If people who are suffering with many kinds of sickness would 
emigrate to a country like this it would be far better than loading the stomach with 
quack medicines.
Yellville, the county site of Marion Co. is a triving little town.  But a few years ago it 
was comparively a dense forest, where once was heard the shrill screams of the night-
hawk & the lonely cry of the howling wolf, is now to be heard the sound of engines, 
anvil & the sweet notes of song & praise to Him who reigns above.  It is situated on 
the bank of Crooked Creek, a beautiful little stream, where one can view the waters 
flow with rapid velocity.  There are 2 steam engines which run cotton gins, grist mills, 
saw mills, carding machines, etc.  I think Yellville can boast of selling more goods than 
any other town of her size in this section of the State.  As for business, intelligence, 
good preaching, for pretty young ladies and good looking old ones, the town of 
Yellville is hard to excel.  Yours truly, B. A. Jefferson

Arkansas For Immigrants:
Letter From Lafayette.
Walnut Hill, Dec. 20, 1877.  Editors Gazette: Seeing in your edition of the 10th an 
article on the reaction of the vast Immigration to Texas now going on, I am led to say a 
few words in behalf of your own promising, but suffering State, promising to every 
true son & laborer of the agricultural realm suffering for the want of intelligent 
utilized labor.  Many of the to be disappointed emigrants to the Lone Star State could 
save themselves much anxiety & the cost & trouble of a return trip if they would 
intelligently read, think, & correspond with any trusty interested citizen of your State 
in regard to the advantages offered to them here, and eschew the hallucinative offers 
made to them by unprincipled immigration agents, whose interest in the country they 
are selling lands in, and sending unsuspecting parties to, are governed only by the 
amount of commissions paid for sales or per head tax paid by some one to induce 
immigration.  I would not be thought to say that all are so basely inclined, but a great 
many are, for before leaving Boston I was offered $13 per head for every emigrant I 
would send to Florida & found the stories of it greatly exaggerated so could not 
recommend any one to go where I would not live myself.  Through correspondence 
with W. C. Bradley, Esq. & the Postmaster of this place, I was led to come here & look 
at your State, & having looked over it I am satisfied to stay here, & from a close 
observation & searching conversation with all claims? I have met, I find your State 
stands (sentence cut off here) borders - not men of the type of Chamberlain, Kellogg & 
Wells, who were disgraced to communities they had left, and certainly did not add any 
social luster to communities they settled in here, but men of clear brains, steady & 
industrious habits & examples.  Such men can find a hearty welcome here & have the 
right hand of fellowship reached them upon their arrival... D. Joy Starbuck

Little Rock Building Assc. No. 3.
Notice is hereby given that the annual election for a Board of 7 Directors for this Assc., 
to serve during the year 1878, will be held at the Secretary's office on Mon., Jan. 7, 1878, 
from 9-11.  William B. (or H.) Wait, Pres.  Walter Wittenberg, Sec. Little Rock, Dec. 25, 
1877.

CITY & GENERAL ITEMS:
Merry Christmas!
Capt. John Jabine is back from Louisville

Troubles have again commenced in Scott Co.

We had a call yesterday from Mr. W. L. Hall, proprietor of the Dallas (Tex.) 
Commercial.

A man named Peter Olson, in the employ of Mr. Orlopp, had the misfortune to 
severly cut his foot Saturday.

Miss Hattie Collins & fine music at the Christmas services in the Episcopal Church, at 
11 o'clock in the morning.

The steamer Big Rock leaves for Pine Bluff today, carrying a full load of Rose City flour 
for the Bluffites who "can't eat the corncake" for holidays.

The "Old Man-Who-Marks-His-Paper" is the name now given Col. Pitts, of the Prairie 
Co. Organ, by the Ark. Press Gang.

Mr. C. J. Scott & wife, formerly of this city but now in Van Buren, are spending the 
holidays with their daughter, Mrs. James Lawson.

After an extended trip with throughout the western part of the state, Mr. George H. 
Hughes has returned home hopeful, happy and healthful.

Lambelott's Grand Passchal's Mass will be rendered by the Cathedrel Choir at 6 o'clock 
this morning.  Von Weber's Grand Mass in G will be sung at 10:30 a. m. 

Mrs. S. V. Garland, wife of Hon. A. H. Garland, after a lingering illness of nearly 8 
mos., died at the family residence in this city at 10:40 o'clock last night.

We were shown yesterday the foot of an immense panther killed at Blackfish, near 
Forrest City, by Mr. James Gunnison, of this place.  The beast weighed 248 lbs.

Mr. Sholes, of the City Directory, leaves today on a business trip for Nashville.  He will 
return in about 2 weeks.  The management of the directory work here will be in the 
hands of Mr. C. W. Norwood.

An alleged cotton buyer was arrested at Austin, Lonoke Co., Sat., while burglarizing 
the Depot at that place.  When caught, he had "gone through" a $300 package of 
jewelry, shipped by J. V. Zimmerman, Esq.

Walter D. Jacoway, son of Col. W. D. Jacoway, of Dardenelle, was awarded the 
appointment to West Point by the examining Board of Third District, which met at 
Clarksville last week.  Mr. Jacoway is a young man of good mind & studious habits.

Held for postage Dec. 24, 1877: Milton Jakway, West Liberty, Iowa; Dr. Robinson, 
Sicielli Island, La.; J. H. Hine, Columbus, Texas; Chas. Coffin, Walnut Ridge, Ark.; A. J. 
Wilson, El Paso, Ark.; Mrs. D. D. Leach, Augusta, Ark.; Miss Sally Scott, Newport, Ark.; 
Supt. J. M. Fish, Miss M. Jackson, G. W. St. Clair, P. C. Dooley, City.

Mr. Webb, of Boonville, in this State, now in his 78th year, made 300 bushels of corn 
off 5 1/2 ac. of land, besides attending to other duties necessary in cultivating a small 
farm.  We learn from a gentleman who has been 2 weeks traveling in that portion of 
the State, & who has observed things closely that Old Man Webb's fences, gates & 
stocks are in better conditon than any other farm where he stopped.

Court notes:
Circuit Court:
... Eben W. Kimball, Esq., an application of the practicing attorneys of this court, asking 
to have the calender postponed...
Probst & Hill vs. Mayur; Judgement by default & possetion of property & $10 damages.
Walker vs. Lewis; response of Sheriff filed.
Van Patten vs. Fullerton; judgement by default.
Jones Bros. vs. Scott; judgement by default.
Wiebold vs. Shanahan; motion to strike schedule from file submitted.
Moore vs. Cairo & Fulton RR; amended return filed.

Chancery Court:
Rea vs. Motter; injunction against sale of lands made perpetual.
Vaughn vs. Rozelle; motion for interlocutory injunction denied.
Millie McAlister vs. George McAlister; decree for divorce.
Rottaken, Receiver, vs. Price & McClure; argument continued over until after the 
holidays.
Among other matters argued & submitted to the Court before the holidays, and now 
under consideration, are the cases of State vs. Lands Mortgaged by Joel Johnson; 
Hewitt vs. Dowdy & Hodges; Badgett et al. vs. Worthen, Clerk; Stiewell & Co. vs. 
Fletcher, Admin.

A Venerable Minister
Rev. John Buchanan, who filled the pulpit of the Cumberland Presbyterian church 
Sunday of last week, is doubtless the oldest active minister in Ark., as he will be 72 
years of age the 8th of next month & is still a zealous & faithful laborer in the Master's 
vineyard.  He settled in Cane Hill, in Washington Co., in 1827, & preached his first 
sermon, near Bentonville, 42 years ago.  He labored 8 years as an evangelist, receiving 
for his first 3 years work a total of $50.  He was pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
church on Cane Hill many years, and of the Amer. Bible Soc. 7 years, & has preached 
in every county in the State except 2.  He is still hale & vigorous, and we trust he may 
yet be spared for many years of usefulness, and the calm content which comes of a 
long life nobly spent & a future without a cloud. - Bentonville Advocate - Rev. John 
Buchanen referred to the above is the father of Rev. S. H. Buchanan, pastor of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church in this city.

Hotel Arrivals:
At the Metropolitan Hotel: M. White, Morrilton; J. L. Bragg, Louisville; W. Riley, 
Searcy; T. S. Neylon, W. C. Battle, Beebe; W. G. Ward, St. Louis; John Morgan, 
Memphis; Robert W. Hule, Arkadelphia; B. A. Dockeray, Pine Bluff; W. B. White, 
Chris C. McRae, Prescott; J. D. Hall, Hope; S. Landauer, Atlanta; R. W. Martin, 
Augusta; M. S. Shuford, Newport; C. M. Barnes, Fort Smith; Wm. I. Brown, Virginia; 
G. W. Lane, St. Louis.
At the Robinson House: D. P. Fleming, County; J. P. Foster, Newport; L. B. Hendren, 
New Orleans; A. A. Mills, Pittsfield, Ohio; H. C. Gorin, County; H. R. Gunn, Pueblo, 
Col.; B. F. Thompson, Marvell; A. J. Houser, Clarendon; Thos. F. Crathy, C F. Mathews, 
Newton, Ks.; Wm. M. Taylor, County; J. E. Williams, Tiskelville, Ill.
At the Central Hotel:
Z. T. Short, W. C. Marberry, G. R. Nansey, H. B. Cobb, J. L. Casder, Lonoke Co., Ark.; J. 
Thompson, J. E. Whitfield, T. M. Dunham, J. W. Montgomery, J. M. Reid, J. McNeil, T. 
McLain, C. E. Pierpont, J. M. Hamilton, R. Anderson, Pulaski, Ark.; J. N. Belcher, Wild 
Woods, Ark.; S. Riley, Reid's Landing, Ark.; G. W. Johnstone, Palarm, Ark.; W. H. 
Norris, Ft. Smith, Ark.; L. Smith, Van Buren, Ark.; T. T. Pitt, editor, Prairie Co. Organ, 
Carlisle, Ark.; F. McAfee & wife, Scott Co., Ark.; B. B. Dockery, W. C. Simmons, Pine 
Bluff, Ark.; J. H. Finley, Benton, Ark.; J. S. Handford, Mablevale, Ark.; J. M. Graves, 
Texarkana, Ark.; T. R. Simmons & family, Prescott, Ark.; R. W. Chrisp & sons, J. B. 
Cook, J. Phillips, W. T. Dodson, J. A. Dodson, A. T. Sherrod, J. S. Booth, Searcy, Ark.; 
John Brick, Jackson, Miss.; J. Baker, Mobile, Ala.; Geo. Brown, Cleveland, Ohio; J. H. 
McAlpine, R. L. Butts, Marshall, Mo.; R. T. Ellis, Polk Co., Mo.; C. W. Heguenabourg, 
Charleston, Mo.

Coroner's Inquest:
Until midnight of Sat. night Coroner Wollford was out one mile below Argenta, 
holding an inquest over the body of James Dawson, who came to this county in Sept. 
last, from Toledo, Ohio, & died very suddenly at the Clendennin place, near Argenta, 
Friday morning.  During Friday night the deceased slept with a friend, one Charles 
Johnson, who arose in the morning leaving young Dawson in what he supposed to be 
a deep sleep, nor did he discover that his comrad was dead until late Saturday 
evening.  The deceased had been ailing for some time, but on Friday had been able to 
walk around.  It was decided that he died of a combination of debility, congestion, & 
want of medication at the right time.  Among the effects of the deceased was found a 
postal money order from his father, for sufficient amount to bring the young man 
home to spend Christmas with his relatives.  The coroner took charge of the body, 
telegraphed to the relatives, and on yesterday recieved an order for sufficient amount 
to procure a metallic case, in which the remains of young Dawson were placed & 
forwarded to Toledo by the 3 p.m. train of St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern RR.

Hanged, But at Large:
An Iowa Man Comes to Life After His Body is Given to His Friends - The Authorities 
Are After Him Again:
...the hanging of Reuben Proctor in Iowa for murder...

State News:
Compiled from Our Exchanges & Correspondence:

Carroll
Wiley Cunningham, a citizen of this county, was killed last week by being thrown 
from his horse, while intoxicated.  So we gleen from the last Bowider.

Chicot
Ark. City Post, 15th: On last Wed. night, between 1 & 2:00 a. m., a fire broke out in Mr. 
Charles Beer's residence which was entirely consumed, together with all its contents.  
Mr. & Mrs. Beer were absent at the time.  They were at Pine Bluff & the latter at New 
Orleans.  At the time of the alarm the citizens promply arrived at the scene, but it was 
too late to remove the furniture & clothing, but suceeded in rescuing a servant who 
occupied one of the back rooms.  The loss was partly covered by insurance.

Craighead
Jonesboro Times, 20th; Between 10-11 o'clock on Mon. night last Mr. B. F. Crown 
(Uncle Ben) was found dead near the Acadamy at this place, with one foot in the 
stirrup of his saddle & his horse standing over him.  "Uncle Ben" had been in town 
during the day & had become intoxicated.  He remained till a late hour at night (9 or 10 
o'clock) but was heard in the vicintity of the Acadamy for some time after he was seen 
in town, after which nothing in reference to him is known until the time above 
specified, when Mr. W. A. Penick, who happened to be passing that way found him as 
above stated.  A jury of inquest was summoned by Coronor Robertson, who made up a 
verdict of "death from falling from a horse."
We are again charged with the unpleasant duty of recording the killing of ------ Inscore 
(we have not learned his other name) by Robert Goad, which occurred in Greene Co. 
near the Craighead line about 2 miles from Uncle Dan Tyler's on Friday last.  It 
appears that Inscore was attending to some business for one King, now in jail at 
Powhaten on the charge of horse stealing.  On the fatal day Inscore went to the house 
of Goad, told him he had heard it reported that he had said that he, Inscore, was a 
horse-thief (or something to that effect) & asked him if he had said it.  Goad then went 
into the house, procurred a gun & without further ceremony shot, killing him 
instantly.  These are the details as we have been able to gather them.  They may or may 
not be correct.  Goad made his escape & has not yet been captured.
We have, since the above was put into type, seen Mr. Little, Coroner of Greene Co., 
who states that Inscore did not give Goad the lie, but said that someone had dreamed a 
dream & had dreamed a d---d lie.  Also that Inscore's first name was Thomas.

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