The Cleveland gazette. [volume], December 29, 1883, Image 1

About The Cleveland gazette. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1883-1892

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THE
Cleveland Gazette.
VOL. 1.-NO. 12.
fob Tap Gazbttb.
AN INTERESTING LETTER
FROM A ROAMER’S DIARY.
•
How the Stewart-Wilberforce Con
cert Company Spent Thanksgiving
In a Penitentiary—Mrs> Cora Lee-
Watson—Mrs. J. R. Stewart—Mr.
Z. A. Coleman.
Chester, lIL, Nov. 29, ’B3.
Arose this morning in high glee, in
anticipation of a visit to the Southern
■niinois penitentiary, which is located
at this point. For two whole days we
have looked forward to this with touch
pleasure and scarcely dared breathe it
for fear our pleasure would be marred
by mere mention. Last evening the
sun went down behind the Missouri
hills and left a glorious after-glow of
yellow and crimson and violet that
seemed to light most peculiarly this
modern Rome of sevei -billed ftm^
turning the waves of the great Missis
sippi into crimson and gold, and bath
ing the purple hills beyond. Then the
colors grew deeper and deeper, until a
crimson mist deluged the entire river
and shone with an Etruscan splendor.
Then it verged into a dull gray that
fluttered and quivered—and darkness
fell. Each exclaimed in childish glee:
“To-morrow will be Thanksgiving, and
then-—” Well, it came. We were up
at six o’clock, hastily prepared for anci
had our morning meal. At half-past
seven o’clock we entered the car
riages which were to qonvey us to
the penitentiary. The King “of Day
was up in all his glory. A rapid
drive through the keen, frosty
air along the banks of the Mississippi
soon brought us to our destination.
The penintiary faces the “Father of
Waters,” being situated about 600
yards from its banks. The Warden
House is perfect in its architectural
style and beauty. Alighting from our
vehicles we were most cordially wel
comed by Warden Salter, who ushered
us into a suite of rooms where we might
divest ourselves of extra wraps. In a
short time the warden announced that
all was in readiness, and escorted us
through grated doors, along corridors,
up winding stairs and finally into the
chapel. This room is 62x85 feet in
size and twenty feet in height, having a
seating capacity of one thousand per
sons. About one hundred visitors were
in the chapel, being attracted thereto
by the concert to be given. After the
company was seated on the rostrum,
which was tastefully decorated with
potted flowers, the great barred door
on the right of the chapel swung open
and the prisoners filed m, followed by
? uards of their respective corridors.
he chapel was soon filled, and we had
before us one of the queerest Audiences ,
we ever attempted to entertain. Not-'
withstanding six hundred convicts with
clean faces and closely shaven heads
and clad inf stripes sat before us, yet
perfect silence reigned, and a more
gentlemanly audience never awaited
us. How our hearts melted as we
looked into the faces of those men,
and tears would flow despite
our efforts to restrain them.
What a motley crowd was before us! j
The murderer, the horse-thief, the
burglar, and so on to the end of the
chapter—nay to the finis of the volume
of crime. The faces presented a re
markable and varied aspect. There J
were the unmistakable evidences of
crime in the low retreating forehead, j
the restless, uncertain gaze, the sensual j
mouth, indeed the whole visage indi
cated the hardened criminal. Here, ,
too, were honest faces, with eyes that j
looked frankly and fearlessly into ours. ।
About twenty guards stood about the
room, but no show of fire-arms was ap
parent. The Chaplain read a portion
of scripture and invoked Heaven’s
blessings upon this fair land and her
people. The Thanksgiving proclama
tion of the Governor was read and
then the committee was introduced. I
wish I might tell you how keenly they
enjoyed the entertainment in everv par
ticular. For one hour and a half we
had the pleasure of throwing into the
solitary lives of those men a gleam of
sunshine that transformed and softened
even the most desperate looking. A
shade of sadness crept over the faces of
some, whose hearts still seemed flesh,
as something touching was told and
sung. When the humorous came a
ripple of laughter would pass over that
odd assembly, but only by the loud ap
plause of hand and foot was their ap
preciation noticed. Yes, sat through
it all and no man said one
word to his fellow. O, what
torture, especially to feminine minds.
After the entertainment Warden Salter
stated that as he had gazed over the
chapel he thought that some had broken
in from the outside, but he finally con
cluded that “we are all here,” compli
mented the men on their good deport
ment, and told them of the chat they
were to have for an hour, of the good
dinner awaiting them and of the smoke
they should enjoy. A burst of ap
plause followed these remarks, and
while we heartily detest the pipe, yet
in this instance we found ourselves glad
for the men, as their eyes brightened
in expectation, and our hands would
clap to. As the convicts filed out, they ■
held up their heads, had more intelli-1
gent expressions and stepped with the
air “We ean be men yet.’' When the
grated door closed upon the last man,
the warden conducted us to the cell
house where the prisoners were ming
ling freely with each other. We fell in i
with them, shaking hands and getting j
glimpses of their past lives, hearing
ieir protestations of innocency, or
when liberated, of their firm intention
to lead upright lives. One of our num
ber met a former pupil and was greatly
teased about the teachings bestowed
on the lad. All United States Prisoners
from the South and East are sent here
and we caught sight of several. Among
the most noted are Doyle, the counter- j
feiter, from Chicago, Simms, the;
fraudulent lawver from the same
bug. and Russell, Uie United i
Stews Marshal, of Texas. We
met and conversed with Mr. Bus- j
sell. We stood beside this modern
Hercules, whose fine physique could j
not be hidden by the garb of ignomy '
be wore. He towered aimve all around j
feim, not in his magnificent proportions.
alone, but by the gigantic intellect that
lay behind the massive forehead and
beamed from the kindly eyes that
looked down upon us. You felt like
standing with your cap under your arm
and doing homage to stripes---he made
you respect him. This man was an in
timate associate of President Garfield.
Said he in deep, rich tones: “I enjoyed
the esteem and friendship of General
Garfield, and w’ould to-day he were
alive.” The cell house was next exam
ined. It is built with large windows
seven by twenty-eight feet in size, and
so situated that there is no cell into
which the sun does not shine. It has
excellent means of heating and venti
lating. This house has a capacity for
800 prisoners, and for light, heat and
ventilation has no superior in the United
States. Some of the cells were most
tastefully decorated with pictures and
various trinkets of the convict’s own
manufacturing. Upon the wall of one
man’s cell the following lines were
chiseled:
“ ’Tis a sorrow and sadness.
That no tongue can tell;
’Tis akin to all madness,
Thus locked in a cell.
O! so lonely and weary
Each day passeth by;
And the night all so dreary,
Drives sleep from mine eye.”
Soon the signal was given, and, not
withstanding the 600 men were at
games, laughing and chatting, singing
and performing upon the violin and
banjo, within a few minutes every voice
was silenced and they had formed into
two long lines on either side of the cell
house. At the bell tap they marched
with the “lock-step” to the foot of the
stairway and then went springing up
the winding flight to their cells, look
ing like some huge striped reptile in its
tortuous ascent. A prolonged shout,
as if in thanks, rang out upon the air
and the clank of the great bar of iron
shut them from our view. Many other
things of interest were shown us but I
will not weary you with a description
of them. A sumptuous dinner was
served to the men in our presence. A
deep pan, containing a roasted chicken,
tomatoes, potatoes, two apples and an
onion, is a sample. Seven hundred
pans were similarly filled and placed
upon a long table. Each man passed
from his cell, taking a pan and all the
bread he wished back to his cell to eat
at his leisure. It sharpened our appe
tites to see so much food, and when, a
little later, we sat at a table groaning
under its weight of edibles, we did
ample justice thereto, thanking God
and “Uncle Sam” for their bounty.
A number of mementoes were -given to
the members of the company by the
convicts, among them a beautiful poem,
. based upon a most entrancing legend,
entitled “Castile.” It was writtep by
a law student of Harvard, who bears
the sobriquet of “Shakespeare” at the
penitentiary. We were wonderfully
impressed by the good feeling that
seemed to exist between officers and
convicts. Especially is this true of
Warden Salter and wife. Every man
was kindly spoken to with words of
cheer and advice. Major Salter ob
served that discipline had been well
maintained by kind and humane treat
ment and by respecting the rights of
the convicts. For convicts, like other
men, are more easily reached by appeals
to reason than by force. One thing was
quite noticeable, no guard carried a
weapon, his only means of defense being
a staff.
Thanking the officers for their hos
pitality and bidding them adieu, we
were soon conveyed to the depot,
boarded the train and were swiftly
borne northward. The day closed most
grandly. The good citizens of Sparta
came out en masse at the Presbyterian
Church, and highly appreciated our
efforts to entertain them. And so ended
a most eventful day in the history of the
“Stewart-Wilberforce Con. Com.”
. PERSONAL MENTION.
The Company has met with unusual
success in the State of Illinois. It will
enter lowa in a few days, Burlington
being the first point. Mrs. Jennie R.
Stewart, in the song “Jesus, Lover of
My Soul,” drew tears from the convicts’
eyes.
Mr. Z. A. Coleman convulsed them
with his solo, “A Jolly, Good Laugh.”
Miss Cora Lee Watson is making a
fine reputation as a soloist. Her health
is perfectly restored and she has no idea
of returning to her home till June, at
which time she will be crowmed with
laurels and Cinti will have reason to be
doubly, proud of her.
Prof. Caston and the Plaindealer—
J. V. C M of Pittsburgh, Talks.
I see in your last issue that Mr. Paul
Gaston is accused of Plagiarism. We
all know what that means. And if
there is any originality about the
gentleman’s letters concerning Ste.
Domingo. We all know that, too.
Can the Plaindealer man know any
more about such things than is written
in history?
Perhaps he is an antiquarian, a fossil,
a barnacle still sticking upon the earth’s
surface.
A repetition of history is a common
thing these days, even though some ar
ticles may come under the head of
original. The people read as well as
the Plaindealer man. As far as origi
nality is concerned, I suppose that tne
P. D. man can speak volumes for his
paper—no clippings, no borrowings,
&c.
The State educational convention of
the leading colored men of Georgia
convened in the city of Atlanta on
I Wednesday last, at ten o'clock. The
same was one of Jhe most intelligent
and prominent gatherings of colored
men ever convened in the State. The
aflair was clear of all political coloring,
from the fact that the gentlemen met
solely for the purpose of taking an
active interest in the educational affairs
of the State, not only for the benefit
of the poor colored people, but the
whites as well. As far as the large
towns and cities of Georgia are con
cerned, the educational advantages are
creditable, but the interior is sadly
neglected. The white children suffer
for want of proper attention, as much
so as the colored, and it is principally
on which account that such a conven
tion took place, in order to devise plans
by which * Federal and State aid could
be brought about in the proper direc
tion. —Ecto,
CLEVELAND, OHIO, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1883.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Christmas—Personals—Persons to
Receive Calls.
Washington, Dec. 25,1883.
Special Correspondent Cleveland Gazette.
The ringing and the chiming of the
merry Christmas bells, as they tinkle
and tinkle, resounding in gladsome
measures the precious truth, “To us is
born this day a Saviour, who is Christ
the Lord.” The shock of Christmas
arras, the rapid ascent and descent of
magnificent rockets, in fact the most
brilliant and beautiful pyrotechnic dis
play, how they all carry our thoughts
back to the sweet long, long ago; to
the joyful scenes of our childhood; to
the days when it was our utmost
pleasure and privilege to hang up
stockings and bags and baskets m the
chimney corner, and we even, in our
•ager expectation for much, would
hang up pillow-cases, which sometimes
were not large enough nor strong
enough to hold the dolls, carts loco
motives, candies, and the countless
other toys and articles which made
Christmas the happiest day of the year,
which made it a scene long to be re
membered, on account of the very
pleasant and agreeable occurrences
which have left an indelible impress
upon the tablets of our memory.
How in our youthful innocence we
would believe Santa Claus to be a
"living person!" How we believed
that, instead of entering the door or
window, our imagination would soar in
the realms of fancy—picturing Old Nick
riding in full speed in his sleigh, with
his “mammoth overcoat” filled, yes,
packed full of “Christmas gifts,” mak
ing his descent into every house
through the chimney—evidently enjoy
ing his nocturnal ride upon the beau
tiful snow! But maturer years have
caused to disappear entirely those bright
and fanciful thoughts of our childhood.
Yes—
‘‘Years have changed those happy hours
Of scenes that used to be.”
Now we have arrived to the full stat
ure of manhood and womanhood with
all the consequent responsibilities and
cares, to the realization of our true
mission.
We attend church to learn of. Him
who came upon the stage of human
endeavor to establish the blessings of
gospel truth which we enjoy to-day, in
order that the world through Him might
be saved.
But with it all we' still enjoy the
Christmas turkey—the indomitable and
inevitable turkey forms a char
acteristic feature in our conception
of Christmas. On this day we
dine with our friends, with loved ones
of our early school days, with those
who are running with us upon the wide
battlefield of lite—we forget our rival
ries, we cease contention, we bury our
discord beyond the possibility of resur
rection, which even the sonorous and
clarion-like trumpet of Gabriel is pow
erless to raise — discord sleeps the
sleep which knows no waking. This is
as it should be. We should lay all our
burdens down at the foot of the cross.
We talk gleefully about the familiar
scenes of our earlier years, we chat
about the happy memories and associa
tions of our youthful career, while
without the crisp and pearly flakes of
snow fall and strike against the window
pane, and carpet the whole earth with
a beauty beyond description—with in
expressible “grandeur; we shield and
protect ourselves from the biting and
piercing cold—in line, we feel that it is
a veritable Christmas. Truly upon this
merry day we manifest our love for
Him by our charity and generosity to
the poor, for whom He died. It is upon
this day that we make glad the hearts
of many, to whom otherwise Christmas
would not indeed be merry. We feel
that it is “better to give than to re
ceive,” and we experience the “luxury
of doing good.” Pardon the poetic in
spiration of your correspondent.
It is our chief delight that we should render
light
The burdens of those whom the world has
roughly treated;
And so our purse we open as a veritable token
Of our sympathy for those to whom it is
cheerfully meeted.
We give to the poor who stand at our door.
To those for whom Christ his precious blood
has shed,
And to Him do we bring (as glad anthems we
sing).
Our tribute and praise, who in a lowly man
ger laid.
The children all sing Christmas carols to their
King,
And in happy, happy strains peal forth their
youthful voices;
We, toe. join in, while joyful choruses uing
In grateful melodies—while earth, while
Heaven rejoices!
PERSONALS.
Hon. A. F. Atkinson, of Georgia, will
spend a portion of the holidays in Rich
mond.
Hon. J. H. Deveaux, of Georgia, is
on leave.
Hon. E. H. Deas, of South Carolina,
is on a furlough.
The following persons will re
ceive on New Years’ Day: Pro
fessor J. M. Gregory and lady,
Mrs. and Mrs. W. A. Bruce, of Roch
ester, N. Y.; Rev. Dr. Frank Grimke
and lady, Miss Daisy Coleman, Miss
Lena Champ, the Misses Syphax, Mr.
and Mrs. George W. Stewart.
Dr. Furman J. Shadd has one of the
finest little boys in the city. We ex
tend congratulations to this talented
and rising physician.
Mr. W. A. Stewart, one of our popu
lar bankers, will spend Christmas in
Baltimore.
C. C. Stewart, Esq., the business man
ager of the Bee, will be the guest of
that wealthy and influential citizen of
Baltimore, Mr. James Jackson.
The genial and brilliant editors of the
Baltimore Vindicator. Messrs. Joe Bris
coe and Harry Arnold, are in the city.
FEAt.
. • »- —
Exchanges Please Copy.
I, Horace Richards, born in King and
Queen County, Virginia, am anxious to
hear something of some of my relatives,
whom I have not seen for forty years.
My mother’s name is Senior Richards;
father’s, Warner Richards; brothers’,
Louis and Arthur; my sister’s name is
Martha Ann Richards. Any infor
mation of the above named persons will
be thankfully received. Address Horace
Richards, care of the Cleveland Ga
zette, 25 Enolid Avenue, Cleveland,
Ohio.
PITTSBURGH.
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE RE
PUBLIC.
The Impeachment Trial—Personals
—Response to the Appeal in Be
half of the Needy—The “Owl"-
The Death of Miss Mary Knox-
Rumored Discord.
J. W. Anderson and J. C. Delphey Editors,
38 Crawford Street.
Joseph Evans Agent. 34 Miltenberger Alley
Some time ago I spoke of a most
creditable and worthy organization be
longing to this city —the Grand Army
of the Republic. An organization with
which there are connected so many
beauties that one is almost at a loss
which to admire first. There are so
many noble deeds and heroic acts be
longing to the men who compose this
body that one hardly knows where to
begin. It is a subject if hours were
spent in its consideration, still would it
stretch before us like the vast deep. No
orator can express in language, no poet
sing in verse, no sculptor can chisel
from marble the grand truths, the no
ble deeds, the heroic acts, the God-like
devotion which are exponential of these
men, who, with bleeding arms and lac
erated breasts bore out Republic upon
the mighty wave of rebellion and
“planted her feet upon the firm and
steady rock of constitutional law and
civil liberty.” These truths, these
deeds are immortal, and the combined
efforts of friends cannot add to their
grandeqr, nor the united exer
tion of enemies detract from
their glory. Noble deeds, like
great thoughts, never die. “They go*
among the eternal archives of human
hope and security to which the treas
ures of successive ages are committed.
There are circumstances in the lives of
men, however adverse to their feelings,
and however devoutly wished to be for
sotten,5 otten, will still cling to their memory.
he rebellion will ever live among the
blackened records of the past. The
overthrow of slavery was the starting
point of the future greatness of the
American people. It was the first
glimmer of the star of the East to guide
a fallen people to the goal of happiness.
It was the first ray of light to penetrate
that sea of waste that intellectual
desert, so fittingly peculiar to master
and slave. It was the sowing of the
seed, moistened by the tears of friends
and relatives, and wet with the blood
of three hundred and fifty thousand
illustrious dead, which gave perma
nency to our institutions, stability to our
Government, happiness to our people
and grandeur to our Republic. Every
man, woman and child under the
star-lit dome of the ethereal vault
is indebted to the “boys in bluet”
The success of their arms opened up
the avenues of prosperity and happi
ness to the oppressed and downtrodden
of everv land, the persecuted of every
race. It led the slave from the dungeon
of serfdom and placed him in the full
sunshine of bodily liberty and intellect
ual freedom. It transformed the mas
ter from a brute into a man. It made
the little negro as free as the father
who shackled him. It clothed in the
spotless majesty of liberty the cotton
picker, whose relationship was ignored
and whose sisterhood was not recog
nized. It lifted the South from the gulf
of iniquity and placed it upon the plat
form of morality. It diverted the Tigris
and Euphrates of corruption and
stopped the Belshazzar’s Feast of hu
man traffic. All that this country is
to-day is built, all that it can ever be
must be built upon that foundation
which was laid by the triumph of the
Union soldiers, cemented by the blood
of their fallen comrades and guarded
by the spirits of their departed heroes.
The question whether colored men
should take up arms caused a great deal
of commotion, even among some of our
loyal States. One man offered, on the
floor of Congress, a resolution that any
man who commanded Negro troops
should be treated as a pirate and slave
stealer and not as a soldier. When
Grant and Cameron suggested the ques
tion to Lincol* the President opposed
it, but finally to save the Union, he lib
erated the slave, not because Caesar
was loved less but Rome more, and
armed the colored men to fight for a
cause whose origin was not in their in
terest. When the colored man first of
fered his service to fight against those
who had so cruelly treated him, who
had taken his wife and children and
sold them as goods and chattel, and to
fight for those who stood silently by and
permitted it, his noble offer was re
fused. The reply came back to him
plethoric with contempt and abound
ing in sarcasm: “This is a white man’s
war.” But when the Republic reeled
and tottered, bleeding from a thousand
wounds, almost shot to death from
rebel guns; when it was about to be a
lost cause, the. cry went out for Ethi
opia to stretch forth her hands and give
assistance.
The black man went forth without
money and without price. The country
did not collapse because black men
went to the front. The spirit of the
white soldier to thrash the Johnnies
didn’t subside when a black man was
placed by his side to help him to do it.
The cheek of no officer became rubes
cent when he saw the monotony of his
ranks broken by a sable volunteer. The
rejected stone became the chief corner
stone of the building; it was the stone
upon which the monument of success
was reared, and defeat turned into vic
tory. It was the stone which broke the
spinal column of confederacy; it was
the rock upon which the old ship of
Rebeldom was wrecked. The time will
come when the magical wand of truth
will draw aside the curtain which hides
the heroic acts, and the deeds of the
colored soldiers, and disclose them in
all their beauty and magnificence,
grandeur and glory.
Mr. Moses L. Massey, of Philadel
phia, is in the city visiting his father,
G. W. Massey.
Miss Amelia Clark, a highly cultured
young ladv, who has been teaching
school at Washington, Pa., is spending
her vacation at home.
Miss Katie Johnson, of Pine Fock,
Md., is the guest of her brother, Sam
uel E. Johnson.
Miss Lottie Hall and Mrs. Lizzie
Whitby, of Allegheny, will assist Mrs.
Baltimore, of Logan street, on New
Year’s day.
G. S. Singleton, of the East End, is
spending the holidays with his sister at
Mt. Vernon, O.
Miss Carrie Huston, a talented young
lady from Macon, Ga., is the guest of
Mrs. J. V. Hunter.
Miss Bella Handion, of Paducah,
Ky., is visiting Miss Lizzie Grant.
Mrs. Fanny Banks, recently from
Chicago, has concluded to spend the
winter with her sister. Miss Lizzie Ran
dolph.
Charley Palmer as an agent is im
mense. Whatever he takes hold of is
generally a success.
In the death of Miss Mary Knox,
daughter of Rev. G. B. Knox, the fam
ily receive a severe shock. Sho was
only about nineteen years of age and
quite promising. Her sudden death on
Monday morning has caused deep sor
row and sympathy for the bereaved
family.
The little children were made happy
at the annual treat given to them by
the Wylie Street Sabbath School.
Fully three hundred were present and
it was quite a pleasant sight to see how
much these little ones enjoyed them
selves. Some playing, singing and
some eagerly grasping at the good
things so abundantly handed
around. We do not believe that
any of our renowned artists could
make the canvass do justice to such, a
scene, as I stood watching them the
very picture of happiness. I thought
how great was the responsibility of
directing the footsteps of these “little
innocent ones and how much our race
depends upon this young generation for
its future prosperity. As to whether
they will be able to meet expectations
or comply with the demand made upon
them is a matter to be chronicled in our
future history.
We notice that our appeal in be
half of the poor is meeting with success.
W e are pleased to note that the “Owl
Club” has tendered a handsome sum of
money for the purpose. The money
and other things to be disposed of on
New Year’s day. All those who desire
to help in this matter can receive a
satisfactory explanation upon applying
to us. We hope that the young men
will rally and make this one of their
best efforts.
There is a rumor concerning dissatis
faction existing in a well known secret
society. It seems that some want to
withdraw from their present position
and reorganize a much younger body.
As to the wisdom of their choice we
will say more when we are privileged to
use the society’s name. But this we do
hope, that the trouble will be settled
and that this time-honored association
that numbers among its members some
of our best and influential men will go
on and continue the good work that
has crowned their efforts so long.
What has become of the Waiters’
Union and the Labor Union, two excel
lent societies, and whose objects were
worthy of being recognized. We hope
to hear of them being in a flourishing
condition before long.
Perhaps one of the most exciting and
interesting meetings that has been
held by Wylie Street Literary Society
was that of last Tuesday evening, the
18th. It was the trial of C. A. Jones,
President of the Literary Society, for
misdemeanors in office. The lecture
room was crowded, all eager to hear
such an important case. The society
placed but two witnesses on the stand,
when the court adjourned on account
of the lateness of the hour. Daniel
Dorsey was elected Judge and the
jurors were Miss Fanny Robinson, Miss
Cora King, Miss Tene Bell, Miss Ella
Burrs and Mrs. Clara Stewart. A better
set of jurors could not be selected.
They are independent, fearless and fair.
As to the result of the trial opinion is
about evenly divided.
H. C. Smith, our editor, paid us a
flying;visit last Sabbath, much to our
surprise. He made the acquaintance
of a number of our young men, who
were very much pleased with him. We
would be pleased to have him come
again to see us, but do not say anything
about the weather to him.
On Christmas night, at the residence
of Mrs. Hulton, No. 5 Clark street, Miss
Maggie Robinson was united to Mr.
Dennis Carter. Quite a number of
handsome presents were given to the
happy couple.
URBANA.
Trial—Personals—Musical—Fan Drill
—Look Out for Next Week’s News.
The trial of Eber Perry, for the kill
ing of Darius Hicks last October, closed
last Saturday evening about five o’clock,
after a continuance of several days.
The time previous to Saturday had been
occupied in receiving testimonies of
witnesses. The pleading on both sides,
though not eloquent in the popular
sense, was interesting and instructive,
and showed a thorough knowledge on
the part of the lawyers. Ex-Judge
West, of Logan County, attorney for
the defendant, made one statement in
his argument which, if he believed,
showed intellectual blindness as great
as his natural blindness. Said he, in
referring to certain conduct on the part
of the defendant prior to and connected
with the murder : “If it please your
honor, when we consider that this
young man belongs to a race who are
morally, intellectually and religiously
children, this a result, of course, from
their past condition of servitude,
this conduct must be looked upon as
only child's play.” L r-like, the
Judge supposed he might blind the
jury with twaddle. His audience were
surprised to hear such blarney fall from
the lips of so learned a man as he is.
We have heard, however, that all li—rs
(lawyers) will 1-e, and that only one
has been known to speak the truth.
Ben Butler, when he said a few years
ago, “I could not be a Democrat.”
Every one believes it, for no one be
lieves him other than a Republican to
day. Please excuse the digression.
After the argument of the State’s attor
ney, during which he made a very per
tinent reply to ex-Judge West’s “child
hood of the race,” not in flattering
prattle, but in genuine truth, placing
the race! where it belongs, the presitt
ing Judge delivered his charge to the
jury. The burden of the charge, im
partiality on the part of jury and justice
on the part of the State, impressed all
present that “guilt should be punished
and innocence go free.” From 5:30
that evening till Sunday morning the
jury was in session, at the end of which
time the solemn tolling of the court
bell seemed to foretell the announce
ment that came immediately after: * If
it please your Honor, we, the jury im
paneled for the trial of Eber Perry, find
him guilty of manslaughter.
Sunday morning brought snow and
rain, notwithstanding this, there were'a
goodly number of adults and children
present at the regular monthly chil
dren’s services at 11a.m., which the
pastor, Rev. John Dickerson, has or
ganized in St. Paul A. M. E. Church at
this point. His subject for the morning
lecture, “The City of God,” was most
beautifully simplified and exemplified
on the board. His discourse was not
only interesting and instructive to the
children but edifying to the adult part
of the congregation; increasing the de
sire of all present to get to the “four
square city of twelve gates and jasper
walls; a city grander than London in
dimensions, more beautiful than Paris
in appearance, and more secure than
the walled Babylon, a ‘city whose
builder and maker is God.’ ” Rev. W.
N. Allen, of the Jerusalem Baptist
Church, filled the pulpit of St. Paul at
the evening services.
The young people have contemplated
a jolly sleigh-ride and surprise on the
Ist qtrox. to one of the neighboring
farmers; but if the present state of the
weather is any indication of what the
future will be, we may substitute skiffs
or canoes for sleighs.*
Christmas is coming, and so are the
girls. Misses Carrie Jones, Josie Rob
erts and Hattie Dickerson, eldest
daughter of St. Paul’s pastor, have ar
rived home to spend the holidays.
The usual annual Masonic Christmas
festivities will take place within the
present week: also the concert to be
given by the A. M. E. choir.
Farrow's Band, which recently re
turned home from a several months’
tour of the South with Sell’s show,
gave a concert and festival in City Hall
last week. The band discourses some
beautiful music.
Several here have received invitations
to attend the “Fan Drill” to be given
in Circleville, 0., on Christmas night,
by the young ladies of the St. Paul A.
M. E. Church there.
As we were out of the city before
Monday evening we cannot state what
delegate was appointed to attend the
Columbus convention.
Be sure to read the Urbana news next
week, as, on account of our absence,
it will be penned by one of female
identity; therefore, if the name “Erd
naxela” be affixed, know that it is a
forgery subject to indictment by your
humble servant, trial by the readers,
conviction by the proof and sentence
by her conscience. Erdnaxela.
YOUNGSTOWN.
R. H. C. Again to the Front—A
Scorcher for C. H. C.
Mr. Editor: Please allow us space
in the columns of your excellent paper
to give that Democratic viper another
whack. In our letter of two weeks ago
we stated historical facts, of cause and
effect, and we would bow to any logical
argument that could disprove or r< 'ute
anything we then said on the subject.
But this article of C. H. C. reminds us
of an event which occurred here at a
meeting of colored voters September
26, where the hydra head of the afore
said snake was first seen, in the form
of a resolution to organize an independ
ent Democratic Club. We saw the
head when it first peeped out and dealt
it a terrible blow, which would have
killed any ordinary thing, but it lived
and appeared at another meeting
which was called to take action
on the Civil Rights decision, in
the shape of another resolution
in which we were asked to indorse
the civil rights decision, and pledge
our unbounded faith in the Court. And
attached to this was a resolution on the
barbers, he hoping to gain thereby
prestige and excite prejudice against
the barbers, one of whom had dealt
that blow. We again attacked our
snaky antagonist and pounded its head
as flat as a flounder. We really thought
the thing was dead, but the copper-head
is worse than a cat—more lives. But
alas! our mistake; as we find the poi
sonous fangs of his snake’s excellency
in the columns of the Cleveland Ga
zette. Being thoroughly acquainted
with the local, personal and political
bearing of the article by C. H. C., we
shall not descend to notice again any
thing that may emanate from that
source. As for having the interest of
our people at heart, their elevation,
advancement, etc., the writer of
the former article is too well
known to need any comment,
especially in this locality where his re
nown has been established by acts and
deeds. In short the general logic in
the entire article of C. H. C., is too
flimsy and malicious to deserve notice.
For instance, the men who strive to
make a living, “are as much our ene
mies as were the slave dealers of the
past,” again “the rights and interests
of six millions of people are paramount
to the financial interest of a few thou
sand men.” We fail to see how the
starving of a few thousand barbers tb
death would enhance the conditio^ of
those who were left Again, “bakers’
greed for gold.” We thought the ob
ject of all mechanics was to make a
livelihood, and if anyone can get a liv
ing without money, C. H. C. can tell
best. We presume that the principle
kickers around and about here can find
more places where they can get shaved
than they can the dimes to pay for the
operation. r\ h. C.
A Card of Thanks from Rev. Gaza
way.
I hereby return my thanks to the
young gentlemen who purchased and
caused to be presented to me a very
tine overcoat. 1 very greatly appreciate
the gift. May Heaven’s choicest bless
ings rest upon you all.
J. W'. Gazaway,
Pastor St John's A- M. E. Church,
Cleveland.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
ZANESVILLE.
An Interesting Letter— Social—Per*
sonai—Notes- Obituary.
Our guest# during the holidays: Miss
Ida B. Sawyer, of Circleville, visiting
her parents.
Miss Hannah Harper, of Scott’a
Mines, visiting her parents.
Miss Carrie B. Tate, of Chillicothe,
vhifiag her grandpa, Joseph Qualls.
Mrs. Lucy Hill, of Coshocton, visiting
her parents.
Mrs. Lavinia Metcalf, of Springfield,
visiting Mrs. Helen Parker.
Miss Emma Tibbs, of Lancaster,
visiting Mrs. Hannah Tibbs and sister,
Mrs. Lewis Hargraves.
Mr. J. Valley Simpson, of Rendville,
was up looking after his fences. Were
they in good shape, Valley?
Miss Alice Hogans, of Zanesville, and
Mr. Turner, of Rendville, were married
last Wednesday night. They left for
his home Thursday.
William L. Hardy and family, of
Cleveland, have taken up their resi
dence here in hopes that he may regain
his much impaired health. His many
friends wish a speedy restoration of
health. He is feeling much better since
he left Cleveland. [Glad to hear it.—
Ed.
Mr. James Stewart left on the 25th
for Richmond, Ind. He is to be mar
ried to Miss Lizzie Lockley, of Rich
mond, on the 27th, and will reside at
77 Marietta street, Zanesville. Jame«,
get your wine and cake down. We are
coming up. —
Miss Minnie A. Barnett and Miss
Carrie B. Tate will attend Mr. Stew
art’s wedding.
Mr. C. W. Guy left on the 25th to
attend A. R. G. Guy’s wedding on the
26th at Portsmouth/
Mr. J. Valley Simpson, one of Zanes
ville’s bright young men, had the honor
of receiving last week the appointment
as postmaster at Rendville, O. He has
been a resident of Rendville about four
years. Success to you, Valley.
Malta Commandery No. 17 Drill
Corps Club will give a grand ball on
January lat Odd Fellows Hall. Twq
hundred invitations were sent out. A
large number will attend. The com.
mittee are sparing no pains to make
this the event of the season. Good mu
sic and good order. Admission, SI.OO.
Miss Jennie Guy and sister Ella were
on the sick list last week.
Mrs. Elizabeth Parker left for Troy,
0., to visit her son Wm. Parker.
Zion Baptist Church gave several fine
presents to the children Christman
night at Odd Fellows Hall.
South street A. M. E. Sabbath school
had a very fine tree Monday evening
for the children.
J. C. Brown's many friends are glad
to hear that the rumor was false about
his being married. Come home J. C. B.
At the annual election of officers last
Friday night of the South Street A. M.
E. Sunday School, the following per
sons were elected officers: C. S. Har
rison, Superintendent; Mrs. T. M.
Tate, Assistant Superintendent; Mr. M.
Clinton, Treasurer; Miss Eva Guy, Sec
retary; Mr. N. R. Tate, Librarian; Miss
Belle Barnett, Historian; Mr. Geo. T.
Simpson, Choirester; Miss Minnie A.
Barnett, Organist; Miss Bertie Clinton,
Assistant Organist.
Mr. Thomas Robinson, of Springfield,
is here visiting friends.
Mr. Earnest Barnett, of Rendville, is
visiting his parents.
Mr. Albert Parker has returned home
after three years absence.
Mr. Johnson, of Cambridge, is visit
ing friends.
DEATH.
Carter—Thursday morning December
20th, 1883, J. Willie, son of William H.
and Martha Carter at the home of his
parents South Eighth street, in his
fourteenth year. Funeral services taken
place from South street A M. E.
Church, December 23d at one o’clock.
A large number of friends followed the
remains to its last resting place.
OXFORJ), 0. •
There was a Christmas tree at Hor
ner's Hall last evening, for the benefit
of the A. M. E. Church. Singing by
the choir, which consists of young la
dies. The affair was conducted by Mrs.
Mary Cheeks and Miss Anna Lewis. A
good many strangers from a distance
were present. The tree contained
many valuable presents, and the eve
ning was one of rare enjoyment.
Mr. John Jackson and brother, Levi
Jackson, of Dayton, paid their mother
a visit on the 25th, and they also re
ceived a cordial welcome from their
many friends at this place.
John East and wife are visiting
friends in Urbana.
The members of the Baptist Church
gave an entertainment in the Town
Hall last evening, which was well at
tended.
The contest for an overcoat between
Alex. Churchman and William Smith
was won by Churchman, who collected
§27.19, while Smith collected §16.16.
Both of the contestants did extremely
well.
James Gibson, formerly of this place,
who has been at work in Cleveland for
the past three years, has enlisted in the
United States Army for five years and
has gone out on the frontier.
Mrs. Ann Churchman and Mrs. Betty
Marshall were contestants for a cloak,
won by Mrs. Churchman, who collected
§5.00
Miss Meta Herman, Mr. Layton Dur
gen and Thomas Collins and wife
showed their smiling faces among us
on the 25th.
Mr. George Marshall, of Battle Creek,
Mich., is spending a Rw weeks with
his mother at this place.
.Mr. William Brasfield. who has been
lying sick for about four weeks, is now
much better.
Our genial friend “Flatrock” seemed *
to enjoy Christmas hugely, walking the
floor of a certain sample room ••mon
arch of all he surveyed,” and singing
‘•Kock Me in the Cradle of the Deep.
The Clevexand Gazette is much
admired here by both white and col
ored, and wo all wish you abundant
success, & S.