Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, August 19, 1895, Page 6

o AMONG HIS EARLY NEIGHBORS Recollections of Lincoln by Men Who Met Him During Pioneer Days. HOLDING COURT AND MAKING SPEECHES A Generous Housewife Provides the Apple Dumplings that He Liked— Warm Welcome to Many Hume ble but Hospitahle Homes. (Copyright, 1895, by 8. 8. McClure, Limited.) Abraham Lincoln and Alexander Sympson were boyhood friends in Hardin county, Ken- tucky. Thelr companionship was not of fengthy duration, for both had work to do that threw thelr paths in divergence, and be- forc elther had reached the estate of man- hood they had parted, going with thelr re- spective parents to newer fields—Lincoln into Indlana and Sympson into western Illinois, the latter settling near the present site of Macomb, in McDonough ecounty. The lads had formed a warm and lasting friendship that in later years was destined to be re- newed and develop incidents of more than Tocal historical worth In the meantime Mr. Lincoln had settled in Tilinols, served his apprenticeship as a rail splitter, clerk, drudge; had been elected to the state legislature, then to the national congress and had become a rising attorney of the state capital. As early as 1838 Mr Lincoln was practicing in circuit courts in countles contiguous to Sangamon. He visited Lewiston, Fulton county, oftener on legal business possibly than any other out- Iylng country. This embraced what is now Cook county, as Is shown by the records now on file in the court house annex at Lewis- ton, the historic old court house itself g been destroyed by fire in December, 1894, LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS BEDFELLOWS ON THE FLOOR. ston_that Mr. Lincoln often met Peter Cartwright, the elder Richard Haney, Henry Sommers and other pioneer pillars of the Methodist church in Illinols. These meetings were characteristic of plo- neer methods and viclssitudes. The writer's grandfather, Ishim G. Davidson, was in those days depuly sheriff of Fulton county. His humble, yet for those days, ample log house was the rendezvous for Peter Cartwright, Sommers, Haney and other Methodist divines as well as for Judge Douglas and others of the early politicians and lawyers who at- tended sessions of court at Lewiston. ~ Mr Lincoln was an occaslonal guest at this home. Upon one occasion—that of the as- sembling of the annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lewliston- It was in L ABRAHAM LINCOLN. @from & photograph taken at Carthage, Th, October, 1538.) accommodations in the village were simply inadequate, and as a consequence the “doubling 'up" process was resorted to in many Instances. An unusually heavy term of circuit court complicated matters “of ac- commodation. It is recorded that Mr. Lin- coln, Judge Douglas and Peter Cartwright slept side by side upon a feather bed upon the puncheon floor of Mother Davidson's humble home. It was in Lewiston, in 1858, that Mr. Lincoln delivered one of the great- #st speeches of his 100 days’ campalgn against Douglas for the United States senatorship. In the meantime Mr. Lincoln and Mr, Bympson had renewed their friendship of boyhood days, and it was through the good offices of Mr. Lincoln that Sympson was enabled to secure the position of enrolling and engrossing clerk of the Illinois house of representatives during Mr. Lincoln's mem- bership in that body. Mr. Sympson had moved his famlly to Carthage from Macomb. At the hespitable home of Alexander Symp- son on the night of October 19, 1858, we find that among the most favored of the guests there assembled to listen to the kindly words of the grave-faced man was Mr. Lincoln's own cousin, Ellen Sullivan Lincoln. She was a_beautiful girl, and had been educated in a Roman Catholic convent In Kentucky, and was a gifted and brilliant conversation- alist. Mr. Lincoln was very proud of her, and upon one occasion remarked to one of Mr. Sympson's daughters, “What a nice cousin 1 have.” LINCOLN HAS HIS PICTURE TAKEN. October 20, 1858, was a beautiful day, and the hosts were gathering early. Mr. Symp- son and Mr. Lincoln strolled down town in the morning, and on the way to the old “public square” Mr. Sympson said: “The girls want a likeness of you, Abe. 1 prom- ised to ask you to give them one. 1 know that you have none with you, but here is an outfit where the job can be done.” Mr. Lincoln demurred.” He was not posing for portraits in those days. But his friend urged him more. Charley Frost, an itiner- ant artist, had come to town with his outfit, a sort of a box affair mounted upon a wagon truck. After some further urging Mr. Lincoln consented to have his portrait taken. He was obliged to stoop perceptibly in order to get into the ‘“gallery.”” Mr. Frost “did_the job” quickly, and the result was an old-fashioned ambertype, that, duly reposing upon a velvet bed in a small black morocco frame with git clasps, was pre- sented to Miss Mary A. K. Sympson, later Mrs. J. B. Quinby, and recently deceased, s a souvenir. A sacred souvenir it is, and attempts to obtaln it by relic hunters have proven of no avail. It was through the Kkindness of Mrs. Quinby and her daughter, Miss Martha, that the writer was permitted 1o secure a photographic copy of the origina and it is herewith shown. ADVISING A BROTHER LAWYER. Captain Hume, who received his military title by honored service in the civil war, had met Mr. Lincoln at Springfield several years before under peculiar circumstances,” He went to Springfleld to ask Mr. Lincoln's advice on a law polnt. It seems that a farmer In the nelghborhood of Blandinsville had rented his farm and the agreement was that the owner was to stock the farm and share the profits with the renter. Both the owner and the renter of the farm attended & sale of cattle, and the renter bought stock to a large amount In value. He gave no note and pald no money, but the owner of the farm said that he would stand good for the renter. The renter, however, in time, ran away without paying for the cattle and the owner of the stock employed Captain Hume to assist him in securing hix money for the cattle from the owner of the farm. Captain Hume thought he had a good case, yet he decided to consult Mr. Lincoln, whom he had never met. At Springfield he found Hon. 0. H. Brown- ing, whom he knew, In the supreme court room, in company with a number of othér attorneys, among them Mr. Lincoln. Mr. Browning introduced Captain Hume to Mr. Lincoln. Captain Hume briefly stated bis case. He says he was not impresscd with the idea that Mr. Lincoln was at all a handsome man, but his face was marked with the utmost kindness. When Captain Hume had stated his Mr. Lincoln said “Qourt is not yet in session. We will call a ury of lawyers and try tlis case.” 0. H rowning was one of the jury selected by Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln sat quietly by while Captain Hume stated his case to the jury of attorneys. No questions were asked and no arguments made. Mr. Lincoln simply charged the jury that they must remember that “this case is close up to the line, bear- Ing in mind the statute of fraud The Jury brought in a verdict for Hume's client, Mr. Lincoln said to Hume: “If this case is well handled you will recover; other- Wias you will mot” It ls evident that Captain Hume handled the case as advised by Mr, Lincotn, for ke recovered the amount ned for. A8 THE GURST OF CAPTAIN HUME. Captaln Hume and Mr. Lincoln met not Infrequently after this incident, fo it was appropriate that Mr. Lincoln should havs been entertained by Captain Hume at Blandinsviile after Lincoln's speech at La Harpe on October 24. Mr. Sypscn had left Lincoln at La Harpe. Hcre Mr. Lincoln spoke to a large crowd, and was to go to Macomb to make his next speech. A Sun- day would intervene, however, and Blandins- ville citizens had sent oid 8 Hopper, the hotel landlord, to La Harpe with an earnest Invitation to Mr. Lincoln to spend Sunday in that village. Old 8 had gotten Lincoln into the buggy with him and started for Blandins- ville, when Mr. Lincoln £aid: “I wonder if my old friend, Charley Hume, still lives in Blandinsville.” Being informed that he did. Mr. Lincoln then said: “I shall then cast myself upon his hospitality. If he rejects me, I shall accept yours.” 1t Is hardly necessary to Lincoln was most warmly home of Captain Hume. Mr. Lincoln remained the guest of Capta'n and Mrs. Hume from Saturday evening until Monday morning. During that time, save late at night, streams of people crowded into the house to see Mr. Lincoln. He di¢ have an opportunity to write some letters, and one of them was doubtless the letter con- cerning Bdmunds and Morrill, addressed to Mr. Sympson and dated at Blandinsville, Octo- ber 24, It was written that evening, prob ably late at night, and carried by Mr. Lincoln to Macomb the following Monday, where he mailed it. Mr. Lincoln spoke in Macomb on the 26th. A TALK WITH CAPTAIN HUME The writer pald a recent visit to C: ptain Hume at Blardinsville and learned from him very much of interest concerning that visit of Mr. Lincoln. The captain says that Mrs. Hume gave Mr. Lincoln a royal turkey din- ner_that Sunday. “Mr. Lincoln Mr the state that roceived at scemed to enjoy it im- meneely,” said the captain, “and while at the table said to Mrs. Hume: If I had known that 1 was to be your guest, o that I was to be the guest of other good friends while on this trip, I should have brought Mrs. Lincoln with me. That was my in- clination, but 1 was told that at several places where I was to speak the accommoda- tions were poor and the country ill-settled up. T have found delightful friends, how- ever, at every stopping place.' " During Mr. Lincoln’s stay at Captain Hume's residence he was accorded the use of the parlor bed room, which was in reality two rooms, Mr. Lincoln began to show the effects of great weariness during Sunday afternoon, but, although he had written a t many letters and had met numbers of , he did not seem disposed to be ex- He seemed constantly delighted to have found an old friend where he could rest for a time and feel perfectly at home, Captain Hume says that he saw Mr. Lin- coln again after this visit and heard him de- liver one of his speeches in that camp: It was at Galesburg, and the occasion was a joint debate between Lincoin and Douglas. Captain Hume siys he was standing in the great crowd that lined the streets as the procession moved along towards the place of speaking. He saw the carriage in which Mr. Lincoln sat, and had no idea that Mr. Lin- coln would recognize him in the crowd. But Mr. Lincoln’s eye happened to rest upon Cap- tain Hume, and he ordered the driver to halt. Then Mr. Lincoln beckoued to Cap- tain Hume, and the latter came close to the carriage. “Get In and ride with me.” said Mr. Lincoln, and Captain Hume entered the vehicle. “I want to talk with you about what I am going to say today. The people will judge of what I say, and you are one of the people.” Captain Hume says that Mr. Lincoln hur- riedly outlined to him the substance of that matchless speech, which was on the lines of thought he £o ably defended in regard to the treatment of the crime of slavery. “I re- member,” sald Captain Hume, *‘that Mr. Lin- coln repeated to me what he should say to Judge Douglas that day. for they were to de- bate jointly. It was this: ‘I go not behind Judge Douglas’ back to say anything. What I say, 1 say to his teeth.’ This utterance, when made to the vast crowd, brought forth thunders of applause.” £ DOUGLAS' HIGH RESPECT FOR LINCOLN. Captain Hume thinks that neither Lincoln nor Douglas could be counted as eloquent orators in the light of present day oratory. He was also well acquainted with Douglas and thought a great deal of him. The writer has recently learned an inter- esting Incident of that Galeshurg joint debate from Major R. W. McClaughery, late chiet of police of Chicago, mow superintendent of the reformatory at Pontiac, Il As a young man Major McClaughery was a great ad- mirer of Judge Douglas, and accompanied him to several towns where he spoke during that campalgn. Juige Douglas showed great fa- tigue during tne close of that campaign, and at Galesburg in the forencon before the speeches were made was lying on the bed in his apartments, surrounded by friends. Some of them thought to encourage him by assur- ing him that he would soon dispose of Mr. Lincoln. Judge Douglas checked them, how- ever. “Do not be too sure of that, gentle- men,” replied Douglas. “I know Linccln well He & the most dangerous adversary that the republicans could have nominated. I have met him now in several debates and he is a foeman to be dreaded. I shail have no walk- away with Mr. Lincoln today " fudge Doug- las knew Lincoln’s power better than anyone else, and he was honest enough to give his adversary credit for such prowess. Both men were the closest friends through life, One of the most forcible speeches of that senatorial campaign delivered by Mr. Lincoln was at Lewiston on August 17, 1858. Judge Douglas had spoken there the day previous to a crowd estimated at from 10,000 to 15,000 people. The crowd that faced Mr. Lincoln on the 17th was not so large. It contrasted strangely with the multitude that had thronged the old town to hear Douglas. But old Fulton county idolized Stephen A. Doug- las, and it was not strange that pecple for many miles came to hear “The Little Giant." Lincoln was not then 8o popular, and the re- gion thereabouts was Intensely democratic. Mr. Lincoln stood on the front steps of the historic old court house, and during his mem- orable speech, which the London Times said was the finest exposition of the declaration of independence extant, referred occasionally to notes. His address was, in the main, ex- temporaneous, but a stencgrapher took it down, and the address has been published with others delivered by Mr. Lincoln in the campaign. It is to be regretted that all the addresses delivered by Mr. Lincoln during that celebrated campaign could not have been preserved. DRIVE WITH LINCOLN IN 1858, Among that avdience on August 17 was Major Newton Walker. Now living at the advanced age of 91 years, at his quaint old home in Lewiston, Major Walker may be seen any day, and willingly talks of the early days. Major Walker built the court house in Lewiston from whose steps Lincoln delivered that memorable speech. He began its construction in 1836, and the building cost only $9,000, while the county commis- slorers gave Major Walker carte blanche to erect such a building as would be suitable, suggesting as the limit $10,000. In 1838 Major Walker was elected as an old line whig to the state legislature, and attended the last session of that body at Vandalia He was a fellow legislator with Mr. Lin- coln, and had many a bout with the latter in regard to measures coming before that body. “I knew Mr. Lincoln intimately, and we Were the best of friends,” said the major, “but I often gave him Hall Columbla in the house over certain measures he opposed or favored." Major Walker drove Mr. Lincoln from Lewlston to Canton at the conclusion of Mr. Lincoln’s address on August 17. “I do not now recall Mr. Lincoln’s chief tople of con- versation,” sald the major, “but it was mainly concerning polities.” I remember thut Mr. Lincoln then told me he regarded Gov- ernor Seward of New York as the ablest man in the country.” A volume might be written contalning In- cidents in the political and soclal life of Mr. Lincoln that have escaped the notice of historians. He was %0 very near to all the people that they seemed to be a part of him. It is doubtful if there are many counties in Illinols where he was not intimately known to some of the ploneers, and where he has not been entertained In log cabins or humble homes. GUY DAVIDSON. Settled the CARBONDALE, n Marion last evening. Fred Hisholm shot and instantly killed Willlam Malke and Wil liam Reed, with a double-barreled shotgun, It was the result of & quarrel over a game 98 cards. DAYS WHEN POKER WAS KING Nted Participants in the National Game | at the National Oapital, FAMOUS PASTEBOARD BOUTS OF BIG MEN Storfes About Grant and His Two Weeks' Game, Fernando Wood, Clark Ingersoll, Zack Chandler and Ot 014 Timers, Poker” stories are always attractive, no matter whether the long bow s drawn cr the truth rigidly adhered to. It is notice- able, saye the Washington Post, that the | public are particularly curious to be informed whether thie pastime Is indulged in to any ppreciable extent at the national capital, nd if so, whether senators, congressmen, and other public officials are predisposed that way, the generally accepted idea being that our lawmakers should, above all other men, be exempt from all fralities, and constitute the exemplars and guides in all that goes to make up the sum total of | human perfection. People do not usually consider that human nature fs the same all over the world, and that senators and con- | gressmen are not chosen by reakon alone | that they are presumed to be the best, | purest and ablest men who can be selected | from out of the body politic. ‘The theory is also indulged in that the | temptations of Washington are multiform and far in excess of those of other cities, and that, therefore, vice runs riot and men who come to the federal city in public | capacity are called upon to nerve themselves | agalnst all indulgences of whatever nature to a much greater extent than in any other locality of position. There are “flesh pots, however, in all communities, and it s chronicled In scripture that the Israelites, after many hundred years of oppressive bondage, hankered after the flesh pots of Egypt even when restored to their liberty and were being conducted by divine will toward the Canaan of milk and honey. While human frailty and yielding to temptation are about the same in average at all times and in all places known to the busy haunts of men, the proportions are usually regulated by the extent of oppor- tunity. The ‘“poker” games of today at Washington do not attain the dimensions of the ante-bellum period, nor yet those of twenty or more years immediately after the close of the late war, when money was being pald out in Immense sums by the govern- ment in settlement of claims of endles nature, and its possession by everybody was the rule rather than the exception. Outside of private circles, “poker” at the federal city is now confined to comparatively small stakes. Gaming at the various city clubs is rigidly tabooed, and although police re- ports develop that “‘poker’ rooms are occa- sionally rajded, it goes wtihout saying -that the fascination of gambling still lives, moves and has its being, and will continue to pre- serve its existence to the last syllable of re- corded time. There are endless traditions concerning the status of General Grant as a ‘“poker’ player, and in the early days of his army career, after the termination of the Mexican war, when stationed on the north Pacific coast, he became renowned as one of the ablest strategists and successful players in the army. A brother officer, who then served with him in Oregon, makes no secret of the fact that Captain Gramt Kept.him, as well as other comrades, In a chronic state of im- pecuniosity by reason of his winning at cards, and that various experts in the mys- terles of the poker game met the same fate at the hands of the then embryonic great military genius of the nineteenth century, to be thereafter twice chosen to the presi- dency of the United States. GRANT WAS A GREAT PLAYER. “The difficulty we all experienced in play- ing ‘poker’ with Grant,” remarked this officer, “‘was his extreme Tyvticence and won- derful’ impassiveness, which none could pen- etrate. Ninety-nine men out of a hundred under the excitement of high play, will b tray emotion to a greater or lesser extent, but Grant was a sphinx that never spoke. He was dlways cool and self-possessed even when the wine flowed too freely and we were all romewhat the worse for wear. No one could measure the strength or weakness of Grant’s ‘hand’ by any outward sign or the circumstances of his play. Apparently he s oblivious to all surroundings, but close inspection revealed the fact that he watched his adversaries narrowly, and could detect a ‘bluft’ with unerring certainty. He would call a man with an inconsiderable ‘pair’ When it cost a good round sum to ‘see’” the et. “It was undoubtedly the outcome of mil- itary genius which enabled Grant to detect either the strength or weakness of hie ad- versary at cards. We did not then com- prehend that his play was strategic, and his methods of gaming really conducted upon military principles. Subsequent events developed that his passion for gaming was not hedged upon winning money nearly as much as it afforded him opportunity to en- gage in strife and conquer. General Rufus Ingalls, who in 1841 was a captain and as- sistant’ quartermaster, and subsequently at- tained the rank of quartermaster general, was one of the Pacific coast party which played daily with Grant, but, although rec- ognized as a past master of the game, In- galls was no match for the little close- mouthed Infantry’ captain. Ben Holliday, the ploneer mail contractor of that section, likewise on the ‘poker’ tapis with Grant, and so were ‘Joe’ Lane and ‘Jm’ Nesmith, both senators subsequently from Oregon, the former the candidate for the vice presidency on the ticket with John C. Breckinridge in 1860. Ben Holliday was an inveterate poker player, but Grant, Ingalls, Lane, Nesmith and Holliday are all dead, ani but few are now alive of the old coterie which gathered together at the card tables of that epoch on the shores of the Pacific. A TWO WEEKS' GAME. It 1s narrated that on one occasion Holli- day, Grant, Rufe Ingalls and Nesmith en- gaged in & game of poker which lasted two weeks, night and day. At this juncture it occurred to Nesmith that he had left his wife at home, some hundreds or more miles vay, with but little in the larder and no money, and the unwelcome thought flashed across his mind that he had gone away, to be absent only a couple of daye, and in the interval it was quite probable that Mrs. Ne- smith had run the length of her household supplies, and was out of money and possibly being cared for by the neighbors. The thought was harrowing and he vainly sought to ban- ish it from his mind, but, failing to do so, lost his nerve at the play, and with it con- siderable money. At last, becoming desper- ate, he frankly stated,the case, and an- nounced his determination to quit the game and return home. This angered Ben Hol- liday, who was not a man of the sweetest temper when under excitement, and he blurted out: “If you want to jump the game why don't you say &0 like a man and not give any such flimsy excuse and lay the responsibility on your wife _Nesmith glared furiously at Holliday, and vagely retorted: Jump the game! Jump the game! Why, we have been playing here three weeks, n ght and day. How long aoes a man have to play ‘poker’ with you before he can decently Jump the game? You are the biggest ‘poker’ hog, Ben Holliday, I ever knew. The most accomplished *‘poker” player of the post-bellum period at Washington was | the late Fernando Wood of New York, who served some fifteen or more years in con- gress up to his death in 1851. He owned and occupled the fine residence at the corner of Fifteenth and I streets, now forming a part of John Chamberlin’s famous hotel which comprises the three historic mansions once tenanted by Fernando Wood, Governor Swann of Maryland and James G. Blaine. Mr. Wood was a generous host and provided the most elaborate suppers for his guests. Donn Platt, who was a frequent visitor at the Wood establishment, used to call them “feeds.” 1f the walls of that mansion could speak, they might tell Interesting tales of the ‘‘poker’, gatherings within them for a long serles of years, embracing senators, con gressmen, cabinet officers, judges and what not, as well as reveal varfous political secrets of national and lccal importance. Many a political deal was consummated under Fer- nando Wood's roof. It is an open secret that a leglon of public men, in their day and time. challenged the fickle jade of fortune at Mr. Wood's card table and “went broke.” Numbers of gen- Lof chance, partook of Wood's hospitality with- tlemen, of wide experience in all the nmr-l e out carrying away any of the Wood money. He was In nrhbry ky, Indeed, so lucky that mutterings of & .m{en would find volee that something was . And yet no pro- fesslonal was ever pefiitfed to play at the game, which was always a ‘“gentleman’s game,” 80 far as it be so understood. The stakes were usuglly high, and as Mr. Wood was a very ric mgn, he could afford to force the play. Wiliele occasionally lost considerable sums at} tfg poker table, he rarely failed to recouplin ghie time with com- pound interest. « BOB INGERSO i{mm'nmn. One of the boldest gnd best poker players of that era was the I\ Ebon C. Ingersoll, once a representative, i Aongress from Il- linols, and a hrn(hprd.{‘uhml Robert G. Ingersoll. “Clark” fogersoll, as he was familiarly called, obtained'such a wide repu- tation as a skilltul player that few cared to contest with him. Itggwap stated that his winnings would averaj ?1 least $40,000 a year. During the palfiy days of the Wash ington club, which floWfished apace at the perfod when Alexander R, Shepherd Inaugu- rated the gigantic scheme of improving the avenues and roadways of the national capi- tal, and who is now recognized as a_public benefactor even by those who then condemned and bastened his downfall, Clark Ingersoll was conceded to be the ablest and most dar- ing of all the array of Washington poker players. Money was plenty, and large sums changed hands in the rooms of the Washing- ton club, on New York avenue, now, by the irony of fate, owned and occupied by the Young Men's Christian association. Senator Chaffee of Colorado was an invet- erate poker fiend, but he played for excite- ment, not gain. In fact, he knew but little about the mysteries or strength of the game and never attempted to master them. He was rich, and could affcrd the amusement. Ase a consequence he was accommodated by a coterie of friends, who parceled him out among themselves in the most generous man- ner. They rarely failed to win from $500 to $1,000 at every sitting, but nevertheless Chaffee would play, apparently caring nothing for his losses. He knew more about placing mining properties on the stock market than about card playing, and his losses at poker were amply repaid by his gains in dabbling in silver mines. A gentieman narrates that he was once invited to take a hand in a “‘Chaffee’” game to fill the place of one of the players who was temporarily absent. He happened to win sev- eral hundred dollars before he surrendered his seat to the absent player, who had returned This gentleman subsequently stated to one of the party that he would gladly play again and give revenge, as he was somewhat mor- tified at not being invited into a game at which he had won so largely. “Never mind the revenge,” sald the party addressed; ‘‘you are ahead of the game, and that is all right We do_not mean to be rude, but this ik a Joe Chaffee game, and it belongs exclus!vely tous. You see, Chaffee will play ‘poker,’ and we might as well win his money as outsid- ers.’ “ZACK" CHANDLER'S GAME. Senator Zach Chandler of Michigan was inordinately fond of the game, which he pre- ferred to play in the basement of his resi- dence, on H street, now a part of the Els- mere hotel. He was a feroclous “crowder,” and became very angry when he failed to ‘“‘drive’” his antagonists. General Grant trequently Indulged at Senator Chandler's table, particularly when he ceased to be president and visited Washington while re- siding at New York. Mr. Chandler's guests were invariably public men, and sometimes considerable sums were ventured at these sittings. On one occasion a southern senator, who knew but little ‘about the game, and was considered a fat goose to pluck, had such a streak of luck in the “draw” that he literally walked away with several hundred dollars, the major part of which was Zack's money, who had attempted to “drive” him on every hand. Chandler, subsequently at- tempted to win back his money on various occasions, but his southern colleague was always the victor. Finally old Zack barred him out of the game, explaining that he could not afford to play poker agatnst miracles of asinine luck, In ante-belluc days women of fashion and note in Washington indulged largely in poker and “brag,” but their favorite game was “three-trick loo” and “vingt-et-un,” which was frequently played for high stakes. In addition to these games ‘‘baccarat” has be- come fashionable in the high-toned female circles, mainly introduced by members of the forelgn legations. Bacearat'is very fascinat- ing to women gamesters, but, being the national game, poker i§ usually preferred. Ordered to Resign and Leave Town, MONTGOMERY, Ala., Aug. 18—R. §. Pilley, postmaster, ex-mayor, justice of the peace, Sunday school superintendent and Methodist deacon of Georgiana, Butler county, has been notified to leave town immediately He wrote a note to a respectable young woman of Georgiana, making improper proposals She handed it to her relatives, who called on Pilley for an explanation. He asserted the note was sent at the request of hix brother as a test, preliminary to making a proposal of marriage. At a town meeting yesterday indignant speeches were made by prominent citizens, and resolutions passed demanding Pl immediate resignation from all his public trusts and that he leave town at once, or accept the consequences He will leave, Pilley was one of the most prominent men in this section. sz PSR Split Over th pmany Fight, ROME, N. Y., Aug. 18.—One result of the fight against Tammany was a split in the re- publican county convention yesterday, which met to nominate a senator. Senator Cogge: hall, who opposed the reform faction in the matter of the police bill, was a candidate for re-election, but when a resolution denying the statements that Tammany had sent money into the district to help him and had offered $50, had been defeated, he and his followers Jett the hall and he was nominated in an in- dependent convention. Frederick C. Weaver was the nominee of the regular convention. e Miners' Strike Practically Over, ISHPEMING, Mich., Aug. 18.—The back- bone of tle miners' strike is broken. The miners have decided to accept the proposi- tion made by the mining companies three weeks ago to talk the situation over at the mines. The conference I8 to be between the men who had been employed at the respect- tive shafts, etc. Committees made up of the former employes in different mines called upon the company and received the new scale. It is thought that by Tuesday the mines will be working. RECAST. air and Warmer with Southerly Winds for Nebraska. WASHINGTON, Aug. 18.—The for Monday Is: For Nebraska warmer; winds For Kansas—Fair; cooler in the portion; southeas winds. For lowa—I"air; warmer in portion; variable ' winds. For Missouri—Fair; cooler; winds becom- ing northwesterly. enl Record. OFFICE OF THE WEAI'HER BUREAU, OMAHA, Aug. I Omaha record of tem- perature’ and. rainfall, compared with the Lorresponding day of the past four years 1895, 1894, 13!{({ 18 Maximum temperature.... 7 & & 12 itemperatul 66 60 65 |l‘!ll\ll|l temp 4 2 e P serseeiins 01 00 00 00 Condition of temperature and precipitation at Omaha for the day and since March 1, 1895 . e 4 WEAT forecast and South Dakota— becoming southerly. southern alr; the western Normal temperature . Deficlency for the da Srien Accumulated excess since March 1.0 Normal precipitation ... .. i inch Deficlency for the day.... . .M inch Total precipitation sinee March 1’356 inches Deficiency wince March L......... 866 inches Reports from Stations at 8 p. STATE OF STATIONS. | ~4wp j0 aumw | -Sediiog, FeR wopEaa: Omaba, .. Nortl Platia Valeutine. 2amiat Davenport Kansas City. Heleni., ver Cheyenne Miles City. ] 00| Clear Rapid City’. 10 | 72| 00 Cloudy. Galvesto o 3 TICloudy. Indicates trace of precipitation. lo A WELSH, Observes, amaaemax EARNINGS 0N THE INCREASE Roports to Bradstreet's Show a Favorable Condition of the Railroads, EASTERN LINES THE MOST PROSPEROUS Gry Aton nred ger and Southern Rond Show a Decrease as Com with 180d4—=Hetter Pr pects Alend NEW YORK, Aug. 18.—Greatly improved |3 net rallway earnings are shown in a l'AI‘l‘-‘ fully prepared special report to Bradstrect's, an abstract of which s as follows: The gross carnings of 145 railroad companies for the first six months of 1895 aggregate $349,099,- 773, a gain of per cent over the corre- sponding period of 1894, which in turn showed a decrease from 1803 of 16.4 per cent. The net earnings of the same roads for this year aggregate $102,767,786, a gain over last year of 8.1 per cent, and following a decrease in 1894 from 1893 of 18.8 per cent. Divided into groups a striking uniformity is noted in the increase and decrease in gross and net. Of | the 126 railroad systems, comprising 145 rail- roads, which make up the following table, two-thirds show decrea Systems, Granger, decrease itral western, inc increase n, decre Juthwe Pacific, increase ..... Total Mexican increase . increase . Total Increase ..... . 8.8 There are some decreases in gross earnings this year from last, notably In the cases of the southern and granger roads, but there are also notably larger increases in all the other arger groups, where last year the decrease was without relief. When the net figures this year are considered, the showing is still better. The decreases in the granger and southwestern rallroads are still notable, but the gains shown in the other groups of roads are sufficient to more than counterbalance this falling off, and the result is a very satis- factory gain in net over a year ago. WALL STREET IS ONLY DRI e Conditio of the Affairs Cons 1 W YORK, Aug. 18.—H Clews, head of the banking house of Henry Clews & Co., writes of the situation in Wall street: “The neral course of affairs in Wall street continues to drift in the direction which has been, from time to time, fore- shadowed in these advices. While con- ceding fully all the advantages arising from the healthy natural tendency of the material interests of the country, we have urged the necessity of making some con- elderable allowance for the counteracting influences connected with the te of the treasury and the unsatisfactol condition of our currency system, The surprising recovery that hes attended the efforts of the loan syndicate, in shielding us for six months from tho baneful ] ial and monetary influen shows | the most gratifying way the 1 vigor that underlie our industrial resources and demonstrate how great might be the national progress, were our money arrangements as xound s ur material wealth ie great. The pictur such possibilities exhibited to us ‘»,\ the achievements of the svadicate inspired an enthusiasm not entirely sistent with prudent circumspection. ha forgotten that the count h only artificially “and temporarily ~shielded from the unsafe monetary and flscal con- ditions, and that, when the supporting hand of the great bankers is withdrawn, we shall stand exposed to the identical conditions from which the negotiators have o com- pletely protected “It i& ureless to expect that the mere recovery of business and of confidence would fully protect us after the withdrawal of the syndicate; for the treasury, center of thesé troubles, would as ever without any gold income fore s exposed as before to inability to meet its ordinary gold payments and to provide gold for the usual expor and consequently there would be a renewal of the drain on the gold reserve. Of course, the government would have full auth to make another loan of $50,000,000 there s little doubt Cleveland would take that resort. petition of borrowing has not been ex 1, and its occurrence would have unfortunate and possibly serious conseauences; how seriou would largely depend uj the view tak by our forefgn of whom it o only be said th, they are more about matt flecting our T of legal tender paper than any other ditjon: “These the uncertainties that face us; although the mass of our people do seem to have yet appre ciated their importance, vet they can onl be expected to realize 'their delicacy mor and more as affairs drift on It is t that these unfavorable contingencies susceptible of being averted by a to the old relations, a: between the banks suspension of which contribution to the pa ments, But the ret ayments | b sury at the clearing house, to s by the banks at the cu: house, an ving out gold by the banif b for exports, is not an easy achievement further pressure may be i the banks back to this normal re adjustment to old conditions. The treasury however, appears to stand ready to resume those past relatlons, and there seems to be good reason for believing that any ob- stacle to the full resumption of gold pay- | ments will not come from Washington. But whilst there is room for hoping that such a settlement may not be in the far future, vet the fact to the point Is that nothing ‘of the kind is vet in sight; and so long s that continues to be the case, the policy T have recommended of moderation {n rexpect to stock operations appears to be the most prudent course. has con- Many been as much and there- con- now nd are return to the use 1, the treasury—the been the chief | 4 1 derange- | I nd y gold p Business on the Exchange Active. LONDON, Aug. 18.—~With a large supply of American and European bilis to discount the markets have been firmer. The busi- ness on the stock market was more active and firmer for almost all the markets, ex- cept Americans, which, owing to anxiety about gold shipments, appear to have relapsed into stagnation. Better weathe has had an Improving effect on home rail- roads. Argentine and South American rail- ways have always be an active featur The mining_ boom has been agaln forein, up prie for wes Australian ventures, Canadians were inactive, rie 2ds, Illinois Central, Norfolk & Western and Reading 18ts each advanced 1 per cent; Lake Shore | | was down 1 per cenl. Other movements were fractional. Busi etter at Manchester, MANCHE R, Aug. 18.—A better busi- ness was done this week, a firmer cotton market helping. For China, cloths are en- gaged mostly to the e of the yea Indlan demand is also enlarging, smaller markets are following the advance reluctantly. Yarns are 3-16d dearer, bu there is a lack of activi in them. Some business was done Japan. Home manu- facturers are buying littlé beyond their actual needs. Spinners are working mostl at a loss, and some machinery 18 stoppini Cot Market. ORLEANS, Aug. 17.—COTTON—Dull iy; middiing. 7 1-16c; low middling, 6 11-16e ardi and gross receipts, 817 inc e new: exports, continent 4 bale 918 bales; sales, none stock, 75,325 bale NEW YORK, Aug. 17.—COTTON—Steady at the advance: sales. 8,500 b y, $1.49; F ruary, $5.74 bid bid; Auguet, $1 mbe 30; NEW Noveémbel aling, bales; alex, none repor 1 shipments, 1,646 bales; stock, 10,802 baies. 1 River Print rket. R, Masa., Aug. There has been activity in the print eloth market The market |s nominal at but contracts have sold freely | v had at a lower | FAL considerabl during the week 2 15160 for spots, at 3¢ and no spots are to be figure. The quotation is frm, nominally, at | ¢ 215-16c, with ¢ asked. The sales of the week Were numerous, but not lurke. Odds were In | t yre demand than regulars. The advance In is credited as part of the cause of the & Grain. following new rules for 1 Milwauke in | & per 1,000 b ; | e [ af 40e per 1,000 bu. Liverpool Mark POOL, Aug #pot 0 ter, b 4lgd; D hard Manitoba Futures closed casy, with other months 34 jower; ‘August 4 lower @ business heaviest v 'and per. the real | I i Co fancy, spring Mediterran 1 300 wize, $6.00G6.25, shelled ¥ green’ sall o. green salt 14 Alc; grease, whit ac; grease Wit middle positions: August, fe 81di September, b 84d; October, 58 40; November, bs 41¢d; Dot cember, & 3. CORN-Spet, stendy: Amerioan mixed new. Sa 1040, Tutures closed firin, with September and October 14d hig and other mon un- churged from yes erday's cloafng prices; hiusincss Henviest on_ middte positione; Augest, Se 100 Septunibe § Outober, 3 “10d; November, 100 1 ber, §e 6%d: January, 3 i, FLOUR=Firm; demand poor. CHICAGO GRAIN MARKETS, Features of the Teading and Closing Prices on Saturdny. CHICAGO, Aug. 17.—The elements have been unpropitious for the corn plant and that was recognized fn the pit today by an advance of 1 per bu. in the price. The strength of corn helped wheat, which later was very heavy for but came out in the end with a loss of only ke for the day September oats closcd fe higher, and Sep- tember provisions finished with little change September wheat, which closed at 66%¢ . was freely offered at the openitg ANd very soon at Gije, *ome little let go ai 6hyc before any reaction k- place. The Liverpool market was quite dull &nd Tud to 1d lower; Antwerp, 121y centimes lower and Berlin from ' mark to to % mark higher. The spring wheat re- celpis at Minneapolis gave indications of in- creasing and there was nothing \liseason- able about the weather. The primary mar ket recelpts altogether were again small and in as strong contrast as ever placed against last year's, The strength in corn caused a sharp re action from the low figures and kept the market falrly steady all day. The ship ments_from Chicago for the week sum bu., againet 3,608 bu. on period * of the y before, The tine shipments for the week were cported at only 92,000 bu. The clearances from both cousts for the weck in wheat and flour togeth t bu., againgt 160,00 bu, on the before. The trading was of the same local scale character as before, and the fluctu- ations were confined to moderate bounds. The first prices already reported were at the lowest of the day, und they were suc- ceeded by a rise to 66%c. After that the price was retained close around 66iye and fil4c was the latest trading price news from the country about the belng done to corn by drouth and heat caused that article to be in great re quest today at a good advance in its value. That started the shorts to buying, and there were enough of them to make it fairly lively in the pit during the er part of the ‘session, September, which closed terday at opened at 3ie, and after a reaction to #8c advanced irregularly to #%e and closed at 3Sc. Oats followed corn in the strength notable in_that market. Shorts were all more or less anxious during the bulge, and several line i ember apenec 2 sold up to 2 declined to 20%c and cloked at that price Provisions were wanted at some improv ment in price during the most of the ses slon, but in the end there was no material in excep Junuary pork, which is 1 higher than on the day before, and January ribe, which are ¢ higher. John Cudahy was aid » been a good buyer of all kinds of p Wheat corn, head, “The lead Artizios Wheat.No. 2| Aug... 644 608 Oty a0% | enul | 6ora 66| & foeatt L2048 iy, | 289 288 Pork ver bbi Sept. | 1 5 90 OeliE Tt 4| 10 00 Jun | 10 Lnd 160108 Sept. Oct dan..ol | Short Ribe Ights, $3.2 winter ing patents, $3.40604.00 akers, 0. HAO6c; spring, CORN. 914G 40 0ige. OATS: white, No. 3 yellow, $9%@ 2%c; No. 2 white, 2Alc; No. 8 nominal; No. 3, 35@381c; No . nominal FLAX 1, $1.0861.06 TIMOTHY Piime, . PROVISIONS —Mexs pork, per 10.00. Lar 100 1bs., $6.15. Dry salted shoulders (bos clear sides (boxed), $6.7 bh., Short WHISKY~Distillers' finished goods, per 1.2: The following were the receipts and shipments today. hipments. 4.000 Recelpta 000! 36000 2000 2,000 Profusy mar- et wak steid; 16e. Kegs. OMAHA GEN dition of Staple EGGS—Fresh £ 0ck, BUTTER—Packing 16@160; wtor ereamery, VEAL—Cholce cholce o 18@19c; sepa- a@10c; creamery, fat, 70 to 100 Ibs., are quoted at : large and coarse, 4iiilac CHEESE—Wisconsin' full - cream, o Americas, U@l2c; twins, 11@12 owa, full cream, 10c; Limbur rick, No. 1, 1¢: ‘Bwiss, No. 1 LIVE POULTRY—Hens, 6@élic: roosters, chickenw, per Ib., 10c; ducks, 6e; spring ducks, Sci turkeys, 6@ic; g PIGEONS—Per doz., $1.0061.2 HAY—Upland hay,” $6.50; midland, $ Tow and, $6; new hay, 36 ‘rve str color s e price on hay; Hght bales sell the best. Young Nebraska and No. 1, 10¢; Only top grades Lring top pri VEGE hoice and K received New Some very oupes are b POTATOE: arge home grown canta ‘Quotations potatoes, choice stock, 206G 300 ONIONS—Home grown, IRMELONS- LERY—Choler CANTALOUP] Per doz., crated, $2.00G2 stock, per doz., 3@ hoice slock, per doz., $1.000@ FRUITS. Calffornia Bartletts, o shipping stock. PLUMS—Callfornia, per box, ehoice stock, $1.10 : fancy var $1.25G11.50, RICOTS—No shipping stock. THERN PEACHES S Cholee shippin cooking apples, § FORNIA PEACHE : clings, 0@ STRAWBERRL HOSEHE stock, 75, 0. Crawfords, per box, bbls., $2.000 slce shipping stock, none. Vo shipping stock BLACK RASPHERRIES—No shipping stock. RRIES—No £hipping stock. Eastern stoc b, Tves, B varieifes, $1.25; baske!s ifornia, pe: early Muscats, $1.50 Tokays. $1 NECTARI Fhite RS—California, per case, $1.25G1.50. TROPICAL FRUITS. Cholce seedlings, per n sweets, $2.7; rancy St. ORANGES box, $2.60 Michaels none. ONS—Extra fancy lemons, 360 size, $6.00; AS—Choice large stock, per bunch, $2.25 @2.50; medium size bunches, 32,0042 2 PINEAPPLES—Non MISC Fancy, 1ic LLANEOUS, cholce, 12@13c, a1 lion’ jugs, per doz., $12; Ie; ds, English walnuts, soft 1cih Miberts, lic; Brazll peanute, raw, Gc; roasted, 12¢; stand uts, 10c; pecans, 9 S—In 6 to 70-Ib, boxes, 6 per Ib.; fard I boxen, 10¢ per b, Pure per bbl., POPCORN—In the ear, AND TALLOW. Blec; No. 2 gree hides, Sc; No, 1 veal calf,’ 8 to 8 10 16 Ibs., 10c; 1@16¢; No. 2 dry fiint hi salted hides, 12c; partly cured less than fully 2@0c; half bbl., $3. on orders,” per HIDES o, 1 & ldes, Be 1ted int hides, h, 6@loc; dry shearlings (sh . 1, each, b@loc; dry ® early’ skin), No. 2, each, ebruska butcher wool pelt dry flint Colorado but pelts, per Ib. actusl welght, 4@okc; dry lorado murrain wool pelts, per ib., actual nt, 4@6e. Have feet cut off, s it in useless o pay frelght on TALLOW AND G No. 1 tallow, 44@ No. 2 tallow A, du 314 grease, yellow, 246 old" butt bees wllow heavy, 120, ee ted and broken, cours. fine, 64he 20— Medium i18c; 6@ 15c; i Be; bucks, rdc; dead pulled, b6, flint actual wo flint welght, 4@6c prime. WOOL UNW Ight, 8@se and ch WOOL wh W & locks, | Iietn OMAHA LIVE STOCK MARKET Week Olosed with the Usual Light Run of Cattle. OFFERINGS ALL CLEARED UP EARLY Mug Geod In the Way of Fat Cate and the Market Was Features exs=Demand for Hogs Exceeded the Supply— Higher. SATURDAY, Aug. 17 past twenty-four hours, the previous four days, Receipts for the as compared with are as foilows: | | August 11 | Avat 10 The total re compat ipts sons, are for the as follows when | aine week 18920000000 It will be noted that the receipts of cattle | for the past week are in excess of the re- | ceipts for the corresponding weeks of the | past three year The recelpts. for the year compared with the 1804, are: up to date, ag corfesponding period of [ 1894, Dec | Hogn Sheep .00 | Owing to the during the past cattle for the year now than on July 1 || CATTLE-The week closed with the usual Jght run of cattle v forty-six loads be- ing received, as against ninety-four loads yesterday. There is very little to say about the market, as the trade was without any very important feature. The buyers were not long in clearing the yards, practically everything being sold at an early hour. There was nothing £ood in the way of fat cattle. Some fairish steers brought $8.5 and some native grasgers The market wam about steady Cows and heifers were In good dema and Uhe market netive At atrong pricen tockers and feeders, as usual on the day of the week, were hot In overly good mind and the market consequence mind and in consequence is HOGE—There w show a less decrease in the yands. today, e AEMBRL tentteD | highest Drice touched Mince Wedntedny. The bl of"the Hogs wold at from $050 to 1.6, while the SHEED There Wore b here and nothe CHICAGO LI le Were Scarce to Were No A8 there were too prices raay's quotations, The this week sold at from Ker and feeder trade cone few wers g best westerns 1 $4.60 to 86,10, The tinues lively In hogs not more than 9,500 head w for including 1,600 left over from yesterday, and the supply was mostly sold Drices averaging o nickel extreme range at from $ W to $4.00, o The buik of the prices being 15 2000 sheep today, and trade was mod cline in prices. Sheep were salable at from $1 10 $3.65 for Inferlor to cholee natives, and we ernk were worth from $2.50 to $8.95. Lambe were held at from §3 to $5.45. Recelpt, te, 80 head hogs, 8,000 head; sheep, 2,000 I rived here day's de- calves, teady cows, cows, mixed, ents, 600 Hulk of ors, 34800 G4.60; Yorks head. Mar sulen, $A0G460; heavic mixed, #4044 $4.20004.80; plis, 84 Receipts, 200 Murket steady. $3.00@3.50, St. Louls LOUIS, Aug. 17 shipments, 600 he ding light on account of £ and shipping steers, $4.00@5 0G4.00; stockers and heifers, $2.00a4.00 4.00; cows and_mi HOGE—Recelpts, 600 market firm; $440a4. light, $.500 Receipts, 40 head; ket steady; natives, '8 southwest sh head; Lambs, shipm, $3.00G4. ats, 900 Stock. ST, CATTLE-Receipts, shipments, mixed, shipments, 400 lambs, $3.0065.00; Stock 1 colpts at_the four principal markets ¥, August 17, 1 Record of for Katurda Cattle, Hogs. Sheep. L1082 1 80 8,000 o0 3,000 6600 South Omaha 5 Chicago i Kansas City St Louls 2060 200 100 Totals ... : T Peoria Markets, PEORIA, Aug. 17.—CORN—Market higher, 3Tk No. active white, 3 whit Market dull; ¥ and 1 2 corn, 67,150 bu.g non corn, 30,000 ley, 700 bu. Frixco Whent Quotatio; SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17.—WHEA and steday; December, $1.021; May, $1.0 3 outs, 36,350 bu.; rye, none; In terday's paper we an- nounced the heginning of our Great Bargain Sale of Slightly Used and Second-Hand Planos and Organs, Today were selling them, If you're wise you'll look at them anyway. Planos $65 up; Organs $14 up-all on easy terms, A. HOSPE, Jr. Art and Music 1513 Douglas, R TRR JAMES B. BOYD. J. W. DEAN, Telephotie 1039 BOYD & DEAN OMAHA, NEB. COMMISSION Grain, Provisions & Stocks Room 111% Board of Trade. Direct wires to Chicago and New York, Correspondents: John A. Warren & Co. §. P. BMITH (Tel 1308) B. M. STANFORD F. P. SMITH & CO. GRAIN and PROVISIONS® Room 4. N. Y. Life Bidg., Omah; Branch offices at Fremont and Columbus. All orders placed on the Chicago Board of Trade Corrompondents: Behwarts, Dupee & Co., Chie engy; Behireiner, Flack & Co., Bl Louls. Wetor Flst Natlonal Dank, Omaba. MARGIN Bend for, cur X e TRADING Vlsining MARC JING wn 4 (Ep VEFINING ALL MARKET E EXPLAINED [ jigssiOoNS. Alko our dally and In what to tra Teforonces furnished, ARIC GAST & CO. MEMBERS CHICAGO EXa PLAINED OFPEN BOARD OF TRADE, 8 complete book ex- free. Hank Traders Bullding, Chicugos