-1 " jf
Raftsman's IflitrmtL
S. B. ROW, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR?
CLEARFIELD, PA., AUG. 18, 1858.
FOtt JVDGE Or SLPKEME COCET,
JOHN SI. READ, of Philadelphia City.
TOR CASAL COMMISSIONER,
"WILLIAM E. FRAZEK, of Fayetto Co.
"WEAK AT THE K2TEES."
' Everybody Is aware that daring the late ses
sion of Congress-, Senator Bigler did all that
lay in bis power fo force through the Lecomp
ton swindle. The extraordinary efforts he
made to accomplish that, and his bitter de
nunciation of prominent Anti-Lecofnpton Dc
niocrats, might lead some to suppose that he
was always "sound on the goose." Here,
however, it is well known that during the cam
paign of 185G he created the impression that
lie, as well as Sir. Buchanan, was in favor of
"Free Kansas," and it was only by such assu
rances that many honest-disposed Democrats
were induced to vote for the candidates of that
party. Recently there lias been somo talk.
that Secretary Stanton had in his possession a
letter from Mr. Bigler, written whilst Walker
was Governor cf Kansas, in which there were
some reflections against the Administration.
The following, which we find in the Philadel
phia Press, Col. Forney's paper, of the 14th
Inst., would indicate that such a letter is in
existence, for it is not at all probable that For
ney would publish it without being certain of
the genuineness of the extract he gives. We
give his remarks and the extract just as wc
find them in the Press :
"Senator Bigler ix Avgist, 1857. Wil
liam Bigler, the recreant Senator from Penn
sylvania, is now ostracising from the Demo
cratic party Douglas, Wise, Walker, Stanton,
S'nrt all Who oppose the Lecompton Constitu
tion. IIis denunciation of Stanton, we under
stand, is particularly severe. Under these cir
cumstances, there is an obvious propriety in
printing the following extract from a letter of
this same Senator Bigler to Secretary Stanton,
dated Clearfield, Pa., August 14, 1857 :
"Sfako my special regards to Governor
Walker, and say to him that hk has tiie pop-
VLAJL HEART WITH HIM THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE
COCSTRT, EXCEPT OICLT THE EXTREME SOUTH.
Should his programme succeed, he will hate
THE MOST ENVIABLE PROMINENCE OP ANT MAS IN
thi ratios. The' Administration is a UtlU
weak at the knees, and tcinces under iheSouthcm
thunder, but they must stand up to the work."
Sure enongh I "A Tittle weak at the knees,
and Winces under Southern thunder ?" We
wonder what the Administration will think of
that opinion.
The Epidemic at York. A few weeks since
report was circulated by somebody in York
that the cholera was prevailing in Columbia,
Pa., which agitated the nerves of people who
had to travel through tho latter place. The
editor of the Columbia Spy made light of the
matter, and in order to burlesque the cholera
excitement, stated that the "itch" was depop
ulating the town of York. It seems that this
little bit of fun was taken in earnest, and all
over the State it was believed that the people
of that "ancient borough" were literally
"scratching their way through the world."
Tte last Spy explains the matter fully, and
thus it turns out that the York i'ch excitement
was no great scratch after all.
Another Telegraph Project. The is'cw
York Journal of Commerce is of opinion that
the success of the Atlantic cable will encour
age the establishment of other lines, with
more or less submarine wires, to other portions
of the globe. Among these is the proposed
ronte from Key West, (Florid) to Havanna,
thence to Yucatan across to Tehauntepcc, and
down to Panama, and ultimately to San Fran
cisco. Preparations arc being made lor the organi
ration of an efficient military staff lor Wash
ington and Utah territories, preliminary to the
contemplated operations against the " hostile
Indians, and to prevent a repetition of such
defeats as were experienced by Col. Steptoe.
The object of the Secretary of War is to make
them fully sensible of the power of the Feder
al Army. . -
It is said that the State Department at Wash
ington has now a cipher for secret correspon
dence with agents abroad, to be used in send
ing dispatches on the Atlantic telegraph. The
Administration could readily spare several
ciphers from its figures of expenditures.
Chester. The locofocos of Chester county
had a small fight at their county meeting on
the 10th. Judge Bell and the Lccoinptonites
made fight against Hickman, but the friends
of the latter carried the meeting witi them,
and the Lecomptonites left.
A foree of 2,500 men will be kept in Utah.
One of the Peace Commissioners, in a private
letter, represents the affairs of the Territory as
in a good condition. The arrival of the Pease
Commissioners here is daily expected.
The Democracy of Schuyikill are split, and
bave two tickets in the field. One faction has
nominated J. W. Cake for Congress. That
Cake may turn oat dough about election day.
Dnring the year 1837, 44,582,080 lbs. of
rags, Taluel at $1,443,125, for the purpose of
waking paper, were imported into the United
States.
Jno. J. Crittenden says be would not accept
nomination for the Prssidencr.
AN IMPORTANT LEGAL OPINION.
Glen IIope, Aug. 12, 1858.
Friend Row : It is a rare1 thing to publish
legal opinions, although they often possess in
terest. I send yon one which has the merit of
being short, and the correctness of which can
not le doubted. To arrive at a correct under
standing of it,. I must make a statement.
A gentleman who lives in your place, visited
our town to-day at a very early hour, lie told
a story, which embraces all the facts in the
case. It was to this purport. He had started
the evening before from Cunvensville for Glen
Hope, and reached Rea's, about 4 miles from
here, at 11 or 12 o'clock at night. Still pur
suing his journey, he took the first left hand
road, and in a little while, from some reason
unknown at the time, his horse stopped. Sup
posing that an obstruction was in the road, lie
alighted to ascertain the difficulty. He now
discovered that he was in the woods, and on
searching around, that there was no road near
there ; but there was what appeared to him a
beaten path. Satisfied that the path did not
lead to the place where the boy was when he
went fishing no-where lie determined to fol
low it. It became necessary for him to trace
the track by feeling, sometimes when the foot
did not give sufficient indication of its where
abouts, using his hands he at the same time
leading his horse. The track kept for a long
distance down a steep hill, and his impression
was that lie was on a timber road and would
soon reach the creek. This was strengthened
when L'e had to lead his horse through three
or four swamps, of some considerable extent,
which were shoe-mouth deep and ofttimes took
him in up to the fcncesr; but his opinion
changed when he found himself ascending a
similar bill, for he then thought he had cross
ed the head of Pott's run and1 was travelling
in a contrary direction from that he wanted
to. During all this time it was as dark as
as as its self; for this darkness could only be
compared with itself. IIis horse, like all oth
er objects around, could be felt, not seen. No
sound could be heard sive the heavy tramp of
the horse. Sometimes logs had to be jumped
or passed 'round, and occasionally the mid
night traveller was startled by a suuJen 1-ght,
similar to that which flashes from the eye of a
felino in the dark, only larger and more bril
liant but proving to be "fox-fire." When on
the top of the hill, to his joy he observed an
old chopping, having some deadened timber
standing in it. He at first thought of going
throng'a it in search of cleared fields, and then
thinking that this improvement was on the
road, continued to travel on. The course he
took was not altogether satisfactory, as it bore
away from tho chopping. He soon came to
what appeared to be the same place ; but still
he continued walking on, leading his horse.
Again the road seemed to be bearing wrong,
but at last brought him a third time to the
same spot. Determined not to be travelling
in a circle, he concluded to lead his horse
through the chopping. This was impossible,
because the trees which were on the edge, bad
not been trimmed up. He then went to the
other side, and having entered the chopping,
led his horse nntil be got to a place so sur
rounded by logs that he could not get back
wards or forwards. Having lied his horse, he
proceeded alone through the timber, across
logs and over tree tops scratched by briars
and thistles, and bruised by projecting limbs
and knobs until he reached an old road trav
elled to the right and afterwards to the left,
but found no sign ot a habitation. Again he
took to the chopping, continuing his former
course until found it impossible to proceed
further halloed but could get no answer, save
the barking of a dog at a distance. Having
concluded to return to the old road, he did so,
and about the time he reached it observed light
in the East. When the light increased, he re
galed himself on some delicious blackberries,
which were growing by in abundance, and then
discovered that what ho had taken. to be a
chopping was a part of the wind-fali of 1817,
through which be had traversed with his horse
about a quarter of a mile. Having succeeded
in getting his horse to the road, he now took
that end of it which led south east, and found
in a short time that the general course of the
road changed, the waters running a different
direction from what he expected to find them.
However, seeing a wagon track on the toad,
he followed it until he came to an improve
ment on which lived a Little tho cleverest
fellow in that region who had jnst arisen.
Having enquired for a geography, so that he
might learn his whereabouts, be was informed
that he was only 4 J miles from here. After
partaking of a cup of good coffee and the ne
cessaries which pacify the inner man, he re
ceived proper instructions as to the road and
reached here in safety.
Under this state of facts, the question was
asked, "where was you when you got your
white pants so conlounded muddy ?" and the
opinion was delivered in bis short and compre
hensive answer "I was lost."
Decrevi.
Our correspondent should have told us who
this adventurer is that was 'lost in the woods.'
Wo suspect, from the tenor of the account,
that he is one of our town lawyers. We at all
events Intend to examine all the "limbs of the
law" we can get bold of, to see whose arc
scratclied by briars. This will tell the story.
So, gentlemen, yon had better show out at
once, without much ado.
The Jiew York Tribune publishes a rumor
that Miss Isabella Cass, danghtcr of tho Secre
tary of State, is soon to give her hand to Sir.
Van Limburg, the Minister of the Jfetherlaads.
Baron Gabers, Mr. Van Limburg's immediate
predecessor, not long ago renewed an adjourn
ed affair of the heart, after ten years' absence,
and carried off Miss Wright, one of the prizes
of Xen Jersey.
Mr. Douglas has partially accepted Mr. Lin
coln's challenge to stump Illinois together as
candidates for tho C S. Senate ; and they
will speak together once in every Congression
al District.
.- PENNSYLVANIA ITE2I3. .
PREPARED FOR THE "RAFTSMAN'S JOURNAL."
Indiana Copntt. An Irish watchman nam
ed Murphy, on the P. R. R.,. was run over
near the Packsaddle, .some time in the night
of the 8th ; his bead was completely severed
from his body. This accident tells another
awful tale of the evil of drunkenness as it
has been satisfactorily proven that the unfor
tunate man was badly intoxicated on Sabbath
evening. ... We clip flic fo. lowing items
from the Register of Aug. 10th: For some
time letters sent from the Post Oflice in Indi
ana borough over the Saltsburg route have
failed to reach their destination, and suspi
cion attaching to Milton Henderson, a young
man between 18 and 20 years of sge, who was
employed as Mail Carrier, from here to Elder's
Ridge, on Wednesday night, the 4th, Post
Master Coulter followed the Mail and went to
Saltsburg, and there made information against
the young man and had him arrested on a
charge of Robbing the Mail, and brought be
fore Justice Coleman of this borough, who in
default of $1500 bail for his appearance be
fore the properCourt committed him to prison.
.... On List AVednesday, Robert Kelly en
tered into recognizance with sufficient sureties
before Judge Watt for his appearanco at the
next Court of Quarter Sessions, to answer a
charge of" Surety of the Peace, and was re
leased from prison wheie he had been spend
ing severai weeks On Friday, Joshua
Davis, who was confined in prison on a charge
of Assault and Battery, with intent to kill, on
the body of his brother, Benjamin Davis, was
brought before Judge Watt on a Habeas Cor
pus and released by entering into recognizance
with several sureties in tho sum of one thou
sand dollars for his appearance at next court.
.... On last Wednesday, John Henderson,
of R., of Young township, was driving his
team along the road, when by some means the
horses and wagon fell over a high embankment,
and one of the horses fell on the driver, and
also tramped on his head and bruised him se
verely. It is feared he will not survive his
injuries One night last week the priso
ners in the county prison attempted to make
a General Jail Delivery by well laid schemes
to escape, but the vigilance of Sheritl Smith
discovered their plans and defeated all their
fond hopes of unrestrained liberty. . . . We
learn that typhoid fever prevails to somo ex
tent in the neighborhood of Jacksonville, in
this county, several families having been sore
ly afflicted by the disease. ...A new Post
Office has been established In Green township,
near Cook's Cross Roads, called Cookport.
Lewis B. Shaw is appointed Post Master.
Jeffersox County. David Elder, a farmer,
living about six miles north of Funxsutawney,
while drawing dogwood grubs in a clearing
with a yoke ol oxen, had his hand terribly
lacerated by the hook of the logchain catching
his hand against one of the grubs, tearing up
the flesh of the hand in a fearful manner, and
injuring two or three of the fingers, one of
them so much as to require amputation. Dr.
A.J. JohftstOn was called in, who amputated
the finger, and dressed the several wounds.
The patient is doing well. ... A short time
ago, several persons were engaged in putting
hay Into the barn of Thomas Reynolds, In
Winslow township; the mow of which at one
side is very high, near twenty -five fset from
the ground, and open at that side. After mow
ing back the hay, twd' yenng men, George
Kirker and Joseph Green commenced wrest
ling on the loft. In tumbling about they came
tq the edge of the mow and finally were pitch
ed out on the ground ;t he first so severely
strained and hurt that his lite is dipsaired ol,
and the latter having both arms broken be
t veen the wrists and elbow?. . .On Friday even
ing the Cth, two persons, calling themselves
Andrews and Corason, were committed to our
county jail on charge of passing counterfeit
money. They will have a cool time of it if
they remain with Sheriff McCracken until
court week. They are said to have passed a
number of counterfeit S10 bills on the State
Bank of Ohio, along the line of Armstrong,
Clarion and Jefferson connties, previous to
being arrested and committed fof trial.
Centre County. As Mr. Harvey Mann was
rettirning.Jiiij a buggy, from Bellefonto to his
residence at the Boiling Spring on the evening
of the Cth. his horso took flight at some ob
ject on the road about half a mile south of
. . . , , . . i
town, and deliberately sicppeu over inc oiuik,
which is at that place about fifteon feet high,
and almost perpendicular. Mr. Mann stepped
out of the buggy just in time to save himself,
and left it to pursue its downward course.
The horse was uninjured by his rapid descent,
but the buggy was completely wrecked
Some person or persons entered a pasture
field In Spring township on Friday night, Aug.
Cth and stabbed to the heart a valuable horse
belonging to Mr. Jas. Loder, leaving him
doad in the field. Two negroes, with whom
Mr. Loder had somo difficulty, have been ar
rested on suspicion, and committed .to jail.
We hope the perpetrators of this outrage mny
be brought to justice and made to suiier the
extreme penalty of the law.
Westmoreland County. Rev. Baker, of
the M. E. Church, who resides in Derry tp., a
bout two miles from this place was gored by a
bull while crossing the field in which his cat
tle were pasturing, lie was found somo time
afterwards lying in a helpless condition. Wo
are pleased to learn that he is recovering. . . .
A little son of Mr. David Humphries, residing
at Conemaugh station fell from a tree near
that place, on Saturday the 31st ult., and in
the descent caught upon one of tho limbs,
whereby his intestines wero injured in a most
shocking manner.
Ltcomixo County. One day last week,
Wm. Sheadlc, a son of Daniel Sheadle, Esq..
of Nippenoso Valley, met with a sad accident.
It seems that while in tho act of fastening the
hook on the inside of the barn door, his foot
slipped, and the hook caught in a ring, which
the lad happened to have on the second finger
of his right hand and tore off the finger at
the second joint, taking with it the flexor ten
don which was severed from its insertion at
the elbow.
Venango County. Mr. Charles Raymond,
son of A. W. Raymond, of Franklin, was se
verely injured last week, while engaged in
taking down the hot-blast of Valley Furnace.
He, in company with several other workmen,
bad just loosened a largo piece of metal,
which fell upon the platform that suppor
ted the ladder on which he was standing and
the whole structure gave way .precipitating Mr.
Raymond to the ground, a distance of about
thirty feet. He was insensible for some time,
but fortunately no bones were broken, and ho
is now rapidly recovering.
Lawrence County. A curious case of con
spiracy has conic up in Xew Castle. A Jew
grocer had a iot of eggs and butter he wished
to close out. He induced a farmer to take the
e?Ss S round a square, and stop in front of
a neighboring grocery. The Jew ran out, ex
claiming, "Wat you got tare ?" "Eggs," said
the farmer. The grocer was riled at what ap
peared interference with bis business, and bid
for the eggs; the Jew went a little higher,
in the same way, sold it, and was so elated
with his sharp practice that he "peached" on
himself. The consequence is that he and the
farmer have been held to answer a charge of
conspiracy.
Warren County. The employees on tlie
railroad, between Irvine and Warren, have
struck for less hours work. They desire to
work but ten boars per day, and the employers
insist on their working ten and a half.
- K7"We make room for the following com
munication, without holding ourselves respon
sible for its contents, and with this explana
tion, that it was written by an influential and
responsible Democrat. . " .
For the Raftsman's Journal.
MB. WILCOX AND HIS APOLOGIST'S.
' Mr. Row Dear Sir: The time is approach
ing when the people of this District, will be
called upon to choose two Members of the Leg
islature. Several gentlemen have already put
themselves upon the track, thus showing their
willingness to serve the dear people in the ca
pacity of members of the General Assembly
of Pennsylvania.
' I understand the celebrated Mr. Wilcox, of
Williamsville, Elk County, in the State of
Pennsylvania is again likely to become a can
didate, on account of the Sunbury & Erie
Rail Road, in this District. This gentleman
heretofore has had a great nack of mis-representing
his legitimate constituents, having
commenced his career in 184o, when he with
others defeated the Hon. G. W. Woodward,
for United States Senator, and during all las:
winter acted more like a member of the New
York Assembly than that of Pennsylvania
So far as the interests of Clearfield County
were concerned they were about as well mis
represented as there is any use in, and I hope
the people of Clearfield will ask him to stay at
home. I am well aware that Sir. Wilcox has
had some defenders in Clearfield County. Last
fall an immaculate document went forth fo the
people ot this county assuming quite a dicta
torial character, by Wallace, Lorain & Co., di
recting them in the path of their duty, and also
"A Friend to Merit" wished fo have him elect
ed speaker of the Assembly. Strange as it
may seem," both these authorized documents
had to be run through two editions, to satisfy
the dear people, and especially the Democrats,
thar Mr. Wilcox was nothing but the genuine
article for a Representative. And this was not
all 7 A branch of the United States Senate,
and a footman from the Tost office Department
at W ashington, were dispafchd to this dis
trict in order to assist to elect Sir. Wilcox
This was done ; and now we have the author
ity of the Clearfield Republican, the especial
organ of Mr. Wilcox, for saying that there was
less done for the interests of Clearfield County
at Harrisburg last winter than ever before.
What become of the mighty influence of Mr.
Wilcox after he got to Harrisburg ? I will tell
you ? Through the influence of Gen. Jackman
& Co. he was incorporated into tho Sunbury
& Erie Rail Road Company! and thereby
Clearfield County lost her "experienced" legis
lator. But I will now proceed to look into
some of his (Wilcox's) public acts last winter.
On Friday the 29th day of March last at Har
risburg! Sir. Gritman, a member of the Leg
islature from Luzerne County, offered to that
body the following preamble aud Resolution :
" Wiieras, The Legislature at tho session of
1857, among other things, incorporated the
following banks, to wit : Octorara Bank, Ches
ter County Bank, Tioga County Bank, Craw
ford County Bank, PhcenixviIIe Bank, Shamo
kin Bank :
And wueras, Said banks have since organ
ized and commenced the issuo of notes, in
which oiganization and issue it is alleged the
said banks have violated i r avoided the laws
of this Commonwealth regulating banks, an
the special requirmcnts ol their charters.
From the general allegation against them, the
following specifications have been selected, to
wit :
1. Said banks had not at their organization,
the amount of capital required by the act of
incorporation bona jute paid in.
2. Whatever amount of capital was paid in
the same, or nearly all, was immediately drawn
out, and it represented, if at all, by worthless
assets.
3. The issue based npon such capital "paid
in" has been used instead of specie in organiz
ing their banks.
4. These hanks are used as a means of spec
ulation by financiers in New York and Bullalo,
without regard to safety in our circulating me
dium ; therefore,
Resolved, That a committee of three be ap
pointed to examino and investigate the state
aud condition of said banks, with power to
send for persons and papers, with a view to as
certain if said banks have not violated or avoid
ed tho provisions ot their charters, and the
laws of this Commonwealth regulating banks ;
said committee to report to the Legislature, or
within ninety days after adjournment of the
same, to theGovernor of thisCommonwealth."
The House proceeded to the second reading
of the resolution by the following vote : Yeas
CG, nays 20 and prominent among the nays,
we find our excellent people's friend Mr. Wil
cox. The question being upon the final pas
sage of the Resolution : Sir. Ebur moved that
the further consideration of the question be
post poned for the present ; which was defeat
ed by Yeas 32 Nays 57. Hero Srr. Wilcox
voted Yea, lor the postponement of the ques
tion. "Mr. Abrams moved to amend the resolution
by allowing the committee five dollars per day
for their services, the usual mileage, and to
limit them to the period of sixty days for the
performance of their duties.
Mr. Gritman hoped the amendment would
not pass. If ho was on the committee ho did
not want any more money than that allowed
him a3 a member. The attempt to fix extra
compensation to the resolution would defeat
it, which ought not be done. There were facts
enough, he was informed, to be had in the vil
lage of. Harrisburg, to demand an investiga
tion. He repeated that the amendment ought
not to be attached.
Sir. Calhoun said a resolution of similar im
port was voted down the other day, and ho sub
mitted, therefore, whether it was in order.
But what good could come out of it. This
Legislature will not be in session more than
twenty-five days, and he would like to know
what could a committee do in that time. Bank
men were shrewd. They could, if they choose,
cover their tracks so as not to be perceptible
to any committee of five, six or seven of the
legislators.
Sir. Williston declared that an attempt bad
been made, he was informed, to levy black
mail off these banks. Not members of the
Legislature, but outsiders. He therefore sub
mitted an amendment to the amendment to
the effect, that a committee of the Legislature
be appointed to inquire if persons have at
tempted so to levy black mail, and to give the
names.
Mr. Goepp was of the opinion that a remedy
now exists by the general taws of the Common
wealth, to make a much better inquiry into
the condition of the banks. He therefore
thought it unnecessary. But if a committee
was appointed, it ought to be paid, and there
fore, if the committee was appointed, he would
vote to pay them for their services.
Mr. Abrams said the object of his amend
ment was to restrict the amount to be raid to
the committee. Under his proposition it could
not exceed more man hiteen hnndred dollars,
while under tho resolution of the other day
it might be much larger. That was the object
j ii. . i - . i . . . .
auu me ouijf oojeci no naa in view.
Sir. Miller coincided with the gentleman
from Tioga, (Mr. Williston.) Ho had been
told that the banks were threatened by certain
parties, that if money was not forked. over
such a resolution would be passed. Such an
one has been offered twice. He did not charge
the gentleman from Luzerne, (Mr. Gritman,)
with being a confederate of these men. Ho
was. perhaps. an nnwilling tool in tneir lianas.
Mr. Gritman said if he (the gentleman from
Cambria,) knew anything of blackmailing let
him speak ont. He knew that for himself be
had voted from pure motives, nt the sugges
tion of his constituents, and not from any out
sider or borer. .
The question was further " discussed by
Messrs. Willistcn and Miller.
Pending the discussion of which, .
Sir. Williston moved to amend, by adding
to the end ot the resolution the following :
"And that said Bank Committee be instruct
ed to inquire if any persons have attempted to
levy black mail on said banks, oreither of them
and report the name or names of such persons
to this House ;"
Which was decided out of order.
The question recurring on the amendment
offered by Mr. Abrams. -
Sir. Rhodes moved that the House do now ad
journ ; which was not agreed to.
M r. 11 iliegas called for the previous question,
which was sustained.
And on the question,
Shall the main question now be put t it was
agreed to.
The question again recurring.
Will the House agree to the amendment of
fered by Sir. Abrams. it was negatived.
The resolution then passed finally, by the
following vote:
Yeas 48 Na s 33. nere we find Sir. Wilcox
to the very last voting nay upon the final pas
sage of the resolution, notwithstanding his op
position to them. Justice still has taken place
there were honest members enough still to
pass the resolution
There is no individual in this County who,
more than I, deprecates the course of Mr. Wil-
cox upon this question, as well as a host ofi
other questions, not necessary for me now to i
notice.
Here we see a member of the Legislature rie
in his scat and make charges of reckless frauds
open and defiant violations of the laws of the
state in relation to Banks and Banking, and
yet our Member, Mr. Wilcox, says by his vote,
that he is pleased with the course of the above
named Backs, and desired that his immediate
constituents might be robbed of their dailv
earnings by receiving their worthless issues.
Neither Sir. Wilcox nor his friends can plead
ignorance in this matter, as it was well under
stood by every person at Harrisburg last win
ter, that the above Banks, with some others
not named, were a vile fraud upon the people
and the sequel shows the fact to le such tho
greatest fraud inflicted upon the people of this
part of the state since the enactment of the
notorious Bankrupt Law.
In a few days after the passage of the above
resolution a committee of three members was
appointed to investigate the aflairs of the in
stitutions named in the resolution, after the
adjournment of the Legislature. They have
discharged their duty and have made a report
accordingly.
The follow ing synopsis of the Committee's
report is taken from a late number of tho
North American :
"The first of these Pennsylvania banks, all
of which were chartered at the legislative
session of 18-37, is the Tioga County Bank.
The letters patent state that the subscription
amounted to 1009 shares, and the committee
found that 1040 of these had been subscribed,
and the first instalment paid in a single day,
by certain Buffalo financiers, of whom Wei's
D. Walbridge, lor himself and various female?,
took 640 shares, while Edward E. Thayer, ot
Buffalo, took 200 more, and J. Porter Brawley
took the remaining 200. Thayer belongs to
a nest of financiers of that name in Buffalo,
one of whom opened the bank, and at once
entered discounts to the amount of $2).C-55,
all to Buffalo parties. G. P. Steers, of Buffa
lo, who was elected teller of the bank, says
that upon taking charge of it there was a de
ficit of $6,373. The dinconnts now amount
to$8J,00G 38, nearly all of which has been to
Bullalo parties, and all, except one note ol
$1100, in sums of from $-3000 to $8500. The
Thayersand Walbridg figure either as drawers
or endorsers in nearly all of these. It is clear
.that this bank was purely speculative, the
subscription notes having been immediately
discounted.
The same parties appear to have been the
operators in the new Bank of Crawford Coun
ty. To this concern, 1331 shares of stock
were subscribed, of which 1210 were by the
Buffalcgang, and the rest by J. Porter Braw
ley, as one of the same party, except about
forty-four shares. This subscription was paid
in Tioga County Bank notes, being chiefly
the $20,l-3o discounted at the organization of
that concern, except about $500 paid in specie.
The bank has a circulation of $34,055 against
$2,796 84 in gold and silver, and its discounts
reach $127,917 52, of which $63,800 has been
to parties out of the State. The teller states
that he and the President ordered at the same
time the engraving of the plates for both this
and the Tirga County Bnnk.
The Thayers again figure ns the parties tak
ing the stock of the new Shamokin Bank, of
which the whole subscription was 1640 shares,
while they and their associates took 1320
shares. Ono of the Thaycrs settled for all
the stock subscribed by persons not residing
in btiamokin, and pant no money except $0O0
in gold and $28,000 in notes of the Tioga and
Crawford counties banks. Immediately upon
the organization of the bank, the books show
that $41,015 50 cf discounts were granted to
J. Jackson, of New York city, and Underbill
& Lockhart, $38,000 being m one item to
Jackson. The endorsers ot these notes are
J. W. Undcrhill and R. R. Underbill, while
the teller of the banlr is Rohrrt Underbill.
The circulation amounts to $26,460 and the
cish to $5372 05.
The cashier, Davii A Robinson, formerly of
Buffalo, explains that the money paid in as
capital stock of the bank, was discounted to
the parties named, and the notes were left as
the capital of The bank. A person named
Street, on pretence of being a man of means,
who intended subscribing $40,000 to the stock
of the bank, was entrusted with $20,000 to
arrange a system of exchange with the banks
of western Pennsylvania, instead of which he
appropriated the money to his own uses, but
was afterwards arrested, and obliged to dis
gorge. J. Jackson, who figures as a principal
operator in this bank, alleged himself to bo
worth SH?,400, which on investigation turns
ont to be moonshine. J. R. Robinson was
another of the wircworkers In this institution,
and appears as the party to whom the discoun
ted $38,000 was transferred on check. About
$2000 of the bills of the Shamokin Bank were
obtained from it by Robinson, and used to
pay the first instalment of a subscription of
stock by him to the M'Kean Connty Bank.
How this money was procured does not appear,
but it was not by discount, as it was to be re
turned to the bank.
Among the persons acting with the Thavers,
and belonging to the Buflalo party in all these
banks, wero W. Mcech, several named Ganson,
C. II. Payne, and 51. Carson. These appear
again in the stock subscription to the Bank of
PhcenixviIIe, which, bad an organization taken
place, would have stood 1200 shares taken by
Buflalo and vicinity, 198 by PhcenixviIIe.
Some of these subscriptions to the amount of
1000 shares were taken for others by parties
who only held powers of attorney to subscribe
500 shares. They altered the figures at the
time of subscribing. The first payment on
the stock was made in notes of the Tioga
County Bank, which was objected to by tno
commissioners, and an investigation ensued.
ending in the subscriptions being declared
bogus, and withdrawn.' ,
A startling revelation is made by the com-
mittee relative to the. bank note, reporters.
Proof seems to have been afforded that soma
of these publications are regular black mail
sheets, which quote backs in good or bad
standing according as the conductors are feed.
Letters and circulars' arc described as being
sent to banks, requiring immediate correspon
dence or a personal visit, to make certain ar
rangements on pain of disagreeable conse
quences. Altogether this report is calculated to sur
prise the people of Philadelphia and Pennsyl
vania, and put them on their guard against
speculators In bogus banks. All these insti
tutions have been manufactured by one gaug
of Buffalo operators, and are of the wqjpt
pecies of wild cat. - -- ' - ' --- ,
Fellow citizens of Clearfield County, t
should like to know what your opinions ar
after reading the foregoing reports I and know
ing the opposition ot our member to having
any such investigation 7 Will you furtftjf al
low yourselves to be duped by him ? He help-'
cd to rab the state or her publie works and
pive them to his pet institution theSunburr and
Erie Rail Road, which is about as rotten n th
above Banking institutions; the affairs of
which he refused to have investigated.
He helped to have two BoomCompanies con
solidated into one at Williamsport to secure
more unanimity and capital against the inter
ests of Clearfield County, by those companies ;
which heretofore divided as they have, been j"'
have always defeated our rights at Harrisburg
by corruption ! Our rights have been disro
garded we have been cheated and defrandod
under every pretext that could be bronghl a-
gainst us sold like sheep from the shambles,
by men who seem to control matters about
Jiarrisourg among whom l am sorry to sy,.
some of our prominent citizens seem tupeeiaj
ly engaged having forsook their first 1ot,
and are consequently against us.
It seems strange that the resolution of Mr..
Gritman should meet such persistent opposi
tion from Mr. Wilcox when three of those .rot
ten swindling machines would hare their worth
less currency circulating throughout our sec
tion of the State the Tloa County Bank
Kc Sl'Kcan County concern almost at his door;,
two such notorious fraudulent concern known'
to be such by Sir. Wilcox at the time are c
nough to have the honest portion of onr citl-:
zens exclaim "irAom can vet trust.". J would
say to you never trust those who exhibit so lit
ltc interest for your welH'are ; and deliberately
assist to perpetrate a great fraud UKn you f
both in capital and principle, which seem to
have Iwen the studied purpose of Mr. Wilcox
at Harrisburg last winter! after he became tho
chattle of the Sunbury : Erie Rail Road.
Having tresspassed too much npon yoor
columns alrcad-, I shall close for the present.'
-Yours,
Augnst 4th, 1858. Clearfiki.p."
T - t
Another Dirrict LTr. It aipenrs that ther
are two Democratic parties in Old Berks, and
that one of them don't endorse Glancy Jonei.
The meeting in the Court House was k doublu
one, and Glancy was mlyendorscd on on
side. Some ot the Democratic lnwyers in
Reading should examine, the dorsal "integu
ment of their representative, in order to lot
the party know if the endorsement be legal.
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
CAUTION. All persons are hereby cautiuna.1
against purchasing or mecMlinjf with-n
Iron Grey Colt, now in possession of Thomas h
vans, of Chest township, as Hie g-itne belongs to ai.
Chest tp., Aug. lS-'6S-3t. l.UL'IS J. ilUlU.
NOTICE GLEN IIOPF & NEW WASHING
TON TLAXK ROAD CO. At a meeting of
this Compauy held on the 22d June, IfciS. a res
olution was passed that an asseysnient of ?2,i0 bm
levied on each share, payable on the 1st Somtcm
ber. By order of IJoard
Aug. 1S: lSi8. JAMES DOWLER. rroci.
CAUTION. All persons are hereby cantionej
against purchasing or middling with tho
fjllowin property in the possession of John Kisn.
of BurnwJe tp., to wit: 1 brown horse, 1 aoriel
ware, 1 two-horse wagon, 1 thrcshir g inachiua.
and 1 redow ; as the same belong to me.
SAMl'tL SECRING.
EtirnsiJc tp.. August 13. lS.S3-aul$-3t.
C CAUTION. All persons are hereby cautioned
J against purchasing or meddling with tit
following property in the possession of Henry
rontecoff, of Burnside township, to wit: 1 cooking
utove and pipe. 2 acres of buckwheat. J acre of po
tatoes. 2 shouts, 2 beds and bedding, I rocking
chair, 1 table, 1 lot of dishes and tin-ware. 1 look
ing glass, 1 book case and desk, and 1 red cow ; at
the same belong to me. SAM'L SEBRIXtf .
Burnside tp., Angust 13, 18i3-aul3-3t.
FIRST FIRST SERVED.
EooU & Sheet always on Hand,
of onr own mate.) JOEPJl GOON, thankful for
past favors, and grateful for future prospect, do
sircs to inform the citizens of this vicinity and hi
old friendd and patrons in particult-r, that he ha
rrmorrd to the FIRST ROOM in the EAST
EXD ot SHAWS XEW ROW. the first door
icest of the jM i-itiiou House, where he has on hand
constantly, a large assortment of every variety in
the BOOT AXtl SHOE line. Custom work atteud
ed to with dispatch. The very best of stock wilt
be used and no paius spared to make neat fits and
durable work. Ail of which can be obtained wf
said J. Goon, very low for the Beady Khino.
Clearfield. August 14. 185S.
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN PROSPEC
TUS. Volume Fonrtren hrciim Scptrmitr
11, 1S58. MECHANICS, INVENTORS, MANU
FACTURERS AND FARMERS. The Scientifio
American has now reached its Fourtrrnth Year.
and wiU enter upon a New Volume on the 11th of
Soptembcr. It is the only weekly publication of
the kind now issued in this country, and it has a
very oxtonsivo circulation in all the States of the
Iniou. It is not, as some might fuppo.se from its
tide, a dry, abstruse work on technical science ; on
the contrary, it fo deals with the great events go
ing on in the scientific, mechanical and industrial
worlds, as to please and instruct every one. If tbs
Mechanic or Arlizan wsshes to know th best ma
chine in ue. or how to make any substance em
ployed in his business if the Ilouso-wife wUUea
to get a recipe for making a good color. Ac. if
the Inventor wishes to know what is going on in
the way of improvements if the Manufacturer
w ishes to keep posted with the times, and to em
ploy tho best facilities in his business if the Man
of Leisure and Study wishes to keep himself fa
miliar with the progress made in the chemical lab
oratory, or in tboeonstruction of telegraphs, steam
ships, railroads, reapers, mowers, and a thousand
other machines and appliances, both of peace aud
war all these dcxideratii can be found in the "Sci
entific Amerioan," and not tltcirherr. They am
here presented in a reliable and interesting form,
adapted to tho comprehension of mi nda unlearned
in the higher branches of science and art.
- TERMS One copy, one year. S2 ; One copy, ins
month, $1 ; Five copies, six mouths, S4 ; Ten cop
ies, six months, S3; Ten copies, twelve months,
S15; Fifteen copies, twelve months, 522; Twenty
copies, twelve months, 52S, in advance.
Specimen copies sent gratuitously for inspec
tion. Southern and Western money, or Postage
Stampimakenforsubseriptions. U$r Letters should
bo directed to MUNN Jt CO ,
12S Fnlton-Street, New-Yerk.
fMessrs..Munii A Co. arc extensively engaged
in procuring patents for new inventions, and will
advise inventors without charge, in regard to th
novelty of their improvements. Aug. 1S.185S.
"TVOTICE. All persons having accounts with
J. 1 Oeorge J. Kylcr, are hereby notified that
th undersigned has been appointed by the Court
bis committee, and that the said accounts must at
meg be presented to him for settlement.
ROBERT MITCHKUi.
Clearfield, July 7, 1858. 6U
o
TTTi