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Franklin Repository: December 14, 1864 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

President's Message
(Column 3)

Summary: The Repository prints Lincoln's message, in which he talks of the country's foreign relations, the contraband trade with rebels, the raid from Canada, emigration, financial affairs, the national debt, the army and navy, Nevada, the territories, public land, the Pacific Railroad, pensions, the progress of the war, Sherman's movements, the amendment of the Constitution, the emancipation bill not passed by the House, and the conditions of peace.

Oil Investments
(Column 7)

Summary: The Repository discusses the present "oil fever" and predicts possible future uses for oil.

Full Text of Article:

Just now the oil fever rages. It rages everywhere, infects all atmospheres, and has drawn all classes into its dazzling whirl of speculation. Hitherto it has been confined mainly to the great cities and other centres of trade; but it has now ramified into every rural district in the State, and all want to take a chance in the brilliant lottery of fickle Fortune. In view of the fact that Franklin county is likely to invest half a million or more in those stocks, we venture a few suggestions for the consideration of our readers.

1. Never invest in non-producing oil lands more than you can afford to lose entirely. We do not mean by this that such investments must always prove a loss; but we do say that they will prove a total loss nine times out of ten, and profit-less forty nine times out of fifty. Of two hundred and fifteen Oil companies now organized in this State, not more than twenty of them are paying bona fide dividends out of the revenues from their wells. Three-fourt[h]s of the remainder will prove dividendless on a total loss to the stockholders.

2. Never invest in any Oil stock, good, bad or indifferent, more money than you can spare from your legitimate business without embarrassment. It is never wise to do so, for evn with the best prospects loss is possible. Wells may fail to produce, Oil may fall in price; titles may prove defective and scoundrels may plunder in the management of these as well as other corporations, and it is best to be safe against all such contingencies.

3. Make such investments entirely incidental to your regular business on which you depend for a livelihood. It will prove a costly appreciation of wealth if it diverts farmers, tradesmen and other businessmen from their daily pursuits, while if they operate with their spare capital only, and ever bear in mind that it is a tide of speculation only that must ebb and flow with the inflations and depressions of trade, most judicious men may profit by it as it passes, and it will leave them richer in purse and no poorer in fitness for industry when it fades away. Be ever careful that the substance is not abandoned for the shadow. The dog tried that when crossing the stream with the meat in his mouth, and lost both. Many men will be no wiser.

4. Invest to the extent of your surplus means in companies with certain revenues. There are such on the market, and it wants but a little care and discrimination to distinguish them. If it is an ascertained fact that a company has a positive yield of oil equal to ten or twenty per cent, on the cash capital, with good lands and ample reserved capital for development, it is fair to conclude that capital is not likely to be lost in that company. It is reasonably certain to pay good interest, and the stock will have a steady market value equal to its original cost, while the efforts for development are all in favor of the holders. True, even such companies may fail but the chances are largely in favor of dividends.

5. It is not best to invest all in any one company. While it is the most profitable of investments when profitable at all, it is at the same time the most precarious, and it is but the part of discretion to try two or three good companies instead of one. If either develops successfully, the others may fail and the operation still prove profitable on the whole.

6. Make such investments through some reliable person at home. In the cities the business of selling such stocks to rural friends is a profession, and men are expected to take advice and at the same time be responsible fore results. Most of our leading business men in the centres of trade throughout the county either are operating in such stocks, or are well informed on the subject, and as a rule, they cannot afford deliberately to mislead those who counsel with them. They may err in judgment but generally they will add vastly to the safety of such investments.

Salmon P. Chase
(Column 1)

Summary: The Repository reports the nomination and confirmation of Salmon P. Chase as Chief Justice of the U. S. on November 6.

Hon. John W. Forney
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors note that the Pennsylvania press urges the placement of John W. Forney in Lincoln's cabinet because Pennsylvania has played a major part in the war and should have a representative on the cabinet.

Congress And Gold
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors argue that Congress should not try to regulate the price of gold because regulation resulted in rapid inflation. Congress has made no distinction between gold and currency because only gold can be used by merchants to pay custom duties and by the government to pay the interest on the public debt and the principal at maturity. The editors suggest that an increase in taxes would save the credit of the country.

Military Damages
(Column 2)

Summary: The Pittsburg Gazette argues that the government need not compensate border counties for war damages because it does not compensate citizens for damages by fire or other causes. The Repository replies the state should compensate citizens for damages since it funds military companies to protect the state.

Oil Investments.
(Column 3)

Summary: The Repository provides tips on investing in oil companies: "Never invest in non-producing oil lands more than you can afford to lose entirely . . . Invest to the extent of your surplus means in companies with certain revenues . . . It is not best to invest all in any one company."

The Electoral College
(Column 4)

Summary: Announces that the electoral college of Pennsylvania met and voted for Lincoln and Johnson for president and vice president.

The Pittsburg Dispatch
(Column 4)

Summary: The Repository prints a quote from the Dispatch, indicating their withdrawal its recent accusation that McClure has a history of election fraud.

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Reprints a quote from the Shippensburg Sentinel that noted that Coffey's soldiers voted for McClellan. The Repository earlier claimed that they would vote overwhelmingly for Lincoln.

Gen. Sheridan
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports Sheridan's order to stop the travel of citizens between Hagerstown and Martinsburg.

Washington
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports news from Washington, including the convening of Congress, the amendment to the Constitution to abolish slavery, the tax on segars, the investigation of the Red River expedition, the arrival of Union prisoners, details on General Logan, and W. Forney and the Secretaryship of the Interior.

Trailer: "S. C."

Summary Of War News.
(Column 5)

Summary: Summarizes war news including details on Maj. Gen. Dodge and Gen. Rosecrans, the successful cavalry expedition to Louden Valley in Virginia, and Sherman's capture of all the powder in Georgia and 3000 stand of arms at Milledgeville.

Pennsylvania Official
(Column 6)

Summary: Details the official tally of votes in Pennsylvania for Lincoln as 296,389 and for McClellan as 276,308.

From the Army of the Potomac
(Column 7)

Summary: Describes a successful engagement at Stony Creek and Sussex Court House.

The State Guard
(Column 1)

Summary: The Repository notes that the State Guard is now exempt from draft for U. S. service.

Sad Occurrence
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports the death of G. McClain, of Dry Run, a member of Company A, 49th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. While returning home on furlough, McClain lost a leg as the wheel of the train passed over it. He died later, leaving a wife and child
(Names in announcement: Mr. Gilbert McClain, Mrs. McClain)

Horse Thieves Arrested
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces the arrest of Jacob Garner and Dolhouser for stealing two horses belonging to Isaac Sollenberger. The horses were found in the thieves' possession.
(Names in announcement: Isaac Sollenberger, Mr. Jacob Garner, Mr. Dolhouser)

Death Of An Old Citizen
(Column 2)

Summary: Nicholas Pearse, of Chambersburg, died on December 11, at 83 years old. Pearse was Post Master of Chambersburg under the adminstrations of presidents Taylor and Fillmore.
(Names in announcement: Nicholas Pearse)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On December 1st, at Pleasant Retreat Parsonage, by Rev. Bishop, D. Nigh married N. Tarner, both of Letterkenny Township.
(Names in announcement: Rev. James M. Bishop, Mr. David W. Nigh, Miss Nancy Ann Tarner)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On December 1, at the home of the bride's mother, by Rev. Crider, D. Armstrong married E. Schopp, both of Franklin County.
(Names in announcement: Rev. S. Crider, Mr. David Armstrong, Mrs. Schopp, Miss Elizabeth Schopp)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On December 6, at the home of the bride's family, by Rev. Breidenbaugh, C. Derland, of Hollidaysburg, married S. Embich, of Peters Township.
(Names in announcement: Rev. F. Breidenbaugh, Mr. Charles S. Derland, Mr. Embich, Mrs. Embich, Miss Sarah E. Embich)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On December 6, by Rev. Dickson, E. Shavor, Sergeant Major Department Susquehanna, 8th U. S. Infantry, married J. Elder, of Chambersburg.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Dickson, Mr. E. P. Shavor, Miss Jennie Elder)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On December 8, by Rev. Dickson, S. Humer, of Cumberland county, married M. Mowry, of Lurgan Township.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Dickson, Mr. Samuel Humer, Miss Mary C. Mowry)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On November 22, by Rev. Schneck, C. Pfeiffer married C. Berg, both recently from the Archduchy of Hesse, in Germany.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Dr. Schneck, Mr. Charles Augustus Pfeiffer, Miss Catharine Berg)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On December 10, by Rev. Schneck, J. Place, of Utica, N.Y., married M. Miller, the eldest daughter of I. Miller, of Franklin County.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Dr. Schneck, Mr. Justus Place, Miss Mary Ann Miller, Isaac MillerEsq.)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On December 8, at the home of the bride's parents, by Elder Spangle, of Franklin County, D. Rumel married L. Swine, of Huntingdon County.
(Names in announcement: Elder John Spangle, Mr. Daniel Rumel, Miss Lizzie Swine, Mr. Swine, Mrs. Swine)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On December 11, in Chambersburg, N. Pearse died in his 83rd year.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Nicholas Pearse)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On November 27, in Philadelphia, Kate died at the age of 8 years and on December 8, Willie died at the age of 3 years and 7 months. Kate and Willie were the only children of W. and M. Wolff.
(Names in announcement: Kate N. Wolff, Willie Bernard Wolff, Mr. William H. Wolff, Mrs. Mary B. Wolff)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On December 5, in Chambersburg, J. Wolfkill died in his 73rd year.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Jacob Wolfkill)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On November 12, near Chambersburg, Mrs. Simpson died at the age of about 50 years.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Martha Simpson)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On November 26, near Orrstown, F. Bittinger, died at 12 years, 5 months, and 9 days.
(Names in announcement: Frances Bittinger)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On November 18th, in U. S. General Hospital, at Harrisburg, G. McClain, of Dry Run, died at the age of 30 years, 10 months and 15 days.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Gilbert McClain)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On November 23, near Spring Run, Mrs. Shearer died at the age of 86 years, 7 months, and 15 days.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Maria B. E. Shearer)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On December 4, in Hamilton Township, Mrs. Wilands died at 76 years, 5 months, and 13 days.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Catharine Wilands)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On December 14, near Waynesboro, J. Lisinger died in his 22nd year.
(Names in announcement: John Lisinger)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On July 3, at Andersonville, Georgia, G. Forney, of Shippensburg, died. He was a member of Company F, 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry and was a prisoner for more than a year before his death.
(Names in announcement: Mr. George Forney)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: E. Walker, of Company A, 7th P. R. V. C., died in a rebel prison after being taken during the advance on Richmond.
(Names in announcement: Edward Walker)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On October 6, near St. Thomas, G. Miller, a member of the German Reformed Church, died at 52 years, from a falling limb from a tree that he was cutting down.
(Names in announcement: Mr. George Miller)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On November 13, at the home of his mother, in Hamilton Township, Sergt. Rupert died of chronic diarrhea at the age of 24 years, 9 months, and 24 days. Rupert enlisted April 17, 1861, in Company C, 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry, for three months. He re-enlisted for three years and was a member of Sherman's Battery. He participated in the seven day fight at Richmond and at the battle of Antietam.
(Names in announcement: Sergeant Simon Rupert, Mrs. Rupert)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On July 5, at the Saunton Hospital in Washington, W. Welch, of Co. C, 184th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, died from a wound he received on June 22 while in battle at Petersubrg. He enlisted on February 26 and died in his 21st year. He was buried at Arlington Cemetery. His father attempted to have the body moved during the summer, but could not have him buried at Burnt Cabins until November. Rev. Gorden the performed the funeral ceremony in the Presbyterian Church.
(Names in announcement: Walker C. Welch, Mr. Welch, Rev. J. S. Gorden)

Finance And Trade.
(Column 2)

Summary: Describes the organization of the Burning Spring and Ruble Farm Oil Company. Eyster is one of its managers. Also notes that stock for the Imperial Oil company can be bought from the remaining men listed above. Sterling Oil closed its books, but the editors note that at least eighteen new oil companies have been organized in Philadelphia in the last ten days though some are surely "bogus." Only 41 of the 215 organized oil companies have provided dividends. The article also mentions that the Bank of Chambersburg is now the National Bank of Chambersburg and will soon have the national issues.
(Names in announcement: J. Allison EysterEsq., McClure, Stoner, McClellan, Kimmell, George R. Messersmith, J. McD. Sharpe, Thomas Jefferson Nill, John Stewart, William S. Everett, George W. Brewer, D. O. Gehr, Judge Small, William M. Marshall)