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Franklin Repository: January 4, 1865 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

List Of Causes For Trial At January Term 1865
(Column 2)

Summary: First Week: Houghwont & Co. vs. Wunderlich, Nead & Co.; S. & M. Pennock & Co. vs. W. Reber; J. McCurdy, et al. vs. A. McCurdy; J. McCurdy et al. vs. D. Vance; J. Peterman's Administrator vs. L. Etter; W. Rodgers vs. W. Keyser; J. Brown vs. S. Worley et al.; W. Rodgers vs. W. Keyser; G. Gaff's use vs. J. Tritle; M. Miller vs. J. Hartle; J. Millhouse vs. W. Eyster; S. Bittner vs. J. Waldsmith; P. Karper vs. B. Cook et al. Second Week: Morrison vs. Kreager; Weagley vs. Bonebrake; T. Carlisle et al. vs B. Phreaner's Administrator; R. Taylor vs. D. Teeter; J. & S. Ely vs. F. Funk; E. Kuhn vs. W. Crook's Executor; G. Wolff vs. W. Christ; S. Helser vs. W. McGrath, Sheriff; J. Tritch vs. J. Price; E. Triadle et al. vs. M Clark; H. Holby vs. T. Fletcher et al.; W. McGrath vs. J. Guyer; W. Bash vs. J. Sharp; J. Lynn vs. J. Hisey & wife; M. Skinner vs. S. Bitner; J. Martin vs. M. Long; M. Skinner vs. S. Bitner; J. Snider & wife; vs. W. Christ; A. Hess vs. D. Riesher et al.; W. Wilhelm vs. D. Reisher; D. Witherspoon vs. R. Currey's Executor; J. Richardson vs. J. Plum. Published by Taylor, Prothonotary.
(Names in announcement: Houghwont, Wunderlich, Nead, S. Pennock, M. Pennock, William Reber, John McCurdy, Andrew McCurdy, David Vance, John Peterman, Lewis Etter, William Rodgers, William Keyser, Jacob S. Brown, S. M. Worley, George Gaff, John H. Tritle, Mary C. Miller, John H. Hartle, John Millhouse, William Eyster, Simon Bittner, John Waldsmith, Philip Karper, Benjamin Cook, Morrison, Kreager, Weagley, Bonebrake, T. M. Carlisle, B. Phreaner, Robert Taylor, David Teeter, J. Ely, S. Ely, Franklin Funk, E. Kuhn, W. Crook, G. W. Wolff, William Christ, Solomon Helser, William McGrath, John Tritch, Joseph Price, Eliz Jane Triadle, Mary Ann Clark, Henry Holby, T. L. Fletcher, John F. Guyer, William Bash, John Sharp, Jacob S. Lynn, J. Hisey, Mrs. Hisey, Morrow R. Skinner, Samuel Bitner, James Martin, Michael Long, John Snider, Mrs. Snider, William Christ, Abraham Hess, D. S. Reisher, William Wilhelm, David Witherspoon, Rebecca Currey, John Richardson, John Plum, K. S. Taylor)

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: Summarizes one author's biting criticism of a "woman of fashion."
(Names in announcement: )

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: Quotes a rhyme about wives' duties toward their husbands.
(Names in announcement: )

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: Relates an overheard declaration by a "young lady" that she was willing to allow potential beaus to fight, leaving her an "old maid." She believed this a great sacrifice.
(Names in announcement: )

Unpunished Homicides
(Column 1)

Summary: Documents the "inevitable tendency of war" to "lessen sanctity for human life" on the homefront as well as on the battle field. According to the article, before the war citizens responsibly meted out justice in response to criminal acts, but the war brought "fearful change" in the form of "wide-spread disregard of the law." Specifically, the authors review several murders: the murder of Unger by a soldier; the murder of Coble, shot on election night; a soldier killed on the premises of Gabby; the murder of Sweitzer; and the murder of Redmon by Lieut. Underhill, for absence without leave.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Unger, Mr. Coble, Mr. Gabby, Mr. Sweitzer, Lieut. Underhill, Mr. Redmon)

Full Text of Article:

The inevitable tendency of war is to lessen sanctity for human life, and especially is it so in civil war waged with wanton ferocity on the part of the insurgents. Not alone in the terrible sacrifices of the sanguinary field is the sad cost of war to be estimated. Its tendency is ever to demoralization; to lawlessness; to disregard of treasure; to waste of life, and to weaken the great moral sentiments on which the whole fabric of social order is reared. Against this appalling evil this journal has consistently and earnestly raised its voice. It has braved the heated prejudices of its party in denouncing violence because of real or imaginary disloyalty in our midst, and it has, with steadfast, unfaltering faith in the supremacy of law, appealed to every citizen to look above the passions of the day to the common welfare of a free people.

Five years ago a murder in our midst excited the liveliest concern on the part of our entire population. However humble the victim or the criminal, the public mind was startled, and followed the often tedious course of justice with unabated interest until the majesty of the law was fully vindicated. Our court room would be crowded to overflowing when a citizen was charged with the grave crime of taking the life of one of his fellows, and had justice failed to vindicate its high prerogatives, there would have been a sad unrest deeply seated among the people, and the homicide would have escaped the penalty of the law only to suffer a popular condemnation scarcely less terrible than death. Every citizen felt that he had his full share of responsibility in maintaining the majesty of the laws, and these sacred obligations were taught on every hand as the first civil duty of the citizen.

Let us now glance for a moment at the fearful change a few years of war has wrought in our midst, and there are few dispassionate men who will not be startled at the wide-spread disregard of law that has insensibly grown up amongst us. On the second Tuesday of October, 1863, three men met death by violence in this county. An altercation in Waynesboro' resulted in the instant death of Mr. Unger at the hands of a soldier; Mr. Coble, one of the judges of election of Hamilton was shot dead the same evening when passing his home in a peaceable manner by a soldier who fired upon one of his companions; and a soldier of the same squad was shot by accident the same night and mortally wounded. Thus the election day of 1863 gave us three violent deaths in Franklin county--two of whom were respected citizens and the other an unoffending soldier. During the last summer a soldier was found on the premises of Mr. Gabby brutally murdered, and it is not doubted that it was a most deliberate and atrocious murder to facilitate a robbery. But a short time ago Mr. Sweitzer, one of our most worthy citizens, was cruelly murdered near his own door; and it is only a few weeks since Lieut. Underhill, in command of this post, deliberately shot down and killed one of his own men and fired at others because they tried to get off to their quarters without arrest. In all these cases there was no punishment. Six murders, or what in times of peace and order would be so held, have been committed in our county within fifteen months, and the law has in no instance vindicated its power by the punishment of the criminals. The man who killed Mr. Unger, of Waynesboro, was acquitted on technical grounds; the killing of Mr. Coble, of Hamilton, and the soldier the same night, were held to be accidental, and the author or authors were unknown; the supposed murderer of the unknown soldier found on Mr. Gabby's farm was discharged because the witnesses on the part of the prosecution could not be procured; the person who killed Mr. Sweitzer could not be identified, although we believe that an earnest effort was made to do so, and a military court of inquiry acquitted Lieut. Underhill of the murder of Mr. Redmon, and he has since been promoted by Gov. Seymour to a Captaincy and discharged from arrest.

We submit that the time has come for every citizen, and also every soldier, to set his face like flint against unpunished crime. Unless this current of murder is arrested by the people arousing to the necessity of a rigid enforcement of the laws, there will be no safety to person or property in our midst. If it be lawful for a soldier to shoot when, where and at whom a real or imaginary offence seems in his judgment to warrant, then must the innocent fall and the perpetrators go unwhipped of justice, until officers and soldiers weary of such bloody amusement. As thing now stand, there is every invitation that passive submission can give to officers and soldiers to resent every wrong by the employment of their deadly weapons, and if they kill, either the innocent or those they regard as guilty, there is no redress. Military tribunals take possession of the criminals in such cases, and it would seem that if any sort of a plausible pretext can be found for acquittal, there is no punishment.

The case of Lieut. Underhill we regarded as one most clearly demanding the severest punishment; and being himself an officer of education, of respectable rank and holding an important trust as post commander, his conviction and just sentence would have been most salutary in its influence upon the great public interests whose peril we so seriously deplore. He entered a house where some of his men were without proper leave. They, desiring to get to their quarters and avoid arrest, fled when he entered, and because they refused to stop when he ordered them to do so, he fired four times after them, two balls entering Mr. Redmon, who staggered back into his house and died with a sad message to his wife upon his lips, in presence of the author of the fatal deed. Can it be pretended that such reckless destruction of life is justifiable or even excusable by the laws of war? If so, then had any citizen received Lieut. Underhill's balls, fired at random in the dark and in a densely populated part of the town, there could have been no punishment. If the act was lawful, its consequences could not impose a penalty. But with due deference to the members of the court of inquiry--not one of whose names have we ever heard--we insist that the act was a gross infraction of the regulations, an irreparable wrong to society and a flagrant violation of moral and civil right. He went in search of the absented men of his command without a patrol, as was his duty, and he did not seek, nor was he prepared, to arrest them and return them under guard. On the contrary he broke in upon them without his side-arms--the usual mark of office to command their obedience, and when they attempted to return to their camp and escape the penalty of arrest, he had no more right to fire upon them than he had to shoot at any citizen on the streets. They were not seeking to desert, nor to get away from duty; but on the contrary were, as was clearly proven on the inquiry, seeking to get to their quarters, where he could have arrested and punished them for absence without leave at his leisure; and his firing upon them and the killing of Mr. Redmon was simply a wanton, deliberate murder. There was no provocation other than that they took an irregular way to return to their quarters, just as he took an irregular way to make them do so, and he soothed the wounded pride of a little unbalanced authority in the blood of a soldier--a husband and a father. General Scott, when Commander-in-chief of the army, did not admit that even in a case of mutiny, or conduct tending to this great crime, it was justifiable for an officer to shoot down the leader or leaders, until the order for arrest has been made and failed; but a Lieutenant assumes to shoot his men down as if they were oxen because they attempt to return to their duty in an irregular way regardless of an irregular order, and Gov. Seymour signalizes his appreciation of his gallantry by promoting him to a captaincy.

We believe that Capt. Underhill has merits as a soldier, but we cannot concede that human life shall be made the mere toy of the passions and pride of petty officials; and that lawlessness shall become rife in our midst by reason of the presence of those whose especial duty it is to enforce the laws. The time has come for thorough reform in this matter, and we appeal to those holding military authority to make common cause with every good citizen to stay the appalling tide of murder that has recently stained the annals of justice in our county.

Review Of The Year
(Column 2)

Summary: Reviews army activities and victories including: General Sherman's capture of Savannah, Ga.; Thomas's promising engagements with Hood in Tennessee; Stoneman and Burbridge's destruction of southwestern Virginia; General Davidson's attacks on a frustrated Alabama; Admiral Porter "pounding" of Wilmington, N. C.; the general weak state of the Confederate lawyer.

Full Text of Article:

The year 1864 has closed, most auspiciously for the Union cause. In every quarter our armies are triumphant. General Sherman has fitly concluded his grand march of three hundred miles through the enemy's country, by the capture of Savannah. The fruits of this great expedition are immense. A chief city captured and with it 33,000 bales of cotton, valued at 20 odd millions of dollars, 150 guns, 13 locomotives and 190 cars. A rebel iron clad fleet with numerous other vessels destroyed in order to prevent their falling into our hands. An important point gained for future operations, either against Charleston or the interior of Georgia and the network of railroads that bind the Confederacy together. 200 miles of those railroads already damaged and destroyed to an extent that will require such an expenditure of labor and material as the rebels will scarce be able to supply. Lastly, but not least, Gen. Sherman has demonstrated what has often been asserted and stoutly denied that the Confederacy is a shell. That within all is weakness, and the only opposition to be met with, if opposition it can be called, is that offered by old men and boys, gleanings from the "cradle and the grave." Nor since his arrival at Savannah has Sherman been idle. It is said he has already moved against Augusta, an important town on the Savannah river, at the head of navigation, some 70 miles above the city of Savannah. At this place he threatens Charleston in the rear, and holds the railroad connecting it with Georgia and the Confederacy West. It is also said he has organized an expedition for the release of such of our men held as prisoners in Georgia as can be reached. With Sherman the good work goes bravely on, and to him we may safely leave it.

In Tennessee the gallant Thomas is driving the enemy to the wall. Three weeks ago Hood was investing Nashville with an army of 40,000 men, with which he proudly boasted he would drive Thomas and his gallant men beyond the Ohio river, and would invade the North and spread desolation there. But man proposes and God disposes. On the 15th of last month Thomas attacked Hood in his intrenchments, and after a desperate struggle of two days, defeated and drove him in disastrous rout with the loss of sixty-eight pieces of artillery, nearly all his wagon trains, and one-third of his army killed, wounded and captured, including eighteen generals. Nor has Hood yet escaped. At the last accounts he was seeking to cross the Tennssee [sic] river, but was prevented by the depth of the water, and Thomas was rapidly closing in on him with every prospect of capturing and destroying the balance of his army. Success to which enterprise is our hearty prayer.

Within the last two weeks Breckinridge, who came to deliver East Tennessee and invade Kentucky, has been soundly whipped and driven into North Carolina with loss of artillery and many of his men. Our forces, under the command of Stoneman and Burbridge, then proceeded leisurely to destroy the salt and lead works in south-western Virginia, also all the bridges and culverts for many miles on the railroad leading to Lynchburg. Altogether, property of great value to the enemy, to the amount of $20,000,000 was destroyed.

In Alabama the greatest consternation now prevails among the rebels. The Governor of the State has called out the militia to resist the march of Gen. Davidson, who he alleges is marching on Mobile. We know that Gen. Davidson has gone on an expedition, but where we know not. We hope, however, that the Governor of Alabama is correct, and that Gen. Davidson may be enabled to emulate the munificence of Gen. Sherman and give to the Nation for a New Year's gift the city of Mobile.

The only place where success seems doubtful is at Wilmington, North Carolina. But the brave Admiral Porter still keeps pounding away, and even if his fleet should not be able to reduce the place now, Sherman will settle the question as he marches up the coast in the next few months, to join Grant. In the meantime Grant sits calmly before Petersburg holding Lee to his place with a strong hand, and waiting only until he shall be joined by the new levies and the veterans of Sherman, to complete his great work and end the rebellion.

Our political sky is brightening fast. Wherever our flag is advanced its brave defenders take no step backwards. During the last year the rebels have continually lost ground. They have been driven from the banks of the Rappahannock, from the Valley of Virginia, from the States of West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri. Sherman has marched through their Confederacy from one end to the other. With the exception of Lee's, they have no army left worthy of the name. Their chief cities are in our hands and three-fourths of their territory. Their iron-clad fleet has ceased to exist, and of all the fleet pirates that infested the seas one year ago, destroying our commerce, but one is heard of now--the Tallahassee. Their people in many parts of the Confederacy are actually suffering for the commonest necessaries of life. They despair of their cause, and faint whispers of peace begin to be heard. Disaffection begins to raise its head, and soon a rebellion within a rebellion will be beheld. On the other hand, the late verdict of the people that the war must go on until the supremacy of the Government is established has made the Government stronger than ever before, and has encouraged us and discouraged our enemies. All that we require is to persevere a little longer, to support the government cheerfully and liberally, to allow no political feeling to divide us as a people but to unite in all things for a firm prosecution of the war. If we shall do this the next New Year may find us as we were but lately, a prosperous and powerful people.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Notes the statement of the Superintendent of Public Printing that "the interests of the government have suffered heavily because of the exorbitant prices now asked for white paper." The editors hope that Congress will reduce or abolish the paper duty.

Careless Writing
(Column 3)

Summary: Addresses the Postmaster General's report of 3,508,000 letters last year that were destroyed or returned because of insufficient or incorrect addresses or inadequate postage. The paper called on letter writers to be more careful "for the amount of suspence and suffering occasioned by these lost letters is incalculable" especially in times of war as individuals waited for news on loved ones.

Political
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports the election returns. Lincoln, with a 107,302 majority over McClellan, won the presidential election.

Washington
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports happenings in Washington. The authors assert a high desertion rate among Confederate soldiers as well as officers. They also bemoan the governor's neglect of nominating soldiers for commissions in Gen. Hancock's corps.

Trailer: "S. C."

[No Title]
(Column Personal)

Summary: Briefly relates various items of general news, including the death of George M. Dallas, former Vice President under Polk, who cast the deciding vote in favor of the Tariff Bill.

Summary Of War News
(Column 5)

Summary: Reports various items of war news, including mention of Andersonville prison, which detained fifty thousand imprisoned Union soldiers in unsanitary and life-threatening conditions.

The Surrender of Savannah.
(Column 6)

Summary: Provides a detailed account of the surrender of Savannah to Maj. Gen. Sherman, who surrounded the city and prepared a siege.

Gossip With Our Friends
(Column 1)

Summary: The writer describes the pleasures of eating while travelling on the Camden and Amboy boat to Philadelphia for the holidays. The article also includes a reference to Dr. Schneck's book on the burning of Chambersburg.

Heard From
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports news from two Orrstown residents assumed dead. James Gracey and his brother, members of Capt. Thompson's company, 107th Pennsylvania Volunteers, were reported missing after Gettyburg and assumed dead. Several friends received a letter from both relating their good health despite their imprisonment at Andersonville.
(Names in announcement: James Gracey, Gracey)

Two More Soldiers Gone
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports the death of two soldiers (apparently from Franklin County): David Miller (at the age of 24 years, 10 months, and 3 days) died on September 30, 1864, at Petersburg and John McHaffey (at the age of 30 years and 10 months) of Company F, 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry, died of chronic diarrhea near Andersonville, Georgia, last September.
(Names in announcement: David Miller, John McHaffey)

Gas
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports the re-established operation of the gas company. The Repository urges the town fathers to repair the street lamps in the burned part of Chambersburg.

Dr. G. W. Burk
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports the appointment of Dr. G. W. Burk, who entered service in Chambersburg in the 46th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers as a surgeon, as Medical Inspector of the 1st Division, 20th Army Corps. He was with Sherman on his march through Georgia.
(Names in announcement: Dr. G. W. Burk)

Promoted
(Column 3)

Summary: Announces the promotion of Frederick Shenefield, from Chambersburg, to 2nd Lieutenant of Company L, 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry. Shenefield was in his fourth term of enlistment.
(Names in announcement: 2nd Lieut. Frederick Shenefield)

Captured
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports the Confederate capture of Monroe Barnitz, 1st Pennsylvania Veterans, and George Eyster, Company D, 11th, Pennsylvania Cavalry, both of Chambersburg, during the Union army movement on the Weldon Railroad.
(Names in announcement: Monroe Barnitz, George S. Eyster)

Fair
(Column 3)

Summary: Describes the Waynesboro Ladies Fair, for the benefit of the Christian Commission, which took place last week and earned more than expected.

Lieut. James Pott
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports that Lieut. James Pott, of McConnellsburg, resigned his position as clerk in the office of the Pennsylvania State Agency of Washington and accepted the appointment as superintendent of Thad Steven's Caledonia Iron Works, near Greenwood.
(Names in announcement: Lieut. James Pott, Hon. Thaddeus Stevens)

Finance And Trade
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports that Congress will not issue any more specie paying bonds, but will probably use a loan bearing ten percent interest. Also informs that the Ahl, of Newville, purchased half of Steven's Caledonia Iron Works.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Ahl, Hon. Thaddeus Stevens)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: On December 27, by Rev. Smith, R. McAllen married Belle, daughter of Barnabas Wilhelm, all of the Fannettsburg vicinity.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Smith Gordon, Col. R. W. McAllen, Miss Belle Wilhelm, Mr. Barnabas Wilhelm)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: On December 26, at the home of the bride's parents, by Rev. Brown, George Balsley married Florence, daughter of Jacob and Mrs. Brown.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Mr. Brown, George J. BalsleyEsq., Miss Florence Brown, Mr. Jacob S. Brown, Mrs. Brown)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: On December 28, at the home of the bride, by Rev. McHenry, Helam Sutton, of Ovid, Seneca County, New York, married Nancy Weikert, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
(Names in announcement: Rev. S. McHenry, Mr. Helam Sutton, Mrs. Nancy Weikert)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: On December 28, George, son of Frederick and E. Henninger, died at the age of 17 years, 6 months, and 13 days.
(Names in announcement: George W. Henninger, Frederick Henninger, Mrs. E. Henninger)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: On December 27, near Mount Hope, James McCoy died in his 56th year.
(Names in announcement: James W. McCoy)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: On December 27, near Spring Run, William McCartney died at the age of 75 years.
(Names in announcement: Mr. William McCartneySr.)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: On December 18, in Chambersburg, Mary, wife of John Culbertson, died in the 38th year of her life.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Mary I. Culbertson, John P. Culbertson)