Valley of the Shadow: Civil War-Era Newspapers

Franklin Repository: February 16, 1870

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Contested Elections
(Column 01)
Summary: The paper identifies voter fraud as one of the gravest threats to American democracy. The editors charge that the Democrats have benefited from it often in recent elections.

The New Appointments
(Column 02)
Summary: The Repository discusses the new appointments to county offices such as Court House Janitor and Mercantile Appraiser. Some appointees are blasted, others supported.
(Names in announcement: H. C. Koontz, John Shinefield, A. Dehaven, Dr. John Montgomery, Samuel M'Gowan)

Full Text of Article:
After a vigorous campaign on the part of the numerous applicants, the new board of County Commissioners have made the following appointments: For Clerk to the Commissioners, H. C. Koontz, of Chambersburg; Court House Janitor, John Shinefield, Chambersburg; Mercantile Appraiser, A. Dehaven; Physician to County Jail, Dr. John Montgomery.

The principal fight was made on the Clerkship, the most important as well as the most remunerative office in the gift of the commissioners. For the first time in a number of years the board of Commissioners is Democratic, and the rush made for the few offices in its disposal was terrific. There were eleven applicants for Clerk, eight of whom belong to Chambersburg. As is not unusual, the least worthy of the number obtained the place. With a few exceptions, the applicants from town, and all of those from the rest of the county, would have filled the position with credit to themselves and to the Commissioners. As for Mr. Koontz, we regard him as one of the exceptions, with no qualifications except those belonging to the worst class of ward politicians. He is disliked by the respectable men of his own party, and all are busy conjecturing how it was possible for him to secure the place over such men as Keyser and the other applicants. There are some who pretend to know; we do not, nor do we wish to. But this we do know: the Commissioners have done their party no good by the appointment.

Mr. Foreman, who is displaced by this appointment, has filled the position for many years, to the entire satisfaction of both political parties, and has performed the complex duties of his office with great accuracy, systematic order and honesty. Those who are acquainted with him, and the manner in which he did his work, will not deem it an idle boast if we say that few could have done it as well. But for the change in the political character of the board of Commissioners, such a thing as his removal would not have been contemplated.

Mr. Samuel M'Gowan, whose place as Janitor to the Court House, was given to J. W. Shinefield, has been invaluable, and everything in his charge was as well cared for as if it had been his own property. Mr. Shinefield is also a good man, and if the former had to be removed, we know no one whom we would rather see take his place. We expect him to imitate Mr. M'Gowan in his care of the property placed under his charge.

[No Title]
(Column 02)
Summary: The paper asserts that Gov. Geary survived Democratic "abuse," "slander," "falsehood," and "mockery" during the recent campaign. The editors charge that the people grew so disgusted with it that they turned on the Democrats. Now the Democrats, they maintain, are greeting Geary with hypocritical praise in order to gain influence.

Pennsylvania Democrats on Protection
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Summary: The paper asserts that a recent vote in the legislature revealed the Democrats true colors on protectionism. They voted against a tariff while professing to support it.

Rev. J. G. Schaff Corrected
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Summary: This letter to the editors offers further corrections to the Repository's previous reporting on the Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the church of the United Brethren Christ. The author disagrees with a previous account of events.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. G. Schaff, Rev. J. P. Bishop, J. Dickson)

Full Text of Article:
To the Editors of the Franklin Repository.

Rev. J. G. Schaff, in your last week's issue, attempts to give the reason for the withdrawal of Rev. J. P. Bishop and himself from the Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the church of the United Brethren Christ, in the following language:

"After our views respecting the 'future everlasting punishment of the wicked' had been overhauled by an inquisitorial committee, and the Conference had passed a paper expressing its 'sense' in the case, and most emphatically condemning our views, and demanding of us a promise of entire silence in regard to them, after they themselves had published them, we felt we could no longer remain in connection with the Conference and respect ourselves. We therefore proposed to the Conference that, if they had any law for their proceedings they should expel us. This, for good reasons, no doubt, they declined to do. In order, therefore, to end the matter, we proposed to withdraw on condition that we should receive a certificate of good moral character, and that the withdrawal was occasioned by our belief that 'the wicked would have no conscious living existence after this life,' which proposition was promptly accepted by the Conference."

The above requires correction in the following particulars: Revs. Bishop and Schaff were known, by some members of the Conference, to have held erroneous doctrine as above stated, for a number of years, and latterly they became so outspoken that it was deemed time to call them to account. They were arraigned before a committee, to whom they refused to answer the questions proposed to them, as to what they believed, saying that any attempt to fathom their mind "was an inquisition on the mind." The Conference, unwilling that error should shield itself behind such specious subterfuges, finally adopted the recommendation of this committee, that "they be required to pledge themselves to entire silence upon their peculiar views, that they carefully and prayerfully review the whole question during the ensuing year, and that in default to so pledge themselves, that they be left without appointments." Ample time was given them for their defence. They were allowed to withdraw written answers to some questions of the committee and substitute others in their stead. In debate they were permitted the utmost latitude, even to indulging in coarse, offensive expressions and personalities. When the report was finally adopted, they defiantly, indignantly, refused to give the required pledge, saying "that they asked no mercy of the Conference," "that they did not wish to die a lingering death," and dared the Conference to do what it pleased with them.

At the close of that session, the presiding Bishop quietly designated two brethren to prepare resolutions for their expulsion from Conference. During the interval, before the next session, they were offered the privilege of withdrawal upon the terms they afterwards accepted, which they refused, saying "if we are to go out, you must put us out." When they entered the Conference room again their minds had evidently undergone a change. They saw that the Conference was about to expel them, and they called the committee to one side and asked the privilege of withdrawal, which was mercifully granted them. It was out of mere kindness that the Conference did not at once expel them, but allowed them to withdraw. If they are incapable of appreciating kindness, it is no fault of the Conference.

The stale rebel cry of unconstitutionality and no law, is too trite and transparent to require notice.

Does an intelligent community question the right and prerogative of a religious body to drive error from concealment behind quibbling technicalities, and to maintain the doctrinal purity of its ministry? J. DICKSON.
CHAMBERSBURG, Feb. 11th, 1870.

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Notice--Internal Revenue
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Summary: Jere Cook, assistant assessor for the 16th district, announces to Franklin residents that income taxes and special taxes for licenses are due in his office on March 1st. A 50% penalty will be applied to late payments.

Distressing Occurrence
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Summary: Dr. I. N. Snively, Dr. E. A. Herring, Dr. Frantz, Dr. Amberson, and J. M. Emmert, a student, attempted an operation to remove a clay pipe stem that had become lodged in the windpipe of Edward Metcalf, the five-year-old son of Matthew Metcalf. The operation was successful, but Metcalf died six hours later.
(Names in announcement: Edward Metcalf, Matthew Metcalf, Dr. I. N. Snively, Dr. E. A. Herring, Dr. Frantz, Dr. Amberson, Dr. J. M. Emmert)

Origin of Article: Waynesboro Record
Robbery
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Summary: Fifteen dollars and five cents were stolen from the Chambersburg Post Office. A black man employed by the Repository was arrested and brought before Justice Davison on suspicion of the crime.

[No Title]
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Summary: D. K. Appenzeller has been admitted as a partner of the firm of J. Hoke and Co. Appenzeller had been clerking for the firm, and "is a young man of excellent business qualifications."
(Names in announcement: J. Hoke, D. K. Appenzeller)
[No Title]
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Summary: Arrangements are being made to establish a Horticultural School and Health Institute on the West Franklin Fruit Farm near Mercersburg. The project needs $50,000 to purchase the property. Shares of stock are being sold for $500 each, and many capitalists from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington have shown interest.

Church Re-Opening
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Summary: The First Methodist Church of Chambersburg has been remodeled and will be opened for service on February 20th.
(Names in announcement: Rev. James H. Brown, Rev. S. H. C. Smith)
[No Title]
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Summary: The new Lutheran Church in Waynesboro will be dedicated on February 20th. Rev. Dr. Diehl of Hagerstown, Rev. Titus, and Rev. Owen will officiate.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Dr. Diehl, Rev. Titus, Rev. Owen)
[No Title]
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Summary: Rev. W. S. Lower of the Virginia Conference has been appointed to take charge of Chambersburg's United Brethren Church.
(Names in announcement: Rev. W. S. Lower)
Married
(Column 04)
Summary: T. Frank Garver of Chambersburg and Miss A. Mary Diller, daughter of John Diller of Lebanon, Pa., were married in Lebanon on February 10th by the Rev. M. Sheeleigh, assisted by Rev. M. Rhodes.
(Names in announcement: T. Frank Garver, A. Mary Diller, John Diller, Rev. M. Sheeleigh, Rev. M. Rhodes)
Married
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Summary: Henry R. Clippinger and Miss Rebecca H. Gillan, daughter of John Gillan, all of Franklin, were married in Pleasant Hall on February 10th at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev. J. M. Bishop.
(Names in announcement: Henry R. Clippinger, Rebecca H. Gillan, John Gillan, Rev. J. M. Bishop)
Married
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Summary: George A. Mowers and Miss Jennie Highland, both from near Shippesnburg, were married at the Pleasant Retreat Parsonage on February 11th by the Rev. J. M. Bishop.
(Names in announcement: George A. Mowers, Jennie Highland, Rev. J. M. Bishop)
Married
(Column 04)
Summary: Christian Wingert and Mrs. Barbara Hoffman, both from near Fayetteville, were married on February 8th at the residence of Amos Rice by the Rev. John Fohl.
(Names in announcement: Christian Wingert, Barbara Hoffman, Amos Rice, Rev. John Fohl)
Married
(Column 04)
Summary: John H. Height and Mary J. Bitner, both of Guilford, were married at the Parsonage on February 3rd by the Rev. F. Dyson.
(Names in announcement: John H. Height, Mary J. Bitner, Rev. F. Dyson)
Married
(Column 04)
Summary: George B. Unger of Maryland and Ann E. Burger of Chambersburg were married at the Washington Hotel on February 8th by the Rev. F. Dyson.
(Names in announcement: George B. Unger, Ann E. Burger, Rev. F. Dyson)
Married
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Summary: Theodore Brandt and Miss Sarah E. Houck, both of Mercersburg, were married on February 10th by the Rev. David Townsend.
(Names in announcement: Theodore Brandt, Sarah E. Houck, Rev. David Townsend)
Died
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Summary: John R. Nissley died in Green Township on January 26th. He was 50 years old.
(Names in announcement: John R. Nissley)
Died
(Column 04)
Summary: Miss Annie Colbert died in Carrick Furnace at the residence of her parents on February 9th. She was 15 years old.
(Names in announcement: Annie Colbert)

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