NEWS: The Alleghanian; 31 Mar 1864; Ebensburg, Cambria Cnty., PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ The Alleghanian Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, 31 Mar 1864 Volume 5, Number 27 Local Etchings R. L. Johnston, Esq. of Ebensburg and Richard Vaux of Philadelphia have been chosen electors at large on the Democratic Electoral ticket of this State. Mr. Pershing, representative from Cambria, has introduced into the State Legislature a bill increasing the pay of jurors and witnesses. Last Sunday was Easter Sunday. Capt. H. Beamer of Duncansville has been appointed Assistant Provost Marshal of Blair county, vice Col. John Piper, removed. Dr. Belford, the eminent dentist is in town. Give him a call, ye who are unfortunate possessors of defective molars or incisors. A man named Peter Kinney has been arrested and lodged in the Huntingdon jail, charged with killing his wife on the night of St. Patrick's Day. He lived on Broad Top. We inadvertently omitted mentioning last week that Lieut. J. Nix Kinkead of Co. M, 12th Pa. Cavalry was in town. His regiment has reenlisted for the war and is home on a thirty day furlough. Nix is a tip-top fellow and an honor to the town that raised him. We wish him all manner of success. We believe we have not heretofore mentioned that Col. James M. Swank, formerly editor of the Johnstown TRIBUNE, but for a year or two past a departmental clerk at Washington city, has become political editor of the Pittsburg DAILY GAZETTE. Col. S. is an able and pleasing writer – in fact, when it comes to wielding the goose quill, he takes rank second to none in the State. Under his direction the GAZETTE will lose none of that prestige which has heretofore attended it. P. S. Should the Col. become possessed of a desire to inflict upon us his daily in exchange for our weekly, he is at liberty to follow the promptings of his kind heart. We will not feel aggrieved in the least! Another Step Upward Lieut. Col. Dan Porter of the 11th Penna. Reserves, having resigned his commission in the regiment, we are gratified to learn that Major Robert A. M'Coy has been promoted to the position. "Bob" is eminently qualified to fill this or any other office. He has had a long apprenticeship in the art of war and can set a squadron in the tented field with the best of them. Starting hence nearly three years ago as Second Lieutenant of the "Cambria Guards," he has subsequently filled the offices of First Lieutenant, Adjutant and Major, with entire satisfaction not only to his superiors but also the rank and file. We hope good luck may continue to hit him! Smash Up On Friday night, last about 11 o'clock, two freight trains on the Penna. Railroad collided near Lilly's station this county. A smash up of considerable magnitude was the result. We understand that no less than three engines and twelve cars were totally wrecked and ruined. No lives were lost nor no personal injury was done the persons having the trains in charge, we believe. Local Correspondence Johnstown, March 29, 1864 Friday and Saturday last were the usual paydays at the Mill. This occasion is generally observed by an extra number of drunks, with an occasional street fight. These periodical rows are of course an old song, but one so much out of the usual order transpired on Sunday that I must chronicle it. Two female denizens of a den of iniquity in Conemaugh borough saw fit to quarrel that evening, for the reason that one accused the other of stealing a dollar from her and buying whiskey with it. A war of words, with a perfect torrent of obscene abuse was the initiative when matters were brought to a crisis by one of these frail Cyprians inserting her digits in the hair of the other. A regular rough and tumble street fight ensued, until from sheer exhaustion the parties separated. Is not this a sad commentary upon the morals of our city? The erection of an extensive woolen factory upon the site known as "Murray's Grove" is in contemplation and the plans, &c., are already prepared by the architect. I understand it is to be four stories high and stock to the amount of $200,000 will be invested. Rev. Ahrenfeldt, whilom pastor of the English Lutheran church, preached his farewell sermon to his congregation last Sabbath. He retires from the ministry to engage in business pursuits. The children of the German Lutheran school give a concert tonight at Kohler's hall for the benefit of their school. It will be well attended. A short time ago I spoke of the probable return of Co. M, 12th Pa. Cavalry. Last week the members who reenlisted, some fifty, arrived in town. Capt. Morgan M'Donald, who commands the company did not get home until this evening. He informs me that he will receive a limited number of recruits and as a better or braver officer cannot be met with, I advise those who feel inclined to enlist to do so with Capt. M'Donald. He bears the reputation of being a brilliant and dashing officer and kind in the treatment of his subordinates. I also had the pleasure of meeting Lieut. Kinkead, and Hite of the same company. They look every inch the soldier. The weather of the past few days has been mild and ethereal-like and the nights suggestive of "meet me by the moonlight alone." Can you fancy anything more charming than a dreamy moonlight evening, a fair companion by your side and - - so forth! Yours, [Signed] May Leon A Compliment to One We Know A correspondent of the Sacramento (Cal.) DAILY UNION, giving an account of a "trip to Washoe," speaks thus flatteringly of Maj. Charles M'Dermitt, a former Ebensburgher and of Fort Churchill, Nevada Territory, the post under this command: "Fort Churchill is simply a military post and no fort. It is eligibly situated on a wide gravelly slope near the Carson. Its large parade ground is enclosed on the west by the men's quarters and the bakeries; on the east by the Commissary and Quartermaster's and the hospital buildings; and on the north by the officers' quarters. The latter face the river and the cotton woods. All the buildings are adobe, plastered upon the outside and having projecting roofs, which form a verandah. The officers' quarters are one and a half stories in height. They are admirably arranged for convenience, but have never been perfectly finished throughout. As they are, they are the most comfortable quarters on this coast; and they would be, if finished, most elegant dwellings for any gentlemen in the land. The men's quarters, the baker buildings, the general mess room and all about them are as comfortable and as neat as any bachelor could desire. The hospital is a miracle of neatness and comfort; and of the Commissary and Quartermaster's offices it may be said that that they are in as sound condition as perfect system and order an make them. The men and officers garrisoning Churchill have no right to complain of their accommodations – nor do they. Churchill has been under the immediate command of Major Charles M'Dermitt for two years or more; and it is high praise of him to say that the post never was in so good condition nor looked so well since the days of the "Regulars," and in those days certainly no better. The Major not only proved himself a good officer but he has with an enlarged sense of the duties of man to man extended every aid to the poor worn immigrants passing the post. He has now and then captured and confined a "Secesh," it is true but even they, I am sure, will have nothing to say against his humanity. The Pah Utahs venerate the Major and he deserves their veneration. The Major is no Indian Agent, but he has done more than any one man to harmonize the conflicts between the white and the red races, and to preserve the peace essential to our prosperity. He has done more – he has, in his own person, redeemed the honor and the good faith of the whites to a great extent; and what honest man will not thank him for it, if he but knows how shamelessly that honor and faith have been compromised by too many white men. Such a man as the Major is worth all the Indian Agents ever upon this coast. Methodist Episcopal The Pittsburg M. E. Conference met at Barnesville, Belmont county, Ohio, on Wednesday 23d inst., Bishop Levi Scott presiding. It continued in session five days, transacting much important business. The following are the appointments made for this District for the ensuing year: Blairsville District: T. M'Cleary Blairsville: S. Y Kennedy Johnstown: C. H. Jackson Indiana: M. W. Dallas Greensburg and Pleasant Unity: [first name unclear] Mowry Kittanning: A. H. Thomas Dayton: A. Baker Elderton: M. J. Montgomery, A. [surname unclear] Latrobe: J. S. Wakefield, J. Gray Mt. Pleasant: E. Williams West Newton: W. W. Roup Mechanicsburg: P. G. Edwards, H. Long New Florence: J. C. High Burrell and Apollo: J. Shane, one to be supplied Ligonier: W. A. Stewart Saltsburg and Hopewell: S. T. Show Marchand: N. G. Miller Smithport: To be supplied Ebensburg: J. S. Lemmon, one to be supplied Missionary to India: H. Mansell We are glad to see that Mr. Lemmon has been reassigned to this place. An eloquent expounder of the word of God and a valuable albeit unassuming citizen, he is justly popular with all classes. The Moore-Marbourg Murder Trial The Verdict Away From Home -Extracts [From the Phila. Sunday Mercury] By reference to our report of the Marbourg- Moore trial it will be seen that the jury have returned their verdict, - that of murder in the second degree. The verdict – a singular one – creates a deal of surprise. If Moore was deemed guilty, then the verdict should have been for the full offence. This miserable half apology will not satisfy the public. The trial, so far as we witnessed it, was a mockery. The spectators were more anxious to hear the charge of the Presiding Judge than they were to listen to the evidence. We say the Presiding Judge as we feel no hesitancy in saying that the associates were not in sympathy with his views. [Snip] Hoary-headed lecherous villains like Marbourg have full sway given their lustful propensities. Soldiers in camp and hospital may well tremble for the sanctity of their household. Glad and full permission is given by this verdict to the wealthy lecherous-eyed nabob like Marbourg to ravish the wife and daughter of an absent soldier. When indeed the soldier takes the only remedy given him, a jury, no, not a jury but a company of acquiescing, knee-bowing slaves - return a verdict of guilty of Murder. We learn that Judge and jury express a hope that the Governor will pardon Moore. We hope the Supreme Court will set aside the verdict and in the interim let us feel thankful that we have no such juries; and though wiseacres decry our Judges they are at least merciful, which is a component unknown to those serving in poor Moore's trial. Their decisions have received the approval of their fellow citizens, their own consciences and of the civilized world. This is more than we can say of Cambria's Justices. Mr. Robert L. Johnston for the defense conducted it with signal ability. He brought his vast abilities to his support in this case, conducted it manly and openly; squarely and justly – the blames does not lay with him. His conscience will bear him witness that he did all that could be expected or was possible for man to do. He exhausted the law in search of citation, and when it was possible to benefit his client by precedent, the Judge overruled him. Such is the brief history of this remarkable trial, but more remarkable verdict. [Snip] Plot to Assassinate or Kidnap President Lincoln A correspondent of the N. Y. TRIBUNE lately escaped from Dixie gives the following startling account of a rebel plot laid for the abduction or assassination of President Lincoln in November last: "In a former communication I stated that a plan had been submitted to the Rebel War Department by Col. Margrave who had been for a considerable time an emissary in the North, to kidnap President Lincoln and carry him to Richmond, or if it should be found impossible to escape with him to the Rebel lines to assassinate him. Owing to a change in the position of the armies about this time the plan proposed was rendered impracticable. "In the early part of November and only a few days before he was sent North, Col. Margrave submitted another plan, the details of which may be interesting to the reader. To give the plan in minutiae would occupy too much space and a digest of it will prove quite intelligible. "One hundred and fifty picked men were to go secretly North and take quarters in Washington, Georgetown, Baltimore and Alexandria, as to be able to communicate daily with each other; and upon a day fixed by their leader, were to assemble in Washington, for the purpose of making the seizure. The president, it was claimed could be easily seized at a quiet hour at the White House, or in going to or returning from church or on some other favorable occasion and thrust into a carriage and driven off. The carriage was to be joined, a few miles out of the city, by twenty-five or thirty armed men on horseback. It was proposed to drive to Indian Point, about twenty-five miles south of Washington on the Potomac – two or three relays of fleet houses being stationed on the way – where a host was to be in waiting to cross the river and land the captive a few miles south of Occoquan, when it would be an easy matter for his captors to work their way with him through the woods by night into the Rebel lines. To prevent pursuit every bridge between Washington and Indian Point was to be mined before hand and blown up as soon as the captive and his captors had crossed. Huge trees were also to be ready cut and thrown across the road in various places as soon as they had passed, by men stationed along for the purpose, who were afterwards to separate and escape as best they could. "The Secretary of War thought this scheme might succeed; but he doubted whether such a proceeding would be of a military character and justifiable under the laws of war. He promised, however, to consult the President and Mr. Benjamin; but what conclusion was arrived at I am unable with certainly to say. About a week however, after the plan was submitted and the same day that Col. Margrave left for the North, I asked Mr. Wellford, who is familiar with all the secrets of the Department, if the plan had been adopted and he answered, "You will see Old Abe here in the spring as sure as God." A few days afterward I was sent to Atlanta and never returned to Richmond to hear about the matter. "But this is not the only scheme by any means that has been devised for kidnapping our President. Last summer a club or society of wealthy citizens of Richmond was formed for the purpose of raising a fund for this object. Circulars were sent to trustworthy citizens in every other city and town in the Confederacy, inviting cooperation in the grand undertaking and an immense sum of money was subscribed. The firm of Maury & Co., bankers in Richmond, subscribed $10,000 and Summer & Arents, auctioneers, subscribed $5,000; and I have heard on good authority that there were several in the capital who subscribed even more liberally than the parties named, but who they were I did not learn. One man of Charleston, S. C., whose name I have forgotten subscribed $20,000. It was purposed when all was ready to obtain a furlough for Mosby and make him leader of the enterprise. "Whether these schemes have been abandoned or whether the kidnappers are only awaiting a favorable opportunity to execute them remains to be seen; but certain it is that too much caution cannot be observed by the President or the military commanders stationed at the Capital." DEATHS Dreadful A few days since W. Roper, photographer, of Carrolleville, Blair county, fell from Point Lookout near Chattanooga, a distance of over a hundred feet and was instantly killed.