THE TRIBUNE.
F. M. & K. 31. K13IMEIX , Fab * .
McCOOK , NEB
f THE STATE.
A MILITARY MAN'S CABEEB. Of Gen.
Howard , commander ol the Department ol
the Platte , with headquarters at Omaha ,
who has just been appointed to the junior
major generalcy , the Omaha Bee gives the
following sketch of his military career :
Gen. Howard's military training began
at West Point. He graduated fourth in a
class of forty-si s in 1854 , and was pro
moted in tho army to brevet second lieu
tenant of ordnance on July 1 , and after
wards first lieutenant , thereafter acting as
assistant professor of mathematics at
West Point. This position he resigned to
accept the promotion in the volunteer ser
vice , as colonel of Third Maine volunteers ,
May 28,1801. His first active duty was
in the command of the Washington de
fences , June and J uly , 1SC1. Shortly there
after he hurried on to the battle field and
Avas in command of Third Brigade , Henzle-
inanDi.ision in the Mnnnssas campaign ,
being engaged in the baltje of Bull Run. In
September , 1801 , he was appointed Briga
dier General U. 8. Volunteers , and entered
upon active service in the army of tho
Potomac. In the Virginia campaign , he
was engaged in building roads , "wharves
and unloading stoves at Yorkton , Va. ,
during the siege of that place in April and
May , 1862. lie was engaged in various
operations on the peninsula in May. On
tho first June he wns in command of a
brigade at tho battle of Fair Oaks. Vir
ginia , where he was twice severely wounded ,
losing his right arm. After this he
wns given a sick leave of several
months , and up to November en
gaged in several important engagements
with the army of the Potomac. On the
20th of that month he was appointed ma
jor general of volunteers. He served in the
noted Rappahannock campaign in the win
ter of 18G2-3 , engaging in the battle of
Fredericksburg on December 13. At the
battle of Chancellorsville , Vn. , May 24 ,
1863 , he was in command of the Eleventh
corps , Army of the Potomac. - Up to Sep
tember of that year , he remained with the
Army of the Potomac during ths Pennsyl
vania campaign , being in command of the
Eleventh corps. His services at the battle
of Gettysburg. July , 18G3. were brilliant
and conspicuous. In Saptembcr , 1862 , lie
was transferred to the Army of tho Cum
berland , where , in Tennessee , he was en
gaged in the battle of Lookout Mountain
and Mission Ridge. In April , 18G4. he was
assigned to the command of the Army of
"
"Ihe Cumberland. He engaged with his corps
in the invasion of Georgia and the campaign
-against Atlanta , participating in ths ac
tions at Tunnel Hill , Rocky Face Ridge ,
JJuzzard's T oosfc and the operations about
Dalton , Georgia , May 7-12,1864 ; the bat
tle pi Resaca , Georgia , May 14-35 , 1864 ;
action of Adnirsville , Georgia , May 17 ,
1864 ; action of Cnssville , Georgia , May 10 ,
18G4 ; battle of Dallas. Georgia , May 25-26 ,
1SG4 ; action of Pickett'sMill , Georgia , May
27 , 1864 , where he was wounded ; the bat
tles and actions about Pine and Kenesaw
mountains , June 20 July 2,18G4 ; action
of Smyrna Camp Grdund , Georgia , July 4.
1864 ; battle of Peach Tree Creek , Georgia ,
July 20 , 1864 , and the siege of Atlanta ,
Georgia.
On July 27 , 1864 , General Howard was
assigned to the command' of the nrmy and
department of tire Tennesee participating ,
with his command in the battle of Ezra
Church , in July , 1864 , and in the battle of.
Joneshoro , which resulted in the surrender
of Atlanta , Ga. , on September 2 , 1864.
Engaged in pursuit of Hood's army into
northern Georgia and Ahtbamn , with fre
quent engagements , October 4 Not-ember
1 , 1864. He enjoyed the proud distiiic-
tion of being1 in command of the right wing
of General Sncrman's nrmy on the famous
march to the sea from Atlanta'to Savan
nah , Georgia. November'lGDecember 13 ,
1864 , being engaged in numerous actions
and skirmishes , including the action of
GriswoldVille , Georgia , November 22,1864 ,
and the surrender of Savannah , Georgia ,
December 21,1864.
SARFY COUNTY FEEDING YARD. A few
months ago this paper published a de
scription of the Snrpy county feeding yard ,
owned by the Union Cattle company of
Wyoming and located four miles east'of
Papillion , which was of much interest to
its readers. This morning a correspondent
called upon the managers of that institu
tion to note its success during the first win
ter of its growth and make a supplement
ary report.
Additional interest attaches to tins con
cern when it is kiiown that it is the largest
of its kind in the world. The Union Cattle
company were the first to expend nearly
$100,000 in buildings for the indoor feed
ing of cattle. The main building is high ,
well ventilated and healthy , being heated
by steam and washed thoroughly once a
day with water forced from the tanks by
an engine. It contains at present 750 head
of cattle just ready for "market. This im
mense building is a model for convenience
and neatness. The company has , beside
the main building , an elevator , engine
house , tanks , cribs , offices , hotels , etc. ,
enough to make a village in this quiet
country place. The object sought for by
these men is to feed cattle economically
by cooked food in rooms provided with a
uniform temperature , thereby allowing
them to put their beef upon the market
at seasons of the year when fat cat
tle cannot be gotten from the western
range. In order to do this they will fatten
at least two lots each year , and the cattle
will be shipped between the months of
November and June. It will require from
three to four months to put ordinary cat
tle in prime condition for the market , and
the average feed consists of ten pounds of
corn per day for each head. To feed and
care for these 3.750 cattle requires the em
ployment of only twenty-three men , as the
machinery for cooking and carrying the
food is most perfect. Mr. Goodell , the vice
president , says the work of the last four
months has been most successful , notwith
standing the novelty of the project , with
untried machinery and men , and the sever
ity of the winter. AVith its close proximity
to the Omaha slaughtering houses , and the
productiveness of the country in which it
is located , together with the capital this in
stitution lias to back it , the Snrpy com
pany feeding yards must be a great success.
Mr. Goodell expressed his regrets that ho
could not show all his visitors through the
great barns , and thevisitors should re
member that range cattle do not get accus
tomed to strange faces and those men have
too much at stake to subject them to con
stant excitement. [ Omaha Herald.
MISCELLANEOUS STATE MATTERS , _
THE engines to be furnished by the Holly
company for the Beatrice water works are
guaranteed to bo of sufficient strength and
capacity to throw at least eighfstreams of
water 100 feet high through 50 feet of 2 , ' -
inch hose , with 1-iiich ring nozzles.
THE Thnrston hose team of Omaha will
accept the challege of the "Fitzgerald team
of Lincoln. A forfeit of § 200 lias been put
iip , and when' the race comes off a good
deal of money in sidebeta wai diango
lianas.
CONFIDENCE men are numerous in Lin
coln and working trains for all they are
worth.
BEATIUCE pays interest on § 233,000 city
and county bonds.
GEORGE COXKLIN , of Nebraska City , has
suffered the loss of three outbuildings by
fire the past month , all by incendiary.
THE York Canning company has begun
work on the necessary buildings to be com
pleted in thirty daysThe company will
pack 600,000 cans of vegetables during the
coming season.
A MUSICAL festival willbegin , in Omaha in
June , Prof. Pratt will be tho mpnager. He
agrees to furnish the music , the singers ,
a part of the orchestra and drill the chorus ,
and the board guarantees him § 8.000.
A GANG of thieves who have Jong been
operating in the vicinity of Calhoun have
been broken up by detectives. A number
of arrests were made.
THE Louisiana State Lottery company
hns sent out a circular saying a resident of
Omaha drew one-Sfth of the capital prize
in the late drawing. The lucky individual
has not thus far made himself known.
AN unsuccessful attempt was made by a
prisoner in the.Fnlls City jail to escape.
Sheriff Ray captured the aspirant for free
dom before lie had gone ten rods away.
THE Nelson Gazette says a railroad
meeting of citizens was held at the court
house in that place , to give expression to
the proposition of the Bock Island for an
extension to that place , and the large num
ber present were almost unanimous in
favor of exerting < heirinfluence to secure
the much coveted line of road.
AT Scward , while Dr. Beaver's fine team
wns out in the lot , one of them , a valuable
mare , attempted to jump the picket fence ,
but only succeeded in getting partly over ,
the pickets entering her body , producing
such injuries that it was found necessary
to kill her.
AT Beatrice the other day , while Prof.
Ebright was preparing to make an cxpcri-
ment with sulphuric acid gas in the labora
tory of the high school building , the gas be
came ignited and exploded , shattering the
glass tube used in generating tho gas , doing
more or loss damage to the professor's
clothcc and person. A piece of glass struck
him in the face near the eye , inflicting quite
a wound.
ACCORDING to the Ewing Item immigra
tion to western Nebraska , eastern Wyom
ing and the Black Hills country was never
greater than it is this spring , and the
movenfent of thisimmense throng of home-
seeuers was never inaugurated earlier than
t is this spring. Everyday the passenger
; rain on the Fremont. .Elkhorn & Missouri
Valley road is literally crowded with men
and families seeking homes in the west.
SAYS Hie Lincoln Journal : The hearing
of John Pierson before United States Com
missioner Billingsley on the charge of mur
dering Watson B. Smith was resumed yes
terday , when several witnesses testified.
Sutton , the former cell-mate of Pierson ,
and to whom the alleged confession of
Pierson was made , was the principal wit
ness. Warden Nobes , Lee Helsley and
Fred Nye of tho Omnha Republican went
on the stand and told what they knew of
the circumstances which , implicate the wit
ness. The commissioner held the prisoner
to the next term of tho United States
court in May , without bail , and he was re
manded to the Lancaster county jail.
A BENNETT correspondent ol the Omaha
Herald writes : A few days ago we were in
vited to take a ride into the country a few
miles , northwest of town to the farm of
Wm. Jacobs meyer , to see a curiosity in the
shape of a hog which had recently had a
remarkable experience. During the recent
snowstorms the hog got out of his pen and
got away and was finally given up as lost ;
a few days ago Mr. Jacobsmeyer , while
passing a haystack , thought he heard
something grunt and procuring a shovel
began an investigation and soon liberated
his hogship. As soon as he was liberated
from his "beautiful" prision he started for
the watering trough , and from the way ho
drank one would imagine he had been at
tending a "prohfb. " convention. It was
just forty-nine days from the time he was
missed until he was found , and all he had
to eat in that time was hay. He looked
rather thin , but at last accounts he was
doing as well and wasns sprightl3r as any of
his fellow hogs. Mr. J. thinks some of ex
hibiting him at the next state fait.
THE Ponca Journal is of the opinion that
if a big vein of coal is found there this
spring , capitalists will rush in without de
lay , mines will be opered and the town
will become as large as Sioux City within a
year.
A LODGE of the A. 0. U. W. was insti
tuted at Rushville on the 18th. A state
grand lodge will be organized notlaterthan
April 10.
THE university faculty have been warned
against the approach of a scientific crook ,
who , under the name of H. S. Williams , is
visiting educational institutions , and rob
bing their collections of valuable specimens.
FROM Hastings it is reported that emi
gration west by wagon has been exceed
ingly large this spring. Nearly every outfit
has some good cattle and horses with it.
This is in contrast with the prairie schoon
ers that were crossing these prairies a few
years ago.
GOVERNOR DAWE'S , at the request of the
sanitary livestock commission , has issued
a proclamation barring out from Nebraska ,
during the months of April , May , June ,
July , August , September , and October , all
cattle from Texas , Arkansas. Louisiana ,
Alabama , Mississippi , Florida , Georgia ,
Tennessee , and North and South Carolina ,
except under such quarantine rules as may
be prescribed by the commission.
A MAN named Hubert , living in Illinois , is
making a strong appeal to the governor of
Nebraska for the pardon of Bradshaw , who
was sent to the penitentiary three years
ago for the murder of Voorhees in Gago
county.
AN Omaha man named Menter drew
§ 15.000 in a late drawing of the Louisiana
state lottery.
THERE was a small blaze in the black
smith shop of the penitentiary a few days
ago.
ago.A
A HORSE sold on tho streets of Holdrege
the other day for $4.70. It was not a
blooded animal.
ADAMS county has no jail , and the board
of supervisors is taking steps to build one
at Hastings.
A Chicago jnan will build a § 50,000 pack
ing house at Lincoln , and will have it ready
lor business by Octover 1.
A school census at Blair shows that
there are 1,086 persons in that city of
school age , an increase of 10G over last
year.
MR. TREXLER , lumberman nt Pierce , who
recently fell heir to a § 2,000,000 estate in
New York , received , a few days ago , his
first installment in the form of a § 100,000
draft.
THE Missouri Pacific right-of-way through
Lancaster county , outside of the city
-limits , will cost the company $15,235.
LDMRER is being hauled out onto the lina
of tho Omaha & Hastings branch of the B.
< fe M. Boarding houses and shanties ara
being built and the work of grading jvil ]
commence at once.
BEN HOGAN , ex-prize fighter , who hns
been/or some months evangelizing in this
state , said toa reporter : * 'I am satisfied
with my work in Nebraska. I get. 'em in
somehow If I can't talk 'em in I laugh
'cm in , and if I can't do that , I knock 'em
in.1-1
THE three thugs at Omaha who severely
pounded a policeman , were each given one
hundred days in jail and fined § 100.
WASHINGTON special : The senate in exec
utive session made tho following confirma
tions : J. F. Gardner , surveyor-general of
Nebraska and Iowa ; Thomas W. Tipton ,
receiver at Bloomington ; John G. Higgins ,
register at Grand Island ; Thomas B.
Davis , register at Lincoln , and Charles H.
Potter for Indian agent at the Omaha
agency. Postmasters : Thomas W.Mor
ton at Nebraska City ; Jonathan N. Wise
at Plattsmouth ; W. T. McGinnis at Min-
den ; Samuel Riggs at Beatrice ; Charles , M.
Wilson at Tecumseh ; George A. J. Moss at
Pawnee City.
THE carpenters of Omaha held a meet
ing , talked tho matter over , and decided to
work this year but nine hours a day.
OAKLAND'S lour saloon men are prepar
ing to take out license for another year.
ENGINEER Tom Tucker of the B. & M. is
credited with the fastest long run ever
made over the road. The other 'day he
pulled a special , containing Vice President
Potter and Manager Holdredge , from Den
ver to Akron , 254 miles , in five hours and
ten minutes , an average ol fifty milos an
hour including stops.
BENNETT'S flouring mill is undergoing re
pairs that will , when completed , render it
one of the best institutions of the kind in
the state.
A DELEGATION from the Rock Island roa
will visit Beatrice at an early day to talk
up railroad mutters.
BEATRICE expects to make double the im
provements this year that it did last.
THE Bloomington Guards says : Mr.
Samuel 'Gillard , a prosperous farmer , of
Naponee , called at this office Monday and
exhibited specimens of blossoms , of coal ,
r'ellow ochre and Russian blue. He is con-
ident that he will soon find coal in abund
ance on his land , having gone down to a
lepth of eighty feet at present. Mr.MoIIit.
of Iowa , an experienced miner , shares this
opinion.
BLOOMINGTON'S brass band is heavily in
lebt , and the members call upon citizens
'or assistance , if they would have tho
organization kept intact.
A LiNCOLJJ COi'rOspOndcntsays : John G.
Hnskins sent into the county clerk's office
Wednesday afternoon to be recorded , a
land patent issued by President James
Buchnn'an away back in I860. The parch
ment recites that one John Lord , a private
in Captain BordweTl's company of Mas
sachusetts militia , is entitled to 160 acres
of land , under the bounty No. 80,451 , for
services in the war of 1812 , and that loca
tion had been made on the south one-half
of the northwest quarter , and north half
of the southwest quarter of section 20 ,
township 8 , north of range 7 , cast in the
district of land subject to sale at Nebraska
City. An assignment was made by Lord ro
Julian Metcalf , and by Metcsilf to John W.
Hnskins , in whom the president declares
the title rests. This docilment hns been in
Haskins' possession twenty-nix years with
out being placed on record.
As Illinois man is desirous of establishing
a large woolen mill at Omaha if he can re
ceive some financial encouragement. It
has been figured out that there isbigmoney
in an enterprise of this kind.
AT a meeting of the Bennett creamery
company , held last week , jt wns decided to
commence operations April 1 , and pay 14
cents per gage for cream. Tho capacity of
the institution is 5,000 cows. This will be
its becond year.
JAMES M. CARNEY , living near Republican
City , was gobbled last week by Iowa officers
and taken to that state to answer for mis
deeds.
IT is still confidently expected that tin
Ord extension of the Union Pacific will reach
Ainsworth the coming season , and thus
furnish a means of marketing the products
of the land without having the profits con
sumed by extortionate freight charges.
WORK has begun on tho foundations ol
the planing mill and machine shop at Blue
Springs.
A NETV gas company has been formed at
O naha. It is the intention ol the new coin-
pan } ' to furnish gas to all patrons at1.50
per § 1,000 feet , and to operate twenty-
five miles of pipe by September 1 , 1SSS.
A MAN named Pahlmquest is suing the
Union Pacific Railro'ad company for § 10- ,
000 for injuries received while in the em
ploy of that corporation.
GEN. HOAVARD , commander of tho de
partment of the Platte , headquarters at
Omaha , is receiving numerous telegrams
congratulating him upon his good fortune
in securing the appointment as major gen
eral.
SING KEE , an Omaha Chinaman , was
fined § 20 and costs for running an opium
joint.
OFFICERS of tho Adams agricultural so
ciety have made made arrangementsvith
tho Hastings Driving association to use the
fair grounds for the purpose of a , speed
ring , either in conjunction with the county
fair or as a separate institution.
FIFTY thousand dollars worth of real
estate changed bunds in Lincoln one day
lust week.
TRIPS TO THE SPIRIT LASTD.
A Colored Girl Opens Up a Line of Commiini-
eetion IWiich is Creating Much Curiosity.
Leavenworth ( Kas. ) dispatch : There is
great excitement here in spiritualistic cir
cles about a 15-year-old colored girl named
Chanc Ross , who lives on Third avenue
with her parents , who are intelligent ,
respectable peop'e. Last Sunday she said
she had been called to the spirit world and
would leave at 7 o'clock and return at 5
the next morning. She went to aleep at
the hour named and awoke precisely at 5
o'clock. She then related that she had
been called to the spirit land to bring back
a warning to the people to prepare them
selves for great destruction of life and
property during the coming summer by
cyclones and floods ; that the city is
doomed unless tho danger can bo averted
by prayer. She saw many relatives who
have long since been dead and describes
the place visited as beautiful in the ex
treme. After talking about 4 hours sho
said she was called to leave again and said
how long she would be away or asleep , and
awoke at the hour named. She hns been
naming the hours when she would go to
sleep and awake until to-day. She is to
awaken this evening at 5 o'clock and is to
remain so.until 10 , and then sleep until 5
to-morro < v. The residence is being visited
by hundreds of curiosity seekers to learn
What the girl will Bay each time she awakes.
DECIDED IT MAXSLAUQUTER.
The Finding of the Jury in the Celebrated
latter Murder Case Searching Testimony
an&A9t yieas A Great Croicd Attends a
Trial in Which is Centered Absorbing In
terest.
One of tho most remarkable criminal
trials ever occurring in Nebraska , if not
in tho entire west , was that which ended in
Omaha tast week and which resulted in
finding John W. Lauer guilty of man
slaughter for having killed his wife on the
morning of November 21 , 1885. An ac
count of the murder was widely published
at the time , hence it is not necessary to
enter into extended details now. It may ,
however , be recounted in brief that Mr. and
Mrs. Lauer resided at 2610 Douglas street ,
Omnha. At the time of the killing of Mrs.
Lauer they were the only occupants of
their bed chamber. All tho evidence goes
to show tliat they had retired about 0
o'clock the previous night. Lauer slept
with a 32-calibre Smith & Wesson revolver
under his pillow. In the northeast corner
of the room was tho bed in which Mr. and
Mrs. Lauer slept. He lay on the outside
and she on the inside , or to the left of her
husband. Directly in a lino with the bed ,
nnd opposite to the foot of it wnsafolding-
door opening to another room , while im
mediately in line with the foliling-
door was a window opening on the street
from the next room. Tiro folding-door was
open. Whether the blinds of the-window
opposite were up and the shutters open is
a question. Mrs. Lauer stood in her night
dress immediately in front of the open
folding-door and the window nnd between
them and the bed occupied by her and her
husband. Her husband , who is the only
living witness to the killing of .Mrs. Laucr ,
swore before the coroners jury that on
the morning of his wifeVdenth , about 2
o'clock , he was awakem-d by hearing a
noise and heard somebody speaking in the
next room. He saw a figure npproach _
him and , turning over on his right side
seized his revolver and fired. The advanc
ing figure was that of his wife. She dropped
to tho floor , her brain pierced by a bullet
from her husband's pistol. Lauer reached
over to the left side of the bed and found
his wife missing. He made an outcry , and
the only other occupant of the house his
sister , Miriam appeared on the scene.
Mr. Lauer declared that ho thought he was
firing at a burglar. lie said he and his wife
were in fear of burglars , and that he had
shot at one in his house a year and a half
before.
On Monday , November 3d , Lauer was
held for. trial in the district court , and bail
being refused wns sent to jail , where he re
mained until brought into court to answer
to tho crime imputed to him. A largo
number of witnesses were examined on
both sides and many days consumed in
taking testimony , hearing arguments of
counsel and listening to the judge's charge.
The jury deliberated for thirty hours before
making up a verdict , and when it was
finally rendered there was much disn-
pointment on both sides , the prisoner and
his defenders expecting acquittal , while the
prosecution and the dead woman's friends
looked for , if not murder in the first de
gree , at least that of the second. It is
likely the case will be appealed and a new
trial granted , in which event the prisoner
may receive a more damaging verdict , but
he claims entire innocence in tho shooting
and proposes to be set right if such a thing
bo possible or endure more severe punish
ment.
In the progress of this important trial
great public interest wns manifested , the
courtroom being crowded from day today ,
the gentler sax , who were deeply absorbed
in tho case , occupying nearly every availa
ble seat. Hundreds sought admission for
whom neither seating or standing accom
modation could bo provided. A large and
attentive crowd listened throughout to the
testimony , but it was not until counsel
were ready to proceed with argument that
thecrush to see and hear began. Associated
in the case with tho prosecuting attorney
was Gen. J C. Cowin , a gentleman known
as the greatest criminal huvycr in the state ,
and it was to hear him that tho largest
crowd during tho entire trial packed every
foot of space in the great court room. We
present herewith a likeness of this eminent
lawyer , reproduced from the columns of the
Omaha Daily HcraKl , in which appeared in
full this masterly argument the morning
following its delivery. Judge Thnrston. in
behalf of the defense , made a lengthy and
able address , bringing out some strong
points in favor of his client , but tho speech
of Gen. Cowin wns the masterpiece of the
gr > ; at trial. Itis conceded by all who heard
it to have been one of the most eloquent
efforts ever heard in the criminal annals of
the west , and gives to the distinguished
author a reputation for brilliancy and
force that will bo known and commented
upon far outside the confines of his state.
The Worltl says of this address : "It was
one of the most brilliant and eloquent
arguments ever listened to by a jury. It
was so strong that at times the great
crowd would mnkesuch manifestations that
the court threatened to put the audience
out and lock the doors if tho applause
were repeated. " The Bee , in speaking of
the great throng , says that "bodily discom
fort was not thought of by the vast crowd
desirous of hearing Gen. Cowin make the
closing argument in the Lauer case.
Friends of the prisoner , his enemies , and
even those indifferent to his welfare , were
alike anxious to hear what the man whom
Mr. Thurston characterized as the "great
chieftain seeking to danglo Lauer's scalp
from his girdle" would have to say. To
say that tho court room was filled gives no
adequate idea of the scene. A wild , suf
focating crowd packed every nook and
cranny in the room. People stood upon
step ladders and gazed through transoms
they stood on the outside of the windows
and hung on the casements ; they stood
upon tables and craned their necks anxi
ously to get a view of the speaker. The
capacity of the court was never subjected
to such a severe test. The faces of tho
audience were expressive of the deepest
attention and an occasional burst of
applause would greet Gen. .Cowin's
eloquent passages. " "Gen. Cowin , "
says the Herald , "has the advant
age , valued by everyone who essays to
speak in public of being a handsome , well-
made man. He has an easy , off-hand way
about him , and his face hns so jovial an
expression as to mislead the average ob
server who starts out to "size him up" as
a lawyer. It ought to be added , because it
is the simple fact , that strong and fervid
And effective for his client's purpose as ir&i
Judge Thurston's address , there was but
little of it left when Gen. Cowin took his
his seat. Gen. Cowin spoke for just four
hours. Ho went to his work with hit
sleeves rolled up. He addressed himself of
ten to Judge Thurston and his client , ap
proaching to within a few feet of each ai
the facts which ho recited had a persona
bearing upon the conduct of one or tho
other of them. So grand an exhibition p
forensic oratory hns rarely been heard in
the courts of this or any other state. "
Gen. Cowin's address would bo interest
ing and instructive reading throughout , but
its great length precludes the possibility ol
reproducing it hero. A lew passages , as
serving to show the force nnd eloquence ol
the speaker , arc all that can bo gfven , as
follows :
"Permit mo then for a few minutes to
discuss tho facts. Did ho take her for a
burjlar ? Did ho do this deliberately ? Tho
first position that I will state to you Js
this : That his conduct toward her shows
that he was capable of firing a pistol at
her. It is the easiest thing in the world to
say : Can it be possible that , knowing his
wife stood there before him , he fired and
killed her ? But look at his conduct before
this and see whether there is anything
there whjch will help you in determining
whether or not ho know who ho was tiring
at when he fired the shot. Wo arc told that
they lived together kindly and lovingly.
There was no dissension there. Let us
start in from the first event that we have
in evidence in regard to the conductof that
man towards one of the noblest women
into whom God had ever infused the breath
of life. The gentleman ( Thurston ) says :
'Will you show a single act of brutality on
the part of John W. Lauer toward his
wife ? ' Show you aii act of brutality ?
Aye : I will show you an act that if it were
perpetrated upon a child of yours , you
would split the head of tho hound on tho
spot. "
These words were uttered with all tho
vehemence that Gen. Cowin could com
mand , and as ho spoke he advanced to tho
table at which Judge Thurston and Lauer
sat and looked fiercely from ono to tho
other. Then continuing he said :
"When that young girl was within two or
three weeks of her marriage day , at a time
when she had surrendered everybody for
him ; when she had yielded up mother and
sister ; when she had weighed the world in
the balance against that man [ pointing to
Lauerl and found ho pulled down the
scales ; at this time , as lie saw her there in
the pride of her young womanhood , stand
ing before him , did he shoot her ? At this
moment when he saw her standing beforo
him , about to be made his wife ; the woman
he was-about to swear to cherish and pro
tect. Oh ! just go back to that time. Be
hold that lovely woman. There is no view
more heavenly than the modest maiden
robed in chastity ! Then [ pointing to
LanerJ she stood before you in her purity.
She had abandoned mother abandoned
all for you. The daughter of this old wo
man whom 5-011 have seen. What did ho
do ? Did he take a pistol and pound at her
head ? Did he blow her brains out ? No !
He did net. He hurled a dart at her that
wotii ds moro than the pistol. He aimed at
her a blow that was intended to rob her of
her honor , without which gold has no value
and wealth no station ; and all the accom
plishments of life do but warn the whole
world that her contact is death. My friend ,
Judge Savage : If you had not heard this
testimony wouldn't it require a fiend from
hell to suggest it ? Would not every one of
you looking at her as j-our own child , if
you will have thought it would have taken
a fiend from hell to do that ? Did I live to
see a daughter of mine so insulted. I would
be on trial. He could not shooii her ! Ho
could give her a worse death.
0 , gentlemen of the jury ; you cannot
dwell too much upon the enormity of this
transaction. The gentleman discusses the
qurstion of client shedding no tears on that
occasion. I suppose I must have heard my
friends aright , that they spoke of the
broken heart , of the grief that cannotspeak
and cannot shed tears. The man that im
pugns a pure woman's honor has no heart
to break.
Referring to the fact that Laxier stopped
his sister from running for help after tho
shot had been fired , said : Will you tell me ,
why did he go to stop hissister that sister
[ pointing to Minerva Lauer ] . O , poor girl ,
the memory of that night will remain on
your mind as long as God will give you life.
1 wish it Avas in my power to wipe it away.
God knows how willingly would I do it.
She knew what was the matter. She let it
out in that one ans\ver " , "I am going for
help for Sallie. " She" heard her brother
calling out , "Oh , Lord ! " and i he dead body
of his wife was there. He knew that the
voice of his wife could not be heard. Miss
Lauer , if my blessing can relievo you in tho
least or give you an hour's less suffering
God knows its yours from this out. Sho
knew that shot was for Sallie Lauer. IIo
followed her. Why , [ turning to Lauer ] ,
why , didn't you let her run ? He tells her
what to say , "I mistook Sallie for a burg
lar and shot her. " Miss Lnuer knows that
not to be so nnd when she reaches tno
neighbors she didn't say John had mis
taken Sallie for a burglar and shot , but
she said. "Something terriblcliashappcncd
at our house ; come quickly. " Not know
ing that your wife was dead , John Lauer ,
not knowing but that a drop of water
would let breath into her soul , you
left her like a dog on the floor. Gentlemen
of the jury , I asked John Lauer , "Why
didn't you go for a doctor. " "I wanted to
be beside my wife. " "Did you know that
she was dead ? " "I did not ; if she returned
to life I wanted to be there. " Gentlemen
think of that. "Mr. Laucr , you wanted to
remain there with vour wife if life re
turned ? " He said , "that's it exactly. " Is
there but ono answer to the question why
John Lauer wanted to be beside his wife if
consciousness returned ? There is but one ,
and it is a terrible answer , and you can
not escape from it. This is the answer : I
wanted to see that my act was not
denounced by those lips if life had re
turned. "
A COXGRESSIOX
General Secreta - Turner , of tho Knights
of Labor , Philadelphia , has received a tel
egram from a prominent official of the
order at Washington , stating that ex-Gov
ernor Curtin , of Pennsylvania , is about to
introduce and urge the passage of a resolu
tion in the house of representatives pro
viding an investigation as to the cause ol
the refusal on the part of certain railroad
companies to arbitrate existing labor diffi
culties in the west. The knight states that
he had been requested by the promotprs of
the resolution to ascertain the sentiment
of the order to ward 'the proposed in'quiry.
Secre'-nry Turner has replied by wire that
the order will approve any object having
in view a fair representation of existing
differences and a possible settlement by
arbitration , and would concur in the pro
posed concourse of congressional action.
JIT.EH' OUT ins iii.n\s.
The Hon. William M. Smith , of Lexing
ton , 111suicided on the 26th. He left the
house in good spirits and a feuminutes
later was found in a barn dead with a bul
let hole through his head. He was a gen
eral merchant and large farmer nnd astock
dealer worth § 00.000. He was formerly a
member of the Illinois railroad and ware
house commission , was for several terms
in the .state legislature and speaker of the
house , and for a quarter of a century a
representative Illinois republican. He was
57 yearsof age , a native of Kentucky , and
came to Illinois thirty years ago. He
leaves a wife and one daughter. He had
been in failing health for several years , but
was believed to be improving , and his mind
had not seemed affected.
2HE GREAT STRIKE MUST EXD.
Master ITorfciiian 1'oicderly rays Down tfo
late to ffic Knights.
Work- ,
: General Master
St. Louis dispatch
mnn Powderly has issued ft secret circular
"to tho Noble Order of Knights of Labor of
America , " which has just been made public.
Powderly instructs the secretary of each
assembly to call a lull meeting and read it
to the members. Tho address opens with ,
an order to the assemblies to ccuso initiat
ing additional members. "We must have
patience. You haveJiad patience Jony.cars
and had notthe Knights of Labornppeared
upon the scene we would still be waiting.
Your scale ol prices should stand as they
are lor the present if you cannot raise tliem
by any other process than a strike. You
must submit to injustice at tho hands of
employers in patience lor awhile longer.
Bide well vour time. Find how much you '
are justly entitled to and a tribunal of ar
bitration will settle the rest. "
Powderly then cautioned tho assemblies
against receiving into their ranks employ
ers and warns the knights that politicians
are planning night and day how to catch
the Knights of Labor for advantages for
themselves and party , and adds that to
use the name of tho order in a political
wuv is criminal , and must nut occur.
Again , referring to the. eight hour move
ment the circular says : "Assemblies of
Knights of Labor must not strike for tho
eight hour system May 1 , under the im
pression they are obeying orders from
headquarters , for such an order was not ,
and will not be given. " Powderly contin
ues : ' 'While I write , a dispatch is handed
me in which 1 read these words : 'They dis
charged our brother , and we struck , for
yon know our motto is 'an injury to one is
the concern of all. ' ' Y s , the injury to ono
is the 'concern' of all , but it is not wise to
injure all for the sake of one. It would
have been far better to continue at work
and properly investigate the matter , bring
ing it before every known tribunal than to
have struck. "
In conclusion the master workman says :
"I wrote this circular to lay before the
order the exact condition of things. I am
neither physically nor mentally able to
perform the work required of me. I am
willing to do my part , but not to b < j asked
to maintain a false position before tho
world any longer. One of two thin ; * must
take place. Either local and district. n -
semblies must obey its laws , or I must bo
permitted to resign from the vocation
wfiich obliges me to play one part before
the public and another before our mem
bers. Those who bonst must chocked by their
assemblies. No move must be made un
til the court of last resort has buen ap
pealed to. Thivats of vio'i'nce must not
lie made. Politicians must be hushed or
driven out. Obedience to tho laws of the
knighthood must have preference over
those of another order. If these things
ire done , the next five years will witness
the complete emancipation of mankind
'iorn the curse oT monopoly. In our inum-
Jers we require secrecy , obedience , assist
ance , patience and courage. Jf with thcso
lids you strengthen my hands I will con
tinue in the work ; if you do not desire to
iss'st ' me in this way , then select one bet-
: er qualified to obey your will and I will
retire in his favor. "
PEACE AMOXG XATIOXS.
A Great Many Petitions from 1'eoplc Hear
ing on the Question *
A Washington special says th.it Repre
sentative Conger , of Iowa , is getting a great
nany petitions'from people of his district
'or the passage of a bill to promote peace
among nations and the establishment of
in international congress to settle disputes
jmong nations by arbitration. Scarcely
iny petitions of this nature are received
rom other .sections of the country. The
Ciison why Mr. C'onger gets t > o many i
hat his constituency is composed largely
) f Quakers. A considerable number of
hem' people settled in Iowa , twenty-live or
hirty years ago , and have grown to bo
quite a community. Their petitions to
congress are in striking contrast to the
; rent mass of memorials received by that
> ody. It is not a , better cnriency. or pub
ic buildings , or river and harbor improve-
nents , or any other material benefits
vhich these quiet , modest people want.
L'hey ask for nothing lint the checking of
hose selfish , unreasonable passions of
lion that drive nations into war and bring
uiverty , misery and death upon lands
hat should blossom with peace and com-
ort and Iinppiness. In the whirl of politi-
al strife the principles of these peace-lov-
ng men and women out in Iowa will not
get much attention at present from tho
rulers of any country. The world is not
quite ready for it yet. But the time is fast
approaching when those principles will
gain recognition and they will finally pre
vail.
THE FIXAXCIAZ ST.IXIHXG UJ ? LO.
,1
A Disposition to Malce Inquiry in Ki-yartl
to It. ,
A Washington special says : There is a
disposition now to make inquiry into the ;
value of tho property of thedifferent Indian
tribes to see if they arc not so wealthy
that , with a proper management of their i !
estates , these wards of the nation can bo
supported out of their own means. In Mr.
Holmnn's report there is given a detailed
account of one reservation , which , if it is at
all a fair sample , shows that it is folly to
spend public money on the Indians , because
they have property enough to live on very
handsomely. The Indians on the Devil' *
Lake reserve number , it seems , 025. They
possess 23.000 acres of land. They have r !
besides this great landed estate an annual l
money income from the sale of other lands
of § 6S77 , yet the government gives them
on the top of all this § 8,000 for their sup s
port. $12,213 for schools , and pays besides
'
$4.405 for doctors , mechanics n'nd team
sters , laborers and harnessmakers , police ,
and so on. There are members of congress ,
who , looking over the expenditures of over
§ 25.000 per annum of public money for
725 Indian * , who already have 230,000
acres of land , nn independent income of
near § 7,000 a year , believe it necessary to
stop this waste , for fear the whole white
laboring population of the country in these
hard times will want to turn Indian.
WORTHLESS ARMS FOR THE MILITIA.
Washington special : Complaint 1ms been
made from to time by the miliia of several
states of the character of the arms with
which they are supplied. In many cases
the militia are using old obsolete arms. th
caliber of which is different from that used
by tho regular army , and in consequence
the militia experience difficulty and del
in having their requisition filled for amu
tion. This exists from the fact that th
government does not keep on hand ammu
nition of tho caliber of the arms used by
the mihtia , and when a requisition is re
ceived from the militia the amunition has
to bo specially made. The war depart-
ment not having a sufficient supply of
small arms ol the pattern and caliber used
by the regular army have not been able to
meet the requirements of militia and state
troops , therefore they have been compelled
to use the old arms. To remedy this tho
house committee has reported a bill direct
ing the secretary of war , on application o !
state authority , to call
in the old and un
serviceable ordinance store and replace
them with armsand auianition ol stand
ard character.