Franklin Repository

This week's report from the state capitol includes news of Hon. Henry D. Moore of Philadelphia's election as State Treasurer and a visit by Major Generals Burnside and Hancock to the legislature. "Horace" also picks on the Democrats for their dodgy efforts to defeat the right of soldiers to vote.

Transcript of a rousing sermon delivered by the Rev. J. Montgomery at the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Little Cove, February 6, 1864, in which he expounds upon the concept that civil government is a Divine institution.

The author discounts the rumors flying around about a possible rebel raid into the Cumberland Valley.

The author chastises the Federal troops for recent wanton destruction of private property, stating that "the burning of houses, mills, and other property simply because they belong to the enemy, is unwarranted by any rule of civilized warfare," even if the enemy might "provoke it by similar acts of barbarity, or by the brutal treatment of our living prisoners and the more horrible atrocities committed upon our heroic dead."

The editors publish a letter written to them by Representative Smith, in which he attempts to defend himself against the claims in a recent Repository article about his unwillingness to support the bill awarding residents of the border military damages. The editors adroitly manage to communicate their respect for Smith's "high character" and "integrity," while still expressing some doubts about his politicking and position on the issue.

The author urges the people of Chambersburg to focus their "energies and capital" on connecting the Cumberland Valley Railroad with the Connelsville Railroad and the Broad Top Coal region, noting that the "growing trade of the country clearly points to another great highway to the West through this region" and asserting that the "Southern counties should lose no time in making common cause in this important movement, and secure the priceless advantages it offers us."

This column sweeps over many topics, including a condemnation of the "frequent thieving committed daily and nightly by our soldiers," the terrific expense of the Camden and Amboy Railroad fares, the marvelous piano performance given by a Mrs. Halm ("the best lady performer we ever heard, in public or private"), and the success of the Episcopal Church in Chambersburg.

George W. Rase, presently in jail for burgling the Oaks & Austin warehouse in Greencastle, apparently sent a letter to Capt. George Eyster and Judge Kimmell, purporting to be from an anonymous dying soldier in Washington, claiming Rase's innocence in that burglary as well as the arson and burglary cases at William B. Gabby's property, near Chambersburg, and Mr. Henderson's, near Carlisle. Eyster and Kimmell had a number of letters from Rase, and by comparing the handwriting, deduced that the letter from the dying man was actually from Rase himself, who somehow managed to get it conveyed to Washington and mailed from there.

The late Capt. Washington, of Franklin County, along with his entire 1st Battalion of the 13th U. S. Infantry, was recognized for its conduct and loss at Vicksburg, which the board recognized was "unequaled in the army." Sherman has named the hill where Washington fell "Mount Washington," and the officers of the 1st battalion plan to erect a memorial monument there.

"Sergeant James T. M'Dowell, son of Mr. William M'Dowell, formerly of this county, was killed while skirmishing with the rebels near Dalton, Ga., on the 25th ult. He was a native of this county, and moved to Tazewell county, Ill., with his father in 1857, and there entered the service about 18 months ago, in the 115th Illinois Regiment. He was about 30 years of age. He was buried in a church-yard about four miles North of Dalton."

Ground has been broken for new houses along Second Street, and Catharine Street will most likely be extended through Dr. Schneck's "beautiful" lots.

"Letters have been received from our citizen prisoners as late as the 4th inst. They are all in good health, Messrs. Culbertson and Hamilton have been returned to Richmond,--for what purpose is not known. One of our prisoners in a late letter says: 'I was very glad to learn that enlistments were going on so fast in the North. I hope that the people are fully aroused to a sense of duty and determined to crush out this wicked rebellion at once. It makes up feel as if something was going to be done and for the first time we lose sight of our own condition and feel like somebody again.'"

"Dr. Lane has been appointed Surgeon to the Board of Enrolment, and has resigned his position as Surgeon of the 5th Reserves. He will be here in the course of a week or ten days. He has justly attained the reputation of being one of the most faithful and skillful Surgeons in the army, and there is eminent fitness in his appointment to the new position. He will be widely welcomed to his old home."

"The Baltimore American and several other journals have announced the death of Col. F. S. Stumbaugh, late Colonel of the 77th Penna. Vols. We read the notice to Col. Stumbaugh and he positively denies the ghostly impeachment. He was confounded with Col. Stumbaugh, an old politician of Lancaster, who died recently."

"Lieut. Col. Stetzell of the 11th Pa. Cav., was home on short furlough last week looking in excellent health. He returned to his regiment on Saturday."

"In the North Ward, Hamilton, Antrim, Greenvillage, Loudon, Peters and Montgomery, the Union men elected the Judges of Election. The Democrats carried the South Ward (by 4 votes,) St. Thomas, Quincy, Lurgan, Washington, Welsh Run and Letterkenny. The rest of the districts we have not heard from."

"Among the graduates of Bellvue Hospital Medical College, N. Y. a few weeks since, were Daniel W. Bonebrake and John A. Royer, of Waynesboro'. Both, we learn, passed an examination highly creditable."

"A. F. Smith, Esq., formerly Superintendent of the C. V. [Cumberland Valley] Railroad, and now Superintendent of the Hudson River Railroad, arrived in town last week and is spending a few days with his old friends."

Emma Crossan, daughter of Thomas Crossan, dec'd, of Mercersburg, was married to John A. Craig of Bucyrus, Ohio, by Rev. Thomas Creigh on March 15, 1864.

Henry G. Wharton and Miss Barbara E. Woy, both of Wells township, Fulton County, were married at Montgomery's Hotel by Rev. S. J. Niccolls on March 17, 1864.

Miss Lila Taylor, daughter of Ex-Sherrif Taylor of Chambersburg, married David Felker of Mt. Morris, Illinois at her father's house on March 22, 1864. Rev. S. M'Henry performed the ceremony.

William Armstrong of Chambersburg married Elizabeth A. Keplinger of Hagerstown on March 21, 1864. Rev. Thomas Barnhart performed the ceremony.

Thomas P. Parmer and Miss Sarah E. Bickley were married by Rev. J. Dickson on March 17, 1864.

William S Gearhart, of Antrim township, and Miss Mary Ann Clorin, of Quincy township, were married by Rev. Dr. B. S. Schneck on February 25, 1864.

Miss Rebecca Lawrence and William Weston, both of Franklin County, were married by Rev. Dr. B. S. Schneck on March 20, 1864.

Miss Emma C. Hart of Chambersburg married Isaac P. Keene of Scranton, Pa., on March 20, 1864. The Rev. William M'Elroy performed the ceremony in Fayetteville.

Mrs. Anna B. Caufman, wife of A. D. Caufman, Esq., died on March 19, 1864.

Thomas Creigh, son of Hon. John D. Creigh, died in San Francisco on March 14, 1864, at the age of 31.

Walter R. Gillan, son of James B. and Martha L. Gillan, died in Chambersburg on March 21, 1864, at the age of 4 years and 5 months

Jacob Lutz of Company A, 77th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, died in the U. S. Hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, of wounds received at the Battle of Chickamauga.

Thomas James Boyd, son of Capt. Robert Boyd, died at Upton on March 17, 1864, aged 7 months and 15 days.

Sarah Rebecca Shirk, daughter of Jacob G. and Rachel M. Shirk, died in Orrstown on March 16, 1864, aged 1 month and 17 days.

Mrs. Jane Bradley, wife of John Bradley, dec'd, died in Mercersburg on March 14, 2864, at the age of 61.

Albert Gregg Taylor, son of Joseph and Mary Taylor, died near Bridgeport on March 23, 1864, aged 6 months and 17 days.

Jane E. Everett, wife of W. S. Everett, Esq., died in Chambersburg on March 9, 1864, aged about 28 years.

The author seeks to educate the public about the glanders, which is much like consumption. This dread disease is "insidious," "incurable," "contagious," and may be contracted by people. Many of the army horses have it, and the author warns against purchasing government stock that may then infect existing stock.

The author observes that "there is a class of farmers who seem to think that they have already attained perfection in their way," and that they generally are the ones "whose fields are least productive and most untidily kept." He urges these men to improve their farms by improving themselves, and exhorts them to "dig up those deep-rooted prejudices which fill your minds."