davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-02

The Texans are almost buried beneath
the number Of their opponents. The
carnage has been so terrible that tie
slain are piled up in heaps. Death
stares every survivor in the face, but
still he struggles on. Crockett has been
conspicuous in the melee, wherever the
blows fell thickest and hottest. He
has forced his way over piles Of the
dead bodies Of his enemies, and has
reached the door Of the chapel. Here
he determines to make his last stand
At one glance Of his eye, he sees that
the fate of the Alamo rests upon him.
self alone. Travis has fallen; Evans
is no more; Browie expires upon bed
Of sickness, pierced to the heart by
Mexican bayonet; Bonham fell before
his eyes, and he finds himself the only
living warrior, of the one hundred and
sixty-three, who had been his comrades.
Perhaps at that moment the lifebIood
creeps to his hear; by natural impulse,
but it is only for moment. HIS foes
glare on him with the ferceness Of
demons, and assault him with blows
from sabres, muskets and pistols. The
strength of an hundred men seems con-
centrated in his sing lie arm, as he deals
out death to his rancorous and unspar-
ing ASSISTANTS. Their bodies have
grown into rampant before hlm.--
Blackened with fire and smoke, be-
smeared with blood, and reused into
phrenzv, he stands like some failed god
of antiquity, laughing to scorn the NAL
ice and the power, and the fury of his
enemies. New fire flashes from his
eyes. and new vigor nerves his arm.
On his assaiants rush, but 1t Is only on
certain death. They fall, but their
places are still supplied; and so quickly
the dead seemed to rise up before him
like armed men from the teeth of Cad
mus. At length ball from a distant
rifle pierced him in the forehead; he
falls backward to the earth, in the
streams of gore which curdle around
him. No groan escapes his lips, no
cry Of agony gratIies the implacable
rancor of his enemies; he dies, and the
Alamo has fallen. X.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-02

We find in the National IntelIigen-
Ger, the subjoined letter from an officer
in the United States Army at San An
tonic de Bexar, who, in visiting the re-
mains Of the Alamo, which is now a
shape!ess mass of ruins, reverts. as fol-
lows to the terrible struggle of which
that fortress was the memorable scene
ten years ago. It's perhaps the most
graphic description of the event that
has ever been written, and it will, we
doubt not, have interest for almost eve-
nv reader, especially al the present mo-
ment. when we are arrayed against the
same enemy Eagle.
On The 23d Of February, 1886, San
ia Anna entered San Antonio de Bex-
ar, and took possession of the town
without firing gun. The small gar
rison of one hundred and thirty men.
under the command Of William Bar
rett Travis, retired as he advanced, to
the Alamo, on the opposite side of the
river, determined there to offer what
ever resistance to the progress of the
tyrant that God and their own ener-
gies should permit. Flushed with the
conquest so easily effected of the town
the Mexican General prepared for an
immediate attack upon the Alamo. He
ordered breastworks to be tIIrowd up
on every commanding point, and ar'il-
lery to be planted wherever it could
be most effective. One battery was
completed on the right bank of the riv.
,er, by the 25lh, and on this day the
siege commenced.
1T is dark and gloomy morning, de.
voted to a dark and unholy purpose.
Exulling in the work Of death upon
which he is entering, Santa Anna eros.
ses the river, the better to behold the
success of his designs, and establishes
his headquarters in small stone build.
ing yet standing. The signal is gwen
and ere the, sun has risen upon the
scene, the roar Of artillery from the
Mexican battery awakens the echo far
and wide, and rouses from their slum.
berst the Yet sleeping inhabitants. Bul
the defenders Of the Ammo hive moi
lost sight for single moment Of tlei'
willy and remorseless enemy: they
watch the studied direction of every
gun; they see the match lighted, they
listen, breathIess, as # even at that dis
tance they could hear the command to
fire: and when it does come, and tbs
walls OF the citadel tremble under the
shock efthe iron hail, and the fragments
Of stone are whirled aloit by the sud
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-02
POETRY.
From the Saturday Courier.
Long Ago.
BY ). s. FRELIG GH.


Afar, by an ancient and shadowy wood,
In the midst of garden my early home stood;
Nor distance nor time can the memory blot,
or that pleasant, secluded. and vine-staded spot:
Perfume, with the honey y-bee's "a murmuring sound,
Came family from blossoming orchards around;
The sweet voice OF gladness, the low sound Of
streams, .t..I...,. :..-
And wood-notes as wild as the music of dreams,
Went up like hymn in the morning rich glow,
In the freshness of springtme and youth long ago:
.Gs Long ago! long ago! l,.
In the freshness offspring and youth long ago!
The distant bells tihkie the echoing sound
OF the home. horn from the hamlets around;
The sweet-thriltng tones Of affection and 1--we,
The soft paintive notes of the cuckoo anddope;
The robin that sang in the poplar at morn,
The quaiPs early pipe by the blossoming thorn;
The cchoes of morning from valley and hill,
Or sweet song at eve Of the lone whIpporwi;
A lingering spell of enchanment would throw,
Round the home of my childhood and youth long
ago! .l.
Long ago! long ago!
Round the home ofmy childhood and youth long
ago!
Far back, through the glimmering vista of years,
That home tn my wandering fancy appears,
Like the beautiful Eden of some sunny cline,
And ever green spot on the wide waste of time.
And visions of beauty, of gladness and tears,
Come up from afar, thro' the din waste of years
lean see, as the shadowy past is unroll'd.
The family circle, and fire-side of old;
Familiar tones greet me--a voice sweet and low,
Kindly welcomes me home, as in days long age;
"a asa. ai Long ago! long ago!
Kindly welcomes me home. as in days long ago!
Still memory pictures the far.away scene,
The dim forest-path, and the meadows OF green;
The orchard, the.garden, the rural ret'eat.
With the taperIng poplars. and vine-shaded seat;
Still sweetly the light Of the morning sun shines,
On the cottage afar by the dark waving pines;
And the music Of birds is abro ID in the air,
And all saye the love- ones Of childhood there;
They will come not at spring time when vialets
81 blow
Ishall meet them no more as in days long ago:
.og. -, J. -...s. Long ago! long ago!
I shall meet them no more as in days long ago!
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-02

A loafer once promised never again
TO call for liquor at bar. In order to.
evade this promise he went into tav-
ern with friend and walked up to the
bar. His friend, then, according to
agreement, asked him softly with what
weapon David slew Goliah. He look
ed al the barkeeper, and replied in a
loud voice "a sling"
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-02
We give below the most importan
and interesting portions of the
Report Of the Postmaster
General.
General

PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT. Dec. Z, 1S46.
Sir: The general interest felt in the
operation Of the act of the Sd Of March,
lS45, on the revenues and expenditures
of the Post Office Department, induced
me to direct the Auditor to prepare a
quarterly statement Of them from its
reorganization in 1886, to the 3O,h of
June last. The tables accompany this
report, marked A and B.
From table A it appears that the annu-
al average income, from the lst Of
July. 1860 The SOth of June, lS45,
amounted to the sum
of $4,364,624 65
Willis. the income for
the year ending the
3Oth of June, 846,the
first under the new
law, amounted to 3.487,199 35
Making loss ofrevenue
the first year under
the new law, when
compared with the an
nual average of thenine
preceding years, OF 877,425 80
And making IA loss of revenue the first
year under the new law, as compar-
ed with the preceding Of so2,632 45
The revenues, as above .a.
stated. include the pos
tage paid on matter
which went free thro'
the mails prior to the
passage ofthe late law
of which no account .
was kept prior to the I'll. .
commencement of the
last fiscal year. This
diminution of the rev.
enues of the depart
ment arises principal
ly from the loss on let
ter postage, which
when compared with
that of the preceding
year, amounted to 1858 "a
Being the entire loss sus. a.
tanned by the depart.
ment, except $24,1Oe 81
No inconslderable portion of this de.
ficiency in the revenue OF the past year
may be traced to other causes than a
reduction of the rates of postage by
the act Of the Sd of March. l845.
First.-Expresses still continue to be
run between the principal cities with
as much regularity as the mails, and, it
| is believed, collect and transport let.
ters for pay out Of the mails in great
numbers. The penalty provided by
law for the commission OF such often
ces can rarely be enforced,for the want
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-02
JAMES R. MORRIS, EorroR AND PnorRrEron.

TERMS.
THE SPiRrr OF -DEMocR ACY ispublished every
Saturday at the following rates: o1sll
81 so per annum, If paid IN ADVANCE. m
81 90 ss il paid within the year.
$500 0-"' /" If payment be delayed until
after the expiration Of the year. s1Hi
Or No paper will be discontinued, except at the
option OF the editor, until all arrears are paid.
stu- All commupiCatons sent by mail must be
post-paid So.
.ddvetisements inserted at so cents per square,
fourteen lines or iess,) for the first insertion, and
rs cents for each subsequent insertion. One COL
umn one month 81 90. Three months $40. Six
months Sl5. Twelve months $25. g
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-02

Of the revenues collected from the
great body Of the people. .I
The low postage on newspapers,
without regard to size, weight, or the
distance to be taken, operate unfairly
between the publishers themselves, by
enabling those papers published in large
commercial cities to compete with the
village press for circulation in their re-
spective localities, whilst the sending
papers free for thirty miles from the
place Of publication, counteracts 20
some extent this advantage leach alike
unjust to the other, and both unjust to
the community, as the burden of both
is thrown upon the treasury. as
AS an act Of justice between the pub
fishers themselves, the rates Of postage
should be regulated according to the
size or weight of the paper, and the dis
tance to be carried; reserving the right
to them of taking their o wn papers over
mail routes out of the mails; and as am
act of justice 10 the community, these
rates should be so high as TO cover any
deficiency which the reduced rates. of
postage on letters may make, SO as to
render the income to the department
equal to its expenditures. F
Transient newspapers, or those sent
by others than the publishers to the sub
scrbers, as they are usually sent in lieu
of letters, should be rated higher than
other newspapers.
All printed matter passing through
the mails should be prepaid, and all let-
ters be prepaid, or rated with double
postage. Some such amendments of
the late law are believed to be neces-
sary to give the cheap postage system
a fair trial, by securing to the depart
ment its legitimate revenue; and if
adopted by Congress it is confidently
believed, from the reductions, which
have been made in the two sections al
ready let to contract, and anticipated
savings in the other two sections, with
a proper economy in the other branch
es of the service, that there will be no
need of calling upon the treasury for
further aid, after the first OF July l848,
when the whole service will be placed
under the new law. ~ al
Table B exhibits the expenditures
quarterly y under the appropriate heads.
| From this it will be seen that the an
nual average expenditure from the first
Of july, 836, to the 3Oth Of June, ! 345,
amounted to S4,499,593 So
And the expenditure for
the vear epdinr tho
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-02
4,o84,297 20

415,296 Sc
h the expendi-
year, , a reduce
S236,434 II
for the year
une, 1886, a
S4.oS4,297 "a
~ -
.u H-s
> sa e
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-02

Making a reduction for
the first year, under
the new law, when
compared with the an
nual average expen-
diture Of the nine pre-
ceding years, OF
And when compared wit
lures of the previous
tion Of
The whole expenditure
ending the 3oth Of J
mounted to
The income for the same
time, including the
postage paid by the
different branches of
the executive govern
ment, amounted to
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-02
3,487,199 IS

Leaving deficiency Of
revenue OF S597.097 81
The deficiency was supplied by drafts
from the treasury as the service re-
quired S65o,0o0 90
Leaving a balance in @
hand on the first of .
July. of the moneys ''
drawn from the treas
ury during the fiscal
year, of 5a,so2 %
The tables submitted by the First
Assistant Postmaster General, accom-
pany this report, marked c. /, 2, 8,
and furnish many minute and interest.
ing details of the service.
The mail service ofthe United States,
exclusive Of Texas, is performed by
$3.50 contractors on 1926 post routes,
the aggregate length Of which is l49,-
679 miles. Its transportation through
out the year ending the 3oth of June
last, amounted to 37,398,4i IA miles, and
the engagement for said transportation,
stated by the year, amounted to S2,-
665,O73. ''
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-02

And the expenditure for
the year ending the
3Oth Of June, 1876
the first year under
the new law--to the
sum of
The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-10-19
Somerset Cnnntu. SIS.

Somerset County, SIS.
* xxx "a = an adjourned Orphans
S7 I.s.M A Court held atSomerses,
NSNsxEg in snd Cor the county Of Som
ersst, on The 9th day Of September. 4.
d. IS47. before the Honorable Jeremiah
8. Black President. and Geo. Chorpen-
ming and John McCarty associate Judges
Of the same eourt.
On motion Of hlr. Gebhars the court
gran, rule on the widow, heirs and lc-
Gal representatives. of John ID. Reese.
dec d, to appear al an adjourned Orphans
court to be held at Somersei In and for
said county on the s2d Gay Of NoVembeE
next. (ls47.) and shew cause i any they
have WHY the real estate Of said deceased
should not be sold.
Extracts from The Records Of said
court. certified this 9th day of Sepiem-
ber, 1917. WM. II. PICKING.
Sept. al, 1917. clerk.
The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-10-19
FROM THE RIO GRANDE.

The schoon% Heroine arrived at New
Orleans on the lst instant, bringing dates
from the Brasos TO the 23d and from Mat
amoras to the 22d ultino.
Gen. Cushing's brigade had arrived
from above and was encamped at Palo
Alto, awaiting transports for its convey
ance to Vera Cruz. The part of Hays
regiment lately under Major Chevallie
was to remain at Saltillo, and Hays would
only have Eve companies TO go with him
to join Gen. Scott. 1t was said that
Lieut.. Col. Bells present command, two
companies, left atSan Antonia, would not
be withdrawn from Texas. The batal-
lion OF Sd Dragons. under Col. Butler,
had left Matamords for above.
The first report sent off from Mexico
OF the repulse of the Americans'at Ell Rey
had been received in Tamaulipas and oc-
casioned much rejoicing, elici.ing bonn
bastic proclamations from Urea and Fer
nandez, the Governor of the State.
The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-10-19
From The Blair County Wig.
Friday Evening, Oct. 8, ls47.
SUDDEN PRESHET

AND GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY
On Tuesday last it commenced raining
and increased liz violence until Thursday,
when il descended in torrents. This
swelled the mountain streams that flow
into the Juniata, until the accumulated
waters burst beyond its banks, and in
their resistless course swept off houses,
bridges, fences, fields of corn and other
valuable property.
Among the losses in Gaysport We have
heard of, are The following:-
A frame building occupied by James
Patton as a store--most of the goods
saved. Another frame building, in which
was kept Drug Store by Daniel Young.
and Justices office, by Samuel Smith.
Also, Roger & Co.'S. Ware House; Charl-
toms Tailor Shop; Herring Blacksmith
Shop; Barber Shop, and back building
belonging to John Low.
The Bridge across the Upper Basin,
aud the Feeder Aqueduct below this
place, were demolished.
We learn that the Saw-Mll and part
of the Mill Dam at Allegheny Furnace
were destroyed--ihe water approached TO
within a few inches of the Furnace
Hearth.
Several bridges in Allegheny township,
and in the vicinity of Newry and Free
dom. were carried away.
Ii is rumored that the first Aquesluct a.
bove the "Four Locks at Sprang's is
gone that large portion Of the en-
bankment al the Crooked Dam is washed
away, and that three breaks have occur
red between this place and said DAM
We fear our Canal has sustained such
injury as will stop navigation for the re-
mainder Of the season.
The Viaduct at Jefferson, on the Port
age Rail Road, bas been carried of, and
material damage has been done this part
ofour Public improvement.
As yet the Reservoir Dam has not been
injured.
This freshet is supposed to be as great
as the one in 1888. The rain is pouring
down at the lime of our writing and there
is nothing indicative of an alteration in
the weather.
In our next number we will DO able 10
give saaslastory particulars.
The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-10-19

cause suspension Of transportation for
more than few days.
At Frederick the food was more de-
structive than any that has occurred for
years. The Herald says:
"Carroll creek which passes immedi-
ately through the town, overffowed its
banks ON Thursday night, about IL o.
clock, carrying destruction in its track.
"The bridge in Mill alley was swept
away. and the tannery OF Gideon Blaniz,
sen., and the City Mill much damaged by
the overflow of water The houses on
the creek between Mill alley and Patrick
street were completely inundated. The
bridge at Patrick street was also material
ly damaged. small building at this
point was swept away, and the pave
menis in the street torn up by the force
of the water.
"The tannery of Mr.. Gideon Bantz.
jr., is the scene Of great destruction. The
lanyard of Caspar Qnynn, Esq, also suf-
fered considerable damage.
ave have been unable to obtain the par
ticuiars Of the loss by this disaster, but
have no doubt it will be very heavy.
"The Monococy is also swollen to an
unprecedented height, its banks over
flowed, which has occasioned. no doubt,
great damage and loss of property. We
have heard ne particulars"
AtFredericksburg Wa. the overflow
on Friday was very disastrous, the water
being higher than since 1912. Falmouth
bridge was entirely swept off, and a por-
tion of Coulter's also. Mr.. Knox had
$4,000 barrels OF -four floating in his mill
besides large quantity Of bran and
shorts. Mr.. Ficklin. in Falmouth, lost
a great deal in the same way.
The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-10-19
Somerset County, So.

N@Sg9g A T adjourned Orphans
SCI. s. & IA Court held al Somerset.
SISINSG in and for The county Of Som
erset, on The 9th day of September. 1917.
present the Honorable Jeremiah s.
Black President. and George Chorpen-
ming associate Judge Of the same court.
On motion of Mr.. Cax the court con-
firm the Inquisilion and grant rule on
the heirs and legal representatives. OF Pc
ter Shirer, deed. 10 appear at an ad-
iourncd Orphans Court 10 be held at
Somerset on Monday Tie 22d day OF
November, A. D. ls47. TO accept or re.
fuse 10 take the real estate of said de-
ceased at the appraised price,
Extracts from the Records of said
court, certified this 9Th day Of Seplem-
ber. A. ID. 1917.
WA. Fl. PICKING,
Sept. 81. 1857. clerk.
The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-10-19
A LITTLE LATER FROM VERA
CRIJZ.

Fgo TIE NEW ORLEANS TINES OF OCT, A.
The steamship alabama arrived at an
early hour this morning. having sailed
from Vera Cruz on the 26ih, and from
Tamp;co on the 30th ulsimo. Among
zhe passengers were Gusto Sierra and Ra-
faei Carralal, Commissioners appointed
by the State OF Yucatan to proceed to
Washington.
The news-if so it may be styletl--hy
this arrival is exceedingly meager, and
adds liltle to our previous stock of inGor-
maiion, but, as even the slightest rumor
from the seat Of war is listened TO with
avidiiy, we anticipate our regular ISSUE
so as 10 lay before our readers ali the IN
feliigcnce that has come TO hand.
The reports which came by the James
+. Ian are substantially confirmed
Maj. Capers, Of the United States army,
"a passenger by the Alabama, informs US
dat the battle Of "the Mill del Rey" was
fought on the 9Th, and the bloody engage
ment Of Chapnltepec on the 18th, and
that Gen. Scott entered the city OF Mexl-
co on the 18th ultimo.
The heights Of Chapultepec were car
.ried at the point of the bayonet, and our
loss in consequence was very severe
Mexican sources al Vera Cruz report that
eighty of our officers and one thousand
men were put hors de combat by the
storming OF the fortress; but at Tampico
this was believed to be gross exaggera-
10,
speedily to bring about SO untoward re-
salt.
There had been no arrival at Vera
Cruz from the interior, and the lnforma-
lion above related was received in private
letters at Tampico.
We have before us the first number of
anew paper established at Vera Cruz,
under the title of FL GeRio de Ia LiGer-
tad, of the 25lh u!timo, from which we
select several items Of interest.
BY far the most important document
that meets our eye is the following circu-
lar from the Minister of War and Marine,
addressed to the Commandants General
Of the Departments, subsequent 10 the
disastrous defeat of the Mexicans at the
capital. From perusal Of the paper it
appears that the city did not experience
the horrors ola bolnbardment. Indeed,
The Genio tie la Libertad says:
"Thc official dispatches have not yet
arrived from the army, but the surrender
of the capital is now placed beyond all
doubt Ii is extremely gratifying to US,
as friends Of humanity, 10 learn that San
ia Anna reireated from the city and saved
Gen. Scott the alternative of destroying
IL and shedding innocent blood. We
hope that the Mexican people Will soon
see the necessity of peace, and use all
honorable means calculated 10 bring a.
bouta result so desirable to all. The coun-
sells OF ambitious and designing military
men, prevailing over those of her less
pretending but certainly more judicious
citizens, have too long swayed the desli-
nies Of the nation.