davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Dec. 90 I
An Awful Tragedy-A Citizen Of UeYe
e sse gs land Murdered,

It is our painful duty to announce the
murder of one Of our most estimable citi-
zens. His name wasDayid Johnson. He
was in the employ Of Hilliard & Smith buy
ing cattle, and was at the time in Mercer
county in this State. He had put up at a
tavern in Marion, where he intended to
make it his headquarters for a tine had
explained to the landlord his business, and
sas usual the next day had gone into the
country around to look for cattle. The
landlord knowing that he had considerable
money upon his person, sought him when
shagt tysslss 50 bis sssns and
alone in BY pfacs, S7zo5 WIN,
dragged his body some distance and depos
tied it between two logs and covered tht
same with brush Johnson feigned deatl
until the landlord left when soon after &
teamster was passing by and made himself
heard to say, @put me in your wagon anc
drive 4 the tavern as fast as possible. p
The teamster did SO, taking him to thu
same tavern' where he put up. On arriving
the landlord came out to take the horses
when Johnson raised his head and exclain
ed, "That is the man who shot me! HI
has two thousand dollars of my money P
and in ten minutes after, Johnson was dead
The landlord, overwhelmed at the evi.
dence Of his guilt gave himself up, p,confessed
the murder, and isnow in jail.
Truth is indeed stranger than fiction
That Johnson in his dying extremity shoulc
insist upon being carried twelve miles in {
lumber wagon to convict his murderer, i.
not considered at all remarkable by those
who knew him. He was a man of grea
probity Of character, undaunted courage =
had been cattle buyer for many years anc
handled an immense amount of money. He
understood well the dangers of his calling
went armed and had had some experience il
the stratagems of robbers. 1t must have
been shrewd villain who found him off his
guard, and not to be circumvented, ht
yielded up his last breath to bring his mur'
derer to justice.
johnson leaves devoted wife and an in.
teresting family in this city to mourn hi.
untimely death.
The above facts were telegraphed by the
O'Reily line west to this city this morning
We are indebted to the gentlemanly agent
Mr.. Herrick for copy.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27
Live them down.

Brother, artthou poor and lowly, a3s
~ Toiling, rolling day by day; .srs
ssJourneying painfully and slowly >i +.
sv On thy dark and desert way If
Pause no-though the proud ones frown!
Shrink not, fear not-liue them down!
Though to Vice thou shalt not pander, g.,
Though to Virtue thou shalt kneel,
Yet thou shalt escape not SANDER
'' Jibe and lie thy soul must feel = ~
Jest of willing Of clown!-5 .'sffi'f .F.s7
Heed notseitherLl,o them do,uh! ~
Hats may WELD her seourses horFidA szsssi
a7s5 Malice may thy woes deride; 81.
scorn may bind with thorns thy forehead
:. Envy's spear may pierce thy side!
Lo through Cross shall come the Crown!-
Fear not foeman!-liue them do,on!
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27

PUNCTuATIoN.-A country schoolmas-
ter who found it rather difficult to make his
pupils observe the difference in reading be-
tween comma and full point, adopted q
plan of his own, which he 1attered himself
would make them proficients in the art OF
punctuation: in reading when they came
to comma, they were to say tick, and
read on to q colon or semi'colon. tick, tick;
and when a full point, tick, tick, tick. Now
it so happened that the worthy Dominic re-
ceyed notice that the parish minister was
10 paw q visit of examination to his school,
and as he was desirous that his pupils shou,e
show to the best advantage, he gave them
an extra drill the day before the examina
ton. Now said he, addressing his pu
pills, when you read before the minister
to morrow, you leave out the tick, though
YOU must think Of them as you 60 along
for the sake of elocution.' So far, so good
Next day came. and with it the minister
ushered into the schoolroom by the Dom
ME. who with smiles and bows, hoped tina
the training of the scholars would meet hi
approval. 1t so happened that the frs
boy called up by the minister had been ab
sent the preceding day and, in the hurry
the master had forgotten TO give him hi
instruction how TO act. The minister ask
ed the boy to read a chapter in the OF
Testament which he pointed out. The bo
complied, and i'll the beslSaccent began
read-"And the Lord spake unto Nose
saving, tick, speak INTO the children of Il
rael SAYING, tick, tack; and thus shalt tho
saw unto them, tick, tick, tick" This VI
v fortunate sally in his own style acted lik
5 al shower bath on the poor Dominic, Will
the minister and his friend almost died
laughter. r. -ez s-ss es.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27
No PLACE FOR WHlGs IN CALIFosSl.

No PLACE FOR Wines IN CALIFossssIA.
From all accous.fs from the gold asging
country, it would appear to be bad ps.Ee
for our aristocratic whig friends. Every
man there considers his labor good for Sso
a day, and one writer says that seven the
po5r Indian, when you talk of hiring him.
shakes his bag of gold in your eyes" The
consequence is. we have no hired laoorers'
no servants; every man must black his own
boots. This is practical democracy; nc
theory, no talking about equality. W.
are all on level by that great law OF cir
cumstances which none can surmoun!.-
The rounds of your ladder, it is true, ar
gold-but your neighbor's ladder run
Just as high.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27
From the Sandy Hill Hearald.
PRETTY MARY.

We never shall forget the sensation Gre
uted by the announcement in the school.
room one morning, that aPretty Mary a
: name given to bright eyed, rosy checked
girl Of eighteen, had suddenly disappeared
from the institution without leaving any
trace other whereabouts The intelligence,
cnst q shade of gloom over every counten-
ance; as Pretty Mary was universal IA
yorite.
An immediate search was Instituted, but
twelve O'Clock came round, and no intelli-
eence had been received OF the absent
Night followed day, but still no clue to
,ths whereabouts of Mary. Gloom and
anxiety WINS depicted upon every counten-
iance, for oil began=to fear that the object
ofour solicitude had met an untimely death,
cor fallen victim TO ruthless violence. A
messenger was despatched to the residence
sofMary's father, and when he returned
with the sad news that nothing was known
-of her .by, her friends, doubt seemed 10 give
splace to despair. The school was closed,
snr,d teacher and scholars went forth to Join
in the search After a fatiguing and cir
gcniious ramble q nany hours, all returned
sfoseek refreshdseht and repose, but few
enjoy either, so great was the anxiety in
regard to the fate Of our absent compan-
ion. lz-e
esa.In the midst of the general dependency,
5 "a messenger arrived with q letter for the
1prineipal. The -superscription was in the
Handwriting Of Mary-the seal was eager
In broken, and the contents read aloud to
she anxious assemblage. Pretty Mary
had eloped with, q young man who had been
,staying for a few weeks at one of the ho-
etels Of lhe village.
cas- Nothing more was heard from Mary by
her former friends, except that she was liv-
ipgswith her husband, in one Of the South
.ern States, surrounded by wealth and afflu-
aspcss and in possession of all that heart
could wish. s!.ss-.g-e. ss; ss7 tss5=.5
49, 81 sr*
sa Fears rolled round, and that happy band
OF scheol-metes had separated. Eeath had
eclaimed his butary from among the num-
ber-oihers had sought fame or fortune in
different spheres Of life-and time had
wrought change upon all, and blotted
from the memory many scenes which the
byeuthful fancy had supposed engraved, as
with o pen OF iron, upon the tablet Of the
heart. a-eet -s.-.
ts, Circumstances had removed US far from
The. site of the old school-house, land mem.
aory. ever treacherous, had erased from oul
sracollsction, many Of the events connected
with ii. and the scene alluded to above
seemed more like the semblance of a hal
remembered dream than a reality. ON
morning while busily engaged in our office
"a note was handed US from lady, residing
q few rods distant in which she requested U
TO call, at her residence Immediately. W
repaired to the place designated and was me
at the door by the lady, who immediatel.
conducted US to an elegantly furnished q
spnrtrnent, in the centre OF which was be-
1.-THE lady removed the covering, and there
in the stiffness Of death, reposed all tha
remained of Pretty Mary. We gazed up
r.ea her lifsless form y until our heart wa
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27
VOL. 4.-N.UMBER 4 So.
a.laafle Ilortaae 1ellti,lfl.
For the Portage Sentinel,
Xet q little while.

- 81 sss
All IS still! mot sound, or a breath,
Stireth in the silent air 3o
Stili as when DER the bed Of death ss'A
,s Hope IS lowering in dispair.
The broad plnions Of an angel band,
q Sweeping DER tottering throne,
Stop noiseless and slow on the cold strand,
: To list earth's long stiaed groan.
But all is still. the pulseless world
sJa Holds its breath, land the fierce fire,
G Like red lightning from its wild eye hurled,
li1sTellsof hate, it tells of ire. ~
Millions tied by chains, by fetters bound,
sssss Feel for once bold freedoms thrill;
And mad millions worn with woe have found
The keen blade, though all is still.
Awful silence! ominous of deeds, ....-
That will rock our reeling sphere,
When freedom shall lay her sullied weeds
Upon proud expressions bier;
When tyranic power shall yield the day,
And to man his rights restore,
], When fetters, and chains shall pass away,
. - To retur to earth no more.
%, isit true, that the book of Time,
t4 Has not one unsullied page,
s And that nought on earth is so sublime,
AS schemes where the passions rage! -N
: Is it true that haush power should reign,
-tss Till the world is one wide mart,
And no avenging patriot stain
80 His steel in the tyrant's heart!
Yet a little while, and the cold steel,
May trouble the tyrant's Dream
And the sceptrs and the iron heel,
Perchance tremble at its gleam.
And the strong chain of thousand years,
May break in the final throe,
When the mighty tide of human tears,
Shall cease its unbidden flow. =
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27

% There is gold in Texas too The
public mind has been greatly excited with
accounts of the gold region of California,
but if we may credit the traditions OF the
Indians, and the historical records Of the
Spaniards, the gold region Of Texas,on the
Rio Pureco, is as rich in the precious met
ais as the now celebrated mines OF Feather
River in Alta California.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27

GFVoltaire, speaking Of law, said, u
never was but twice in my life completely
on the verge of ruin; first, when L lost 2
lawsuit; and secondly when ! gained one.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27

o. The Democracy of N ashville must
be noble hearted set of fellows. They re-
Gently presented E. 6. EASTMAN ESQ.
Editor of the Union. with an entire ssbran
splinter" new suit Of clothes, as some man.
Hesitation of their regard for him as an
able and eloquent defender of democratic
principles h - : ae-s-g SET
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27

@ The teller Of the Exchange Bank,
Boston, paid out day or two ago, two
$1,000 bills in mistake for two 800 bills
the amour. due on check presented.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27

tF A Dutchman was relating his mar
vellous escape from drowning when. thir-
teen of his companions were lost by the
.upsetting of boat, and he only was saved
aAnd how did you escape their fate?" ask
ed one Of his hearers. 81 It'd not go into de
poat," was the Dutchman's placid answer
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27

~ Two hundred and fifty years ago,
there was not a log hut in all North Amer.
ica inhabited bv white man.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27

O. This world is, a fishing pond, full
Of slippery cells and suckers.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27

Mineral Wealth Of California

7 Ituppears that The wealth of California
consists notsaione in its rich mines of gold
Tho Washington Union, under the head
of.'caiore riches from California" !" says
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27

Eas s3t,r aEa sses.s 21s-s - sSab te53zs
sestsa4 s-s -1x RI s45eq u ss
ag.sz-z tsa1-5& y = szi = aa1, a Il
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27

Il will be rememd shai the late Pres.
idential contest, the Aocratic party with
i.s gallant standard ers. tooIsIhe grooailnl,d
that Congress was pthorizeds by tie
Constitution io legiss subject Of
slavery in. the teri Il con leisds ssa5
'sd, and ws m fnR dalhonsiT Tatsd. ttiat M
Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-12-27

On motion, this report was accepted and Col
Bentonproceeded to read those portions of his re
port in the resolutions alluded to.
The report of the committee on resolutions was
then examined, and finally adopted.
After which, MIR. Bangs stated that his duties
would preclude him from serving the convention
during its contemplated evening session, its Sec
Rotary; and thereupon Mr.. kelsey was appointed
Assistant Secretory. n
On motionihe Convention adjourned to meet in
the Hall Of the House of Representatives, at sin
O'Clock, P. NJ.
SIX O'CLOCK, ?. NJ.
The Convention assembled agreeably to adjourn
ment and was called to order by one of the Vice
Presidents.
After which Willet Dorland presented the follow
ing preamble and resolutions:
Whereas this Convention believes that education
is the common boon Of all men, that taxation and
representation should go together, and that the
nifcent 10th section grant was confined by Con-
gress for the perpetual encouragement of popular
education; therefore
Resolved, That the word WHITE should be strick
en- out Of our school law, wherever found.
This resolution produced an animated and lengthy
discussion during which VIM. Penn Clark introdu.
ced the following as a substitute, viz:
Resolved, That the colored population of this
State are justly entitled TO their proportion of the
school fund, and that some provisions ought to be
made by law for their education.
This substitute was then rejected, and the rcso-
luton Of Mr.. Dorland laid on the table.
On motion, the resolution offered by Mr.. Salter on
the preceding day was taken up from the table and
adopted.
Willet Dorland then presented the following res
Olution, which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That we believe the intellectual, moral
and political education of our youth depends in a
great measure upon the exertlons of parents to
provide for their children good and efficient teach
ers, who shall not only be well qualified in respect
to moral character, learning and ability; but who
shall deeply feel the awful responsibility which they
assume, in giving bias to the youthful mind (which
shall remain with it not only through time, but
through the endless ages of eternity.
On motion, the President of the Educational Con-
ventiOn, sswas authorized to correspond with the
distinguished friends Of education, and provide for
one Or more annual addresses at the first annual
meeting Of the Convention.
On notion, the Secretaries were instructed to
forward the report of the proceedings of this Con-
venton to the papers Of this city, with the request,
that the other journals OF the State publish the same.
On motion, thanks were rendered to the officers of
the Convention for the ability and dignity with which
they have oificlated; and to the members of the
House of Representatives for the us of their Hall,
and to DR.. Woods for the privilege Of his church.
On motion, the Convention adjourned sine die.
ROBERT LUCAS, President.
FREDK. BANGS, Secretary.
ID. ". Kciscj, Asst. Secretary.
Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-12-27
presidents Message.


mis- document, which we publish entire in our
,,,..ent number, is necessarily very lengthy. We
~. No man will be prevented from perusing it
(; this account as the information which it contains
,.,;ye 10 the condition of the country is inyaua-
~. and should be well understood by every Amer
...n This is the last annual message of an execu-
.:o whose administration has been one OF the most
.,ccessul and glorious since the foundation Of the
..n,b,;c. As democrats and an American citizens,
:. Coo, proud of Mr.. Folks administration. Start
=, ont as he did, amidst the insolent jibes and
,n.e,s Of the enemies of our country, and opposed
hv them at every step Of his progress, he has the
,',,,a consolation of having conducted the good
,,n If state successfully through the stormy brea
.rs If war, and of having greatly enlarged our bor-
ds,s. And now that he is about to resign the helm
=, ~ me xperienced commander, he may we'll point
III, nrde TO our unexampled national prosperity,
I'D 70 our condition as being at peace with all man
L;,d IFS yindicaton of his course were necessa-
=, 4 is furnished in the plain, unyarnished state
,,ents of the message. Once again we would advise
.y.,x nan not only to read, but carefully to study
Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-12-27
Litigation.

Laws to be enforced for the settlement
of difficulties between neighbors are mis-
chievous in every aspect and bearing OF
them in which have observed and con-
templated their operations. Their pre-
text is simple absurdity. They never
effect settlements. They widen the breach
already made and make more. Their ex-
ecu,ion dertroys confidence where it be-
fore existed, by bringing in additional par
ties to The strife. They are war in mini
ature. They corrupt their executors by
making it for their interest to keep up and
increase contention. The officers of court
and all the attendants better be engaged
in tilline the soil. The bread obtained for
fees is the fruit of ill-doing. The cost
are more than the collections. Laws for
the collection of debts tend to fraud and
overreaching. They encourage the seller
to urge his goods on the buyer, on trust,
and thus the buyer is tempted to 90 be-
You'd his means, and often beyond his
need, the payday being put off, whereas,
il being Otherwise, he would be more eco
nomical and careful. Let every mans
power to procure of his neighbor, depend
on his credit or character for performing
punctually what he is able to do and en-
cages TO do, and all parties would be the
better for it. 1t would promote conf
denee, industry, integrity and peace
If differences arise let them be volnntari-
ly submitted to the decision of chosen dis
interested or unbiased neighbors-in 9TH
er words TO those whose interests it
would be, in common with those directly
concerned, to have an adjustment and a
settlement, and peace and harmony re-
stored, rather than strife and quarrelling
carried on. He has bad case and IS in
a bad condition, who is unwilling to trust
his case to such a course.-Ex Paper.
Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-12-27

Snow, sSow lily far the deepest snow we have
ever seen in Iowa. fell in this vicinity on the sad and
esd insts. There was good sleighing before, and
this addition, about eighteen inches in depth, rem
dered the roads impossible for the mails for seve-
raj days-a thing, BY the way, unheard Of before in
this country. Rumor says that in the southern por-
ton Of the State tits the same sonly little more so
The weather is very severe, and in all respects we
are strongly reminded Of winters passed in northern
New Fork, and Of the emery sleigh bells, and belle.
OF that region Of country.
Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-12-27
AN ACT
To grant certain rooms in the Capitol for
the use of the United States Courts.

> -
the use of the United States Courts.
SECTION I. BE II enntted by the General
assembly Of The S'n'e Of Ioua, That the
north east room OIL the first floor, and two
rooms in the basement of the Capitol OF
this State be and are hereby granted and
set apart for the use of the courts of the
United States while said courts shall be
held at said capitol: Provided said rooms
shall be finished and fitted up at the ex-
pense of the United States.
Sec. 2. This act shall take effect and
be in force from and after its publication
in the weekly newspapers of this city.
Approved Dec. Is. 1913.
SEcRErARY's OFFICE, Iowa, }
Iowa City, Dee. 81, l84S
/ hereby certify that the foregoing is a
correct copy Of the original act now on
file in said office.
JOSIAH H. BONNEY.
Secretary of State.
Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-12-27
mormon Organiza,ion-Its Repeal

hill repealing all acts providing for the organi-
z,on Of Pottawattamie county, has passed the
House and lies on the table in the Senate, from
whence it will probably be taken and finally passed
ON to-day or tomorrow. The bill has furnished
suhect for animated discussion in both branches of
the General Assembly. And not only in the Legis
lature OF Iowa has this subject been discussed. 1t
has long furnished theme for tireside conversation
not only in this, but in the States of Missouri and
Tneis. until, of late years, those who have en-
courared Mormon organization and settlement, hate
come to be regarded as of piece with those whose
pollutng embraces they courted, and as enemies to
the good order, purity and wcl-beiny Of society,"
The scenes of blood, carnage, robbery and spoila.
ton which have ever followed the steps of Nor
monsm, have seemed, during the two past years, to
threaten Iowa with repetition of the tragic events
which dissraced Missouri and Illinois. The en-
enlargement held out to them by the wing party of
this State, and their monied bargain and sale alliance
with the party has served not only to strength
en- the apprehensions with which their temporary
settlement among was regarded, but also to Gre
ate well founded fears, LIST, pettcd and cou ted as
they we're, they should conclude TO make the west
portion Of this State their permanent abode
Such resut-to say nothing of the natural effect
which their presence has ever exercised in the
gross corruption which it always has, and is well
calculated to ntr ,duce into government and soce-
ty-must be deplored by every well wisher of the
peace prosperity and well being OF the citizens of
this State. While this is the view taken Of this mat
ter by nearly all well informed and unprecedented
minds, and while there exists yet legal organ
ization, by which the Mormon hordes have been en-
braced by our laws, upon equality with own
citizens think that large majority Of the people
of the State, irrespective OF party, demand that
action should be had, in any way, tending to
age their settlement among us. Acting upon this
Well grounded presumption, the democratic repre-
sentatives of the people haze done wisely in putting
quictus upon all future efforts to organize in our
midst band Of fanatics, who contribute nothing to-
wards the support OF government, and who have
seldom deserved its protection, by rendering them
selves answerable to, and supporters oflaw and
der.
We have before alluded, incidentally,t to the de-
bate in the House upon this bill, in which Messrs
Read, Babbitt, Mcfarland and others took part, in
defence Of The bill. Among those who spoke in its
defence in the Senate, were Messrs. Espy, Selman
and Harbour. We hope to be able next week to find
room to publish portion ofthcse remarks. We do
not deem it necessary to vindca te the couse taken
by the democracy Of the Gen. Assembly in this mat
ter, but to present the subject in clear and proper
light.