davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
THE MAILS.

We have been without mails from Phi
ladelphia from last Saturday, on &C
count Of the great freshet on the Schuylkill.
We have it is true daily mail, via: Har-
risburg, but that only reaches us semi-oc-
casionaly. According to contract the
mail should be delivered here before it
reaches northumberland, to whence it is
taken first, and twenty-four hours after it is
delivered here. This it is true, is not, in
rapidity, quite equal to lightning or steam,
but considering that the distance is 3,432
yards, or in round numbers about two miles,
it is not as bad as it might be, or at least
better than getting no mail at all. But
some of our citizens, keeping pace with
the progressive spirit of the age, are so un-
reasonable as to grumble even al this extra
ordinary speed, and when they are anxious
for early news from the North, South, or
West, constitute themselves a special ex-
press, and bring over the letters, news, &C.,
in their coat pockets, sin advance Of the
regular mail" This has actually been the
case for the past ten days, and should it
continue much longer, it may bring into
discredit the email service" for speed and
regularity. Under these circumstances,
should the Post Master General any lon
ger neglect his duty, we shall be under the
necessity of complaining to our friend Col.
Amos E. Kapp, who rules the mail service
in this quarter, and who we are confident
will no longer permit him to violate his
engagements with impunity.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07

Harlem having now the proofs o' We
rights, celebrated, in the summer o. '0
the fourth jubilee of Kos,er's invention. u
was 4, solemn day. All the members oil 'he
Society, and thousands Of citizens ano s''a"'
syers. wen, first to the Cathedral, where
,l;soourse was delivered by one of the most
clequent professors of Leyden University
after that the Society, with Kenniug in their
midst, marched in procession through the
streets, towards the same spot where Laurens
Roster, four hundred years ago, had cut the
first letter. At the arrival Of the train,
large linen cover was taken down, and SIM
ple, but solid and well executed monument
70 the honor of Laurens Janszoon Roster, as
The inventor of the art of book printing, pre-
sented itself to the eyes of thousands and
thousands, shouting for Roster, for HARLEM,
and for Konnc.
As soon as the dissertation Of Koning was
pnblished i, was translated into French, for
cake Of foreign countries. The city of Haar-
lem has in possession many of the original
copies of L. Rosters prntings and numerous
other proofs which testify the very truth Of
all which is above rela, ed which treasure is
secured in the city hall, and is preserved as
bulwark against any attack upon the right
or Kos,er's invention in 1923. Besides all
this, the church register is now also there,
wherein can be found, 'fhat l.. Jz. Roster
died in 1892 Is there any nation who can
show any book printed before that year!
hope to receive a copy OF the French
Translation of the above mentioned work of
.lacobus Koning in tne course of this year,
aud intend TO present il to the Library of the
Second Municipality. Every one who will
read this precious book will be satisfied and
say, 'this must be the truth" S. D. V.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07

One of our contemporaries states that the
spot selected for the gallows was that where
ii would be most conspicuous 10 the multi
,ude. Directly the contrary of this is the
truth. 1t was the object of Mr.. Andrews to-
place it where it would be as little conspic~
uons as possible.
With regard TO the statement that the prls-
oner had right to claim till II O'Clock yes
terday, we have learned that there was no
special righ, on the prisoners part after Q"
clock, the first hour mentioned in the death-
warrant
| The wish of the prisoner, as expressed,
the evening before, both 10 Sheriff Eveleth
and DR.. Putnam, was that the execution
might be as prompt as possible. He said that
he would be ready al any moment after o.
clock. This request the Sheriff observed So
far as the convenience and decorum Of the
occasion would allow.
For some days before his death Professor
Webster's favorte reading, next TO the BIZ
BILE, was in Channing's Works. He alss
found much 10 soo,he him and gra,ify his
religions aud literary taste in Bowri1g's
"Matns aud Vespers," and in Lorgfellow''
Collection of hymns. He made presents OF
the last named works, with appropriate passa'
ges marked in them, 10 various friends.
The body was taken TO the house of Mrs
Webster in Cambridge last night. The fu
neral will take place early tomorrow morn.
ing, the services being performed by the
Rev. DR.. Walker.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
THE RESULT IN MISSOURI.

The final result in Missouri is thus sum-
med up by the Tribune, and contains the
matter in few lines -
Col. Benton is beaten, but his great per-
sonal strength in Missouri is shown IN his
last battle quite as emphatically as in any
of his victorious struggles. He went into
the fight under Disadvantages. The last Le-
gislature had virtually denounced and stig-
matized him he had TO defeat majority
OF its members or be himself defeated. His
colleague was his bitter enemy so were
most of the Missouri Delegation in the
House. Green and Hall were open and
fierce against him; Bowlin and Bay less
frank IN their hostility, but not therefore
less efficient. Phelps alone stood by him
heavy odds! Yet the only Member of
the House elected by either branch of the
party is that same Phelps, who has over 2 :
900 majority, and Col. Benton has carried
fve-eighths of the "Democratic" members
of the new Legislature, so that he would
still be reelected if his adversares would
conform TO ''the usages of the party," BY
going into caucus; nominating a candidat,
for U. S. Senator, and all voting for him.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07

~ The heavy rains of Sunday and
Monday last have again 20 swollen the
streams that some danger was anticipated
from the flood. The Susquehanna rose
very rapidly, and was nearly bank full on
Monday evening. The creek too and
smaller streams have been very high. This
fresh will no doubt have a beneficial effect
by cleansing and sweeping off deposites
and decomposed vegetable matter, left by
the flood in July.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
THE WORLDS FAIR,

Preparations, at London, for the great exhi-
are progressing, and on scale of the great
est magnificence. The building 10 be erected
for this Fair in Hyde Park will, at the lowest
estimate, cost hafa million of dollars. The
edifice is TO cover Is acres, is to be 100 feet
in height, and is TO contain miles of tables.
Thc amount already obtained by subscription
is over 100000. II is estimated that at least
half million of people will visit the EXhbi-
tions, in the course of the six months it is TO
continue, and the receipts from this source,
al the probable admission price of one shil-
ling, or twenty-four cents per head, will give
$4,000. But the funds derived from every
source will fall short of the enormous eX-
penses 10 be incurred, and the deficiency will,
in the end, probably have 10 be made up by
Parliament. More space in the bazaar has
been allotted to the United States than to any
other nation excepting France but, though
we have $4,000 square feet allotted TO us, we
shall probably have to ask for more room.
The American agent, Mr.. Thompson, writes
that the State of New York alone would, if
allowed, fill the entire space assigned to the
country. The prizes TO successful compeli-
tors will amount to at least S 1000, and will
be awarded without distinction of country, by
as perfectly impartial jury as can be obtain
ed. The design Of bringing together the arti-
sans Of the different nations and their mobiles,
works, is magnificent conception, and mus,
be fraught with incalculable good. 1t will
bring into honorable competition the skill and
Industry of every people in the civilized
world, and will be the best of schools for mu'
tual instruction and improvement
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
GREAT FLooD-Loss OF PROPERTY.
SoHuYLKrLL HAVEN, Sept. I'd, 1850.

ScHUYLK1LL HAVEN, Sept. I'd, looo'
During the heavy rains Of last night the
Schuylkil was raised to an equal height with
the last flood, at half past nine some OF the
dams between this place and Po!tsville, sup
posed TO be at Mt Carbon, gave way, and the
consequences were most disastrous Several
Houses, boats, scows, barns, offices, shops,
shanties, haystacks, beds, chests, chairs, bar
rels, tubs, trees, logs, wheel-barrows, cradles,
wagons &C., &c., &c, were carried away.
The Railroad bridge at the landing has
been swept away, the railroad bridge below
town is expected to 90 every moment as il is
to much injured to allow cars TO pass over.-
The railroad and canal business are entirely
stopped, Spring Garden and the flats are COM
pletely inundated. Horses, cows hogs. geese
chickens, ducks, and other live stock have
gone with the current. The loss cannot bt
estimated at present.
Loss OF LIFE.
Several persons, both men, woman ant
children, have been drowned in their houses
| Any quantity came down on logs, in houses
boats, &C., from and around Pottsvllle.
Sehuylkill Map.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
TREMENDOUS FLOOD
AND GREAT DESTRUCTION OF LIFE AND
PROPERTY.

The year 1850 has been a remarkable
year for floods and will long be remem-
bered. The heavy rains of Sunday and
Monday raised the Schuylkill, Lehigh, and
some of the tributaries of the Susquehanna
higher than they have ever known TO be
before. The catastrophe on the Nescopec
at Foundryville, opposite Berwick, has
been awful. The water commenced rising
early on Monday morning, and by 8 o.
clock it was higher than it had been in As
years. MIR. Westler's Forge was consider
ably damaged, and sawmill, and num-
Der of other buildings were swept away,
but what is more painful, twenty one per-
sons were swept from time to eternity, by
the rushing torrent. Cattle, sheep, furni-
ture and almost every thing was hurried
down the stream. A number of persons
were taken from the upper stories, and seve-
raj were rescued while floating down the
stream.
We learn by passengers from Pottsville,
that all communication between that place
and Philadelphia has been suspended, from
Monday until this time. The Schuylkill
has been higher than ever it was known
before. The dams and bridges between
Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven are all
carried away. The locks and dams of the
Navigation company are entirely destroyed.
The Reading Rail road has been seriously
injured by the destruction of bridges, and
will require three weeks 10 repair for hea-
Wy trains. The Canal is used up for this
year, and probably for sometime TO come.
The damages extended all along the river.
AT Reading the water inundated a part of
the town, and a number of persons were
drowned. From Mohrsville to Phpnix-
vile ten or twelve bridges were carried
away. AT Philadelphia the water works
at Fairmount were inundated and came
near being washed oway. From Tamaqua,
on the Little Schuylkill, we have various
rumors, though it is pretty certain that
thirty or forty houses have been carried
away by the flood, and from so to 100 per-
sons were missing and drowned. The Rail
road from that place to Port Clinton, has
sustained an immense injury. The devas-
tating effects of the food on the Schuylkill,
commenced by the breaking of the Tumb-
ling Run Dam, just below Pottsville, which
is about 70 feet high. This impetuous tor
rent swept every thing before 1t, and il
was with difficulty, that some who saw il
coming, were enable TO escape with theiI
lives, to the mountain side. A large stone
house below Mt. Carbon, was so completely
swept Oft that nothing scarcely was left bu
the foundation.
Just as we were going to press we re-
ceived the Pottsville Emporium, from
which we extract the following
j About nine o'clock the Dam ON Tumb
ling Run directly opposite Mt. Carbon
which formed an immense feeder for the
Canal, gave way, producing scene of con
sternation and dismay which beggars al
description.
The waters rolled down in volume ap
parently twenty feet high, sweeping acros
the Railroad, Canal and river, thus fillinl
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
nv Col. Tate. in his last naner has

GO Col. Tate, in his last paper, has,
what he calls portrait OF sGen. Taylor
as CiUilian." Publishing such a carica-
ture of the old General, may be a civil act,
but not very gallant one. Had the Colo
mel been familiar with the mild and be-
nevolent features of the old hero's face, his
love of glory, and the esprit du corps,
itself, would have prevented him from re-
presenting his "gallant brother in arms''
with chin like mill hopper.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
AMERICAN AND SHAMOKIN
CLAIMS OF LYCOMING.

Under this head the Lycoming Gazette
joins issue with one of its correspondents,
from this county, over the signature of
eJustice," who urges the claim of Northum-
berland county to The next member of Con-
gress. The Gazette, in our opinion, rather
evades the true issue, and fails to meet the
arguments of its correspondent. The edi-
tor thinks the interest and principles Of the
party are superior TO its uSuages. If we
were disposed to engage in a metaphysical
dlsqulsltion on this subject, we might pro-
badly show that the interests and principles
oil the party were, or at least ought to be, SO
lnseparably connected that they should be
considered SYNONYMOUS terms. We admit
with the Gazette, that there may be occa-
slons when expediency should overrule
these considerations, and when the contest
Is close strong man should be selected IN
preference to a weak one. But then it is
sometimes extremely difficult to decide who
is strong until he is tried, and we cannot
agree that there are no strong men out Of
the limits OF Lycoming county. Because
Northumberland county has had two whig
congressman, for number of years, is pro-
| badly more the fault of the democracy Of
Lycoming than any other county in the dis
trict, and should not most certainly, be used +,
as an argument against the cl1ins of Nor
thumberland in the present contest. The
Gazette quantity adds, "Does it signify any
thing that these members were wings q
They were as much the representatives, in
legal sense, of the district as though they
had been democrats" We might answer
this argument, by saying that Lycoming
has now candidate in the person of James
Armstrong, Esq, and in the language of the
Gazette, we might ask, "Does it signify
any thing that Mr.. Armstrong is a whig
We have no desire to 'schoke" our Lycom-
ing friends with ''empty honors" or refuse
to allow them a full share of the oturkies," )"
as well as the "buzzards." But they should
certainly be content with the fare they SER
we'd up to our Union county friends, as our
democracy cannot consent that they shall
ed devour turkies, buzzards and ALL
In the language of Hudibrass
| They would rather defy
That which they love most tendery,
Quarrel with minced pies, and dspaage
Their best and dearest FRIEND plum-porrdse
Fat pig and goose itself oppose,
| And hlnsnheme cn starh fhrn, THAR nose
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
NJ The Post Master at philadelnh

% The Post Master at Philadelphia
pays but little attention to the interests or
convenience of the people on the Susque-
hanna. Knowing as he, did that all CON-
munication was cut off by way of the Read
ing Rail road, he continued sending the
mails that direction, while they could have
come by way OF Harrisburg without any
difficulty. The only city paper we saw
from Sunday to Thursday, was a Ledger
that had accidentally arrived at the Nor.
cumberland P. o. on Thursday.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07

In Upper Augusta township, on the 24,h,
nit, Mis-. CHARITY MORGAN, aged about
55 years.
In the same township, on the 3Oh ult, Mr.
WILLIAM ECKMAN, aged about "a years.
In Little Mahonoy township, on the 2ls,
ult,, Mr. HENRY WAGNER aged 90 years
and . months.
In Upper Augusta township, on Thursday
last, Mi. PETER CULP, aged about IS years.
AT Northumberland, on Friday the 9Th
inst, Mr. CHRISTIAN REICH, aged about
80 years.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
NOTICE TO HEIRS

\ Office is hereby given given to the heirs Of
Henry Fetter, decd, late of Upper Maho-
noy, to appear at an Orphans court, to be held at
sunhury' in and for the county of Northumber-
land, on the first Monday of November next
then and There to accept or refuse the real estate
OF the said decd, at the valuation fixed upon the
SAID real estate by an Inquest duly awarded and
confirmed by the said court, or shew cause why
the same should not be sold, &c.
@, JAMES COVERT, Sh'f
Shsnft's Office, Sunbury
Sept. 7, ls5O.-6t
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
NEW COUNTERFEITs.

A $40 note on the West Branch Bank,
Williamsport, Pa, has made its appearance
recently.-It is described as bearing Sus-
pension Bridge on the left end, and Nep-
tune and the Sea Nymphs on the right
Engraved by Rawdon, Wright and Hatch.
The vignette OF the counterfeit S. notes
on the York Bank, York, Pa, is female in
a sitting posture.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07

THE IMPosTUREs Of mesmerism and clair
vovance have become so serious nuisance
in Paris that the police recently made sei-
zure of a great number of ihei. practitioners.
Most of them confessed that the whole thing
was an imposition.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07

~ On Tuesday during the freShet in
the Susqnehanna, small stable came float
ing down the stream. It was brought to
shore by Henry Bucher, and with sad
die, several halters, and an overcoat, chick
ems, sc.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
LOSS OF LIFE.
EXECUTION OF
PROF. JOHN WHITE WEBSTER.
BosToN, Aug. 80, 1856

BOSTON, Aug. 81, loou
This morning, Professor John White Web
ster suffered The extreme penalty of the law,
for the murder Of DR.. George Parkmau in the
Boston Medical College, on the 23d of No
vember, lS49
The execution took place in the yard of the
Leverett Street Jail, in presence of about
three hundred persons, who were invited 10
attend by Sheriff Eveleth.
Long before the time fixed for the execu-
tion, the streets in the vicinity exhibited an
extraordinary excitement, and thousands con-
gregaling on the roofs and in the windows
of all the buildings in the vicinity, in the
hope of getting view of the prisoner, either
as he stood upon the scatfold, or as he passed
| through the yard 10 il. Premiums were free
! ly offered and given for choice places where
the scaffold might be viewed.
Strangers poured into the city by thou
| sands, and We'd with the citizens in exertions
10 get good view of the last sad scene. A
! large awning was erected over tho scahold,
which TO a considerable extent obslructed the
view. 1t was announced that the execution
would take place at nine o'clock, though the
persons admitted were notified 10 be present
at eight O'Clock.
Among those admitted to the Jail yard were
several reporters for the press of this ant
other cities
The prisoner was attended in his cell
before his execution, by Rev. DR.. Putnam
and few others, aud appropriate and deeply
affecting religious services were held.
Considerable time was consumed by thes,
and other causes of detention. The prisone
was at length conducted from the Jail through
The yard TO the scaf1old, walking firmly anC
conducting himself with the composure ,ha
he has all along exhibited.
, He assembled The scafiod, the rope was ad
, jus,ed by Sheriff Eveleth, and at precsel,
twenty minutes before ten o'clock, the drol
, fell, and he was swung into eternity.
, He died without a struggle, and after bein;
, suspended for some time, the body was take
down and carried into the prison again
Professor Websters bearing up to the tim
of The execution was firm as ever. He ex
= pressed the deepest penitence for his crime
I and his sense of the full justice of his sen
tence and execution.
No new confession was made as was re
r ported would be the case, and no new state
r menrs have come 10 light as yet, yet, sine
1 the execution. The report that he left an
f other statement, TO be opened after his dea,l
e is not belieYeG
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
NOTICE TO HEIRS.
Total,

oTlCE is hereby given to the heirs of An
drew Geist, decd, late of Upper Mahonoy, to
appear at an Orphans Court, to be held at Sun
bury, IN and for the county of Northumberland
on the first Monday of November next then aud
there to accept refuse the real estate of the said
decd, at the valuation fixed upon the said real
estate by an Inquest duly awarded and confirmed
by the said court, or shew cause why the same
should not be sold, &c.
JAMES COVERT, Sh'G.
Sherih's Office, Sunbury
Sept. 7, lS50.-6t
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07

10 PoErRY.-On our first page will be
found a rather long but entertaining poem
by Lover.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07

~At Tamaqua man lost his wife and
four children in the flood. She bid him
farewell from the window.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
Nj A R IL 1 T. ID,

On the cath ult., by John Huff, Esq, Mr.
JESSE Mills, 10 Miss MARY Ross, both of
Shamokin township.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07

EXTREME DEBILIry.-A gentleman says
he has become SO week from dissipation
that he Is now ,,uaable TO raise fire dOlir
bM."
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
SECOND DESPATCH.
BosToN, Aug. SOP. NJ

BOSTON, Aug. 3O-P. NJ.
The execution took place at a quarter be-
fore ten o'clock.
Yesterday, at two o'clock, Mrs. Webster
and the daughters paid their last visit to the
unhappy man, They remained until nearly
seven in the evening, A great crowd of per-
sons were in front Of the prison, and there
was great difficulty in getting passage sor
the family TO the carriage at their departure
No one apprehended that Webster would
commit suicide, but officer Leighton, the Jail
clerk, and constable Jones were elected to
watch the prisoner during the night, the pre-
caution of keeping a watch being thought ad-
visabe.
Jones was the officer who attended the pri.
soner throughout the protracted scene, and
he as well as Leighton, were very kind and
attentive to the unfortunate prisoner. Last
night DR.. Putnam remained more than two
hours with DR.. Webster, engaged in devo-
tional exercises.
When Putnam left, Webster continued his
devotion at intervals, and conversed with
considerable freedom with the officers, and
being fully conscious of his doom, repeatedly
said he had great dread and horror at the
thought of being hung, but was now indiaer
ent to it,
He said he had no fear, was perfectly and
entirely prepared to meet his fate. His ap-
pearance through the night confirmed his
statement OF being reconciled and resigned
His health remained good and his spirits
calm.
He slept from IL O'Clock unit half past 4
When he awoke he was as calm as usual, and
ale toerably hearty breakfast He had ap,
parently not lost flesh during his imprison.
ment, but probably gained in that respect.
The erection of the gallows was commen-
ced after daylight and completed before s o..
clock. Upon the requisiton of High Sheriff
Eveleth, force of one hundred and twenty
FIVE men, consisting of 100 police and watch
man, and 25 constables were detailed fol
guard, of whom 25 consables and 25 police
men were stationed within the yard, and 75
without.
The witnesses invited by the High Sheriff.
and by the State authority, were admitted
numbering 1875, at ten minutes before o.
The High Sheriff called the names of the
list Of witnesses to the execution. He stated
that they had assembled by his invitation as
lawful witnesses of the execution of John
White Webster. He requested them to keeI
order during the solemn ceremonies.
A company then formed in column of tive
and two, and visited The prisoners cell, whers