davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

A New ARMoR.-Two Mexicans were
recently arrested at Brownsville, Texas,
suspected Of being highway robbers and
murderers: Among their effects were
found two curiously constructed coats of
armor, made not of steel, but of cow.
hide and wool, and supposed to be used
by them while engaged in marauding ad-
ventures. Tie Rio Bravo thus describes
these articles
"These armors are made in the shape
Of corsels, composed Of all outer and in
ner coat Of cow-hidc, filled with wool,
about an inch and quarter in thickness,
and neatly and elaborately stitched through
with cow-hide thongs. They are in two
parts, and tie closely, back and front
with leather strings. When worn, they
form complete panoply for the body, and
are impervious to pistol shot, if not to
a rifle"
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

Terrible Flood and Loss Of Life.

On Tuesday night, the lst inst, our
town was the victim of another desolat-
ing flood! The evening was unusually
warm and sutry, and the clouds seemed
to remain immovable in the heavens.
growing heavier and darker until about
midnight. when the rain commenced fall
ing, not in big drops, but in unbroken
torrents. When the storm was at its
height, a river Of water was coursing
madly through our streets, destroying
every Improvement, rushing into cellars
and ground rooms, and bearing with it
everything that resisted its downward
progress. The damage to streets and in
dividual property cannot be less than sew
eral thousand dollars.
In this connection we are under the
painful necessity of announcing the death
of Mrs. Sarah V. Whiting. She was re-
siding alone at her dwelling near Vanbu-
rem, in the lower part of the town, and
becoming alarmed at the waters which
had surrounded her house upon all sides,
she went to neighbor's few rods
above, who were still more exposed to
danger, for the purpose of having them
return with her. They declined, at first,
running the risk, and she endeavored to
make her way back alone, and in so do
ing, it is supposed, she became overpow-
cred by the increased volume and force
of the water, and was carried out through
her own garden fence, into the main chan
mel of the flood. Her cries for help were
distinctly heard by those living below, but
such was the d,rkness and wild fury of
the waters that none could be given. Her
lifeless body was found yesterday morn
ing, Just below Van Buren, with her arms
clinging to board which she had proba-
bly, graspcd IS she went down. A Jury
Of inquest was called and verdict rem
dered in accordance with the above facts.
Mr.. Broker and family, the neighbors to
whom she went, in attempting to follow
her few moments afterwards, nearly
met with like fate.
This calamity is by far the most seri-
Gus that has ever be!allcn our place, and
it will take some time before we shall
wholly recover from its effects.
In the neighboring village of Pleasant
Valley, we learn: that this flood has been
more severe, if possible, in proportion to
its size and business. Several buildings
were removed from their foundations, and
one or two entirely destroyed Potosi
Rep.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF AN Ovs

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF AN OYs-
TER.-The life of shell fish is not one
of unvarying rest. Observe the phases
of an individual oyster from the moment
of its embryo lie independent of mater
nal ties, to the filling up of its destiny,
when the knife of fate shall sever its mus
cular chords, and doom it to entombment
in living sepulcre. How starts it forth
into the world of waters? Not as unen-
lightened people believe in the shape of
a minute, bivalved protected. grave, fixed
and steady oystering. No it enters upon
its career all life and motion, fitting about
in the sea as gravely and lightly as but
terfy or swallow skins through the air.
Its first appearance in microscopic oys-
ter-cEerub, with wing-likc lobes flanking
a mouth and shoulders unencumbered
with inferior crural prolongations. 1t
passes through a joyous and vivacious
juvenili,y skipping up and down as if in
mockery OF lis heavy and immovabe par
ents. 1t voyages from oyster-bed TO oys-
ter-bed, and if in luck SO as 10 escape
the watchiul voracity of the thousand en-
Niiiie' 'ii''' 'iC All Wait VI piOWl duout "
prey upon youth and incxperience, at
length having sowed lis wild oats settles
down into steady, solid domestic, oyster.
1t becomes the parent of fresh broods of
oyster cherubs. AS such it would live
and die leaving its shell thckened through
old age to serve as its monument through
all times-a contribution towards the
construction Of fresh geological epoch,
and new layer Of the earth's crust
if not for the guttony of man who rending
the sober citizen of the sea from his ma
tive bed, carries him unresisting to busy
cities and the hum of crowds. If hand
some we'll shaped ami we'll favored oys-
ter. he is introduced to the palaces of the
rich and noble, like wit or philosopher
or poet to give additional relish to their
sumptuous ieasts. Ii sturdy thick
backed, strong tasted individually, fate
consigns him to the capacious tub of the
street fshmonger, from whence dosed
with coarse black pepper and pungent
vinegar, embalmed partly after the fash
ion Of an Egyptian king, he is trasferred
to the hungry stomach of costermongcr.
Quarterly Review.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12
NUMBER g..
n. p. Willis, in one of his letters from


Bermuda says:
s. Here every female is trained, from
childhood, to carry Lurthens upon the
head. From tea-cup 10 a water-pail,
everything is placed on a small cushion
at the top of the skull. The absolute
erectness Of figure necessary to keep the
weight where it can best be supported by
the spine, the nice balance of gait to poise
it without being steadied by the hands,
the throwing forward of the chest with
the posture and effort that are demanded,
and measured action of the hips, and the
deIlberateness with which all turning
round or looking aside must be done,
combine to form an habitual dcmeanor
and gait of peculiar loftiness and stateli-
ness. A pronder looking procession than
the market-women, as they go with their
baskets on their heads, across the square
below our veranda, could not be found in
the world. They look incapable of be-
ing surprised into a quick increment;
and are, without exception, queenly wo-
men-lhough it come, strangely enough
from carrying the burthens of the
slave
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

LADIES' JAcKErs.-The New York
Post says:-I has been serious question
in this city, whether the new fashion of
jackets will be generally adopted by our
ladies'. The impression is that they will,
though all confess the novelty is far from
being satisfactory as yet. We observe
that at recent fashionable and aristocratic
wedding in England, (,he Baronet and
NJ. P. Wynn, having married Miss Wynn,
his cousin, daughter of the English Min
lister to Denmark, the bride and all her
bridesmaids wore jackets, the latter pink
over white poult de sole. We presume
this important fact will relieve the doubts
of our Jones', Smiths and Thompsons,
Whites, Blacks, &c.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12
ARRIVAL OF MEAGHER.
New YoRK, Nav 20.

Nt" 1oRk, Way ~.
Meagher arrived on Wednesday night
in the brig Acron from Pernambuco, having
escaped to that place from Van Dieman's 5
Land in an American whaler. He SAYS
he had partial liberty of ticket of leave
at the time he escaped, but did not vio-
late its conditions. Having made arrange
ments for flight, fast horse was saddled
in his stable, and well armed with pistols.
he addressed letter to Il magistrate of
Ross, twenty miles distant, in a township
Of the district out of which he was not
permitted to 60. In the letter he return
ed his ticket of leave, and said he would
remain at his house that day until IL
O'Clock, when the leave expired, in order
to give an opportunity of arresting him if
they could. When the magistrate read
the letter he ordered the chief of police
TO arrest Meagher, but he refused
Meagher waited six hours after the time,
in order not to give the British authorities
any excuse for saying he had violated his
pledge. He was accompanied by three
young English settlers, who supplied
him with horses, and had horses them
selves. Tie moment the police entered
the house he passed out at another door,
mouted his horse, came round to the front
and told them to arrest him if they could.
The next moment he put spurs to his
horse, and with his friends was soon out
of sight. He travelled $50 miles to the
coast, embarked on whaler. and then on
a ship, the name of which he keeps Sc
crct.
On his arrival at New York, he pro-
ceeded quietly to the house of his friend,
Richard O'Gorman, in Dean street, Brook
lyn, where he is now staying, and was
last night welcomed by large number of
the Irish societies. There is great ex-
citcmcnt among the Irish. Meagher ad-
dressed the crowd in front of the house
he said his only regret was leaving Smith
O'Brien and John Mitchell behind. He
is fine military looking young man, and
a fine orator.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

MRs. CLAY.-John w. Forney, Esq.
formerly editor of the PennSylvanian
and at present Clerk of the House of
Representatives at Washington, in IA re-
cent letter makes the following al!usion
TO the aged wife Of the Hon. Henry
Clay:
do you know that Mrs. Henry CLAY
has never visited Washington Her do
nestle character seems to have been
formed by the quiet shades of Ashland :;
and though her woman's heart beat high
when she saw young Harry with his
beaver on" i'll the midst Of the greatest
events that have made his name immortal,
yet by her the blessings of home and
fircside were to he preferred. Now that
the statesman is wasting away, her pres.
ence would doubtless alleviate his suffer
lngs and prepare him for his final reckon
ing. But now she is too old 10 come.-
She could not bear the toilsomc journey
from Lexington, and she remains as it
were watcher for the fatal news. A
few days ago she sent him a boquet o.!
flowers; but when they reached here
they were faded-a melancholy c. idence
that both the giver and the receiver were
fast fastening TO that borne whence 10
traveller returns. The old man eloquently
held it to his lips for few seconds, and
said, with mournful pathos, the per-
fume is almost gone!" But not so with
his fame. That will live forever. green
in the memory of man. His physical
frame will decay, but his great history
will never be forgotten. or him and Of
his place, in the regard of men in the
dim future, it may will be said:
''You may break, you may ruin the if you i'll,
But the scent of the will hang still -
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

A Coon JuDcE OF CATrLE.-At late
public meeting in Boston, one of the
speakers (Wiliam Curtis, related the
following anecdote of Mr.. Webster:
"a gentleman residing near Boston,
not many years ago, invited him to dine.
After dinner, the two went into the yard
to see the cattle. "rll give you any one,
or two or three you like, Mr.. Webster"
said the host; "choose which you will
have" Mr.. Webster walked about a
short time, and made a selection of the
best cow the gentleman had. "I'll take
that for one," said he. He then drew a
stool up to another fine cow, and went to
milking like farmer born, and soon said.
" Sir, I'll take this one." The surprise
was great. The gentleman had counted
upon Mr.. Webster not knowing good
from poor cow. A third was selected
when the good man took occasion 10 direc:
MIR. Webster's attention to some other
part Of the establishment.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

THE PANAMA RAILRoAD.-This great
enterprise, which is not only National in
its character, but which is OF worldwide
importance, and which in fact accomplish
es through the enterprise of New York
merchants, what has occupied the serious
attention and speculation of the whole
civilized world for three ccnturies,-the
connection of the Pacific with the Allan
tic Ocean-is, we are happy to learn,
very shortly TO be completed. The Com
pany have just closed contract with
very responsible parties, to finish the en-
tire work, and turn it over ready for SER
vice by the lst Of August, 1853 and
report says that the contract price for
completing the work, is one million of
dollars. But whether one million or five,
we are inclined TO believe it will be ono
of the most profitable public works that
has ever been undertaken. AssuredIy,
its projectors and the public spirited
capitalists who have accomplished this
gigantic undertaking, merit, and will re-
ceivc the gratitude and admiration of the
civilized world.-.N Y. Cour. and Eng.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

A Washington correspondent of the
New York Journal of Commerce says:
Gov. Porter, of Pennsylvania, is now
here as the authorised representative of
the iron interests of Pennsylvania, to
confer with Democratic members Of Con-
gress on the subject of further protection
for those interests, by the restoration of
the home raluation. Some movement is
to be made on the subject very soon. 1t
is strongly represented that the Wings
will carry Pennsylvania, at the coming
Presidential election, unless this project
shall be carried, and that, in case of the
election of General Scott, the Wings will
SO far regain power as to be able in the
next Congress to restore the Tariff of
1912.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12
A NOVEL DuEL.-We find the follow
ing in the Eddyville (Ky.) Telegraph:

Two young bloods in our city becoming
offended at some imaginary insult, chal-
lcnge was passed and accepted, as both
thought nothing but blood would wash
out the insult. The terms on which the
challenge was accepted were these: that
they should meet at DIR. Ms Office and be
bled until one or the other should be sat-
isfied. They accordingly met and the
Doctor opened vein for them. They
bled until both becoming extremely weak
and as white as their own linen, pro-
nounced themselves satisfied. So ends
this bloody affair.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

Discovery OF SILVER MINE IN
SOUTHERN ILLlNo1s.-The Benton Stand
ard says: We are credibly informed that
a rich mine of silver ore, has lately been
discovered by DR.. Smith, in the vicinity
Of Gallatin, Saline county. The discov-
cry was made by the Doctor, in exploring
a vein of lead, when he discovered what
he look to be silver ore, and in order to
be certain, sent to St. Louis for a miner
olcgist, who, in analizing the ore, extract
ed about Is per cent. OF pure silver, and
about 20 cent. of iron and lead. The
ground is of scrubby and barren APP
pearance.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

A GEHIrs.-Therc lived, in the land
of Indian corn and pumpkins, an litter
ate, but very sagacious old man, who
had certain theories of his own, which
he took great pleasure in representing for
the consideration Of others, whenever
and wherever he could find willing au-
dience. One of his most favorite topics
was, the derivation of the word "inge-
nuity." This he would elucidate with
infinite qualification, in this wise:--
The Injuns. you know, was always
cute race remarkable ingenious, as
we term il, with or without tools, any
way; and mighty great at imitation and
invention. Well, you see. this 'ingenu-
ity' is a mai raj and convenient corruption
OF the double word Injunnewrity-noth-
ing else
This old man, unlike most of his con-
temporaries, had no particular respect for
the reverend clergy. Going his accus-
toned rounds one day, he met one of
those, who, after few casual remarks
on worldly topics, thus accosted him:
"Mr. b. you have lived long. Very
few attain TO your age. Would it not be
the part of wisdom to attend to your
souls con Germ at once? Really, it would
greatly rejoice my soul to see you, at the
eleventh hour become praying chris
tian"
"Well now, parson H., you see, my
Bible tells me to pray in secret"
"Ah! well-yes-but, DO you pray
in secret :"
"Why, now, parson H., you know, if
I should tell you, 'twouldn't be any Sc
cret, anyhow!'
The Cody man left the hoary sinner,
without further attempt to pry into his
"secret. Plymouth Memorial.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

WoMAN's RrcHrs.-Bayard Taylor,
one of the Associate Editors of the New
York Tribune, is travelling on the upper
waters of the Nile, nearly in the heart of
Central Africa. He gives the following
description Of a strange custom:
The Hasseniyehs are yellow, with
straight features, and resemble the Fella,is
of Lower Egypt more :han any other
Central African tribe. Those whom we
saw at distance retreated with signs of
fear as my vessel approached the shore.
DR.. Penne, the Medical Inspector of
Soudan, who, in the course Of nine years,
has made himself thoroughly acquainted
with the country, described TO me, while
in Khartoum, some singular customs Of
these Arabs. The rights of women, it
appears, are recognized among them
more thoroughly than among any other
savage people in the world. When a
woman is married, her father reserves
one-fourth of her life thenceforth for her
own use. and the husband is obliged to
respect this reservation. Every fourth
day she is released from her mar
riage VOW, and if she loves some
one else better than her husband,
he can dwell in her tent that day,
obliging the husband himself 10 retire.
Their hospitality is such, moreover, that
if a stranger visits one of their settle
ments they furnish him, for four days
with house and wife. They should
add family of children, and then their
hospitality would bo complete. No re-
proach whatever attaches to the women
on account Of this temporary connection
The Hasseniyehs. in other respects are
not more immoral than other tribes, and
these customs appear to be connected in
some way with their religious faith.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

Mr.. Clay, his physicians say, may still
survive for weeks, or he may sink into
the sleep of eternity at any hour. Such
is the opinion of DR.. Jackson and other
eminent medical men who have manifest
cd deep personal and professional interest
IN his case. 1t is no, pulmonary disease.
we are told, that has laid its grasp upon
the vital energies of the venerable states
man. There is manifest wearing out of
his physical system generally. On Sun
day, Mr.. Clay asked DR.. jackson whe,h-
er his death would be a painful one, and
whether it would be by utFocation-whch
he had feared. DR.. Jackson replied that
it would not be by suflocation that it
would be perfectly easy that his ner-
vous energies were entirely DESTROYED.
and nature would yield without a strug-
gle.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

THE RESULTS OF FIFTY YEARs.-Dr.
King, in a series of lectures before the
Mechanics Association of New York,
alluded to the progress of that city for
the last fifty years. About the year
1900 the city of New York contained
10000 inhabitants-bcing third larger
than Rochester now is. Now the former
city proper, crowds hard upon 100000,
and including the suburbs of Brooklyn,
Williamsburgh, Jersey City and Hoboken,
nearly 10000.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

THE ESCAPE OF MEAGHER.-The ar
rival of Meagher, an Irish exile, in New
York, revives recollections of the few
past years, in the history of Ireland.
What a change has come over the spirit
of past dreams! O'Connell, the great
'agitator,' is in his grave, and the host of
powerful and enthusiastic young men,
whom his spirit inspired to degree that
made them more bold than discreet, are
scattered. Some sleep the sleep that
knows no waking;' some are refugees in
foreign lands some are prisoners on the
islands Of the sea, guarded and circum-
scribed in their actions by their parol of
honor. Others remain at home stirring
up the Irish heart to abandon Ireland for
ever, and thus whole districts are depop-
ulated. Even young children and lone
females, unprotected save by Him who
left the poor as his representatives on
earth, and the weak as emblems of his
power, with all their wealth in a single
bundle which they can carry in the hand,
depart with a joyful sigh on the long voy-
age OF three thousand miles, for land Of
strangers. In this they act wisely, we
think for, why should they remain sub
ject to power which they heartily detest,
when a door as bread as the sea is open
before them to a land of peace and plenty
and where in all matters of reasonable
choice, they can remain unquestioned and
unmolested? Here generations mix and
mingle, and the Irish character is one of
the mary ingredients thrown into The
great crucible, wherein all the nations of
the earth are being amalgamated, and
which ingredients, united like the rays of
light in one, combine the exceliencies of
the whole, and form the free AEERIcAS.
The free AMERICAN CHARACTER is yet to
be as the sunlight of the world. All ma
tions will yet rejoice in its beams. In
faith we believe that God has decreed it,
and men are the instruments of his will.
The oppressed every where look to it with
more than hope. They flee 10 it for
safety, for sympathy and for succor? All
that makes for the great end, as seen by
perfect wisdom, they find. The rest
disappears like the circle of the wave.
In coming here they pay us high COM
pliment. In remaining here, in helping
us to consolidate our strength for good, in
becoming AMERICANS, heart and soul,
they do vastly more. They become a
part of the handwriting of destiny. We
suspect that the British Government will
not be very sorry at the escape of
Meagher. A patriot who contends for
right principles, is one of the most troub-
lesome Of all things to get rid Of by that
government. The moral sense of the
country will not permit him 10 be hung,
drawn and quartered, and his head stuck
upon London bridge as formerly. They
cannot bury him alive in the Tower.
They can Danish him to some lone island
but this only makes him the greater hero
in the estimation of his admirers. The
better way is, to give them all an oppor.
tunity to escape to the United States
Galena .Adr.
The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-12

BEAUTIFUL SENTIMENTAL man with
out some sort Of religion is, at best, a poor
reprobate, the football of destiny, with no
tie linking him to infinity, and to the
wQndrous- eternity that. is within him;
but woman without it is even worse
a flame without heat, a rainbow. without
color, a flower without perfume.
A man may, in some sort, tie his frail
hopes and honors, with weak, shifting
ground tackle, to his business of the world:
but woman without that anchor, which
they call Faith, is drift and a wreck
A man may c!umsily continue kind of
responsibility or motive, but can find no
basis in any other system of right action
than that Of spiritual faith. A man may
craze his thoughts and brain TO thought
fulness in such poor harborage as Fame
and Reputation may stretch before him;
but a woman-whcre can she put her
hopes in storms, if not in Heaven?
And that sweet truthfulness-thc abb
ding love, that endearing hope, mellowing
every scene of life, lig gh,ing them with
the pleasantest radiance, when the world's
cold storms break like an army with smo-
king cannon-what can bestow it all but
holy soul-tie TO what is stronger than
an army with cannon? Who that has en-
joyed the love of God loving mother,
but will echo the thought with energy,
and hallow it with a tear?-K. Marcel.