davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23
Great Fire at Osweeo, N. Y,

One of the most destructive fires that ever
took place, broke out in Oswego about half,
past 10 o'clock on the morning of the 5tl,
inst. The flames spread with the most I'M
paralelEed rapiditv, and continued to rage
for many houIs, defying all the efforts of the
firemen to check them The heat was 50
intense that some of the engines caught
fire, and We're thrown into the river to save
them.
Between the toll-bridge and the piers
every MILL warehouse and store is gone, in
GLIDING the mills and warehouses of Messrs:
Filzhugh & Littlejohn. Ames. Doolittle,
Abby, Penfe!d and others. These mills
| were mostly constructed of wood, which &C
counts for the rapid extension of the flames.
Every mill north of bridge street was
burnt also Ames and Halls elevators. Near.
ly two hundred dwellings and stores are
also in ruins
The section of the town consumed is
bounded on the west by the river, on the
south by Bridge street, on the east by Sixth
street. and on the north by the Fort grounds.
The only property saved within these linn
its is Randall's elevator, the second Meth
odist church, and half dozen dwellings.
The loss is not less than one million and
half including goods in store. There
were UFeI oUU,UOU bushels Ol gram COu"
sumed. All the insurance offices will suffer
heavily.
The heat across the river, distance Of
seven hundred feet, was so great that it was
feared the opposite side would catch, but
the wind blowing strong in the opposite di-
rection, prevented it.
ANoTHER.-A dispatch from Oswego on
the 9th inst, announces that another fire
mr. cd ut ,tnlo~ =,
hardware establishment of Kinyon, Collins
& Co., at West Oswego. The u PIPER stories,
occupied by three lodges of Odd Fellows,
and by law offices, were entirely Quilted
Kinyon & Co.. saved their goods in dam
aged state. Total loss $4,000 The fire was
thought to be the work of incendaries, and
much alarm prevails. The Oswego and
United States Hotels were both on fire last
evening, and the City Hotel was set on fire
during the night, but no damage resulted
in either case.
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

MISUNDERSTANDING of bores, we can
scarcely imagine one capable of inficting
more twisting misery than an inveterate
whistler A fife we can stand, when all the
nation is armed and equipped" &C.. on
training day. and its flag, serves TO drown its
screams; but to listen to poor air badly
murdered BY a poor pucker, We prefer death
in some easier if not quicker way. We al
ways think of.he French sage who being
very much annoyed by such bore, suddenly
turned upon him with "My frien, vat for
you all time .issel! You loss your dog, Ell %
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

DEATH OF DR. CHApMAN.-Dr. Nathaniel
Chapman, one Of the most celebrated ply
sicians oithe United States, died last eve
ming at his residence in this city, at the
advanced age of "a years. He was born in
Virginia, and received his medical educa-
ton in Edinburgh. Having established
himself in the practice of medicine in this
city, he was in 1911 elected TO the chair of
Materia Medica, and in 1916 to that of Prac-
tice, in the Pennsylvania University. This
latter post he filled until about three years
ago, since when, owing to the infrmities of
age, he has lived in retirement
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23
How TO MAKE READER-Mr. Golden, in
late speech, said: ..=

How TO MAKE READER-Mr. Golden, in a
late speech, said:
eff you put into the hands of the rural pea
SAINTS treatises on science, extracts from history,
or books of travel, they will afford no stimulus
or excitement to such people, and they either
will not read them at all or they viii very soon
fall asleep over them. Follow them to the vii
lage green Or to the public house and you will
find that their conversation does not turn upon
the wonderful Falls of Niagara, or the Vale of
Chamouni, or the exploits of Alexander, but you
will here him say this. ..When did Tom Giles
kill his pig s"-laughter-o s. How many quar-
tiers to the acre does farmer Smith get from such
a field of wheat!" Or, if he travels at all from
his village, it is only in the case of some great
accident, or that Of bridge being swept away
by some great food These are the topics that
excite his sympathies, and to make him become
reader at all, you must encourage your local
newspapers. Every market town should have
its local sheet, containing all the local news of
the neighborheod. reports Of accidents, the news
Of the petty and quarter sessions and county
courts. These would excite his sympathies;
these would make him reader; when you have
succeeded in this, you may then give him some
thing more enlarged and comprehensive and
wise" "a #
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

Daddyw said young hopeful,
alet's go up to the nine pin alley and roll''
Roll, boy, what do you know about
rollingw
"Me know about it? Why I can roll
your darn'd old eyes out in less then ten
Hinutesp Szss
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

The LARGEST TREE INTdE WoRLD-There
is cedar tree growing in the mountains of
Calaveras county, abou; twenty miles north
east of Murphy's which is said to be the
largest tree in the world. A correspondent
of the Sonora Herald, who recently made ali
excursion to see it, thus describes it:
At the ground its circumference was
ninety-two feet, four feet above that it was
lightweight, aud ten feet above that it was
sixty-one feet in circumference: and after
that the tapering of the shaft was very grad
ual. Its height, as measured by Capt H.. is
300 feet, but we made ii but 285. This tres
is by No means deformity, as most trees
with large trunks are. 1t is throug hout one Of
perfect symmetry. while its enormous pro-
portions inspire the beholder With emotions
of awe and sublimity. Elegance and beauty
are insepara able concomitants Of its g.andeur..
l have said that this is the largest tree yet
discovered in the world. 1t SO. The cell
ebrated tree of Fremont would have to grow
centuries before it could pretend to be
called anything but younger brother. II
is said that a tree was once found in Sene@
gal, in Africa. whose trunk measured 80
feet in circumference. But no one has ever
been able to find it since its first discovery.
1t is called by the natives Baobab: botanists,
Adansonia digtata But ii is admitted that
none can be found with circumference
greater than 81 feet There is tree hi
Mexico called the taxo,ium, which is said
to be III feet in circumference. bat some
have said that it is formed by the union Of
several trees The height Of all these forego-
ing trees is not more, in any case, than 70
feet; and none of the trunks are more than
10 feet.
The age Of the mammoth cedar of Cell
fornia. if each zone may be reckoned one
year, is about $500 years A section of the
wood which brought home with me, ex-
elusive of the sap, which is but little more
than one inch thick, numbers about four
teen zones or>grans to the inch. At that
rate, if it were permitted to grow, it '"ould
increase its diameter one-setenfh Oh an
inch every year. IN 81 years its diameter
woule be increased foot; in $40 years, 10
feet; so that il would then be 40 feet in di--
ameter. and 100 feet in circumference.
This giaut of the woods and of the world
is to be flayed, literally. The patriotic pro-
cess has already commenced. We nnder-
stand that the bark. which at the base is
about fourteen inches thick, is to be taken
off in sections to the height of twenty feet
and sent to the Worlds Fair in the city Of
New York.
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

A WILDCAT BANK NoTE.-An Indiana
paper thus describes bill of the wild ca,
currency in that State:
The vignette is niger steering a hog
supposed to be squealing. The President Of
the bank stands near, assisting to hold the
hog. The dear people may be discovered a
good ways behind. The picture of a steady
individual, secured by stocks" through
which his feet run, adorns one corner. A
man with very blank countelfance, sup
posed to be the Auditor of the State, and
being rode upon rail by couple Of Wall
street sharpers, is seen in another corner.
The phiz of Gov. Wright, thunder gathering
on his brow, and lightning from his eye,
adorns the centre of the bill. On one side
of the Governor is hawk, on the other side
buzzard. He holds in one hand the scales
of justice, one side of which is evidently
very light; the other is hoIdinga document,
his last message, from which he appears to
be reading to a crowd of disconsolate indi-
viduals below, who refuse to be comforted.
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

% In Paris, man was recently inn
prisoned for term Of three years for vend-
ing q1ack medicines Should such rule
be adopted with US, the cost for new iails
would impoverish the nation.
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

70 The old gent that invented leather
fish-hooks. is now trying his hand on India
rubber smoothing irons. We shall notice
his success in an extra. @
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

70 To hear from the spirits, Just step into
q grog shop, lay = 6ye cent piece on the
counter. Youa medium. and il this plan
be followed enough ynu will see spirits in
fulIuniform celebrating your creduiity with
2 general g hoe-down,1 al no other expense
than the possession Of a brain arappedu all
To- pisces bY the Spirits q r :. e e
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

The SEX DrsInED.-At wedding the
other day, one Of the guests, who was some.
times little absent minded, gravely OBJ
served. . tsJsrsss=ssss& sryl
Il have remarked that there have been
more women than men married this year
aWhereupon marion lady, replied rather
tartly, 9 that may be, sir, but know there's
been more divorces among the men than
there has been among the women.D
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

On. GailIardet, the Paris correspon-
dent ofthe Courier des Etats Unis, says
that manuscript Of seyen1y-nine pages,
written by Napoleon in ST. Helena, has been
discovered, and is likely TO produce lively
sensation. Il is sort Of biography, and IS
designed TO Justify his policy in The eye of
his son and Of France. The style is bulle-
tinic, and each sentence makes report.
The Royailstl conspiTatorss are severely
handled. The death of the Duke D'Enghi-
en- Is defended at fenght and liberty is pro-
claimed to be the necessary aim Of every
Governments that can expect to continue.
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

70 An intelligent printer being asked
i certain man was g crazy said: "No,
the word implies that person has lost his
sense; the individual spoken Of never had
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

SIGNERs OF THE DECLARATIoN.-Of the
fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, it is stated that nine were born inf
Massachusetts, eight in Virginia, five in
Maryland four in Connecticut, four in New
Jersey, four in Pennsylvania, fonr in South
Carolina, three IN New York. three in Del
aware. two in Rhode Island, one III Maine,
three in Ireland, two in England, two i1r
Scotland, and one in Wales. Twenty-one'
were lawyers, ten merchants, four physi-
clans, three farmers, one clergyman, one
printer, and sixteen were men of fortune.
Eight were graduates of Harvard College,.
four of Yale, three Of New Jersey, Two Of
Philadelphia, two Of William and Mary,
three OF Cambridge England, two of Edhn--
burgh, and one of st Omers.
At the time of their deaths FIVE were over
ninety years Of age, seven between eighty
and ninety, eleven between seventy and
eighty, twelve between sixty and seventy.
eleven between fifty and sixty, seven be-
tween forty and fifty, one died at the age Of
twenty-seven, and the age of two il, IN GER
tain. At the time of signing the pecara-
ton, the average age of The members was
forty-four years. They lived to the average
age of more than sixty-fve years and ten
months. The youngest member was Ed
ward Rutledge, Of South Carolina, who wa:
in his twenty year. He lived to the
age Of fifty-one. The next youngest MEM
Der was Thomas Lynch, of the same state,
who was also in his twenty-seventh' year,
He was lost at sea in the fall of l776.
Benjamin Franklin was the oldest mem
ber.5 He was in his seventy first year when
he signed the Declaration. He lived in
1890, and survived sixteen of his younger
brethren. Stephen Hopkins, of Rhode Is
land, the next oldest member, was born in
1907, and died in TITS. Charles Carol at
tanned the greatest age, dying in his ninety
sixth year William ElIery, of Rhode IS
land, died in his ninety third year, and John
Adams in his ninety first
10 The Christian Inquirer has this re-
mark: The giddy Belle and the overworked'
seamstress are extreme forms of the same
mental impoverishment" The Inquirer
further observes: ITO our view, the worst
thing in american society is the studied
Indifference of female education 10 every
thing truly useful and exalting. 0sten.as
ton in high life is a fair match, in point Of
degradation, with grinding want in low
EfeH9 ..-70 ze,e-
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

JAPANESE MARRIAGEs.-A very singular
custom at the marriage of the Japanese is
that the teeth Of the bride are made black
by some corrosive liquid. The teeth re-
main black ever after, and serve to show
that the woman is married or widow An
other circumstance is, al the birth Of every
child, to plant a tree in the garden or court
yard, which attains its full growth in as
many years as man requires to be mature
for the duties of marriage. when he mar
ries the tree is cut down, and the wood is
made into chests and boxes to contain the
clothes and other things which are made
for the new married couple The Japanese
may marry as often as they please; mar
riages with sisters are prohibited, but they
can marry any other relative
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

A MILITARY ExEcUTIoN.4A correspondent Of
the New York Evening Post, writing from Buen.
os-Ayres, May 10th, gives the following account
Of one of the many revolving military executions
Of that place In this case The victim was ma
tive Of Spain, lieutenant ID the Spanish regi-
ment, and had, according 70 evidence and his
Confession, received money from the beseigers
toebuy ovsr the officers of the company, which
he attempted. The writer says:
s.On the day of the execution he was brought
into the Plaza, heavily ironed, walking beside a
friar, his father confessor. He appeared per-
fectly Indifferent, smoking his cigar all the way
from the prison to the spot On width he was to
be shot, where he kissed the cross and babe a
final adieu to the priest. He was first placed on
platform, and publicly dishonored by an officer
stripping him of his sword. He then took off his
coat, folded his handkerchief and tied it over his
eyes; his sentence was read to him, then took his
seat upon bench with his back to a stake; his
body was then fastened to the stake by cord.
Five soldiers were detailed and ordered in front
Of him. the prisoner drew down the handkerchief
over his eyes and gave the command to fire.
The muskets were discharged, and he fell strug-
Cling in death. An officer pointed with his
sword to the dying mans head soldier ad-
vanced and discharged his gun, blowing the
head to pieces and ending the criminals age
MES. .-z.saa=.. .,4
The troops were then all marched past him,
to look upon him Us an example Of warning But
the impression of such scene on this people is
of the slightest character. Their estimate of
human life is exceedingly small, and they die
as the OK dieth" r.
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

CIVILIZATION vs.. BARBARIsM. Miss Leslie
tells : story where two young officers were
travelling in the far west, when they stopped to
take supper at small roadside tavern, kept by
. very rough Yankee woman. The landlady, in
- { cameo sun-bonnet' and bare feet, stood At the
mead OF .ne table TO pour out. She inquired OF
. Lsa 1855, II 'ney cnese iong-sweetmn OF
m. go ss am.al = .nelr eonee
min, meant large spnlv y .h.t
Il ACCORDINGLY What -. n. d;sm.v -,s sJ -
-. as. aas...s M. - s- 80 u.ss "ne. u
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

~ The word @tariffn is taken from
fortress which is situated on the Straits of
Gibraltar, promontory which; from its posi-
ton, is admirably adapted for commanding
tho entrance Of the Mediterranean sea and
watching the exit and entrance of all ships.
It was the custom ofthe Moors TO watch from
this point all merchant ships going into or
coming out Of the Midland sea; and, issuing
from this stronghold to levy certain fixed
scale Of duty OH all merchandise passing in
and out Of the Straits, and this was called,
from the place where it was levied, q tariffa,n
or tariff and in this way we have acquired
the wold -
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23

PRIEsTLY INsoLENcE. - The Capitolian
Vis-a-Vis of the goth inst, says that quite
an excitement was raised at Brule Landing
on Sunday week, in consequence of the pas
tor of the Catholic Church there Father
Lucas,) sIapping young mans face The
particulars, as furnished US, are as follows:
The young man, who is nephew of
Father Lucas, was engaged in the choir of
the church to sing bass, for which he was to
receive certain salary. Being in want of
some clothing, he called upon the secretary
of the church, who promptly gave him an
which was paid him. Father Lucas, upon
mass, slapped his face, and called upon
thrash the dirty dogn for him. This ex-
cited the indignation of some ladies that
were present, and they called upon the
it was not done
On Sunday last, Father Lucas attempted
to justify himself BY quoting las he stated
from Mosaic Law, THAT if the servant Of
fend the master, he shall be taken before
the priest ami there punished Dor some-
thing to that effect. Although we have
sea'eneu ln,opsn lne eh'ife MOSAIC Law Lay,
we are unable 10 ma the quotation. This
explanation : was received oy MS congrega-
''or WIN nisses' as II snooia nave been.
In, Inns IS cetlaln'y new klnd OF slavery,
lister of Christ, who preached humility and
forbearance) has the privilege of beating
another, simply because he pays him wages
But these long coated gentlemen seldom
pae'. .Is;. VIVA. .nsy preaen, anu: wnen II
what : + w. 1919, s 81 .ha .ose'
whan ths ,,,sn,n p.'v s, g. e oo,pao.e:
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23
"OLD KENTucK.o-A Kentuckian at the

GOD KENTucK.o-A Kentuckian at the
battle OF New Orleans, who disdaining the
restraint of soldiers life, when bis name
is upon the muster roll. preferred "going il
alone,' fighting upon his own hook. While
the battle was raging fiercest, and the shot
was flying as thick as hail, carrying death
wherever they fell, "Kentuck might have
been seen stationed under a tall maple,
loading and firing his rifle, as perfectly I'M.
coneernedas though he was "picken DEER;
Every time he brought his rifle to his
shoulder red coat bit the dust. AT last he
happened to attract the attention of cold
Hickory" who supposed he had become
separated from his company, and rode up to
him to bring him behind the redoubts, as he
was in position that exposed his person TO
the enemy. -
Halo! my manwhat regiment do YOU
belong to % said the General.
Regiment hill psSanswered Kentuck,
"hofd on, yender's one of 'emm and bring
l ing his shooting iron to his shoulder, he ran
This eye along the barrel-a hash&followed
another Englishman came tumbling to the
ground. ) .ae
6 Whose company dosyou belong to ~
again inquired the General. a
e Company the dip was the reply Of
Kentucksas he busted himself reloading,
I" see that ar Teller with hegold fxins on
the coat and hosssf Jis watch me .perforate
him. :
The General gazed in the direction indie
ated by his rifle, and observed British
Colonel riding up and down the advancing
columns Of the foe. Kentuck pulled the
trigger, and the gallant Britton followed his
companions that his Kentucky foe had laid
loNjn death that day
" sHurrah for old Kentuck ~ shouted the
free fighter, as his victim came topping off
his horse them turning to the General, he
continued, 'Pm fighting on my own hook,
stranger" and he leisurely proceeded to
reload.
Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-23
Mrs. Uncle Tom Stowe.

Our Red River contemporary, D.. Martin, Of
the Democrat, says he has distinct recollection
of this far-famed authoress, whose work has
been read with such absorbing interest, even in
Old Rapfdes. Old Parson Beecher, her father,
liveds next door neighbor" to the humble root
that Sheltered him many happy day, and he
could now pick g Harriet" OUT thousand
members Of the fair. sex. Here is q description
of her personal charms from the pen Of Parson
Brownlow. He will not endorse it-gallantry
forbid-but says he uM 90 before Justice Harris
and swear that the redoubtshle Tennessee Par
son knew {. Harriet pelfsstly well With the
family, too, he must have been intimate. The
members Of it were all Aboliticnists- poor as
church mice-bigoted as Cochin China fowl in
the common barn yard.
80 This long tongned visionary woman, and
calumniator Of the South, is now in Europe
where shesis being ioniied by the haters of
American lfEtutions, and Republics Liberties.
She is the daughter of old Lyman Beecher, q
Presbyterian Minister, and hasA brothers who
are Ministers Of the same GS@H Her hus-
band is also p Minister, md at present we be-
heve is Professor in Andover College. They
are aA AbolitidAists both male and female, and
the lying book styled Uncle Toms Cabin, is be-
Heyed 70 be the joint production of the entire
family manufactured for the occasion and as
means Of raising the wind. Her Ladyship it is
well understood, is the most talented nember Of
old Lyman's family. But mercifui Sod! she
presents to the world the most hideous physiog5
nomy ever gazed upon by the eye Of man She
is as ugly as Original Sin--an abomination in