davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27
Sad News from the Plains.

Another Massacre by Indians.--Ihe MaiB
 RObbed and those ID charge cf them Murdered
 INDEPENDENCE, Dec. 5,-5P M
 The mail from Salt Lake has just arrived here in charge of MT. Mitchell, and brings us very sad news.
 On the 18th ult., the mail trains under the charge of John Jamison, were attacked near Dripps' Trading Post, six miles this side of Fort Laramie, supposed by a party of Sioux Indians, and all the men attached to them killed Their names are as amison, James Wheeler and Thos. Hackett Chas. A. Kin. card, passenger from Salt Lake, was shot and pierced with three arrows, and left for dead.
 The mail bags were rihed of their contents, and the letters all torn open.
 Mir. Kincard was robbed of ten thousand five hundred dollars in gold.
 Several mules were driven off, and one killed on the spot.
 The mail party of November passed by the place on the l7th, and found that some soldiers had taken care of tEe dead bodies and of what little property was left. No escort could be granted them at the post, and they were una ble to proceed further than Fort Laramie That of December also returned to this point with Mitchell's men, who bring the sad news to the families of those who were murdered residing here.
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27
Gov. Conway's Message--Senatorial Election.

Among the numerous notices of the Gov ernor's Message and the election of Robt w Johnson to the U. s. Senate we clip the fol- lowing from the Washington Union. This paper pays deserved compliment both to the Governor and our Senator elect:
 "Gov. CoNwAY's MEssAGE-The Legisla- ture of Arkansas met on the 4th inst. On the following day Gov. Conway sent in his annual message. It is long, well-written, and highly interesting document, and exhibits the financial affairs of the State in such light as must uti- mately produce favorable effect upon its credit both at home and abroad. Arkansas is one of the few States in the confederacy that deal only in gold and silver, of which nearly S3O,OOO re- mained in the Treasury on the lst of October During the last two years the taxable property of the State has increased $15, ,738,OO8. Upon the present Legislature devolves the duty of electing a United States Senator"
 "HoN. R. w. JoHNsoN.-Our readers, we feel assured, will share the pleasure we expe- rlence in announcing the election of the Hon R. w. Johnson, of Arkansas, to the United States Senate. The choice of Arkansas could not have fallen upon one more qualified f this distinguished position by education, by natural endowments, and by large public experience than Mir. Johnson. Few public men have Sc early acquired the reputation which he so justly enjoys for integrity of purpose, adherence to principle, untiring devotion to the true interests of his constituency and of his country, and fol the highest order of ability as legislator"
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27
hrThe disposition of the lands granted by

| HT The disposition of the lands granted by Congress for railroad purposes seems now to engross the attention of the Legislature, the press and the people. The subject is one of no ordinary interest, as injudicious action would operate as blight upon our fair prospects, and disappoint the reasonable expectations of Con- gress and the country Such disposition as will insure speedy, judicious and faithful ap- plication of these lands is desired by all patri- otic citizens, however widely they may differ in opinion as to the best plan for that purpose. The question, divested of prejudice and sectional interests, is one of great simplicity. The act of Congress, by which the lands are granted to the State, contains in itself elements of secur- ty against misapplication which are ten-fold more effectual than bonds or deposits and hence the Legislature is relieved of all difficult ty on this branch of the subject.
 These elements consist first, in requiring survey of the road, and selection of the lands before a single acre can be used, and then re. stricting the amount to 12O sections which would not more than cover the expense of the survey, with the addition of the cost of pro- curing the right of way through lands owned by private individuals Secondly, in expressly providing that until 20 miles of road be con- pleted, no further amount shall be disposed of, and then only l2O sections, after which, on the completion of another 20 miles, 12O additional sections may be used, and in like manner throughout the progress of the work, thus ren- derlng 1t impossible to misapply or waste the lands granted, as the title does not vest only as they are fully paid for by completing the road in sections of 20 miles each. To require any company to n.ale deposit or enter into bond with heavy pelalty for the faithful, judicious and speedy application of the lands to the pur- pose of making the road, would involve the in- consistency of requiring such company to do that, which they would be bound to do before any color of title would vest.
 The Cairo and Fulton railroad company have made a survey of the entire line of the road for which the lands were granted procured the right of way through lands owned by private individuals, and indicated the connexions of the U. 5. surveys of the public lands with said line, without any expense to the State and un- der the authority of the Legislature. Not only the survey, but all other proceedings of the company are characterized, so far as we can, judge, by system, skill, and integrity of p1r- pose. By the adoption of this survey then, the selection of the lands along the main line of road may at once be commenced and speedily completed, whilst the whole amount granted would remain untouched and applicable to con- structon exclusively.
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27
TTUHI IHe W III Explosion of the Thos. P. Ray.
WkSte RlUer. Dee. l2. 1854

~ hte HtOef, Dec. IF, lSo4. MR. STILLwELL,
 Dear Sr:-ln order that the public may be correctly informed, regarding the explosion of the mud receiver on the steamboat Thos. P. Ray, 1 herewith send you a statement of the facts, as was passenger on board, and witnessed the sad occurrence.
 About half past o'clock, A. M, as the T. P. Ray approached Little Island Bar, on White riv CT, a hole burst in her mud receiver some four inches in length and about two in width. rather on the upper side toward the back end or stern of the boat, by which the hot water and steam escaped, striking the back end of the fire bed. and glancing back through the lower part of the boat.
 By this sad accident there were five persons killed and drowned, four of them belonged to lot of recruits under the charge of Mai. Merrill and Lieut. Randell, the other was a free negro. one of the fremen on the boat.
 There were nine of the soldiers very badlv scalded. think, however that eight of them will recover. There is one whose situation is considered very uncertain. There was also three ofthe boat hands and one of the engineers badly scaled and otherwise injured. However. they will all recover. None of the cabin passenoers were injured.
 Very respectfully yours, etc.,
 c. w. BELKNAP.
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27

0L The Gazette goes back some months to quote fiom our paper to show that We were then in favor of su8cseat security being exacted from the companies before granting them the lands We are of the same opinion now that we were then. We are of opinion that suffi- cient security should be taken, and we think that the act of Congress taken in connection with the provisions of the bill now pending in the Senate, affords that "su1seient sec,srsty.p To exact more is to cripple the company and inn pair its credit abroad.
 | The editor also ridicules the idea of the State taking the Cairo and Fulton companys survey and re-imbursing the company for it, in the event she does not grant the lands to it. We can see nothing wrong in this proposition of the company. The survey is made and it is per feet one. The company do not wish to force themselves upon the Legislature, and if they are not to be made the grantees of the lands, they are willing to surrender to the State all the work they have done and their right of way, and ask nothing but the reimbursement of their actual expenditures. A more liberal or more honorable proposition was never made by any corporation.
 The Gazette would doubtless be pleased to have the Legislature refuse the lands to this company-to refuse to reimburse it for its out lays, and to decline to build at all the Cairo and Fulton Railroad. It would like to have those of our citizens and they are six or eight hund- red in number, scattered from Chalk Bluffs to Fulton, be made to suffer for their honest and laudable efforts to make this grant of lands available to the State. Such is the envy of its nature that it is always ready to condemn what ever IS right and just, while it upholds what ever is wrong.
 From the first it has opposed this grant of lands and has even denounced it as utterly val ueless to the State, but itnow appears in the po- litical arena as its chief champion and protec- tor-its most especial guardian!
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27

of New England clergy, that last session with so much profanity protested against the passage of the Nebraska bill, the name of one Catho- lie clergyman is not to be found; but on the contrary, though urgently solicited to do so, promptly and firmly refused their signatures So abolitionism seeing that it is impossible to make them abuse the South and her institu- tions, coucocts "know nottingham" and out of feelings of revenge, especially prescribe the Catholic religion, and asks those against whom that church has refused to illuminate anathemas to assist to put her under the ban of proscrip- ton. Is it possible that the South will do her bidding? Shall it be said that the land of ge- nerous impulses and feelings, noble qualities and enlarged lberality, is going to ape north ern free-soilism, Yankee spectacleism," bloo- merism, etc? God forbid that she should so far forget herself, her position and her best in- terests If she does, then like the Dead seas fruit it will turn to ashes in her hands.
 Political parsons are of long standing in the North, they preached against Jim Madson's war;" but since " know nothingism' has been inoculated in the South, it is quite fashionable there for preachers to mount the political hob by and "deal damnation through the land," especially against the democracy, the admins tration, Catholics and foreigners A short time since at Baltimore, " know nothing" city, one of these ''model ministers" took occasion on Thanksgiving day. to give his congregation a specimen of his metal, by Illuminating stump speech from the pulpit, abusing Prest. Pierce, and his cabinet, and with Beau Brunei effron- tery gave the Catholics sound rating tor inter- tfergng in politics! As "a tree is known by its fruits," and if this be, as it evidently is, the fruits of "know nottingham" save us from it. It is stated on good authority, that at the re- cent elections at the North, in those States where free negroes are allowed to vote, they went the straight out and-out know nothing ticket, and will of course vote for the "know nothing'' candidate for president in 1856 should there be one, with their Southern "know noth- ing'' brethren. In the year 1856 what would a Roman consul say? par mobile .tratrum
 It seems to be the general opinion among the best informed Missourians now here, that either Sanator Atchison, or democrat of the same school will be elected by the present Le- gislature, ,Sw" Thos. II. Benton to the con- trary notwithstanding. It is hoped that such may be the case
 l R. J. Walker and T. Butler King passed through here last week en route for Texas, the object of their visit it being understood, is to induce the Governor of that State to accept the stocks deposited by them to secure the contract for building the Pacific railroad. The impression is that the Governor will not accept the stocks proffered Yours,
 ARKANSAS.
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27
Arrival of Steamer Pacific.

Ne,o Fork, Dec. l3. The reports of the cot ton circulars received by the Pacific, are to the effect that cotton had experienced decline of 1s per pound, which is stated to have been confined principally to the lower grades; and they report the sales for the week at 6O,OOO bales.
 Private letters which had been received, how ever, report the sales since the departure of the Africa at only 52,OOO bales, of which spec ulators had taken 2,OOO bales and exporters 2, 900 bales.
 The sales on Saturday, the 2d inst, they re- port at 6,OOO bales.
 Their quotations are as follows: For fail Orleans 61a d.; per pound; for middling Orleans 51s d.: for fair uplands Sad; and for middlne uplands 5d. per pound.
 They report the imports since the departure ol the Africa as 22,OOO bales. H al
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27

OEJ We feel that it would be an unpardona- ble omission to neglect noticing the party given by Gov. Conway to the members of the Gene ral Assembly on the evening of the 22d inst. To say that it was numerously attended scarce gives an idea of the moving and happy multi. tude that thronged the State House, making corridor, stairway and basement re-echo the footsteps of a thousand visitors. Designed spe- cially as a compliment from the Executive to the Legislative department, it was received by the latter in the frank and cordial spirit in which 1t was rendered, and it was beyond measure gratifying to observe the full attendance of the members and their genial welcome by his Ex- cellency. The Representative Hall was conse- crated to the goddess of the flying feet, and scores of happy couples joined beneath its lof- ty ceiling in the pleasures of the dance, en- hanced by the charms of music and of conver- sation. At times we partici pated, and at others we were locker on-remarking the impress of delight on every countenance and doubling our own enjoyment by perceiving that of others- The Senate Chamber was converted into a ban quetting room, and the space occupied usually by the "grand and reverend seniors" of the Upper House was filled with tables grooming under weight of luxuries various and rare enough to have tempted the lastdious appetite of Epicurus and sufficiently abundant to have sustained an army
 In addition to other sources of qualification. the marked feature of the entertainment was the entire absence of even d vestige of arasto- cratic pretens5on-it being a matter of geheral comment and approval, among members and citizens, that, at the Governors party, no dis tinction was recognized as between riches and poverty-the professional man and the plain farmer-the wives and daughters of the mcr- chant prince and of the honest mcchanic-al standing as equals before their host
 As awhole, this was one of the most pleas ant affairs of the kind ever given in our city, and will be long and agreeably recolectcd by those whose good fortune it was to be present.
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27

HoN. RoBT. w. JoHNsoN-Tbe eloct;on of this gentleman to the U. S. Senate hv tba
 unanimous voice of the Legislature of his State
 is an event which we chronicle with no o.J;."' @.e' " feelings of pleasure. A true and tried J;sc;
 pie of the Jeffersonian school b;mself onJ II. S"
 longing to family which has numbered s soma n of the bestsoldies as we'll as the hest demoorat. ofthe western country, MT. Johnson has aJ a,l' ditional claim upon the people of Arkansss such as is not possessed by public characters generally-a claim arising from many ardnons and successful labors to promote the interests and elevate the character ofh own State whilst acting in the capacity of one of her representa-. tives Washington. We regard his election to the Senate as merited promotion of one of the best members of the southern democratic party Covington Kentachian.
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27
The stock on hand is estimated at e1o ooo1
War Movements.

bales. ''oV
 War Movements.
 The Pacific does not bring us reports of .n. thing decisive from the seat of war. Renortas an engagement having taken place on the v' 1eh had got into circulation, but they were snbaa quently ascertained to be unfounded. ''e'
 The Allied troops had already received ro;u forcements to the extent of several thousana, five steamers filled with them having reacbs5 the Crimea. The Alps, the Thames and tSi Ripon were among the first to arrive.
 Louis Napoleon had issued spirited addr.,, to the French army in the Crimea, in which b~ distinctly pledges himself to presevere in humb ling the pride of Russia.
 The Russian loss in the battle of the 5tb rl. is now estimated at 1000 in killed and wound' ed. The Allies themselves buried 5000 Pra sians left dead on the field. During the last ten days, up to the latest datoo from Constantinople, 15,OOO troops had passaJ through the Bosphorus, ena route to reinforce tba Allied army before Sebastopol.
 Thirteen large English steamers had arrvoa at Marseiles, destined for the immed con veyance of French troops to the Grin The Paris Moniteur says that the seize onar ations were still advancing on the 18th. The health and spirits of the soldiers are TO- ported excellent, although the weather had grown bad. Terrible storms prevailed, it is stat. ed, between the 14th and 19th Osten-Sacken, 1t is reported is to supersede Menschikotf, and take command in the Crimes force of 5O,OOO additional Turks is bejnc despatched to the Crimea
 The Russians continue fortifying the houses in the interior of Sebastopol.
 The Turkish government is sending 10000 tents to Balaklava. The Municipalities. Omar Pacha is said to have received orders not to enter Moldavia. France, it is reported will send two divisions to the Danubian Municipalities. It was expected that hostilities on Puth would commence immediately. British Cruisers Captured. It is reported that the Russians have captur. ed two British cruisers.
 The proposition to Treat.
 England and France, 1t is stated, have come to the resolution that they will not now treat with Russia on the basis of the four points pro- posed by Austria, and in the first instance re- jected by Russia, who now proposes to accep them.
 The Reciprocity Bill. 1 We have positive information here that the government of Nova Scotia has voted its assen to the reciprocity bill between Great Britain all, the United States.
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27
Personalities.

the editor of the Gazette The last number of his paper has short editorial, allusive to articles over an anonymous signature in the Helena Star of the 7th inst, containing ''grave and personal charges' against the editor of the Louisville Journal-a member of our present State Senate and the editor" of the Gazette himself Following this prefaratory averment is series of surmises and suppositions couched in his usual scurrilous language that units them even for quotation in our paper.- The last sentence declares, "that writer who has such pruriency of fame in a personal contest with men who occupy a position before the country, and yet is so careful to conceal his identity, has a name which is either not known, or being known, is not respected by good and honest mcn''-the gist of which is that none save men of no note or men person. ally contemptible ever write anonymously.
 Does this not eflectually dispose of the case of the editors political friend, Mr. Prentice,- who wrote anonymously and indulgcd too in personalities? And yet the editor of the Ga
 
 nous communication while he now condemns the writer in the Star because only of his anoou- noous signature. Indeed the editors approval of anonymous writings, seems to depend entire- y upon the side which the writer may adopt.
 As to the assalment of "men who occupv a position before the country" it is worthy of remark, that while the position of State Scna- tor and that of newspaper editor are, in them selves, honorable and prominent it does not ne cessarily follow that every S,nator is known to fame, or that every editor fills large space in the public eye. "On the contrary" there is occasionally a Senator or an editor whose personal unftness lessens the dignity of his station instead of adding lustre to it, and it is a rule without an exception, that when either one or the other boasts of "his position bet5re tue country" that position is disgraced and its s'oc- cupant' is of the smallest possible calbre in every respect.
 The authorship of the articles adverted to is no secret in Little Rock. It is of equal publi- city that the author of them has been some ten days among us and is likely to remain as many more in our city. Such being the case, it is a fair presumption that the editor of the Gazette knew his name and present whereabouts at the time of writing the editorial we now comment upon, and knew too that he is gentleman re- sponsible for any language he may have used or for any "grave, personal chargesv he may have preferred.
 Under the circumstances, the gentleman will hardly be expected to notice the low scurrihtv of the editor of the Gazette - particularly when it is remembered that, as we understand. on the evening of his arrival in Little Rock, he declined an introduction to him on the ground that |" he could not recognise him as a gentle man."
 We have said this much not to vindicate the writer of the Star-he is able to do that him. self-but to show the causes of the editors spleen, and the inconsistency to which it drives him.
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27
To the Travelling COmmunity-Wolfe
 Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps.

I1>HE popularity of this article medical dleI I drink, and it's intrinsic superiority over all other alcoholic stmulants established facts in the hlSto ry of dietetes which no man ventures to deny
 Even those who invegh against the of ditfusIVe stimulants. under any circumstances have the condor to admit that WOlfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps is the purest of them all.
 Itwould be literally flying in the face of demonstra tion to do otherwise for the most accurate and em nent chemists of the United States have analysed the preparation and pronounce it free from the delete rious elements found, in greater less degree ID every other kind of spurious liquor.
 A fresh supply of the above just received and fof sale by VIM. GEORGE X BKo.
 Dec. p, 1854 If
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27
TRUE DEMOCRAT. RICHARD H. JOHNSON, EDITOR.
 LITTLE ROCK, DEC. 27, 1854.

.sy" We are authorized to announce A. J. Smith d candidate for collection to the office of City Recorder, at the ensuing January elections
 ssy- We are authorized to announce H. GrifiithS US candidate for reelection to the office of City Constable at the ensuing January election
 e-sy- We are authorized to announce Joseph Q. Ashley candidate for City Constable at the en- suing January election.
 MEssRs. JOHNSON & YERKEs-
 You will please announce my name as a candi date for City Constable at the ensuing Jan uary cleo uon. Respectfully,
 December 2o, 1894. C. C. AKIN.
 .ay We are authorized to announce B. F. HemD. stead as candidate before the ensuing Legislature for reelection as Land Agent for the Washington District
 .ay~ We are authorized to announce Col. R. B. furdOm, of Hampstead county, as candidate before the Legislature for Land Ageut of the Washington District.
 sB We are authorized to announce w. B. NOr- man candidate before the ensuing Legislature for Lard Agent of the Jacksonport District.
 .asS We are authorized to announce J. H. Quis- senberry, of Des Are, Prairie county, candidate before the next Legislature for the office of State Land Agent for the Jacksonport District.
The true Democrat., 1854-12-27

H By recent letters received from Capt. Williams, chief engineer of the Missouri divi- sion of the Cairo and Fulton railroad, dated at Cairo, we learn that he had just reached that place, after an examination of the country along the probable route of that road, from Castor river to the Mississippi. He says this is the district that has the worst reputation, as saoomp su'ah-ove,5toaoed-but was delighted to find it so much better than he had expected. He says that there is no difficulty in the way of very direct, very cheap and very good route.