davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
nenth on NIr. Nelson.

II is our painful duty to record this week the
death of James Nelson, Esq, highly respected
and valuable citizen of our county. He died at
his residence on Saturday night last, after few
hours of distressing illness, induced by comph-
cation Of diseases, originating, probably, in the
heart
For seventeen years Mr.. Nelson was acting
Commissioner of the Revenue for Augusta coun-
", the duties of which office lie fulfilled to the
entire satisfaction of the people, until failing
health induced him to resign. For several years
past he has been the President Of the Bank of the
Valley at Staunton In all the relations of life,
public and private, he sustained most envable
reputation, and enjoyed the highest confidence and
esteem of the community in which he lived By
those who knew him best, his death will be most
severely felt-espeeiay by the large circle of rel
atives and friends who regarded him with most
sincere affection. BY his death the community
has been deprived of an energetic, judiciOus aud
useful citizen, whose loss will be severely felt
both in town and country. t1
Mr.. Nelson died as he lad lived, an undoubted
Christian. He was an Elder in he Presbyterian
Church, and distinguished for high mora! charac-
ter and courage. He had lived his three-scOre
yosrs, and met his last foe with the same
irmness which had marked his conflicts with the
difficulties and trials of life. On Monday his re-
mains were conveyed to the Augusta Church, of
which he was member, and consigned to their
final resting place on earth, in the presence of
large number offriends and acquaintances.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
State Aforementioned Society.

The Executive Committee of the Virginia Ag
ricultural Society, at their meeting in Richmond
last week, appointed E. Ruffin Esq. Agricultural
Commissioned for eight months from the lst inst
Mr.. Ruffin is generally known and highly dis
tinguished by swritiugs on agricultural subjects
The duties of the Commissions. are, to visit diff
fer.nt counties for the purpose of gathering usefu
information, promoting the establishment of Coun
ty Societies, obtaining new members and donations
for the State Society Sc. His expenses are to b'
paid, aud he will further receive commission up
on all money collected by him.
The Committee also appointed Allen F. Ca
perton, Esq, of Monroe county, to deliver the o
pening address at the next annual Fair, and b
Johnson Barbour, Esq, to deliver the valedictory
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

o. We depart from our general rnle, (Which
is not TO notice anonymous articles in other pa
pcrs) % remark upon a communication in the las
Iind;eator, more because we wish to talk a,littlt
about the beauties of stage travelling than for any
other ressan writer who signs himself gus
tlce,n complains Of a paragraph in the last Spec
taior. in which we merely sisted that one Of Fa-
IRISH & Co.'S stages had capszed with lo2d oil
men, women and children, expressed tho opinion
that stages were uncomfortable, and stated what
VIC had heard, that the Company had declined
I conveying passengers from the Railroad terminus
to Wavaesboroughfur less than the present charge
to Staunton.
! The writer denies that the stages are uncom-
Portable. There is a difference ofupirion between
us on this point, and no doubt an honest differ
euce. We do not regard them as comfortable,
though We are free to admit they are quite as
much 50 as any that ever jalted our bones. We
spoke of them, as will be seen from careful ex-
animation of our remarks, as being uncomfortable
when compared To an open ox-cartor wood car,
and our opinion being founded upon painful expe-
rience, We are fairly entitled to it,
We would not do the Stage Company, or any
other Company, intentional injustice. Those gen
tlemen interested in the line, with whom, we are
acquainted, are energetic, useful men-fne fell
lows-especially "Justice"-and nothing could
be further from our design, than to injure their
business by false representations. They ought
not to blame us, however, for pointing out errors
in their management, or the management of their
agents, which render their coaches decidedly un-
comfortable to the jaded traveller. Considering
the great trbulations through which we passed on
that memorable evening of the "upset" we con-
ceive that our censure was exceedingly moderate
We did not tell the whole tale of our msfortunes.
IF we had stated, as we might with truth have
done, that sixteen passengers with any quantity
of baggage, were placed in two stages to be drag
ged over very heavy and dangerous roads, when
three ought to have been provided; thatin conse-
quence of this overlooking the trace-chains hreke
twice and the single-tree once, which occasioned
considerable detention, perhaps ''Justice" might
have given us credit for remarkable forbearance
after perusng our very mild complaints. We at
tach no blame to the driver. he wasa good, anna
BILE, patient fellow. who did his best under the
circumstances d'nt swearloud enough to shock
the ladies' and frighten the horses, too many of
them do We know not whether the proprietors
instruct their agents thus to consult the interests
of the company, without regard toethe comfort or
safety Of the passengers; they may not be aware
that such policy is pursued, and ought to be
thankful to US for calling their attention to it.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
Nrrs. Stowe Rediviyus.

This amiable old lady, of whom we have heard
nothing for a long time, has again made her APP
pearance before the public, for the purpose, prob
ably, of informing people who had quite togotten
the venerable matron thatshe is still in existence.
Uncle Tom having been covered up in shot
corn, and Aunt Harriet quite eclipsed by Uncle
Scion, it is not surprising that she should endeav
or to perpetuate her name and fame by another
literary effort. This time she enters the field of
politics boldly, and appeals to the ladies of Amer
merica in opposition to slavery in general and the
Nebraska bill in particular. In other words, she
makes a vigorous assault upon Gibraltar with a
pocket pistol: yr
Harriet's coup de tat is excessively amusing,
as well as impudent. The good womans hatred
of slavery well nigh equals her fondness for sell
and Der love Of pelf. As balm for her wounded
spirit it would be advisable for her to emigrate to
Nebraska, where she may find scope for the larg-
est exercise of her philanthropy. AT least she
should have learned ere this, that Mrs. Stoves
little sling does not contain the whole world
Her ridiculous Trades against slavery serve only
to amuse sensible people at the South, or perhaP:
to cause sigh for the vanity of all h;ngs-Aun
Harriet especially. Again we say let her emf
CRATE sone,ckere on the confines, OF without the
pale of civilization, ana carry with her into peni
tential seclusion Mr.. Calvin Stowe and Mr.. Hen
ry Ward Beecher-all the little Stoves and al
the little Beechers. Her graphic description o
Southern brutality would amuse the savages
! Nebraska wonderfully.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
Gas !

What has become of the gas lights with which
S;aunton was to have been illuminated about a
year ago? Where are the stockholders the gas
company? 1t was supposed that it would pay a
handsome per centum, and stock sold like shot
corn" in modern Gotham. And yet this stirring
little city of the mountaius-ths ''fust' town.
that can boast almost everything else in the way
of public conveniences, is shrouded in darkness af-
ter the sun goes down behind the western hills. =
The solitary lamps which are suspended from the
posts in front of the hotels do indeed throw ray
of light upon the side walks opposite, but these
only serve to make the darkness which regns in
other parts of the town more intense and terrible
Woe be to him whose duty or business calls him
out upon Main Street after the lamps which re-
fecttheir rays through colored water in the win
dows of the Drug Stores have been extinguished
and the candle in the BARRIERS shop ceases to burn
Ten chances to one, he will break his nose agains
an awning post, OF tumble headlong, into mud
puddle. Beyond all question we need more light
and we regret that the enterprise which promised
so fairly at the start, should have ended in gas, in
stead of gas-ights. ga
We are still of opinion that the idea of lighting
the town is practicable, and would suggest tina
the plan of organizing stock company be revived
The corporation would doubtless subscribe liberal
ly. If as literally as it ought, the thing can b
DONE But enough gas--let US have it ignited.-
Staunton can never be finished town until tn
darkness which broods over 1t after night-fall j
dispelled. tu.i,.k es.e r!-l juaat
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
Historical Reporter.

| We have received the first volume OF the VIZ
ginia Historical Reporter, conducted by the Ex
ecutive Committee Of the Virginia Historical 80
ciety, and designed as the organ OF the Society 9
report the proceedings of the Annual Meetings
Annual discourses, &c. SO. This volume COR
tains the address of Hugh B. Grigsby, Esq, de-
llvered December 18th, 1853, on the Virginia
Convention Of l629-'30, which is very enter
tanning and valuable contribution to the history Of
the State. We extract from it notice Off late
distinguished and universally beloved citizen Of
this place: 3
sit was on the conclusion OF Judge Barbour's
speech that Gen. Briscoe G. Baldwin rose to ad-
dress the house. He had long been favorite
son of the West. Some years previously he had
been member Of the House of Delegates, and (,
associated with Shelley, the Roger Sherman of
the West had exerted himself to effect the re-
movalof the seat of government from Richmond
to Staunton. In the discussions on that question
he sustained himself with marked ability. and, if
he did not succeed in his object, gained an in
crease of reputation. He was one of the finest
looking men in the Convention, was six feet in
height, and of commanding proportions; and he
was most cordial in his address. The leading
trait of his speech on the basis was its generous
humanity. This is no common praise. AT time
of high excitement such as then prevailed, it re-
quired no small degree Of moral courage to talk Of
peace He scorned war among brethren, and
made an eloquent appeal to the body IN favor Of
extinguishing the passions of the moment at the
altar of one common country. His manly form is
fresh before me as he spoke that day 1t may be
said that his speech, apart from the chivalric
spirit which it breathed and inspired, though able,
was not regarded by his friends as fair exponent
of his powers, nor did it quite come up to the full
expectation of the country. He was elected to
fill vacancy in the Court of Appeals established
by the constitution which he aided in framing,
and remained on the bench till his court was su-
perseded by the present constitution. And. on
the eve of the recent election of the Judges Of the
Court of Appeals by the people, when his name
was again brought forth under the most favorable
auspices, quite Unexpectedly to all, he suddenly
deceased" -s-. |1,... a-. IS .a .rot.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
Brjtfsh Revicua.

We have received the January number Of the
Westminster Quarterly Rev,e,c, rePublished by
Messrs. Leonard Scott s. Co., OF New York
The contents are, l. Constitutional Reform, 2
Propertius and his Contemporaries, 3. English
Religion: its Origin and Present Types, 4. Sci
ence at Sea, 5. ''Strikes" and "Look-outs," g
Arnold's Poems, 7. Life and Doctrine of Geof.
rey ST. Hilaire, 8. Englands Foreign Policy, 9
Contemporary Literature.
For the terms &c of all these valuable publica'
tons. see advertisement in another column.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
Pacific Railroad.

The Washington Star of Saturday expresses
the belief that in another week the House select
Committee on the Pacific Railroad will be ready
to report. There are but two or three members OF
the committee who are disposed to recommend
that the Government shall have nothing whatever
to do with the project Having discovered that
they are poweress in the committee, these gentle
men are now acting with such of the members as
are opposed to aiding the work further than by do
nations of alternate sections Of the public lands.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
o,-The Legislature of Maryland adjourned last

0o-The Legislature of Maryland adjourned last
Friday night. The Maine Liquor Law which
passed the House of Delegates was rejected by
the Senate, but both houses passed bill to restrict
licenses for the sale of intoxicating drinks. The
principal feature of the bin is that no license shall
be issued unless the application is accompanied
by the signatures of twenty respectable persons
residing in the immediate neighborhood, ten OF
whom shall be free-holders.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

o5- The Vindicator has paragraph headed
"Ominous," in reference to the fall of our sign
during high wind last week. We do not be-
lieve in omens, but our neighbor who does should
regard the circumstance alluded to as decidedly
favorable to u.s. We intended to take the sign
down ourselves in a few weeks to replace it with
new one, but the Fates are so propitious as to
save us that trouble. ,.,.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

or Robert Ridgway, Jr., late editor of the
Bedford Sentinel, has become associate editor oil
the Richmond Wing. Mr.. r. has conducted the
Sentinel with degree of sprightliness and ablil-
,y which we are not surprised to see has ELECTED
call to more extended field of labor and use
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

o. Mr.. Harper, editor of the lntcuigsneer,
published at Romney, has associated his son with
him in the conduct Of the paper. The lnteH'-
geacsr is staunch Wing Journal, and we hope
will meet with increased prosperity under its
present management.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

n5- MIR. Clifford, of Chesterfield who is lav0fa
blv known to many of our citizens, has been elec.
ed President of the Richmond and Danyllle hai u.
road Company, in the place of its late snergen
President. Whiupel P. Tunstall.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
R.,1road Accident.

On Saturday last, the passenger tram on me
cont,,l Railroad ran off the track about twelve
miles below Charlottesville. Three oil the cars
were considerably damaged, but no other injury
was sustained.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
, New Buildings.

The two adjoining lots Immediately beyond
Mr. Michie's, on the road leading to the lnstltu-
,ion e, the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind, have
been purchased by Mr.. John B. Breckenridge 0n1
and MIR. William B. Crawford. These gentle
men design erecting handsome dwelling houses
unon than ID
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

mr. We learn from the Lewisburg Era thai
SCARLET fever and pneumonia have been prevailing
to fearful extent in GreenoraF county iAs
present season is said to be more slckly ina" any
ever known in that region.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
Printer Wanted.

A JOURNEYMAN PRINTER accustomed
10 do press work, and of steady habits, viii find
employment at this office at the usual wages, fiOm
The oath of this month. Immediate application is
desired.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

On Friday morning last, the stormy March
winds blew to the ground the frame work of q
new building on Gospel Hill, in process of con
struction by Mr.. Robert johnson. fortunately
no one was passing By at the time, and oOnse-
Quently no material damage was done. A little
time and labor will place things in statu quo.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

90 Ex-President Fillmore, accompanied by
Judge Hall, late Postmaster General, was in Gin
cnnati at recent date, on his way to visit MIR.
Conrad. of Louisiana, late Secretary of War
The Hon. j. p. Kennedy who was also q MEM
Der of Mr. Fillmore's Cabinet is to join the party
in the West. At Columbus, Ohio, Mr.. Fillmore
visited both branches of the Legislature, and was
received with every mark of respect.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

es- An English newspaper estimates that there
are 10000 British sailors in the American mer-
chant service, and urges the Governmental make
proclamation that impressment will not be resort
ed to during the war with Russia. II this ooso
lete custom is revived, the writer says the sailors
will take the oath of allegiance to the United
States which will then maintain their rights al
all hazards. Very probable. a '
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
The Clayton Amendment.

The Washington Star, a sort ofsemi- Admins
sta.ion organ, says,the Clayton amendment to the
Nebraska bill, which provides that unnaturalized
foreigners shall have no more political privileges
in the new territories than they enjoy in the
States. will not be disturbed in the House of Rep
resentatives Oflate, large, numbers of this class
of population have banded together in close pOlit-
zeal organizations with viewto shape our laws
and customs TO their own fancy, and this course
has revived the native-American sentiment which
was so rife in some quarters few years ago. =
The Star says also: eve know many public
mon, who three years ago were eager advocates
for everything like extending privileges to the
foreign bora, who are now as eager lnqulrers tor
fssslbls methods and modes of hereafter restrict
ing their political rights in the United States"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

The CASE OF THE BLACK WARRIoa.--De-
spatches received at Washington from the acting
u. 5. Consul at Havana, are said to make an un-
favorable representation ofthe conduct Of the Span
ish officials in the seof the Black Warrior. The
matter is viewed at Washington as wearing Sc
rious aspect.
This vessel, bound from Mobile to New York
was seized upon while al Havana and her cargo
oyerhauled and taken out The alleged excuse
for this is that her cargo did not agree with he
manifest. This is true-but the same course has
been pursued by other vessels under similar cir
cumstances for several years, and no objection has
heretofore been made to it by the Cuban authors
ties.
The cotton shipped from Mobile to New Yorl
was not of course subject to duty. Welearn tina
it was the custom to enter on the manifest only
those things which the Cuban officers had the RICH
to enquire into This course has been acquiescet
in by the Havana officer until this last instance
To crafty some petty spite he has thought ProoPe
to subject our steamship to this annoyance and in
convenience.
The Black Warrior had on board $4,000 j
specie. 954 bales of cotton, SO packages of mer
chandse, and twenty -seven passengers. All con
fiscated at Havana, except the passengers.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

o. Mr.. Richard Mauzy has retired from the
Lssisburg Chronicle. and Mr.. S, A. b. Giime'
is now the sole editor and proprietor
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

&C. A sensible article on Sectarian Colleges,
copied by request from the Richmond Mail, and
the new small note bill will be found on the first
pape of this paper
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

HANDSOME Although we never sc
son bust, we were, last Saturday evening ''u
bus, having been invited by Messrs. McCluns
s Peyton of the Virginia Hotel, to take an even
ing ride with select company OF ladies and gen
tlemen in their handsome and coiamcdious omnl
bus. The Omnibus has been procured tGr the Pur
pose of conveying passengers from the Railroad
depot to the Hotel We had delightful excur
sion, and found it very comfortable mode Oftrav
ellinq for pleasure.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

90 Kurschid Pacha, oommapdes.in- chief OF
the Turkish forces in Asia, is an Irahmanl His
name is Guyoa. ...-
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
page of this paper.

ns- The locomotive Frederick Harris crossed
the Blue Ridge on the temporary track on Monday
last, fun this side, and returned safely.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
het For the Spectator.
BAcHELoR's RETREAT, May 10, 1854.

BACHELORS RETREAT, May III, 1904.
.Msssrs Editors Your last paper contains a
notice of an offer made BY an Indian chief in Or
egon to any respectable young white man who
will marry has daughter and teach agriculture"
New. Messrs. Editors, claim to be respecla-
Bile, | am white, and as to my being young, ] am
still on the sunny side of 35, and | reckon that
will do, on pinch. | am novice, Sir in affairs
Of natrinlony. but young bachelor friend ofmine
informs me that if the Indians are up with the
age, it is only a matter-of money, sure enough.
and therefore, Sir, feel disposed to embark in the
cause. The wheel of fortune, Messrs. Editors is
ever turning ard who knows but that i'll succeed
in this speculation, may be the founder OF new
State in Oregon-may be instrumental in getting
it admitted into this great Confederacy and then
come on to Washington as U. S. Senator. Yes,
may even be parsonage Of no less distinction
than Gen. Sam Houston, himseIfq and on the Ne
braska bill of that day, Sir, may make speech
that will immortaliZe me. -
Let me see-the chief offers one thousand
horses. Well, as horses are high, they, if fine,
ought to be worth $500 pece-that would make
! $500. 000!-that's enough, Sir-that's enough |!
The old Indian says that his daughter is pretty
but his conceptions Of the beautiful may not be
correct, and she might strike bachelor who has
for years been accustomed to looking at the ladies
of the Valley, as being no prettier than 'origina
sin, but if so, shall find consolation in the fol-
lowing sublime extract: IN
'Beauty is only in the skin,
10 But ugy's to the bone
| And when beauty long has faded
The ugly holds it's own"
Now. Messrs Editors. please give me the paric.
uars by return mail. If you think that his hors'
will be worth $500 piece, and that teaching
agriculture will not be harder job than that o
my teachers (of blessed memory who used to O.
bey. so piously, the scriptural injunction 'spare
not the rod ~ say if you think this, please droT
me line and shall bid farewell to the bachelor
fraternity and be off, forthwith, to see that squaw
Yours, very anxiousy.
SINBAD THE BACHELOR.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

o. On Friday last the post boy between Buff
falo Gap and Millborough was arrested on the
charge Of robbing the mail. He was brought to
this place on Saturday, and committed to Jail for
trial before the United States Court.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15

no Miss E. w. White, aa accomplished young
Lady, and daughter of the late Mr.. White, found
or Of the Southern Literary Messenger, Is read
,nv shake.psare's plays at the Richmond A'hs-
aaun.