davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19
Gambling for q Grave.

A correspondent of The Boston Mail
says that few years since. when tho
yellow fever was raging fearfuly in Flor.
ia, Manager Forbes. with his theatrical
company, was performing in the town of
Apslachicola, and their business was,
of course, ruined. Many of the per-
formers were stricken down. There
were two of the number whose cases
were considered hopeless, after their adj.
mission to the hospital. The grounds OF
that institution, at that time, were cut up
for graves and our two actors, having
become convslescent, were allowed to
walk through the cemeiry, for such had
the grounds become. Mound after mound
met their view, the newly turned earth
telling Of recently inhumed victim Of
the scourge. At last two unoccupied
graves were before them. They were
very near each other, yet over one only
large willow, giving mournful, pic
turesque appearance to The spot. The
two friends were conversing together
over the grim habitations, when, singular
as it may appear, a relapse occurred 10
each. They became. as i. were, deliri-
ous, and both claimed the grave under
The willow. High words ensued, bu, the
sudden quarrel was stayed by proposal
from one Of The party, 10 60 within the
hospital and take game Of all fours for
the right Of possession, the winner TO be
allowed the use Of the narrow tenement.
Amid the raging Of their fever-heated
brains the game was played, the proposer
Of the game won the stake, and the mex.
morning his lleless body was laid beneath
the willow. The loser at that time is
yet par.icipa,or in the game Of life.
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19

How LUNG WILL IT LAsT.-The Nash
vile Gazette asks the question, How
long will the American party last ? and
answers, 'as long as there is patriotism
in the land {; as long as an American heart
beats 70, its country; as long as our peo-
pie rally around home, principle, repub-
Icanism; as long as the stars and stripes
can catch the eye and thrill The soul; as
long as the memory of the great, the he
roic and the good of our fathers is cher
ished; as long as there is an enemy 10
our institutions in the land as long as
politicians insult common sense, the rights
the sentiments of the people; as long as
office-seekers, like hawks and vampires,
hover about to plunder the public treasure
and pervert duty and service into specu-
lation; as long as the words Of Wash
isgton have a resting place in our minds
so long will the American party last.
When the American party ceases 10 ex'
ist, no appeal 10 the patriotism of the
country will be necessary. The foes oi
the Union will have triumphed.
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19
GeItgrapgit
FROM EUROPE.
ARRIVAL OF THE BALTIC.
NEWS NOT wARIrxE.

New YoRx, Dec. lS.-The Baltic has
arrived and is detained below.
No important intelligence from the seat
of war.
The principle feature of news is, vari-
ETY. of rumors, all stating that, at last, there
is prospect Of peace. One rumor says,
that Russia has directly requested Prussia,
to make concilutory offers to the Western
Powers and that Prussia is said to have
accepted the mission.
The proposition is said to be,-that Rus
sia will conclude peace with the Western
Powers, without the Intervention OF either
Austria or Prussiu--Russia acceding to
guarantee of independence to the Danubi-
an Principalities, and the freedom OF the
Black Sea. Both parties are to continue
preparations for hostilities but no active
operations are to be entered upon, up to a
date agreed upon. All this is, possible,
premature but the hopes for peace are
strong.
The excitement, respecting American
affairs, has almost passed away.
The Danish Conference met on the 2Oth,
but took no action. The King of Prussia,
in a speech to the Chambers, announces
the decidedly continued neutrality of Prus-
sia.
Some unimportant changes occurred in
the English Cabinet.
Nothing important from Asia or the
Black Sea.
The admiralty contracts for navy sup.
plies, had been taken at much lower rates
than was expected. The average price for
beef was G7 rs and f9 for pork per tierce'
Ten thousand packages of American pork
were accepted at Es los.
The LATEsr.-The King of Sardinia was
enthusiastically received at London.
Gen. Canrobert left Copenhagen, for Par
is, on the 3Oth of November.
Operations at Sebastopol, preparatory
to attacking the Northern forts, were pro.
ceeding rapidly.
Admiral Bruat, Commander ofthe French
feet in the Black Sea, died of cholera
Count Mole is also dead.
The American ship, Telegraph, with 9
full cargo of linsced, fax and hemp, hat
sailed from Archangel for Amsterdam. The
White Cloud, with a similar cargo, wa'
detained by ice, and would probably have
to remain all winter.
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19
TEXAS.

A correspondent Of The N. Y. Observer
calculates that each Fall and Winter adds
200, 900 souls to the population of Texas,
embracing nnw an aggregate of 100000.
or these. 81 900 are Germans. They
will go for free soil.' Much is l,eing
done for education both in founding col.
leges and common schools.--rhe writer,
from his observation in Texas, says:
No man can but be profoundly impres.
sed with the excellence and usefulness Of
the Methodist church, when he sees what
it has affected in this new State. It has
convassed every acre of Texas with its
preachers, and has done immense good
towards organizing Christian Society, and
repressng the immortality so natural in
new State. God bless the great Mctho-
dist church No man admires and re-
ioites in its labors more Than do, though
dissenting from many ofiis doctrines and
prhclices. lis the most numerous church
in Texas. The Cumberland is probably
the next in size then The Baptist, the
Presbyterian, and the Episcopal
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19
Singular Circumstance.


On last Saturday a stranger, tOlsrabIy
we'll dressed, provided himself with .
lodging place, in barn belonging to Mr..
h. Adgate, Of Warren, Ohio. When
Mr.. Adgale entered the barn, tbe stranger
informed him s,hal he liked. his lodging
very well, but that the diet, was scanty,
whereupon Mr.. Adga,e brought him some
eatables. In the night The. fellow stole
Mr.. AS horse, rode him to Bristol, took
him to tle. hotel, told the landlord, tha.
it was stolen horse. that he had stolen
il. and wished the landlord to take care
of his horse and himself; telliugs him
that some body would be after The horse,
but whether he would get any pay for
his breakfast was doubtful. The landlord
advised him 10 make tracks, but the fellow
insisted that he understood his business.
According to his expectation, he was fol.
lowed, arrested and brough, to this place.
Being inquired of by D. D. BeIden, Esq,
The Prosecuting Attorney, as to his mo.
tive for such conduct, he replied, that he
had been told that the Ohio Peniten,iary
was comfortable place to live i'll, that
the boarding was good, and as he wanted
@ learn trade, he had travelled long
distance on foot. and had stolen the horse
for no other purpose than to get in the
pentenliary for three years. When Mr..
Belden asked hm wha, he would do, if
representations Of The facts were made 10
The Court, when he should be placed on
trial. that il would not sentence him, he
replied, tina, il Mr.. R. did not procure
his conviction, he would steal Mr.. Rs
horse as soon as he was out of Jail. He
says his name is Perry, bu, refuses 10 tell
from whence he came. --Western Reserve
Chronicle.
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19
Burning Steamboats..-.Fearful Scene.

The steam boat George Collier, while
rounding to at the Memphis landing on the
night of the Sd inst, caught fire, under the
forward stairs, and spread with such awful
rapidity that in less than FIVE minutes the
whole Of the large boat was enveloped in
almost an entire sheet Of fame.
Capt. Burdett, who was in command, left
the roof, and went below into the ladies'
cabin. and gave the alarm. He immedi-
ately went into the ladies' cabin to save
the ladies', oil of whom were asleep, and
tried to get them out forward, but the flames
and smoke drove them back, leaving them
no chance to escape but by a small flight Of
steps near the water, close at the rear of
the boat. BY almost superhuman effort he
succeeded in saving all of them and getting
them off on the wharl-boat. The male
passengers and portion of the officers and
crew had to save themselves by jumping
off, some into the river, and others to the
lower deck of the wharfboat.
The George Collier had landed on the
inside of the magnificent packet May flower,
her bow extending about midship Of the
latter, and soon that steamer was envelop-
ed in flames. The flames also extended to
the bow and cabin of the fine wharf f-boat
Mary Hunt, and in less than ten minutes
from the first outbreak of the flames, the
three bouts were one mass of fire, the flames
towering high above the tall chimneys of
either boat.
The George Collier had some forty cabin
passengers, most Of whom were asleep in
their rooms, and in the hurry and confu-
sion of the moment, hardly knew what they
we're about. Several of those who were
saved are considerably injured from jump
ing off the boat. Many of the saved were
taken to the Gayoso in their night clothes,
where they were kindly provided for by the
gentlemanly proprietors.
All the officers of the George Collier were
saved, but neither passengers nor officers
saved any Of their baggage-nothing but
what they had on.
The books and papers of both the Collier
and Mayaower were lost, and but few o
the officers on the latter boat saved any
thing except what they had on them.
Amid the confusion and intense excite
ment last night, we were unable to get 9
list of those who were lost, or the names o
any Of them. Some five or six of the pass
engers, and two or three cabin boys on thu
Collier, are known to be lost. and the assis
tant bar-keeper and chambermaid of thu
MayAower were missing. AS the registe
of the George Collier was lost, it will b.
hard to determine how many lost thei
lives.
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19

FRANKFORT, Dec. 10.-At twelve o'clock
last night the Kentucky Military Institute,
six miles from Frankfort, was discovered
to be on fire. The main building, occupied
by Col. Morgan and Professors, the cook
house, and mess-hall, and chapel adjoining
the east end, and the family rooms and
Offices adjoining on the south side were en-
tirely destroyed. The fire originated in the
garret, and as is supposed, through the
carelessness of servant. The furniture
and library were saved in damaged state.
The school will be discontinued for q few
days, or until new buildings can be erected.
The loss is not known: fully insured.
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19
Congressional Proceedings

WASHINGTON, Dec. l3.--HoUsE.-
The House resumed voting for Speaker.
On the 5lst ballot, the vote stood: Banks
lO5, Richardson rs, Fuller 33, Letter Q;
scattering 0.
At the conclusion of the roll.call, Mr..
M'Mulen said: l give notice, that un-
less within three days, we shall elect a
Speaker, will submit proposition, by
way of compromise.
Mr.. Giddings K Qoudly) what is the
proposition :
Mr.. Florence--You can't compromise
principles +!
Much confusion ensued.
Mr.. Giddings-Tell us what it is.
Mr.. Houston--(from the opposite side
OF the HalD 1t is, that you come over to
us; and very fair proposition it is.-
[Laugher.
Mr.. Giddings-Make 1t now.
Mr.. Houston-lf all Of you promise Il
come over to us, I'll make it now..-
[Langher, cries of "you cont come tha
game" No doubt you'd ugree.]
The House again resumed balloiing.-
SD Ballot.--Banks l04, Richardson IS
Fuller "a, scattering j.
SO Ballot-Banks l04, Fuller 81, Rich
ardson "a, scattering 10.
1 54lh Balot.-Banks l04, Fuller S5
Richardson "a, scalieriBg0
55lh Balot.--Banks l04, Richardso
"a, Fuller IS, Scatteringo. Fl XXI 81,
"a. . Haaa a. y
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19

The first book ever printed with date
appeared in 1455, just four centuries ago
this very year. Nine years afler, the
Koran began to be read publicly at Con-
stantinople, and at the same time the BIZ
BILE was sent forth on tho wings Of the
press, to the four quarters Of the world.
10 counteract its baneiul influence. And
from that day to this, The civilized world
Of Europe and America is indebted for
that superiority which no second night of
ignorance can tlarken, no new excursion
Of Vandalism can overthrow, 10 an en-.
lIghiened, conscientious, -.independen,
press. Those four hundred years have
J changed the face Of the world.
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19

CAPT. CALLAsHAN's EXPEDITION. -
The San Antonio Herald, Of The 20lh
inst, has the following paragraph:
From articles that we notice in our ex-
changes, we are led 10 conclude that the
War Department har received official in
formation that has induced the belief that
Capt. Callaghan's expedition was gotten
up by the flibus;ers; in consequence Of
which, we learn that orders have been
received by the commander Of the dePari-
ment, to prevent any further demonstra-
iion of the kind, and 10 have all those en-
gagged with Callaghan arrested and tried
for a violation of the neutrality laws
The War Department has been wrongly
informed. Capt Callaghan was acting
under the Governors authority. Th'
General will have an interesting time i
executing the order to arrest those com
iposing his command,
y go. aEN HIlfN a.f 4if
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19
Later from the Seat Of War.

WESTON, Dec, 6.-By an express who
stayed at Lawrence night before last, we
have the following account of matters from
the war, says St. Louis paper:
The number at Lawrence. is about 800
men armed chiefly with Sharp's rifles
They say they can raise 300 more if neces-
sary. They are willing that Jones should
come peaceably and search for prisoners
They assert that they will not commence q
fight, but act on the defensive to the very
last. Men and women are armed with
Sharp's rifles. General Pomeroy is now
at Lawrence, having escaped from his cap
tors. 1t is said that, on the pro-slavery
side, the number at Franklin is about 800
men, and at Leycompton about 200, and
very anxious to obtain more. Jones was
to 60 yesterday, to execute his writs on
the prisoners in the hands of the Free
State party, and if they refused to deliver
them up, he would await further orders
from Governor Shannon. 1t is thought
there will be fight before the matter can
be settled. The United States troops at
Fort Leavenworth have not yet been order
ed out.
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19
,pJn addition to what was said in a

rIn addition to what was SAID IN a
late number relative 10 the necessity ol
Normal instruction for the Teacher, the
Board of Education Of the city of Clere
land, in their Report of the condition Of
their Schools, present an almost unan-
swerabIe argument. They say
"There is remarkable difference be-
tween the teachers, in respect 10 their
abilities TO carry pupils through this
course of reading and spelling, in strict
accordance with the conditions of the
certificates. Some will train classes so
thoroughly that nine tcnlhs of the pupils
will reach the standard of a,,ainments gel
up, while others, spending the same time'
with the came degree of effort, apparent
ly, fail in getting even majority oI Their
pupils over the ground thus thoroughly
"Arilhmetic, under some
teachers, is absolutely mastered. Every
example in The text book is so critically
and thoroughly studied that i, can Not
only be wrought on! promptly upon the
blackboard when called for, but every
principle connected with its solution can
be readily explained, showing root and
branch of the whole matter. In other
schools, this ihoroughness is not obser-
vabe. Lessons are gone over only par
TALLY learned some are omitted altogether,
through absence, and never brought up !;
pupils work at the blackboard mechani
cally; reasons for the steps take" in
reaching the results are not given, or not
clearly stated, and the whole exercise is
dull and spiri,less, purely in consequence
Of a lack of skill on The part of the teach
er, to awaken thought and bring the pow
ers Of the mind into earnest action"
When it is considered that this is true
Of Cleveland, city in which are employ.
ed an aggregate of sixty-four teachers,
under the eye of learned, vigilent and
ski)lful Superintendent, what must it be
in those rural districts TO which the con-
fcssedly disqualified resort for occasional
employment
'Lack of Skill" says the Report, "or
Ihe part Of the teacher" causes the diff
erence.
How is This to be cured! Certainly,
in no way no effectually, If in any other
way at all, as through the mental disciP'
line, the thorough training Of the Normal
School.
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19
6o!h BaIlot.- Banks lO4, Richard.on h

b6lh Ballot.-Banks l04, Richardson
70, Fuller Ss, scattering 7. Whole num-
Der Of votes polled 22s; necessary to a
choice liz. There being no choice, the
House adjourned.
The Speakership is the engrossing Top
&c tonight 1t seems to be fixed q deter
mination of the friends Of Banks and Rich.
ardson 10 adhere TO their respective can.
didates. This being the case, the sup.
porlers Of Fuller hold the balance of pow
er; and with them, rests the responsible
iiy Of an election. Should the three d.
visions remain firm, an appropriation is
talked Of, 10 the end Of the contest, by
partitioning the principal officers among
them. The subject confuses the heads
of all directly concerned, in an organiza-
ZION.
WASHINGTON, Dec. l4.-SENATE.-.
Messrs. Seward, Fessenden and Stuart,
severally gave notice of their intention To
introduce bills for Harbor, River and Lake
improvements. Adjourned ill Monday.
HousE.--57ih Balot.--Banks Ice,
Richardson 70, Fuller 40, Letter, Harri-
son, Henver, Williams and Orr, each ] ;
necessary to choice ll3.
ssh Ballot. Banks LOG. Richardson
76, Fuller Al, scattering 4.
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19
CONGRESS-.

The House of Representatives still con-
tinues balloting for Speaker, without much
prospect for an early election. Caucus af-
ter caucus has been held, by those opposed
to the Administration, and they have been
unable;thus far to effect union, sufficient
to elect. Fuller's friends still adhere to
him with foolish pertnacity, and having
the balance of power in their hands, make
an election Of either the other prominent
candidates, impossible. The Cleveland
Herald in commenting upon the course pur-
sued by Mr.. Fuller and his friends, says;--
"Pennsylvania, free State, auda State
which has suffered more than any other in
the Union, BY her blind adherence to Lo,o-
tocoism, now, when it is in her power to
cas. the die against the author of all her
woes, stands right in the pathway, and with
Jackass strength braces her feet and pre-
vents the organization ofthe House. Vote
ufler vote, she adhercs to Fuller, while
Banks comes within FIVE or six OF an cleo
tion. This stubboness, this crlmlnollty'
has demonstrated that Mr.. Fuller iG not
fit man to be Speaker, and it should seal
his fate let como what may. If Mr.. F..
has not courage enough to forbid such fac
tious use of his name, he is mere tool, and
If he is part and parcel of this mulsh con-
duct, he is criminal,y ambitious; in either
case unfit, crimnully unfit to be Speaker
Of the House."
Three ofthe members from Ohio, llarrl-
son. Bell and Moore, men too, of whom we
expected better things, have opposed the
election of Mr.. Banks. and thus indirectly
acted with the Democracy. The Demo-
Gratis have at last shouldered the Admins
tration with all its weight of iniqulties'
and resolved to abide its fate. They stick
10 Richardson the "pilot of the Nebraska
Bill" and give strong evidence OF their
appreciation of his Southern feelings. we
think that they will find the Admlnlstrn-
ton and it's "pets" heavy load, and that
the "back ache" will be troublesome
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19
Proclamations BY the President.

BALTIMORE, Dec. l4.-The Washing
ton Union, of this morning, contains a
Proclamation, issued by President Pierce,
against the Nicaraguan Fillbuslers; also,
another, announcing that New Foundland
has complied with the provisions of the
Reciprocity Treaty, and is entitled to all
its benefits.
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19

A ROYAL SwINDLER.--The recent diff.
Guilty between England and the King Of
Naples, grew out Of latter ordering q
carpet, upon which was TO be embroider-
ed the royal arms, from manufacturer in
England. Upon its delivery, the king re-
fused to receive it, saying he had not or.
deIed it, though the manufacturer showed
a written order, He thus forced the sale
of the carpet a. auction, and sent one Of
his agents to purchase it at about half
price, Itnow adorns the Royal Halls ;
but England has forced the king 10 fork
over the full value. f74sA 9e
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19

ASTRONOMICAL ScIENcE.-The Presi-
dent of the British Association for the ad-
vancement of science, in his opening ad-
dress at the yearly scientific gathering
lately held at Glasgow, stated as one Of
the results Of Lord Rosse's telescope, that
for the first lime since the days Of New
ton "A suspicion has arisen in the minds Of
astronomers that laws other than that Of
gravita.ion may bear rule in space, and
that the nebua phenomena revealed 10 US
by that telescope must be governed by
forces different from those Of which we
have any knowledge.
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19

DoS'r PAY FOR ITsSLF.--The present low
rates of postage and the high charges OF
ocean mail service keep the Po1t-Office De-
partmeut in debt to the General Govern
ment, and call for annually increasing drafts
upon the Treasury. 1t is stated, in advance
of the Postmaster Generals Report, on
what appears reliable authority, that the
deficit in the Post-Ofice Department fOr
the present yenr viii be abouttw millions
and half Of dollars, or some three-qaar'
ters of million more than last year. There
has been added during the year some S,7OC
miles of road service to the operations Q
the Department.
True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-19
TO Delinau nt suhscribera.

We had taken a seat in our sanctum
and commenced writing dun, but hn'
ding our ideas would not flow, we had
entirely despaired.--throwing down the
quill, and picking up paper in order TO
relieve our embarrassment (mental and
pecuniary,) We fortunately lit upon the
following from the Newark Times,
which we take the liberty to appropriate,
hoping that our friends will not take it as
a mere joke, but in all seriousness send
Us forth with our pay, and thus relieve US
from embarrasments which are pressing
US down.
WHAT WE WIsH!'-We wish money
was as plenty as mud. and that those
who owe us would as freely and surely
pay their debts, as The clouds shower
down upon us the blessed rain drops
how free, how happy, how like free.
man we should feel But it is no use
ralking-the rains will come when Prov
idence in His mercy sends it-and man
will only pay debt when every possible
expedient 10 avoidit fails him, Now for
the last six weeks we have not received
from our patrons the one.tenlh part Of GU;
expenses, and yet they expect TO have
the Newark Times promptly, not ;
second behind time, and they growl mos
furiously iii. be not so. Dear friends
(dear in more than one sense, do yol
do your duty, and we will do ours
give us what is our own, and all you
expectations shall be gralifed. Th'
Holyda,s will soon be hele-and W,
would very much like TO have 'spelter
enoughto buy salt mackeral, any how
Testing not all, we aver we have parte,
with our last red cent, and we ardentll
desire to have the locker replenished.