davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18
THE BENEFIT. OF nArLnoAo.

II is interesting to examine the results pro-
duced, In various ways, by the introduction of
railroads into sections Of the country hitherto
inaccessible to the great markets. The facts
and figures, when properly authenticated and
laid before the community, always do away
with any prejudices that may have existed,
and serve to establish the argument that rail-
roads are the real pioneers in the march of
progress. Abiding to this subject, the ST.
Louis Democrat says:
"The official tax statistics of Michigan
show that through those counties where rail-
roads have been built, the taxable property
has, within three years, increased 400 to 500
per cent, while in those counties where no
railroads have been built, the ratio of increase
in value has not been over one hundred. In
drafting their schedule for the prices Of lands
we find, too, that the Directors ofthe Illinois
Central Railroad have come far short in es-
timating the value of their lands, for the road
has caused the demand to be so great fol
! them, that they are now bringing q large
price above the minimum at which they were
| graded. In some instances lands that were
rated at Sl2 per acre, are selling for $40, ant
others rated at $40 are readily sold for $28
Railroads, especially where they cours,
through rich sections Of country, not onl,
augment the prices Of lands, but they d,
more, they promote social intercourse, built
up cities, augment the population of villages
and the farmer. having cheap outlet to mar
ket for his products, plants fourfod what h
did before the railroad was established, an
his increased activity and industry are rewar
ded by large surplus gains.
The same principal prevails wherever we
conducted railroads have been constructed
In this state no proof is required to show tha
the value of lands has been very greatly en-
hanccd on the line of all our roads, aside fror
the other benefits that have been derived lror
the union of distant sections and the genera
spirit of activity which has been induced
Such will be found the case as the Sunbur
and Erie Railroad wends its way through tn
northern counties, hitherto of comparativel
small account in our estimate of the wealt
and resources of the State. The possessor @
a wilderness with no fixed value will soon fin
himself a man of property with capitalist
counting his favor, and, as q cotemporary ha
well remarked, 'the farmer who opposes rail
roads because they may trespass on a fey
acres of his ground, or endanger the lives o
his stray cows is as blind to his own interest
as a man would be, who refused to sow hi
crops, because insects might destroy fey
Seeds"
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18

Mr.. Meriam's Report is made up from
memoranda Of observations taken within o
radius of five miles in and about New York
city.
RoMAN CATHOLIC HosTILIrY TO OUR
ScHooLs,--The Freemans Journal, the
organ of Archbishop Hughes, insists that the
decrease in the population OF some parts of
the State, principally in the rural counties, is
System. Says the Journal-"We once more
signalize the State Free School Law as it
is called, as the pregnant beginning of uncon.
stitutional, undemocratic, unrepublican legis-
lation." 1t would be both democratic and
republican if the law only conferred upon
Archbishop Hughes the right to institute
Catholic schools at the public expense.
There is where the shoe pinches,--4ibany
Register.
BALTIMORE, Aug. l2.-The latest advices
from Norfolk and Portsmouth state the peo-
pie to be escaping in every direction from
fear of the fever, which is increasing, notwith-
standing the few inhabitants remaining. The
hotels at Richmond are overrun with the
fugitives.
NORFOLK, Aug. l3-The yellow fever is
increasing at Portsmouth to an alarming ex-
tent. and several physicians have died. There
have been 20 deaths in Norfolk since Sa:ur-
day. aud seven in Portsmouth. A number
| of cases have occurred at the Navy Yard,
aud on board the ship Pennsylvania.
ALBANY, Aug. l3.-Mr. d. Trait, belong
ing to Charlestown, s. c.. had his left arm
cut off. this afternoon, while in the express
train from Boston. He had his arm outside
| the window.
STATE POULTRY ExHIBIrIoS.-The Second
Grand Exhibition of the State Poultry Soci-
ETY. will take place in November next, at Con-
cert Hall, Chestnut street. Notice is thus
early given, the Germantown Telegraph tells
Us, in order that the owners Of poultry and
birds may make their arrangements for con-
tributing, in due time.
Twelve hundred gallons Of liquor were
poured into the gutter at Bangor, Ne, on the
26th ult. by order OF the Municipal Court.
F. Cartes, keeper Of fruit store in Gin.
cinuati, was found murdered behind his scun
ter on Friday moraing,
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18
A SNAKE STORY.

A student in Harvard College some years
ago, while walking in Mount Auburn met a
black snake of considerable size, which he at
tempted to kill. After wounding the rep
tile SO as to disable it, he relented, and in
stead of killing the snake took it alive to his
room in the College. 1t soon got well and
grew very tame, so that the student was ac-
customed to let it nestle in his bosom, and
would sometimes carry it with him in that
way when he went to walk.-When not play
ing with it, he kept it in the drawer of a
bureau, leaving a small aperture to admit
light and air. After some months the stu,
dent one night slept out Of College, and be-
fore going away enlarged little the opening
of the drawer of the bureau. The snake con-
trived to get out, and after probably playing
about the room till he was tired, coiled him
self into one of his masters boots to take a
nap. About daylight a colored servant, who
was accustomed to weight upon the student,
make fires, Clean shoes, &c, but who had
never happened to see or hear of the snake,
came in to attend to his usual duties. After
making the fire and clearing up the room he
proceeded to clean the students boots.
Flourishing his brush in one hand, he unsus-
pectingly thrust the other into the boot which
contained the sleeping snake. The startled
reptile sprang out and coiled itselfabout him.
The CONSERVATION and horror of the ebony
gentleman may be imagined. Recovering
from his fright, he dislodged the snake which
was affectionally trying to nestle in his bo-
som, and seizing the poker killed it Not
content with this, he threatened to bring an
action-at-law against the student for insulting
and outraging him. He took the notion into
his head that the occurrence was contrived by
the student, and that the color of the snake
was significant aud disrespectful allusion to
his own hue. With difficulty he was pacified,
and convinced that the affair was wholly acci-
dental.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18

The following incident is related by Mr.. J.
8. Buckingham, in his recently published
Autobiography !"
At length the wind shifted 10 the south
east, and then south, with suifocating heat,
this being the sirocco Of the Levant; and
blowing over the great Lybian and Numidian
deserts, comes charged with hot and sulphur
Gus vapours, causing a most disagreeabe sem
sation Of q sitting and oppressive kind On
the third day after this shift OF wind, and
when VIC were well up abreast of Sicily, but
nearer to the African shore, wewere surprised
one morning at seeing all the headmost ves-
sells OF the feet arrested in their course by
some obstacle which impeded the progress Of
each ship as she came up with 1t, till the en-
tire convoy formed an almost straight line
On looking over the ships side, there was
seen thick mass of brown matter which il
was difficult to sail through with all canvass
spread it appearing to be between the
consistency Of oil and tar, or melted butter
and honey. Buckets full of it were draw
up on the deck for inspection, but all tha
we could perceive was that it was some ami
nal matter in state Of decay, and emitting
most dsagreeable odor. Sending th'
buckets deeper, however, by attaching
| weights to their bottom, so rs to bring al
some of the lower strata, we perceived th'
legs, wings, and half-putrid bodies of BROW
| locusts in o less advanced state of decompo
sition than the brown oily mass OF the sur
face and we concluded, of course, that tn
whole mass was composed Of the same ma
terial.
DESTROYS of ascertaining the extent of tn
space occupied by it, / went to the foretop
mast crosstrees with glass, and sweeping
the horizon ahead and on each side Of us,
perceived that it extended as far as the ey
could reach to the east, north, and south
which presented one solid and unbroke
mass of smooth brown surface while to tn
west the open sea presented the deep blu
which distinguishes the waters of the Medl
terranean. The conclusion was, that som
vast fight of locusts, passing from Africa t
Europe, had encountered contrary wind il
their passage, and had fallen exhausted int
the sea, and were there gradually decaying i
the state in which we found them. Sue
flights of locusts have from time to time bee
recorded in history, as making the devasta
tion everywhere caused by their numbers.
We were heartily glad to get through thi
mass of animal putreiactlon by stron
breeze from the west, to which every shi
crowded all the sail she couldspread; and b.
daylight OH the following morning we ha
the qualification Of being once more in tn
pure element of water. which seemed doubl
beautiful after the brown surface we had S
recently traversed.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18
KANS

One of the editors of the st. Louis Demo-
crat has lately made long tour in Kansas,
for the purpose of making careful examina-
tion into the condition Of affairs in the Terri
tory, and he expresses the belief that the
opponents of slavery there are one-quarter
more numerous than its advocates. He
represents the state of feeling as one of in-
tense excitement-the Missouri Pro-Slavery
men being determined to keep possession OF
the Territory at all hazards and the Free Soil
men being equally resolute in resisting them.
He says the latter are organizing military
companies for selfdefence, and anticipates
bloodshed as the result of these collisions
There seems to be some reason to hope
that the sedate and sober-minded people OF
Missouri will set their faces against the vii
lainy and violence Of Atchison and his band
of desperadoes. We have been expecting tc
see reactionary movement set on foot IL
the State, and ''law and order" meeting
recently held by the citizens Of Ray county
affords much cause for graduation.
While denouncing "abolitionism in it
true meaning" they declare in favor o
abiding by the laws of the State of Missour
and of the United States, as being suiicien
to guard their rights and property, and op
posed "to all mobs to drive men either t,
religious or political measures" One reso
luton which they adopted reflects in6nit
credit on the person composing it. This wa
to the effect that they would support no maj
for any Office of trust, honor, or profit, VIII
has proved himself to be in favor of mobs
Here we have an unequivocal declaratio
against Atchison, Doniphan, Stringfellov
and the whole tribe Of incendaries who hay
been making the Kansas border a scene {
mob violence and outrage. Ifthe Raycou
people act up to their resolution, they wi
repudiate both Doniphan and Atchison, an
all their supporters. Let us hope that a
of Mr.. Benton's party in Missouri will tax
their grounds Louis Neps.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18

suit the views Of few politicians, undertook.
less than year since, to set aside the nomi-
nations made by convention and substituted
a candidate Of their own choice.
These high-handed measures prepared us
for almost any stretch Of power which the
committee should feel necessary to exercise
to accomplish the purposes for which, some OF
them at least, had been appointed.
The time was when the principles advoca-
ted by Jefferson Madison, Monroe and Jack
son were considered the true tests Of democ-
racy. But times have changed, and strip
lings and unfedged bantlings in the ranks,
have established new test, and propose to
insult veteran and grey headed democrats
by requiring them to sw'ar that they
are honest men-that they do not belong to
the Know Nothings, or othersecret societies.
They propose to undermine and sap the
morals of the community by the introduction
of extra-judicial and unlawful oaths in
schemes of political intrigue, thus destroying
the sancity and sacredness of those form.
necessary to the administration Of Justice.
E 1t is not long since the Pope of Rome is
sued an edict threatening all Of his followers
S who belonged to the Masonic and othe
secret societies with bull of ex-communca
tion, if they did not withdraw at once iron
such associations. Whether the committe
: is anxious to initiate the example of tn
Pope, or whether they look uponhs HOLMES
as the fountain head of democracy, we mus
leave our readers to determine for themselves
I" There is one thing certain, if the Democrat
T. party is divided by such intrigues and mach
- nations, that branch which acts with, an
l. sanctions these doings of the committee, wi
10 be fairly entitled to the appellation of tn
Jesuitical Democracy.
=, Was there ever more suicidal policy de
- vised by men protesting to be democrats ?
Will any honorable man of ordinary judg mer
:. = or intelligence be willing to accept the nom
:" nation of any convention, brought about b
: such means Such nomination must, in til
:, nature of things, be followed by an ingloriou
:, defeat. Freemen and democrats may b
;, coaxed-may be wheedled and even cheated
= but they will not and cannot be driven.
If we mistake not, there are some men o
that Committee who will never sanction sue
g proceedings. The chairman is, no doub
alone entitled to this chaplet of immortalit,
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18
Sfistellanp.

THE YELLOW FEVER AT NORFOLK AND
PoRTsMouTH is considerably on the increase,
Notwithstanding the great decrease of pop
ulation. The doctors, we see, are courage
ously performing their duty, although the
disease is thinning their irnumbers. d.. Pack
er died of the fever on Saturday. Drs. Con-
rad, Spratley and Shoolfed were all down
with the epidemic, but were recovering. A
subscription for the relief of the sufferers by
the fever was started in Norfolk on Friday
morning, and in less than two hours $4,000
were raised. The Herald thinks the amount
will reach $4,000. A Howard" Association
is to be organized, more efficiently to aid the
sick. The new cases of fever are of mild
manageable type. The provisions are be-
coming scarce, and it will not be long, says
the Herald, before some Of the afflicted will
be suffering from starvation. The following
terrible scene is related in letter from
Portsmouth
A citizen passing on his way to bury a
relative. heard the most hoart-rending groans
of men and screams of women proceeding
from house near by, and went in to discov-
er the cause. He found two men with the
corpse of a woman, and in taking which down
stairs they had jammed it at the turning.
He assisted them to release the body, and
then they deserted it, and it was some time
before he could bribe even negro to bury it,
Passing through the house he saw eight men
in one room all down with the fever, lying
about on the floor, and in their midst was the
body OF II robust looking companion who had
died during the night, his comrades being
too weak to lift the corpse out. The gem
tlemaa who witnessed this scene had himself
buried nine of his own relatives.
! THE RAINY MoNTu.-Mr. L. Merriam, Of
Brooklyn, has published vcryinteresting re-
port of the weather for the month of July
commencing with the year 1889, and closing
with the month just passed, a period of 7f
consecutive years.
We learn from this report that July of thi!
year, for rain, heat, and lightning fairly leave!
its former self in the shade.
The following statement shows the years il
which the rainy term has continued fo
more than four consecutive days in tn,
month of July, during the long period abov'
named:
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18

WAsuIGToS, Aug. l3.-Col. Steptoe, in
stead of being in Carson Valley, as the news
papers recently stated, awaiting the reply OF
the President to lis proposed conditional
acceptance Of the Governorship of Utah,
was, on the 18th Of July, at Benicia, Califor-
MIA, with his command.
More than 200 persons from the fever-in-
fected places in Virginia, have arrived here
within the last week. Two have died.
Hon. Wilson Shannon accepts the Gov.
ernorshiP OF Kansas, andwill depart forthwith
for that Territory.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18
THE NEW TEST.

Our readers will find in this weeks paper,
the resolutions and proceedings of the
Standing Committee, referred to in another
article. 1t is record that should be pre-
served, though it may, in after times, bring
up troublesome "reminiscences to the actors
We may remark, that one of the Judges
from Mount Carmel) was only naturalized
three days after his appointment-such are
some of the Judges appointed to examine
and swear old and respected citizens Will
they submit TO such indignities We think
not.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18

ey The Gazette of to-day affects to treat
our remarks in regard to the action of the
Standing Committee, as 'twaddle," and init
mates that our vote would be challenged.--
We had no doubt of that, and also that the
design is to challenge the vote of every one
who does not belong to the Jesuitical faction,
or what friend calls the "eod fish democra-
cy" But does the Gazette suppose that only
one party can play at that game II being a
Know Nothing is cause for challenge, then
we cannot imagine how the chairman or any
of The getters up of this scheme can vote, as
the God of Nature has evidently made them
life members of such an order.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18

ca" ScuuyLKILL COUNTY NoMNAuoYs.-
The Democratic County Convention met at
Schuylkill Haven, on Monday last, and NOM
mated G. NJ. Straub for Senator. The ballot
stood for G. NJ. Straub. 54 for b. Christ
so. Mr.. Christ voted against Gen. Cameron,
for U. S. Senator, last winter, for fear OF
losing his popularity. Mr.. Bergstresser, ol
Dauphin, did the same thing, and they have
both had leave to stay at home. For Assem-,
bly,, s. r. Dickson and j. G. Frick were
nominated. For Treasurer, S. X. NJ. KEEP.
ner Commissioner, Paul Lengel.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18
EDITORS TABLE.
Businrss Notices.

TnE INVENTOR is the title Of new publication
by Quimly, Haskell & Go. II is handsome
periodical, published monthly at 81 per annum.
As its name implies, it is devoted to inventions
and patented articles.
Journal of the Franklin Institute.-The Au-
gust number of this publication has been received
Besides the list of p,tcnts granted it contains
the usual variety of scientific matter.
"TuE AMERICAN BANNER" and rNATIoSAI
DEFENDER" have been united and are now
published in Philadelphia, under the above title
The Banner & Defender has been enlarged, ant
is now edited by Reynell Coates and John II
Jones, and advocates the principles of thu
American party with great visor and ability.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18

THE WORK OF rue DEvIL@-The first
article in the last CAurcA Reriew, leading
quarterly exponent Of the doctrines Of the
Episcopal Church, published at New Haven,
expresses some opinious about modern spir-
itualism. The writer admits the phenomena
OF Spiritualism, as recorded by Dexter, Ed
monds aud others, in all their details sub
stantially, aud admits that they are Of super
natural origin, and not the work of impostors.
lie then goes on TO show that they are the
work o. the devil that the media are in a
state Of diabolic possession, aud that no one
can prohtably or innocently have anything
10 do with them. Oh!
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18
Orphans Court Sale.

In pursuance of an order of the Orphans CouSg
Il of Northumberland county, will be exposed to
public sale, on SATURDAY, the 29th day of
September next, on the premises, the following
described real estate, 10 wit; certain
TRACT OF LAND,
situate in Jordan township, county aforesaid.
adjoining lands of Nathan Schraber, Frederick
Tyson, George Trautman, and mountain land,
whereon is erected double Log House, bank
barn and other outbuildings, containing about
one hundred acres, more or less, about two thirds
of which are cleared. Late the estate of Andrew
Lentz, decd Sale TO commence at 10 o'clock
A. NJ, of said day, when the terms of sale will
made known by
BENJAMIN LEITZEL, Admir-,
BY order Of the Court,
JNO. p. PURSEL, elk. o. c.
Sunbury, Aug. IS, lS55.-ts.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18
rg Died in this place, on Sunday morning

gg" Died in this place, on Sunday morning
last, GIDEON NJ. YoRKs, Esq, aged about AS
years. His death was sudden and unexpec-
ted. The deceased came to this place about
20 years since. He possessed excellent busi-
ness qualifications, and was employed in
various clerical capacities. Last session he
represented this county in the Legislature, and
had he lived, would undoubtedly have been
reelected this fall But such is the vaEity OF
all things human.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18

81" The August term of our Court closed
posed of, though not many of much import
ance. Law business is not as fourshing in
this or the adjoining counties, as it was some
ten or fifteen years since. During the term
Philip Hilgert, Esq, of Milton, was admitted
to practice as an Attorney. Mr.. Hilgert
was student of Messrs. Pollock Bound,
and sustained creditable examination.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18

ES- The ceremonies of the commencement
at Lewisburg on Wednesday, brought togeth-
er an immense concourse of people. The
Hotels could accommodate but q small por-
ton Of the visitors. The hospitalities of the
citizens were every where cheerfully exten-
ded.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS
SHAMOKIN
UIIh1I WIN
COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.
ENHE fourth session of this Institution will
Il commence on Monday, the 10th of Septem-
Der. and will continue IA weeks.
Tuition as follows -
Primary Departments per session, $1,oO
Academic, $500
Collegiate, $500
Tuition due at the middle ofthe session.
Arrangements will be made to acommodato
boarders in respectable private families at rea-
sonable rates.
For further particulars address Rev. c. J..
Ehehart, Shamokin, Pa.
Shamokin, Aug is, IS55.-4t.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18

EzT Samuel A. Bergshes'er, was nomina
ted for Assembly by the Wing convention on
Monday last.
Egr Wilson Shannon of Ohio has been ap
pointed and accepted the Governorship Of
Kansas in place Of Gov. Rceder,
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18
A STRAY BULL

GAME to the premises of the subscriber, in
~ Upper Augusta township, some time since,
small BLACK BULL, about nine months or a
year old. There are no particular marks, except
the tip of bis tail being white. The owner is
requested to come forward, prove property. pay
charges, and take him away, or he will be dis
posed Of according to law.
DANIEL G. KUTZ.
Up. Augusta tp, Aug. Is, lS55.-3t.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18

p KILLED.-On Tuesday last. ANSASIAs
MORGAN, son of Isaiah Morgan, of Shamokin
township, about 1eyears ofage, was killed by
falling from tree, distance Of 40 feet. He
was engaged in putting up swing for
Sunday School celebration.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1s, 1856.
I. B. MAssER, Editor and Proprietor

To ADVERTISERS The circulation Of the Sunbury
American among the different towns the SusquehannG
is not exceeded equaed by any paper published in Norti
ern Pennsylvania.
Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18

BUFFALO, Aug. l3.-Yesterday afternoon,
asmall boat, containing I've unknown men,
drowned.