davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17
Death Of James G.. Birney.

James u. Birney, who died recently at
Eagleswood, Perth Amboy, recently, at the
age of 65 years, has been suffering for twelve
years from attacks Of paralysis, which has re-
Gently been complicated with heart disease,
and aggravated by the infrmities Of old age.
Mr.. Birney was born at Danville, KY, in
1893. He graduated at Nassau Hall, New
Jersey, and studied law with Mr.. Dallas in
Philadelphia. At the age of 26 he became
planter in Alabama, and the owner Of thirty
five slaves, but soon afterwar6 entered upon
the practice of his profession at Huntsville,
Ky. Early in life Mr.. Birney became inter-
| ested in the Anti Slavery movement, and not
only freed his own slaves, but induced his
father to make such disposition of his estate
| as to leave him. his ;wenty-one slaves, when
he set them free at once. In 1884. he attemp-
ted to start an Anti-Slavery newspaper in
Kentucky, but finding it impossible to procure
printers there, commenced its publication in
Ohio, wheIeit excited the most violent HOSTILE
ty. In 1874, when living in Michigan, he be-
came thes' Liberty Partyo candidate for the
Presidency, and has been thought by the friends
OF MIR. Clay to have largely contributed to his
defeat. Since that time the public have rare
| ly heard of him; but he has continued to be the
center of a circle of ardent friends. That his
youngest son might enjoy the advantages of
MIR. Theodore Weld's school, andltha he might
be nearer the friends Of the refrms which he
had much at heart, he removed to New Jer sew.
| Mr. Brney has been twice married. His sec
ond wife, who was sister-in-law of ihe Hon.
Gerritt Smith, survives him. As reformer,
James G. Birney had none of that rancor and
bitterness which sometimes disfgure the advo-
cacy OF even noble cause.-His character was
singularly pure, and his reputation in without
| blemish.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17

NAPoLEoN.-The mind Of Napoleon was
vast: but after the manner of the Orientals |:
and through contradictory disposition, it de-
scended, as i. were, by the effect Of its own
weight, to details which might justly be called
low. His first idea was always grand, and his
second mean and petty. His mind was like
his purse: munificence and meanness held
each string. His genius, (which was at once
adapted to the stage of the world, and the
mountebank's show, resembled royal robe
joined to harlequin's jacket. Endowed with
wonderful and infinite shrewdness; glittering
with wit; seizing or creating in every ques-
tion new and unperceived relations; abound
ing In lively and picturesque images, animated
and pointed expressions, the more forcible
from the very incorrectness Of his language,
which always bore a sort Of foreign impress /;
sophistical, subtle, and changeable to excess,
--he adopted different rules of optics from
those by which other men are guided. Add
to this the delrium Of excess, the habit Of
drinking from the enchanted cup, and intoxica-
ting himself with the incense of the world T;
and you may form an idea of the man who,
uniting in his caprices all that is lofty and
mean ia the human character, majestic in the
splendor of sovereignty, and peremptory in
command, with all that is ignoble and base,
even in his grandest achievements. joining the
treacherous ambush to the subverson of
thrones-presents altogether such Jupiter-Sca-
pin, as never before figured on the scene of
life.-[ Able de Pradt.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17

"BAPTIzE THE WHOLE ARMY .o-The fol
lowing anecdote was related by the Rev. Mr..
Graham, of Bonn, at meeting of the Hiber-
nian Bible Society in Belfast:
"He had to tell them that Gen. Havelock
who is now so distinguished In India. although
Baptist, was member of his Mr. Graham's,
missionary church at Bonn, and bis wife and
daughter were members of it for seven years
He could also relate an anecdote regarding that
great aud good man, which he had heard from
the lips Of Lady Havelock. When Genera
Havelock, as colonel of his regiment, was ira.
yelling through India, he always took with
him Bethel tent, in which he preached th'
gospel and when Sunday came in India ht
usually hoisted the Bethel flag and invited al
men to come and hear the gospel--in fact h'
even baptized some.
''He was reported for this at headquarters
for acting in non-military and disorderly
manner; and the Commander in Chief, Lore
Cough, entertajnined the charge, but with tn,
true spirit of generous military man, he caus
ed the state of Col. Havelock's regiment to b,
examined. He caused the reports of the NOR
al state of the various regiments to be read foi
some time back, and he found that Col. Have
locks stood at the head of the list; there wa
less drunkenness, less hogging, less imprison
ment in it than in any other. When that wa
done, the Commander in Chief, said $50 ant
tell Col. 'Havelock, with my compliments, t,
baptIZe the whole army.o
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17

Coon TEsr.-Nswspape subscriptions are
infallible indications Of mans moral honesty.
They will sooner or later discover the man.
II he is dishonest he will cheat the printer in
some way-say he has paid when he has not
declare he has receipt somewhere-or sent
the money and it was lost in the nail-or will
take the paper for years without paying and
then move off and leave it coming to the Of
fee he left. Thousands Of professed christians
are dishonest, and the printers book will tell
fearful tales in the final judgmsnt.-( Southe
Baptist.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17

l. Subscribers who do not give express notice to the
contrary considered wishing to continue their
absorption.
O. II Subscribers order the discontinuance Of their
periodicals the publisher may continue to send them
until all arrearAges paid IL
b m subscribcrs neglect or refuse TO take their pc
riodcals from the once to which they are directed
they are held responsible till they have settled the BILL
and ordered them discontinued.
e. II subscribers to other places without In
forming the publishers and the papers sent to the
former direction, they are held responsible.
The Courts have decided that refusing to take pc
riodcals from the Office or removing and leaving them
uncaed for Is PRrMA rAciA evidence Of intentional
fraud.
r. Postmasters neglecting to inform publishers,
when papers not taken from the ofhce, lay them
selves liable topay the subscription
1t Is also their duty In such to notify the pub
Usher that the papers are not taken out by those hey
are senl TO- and the reason why they not, known
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17
Never Say Fail.

Keep pushing-'tis wiser
Than sitting aside,
And dreaming and signing,
And waiting the tide;
In hfe's earnest battle
They only prevail,
Who daily march onward,
And never say fail.
With an eye open,
A tongue that's not dumb,
And q heart that will never
To sorrow succumb;
You'll battle and conquer,
Though thousands assail;
How strong and how mighty
Who never say fall.
Ahead, then, keep pushing,
And elbow your way,
Unheeding the envious,
All asses that bray;
Ali obstacles vanish,
All enemies quail,
In the midst Of their wisdom,
Who never say fall.
In life's rosy morning,
In manhood's fair pride,
Let this be your motto,
Your footsteps to guide;
In storm and In sunshine,
Whatever assail;
Wen onward and conquer,
And never say fail
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17
The POtatO-Its History, sc.

A correspondent asks why the potato is call
ed the irish Potatoe. To answer this question
it will be necessary, and perhaps not unpro-
first potatoes ever grown in Europe were raised
on Sir Walter Raleigh's estate In Ireland,
the seed being taken by him from Virginia
about 1902. For many years, although eaten,
they were grown more as objects Of curiosity
than for profit. Their culture, however, SEEM
ed to increase, and during the war that de-
vastated Ireland towards the end OF the seven-
tesnth century, when the growing grain was
destroyed by the snldiery, the potatoe crop
served to keep the inhabitants from starya-
tion. 1t could not be destroyed by fire, and,
in fact, nothing but digging up the crop could
destroy it, which was altogether too much
like work for soldiers, and too long job, and
so the potatoes was left to the hungry people
from which they were, no doubt, very thank
full
After this the potatoe became very popular
in Ireland, and about the year 1894, was intro
duced into the county Of Lancashire, Eng
land, when it was gradually spread over the
other adjoining counties, and through all Eng
land; but il was hot until about the middle OF
the seventeenth century that the Scott gave
it trial. Previous to this date, in Eagland,
potatoes were grown principally in veg
table gardens, and occupied no prominent place
in the field culture. During the latter of the
eighteenth and the beginning of the 18th CEN
tury the patatoe increased in popularity, and
there was a subsequent increase in its culture.
But, even up to 1912, the limited extent of the
crop may beJudged from the fact during that
year. when breadstuffs were extremely. dear
and scarce, the British Parliament were urged
by agricultural and political economists and
the press to recommend, or pass some law re-
quiring, that every farmer should grow one
acre of potatoes for every hundred acres occu-
pied. Rural New Yorker.
c. Here is an extract from the pen Of Mrs.
Fuller, to country girls:-"Town girls have
the ac vantage Of more highly polished man
ners and greater accomplishments but coun-
try girls have infinitely more to recommend
them as rivals Of their fair city sisters. They
have more truth, household knowledge and
economy, health, and consequently beauty,
simplicity, affection, and freshness OF impulse
and thought"
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17

Toward the close Of Burr's life, when from
paralysis he was prostrated Oh his bed, a lady
said to him:
ssColonel, wonder now If YOU were the gay
Lothario they say you were?"
The old man turned his eyes, the lustre of
which was undimmed still, towards the friend
who made the remark, and lifting his trembling
finger, said IN his quiet, impressive whisper
which still fingers in her ears and whiI brought
tears to her eyes, twenty years after, as she
repeated the words:
''They say! They say! THEY SAY All! my
child, how long are you going to continue
those dreadful words? Those two little words
have done more harm than all others. Never
use them, my dear. Never use theml"
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17

vim the long run, those men get to be the
richest, as all experience proves, who invest
most oftheir surplus apital in good mortgages
and real estate. II is astonishing how fast a
fortune accamulates, even at per cent, it div
idends and rents are invested quarterly, or
even semi-annually. Investments in real es-
tate securities rarely or never bring loss.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17
shadow Of an Awful Winter.

The following eloquent extract is taken from
discourse lately delivered by Rev. F.. H.
Chaplin to his congregation in New York: ''It
is not the ruined merchant. marely-it is not
the spectacle of deprecated property and lost
credit, and the manifold discomforts Of usual
bankruptcy-thai most makes us shudder and
grow sad. Around the gloomy shadow there
is still darker rim. Away down below the
platform of financial transactions there looms
sea of faces-these faces of workingmen
and workingwomen, looking up among the
stopped machinery of the factories, and the
silence of ship-yards, and all the desolations of
suspended labor; looking up to the shadows
of an awful winter overcasting them. Men
and brethren, what shall we do for those
whose hard earned dollars are not merely hon
or and credit, but bread and blood and life it.
self. What shall we do for the poorest of
babes, that must soon hang on the wilted breasts
of famine, and for the women for whom we
must say something more than "God help them''
All, yes financial crisis is matter of tears
and shuddering as we'll as Of arithmetic and
rumorO -
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17
OTTUMWA IOWA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER II, 1857
GTHere is one of Ruskin's best sentiments

fT Here is one of Ruskin's best sentiments
most beautifully and .ruthfuiiy expressed:--
All rivers, small or large, agree in one char
acter, they Like to lean little on one side /;
they cannot bear to have their channels deep
est in the middle, but will always when they
can have one bank to sun themselves upon,
and another to get cool under one shngly
shore to play over, where they may be shallow
and shore foolish, and child like, and another
steep under which they can pause, and purify
themselves, and get their strength or waves
fully together for due occasion.
Rivers in this way are just like wise men,
who keep one side of their life open for play
and another for work, and can be brilliant,
and chattesing, and TRANSPARENT. and when
they are at ease, and yet take deep counsel on
the Other side when they set themselves to
their main purpose. And rivers are just in
this divided, also, like wicked and good mem
the good rivers have servicable deep places all
along their banks, and ships can sail in; but
the wicked rivers go scooping irregularly un
der their banks until they get full Of strag-
Cling eddies, which no boat can row ovei
without being twisted against the rocks and
pools like wells which no one can get ou: Of
but the water kelpy that lives at the bottom
but wicked or good, the rivers all agree il
having two kinds Of sides.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17

Sergent Lefferts, of the Police Detectives,
OF IN r., Is causing to be taken the daguerreo-
types OF every noted rogue who falls into his
hands.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17

CURIOUS FACTS ABOUT ALLIGAroRs.-Al.
ligators nests resemble haycocks. They are
four feet high and five feet 10 diameter at then
base, being constructed of grass and herbage
First they deposit one layer of eggs on lay
er Of mortar, and having covered this with a
stratum of mud and herbage, eight inches
thick, lay another sett of eggs upon that, and
so on to the top, there being, commonly from
one to two hundred eggs in nest. With
their tails they beat down around the nest the
dense grass and reeds FIVE feet high to prevent
the approach of unseen enemies. The female
watches the eggs until they are all Matched by
the heat Of the sun, and then takes her brood
under her own care, defending them and pro-
viding for their support. DR.. Nuremberg, of
New Orleans, told me that he packed up one
of these nests with the eggs in box for the
museum of st. Petersburg, but was recommen-
ded before he closed it to see that there was
no danger of the eggs being hatched on the
voyage. On opening one, young alligator
walked out and was soon followed by the rest
about hundred in number, which he fed in
his own house where they went up and down
stairs whining and barking like young puppies
[Lyil, the Geologist.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17

The TEA TRADE-DEcLINE IN PMcEs.-A
correspondent Of the Boston Journal, writing
from New York about the trade, says:
Oolong and Ming Young tea drinkers will re.
joice at the prospect of these favorable herb:
being greatly reduced in prices. The ship
ments from China ports to the United States
during the months Of June, July and August
inclusive, appear 10 have been double that Of
last year, during the same time. Very res
pectable black and green teas have recently
been sold in New York by the chest, at auc.
lion, at a reduction of 20 cents pound from
the price obtained short time ago. 1t may
be advantageous to some Of your numerous
readers, perhaps to detect good black tea
from inferior qualities. The chest black tea
should have the color Of a black cast, leaves
Of moderate size, little reddish in their
hue. If it resists, and, as it were, pricks the
hand upon being touched, itis proof that it has
been properly dried; but il it crumbles to pow
der, as it often does it is q certain proof tha,
il is quite too old or has been too much roast
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17

From foreign accounts we may expect, the
coming springs large emigration to Iowa and
bordering States.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17

about, the rich must lend their aid. What
subject can appeal more strongly to their phi
lanthropy? This accomplished and all would
have time to develope their nature and bring
themselves into divil harmony.
Wealth should also be employed in assisting
the INDECENT, in providing them with lucrative
employment and intellectual gratific catons,- ,--in
cheering with kindness, clothing the ragged,
and causing the down trodden of the earth to
feel that they are not forgotten, or left friend
less and forsaken. Those who have struggled
against adversity,--who have bufeted the
storms and undergone all Affections, have a
claim upon the more fortunate for assistance.
Ii is impossible for all to be rich,-consequent-
ly those who get into the more favorable cir
cumstanees, are bound to aid the unfortunate.
Glorious mission of wealth! Happy opper-
tunity for the exercise of benevolence! Bright
will be the era when she shall be consecrated
to the promotion of human felicityl
Another obligation of wealth is to advance
educ alton, and increase the knowledge of the
mass. OF all things desirable, this is the
g most devoutly to be wished" 1t is useless TO
talk Of human happiness or freedom unless the
people are wise. And how is wealth to dis
charge her obligation in enlightening the
world? BY opening the eyes of the blind that
they may see themselves as the sons Of God,
endowed with portion of his divinity and
designed for noble purposes. 2. By enabling
all to appreciate the importance of developing
their mental power. 8, BY establishing free
Institutions Of learning, where all the poor can
be educated as well as those whose parents are
able but unwilling, and bringing every intelec-
tual advantage within the reach of all. Men
tai discipline will do away with much of the
inequality that prevails. 1t will break down
the iron aristocracy of feeling that separates
the people by unfounded distinctions, and make
family. 1t will give all power to cope with
the world, and secure an independence with
out submitting to slavery. 1t will Danish the
vice and crime that so degrade and dishenor
our race, by nurturing the virtues Of the heart.
But can not prolong this article.
have thus reviewed the obligations OF
wealth. How fully they are discharged is
known to all. I have only to add that the rich
generally stand in the way Of human progress.
They bestride the narrow world, trampling
under foot the fair, the beautiful, the good.
| Their avarice corrnpts them. and they do not
realize their own responsibility to the world.
Thy know they have power to bless mankind
but have not virtue enough to rejoice in bless
ing. Oh. that they would learn that their owr
happiness would be increased by doing good
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-07-02
Kisgs County surroease's Court.

IN ae mater Of ne arpi'd'ion for ne rc~o-c, Of caAa
r,se y. Norris adainisTdriz, &C., q 7Aoma Norris la If
ne cry Of Brootiyp dccodsd-rhs case was continued
yesterday and tn. following witnesses were examned-
Archibald Maclsy testified TO bong clergyman sipcs
1906 knew tho family OF Thomas Norris married him;
the OF the female obtcrstcd and Mary Finncy
inserted at Norris reques ten years aer the Marriage
she was married under the namo OF Matilda MCuekey
The marriage vas published Ia tho COMMERCIAL Adortisv;
Arson House was Witness.
Dr. Alfred Underhill testified tina, he was Thomas Nor.
rs family physician, commencing May, 1895; called
20 attend child, from 10 vo years Of ago; attended
t~ several years was present nj tho birth Of child
hugut ~, 1885, the name Of tho child vas Ttcstor; at
tended tao children and vaccnatcd boh they resided In
ue second story OF No. co Roosevelt street AZ tho mo;
aw srs Norris trcquentJ they spoke OF each other
husband and wife the enmc any other family would
attended Norris family as late az 1910
Henry Comstock cstiacd that he resided IN tie Same
house With Thomas Norris 1885, at 20 Market street,
hew York knew be had Two children with tho vito he
was living vito; Hester, Mrs. Mlspaugh, was one of
thcm; che was two or thrcc years Old al that limo.
caroline Egbert testified 10 having been acquainted with
hrs Norris che visited witbca house vcry oflen; her
nsm eas Matilda scCuskoy Norris visited her often
sud gave her money ovcry umc he came: heard them
ekins abou, their childrcnRobcrt, Thomas Mary Amc
"a and Hester Elisabeth; sho oiIen wanted 70 Hester
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-07-02

sss:oded Into the o.s -nss ry ies., ana ,hs.O-
and bui I'd a. ha abe ~a mentioned above. The
hind u 10 be ccostrucod On the novtheas'e'f
eide e Ss ORR oes Ts me s vnss or h ,Is
proc ci,nn the dock Tho walls of the slide leading
me sa~ mill AZ o'sriy completed. These walls
70 be further eXtanded northessery
TaE yIHCENsEs
srs.slns I tosa,a som ae,on she has ,eoeeay
SsS ,aoroosS ovesSsups and VIII sSsry 1 Ss really
eur service she ua her sst cruise the f,s hip ~
ee Pacidc suaoIon, and returned homo On ,he iSh Of
july 1883,
Tx GRlG ArE SAVANNAH
u 70 20 into Or. ouck 90 be Cot down and made atn a
eioo, Il er b.sif uudet goug extenaive re irs h H.,
null TIN ihe seconi frgale chat has been cut
do~n rcs altered ilo so' VI war within the lst yea,
che oner oeos the oanhel.na which has recsnay allied
0fom be faiuInore Navy Yard
rRg sTsAxsR ARCTIC
IL ~ present 10 me o., dock dtung for the deep
soNrure' ~ Connection WITH tue Atlantic rcegrapa C7n
pan! She y 10 be ready In abodt week.
be c. nneEded by Cent B-rrymsn
TBE sTEaMEH DESPATCH
II IL 'o,k ,i,gn' repairs ~ her machinery
md hnii, fe pautug nc To be ready for within
weeks vance.
rnE SABINE
Tbfs onortursse ge-se which launched about Two
year, since, after the ways for thirty
Yeas, saving wuiiabout Bay ii sachor, beiug
covered oseF ~h root Tor tho pose protecting
decks &c, Lh,si next .p..r, when 10 inonded "
phete AMI %, her tor sea
THs sLAvBRS.
The brig Eiep schooner Merchant, seized by MAJ
sha Ky suspicion Of being slsvcrs, are laying 10
~ side al the Navy YARD do * opposite snip North
CaaUpa sN1tpg the q the courts n
they hall 10 tcifct ana sod by the government,
rped ;neir Their ringing, sails &C. haze al
beer OF FOR safety ADD slowed away th4 there
s nothing NJ pesen. Visible the outside but he hull
lnasts, Sc
APPoisrSESlS, RssovAIs. ETC., BIZ rns sTORs-
kEEPEK.
Assnu Il derrick, tq ex alderman or the Nine ean,h
ware. Nev York re3sp ~ appointed Naval Stmexceper,
On Monday last appoiu,ed bis son, Cation Herrck
ars. clerk ID b. orce at salary Of 81 200 per annuu
wee lose % BroVn Fho has held the position for nine
teen consecutive yeaTs, removed
Mo- Wisor, geoond clerk, vice Mr.. Hagpon resigned
NJ hheocn nad neid toe position for dfteen wears,
and 'erieBcd iume 0iaisy the al Of Mr. Browu
because, be sin, be would not have q young
man prOp 1ted syer him
h GRAHAM.
Joseph On was on MoDd ,y appointed Timber Inspector
vice JusspL : DInOOs, removed.
william mrntf. m-stsr mason, 10 I'LL O vacancy.
DArie Kennedy, master stone cutter, 70 I'LL vacany.
eS"o'ej thst several other changes will be made
asnos master mechanics, clerks &c In the
Isv