davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09
TlAs Raalrsad Meeting.


Agreeably to the call published in this
paper, Z number Of friends Of the Houna
Branch Railroad met in this i-ace on Mon
day last. Although the meeting was not
80 large as we could have wished, there
was fair representation Of our planters
psess.t particularly from Bayou Black
or Little Terrebonne, which will, no
doubt, be the site Of the road. A number
Of the most influential friends Of the project
were absent from the parish, aad the roads
being almest impossible from tho effects
Of the recent heavy rains, il was not sur
prising that the assembly wa, not large
one. However, those who were present
vere working men and men Of means,
and accomplished all thas was possible ia
the present incipient state OF the enter.
prise. A committee Of fve gentlemen
Vas appointed 70 confer with the Presi-t
dent and Directors Of the <Dpelousas road,
aud instructed 70 repsvt to an adjourned
meeting to b held il this place on Mon.
day. The 25th inst. Tho question has been
aaked 81 tho Opelousas company, whether,
if No subscribe to their capital stock IN
aii.'ssuAf sufficient 70 pay the construction
Of opr Bfanch@ they would build, equip
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09

LECTURE on Opp FELLowsHIP.-Bro
P. G. Louis Bush is to deliver IN address
on Odd Fellowship, in Excelsior Lodge,
Thibodaux, On Saturday evening, May
18th. All brethren in good standing are
invited to be present. We anticipate a
@zse@1se4 4s4 DC sAs = sr.@
rich treat.
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09
Or Rev. Mr.. Ostrom will preach il
this place tomorrow at the usual hour.

or We call attention to the card OF
Monsieur F.. Drouet Matchmaker and
Jeweller, who has located in our town.
comDetent workman in this line has been
much wanted here, and Mr.. D. will no
doubt have plenty 10 do.
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09
Town improvements.


Town improvements.
The signs Of improvement manifestins
themselves at every point Of our little vii
lage are cheering to every one having At
heart the prosperity Of Houma. Our cit
liens have shown very wise spirit of
liberality; and our shrewd and energetic
Mayor and Board Of Aldermen have taken
the lead in the way Of progress. The
hitherto valueless swamp lots in the rear
of town are being reclaimed and render
ed valuable by : thorough system Of drain
age. The market house, to the construc-
ton of which the Town. Council did not
hesitate to contribute the full amount OF
ono years revenue, will be completed in
4 few weeks. The roads are being i'm
proved. and every street in town viii in =
short time be banquetted. The extraordi-
nary expenses resulting from the prosecu-
ton Of all these works Of utility have
compelled the Town. Council TO call upon
the people for additional taxes, and the
almost unanimous rote Of the Goth OF April,
BY which our citizens yielded a cheerful
assent to the imposition Of the ex:raerdi-
nary tax, proves that they are actua.ed by
desire 10 promote tho public welfare,
and we understand that in view
OF the great burden imposed on our
townsmsn. the question Of petitioning the
Police Jury for IN exemption from the
payment Of parish taxes is being strongly
agitaied- Until future discussion shall
have thrown moro Light on the subject we
shall abstain from the expression Of any
opinion on the espediency Of the proposed
measure. 1o ytas477=S si=i $3.50
In the mean time we congratulate our
tellow-townsmen on the choice OF the in
telligent and efficient administration TO
whom they have confded the management
Of their municipal interests. Our worthy
Mayor whose indefatigable e1ertions have
50 largely contributed to tho awakening Of
that progressive and liberal rpirit which
now animates the community, deserves the
peculiar expression Of our gratitude and
regard. ssAaFai 7ss 'sss.s afaa' aaA7 N Y tF
L afford. u great pleasure to inform
our readers that the enterprise Of building
an Episcopal Church is in active way Of
realization. Six thousand dollars have
already been subscribed for the purpose,
and W doubt not that the sum will be suf.
6cient to endow our town with IN elegant
house ofworsbip. Tho project is already
in tho hands Of the Building Committee,
who are now advertising Cor proposals.
We ars also informed that cur parish
toner's Of tho Presbyterian faith, in that
generous and benevolent spirit which
characterises our intelligent planters. have
gone to work with Z view Of erecting !
church consecTated TO their own worship.
Thus tho work goes bravely on, and Hou-
M may we'll cxclaim to our neighbor
towns, = Excelsior!" In our next issue
we shall have something 70 say on the es-
adjustment Of some sort Of high school
Or seminary Of learning.
INrEENATIoNAL CoURTEsY.-Upon the
application to our government Of the Rus
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09
AssulnVtiOn Items.

The Pioneer of the 3rd inst. has the
The District Court for this Parish. Jud re
]. J. Roman presiding, commenced its ses-
sion in our village on Monday last, the 9th
ult. The docket, we are informed. is very
large. there being over sixty new cases.
The Grand Jury found several bills of
indictment against different parties, one OF
which was for manslaug hler against Leon
ard Wilt, for the killing OF Mr.. L. I.
Piatten.
The suit of Pierre Landreau VS.. A. NJ.
Foley came up for trial on Wednesday
morning and, at the time of our going TO
press, was not concluded. The counsel
in the case are C. A. Johnson. Esq. on
the par, of plaintiff, and Adam Beatty,
Esq. for defendant. ....
We are informed that the new officers.
Hon. Judge Roman and Ed. Maurin, ESQ.,,
District Attorney, have thus far given an
earnest Of promptness and decision in the
discharge of their duties. in manner
evidencing that the cause of Justice will
not suffer from any lack of ability or ener-
gy on their part.
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09

SUPREME CouRr.-The following il
one of the decisions rendered on Monday
last =. =.5-5...szzz.= .-= z.-y 2 , -.....a
Reaen r. Barrow, appellee, ". w. B. Shield !;
Same VI Van p. Winder; sane w G. s Gtion !;
same W r E. Butler, executor; same W. W. w
& J. R. Bisland, appellants Consolidated suits
From the Fifth Judicial District Court Of Tere-
bonne. Judgmeat il the case Of VIM. B. Shields
reversed, and rendered for q, 766 Sc, with inter-
est: in the case of Van Winder reversed, and
rendered for the defendant the judgment in the
case Of w. A e. J. r. Bisiasd affirmed; Judgment
in the case e r F. Butler, executor. reversed,
rendered in favor Of the defendant; and in tho
case OF G, S GUM also reversed; and rendered in
favor Of the defendant z@s s
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09

DIVINE SERv1cE.-We are requested
to state that there will be Episcopal
service 1t the Court House tomorrow,
10th inst. Rev. Mr.. Trader. OF s.. John 8
Church, Thibodaux, will of1iciate.
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09

RoBBERs' CAvE-D1scovKRY OF GREAT
WEALrH.-It has been known, says the
Louisville Courier, to very few persons in
the city for some time, that discovery Of
great wealth has been made in the int.
rior Of Kentucky, on the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad, BY poor family who
lived in this city. The discovery was
made BY young man while blowing in
tho field about six months since. As be
was blowing leisurely along, the earth
suddenly gave way under his feet, and be
was precipitated into An immense cavern.
Much injured BY the fall. the young man
IN casting about him for some ~herewith
to get out, discovered numbers Of iron
safes and strong boxes, which upon inves.
tigation, were found to contain gold and
silver coin, jewelry, and other valuabIes
to : fabulous amount. The plantation up
on which oil this treasure was found does
not belong to the fortunate discoveries,
who only lease the property, and from mo-
tives Of security they have kept the secret
Of their good fortune to themselves. An
eminent legal gentleman in this city il
about interesting himself TO secure tho for
tunaie family in the ownership Of these
great treasures. tho results of whose la
bors. in connection with other particulars,
we viii give in few days.
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09

THE TowS OF BRAsHEAR.-The crea-
ton of towns in these progressive times.
is one Of the prerogatives of man. for God
makes the country, but man the town, is
so much an every day occurrence as to
excite little or no attention. Wherever
there are railroads people will congregate.
Houses mist be built for their accommo-
dation; stores, warehouses, the shops of
the mechanic and artizan. taverns, school
houses, and churches follow, and before
the ground is cleared ofthe stumps -four
ishing town has sprung into existence
We have An illustration At hand. The
land skirting Berwick's Bay has always
been plantation. cultivated BY lis es'i-
mable owner down 10 present season.
At the present terminus of the Opelousas
Railrord. any with narigable communica-
ton with the Gulf no more favorable site
could have been selected for town, which
in few years may become fiourishlng
city. 1t was short work to survey the
land and lay it off into lots. The peculiar
attractions of the place was at once appre-
ciated; a portion of the lots have been up
at auction, and large prices have been
realized. We have taken the following
memorandum from the auctioneer's sale
book --ze-=- s=
FRS: Dye Loss-anoantins to :ss ,sss
Nearly the whole Of this property has
been sold 10 mechanics, artisans and store
keepers. The larger number will CON-
mence improvements forthwith, and in one
year we shall have flourishing town i'm
mediately on our Gulf shore. We are
requested TO say the large plan will be lef.
At the Office of the aoctioneer so that buyers
may yet make purchase ut private sale.
The size OF the lots average fifty feet
by one hundred feet. The lowest price
lot brought s75, and the highest $3.50.
A feature or iwo in this sale is worthy
Of notice. The purchasers, with q few
exceptions. not exceeding FIVE or six, are
naturalized citizens, principally Germans,
with some SpAniards and Frenchmen and
a few Irish. Another noticeable fact is.
that it seems there is no scarcity of money
among them; for several Of them preferred
paying the whole of the purchase money
rather than avail themselves Of the credit
allowed in the terms Of sale. .'-f
- sz= - -
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09

NThe Western Christian Adsocas
relates that when Rev. Vim. II. AllO.''
the celebrated blind preacher, Va: y
Of Eve years, one Of his eyes oeo !.
slightly affected, in such manner = :.
require treatment from phys'c'a. -. a.
. VA. accordingly called, - sa ~.
applying a caustic preparation 'ae ~ =,
WINGED and cried. as would Be very 49,
raj for . child under such circums'a'e.1
when the physician, becoming en,.
crushed tho little fellow between DIS .ases
and dashed the burning eaastie n ~ y
and destroyed his sight foreceT.
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09
The Egyptian Pea.

The Egyptian pea is an instance d v.r.
etable resurrection. or at least resu.,.
ton. Ii is a fragmen, of the old liz !
Egypt, true type Of the luxurious i.n.
itv of the classic country of the Nile ,a
unquestionably one of the most truly hi,
torical Of any esculen; we possess. II.
circumstances that led 10 the discovery II
this companion of mummies and inh.h,
tants of pyramids are in themselves as in.
teresting as the plant isselfis di.,inc, from
every known member of its useful family
During the explorations of Egypt. by Sir
Gardiner Wilkinson. a vase was found in
mummy pit. the age Of which vu com.
puted a, about three thousand years.
This vase, Theoretically sealed, was pre-.
scented TO the British Museum. Mr.. PEI.
tigrew, the librarian TO the Duke Of Su..
sex, proceeded TO open the vase to a..r.
tain its contents. and in so doing unfonu.
nately broke it in pieces. The Interior
contained a mass of dust and few r,ius
of wheat and vetches, and on examining
further few peas were found, entirely
shrive'rd. ola resin yellow color. and u
hard "a stone. TWAS known tina, mummy
wheat had been resuscisated after IN 10.
terment of five thousand years; and Twas
determined that the first peas ever fossd
in a mummy vase should be Subjected
the experiment of revival. Mr.. Peti,srs
accordingly distributed amongst his lean.
ed friends these dessicated peas, ressrring
three for himself as mere curiosities.-
Those who had tried 10 grow the peas
failed, and no more was thought about
them till the remaining three were given
TO Mr.. Grirnsione. of Highgate. Mr.
Grimslone tried his hand at them. suhre.
ted them to heat and moisture. and. aheE
thirty days, one miserable plant Appeared
above ground. By patient care and ing.
NOUS culture this plant was brought .ePro
doce nineteen pods, which were s'Pessd
and planted the next year: and this ~
the foundation of the stock which 10 ps
beginning to be known as the EgypnA
pea. Botanists were Is much deIlghfss
as aniiquarians At the success Of The e..
pertinent, for it gave them a new sanelI
Of the greatest value and most distinct
character. Its blossom is unlike ever
other pea; it more nearly resembles bea
than the wings Of a butterfly. and Is ven
ed with green lines on white ground
The blossoms break atevery joint IN Gus
tors of two. four and eight and arc ss'
ceeded by pods that prosruSe crooseey
through them, each pod containing nm
FIVE to ten peas, which, when ccoksd. ~
deliciously favored in fact Inn 80
pea to equal il; so that dusty EgJF =
conferred upon US, through these ~
shriveled seeds, palatial benefit. -
----- National x'l'''s
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09

CIDRoS.-This is a root used extensive
" in South and Central America as an an
tidote against the bites of yenomous snakes.
A letter in reference to it says: II is re-
ry soluble in any kind of spirits, and is
commonly used in solution Of aguardi-
ente. A gentleman Of our acquaintance,
who has . large coffee plantation near
Santa Martha, gives glass OF the solution
every morning to each of his laborers, and
we are assured that, after taking it week,
they could tread, barefooted. on the most
yenomous se1pents without injury. The
reptiles would writhe away. without Offer
ing to bite. General Posada, the late
Governor Of Canhagena, told us he never
travelled without bit Of the root in his
pocket. When on journey be once
stopped in ! country town. A young man
was brought in who had been bitten by =
yenomous snake. He was insensible, his
body frightiully swollen, ard no pulsation
of the heart could be discovered. His
mouth was forced open, a little of the So
luton Of cidron was poured in and swal-
lowed By . sort Of convulsive effort, and
in Eve minutes he seemed sensible, and
the next day be was able TO walk out. In
the province Of Choco, 4 district abound
ing with venomous reptiles and almost
deadly in climate, the natives use the
cidron to preserve themselves from both,
and with success. We give these &C
counts rs We received them. If they be
true, the root ought to be imported.
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09
N1cARAeuAN RunoRs.-We received

N1cARAeuAS RunoRs.-We received a
,elegraphic dispatch few days ago. says
the Crescent. from New York, in which
i, was stated that intelligence had reached
that city of an alliance between San Sal
yador and Walker, and the overthrow OF
the Guatemala forces. These statements
appear in a letter in the New York Her
aid. dated Belize Honduras, April 1-rath-
er a suspicious date. We extract the fol-
lowing: --.
The news and rumors from Honduras
are truly distressing to Americans and the
cause of advancement. The prejudice
formerly existing by the government OF
that State still continues, and every thing
that can be done is done TO annoy and dis
,ress the few American citizens who have
been in that State. Nearly all have had
10 leave. Some have returned to the T..
States. Others are stopping here and at
Ruatan. waiting and hoping the excitement
will pass over and they be allowed 10 re-
turn.
Still more distressing accounts are in
circulation from Guatemala. ii Is repor-
ted tina, six American citizens have been
shot on the Pacific coast; number were
sen, away without warning-no' allowed
10 settle their accounts or take their effects.
Three persons, named Buchanan. Van
Buren, and Robert Taylor, appealed to Mr..
Savage, who has charge of the legation
of the United States in Guatemala,
who told them he could no, do any
thing for them, and was fearful that he
/ should himself have TO leave. as there was
no limi, to the power of Carrera. who was
very much enraged against the people OF
| the United States.
| These men also report that Gen. Victor
Salvallo's entire army has been defeated
and entirely dispersed. They report him
wounded and with only few men, say
less than fifty, returning back to Guatema-
la. A number who have been his pris-
oners report him as fine fellow-humane,
kind and libenl-giving them money Out
Of his private purse. and in every way he
could administering to their wants. This
is truly gratifying, and will be highly
pleasing to large number of fine fellows
who were a, college with him at Balti-
more, and who must always remember the
kindness and gentlemanly conduct he
maintained TO all of them. May his coun.
try be right and successful when again he
is called to lead her armies.
| Ii is reported that San Salvador has al.
most declared unanimously in favor OF
Walker, and report also says that nine
tenths of the inhabitants ofCentral Amer.
lea lean that way. The news is not very
favorably received here, for think the
most of Queen Victoria's subjects wish
Walker and all his friends to the devil.
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09

A Democratic meeting was held in Ma
poleonvilIe on Saturday. the I'd day of May,
1857, for the purpose Of electing delegates
10 the Democratic State Convention TO be
held at Baton Rouge on the 18th inst
One delegate was appointed from each
Police Jury Ward, and thirteen additional
delegates from The Parish at large.
Il was resolved that the delegates be
auesfed to cast the vote of this Parish for
the Hon. D. 4. Randall, as candidate for
the Office of State Treasurer.
Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-09

The Bayou had risen few feet al that
point and the rapid current indicated
further rise.
The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-08-26
SHERIFF SALE.

BY virtue of writ of fier facias there
will be exposed 10 public sale at the CodT
house in Boomsbnts on Saturday the 9th
day OF September next at | O'Clock, P NJ,
all the interest aud estate of Maybery B.
Bell held by him under a lease from the
Locust Mountain Coal and Iron Company
for the term of eleven years from the first
day of January A. D., 1854, for all the veins
OF coal above waller level East and West not
exceeding one and half mile in length
which is cot by tunnel driven by The said
Bell and Walbridge on East Ridge east of
Mount Carmel situate in Conypgham town.
ship, Columbia county, on The lands of tho
Locus, Mountain Coal and Iron Company
and being the same properly leased by the
said Bell from the Locust Mountain Coal
and Iron Company by a written lease dated
The 9Th day Of June 1854.
SEIZED taken in execution and 10 be sold
as the properly of Maybeuy b. Bell.
STEPHEN Fl. MILLER,
SHERIFF's OFFICE, Sheriff.
Bloomsburg, Aug, 81, '57. ....
The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-08-26
M0nt0ur County.

| The Democrats CT Montour county, on las
Monda Y, nominated the following ticket
| viz T
Commissioner-Wm. McNinch, OF Coop.
er township.
Prolhonotay--George D. Butler, OF Dan
vile.
Auditor--David Blue, OF Valley township.
The Congressional Conlerees elected are
John Deem, Jr., and Samuel Hammer, in.
struc ted for Paul Leidy, Esq. -
The Senatorial Conferees are (: George
Blllmyer, and Edward Morison--not ln-
slruc,ed. ... .....
The Representatives Conferees are: Cute
illus Snyder and J. Reese Philips.
M- c. c. Badly was nominated as Sena-
torial Delegate 10 the next 4h of March
Convention.
But as Monlour county had the Senatorial
delegate last year she will hardly persist in
having it again.
The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-08-26
Outlaws of the Oideu Kind.

In the most mountainous part of Sullivan
County there are said 10 be three desperate
outlaws heavily armed who make hasty Wis
its to country houses TO levy provisions up
on the terrified farmers and their families.
They seem 10 have the spirit of the Black
Knights of the old German Walds in 70.
nance, except that they are rude and bru-
tai. One of them is supposed to be Ruloff,
who brutally killed his wife and child al
Ithica, New York, somemonths ago. They
roam in a region close akin to that where
Mckim was captured.
The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-08-26
a DeIusive Fancy.

Most of the Republican papers are blow
ing aud striking against Packer because
Messrs. Meredith, Buckalew, lirst and Wal
ion lately drew from, The State Treasury So,
600 altogether as their professional fees in
the injunction which was recently argued
and decided in the Supreme Court against
The Psnnsy lyania Railroad Company. Now
the fact is that these are not fees for The two
bills which Mr.. Mott presented and pressed.
but for The one filed by The Canal Commits
sioners for the Stale, and which was sus-
tanned by the Court against the Company,
by an opinion in which I'll The judges say
iha: in presenting such bill the Canal Com.
missloners acted within the line of their
proper official duty. For services in this
case The Stale may therefore properly be
asked 10 pay the fees.
True, an act was passed last winter giving
the Attorney General an annual salary oil
$4,000 and $500 clerk hire which was de-
clared 10 be Gin full f6: all fees and proIes-
sional services whatsoever TO be paid BY :he
Commonwealth" But il is a conclusive an
swer TO this that Mr.. Frankin engaged him
self 10 the Pennsylvania r. r. Co. in this
case, and therefore his party cannot say that
the injunction referred 10 was case which
FELL in the line of his official duiy. Even il
il,had been, when he deserted lhe side Of
The State the Only remedy left was 10 employ
other counsel, which was done.
The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-08-26
Poisoning a Well.

II will he remembered that about a year
ago the store Of ID. l.. Chaplin, Esq at New
Columbus, was robbed of fsome 500 worth
of goods and money. Some time ago
Esquire Chaplin found good reasons 10 have
couple of men arrested for the felony, but
they were allowed to go at large upon bail.
Lately the trial was 10 come on at Wilkes
barre when ii was found that on the day be-
fore the whole family of Esquire Chaplin
had been taken suddenly sick. There were
symptoms OF poisoning, and upon full
examination it was found that it could not
have been in the food but that the qDcll DaS
poisoned. Esquire Chaplin and his family
are slowly recovering. The persons charg-
ed with the burglary, we are told, have fled
since it has been found that the well was
poisoned
The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-08-26

B" In Scotland where the evidence ia a
fendant, and there is still belief that he
may be guilty, the verdict returned is one OF
':not proven" instead Of ''not guilty." as in
this connlry. We think the idea is good
one. If undoub.ed evidence is afterwards
produced 10 fasten gull, on the criminal, he
can be tried second time and convicted
In this country person can never be tried
a second time, no matter how much damn
ing proof comes 10 lgh, after the trial is end
ed.