davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
For Liberia,

We see that our contemporaries notice the pass
age through this place of over hundred negroes
formerly the property of Gen. Mckay, for many
years the distinguiG he'd Representative in Congress
rrotn this district The negroes their way 10
Norfolk to be sent to Liberia; in pursuance of will
made many years since. The question with refer
ence to these negroes turned upon the Interpretation
TO be given to portion of the wl'--whether the
slaves inherited from the estate of the Generals
father meant simply the individual slaves them
selves or included their descendants. The Supreme
Court, upon issue submitted, decided in favor of
the latter construction and Mr.. Robesou the ad-
ministrator with the wi annexed, carried it ont
promptly ard faithfully. All this is characteristic
OF the parties and exhibits indisputably the fact that
in such cases, Southern men, Southern communities
and Southern COURTS scrupuously guard and re-
spect all b quests in favor of rights supposed to
apperIan to the eebest classes, whose claim is upon
the generosity and fair dealing OF the dominant race;
and this, TOO, at heavy pecuniury sacra6ces.
[Wirmington Journal.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
Important Decision.

On Monday case invo wing the responsibility of
railroad companies in the particular which follows,
was brought before Justice Bixter. Jacob Waiter
myer, of Piedmont, Va. brought an action against
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company for the
recovery of the value of lot ofshad and herring
spoiled the plaintiff alleges in their transmission
from Baltimore to Piedmont. The damages were
laid at S1oo. The ground assumed by the plaintiff
that the company held tselfresponsible for the
arrival of freight goods at their destination within
the hours prescribed by the timetable Of the road,
and turthe maintained that in this instance it was
"a hours later, and that the fish spoiled in
consequence OF the delay: The defence produced by
the counsel for the company was that the company
had expressed itself irresponsible for the safe
mission of such freight is perishable in its rams
mission, and quoted from the rules and regulations
of the company wherein such contingencies weree
pressly provided for The acrion resultei in nom
suit for the plaintiff, who appended TO court.
Baltimore. Patriot
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
Agricultural.

The Boston Traveller has the following appro-
pirate remarks regarding the neglect of Agricul-
ture, and the complaint of dullness in commerce
and other pursuits in large cities
+" The complaints of the pre- season are not
caused so much by the deficiency of business as
by the redundancy of traders, and the supply
manufactured articles furnished by the improved
machinery which has been brought into operation
within a few years. These are altogether 9ispro-
portionae to the agricultural pr ducts of the
try. |
We cannot 'ook for any substantial and perman-
ent reaction till larger amounts of capital and
much greater number ofenergetc young are
Withdrawn from other pursuits and concentrated
upon agriculture,
The general depression in commerce and the
active demand and high prices for almost all great
agricultural staples offers excellent opportun
for the profitable transfer of large amount Of
capital and labor to the Gu tivution of the SOIL
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
Natural Ice cave at Decorah, iowa.

In company with B. Frank Jones, ESQ.,, edi-
tor of the Decorah Republican. visited this
great aud singular natural curiosity. The.
mouth of the cave is at the foot of high
ledge of limestone rock, set in the high bluff
or bank of tue Upper Iowa River, north of the
town. The entrance to the cave is from the
side of the hill about forty feet above the level
of the river. ...,7.
An opening of about ten feet high and some
six or eight feet wide, forms the entrance
which descends into the rock at an angle of
about forty-ive degrees.
The extreme length of this cave has never
yet been explored but it has been penetrated
30 a distance of three hundred feet in various
directions. Insthe winter season this cave is
warm and dry, but in tue summer, fall and
spring, is bitterly cold, aud the temperature
OF cold increases TO an almost insupportable
extent as.it is penetrated to a longer distance.
In the warm season vast icicles are formed iu
sufficient quantities to supply q large city
It any time, in the spring, summer or fall, any
one with little labor, could cut down several
tons of the purest crystal ice in day, and
just as soon almost as it is taken out it is re-
placed by fresh ice. AT a party held on the
side.o the hill by the DEBORAH people on the
Fourtheof July last, over eighty barrels of fine
solid ice were taken out, and scarcely any inn
preston was made on the quantity in tho
cli1e. ~ :. -. -.sst.s .",. :.
$ The most singular feature of the cave is,
that the hotter the weather becomes outside
the more intensely cold the atmosphere be-
comes in the cave. Persons going into the
cave in the warn season are obliged to put on
their heaviest clothing, and even then become
badly chilled. r'-.A1 f,a
Decorah will at least always have the lux.
ury of plenty of fine ice, without trouble to
lay it in.-Dubuque Express and Herald.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
Salt Lake ana the Mormons.

John Hyde, Jr, late of the Mormon church but
who, because of his renouncing the faith of the
Latter Day Saints, has been by Brigham Young
and his followers delivered over to Satan TO be
butteted in the flesh, has delivered very interesting
lecture at San Francisco Brigham Young, Salt
Lake and Mormonism generally. He spoke of the
Lake as being 1000 feet above the level of the sea-
20 miles long and 80 broad-and that three gallons
of 1t, boiled down, would deposite one of salt A
negro bathing in it, said he would come out per-
tectly white with the incrnstation of SALT No hu.
man body could sink in it, and myriads OF grass
hosPers, which had been blown therein had been
thrown upon shore, imbedded and preserved in
crystals of salt In speaking of the city, he said:
Salt Lake City contains six miles square, in
closed with wall, All kinds of manu- fac ures are
carried on, and all kinds of industry that can con-
d1ce to comfort aud wealth are prosecuted there
Fifty thousand people, the most industrious in the
world, live in that city, shut out from the world,
and ruled with despo!ic power by Brigham Young
the Prophet"
In speaking OF Brigham Young, he described him
polite shrewd man, we'll dressed, and tall aud
stately-one who had the faculty of leading weaker
men. BfghanTs age is 80, and his food is bread
and milk. He accuses tho Missourians of spelling
his appetite, and says ULcle Sam, the old cuss,"
gave him great trouble. lie always carries his re-
vo!vers, and swears by the Eternal that he cannot
be killed
The lecturer spoke of the great immortality and
ndecency Of the system in which so many people
lived, and OF Brigham's claims to infallibilitv.-
Brother Kimbal had preached that man. soul was
as SAFE in the hands Of Brigham in those Of the
Almighty The lecturer said that the only means
to stop the progress Mormonism was to open the
great avenues of travel through the middle of the
continent, and suffer the flood of enlightenment to
flow through that benighted country. Thousands
of Mormons said he, were ready. soon as fitting
opportunities should present. to leave Utah and
nouuce their errors; but they shut up in their
mountains, and nnrsed their nfatuation because
they had no hope in any thing else-Sac. Bee.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
MsreIlahenus,
DR.. johnson and vicountess keith.

The notice of Hesther Maria Viscountess
Keith, entitled "Death of friend of Doc or
johnson" which is now travelling about on
the pages of our many newspapers. awakens
many recolections and leads to many retleo-
tions. The pages of Boswell, wherein we can
still see the man and hear him talk, verita-
bic portion Of the past sill living and present
to us, bringing thoughts to us of the worth of
man how poor sGhoolmaSter, "a dominic
who kept a school," could, in spite of all him
drances, project himself into and through
many generations, and become problem and
a lesson to millions of men hen unborn
Such, and-so far reaching is the life of man.
But leaving this wider web of cause and effect,
let us rather follow one little thread of it, and
note how she, Viscountrss Keith, this gifted
and noble woman, grew up at the knee Of that
uncouth. ungainly, but every way noble and
wonderful man. He purblind, fumbIing, and
grouping his way in this world of the senses,
had inward vision, denied to most men. He
called this child always "Queeny;" and she
became queeh-like woman, standing beside
the throne and fttto be in it. We can well
understand the impression made on the sen-
der child by this leviathan man, one of earth
earthly, but reaching upwards to the highest
heaven. .fs ag Err
Read that little notice of her life Idesetv-
ing to be. e,larged) bearing IN. mind the
"Queeny" Of Boswel's book, and consider how
she, listening to his rugged, vet varied and
often graceful talk to his bursts of anger and
of love TO his muttered prayers and pious
CALCULATIONS, grew toward womanhood with
some right feeling of her hgh vocation, and
became one of the uoblest of EngIishwomen,
welded to sH illustrious Englishman.,
johnson, on his death bed, said,to herr i"Ny
dear child, we part forever in this world !; let
US part. as Christians should let us pray to-
getber." ''He then uttered prayer of fervent
piety and deep affection, inyokicg the. blessing
of Heaven upon his pupil" That prayer was
heard, and the blessing came.a She afterward,
standing among England's noblest men and
women, Frequently dwelton that death scene,' .
and when she, this viscountess, nearly CEN
tury old, went to her long home, this was said
Of her, "Few ever did so much for others or
sought SO little for their praise" >. ~
London paper.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
A Method of cultivating Potatoes, J.,


We give the authority of Mr.. D. w. Naill, of
Frederick county, for the follow method of cultiva-
ting potatoes. He allows them TO stand as the
practice is, until they show about six inches OF
growth above the ground; by which time the
grass is pretty well started over the whole surface
Ipstead of the usual method of working with the
plough and carefully hoeug, and picking the grass
from about tn vines, he puts in the plough and
as he says, ploughs them down !" that Isl he runs
up and down the row, throwing the arth with the
d-board ror1 each side over the potatoes, COW
erng them tip entirely. The effect is, that the en-
tmy is put under the sod, the grass is entirely
smothered out without resort to the hoe, and in a
few days the potatoes push out again. and go on
their way rejoicing. The next. thing, is TO break
ont the middles and this concludes the cultivation
of the crop.
Wedo not learn that Mr.. N. has ested this m eth
cd of cultivation in its final results as compa red
with the ordinary mode cfcultivation but he speaks
unquaii6edly as to its efficiency in destroying the
grass without injury to the potato. This is the
most important and most laborious part OF the
nero cultivation of the plant and those who have
the faith to adopt it, should at least give this
method fair and careful trial. The after working
may be more or less, as each one judges best
'... -'' finer Far
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
Crossing. of railroad Tracks.

The Court of Appeals, New York, lays It
down. as a rule of law, that an individual on
approaching railroad track is bound to look
if a.train is approaching. The Court says !:
Railroads are among the best improvements
of this greatage of progress. Public accom-
modAtlon, convenience trade, commercs and
the intercourse between one section of the
country and the, other, carried on upon rail
fpads.demand that the greatest faciliues should
be given to this method of conveyance and
tue highest Al tainable rate of speed licensed
A railroad is public affair, aud none the less
So because it is constructed and operated by
private capital and euterprse; aud the per
manent affairs of the public are not to be
postponed TO the concerns of individuals. In
View of the great rate of speed detnandedsup-
on railroads by the spirit of the age, constitn-
ting one of the great advantages of railroad
travelling, aud III view of the Imminent dan
ger frotfi. collision to the lives and limbs of the
thousands of persons adopting this method of
travelling, L hold that no one has right u
cross a railroad track without. first taking every
precaution to safety. Tie same reason that
holds railroad companies to the. .striGtsst res
possibility TO the passengers imposes upon
every one who crosses the track Of these great
public thoroughfares, more than ordinary care
not to jeopardize the lives of those who are
avaling themselves of the benefit of this great
modern Improvement in the mode of travel
ling. Itstens TO me that he who, without
pau>ing or even looking, will drive upon 4
RAILROAD track is guilty Of more than careless
ness.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
scarcity in the valley.

We copy the following significant paragraph from
the Staunton Spectator: I'LL.
Owing to the severity Of the late winter and back
wardness of the Spring, a larger quantity of grain
than usual fed cat le in this section of coun-
try, and consequently the price of corn, which was
during the winter so 10 55 cents has advanced TO ST.
In some of The counties West of us great scarcity
prevails, and r several months past the people
have been sending to this county for grain. 1t is
creditable to some ofou farmers who have corn 10
spare that they refuse to sell IT by Che quantity to
dealers, but dole it out their destitute neghbors
at a reduced price. Several hundred bushels of
corn, however, were delivered at the Distillery
this place. last week, at 60 per bushel the con-
tract having been made some months ago. Ifmil-
ers and others continue to send off -four, the pro-
liability is that shall have import it from Rich
mond before the new crop comes in ySE
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
Religion.


I'VE have seldom read more finished desctp-
tion of this he venly principle in easy nguage,
than the following extracted from the English Month
ly Review. ........
Religiou-the messenger of heaven, dwells not
exclusively in cells and cloisters; but goes among
not to frown their happiness but to do them
good. She is familiar and cheerful at the table and
the iresde of the happy she is equ"lly intimate in
the dwelling ofpoverty and sorrowi she encourages
the innocent smiles of youth and kindles glow of
serenity the front of age; she is found too, at
the bedside OF the sick, when the attendants have
ceased from their labor and the heart is almost st
she is at the house of mourning, pointing up
ward 10 the housr not made with hands" she will
not retire long there is evil that be pre-
vented or kindness that be given and it is not
until the last duty IS done, that she has!ens away
and raises her altar in the wilderness, that she
may not be o { men.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
Drowned.

We regret to announce t:pat Monday las,
James Gibson son ofJames Sheetz, Esq, OF Sheetz 8
Mill, this County, drowned in the race attached
to his fathers mill. The little boy about FIVE
years ofage The unfortunate and distressing ac-
cident occurred as follows The little. boy after
dinner, instead of taking his usual nap, started of
TO the mill race, taking with him his fishing,
tackle. 1t is supposed, TINT as he sat fshing' he
fell asleep and slipped into the race. The working
of the wheel of the mill becoming obstructed, the
mlIcrs attention was directed 10 the race seeing
the chiIds hat in the water, he became alarmed
vnd alter a little search found the body under the
gate. Mr.. Sheetz was in this place attending Court,
when the distressing accident occurred. To the
mourning and afflicted parents, we tender our heart
felt sympathy.-Romney Int.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
.vNo1ttg.s :. .s.s ....z IS
Good Night,

ys5) .Elou.HI % ~ ---E5sia 2 Ezsts3fsf
Good night how sweet its music falls t
In soothing cadence on the ear,
And every gentle feeling calls " zseis
80 Responsive TO its earnest cheer;
No lip SO rude or light of tone
10 Canrob it of its magic thrill, ~ "a
Speak but the simple words alone,
y In any voice, 'tis Good Night still.
Strong are the charms that in it dwell,
For all who may its accents breathe; ..
And coniured by its potent spell,
The mIsts of fancy slowly wreaths
D Into the dear familiar forms = - - e.e5f
.1 Who crowned it with a halo bright, rs
And lent it halfthe glow that warns
r Q The heart that Eearssa fond Good Night l
A fathers blessing on It rests3
"Tis sacred with a mothers kiss,
- It cheers the path ofparting guests
Aud fills the heart with happiness.
Issoothing influence, lingering, floats
Where piIlow'd innocents sepose
From quivering chords, as fade the notes,
l As lingering perfume near the rose. 10
Though parting be its constant theme, RI
1t holds not partng's keerer sting;
So short the titne-tis but dream, 80
coo And sweet reunion dawn will bring;
Ityyields to Heavens protecting care
The loved ones till the mornings light;
To him whose faith and trust are there,
Though black the gloom, 'tis still Good Night.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
From The Sc cmtiife American !
SIMPLE BUTTER COOLER.

Melted butter is all very we'll in its right piece
nnl when butter is put upon The tea or breakfast
labIe having The appearance OF being just outf of
tue oven, II is anything but credila lie to the house
keeper, and fan from satisfactory TO those no eat
a. Dry toast is positively spoit If spread. with
>Ott butter; Indeed, butter cannot be though; 10
table at least hrm il not hard il is better 10 keep ii
away altogether. Fortunately however, il. is not
necessary I" proceed to such desperate measures.
as butter can be kept nice and Cool in the hottest
weather. and that in a very simple manner Pro-
cure a large new dover pot of sufficient size 10
cover the butter. pIa'e. and also a saucer large
Duugh for the fawsr-pOt TO rest in upside down5-
place IriVeI meal-srand (such as is sent TO The
oven when a joint is haked) IN The aucer AID puI
ON tiis lrive the plate OF butter; now Il II the sau
Ger with wafer, and turn the hnwer.pot over the
ntter so that its bottom edge will be below The
water. The hole in the flower pot must be fitted
with cork the butter will then be in what we
may call an air-tighI chamber Let the whole of
the outside Of 'he flower pot be then thoroughly
orenched with wafer and place it in as cool spot
a YOU can. II this be done over night the butter
will be as arm as TOck'' al breakfast time or
II placed there in the morning, the butter will be
quite hard for use at tea hour. The reason of This
IS. that when water evaporaies. it produces cold
The porous poi draws up the water which in waIm
weather quickly evaPOTaes from The sides apL
thus CooiS il. and as warm air can now get at
the butter il becomes firm and cool in the hottest
day. a- SEPTIMUS PIESSE
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
Raining for a Baby.

The Dubuque Express relates that woman re-
Gently went to t he Minnesota House,in Dunleith,
with young child, and after stopping day or two
suddenly left, minus the baby, and did not return
The landlord happened to be over to Dubuque, and
mentioning the circumstances to a couple of friends
married, but childless, one them proposed to
adopt the little one as his own. T"e other imme-
diately made the same proposition, when dispute
arose as to which of the would be parents" should
have the intautile waif Finally, an appeal was
made to the dice box. Quite number ofpeople
gathered around the table, interested spectators. of
the singular contest and the winner, named Bester,
was greeted with shout of applause. The child
is pretty girl three weeks old, and its new-fOuna
parents are brimming over with happiness
gIo. . An Irshman was challenged to fight q duel,
but declined on the plea that he did not wish to
leave his ould mother an orphan. ]',.- .-'-.5-
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
Results outstrtpping Antioipationls. {.

p ! F aaa
Mr.. Calhoun, in the, Memphis Convention
of 1s45, said: 'sYou are now talking abont
connecting the Mississippi with the Atlantic
BY railroad. In twenty years you will be talk
ing about connecting the Mississippi with, the
Pacific" And we well, recollect with what
stare of incredhIty hundreds of the intelli-
gent men then present, statesmen, judges, ed
itors, &c, looked up to the great Csfoiinian
and expressed IN, their countenances, almost as
plainly as if they had embodied the sentiment
inwords, that is another of Mr.. Calhoun's
vagaries.' The idea of the union of the Mis-
sissippi with the Atlantic by means of iron
bands was considered by many grave and en-
lightened members of that body. as little. hat-
ter than Utopian dream, to be- realized pers
haps by future generation or perhaps neyeri
But to talk about building railroad to the
Pacific they considered as one of the most ri
diculous airy nothings suitable TO be indnlged
in by poets aud the inmates of mad houses in
a state of partial conyalcscence. -s.f. -..z.,
Well, what of the results titus farY This
convention was held in the fall of 1945. "a
| period of little more than: ten years only has
therefore elapsed and the grand epilhaiamiumi
that celeb. atea the completion of the first part
of the work mentioned has been chante d.
| The oars now run regularly from the shores Of
the. Atlantic to the bluffs Of the Mississippi.
4uSIF '"dISIS dto uuIIeu. 1ue vague auu unlS.
Isty future has become the tangible and solid
reality ofthe present, and glides rapidly, though
we cannot say noiselessly, into the past. And
the still future of .? There be pfoph.
cts of evil and they cry out, a dream, dream |
We tell them nay or, if it be a dream, itais
one that will be realized, as the other has been.
when we wake. Events crowd on. Mr.. Cal
houn said that fn twenty years we would Be
talking about building railroad to the Pacific
and they thought him crazy for making such
a prediction, :. One half of that period has
elapsed, and the road has not only been talk
ed about, but the rails have been laid down
upon 1t at several points, and all the impof-
tant steps taken to construct il to the Rio
Grande, far on towerds the Pacific. /, Results
outsLrip .anticipations, even of the most saga
cious, Of those who penetrate farthest into the
future: What it took ten years to perform
when Louisiana was admitted into, The. Union
is now accomplished in one. The journey
that consumed a month twenty years ago Is
now made in week And still the falio Of
comparative rapidity IS onward, still onward.
fExchdn0e.s
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
Bones as a Manure.

a late number of the Cuntry Gentleman has an
elaborate article by Levi Bartlett New Hampshire
on bone manure. He concludes that there is no
other whose effects so lasting as an ap-
plication of ground bones. Besides the increase of
crops he supplies phosphate which the grasses gen
orally lack, on old and long grazed fields in New
England. and the want t-ofwhich, cause wha, is
called "boue disease" in cattle. Mr. w. recon-
mends tina: the b mes be pounded, and thus broken
to pieces, boiled or ground land then spread evenly
over the soil, and mixed with it. He has field
that was thus dressed years ago, and the effect is
yet very perceptible on the clover.