davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-09-24
3Mlsffllanrous.
The Fort Smelling Reserve and the Sec
retery of War.

Much excitement has been naturally
excited by the recent transfer by the Wal
Department of the Fort Smelling Reser.
vation to Mr.. Franklin Steele, for the sun
of 100000. 1t was well enough that the
Reserve should be sold The govern.
ment should not have continued to hold
III military mortmain eight or nine thous.
and acres Of valuable land in the neigh
borhood of the growing commercial cen
tire that embraces st. Paul, st. Anthony
and Minneapolis.
But instead of being sold on due no.
tice and fair competition, it was sold in q
clandestine manner, without notice of any
kind, and without any opportunity OF
competition whatever. A property worth
on the most moderate calculation, mil
lion of dollars, was put ostensibly, into
the hands of Mr.. Franklin Steele fol
100000 by these shrewd and conscien
tlous agents of the war department
Major Eastman and Mr.. Heiskel. We
say ostensibly-for we have no idea that
the gentlemanly and opulent suffer- who
Is the nominal purchaser Of the reserva-
ton, is the sole beneficiary of this gigan-
tic fraud. There are no government Of
ficials more vigilant in taking care of
their friends than your Virginia Secre-
taries. Mr.. Mason, we remember, lost
some hundred thousand dollars to the
Treasury by remitting money to Mar
seilles by way of Richmond, through a
Virginia tobacco house. When the mon
ey was wanted it turned up missing
Now Mr. Floyd is too much of Virgin
ian to have permitted an army sutler, with
no special claims on the administration or
on the Democratic party, to make mil
lion of dollars, or thereabouts, by trans
action of this nature with the War De-
partment. Other parties are in the back
ground, who participate in the whole
sale plunder; broken down politicians to
be propitiated in the event of an outcry
and investigation. We do not know that
Mr.. Rice or Mr.. Douglas or Mr.. Orr had
anything to do with the matter, though
intimations to this effect have been thrown
out in the western newspapers. They
have all been about ST. Paul during the
Suinuicr, anu are known 10 De lamlllaf
with speculalions in Government lands
We are inclined to believe that this sale
has been effected with their privity, for
they are well posted in these affairs, and
they must have had their eyes opened by
the passage of the law giving this impor-
tant power to the Secretary. Whether
or not they are among the participants in
the fruits of the job, is point on which
we reserve our opinion till we are more
fully enlightened as to the facts.
The only party thus far shown to be
culpable is the Secretary of War This
is not the first instance in which that Off
Ger has been thorn in the side of an ad-
ministration. In President Taylor's time
there was Secretary of War, who affix-
ed stigma to his cabinet that will never
be forgotten. But Mr.. Crawford only
received from the Treasury Department
the money that he was entitled to receive
under law of Congress, and the opinion
Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-09-24

The night came, and they were mar.
ried. All were merry the laugh the
song, the chat and the dance made up a
lively party until midnight; they COM
menced to dispersc, and at one O'Clock
Bill jenkins was left " solitary and alone"
in the hall. Lucy Ann had retired, and
her bridesmaids were off in distant
room. Bill was now at point where he
thought his courage would fail him. His
situation was peculiar one. He was
not certain which was Lucy Ann S room,
although he had been told, and even if
he had known he could not 90 to it.
The watchman cried past two o'clock,
and yet Jenkins was still alone, and ap-
parently engaged in perusing an old al
manac, which, by chance, had been left
in his coat pocket. An old female dark
ey, who resided in the family, had been
prevailed on by the ladies, who noticed
Jenkins bashfulness, to show him his
bedroom, and she accordingly intro
duced herself to him in as modest style
as she well could.
Mr.. Jenkins" said she, "past two
o'clock"
Oh (! yes, l know it; Pm going
home in few minutes. Old woman,
where's my hat 90
It's in Miss Lucy's room, sir, you
can get it there if you will go in. Mr..
Jenkins, why don't you go to bed ?"
The old woman seized hold of Jenkins
and pulled him along until she got out of
the hall, and all his gaze was fixed upon
the entry door but she was determined
to put him in Miss Lucy's room, and af-
ter violent effoLts succeeded.
There he stood, with the knob of the
door in his hand, but the old darkey had
been smart enough to lock the door out
side. Lucy pretended to be asleep, but
that sort of CANNON would not answer.
AT last she said
"My dear Billy, what is the matter 90
81 want my hat !" screamed Jenkins,
and Lucy, knowing his modesty, leapcd
out of bed, and, after caressing him some
time, Billy went to bed with his clothes
and boots on, and trembled till morning.
How jenkins subsequently succeeded
in getting over his bashfulness, can be
known by application to his dear Mary
Ann.
Reader, strange as it may appear, there
are Jenkinses all over the world, but the
freemasonry of welded life draws the
curtain before the eyes of the uninitiated
Going to bed on the first night after mar
riage is among the most delicate silua-
tons in life.
Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-09-24

1t is told of Zachary Taylor, that when
Major Bliss brought him Santa Annals
dispatch, proposing that the American
army should surrender without further
ceremony, the General, who, at that mo-
ment, was busy wiring private letter
on his camp-chest, replied, without SO
much as looking up from his work :
I" Tell him TO go to y naming a
place seldom mentioned, except by hard
swearers and clergymen.
But demonstrated the gallant Ma
jo", that does not strike me as appro
pirate language to use in a case of this
sort-it's Il formal official dispatch, AMI
requires, suppose, a written answer.
Tell hum to go to - reiterated
the General, calmly; "put it in proper
diplomatic phrase, and all that sort of
thing. according to your own taste bu,
that is my answer"
Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-09-24
Qoftrp.
SEPTEMBER.

September strcws the woodland DER
With many II brilliant color;
The world is brighter than before
Why should your heart be duller
Sorrow and the scarlet leaf,
Sad thoughts and sunny weather;
All, me. this glory and this grief
Agree not well together.
This is the parting season this
The time when friends are flying;
And lovers now, with many kiss,
Their long farewells are signing;
Why is the earth SO gaily drest
This pomp that Autumn beareth,
a funeral seems where every guest
A bridal garment weareth.
Each one of us, perchanee, may here,
On some blue morn hereafter,
Return to view the gaudy year,
But not with boyish laughter
We shall then be wrinkled men,
Our brow with silver laden:
And thou this glen mayest seek again
But nevermore maiden
Nature, perhaps, forsees that Spring
Will touch her teeming bosom,
And that few brief months will bring,
The bee, the bird, the blossom
All these forests do not know
Or would less brightly withcr-
The virgin that adorns them so,
Will never more come hither.
Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-09-24

of the Attorney General. This act was
indelicate, improper, selfish, indefensi-
BILE but it was neither clandestine or
dishonest. In seeking his own, by law,
he violated no public right; though from
the manner in which he sought it, he in
volved his political friends in the most
unfortunate implications. Mr.. Floyd has
thrown away nearly a million of the pub
lie money, by the improvident disposition
of a piece of public property at that
amount under its valuation. Will any
one believe that Mr.. Floyd's particular
friends, personal or political, are not the
real beneticiaries of this new and stupen-
dous Galphinism
There is good reason to presume that
Mr. Buchanan has been the victim, in
this instance, of his Virginia Secretary.
The ultimate responsibility rests upon
the President, but personally we desire to
do him justice. We have reason to know
that he must disapprove and condemn the
act of his Secretary. A few weeks since
a gentleman residing in one of the At
lantic cities received letter from friend
ihiOl hlltl VIC SitS Vi OIt IeilC1
was about being brought into market, and
desiring him to purchase it of the Exec
utive at private SALE The gentleman was
personal friend of Mr.. Buchanan of long
standing, and though he did not believe
that the purchase could be effected, he
felt it his duty TO go to Washington and
submit the proposition for the purchase
at head quarters. He laid his project be-
fore Mr.. Buchanan The President re-
ceived the communication with his accus-
toned courtesy, and replied to it with
more than his ordinary frmness and
promptitude. He simply told his friend
that the thing was impossible-that the
impropriety of a private sale of such a
domain was too obvious to need enforce
mcnt by words, and that the only way in
VIII ich the military reservations could be
disposed of must be at public sale, where
every one would have the opportunity Of
bidding for them. The gentleman was
entirely satisfied, and on his return home
mentioned the circumstance as another
proof of the high integrity of Mr.. Bu-
chanan and his entire superiority to pri
vate considerations in his discharge OF
his public duty. And now the public ear
is startled by the announcement ola fraud
upon the Treasury SO enormous that 4,
Mrows GalpAinism and Gardnerism into
tile shade ; supposing the fraud of Gard
iner to have been as gross and abomina-
bic as it was proved to be, and the Gal
phin claim to have been justly obnoxious
to all the cpithets of invective by which
it was denounced. We remember in our
time no act of corruption SO transparent
and so shameless. Never was a profit
gate job covered up with veil so fimsy,
or excused by apologies SO feeble. The
next Congress will have something to do
besides exposing the malfeasance Of its
members. Meanwhile it would be inter
esting to know how far Mr.. Buchanan and
his cabinet are disposed to assume this
operation of Mr.. Secretary Floyd.-N.
T. Times.
Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-09-24
Wheelbarrow Nap Man.

The Baltimore Ameican gives an ac-
count ola new method of surveying:
The "wheelbarrow man" is a surveyor,
busily employed in measuring the length
and taking the course of roads location of
buildings, boundary lines of farms, &C.,
preparatory to getting up a map of the
country. Dispensing with chain, his
wheel measures in certain number of
revolutions, exactly one rod on the sur
face of the ground. To the wheel is at
tached clock work arrangement and
bands, and by inspection, the distance
from point TO point is noted as he rolls his
barrow along. To the barrow is affixed
a compass staff, and at every crossing and
change of direction in the road, he sets
his compass and notes the course. Then,
this solitary individual, dispensing with
the usual paraphernalia of chainmen, flag
men, axemen, chains, pins and stakes, by
trundling his little machine around, will,
in due time, present an accurate map of
the country, showing all the roads,
streams, mills, churches, school houses,
dwellings,, farms, with their owners
name, and also plats of our towns and VII
lagos, and this, too at moderate cost to
the purchaser of the map.
Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-09-24

1t is not generally known that General
Washington, during the war of the Rev
olution, received the honorary title of
Mareschal de France. In reference to
this matter the Frederick (Va. } Examin-
er contains the following:
Some weeks ago, in conversation in
the Examiner Office, gentleman of this
city remarked that he had in his possess
ion an old porcelain mug, with an effigy
of Gen. Washington on horseback, and
the inscription beneath, I" George Wash
ington, Esq, Generalin- Chief of the
United States Army and Marshal of
France" A discussion thereupon arose
as to whether Washington had ever re-
ceived the BATON of Marshal of France.
To resolve the doubt, Colonel A. Kimmel
said he would address the venerable e.
w. Parke Custis, the surviving member
of Gen. Washington's household, on the
subject. He did so, and received in re-
ply the following letter:
ARLINGTON HOUSE,
Aug. 10, 1857.|
Ny DEAR Col. KIMMEL Your very
acceptable letter came duly to hand. In
regard TO Washington as Marshal of
France, | have in this house proof
strong as holy writ" in an engraving of
Napier of Merchistoun, the celebrated
inventor of the Logarithms, which was
presented to Washington by the Earl of
Buchan, a relative of the philosopher,
with the endorsement in the handwriting
of the Earl: "To Marshal General
Washington, with the respects of Buch-
an" Now, Buchan lived in the age of
the Revolution, and was the associate of
Courts, and certainly would not have ad-
dressed one he so loved and admired as he
did the chief title to which the chief
had no claim. Lord Napier, on visit
TO the Arlington House, was greatly graf
flied by sight of reminiscence of his
ancestors treasured among the relics OF
Gen. Washington.
The history of the title, Marshal of
France, is simply this: When in 1871,
Col. Laurens went to France as special
ambassador, difficulty arose between
him and the French Minister as to the
command of the combined armies in
America. Our heroic Laurcns said -
"Our chief must command it is our
cause, and the battle is upon our soil. F"
=" C'est impossible" exclaimed the
Frenchman; "by the etiquette of the
French service, the Count de Rocham-
beau, being an old Lieutenant General,
can only be commanded by the King in
person, or a Marechal de France -
Then" exclaimed Laurens, make
our Washington Marechal de France,
and the difficulty is at an end" 1t was
done.
A friend of mine heard Washing ton
spoken of as Monsieur le Marechal, at the
siege of Yorktown. Our beloved Wash
ington never coveted or desired rank or
title ; but it is beyond doubt that, from
the force of circumstances just related,
the rank and title of Marechal de France
was conferred upon the General-in Chief
of the combined armies of America and
France
Believe me, my dear sir, truly and
faithfully your obliged
Friend and servant,
GEORGE w. p CUsTIs.
Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-09-24
Effect Of Emancipation.

Every sign in Missouri is cheering to
the heart of all true friends of freedom
and progression. Since it was settled
that slavery must give place to free labor,
thousands are rushing to Missouri, which
is one of the most splendid States in the
nation. People are there looking for land
from Maine, Massachusetts, New York,
Pennsylvania, Iowa and Illinois, with a
sprinkling from Virginia and Kentucky.
There were entered Mt the Springfield
office, in the months of May and June,
376, ,O34 acres, which exceeds the amount
of sales for the whole of the two pre-
cedng years, and at this time the entries
amount to about 5000 per day. At Mil
an and Fayette the sales during the spring
have been about 100000. At Jackson
the sales are about 1900 acres per day.
In the Palmyra District there are only
about SO, 600 acres unsold, consequently
entries are limited, for the lands unsold
are not very desirable. In the Platts-
burg District the desirable lands are near
ly all entered.
Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-09-24
GOOD SENSE IN WESTERN VIRGINIA.

There is still hope for the Old Domin-
ion. Signs of returning sanity arc in
creasing. Last year she drove out I'm
derwood for voting for Fremont-th this
year she welcomes Eli Thayer, listens to
his free labor speeches, and welcomes his
Yankee emigrants. There is potency in
Kansas Free State movements-in Mis-
souri, emancipation. Virginia feels the
quickening impulse Virginia moves
and is resistlessly drawn in the right di-
rection. Thayer is not hung, as prom
ised by the fire-eaters, but is feasted by
hospitabe and real F. F. VS.. When will
marvels cease
July 2lst, the Hon. Eli Thayer of Mas
sachusetts, addressed the Land Owners
of Guyandotte and vicinity, and explain
ed to them the objects of the Homestead
Aid Society, of which he is the Presi-
dent. He told them plainly what it was
designed to do-to build up New Eng
land enterprise and New England indus
try and thrift by the labor of white peo-
pie in Western Virginia. If they prefer
red slave labor, they could enjoy itunmo-
Tested by him or his proposed colony
AT the close of long speech, compliment
tary resolutions were adopted unanimously
the following significant ones among
others -
ReSotced, That we welcome to our
State the good, law-abiding citizens OF
any and all other States of the Union, or
the world, who may choose to cast in
their lot with us, to aid us in making
Western Virginia one of the wealthiesl
sections in the Union, and raising the Old
Dominion, the mother of States and OF
Statesmen, to the digniied and command
ing commercial position which she once
occupied among the States of the Union.
Resoleed, That we will defend in the
possession of equal rights with ourselves,
the peaceable, law abiding citizens of
other States who may settle in our midst,
and conform to the laws of the State.
Mr.. Thayer is going to prove his words
by deeds. He has selected tract of
5000 acres in Wayne county, on a creek
about two miles from the mouth of the
Big Sandy River, which forms the boun-
dary line between Virginia and kentuc-
ky. There is town to be built, to be
the centre of the colony of Northern
Emigrants of the Homestead Aid Associ-
alton. The town is to be called Ceredo.
1t is well situated for navigation, and is
in the midst of a splendid wheat growing
and pasture country, healthy and well
supplied with timber and coal. The AS
soclation has already sent out S45,O 900
worth of engines and machinery, with
the intention of making it manufactur-
ing place for the Virginia market. The
first body of settlers are to take possession
some time the present month. T. Cereland
Herald.
Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-09-24


WILSON AND SENATOR JoNEs.-Our read
ers have already been duly informed Of
the excited state of feeling now existing
between tie two rival factions of the DEM
ocratic party in this county, and of the
height to which this feeling has arisen,
breeding a warfare but little less rancor-
Gus than that of the rival houses of York
and Lancaster. The very decided vic
tory obtained by that portion of the par
ty led by Judge Wilson over his Jonesite
opponents at the Convention on Saturday
afternoon, appears to have sat but lily up
on the stomachs of the discounted ad-
hercnts of the Senator, and the Nonh-
West paper by general repute believed
to be his organ, contained in its issue of
yesterday morning some very caustic and
rather opprobrious reproachcs of the
management or "tricks" of the success
full faction. The appearance of this ar
ticle led directly to personal rencontre
between the rival chiefs of the Red and
White Roses, and to the occurrence Of a
scene very much to be deplored.
On yesterday morning, Judge Wilson,
accompanied, it tappcars, by Sheriff Hay
den and Prosecuting Attorney Mulkern,
visited the Office of the -NorM- West, for
the purpose of speaking with the editor
about the article we have mentioned. and
possibly with the intention of procuring
II retraction of some of the allegations
contained therein. Senator Jones was in
the private room of the office at the time
these gentlemen called, and remained in
the room for some moments while Col.
Heath received his visitors in the outer
office. But soon concluding to depart,
he passed through the office, spoke TO
the gentlemen present, and as he alleges,
was passing out, when he was called back
by Col. Heath and Mr.. Hayden, and a
conversation commenced on the exciting
topic of who was to blame. And here
the versions of the story sally differ
One tale afiirms that upon General Jones
simply expressing to Judge Wilson, in
reply to a question from the latter, his
opinion that lie, Wilson, was "not rs
good a man as Jones, because he, Jones,
was more popular in the city, county or
State, as Wilson," Judge Wilson struck
at General Jones with his cane with much
force, breaking the stick off with the
blow. The other chroniclers affirm that
on the conversation becoming general,
Senator Jones expressed in very ungen-
tlemanly and profane words, his opinions
of Judge Wilson, heaping upon him epi-
thets that no man could hear unmoved.
But it is certain that Il scuffie took place,
that Judge Wilson struck with his cane
so severely as to shiver the weapon TO
fragments, and that bloody and serious
fracas would have followed, had not the
other gentlemen present rushed between
the antagonists and 70 reed them from each
others presence.-DaJ. Rep.
Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-09-24
Bill Jenkins MARRIAGE.

Bill Jenkins was q very modest man
and although he mingled with the world
at barbecues, bar-rooms, and at many ol
the ct cetera places where men may occa-
sionally be found-yet he was modest
very, whenever placed in the company o
ladies. He trembled whenever pretty
girl would speak TO him, and felt like {
Gu prit at the stand when called upon tc
"see Miss So-and-so home" Bill could
never explain or account for this mos
singular limidity. He would sing, frol-
ic, and be as wild as rover among men,
but petticoat would unnerve him in
stantly.
Lucy Ann Leggins had " set her cap
for Bill, and she was determined to lead
him or die" Bill, to tell the truth,
loved Lucy, and was as miserable out Of
her company as he was timid in it-but,
as to popping the question, that was
impossible. Lucy knit purses, hemmed
handkerchiefs, worked shirt bosoms, and
then gave them to Jenkins, and several
gold rings, but still Bill would not pro-
pose. Lucy declared to him, repeatedly
that she loved him, and her happiness in
life depended upon being his wife-but
Bill was dumb. At last Lucy determin-
ed that he should :" hear thunder" and
when he next visited her, after some pre-
liminary soft talk on her part, she very
affectionately y said
Billy, my dear, when are you going
to ask me to marry you, for l want to
traf NV dracS randy 9''
Bill tainted on the spot, and hartshorn
and water were applied for half an hour
before he was finally restored.
"What has been the matter, Miss Lu-
cy?'
"Oh +! nothing much you tainted
when You were about to ask me to marry
you-but told you yes, and, oh how
happy we will be when we are married
will love you SO dearly, and, as you
said next Tuesday, why, am willing the
wedding should be then. My dear Bill
ly, how do love you -
f" am willing, Miss Lucy" was all
that Jenkins could articulate, while Lucy
almost kissed him into fits. What clio
rious victory.
Here we ought 10 stop, but cannot in
justice to the finale.
The next Tuesday had come, and Jen-
kins was trembling at the approach of
evening-something seemed to harrow
up his mind, and to no friend even,
would he communicate his deep distress.
You are not afraid, certainly, to go
up and getmarried-why, to marry such
a beautiful, charming, and Intellectual
being as Miss Leggins, l should wish
that time would fly like news upon the
electric telegraph line cheer up, Jen-
kins, cheer up p
Oh !" replied Bill, "you don't know
what distresses me. can go up and
get married that's easy enough but
there is something-I know it, am sat
lsfled of it-one thing | never will be
able to do unless Lucy will assist me-"
Explain yourself" replied his friend j,
. and if can, with propriety, l will en-
deavor to render you comfortable"
But Jenkins could not explain. He
dared not; it was his timidity he saw
the kubicon before him, and he knew he
couid not pass il but lie was determined
to set married, and trust to luck and Lu-
ry.