davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-18
A NJ ACT II
For the protection of Fish.

SECTION l. Be At enacted Jy the General Assem-
hy Of the State Of OHIO That il shall be unlawfu
to ca tch or attempt 10 catch fish in any of the Sin
land waters of the State Of Ohio, by means of any
drag-net. sill-net, driit-net, flSh-basket. or by
poisoning the water with lime or any deeteriou>
substance whatever; or by obstruciihg in any way
the ma tural transit of .ish up down any river or
creek: Providing that nothing herein contained
shall be held to prohibit the taking of fish in any
manner in the river Ohio or in the waters of Lake
Erie; including so much OF oil rivers and creeks
emptying into The same, as lie contiguous thereto
and not on the same level, but not so as to OBJ
struc, prevent the natural transit of fish up and
down the rivers. .......
Sec. 2. Every person offending against the pro-
visions OF this act shall forfeit and pay for every
such ofiense penalty OF not less than FIVE dollars
more than fitIeen dollars. 10 be recovered in
civil action in the name of the State efO 10 before
any justice Of the peace O.. the proper county; and
such justice of the peace, 5pon complaint by oan
affirmation. shall issue his summons commanding
the appearance OF the party or parties complained
of and on the appearance OF the party or parties
summoned OF in default OF such appearance the
justice OF the peace shall proceed to inquire into
the truth Of the complaint; and If found guilty, the
party or parties defendant shall be held TO pay the
penalty as above provided with the costs of suit,
which shall be collected in like manner as other
judgments in civil actions before justices of the
peace, but without stay OF execution All penalties
collected under this act shall be paid into the coun-
ty treasury for the benefit of common schools.
SIC. 3. Ii shall be lawf for any person TO take
up, remove, or clear away, any obstruction to the
natural transit of fish, placed in any OF said inland
streams, for the purpose OF catching fish.
N. II. VAN WORRIES.
Speaker Of the House of Representatives
THOMAS II. FORD,
President of the Senate.
Anril I-th IS5-
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-18
Shooting Pigeons Without Shot

A correspondent at Chillicothe, Ohio, un-
der date OF February 25, records the follow
ing anecdote as a veritable fact:
A week or two since,t the woods and feed
ing lots around this little city were per
fectly alive with pigeons-as, indeed, they
are every fall and spring. Among the ma ny
who seized their double barreled guns and
rushed to the slaughter, was my friend Sam
Xxx, from Bucks county AN eager sports
man; so eager upon this occasion indeed
that after driving at 2.4e speed some five
or six miles out from the town, ard seeing
his horse properly put away, he discovered,
with dismay, that he had left his shot bag al
home! Here was dilemma for you! And
to make the incident ntolerable, the morn
ing was simply perfect, and the birds set
tling and rising in clouds! What was to be
done! That was question upon which Sam
exhausted his ingenuity. without arriving at
any satisfactory conclusion. Having gyra-
ted two or three times around the eighty
acre lot, to the music of some profane ex-
clamations,he became calm enough to make
up his mind for the return trip plgeonless.
Just at that moment he saw another sports
man drive up to the fence near by ,and soon
recognized Captain R. 'Ab,how lucky!'
thought Sam; d can beg, buy or borrow
some shot of him. But-but-what if he
has short supply, and declines divide in
veiw of the multitude of birds! All! have
an idea!'
Good morning, Captain R. A beau
tiful morning this, for shopping, and the
pigeons are as thick as blackberries.'
'Coot'n mornen, Herr Xxx responded
the new conner ,who is one Of the most gen.
tlemanly, but not one of the sharpest, OF
kraut and sausage consumers; 'me think we
have blenty of shoOten dis day.
Yes, plenty sport, captain. But, say
Cap, do you see yon coffee nut tree at the
edge of the timber! its big leaves, still hang.
ing, look like pigeons. Now that tree will
attract all the birds to alight upon it. S'pose
we build blind there, and shoot together
to day! We can take in thousand or two
| guess!'
VERY coot, Herr XXX responded the
German land in few minutes the col nstals
blind was erected, and the sportsmen en-
sconced behind 1t, ready for business.
On came the long line of birds, circline
around the feeding ground for moment ,ant
then settling upon the coffee nut :ree il
tens, ffties, hundreds.
'All ready, now captain? whispered Sam
! yah" exclaimed the excited captain.
Fire together, then'-bang! bang!! wen
both guns,and dozen birds were futterin!
on the ground beneath the tree, besides tw'
or three that sailed off wounded, and wer,
lost.
pretty well doner exclaimed Sam. 'Bu
let them lie, captain; we will gather up tn
spoils when we get tired of killing
And SO they shot all day long Sam takin
especial pains to fire simultaneously wit
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-18

9The slaveholding interest is less sat-
isfed with its triumph last November than
its antagonists are with their defeat. Like
Pyrrhus, af ter his first conflict with the
Romans, it fears "another such victory."-
The St. Louis election has pealed a tocsin
through the South. The Newbury rs. c.
Rising Sun thus expresses the general feel
ing:
Clouds and darkness; threatening clouds,
ominous darkness, gather around our politi-
cal future. A night, gloomy and terrible,
sets in upon us. We are drifting slowly,
silently, into an ocean of storms, furious
whirlwinds, quicksand, and fearful whir-
pools. A solemn silence prevails-'tis the
precursor of horrible tempest. HarkI-th
low muttering rumbling of distant thunder
breaks upon the stiffness. Fitful flashes
reveal the sullen gloom. The lurid air is
heavy and chill. The storm approaches
nearer and nearer it comes, louder and more
loud it howls. Man the saiis--all hands to
their posts. The South expects every man
to do his duty. Life and death, honor and
liberty are involved Let each heart be
firm, each nerve be steady. The conflict
will be fierce as hate and malice can make
it. Stand firm. Hark! what crash was
that! Kansas is G me! List, triumphant
shout from the spirits of the storm! Mis-
souri, is yielding. How fierce the blasts,
how lurid the lightning! How terrible the
tempest; sea AMI heaven are commingled!
Howls Horrible. yells terrific. tear our ears1
Virginia is assaied. Gloomy, dark, terri
BILE howls the tempest! Watchman, what
of the night! All is dark! dark! no dawn
appears.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-18
A Medium "Sold."

The Paris correspondent of the New
York Past writes the following, relative to
NJ. HUME, the great spiritualist, who has
lassly turned so many French heads. The
letter says:
This strange man left Europe in the las t
stfzmer for the United States, with the in
te7tion of bringing back his sister, who, he
afirms, possesses much higher degree o.
power over the spirits than himself. The
last feat of enchantment which Mr. Hume
pe3ormed, happened a few days before his
desarture. He had been invited to party
consisting of about forty persons, and as
usual, on entering, cast his eyes round the
aysTtment, scrutinizing every individual;
alter an examination of FIVE minutes, re-
qne1Eed that five or six persons should ab-
sent themselves. So
These prelimnaries accomplished, Mr..
Hume fixed his eye upon = table; but the
table, strangely unsympathic, remained i'm
he then went to another piece of
furniture (which offered the same resistance.
The Phenomenon Of animating the furniture
not succeeding, Mr.. Hume announced that
he should commence his eyolutions. (Sen.
sation among the assembly, The medium
demanded of lady what parsonage she d.
rec:ed to see. Socrates, she replied; and
Immediately tapestry hanging over door
moved, and an old man with white beard
appeared for an instant, and vanished like
cloud. The whole company were petrifed
with terror. Another insisted that Mr.
Hume should call up Frederick the Great.
The tapestry was again agitated, and
spectre in top boots and a three-cornered
hat g;ided in like dream, but instead of
in vapors as his predecessor, Soc
rates walked out with great burst of laugh
Ter. Mr.. Hume, furious at the merriment
Of the King of Prussia, took his ha: and went
off. The company soon learned that the
.bsented persons had arranged with two
who remained in the room this
rick upon Mr.. Hume.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-18
How Jed Missed It.

Some folks are in the habi: of talking in
their sleep, ,and Miss Betsey Wilson was one
of that number. This peculiarity she acci-
deEtaly resolved to Jediah Jenkins scare
Hess; conversational way. Jediah had just
5nished the recital of matrimonial dream,
| in which the young lady and himself fgured
as hero and heroine, he having intended the
same for the sake ofsaying atthe conclusion
that it was "too good to be true," and thus,
by speaking in parallels, assuring the dam
sci of what he dared not speak plainly.
Il never dream,' said Betsey, 'but some
times talk half the night, and tell every thing
in my Sleep
'You don't say so.'
'Yes; l can never have secret from mo-
ther; if she wants TO know anything she
pumps me after I've gone to bed, and an
swer her questions as honestly as if my life
depended on it. That was the reason
would not go to ride the other night, because
she would find it outfits awful proviking.
Some days after this, Jed called at the
house,and entering the parlor unannounced,
found that Miss Betsey, probably overcome
by the heat of the weather, had fallen asleep
on the sofa
Now Jed, as the reader has surmised, had
long felt an overwhelming partiality for the
young lady, and yearned to know if 1t was
returned; but tho possessed of sufficient
courage to mount 'the imminent deadly
breech'-or breeches-(commercial ones,we
mean) he could not muster spunk enough TO
enquire into the state of her heart. But he
non bethought hmselfof her confessed SON.
nambulic luquac;ty, and felt that the time of
ascertaining his fate had come. Approach
ing the sofa, he Whispered.
MY dearest Betsey, tell me, oh! tell me
the object of your fondest Affections
The fair sleeper gave faint sigh, and re-
sponded: Il love, let me think, (hear you
might have heard the beating Of Jed's heart
through brick walD love heaven, nv
country and baked beans, but if have one
passion above all others, it is for roast onions.
The indignant lover didn't wake her but
sloped at once, sadder, but not a wiser
man. At last accounts, Jed was Shining
up to another young lady.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-18

We Amt GOT ANYTHING ELsE.-An
honest backwoodsman, unacquainted with
the slang terms of the day recently went in
to store at Columbia, South Carolina, to
purchase a bill Of groceries. Stepping up
to the keepe: of the store he began with
"Have you got any sugar!"
ave aint got anything else" was the re-
ply.
"Well put me up u hundred and fifty
pounds, and make out your bill. III call
and settle, and get the sugar in an hour or
So"
In an hour or two after this the gentle
man called and paid his bill. as usual the
shop keeper said
"Want anything else"
81 did want some three or four bags Of
coffe, some rice, spices, oil, &c, &C., but
| got them at another store. You told me
you didn't have anythin. else"
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-18
Colloquy Between an English Lady
and a Yankee Officer.

Soon after theTeyolutionary war, Capt.
Pa brave Yankee officer was at st. Peters,
burgh, in Russia, and while there, accepted
an invitation TO dine: there was large
number at table, and among the rest an
English lady, who wished to appear one OF
the knowing ones.
This lady, on understanding that an
American was one of the guests, expressed
to one of her friends determination to
quiz him. She fastened on him like tigress,
making many inquiries respecting our hab-
its, customs, dress, manners, and mode of
life, educa:ion. amusements, etc.
To all her inquiries Capt. P.gave answers
that satisfied all the company, except the
lady; ;she was determined not to be satisfied
and the following short dialogue took place.
Lady-Have the rich people in your coun-
try any carriages! For suppose there are
some that call themselves rich.
Capt. P-My residence is in a small
town upon an island where there are but
few carriages-5ut in larger towns and
cities on the main land, there are a number
kept in style suited to our republican man.
| ners.
LADY, can't think where you find driv-
ers-l should not think the Americans knew
! how to drive coach.
Capt. P.-We find no difficulty on that
account, madam; we can have plenty of
drivers by sending to Englan for them.
Lady Speaking very quick) III think tn e
Americans ought to dive the English in
stead of the English driving the Americans.
Capt. P-We did, madam, in the last
war, but since peace we permit the Eng lish
to drive US.
The lady, half choked with anger, stood
mute minute, and left the room, whisper
ing to her friend--the Yankees are too much
for US in the cabinet, as we'll as in the field.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-18

have often heard 10 the dim old wood,
Mid It's stillest depths OF solitude,
The wild wood spirits playing there,
Whilst foated soft upon the air.
Their tiny whispers, understood
By sister spirits Of the wood =,
Oh. they whisper often in the breeze
As it lightly dallies among the trees.-
They shake the dew from off the boughs
Upon their bright and upturned brows
And laugh in more than childish glee,
As they revel beneath the greenwood tree.
Oh their gsmbols wild are gayest when
With laugh and song in some deep glen
Where the wanderers foot hath seldom trod-
Where scarce thought, unless of God,
Could fill the heart, Oh then and there
The wild wood spirits fill the air!
A coy one hides among the leaves,
And garlands OF the wild vine weaves.
Some coquet with the flower bells,
That bud and bloom within the delIs-
Some up the grape vine gaily swing
Whilst wee ones feel the zepher wing,
As in the prattling brook they gaze
On the mirrored faces it displays
The green old wood is filled with these
Their voices play upon the breeze;
Within the G len, upon the hill,
The waterfall, the tinkling rill,
Within the vale embosomed deep
By trees and vines, and rocky steep.
Where dwell the sounds of rusiling boughs,
And singing birds pour out their vows
A lone in deep, sweet solitude,
Dwell these wild spirits of the wood.
ROSELLA
COLUMBUS, Oct, 1883.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-18
Reception of a Fillibuster.

The New Orleans papers are filled with
notices of Walkers reception, which seems
to have been of an unusually enthusiastic
character. The Crescent, describing the
arrival of the Empire City with the re-
nowned fillibuster, says:
"At length, however, Capt. MCGOWAN
appeared on the wheel house, escorting a
slender, smooth-faced gentleman in black,
with black felt hat, whom he introduced
by bow, as the object of the noisy solicit
tuds. The General smlingly raised his
hat, and bowed a number of times; whilst
the multitude greeted him with such cheers
as could only proceed from patriotic Amer-
can throats. The General then disappeared,
and the gangway being raised, the widest
efforts were made by the crowd to rush on
board; bat they were kept back by men sta
toned there for the purpose.
s"During the struggling and pushing of
the crowd to get on board, the General and
his staff managed to push their way ashore.
The General, however had hardly stepped
off the gangway before he was seized, III ct
armis, by some of his personal friends, and
carried in triumph to a carriage some fifty
yards distant-a proceeding which he OBJ
jected to, but could not prevent. Safely
enAconced in a carriage, he was driven to
the St. Charles Hotel, whittier a large part
of the crowd followed him, great numbers
still remaining at the wharf to welcome
their friends among the officers and privates
who remained behind"
At the solicitation of the crowd, Mr.
Walker made the following address:
"Fellow- -Countrymen: have always felt
sure of the sympathies of the American
people in the cause of which I am the hum
BILE advocate. Although now defeated in
Nicaragua, the same sympathy which has
cheered US on so far will vet result in the
emancipation of that beautiful country.
Though defeated, we are not disheartened.
| thank you, fellow-countrymen, for your
Kind reception on my return again to my
native land. and must at the same time ex-
press my gratitude for your kindness and
generosity duIiIg my absence"
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-18

0-A talent is perfected in solitude;
character in the stream Of the world
Goethe.
Cs.y-Tt is said that no forte ever suffered
So much from single battle as did the Pi-
ano forte from the battle of Prague.
ttyThere are about nine thousand cells
in square foot Of the honey comb. Five
thousand.b bees weigh a pound.
6-Why is Louis Napoleon's the most
mathematical government. Because it 10
established on trigger-nometry.
A JUVENILE SFEEcH Law, Mr.. Smith |,
what makes your hair SO red! Mas got
some stuff that turns hers such ajOlly black.
SyBuchanaA's appointment Of Howell
Cobb as Secretary Of the Treasury is said
10 be a new MODE Vi acknowledging the
corn"
Ur,Er FEiExpsIIrs.-The water that
flows from a spring does not CONCEAL in the
winter. And those sentiments Of friendship
which flow from the heart can not be frozen
by adversely.
REAsoSABIE ISouIRY.-"Isnt the
world older than it used to bel" said a
voung hopeful to his senior. ayes, my son."
Then what DO lolks mean by old timsse
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-18

0FThe democratic Journalist Iof the dough
Mason's and Dxon's line, are very much
annoyed at the refusal of the free Statemen
in Kansas, to vote at the June election, and
thus recognize the government forced upon
them by the Border Ruffians of Missouri -
Their editors, seme of whom have been en-
gagged in the Free Kansas deception in the
late Presidential campaign, profess to be
very indignant at the course of the free
Statemen, and with their usual assurance
declare that the democrats desire TO make
Kansas free State. and would effect that
object but for the Indifference or the insin-
cerity of their opponents. In regard to this
position, cotemporary very pertinently
asks-Why don't the democrats make it a
free State! They recognize the validity
and regularity of the existing territorial
government, and can have no scruples about
casting their ballots under its provisions-
If they are in iavo. of freedom in Kansas.
and if they sincerely condemn the course
pursued by Atshison, Stringfellow, and
their associates, as they have professed on
many occasions, let them vote in accordance
with these views at the next territorial elec-
ton for delegates to the convention to form
State convention. We cannot see with
what semblance of propriety they can call
on the Free Statemen to vote down their
party in order to carry out principle for
which that party, in one section of the
country at least, expressed especial friend
ship. To condemn the free State party in
Kansas for not saving the democrats from
the operation of their own measures, seems
like paltry conduct of which even North
ern doughface,' callous as he is to every
feeling of that kind, should be ashamed. As
for the Free Statement in Kansas, they arc
fully component to take care of themselves,
without seeking advice from their political
opponents, who should remember the pro-
verb in regard to unsought counsel.-PHts.
Gazette.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-18
AN ACT

To prevent SlavchOlding snd kidnapping in Ohio
SECTION l. Be IL enacted By the GeTscd' Assem-
Wy Of Lhe State Of Ohio, That 1t any IpersOn shal
bilng into jis s'ate any other person, with Inien
TO hold or control, sha II hold or control, or shal
aid or assist in holding controlling, directly o
indirectly. within this State any other person Us
slave such persons offending, shall be dscmct
guilty OF false imprisonment, and upon cogeictiuI
thereof shall be punished by impTisonmsnt IN tit
county lail, not less than three, more than nin,
months, aud by tine not less than Two hundred, MOI
more than five hundred dollars; and every person
coming within this State otherwise than as atpcrs0T
he IL 10 service in another Stale under the aws
thereO and escaping into this State, shall be deem
ed and held in all courts absolutely free.
SEc ? II anv person shall seize or arrest Ol
shall attempt 10 seize or arrest or shall aid IN seZ
Ing or arrestng or III attempting TO seize or arrest
or shall use any force OF iradd Tor the purpose O
holding, delaining or cuntrosing any other person,
upon prs,ence OF claim that such person Is tusi-
tive from service such person, Offending. shall
be deemed guilty OF false imprisonment and shall
| he punished by imprisonment ia the county lali,
not less than three months, nor more Than nine
months, and by tne not less than three nor more
than five hundred dollars.
SIC. ). Ii any person shall seize or arrest, OF
shall attempt 10 seize Or arrest or shall aid in
scizing or arrestng, or in attempting 20 seizo 90
arrest, shall use any oree or irIut iur the pur-
pose OF holding OBTAINING, controlling, o. intluene.
ing any other person with ntou ~ carry or remove
SUI rerSon out otIhls State, or with intent 10 cause
such person voluntarily to depar, out OF this State
i'll order that such person may be taken, held, OF
controlled as slave in soms other State territory
or jurisdiction, such person 50 offending shall IL
deemed guilty OF kidnapping and shall be punish
ed by Imprisonment IN the penitsniiary lat hanl
labor, not less than three, nor moIe then seven
years.
Sgc. 4. Nothing IN the preceding sections OF thi.
act shall apply 10 any act done by any person under
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-18
April l7Ih, 1851.
An ACT
Concerning County Infirmaries.

Concerning County lniirmarles.
SECTION 1. BE Il enacte,I By ne General As.en-
big Of the State Of Ohio, That 1t shall be the duty
of the Court of Common Pleas of each county in
this State having a Cornty lphrmary, soon
after the passage of this act as practicable, 10
appoint three Commissioners ofthe proper county,
one of whom shall be a practicing physician,
whose duty it slTsll be to examine andnspect the
Iniirnary of said county; and also TO inquire into
the rules and regulations touching the manage
ment of the Institution, the number and condi
ton of its inmates. Tie cause of their becoming
such inmates, and their nativity, and the annual
expense of sustaining such Institution for three
years past, and the average number Of persons
supported therein during each of said three years.
SIC. 3 1t shall be the irty of sEid Commits
sioners to report to the Governor or before the
first of December next, the results of their exam
nations, accompanied by such recommendations
as they may deem necessary TO secure . proper
and becoming administration of the affairs Of
such Institutions.
SEC. 3. 1t shall be the duty Of the Governor,
as soon after the receipt of said reports as pract
cable, to appoint some suitable person as Com
missioner, whose duty it shall be to examine
said reports and preparea bill for the better es
tablshins regulating and managing of infrns-
ries, and report the same to the next General As
sembly-
SIC. 4. That the Commissioner appointed by
the tioyernor shall be paid his expenses incurred
while disehargins his duties under this act cut Of
the contingent fund of the Governor; and tko
Commissioners appointed by the Court shah DO
paid their expenses while engaged in the perfer-
nance of their duties out of the treasury Of the
proper county.
SIC ). This act shall take eject inme,iiateIN
N.H.vAN WORRIES,
Speaker Of the Hoase Of Representatives.
THOMAS IL. FORD,
President Of the Senate.