davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30
An Alibi.

Most of our readers remember the excitement
created in this county a few years ago, by the
outrage perpetrated by party of Irish labours
from the Tunnel upon another party near Fish
ersville. A large number of Irishmen suspected
of the offence, were arrested and lodged in jail
and the subsequent trials were protracted and
highly interesting. Many rich occurrences took
place during the proceedings, one of which came
to our knowledge only last week. One day
well-dressed, respectable looking man was OBJ
served sitting on the Magistrates bench, most of
the time intently engaged in reading newspa-
per. After several other cases had been dis
posed of, youth was put upon trial, and the
stranger was called down from the bench to tes-
tify in the defence. He stated that he had been
a contractor in the State of Massachusetts, and
the prisoner was then one of his hands; that he
knew the "lad" well-speaking very conde-
scendingly of him, aud that while there was
nothing particularly good in his conduct there
was certainly nothing bad. Recently the wit
ness had been living in Lynchburg, and knowing
that an important public work was going on in
this region, he had come over to see if he could
get contract On the day the outrage occur
red, and at the very hour, he was crossing the
Blue Ridge, and who should he meet but his old
acquaintance, the prisoner at the BARI The
recognition was mutual, and after long con-
yersation they separated Thus an ati6i was
proved, and the prisoner was discharged.
Some months afterwards, when oil the par
ties had left for parts unknown, another Irish
man fell into conversation with one of our law
yers on the subject of these famous trials. "Did
you notice." said he, "the gintleman on the
bench, reading newspaper ?" eyes" the law.
yer replied, "what of him2" "Why," said the
former, "he didn't know sletter in the book, and
the clothes on his back didn't belong TO him =
And faith, he was the brother of the boy, dressed
up and reading newspaper, to pass himself oil
as gintlernan from Massachusetts, |"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30

THE IRISH CATHOLICS ON OLD BUcK.-The
Freelnan's Journal of New York city, an organ
of the Irish Catholics, and one of the warmest
advocates of Mr.. Buchanan's election to the
Presidency, says in its issue of last week.
"The rebuke of the late election is severe, but
salutary. We are pleased that it has been
measured out with moderate hand Our only
desire has been that the true principles of the
Democratic party should be vindioated, and re-
lieved from the contamination of the spurious
and anti.republican yagaries of the present Ex-
ecutive. We have for some time ceased to re-
gard James Buchanan as Democrat. He is q
Federalist to bis hearts core. He has betray-
ed his highest trust orproved unequal to it, and
has warred with an insane bitterness against the
party that elevated him to office. Not only has
he endeavored to rob the party of its dearest
principles, but he has violated the fundamental
theories of the Government in striking madly
at the Representatives of the people and with
his brides in Kansas protfered to the constituent
cy, and his rewards of Office bestowed on re-
creant favorites, he has made an epoch which
will not soon be forgotten, and ought not ever
to be-"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30

In A PREDIoAMENT.-On Monday evening last,
a young gentleman residing in Williamsburgh,
n Y, was walking down Grand street with his
two sisters, when they observed man ofrespec-
table appearance standing near the corner ofElev-
enth street with respectfully dressed young wo-
man. After they had passed, the stranger step
ped up to the young gentleman and reckoning
him aside, stated that he and the young woman
had come to the city to be married, and were to
have met friend of theirs who was to. have
''stood up" with them. Their friend not arriving
and they being anxious to have the ceremony
performed as speedily as possible he made bold
to ask him if he would ''stand mp" with them
The gentleman thinking it would be good joke,
proposed the affair to his sisters, and they agree
ing, the whole party went before the Rev. A
Guion, of the Episcopal Church, and the loving
couple were by him duly married. The bride is
a young woman at service with family in New
York, and the groom is sailor just returned
from sea. The married couple left the clergy
mans residence well pleased, and thankful for
the services of the groomsman and the unexpect-
ed bridesmaids.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30
A Family Popularity.

The disposition to make the people "groan''
seems to be popularity of the Wise family
Our Governor promised before his election to
make the citizens Of Virginia groan under the
burden of taxation, and he has faithfully fulfilled
the pledge. He has made them 'groan, groan,
groan,"-three groans altogether. The sou, MIR.
o. Jennings Wise, partakes of his fathers dispo'
sition, and without resorting to coercion indu-
ces the people by simple suggestion to "grosn,
groan, groan" three times, altogether. At the
REL ent Democratic meeting in Richmond MIR. y.
Jennings Wise proposed "three groans for John
Letcher" and forthwith all the people groaned.
This remarkable faculty, bequeathed from sire
TO son, is among the wonderful things of the age.
Lugubrious notes issue from the throats of the
people at the wo-d OF command, with as uuch
alacrity az the enchanted ball obeys the behests
OF Wyman'g magic wand
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30
, Rows TONGUE FAsrENED TO LAMp.po

A Boys TONGUE FASTENED TO LAMP-PosT.
His Father Cuts 1t AWay.-On Saturday
morning little fellow about eight years old, u
son of Mr.. Chilean, bookseller, while playing
with some other boys on North street, approach
ed lamp post and carelessly applied his tongue
to its gray frosted surface, when, in an instant,
to the boys own horror and utter astonishment
of his playmates, he was held fast by his tongue
to the post, suffering very severe pain, and to-
tally unable to help or extricate himself. Of
course the boy could not speak, and could only
manifest his feelings by signs with his hands
Various applications of warm tea, steam, &C.,
were made by some neighbors, who heard the
unusual noise made by the other boys, and came
to learn what was the matter, but of no avail,
such was the action of the cold iron that the
hold was even getting tighter. When after about
ten minutes had elapsed, the boys father heard
of the affair, and Fastening to his relief, he took
knife and was obliged to cut the tongue loose,
leaving its skin still fast to the post, and causing
the blood to flow very profusely. Immediately
on his release the poor little fellow became in
sensible, and was taken home.-London &C. W.
Press, %.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30
-
Edinburgh Review.

Contents OF the October No.: /. Memoirs Of
the Court Of England during the Regency, 1911
1920, 2. Report Of tho Trial OF Madeline
Smith at Edinburgh, June, 1857, 3. History OF
Ancient Pottery, A. NJ. Guizot's Historical Me
moirs, 8. Contributions to the Philosophy OF
Vision, 6. The Earls of Kildare and their Ances.
tors, Z. Studies of Homer and the Homeric Age,
s. Guy Livingstone or Thorough, 0. The Lon
don Cotton Plant, 10. The Edinburgh Review
and Mr.. Froude's History. Republshed by L.
Scott & Co., New York, at So year.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30
ACQUISITION OF SoNoRA.-A Washington le

ACQUISITION OF SoNoRA.-A Washington let
ter writer, under date of the 2Sth, says:
An extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet was
summoned yesterday, to hear the message read,
and to bring together the reports, some of which
had been submitted to the President privately
before. Mr.. Buchanan lays great.stress upon
the conduct of Mexico, and our relations with
Central America. After presenting his views
on these two points, with all the facts at his
command, he will throw the responsibility upon
Congress of vesting him with discretion to meet
whatever emergency may arise after the ad-
iournment. He foresees danger ahead and per-
haps may not be unwilling to have collision
occur, to promote various cherished objects. 1t
is no secret here that combination has been
formed, with the knowledge, if not with the
connivance of the Government, for so called
revolution in Sonora, looking to its acquisition,
with port on the Pacific. This scheme was
meditated last winter, and in fact was feature
in the movement tor territorial governmental
Arizonia which Judge Douglas killed off at first,
and was willing to resuscitate afterwards
Other experiments having failed, the Admins
tration now falls back upon that political pana-
cea of Democracy expansion, as its
last and only hope of even partial redemption.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30
CONTESTED SEATS IN THE NEXT CONGRESS.

CONTESTED SEATS IN THE NEXT CONGRESS-
According to newspaper reports A. j. William
son, American, will contest the right of Hon.
Daniel Z. Sickes, Democrat, to represent the
Third District of New York in the Thirty-sixth
Congress. Governor Kemble, Democrat, will
Join issue with Hon. John B. Haskins, anti LIE.
compton, for the right to represent the Ninth
District of that State. John W. Ryan, Republi-
can, denies the claim of Hon. Thomas B. Flor
ence, Democrat, to the seat Of the First District
of Pennsylvania. Alfred W. Johnson, Demo-
orat, will endeavor to show before the next
House of Representatives that he is better enti-
tied to speak and vote for the Third District of
Maine than Ezra B. French Republican; who
has received the certificate of election. Francis
P. Blair, jr., Republican, has announced that he
stands ready to prove that his opponent, j. R.
Barrett, Democrat, in the First District of Mis-.
souri, was elected by fraud, and on that ground
lie will claim the seat.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30

A murder was committed in Roanoke county,
Va, on Thursday evening 18th inst. A Mr..
John Dickinson, in returning home from a saw
mill in the neighborhood, was met by man
named John Hurt and his negro man. Dickin-
son and Hurt got into quarrel about frivo-
lous matter, and n fight soon ensued, of which
Dickinson was getting the better, when Hurt
ordered his negro man to take Dickinson off and
skill him." which the negro literally accom-.
plished-beating Dickinson in such manner
that he died about twenty four hours afterwards,
The guilty parties have made their escape, and
have not as yet been arrested.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30
Very Valuable Invention.

We have recently had the pleasure of examin,
ing novel and ingenious Surveying Instrument
invented and patented by Col. Jas. M. Lilley Of
this place, which is one OF the most complete
contrivances we have ever seen. 1t is destined
to supplant altogether the old Compass now in
qsneral use, and we would commend it to the at,
tention of all practical surveyors The great say
ing of labor and mathematical calculation and
superior accuracy secured by the use fool. Lii
ley's instrument will be apparent to every one
upon the most casual observation.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30

The Legislature of Kansas was required to fx
upon permanent seat of government before
any of the Congressional appropriations fol- the
erection of public buildings could be available.
The seat was fixed in 1866 at Lecompton, and
money was expended for that purpose. In April
last the Legislature passed law over the Gov.
ernors veto, changing the seat of government to
Minneola. At the request of Governor Denver
decision on the subject has recently been CIV
en- by Attorney General Black, that the law is
void. The seat must be at Lecompton, at least
during the existence of the Territorial Govern
mept, for the reasons above stated. The money
having been thus conditonally appropriated
and expended, the change would be violative OF
the act of Congress, and fraud on the United
States.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30
MURDER IN NoRrHuMBERLAND.-Six white

MURDER IN NoRTHUMHERLAND.-Six white
men-Thomas Backerly, his son, W. Fl. Marsh,
William Blackerly, Joseph Blackerly and VIM.
Coleman, have been imprisoned at Heathville,
Northumberland county, Va, for whipping a
slave of George Brent so badly that he died. A
correspondent of the Richmond Enquirer says
the party of men had been frolicking all of Sat-
urday night at Blackerly's grocery, In that coun-
ty, and on Sunday morning they met with the
negro, when they took him up and gave him,
according to the evidence, five or six hundred
lashes. His body was found about 200 yards
from where they whipped him. The excitement
of the occasion was very great, so that over $50
persons collected, and there were many threats
of violence made against the perpetrators OF
the deed.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30
nianatohns from North Carolina State Chad the

Dispatches from North Carolina state that the
uugrateful Democracy there have squared their
accounts with Mr.. Clingman for his abandoning
his old Wing associations, by giving him nine
ty days seat In the Senate, by electing Governor
Bragg, from whom Mr. Clingman received a
Temporary commission to fiji Mr. Bragg's vaoau.
cy, to the full term of six years after the 4th OF
March next year. The Senate has been the am
biton of Mr. Clingman since he entered public
life, and perhaps his failure to achieve 1t in the
days of Wing ascendency, may have had some
thing to do with his sudden conversion to De-
mocracy. lie relinquished seat in the House
to grasp what has turned out to be barren scep-
tire, and is rewarded according to the measure OF
his merit, by paltry recognition, and very
doubtful compliment under all the circumstan-
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30

No MORE AGIrATIoN.-T st. Louis Intelli-
qsncer contains the following, under the above
caption, which there is vast deal of truth in,
and which we commend to those crazy spirits,
North andSouth, who are eyer busily intent on
stirring up contention and strife between the TWO
sections of the Union:
1--WE think we may safely assert that the late
game of slavery agitation connected with Kan
sas is completely played out Kansas itself is
in political syncope the result of that frightiul
spasms and commissions which exhausted its
strength and wasted its vigor. The South is
weary of strife which has revealed the supe.
rior colonizing capacities of the North, and
which, if continued, would make all the remain
ing Territories free States. The North has be-
come satisfied of the impractcability, as well as
of the injustice, of the doctrine of no more
slave States and has wisely decided to let the
people of the Territories themselves say whether
they will, or will not, have slaves.
siBut the chief reason for the cessation OF the
slavery agitation, is the fact that there are other
subjects Of more vital, practical Importance to
be agitated. The revision OF the Iart Is
question of growing interest and moment; the
exhausted condition of the Treasury is a matter
that cannot be neglected and the necessity, DIAL.
" growing more apparent, for q railroad and
telegraph to the Pacific, is subject that must
attract attention.
"These questions will demand the earnest con-
sideration of the coming session OF Congress,
and so mouopolize the time and talents OF our
statesmen as to leave no leisure for melodramat-
ic 'shrieks for freedom, and stale disquisitlons
about the rights of the South The niger
question is dead in general and in detail, and
there are none but bankrupt politicians to grleve
over the carcass of the defunct theme"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30

FRASER RIvER-The last accounts from Fra
ser River, as regards gold, seem to be better
a shipment of over 900 ounces of gold to San
francisco has been made. The weather, how
ever, was unfavorable. A great deal of snow
had fallen, and to make matters worse, provis-
ions were very scarce. Potatoes were selling
OF 70 cents per pound. The Fraser diggings are
attracting attention in Australia, and line of
clipper ships has been formed to rup from Mel
bourne to Vancouver's Island.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30

~ Messrs. Woods g. Gilkeson, Hardware
merchants of this place, have for sale small hon.
my mills of very simple construction and costing
only IS each, which housekeepers will find very
non aniant
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30

In the London Waterman is the announce
ment of tile death of the Rev. John Kicking
"tbe oldest Methodist preacher in the world, and
last survivor of the Helpers of John Wesley
He died on the 9th of November, in the Tls
year of his ministry, and would have been 9s
years old, had he lived only three weeks longer
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
HondE IoURMAL FOR 1853.

Neao Series-NeU AttraetiOns-Nsw Writers
NORRIS d WILLIS, EDITORS.
A, NEW series of this widey.circulsted family
n newspaper will be commenced on the first day of
January nert-printed fine paper and clear type.
With the January number will begin the publication
ton, written expressly for the Home Journal by the
best authors of America. The first of these tales is
from the pen of gifted writer, and is tale of love
ana ucre, entitled, Two Ways to Wedlock by lady
contributor The is laid in this city during the
memorable winter OF the great fire. IL is aeork Of
stsrng MERIT This story will be followed by 'Tale
OF the south. and one of startling interest, by
eminent Southern author called The Avenper! This
production is entirely American in construction plot
incident dialogue scene, tone conclusion. The third
OF this attractive series of American stories is Young
Wifes Diary! BY daughter of the West It con.
tains the whole history OF womans trials. and will be
read with the deepest feeling BY all classes the COM
munity. All the former peculiar features of the pa
per, which have given it worldwide reputation, will
be continued, while the several ones will give an
infinite variety to its ever diversified pages Among
them are namber of fresh spicy, amusing original
comic Stories which smack and relish of the wit hu.
NOR, raciness brilianey and sparkle of the times
As heretofore, no labor or expense will be spared to
maintain the high reputation of the Home journal,
which is everywhere, both at home and abroad ack-
nowledged to be the most refined and elegant repor-
tory Of Literature and the Arts this side of the sea-
and the best and cheapest family newspaper in the
world. AS no more copies of the new series will be
printed than are ordered, those who desire to begin
with the commencement of the volume will be able to
do so by forwarding their subscriptions without DELAY
TERNs-For one copy, 80; for three copies, $5-or
one copy for three years. IS for club Of seven cop
les $l0 for club Of fifteen copies SEQ and at that
rate for .sd larger elnb-awa ToR il ADVANCE
Editors and Proprietors, lo7 Fulton St., ny.
Nov. 80, 1858.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30
Railroad Meeting

The annual meeting of the stockholders of the
Virginia Central Railroad was held in Richmond
on Thursday last. Col. Fontane, President,
and Messrs. Robertson and Hill, Directors, were
reelected. The report of the President and
Directors announces that dividend may be ex-
pected in April next. A resolution in favor Of
disseminating Sunday trains, we regret to learn,
was lost.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30

"a The Democratic Convention to nomi-
nate candidate for Governor, meets at Peters
burg on Thursday, the End of December Con-
gress meets on Monday next.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30

Z MAIL CARRIERS TO THE SAuT AND LAKE SU-
pER1oR-We met last night six of the mail car
riers to the Saul and Lake Superior, who came
down on Mineral Rock preparatory to returning
with the mails They are all Indians and half
breeds, and with their old -fashioned uoyageur
coats, and capotes they present wild and rug
ged appearance. One of them, John Busha, of
the Saul, has been upon the route several years.
and is celebrated for his speed and great power
of endurance. The labors of these men are Of
the severest character. Over the ice and SHOWS
through swamps and tangled forest trails, they
would wend their way; sometimes packing the
mail, with the provisions for their trip, or as
they style it, voyage, upon their backs-at 9TH
ers, driving it before them on seds drawn by
trained dogs In this way they traverse the
country for hundreds of miles through the frosts
and storms of Winter sleeping where night finds
them, and deeming themselves specially fortu-
nate if they can make their beds in the bosom
of a deep snow bank. Their life is certainly one
of great hardship, yet it would he difficult to
make them regard it in any such light. 1t is
said that they can accomplish almost incredible
distances in single day upon their snow-shoes.
Detroit Free Press Non. IS.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30

THE GoULpY TRAaEDY.-Our readers will re.
member the attempt made on the night of the
2sth OF last October, by young man named
Francis A. Gouldy, to take the lives of his fath-
er's family at their residence in West Thirtieth
street, and his subsequent suicide. Mrs. Goul-
dy, the step.mother of the young monster, has
so far recovered from her wounds as to be con-
sdered out of danger.
Mr.. Gouldy is still in fair way for recovery.
One of the wounds upon his head has entirely
healed, but the others are still very sore. The
brain protudes to the size of walnut, but tue
attending physicians confidently assert that he
will finally be restored to health. His side has
not yet recovered from the paralytic shock con-
Sequent upon the affection of the brain. The
galvanic battery is to be applied so soon as the
strength of the patient will admit of it. Mr..
Gouldy has not yet been informed of the suicide
of his son.
Young Nathaniel is convalescent, being able
to sit up in bed and converse. Charles is also
better, but makes very slow progress. The SER
want girl Murphy is still in the New York Hos
pital, where every attention is paid to her,
The doctors believe she will recover. Great
numbers visit the house in Thirtieth street. but
none are permitted to see the afflicted except
those appointed to watch them during the day
and night, the relations, and physicians. The
recovery of this family is almost a miracle
N. Y Jour. Com.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-30

Y" See the advertisement of fine stock to be
sold at auction, near Rose Mills, Amherst, De-
cember the 9th.