davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01
A CURIOUS LAW.

In looking over some old musty law
records of Virginia the Norfolk Argus
has come across the following curious
enactment:
cat Grande Assemble held at
James Cittie in the year of our Lord
1916, were passed mamie acks to the
glorie of Almightie God and publique
goode of this his Majestie's Colonic;"
among which is act V. with amended
orthography,)" "Women causing
scandalous SUIT shall be ducked.--
Whereas, oftentimes many babbling
aUomen often slander and scandalize
their neighbors, for which their poor
husbands are often brought into charge
able and vexatious suits and cast in
great damagcs--Be it therefore enact
ed by the authority aforesaid, That in
actions of slander occasioncd by the
wife, as aforesaid, after judgement
found for tho damages, tie ,comen shall
be punished by duckiay! If the SLAM
der be SO enormous as to be adjudged
at greater damage than 500 pounds
of tobacco, then the women shall be
ducked head and heels once for each
five hundred pounds Of tobacco SO ad-
judged against her husband, if he re-
fuses to pay the fine imposed"
The Argus has fallen into an error
in regard to the date of the law. "Att
Grande Assemble session of
1861 2-the County Courts were or
dcrcd to have pilorics, ducking stools,
&C., erected, under II penalty of FIVE
thousand pounds Of tobacco, and in
December, 1863, the above law was
passed 1t may be found in Hening' s
Statutes at Large, vol. Up. 1G6. Black
stone, in his Commentaries, treats of
the olfcnse and punishment as follows !:
ga common scold, communiS rfra-
tri1 (for our law latin confines it to the
feminine gendcr) is % public nuisance
to her nejghborhood. For which of.
fence she may be indicted; and if con-
yicted may be placed in a certain en-
gne of correction called the trebucket,
castigatory, or catcking stool, which in
the Saxon language is said to signify
the scolding stool though now it is fire.
quently corrupted into ducking stool,
because the residue of the judgement
is, that, when she is so placed therein,
she shall be plunged in tho water for
her punishment. a..-.
In October, 1905, we find another
law of the "Grandc Assemble, mere
ly authorizing and empowering the
Courts to erect ducking stools at coun
ty expense, and on the 29th of August,
1851, the following Order was made by
the Court of Augusta county
"Ordered that the Sheriff employ
a workman to make ducking stool
for the use of the county according to
law, and bring in his charge at laying
the next county levy"
1t does not appear from the records
of the Court that the punishment was
ever inflicted in this county. .
Stanton Spectator.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01
NEVER FORGOTTEN

A rich landlord Of England once cru
ely oppressed p"or widow. Her son
little boy Of eight years, saw it. He
afterwards became painter, and pain.
ted Ii!e'likcness of Ihc scene. Yeas
afterwards be placed it where the man
saw It, He torred pale, trcmbed in
every joint, and offered any sum to pur.
chase 1t, that he might pu, it out Of sight.
Thus, there is an Invisible painter draw
ing on the canvas Oft soul ,ife-like
ness rejecting correctly all the passions
and actions OF oar spiritual history on
earth. Eternity will reveal them 10 ev-
cry man. We must meet ouI carh-ife
again.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

TIE Blockade Gf CHM The Lon
don Daily News correspondent in Chi
ma writes, regai ding affairs at Canton:
f. "The only resoits Of the bIockado, az
yet, are that the iuha bitants Of The couu =.
try districts suffer trade is checked IN
tl"ng Kong; price of provisions enhanc.
ed the Cantonese are but little affect
ed, aud Macao is hourshiug.
"l' is confidently expected ,hot tho
attack on Canton will take place about,
the ecud of the year. The rciufurcements
OF marines ought to be here about that
time, ond between them aud the garr;.
sou aud the fleet. there ought 10 be
zoos men avaiable Tor the attack on
CautOn."
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

More Sorgho Sagar Since our last
issue, says the Scientific Amcrican. we
have received another sample of c,ys.
talized sugar, made from The Juice If
S"rgo sugar cane, by d. NJ. Cook ,Maus.
field, Ohio. BY the use ola peculiar g.
vaperat0r, he states that he found no diff
hcu'ty III crysiallrz1ng the syrup of this
cane. He asserts that the SuI gho can
be iipcned throughout all the Northern
States, aud that its juice is as cryst0lIi.
Fable sacchorine product as that Of tho
common sugar cane. He also oiFi, ms
that with proper cultivation it will yield
1000 pounds Of sugar 20 the actc, and
may reach double This amoUnt.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01
WlEY MEM 1IArsIsY.
BY FANNY HOWARD.


ve'ily believe one-half of the young
men ~ho marry, take that responsible
ity upon themselves for the express
purpose oF having some one To wait up.
on them You know that they couldn't
at all times coll upon servant 10 hunt
up their slippers, curl their hair, or lie
their cravat. And then how delightful
1t is. when young gent fluids his little
wife half asleep in the arm chair, pa
tiently waiting his return from the op.
era "i the theatre. where perhaps he
had been carrying on tiitarion with
half dozen young ladies'. not To say
word of the smiles and b"qrets be-
slowed on a favorite actress how she
opens her large black or blue eyes, aud
tiles to Look pleased; but poor soul, If
she should have courage I" ask him why
he staid so late, and where he had
been, do think he would cnndescend to
tell her? Not he indeed he merely
takes his watch out Of his pocket, and
eXclaims ....
Bless my heart ! had no idea it was
so 'a'e I've been SO engaged with bus.
Inrss tonight ] was not aware how time
passed; come Bessie like a good wife,
get me something TO eat and then m
off To bed"
5" the poor young thing must smoth.
er her feelings, aud 60 down into the
" .'"'' V"' '"e se''a"tS are
W So' 0''''o supper io' ner 'o'u
'"'' ''"''
She must stop after he retires to see
'"r' we gas 10 ,u'neu Oh ""I 'he me IS
o'.' 1"u 4E''' '"''y H'e' sue goes 10
may nave |" '"h Gown
:, ''iI 3"'I '"' s'N'S VI ""''!' u ms
49,, - ''''' "i' "'au
'"'
Illus wives are looked upon as a mere
aPPendage 10 Me Comforts q: the other
sex
/ SUll, must allow, one here aud lhero
may be found wholly free from such sci.
fshuess one whose soul yearrs for
com hip--cohsidelng KIN
are" sP''t necessary t" complete his
happiness blessed must be he woman
whose fare is III the Keeping OF such 6
. treasure.
And then how she chrrshes the re,
membran &c OF i'm in his absence foi
his love like a beacon of light, hove,s a
round her. cheering her amid all her lu
onrs' smo"ths the waves Which SO offer
'"ih" me DARK waters OF matrimony
Strengthening her under temptation
ant enabling her t" '"'n ali eye of cole
indifference or all but he who elaine
hI4 H., I,N
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01
MORGAN70WN MONONGALA CO, VA. FRIDAY JANUARY l. 1858

WON'T HANG WoMEN.-The Ian
caster Examiner, referring to arecent
conviction of a woman for poisoning her
husband, says; although the prisoner
has been found guilty of capital of
fence, and may be sentenced, It's not
likely she viii be executed. The court
merely sentences to be hung at such a
time as the executive of the State may
appoint, and remand the condemned to
prison to await that time. OF late years
1T has been customory in Pennsylvania,
in cases where women have been SEN
fenced to death, for the Governor to
not name a day of execution, and thus
virtually the sentence is one of impris,
onment for life. This, we presume,
will be the result in this case. Their
are now, we believe, in Pennsylvania,
seven woman under the sentence of
death, several of whom were convicted
many years ago"
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

NEWSPAPER BLANKETs--TEsrIMoNy
OF SKEPTIC. TO THE EDITORS. Il
have recently heard much about the
value OF newspapers as substitute for
blankets, and have considered the state
ment to be apocryphal. But last even,
ing L was induced to make the experi-
ment. ! took four full sized news
papers, and pasted them together at
the edges, making one large sheet of
the size of a blanket. then removed
three blankets from my bed, and pla-
ced the newspaper sheet between the
one remaining blanket and the coun-
terpanc. The result was comforta-
bic nigh'st sleep, without any feeling Of
cold.
l pledge my word to you, gentlemen,
that this is literally true, and my OBJ.
ject in making the communication is
that, through the medium Of our pa
per, the fact may be generally circula-
ted for it is no trifling matter to the
poor of your city to know that for an
outlay ofa few pennies they can sup.
ply themselves with comfortable bed
covering through the approaching win.
tcr.--N Y. Paper.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

DEATH Whilst Praying.-A start
ling instance of sudden death occurred
at Bath on Monday evening. Mr.. r..
p. Lemon, wine merchant of that city,
who was one of the deacons at Argyle
Chapel, was at the week. prayer meet
ing of the congregation and had enga-
god in prayer. A hymn was given
out, when it was observed that Mr..
Lemon still remained leaning upon the
table in the communion pew, at which
ne had knelt whilst praying. AS he
did not rise, some of those near him
touched him, but as this had no effect
and effort was made to rouse him, when
1T was found that he was dead.-Eng-
'hsh Paper.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01
Great Flight Of Wild Geese.

We believe the extent of the wild
goose emigration. yesterday SUI passed
that OF any similar Administration on any
one day in former years Flocks nf
these great birds, stretching out in the
toim of an invorted v, wiki the leader
al the point, were passing SouthwaId
over this ely and neighbnring towns
nearly all day, Monday. One gentle.
man connted 100 in Que fluck, aud lie
says he saw about dogan Aocks. OH.
els counted eighteen and twenty fucks.
GenoraI'y they h~w too high To he shut,
though their loud aud incessanr erie,
could he hoard. A f W sh"rs we,c lii-
ed at them, but We brlirve without cf.
feet. These birds "hen fly ell dav aud
night aud traverse vast tracts of c"un.
try /" hiief space "f time. Comm .
from he far Moth, from the Nn,thc,n
shores Of Lahrad" and The vicinity Of
Hudson Bay, their migration to the
shores of the Gulf of Mexico, aud 9th.
er Southern points made in an almost
lhcr"dible sh"it time. Their flight
south is commonly believed To be the
harhing~r"f cold wcalhe'; as their uo,th
emigration ea'ly il the Spring is hailed
as az indicariun of the breaking np of
wintrt. - H"ry0rd Times DcccmLcs' |.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

poIunteerstor Utah.--The St. Lou.
!s Democrat suggests the calling out
In March or April of volunteers to the
amount OF ten regiments from the wes-
tern States; the incorporation of the
hunters OF the several Indian tribes on
the Missouri frontier into advance skir.
mishing parties, and the movement of
the whole upon Utah before the grass
falls in the spring. Such force would
over-power opposition, would need no
commissary department, and would ar
rive at the seat of war in time to make
permanent Judgement for the ensuing
winter. Among the Delawaros and
Shawnese the best of soldiers in the
world for such warfare can be found.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

a DeStrNctiue Insect. A small white
ant has been introduced into the island
OF ST. Helena by vessels from the coast
OF Africa, and is destroying everything
in the shape of wood, provisions, vegc.
tables and clothing. They eat into
the woodwork Of houses and then cat
up all the inside, leaving a mere shell
New buildings, IN less than two years,
Will fall to ruins by their destructive
operations, which entail loss to the
inhabitants Of thousands of pounds
annually.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

MAMMOTH TREES IN CALIFORNIA;
We copy from California paper the
following article:
"Another grove Of mammoth trees
has been discovered in Mariposa coun.
ty. The ordinary size of these trees is
800 feet in height, and from 10 to 80
feet in diameter. The discoverers of
this last grove had no instrument for
measuring the trees with them, but
they thought some Of the trees to be
larger than the largest in the groves
previously discovered. This is the
third mammoth grove in Mariposa. -
That first discovered has 421 trees,
the second 30, and the last SO. These
groves are near the road to the great
Yo Semitic Falls. The most celebrated
mammoth grove in the State, however,
js III Calavcras county. There are
four in all. ("
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

DcM ofMe Unitcd Sfatcs The Uni.
ted States on the Sd Of March last owed
cd $50, ,043, 600. From he Sd Of March
To the 30'b June she redeemed $685.
600 Of her stock. From the 1st of Ju.
iy in the 18th Of Octobor she redeemed
27l 1000. Since ths, time sho has paid
on $4,000 Of her debt. The present
debt may, therefore, be said to be $685.
100000, is held by Foreigners. 1t is
likely moreover, that the Foreigners will
continue TO hold stock, for thero is no
bsuof.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01
Ihe Monster Ships.

BY the late arrivals we learn that in
England they are likely to build only
LeOiathan ships hereafter. And the
New York Times is betrayed into the
following acknowledgement, in COM
menting on the subject: =
GA new era in navigation will be
inaugurated, and we shall have to
change, radically, our maritime system.
The new monster ships are not only
going to destroy our system of lines of
packets, which VIC were the first to es-
tablish, but there is great danger of
the prosperity of this port being seri-
ously damaged as well. If these mon
sters are constructed so that they can
not enter our harbor we shall cease to
be the great commercial cntreport of
the New World, and some other CITY,
built where there is deeper water, will
deprive us of our boasted supremacy.
Nature made the magnificent Chesa.
pcake for the reception of such mon
sters; and NORFOLK is destined to be
the great Commercial Metropolis of
this Continent Spectators in lands
have already, within ourremcmbrancc,
realized 800 per cent. on their invest.
mcutS down The Bay. But that is q
mere dyop in Ne bucket.
DIT,J,JuIty
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01


A Nan Bu,ied Win a Belt FuH of
Gold ArOuna Uim.-About month
ago the body Of a man, who was sup
posed to have been accidentally drown
ed, was found at Jersey city, and with
out due examination inferred. 1t was
subsequently ascertained to be that of
a German named Nicholas Werther, of
Mascoutha, st. Clair county, Illinois,
and that he was on his.way to Germany.
a few days ago his widow arrived at
jersey city, and having stated that he
left home with considerable money, his
remains were exhumed by the author
ities. The result was the finding of a
belt about the body containing sixteen
hundred dollars in gold. ....
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

Teras.--Both houses Of the Texes
Legislature have adopted joint reso.
luton, instructing their Senators and
requesting their Representatives in
Congress to urge the passage of u law
for raising and equipping, at as early
a day as possible, "A regiment of Texas
mounted volunteers, to serve not less
than twelve months. The preamble
alleges, as the reason Of this enactment
that depredations and murders are con
stanly occurring on the borders that
Il considerable mounted force has nee
essarily Withdrawn from the frontier;
and that Major General Twiggs, com
manding the Troops in the department
of Texas, has recommended to the
Government Of the United States the
great necessity of a mounted volunteer
corps from Texas.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01
3 Getting in q Tight t'Iacs.

Sam, and the 'Bii,ishers,' a regiment
was raised in Canada Gale d the Kings
Own. but wss more p,operly named
'the Devils Own,' its advent in a place
being more dreaded than an INVASION
srpm Yankeedom. The ufiicers kent
up The Satanic fame of their corps with
c"'a,hendahlc epitit, the pillar being
Ensign ID IL. He was the most con,
S"mmate practical joker in tho aImy,
and his messmaies held him in ave il,
cons' quence "f The repeated success of
his tricks upon them. After an outra-
ge"us affair which nearly cost the lives
at w" or thee Of his com, AIDES, it was
resolved to re,alinte at the earliest op.
portuGity, which soon offered
The regiment. on the march TO the
t'oh'Ieis biy"uacked in the vicinirv Of
l. 'Acadie. 1t then became a question
OF some importance TO know how the
mess table was To be earnished. Ono
suggested a very common expedienr
among ho'h officers and men, viz IL
visit t" some nrighboring hen COOP
Another Immediately added that, T.
mlIe from the encampmeut he had no.
,iced an old lady feeding some pretty
geese.
/ Let's have ,sr, L,. al uoo., ,;o,
DE.
The party sailed out. and on reach.
ing the old iady's p,emises q ,cronnn;,.
ance showing that the geese were pen.
ned up unds1 one of hose ovens which
the generality of Cansdiaus build near
their houses. instead Of baking their
bread as in this country.
rWho'u crawl inn" came IN tho oues.
ton. .... r..
.D,E.---------, will hor,J.,,,a,,,,o
business and is The smallest chan among
u.s. said one Of the parry.
'Ceraiuly, said ID f., who alwoys
sought dstinciion in expluil. nf the kind.
In will, but some OF you must go TO ihc
h"nse ami cn;er'Oin the o!d woman SO
she may not Interrupt my operatiuns'
/ DE although small mnp. bod 10
exert his utmost strength in order 10
squeeze himself through the little door
oi'he pen.
/ Now he rried warding or the al
tack Of u bsiligcrem old goose. run in
10 ihp old woman
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

lhe statement that Brigham Young
has formally declared The independence
OF Otah, is slikiug commentary upon
hie designs. The statement is thai,
Brigham Young had d"clared in the
temple that hencriorth Utah was SEP,
crate aud independent territory, aud
owed no obedience or allcgicnco to any
form Of laws but those Of their own q.
nactmeni, and calls upon the people To
stand together aud support him in main,
laining the cause oiGod aud the Church
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

THE AUigator's Enemy.-An alliga.
tor was recently killed near the Baiizc
(mouth of the Mississippi which was
nearly eaten up by shrimps. 1t ap.
pears that when one of these monsters
is wounded ever so slightly, the sbriinps
at once begin to make their homes il
his body, and the colony increases until
the little pests actually deyour the
alligator alive.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

woman "as asked if she intended
To mary Mr.. ------- adding that he
was very good kind Of man but so
very singular.
"WeIl," replied The lady, so much
The better; ir he is so very much unlike
other men, he is moro likely to make a
good husband"
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

TIE Day 0 Small Things. 1t is q
fact though not generally known, that
Two hundred aud tliny years ago twen.
tyfour dollars purchased the whole city
aud county Of New York.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

"A Grim jnal IPaste.-lflhe daily sales
at the 5000 hotels, drinking saIions.
and dram shops 10 the city Of Now
YORK average $40 each, which is a
low estimate, the amount will be $50.
600 day $2,400,00o month, 829,-
100000 year.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

The bank paper circulation of the
United States at the present time is
estimated as follows: Bills Of less de-
nomination than five dollars, seven
millions; of five dollars, forty millions;
ten dollars, thirteen millions, twenty
dollars, thirty five millions; fifty dol.
lars, thirty milions;of the denomination
of one hundred dollars ard upward,
forty five millions. Total, one hundred
and seventy millions.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-01

Sugar is selling in the New Orleans
market at a J cents per pound, and
molascs at from 18 to 90 cents per
9allon.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-12-31

A VIRGINIA REMEEY.-Mrs.D DAVIS
aACOUaH ELiXIR, one of the bert known rems-
dies for Coughs asd Colds has been in use In Rich.
ond aud IT'S vicinity for the past f.teen twenty
Fears, anu has Iva, proved tftlcaciUua in Coughs
aud Colds. The folio certificate voluntari-
ly given by Rev. Mr.. Wies in 83f
Mr. c. G. Waller Dear sir: take pissnnps =. asDs in
| informing sou tnnt Mrs DAVIS C5u0h Efizir,"
pu, chased of you has acted like a charm upon my
little daughter. when she had the WhoopinR Cough
very bad have used it also in cares Of Colds At
eendf with severe coughing and IN Jry case the
same happy results have been produced. reuart
Judgment no family ought TO be withoutit.
Pastor Of the NJ. Z. Church. South on Caroline ci,
| cult, Va Cent
For sale by Mrs. A. B. DAVIS. Fisher { Winston
A. Bodeker and Chaf D. Vale. Richmond oc Is
lGRE4T ATThACTiON.--New Good
returned from the North with stock df China ina
Glass. Housekeeping aud Fancy Goods. TOYS, etc
fully worth the attention of all in want of han som
No / on st ne China Dinner. Tea ana Toilet Sets
| French China g. ods Of every description, yer,
richly gilded; carefully selected for Christina
Old Dominion. Britannia and silver-plasei Cofrs'
Kerosene. Fluid ard Oil Lamps, of metal and gias
willow-ware; as Marset, Werk and Snack Baskets
Japanned and plain Tinware
Frer ch Jnuned Iron Kettles, Sauce Pans. etc
shovels and Tongs, Coal scutsies, Tenders
Scrub Dusting, shoe, Whiiewash and Cloth Brushes
Mats; in short, any thing in the housekeeping line
FANCY GOOD ia ss Port Mennass Sa.ss Exs.lsior
Of gs other articles sn''' nA' r'n'' anu 'Ao'AnoA
Toysi Toysil Fireworks, at
de 10 Corner Broad and Sd streets
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-12-31
Shirts, &C. made to order, ct short ncticA
al Ally II 8IN0BR 90.
NOTICE TO TAX PAYERs.-Pursu-

~ ant to an Ordinance passed Iith Of January.
1855, will attend st the Collectors Once, In the
elusive to receive the remaining half OF taxes iron
such persons entitled 70 deduction OF 10 per
June last, in accordance with saii Ordnance
IA HOB8ON, q O =.
NB-It will be seen from the above, thu the Gel.
18Th to the 3lst Of this month to receive taxes
naming due from juno last; before the January
Of the Hustings Court. he h required By Ord
nance to advertise deliDquent real estate 10 b sold
for non-pay mont Of taxes Persons who have not
to call on them before no advertisss
de lin A HOBSON, o b
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-12-31
CHOCKUE MILL.

The subscriber has completed his now mill Soe
grinding Plaster located on the Dock, as the mouth
Of nhockee crsek, with enlarged and complete na-
present. er that may arise in many years 70 one:
He is now prepared 10 supply orders fcr PUB
GROUND p, AsTER. pnlverIEed % degree that
Nova scstia Lump procured with the greatest care,
with full knowledge that great deal Of LumR
aters himself that bis lorg experience In this b
sness with the close att nti0n apd study given t
sdjsining States with this valuable sgtiissr n 10
purest and richest state and st satisfactory pros1
With O full determination 20 sustain the sseab-
Eshcd reputation of his brand for FsaIRH knp 110q
srss. no respectfully soliciis orders.
JOHN H Cl,AIBORMD
no l9-tlstA No II Pearl street.