davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-23
Terrible Connagration in Chich<o.

The most destructive conAagration that
has ever occurred in Chicago, took place on
Thursday night and Friday morning Of last
week. -Four entire squares, and part of
fifth, were burnt over, the burnt district
being bounded on the east by Canal street,
south by Lake street, north by Carroll street,
and west by Jefferson street, and line be.
yond the street, which was crossed by the
flames in their destructive course. The
Times of Saturday says:
The fire originated in F. M. Mehring's board.
ing stable, on the west side of Canal street, and
about midway between Lake and Fulton streets.
1t was the result of carelessness on the part of
some ice wagon drivers, who lodged in room
over the stable and smoked their pipes among
the hay. This cOmbustiblei material once on
tire, the flame spread with astonishing rapidity
in every direction, except towards the east,
from which quarter strong wind was blowing.
All the buildings in the immediate neighbor-
hood were of wood, and most of them old and
dilapidated. The flames took hold of them
with such eagerness and spread with such fury
that the firmen, who had taken positions as
ordered by the chief engineer, were driven
from their stations and compelled to fiy for
their lives. Still, with renewed exertions. they
continued to battle with the flames for six long
hours, before the victory was gained and the
further progress of the flames was stopped.
Much the greater number of the buildings
destroyed were of poor class, worth from one
to fifteen hundred dollars apiece, and on &C.
count of their condition and proximity to one
another, the insurance companies had refused
tc take risks upon them, so that the great pro-
portion of losers are without dollar of in.
surance to cover their losses. But in addition
to buildings of this class, four brick hotels, one
first class Touring mill, one large planning mill,
an iron foundry, a boiler mandatory, the ex.
tensive lead works of E. w. Blatchford & Co.,
and several millions feet of lumber were de-
stroyed.
The total loss by the fire is estimated al
over half a million of dollars, and the
insurance at $l75, 900. The Etna of Hart.
ford, loses the most, having policies out, or
the property destroyed, to the amount o.
$4,000.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-23
The Charge of Know NOthingism against
Hon. George L. Becker.

Certain reckless Republican journals in
the State, including the St. Paul Times.
have thought proper to reply to the charge
of Know Nothingism proved against Mr..
WINDOW, by asserting that our candidate
for Governor, Mr.. BECKER, was now, or had
been, member of this order. In the Times
OF the 18th, this charge was directly made.
The paper containing it, reached Mr..
BECKER at Chat6eld, on the evening of the
18th. He Immediately penned an emphatic
denial, which was left at the Times office,
by Postmaster CAVE, on the 18th, with the
request that it should be published in the
Times. This letter having not yet appeared
in the Times, copy has been handed US by
Mr.. CAVE, for publication. 1t is as follows:
CHATFIELD, Sept. IL, 1859.
t. NJ. NEwsoN, ESQ, Editor st. Paul Times:
Sir /; l find in your issue of the 18th inst.
the following paragraph: aa.asA-
GEORGE L. BECKER KNOW NOTHING 1T is
now generally conceded that George l.. Becker,
the present Democratic nominee for Governor,
is Know Nothing. 1t is said by those who
know, that he entered Lodge in st. Paul, and
was an active member thereof. We happened
to have some friends in that lodge, who pro-
pose to post us more fully. But in the mean
time our readers may be assured Becker was
and is genuine Know Nothing
In reply, have simply to say, that en- not
now, and never was, directly or indirectly,
connected with the Know Nothing order, or
any other political society, association, or or.
der-except the Democratic party. That you
happened to have friends in that Lodge doubt
not, but there is not a truthful man in Mime.
sofa, who can or will connect me with the in
stitution in any way. challenge the strictest
investigation upon the subject.
You will oblige me by inserting this in your
paper. Yours, &C.,
GEO. L. BECKER.
This denial is certainly emphatic enough,
and if the Times has any testimony to pro.
duce, we hope it will be speedily forth
coming.
But we regard the attempt of the Times
as mere ruse to withdraw public atten-
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-23
AnOka Countrywide Legislative NOmf-
nations-.A Glorious Meeting-.Judge
Larrabee ON the Stump,

Editorial Correspondence of the Pioneer and Democrat
ANOKA. Tuesday Sept. 20.
The Democracy of the Senatorial District
comprising the counties of Anoka, Mano'
min, and Sherburne, met in convention at
this place, today, for the purpose of nomi-
mating candidates for the Senate and House
of Representatives. The important business
before the convention was transacted with
the greatest harmony, and with the best
Judgment. The Senatorial nominee was
conceded, in advance, to Sherburne county,
whose delegates presented the name OF
BALDWIN LEE, of Clear Lake, one of the
most intelligent, respectable, and reliable
Democrats of the District. For the House,
III. L. T1CKNoR, a merchant of Anoka, and
gentleman very highly esteemed by the
reputable men of all parties, was put in
nomination. am happy to state that the
election of these two estimable men, is
claimed as certainty by the Democracy
here.
During the evening, Judge LARRABEE, OF
Wisconsin-who came here to fill the ap.
pointment made by Col. ROBERTSON, and
which the latter was unable to meet-made
most eloquent address to an audience fill
ing the public hall of the town. The Judge
was preceded by Gen. WAGNER, who dis
coursed, at an hours length, and with
ability, the homestead bill, and the special
issues connected with our local politics.
Judge LARRABEE confined his speech to ma
tional topics. He gave a review of the politi.
calhistory of thecountry from the days of the
Confederation to the present, and exhibited
the distinctive features of principles and poll
CIV which have divided the Democratic party
from the opposition, under all its varied
names and organizations. He gave espe-
cially, heightened review of the slavery
question presenting in his remarks the
ablest and most convincing argument in
favor of the Democratic principles of Popu-
lar Sovereignty and Congressional Non-In-
tervention, to which l have ever listened.
His speech took admirably with the in
telligent crowd who had assembled to hear
him. Indeed, one of the most devoted Re-
publicans of this section, highly compli-
mented both its tone and argument by open
ly stating that it was the best Democratic
speech he had ever heard. And l have no
hesitation 10 adding to thi; Republicans
compliment by saying, that Judge LARRABEE
is the most effective polical stumper l have
heard in the Northwest, excepting only his
friend and the Peoples Champion, the
"Little Giant " of Illinois.
During the speech of Judge LARRABEE,
he was interrupted by Mr.. GEO. A. NoURsE,
who was sent bytheRepublcan CentralCom-
mittee as spy upon the movements of the
former. The point raised by the spy was
met and answered by the Judge in man.
ner which slenced the pitiable embodiment
of egotism and impudence, and which called
forth the enthusiastic applause of the crowd.
You may rest assured that Anoka coun'
ty is all right on the issues, both national and
State, involved in thi canvass, and that
the Democratic ticket will be endorsed here
by handsome majority. esq.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-23

ADv1CEs from Port au Prince, Hayti, to
the 5th Of September have been received at
New York. The daughter Of President
GERHARD was shot dead while sitting in
her fathers chair at the palace gardens, on
the evening of the Sd inst. Great excite.
mcnt prevailed in consequence, it having
evidently been the design Of the assassin to
shoot the President himself.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-23

"SUsAN," said Connecticut young SER
want girl in Norwich, looking out of the
upper story Of a small grocery, addressing
another girl who was trying to enter at the
front door, "we've all been to camp meetin'
and been converted so when you want
milk on Sunday, you will have to come in
at the back door"
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-23

FRENCH pocket handkerchiefs are now
exquisitely embroidered with designs COM
memorative of the late brilliant achieve
ment of French arms. Some with the arms
of France and Italy, some with the banners
of the different regiments and on others
even the picturesque costume of the Turcos
is delicately drawn in cotru on the finest
cambria muslin. ~ 81
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-23

The Bishop Of Exeter, England, has sane
toned the plan proposed to him for the
establishment OF of an organization to be
styled the Sisters of Charity or Deacon
esses," community. of women whose lives are
to be devoted exclusively to works of chart
ty. No perpetual vows are to be taken.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-23

Letter from Hon. Galusha A. Grow.
HENDERSON, Sept. 10, 1859.
To the Editors Of the Pioneer and Democrat.
SIRs Have just read your paper of the
10th inst. AS an act of personal justice,
will you please insert in your next issue the
following statement: By referring to the
Congressional Globe, which you profess to
quote, for the LIST session 34th Congress, you
will find that during the first days of that
session after the election of Speaker Ii. e. in
January or first of February, 1866, intro
duced Homestead Bill, word for word
like the one which passed the House last
session, and it was referred to the Committee
on Agriculture, of which I was a member.
AS soon as the Committee was called in the
regular course of business, I reported it
back to the House, and it took its place on
the Calendar. 1t was almost identically the
same bill that had introduced in the 33d
Congress, Il. e. in December 1859. The
first days of the last Congress Ii. e. Deem
Der 1859, I introduced the same Home
stead bill that had introduced the preced-
ing Congress, and it was referred to the
Committee on Public Lands. Some time
after that, as you will see by reference to
the Globe for that session, Mr.. KELLY
introduced Homestead bill which was re.
ferred, as you say, to the Committee on
Agriculture. By examining the bill intro
duced by Mr.. KELLY you will find it the
same, word for word, of the bill that 1 re-
ported from the Committee on Agriculture
the preceding Congress. All these facts you
can find in the Globe.
But permit me, in closing this note,
single statement equally true, though it
would not appear by the Globe. Before
Mr.. KELLY introduced bill he came to
my desk in the House and requested me to
furnish him copy of the Homestead bill
that l introduced in the preceding Congress,
saying that he had large number of petit
lions from New York for such measure,
and he wanted to introduce a bill himself
gave him a copy as he requested, and
and said to him that the bill l had intro
duced was referred to the Committee on
Public Lands, and if be was going to intro
duce one, it would be better to refer it to
the Committee on Agriculture, as that
would give us two chances instead of one to
get action on it. He assented to that, and
so referred the bill he introduced to that
committee. This is a brief history of the
two bills you refer to in your article.
When Mr.. KELLY was elected to Con-
gress, I had been member for four years.
and had introduced Homestead bill three
times before he introduced the bill you
refer to.
Had you compared the dates of the trans.
actions to which you refer little more care
fully you would not, I presume, have used
the epithets with which your article abourds
or have made the assertion in closing that,
" it is clearly case Of deliberate STEALING
on the part of GROW, and of deliberate lying
on the part Of FOSTER" /
So believing, I have asked the insertion
of this note in your paper in explanation of
your statements. F
Respectfully yours,
80 GALUSHA A.. GROW.
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-11-26
IInpor. N, Deei.ion.

A part of the o. lindare Town COMPANY
filed petition ar surviving partners
against the admnai strator and admins
tratrix and heirs of Joel Walker deceased.
in the District Cou TT for Wyandott coun-
ty, praying the Co drt for the appointment
of Especial guard AN for the heirs, to make
deeds to the pu cchasers, and to do such
other acts as ere necessary to fulfil, as
the petitioners .lleged, all that Joel Walk
er could do We re he living. To this peti-
ton there W as a demurrer fled by the
Counsel for the defendants. The ques-
tions a.rising on the points raised by the
demui rer embraced the whole field and
bearip g of the law of partnerships, formed
for tf4e purpose of dealing in real estate,
and also the powers of the surviving part
ners to do business after the dissolution
OF uch partnership by .he death of one
OF '.he partners.
The argument for the petitioners was
co.. aducted by Mr.. Cobb, of Quindaro, and
for the defendants by our fellow-towus-
man j. c. Groom, Esq.
After a patient hearing by his Honor
Judge Williams, of the argument of Coun-
sci, he sustained the demurrer.
This is the first time that the question
has ever been raised about the organiza.
ton of these town com panies in the Ter
ritory, and we fear, from what has beer
developed in the discussion in the Quin.
daro case, that the Territory will afford &
profitable field for the legal profession, and
many innocent purchasers will find, wher
too late, that "Town Companies" had al
the speculation to themselves.-Kansa,
City Journal of Com.
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-11-26
Tn. Swing as a Cure for Consumption,

DR.. Lawson Long, of Holyoke, in q
letter to the Springfield Republican, recon-
mends the gymnastic swing as prevent
i've and cure of pulmonary disease. He
says:
81 mean the suspending Of the body
by the hands, by means of strong rope
or chain, fastened to beam at one end,
and at the other a stick three feet long,
convenient to grasp with the hands The
rope should be fastened to the center of
the stick, which should hang six or eight
inches above the head. Let a person grasp
this stick, with the hands three feet apart,
and swing very moderately, at first-per-
haps only bear the weight, if very weak
and gradually increase as the muscles gain
strength from the exercise, until it may
be freely used from three to five times
daily. The connection of the arms with
the body (with the exception of the cla-
being a muscular attachment to the ribs,
the effect of this exercise is to elevate
the ribs and enlarge the chest; and as ma
ture allows no vacuum, the lungs expand
to I'll the cavity, increasing the volume OF
air-the natural purifier of the blood
and preventing congestion or the deposit
of tuberculous matter. l have prescribed
the above for all cases of hemorrhage Of
the lungs and threatened consumption for
thirty-fve years, and have been able to
increase the measure of the chest from
two to four inches within few months,
and always with good results. But espe-
cially, as a preventive, / would recon-
mend this exercise
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-11-26
The Gold Reriou.

Nearly all who design returning TO the
States this fall have set out on their jour
ney few, however, are still leaving
daily by the Platte route. Most Of those
who remain have left the mountains, and
are concentrating in the various towns Of
the plain, where improvements are being
made with wonderful rapidity. Auraria
and Denver are of course growing most,
but there is much doing in st. Vrain,
Boulder, Arrapahoe, Golden Gate, Golden
City, Baden, Colorado, Fountain City and
Russelville. Many settlements are also
springing up in the fertile valleys, border
ing the various streams-houses are being
built, farms enclosed, and an immense
quantity of hay saved for winter food for
stock. Considerable numbers, however,
are preparing to winter in the mountain
mining districts, for which purpose they
have laid in large supplies, and built ex-
ira warm quarters. As yet they are work.
ing with unprecedented success. All say
the season is now more favorable, and the
yield Of gold larger in proportion to the
hands employed, than at any previous
time this year.
A number have set out within the past
few days for the new diggings on the
Bayou Salada and Little Blue rivers, with
the intention of wintering there. Some
two hundred men have not yet left that
vicinity, so that there is a prospect Of a
considerable community spending the
winter in the very heart Of the Rocky
Mountains.-Rocky Mountain Nstcs, Oct.
9Th.
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-11-26
Neatness In Dress.

The neglect of the outward appearance
indicates either little mind, or disre-
gard to the opinion of our neighbors.-
One should always be neat and clean in
person and dress because this is an evil
dence of respectability. No lady who
has any regard for herself, or any respect
for the society in which she moves, will
be slovenly in her appearance or careless
in her attire. 1t is true, there is no dan
ger in being too particular, but every lady
is entitled to follow her own taste as to
dress, provided she dresses suitably-that
is, according to her age and circum-
stances.
The young of either sex, but particu-
larly the female, ought to regard their
external department and appearance as,
to a certain extent, essential to character.
To dress simply and without ostenta-
ton is mark of modesty; but, in en-
deavoring to avoid everything like display,
young ladies, especially, should be care
fui not to fall into the opposite extreme
that of prudery. There is more sincerity,
ii there be less nicely, in the conduct of
a really virtuous than there is in that of q
prude; and some degree of freedom, SO
far from being incompatible with the
strictest virtue, is one of its principal
privileges. If a lady is obliged to
receive company en- dishabiHe it is a sign
Of good breeding if she appears perfectly
at ease, and makes little or no apology for
her appearance.
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-11-26
Surveys in Kansas and Nebraska,

Gen. Ward B. Burnett, says the Doni-
phan Post, passed down the river the
other day en- route for southern Kansas
The object of his visit to that part of
Kansas is for the purpose of tracing the
mineral veins of Missouri into Kansas
In connection with the subject of these
explorations we copy from the st. Joseph
Gazette the following
"0f the extension of the rich minerals
of Newton and other counties in this
State, into Kansas, there can be little
doubt. In the course Of a few weeks
Gen. Burnett will meet Prof. Swallow at
Columbia, upon business connected with
their respective offices.
"We hear from Gen. B. that the base
line of his Territorial surveys has been
run as far west as the summit of the Sier-
ra Madre. This work has just been COM
pleted Prof Hawn, who is with the ex-
pedition, has made numerous geological
observations, and, among Others, reports
the greatest profusion of coal in that
western district. Coal in a region which
is so sparsely timbered, is desideratum.
The veins discovered are chiefly bitumi-
nous, though there is supposed to be rich
veins of camel coal"
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-11-26
From tie A1sny Arvxs, Moo. IL.
More about the Insanity of 0errii Smith-Lafsr
from the Uuca Asylum.

More about the Insanity of 0errit Smith-Lafsr
from the uuca Asylum.
A gentleman who saw and conversed
with Gerrit Smith shortly after the affair
at Harper's Ferry. told ns that he was
insane-not merely excited by fear and
agitated by the emotions which his COM
plicity in the affair might produce, but
mentally deranged. His eye was wild,
and his appearance hsggard, and his mo-
tions spasmodic and uncertain, butunceas-
ingly restless.
He was in constant fear Of being ar
rested and carried to Virginia, and sus-
pected his friends of an intention to be-
tray him into the hands of justice. When
the cruel electioneering hoax was circu-
lated, that Gov. Wise had issued q requisi-
sition upon Governor Morgan for him as
fugitive from justice, he seems TO
have become so frantic that his friends
saw no other hope than to send him to
the asylum.
We make an extract from a private let
ter upon this subject, which gives some
particulars of this sad end of q well meant
but misdirected career, fatal in its conse-
quences alike to him, and to all whom
he involved in this fanaticism.
UTICA, Nov. 8, 1859.
"MY DEAR SIR :-Gsrrit Smith was
brought to our Asylum yesterday, and is
quite deranged, intellectually as we'll IS
morally, and he is also feeble physically.
He refused to take an anodyne, alleging
that they only wanted to put him to sleep
for the purpose of boxing him up and tax
ing him to Virginia. When informed
that he must take it, voluntarily or by
compulsion, he opened the door and
screamed Gnto the halD 'Iprotest!' He
then took it,"
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-11-26
A Good Joke.

A correspondent of the Lambertville
On. j. Beacon says short time since,
while staying at the borough of E,
he overheard the following, which he
thinks too good to be lost
A number of politicians, all of whom
were seeking Office under the government,
were seated on a tavern porch, when an
old topper, named John D., person
who was very loquacious, when cornered
up, but exactly the opposite when sober,
said that if the company had no objection
he would tell them story. They told
him 20 ''fre away" whereupon he spoke
as follows:
"a certain king-I don't recollect his
name-had philosopher upon whose
judgment he always depended. Now it
SO happened tha: one day the king took
it into his head to go hunting, and after
summoning his mobiles and making the
necessary preparations, he summoned the
philosopher and asked him if it would
rain. The philosopher told him that it
would not, and he and his mobiles depart
ed. While journeying along they met a
countryman on a jackass. He advised
them to return; for said he, lit certainly
will rain.'
"They smiled contemptuously upon
him and passed on. Before they had
gone many miles, however, they had rea-
son to regret not having taken the rustic's
advice, as, heavy shower coming up,
they were drenched to the skin. When
they had returned to the palace the king
reprimanded the philosopher severely.
"'I met a countryman,' said he, and he
knows great deal more than you, for he
told me that it would rain, whereas you
told me it would not
"The king gave him his walking pa
pers and sent for the countryman, who
soon made his appearance.
"'Tell me- said the king, how you
knew it would rain'
az didn't know, said the rustic, my
jackass told me-
"'And how, pray, did he tell you :?
asked the king.
"'By pricking up his ears, your majes-
ty,' returned the rustic.
"The king sent the countryman away
and procuring his jackass, he placed him
the jackass-in the office the philoso.
pher had before filled. And here" OBJ
served John, looking very wise, 'ii
where the king made very great mis-.
take"
"How so ?'' inquired the auditors ca
gerly.
"Wby, ever since that time" he con
tinued, with a grin on his phiz, "ever!
jackass l0ants an Office ''