davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
Remarkable Fountain of Natural Gas.


The Detroit Advertiser of the Odd has the
following communication:
During a late tour through Western Cana
da, ! visited some curious wells. which had
been dug during the past season. They are
i'll the township of Howard. about fifteen
miles southeastern from Chatham and two
of them are about 200 yards apart. They
were dug of the ordinary size, about 81 feet,
and then bored about 30 feet more, when L
stream of gas rushed up suddenly with a
roaring sound that could be heard Il furlong
distant.
a tube. long enough to reach above the
top of the ground, was made and driven into
the hole, and the well bricked up. 1t soon
filled with water to within about ten feet Of
the top, the gas escaping through the tube,
and the water clear and without any bad
taste. But in n short time the gas common
ced rising through the water, which it keeps
in a constant state of ebullitiOn as in a kettle
over a brisk fire: the water rising near one
side of the well, and rolling toward the 9th
er side-and having very much the appear
ance of dirty soapsuds. No smell is appar-
ent at the top of the well, and the water
when drawn from it soon settles, and becomes
clear and pleasant TO the taste.
The other well exhibited nearly the same
phenomena, and as they were unwilling to
risk life in it. it has been filled with earth, but
the gas still rises through the mud, ard has
formed for itself three apertureS, or c~raters, at
the surface, the largest being of oval shape,
ten by eighteen inchesin diameter, the bottom
being mud, about the consistence of thick
butter, and the gras rises through it in bub-
bles with such force as to throw blotches Of
mud upwards and outwards Of Il distance full
four feet. saw it only in the daytime, but
was told that it could be ignited with Il
match, and that it would burn a long time.
A friend who has since visited it writes
thus: Il think it the grandcst sight | ever
saw. We visited it about midnight. We
saw the light some time before We reached
the house, and were informed that the gas
had ignited of itself or by means unknown
to the family. There are three openings in
the top of the well. the largest about the size
Of a pail. From the largest ascends Il flame
about three feet high, which burns very clear
and as bright as 4 heap of shayings. From
the other apertures the flame was smaller,
but equally bright. and all over the surface
Oh tie wei are crdcks through WHICH ISSUES
a flame resembling burning sulphur
About seven miles from Chatham there is
another well dug in the same manner as the
above described, which exhibits nearly the
same phenomena, and in which, although
the water in and above the clay is very hard
the water, is as soft as rain water and Is drawn
toquite a distance in summer by the neigh
bors, for washing purposes. The gas in this
we'll has been on fire several weeks at Il time.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
A Singular Incident.

On Monday afternoon Il furniture wagon
was standing in front of Thomas auctlaD
rooms, in Fourth street. While standr,
there, a honey bee that was flying in broad
ether came down and alighted Just unirr 'l-
'.~tail-board' of the vehicle. The next min
ute several more bees came and ser direct,
on the back of the first bee. To the err.,
surprise of several persons who stood by. ,t-
air was soon filed with bees, all OF VIII.
alighted on the top of the other ones, Az.
soon formed q solid mass Of bees, depend,
from the vehicle like n very large excrcSceu. b
upon the trunk of a tree. Meanwhil" IL.
owner of the car made his appearance. Il.
wanted to drive away. but the bees c~arrcrlu.
about the vehicle appeared 50 menacing thai.
he stood still, fearing to disturb them. A.,
this point III elderly gentleman emerged from
the auction room, put on his Spectac!r>, aUi
took a survey of matters and things in s&sr
nj. Elderly gentleman saw swarm oi Dee,
and allowed the driver was Il foo-too. Elderly
gentleman procured Il tin pan and 4 hsa,,
door KEY, with which he informed driver be-
would entice bees away from his wagou.
Elderly gentleman had drummcd lan.-.
Doodle three times on the tin pan when .r
dropped tin pan and rushed down the 'trr'
az though q mad dog was in pursuit, about
dozen bees singing away at his corduroy'
in first class style. 4 colored porter pick.
up elderly g~entleman's hat and spectacles, al.
undertook to fight the bees, but was 500.
compelled to take refuge in flight. H.
carman's horse and wagon would ~,
likely have been standing in the same p.tc.
still, but for the very opportune aid Of .
Teutonic gentleman who resided close ty
Teutonic gentleman came out of a ha,r
ment on the other side of the street, and al.
ed, ''Vot ish der matters" Then der ma.
tiers" was explained. Teutonic g]entIema
said, Dat ish goot now; | made FIVE tol4.
mitout any trouble" Having said this, Ir.
tonic gentleman ran across the street an
returned, bringing Il large coffee pot
With no mors fear of the bees than thous.
they were entirely stingless, he approach
the swarm, put his cofieepot underit it, raise.
it up until the bees We're enclosed, and tie,
shutting the lid walked off exultingly VIZ
his prize, to the great astonishment Of o,
least fifty spectators. Where the bees cam-
from nobody knew; but the German who ,
singularly hived them. declared that he coui
get five dollars for the contents of his coAyr
pot.-PhHd. North ImericdH.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
Napoleon to the French Army.

Soldiers come to place myself at your
head, to conduct you to the combat. We
are about to second the struggles of a people
now indicating their independence, and to
resuce them from foreign oppression. This
is a sacred cause which has the sympathies
of the civilized world.
Il need not stimulate your ardor. Every
step will remind you of a victory. In the
Via Sacra of ancient Rome inscriptions
were engraved on the marble, reminding the
people Of their exalted deeds. 1t is the same
to-day. In passing Mondovi, Marengo, Lodi,
C~astiglioni, Arcole, and Riyoli, you will, in
the midst of these glorious recollections, be
marchingin another Via Sacra. Preserve that
strictdiscipline whichist the honor ofthe army.
Here forget it not. there are no other enc
mes than those who fight against you in bat
tie. Remain compact and abandon not your
ranks to hasten forward. Beware Of too
great enthusiasm, which is the only thing |
fear. The new armes de precision are dam
gerous only at n distance. They will not
prevent the bayonet from being what it has
hitherto heen-the terrible weapon of the
French infantry.
Soldiers! Let us all do our duty and put
our confidence in God. Our country expects
much from you. From one end of France to
the other the following words ofhappy augu-
ry re-echo:-'Tle new army of Italy will be
worthy other elder sister"
'.Giyen at Genoa, May II, 1859.
\,pplInS'
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
Solid Upuer Leather Boots.

A simple and effective plan for making
boots, whereby the upper is one solid piece,
instead of being divided and up, rs IL
usual, has lately been introduced. In this
process # manufacture, the uppers are cut
out of a fiat piece of leather to the usual ex-
ternal contour in the ordinary way, the
leather being cut double, so as to insure ac-
curacy of form. Each upper includes the
whole of the leather forming the shoe, eS-
cept the sole, the quarters being allowed for
in the solid piece of leather forming what is
usually the upper. Each piece of leather is
cut through at the two ankle portions, where
the quarters are ordinarily joined on so as
to form an inclined or sloping slit on each
side. In this condition the leather is crimp-
ed, to form the instrp portion to the required
shape, on a wooden crimping block. The
slitted portions at the ankles are now filled
up with either elastic gusset pieces or other
wise, such filing up pieces being sewed to the
edges Of the Sits, the open condition Of the
leather afFording great facilities for doing
this. The leather so cut and crimped, and
fitted with the elastic sidcpicces, is now in
q condition for sewing up at the extremity of
the heel and for the attachment of the sole.
-aIbaDv trans.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
Farming in the West.

Mr.. Horace Greeley, in Il letter to the n.
Y. Tribune, says:
illinois is growing. There are new blocks
in her cities, new dwellings in her every vii
lage, new breakings on this or that edge Of
almost every prairie. The short, young
grass is being cropped by large herds of cat
tie, whose improved appearance within the
last fortnight is said by those who have OBJ.
served them from day to day To be beyond
credence on any testimony but that Of eye
sight. Here, every horse or OK that can pull
is hitched to Il plough or harrow whenever
darkness or rain does not forbid: and by
~ploughing the drycst ridges first and seeding
them, then taking the next dryest and serv-
ing them Just so, nearly every cultivator can
keep putting in seed at least four days per
week from March till June. Many will
plant corn this year till the middle of June,
and even later, unless compelled sooner to de-
sist in order to commence cultivating that
first planted. Then cultivation will require
every hour till harvesting begins; and this
Including haying) will last till it is full time
to plough for winter wheat. No buster sea-
son was ever seen than this is to be from the
Hudson TO the Mississippi. You see four hor-
SEES or oxen Mt work to one in pasture, and
there are thousands of farmers who would
plant or SOW Il quarter more If they had grain
to feed their teams than they will now be able
to do. There are few travelling in the cars,
few idling about stores or %taycrns, but many
in the fields. May a bounteous Heaven smile
ON their labors."
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
Massachusetts, Two-Years Amendment.

Since the passage Of the Massachusetts
amendment, on the 9TH inst, the German
press throughout the country is full Of spec
~ul2tion as to what is to be done next.
The "!StDckrachter" CINCINNATI propos-
es to unite the Germans of all the States, and
that they insist on the passage of resolutions
to the following effect
|. That the act Of the Massachusetts, leg
~islature and electors be condemned as uncon-
stitutional and
2. That Massachusetts delegates be exclu-
ded from the national convention. If the
Massachusetts delegates are not excluded,
the Germans and all liberal men should hold
Il convention to decide any further measures.
The Demokrat insists that, in case tie Ma
tional Republican convention refuses to con-
denim the Massachusetts, act, the German
republicans must break off from the Repub-
iican party entirely.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
A Long VOYAGE.

The Boston Journal says: among the
yesscls detained ut the bar of the Mississippi
river last winter, was the ship Mary ID. Camp
bell, ofThomaston, Capt. Morse. She left New
Orleans December 81, and on reaching the
bar was compelled to anchor for want of wat
er to float her over. The captain waited for
the expected rise of water until April %, af-
ter a detention Of one hundred and eleven
days, when he succeeded in getting to sea,
being the last to leave ofthe large fleet detain-
ed there for months. The ship arrived ut
this port after Il remarkable voyage Of one
hundred and thirty-nine days. All this time
excepting twenty.eight days, was spent at
the bar. She brings a very valuable cargo of
cotton, consisting in all Of five thousand and
%cighty-three bales. The voyage has been
one Of considcrab :" loss"
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
rELEGRApHIc DISPATCHES.

BosroN, May 26.-Capt. Crowell and mate,
of the brig RoIesen, which put into Hyannis
on the 9Th, with a fugitive slave on board,
ard which he afterwards transferred to the
schr. Elizabeth and sent back to Norfolk,
was arrested here this morning, and impri-
soned, to answer the charge Of kidnapping.
A warrant was also issued for the arrest Of
Capt. Bacon. of the schr. Elizabeth, on the
same charge.
PHILADELPHIA, May 26.-Peter Taylor ar
rived this afternoon at Long-a-coming, New
Jersey, with twenty thousand dollars of
counterfeit notes, in 5s Of the State Bank Of
Camden, Manufacturers and Mechanics
Bank, Camden, and Eastern Bank. The
officer recovered the plates of IS on the Mer-
chants Bank of New York, Rhinehart Bank,
New York, Corn Exchange and Northern
Liberties, Philadelphia. An immense a.
mount of printing tools were also taken.
BURLINGTON, May 26.-The Episcopal
Convention of New Jersey, have been ballot
ing all the afternoon for a bishop.
WILMINGTON, DEL, May 25.-The Pres
byterian General Assembly, IN. S. has
been engaged the entire day in discussing
the report of the committee on foreign mis-
sions. The report proposes UNCONVENTIONAL
action in connection with the board, and
professedly seeks TO remove the obstacles in
the way of a harmonious cooperation, "a
we'll as to excite q deeper interest in the
missions of the church.
LEAvENwoRrH, May 25.-The overland
express from Denver city, on the 18th inst,
arrived here to-day. The panic among the
emigrants at the mining regions had subsid-
ed in a great measure, and n better feeling
prevailed among them. Quartz mines con-
tinue to be discovered, and they promise to
Weld well. Gold dust was offered in limited
quantities at Denver city.
BosToN, May ga public meeting in
behalf of the Southern Aid Society, was
held at the Central Church last evening, and
was fully attended. Addresses were made
by the Rev. Luther Farnham, of Boston; r.
V. Cushman, of Charlestown; the Rev. John
O. Fiske, of Bath, Me-. and the Rev. A. A.
W~illetts, of Philadelphia.
CINCINNATI, May 26.-The Democratic
State Convention in session here have nomi-
mated r. r. Ranney for Governor by accla-
nation; ii. C.. Whitman for Supreme Judge;
Volney Dorsey for Auditor; Wm. Bushnell
for Secretary of State, and Jacob Reinhardt
for Treasurer.
C~oLrMDrs, Ono, May 25.-The argument
in the habeas corpus case of Bushnell and
Langston 1.-THE slave rescuers at Oberlin) was
opened to-day by A. G. Riddle, esq, for the
prisoners, followedby Acknowledgement VOL
colt.
CHICAGO, May 2G.-Iowa City was on
Tuesday last visited by q dreadful tornado,
which swept away houses, barns, &c. The
storm extended over q space of some ten or
twelve miles. Four persons were killed and
twelve seriously injured. Ola family named
Morgan, the father, son, and grandson were
killed. The loss of property is unknown.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
Mustn't fool with the Turks -

Who would be o Turkish balloonl-l'
letter from Constantinople states that I
Brothers GODDARD, the a~eronauts, lately
narrow escapes from becoming the victim
popular fury in that city, in consequent
their having postponed an ascension, %"
ness which Il large number Of persons b
assembled. The weather was so bOlst"r"'
that an attempt to ascend woald have b'
attended with imminent danger. AZ Z
announcement Of the postponement, IN" ra
of some Of the persons became 40 furious q.
two attempts were made to stab u 81 .
brothers; and it was only by the utmo.t rA.
tons of the police, aided by several hns.'
French and Germans, that they could be p
tricated from the hands Of the Turk.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
An Austrian Proclamation.

The mildness and the bcnignity Of the
Austrian rule may be inferred from the re-
cent proclamation put forth by the comman-
der of the Austrian forces in Piedmont
The proclamation is to the inhabitants Of
Placcnza, who are informed that u Court of
Provost had been established, and that it
would apply but one punishmcnt-Hm If
deaM. Ii then enumeratcs the acts to be
punished as capital offences. Among these
are demonstrations of any kind against Aus
trian authority: concealing arms or ammu-
milton; possessing arms: joining in assem-.
blagcs, armed or unarmcd: singing rcvolu-
t~ionary songs; using secret or revolutionary
signs; disobedience to the orders Of the mill
tary, or harboring foreigners without repOr-
ting their names to the authorities. The
proclamation is, in fact, a perfect illustration
of the system Of repression to which Austria
has resorted to maintain her rule in Italy
Piiadeiphu Ledgcr.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
Baltimore and Potomac Railroad.

We have reason to fear that the construc-
ton of the Baltimore and Potomac Railway,
as originally proposed, is no longer possible.
The Fredericksburg Railroad Company, with
whose line of rail the Potomac road would
have connected, having finally refused to
render that assistance which it was once sup
posed would have been accorded, it is now
suggested to change the direction of the line
of route, starting from Marlborough, in
Prince Georges County-so as to connect
with the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, either
at it's junction with the Railway to Annapo-
lis, or else to onnec with the latter road at
the point where it will probably intersect
the projected road to Elkridge Landing
By the first mentioned route the distance to
be traversed by rail would not, it is said, ex,
coed twenty miles; by the second it would
be scarcely less than twenty-eight miles.
Both routes find their respective advocates
among the land owners of the two sections
through one of which it is proposed to build
the road, and it is feared that this want of
uuanimity among those who are specially in
terested in having a railway connection with
this city will retard the progress OF the
work. Under these circumstances, we learn
that the Directors are urged to sell the char
ter of the Potomac Road to the Baltimore
and Ohio Railway Company, on condition
that the latter agree, within one year from
the disposal of the charter, to extend a
good, substantial and efficient branch of their
road from the Annapolis junction to the
town of Upper Marlboro, and that notice
has been given that a resolution to the above
effect will be offered at the ensuing meeting
of the subscribers to the Baltimore and Po-
tomac Railroad Company, in June next
Baltimore EXCHANGE.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
Later from Mexico.

New ORLEANS, May 26.-The steamer
Tennessee, has arrived, from Vera Cruz the
23d, and with dates from the City OF Next
co to the 10Th instant. The Miramonists
have got up a movement for the return of
Santa Anna.
Gen. Vol was marching to the attack OF
Tampico. -,
The conducta, which was to leave the City
of Mexico on the oath, for Vera Cruz, would
have several millions in specie.
The English residents Of the capital had
made strong representations to Mr.. Otway,
the English minister. relative to the Tacu-
baya massacre.
Mr.. Hargous, Of the New York house
which has Just suspended on the Tehuante-
pee Company's ~acceptances, is on board the
Tennessee. The Coatzacoalcos will not sail
tomorrow, she having been attached, but it
il believed that matters will be arranged to
send her of in a few days.
General Tyiggs, U. S. army, was at the
point of dea.b, at San Antonio, Texas,
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28

TRAINING ScnoGL.-It the little town of
Media, in Pennsylvania, and but a few
miles distant by railroad from the city of
Philadelphia, there is a Public Institution
that commends itself to general sympathy
from the peculiar object to which it is devo-
ted. "The Pennsylvania Training School
for Feeble Minded Children" was founded
about six years ago for the especial purpose
Of alternating the unfortunate condition Of a
class Of pupils requiring a peculiar care and
treatment unknown in Institutions estab-
lished for the instruction of their more fav-
ored brothers and sisters. Partly sustained
by State aid, and partly by private subscrip-
tons, the Training School" at Media has al
ready given the best evidence Of its useful
ness in the manifest improvement, both ply
steal and mental, of the children who have
been so fortunate us to be brought under the
care of it's able and energetic superinten-
dent, DR.. Parrish.-BdH. Erchdnge.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
Land speculations at the West.

A native Of Massachusetts,, thirteen years
ago, sold a lot in st. Louis, Mo, for 81 300.
To-day. in having become a business centre,
it cannot he bought for $4,000. Another
gentleman went 10 Kansas in 1854, taking
with him > 1000. The property he has ac-
quired there from this nucleus is now worth
100000. Property in Leayenworth which
sold in 1873 for ; or : 1000 in now worth
$1,000. The same is the case in st. Joseph,
Kansas City, Lawrence, and a few other
prominent points. Men in those places have
become wealthy, not from q superior saga
city, but from having invested n little money
in the cnrly history of the Territory. In
1856, an Ohio gentleman paid 500 per acre
for Il tract Of land adjoining Leavenworth, and
within six months got IN advance Of $1,000
per acre. But a change has taken place.
In 1855 paper cities sprang up in great album
dance. Shares in them sold readily from
$500 to $500. In one of them a lot 25xl50
sold then for $1,000. They would not any
of them now bring $40 per lot. A great
deal Of Eastern capital was sunk in these
embryotic cities.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
Book ~Importations.

One of the New York booksellers, who
makes annual visits to Europe to fill orders
for college and private Libraries, takes with
him this year orders exceeding in amount
those Of any previous year. They are chiefly
from the west, or, if we understand the an
nouncemant, the increase is in the western
orders. While every popular and saleable
book produced in Europeis republished here,
there are many valuable works which, from
their expensive, technical, or professional
character, cannot be proftably reprinted
Nevertheless, public Libraries, and the col
l~ections of gentlemen who pursue specialities
are incomplete without them. There are
also editions of old works which are not re-
printed either here or in Europe, which have
high value; some for their instrinsic worth,
others as curiosities of literature. In n GER
tain sense they are the raw material from
which will be produced domestic articles
They serve to educate and furnish our liter
airy class, and to give our scientific and prac-
teal men the foundation on which to build
enterprises and inventions.-fha. 1msr.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28

The great chess ovation in honor OF the ge-
MUS of Paul Morphy, the far famed champion
of the game, came off at the New York Uni
~versity, on Wednesday last, with great eclat.
About $500 ladies and gentlemen were pre-
sent. The presentation Of the chess men was
made by Mr.. John Van Buren, and the watch
by Mr.. H. j. A. Fuller. Mr.. Morphy re-
Piled in a neat and graceful manner, &C:
knowledging the compliment that was paid
him in a mannerto elicit much applause and
sympathy atthe hands of the audience.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-28
Leaving Il balance of. ................S

to be met by the receipts of this year, to-
gether with other resources. In the report
Of the Committee of Ways and Means, on
the LIST April it was estimated that there
would be required the sum Of 81, l4S,pS2 to
provide for the expenditures during the cur
rent year, and the tax levy was fixed so as
to cover the estimate. Subsequently III or
dinance was adopted authorizing the use of
the credit of the city to the amount of $780,
600, il found necessary.-Bah. American.