davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21
ROwdy Orga mizatiOMs i'm Balti-
a...e. ... more.

In Baltimore there are some twenty-five or
thirty well organized clubs, ostensibly of a
political character, but really composed of
persons who have no other motive than that
of bloodshed and riot. At our elections they
appear armed with knives, pistols, muskets,
and even cannon on many occasions have
been brought into the field. The authorities,
until within few months past, have been
awed and intimidated by these clubs, and
respectable citizens have been driven away
from the polls, until the privilege of the
elective franchise has become nullity and
farce. With such impunity could these Or
carnations perpetrate crime that the public
prosecutor and the courts could not punish
them, and it is only now that the first blow
has ever been struck at the roots of this
crying evil
Foremost among these dangerous and
ever to be dreaded organizations is the Plug
Ugly Club. The Plugs number some two or
three thousand, and predominant in the Twen-
tieth Ward. Young Gambrill was member
of this band, and always took an active part
in its movements. The Twelfth Ward is
also controlled by this faction, and whenever
assistance is needed, the entire force can be
concentrated here by hosting flag, which
is the signal used for grand rally of the
Plugs on election days, and never fails to bring
out the club in its full organization.
The Rip Raps hail from the Fourteenth
Ward, and are considered second to none in
roint of ferocity and rascality. Crop was
member of this club. The Rip Raps were
organized in 1854, and have been in active
operation ever since. 1t was this club that
raised the riot in Washington in June, 1857.
The Blacksnakes inhabit the Eleventh
Ward, on the outskirts of the city, where
Nally was murdered, and arc much dreaded
gang.
The Empire and Pioneer clubs hold out in
the First, Second and Third wards, and at
one time were powerful organizations. They
are composed Of Democrats, and deadly op-
posed to the Plug Uglies, Rip Raps and
B,acksnakcs.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21
Obituary of a Negro.

The st. Joseph (Mo.,) Gazette of the 3Oth
ult., contains the following:
DIED.-ln this city, on Monday morning,
March 2S, 1859, Jeffry Deroin, in the 5Sth
year of his age.
Jeffrey was born in St Louis, slave of
Joseph Rubidoux, Sr., Esq, founder of st.
Joseph, and passed nearly the whole of his
early life with that old and note trrler in
the Indian country. He thus acquired the
tongue of many tribes, and became pro-
ficient as interpreter. BY association with
his master, he became an expert trader, and
realized sufficient means to purchase his free
dom in 1885. He was then employed as the
Government Interpreter for many years. In
1874 he accompanied a number of Iowa and
Sac and F'xs Indian chiefs, under the charge
Of Col. Melrly, to Europe. His int rpret-
tion of their language was so clear and n
telligent that he not only made favorable
impression upon all the digntaries of the
foreign Courts at which they were received,
but, it is said, fascinated lady of high title.
Disraeli and other literatei had frequent con-
versations with him, and showed him marked
attention. He returned to this country load
ed with presents, and was soon recalled to
position of Government Interpreter. In ex-
petitions of United States officers or other
gentlemen Of position over the plains and
mountains, he was generally engaged as in
terprcter and guide. His ACQUAINTANCE was
almost universal in the far West, and many
will remember him in Europe. He spoke
French as tIuently as he did English, or
dozen Indian tongues with which he was IA
miliar. He was fine looking mulatto, with
benevolent, intelligent courtenance, stout
figure, modest, respectful dcmeanor, and was
an honest and faithful. man. He left vie
and children and several thousand dollars
worth Of property. He purchased his wife
some time ago, from DR.. Brown, of Ken
lucky. No negro was ever more respected or
will be more generally regretted than Jeffrey
Deroin
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21
How Coffee is Made i'm France.

A cup of French coffee seems to have the
effect to put Americans in estasies vet few
of them are thoughtful enough to obtain from
their French brethren the process by which
the delicious beverage is decocted. OF this
few is Buckeye writing from Paris under
date of Nov. 9th, who supplies the desired
information. He writes:
While at Mr.. Morrels, in Boston, his good
lady very kindly initiated me into the art of
coffee making. In the first place it is scorch-
ed in hollow cylinder, which is kept con-
stantly revolving over slow fire, and not
grain of it allowed to burn. Secondly, it
is ground very fine, and thirdly, when it is
to be used, aportion of this is placed in
finely perforated pan or cup, which exact
lyfits into the top of the boiler, coffee pot,
or vessel you wish toSlSe Boiling hot wa
ter is then poured on, and it percolatcs grad
ually through, carrying with it the essential
principles of coffee. AS soon as precoation
is completed, the pan is removed, containiny
all the grounds, and then boiling hot milk is
added to the infusion, and your coffee is
made. 1t is brought on the table in bowls.
with knife and spoon, and little willow
basket of bread. The servant then places by
your plate a tea dish on which are two or
three humps of white sugar, always of a
certain size, and you sweeten to your liking.
In no instance is your coffee boiled, and
this is one reason why the cafe az ait and
rare mir are so much admired by all who
take them. IT, you will try this mode, am
sure in few experiments, you will succeed
in getting it right, and possess yourself of
luxury which will add very much to break.
fast on cold morning-trv it.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21
Peter Funk.
f)eroin.

Who has not heard of Peter Funk, one of
the native and peculiar institutions of New
York? Peter Funk the eccentrick broker in
green specs, or goggles. or without, as will
best sharpen his vision to detect flat, or
facilitate operations thereupon. Is there the
verdant one among us who has not seen the
redoubtable Peter behine his red flag in the
midst of his decoys, crying, "going, goingr'
in tone so earnest and pitable that one
might fancy his work not only sheriff's
sale' but possibly the sale of the last shire Of
the last man? How many New Workers, if
they would own up, might tell of personal
experience" touching this same Peter, while
of Johnny Raws from abroad, who will reck-
on the host who have done memorable busi-
ness with him. What hargcins in hardware
and jewelry might Peter himself, record were
he not very Job Trotter of simplicity and
mndesty.
Well, what is this Peter Funk, whose
voice, is heard by every pedestrian in our
streets-who name figures so often in news
papers and police reports-whose reputation
is so equivocal and his PERSISTENCE of exis-
tence so dauntless and deathless? Why, he
is generally sharp and ood-looking fellow,
capable of indefinite disguises, traffics with
the public to get the most possible money
for the least possible wares. He is float
ing merchant, ready to hoist his flag there,
when it fails here, and whom no check, or
even arrest can put down. He deals in just
what he dosen't pretend to deal inf he
says gold, it is brass-if he says steel, it is
shiny iron or pewter, or something worse.
His whole trade is to cheat, stake in," ''do
brown" ""skin alive" "chouse," or whatever
other vulgar term implies swindling. But
though this is daily advertised of, he finds
customers in plenty. This is the Peter Funk
who is so inlamously famous in and out of
New York.-TN. Y Ledger.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21
The Best Sewing Machine.

The very best sewing machine man can
have is wife. 1t is one that requires buta
kind word to set in motion, rarely gets out
of reprir, makes but little noise, is seldom
the cause of a dust, and once in motion will
go on uninterruptedly for hours, without the
slightest trimming, or the smallest personal
supervisor being necessary. 1t will make
shirts, darn stockings, sew on buttons, mark
pocket handkerchiefs, cut out pinafores, and
manufacture childrcn's frocks out of any old
thing you may give it and this it will do
behind your back just as well as before your
face. In fact you may leave the house for
days, and it will go on working Just the
same. fit does get out of order little,
from being over worked. it mends itself by
being left alone for short time after which
it returns to its sewing with greater vigor
than ever. OF course, sewing machines vary
a great deal. Some are much quicker than
Others. 1t depends in vast measure upon
the particular pattern you select. you are
fortunate in picking out the choicest pattern
of a wife-one, for instance, that sings while
working, and seems to be never so happy as
when the husbands linen is I'M hand-the
sewing machine may be pronounced perfect
of its kind; so much so,that there is no
make-shit in the world that can possibly
replace it. for either love ormoney. In short,
no gentleman's establishment is complete
without one of these sewirg g machines in tho
house.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21

."Benton County has a population of
S,u75 according to the recent census. Vim
ton has population of l,0l6. Two years
a.o the population Of the County was 6,
247.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21

Gray hairs, like honest friends, are
plucked out and cast aside for telling un-
pleasant truths.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21

Curious HISTORICAL FAcr-During the
troubles in the reign of Charles L. country
girl came to London in search of place as
servant-maid; but not succeeding, she hired
herself to cary out beer from brew house,
and was one Of those called tub women
The brewer observing good looking girl in
this low occupation, took her into his family
as servant, and after short time married
her; but he died while yet she was a young
woman and left her the bulk of his fortune
The business Of the brewery was dropped
and to the young woman was recommended
Mr.. Hyde as skillful lawyer to arrange her
husbands affairs. Hyde, who was after
wards the great Earl of Clarendon, finding
the Widows fortune very consider ,ble, mar
ried her. OF this marriage there was no
other issue than daughter, who was after
wards the wife of James IL, and mother Of
Mary and Anne, queens Of England.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21

Has mortal eyes ever beheld the beauties
of heaveny Has mortal ears ever heard tho
groans and terrors of IIely
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21
A Portrait.

Carlyle, in his recent work, "Life of Fred
erick H." draws the following vivid picture
ofSeckendorf, the willy diplomat:
"A stiff backed, petrified, stony, inscruta-
blelooking and most unbeautiful old intriguer.
Portraits Of him, which are frequent, tell one
story; the brow, puckered together in wide
web of wrinkles from each temple, as if it
meant to hide the bad pair of eyes which
look suspicious, inquiry, apprehension, habit
of double distilled mendacity; the indeter
inmate projecting chin, with its thick, chap
ped under lip, is shaken out or showed out
in, mill-hopper fashion, as if to swallow any
thing there may be, spoken thing or other.
and grind it to profitable meal for itself.
Spiritually he was an old soldierl let for hire
an old intriguer, liar, fighter, what you like
what we may call human soul standing
like hackney coach this half injury past,
with head, tongue, heart, conscience at the
hest of a discerning public and its shilling"
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21

Nay troop Of printers Devils, lean, lank
and hungry, dog his heels by day and may
the famine stricken ghost of an Editors ba-
by haunt his evening lullaby, and hiss mur-
der in his dreaming ear.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21

TIE MAN WHO WOULDN'T PAY THE PRINTER.
May he be shod with Lightning and COM
PEELED to wander over deserts of gunpowder.
May he have sore eyes, and a chestnut
burr for an eye stone.
May his sorrow double daily, and his days
lengthen in the same ratio that his sorrows are
multiplied.
May every day of his life be more despotic
than the Day Of Algiers.
May he never again be permitted to see
the face Of fair woman, and he bored to
death by boarding school misses practicng
their first lessons Of music without the priv
ilcge of seeing his tormentors.
May he on putting on a tight boot, find
live hornet in the bottom? May he be rode
on a rail, after getting his boot on, with the
sharp edge up, with a bushel bag of sand
tied to each leg, by torch light procession
and hissed by all the boys in ten miles
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-05-13

Blame not the Poets plaintive lay,
Nor censure his sad mournful strain
Sorrow oft marks him for her prey,
With calling throngs doth him enchnin-
Ruling in such gloomy, sad'ning pow'r,
AS soon all happiness to devour.
aud Melancholy broods Ger the mind,
Like low'ring clouds DER bounlless sea,
Whose troubled waves do lash the wind
Which raised them from their lcthnrgy,
The gloomy mind thus tries t exrel,
And seeks its troubled thoughts TO qucll.
And gnawing, withering grief takes hold
Upon the Poets impre.sionnble heart,
Like ravenous vulture, SO ficrcely bold,
Doth tear his prey in many part
Consuming grief feeds silently
Upon the hearts vitality.
Then do not blame that plaintive lay
That speaks the Poets misery,
That doth the heartfelt grief portray,
Picturing the pangs of agony.
Oh! do not ccnsurc such a strain,
'Tis heart-wail, not q complain.
'Tis but the souls lowly moaning,
Wrung by acute tormenting rangs.
'Tis but the bleeding hearts gr"aning,
From gnawing grieTs unyiclding pangs,
prostrate, helpless, groaning, signing,
Bleeding, livid, slowly dying.
GprESw oop. S. c. .
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-05-13

ADVICE TO LADIEs.-We have been ad-
monished by the royal philosopher of the
Jews, that the sun should not 60 down
upon our wrath but had Solomon penetra-
ted half the mysteries of the female breast,
he would have additionally interdicted q
sunset upon cur coolness : Anger is Of
brief endurance, and soon raves itself to.
rest but coolness is as long lived as other.
cold-blooded animals it is as the toad
which exists for thousand years in the
heart of rock! Were /. like DR.. Gregory
and other moral taoticians, to bequeath q
legacy of counsel to my daughters, I would
say; Never sleep upon misunderstanding
with those you love ;.f you feel less kioaly
towards them than usual, the chances rap
THAT you are in the wreag."-Empscn,
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-05-13
LIVE FOR SOMETHING.
by CIIAELEs SWAIN.

Live for something, be not idle
Look about thee for employ!
Sit not down to useless drcaming-
Labor is the sweetest JOY.
Folded hands are ever weary,
Selfish hearts are never gay,
Life for thee hath many Duties
Active be. then. while you may.
Scatter blessings in thy pathways
Gentle words and cheering smiles
Better are than gold and silver,
With their grief dispeiIig wilcs.
AS the plcnsent sunshine falleth
Ever on the grateful earth,
So let sympathy and kindness
GLADDEN. we'll the darkened hearth.
Hearts that are oppressed and weary !;
Drop the tears Of sympathy,
Whisper words of hone and comfort,
Give and thy reward shall he
Joy unto thy soul returning
From this perfect fountain head,
Freely, as thou freely givest.
Shall the grateful light be shed.
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-05-13
VOLUME NlI.---N0. :.
THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD.

The following is an extract from n SER
mon Of Spurgcon, the English preacher,
and is a specimen Of the eloquence which,
within q year or two, has made his namo
familiar i'll both hcmisphcrcs;
Can any man tell when the beg inning
ing Of this world was when \,la,n came upon
it /; but we have discovered that thousands
Of wears before, God wa> forming chao:i.
matter to make it Il fl abode ivr u.an AMI
putting race of creatures upon il, that they
mig ght die and leave traces OF his landiwor;
and marvellous skill before he tried his lani
on man; But this wa, no beginning, for
revelation points us TO Il period long ere tins
world WAS fashioned, to the DAYS when tho
morning stars anil considerations fell thick
ly from tho hand Of God when, i.y his own
lips, he launched forth pnnhcrnus orl,s; when.
with his own hand, he sent c"uic.s, lko
thundcrbolts, wandering through the Sky.
TO find one day their proper sphere. W.
! go back to those days VIXEN worlds wcrn
made and systcris were fashioned, AMI VIC
have not approached The beginning yet
"Cn,il VIC 90 back to tie time when al
the universe slept in ti. na;nd of Gpl, az:
vet unborn--unil we enter Into eternity.
where God the Greater dwcl!S alone, every.
thing sleeping in his mighty gi"an!iu
thoughts, we have not guessed Tie trg:::
ming. We may 60 back, back, back, ages
upon ages. We may 80 back, il we may
use such word, whole ctcrni;rs, and Vet
never arrive at the beginning. i;ut Goi
from the Lcsiuniug chose his people, When
unnavigatch ethor was yet Unframed by tho
win" Of single angie; when space VIA
shortncsS, or else unborn when universal
silence rcgaincd, and not a voice or Whisper
) shocked the solcmnity ofsilencc when thcro
was no beginning, no motion, nauShthut God
himself alone in his eternity; without tho
attendance cf even chcrubini, long ere tho
living creatures were born, or the wheels OF
the chariot of Jehovah were fashioned :
even then, Gin the beginning was the wor'l,'
t and in the beginning Gods people were :
. in the beginning he chose them all unto
/, eternal lite.'
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-05-13
THE GOOD ANGELS.

Come, Ady and Jane, it's time you were
in bed,' said Mrs. Freeman to her two little
girls about nine o'clock one evening. Ady
was nine years old, and Jane was year and
a half younger. The two children had
been sitting at the work table with their
mother, one Of them studying her lesson,
and tue other engaged on piece Of fancy
needle work.
'Papa hasn't come yet,' answered Ady.
No, dear. But it's getting late, and tits
time you were in bed. He may not be
home for an hour
Adv laid aside her work and left the
table. and Jane closed her books and put
them away in her school satchel.
You can light the little lamp on the
mantel piece said Mrs. Freeman after a
few moments, looking around as she spoke !;
when she saw that the children had both
nut on their bonnets and were tying their
warm caps close about their necks. She
understood very we'll the meaning of this
and therefore did not ask question: al
though the tears came to her eyes and her
voice rs she said:
1T is very cold out to night, children"
But we won't feel it motter,' replied
Ady; .we will run along very quick
And the two little ones went out before
their mother, whose feelings were choking
her 80, she could not say another word. A
tbey closed the door after them, she raise'
her eyes upwards, and murmured:
tGod bless and reward: the dear children
It's q bleak winter night; and as tn
little adveuturers stepped into the stree
the wind swept fiercely along, and almo'
drove them back against the door. Bu
they, caug ght each other by the hands, 80
bending their little forms toHmeet the pre-
.su,e,o ,ofthe cold rushing air, hurried ontl
way .they were; going as fast as stheir fe
could move. IS
The s.resh we're dark and deserted; b
the ohildsfsh were not afraid: Love fill'
thsir. hearts and left no room for fear.
They did not speak3a word to each 9th
as they bas.eued along: After going
dist.uesof several blocks, they stopped b
fore ahouse, ovssr, The door of which was
,bandspme ornamental gas lstap, beari'
tho words, .oy.tsss and Refreshments.
~ 1tSss /. sttsugs place for t~o little 81
tosshtsr; andsst susb an hour; but af
iss.pdipg = moment, they pdsh6ssd. agai'
10 green doossRkh tprped Agbtly up
as hinges, spd stesppsda into . hsge a
:hsaiiApps lighted bar-roon. $ =
hysnise sselaimed q nsn who
s1l .sisaias. Hsle ia ss''s III those ttSksspssi@
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-05-13

less as statues. The last terrible strains of
the Tenebr;c are still ringing in his ears.
There are the mystic tapcrs, symbol'z1ng, as
they are extinguished one after another the
waning away of the life Oh the cross-the
last one being removed burning, to signify
that the life will rcappear There is the
dim twilight, deepening into the shades Of
night as the music swels moro and more
'loorous and complaining; and the abrupt
breaking off mt the moment when the Sui
frrcr bows his head and gives up the ghost.
All these circumstances combine with the
uligiO loci to enhance, in no small degree,
the impression Of the music !; and to show
that, when heard in the Sistinc Chapel, it
must IN Cdcct, bo quite different thing
from the s;nc performance elsewhere.
have spoken of tie Miscrcre when in
fact there are several, and by different hands.
On the following day, Good Friday) after
service in the English Chapel, contrasting
most favorably in its earnest and beautiful
simplicity with the gorgeous pomp OF the
Ronish ritual, repaired again to the Sis
tine-cndurcd tho Tcnebr;r, different and
much inferior composition followed by Il
Miscrerc, also new, and Of inferior merits.
OF the three | have now heard, Zone pre-
viously in st. Peter's,) | have been unable
to learn which is the original Allegro. The
truth seems to be that, in this particular
! service, rs | have often observed III the
! celebration Of the Mass, the performers arc
in tho habit Of selecting from different
works, thus producing whole often supe'
rior to that Of any one author.
1t will have been observed that the scene
have attempted TO describe is essentially
dramatic. One seems TO have been spec
tator Of sacred opera, rchearsing in music
and with appropriate external rites, the pas
sage of our Lords sojourn OH earth, when
he completed what ho came to do. Al
the contrivances 10 strike and overawc the
senses are present; all are admirably ar
ranged the air Of symbols and mystery i
f invoked; and not without a deep effect
: The piece has been acted we'll. And
the spectator be religious man, he vii
have felt his religious scnsiblitics quckencd
, aud his heart purified, by the vivid presen
r tation Of the most solemn and cventfu
/, transaction Of which this earth has bee
t the theatre, or which will ever be seen upo
it till its days are numbered and finished
But profitable as it may be to devou
r heart, it will scarcely leave any durabl
: moral impression on one, unpreparcd b
S previous holy influences. Such will re
o member it only as a piece, eloquent in I'll
If highest walks Of musical composition, an
e receiving just Interpretation only in til
st Sistinc Chapel.
1t Such are among the experiences ] tir
s noted in my Journal Of a Holy Week
y Rome Calcndar.