davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30

Had the night not been perfectly calm' the destruction of property would have been much greater.
 This calamity is rendered the more ap- palling from the fact that 1t Is undoubtedly the work of an incendiary. Punishment too soon, nor too quickly, meted out to the fiend, cannot be inflicted
 It is but just and due to the memory of the late MT. Jones, to say that although his residence in the State was short, yet he had the esteefn of all who knew him and was justly regarded as high-toned, honorable young man; and in his horrible death, the friends of the deceased have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire commm. ty. h'
 Three Greeks, Union Co.,
 March 17th, 1859.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30
Tuz;o. Dollas O., Sd March, 1859.

gz- The Fort Smith Herald gives the copy of some resolutions, which it says were offered by Mr. Duval, in the House, calling for the opinion of the supreme court on the question of per diem pay. It strikes usthat this was rather inconsistent. If he did not believe that the supreme court was the pro- per tribunal to decide that question why, in the name of common sense, ask it to do so? If he believed the court should so decide, and the offering of the resolutions is proof that he thought so then, why did he, or he and others, take upon themselves to de eide 1t?
 If so many grave doubts and diversity of opinion" existed, what quieted these doubts and reconciled these opinions?
 If it was so clear that the members were entitled to their pay as to leave no question about it, where was the necessity of court deciding a thing that could not be contro- verted?
 Consistency is said to be jewel, but we are afraid nobody can find a very valuable gem among the acts of the ex-spealzer.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30


 That act is very explicit, and there IS no ann igu ty in it, and consequently no room for construction. It declares that the holder of any certl- fcate of purchase of swamp and overiiow- ed lands from the s,canep tand cona'"'ssaonerS or agents, or any person act'ng ander Mer authority, who shall apply to the land agent for patent certificate thereon, shall not be compelled to take refunding eertihcate for the amount paid for any tracts on the original certificate, which shall appear to be not vet confirmed to the State, but shall demand and receive ''holding certificate, the form of which is given specifying the issuing of patent certificate for the land confrmed; and the holding certificate for the remainder unconfrmed, specifying the lands in both cases, and if the land should not be confirmed, the holder of the certi- fioate is entitled to refunding certificate, for the amount of money or scrip, paid to the commissioners or agents. And the> act further declares that the holders of re- funding certificates heretofore issued, shall have the same right to purchase the land as provided in that act. There Is a special saving of pre-emption rights.
 This act complicates the land system by multiplying certificates and evidences of purchase, opens wide door to frauds, and gives preference to those who purchased swamp lands originally in violation of law, and of which they were bound to have knowledge
 But the legislature had the right to enact if; and there is no power that can rightfully annul it, or refuse to execute it; simply because 1t may be thought impoli- tic or ineXpelient. The legislature might have given away the swamp lands, if they hal felt thus disposed.
 The act itself k too plain and positive to be resisted and speaks foreitsalf And to my mind, it is clear proposition that the effect of the law is to lcgalize and con firm sales of unconirmed swamp lands, bona fde made By the swamp land con- missioners or land agents, or any person acting under their authority, and conse- quently that it is the duty of the land agents to issue the certificates provided for in the act, in cases coming within it's provisions.
 Very respectfully,
 Your obd't serv't.,
 $. II. HAMPSTEAD,
 Sol. Gen. of Arkansas. E w. R. MILLER, Esq,
 Auditor of Public Accounts, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30
For the True Democrat. A Distressing Calamity.

On Tuesday night, the 18th inst, about II o'clock, the citizens of Three Creeks were startled by report caused by the eex ploson of gunpowder in the storehouse of Mai. X. Ammons. The report was quick ly followed by a second and more dreadful one and yet another followed, which shook the earth, and was distinctly heard for many miles in the surrounding country. The quantity of powder in the store was over five kegs, nearly all of which went off in the last explosion. The books, papers and all merchandise, including new stock of goods just received, together with the post .otice and all mail matter contained in the house, were totally destroyed. The Ma sonic Lodge also, whose lodge room was over the store, lost everything.
 The total loss is from $15, ,000 to S20, ,000.
 It is our sad duty to relate that young gentleman, Mir. William Jones, lately from Virginia, lost his life in the destruction of the house. He was asleep in the second story, and no doubt was killed by one of the explosions. Mir. Thos. F. Jones, a brother of deceased, Prof. s. E. Trimble and Mr. White, made narrow escape in trying to rescue the unfortunate young man in the building. These gentlemen were all within twenty feet of the building when the last explosion took place.
 The residence of Prof Trimble also was in imminent danger of being burned, hav- ing been on fire no less than four times
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30
For the True Democrat

Clarendon, Ark, March 2l, 1859.
 have just seen the card of B. T. Duval in answer to the address which I published in your paper of the l6th March last in vindication of nay course as speaker of the late House of Representatives, in refusing the per diem pay of the members of the House during the recess of the General As sembly.
 In that card Mr. Duval makes an effor. to assail not only my position upon that subject as speaker, but takes especial pains by inuendo--(using a favorite expression of the times, to reject upon me personally by an unfair statement, and in some respects gross misrepresentation of the facts-al- though as to some of them Ae says he has the proof. He does not deny a solitary statement contained in my card to the peo- pie.
 am averse to newspaper controversies, and especially am l opposed to such spe- cial pleadings as is used in the card of .llr. DaUoi, and l write now to say to him to get up his proot, hunt up his tacts, and pre- pure himself fully; and whenever he feels able to vindicate his own course before the people, or is satisfied or feels that he can induce the people of the State to censure and condemn either my course as speaker of the House or myself personally; then if he will make list of appointments and give notice through the papers that he and I will address the people of the State upon the subject. 1 can assure him and the peo- pie of the State that I will meet him and them face to face, and 1 think it will take no orator or logician, and especially no special pleadings to satisfy them that my course was right that Mr. Duval was wrong. and that he, not l, deserves the pub lie censure. 0. H. OATES.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30


 SIR: The questions upon which you de- sire my opinion, are as follows, viz:
 list. Were the sales by agents of lands not confirmed to the State as swamp or overfowed, illegal and void?'
 ''2d. If so does the act of the 17th of February, 1859, legalize or confirm those sales?"
 esd. Should the agents issue holding certificates to the purchasers thereoi?"
 By virtue of the act of the l2th of Jan uary, 1853, dividing the State into swamp land districts, and establishing the present land system, the respective land agents, af- ter receiving the maps and plats, were au- thorizel to sell the confrmed swamp lands at public sale, from time to time, and such as remained unsold to sell at private entry at the prices specified by law And the books and plats furnished by the auditor were declared to be their guides, as to what swamp lands were owned by the State; in other words. the books and pats indicated to the land agents such swamp lands as had been confirmed to the State. These only they were authorized to sell. Tho swamp lands sold by the commissioners were unconfrmed at the time of sale, or al least most of them.
 You state that " in disregard of the above law, several of the agents sold large quan titles of land that had not been confrmed t, the State as swamp lands at the time Q the sale" And on that state of case yo, propounded the above questions.
 I have carefully examined the "act tc enable the land agents to issue certificates in certain cases, and for other purposes. approved l7th of February, 1859; and cannot resist the conclusion, that 1t must be regarded as legalizing and contirmine those sales; and as authorizing the iaho agents in such cases to issue the certificates provided for in the act.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30
Fusion.

In the telesraphic dispatches copied in the last number of the Gazette we find the following:
 "Since Mir, Bolts returned from his northern tour, there have been two caucuses of the southern American members of Congress, for the purpose of arranging the election of speaker in the next House.
 l understand 1t is the decision of the Americans to demand the speaker and to yield all the other officers of the House to the Republicans.
 We do not wish to be understood as say ing that because the Gazette copied this item that therefore it indorses it. It is true that the copied articles of newspa- per, not commented upon, are in keeping with the general tone, 6ut it is sufficient for us, that it was given as part of the current news of the day. What state of facts does it present? .Souhern2 Ameri cans dickering with the black republicans and agreeing to give them all the offices but that of the speaker. "Head him or die" Bolts found fixing up the terms of an offensive and defensive alliance with abolitionists! It does seem to us that no true lover of southern institutions who may yet belong to the opposition" in the south, after reading that, can hesitate for moment, to cut loose from such asso- citations. The former conduct of these southern misrepresentatives, with one or two exceptions, has been an outrage upon their constituents, but from the above we see that they are determined to show to what depths of political infamy traitors may descend.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30

ANTEcEDgNrs OF Acroas.-William E.. Burton was once a 'sprintes's deyil' in London printing office; Barney Williams was, for many years, a regular New York " dock walloper;' J. R. Scott, when "peevish boy" served as cabin " ,' 'flunky' on an oyester vessel m the fmladelphia trade. Charlotte Cushman, before she turn. ed actress. made living for herself, and mother and sister, by the needle, Gall hon. or and praise to herb Collins, the Irish comedian. served an apprenticeship under . Dnblin barber, and is even unto this day reckoned an excellent " shaver" Charles Mathews was gentleman born,'' but was so unfortunate as to lose his title; J.. B. Roberts is the son of gun-smith., still living in Wilmington, Delaware; J. E. McDonough was formerly butcher. and used to "kill for Keyser," whose slaughter-house was in Spring Garden. Philadelphia.-N r Poa.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30

PIKE's PEAK.-It is impossible to get at the truth regarding the yield ofgold at this locality. A Mir. Allison publishes, in the St. Louis papers, that the mines are hum bug and that there is no gold there. Let ters have been received from persons, who went from this State, in which the writers say that thereis gold there Vast numbers are at and on their way to the mines, so that it is fair to presume that if gold is to be found, the claims will all be taken up.- The truth probably, as in all such cases, lies between the two extremes, and while some few may be successful, the larger number will be disappointed.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30

A Coon TINE FOR THE HEAD OF THE HoUsE. Every husband and each father of growing and grown up daughters, in and about Little Rock, may safely anticipate a good time of it for this week and for seve- raj weeks to come The dish Pa likes so well will be cooked to turn; his arm chair promptly wheeled into his favorite corner and his slippers placed beside it. Not a button will be missing from a shirt, while " honey'' 'Tmy love-" my dear" |" dear Pa" and other endearing expressions will be showered upon him like an April rain. If he is curious to know why, we refer him to the advertisements of Mrs. Brogan, Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Graham. Such loves of bon nets, such ducks of mantillas, such sweet lace such lovely patterns, Pater Familias need not frown or button up his pocket-the money has to come, he had better make a virtue of necessity and deliver at once- Besides" you know you said etc., etc.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30

ag- The following article was prepared several weeks since. As mild as 1t IS, 1t was then thought proper not to publish 1t. There was yet a hope that the subject of the article would see the folly of the suici- dal course he was pursuing and pause Tn hls mad course. Since then he has widened the breach between himself and his party; he has gone over, body and soul, blood and spirit, to the know -nothings and dlsor- ganizers. Let him go. Hereafter, when the reward of his treachery is found m the indignation of an insulted and betrayed peo- pie, let him remember that it was hls own choice. The course he has seen fit to pur- sue is one that we regret and warned hlm against In the depths of that political in- fanny into whicI rhe. .kas voluntarily plunged he may struggls7now without that sympa- thy which would have been lis, had he not refused to listen to reason.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30

AN INTERESTING DocUMENr.-The New Orleans Picayune says: We were favored yesterday by an elderly gentleman, Capt. Frank Kendall, of Arkansas, with sight of an old and highly interesting document, being no less than the original certificate of discharge from service in the revolution ary war, of the captains father, Sergeant John Kendall" of the third Connecticut regiment The certificate is large half folio sheet printed blank form, filled up in writing where required, and bearing in one place the signature of "George Washing ton.''
 The worn and stained document, was fully patched with bits of printed paper as old as 1904, was for a long time among the records at Washington, and was ob- tained for Capt. Kendall, through Albert Pike, esq.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30
ArpfToR's OFFICE,

LM1e Rock 1rk. March 2l, 1859. SIR: l desire to obtain your opinion upon questions arising under an act entitled ian act to enable the land agents to issue certi- ticates in certain cases and for other pur- poses" approved Feb. l7, 1859.
 Under the act of l2th January, 1853, districting the State and establishing the present land system, the agents were re- quired in selling swamp land to take the " books and platS furnished by the auditor for their guide with regard to what lands were owned by the State"
 In disregard of this law, several of the agents sold large quantities of land tha lad not been confrnaed to the State as swamp land, at the time of the sale
 Were not the sales by agents of lands not confirmed to the State as swamp and over flowed, illegal and void? If so does the act of l7th Feb, 1859, legalize and confirm those sales?
 Should the agents issue "holding certi- fcrtes' to the purchasers thereof?
 Yours respectfully,
 VIM. R. MILLER,
 Auditor. s. H. HAMPSTEAD, esq, Solicitor Gene
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30
From the Batesville Sentinel.
Another Fire!

About half after II o'clock on Saturday night last, the dwelling house of Thomas Cox, esq, one of the finest and best build ings of our town, was burned to the ground MT. Cox was insured to the amount of S3,0OO; yet, his loss was heavy one, as the building itself cost about twice that amount, to say nothing of the loss and da mage to his furniture, etc.
 This was, unquestionably, the work of some heartless scamp, who deserves a worse fate than hanging by the neck, as the fire was first discovered in part of the house m which there had not been any fire for several days.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30

Hzs- The great catechist, of the State Rights Democrat, propounds another ques- ton. in relation to the power of Congress to legislate for the protection of slave proper ty in the territories. "Turn about is fair play" says the proverb, but though he asks many questions and answers none, we are not afraid to answer any. If he will turn to the extract from the debate in Congress, on this subject, in our last number, and read Senator Hunters views, he will find ours. If his object is to get us to take sides on an open question in order that he may take the other, we will show him that we are bold enough to tender him an issue. Wc hold that southern men, southern pro pety and their rights, have the right to protection, under the constitution, in the territories
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30

A VERSATILE GEAIUs.->ome two yea-s ago a celebrated western AIkansan, pre- tending to be democrat, through the col umns of pseudo-democratic paper, under took prove that the legislature of 1S5G-7, was corrupt, eXtgavagant and had spent every cent in the treasury He proved, by figures, that they appropriated every cent that by any possibility could come into the treasury during the next two years.- The same prophet upon coming here in No vember last, found, maugre his predictions, nearly quarter of million of dollars in the vaults, and straightway set aboit bun combising on the strength of it. This po- litical Jack Cade wanted to do away with taxes altogether and devised different ways to get the money out. The same genius, if we mistake not, defends the last General Assembly and winds up his article by i'm ploring the people to give the devil his due.''
 We admire the skill displayed in both attack and defence He takes either side with equal ardor and prosecutes or defends with the like vim. It will go hard with us, but the devil shall get his due, or enough of it to make him sick of political life for some time to come.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30

RIVER, ETc.-Six feet water in the chan nel and falling; weather changeable, spring like one day and wintry the next.
 Business, owing to the report of the smallpox, is near ly at stand, when the fact is, that those few persons from the country who do bring marketing, realize a good price and ready sale. That there have been about eight cases and no more of a slight type and no death among our ci- tizens, is about the extent of the natter There is really no more danger now, ow- ing to the precautions taken, than there is ill any portion of the country.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30
QUESTIONS.

A correspondent asks, as follows: Does not Congress meet, adjourn, meet again and take mp business precisely where 1t left off?
 Did they, when members received pay for each day, allow daily pay during the recess, or did the members draw mileage?
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30

Ess- We had light snow on the night of the llth, which we fear will destroy the peach crop, which has been hitherto so fine Tn this county. The trees were in bloom at the time. We have had the mildest winter ever known by the oldest settlers in this part of the State.-N Y. Appeal.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30

NOTICE TO PRE-EMproRs IN THE LITTLE Rock DIsrmcr.-Judge B. F. Owen, land agent for the Little Rock district, requests us to state that he will commence the in
 vestigation of contested pre-emption claims, on Monday, the 25th day of April next
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30
Latest News

The general impression seems to be that a war of some kind is inevitable in Europe But there seems to be no sufficient cause for an attack upon any of the lesser pow CTS by tine greater, and it is mere conjec- ture where hostiIities will commence. At all events France will send large naval force to the coast of Mexico.
 The California papers, with very few exceptions, urge separation from the other States The cause of this is the failure of the Pacific railroad bill Though they talk seriously and some of them fierce ly, we do not think the experiment. of an independent republic will be tried yet awhile
 A bill is pending before the New York legislature which, if it passes, will be in effect to nullify the fugitive slave law in that State So important an act by the great State of New York, will do more to hasten dissolution of the Union than any other lately committed.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30
When things are at the worst
 frbox- sOp,afip1 as TuppG ''
They sometimes mend.

TIE ARKANsIAN.-We have received but one number (No. B. of this paper, published at Fayetteville, Washington county, in this State, but before we had time to look over it, some visitor borrowed it. We are unable to speak of its contents, but our home exchanges in noticing it., speak in fattering terms. We wish its enterprising publishers and editors success, and believe they will command it.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30

ES~ 0uachita Presbytery will meet' oy leave of Divine Providence, at scotland church, on Friday, before the first Sabbath in April next, at II o'clock, A. NJ. Statistical reports and commissioners funds. must be sent up from the churches.
 A. R. BANKS,
 ,Stated Clerk 7zl;o. Dallas Co.,, Sd March, 1859.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30

GEs~ We are indebted to our enterpriz- ing friends II. Osborne and $. H. Tucker, for late New Orleans papers. These gen tlemen have just returned from the east, where they have been purchasing goods
Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30
Little Rock, 22d March, 1859.
VIM. R. NH

s. H. HAMPSTEAD, esq, Solicitor Gene ral of Arkansas
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-04-02
Ayers Cathartic Pills,
FOR ALL THE PURPOSES 0FAFAMILY pHYSIC,

their action can rarely Withstand or eyade them
Their penetrating properties search, and cleanse,
and inyigorate every portion Of the human ergan-
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its healthy vitalities. AS consequence Of these
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pain or physical debility is astonished to find his
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Not only do they cure the everyday complaints
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containing certificates of their cures and directions
for their in the following complaints; Cost're,
Stomach Nausea, Indigestion, Pam IN and Morbid
H.actiOn of the BOreLs, FIdta'ency, Loss Of Ape
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arising from low state Of the body or obstruction
OF its functions.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-04-02
AYERS
COmnOund Extract Of SarsaparilIa,

the most efectual remedy which the medical
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where prevailing and fatal malady. 1t Is COM
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Hence it should be employed for the cure OF
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tons which arise from it, such as ERUPTIvs
and SKIN DISEASES, ST. ANTHoNY's FIRE,
ROSE, or ERYsIpELAs, PMPLEs, PUsrULEs.
BLorcHES, BLAINs and BoILs, TUMoRs, letter
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