davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06
The Days of Salem Witches.

A correspondent Of the Commercial Ad.
vertiser has recently been looking over the
records of Salem, in the days of witchcrait.
He writes: '....
81 visited the relics still remaining OF
that wonderful chapter in the volume Of
popular decisions-'Salem Witchcraft.'-
These are mainly records kept by the Court
House. The original documents are still in
good preservation, and their age considered,
are remarkably legible; but one Of the clerks
has just completed labor of love by en-
crossing fair copy of the whole into a
bound volume, with copious index, to that
immediate reference may be made to any
portion. read one of the indictments, a
part Of the evidence ana-lhe sheriff return
of execu,ion-but throughout the proceed
ings ere unmstakable. From the incipent
accusation to the bitter end of conviction
and death, guilt is taken as granted; the &C.
cused is requiredto to establish innocence, and
not the accuser to prove the guilt.
"Among the documents is one curious for
the light it throws upon the state of female
education in 1892. 1t is report of the jury
Of matrons. empanneled to search the bod.
les of the unhappy victims Of malignant
public credulity for 'witchmarks.' To the
names of each of the signers, without ex.
ception, is attached 'her Ky mark In
connection with the documentary evidence,
few ordinary pins are shown. They
were produced on the trial, in proof of the
torments inflicted on the bewitched through
the alleged diabolical practices of those
whom they accused, very much as am uxe or
o pistol is produced in capital cases Of the
present day as an instrument with which o
murder was perpetrated. These pins were
formerly shown in papers, tut numbers oI
them disappeared with mysterious celerity
in keeping with their alleged magical deti.
vation, and the authorities were compelled
to resort to the measures adopted in still
older times by Solomon, in bis dealings with
the oriental powers of darkness, and the
tanning refractory genii, and the remaining
pins are now confined and securely sealet
in a cylinder of glass.
"From the court house proceeded to the
house of seven gables,' which still remains
standing. Its exterior has been modernized
and gables taken down, but the back room
where the preliminary examinations tool
place before the Justice, has escaped the
march OF modern improvement and remainI
unchanged. Time would not permit me t
extend my walk to the witches hill, wher'
the executions took place, but saw at th
Office of the register part of the tree upol
which the poor victims suffered the extrem
penalty Of the law"
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06
The Presidents Special Message

The Presidents Special Message.
To the Senate snd House Of Representatives
Of the United States:
deem it my duty to submit to Congress
a series OF resolutions adopted by the Legls'
lsture of Virginia, on the 18th inst, having
in view the peaceful settlement Of the ex'
istine questions which now threaten the
Union. They were delivered to me on
Thursday, the Gath inst, by Ex"President
TYLER, who has left his diguified aud honored
retirement, in the hope that he may render
service to bis country in this it's hour OF peril.
These resolutions it will be perceived ex-
tend an invitation to llsuch States, whesh.
er slaveholdiug or non, ,slaveholding, az are
willing 10 unite with Virginia in an earnest
efort 10 adihst the present unhappy contro-
versiss in the spirit in which the constitu-
ton was originally formed and consistently
with It's principles, SO o. to afford TO the Peo.
ple Of the slave holding States, adequate
guarantees for security Of their rights, TO ap-
point Commissioners to meet on the 4th day
Of February next, in the city Of Washington,
similar commisioners appointed BY Virgins,
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06
RAW RAFENNA, N y, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 1861.

welcome came back so hearty Q response
that it sent glow through Jour shivering
frames.
Never was kindness greater than We poor
ice wrecked voyagers resolved from the
crew and passengers Of that ship, crowded
though she already was. To their care and
attention we owed not only our own lives,
but those of the dear ones who seemed about
to die; and never can we feed fully greatlul
for their good ofiices,or the MANY sacrifices
they made in our behalf.
The ship was westward bound, and on our
arrival in Canada Sthe account Of our mis-
fortunes brought us many offers Of employ
msnt. Years have passed since, and the
world has gone we'll with US, but nothing
can erase from our minds the sbaunting re-
membrance Of the dhys and nights Of suffer
ingws pssssd oassBst .fssai lces field
Black,cood's Magazine.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06

shudder at the idea of going out, and If they
ever do venture into the air, the frost enters
into their open pores. and they hasten back
to their shelter, chilled, exhausted, and dis
couraged. They are no better sble to en-.
dure the storms Of Winter than plant
reared i1 hot house. II was the venerable
Beebe, l think, who said "When men
lived in houses OF willow, they were of oak /,
but when they lived in houses OF oak they
were Of willow"
WHAT 1s NEEDED.
We need for our dwellings more ventila.
tlon aud less heat we need more out door
exercise, more sunlight more manly, sthle.
tic and rude sports; we need more amuse.
ments, moro holidays, more frolc, and noisy,
boisterous mirth. Our infants need better
nourishment than coiorless mothers can
ever furnish. purer milk than distilleriss can
manufacture our children need more romp.
ing and less study. Our old men more qui.
ct and earlier relaxation from the labors oil
life. All men, both young ard old, mead
less medicine and more good counsel. Our
cities need cleansing, paving and draining.
The Asiatic cholera, the yellow fever, the
plague and many other fearful epidemics ore
called the opprobria of our art, and our feI.
low citiz'n upbraid US with the ieebleness
and ineficiency Of our resources in staying
their fatal progress. When will they learn
that although we do not fail to cure these
malades, the more precious secret of pre-.
venton is in our possession, and haa been
for these many years.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06
Relics Of Westminster.

Among the most curious manuscripts to be |
found in the archives Of Great Britain is one
that relates to the history and privileges of
Westminster Abbey. 1t forms roll eleven
feet and half long, consisting of six pieces
of parchment nearly five feet wide, and an
extra sheet, which was evidently intended
as a cover for the others. The first sheet,
written in Latin, contains legend recount
ing the miraculous conservation Of the
Church by the ghost of st. Peter. The
second sheet contains the English transla-
ton of this legend, according to which,
when Ethelbert. King of Kent, was conver.
ted to Christianity by the preaching of st.
Augustine, he built Church in London 10
honor OF st. Paul, while his nephew, the
King OF Essex, built one in honor of st. Pc
ter, just without the gates of that City;
and that on the night preceding the public
consecration of this last mentioned edifce.
st. Peter, in the habit of pilgrim, appeared
to fisherman on the opposite bank of the
Thames, and prayed this fisherman to ferry
him across the river. The fishermen hav-
ing obeyed the pilgrims behest, the latter
directed him TO cast his net into the river,
whichshe had no sooner done than he found
it SO full OF fish, that he had hard work to
haul it on shore. Among the fishes thus ta'
ken was particularly fine salmon, which
the pilgrim ordered the astonished fisher
man to carry to the Bishop-to inform that
disnitary that ii was sent him by the Apos.
tie Peter. The pilgrim then disappeared,
and the fisherman fastened, at day. break
to the bishops house where he delivered th'
salmon and the message, no doubt, with a
minute account of the adventures Of the pre-
ceding night, con6ded to the safe keeping o
the open. mouthed and open.eyed servant
Of his lordship. The affair soon reached
the ears of the bishop, whose belief in th
appariton Of the Apostle. as proved by th'
, presence of the salmon, was confirmed be-
yond the possibility of doubt BY the appear
once of certain miraculous letters tho
!. showed themselves on the fag.stenes il
! the floor ofthe new church, and the pres
. euee Of the consecrating oil on the walls
!. Tha venerable ealf-skin adds that the descen
3 dants of the fisherman. in memory Of thi'
!. miracle, ever afterwards offered to the bishoI
. of London the fish taken BY them on th
: Anniversary Of its occurrence. The thiF
b parchment contains q statement Of theava.
o rious rights and privileges conferred upo'
!. the Abbey of Westminster BY i's roys
: founder, followed BY formula Of ezcon
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06
Health and What Promotes il.

Dr.. Frank Hamilton, in an address on
hygiene to the grad duates Of the Buffalo Medi.
cal College, discusses the subject Of health
and the causes which promote or injure it.
We make few extracts:
STOVES AND FURNACES.
"Within few years the air.tight stove
has been substituted for the iron dogs, and
for the first time since men have began to
live in houses we have no "6re.places -
The shrines Of the Lare6 has been removed,
and our houses have been literally pillaged
robbed of the domestic hearth, toward
which so many asso Citations have been pour.
ed, and which in all ages have been regard
ed as the symbol Of home with all its social
comforts.
Not content with this, these enemies to
our race have still more lately taken away
the stoves which, destitute OF the essence,
still occupied the places, und served to re-
mind US at least of the ancient fireplaCes ;
and instead they have built for US iron fur
naces-Etnas-under ground, so that now
what Of the oxygen we are not able to con.
sumo and convert into carbonic acid, is Vita
ted by impure gas escaping from it's hidden
chambers, by invisible PARTICLES Of Goa dust
and BY other impurities which clog up the
air. cells, and close the avenues of life. OF
stick along the parched fences as if reluc'
tant to convey their poiaOns to the lungs.
Stoves have no doubt abridged the sum
of human life, but by these subterranear
iron furnaces we are cut short In the middle
1t is an error to suppose that hot.air furna'
ces can ever be SO constructed or managed
Ess NOT to prove detrimental to health. W.
Ewish we could persuade ourselves that thil
tis not so, for it ID certainly very agrseabl'
lin climate like oars to enjoy 4throughou
all the rooms and passages OF the house I
warm and uniform temperature but It \
lust this even warmth which is one Of th'
sources Of mischief. The inmates are q
lTn,le accus.omed to the cold within doors
and become 10 morbidly sensitive, tkSsshe,
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06

muDication directed against all and any
who should violated these rights, or modest
the monks in the enjoyment Of the same
The forth document is charter of Ed.
ward the Martyr, confirming the privileges
Of the Abbey, and granting to its church the
right of refuge. The fifth sheet contains a
succession Of arguments that appear to have
been submitted to Henry Nv. in council,
relative to the right conferred on the Abbey
by the charter of Edward the Martyr, and
alludes to the consecration OF the church of
st. Peter, "as it Is contained in the charter
OF King Edward and also in the charters OF
ST. Dunstan and of st. Edward"
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06
Cherry water.

Everywhere in the Northern cantons the
fruit trees are standing like forests; and
there is not only a brandy diStillery in ul
most every commune, but also cider mill.
Pears are pressed !or their juice, and cher.
ries crushed to make what they call cherry
s0ater. We one day saw decanter upon a
table filled with Whist we supposed to be
water, as it was colorless, and we had nev-
er seen any stronger liquid without some
slight tinge ofyellow, red or purple. Being
thirsty, we thought to help ourselves, and
took generous draught, which in an instant
had pervaded every drop of blood in our
veins. 1t was cherry ,cater, but surely de-.
serves more significant appcllation. 1t is
made by crushing fresh cherries, and pound-
ing them, as the juice is expressed from
grapes. They are then kept-slishtly warm
ill fermentation takes place, which some
times happens the second, andN4ten not till
the fourth week. The tub remains covered,
and the pulp is stirred every two days. Il
can then remain long time without injury
or be Immediately distilled like brandy. 81
long os it runs clear, it is Of the right taste
and consistency, but when the liquid is thick
it is put back with the pulp in the still. Tt
prevent its taking fire before it begins Il
boil, it is stirred violently. Like good wine
it improves with age. An imitation is some
times made OF plums, but can eusiy be de-
tected by mixing it with few drops OF wat
er, when it looks murky, and if rubbed upol
the hand has differen, f1vor.-Miss. John
sons Cottages Of the Alps.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06

Again ye come, again 70 throng around me,
Dim, shadoWy beings Of my iboyhood's drsarnI
Still shall Bless then. your spell that bound me!
Stll bend to mists and yapOrs as ye seemi sci.
Nearer ~ come: / yield mo as ye, found me ysg
In youth your wof,hipper and as the stream
OF air that folds you in its magic wreaths, ,..
Flows by my lips, youths JOY nay bosom brsathes.
Lost forms and loved ones ye are with you bringing,
Ard utArest limoges of happier days. gu -
EirBklsxe aid ilieAdAhip inyo path upspringing,
Like eld trsdliion's halfsrsmembsrsd lays, s'iay1
And lehg.slsRs sostOxs, walked, whose dirse-liks
asssii. aiIs III M III ia. l.sy.,s.s6as. mae, ~,
Ere 7theif years summer, summoned TO the tomb.
They hear not these my last songs, they whose
greeting $50 . .t
Gladdened my first; my spring.time friends have
gone, so ." ,.
And gone fast journeying from that place Of meeting
The echoes of their welcome, one by one.
Though stranger crowds, my listeners since, are
beating .....,. d.. .r...... '-.r-...
More grieves than glads me- while the tried and true
IT yet on earth, are wandering far and few.
A longing long unfelt, a deep.drawn slghng
For the far Spirit-World o'srpowers me SOW;
My songs faint voice sinks fainter, like the dying
Tones Of the wind-harp swinging frsm the bough,
And my changed heart throbs warm, no more denying
Tears to my eyes, or sadne ss to my brow; -
The near afar of seems, the distant nigh,
The now dream, the past reality.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06
NEW SERIEs.---YOL. I, NO: 26.
. AuditaI
e ~ H Trs o.
LssHs Translation. e
q FROM THR GERMAN OF GoETHH4

BY pITz-oREENE HALLEcK.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06
: .nATEa oF,aADvERTIsING.

3 over three weeks and I1ss VIII sHA'' " - =
800 ner ssuafs fer each insertions:
.oSiuary netees exceeding eight iinss' % cents per
square. ,,r,t ha Maid fer In
Sneeiai notiess before marriages and DEATHS esn'
Snts Per Inns, fer eaen insertion.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06
THE PORTAGE SHNllNEL.
p Mpp11c oFr ,GIIRsCRIPTION.

" TERMS OF SUBSChtFItON'. "a
PSrsnnnm, payable in aayaace, 4, ~
q If paid within the yearg no.. .a,'S, ~
WSetl II paid at the end d the year, "a IA
Isbapef discs ntinued until are
ieS eftSs tiro subscribed for wiz be considered
A6W engagement. tt =
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06

Ia ..s CURTIS HATCH,
Dealer In Drugs and Medicines, together with Flour
Salt, etr, No. Phoenix Block, Ravenna, Ohio.
Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-06-08

LIME ON SEED PoTAToEs.-Seyeral
subscribers speak of good results from a
method described in the AgricultnriH some
time ago, which was, to cut the potatoes,
roll them in fresh lime, and let them lie
six to ten days before planting. The re-
ports are, that potatoes SO treated sprout
sooner after planting, grow more rapidly,
and are not affected by rot. This looks
reasonable the lime corrects acids in the
cut tubers, and what is probably of most
utility, the alkalies assist in decomposing
the organic matter around the seed, and
thus Immediately supply more nourishment
Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-06-08

SETTING OUT PLANTs.-Most persons
prefer setting out plants at evening, and
when the ground is wet by rain. We pre-
fer dry soil, so that it will not be packed
by tramping. When the hole is made,
have pint or more of water poured in.
Before the water all soaks away, the plant
set in, and the hole filled up with dry
earth. Most of this is wet by the water, so
that the plantis is surrounded with moisture,
and yet the surface is left loose and open
not packed or baked. We are certain
that the trouble required is abundantly re.
paid, whether the number of plants be
large or small.
Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-06-08

LIME EoR INSECTS. According to the
Northeastern Farmer, the use Of lime pre-
vents the ravages of insects. 1t gives the
tatemcnt of ]. Baughman, of Westmore-
land county, Pennsylvania, that che had
not failed in raising good crops of wheat
and corn for the last twenty-five years, du-
ring all which time he has made free use of
air-slacked lime-puttinS from two to three
hundred bushels upon an acre every four or
FIVE years--about one.half sown upon the
land when the grain is sown, and the 9th
or when the grain is six or twelve inches
high. He says that he has never, during
the whole of that period, lost one bushel of
grain, to his knowledge, by any bug or
insect whatever, while those of his neigh
bours who did not make use of lime were
often injured severely by such causes"
He thinks the farmers of the West find a
remedy for the chinch bug in the free use
OF lime, and that he has grown sound pota.
toes on lined land, and when otherwise
they would be worthless from the rot.
Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-06-08

VERMIN ON CATTLE.-As the period is
at hand when colts and cattle are subjected
TO the attacts Of vermine, it may be serv-
iceable to some to print handy and spec
dy remedy, which is simply greasing the
parts affected, and rubbing it thoroughly.
Grease (say linseed oil, lard, g., } penetrates
the enemy, and destroys it in short order.
Unless the skin of the animal be we'll rub.
bed and manipulated, the work will be on.
ly half done Tobacco water is an iniuri-
Gus application, and should never be used
as wash upon cattle.-GermantO,0al
Telegraph.
Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-06-08

MUsTY BARRELs,-Many barrels at
this season are found to have become mus.
ty, and in that case are unfit for use. Put
into them pint of unslaked, fresh lime !;
pour thereon one or two gallons of water /;
bung up and shake the barrel while sha.
king loosen the bung occasionally to give
vent; when it has stood from three to six
hours, pour out and then rines with clean
cold water. Ifnot perfectly sweet, repeat
the dose. Usually one application will
be sufficient.
Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-06-08
AYERS
Compound Extract Of Sarsaparilla,

the most effeetual remedy which the medical
skill Of our times can devise for this every
where prevailing and fatal malady. 1t is COM
bned from the most active rcmcdials that have
been discovered for the expurgation of this foul
disorder from the blood, and the rescue of tho
system from its destructive consequences.
Hence it should be employed for the cure of
not only scrofula, but also those other affcc-
tions which arise from it, such as ERUPTIvR
and SKIN DISEASES, Sr. ASrHoNY's FIRE,
RosR, or ERYsIpELAs, PIMpLEs, PusrULEs,
BLoTcHEs, BLAINs and BouLs, TUMoRs, letter
and SALT RnEUM, ScALD HEAD, RINGwoRM
RHEuMArisM, SYPHILITIC and MERcURIAL Dis
EASES, DRoPsY, DYSPEPSIA, DEBILITY, and,
indeed, ALL COMPLAINTS ARISING FROM VITA
TED OR IMPURE BLOOD. The popular belief
in impWityofM the blood" is founded in truth,
for scrofula is degeneration of the blood. The
particular purpose and virtue of this Sarsapa-
rilla is to purify and rcgenerate this vital huid
without which sound health is impossible in
contaminated constitutions.
Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-06-08
Scrofula, or Kings Evil.

is constitutional disease, n corruption of the
blood, by which this fluid becomes yitiated.
weak and poor, Being in the circulation, Il
pervadcs the whole body and may burst ont
in disease on any part Of it. No organ is free
from its attacks, nor is there one which it may
not destroy. The scrofuous taint is variously
caused by mercural disease, low living, dis
ordered or unhealthy food, impure air, filth
and filthy habits, the depressing vices, and,
above ALL by the vcnereul infection, What
ever be its origin, it is hereditary in the con-
stitution, descending from parents to children
unto the third and fourth generation !" indeed,
it seems to be the rod of Him who says, "I
will visit the iniquities of the fathers upon
their children"
Its effects commence by deposition from the
blood of corrupt or ulccrous matter, which, in
the lungs, liver and internal organs, is termed
tubercles; in the glands, swellings; and on
the surface, eruptions or sores. This foul cor
rupton, which genders in the blood, depresses
the energies of life so that scrofulous constitu-
tons not only suffer from scrofulous COM
plants, but they have far less power to with
stand the attacks of other diseases conse-
quently, vast numbers perish by disorders
which, although not scrofulous in their nature,
are still rendered fatal by this faint in the
system. Most of the consumption which de-
climates the human family has its origin directly
in this scrofulous contamination and many
destructive diseases of the liver, kidneys brain,
and, indeed, of all the organs, arise from or
are aggravated by the same cause.
One quarter Of all our people are scrofulous;
their persons are invaded by this lurking in
fiction, and their health is undermined by it.
10 cleanse it from the system we must renovate
the blood by an Alternative medicine, and in
vigorate it by healthy food and exercise.
Such medicine we supply in