davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
VIRGINIA FREE PRESS
TERMS.

n1-The FREE Pass is published weekly at Tro
Dollar and Fifty Cents per ann~m in odrdmes.
ES-THREE DOLLARS if not paid in advance.
gss- One Dollar and Fifty Cents for 'ir months.
5s5-The terms of advertising are, for square,
(ten lnes) or less, One Dalidr aud Ffty Cents for
three insertions-larger ones in the same proper
ton Each continuance Fifty Cents.
1s5-No advertisement TO be considered by the
month or year unless specified on the Manuscript,
or previously agreed upon between the parties.
E3-An advertisement not marked on the copy
or specified number Of insertions will be continued
until ordered out, and payment exacted accordingly
G.S.- REGULAR ADvERrTsEXESrs.-To avoid any
misunderstanding on the part of the Annual Adver-
tisers it proper to state distinctly that their pri
vilege only extends to their immediate business
Real Estate, Legal and all other advertisements sent
by them to be an additional charge, and no varia-
tOn.
Va Obituary Notices of more than fvelines will
be charged for.
JOB Work. Posters, Sale Bills, Circulars,
Cards, &C., executed promptly, neatly, and at fair
prices.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
Beseiged by Famished Cats.

It is said that an enterprsing Yankee having
bought an island in the Ohoriver. has stocked
the same with black cats, intending to go into
the fur trade This reminds us Of similar er-
pertinent, which was made many years ago by
a gentleman who resided in Maryland. The
idea struck him that the fur trade was so lu-
crative it would be much better to raise animals
nearer home than the regions Of the North, and
accordingly purchased an island in the Chesa-
peake Bay, stocking it with the blackest OF
black cats. He paid extravagant prices for the
felines, and all the boys in the adjacent country
went extensively into the business Of entrap-
ping unsuspecting Tommies and Tabbie'.
which were Immediately disposed OF and sens
to the aforesaid island.
The gentleman found the cats were prolific,
and was soon compelled u employ two men to
live on the island and fish with seine in order
to supply them with food At first, the fisher
men had quite an easy time, and readily sup
piled fish in abundance for their charges; but
the number daily increased, until whole legions
Of black cats trooped over the island home, de-
vouring everything in the shape Of food, and
the men found il impossible to furnish the re-
auisite amount Of nourshment AT last II was
determined that one Of the men should take
hoat, and returning to the mainland, report
the alarming state of affairs. During the ab-
sence Of the messenger, the cats became exceed
ingly bold, and the remaining party, fearing
for his life locked himself up in his cabin and
prepared for seige.
The enemy, embodened by this display OF
fear, and urged on by hunger, surrounded tho
house, climbed up the sides, staring in at tho
affrighted man through the windows and aper-
lures. keeping up the while the most hideous
caterwauling He carefully stopped up every
crevice save the chimney, but, hearing and see
ing ominous falling of SCOT. which disclosed
determination on the partof the beseiging force
to effect surprise, he closed thatopening also'
and Mcawber-ke waited for something to
turn up" For two days and nights he was
kept in this singular prison with the dreadful
bowls Of famishing cats ever resoundng in his
ears. and with savage eyes glarng at him con-
tinually.
At length party arrived with guns and sue
ceedng in succoring the man from histruy aw-
| ful position, but so numerous were the cats. 80
fierce their aspect and threatening their de-
meanor that both the rescners aud the rescued
were only too glad to leave this pandemonium
Of JET black cats. gaunt and ferocious as they
were from starvation. Tbeanimals. we believe,
all perished, and thus ended one Of the most
extensive cat-rearing ventures ever recorded.
| The individual who has started cat planta-
ton on the island in the Ohio river may have
the benefit Of the experience related above. free
Of cost.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
A. R. ". Ransom. J. ED. DUKE.
RANSOM 81 DUKE,

H ~ - SUN ~ IN 11s
HAWKS COACH FACTORY BUILDING,
CHARLESTOWN, JEFFERSON COUNTY,
HAVE in Store and for Sale
Geiser's Pat. Threshing Machine,
Scullys Cider and Wine Mill, (best in the market)
Sineair's s. 9, H. lS and Is inch Propellers, hay,
straw and fodder Cutters-warranted
II. NJ. BAKERS WHEAT FAN, (warranted.)
Raw Hide Roller Hav and Straw Cutters.
GRAIN DRILLS with and without Guano and
Grass Seed Attachments.
PLOWS AND PLOW CASTINGS.
Fairbanks Patent Platform and Family Scales.
Briar Scythes and Briar Hooks.
Ohio Grindstones, with without frames fixtures.
CISTERN PUMPS, GALL KISDs,l
Patent WA TER ORA WEIR 2Jor Wells Ci'terH'.
Hydraulic Cement,
CHURNS OF ALL KINDS,
COOKING STOVES.
Grain Bags. (best cotton and linen.)
Turnip Seed,-white. fat and red top strap leaf.
Wooden Tubing aud Chain Tor Chain Pumps.
Patent Step LADDERS. c, s, 10 and Is feet.
Cast Iron Dirt Scoops.
APPLE PARERS.
Scoop and Long Handle Shovels.
Forks Of all kind.
Leather Betting Trace Chains and Harness.
Raw Bone. Raw Bone Phosphate. Super Phosphate
Of Lime, Soluble Pacific Guano, Patapsco Guano,
and other celebrated Fertilizers.
JOHNS IMPROVED PRESERvATIYE PAINT,
for Metal Roofs, Iron Railing, Agricultural Tools
Aug. |, 1867.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
Ladies' Depository.

Probably very few Of our readers know any
thing about this most interesting establishment.
Yet the modest salesroom, No. "a North Charles
street, contains more than is suggestive Of the
real and heroic more matter for sympathy;
more indictments 10 tbsnkfulness 10 God who
has spared us the evil that has fallen on others;
more impulses 10 kindness and charity-moro
of all that is vainly sought in books Of romance,
than can be found anywhere else. Into this
little reservoir is daily trickling what little
drops are left Of the great sccumulations oi
Southern wealth, drained away by the war
II is very sad to see the last bracelet from the
little girls arm the last silver spoon from the
table; the long-cherished bridal presents,
brought TO be exchanged for bread, by thin!y
clad and care-worn women, with the grace aud
lofty repooe Of the highest refinement, shining
undimmed in their misery, like diamonds in
the ashes Of Pompeii. There are many women,
Of whom the world is not worthy. for whom
this Depository is the meagre resource for daily
food. Their work goes there for sale. Their
littleremainso Of plate and jewelry and expensive
housekeeping-these seek confederate pur-
chaser. We are sorry TO say that the WORK
does rot sell as rapidly as it ought, simply be-
cause it is not known to be there. Many APP
plications for work are denied, because Of this
default of sales. The ladies Of the Depository
offer their wares as cheap as they can; sno
they have things to sell not easily 10 be got
Such preserves, for instance as these Southe'n
ladies put up, are not to be found everywhere;
and the shelves are crowded with ihem. 20
and buy them. IT. unhappily. you have no
house Of your own, you cannot make more
acceptable present 10 those that have. Every
body can contribute in this way-'hs best way
to the relief Of the distressed families in the
South /; and if the attention Of our citizens
could only he called to the Depository It's Ou''-
ness would be increased ten-fold in month.
[Baltimore Episecpai hsiaod'".
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
LOOK TO YOUR INTERESTS!
ROOT g. SHOE-MAKING AT FAIR
RATES IN CHARLESTOWN.
TOsEpH J. MORRAN, respectfully inforr

VOSEPH J. MORRAN, respectfully informs
,b the citizens of Charlestown, and surrounding
country, that he still continues TO manufacture
OTIS AND SH 0ES,
and has opened Shop on Lawrence Street, in the
law Office ofthe late Thomas Griggs, Esq
Keeping always on hand good stock Of materi-
ais his old customers and the public generally may
relv upon being satisfactorily accommodated by
pivin;. him call. He promises good work and
Reasonable charges; and he snlicits the patronage
Of those who may be in want OF anything in his line
Of business.
PRICES REDUCED
Thankful for the liberal patronage heretofore be-
slowed upon him, he would ask continuance of
the favors Of his old friends and trial of his work
by the public generally as efforts will be spared
upon his part to please and accommodate.
August %, 1866.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
A Novelty in New York--The Grand
Paper Dress Masquerade.

Drawing rooms, halls, chambers, supper
rooms all crowded to their utmost with scores
Of Young girls. and women Of more mature
years dressed in paper, in costumes the gayeNt
and most stbrilliantimmaginable All the tickle
moods in which the Goddess Fashion has Al
l,wed herself to indulge in for the last three
hundred years were here fully represented, from
the long and narrow satin train Of the Princess
of Wales Of the olden time to the green striped
dress for evening wear of 1874, short and mar
row in the skirt, with hat of the same, as large
as q small umbrella There was the sweet
looking Turkish girl, the dark-eyed Spanish
donna. the genuine Irish laSsie. with short puff
ed sleeves and immense poke bonnet, the Eng
lish lady with ample skirts and high standing
ruffle tie Italian lady and the classical costume
of the Republican Court Of Washington, and
the 1926 dinner dress Of French Countess
with its six-stury head-dress Of red and white
ribbons. And how the dresses rustled against
each other. like the brown and sere leaves in the
woods of autumn time Imagine three hun
dred old men, each shaking Canadian news
paper made out of straw, aud some idea Of the
peculiar noise made will be formed, if you null
tiply the total amount by ten. About one
hundred and fifty ladies were dressed in paper,
from head to foot, displaying all the tints Of
the rainbow, and great many colurs which
have never yet been discovered in any kind OF
rainbow. The dresses fitted remarkably
well, and as the paper was all fastened or
gunmed" to thin muslin, it did not easily
tear. The prevailing fashions for the last three
hundred yearso of America, France and England
were represented with fidelity never before
exceeded in tlis country, and at the expense OF
an immense amount of time aud labor. But
few gentlemen guests were permitted to be
present but such as did have the opportunity
of beholding this modern Vanity Fair Of lace,
gold, silver, crystal powder, wonderful head
dresses, impossible skirts and forgotten comb
nations in dress, can never forget the strange
snd novel eight
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
BLACKS KSMITHING.
Real Estate Agency.

THE undersigned have this day entered into
Co-partuership for the purpose Of transaetlng
at kinds of business pertaining to Buying and Sci
ling REAL ESTATE.
The ADVANTAGES which We possess cannot
be surpassed by any agency in West Virginia.
one Of the firm being in Pennsylvania, advertising
and soliciting for this Office.
We. therefore. respectfully invite the owners oi
Real Estate. Mill Properties, Houses, Lots, DC,
for sale to call at our office in Charlest"wn. Jeh-
ersnn County, W. Va, and let have correct
statement OF vour properties. that we may make
auick sales. We ask all those who are interested
in the Improvement Of hi, County t. give us their
assistance-encourage us in our efforts 10 intro
duee men of capital and enterprise by giving US
your lands 70 advertise.
Call on or address
RICHARDSON 4 WALTON.
Real Estate Agents.
ChGrlss'oEH, W. Va.
Reference:
l.. A. Luce. Real Estate Agent, Martnsourg.
b J. Smith e Co., Newtown, "a.
Baker Willard. Manufacturer. Newtown, "a;
P.S. Office formerly occupied and with D. Ill
denour, J.. p.
Nov. 81, ls6T-sm.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16


Fine Farms.
Large Tracts Of GRAZING LANDS; Large Tracts
of Land which can BE- divided. Several Large
FIGURING MILLS;
Valuable and Extensive Water Power; Large
Tracts Of Timber Land Several desirable build
ing and improved Lots in CharIcstoWn.
LANDS IL JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Mills and Water Power in same.
LANDS IN CLARKE COUNTY.
Mills, tc., in same.
Lands in Berkeley County.
Lands in Loudoun County Mills, ie., in same.
Lands in Fauquier County.
WANTED:
-Four wcll-improved farms from 100 70 $50 Acres
good land Tor which a liberal price will be paid.
Also, bal "a dozen farms to kENT-applications
are made daily.
An persons wishing their property advertised in
my next Descriptive Circular will please glYe.kne
a call. l will advertise extensively IN Maryland
and Pennsylvania, and througu the North.
-Aqeat,-DANIgL b. LCcAS, Esq, Halltown,
and +. G. FIrgL, Esq, Shepherdstnwn, Jefferson
County, W. Va. Agents also in Frederick Clty'
HagerstoWn, Baltimore and other cities.
S. HOWELL BROWN.
Dee. S. 1867.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
Beautiful ASSortne ent
OF HATS

10 which he will call the attention Of gentlemen in
need of this important article of dress. and if they
will give him call he knows they will be pleased
va His Shop is one door above the Garter
House" and Ladies and Gentlemen will lose moth
ing by walking that far to see his stock.
No Highest price paid for HIDES in Trade, or
the Cash if necessary.
April 25, lS67-tf. SAM'L II. WOODDf.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
PERFECT MATERIAL,

AND TO EMPLOY NONE But
Competent WOrkmen.
thoroughly skilled in their business, he can promise
Boots and Shoes,
for Gentlen en-, Ladies, Misses and Children, in n
style that cannot be surpassed. He also obligates
himself to make all repairs made necessary by the
ripping of work sold or made at his establishment
free Of cost.
His READYMADE WORK, which will be
sold at the most reasonable figures has been selcc
ted with the greatest care. and to the Ladies who
have so literally patronzed him in the past he is
able to give a guarantee that nothing will be sold
from his shop that is not strictly what he recon-
mends it to be. He has no desire to deceive, but
wishes to make living BY a straightforward, hon
est manner of dealing.
He will keep constantly on hand large and
general stock of the very best quality Of SOLE and
UPPER LEATHER. Cali and Morocco Skins, Ii
nings and other Findings: which he will sell at the
lowest prices for cash. He respectfully asks a call
from the public.
Efs- He also intends to keep on hand large and
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
AuctiOneer's Notice.

i. g CANNON,
Architect and Builder,
HARPER'S FERRY, W. VIRGINIA,
is prepared 70 do all kinds Of CARPENTER
Work in first rate style.
He has on band large supply oi
WHTTE PINE LUMBER,
which will be disposed Of cheaper than il can oe
bought in the cities.
SHINGLES. LATH, &c, slro On hard
Dec. -, 1sS7-2n'
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
u. wi. s.
SAMUEL H. WOODY,
AT HIS SHOP

on MAIN ST., near the CARTER OUSE,
HAS on hand stock to which the people of this
community are invited and he eels satisfied
that those who examine it will be CONSTRAINED to
pui chase. He does not profess to be able to sell
manufacture at lower prices than any one else in
the community; but this he does pledge, that he
will give satisfaction to all who favor him with
their patronage If experience and strict attention
to business are calculated to commend, he feels as
sured that he has these two requisites for success in
business. Intending 10 work none but the most
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
TO THE FARMERS,
COMPREHENSIVE.

THE undersigned have entered into Co-Part-
nership under the firm of STARRY 4 LOCK,
tor the purpose of conducting the Produce Com
mission and Forwarding Business at the Charles
town Depot. j. ID. STARkl,
Jan. 10 1867. JNO. j. LOCK.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16

The editor who said that his mouth rsrsr
Uttered ne. spoks .Srocgh his nos
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16

VI. -. BR OWN,
.~- r5 j. H. HANEs,)
MANUFACTURER AND DEALER
81 Tobacco, Suuffs and Cigars,
.~orIN Keep constantly on hand a fne as
A .a.taeHt of therag Tobacco, Pipss and
just received. and l0r sale a fine lot of the psn-
ll- ".H a.ar .l Brand CHEWING TOBACCO
Also, a ..t .' Oh. choicest brands of VIRGINIA
SNORING TOBACCO.
Persons dealing BOZ our line will find il 20 their
--tla'aZe o. cali and examine our stock before pur-
chasing elsewhere. ~ Wholesale aHd Rstat
Eo- Aect door 20 Aisqaiii & Bro. ~
oLsriesfcv1. Va, Ju8s g. 1897,
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
Lumber.

r HAVE for sale 10000 feet Of good Pine Plank at
| nv Store House above the Church.
- j. =. MELVIN.
Dufield's. Nav Is, 1867. SPIT. copy.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16

IMPORTED SCOTCH ALE 4 BROWN STOUT,
very fine at the Saloon Of
Sept. l9 1867. J. S.-EASIEkDAl.
The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-06-23
EXTRA ALLOWANCE.

The New York Tribune, of the 10Th
inst, says:
1.-THE House of Representatives yester
day, by vote of II Yeas to So Nays,
voted $1,5OO,OOO out of the Peoples
Treasury into the pockets of certain
''employes in the Civil Service of the
Government''-tha is, the Clerks, Mes
sengers, Doorkeepers, &C., in the several
departments at Washington, and the
Printers employed in the National Prin-
terry. If the Senate should concur
as we greatly fear it will-the Military
officers will insist on being served as
we'll as their Civil compeers; and that
will take Two or Three Millions more
and this when our National Debt ex-
ceeds Twenty five Hundred Millions,
drawing a greater aggregate of annual
interest than any other Debt that does
or ever did exist, when our Treasury
seems to have run behindhand no less
than Ten Millions during the last month,
and when our specie paying six per cent.
bonds are selling some twenty per cent
below par. Under such eircum stances,
Congress is bored and huttonholed into
giving these empolyes twenty per cent.
more than their stipulated pay; and the
employees, instead of earning their pay
at their desks and stands, crowd the
galleries of the House, and cheer the
swindle vociferously! ran, s,,a. s.t..s
We do not, at this moment, know the
name Of a single member who voted for
or against this monstrous wrong; bat
we cannot withhold the avowal of our
conviction that those who thus voted
away the public money proved unfaith-
trusted again. They must cherish ideas
of right and duty which would better
befit private station. ARE &
Every one must realize that the thirst
for Office, now 80 general, has become 8
| fruitful source of corruption and abuse
| Our young men (our young women, too
| alas!) forsake the ways of productive
industry to worm their way into Office
Our right arm aches at the recollection
of the infinity of letters we have beer
i fairly browbeaten into writing for thes'
aspirants. Who blames Meme Certain
ly, not We, You, members of Congress
and other place givers, are responsible
to God and Man for their perversion
! You plumber productive Labor to swell
the prizes Of office seeking, and thus fiji
The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-06-23
Gen. Grant and the Old Soldier.

During the year 1865 an old soldier,
named Lemuel Owens, was disch arged
from the Arsenal in this city, owing to
some very abrupt reply he gave to a elfs
appointed committee who were sounding
him upon his politics. AS Owens had
served twenty-six years in the regular
army, and had wound up his term of
service on the Peninsula, under McClel-
Ian, he would allow no man to question
his right to vote, and boosted, too, that
he had served in the Fourth Infantry,
under Grant, when the renowned chief
tain was but a Lieutenant.
He told the Committee he would go
and see General Grant himself about the
matter. They jokingly replied: ''Do
so, old fellow; he'll make it all right.
General Grant was temporarily living at
Twentieth and Chestnut streets, in this
city, and the vetran soldier trudged up
with his story to the Generals house.
He stepped up, rang the bell, and went
into the entry hall. When the servant
appeared, and saw an old, sun burned,
poorly dressed man, he very promptly
asked: '"What do you want p s7'
Z ct want to see General Grant," was
the calm reply. 8" SfaH = N7'ee'sa 81
6 The Generals engaged and cannot
be seen. Have you got card ?'' 81
just at this moment a little girl APP
peared, and old Owens said to her : isis,
eto;r ord 4rlI x,our y,Cp an old
q Fourth Infantry man wants to see him.
u! A message soon came down for tho old
soldier to come in, when he was ushered
into the presence of General Grant He
shook him by the hand, and said, "Gen-
eral, don't you know me ?" The Gener-}
al replied that he had seen so many peo-
pie of late that it was hard to remember
them ALL Ovens told him that he had
/ served under him, and that he had been
discharged from his work, and that he
had lost his eldest son from disease in
the war, and his family had nothing to de-
pend upon but his labor Grant patient
w listened to the old soldiers story, and,
picking up his pen, wrote few lines to
the effect that Owens should have work
as long as he wanted it. '9s Il
The old man was not long in reaching
| his former field Of labor, armed with the
formidable order, and when he present.
ed it, with the signature of the Comman.
der. in Chief attached, 1t created much
surprise, and the vetran soldier was gra-
ciously acknowledged as entitl d 1,
thenceforth, TO a respectable considers
tion.f-Phil. paper. apsss1 fef5 7o4 10
The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-06-23

the land with borers and beggars@ for
clerkship, &c, who, but for you, would
have been honest toilers for the bread
earned by Productive Industry! May
Heaven open your eyes to the enormity
Of the wrong you thus perpetrate! and
may the People cause you to s'see stars"
at the next Election p
We are glad to see that, on Mr.. BiDg-
hams motion this .swindle was reconsid-
cred and laid on the table on the 18th,
yeas SO, .nays Ga; thus, we hope, d;sYo-
sing of the matter forever. 1t will not
do for us Republicans to have plank in
our platform declaring for san econpssi-
cal administration and, at the ssne
time have our members of Congress
showing their arms into the Treasure ap
to their shoulders and pulling out the
peoples money, for extra allow ances.-
There's salvation in sober second tho't,
and we rejoice that our Republican
members Of Congress have taken it.