davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
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A correspondent gives the following
interesting account of those natural curl
osties in cour ounty. the Albany Basins :;
Did YOU or any of your readers ever
have the pleasure oil visiting Albany
Basins? Sometime since your correspon-
dent was fortunate enough TO be one of a
party.of seven To- visit that delightful To-
cali,y. and will endeavor to give des-
cription OF what We saw and heard.
The Basins" a they arc termed. are
three in number. though vcsiiges OF several
more are plainly visible. They are mar
yellous and enormous excavations or holes
worn in the solid granite,-round and
perfectly smooth; and TO the depth OF
nearly or quite fifty feet. The probable
solution of the formation Of these mys-
FERROUS Basins" is that they were worn
out by huge boulders torn from the sur
rounding cliffs, in ages long gone by, aud,
for hundreds and thousands of years
whirled about by the mighty strength OF
the rushing. eddying water during Power-
full freshets.
Each basin" is broken from the top
nearly to the bottom, which allows the
water to escape freely and permits visitors
to enter them without difficulty.
The jagged and precipitous bluffs on
either side in many places are a hundred
ieet in height, and as the spectator looks
down from the lofty summit to the dark
and dismal depths below, and hears the
distant confused murmur of the rivulet as
it leaps into the Basins then as hur-
riedly endeavors to escape from It's brief
confinement, he is reminded of the fabu-
lous 'Bottomless Pit" and the agonized
means OF its suffering inmates.
After clambering about for an hour or
two, We spread our snowy damask'
(Which was nothing more or less than a
clean, white sheet near the bank OF the
upper basin" where the ledge was per-
IectlS SMOOTH, anu lioiu aio pV~"s'.' VI
our capaeious baskets loaded it with deli
cious viands, consisting principally OF
sandwiches, cake, cheese, pies, &c, all
of which proved to be very delicious, as
our appetites had been whetted to an ex-
traordinary keenness.
Subsequent to our partaking OF our
plentiful repast, We visited each spot Of
interest, going down into those weird
and my sterious caverns which for aught
know, in ancient times might have been
the secret abode Of witches or magicians-
While down there, environed by high,
smooth walls of solid rock and looked
down upon by those ragged cliffs and the
gnarled trunk of many huge giant oil
the forest gaily fcstooned with bright
silvery tufts of moss, the sensation was
Jal;Uhtful
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
Dirdeld Items.

| will give YOU just short sketch OF
the proceedings in our little village, that
you may not think we are growing cold
in our contributions, and interest in your
paper. We sincerely hope You may re-
ceive the patronage and support from the
citizens of the county that your efforts SC
Justly merit.
We have not great amount of news
to communicate, for, on account of the
recent heavy snow storms, business has
not been very lively for the past few
weeks.
The teams that have been hauling Ce-
dar, To be toated down the stream called
Webbs river, from +. G.. Harlow's. and
l. n Stanley's land, have been obliged TO
leave the woods on account of the depth
of snow, which is between four and five
feet.
A few Of the young men of this village
who are DESTROYS of improving and en-
larging upon their mental powers, and OF
making the little talent that nature has
endowed them with, grow TO be ten tai
ents, have been holding discussions and
literary entertainments once week. but
| fear they have lost some of their inter
est, for the last evening appointed for a
discussion being very dark, no one dared
venture out.
Mr. Judkins, the carriage mayer in this
place, is intending to make several nice
wagons the coming spring, so that all
who are in want of carriage that will be
durable and in style. would do well to
give him a call, as they can obtain one Of
him as reasonable as elsewhere.
Rev. Mr. Norcross, from Union, deliv-
cred very interesting lecture at the Cha
pei last Sabbath evening. His subject
was 1.-The present position of the Roman
Catholic Churches in the United States"
which was very ably handled.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
Erempting Parsonages from Tar,

There Is IN article in our warrant for
town meeting. 10 see if the town will
refund taxes assessed ON Parsonages."-
As We understand il. in 1860. law was
passed eNempting Parsonages and trust
funds for religious societies from taxation,
and in 1861, the act was amended. re-
PeaIng the words applying to trust funds.
The Baptist Parsonage. on the Hill was
donated 10 the Society. some years since.
by Thomas Croker, Esq, and We under
stand has been taxed annually. and the
tax been paid. from year to year. We
are not aware how the facts stand. IN re-
latiOB TO the other psrsonases in town. of
which We believe there are two. one II
South Paris and one al West Paris, be-
longing To the Methodists.
We think the taxes should be refunded.
by al means. and the principle settled
here. as in other towns. that they are ex-
empt from taxation.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26

la oONN>CH. W ItNNC<Stts
Our next issue will witness the conSign.
ment of President Johnson to private
life. We have no disposition to review
has presidential career-it is sufficient Ia
say. that he has Disappointed every rea-
sonable expectation of his political sup
eortsrs. He Was brought into premi.
nence, and made Vice President because
he exhibited Saca energy in battling the
rebels in his own, Southern State. He
was credited with sincerity in his coarse,
and was supposed he was lighting for
the Union on priacipis-but his sahse-
uuent course shows that ~ dealt the re-
bellion hard blows, s'nct because he
loved Caesar less, but Rome more The
ariStocTssts of the South who inSHgursted
the reign of blood, had no fleSetdH ai-
hnitieS with A. Johnson, the tailor. who
was taught TO read by his wife after at
tanning his legal msierity-hence he
opposed them. As soon as they were de-
feated. however, he returns, like dogto
his vomit> &c his first love. and the com
sanieaSAip Of old ideas. He never had
any afsai;ies with the representative men
OF the onion. Moreover. like selt-willed
men of limited culture, he was logged
Ills induction into office was not Of
verv la,tering or promising character
still the utmost stretch vt chlrity was eN-
ercised by those who hail elected him 70
power. The honest and pstriutie. hut
tender hearted Lincoln had becn removed
Lv the hand OF violence, and only, as II
was thought for the author Of such sen
timeuts a. Traitors should take a back
seat % yindicate his views Why he
failed 80 carry out his uiterance> can on
" Ice explained on one at two hyPothe-
ses. lie was hypocritical and did not
mean what h. said or he was cotrdriiy
and feared that the desPCradoes infesting
the South would resort to their familiar
code OF yiolence.
The first suspicious entertained of him.
after assuming the Presidential chair,
were in his associations \ class Of con
>er1atives. with rebel allinities, became
hi, confidantS and counSclloIS. while the
friends and most intimatc advisers of
I.incala were given the cold shoulder. Ii
was a. clear an evidence of DETECTION aS
for y Temperance man To GorSake the tenn
peyance meeting and become h>nSer-on
al the har-Toom IL j. useless u charge
that ultra radicals, bv the ohnoXiou>ne~>
1T their views, forced Andrew John on
beyond the pale OF the party that eleva-
ted him % power. lie was treated with |
Difference. and honored to the last degree
before he WAS denounced. hut all in vain. !
High minded men had too much self !
respect 70 be sycophantic, and he was
lett t. his own course: aud what pitia |
ble spectacle of vain-glory and ruined
hopes does he present, SS he takes his |
departure from power But Yesterday,
hi> name Nigh! have stood against the
world; now lies he there. with none So
low to DO him reverence
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
Capital Punishws,sf.

] The Report of the Committee TO the
Legislature (House) on this question, j:
50 judicions, so Indicative of right and
progress, that it is to be hoped that every
member of the Oxford Delegation will
use his influence in its favor. -~-.~
Without stopping to argue with those
who think the body polite can donothing
which an individual cannot properly do
without stopping to handy epithets with
those who concentrate their penal ideas
ON ',strangulationr it is well for as all b
look at this question rs il is--as itpresents
itself to civilization at this time. Because
persons were capitally punished years
AGO for fifty kinds Of crimes. /, is no rea-
son why all crimes should now be pun
ished with sixand aquarter years ofpenal
servitude. Because sentence for ten
wears in this country has actually amount
eel To more imprisonment to the same
number of criminals than have the SEN
fences for life-the former being six and
three fourths and the latter six and one
fourth years. it is no ground whatever for
continuing this practice.
No man can deny the overwhelming
number and character of crimes and crimi-
nails at this period. The crimes against
property are most numerous, and auda-
cious and most astonishing But terrible
and numerous as they are they do not
compare with the utter squandering Of
human life. The murder of one here.
of two there and whole family some
were else, has become the daily rule.
What should be done? This report
suggests the proper remedy. Capital
Punishment for the deliberate murderer
and years of Imprisonment for the lesser
crimes. In this case just discrimination
should he made and is made between
crimes against life and those against prop
erty.
The man who Is robbed now is sure to
receive the contents Of the robbers re-
volver il he attempts Ia resist The POI
hecman is almost sure of the same fate If
he attempts his arrest To such muir
derer. society should mete ont condign,
certain. speedy and capital punishment,
Clrmency on such crimes and criminals
is murder
Why do not the tender-footed advocates
OF li;c for mHrderers give Us a chapter Of
sentementality on their victims? Have
they no tears 10 she'd for their sudden
taking on? JusrIcA.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
Phillips Items.

Phillips village Is a smart business
place, having great back country to
subsist on. There are thirteen stores.
three milliner shops, four blacksmith
shops, two taverns. and the one kept by
Tncic Ben cannot be beat in Franklin or
Oxford Counties, in my opinion. He nj
ways keeps a good fire. don't sell drop
of Rum. Whisscy or Brandy, and GER
tainly he can beat the world telling sto-
rics. At any rate, will challenge Ok
ford County to match him.
There are. also, one board. single
and clapboard mill. owned and nun by
one X. T. Whiting. 4 hard working and
industrious man. One gristmill, run by
l. w. Smith. an honest miller. but he
has eaten so many suckers, the bones
stick out through his clothes and ot
course he carries home more or less flour
and meal; four Lawyers, and five Doc
tors.
/ will close this time by saying. that
the Belle lives at the upper end of the
village. MrsEE.
Phillips, Feb. 18th. 1869.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
BSnosr Correspondence.

Mr.. Editor Thinking a few items
from Bangor would be acceptableto your
readers, send he following:
Rev. Petroleum vesuvius Nasty. from
the Confederate X road. which is In the
State of Kentucky" delivered his lecture
entitled "Cussed be Canaan" at Norom-
bega Hall, last evening. before . large
and apprcciative audience. f.
About O'Clock this morning fire
broke out in the saw mandatory OF
Michael Schwartx, on French street,
burning the entire building, from the
back Of his store, on Exchange street,
through to French street. The fire caught
by boy putting hot poker in an oil
can the oil was thickened by cold and he
was trying 10 warm II by putting the po-
ker In IL; this caused smoke, when he
retreated for the door. to get some fresh
air, and on coming back the fire was well
under way and burning fast, upon which
he gave the alarm.
The velocipede fever is raging fearfully
in the city now the skating rink is closed,
because of desertion for velocipedes. The
FIRST velocipedes made their appearance
about three weeks ago they were brought
by Messrs Soul & Sawyer. from Boston.
There are now four schools.
Last Wednesday (Feb. 18th, there was
n race mt the school of Soul & Sawyer,
for a silver cup. Eight entered-distance
quarter of mile, which was ten times
around the hall. A rope was nailed to
the floor, outside Of which they were to
race. the one making the quickest time
to be tie winner. 1.-THE rope was crossed
three times. or the rider fall down three
Zines. IL was called foul and the unlucky
one was ruled out The cup was won
by Mr. Josslyn. Lyon Il Lewis head
clerk. time minute and 81 scconds-the
fastest time being l3l, was made by Jos
slyn. and tied by Master George Bragg,
when the tie was ..trotted'' off George was
unlucky enough TO tumble down three
times. when he was ruled out. leaving
.Josslvn the victor. There is TO be another
race next Wednesday, Feb. oath. for
another cup, ten to enter. NJ. +. q.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
Hartford.

The officers Of the Nezinscott Lodge "a
I. o. OF G.. T. .Baek6eld village. are +. T.
Whitman, w. g. r. Miss Ella Smith, "
v. T.: Homer Waldron. W. T.; Edison
Muriock, W. c.. Andrew Hall. W. 7. 8.
Miss Estlsr Warren. ". s. Installation
Feb Isah. by Marcus ID. l.. Foster. Lodge
Deputy
Monday. 10Th, we hadsix inches Of sleet,
making It almost Impossible Ia beat ON
the roa.ls with liebs ssams, causing the
best time for eoassing, which is being inr-
proved by young and old, at the risk oI
somersets and broken limbs
The Crystal Wave. Of Fast Buckfield,
accepted of an invitation TO visit Hartford
Center, on Tuesday the sd. 1t , O'Clock
Z. NJ, and East Sumner AT Z o'clock T,
NJ. to witness the installation Of Lodges
of Good Tcmplars in those places, by Vim.
b. I.apham, County Deputy.
H,KTFoRD.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
Lsgislatire Matters.

Although the committees have beer
ordered toreposf finally on the eth inst.
it is not probable that they can all com
ply. The Judiciary Committee have now
large amount of business before Them
some of which is important Still 1t Is
thought that the session will terminate
about the 10th of March.
The Committee will recommend that an
amendment of the Constitution, providing
for biennial sessions of the Legislature be
submitted to the people.
The same Committee. by Mr.. Reed.
have reported a general railroad law near
Nv similar to the one in force in Pennsylva.
aia. Any number of citizens not less
than twelve. may form company for
constructing and operating railroad,
and may sign articles ofaSsociation which
shall state the name of the company, the
length OF the road as near a. may be, and
it, tcrmini. also the names of the towns
and counties through which it is 10 pass,
copy of the articles of agreement To be
filed with the Secretary of State.
The Committee ON liquor law have re-
ported bill in relation To- seizures. which
prov ides that search warrant may be
issued on the complaint of one person,
instead of three ss now required. and
that an officer may seize liquors without
a warrant in any place where he is author
lied to serve criminal process. except
in dwelling house. or when in poses
sion of any person conveying or holding
them for purposes authorized by law.
\ rumor j. in circulation At the Capital
that GOV. Chamberlain will veto the State
Police Act il it comes to him for approval.
The Judiciary Committee have voted 10
report legislation iueNpedieut on the cstab-
lishmcnt OF intermediate Courts through
on, the State.
The question Of capital Punishment will
probably occupy the attention of the Leg
islature the remainder of the week
The reciprocity resolution reported by
the Committee on Federal Relations will
prove satisfactory TO the friends of that
measure.
Mr.. Farringtons Baggage bill. which
has now become a law, provides that
Baggage Masters, Express Agents. Hack
men or any person whoever, whose duty
it i to handle baggage in loading, trans
porting. delivering or storing the same,
who shall wantonly or recklessly injure
or destroy the same shall be liable To inn
priSonment not more than one wear and
Nv fine not exceeding one hundred dol.
-
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
Rum ford Point.
hiIsER.

Rev. J. Elliott and wife received n do
nation visit on the 10th Of December.
consisting mostly Of cash. which, with
other articles amounted TO fifty dollars.
The second, on the 10th inst. from Al
lens Corner, comprising mainly the arti-
cles of wood and money amounting To
over thirty dollars, from some six fami-
lies. Most, If not all, ministers and
their families, know how To appreciate
these articles. in these cold regions Of
storms and deep SHOWS. They say !:
May our gracious God reward these
faithful donors sixty, yea an hundred
fold. inasmuch as it is not the second,
nor even the third time they have re-
membercd us and our precious family
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
NO,syrav Items.

The farm belonging to ID. I. Parsons,
advertised for sale in your columns of
late. was divided into six lots and sold at
public auction on the 9th inst.
lot No. I. containing 100 acres, on
which are the farm buildings, was pur-
chased by F. s. Cannon for $l4.75 per
acre. No. 9, containing ~ acres was
purchased by Sumner Burnham for So
25 per acre. No. 3, containing 33 acres,
and No. 4, containing 81 acres, were pur-
chased by Joel Millett. The former for
$50 per acre, and the latter for 800
per acre. No. 5, containing Is acres, was
purchased by VIM. Frost for $500 per
per acre. No. 6, containing i6 acres. was
purchased by r. S. Cannon for SIPS
per acre.
VIM. Hall, one Of the enterprising far.
mers of Norway, is the owner Of four
pairs of cattle, three pairs Of his own
raising, which average in girt over seren
feet. The largest pair, raised on his farm,
girt eight feet exactly.
W. s. Sampson is manufacturing boxes
this winter at his home. He makes vari-
Gus sizes. holding from four to thirty
quarts. They are made Of ash, with COW
ers and halls to them. and are neat and
substantial, just the things TO carry butter
and eggs to market in. They arc for
sale cheap.
The dramatic entertainment Of last
Thursday evening was 90 highly ap-
preciatcd that ut the earnest solicitation OF
the audience. il was repeated on Monday
evening. and ,ie Hall was again deBseiy
crowded.
The Methodist Chapel ut the north par,
of this town sell in on Sunday afternoon.
The accident Mas caused by the large
quantity Of SNOW which had accumulated
upon the roof. The .idvcutists held n
meeting that day IN the house. and It was
bu, short tipc subsequent % the CON
clusion Of tho services that the rooffel in.
Jacob ParSosrs will take from his wood
10, this winter, - cords Of oak He de-
deliveries il at the saw mill at the village
for sc per cord 1t - purchased by +
H. Whitman. esq. a Harrison, Sor rail
road tics DYKE
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26

The best informed correspondents say
THAI very careful canvas, ofthc Speaker
ship contest, made without bias towards
either candidate. reveals the following
result, The New England vote i divid-
ed between Blaine and Dawes. each
expecting a majority OF it. In the Middle
States Of New York, New Jersey and
Pennsylvania, with their - republican
votes, Blaine has an undoubted and
reliable majority. In the Southern States
a majority o. for Blaine, while in the
West, Blaine leads Dawes 50 deci>ively
that there i practically no contest LEFT
between them Those who have given
the subject most careful attention, say
tina; GU, Of lSj republican votes in the
caucus. Blaine is certain of - 10 100.
rla ne j. supported 10y the more radical.
vigorous and progressive element OF
party. while the slower and more con
sentative element incline to Dawes
The numerous friends of Mr. Blaine
viii be- gratilicd to hear that his election
a. Speaker IS so certain.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
Id anNlhing furthur were neede.

II anything fuuhur We're needed 10
make universal the feeling of disgust with
which the whole business OF granting
hrevetS has come 10 be regarded, it would
be the wholesale award of these cheap
honors confirmed the other day 10y the
senate. Here are hundred or more
gentlemen, all worthy We hope, though
worth has not hitherto been the guide in
this matter. most ol whom have hitherto
received brevet promotion, none of whom
have seen active service since. and most
Of whom have been back i'll civil life,
daubed over again with fresh official
plaster and a higher title. When shall
the farce end2-I Tribune.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
Fer the Oxford Democrat
TralDc on the Grand TruNt.


We hear good deal about the ''enor-
nous traffic" upon the Grand Trunk.
Messrs. J. B. Brown aud sundry other
gentlemen in Portland. in their petition
begging the Commissioners to 'forbear
active measures" against the road, in
form MFR. Wiides, q Railway Engineer,
and Mr.. Corser, an ex-Railway Supt-
That in consequence of the extraordi-
narily heavy trains, caused by the enor-
NOUS freight traffic Of the road, the rail-
way in question has necessarily got into
bad condition" The Commissioners
also. themselves. in their recent annual
report, actually endeavor to make the
public believe, what they must them
selves know to be false. If they know
anything about such matters. that the
present dilspidated condition of the
Grand Trunk is the necessary result Of
an enormous traffic. How enormous the
traffic really is. or rather how small It
really is, may be seen from the follow
ing figures. taken from the published re-
ports Of various companies, for the year
1867.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
I0srM Meetings.

The March meetings are at hand, and
town Affairs begin to he discussed. Ma
ny towns print their reports and lay them
before the voters in season for them to
understand clearly the financial and gen
ey,d condition OF affairs, thus enabling
al 10 act underslandugly, AZ the polls.
We think this course a judicious and
profitable one. and the expense is 80
slight a. u be n objection.
Town officers should he elected with
entire reference TO their fitness and
qualification fer lite places which they are
10 all. We think it well Tor the minority
party IL be represented ON the Board oi
Sticcimrn, ia most eases, for the MAORI
" can alwly, afford 10 be- magnanimous.
while they are pst and true to their po-
lilical principles.
When female suffrage comes into
vogue, We shall probably have 10 CON
cede 4 share of the offices To the ladies
They cant Oe SelectmCH. il l. true,
though they nj ght be. a. they often are.
OcerSeers 81 ne Poor. They would make
better Town collectors. than rreaSurerS.
tof we fear they would spend the money
too fast. and then the only bonds they
could get would be matrimonial ones
They wouldn't do for Mode rItorS. but
would do very We'll for rating the polls.
The duties OF experimenting School
Committee they could discharge a. well
a. the men, especially if they were uRi-
ted 10 H,t,s. who shuUid be- the head
But We will not anticipate the future
After female suffrage. what?