davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17
Joining the NIasons,


Knobs has joined the Masons, and her,
is his experience in getting into a Lodge
must tell you of the perils and trial.
| had to undergo to become Mason
On the evening in question l presented
myself at the door of the Lodge room No.
1906, sign of the skull and cross bones.
l was conducted to an anteroom, where
five or six melancholy chaps, in sashes and
embroidered napkins, were waiting to
receive me. On my entrance, they all got
up and turned back somersaults and then
resumed their seats. A big fat fellow who
sat in the middle and who seemed to be
the proprietor, then said: "Sinner, from
the other world, advance l" 1 advanced.
"Will you give up everything to Join us ?''
"Not if know it," said there are nv
wife and fourteen fine" Another party
here told me to say Eyes" as it was mere
ly matter of form. So I said "Yes, /
give up everything" The fellows in the
towels then groaned and said, "Tis we'll.
DO you swear never to reveal anything
you see or hear this evening to any human
being, or to your wife?" / said, "'Pon
my word, will not" They then exam
ined my teeth and felt my tongue, then
groaned again. said, "If you don't feel
well, have got little bottle here" The
tat man here took the bottle from me and
told me to shut up. He, then, in a voice
Of thunder, said, "Bring forth the goat ~
Another fellow then comes up with a cloth
to blind me. "No you don't, Mr.. Mason"
said l "no tricks on travellers, if you
please don't believe in playing blind.
mans buff with goat. I'll ride the devil
# you like, but l don't 90 it blind. Stand
hack, or I'll knock you into smithereens."
They were too much for me, however, so
had to submit to being blindfolded. The |
,oat was then led in, and l could hear
lin making an awful racket among the
urniture. l began to feel that l was ur-
GENTLY wanted at home, but l was in for
t and could not help myself. Three or
our fellows then seized me, and with a
lemoniacal laugh, pitched me on the ami
nails back, telling me at the same time
0 look out for squalls. have been in a
,ood many scrapes, Mr.. Editor; I've been
q election-fghts l have been pitched out
t a four-story window have gone down
n railway collision !; but this little goat
xcursion was ahead of them all. The
onfounded thing must be all wings and
orns. 1t bumped me against chairs and
ables, and the ceiling, but hung on like
Trojan. l was just on the point of
living up, when the bandage fell from my
yes and the goat bounded through the
'indow with yell like wild Indian
living up the ghost. was in q lodge of
lasons. They were dancing war dance
round big skull, and playing leap frog
nd turning hand-springs, and the big fat
Glow of the ante-room was standing on
is head in the corner.
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17

Previous to the rebellion, at certain
cross roads, in the State of Alabama, stood
small grocery,or "whisky-shop," where
"bust>head," and "chain-li ghtning" were
dealt out to the thirsty unwashed at the
small sum of five cents drink, or twenty
cents quart. The presiding genius of
| this delectable institution was one Bill
Skies, who, among various other pets, had
domesticated crow, black as the ace of
| spades. This crow had learned, among
| other things, to repeat quite plainly the
words "damn you," which he of course
heard frequently used in the grocery
During the prevalence of kncck-down
and drag-out fight one day, however, the
Uow was frightened from his home and
few off into the woods, never to return,
About three miles from the grocery was
settlement meeting house-an old
tumble-down dilapidated affair, only used
on certain occasions, when "circuit RI
der" happened to pass that way. Into
this building went the crow, taking
neaceable possession; and two days
thereafter the church was thrown open
for preaching, and large audience as
sembled, among whom was a very old
lady, who was compelled to use crutches
in walking, who took her ssat in the
"front pew," and was soon deeply absorb
ed in the cloquence of the preacher. The
reverend gentleman had scarcely got under
full headway, and commenced laundering
his anathemas at all grades of sinners,
when hoarse, croaking voice from above
uttered the omnious words, "Damn you !"
The preacher and congregation looked
aghast at such profanity, and each peered
into his neighbor's face in vain to detect
some sign of guilt. Quiet was at length
restored, however, and the sermon pro-
ceeded, but ere ten minutes had elapsed,
the ominous :'damn you' again electrified
the audience, and just as the preacher cast
his eyes upward to search for the delin.
quent, the crow flew down from his perch
and lighting on the bible, calmly surveyed
the terrified crowd as he gave another
doleful croak, "Damn you ~
The eff, G. was electrical. Giving one
startled and terrified glance at the intru
der, the preacher sprang through a win
dow, carrying sash, glass and all with
him, and set of at break-neck pace
through the woods, closely followed by
his horror stricken congregation, who had
piled out of the building pell nell after
him. In the general scramble the old
lady with the crutches had been knocked
down in the church where she lay unable
to rise, and on observing her, the crow
(who was after something to eat,) flew
down beside her, and cooking up his eye
at her very knowingly, again croaked,
"Damn your
The old lady eyed him savagely for a
few moments, and then broke forth in q
tone Of reckless defiance:
"Yes-and damn you too I had moth
ing to do with getting up this meeting
and you know it, too ~
The poor old soul had mistaken the
crow for the devil, and concluded to
propitiate, if possible, the wrath of his
Satanic majesty by denying all completely
| in the affair.
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17
Tariff Thievlng.

| Tarfn Th1ev1ng.
From "Macks' Washington Correspondence
It is only a year ago since the manufac.
turers of New England combined to secure
the repeal of the internal taxes which they
had been paying for six years. They sue
ceeded, and amid much flourish of trumpets
we were told that great burden was lifted
from the industry of the nation. So it was;
but who got the benefit? The consumers?
No. Has any body felt the abolition of
tax in reduction Of the prices of manu.
factured articles? Certainly not. And
why? Because the tariff was still kept up,
preventing that competition between inn
porters and manufacturers which alone
leads to reduction of prices. The only
result ofthe abolition of the manufacturers
tax has been to enable the New England
monopolists to pocket higher profits. While
the tariff is high they regulate their selling
rates BY it. They have not increased the
wages of their laborers, either-so it will
be hard to point out exactly how "labor''
is benefited by that much talked-of act of
Congress. And now we are to have more
tariff, which means still higher prices to
consumers, and still larger profits to the
taskmasters ofNew England. This demand
is increasing in vehemence every day, and
their power is increasing too. They can
buy up the carpet-bag element in the Sem
ate for few thousand dollars. They have
already in their interests Senators from
the bogus States of Nevada and Nebraska,
and number of gentlemen like Sherman
and Wade who represent Western States |
from an Eastern stand -pont-and the in
dications are that they will have no diff
Guilty in getting all they want. What
delightful state of affairs the people of the
West are coming to!
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17
McGREGoR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, FEBl7, 1869.
N MammOth Explosion Fifty Pound Of
Mttro-Glycerine Exploded In an Oil

Mammoth Explosion Pound . a
Matro-Giycerine Exploded In an Oh
We find the following interesting &C
count of nitro-glycerine explosion in a,
oil well in the Titusville Herald: 80,
the Mason farm, well has been sunk t,
the depth of over eight hundred feet
which has hitherto yielded but little oil
with an abundance of gas. The propre
tor, Jonathan Watson, Esq, determined
to try the effect of heavy charge oi
nitro-glycerine, and yesterday fifty round.
were exploded by Mr.. Mowbray and hi.
assistants in the presence Of Mr.. Watson,
Mr.. John Fowler and several VISITORS
Two cartridges were prepared, the one
twenty. five inches in length, the other
thirty five inches, and each five inches in
diameter. These were connected bv q
short copper-wire, thirty feet in length, SO
as to adjust the two charges Immediately
opposite two several mud veins which
were known to be that distance apart, the
heaviest charge of thirty pounds nitro
| glycerine being at the low vein, seven
hundred and eighty.three feet deep, the
lighter charge at the upper vein. Twelve
exploders were inserted in the largest
cartridge and eight in the other, forming a
train Of twenty exploders, which, by
means OF insulated wire, were connected
about two hundred and fifty feet from the
well with an electric battery. Everything
being arranged, the order was given to
fire. In an instant the discharge took
place, and report like cannon fred
from distance, accompanied by very
perceptible vibration Of the earth around,
was noticed by those present. The oper-
ator and an assistant Immediately pulled
on the wire, thereby endeavoring to pre-
vent entanglement. When about fifty
feet of the wire had been drawn out a
reaction ensued, dragging the parties who
were pulling at the wire, toward the we'll
for distance of ten feet, to their surprise
and create wonderment. This arose
II ON the column of water lifted by the
expl' sion, and its return fall. But most
certainly the parties engaged thought for
an instant Old Scratch was hauling them
down below, to answer for blasting his oil
factory. The result of the explosion on
the well cannot be ascertained until the
we'll has been tubed and the water Ia
Of 72O feet) has been pumped of. |
The indications are that so heavy an ex-
plosion 1.-THE bale of the cartridge which |
was recovered proved the terrible force
exerted) must have penetrated the mud
veins for considerable distance.
"The readers of the Herald may feel
Interested in knowing the water in the
we'll amounted to about twenty-five bar
'els; the volume of gas &olved by the
explosion, say at pressure Of forty FIVE
barrels per square inch, or three atmos-
'heres compressed into one, would fill 2sl
barrels, and the power required to lift the
column of water would be equal to four
md one-half tons.
"rhe operation was entirely satisfactory
o all parties, and the ability to safely fire
hose heavy charges with as much ease as
! fire. cracker has been demonstrated"
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17

The new Woolen Mills are now getting
out some of the finest of Cloths and Wool
en- Goods made in Iowa. While SAM.
robson, Esq, runs the machine this in
stitution cannot fail to prosper and do
good work. A sharp observer, master
mechanic and good socialist, he is the
right man in the right place. In fact, the
entire corps of officers and managers are
competent, honest, lice working men, and
will make this the Chief among the manu-.
featuring houses of the State.-DecoraA
Republican.
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17
A distinguished Methodist Minister and

A distinguished Methodist Minister and
prominent Temperance Lecturer once re-
marked that go where he would, from one
end of the country to the other, he hardly
ever failed to find Plantation BHters, and
while he condemned the practice of using
these Bitters too freely, he could not con-
scieptiously say that he would discard them
from the side board' for he himself had
experienced beneficial results from their
use, and that, from long and close obser.
vation, he was convinced that when used
moderately, and as medicine exclusively
they were all that was recommended. A,
the same time he warned his hearers not
to pull the cork too often, for they were ia,
toe pleasant tonic to triAe with.
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17


A pious clergyman, while vending his
Way to his church one Sunday morning,
caught sight of the two sons Of one Of his
parishioners going into the woods. evil
IDENTIFY for the purpose Of hunting. Feel
ing certain that anything like direct re-
monstrance with the young men them
selves would scarcely turn them from
their ways, he waited until after "preach-
ing" and sought the old gentleman, their
father. After recounting the circumstan-
ces of meeting Billy and Sammy as he had
done, he closed an effecting appeal by
inquiring of their father why they had
not been drought up in the fear of the
Lord?" "Fear of the Lord, parson-feal
of the Lord Why they hey. They're
SO 'fear'd of him now they dasent 90 ou
on Sunday without, double bar'ri shot
guns on their shoulders
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17

A novel mode of dunning, lately intro
duced in New York, is to hire chaise
painted in flaming red letters, COLLECTORS
Chaise," in which the collector makes his
daily rounds to the domiciles of slow pay
ing debtors. In very obstinate cases, and
when the debtor lives in fashionable
house, it is kept standing in front of the
promises several hours Of each day.
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17
VOLUME XIII---No. %.

are made worth dollar for dollar in gold.
When that time comes, greenback pay
ments will be all that even Shylock would
require.
We see in all the measures of Repu5li-
cans, land we regret to say Of some who
are not Republicans,) concerning the SUBJ
jects under consideration, disposition to
save the bondholder whole, though the
people be ruined - Cra,cford Co. Forum,
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17

The library shelves of the British Mu-
scum, if placed on continuous line,
would extend no less than twenty-five
miles. The ascessien of books keeps
growing at the rate of about twenty thous
and volumes year, or between fifty and
sixty day.
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17

The cause Of Weston's being behind, is
said to be the necessity Of stopping to rub
his ears, these frosty mornings. The
extent of surface to be gone over con-
sumes great deal of time.
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17

A cynical husband says the only good
run Of luck he ever had was when his
wife run away from him.
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17

Who was the first whistler, and what
tune did he whistle? The Wind. Tune,
"Over the hills and far away
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17

A New York inventor has projected a
method of removing snow quickly from
the city railroad tracks and streets by
melting it and carrying the water of
through the culverts. One of the Brook
lyn street railroad companies proposes to
have machines constructed Immediately,
being satisfied that the principal involved
is correct. An estimate Of the working
capacity of these machines has been made,
and it is believed that by their use all the
business streets of the city can be beprompt-
ly cleared of snow at the cost not exceed
ing that which is paid for sweeping them
during the summer.
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17
Your once loving

The husband at once made inquiries at
several of the steamship Offices, and ascer-
tained that his wife and her paramour had
sailed for Europe on the steamer City of
Antwerp. The wife took with her jewel
ry valued at about $4,000 and number
of other valuablcs, and abou. $4,000 in
money.
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17

DEAR CHARLIE.-I must to-day bid you
goodbye forever. To-day leave your
house, never again to return. cannot
help it. For a long time l have loved j.
in my heart, and l know he loves me.
When this reaches you l will be on my
way across the sea.
| Your once loyino
North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-17
ElOpe ment In High Life.


The quiet neighborhood of Plymouth
church and Brooklyn Heights was thrown
into excitement on Saturday, by genu-
inc sensation-an elopement in high life.
The principals are the wife Of cotton
broker ir Broad street, New York, and a
son of wealthy grain merchant of Chi
cago. The woman was a Baltimore belle.
but made, as it appears, of bad metal.
About eighteen months ago she was wooed
and won, and was married at her fathers
house. The couple boarded awhile in
New York, but tiring of this kind of liv.
ing, they hired house on Hicks street,
Brooklyn, where they resided very COM
fortably and happily, visiting and being
visited by friends from all quarters
Among the visitors was Mr.. Tomlinson,
an intimate friend of the husband, who
treated him as brother. After repeated
calls, Temlinson found his attachment to
his friends wife and his love for her soci.
ETY. growing warmer, and, as the sequel
showed, she generously recprocated. The
faithful husband doubted not his wife's fl
deity nor his friends integrity until he
read the following note left on his table
IN S.tur1ov affaruonn
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-08-26
Miscellany.
yrnIoAy AssocIArIoy r,n THE ADVANCE

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION F)R THE ADVANCE
MiNT OF SClEScE.-In the course of the NTH
days proceedings of this Association, now III
session at Salem, Mass, several reports On 'ue
late solar eclipse were read; put 'nes "eie no'
of much interest to the non-scieu'ihc ,reaaer.
DIR. N. L. True of Bethel read paper ON the
Surface Changes of Name If which the
following is an abstract:
The paper began by stating that the almost
infinity of time since the earth was spoken in
to existence was now generally accepted not
only by biologists bat by non-scientific men,
This had led some writers TO give loose reins
to their imagination and to attribute an inn
mence period of time since the close of the last
great geological changes on the surface of the
eafth without duly examining the condition OF
things within their reach which by their accu-
mnating evidence might lead TO different re-
suits. The paper then specified the various
geological surface and other changes tna'
were now going on in New E0Siand anu rum
observations within the range OF nI hiu eN
perience and record attempted 10 shnw now
materially few thousand years ihiSnt aitet
the character of country. From these data
the paper inferred that there was no necessity
for throwing back the history OF the present
peoloeical era to a period much if any before
the time when man was in the infancy OF his
race.-not very long before the historic period
Zoology had suffered too much from loose con-
)sous, and the present state of science de-
landed the most rigid investigation of facts.
In conclusion, 1t was pretty evident that if the
present epoch had claims to a very high an
tiquity, the evidence had not yet been seen in
New England, and especially in the State OF
Maize, and that the present results might
more logically be traced back to period from
5000 TO 10, 600 years ago than 10000.
This paper resulted in a somewhat animated
discussion, in which Prof. Agassiz and other
gentlemen took part.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-08-26

Mrs. Belcher's wonderful cure
f'HlS remedy for female weaknesses, made from
an Indian recipe, is entirely vegetable, ana cures
I.thom supporters. Manufactured and sold by Mrs.
Linus Belcher, Randolph, Mass General Agents
Geo. q. Goodwin & Co, Boston, Mass. Demas Barnes
* Co, 21 Park Row, New York.
~ ii. Ii. Hay General A gent for Maine.
- For sale by druggists everywhere.
May Is. weowfy21
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-08-26

PRINCE ALFRED.-As the second son of the
Queen viii visit Portland, according to the ru-
MOI, before leaving for England, the following
gossiping account OF his landing at Halifax
last week will not lie without interest:
The appearance of the Prince ELECTED uni
versa admiration. He bears a striking re-
sembiance to the Prince of Wales when he
was here, and the close likeness to Her Males
ty is so marked as TO be distinguished at once.
lie is tail and slender, with a fine and fault
lessly combed head of brown hair, and his
youthful face is ornamented with an English
pattern of whiskers and mustache, highly
creditable to the physical development OF
young man of nineteen. The dress OF Prince
Arthur was that Of man of more mature
years, although it seemed 10 become him. A
neat and elegant black dress coat, closely but
toned, pants of light drab hue, 'choker'
collar OF enormous size ana a black silk tile
were the gaTmeuts most conspicuous, and each
Que seemed TO contribute 10 render his appear
ance that of very well dressed young man.
The passengers on board the steamer City of
Paris speak III the highest terms of the Tree
and uaas>umlng manner of young Arthur
during the voyage. There was nothing exclu-
slve reserved in his conduct, and he con-
versed freely and pleasantly with every one,
and partook OF his meals at the regular table
with the other passengers
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-08-26
For sale OrtO : q

For sale or 10 ct,
OUSE on Boy ST, to sell or let EIGHT rooms
ccnv nj mt and in Il st rate order. Apply to No
20 Boyd ST, on the sub criber.
ALEX'R EDMOND.
Jy29ju No Is PrebIe ST
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-08-26
Portland & Kennebec r. R.
summer Arrangements, Nay 3, 1860.

S"hUcr arrangement May y, a&G9.
1tco Trains Daily 6ettCeen Portland and Aa0ustq
rfsf5s <s,srEJ Leave Portland for Augusta mixed
xfsff1sssEsS train at 100 A M
, Leave Portland tor Bath, Augusta, Waierville and
Bangor, at 12.45 Z III. Portland for Bath ana Au-
gusta at 5.15 NJ.
Passenger Trains will be due at Portland daily
at $50 NJ, and 2 10 z M.
Fare as low by this route TO Lewiston, Watervle,
kenda IS Mills, Dexter and Bangor by the Maine
Cen raj Road; and tickets purchased in Boston Ior
Maine Genital Stations good for a passage on
TINS llne Passengers from Bangor, Newport Dex.
ter, &c, Will purchase Tickets TO KenualFs Mills
only, and alter taking the Of the Portland and
kennebec Road, the conductor will furnish ticI Eta
and make the fare the same through TO Portland or
Boston as via Maine Central. -
through Tickets are sold at Boston over the East
ern and Bos on ana Maine Railroads tor All Stations
on TINS line; also the AndTcscoggn b. r. and Dex-
ter, Anger, &e., on the Maine Central, No break
OF gauge east OF Portland by tins route and the ONLY
route by which passer ger from Boston or PORT
iand can certainly reach skowhegan the same day
by railroad -. tt-I r ~ S~'
Stages leave Bath for Rockland &C., daily. Au-
gnsta Tor Belfast daily. Vassalboro for Moth and
EssI Nassalppro ana China daily. Kendall's Mills
tor Unity dairy. At Pishons Ferry Tor Canaan dali
Y. AT Skowhegan tor the diifeIent towns North on
their route : .17 ~ - ~ -"
Augusta, April 20, 1869, maSl7tf
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-08-26
Norfolk and Baltimore Steamshi Line,

/ Norfolk and Baltimore Steamshi Line.
I sl eF.y Steamships of this Line sail from end
/ <>=esss2 OF Central Wharf, Boston, Every Fire
NL<klE Days.at o'clock P N. for NORFOLK and
sxzzx5 baltimore. Steamships t-.-
/ .,leorye AppoIa," Capt Solomon Hores.
"Wtttiam Laurence Capt. Nm Il. Haiiett.
"WHtiam kennedy," Capt j. q. Parker, Jr.
"McCtettda," Can't. Frank N. Hoices.
Freight forwarded from Norfolk TO Petersburg and
Richmond, by river or Iail and bythe Ia. & Tenn.
Hm Lane 70 al points IN grg,nsa, Tennessee Ala
noke n. Il to ali points in North and South Carolina
by the Bat. Ohio n. R. to Washington and ali
places Vest NJ r -
Through rates given to South and West.
Fine Passenger acco odalions. .-
~ Fare including Berth ana Meals $500; time to
Norfolk, As hours. To Baltimore 65 hours
For further information apply to
e. SAMPSON, agent,
aug 4d3m J3 Central WiorC Boston.