davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17
Over One Thousand Barrels of Oil Exs
Ol0ded,
From the Waterloo {Monfoe county Iil..) Advo-
cate, April both.


From the Waterloo 2Monfoe county, Ill..) Advo-
cate, April both.
About six o'clock Tuesday morning
thousands of our citizens were aroused
by one of the most terrific exn1osions
that ever Sc shook up" things terres-
trial Ii this locality. It proved to be
the agitating house of Husey, Payne &
Go. s oil refinery, situated on the canal,
short distance south Of the Atlantic
and Great Western railway. It explod-
ed without a moments warning, end
without any assignable cause, AS far as
known. The report was tremendous,
and the conclusion of the air was so
great as to shake buildings two miles
distant. Over a thousand barrels OF
OIL were IN the agitator, and in a mo-
ment an immense volume of fame and
thick black smoke told that the fire
tiend war completing the work of de-
struction.
The immediate effects of the explo-
sion were appalling, The building was
entirely covered with iron, intended to
be ffe-proof It was literally blown to
pieces, large fragments of iron, rolled
up and twisted, being hurled to a great
distance in every direction. The
building was made complete and utter
ruin, the work Of desolation being fin
ished by the flames. Other buildings
connected with the works were nearly
destroyed. Brick walls were blown
down and windows everywhere in the
vicinity were shivered to atoms. The
chemical works of Marsh 6 Harwood,
situated a short distance from the oil
works, were badly damaged, and look
as II they had been through frst-class
earthquake. A fragment of wood was
blown through the window of house
fully a hundred rods distant, and
struck woman who was making fire;
but its force being spent, it inflicted no
serious injury.
Within a radius of half mile houses
were shaken to their very foundations,
and their occupants not already awake
tumbled out in the widest dismay.
Windows were broken, the entire sash
being blown out in many cases, crock
cry ratified, shelf ornaments were thrown
down promiscuously, and the destruc-
ton Of property was considerable. The
jar was very perceptible as far distant
as Prospect street, and was felt through
the entire southeastern portion of the
city.
The damage to the oil works is esti-
mated at $25, 900, although it is quite
possible that it will reach a higher fig
ure.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17
Sperial Hotties.
Prosecuted Organ.

The human stomach has been shamefullv perse-
cuted organ. There was time when for every dire
LECTION of duty it was punished with huge doses of
the most disgusting and nauseous drugs In vain it
rejected them and literally returned them upon the
hands of those who administered them They were
forced upon it again and again, until its solvent
power was thoroughly drenched out of it.
Inc world 1s wiser now than 1t was in that drastic
era when furious purgaton and mercural salvation
were what Arternus Ward would have called the
main holt of the faculty. in of dyspepsia and
liver complaint.
The great modern remedy for indigestion and bill
housness Is Hostetters Stomach Bitters preparation
which has the merit of combining palatable flavor
with such tonic aperent and ambitious properties
as were never heretofore united in any medicine.
1t has been discovered, at last, that sick people
are not like the tabled Ttans who found prostraton
SO refreshing tnat, when knocked down, they rose
from the earth twice az vigorous as before. When
an invalid Is Frustrated by powerful depicting drugs
ne Is apt to stay prostrated and the ebitated being
aware OF the fact prefer the building ttp to the knock
ing d0lCn system of treatment.
Hostettet's Bittera meets the requirements of the
rational medical philosophy which at present pre-
vails 1t is perfectly pure vegetable remedy
embracing the three important properties of pre-
yent1ve, tonic, and Alternative. It fortifes the
body against disease 1nvigorates and re-vazes the
torpid stomach and liver, and effects most sautary
change III the entire system, when in morbid con
dition.
In this country where the enfeebling temperature
renders the human organization particularly suscep
tiblo te unwholesome atmospheric influences, thu
Bitters should be taken as protection against cpl
demic disease.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17
Sketch of DOmhr0wski.

The Journal Official published at
Versailles gives the following account
of the Pole, Dombrowski, the present
commander-in-chief of the insurgent
forces. Jerosias Dombrowski was
born in Cracow. He is As years of age.
La 1868 he fought as a colonel in the
Polish instruction. In 1865 he was
twice tried and acquitted on charge of
having forged Russian bank notes.
Jerosias Dombrowski forged passports
and false certificates, in which he af-
frmed that certain of his countrymen.
to whom he gave imaginary military
titles, had taken an active part in the
insurrection, when they had nothing
whatever to do with it. These certifi
Gates had for their object to procure
money for the refugees. Last Februa-
ry Dombrowsh tried to get up an in
surrection at Bordeaux, and warrant
was issued against him. He escaped to
Switzerland, where he remained till
last March. During the siege of Paris
he was several times arrested as Prus-
sian spy. He even passed through
the Prussian lines with a forged pass
port The last time he was arrested
he said he should like to see France
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17
The Great HaiIstOrm.

There were some peculiarities attend
ing the great hailstorm in Mississippi
that are worthy of note. At Forest the
stones measured g. inches in circum-
ference, and the fall inflicted serious
damage to dwellings, and growing
crops. Shingles upon the roofs Of
houses were split; even tin roofs were
rnlned-the hailstones cutting gashes
IN them from three to six inches in
length. Window-panes and skylights,
OF course, were shattered into frag-
ments. At other points similar disas-
trous effects were produced.
There were several peculiarities, y
says local paper, "about these hail
stones, falling in such extraordinary
size and plentifulness They were fla
vored with turpentine, but not suffi-
GENTLY so as to be used as a medicine
In some were found particles of sand.
They were not perfectly solid, but rath-
er porous, and of an orange or globular
shape, with each end slightly de-
pressed"
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17
Remarkable Mirdgp.

4 writer in the Rochester Express re-
cords remarkable mirage on Sunday
afternoon last He says that to one
standing at Mount Hope there appear
ed lifted in the entire north SHY The blue
waters Of Lake Ontario, while reflected
from them could be seen the mountains,
hills, valleys, bays and rivers, Of the
Canada shore inland for miles. The
coast could be plainly seen over a
stretch of fifty miles, and so clearly
at one time that the forests could
readily be distinguished. Those pres
ent who were familiar with the Canada
shore could. readily distinguish Rice
Lake, Bel,kidere, and other prominent
points II Canada. The lake looked as
though it had, by great tidal wave,
rolled upon Rochester, and covered
one-half of the city, as no building
could be seen north of Main street. OF
any land between the city and ths lake.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17
HOW 10 Wake 4 LnMn

lst. The ground should be dry-that
IS, entirely free from stagnant water
I'd. Ii must be thoroughly deepened
by trenchlng or trench blowing to the
depth OF Is TO "a inches. This deem
working IS OF the highest Importance,
as without it the grass will not be able
to resist the effects of dry periods which
occur almost every summer. A week
Of hot dry summer weather VIII be
sufficient to dry up the grass on thin
soil, whilst on deep, well prepared
soil, a whole month Of drouth will fail
to destroy the verdure. We have ali
seen frequent illustrations of this
This deepening of the soil will not
only insure the safety of the grass in
dry weather, but viii promote the
growth OF al trees, shrubs and plants
t It may be used in planting it. The
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17

The Neather-Business-- V. FarweI
6 COD. b. Fisk q COW. w. KIM
baII-Tra edies, csc.-~P. A. Leonard
Death of g. Is. Armstrong.
The last half of April was moist, chilly and
and the first few days of May wet
and cold. but it cleared up with a bright sun
shine on the 9Th inst, with promise of good
planting weather for the future. Still not
withstanding it has been SO wet over large
portions of the country as to make travelling
by common roads difficult, vegetation is gener-
ally more forward than usual, and in this city
! have peas a foot high grown in the open air,
on wettish soil
The wet. cold. backward weather retarding
the springs work, and rendering locomotion
unpleasant, has had dampening effect upon
the
BUSINESS
Of this city, and, for the past two weeks,
Trade has generally been dull. There was a
larger trade in March and the first part of
April than ever before, and some houses have
so exceeded their former sales, that should
there be. no revival TIL early autumn, they
weuiI still be ahead of all former seasons and
of all competitors in their line. The dry-goods
house of
j. V. FARWELB AND Co.,
since occupying the new mammoth store, has
dene the largest business, this season, ever
transacted BY any house III the Northwest
testimonial TO the character Of the firm and to
their method of doing business both substan
tial and complimentary.
D. B. FISK AND CO.
whose reputation is cosmopolitan, have sold
half million of millinery goods this spring,
and yet their stock is as fresh, complete and
inviting, as at the opening of the season
They are the Head Quarters of Fashion for
the millinery trade of the Northwest
W W. KtMBALL.
tH1s Piano Eipo IF Cnjaaro lac4 ,-aor
100000 of pianos and organs-more than
any music dealer in the United States, which
shows the great popularity Of Eailet, Davis
& Co.'S. Pianos, and Smiths American Organs.
Purchasers will promote their interests by pre-
bervmg this statement.
TRAGEDIES, ETC.
Last Friday morning q Mrs. bofa karstens.
twenty-five years old, threw herself on the
railway track, in, front Of D. locomotive, on
hlnzse street 1 and ives sc injured by the cow
catcher that she lived but three hours, Cause
"A graceless husband who had deserted her
P. A. LEONARD,
who shot and killed his brother-in-law, DR..
Scanland, while he was driving him cut on
to the sidewalk from his e*n House, was &C
duitted and .dhscharged by order of the Grand
Jury, last week, and has gone back to his old
place as clerk in the postoffice, very much to
the disgust of the press and other advocates
OF law and order, who insist that he ought to
have first been tried by petit Jury. Gear
land had threatened to Kill bgoHaTd and had
treated his wife, G99nara's sister, ehamefully.
Very few man would allow themselves to be
turned out of their own house,. peaceably,
by man who had threatened to kill them. :.
THE DEATH OF G. B. ARMSTRONG,
who originated the system of mail distribu-
ton on the cars, and was rewarded by being
made Superintendent of the Railway Mail
service of the United States, occurred at his
residence in this city last Friday morning.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17

depth, whatever it may be, should be
uniform, for if it be deeper in some
places than in others, the deep places
will settle and make the ground uneven.
3. Evenness of surface is of great
importance / do not mean level, for
an undulating surface is quite as de-
sirable for lawn as level one; but
whether level or undulating it must be
smooth and free from even the smallest
stones, a. these intefere with the oper-
atoms Of the moving machine.
The operations of draining, deepen
ing, leveling and removing the stones,
are all well understood and need no
further comment.
What is the best grass for lawn 2
is question frequently asked. NY
answer usually is Red Top, and about
or 5 bushels, so OF go pounds to the
acre. The smaller quantity Will be
sufficient if the seed be clear and good,
which it seldom is. Some people re-
commend white clover, say one-fourth,
to be mixed with the Red Top, and
this does very well, but I prefer the
pure Red Top.
What is the best time for seeding O
lawng Early in the spring, at the fret
moment the ground will bear working.
All preparatory work en- the ground
should be performed in the fall, so that
during the winter it may settle, and
any defects that may be developed esn
be corrected before sowing, III the
spring, at the fitting moment, give q
light blowing, good narrowing, pick
off the stones, SOW the seed, and give il
good rolling, which finishes the work.
Small pieces q lawn, where expense
is minor matter, can be made better
by using turf from All old sheep pas
ture or common, instead of seed. The
annoyance Of weeds which is sometimes
experienced in newly seeded lawns,
will thus be avoided. The preparation
of gound for turf is Just the same as fol
seed.
I ought to refer to the fact that many
people think that oats or some grail
should be sowed with the grass, but
this is a great error The result of this
method usually is meadow instead O
lawn.
By sowing early in the spring, yot
you have may respectable lawn BY
midsummer Where turf is employed
it should, if possible, be laid down il
tbs fall,
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17
Turnip Culture.
From the Rural New Yorker.

At recent meeting of the Ancestor
Farmers Club, a discussion of this
subject took place, in which Mr.. Geo.
Taylor advocated thick sowing upon
the heavier soils. stating that the null
tiplicity of plants coming through the
soil at once had the effect of breaking
and pulverizing any hardness which
might exist In the land
In reference to freely knocking about
the young plant at thinning time, Mr.
John Weir would not advocate such
practice, but would be careful, when
turnips were sowed in drills, to remove
the earth from around the young plant.
MIR. w. stated, in answer to a question
by Mr.. Craddock, that he had sown
alternate rows of turnips with super
phosphate, and had found the effect in
the rapidity of growth of plants thus
heated to be very marked. He would
also use manure, plowed under in the
fall, as well, as well as superphosphate,
but would see that the manure was not
too long. He had plowed manure in
the drills IN spring, but did not ap-
prove of the custom. In some special
seasons this plan might be beneficial
but as a rule he found there was dan
ger of having to leave the drills open
to the sun SO long as to dry out the
manure, and 1t also gave much extra
trouble.
Mr.. BAN was always particular not to
use long manure, because it was not so
soluble to the crop, and Mr. Craddock
found that the presence of strawy ma
nures was apt to cause the cultivator to
pull up the plants.
All the speakers laid down the rule
that the great secret of success in tur-
mp culture was thorough pulverization
and preparation of the land. They
also agreed that the best drill up was
as soon after rain as the horses could
be put upon the land.
In answer to Mr.. Craddock, Mr.. Weir
said he had tried turnips on old sod,
and found that, owing to the presence
of great mass of grass roots, the crop
was very hard properly taken care OF
He would advocate leaving the plants
fifteen inches apart, and drills thirty
inches apart, thus securing plenty of
room TO use the horseshoe, and insur
ing a crop Of large turnips, which were
SO much more easily handled.
Mr.. Balm said if you SOW upon old
sod, manure'heavily, and then break
up IN the spring as soon as spring work
would allow; there was one good point
lns5ilis plan, for tuInip crop should
be looked upon as a means for clear
ing foul land.
As to the different modes of harvest
ing, Mr.. Balm thought that the plan of
blowing up the roots was very expedi-
tious; that and narrowing up might be
adopted in a dry season upon the light
Ell londs
In answer to Mr.. Frank GabbeI.
several were of opinion that any stub
bic land was suitable for turnips. as
long as such was properly MANFRED.
Mr.. Weir recommended Old Purple
Top, Shapes Improved and Carriers
Improved; for late sowing, Gray Stone
(white). The latter should not. he
said, be sown too early, as they had
tendency to become hollow and stringv
Mr. Postans, ST., thought very highly
Of the Nimble Dick (white), being 1ery
quick growers, small, but very sound
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17
Rafsnnai.

The TT report that Nieniann, the great
German Tenor, intends to come to the
United States, is unfounded. He will
ass his next vacation in Switzerland.
AYNsLEY Cook is engaged to accom-
pany Parepa-Rosa il, Der, hour through
the United States re leaves London
on, the "a Of next September.
ALBERT II. WENzEL, the lawyer who
shot and wounded himself so fearfully
in Medfield, Mass, died on Thursday
OF last week, just two weeks after fhe
suicidal attempt, He lived long enough
to repent his rash action
MINNIE, HAUcK has received from the
imperial family OF Austria a set of dia-
naond jewelry valued at twelve thousand
five hundred fiorins.
SOME enthusiastic Tyrolese raised the
German flag on the birthday of the EN-
peror William on the highest peak of
the Bremen mountain,
A BosToN correspondent is deeply
grieved over Bret Harte's reputation
and success calling him the king of
slang, the apostle of gilt-edged profan-
ity and detestable vuigarisms. A. last
accounts Harte still survived.
:, AN Indian woman. called Nee Ne-Se-
Now, who was with her three sons at
the battle of Tippecanoe, where Tecum-
sch fell, and Gen. Harrison won most
Of his military laurels, died lately at
Elbridge, Michigan, in her 11eth year.
A WOMAN on trial last week. ii Read
ing, Pa, on charge Of numbering her
sdft, d boy ten years of age, was ac-
quilted, it being unexpectedly proved
that the boy is alive and we'll Circum
stantlal evidence was strongly against
her.
Miss ANNA E. DICKINSON is not going
to England this summer, as has been
reported either to lecture or for any
other purpose She is likely to spend
the summer with Boston friends in
Canada. Miss Kate Field goes to Eng
land, with her mother, in May, but
not on lecturing tour
The Hon. F. E. Spinner, Treasurer
OF the United States, who will sail in
the Scotia, Nay 8, upon his contem-
plated trip to Europe, will be accom-
panied by his daughter, Miss Joseph
inc Spinner, his granddaughter, and by
Mrs. Col. Jones, Miss Mary Usher of
Potsdam, N. Y, a niece of naval officer
Latin.
The Springfield Mass Republican
presents scrap Of personal and politi-
cal history in the following attractive
form. "tThirty days ago Forney was a
sharp critic of Gen Grants administra-
ton; twenty days ago he was appoint
ed collector of Philadelphia TO- dav
he has nominated Gen. Grant for re-
election. The administration does not
give the ordinary dry-goods credit: it's
terms are evidently cash, and no dis
count"
LORD TENTERDEN acted as master of
a masonic lodge in Washington, Tues
day evening, and conferred the first de-
gree OF freemasonry upon two candi-
dates according to the English ritual.
which differs in some details from the
ritual of the District of Columbia Earl
de Grey, grand master of England, was
present.
RECENTLY, at Memphis, jeff. Davis
recovered the brigadier's commission
which he received from President Polk
in 1847. This document. with others,
was lost toward the close of the war. IT
fell into the hands of Federal soldier.
who sold it. The purchaser made a
present of it to his sister, who restored
it to the owner
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17
Bay The Times saws DR.. Walpole has

BE The Times says DIR, Walpole has
lost his beautiful chestnut mare. She died
suddenly in harness, it is supposed from bots
or pin worms. It the. Doetorhad Used Shera-
dams Gngd5sTt C6i5djj5o1 POtoaers, he would
NO doubt have had his mare to-day-they are
death on worms
CHApPED hands are very common with those
who have their hands much in water. A few
drops of Johnson's Anodyne Imminent rubbed
over the hands two or three times a day, will
keep them sett and white. Fishermen, sailors,
and others will dc well to remember this
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17
Oyster.Bearing Trees,

A correspondent Of the Alta Cali
fornian, at Magdalena Bay, Lower Cal
ifornia, sends home the brahth, Of .
tree thtGkly covered with oysters, cling
ing closely to the; bark. This novel
" fruit" is found in great abundance
in the locality from which cur core
spondent writes, and the trees, which
grow at the waters edge, partially sub
merged most of the time, are encrusted
with heavy growth of the bivalves.
The specimen referred to was portion
of branch, which was two feet long
and about two inches III diameter, the
rough bark Of which is well covered
with oysters Of a fair size
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17

The IRIsHMAN's WATER WHEEL. "A
son of Erin was recently telling of a
water-wheel that he had seen in Ireland
which he represented to be fifty feet in
diameter, with rim ten feet wide.
ooh, that is nothing to what I saw
at the White Mountains, said Yankee
bystander. ''There they had a wheel
one hundred feet in diameter, to be
used at four hundred feet fall"
"And what did they do with such q
wheel as that?" asked Patrick.
"Ohn' replied Jonathan, cit was
bad hay weather, and the farmers put a
gear on one of the mountains, and were
going to turn the world the other wav
with the wheel, so that the sun would
not set for a week. But the Chinese
found out what was going on and thew
went and got an injunction from the
Supreme Court. They did not want to
be left in the dark, so the great wheel
stands still until this day
''Ah!" says Patrick, "and what
won't the Yankees do next ?''
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17
Perairer Skies.
BY BRET HAY.

BY BRET HAY
rhe dialect poetry epidemic induced by Bre
rte's productions, is spreading rapidly. We hay
eivea this week two specimens, one from our cor
1ondent, Washington Rocket and another from
ret Hay which we give below, and which vii
its own with other writer's in that vernacular.-
Ton Commercial BHjletia.l
Beg yer parding, stranger,
What time q night mout it be?
Twelve and half! that's arly
To be hootln' 1t home-for me
But / amt what ! used TO be- sir,
I'm gittin' played out now,
! int plugged man for more n 4 week
I've Almost forgotten how.
That's a right peart watch o. yourn;
I'll take care of it, sir, you see
I've got my weepins, and no one
Won't try for to go through me-
AMI your. stamps -iest fork ZEN over,
Cause it's rather late to be out,
Aud your traps is safer in keer OF friend,
When you don't know who's about.
An! stranger, ] knowed man oncet,
Which his name war Perairer Skies,
Aad for taking keer Of helpless friend
Inever seed his likes.
I seed that thar young man, cir,
When he got in the d7- .1,s nix,
Fhey was out a huntin' butler
An sich, on the Yaller Licks.
Him ard gallus Hoosier,
Which they struck an all-hred str9ak
OF the DEVILS luck, being busted
OF grub, for moren a week.
And they lost the trail, and sloshed around
Still hungering wuss and wGss,
Till they drawed lot for TO eat themselves,
And he won, did the Hoosier cuss-
Though he sorter cried, when it cum to the pin
While Skies only cussed the luck:
Ard ses he, Let's rush this funeral through y
Fed the g'lar Perairer pluck.
lie meandered behind tree-like this;
The Hoosier stood thar--like you;
Ank Sikes--wal, stranger, got ter lart.
What yer s'pose does Sikey doS
Why, he draws his derringer outer his shirt,
And hyers that Hoosier-so-
Here the hunter smiled, as his pistol cracked
That's what Sikey done, you knew.
eoLus.
Wal, reckon that little story
Amt going 10 travel far
Leastwise them potts won't git 1t
From that old car case thar.
They can bet on the noble red man.
Jess much ever they likes,
But I'm after their bar if ever they tries
For tor" canyoniEe Perairer Skies.