davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15
Another Horror.

One short paragraph i'm our telegraph
columns Saturday morning told OF a
great confiagration then in progress at
Amboy, in which was involved loss of
100000. The same dispatch announced
that "a farmer named Shannon, who had
been committed for contempt OF court,
had persisted in the flames. We read
this report with momentary chill OF
horror, that the pitiless flames should
have overleaped the walls Of the prison
so quickly that the rescue of the poor
man was impossible. There was nothing
in the first Geographic dispatch to in
form us that anyone in particular was
responsible for this horrible casualty !;
and yet such was the case, as we learn
from an eyewitness of the shocking
affair. Our reporters account of his
death by fire, and the attending circum-
stances, are, in brief, as follows:
Mr.. Shannon, the farmer, mad a
merciless creditor whom he owed a
debt of $500. Either before legal pro-
ceedings were had, or after Mr.. Shan
non had been brought before court, he
paid his creditor $500, all the cash he
could raise, and he offered to give good
security for the remaining $50, but this
offer was refused, and Shannon became
somewhat angry over the matter, and
talked for few minutes as men 90 talk
when their mad is up. For this the
judge ordered his commitment for con-
tempt of court and the constable con-
fined him in jail for the night. A few
hours after the prison doors were locked
on Shannon, the fire broke out. OF the
origin or exact locality of the fire our
reporter has not learned, but it Is
known that the imprisoned man cried
loudly to be released from his danger
Gus confinement and that his cries
were heard by people who added their
demands TO his request that the consta-
bic unlock the door and release Shan
non, but that dignitary with callous-
ness which is unaccountabie refused to
let the man out. To all the earnest
entreaties Of poor Shannon, and the re-
quests of bystanders, the constable
replied: "There's time enough yet"
and he made no attempt to unlock the
prison door, till the flames had reached
the prisoner, and escape was impossible,
and so, uttering the most heart-rending
shrieks, poor Shannon died horrible
death by fire-the victim of oppressive
cupidity on one side, and criminal stu
pidity on the other. His responsible
executioner, the heartless constable, so
soon as he was aware of the horrible
fate which had overtaken Shannon,
mounted horse and rode rapidly away
and has not been seen since. What
punishment this officer of the law will
meet, if apprehended, it is impossible at
this moment to determine. That he is
virtually guilty of homicide is not to be
disputed, and yet he discharged his du-
ty as the written law required, and by
simply refusing to do more, though hui
mainly, reason, and common sense all
urged him to the act, these fearful con-
sequences have ensued: An innocent
man has been murdered, family has
been deprived of their legal guardian
and protector, and all the tender SEN
sibilities of the community outraged. A
heavy responsibility rests somewhere
for the terrible death of poor Shannon.
dubuque Times.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15
A Big Fish Story.

We visited Spoon Lake yesterday, and
found all true, as reported, concerning
the myriads of fish thrown on the pral-
RE all around the lake, and the water Is
literally alive with buffalo, perch and
cat fish They are dying by thousands
and floating toward the shore, making a
ring of dead fish around the lake and
for some distance on dry land. There
were over hundred boys in the water,
with clubs, hooks and nets, killing and
hauling in fish, and express wagons car
rying loads to the different depots to be
shipped over railroads to towns along
the lines, while others were carrying
loads 10 their homes in different parts
of the city. There were two express
wagons from Omaha there yesterday al
ternoon, and they left with heavy loads.
Some of the fish are three feet long,
and weigh twelve to fourteen pounds.
Catfish and buffalo are the principal
species. They keep sticking their heads
out of the water and opening their
mouths as if they wanted air. They can
be seen moving in shoals close to land,
and great many of them appear Ian
guild or seemingly exhausted, and can
be actually caught by hand. We saw q
boy about twelve years old up to his
knees in water and throwing out fish
on the bank with piece of board, most
of them from one TO two pounds weight.
In less than twenty minutes he had
more than he could carry home. This
has been the case since the flood sub
sided sufficiently to allow wading
through the low places in the bottom,
but more especially in the vicinity OF
Spoon Lake.
But the mystery is, where did the
fish come from Parties who have been
citizens of Council Bluffs for fourteen
years say this is the first time anything
OF the kind has been witnessed here. 1t
is the opinion of good many that this
immensely of fish come through some
subterraneOus passage forced by the late
freshet through the bottom of Spoon
Lake, carrying the fish from some dis
tant body Of water; while others con-
tend that the fish came there oy the
overflow Of the Missouri river during
the night of the storm. The latter, to
us, seems the most probable theory, but
parties who consider themselves thor
oughly acquainted with the Missouri,
and who say the river did not and could
not overflow the bottom to that extent
that night, or with such storm, insist
that the fish must have come there by a
subterraneous passage, or that they fell
from the clouds. The fish are dy ing of
by thousands and floating on the top of
the water. Although some look fresh
and nice, we would not care about eat.
ing any of them, as it is our candid
opinion that all of them are more on
less affected or diseased, and for this
reason we would recommend our read.
ers to use but very few of them. At the
rate they were dying yesterday after.
noon, if the lake was filled to its utmost
capacity, they will all be dead in three
or four days.-C0uncH Bluffs Nonparea.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15
Disgusting Phases of POlygamy.

AT the Mormon Endowment House,
on Monday next, will be celebrated an
other polygamous marriage. On this
occasion two more virgins will be offer
ed upon the altar of the celestials. in
pursuance of the policy of the "Lord's
anointed," to tie his knots up right and
snug. The story is one of Brigham's
chief clerks, who, in his family connec-
ton, is something Of a cousin german
to the City Treasurer. The case is de-
cidedly unique, and it will not only
constitute the last celestial" outrage
against our common law, but also give
a striking caricature picture of the po-
lygamic romances. 1t would be sug-
gestlve of rich burlesque of Gloster
wooing two Lady AIMS, in one great
scene, to be performed at the Salt Lake
Theatre on the next occasion of the va
ration of King Dick.
Our hero, who is well-to do widower
of 40, although in form not an Adonis,
has handsome face. Being in search
OF brace OF young maidens of delight
ful l7--emblems of a plural spring, to
beautity his house on the beach-he
found first charming maiden from
mountainous Wales, who is pure de-
scendant of the ancient Britons. She
was brought to this country by mis-
sionary from Utah, who is a country
man Of the fair damsel. To him she
was engaged by promise Of marriage
which could not be performed in the
old country, the young missionary be-
ing already married. Arriving in Zion,
the match was broken off, but one-the
handsome-faced widower from court
took pity upon the friendless girl and
share Of pity upon himself, and wooed
and won the simple child of seventeen.
A double marriage, to take place on the
same occasion, was next proposed to
the child, to which she consented, say
ing, in her innocence and inexperience,
that she knew polygamy was according
to the laws of God. The widower'left
to her the choice of his plural bride, and
she chose her companion, another mex
perienced child Of seventeen. who has
father, however, to counsel her, among
the chiefs of the state of Zion. But the
widower has afiluence and position at
court, and these Mormon chiefs seem
resolved to press the polygamic conflict
to their ''last ditch" rather than resign
it, or even make compromise to let
by-gones be by ones. We shall ever
urge humane considerations of wives
and children in the settlement of
"Utah's difficulties" but to these lead
ers OF the people and court favorites who
counsel and peri citrate outrages against
the law and in defiance of the nation,
there ought to be given no considera-
ton beyond the grant of an impartial
trial.-,SaH luke Tribune.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15
A Sensation i'm New Haven-Nearly
S2,OOO,OOO at Stake.

A queer story is told, which, if true,
will result in vexatious lawsuits and
financial loss 10 several New Haven
property owners. 1t is said that some
where in the neghborhood Of III all
of the land lying between Chapel and
Court streets, and Church and Orange,
was leased by gentleman named Ball
to certain parties for a period OF one
hundred years. Since that time the
land has been built Spon, nearly every
foot of it being now covered, and the
property has been sold and resold, war
ranty deeds having been given in every
case. About ten years ago, DR.. Ball,
of Brooklyn, wrote to the heirs of the
saidto-be lessor. many of whom are
now living in North Guilford in regard
to the matter, informing them that the
lease would soon expire, and that steps
should be taken in order to secure their
rights, The doctor dying soon after,
the matter was not pushed for a time,
but now, it is said. some of the heirs OF
the ancient Ball are energetically stir
ring to collect the evidence and facts of
the matter, with view of claiming the
property. If this proves to be true,
and the matter passes into the hands of
lawyers, it will cause a shaking of the
dry bones, for the property is probably
worth 100000, including the Elk.
change building, the block of hand
some dwellings overlooking the Green,
the Tontine House, Governor English S
iron building, and the New Haven Ma
tional Bank edifce, besides other val.
liable structures.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15
THE HAcKNEYED idea that the offspring

THE HAcKNEYED idea that the offspring
of marriages of cousins and other near
blood relations are specially liable to
bodily and mental diseases was brought
forward by Professor Richard Owen, of
the Indiana State University, at the
meeting of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science, re-
Gently sitting at indianapolis. The Pro-
fessor cited no evidence in support of
the doctrine except his own personal
observation. He seems to be ignorant
of the result of late inquiries, which
show by statistics that the blood rela-
tionship of parents, per Sc, has nothing
to do with the health or sickness Of the
children; though it is true that where
the father and mother, being both OF
the same family, are liable to the same
hereditary disease, that disease will be
likely TO show itself in their children.
A perfectly healthy man marrying a
perfectly healthy woman will have
healthy offspring. and sickly man
marrying sickly woman will have
sickly offspring, whether near of kin or
not. The relationship is only an acct
dental circumstance, not moving
cause of deterioration.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15
Prospects OF the Fall Trade i'm New
York.

The New York Times gives long and
interesting article on the prospects of
the fall trade, the main points of which
are given in this summary: One fact is
patent in all branches of trade: Stocks
are generally heavy, the importations
having exceeded by many millions
those of last year. The dry goods trade
has commenced early, and the pros
The city is full of jobbers, and the
wholesale houses are busy day and night
filling orders. Woolens, linens and cot
tons have advanced in price, and the
advance of the latter has given the
Southern dealers plenty of money, max
ing them as valuable customers as be-
fore the war. In hardware the dealers
are looking forward to a good business,
though the attendance of buyers is not
as great as last year. Large stocks OF
stoves are on hand, but orders are I'M
usually backward, though there is
good trade in cutlery and bronze goods,
with prices unchanged. The demand
for rails and for such iron as is used in
railroad stock has been greatly stimu-
lated by the numerous new railroad en-
leTpTlseS. mere Has Dce1l TWO OF tUTce
years large business in shipping sec
oAd-hand rails to England, where they
are manufactured into frogs, chairs, etc.,
after which they are returned and find
market in the West. An increased
trade in hardware with the South is an
ticipated. In groceries and wines the
importations have been very large in
deed, the receipts in one week exceed
ing those of the corresponding week
last year by $2,750,000. A better trade
than that of last year is looked for, ow-
ing to improved crops and the abun-
dance of money in the South. In boots
and shoes there are far fewer buyers in
town than last year, and rush is not
anticipated. In the finer class Of goods
trade is steady but not brisk, and in
coarser goods the demand is small The
trade in fancy and miscellaneous goods
is small, though the stock is heavy and
well assorted. Buyers in larger num-
bers are expected with the approach of
cooler weather.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15
A Dogs Affection for His Dead Master.

Many instances have been recorded
of the affection and sagacity displayed
by dogs when their masters have died
or been injured in any manner. Per-
haps as affecting an incident Of this
kind as ever witnessed was the action
of the dog Pinch, owned by the late
Hold Morse, who was shot Friday night,
upon being shown the body of his dead
master, as it lay upon board Sunday
morning, preparatory TO being placed
in the coffin. Everybody who knew
Hold knew Pinch, for they were insep-
arabic. An iron gray dog of the Scotch
terrier breed, he was noted for his sa-
gacity and fighting qualities. Sunday
morning friend Of Holds, for the first
time, took the dog into the room where
the remains were. "A number of Morse's
friends were present st the time and can
vouch for the accuracy OF the story.
When let in the room Pinch let his
head fall to the floor and with slow
steps walked directly across to where
Hoa's body was lying. Stopping by the
body he raised his head and began a
low, monotonous howl. While uttering
these howls, Pinch would from time to
time look around at the different men
present as if making mute appeal to
be allowed to have access TO the body.
Noticing this, one Of the men took
chair and placed it by Holds head. AS
soon as it was placed in position the dog
jumped upon the chair and with his
fore paw brushed the cloth from his
masters face. After he had removed
the cloth he threw one leg over Holds
breast, while he LAID his face on that OF
his master, and rubbing it over few
times, commenced licking it as if de-
sirous of awakening him. Seeing that
this did not have the desired effect,
Pinch stopped and looked into Holds
face for moment, and again COM
menced bowling or rather whining in
pitiful manner. The whole scene, TAX.
ing in the surroundings, was most sor-
rowful one, and brought tears and sobs
from the men whom the world regSrd
as social Pariahs, but in whom, ~, this
incident proved, all the better feelings
had not yet been deadened. Pinch
continued his pantomime until seem.
ingly convinced that he could not
arouse his master, when he jumped
down and with slow steps left the room.
never returning until after the BODY
had been conveyed to its final resting
place in Elmwood.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15

THE FAMINE IN PERsIA.-Foreign adj
vices report that in Persia the cholera
and famine are still making fearful
ravages among the people. On Aug. 5,
u telegram received by the Gallatin
Board of Trade from Tabreez, reports
the rapid spread of cholera in that city.
During the previous week the deaths
from the epidemic averaged POO day,
and when the telegram was dispatched
the inhabitants were flying in thousands.
The intelligence at Tabreez at the same
date was that the famine in the south
ern provinces instead of abating was
worse than ever. The Levant Herald
publishes statement that in Korasan
one-third of the whole population has
persisted from starvation, and at lspahan
no less than $1,000 souls have sue
cumbed to it. Ever since the sad pill
grimage to Kerbeta, the cholera, typhus,
smallpox, famine and cattle plague
have combined to ruin the country.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15
French Coins.

Notes and Queries of July 80 gives the
following description of two coins of the
French Republic of 1S70-one a silver
piece of five francs; the other bronze
piece of ten centimes. The five franc
piece bears the bust of female figure
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15

"TuE CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE" similar
to that used in American sugar refiner-
les and laundries, is now successfully
used in France to extract the juice of
apples and grapes for the manufacture
of cider and wine. The machine is
represented as acting more rapidly than
the ordinary press, and extracts more
juice. Thus with grapes the machine
will in two hours do more work than
the press in seventeen, and the juice is
all of the same quality, while by the old
process only the first running will make
wine of the best quality, as the re-
mainder is injured by the contact with
the skins and stalks. The same results
are obtained in extracting the juice
from apples. The motive power neces-
sary to drive the apparatus, it is re-
ported, is not large, as a three-horse
engine will give a thousand turns a
minute to an ordinary sized machine.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15

WASHINGTON having gone through a
severe French-roof eruption and bay
window rash, is just now suffering from
a pretty sharp attack of basket-wagon or
pony pheton fever, superinduced, il is
thought, by wood pavements. 1t has
broken out very bad, and threatens to
have a general run, unless checked up
soon by new rage. Tortoise-shell
jewelry promises to be the next fash.
ionable epidemic; but this is a minor
distemper.-W Washington Evening Star.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15

IN an old English primer the whole
edition was printed with the omission of
the letter at the beginning of the last
word in the line as follows:
when the last trumpet soundeth
We shall not all die
But we shall all be hanged
In the twinkle of an eye"
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15
A Canal in Northern Europe.

A great deal has lately been written
about the proposed canal between the
North sea and the Baltic, and both the
expense and the importance OF the nat
ural obstacles in the way of the realiza
ton of the project have, according to
the North German Correspondent, been
greatly exaggerated. The only eleva
ton which would render deep cutting
or lock necessary is from two and one
eighth to three and quarter German
miles in BREADTH and not more than
sixty-seven and half feet in height,
and this can hardly be called a Difficult
ty, as the soil is easily worked. The
first estimate, %, 10000 thalers, may
have been too low, and it is known that
the Prussian Minister of Commerce
from the first contemplated the neces-
sity of employing a much larger sum,
but. all things considered, it is highly
improbable that six millions more will
be required. The breadth OF the canal
at the surface of the water is to be 226
feet. and at the bottom 76 feet its
depth, 81 feet. This would afford am.
ple space for four vessels to pass each
other. two of which might be large men
of.war. The length of the longest pro-
posed line is fourteen German miles,
and that of the shortest eleven and
threeq quarters German miles. The
choice of the line TO be adopted is the
most difficult question that still remains
unsettled, as every district in the Elbc
Duchies wishes share in the imme
date benefits of the undertaking.
CURIOUS observer states that the
California ant.eatipg woodpecker, in
storing its provisions for winter use,
digs u small round hole in the bark of
the pine or oak, and into these inserts
an acorn so tightly wedged in as to be
with difficulty extracted. The bark of
the pine tree, when thus filled, presents
At short distance the appearance of
being studded with brass.headed nails.
Slowed away in large quantities in this
manner. the acorns not only supply the
wants of the woodpecker, but the
souirrels, mice and jays avail them.
selves likewise of the fruits of provident
labor. --
THE groom was 81 and the bride II at
~, a tpi
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15

NEW YORK bootblacks have reduced
their tariff to five cents q shine.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15

CHICAGO boasts the finest clock in
America.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15

THE groom was 81 and the bride Z at
a Missouri marriage.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15

every little aog is great in his own
bog"
The Greenville enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1870-1873, 1871-07-12
Drinking Ice Water.

'.D'ink water sparinrly" -
an important maxim to every n.y.
son IN summer. Experience shows
that III order to quench the thirst
little cool drink accomplslrs
Hnlte as much rs large quantity,
Ihe hotter the day the less sLouiI
Lhe stomacl bo loaded either with
fo"d or drink. A little observation
VIII show the rule to be a good one
ootn IN respect of comfort and
heaith. Let any one who doubts
this try the following experiments,
each for the six working days Of a
week of hot weather:
L. Every other day cat larre,-
ana drink moderately, and on In.
inely. "'
2. Every other day drink large.
y and cat moderately, and on al.
ternate days, as before, cat and
drink sparingly.
.. Every other day cat and
drink largely, and on the alternate
days do both sparingly. The re:
suit of the experiments will show
that in each case the alternate
days when the stomach is least
burdered the comfort is greatest
and the days when the stomach is
loaded with the full meal and tho
largest amount Of drink, the great.
est discomfort is experienced.
"Gut what shall be done TO
quench the thirst in the lot days?o
Drink only y a.litlle at q time. If
the water is cold a swallow or two
VIII generally prove sufficient
when tho sense of thirst returns
take anothor swallow, and so on
Bits of ice kept in the mouth or
chcwed until they melt are much
better than copious drauehts of
water. When the sensation Of
thirst is felt delay quenchirg it as
long as may be conveniently done
Try all this and test it for your.
selves.