davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mower County transcript., 1871-12-14
The Fire Clouds.
or, Of the Rochester Union

In several western papers the waiter
has seen mention made of the following
phenomenon, as connected with the
great fires that have prevailed there
during the present fall. While the con-
fagrations were raging, particularly
those in the northern parts of Michigan
and Wisconsin, qleat clouds OF fire were
seen to shoot ont from the body of the
flames, and, flashing with incredible
speed, reach over rods beyond the act
ual line of fire, and melt with fervent
heat everything combustible. Some
times these flames would travel through
the air for long distance from the
timber burning, and then suddenly
swoop to the earth and instantly kindle
O fire far in advance.
An explanation is asked, and it is the
writer's object to attempt it in this com
munication.
When wood burning, whether in the
shape of buildings or forest trees, the
flames seen is the combustion of the
gases distilled from the wood by the
heat. The great bulk of these gases is
that known as Carburettcd Hydrogen,
the same used to light our streets and
houses. If sawdust be placed in a re-
tort, the neck of the retort drawn out to
q fine tube, and heat applied, the gas
which is soon given off can be lighted,
and will burn like candle until the
sawdust is reduced to charcoal, when
the distillation ceases. Just SO in all
fires--the high temperature distils the
gas in great quantities, it comes in con-
tact with the oxygen of the atmosphere
and is consumed in the shape of fame.
In an ordinary fire the air has such q
free admission to the burning mass that
the gas is all, or nearly all, consumed
before it has chance to escape; but
where acres upon acres of forest OF
buildings are covered with sea of fire
the atmosphere cannot penetrate to the
centre, or in other words the oxygen OF
the air is consumed about the edges, OF
before it has penetrated very far into
the interior. The result is that vast
! masses Of carburetted hydrogen makes
their escape unconsumed, heated to a
very high temperature, and being watt
ed hy the winds ahead of the fire may
reach for rods before they are finally
J touched off by the flames. Then they
flash like powder, and present precise
ly the appearance described by eye-wit.
nesses of the late fires. Most persons
have, while looking at confagration,
seen flames suddenly flash in the ai,
not directly connected with the flames
below. 1t is simplyit ithe sudden igni
ton of a mass of 1nfammable gas as il
reaches more abundant supply o
oxygen.
Mower County transcript., 1871-12-14

A COMMUNIST prisoner, who lately
died at Versailles, when about to
breathe his last, confessed that he had
fired at Louis Philippe in 1882. On
the 10th of November of that yea1, on
the Quay d'Orsay, an individual dis
charged a pistol at the King, who was
proceeding on horseback, accompanied
by his son and n numerous staff, to
open the Legislative session at the Pa
lais Bourbon. Louis Philippe gal
loped to the point from which the de.
tonation had proceeded, and turning
to his escort, said, Gentlemen, that
shot was intended for mel" No one
was struck by the bullet, but young
professor in the crowd was arrested as
having been the author OF the attempt;
but he WAS released the next day.
Mower County transcript., 1871-12-14
UneasiNes> IN France.

NEW YORK, Nov. 30.-A Paris special
states that the government of France
is very uneasy, and exercises the ut
most vigilance. There is great dis
play of troops in Paris, and all points
are guarded by patrols every night,
while the police are stationed at every
street corner. The public mind is very
unsettled, and the general impression
is that the present state of affairs can
not last any length Of time.
ROssEL's LAST WORDS.
The last words Rossel spoke to his
Republican friends were, IF you have
not before long crashed the army, it
will crush you. 1t has always been
pretorinn, and always formed a distance
party, whereas it should be national.
The danger is pressing. Republicans
have Abandoned insurrection. You did
not like the men of the 18th of March
I did not like them, but it was neces-
sary to win in order to restrain them. "
Mower County transcript., 1871-12-14

The Boston Post tells us that even.
ing weddings are now the style in Eng.
land" They ought to be everywhere.
We should think that people who are
married in the morning must become
dreadfully sleepy long before night.
Mower County transcript., 1871-12-14
TIE Home Of Oliver Wendell Holmes
A Boston letter to the Rochester
Democrat saws:

TIE Home Of Oliver Wendell Holmes.
A Boston letter to the Rochester
Democrat says:
o. w. H., the charming poet and
philosopher, whose warm intellectually
oozes from conntenance beaming with
aspiration, was born in a mahsi0n OF
many memories Passing the venerable
structure the other day, close by the
Agassiz Museum and Divinity Hail,
was almost tempted to enter the house
and make myself at home, for an hour
at least, to crafty curiosity. The
lot of land on which the house stands
was assigned in 1907 to one Fox, and in
just a century after it came into the
possession Of Judge Oliver Wendell,
who left the estate at his death, in
1918, to his daughter, Mrs. Holmes, for
whose use he had purchased it. The
house is fine specimen of the old style
of architecture, and is in good pre-.
servation, and is far from presenting
modern appearance. Some of the
rooms ard filed with ancient tables and
chairs; but the square box of an apart
ment used by the poets father seems
as solemn as were the discourses of the
pastor, while the extreme simplicity of
other rooms, full of hooks and corners,
and withal quaint and canny, is sug.
gestive of more than Puritan plainness.
A few days after the battle of Lexing-
ton, General Artemus Ward selected
this house for his headquarters, and
here was planned the occupation of
Bunker's Hill and the raid on the isl
ands in Boston harbor Ward gave 4
banquet to Washington in the long
dining room fronting on the eastside Of
the common. Patriotic songs were
sung. Here, too, General Warren rest.
ed on his way to that battle in which
he sacrificed his life, and whose re-
mains now sleep in the Granary bury
ing ground, in Boston. The Holmes
house was used for army purposes and
for the Committee of Safety during the
siege of Boston, and within five min
utes walk of where this letter is written
stands the fort which General Putnam
improvised when that officer had COM
mand of the centre of the field of mill
tary operations. The Holmes estate
has been recently purchased by the cor
poration of Harvard University, and
there is some talk of demolishing the
old mansion to make room for struc-
ture for college purposes.
Mower County transcript., 1871-12-14
SHOCKING TRAGEDY.
A Maniac Kills his -lotIler and Com
mits Sus icidc In West Mcrtdcn, Conn.
Eroy, tho No,v vnrt Tyvpou

From the New York Times.
MER1DEN, Conn.,, Nov. 24.-This Of.
ternoon, about half-past three, rumo,
prevailed in Meriden that young man
named Vetts had murdered his mother
and then committed suicide. No one
believed the rumor, as Vets was known
to be a quiet, inoffensive fellow, who
would not harm any one. It was gen.
orally discredited, but at six O'Clock
your correspondent went to the house,
which is situated about mile and a
half from West MeriGen, and
just above Fraryville, and from
evidence gathered from the family
and neighbors it was found that
young Vets had really murdered his
aged mother, and then committed sui
eide. About two years ago it appears
he had an attack of the mumps. and it
was deemed necessary that he should
submit to painful operation, but he
refused. He recovered sufficiently to
attend to his business of peddling
milk, and till within week things went
on smoothly, when he grew worse, and
was confined to his bed, and had to be
watched. On Thursday night he was
delirious. Yesterday afternoon his
sister Bertie, hearing a noise, went into
his bedroom, and saw HIM lying bleed.
ing on the floor beside his mother, who
was partially concealed by heap
Of bed-clothes. The girl cried out: !:
" Father, father" and her father, who
was uncoupling his team at the time,
ran into the house only to find his wife
dying and his son dead. DR.. Gaylord
was sent for and promptly attended,
He found the woman still breathing,
but unable to articulate. She died
within minute after his arrival. An
ugly cash upon her throat and one
upon her sons told the whole story
Marks of blood upon the walls and the
kitchen door leading to the bedroom
told of fearful struggle between the
mother and her maniac son, who had
attacked her with a common butcher
knife.
Young Vets, who wasa German, was
engaged to be married on Thanksgiving
to Miss Maschmeyer. He was much
attached to the young lady, and she to
him but his mother was opposed to
the marriage, for what reason does not
appear An inquest is now being held.
Simon Vets, the father, is in an agony
of grief painful to witness,
Mower County transcript., 1871-12-14
AurOral Phenomenon.

AtPoughkeepsie last night at quarter
to ten, two distinct auroral rings were
visible in the heavens. The first ell
circled the moon, the second tapping
toward the first and stretching toward
the northern horizon. The northeast
ern edge of the second shone brightly,
and at times dim waves of auroral light
flashed over all. Both rings were trans
parent, and the stars were very plainly
visible through them. The spectacle
lasted about twenty minutes, and then
gradually faded from view. The ring
around the moon was apparently 200
feet in diameter, and its mate 800.
The sky was perfectly clear.
Mower County transcript., 1871-12-14

A PHENOMENON has occurred in In.
dianapolis. A we'll, the water in which
has been of remarkable coldness, has
been growing warmer, and is now al
most hot. The inference is that the
city is rapidly growing worse and worse,
and consequently the Internal regions
are approaching it underground.
Mower County transcript., 1871-12-14

Foreign.
The cholera has disappeared from Hall
fax.
The Germans have commenced to build
Notifications in the passes of the Vosgea.
PRINCE METrERS1cH has asked permission
to resign his post at the head of the Austrian
Legation in Paris, which he has held since
1852
nounces that Count Gergenti, on-ln-law of
ex-Queen Isabella of Spain, has committed
suicide in that city.
The announcement of the execution of the
medical students in Havana for profaning the
cemetery where the remains of Castanon were
inferred, created a profound sensation in
Madrid.
A.coLL1s1oN occurred Sunday night of the
Irish coast between the ships 1Iarmion and
Oceania. The latter sunk very soon aftev she
was struck. Several of tho crew escaped by
jumping aboard of the Marmon but min" men
are missing.
JOHN JAY, United States Minister to Aus
tria, and Count Androssy, Minister of For
eign Affairs, have signed all international Con
vention between the United States and Aus
trla, guaranteeing the inviolability of trade
marks in the two countries.
The Emperor Of Germany accepts the posi-
ton of arbitrator between the United State
and England on the question of the boundar
OF Vancouver Island. Minister Bancroft vii
be invited to present to His Majesty on tn
10th Of December O memorandum in the mat
ter.
For the first time since the occupation o
Rome the Italian Parliament met in that cit
Monday. The opening speech was deliycrc
in person by His ajcsty King Victor Emal
uel. In commencing he alluded to the event
connected with the occupation of the city. an
said that Italy restored to herself had recQ1
quered her place in the world. He COZ
vinced that Rome would remain the state {
the Pontiticate. The relations between ltal
and all other nations, His Majesty said, al
friendly, and he believed that peace would COZ
tlnue; but he warned Parliament that the
would be held to strict account in the futlll
il they neglected to perfect thorough orgal
,zation OF the military and naval forces Of tt
kingdom.
Mower County transcript., 1871-12-14

incTedulous welcome.
IT guess SOL" For an instant nature
or memory prevailed, and Granny Sails
: bury bestowed on her prodlgal son a
hug that would have done credit to
bear Then she recalled herself
"Well, ye've got here fn'lly, hev yea
I reckoned ye was dead quite while
ago."
"But amt, and I've got pretty
considerable heap O. dollars; so I
thought I'd look ye up, and fix ye off
comfortable, mother"
"H'm! you've done lot o. thinkin
bout me, guess! He'd time enough
! anyhow-twenty odd year'!''
"Well, we'll, mother |! let by-gones
be by-gones. Come along now"
"Not till I've ben md reused up
Mis- Lockwood. I must tell her
Say, is Eli dead?"
"Not he He's considerable worse !
got his leg broke nd cut off beside,
'nd's ]ivin' long o'some Digger Indians ;
soakin' all day, nd gamblin' all night. "
"Why, how you talk! Wonder if
she'll be givin' thanks over that!'
Jake shook his head as Granny Sal.
isbury hobbled off upstairs, helped by
Ruth.
"Bad time! bad time!" muttered
he. "'Specs we'll git de real ole deb
ble now, ef he granny's goin' to leah
u.s."
i A sharp cry from Ruth above stairs
startled all the hearers DR.. Sparks,
} who had just come in, sped up to her.
She stood on one side of Sister Lock
woods bed, and Granny Salisbury at
| its foot; on the scarce lndented pillow
lay face tranquil and sweet as that OF
some sleeping child. Even the last
enemy had been appeasel by such ex
quisite patience, and come as the Angc]
Of Consolation. Sister Lockwood had
"fallcn on Sleep
One long look Granny Salisbury
gave to the restful face of her old neigh
Dor, and turned away without IL word
| In moment more the clang of sleigh
t bells passing from the door told Of hel
} first departure. John Sparkle d. ew the
Mower County transcript., 1871-12-14

I
Bridgewater, Mass. It had the appear
ance of ball of fire about the size of
a cannon ball, and rolled along the
ground faster than their carriage. leav-
ing train of fire about two feet in
length. 1t was seen but few seconds,
when nothing indicated that it had been
| there.
\ WONDERFULLY rich "streak has
bean struck at the Gwin mine, Lower
Rich Gulch, Calaveras County, CAL, a
piece of rock weig ghing two ounces and
a half yielding the assay er oue hundred
and sixty grains of gold. At this rate q
ton won1d yield $53, ,140. The rock so
closely resembles the slate of which the
walls Of the lead are composed that it
has heretofore been taken out and
thrown away with other debris from
the niue.
! The old guillotine Of Bourges is to be
sold. Three amateurs to be Eng
lishmen-recently offered $50 francs Tor
it, but the price was not deemed enough
and the offer therefore was not accept
ed. This guillotine is said to be one
of the first constructed in the time of
Robespierre's reign, after the invention
of DR.. Gnillotin, and the would be
English purchasers represents recent
ly established museum in London,
wherein are collected a great number
of instruments of execution gathered
from various lands.
IT is said that the National Republi
can Committee mean to call the mex,
national convention in New York, with
Cincinnati as an alternate choice.
HeretofSqe both Boston and St. Louis
have sought and expected to have the
convention, for which each has
some claim. The first Republican
National Convention was held in
Philadelphia in June, 1856, when
Messrs. Fremont and Dayton
were nominated. In 1860 the con-
vention was held at Chicago, and in
1864 at Baltimore. Chicago was chos-
en- again in 1868. Boston claims the
next convention as the capital Of the
strongest Republican State. st. Louis
claims it because that city is the ceutre
Of the country. !. i
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-16
A Hotel for Richmond.

A hotel is in a social and business sense
the most important building in city.
When we consider its uses we can well APP
preciate its worth, and we may at once es-
innate the powerful reasons for locating it
in the best place for public accommodation,
Lot only with reference to the transient
population, but with regard to the citizens
and business of the city itself. The de.
struction of the Spotswood Hotel opens the
way for the establishment of new hotel,
and we offer few words to our citizens on
the subject.
The Exchange Hotel, as this writer said
at the time it was built, was most unior-
tunately located. 1t met the wants of
neither the citizen nor the stranger so far
Us locality was concerned. The nelghbor-
hood was Objectionable and the ground was
badly graded. But its construction estop-
ped enterprises that looked to better situa-
tions. When the city increased so as to
Justify the increase OF hotel accommoda-
tons, the Spotswood was built on g far bet.
ter site but it was not made hotel-wise
from the cornerstone to the Gaping, and
was not exactly what a hotel should be.
That is In ruins, and for Main street and
the active and business part of Richmond
a new hotel should now be built. We shall,
we believe, need that and more when our
western connections are complete.
In view, then, OF the Importance to this
city and to the traveller, OF a hotel properly
located, where is the best site for it? I'm
hesitatingly we answer the square opposite
the post-office. II Is the most admirable,
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-16


~UNANSWE Bile ARGu-
Observation-Disclosures facts are silent arguments
which neither pen nor tongue can shake, ana ~ 70
mon esta bished facts that the reputation OF bus
LETTERS STOMACH BiTTERa, as heaith-
preserving elixir, and wholesome ana po"efiul
remedy Is based. When witnesses come 1or"a'u
In crowds year after year. and reiterate the same
stateme nts In relation to the beneficial enects OF
medicine upon themselves, disbelief In its encacy
is literally Impossible. The credentials Oh 'ni0
uneoualed tonic and Alternative, extending over D
period of nearly twenty years, include individuals
of every class and residents Of every cline, ano
refer to the most prevalent among the comp.ainss
which aficu and hars So the human FAMILY. EitneI
a multitude OF people, strangers 20 escn otnel'
have annually been seized with an insane ana mo-
tiyeleas desire to deceive the public, or HOSfEI-
TER,S BITTERS. for no less than hftn OF Il CEN
tury have been affording such Keller 20 snuerers
from Indigestion, fever and ague. 9illousness,
general debility, and nervous disorders; as no
other preparation has ever impaired; TO-DAY,
while the eyes Of the reader are upon these INES,
tens of thousands OF persons or both sexes are re-
living upon the BITTERS as sure defence against
the ailments which the present season ergenuersi
and their confidence is not misplaced. Inc local
portions which interested dealers sometimes en-
deaYor TO fOist upon the sick In It's stead are
where meeting the fate that Is due 10 1rauo anu
Imnoslre while the demand for the great Vegeta-
BILE specific Is constantly increasing
Ia pOdlwRwlt
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-16
~LCoNsuMPTION CANBE CURED.

An eastern medical periodical slVes an lnIerese-
Ing account OF Lhe complete cure OF Srs amos
stauffcr, of Manor, Lancaster county, Pa, OF
hereditary consumption. Her parents t ana s :;
ease Mrs Stauffer was herself reduced TO mere
skelaton the pulse at 4o; her breath ng painfully
difficult expec.orations very excessive; dlar-
rhma verse Than chronic, and her condition so
hopeess that at con ference Of the old and skill
tut physicians she was pronounced incurable. at
his stage of the disease DR.. 5: b. Hartman, OF
of fourteen years. standing prescribed MlSh-
LER's HERB BITTERs. The patient soon on. e1,
perienced a pleasing invisorating sensat,o oa
;rien1s to continue under DR.. Hartman's treat
ment, She did 50, gradually improving under IN.
enirelv recovered Mrs. Stauftr Is still living In
the full enjoyment of perfect health. G; B. Herr,
ESQ, President Of Lancaster County tPa.l r a.
tional Bank, substantiates lhe particulars o. LiS
most wonderful case. "a l6--eoul"&"la
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-16


Monumental Association" to authorize
the Governor to employ temporary clerk
at 81 900 per annum.
CHARTERS GRANTED By CIRCUIT COURTS.
A communication was received from the
Secretary of the Commonwealth submit
ting report OF the names of the companies
as have received charters from the Circuit
Courts. Laid on the table and ordered to
be printed.
THE REMOVAL OF THE PENrTENT1ARY.
Mr.. BELL, of Augusta, offered q substi-
tute for the joint resolution in relation to
the removal Of the Penitentiary, which in
strllcts and authorizes the proper commit
tees of the two Hoses to advertise for and
consider proposals for new site for, and
for the erection of new Penitentiary, and
to contract therefor, subject to the action
of both Houses. Agreed to.
The substitute was then ordered to en-
grossment; after which the House adj
iourned.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-16
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Prayer by Rev. DR.. W. F. Broaddus, of
a RortiSt fh11rpb

the bupllSI CuuICu.
BILLS REPORTED.
Senate bill to authorize the city OF Ports
mouth to lease out the ends of certain
streets.
House bills to amend the Code in relation
to the Potomac fisheries.
To amend the act incorporating the to- n
Of Orange.
THE HOUR OF MEETING.
A resolution offered by Mr.. FULTON, or
derinc that the House shall hereafter meet
at II O'clock until otherwise ordered, was
rejected.
A QUESTION OF COLOR.
Mr.. MADDOX stated that he had heard
that in the admission Of visitors to the gall
lerv of the House a distinction was made
as to race and color against the colored
people, and desired to know if this was the
case, and if it was done with the cogniZ-
ance of the Speaker.
The SPEAKER dIsclaimed all knowledge
on the subject.
Mr.. MADpox then asked that the Speaker
would look into the matter and see that no
such distinction was made in future, other
wise he would be compelled to bring the
subject before the House for action
thereon.
COUNTY SUBSCRIPTIONS TO INCORPORATED
COMPANIES.
House bill authorizing subscriptions to
the stock of incorporated companies by
counties, with Mr.. Hangers substitute for
the same, came up as unfinished business,
the question being on motion of Mr.. BELL,
of Augusta, to reconsider the vote on the
amendment to the substitute adopted yes
terday, to the effect that no one Subscrip-
tion should exceed in amount sum upon
which the annual interest, at the rate al
lowed, would require larger annual tax
upon property than ten cents on the hum
dred dollars.
The motion to reconsider was agreed to-.
The amendment was then, after some
discussion, modified SO as to increase the
amount to 90 cents on the hundred dollars
OF taxable property, and adopted.
Mr.. BUDp.otfered proyiso that the bonds
of counties, cities, and towns should be re-
ceived Mt par by the companies in payment
Of subscriptions. Agreed to.
The substitute was then ordered to en-
grossment.
BILLS, &C., PRESENTED AND REFERRED.
By w. A. BRYANT Bill to amend the act
in regard to articles exempt from sale for
debt.
Bv Mr.. VIM Petition of numerous
citizens of Hanover county asking for a
hill authorizing them to vote on the ques-
ton of the removal Of the courthouse to
Ashland.
By Mr.. Bowen Resolution Of inquiry as
to authorizing the Auditor to issue his war
rant for 5000 to II. r. Boyle, late sheriff Of
Tazewell county, for one mule killed while
said sheriff was in the discharge of his off,
cial duty.
By Mr.. SoUTHALL, of Albemarle Bill to
amend chapter AL Of the acts of 1S69-'7O.
By Dir. HUDGlN Bill authorizing the pay
ment of sum of money to G. II. Dimmock,
Joseph Hall, and James Kersey, experts to
examine into the condition Of the Capitol
building.
BILLS PASSED.
House bills amending the Code as to jul
ries generally; incorporating the "Lee