davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13
Wanted to See n Smash Up.

As train on the road from Albany to
Springfield was turning curve the
engineer caught sight of an obstacle OF
some sort. There was no chance to stop,
and on the train dashed. BY a providen-
block of wood wedged between the
ties, was rotten at the heart, and split as
the pilot struck it. Half sunk to the
road bed, harmless; the other half was
carried several rods by the engine, caus-
ing an uneasy hop it its movements, but
not throwing it from the track. The
train proceeded on its eastern way.
Examining into the matter it was found
that boy had placed the obstruction
upon the road. The boy was then accom-
panied to The spot, and made to show how
he disposed the block of wood. After lie
had fixed it he said he went up into the
woods to watch the result, and after the
train passed, he went to the place of his
employment. When asked what motive
he had for such deed, he said simply
shat he wanted to see how it would work
that is, he was simply curious to wit.
ness the horrible crash and slaughter Of a
railway train, crowded with passengers,
hurled down precpice fifty feet to the
water and rocks below, in which he had
read ard heard in many newspaper.
Willy Clark is a smooth faced, innocent
looking, steady boy, and it is hard to con
ceive how he could ever have contem-
plated so fearful work. lie does not
appear to appreciate its enormity. He
WIS examined at Chester, Mass, for
obstructing the railroad track, pleaded
guilty, and was ordered to give bail in
the sum of $4,000 for his appearance be-
fore the Superior Court at Sprin gfeld.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13

pocket for the journey, and which is very
rare indeed have about me, l could not
have abared the sight of him-there,
Mrs. Harris could not Il must have
tore him, OF have give way and tainted
"While the bell was ringing, and
the luggage of the hammertoors in great
confugion-all a llter'ry indeed-was
handled up, Mr.. Wilson demeens hissclf
politer than ever. "That," he says
Mrs. Camp n pinting TO officer
looking gentleman, that a lady with n
little basket was taking caro- on, " is
another OF our party. He's author too
continually going up the valley Of the
MUSES., Mrs. Camp, "Thcre," he says,
alluding to IL fine looking, portly gentle.
man, with face like II amiable full
moon, and short mild gent, with a
pleasant smile, sis two more of oHr
artists, Mr.. g., well beknowed at the
Royal Academy, ~ sure rs stones is
stones, and eggs is eggs
This resolute gent" lie says, s,'a com.
ing along here ~ is apparently going to
take the railway by storm him with the
tight legs, and his weskit very much
buttoned, and his mouth very much
shut, ana his coat flying open, and his
heels giving it TO the platform, is a
cricket and boeografler, and our princi
pal tragcgian." But who,' says l.,
when the bell had left of, and the train
had begun to move, whs, Mr.. Wilson,
is the wild gent in the perspiration, that's
been tearing up and down all this time
with great box o: papers under his
arm, a talking to everybody very indis-
tinct, and exciting of himself dreadful -
"Why ?' says Mr. Wilson. with a smile.
Because, SIR" says "he's being left
behind" Good God ~ cries Mr.. VIII
son, turning pale and putting cut his
head, ''it's your beograffer-the manager
and he has got the money, Mrs. Camp
Iious'ever, someone chucked him into
the trair and We went off At the first
shrek of the whistle, Mrs. Harris, l turn.
ed white, for had took notice Of some of
them dear creeturs as was the cause of
my being in company, and know'd the
danger that-but Mr., Wilson, which ia q
married man, puts his hand on mine, and
says, "Mrs Camp, calm yourself, it's only
the Ingein.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13
A Wife Murderer Hanged.

Michael Moore, whose crimes are
among the blackcst on record, was exc
cuted at EbcnsburC, Pa. On the lst OF
last March the body OF n woman, burned
almost to a crisp, was found near Min
eral Point Station, on the Pennsylvania
Rairoad. IL proved TO be Moore's
Fl rst wife. who had deserted him on ac.
count of brutal treatment, and went to
Philadelphia, where she resided as do
mestc for someyears after the separation.
Moore married again, telling the clergy
man who married him that his first wife
was dead.
His earliest spouse appears to have
been still true to him, and tho neigh.
bors, complaining of Moore living there
with woman not his lawful wife, gutted
the place in January, whcreupon Moore
went to Philadelphia, and induced his
first wife to leave her home there and
accompany him to Mineral Point. The
unsuspected woman did so, and on tho
10Th of February last Moore, with his
wife. got of the train at Mineral Poii
lie enticel her into deep woodland.
where he most brutally butchered her,
and made n bonfire of her "emains.
Tracks in the snow led to and from the
spot where the deed was committed.
Footprints led to the house of Moore.
He was arrested, tried, and convicted.
He was Il man of brutal disposition, but
cowardly in heart, and paced his cell to
and fro, weeping AS if his heart would
break, and trembling like n leaf at the
though of the fate awaiting him.
On the scailold being reached, he took
a seat on chair, and submitted TO the
operation OF his legs being bound, The
Sheriff then said, mike, if you have
got anything to say, now is the time to
say it," Moore replied, "No, nothing
more than to ask you all to pray for me,
that God may forgive my SINS
The black cap was then drawn over
bis head, and the priest and Deputy
Sherifls left the scaffold. The bolt hold
ing the trap in place was Withdrawn,
and Moore fell like log. His neck
snapped so distinctly that it could be
heard by those near the platform.
The body spun around and around,
and after hanging twenty-five minutes
was cut down and placed in q coffin.
Moore said all alongthat he would declare
his innocence on the scaffold, but failed
to do so, and in consequence is now
generally believed to have been guilty
of all the crimes laid to his charge. His
body was buried at Ebensburg by the
graves of Housen and Bouser. who were
executed in 1866.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13

A REvERIE.-There is an almost fear
full impressiveness in the thought that
we go to our quiet sleep each night with
no foreshadowing of the dread calamities
that may be revealed when we unfold
the morning paper. How many hearts
were rent with sudden anxiety and sor-
row on reading the telegraphic dis
patches of that fatal Sunday morning
when Boston was in flames Those
Hooking wires sent swift, sharp,
lightning strokes through the land. and
they smite one and another, seemingly
without mercy. The details of that des-
olating conflagration are now known
far and wide, from east to west-the fea-
lures of peculiar painfulness as well as
those of merciful compensation. Home
less thousands have not been forced to
live in tents, as after the Chicago fire
was necessary the treasures of science,
art and literature were untouched by
the devouring element the old historical
monuments, in which Boston gloried as
lipking the city to its early life and Rev.
olutionary struggles, were spared. Amid
the sorrow arising out of those blackened
ruins, and the sympathy which from all
quarters is extended toward the sufferers,
there are some comforting reflections
connected with the disaster; and to a
great extent what has been lost will be
restored by the energy and courage
which have so often been displayed IN
times of trouble by the people Of Bos-
tom
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13

POPULATION OF New York. According
to the census tables just completed, OF the
1929 inhabitants of this city, 523, 1893
were born in the United States, 5l0,553
are white, 12,643 colored, and 2 Indians;
and 419 094 were born in foreign countries,
41s, $40 white, and 429 solored. Austria
has contributed 2737, Africa so, Asia 10,
Atlantic Islands 90, Australasia 70, Boho-
mia ,4s7, Canada 3,4S7, New Brunswick
233, Nova Scotia 4l0, Prince Edward
Island 7, British America 4,4l9, Central
America 90, China 125, Cuba 1894,
Denmark 6S2. France 1926, Baden 1923,
Bavaria 12, SGT, Brunswck 106, Hamburg
6l2, Hanover 3, 800. Hessen 7,74l, Lubeck
"a, Mecklenburg 1Sl, Nassau 364, Olden-
burg 95. Prussia 3l,5ll, Saxony 1857,
Weimer 8, Wurtemburg 4, 4,6l6-total from
Germany l51,2l6 Gibralter 0, England
24,442, Ireland 20l 800, Scotland 1862.
Wales 5s4, Greece 43, Holland 2%,
Hungary 521. India 23, Italy 2,7s4, Japan
4, Luxembourg 10, Malta A, Mexico "a,
Norway 372. Pacific Islands l, Poland
1888, Portugal 90, Russia l,l50, Sandwich
Islands 7, South America oil, Spain 453,
Sweden ,55S, Switzerland 2,l7S, Turkey
SO, West Indies 4S9, at sea SO. Other
cities of more than 100000, inhabitants
are Philadelphia, 674 o22; Brooklyn,S96,-
099 St. Louis $40, ,S64 Chicago, $685.
977: Baltimore, 267 354 Boston, 250,-
526 Cincinnati, 6,239 ; New Orleans,
19l AIS; San Francisco, 149, ,473; Buffilo,
117,714; Washington, l09, l99; Newark,
New Jersey, 1O5, ,O59, and Louisville, KY,
l0O.753.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13

CooL ENOUGH. - Pennsylvania has
ladies'. The Titusvilie Herald tells a
story of one who shouI d have the medal.
On .ho Union and Titusville Railroad
the = Is a long, high trestle, which is on
one side concealed from the engineer of
an approaching train by a sharp curve in
the road. A short time ago, as a train
wheeled around the curve, the engineer
was Mortified to discover lady midway
on the trestle. Quick as thought he
checked the train, though he knew it
was an utter imposibility to bring it to
a stand in season to prevent dire ca
tastrophe. The lady heard the warning
whistle, and turning her head, saw the
IRON monster almost upon her. Escape
seemed impossible to remain was GER
tain death to jump to the ground be-
meath, distance of thirty or forty feet,
equally certain death and to attempt
to run ahead and escape was out Of the
question. She neither screamed nor
tainted, but acted. Thirty inches be-
low the ends of the tires. and imme-
diately under the stringer which supports
them, there was joist five inches wide
running from one support of the trestle
to another. Quickly she swung herself
down to this narrow thread with the ap
parent ease of a gymnast, and with her
arms clasped around it, stretched her
self at full length along it as the train
thundered by almsst over her. As soon
as the engineer saw her action he threw
off his breaks, and putting on steam,
hurried past as soon as possible, when
she nimbly sprang to the track again,
and pursued her journey as though
nothing had happened.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13
Warned.

W." "uVhs
They stood at the garden gate,
by the lifting Of a lid
She might have read her fato
Ina little thing no did.
He pluckod beautiful flower,
Tore 1t away from it's place
On the side Of the blooming bower,
And held It against HIS face.
Drank in its beauty and bloom,
inthe midst Of his idle talk;
Then cast It down in the gloom
And dust OF the garden walk.
Ay, trol It under his foot,
As it lay in his pa 'hway there;
Then spurned itAway with his boot,
Because Il had ceased to bo fair.
All the maiden might have read
The doom OF her young life then;
But she looked in his eyes instead,
And thought him the king OF men.
She looked in his eyes and blushed,
She hid in his strong arms fold;
And the tale OF the flower, crushed
And spurned, was once more told
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13

SPIDERS. is young man who
is said to have lost monoy by betting
on spiders. He wagered that spider
which he would produce would cross a
plate quicker than spider produced by
a frieni. Each spider was to have its
own pate. His spider, however on be-
ing started would not stir, while its rival
ran with immense speed. The bet was
consequently lost, and the loser soon
found out the reason: his friend had q
hot plate.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13

WHAT p" What is Mr.. A. 7. Stewart
going TO do at Hampstead ?" is frequent.
" asked. One hundred cottages worth
$500 each are going up, boulevards
are LAID out, railroads are planned. But
he will not sell. To applicants he has
one answer: "1 have nothing to sell"
Some says he will complete the whole
city, and set it running some fine morn
ing. before he sells single .shop
shaDty.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13

A California engineer predicts that in
ten year. the whole country will be grid
ironed with narrow guage rail roads.
The cost of these roads he estimates at
eight thousand dollars per mile. Pas
sengers can be transported on them at
one cent mile, and freight at proper
tionstely low rstss,
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13

A WEDDING Dress. "A royal blue
superfine cloth English frock coat ci
medium length of waist and proportion
ate length of skirt, silk breast facings to
the button holes and the edges fiat braid
ed, five button holes worked in the
lappels, three TO be worn buttoned, and
the upper one TO be used for flower a
double breasted white cloth waistcoat,
showing three quarters of an inch above
the turnover OF the coat, and a light
colored dressed doeskin trousers -
lavender or silver gray being the most
correct. The gloves and scarf should be
of the same shade as the trousers.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13

Mahon was appointed President dd
interim Of France, and viii act as Presi-
dent until NJ. Theirs withdraws his resig.
nation or the vacant seat is filed by q
new appointment.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13

A Danville, Pa, youth refused 10 keep
a marriage contract because his betrothed
smoked pipe. If the rule should be re-
yersed. who would be Benedict
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13
Elephants i'm q Quicksand.

| On the banks of the river Ganges, says
military journalist, there arc many
quicksands, and during our expedition a
somewhat distressing scene happened.
An elephant incautiously came within the
vortex of one first one foot sank, then
another; and in endeavoring to extricste
himself, matters became worse; at last no
norton of either of his legs was visible,
and the bystanders had given up the poor
animal as lost. Being, fortunately, un-
usually powerful, he three several times,
with what appeared almost supernatural
strength, drew a foot from the closely
clinging earth, placing it where, by sound
ing with his trunk, he found the most
soliditv. Not until after three attempts
did the ground bear his pressure, when
he gradually released himself. During
the whole period OF his troubles his cries
were exceedingly dolorous, and might
have been heard Tor two miles. His grunt,
when they were at an end. was equally
indicative of satisfaction. The internal
application of bottle of strong spirits
soon dissipated trembling and restored
his equanimity. Many unfortunate ele-
phants are lost in these treacherous sands,
when large quantities of grass or branches
of trees are not at hand to ~m an avail
able support to them. Aft a certain
time the poor beast becomes powerless,
and the owner can look with sorrow at
the gradual disappearance Of his noble
animal, and lament the pecuniary loss he
thereby suffers, for all human aid is futile.
They have been known to be twelve hours
in sinking.
ADULTERATIoN. The French Minister
of Agriculture and Commerce in France
has issued an order which entities him to
the gratitude of every individual resi-
dent of the Republic, and will materially
lessen the bill of mortality in France.
1t is for the analysis by competent chem
lists of wines and other beverages, and oil
sorts of empirical preparations, such
pills. powders, cosmetics and pate..y
medicines. Under the Empire stringent
laws we're enacted against the adultura-
ton of food, and year ago the English
Parliament followed the example. Now
shall the United States, where more
hurtful nostrums are sold and more bad
liquor dispensed than in France and En-.
gland together, keep up the old style of
poisoning, or shall we be wise enough to
follow where we should have led !?
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13

San Francisco proposes to build the
biggest hotel on the continent.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-26

HAUNTED HOUSES IN LONDON. great deal
of curiosity has been excited for long period
in reference to number of large houses In
Stamford street, (Blackfriars,) Snowfall, Now
ington, and other parts of London, which have
for nearly half century been allowed to re-
main empty, and suffered to get into ruinous
state, the rental value of the property being
many thousands per annum. One house in
Stamford street, at the corner OF fairfield
street, which was formerly let for 9l00 per an
mum. has been empty more than forty years.
The various premises were popularity known as
'shaunted houses" and crowds have collected
occasionally round them, particularly the hous-
es in Stamford street, upon the report that a
''ghost" had been seen walking about some OF
the rooms. Their real history appears to be
this: The property originally belonged to a
solicitor named Reed, man possessed of a
large fortune, and he, through a mere whim,
determined not to let any portion of this prop
ertv. He died some fve-and twenty years ago,
leaving, it is said strict iniunctions to his widow
to carry out the same course. His directions
we're obeyed, and at the death of the widow
the same injunctions were given to the daugh-
ter, until her death, which took place on De-
cember 18th, rather suddenly. By this event
the condition Of affairs in relation to the prop.
erty will, in all probability, now be changed;
and the estate will be put to some useful pur-
pose. The habits of the deceased lady were
most penurious. She resided in one OF the
houses in Stamford street, her only establish
ment consisting of one old woman, and the re-
sidence Of the ''old miser," as she was gener-
ally termed, could easily be recognized by it's
dirty and dilapidated appearance. Periodical
ly, the two old women would make visit to
the other houses in the street, the time chosen
being generally evening With lantern in hand,
thew would 90 through the different rooms of
the large ruinous buildings, and these visits
gave rise, no doubt, to the ''ghost" rumors
that were rife, and were the cause OF the crowds
assembling to see the light cleaning from the
windows. Almost Immediately after the death
became known, it appears that parties claiming
to be heirs law of the deceased, took posses
sion of the house where she resided, and among
the strange rumors that are atoat IN reference
TO the subject is one that sum OF money
amounting to nearly ego 900 was found hoard
ed in different parts of the house, and conceal.
ed in all manner of out-of- the way places, At
fast, it was rumored that the deceased had
died without making will, but it has since
been stated that a testamentary document has
been discovered. It will perhaps be recolected
that few years ago some persons took torcl-
BILE possession of the houses in Stamford street,
and set up some claim to the property; but it
was shown that they had no legal title, and
they were forcibly elected by order of magis-
trate. Since then, the whole of the property
has remained in the same condition as before.
London Neaos.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-26

of the Congressional Land Scrip was resumed
and an amendment inserting Hampden Sidney
and Richmond Colleges in the place CT the
University and Military Institute, rejected. An
amendment striking out the University and In
stitute was then agreed to-ayes 49, nays 81.
A motion was then made to amend the bill by
inserting a provision that five twelfths of the
proceeds of the grant shall be givn to the Hamp-
ton Institute. and the residue be equally dlvld-
ed between the University and the Virginia
Military Institute. pending the consideration OF
which the House adjourned. = s~~--
The following bills and resolutions have been
made laws, in addition to those heretofore re-
ported An act to amend the second section
Of the act incorporating the Protestant Episco-
pal Theological Seminary and High School in
Virginia; to authorize the Common Council OF
the town of Harrisonbnrg to submit the qucs-
ton CT evying special tax for water purposes
to the voters of said town; relative to the official
terms of certain officers of the government, and
the time within which they may qualify; au-
thorzing sale Of the Front Royal turnpike; to
incorporate the Virginia Iron Mining, Cheml.
cal, and Manufacturing company; to amend
section 5 of the act to re-assess the lands
throughout the Commonwealth: agreeing to an
amendment to the constitution IN relation to
the clause in respect to ''usury," and directing
submission Of said proposed amendment. to
the people for their approval and ratification.
In the Chancery Court day, Judge Barton,
of Fredericksburg, presiding tor Jud ge titz-
hugh, the application of NJ, p. Handy, for a
mandamus to compel the Sheriff of the city, to
receive n payment of a tax bill a matured cou-
pom of the State, issued in pursuance of the
provisions of the Funding Bill was heard. :
Messrs Ould and Darlington appeared for the
plaintiff, and Geo. d. Wise, for the Sheriff.
The answer of the sheriff to the rule of the
Court was in substance, tnat he had been d.
rected by the Auditor of the Commonwealth
not to receive coupons for State taxes that
officer considering that portion of the act max
ing them receivable for taxes unconstitutional.
Without argument the court awarded the man
damus prayed for, commanding the Sheriff to
comply with and fully execute, on his part, the
act Of Assembly before mentioned. On motion
of the counsel for the Sheriff, the mandamus
was suspended for ten days, to alows him to
present petition for writ Of supersedeas, in
order to carry the case up to the Supreme
Court of Appeals. y.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-26

In the House Of Representatives, yesterday,
resolution was adopted, as substitute for
Mr.. Beck's resolution, asking the President for
information concerning martial law operations
in South Carolina. The substitute asks, in ad-
d;tion, for information as to the security for life
and property in all the Southern States. Mr.
Stevenson, of Ohio, said If few thousand OF
those scouHdrels' (iu South Carolina) had
been tried by drum head court martial and ia
ken out and hanged to trees, he should not
have regretted it." So this mild tempered
gentleman lets us know. if he had the power, he
would himself be genuine Ku- Klux!