davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-05-22
The Halifax Horror.

HALIFAX, N. S., May l3.-An ex-
plosion took place to-day in the Drum
mond colliery, in ePicton county
Dunn, the manager, his assistant, Ma
ger, and party of other men are in
the pit. The slope is on fire and
there is no means of egress from the
mine. Great anxiety is felt for the
safety Of the men, No further par
ticu1ars as yet.
HALIFAX, May l4.-From 100 clock
last night until daylight this morning
tie fire in the Drlmmond CoHiery
ragged with intense ferceness. II in
creased in violence each moment, and
the sky in the vicinity of the calami-
ty was illuminated BY the flames is
suing from the air shaft to height
Of nearly one hundred feet. All
through the night there were explo-
sions at intervals. These were pre-
ceded by rumoling noises resembling
thunder. The weary watchers who
remained around the mouth of the
pits and air shafts, and l.:bored inces-
sanity to subdue the flames, were
obliged to seek shelter in the adjoin-
ing works, as the stones and debris
emitted from tie pits mouth by such
explosions were scattered around in
all directions, and Threatened de-
.struction or injury to every one with
in reach. About two o'clock, p. NJ,
this afternoon, these explosions were
followed by one which, for terrific
violence and destructive force, dwarf
ed all the Fest. The wooden work
in and about the main shaft was in.
stantly destroyed, and stones, wood
and burning embers were projected
high into the air. Smoke and fame,
together with the horrible noises ac-
cempanying the explosion. gave the
beholders vivid idea of volcanic
eruption. Those who witnessed it
described it as resembling more than
anything else the3mouth of Il crater.
The earth for miles around was sha-
ken with the violence Of the explo-
sion. The people living In Westville
and Snillarton were much frightened,
as they knew not how far the disaster
would extend, or how soon another
such explosion would occur. Since
2 o'clock this morning the fire has
continued to burn, the flames issuing
from all the air shafts, although not
so intense as last evening. Laborers
are now energetically at work filling
up the shafts with clay. By this
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-05-22
General Sherman.

Telegraphic dispatches report that
Generals Sherman and Howard .testi-
fed before the American and British
mixed commission that Columbia
was not fired by order, or by Federal
soldiers" . Whether Columbia was
fired by order We know not, but when
Gen. Sherman states that it was not
destroyed by Federal soldiers, he
states.deliberately what he knows to
be false. Before reaching South
Carolina, be received letter from
Gen. Halleck, expressing a wish that
Charleston and Columbia might in
some way be burned, to which he re-
piled that when he entered either of
these ycities, his Fifteenth Corps
would do the work, and that it
never failed. That this Corps
never failed we car testify. In every
sort of atrocious villiany, in every
form of diabolical incendiarism, in
every species of wanton destruction,
in every unblushing robbery, in every
outrageous insult to helpless women
and children, in every act which
wo1l,l9have made even a Vandal
blush, the Fifteenth army Corps ex-
celled. IL seemed that every thief
and scoundrel outside of his Plutonic
Maesty's dominions had been hud-
died together in one body, bent on
ll.a .--l- &c dcct-1cticn. Ard thnv
-. u
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-05-22

A MODERN SoLoMoN.-Ashort time
since worthy magistrate of New
Orleans had rather a difficult ques.
ton to decide, in the solution of
which he struck out apath hitherto
unknown in jurisprudence. ltseems
that twelve negroes appeared before
him, each one of whom swore posi-
lively that himself and the other
eleven had done a certainsamount Of
work on steamboat, and was enti-
tied thereby to wages. It was a
steady. streak, each of the dozen
swearing precisely the same. On the
other side appeared the mate of the
boat and eleven deck hands, who all
swore directly and point blank to an
opposite state Of facts to those testl-
fed to by the twelve plaintiffs. Here
the evidence closed, leaving the Judge
to make up his mind. His honor
scratched his head, looked wise, pom.
dered few moments. and then said
"The law makes it the duty of the
court, when in doubt, to weigh the
evidence. I shall. proceed to do Sc
in this case. You, turning to one Of
the suing darkies, take your crowd
over to Mr.. -, "a grocery store in
the vicinity and have them weighed:
and bring me certificate OF their
weight from the clerk. And you,
turning to the mate, do the same "a,
with yourself and witnesses. This
court must make upa Judgment some,
how" The mandate of the court
was obeyed the contestants appeared
with their respective certificates, the
mates party outweighing the Other
by nine pounds, which was sufficient
to turn the scales of justice, for judg'
ment was given for the boat.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-05-22

tempt was shown to public sentiment
and % public law. There never was
a time before when. the President OF
the United States, with u company oil
sixty eight soldiers, could seize upon
and hold possession Of State capi-
tai, overturn the legally-instituted
State, Government and set up anoth-
er in its stead. But it has at last
come to this, and WHAT'S to follow
cannot even be surmised.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-05-22

i!rCtlitDu
having been taken to guard against
it, nosapprehensions are left. The
scenes in and around the village are
saddening. Westville and the village
at Drummond >oiliery are in mourn
ing; the shops are closed and no
work is done. Men and women wan
der about in groups, their sad coun-
tenances betokening the bitter grief
that has fallen upon them. No pen
can correctly picture the narrowing
scenes of yesterday, when the terri
Bile truth was conveyed to the mourn
ing wives, sisters and friends of those
so suddenly hurried into eternity.
People rushed frantically to the scene
of the disaster. The utmost excite
ment prevailed, and for hours it was
impossible to ascertain who were or
were not in the mine. The women,
many of whom had husbands, broth
ers and sons working in the colliery,
made the air dismal with their cry
ing. After the explosion yesterday,
four men volunteered to descend the
east air shaft, for the purpose of at
tempting 6. rescue. They were blown
up by the second explosion which inn
meGiately followed. One Of them,
Edward Burns, was driven into the
air one hundred feet. and fell into
the woods near by. His dead body
was picked up this morning. About
forty-fve of the men who were lost
were married. all Of whom leave fami-
lies to mourn their sad fate.
1t was the first day in the mine for
some of the unfortunates. Every
body speaks in the highest terms OF
the bravery displayed by the man
ager, the late Mr.. Dunn, in descend
ing the mine after the first explosion,
and sacrificing his life to save the
lives Of others. Much sympathy is
expressed for his bereaved WIFE
Nearly every family here has lost
some relative or friend. There are
many reasons given to account for the
disaster, and the direct cause is no
doubt attributable to the stoppage OF
work at the miues on account of the
recent strike, and the rapid accumu-
lation of gus in the works as the con-
sequence. This tcoiliery is reported
to be the worst mine in the coal dis
trict for the accumulation of gas,
and with no available means for put
ting out fires speedily. Mr.. Dunn,
however, always exercised proper dill
gence and care in seeing that the
mine was effectuasly ventilated In
all, ifty-nine miners are lost.
The fire in the pit occurred at -
o'clock yesterday, and although the
men below worked hard to quench
the flames, tke;ir efforts were unavail'
ing. One of the foremen then start
ed for the surface and acquainted Mr..
Dunn. who Immediately descended,
He had scarcely reached the bottom
of the shaft when an explosion took
place, and it is supposed that he and
the others who descended with him
were suffocated. At 4:30, p. m, to-
day, there was no change in the con-
dition of the fire. The flames are
still issuing from the shaft. and it is
the opinion here that there will be
several more heavy explosions. Ar
inquest has just commenced at West
vile Hall.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-05-22

Well, here we are exclaimed
Raleigh, when we had reached point
forty rods from the main road
He stopped the horse, got. out and
,hitched him, and then came round to
the wheel.
"You don't feel Just right, but I
guess you will be better soon" he
remarked. "Ceme, let me help you
down"
He reached up his armss and ] let
go the seat and fell into.Ithem 1t
seemed too'as if I weigned,a ton, but
he carried me along without an effort,
and laid me down within about a rod
of a fence which ran along on one
side of an. old pasture The effects
of the drug were wearing off, and 4
got faint suspicion that something
Unusual had happened. but I was
powerless to move a limb. the sensa-
ton was like that wheH your foot
goes asleep.
"Can you speak ?" inquired Raj
eigh, bending over me; !" because if
you can it will save meseme trouble.
Iwant to know just where you have
slowed away that money!
NowI began to realize my situa-
ton. His face looked natural again,
and the load was, off my tongue. l
also felt that could move my fingers
a little.
"George Raleigh ! are you going
to rob me ?" I asked, fndingmy voice
at last.
Well, some folks might call it
'robbing,. but we dress mp the term
little BY calling It the }onfy correct
financial way of equalizing the float
ing currency, so that each one is pro-
vided for, and no one left out. -
You shan,t have the money. I
will die first j. I yelled, rising a
little.
"Ah, I see-cidntT take quite
enough" he coolly remarked. Z" Well,
1 have provided for this.
BE went to the buggy, procured
ropes and gag, and n- ed down
beside me. l had but httle strength
left, and he conquered-me in mo-
ment. Lying on my right side look
ing toward the fence, he tied my
hands behind me and then forced the
gag into my mouth. :
There, now You see you are
nicely fixed up, and all because you
acted like fool, instead Of sensi-
BILE young lawyer BOON 10 be admitted
to the bar"
While he was speaking-indeed
while he was tying me, = l had caught
sight of the white faceof a little girl
looking at US from between the rails
of the fence. I could see her great
blue eyes and knew that she was
frightened. There were red stains
around her mouth and. on the little
hand resting on the rail, and knew
that she was some farmers child
searching for strawberries. I could
not warn her of her danger and l
Afaa-el tlat e're woaA hc-e,c- 60
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-05-22
The Result of The ESurpation.

The President, as might have been
expected, will issue all the orders
that Kellogg desires, in order to fix
him strongly in seat to which he
really has no claim. The fact that
he is usurper and a public male
factor, by no means prejudices his
cause with an Administration that is
as corrupt as he is, and one, too, that
tramples upon oaths and laws with
the same disdain. The President, as
the Louisville Courier Journal boldly
declares, has wantonly violated the
law Of Congress, under which he pro-
fessed to act, in ordering troops to
support Kellogg in the first instance.
That he persists in the same course,
is not surprising. There is class Of
men who sometimes change their
minds; there is another class who
never do: But the American people
must realize the fact that the great
est outrage in American history has
Just been consummated. The un-
principled scoffer may sneer at the
probable results, the fawning time
server may commend the deed, but
the naked fact is there, that the plain
written letter of the organic law pre-
sents no obstacle in the way Of a
brood of conspirators, banded togeth-
er to rob and murder, when they are
backed by the arm of the Admins
tration. No instance will ever arise
in which both the law and the equity
viii BE more clearly on the side of
the victims; and no instance ever is
likely to arise in which more persons
will admit the fact. If such an out
rage can be consummated in the teeth
of this.admission, then the will of
the Administration must soon become
the supreme law and not the Consti-
tuition.
1t is d shame and a disgrace that
stronger, more potent and effective
expression, on the part of the North,
has not been called forth. The re-
suit shows that each State may drop
by lot, and no other State will muir
mur complaint. It is a just COM
mentary on human nature-we bear
one another's misfortunes with won
derful fortitude. The old Roman
maxim that wrong 10 a citizen Is a
stab at the State, obtains no longer
There never has been a day before
when a scuttle-ship crew like that IN
Louisiana, backed by coarse and
vulgar voluptuary like the present
incumbent Of the White House, could
play such havoc. with the rights and
co lstitution of a State. There never
vas q lime before when such con
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-05-22


out with him, see the farm, return III
his company" and he was greatly
pleased.
I was also pleased. If any one
had told me, as we got into the bug
gy, that Geo. Raleigh meant 10 return
with my money in his pocket and
my blood rpon his hands, | should
have believed him a lunatc. And
yet George Raleigh had planned that
very thing
II was lovely day in June, and
the cool breeze and the sight Of
meadows and green groves made my
heart grow larger. Ny companion
was very talkative, bat he didn't t
even hint at nv errand. le talked
as far away as he could.
ooh! excuse me I" he exclaimed
after we had passed mile beyond
the village, and were among the farm
houses. II should have offered you
this before"
He drew from his pocket small
flask of wine and handed it to me.
Now 1 was temperate in regard to
drinks. In fact, I detested the sight
and smell of anything intoxicating.
But I had not the moral courage to
tell him so and to hand back the
flask undisturbed. I feared to offend
him, and so I drank perhaps three
good swallows. He called my atten-
ton to the woods on the left, as he
received back the flask, and when 1
looked around again he was just re-
moving it from his mouth, as if he
had drank hearty.
In about FIVE minutes l began to
feel queer. The fence along the road
seemed to grow higher and the trees
/ to grow larger; something got into
my ears so that the rattle Of the bug
gy sounded long way off.
How strangel Why, believe I
am going to be sick !" I exclaimed,
holding on to the seat with all my
might.
SYou do look strange" he replied,
a snaky smile stealing over his face
"I shouldn't wonder if it was apo
plexy."
I did not suspect the game he had
played. His words were like an
echo, and his face seemed twice as
large as it was. My head began to
spin anG my brain to snap and crack,
and was greatly frightened.
You are bad off," he continued,
looking into my face. II will drive
as fast as possible and get doctor.
My tongue was so heavy that
could not reply. I Iclutched the seat,
shut my eyes, and he put his horse
at his best pace. We met farmer 8
team, and can remember that one
of the occupants of the wagon called
out to know what allied that man
Raleigh did not reply, but urged the
horse forward.
About three miles from Grafton
was long stretch of forest, and this
we soon reached. The pain in my
head was not so violent, and I was
not SO badly affected when opening
my eyes. had settled into sort Of
dumb stupor, with brain so benumb
ed that l had to say to myself, f" This
is tree, thatis stump" etc., .befors
I could make sure l was not wrong
Half mile down the road after we
struck the forest, and then Raleigh
turned the horse into blind roaf
leading>back into the woods. I coulc
not understand what he intended.
tried to grapple with the question
but could NOT solve it.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-05-22
THE LONE SENTRY.

The following beautiful lines were in
dited by Mr.. James r. Randall upon the
deathsof Gen. It. J.. Jackson The cir
cumstances which occasioned the poem
were these: General Jackson's troops
after long and weary march, were SO
much fatigued, that when halt was or
dered, almost nearly every man was
asleep. The noble old Hero guarded the
camp alone that night.
Twas in the dying of the day,
The darkness grew SO STILL.
The drowsy pipe of evening birds
Was hushed upon the hill.
Athwart the shadows of the vale
Slumbered the men of might,
AS one lone sentry paced his round
To guard the camp that night.
A grave and solemn man was he,
With deep and sombre brow,
Whose dreadful eyes seemed boarding up
Some unaccomplished vow.
His wistful glance peered DER the plain
Beneath the starry light,
AS with the murmured name of God
He watched the camp that night.
The future opened unto him
It's grand and awful scroll,
Manassas and the Valley march,
Come heaving DER his soul.
Richmond and Sharpsburg thundered by,
With that tremendous fight
Which gave him to the Angel Hosts
Who watched the camp thatnight.
We mourn for him whe.died for us
With one resistless mourn,
While up the Valley of the Lord,
He marches to the throne.
He kept the faith of men and saints,
Sublime, and pure, and bright,
He sleeps, aud all is we'll with him
Who watched the camp that night.
Brothers, the midnight of the cause
Is shrouded in our fate,
The demon Goths pollute our soil
With fire, and lust, and hate.
Be'strong, be valiant, be assured,
Strike home for Heaven and right,
The soul of Jackson stalks abroad
And guards our camp tonight.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-05-22
A Sweet Temper.

No trait Of character is mere galua-
BILE in woman than the possession of
q sweet temper. Home can never be
made happy without it. It is like
the flowers that spring up in our
pathway, reviving and cheering ug.
Let man go home at night wearied
by the tolls of the day, and how
soothing is a word dictated by a good
dispoaitioh It is sunshine falling
on his heart. he is happy, and the
cares of life are forgotten: A sweet
temper has soothing influence ,e,; over
the minds of whole family. Where
it is found in the wife and mother,
you observe kindness and love pre-
dominating over the natural feeling
of a bad heart. Smiles, kind words
and looks characterize the children,
and peace and love have their dwelF-
ing there. A sweet temper is more
valuable than gold; it captivatee
more than beauty, and to the close OF
if e it retains all freshness and power
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-05-22

thorough knowledge OF h-.-...;! ..!tr-:.
and have been enabled to read evil
in mans face, if he intended me
evil. l did not pride myself on be-
ing over.keen or sharp, but the knock
ing around among strangers ought to
have given any one Il good expert
ence.
Well the stranger and l fell into
an easy strain Of conversation as we
rode together, and in ten minutes
began to enjoy his company. He
was vel made fellow, finely dressed
and he wore fine watch and g
simon-pure diamond ring. 1 never
saw a man who could talk so easy
and pleasantly. 1t seemed that he
had but to open his mouth and the
words fell right out.
had travelled in the South, so had
he. l had heard the loud roar of tbe
Pacific, he knew all about it. I had
been up in balloon. down in mine
blown up, smashed up and repaired
again and again, my new friend had
experienced all these and was wish.
ing for something Of more startling
nature. We agreed on politics, neither
had any religion, and I had never
met such railroad companion.
Did You ever meet man, though
a stranger to you ten minutes before,
who ocould wrest fromyou secrets which
you had sworn to yourself not tc
reveal? Well, he was such man
1t was not long before he commenced
asking me questions. He did not
seem trying to quiz me or draw me
out, but he asked me questions in
such a sly, roundabout away, that be,
fore.I knew it I was giving him my
history.
was at that time on the point Of
being admitted to the bar at Wiscon.
sin as a student of Law g. Law, o.
Briefville. The firm were old law
yers with a lucrative practice, and il
had been talked over that in about
month I should be the. Co." of the
firm. A year before, a farmer named
Preston, down about four miles from
Grafton, had died, and his matters
had been put in the hands of Law &
Law for settlement. Preston hac
road stock, mortgages, etc., and every
thing was settled up to the satisfac
tion Of the relic and the fatherless.
About a year before his death, be
ing pinched for money, and not wish
ing to sell anything at sacrifice
Preston had given a mortgage on hi
farm for three thousand dollars
While the papers read " for one yeal
from date, there was verbal agree
ment it should be lifted any day wher
Preston desired. A month after
when, having the funds to clear OF
the paper. the old money-bags, hold
ing it refused to discharge, wishing
to secure his interest for a year.
I was on my way to ascertain tn
date OF expiration. A fire among
our office papers had destroyed tn
memoranda, and must go down anc
get the date from old Scrip, WIN
lives south of Grafton, about hv
miles. The stranger pumped all thi
out of me in ten minutes, and yet
never once suspected that he was re
ceiving any information.
81 am not positive" I added, "bu
I am pretty sure that the time is tn
thirteenth, which would he Tuesda,,
next.
"And then your folks will sem
down the money and discharge tn
mortgage, Of course, he queried.
oh yes, I shall most likely brinI
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-05-22
r He BROW IA
COTTON GIN

DLANTERS should examine the
above-named old and reliable Gin
before bnying any other. 1t combines
tba required qualities Of Simplicity,
StrenS 9TH. and Durabiiit.-. 1t gins fast
and oisan, makes excellent lint (often
bringing I-4c. to l-2c. per lb. above
market,] and is universally admitted to
be the lIghtest running gin made we
have hadithirty years experience M t me
G.igs 6as.ness; esn;stantIy a W. in the hands Of oyr
snents to which we invite inspection. .
Circulars, with testimonials and full
narticulars. may be had by addressing,
iSRAEI F. BROWN, President,
Brown Cotton Gin CO.,
New London, Corn.
Yah 90 Am 10
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-05-22
AUGUSTA HOTEL,
AUGUSTA. GA,

r TAKE this method of informing my
l. friends and customers, that I have
rust had this well known Hotel thor
oughly renovated. and painted, both in
side and out. Cleanliness Isl my motto
in every department. My tables will he
supplied with everything the market a +
fords. No pains will be spared to make
the Augusta Hotel pleasant home for
the traveller My Edgefield friends are
cordially solicited to give mo call.
P. MAY, Proprietor.
Augusta, April Is, If IL