davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-16
0keefenOkee SHamp.

Active preparations are in progress
to drain the great Okeefenokee swamp
in Southern Georgia. The largest
Counting Florida out Of the question:
in this part of the world, is now being
attacked in earnest, and q chartered
company propose to see II it cannot be
made valuable for something besides
bears, coons, wild turkeys and snakes.
The SWAMP which extends down into
the upper border of Florida, is thickly
timbered morass, nearly two hundred
miles in circumference---nearly twice as
large as the Dismal Swamp---and its
ornithological population, which In
cludes some strange voiced birds ap-
parently peculiar to that particular do
main, is only parallel by its endless
variety of snakes and alligators. The
preliminary work Of draining the swamp
reouired an experiment to show the
nature of the ground beneath 1t and q
shaft or tunnel, sunk at the border OF
the morass, has disclosed curiously
enough the existence at the depth OF
two hundred feet, of bed OF genuine
bituminous coal. It's extent, as well as
the comparative value of the coal, re-
mains to be determined. The most OBJ
vious facts in geology will readily e1-
plain, not only the existence OF coal In
such place, but the (probable) fact
that the bed is large one. Other geo
logical facts of some interest are said
to have been developed by this shaft.
one being stratum Of rock Of the Blu
rian AGE.
Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-16
A Hard Walk.

The train from New York to Paterson,
N. j., got fast in drift at cut near
Clifton, one night during the late storm,
and bid fair to stay there all night. The
passengers took the affair in all sorts OF
humors. One man said his daughter
was to be married that evening, and he
would give two hundred dollars to be
carried through. One lady had gone to
Passaic in the morning for an hours
visit, and she was alarmed at the prob
able condition of the little nursing babe
she had left at home. Another man had
a wife who he expected would want him
to 20 for the doctor before morning.
After waiting for time, number Of
the more anxious ones, including the fe-
male with the babe at home and several
other females, concluded, rather than
wait in the train all night, that they
would walk to Paterson.
It WAS an awful walk. In places the
snow was above their waists. One mo-
ment they would be upon the track; the
next they would suddenly find them
selves precipitated into some ditch, or
over some embankment. The woman,
with the babe at home, delicate and
sickly as she was, kept up with the rest,
although she was occasionally helped
by the strong arm of some of the men.
When a male member Of the party felt
discouraged, and like giving out, he was
kept up by sort of pride, thinking that
if woman could stand it, certainly he
ought.
Despite the situation, the cracking Of
Jokes never ceased, and good-humor
prevailed to such an extent that the
party had no time to get down-hearted.
Then somebody would disappear with a
yelp down some unseen cavity; all hands
would rush to the rescse, and the miss
ing person would be extricated and
threatened with being left alone if he
did such thing againl And SO it went.
The party finally reached Paterson at
about IL o'clock at night, having been
passed on the road by the train they had
abandoned, which had succeeded in
forcing its way through, but without
stopping to pick up the trampers
through the snow.
Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-16
An African Man OF Business.

Soor Hadji Palloo was a smart young
man of business---energetic, quick at
mental calculation, and seemed to be
born for successful salesman. His
eyes were never idle, they wandered
over every part of my person, over the
tent, the bed, the guns, the clothes, and,
having swung clear round, began the
silent circle over again. His fingers
seemed never at rest, they hada fdgety,
nervous action at their tips, constantly
in the act of feeling something; while
in the act of talking to me, he would
lean over and feel the texture of the
cloth OF my trousers, my coat, or my
shoes or socks; then he would feel his
own light iamdani shirtor babwain loin-
cloth, until his eyes casually resting
upon novelty, his body would lean for
ward, and his arm was stretched out
with the willing fingers. His jaws also
were in perpetual motion, caused by the
vile habit he had acquired of chewing
betel-nut and lime, and sometimes
tobacco and lime. They gave out q
sound similar to that of young shoat
in the act of sucking. He was piouss
Mohammedan, and observed the external
courtesies and ceremonies of the true
believers. He would affably greet me,
take off his shoes, enter my tent protest
ing he was not fit to sit in my presence,
and, after being seated, would begin his
ever-crooked errand. OF honesty, literal
and practical honesty, this youth knew
nothing; to the pure truth he was an
utter stranger; the falsehoods he had
uttered during his short life seemed
already to have quenched the bold gaze
of innocence from his eyes, to have BAN
ished the colour of trlthfulness from his
features, to have transformed him---yet
STRIPPING of twenty---into most ac-
complished rascal and consummate ex-
pert in dishonesty. ---African Corre-
| spOndent.
Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-16
An Old-FashiOned Brigand.

Brigands of the old-fashioned type are
fast dying out, but some very fine spec
linens of the romantic sort are still to be
found in Corsica. A correspondent of
the Paris Temps mentions that, besides
some thirty-four very doubtful charac-
ters, who systematically elude the po-
lice of the island; there are three indi-
viduals, named Germani, Suzzoni and
Albert, about whom very sensational
legends are told. The exploits of these
brigands are, however, mere child's
play compared to those of Suzzon's pre-
decessor, the famous Santaluccia. He
was perhaps the last of the old race,
and was power in Corsica some thirty
wears ago. He took to the woods in
consequence of what happened to one
of his brothers, who was convicted on
the evidence of false witnesse, and sent
to the hulks. Santaluccia gave himself
no rest until he had got those men into
his power. The first of these he tied to
n tree and addressed ns follows:
"Yours is n lying tongue; you are
about to lose it," which assertion he in
stantly made good. To the next he said:
"You have declared that your eyes be-
held that which they have not seen;
you are going 10 lose your eyes" To
the third he said: "You have sworn
that your ears heard what they had not
heard; you will lsse your ears" He
then tore out the eyes of one and cut of
the ears of the other.
Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-16
The Flea.

When flea, under a microscope, is
made to appear as large as an elephant,
we can see all the wonderful parts Of its
formation, and are astonished to find
that it has a coat of armor much more
complete than ever warrior wore, and
composed of strong polished plates, fit
ted over each ether, each plate like o
tortoise-shell, and where they meet hun
dreds of small quilts project like those
on the back of porcupine or hedge
hog. There are the arched neck, the
bright eyes, the transparent cases,
piercers to puncture the skin a sucker
to draw away the blood, six long legs,
four of which are folded on the breast,
all ready at any moment to be thrown
out with tremendous force for that
Jump which bothers one when they want
to catch him, and at the end of each
leg hooked claws, to enable him to cling
on to whatever he lights upon. A flea
can Jump q hundred times its OWL
length, which is the same as if man
jumped five hundred feet; and he car
draw load two hundred times his OWL
weight.
Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-16
Love at Sight.

A servant girl of no strong intellect,
who lived with a lady in the neighbor-
hood of Paisley, one day surprised her
mistress by giving up her place.
The lady inquired the cause, and
found it was that fertile source of diss-
ension between mistress and maid-ser-
vant---a lad.
"And who is that lad ?" inquired the
mistress.
ooh he's nice lad: lad that sits in
the kirk, Just torment me.
"And when does he intend that he
and you should be married?"
81 dinna KEN"
care you sure that he intends to
marry you at all ?"
"I dare say he does, men,"
"Have you had much of each others
company
"Not yet"
"When did you last converse with
him ?"
"'Deed, we hae nae conversed ava
yet"
"Then how should you sHppose that
he is going to marry you?
"Ou," replied the simple girl, hes
been lang lookin' at me, and / think
he'll soon be speakin'."
Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-16
A Burying Ground Of Giants.

On the farm of Mr.. Harrison Whaley,
near Moorfeld, in Carlisle Co., KY, is a
skirt of woods which possesses charac-
teristics of deep interest. About three
inches beneath the surface of the entire
tract may be found innumerable bones,
evidently the remains of an extinct spe-
cies of the human race. Several mounds
are also in the woods, and in one which
has been partially explored were found
skulls and bones which from their size
must have belonged to . race of beings
far more gigantic than the race which
now inhabits the earth. In this mound
were also found many clay utensils !;
also arrow heads cut out of the solid
rock, and pipes of the same material.
Such memorial of the past starts many
inquiries. Was the place once battle
ground, where the aborigines fought to
maintain the glory of their respective
tribes Or was it common burial
ground? The first seems to be the most
plausible theory, inasmuch as the whole
tract, covering at least fifteen acres, has
multitudes of human bones but few
inches beneath the surface. 1t is evi-
dent they were never buried, but orgi-
nally lay exposed to view, until the ac-
cumulated deposits of time formed the
black, rich soil which covers them. But
whatever theory may be adopted, it is
certain that these bony materials ante
date history and furnish another proof
of how little is known Of the races and
tribes who fourished, it may be, GEN.
turies ago.
Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-16
Encounter With q Panther:

Dave Mosher, q trapper and guide IN
the North Woods, had terrible encoun-
ter with North Woods beast last week.
Three miles from Sacondaga Lake there
is a wild, rugged pass between the
mountains, known as Black Cat Valley.
The mountains on either side are very
steep and rocky, and are covered with
q heavy growth of black balsam and
spruce timber. As the SHOWS deepen
and the weather becomes cold, many
deer and animals take shelter in that
locality.
Among the rest are the martin, having
valuable dark-colored fur, known
among trappers in those regions as
"Black Cat.h They seldom move by
day, keeping concealed in trunks OF
trees or between the assures of rocks.
Owing to the uncertainty Of finding one
twice in place, and their natural shy
ness, it is quite difficult to trap them:
However, when they become pinched
with hunger they will Jump at the bait
without hesitation. i.
A keen, strong, steel trap is set and
covered with snow or leaves directly un.
der dropping branch that the animal
can reach by rearing; upon this -ls Sc
cured the bait, and in the affort to reach
which it is pretty aptto step in the trap;
then come system OF desperate
manoevers, and the only way to hold
them is by having the trap chain at.
tached to small sappling that will
spring and lift them off the ground.
This sleek, fne-furred animal is about
the size of red fox, and, as David used
to express it, "They're sassy vamint
to get hold on" .
As Mosher was going the rounds OF
his traps, he saw through the bushes
ahead a terrible commotion under q
large white birch, where trap had been
set. As he approached, long, gaunt,
tawny-colored, ferce-looking animal,
whose wild scream upon the mountain
side, atnight, will send thrill OF hor-
ror to those who are safe in the cabin,
sprang upon lower limb OF the birch,
and bid defiance with glazing eyes. 1t
was driven to desperation by hunger.
Had David quietly backed out no
could haye:enioyed his supper OF veni,
son and pancakes. But no, he raised
the old rife and fred. In one-fourth OF
York minute, Bill Stewards exact time
for skinning a Montezuma bullhead, all
the clothes upon him would not have
made bib for china doll. He direct
ly found himself beside q log, partly
scalped, with his lower limbs looking as
though they had been through thresh-
ing-machine, while, at the same moment,
with spit and scream, q panther dis
appeared up the mountain side. When
he came up the panther was engaged in
killing and devouring martin which
was caught in the trap, and his hungeI.
being partly appeased was the means o'
the trapper crawling off with his ife.--'
auburn N. Y advertiser.
Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-16
Animal Ingenuity.

The architectural ingenuity, sr rather
genius, of the tarantula is a fact long
familiar to naturalists, San Diego, CAL
ifornia, paper tells us. Thisinsect has an
exceptional development OF the instinct
which instructs all creatures which are
not protected by nature with warmth
epgendering hairy hide to properly
house themselves. The details of the
tarantula's dwelling, down even to the
matchless mechanism of the doors OF
it's edifce, have excited the wonder OF
all interested in natural history. The
most elaborate inventions in locks and
hinges of vaunted human skill are dis
tanced by this venomous insect in the
construction of the door which secures
it's privacy. But the road-runner, be-
tween which and the tarantula a deadly
enmity exists, is its master, as an incl
dent which we are about to relate will
show.
Prof. Agassiz, during his recent visit
here, exhibited a special desire to be
supplied with as many specimens as
possible of the road-runner, OF the tar
antula, and of the tarantula-killer.
We are not advised as to whether he
was supplied with live specimens of the
road-runner. This is very timorous
and incredibly swift bird. 1t is about
the size of a pheasant; its plumage Is
not unlike that of the pheasant family.
1t has longer legs, ard slenderer
neck and body than the pheasant. 1t
trusts for locomotion almost altogether
to it's legs, and runs with a swltness
that would shame rabbit or hare. 1t
is susceptible of domestication, and In
time learns to come at the call OF those
who have petted it. But it is hopeless
thing for stranger to try to approach
this fowl.
1t is as sagacious as swift. We were
put in possession of facts about the
creature by Mr.. Jose G. Estudillo, which
excited our wonder and admiration. AS
we have said, there is enmity between
the road-runner and tarantala. The
road-runner is as noiseless as rapid. Ii
lies in wait for the tarantula, and the
moment it finds its enemy asleep, it ap-
proaches noiselessly with n twig of the
prickly cactus. Deity and stealthily i
goes on piling the prickly prison around
the devoted insect, until at last q ram
part of the desired height is piled up.
1t then selects a specially jagged and
heavy piece of cactus, and drops it on
the tarantula. The last, awakened by
the shock, endeavors to rise and make
its exit. II is instantly impaled upon
the thorns, and the triumph of the road
runner is complete.
Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-16
Good Bye, Old Year |!

We bid you goodbye, with Q smile.
Old Year because 1t won't pay to CRY.
You are bound to go, and leave us, w
know, and we cannot but say goodbye.
We feel none the less that a long-draNl
sigh, q culver of lip and fearful eye,
would better express, we viii confess,
our heartiest last goodbye.
You've piled upon us heavy LOAD
and many an ache, on an uphill roed !
vet enough for the day way the strength.
alway. and hence our smile is ct best
awry with which we say, Old Year, good
bye
To be sure, we have felt that the aches
and pains were often by pounds ana the
Joys by grains and the screws seemed
turned with an extra pinch, as though
some malice had hold of the winch; and
others seemed having much more de-
lirht. and we much less, than was fair
and right; that coin Of the realm and
bonds and stocks and real estate, IN
squares and blocks and acres untold OF
prairie and hill and silvery stream and
dam and mill that these and moro OF
the coveted real, and desires fulfilled OF
beauty's ideal, were the lot OF too few,
while we of the many were often In
want of even q penny. But then, since
we know, or at least don't doubt, that
the broods Of care are swarmlng about
the hordes of manifold wealth that burn
and sink and leave by stealth that
"reumatic" loves to pain and twist the
grasping heart and the gripping fst--
we about conclude that we do not know
of one 80 fortunate here below with
whom we'd exchange what the year has
brought--though little OF profit our
hands have wrought - and take ms
share of trouble and pains, and also his
lot of regret and shame, and also the
eaunt old skeleton grim that In cup
board or closet is grinning at him.
We cannot but feel, though o load OF
care, that to say the least it is hard to
bear. it has been our lot all along the
wears. that nevertheless there is Joy In
life, in spite of sorrow, pain, and strife.
and hence we regret the old -saar gone,
and wish it's draft on TIME ndrawn {;
that all to soon the new is old, too soon
the wondrous tale is told.
The stream of time--Oh, woe is mel
Hath q current too strong and swift
It hurries me on to the silent sea,
Like a rudderless, soulless wreck
adrift; ,,
Oh | would that there were some little
bay,
Some ieadland, beneath whose Tranquil
lea,
We might forever at anchor lay,
Or float when we would to the deep.
dark sea.
But a-truce to regrets let time roll
on: what matters what comes orwhat is
gonel It is Joy to have lived, it is Joy
to live; why care for the fight OF the
| fugitive? If each have filed up the
Aeeting days with noble deeds and high
essays, then no remorse or sad regrets
will cloud the years serene sunset
Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-16
Chinese Gambling.

Little by little we are arriving at an
understanding of the Mongolian's habits
of life. The introduction of the race
into Pennsylvania has given us a new
insight into their "ways that are dark, "
and the Pittsburgh Post, which has
never ceased to wonder Mt them since
their pioneers reached Beaver Falls,
thus describes one of their peculiar
amusements
"Among the many little diversions
employed by the Mongolians at Beaver
Falls, none are more popular than the
game called 'Chamie.' 1t is played by
the pigtails with 'tseen, a copper coin
of the value of one-tenth of a cent.
The gamester is driven into reckless
profigacy by the necessity of throwing
whole penny into the pool at one time.
The game causes the utmost excitement
and the most intent ardor among the
players. On the table is kind of dais
with holes all around it. Into this each
player puts as many tseen or pennies as
he wishes, the number being restricted
within a certain limit, and then spring
makes all the pennies put in tumble
into heap. Each player then guesses
the number of pennies in the pool, and
the one who guesses the nearest obtains
the pool. At first sight the game looks
exceedingly simple, and one would i'm
agine that each player would put in the
smallest number of pennies possible.
But this is not SO; for each one tries to
circumvent the others by his cunning.
A player will put in sometimes great
many more pennies himself than the
other, and then guess in proportion.
The main amusement of the game to
an outsider is the manner of playing it
tho many ways which the players en-
ploy to make believe that they are put
ting in many pennies by enlarging their
fists, or that they are putting in little
by making them smaller, when they may
be doing the very opposite. 1t is eI-
ceedingly comical and interesting, and
all the time the jabbering and ohattering
"oes on at a pace that would astonish
Confucius himself"
Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-16
FOur Men TO be Hanged.

Four men, all of them whites, are now
lying in the County Jail of Burnet
County, Texas, under sentence of death
all to be executed at the same place
on January 10. Their names are Ben
iamin Shelby, Arthur Shelby, Ball
Woods, and William Smith. They were
all sentenced for the murder of Benja-
min McKeever. Their case, taken in
all it's details, is one Of the most inter-
estng III the annals of criminal trials.
The evidence against them, though con-
elusive, was entirely circumstantial.
McKeever WAS shot from his horse at
night near the residence of the Shelbys,
his throat then cut, and his body
carried on horseback. three miles and
thrown into a cave. A large rock was
placed on the bloody spot where his
throat was cut, but this precaution,
instead of conceaGng the crime, led to
the arrest of the criminals. The keen
eyes of frontiersman saw that the rock
had been recently placed there ; so it
was removed, and indications of blood
found. A closer search resulted In the
further finding of paper-wadding that
had been fired from a shotgun. On
examining a gun of Benjamin Shelby
paper-wadding was likewise found in it,
and yet another wadding that had been
fired from shotgun like the first, was
found under Shelby's doorstep. In his
house was found copy of the Chimney
Corner, and by comparisons it was
ascertained that the three pieces of gun
wadding had been obtained from that
paper. Placed together the following
enigma could be easily read:
With piece of paper or slate,
Sit around the fire both large and
small;
A letter make, almost an eight,
And now you see what covers all.
There were several other circumstan-
ces pointing strongly to the accused men
as the murderers therefore the jury
that tried them did not hesitate to hnd
them guilty of murder in the first
degree. The verdict is generally ap-
proved by the citizens of Burnet Coun-
ty, and the latest advices from there
indicate that there will probably be no
interferences by Superior Courts or the
Governor to prevent the decreed quad
ruple execution.
Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-16
The Champion Numismatist.

It may not be generally known that
DIR. Charles Spier of this place is the
Oldest living and most successful numis-
matist in the world. He has been en-
gagged in the collection of coins for over
fifty-seven years, and has now over
1000 pieces, representing ever species
Of coin ever produced in any year, or
under the dominion of any sovereign or
government, from the days of Semiramis
and the Pharoahs down to the present
time. His collection is worth hundreds
of thousands of dollars. He has over
10000 of his pieces in the vaults Of the
Bank of California, and 1000, or over,
here. At the Bank of California his
collection is pronounced the best and
most valuable in existence, not except
ing those of Queen Victoria and the
sultan of Turkey, which are particular
" extensive and valuable. A few days
ago we examined the 1000 OF his pieces
which he Keeps here. They proved a
most interesting study. Coins OF the
ancient Jewish kingdom, Of the various
kings, consuls and emperors of Rome,
of Tyre, Sidon, Carthage, Nineveh,
Babylon, China, Palmyra, Egypt,
Japan, ETC., with specimens of every
years coinage in all Christian lands
from the time of Constantine till now,
were exhibited in prodigal profusion.
The doctor has many coins which would
sell for many thousands of dollars each.
His collection has been the work Of "A
very extended lifetime. He has travel
led nearly all over the world, and is
constantly receiving new additions to
his pieces from Europe and the East.
He has gold and silver coins from the
size of very large teacup, down to that
Of pea. We wish we had the space to
particularly describe some of them.
The doctor, who is in easy circum-
stances and greatly advanced in years,
though still robust for one of his age,
remains in Visaila on account Of the e1-
cellence of the climate. His collection
is very interesting to any one apprecia-
ting the mementoes of antiquity
H3Salia (Cal.) Delta.