davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17
From the Dispatch.
Thd Moon and the Weather
The Question Settled by
Facts.

Seeing the "noon is up" again in the
Dispatch for the investigation as to
the influence of its "chaDges" on the
weather, have had the curiosity to
examine some records which l have
carefully kept. simply for my own sat-
isfaction, for a number of years, TO get
the testimony of facts OH the subject.
] selected the day of new NOON
and the fourth day thereafter as being
about halfway between that and tie
first quarter" and have compared
these two through the space Of IA lu-
nar months, or nearly II years, begin
ming with 1861. i find that of the IA
days "of new moon" there was falling
weather on Al, aud that the occasions
of falling weather when the moon was
four days old were 54.
/ have long believed that the moon
has nothing to do with the weather
but really this looks as if the ''change
of the moon" might be depended on
for fair weather. At any rate. the
number of rains, SHOWS. &C. during
the last twelve years on the fourth
day Of the moons age has been more
than twenty-five per cent..greater than
oil the days of new moon. But II my
table he divided into sections OF twelve
months each it will be seen that there
is no regularity or uniformity about
the matter, Sometimes the excess -
o. one eide, scn'eti,r 81 CO Ire ctseg,
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17
THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT
THE MOON.

No celestial body has attracted
more interest than the moon, aud
none has given rise TO more specula-
tion: the greater portion of the
theories are utterly absurd, and in
direct contradiction 10 observation
and to positive knowledge. founded
Oh s.ch observation, and to the cir
cumstances IN which we know that
the moon exists. Our knowledge OF
the nature of its surface is more posi-
tive than tha, of any other celestial
body. simply by reason of the short
distance it is placed from us; while
the distances OF all other heavenly
bodies is counted by many millions
of miles the distance of the moon is
only thirty times the diameter Of our
earth. The result Of this is that We
possess q more correct knowledge OF
the typographical details OF that
mart of its surface which IS always
turned towards US, than we do OF
many regions Of our own planet, for
instance, TIE interior of Africa, ASA,
Australia and South America. which
have been either not at all or only
partially investigA ted.
The first point we know positively
is that the moon is some fifty times
smaIlar than the earth, and is of the
same density, consequently gravita-
tion, which is always in direct ratio
to the mass, is fifty times less than
on our earth, if We 60 to distance.
from the moons center, equal 20 the
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17
SIX PER CENT.

On Thursday last the Legislature
took up the bill to restore the old
six per cent. law, with forfeiture OF
both principal and interest for
usury. Mr.. Coghill has offered a
substitute making a forfeiture Of all
interest only as the penalty for
violation of the rate. We can see
no reason why the original bill
should have any adherents. We
are willing to admit that no agri~
cultural or debt ridden people can
bear more than six per cent. but
what better security can the over
burdened debtor ask against the
avarice OF his creditor and pursuer'
than the power to deprive him OF
any interest at all. 1t seems very
clear TO us that no honest man can
ask the power TO confscate the
capital he has borrowed. With
CoghiIls' amendment one can
pledge his honor for greater
rate than six per cent. and one can
4russ the honor of many men, pro-
7ided it docs not jeopardize the
principal. Money must have re-
straints, for il has peculiar privi-
legcs, 1t has been endowed with
;he right Of substitution for all val
ucs, aad this right ~ has been
denied to AL other values, But we
regard the restraint Of liability to
loss Of all interest as sufficient Put
this bit in the month of capital snd
property will be safe enough.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17

complaint of Col. Joseph Mayo, Jr,,
General Asa Rogers and William +.
Taylor, charging that William ID.
Coleman, "did unlawfully aud felen-
iOusly forge a certain entry upon q
record warrant book belonging to the
Office of the Second Auditor of the
State of Virginia, purpoting to be an
entry of the purchase by the Board
of Commissioners of the Sinking Fund
of Virginia of coupon bonds to the
amount of $4,000, with intend TO de-
fraud" and fixing II O'Clock to-day
for the examination of the case at the
of the Police Court.
This warrant was placed in the hands
of Detective Pat. Woods at about 2.
NJ. yesterday to be served upon the
accused, and he went at once to the
Imboden House, on Capitol street,
where Mr. Coleman boards. He knock
ed at the door of his room, aud Cole
man, upon opening it, said: HalloO
Pat! How are you? / know what you
come for" Wood said: "Never mind,
if you are too unwell to go with me
I'll stay with you" Coleman said
No you WON'T or words to that
effect, and turning away took up glass
supposed to contain water, and after
drinking it
THREW HIMSELF ON THE BED.
upon his face. While the officer was
looking around the room to see if there
were any weapons with which his
prisoner could injure himself, Cole
man
STABBED HIMSELF
on the right side of the neck with a
small peEknife, ,intlicting punctured
wound in front of the carotid artery
ranging down to the larynX.
The officer saw the movement, but
too late To prevent the act. He took
away the knife aud called for help, but
found il was unnecessary, for the un-
fortunate man was very weak from
his recent intemperanue and the use
of chioroforn taken only short time
before,
DIR. Coakley was immediately sum-
moned and rendered the required med
ical attention. An empty four. ounce
vial that had contained chloroform,
found under the pillow, which it ap>
pears he purchased about O'Clock
yesterday morning. The physician
prOnOunceS
THE WOUND NOT DANGEROUS,
but thinks the accused will not be aOle
to appear for trial for several days, at
least.
Mr. Coleman held the positions OF
secretary of the Board of Public Works
and of the Board of Commissioners oi
the Sinking Fund, and was not bond
ed officer, though much money-value
has been entrusted to his care, since
1871, when he was appointed. Mr..
Coleman occupied high position in
the community both Us to family and
personal character, and was at one
time Oh the editorial staff of the Rich
mond Enquirer.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17
4 Lesson For AmericanS-The
Economy of the French.

Mr.. Joseph Medill, ex-mayOr of Chi
cago, writing from Paris TO the ITi6-
une of the former city, speaks of the
economy of the French. He says:
But that in which the French
more particularly excel is economy
Compared with the French people the
Americans are wasteful, imprOvident
and extravagant. It seems to me they
live OIL lust about One-half what the
Americans do. They have kRack, so
to speak, uf making a little go q great
way, and of extricating subsistence or
comfort from things Americans would
throw away or never notice.
1t may be instructive to point out u
few of the matters to which reference
is here made. In the first place. not
an ounce of food is wasted in harvest
ing or preparing for the market. In
the next place, not an ounce more OF
vegetables, flesh, fish, or fowl, grocer
les or liquids, than is really needed,
ever goes into the pot or kettle, or is
placed on the table. The wife OF ev-
cry French family knows to nicely
what Quantity of each kind of food is
the least that will suffice to make a
comfortable meal, and not a particle
more than that is cooked or served
There are no slOp-buckets full of bro
ken vituals left on the table after
breakfast or dinner, to be thrown on
the street or manure heap, CT flung to
the dogs or swine, as in America No
pieces of bread, or meat, or vegetables
are thrown away; such quantities are
not bought as to become stale or spoil
ed in the cellar or pantry. Servants
are never permitted to waste or steal
food for poor relations, as in America.
The lady of the house looks after the
marketing, her kitchen. and her PAN
try with sharp eyes and untiaggiBg
care.
The economy in the consumption OF
fuel for cooking and hOuse-warming
is immense as compared with that in
our wasteful country. One reason, Of
course, is that wood and coal i'm France
are scarce and dear. They cost at least
double the price paid therefor in the
United States but the domestic con-
sumption is not one quarter as much
Paris contains between four and five
times the population of Chicago, tut
| find that the fuel consumed in it, is
less than in Chicago. It is true that
the climate is much warmer for six
months of the year in Paris than in
Chicago; but after making the due al
| lowance for that, it still remains true
| that only one-third to two-hfths as
much fuel is consumed per capita III
Paris as in Chicago; and, as far as my
observation and inquiries extend. the
same proportion holds good through
out all France.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17
-HUMO ROUS.
"a little nonsense now and then,
Ia relIshed by the wisest men,"

A Boston man was cursIng an edi.
tor the other day when he fell dead.
Several similar instances have been
lately reported.
The impulsive cleark who accident
ally deposited a shoyelful Of snow down
the back of the rural pedestrian, was
in the drug store, Saturday evening,
negotiating for bottle OF llniment
Quite a number of young men in
this city are attending night school.
where Latin is taught. At least We
Judge so, as We saw Il crowd the other
evening who had got as far as ''Iiic. !"
Domestic young lady lmaking pie)
-" Frank. the kitchens no place for
boys. Has dough such an attraction
for you?' "CIever YOuth.-''It ism {
the dough, cousin; it's dear"
In California obituary j! is stated
that "the deceased was a person of
romantic nature. lie placed the
breech of his gun in the fire. and.
looking down the muzzle, departed
hence instantaneously."
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17
New Railroad Project.

The Fincastle Herald says that q
bill will shortly be introduced in the
Legislature, granting charter to a
corporation to build railroad from a
point on the line of the proposed Val
lev Railroad i'm BotetOurt county, be
tween Buchanan aud TrOutsville," up
the Cataba Valley, and on through
the Western counties of the State to
Cumberland Gap, the Ellorado which
Gen. Malone has been trying to reach
for long time. TIE project, we un-
derstand, is backed by Mr.. Garrett,
President of the Baltimore and Chic
RailIoad, and it is hinted that this
contemplated road is to be an exten-
sion OF the Valley Railroad. This
scheme looks feasible, and we hope to
see it carried out to suceess.-Sdte3'
Re1iSter.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17
Sublime Devotion of a Mother.

The purest, strongest and most self
sacrificing of human affections is that
of the mother for her child. All 9th
ers are liable to be lessened or wholly
extinguished by circumstances !; but
this lives through every situation
The report of the horrible holocaust at
Evansville, Indiana, recently pub
lished, illustrates this. According to
the most extended account, which is
probably the correct one, Mrs. Mehr,
finding the building on fire, seized the
child nearest her and carried him out
in safety. Though the flames were en-
circling the place and the smoke fill
ing it, the woman, undaunted, return
ed for the other little ones but never
came forth. When the ruins were
cleared away. her charred body was
discovered, and, clasped close to it the
charred body of her youngest babe
Such is the tale in brief. 1t needs no
comment. If, through all history,
there be shown q more appealing Illus
tration of maternal love, we cannot at
present recall it. What arm but q
mothers would, despite the terrible
and lOng-eOntinued torture of fire, pre-
served clasp of its treasure unrelaxed.
Shocking though such incidents be
they prove at least to the most skep-
tical, the existence of such thing as
disinterested and devotion even unto
death.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17
Death ola Daughter of Old John
Robinson.

The Cincinnati Times. of the 9TH,
says: Robert Stickney, only daugh
ter of John Robson, the old Snowman.
and wife of the celebrated rider, died
at the residence Of her father, corner
of Seventh and College streets. yester-
day afternoon. She had been sick in
childbirth for ten days, and at one
time gaze hope of ultimate recovery.
Che was born in Norfolk, Virginia
April 5, 1851. Her life was one OF
love, surrounded by every indulgence
that a worshipping affection could
suggest She was a woman OF ennob>
ling virtues. marked talent, and
devoted wife and mother.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17
Aonsr
Re opened by
J. NJ. THOMAS,
Main Street, Bristol, Tenn.

Main Street, Bristol, Tenn.
I HAVE again reOpened the Thorn
Il as House. on Main Street, and am
prepared to furnish first-class accom-
modatiOn to the public. No money
and no pains will be spared l, make
the hotel all it was in its palmiest
days.
Boarders will be received on s1od
terms.
Being provided with good stables ]
am prepared to furnish stalls. food ana
attention to horses.
Rail road passengers will find the
house located i'm easy distance Of the
Passenger Exchange. the tables well
furnished and lodging unsurpassed.
POrters regularly at the trains to re-
ceive baggage and conduct passe ngers
Jan6 Tiff
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17
The Siamese Twins.

PHILADELPHIA, February 5.-The
physicians who went to North
Carolina for the Siamese Twins have
returned. The bodies will be hele to-
night by express. The examination
will not take place for two or three
days. and will then be conducted by n
college of physicians. The bodies are
reported well preserved.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17
WEATHER.

You can make up your own general
'ization. 1t is very strange that any
intelligent person should think that
the moon changes more on any one
day of the month than on any other.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17

but the aggregate is as I have stated. 1
have memoranda of several years pre-
vious to these, but did not think 1T
necessary 10 examine them. Suppose
l divide up my statistics and tabulate
them as follows:
DAYS OF WHICH THERE WAS FALLING
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17

The Knoxviie CHRONICLE Of the
ilth says:
The Georgia pagers have for years
been roundly abIsing the carpet-bag-
gers for stealing Lhe State poor.
Carpet-baggeEs are not apt to
steal the poor, they generally go
for the State tSeasury.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17
DENTISTRY.
DR.. J. H. Scales,

Graduate Of Baltimore College Of Dental Surgery
OFFERS his professional services to the
~ Citizens Of Bristol and vicinity.
OFFICE opposite the New York Cheap
Store, Bristol. May o. 'J-t'
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-02-17

In pursuance of this plan warrant
was Issued by Justice White Upon the
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-02-12
'~~} GRAND RAPIDS WIS., THURSDAY FEB r. 1874

worlds we're inhabited the dweller;
would be shut off from all knowledge
of the existence of other worlds
They would never behold the splendor
of the starry heavens which surround
them on every side, and would have nc
idea of space. Passing on to the con-
sideration of the nebula in Orion,
which showed clear evidence of the
dynamical process. The mass of neb-
uie, floating with a clearly marked
spiral motion, showed that it was not
matter travelling in space, but nebula
passing through matter less dense. In
order to demonstrate the enormous ex-
tent of the uebule the lecturer remind
ed the audience of the immense diam
eter cf even a single star of the thous-
ands enveloped by the cloudlike nebu-
lac which spread over space. Review
ing rapidly the theories about the
Milky Way and the efforts of men
like Hersehel to lay bare the architect
ure of the heavens, and illustrating by
diagrams the curious theories built up
by astronomers, the lecturer proceeded
to show in what these theories were de-
fective and opposed to the discoveries
made in late years. The attraction of
the stars toward some unknown point
in space was explained and illustrated
by diagram showing the motion and
direction of a group of stars and mark
ing the progress they would make in
$4,000 years to the point to which they
are tending.
Observations with powerful modern
telescopes have exploded the old theo-
ries about the star system, and showed
the system to be infinitely more won
derful that it had been imagined. In
support of this statement the lecturer
exhibited diagrams of the star system,
as imagined by astronomers, and map
of the heavens showing the actual dis
tribution. A sky map containing 324,
900 stars was exhibited, which con-
trasted strangely with the theoretical
systems of Herschel and other astron-
omers. 1t is estimated that by using
powerful telescopes 20,000,000 Of stars
can be discovered and mapped down.
This will give some idea of the infinity
Of the system, which seems to begin
nowhere and end nowhere. The sub
ject of the star depths is one we'll cal
culated to inspire awe in the thought
full mind. Mr.. Proctor brought his
lecture to a close by relating the dream
of Richter to show the infinite grand
eur of the endless worlds rolling on
ever into eternity.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-02-12
College Anecdotes.

In those days New Haven had its
characters, There was Percival, the
poet, dwelling alone in a cheerless
house with not green thing about it,
and coming forth at times haggard and
crazed in looks. wearing a doleful hat,
and in the hottest days wrapped in a
faded plaid cloak. Yet he was true
poet, and moreover was high mathe-
matician and master of mineralogy.
The state did wisely in giving It's geo
logical survey into his hands. There
was Palmer, the engineer, who opera
ted in his surveys with queer instru-
ments of his own invention and con-
strnction, pressed to the highest and
hardest in the study Of exact science,
solved the puzzles of numbers, deter
mined the diameter Of the ultimate
globrlles or particles Of water, made
the very best of all reports on the
shooting stars. and-lived under the
shadow of West Rock, and sent his
milk cart to the city. There was Jud-
son, an eccentric critic, who wrote
strange papers and said odd things.
One of his saws was this +: ''Some men
are wise and some are otherwise.
There was Nathan Smith, the aged
lawyer, a man of eminence at jury
trials. He was the last who came to
the bar in small clothes, long hose blue
coat with cold buttons, and a queue
and powder He was not a polished
orator. His tone was of the ruder
quality and not free from lisping but
his treatment of cause before jury
was remarkably great. Here is an ex-
ample, which some of the class of 1882
witnessed and enjoyed. There was a
suit for the loss of a horse, Che ques-
tion being whether the animal died from
negligent watering when overheated or
from prior fatal disease, After con-
fict of testimony as to the facts, and
clashing opinions of medical experts,
and skillful handling Of the cause by
counsel, the general impression
tended to innocence of the driver.
Now Smith took up the word. lie
played with the case awhile, tripped
through the evidence, worked up fun
ny contrasts, made cuts at the opposite
counsel, and thus freshened everybody
for his grand 90. Then abruptly as
suming great force and dignity, he
came down ou the jury: ''Now, gen
tlemen, [ will show you to a demon
sfratiop what killed that ho8s; and
he rapidly and clearly struck the true
key of the controversy, arranged the
decisive facts in order as if they were
crystallized, and in few minutes made
out his demonstration. Every difhcul-
ty had vanished. The judge lost ms
anxious look. The jurymen hltcnea
about in their seats as if relieved OF
puzzle, and the fate Of the case was
settled. The whole performance was
as perfect an achievement in It's way as
an average lifetime may witness.
There was the stone castteT, whose mon
umental structures in the cemetery.
inscribed executed by d. Ritter, led
foreigner to remark how many re
spectacle citizens of New Haven have
been hanged. He also invented an I'M
proved razor-strap. and sent one to-
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-02-12

General Jackson-.-then a candidate
for the presidsncy--and obtained and
published an acknowledgment of the
gift, wherein the article as presented
to me in testimony of your admiration
for my distinguished sevices" This
mans shop was at one margin of the
city, and Mrs. Miller's clearinghouse
for students at the other, and hence, in
a song of the period, couplet ran
thus:
Meath every roof that shelters critters
From Nanny Millers to y. Ritter's.
In those days we did not row, but
we played at base and cricket, and
climbed, whirled and walked the rope
in the gymnasium. To some the
plains, and hills, and valleys of the
vicinity were as familiar as the way to
dinner. Some even cut wood for ex
ercise, and dainty fellow dignifed
this course by scribbling his axe helve
with Greek motto from an ancient
poet, to the effect that it was an honor
to work and shame to be lazy.
There were common in those days;
not altogether compulsory, but prefer
red by many: each class sitting by it.
self, with tutor on the dais and an
abundant supply of economical food,
little beyond the style of the ancient
heroes diet; but merry and sociable
company, which was growing pleas
ure to the last. Mr.. Hillhousie had
once proposed that Congress should
dine in commons, plan which might
perhaps have done something to civil
ize even the hopeless body.
A special good word must be said of
one of our tutors, a favorite, and hence
known by one syllable of his long name
Pet. One night student was in a
bad way. In California phrase, he vas
discouraged" His friends could not
keep him from stalking through the
grass in the ghostly attire of shirt and
boots, and making great noise. This
tutor came to the rescue, and proposed
going under cover; but in vain He
urged 'sThe grass is wet, the air chill
ly; you may take cold.'' The poor
fellow lifted his foot: "Not speck of
danger, Pet; don't you see [ have my
boots on ?''-N. 7. Post.