davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20

Notwithstanding the gloomy prospects
throughout the country few weeks ago,
most favorable reports have been receiv-
ed from nearly all quarters, and instead
of a realization of the fears which were
generally entertained that the crops
would make but meagre yield, we have
undoubted assurances that, as usual, onr
good land has brought forth an abund-
ance for the wants of our people, and
some to spare for foreign markets. The
outlook few weeks ago certainly war
ranted grave misgivings; and the fore
bodings and adverse speculations so gen
orally indulged in then were to be ex-
pected. But our country is so extensive;
its soil and climate so diversified, and
the methods of tillage so various, that
anything like widespread failure OF
crops need hardly ever be feared. The
forebodings and misgivings ofthe pastfeW
weeks-though in measure warranted
by unusually unfaVorable weather-were
largely the result of the habit, which is
of national extent, of predicting failure
Of crops, and consequent suffering in the
land, when there is no real, apparent
cause for fearing scarcity, and before
the season has fairly set in When after
such prospects, generally, as we had dur
ing June and July, it is found that the
yield of wheat, oats, hay, ETC., through
out the length and breadth of the I'm
undated belt," is nearly up to the aver
age, it would seem that the habit o
croaking should be dispensed with en-
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20
The Earth a Solid Body Cooling.

Prof Duncan, one of the ablest among
clared that there is strong evidence that
the earth is n solid body now cooling,
because the deeper penetration into
mines, or of borings into the earth, the
hotter is the temperature; and if the
temperature continues to increase at
depths to which man cannot reach, in
the same ratio that it does at depths to
which he can reach, temperature of g.
$50 degrees would be found at a depth
of fortv-Gve miles. At this tempera-
ture GRANTEES and lavas fuse. Assuming,
then, says Prof. Duncan, the earth to
be a hot body now cooling. as it cools
the rocks must contract-moreover,
those rocks which are rich in silica will
not contract so rapidly on cooling as
Others, and consequently herein ia a
source of change in the shape of the
earth. Prof. Duncan says it is well
known that surface charges are going
on: that some large areas of land
are in course of slow rising, while 9TH
ers are slowly sinking, and that at one
geological period there was great up
heaval Of the larger portion of the con-
tinent of North America. He concludes,
therefore, that the globe is cooling un-
equally; the radition, too, from some
parts is greater than at others, and in
this there is consequently further
source of disturbance.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20
Rescue of a Child from an Alligator.
From the HandsbOro (Ndiss.,) Dem, July 81,

From the Handsboro (Miss.,) Dem, July 81,
Last Saturday, about sundown, four
miles east of this place, on Biloxi Bay,
occurred a terrible scene. Two little
girls, daughters of Mr.. Elam r. Black
we'll, living on the Black Bay of Biloxi,
while bathing in the bay immediately
in front of his dwelling, were attacked
by an enormous alligator. The elder,
girl of about seven years, was holding
the younger, an infant of two years, in her
hands, quietly enjoying her bath, when
suddenly her little sister was snatched
from her and borne swiftly from the
shore. Terrified beyond measure, and
unable to render any assistance to her
unfortunate sister, the elder girl, uttered
a scream which was quickly heard by
the father, who happened to be passing
within thirty or forty yards ofthe place.
\ Realizing instantly, from the tone of the
voice, that his children were in some
peril, Mr.. BLACKWELL rushed rapidly to
their assistance, and arrived at the spot
just in time to see his little daughter
borne out into the bay by an alligator.
He leaped at once into the water in per-
snit of the reptile, which was then some
twenty-five or thirty yards from shore.
The water, for distance of forty or fif-
ty yards from the point where the chill
dren were bathing, ranges in depth from
4 III G. III 4
denly attains depth of forty or fifty
feet Both the alligator (Which by this
time had discovered the persuit) and the
father seemed to realize that, if the deep
water Immediately in front of them wa.
reached, pursuit and recovery would bt
alike impossible. Both, therefore, re
doubled their efforts, the one to reach
the point, the other to prevent it. II
, this struggle, although sinking to hi:
waist in the soft mud at each bound, the
father was successful. He succeeded
in grasping his child by the arm about
ten feet from deep water. The alligator
which all the while held the child's foo
in its month, perceiving itself over tax
en-, and alarmed and confused by tn
boldness of the assault, released it holC
and made its way rapidly into the deeI
water The father, completely exhaust
d ed. raised his child ont of the water
and, perceiving that it still lived, b.
: desperate efforts succeeded in regainin
the shore and depositing it safely in tn
II arms of it's mother. The little girl
> unhnrt, with the exception of conpl
of bruises on its foot, made by the teet
= of the monster.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20

ACCIDENT AT NIAGARA FALLS
The Niagara Falls Gazette says that on
Wednesday afternoon William f. Brook,
of Trenton, New Jersey, engaged a
guide and started for trip under the
Horse Shoe Fall, on the Canadian side
When directly under Table Rock a huge
piece of rock, weighing at least two tons,
fell from above, narrowly missing the
guide and just grazing Mr.. Brooks
shoulders A large fra gment struck his
leg, bruising it badly, and crushing his
foot. Mr.. Brook was pinned to the
ground by the falling mass, and fully
twenty minutes elapsed before he was
freed from the rock and debris.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20
Sensible Suggestions.

The Richmond Whig gives the follow
ing good advice to the young men of
Virginia: "We have in every county
of the Commonwealth families of dis
tinction and culture. True, they are
poor and broken down. The question is,
how are their fortunes to be mended?
How are they to be restored? One thing
is certain, railing at their hard lot is not
going to restore them. Railing at the
stirring and industrious people who have
got above them will do them no good
Going back to the past and summo1ing
the shades of illustrious ancestors will
be of no avail The renaissance can only
be accomplished by work-steady, per
severing work. If a population of a
million and a quarter in an old estab-
lished Commonwealth like Virginia,
who own the lands, who have farm ami
mails and utensils; who have cities to
trade with, railroads, rivers, and canals
to transport their products to market;
who have churches and schools; who
have all the powers of government-if
such a population, with such advantages,
do not rise, they deserve, like Millions
angels, to be "folever fallen" To the
hundreds of thousands of those descend :
ants of high but broken down families
that are now bewailing their hard lot,
we say, go to work! To recruit and re-
store your fortunes and your rank and
prestige, do what your ancestors did to
establish them-go to work. In these
days all honest work is respectable.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20
Testimony as TO the Yalue OF the
Black Hills Gold Mines-Indians
Want More Compensation.

CHICAGO, August 15.-The Inter
Oceans special from Fort Laramie, dat
ed the l4th, states that at a meeting of
the miners in Custer City, on French
Greek, resolutions were passed tender
ing to President Grant their thanks for
the manner in which he caused his
commands TO be executed. They furth-
er state that they are convinced that the
Black Hills is one of the richest min
ing districts in the United States, and
in obeying the command Of the Presi-
dent they do so under protest. The
miners are nearly all leaving the Hills.
Six men were appointed to remain on
French Creek and preserve their claims
until the Hills are open for the miners
who leave.
Spotted Tail and twelve of his tribe
who have arrived from the Spotted Tail
Agency, accompanied by the Indian
agent, left French Creek to-day, to re
turn to their agency. The object of the
visit was to see for themselves the value
of the Black Hills. They now want
more compensation for their territory
and also demand payment for the gold
already taken out by the mines this
SUMMER, in addition to the purchase
price expected from the Government.
ST. PAUL, MTXN, August 18.-A
| Pioneer Press special, from Bismarck
o. day, says: "Advices from the Bis
marck Black Hills party, just received
note their arrival in sixteen days from
party once near Bear Buttes. No live
lost, but three horses we're taken by th'
Indians. The roads were splendid
They report gold in large paying qnan
titles found in French and other gullies
also gold beariAg quartz existing IL
large quantities. Hundreds Of miner
were pouring into the mines, and wer
ordered by Gene raj Crook to meet a
the stockade at Clusters Gulch, Angus
10, to make laws for the regulation q
claims, telling the miners then to leav
the hills until treaty is made with tn
Indians.
"The Indians won't trelt until all tn
miners deport. Many will return vi
Bismarck 1t is conceded to be by al
means the best route from the hill'
Great excitement exists, and all the golc
bearing lands yet discovered have bee
staked ont and claimed. Fifteen mile
of French's gulch have been taken, an
large parties are at work on all tn
streams. A nugget was taken from Gu
ter's gulch weighing eighteen dollar
Thirty to fifty dollars per day has bee
taken from that gulch.
professor Jenny found one nugg
weighing thirty-six dollars"
; Implicit confidence of our citizens
placed in this statement and repor
d made by Bismarck citizens.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20
FOOling with a Whirlwind.

A farmer who lives about FIVE miles
west of Faribault, by the name of Sam
uel Johnson was going along the road
Saturday last, when Suddenly a little
whirlwi ind, which described circle ap-
parently not more than three feet in
diameter, appeared in the road in front
Of him. 1t took up the dust pretty
lively and buzzed like a swarm of bees.
but Mr.. johnson kept on his way direct
ly towards il, thinking it had no great
amount of power. In fact, he did not
think it worth his while to step one side
and let it whirl past, but kept straight
on and met it square in the road. When
they came together the whirlwind SEEM
ed to drop everything else and took hold
of Mr.. johnson, and in less time than il
takes to tell it, Mr.. johnson had lost his
hat and his shirt, and was pitched about
| twenty feet into the gutter, feeling as
though he had been shocked by bat
terry. 1t WAS a rough experience, and
Mr.. johnson will never fool with z
| whirlwind again.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20
Mr.. James Gordon Benefits New
Horses.
From the sportsman.l

From the Sportsman.
On Saturday, at Pier A, North River,
we saw eight fine horses imported by
James Gordon Bennett, Esq, landed
from the steamship Holland of the Ma
tional Line. The first one which reach
ed terra frma on Saturday was beauti-
ful chestnut mare, with blaze in the
face, and a white heel behind. She is
one of the wheelers of Mr.. Benefits
four-in hand team, and very powerful
mare, with great quarters and STILES.
The mare is model of the Others, all
of whom seem to combine power, ele-
gance and bloodlike attributes IN an ex-
traordinary degree. They have the
strength of the draught- horse, with the
clean, sinewy legs, intelligent heads,
prominent eyes and small pricked ears
of the blood horse. They are all chest
nuts, and the leaders of the fourin-hand
team are very gay and stylish.
But our attention was quite as much
attracted by the chestnut geldings which
belongs to Miss Bennftt's phaeton
These are up-headed, beautiful red
horses, with fine pricked ears, gamecock
throttles. and legs like thoroughbreds
The whole were brought out under the
charge of William Matthews, the coach
man, who seems to be very intelligent
painstaking man, with fair, open Eng
lish countenance, down which the sweat
was rolling in great beads. Besides the
horses, they had belonging to Mr.. Ben
nett couple of Clumber spaniels. ivel
and white, and of the highes. breed il
| England.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20

When man has house lot on which
he cannot pay the taxes he has site too
much
What is the difference between the
North and South Pole. All the differ
ence in the world.
Why have chickens no hereafter? Be,
cause they have their necks twirled
(next world) in this.
Why is lawyer like a reatless man
in bed? Because he first lies on one side
ard then on the other.
A couple of neighbors became so hos
tile that they would not speak to each
other; but one of them. having been con-
verted at a camp meeting, on seeing his
former enemy, held out his hand. saying.
How dye do Kemp? / am humble
enough TO shake hands with dog"
Richard A. Denman, farmer living
near Piqua, has a natural curiosity-a
pig born with one head and eight legs.
Two pigs are Joined together from the
neck to the center of the abdomen, and
are separate and perfect, with the excep-
tion of one head.
Mr.. John Neal, aged eighty -four, jerk
ed cigar from the mouth of loafer
who was smoking in Boston street car,
and then sat down on him. The old
fellow had got nettled because the loafer
asked him what he was going to do
about it.
When Duluth woman wants to know
why in blazes her husband didn't bring
in some wood. he looks at her in a chill
ling, dignifed way, and replies; Il do
not wish to go to the Black Hills, but
do not press me-do not arouse the ii.
gerl''
"Be yon the census mani" asked a
frontiersman of a wandering tourist,
who passed along trail with sketch
| book under his arm. Because ifyou be- -
he added by way of explanation, "I've
got a big dog chained up behind the
house; just say the word, and I'll let her
| loose"
New York Commercial: "How much
for that broadfaced chicken on the
fence?" inquired an Irishman of farm
er on Staten Island the other day.
That's not a chicken, it's an owl" re-
piled The farmer. al don't care how
| l.. 7
said the Irishman.
When Moody and Sankey arrived in
| New York on Saturday on board the
steamer Spain, Rev. G. c. Needham, OF
Philadelphia, went on board and offered
n PRAYER for the safe arrival of the fa-
mons revivalists, in which Moody and
Sankey Joined. The former goes to
Mortified, Mass. where he will remain
for two months. The latter has not yet
determined upon resting spot.
Mr.. tireiner, of Wezlar, has succeed
ed, after ten years of hard labor, in invent
ing a new piano of peculiar character,
destined to create quite furore in
the musical world. He will send il to
the Exhibition next year. The Instru-
ment is shaped liked piano, the con-
struciion being quite different. The tones
are produced by numerous violin bows,
and are said to be full. perfect and sub
lime, and NAV be multiplied into fifths,
nctaves and tenihs, and it is entirely in
, the power of the player. IL has all the
eighty five tones q octavesl, and by in
Renious contrivances the tones may be
lowered, prolonged or increased in pow
er. The construction il very durable
| A factory to manufacture these Instru-
ments is to be established in America
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20

WHERE CLOTHES PINS ARE MADE.
-Olean, N. Y, has clothes-pin man
ufactory, of which the Olean Times
says: Monday of this week they turn
ed out at this factory fftyfv bushels
of pins. They measure six hundred to
the bushel, making a total of thirty
three thousand six hundred clothes pins
in ton hours. Mr. Latimer ran SIX
hundred pins through the lathe in FIVE
minutes, and he didn't consider it much
of a day for maxing clothes pins either
Some may wonder where all these
clothes-pins go to and where sold. They
are as salable as -four. Every pin made
at this factory is shipped to one firm in
New York. Thev are worth betweeI
one and two cents dozen at wholesale
and retail throughout the country a
five cents a dozen"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20

Mr.. Henry T. Helmbold, the former
proprietor of many patent medicines,
and who kept large house on Broad
way, has been sent to an insane asylum
in Philadelphia. He recently returned
from Europe, and has been temporarily
stopping here. In conversation with a
reporter he told wonderful tales OF
what he proposed to do in the future,
and, for man whose business has been
wrecked, spoke profoundly confident.
On Wednesday last two physicians ex-
amined him and pronounced him insane.
They then made affidavit before an Aid
erman reciting the result of the exam
ination, and yesterday Mr.. Helmbold
was removed to DIR. Kirk bride's ylum
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20
GuanO Not an EXcrement.

The long received opinion that Guano
is the deposit of myriads of sea birds,
accumulating through long ages, is rem
dered untenable by the recent investi-
CATION of DIR. Habel After treating
the guano with an acid, microscopieal
and chemical examination revealed that
the insoluble residue was composed OF
fossil sponges and other marine animals
and plants precisely similar in construc
ton 10 such as still exist in those seas
The fact that the anchors of ships in the
neighborhood of the guano islands often
bring up gnano from the bottom Of the
ocean is quite in opposition to the pre-
valent belief Dr. Habel therefore con.
siders that the deposits of guano mus
he the result of the accumulation of fos
sill plants and animals whose organic
matter has been transformed into nitro
geneons substance, the mineral portion
remaining intact.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20
Attachment Notice.
Road Notice.

NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition will
~ be presented to the Comm ssioDers Of Perry
county Ohio at their October session pra wing for
the esta blishment of County Road along and
upon the f. flowing route, tO-wit: Commencing
at the Northeast corner of AbsOlom Anspach'
land in the Southeast quarter Of Section No II,
Township No. II, Range No. II, Perry county,
Ohio: thence West on line between lands Oi
Noah RidenhOur and AbsalOm Anspash, to in
tersectiOn with the tMechling Road" at the
Northwest corner of Joel SpOhn's land thence
South TO the Northeast corner Of Daniel Bakers
land thence West on the line between the lands
of Daniel Baker and Samuel Baker TO near the
Church lot; thence South to a point Is feet
South of the Church lot; thence West to Daniel
Bakers line: thence South on line between Dan
iel Baker and Samuel Baker TO the Section line
thence West on said Section line to intersection
with the Pleasantyille Road and there TO term
mate. MANY PETITIONERS.
Au ust 20, 1875 1sw3
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20

A gentleman who occupies proml-
nent position in real estate business IN
Chicago, and who has been an active
member in a Methodist church there,
has sued the pastor of that church in the
sum of $4,000 for implied SANDER in
having refused him permission Of COM
muning with the rest Of the church
The grounds given for the refusal were
that the gentleman was not proper per
son IN partake of the Sacrament.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20

\ Mississippian has cat of which he
tells the following story: Il was sick a
short time ago, and the cat would come
from the table to the bed frequently.
She finally caught IA mouse and brought
it to the bed, laying it down beside me.
threw it off, but as soon as | did so
the cat would bring it back, until /
thought she wanted me to eat it; SO
made believe ate it, and the cat went
away apparently satisfied. And before
night, the same day. she brought me a
striped squirrel, and each day for three
days ! was in bed, she brought game,
with the same result. She would never
leave until | had pretended to eat it,"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20

1t is probable that Jefferson DAVIS
will cancel his engagement to deliver
the annual address Of the Winnebago
county 0Il.) Agricultural Society. The
The Grand Army of the Republic at
Rockford has passed resolutions protest
ing against the invitation, and declaring
that it will neither attend the Fair nor
contribute anything to its success if Mr.
Davis appears. 1t is said considerable
dissatisfaction is also shown outside OF
the Grand Army with the action of the
Agricultural Society.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20
Smut In Grain.

Smut is caused by parasitic fungus
long known to bota9ists by the name of
Ustitago Maids; and it has frequently
been described and figured in botanical
works. Its development or growth is
also pretty we'll understood. The fun
gus grows from very minute spores.
which are produced by millions; but ex-
actly as to how these spores react and
infest the growing corn, can find no.
where any definite information, nor have
I seen any data relative to preventives.
We are left here to surmise, and analo-
gies.
Smut in wheat is produced by SINH
lar fungus, similar i'll its botanical char
acter, in its results, and this wheat-smut
fungus is much better known. it is
proved that this gains access to the
plant through the seed. The spores are
sticky and adhere to the sound grain at
harvest or lhreshlng, and are sown with
the seed wheat. As the new wheat
plant grows, the fungus develops with
it in due time, ripening its spores at har-
vest The spores may be killed and the
crop saved by soaking the seed wheat in
strorg brine. or in a weak solution of
sulphate Of copper, commonly known as
blue vitriol or blue stone. (The pro-
portions used are two to FIVE ounces of
the crystals per bushels of wheat 1t
would he we'll to try the same remedies
with corn ] have seen this recon
mended, but have no information as
to the results. Corn-smut is rarely
abundant enough to affect the crop, and
is principally dreaded because it is
poisonous to the cattle.-[ Prof. Brewer.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20

There are persons sanguine enough OF
the near approach of the era of univer-
sal peace to hail the Introduction of
electricity into the domain of artillery
practice as one OF the heralding signs Of
the Millennium. The simultaneous
discharge of four Krupp guns by cleo
tricity, the balls all hitting the same
mark, has been found by repeated ex-
perimenis to bring force to bear upon
the object of attack sufficient TO break
through the heaviest iron armor in
which ships Of war are ever clad. This
fact will result, according TO the argu-
ments of enthusiasts, in doing away
with iron ships and introducing wooden
ones again into naval warfare The with
drawaI of iron ships from service will
render the immensely heavy and de-
structive guns now manufactured in Eu-
rope quite useless, and cause their ulti
mate disappearance, also.
-
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20

At o'clock I'm the afternoon, on the Dreasises,
in Madison township, in said county, offer for
sale at public auction, the farm Of land Of which
said testatrix died seized-eonfaining IG0 acres,
more or less This very desirable and valuable
farm is well timbered and watered, and about
so acres of it in grass. 1t is well located, al d
situate, near the GAINESVILLE & Maysville Turn
pike; and is the same farm formerly belonging
10 John Melick
TERMS OF SALE :-One-third cash in hand
one-third in year, and the residue in years
with interest from the day of sale, and to be
secured bv mortgage on the premises. Title
perfect. Possession given at once.
JOHN FORSYTHE,
Ex'r of the estate of Catharine Melick, decd
July 80, 1873. 16w5