davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-04-23
The Mysterious Fire Boat.

The first report Of trouble on the
ocean received here yesterday morn
ing was telegram stating that large
steamer had been seen off the coast
Of Santa Barbara with the whole of
her ferepart in flames. The dispatch
further stated that she was firing min
ute guns as signal of distress. The
weather was very f0ggy and no def
mite information could be obtained.
This was at first c0nfounded with the
report of the wreck of the Ventura
which came in about the same time as
both reports were reaffirmed and the
places Of disaster located so far apart
as Santa Barbara and Point Sur, 1t
was concluded very reasonably that
there were two separate and dis
tinct calamities occurring at al
most the same time. AS the day
advanced, reports corroborating the
first account of the burning steamer
continued to arrive, but nothing could
be learned of her name or destination.
About noon Mr.. Mcclellan, the steam
ship agent, received the following dis
patch, in response to an inquiry con-
cerning the mysterious craft:
SANTA BARBARA, April 22d.
Nothing heard yet reliable. Think
the steamer was on fire, but got out of
trouble and went on up. Reports
differ. A. w. FROoM,
Agent g., N. & P. 3. s. Co.
Another dispatch stated that the
steamer had been seen near Carpen-
terra at later hour, when she had
ceased firing and appeared to be
steamer along all right. The vessel
was seen between Anacapa and Santa
Cruz islands, and it is argued that she
could not have been one of the Pana-
ma steamers, as their course lies fur
tber out at sea. None OF the coast
line steamers could have been in that
locality at that time and thus the
identity of the scorched vessel remains
shrouded in doubt. 1t Is considered
certain, however, that she escaped
destruction.
Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-04-23
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS.

Deeds filed for record for the ~ hours
ending April 81, 1875, as reported for the
HERALD by Judson q Gillette. examiners of
title, No. SO, Spring street. Los Angeles:
H. NJ. Jahnston ct al. to Lugarda A. Palo-
mares.--Lot Is, block 10, East Los Angeles;
D. M. Berry to e. NJ. Pennoyer.-Lot 8, Ber-
~ Elliott Subdivision In Orange Grove
Tract; 81 ,000
H. Dockweiler to F. Maucho.-Lot 4, block
48, at corner of Fort aid First streets; $4,000
County Tax Collector to Eldred and Lord
46xl00 feet West side OF Spring street, next to
Main.
P. Beaudry to l. w. Lord-3S0 feet on North
side First street by 48o on East side Flower
street; South side Court street, $50 feet West
side Hope to beginning; $1,000
l. W. Lord to F. p. F. Temple and +. g.
Mitchell.--A third interest each In the tract
above named as bought Of p. Bo-udry; 5000.
e e. Smith to T. d. Mott.-rhe Smith lot
and block on East side Of Spring street, oppo-
site j. Schumacher; $1,000.
J. Azbill to b. F. Brags.-Twenty acres near
Anaheim; $500.
d. w. Tuttle 70 M. N. Dodson.-77N acres in
Los Nietos; $500.
d. N. Berry to i. A. Stockdale.-8 6S 100 acres
in Orange Grove Tract; 500.
8. H. Pickett To J. w. P0tts.-Fifty.nine
acres In Los Coyotes Rancho; sl.47v Z5.
Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-04-23
Dedication si the Artesia SchooI.

The following programme has been
arranged for the dedicatory exercises
of the Artesia school house to take
place next Sunday: The services
promise to be unusually entertaining
and we doubt not that there will be a
large attendance from this city as we'll
as Downey. and the country surround
ing the colony.
INTRODUCTORY EXERCISES.
Singing.
Reading from Scriptures.
Prayer.
OBLIGATORY EXERCISES.
Singing,
Preliminary remarks, Hon. A. Hig-
bic.
Dedication to Learning, DR.. Lucky.
Singing.
Dedication to Liberty, J. e. McCo-
mas.
Singing.
Dedication to Truth, DR.. JENNINGS.
Singing.
Dedication to Virtue, L. M. Holt.
Singing.
Dedication to progress, r. A. Garry.
Singing.
Benediction.
Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-04-23

Frank Davis, 500; VIM. Cape, $50;
Frank Tole, SIS.
On motion, the bill of Mr.. Tole was
referred to Finance COMMITTEES.
On motion, the Committee on Po-
lice were instructed to investigate GER
tain charges against the police.
On motion, the assessment list Of
Fort street was referred back on ac-
count Of irregularity.
Assessment list Of Temple street was
read and accepted. On motion, the
City Attorney was instructed to draft
resolution accordingly.
Adjourned.
Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-04-23

rop eAlE.-Liquor Store for sale, with
horse and wagon; also furniture and dx-
tures Anpiy to = .f r. SIMON,
am 2ws No. Aliso street.
Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-04-23
GOLD REPORT.
LOCAL BREvITIES.

The Ancon will arrive here about
Saturday evening.
The KaIorama arrived from San
Diego yesterday.
1t is expected that our long delayed
Eastern mail will he here Saturday or
Sunday.
The brig Glencoe, with lumber to
Perry, Woodworth & Co., arrived yes
terday.
The shipments from the depot yes
terday included 81 bales of wool and
ISL boxes of oranges.
We are happy to announce that our
Editor-in. Chief, Mr.. Bassett, will re-
turn OH the Orizaba, arriving next
Monday morning, fogs and hurricanes
permitting.
DR. Shorb has changed his residence
to the corner of Spring and Third
streets (west side) three doors south Of
Turn-Verein Hall. His patients will
please take notice. tnE3
Messrs. Johannsen Il Grosser have
rented the entire third story Of Du-
commun's building, and will enlarge
their furniture establishment accord
ingly. This looks like a healthy sign
Of business.
Owing to a press Of matter, we are
obliged to hold over a column adver-
tisement of Messrs. Starbuck Il Butler
until tomorrow. We can usually
make room for one more, but this is q
quien sdbe case.
Attention is directed to the adver-
tisement of Italian opera, soon to be
introduced upon the Los Angeles
stage. A more detailed notice Of the
company and coming entertainments
will be given hereafter.
A new railroad and stage schedule
will be put in force on the 1st Of May,
which will reduce the time between
San Francisco and Los Angeles to
about 32 hours against AZ hours, as at
present.
A new saloon will be opened in Sig
noret's building, Main street, to-mor-
row evening, by the Messrs. Van and
Charles Meyers. They propose to give
n regular blow-Outn to commence
with.
John Daley was arraigned before
Judge Gray yesterday charged with
assalt and battery upon Boylor Davis.
He was fined thirty dollars, and as he
did not possess the requisite funds was
sent to Jail for thirty days.
Volume l No. of the Lompoc Rec
ord made its appearance in our Office
yesterday. 1t will stand in the front
ranks of the southern coast weeklies
in point of editorial management, ty-
biographical appearance and general
interest. We welcome the newcomer
to our ranks most heartily.
Mr.. Quinn from the railroad party
at work on the L. A. & I. R. r. be-
tween Santa Monica and this place
reports that the Chicamen are grading
on the fourth mile this side of the
beach. Much heavy grading remains
to be done through the hills and bluffs
near the ocean however, and month
will be required to accomplish this.
The Evening Dev- Drop attempts to
shed cool moisture over our article of
yesterday entitled "Truth Stranger
than Fiction" In producing the ro-
mantle and at the same time truthful
sketch, we were simply initiating
the example Of metropolitan journals"
as did the DeaO- Drop not long. since,
when its editor went to church. II
our attempt was as mawkish, sicken-
ing. officiating and insulting to its
subject as several of the aforesaid D.
DIS articles on our churches and
church pastors, we will at once deliver
our person and quill over to the Fool
Ki1lor
Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-04-23

tltlOn to the Fire and water Commit
tee, with instructions to purchase the
carriage and hose. Adopted.
Mr.. Teed moved that the Water
Company be instructed to place hy-
drants on each cross street, as per con-
tract with the city. Adopted.
Mr.. Robinson moved that the City
Surveyor be instructed to present
profile of the present grade Of Main
street from Commercial to Fifth,
showing at the same time the differ
ence between the present and proposed
grade, against which protest has
been entered. Also the grade Of each
cross street to Spring street and the
grade Of Spring street. Motion car
ried. r
H. d. Barrows presented a petition
for street to be opened from Alameda
to San Pedro street, through the lands
Of Wolfskill and MacDougall, thence
by the most practicable route to Los
Angeles street. Referred to the Board
of Public Works.
A petition for leave to lower the
grade of Spring street from Fourth to
Fifth street, was presented. Placed on
file. Referred to Board of Public
Works. 40 vas aH IS @t4G So &.
]. L. Williams presented q petition
for leave to remove q city lamp post to
the entrance Of his place of business
on Spring street. Leave granted.
w. III. Nordholt renewed his petit
tion for damages to his land by the
maiu sewer. The matter was referred
to the Committee on Sewers.
Arthur Bullock asked leave to
change the course of Zanja No, s for a
short distance. Received and placed
on file. '# a is1.
A petition to grade Temple street
from Bunker Hill Avenue to Pearl
street, was received and referred to the
Board of Public Works.
The following bills were presented:
Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-04-23
COURT REPORTS.

County COurt-O'MELvENY.J.
WkDNE6DAY, April 2l.
Norman c. Jones vs. John Van Tassel.-
Forcible detainer. Judgment by default for
restitution and 80 damages, coats and dis
bursements.
Norman G. Jones va. John Read.-Forcible
detainer. Judgment by default for restitution
OF premises, SIS damages, costs and disburse-
ments.
A stay Of proceedings was subsequently Alsd
by the Court In the above-named cases until
Monday, April 18th, at 10 A. II.
Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-04-23

Probate Ceurt-O'MELvENY,J j.
WEDNESDAY, April q.
Estate Of Badilla.-Letters of administration
granted Kitgore on giving bond of 5000.
Estate Of Catherine Lower.-Final account
approved and settled; shape OF decree taken
under advlsement.
Estate OF a. Flores.-Will admitted to pro-
bate.
The Russellville Democrat., 1875-04-08
German Frugality.

No stranger can reside in Ger many for any length of time and form even a moderate acquaint- ance with the citizens without be- coming impressed by the content ment, frugality and union usually reigning in the German domestic circle. The family of many a man doing a large business and moving in society of the highest responsibility often occupy but one floor, and every room is fur nished with great simplicity. One seldom observes a disposition to occupy a whole house. Just enough room to satisfy every re- quirement, and they are generally much smaller than Americans are accustomed to, are all that are de- sired. A mans business may in crease every year, and yet he does not seem to be troubled with the thought of getting out of his mod est apartments into larger ones, or buying house for its entire occupation.
 The disposition on the increase of wealth, to enter more aristo-' cratic circle by buying stately mansion on fashionable street, beantifying it with costly furni ture, giving great entertainments, and appearing every afternoon with grand equipage, is not a part of the Germans character. If he indulged in these luxuries on anything less than a fortune, the presumption is that either he or his wife has been to America.
 The first thing a wealthy Ger man thinks of, unless his tastes elevate him quite above material pleasures, is to store his cellar with wines of the oldest vintages, and to surround himself with an abundance of servants.
The Russellville Democrat., 1875-04-08
An Unpleasant Ride.

The morning train from the West, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, stops at the Relay
 House daily for breakfast. Among the passengers on this train re- gently was a bridal party, the
 principals of which had attracted
 not a little attention by their bill ling and cooing. After refreshing themselves at the breakfast table, the bride and groom went out on the depot platform and looked around. The bride was suddenly seized with a desire to ride to Bal timore on the locomotive; the newly-made husband endeavored by argument to deter her from such rash proceeding, but he failed most utterly. The newly made wife, as in most contests where language is power, came of victorious, she having by her SUI perior volubility, succeeded in convincing her husband that it was extremely right and exceed ingly proper for wife to have her own way, and ride on a dozen cn-
The Russellville Democrat., 1875-04-08
MUTILATED CURRENCY.
New Regulations for Redemp-
 ton.

WAsnINGToN, March, 29.-The treasurer nfthe United States will soon issue a circular amending the regulation governing the re- demption of United States curren- cy, so that in case of mutilation deduction will be made in propor- tion''td the part missing. In the case of legal tender notes if less than one-tenth of the original proportion of the note is missing, the mutilation will be disregard ed, if one-tenth is missing one tenth of its value will be deduct ed; if more than one-tenth and less than one-fifth is missing, one fifth of it's value will be deducted and so on, reckoning by tenths, but no note of which less than one-half ofthe original is present ed, will be redeemed without ev- idence that the missing portion is totally destroyed. The same rule will be applied to mutilated frac- tional currency, with the substi- tuition of one-fifth for one-tenth. The amended regulations will take effect May 1st, next
The Russellville Democrat., 1875-04-08
Is There Such Thing as SpOn-
 taneOus Combustion.

Most of our readers will remem- Der that Captain Marryat, in the opening chapters of his novel, ''Jacob Faithful" makes the mother of the hero to perish by strange and alleged catastrophe the presumed fate of certain drunkards, and in which the body supposed to be impregnated with alcohol, of itself becomes ig- nited, and slowly burns away. The occurrence of spontaneous combustion has been denied by Casper, the eminent German med ico jurist; and Chassaignol, of Paris, similarly denies it's exist ence. Spontaneous combustion was first noticed in 1892; and, since then the few cases which have been recorded described the phenomena as consisting in the presence of a blue lambent flame, of peculiar odor, and of inflama- ble gases. Various experiments convinced the above named French savant that the tissues, though steeped in alcohol, have no power of spontaneous ignition and com bustion, and that, in all probabili ty, the phenomena ascribed to this cause have no existence. Certain it is that the phenomena and symptoms have never been de- scribed, even in cases where com bustion was alleged to take place, with that accuracy and prima facie appearance of correctness which we expect to find in scien- tiiic and medical literature.
The Russellville Democrat., 1875-04-08
A Life-Saving Dream.

In the preface to one of Dick ens' novels we find a statement to the effect that some of the incl dents in his writings, which have an air ofimprobability are founded on fact, while other incidents, purely fictitious, are more easily believed. The deduction is that in writing novels you must leave out incredible facts. The follow ing occurrence is so highly i'm probable that it serves as an ex- ample:
 A heavy man, who had a good deal of strength in his arms, dreamed that his wife and himself were on canal-boat, and that they were coming to a low bridge. It seemed to him that his wife, who was very obstinate woman, de, clined to go below, and in order to prevent her from having her head knocked off by the bridge, he thought in his dream that, to save her life, he must force her into the lower cabin. He was awak, ened by the sound of groans issu- ing from under the bed, and found that in his dream he had forced his wife under the bed, and broken her nose.
 This incident is worthy of note, as showing that we ought not to display too much doubt when an occurrence seems to be improba- ble. The nose can be produced as evidence.
The Russellville Democrat., 1875-04-08
A Model Lawyer.

Squire Johnson" was a model lawyer, as the following anecdote will eyince:
 Mir. Jones once rushed into the Squire's office in a great passion. That internal scoundrel of cob bier, Smith, has sued me, MT. Johnson or.od- -r.-, fo- s-.. aoflara 1 owe him for a pair of bootsr
 "Then you owe him the five dollarsT'
 "To be sure I do; but he has gone and sued me-sued me"'
 "Then why don't you pay him, if you owe him?"
 Because he's sued me; and when man does that, I'll never pay him till it costs him more than he gets. l want you to make it cost him all yon can."
 But it will costyou something, too."
 ''I don't care for that; what do you charge to begin with?"
 Ten dollars; and more if there is much extra trouble"
 "All right! There's the K. Now go ahead"
 No sooner was the client gone, than Squire Johnson stepped across to his neighbor Smith, and offered to pay the bill, on condi- tion that the suit be withdrawn. The shoemaker gladly acceded- all he wanted was his pay. The lawyer retained the other five fo. his fee, and as the case was nc' troublesome" made no furtht demands upon his client.
 Ten days after Jones comes i. to see how his case is gettin, along.
 "All right" said the lawyer. "You won't have any trouble about that. put it to Smith so strongly that he was glad to with draw the suit altogether"
 "Capitalw cried the exulting Jones. You've done it up brown. You shall have all my business.
The Russellville Democrat., 1875-04-08
A Great Swimmer.
March 3ist, 1875

Captain Boynton, the American who jumped from an ocean steam ship off the coast of Ireland, and swan thirty miles during one of the most terrific gales of the sea son, has been giving some very successful exhibitions of his swim. ming dress upon the Thames. Vast crowds of people line the banks of the river every time that he appears, and watch with the greatest interest his movements in the water. The other day he went down to Mapping Old Stairs and put on his swimming clothes, consisting of an India-rubber suit in two parts-one covering the chest, arms and back of the head; the other the legs and feet. / This is put on over an ordinary suit. After being adjusted the parts are inflated by four tubes, and when full of air the wcarer steps into the water without the slightest fear. Captain Boynton raised his flag, ate his lunch, read a book, blew a horn, and went through a variety of performances, to the great delight of the crowds assem- bled upon London Bridge and along the banks of the river. At Temple Stairs he came out for a moments rest, without showing any symptoms of fatigue, and soon after plunged in again and started for Putney. The success of this swimming dress has been clearly established.
The Russellville Democrat., 1875-04-08

"BEsT THINGS. ."-The best the ology-a pure and benificent life.
 The best philosophy-a conten- ted mind.
 The best law-the golden rule.
 The best education-self- knowledge.
 The best statesmanship-self- government.
 The best medicine-cLe eerful- ness and temperance.
 The best art-painting a smile upon the brow of childhood.
 The best science-extracting sunshine from Q cloudy way.
 The best war-to war against one's3wcakness. -sA---------
 The best music-the laughter of an innocent child
 The best journalism-printing the true and the beautiful only, on memory's tablet.
 The best telegraphing-flash- ing ray of sunshine into a gloo- my heart.
 The best biography-the life which writes charity in the largest letters.
 The best Mathematics-that which doubles the most joys and divides the most sorrows.
 The best navigation-stecring clear of the lacerating rocks of personal contention.
 The best diplomacy-cffecting a treaty of peace with one's own conscience.
 The best cngineering-build- ing a bridge of faith over the river of death.
The Russellville Democrat., 1875-04-08
Destruction to Matches.

The Paris correspondent of the London Daily News writes: l have just been shown similar apparatus which will probably sweep away ere long the match trade. It is called the electrical finder box, and it is small enough to be carried in a cigar case. On opening this box, you see plat mum wire stretched across. Touching spring, the wire red dens sufficiently to light a cigar. At will you can introduce into a tiny sconce mesh of cotton steeped in spirits of wine or petro- leum, which, taking fire, does ser vice as vcilleuse, or nurses lamp, The hidden agency which heats the wire is a very small electrical battery, set in action by the touching of the spring. The trade price of the electrical finder box will be half a franc, or five pence. Its inventor promises that it will be an economical substitute for the lucifer match. This ap- paratus may, perhaps, derange the budget, which depends for a heavy sum upon the match tax and monopoly.
The Russellville Democrat., 1875-04-08
By the Shore of the River.
BY GEoFPREY cRAYoN.

 Through the gray willows the black winds
 are blowing, Here on the shore, with it's driftwood and
 sands; Over the river the lilies are growing, Bathed fin the sunshine of orient lands; Over the river, the wide, dark river, Spring time and summer are biooming for
 ever. Here, all alone on the rocks, am sitting, sitting and waiting-my comrades all gone : Shadows of mystery drearily Hitting Over the surf with it's sorrowful moan; Over the river, the strange, cold river. Wife and children and friends are around
 me, Labor and rest were as wings to my soul; Honor and love were the laurels that crown
 ed me, Little l rocked how the dark waters roll; But the deep river, the gray misty river, All that lived for was taken forever. Silently came black boat OCT the pillows; Stealthily grated the keel on the sand; Rustling footsteps were heard through the
 willows, There the dark boatman stood, waving his
 hand; Whispering, 'I came o'cr the shadowy She who is dearest must leave thee for
 eyer!" Suns that were brightest, and skies that
 were bluest, Darkened and paled in the message he bore; Year after year went the fondest, the truest, Following the beckoning hand to the shore; Down to the river, the cold, grim river, Over whose waters they vanished forever. Yet not in visions of grief have wandered, Stiu have I toiled, though my ardors have
 flown; Labor is manhood; and life is but squan-
 dered, Dreaming vague dreams of the future alone Yet from the tides of the mystical river, Voices of spirits are whispering ever. Lonely and sad, in the dusk I an waiting Till the dark boatman. with soft M ufiled oar, Glides OCT the waves and hear tine keel
 grating, See the dim beckoning hand on the shore, Waiting me ever the welcoming river To gardens and homes that are shining for ever! March 3ist, 1875.