davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1875-10-16
A FERTILE WHEAT SOIL OF EUROPE
COMPARED WITH AN ORDINARY
CANE SOIL IN THE WEST INDIES.
By DR.. T. L. PHIPsoN, T. c. s. &c.
Iron the Sugar Came.)

The European soil to which intend to
alIude in this paper belongs to a geological for
nation that may be very we'll compared to that
enormous extent Of diluvial soil in the West In
dies in which cane is chiefly grown. European
geologis S have termed it the Limon de la Hes.
baue: it extends from the Seine to the Rhine
traversiug B4igium from east to west, whore it
covers the Whole of the province Of Hesbaye. q
great part of Brabant, Hsinault, and Flanders.
. Il is to this deposit" says the late eminent
peoIogist ard senator, D'Omalius d'HalIoy.
E" that we may attribute the richness OF the most
fertile counties of Belgium" 1t extends also
over part of Picardie. stretching from the Seine
to the other side of the Rhine, aud is every
where characterised by its great fertility. Tbs
first analysis made of this remarkable soil was
made by me in 1859 or 1860. after a long and
minute investigation Of its geological characters
and the crops grown upon it.
We have another similar formation, and a some
what similar ohemioal composition, i'll the cele'
brated black djluvial soil of the Ukraine,
called the tchoraoJzen, ex ending from the
Carpathian mountains - the usals, and eharao-
teriSed likewise by great fertility.
| thought it might prove interesting to COM
rare the analysis of the celebrated Laan0n. de "a
Hesbaue with an ordinary specimen Of Demerara
or Barbados cane soil, though the former is q
soil of a sandy nature, and the litter has a ba-
sis Of clay. One hundred parts by weight of
each of these yielded me the following compost
tions -
Linoa del H.'5ays Cane 4ois' FEST Indies
, 1875-10-16
A VALUABLE INVENTION
(From The jamaica GleansT.)

"Priming," or the carrying of water In
the stream from the boiler into the cylin-
der. often causes trouble and damage to
the engine. To prevent this, and obtain
a dry steam, a dome is fixed at the top OF
the boiler from which the steam is taken
A recent English invention aids this by
fixing an upright pipe next the dome, hay
ing suitable connections with 1t and the
bottom of the boiler. In this pipe Is Sc
cured a circular winged defector, or pro-
peller-shaped helix. The steam IN passing
this is given a whirling motion, aud sthe
water it holds is thrown out by the centrl-
fugal force, and falls back into the pipe
that leads to the bottom of the boiler. A
stop-valve prevents its return, and the
apparatus is said to be q practical success.
, 1875-10-16
Cane sooils, Wsst Indies
(Old & Nep).
10000 10000

The sample Of LImon vas IN virgin sEaEe'
and the second sample of cane soil nearly SO
the first sample of the latter had been cult
waited sixty years and more, In the Lamon de
la Hesbaqe there is n total absence of prOtortde
of iron, an ingredient often present to the
extent of to 5 per cent. in Demerara and
Barbados clay soils. The lime is very high
compared with the magnesia, which, as [ have
before stated, is always an excellent indication
of fertility. Finally, the alkalies and pho'-
phorio acid are present in very notable guam
titles. A glance at the two cane soils will
suffice to show how the first has suffered from
cultivation.
analytical Laboratory, P@tney' 81
London, End August, 1875.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28
Somerset Grain Marker.
CORRECTED BY AsnnRooK 8 6

CINCINNATI, May -Cattle-Re
ceipts fair but market qnite dull, very
few sales having been made Prices
range as follows: Common 33@4Ic. fair
to medium 43@54e, and good to extra
59@6le.
HoGs-Supply liberal and market
dull for all grades, at the following
range: Common Sc 1905 60, fair to
medium .$7@7 25, and good grades So
1907 go. No choice qualities offering.
SHEEP-Market quiet but firm, at
from 3!c to &c for fair to good qualities
Lamb-Demand moderate but prices
firm, at from 50 so to So per head, ac.
cording TO quality.
EAST LIBERTY, May 27.-Receipts
Cattle to-day 799 head, making for two
days past 1;241 head; Sc car loads of TO.
days arrivals were through consignment
the balance, IL loads, for sale. Business
is good and would be better If the stock
was on hand. The prices remain firm
and the quality IS good, with plenty oi
buyers; all sold and waiting for first ar.
rivals; best S7@7 25, medium 10 good
SO 25@6 rs, common to fair S5 5O(Gt
124; Bulls scarce at SO 1905 %; Stock.
ers, none offering. Receipts Hogs to,
day 2,S60 head, and for two days past
3,6S5 head; Workers 81 30@7 80, Phil.
adeIphia So 25@S SO. Receipts Sheep
to-day 3,100 head, and for two days II ).
100 head; clipped S4(Gl5 80.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28
A Man Dies from Sheer Fright

Five weeks ago Alexander V. Brewer,
of Schenectady, lacerated a finger by
means of a corn cutter. He was attend
ed by a leading physician, and, in due
course of time, the wound healed, leav-
ing a mark for while of a pinkish in
digo tint. While attending Church,
subsequently, at the East Avenue Mis-
sion Chapel, fellow pew occupant ask
ed to see his hand. Observing the part
ly healed wound, he whispered to Brow
er in his opinion the wound had moTti-
fed. Brower's father sat in the seat
with him. His son took piece of pa
per and wrote thereon, and handed it to
his father, with the request that they
leave the Church. The father, on reach
sudden request. The answer was that
he (the SOM was going to die. Mr..
Brewer ridiculed the idea, but proceed
ed home. After time following their
arrival, the father found the son engag-
ed in prayer, and was again told by the
latter that his end was near. The son
had to be soon removed to bed, and
the doctor was again summoned. The
latter, on his arrival, found his patient
with high pulse, much excited, and
showing marked symptoms of typhoid
fever. The former wound on his hand
was found in the same condition as
when last seen-that is, everything
presaging rapid and permaent healing.
Friday young Brewer died-an evident
victim of fright-[Troy Times.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28

The St. Louis Globe-Democrat an
nOunces the death of General VIM. T.
Sherman, the General-in Chief of the
United States Army. upon the authority
of letter contained in his late work
It is on page 247, and is addressed to the
editor of the Memphis Appeal, under
date of July "a, 1862. He said:
&" Il don't desire my biography to be
written till / am dead
"The title page of the work is Mem
oirs of General William T. Sherman,
Written by Himself. So that not only
if General Sherman dead, but he has
been in the spirit land enough to have
produced two very interesting autobio-
graphical volumes"
Jesting aside, the General will regret
hat he did not wait until he died before
having his memoirs published He
should have followed the wise example
of Talleyrand, who stipulated that his
memoirs should not be published until
thirty years after his demise Then
men whose characters he assailed would
be dead and unable to strike back. II
the General is not politically dead, this
work will make finish of him.-TCin-
cinnati Enquire.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28
A Queer Superstition.

Edwin Woodring, of Upper Macungie
township in this county, must be very
unusual sort of man, and the fact that
appears to be more singular still in con
nection with him is that he finds those
willing with their signatures and influ-
ence to assist him in his superstitous
acts. He conceived the idea week or
two ago, when the cold weather prevail
ed to everybody disgust, that petition
to Almighty God for fairer skies and
milder temperature wonld be effectual if
backed by two hundred signers. He in
duced Prof. Ribe, of Guthsville, to
draw up the petition, setting forth what
was wanted, and Mr.. Jeremiah Klotz,
accompanied Mr.. Edwin Woodring IN
his round of solicitation for subscribers.
1t was particularly desired to obtain the
signatures Of husband and wife together
and in this the canvassers were success
full. The complement of twp hundred
names was received ard now we are en-
joying the fine weather; but exactly
how the petition was presented our in
formant does not state. Bnt as we have
these end prayed for we need not be toe
particular about the details, and if we
we're to try we couldn't tell whether the
result is Que to the petition or not
GAllentown Chronicle.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28
4 Good Idea.

In the Centennial year let every one
plant a tree as a centennial offering to
those who will be coming after US one of
these days. Posterity will thank those
who gave them SO great boon. Forty
millions of seeds or young trees planted
in 1876 would become, in twenty years,
an estimable blessing for fuel, for fuIni-
tnre, for cross-ties, and for the innum-
cradle uses to which wood is put alike
for necessity and ornament. Of course,
no such number of trees viii be planted
nor half of them; but even
if one or two were planted foI
each heart of the family, what a
blessing it would be to the country
Those who have not looked at the sub.
.iect little think of the inroads made up.
on our forests in the last twenty five
years, or of the real need of replenishing
them by and by. Remember, it take.
twenty years for a tree to grow to almost
any useful from or size Express.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28
Reappearance of an Historic Bird.

The Chicago Inter Ocean thus alludes
to an interesting incident III connection
with the recent reunion of the Grand
Army of the Republic in that city:
"Among the many heroes of the war
who to-day honor Chicago with their
presence, there are few who will attract
more ..Ii,-iion that odd Abe the fa-
nous war eagle of the Eighth Wiseon-
sin regiment Abe is with a defach-
ment of the old organization, and viii
take part in the procession to-day. This
is not his first visit TO Chicago He
was in attendance at the last National
Republican Convention, and during the
war, we believe, appeared at the great
sanitary fair for the benefi: of the sold
iels' fund. II was either here or IN
Washington that his presence contribn-
ted thousands Of dollars to the fund
crowds of people willingly paying an
admission fee to look a. the veteran of
so many battles. To the soldiers of the
army Of the Tennessee 'Oid Abe was
particularly familiar. In camp, on re-
view, in marches and in battle. the ca
gle of the Eighth Wisconsin was a fa-
miliar, as he was always a welcome
sight Perched aloft on his staff, like a
sentry on a signal tower, he proudly
surveyed the thousands who followed
his lead, ftly personsifying the senti-
&c Eyhif l. he i t4a naf5,.y1al
hlem. Though displaying strong affee-
tion and attachment to his corps, 'Old
Al be- was always dignified. He brooked
no famIliarity-no trifiing. Serious and
solemn, he appeared to relegate the
pleasures of the war to others, content
himself to he ever the vigilant sentinel,
regarding only the end to be gained and
the earnest realities of his great mission.
at was only in the storm of battle
that this habitual reserve was sometimes
broken; and when; in the midst of
screaming shot and shell loud cry of
triumph would ring from old Abe it
was regarded as the harbinger of de-
structiun to the rebels, and awakened IN
the meE who heard it spirit which be-
came almost resistless in its energy.
"But though the bravery of "Old
Abe" was unquestionahle, he was by no
means reckless or foolhardy in its exhi-
bition. No one could dodge a missile
more promptly or successfully than he,
and when the order came for the reg1-
ment to lie down 10 escape a raking fire,
none ever hugged the earth with closer
persistency than the eagle of the Eighth
| Wisconsin. After the war "Old Abe
was assigned to comfortable quarters at
the capital, and there he has remained,
only occasionally appearing at reunions
/ of his old friends"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28

Says the Baltimore American: "Why
the affairs of municipality should be
directed and controlled by the influence
of national politics is conundrum too
deep for human solution. If voters
would only come mp to the consideration
of local issues without any regard for
the names of Republican or Democrat,
we should have some hope of practical
and conscientious city government. The
shibboleth of party persuades us TO fool
away our opportunities and dwaddle
away valuable time with electing and
then grumbling about incompetent Off
eials. The independent voter in city poll
4ies is neither Republican nor Dem
oerat. He is simply a clear-headed,
honest citizen, who has wholesome dis
gust of rings and cliques. and is anxious
only to place the best men in office"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28
The Ravages of GrasShOppers ia
Missouri.

ST. LOUIS, May 26.-The Republi-
cans Kansas City special says that three
hundred farmers of jackson County
met at Independence, to-day, to devise
means to afford relief to the destitute
and suffering. The reports from all
parts of the County were that the grass
hoppt rs were destroying all the crops
and fruits The meeting resolved To is
sHe an address, calling on the people Of
the country TO assist the helpless. Farm
ers are cutting down trees for their stock
TO eat the leaves, straw being fed TO cat
tie One farmer said that half the
farmers would be objects of-charity in
three months.
4 meeting was held at Jefferson City,
last night, TO consider what can be done
to render aid to the sufferers, and Gov
ernor Hardin issued brief address, set
ting forth that there was much destitu-
tion in various parts of the State, and
asking churches to take up contributions
for the needy on June 3, which he has
proclaimed a day Of fasting and prayer,
and that subscriptions be made by the
benevolent throughout the State for the
same purpose.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28
Facts for Homestead Settlers.

Occasionally correspondent inquiries
what length of time Congress has given
to persons who have taken up lands un-
der the Presumption and Homestead
Acts, and were compelled on account of
the grasshopper. invasion TO leave them.
The act of Dec. %, 1874, gives to home
stead and pre-emption settlers on pub
lie lands on which the crops were inju--
ed or destroyed last year the right to be
absent from those lands until July !,
1875. Wherever grasshoppers reappear
in 1875 and injure or destroy the crops
of settlers the leave OF absence is extend
ed TO July !, 1876. On their return
such settlers have right to perfect
titles, as though no absence had occur
red. The time for making final pay
ment and proof in the above cases is ex-
tended one year after the expiration OF
the term of absence provided for, and
the Land Office makes the regulations
as TO the proof of the destruction by
grasshoppers which it requires.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28
Patriotic Celebrations.

The patriotic celebrations over the
country, says an exchange, must be in
strumental for good. They not only
tend in salutary way to revive those
traditions which are peculiarly national,
but they bring together once more on a
common platform communities but re-
Gently estranged and arrayed against
each other IN arms. The immense jubi
lee at Charlotte, in North Carolina, over
an event which is involved in doubt, was
not barren of good results At that great
turn out of the people the most pro-
nounced sentiments of fealty to the Uni
on were expressed. and all classes avow-
ed desire for reconciliation and fellow
ship with the whole country. Similar
expressions characterized the demonstra-
ton in Tennessee. The key note of peace
and genuine union founded upon frater-
nifty of feeling and community of inter
ests which was sounded by the soldiers
North and South, ia being taken up by
the people, and politicians are shrewd
enough TO see that the nation has at last
RENTED the war to history, and is start
ing on fresh career unineumbered with
the passions and controversies of the
past. In celebrating the men and events
of a century ago, the orators and the
people with an instructive wisdom,
strengthen the bonds of present amity
and union. This is the real fruitage of
these great and enthusiastic gatherings.
1t is hard to call back again with vivid
emotion those parts of our history which
seem as remote as the Norman conquest,
although they happened but yesterday.
But whilst that is so, the good sense of
the people quickly recognizes the fine
opportunity of making these sacred ira
ditions assist in healing all present
wounds and uniting us all in love OF
country and devotion to the flag. They
are helping on in this direction, and
1876 will, we trnst, perfect this noble
and generous work.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28

A most Usefnl Article in every honse-
hold is a sewing machine. The Wilson
Shuttle Sewing Machine combines in
every degree the most perfect machine
vet invented. 1t is elegant in finish,
simple to learn, runs smoothly and
quickly, and what is more important, is
the cheapest. The Wilson Machine has
received the highest praise from all who
have used it, and stands at the head OF
all sewing machines. Machines will be
delivered at any Railroad Station in
this county, free of transportation
charges, if ordered through the Comp
any's Branch House at 327 and 329
Superior Street, Cleveland, Ohio.
They send an elegant catalogue and
chrome circular free on application.
This Company wants few more
agents.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28
Child Murdered in q Baptist Church
Her Brains Knocked Out With
a Cricket Bat - The Sexton Ar
rested on Suspicion.

BosToS, May 24-EIabel Young.
aged about four years, the daughter of a
wealthy widow, was assaulted in the
Baptist Church on Warren avenue, af-
ster Sunday School had been dismissed,
by some unknown person, who struck
her with a cricket bat, causing the blood
and brains to ooze out
Some young men who had Joined the
search started at once 10 ascend the tow
er. They found the door leading mp
from the organ loft locked, and on fore
ing !; open we're startled to see fresh
blood upon the floor and steps leading
up to the next landing They also found
"a strip Of board covered with blood NJ
one end, and heard low meanings from
above. Ascending along the steep flight
Of stairs and raising the scuttle, which
resisted the strength of a strong man,
they found the mangled body of the
child lying near the edge Of the scuttle,
as though it had been carried up the
steps and hastily thrown down there.
Carefully they carried her down into the
church, where large number Ofpersons
had congreRated, and into the presence
of her agonized friends. From the top
of her head, which was broken in. blood
and brains we're slowly oozing, while the
nose was crushed in and the face terri
bly, mangled. She was carried TO her
grand fathers residence and surgeons
we're at once summoned who pronounced
the case hopeless, and her death Is
a question of but few hours at the
fnrthest Thomas Piper, who has been
sexton of the church for about year,
was soon after arrested, and is now con-
fined at Chiefs Office He was engaged
at work about the church, but his sus-
picious manner, and his denial that he
had the keys, when the two keys fitting
the doors to the tower were taken from
hIs person, point strongly to him as the
guilty party. He is dark, heavy-set
man, about twentv-six years old, and has
once before been under suspicion OF
murder, but was discharged for want OF
sufficient evidence Many of the police
still believe him guilty of the murder
of young girl in the Dorchester dis
trict about fifteen months since. This
last affair has caused profound sensa-
ton in the community, and intense ex-
citement prevails. The very boldness OF
the affair lends addition to it. Scarcely
three-quarters of an hour elapsed from
the time the child came ont of the
vestihule of the church until she was
found in a dying condition. How
she was enticed away, and from What
motive, has not transpired.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28
Scribner for June.

If you should lay Scribner for June
ON the table before me, (says some one
writing from New York;, after looking
over the pictures and browsing through
Clarence Cooks Furniture Article and
the "Old Letters" and getting even with
the serials, I should settle down to the
reading Of James I. McKay's "BirdsalI
of Mapleton." l can tell you confiden-
italy, that l would not be disappointed
That Mckay has a wonderful way of
making people and events seem real. As
in reading the best fctionists, like Geo.
Eliot and Tourgeneff, you cannot help
putting yourself in the place of this or
that character; and every now and then
you are startled by an awakened mem
ony. McKak is uneven in his stories;
but at his best he shows an insight into
deepest things of the heart ard dram
atic power which are altogether his own.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28

Albany has practical issue upon the
reading OF the Bible in the common
schools. The Rev. DIR. Schlessenger,
rabbi of the Jewish synagogue in that
city, has presented to the board of pub
lie instruction a communication, setting
forth that the High School and other
public schools are daily opened with re-
ligious exercises. and a reading of por-
tion of the Scriptures. In the name OF
the Jewish residents and taxpayers OF
Albany, the rabbi protests against this
practice and demands its discontinuance
The subject has been referred to Com
mittee consisting of a Jew, Roman
Catholic and a Protestant.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28

A Curious instance of the contagious
ness of fear was shown on large scale
in Strauss corset factory, at New Haven
Tuesday. a number of girls employed
began talking about the frequency Of
sudden deaths, and became qnite sober
in their conversation, when one of them
more lively than the rest, to change the
subject, placed small land turtle,
which she had found somewhere, upon
the bench of her neighbor, who, seeing
it, was so startled that she tainted away
This circumstance, coupled with their
former conversation, had such an effect
upon the girls that, one after another,
they fell into tleathlike stupor, until
seven of them were stretched upon the
floor. One of the men, too, though
evidently struggling against the contag-
ior, also succumbed, and tho foreman,
becoming alarmed, sent all hands from
the room, and shut DOWN work for the
day.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28

Jefferson Davis takes gloomy view
of the future Of Mississippi. In letter
TO a friend in that State he says the
majority of negro voters is so large and
so rapidly increasing by immigration
that he cannot foresee the day of her de-
liverance. Speaking of Texas. which
he has recently visited, he says: "Tex-
as is the only Southern State which has
advanced in prosperity siAce the war,
and as a field for one who has sons to
lrunch npon the world, offers the most
inviting prospects.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28

The New York Sun has the follow
ing, which is pertinent:
We have heard that once at least Gen
eral Thomas complained to a friend that
after the combined armies got to Atlanta
he proposed to Gen. Sherman to take
the Army of the Cumberland, of which
he (Thomas) was commander, and march
with it straight through to the Atlantic
coast; but instead of adopting this pro-
position, Gen. Sherman took the whole
organized force of both the Army of the
Cumberland aud the Army Of the Tenn
essee and marched to the sea himself
leaving Thomas to pick up and reorgan-
ize the scattered fragments of troops
that remained within his reach, and
with them do the best he could against
the Confederate force under Hood. In
this work of reorganization, however,
Thomas accomplished great things, and
when he finally fought Hood at Nash
vile, he finished the business up pretty
completely. Thomas was a great man
| without any nonsense, no matter who
originally conceived the notion of
marching to the sea.