davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23
Life-saving Apparatus.


The value OF the new life-preseryinp
apparatus OF Captain Boynton seems to
have been established by his late at
tempt to cross the Straits of Dover. AL
though he did not get over the channel
entirely, he went far enough to show the
usefulness Of his invention. The dis
lance from Dover TO Boulogne. rs navi-
gated in an indirect line, is estimated ut
about fifty miles. Darkness overlook
Boynton when he had eight miles to
travel. He had sustained himself fifteen
or sixteen hours in rough sea, and his
progress, including necessary stoppages
for rest. was about three miles an hour.
He had, however, established the value
of his armor before this last experiment.
Last autumn he was permitted to 90 a.
shore fsom n steamer on the coast of
Ireland, seven miles from the shore, on
stormy night, and, after being six or
seven hours in the water, aud by force
OF the gale and unexpected currents
compelled to travel nearly thirty miles,
he landed in safety. Yet he reported
that he reached the shore with his inner
suit as dry rs when he left the ship. On
one of his trips he is said TO have had n
bout him, besides some small baruage.
an axe, n knife, signal rockets, spy
glass and three days rations. The ar
NOR consists of n buoyant, water-tight
dress, in which the person is enveloped.
1t is said to be somewhat complex, con-
sistlng of boots, trowsers and jacket in
| one. The voyager lies on his back and
propels himself feet forward, using a
double-bladed paddle. How far the ma
chine can be turned to practical account
III the case of passengers on sea-going
| and other vessels is another question
liz the event of n vessel suddenly going
down from collision or other unexpected
peril, there might not be time enough
| for man to put it on, as it is said TO be
work of some difficulty to array ones
self i'll the apparatus, while it would be
still more troublesome for women. OF
course there could be no guarantee n
gainst such perils of the sea rs sharks
or other aggressive rovers of the deep.
This, however, might he an exceptional
danger, the risk of which would be rea-
Oily encountered by most passengers
rather than the certainty of destruction
in going down with q sinking vessel.
" '''AS ~ 10 - blsttbti vi OOuDJ WilCLIcT
this invention can be made to increase
practically to any considerable extent
the safety of passengers in sea-going
vessels, it would seem to be important
in its value for life saving and coast
guard duty. By the life-car and mortar
system ship four hundred yards from
n coast may be reached by life line
and communication established in about
half an hour. Boynton's apparatus, if
correctly represented, will enable n
coast-guard to go where line fred from
mortar could not reach, as well rs to
carry the tools and lines needed in
wrecking expeditions. Ifthis invention
is what is claimed for it, its value con-
sists in lesscning the dangers to vessels
otthc shore, which are really greater
than the dangers OF the sea.-Bat. Sun.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23
A Genius in the Penitentiary.

Z The Baltimore SGa says: Adolph
Lawrence, in the Maryland Penitentia-
~, whose term of horse-stealing expired
on the 4th Of March, and who is now
serving an additional three months for
an adroitly planned and successfully
carried out escape from the prison in
1870, has proved himself man of no
ordinary talent. When the keeper came
to his cell one morning i'm that year, the
figure OF man with outstretched hand
presented the customary check with
which each prisoner is designated, and
1t was not for sometime after discovered
that the prisoner was gone, that the fig-
ure was dummy made of clothing, and
that the hand WIS an excellent imitation
in plaster of paris. lie was shortly af.
ter rccaptured and has since been one of
the best men and at the same time has
turned his excellent abilities in direc.
ton which is likely to prove remunera-
tive, ut the same time that an honorable
and useful life in the future is opened TO
him. lie is employed in the shoe de-
partment and some time since invented
an attachment to shoe-stitching ma
chimes, which is very simple and fills n
want long felt. Through the board of
directors the invention was patented and
sale of the right for New York made
to large manufacturing house in New
York City for 5000. The invention has
gained the good opinion of many in the
trade, and it is believed that when the
man IS Mt liberty he will at once secure
competency in the sale of rights to
use and the royalty upon his invention.
Efforts to secure his release are stated
to he strongly seconded by the board OF
directors.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23
A Sad Story-Death.

a correspondent gives the Lexington
Gazette this account of the death of a
young man, who formally lived ut Was
keys Mill, and who fell into temptation
and ended q miserable life in sad death :
John Wesley Tucker was n bright
young man. lie had n good mind. n
plain education. very pleasant and popu-
lar manners, and was highly esteemed
by all who knew him. lie might have
made highly respectable, useful and
happy man. Unfortunately, he took to
keeping bar, and from thence by very
natural descent to tasting the drinks he
handled, then TO tipling, and finally to
hard drink. frequent sprees and habitual
and gross intemperance. Unable TO re-
sst the temptation of the saloon, he quit
Lexington and went TO farming. Still
his insatiate throat cried for strong and
hot drink and he gave it all it asked for
he had lost all selfcontrol Stung by
remorse, lie often repented in sack-cloth
and ashes after n spree, and made many
solemn VOWS that he would never drink
again. Sometimes he held up for n few
weeks. by staying at home and keeping
away from temptation, but rs soon rs an
enemy assailed him, he forgot all his
sorrows and vows and fell deeper into
the mirc. Some five or six years ago he
married q nice young lady whom he ten.
derby loved and his friends hoped he
would reform. but he did not. lie re-.
Trained for a while, but bis love FOR his
mortal enemy was stronger than his love
for his wife and children, and he became
grossly incorporate. During the cold
wet spell Of the 9Th inst. he got drunk.
laid out all night aud was found next
morning nearly froze 10 death. lie was
removed 20 his residence near the Natu.
raj Bridge. aud died in few moments
after he was brought in the house. a
sad spectacle to ALL especially 10 his
frantic wife and sobbing little children.
bercaved Of their natural protector. and
thrown without means ON the cold CHAIR.
ties Of a hearticss world
Young man BE warned bv this mel.
ancholly example TASTE nat. A0l.51o
Hoi, touch nat tie pHc'eop Hinqr-Your
safety is in toiW abstinence nor ami
tOrcrcr
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

FENCE PosTs.--To preserve any post
planted in the ground bore an inch au-
ger hole in the post, slanting downward.
and deep enough TO hold gill, about an
inch above that part of the post that is
covered by the ground. Then fill this
hole nearly full with any kind Of grease
or oil, and stop up by driving pin into
it very tight. This can be done after
the post is planted. The grease or oil
will spread through the pores or the
wood, and fill them up, and render it im-
pervious to the air and water, which cause
wood to decay.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23
A Remarkable Case of Catalepsy.

The Evansville Und) Courier of the
3lst of March relates the following on
the authority of n neighbor of the lady
who is the subject of the story: I'm our
neighboring town of Newburg, which re-.
presents Warrick county. on the Ohio.
some weeks since, Elizabeth Lippert
the wife ola farmernamed Gottleib Lip
pert, was taken very i'll with inaammato-
ry rheumatism, and the disease continu.
ing, her life was despaired of She con-
tinued to grow weaker and weaker, and
few days since died, or expired to all
appearances. The grief of the family
was very great, but at the death bed there
were also number of neighbors. In
the hour of distress they proceeded to
prepare the corpse for burial. The bo.
dy was placed in q convenient position.
and was noticed to be still warm. but
not more so than they are usually after
dying of feyers. The neighbors, about
half an hour after Mrs. Libbert's death.
commenced to wash the body. As soon
however, as water was placed on the
face the corpse seemed to become inspired
with life, and after the additions had con-
tinued for nearly fifteen minutes she o.
pened her eyes, much to the astonish-
ment OF the attendants. who were not a
little frightened, for they thought they
were dealing with corpse instead of
one still on this side of the celestial
world. The women continued their at
tentions, however, until Mrs. Lippert
was able to speak. She said that lust
before she died everything about her be-
came dark, and soon she went to sleep
When she woke it was bright, and as
she tells it, she was in n strange place.
feeling an ecstacy of pleasure, and was
devoid Of all the racking pains with
which she was afflicted during herillness.
She gives no definite idea of the land
into which she had in spirit wandered,
or the people she met, but is certain she
was In Heaven, and, in her simple way.
described the place as being an elysium
OF bliss. While enjoying all this it be-
came dark suddenly, and she woke as
from pleasant dream to find that she
had been corpse for nearly an hour,
and that the neighbors were washing
her face. Since then Mrs. Lippert has
entirely recovered, and is now able TO be
about attending TO her household duties
and in her leisure moments relates TO the
open-mouthed Ncwburgcrs the story of
her death"
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

REMEDY FOR CApDAoE WoRMs.--A
correspondent states that buckwheat
flour, sifted through sieve, in the eve-
on, will efiectually eradicate cabbage
worms. Two applications (and often
one) will do the work. lie has succeed
ed in raising splendid cabbage. while his
neighbors, who did not use the remedy.
invariably failed. 1t is preferable to
hellebore, or any other article for the
purpose, and has the advantage of be-
inc harmless
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

COLORADO PoTATo BEETLE.-Thcy
will be on hand early in the spring. as
soon as the potatoes are up-not TO eat
the young stalks but to deposit their
eggs, each one about million. The
best way is TO pick the old ones off by
hand. When the young ones get too
thick for comfort, give them dose OF
Paris green mix enough with water to-
make it dark green. Apply with q
common watering pot with a fine nose.
DO not handle them If you have n sore
or cut on your face or hands. When
burning, the smoke from them il poison
Gus. Eastern farmers who have not re-
ceived a call from them yet should be
prepared for them, for they will surely
call on you. Kill the first ono you see
and keep on killing. Commence in
time /; don't let them run two or three
years, as we did. They did not injure
the crop at first, and we thought they
would leave in few years; but they
came to stay. We have got them thin
ned out little.--R,1d Ne1o Yorker.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23
Editors Correspondence.
LEXINGTON, Mo, April 10. 1877

LEXINGTON, Mo-. April 10, 1875.
Mn. HARPER Perhaps. when Won
look at this, you will wonder who that is
who Is writing to you from Lexington.
do. The thought of my native town,
Romney, inspires me with thoughts
gloomy and grand so [ thought that it
would not be inappropriate to write to
you of the climate, health and resources
ofMissouri. In our county, LAFAYETTE
the land is the best in the State: but.
1T seems that no one can appreciate the
real value of land in this western coun.
try as they can in old Virginia. Our
county is now over-burdened with taxa.
tion-its value being just four times the
taxes due on the property. The wheat
crop is nearly killed here, on account of
the long and severe winter Grasshop-
pers viii be plentiiulin about one month /:
the ground is just full of their eggs and
they are right on the verge of Matching.
so, you sec, If the wheat ,couM get start
ed to growing, the grasshoppers would
consume it. There is fine prospect for
= good crop of corn, but | suppose the
grasshoppers will devour it all, before il
natures. The climate here is about like
IL IS In Virginia. 1t is about as healthy
rs any place in the same latitude. We
have countless wealth here in the coal
(bitrminous) mines of our county; there
10 little or no demand for it this time
OF the year. We have excellent schools
here-there being three female colleges
and one high-school for boys and young
men. Also, two iron foundries and ma
chine shops, eleven churches, with po-
pu!ation of 1000 Hoping that these
few items will be received, published. if
you iike,) will endeayor at some other
time to add to them.
remain, as ever, your devoted friend,
T. NJ -
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23
How to Eat an Orange.

Always, on n southern gentleman's
table, the dessert Of oranges is furnish.
ed with small silver fruit knives and
spoons. The orange is held in the nap
kn-just as you hold an egg-and with
the slender point Of the knife n circular
incision is carefully made in the stem
end Of the orange, and The stem core il
nicely cut ont, leaving an orifce large
enough 20 admit an egg-spoon. The
orange is held and eaten then. just az
commands eat an egg, in its own shell
and the skill and grace with which this
is dOne-that Is, without soiling the en-.
gers or napkin-are, as in the same pro.
cess with the egg, test Of good breed
ing. ] have known the most inexpert
persons % master the few difficulties in
the way after two or three efforts and
their satisfaction was an infinitely pleas
ant sight. To hostesses who like 60
have their tables preserve in some degree
at the close Of an entertainment. the
beauty which dazzled the guests upon
entering. this method Is most desirable.
Only the delicious nectar Of the fruit is
eaten, with the more delicate pulp.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

PLANT SWEET CoRS.--1f farmers re-
allied the difference between the deli
cious evergreen sweet Indian corn. and
common hard field corn, for eating on
the cob, we feel sure every one would
secure quart or two OF good seed, and
plant q patch. that plentiful supply
could be had by the family. from early
Autumn till cut off by late frosts. Make
three or four paintings, two or three
weeks apart, and OF the different varic-
ties, early, late, and evergreen. and you
may have green corn every day for three
months. Try it.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

LARGE CrRRANTs.--H. j. Rhodes,
Brighton. Indiana, writes to the H'ork.
ing Farmer. thnt he raises the common
currants as large as the cherry currant,
by keeping the ground rich. and the
bushes open. so that light and air can
have free access to them. lie renews
the wood every two years; the young
plants grow until that time without much
pruning; afterward he cuts out all wood
over two wears old.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

- DR. Ncrmyne, Of New Bedford. re.
Gently performed the operation Of taking
out a mans right eve, and found among
the fragments Of the membrane Of the
eye n shingle nail, perfect in all its
parts, one-half an inch in length land
originally three-quarters Of an inch.
which had been in the eve forty years.
and had destroyed the sight during that
time. The iris had become completely
ossiied.-Enchanae.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

" Johnny said q man. winkinu
slyly 20 n clerk Of his acquaintance in a
dry-gOOds store. ''you must give me ex.
ira measure. Your master is not i'm
Johnny looked mp in the mans face
very seriously. and said
my master is always in"
Johnuy's master was the all-seeinp
God. Let us all. when we are tempted
TO do wrong adopt Johnny's motto
" My Master is always in" II shall save
us from many sin, and also from much
sorrow.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

"A QUICK QUAETER.-W commend
the following TO the youth Of our sec
ton 81 boy worked hard all day for
a quarter OF n dollar. With quarter
he bought apples, and took them TO
town and soldthem on the street for n
dollar. With the dollar he bought a
sheep. This sheepbrought him a lamb.
and her fleece brought him another dol.
lar. The next spring he had two sheep.
two lambs, and vearling sheep The
three Aeeccs he sold for three dollars.
and bought three more sheep. lie now
had six, with q fair prospect lie work
ed where he found opportunity. for hay,
corn, oats, pasturage for lis sheep
Took the choicest care Of them. and
soon had a flock. The wool enabled
him 10 buy pasture for them. and by
time be was twenty one he had fair
start in life, aud all from the quarter he
earned in one day.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

EU"Picking the ears" is n most mis-.
chievous practice; in attempting to do
this with hard substances an unlucly mo-
ton has many time pierced the drum
and made it rs useless as pierced india
rubber life preserver; nothing sharper
or harder than the end Of the little fin
ger, with the nail paired. ought ever to
be introduced into the ear, unless by n
physician. Persons arc often seen en-.
deavoring TO remove the "wax" OF tho
ear with the head Of pin +; this ought
never to be done; first, because il not
only endangers the rupture Of the ear by
being pushed too far in, but IL not so far,
it may CRATE against the drum, excite in
Illumination and an ulcer which will final
~ eat all the parts away, especially Of n
scrotu!ous constitution; second, hard
substances have often slipped in, and
caused the necessity Of painful, danger
GUS and expensive operations 70 FISH or
cut out; third. the wax is manufactured
by nature 20 guard the entrance from
dust, insects and unmodifed cold air,
and when IL has subserved it's purpose IL
becomes dry, scaly, light. and in this
condition is easily pushed outside by
new formations Of wax within.
TITO each bowl Of starch. before
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

iI'A mysterious case occurred re-.
Gently cna Michigan railroad. a young
German entered train with his wife.
and was rather careless in exposing a
large sum Of money. Some unpleasant
looking men on the other side Of the car
were attracted by glimpse Of it.. and
kept their eyes fixed on him as long ns
they travelled together. The voung
man left his wife 20 step into another
car for a moment, and was never seen
again alive. His body was found some
time afterwards on the railroad track.
near the place where he attempted 20
cross from car 20 car. It's suspected
that one Of the strangers. who absented
himself at about the same moment, rob.
bed and murdered him.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

The TEAPOT AssAILED.-TheJ Journal
Of Chemistry asserts that tea is not the
simple harmless beverage that is gener-
ally supposed but that its effects, in
their character. may rightly claim to be
cIassed with those of tobacco and alco-
hol The Journal Of Chemistry adds ::
Many disorders of the nervous system
are the direct result of extensive tea bib.
bing. Tea is a 'naurotic poison; its
essential principle, theme, is allied in
composition and properties, with strych-
nine and morphine. 1t first excites the
nervous system and then exhausts it
Experiments show that, both in man and
IN other animals, it impairs power in the
lower extremities so that it affects the
understanding in n double sense-lite-
rally rs well as fguratively 1t is not
The harmless exhilarant it has been con-
sideyed, but a powerful agent, whose eff.
fects arc often serious"
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

70 The annual value, commercially
speaking, OF the fisheries Of the United
states is over fifteen millions of dollars.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

tV West Virginia has $3.50 public
school houses OF these $40 arc frsmc
stone, ~ brick and ] 200 log.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23

tV'To each bowl Of starch. before
boiling. add a teaspoonful Of Epson
salts. Articles prepared with this will
be sitter, and in measure fireproof.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-23


LV'A congregation of worshipers in
Bucks County, Pa, met with comical
mishap few Sundays since. The pcws
ofthe church had been newly painted and
vanished. and it was not good drying
weather Everything was lovely until
the minister was about 90 deliver the
benediction and the congregation en-.
deavored 10 respond by rising. They
remained steodfast 10 the church and
stcadf3ster TO their seats. Each seemed
TO fear that something mysterious. re-
!igious-probably q judgment-was the
matter with them, and they were seized
simultaneously with panic. They tore
themselves loose, with q desperate effort
and rushed ont Of the church iH futter.
ing rags, leaving samples OF the silks
and clothes they wore for the inspection
of the Mortified minister and dumbfoun,
ded sexton. II would not be astoRisib
ing If some Of that congregation said
bad words on the way home.
4 Coon LEssoN roE TIE YorNG.-
One day lady came home from shop
ping. Her little boy did not meet her
and throw his arms around her neck. as
how glad lac was 10 have her home a.
gain. Instead Of this he seemed to he
afraid 10 look bis mother in the face.
and kept out Of her way as much as he
could al day. His mother thought il
very strange, and wondered what was
the matter.
At the close Of the day she found the
reason. When she was undressing him
So goo 20 bed, he said
Mother. can God see through tho
crack in the closet door?"
Yes" said his mother
And can he see when il is all dark
thcrc?"
Yes she said. che can see us at all
times and his eye is on us in all places.
Then God saw me-" said the little
fellow. When you we're gone out,
went into the closet. and ate up all the
cake. ] am very sorry. Please forgive
me- And he laid his head on his moth
crs lap, and cried bitterly.