davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Morning herald., 1875-08-30
THE BANK OF, CALIFORNIA.

The telegraphic wires last week con.
veyed to the people-the news of two of the
most gigantic failures that have shocked
the commercial circles since that of the
house Of Jay Cooke & Co. The first was
that Of the house Of Stirling, Ahrens& Co.,
in Baltimore, large manufacturers of sugar
and molasses, and following closely upon
its heels was the announcement of the sus-
pension Of the Bank of California. The
latter was the most important of the two,
as the Bank Of California had reputation
that was national and almost dwarfed the
Baltimore failure into insignificance.
Since the announcement of the suspension,
other news has been received which invests
it with the exciting interest of a sensational
drama, and that is the death, by drowning
of the President, Mr.. William E. Ralston
The failure of the Baltimore house was
but the natural result in shrinking of pro.
ducts, that followed in the wake of dull
and inactive market. The house had run
to the tether of its extent in credit and
they were compelled to suspend. 1t was
not the result Of wild or heavy speculations,
but from depreciation in value of those
commodities in which they dealt. But
with the Bank Of California, the suspen-
s on of which does no. affect the same class
OF people as the failure in Baltimore, il
was entirely different. 1t was was bank
that dealt entirely in specie and the flnc.
tuations in that article did not interfere
with its interests or business prosperity a
particle. But it exceeded the legitimate
purposes of banking institutions and loaned
its money and influences with its officers as
the helmsmen to great schemes of specula.
tion, many Of which did not prove remu-
nerative, and its suspension was unavoida-
BILE. All aid to avert this calamity that it
might recuperate its losses in time was
refused. One firm Of means being offered
security to assume its liabilities, refused
to become that convenience, and the great
structure of wealth and influence has been
compelled to suspend payment; while the
President has found rest from his sorrow
and remorse in suicide.
The Morning herald., 1875-08-30


THE GLUrs which our people have ex.
perienced since the peach season begar
have caused those who are engaged in
growing the fruit, loss which was un'
avoidable, as all the circumstances were o.
such nature as to tend that way. What
the lessons to be deduced from this are
must occur to the growers between this and
next season. Numbers have already be.
gun to give the matter serious considera-
tion, and it has been suggested that refrig-
orators be erected at the most prominent
places on the peninsula. which would aid
very materially in the preservation Of fruit.
To accomplish this, capital must be invited
here from elsewhere, and if this PROPOSE
ton succeeds in consummation we have no
doubt that it will prove, in great meas
ure the means Of preventing peach glut
hereafter SO great as the one we have just
been through, if it does not check the in
convenience altogether. The canneries
are not numerous enough to consume all
the surplus of fruit that becomes burthen
to the market, and if the growers were to
pay more attention to drying they could
turn to good account hundreds Of bushels
annually that rot, and consequently be-
come dead loss. Too much attention
cannot be given this matter, and we hope
the growers will loose no time in taking
action upon it to relieve what is now a
private loss to them as we'll as to the reve-
nue. of the State.
The Morning herald., 1875-08-30

praise, very naturally now, but not very
honestly, consider themselves entitled to
underrate the drama. On this side of the
water the critics have evidently tried tobe
fair. Mr.. Henry James, Jr., who is very
justly, as we take it, gaining that respect
which he deserves, has contributed paper
to the last GALAXY in which large part of
cultured America is given a truthful
representation. -.4
Among the books Of travel of this month
there has been published full history Of
Livingstone and his explorations. The inn
portance Of good book about the great
missionary and adyenturer has been long
felt, nor does this work supply the want in
every respect. The style is often stilted.
There are frequent attempts at rhetorical
display, and, in word, much Of the sim
plicity Of Livingstone's life is destro yed
for the reader by the verbosity Of the editor.
The magazines for September, most Of
which appeared about the middle Of this
month, are superior to their summer prede-
cessors in judicious selection of articles.
In Lippincott, there is paper by Ed.
ward Spencer, Of Princess Anne, which
may have some local interest to our old
time people. 1t is entitled "Smithers,"
being fascinating. but true sketch of crime
and honor in the Revolutionary days.
The Morning herald., 1875-08-30

but able upon occasion to state his views
in their fIllness, strength and nervous vigol
of language. In habit Mr.. Ralston ex-
hibited intense application to business and
an excessive industry He was a briei
sleeper, and during most Of his working
hours dcvot d himself to the details of his
vast official bnsiness--beside his consider
able private affairs, which should suffice
alone to keep most men busy-with all his
tremendous energy. His despatch of bus
iness was somewhat marvellous, and the
po oular beliefin his infallibility amounted
to superstition. His opinion of men,
business projects and in financial matters
generally was considered conclusive. His
personal power in the States and Terri
tories of the Pacific was great. The infu-
ence of the corporation Of which he was
chief officer was felt everywhere.
Mr.. Ralston in 1858 married brilliant
and accomplished niece Of ]. d. Fry, by
whom he had several children. The coun-
try residence of Mr. Ralston was situated
about twenty-five miles south Of the city
in charming valley known as "Diablo
Canyon" Much has been said, from time
to time, of the magnifcence, luxury and
beauty Of Mr.. Ralston's private resi-
dence, located in Diablo Canyon, which is
one of the most beautiful valleys in Cali
fornia, and as location for country resi-
dence is certainly unequalled on the Con-
tinent.
Visitors to California, if prominent men,
whether lawyers, lecturers, editors, Con-
gressmen, distinguished foreigners, fnan-
ciers or business men, did not consider
that they had seen the institutions of the
country unless they had visited the mag
nifcen bank building and had been enter
tanned at the princely country-seat of Mr..
Ralston, at Belmont, in Santa Clara Val
ley not far from San Francisco. 1t con-
tains splendid music hall and all the
appointments of palace, and cost over
$25O,0O0.
Mr.. Ralston's charities were very con-
siderable but were not done in manner
to be seen of men. One of his character
tics was fondness for an unlimited num-
Der Of fine horses. In the pleasant season
Of the year he frequently drove between
the city and his country-seat. He owned
land near Belmont and parts Of town sites
on both sides of the bay south of the city,
which he desired to render valuable by the
construction Of bridge at Ravenswood
anu direct line of railroad following the
bay shore With this object in view Mr..
Ralston was willing that the city of San
Francisco should he taxed So, 100000, to be
given to company to build the Ravens.
weod bridge; but the people did not UNDER
stand it in that way. From the part he
filled in the public eye Of San Francisco
the excitement caused there by his suicide
can be well understood. 1t can only be
compared to that in New Y.rk which fol-
lowed the shooting of Fisk.
The Morning herald., 1875-08-30
FINANCIaL.
WILMINGTON, DEL,
Ann On In.

aug. %, Pm.
The quiet markets which ruled durin, a.
earlier part of the week, was rudely hrol
up yesterday morning by the announcer
ofthe failure ofthe Bank of California ,vhi.]
closed its doors on Thursday afternoon .s
paying out 81 100000 coin buring tbs
This bank hasa capital of s., 900 ,OOO ,o,:
and in the numerous mining stocks h'
have taxed the capacities of California 81,
atalists lately, and particularly in "CoOsdl
dated Virginia" and "Ophia Salvage KIM,
as the ''Bonanzas." Heavy losses have r.
entailed, which finally compelled it to sn
cumb. The several other banks in g.
Francisco which suspended during the d,
together with the failure of Sterling, Ah,o.
n Co., of Baltimore, created quite papeL
feeling in Philadelphia and New Yor, s,nl !
exchanges causing decline from \ to so
cent, but upon later and more reassurjDph i
telligence, stocks have recovered more ma
terially /, and though still excited, bau
much better and improved feeling. MOpa
abundant-rates on call 2 and 3. Our ~,
markets are quiet with some small sale,
Wilmington City Loan at 10lH and inter,I
and Wilmington and Brandywine bank \
90.
F., WlLMINGTo TON, DEL, II
Monday, Aug. 30, 1888, p. NJ.
GOLD AND BOND QUOTATIONS.
Reported by Craige, johnson & Co., Bank
ers and Brokers, 9th and Market Sts |
Saturday, Pm
The Morning herald., 1875-08-30

OUR people should have an eye to their
houses, and see that they are properly se-
cured against robbers. We give this as a
warning to citizens against the tramps and
public thieves who are constantly drifting
into the city. Our police have proved
very efficient in ferreting out such charac-
ters but they are not ubiquitous, and can
not offer protection to every house unless
the owners take some precaution them
selves to avert robberies.
The Morning herald., 1875-08-30

The Pennsylvania Central condueAas
wear pocketlsss uniform, and now when
they are insulted they have to 6ght-they
can't pocket it.
The Morning herald., 1875-08-30

J. G. Whittier; a'iarge iron nanuiaGp1urt pot
er, in Northern New York, died at fo''
Henry, on the 18th, Of apoplexy.
The Morning herald., 1875-08-30

THE SUICIDE of the president of the
Bank of California furnishes strong evi-
dence Of the humiliation and embarrass-
ment character that has borne high
reputation for superior business qualifica-
tions can suffer at any calamity which
may overthrow its brilliancy. Such a
standing Mr.. Ralston occupied previous
to the suspension of the bank. The loss
Of this standing wrought the melancholy
and remorse that led to suicide and thus
blotted from existence strong mind that
was too weak to face its own missfortun.. =.
The Morning herald., 1875-08-30
WILMINGTON QUOTATIONS.

VOV
Bid. ASKED
Delaware State Bonds, 102 105
Wilmington City Bonds, 1901! lois
Delaware r. r. first mtge.., 1Ol 1Us
extension 99s 1OO
Wilmington & Reading R. r.
lst mortgage, 4S4 5.
Wilmington Il Reading r. h.
End mortgage, S 10
Wilmington y Western R. R.
lst mortgage, 20 :!.h
Delaware h. r. Stock, 22s 9
Wilmington Coal Gas Co., 81 80
Notional Bank of Delaware, 500
" " VII. & B'dywiRe, OK
First National Bank, 139 al
Union National Bank, 50 4s
Farmers Bank, = 42Ls 4S
The Morning herald., 1875-08-30
Saturday, 8 P. NJ

STOCK QUOTATIONS..
Reported by Craige,, johnson d Co., Bank
7 ers and Brokers, 9th and Market Sts
= SATURDAY.. Bpm
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-03-06
ELEPHANT LABSI;IGES.

1t would be too long to relate all the uses
to which elephants are applied in Burnah.
Let us watch them at work among the
woodyar,is where the trunks Of lockwood
tree, which come floating down the river, are
piled. Every working-c!ephant is mounted
by Il driver called Il 'coruac,' whose prin-
cipal business is rather to excite the ami
nal than to direct it.
In the season when the roads are cut, the
trunks come down the bar much faster
than they can be disposed of in the saw
mills. and they accumulate in vast quanti
ties all along the banks 1t is necessary,
therefore, to drag the trees out of the W..
ter and arrange them in piles until such
time as they can be cut up. There are on
ly three sorts of piles, varying with the
size of the trees. First an elephant in the
water clears the logs from the mass and
ranges them one by one upon the river
bank. He carefully examines the chaos of
logs and proceeds with tusks and trunk to
disengage the tree he has selected and
which he intends to carry to land. AS
soon as the tree is placed on the bank
another elephant is harnessed to it and
drags it to the woodward, where he leaves
it. Two other elephants now come up, and
one of them takes one end of the log upon
his trunk and drags it to the pile upon
which, III view Of its size, it ought to be
placed, while his companion assists him by
pushing the log with all his might. As
soon as they reach the proper pile the first
elephant lifts the top of the log upon the
pile, then he forms kind of ring around
the log with his trunk, while the other with
vigorous blow of his head shoots the log
into its place. The intelligence displayed
by these animals is almost incredible, and
We should scarcely have believed it if we
had not seen their movements as described
above.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-03-06
EARLY PRINTING IN AMERICA.

The Puritans evidently believed that
free press was necessary to the existence OF
free Pee pie. Eighteen years after the
landing on the bleak coasts Of New Eng
land the Pilgrim Fathers established the
first printing press on this side of the At
lantic in 1858, and at Cambridge in 1859
the first publication waa made by Daye,
and was entitled "rhe Freeman's Oath"
Daye had been brought over by Joseph
Glover rich nonconformist preacher, who
also brought with him stock Of printing
material. An old sea captain. one William
Pierce, edited nn almanac in the same year,
and in the following the Revs. Weld and
Eliot produced THE Psalms Newly Tuned
Into Meter which passed through seven
ty editions in one hundred and fourteen
years, and was also reprinted in England
and Scotland. Some other books of a re-
ligious nature were issued, and in 1G41 a
book called The Body of Liberty. contain
ing one hundred colonial laws, appeared.
Daye's work was full of typographical er-
ioio' bt'u iic "stS SuptisStch W ho'lHiuci
Green, mistakenly called the first printer
in America, for we find that Daye obtained
Il grant for three hundred acres of land in
Massachusetts, for being the first who set
up printing
Then comes the poems OF Ann Bradstrcct,
wife Of the Governor, and several other
smaller Dious works.
In 1863 Eliot printed the catechism in
the Indian language, and in 1854 the print
ing Of al the laws of the court begun. The
first American edition of the Bible was is
sued in 1861 and 1868.
The first copyright WAS passed in 1872,
stipulating that no printer should print OF
sell any more copies than were agreed up
on, and paid for by the owner, and the next
enactment secured the copyright for seven
years.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-03-06
LENGTH or GEOLOGICAL PERIODS.

The celebrated geological writer, Mr..
Lubbock, in his book entitled "Prc- Historic
Times says that all the facts of geology
tend to indicate an antiquity of which we
ere beginning to form but dim idea.
Take. for instance, one single formation
our wcll-known chalk. This consists en-
tircly Of Shells and fragments of shells dc.
posted at the bottom of an ancient SEA for
away from any continent. Such process
as this must be very slow ;-problhly We
should not be very much above the mark if
we were to assume Il rate of deposition of
ten inches in Il century. Now the chalk is
upwards Of 900 feet thick, AMI would have
required. therefore. more than l2o,oDt
years for its formation. The foasilfcrou.i
beds of Great Britain, n5 Il who,', are more
than 1000 feet in thickness, AMI many
which with us measures only Il few incil"f,
on the continent expand into strata Of im.
mcnse depth while others of great i'm
portarce elsewhere are wholly wanting
with us, for it is evident that during al
tllc tlHCt M lt.ilOt3 III Wnicn GREAT i'".l!tn
has been dry land strata have been forn-
ing, as is, for example. the case nov c!3c-
where, an not with us.
Moreover, We must remember thlt many
of the strata now existing have bocn for;n d
at the expense of older ones ; thus all tn:
flint grlyels in the southeast Of England
have been produced by the destruction o!
chalk. This again is very slow process.
II is estimated that a cliff five hundred feet
high will be Worn away at the rat. of an
inch in century. This may seem u SLOW
rate, but we must bear in mind That lonI
any line Of coast there are complr ltivrly
few points which are suffering at one time,
and that even on those, when u fall of
cliff has taken place, the fragments serve
as a protection to the coast until they haze
been gradually removed by the waves.
The Whcal,len Valley is twenty-five miles
in breadth. and on these data it is calcu-
lated that the denudlton of the Wheald
must have required more than l50,00O,0OO
Of years.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-03-06
PAY ATTENTION.

Whatever you are about, pay attention
to it. Keep your mind on what you are
at. Think Of what you are doing. Close
attention is very much matter Of habit;
and it is bahit which should be Gilligcnt-
ly cultivated.
Take, for instance, the habit of mind in
reading. One law student has general
idoa that he has seen clse reported some
where, in which he rather believes q GER
ttin point arose-hc is not quite sure of
that-which was decided one way or the
othor, he don't remember which Another
student who had the same book in his
hand the same length of time, remembers
what Reports it was in, the number Of the
volume, the name of the case, the names CT
the counsel, the points that came up, the
views Of the different JUICES, if there WIS
conflict of opinion upon them. and pre-
ciscly what the decision was. He even re-
members the part of the book. the very
number Of the page where it is to be found.
In his minds eye he can see the lines. the
words, the letters. He has the habit Of
fixed attention, which all students should
strive to acquire,
The opposite extreme Of loose reading
and listening is illustrated by some anus
ing anecdotes One is Of man who said
he had recently read in some paper. he
couldn't remember where it was, of man
named Johnson-he believed his name was
Johnson-who had raised thousand bar
rels ofpotatocs to the acrc--hc believed it
was barrels, it might possibly have been
bushels; he WAS quite sure it Wis potatoes,
though possibly it might have been apples;
it seemed. "A good deal for an acre, he might
be mistaken about that really it WAS i'm
possible, it must have been more than an
acre
Another is OF an old woman who said she
had learnt a sure way to tell whether an
egg was good or not she had heard
great many before, but this was certain,
and it was so simple, too: it WAS to just
drop the egg into II pail of water and if it
WAS good it would-cithtr sink or SWIM she
really had forgotten which
1t is very good practice after laying T.
book down to take up Il pen and see how
much you can write of what you have
read. After trying it regularly for Il week
you will be pleased to find how much more
you can remember than You could at first.
SO rapidly does the habit Of concentrating
ones thoughts grow with cultivation.
Think Of what you are doing and you
will remember what you have done. Cul-
tivate the habit of keeping wide awake,
and of fixing your attention closely,
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-03-06
SINGULAR SCALDING CASE.

AS Council Bluffs woman was doing her
washing. one of her children fell into II kct-
tie of water. The mother seized the infant
whose heart-rendinS cries indicated the
terrible nature of its injuries, and deposit
ii it upon bed, while she ran to neigh
boris to get him to run for q doctor. Be-
fore the doctor arrived, all the neighbors
had gathered, and among them had UNI
dressed the screaming infant-very care
fully, so that the scalded skin should not
peel off-and sprinkled it with flour. At
length the doctor arrived, almost ut the
same moment with the terror-stricken hus-
band, whom also the messenger had
found and bidden to "go home and pre-
pare for the saddest news" The doctor
made careful examination of the infant,
and promptly advised the mother to put
shirt or something On the child, so it
might not freeze TO death. Tie asseil-
bled neighbors one after another felt Of
The water III the kettle, found it icy cold,
md quietly separated.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-03-06


It is related of George Clark the cele-
bratrd negro minstrel that, being cxamin-
ed as a witness, he WIS severely interrogat-
ed by the attorney, who wished to
break down his evidence. "You are in
the negro minstrel business. believe ?"
inquired the lawyer. "Yrs. sir, WAS the
prompt reply. "lsn't that rather low
calling p demanded the lawyer. Il don't
know but what it is, SIR. replied the min
strcl, but it is so much better than my
fathers that | am rather proud of it,"
"What was your fathers ctilinS?" He
was a lawyer" replied Clark, in a tone of
regret that put the audience in a roar. The
lawyer let him alone.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-03-06
NUMBER "a.


There's an o'd picture on the wall,
A sen-view from masters hand,
Which ever to ME doth recall
Sweet memories of a fsr.off land.
1 brought it with me Ger the sea
Many, aye many a year ago,
When sought I'll. land where liberty
Made e'en the poor MANS heart aglow.
With fortunes smiles have been blest,
lown my houses and my lands.
know that the wealth which is tho best
Is earned BY labors willing hands.
But among the dearest thing priza
Is this old picture ON the wall;
1t looks at me with loving eyes
And tender grace o'crsprcads 1t al.
1t minds me OF time whom We
One summer evening mbled. where
We saw the moonbeams kiss the sea,
While the breath Of clover fl!sd tho air.
Toward the land OF the lofty pin0
We saw the great ships sailing away,
And n hope grew in her breast and mine,
hope to reach that land some day.
Fulnllmcnt crowned our hope, and we
Have in that land lived many n year,
Our lives have passed most happily
Our eyes have seldom felt u tear.
And now when we review the past
And many memories recall.
The sweetest memory round us cast
Comes through that picture on the wall.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-03-06
THE SLANG OF THE STO OK EXCHANGE.

Gamblers of every grade, says a con-
temporary, have their slang terms to con-
vcy to the initiated just what they mean
and h Ncver blind it may be to the unini-
tiatcd, it is perfectly Ineligible to those
possessed of the high civilization % ne
ce3sary to "manipulate stocks Four diff
ferent forms OF contracts are known under
the general term of stock privileges The
put" and cali are single privileges. A
"str.dilc' and spread" are double prvi-
lcgcs. A put" is Il contract giving the
holder the right Of delivering u certain
amount Of stock within a definite time at Il
stipulated price. \ "cnlP' is exactly the
reverse of L put" being II contract giving
the holder the right Of calling for the stock
instead Of delivering it. A double privi-
lege is 4 put and "call' On the same
stock in one contract. When - double
privilege IS drawn at the market pr.ca of
the stock, it is called "strld'ilc,' allG
costs from two and u half to FIVE per cent
premium. Bat when drawn at a distluc
OF from one or two and half per cent.
above and Lolow the market Price. it l.
called a "snr&all,' for which tixel preA.-
;wm OF two per cent is paid T.!c distance
from tac market at which Il 'spr"a,;' is
drawn depends ON the cln5s OF stock ;.nl
t.. lcti, ity of the IN llls,t
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-03-06
A SUICIDAL SCORPION.

The statement that scorpion. when
driven to bay by its enemies and unable to
escape, will kill itself by blow from its
venomous sting has usually been regarded
as rather mythical. A well attested in
stance. however, of the suicide of the in
insect has lately been published by DR.. dc
Bellesme. The writer states that, having
captured scorpion, he converged the rays
of the sun on its back by means of q burn
ing glass. The insect became furiously en-
ragged, and finally raised its sting ami
struck itself, dying within hall Il minut.
aitelward.