davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
Battle of the Ants.

Huber thus depicts, in Homeric style,
that burlesque of human warfare, a bat
tie of ants; Figure to yourself two CT
ties equal in size and population, and
situated about a hundred PAGES from
each other; observe their countless
numbers, equal to the population of
two mighty empires. The whole space
which separates them for the breadth
of twenty-four inches, appears alive
with prodigious crowds OF their inhab-
itants. Thousands of champions, mount
ed on more elevated spots, engage in
single combat, and seize each other
with their powerful jaws; a still great
er number are engaged. on both sides,
in taking prisoners, who make vain eff
forts to escape, conscious of the cruel
fate which awaits them when arrived at
the hostile formicary. The spot where
the battle most RACES is about two or
three square feet in dimensions; a pen
etrating odor exhales on all sides;
numbers of ants are here lying dead,
covered with venom; others, compos-
ing groups and chains, are hooked to-
gether by their legs or jaws, and drag
each other alternately in contrary di-
directions. These groups are
formed gradually. At first a
pair of combatants seize each
other and, rearing upon their hind
legs, mutually squirt their acid, then
closing, they fall and wrestle in the
dust. Again recovering their eet,each
endeavors TO drag off his antagonist.
If their strength be equal they remain
immovable till the arrival of a third
gives one the advantage. Both, howev.
er, are often succored at the same time,
and the battle still continues undecided.
Others take part on each side, till chains
are formed of six, eight, or sometimes
ten, all hooked together and struggling
pe~rtinaciously for the mastery. The
equilibrium remains unbroken till q
number of champions of the same hive,
arriving at once, compel them to let GO
their hold, and the single combatants
recommence. At the approach of night
each party gradually retreats to its own
city, but before the following dawn the
combat is renewed with redoubled fury,
and occupies a greater extent of ground
These daily fights continue till, violent
rains separating the eombatants, they
forget their quarrel and peace is re-
stored.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
A Colony of Trappist Monks.

About nine months ago Brother Fran
cisco Xavier was sent to this country
by the General of the order of Trap
pists, with instructions to select and
purchase a suitable plot of ground for
the erection of q monastery, as he had
resolved to establish a branch of their
brotherhood in America. After q long
delay Brother Francisco secured desir-
able piece of property about three
miles from Baltimore, where he de-
cided that the new monastery should
be erected. His report was favorably
received by the General, but the execu-
ton of the latter's plans was deferred
until September last, when a clergy
man in Baltimore, acting as agent
for the Trappists, caused the
farmhouse, barns, etc., ON
the property, which Brother
Francisco had purchased, to be prepar-
ed for the temporary housing OF the
monks, pending the erection OF the
new friary, as about n hundred OF
them would be sent to this country to-
ward the end of November. Brother
Francisco, who will probably become
prior or abbot of the new colony of
friars, was in this city again last week
on his way to Baltimore. He said that
among the hundred monks selected for
the new mission here were blacksmiths,
~shoemakers, t~ailors, cabinet-makers,
carpenters, masons, weavers, and skill
ed a~gricuiturists. The order does not
live on charity it is not only self-sup-
porting, but reaps large incomes from
the industries pursued by its brethren.
The rules of this brotherhood are the
most ascetic of all the monastic orders.
They sleep on the floor, rise to pray at
midnight, go through the form of dig
ging their own graves as a reminder OF
death, preserve unbroken silence from
year to year, use neither fish, meat,
milk, eggs, nor any thing except yege-
tables, bread and water.
Pure milk, butter, beer, and well
reared meats are prover5ially found for
the lowest remunerative prices at the
~monasteries of the Trappists. A few
of the monks are privileged to transact
outside business, and for these, OF
course, the stringent injunctions of per
petual silence and other severe obliga-
tons are dispensed with. OF the loo
monks who are now likely on their way
to this country, equal numbers have
been selected from the monasteries OF
Mariastern in Turkey, Mount Military
in Ireland, Sept Fonds in France, AND
St. Bernard in Belgium. They will be
expected to conserve the rules of theil
order as far as practicable while trav
cling. On reaching here, in about tel
or twelve days from now, they will bt
taken in charge by Brother Francisco
-NeW York San.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
A Bombshell Exploded i'm a Parlor.

The Davenport Uowa) Gazette, of
the 18th inst, gives Il long account of
the attempted assassination of q well
known citizen by the explosion Of a
bombshell in his house after he had re-
tired for the night. The outrage Gre
ated great excitement, but, fortunately,
no one was seriously injured.
The intended victim was William H.
Price, son of the Zion. Hiram Price,
both of Davenport. They lived in a
large double brick house. The north
window of the back parlor is of wide
bay form, four sashes in width, two
sashes high, each sash having a single
pane of plate glass. In the parlor the
previous evening, Mr.. and Mrs. Price,
and Miss Louisa DuBoss, q young lady
from New Orleans, who is visiting Mrs.
Price, sat conversing until after eleven
O'Clock. The curtains of the bay-win-
dow were raised all this time, and any
person could have had full view of the
parlor and it's occupants from the house
yard, or the enclosure of the First Meth
odist Church adjoining on the north. If
the villain who perpetrated the crime
mentioned below intended to harm the
family his best opportunity was when
they were thus seated about
their hearth enjoying social
converse. If Mr.. William Price
was the object of the deed a better
chance to slay him occurred when, af-
ter the ladies had gone up stairs, he
stepped to the bay window, with the
room all lighted behind him, and latch
ed each of the window fastenings. So
90 that t,,,n TON o,;rr,}n5 nact n1oxon
o'clock, nobody was lurking about the
house with William Price as an object
of vengeance. During the evening,
however, the servant girl told Mrs.
Price she did not like the actions of a
man she saw standing at the rear of
the church and engaged in watching
their house. Mrs. Price said it was
prayer-meeting night, and the girl re-
sponded that a man who looked and
acted as that man did didn't go to
prayer-meetings. But Mrs. Price
thought no more of the conversation
until the terrible occurrence, hours af-
| ter, recalled it. The room directly
over the rear parlor had been occupied
by Hon. Hiram Price and wife since
September, when they vacated their
former residence for it's new owner.
Now, fortunately, they were in St.
Louis, though whether the villains who
attempted the destruction of the house.
hold knew it or not is a question which
excites the people of this city.
After the family had retired a star
Ting crash was heard in the room be-
low. Mr.. Price arose and started down
stairs, when a terrible explosion fol-
lowed. The neighbors rushed out of
their houses, and the cry of fire was
heard. The front room burst into
flames, but they were soon extinguish-
ed, and on searching the fragments of
a six pound shell were found. 1t had
rolled under a sofa after crashing
through the bay window, and it was
this sofa that prevented the pieces from
crashing through the ceiling and killing
the occupants of the chamber above.
A two-minutes fuse had been used,
which gave the assassin time to escape
before the explosion. A reward of ST.
200 has been offered for the arrest of
the offender.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
THE Episcopal Bishop of ALBANY IS

The Episcopal Bishop of Albany is
unsatisied with the kind of music now
fashionable in tie church. He calls it
ga wretched degradation of church
music" intended to draw a multitude
of listeners who come to have their ears
tickled by the same kind of music they
are accustomed to in the opera and on
cert halls. His remedy is p%recentors,
whtn they can be obtained.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
South Carolina.

The South Carolina Supreme Court re-
convened at A p. m. on the Oath, in response
to the rule previously issued, requiring the
Board of Canvassers to show cause why
they should not be committed for contempt.
Counsel for defense asked for delay, which
was refused, and the Court issued instruc-
tions for the drawing up of an order Of
committal, to be executed on the following
morning.
The Supreme Court, on the 25th, entered
Judgment of 81, 500 fine each and commit
ment of the Board of Canvassers until re-
leased by order of the Court. Accordingly
f. l.. Cardoza, Treasurer, T. c. Dunn,
Comptroller General, VIM. Stone, Attor-
ney- General, FL. G. Hayne, Secretary of
State, and w. ii. Purvis, ex-Adjutant and
Inspector-G General, the five members con-
shutting the Board, were arrested and
locked up in Jail. The Court declined to
issue an order giving certificates to the
members of che Legislature from Fidgefield
and Laurens Counties refused by the Board,
but stated that such members could obtain
a copy of the record from the Clerk of the
Court, which would be equivalent to a GER
~tificate.
AN ORDER OF PRESIDENT GRANT.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 26, 1876
Gen. Thos. e. Ruger or Col. HI. M. Black,
Columbia, s. c.:
The following has been received from the
President:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Nov. 2S, 1876. Hon.
j. b. Cameron, Secretary of War.--SSr:-D.
n. Chamberlain - now Governor of the State
of South. Carolina beyond controversy
and remains so until the new Gov.
ernor shall be duly and legally inaugu-
rated. Under the Constitution the Gov
the military and naval forces of the United
States to maintain Republican government in the
State against resistance too formidable to be
overcome by the State authorities. You are di-
rected, therefore. to sustain Governor Chamber-
lain in his authority against domestic violence
until otherwise directed.
(Signedl U. s. GRANT.
In obeying these instructions you will ad-
wise with the Governor and dispose your
troops in such manner as may be deemed
best in order to carry out the spirit of the
above order of the President. Acknowl-
edge receipt.
[Signedl j. D. CAMERON,
Secretary OF War.
On application for writs of hGbe0s corpus,
the State Canvassers, on the 9th, were
brought into the United States Circuit
Court, Judges Bond and Bryan presiding,
when they were granted until the Goth to
make return to the application for the
writ, being held meanwhile ia custody of
the United States Marshal. The applica-
ton is based ON the ground that
the Board were discharging the du-
ties of appointing Presidential Electors
when the Supreme Court OF the State inter-
fered. The Democratic counsel and Demo-
cratic State Executive Committee tele-
graphed to Chief-Justice Waite, requesting
his attendance at the United States Circuit
Court on Wednesday, when the hGbeGs COR
pus case of the State Board of Canvassers
would be heard. Judge Waite telsgraphed
in reply that the business of the Supreme
Court required his presence in Washington.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
WEST N SOUTH.

cuukC Jill Il ~ ~
Court of St. Louis, shot and killed himself
at his residence on the morning of the 25th.
1t is not positively known whether the fatal
shot was fired by accident or design. but it
is generally believed that the act was pre-
meditated, financial troubles being proba-
bly, the cause. Judge Knight was about 4S
years of age and a bachelor.
Lawrence, Treasurer of Rice County,
Kansas, was arrested on the Odd on a charge
of having robbed the safe in his own office
on the 18th of October. He acknowledges
that he has used about $18, 900 of the oun
ty funds, but denies the burglary.
Gen. Crooks command reached Fort
Reno, November Is. The weather was Sc
we're, but the troops were well prepared for
the winter campaign. One hundred Snake
and Shoshone Indians joined the command
there, making nearly 400 Indian allies, in
all, and the total strength Of the command
1000. Hostile Indians, according to the
best information, are scattered on both
sides of the Big. Horn Mountains, and a
campaign on each side may be necessary
before completing the work. Meantime,
Crazy Horse, with about 400 lodges, is en-
camped on the Rosebud, near the scene Of
the June fight, for which point a cavalry
cammand, under Gen. Mckenzie, moved
from Reno ON the 22d, n would have to
march about six days before reaching it.
The cavalry are in excellent condition, and
If this movement is successful the heaviest
work of the winter will nave been accom-
plished. ..... ....r ..H S..
Two counterfeiters, calling themselves
Lang and Boland, were arrested in Rich
mond, Ind, a few days ago, for passing
counterfeit money. They were subse-
quently taken to Indianapolis, where they
were identified, the former as the notori-
Gus Pete Mccartney, and the latter as Wal
tiers, alias. Walter Scott, against whom a n
Indictment is pending in Cincinnati, he
having Jumped bail in the sum of 81, 900.
MCCARTNEY has been under arrest half a
dozen-fifnes, but always managed to make
his escape.
A row Of frame buildings on West Madi-
son Street, near Canal, Chicago. were burn
ed or the morning of the 9th, and Emma
Burt, Agnes Healy, George Bode, and
James Allen persisted in the flames.
Judge Trigg, of the United States Dis
trict Court at Memphis, has issued an order
for the sale of the Memphis and Paducah
Railroad, on petition of the first mortgage
bondholders.
The bridge of the Milwaukee and st. Paul
Railroad at La Crosse has been completed
Another through line to the Northwest il
thereby established.
A Louisville dispatch says that a Dem
ocratic negro was hanged by some Republi-
can negroes at Cave City, Barren County,
KY, on the night Of the Goth. The perpe.
traitors Of the outrage were arrested.
Pete Mccartney, the notorious counter
feiter, has been sentenced by the United
States Court at Indianapolis to Is years
imprisonment in the Penitentiary. His
accomplice, Walters, was sentenced to 1C
years.
Gen. Hampton's residence, three miles
from Columbia, S. c., was burned on the
night of the oath, together with all its con-
tents. Said to have been the work OF an in.
cendiary. The house belonged to a sister
of the General.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
FOREIGN.

Another revolution is reported in Lower
California. Jose Moreno has collected a
force, issued a pronunciamento declaring
himself Governor, imprisoned Gov. Villa
grana and his Secretary, Roderigues, and
seized the Custom-house at Rio Juara.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07

Rice-Corn Bredd.-For a half-dozen
persons, 5 eggs, 1 pint sour milk, l pint
cooked rice, l teaspoonful of salt, l
teaspoonful of soda, corn-meal sufficient
to make a thin batter; bake three-quar-
ters of an hour.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
EAST.

The Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Com
pany a reduced tariff of rates, to
20 into effect Dec. /.
A horrible tragedy occurred in Reserve
Township, on the outskirts Of Allegheny,
Pa, on the Goth. Charles Opermann, aged
81, murdered his wife, Barbara, with an
ak, cutting her terribly about the head and
face. He then cut his W throat with a
knife. Both died almost instantly.
j. Milton Turner (colored). United States
Minister to Liberia, having been refused &C.
c~ommodations at the Astor House, New
York, has commenced action against the
proprietors for S. 900 damages.
Jefferson Davis arrived at New York from
Europe onthe 25th.
United States Senator Ransom has beer
reelected by the North Carolina Legisla.
ture.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
How the Centennial Reviyes Business.

Every merchant and most well-to-do
farmers and mechanics have visited
some one of our large cities. Butnever
before did they bring their wives and
daughters. This last is the marked
feature of the travel, this year. For
the first time, in a number of cases, the
wife, mother and daughters have pass
ed the borders of their native States.
To them the crowded Car, the well
lighted hotel, the thronged streets, the
new customs, are a revelation.
They will carry back to their homes
new wants and desires. Insensibly,
perhaps, there will be a changein house
hold and personal habits. The furni-
ture of the parlor and sleeping-room
will have additions and changes. Cloth
ing once esteemed as tasteful will be
replaced by other styles, not more ex-
pensive, but of different shades and
shapes. The mechanic or the farmer
will have new and enlarged ideas of
his power as q part of our political and
economic forces. This increased knowl-
edge is one of the principal reasons
why such expositions are encouraged;
and it is to play no unimportant part in
the present marked revival of business
activity.-American Builder.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
Internal Revenue Receipts.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 24.-The
forthcoming Report of the Commissioner of
Internal Revenue will contain the following
recapitulation of Internal Revenue receipts
for the several States and Territories during
tho Ioof Rooa1 vaor.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
Florida.

The Secretary of State, on the 25th, issued
a notification to the members of the Re-
turning Board, convening them at noon on
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07

WASHINGTON.

Mr.. VIM. O. Avery has published a card,
stating that the alleged Endorsement by
President Grant, on . letter from Joyce to
Avery, published in the New York Sun, is
a forgery.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
Our Coast Defenses and Harbors
ANNUAL EPORT OF GEN. HUMPHREYS
CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. H#,

CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. H
WASHINGTON, Nov. 26.-1he annual re-
port of General A. A. Humphreys, Chief
of Engineers, presents a detailed statement
of the various operations of the Engineers
Department during the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1876, sketches those which are
now in progress, and makes numerous rec
ommendstions for the future. The num-
Der Of officers holding commissions in the
Corps of Engineers Of the United States
army at the end of the fiscal year was lot
on the active list and five on the retired list.
The latter, however, under the law of Jan.
Fl, 1870, are not available for duty. In du-
ties devolvipg upon the corps by law,
the employment of a number of scientists
md assistant engineers has been
necessary. Among the estimates for appro-
priations which General Humphreys ear
nestly recommends are the following: For
completing the defensive works at Fort
Jackson, Mississippi River, $25 COO; Fort
Philip, Mississippi River, $25, 600. On the
subject Of river and harbOr appropriations
for the current fiscal year, General Hum
phreys says: s'Of the amoun appropriated
for public works on rivers and harbors by
the act approved August IA, 1876, certain
allotments have been made in compliance
with the Instructions of the Secretary of
| Wal of September 4, limiting the expendi-
lures under the act to 81, 000, 600, and d.
recting that no Few work of improvement
should be begun. The following statement
exhibits these
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
the s7tb for the purpose of canyassing the

the 9th for the purpose Of canyassing the
returns Of the State. Tt was stated that 9
committee of five from each of the political
parties and the chairmen Of the two State
Committees would be admitted to witness
the proceedings.
The State Board of Canvassers met on the
18th, and in the presence of prominent rep
resentatives of both parties, canvassed the
returns from all but one county in the State
those of Dade County not having
been received. The face re-
turns, as counted, gave the Hayes
Electors a majority of AZ. The Democrats
gave notice that they should produce evil
dence showing the returns in several cases
to have been f~raudulently changed in the
interests Of their opponents, and the Repub-
leans entered protest against the counting
of the vote in several Democratic counties.
Two returns were sent from Baker County,
one of which shows 1876 majority for Tiiden
and the other (the n counted) IL for
Hayes. Both returns were held subject to
future decision.
Before the Returning Board, on the Goth,
the Democrats introduced evidence to the
| effect that the returns from one precinct in
Alachua County had been raised 219 votes
over the true poll cast, and the Republicans
introduced counter -afidavits, which were
IN turn discredited by Democratic evidence
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07

GIRLS should not wear these wide
belts in the house. Hugging through
a six-inch strip OF leather is a cold, at
tenuated fraud.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07

am UNITS wh,cn his subor innate officers say
can be pgofitab,y expeaGed ruring the next
fiscal year, the Chief of Engineers makes
10 recommendation Of his own concerning
them,
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
Miscellaneous Items.

A San Francisco dispatch of the Oath says
that Pacheco, Republican candidate for
Congress in the Fourth District, has l ma
jority.
The official canvass OF the vote in Arkan-
sas gives Tilden 5s, 0S3, Hayes, IS, 500, and
Cooper, Eli. Plurality for Tilden, 19,414.
The official canvass of the vote in New
York gives Tilden 522, 612; Hayes, 4s9, 547;
Cooper, 1.9S7; Smith, 1850. Tilden
plurality, 80 ,065.
Tilden's official majority in Georgia is
So, 1856.
The official canvass of the vote Of Illinois
gives the following totals: Largest vote fol
Hayes Elector, 27S, 232; largest vote for Til
den Elector, 25S, 607; Cooper Electors, H.
1903. Plurality for Hayes, 1928. The
Legislature on joint ballot will stand: Re-
publicans, 1O1; Democrats, 9S; Independ'
ents, 3.
The official majority for Tilden in NORTH
Carolina, as promulgated by Gov. Brogden,
is Is, 17S, with three small counties no
heard from. The Chairman Of the Repub'
lican State Committee entered a protes
against the PRONUNCIATION of the vote by thu
Governor, on the grounds of frauds and il
LOCALITIES in % counties.
The official vote of Indiana is: Tilden.
213, 500; Hayes, 207, 81; Tilden over Hayes.
5, 1900. Cooper's vote was 1858.
The official canvass Of the vote in Califor'
mia, one small county not received, gives
Hayes 70, COS; Tilden, 1854. Hayes's ma
jority, 2,767.
Tilden's official majority in New jersey
is IL, 945,
The official canvass Of the vote of Kansa:
gives Hayes a plurality Of 40, 43O.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07

In determining the amounts to be allotted
to each work named reference has been had
to the balances on hand of previous appro-
priations for the works specified. All these
improvements, for the continuance of which
parts OF appropriations have been allotted,
are, in my judgment, clearly national allot-
ments to improvements of lesser magnitude,
and, in consequence, ire ind~ispensaDly nee
cessary to protect what has already been
done. Officers in charge Of the improve
ments were notified OF the amounts allotted,
and the works are now being conducted on
this basis.' The report also epitomizes the
detailed accounts given by the officers of
river and harbor improvements, etc., now
in pr ogress under their respective manage
ments, together with a statement of the
amounts which these officers estimate can be
profitably expended during the next fiscal
year. Among these are the following
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-08-14

Lucy Hamilton Hooper, In a letter
from Paris to The Philadelphia Tele.
graph, relates an incident that occurred
at a fete at Versailles recently: "The
throng was immense, and just in front
Of me strong-armed French soldier
was in the act Of making as much room
as possible for himself by the simple
process OF leaning backward with all
his weight against a party OF ladies who
were Immediately behind him, regard
less OF their remonstrances. Among
them was q keen-Witted little American
girl, who after receiving one push from
the rude fellow, said nothing, but quiet
ly removing long pin from her hat,
proceeded to hold It's point forward in a
pleasingly insinuating position. The
soldier pushed backward again 'only
once and never more.' Utterlng loud
'Sacrep and executing violent jump in
the air, he remained quiet thereafter,
only occasionally rubbing the injured
place and glaring around with u re-
yengeful air."