davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19
A RICH LEAD.

A. o. BELL, a miner near Auburn,
Placer County, California, has " struck
it rich," after a patient probation of
poverty. He sold his horse for ten dol
lars, and pawned his wife's wedding
ring so as to keep his family in bread
during his last desperate at
tempt to find a successful lead. His
fortunate star did not desert him, for
he struck entirely by accident, vein of
decomposed quartz, sparkling with par
ticles of gold, and pounded out with pes
tie and mortar enough to pay expenses.
At thirty feet deep he had taken out
fifteen hundred dollars worth of gold,
and then the lead became SO rich that he
could wash the earth and rock in a pan
and earn from one thousand to fifteen
hundred dollars in one pan. In three
days he had taken out about thirty-five
thousand dollars worth, the last three
pans yielding ten thousand dollars, and
being a man of moderate and rational
tastes and ideas, was willing to sell for
fifty thousand dollars. His neighbors,
who had previously called him, pike "
Bell, now call him Mister"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19
UNITED STATES TROOPS IN MEXICO.

UNITED STATES TROOPS IN MEXICO.
Senior Mariscal, recently Minister of
Mexico, now residing near New York,
being interrogated about the crossing of
United States troops into Mexico, said
he was very sorry the decisive step of
crossing the border had been taken. 1t
could not be considered in any other
light, by the Mexican Government, than
an invasion of that country, and this was
probably but the beginning. 1t was a
very unfortunate situation, because a
collision would be very serious thing,
and most probably would lead to serious
complications between the two govern
ments. He knew General Trevino had
received instructions to resist any inva-
sion, and he knew, if Trevino's forces
met any of the invading forces there
would be a battle. When year ago
the depredations were more frequent,
the House of Representatives seemed to
repel the idea of involving the govern
ment in any complication with sister
Republic; and now, while Congress was
not in session, it seemed strange thata diff
ferent policy has been resolved upon. Il
was not just to Mexico, for the Mexican
Government has always been disposed tc
do everything in its power to maintain
good relations between that country anc
the United States, but always undel
condition of resisting invasions. of thei
territory. That they could not permit
and would resent with all their force.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19
Volcanic Eruption in Ecuador.

The following official particulars have
been received: A volcanic eruption which
is supposed to have originated in Potapaxi,
opening into the rivers which have their
origin there, has spread desolation over the
fertile valleys in Chilo and Tumtac. On the
morning of the Goth frightful noise was
heard in Latacuma, which was followed i'm
mediately by q tremendous flood, which
took the course of the rivers Cutuchi, San
Felipe and Yanayaco, and in passing washed
the city to the chapel known as Ell Salto
The volume of mud and water was so great
as to completely cover the Hacienda Valley
including distillery in front of Latucunga
The flood in its course carried with it many
cattle, and what is more sad, many bodies
The bridge of Latacunga, the handsom,
bridge of Bolivar, in Pansalco, those of woot
of Alapachan and Patae, and that o
Of tbn ion;onjas j a;ji,'otad a. ~, hoti, s;das -
the river suffered enormously, and the desc
lation is terrible and complete.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19

The English Court of Queens Bench
has just rendered very important de-
cision. Under the law declaring that
" every person found drunk on licensed
premises" shall be held liable, a publi-
can found drunk in his own house after
business hours was convicted by the
Magistrate and fined. Upon appeal the
upper court solemnly decided that the
law in question did not apply to the
case, and set the conviction aside. In
deciding the case Mr.. Justice Lush said
if the Magistrates views were sustained
it would tend to prevent publicans who
got drunk away from home from return
ing TO their wives and children for fear
of arrest.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19
DIFFICULTY AMONG GOVERNMENT
OFFICERS.

A correspondent of the Cincinnati
Gazette at Washington says that sharp
controversy has arisen between certain
officials of the Indian service, and Gen
eral Kautz, commanding in Arizona.
Indian Agent Clum, who stands very
high with the Interior Department, pre-
ferred charges against General Kautz
some months since, to the effect that
through carelessness and neglect he was
responsible for a number of murders by
wandering Indians. Kautz made answer
that these outrages were by Indians fed
on the reservations and allowed to go off
marauding through want of watchfulness
on the part of the agent. The Indian office
sent Inspector Vandever to report upon
the matter, and he took the side of the
agent, Inspector Kimball, and finally
George Stafford, of Arizona, took the
same position. The superiors of General
Kautz defend him stoutly, and cite his
whole military career as an answer to all
such charges as those now preferred.
Agent Clum has resigned of his own ac-
cord. The controversy, however, has as
sumed such proportions that it is likely
that General Kautz will ask to have it
formally investigated and settled by the
War Department.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19

THERE seems no end of the tornadoes
| which have been so numerous and destruc'
! tive during the present summer. The latest
| addition to the number of towns desolated
| by storms is Pensaukie, in Cconto County,
near Green Bay, Wisconsin. Eight or ten
| lives, twenty or more buildings, and much
other property, saying nothing of the
many people more or less injured bodily,
are the losses which a hurricane on July
| 9th occasioned. Traces of the same storm
were felt in Canada, Eastern New Y York, and
| Massachusetts.
THE st. Louis Republicans special from
Boonville, Missouri, says: News has been
received here of case of poisoning at Tip
| ton, Monitau County, in which six persons
were given poison in milk while eating
breakfast. The unfortunates are c. c. Nc
Clay, wife and baby; Mrs R. L. McCulloch
and baby, of Helena, Montana Territory, and
Mrs. Brown. About eleven o'clock those
who drank of the milk took veIy sick, and
are now in a very critical condition, with
| out any hope of relief, as the physicians have
done them no good. A negro woman is sus-
| pected, and is in jail to await further de-
velopments.
On Sunday afternoon, July s, the new
reservoir at Athol, Mass, on a hill two
hundred and fifty feet above the main vii
lage, into which the volume of water had
Just been emptied, gave way beneath the
pressure, and the torrent rushed down the
hill to Pleasant Street, quickly traversed the
distance to the town, half a mile away, and
Joined Beaver Brook, swelling that stream.
The flood, thus caused, carried away several
mill dams and caused more or less damage
to other mill property on the banks of the
stream. The roads were badly washed. The
reservoir was built by contract and accepted
by the town on Saturday.
A SAN ANTONIO, Texas, dispatch states
that at 4 p. m. Sunday, July 8, the train of
MIR. Scheibogen, en- route from chihuahua
to San Antonio, laden with specie, was at
| tackled by thirty-fve white and Mexican
highwaymen, on Seco Creek, fifty-two miles
from there. The train contained twelve
wagons, and there were twenty men with it.
After desperate fight the robbers were
driven off, losing several killed and
wounded. The majordomo of the train
Frank Grimsiger, and Mexican were
killed, and several others of the train
wounded. No such outrage has occurred
| since the war.
A SPECIAL from Brownsville, Texas, of
the 18th says that General Canales and Gen.
Devin have had conference, and had no
| difficulty in coming to an agreement in re,
lation to suppressing raids. They were OF
| the opinion that they could render the
passage of troops from one side to the other
unnecessary by discharging their respective
duties. Gen. Canales thinks the publica
ticn of an order of such Importance as that
of the Secretary of the War to Gen. Ord
without notice to Mexico, was disrespectful
| to the Diaz Government. But he valves
that, and will cooperate with our authorities
in any manner necessary to insure peace, ano
to secure the preservation of order on bott
| sides of the Bravo
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19
The Interior of Africa,
National Repository.

In the rainy season the whole country
is green and verdant, and large expanses
are covered with matama, pumpkins,
and tobacco" The usual dwellings of
the inhabitants are the tenabes, which
consist of large, square fat-roofed huts
built around an open court, inside which
the cattle are penned, the apartments of
the tembe itself being shared by men,
women, children, goats, and fowls. The
Wagogo, as the people are called, have
been described to Cameron as brave,
warlike, and thievish race; but he found
them " the veriest towards and poltroons
it is possible to conceive, although dis
posed to be rude and extortionate. Times
had evidently changed since Burton was
here, eighteen years before, for while he
was able to buy sixty-four rations for a
doti, we could never get more than
twenty, and rarely more than ten. Eggs
were unattainable luxuries, and milk
and honey were exorbitantly dear.
Reckoning the doti at its Zanzibar value
only, eggs, butter, and milk were more
expensive than in England, and it was
consequently necessary to exercise the
most rigid economy in our mode of
living"
The Wagogo are especially distinguish
able from other tribes by their custom
of piercing their ears and enlarging the
lobes to an enormous size, so that they
often hang down to their shoulder. In
the holes they put pieces of wood, gourd
snuffboxes, and all sorts of miscellaneou:
articles which they wish to have readily
at hand. The ear, indeed, serves the
purpose for which a pocket is used by
people who wear clothes; but theil
special vanity is the one common
throughout all Africa,-the elaborate ar
rangement of their woolly hair. Some
twist it into innumerable small strings
piecing them out with fibers of bark
others make their hair stand out wildl,
in all directions; others shave thei
heads in all sorts of fantastic patterns
still others cut their locks on a level will
the eyesbrows in front, but let then
hang in strings down the back, eacl
string being tipped off with bright bras
balls or gayly colored beads, or woun'
round with fine brass or copper wire.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19
A Prehistoric Skull.

Washington Special to Pittsburg Com. Gazette.l
In the valuable prehistoric collection
brought back by w. III. Jackson, of the
Hayden survey, from a recent tri to the
ancient ruins of New Mexico, is an in
teresting human refic in the shape of a
skull. The skull was found cropping
out of the side of deep arroyo that
runs through the Chaco Canyon, where
it was exposed by the gradual washing of
the bank. 1t was buried fourteen feet
beneath the present surface of the soil.
1t was not a regular interment, for the
remains to which the skull belonged had
evidently been cast into the bed of some
ancient creek or reservoir. In the same
stratum were other human bones and q
large quantity of broken pottery. I'M
mediately above are the ruins of a large
building known as the " Puebla del Ar
roya," one the most important of the ter
ancient Pueblas in this vicinity. The
skull is remarkable as the only one thus
far found of the people who built the
most perfect and imposing buildings
north of old Mexico, a people of whom
not the faintest tradition now exists
The skull exhibits a curious reformation
being probably compressed in infancy
until now it approximates nearly cube
with the corners rounded Off Th
greatest depression occurs from the tol
of the skull diagonally down to its base
hattening it SO that the diameter from
the front to the rear is very much les
than through the ear. Chaco is in New
Mexico, about midway betweed For
Wingate and Rio San Juan.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19
SuffOcatiOn i'm a Coal Mine.

On the morning of July II, the managers
of the coal mine at Wheatland, Pa, ordered
anthracite coal burned in the engine furnace,
instead of the soft coal heretofore used. AT
about eleven O'Clock the engine passed into
the slope. After being in short time the
men in charge of the engine became sud,
denly affected by the gas from the hard
coal, causing them to fall to the ground in a
senseless condition. The engineer managed
to make his way back to the mouth of the
bank and gave the alarm, at which large
number of men rushed into the bank to
rescue their comrades. One after another
they passed in, but were almost i'm
mediately overcome by the gas, and
they, too, fell insensible. After sew
eral had thus fllen, gang was or
ganized to rescue those who went in last
and squads of four five passed in until
they came to a fallen comrade, when they
would take him in their arms and carry him
out to the open air. In this way thirty-six
men were brought out, six of whom were
either dead before reaching the mouth ol
the bank, or died Immediately after.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19
The Northern Indiana Cyclone.
Elkhart Evening Review

Those who happened to be out of
| doors could see two heavy storms, one at
the southwest and the other at the north
west. For half an hour these piles of
| black clouds moved majestically east
ward in seeming parallel lines. At
about half past five there came a change
ScuddIng clouds could be seen coming
toward common center from each direc-
tlon, and there seemed to be breaking
up of the storm-clouds. For perhaps
five minutes this appearance lasted, and
those who had ever seen windstorms ap-
preaching knew at glance that whirl-
wind was coming. Those who lived in
the unfortunate district were hardly
warned before the terrible element was
at work with full force. Women rushed
screaming after their children, men
rushed toward house or barn, cattle
dashed back and forth in the fields, and
all living nature seemed intuitively to
feel that a strange calamity was coming
Windows and doors were closed as far as
possible, but in many instances
the occupants were unable to shut their
houses before the wind came One lady
describes it as two light streaks with a
black column in the center. This black
column, about forty rods wide, was the
immense battering ram of the elements,
and where it struck it left only ruin to
tell the tale; it struck with force like
that of a mighty column of stone driven
by the power of ten thousand locomotives.
It's approach was sudden, its effect ter
rible
Words fail when one attempts descrip-
ton of the territory which was visited
bu tbis 5actrnotiva Jop,on Of Joyoc+o
ton. All the descriptions of Mt. Car
mePs disaster, all the pictures of disas-
ters of the kind ever drawn with pencil
or brush, all the conceptions of the
most imaginative would give but faint
idea. One must see to realize it. Those
who read these words will believe that
the matter is overstated unless they have
seen it, but a sight of the ground will
make these words seem weak indeed.
Imagine a house blown down and
wrecked by the fall, then the parts
taken up by the wind and whirled with
terrific force through the air, falling
again many rods from the foundation of
the building; imagine only cellar filled
with stoves and heavy ware as the sole
mark where house once stood, imagine
stove whirled three hundred feet from
the house, conceive barn crashing upon
itself, and burrying under it's wreck
horses and cattle, think of man
whirled at least twenty feet from house,
add to this your most vivid conception
of the force of a mighty torrent and the
devastation which it bears, and you will
approach to something of an idea of the
| wreck of matter which greets the eye
for two miles along the river road west
of here.
There is no possibility of estimating
the losses at present. In most cases
they are total, there being no chance of
saving any portion of the buildings
The loss in crops is not to be estimated
The loss falls heavily upon all the suf
ferers, and they need sympathy and aid
Let neighborly aid be extended.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19
baltimore Americana

There is young gentleman in a steam
boat office in this city who, having in his
clerical career noted how merchants with
large capital and enterprise from time to
time made various sums in specializing
thought he too would suddenly grow
rich. He studied from day to day the
way it was done, and the import mani
tests, with values, etc, all aided him in
his search for points and finally he got,
as he related to the reporter, " the whole
business" What should he do? What
article of demand should he import? A
consignment of Hartz mountain canary
birds furnished the sought-for inspira-
ton. These birds must be fed. Careful
inquiry developed the fact that there
was only moderate supply of bird feed
in the city, and the cable flashed the
order for barrels of bird seed to be
shipped by the next steamer. 1t
came" relates the young gentleman in
question, "and | had corner on the
| market. There was absolutely and posi-
| lively not enough of bird food in the
city, independent of what held, to meet
the consumptive demand for a week.
was certain of it, and l went in to bull
the trade. Riches was within my grasp,
| l fondly hoped. But l couldn't bull the
market; as put my price up the market
went down. Result? Why l sold out
at fifty per cent. below purchasing price
and had to take notes at that. | had to
pay entry duties and freight, and am a
| financial wreck, can't go to the Acad-
emy, and am u victim to my own en-
| terprise."
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19
Statesmen at Poker.

The late Judge Petit is said to have
been a most earnest admirer of poker
and billiards. Congressman Ewing once
related that at one time when Petit,
ex-Chief Justice Lecompte and himself
were going through Missouri to attend
court, they stopped at St. Joseph and
played the usual game. About mid
night dispute arose between Petit and
Lecompte as to who had won the pot "
Petit insisted that his hand was the
best and that he was entitled to the
money. So did Lecompte. In the midst
of the dispute and of his wrath, Petit
arose, seized every bill on the table, tore
them in pieces, and threw them out OF
the window. Lecompte was very much
chagrined, but not disposed to give it up
1t was rainy night, and there was only
mud around the hotel, but Lecomptt
went down stairs and into the mud, feel
ing for torn bills. The search was fruit
less; he returned sad man, but Petit
and Ewing's laughter had no bounds
1t turned out soon afterward that eacl
man had bet all his money, and whel
they came to pay the hotel bill in tn
morning they had to ask the forbearanc
of the landlord.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19

cent. of the grain shipped from the
West to the seaboard during the last
year was transported on rail lines, and
that over ninety per cent. of the entire
internal commerce is carried on railroads.
Although the total amount of the con-
tribution of the government up to the
close of the year 1876 in aid of railroad
construction amounted to S144, ,000, 900,
embracing the land grants and subsidies
to the Pacific railroads, yet this sum is
only three per cent. of the entire cost of
the railroad system of the country.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19
The War i'm Carter County, Nv.
cincinnati Times, July I2.j

Mr.. James Mccormack returned from
the seat of war in Carter County, KY,
and gives a graphic description of the
country and the hardships of the boys,
some of whom are badly tagged out.
The Light Guards" are about thirty
five miles from every place, or any place
else; for Mr.. NJ. says that along twenty
miles OF their route not more than six or
eight houses were seen, and that at least
one-half of those were deserted, the peo-
pie living so much in fear of the outlaws
in that section that but few care to re-
main in the infested neighborhood. A
number of the farms along the route are
overgrown with weeds, and the farmers
say that they are afraid to go away from
the house for fear that they will be shot
by those in ambush. The Underwood
family were found intrenchedi in a strong
log-cabin, which was fitted up to stand
siege, having portfolios in the sides, etc.
They had been shut up for seventeen
days, by their enemies, and when the
soldiers, as the country people call them,
came in view they were met with a well
come, instead of shower of bullets. The
father and one son were wounded, the
son mortally and the father seriously.
The party who surrendered consists of
George n. Underwood the father, George
L., John and Ulysses, sons, and Jim Will
liams, a negro. At the time of our in
formant's departure not shot had been
| fired by the Covington boys, and the few
citizens that they had met in the noun
tain region were very glad to see them,
and to extend to the soldiers" what
little assistance they were able.
The route leading out to the scene of
the late unpleasantness, is the old State
road; full of powders and gullies, il
looks as though wagon would wreck to
go a mile along its stony and overgrown
dilapidated way. Here and there pre-.
tense for farm is found, and the weeds
that choke the crops, principally corn
and tobacco, are left to flourish, owing
it is said, to the fear the farmers have OF
being killed while cultivating theil
fields. The dense forests and thickets
along the mountain roadway afford {
fine shelter for bushwhackers, and it i:
from parties thus concealed that danger
is anticipated. The Underwood family
the Stampers and Holbrooks, are al
number one good shots, and if they
should conclude to pick off Il few of tn,
boys they would doubtless make sur,
work. The Stamper and Holbrook fam
lilies are to be taken in charge and war
rants have been sworn out to legalize tn,
capture. The balance of the Underwoo,
family are also to be arrested. The mum
ber of warrants issued for prisoners ar
twenty-two for witnesses, twenty-eight
1t may be week or even longer befor
) the company now divided into posse
) succeed in making the arrests.
, The boys are living on fat pork an
, corn bread, the great staples of that SCI
ton. A few plugs of tobacco and boxe
of cigars would be thankfully received
5 for, rs near rs we can learn, they ar
thirty-tive miles from even countr
[ store.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19

THERE rs church in the quarter of
Berlin called the Burg, where the hearts
oil deceased members of the Prussian
rIyal family are kept in silver urns.
They are behind railing, and an in
scription is upon each urn, denoting the
name of the former possessor, his birth,
death, etc. Bodies of royal individuals,
according to Prussian custom, are always
opened, tho heart being placed in one
church, the entrails in another, and the
rest of the corpse in a third.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19

A VALUABLE prize medal is offered.
through the Society of Arts, London,
for any discovery, invention or newly
devised method for obviating or mate
rally diminishing any risk to life, limb
or health, incidental to any of the indus
trial occupations, and not previously
capable of being so obviated or dimin-
ished by any known and practically
available means. The first award il In
be made next May. A full description
OF the invention or process must be
given, and illustrated, if necessary, by
models, drawings, specimens, etc. II
The invention or process is in actual
work, the fact is to be stated, in order
that examination may at once be made
In case sufficient number of objects arc
sent in for competition, there will be a
public exhibition of the most valuable