davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21
MT. CARMEL'S MISERY.
The Devastating EHects of the :Fiers TOrnadO---PrOperty Destroyed and
 Many Lives Lost.

DRy04fA0InK
 TOrnadO---PrOperty Destroyed mud
 Many Lives Lost.
 Mt. Carmel, H., which was struck by tornado on the 4th inst, is thriving town of about 5000 inhabitants on the Cairo and Vincennes railroad. The most prominent buildings destroyed by the hurricane were the courthouse, two newspaper offices, three churches, one of the finest in southern Illinois, twoschool' houses and about twenty business houses. About 100 residences were destroyed or damaged either by wind or fire. The loss is estimated at from three hundred thousand to half million dollars. The same storm damaged a number of build ings in other towns lying in it's pathway. At Mattoon, Ill, the residence of Willis Walkup was thrown into the street and turned bottom side up, wounding Mrs. Walkup seriously. The tornado passed over the town about 3:30. It struck the town at the south end of Cherry street, passed almost due north, taking in about one square east and west, and destroying almost everything in it's course. Twenty two dead bodies have been found thus far: George Watkins, Wm. New kirk, Geo. Bryan, $. Goodrich, Fred Cooke, J. Masterson's child, John Tennis, Mrs. Burton, J. A. Edgar, Chas. Norman, Ben Ballard, George Moore, Willie Waller, John Long, Jas. Higbee, Mrs. Stockmyer, James Reed, Mrs. Dolph Dyer, Lathrop D. Lebaner, c. l.. Poole. Damage to property esti- mated at $500, 1000. The fire was finally subdued after six hours steady work by the firemen. Many are wounded whose names cannot be ascertained. Physicians were brought from Carmi and the adjoin- ing towns by special trains to assist in the care of the wounded.
 PARTICULARS.
 A special to the St. Louis Times from Mt. Carmel, H., giving an account of the cyclone says: The direction of the storm was from the southwest to little north of east, and its line of destruction embraced all of Fourth street and large part of the territory between Third and Fifth streets. The duration of the wind did not exceed two minutes, but rain continued to fall for some time after the cyclone passed on. The velocity of the wind is estimated to have been 15O miles per hour. During it's prevalence the air was filled with flying roofs, windows, doors, lumber, rails, clothing, etc. Much of the debris was carried more than a mile away. Thirteen persons were killed outright, and many others will undoubt- edly die of their injuries. There are also several reported missing who were probably burned in the ruins. It being a rainy day many farmers, who could not work at home, were in town. The county court was also in session, which brought many people to the city. Men, women and children were blown dis tance of four hundred feet, as if they were feathers. The best part of the town was destroyed. Some 70 families are homeless, and much distress is an- ticipated.
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21
Captain BurtOn's Discoveries in the Land of Midian.

London Spectator: A correspondent of the Times, writing from Alexandria, informs the public that Captain Burton, the African traveller, has made find !" of unusual interest At the request of the khedive he has visited the Gland of Midian," the desolate region on the eastern side of the gulf of Akabah, the eastermost of the two long and narrow estuaries in which the Red sea ends. Ac- companied by M. George Marie, a French engineer, Captain Burton landed in Midian on the 2d of April, and in an exploration of some weeks explored a region full of ruined towns, built of solid masonry, with made roads, aque- deucts five miles long, artificial lakes and massive fortresses, all marking a wealthy and powerful people. Their wealth was based on mining operations, and Captain Burton reports the exis. tence of gold, silver, tin, antimony and turquoise mines. The auriferous region is extensive indeed, the discoverer be. lieves he has opened California, and the khedive proposes to have the coun- try worked by European capitalists. It will be remembered that in the bible Midian is always described as land full of metals, especially gold, silver and lead. It is more than probable that Solomon's ophir was situated there, as the small ships in which he imported gold, ivory and peacocks, were launched at the head of the Red sea. Midian is part of the Egyptian viceroyalty.
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21
Brigham Young's Band of Murderers

Animated, or, rather, degraded, by such teachings, the Mormon masses were ready to receive that doctrine of blood atonement, with which Joseph Smith be- gan and Brigham Young has continued to cement his power. First sowing in the hearts of his devotees hatred, malice, all uncharitableness, strife and animosity against "apostates," Brigham Young was prepared to announce and enforce this doctrine in spite of few dissenting voices, which were thereafter quickly stilled by the knives of his assassins. He denies to the world the existence of such band of assassins, but so true it is that class of men nicknamed Danites and destroying angels did and does exist ; that several of them have come forward and avowed their crimes, without having previously received permission of immu nity from prosecution. Nearly six hun- dred murders of Gentiles and apOstates from the church have been committed in Utah since the Mormons took possession. This number excludes the one hundred and thirty emigrants butchered at Noun tain Meadows. Only one of the guilty parties have been brought to justice, and it is notorious that every killing was done at the instance of subordinate au. thorities, who followed the teachings or instructions of the church leaders. Ev. cry execution of murderer here, except one, has been that of Gentle or apos
 tate murderer, or of former Danite
 who, by reason of his imprudence, was made public sacrifice. John D. Lee was one of these same imprudent men, .J B. ,StiLsons Letter ~ Y. Herald.
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21
RJJssEIIyIILE POPE CO., ARK THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1877.

left it as level as desert. The wharves and lauches were all carried off As soon as this lamensable intelligence reached Lima tbe government chartered steamer snd organized relief commission, and icaded the vessel with provisions, clothing, etc, together with fifty thou on the sixteenth of May for the south. One hundred tbausand soies in sil- yer coin also formed part of her cargo, to be distributed among the unfortu- nate. A commission of engineers accompanied the expedition. It had been urged by the government to recom- mend the rebuilding of the ruined towns on sites which may offer greater scrutiny more remote from the shore, since this second instance of similar calamity on the positions actually occupied. Sub. scriptions are being made in Lima and Cal1ao for the relief of the distressed.
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21
Speedy Fulnllment of a Present. Ment.

MT. w, T. A-,a a well-known and highly respected citizen of Okolona, called at our sanctum last Thursday and, in the course of conversation, said On the 21st of July, 1871, l was in Cherokee, Ala. It was sultry day, and I eftmy work for while to lie down in the cool shade of a large leafy tree. I had been there but few moments whel. something seemed to strike me over my heart. It was quick, queer blow, and I sprang to my feet, when right before me---scarcely six feet distant .-I saw my little boy, then about nine months of age---saw him as distinctly as do you now, though 1 knew he was at home with his mother, at Rienzi, Miss. at the time. I was stricken dumb with fear. bewilderment and awe. He stood there for a full minute, looking as life like as he did when I kissed him geOd- bye at the garden-gate in Rienzi one little week before. He stood there for a full minute, looking me straight in the eyes, and then he vanished from my sight. The moment he was gone felt a presentiment that he was dead or would die before I could get home. hurried with swift feet to the telegraph office and dispatched the following message to my wife:
 CHEROKEE, Ala, July 21, 1871. Mrs. s. G. A, Cherokee, Ala:
 How is Jimmy? Is he well? My love to you and the babies.
 W.T.A-. I received the following message in reply, from friend, who was looking after the welfare of my family while l was absent:
 RIENzI, Miss, July 2l, 1871. Mir. w. T. -, Cherokee, Ala:
 All well today at eleven o'clock.
 NJ. B. ARMER. Later in the day the following dis patch came to hand:
 RIENzI, Miss, July 2l, 1871. Mir. w. T. A., Cherokee. Ala:
 Come home. Your child was chcked to death this evening at four o'clock.
 NJ. B. ARMER. Several different persons heard me re- late the fact of having seen the vision, felt the persentiment, and predicted the death of my boy before l received the second telegram.
 Mir. A closed this singular narra tive with the remark that we were al liberty to lay it before our readers, and that Mir. James Polk, the telegraph operator, and other good citizens o Cherokee. Ala, would verify every word of it, Okoiona Miss.) Southern States.
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21
Is She Bewitched!-A Tough Story

The good people among the hills of Morris county, N. J., have found excite ment in the case of young girl said to be grievously vexed of the devil" and whose condition is as unacceuntable as it is deplorabe. The girl, according to the Worlds informant, is daughter of Elijah Nichols, blacksmith of the Glen don iron company at Hurdtown. She predicted evil against her fifteenth birth- day, which befell on the 18th of October last, and since that date she has been bed-ridden and paralyzed. At times there appear under the ceunterpane of her bed presence as a rat, rabbit or cat swiftly moving from place to place :; and eluding detection. In vain is the bed stripped, or the patient removed to another place; the "presence" is only powerless to act when the mother sleeps with the child. The physicians no less than the clergy, and the common folk Of all the country side are baffled. Crowds come daily to see the mystery. On one recent occasion the mayor of Dover held his stiff hat above the presence" the hat received blow that crushed it. Violent blows have been given to the naHu. tO CdIc, duu bo oouOi opJOOUo hOiu out over the place where the presence" was, and, needless to say attempts to grab the presence" have failed. All the while the girl lies moaning as if in terror or pain, and her position in the bed would be plainly such as to show that the mysterious movements were not caused by her. The girl has been known to abstain from all food for the space of fifteen days, and for some weeks past she has only received little milk daily, yet her face is fair, and when the visitation is not nigh her sleep is apparently health. full. Her parents are plain and honest people. who view this as an affliction not to be turned to account for notoriety or money. The neighbors, unable to account for it in any other way, have solemnly decreed witchcraft against an old woman living among them, and charms are in active demand.--Cor. of the Mew York TorId
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21

STUDENTS of Russian history state that for several hundred years no quarter of a century has passed without the annex ation of more or less territory to Russian dominions.
 The Captain of the U. s. A.,
 Unable te obtain his pay,
 Ia now compelled to pawn his sword
 To meet the bills for bed and board.
 He softly murmurs Uncle, must spout IL
 PROFESSOR M. w. HARRINGTON, of Michigan university, who IS now Tn Europe, has been offered by the Chinese government college, at Pekin, the chair of astronomy in that institution, at salary of s4, 900 year, with perquisites amounting to $1,000 more.
 AN ingenious girl up on North Hill, who has never "feller" in the world, goads the other girls in that neighbor- hood to madness by lighting up the par Tor brilliantly and then setting her fathers hat where it's shadow will be boldly marked against the curtain.
 KENTUCKY has 4,OOO square miles more coal measures thaa all of Great Britain superior iron-ore and more of it: good grazing and cattle; fine wheat and corn. fields large water communications; an excellent climate. Limonite ores, Auxes. hearth stones, fire-clay and coal and lead are tound contiguous in five counties. and the tensile strength of her n;o.iron smelted with a local Aux IS said to exceed any other.
 VERY little is known of the natural curiosity in southern illinois Tn the shane of natural bridge. It is near Pomona, on the Cairo and St. Louis railroad, and is wonderful freak of nature. It is of pure sandstone, one hundred feet in length on top, and seventy-six feet from one abutment to the other. It is six feet high and nine feet broad on tue top. The average thickness is nine feet, and team is said to have crossed in perfect safety.-St. Louis Republican.
 THE exploration of the western terri tory will be continued next summer under the direction of Lieut.. Wheeler, Prof. Hayden and Maj. Powell. Lieut.. Wheeler's field for operation for 1877 has not vet been fully determined upon. Major. Powell will continue the geologi- cal survey in the Colorado river country; Prof. Hayden's expedition completed last year the survey oi Colorado, and will continue during the coming sum mar an exploration north of the Union Pacific railroad. The main pa ty, under tbe direction of Prof. Hayden himself, will make it's headquarters in Cheyenne
 IT seems that unless wheat resembling .hat nrown in Hungary-a red shriveled. hard yariety-can be raised in this country, Vienna bread must continue ., to he what it is now, a luxury within the reach of the few, and not an article or diet at the command of the many, da Ill our agriculturists, however, can produce {; Hungarian wheat, and, surely, thls ;oS ,s not an impossibilitty with our ,s,' sn'i,u ;n kinds of soil and climate, American in- genuity and talent will soon supply the mecbanical essentials necessary for mak- ing the palatable and nourishing vienna bread
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21
The EpizOOtic Lovers.
BY SAM SLICK.

The epizootic is not entirely confined to horses, as the following will show They had been keeping company year. He told her Friday afternoon that he would be up early Sunday evening, as he had something of great importance to tell her, and present to give her. With woman's keen intuition she knew what the something of importance would be, and she looked forward to the hour with sweet expectation. He was there on time, but hardly in the condi- tion he desired. A heavy cold had tackled him the night before, and his eyes were red and iDfamed, and his nose was :nearly twice its natursl size, and shone with lustre that would have ap- peared to much better advantage on a door-plate. Singularly enough the young lady was similarly conditioned. She ushered him into the parlor, and with out any preliminary ceremony they were on the sofa together. He took out his handkerchief, and finding dry section, wiped his nose. This reminded her of a duty she owed herself, and she attended to it at once. He held one of her hands in one of his, and his handkerchief in the other. Then he spoke:
 "Susad, cub to hide to dalk to you of subdig dearer--a-ah.ooh Ca prompt application of the handkerchief cut off the sneeze in it's bud)---dearer to be thad like---ah- ah---that id.--oo .conker chew, ker chew, ker chew" A moments pause. "Pve god ad awvul code," he explains, with due solemnity.
 "Sobe l." she sympathizingly replies. A moment is devoted to the silent use of the handerchieis, and then he con tinues
 "Darlig, you must hab seed all de tibe how mudge-ooh- ooh-ker--(the handker- chief again saves him)-how nudge I hab thought ob you. Ebry hour ob de day or nide-ah- -ah -ooh--Oo-ch- -ch-cdelc, KER CHEW, KER CHEW! Thid i'd awvul," he protested, walking around the room, for the final explosion had raised hin, to his feet. She wiped her eyes, and then her nose, and made an honest endeavor to look languishing, but owing to the watery condition of the former and the fiery glow of the latter she appeared to an unhappy advantage But he did not notice. He felt of hit | pT0DOScls tenueIly TUT Houoho, "ho then returned to her side.
 "Darlig, cad no lodger lib widouc you. Widoud you libe would iddeed bt wilderness wid-"
 She impulsively raised her hand.
 "Ker- ker-kerche,o /" she shouted.
 He paused and gazed tenderly out O his inAamed eyes upon her convulset | features.
 "Darlig," he softly continued, seeing she was through, you cad neber know how nudge. ah. ooh.ooh-ah ker.chew, ker wise-sh -sh -er-rer, ker ceew-ooh my ( dear '" he walled, impetuously grabbing for his handkerchief, while the tears rai down his cheeks.
 She took advantage of the lull to un obtrusively apply her handkerchief.
 "Susad," he began again, gfasplnl her hand with fervor, and clutchinI his handkerchief with equal earnestness awhad i'd be widoud lub? Nodding Darlig do 700, cad 700 Tub be edough d be by-ah-ah-ooh-k chewl Heavigs thid id awfulp
 He mopped the precipitation from hi troubled countenance and then waite' until she reappeared from behind tn handkerchief, when he resumed;
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21
FIRST LOVE.
BY JULIA WARD HowK.

Whom first we love, you know, we seldom we'd lime rules us all. And life, indeed is not The thing we planned it out ere hope was dead And then, women can not choose our lot Much must be borne which 1t is hard to bear, Much given away which 1t were sweet to keep God help us all who need indeed His care;
 And yet know the Shepherd loves His Sheep. My little boy begins 10 babble now
 Upon my knee his earliest infant prayer; He has his fathers eager eyes, know,
 And they say, too, his mothers sunny hair. But when he sleeps and smiles upon my knee, And can feel his lghht breath come and 20, I think of onc-Heaven help and pity me
 Who loved me, and whom loved long ago, Who might have been-ah what, dare not think We are all changed. God judges for HIS best. God help do our duty and not shrink,
 And trust in heaven humby for the rest. But blame us women not appear
 Too cold, al times, and some too gay and light Some griefs gnaw deep; some woes are hard to bear Who knows the past and who can judge ss right An were we judged by what we might have been And not by what we are-too apt to fall My little child-be sleeps and smiles between hese thoughts and me. In heaven we shall know
 all
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21

THE Tribune, in commenting upon the proposition to establish a college in China, based upon the traditions of our western civilization, compliments the Chinese by saving with some truth: Education occupies higher place in the state than it does with us, and in their art, the integrity of all their handiwork, their respect for learn ing, their selfcontrol, and fine courtesy they have reached higher plane of civilization than the Anglo-Saxon." " When it adds, however, that Their religion has in it broad basis of sublime truth, both in it's conception of the Deity and of human brotherhood" it does not speak with knowledge. The educated Chinese are what we would call Atheists, being disciples of Confucius, who recognized neither God nor future state, and whose religion was a system ef morals based on reason and human experience. Buddhism, in its purity, is also atheistic; and these two forms of so-called religious belief embrace the great bulk of the Chinese people. There is, however, in China, a form of belief, bigotsd and superstitious, and not unlike our own spiritualism and these three religions, dwelling side by side for several thousand years, have resulted in mixed creed, so that the average Chinaman is about as much confused concerning his real belief as the ordinary non-church going Christian. No doubt the faith ot | China may be best described as fetichis tic. The Emperor is brother to the sor | ond moon and the all ancOm passlnl canopy of heaven is worshipped insteac
 of any personal god. It is misleading tC
 say that Chinamen generally have any
 such idea of deity or god as is under stood by those terms in christendom.
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21
"I ask agaid, darlig, cad you Tub me ,JouUb tr, ha hv wihe P,

ASK agalu, udIDg, Cdu yOu iuu He edough to be by wibe ?"
 The young girl dropped her head upon his breast, put her arm around his neck, and was about to speak the glad answer, when a sudden spasm shook her frame, and she went of into series of sneezef which fairly endangered the safety of her fair neck.
 "Oh, by Tub! Oh. by preciousl" he sympathizingly exclaimed. "Sbeak, oh, sbeak-abooh ooh-ker chew, ker chew, ker chew l" he roared. She fell into his arms again, perfectly exhausted. "You'll be bide-all bide ?" he gasped. "I will, Hedry-I will," she hoarsely whispered.
 F He drew her to him with all his strength, slipped the ring upon her trem- bling finger; and there they stood to. gcther-their reddened and half closed eyes blinked in sweet, holy ecstasy upon each other, while their exhausted nostrils shone with dim refulgence. "My poor darling has god sudge bad code" he sympathizingly murmured.,
 "so id by Hedfy," she softly whis-
 
 "I dode gare for myself. r." he sud, denly put her. away, recovered his handkerchief, and instantly went of in a proxysm of sneezes. "Oh," he sighed, as he regained per pendicular again, and mopped off his face, which was now almost purple in hue.
 You bust take sub medicid for that code do-nide," she said.
 Both ob us," he added.
 Yes, a'd you'll zoak your feed in bod wader p
 II will; a'd you'll zoak yours?" he eagerly added.
 "I will," she solemnly replied.
 Heavig bless you, my darlig, by precious darlig," he murmured, clasping her again tightly to his breast. And then he stole out into the darkness and she fingered moment at the door, and heard hls dear voice ring out on the night air as he passed away: :.
 Ker chew, ker chew, KER CHEW" -San Fr1uciscO Call.
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21
EMPEROR ALEXANDER of Russia, like

EMPEROR ALEXANDER of Russia, like h;s father takes troubles badly. A cor respondent saw him at St. Petefsoutg some weeks ago, writes: His Eheeks sUns s,a s,nken and his eyes are dull; his aarr;scs aar has lost much of it's firmness and dignity; he is prematurely aged. This may be caused by hard werk as as much as by anxiety, for he works now as hard as, or perhaps harder than any @ ol S;s % ministers. Every morning he rises at att seven, takes his walk on the palace avav av at eight, and from that hour untii 1SJ 1I;aht with the exception of one hour for or eating, he is at work in his chance'' loric,"
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21
FACTS AND RANCHES.
What Shall We Do '" BY MRS. l.. c. WILTON.

A mother sat stitching and stitching away, It raiped and her boys were indoors at play, When one of them came and leaned on her chair; And said with touchingly wearied-out air, 0We,ve played every play in the world that we
 Now, what shall we do7" Before poor mamma had chance to reply, I he rest of the little ones gathered close by, And the sum of their troubles all seemed the same We wish that we knew some wonderful game We've been sailors and soldiers and fought battles
 Now, what shall we do7' Mamma thought for a moment then gaily replied, "Build palace of blocks with portico wide, And play that the owner had money to spend, And wanted to decorate rooms without end, And ordered some pictures painted by you
 ThdfS what you can do. "Now each take pencil and paper and draw The most wonderful thing that ever you saw A lily, sunset. shore, or sea. A gorgeous winged butterfly chasing bee; Or-tbree little boys that are saying like you
 "Nou. what shall we do?" The briabteued-up children took pencils ia hand, AS amateur artists you'll all understand) And worked at their pictures until 1t was plain The funny gray clouds had forgotten to rain; And mamma had a rest (not a long one it's true),
 From. "What shall we do1" Ol sweet patient mothersl in this earnest way You are doing Iifes work while your little ones play; Gods beautiful angels winged, 10 the skies; And heaven makes reply to your "What shall we dol"
 June IFids Audke.
The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21

Ir is said that man in Boston who was converted under the preaching of Mir. Moody has made restitution of $lS,- GOO which he stole several years ago,