davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
CuriOsities In the Nails.

Novelties are sent every day through
the mails. Among the latest and
strangest articles received for delivery
at the New York Postoffice are two live
baby alligators. They came to hand on
Monday morning, much to the surprise
of the officials, who opened the pack
ages. "No. A." Superintendent Pur-
dy's room, is the Old Curiosity Shop"
of the Postal Department. 1t is the re-
ceptacle for all the queer things and ir-
regular stuff constantly being received
from all parts of the world by persons
ignorant of the postal laws, and by
many in defiance of the known regula-
ton as to third-class matter.
"We get some queer things by mail,
can tell you," said Assistant Superin-
tendent Jones; then fixing his eye on
the reporter, he continued: '.Now what
would you think if told you we some
times get toads through the mails. You
laugh; why, we get lots of 'em, and
cartridges, detonating powder, torpe-
does, fireworks, sky-rockets, and even
snakes"
you've got them bad, haven't youP"
observed the reporter.
81 mean just what say" replied
Mr.. Jones, with a grim smile "Let
me tell you. 1t was about eight years
ago, we received by mail five varieties
of live snakes. Well, we wrote to Wash
ington for instructions as to their dispo-
sition, and"
"Why didn't you kill them right
awayP" asked the reporter.
"Well, you see, they reach us in
transit, and we have no power to de-
stroy any mail matter under such Cir
cumstances. These snakes really ought
to have been killed at the post office
where they were mailed"
"Well, what instructions did you
get?''
"We were ordered to send them on
to Washington, and they were finally
deposited at the Smithsonian Institute.
Some of them died. but one specimen
] is still alive
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
The HippopOtamus at Home.

Kingwere, the canoe peddler (says
Mr.. Stanley espying us from his brake
covert on the opposite side, civilly re-
sponded to our hallooes, and brought
his huge followed tree skillfully over
the whirling eddies of the river to
where we stood waiting for him. While
one party loaded the canoe with other
goods, others got ready long rope to
fasten around the animals necks, where
with to haul them through the river to
the other bank.
After seeing the work properly COM
menced, / sat down on a condemned
canoe to amuse myself with the hippo
potami by pepperiDg their thick skulls
with my No. II smoothbore. The
Winchester rifle (calibre AZ did no
more than slightly tap them, causing
about as much injury as o boys sling;
it was perfect in its accuracy of fire,
for ten times in succession l struck the
tops of their heads between the ears.
One old fellow, with the look of a
sage, was tapped close to the right ear
with one of these bullets. Instead of
submerging himself, as others had
done, he coolly turned round his head
as if to ask: "Why this waste Of valua-
BILE cartridges on usP'' The response
to the mute inquiry of his sageship was
an ounce-and- a. quarter bullet from the
smoothbore, which made him below
with pain, and in q few moments he
rose up again tumbling in his death
agonies. As his groans were so pite-
Gus, refrained from useless sacrifice
of life, and left the amphibious horde
in peace. E=
A little knowledge concerning these
uncouth inmates of the African waters
was gained even during the few MIN
utes we were delayed at the ferry.
When undisturbed by foreign sounds,
they congregate in shallow water on
the sandbars, with the fore half of their
bodies exposed to the warm sunshine,
and are in appearance, when thus SOM
nolently reposing, very like herd of
enormous swine. When startled by the
noise of an intruder, they plunge hasti-
ly into the depths, lashing the waters
into a yellowish foam, and scatter
themselves below the surface, when
presently the heads of few reappear.
snorting the water from their nostrils,
to take fresh breath and q cautious
scrutiny around them; when thus, we
see but their ears. forehead, eyes and
nostrils, and, as they hastily submerge
again, it requires a steady wrist and a
quick hand to shoot them.
1 have heard several comparisons
made of their appearance while floating
in this manner; some Arabs told me
before had seen them that they looked
like dead trees carried down the river;
others, who in some country had seen
hogs, thought they resembled them;
but to my mind they look more like
horses when swimming-their curved
necks and pointed ears, their wide eyes
and expanded nostrils, favor greatly
this comparison.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
/" Were thew venomous snakesp''

"Yes, sir; we learned afterward
from Washington of their villainous
character. Why, one was good
sized, well-developed rattle-snake.
They came through the mails in tin
cans. Now, this alligator is a harmless
kind of mail matter, compared with
vicious copperheads."
The alligators just received are really
twelve inches long, and handsomely
marked with yellow rings from head to
tail. The strange creatures were
mailed in small flat boxes, with perfor-
ations for air. The directions were in
sent to Mrs. Eldert, Flatbush avenue.
Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
The post-office authorities permitted a
clerk who lives near Flatbush avenue
dressed to Mrs. Eldert; the other is
peseefully enjoying himself in the COM
Portable quarters assigned him in the
post-ofice. 1t is question whether his
alligatorship will ever reach the fair
hands of the Vassar student
"What shall we do with itP o, make
a PCb Va ltV Sdlu JULIUS.
The reporter laughed at the idea.
"Now let me tell you, SIR" continued
the officer, "we once had a cat sent
through the mails. That's fact. We
took it out of the bag, fed it, and
brought it up in the office. and that cat
was the mother of noble race of post
Office cats" - .
In the department supervised by
MaccrS p.,rlxy xIa o.,
mistakes of thoughtless citizens who
patronize the post-office are rectified,
and the work calls for peculiar skill
times the receipt of these strange Great
ures through the mails leads to very
humorous Correspondence between New
York and Washington. 1t is not gen.
orally known where the irregular stuff
comes from, as the stamps on this class
of mail matter are what is called
killed" at the receiving offices.
"How is it such queer things are sent
outp" queried the reporter.
"Simply through the stupidity or
carelessness of country postmasters.
We have to keep sharp eye on all sus-
picious parcels, and in opening them
we take the greatest care. 1t is no
trivial business to be able to dispose of
the heterogeneous mass of stuff which
silly people slip into the mails. You
see they take their chances, without a
thought of the nuisance and trouble
they cause to the employees"
"Does Mrs. Eldert know who sent
her the alligator"
"I think not" said Mr.. Jones. "She
has an idea that a friend travelling in
North Carolina forwarded it as me-
mento of the trip.-N. p. Star.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
Taking the Census.

Gen. Francis A. Walker, Superin-
tendent of Census, with view to Sc
curing greater accuracy and uniformity
in the agricultural statistics to be COM
piled for the tenth census, has just is
sued circular setting forth the aims
and wishes of the bureau with regard
to the method of arranging such statis-
tics. The agricultural schedule an
nexed to the act of 1850, which is also
made part of the act of March 8,
1879, providing for the tenth census,
requires a report of the chief produc-
tions of agriculture "during the year
ending June l." There is, however, no
distinct agricultural year which ends on
the 1st of June, and there is reason to
believe that the statistics of agriculture
from 1850 to 1870 in regard to many of
the principal products embraced por-
tions of two different crops, inasmuch
as the enumeration was pretracted
three, four or even five months. BY
the act approved March 8, 1879, it is
provided that the tenth census shall be
taken and completed during the month
of June, 1880. This provision greatly
reduces the liability to error which has
been noted.
As the enumeration begins on the 1st
of June and closes on or before the
30th, all the crops which are gathered
once a year will fall pretty clearly on
one side or the other of the dividing
line. Thus, the cotton crop reported
in the census will be that of 1879, gath
cred in the fall of that year, while the
wool clip or I" wool crop" will be that
of the spring of 1880, except in por-
tions of California and Texas, where
both fall and a spring clip are Sc
cured. For certain agricultural prod
ucts, however, there is no harvest in
the usual sense of that term, but the
product is gathered week by week OF
day by day as it natures. Milk, but
ter, cheese and meat belong to this
class.
To remove any doubts that may arise
concerning the crops to be returned in
the census, the following list presents
the several crops specifically mentioned
in the agricultural schedule. arranged
as they fall into the calendar year 1879,
or that of 1880, or are to be returned
for the twelve months beginning June
1, 1879, and closing May 81, 1880. Ot
the crop of the calendar year of 1879
Wheat, corn, rye, oats, barley, buck
wheat, rice, tobacco, cotton, potatoes,
peas and beans; orchards, vineyards,
small fruits, hay, clover seed, grass
seed, hops, hemp, fax, fax seed, sugar
cane and sorghum, acres and quantity
bees, number of hives, pounds of honey
and wax. OF the crops of the calendar
year 1880: Wool, number of f1eeces and
pounds; maple sugar, pounds; maple
molasses. gallons. OF the yield of the
twelve months ending May 81: Butter,
cheese and milk sold, quantity; ami.
mails slaughtered, value; market gar.
dens, acres and value; forest products
and home manufactures, value.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
Our Volunteers at the Outset Of the War.

Beyond a very little drill, our officers
at the outset knew nothing of their du-
ties. / have seen a Colonel, a man of
much militia experience, deploy column
under fire in such fashion as to bring
his rear rank in front, and the right of
every company where the left should
be, with the nesessary result OF throw
ing his regiment into utter confusion.
1 have known Captain sent out on
vidette when he did not know what a
vidette was, and formed his men as
skirmishers. Commandants of grand
guards were ignorant of the necessity
of vigilence, and thought it a shame
not to let their tired "boys" sleep on
post. No one can estimate the number
of brave men who perished uselessly
in small operations because their inn
mediate officers did not know how to
manage them. In large operations it
was still worse. OF men fit for inde-
pendent commands, or even fit to ham
die division under clear instructions,
the State troops had none to offer as
they always will have none. If we had
not been opposed to troops about as i'll
directed as ourselves, and if we had
not had the science of West Point and the
regular service to organize and disci-
pline and guide US, our early expe-
riences would have been far more dis
astrous than they were.
The chief strength of the volunteer
forces lay in the very superior charac-
ter of the rank and file. They were
brave, intelligent, self-respecting citi-
zens, determined to master their own du-
ties, and determined to win. Mere drill
they learned rapidly, and to admira-
BILE perfection. They soon discovered,
too, the necessity of discipline, and act
ually aided their officers in establishing
it. OF their patience under the cruelty
of forced marches, and of their courage
on the field of battle, cannot write
even now without throb of emotion.
The fragment of my old company, in
its last bloody fight with a gallant
enemy, made charge after charge un-
der a corporal. "You don't go into
snch a hole because you like it." ex-
planned a trooper, describing a dash
through a cannon-swept valley; "you
90 in because you are ashamed to go
back on the boys" "It's burning
shame that the Captain should be sent
up without his own companyr' ex-
claimed a private soldier, when his
officer was ordered forward to rally a
forlorn hope which had already lost
three commandants. "We may as well
do it to-day as tomorrow" said the
men to one another, as they advanced
under Sheridan to recover the field of
Cedar Creek. Such was the spirit of
the masses of that memorable army,
and. also, as 1 suppose, of the very
similar army which confronted it. Self
respect, a noble feeling of comradeship,
earnest purpose, and common sense
supplied in great measure the lack of
complete discipline and of trained regi-
mental officers. NoUen,ber atlantic.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06

their hold upon the cardinal principle
that majorities shall rule, that moment
they bid goodbye to the perpetuity of
the Republic. The issue involved in
the campaign of 1890 is therefore
one of more vital Importance than
would strike the superficial observer.
1t has terrible significance with refer
ence to the future of free Government,
and while we have an abiding faith in
the American Republic we believe its
permanance can be secured only by the
fidelity and vigilance of the friends of
civil and religious Observation-Disclosures
Hdack- Eue.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06

ing like boy trying to raise his circus
money, until the next craze came along
0 yes, you'll try it. And about this
time next year you'll lie about it, and
say you never had one of the things i'll
your house. We know you.-Haaok-
EUe.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
hSurauco Agent.

r. n GOODWIN, The Insurance Agent win be
found ct his ONCE In Hustled Bros Boot and Shoe
Store. where he WIN be pleased to see his oil Gus
toners needing anything in HIS line Standard COM
auies represented and rates reasonable. Lossss
rumpt!y adjusted and raid at his agency,
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06

THE boy with the gold watch wants
to know what time it is twice as often
as does the boy with the silver chro-
nometer. Y. Star.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06

FRANCIS MURPHY is lecturing on tenn
psrance this season under the auspices
Of . bureau at $50 per night.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06

HORSE RADIsH HVINEGAR.-Taket three
ounces of the scraped roots, one ounce
of minced onions, one drachm of cay
erne, one quart of vinegar.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
Barber Shop.

lyon want Q nrst-c Shave, Hair Cut. Sham
poo. call Robinsons o. f. Shaving Saloon, Liberty
Street. full assortment of Hair Oils. Pomades and
Hair Restor,tives. We also keep the best brand Of
Raxors and warrant them. Razors honed or ground
to order. Z. 7. ROBINSON.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06

. @. KvERRTr. II. Q. STAN.
EyEIGTr STARR Manufacturing Chemists.
ami Wholesale and Retail dealers In Drugs. Medi.
eines sud Q full line Of Notions and Druggists sun
dries. North side Liberty Street
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
Planning NH.

WELLINGTON FLAMING MILL Manufacturer
and dealers in sash. Doors, Blinds, Bracketa Bat
tings. Lumber, shngiea Lath. Cheese and Butter
Boxes Scroll Saving Matching and Planning done to
order. d L. wadsworth, Prop. once, near rail-
Dad Depot.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
Cigars and Tobacco.

A. p. DIMOCK Manufacturer. Wholesale and Re-
tan dealer In Cigars, Tobsccos, etc. A nne
ment always kept In stock st lowest cash pricea
salesrooin North side Of Liberty Street.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
Harness Shops.

Z WELLS. saAdler and Harness Maker. The best
vorkmen employed, and only the best stock used
An work done under my supervision. North side
Mechanic Street.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06

A GOOD business stand is standing
adyertisement.-Ci Cincinnati Gazette.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
Boots and Shoes,

". b, ASHFORD. Manufacturer and dealer in
Booes and Shoes ard all kinds Of first class custom
work. All work and materials fully warranted. Shop
soath side Of Liberty Str ct, Wellington, o.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
Bakery.

J. p. KIDT. Baker and Grocer. Fresh Bread, Cake
and Pies every day. Also choice and complete g.
sortment Of Groceries. Nanufactures and sells,
wholesale and retail. Candies and Confectionery.
West side North Main Street.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
Printing.

Bring your printing to the Enterprise once. An
kinds of printing done neatly and promptly. once
west side Public Square. over Houshton's Drug
Store,
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
Lumber Yard.

H. wADSwOETa SON. Planning Mil. Scroll
Saving. Matching. Planning. etc. done to order.
Dealers in Lumber, Lsth, Shingles. Doors, Sash,
Biinds Mouldings and Dressed Lumber Of all sorts.
Yard near Hamlin's Feed Store, Wellington, D.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
Jeve1er.

III. WIGHT. Dealer In Clocks. watches Jeweiry.
slverwsre. Gold Pens. Etc. Shop In Houghton's
Drug Store.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06

A. g. POWERS Merchant Tailor. A nne assort-
ment of Cloths ~ Csssimeres, which will be made
order in he latest styles and prices
No. 2 Bcnedict's Block up stairs.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06

NORRHOUsE MINER Dealer in all kinds Of
Cut Meats. fresh and salt. Of better quality than
has heretofore been sold In Wellington. We have
new patent cooler and all the appliances for doing
Arst class business Our prices are higher than
otherschafge for inferior meats. Market North
side Liberty Street.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06
Merchant TAilors.

Block. Room @.
The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-06

Z g. FULLER Dealer I'm Fresh and Salt Msaaa,
DoaognA and Pork sau. age. Highest market price
paid for Beeves, Sheep. HoSa, Hidea Etc. Narkst.
south side Liberty Street.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-03-05

RICHMOND. VA, Feb. 2S.-The in.
dictment yesterday of five county court
Judges by the United States Court for
Tie western district OF Virginia, in scs e.
sion at Danviilc, on charge Of with
holding from negroes the right Of sery-
ing on juries, was brought to the atten-
ton of the State Senate to-day By Gen.
Bradley Johnson, who introduced a pre-
amble and resolution setting forth the
fact OF alleged usurpatiOn and exercise
Of unwarranted power, directing the at
t0rney general to take proper steps TO
bring said proceedings to adjudication
by the Supreme Court Of the United
States, IN order that such lawless meas
ures may be checked by competent au-
thority now and in the future, authoriz-
ing the employment of counsel to assist
the Attorney General in the proceed
ngs, and requesting Virginia's repre-
sentatiyes in Congress 10 move Tor a
committee to inquire whether the Hon.
Alexander Riyes, judge of the aforesaid
federal court, has not been and is not
now usurping judicial power for the pur-
pose of bringing about unnecessary con-
liict between State and Federal author
tiles in enforcement of the criminal laws
of Virginia, thereby endangerlng the
harmony, peace and good order OF the
Commonwealth, The preamble and
resolutions were adopted, only two
votes being in the negative, both Of
which were republican, The resolutions
were at once reported to the House,
and passed By that body tonight.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-03-05
Card,

lam constrained to state to the read
ers ofthis paper that am not in accord
with it in the position taken on what IS
now known as the 4" Brokers bill " Tor
settling the State debt. Since 1871 l
have consistently opposed the funding
bill and have stood for a readjustmen'
of the debt as matter Of right. MY
convictions believe to be based upon
principle, and principle is neither to be
bartered away nor compromised
regard the Brokers bill as more lnlqu-
tous in many of its features than tie
finding bill, and fit should have become
law proper settlement OF the deO'
wosld only lave been more difficult o.
accomplishment. l beliege our people
should not pay more taxes Tor any pur'
pose. and from this line cannot and
villnot deviate. Twill endeavor from
time TO time TO present what l hold &c
be GOOD and valid reasons against tins
speculating scheme on detached sheet
and shall begin with few Thousand
copies this week. Very little time VII
determine the right or wrong.
Respectfully,
II II RIpDIEBER0ER.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-03-05
Tie Great Storm IN Italy

ROME. Feb. 37.-Durng the recent
storm here all the viii dOws Of the mon
astery ofMonte ALE Croci were de-
stroyed, and portion Of the base Of
Micheol Angeles statue Of David was
swept of.
LONDON. Feb. 27.-rhc Times's COR
respondent at Rome says: "TclegramS
and letters from all parts Of The PENN
sula bring most lamcmlablc accounts Of
the damage caused By the tempest, ac-
companied by heavy thunder. hal and
rain, which burst over Italy Oh Monday
night last. aud which continues. though
with abatcd violence. The whole coast,
from BeOa to the south Of Naples, is
strewn with the wrecks Of small craft.
\ considerable number Of large vessels
received serious injury. In all the
ports ships were driven from ther moor.
ings. At Naples especially the effects
Of the storm were most serious. Tie
number of vessels and steamers injured
would make a long list. All the small
craft along the Riviera iii Chiaia were
swept out to sea and lost. The new
quay at Posi.ippo vas almost entirely
destroyed. y collier was abandoned
outside Of Genoa. At Leghorn two
English steamers broke from tn ir
moorings and caused much injury. At
FollOnica six vessels Were wrecked
four Italian and two EngIish-theT
names are not given. An Australian
ship, laden with grain from Malta went
ashore on the Island Of MclOyla, and
was abandoned. Inland the effect Of
the storm has been equally disastrous.
Parma. PiaceHza. Milan Florence,
Sicna and other cities have suffered. -
At Flor4nce a number Of fine old trees
and great many lamp posts Were
blown down. At Puagsiaolo near
Siena, the Campanile Of church was
blown while the people were at mass,
killing two priests officiating at the altar
and three other persons, and woundiny
twenty four persons. 4 similar catas.
throphe occurred at AontaurO, where
the vault Of church yielded to the force
OF the storm and killed priest who was
celebrating mass. and injured a number
Of the congregation. AT Rome the
force Of the wind was unparalleled.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-03-05

A PICTURE OF FLORIDA BY A Dis
GUsTED VIRGINIAN.-Samuel d. Wal
lace who recently emigrated from Bells
Valley ROckbridge, TO Florida, has re-
turned disguised and makes the follow
ing report:
No wheat, no corn, no grass, no cat
tie, no anything but sweet potatoes and
beans. The good lands. few and far
between. are owned by Northern CAPT
talists. The orange groves which pay
can be counted on ones fingers. The
natives are a dried-up yellow specimen
ofhumanity, shaken by chills aud eaten
up by mosquitoes aud sand flies. The
water is Of the color and consistency Of
weak I've; flour, bacon. &C., have to be
imported from other States, and none
Of The comforts OF life are indigenous to
the soil. His advice to those contem-
plating a trip to Florida, much less a
residence there, is summed up in the
laconic g DON'T"