davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27
Lind MINIS Duel.

Is doubtful if any theatre ever
1oried such volumes of romantic in
cident "a the deck of the old time
Mississippi steamer. Ia the old days
before railroads traversed the conti-
nent in every direction, aud the West
was wilderness, New Orleans was the
Mecca OF travellers, and the feet, wave
borne palaces Of the INLAND sea carried
thousands of pleasure seekers TO the
South Ii was then that life was q
carousal and men aud women surren
dered themselves to the most lavish
epioymeuts Canning was a custom,
aud courage an instinct Men were a :
prone to brawls as the sparks to fly
upwards. Con-picuons among the
fierce and rollickiug hajittes of the
steamers was Captain West, noted
duelist One day he engaged in a
controversy with a gentlemen whom
he met on the deck of a steamer,
whom he accused Of staring at him
impertiuently.
"Why do you look at me so intent
ly?" demanded the captain.
Il am not looking at you" calmly
replied the stranger, his eyes mean
while fixed in a stony glare upon the
duelist's face.
"But you are, sir !"
| Il am not"
The Captain turned away, but short
| time afterward he felt those stony eyes
we're again upon him and following
all his movements With pitiless ferocity
1t became inexpressibly annoying, and
the Captain at lAst determined to max e
an end of it Stepping up to the
stranger he inquired with suppressed
passion:
"Cau yoa fight as we'll as look ?"
\ "Perhaps so, | never tried it. Place
me however in position and l will do
my best"
The singular conduct of the strang
er had by this time attracted universal
attention, aud whispered conferences
regarding his remarkable appearance
agitated little grOups of persons all
over the boat. In short tune, how
ever, the vessel rounded to a landing
for wood, and then the parties to the
impromptu duel went ashore. The
stranger was led off by negro servant
who seemingly picked his way. In
deed, from the intense interest he wa
mauifesting in the encounter, the col
ored servant was apparently more deep
, ly interested in the encounter than hi
, master. But the time allotted for tn
preliminaries was brief, and the me-
were speedily put in position and pis
tolls placed in their hands.
The word was given, and two ring
, ing reports flashed out on the all
I Captain West fell pierced to the heart
The stranger stood erect, calm an
, dignifed. His second rushed up t
him
care you hurt, sir?'
"No How is it with my antagonist?
Cant you see? You have kiile
a him"
t "No. | am unable to see.
t You cant see 2"
j mo l am blind"
And he was. The tragedy was
nine days wonder, and all sorts {
r rumors were rife as to the identity {
| the fatal stranger. But who he WI
o aud whittier he went was a myster
- never solved. The circumstance wei
u to make up an incident in the dar
and bloody memories which mac
famous the oldcu time.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27
How to get a Dinner.

A gentleman who had travelled about
pretty extensively was greatly perplexe
ed to understand how it was that other
persons we're waited upon promptly
and we'll served at the hotels, while he
was almost entirely ignored and could
scarcely obtain square meal-com
plain to the waiter as he might AT
last his eyes were opened TO the dodge
of feeling the waiter literally, and be-
ing of au ingenious turn of mind he
determined to improve upon the plan
The next hotel he dined at he took his
seat very pompously at the table, and
took out well-6lled pocketbook, ex
tracing therefrom a $40 bill. which
he laid on the white cloth beside his
plate, and placed his goblet upon it.
In an instant, almost, he was surround
ed by walters, who seemed to vie with
each other in attentions. Every wish
was anticipated and all the delicacies
of the kitchen aud pantry were placed
before him 10 tempting array. Having
Jared as sumptuously as a prince-to
the envy of many of the guests-he
took up the enbaok, and beckoning
20 the nearest waiter, was immediately
besieged by half dozen or so. Hold
ing the bill in one hand, he pointed tc
it with the other and inquired of the
crowd:
"Do you see that bill"
"Oh, yes, sir, they all exclaimed il
chorus
Then take good look at it," ht
replied, "for you will never see i
again"
Saying which he departed, leaving
the walters aghast
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27
WorId,s Fair I'm asS3 ,

1t seems to be conceded that New
York is to have the next worlds fair,
OF rather the next fair Of this world.
The authority Of general consent fixes
the date as 1888. The universal con-
currence, so far, in these propositions
is only because no influence has taken
the trouble to contest the matter. AS
it now stands, the gentlomen who have
assumed charge of the project have
selected Central Park for the site OF
the exhibition buildings. This ID pub
lic territory, and therefore neutral, SO
far as citizens are concerned. But this
clogging or loading of the great city's
lungs, as the park is called, is vehe-
mentIy denounced ss vandalism by
another class of citizens. These op.
moments are made up of real estate
ripcsters, political jobbers and such
ike, who see magnificent opportunities
of speculation and feeeing disappear
40 long as the location of the buildings
and the use OF the ground therefor arc
not lef, open for bids and bribery.
Indeed. it is strong question whether
to use Central Park for such purpose.
even temporarily, is not such per-
version of the ends to which it has
been dedicated that the courts would,
on proper application, eujoin such use,
The soreheads referred 10 have issued
q call for convention, TO be held the
nreseul month, of representatives, from
, ali the States, and especially from the
, larger cities. We predict it will be o
, botch potch affair. but if it should be
n respectable gathering we trus. the
convention will remember that tht
country at large has at least Sigh
, interest in the next International cS
hihitipn
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27
Decision Reversed.

The following reversal of the ssn-
tence passed against Mr.. f VaudemaIe,
of Columbus, KY, at the Hickman
Circuit Court last Fall, has been sent
by him with a request that it would
be published in the Paducah News.
In justice he should have the bene-
Fl OF tho doubt in his favor until the
contrary be proved true. The charge
is fearful one, and consequently we
should be slow to pass judgment. For
the be neit of humanity let US hope he
may prove himself Innocent:
STATE Of KENTUCKY,
CoUsr OF APPEALs,
May i8, 1879.
F. Vandemale, Appellant. Appeal from
Hickman Cir
Commonwealth Appellee, cult Court.
The Court being sufficiently advis-
ed delivered the following opinion
herein, to-Bit:
The Court in this case should have
declined to give any instructions look>
ing to the guilt of the accused, as there
1c0s no evidcnce tohateccr upon which
TO base it. The exhibition Of affectioV
by the father to his daughter 10 tie
presence Of others. instead of beius< re-
garded as evidence Of patern0 love
has been tortured into an implied ad-
mission to his guilt, and r1sulted IN
his conviction of an ofen% that could
have been prompted aloUe By the in-
stinct Of brute.
The circumstances constituting the
links in the chain as TO which his con
viction was ha d, that the two lived IN
the same house after the death of the
wife of tho accused aud the mother of
the unfortunate girl, that late 10 the
evening the daughter could be seen at
the business house of the father, and
at other times he was seen TO kiss her
and to caH her has little t0ife IN the
presence of their friends aud in the
hearing of those who belonged to the
best families of the town, it is showo
that indentatioDs were proven 10 one
Of the beds up stairs az if two had been
sleeping in it, and also proven that the
father, the night after the child was
born, slept in the bed where his
daughter was coniued. Such facts are
pushed together and made the basis of
conviction.
The unfortunate woman refused TO
disclose the name of tho villain who
had brought ruin aud disgrace upon
herself and family aud conveyed her
father to the felon's cell, but never
hesifated to relieve her father from all
suspicion Her reluctance to give the
name of the seducer was no evidence
against the father and ought not to
have been urged on the jury as one of
the grounds of conviction. \ uolIc
ProS9ni should have beeu entered in
the case upon such facts as are present
ed IN this record.
Waving all other questions present,
ed as cause for q reversal, a new tria
i emitted as there was DO evidence
authorizing an instruction for the
Commonwealth.
JudgmoOt reversed.
y copy attest n-->,1i''
Frank kfort-1ay-gss - -
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27
Why the Rest Mem wont
kMn.

1t has grown into a common saving
that the best and most competent mon
won't run for Office, and hence that the
State Legislature, and other represent
ative positions. are filled by mediocre
ability, and ofteOtimes by meu Of very
inferior ability.
This is measurably true, bu. not al
WAYS true. for now and then the very
best ability is obtained for these posi-
tons. Ssme mems ambition ruas in
the line of public Office, and teuce Oor
easionally the very best ability is found
fighting for minor positions, like rep
resentatives to the State Legislature;
but as a rule, it may be safely assuued
that the best ability Of the 9ountr, is
engaged in other professions and walks
of life.
The great cause for this s, no doubt
to be found in the fact that other av0-
cations paybesser, ave more sertaiO,
and are subject TO less personal hnmili-
alton, trouble and vexation. Popular
favor is an uncertain, changeable thing,
and he who would court it successfully y
sometimes must resort to ways aud
means rot calculated to make one eO~
tirely happy in this world or the world
to come. Hence, the man successfully
engaged in something else wisely hesi'
tates about launching his bark 10 such
uncertain waters.
The very best ability may, on an Is
ue or prejudice, be defeated BY very
inferior ability. This ngain is notin-
vitiug. Again, self assertion is notal-
ways the sttendant OF the very hest
talent, aud hence, man OF snail
qualifications but a supcrabundanes Of
impudence, often wias By lhrusiing
himself forward as a candidate and
bouads to success while the more able
man, distrustful of his OWE merit is
waiting for popular interest to say he
is wanted. This self-asssrtion-this
"brass"-this impudeuce--is the frait
fuI cause ofso many minor Offices be-
/ ing 6llei by inferior men.
! l. one respect, it would be fortunate
or the State to be pretty equally divi
'ded between the two political parties,
because it would insure the bringing
of the very best men to the front for
Office. Neither party could then risk
inferior men as representative candi
dates, but as rule only men who uu-
derstood something Of principles would
be put forward.
Some people argue that it is the
mall salaries that deter the most com
'etent men from runniup for 9. .iIiq-.-..I.a
3 10 L,~.>..-ps sTUe m some instances,
,ut we think tho main cause is to be
ouud in the style Of race that now
las to be mnde. II a nominee for
he State Legislature, for instance, was
made to represent certain principles
nd policies and the candidate went
before tho people on the issues thus
made, and not on personal matters,
rood talent would be found but if
hat good talent has to fight his oppO
Ient's great graudmother's char cter
t will find more cougenial employment
u other fields.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27
Tom Green's suit

Ies;erdy afternoon, Col. Thomas
/ NJ. Green, sho brought the charges OF
mutIlating ecords against Judge Har
gis, aPpear.d in the Common Pleas
Clerk ofia with one Of his attorneys,
Col. Bullia and filed suit for Iibel
against Jutge Hargis The following
Is the petitun in full:
JEFFERoS CoURT OF CoMMoN
Pleas Tomas III Green, plaintiff,
rs. Thomai r. Hargis, defendant -
The piaintif, Thomas NJ Green, states
that, in the year 1874, he compared
and published statements asserting his
belief that the defendant, Thos +
Hargis, had mutiIated, or caused to be
mutilated, .srtsin records of the Cir,
cult and County Courts Of Rowan
county tha recently, to~wit: in the
month of May, in the year 1879, thc
( plaintiff reyiYed and circulated the
charge that he defendant had mutia
ted, or caused to be mu,ilated, certain
records OF the Circuit aud County
Courts of Rowan county; and that said
charge is true ye:; that afterKard, iu
the month of Juue, in the year 1879
the defendant, knowing that said
charge is rue, did with willful malice
compose and write Of aud concerning
the plaintiff, and Of and concerning
the af9Eesaid4 charge, a false aud de,
among olher-iI7usss5i trc-nffSf f5fts,s ts,@0a
1-pD-@- 71s.<-.
naT, ]
IN 1874, | (meaning the dofen
danO was nominated by Democratic
convention asa candidate for Circuit
Judge. 1t was charged tuat | (mean
ing the defenda nt was ineligible to
the Office, aud that for the purpose OF
destroying the proof of my (mesniug
the deieudant'S) inelisibility, and OF
establishing my (meaning the dcfen-
daut's) false claim that (meaniug the
defcudanD was eligible, | (meaning
the defendant) mu,ilated, or caused to
be mutiated certain records OF the
Circuit and County Courts of Rowan
county. Out of respect for that por
ton Of the people of Kentucky who
are not familiar with the persons
(meaning the plaintiff) who originally
concocted the charge, and have recent
ly revived and circulated 1t, nor with
the facts as known to those WHO know
the parties (,neaning the plaintiff) and
witnesses this assault upon me (mean
ing the dclcrdant), (meaning the de
fendani) new solemuly declare that
the charge, in whatever form, or by
whomsoever (meaning the p'aintIf1
made OF iusin uatcd, is false. ] (meau-
ing the defendant do further de-
nounce those who have heretotor
made (--) and those who do here
after circulate this charge (meaning
the charge aforesaid) as wilitul cal
umniators;" and that the defendant
sent his libel to the editor OF the
Louisville Courier-Journai, q news
paper published in the county OF JET
fersou and State of Kentucky, and
caused said libel to be delivered tt
said editor. in said county, and request
ed and caused said libel to be publish
ed in the said newspaper, aud 10 tn
said county of Jefferson, over hia, th'
de,endaurs, signatnre, of and concern
ING the aforesaid charge to the damag
of the plaintiff in the sum of $4,000
Wherefore the plaintiff asks for judg
meut against the defendant for S1C
600, and for his costs of suit
WILLIAM II. WADswoRTH,
STANTON & LARUE,
BULLITT, BULLITT & HARMS,
For Plaintiff
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27

"SINcE both political parties in the
State favor the calling of convention
to amend the Constitution Of the
State, and since it is required that g
majority of the voters in the Common.
wealth shall vote for tho convention
it would be good idea for both print
ed tickets to have upon them for the
convention.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27
News IterrrS.

Texas and Alabama papers are on a
big boast about the growing crops.
In the South since the war over
200, 600 negroes have Joined the Metho.
dist Church.
TIE seven-year locusts have appear.
ed in myriads at Independence, Mis-.
sour
The Republicans of Graves county,
Monday last, nominated =. G. Gaugh
for the Legislature.
The most thriving business at Lead
vile. Col, is that Of man who keeps
ready-made graves to sell.
The arrival of watefmeions in tho
New Orleans market has checked the
negro exodus.
This is locust year in Missouri, and
they have appeared in largo numbers
in many parts of the State.
The railroads arc carrying -four FROM
St, Louis to New York now at the rate
Of eight cents per barrel.
A resident of San Francisco has a
sample of silk that was spun 10 China
1000 years before Christ.
The reign of terror, in Russia, is
increasing. The police have been or
dered to be armed with reyolyers.
The Duval Duck Mills, at Wood
bury, Maryland. have suspended on ae.
count Of the advance in cotton.
The Emperor of Germany is ropor,
ted 10 be in such a condition that his
death is liable to occur at any moment.
The negroes about Richmond, Va,
all want to emigrato to Kansas bo-
cause they are not allowed to marry
white women.
The venerable Gen. w. o. Butler,
of CarrolltOn, is beconiug very weak,
and requires assistance in rising from
bis chair.
1t is said that Switzerland, after
faithfully trying the lite imprisqazzene
plan os preventive Of mp--asss has re-
Wrned tQ hanSisSpas-- .szsss.
-sr,--sT--fo haf 500 lodges of SitffGS
Bulls people are reported south of tho
British lines. They have not as yet
committed sGy acts of direct hostility,
but trouble is apprehended.
During the past winter eleven cheese
factories have been built in the single
county OF Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In
1877 there were 3,185 900 pounds of
cheese made in that county, in 1878.
I, 100000 pounds, while during the
season it is estimated that not
less than 100000 pounds will be
manufactured.
Large sums of money have recently
been made and also lost by cotton
brokers and spectators. The staple
is now fully four cents higher than IL
was at the beginning Of the year, and
the rise seems to be based on legiti-
mate causes growing out of the improve
ment in business affairs and an expect
ed short supply.
A lady not accustomed TO raising
poultry set hen on some eggs, aud in
due course Of time brood Of chickens
was hatched. A friend, coming iu
four days afterward, noticing that the
little things looked weak and puny,
asked how often they we're fed. "Fed?"
was the reply, Il thought the hen
Dursed them"
Some Boston capitalists have obtain
ed charter for the construction OF
railroad through the Mexicao territory
as al extension of the Atchison. Tope-
ka and Santc Fe Railroad-and haze
secured a grant Of Is, 600 acrea OF land
including all mineral deposits-per
mile. The new line will flank San
Francisco and shorten the route to
Australia 1900 miles.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27

DR.. CuoPPIN, president of The New
Orleans board of health, a gentleman
of great energy and high character, has
impressed on mo aasao~aI b~--a OF
health the necessity of guarding the
fanks of New Orleans by means oil
quarantine regulation for Key West,
Cedar Keys and Pascagoula.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27
Merchants ought tC

Merchants ought to be looking to
their interests to be provided tor be
fore the next Legislature. The time
at which their stocks are assessed Is so
ordered under the present Law as to
take them when they have the largest
stocks on hand. Why not assess all
property upon the same date?
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27
rne way they Rob in Russia.

Russian baggage cars do not carry
baopapemen. The car is sealed when
it leaves, and the seal broken when
ANYTHING has to be taken out or put
in At least that is the explanation
of some very ingenious stealing which
went on fourishing month after month
on the Kursk, Charkov and Azov rail
road until last December, when it was
detected. There we're seseral accom-
plices, who used great trunk or chest.
6ne of them was put in this and ship
ned in the baggage car. AS soon as
The car was sealed he crept out, broke
omen the best looking trunks of the
other passengers, selected the most
valuable articles and put them in his
own chest until there was only room
enough left for himself, when he shu
b;wself in. At the next station his
mplicss received the chest, ant
unnacked the thief aud his booty.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27

The exemption laws of the State
need revision. Under the present con
diiiou there are some classes LETT With
thousands we'll protected, while other
classes are stripped of every thing ex-
ccpt few poverty pinched necessities
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27

If the exemption laws Of tha State
were less specific in articles and more
specific aud somewhat extended in a
mount, there would be an end TO small
credits, which would be a great bless
lug to all parties
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27

Two darkies were vaunting their
courage: Il isn't afeard o'nothin, |
isn't" said ons. "Den, Sam. reok on
you isn't afeard to loan me dollar p
"No. julius. | isn't 'feard to loan you
dollar, but l does hato to part wid
an ole from forebber.n
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27

A gossippiug woman intent on Sian
der, went into a neighbor's and ex
claimed as she threw herself into q
chair lone half the world does no.
know how the other half lives" "Tha
isD't your fault" quietly responded
the neighbor.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27
Talnage,s ovation.

New York Herald's London special.
The Rev. DR.. T. De Witt Tai
mage preached Sunday at the Islington
Presbyterian church, Colebrooke Road
to an enormous congregation. Much
curiosity was eviuced by the people to
see the famous American preacher. a
dense crowd blOckaded the streets lead
ing to the church. The enthusiasm
was immense. Half a mile before the
Presbyterian church was reached the
carriage of the reverend gentleman
was lifted from the ground and carried
bodily to the church. 1t was one ot
the most tremendous ovstions ever paid
to an American minister in London
THERE are over 4,OO0,0OO,O0O let
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27

The New Orleans authorities have
covered Locust Grove Cemetery two
feet deep with earth and sowu it with
orass. and have covered oil dumping
Grounds with foot of lime, as pre-
caution against yellow fever.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27
CHEAP GOOD! CHEAP GOODS !
Al. E8 UGH AN IS.
A FULL LINE OF
Fancy and Staple Dry Goods,

Ladies Dress Goods. Gloves aud Hosiery
Lsces and Embroidery. Ruchings, Cuffs,
Collars, &c, at prices that will please
( all. mayo.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27

THERE are over 4,000,0O0,0OO let
ters annually posted in the world.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-27
Corn sells for 6ge dollars barrel iu

North Caroliua.