davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-01
FASCINATION IN A NAN.
Singular Instances i'm Which Men Have
Boen Unable to Move.

Singular Instances i'm Which Men Have
Boen Unable to Move.
Having frequently seen it stated in pop
ular works and natural history, as well as
in some books of travel Chiefly Austria
lian) that certain snakes possessed the
power of so fascinating with their gaze
birds and other creatures as to be able to
seize upon and dcvour them without any
difficulty, am induced to inquire if such
a power is peculiar to the serpent tribe or
not, and incidentally to ask if any instances
of its influence or extension can be
traced apon the scale of creation to man
himself. Being Of opinion that such is the
case, while it has occurred to me that
many of the fatal accidents that occur in
the streets Of great cities, such as London,
ETC., might be ascribed to some sucl,
agency or sensation, am. induced to call
attention to the circumstances in these
pages, and to submit the following as my
own personal contributions toward the in
quiry Describing certaip incidents Of the
siege of Gibraltar, Drinkwater says
(History, page ~ that on the 9th Lieu
tenant Lowe lost his leg by shot
on the slope of the hill, under the castle
He saw the shot before the fataI
effect, but was fascinated to the spot. This
sudden arrest of the faculties was not un
common. Several instances occurred to
my own observation where men totally
free have had their senses SO engaged by :
shell in its descent that though sensible o
their danger, even so far as to cry for as
| sistancc, they have been immovably fixed
to the place. But what is more remark
able, these men have 50 instantaneous,
recovered themselves on its fall to th'
ground as to remove to place of safet.
before the shell bursts
| Abiding to the first casualty that oc
CURED at Cawnpore during tho siege 0
the intrenchment there, Mowbray Thomp
son says (The Story of Cawnpore, page 66
that ''several of us saw the ball bouncing
toward us and that he (McGuire) evident
ly saw it, but like many others whom
saw fall at different times, he seemed fas
cinated to the spot" and an old decease
departmental friend who went throug
the whole Crimean campaign assured M
that he was once transfixed { fascinated
he called it), after this fashion, in til
presence of shell that he once saw issu
ing from Sebastapol, and whose gyration
in the air he could count. Other militar
friends have discussed the point with m
in the same wise, and l think there
some allusion to it in one or the other {
Larry, Guthrie, Ballingall or Others Of tha
like.-NdttOn.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-01
Snow and SiNslI.

Last night and early this morning there
was fall of about two inches Of snow, fol-
lowed by drizzling rain which put the
streets, and especially the sidewalks and
crossings, in extremely bad condition, and
many persons have allowed them to re-
main in this condition all day. to the great
inconvenience of pedestrians. A city Or
dinance requires the snow to be removed
within five hours after it ceases falling,
and in default subjects the owner OF. occn-
pant to fine. Here is chance for the po-
lice officers to turn an honest penny.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-01
A Sick Actress.

Miss Agnes Leonard, the actress who
appeared here last night, was taken quite
sick at the Stevens house this morning.
The company left for Reading on the 8
O'Clock train this morning, but Miss Leon
ard was not able to leave until 3:35 this
afternoon
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-01
Mutual Compliments.

Mrs. Langtry, the "Jersey Lily is
coming to America. She will meet hand
somer women before she has walked
three squares on Eroadway.-Ci Cincinnati
Gazette
But let her wait till she gets to Cincin-
natl. The handsOmest women in this
world are there.-N. y. Sun.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-01
jumped the Track.

This morning about quarter after seven
o'clock Il car attached to the fourth local
freight cast jumped the track just east of
the crossing Of the switches at Rohrers
town, completely blocking the south track
and OBTAINING the York accommodation
train about three hours-the train being
blockadcd by other trains behind it and
the wrecked train in front. The accident
was caused by loose wheel. No ore was
hurt
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-01
STATE ITEMS.

Sheriff Berlin. Of Westmoreland county,
has made an assignment. His liabilities
are $50, 600, of which $4,000 represent
official obligations. His assets are I'M.
known.
Ashley Boushman, aged IS years, was
riding a vicious horse at Pawling's bridge
near Pottstown, the other day, when the
horse reared and fell backwards Oh Bough.
man, crushing him SC badly that he died on
Monday.
Pittsburgh is a nice town to live in. A
member of the city councils has just called
the attention Of that body to the fact that
the town is full of gambling houses, there
being no less than half a dozen in Diamond
alley alone. One of them is next door to
the central police headquarters.
The body of man believed to he that OF
J. G. Adams, of Chester county, was found
floating in the North river, New York,
yesterday. The body was that of a man
60 years o!d. An empty laudanum bottle
found in his pocket leads to the belief that
he committed suicide.
President Gowen, of the Reading rail
read, will not sail for Europe on Thursday.
as he has so much business or hand that
he cannot possibly leave before Saturday,
il he goes then. The guarantee deposit
for the deferred bonds has not yet been
made, but the Sc, 04O, 600 is ready and will
be forthcoming whenever it is desired.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-01
Mayors Court.

The mayor had an even half-dozen Of
customers this morning. Four vagrants
committed for 10 and 20 days respect
lively.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-01
An Old YQfer.,

Simon Croft, OF Strasburg farmer,
aged 81 years, has voted at eighteen con-
secutive presidential elections, commencing
with Madison in 1903.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-01

abilities. People who like the red shirt.
spring bottom pants. bowie knife and six
shooter business of itself, will be delighted
with "Woman's Faith as last night pre-
Scnted.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-01
Washington News.

Speaker Randall, who arrived in Wash
ington yesterday, does not see any necessity
for al extra session Of Congress.
The Senate will sit to confirm Mr.. Gar
fields appointments.
n Democratic caucus will be held in
Washington on Saturday night.
All but seven of the 81. 2G5 census
; enumerators have reported and the work
! is now substantially completed.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-01

this town while we publish newspaper
in it.
1t was very pleasant meeting too.
There was nothing discreditable happen
ed. Nobody shook his fist at anybody, and
no one called upon the music to stop its
graceless tunes. Maybe there was no
organ playing, the floor music being
sufficiently entertaining, with its low,
soft, sweet melody, in which no harsh
and sibilant sound was heard,
afar off. There was nothing in it to
shock anybody, unless it was in the dec
laration CT DR.. Peacock that he wouldn't
have been in favor Of the rotary system
if there were my Spoils to the office, and
therefore anything 10 fight about at the
elections. Dr. Peacock is so very truth
;ul "a man that he could not refrain from
thus intimatins his belief that even
Presbyterian aspirantS TO the elderShip
could not be trusted to engage prayerfully
and peaceably and honestly in an elec-
tiOn contest, if there was Il salary to the
Office. Having this tear it was right to
express il for it is right to be very frank
in 4 congregational council and among
brethren. But it is Il little shocking
nevertheless; very little. We would
hardly have thought it, would you
How weak, indeed, is the flesh! aud how
little can we expect from Republicans
as politicians any better conduct under
temptation than we get from them as
church elders. And We don't expect it !;
and are never disappointed. Blessed
then are We, il not they.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-01


Brother Peacock said that if there We're
any emoluments pertaining to the office of
elder, he would oppose the adoption Of the
rotary system lest there might be contests
for the spoiis, but as there are none, he
would vote for the system. nder the rotary
system, ii a brother elected an elder is in
efficient or falls frOa grace lie can he gent
ly dropped while under the old system he
remains as clog or stumbling block for
life. Besides, if the proposed system does
not work we'll it can he rescinded by the
same power that adopted it, but he believed
it would work we'll it put the power in
the hands of the people, and he always had
faith in the paOple.
Brother Wiley said he held in his hand
a letter from Rev. Matthew Newkirk,
known to all present, and in the letter he
stated that his congregation had adopted
the rotary system, that it worked well, and
they had no thought of changing it.
Brother J. w. johnson said that week
ago he had formed no opinion on the sub
ject now he has a very decided one. The
proposed system is against the traditions
of the Presbyterian church. This good old
church has grown strong under the old
system. If elders are elected for life the
greatest care will be taken to select the
wisest and best ; but if they are elected
for two or three years only, the same care
will not he exercised unfit men will be
taken on trial, rather than give offense by
rejecting them and if ut the end Of their
term they are not reelected they will feel
insulted.. Frequent elections either in
church or state will create party feelings,
and cliques and factions will he formed.
Where there are three or four candidates
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-06-03

The country is beginning to look with
intense interest 10 che Cincinnati Con.
vention TO ascertain who is to be pitted
against Grant In the great effort which iH
to be made this Fall for the preservation
OF our free institutions from the destruc.
ton which awaits them should innoya.
tion and imperialism, under the guise OF
third term, succeed this --all. The
grandest man and the most popular name
that has or can be presented to lead the
great battle for the perpetuity of our
Union Is Thomas F. Bsya-d, the Chris.
tian statesman, the pure patriot and the
politician without guile. If We want to
make q fight upon principle, no man can
20 selected who 10 popularly considered
to represent principle so thoroughly as
he does. II We want to make Aght 70,
the Union of our fathers, no man is SO
thoroughly imbued with the principles Of
that Union and love for them as sena.
tos Bayard. or oil men, in our opinion,
no 10 the strongest, and best and most
suitable to receive the Democratic presi.
dental nomination. The presentation Of
his rssmo 10 equivalent 70 en- assured VIC
tory. H
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-06-03

We publish elsewhere the findings OF
the Court of Enquiry called to examine
into the facts connected with the mutila.
ton of yyhitta*er, . colored cadet al
West Point Military Academy from
Sumter in this State. The Court find
that whatever injuries were inflicted
upon Whitaker were inflicted by him.
self There was no evidence before the
Court TO inculpate, any other person O,
persons, but enough-and that, too, un.
mistakable--to provo that Whitaker was
the guilty party. He was placed unde,
arrest. Our EeadeTs viii rFeeooooiiioot she
denunciRtions which were heapad upon
The institution by the Republicans in
Congress in consequence Of this great
atrocity committed ut tho National Mill
taEya School, and the resolutions of the
late Radical Convention In this State on
the sare subject. The finding Of the
Court leaves Whitaker in disgrace, de-
prlves the Radicsls Of frat. class cam.
paign tragedy, for which Whittaker's
mutilatiou YVES designed, apd at the same
tire will tend TO prove to conscientious
Northern men the falsity Of reports OF
similar atrocities at the Sonth.
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-06-03
4 CHAPTER OF CRIME.
A Ran Killed by his son-in-Law In Edge
field County.
COLUMBIA. May 81,

CoLUMDIA, Mey 81.
Yesterday evening difficulty occurred
In Edgefeld County about ten miles from
the Newberry line, in which Thomas NJ.
Blease, formerly Of Eewberry County,
was shot and instantly killed by Gardner,
his son-iD.law. It Is reported that bad
feeling existed between the men on ac-
count of Gardner's marriage with Blease's
daughter, and that Blease had made
charges against Gardner Of delicate
nature, and threatening to kill him, had
sought him for that purpose. Gardner,
being apprised Of his sather.in.law In.
tention, Killed him upon meeting him.
One Negro Kills Another in EdgefeId-
Ditto I'm Newborry.
The passengers on the down Greenyille
train report one negro killed by another
Yesterday near Saluda River, Edgefeld
County, and similar occurrence at
Lyles's Ford on Lynch River, Union
County. The points being in the coun.
try remote from the railroad, further par.
ticulars cannot be ascertained.
Tho Auditor OF Nowberry County Kills
Himself.
Levi E. Folk, Auditor of Newberry
County, an efficient officer and highly
esteemed citizen, shot himself with emf
cida: intent, at his home in Newberry,
this morning. Folk has long been sub.
ject to attacks of brain fever, and had
been in wretched health for some time.
There LIS no irregularity In his official
affairs, his books being accurate in every
respect. His private affairs, however,
wero somewhat embarrassed. Mr.. Folk
was not dead at last accounts, but no
hope Is entertained of his recovery. as
his brains were oozing from the wound.
Folk was married, and had several chill.
dren.
a Negro Child whipped TO Deatl, by its
Father.
A negro in the lower part of Sumter
County whipped his child, three or four
years old, TO death on Saturday night.
T::s negro has not been lodged in JAIL
dispatches TO Netos and Courier.
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-06-03
EXIT TIE CoLORED CADET.
The Finding OF the Court OF Inquiry at
West Point-WhittaIter Convicted OF Self
mutilation and AFrested-A Clear Case.
WEsT PoIar. N. -. Nav 20,

UESl EoidT, IN. l., may 70.
The Whitaker Court met to-day in
gecret session and made up its final re-
port, which was agreed upon end signed
by all the members of the court. The
report, after reviewing the facts and evil
dence in the case, gives the following
conclusions
First. That the court is unable to be-.
lieye that such slight wounds as Cadet
Whittakcr received could have been in
fiicted by persons in the manner and
under the circumstances described by
him.
Second. It does not see why man
with bis surroundings and in his condi-
tion and frame of mind as shown by his
own evidence should have submitted to
an assault such as is alleged without
summoning assistance during the assault
or Immediately thereafter.
Third. 1t believes that person tied as
ne was, and left as he claims to have
been, could have readily released himself,
should he exert himself to do 30.
Fourth. From the testimony Of The
post surgeon and others, the court is
compelled to believe that Whitaker was
neither asleep nor insensiblo when he
was examined on the morning of April
g, but that he was feigning.
Fifth. The court is not able to discover
any motive that any person other than
Whitaker could have had in making
such assault, and there is no evidence
whatever to warrant the belief that any
other person did make it.
Sixth. 1t believes that the hair clip
ping, flesh cutting and binding could all
have been accomplished by Whitaker
himself.
Seventh. The theory that the note Of
warning is an imitation of Whittaker'e
writing is in the opinion of the court un.
tenab;e. Tic 5eveTo tests 10 which the
exports in handwriting were subjected
and their positive testimony place it be.
yond q doubt that Whitaker himself
wrote the note of warming, and that
therefore, he is not ignorant of the per.
son or persons engaged in tho affair
The latter conclusion is strengthened by
the fact that the half sheet Of paper on
which this note is written is found in
Whittakers possession.
Opinion.--After the strong array oi
circumstancial evidence from the testi.
mony OF experts In handwriting, and
from the conflicting statements of Cadet
Whitaker and the lack of yeracity
evinced By him in certain cases during
the inquiry, as shown by the evidence,
the Court is of the opinion that the i'm.
pntation upon the character of Cadet
Whitaker, referred TO in the order con-
vening the Court and in the official re-
ports of the commandaut of cadets and
the post surgeon, is fully sustained.
When the report was sent to Gen.
Schofield and carefully read by him, he
caused letter to be addressed to Col.
Lszelle, commandant of the corps OF
cadets, directing the arrest of Whitaker
and placing him in confinement in his
room. The order was promptly carried
out, end Whitaker will remain under
arrest until this case is disposed of. A
guard will keep him under surveillance.
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-06-03
SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS.
aieAninss from our state Exchanges.

Chester &uts Bulletin: Chester Ia
growing in importance every year as a
cotton market. Since the first of last
September 20 400 bales of the staple
have been shipped from this point, and
yet there remains considerable quanti-
ty throughout the country...... .Cheraw
aud Chester Railroad bonds are quoted
at 10l. They are in demand at 100.
Darlington f'etw: 4 fight between
two brother rred here on Sunday last
and resulteu il. ne of them getting his
arm broken by the other. They were
boys......M .Mr. s. @. Bradshaw had the
misfortune TO have his still burned down
not long since, in which were about
eighty barrels of virgin rosin. Sixty
barrels of crude turpentine in the yard
at the time were also destroyed, together
with the tools and other valuables.
Greenville Advertiser: DIR. Hiden
preached his last eermon in Greenville
last Sunday at the opera.house, before
going to Louisville 10 engage in his pas
toral duties there.
Lancaster Repie,c On Tuesday moru.
of last week the house of Samuel Alston,
living in the Waxhaws, together with
its contents and forty-six dollars In mon.
ey, was destroyed by fire. It is though.
| the house was robbed and then set on
fire......The county commissioners have
notified "Outside paupers" that their ra-
tions will cease after November 1......
Morrison MCPHERSON, colored, who
was shot at this place in fracas on the
18th of December last, by Mr.. Minor
Blackmon, died on Tuesday.
er, who was 80 badly burned with kero.
seize, died last week after q few days
painful suffering.
Pickens Sentinel: Last Wednesday
Mr. 81. J. Gignilliat, agent of the All,
Line Railroad at Easily Station, came up
and paid into the County Treasury fol
the Company, S2,697.30 in gold, being
one half Of the State and County taxes
assessed against tho Company in this
County. The total State and County
taxes assessed against the Company in
this County is IS ,364.98 of this amount
,Al,2O will 60 to the County. The
Company also paid into the Treasury
last week 81 $50 more in gold, being the
500 per mile due the County under the
provisions of the act of the Legislature
extending the stock law to this County
making an aggregate of S4,047.30, paid
into our Treasury in gold by the Com.
pany within two weeks. The Air Line
is always ahead.
| Walhalla Courier: Col. Ira Sage and
his corps of surveyors are out locating
the line of the Rabun Gap Short Line
Railroad from the Georgia line to the
Tennessee line......A water-spout de.
scended on the east prong of Cheohee
Greek on Saturday night last. The creek
was higher than ever known in the range
of the. spout, which was confined to an
area of fey miles. Inside this area the
land was badly washed, and some of the
crops had to be replanted.
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-06-03

WIND AND RAIN SroRM In Texas
Tho Galveston .Netrs Of tho 2sth In.
slant contains the Following specialize:
San Saba; During the rain stoym
last night, 0 family near here took refuge
in 9 cave near their honse, resulting Ia
inc drowning or TWO IittIe boys, ageu two
and SIX. a man, his wife, their little
daughter and o. young lady with them,
were taken ous in @ drowning condition.
Calvert: Aheayy wind, rain aud hail
stePdi prevailed In the eastern part OF
this County yesterday, blowing down
houses aad fences and running crops.
Bracket: At 1.30 this morning che
heaviest and mogt disastrous rain ntorm
set In known 10 the oll1eat inhahilan.=. &
is 10 alil .an...!Ess. .an...!Ess ::az torrents. All oi
the town Of Bracket, except portion on
two hills is Inundated. In Main Street
the water is from i've TO eight feet deep,
and rushing down the street with almost
incredible fapidity. The floor OF 6yery
busineas h0use under is water. Several
men sho we're at the mercy Of the water
sfeas down, all Efforts to save them being
of no avail. Great anxiety Is felk for the
safety of families along Los Moras Creek
More than 20 people have certainly been
drowned. Al dozen houses were washed
aszaP. and ie Is fhnn1hE eafnn hnra hIras !,
freight. Many other houses were Wash.
cd from their foundations. All tho resi-
dents IA the lower part of town ase being
taken out IS fast ag possible. The gteat.
est excitement pfevnils.
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-06-03

II 10 very probable that Gov. Tildeu
would have on 6Fst ballot at Cincinnati
9 majority Of the votes cast, If IL were
aot for the assured fact that the Southern
hostility to him renders It impossible foy
him to command the necessary two
thirds vote, and therefore many ahrewI
politicians, who wish to be on the win.
hiug eide, will not vote for him, though
under other circumstances they would do
SO. Even in the face Of this very strong
opposition from the South, he will poll
in all probability the largest vote Of any
candidate on the frat ballot. We do not
regard his nomination as more than pos.
eiblo, and should regret TO zee It exceed.
ingly, but the South lie bound to support
the nominee at Cincinnati, even If It be
Tilden.