davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-25
One Hundred and Eighteen Years OlI

A Washington correspondent writes:
Washington now claims, besides Other
things, TO have the Oldest man In
America as one OF it's residents. The
Oldest man is a colored man. Shadrach
Nugent by name. a MARY lander by birth.
but for over sixty years Il resident OF
Washington. He claims TO have been
born about 1862, and that he is noR over
lis years old. Many of them in this
section at least claim TO have been al
times servants Of George Washington.
Nugent makes no such claim. though he
says he often saw George Washington.
and that he has shaken hands with every
President that this country has had from
Washington down. Whether he is lis
years old or not is not known to any
thing like certainty. but he has docu-
ments from many of the Oldest and best
known citizens certifying that they had
known him from forty to sixty years.
The gentleman who says he has known
Nugent Tor sixty years says ne was at
least forty years OF age when he came 10
this city, and that he may have been
much older. This gentleman letter was
written several years ago, which makes
tha proof tolerably clear that be is over
10 years He drove n cart for the father
WI NttF HiOns p" " N<itftitH. Nhi pun
anthropist and banker. when Mr. Cor
curan, tine father, was but young man.
This is important in view of the fact
that W. w. Corcoran recently ceic-
brated his eighty-second birthday. lie
has records OF his birth and other papers
referring to the same incidentally, which
have been copied from the court records
at Frederick, Md showing undoubtedly
that he is nearly that age. lie" ht into
the revolutionary war as body servant
of Lieutenant Croft, who commanded an
independent artillery company which
was organized about Frederick. In 1912
he saw the public buildings in this city
burned by the British. though he. like
many others, viewed the burning from
n point in the adjoining woods. several
miles distant. He is yet able to walk
about the city, using cane. Although
he has lost the sight of his left eye. he
can still read his Bible. which is his
strongest hold. His health, rs n rule, l.
good and always has been. His teeih
are as sound as they ever were, while
his hair is now as straight as white
mans and snow white. but very thin.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-25
A Cats Fight with a Rattlesnaks.

The Americus (Ga.) Republican of n
recent date has the following: About
three weeks ago. during the beautiful
sunny weather we have had which in
duced the trees To bud and bloom, was
walking in my garden one morning.
thinking about preparing for an early
start for spring vegetables. when / saw
n large rattlcsnake summing. My first
Impulse was To go to the house, get
gan. and kill II. But looking around.
saw a very large house cat cautiously
creep upon the reptile. Anticipating n
fight, and equally desir JUS Of getting rid
of the cat, which killed chickens, / con :.
cluded to witness his attack upon the
snake. The cat crawled upon its stom-
ach. pulling along on its feet, whisking
It's tail from side to side. and every now
and then stretching its neck TO view the
snake. When about eight or ten feet off
the snake suddenly coiled up. sprung It's
rattle. faced the cat and daried its
forkcd tongue out rapidly. The cat
commenced n rapid circle around the
snake. so fast In fact that the eye could
hardly keep up with IL. At last IL got
near enough and made dart at its
enemy. but through providcntial rea-
sons IL went high above the snake.
WhlNu hlSV 1Aiu1 az tiit Nnts NAIuH
breaking It's coil. The cat went too far,
and by the time 1t had turned TO face it
foe the reptile was again coiled and
ready for the attack. The same method
was adopted and carried on for four or
five times. occupying at least half an
hour. The cat wished TO catch the
snake. but seemed aware that II Ii missed
the neck IL would be certain death. At
the sixth assault they met and instantly
the snake was wrapped in several folds
around the body of the cat, which used
IFS sharp claws with deadly effect The
cat had been bitten on the bead and
neck several times, and both continued
to fight. The snake was torn nearly to
shreds, but did not nnloosen It's coil
around It's victim. The poison was
swift and deadly, but before the cat died
It caught the snakes head In Its mouth
and crushed IL. and fighting they died,
the snake enwrapping the cat In its
cpils. The snake measured four feet
eight inches and had thirteen ratties.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-25
The Greatest Danger OF Railroad
Travel

The risk o. sudden death is very
trifing compared with the inevitable
injury sustained by every individual
who bas to make a long journey by rail.
The traveller really takes his life in his
hand whenever he sets out. The
danger is less from accident than de-
sign, less from misplaced switches than
from misplaced ventilators, less from
bad roadbeds than from bad air. We
are not now speaking of the barbaric
nuisance OF having to smell, breathe
and battle in the smoke, SCOT and Gin
ders pouring IL !-om the engine, which,
until some other method Is found 10 OBJ
viate the difficulty, ought to be in the
rear OF the train, instead Of the front.
Ofall conductors, hrakemen, porters and
passengers, probably not one in the
thousand understands the vital inn
portance of pure air, nor, indeed, do
they know what pure air Is. To the
conductors mind, rs TO that of the
majority of his passengers. the comfort
of the car depends upon the tempcra-
ture-it is n matter of warmth or cold
entirely. A warm car. or moro COM
monty hot car, Is the one desideratum.
albeit the warmth is the product of ami.
NAL heat from fifty bodies. many OF
them not very clean. and of exhalations
irons fifty pair of lungs, with little
chance for the aecspe of vitiated air or
the ingress of pure air-a condition of
things tending 10 produce state OF
blue blood not contemplated by the
haut ton. When the life current comes
up to the lungs to be changed from
blue to red, TO throw Off there the car
bonic acid and take in oxyRen--and the
whole volume of blood makes this cir
cult once In every half minute. or over
ono hundred times an hour-ifthcre is a
lack OF sufficient ventilation in the car
or sitting-room or sleep.ng-room, the
blood cannot undergo this vital transfor-
nation. II goes back TO the heart. and
from thence Ia pumped through the ar
teries from crown to sole. throughout
the complicated mesh-work of the "a.
pillaries, In state entirely untitled to
perform its functions oi supplying oxy.
gen TO oil parts OF the body, OF carrying
of the waste PARTICLES resulting from
the "never-ceasing death " of the atoms
composing the body. and OF replacing
these with fresh. living atoms, or, as 1t
L usually put, repairing the waste w.
Journal Of Chemistry.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-25
How Lafayette's statue Came TO Wear
a Frown.

The San Francisco Pos recalls an in
cident connected with the colossal eques-
trian statue of Lafayette, fronting the
east entrance OF the agricultural depart
mcnt In Washington. The statue was
finished by It's designer. young Italian
sculptor without means. early in lsss.
but. on one excuse or another, payment
for the work was put Of until the dedi-
cation. which occurred in the spring OF
1851. By this time the artist had became
weary of assailing Congress with bis ina
poriunities Tor relief. and had sunk into
absolute poverty--indeed. bad become
quite forgotten. The unveiling OF llis
work took place nj last. however, amid
pompous ceremonies and the booming
of cannon. As the canvas drapery was
drawn aside, amid the huzxss uf the en-
thusiasiic multitude. tattered. miser-
able object was discovered seated astTide
the bronze steed. Just in front Of the
figure of the great French general, and
apparently sleeping peacefully, protected
by its huge bronze arms. The commit
tee ot ceremonies, among whom was an
uncle Of the writer. approached and an
griIy ordered the tramp TO withdraw.
But the aleeper aid not stir. and when
ladaer was lifted 20 remove the impu.
dent intruder they found The starved
form Of the sculptor dead. with his still,
ened check resting upon the breast oi
his own creation.
There Is local tradition that the
statues face has borns frown ever
aimee.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-25
Lives OF Two Very Old Women.

A recent letter from Newburg, n. Y,
TO n New York paper says: Esther
Yates. the Amazon of Plattekill, Ulster
county, died few days ago at her
home, near Breakneck hill, IN the
mountains, in that town. She was born
in the town OF Plattekill in 1888, and re-
sided there until the day of her death.
Physically she was more like n man
than woman; her shoulders being
broad and well developed. She acquired
little or no education. She is credited
with having been self reliant and asking
no favors from any one. During the
winter season Mrs. Yates cut cordwood
on the mountain, and, in the language
of one of the natives. sit took good man
TO swing IN axe alongside Of her" On
several occasions she cut as much rs
three cords of wood in one day, in adj
dition 10 performing the household du-
ties in her home after sunset. In the
summer time this remarkable woman
cut grain for the Plattekill farmers, and
was rated as "a good hand" She cul-
tivated small garden-patch of her
own, the product of which she sold
principally in this city She carried her
garden truck in two large baskets.
Farmers, while driving TO ship their
hay on the boats, would offer her ride,
and her invariable reply was am in
a hurry; take you all day TO get there. :"
She could easily outwalk any team with
n load behind them. Six years ago n
horse while passing her home on Break
neck fell and became fastin the harness.
The driver and several other men could
not succeed in getting the animal loose.
Mrs. Yates lifted the horse up boldly,
but in so doing fractured her leg. Tie
bone never set. Her spirit, however.
was not curbed, even If she was AN octo-
genarian and n cripple. Though suffer
ing much pain. her daily employment
consisted in choppirg up kindling wood
on a block while she sat in a chair in
front of her house. A short time pre-
vious TO her death her general health
began failing. but she retained her fac
ulties 10 the last. Prior TO the accident
she never was sick day in her life
Mrs. Yates was buried from the Platte
kill Methodist Episcopal church, of
which denomination she was an ad-
herent. Mrs. Yates was married twice.
She leaves no family.
Two miles northeast of the house of
the Amazon resides one OF the play
mates of her childhood. Mrs. Sallie
Pressler. This lady is the Oldest inhabi-
tant of the town of Plattekill. In May
next she will be loo years old. She was
born in the hamlet of Fostertown, Orange
county, but has resided nearly all her
life in Plattekill. Mrs. Pressler's eye
sight remains good, but her hearing Is
defective. Every day she performs man.
ual labor about the house OF her SOFT,
contrary to his wishes. The old lady.
during the winter months, busies her
self knitting stockings. Mrs. Prcssler
lives happily surrounded by her children
and their children's children. She has
vast fund of historical "reminiscences
The citizens of Plattekill and adjacent
towns propose giving the old lady a
banquet when she celebrates her CEN
tpnnial
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-25

next day, he had taken the liberty of
sending her the water-color. although
with the conviction that II was just
trifle improper. but he couldn't help II.
For II couple of days his suspense was
agonizing, and when the picture came
back accompanied by the freezing letter
he was almost broken-bearted. From
that time he had loved herl
Conveniently removed from Paris. in
Il suburban district, Is now n charming
villa, where Jerome Hart, justly called
world, and his wife live the happiest of
mortals. In the richly furnished draw
ing-room of the house hangs picture
of the old mill, but not the one from the
royal academy. II is smaller one. and
Marie Hart thinks she likes il better.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-25
The Largest ef Land Animals.

In the American Journal of Science aiad
Arts, Prof. Marsh describes the largest
land animal yet known to have existed
on the globe. It's name IL Aiiantosaurss
iDsnsanis. The thigh bone of this creature
is Over eight feet long, with thickness
ut the larger end Of twenty-five inches,
though the bone has no true head. 4
comparison of this bone with the fe-
tions, had total length of li5 feet.
That the reptile was 100 feet long when
alive IL mt least probable. The other
bones of this animal that have been
iound are proportionately gigantic; ];
caudal vcrtebra has = traverse diameter
OF more than sixteen inches. All the
bones of this reptile yet discovered are
In the Yale college museum. They are
from the Upper Jurassia Of Colorado.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-25
The Sitting Of Peter.
A FOLK SONG.

fOLK-s0rG.
eBehold, Satan hath desired to have you,
hat he may slit you IA wheat. st. Luke
Zxii. 81.
In ST. Lukes Gospel we are told
How Peter in the days OF old
Was siited;
And now, though ages intervene,
Sin is the same, while time and scene
Are shifted.
Satan desires us, great and small,
As wheat, to slit us, and we all
Are tempted;
Not one, however rich or great
Is by his station or estate
Exempted.
No house so safely guardedis is
But he, by some device oil his,
Can enter;
No heart hath armor so complete
But he can pierce with arrows feet
Its center.
For all at last the cock will crow
Who hear the warning voice, but so
Unheeding;
Till thrice and more they have denied
The Man OF Sorrows, crucihed
And bleeding.
One look OF that pale, suffering lace
viii make us feel the deep disgrace
OF weakness;
We shall be siited till the strength
OF self-conceit be changed at length
To meekness.
Wounds OF the soul, though healed.
will ache,
The reddening scars remain, and make
Confession:
Lost innocence returns no more;
We are not what we were before
Transgression.
But noble souls, through dust and heat,
Rise from disaster and defeat
The stronger,
And conscience still OF the divine
Within them, lie on earth supine
No longer.
II. W. LonqttiloiO, IN Harpos .Na0a ip'
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-25

France has just been able, ten years
after The event. to figure up the cost to
her OF the Franco German war. II was
8. .O00. .0O0, 900. aside from lossea 10 COM
merce and industry.
The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-06-14

for raising bills. He has been prom
inent Greenbacker speaker.
r. Morris, Comfy Judge of Baylor
county, Texas, was shot and instantly
killed in the Courthouse at Seymour,
Saturday, by A. Taylor, a saloon keep
er. Taylor escaped.
Terrible storms prevailed in Wiscon-
sin Thursday and Friday nights. Wan
kesau was flooded, and several bridges
and 1900, 600 feet of logs were carried
away.
The latest returns from the Oregon
election indicate that the Senate will
stand: Is Republicans to IA Democrats,
and the House: 81 Republicans to %
Democrats.
Leadville is in state of intense ex-
element, and collision which may re-
result in bloodshed is liable to occur at
any moment, between the Citizens
Safety Committee and the strikers.
The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-06-14
rHE DECENTRALIZATION CANDI.
DATE.

General J. B. Weaver, of Iowa, who
was nominated for President by the
National Convention of the Greenback
Labor pa y, is, like the Republican
nominee, member of the present Con-
eress. He was born at Dayton, Ohio,
in 1888, and graduated at the Cincin.
natl Law School, in 1856. In 1861 he
ealisted as private in the Second
Iowa Infantry, and was elected First
lieutenant Of Company G of that regi-
Ment. In 1862 he was chosen to the
command of the regiment, and was
brevetted Brigadier General of Volun-
teers for gallantry in the field in 1864,
He was elected to Congress from the
Sixth District of Iowa in 1878, on the
National Greenback ticket, by a ma
jority of 2,O58 votes over Il. S. Samp-
son. Republican. He introduced bill
in the present Congress to pay soldiers
who served in the war for the Union
the difference between greenbacks and
coin at the time they were paid.
The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-06-14

The Ella A. Merritt, an American
schooner plyinA between Philadelphia
and San Antonio, was fred at ON tire
high seas, fourteen miles from land, by
a Spanish man-ofwar The schooner
hove to and was boarded by Spanish
officer, who looked around the vessel
and then went back over the side. As
the schooner was flying the stars and
stripes when fred at, it is probable that
the Government will demand an expla-
nation from the Spaniards.
The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-06-14

The Russian army comprises 90S gen.
erals, 81, Ala officers and $50, 425 men.
The reserves number 742, l44 men, and
the Cossaek troops 1872 officers and
81, 1853 men, with l05, GAG men ON fur.
Tough. 1t is shown by German mill
tayy writer that the revenue annually
devoted to military purposes in Russia
would not, even if the army were ad-
ministered in the most economical man
ner, suffice to maintain such a large
force.
The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-06-14
PRINCIPLES or spoILs-wmICm.

The silver and Chinese questions,
which are of greater Importance to the
people of the Pacific Coast than other
Issues involved in the Presidential CAM
paign, are getting our Republican con-
tsrnporaries into an awkward predica-
,9ent. Before the Chicago Convention
net they were almost unanimous in
favor of Blaine, who, they claimed, was
entitled to the vote of the Pacific States
because of his advocacy of the silver
ard Chinese restriction bills. Now they
l,crrah as Justify for Garfield, who is on
record against these measures, and sug-
ecst that the majority in Congress pass
bill to compel Sherman to pay out
the silver dollars, some five hundred
tons of which are stored in the Treas
TRY vaults, to pensioners and Govern
r,ent contractors. They ask Congress
to do what the nominee of the Republi-
can party is opposed to. They know
that Garfield and Sherman are in ac-
cord on the silver question, and that if
the former is elected President the lat
ter will be retained in office as Secre-
iary of the Treasury. AS this puts
them in a quandary, they attempt to
got out of it by trying to make it APP
pear that Congress, not John Sherman,
Is responsible for the accumulation of
silver dollars in the Treasury. They
forget or ignore the fact that Hayes We
toed the silver bill, and would, to APP
pear at all consistent, have to veto any
and every bill which Congress might
pass making silver legal tender for
the payment of pensions. contractors or
any other creditors of the Govern
,sent.
If there are principles involved in the
Presidential campaign, the fight ought
to be made on principle, but if the only
question involved in the contest is
who shall have control of the spoils,
then let it be decided on that issue. If
party leaders on this coast were earn
essly in favor of remonetizing silver
aud suppressing Chinese immigration
before the Convention, it seems scarce
~ possible that they can give cordial
support to a man who opposed both,
unless the Cincinnati Convention fol-
lows the example of the Chicago gath
er:ng, and dominates a man whose
opinions coincide with Garfeld's on
these propositions. Ben Butler is right
when he says the Republicans and
Democrats are not divided on principles
this year, and that the present cam
raign will be the last in which the old
parties. as now divided, will figure con-
spicuousiy. Living issues, not dead
ones which have been forever settled,
saould henceforth divide the people
politically.
The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-06-14

While a Blaine and a Grant man
were mutually tearing each other into
political shreefs at Chicago the other
day. tall, lank stranger in the sur
rounding crowd lifted his hat and cried
"Boys, three cheers for Susaa b. An.
thony, the black mare" They were
given with yell and bowls of laughter
The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-06-14

A Sheffield manufacturer is reported
to have told his workrnen to vote just
as they pleased-'in fact | shan't tell
You how I'm going to- vote" he said.
"After it is over | shall have a barrel
of beer brought ipso the yard. y
[''Hear, hear" shouted the men.
''But l sha'n't tap it unless Mr.. Wor-
tely, the Tory candidate gets in. =
The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-06-14
The New York Mail saws:

me NOW I0rk MAI says; Blaine 8
case was not half presented at the Chi
caYo Convention, and was only saved
from utter failure (by the botch Joy of
Michigan and Pixley of California
made of it) by Frye of Maine, who
jumped into the breach and made an
electrical five minute speech for the
plured knight"
The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-06-14

Joseph Hurd had his wife prosecuted
for. running away with another man at
Janesviile, Wis, and secured her sen.
,telce TO prison. Then he went about
Nth = petition and obtained her pr
don.
The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-06-14
Humboldt Democratic Cen
trail Committee.

Meeting of .he Democratic Central Com
mittee of Humboldt Couesy will be held at
ORIENTAL HALL, in Winaemueca,
On "Wednesday EveniAx, June SD.
1880, at o'clock P. NJ The object of said
meeting is the apportionment Of Delegates from
the various precincts in said County to the
County Convention, the fixing of the time for
holding Primaries in said precincts, and the
fixing Of the time for holding the Democratic
County Convention.
A.Fw- FISK, Chairman
Winnemucca, June IL, 1850. I'd
The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-06-14

Appetite, refreshing sleep, the acquisition of
flesh and color, are blessings attendant upon
the reparative processes which this priceless
inyigorant speedily initiates and carries TO a
successful conclusion. Digestion is restored
organ by the Bitters, which il inofensive, even
to the feminine palate, vegetable in compost
ton, and thoroughly safe.
For sale by all Druggists and Dealers gener
any.
The Rock Island Argus., 1880-08-04

HUN M0RS 0F THE BLOOD, SKIN
AND SCALP,

CUTCURA REsoLyENT ts the most powerful
Blood Purifier and Liver Stimulent ever COM
pounded In forty minutes after taking the first
dose 1t may be detected in the saliva blood,
sweat, and urine, showing that 1t had entered the
blood and been distributed throughout the entire
system. In its passage through the circulating
which foster and maintain disease, with which it
chemically unites, destroying and gradually elm
mating them from the system. .
Hence its power to forever expel Scrofulous.
Cancerous, and Canker Humors, which unchecked
FIJI the body with foul eorruptions, and rot out
the delicate machinery of life.
CUTIcURA. the great external remedy for all HUI
mors of the Scalp and Skin, Ulcers, Sores and Dis
charging Wounds, is the most soothing and heal
ing OF outward applications. 1t speedily destroys
fungus and parasitic growths, restores the oil
glands and tubes to healthy condition. and cures
when assisted by the CUTTcnRA SOAP, diseases of
the Skin and Scalp which have been the torture of
3 life time.