davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
Queer Happenings in War.

From the Detroit Free Press
At the battle of Franklin, the first shell
sent from the first Uuion fieldpiece to open
next five shells from this same gun either
failed to explode or cleared the advancing
lines. In tLis same fight the horse of a
Confederate colonel was cut square in two
by shot and the rider escaped unhurt
Ten minutes after Union officer behind
the earthwork stumbled and fell forward
on the ground and broke his neck.
In one of the assaults on Fort Wagner,
in Charleston Harbor, the ironclad feet, as
sisted by land batteries numbering thirty
seven heavy cannon, bombarded the fort
for two hours before killing single soldier.
From seventy to eighty heavy cannon were
hurting three tuns of iron into the fort each
minute, and yet no one was hurt until more
than three hundred tons of solid death"
had been wasted. AS an offset to this,
witness the work of a single solid shot
thrown from a Federal gunboat on the lew
er Mississippi. A Confederate flying
battery was just taking position,
and one piece had already opened
fire. The Federal shot was directed
at this piece. The big mass of iron
struck the six FOUNDER square on the muzzle
and upset gun and carriage. piece of the
muzzle weighing about twenty pounds, was
broken off, and this flew to the left and
killed two men. Three men were wounded
by smaller fragments or flying splinters.
The big shot next struck and exploded a
caisson, killing three more men and wound
ing two others, From the caissol it turned
60 the right, killed horse, smashed a,wheel
for feld-piece and crushed the leg of a
sergeant to a bloody mass. The one shot
so disorganized the battery that it limbered
up and dashed away to cover.
A union gunboat on the White river
threw three shells into a camp, killing
nearly fifty men and routed force of 800.
Within week after that event the Confed-
crate general Shelby planted four pieces of
flying artillery on the levee within 400 feet
of the same gun-boat at anchor, and with
out the least cover for the men or guns,
kept up the fight for more than an hour or
until the gunboat backed out of it and
steamed away.
The chances of lottery can be figured
down fine, and a certain per cent. of es-
capes is allowed in a steamboat explosion,
but he who goes to war has nothing to con-
sole him. He may dodge two hundred
pound shell and be killed by two buck
shot. He may receive dozen bullets and
live on, or the first one may be fatal. He
may ride ia the widest charge unhurt, and
he may be killed by stray bullet beside
his camp fire
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
THOROUGHBREDs FOB MINNESOTA.
Hon. N. W. Kittson, Q st. Paul Millionaire
Purchases Some of the Finest Breeds In

Hon. N. W. Kittson, o st. Paul Millionaire
Purchases Some Of the Finest Breeds in
the Country.
NEW YORK, March 1S.-The great combination
horse sales. which have been progressing in this
city for the past four days. have been unusually in
teresting. Over 200 finely bred and valuable aui-
mails have been sold, and mostly at satisfactory
prices to the seller. The first days sale was at the
American horse exchange, and the lot sold was
made up of richly and fashionably bred stock re-
Gently imported from England. OF this lot five o,
six Of the best and most highly bred purchased
by Commodore Kittson of st. Paul, who proposes
to establish, somewhere in the vicinity of st. Paul.
first class breeding establishment. The last three
days the sale was held at American Institute hall,
and the animals sold were wholly confined to trot-
ting stock, over some Of which the most exciting
Woodmansee, who bid for Commodore Kittson,
but in every instance the old Eastern breeders were
outbid and beaten by the plucky commodore, who
-r n.. TOOK EVERY ANIMAL
he went for. The sharpest fight was over Bonner's
mare Astoria full sister to Dexter, and nearly as
fast, though never trained: but she was finally
struck of to Woodmansee ut So, 200. Seven Others
almost As richly bred, and in the finest form, and
representing the Hambletonian, Volunteer Mann
brino Chief, Pilot and Clay families were bought,
and will soon be on their way to St Paul The
breeding stud which shall be second to none in the
United States. so far quality 10 concerned. and
the eastern and Kentucky breeders present admit
that no one man ever before secured so many richly
bred and valuable animals At q single sale, and ex-
press their admiration well their surprise, at
the pluck and spirit shown by Mr.. kttson in his
purchase The animals bought will be shipped inn
mediately to St. Paul, and will it is understood be
placed under the management of Ben Woodmansee
ut the St. Paul driving park until permanent quar-
ters shall be selected. The importance of this great
Minnesota cannot be oyerestimated, and the Mime.
sotans nov In the city are jubilant the matter
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
Gen. Putnam's Duels.
From Farney's Anecdotes of Public Men.

From Farney's Anecdotes of Public Men. R +"
"He accepted challenge and fixed the
time, and as his antagonist approached he
was greeted with shot from Putnam's gun
at thirty rods. As Putnam was reloading
his piece his adversary approached and said,
What are you about to dop Is this the con-
duct of an American soldier and man of
honorT What am about to dor was the
reply of the general; "A pref y question to
put to a man you intend to murder! am
about to kill you; and if you do not fight in
less time than it takes old Heath to hang q
Tory you are gone dog Of course the
other turned and ran away. The second
affair was with British officer who chal-
lenged him. Putnam accepted, fixed the
time and place; and when the Englishman
found him he was seated near barrel, ap-
parently containing powder, smoking his
pipe. The general requested him to take q
seat on the other side of the cask. and then
set fire to a match communicating with the
contents Of the barrel. The officer looked
at the burning fuse and retired. As he
moved off the general said. You are just as
brave as took you to be; this is nothing
but barrel of onions with few grains Of
powder on the top, to try you by; but you
don't like the SMELL"
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
THF STORY OF A CAP.
An Innocent Sealslin Cap and How it Aff
nj 4

An Innocent Sealsl<in Cap and How 1t Affect
ell the Londoners.
Mr.. F. B. Wilkie, of the Chicago Times,
went to London recently and thus tells how
the Londoners received him:
When left Chicago it was very cold and
wore, what SO many others of that city do,
sealskin cap without any visor, and fiat
tened in at the top. 1t was very cold on
the ocean trip, and / continued to wear it
twas, if possible, still colder when reach
ed this metropolis, and clung to the seal
skin, the more so that it was comfortable,
and had no other
That cap and its wearer attracted more at
tention on the street than if it had been a
circus, or the Lord Mayors procession.
When l went down into the city, the entire
machinery of the Bank of England, and the
Exchange, and all the other commercial and
financial agencies, seemed to become de-
hanged. Men began to gaze at the cap and
wearer as soon as they came within the
range of vision; their inquiring glances
seemed glued to the wonderful exhibition
for the reason that their eyes, once fixed,
would not let go. AS people passed me
heir heads swung SLOWLY around, as if on
pivot, and thus, with their heads over their
shoulders, they watched the stunning ex-
hibition as long as it was within view.
FOR uay or TWO tancled that the uni
versal amount of attention which was ex-
citing grew from my somewhat unusual
type of personal and manly beauty, and
was proportionately grati6ed at what con-
ceived to be the general, spontaneous aud
generous appreciation which these qualities
received. I might have gone on thinking
so all the rest of the year, had it not been
that, for one day, while on the top of a
bus at Walham Green, we were waiting
few moments to change horses, during
which period there followed quite crowd
of gamins and gamines, one of whom I
heard say, as they all stared at me with open
mouths: The Shahi' This gave the
thing away; and I saw in a moment that the
cause of attention which had been attract
ing was not what had supposed it to be,
but that it came from belief that was the
. Shah of Persia, or some Parsee on his trav-
elc
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24

strain which constant travel exerts on an
actor. Last year John Mccullough left
Memphis when the city was luxuriating in
summer heat, and travelled direct toward
st. Paul, where the thermometer was below
zero. When the actors put away their
wardrobe twas damp with Precipitation, and
when they took it out again at St. Paul. Just
before the curtain was rung up, they had to
hurridedly force their limbs through cloth
ing frozen stiff. It is common occurrence
for company to play tonight in summer
heat, and Tomorrow night in mid winter
cold. 1t was these sudden changes of tenn
perature that killed Hunter. Then there is
the constantly varying hotel fare, comfort
able accommodation here and q miserable
one there. together with unceasing riding in
ill-ventilated cars; SO that it is a wonder
that, aside from the task of acting, the mere
business of transportation does not kill
every actor in the country by the end of
single season. r
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
WHITE BUFFALOES.
| Comanche Superstition in Regard to Them
| --How Robe Was Dressed.
| ill., A.A,o Na4,, l:o&

Comanche Superstition in Regard to Them
--How Robe Was Dressed.
From the American Naturalist
White buffalo have frequently been seen
and killed. All the Indian tribes regard
them as "big medicine, but they have diff
ferent superstitions regarding them. For
instance, Catlin, the painter, while among
the Mandans in 1882, saw a white buffalo
robe erected on pole in their village as a
sacrifice to the great spirit. 1t had been
purchased from the Blackfeet, who killed
the buffalo, for eight horses and a quantity
of goods. On the other hand the Comanches
believe it very dangerous to see white
buffalo. In 1869 saw young Comanche
who had seen white buffalo return to his
camp almost dead with fear. He was taken
to his tent, the medicine men were sent for
and they smoked him and kept up incanta-
tions over him day and night for week.
When he came out he believed that he had
very narrow escape from death. In
1869 white buffalo was killed by a white
man on the north fork of the Red river
I. T., and the hide presented to General
Grierson. He desired to have it dressed to
preserve it, but failed to get any Indian to
last he prevailed ON a Comanche chief
performed. Horseback" selected one of
his squaws, had the medicine man" f
his band 60 through various ceremonies
over her to preserve her life and then placed
her in a teepee some distance from his
camp, where the hide was taken to her by
soldier and brought away by him when
dressed. No other Indian would look at
the hide, much less touch it. Her food was
left at some distance from her teepee, and
when the robe was dressed medicine"
ceremonies were held over her before she
was allowed to rejoin the camp. I twitted
Horseback" about the fear of the robe,
calling his attention to the fact that no
harm befell any of the white men who
handled the robe, bnt he answered that
such might be the case, but what was "bad
medicine" for a Comanche might be good
medicine" for white man and vice versa.
He proposed to take no risks in the matter.
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
Scientific ScenfiIatinnS.

Plants grown on the sides of hills have
been found to Withstand severe frosts bet
ter than those in the valleys, because the
latter are subjected to more frequent chang
es of temperature. Last winter Herr
Hoffman, made very careful examination
of the effect on vegetation of hard frost at
Giessen. Very little injury was done to the
plants at the tops of the hills, but those in
the sheltered valleys were greatly damaged.
The frost appeared to be most harmless the
higher the exposed plants grew.
Chemical science has advanced so rapidly
of late years that many rare and costly nat
ural products have been supplanted, or
nearly SO, by artificial ones evolved by
chemical processes. Animal and vegetable
dyes, gems and ivory are being replaced by
chemical substitutes. Piano and organ
keys, billiard balls hand mirrors knife fork
and razor handles are nearly all made of
celluloid instead ofivory. Imitation tortoise
shell for combs, card cases, napkin rings.
watch chains and lockets is taking the place
of the genuine article. Pink coral, the de-
light of ladies, is initiated to perfection.
Mineral oils have replaced animal oils for
Illuminating purposes, and these in turn
will probably give way to the electric light
in the future. Ostrich feathers, so beauti-
full and costly, are being SO closely initiated
as 10 almost ueIy QetecuOn. Arunclal stone
and marble are now made ''rivalling the
originals in strength. beauty and durabil-
ity." Substitutes for leather are largely
manufactured, and are sold for the genuine
article. Every day some advance in chem
ical progress leads to the discovery of some
thing useful in the industrial arts.
In making Typographical surveys, gov
ernment surveyors and engineers have long
used an instrument called the odometer.
The apparatus is simply train of wheels
similar to those of a clock and which regis
tiers the number of revolutions of the wag-
on or ambulance wheelto which it is attach
ed. The number of revolutions that the
wheel to which the instrument is attached
makes in measured mile is determined by
experiment. Knowing the total number of
revolutions and the number that CORES
ponds to mile, it is easy to ascertain the
distance in miles between any two points.
The New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio rail
road recently made use of this principle to
measure their road and set the mile posts.
A velocipede hand-car with four foot
wheels was constructed, and fitted with
revolution counter and run over the road.
Thirty five to forty miles per day were
made with this novel odometer, setting
stakes every quarter mile. Where only the
total distance between stations is required,
a similar continuance could be attached to
locomotive.
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24

The committee of the Chicago Board of
Trade have published the fruit of careful
investigation. which shows that the reports
of hog diseases are tiagrant e1aggerations.
The deaths from all causes, which, by the
way, are falsely summed up as hog cholera,
was only per cent. in 1880 against II per
cent in 1876, and that there was no trich-
nae whatever. The integrity of the Amer
lean hog is thus vindicated against the as
saults of his enemies on the other side Of
the water.
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24

SENATORS DAWES and Hoar of Massa-
chusetts have acceptedan invitation to adj
dress a public meeting in Boston, called for
the purpose of considering what justice
humanity and wise public policy required
of the government in behalf of the Indians.
If these gentlemen possessed personal
knowledge of Indian character they would
be more competent to discuss the subject
in all its bearings, and might be able to
modify the prevailing impression in that
section that the red man is bright and
beautiful being, who is suffering unutter-
able wrongs from the white man.
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24

ACCORDING to the figures just male up
by the American Iron and Steel Associa-
ton, the total output of pig iron was 4,205,
214 tons, against 3,O7O,s75 tons in 1879, an
increase of 1924, ,539 net tons. Each state
where iron is made, except West Virginia,
increased its product; and the area of iron-
producing terrific ry was extended SO as to
include Minnesota and Colorado. Iron is
now made in twenty three states, and Cali
fornia and Washington territory are about
ready to be added to the list. This great
National industry, which is the foundation
of so many other industries, was never be-
fore upon so solid and secure basis.
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
A WASHINGTON dispatch saws that Il

A WASHINGTON dispatch says that the
gentleman who worked like trooper in
the last campaign" is arriving by every train
in great numbers. General Garfield
Ais reported to have said in con-
versation with some New England
gentlemen that while the pressure of office
seekers upon him for three months past
had been immense, he had been troubled
very little by that class of people from New
England, and hardly at all by citizens of
Massachusetts, which is greatly to the
credit of the old bay state-though the blue
book shows that she has had her full share
. of officers in times past.
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
CURRENT EVENTS.

Col A. G. Hodges, one Of the Oldest editors
and masons of Kentucky died last week.
The liabilities of Fowler Champion & Co., of
Ssy ssy. York amount to $685. 40; assets S27S'
The expense of the Afghan war to be borne
by England, i. 4ked at $25, 600, ,OOO
Collectors the worlds fair commission re-
port that the conditional and unconditional sub
scrptions aggregate 100000
The account of the expense of building the
new government custom house and post Office,
at Chicago, shows the amount to be So, &c.
OOO
The timers of Pittsburg and Allegheny have
notified their employers that if their wages was
not raised 20 per cent by the 1st of April they
will inaugurate strike.
The collections for the German saengerfest,
to be held at Chicago, in June, amounts, at the
present time, to $4,000, and there is every
indication that the occasion will be noteworthy
from its magnitude and success
The committee of arrangements for the meet
ing of the Army of the Tennessee at Cincinnati
have decided to change the programme, and
hold the meetings of the reunion April 6 and
z, at Music hall, instead of at Pixies opera
house.
Miss Pinneo, the Colorado equestrienne, is
announced by the Denver Jockey club to ride
twenty mile race on the Goth day of May,
against Miss Curtis, the stakes being $4,000
a side, and it is claimed that the $4,000 is
already put up.
Over 400 emigrants from Canada passed
through St Paul in one day, bound for Manito-
ba and the northwest. AL seemed to be thrifty
people, with large amount of nice furniture,
abundance of stock and farming implements,
and we'll filled pocket-books.
sensation has been created at Omaha by the
elopement of Miss Ellen M. Stratton, teacher
in the central public school, with Charles Duke,
her favorite pupil. She is about thirty-fiv
years old and he i not yet eighteen. She has
always been regarded as fine teacher and ac-
complished lady. The boy is the son of E. T.
Duke, prominent hardware merchant Young
Duke has for some time past been in the habit
of visiting her at her rooms evenings to take ex-
ira tuition in his studies, so it is Gained, and
the result was that they fell in love to such an
extent that elopement seemed to them to be
necessary.
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
THE resolutions of communists and SC

cialists formally applauding the assassina-
ton of Emperor Alexander are almost uni
versally denounced by the American press.
The Russian system Of government finds no
defenders in this country, but all sensible
/ people agree that assassination is not fit
ting remedy for hereditary evils. The right
{ Of revolution by force of arms, where the
elective franchise is withheld, is quite an
) other thing, and will not be questioned by
liberty loving Americans. Cowardly assas-
sinations cannot be productive of political
reform, as the Nihilists themselves will
learn to their sorrow. aT @
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24

On to Mexico is now the watchword of
telegraph and railroad men. The everlast-
ing yankee moves in force towards the far
famed halls of the Montezumas. Twelve
hundred miles of telegraph ha re been built
in that direction this last year, and pleasure
excursions on the cars will soon be adver-
tised Gen. Grant will resign his connec-
ton with the proposed Worlds Fair in New
York. and will soon be heard from in the
city of Mexico, preparing the way for his
adventurous and fillibusterino countrymen.
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
The swallowing of the Northern Pacific

THE swallowing of the Northern Pacific
railroad at one gulp by syndicate of Or
egon capitalists, shows the uncertain tenure
by which railroad lines are held at the pres
ent time. Three months ago the bare sug-
gestion that this great enterprise would be
wrested from the hands of those who ex-
pected to retain control for an indefinite
period, would have been secuted as an alb
surdity. But capital is all powerful, and
not at all sentimental. Cherished hopes.
traditions and expectations are blown away
like so much rubbish, when it marches to
the accomplishment of an object.
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24

THERE is a case in the New York marine
courts which bears some resemblance to
that of Jarndyce VS.. Jarndyce. 1t was orig
inally a common law action to recover
about $3.50, but in tossing about from court
to court for number of years, the costs
have already reached between $1,000 and
$1,000. and it is no nearer final determ-
ination than at the beginning. The lltigants
are plucky. the lawyers ingenious, the judg-
es dilatory and when the end will be reached,
and the costs also. nobody can conjecture.
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
Hancock Pleased With His Reception in Wash
iD%tOn.

Washington special saysit is said that when
there to attend the inaugural Gen. Hancock
was asked by friend how he thought of the
contest when be looked at it. He said that he
thought perhaps he was better off than if he
had been elected. He said that he heard that
Gov. Jewell had forbidden anything to go out
from the Republican headq quarters attacking
him personally. He said that such an act as
this at the heat of the contest was great COM
pliment When here the general was made
quite lion in society, and was entertained at
the houses of several leading Republicans He
was highly gratifed at this and expressed him
self as very much struck at the way in which
he was received by those who had but lately
been arrayed against him politically.
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24

THE New York Tribune says that one
man has $40, ,0OO, 900 loaned on call in New
York city, and can contract the circulation
at pleasure to this amount by simply with
drawing his loans. That lone man power"
ought to be curtailed for the public good,
but if that is impacticable, the next best
thing is for the people throughout the
country to get over the habit of squealing
whenever he choose to pinch the neck Of a
New York gambler or speculator in stocks
pr ,>roInna
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
or produc0

THE liquor question has been the subject
or discussion in many of the state legisla-
lures, but the latest freak is that of a COM
mittee of public health in the Michigan leg
islature which has reported favorably upon
a bill requiring liquor drinkers to take out
licenses, and providing penalties for selling
liquor to persons not thus licensed to buy.
The bill has not yet become law, and if it
should, would probably be a dead letter in
a short time
Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
IT is alleged that Wendell Phillips in re-

II is alleged that Wendell Phillips in a re-
cent address thus referred to the condition
don't mean to criticise matters. I look at
Russia 900 miles away, and see what an
incubus is resting on her people. l only
hope that somebody will lift it off their
shoulders If nothing will do it but the
dagger, then welcome the dagger" Mr..
Phillips is apt to use strong language in de-
nounclng persons and things not in accor d
with his own ideas, but counselling assassin
nation is going a little beyond legitimate de-
nunciation of real or supposed wrong doing.