davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-25
The Statue Of collamer

A CHAPTER OF "GATHS' HISTORICAL EEMINI5-
CENCEs
The statue of Jacob Colamer, writes
Gath" to the Cincinnati Enquirer, inst pre-
sented to Congress, and modelled by Preston
Powers, the son of Hiram, is the first statue
yet given of man of our times New Jer-
sey never gave the statue Of kcarney, after
making it. Collamer died in 1865, at Wood
stock, but he was a native of New York
State, at Troy, like the father of Stephen 4.
Douglas, who was born near Troy, but
stepped across the line, as it were, To let
Steve be born in Vermont. Jacob Collamer,
going to Burlington when boy saw the first
fresh grass there on the grave of Ethan
Allen, and knew his brother, Ira Allen, we'll
Collamer's family originated at Scituate,
Mass. Just before he settled at Woodstock,
VT, Hiram Powers moved from it
to Ohio, where he became clock
maker and superintendent of waNworks
show. Powers went TO Washington. and
found patrons there in the Prt stons of Nir-
giDia and South Carolina, descendants OF
Patrick uenrys sister, and connections of
Gen. Wade Hampton. Hence Preston Pow
ers, son of the Woodstock 6migTe is given
the statue of Jacob Collamer Of Woodstock
to make. What agreeable "reminiscences of
North and South are here awakened. In
the cabinet of Zachary Taylor, Jacob Cola
mer was postmaster general. AMI W. B.
Preston secretary of the navy. The State of
South Carolina, through the partiality of W.
{. Preston, WAS one Of the first patrons of
Hiram Powers. AT the death OF Pitt Fes-
sender, heard Speaker Blame say that the
three great New Englanders in public life in
our day had been Collamer, Fcssendrn and
Summer Milard Fillmore of Vermont pa
rents, shook Collamer ont of the cabinet
when he succeeded Gen TAYLOR.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-25

Little JOHNNY X SIpklfS ABpis fop1t VI,
PLAN,'ER AND A MISTER rIrcHEL.
New York World
Possums has tobacco pouches on the
stomach, and one time there was pos
sum which wuz show A feller come
to see the show, and lie had IA bunch Of
firecrackers, cause 1t was the Fourth
of July. The feller he took one of, and
put it in his mouth, and then he lit one
Of the others and held'em out to the pos-
sum, and said, Have cigarette?" The
possum 1T snatched'em, and crammed
EN- i'll its pouch and wank its eyes
like 1t said. Now you can Jest wlsle f0r
your ole cigarettes for I'm reglar say
ings bank, am -
Bnt bmely the crackers they went a,
wild, and you never seen such a busted
bank like that possum
MY Uncle Ned he had possum, wich
was a pet, and he had little music box,
too, but my sisters young man no plays
the fiddle, and Samuel Doppy he can crow
like roosters. One day the piano was
moved out of the parlor, and Uncle Ned
he wound up the music box and looked
the other way, and the possum II sneakcd
up and put the music box i, the tobacco
pouch vi i'S btiiN IL l'ihNihb ihc 'DW''t
Bve and BYE real nice Then Uncle Ned
he went IN the kitchen and called Mary,
that's the housemaid, and said Mary,
you 60 in tie parlor and tell your mis-
tress when she gets done playin the
piano | would like to see her
Bimeby Mary she came arunning back,
wite like "A sheet, and said "Oh if you
please sir, that nasty cat Of your'n has ct
the piannerI
And now I'll tell you u little story
about snakes. When Mister Pitched wuz
II missionary preacher in Africa, lie seen Il
natlf nigger trying for to catch long
snake. Mister Pitched he said: What
do you mean to take that Teller in yonr
hands, The natif niggnr said he did,
if his gods WIS willin that he shood get
tail holI, Mister Pitched he said
"Ain't them kind Of snakes pizen?" And
the niger he SAID, Give ct 10 tins morn
ing, and feel pretty well, Mebby they
would pizen inc if ] was greedy like
hogs"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-25

THE FIssr MEETING BETWEEN Tue BARD AND
GARRISON

THE FIssr MEETING BETWEEN THE BARD AND
GARRISON.
We ehave before us, says the Portland Me. }
Transcript, in Mr.. Whittier's handwriting,
the first poem Of his that was ever published.
In 1925, when he was in his nineteenth year,
he left il under the door OF the office of the
Free Press, weekly paper then published
by William Lloyd Garrison in Newbury-
port. Garrison had just attained his ma
jority, and this paper was his first venture
in journalism It was many weeks after
Whittier left his manuscript to its fate be-
fore he heard from it. He was them work
ing on his fathers rocky farm, in liayerhill,
and his father Was II patron OF the Free
Press. Week by week the paper arrived,
and the heart of the young poet sank within
him as he looked in vain for his verses.
One day he was at work with his uncle
Moses repairing the stone fence by the high
way, he going along on the outside, placing
the stones knocked from the wall by sheep
that had scrambled OVER it. While 50 en-
gagged the postman came along on horseback,
and to save going to the house with the
paper he tossed il to young Whittier. Ii
was opened with trembling fingers. The
surprise of finding his poem at the "hcad of
the corner was so bewilderng that he WAS
dazed by it, and he says he stood looking at
it a long time, and is sure he did no; read a
word. AT length his uncle called him back
to his senses by bidding him to keep at
work. No success in future years had ever
stirred such a tumult of emotion. as may
well be believed.
Garrison was SO Impressed with his new
contributors work that he sought him out,
coming up to Haverhll on horseback to in
terview him. When Garrison called young
Whittier was at work in the field lie was
told gentleman was at the house inquiring
for him. Nobody had ever calei for him
before, and he felt like running away But
he got ints the house by the back door,
''slicked up" and soon stood in the presence
Of the young editor, who encouraged him to
make good use of the talent he had dis
played Whitticr's father came in during
the interview, and begged Garrison not to
pu: such notions into the head of his son.
But il was too late; the damage WAS done |
This was the first meeting Of the two men,
afterwards so intimately associated in anti
slavery work.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-25
4 Self-Masa Mn,

HOW MR. BRUCE ROSE raoN AN HUMBLE
CoLoRED Roy To- t.: 4 rSITED STATES
SENATOR
A Washington i,trT says: Senator
Bruce, who gues cat 10 give way for
George, is the last of MS race, doubtless,
for years to cosle, il! the senate. He Is
now the only colorcd man in either branch
of congress, and the youngest of the sena-
tors. He told me a story the other day
about himself which had heard before,
but think it has never been in print.
The late Senator Dogv Of Missouri was
anxious to have pension bill passed one
dny for constituent. and came over to
the Republican sids to ask support for IL.
Ho approached the colcr-l senator from
Mississippi, and said
Now look here, B-Gce, Jrts for this,
won't you? l only want another vote or
two, and you can carry It through 1or me.
1t is a meritorious case.
Certainly" said Senator Bruce, you
know, Senator, that l have always been
willing to do you any favor You asked"
"D-n it, sir, replied the Missouri
senator, 81 never asked vou favor in my
life till this moment
"Oh, yes you nave, lepled Bruce.
you may rememb,s oHca, many years
ago, that you were going from st. Louis
down the river on a Steamboat and you
were hurrying along T. catch the boat
with big valise. iod passed little
barefooted mulatio, a@i sai Here,
you little black rascal. take this valise
and come on with me. The boy took
the hand bag, and when tGi came near
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-25

TaE final vote on the River ami 1Et1r
bill was 163 to 50 AMI upon the OF siaa.
motion to suspend the rules AMI pIss ths bill
it was 100 to Sj-showing that after over
week of earnest debate the friends of the bill
gained one vote and the opposition gai1ei
one, over vote which was taken 5-fI-s
there had been :. word spoken on the SUI
ject. The bill appr1priaies about =il,vJt
900, at least half Of which will H. utterly
thrown away. The bill appr'Pr.I,es ,ars,
sums for the improvement, so-cI!lri. o.
streams which are wholly incapable of tsiIs
made navigable even for l-hins sl,i.is -d-
for instance the Little kauawla, for wh.-I
100000 is appropriated. aul the Improve
ment of which has for lis object th' i'tliI
ment of raft and push-boii navigation .-i
the Big Sandy of West Nirsnii, Tor Which
$50, 900 is appropriated, lhen.'uial c'.4rH,,-
of which are narrow, ohstructci, al.i wa
as little as three inches ni water in them 4
low stages over shoals ami ripple, fl.
final attempt to improve the 5ill VA u-tt-
by Mr. UpdegraI of Iowa. vino Tr'p's - l
simple appropriation OF >i,Gjl.ri1 %. '...'-
to be expended I'm Ter direction Of IL 5-..-
tary Of War, which wa promptly v,...
down. The opinion is freely cNrra j 90,
leading Senators that the River and tilg.a'.
bill will fail to pass the Senate in T. lIe-.G.
shape, and that it is cxiremrly doaNir
,rba,bor o,,, hull o,,, a., .r.r thr,-, -, f!H
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-25

In the current number of the \'f'
lean Rtrific Captain Eals ..iycs q rior. H.-
tailed explanation Of his plans i'- % -,i.'
railway nj Tchnntcpcc than has vet al'H,-r
ed, and certainly makes = good Showing .H,
the scheme As TO cost, Captain tJ,.-
claims that the Panama canal Ne Is--eps's
will cost tS16S. .O00, ,O00, exclusive 81 irtrr,--
during construction, which, csiimJiine tte
time at ten years and the rate al I've l'f
cent, would adj SS4 900, 0G0 10 this estimate
making a grand total Of S2l2. .0aO. 900 Tbs
matter of cost is not only important at tbs
outset, but will be grave one IT, those VIII
are to use the canal. Ot the commgr,-
which will pay the tolls of any route ;'r
ships across the Isthmus ihrcc-qnrtcrs WI
probably be American, and rs the Chars,-
will be i'll proportion to the cost OF the work
IL is Il matter Of importance to thc ni'ct
States TO secure the construction Tor the jc.-.
practical sum. Captain Ea,is al<' claim. .a
advantage for the Tchuantrpc, s., heue .a
shortening the route. Panama Is m.l'si
near South America, and lis distance fiH.
Tehuantepec in Mexico US one thousand two
hundred and fifty miles Any v,ss,l lnayiu.
New York for san Francisco. China or iapJa
must have at ltas; that mEyh additional
distance added to her passage in tie paCiI,
as well US an additional distance in the Carr
bean s}a, if she crosses at riaama insical oi
Tehuantepcc. steamship from New or3,
or Charleston must travel fifteen huntrff
miles further to reacn her destination thla
she would il she could cr,~s tba VI, NiJJa
isthmus. The cargo which leaves saw Frar-
cisco for Europe must mn the lrssih nj ts-
whole isthmus. and thus he dr'ay Il -A 80
seven davs more than it wouil >y 30 Il o.F--
ed at Tehuantepcc Finally. Capr,tl f.j-
claims an advantage Tor his s,... .us' iu %,
comparative cas- with which III. r1ui rlp i.
defended in case of foreign war. : i.u it7r.
cads and torped1eS plIral IN 81 rar"
channel between lucdan and tuHI. at' .-
many more in the Florida channel e '... .
fend the entire Cuff of MeNic' aE.r., a.,
naval forces while it wculd be a.H. i-t
possible for the United Stat o. i..t '..-
Panama or the Nicir.gua canal as,i.a' go.
a naval force as either France "r is.'.-.
could bring against IT, fhai Il IL p'. t'.'.
safely transport loaded vessels hy r-.I r..-
such a country as the istlmui U.s. af. 60
Tchuantepcc, Captain EldS NOT only cess
but enforccs his assertion by detailed s..-
men,s of the means 10 he used with ii'ns.rt
tions of each mechanical appliance r"H n
use and performing even greater task illu
would be found nee, ssary on his shiPai'-
way,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-25

pr,.,,,,,,r s,orv al fb. s,.,,,.ig,g..l
co,,e. from, perrsrI,.ni, ~. ~. o.-.---
nrhl;sles Ie;,er dated II Su,,,.;. =, ir..i
St. o,d s;,,.o,l ~. Gov. ...r r.,s.,- -,
- e.. l.. a.. -
- :'' - ~ ,.'' -, 49, .,
o., NJ; M, lton,.7t
I;an = ro,,u,. ,ro,,or If ,re,! ,,r,D,,. suddenly
haoan,o W.. II u.r f,,t,r ,hfrtipo she
4...,,. lit -, Nc.
-. - a.. .a..,,.a,,,. S,a-,,I,. b,d
,haso hoan aan,;ois,.rod ,rhor iiss 1I,O,i,
~. en- - r ,n..,,.,...,.-,oss IN
-. ,t.,.-:-,...
l,. L.. c,,
,.a,,i,n IS ,ha - On u,o 1G.L clio wa
strncl with r.r,lvs;s fron hes5 IN foo.
I;fa beinr o,ror, n,l,. extinct another nriesf
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-25
Society at the CaDito!.

PLAIN TRUTHS rLAiyiY fpLp rCCULAR
MEN AND wOMES WHO 90 TO MAKE Up
WASHINGTON SOCIAL CIRCLES INTEREST
ING INCIDENTS -THT nAHI SIDE OF A
BRIGHT PICTURE.
Howard Carrolls Washington ..it.r To the New
lorb l,mr-
There are IL great many people here
and elsewhere who Iirulv believe that
what they are pleased to cal Washing
ton society" is the mo-i cultivated, the
most refined, III short ih,' hest To be
found anywhere IN The G. uu!iS People
who hold this view are very mach ms
taken. The truth j. tAai more nueduca-
ted, rude and Vulgar nrnpai women find
their way into the sy'al gatherings oi
the capital than io those 81 a'jy other city
in the Union. Washington society, so
called, il n sham. hamhu" "i the most
unqualified sort II "a tra" tiai there ex-
lists here IL few social c.irir7 which may
be called admirablr III tv'lv particular.
They are made up, however, almost cx-
clusively of the old and permanent resi-
dents, and of their duinrs next To- nothing
IL known. On the other hAud, It Is no eX-
aggeratlon to say that uine uui of every
ten of the much-advrgiu'rd '''ntertnln-
ments" given by members # the Cabinet,
political leaders. and those WHO want to
be considered AZ such, nrc almply mobs
of over-dressed, inud-n,'ntacd, vulgar
people, who have never lcuned either by
observation or instinct even the rudi-
mcnts Of good hrccdu" There WAS n
time, ut least 30 it * snl when the mem
hers of the foreign LEGATIONS lid much to
elevate tho tone of Ia yipltafs social
life. Such statement rInnot now be
made without II marked departure from
the truth. There are an or two, per
haps three, diplomatic families here
which would grnce any na'cn'bhg", hut
for the most part ihc "tirl'i representa-
tives Of foreign governments now IN
Washington ARE prcmatau'lY "li men of
debauchod habits ; ld.n Who seem to
have no family ties. mad Nho devote II
yery considerable r"riinn oi their time to
turning the empty head oi fashionable
Young women who M uIil too easily tlnt
tered bv the not alWty. !. rcciiul attru-
tions paid them. Stll. ltri oH these men
are, they are not neatly 80 grent n blot
upon the socinl lie of Na,hurtnn ra nre
the adventurers aud -amil IS Of native
birth, who, by shc,I inrnacncr, force
their way into what 7r- known us ''thc
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-25

The Chicago Times gives some interesting
talks showing the agricultural advance the
country has made during the last ten years
According to these. in 1871 the wheat
yield was $50, 722, 400 bushels, in 1915 it was
29e, 1876, 600, and 1880 it was 4sO, $40, 723
From 1871 to 1881 the production of corn in
the United States has increased from 991,-
s9s. 600 bushels to 1881, 5S5, $40, the West
ern States raising the larger portion of the
crop, as was also the case with reference 10
wheat. The grain growth of New England
makes no perceptible change, while that of
the South Is considerable In 1880 the grain
area of the country was 10i, l42, ,676 acres, or
70, 900 less than Texas alone contains The
average yield OF wheat per acre was last
year Is 3 bushels of corn, 2S.9; of oats,
27.8 of barley, 25.1. Since 1871 the value
of the grain products of the United States is
estimated ut 10000, ,OOO, 600 That of last
year is given as follows: Wheat, S4j3.-
55s.S7l corn, s6O8, 6s5, 81 other grains,
S177, 3S9, 2G9. Ten years ago the total ex-
ports of grain from all parts of the United
States amounted to 72, 122, 39S bushels last
wear to 2SS 539 g41 bushels
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-25

At recent meeting of the Royal Soci-
ETY. Of Edinburgh, an important paper was
read on Dust, Ram, and Fog" by Mr..
John Aiken, of Falkirk. The comnuni
cation was very interesting, and was illus
trated bv number of successful and con-
"a i've experiments. Mr.. Aiken's re
sul,., iutT be briefly, summarized as fol-
lows. A vapor does not condense under
ordinary circumstances when cooled be-
low its boiling point, except on n free
surface; that is to say If steam, for in
stance, he blown into receiver filled with
ordinary, air, whiae cloud is Immediate
ly formed 10y the condensation of the vap-
or on the innumerable particles Of dust
but if Jet Of steam be blown into re-
ceiver filled with air that has been filter
ed through cotton wool, no cloud ia OBJ
served. The sama fact was demonstrated
by means of another experiment. A large
inverted flask was fitted with cork,
through which passed tube communi-
eating with the air-dump. Over the in
terror surface Of the cork was placed a
little water. When the flask Was filtered
with filtered air, no effect WAS produced
by exhausting with the pump while,
with the flask filled with ordinary air, u
cloudincss was immediately apparent,
which increased IN density when the
working OF the air pump was continued.
Bv using a flask containing air not per
fectly freefrom dust, an effect resembling
a shower Of rain in minute drops was pro-
duccd on rapidly withdrawing a portion
Of air. Among other things, it was shown
that the fumes OF burning sulphur (sul-
phurous acid will not dol have powerful
effect in producing fog. In a receiver in
which 4 grain Of sulphur had been burn
ed, let Of steam was blown. This in
stantly caused dense fog, though which
nothing could be seen, and which contin.
ned to fill the receiver for a much Longer
time than if The atmosphere had simply
consisted of unfiltered air. From these
aud other observations which Mr.. AikeI
has made. he concluded that if the all
were free from dust, we should have nc
clouds, ram, or fog but that the exces
sive moisture would slowly condense on
the surface Of the earih on the trees AM
houses. keeping them constantly vet
He was also of opinion that the largC
amount of sulphur daily burned i'll the
coal fires in London was principal fac
tor IN the production Of ''pea-soupy' fog
in that city.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-25

| In the other wears, when Maine was
| district Of tho state OF Massachusetts,
Ezekiel Whitman vas among the chosen
| to represent the district in the Massachu-
sets lerislatur, Iie was an eccentric
man and one Of tie best lawyers of his
time. In those dN1 Whitman owned a
farm and did much work upon his land;
and it so happened that when the time
came for him to sci Out for Boston, bis
best suit of clothes was q suit Of home
spun. His wife objected to hi, going in
that garb, but he did not care. Il will
get nice fashionable suit made as soon
as I reach Boston, he said.
Reaching his destination, Whitman
found rest at D0olittle's City tavern.
Let it be understood that he was a grad
uate of Harvard, and that at this tavern
he was at home.
As he entered the p6rlor OF the house
he found that several ladies' and gentle
man were there assembled, and he hearl
a remark from one Of them, "Ah, here
comes a countryman Of the real homespun
GENUS. Here's fun. Whitman stared
at the company, and than sat down.
Say. my friend. you are from the
country" remarked one Of the gentle
men.
"Ya-as, answered Ezekiel, with ludi-
crous twist Of the face,
The ladies Uttered
"And what do yvu think Of our aity?'
"It's pooty tllicl, settled place, any
how. It's got a 3wcepiu' sight Of housin
in it.
"And good many people, too
"Ya-as, / should reckon SO.
.'Many people where You come FROM"
oval, some
"Plenty of ladies, SUPPOSE
''Ya-as, n fair sprinklin."
''And don't doubt that You are quite
beau among them =
"Ya-as bcaus'cm home tew meetin'
and singing schewl."
perhaps the gentleman from the coun
try will take glass of wine?"
''Thank-eo. DO MT care ii | do.
The wine was brought
"You must drink toast
"Oh git eoui | eats tuust-never heard
o'sich thing rs drinkin' it. Aut | kin
give We a sentiment.
The ladies clappcd their hands; but
what was. Their surprise when The stninger,
rising, spoke calmly and clearly in tones
ornate and dignitied, rs follows:
Ladies' and gentlemen, permit me to
wish you health and happiness, with
every blessing earth can afford and may
you grow better and wiser with advanc-
ing years. bearing ever IN mind that out
ward appearances are often deceltful.
You mistook me, from my dress. for a
country boody, while |, from the same
superficial cause, thought You were ladies'
and gentlemen The mistake has been
mutual"
He..had JUS tspok5n when Caleb Strong,
the governor of the state, entered and ill.,
guired for Mr. Whitman
"Ah-here nm, governor. Glad to
see you. Then, turning to the dumb
founded company.
Il wish you yerl good evening
And he left thcm feeling about as
small and cheap as il is possible for full
grown people 10 feel
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-25

SOME time since We referred AZ length to q
letter Of Mr.. Van Zile, United States DistriC
Attorney for Utah, on the obstacles in tha
way of the enforcement in that Territory OF
the law against bigamy. In 4 second letter
lust published, MIR. Van Zilc indicates the
measures which. in his opinion, ought 10 ht
taken to render 'he law operative These
are, first, that the siaintr Of Limitations so
far as it affects bigamy, hc repealed; tha;
persons living in polysamy be- dis'fanchisel
and that marriage iiccrsc law he enacted
providing for the filing in the nit,d States
District Court Of a certificate, AMI maxim
such certificate proof of marragc. Mr. Val.
Ziles position gives him, Of coUtsr, cv,eg
tional advantages for the discussion ol tha
question, and his recommendations art ei
titled to much weight They certainly a.'-
pear, in conjunction with the present law.
well adapted TO the extIrratiou oi this dread
full blot upon our civilization. It is 10 Be
hoped that the next Congress will take hold
of the matter in earnest. At present Mo-
monism is not only defylng law and puhli;
sentiment IN It's home, bat is stretching out
nto the adjoining Territories and it is Ger
tainly high time that it-cr al least it.
polygamous doctrines checked