davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1889-09-14

NJ q ~ VIZ NV .
Parish of Vermilion,
|. Alphonse l.. Leblanc, Sheriff
and Ex.Oflicio Tax Collector of tle
parish of Vermilion, do solemnly
swear that the foregoing fifteen
pages coetains q true and correct
list of ali persons who have not paid
their poll tax for the year 1888, and
that the reasons as stated therein
are the causes in the instances men
toned Why said taxes have got been
paid, and Why | have not collected
the same. A. l.. LEBLANC,
Sheriff Ex-Oficio Tax Collector.
Sworn to and subscribed before
me. this 9th day Of April, 4. D.
1889. ALcIDE LEBLANC,
Clerk District Court.
On motion, all good citizens and tax
payers are hereby called upon to aid
the tax collector (by pointing property
in collecting the taxes in the future OF
delinquent tax debtors.
tH mOtlOH, AleSSrS. a.. N. Nlllldils
and D. ". Wall are appointed a COM
mittee to visit and inspect the school
houses at +. d. Leleu's and Indian
Bayou, respectively, and ascertain
whether they have been completed ac-
cording to contract, and report there
on, and if their report should be favor
able, the President and Secretary are
requested to draw a warrant on the
treasurer IN favor of the contractors for
said work.
On motion the President and Secre-
tary are authorized to open all the pub
lie schools throughout the parish, on
the LIST Monday of September next.
On motion, the Board adjourned sine
die.
v. AZ. EDWARDS, President.
j. n. WILLIAMS, Secretary.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1889-09-14
NlCK'S UNSURPASSED
Creole kitc n
OPEN AT ALL HOURS,
ll6, .Customhouse St1eet. 49,. 1l6
Bet. Boubon and Royal,
~ n

Regular dinner from TOT p. M, with
half bottle wine, FIFTY CENTS. ortef-
ed meals, reasonable rates. Furnished
rooms for travellers and others. Warm
meals at all hours.
July ., l5S1-ly
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1889-09-14
school Board Proceedings.
ARREyILLE, August II. 1880.

ABRfIN lEtf, ~. 1883.
The Beard of School Directors of
vermilion Parish met this day pursu-
ant "a adjournment. Present, w. ".
gawaras. President, and Messrs. A.
,,acour, Geo. Hays and j. N. Williams.
The minutes of the previous meeting
ware adopted after due reading.
The Parish superintendent having
submitted the following report the
came was adopted .
.ABBEvILLE, August II, 1889.
M the President and Members Of the
BOARD of School Directors Of Vermil-
ion Parish.
misunderstanding to instructions
Ih,ye revisited the Lake Arthur Dis
trict and inspected the lot or parcel of
land offered by Mr.. Dcschamps for
ss.hsel purposes, and found it some dis
lance from where Mr.. Mouton stated it
~as, and 1 also would beg leave to
state that it is suitable so far as being
IN the centre of population and is on
The publh road. 1t is Also dry and
easilT drained if there sheuld be occa-
con 10 do so; yet j would add if your
Tonorablc Beard should decide to &C
cant said lot and locate a school there
on that, in my opinion Messrs. Jules
Iaurents and Ambrose Mouton twho
have been regular in patoniZing the
schoa where it is now lerated) will not
hn able TO send their children rs regu-
LARRY as heretofore.
AZ Of which is respectfully submit
- 7. n. WILLIAMS.
Parish Superintendent.
On motion, resolved, that the Board
hereby accepts the lot donated by Mrs.
Gustave Laurents, and the president of
the board is authorized to accept the
same.
On motion, tlepresident is authorized
to purchase the building offered for sale
by Mr.. j. G. Laurents.
The following report of committee
on schools was adopted after due read
ing.
To the Honorable President and Mem
bers Of the Parish Board Of Directors
of Public Schools for Vermilion Par
ish. Z.
Your committee appointed to recon-
mend what schools should be opened
and to grade and fix the salaries for the
ensuing year would respectfully report
that they have graded the schools as
follows:
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1889-09-14

follows:
LIST districtlst g. Sd wards.
rank salary IN
School at N. c. Rroussard's primary $500
do at +. u. Leleu's do 35 90
do at Maxfeld's do IS 90
do ut Abbeyille, white grammar Is 90
do at Abbepilt, colored primary So Rl
do at Abbevil1e, girls intermediate 40 90
ed district I'd & 18th wards.
do ut Morgan's Mill, intermediate 90 100
do at Morgan's Mill, assistant 335 90
do at ~fhibodeaux primary grade 35 90
do mt Eade's eolored do do s. OF
do at Perry's Bridge grammar IS 90
do at do do assistant IS 90
do at Lacour's Mouton owe prim'y $500
do Mnuton cove culored primary 35 00
do Cheniere an Tlgre, do IS 90
Sd district, 4th, 5th'& 9th wards.
do at-J. L. Broussard intermediates - %
\ do at Galatians coiored primary IS OK
> do at Indian Bayou. grammar 40 90
do at do do assistant prim'y So 90
do at j. AbShire, primary IS 90
do at j HAYES, dc IS 0O
do at Grand Prairie do IS 90
do at Lake Arthur do s. 90
do at Spring Hill. do 335 90
do at 9Th ward col intermediate 10 0
do at Harrington's primary IS 90
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
A. LACOUR,
w. W. EDWARDS, !
Committee.
On motion, the petition from colored
citizens Of Hebert's Cove was laid on
the table for future consideration.
The following report from the finance
committee was received, and on due
motion, the same was accepted and Or
dered spread on the minutes.
A%BBBvILLE, LA. August IL, 1889.
To,t,e Hon. President and Memhers If
the Board of School Directors of Yer
million Parish.
Gsntlemen-The finance committee
having settled With the tax collector
find him charged Oh roll OF 1883 with
rle following amounts, to wit:
On poll tax .$241O-OO .
To be credited as, fol-
lews
10 error in addition Of
fOll. Df w
Leaving amount to be
accounted for Of. 223s6.O0
CREDITS.
TO amount paid parish
treasurer by collec-
tor less commission. 1912 90
To amount collected
by clerk of court. 80 80
To amount allowed on
delinquent roll..... $40 90
Total accounted for. S 23i5 50
Leaving balance to be
accounted fDr...... 1866
On mill tax levied for
school purposes he
must he charged
with the following
amounts
10 amount assessed on
Aoi..,... ...-...-. LOli.'f
10 amount interest
collected ...,...-- Sis
Ctredited as follows:
ny amount paid treas
less commissions. 24b4 4o
by amount allowed on
delinquent roll..... 10 10
Total accounted for. S 2ISO "A
Leaving balance to be
accounted tor on
"Aa dA..........E OS.Oo
Respectfully submitted,
jim. WILLIAMS,
W. ". EDWARDS.
Committee.
IN motion the list Of delinquent poll
aA PAYERS is hereby ordered spread OH
The minutes.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27
I couldn't find trace of either of YOU,

I couldn't find trace of either of you,
1 came West again and lived alone"
After pausing to wipe away the
glitterin,g tears, he continued: dive
good piece of farming land, Harry,
few miles further on; man is renting
it now, as I'm not able to work much,
and SO I live up here alone. I could
live with them, I suppose" he said,
presently, "but I'd rather not.
"But," and his old face frightened
wonderfully in the dim freight, "the
mans time is out in the spring and he
wants to go South SO we'll go over and
manage the farm, won't we, Harry?"
And I, more bewildered than ever,
and overcome with happiness and good
fortune, murmured, eyes, father"
Well, we did go over to manage the
farm; and invested my means in inn
provements, so that we now are getting
along finely.
That old gentleman sitting there on
the porch is my father, whose story
| you've heard in part; and that lady
fitting about the house in there is nv
wife.
Happy? Oh, yes; we are very happy
in our cozy Western home; and I often
look at father and remember the old
man with q bundle who seemed SO
willing that should lodge with him.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27
The Youngest Convict.

Sinnville Combs, probably the
youngest convict in any prison in the
United States, has just served the
first year of life sentence in the Ken
lucky Penitentiary. When sent up
from Breathitt County in July, 1888,
he was eleven years old, and small for
the age. Prison life has toughened
him, both morally and physically.
Young Combs committed a crime that
was fendish, but some people claim
that he does not deserve the heavy
punishment that has been inflicted on
him. He killed his o-year-old sister
in a brutal manner. The two were in
the house together alone. When the
little tot started to crawl across the floor
the boy picked up a stove-pipe and
mashed her skull with it. He then
threw the body in the fireplace, in
tending to burn it. This process of
cremation was too slow, and he pulled
it out and carried it to small stream
near the house, throwing it in. When
the little ones body was found Sinville
admitted killing her. He was arrested
and tried. On the stand, when asked
why he had committed the crime, he
stated that his stepfather had told him
to do it, and had promised him new
pair of boots. There was no other evil
dence against the stepfather, and as
the boy was confessed murderer his
testimony could not have weight.
There was but little doubt that young
Combs had told the truth, yet there
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27

their TANKS anywhere else as here, giving
me TN finest Alpine scenery to be found il
ms part OF the continent. The Mexican
Its great work of department.. and has ac-
corded 1t mineral concession Of sixty four
mines.
Some six miles from Batopilas is the gold
mine of Cerro Colorado, reputed to be the
largest in the world, and only discovered
last year. That 1t should have remained so
long unknown to any prospector in such a
rich silver mining district is one of the
marvels Of the age, and even a far greater
living cliff and cave-dwellers on the rough
mountain trails leading thereto should
have been kept quiet so long. Cliff-dwellers
or angels in the air above them. or cave
dwellers or demons in the earth under them
would not have attracted much attention
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27

each side there was mass of fibrous
matter, and on the right side large
rag was wrapped up in the fbrous ma
terial.
DR.. Stoves removed the entire stom-
ach from the body and made close
examination. It was ascertained that
the fibers were of wood. The mass as
taken from the stomach was then
weighed and tipped the beam at ex-
actly two pounds. Then the question
arose, how did so much wood get into
the woman's stomach. and how long
had it been there before death ensued?
Mrs. Murphy, two weeks before her
demise, summoned DR.. Stoves and
complained Of the most excruoiating
pain in her stomach. She said she had
been suffering from these pains for
years, and she was at loss to know
what they were attributable to. She
mentioned incidentally that she had
been great snuff-dipper for many
years. DR.. Stoves made an examina-
ton, but could discover no symptoms
of disease, and told her SO. He adj
ministered some medicine, thinking it
would give relief, but it did not have
the desired effect.
The woman soon began to get worse,
and about week ago began to sink.
DR.. Stoves called in DR.. Davis, and
the two had a consultation and made
another full examination, but could not
discover the nature of her trouble.
An operation was discussed, but the
lady was so weak that the chances were
that she would die under the knife, and
this had to be dropped. The physi-
clans did all they could for her, but to
no avail, and Wednesday afternoon,
about $3.50 o'clock, she died.
The only reasonable theory that can
account for the appearance Of the two
pounds of wood in the stomach is that
at various times Mrs. Murphy swal-
lowed small pieces of her snuff brushes,
and the mass was the accumulation of
years. The presence of the rag amid
the wood cannot be accounted for. 1t
was two or three feet long, and closely
."1ded in the wood.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27

miles or diameter of 400 miles on them as
center, and there is no doubt but that the
resulting circle will include the richest
mining district Of America. and probably
the world. both In present and prospect
Nj. II. H. Porter. the prospecting engi-
neef Of the Batopilas Mining Company. told
me, and showed me the various specimens
70 verify his statement. that In one little
alea three hundred yards square there
wore found twelve veins Of silver running
to the ton. The reader unacquainted with
mining may understand this by saying that
any silver mine of over twenty dollars to
the ton is q fortune to its owner if on or
near railroad. There are over five
hundred such veins in the Batopilas con-
cesslon Of sixty-four square miles, and
should any new railroad running near BY
justify further research it could probably
be made five thousand without much
trouble.
The histfry of the big Batopilas Mining
Company, about the center of the district
nave spoken OF. and which stands head and
shoulders above all the surrounding min
ing companies. is a fair representation OF
all in thispart Of the country where nv
travels haFe been cast.
Batopil}s, or Real de San Pedro de Ba-
topiias, az it was originally named. is said
TO nave bfen discovered in October, 1852.
The neFs of the discovery spread far and
wide. and as the evidence OF its great rich
ness multiplied it soon became one of the
most famous mines OF New Spain. The first
miners Of the new discovery made recent
ly appointed Viceroy a magnificent present.
composer entirely OF large pieces Of native
silver, tie richness OF the ore being I'M
precede4ted. have now in nv possession
one from Batopilas tn at runs from $4,000 to
$8.OOO to|the ton. and that looks like a mass
OF SOLID silver ten-penny nails imperfectly
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27

S fhaiy It seemed to me, just then, q
de s.,ng locality for repentance of the
.o, What might your name be?n bo
as as he handed me the second cn ne
when l told him, he gave a little
START and eyed me curiorsiy for a - mo
ment, before he settled back into IL,
ing. 1' salo moth
After the repast he took pine from
me Shelf and asked me if 1 smoked
Upon my replying that 1 did not he
nlled the corn-cob invention with home w.
made twist and sat down to anio1 .
Whit by himself. 's !"
don't use tobacco much" he said
apo1ogetlcally:" but generally smoke
aiore 1 go to bed, pipe or so: + Kind
OF browns trouble. >-A>'
asked. '''e' =
Yes, young man, a great deal of
sorrow, though youngster can't under
stand it by the telling he replied,
with sigh.
Ny heart softened toward the old
ma! man as he sat thoughtfully looking
into the fire, while the light danced
over his long. gray beard.
had q great curiosity to find out
more OF his history; bu; he revealed
nothing more, and, as was fatigued
with the journey of the day, I wa.
ready to retire.
"You can sleep with me, or bunk OF
the settee," he said, at be dtime. I pre-
ferred to sleep alone, and forthwith hi
drew from great red chest in the cor
ner of the room couple of heavy com
fortables and proceeded to make up
bed for his guest on the aforesaid set
tee"
I forgot my suspicious as rolled W
in my impromptu couch and dozed of
to restful repose.
How long I slept 1 know not; but
was awakened suddenl. by some oneI
breath in my face.
A chill of horror ran through my
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27
~see Further Down."

was coming down from my room,
carefully picking my way between the
fair perchers on the stairs and survey
ing the somewhat startling view that a
collection of decollete girls will provide
to spectator above them, when I
heard the little girl in q heliotrope
gown observe to her companion that
Dolly So-and-So, who was evidently
sitting on stair below them, had love-
ly diamond star on her neck that evening
Eyes, by Jove!" responded the
youth, @and what hat !, a jolly place it has
aLet me see," said the girl. musing.
"They put stars into books, sometimes,
don't they? What does it mean when
a star is printed alongside of word:
1T means see further down." replied
the boy, promptly.
aOh, yes, said the heliotrope maiden.
"What clever girl Dollie is, to be
be sure!" Kamera's Bar HarJoT
letter.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27
veins. Was he going to kill me? o,
that had taken warning of my intui-
ton of the early evening!

veins. Was he going to kill me? O,
that had taken warning of my intui
ton of the early evening!
Perhaps he meant to see, only, if I
was asleep, SO that he might ransack
my luggage. I kept quiet as possible
while the old fellow reconnoitered. He
touched my forehead presently; gently
and cautiously at first; but when he
supposed I still slept, he ran his fin
gers along over my left temple care
fully several times, as if searching for
something. I fully expected to feel
the cold steel plunged into my unfor-
tunate head each minute; but it seemed
ages to me that the old man bent over
me in absolute silence.
I could hear the wind whistling with
out, and now and then the rain on the
narrow window; and, too. could
hear the suppressed breathing Of the
old man as he, proceeding with his
strange vigil, kne1t by my side.
could see, through half-open eye
lids, the aged head bending lower, I'M
til presently the withered lips were
pressed to my brow, and tear fell on
my upturned face.
I could stand it no longer. Thinking
that, perhaps, had lodged after all
with some crazed old being, I opened
my eyes and moved my hands as if
waking from deep slumber.
"My son!" he said, softly and ten
derby, looking into my wide-open eyes.
There was something in the voice
and fervency of tone and manner that
made my blood Jingle and my heart
throb faster. I sat up and gazed at
the bright, happy face of mine host.
"Your son ?" queried, q strange feel
ing of conviction taking possession
of me.
eyes," he replied, taking my hands
in warm, trembling clasp. You are
my long-lost Harry-my dear little
son!" :.
Gam II" I asked, in bewildered
way: II feel that must be-"
dyes" continued he; when I came
in from feeding your pony l thought
Won resembled my boy, as I remem-
bered him, great deal. That W
why I asked you your name, and VII.
YOU answered me, Harry Clifford,
sure of it; but I didn't want to make
a mistake, SO after you were asleep L
ran nv fingers over your temples to
find a scar I was sure you must still
carry. You got it by being g. terribly err IDLY
hurt once with stone, L remember.
And the scar is right here; l s,posee
you've noticed it often" and the hand
went up again to my tempe nb;e I'M 7
touched small calloused spot whlcn l
had often taken notice OF.
the i fail over the rocks at Tully, father: "
At this he broke down and I. w ;s PIN IN
less to say that I, too, shed tears :: ~
Thus, in that lonely sRos' th N ae sas
cheerless, cold autumn n1gnS' ' he " Sed
man found his son whom ne haa
m nou as dead for years; and I had
'0s aThe by told me you were both dc. dead
he said. @when I got away from me IN
dams that tool: me captive; anu ~nen
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27
Wood in Her Stomach.

A case which is likely to attract the
profound attention of the medical
minds of the State has been DEVELOPED
in Burlington, Ala.
Mrs. J. J. Murphy, the wife of a
laborer, died recently after q short ill.
ness of some disease of the stomach.
the nature of which physicians were
unable to determine. After her death
DR.. Stoves, who had been her attend
ing physician for two weeks prior to
her death, obtained the consent of the
dead woman's husband to make an au-
topsy, to ascertain the disease from
the effects of which she died. He &C.
cordingly opened the stomach and
found most surprising conditions. On
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27
Thought 1t Was Il Turt.e.

It was related by good Confederate
soldier that on his return from Virginia
in 1865 he brought biscuit with him
which some one had given him on the
way. When he arrived home he gave
the children the biscuit and sent them
to play while he talked with their
mother. Pretty soon he wanted to see
the children again, and, going to the
door, was surprised to see them putting
live GOALS of fire on the biscuit.
"What on earth Go you mean, boys?"
said the father.
ooh. pa, we are going to make the
darn ed thing poke its head out"
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27

from q seeker of precious metals, not be-
yond the momentary astonisment at their
sight. but the difference between gold and
silver is not so great.
The Cerro Colorado mine is an immense
buttress or spur from a flank of the Sierra
Madres. the whole spur showing signs OF
gold. not in any distinct vein. but in great
masses distributed here and there through
the mountain: a sort Of pocket" system,
as miners would say. This great buttress
or spur is 1.S0O meters something over
mile) in length. 1900 meters in breadth.
and 500 meters in height and runs from
81 to $500 ton. as would be expected in
the pocket system OF deposits. Small de-
posits have been found of an hundred
weight or so. however, that would run enor-
mously-over 500. 900 to the ton. The gold
is not isolated wholly into pockets. for it is
found distributed in all parts Of the great
red hill at least in the minimum Of ST ton.
In the Illustration give the great spur on
which requires eight mines to cover the
tract properly: Enormous works are being
put in to develop this mine. and in a few
years we will really know whether this is
the largest gold mine in the world or not.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27

N the great broken
barrancas leading
out to ths westward
from the heart of
the central Sierra
Madres found my.
SELF in the richest
mineral district of
america. and prob
ably the richest in
the whole world,
writes Lieutenant
Frederick Schwat-
ka in the Chicago
Inter Ocean. TAX
ing either Batop-
Has or Unique as a
center. and with a
radius of $50 to 200
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27

was no law to punish the father, SO the
boy suffers. Many efforts have been
made to have the Governor pardon
him, but thus far he has failed to act.
When first sent up young Combs had
never heard OF God, knew nothing OF
heaven or hell, and had never seen a
school house He can now read and
write and talks very brightly.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27
nxREMEMBERHD DEAD.
,,,s NAPOLEON B. MoRANan.

,oo NAPOLEON B. MORANGE.
thew suffered, this we know,
h LIVED ~ yacant are their places.
see h tbev now? Where did they SOP
Ire areornine, anxious human faces.
eft have loved the sweets of earth,
ni innved what we now love and treasure:
i've III i..t hive had their taste of mirth,
n his I'll of pain, their scanty pleasure.
.,, ia all SO shadowy,
b, Unlike and so silent heree
dl1hn,,ld be left some memory,
re si i.o, handsome yestige dear,
,o like US, they hailed the dawn:
oue ,i';ldren must have gamboled here
helf J how needless life goes on,
E;y " pause, without tear.
uo,e our kindred souls, and though
!! Si left behind no trace OF glory,
Pc! ,,at hing of their lives we know
/. heating hearts tell US their story.
.ons, Are there no Phantoms hera
ms lr;,s of the Forgotten Dead?
Ware are PhantOms everywhere
s, TINT we dream, not specters dread.
,,o,ish life-we would not die:
\ cii long to live in memory still
ss,end Obivion-this is why
KIN ghosts we people vale and hill.
INV YORK CITY.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27

"DccToR, why is it that people ara
generally SO much more pleased with
boy babies than with girls 2" "Nothingl
simpler, madam. A boy baby never
cones q miss" 1
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27
~ MEXICO.
EXPLORING THE RICHEST MINING
DISTRICT IN AMERICA.

Masses of Almost Solid Silver Tak.n Ont
OF Them--What American Capital and
American Energy Are Doing Toward
Their DovolOnment