smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

their loads of sand, stones and earth


With its melting power it makes
them drop their burdens and build
up the grand banks Of Newfoundland
with the soil it has torn away from
Arctic land.


In this part of ITS course it also
proves invaluable to vessels whose
rigging has become coated with ice
Often they run out from our harbors
into the Gulf Stream for the simple
purposes of being thawed out


Many years ago, it was met and
almost conquered by great storm
from the north least, which with furi
GUS strokes drove its waters back,
ward and heaped them up in the
Gulf of Mexico thirty feet high A
vessel, called the Ledbury Snow,
rode out the gale with both anchors
down, and when the water subsidized,
she found herself high aud dry among
the tree tops on Ellio's Key.


But geologists tell us that there
was once no Gulf Stream 1t must
have been long ages ago, when the
central parts of our continent were
under water, giving place Tor the
great current to pass up what is now
the Mississippi Valley.


The most striking fact connected
with this absence is that the clima ate
Of England and Scotland was at that
time as cold as Labrador and Green
land.


Now, what would happen if, when
we cut the Panama Cansl, this great
stream should find in it an outlet,
and pour itself into the Pacific Ocean?
For though the Pacific is said TO be
three feet and hall higher than the
Atlantic, this current might be strong
enough to overpower such opposition
as its superior height would offer
II is a question that has puzzled
older heads than yours.


How would England like to find
herself suddenly changed to a New
roundland or Labrador
Year: 1869

Having made large additions TO our establish
ment in the shape OF material of the latest
style, and having employed experienced and
careful workmen, we are prepared to execute
orders for every variety of PLAIN AND FANCY
JOB PRINTING with neatneSs and Dispatch
The addition of Steam Power to our establish
ment affords us great advantages over most
country offices in the way of low prices and
fast work. Call with us, and be convinced.
Year: 1869

dious observers has either been kebt a. 3 precious
secret never 70 be divuged has died with its pos
sessor and gone down to oblivion with the lost arts
o. other days fact little or no reliable data or re-
suits Of former years have been collected or pre-
served for our benefit or guidance. We can hardly
statistics OF dozen ofsour largest companies for
the past fifteen or twenty years. II Is one OF the
objects OF this board to gather in permanent
teymining tine actual cost OF fire insurance
IN tins country; and 1t Is believed that an encour
aging aging advance has been made In the past year,
during which time we have circulated from our
ONCE over 40, 900 documents OF various kinds and
mas sent more than 1000 letters, all OF which nave
tended more or less. 10 the education OF under
writers throughout the country The proceedings
OF this board and Its various committees have been
freely circulated, and vast amount OF practical re-
suits have been obtained thererom The first great
object has been to awaken an interest In the pusi
ness as one requiring skill and abilities OF tine irst
order, and create IN the minds OF It's managers
higher self-respect and regard for others aud dis
interested endeavOr on the part OF all to strive for
the good OF common interests and increased ntelt
gence In their management


On the subject OF rates much has been said and
done, and no small degree or friction created by The
advance which has been made as d matter Of self
preservation On this point the public have Judged
US from partial view Of the facts and necessities
that demanded such advance and have, in many cases
been too ready to condemn what they should have APP
proved. No sane business man Will say that insu-
rance capital entitled to only such legal interest
as 1t would earn In the hands OF It's owners ndiyid
ually and without extraordinary risk. Assuming
seven per cent the highest interest capital i'll ndi
yidual hands Will command. all win be quite ready
to admit that it should command at least double
that amount when subject to the too well KNOWN
hazards OF the business of fire insurance. II four
teen per cent be regarded too high rate OF interest
on capital liable az any time to be- swept entirely
away, as In 1885 and lS45, or partially aa in the
great fires which have since devastated our large
promise on twelve per cent and see how Tar below
that figure the average dividends have fallen.


By the tables OF the New York Insurance Depart
ment from 1869 to the present tme we lind Tor nine
consecutive wears tile following result
Year: 1869

showing decrease in percentage Of average
dividends from 14.25 per cent III 1853, to 676
per cent IN 1886, the year OF the organization Of
THIS Board, and SAC per cent for 1867, the irst
year Of Its efficient working, and general
average for the entire nine years OF only 9,40 per
cent, figure far below the compromise percentage
named above. 1t should be borne IN mind that the
capital herein invested would have earned at least
nine per cent for the last five years, II invested in
government aecuritles, without dollars risk. But
at the minimum legal interest Of seven per cent the
earnings OF the business as such, has been only 240
per cent legal interest; to say nothing Of the
capital that has been wholly sunk during these nine
years. The amount OF capital actually swallowed up
by disasters during that time VIII more than equal
one per cent Of this sum, leaving less than and
half per cent profits OF the business irrespective
OF earnings of capital Low as this average Is for the
years. the average for 1866 fell 64 per cent be-
low It, or 24-l0o below legal interest at seven per
cent, and that TOO, with an alarming impairment or
capital itself.


In addition to these facts. 1t was found that white
the amount Of premiums in 1866 was nearly three
times larger than in 1859 the losses OF that year had
increased 10 a figure nearly five times larger. and
that the percentage OF losses on net premiums had
increased 42o7 per cent in 1859 TO 7i3s per cent
IN 1855, us WIN be seen from the following tablet
Year: 1869

SUNDAY March 21, 1869.


There is lively apprehension in financial circles


m 10 the course OF the money market for the period
10 the first week In the ensuing month. Ordinarily,
IL would be necessary to calculate only TO the LIST
7 proximo but the experience has been so often re-
peaied OF continued strngency for many days be-
yond the allotted or expected time that engagements
are now made declined with reference TO this fact
Last year the activity OF money continued whole
month while In more recent Instance, in the period
succeeding the last quarterly statement, nearly ten
days ELAPSED before the money was returned 70 tho
hanks and circulation in sufficient quantities
20 reduce the rate or Interest on call loans 10
the usual figure. The extent OF the stringency
which is looked for at the close OF the present
month is vanousy canvassed. Indeed, the subject
has divided the street Into two sets OF thinkers who
until within few days were very evenly divided.
Latterly however, those who predict unusual acti-
witty have suddenly grown into o large majority. as
witnessed in decided "bear" attack upon stocks
on Saturday. Last year the crisis was precpitated
in the middle OF March, when commissions as high
as oneeighth and one-fourth OF one per cent per
day were paid in addition TO the legal rate OF inter-
est and continued with little abatement until the
second week In April Besides the preparation
for the quarterly statement by the banks at that
time the money market was subjected to the
nggravating influences OF the immense "drop"
IN Atlantic MAIL derioraizlng as It did all classes Of
lenders and the litigation between the Erie aud New
York Central rival operators Thus far in the pre-
sent year the activity has not created greater de-
mand than that which could be satisfied by the pay
ment OF coin interest. There is still wide margin
or time within which theimarket may nuctuate to the
extreme Of stringency, and the "bears" shake their
heads and say that such Is its undoubted destiny.
The lst Of April is the great settling day" or the
country, not only for past engagements but for the
contraction or new The thousands Of Industrial
enterprises in New England which have lain ipopera
tive through the winter, the resumption or rather the
full development Of the mining interests OF the Mid
die States. and the great agricultural element ali
require money at this time OF the year. The renux
comes to New York with the middle Of April. lasting
throughout the summer or until the demand comes
from the West and the South for the movement OF
the grain and cotton crops. The condition OF the
banks for the corresponding periods ls6s and 1869
IN a
Year: 1869

On last Saturday, in little country church
near Cincinnati, a humble village parson was
preaching the funeral sermon of an old man
who had lived more than his three score
and ten, and who had finally laid down life's
burden and Joined his fathers. While the
religious exercises were progressing two
young men passed the door of the church
one. young man of twenty five summers,
proposed to 90 in and see whom they were
about to plant" Ito use his own words.)
They entered, and as they did SO the little
congregation were about to take last look
at the still, pale face of the deceased. The
youths Joined the melancholy procession.
They paused moment at the bier, when
the one who had proposed to enter the
church and see whom they were about to
plant " bent down over the coffin and gave
signs of the most poignant grief He wept
bitterly, and refused to leave the coffin.
Some one suggested to him to pass on, when
he said, "This is my father-how came he
here 2" The sequel is soon told. At the
beginning of the war the youth had enlisted
in an Indiana regiment, and had remained
in the service until the last battle. He had
been mustered out, and taken employment
in Maryland, and remained in that State un-
til a few days since, when he started home
to see his aged parent. En- route he had
stopped in the village to visit a comrade
who had gone through the war with him.
The two in taking walk passed the church
in which the funeral services of John, Slay-
ton was proceeding, and by some strange
influence young Slayton had been led to en-


ter the church, when the sight of his fathers
lifeless form gave him the first intimation
that he was fatherless. The elder Slayton
had moved to Ohio during the last few years
of his sons absence, and had, after linger-
ing illness, -Cleceland Herald. % So.
Year: 1869

One of the most remarkable animals of the
Rocky Mountain, is the Rocky Mountain
Rat, the Nootoma cincrea of Beard, also
known as the Neotoma Occidentalis, and
called in oregon the wood rat. A full
grown rat is often nine inches i'll length
from tip of nose to base of tail, while the
tail adds about as much more to its length.
Its hair is soft and gray on the back, and
whiteish on the belly, ears short but broad,
and round tail bushy at the tip. 1t is the
worst thief in the animal creation, not ex-
ceptlng man, for it always steals and does
not stop to consider whether what it steals
is valuable or not. Many strange stories are
told concerning its stealing nails, candles,
&c., and bringing back in return manure,
and all sorts of otfal Its operations often
have the appearance more of having been
the result of desire to be employed than
anything else


On one occasion J. Alden Smith of this
Office, says he had standing in his office in
Clear Creek county, half keg of nails, con-
tanning three sizes, and during single night
these rats took out all the nails and piled
them up on the floor in three piles each size
hy themselves. The same animals, night
after night, brought in heaps of manure
from an out house. But even stranger
trick than this was performed in the house
of DIr. Hale on Tusday night. On going to
bed he placed his false teeth on the bureau


In the morning the teeth were gone, and a
raw potatoe left in their place. After q
long search, and on tearing off the weather
boarding in several places. they were found
in the nest of one of these rats. The rat had
started to carry off the potato, but finding
the teeth, took them and left the potato.
Year: 1869

l was at one time going to the opera in
company with lady; she came and begged
me to walt few minutes as she was not
quite ready. She was magni6cently dressed
in dark crimson velvet, a profusion of
jewels, lace, and marabout feathers. Itook
a seat in the drawing room, next to her cabi-
net de toilet, while she completed her head
dress. Suddenly heard tremendous noise
in the adjoining apartment mistress and
maid were endeavoring to outscold each
other, but as they spoke Polish did not
understand what it was about Presently a
loud crash and the heavy fall of body on
the floor announced that some catastrophe
had happend. Very soon after the lady made
her appearance, smiling with all the politeness
possible, and expressed her regret at having
kept me waiting. l made no remarks Of
course. nor did she allude to the mysterious
fracas that had just taken place, hut l after
ward learned the facts of the case The maid
had not pleased her in her coiffurc. The la
dy scolded; the girl answered impertinently
which so enraged her amiable mistress that
with the chair on which she was sitting
she knock her down with so much violenc,
that two of her front teeth were broken of
in her fall
Year: 1869

FRANK BLAIR ON THE PRESIDENT In a
speech delivered before the National Democra-
tic Club of New York, on Thursday night,
Frank Blair said OF President Grant


He is ambitious and he is fearless, and
although some OF our Democratic friends are
n the habit OF speaking in q very disparaging
way Of him, all have to say is this, that any
body who thinks Gen. Grant is a fool is more
likely to be fool himself. He is man of
stubborn character; he may not be very broad
IN his views he may be narrow anu obstinate
but he is rcsolute and unfiinching-and the
most dangerous man that this country contains
at this hour. He has will that knows no
swerv;ng from any plan that he has entered
upon His courage is most determined and
though he may not have great capacity, or
very great intellect, yet when he has once en-
tered upon the pursuit OF an object, he main
tsns it with inyincible courage and untiring
labor
Year: 1869

True AS STEEL. From day to day an
observer of the conduct of Mr. Owen, of
Benton county, on every measure that
comes before the House, we have never
for one moment found him showing the
slightest disposition TO depart from the
course pointed out by true patriotism
and the faithful discharge Of his duty as
a representative Of the people. Always


in his seat, never shrinking, and ever free
to express himself, no matter how much
in the minority, we have never heard
from him anything that did not have the
true rang Of fearless honesty, scon of
bargain and corruption in every shape,
and an earnest determination to be Just
in all he did and said aud as his full duty
to the fortunate constituency which in
time like this be represented Gostae. /,
Year: 1869

ABsoRBKD-Already this spring Mon
tans has received an addition of &C least fve
hundred to her working population, by the
boats and per overland route, and il 10 a no.
ticeabls fact that but very few of the new
corners are to be seen idling on our streets.
Those who came to the Territory with the in
tention of obtaining employment have nearly
to a man succeeded in obtaining situations;
and this, too, during one of the duIlest
springs and most unfavorable seasons the
country has ever known. The fact of the
matter is that the energy and confidence dis
played by our business men in rebuilding the
city IN a much more substantial manner than
before, and of course at greater expense to
themselves, in the very face OF "hard times"
has given heart and encouragement to min
ing enterprises, and stimulated small capital
lists to Investments that, under other cIrcum-
stances, they would have been 10th to enter
into. The Territory can be justly proud of
her enterprising, go-a-head business talent,
and we feel sure that the confidence and faith
in the resources of Montana now displayed
will lead her devotees to happiness and pros
perity. Il certainly should.


TRAVIS NEW LIVERY STABLE, built
on the old ate on Main, at the foot of Wood
street, will be one of the finest and most COM
modious structures Of the kind in the west.
1t consists of two stories, the front part of
the lower story being fitted up as livery Of
Zee in the center with an elegant store-room
on either side, the stable department and car
Rage house being in the rear. Up stairs will
be nine handsome and commodious rooms.
The proprietors is euinentIy deserving of
the success which will no doubt attend his
Efforts IN adding to the stability and beauty of
Helena. The building is fast approaching
completion and it will not be many days ere
the familiar and "melodious" voice of
"Chsss" will be sounding "going, going,
gone" in front of his old quarters.


DIAGRAM OF THE BURNT DISTRICT
We present below n diagram of the burnt
district, Which was executed by our special
dIagrammntical reporter con the spot:"
Year: 1869

Brick Pomeroy's New York Democrat
is neither appreciated nor sustained and
he is disappointed but spunky. He
writes to his New York manager: "Go
right straight on with the fight in de-
tense of principles. Bankrupt me, il
necessary. ..and when every dollar have
shall be lost, and we can no longer pub
lish a newspaper, thank God we can
shoulder a spade. and earn dollar q
day working on some railroad.
Year: 1869

Bible and his pannkin, cingiug tiptoe to the bars
of ventilator, by the ceiling, and blowing diff
cult cloud through its narrow interstices.


1T is not so easy, however, to convey tobacco to
prisoner 10 as close prison as that Of Holloway.


But it has been attempted. At stated times o
prisoner friend may pay him visit. The inter-
view, however, is hampered to certain restrictions
On either side of passage about FIVE feet in width
is cage of open wire work, and conveniently dis
posed between the cagesare screens, behind which
a warder may be lurking, listening to the conver-
saton that is going on so as to check it at once
should it take vague or improper turn. One day
in the course of innocent discourse between pris
oner and q male friend, the warder's watchful eye
detected feather floating over from one cage to
the other, and arresting it midway, found at the
stem of it length of fine silk, and at the end Of
the thread in the visitors hand nice little plug of
pigtail, for 'chawing. Had the feather settled in
the compartment where the prisoner was, nothing
would be easier than for him to give dexterous
jerk at the silk and land the plug on his own side.
The miscarriage of the neat little plot meant &C.
we're punishment for the would-be-receiver, and a
months hard labor for the obliging supplier; and
the fact of its being about fifty to one against the
trick successfully passing, shows how terrible must
be the penalty of deprivation from tobacco to an
old smoker"
Year: 1869

Mr.. James Greenwood, author OF "A Night in
a Casual Ward" has followed up the success with
which that production met, by continuing his
search among the less familiar scenes of London


life, and relatingh his discoveries for the amusement
or instruction of the public. In an English Pc
riodical We find an article entitled 'Two Hours in
JAIL" in which this author describes the inmates
and the discipline of Holloway prison. From this
we extract few passages illustrating the terrible
hold which the appetite for tobacco obtains on its
votarics, and the craving which compulsory absti-
ncnce from the bewitching weed creates:


"Prisoners will run almost any risk for chew
or Whit of tobacco Itis known that at Portland
the convicts, having obtained, through the agency
of a free aborer in the stone quarries, piece OF
tobacco and pipe, had method Of disposing of
it as ingenious almost as it was disgusting. AS
must be mentioned, smoking was strictly prohibit
ed, very serious penalties being in store for any
one who assisted prisoner to the coveted luxury.
The only time when the perilous delight might be
indulged in, was when in the course of day 8
work sudden shower came on, and the convicts,
knocking off, for the time, huddled in shed out
of the rain. Then the envied shareholders in a
fourth of quarter Of an ounce of cavendish sat
in a circle, the first of whom had pipe, and
straw in his mouth, the further end Of which
the second man sucked at, and so on till the num-
Der was complete. The pipe alight, the buck


took a draught Of smoke through it at the corner
of his mouth, enjoyed it for moment, and then
blew it through the straw at the other corner OF
the mouth into that of his next neighbor, andso it
passed through, the last man having the envied
privilege of swallowing the mouthful in considera-
ton of his being at SO great loss in consequence
of the deterioration in the flavor in the course Of
its transit. At the House of Detention the friends
of prisoners have conveyed them a pipe, pipe
light and tobacco in the interior Of loaf, on one
occasion segar and lucifer match were found
neatly wrapped together in the interior of roast
fowl and the desperate smoker has been discov-
cred atop of platform consisting of his table, his
Year: 1869

The great aim of the mass of'mankind is to get
money enough ahead to make them comfortable" :"
and vet moment reflection will convince us that
money will never purchase "comfort," only the
means of it. A man may be comfortable" with
out dollar; but to be so, he must have the RI ght
disposition, that is, heart and head in the right
place. There are some persons who are lively and
cheerful, and good-natured, kind, and forbearlng
in state of poverty which leans upon the toll OF
to-day for to.nights supper and the morning.
breakfast. Such a disposition would exhibit the
same loving qualities in palace or on throne.


Every day We meet with persons who in their
families are cross, ill-natured dissatisfied, finding
fault with everybody and everything-whose first
greeting in the breakfast-room is complaint


whose conversation seldom fails to end in an enum.
Grafton of difficulties and hardships, whose last
word at night is an angry growl. II you can get
such persons to reason on the subject, they will
acknowledge there is some want at the bottom
ofit-the "want" of better house, finer dress,
more handsome equipage, more dutlful child,
more provident husband, more cleanly, or sys-
tematic, or domestic wife. At one time it Is
sswretched cook" which stands between them and
the sun; or lazy house servant, or an imperti-
nept carriage driver. The want" Of more money
than Providence has thought proper to bestow,
will be found to embrace all these things. Such
persons may feel assured that people ,oho can not
make themselves really comfortable IN any one set
of ordinary circumstances, would not be so under
ann other. A man who has canker eating out
his heart will carry it with him wherever he goes
and if it be spiritual cauker, whether envy,
habitual discomfort, unbridled illnature, it would
90 with the gold, and rust out all its brightness


Whatever man is to-day with last dollar, he
will be radically, essentially, tomorrow with mil
lion, unless the heart is changed. Stop, reader
that is not the whole truth, for the whole truth
has something terrible in it. Whatever Of an un.
desirable disposition man has to-day, without
money, he will have tomorrow to an exaggerated
extent, unless the heart be changed; the miser
will become more misery; the drunkard, more
drunken; the debauchee, more debauched; the
fretful, still more complaining. Hence the strik.
ing wisdom Of the Scripture injunction that all