smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

At the approaching November election, the


voters of Kansas will be called upon to select


a o ornament seat for the State Capital. In


doing so, the objects most important are: To


choose such point as will be most easily Of


access to the largest number of our citizens,


and as near the centre of our State and popu


lation as possible. The people of Western


Kansas are, perhaps. more deeply interested


in this question than the majority are aware


Of That the seat Of government for a num-


Der Of years at least must remain east of the


Pottawattomie Reserve is fixed fact. That


the first railroad built in Kansas will star,
from some point on the river, and terminate
for a time at the capital, is equally true !;


therefore, our object should be to bring the
termiHus of that road as near our own doors as
possible. This should exert strong influence
upon our action.


We know of but two points, now in the
field, that are likely to succeed, Topeka and
Lawrence. Much may be said in favor Of the
latter, but, that its interest are not identical
with this section of the State can be seen at a
glance, and that its citizens have never shown
disposition to make them so. is proven by
their past history. In fact, it is not natural
they should, and they never will. Topeka,
however, has interests with which we are
united. Its position is located exactly upon
our line of travel to and from the Missouri


river. Though situated On the south side of
the kaw, it must look for its success, as a


business place, and its prosperity as city,
to the West and North Of the river. They have


not got the agricultural country On the south


side that viii ever support them. For this


reason, they are now, and have been for a
long time past, exerting their influence in
favor of this section of our State.


We like Lawrence, personally. For the
past year we have been temporarily located
there, and we believe it to be smart, thriv-
ing town, and Likely to become an important
point; but no matter how far she may advance
toward greatness, this section of our State will
receive no benefit from it.


We shall continue our remarks upon this
important subject, lat least to Western Kansas,
in future numbers, and shall show that aside


from the great advantage derived from our


proximity to railroad, We still should sustain
Topeka.
Year: 1861

We present to-day to the public The first
number of The Smoky HILL AND REPUBLICAN
UNION.


In this, our inaugural, we. do not intend to
enter into any elaborate exposition of the
tration. We have already, in our prospectus,
briefly set forth the leading objects which
have induced US to commence the publication
of the paper-namely, the maintenance of the
Government, and the development of the nat
ursl capabilities of the Western Kansas Val-
lies.


We love the Republican Government estab-
lished by WASHINGTON, and his illustrious
compeers; and we believe its maintenance
against all foes to be the most sacred of all
earthly duties. We shall therefore do what we
can to uphold it-speaking of open and secret
enemies as they deserve to be spoken of. In
doing so, We intend to call things by their
right names, and to invoke against traitors of
oil degrees, the scorn and execration of all
honest and patriotic men.


In thus supporting the Government we do
not propose to be governed by any narrow
partizan views. We have confidence that the
present administrators of the Government are
actuated by proper patriotic motives, and that
they are every way competent to the successful
management of the difficulties which the ext
gencies Of the times have devolved upon them ;
but if it shall be demonstrated, after a fair
trial, that such is not the case, we shall be
among those who viii insist that men who are
competent shall be put in their places. So
much for Governmental matters.


In local matters, We do not propose to be
governed by any mere town or county consid-
crations. An idea prevails extensively that
Central and Western Kansas is a desert and
hoxling waste-almost uniphabitable By white
men, Without stopping, at this time, to in.
quire who are the authors of this absurd
aspersion of the most beautiful and fertile
vallies of the continent. we shall labor assid-
uously to correct the falsehood, and to invite
settlers to the now unoccupied lands Of the
Smoky Hill, Republican, Saline, solomon, tn e
Blues, Vermilion, Neosho, verdigris, and their
thousand tributaries. The lands drained by
the streams named, are capable Of supporting
. population more dense than that of Massa-
ehasetts, and upon their speedy occupancy
by an industrious agricultural people, depends,
in large measure, the future growth of the
State, and the prosperity Of those of US now
here


We ask our frontier friends, who agree with
us in the objects which We seek to promote
TO aid in extending the circulation of the
UNION, not only among our own people, bu,
among the people of the East, from whom We
hope 10 attract emigration.
Year: 1861

We learn that Major Vessel, now COM
handing at Fort Riley, has been appointed
Colonel of the Home Guard Regiment, by
Gov. Robinson. We believe this to be a
most excellent appointment, and one which
the Major was well deserving; and though
we regret to lose so valuable an officer from
the Fort, we are content to know that In
his new position he will be of much more
real benefit to our young State.
Year: 1861

Eastern Tennessee follows the example OF
Western Virginia The tyranny Of traitors has
become too intoIerable to be borne any longer
and the Union Convention at Greenvilie on the
l7,h Of June took the intiatory steps to make q
new State out Of the Eastern section Of the old
one. The division, Like that in Virginia, is be-
tween Union men and Secessionsts-a division
essentially the same as that between the North
and the South Of shareholders and non n-slayehOld-
era. Eastern Tennessee and Western Virginia
ore faithful to the Union because they hold COM
parativey few slaves, while the rest Of the two
States, go far as they act with the traitors, do
50 because they believe that treason and the in.
terests Of Slavery are identical.


We publish elsewhere the Declaration OF
Grievances and the Resolutions adopted by the
Greenvle Convention. The Declaration is a
document Of great ability, and, as a statement
OF facts and Of reasons, presents q most formid-
able Indictment, not only az regards East
Tennessee, but as regards the whole Union OF
the traitors who have committed 80 many and
such formidable crimes against the cause of good
government. 1t is one of those papers that be.
come historical and will be referred to, in
future times, as q lucid exposition of the want
even Of any palliation for the crimes Of the
South in initiating such war as We are now
engaged in, and Of the tyranny and outrages To
which loyal men in the Southern States have
been subjected for their allegiance to the Union.


The reading Of these papers compels us to
consider anew the prOpriety Of protecting those
loyal people of the Southern States, at least
where they are strong enough to make such
demonstrations as these in evidence of the exist
ence Of such party among them. 1t is such
compact communities still faithful to the Union,
large enough for independent States in the very
heart OF The slavehoding country, that are the
best guaranty for the continuance Of the Federal
Government. The North is, as il were, under
bonds to humanity not to abandon them TO be
coerced into submission by their despotc neigh
bors, or else TO be eventually oyerrun and ruined
by the spread of Slavery; or, if that is impossi-
bic, to be abandoned to the misfortune Of
scalty population too isolated from free people
to be industrious, and too ignorant, therefore, to
assert the superiority and possess the advantages Of
Zee Institutions Should the shareholders como OF
victorious in the present struggle, and subjugate
tho North, or separate from it atogether-and
they mean 10 do one or the otber-it is these
oases in the desert, these free communities such
as exist in the interior Of all the middle Slave
States, that will be earliest brought into Eubjec-
tion. The evaporation felt at their resistance
Year: 1861

to what is assumed 10 be their cause, and the
interest of their section will expose them to the
most severe punishment and the necessity OF
enforcing acquiescence when unaumity Ia want
ing. will make that punishment effective. Ii is
Of the utmost Importance, therefore, that essen
tial protection should be extended to these peo-
pie. where they have made Roadway enough
against treason TO chow that they desire it, both
for their own sake aud for the sake Of the
Union.


We shall not undertake to give Gen. Scott q
lesson in strategy. nor pretend TO understand his
plan Of the campaign. But We may venture to
say that we should be glad to see some forward
movement which, were we q resident of Eastern
Tennessee or Western Kentucky, would hold out
to us hope Of succor from the horrible cruel
ties to which the people in that section are eK-
posed. We would rather be assured that
Western Generals were 90 energetic in making
preparations to advance for the protection Of
loyal Union men in Kentucky and Tennessee,
that they had no time TO listen even to PROPOSE
tlons of negotiation with Western Governors as
to whether Federal troops should enter either
of those States. 1t is certainly poor en-
coursgement 10 the men Of the extreme
Southern States to preserve their integrity to see
that those further North, and more within reach,
receive so little aid from the Government And
when we receive, as we do daily. accounts OF
the destruction OF property, Of men, women,
and children barely escaping from their homes
with their lives. Of frequent murders, and Of oil
the worst outrages that attend condition ol
actual hostties, it is difficult to persuade our
selves that it might not be wise even to suffer
some military reverse, should that be necessary
for the sake of encouraging these people, and
stirring them up to renewed drmODst ations o.
loyalty by attempting to afford them some little
protection. We still hope that the time rnay
come when such steps may be thought to b.
prudent as well as wise.
Year: 1861

CoMMoDoRE WV. d. PoRrER.-We copied recently
from The Ckarie,ton Courier, which took from The
Norfolk Day-BOOk, letter purporiing to come from
VIM. D. Porter, jr., lieutenant in the Confederate
army incosing another letter purporng to come from
Commodore Porter Of the ship ST. Louis Pacific Squad
ron, cordially indorsng young Porter for taking arms
for the Souih and promising that he the COMMODORE


would soon be home and devote the remainder of his
life to the cause Of JEFF Davis. All this is, beyond
doubt forgery; certainly 80 far as the Commodore Is
concerned. In TIE TRIBUNE Of Feb. Is, we printed
nobly patriotic letter written BY him in to the
tressonabe appeal Of Lieut.. late Lieut.. Hamil-
tom II is NOT possible that CON- Porter would change
in six weeks from patriot to traitor If he should is
credible that he would proclaim his own infamy IN
the manner set forth in the alleged letter. And be-
Sides we have seen letter from young Porter written
in Washington long after the date of that from bis Ia


ther and at that time he not in the Secession serv


ice nor was il supposed that he had any intonon Of
sspousng their cause. We must have better evidence
before we doubt the loyalty Of Com. Wn ID. Porter.
Year: 1861

1t is a sad necessity to be forced into daily
contact and collision with those whom no thought
Of veracity or integrity, no regard for fairness or
honor, no sense of propriey or decency, restrains
from rssorting to any misrepresentation or mis-
statement which can serve to damage rival or
carry point. And yet We are thus compelled to
meet The Ne,c- York Herald. Please look care
fully at this expose
Year: 1861

The New CoMEr.-An exchange says !:
The comet may be readily seen by means
Of night glass Of two and half inch
aperture, at about IS degrees altitude, in
the Northeast, at 3 o'clock, making an apex
an equiateral triangle, at the cxtremities
Of whose base are two bright stars pointed
to by the two brightest stars in the little
bear and just below them. An object glass
Of five inch aperture brings out the nucleus
surrounded by coma or hair, but developes
no tail The astronomers at Cambridge
will soon inform US whether it is new
comet or the return Of an old old one. The
Goth asteroid is within couple of degrees
Of the second bright star above Spica in the
direction OF the ecliptic, but inasmuch as it
is Of the thirteenth magnitude, and among
many small stars, it would be difficult
task, even now, for an ordinary observer to
detect it and could not be seen with an
object glass of less aperture than five
inches
Year: 1861

w" In the first place." said Pat, 81
hit him an internal wallop on the side of
the head, which missed him; then give
him another with t'other hand in the same
spot precisely; and lastly let me fut follow
my fists, aud be me sowl, while was do.
ing it. the ugly baste buttcd me clane across
the street into the canal. Och, but for that
blow how would have whalcd the ugly
devil"
Year: 1861

FLORIDA RAISING TIE VINO. -FloridS
has just sold half million of acres of land
to some New Orleans spectators at too
cents an acre. Considering the millions Of
dollars she has cost the United States while
she was in the Union, ten millions mile
will not enable her to keep very large ar,
my upon war footing.
Year: 1861

To MAKE CREAM FRlrTERs. a pint
and ha'f Of wheat -four with a pint Of
milk; beat six eggs to a froth, and stir them
into the -four; CRATE in halfa nutmeg, and
add a pint Of sweet cream and two tea
spoonfuls Of salt. Stir just long enough to
mix the cream well in, and then fry the
batter in small cakes.
Year: 1861

To CLEAN TAINTED BARELs-The best
method for cleaning tainted barrels, is to
put one peck Of charcoal and one teacup Of
salel a,us into each barrel, fill them up with
boiling water. cover tight and let them
stand until cold.
Year: 1861

DIsCOvERY 0FZl>C. Last week gentle
man handed us specimen of what he con-
scderrd silver ore, from the neigbborhO, d
of Mono. To the inexperienced the spec.
men certainly did look like argeniferous
galena, but upon testing We found it to be
rich SPEC men of zinc We are informed
that there are immense quantities Of this
rare mine' al in the vicinity of Mono, Tn-
lare and Fresno countless COLUMBIA Times
Year: 1861

RATHER CARELEss.-The Stockton Repub-
lican relates the following A young man who
resides near town, was out day or two since
shooting squirrels. lie fred the contents oi
his gun at one, and did not kill it. While try
ing to finish the job with the butt of his gun
the other barrel went off, and the contents
lodged in his left arm, inficting a severe though
not dangerously wound.
Year: 1861

The Boston banks have promptly placed to
the credit of the Government their share of the
second national loan of fifty millions. This
share is ten millions which they hold them
selves in readiness to pay at call.
Year: 1861




A Washington dispatch gives the follow
ing particulars of the assault upon Repre-
Sghtative Van Wyck


A most cowardls ard brutal assault was
made, aboGt halfpast III o'clock on the
night Of the 21st, on Hon. Van Wyck MEM
Der of Congress front the West Point dis
trict, n. Y, by, three ruffians. Mr.. Van
Wyck had just left the residence of Sena.
tor King, on Capital Hill, and was passing
down by the north wing Of the capital to his
lodgings when man came up behind him,
and struck him with bowie knife 10 the
breast over the heart. The knife penetra.
ted the outside and inside coats, passing
through folded copy Of the Globe, and
then nearly through a thick memorandum
book, both of witch we're in the breast
pocket Of his frock coat not quite reaeliiog
the skin.


Mr. Van Wyck struck the man a blow
under the jaw which staggered him, when
the SECOND rnflian struck a blow at Mr..
Van Wyck with bowie knife, which the
latter caught in his left hand, making d
terrible cash across the palm. At the
the same time Mr. Van Wyck knocked the
fellow down with his right, and INSTANTLY
drew a revolver and shot the irst ruffian,
who dropped and was caught by his friends


The third rnfiln Knocked Mr.. v. down
with his fist This blow; together with
the effect Of tile one he first received; aud
especially from the profuse bleeding of his
hand; weakened hiui very much, aud OBJ
serving that the ruifians we're making haste
to escape with their wounded companion,
who appeared to him quite helpless, he sank
himself almost exhausted upon the sidewalk,
and did not fire again. But as soon as he
gathered sufficient strength he made his
way to his hotel, which he did not reach
till after twelve this morning He said
very little about the affair, except to one
or two confidential friends, Dr.. Lee OF the
! House who dressed his wound, and to the
police in the hope that the parties might
be discovered but up to tonight no trace
of theft whereabouts has been ascertained.
Mr.. Van Wyck is quite nervous this
eTeuing and is suffering considerable pain
from the wound in his hand, but is ia no
serious danger.


Mr.. Van Wyck cannot account for this
attack upon Him, unless it has grown out
Of his speech at the last session. which cred.
ted so much excitement and discussion be-
canse of his severity against the system Of
slavery, wherein he cited instances Of slave
burning. For some lime after its delivery
he received letters threatening his life
Outside Of this be has no knowledge of
having created the enmiiy of any human
being. lie is man who never visits gam
bling or drinking saloons, and while he is d
resolute man when assailed, ia his daily
walk be is very quiet and gentlemanIy


The affair having become known tonight
credtes intense feeling, especially in Con-
gressional circles.
Year: 1861




FROM ONE OF HER sIsrkRs
Sister Carrie. my dear,


am sorry to hear,
That you are intending to leave US;
They say it's fact


That your trunk is ell packd,
And you hope by such conduct to grieve US
You've always been naughty,
And wilful aud haaghty,
Like spoiled minx as you are
So vain Of your beauty,
ForgetfHi Of duty
You owe 70 indulgedt papa.
am sure you can't say
That you've not had your way
In each of our family brOils;


While vow aud declare
You've had your full share
In each of the national spoils.
Just wait for a season


And listen TO reason.
Nor believe what your false lovers say
For their prayers and their sighs
And their fattering lies
viii lead you to ruin some day.
Though they promise so fair.
Gay deceivers they are,
From the one whom last night you kiss'd,
To Hammond and Rhett,


And ChivalrOus KeiI,
Orr, Memminger, Pieksns and Gisi.
Some day, all forlorn,


Bedraggled and torn,
Like the prodigal son 10 his need,
You will knock at the door,
And cone home once more,
Nor venture again to secede.


Nov be warned OF your fate
Before its too late
Like dear little innocent lamb,
Come out Of your pet,


And do not forget
All the kindness of good Uncle Sam.
The Palmetto tree


No shelter will be,
When the dark clouds Of anarchy lower
You will long for the rest


OF your own eagles nest,
And the strong arm Of Federal power.
Then, dear little Sis,


Now give me kiss
To make up these family jars,


Secession shall never


Our Union disseyer 1T
Hurrah for the Stripes and Stars
Year: 1861

terfered, and called the proceeding an out
rage on all justice, aud unheard of before
In court toom But the Judge command.
ed order, and then said TO ME-. Carman,


The Conrt offers you the oniy wav of
reparation in its power Your oath will
scatter the allegation Of a criminal to the
winds. Will you swear p


Mr.. Carman turned with a, distressed
look toward his COUNSEL while James kent
his eye fixed upon him. There was brief
conference and the lawyer said.


The proceeding is irregular, and have
advised my client to make no response. At
the same time he protests against all this
as aD outrage upon the rights of citizen.


The judges bowed, aud Mr. Carman with
drew. After brief conference with hi,
associates, the presiding judge said address
ing the criminal;


In consideration Of your youth, and thu
temption to which, in tender years, you
were unhappily subjected, the Court gives
you its lghtest sentence, one years impris
onment. At the same time, in pronounc
ing this sentence, let me solemnly war;
you against any further steps in the way yor
have taken. Crime can have no valid ex
cuse. 1t is evil in the sight Of G cd and man
aud leads only to suffering. When you come
forth again from your brief incarceration,
may it be with a resolution to die rather
than to commit crime 7


And the curtain fell On that sad scene in
the boys life. When it lifted again, and
he came forth from prision year afterwards,
his mother was dead. From the day her
pale face faded from his vision, rs he passed
from the court room, he never looked upon
her again.


Ten years afterwards a man sat reading
a newspaper, in a fur western town. H.
had calm, serious, face, and looked like
one who had known suffering and trial


Brought to justice at last = he said tc
himself, as the blood came into his face
Convicted of frandent insolvency, and sent
to States Prison So much for the man who
gave me in tender years the first lessons in
wrong doing ! Too well, alas | did re-
member his words. But, thank God, other
words have been remembered When you
come forth again. said the judge, may it he
with the resolution to die rather than COM
NIT crime ! and have kept this injune-
tion in my heart when there seemed no way
of escepe except through crime; and God
helping me | will keep it to the end =
Year: 1861

lations, when sowing grass seed, for q great
many seed that vegetate and get destroyed, and
for many that get buried so deep that they
never vegetate. and also for great many that
never can grow, because too many fell in one
place. But after having made observations
and experiments on this subject for more than
twenty years, have come deliberately to the
conclusion, that if the soil were in good con-
dition-mellow, free from Jumps, and moder-
ately rich-two quarts of seed, evenly sowed
on one acre, would produce just as much grass
for hay as would grow from sixteen quarts. I
have sewed two quarts per acre, and four quarts,
and thirty quarts, and several other different
quantities; and on good soil no difference could
be seen in the amount of hay. For pasturs
thick seeding is much better, as it forms
tougher sod than is produced by thin seeding
which it is very desirable to have, especially
for heavy an imals. My rule was at one time
twelve quarts of timothy per acre, and four
quarts-Or about eight lbs.-of clover seed
mingled with it. But, as the fertility Of my
soil improved from year to year, diminished
the quantity to three quarts Of each, per acre;
and 1 was we'll satisfied with the result and
feel satisfied that no more hay or grass would
have been produced, had there been double the
amount of seed sowed on an acre.


NARROWING AND BUsHING IN GRASS SEED.


Experiments in burying small seeds like
grass seed have proved coHclusively, that not
one seed in thousand, that is buried two inches
deep, ever comes up. 1t cannot get up, be-
cause, before the spreut reaches the surface of
the ground, the substance Of which the seed is
composed, is all exhausted; and 1t dies, some
times just as it is ready to appear at the sur
face.


Now, if grass seed is narrowed in, or bushed
in with a team, there will be q great amount
oft covered so deep, by the feet of the animals,
and by the harrow, that it never comes up. If
the soil is very mellow, most Of the seed, where
the team steps, will be buried three and four
inches below the surface.


have never allowed harrow, bush, nor
roller, to be passed over a field after grass seed
has been sowed. IF the soil were not mellow
and fine at the surface, it was rolled after har-
rowing, and the grass seed sowed last of all;
and have never seen the time when l have
ever thought that perhaps it would have been
better to have harrO wed in the seed; for am
sure moro grass will grow when it is not har-
rowed in, than there will to harrow after
sowing: See how to SOW grass seed in the
Young Farmers Manual, page 356.


S. EDWARDS Tom