smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

To the Editors cf the Cincinnati Enquirer.


During the Administration OF GeHeral
jackson as President OF the United
States, it will be remembered that on one
Sunday, while passing out from the east
front Of the Capitol where he had been in
attendance at the funeral of member of
Congress, an insane individual, standing
within few feet of the old hero, snapped
a pistol at him, and was instantly ar
rested. The news spread like wild-fre
over every portion OF the United States,
and various were the comments made BY
all parties upon the fortunately unsuc-
cessiul attempt upon the life of the head
of the Nation. Among others which the
writer Of this heard was the remarks
made in a country postoftice when the
news arrived, and the political friends Of
General Jackson wera rejoicing in the
escape of the head of their party, and at
tributing his safety to the Intervention of
Divine Providence. providence Hill
bIurted out little Old Line Whig, and q
violent opponent of Old Hickory and the
Democratic party, Providence had
nothing at oil to do with it; it was only
an obstruction of the tube, and the fire
wouldn't communicates.


Although subsequent Investigation
proved, beyond all doubt or cavil, that
this attempt was but the mad freak of an
insane individual, who was afterward
properly cared for, yet the subject of it
copld never be convinced that he had
not been employed by some party to as
sassinate him, and did not hesitate to
avow openly that Senator Poindexter,
of Mississippi, lifelong opponent, who
never lost an opportunity to assail the
President and his policy in his place in
the Senate, had employed this man to
take his life. So bitter was he in his de-
nunciations OF Governor Poindexter,
a professed duelist, who had killed his
man, and Who, in his own State, on ac-
count of bis acrimonious sharpness,
universally vent by the name Of the
devils darning needle" that the occu-
pant of the White House declared his an
cient enemy never should pass him on
the street. The old man, sometime after
ward, related to friend that on one oe-
casion, as he was taking his accustomed
early morning promenade, on the side
walR In front of the Presidential man
sion, he espied the Mississippi Senator
approaching from the opposite direction,
on the same side OF the street; but ba-
fore coming anywhere near he crossed
over to the opposite side Of the avenue.
-" You know" said the old man to his
friend, his eye flashing as hc spoke,
Year: 1869

"that the sidewalk ia very wide in front
Of the Presidents house, but he never


could have passed me"


The famous street fight in Nashville,


Tennessee, in the early history of that


State, in which General Jackson and


Colonel Cofee-an officer who served


under him in the Seminole war-on the


one side, and Colonel Thomas II. Benton


and his brother Jesse, on the other, took


part, is familiar to all acquainted with


the public events of that time. In this


melee the only serious damage done any
of the party was the lodging Of pistol
bullet in the arm of General Jackson by
Colonel Benton. Although the difficulty
was healed through the Intervention Of
friends, and the latter was ever afterward
the warm personal friend and most ardent
political supporter of the General, yet
the bullet remained in the arm of the lat
ter until it was extracted during the term
Of his Presidency by DIR. johnson, the
famous Philadelphia surgeon.


During the latter part of his term of
Office, General jackson was subject to
severe and debilitating attacks of hemor-
rhage of the lungs, during which be was
attended by DIR. Lewis Field Linn, then
the cotemporaryRf Colonel Benton in the
United States Senate, from Missouri. On
one of these visits the doctor was accom-
panied by his colleague, and during the
interview, being the intimate friend of
the parties, the former sought to draw
forth from the two the correct version of
the famous Nashville street rencounter.
General, you tell it." said Old Bullion.
mo, Benton, you tell it," was the quick
response Of Old Hctory and the Doctor,
who related the incident, stated that the
first thing he knew these old men, who
sought in the hot blood of youth and man
hood to take each others lives, were sob
bing together like two children.


A friend of the writer, an artist who
painted one of the last, if not the last
portrait of General Jackson ever exc
cuted, which was for Democratic club
of Cincinnati, furnished him with the
following "reminiscences of the convesa-
tions held with the old hero at this time.
AS the old man was prone to become
drowsy and unconsciously drop into a
dczs during the protrscted sittings,
which were all held at the Hermitage, it
was the custom of the artist to engage
him in conversation ia order to rouse
him.
Year: 1869

To BURY friend in winter is kind of
trial that connects strange inward emo
tions Of feelings which II is difficult to mas
ter. We have cleared away the snow, and
hewn a passage down through the solid
pavement of the frost, and then in that
inhospitable place we come TO bury our
departed be it child, or wife, or mother,
OF much loved friend, our heart shudders
in conVulsive chill at the forlorn last
offices we are come TO perform. While
our feeling is protesting, the solemnity,
so called, goes on, and before we have
gotten our own consent the "ribute of
respect is ended. The frozen chips of
earth, loosened again by blows, are piled
on the loved ones rest, and we turn TO
60. "Will it storm tonight The wind,
alas is bowling even now in the trees,
and the sleeting has already begun. 0
God, it shall not be We were going To
be fools, we see, but now the spell is
broken. Our departed is not in that grave
and we scorn TO say our farewell over ii,
Lot the SHOWS fall heavy, If they will, and
the winds rage pitiless and wild above
ours it shall be to thank thee, Father, Lord
OF the warmer cline, that our dead one
lives with thee" Practically, almost
nothing win more surely compel faith in
immortality, even if one chances 10 bC
unbelieVing, than to bury friend In win
ter And, as matter of fact, 1t is not il
the fresh, unburstlng life of the spring, ol
In any other softer season of the year
that we think Of immortality with half thu
tension that we do ut winter funerals. W.
ask it instinctively, as we do a fire fol
the cold.-Dr. BuShRGL
Year: 1869

for | carry within my heart an aching
fever, which no prosperity can allay or re-
move. The objects which have cheered
me can cheer me no more. | stand alone
in this wilderness world, mourner aud a
pilgrim. My visions are of my wife and
child my day dreams are of them but
must suffer, as you see, until | meet them
in that better country where the sun de-
soends not, and darkness Is unknown
where the wicked cease from troubling,
and where the weary arc at rest can
forget my child, for her existence seems
to me like misty trance, in the fond as
surance that the sparkling dewdrop has
exhaled in heaven but for the cherished
rose that sustained II, cease not to grieve,
Alas for the wife of my bosomp


With the last words the snake. eaters
voice failed, his body was convulsed, until
food of tears relieved him He would
hear no sympathetic words from his
friend, but parted with him thus
You alone have my secret. In few
months more my body must be consigned
be consigned to the earth on the sacred
spot where my wife and child were mur
dered You shall be one Of the execution
of my will, and beseech you faithfully I,
carry out my Instructions"


The snake-eater was right; few
months after this interview he died; an,
now, in the very centre of populou
town, on the banks of the Mississippi, ma


be seen tombstone recording the event
which occurred on that spot, ana the hop
of the departed husband that he shoul
meet his wife and child in heaven.
Year: 1869

Tabbs Gross, a negro of Little
Rock, Arkansas, in a recent ad-
dress to the people of his race,
in that State, thus shows up some
of the prominent features OF the
Radical party, in which he takes
occasion to give the carpet-bag-
ger a passing notice. Let those
of our Tennessee negroes who
can read, ponder and reflect and
communicate to the rest of their
race the truths herein stated:


"The historian will find it diff
cult to record it, that there are
white black men or black white
men. But let us beware of the
black white man." + = =


eve must be very
careful to vote for men who are
themselves interested in the true
interests of the county. Only
think of man in the Legisla-
ture voting to tax our homes and
our labor to pay himself very high
pay, when he himself has no
home or property to tax! What
do you think about that kind of
thing? Does it suit us or our
race? believe there are many
of the old citizens who would
prefer an honest black man to fill
an office rather than vote for o
man who comes among us only to
speculate upon our credulity. Do
not allow these travelling spec
ulators to drop into a county
where our race are in the MAORI
ty, and run for Office, or to serve
as our legislators, and when the
Legislature adjourns have no
home, no resting place, and with
a dirty shirt in the crown of their
hats, are of, and are ready for an
other place, or for anything that
may turn up"
Year: 1869

The Hon. A. H. Stephens, Of
Georgia, in a recent address, at g
meeting in Alexandria, for the ben
eft of the orphan asylum and
free school of that city, related
the following anecdote


ga poor little boy on a cold
night, with no home or root to
shelter his head, no paternal or ma
ternal guardian or guide to protect
or direct him in his way, reached
at night-fall the home of q wealthy
planter, who took him in, fed and
lodged him, and sent him on his
way with his blessing. These
kind attentions cheered his heart
and inspired him with fresh cour-
age to battle with the obstacles of
life. Years rolled on; Providence
led him on, and he reached the
legal profession his host had died;
the cormorants that 'prey on the
substance of man had formed a
conspiracy to get from the widow
her estate. She sent for the near
est counsel to commit her cause TO
him, and that counsel proved to
be the orphan long before vel
coined and entertained by her de-
ceased husband. The stimulus of
a warm and tenacious gratitude
was now added to the ordinary
motive connected with the profes.
sion. He undertook her case with
0 will not easy to be resisted he
gained it; the widows estate was
secured to her in perpetuity )" and
Mr.. Stephens added, with an en-
phasis of emotion that sent an E.
lectric thrill throughout the house,
"that boy stands before you"
Year: 1869

The Howard Tribune finds time
for the following sensible article


Whenever you find a professed
Christian who believes that he is
the embodiment of the law and
gospel, whenever you find a man
who knows so well he is right that
he will quarrel with and denounce
all who disagree with him when
ever you find a person who cares
more for disputation about points
differently understood than he
does for acting his religion; when.
ever you find pompous Christian,
one who impudently declares him.
self right with no charity to 9TH
ers; whether he be Methodist,
Congregationalist, Baptist, or Pres.
byterian, you can rely on it that
you have got your eye on a man
who IS the perfect image of the
Pharlsees who lived in the DAYS
of Christ"
Year: 1869

The loyal and Radical Circle
vile CO., Union is slightly dissat-
isfed with the way things are
working. It says:


"We believe in public men who
have been elevated to Office re-
membering those who assisted
them in their elevation. We
think it we'll for President Grant,
now that he is safely in the White
House, not to be unmindful of
his friends who have placed him
there. We have no objection to
his rewarding WaShburne and
Rawlins as they deserve no objec-
ton to his providing his paternal
ancestor with a good fat place; nc
objection in particular to his Civ
ing to all his brothers and broth
ers-in-law lucrative Offices. But
when he shows disposition to
hunt up all his wife's cousins, from
the first up to the forty-second.
we think he is going a little toe
far, and would suggest that the
tenure-of-office act be put in force
to restrain him. Too many of
one family, even though the name
be Grant, are not desirable"
Year: 1869

If you cannot on the ocean


Sail among the swiftest fleet,
Rocking on the highest billows,


Laughing at the storms you meet
You can stand among the sailors,


Anchored yet within the bay;
You can lend hand to help them


As they launch their boats away.
If you are too weak to journey


Up the mountains, steep and high,
You can stand down in the valley
While the multitudes go by;
You can chant in happy measures
AS they slowly pass along;
Though they may forget the singer,
They will not forget the song.
If you have not gold and silver


Ever ready to command,
If you cannot toward the needy


Reach an ever open hand,
You can visit the afflicted,


O'er the erring you can weep;
You can be true disciple,


Sitting at the Saviour's feet.
If you cannot in the conflict


Prove yourself asoldier, too,
If where fire and smoke are thickest,
There's no work for you to do;
When the battlefield is silent,


You can 60 with silent tread;
Yeu can bear away the wounded;
You can cover up the dead.
Do not, then, stand idly waiting
For some greater work to do;
Fortune is lazy goddess,


She will never come to you;
Go and toll in any vineyard,


Do not fear to do and dare
If you want field of labor,


You can find it ANYWHERE.
Year: 1869

A Mormon lady lately got a
forty.eighth part of a divorce
(that being her share of the wife
arrangement from a dilapidated
old Salt Lake polygamist, and
married a Gentle named McDon-
nell, at Corrine, Utah. She left
the City of the Saints before ask
ing the divorce.
Year: 1869

The New York Tribune makes
the grievous complaint that "some
forty freedmen's schools have been
closed in Maryland because the
teachers could not find homes
with white people" Could not
they carry their ideas OF social
equality SO far as to take board
with the negroes, or are they SO
deeply imbued with the prejudice
of caste that they would rather
leave the poor African uninstruc-
ted than to consort with him?-
Our Radical friends should be con-
Sistent on this subject.
Year: 1869

Not many days ago large Nor
way rat attacked a brood OF chick
ems in Barnsville, Ohio. The
mother hen at once came to their
rescue, and fought SO gallantly
that she killed the rat IN a few
moments. She managed to seize
him with her claws, and holding
him down pecked at his head un,
til he gave up the ghost.
Year: 1869

During the past winter not a
fake of snow fell in Portland, Or
egon. Only three or four nights
did ice form, and then only of the
thickness of window glass. Sow
ing and planting was going on all
winter.
Year: 1869

w The 5,h Resolution of the Rspnb.
lican County Convention is bit Of ham
bng that is being largely INDUCED in.
The Constitution of the State forbids the
submission Of more than three amend
ments to the instrument at one time; and
an amendment changing to biennial sss-
sions would render necessary at least Eve
amendments at the same time, or things
would be thrown into perfect middle.
But aside from this. biennisl sessions are
no aids to economy 10 the least. as has
been proven by the experience of States
that have adopted the system. II any
thing, they result in greater expense than
annual sessions.
Year: 1869

"a The Election, Next Tuesday.


At this time, in Doniphsn County,
there is no particular necessity to urge
the people to go to the polls and save the
country. There is but one ticket in the
Geld. with independent candidates for
two or thrss Of the offices. and the can
vsss 10 devoid of all bitterness and bad
issling. Still, the election is important;
% the interests Of the County, for the
sext two years. win be in the hands Of
the men elected on next Tuesday. II
therefore becomes the duty of every voter
to go to the polls. and cast his vote for
tbs men whom be believes to be the best
ssd most trustworthy.


The Republican County Convention
hes put set Of candidates in nomination,
some Of whom have been tried and found
isithfsI; the balance are known to be
good men, and come with strong endorse
nsuts from the localities where they ere
best known. With the kindest feelings
tor all who are on the track, we believe
Il to be the safest plan to stick to the
tieket-tbe best for the interest of the
party. aud equally as good for the inter
ssts Of the County. regardless of p.rty.
lndspsndsnt candidates. running in op-
position to the regular ticket of the party
10 which they belong, always receive the
balk Of the vote Of the opposition party,
This is not because the Independent can
didstss are wanting in party principle. or
thst the opposite party believe them to
b the best men; but it is because that
spPosits party. being in hopeless mi
sorify. seek thus to stir up discord and
disuniou iu the ranks of their stronger
opponents. sud thereby render them an
s,sy prey in tha future. And this spe-
eiss Of strategy is aim est always more or
les successful. The gist Of the question
i simply this: II the Republican party
h Of sny consequences or value. it is nec-
ssssFy that L be kept organized; and the
way to do this, 10 to stick to the ticket!
Year: 1869

One Of the difficulties of criminal prosecu-
ton is the ease with which any villain proves
an alibi 1t is scarcely ever possible to prove
perjury, even where all are morally certain
that II is resorted TO to sustain the alibi; and
thus it happens that 1t is seldom possible to
warn of, by strong example, those who
thus assist in cheating justice. No doubt,
therefore, the authorities should seize any
opportunity TO severely punish this sort OF
perjury, for by this means the alibi business
may be damaged somewhat. The Rogers
murder investigation affords an opportunity.
One Of the Logans charged in this case has
succeeded In proving double alibi. IL is
proved that he was in Greene street at the
important moment and also that he was in
East Twenty-third street. There Is one alibi
too many, and in securing this superfuity IL
is tolerably clear that Logans brother was
guilty Of perjury. Will no be prosecuted for
this crime? Or will II be urged that such
prosecution is against human nature9 In
that case 1t must be admitted that brothers.
testimony for or against should be ruled out,
as q wifes is
Year: 1869

We hear a good deal of complaint about the
small number Of churches in New York, which
seems to us unfounded and out of place. TAX
Ing New York and Brooklyn together in the
account, as they are one city in fact, our popu-
lation is, probably, as well. supplied with
churches as that of any city in America or
Europe. The real evil lies in the misapplica-
tion Of church room. II has become the fash
ion to sell out the ground floor of our churches
at auction to the highest bidder, and religion
is thus made a speculation Of, bringing its
price in the market not according to the sound
ness of the dogmas preached, but according to
the ability of the preacher to tickle the ears
Of his hearers. Under this state of things men
pay high and foolish premiums for the best
place for their wives and daughters to show of
their finery, and both preacher and Puritan
are satisfied with their trade. But from this
misapplication of church room by trading par
sons the people are seeking the natural
remedy. Gratuitous preaching in theatres is
becoming popular, and IL the people are shut
out Of the churches by the SPECTATORS they
can take to the theatres with the conviction
that those who 60 to church to show their
6ncry will follow the largest audience.
Year: 1869

The ice crop, which in the early part of
the season promised to be unusually large,
now gives indication of falling largely below
the crop of last winter. The weather has not
been favorable, and as the season for gather
. ing the crop has now reached Its meri-
dian, 1t is not at all likely that the deficiency
will be made up in the balance OF time still
remaining for harvesting the crop. The natli-
raj result Of this scarcity very plainly and
pertinently suggests itself-a necessary aug
mentatlon of the price of ice next summer
over that Of last summer-the inevitable rule
controlling trade-the simple law OF supply
and demand as affecting prices.


The ice monopolists OF our city-and all
the different companies are but single close
corporaton-will endeavor TO delude our
citizens into acceptance OF the above chain of
d priori reasoning. But those who reason
thus only indulge in the reductio ad o5surdum
process OF ratiocination. How stand the
facts of the case? The mammoth warehouses
of our ice monopolists will be filed TO their
utmost capacity before the winter closes.
They will be filed because one-half of last
winters crop is still on hand. The result
will be that there will be no scarcity OF ice
next summer, and consequently no need Of
putting up prices; and yet, with their ware
houses half filed last summer, our ice
monopollsts--a corporation without soul, as
are proverbally all corporations proclaimed
great scarcity OF ice, and under pretext of this
scarcity raised the prices accordingly. Many
felt thankful to get Ice at any price, and some
specially grateful II they could supply them
selves from barges loaded with this product
showing themselves at intervals at our city
piers. All this was sharp dodge. These
barges were laden with the ice of our Ice
monopoIists. They we're part and parcel Of
the programme of deception practised by them.
All in good time these ice monopolists, with
skilled and touching feint Of lachrymose sym
pathy for their patrons, will be procaiming the
scarcity Of this winters ice crop, the clear
ringing blasts Of the war bugle preliminary 10
the grand charges charge upon tho credulity
and pockets Of their patrons.


Our advice 10 the public Is not TO be hood.
winked by our ice monopolists. Their little
game shonld be spoiled. II isvery easily done.
Now Is the time to contract for Ice. Let the
contracts be made with Eastern companies,
who are not greedy and will furnish ice at
fair and reasonable price. Thers arc plenty
OF such companies, and the lakos and rivers OF
tho Eastern States, where winter lasts longer
than here. will furnish oil that Ii required.
Year: 1869

THE MAYORS OPPORTUNITY. Mayor Hall
has on his hands city more in need Of de-
velopment than the Mayor Of Paris had, and he
may do even better for us than Haussmann has
done in beautifying the capital Of Europe. We
are, perhaps, not so much in need Of beauty,
but we are very much Ia need Of convenient com.
munication by wide avenues. The Mayor may
become public benefactor by initiating q
policy Of opening or widening streets at tho
expense Of the whole city. Instead Of assess
ments on neighboring property these improve
ments should be paid for by the issue Of city
bonds, for they would improve the value Of
every inch Of land on the island The assess
ment system belongs 10 another are.