smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1864

In reading (says the Buffalo CoureT) the recent report
OF the Auditor OF louisiana strong anti slavery docn
ment we were struck with the fact that Ccia enter,
tanning his views should lay little stress the value of
free negro labor agency agricultural production
that State and in the further development Of its natural
He asks il something cannot be done attract
to that State large population of skfu and industrious
cutvato and advises that the Legislature shall estsb


sh bureau Of emigration to assist and encourage the
immigration to this State of ku and Industrious agr
cultural aborers farmers and mechanics from European
countries from the Northern States and from Canada


The New York Times has New Orleans correspondent
whose representations present rather discourseng po
ture Of the working Of the free negro system there He
says;


'The crying evil which may be heard on every plan
taton down the Mississippi s the incorrgble ndoence of
the negroes and with il the lack Of power to make the
nIggers work The freedmen win work only they
feel disposed The planter has to compel him to
labor aud consequently the negroes most plantations
are under poor condition of discipline Not in 6fty
will rase finger TO help themselves long they eau
get enough to eat by stealing and possess rag 20 cover
their nakedness Independent of the OF the army
worm the crops of the majority of the plantations would
have resulted in small returns present season have
heard dozen planters assert this fact ana ney attribute
to other than the universal ndsposon Oi the
negroes do the necessary work and the utter inability
Of the supernenden to get the work out OF them Inc
negroes are paid clothed and fed yet they will steal
and either eat se it, They steal the cotton
under cover of the night and dispose of it to the number
lass petty specuators many Of whom put them up to IT,


bev s,ea the and feed their pigs with 1t and
their own for market They legn sickness AMI will lie IN
the hospital weeks when nothing earth the matter
with them. The negro idea Of freedom is that of
strained license to do they please and 60 where they
choose"
Year: 1864

Some weeks sgo in referring to remarks purport
ing to have been made by Mr. Greeley At Hartford Conn
we stated on the authority Of New York contemporary,
that the Hartford Courant in its report Of Mr. Greeeys
speech represented him to held the following language


He referred to the secession movement, and said he
had never had any objection to people establishing
Government of their own He willing If the Southern
people, by fair vote should declare that they desired 10
live outside Of the Union to let them 60"


We learn that this extract not fairly cited from the
columns Of the Coursnt and that what Mr. G. di say was
"that he had been willing before the rebellion to let the
Southern people vote the question and IT, BY fair vote,
they should declare that they desired to live outside Of the
Union to let them CO. He added that he we'll aware
that they would not be allowed to have fair vote. He
expressly stated that since the South had rebeled he
had been for putting down the Rebellion and opposed to
letting any State Co."
Year: 1864

A man named McCOmb was under sem
tence of death in Ottumwa county, Iowa,
for the murder of a girl named Laura Har-
vey, and the day of execution fixed. The
condemned, however, got an appeal to the
Supreme Court, but on the day he was to
have been hanged, some two thousand peo-
pie gathered at the Jail, and ayowed de-
termination to hang the prisoner. A wo-
man mounted the fence and made an excl
ting harangue urging on the mob; and say
ing if they would leave 1t to the women they
would attend to it themselves. A vote was
taken, which was decided to be in favor of
the hanging. A rush was now made for
the Jail, which was forced, and the prisoner
brought out. He asked for an hour, which
was given him, to prepare for death. A
clergyman was sought, and he was
finally taken into the Catholic Church
and baptized. After this he was placed
in wagon and started for execution
The rope was fixed and they were about
to throw it over the limb Of tree,
the prisoner himself assisting. Before this
was done, McComb requested permission
to make few remarks. He said: ~ have
the rope around my neck, as you see, and
have but few minutes to live, but am an
innocent man. If you will give me until
next court, will prove that George Law
renee is living, and that did not murder
Laura Harvey" AT this point cry was
raised all through the crowd, stake him
back" "take him back" accompanied by
the cry, "hang him." ''hang him." The
leaders fearing that the tide was turning,
said that it was getting late, and they could
wait no longer. An attempt was made to
throw the rope over the limb, but several
resolute men jumped into the wagon and
seized the rope. A short struggle for the
possession of the rope followed, when the
town, aud lodged safely in his old quarters
again. ....
Year: 1864

Jim Lane is tough, and must have metal
in his flesh as well as meLtle in his spirit.
Under the broiling sun of last August, he
sLumped Southern Kansas rode fifty
miles day for eighteen days, and made
three speeches per day-never missing an
appointment.
Year: 1864

NATIONAL CURRENCY BANKS, &c.


The bill which the House passed fixes the
amount Of circulation at three hundred mil
lions, one sixth Of which can be in notes less
than five dollars until specie payments shall
have been resumed The banks can charge
per cent. interest By taxation or other
wise, the state banks are to be induced to
change to national currency banks, or at least
to use the national currency instead Of their
own bills, so that the amount Of currency in
the country will be kept within tolerable lin
its. The treasury will favor this policy and
call in the legal tender paper as fast as possi-
bic, and keep i, in, if funds can be secured
through bonds and taxes. 1t is said that an
agent Of the treasury has started for Europe
to negotiate sale Of bonds for gold. The
effec, already is in New York to make green
backs scarce and reduce the fever Of specula-
ton The Boston Advertiser wisely hints to
debtors that now is the time to pay their
debts, since the unnatural initiation of gold
and every thing else will be speedily reduced.
Some shrewd men are unwilling to have ;heir
debtors pay them now but, as a great favor,
,oe 'oiU permit ours to pay us IN greenbaeks OF
bills of good Vermont banks at any time s0iihm
the nert thirty days,
Year: 1864

The Montpelier Freeman was quite quere-
lous because Gov. Smith was not present at
the reception of the veterans OF the Eighth
Regiment at Montpelier, and thinks he should
have detailed some official to welcome them
in behalf Of the State. The Freeman ought
to know that the Governor, the Adjutant and
Quartermaster General, indeed all the State
officials were busy bees, in obedience to an
urgent order from the War Department, in
getting the Seventeenth Regiment ready for
the field. Gov. Smith is too proud of the Yer
mont soldiers to omit any opportunity to
heartily welcome to their homes, unless the
necessities of the public service, as in this
case demanded his presence elsewhere.


We submit, under the circumstan oes,
whether there was anything in the conduct
of the Governor on this occasion which called
for the caustic comments Of the Freeman.-
burlington Times.


The censure of the Freeman was none the
less uncalled for because Gov. Smith took
care to have his absence explained satisfacto-
rily. He was here on Saturday to see that
every thing should be properly done for the
boys of the Sth, but had to leave so as TO give
that evening and Monday morning to the 18th
regiment, which left on Mcnday.
Year: 1864

TONERS have been making improvements in
their bakery, and are still at work preparing
for further extension Of business. The en-
terprisc of this extensive house in enlarginY
upon the confectionery trade speaks well for
it's success. With skilled and experienced
vorkmen, in both branches of their business
they excel, and offering as they do none but
the best qualities of food ard candies, where
ever they once sell they are sure to sell again,
Dealers in crackers & confectionery through
out the country will find that to patronize
this popular establishment will be to their
own advantage az we'll as the qualification of
the public.
Year: 1864

The ollicers 81 Libbv were to secnre The guards
there. and act in concert with the Belle Island
men. but lust as the affair was ready TO be
carried into execution, the project vas exposed.
Suspicion al once rested upon a certain Union
lieutenant colonel. who was in favor with the
rebel authorities had the freedom of the city.
and msEed about at will in the hospitals and
elsewhere. He had been suspected for some
time. and one day was accused of exposing the
affair. The indignation Of the officers whose
plans had thus been thwaried through the
perfdy OF las they believed) one of their num-
Der, cannot be described. Some cried oa,
"hsng HIN hang him ;" Que ran to his blanket.
and tearing it in stripes said he had 4 rope
ready; and Others were iH favor Of pitching the
fellow out Of the window and letting bis brains
beSpatter the pavement below. " iSer couuSels
however. prevailed, and il was CONCLUDED tha,
il was better to let the traitor live and report
him to his Government. If opportunity ever
offered The lieutenant colonel, We understand
will be reported TO the Wa Office. His excuse
is that be informed Federal officer in hospital
Of the attempted escape. ard that rebel
surgeon overheard the conversation.


These prisoners confirm in every particular
the statements heretofore made OF the treatment
of Federal prisoners there. The rations OF the
officers were about the same as those Of the
rebel pryates; but our priyateS on Belle Island
did not fare so well. As long as the boxes sent
from friends at the North were delivered, they
lived as well as could be expected under the
circumstances. Those who had money were
allowed TO send out and get what they wanted.
by paying three times more than Richmond
prices the profits going into the pockets OF the
officers of the prison. In other respects, the
treatment was quite harsh.


When a prisoner entered the prison, any
articles found upon him that were fancied by
rebel officers or guards were taken possession
Of: they pretended the money aud articles
were deposited with the Quartermasier. The
sleeping accommodations were very poor, aud
the only place they had to exercise their limbs
in was the dining room. For awhile the officers
were not furnished with meat at all and at
one time they received flesh which was pro
nounced by those among the officers who knew
something of butchering as being mule meat,
as they knew of no cattle used for food which
had bones like those found in the meat. The
privates on Belle Island, it is unquesiioned
have eaten dogs; in fact, were obliged to DO it
in order to sustain life.
Year: 1864

rable is that we naturally like to read, are
more interested and perhaps more profted by
reading articles written by those we know,
with whom we are acquainted, and still
more so if we are intimate with them.


How much more valuable the produc-
tions of any pen become when we have be-
come acquainted with the writer, especially
if we have place in his esteem or affec-
tions!


Teachers of the same county through
their institutes and conventions become ac-
quainted, often intimate, and are thus
brought into that relation which makes
them more than otherwise interested in the
ideas and thoughts of each other. ..


Other reasons might be given, such as
the importance of encouraging home indus
try; developing home talents, &c, but my
article is growing too lengthy.


To the teachers of Mif1in county I
would say that with the aid which they are
we'll capable of giving, the Educational Col.
umn can and will be made interesting and
profitable. Without it-with the aid only
of the very few who do contribute occa-
sionally-it will be kept up, suppose, but
it will necessarily fail in meeting fully the
object for which the column was opened


Let there be free expression of opin-
ions on the subject of education, on the
best methods of teaching particular branch
es, &c. We want no prosy essays on the
state of education in general, but actual
schoolroom experiences, practical sugges-
tions, genuine improvements in methods of
instruction and school government.


Short, concise articles on such and kin
dred topics is just what is wanted BY
giving these, teachers will do themselves
good and will confer benefit upon others


Let US have them, teachers NJ.


The compositor requests that communications to
this column be written in black ink.l
Year: 1864

A traveller gives the following anecdote
of tiger kept at the British Residency at
Calcutta: "But what annoyed him far
more than our poking him with stick, or
tsntalizing him with shins of beef or legs
OF mutton, was introduced into his cage
No fine lady ever exhibited more terror at
the sight of spider, than this magnificent
royal tiger betrayed on seeing mouse
Our mischievous plan was to tie the little
animal by string to the end of long
pole, and thrust it close to the tigers nose.
The moment he saw it he leaped to the
opposite side, and when the mouse was made
to run near him, he jammed himself into
corner and stood trembling and roaring
in such an ecstasy of fear, that we were
always obliged to desist, in pity to the poor
brute. Sometimes We insisted on his pass
ing over the spot where the unconscious
little mouse ran backwards and forwards.
For long time, however, we could not get
him to move; till at length believe by the
help of squib, We Obliged him to start;
but instead Of pacing leisurely across in
his den, or of making detour to avoid the
object of his alarm, he generally took
flying kind Of leap, SO high as nearly to
bring his back in contact with the roof of
his cage"
Year: 1864

attacked by Crows-A gentleman
residing in Wheeling went hunting few
days since, and not finding any better game
he took shot at lot OF crows that were
cawing in the woods. He wounded one of
the birds in the wing, and when it futtered
to the ground the gentleman picked it up.
The hurt bird cried most piteously, when
suddenly the whole flock came to its assis.
tance and made an attack upon the hunter.
They darted about his head, and picked
and scratched him with such violence,
that be was obliged to defend himself with
a stick, and was finally compelled to release
the wounded crow, and beat hasty re-
treat
Year: 1864

The energies of the American troops
stationed at Fort Washington after their
evacuation of New York, were fully taxed
to repel the many sorties made against
them by the enemy. Itrequired constant
and careful watch upon the part of the
Commander-in.ch chief to prevent surprise,
and the more surely to effect this, system
of observation was maintained along the
road, SO that information passed from point
to point was sure to reach the camp ere the
British. could carry out their designs. The
majority of persons living on the line from
the city to Kingsbridge, gladly aided in
this plan of police, and thus rendered es-
sential service to the cause One of this
number, however, a MIR Jenning, at last
took umbrage at some order Of Washington
or his subordinates, and with reprehensi-
BILE cunning, he determined to abandon the
Americans and serve the interests of the
foe. So secretly were these plans concoct,
ed and carried out, that no one outside his
own family suspected his disatfection.


The British general accepted the offered
services, and pledged himself to pay large.
ly for them. 1t was proposed that a num-
ber of his troops should march as far as
his neighbor's, who would of course com
municate their movements to Jenning, who
IN his turn instead of passing the warning
WIS to conceal the forces until reinforce
ments could arrive, and formidable dem
onstration could be made against the fort


And for this service, in any event, you
shall have thousand pounds" said the
British General to the traitor "Should
it eventuate in the entire overthrow of the
rebels, the sum shall be trebled, while 9TH
er rewards shall be freely bestowed. You
are certain that you have confded the mat
ter to no one p


"Not soul save those of my own fam
lily know of it," said Jenning


"Of whom does your family consist"


"Of my wife, who IS an invalid, and an
only daughter" FL.


How are they affected by your change?"


81 know not, nor do | care. But of
course they will follow my wishes, which
have ever been law to them. My daughter
Is the only one who would think of diff
ference of opinion, and even she would
never dare to give it expression"


81 have heard that the majority of your
American females have imDibed sort of
romantic attachment to George Washing
ton, which might lead them to sympathy
with him. But of course you are sure OF
your child and can answer for her."


With my life w


suppose you allow me to invite her
mere Ii would be a safe thing, and at the
same time remove her from the suspicion
OF coliuslon should you be discovered"


l cannot part with her, sir. She has
aided me heretofore, and can do so again.
She is very obedient, so we need not fear
her"


Enough manage the matter Yourself.
| am content. Now for our plans. At
dusk, to morrow, a company of Captain
Trevor's command will be put in motion
and arrive about midnight at your house.
You will conceal them and await the 9TH
ers. When all are gathered, YOU will
guide them to the attack. The rebels. be.
ing off their guard, will fall an easy prey"


So far as the intentions of the British
officer were concerned, the meditated plan
was carried out. A number of picked
Year: 1864

The following is translation from an ancient Span
passed by nothing with which we are acquainted il
he Spanish language, except the ode of Louis De
1eon.'


Oh let the soul its slumbers break
Arouse its senses and awake,


To see how soon
Life, in its glories glides away,
And the stern footsteps of decay


Come stealing on.
And while we view the rolling tide,
Down with our flowing minutes glide


Away SO fast
Let us the present hour employ,
And deem each future dream JOY


Already past.
Let no vain hope deceive the mind
No happier let US hope to find


Tomorrow than to-day.
Our golden dreams of yore were bright,
Like them the present shall delight


Like them decay.
Our lives like hasting streams must be,
That into one engulphing sea


Are doomed TO fall
The of death whose waves roll on
Ger king and kingdom, crown and throne,


And swallow ALL
Alike the rivers lordly tide,
Alike the humble rivulets glide


To that sad wave;
Death levels poverty and pride,
And rich and poor sleep side by side


Within the grave.
Our birth is but a starting place;
Life is the running of the race,


And death the goal;
There all our glitterng toys are brought
The path alone, of all unsought,


Is found of all.
See then how poor and little worth
Are all these ghttering toys of earth


That lure us here!
Dreams of a sleep that death must break,
Alas before it bids US wake


We disappear.
Long ere the damp of earth can blight
The cheeks pure glow of red and white


Has passed away.
Youth smiled and all was heavenly fair
Age came and laid his finger there,
And where are theyl
Where is the strength that spurned decay,
The step that roved so light and gay,


The hearts blithe tone!
The strength is gone, the step is slow,
And JOY grows wearisome and vol


When age comes on.
Year: 1864

no instructions to the commanders OF the
army for the destruction of single Indian.
His design was pacifcation aud peace. 1t
is not to be supposed for moment that
Father Abraham has anything in his heart
but kind regard for the best welfare OF
all the people under the control Of his Ad-
minstration, and particularly for the In-
dians, who are now dependent upon him for
protection.


But ifsthe Jury have any misgviags as
to whether the prisoners really mistoOk
their instructions, and honestly believed
that they were authorized to reGommence a
war, then the prisoners are entitled to the
benefit of that doubt. But if the Jury are
satisfied, from view Of all the faots. and
evidence, that the prisoners are compro'
missed with the spectators, who it is be.
Iieved, imposed upon the President, and il
they are satisfied that in the eye Of the law
the Indians had for the time being given
up the contest and wero at the time Of the
massacre on the retreat, and particularly if
the jury have reason to believe that peace
might have been established by conciliato.
ry measures and fair dealing, in accordance
with the instructions wlich the President
gave these men on assuming the command
of this lamentablc campaign; say, if the
Jury are satisfied that the awful deeds com
mitted under the authority Of the prisoners,
known by the titles and names Of Genera
Sbley and General Sully, by which hun.
dreds of human beings were unawfnlly put
to DEATH and hundreds more left in circum.
stances by which they will perish of cold
and hunger You will return verdict in
accordance Herewith, and thus demou'
strate that the law holds officials as well as
subordinates responsible for their action
towards the low as well as towards the
higher grades of mankind


The foregoing is written under pro
found conviction that the blood Of murder.
ed Indians which has Redeemed the soil oI
every State from whence they have beer
driven, is now like the blood Of AIDE cry
ing to Heaven for vengeance. And that un
til this cry is needed by the pulpit, and BY
the press, and by the Government, to re
dress their wron!s and to do justly will
the Indians as well as with others, thu
sword will not return to its sheath, o
peace and joy to tle people of this land.


Respectfully JOHN BEESON.
Year: 1864

Last Saturday week a young man who


lived with his parents in Somerset county,


near the Cambria county line, by the name


of Wertz, took bucket from home and said


he was going out to the mountain, near that
place to gather some whortleberries, He
did not come home that night and the pa
rents becoming alarmed, they gathered
some twenty or thirty of the neighbors the
next day and made a search for him, with
out however discovering any signs that
might lead to his recovery. The alarm
spread, and the next day two or three hum
dred persons went to the mountain In quest
OF the missing man, but without avail. The
search has continued every day since, the
numbers still increasing. Yesterday notle.s
than fifteen hundred persons from Jonstown,
and vicinity, started early in the morning
for the Laurel Hill, determined, if possible,
to learn what has become of him. His faith
er, John Wertz, and his mother are almost
distracted during the fearful suspense in
regard to his whereabouts. Laurel Hill is
a dense forest, near fifteen miles wide and
running through the State, full of deep
ravines, whose tortuOus winding from a
labyrinth in which any one may be easily
lost. The thick underbrush, too, makes this
wilderness still more solitary aud dreary.


. The men in search at night built fires at
different points in the woods, to attract If
possible, the attention Of the missing man,
which communicated to the leaves, and the
whole mountain snow one extended field Of
fire, leaving but little prospects for any
thing but the charred remains of Young
Wertz to be recovered If he is ever found.
- atsb,1y Post. q
Year: 1864

ed IN second rate dress, until he is ready to
receive them. You may wonder that ladies
should consent to expose their persons to the
fingers and eyes of man. He is not man
in their eyes-he is nothing but a tailor-a
tradesman-and what high born person ever
stopped to inquire to what sex such plebeian
belonged? One would as soon think of in
quiring into the sex of the dog with whom his
wife went into the woods for walk, or OF the
cat who sleeps In my lady's chamber Worth,
few years since, was mere shopman in the
Rue de Richelieu. He saw there the great
extent OF feminine folly, and determined to
profit by experience. He has now a beautiful
country seat which cost him $4,000, and on
which he has spent 100000. He keeps car
riage and pair equal to anything in the imper-
ial stables. he has agood cook, q good cellar
which is daily improving, and is making mon
ey as fast as possible"