smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

Though we were still considered
rich after the death of my father, yet
his property was in SO unproductive a
form, that we found it difficult to meet
the necessary demands for our usual
style of living. Helen and James,
though the youngest members of the
family, were the first to become aware
of the necessity for economy in our
family expenses. James determined,
at once, upon pursuing the medical
profession, disturbed with no regrets
or doubts as to whether he might not
have chosen a more brilliant career /:
my mother and could not determine
what profession or calling l should
embrace, which united the greatest
possible share of advantages, with
the smallest number of disadvantages,
and which would furnish the best
theatre for the display of my talents.
Engineering, medicine, merchandise,
were weighed in the balance, and
found wanting. Law might be wor-
thy of my attention, as stepping
stone to political preferment. With
this profession, too, | thought | might
combine literary pursuits. had long
since determined to write volume of
poetry, as soon as could determine
whether it should be written in the
style of Milton, Burns, or Byron. That
writing and publishing might not be
necessarily connected, had never oc-
Cured to my imagination. With
these lofty, and divided aims, the read
er will be at no loss to divine what
degree of success obtained.


| My first law case was criminal
cause. | undertook the defence of a
man accused of forgery. Ny speech
was delivered with great tiuency,
command Of language, classical quo
tations, literary illusions, but thought
much more Of myself than Of my
cause, and lost it. My friends said
that it was very pretty speech, that
some of the figures l used were wor-
thy of Burke himself, but that | had
not yet learned to descend to the level
of my audience. My enemies said
that it was very little to the purpose,
and that | had shot quite beyond the
mark at which l was aiming. re-


hearsed my speech at the home circle


at my mothers request. She and
Year: 1859

The following remarks from the Des
Moincs Citizen arc truthful. At nc
time have we noticed a more ia
vorable opportunity for profitable in
vcstment. Eastern farmers of small
capital can now secure to themselves
homes at comparatively low price
that must annually enhance in value
Such an investment is a hundred fold
more certain of yielding prosperity
and happiness to the sober and indus
trious farmer, than the Will-o'-the-wisp
phantom that is alluring so many
thousands across the barren plains OF
Kansas


In all our history there never will
be time so favorable as the present,
for investments in Iowa lands. The
monetary pressure has, as matter OF
necessity, radically reduced the price
of real estate. Farms, improved and
unimproved, can be purchased at fig
urcs which are so reduced as to excite
surprise. Three years since, there
was fictitious value given to these
farms but the reaction consequent
on unhealthy imitation, has diminished
the price of town lots, farms, etc, and
at this time by small outlay of mon,
cy, immigrants to this State can lay
the foundations for large and enduring
fortunes A few hundred dollars cx.
pended in real estate this year in Iowa,
will prove to be the most profitable
investment that could be made. While
money in the East is looking around
for owners, it is strange that so small
an amount finds its way to the West.
Investments in Western property, if
made judciously at this time, cannot
fail to yield q heavy interest.


At no future time will the advanta-
gcs of which we speak, be realized to
the same extent as now. Property is
now held at figures far below its real
value. This state of things is nat,
ural result of the imitation few years
since. Prices then were unnaturalIy
high now, by correspondent depres.
sion, they are naturally low. Soon
from the impetus of salu:ary reac,
ton, prices will necessarily advance.
Real estate, instead of suffering from
the heaviest depreciation, will steadi-
ly increase in price, until it is estima-
ted at its intrinsic value. Men who
are shrinking now from the purchase
of Iowa property, will in two years
accuse themselves Of folly for not hav.
ing taken advantage of the favorable
opportunities which are now offered to
build up a fortune. The advantages
which the present reduction in the
price of real estate offer to purchasers,
we may safely say will never exist
again. The causes which have in
duced this condition, will hereafter be
carefully avoided by our citizens.


In conclusion we would, in good
faith, extend cordial invitation to
our Eastern friends to come and make
an examination for themselves. 1t is
for their interest we know, to invest
any surplus funds they may possess
in Western lands.
Year: 1859

Drawing pictures on the slate,
Making houses out Of cards,
Solving riddles all elate.


Peeping in the neighbor yards.


Such is part of childhood's game,
Innocent OF wealth VI fame
Blowing pencil dust away.
Some pcrchance may meet the eye;
Looking ont for market day.
When comes home an extra pie.


Such is part Of childhood's fun,


Ere the growing time is done
On all fOurs about the room.
Personating cats and mice:
Saying of the wcaver's loom,
Don it match the carpet nice


Fairy wcavers, still themselves,


Dancing like the ancient elves.
Nodding when the prayer is long,
And the eyes are rubbed in vain
In the morning up with song,
Holding hands to catch the rain


Tom come in you roguish Will
Go to school and there be still
Like holiday of sweets.
Nafe pluc Deard not yet known
Every day its JOY repeats,
Rapture in one even tone


Who that morn would wish to cloud
Who that fairy land would shroud
Hard their destiny who creep,
Through childhood full Of gloom,
Sad awake and sad asleep,
Buried in IA living tomb,


Old before their Spring is shed.


Grey at heart ere morn has fled
Year: 1859

Rose u1LL CExEsknI TEE Masonic FR4rEns14r.
in our Business Notice Column will be found
M announcement of N interest to the Masonic
Fraternity, and indeed to all our citizens inter
ested in tue progress Of the enterprise of Rose-
Hill cemetrJ, our Suburban city Of the dead,
destined to be the Laurel Hill, aud Greenwood
Of the Northwest.
Year: 1859

The Report of the Chief Engineer, Col.
Gwin, is short and pointed We make such


extracts from it, which, with tho President
report, will enable our readers to fully under.
stand the present condition of this great Ell.
Year: 1859

Some Of the papers have objected to the
use OF The term overland coaches" These
papers when they record an error take it
back by saying I'VE were mistaken in say
ing. &c The paper mistakes when in error
and is mistaken when the reader does not
understand rightly. Purity OF the language
must be sustained
Year: 1859

The Southern papers are having good
time over the landing of cargo of Slaves
by the Wanderer It is all bumbug and
they only talk about 1t to make their North
ern brethren mad. We dc not believe there
is Wanderer, and we think the polite and
portl, Captain Corrie I myth
Year: 1859

0'There appears to be a set of rascals in
Springfield who threaten to set the city on
fire. The News says, individuals in this city
have received anonymous letters to the effect
that the city was to be set on fire by rowdies.
Were it not for the fact that certain rowdyish
characters been known to threaten the private
dwellings of persons who have become obnox


ious to them, we should think these letters un,
worthy the attention. 1t would be we'll for
our citizens TO keep little on the look out -
There is set Of unssrupulous and malicious
scoundrels in this city who will never get their
due until the hangman has got hold of them. u
Year: 1859

0J' Some thieves effected an entrance through
the back door of Mr. Frank Welty's saloon last
night, and abstracted between $40 and s25 in
money from the premises The watchman on
that beat discovered early this morning, the
door open and gas burning, which the thieves
had no doubt used TO assist them in finding the
money. We understand that suspicion is ats
tached in the right quarter and the thieves will
be brought to justice There were other at
tempts made last night that we hear of, and
every one should exercise the strictest vigil.
ance, and catch the rascals if possible
Year: 1859

IA A Major of the rural militia, in Cuba
nearly 65 years old, recently fought duel with
swords and killed his adversary. The second
then took up the quarrel and mot the same fate.
cousin of the principal then stepped forward and
feeling bound to avenge their deaths, offered him
self as an antagonist, but on tho receipt of a
slight wound, declared himself satisfied. The
victor then delivered himself up to the Governor
General in Havana, who placed him in temporary
confinement under Guard Of Honor It is
believed he will be acquitted by the court.
Year: 1859

~ Yesterday mao named Anderson, stole
keg Of white lead which was standing before
the door Of DR.. stewart's Drug Store. The
theft being discovered the keg Of lead was obs
tanned and returned to the Drug Store. In the
afternoon the same man was found in a country
mans wagon apPrOpriatiDg the mans ovsrcoat
to his own use. Being caught in the act, he
claimed that he was drunk and was only 90.
ing to take nap in the wagon. He was Ia
ken to the Station House to finish his nap,
Year: 1859

TaE WASHINGTON GLOBE The prospectus Of
this official paper Of Congress can be seen in
the columns Of our paper to-day. and we direct
the attention Of our readers To it. from the fact
that it is the desideratum which all will need
in the newspaper liue. who desire to be off.
eiAlly posted in the proceedings OF our Na>
tional Congress.
Year: 1859

BTDisappoiniments are frequent at the De-
pot on account Of the mistakes about the time
of trains leaving the city. A friend complains
that the Dayton papers have had no alterations
in the time of trains starting on some Of the
roads for nearly year, 10 the mean time sew.
eral changes have taken place, We will make
changes as soon as we get correct notice from
the proper source.
Year: 1859

w. The New York Court Of Appeals has do
cided that person whs has contracted to work for
given time, and before the expiration Of that
time is, by the providence Of God, disabled from
performing the service, can, by his representative
recover for the labor already performed. It is
said this question has never before been decided
by the courts Of the United States.
Year: 1859

@a- 1t is worthy Ofremark that though the Alb
OltioniSts had been whole year plotting the In
surrsctiOn at Haper's Ferry, they were unable to
enlist single foreign born citizen in their ranks
not one was found among them to share their trea-
son against their race and nation.
Year: 1859

SrGSERs OF THE MEMoRIAL.-We have heard
from about half dozen of the mining localities
of the county, and SO far about 900 miners have
signed the Memorial adopted by the Miners
Convention. The prospects are that when the
lists are all brought in they will embrace a
thousand or twelve hundred names. What be-
comes of the declaration that very small mi
nority of the miners of the county favor the ac-
ton of the Miners County Convention The
entire vote of the county last year was but 1853
Year: 1859

Bs25> The bill to abolish the office of State
Gauger is likely to become law. Mr. Street
has fought manfully in favor of the bill The
office is said to be worth at least 900 per
year to the incumbent, while the benefit to the
people resulting therefrom is nought.
Year: 1859

HARDLY.-Nr. Holden says that Henry A. Wise,
among other Democrats whom he names, once
resigned rather than vote as instructed by the
Legislature of Virginia We lived in Virginia
TWO score years before we came to California,
and we never before knew that Henry A. Wise
mad been In the Senate of the United States.
We are really ashamed of our ignorance, or of
the ignorance of Senator Holden.
Year: 1859

THE Miners MEMoRIAL.-Mr. Street presented
the memorial of the Miners of Shasta County in
the Assembly on the 18th. He is reported to
have moved its reference to the Committee on
Counties and County Boundaries. We think,
however, that this is mistake of the Reporter
Such a motion might be looked upon as an eff
fort to bestow ridicule upon the Memorial
thing of which Mr.. Street is incapable, if we
know the man, unless lie has changed some
what within the past few months The Memo
rial was subsequently referred to the Committee
on Mines and Mining Interests
Year: 1859

A WEATHER CoIycIDENcE.-On the night of
February 10th of last year, was experienced the
severest storm of that winter. On the night of
the 10th inst we had the severest storm of the
present winter
Year: 1859

busY-The miners in every portion of the
County are now busy working their claims
water Is abundant everywhere, and likely to
Continue so for long time Our merchants are
anticipating an unusually brisk Spring trade.
Year: 1859

In our article of last week upon the Chinese
question occurs the following language:


We are informed that the very gentleman who,


the Convention, spoke so feeingly of the
oor suffering, non-combatant Chinaman, and


the inhumanity of treating them so cruelty as
b force them out of the mines, has helped to run
Fhinamen out of certain localities. We are in
.ormed by a man who was with him that, only
Pne year ago, he led party Of between twenty
fnd thirty men to where a number of Cinnamon
we're working on forbidden ground, somewhere
pack of the Four Mile House, and that they
whipped them worse than any Cinnamon were
ever whipped in this county before.


tbs in reply to the foregoing that the follow
ing letter has been addressed US:


TowNsEND's FLAT, Feb. Ia, 1859.
MEssRs. EDITORS OF THE SHASTA COURIER:


read your very interesting paper of date 18th
inst. You therein prefer some very significant
charges against my humble self. Now, let me
tell you how it is, and how it came to be so.
did, at one time, think it right to drive the Johns
just where and whenever we chose. But have
changed my views upon the subject. ! will tell
you when did So 1t was on the occasion of
my leading that party Of men, year ago, who
drove, and in the driving, whipped some China
men worse than any had ever been whipped be-
fore IN the county.


1t was in consequence of the revolving scenes
| then witnessed that | resolved never again to
engage in tarlessLy driving the poor devils from
our mines.


give the unequiuocal lie to any one who has
charged or may charge me with having at any
time laid the weight of my hand upon a China
man in anger. don't know that ever did, un-
der any circumstances.


As nv only Obect in addreSSiur Won is IN
meet the subject fairly and squarely, and not to
dodge single issue, hope you may find it pos
sible to give this room within your columns.


Nourc
Year: 1859

The roads leading out of this place are in a
horrible condition. We trust the new Road Su-
pervisors will demonstrate the truthfulness of
the old saw that " A new broom sweeps clean'
1t is the duty of all of US to mend our ways, and
especially is it incumbent upon the Road Over
seers to mend the highways


What say the citizens of Shasta to the project
of building turnpike road from Horsetown
around Shasta to Whiskytown? Will they per-
NIT this without making some sort of effort to
counteract the injury which such road will
nflict upon our town? Will they not make
such road over the Divide as will forever keep
the travel through this place? Let them see to
it. Be assured that this is no light matter. This
is fast age, and if our citizens go to Sleep they
viii find that the wide-awake folks have taken
advantage of it. The roads between this place
and Yreka and Wcaverville must be improved
or Shasta will lose all the benefit which she now
enjoys from the travel through the town.


DIVIDING THE SrArE.-Propostion for divid-
ing the State come from both ends thereof. We
observe by the last Yreka Union bill, to be in
troduced into the Assembly, for cutting off the
Northern portion and uniting it with portion
of Oregon From the South comes the propo-
siton of Senator Pico, providing for the organi-
cation of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Los
Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino into
Territory. The S. F. Herald opposes the latter
proposition for the reason that many of the ma
tive Californians are very black now, and if they
are brought in social connection with negroes
they will unite, and all of them become negroes !
Horrible We are opposed the Northern divis-
ion for the reason that, if Northern Californians
ARE brought in social connection with Orego-
mans, they will probably amalgamate and all
become Oregonisns A consummation awful
to contemplate


DoN'T Do Much WoRK.-The present Lecisla-
ture is rapidly acquiring a reputation for doing
very little work. Upwards of month and a
half of the session has ranspred, and vet scarce
ly half dozen laws of a general character have
been passed The Lycurguses have become
slothful. Awake, ye sleepers, from your dreams
Of ambition about fifty of We abandon your
hopes of becoming Congressman, and go to work,
if you would 'do the State some SERVICE"
Year: 1859

NOTICE TO SETrLERs.-The following is an ex-
tract of a letter written by Col. Magee of this
county, to District Attorney Mix, dated Marys-
vile, Feb. 18th:


" / learn from the Register of the Land Office
in the office, except to carry on the sales, until
the 18th day of March. Therefore, if any of our
friends should speak of coming to the Office
either to enter land or locate school warrants,
or anything of that kind, please inform them
that they need not come until after the 18th of
March next
Year: 1859

The Washington States. the Douglas
organ, is advocating the policy of hav-
ing no Democratic platform for the next
Presidential campaign. The States says.
very truly. that the Northern and South
ern divisions of the party are wide apart
on the slavery question. and that the at
tempt to adopt platform will sundsr
the party in twain.


The party has not played its last card
yet. it seems. For a long time the lead
ers in convention swindled the people
with their national platforms, and at Gin
cinnati they swindled each other. The
platform game will not win any longer.
The leaders cannot agree upon Demo
cratic principles and policy. and there
fore they now desire to 60 to the country
upon the empty name of Democracy. and
leave the Supreme Court of the United
States to define the term as the exigen-
cies Of the shareholders may require.
Year: 1859

A compromise was agreed to in the
counter prosecutions growing out of the
Oberlin rescue case, the government Of
fering to release the rescuers if the peo-
pie of Lorain county would refrain from


prosecuting the Kentuckians for kidnap-
ping. which they agreed to do, and nolle
prosequies were accordingly entered. and
both parties released. Bushnell and
Langston have both served out their SEN
tences, and all of the rescuers are now at
home again. On their return to Oberlin
they had grand and enthusiastic recep-
ton, thousands turning out to welcome
them. They are noble men. and proved
their willingness TO suffer for the sake Of
their principles. They have demonstra-
ted to the government that the Fugitive
Slave Law cannot be enforced on the Re


serve, nor anywhere else where the peo'
pie repudiate its infamous requirements
Year: 1859

According to the Cincinnati CONNER
cial, there was once steamboat coming
up the Mississippi on dark night. and
the captain, according to the time-hon
ored usage" was playing cards in the
social hall. The mate stepped in yaa


Captain, out of wood not enough
left to make the water hot enough tc
shave WITH a ie


Ring the bell,' replied the captain
show light and scare some up along
the shore f8.


The mate went out and the captain
went on with the game. In a few min
utes the mate returned.


Found yard. SIR


The captain left the table and went
out.


How do you sell your wood 2 shout
ed the captain to the people at the yard.


Two and half


Too much, said the captain. How
ever, take cord or two and look further.


A couple of cords were taken in, the
game was resumed in the social hall,
and the boat went on.


An hour elapsed, and the mate again
appeared.


Out of wood. SIR


Bell and light-my DEAL


The orders were obeyed. and the mate
again announced woodward. The cap
tain went out


What's the price Of wood p


Two and half


Too high, but will take a couple oil
cords till we can do better.


As before couple of cords were tax
en- in, but not twenty minutes elapsed
before the mate again appeared.


Out Of wood, SIR


Ring the BELL


Better take more this time


Show light


Its done, sir


In few minutes wood yard was run
up, and the steamer B went in.


How do you sell your wood p


Two and a half


1.-Two and a half be d-d r cried
the captain.


Well, captain answered the wood
man, we will put it to you this time at
two and quarter, as this makes the
THIRD time you have wooded with us
tonight y


The captain had nothing to say. but
took the wood and got quickly out of
that stiff current which the boat was un-
able to stem.


The P was so solemnly slow"
that the captain himself used to say that
she must have been intended for hearse
She is the steamboat which the papers
once said made trip from New Orleans
to Louisville in six days and-four weeks.
Year: 1859

! Preserving Potatoes and other Fruit
...Experience by aSwiss Farmer.
Eds. Prairie Farmer Time is swift
ly fleeing on soon will our farmers asl
themselves where to store their abundan
crops perhaps few may already thinl
of arrangement for this purpose. II
those. wish to say through your pape1
few words on the subject of keeping
roots, as it is done in my old native
country.


In regard to the harvesting Of potatoes
l must say in the first place. that they
are kind of night shade crop as we call
it, and that therefore they grow most when
the nights become longer. On this ac-
count, it is preferable to harvest them as
late as possible. At all events. we care
fully keep them from air and light. Our
farmers who have cellars, put their po-
tatoes in these until they are full, and
then put the rest in pits. Experiments
have shown a very great difference. how
ever in the method Of pitting them
The following plan we have found the
best:


We dig a pit one foot deep. six feet
wide and as long as may be needed. II
deeper than one foot, the potatoes are
more liable to heat. The potatoes or 9TH
er roots are then put in and heaped up
as high as they will lie, in the form of a
large ridge. We then cover them with
the soil removed from the pit. We use
no straw at all, because it adds to the
warmth and makes them sooner germin-
ate and decay. Let any one try 2 heaps
side by side, the one with straw under
the earth and the other without, and he
will find marked difference in favor Of
not using any straw. We do not leave
any air holes, finding that they injure the
potatoes. In winter, on some days Of
extraordinary cold, we cover the pits
with coating of straw. At first only
two or three inches of soil are put on
as it grows colder more soil is added
This is taken up from the sides of the pit
In such way as to form drains J to
feet deep. This drain is very important
to keep the potatoes and the ground un-
der them dry. When several long pits
are arranged side by side, they are put
from four to FIVE feet apart, and a good
drain is made between every two. A few
pits thus arranged together resemble a
fort, and present fiue sight; and in the
spring you may expect to dig out excel
lent potatoes.


In the same manner as described for
potatoes, We preserve all kinds of roots.
l know some of our sugar manufacturers
who cover from thirty to forty acres with
such pits. holding all their store OF
beets. In summer this ground is used
for garden crops, raising different kinds
Of seeds.


Respectfully, HENRY ESDERIs.
Year: 1859

A GRANDMOTHER AT 26 YEARs.-We
have just been informed of remar kable
instance of early development in Frank
lin county. 1t is that of a negro woman
belonging to gentleman in that county,
who gave birth to female child at Ia
years Of age. The daughter improved
upon the example of the mother, and
gave birth to child at IL years Of age
So that there is only difference of 26
years between the ages of grand mother
and grand daughter Richmond { Val
Daspakch.