smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1862

The Memphis BnAetin of the 9th inst,
records the destruction Of the cartridge
manufactory at jackson, and comments On
the disaster as follows


From a gentleman of this city, who was
in that place on business at the time, we
learn that the explosion was not in the
powder magazine, where several thousand
pounds Of powder were lying, but in the
cartridge manufactory, which is very near
the magazine. 1t was among the powder
taken into the manutactOry to be made up.
The immediate cause of the catastrophe
can never be known. Girls were kept at
work making cartridges, in the same way
they formerly did at the corner of Third
and Monroe streets in this city. From
sixty to one hundred girls were usually
employed; it was seen by the telegram
that the full set of hands were not at
work on the day of the explosion. After
the explosion the building burst into
flames, and, shocking to tell, nothing
could be done to aid the sufferers, or res
cue them from the fearful ravages of the
fire that ragged furiously through the
building; for, among the finished work
packed away to send off when called for,
was a considerable number of shells. AS
the fire reached them, the awful instru
ments of warfare exploded, sOmtimes one,
sometimes two, three or more at time,
scattering masses of iron in every direc-
ton. No one could approach the fatal
spot-the firemen stood far off with the
engine idle, unable to lend their aid. The
roaring flames pursued their devouring
work uninterrupted, reducing to cinders
the bodies of forty young girls, protected
in its horrible fierceness by the exploding
shells which appeared to be making war
on their own account. The sight was hOr-
rible, but there was another scene still
more arrowing, if that was possible, than
the work of death--it was the sight of
screaming women and maddened men
calling about for their children! The
loved ones had left them at the noon meal,
rejoicing in their youth and in the attrac-
tions of beauty like holocaust of maid
ems, offered in impious sacrifice to the Mo-
lOch of war.
Year: 1862

From the ST. Cloud Democrat


On last Sabbath evening, between seven
and eight O'Clock, as two ladies went out
of the door of their residence in Lower St.
Cloud, they were caught by a large In
driver was seated, and the cutter was rap
idly driven off. No general alarm was
given; but Mayor Evans quietly got on
their track, and before midnight returned
the captives to their homes.


P. SIT might be well enough to add
that the captives were ourselves and little
daughter, the captor Tanner, the celebra-
ted civilized Chippewa, who came by ap-
pointment, and took us to his sons we'd
ding-the first Indian wedding in St.
Cloud. The ceremony was performed by
Judge Evans at the American House,
where the bride had been making her
home, and the feature of the occasion was,
that Immediately after the ceremony, the
bridegroom turned, led his bride up to his
father and said, in clear distinct voice;


''Father, mother and guardians, l have
taken this young lady to be my wife, and
We come to ask your blessing"


In response, Mr.. Tanner made short,
earnest and eloquent address, presenting
the young couple with Bible, and urg-
ing them to adopt its precepts as the rule
of their life, and assuring them that by so
doing they would ensure the best riches.
At the close of his address, he placed a
band upon the head of each and in his
own name, and that of his wife and the
guardians of his bride, pronounced a SOL
emn and final blessing. 1t was impressive
and beautiful, reminding us forcibly of the
parental blessing to which so much impor-
tance was attached and of the many 9TH
er proofs that the North American Indians
are descendants of the lost tribes.


Mr.. Tanner has long been Chippewa
interpreter, and has lectured on Indian af-
fairs through our eastern cities, and is a
large, powerfully built man.


At the close of the ceremony we all pro-
ceeded to the residence of the bridegroom g
father, ate supper and were sent home,
very well pleased with having been carried
off by ''Big Indian"
Year: 1862

From the Pittsburg Gazette.


We have already noticed a serious acci
dent which occurred on the Pennsylvania
Railroad, on Friday night last, of which we
find the following particulars. The ex-
press train which left this city on Friday
afternoon, was detained nearly an hour, in
consequence of the western train falling to
make the connection. Everything went
we'll until they reached Lilly station, eight
miles from CressOn, where the train was
stopped by the announcement that freight
train was off the track some two miles
ahead. The passenger train was drawn
over the mountains by two large locomo-
tives, and in front of the passenger train
was very large freight train standing on
the track on a high grade. 1t was drawn
by a very large locomotive in front, and
another of the same class was pushing it
in the rear Tie front locomotive had been
detached from the train in order to aid the
freight train ahead on the track, and the
rear locomotive was also detached and
taken down the grade in order to shift it
on the other track. While this process
was going on, and when the rear locomo-
tive was entirely down the grade, and in
front of the two locomotives drawing the
passenger train, the engineer on the back
ing locomotice, Mr.. Powell Sharp, discov-
cred that the whole train was in rapid mo-
ton coming down the steep grade on his
locomotive, and the cars filled with pas
sengers. He reversed his engine in an in
slant and rushed up the grade in order to
meet the freight cars and stop their de-
scent if possible. In this he was partial
ly successful, but after slight check of
the freight cars the whole train came down
on the passenger train, demolishing the To-
comotive with which Mr.. Sharp had check:
ed the train, and also the two locomotives
which were drawing the passenger cars.
This occurred about 12 O'Clock on Friday
night, in the midst of the mountains, or
rather wilderness, and the scene can be
easier imagined than described. The pas
sengers in the train, mostly asleep in the
dead hour of the night, were thus sudden
ly aroused and thrown from their seats
violently, and yet wonderful to relate,
few of them were only scratched about the
face. These injuries were mostly sustain
ed from the irons which are placed on the
back Of the seats on which the passenger
rests his head.


Passengers in the train relate that the
destruction of three locomotives was almost
complete, together with large number of
cars.


The passengers on the train drew up a
paper, complimenting the engineer, MIR.
Powell Sharp, for his heroism and skill,
having at the risk of his own life, saved
the train from fatal collision, which
might have resulted in frightful loss Of
life. A collection was also taken up,
amounting to between $500 and 5000 with
which to purchase Mr.. Sharp suitable
testimonial. The paper was signed on be-
half of the contributors, by one man from
every State represented on the train.
Year: 1862

y
Navy, concerning the recent dismissal Of
Commander Preble.


FIAG-SHIp HARTFORD
Pensacola Bay, Oct. 49, 1862.
SIR--I regret that my statement of
Commander Preble's case should have
drawn upon him such summary and severe
punishment.


That he deserved some censure for his
hesitation to act or fire is to me clear;
but when it is considered how desirous the
government has been to avoid giving Of
fence to foreign nations in enforcing our
blockade, feel assured that Commander
Preble's hesitation arose purely from that
cause. The Oreto was flying the English
flag and pennant, and he feared she might
be an English man-of-war, and having
more confidence in the gunnery of
his crew than the result proved
that they deserved, he lost three
minutes that were never to be re-
gained, as every moment increased
the space between the vessels, and made
it more difficult for Captain Preble to bring
his guns to bear without losing by yawing
his vessel AS the effect of all punish
ment is principally intended to prevent the
repetition OF offences rather than to pun
ish the individual, think there can be
but little doubt that this effect has in the
present instance been obtained upon the
entire navy, and therefore hope that the
department will grant commander Preble
hearing before Court Martial or Court
of Inquiry, so as to enable him to show his
country and his family that he has not sui
lied the brilliant escutcheon Of his grand
sire by any want Of fidelity to his country.


sincerely trust that the President, as
well as yourself, may be prevailed upon to
grant this favor to one who has served his
country faithfully, with unblemished char
acter, up to the moment of this unfortu-
nate occurrence.


Very respectfully your obedient servant,


[olgneuJ ID. Ii. FARRAGUT.
Rear Admiral Commanding west Gulf Block


aiding Squadron.


To Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary of the Ma


Wy, Washington d. G.
Year: 1862

An editor says the OILY reason Why his
house was not blown away during the late
gale, was because there was n heavy mort.
gage upon it.


The moro woman's waist is shaped like
an hour glass. the more il shows thas her
sands Of life are running out.
Year: 1862

The CorroS FACTORIES OF New ENG
LANp.-The Boston Traveller has this inter
estng statement:


In a conversation with some OF our large
New England manufacturers We learn that
India cotton is getting much in favor with
then, and some Of them have sent largo or
ders out for this cotton, preferring II at the
present prices to American. They regard it
more favorably than the English spinuers,
since they have had experience in working il.


As to the burning Of cotton at the South,
our manufacturers consider il will operate bep
eicially to them If one half Of the crop is
burned. The stocks Of good on hand are so
large that there is no doubt Of an ample sup
plv Of cotton TO meet the consumption for
many months TO come, and the manufacturers
will be benefited rather than injured by hav
ing the staple come forward for the remainder
Of the year slowly and at high prices.


Some OF our shrewdest sod largest manu-
facturers are we'll convinced Of this, and as
far as their interest is concerned, would not be
scrry TO see two million bales destroyed in the
pisn,iug rrgions during the coming sur mer.
The consumption and the production Of goods
are both expected to be very light for several
months.
Year: 1862

He WANTED TO Know. "A few evenings
since, the Express train on the Lake Shore
Railroad, was tearing along between Mention
and Painesville ut a tremendous rate The
train was the "lightnipg," and a little behind
time. Suddenly a man was observed at some
distance ahead, waving his hat and ges ticula
ting wildly. r Q alarm whistle WAS sounded
brakes put down, and engine reversed. Fifty
heads were protruded from the wiudc va in sud
den alarm, and when With scorched brakes
AMI jarripg motion the train approached a
halt dozen men jumped of and rushed with
the conductor to learn what eminent danger
bad been averted BY the thong Of tho
countryman. Slowly the countryman re pla
ced his hat on his head and wiped bis heated
face as he replied to their excited intorroga'
tions Said he:


al was thinking of going to Erie some time
this we're summer, an thought I'd lsrn the
price you'd tax feller for going"


In one minute more the train was tearing
along eastward. whilst a very muddy coun
tryman was picking himself up out Of wet
ditch, aud firing Whole battery Of curses after
the fest disappearing conductor.
Year: 1862

Seclusion from sunshine is one of the mis-
fortunes of our civilized modes of life. The
same cause which makes potato vines white
and sickly when grown in dark cellars, oper-
rates to produce the pale, sickly girls that are
grown in our parlors. Expose either TO the
direct rays of the sun, and they begin to show
color, health, and strength


When in London some years ago, visited
an establishment which had acquired wide
reputation for the cure Of those diseases in
which prostration and nervous arrangement
were prominent symptoms. l soon fonnd the
secret of success in the use made of sunshine
The slate roof had been removed, and a glass
one substituted. The upper story was divid-
ed into sixteen small rooms, each one provid-
ed with lounge, washing apparatus, etc
The patient, on entering each his little apart
ment, removed all his clothing, and exposed
himself to the direct rays of the sun. Lying
on the lounge, and turning over from time to
time, each and every part of the body was
thus exposed to the life-giving rays of the sun.
Several London physicians candidy confessed
to me that many cases, which seemed waiting
only for the shroud, were galvanized into life
and health by this process.


Many years ago clergyman, who had for
years been victim to dyspepsia, and who had
earnestly prayed for death as the only door of
escape, came at length, through the advice of
mutual friend, TO consult me- advised the
disuse of all medicines, and generous use of
cracked wheat, and good beef, and much ex-
posure to the sun. To secure the last men
TONED item, l directed him to build a close
fence covering space twenty feet square in
his garden, and plant the earth within with
something to occupy his mind and time
Then, when the weather was warm, shutting
himself in, he was to busy himself quite nude,
Year: 1862

From the last letter of Orpheus G. Kerr we
extract the following passage:


1t is the Union as it was" thai we want, my
boy, and those who have other articles to sell
are hereby accused of being accursed aboli-
tionists. l was talking the other day to a
venerable Congressman from Maryland, who
had just arrived to protest against the disturb
ance of mail facilities between Baltimore and
the Capital of the Southern Confederacy, and
says he Il have seveial friends who are Con-
federacies, and they inform me that they are
perfectly willing to return to the Union as il
was, in case they should fail in their present
enterprise.


"If | thought" says the Congressman has
tiy placing a lottery ticket in his vest pocket.
''if thought this war was to be waged for the
purpose of injuring the Southern Confederacy,
rather than to restore the Union as it was. L
should at once demand more mileage of the
Government. and repeatedly inquire what had
become of all the 'Wideawakes'r


As he uttered the last horrible threat, my
boy, was impressed with sense of something Q
darkly democratic. Too many of the wide
awakes OF the last campanign are indeed fast
asleep now, when their country needs them /
saw one of them slumbering near Culpepper
Court House last week He was sleeping with
his right arm twisted in the spokes of disabled
cannon wheel, and small purple mark was
on his right temple. But he was not alone in
his iorgetfnl soth, my boy, for near him, and
rigidly grasping his right hand, was Demo-
crat, slumbering tool


The sight, | remember, rendered me so hon.
estly indignant that could not help pointing
it out TO the chaplain. The chaplain looked a
moment at the Fusion Ticket before u.s.


"They sleep for the flag" says he softly, "and
may may its stars shed pleasant dreams upon
their loyal souls forever"


Orpheus has written many witty passages,
but neither he nor any one else in this war has
written prettier thing than the closing pas
sages Of the above extract Boston Traveller.
Year: 1862

We who live in the present times have
rare opportunity, such as has not occurred
for eighty years, such as may not come again
in twice that time We do not mean an op-
portunity to make money. Such chances are
always open to health, ability and integrity,
but less so now than in ordinary times. Nor
DO We mean an opportunity for fashionable
display. While SO many families are sacri-
ficing all superauities that they may aid the
national cause, while SO many are embarrass-
ed or bereaved, the ambitious Haunting Of the
shoddy aristocracy has indeed fine sable
background against which to expose its
shame. But it is not of these We speak
Worms must grovel; there is nothing else
that they can do; but We speak to those who
have the ability to save. And We say to such
that the present time offers chance thai
may not come again in hundred years a
chance to prove our manliness by the sever
est test, that of self-sacrifce for the public
good; chance to pay back to benignant
government the long debt we have incurred
chance to meet to the uttermost farthing
the liabilities of the hour. These are times
that try mems souls, times when high pro-
professions of courage and patriotism and
selfdenial are weighed in the balance. Lei
not ours be found wanting. Let not one Of
US hoard dollar that through ignorance OF
forgetfulness escapes tax. Let there be nc
ailments,n fictitious exemptions, no conceal
nent Of any fact whose exposure might cost
dollar or danger. no eager seizing upon
pretexts that are plausible rather than pa,pa-
bic, no pretense Of crippled body where ii
is only cowardly soul. Let nothing but
imperative necessity keep US from such ser


vice, in blood or money, as every citizen now
owes to the land he loves. Let nothing what
ever keep US from that brave, cheerful tenn
per which is the nations great reliance. lie


US be eager TO aid and slow to blame, jus


such friends to the Union in its hour of peri
as we should wish God to grant US in oul
own. III le keystone to the arch that Con


meets the past and the future, standing be
tween the noble men that have been and tn,
noble men that shall be, let US be true to oul
high position. What we do now is ma,te


of history. 1t will be remembered til, W,
ourselves are forgotten. Now is the time f
purchase stainless record, to which in afte
Years We can look back with pride, or stig
ma that will make orr children blush for u
when we are hiding in our graves. Whater
er else of good or great We may have been,
in this hour We are not loyal to the uitermos
the recording angel has no tear that tan wasl
out the stain.-Springfeld Republican,
Year: 1862

The government furnishes liberal supplies
for the food Of the soldiers. and paws prices
that should procure bread and meat of the
best quality and in abundance. If the SOL
der, are kept on short rations, and fed on
decayed beef or sour and mouldy bread,there
is inefficiency or dishonesty somewhere
There is no office in which honesty and ener-
gy are so indispensable as in that of quarter
master. The reports ofthe sanitary commits
sion show that bad food is prolific cause Of
sickness in the army. This is an evil that
ought to be remedied. The government is
soon to have an army twice as large as tha,
of last year, but million soldiers poorly fed
will be no more efficient than half that num-
Der who are keep in good condition by obey
ing the laws of health. The State govern
ments have duty to perform in this matter
| They should see to it that their soldiers art
not abused by dishonest commissariat.-
There is no abuse worse than this in IFS con
sequences. Our volunteers are willing tC
bear the necessary hardships and self-denial:
of the service, but they are not willing, ant
should not be, to be robbed in their needfu
daily food by the men who stand between
them and the government. 1t would be /;
good thing if each State executive would EN-
ploy trustworthy agents to visit suecessirel.
and frequently all its regiments in the ser
vice, and see to it that they are fairly deal
with, and that the men are not disabled b,
unwholesome or inefficient food.-Springfel
Republican.
Year: 1862

MY METHOD OF GRowING OHIoXs.-As
some Of my neighbors admire the size and
quality of the onions grow, am induced
to Communicate my method, for the benefit
of your readers. In the fall, throw up the
ground intended for my onion bed into ridges.
| do this for the purpose Of securing the ameli.
Grating influences Of the frost upon the soil,
for If there is any one thing which an onion
loves, in its early stages of growth; than
another, it is finely pulverized soil. As
soon as the weather will permit in the spring,
(no matter how early,) ! level the ridges,
and smooth the ground fit for sowing the
seed. This, for several seasons past, have
succeeded in doing during the latter part Of
February. As early in March as the sea.
son will admit, l sow my seed in drills,
about half an inch deep, and sixteen inches
apart, covering the seeds well with the back
OF light rake, and press it down lightly
with my foot. In about two or three weeks,
the plants begin to appear. As soon as
observe them, sprinkle the beds with wood
ashes, so that the ground is fairly covered.
This kills or drives away the worm, and
has the effect Of stimulating the growth of
the plants. Once week, at least, and some
times more frequently, hoe the ground we'll
between the rows, and as soon as the plants
begin TO form bulbs, give them three or
four good waterings with strong soap-suds,
at intervals Of as many days. Il is not my
practice to check growth, by breaking down
the tops, they being permitted to stand as
long as they have strength to do so; and
just as soon as the tops fall of themselves, |
pull the onions. Bythis plan get fine large
onions in single season, from seed, feat
not always accomplished in this latitude.
Year: 1862

We were surprised here this morning at finding
the intelligence from Fort Pillow gwen to the
country through the Navy Department: at Wash
inst on, a1d published in al1 the newspapers yes
terdsy morning, when we have regularly had some
intelligence stricken out Of dispatches Up 70 last
night. We have important news which they won't
let us send--CuiTo 7e:tgram yesterday.


Three days dispatches relating to the
siege Of Fort Pillow have accumulated at
Cairo, under the ban Of the military censor
The loyal people Of the North, who fur
nish the troops and pay the bills, were not
permitted to know with what success a
movement IN which they have the deepest
interest was being carried forward. "Be-
cause it would give aid and comfort to the
enemy" forsooth! will somebody explain
to us how?
Year: 1862

A letter from on board the United States
steamship Mississippi, off New Orleans,
states that a steamboat load from the upper
Louisiana, had reached that city. This cot
ton was to be put on board the steamer Ten
nessee, captured from the rebels, and sent to
Boston which will make good the promise Of
Gen Butler that he would send home a freight
of cotton within sixty days after passing the
forts. The same writer states that recruiting
is going on for the federal army at New Or
leans with unexpected success.
Year: 1862

10 The Middlebury Register has donned
new dress, which is very becoming to pa
per of the standing and abilit. that it has
heretofore maintained. We congratulate
friend Mead on this evidence OF his prosperity
BY the way, will the Register please read Mr..
Watous speech on eonfscatou and point out
to US the discrepancy between it and the
homo management Of the WatchmaD p
We expressed decided preference for the
Senate bill instead Of the one passed by the
House; Mr. Walton now speaks for himself
Will the Register and Burlington Free Press
publish the speech OF Mr.. Walton and let
their readers Judge for themselves.