smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

A GREAT BRIDGE.-Work on the bridge ovel
the East River, between New York and Brooklyn
will soon begin. The New York Sun says concern
ing this magnificent enterprise:


The board of consulting engineers adjourned
yesterday after careful examination of the plant
and theories of the constructing engineer, Mr.
Robling. The first point on which they unanimous


" decided was that there is nothing impossible in
the building of a suspension bridge Of so great 9
span as sixteen hundred feet. On the Brooklyn
side there is a substratum of boulders which the
current cannot act upon or wash away. But on the
New York side the foundation would have to be
laid upon quicksand. The borings showed thai
this quicksand is not recent deposit but the orr
ginal decomposed rock which has lain numberles.
ages just where it is now. The weight Of each
tower is to be seventy-fve thousand tons To dis
tribute this vast weight so that no part the pres
sure on the bore shall be over four tons per foot
Mr.. Roebling proposes that the area ofthe founda
ton shall be one hundred and sixty-ive feet long
and one hundred feet broad. This area will be
composed of huge timbers resting on the sand and
bearing the masonry work Of the tower upon it.
The timber will be twenty feet thick and this mas
of twenty feet by one hundred and sxtyfve feet by
one hundred feet will be securely bolted into one
solid frame, so that the weight Of the tower above
can never defect it in the slightest degree at any
point. As to the durability Of the timber, the uni
form judgment of the board is that when sounc
timber is imbedded. free from fluctuations Of tenn
perature, and at a depth below the action of thu
tides, it is simply indesructible and everlasting
Mr.. Roebling's plans having been approved, the
committee will begin work without delay.
Year: 1869

THE GERMAN ELEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
From recent article in the New York Herald
we learn that the entire German population II
this country, counting in those Of German descent
in the first generation and their offspring, still re
tanning the language and habits of their parents
is from 100000 to 100000, with voting
power of perhaps over 100000. There is New
York city with more German inhabitants than any
city in Germany except Vienna and Berlin Thert
are probably not four cities in the fatherland thai


have larger German population than Philadel
Year: 1869

are splendid show places, and vast number O
churches, academies, lyceums, libraries; and il
has Charles Sumner, and had Daniel Webster
and the poor South was cursed with slavery; and
so we have pride in New England, and in duty
bound should be ashamed Of the South. Never.
theless, there was love Of family and a love Of
home that more than balanced the account aud
gave, in fact, the better civilization Of the two.e


Still; keepipgip view that am not called upon
to consider the difference, morality, between the
two sections but as an illustration Of the civliza-
ton of one, venture to call attention to little
book before me, by Professor Storer Of Boston, in
which he tells US that the love of offspring in New
England is such that the land is being depupuated
Of Yankees through the wholesale murder Of the
innocents; and to certain statistics furnished by
the Society of Social Science that go to prove that
the homes Of New England are rapidly passing
into the hands of foreigners Ileave my sarcastic
friend to settle these ugly results Of New England
civilization with his neighbour Hrs
Year: 1869

STRANGE NUPTIAIs.-Some time since well
known young gentleman appeared at one Of our
metropolitan churches with very beautiful young
lady, and, invoking the services Of the minister,
was immediately united to her in marriage. The
lady appeared deeply agitated, and there was
stern determination visible on the countenance Of
the youth-a pale angry face-evincing anything
but joy in the nuptials As soon as the ceremony
was concluded the man turned to the lady with the
remark II have kept my promise now-you are
married to me but I will never look on your face
again.


There was frantic appeal in the girls actions
and tears she begged, implored him to recall his
his words-nromised some wild things better left
imprinted and then sank fainting to the floor.
The man turned on his heel and quilted the apart
ment What did it mean?


The simple relation Of facts look like the coloring
of romance yet are they true in every particular.
When it is further stated that the parties are of
high social position, have numerous relations, and
that they were utterly unattended, the mystery
will appear more strange. Their friends have tried
vainly to reconcile the matter An obstinate silence
greets every appeal in behalf Of the lady, and she,
if indeed she can, refuses any explanation.
Year: 1869

|, The BUFFALoEs' LUxURY.-The bufaloes
found in the telegraph poles Of the overland line
new source of delight on the treeless prairie-the
novelty of having something to scratch against.
But it WAS expensive scratching for the telegraph
company; and there, indeed, was the rub, for the
bisons shook down miles Of wire daily. A bright
idea struck somebody to send to St. Louis and
Chicago for all the brad-awls that could be pur-
chased and these were driven into the poles, with
. view to wound the animals, and check their rub
bing propensity. Never was greater mistake.
The buffaloes were delighted For the first time
they came to the scratch, sure Of sensation in
their thick hides that thrilled them from horn to
tail. They would go fifteen miles to find brad
awl. They fought huge battles around the poles
containing them, and the victor would proudly
climb the mountainous heap Of rump and hump
of the fallen and scratch himself into bliss until
the brad.awl broke or pole came down. There has
been no demand for brad-awls from the Kansas
region since the first invoice
Year: 1869

REMARKABLE MARRIAGE. The Americas (Ga)


Courier relates the particulars Of q case in that
couuss in which the bride was betrothed to three
broshers and married to two Of them, which ID
rather remarkable:


On the 9Th ofAugust, 1866, . young man came
to Americus and procured license to marry an esti-
mable young lady, residing several miles from this
city, went home, and was married in,ths aftnnoon
of that day. He was attacked by 4 coDgestive
chill, which termisated in his death the following
Saturday, the stricken bride following bis remains
Ito their last resting place, clothed in the same suit
in which her heart had been made glad by becom-
ing bis bride.


On the following August (lss7,) the second
brother Of the same family came to Amerieus for
the same purpose which had brought the deceased
one year previous. On his way home, rejoicing in
happy anticipation Of making the worthy widow
of his lost brother his own bride, he was caught in
heavy rain, and arrived at home with his cloth
ing thoroughly saturated, from which he was tax
en- with congestive chill the same evening and
died the evening previous to the marriage, which


was to have taken place the following Sabbath.
Again, instead of listening to the merry ringing Of
the marriage bells, the death kneI was heard and
funeral procession took the place of the marriage
feast. Some time during last month the third


brother of the deceased procured license and was
happily married to the twice-bereaved lady.
A SHARP DocroR.-Doctor Walcott, the cele-
brated Peter Pndar, was an eccentric character,
and had great many queer notions Of his own
oood stbrv ia told bv one of his cotemporaries
|of the manner in which be tricked his publisher.
The latter, wishing to buy the copyright Of bis
works, offered him by letter life annuity of s200
The Doctor, learning that the publisher was very
anxious to purchase, demanded s300. In reply,
the latter appointed day on which he would call
on the Doctor and talk the matter over. At the
day assigned the Doctor received him in entire dis
habile, even to the nightcap; and having aggra-
waited the sicky look Of naturally cadaverous face
by purposely abstainng from the use Of razor for
some days, he had all the appearance Of candidate


for quick consumption. Added to this, the crafty
author assumed hollow and most supulchral
cough, such as would excite the pity Of even
sheriff officer. The publisher, however, refused
giving more than e2O0 till suddenly the Doctor
broke out into violent fit Of coughing which pro-
duced an offer of f250. This the Doctor peremp-
torily refused, and was seized, almost instantly,
with another even more fnghtful and longer pro-
tracted attack, that nearly sufocated him; when
the publisher, thinking it impossible that such
man could live long, raised his offer, and closed
with him at e3O0. The old Doctor lived twenty
FIVE or thirty years afterwards
Year: 1869

CRIMINAL Court SEAL.-We have
been shown the device for the Seal of
the Vaudurburgh Criminal Court, and
the design is very good. Around the
circle it will read Vandurburgh
Criminal Circuit Court" and in the
centre space there will be a spread
eagle with a scroll in his beak in
which is the word " Justice" with
" Indiana" under the same. The seal
will be made i'll this city
Year: 1869

FRAGRANT BOUQUET.-Our sanctum
was made redolent, yesterday, with
one of the most beautiful and fragrant
boquets we ever beheld, sent to US by
Mrs. Stockton, who will please accept
our thanks for her beautiful gift, the
memory Of which will survive long
after the flowers have faded and died.
Year: 1869

THE poem Resurrection is very re-
spectfully declined. Prose. if it has a
substratum of news or a single original
thought, is like the garments we wear.
even though they be coarse and uncome,
Iy, their utility is compensation. But
poetry, we esteem as jewels; unless
genuine they are better uEworn. Though
the Posi- sometimes deviates in practice
from this preaching, it is with many
apologies to the good taste of its read
ers- We would be pleased to hear
from our correspondent in prose and
accede TO the suggestion.
Year: 1869

The Idaho Statesman, under It's new
poses to swing clear of the old hulks
that are still padding along in the an
te-Rebellion current Witness from its
salutatory.


We recognize the tact that many of
the Issues that have frenZied the blood
of the American people during late
years have been determined, at least for
the life time of this generation. We
prefer to live in the present and the fu-
ture and to make this paper live news
paper, warm with the activities of the
time. rather than confused with the
effete discussions of an age which can no
more be recalled in the life OF this ma
tion. than we can recall the events of
our own lives"
Year: 1869

THAT Good Lord. good devil insti-
tuition down on Main street, hat "slob-
bered over Mr.. Langiord until all Mon
tana was disgusted with the fulsome
flattery, now berates him because he
chose respectable company in prefer
ence TO theirs. The infamous sheet that
sets up its personal malice over the de-
cisions of the courts, would tear the
shroud from a corse To spread on the
banquet board OF its loathsome desires.
Year: 1869

The Salt Lake Telegraph has line in
it's editorial columns:


THE Telegraph is friend to the rail-
road interest"


Do you recollect the story OF a would
be artist who thought it necessary to
write under his sketch. This is a
horseI'
Year: 1869

Various accounts agree that there
has been a marked change in the ap-
pearance of the falls since last year.
The theory in regard to the caving in
or. wearing way Of Niagara has never
had stronger confirmation before
The Horse Shoe has evidently given
away some thirty feet in that part of
the cone where the "green water" is
seen, SO that the horse shoe appear
ance is nhetamorphosed to that of a
triangular shape. 1t is thought chat
about one hundred and fifty tons of
rock must have fallen in OH the Horse
Shoe alone, and old habitues are tax
ing landmarks, to notice the recession
that may take place before another
year. '.f.i- ''t-,'=.-i


The American Fall has evidently
given way at points to considerable
extent. There is no doubt but that
Niagara is always. crumbling away
and falling back, but the present re-
cession is probably the greatest ever
witnessed by any one generation. The
heavy ice fields which pass over in
the spring, the strong currents and
ceaseless wear and tear of time, and
the mighty, laundering cataract, must
inevitably tell heavily upon the rocky
crest of the grand old shrine; but of
course its falling away must be SO slow
as not to be observable to the eye, ex-
cept when, from time to time, some of
the immense powders are torn from
their rplsces.-Uticd Observer. Ia 5a l.,
Year: 1869

FRtGHTrUL FALL.-The Inland Empire Of
the 18th inst. SAYS: We learn that while the
passenger train coming west from Pronionto-
ry on Saturday night last was proceeding at
n high rate of speed. about ten miles this
side Of Prnmontory, the fireman fell from the
engine while ont on the sidehoard oiling the
machinery. The engineer Gid not see him
fall and did not miss him until the train had
run some two miles. when he reversed his
engine and backed up in search of the body.
When found, the fireman was lying colled up
against the sandstone wall of a cu', with his
left arm under his head and the oil can sit
ting in front of him. He had whrled along
the bank far several steps, mlrnculo1sly es-
Gaping serious injury, and when the tram re-
turned was quietly sleeping, being somewhat
Stupefied
Year: 1869

RlCH RIVER CLAIM.-Munn & Co.'s claim
in the Tuolumne River near Hawkins Bar
has been opened a short time and paying from
twelve to twenty ounces per day when the
late rain commenced. We have not heard
what effect the storm haG but it is feared that
the river may have risen sufficient to stop fur.
ther work this season. If such he the case il
is to be regretted as for the past two years
the rise has come just as every thing was
ready for taking out the gold causing them to
lose the seasons work with large expenses.
Year: 1869

The election that took place on Wednesday,
resulted in th.s county in favor OF j. NJ Casis
for District Judge. The vote OF the county
fell of probably one third from that ot Sep
tember. Election day was very rainy. II Is
reasonable 10 presume that the weather kept
numbers from coingto the polls. The friends
of Judge Cavis were very active on that day
and succeeded III obtaining quite number OF
Democratic votes for him. their work. if not
something more persuasive, told heavily
against Gen. Booker, who will be beaten in
this county, from two hundred and twenty
to two hundred and forty votes.


Crockett and Wallace i. is believed have
carried the county but it cannot be definitely
known until the official count is made.


All interest on election day centered on the
candidate for District Juige the Republicans
came out to vote far better than the Demo-
Gratis did. 1t is source CT regret with true
Democrats, that a portion of their party
should have pursued the course they did by
leaguing with the opposition for the purpose
of defeating gentleman who had been hon
orably placed before them by the Democracy
of the whole district. These persons claim
ing to be Democrats who voted and worked
for the reelection of Judge Cayis, may have
gratifed their private feelings. but in doing
so, they have not accomplished the defeat OF
General Booker, or any other Democratic can
didate. Our candidate for District Judge
will have several hundred majority, as we are
informed that San Joaquin will give him
three hundred, and it is expected that Stanis-
laus will give as many more.


Now that the elections are over for this
year, those Democrats who have been "buck.
ing" against some of the nominees made by
their party, have time for reflection. If they
can consistently approve what the have done
and intend to follow like course in the fu-
ture, the sooner they cease calling themselves
Democrats, the sooner they will appear truth
full without desire to make false pretences.
The causes that have existed for such course
have died with the two elections, many
Democrats attempted to defeat their own par
ty, they accomplished nothing except the de-
fea. of candidate for Senator and Sheriff.
If similar action is to be had in the future,
the party in this county will be demoralized
and broken up.
Year: 1869

STATE AID TO rng MINING COUNTIES
The following remarks in relation to the
State giving assistance to the impoverished
Mining Counties we take from the Sacra-
mento Bee.


"'I'he local papers published in mining To-
cali,es are discussing the probability OF the
next Legislature passing an Act giving re-
lief TO those mining counties which have
become so deeply involved that they cannot
pay their indt bsedness. Calaveras, Tuol-
umre. FL Dorado and in fact nearly all the
mining counties are suffering from the dry
rot which has grown upon them year by
wear. until rnin now stares them in the face.
The Grass Valley Union admits the decay
even of Nevada county, one of the least un-
fortunate of the class referred to. and thinks
that no relief can restore her to the position
she once held in mineral wealth and political
power. 1t says that the people of the noun
iains who cling TO them in the hope that
something will turn up, regret that they
have clung so long as to be too poor to get
away. There is some opposition to any
srhere looking to the payment by tho State
Of even portion Of the debts owed by some
of the mining counties; but we can see no
way by which reputation of their indebted
ness can be averted unless the State steps In
and relieves them of portion of their liabili-
ties AZ TO the best method Of proceeding to
accomplish such an end, we will not here
enter into discussion. Several ways have
already hecn proposed. and it is hoped the
Legislature will select from them such ms arc
hest calculated to secnre the desired end
without imposing too heavy or unjust bur-
dens upon other counties.
Year: 1869




The subjOined eloquent extract is made
from an address recently delivered by
Col. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, who, if
we are not mistaken, commanded cav
airy brigade in the Confederate army
The occasion of the address was the
dedication of monument erected to the
Confederate dead. 1t is an eloquent
tribute to the heroism of the South, and
should be preserved with our cherished
memories:


The contest was most unequal one
the South fought at every disadvantage.
With a white population o. less than ten
millions and half; with an armsbearing
population of less than nine hundred
thousand; Maryland, Missouri, Tennes-
see, Kentucky and Virginia divided;
without regular soldier or q military
organization; without q ship or navy
yard; but with few guns, and they Of
inferior quality, and not a manufactory
where any part of gun or any part Of
its ammunition could be made; without
money or organized credit; cut off from
all the world, in whose markets she was
not allowed to purchase even the medi>
cines for the sick; insulated from all
mankind, and even thrust out from
ali sympathy; encomposed with
vastly outnumbering foes, whose
armies daily recruited from every
nation under the sun, were sup~
piled with every appliance Of warfare and
every possible comfort as we'll as neces>
sary every harbor closed with watching
war vessels, and every stream occupied
by hostile gunboats her soldiers hungry,
ragged and barefooted, she yet fought
with such tremendous power, and was
welded with such skill, that the ex~
penditure Of money to conquer was more
than would have purchased every foot Of
her lard, every house in her cities and
villages, every slave on her plantations,
and all her property of every kind and
the killed and permanently disabled Of
her enemies amounting to more than her
entire armies during the whole struggle.
You may search history in vain for
parallel"
Year: 1869

1t would astonish the natives Of the
southern portion of the State, could they
see the immense snow.banks that have
continued in the mountainous portions OF
the State, nearly through the month Of
June. As we rode from Bethel to Rum
ford, June Is, we could count dozen of
them. Many of them are still from ten
to twenty feet in depth. As we now
write, June %, there is still an immense
bank to be seen on White Cap, in Rum-
ford. In the gorges of Saddleback
Mountain may be seen a snowbank
twenty miles distant from Bethel Prob
ably during the last century, as much
snow has not fallen among the noun
tains in Northern Maine as in the winter
of lS6869. Tee unusually green ap-
pearance of the forest at the present
time exhibits a curious contrast to the
snowbanks peering out here ard there
1t is truly winter resting in the lap OF
spring-Leloistolon { Mel Journal.
Year: 1869

HUNDREDS of wealthy people have sig
nitied their intention of making the trip
around the world. They will start next
September, leaving Immediately upon
the close of the fashionable summer sea-
son. The journey is commenced, really,
at San Francisco. In two or three years
it will be as common to make this ninety.
day trip as it used to be to go from one
State to another.
Year: 1869

GUsTAvE DoRE, the well-known paint
er, went out, like everybody else, to see
the rioting. He was in his working


clothes, that is, in blouse; and, eminent
as he is, decorated and quite persons
age, he was mistaken for a gGmtn from
his youthful appearance. Some of the
despicable individuals who SOW money
to reap disturbance were doubtless led
into error by that circumstance, for, on
DOre feeling some one touch his pocket,
he put his hand into it and found there a
piece of five francs which he had never
placed there. On the strength of his
costume and face he was paid to aid m
the rint
Year: 1869

AN exchange publishes the following


letter from correspondent giving a
simple method of getting rid of those
troublesome pests-mosquitoes "Take
Of gum camphor piece about One-third
the size of an egg, and evsporate it by
placing it in vessel, holding it over q
lamp or candle, taking care that it does
not ignite. The smoke will soon fill the
room and expel the mosquitoes. One
night was terribly annoyed by them,
when 1 thought of and tried the above,
after which l never saw nor heard them


that night, and next morning there was
not one to be found in the room, though
the window had been left open all night. -
Year: 1869

IT is said to be a fact, that an seronaut
crossing the Tennessee river on q moon
light night at point one mile over it,
can see distinctly to the bottom of the
river. 1t is q curious fact, which all
eronauts have observed, but it is true
alone of the Tennessee river. Perhaps
it is from the fact that the stream is from
the mountains.
Year: 1869

THE Washington Chronicle glows over
the idea that all the Southern negroes
will act at the ballot box fearlessly, as
they did in Washington on the 7th of
June" To Forney's eye there is noth-
ing so like dove with an olive branch
as a loyal negro, very drunk, with a
razor BOStOn Post.
Year: 1869

A determined advocate of the rights
Of men insist that eff any man wants to
be an old bachelor, and get sick at a
boarding tavern, and have red haired
chambermaid, bring his Cruel to him in
tin wash basin, be has got perfect
light to do it."
Year: 1869

CBIcAGo, July 5.-Last night the south
ward bound freight train on the Illinois
Central railroad ran off the track three
miles below Kankakee, it is supposed
from the explosion of the boiler. The en-
gineer was found lying beneath the wreck,
burned to cinder. There was scarcely o
human trace left of the unfortunate man.
The fireman was also badly scalded, and il
rumored that brakeman was also killed,
bat it is not authenticated.


Dispatches from Wisconsin say that the
last few days of pleasant weather have
greatly improved the prospect of the
wheat. 1t is all right and will be ready
for harvest in couple of weeks. Corn
looks well, and is coming ahead 7ery fast.