smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

The scales which SO long obscured the
vision of the Atlantic press are beginning to
fall Just hear how sensibly the New York
Sunday Times speaks of our great Overland
Mail:


ut is curious fact that the Overland
Mail to California, which twas apprehended
with the lsthmus route, now transports an
average of upwards of a thousand letters per
day! This is brisk business for beginning.
As the Dad is one confined entirely to our
own territory; and is, moreover, as direct as
circumstances will permit, besides enjoying
the prospect of continued abbreviation as
civilization spreads beyond Missouri to the
great west, it is one that should enjoy the
confidence of the entire nation. Its success
should lie close to the heart Of every man
who pretends to be an American citizen, and
the ease with which so much has been ac-
complished in that direction should stimu-
late all the States in the Union to the con-
struction Of Pacific Railroad, without re-
or petty disputes. We have no doubt that
such railroad would stud the whole route
from St, Louis to San Francisco with enter
prising communities full of the spirit of
trade and the ambition to become distn-
guished. A thousand letters per day should
never be carried over route left, by sheer
neglect, to throw away all its opportunities
for improvement"


A few more such as the Times, and there
need be no fear Of an ab.idgement Of the
Overland Mail, and the railroad project will
also receive an impetus which no power can
resist This time next year will see thou
sands of hardy workers employed in the
building of this great National work, and
ere five years more shall have passed we
may exclaim-"Clear the track! the locomo
tive is coming."
Year: 1859

Some days since Mr.. Street made q few re-
marks upon the Pacific Railroad question, in
which be took a position from which we dissent
most earnestly. He says:


81 believe the only practicable project which
communications can be had between California
and the States by railroad will be road con-
structed from Washington Territory, through
Oregon, through this State connecting with the
line now being carried from Texas to our bor-
ders."


Again:


The idea of constructing road at the North
is in my opinion chimerical, and never can be
practicable"


In the first place we think Mr. Street is in er-
ror in the belief that the only practicable way
to obtain communication across the continent,
is to first build road from Washington Terri
tory down through Oregon and California to
connect with the road coming from Texas. Why
the distance from Washington Territory down
through California is as great rs the distance
across the Plains. The same time and money
required to build this road down the Pacific
coast would be Sufficient to build q road from
Fort Reading to st. Joseph, Missouri. We i'm
agine communication with the eastern States is
the primary object of the friends of Pacific
railroad Why then talk about building thou
sand miles of road on this coast before taking an
eastern direction? As the Union shows, even
after this project of Mr. Street is consummated,
and the road from Washington Territory to Fort
Yuma completed, there will still be nearly
two thousand miles of railroad to be built be-
fore connection could be formed with the rail-
roads of the Atlantic. Now, if we can obtain
this railroad connection with the Mississippi
Valley by building two thousand miles of rail-
road from Fort Reading through Mobiles Pass to
st. Joseph, Missouri, why not do SO, instead of
first running hundreds of miles down to the
southern extremity of the State, to point as
remote from the eastern railroad connection as
is San Francisco? Why? We have Mr.. Streets
answer in ahe second paragraph quoted above
from his speech. He believes the building of II
railroad over the Noble Pass and South Pass
route chimsricap and impracticable. If we
entertained this belief, we too would favor the
rainbow route Ella Fort Yuma. Believing the
Central Route not only practicable, however, but
the shortest, cheapest and best in every respect
we can only regret that our Representative en-
tertans different views. 1t is too late in the day
for men to talk about the impracticability of the
Central Route for railroad. The Government
surveys not only prove it practicable but emil
nently adapted TO the building of railroad. We
refer Mr. Straat to tba of T
We venture the assertion that, after reading
that document, he will never again pronounce
the project of constructing railroad from Fort
Reading, or some other point in the Sacramento
Valley, over the mountains and plains to ST.
Joseph, either chimerical or impracticabe
Year: 1859

JEALoUsY.-The Beacon thinks that portion of
Mr.. Streets speech on the Shasta War which
has reference to Col. Lewis, proceeds from
Jealousy" This is a very funny idea. Col Lewis
five know him well, as we think we do, is not
the man to attribute such motive to Mr.. Street
COL Lewis is too much of politician TO be Of
Tended by the sarcasms or hits" at his expense
made upon question by one who differs with
hun IN regard to that question. A man who
can't take such hits in good part is not fit
for public man.
Year: 1859

4 meeting of the citizens of Shasta will be
held this evening at the Empire Hotel, for the
purpose of raising means to build wagon road
over the " Divide" and improving the road from
aIis place to the Canon House. Let there be
full meeting
Year: 1859

MAY DAY BALl.-Capt. Wells purposes giving
a grand Ball at Fort Reading on the I'd of Nay
next, the first coming on Sunday. We are per-
suaded that this will prove most agreeable
affair. We know of no place in the county so
admirably suited for such party as Fort Read
ing
Year: 1859

A CARD.-0n our first page will be found
card from Hon. Isaac Hare, which we copy from
the Democratic Standard of the 10th inst The
publication of the squib which called it forth
was an act unworthy of the distinguished editor,
and unworthy OF his paper which aims to be
recognized as the State Organ of great party.
Mr. Hare has resided in this county, with the
exception of few months, since 1851 In all
this time no charge of any dishonorable conduct
has been brought against him. His California
LIE has been as free from stain as that of any
gentleman in the land, aye as free as even that
of the Chief Executive himself, whose reputation
stands untarnished.
Year: 1859

FRiENDsHP.-0ur friend Mcdonald, of the
Trinity J0irnci, takes occasion in his last weeks
paper to express such sentiments of esteem and
friendship for the Courier and its proprietors
as would make any man. placed in our stead,
feel glad. We would rather have such an eulo


GUM from an intelligent newspaper man than
the united praises of every enemy of the Courier.
Year: 1859

THE MOUNT VERNON ASSOCIATION Mrs. E.
Garter has been appointed, by the Vice Regent
for California. Lady Manager for this town, for
the purpose OF soliciting contributions to aid in
the purchase of the Mount Vernon Estate The
object of the Association is fully set forth in the
address of the Vice Regent, published in our
paper of the 5th inst Mrs. Garter has appoint
ed Mrs. R. T. Sprague and Mrs. j. D. Mix as her
assistants. A contribution of dollar entities
one person to membership. We trust every lady
and gentleman Of the town will become mem
Der of the Association. Nevertheless we may
be permitted here to express the opinion that it
would have reflected greater credit upon the
people of this Republic, if Congress had pur-
chased the Mount Vernon Estate
Year: 1859

Coroner Nelson Yesterday morning held an in
guest over the body of white female child, found
by officer Whitelock in the neighborhood of Low
and Fayette streets. Verdict still born.
Year: 1859

IHE PROGRESS OF THE GREAT EASTERN STEAMSHIP
This leviathan steamer having now definitely pa g.
ed into the hands of the Great Ship Company ac


tive steps are taken in order to have the vessel ready
for sea by the latter end of July or the beginning
OF August. Several hundred workmen are enoa
ged IN the work; and the progress is rapid The
great shalt, weighing upwards of thirty tons was
some time since placed on board. Since that time
the fitting of the machinery has progressed ranidIv
and one of the masts will be set up in the If
a lew days The mast is now laying alongside the
ship, and the shears prepared for hoistng il in
to Its place. There will be six masts to the shin
three OF iron and three of wood. Those in the
neighborhood of the tunnels will be of iron, the
ioremasts OF wood. The necessity of having iron
masts will be readily understood when it is remem-
bered that the furnaces, burning some $50 tons Of
coal per day, will send enormous heat throuob the
monster tunnels. 1t happens at times that il s ne
cessafy TO cut away the masts and when thew are
OF timber there is an obvious mode of accomplishno
ths OBJECT. Masts OF iron do not, however afford
the same facilities, but this difficulty is tn he
come by screw OF enormous power which placed
on deck and at tached to the masts will when set in
motion, crush IN the iron Sides and let the towering
columns fall overheard. A very ingenious arranpe


ment Tor fastening the rigging to the masts il to he
adopted, which in the event of its being necessary
to send the masts overheard, will afford facilities
for Immediately letting go al! the ropes. The
shrouds and stays will be secured to iron rings
constructed as readily to open when reqnired but
| on other occasions holding with firmness which
defes any amount of strain which might be brought
to bear upon them. The whole of the rigging will
be of iron wire. The main and topmast yards of
the square rugged masts will be of iron and the
length of the main yard l20 feet, or yery nearIV y
forty-feet longer, and several times as strong a.
the main yard of the largest lineo ofbattle-ship
ahoat. 1t has been finally decided that Portland


the Great Eastern will make its first voyage liz
pool Post, 18th.
Year: 1859

HANDLING BANK NoTEs. --Peterson's Detector warns
persons who are compelled to handle bank notes
not to wet their thumbs while counting the bills
1t remarks that if the thumb comes in contact
with the tongue after handling note from the
pocket of infected with the smallpox, the
infection is as sure to take effect the nocuation
of child
Year: 1859

MAN Hurt BY A FABL.-A man named Find
lay, who was engaged in putting up house OF
Ninth street, near Mound, while walking across
the joist in an upper story, which had beer
made wet by the rain, fell through to the eel
lar, and alighting upon pile of stone, cut hi'
face, broke his leg, and dislocated his shoulder
His injuries are so serious that he will be con
fined for long time to his room, and will prob
ably lose his leg by amputation.
Year: 1859

sPIoED MILK.--A couple of horses attached
to a milk wagon, ran away on Baum street,
yesterday afternoon, and against spice wagon,
with such force as to upset both, emptying
their contents together in the street, making a
mixture that would puzzle any cook in the
country. Tho rampant steods brought up
against fence on Third street, and left their
owner to "cry over his split milk "if he chose,
and the owner of the other wagon to regret the
loss of his spice. b.
Year: 1859

ACCIDENT TO A CARPENTER.--A carpenter
named Gregg, who was engaged on Race street,
yesterday, with an adzc, in hewing out an cave
trough, cut his left foot seriously, that it is
thought he will not survive if it be not ampu-
tated His instep was almost severed, and
he was taken home in an excess of pain and
Year: 1859

a writer In whose signature We
recognize the initials Of the Rev. ].
J. Bullock, D. D., of Walnut Hill,
Kentucky. communicates 10 the
Louisville Herald a very interesting
sketch of an i.teryiew with Henry
Clay towards .he close of that great
mans life Itpresents bis religious
views more clearly than any other
statement which has been given.
After speaking of the personal friend
ship existing between himself and
Mr. Clay, DR.. Bullock says:


"Upou meeting him on one coca
sion, he said to me, Sir, | wish to come
and spend a day with you in the eoun-
t-y. There are some things about
which / wish to converse with you.
Shortly after he came early in the
morning, and spent the entire day.
1t was not long before he left his
home Tor the last time for Was hing
ton. ] can never forget that day.
Mr.. Clay was very feeble, and ovi-
IDENTIFY believed that his busy and
eventful life was drawing rapidly
to a close. | had seen Lin in the
vigor of his manhood, and he Ger
taihly was the most imposing and
commanding man | ever saw. Now,
he was gentle and tender as wo>
man; bis mind was clear and strong
bis views and feelings about religion
had erideutly undergone great
change. They were evangelical and
catholic, and bis feelings were those
of "a large hearted and humble
IChristian. He spoke freely upon
The whole subject. He expressed
great doubt about his living to take
his seat in the Senate, bat hoped
that God would spare his life until
he could once more speak to bis


countrymen. | was exceedingly


struck with the purity and depth
Iof his love Of county and the


Union. He seems to Lave merged


bis character as the greatest of party
] leaders into that Of a second Father
| of his country"
Year: 1859

The Chattanooga Gazette says Of
John W. White: "As TO the various
rumors of his death-his arrest, Sc,
we believe none Of them. We believe
that he is ilive-beyond the reach of
an arrest, even if reward were Of
ftrad for him which wonll tempt
come ayaricious wretch to hunt him
up-that be is suffering punishment
now fully commensurate with his OF
fence-and that his family and friends
do not know where be is, or at least
Go not correspond with him.
Year: 1859

HORACE GREELEY is coming to California
by the Central Overland route, and may be
here the last of this month The Telegram
announces the fact in rhyme, and the Bee
proposes demonstration in his honor, as
4" the editor who has never, for more than ten
years, neglected an opportunity to say a
good word for the Pacific Railroad, and for
every other great interest in our midst"
The Bee thinks q it might not be inappropri-
ate to meet him at Folsom, and convey him
as the guest of the city over the entire length
of the only railroad west of the Rocky
Mountains. Public dinners and such like he
abhors, but he does delight in the wild
shrek of the iron horse, as, in the exuber-
ance of his joy, and with glowing heart of
fire, he dashes through the woody solitudes
and over the silent plains, waking to life
and activity the lethargy of all past ages,
and bidding peoples and cities and civiliza-
ton follow westward in his train. If he
could take pleasure in any public display,
himself being the object, it would be such
as that; but to go much beyond that would
be to become bore"
Year: 1859

THE HOPELESS CASE OF BACHELoRs.-It
has always bee.l understood thata confirmed
old bachelor is one of the hardest cases to
be reached and reformed. And the statistics
show that this general impression is quite
correct. The English Assurance Magazine
finds from the matrimonial tables that be-
tween 20and 80, the probability of a widower
marrying in year is three times as great as
that of a bachelor; at 80, it is nearly four
times as great from 80 to 45, it is five times
as great and it increases, until at 60 the
chance of widower marrying in year is
IL times as great as that of a bachelor. 1t
is curious to remark, from this table, how
confirmed either class becomes in its condi-
ton of life-how little likely, after few
years, is bachelor to break through his set
tied habits and solitary condition; and, on
the other hand, how readily in proportion
does husband contract second marriage
who has been deprived prematurely of his
first partner. After the age of 80, the pro-
liability of bachelor marrying in year di-
minishes in most rapid ratio. The proba-
bility at 35 is not much more than half that
at 3O and nearly the same proportion exists
between each quinquennial period after
wards. The moral lesson of these appalling
figures is that the young bachelor should inn
prove his present opportunities, and not al
low procrastination to harden his heart and
fix his contracted ideas till he comes to be
Indifferent to the disgrace of living and dy-
ing a half man.
Year: 1859

THE CHURCH PRospECTIsG.-No long apo.
we mentioned rich quartz claim in Tuol-
omne county, which was owned by the Ne
thodist Church of Springfield and several of
Its members. We now learn that the dis
covery of this lead was the result of faith
and prayer, aided by works A correspon-
dent Of the Cu5stian Adcocate writes, that at
a meeting Of the official members of the
church, about fourteen months ago, to de-
wise some plan for removing the debt which
hung over the building, their pastor, who is
described as being full of faith and good
works, encouraged them to look to God for
direction, and stated that the hills were full
of gold, and that the Lord was the owner
thereof Upon his suggestion that those
brethren, whose claims were not paving.
should go out prospecting and praying, two
actually started, first covenanting with God
if he would direct them in the discovery of
a quartz lead, that one share should be de-
voted to the payment of the church debt
After several days search, they really found
rich quartz lead, which has been worked
proftably ever since, by company consist
ing exclusively of church members Quite
recently, they had jolly celebration of the
anniversary of the opening of the claim, in
which about one hundred invited guests par
ticipated. 1t is gratifying to know that the
covenant of the discoyerers with the Lord
was religiously kept, and it is presumed the
church is now out of debt.
Year: 1859

THE high price of brandy in Russia has
led to great temperance movement among
the peasants. The pledge of abstinence is
taken with great solemnity, with the aid of
the clergy, and whole villages have adopted
II
Year: 1859

Observation-Disclosures has it that the Misses Gou-
penheim having become fully Satisfied with their
experiment in management, propose within few days
70 close their thester and retire to some fashionable
watering place TO enjoy the several thousands OF dol
lars made within the past five weeks. There was a
lively time yesterday around the box Office, oois-
ferrous eddy in toe placid stream Of success and some
sceies before the curtain enacted which belong
rather to the prize rrg than the drama CsforDa is
fine schoofor cut shoot and strike from the shoulder
lessons but New.York is lot a favorable place for
practice az certain bulies from that section have
heretofore had reason TO know.
Year: 1859

SHARPENING ATMOSPHERE OF "WurrEsroNE
BAR. "A story is told on a young fellow,
formerly resident of Whitestone Bar: He
had received IA letter from his gal, but pecu-
lar circumstances prevented him from read
ing the contents and he shrank from expos
ing the delicate secret to the third party
After much deliberation he fixed things he
found friend who could read the language,
crammed his friends ears full of cotton, so
that he couldn't hear what WAS in the letter,
and then had the missiye read TO himself!-
lhus the lover became aware OF the letters
contents. but the translator couldn't hear q
word of it!-Irinity it Journal
Year: 1859

The PACKET CoMPANY.-EDs. STATE
DExocEAr.-I see an article is going the
rounds in the river papers. stating that our
popular and favorite commander, Capt Geo.
H. Myers, has cold out his interest in the
Packet Company, and will not be in the
trade next season. which report l. in the
absence Of Capt. Myers, take the liberty Of
contradicting, as know he has not sold out
one dollar OF his stock in said company. and
is now at New Albany, Ind, experimenting
the building Of the fine passenger packet,
Black Hack, which is coming into the trade
when completed, which will be in the early
part Of May next, when Capt Myers will be
pleased to accommodate his numerous
friends on the river: as all will admit him
to be the most gentlemanly commander in
the Rock Island trade. The Captain will
return next week for the purpose Of putting
the worthy old Ben in condition to run in
the spring, and until his new passenger
packet is completed.


see it also stated that the old packet
company known as the Davenport, Rock Is
land and keokuk Packet Company is meta
morphosed into the Rapids Packet Company.
which is also untrue, as am told by one
Of the parties interested in both compsnie
that such is not the case


make this statement to set the matter
right before the many persons interested,
and hope that the papers which have been
go ready to circulate the report in relation
to Capt. Myers, will make correction as
above
Year: 1859

PEORIA MARINE AND FIRE INsU-
RANCE Cove call attention to the state
ment of the condition of this most excellent
company, in another coum. Few companies
in the western states or elsewhere can show
cleaner statement, We think.
Year: 1859

We understand that Col. Burr
of the firm Of Burr & Swift has offered to
become responsible for the expenses print


ing, rent, &c. . of the next concert of the
Continental Choir, given for the benefit of
the poor. In view Of the object for which
the concert is to be given, we trust there will
be no expenses created. We are sure the
printers will donate their labors. and there
is no doubt that others will do the same.
All honor to Col Burr, however. The poor
have found m any warm friends this winter,
and they will continue to need their assis-
tance. In this instance We hope to see q
large sum of money raised for their benefit.
Year: 1859

VANpAL1sM.-We learn that many
persons have taken the privilege Of cutting
and hauling away large quantities CT wood
from the island. They consider their right
to it is as good as any else. inasmuch as it
belongs to Uncle Sam. 1t is little singular
that the government agent. Mr.. Slaymaker,
has not the power or the authority to put
stop to this kind of proceeding. Every man
who dares to injure or destroy the timber
on the island, should be at once arrested and
made to understand that he has not the au-
thority to dcspoil it and lay it waste BY any
such process. If this destruction continues
prompt and energetic action isrequired from
the agent Let the guilty parties be brought
to Justice without delay.-R. l. argus.