smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

It has been considered TINT the reb ols, by
holding Cumberland Gap, possessed tho key
to East Tennessee. But this is an error. The
tap is indeed the most direct and the
commonly Travelled route; and Is naturally q
strong posi1aem which the rebels have without
doubt made nearly imprcgnable We arc not
limited, however, to Cumberland Gap for a
route to Knoxville. The Cincinnati Gazette
says that surveys made years ago, demonstrate
that the passage Of the mountains can be made
thongh several passes. Nothing is easier at
this moment than to advance corps d a7n.ee on
Knoxville whenever there is commander with
sagaciJ enough to sec his way or enterprise
enough to accomplish it. Tho Lord givo US
such General, even though he nay. have to bo
promoted from ; gun~squad for the purpose
Year: 1861

WESTERN VIRGINIA.-The counties oi
Western Virginia have elected delegates
who were to have met in Convention at
Wheeling, we believe, on the 10th inst. A
dispatch by the last Pony states that all the
leading members have agreed not to at
tempt to make a new State, as the State can
not be divided except by act of Congress
and the consent of the Legislature. The
programme is for the Convention to organ
ize o Provisional State Government, de.
clare Eastern Virginia n a state of insur-
rection, and invoke the aid of the General
Government to put down rebellion. A
Legislature is to be chosen on the 23d inst,
the members OF which are to meet with the
Convention, and will be declared the duly
elected Legislature of the State, and em.
powered to proceed to business. Thus a
regular State Government will be in opera.
ton by the time Congress meets, and per.
haps two Senators will be elected in place
of Hunter and Mason who have vacated
their seats.
Year: 1861

TEXAS TRoOPs.-On the first of June, 255
men, comprising two companies of the First
and two of the Eighth Infantry, arrived at
New York from Texas. They had been
taken prisoners by far superior force
under Col. Van Dorm, and commpelled to
take an oath not to fight against the Con-
federate States. 1t is not yet known what
disposition the Government will make of
them, but as they appear to regard their
oath as sacred, they will probably be sent
to New Mexico or Arizona, to assist in
keeping that section quiet.
Year: 1861

DECIDEDLY CALIFoRNIAN.-The Sonora
Democrat says: A marriage occurred in this
place on Sunday last, which is deserving Of
more than ordinary mention. The couple had
not known each other week, and never spoke
Of marriage until the question waS popped
and accepted. 1t seems the gentleman, who
some three or four days before, had been intro
duced to the young lady informed her on Sat-
urday evening that he had struck a rich quartz
vein and was going to settle down; all he wanted
to make him happy was wife. She replied
with some words of encouragement as to her
self, and he at once proposed and was promptly
accepted. The wedding followed on the ensu-
ing day, and they are now enjoying the honey
moon of double blessedness.
Year: 1861

PEINTEEG INK.-Hard up as the Southern
newspapers are for paper, their prospects
for supply of printing ink is still worse.
There is not a manufaetory Of the article
South Of Philadelphia, and the people way
doRn in Dixie y seem in fair way TO be
dopuiFed of their dlurnal sheets. Such an
event would, perhaps more than any other
deprivation, convince thinking men that
civilization Is not built on one foundation
stone. and that it has other requirements
besides cotton.
Year: 1861

NEWSPAPER CHANGEs.-The San Francis
co Evening Mirror will soon be issued as
morning paper. The Times, it isrumored, will
be discontinued, and the material now used in
its publication will be taken into the interior
for the establishment Of a new Republican
paper.
Year: 1861

The intelligence that the Confederate troops
were advancing on the Louisville and Nash
vile railroad, caused considerable excitement
in Louisville, and the following proclamation
from The militia general commanding was the
result Of the scare:


FFLLoyy-CITIzENs call you to arms for
the defense OF your city. The engine bells
will be tspped at five O'Clock to call the people
OF each ward to the engine house thereof,
where it is earnestly asked th2t you viii enroll
yourselves into companies for the defense OF
our city


After doing SO you are requested to report
70 mo at NV Office, and also, to report the
number of guns, public CT private, Of each
company


NV offioe is on Fifth street, opposite the
court house. HAMuToS PORE,


PriE.-Gen. Home Guard
Year: 1861

VkLUATIoN or BosToN.-The assessors re
turns Of the city Of Boston give a total Of
S2T5. .28l 200 taxable property, decrease Of a
million and q half from last year. The value
OF real estate is three and a half millions mere
than last year.
Year: 1861

Messrs. Belcher & Co., the well-known and
extensive sugar rehners in this city, have
placed on our table two samples Of sorghum
sirup. The one is sorghum in its crude
state, and sample of lot Of some twenty
barrels made from the Illinois plant Of the
present years growth, and is of dark, thick,
semi sweetish taste, not at all pleasant or
palatable. The other sample is refined
sorghum, manufactured from the crude ar
ticle just referred to, and the difference be.
tween the two, as compared, is about the
same in appearance, color and taste as exists
between common sugar-house molasses and
refined sirups. In the process of refining,
the peculiar odor, taste and color ofthe crude
article has been entirely removed, and in
stead OF sirup (by which name the crude
article has been improperly desigDated) COM
posed OF large proportion OF gummy mat
ter, and which is better adapted for the man
ufacture of vinegar than for other uses, we
have sirup which seems to US almost equal
to the best refined sirups in the market. As
to the process of refining, we shall probably
refer to that at length in some future article;
our present object being merely to call the
attention of those who have cultivated
sorghum this season to the fact that, unless
refined, crude sorghum is difficult to keep
and not at all agreeable to use. We have no
means of knowing what amount of sorghum
has been raised In this State THIS season, but
from items gathered here and there we should
infer that in some parts of the State its culti-
vation had been carried on extensively, aud
that already large yield has been the result.
The estimated yield per acre, of a good crop,
is about two hundred gallons, and as large
area of land was planted this year, there must
be no inconsiderable quantity in the hands OF
producers. The cost of refining ranges from
five to ten cents per gallon in the crude ar
ticle, also losing about ten per cent. in the
process. We understand that Messrs. Belcher
Co. have now the best facilities and are
prepared to refine all crude sorghum
Sod wniSn may De SenT 70 tnT rgpaynng tne
of the refined sirup. Messrs. Belcher & Co
are also ready to test the quality of sorghum
for sugar making, having already succeeded
in this, to limited extent last season. Chi.
cd0o Post,
Year: 1861

FoutdSCSs


The Hilton Head correspondent of the New
York World explains why our Southern army
does not advance:


"The question will naturally occur to you,
when will General Sherman make an advance?
1 can only answer this by stating the circum-
stances which surround us. We are ignorant
of the number Of rebels which may be but a
few miles inland, and of the actual position of
the country. Our troops are in good condition
and spirits, but are not very proficient in drill.
However, if orders should be received for an
immediate advance upon the Charleston and
Savannah Railroad, have no doubt our
officers would cheerfully respond. Between US
and the mainland is an almost interminable
labyrinth of creek, and river, and islands, and
an advance in force would be attended with
dificulties-Which do not say, however, are
insurmountable. The probable reason why We
do not advance toward the interior is because
Port Royal is decided for the present to be 9
base of operations for another naval feet des'
| tined still further southwark. The taking o
Tybee Island and the great preparation
being made here sufficiently prove this
Wherever the next expedition lands the bloI
will be struck Immediately inland, as a larg
number Of horses are to be taken out 70
| cavalry"
Year: 1861

ment.


A Philadelphia firm is now OF work upon
new iron-plated steamer for the Govern
ment The Ledger says;


The plates are fifteen feet long, twenty
eight and half and thirty aAd half inches
wide, and four inches thick. A two and q
half tun hammer is required in their manu-
facture. Some doubt has been e. oppressed as
to the ability of any iron works in these
parts to turn out such plates; but we un-
derstand that there is no difficulty about it.
After being received al the foundery the
plates are planed, the edges and ends being
made straight and smooth, and grooved like
flooring board. The groove is one inch
wide by half an inch deep. Screws are to be
used in fastening the plates to the planking
of the ship. They are to be put in from the
inside of the vessel, and are not to go
through the plates. The vessel is to be
covered with the plates four feet under
water, and three feet above it, and they
are to extend eighty-fve feet fore and aft of
the center line, which will make one hun
dred and seventy feet of planking. The
iron is to come up to line with the spar
deck, above which there will be light rail.
The sides of the ship, with a view to cause
the shot to glance, will have an angle of
thirty degrees from three feet above the
load line.


In order to carry this extra weight the
ship has to be large. The tunnage Of the
one under contract is to be three thousand
five hundred. She will be two hundred aud
thirty feet long, sixty feet beam, and have
q draught of fourteen feet In her construc-
tion she will be different from the French ship
La GlOre, about which so much has been
written. The French ship is very deep in
the water while the vessel to be built here
will be almost fat bottomed which, not.
withstanding the additional weight, will
make her of light draught. Her machinery
will be much the same as that Of a first
class sloop-of-war, except that she will
have four boilers and q blower. The latter
is to make the boilers to steam even, though
the smoke stack should be shot away.
Year: 1861

A SOLDIER SHOT FOR SLEEPING WHILE ON
DUTY.-We learn that the remains of a
member Of Colonel Farnsworths Cavalry
Regiment passed through this city, from
Washington, night before last, he having
been sentenced by court-martial to be shot
for having slept while on duty as guard.
have not been able to learn the name OF the
unfortunate man. 1t seems very hard to
execute such penalty under the circum-
stances but the offense is regarded as one
of the most grave that a soldier can COM
init, inasmuch as a whole camp is liable to
be captured by the enemy when the guard
neglects his duty Chicago Journal, 4tE.
Year: 1861

BANK VAULT BROKEN OPEN-Y Yesterdsy
workmen were engaged in breaking into the
vault of the Bank of the State, not for the
purpose of robbery, but to get at its contents
for the purpose of business. In locking the
vault on Saturday a displacement or mis-
numbering of the keys of the chambers of
the locks was made, and on Monday morning
it was found impossible to open the vault
door. The money in the vault reminds by
in the gourd but couldn't get it out" Mon
day was spent in trying to unlock the vault,
and yesterday in digging through the stone
wall surrounding it and the thick iron Of
which the sides are made.-IndianapoIi'
| Journal 9Th.
Year: 1861

A singular case is noted in the Cairo hos
pital, among the wounded at Belmont. Ono
man was shot in the right leg, and had 70
once took place in the other limb, and at
precisely the same spot where the knife had
severed its fellow, similar pain was felt.
So severe did this become, that the leg is
bandaged and treated as If itself wounded.
Year: 1861

Congress is to-day in good working order.
There are evident indications that the slave
question is to occupy prominent place in
the business of the session, though in diff
ferent aspect from that in which 1t is usually
appears to be in favor Of letting the insti.
tuition take care Of itself in the battle for the
Union.
Year: 1861

OF one hundred and sixteen marriage
licenses issued here in November, very
large proportion of the bridegrooms were
soldiers The number of licenses for the
month is larger than ever before in a single
month
Year: 1861

The Chronicle to day has a significant ar
ticle upon putting the army of the Potomac
Bile truth is that the troops are suffering very
much from tent-life in this cold and wet
weather. They need the comfort of the
wooden hut, and must have it. unless the
army is really to move on southwark at once,
The increase of sickness in the army isalarm-
ing, and prudent General will heed at once
the indications furnished by the hospital re-
ports. Hence General Mcclellan has issued
orders for the construction Of barracks fol
the army.
Year: 1861

THE WHALE IN CoUGT. Yesterday, gen
tems,i anxious to be relieved of jury duty in
the Fourth District Court, pleaded the whale
he had an interest in him and the monster
would not keep forever. Judge llager lis


tened, was merciful and consented. The
happy eX juror started to 90 out, but turning
again with thoughtful politeness, he invited
the Judge to come down and see the whale.
His Honor kept his countenance, but whether
he accepted or rot the invitation does not ap-
pear. No record is entered on the minutes


-Bulletin t
Year: 1861

TIE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE AND THE Duty OF
THE PEoPLE-Fellow- -cilizen3, if | may he
permitted to utter word upon such sub
ject would earnestly counsel forbearance
and patience in reference to those charged
with the administration Of cur Government
Before citicising their conduct, we should
remember that VIC may not see all the field OF
action, and may not he in condition justly
to appreciate the difficulties which are to be
overcome. No man can doubt the courage
or loyalty of the President Of the United
States, or his determination to suppress this
rebellion. To him, under the Constitution,
the popular voice has committed absolutely
the fate Of this Republic His hands are en-
titled to be strengthened by ours That
which weakens him weakens yourselves, and
weakens the struggling country witch we
are struggling to save. lie is at this moment
overwhelmed with mountains f toll and re-
sponsibiity such as have rested upon no pub
lie man in our history, and is fully entitled
to all the support and consideration which u
generous and wnrm-hearted patriotism can
yield. JoScph Holt
Year: 1861

An ERROR CoRREcrED,-A few evenings
since merchant of this city left his home,
informing his better half that he was going to
Correct an error in his trial balance" His
wife f. llowed him, and found that he re-
quired carriage to find the error. She rook
a vehicle likewise. and pursued to deep hol-
low" There the driver of the first carriage
was hailed TO stop-the wife ran to its door,
and opening it. found the handsome and
richly dressed error inside. The account
was Immediately squared and the balance
struck.-S F. Ere. Journal.
Year: 1861

SMALL CREArUREs-Among the papers published in costly style by the Smithsonian Institute, at Washington, Is onoon the micro scopic plants and animals which live in and on the human body. It describes quite a number of insects The animal which pro- duces the disease called the itch is illustrated by an engraving half an inch in diameter, which shows not only the ugly little fellows body and legs, but lis very toes, although the animal himself is entirely invisible to the naked eye, When Lieut.. Beryman was sounding the ocean preparatory to laying the Atlantic telegraph, the quill at the end of the sounding line brought up mud, which, on being dried, became so fine that on rubbing it betweon the thumb and tngorit disappeared in the crcvices of the skin. On placing this dust under the microscope it was discovered to consist of millions of perfect shells, each of which had a living animal
Year: 1861

EsFFcr oF THE CRISIS IN PHILADEI.- rmA--Ihe present political and financial difficulty has led to the discharge of a large number of shoemakers, that have heretofore found employment among the wholesale man. utacturers in Philadelphia. This is particu- larly the case with those who manufactured work almost exclusively for the South. The want of order for spring wo2,, and the ab- sence of remittances for goods sold in the fall, has brought about this state of things, though many of the manufacturers think that tho suspension of business will be but temporary. A few manufacturers are still making shoes for the South, but the men on this kind of work are only employed about half their tine, while others have reduced the price of labor A great many tailors, working for larg establishments, are also out of employ ment in that city.
Year: 1861

A CoTToN ARIsTocRACY IN ENGLAND.- The Liverpool Times says that cotton manu- featuring is becoming the greatest power in England, perhaps in the world. The men engaged in it are making fortunes almost by a leap. In wealth they far exceed the old feu- dal aristocracy, and every estate, nowadays, which finds its way into the market is snatch ed up eagerly by some parenu cotton spinner, the length of whose purse goes great way to atone for the breyitY of his pedigree
Year: 1861

heavy horse-whip, while she was standing on the ground and he was upon horseback; he also, as we are informed, tried to jump his horse on to her, but did not succeed owing to her resistance.

 MT. Hayes claims that there are some circum- stances connected with picture frame which his wife sold to Mrs. Weeks for twenty-five cents that made it altogether proper and justifiable Tn his chastizing woman in this inhuman man. ner, and again Mrs. Weeks asserts that he said at the time he would whip her because she be- lieved in the Union and Flag of the United States. As legal proceedings have been com menced against MT. Hayes and the matter will undergo thorough investigation, we will not give any opinion of the case, except to say that the provocation must be very great to justify such conduct in man toward female.
Year: 1861

have endeavored to narrate them with truthful ness and without establishment, but we cannot close without expressing the hope that we have heard the last of Secession in Litchfeld, and that those who have been hitherto at least the apolog- ists of the "Confederate'' rebels and thieves may respect by cautious silence the utmost unanim- ous feeling of our firmly patriotic community.

 '-The new arrangement of the Naugatuck R. R., commencing to-day, will compel our noon stage to leave for the depot at III A. M. and re- turn somewhere between 4 and 5p.M. Hence the mail for New York will close an hour earlier than heretofore, and arrive an hour and half later. The reason for this is that the noon train up from Bridgeport and down from Winsted will will be freight trains It will be very delight ful change for passengers by the morning ex- press train from New York, and will afford them a pleasing opportunity of viewing the beauties of the Naugatuck valley at their leisure, and es- socially the neat and commodious stations along the road. As for the reading public's waiting an hour or two longer for their mails every day, it's of no sort of consequence to the railroad people, and we trust the gentle public will take the matter as coolly as they can in these cheer full dog days.

 A game of "base ball'' is to be played at Elm Park Institute on Saturday, between the "best nine" of that Institution and an equal number of |" amateurs' from down town. Nine innings will be played. The " odds" are offered on the Park boys and no takers.

 MT. Chauncey Peck has left some "herd grass at our sanctum measuring fvs feet nine inches in height! Pretty tall fodder for this country.
Year: 1861

On the morning of Friday last the large brick building used for the manufacture of table cut. lery, owned by Rice & Lathrop, was discovered to be on fire, and was, with almost it's entire contents, consumed. The loss was between $30,000 and $40,OOO, insurance $25,OOO. It is very serious disaster to the place, as we'll as to the proprietors. A large number of persons will be thrown out of employment.

 Virgil c. Taylor, noted as the publisher o1 several books of Music, in now in town and is instructing class in the art of singing. His success is limited on account of the pressure o1 of the times.

 Our East Village neighbors are, perhaps particularly to be envied, as they certainly have their full share of sympathizers with our south ern rebels. When the news came of the Manas ses disaster it would have been refreshing tc Jeff. to have seen the exultant countenances of q number of the denizens of that quarter; and some went so far as to chuckle over it.. Some with drunken piety hoped we would now let ou, dear southern brethren do what they wished and as they had smtten one cheek VIC should turr the other also.

 The Clock Shop village, as it is called, i about to raise Flag with the Stars and Stripe indicating their determination to stand by tn Union.

 A letter was received from cue of our Win | sted Volunteers saying that he saw the Roy. Mir Eddy while assisting the wounded, shoot dow two of the Rebels and was then wounded an, taken prisoner himself. At any rate he and Mir. Cooper of Winstcd are missing.

 A son of Mir. L. B. Woodruff of this plac writes home from the army, that during the re treat, the road was somewhat obstructed by thu rush, so that he sat down to wait for the crowd t clear the way. He soon fell asleep from which h, was aroused by company of rebel horsemen who with presented pieces ordered him to sur render This, under the circumstances, h, thought best to do. He was placed ill the hands of two foot soldiers with orders to take him tt the rebel camp. Soon aH ter one of these soldier: left, saying to his comradc, you take this d--e son of c J-h into the camp. In few minutes the attention of his captor was taken from hin when he place his revolver to his head and blew out his brains, and then taking his rife he join cd his company again.
Year: 1861

We regret to learn that there are some seces- sionists in this town, but are gratifed to know that they are gradually growing less.

 Last week George Hayes made most bru- tai attack upon Mrs. Eliza Weeks in the highway, striking her over the head three times with a
Year: 1861

was aS eVluently uislhcllneu to yIelu Wltuout an argument and a barley. 'Long time the scale of battle hung"-but, at last, to make long story short, the parley triumphed, when theaffair became too ridiculous for the belligerents to car ry out the original intention, and terms of capi- tulation were finally made and signed, by which the doctor asked forgiveness of the injured, and was forgiven by at least one of them, and so was allowed to depart in peace.

 Our pen is powerless to describe the scene, and we forbear, in deference mostly to the family of the injurer and the "wife's relations" Dur ing the protracted contest however we may men, tion that the doctor was frequently and urgent ly advised to leave the town forthwith, which ad- vice of course the future will exhibit whether it is taken or not. 4

 One day more and the last of "thc war''-on Saturday, the citizens hearing of the taking down of the flag from the house of Mir. Palmer, several of them proceeded in an open wagon in open day light, and securing the offending person, who acknowledged the offence, brought him to the town pump and in the most calm and unexcited manner possible, put him into the trough, and while his lower extremities knelt humbly in the water, his upper works swore lustily allegiance to the flag of the Union. During the evening the offender replaced the flag upon Mir. Palmer 8 house where it still hangs, and all was quietly and peacefully settled.

 In the above account we have narrated sim- ply the Jacts which have transpired during the p"s' ~eek Of excitement, reserving our opinions anu those of another, for another column We