smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1862

Oil Wells in Contra Costa County.


Some months since, some of our readers
may recolect seeing the notice of discov
cry of certain oil springs, said to have been
found ne'r Oakland. The place in question
was in fact within our own county, about
three miles from San Pablo, among the hills
southeast of that town. Last week we
msde brief visit to the spot. Several ex
cavations have been made in the earth; much
labor has been done, many houses put up,
and not little money expended in various
ways. These efforts and outlays have not,
as yet, been crowned with any great degree
of success in the actual production of oil.
Still the confident expectation is INDUCED
that the proprietors will soon begin to real
ize suitable returns for their heavy expendi-
lures Of capital. They have erected tubs,
vats, pipes, provided plentiful supply of
water, as also retort and distllery, and all
the machinery and apparatus necessary for
pressing the oil from the earth, for passing
it through the, several stages Of purtcation,
and at length furnishing it as a clean and
beautiful article Of coal oil. Probably not
less than $4,000 have been expended in
these fixtures. Men skilled in the business,
have considered this money to be well laid
out in safe inve stment, on account of their
great confidence in the abundant supply of
coal oil (or petroleum, as it is caled) to be
found in its crude state in the earth beneath
where these structures have been made.


We noticed the oil dripping from the
earth into one reservoir dug for its reception.
The rate at which it collected, was stated to-
us as about 80 gallons per day. Other res
ervoirs had also been dug, but we cannot say
that the oil drps into them to any great ex
tent as yet. The earth, however, seems well
saturated with. oil in the vicinity, that the be
lief is entertained that lower down there is a
fountain of liquid petroleum, similar to those
found in PENNSYLVANIA and other parts of our
country. The aim is by tracing the direc
ton of the veins, to dig down and reach this
natural reservoir Be this as it may, the
opportunity is constantly afforded to take
the saturated earth and ppess the oil from it.
This alone gives promise of profit and re
muneration for the previous outlays. This
process will doubtless go on, whatever may
turn out to be the fact as to the natural res
ervor of oil thought to exist deep down in
the earth.


We noticed also specimen Of genuine bit
luminous coal thrown up from the earth in
one of these excavations. 1t would not be
surprising if there should be a good vein
found in that region. The same substance
out Of which the coal has been found, 70
doubt, under greater heat and pressure, TO
produce the coal OIL
Year: 1862

October is one of the most active months
in the year with the gardener, orchardist,
and nurseryman multitude of labors de
mand simultaneous attention, and it requires
the most untring energy and industry on
the part of every one who has any consider
able charge on his hands to see that every
thing is done at the proper time and in the
proper manner. Fortunately, in this country
our October weather is delie htful-dry, cool
and bright, generally and therefore eminen.
tly favorable for the rapid and proper execm
ton of all out door work.


Transplanting of all hardy trees, shrubs,
and plants usually begins here in the north
about the lst of October; further south it
must be deferred later. 1t is by no means
necessary to wait until the leaves have fall
len. If growth has fairly ceased, and the
wood has become firm, trees may be removi
ed; the leaves must be taken off to prevent
shriveling, and the roots must be carefully
guarded against exposure until they are
again placed in the ground. Autumn planted
trees should be secured against the winds,
either by stalking or banking up, and they
should be we'll muIched besides.


Neglected orchards should be now reno
waited by manuring and plowing, or spadng
about the roots. This should never be de-
ferred till spring, because during the winter
and spring the sod decays and the manure
dissolves, and abundant food is thus prepar
en- for the trees next season.


Kitchen and garden crops for winter and
spring use require nice management to keep
them in proper condition. Such as are
taken up and placed in the root-cellar
should be handled when dry, and the cellar
should be clean and sweet, and perfectly free
from moisture both above and below; it
should also be kept cool as possible, but not
admit frost.


Such of the bedding plants as it is desired
to save for another season, should be careful
ly lifted early, and either potted or planted
closely in boxes, and placed where they will
have plenty of light, and not freeze. Many
Of the bedding plants, if taken up carefully
and in good season, may add materially to
the beauty of the green house through MOI
vember. Many of the late Towering ANNALS
are useful in this way


Hardy bulbous roots should be planted
Immediately, yet it can be done any time
before the ground freezes. There are certain
things that vegetate early in spring, and
should ther fore always be planted in the
fall such as gooseberries, currants, rhubarb
and all hardy spring Towering shrubs and
hardy herbaceous plants. A good bloom
next spring may be secured by planting
now, but it will be lost if the planting be de
ferred till next spring.


p. Barray
Year: 1862

Deal with me kindly, cheer my young heart
I'll follow thee bindly. wherever thou art :;
Deep in the mountain far from my home.
I'll follow thy path wherever thou'lt roam.
Thy way shall be mine,


Ny heart shall be thine;


Deal with me kindly, cheer my young heart
I'LL follow thee blindy, and never depart.
Break not my spirit, think of my youth;
Cherish my tender heart, doubt not my


truth


Friends may desert thee, sorrows may come
But still in this soul thy image will bloom.
Thy hopes with thee I'll share,
Thy wants shall be my care
Deal with me kindly. cheer my young heart
I'll follow thee blndly, and never depart
Though through the desert wandering afar,
Still to me dearest one. thou'lt be my star;
Sunlight or moonlight DER US may shine,
Yet, living on love, I'll ever be thine.
Thy hand shall be my guard,
Thy voice shall be my word
Deal with me kindly, cheer my young heart,
III follow thee blindly, and never depart.
Year: 1862

Wherever III the North the name Franz
S1GEL has gone it is spoken with honor and
affection by all loyal men. And his cour-
age, lis skill, lis devotion to the national
cause in spite Of rebuffs and insults, bis
earnest desire to serve the country and the
cause in any capacity in which he may bo
placed, and his patience under sights and
Injuries which would have driven smaller
man mad, have carried that name to every
hamlet and cabin in the land. We 1azs1d
nothing in saying that in the whole army
there is no officer Of high or low degree
who has SO firm and deep a hold
upon the esteem and confidence Of -Ameri-
cans and Germans alike, as he Of whom
We speak. In his appeal to the President,
and through him 10 the pcople-appeal
against the Jealousy that las thwarted, the
malignant spite that has pursued, aud the


W-Ercd assumption Of superiority that has
1nsultcd him-he will be supported by the
masses with an unanimity that will aston-
1sh his detrac:ors and terrify those who
would put him down While he has our
warmest sympathy, we are anxious to
counsel his fricnds-those especially Of
German birth-to moderation in
their expressions Of rage and
disgust Bchind West Point is the Prcsi-
dent, and he is sigel's friend. In spite of
tic Temonstrances of those who have been
pursuing him, Alr. Lincoln made him aIa-
jor General, and We have the very best
authority for saying tha. the admiration
Of his ability and lis disinterestedness,
Which caused the President to promote
him, is just as warm and unaffected as ever:
and we believe that the injuries to which
he has been subjected will be resented in 3
way that Will satisfy the Generals warmcss
admirers. Ie: us trust to D1r. Lincoln's
justice and generosity, and without public
demonstrations or newspaper threats, wait
Tor the time when Si,el shall be yiudicated.
Year: 1862

The Tory leaders in this county SEEM to
have difficulty in selecting = candidate for
Congress We have = plan that will
work: Let them get ons Of their own
number arrested for disloyalty, {thsrs ars a
dozen who merit that distinctionN and let
him be briefly confined in Fort I.afaye:tc,
Alter his release, hs will BE- ready for any
further honors Of that sort that tbs peace
men may be disposed to confer upon him.
was not Mahoney nominated by the se-
cesh IN Dubuque. Have not the knights
OF the Golden Circle in southern Illinois
put Josh. Alien On the track? And does
not N. y johnson, Of G:|ens, look for
like notoriety as the Issue Of his case? By
Ill means, let the cabal whose headquar-
ters are at the Office Of the secession Times,
heed our advice as the best way to get out
OF the scrape in which they are caught.
Shall We name the mani
Year: 1862

TIE CASE IN A NUTsHELL-The following
passage form a recent speech by Senator
HENDERSON, of Missouri, contains the sub
ject of emancipation in a nutshell.


"But It was urged that the whole people
were becoming quiet, and it would be the
worst policy to excite them by the agitation
Of the slavery question. The first error in
this objection consists in the fact that the
secessionists were not quiet, and never
intend to be until one party or the other
shall be expelled from the State; and the
second is, no greater degree Of excitement
can be possibly created than exists at pres
ent in our unhappy State. The whole of
this excitement, too, is founded upon this
very question. 1t really seems that if the
whole subject were removed, the agitation
would expire for want of food"
Year: 1862

10 Haterass Forts Taylor and Jefferson Pickens,
and snip Island in the Gulf and WILL no doubt ondeavor
above named fortihcations. Nor win they stop at tns
Doubtless other captures In view and We need not
s to i sns ss
are the apprehensons groundess for the safety OF the
fourhhng and beautiful city OF Savannah which 80 pain


y agtae that community and the entire people OF the
state What vaor aud unconquerable will can DO to
defend her will be done and tens OF thousands OF
patriotic hearts are painting to strike eecual blow In
her behalf But the Of Port Royal teaches lesson
Of humility 70 the too coudent for it appears that our


friends on the coast have most caamitousy overrated
the strength Of their land batteries and underated the
power Of The enemy This double mistake 30 fatal often
70 the best cause, too common error OF brave and
en enanussstc people Iney are TOO apt 70 .nk thas
It have sufficient physical means for its vindcaton or
not They forget how often Providence exhibits itself on
the side Of the heaviest batteries


Prom the New Orleans True Delta.1


GOVERNMENT SPECULATION.


Under che above caption We reproduced in our morn
ing ISSUE, some very grave charges from our Virginia
exchanges rejecting in terms the combination
said TO exist between certain heads Of departments and
the banks for the punder Of citizens In Of these
publications. authenticated by the proper signature Of
the party making the charge it 10 distinctly charged
that In the department Of Justice presided by
Benjamin. OF his sppontees sells the silver he extorts
from the people at premium OF fourteen per cent. This
is in perfect keeping with the extraordinary conduct still
pursued by the Post once Department which will neither
payment Of postage but nexoraby insists mon
specie for all payments TO t let the future disposition OF
the precious metal 80 coerced be what These
operations naturally elicit from contemporaries the
Old Dominion tho expression Of wish for higher stand
ard OF official qua6cation-an extrusion suppose Of
the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES shall become completely
BuchanaDizedby the corruption prevailing Wesha have,
at no very remote day, chapter to inde upon this sub
Jec with instructive home illustration for the edhca
ton OF the whole people and the balance Of mankind
Here, is no sxagseraton to say, Bachanarnn in full
ami magnificent developement the machueYyto conduct
s perfect complete espionage the telegra the
exercise Of unreguaed and power the
export trade OF the country, the unlimited and arbitrary
contrs Of legal machinery by which the property ono
citizen illegally and despoticaly taken from him. with
out adequate compensation, while that OF another paid
for at enormous prces and the most pro1gate
authority generally in every department the rule
Truly may our Virginia friends complain that the govern
men too youngSo be thus deprecated on and that If
we are to change hdeous system of political depravy
for another the blood and treasure Of the people will be
spent jD vain.
Year: 1862

The citizens Of williamsburg are in
tense and open in their proclamation of
secessionism. The place is a famous
nest of decayed descendants of the "First
Families" whose main patrimony is
pride, and whose leading passion is ha-
tred ofany man among them who rise b
his own merit and industry. This they
consider a vulgar, Yankee habit, and they
make war upon it with all the rancor of
a baseless aristOcracy and sentiment
that grows sour and malignant as it
grows old and incapable of making its
hatreds effective This is the seat of
William and Mary College, where Prof.
Beverley Tucker instilled State-Rights-
ism into the minds of the Southern
youth, and where, ten years ago, he
wrote the Partisan Leader, as a manual
and programme for the reasonable con-
spiracy which was even then maturing
in the Southern mind. The whole tone
Of the place is false, un-American and
Anti Republican, and it is not at all SUR
prising that il should have been hot
bed Of secession
Year: 1862

The Blind Men and the Elephant.


HNDoO YABIK-BY JOHN G. SAKE.
1t was six men of Indoostan,
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the elephant,
(Though all of them were blind)
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.
The first approached the elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At one began to bawl:
sGod bless me but the elephant
Is very like WALL
The second feeling of the tusk,
Cried, "Hoi-what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me, It's mighty clear
The wonder of an elephant
Is very like spear
The third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus up and boldly spake:
Il see," quoth he, the elephant
Is very like snake"
The fourth reached out his eager hand.
And felt about the knees.
"What most this wonderful beast is like,
Is mighty plain" quoth he;
"'Tis clear enough the elephant
Is very like tree!'
The fifth who chanced to touch ear,
Said ''e'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an elephant
Is very like FAM
The sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast TO grope,
Then seizing on the swinging tale
That fell within his scope.
II see" quoth he, 1.-The elephant
Is very like rope
And so these men of lndoostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion


Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong


MORAL.
So, oft in theologic wars,


The disputants, ! ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance


OF what the others mean,
And prate about an Elephant
Not one OF them has seenl
Year: 1862

habit fabuse. To which Is added observations
Female Diseases, and other interesting matter OF the
most importance the married and those contemplating
marriage who entertain doubts Of their physical ability
that Sent TO any address In sealed wrap
per, on receipt Of ten cents or four stamps.


We devote entire tine and attention 20 the treat
of the various private diseases treated Of in pr
report Our Dpensary Is the only Institution Of the
kind In America which has been ablished by special
charter this fact should give IL preference the
various quacks Of doubtful character to be found in all


arge cities.
Year: 1862

habit of SELF abuSC To NhiCh Is added obScrvafons on
Female Diseases and other interesting of the
importance the married and those coutempating
marriage who entertain doubts Of their physical ahlty
that state. sent any address sealed wrap
per. receipt Of ten cents or four stamps


We devote entire time snc attention TO the treat


cnt q the various private diseases treated Of IN pr
report Our Nsrensary i the only Institution of the
kind IN America which has been tabShed BY special
charter ans his fact should give 10 preference the
various Ouacks o. doubtful character % De found IN all
Year: 1862

has Won Tor itself such a renOwn for the cure of
every variety of Throat and Lung Complaints;
that it is entirely unnecessary for us to recount
the evidence of It's virtues, wherever il has been
employed. As it has long been in constant use
throughout this section, We need not do more
than assure the people its quality is kept up 10
the best il ever has been, and that il may be re
lied on to do for their relief all il has ever been
found fo do
Year: 1862

The following statement, taken from official
sources, will show the army pay roll In the first
column will be found the nett salary per month
and in the second the total salary per month.
which includes rations, servant hire, forage. &c.
Year: 1862

philosophical, which looks forward, through
the war clouds which now envelope our land,
to day when the passions, slaked in blood,
shall at last permit reason to resume her sway,
and when the South as well as the North shall
be both proud and happy that an oppressed
race has been converted from chattels into
free laborers, and the only obstacle removed
which has ever lain in the path of our united
nation to prosperity and true glory.


Even if these be dreams, / for one would
not exchange my faith for that short-sighted
materialism which, in either hemisphere, can
see any good to the world in the downfall of
our great and free Republic.
Year: 1862

1t would be worth while to. consider the
question, if the time has not arrived for arm
ing thoroughly, organising and drilling the
militia Of this State The times are perious.
There are daring and unscTupulous men in
this State. who would create revolution
hereif an opportunity should present itself,
and before the great war now going on shall
be terminated they may very possibly cen.
elude that it has presented ITSELF They
very well know. as everybody knows, that
this State is firmly fixed on the side of the
Union !: but everybody just as well knows
that this is no argument with secession
traitor. Missouri and Kentucky pronounced
unmistakably for the Union,. yet we see
these secession fends waging a merciless
war for the conquest and sabju gation of the
above named States IN short, there is
no style of logic comprehensive by the
ssceshs mind.- sslxs such as beoms frbm the
lips of rified cannon The Union men
If this State. desire peace, and to secure
II, no way seems as effective as to be
folly prepared for war. Let the next Legis-
ldture look to this matter The air is even
now filled with rumors of conspiracies abroad
which are, at time deemed suitable, to ri
pen into open revolt, when the black flag of
treason is to be unfurled in the free air of
this golden State. Then let US be ready.
Year: 1862

ANTI CLIMAx-A member of the Oregon
Legislature, in delivering an eulogy on the
late Senator Baker said;


Hope for season bade the world farewell,
And freedom shrieked when Colonel Baker fell
That young gentleman should be dieted.
Year: 1862

she made complete revolution with the helm hard over
in space OF three times her length the time
quired being four minutes and ee-quarters It had
been feared by many naval officers that when the guns
were fred the concussion within the would bo
great for the to bear but found that the
contrary, the concussion within less than il
without the turret it at all upon the
In any part when o charge OF canister, weighing
hundred and thirty nve pounds fired with the full
charge of fifteen pounds Of powder Her speed by the
chplog was six and quarter knots hour, with sixty
fve revolutions Of the engines The boilers being new
and greasy foamed that the engines could not be
worked up 20 their maximum speed.


The Commission expressed themselves agreeably dis
appointed at the performances OF the vessel in every
respect. the only difficulty being that the iron pilot
house affected the compass, matter which was after
wards easily adjusted


she is long, wide, Aatbottomed vessel, with vertical
sides and pointed ends, requiring but very shallow
depth Of water TO float in, though heavily laden with
impregnabe armor her sides and bomb proof deck
on which is placed shotproof revolving turret which
contains two heavy guns. She is in the water
to afford no target for an enemy, and everything and
everybody is below tho water ne with the exception
Of those persons who are required to work the
gums in the turrst The following correct list Of her
dnensons
Year: 1862

erected, underneath which was complete offce con-
tanning all the appliances for the ranmisson Of anything,
from herd of elephants musicalsnu box and some
people on board the Stepping Stones actually avaed
themselves OF the opportunity of sending money 70 their
families by the express while the water. any one
had told the old gentleman who gave his name TO the
firm, and life to us all, that one any number OF his
descendants and would have been able to per-
form such feat how he would have stared.


About seven eight miles below Cumberland, on the
right bank Of the Pamunkey, a gentle accli
vy the frame of rebel gunboat that had been so far
burned on the stocks TO be beyond all remedy There


are no workshops the remains of any by, and 1t
must have oeen under any circumstances expensive
ana dincut matter to far finish any vessel at that
spot as TO warrant its launching The sole advantage
seemed to be good supply OF timber. with this draw
oack however, that 1t Is very green indeed must
have been the people who could have supposed that
been in any way instrumental to the success of the
rebels.


We have long since left our encampmsnts and even
our pckets are few and far between. At turning oc
the river gunboat is seen, and occasionally
We fall in with comfortable looking farmhouse.
with apple, peach, pear and cherry trees in
full bloom. At ono point do0p cutting near
the bank of the river the railroad between Rich
mond and West Point, and glimpse is caught of the
telegraph wires Tho gunboat passed. After few turn
ings and windings the savannah disappears the river
contracts, foliage OF decduous trees become more fire.
quen than the sombre OF pines sharp turning at
crowd Of steamers, schooners and other vessels, at
spot where the rebels could comfortably cut all our
throats but for tho admirable strategy Of General Nc
Clean, but where, matters stand they seem to be
encircled with wall OF fire, with only the resource OF
the 'flast ditchn at Bottoms Bridge to die in
Year: 1862

gress pressing under conscrption all eighteen and
under thirty and to raise permanent army
without reference TO the States. This is great and
mighty stride to military consolidation II it be abso
lutey necessary to from . conquest by the
North We are willing 10 submit TO it, but fear The
public mind mast prepare Itself for great change
government.
Year: 1862

Supplies for the Hospitals-Oa Saturday a car
will be attached to the mail train on the Central
railroad, to bring, free of charge, from all depots
and turnouts between this point and Louisa c. H.,
any contributions Of food other articles for the
sick and wounded soldiers in our hospitals This
practice viii be continued daily the people of tha
country prove sufficiently liberal and patriotic to
make it necessary.
Year: 1862

Moderaie.-Country soap that used to be a
drug In the market a: : and 10 cents per pound
now sells from IS cents to dollar. The wer has
certainly benefited the rural population who may
have been 30 fortunate to be within reach of a
market. They have not failed to asNand receive
the largest price obtainabe for everything they
had for SALE vegetables included