smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

Some men have fatal facility in sigh
ing petitions and memorials No matter
what the subject of petition, no matter
what the phraseology of the memorial, it
is enough for them that certain respect
able names are appended to it, or that
their own names are solicited by some re-
spectacle and responsible person. Thus it
is that memorials which could not bear an
hours discussion by intelligent men, often
come before the public with the apparent
sanction Of thousands of names.


We caution the citizens of the State of
New Yo,k against memorial to Congress,
now circulating, which invokes that body
to adopt substantially ''the plan of Com
promise recommended by the Represent
atives of the Border States" This Me-
mortal goes forth uuder the auspices of
gentlemen of high responsibility in this
city, and their names may induce many
to sign it without reflection. We call at
tcntion, therefore, to the following state
ment: ''Without discussion as to the
merits of the various questions at issue,
believing that the perpetuity Of the Union
of these United States as one nation
Is Of pastly more Importance than the es-
tadlishn'ent or rejection Of this Or that
sub bject of controversy, etc.-your memo
rlalisls humbly pray" We put it to the
conscience of the Christian reader, can
you give your name to such statement
Do you believe that, in order to preserve
a particular form of political organization,
nation should commit moral wrong
Is not slavery-thc system OF human
chattelism established in the Southern
states-a moral wrong? Can you become
a party, dare you be a party to any meas
ure that would impose that system upon
New Mexico, and legalize it under the
Federal Government? Dare you be party
to any measure that would re- open the
African slave-trado, with all its horrors
Dare you be party to any compromise
which shall bind you to uphold, strength.
en-, and perpetuatc that system of in,quity
Or even to be silent concerning it? Yet
this is what this memorial asks you to do
Though the agency Of your representative
in Congress. We are sure that the gentle
men who drafted it could not have weigh
ed their words. We feel sure that no
Christian who carefully reads it and
prayerfully weighs its meaning, will add
his name to such declaration.


Can peace be bought by bartering away
justice and right Can the God of Right,
now indignant at our national crimes, be
placatcd by such an Offering? Come what
may, let Christian men remember that the
only safety Of this nation lies in doing
right. And there can be no compromise
with slavery which does not involve a
moral wrong. Sign NO PETITION FOR
COMPROMISE; BUT WARN YOUR REPRE-
SENTATIVE AGAINST TN =. hide
pendent.
Year: 1861

The Memphis Avalanche publishes
the letter Of Major Anderson and appends
thereto this remark: ut is evident he is
an abolitionist at heart, and is anxious to
imbrue his hands in southern blood"
Year: 1861

INSULT TO THE DEAD-The Amador Des-
patch speaks Of an occurrence which recently
happened at Jackson, in the following man
ner:


A proceeding took place in the Methodist
Chapel in Jackson on Sunday last, which we
cannot characterize as having been better
than an outrage. The preacher undertook
to pronounce funeral discourse on the death
of young woman. Her nearest relations
and other friends were present, and the
preacher, in manner evineing any sentiment
but christian, or even common human kind
ness, proceeded TO harrow the feelings Of the
mourners until the mother of the deceased
fell in fit and was carried from the church
Previous to this painful manifestation. seve-
raj of the congregation were so shocked that
they went away hearing as they departed,
the hoarse exclamation of the preacher al
can't help it, | mast tell the truth |" He said
there was scarcely a glimmer of hope that the
sins of the young woman were forgiven that
her friends had no reason for believing that
she had taken place among the redeemed :;
that short time before her death she accept
ed an invitation to attend ball, and oh he
hoped she was not now dancing in the ball
room of hell.
Year: 1861

ANDERSON d. DEPEw-These gentlemen are
wholesale dealers in foreign and domestic
wines and liquors. at No &c street, on the
same side with the Center Market. They
have the confidence of the public in the genu.
inc quality of the articles which they offer
and are doing an extensive business. Their
wines and liquors are of the best brands. and
invariably give good satisfaction to pur-
chasers. A finer article than that, of either
wine or liquor, which they recommend to
their patrons, cannot be found in the market.


Their advertisement may be found in an
other column, and it will be seen that they
are prepared to furnish every variety that
may be desired.
Year: 1861

Divorce DECISION IN New YoRk.-The
New York Court of Common Pleas, Judge
Brady presiding, has decided that in case of
divorce the female side of the house must pay
its own debts from the moment the decree of
dvhrce is rendered. The case is that of Mrs.
Forrest, who resisted payment of claim of
dry goods, amounting to $3.50, on the ground
that she was then the wife of Mr.. Forrest, the
question turning upon the point of appeal
from the decree of divorce still pending. The
court decided that the appeal was only for
the purpose of settling the question of ali
mony.
Year: 1861

REV. THos. STARR KING.-This evening, at
the Presbyterian Church, Mr.. King will de-
liver his lecture on Substance and Show"
of course everybody will be there to hear
him. At any rate, no intelligent man or wo-
man should miss the present opportunity to
hear the most eloquent orator now upon this
coast
Year: 1861

That SUNsHINE.-A little patch of sunshine
fell in upon our sanctum, yesterday, and we
welcomed it as if it had been the smile of an
angel or a beautiful woman. We reveled in
it for moment, and it departed, leaving us
in deeper gloom than before Directly af-
ter, the devil popped in, for copy, and we
thought Of ANYTHING but angels.
Year: 1861

Coon PAY.-Seven hundred and twenty
dollars, says the Placerville Democrat were
obtained recently from one hundred and
twenty-five ear loads of dirt taken out of the
Cedar Spring Tunnel, located on Cedar Hill,
half a mile east Of Placerville. Thirty six
dollars were washed out of eight successive
pans of dirt, ranging from two TO eleven dol
lars to the pan, all fine gold. These claims
were first opened in 1851, and known as the
old Perry diggings. They were originally
six in number, fifty feet to claim, and run
ming to the centre of the hill, but have re-
Gently been augmented to twenty. The pay
gravel is very much cemented, and conse-
quently perhaps not more than half the gold
can be saved the first washing. The main
tunnel is nine hundred feet in length, eight
hundred of which, including open cut, is
driven through the rock but not being low
enough to drain the channel in the hill, it
was never but partially prospected.
Year: 1861

A MARROW EscAPE-A young son of Mr..
Murphy, says the Placerville Californian
came very near losing his life on New Years
day. Several juveniles took it into their
heads to have a general hunt, aud having
provided guns and ammunition they started
into the ehaparral Master Murphy acted as
magazine for the party, and was in the act of
turning powder out of a canister into his
hand, when a gun was fired so close to him
that the wad ignited the powder in his hand
and canister. The explosion which followed,
happily resulted in no serious injury, only
cutting open his hand. and singeing his hair


That BRIcK LAYING RAoE-The banter
which was made by San Francisco brick
layer, that he could lay a thousand brick in
an eight inch wall, in an hour, has been taken
up by Marysville brick-layer The match
will come off in short time, but we have
not learned at what place. If they will only
make it ten thousand in ten hours we would
try and persuade them to come to Red Bluff
and let the contest be decided here. AS we
have never been able to build house, it
would be the cheapest plan we know of, to
accomplish that end.-Red Bluff Beacon.
Year: 1861

Two HERoISEs.-A little two and ahalf year old
daughter of a Mrs. Metcalf, of ST. Louis lately fell
through loose plank into deep well, when the
mother instantly jumped in and held the child at
arms length above the water for nearly an hour,
calling vanly for help. At last taking off her shoes
with the assistance of loose board, the heroine
mother managed to crawl near enough to the top
70 throw her child beyond the edge of the well, and
then extricate herself. The first words the child
spoke after the mother had caughtit in the well,
were "mothsr don't CRY, We viii get out yet"
Year: 1861

New ORLEANS, Jan. 22.-The reason of the clear
ance of so large number of cotton vessels yester
day was in consequence of the belief that the State
would be out of the Union in a few days, and il
was therefore preferable to have a clearance from
Uncle Sam than to run the chances of difficulty
alter the act of secession had been passed. There
are but few vessels now up at this port for car
goes. and rates of freight on cotton to Liverpool
are held with great frmness at Is of a penny per
nnnnd.
Year: 1861

The CoTroN ARIsToCRAcY OF ENGLAND.-A late
number of the Liverpool Times declares that cotton
manufacture is becoming the greatest power in
England, perhaps the world. The men engaged in
!. IL are making fortunes almost by leap. In wealth
tney iar exceed the old. feudal aristocracy, and
every estate nowadays which finds its way into
the market is snatched up eagerly by some parye-
nu cotton spinner, the length of whose nurse
goes great way to atone for the brevity of his
pedigree, VI n'
Year: 1861

The Philadelphia Inquirer says that there are
twenty-four Republicans in the Pennsylvania House
of Representatives who willing to repeal those
sections of the penal code which are in conflict with
the Nation Constitution.
Year: 1861

THE MCCORMICK REAPER PATENT.-A powerful
combination has been formed here to secure the
extension of one of McCormck's patents for the
reaping machine. | learn to day that the acting


Commissioner of fpatens has declined the request


of opponents ofthe scheme for an extension OF time
in which to put in evidence showing that the me-


nopOl y ought not to be renewed Testimony Is or


dered to be closed this 28th inst, and the hear
ing for the application for the extension of the pat


ent is assigned for the llth ofFebruary.- Washing


ton Correspondent of ". Y Times.
Year: 1861

The Tribune of yesterday says that the people of
New York should be informed that there was no
session of the Board of Aldermen Monday, be-
cause Aid. Genet, the President of the Board, with
several of his colleagues, had gone to a cock fight
Year: 1861

WHY THE CANNON VENT Is CLOSED AFTER A
DIscHARGE.-There are always left in can
non, after discharge, pieces of the cartridge
bag on fire, and if the sponge is passed down
the bore without closing the vent, draft of
air is created which fans the flame; but if
the vent be closed, the smoke is compressed
around the burning cloths and the fire is
smothered. Sometimes, when firing in the
dark, a man cannot find the vent until the
sponge is put in /; then the fame will stream
from the vent, as if the gun was quite full
of fre.-Scientifc American.
Year: 1861

INFLUENCE or NEwsPAPBRs.-Smalli is the
sum that is required to patronize news
paper, and amply rewarded is its patron, |
care not how humble or unpretending the
gazette which lie takes. 1t is next to i'm


possible to fill sheet with printed matter
without putting into it something that is
worth the subscription price. Every parent
whose son is away from home at school,
should supply him with newspapers. Iwell
remember what marked difference there
was between those of my schoolmates who
had and those who had not access to news
papers. Other things equal, the first were
always superior to the last in debate, COM
position and general intelligence.-We Webster.
Year: 1861

QUEER IDEA OF EXCEss-Two young men,
lately, in New York, undertook to see which
one possessed the greatest internal capacity,
and, to test the matter, agreed to eat raw
clans, each to eat until one could hold no
more. The victor ate one hundred and
sixty; the vanquished hero gagging at the
one hundred and forty ninth clam, when he
gave up the contest, remarking that he could
eat more, bnt ssdid not want to make a hog
of himself"
Year: 1861

Creditors never annoy a man so long as he
is getting up in the world. A man of wealth
only pays his butcher once year. Let bad
luck overtake him and his meat bill will
come in every morning as regularly as break
fast and hungry children. We say never
plead guilty of poverty. So far as this
world is concerned, you had better admit you
are a scoundrel
Year: 1861

All those citizens of Washington exempt by
over age from the performance of military duty,
physical and mental energies to the service Of
their country, in the defence of its capital against
traitors and rebels, are requested to call at this
office, and at the offices OF the Inteligsneer and
the Star, and enrol their names, preparatory to a
meeting to be held on Saturday evening next in
the vestibule of the City Hall.


1.-THE Hteuigeneer and the Star will please
copy. apr II
Year: 1861

Two STRINGS TO HIS Bow.-Extra Billy
Smith is up for Congress, to serve either at
Washington or Montgomery, as Virginia may
stay in or 60 out of the Union. Smith means
to be in office anyhow, and to take all his
chances. His providence in that particular
never fails him. The last thing he did under
the reign of Buchanan was to get cadetship
for a son at West Point. He was then, as he
is now, rampant for secession, but as the old
Government might possibly stand, he thought
best to fasten son upon it. He now announces
himself for Cowes and market. He is for
Congress, wherever he finds Congress, at
Montgomery if he can, but at Washington il
he must. If Congress can be found any,
where in the wide world, Extra Billy means to
be in it.
Year: 1861

"-, MISSISSIPPI, april I, 1861.


o. cordially approve the course old Maryland
has pursued in these secession times, and |
sincerely pray she may remain firm in the
Union =; and if she has any regard for her own
future peace and happiness, she will do 50, and
especially if she regards the stability Of the best
Government that ever did or will exist.


"Our situation here is truly deplorable. We
are ground down with taxation and revenue
all credit and confidence gone, and not money
enough to even pay the taxes.


"The people in the interior Of the country
are without bread or meat, and without money
or credit to buy; they had even to apply to
their enemies, the people of the West, for corn
on credit, and they were generous enough to
give them thirty thousand bushels. Most of it
was obtained from 'Old Abe's' immediate
neighborhoo1. If the border States remain
firm, we cannot endure any length Of time this
corrupt Southern Confederacy.


"The power of the people has already been
taken from them, and is held by the few. We
begin to see it and to feel it. / verify believe,
if the question Of reunion was even now sub
mitted to vote of the people, it would be car.
ried by thousands. Texas is already in COM
motion. North Alabama declare themselves
in the Union, and intend to hold Federal
court The fire has already commenced, and
will in time burst forth here. Peaceable seces.
sion is humbug. We gain nothing by it |;
our slaves are no more secure; our territory is
gone. Let the border States Join the Southern
Contederacy, and slavery is gone. Let all who
desire the permanency of the institution by all
means oppose it. Bring down Canada to the
border line, and your slaves are free, and civil
war would be inevitable. Neither in your day
nor niue would there be peace.


"But our Southern demagogues and fire.
eaters will, in their pompous way, tell you
Cotton is King it will rule the world but
in the event OF a war, this king would be pow
erless. Who would then respect it Its throne
would fall.


"a few months since, the excitement was
great. The blood was at fever h at. Our
streets were thronged with these valiant men
wearing cockades. 1t was treason to name
the Union, and | verify was afraid the scenes
of the French Revolution would be acted over
in our midst; but as the time for taXpaying
arrived. with it has come rehection--the feel.
ings Of many Of our people have cooled down
to the proper temperature. We can now speak
our sentiments, which | assure you is done
freely and boldly. Things cannot continue
long as they are. Our merchants are doing
nothing, our mechanics are out Of employ, and
our planters can scarcely raise money enough
to buy provisions. Indeed, many of them can.
not, and do not know what to do. ! believe |
may safely say man could have raised, II
months ago, $1,000 as easy as he can raise
$40 now."
Year: 1861

SWAN For Ir.-Below Nicholas, yesterday
as the Young America was coming up, it be-
came necessary to cover some freight on the
deck with canvas to protect it from the rain
While engaged in this business, one Of the
men fell overheard. He sunk once and rose
a short distance from the wheel few Wig
orous strokes carried him beyond the reach
of the wheel and he made for the bank which
he reached in safety. The boat stopped and
took him aboard again.
Year: 1861

PECULIARLY PERPLEXED PREDICAMENT.-On
Wednesday morning in anticipation of a high
stage OF the American river Sam Norris our
celebrated ranchero, in company with an
other man, proceeded to an island for the
purpose of securing lot of hogs and driving
them to higher ground The island is in
fact only an island during high water, and
was reached by Norris and his companion
dry shod Before they could succeed in cor
railing the hogs the water rose upon them,
cutting off their connection with the main
land. They were in quandary for a mo-
ment what to do, having no boat and being
unable to ford the intermediate stream. -
Espying man ashore they hailed him and
called to him to 60 to the house and get
boat and take them off The fellow, proba-
bly not understanding, passed on about his
business. Meantime the water continued
rising, and the gentlemen found themselves
gradually getting deeper and deeper until
they could only keep their heads above water
10y clinging to bushes. After remaining
there three hours, surging about under the
force and pressure of about twelve-knot
current, and in danger every moment of be-
ing implied by a snag, rider or some other
amphibuous waif Norris fortunately esped
lone little injun boy" who, by his direction
went to the house, procured reinforcement
and manninga boat came down with rush
and rescued the parties from their peculiarly
perplexing predicament. They saved their
own bacon but what became of the bacon in
prospective we will reserve for another chap.
ter. On arriving on dry land the rescuers
and rescued are presumed to have Joined in
the popular song Root Hog or Die Sac.
News
Year: 1861

INDUSTRIOUS MAIDEN-We observed yes
terday on the bank of the Yuba, under an old
shed, through which the drilling wind
whistled, Digger Maiden seated by a scanty
fire, the smoke of which ever and anon was
whitfield into her eyes, and busily plying her
needle and thread. She was sewing on an
old piece of calico, the remnant apparently OF
the cast-off dress of some civilized female
which she was making into skirt for her
own dusky weather beaten form. Near by
was an older female. wrapt in blanket, who
might be her aunt or her mother, and lying
on the ground were some biscuits which had
been soaked in the rain and piece of acorn
bread. The virgin never remitted her work,
except occasionally to scratch her head, and
looked as happy and complacent as any "faire
ladye' in the most luxurious chamber intent,
with lily fingers, and soft-beaming eyes, upon
her satin embroidery. The appearance of
things indicated that the two had spent a
rather uncomfortable night, for the ground
was anything but dry and there was only
one blanket between them
Year: 1861

STATE Reform SCHooL.-The Union of yes
terday says: The State Reform School Com
missioners ask for an appropriation of $780,
600 to complete that institution in its present
locality. Commissioner Pelton, who is now
in the city. comedies with the others IN the
justice of retaining the present site, and we
understand the Committee who recently visi
ted Marysville have expressed themselves in
favor of carrying on the work as it has been
begun. They are expected to recommend an
appropriation for the purpose.
Year: 1861

OWEN PHILLIPs-THE DROWNED MAN Dis
Phillips is the name of the
man who was drowned at the Quintay Ranch,
on "Wednesday. His body was found, yes
terday, near Wescoatts Ranch imbedded in
mud, the water having subsided. and was
was the frame of a large and powerful man
had on blue cotton shirt, blue cotton pan
falcons over others, heavy boots and large
Spanish spur. Mr.. Totman, who was along
with the deceased at the time he was drowned,
tells us that be (Totman) had just crossed the
same slough with difficulty His horse COM
menced sinking and showed an incapacity to
swim with the load on his back, being a small
animal. Totman Immediately slid from his
back, laid hold with one hand or the pommel
of the saddle and with the other held the
reins up so that they would not become en-
tangled in the horses legs, while the animal
swan with him ashore. Having remounted,
he looked back and saw Mr.. Phillips in the
slough with his horse sinking. Seeing that
the horse could not swim with him. he hol-
lowed to him to slide from the saddle and
sieze the pommel. Phillips obeyed, SO far as
TO slide from the saddle, but neglected to
take hold of the pomme hanging on, in
stead, at the reins This jerked the horse
bnck so that he could do nothing but paw
the water, and in the midst Phillips went
down We stated, on the first report Of the
occurrence, that the horse too was drowned
This was a mistake. The horse swan out
On the same day, and nearly in the same
place. horse was drowned, not being able
to swim, but the rider swan out. Persons
who may find themselves on horseback in
deep water, if their horses can swim at all, as
most horses can do, should. at the moment
they discover any difficulty in the movements
Of the horse. slide from his back, gathering
the reins up (but not too tightly from under
his feet, and sieze upon the pommel of the
saddle or any other convenient place, the
name or crupper or the like They will thus
float alongside, keeping clear of the hoofs,
while the horse will be lightened of the
weight on his back and swim out easily


If you see that the horse can swim with
your weight on his back, then all You have
to do is to sit steadily. gathering up the reins
out of the way of his legs but not so as to
draw Oh the bit, and let him go for the bank
Had poor Phillips but known the secret of
swimming horse, he would doubtless be
alive to-day.