smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1860

BUCHANAN, Texas, April 25, 1860.


Allow me place in your columns for
the following recital Of tale Of horror
but one of many Of which this section Of
our country is the theatre, but which for
obvious reasons are kept out of the public
prints; and especially out of those honest
and patriotic sheets which would hold them
up in their true colors to the detestation Of
an enlightened people. A young man, whose
name and residence | shall suppress for
fear Of narrowing the feelings Of fond
mother and sisters to whom ignorance is
bliss. came into this country as colpor-
teur )" he had valuable stock of books,
maps, &c, consisting mainly of Bibles and
religious works. the standards of the Chris
tian world, histories Prescott's and others, J
school books and aliases, and unfortunately
for him, few copies of the Impending
Crisis. and some tracts favoring the cause
of freedom


These were accidentally seen by some
intense pro slaveryite, who raised the hue
auI-v,y o2oinct tho "a Vankae Aho
lition Book Peddler" A mob soon had
him in their clutches, and he was unmerci-
fully Aogged and robbed Of his wagon and
its contents. Here, perhaps. the afeir
would have ended, but just at this juncture
a negro was brought upon the ground, pur-
porting to have been caught running away
from bis master with forged free pass in
his pocket; he. the negro, was henceforth
lashed, and after most barbarous beating
he was told to say who had given him the
pass; the halfdead and terrified negro
glad of chance to save himself and we'll
knowing who his Captors wished him to
accuse. pointed out the colporteur, adding
also, in answer to artful questions. that he
had received knife from the peddler, with
the advice to take it and cut his way to
freedom, and burn his masters house over
his head in revenge for the barbarous treat.
ment he had received Now Of all this
there was no proof but the word of the ne.
gro, who would have told anything to pro-
cure his own release; and yet it was
enough for the infuriated mob, now num-
bering about $50 owners of slaves, their
overseers and sons.


After a short consultation the poor man
was delivered into the hands of six of the
most furious of the crowd


These rolled the wagon under tree,
covered it over with dry faggots, and over
the whole of it poured barrel of tar hav.
ing first stripped their victim and immersed
him in the same. they passed rope around
his neck and over limb Then raising
him 50 that his toes barely touched the
top of the combustible pile, the negro was
made to apply the flaming torch, and thus
the fearful tragedy closed in tho flames Of
the hellishly concocted funeral pile. and
the shrieks Of the agonized victim.


In justice to outraged humanity, l must
say that this was witnessed by those who
would have had it otherwise, but too few to
avail aught against the infuriated mass.
Year: 1860

1t will surprise Missourians. no doubt.
to learn that in their midst there is
marksman equal in expertness to the Swiss
hero. We allude to young man named
Charles D. Paul. we'll known in this city.
whose extraordinary feats at pistol shooting
have lately attracted 50 much attention.
From letter received yesterday from
Atchison. X. T., We learn that on Monday
last Mr.. Paul astonished the natives Of that
place by winning match to pierce an ap.
pie with pistol ball three times out Of FIVE,
at distance Of three hundred feet At
two o'clock in the afternoon. says the let.
ter, the young man mounted the board and
fired. The apple remained stationary. and
the crowd which had assembled to witness
the extraordinary feat walked up to it.
conscious that the mark had been missed.
They soon found. however. that they were
mistaken. The ball had perforated the
apple, passed directly through the center
Of it, and lodged in tree behind it. The
second shot struck the mark little to one
side, splitting it into many pieces. while
the the third scattered it in every direction.
Thus the match was won in three instead
Of five shots. and our young friend had two
bullets to spare after achieving bis victory.
Year: 1860

mum Of the ear. and those of the respiratory
organs. are the only ones which enclose
air. and that everywhere else the surfaces
of the parts Of the body adhere Immediate
ly to the membranes enveloping the organs
they contain SO that, however apparently
dissimilar their surfaces Of contact may be,
there still is no empty space between them.
Year: 1860

and made glad hearts Of the needy.


He knew the names of Husband and Faith.
err The brightest ornaments of the modest
cottage where he had set up his household
gods, were his beautiful, sweet-yoiced we and
group of iairheaded children, who clustered
like olive plants around his table, His alb
sence from home was like the withdrawal Of
light from the loving household of which he
was thehead his presence when he returned
seemed to them
Year: 1860

You may put man in the midst OF all
the m, sicsl instruments in the world ,1nd
if he does not know how to play on them
they will afford him no pleasure. You
may heap wealth upon man until 1t cas-
lie itself 10 heaven aud yet he may be q
pauper. The paupers are no: in the poor
houses. but in mausions--tor a man IS
rich only by so much as he knows how
to use what ne has; everything beyond
that is poverty. l do not think that the
asses that lug the gold ore from the mines
are rich: and yet many men choose 10
take their places, aud spend their whole
life and bend themselves double, to carry
that which always will be aburden to them
They do not carry it to make 1t power
Of usefulness, they do not carry 1t 20 make
it inGame and feed mora power, by nen'
efaction--by a large divinity of benet
Iccnce: they carry it merely as gold, as
properly: and they are beasts OF burden
Ibu dened. Multiiudes and multitudes o
such beasts there are, and ten Thousand
aping men running after them saying
"Oh that | we're they, or like unto them


And so the steep path from ihe mine t
the point where they throw off their loa
i, worn so smooth that many who wal!


upon it overburdened slip pand go to perdl


toni Beechtr.
Year: 1860

81 SAGACITY OF THE ARCTIC FoX.--Dr. Rae, in a


recent lecture on his experience in Arctic life,


folG the following hard -to-swallow story
4 Oar usual mode of trapping wild animals was


with spring gun connected with bait which,
when touched produced the explosion. One in


Stance showed us that fox either from the OBJ


servaton of a companions fate, or from hard
Earned experience had gone up to the gun, bit
lotf the cord connected with the bait and the
danger thus being averted, went and ate the
lmeat in undisurbed comfort. And it is com
zmon occurrence for the fox to make trench mp
TO the bait seize it, and permit the charge to


pass over his head
Year: 1860

Was it plcurisy. or ingratitude! or
fear to offend the South? The De-
t.oit Advertiser says sharply:


at was announced by telegraph.
yesterday. that Senator Douglas had
prepared eulogy on Mr.. Broderick. to
be delivered to-day. but last night he
was attacked by pleurisy.' This 'pleu.
risy' is q very convenient refuge for
Mr.. Douglas. II is not the first time
that it has done him a good service
At the opening Of Congress it saved
him from the necessity OF showing his
hand until he had taken full time TO
survey the field and decide what posi-
ton he could take with the most safe
~. Congress has now been in ses.
sion ten weeks and he has been in his
seat five or six weeks. But as no day
had been flxed upon for Announcing
the death Of his brave and generous
hearted friend, there was no sign Of a
return Of his disease. He seemed to
have quite recovered from it. Bu'
when the time for that melancholy du'
ty had been definitely settled. and the
evo Of the day for the announcement
had arrived, he was suddenly seized
with the 'pleurisy' as violently As sve'
One would have supposed he could
have found time in six weeks to pay ,
passing tribute to one who had stoo'
by him so faithfully. But il seems h
could not. And when the Senate wa


forced BY public opinion to pay tn


usual tribute to his memory. and h
conld no longer stAve it of. his con
venient friend. the plenrisy. came {
his relief at the nick of time. MI
Douglas is lucky man to have such


friend since they have murdered th
best one be ever had before"
Year: 1860

jenkins was noted for his courage
and his vixen of q wife. He was
not afraid OF man or Of his wife
either. His friends had often tried to
scare him, but had always failed. His
wife's brother tried one night. fixed
himself up in the most ghostly style
possible, and stationed himself in q
lonely piece OF woods through which
Jenkins had to pass on his way home.
The pretended ghost had scarcely set
tied himself in his position. when
jenkins hove in sight, and came
whistling along unconcerned as usual.
Suddenly the ghostly figure confront.
ed him. and in . sepulchral voice
commanded him to stop. Jenkins did
so, and after regarding his companion
for a moment. said, with the utmos,
coolness:


Il can't stop, friend; If you are &
man. | must request you to get out o
the way and let me pass; If you arr
the devil. come and take supper will
me-Imarried your sister.
Year: 1860

II Is not in the parting hour when those we


fondly love
Have breathed TO Us their last farew ell, and


winged their way above;
Nor yet, when in the darksome grave we


lay them to their rest,
The sharpest pang of sorrow rends the


stricken mourner's breast,
'Tis when we seek our lonely home,


and meet no more the smile
Which could the darkest cloud dispel, and


every care beguile.
And when We meet around the board, or at


the hour of prayer,
'Tis there the heart most feels its loss-the


loved ones are not there.
And thus while days and months steal on,


as memory brings to view
The vision of departed joys, our grief is


stirred anew;
Though faith may own Fathers hand, yet


nature will rebel
And feel how hard it is to say, "He hath


done all things well;"
But why thus yield to fruitless grief7 are


they not happier far,
The sainted ones for whom we mourn, than


we who linger here7
Oh mournful memories of the past, ye wear


our lives away.
Ye haunt US in our dreams by night, and


through each weary day.
rhe home which late, like Ejen's bower, in


blooming beauty smiled,
Ye make barren wilderness, desert waste


and wild.
Our hearts should glow with grateful love


to Him whose watchful eye
Saw dangers gathering around their path,


and called then to the sky;
Not long shall we their loss deplore, for


soon the hour will come.
When we with those so fondly loved, shall
slumber in the tomb;
Then let the remnant of our days be to His
service given,
Who hid our idols in the grave lest we should
fail of Heaven.
Not willingly the Lord aflicts, nor grieve:
the sons of men
/ 'Tis but to wean our hearts from earth, anc


break the powers of sin,
He saw ms wandering from his paths, anC
| sent the Christening rod
To turn our feet from errors way, and bring


US home to God;
Shall we defeat His wise design, anc


waste our days in tears7
Ungrateful for the numerous gifts tha


Heaven in mercy spares.
Let faith and hope be cherished still, ant


brighter days shall dawn,
And plants Of peace shall spring anew from


seed in sorrow sown.
Year: 1860

Missouri, who have borne the Free
Soil flag sloft in the darkest days. are
unanimous aud earnest in urging Mr..
Oates nomination. They say that he
can carry their State. which we greatly
doubt: but he would at least thoroughly
contest it. and thereby hasten the day
Of the conservation of the soil Of that
noble State to free labor alone. So
throughout the border line of slave
States; we do not say that Bates would
carry one of them, though we believe
he would stand . good chance for
Maryland and Delaware. but he would
have an electoral ticket in every one
Of those States, and . respectable
support in each. led by suck men as
John Bell. II. Winter Davis. John j.
Crittenden. 1--WE trust. and many
others who are not Republicans. And
it would be to us a very pungent COM
mendation of such o choice that il
would be smoke to the eyes of the
little junto of workers in darkness who
have sold ont the remains of the
American party to the Sham Democ'
racy, and would find themselve.
utterly unable to deliver the goods in
case Bates were our candidate.


But enough for the day. If the
Chicago Convention shall see fit t.
nominate one of our most pronounced
Republicans, we shall receive this q
authentic evidence that the Republican
party is stronger than we had sup
posed it. and shall go to work with ,
will to justify that confidence in it


strength. If, on the other hand, i
shall present the name Of Edwar,


Bates, we shall feel double assuranc
that the domination Of the Slav


Power in our National Councils vii


finally cease and determine on the At


of March. 1861.
Year: 1860

COMPLIMENT TO A BRAVE GIRL.-The Cincinnati
Inquirer, of the oath instant, saws A subscrip-
tion paper started on Change yesterday for
the benefit of Miss Metker, the young lady teacher
in the Fourteenth District School, who was badly
injured by falling bricks while standing at the door
to prevent the children from rushing into the
street during the tornado on Monday afternoon.
The paper and funds are in the hands # Mr.. Tor
rence President of the Chamber Of Commerce.
Year: 1860

The old legal rule that tenant was bound to


continue pay rent to the end of his lease notwith


standing the premises might be destroyed by fire has
been reversed by act OF the New York Legislature


and in of the destruction of the building, or
its injury to be untenantable, "bv the ele-
ments or any other cause" without fault of the
tenant, he NAV surrender nossessiOn
Year: 1860

Mr.. Speaker, as far as this measure is concerned.
believe shall remember with pride and pleasure
that what little Of talent and influence / possessed
was exerted % prevent the passage Of this bill-a
measure that will sever the dearest anG most sacred
ties, by causing the separation of husband and wife
parent and child feel that have discharged my
duty TO my constituents, to myself, and tOimy God
and VIII now Weld the floor.
Year: 1860

SHOOTING AFFAIR AT VIRGINIA CITY.--A dis
patch from Virginia City says that terrible shoot
ing affair occurred there, August 9th, which will
probably result fatally 10 one man and one woman.
The trouble, near can be ascertained, re-
garding the rent Of house and lot The attacking
party went TO the house armed with doube-bar-
relied shot guns, and fired several times from the
outside. The woman in attempting to shield her
husband. received two balls in the abdomen; an
other shot took effect in the thigh Of her husband
One Of the attacking party by some means was shot
in the head, and will probably die.
Year: 1860

SuscoL VALLBY.-This is one Of the most pro-
ductive valleys Napa county, and not excelled for
the production Of wheat. The editor of the Napa
Reporter, on a recent visit to the valley, some
1000 or 5000 acres Of wheat virtually in one body
the whole being owned by not more than eight or
ten proprietors, and all the fields lying contiguous.
1t is said that the yield in Susco Valley will not be
short Of forty bushels the From 2S0,000 to
800, 900 bushels will do well for a small extent Of
land which one can take in at glance Of the eye.
Year: 1860

SIGNATURE OF THE CRoss.-The mark
which persons who are unable to write are re-
quired to make instead of their signature, is
in the form of a cross, and this practice hav-
ing formerly been followed by kings and no.
bles, is constantly referred to as an instance Of
the deplorabe ignorance of ancient times
This signature is not, however, invariably
proof of such ignorance; anciently the use Of
this mark was not confined to illiterate per-
sons, for amongst the Saxops the mark Of the
cross, as an attestation of the good faith of the
person siguing, was required to be attached 10
the signature of those who could write, as well
as to stand in the place OF the signature ct
those who could not write. In those times, If
man could write, or even read, bis know
ledge was considered proof presumptive that
be was in holy orders. The word ctericus,
clerk was synonymous with penman; and The
laity, or people who were not clerks, did not
feel any urgent necessity for the use of let
ters


The ancient use of the cross was, therefore,
universal, alike by those who could and those
who could not write; it was, indeed, the gym
Dol of an oath from its holy associations, and
generally the mark. On this account, Mr..
Charles knight, in his notes to the Pictorial
Shakespeare, explains the expression of sod
save the mark, as a form of ejaculation APP
preaching to the character of an oath. This
phrase occurs three or more times in the plays
Of Shakespeare; but hitherto it has been left by
the commentators 10 its original obscurity.
Year: 1860

PIAPLY WITH PROsPKRITY.-Mr. Thacke-
ray is making an ass Of himself by showing a
sensftiveness concerning what news letter
writer's say about him. He has forgotten the
time when he used to write of men much
more severely than he has ever been written
OF; but now that he has grown rich and has a
name, he turns uphis broken nose at men who
do what he did anld lang syne. As Mr.
Dickens would say, he is pimply with pros
p6rltV
Year: 1860

CAREFUL PoLICKMEN.-Since the burplaries
in some OF the houses on the Fifth Avenue N


Y, strict watch has been kept for similar at
tempts. One night last week the owner of a
hve-story freestone front walked quietly into
his front door, and, ascending to his chamber.
went to bed. He was seen, and the police ar.
rested him as soon as he was snugly betwee
the sheets. He had to call in the neighbors to
he was the head of q respectable family sum.
mering at Newport. He was believed to be a
notorious burglar, and one officer was conf
dent his portrait was in the Rogues, Gallery
Year: 1860

Although we are opposed to the system of ad-
vertising for good and sufficient reasons. still we
deem it but justice to say thpt DR.. Young is one
Of the most industrious and indefatigable votar.
les of the medical science in the United Stotas
Year: 1860

Periodically, the whole country gets
stirred up with single idea-and it
takes precedence Of all reason or policy.
One year it is stock growing; another,
butter and cheese manufacture, another
wheat culture; another, making corn
crop another, getting rich breeding ard
feeding fowls. Now, we see there is
being an effort made in some parts OF
the country, to create a sheep fever-es-
pecialiy in the West are there men who
advise keeping sheep instead of grain
growing 1t is now profta ble-
a cogent reason to be sure.


We do not advise It for that reason
We urge the keeping of more sheep and
stock on less land, in order tha, grain
growing may be made more profitable
There is no dou' that farmers can prof
itably devote more attention to the pro-
ductlon o. wool and muuon-but il need
not, aud should not follow that they pro-
duce less grain in consequence. We
look upon sheep husbandry, properly
managed, as one Of the greatest aids 10
the profitable culture Of the cereals. And
we propose 10 give examples to prove it.
iu a short time.


We advise keeping more shoep--the
number and character should depend
upon The character Of the accessible mar
aet. The relative marke, value Of wool
and mutton should determine the charac-
ter of the she P. And the relative val
ue OF both compared with other kinds OF
stock or grain, shoull determine the
lumber Of sheep. or the proportion of
attention and capital to be devoted to til
branch Of husbaudrv.
Year: 1860

~ The Michigan Central Railway always
with In eye "wide open tight" to the comfort
and luxury Of tie travelling public, have put
upon their !ire new sleeping car, in design
md finish said to he the ne plus ultra of such
vehicles thus far east or Test
Year: 1860

Worse than Wooden Nutmegs.


1t is not TO be wondered at, says the
Richmond Dispateh, that Yankee shoe
makers have to work cheap, when the
character of the stock they use is known,
nor is it at all surprising that the shoes
thus made are Of very little service TO the
purchasers. A fcw evenings since young
lady of this city, finding her feet were
somewhat damp after short walk, sa. BY
the fire TO warm tbem-ef course taking
good care not to scorch her dress CATERS BY
placing them too near the fire. On becom-
ing comfortable, she rose to attend TO some
domestic affairs, and started across The
room, but suddenly discovered that some


thing was wrong about one of her boots
An examination into the cause showed her
that one of her heels was gone, which was
afterwards found lying on the fender
The heel proved to have been made
of some cheap composition, instead of
leather, and becoming warm by the fire,
had melted and left the sole. Wooden
nutmegs and paper shoe soles are some Of
the inventions of Yankee ingenuity, bat
they are entirely thrown into the shade BY
ths substitute for, leather now used in
heeling ladies shoes, s,s~ ~ ..s-sr.f -.
Year: 1860

~The lawyers Of Wisconsin have
promise of rich harvest for long years to
come, says the Madison Journal, "from the
unsettling of our whole system Of taxa
ton by the recent decision Of the Supreme
Court in regard to the railroad tax. II
this decision operates the extent gen.
orally conceded, no tax has been legally
assessed since the passage Of the railroad
law, now declared unconstitutional
Year: 1860

The opponents Of Mr. Lincoln have aban-
doned every argument, says the mean and
insolcnt threat Of disunion. On this they
base their last desperate hope of success.
They arc trying TO scare from the conscien-
tious discharge Of their duty enough men
to change the result It is now too late
to alter this aspect Of the contest. Let Mr.
Lincoln be defeated, and nothing would
ever unscttlc the conviction of the cotton
planters that their bullying was the cause.
Four years hence they would be fur more
ovcrbcaring than now. They would be more
powerful, and would have less hesitancy in
pushing things to extremity. Thousands
Of patriotic Southern men, advocatcs Of
free labor, thoroughly versed in the princi-
pies Of fTlepublicanism, and now standing
ready to tread out the first spark Of overt
treason, would 1urn away from us in sor-
row and shame, l,umiliatcd and disheart-
encd by our poltroonry, want Of foresight,
and palpable lack Of courage ind
sincerity II the cotton-growers do
actually believe that our purpose is
to snbycrt the Constitution in order to bring
evil upon them, any backing down on our
part would but confirm their worst suspi-
cions. Thereafter they would look upon
the free States with contemptuous dis:rust.
We owe it 10 these men, and to ourselves,
to undcocire them, and to vindicatc tic
glorious principles Of Republicanis,n by
practically incorporating them into tho
policy Of the Federal Government. But
the effects Of our faltering would be dis
as.rous to both sides. The political mad
men Of the cotton States, revcling in tile
pride and insolcnce Of undeserved power,
would demand the surrender Of rights
which only ages Of oppression can reduce
men to the point Of giving up. We should
have before us the alternative Of yielding
at discretion, or Of recovering by force
what we may now preserve by firmness.
Year: 1860

PIONEER WIDE AWAKE cLCE.-Let every man
report himself this (NondaJ] evening at head
quarters, equipped for parade. ALL who hare eyer
been connected With the club ara invited to turn
cut on this occasion.