smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

main SO no longer, in view of Horace
Greeley's latest revelations from the
Plains. Horace, it will be borne in
mind, has gone 10 Utah to recruit -
He don't believe that the lion and the
lamb were made to lie down together,
and yet solemnly declares the belief that
rattlesnakes and prairie dogs actually
burrow together! Hear him


"Speaking of rattlesnakes-1 hasten
to retract the skepticism avowed in a
former letter as to the usual and well
come residence of these venomous SER
pents in the prairie dogs burrov. The
evidence of the fact is too direct and
reliable to be gainsayed. A credible
witness testifes that he and others orce
undertook to drown out prairie dog in
his domicil, and, when sufficient wafer
Lad been rapidly poured in, out came a
prairie dog, an owl, and ratllesnake. all
together. In another case.a tremendous
rain raised creek so that it suddenly
overhowed a prairie dog town, when the
general stampede TO prarie dogs, fowls,
and rattlesnakes was sight to behold.
1t is idle to attempt holding out against
facts; SO I have pondered this anomaly
until l think | cleary comprehend
it. The Cayota is gentle
man of an inquiring, investigating turn,
who is an adept at excavation,and whose
fondncss for prairie dog is more ardent
than fatterins. To dig one out and
digest him would be an easy tax. if he
were alone in his den, or with only the
owl for his partner; bat when the firm is
known to be Prairie Dog Rattlesnake &
Co.. the Cayota's passion for subterranean
is materially cooled"


United States JourAa1.
Year: 1859

SoME years ago, when we we're young
in the editorial profession. we had the
temerity to deny that rattlesnakes laid
eggs, and had to beat retreat before
the thunders of the savans who poured
facts into us like grape shot until we
were fain to cry, "Hold enough J"
Since that time we have been passive on
the subject Of snakes. But we can re-
Year: 1859

1t was fearful night IN the latter part
of November. The frozen rain beat
ceaseltssly against the easements OF a
little cottage situated high up on the
bold brow of one Of the hills of the Pent-
land range Of mountains; and the wind
ratified the wood IN door-latch so 6ercely
that you would have thought the fingers
Of ghost were seeking tn unloose the
portal The blue smoke of the pine
kno, fro upon the hearth in the humble
kitchen was blown oat in fantastic
wreaths in the faces Of the occupants Of
the room, and the sleek gray cat in the
corner opened her eyes in amazemert at
the "uncanny' proceeding.


Rachel Wharton sat by the hre, hold.
ing in her lap the sleeping form of her
little sister Grace. The two girls were
alone in the house. their parents having
gone down the river two days before, to
diepose of their little stock Of butter and
cheese, and bring back in return. grocer
les fer winter consumption.


Far away from all human habitation
the cottage Of the Whartons stood; but
Rachel was a brave girl-born and bred
among the wild hills-and che felt no
fear.


To night, for some reason which she
could not explain to herself, she had
failed to retire at her usual hour; and
now her eyes were bright and wide open
gazing into the glowing Are. Suddenly
che rose up and putting her sister upon
. bed in corner Of the room. she threw
her apron over her head and went out
into the night.


1t was pitchy dark, and the frigid
gusts of wind pierced through her thin
clothing. but she did not heed-for ris-
Ing above all the din of wind and waters
eans to her ears the crush Of timbers
and elanking Of iron chains She lis
tened with strained nerves and hushed
heart; again there was low, heavy
|. .yumbling in the distance-the solid earth
bsssath her feet quivered-a momsntary
ipaase, aud then the dull, dead shock Of
ssae heavy object falling from = great
height!


3 She understood it now; the railway
bridge which spanned the river mile
below in the valley. had been swept
away; and the destruction Of the huge
pile of masonry and the falling of the
ehsined timbers, had occasioned the
strange sounds to which she had listened
She had scarcely time to arrive at this
conclusion, when another though. struck
her.


Tha express train bound eastward
was due at Hartstein. the next town, at
eleven O'Clock; it mus: now, even, be
near that hour


She few back to the room she had
but just left. and examined the clock
upon TIE mantel. The hour hand point
ed to the figure ten! Rachel clasped
her hands in despair.


"Oh, Heaven but one hour-one
little hour between the train and destruc-
ion !! The m addened river cutting me
od from all other help-what can ] do ?"


She stood q moment in silent thought,
then again she spoke aloud -


"Yes. will venture it; I can but fail
and it is my duty. The river is
swollen and wild, bu, have managed
the raft in many storm-I will try my
skill again God forbid that should
stay here in safety to know that so many
of my fellow-creatures are hurrying on
to such death unwarnei p


While she was speaking she hasi;' |
gathered basket full Of pitch
Year: 1859

men of invalids is Just simply what we
Professors call ''bad practice" and l
know by experience that there are wor-
thy people who not only try it on their
own children, but actually force it on
those of their neiyhbors. atlantic
MOnthlu.
Year: 1859

s55- The news by TIE Overland Mail is
that there is prospect of a duel between
Senators Douglas and Fitch 1t was but
short time ago that two other Lecompton
Senators were venting their malignant spleen
upon the great Illiuoisian. They love him,
vastly these Leeomptonites. There is every
evidence that he is with theml People will
believe that peace is made with Douglas, and
that he is a good Administration man, when
the Administration Senators like him SO
much


1t will be remembered that Fitch is one Of
the Bogus Indiana Senator's elected by an
inscriptions faction in direct violation of the
Constitution Of that State, and admitted to a
seat in the Senate Of the United States, in
the face Of this fact by shameless Lecomp.
ton majority. Judge Douglas opposed his ad
mission, and Fitch, with the narrowness that
characterizes minds of the stamp of his, hates
him for doing his duty,


There seems to be dead set against Doug.
las by the Leeonpton Senators at Washing.
ton, to annoy and insult him. We shall sec
what they will make of it. If the people
do not visit it tenfold upon their heads, we
have mistaken that sense Of right which
Teigns in the American bosom.
Year: 1859

The Yreka Chronicle gives the following
local news:


YREKA LIBRARY-We are Informed that
the Committee appointed by the Ladies Sew.
ing Circle, are preparing for the purchase Of
books, with the funds realized from the La
dies Fair last Christmas. 1t is said, and to
the honor of our ladies' that so soon as these
arrangements are completed, and the books
obtained, that they propose holding another
Fair with the view of rendering their library
still more complete


Preparation is being made by different
property holders, to commence the work OF
building as soon as Spring shall sufficiently
" open to admit of it. Among others, Mr..
Greathousc proposes putting upa two story
brick. on the north west corner of the vacant
lot fronting on Miner and Main streets. 1t
is anticipated that extensive improvements
will be made in Yreka during the progress
Of the coming summer.


From present indications, the severity of
winter is over, though it is still stormy and
unpleasant There is now an abundance of
water for mining purposes and, if the wealth
er does not grow colder. gold dust will soon
be taken out in great abundance.
Year: 1859

INSANE ASYLUM VISITING COMMITTEE The
Special Committee appointed to investigate
certain matters at the State Insane Asy um,
Stockton, returned yesterday, having been
absent eleven days Their report will not be
presented to The House for week or more
We understand that it will be highly flvora-
ble to the institution and its officers, and that
the result of most thorough investigation
into all its affairs, an inquiry into its ac-
counts, manner of making contracts etc. will
acquit all concerned Of every charge that has
been made rejecting on the management
The committee claim to have exercised their
privilege as members of the Legislature TO
the fullest extent in making their examina.
ton, and their report will be very full and
explicit-Sdc. Union, yesterday.


If this report shall prove to be fairly made,
we shall be very happy indeed to learn that
the Asylum has been properly eonducted.-
We shall await the report, before further cx-
pressing an opinion.
Year: 1859

The Benson CAsE.-Tho San joaquin Re
publican has the following touching the
matter:


An inquest was held on Tuesday, at Ben.
sons Ferry, on the body of John A. Benson.
The inquest was held by Justice Mills, he
not being aware that Coroner Bond had been
apr ointed. The verdict was that deceased
came to his death from pistol ball fired bv
Green Palmer We learn that Mrs. Palmer
and BenSon's friends positively deny that
there had been any criminal intercourse, but
Mrs. 7. admits that Benson had followed her
for some time with improper proposals, and
that he had been repeatedly impored to
keep away from the house by her. Palmer
stated to the neighbors, after the shot had
been fired, that Benson had "tampered" with
Mrs. p, and that he had warned him repeat.
edly to keep away from his house, but Ben
son insisted upon coming, and went so far as
to threaten to blow his head off if he should
dare to interfere. The neiglbors generally
insist that Mrs. Palmer is guilty Palmer
also stated that his wife told him that Ben
son said he would give Palmer 81 900 for his
place if she (Mrs. P.) would stay in the coun-
try and become his mistress, and let Palmer
go home with the children; and that Benson
made the offer of 81 900 TO him, aud after
wards declined to fulfill his bargain. Mrs.
z. had told him thatt the reason was that she
refused to accede to his proposal of rem in
ing. She at one time went to Sacramento
with Benson to sign the deed. This latter
affair is supposed to have been the immedi-
ate cause of the shooting


Palmer was last seen at Stayton's, four
miles from Benson's, about s O'clock that
night He encountered son Of ex-Super-
visor Thompson on the road and told 'him
what he had done, and said he felt justified
in it. He had his revolver in his hand. and
said he intended to deliver himself up, but
would shoot the first man who attempted TO
arrest him. lie applied to Stayton for a
horse to take him to Justice Mills to whom
he wished to surrender himself Stayton
started to catch the horse but while he was
gone Palmer left. 1t is supposed that he was
alarmed by the barking of some dogs and
thought he was pursued
Year: 1859

lNsANITY.-Tomaso Refs, says the Sac.
Register, who was ordered by the County
Judge to be removed to Stockton, is still on
the Brig, and his insanity is increasing every
day. lie has not eaten mouthful Of food
for three days. 1t is said that no provision
has been made for the transportation of in.
sane persons fro-n this county to the asylum.
This being the case, we suppose Rcis must
remain where he is, until some officer from
another county shall pass through, and yolun.
teer to take the patient to the asylum, as in
the case Of Roberts. Common dictates of
humanity require that Refs should be re.
moved
Year: 1859

G3s- Gen. Quitman attributed the cause of
his decline, up to the last moment of his life.
to poison, administered to him in the shane
oi arsenic while resident of the National
Hotel, in Washington. He used to assert
that it was mixed with the sugar, and sub
stantiated this BY the fact that during the
entire term of the malady, which afterwards
assumed the name of the hotel, no one was
taken i'll who refrained from the use of that
article.
Year: 1859

We have not the time to-day to exhibit in
full the reckless disregard of expense to this
county which has characterized the conduct
of the Lecompton majority of the present
Board of Supervisors. But, we cannot re
frain from noticing one of their acts, yester-
day, (as appears in the report of their pro.
ceedings, in another column) which seems to
be of somewhat extraordinary nature. 1t
will be recolected that the former Lecomp-
ton majority in the Board allowed the Ex-
press a certain amount of money for printing
the Delinquent Tax List, when they had no
authority to do so, because the law expressly
declares that the Tax Collector shall have
the printing done for himself and the Tax
Collector ordered it done in the NATIONAL
DEMOCRAT. The proprietors of the NATION
AL DEMOCRAT printed the tax list in compli-
ance with the law (whereas the Express did
mott and presented their bill to the Lecomp


ton Board, and il was rejected OF course,
they brought suit for their just rights, and
the Board employed Col, Hatch, Dist. Attor-
ney, to defend the suit for the county. Not
satisfied with this tax upon the county, the
present Lecompton majority must now au-
thorize another counsel to be employed in
the same case in order, as they say, to assist
Col Hatch If Col. Hatch was not legally,
or mentally, able to attend to it in the first
place, why did they employ him? Or does
the said Lecompton majority desire to give
some party fayorite fat job, so that he and
Col Hatch, another party favorte, may both
have good thing out of the county? Is
this the way to do things for the benefit Of
luba county-pay ILL to a party paper
for work which it was not !, gally authorized
to do when it was apparent that the same
bill would have to be paid over again; and,
when suit is brought, as they knew it would
be, employ the Dist. Attorney and pay him
an amount separate and a lart from his sala.
ry to oattend to it, and then plunge into the
Treasury still deeper in order to pay a see
ond party still more for attending to the same
business? We ask if this is the way that lie
compton maiorties in the Board of Supervi
sors arc going to trihc with the honest tax
payers Of Yuba county? Do they suppose
that these tax payers are made of money?
Year: 1859

SUlcDE-A correspondent of the Express
signing himself Long Bar" writes a labored
article for that paper, in which he attempts
the direful task of proving that the Lecomp-
ton faction Of this county (himself included)
are not lot of Boiling Bogusites, and in a
fit of desperation, winds up his effusion as
follows:


But have spent time enough in killing a
gnat,'


a clear case of suicide
Year: 1859

SPRING SrYLE.-K. Meussdorffer announces
that he will this day introduce to the Marys
vile public the new spring style of hats for
1859. Strangers will find Meussdorffers
Mandatory at the corner Of d and Second
streets
Year: 1859

eX- The rush of people to Houston
HASTINGS co. still continues, and every one goes
there to purchase, they selling of their large
stock of Custom made Goods at New York import
ing cost and of their goods at almost any
price for cash.
Year: 1859

The mysterious case of the death OF Fanny
Deane was disposed of yesterday by the Coroner's
Jury in speedy, if not summary, manner.
Only four witnesses were examined when the in
vestgation was closed, and the Jury returned a
verdict that they had reason to believe that the
cause Of death was anything but accidental We
hear that the friends Of the lady are disposed to
have a further inquiry. 1t will be needed, to
satisfy the public that there was no foul play in the
affair
Year: 1859

battles The next forward step Of the Allies brings
them to the line of the Ticino and before Pawn and
Piscenzs, where there will be occasion for great
generslsbp as well as smart fighting.


The moyeme ats Of G,ribaldi toward Lake Mag
giore do not seem as yet to be Of much moment;
ntr is his position apparently very secure one.
Year: 1859

SWAMP LANDS.


Since the passage Of the law for the dis
position Of these lands. on the 4th of Feb.
ruary last, one hundred and four thousand
nine hundred and twenty acres have been
sold. Of this amonnt, eighty five thous-
and nine hundred and twenty-four acres
were taken BY actual settlers. In this
amount is included seven thousand seven
hundred and eighty acres upon which moth
ing has yet been paid, being booked to set
tiers under Sec. o Of the Act giving them
the privilege TO make the one fourth pay
ment at any time within one year from the
passage Of the Act.


Besides this, three hundred and twenty
acres were sold TO settlers prior to the pas
sage Of the Act, and since my last annual
report, under the Presumption Act Of 1855.


The amount received into the treasury
10 this date, on the proceeds Of the sales Of
all these lands, is S82,so7 67.


The aggregate amount Of the sales is
4122,2s7 90. The minimum price OF
these lands, fixed by law at one dollar and
Year: 1859

les needing almost constant exercise out
Of DOORS and in the highest degree Of sus-
cepiblc to all influences, whether good or
bad, are confined for that full period in the
regular hours of school for which they are
often besides compelled to spend several
more in preparation"
Year: 1859

The Constitution, which is now universally
acknowledged to be the organ of Mr.. Bachanan's
Administration, and the first fully recognized
organ the Administration has ever had-in
speaking upon the " Squstter Sovereignty" and
Congressional Interference" question: thus
clearly sets forth the position occupied by the
Democracy in relation thereto:


We stand by the Cincinnati Platform-all true
Democrats willard that proclaims non-nter-
ference by Congress with Slavery in the States,
in the Territories, or in the District of Columbia
We stand by the. .Dred Scott decision of the Su-
preme Court, which secures to the people of the
States the right to emigrate to, and remain in
any Territory of the United States with the pro-
perty they may have held in any of the States.
We, therefore, are forced to say the Constitution
inhibts the several Territorial Legislatures from
abolishing property in slaves; and the prohibit
ton applies to the people of Territory, till they
come to form a Constitution preparatory to their
admission into this Union. We are willing to
trust the people of Territory to protect all
their people in the enjoyment of all their rights;
and, when unfriendly legislation is attempted, if
such attempts are ever made, We are willing to
trust the Judiciary to correct it.


Now what becomes of the declaration daily
made by the opposition, that Mr.. Buchanan and
his Administration favor Congressional inter-
ference for the enactment of slave code for the
Territories The charge vanishes into thin
arl because it lacks that ingredient, truth. which


is essential to its continuance in perceptible or
tangible shape.


The Administration stands upon the Cincin-
natl Platform, which proclaims " non-interfer-
ence by Congress with slavery in the States. in
the Territories, or in The District of Columbia"
While the Administration and the party main
tain this position, however, they by no means
admit that the people of Territory are possess
ed of sovereign power They by no means ad-
nit that Territorial Legislature can abolish
property in slaves. The Supreme Court, in the
Dred Scott decision, say that the people of the
North with their property, and the people of the
South with their property, (including slaves of
course) have the right to 60 into any of the Ter
ritores-that while there they have the right to
the protection of the strong arm Of the Govern
ment in holding their property-that no Terrific
rial Legislature shall say what sort of property
they shall hold and what sort they shall cease to
hold-but that they shall be entitled to hold just
such property as may be held in any of the
States. And that only when the people of
Territory come to form Constitution prepara-
tory to their admission into the Union, can they
take such action as will exclude slavery Not
before. This is the doctrine of the Supreme
Court, and this is the doctrine of the Demo-
cratic party.
Year: 1859

BURcH AND SooTT.-These two gentlemen
have been nominated by the Lecompton State
Convention for Congress. Put both of them
together mix them up, body and brains, and
remould them into one form, and they would
not then make half the man, morally or intel
lectually, that Old Zach is, of Sutter county
And yet Old Zach was nowhere in the race for
the omination.-NarysuIle Democrat.


Zach Montgomery is good Democrat, and
of course we do not wish to detract from him
in the slightest particular. Nevertheless, while
doubling the truthfulness of the remark of the
Democrat, we do not doubt that the same para
graph. with change in the position of the
names, would have been written if Zac had been
one of the nominees. We think it probable
that be then would have been spoken of by the
opposition press as a man Of exceeding small
calibre, and the defeated candidate whether
Burch or Scott, would, just as Zach is, have
been lauded to the skies as a man of immense
talent and as a very much abused and wronged
individual. The object Of course, is TO mako
re-heais Of the defeated candidates.
Year: 1859

STERoGRAPHs OF BATTLEs.-Dr. Holmes, in
his scientific contribution TO the last Atlantic
Monthly says:


The next European war will send us stero-
graphs OF battle. 1t is asserted that a bursting
shell can be photographed The time is perhaps
at hand when flash of light, as sudden and
brief as that of the lightning which shows a
whirling wheel staining stock-st;ll, shall pre-
serve the very instant of the shock of contact of
the mighty armies that are even now gathering.
The lightning from heaven does actually photo
graph natural objects on bodies of those it has
just blasted-so we are told by many witnesses.
The lightning of clashing sabres and bayonets
may be forced to stereotype itself in stiffness as
complete as that of the tumbling tide of Niaga-
ra as We see it self-pictured.
Year: 1859

Hither, Sleepl A mother wants thee |!
Come with velvet arms
Fold the baby that she grants thee
To thy own soft charms
Bear him into Dreannland lightly!
Give him sight of flowers
Do not bring him back till brightly
Break the morning hours
Close his eyes with gentle fingers!
Cross his hands of snowl
Tell the angels where he fingers


They must whisper low
| will guard thy spell unbroken


If thou hear my call;
Come, then, Sleep wait the token
Of thy downy thrall
Year: 1859

The CRoUp.-The Journal Of
Health says: w hen child is
taken with Group instantly apply
cold water-ice water, if possible
suddenly and freely to the neckand
chest with sponge. Soon as pos
sible let the sufferer drink as much
as it can then wipe it dry, cover
it warm, and soon a quiet slumber
will relieve all anxiety" A friend
who has repeatedly tried this reme-
dy Informs the Augusta CAromecze
that it never failed to afford almost
instant relief.
Year: 1859

To cure a telon, boil in an iron
vessel of sufficient capacity (say
four or six quarts) enough yellow
dock root to make strong liquor;
when sufficiently boiled, and when
the liquor is as hot as can be born
by the hand, cover the kettle with
a flannel cloth to keep in the heat,
and in five minute the pain will
cease. If it should return after a
time, heat the same liquor and do
as before. In a cure performed
in this way, the joints will always
be preserved. The receipt has abun-
dainty been verified here.-Scien-
tifc -Am1erac0ma. -
Year: 1859

No CREDr.-A boy at crossing
begged something Of a gentleman,
the latter told him that he would
give him something as he came
back. The boy replied, 'your
honor would be surprised if yon
knew bow much money I lose by
giving credit that way"