smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1862

EXPLOSION OF A LARD TANK.-On Tues
day evening, at the packing-house of Pulcifer
d Williams, in Chicago, large iron lard tank
exploded with terrific force that threw it
from the first floor clear through the other four
stories above to the roof wrecking that por-
ton of the building and descending to nearly
its former location. Another full tank stood
near, which was thrown from its foundation,
and its contents spilled. At the time of the
explosion there was no one in the building but
the engineer, WHO escaped with his life, but
was severely scalded about the face and body.
The building was closed at the time, and the
effects of the conclusion were such that por-
tion of the west wall sprung out several inches
beyond the windows in the upper stories, and
the whole edifice-a very large one was terri
bly, shaken. No satisfactory reason for the
explosion can be given at present.
Year: 1862

HUNGRY HoRsEs.-One hundred and five
horses, belonging to a contractor in New FORK,
while in Philadelphia were placed in an en-
closure used by the Union Volunteer Refresh
ment Saloon at Washington for the stowage OF
lumber. They had been there but few min
utes before the whole drove commenced gnaw-
ing the fence which surrounded the enclosure.
Three men were instantly dispatched to the
scene, but before they could stop the work
about one thousand feet of lumber were de-
stroyed. The committee of the refreshment
saloon used their influence to obtain hay for the
poor animals, but daylight broke before their
hunger could be appeased with any substance
more inviting than lumber. They had been
without food for several days.
Year: 1862

nA- Chase's proposition of national
bank, Aor to make the government a
great banking institution, has set al
the banks at the North in fever. They
have suspended specie payments and
their determination to take
no more loans. More trouble for tue
ramp government.
Year: 1862

A soldier writing from one of the camps on
the Potomac, thus alludes to the peculiar
music made by bullets passing through the
air:


at is very good plan TO exercise the mind
with the enemys picket closed at hand. A
musical ear can study the different tones Of
bullets as they skim through the air.
caught the pitch on large sized Minnie yes
terday. 1t was a swell from L fiat TO F, and
as it passed int the distance and lost its We
locty, receled to D-a very pretty change
Ono of the most startling sounds is that pro-
duced by the Hotchkss she'll 1t comes like
the shrek of demon, and the bravest old
soldiers feel like ducking when they hear it.
1t is no more destructive than some other
bullets, but there is a great deal in mere
sound to work upon a mau's fears. Tho tire.
meudeous scream is ensued by ragged edge
of lead, which is lett on the shell.
Year: 1862


Psrson Brownlow is known TO be q decided
pro-savery man, but be is not one Of the sort
who are thrown into spasms Of Indignation ev-
cry time the word freedom is mentioned. He
tells you merely, in reply, Of the practical dif-
hculties Of emancipation, and It would seem,
from conversation he had lately with the
editor Of the New York Evangelist, thai he
is not unwilling to see the experiment tried
The Evangelist says:


"As We bad the privilege Of meeting him
in private a few evenings since, we took occa.
sion TO sound him on this point, wishing to
see il he was as toucLy on the subject as some
loyal men at the South, who profess to love
the Union much, but seem to love slavery
more. Parson Brownlow, We are happy to
say, is not one Of that sort. Though, as
Southern man, he sees all the practical diff
culties in the way, and Is disposed to move
slowly and cautiously, he is not at all fright
ened by the 'mad dog cry of abolitionist. -
One OF bis >uggestions struck US as showing 80
much Of shrewdness and common sense that
we cannot keep it back. He said: AS eman-
cipation was an experiment, he thought it
would be well, before trying it on a large
scale, to begin with single State, and he
would suggest, just by way Of experiment, to
see how it would work. they should begin
with South Carolina. There he would like
to see the Government emancipate the slaves
ard confiscate the other property Of the rsbels
and turn item out to grass.


This is good suggestion, and il there is to
be any compromise when we shall come to
the settlement Of the quarrel between the
North and South, We trust that Brownlow's
notion will form part of it. Slavery is no.
where more inveterate and powerful than in
South Carolina, and if emancipation should
succeed there, it might be taken as proved
that ii would succeed we'll everywhere. Gen.
Hunter had the same thought in his head,
but be was perhaps little irregular AID pre-.
mature in carrying it into execution.
Year: 1862

A LOYAL QUAKER WoMAN.-The Balu
more correspondent OF the New York Eve
ming Post writing March 22d, says: just
before the rebels evacuated the village of
Waterford. near Leesburg, they openly
avowed they would burn il 10 the ground.
as it was nothing more than scnrsed
Quaker settlement" A noble hearted Qua
ker woman, whose husband had been chased
from his home by the rebels some months
before, besought gentleman of her faith
to hasten to Colonel Geary's camp some
eight miles away, and ask him TO send a
force to Waterford to prevent the threaten
ed c0ntlagratlon. He had fine horse but
declined the duty, owing to the danger of
getting through the rebel pickets. "Lend
me thy horse, then,n she said. He declined
again. "Then will steal thy horse" she
said, land go myself" She forthwith di.
rected servan; TO take the horse to q
neighboring wood, to which the owner
made no resistance. Another servant took
her side saddle to the horse, when the he
roine appeared. and mounting the animal,
rode off 10 open day right through the pick
cts who did not stop her, strange to say.
When she got TO Geary's camp she met her
husband, and being brought into the pres.
ence of the Colonel, she made known the
object of her mission. which was quickly
complied with. and she rode back to Water
ford with a detachment, which got in
to Waterford just in time to see the rebel
force leaving the opposite end Of the town
as fast as their legs could carry them. And
thus this pretty little village was saved from
cOnfagratiOn by the resOlute conduct of
this Quaker lady.
Year: 1862

A PRACTICAL TEsT.-Lord Derby insists
that our blockade is u sham; but the Lon
don Times evidently differs, and advises the
following practical test;


If Lord Derby or any mercantile gentle
man of bis way Of thinking has a mind to
make his fortune at once. he has only to
buy any amount of cotton at New Orleans
at sd a pound, aud running the blockade,
sell il 10 Liverpool at I'D pound. But If
that cannot be done. the blockade cannot be
so utterly Ineffective"
Year: 1862

TfENTION Is CALLED TO THOSE LIVING n no


tea and boarding house. % an establishment opened at
No ITO Mac iouga street. and furnished with Thing
for housekeeping, order thar family
complete home and live "a low
Year: 1862

One OF those long and picturesque torch
light funerals which are so striking to a


strangers eye, as they wind up to the new


exteramural burial ground Of Florence among


the olives and expresses of the steep hill Of
San Miniato, issued from the Duomo a few
evenings since, ana took it away at the Ave
Maria towards the Porta San Nicolo followed
by a great concourse Of all ranks ofpersons. 1t
was the funeral Of Tonina Marinello, young
Venetian woman in The bloom of life, who
had fought bravely by her husbands side in
the ranks of Garibaldi's gallant thousand, ="
when they swept victoriously through Sicily,
from Marsala to Messina, and thence to Ma
pies and Capua, carrying all before them.


The carrying home ofthe poor Garibaldina,
whose short life had ended sadly in Florence,
amid the straits of pinching poverty, would
at any time have called forth q manifestation
Of public respect and sympathy. Now of
course, the crowd following of the procession
was swelled by those Of the ultra-red party,
who would fain have given it the appearance
Of a demonstration.


The little story of Toniua is a moving touch
of romance in real life, yet is simple and win
ming, as were her slender figure and fair pale
face, shaded with the golden-brown hair
which so often shines out from the canvasses
of the old Venetian painters. Nothing Of as
sumption, nothing OF unfeminine or theatrical
sternness contributed to shape the attitude of
her quiet courage. Her husband, who in his
early youth had fought the battle of 1848
was employed when the war of 1859 broke
out, and the youth Of Venice emigrated by
hundreds into the neighboring liberated prov
inces, in the dangerous service Of guide to
these fugitives from Austrian vengeance,
across the desolate track Of country laid waste
by the capricious inundations of the Po, which
lies between them and the louged-for river
bank, from which they steered across into
land Of safety. The secret liberal committees
Of the Venetian territory had in their employ
many sucL trusty servants, ready to dare all
risks to convey the ardent young volunteers,
peuuiless and friendless, across the perilous
ground, and to pass them from one another
under cover Of night, unscratched by Austrian
bullets, to the frontier. MarineIlo and his wife
were among the brsvest and trustiest Of their
Year: 1862

CAPT. KNGsBURY, Co. A, 14th Regiment
now at Corinth, thus describes an insect very
annoying to the troops in camp at that
place:


We presume the boys viii not be dis
posed to complain of mosquitoes, gnats, SC,
which infest this locality, after suffering from
the assaults Of the Propeller Fly


"Within the last week I have discovered 6
new kind of insect call it the Propeller
Fly. 1t is not as large as one of our Yankee
mosquitoes, but you ought to see and feel
them bite. They light on you, raise their
hind outstanding on their fore legs-and
commence turning round. Their bill is like a
cork screw, and when they get it in the right
place they start the machinery by advancing
the right fore leg. They then work pro
peller wheel, which is Of course at the stern,
and around they go like lightning and in goes
the cork screw, and you cannot pull them oil
without unscrewing them. They aIe Dad
egg.'
Year: 1862

During the late exhibition Of Van Am
burgh's menagerie at Monongahela City, Pa,
fearful and exciting scene occurred. 1t ap-
pears that shortly alter the audience had as
sembled, terrific storm arose, which tore the
canvass into rags, and threatened serious in
Jury to the spectators. While the Storm
King roared and revelled, one Of the huge IT,
gers got out Of his cage, which added new ter
ror to the scene. The vast assembly swayed
from side to side, first to that part Of the tent
which had been blown of, and then to the
main entrance. Some jumped from the top
Of the seats out through the opening between
the top and the circular inclosure; others cut
themselves a passage through the canvass,
and all rushed with alarm for any place of es-
cape, preferring to brave the storm to taking
their chance fOrJjfe amid the crushing timbers
and furious wild beasts. Women shrieked
for help, and children cried; strong men look
ed pale, and, taking the confusion Of the null
titude and the raging of the storm, the scene
was fearful and appalling. The keepers of
the animals stood by the cages Of these wild
denizens Of tho woods and jungles with anx


icus looks. The man who kept the elephant
Hannibal stood in front of the huge brute,
with his hands upon his tuslzs, as pale as a
corpse. One of the lions had partaken of the
excitement, and by his glaring eyeballs, erect
posture, and extended and flowing name, gave
an idea of how he looks in his native forest
The tiger which had escaped from his cage
was driven back by Mr.. Van Amburgh into a
cage with this lion, and the king of the woods
had put his huge paw upon him, and was
holding him tight upon the floor. Nature,
grand and terrible, was on exhibition at this
show. After some moments of fearful con-
fusion the storm ceased, and the audience
separated, but not until several had been in
jured from being trampled on and bruised in
the general confusion which prevailed.
Year: 1862

OK Tuesday, says the Pittsburgh Dispatch,
the second fifteen inch gun finished at the
Fort Pitt Works was taken from the shop to
the metal yard of the Pennsylvania Railroad,
at the corner of Grant and Liberty streets,
where it will be shipped to the East on a car
prepared for the purpose. Two Of these large
guns have already been taken over the same
road, but the made of transportation from the
shops to the railroad was different from that
now adopted. Both the Lincoln" and
Union" were drawn along the streets on
wheels fitted on the guns themselves, by
windlass and pulleys Since the transporta-
ton of heavy ordnance has become an every
day business the firm has provided a large
wagon for the purpose, and this was used for
the first time on Tuesday. Twelve horses
and two side ropes manned by workman and
spectators, moved the gun along the level
with ease but the enormous weight, over 40
900 lbs, told rather severely on the motive
power" on an up grade.


The wagon on which the gun was hauled
is built in the ordinary form OF wagon run
ming gears, the wheels and axles being of the
most massive character. Instead of the Gus
tomary coupling tongue" two immense
timbers are stretched from the front to the
hind axles and securely fastened. Beneath
these timbers the gun is slung by the COM
mon timber wheel tackle. Notwithstanding
the breadth of the tires on the wheels, their
progress along thepavement crushed and sunk
the boulders almost as readily as ordinary
wheel prints on a dusty road


The manufacture of large guns is steadily
progressing at the works, which will soon be
in a condition to turn them out with as great
rapidity as ordnance of small calibre. The
third gun Of ffteen-inch calibre was taken out
of the lathe yesterday, and another will be
put in its place Immediately. None Of the
navy ffteen-incL guns have yet been turned
out


l. IL L, y
Year: 1862

TIE Chicago Times relates novel runaway
thus:


On Saturday evening last, several persons
indulging in lake bathing, had a lesson taught
them which It is presumed they wiz not soon
forget A number Of horses had come to the
lake shore to quench their thirst, when they
were caught by the bathers and mounted
The horses bore this treatment quietly, until
one Of their number became frightened, and,
without waiting for his rider to dismount,
started on a furious gallop up the street. The
horse wouldn't stop, nor could the rider dis
mount, 50 that the situation was becoming
perplexing to the surprised bather, who, Ma
zeppa like, was compelled to continue his ride.
How long that ride lasted, or what became Of
the rider has not been satisfactorily shown It
is certain, however, that Just at dark on that
day, several citizens, who were enjoying, with
their families, the evening twilight in front Of
their residences, were astonished by the IN
precedented spectacle Of horse running turi-
ously by, ridden by rider in full undress
uniform. A few moments afterward, anoth-
er horse dashed by, whose rider was evident
ly in search Of the first for he bore under his
arm a bundle Of clothes. This incident IS
7ouched for by persons who witnessed the
unparalleled equestrian exploit, and Is inter-
esting as conveying a proper lesson to those
adventuresome youths who are constantly at
tempting foolish feats
Year: 1862

A BALLOON ascension took place from Bos-
ton Common on Wednesday afternoon, which
probably gave those who partOok in it enough
of aerial navigation to last them for some time
to come at least The air was misty, and du-
ring the early part of the day heavy shower
delayed the preparations. About seven
o'clock the ropes were loosed, and the balloon,
with five persons in it. ascended almost per-
pendicular to the highth of several hundred
feet, and then after diving, sailed away to-
wards the south east. The balloon passed
over the harbor and the aeronaut managed to
keep as near the surface Of the water as pos
sible in which it would ever now and then
dip. This morning being very pleasant, the
aeronaut Mr.. King, hailed a steam tug which
happened to be passing, and told the captain
to follow him. This was done, and, after 60
ing about three miles, managed to throw a
rope, which was fortunately caught by those
in the balloon. The rope however, soon part
ed, and the balloon sped on, dipping the bas-
ket entirely under water After some time
another large rope was got fast to the balloon,
and instead of its being checked by the tug,
it actually dragged her about three miles
After while the passengers maraged to de-
scend from their unfortunate position and get
safe in the boat. They had just got down
when the cable parted, and the balloon scared
away with tremendous speed and without
pilot. 1t was the largest ever made in New
England and was named the "Stars and
Stripes" 1t was no wonder that with such
a name any attempt to keep it down should
be fruitless.-NelO York World
Year: 1862

TIE President has issued an order against
the practice which seems to have prevailed in
certain localities, Of requiring foreign subjects
to take an oath of general or qualified allegi-
auce to the Government The order states
thatfOr any violation ofthe law fore1Tners nay
be punished or subjected to military restraint,
but they cannot be required to take the oath
Of allegiance, as that would conflict with their
duty to their own sovereigns
Year: 1862

MORGAN, the noted guerilla leader in Ken
lucky, was met on his entering Versailles By
a gay and dashing young widow, whe hug
ged and kissed the robber chief to the great
envy Of LIS men.
Year: 1862

TIE other day a man whose coat tails sud-
denly burst into flames as he was walking the
streets Of st. Petersburg was arrested and We
ry nearly lynched by the people. As subse-
quently appeared, the poor fellow was a gas
filter on his way to the imperial palace on bus
mess. The oombusdbles about his person were
mistaken for the kit of an incendiary.
Year: 1862

TIE Spragues, Of Rhode Island, have made
a most generous and patriotic proposition to
the men in their employ who have families


They offer to continue to such if they will en-
list, half their pay during their absence, and to
secure their positions to them when they re-
Year: 1862

SusPEsDED.-The Street Committee
have directed that the work on The streets Of
our city Be suspended until after harvest.


FARM7Rs from Winfield township
tell us that the average crop Of wheat in that
region will fall far short Of ten bushels to the
ACRE. There are quite number Of pieces that
will not be cut q eli.
Year: 1862

A late correspondence in the
Memphis Appeal, from Montgom-
cry, Ala, contains the following


Indications have for some weeks,
az is too we'll known, pointed to the
evacuation OF Pensacola by on. ar.
my. From what can learn, that
well devised and very necessary
movement is by this time compile
ted. Oar forces have nearly all
been withdrawn, and will be sent
TO u point where they are most
needed. am Informed by army
officers who have just arrived from
Pensacola in this city, that all our
guns that were portable have been
moved, and the few that We're left
brhind rendered unserviceable to
the enemy. The step, indeed, has
been executed with as much mas
terly ability as was the evacuation
Of Columbus, the enemy being kept
in the dark until it was too late for
him to cmbarrsss our forces during
the progress Of the undertaking.
l learn that every house and tene-
ment that can be of any value to
the enemy in his occupation Of the
place, will be burned to the ground
or otherwise destroyed.


1t is stated that the Federal force
now at FCrt Pickrns does not num-
Der over fifteen hundred, the, bulk
of them having been transferred to
Ship Island, to strengthen Butler in
his Contemplated raid on Mobile or
New Orleans, as the case may be.


No one who has closely watched
this war can fail to be struck with
the eminent propriety OF this move
ment.. 1t has thrown into active
service one Of the finest bodies Of
troops connected with our army,
who have for nearly twelve months,
been comparatively idle and mae
tive. 1t is step towards the new
policy Of concentration, 1Oreshad0w-
ed in the late message Of the Presi-
dent to Congress, and is, so far,
commendablc. True, it gives up
Pensacola TO the occupation Of the
enemy, but that is OF little avail,
and it is even doubtful if it will be
regarded as Il tempting prize by the
willy Mcclellan or his subordinate
at Fort Pickens. Should a Federal
army, however, be thrown there for
the purpose Of threatening an ad-
vance upon this city or Mobile, the
design Of such y move viii be toiled
by preparations Of an ample charac-
ter that are now being made, and
Will transpiro in due time.
Year: 1862

The Vice President is in Washington, part
of his mission being to look after the troops
from Maine, and especially the sick and wound
ed. The Washington correspondent of the N
Y. Post writes:


Mr. Hamlin. as all who were in Washington
last winter know, is and always has been in
favor of the most vigorous war measures. He
was among the very first to urge emancipation
"a one of these measures, and Of course approves
the Presidents proclamation so far as it goes
He would have it go further, but is very well
satisfied with it as it is if it is backed up with
vigorous action. The opinions of the Vice.
President on various subjects connected with tn,
prosecution of the war have not been concealed
He is for the employ ment only of Generals wh'
will support the nt-slaVery policy of the gov
ernment with hearty vigor. In no other way
lie thinks, can that policy be carried triumph
anily through the ordeal it must pass, with th
whole South against il on the one hand, an,
secret traitors and deluded Democrats in th
North opposed TO it ON the other. Success oil
the field Of battle will soon show the streDgtl
of the new policy, in his opinion.
Year: 1862

E TRUE observation-disclosures your
children to activity, to enterprise, to fearless
ness in what is right, to cowardice in what is
wrong. Educate them to mike for them
selves the noblest purposes oflife, and then
to follow them out. Educate them to de-
spise suffering that stands in the way of the
accompli Shmsnt of many aims, and count il
as little thing. Make them free by lifting
them up into the storms of life, and not by
covering them down with soft and downY
plush.
Year: 1862

GEN. McCLELLAN.-The public mind is in
n fever of excitement because Gen. McClel-
Ian has loitered so long north of the Poto-
mac, when The army of the ''libel ating" Lee
is in reach of him. What the re; son of this
inaction may be nobody knows, but it is
believed that the motives are proper ones.-
As usual, in the absence of any positive ex-
PLANTATION, conjecture attempts the task of
telling why it is. By some it is supposed
that propositions for peace are pending at
Washington City. By others that Mcclellan.
being aware that the rebels are unprovided
with clothing or other defence against the
inclemency of the approaching winter. is
waiting for the frost to drive them away to
Richmond, or force them to attack him at a
disadvantage. The more plaus BILE reason
seems to be that he is drilling his arm y, and
waiting for the James river to rise, when he
will attack the rebel capital by land and
water at one and the same time Our gun
boats once past Fort Darling, Virginia would
be abandoned by the rebels, if they can
find any way out.