smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

We have printed great mass of infor.
nation about the June frost, and have
now lying before US a vast number Of
letters upon the same subject which we
have no room for, but from ali of which
we propose to sum up and condcnse the
inform alton received.


AS a matter of course, almost the first
information of such great calamity is
always the worst. One says: 1.-The
wheat is entirely ruined" But this is
true to a very limited extent, as We be-
lieye, because the wheat must be in a
certain condition of growth to be affected
disadvautageously by frost; and in the
whole vast region overspread by the late
visitation, we do not suppose that one
field in fifty is in that particular state
Upon the whole We doubt whether the
general average Of the wheat crop will be
materially diminished. When the berry
in one field is killed, it is an even chance
that the yield of the next field will be i'm
proved Frost is as destructive to insect
enemies Of wheat, as to the grain. Nor
over, owing to the very warm weather In
May, the straw bad attained such a rank
growth that there was serious reason to
fear loss of the crop by rust, and in all
cases where it was not forward enoug b
to be injured BY frost, We have DO doubt
that the check given to the growth will
prove beneficial.


1t is also true that the southern part oi
the belt Of the frest-smltten country has q
great portion of its wheat so far advanced
that frost would not iDjure it, while on the
northern limit it was still too backward
to be endangered. In looking over our
reports of the frost, we do not find that
the writer's of letters think the wheat kill
ed, even where corn, potatoes, tomatoes,
melons, grapes, and sometimes apples
were "all turned black" Besides, we
must remember that even before the news
of the frost had reached and frightened
some of the people of this city almost tc
the starvation point. We had samples ol
wheat in hand from Georgia ani Tennes-
see, where good crop bad been reaped
aud was ready to be tbrashed aud sent
hitler should panic advance the price
to any considerable extent.


One man writes: "The frost was SC
severe that oak leaves are killed, and
the trees look as though they had been
burned. OF course the wheat is all kill
ed" No, friend; it is BY no means
matter of course.


About ten years ago. on the 18th o
! April, the snow fell nearly all day ct Au
Rusta, Ca, and it was freezing cold a
night. Oak trees was SO affected tha
the leaves not only turned black, but th'
bark of young trees peeled off as thougl
it had been exposed to. seorehing fire
/ The wheat then was as forward as it wa
in the region affected by the great June
frost A few fields were undoubtedly IN
jured, but the crop vas not destroyed.
Year: 1859

mount of force, and the draft would be
honored. Yet 10 surrender this outpost
was virtually to give up all Kansas soDth
OF the Marais des CygDes; and though its
maintenance was sure to cost property
and blood, it was not surrendered, for
/ Old John Brown was among its early
settlers. Twice was it sacked and laid
in ashes, once after desperate fight of
two bours, in which Old Brown with for
ty OF his neighbors held at bay four hun
dred well-armed Missourians; who had
the advantage of cannon. So fearfully
outnumbered, Old Brown, after seeing
bis son and several of bis neigbbors shot
dead by his side, and after killing at least
as many Missourians as there were of his
own party altogether, was gradually
driven back through the open timber
north Of the village and across the Mara
is des Cygnes. the Ruffians not venturing
to pursue their victory, though they had
attacked from the west, and so were driv-
ing the Free State men toward Missouri.


The women and children had mean
time fed to the woods on the south; the
village was burned after being robbed,
the only iron safe therein having been
blown open by firing cannon into its
side, and so plundered of some silyerware
aDd considerable sum in money. Osa-
watomie was thus a second time wiped
out But it has risen again from its
ashes, and is once more the bone Of an
undaunted, freedom loving people, who
are striving to forget their bereaveme ITS
and sacrifices in view of the rich fruits
they have borne to Liberty and Human
Good. They have gathered the dust OF
their N artyred dead into COMMON grave
on a prairie knoll just west of their viii
lage. and propose to erect there a moment
which shall teach their children and
grandchildren to love aud cherish the
cause for which those heroes JOY fully laid
down their lives. beg leave to suggest
an enlargement of the scope Of this enter
prise-that this monument be reared to all
the martyrs Of Freedom in Kansas, and
that the name of each be inscribed upon it,
and his mortal rem aims, if bis relatives
make no objection, be placed beneath the
column which shall here be reared as a
memorial of the struggle which secured
Kansas to Free Labor, and is destined
finally to hasten the expulsion of Slavery
from Missouri. Should a monument be
proposed on this basis, | feel confident
that subscriptions in aid of its erection
might reasonably be asked of all who
prefer Freedom to Slavery, and would
not be asked in vain.


HORACE GREELkY.
Year: 1859

WHITE ASH LEAVES A CURE FOR RATTLEsNAKE BTEs.-We take the following from the Tennessee Quid Nunc. It would be well fer all to preserve it, as well as to keep con- stantly on hand a good supply of the white ash leaves "A little girl of this vicinity was cured of a rattlesnake bite recently by the use ofa strodg decoction of white ash leaves, taken internally, and also applied to the wound. The de- coction was not used until the day after she was bitten. Had it been used immediately after receiving the bite, there would probably have been no swelling at all. There is species of black snake (not poison- ous) which always fights the rattle- snake when he meets him, and al- ways kills him. But in the enooun- ter he generally receives many wounds from the fangs of his poison ous antagonist. These he cures by chewing white ash leaves and applying his saliva, charged with their pulpy juice, as a sort of lini- ment. The instinct of the reptile suggested the remedy to man.
Year: 1859

A Coop HUsBAND.-When you see young man modest and retir- ing in his manners, who cares less about dress than his moral charac- ter, depend upon it, ladies, he will make an excellent husband. Ifyou get the one whois kind and atten- tive to his mother, affectionate to his sister, industrious in his habits, and economical in his business, rest as- sured you have found one of whom you will never be ashamed. The ball room is no place to find a hus- band, the fashionable assembly is no place, 1t is in the retirement of home. the place ofbusiness, where you can study character and disposition; and where the best is not put on for ef- feet or display.
Year: 1859

s0ST 1t is q very pleasant and proper
thing, no doubt to have a purpose; (; but
happy is the man who can indulge in the
luxury, now and then, Of having none at
all who can give over at intervals the
steeple- chase of the world. and have
heart holiday --pass his hand across his
brow and wipe out the wrinkles. 30 re-
verse life's engine and be boy again.
Year: 1859

A correspondent of the S. F. Herald makes
the following suggestions with reference to
making one large Indian Reservation of the
Island of Santa Rosa


AS strolled over the Mission ground Of
Santa Barbara, gazing upon the many inter
esting features of this once imposing struc-
ture-its crumbling walls and ruined foun.
tains-and listening to the ripping of the
crystal sCreamlet that still pours into the old,
substantial "aguada," just as it did three
quarters of century ago, my mind was
occupied with these thoughts I seated my
self upon portion of the green, moss cover
ed wall, and gazed down upon the quiet
town, and from thence my eve ranged over
the broad bay to the beautiful island of Santa
Rosa, when the idea suddenly struck me that
there was the place-the very isolation the
Indian so much required. Could not the In
dians ofat least the southern portion of our
State, be transported thither and there cared
for? | asked. The idea seemed a feasible
one, and subsequent inquiries respecting the
capacity of the island and its climate, fully
su6stantiated it, and | at once determined to
uggest-hoping that it might meet with a
favorable consideration-that Government
buy the island, which presume it could do
for very reasonable consideration, and ap
propriate it to the Indians and, as an offset
bring the lands of the present Reservation
into market.


The island is distant some thirty miles from
the main land or Santa Barbara, is twenty.
one miles long and fifteen miles broad at the
widest place, and has one or more good har-
bors. 1t is of fine land, abundantly watered,
and possesses every qualification for fine
agricultural and grazing country, together
with n mild climate. am told there was
once large number of Indians living upon
it, who existed principally on fish, which can
be taken there in abundance, and it is a well
known fact among the old priests and early
settlers of Santa Barbara and vicinity, that
these Indians were remarkably healthy in
fact more so than any tribe known West of
the Rocky Mountains, and that their facilities
for obtaining living used to excite the envy
of those of the main land There are q very
few still on the island, and it is said that
those little remnants that are still scattered
through the Country Of the Missions" are
ever anxious to be permitted to go there, for
they feel that there they may live undis.
turbed.


The island has been used for many years
for the raising of stock, and has been proved
to be excellent for that purpose, being. fur
thermOre, entirely free of coyotes, and all
larger and lesser animals that tend to annoy
the farmer and stock grower
Year: 1859

That incorrigible wag, Watkins, of Siski-
you, made the following "hefty" speech on
the above named bill, on the 10th inst, in the
Assembly;


rise to point of common sense think
it is perfectly useless to discuss question af
ter it has been perfectly exhausted. Until
the gentleman from San Joaquin (Mr Las
peyre) made his speech. my ideas in regard
to this guager bill were in one vast heteroge.
neOus cloud OF intellectual confusion. But,
after the delivery of that speech, the whole
thing is perfectly clear to my mind. Now,
my ideas in regard to this matter could not
he made any clearer if an angel was to dip
his finger into sunbeam and write out all
the philosophy of this guager bill along the
cerulean arch Of heaven Now this bill has
been waiting here, and going the rounds for
some two or three weeks Since it has been
introduced into this Assembly, it has been at
the bottom of the file, and on the top of the
file, and in the middle of the file; it has been
recommitted and moved in all directions
and adjourned over, frequently; and now we
have got it up to discuss its merits, on a mo
tlon to indefinitely postpone. | confess
don't know much about the merits of this



publican party. Wei, | confess, or profess
to love my country the whole country, as
well as the Democrats and Republicans. |
stand here as an Independent candidate from
the great North. | love my country, but
cont think that has any personal reference to
the Democratic or Republican party. would
bleed for my country but wish it distinct
~ understood that don't want to bleed
more than quart at a time (Great laugh.
Ter In regard to the merits of this bill, all
th"t know about them may be resolved into
small question: Is il advisable for US to
have law remain upon the statute books
that gives to some exclusive and Democratic
individual the power to run a stick into
whisky barrel, and say how much liouor
there is in it That thing being. since the
speech OF the gentleman from San Joaquin,
perfectly clear, am ready to vote on the
question which some gentleman will present.
" move, as previous to the last one that was
Year: 1859

A STRONG MINDED SQUAw PERsoN.-The
Californian relates of an heroic. classic and
positive sort of squaw person. Seeing her
guard about to read letter from General
hlbbe, she seized the missiye and threw it
INTO the fire; on another occasion, while
under escort of an unarmed volunteer, she
TOOK club to him. The obstreperous femi


nine mas been cent to Mendocino- - Trinity
Journal
Year: 1859

A SMART Fox-oR ToUGH SroRY.-In q
recent lecture upon the subject of his expert.
ence in Arctic life Dr. Rae said.


On the journey saw very curious in
stance of the sagacity of the Arctic fox Con-
scious that | was aiming at him, he cooked
up his ears, and endeavored to make himself
look as much as possible like a hare, (Which
is an animal comparatively worthless) An
other fact of this kind occurred to me- Whilst
being detained at a particular place, our fs-
vorite amusement was trapping wild animals
Our mode of doing this was by spring gun
connected with the bait, which, when touch.
ed, produced the explosion One instance
showed us that fox, either from observation
of companions fate, or from hard earned
experience, had gone up to the gun, bit off
theicord connected with the bait,' and, the
danger being averted, went and ate the
meat in undisturbed comfort And it is a
common occurrence for the fox to make
trench up to the bait, seize it, aud calmly
permit the charge to pass harmless over his
head.
Year: 1859

GHosT.-We have now got real ghost,
no live shenanegan ghost, but hear him and
no see him ghost. For the last twenty days,
between two and three o'clock in the morn
ing he. she, or it, knocks at the door of
family here. 1--WE can boast of some families,
and hope to have more when we get the ma
terial) A party who doubted the spiritual
part, went armed with divers and sundry
weapons to punish said ghost, but it made
no difference to his inviSibility, for at the
regular time the same one t0o rnps were
given, loud enough TO be heard at a cabin
about one hundred yards off.


One of the party when asked OF it, gave
the following answer: Wall been thar
and its thar sure, and any man don't believe
it. can go and see for himself | been in
Mexico and sat on dead grsasers and played
seven up" and don't believe in nothing;
but, gentlemen, was wide awake and it
came and knocked like horse right in front
of where we stood l don't know what it is
or can be. but it's thar and don't go thar
no more. - Vdllecito Cor Alta.
Year: 1859

A SHELTER FOR THE REPENTANT.-- One Of the
most truly benevolent movements of the age is the
establishment of houses Of reform, where the frai


and ering of the gentler sex who are desirous Of
abandoning the error of their ways may find the
sympathy and encouragement Of true ministering
angels; "a shelter where they may hide their shame
and regain their virtue." Such an establishment has
recently been opened at No. l65 Magazine street by
an order known as the "Sisters of the Good Shep-
herd" and every night during the present week
fair will be kept open at Armory Hall for the purpose
of procuring the necessary "material aid" For the
honor of humanity, we trust fair for such purpose
will meet with proper encouragement. Go there TO-
night You will find it admirably conducted. Go,
and be generous
Year: 1859

PRoF. j. VEGAS SECOND CHILDREN's FANCY
DRESS BALL will come off this evening at Odd Eel
lows Hail. and will doubtless add another to the list
Of grand successes which is the record of all the en-
tertanments Of this class given under his manage
ment. The little folks will commence the dance at
u o'clock, and exhibit their proficiency in the beau
tfu art, of which Prof. Vegas is accomplishedand
successful teacher until IL O'clock when they will
yield the floor to their elders but scarcely their bet
ters far dancing is concerned for at this stage
of the season the pupils Of this academy can dance
about as well as anybody, whatever the extent OF
their practice and experience. Gentemen's tickets
may still be obtained during the day and evening at
the hail. at the music stores, and at the ticket Office
at price which is really contemptbly low, consider
ing the amount of enjoyment which is an inevitable
consequence of attendance at these balls
Year: 1859

WASHINGTON ARrILLERY.-The attention of rank
and e Of the gallant Artillery scaed to the notice
Of the regular monthly meeting, which will be held
at the New Arsenal, on Girod street, this evening.
Year: 1859



 The passage of the Oregon bill was celebrated in this city on Saturday evening" A large procession after going through the principal street, went 10 the White House and called out the President MT. Blu chanan made speech to the crowd, and congratulated them on the passage of the above bil. He made quite a long and interesting speech and said among other things that expansion is in future the poli- cy Of the country, and that towards alone feared and opposed it. The process sion afterwards called for MT. Bfeckin- ridge, who responded. He brought up the questions of the acquisition of Cuba, and said that we talked too much and did too litlle, that such an Island as Cuba was located at the opening of the British Channel, that England would take it in less than ten days. He sad he would not rob Spaln of the Island. but was will ing to act with any portion of hts fellow citizenes to use all honorable means to acquire Caba.
Year: 1859

DESERT OF THE New PAPER.-We have received
several numbers of the Sacramento Standard
the new democratic paper-and recognize in it a
first-rate party advocate. The articles are well
condensed and prepared in a familiar but not
undigniGed style. The State news department is
not yet 20 complete as it should be to ensure
rival of any Journal it stands by ITSELF as the
recognized organ of this States national democ-
racy. Its editor is we'll known as a distinguished
lawyer, jurist, and citizen of spotess life If the
party do not properly support it, they are either
unable or unwilling to sustain a meritorious jour
nal at all
Year: 1859

Mr. WEBSTER married the woman he loved
and the twenty years which he lived with her
brought him to the meridian of bis greatness. An
anecdote is current on this subject, which is moi
recorded in the books. Mr.. Webster was becom-
ing intimate with Miss Grace Fletcher, when the
skein OF silk getting in a knot Mr.. Webster assis-
ted in unraveling the snarl-then looking up to
Miss Grace, he said We have united knot
don't you think we could tie one Grace was
a little embarrassed, said not word but in the
course of few minutes she tied knot in piece
of tape, and handed it TO Mr. W. This piece OF
tape, the thread of his domestic joy, was found
after the death of Mr. Webster, preserved as one
of his most sacred relics.
Year: 1859

MINING APPLTANCEs-THE BELT PUMP-Vari-
Gus have been the contrvances TO raise water
The Egyptians used the simplest of all elevators
they made reservoirs, one above the other, to the
required altitude, and then balanced long trough
so that one end being elevated, the other dipped
from he river, and then the trough having been
brought back to level or an opposite inclination,
the water was discharged into a reservoir; sim
liar contrivance dipped from that and emptied
still higher, and SO on, up to the place the water
was to be used for irrigation. 1t will be conclu-
ded that, labor considered, this was an expensive
pump.


We first saw the now common belt pump
used on the Yuba river, in September, 1850. II
had been constructed by the carpenter of a whale
ship and was pronounced'a Chinese Gxin'." The
Cinnamon now construct elevators on the same
principle, which are propelled by treading with
the feet, but the Chinese machinery is great
deal more complex and expensive. We learned
from one of their mechanics that the pump ex-
hibited cost over four hundred dollars, which
was entirely credible, considering the compound
levers, wooden chains and other ingenious appli-
cation Of power. In operation, the pump threw
stream four inches by two, with the tread-mill
performance of two persons. The American ap-
plication is simpler and more effective: A water
wheel is the motive power-as we relate for
information Of people out of the mines. A large
" drum" or cylinder is constructed, made OF
plank-in shape exactly like a bass drum, with
holes six inches square in both ends. The wooden
"drum" is placed on the end OF the wheel-shaft,
which entends over the water to be removed.
A long box, Of the heighth required, closed on
all sides, but open at both ends is set at an incli-
nation of 45 degrees, more or less, the lower end
in the water, the upper close to the under side of
the drum; a small drum is fixed in the lower end
of the box, of about foot in diameter, while the
upper drum is four or five feet. A belt of canvass,
doubled, is made, wide as the opening OF the box,
measured the longer way; strips Of wood are
nailed three feet apart the belt" Of sufficient
measurement that the belt with this addition may
pass tbr ough the box, with intention that the
wooden cross pieces shall barely pass without
friction on all sides. One end of the belt is then
carried over the big drum above, the other hav-
ing been carried through the long box is passed
round the little cylinder in the water, and both
ends are lashed together with rope, thereby ma
king an endless belt, one half IN the box, the
other on the upper side. The wheel is let down,
by levers, into the current, the big drum turns
and drags the belt up through the box, and the
cross pieces, nearly filling the cavity, the water
is seized, dragged up and discharged as the cross
pieces come out of the boy and is caught in a
trough and conveyed away having been elevated
twelve or sixteen feet The belt travelling rapidly,
an uninterrupted stream is isdischarged, four inches
by twelve, less or more, according to dimensions
of the pump, or amount of drainage.
Year: 1859

A PIECE OF POORLY DISGUISED TREACHERY.-
A certain Sacramento paper almost every day
contains communications favoring the sale Of min
eral lands. These are designed to prepare the
public mind for more open advocacy of the
measure. The writing of them is procured by
persons who wish to cheat the miner out of bis
rights and liberty to work wherever he can dis
cover gold. When you see one of these insdious
"feelers, !" signed " A Miner" Sluice Box" and
such like, know that the writer is your enemy, as
well as the treacherous publishers, who, pretend
ing great friendship for miners, enable specula-
tors to deceive them. No practical miner ever
writes stuff so destructive to his own interests
Kick the infected rag out of your cabin; it con-
tains consumption of your substance.
Year: 1859

Doc Observation-Disclosures complain that their
dogs are poisoned when they come to town.
Now If a heartless scoundrel ever deserves beat
ers watch dog no matter how ugly and worth
less the creature may be, he is the only living
thing to make the lonesome cabin look like home,
and the man who wantonly destroys the brute is
n black hearted wretch, lacking the courage on
ly to do a baser thing. We trust that the first
person detected in so mean an act, will get
clubbing that will make him ache fortnight
Year: 1859

VIcToRIA.-" The first sentence of death the
young sovereign, Queen Victora, was required
to sign, was that of soldier condemned to death
for desertion. The Queen read it, and asked the
Minister who brought it to her: Have you moth
ing to say in behalf of this man?' Nothing,
was the reply; he has deserted three times; but,
said the brave veteran who relates the anecdote,
seeing her Majesty anxiety, added, though be
is very bad soldier, some witnesses spoke for his
character, and, for ought know to the contrary,
he may be good man. Oh thank you for that
thousand times exclaimed the Queen; and
hastily writing 'Pardoned' on the paper,she put it
across the table.
Year: 1859

AT Secret Diggings, in Sierra county, the min
ers have a "Critic Association" which produces
some excellent essays, which are printed in the
Messenger. One of them combs down the vocfer-


at is frequently said that the press gives tone
10 public opinion nothing is more erroneous
Public opinion gives tone to the press"