smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

Judging by what one daily reads in the


newspapers, or what he hears in conversa,


tion, 1t does not seem to be generally under.


stood what rifle really is. We all know


that an ordinary gun, such as musket Oh


fowling piece, is furnished with barrel the


inside of which is perfectly smooth. Now


take such a gun and cut on the inside Of the


barrel three or four grooves, all running
from the breech to the muzzle, spirally, like
cork-screw, and the gun becomes what is
known as rifle. If cut in musket, it is
called rihed musket, if in a cannon. a ri
fled cannon. The operation can be perform
ed on any weapon, new or old. The RI
fling of cannon is modern invention of
Sir William Armstrong, hence when the
Armstrong gun is spoken Of, it is UNDER
stood to mean rifed cannon. The object
of thus rifing guns is to secure greater GER
tai'liy of the ball striking the target, wheth-
er it be man or beast, as well as being able
to kill at greater distance than from
smooth-bore weapon.


The arm which is popularity, but most
enormously, called the MIME rifle, is al
most identical with that now manufactured
at Enfield. in England, for the British gov
ernment, and with that made at Springfield,
Massachusetts, for the American army
Captain Mimic invented the bullet-not the
rifle, and his bullet can be used in any rife
which it may be made 10 fit. 1t is this Min
lie ball which is so fearful missile. II is
an elongated cone, having fiat base which
is rsmmed down on the powder, the base
being followed out like thimble. When
the charge is fred the explosion instantly
expands the leaden shell, forcing the lead
into the grooves, and by preventing the es-
cape through them of any portion of the
gas generated by the explosion, concen-
irates the whole energy of the charge up
On the ball. No wadding is used in loading. !
The powder Is poured into the muzzle, then
he ball is Inserted with the hollow part
downward, and when down is rammed gen.
ly on the powder, so as TO force it up into
Year: 1861

EDITOR PRESS In your paper of last week
you gave what purported to be an account of a
sleighing excursion, by some of our citizens, to
Forest City and Alleghanytown, and in which
you make me appear rather ridiculous. Now,
without stopping to deny the truth of your state
ment, beg leave to say that if the persons who
committed the acts set forth in your account are
satisfied with the position they occupy, am. If
they CLEANED any satisfaction by the destruction
of my property, by the stealing of my boot, and
other acts enumerated in your article, so be it.
One thing is certain; however, and that is, the
party, or parties, who perpetrated the deeds done
dare not come out and own it, have received
intelligence from citizens of Forest City ex-
culpating the good denizens of that town from
having any hand in the affair; and proposing to
furnish the names of those engaged in the mat
ter. AS soon as obtain them, after giving am
pie time for satisfactory reparation, will expose
them to the public. In the meantime, until such
reparation is made, I can but say, they were
contemplate, cowardly set of Villains totally
unworthy of any respect, and so degraded in
mind as to be unfit to associate with gentlemen.
You say have learned lesson that will last me
for years. would be stupid, indeed, not to
learn from such teaching but to learn from
such teachers is humiliating.


BEAU HICKMAN,
Year: 1861

CAUTION TO THE PUBLIC.-Two or three years
ago chap was arrested in Yuba county for rob-
bing sluice boxes in this county, and committed
by Yuba county magistrate to our Jail. Subse-
quently he was discharged on a writ of habeas
corpus by our District Judge, on the ground
that Justice of the Peace of Yuba county had
no power to commit to the Jail of another county.


We are informed that the party, thus commit
ted and discharged, is now prowling about this
town and neighborhood; and therefore, we eau
hon the public to be ON their guard. The party
alluded to has been educated at San Quentin and
graduated with the distinguished honors of that
institution. Keep your doors well locked and
your powder dry.
Year: 1861

AcKNowLEDGMENT.-W acknowledge the
receipt of an invitation to be present on the ev-
ening of the 22d, at grand Union Ball, to be
given at Nevada city. Our heart is in the enter
prise, whether the body is permitted to share its
recreative festivities or not
Year: 1861

PLANK THE STREETs.-If the citizens owning
property on the south side of Main street, west
of the "Last Chance Saloon" would plank the
street in front of their buildings it would make
great improvement in that portion of our viii
lage. Plank the streets, say we.
Year: 1861

II we knew the cares and crosses


Crowding round our neighbor's way;
II we knew the little losses,


Sorely grievous day by day;
Would we then so often chide him
For the lack Of thrift and gain
Leaving on his heart shadow9


Leaving on his heart a stain3
If we knew the clouds above us,


Held by gentle blessings there,
Would we turn away all trembling,
In our blind and weak despair2
Would we shrink from little shadows,
Lying on the dewy grass,
While tits only birds Of Eden,


just in mercy flying pastP
If we knew the silent story,


Quivering through the heart Of pain,
Would our womanhood dare doom them
Back to haunts of guilt again
Life hath many tangled crossing,


JOY hath many break of woe,
And the cheeks fear-washed are whitest-
This the blessed angels know.
Let us reach into our bosoms


For the key to others lives,
And with love toward erring nature,
Cherish good that still survives;
So that when our disrobed spirits


Soar to realms of light again,
We may say, dear Father Judge us


AS we judged our fellow men.
Year: 1861

THE WEATHEh-During the past week, the
weather has been more fckle thanany we ever
before experienced. From day to day we had
rain, hail, snow and sunshine, al within an hour,
and alternating from hour to hour. So rapid
were the changes that Il was impossible to tell
one moment how the weather would be the next.
During al this time however, there was no frost
visible, and vegetation thriyed as in the most
favorable spring weather.
Year: 1861

CATTLE SHIPNENT.-On Tuesday last the
schooner Flying Mist Capt Berry, took from
Keaehs wharf one hundred head Of cattle for
Victoria, whence they were destined for Fraser
River. for the mineFs This, though large
freight Of cattle for one trip. is BY no means an
unusual shipment SOt the Flying MID, which
has been probably employed for the past two
years mainly in this trade.
Year: 1861

but at this moment the admired Of oil
admirers came forward again on che stage,
aud then. full and rich, like the voice OF
some young fearless Amazon, the martial
song swept over tho electrified audience.
Year: 1861

PIoUs AND POETICAL.-A cigar dealer in
San Francisco advertises that he will enclose
IN the wrapper of every article he sells, a COPY
of Gray's Elegy, three verses of which immor-
tal production he quotes in his advertisement.
@To what base uses may we come at last"
The same dealer, in gush of constrained pie
y, says that be will close his saloon on Sunday
in compliance with the law" That trader
will do to travel
Year: 1861

THE OLD SPIRIT.-A venerable
lady Of this vicinity, now above
ninety-fve years of age, with a
mind as clear, heart as warm,
and a will as firm as they were
the day our glorious Constitution
was first adopted, asked one of
her grandsons, the other day,
whether he was going to the war.
The young man said somewhat a.
bout not liking the idea of getting
his head shot off. Henry said
the old matron,' this Government
is worth a great deal more than
your head 2
Year: 1861

level.


In the business world the everlasting
croaker is as great o fanatic as the most
wild and desperate speculotor, and the
miser is no more culpable than the spend
thrift.


In social life the devotee of fashion.
frivolity and etiquette, is not q greater fool
than the eccentric contemner Of all forms
and customs, who has not decent respect
for the opinions and the customs of his fell
low men.


We must be prepared at all times to con-
tend against these enemies of the we'll be-
ing Of society, and must never look for or
expect their eradication or externinRtion.
But they are powerless for evil, when wo
watch well their development and expose
them to the sunlight of truth. They may
annoy and perplex, but can not materially
injure watchful and intelligent people.
Year: 1861




This eminent divine of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, in a sermon preached by
him on last Thanksgiving Day, in Wheeling,
Va, made the following eloquent compari-
son in order to show the power and glory
of the American flag at home and abroad:


There are two flags in this world that seem
to 20 everywhere, and 10 be almost univerS-
ally feared and honored. One is the English
flag. There are some traits of the English
nation that we all dislike-but il is glorious
old nation, and its flag a glorious old flag.
For years it has been in the advance line of
civilization, and art and glory every where.
Its glory is partly our own---for we are part
of the same race. Its cannon have been
heard in every port--its arms have met in
shock on almost every battle field. That
flag is on every sea, and it waves over nearly
earth, and wherever it goes the missionary
is safe He says, ~ am a British subject
The darkest nations all over the earth fear
to offend the British nation.


.l But there is another flag, not thousand
years old-not a hundred years old-Which
TO my eyes is still more beautiful one. The
cannon under it have not thundered at every
port-there has not been under it the shock
OF arms in every part Of the earth--yet with
out the terror accompanying the other it is
universally loved and almost revered. That
flag is on every sea--it visits every port
and wherever it goes the people love it. No
one but he who has been abroad in distant
lands knows how that National symbol is re-
-epected.r A man says, 81 am an American"
and nations protect him wherever he goes
/, ss well as others, doubtless, in this audi
ence, have felt its protecting power in niforeign
lands. Obi it is q glorious flag, Sometimes
it seems TO me as ifan angels hand had clip.
ped it out of the blue of heaven, with its own
stars of gold, coming down like angefseyes
of mercy as it goes On its mission of good
will over the earths 1T is q glorious flag, and
nations love il. ."u y a'lau
Year: 1861

The Judiciary Committee Of tho Geor-
gia Legislature have been jointly instruct.
ed to inquire into the power of the Gen.
eral Assembly to suppress speculations.
monopoly and extortion, and report by
bill or otherwise us early as practicable
the most etfectual means Of accomplish.
ing such suppression.
Year: 1861

Advices of an authentic character have
been received which represent that No
Clolian is actively preparing for an ad-
vance upon our army of the Potomac
The absence of any exciting news from
that quarter for some time past is regard
Cd by some as the calm which precedes
the storn, I
Year: 1861

The Democracy throughout the North
ern States nave, as one man, announced
their purpose to sustain the Government
in. all proper measures for the maintain
ance of its authority and the re-establish-
ment of it, wherever it is overthrown.-
The patriotism which stands the test of
call to support such an Administration
as the present, is proof against all assaults
and might seem to be worthy some ac-
knowledgement from those in power. No
indication of the existance Of such a feel
ing is yet manifested. No admission of
the obligation is made. Even so small
boon as the appointment of one Of the
same faith, TO succeed the noble Douglas,
is refused with scorn, and the groveling
wireworkers Of the gang are desperately
intriguing to supplant even those officers
in the army, Of Democratic antecedents,
whom the powers that be were forced to
appoint, or lose the men whom their call
had rallied to fight out the quarrel. One
of the Eastern high priests of Republican
ism, in reply to the query, "what is ex-
pected Of the Democrats?" says, "forget
that you ever were Democrats" That.
then, is the modest demand, forsake your
ancient faith, get on the Chicago platform
side by side with all the mongrel shades
OF aboltionism, dwell in harmony with
those who cannonize the horsethief, John
Brown, like Barnum's happy family; and
then they may so forth to be shot by Sc
cession assassians, expecting no favors or
thanks, but deem themselves honored as
with great privileges, and never dare to
doubt tho plenary inspiration Of aboli-
tionism. All this, but no thought of
favor or concession from their side, no
thought OF yelling any of their ultra dog
mas, and no abatement of the old unchar


table arrogance toward those who dare
to differ with them in opinion.-Toledo
Her0ld and Times.
Year: 1861

The Nashville Banner says that at
Camp Trusdale. in drawing arms, a sol
dier received the identical musket which
he bore through the Mexican War, bear
ing his name, which he inscribed upon it
when he was then in service
Year: 1861

At the same hour, in plainly and neat
ly furnished room, connected with her
millinery establishment, the beautiful wo-
man who had been the subject of Ralph
Ruritans schemes was seated. Her eyes
were fixed in wrapt dreaminess upon the
fire, but her thoughts were evidently far
away.


Here was a style of beauty to bewilder
the dullest Imagination, and melt tho cold
est heart, leaving in memory d cleaning
picture enamelled in fire aud fixed in G
fyame of gold and diamonds. 1t was the
spell of an enchantment to be felt as we'll
as to be seen. You might feel it in the
light of her countenance, clear as the gol
den rays of the MONDAY sun, brilliant as
the iris in the contour of her form, and
features symmetrical as if cut by chisel
Of Canova, in her hair Of rich auburn ring
lets, flowing softer than silk, finer than
gossamer, about her beautiful neck and
shoulders in her eyes, blue as the heavens
of an Italian summer large, liquid, melt
ing in her movements, graceful, swim
ming, like the gentle light Of bird of
Paradise; in deure, not slight, but yet
seeming ethereai as a syl phi s-but more
than all, in sweet smile of rosy lips, so
calm, so serene, and yet possessing the
power to magnetise aud thrill the heart Of
the beholder.


There was tinge of romantic mystery
attached to her position in st. Louis
Twelve months previous she had arrived in
the city, and had opened shop in connec-
tion with her residence for the sale of ar
ticles of her trade, which she prepared
with cousummate skill and taste. OF mo-
dest and retiring habits, she might hope to
have escaped notoriety, but for the peril.
Gus gift of that extraordinary beauty
which too often proves to the poor anG
Ilriendless only curse.


She was soon sought after by those gilt
tering fire. flies of fashion and wealth who
seek only to dazzle and allure, the profes
sion of whose life everywhere is seduction
aud ruin. But the beautiful milliner re-
jected them all with unutterablo scorn an,
loathing. Among the rejected admirer
was one of character from whom the fai
stranger had everything to fear, This on
was the Ralph Ruritan already Introduce,
to the reader


Belonging to family at once opulent


influential and dissipated, he was himsel
Iliaanfiaua hravn opI E,rtnuelv f,,l
Year: 1861

Winter is upon us, and upon the army Of
the Potomac. Is the country to bemade
happy by the assurance that its cherished
sons are not in winter quarters % Snow
and sleet and ice are quite too real sugges
hves Of necessities Is there any particu-
lar bravery in assuring the people that by
military mandate they are disregarded on
the Potomac? Dispatches of this kind
read well enough when winter was only
forcshadowed by the frosts Of November,
but now it will be better for the country,
whose hearts arc largely with the soldiers
in these camps, to know that our troops
are being made as comfortable as possible,
and we add our own firm convictions when
We express the opinion that no very large
force Of them will go out of sight of the
smoke Of their camp~fres until spring
OpeuS.
Year: 1861

cE The Lacrosse (Wis.) Republican Of the
23d learns by an authentic source, from the
lumber regions on Black River, that there will
not be one-tenth the amount done this rear
that there was last. It thinks that not over
i've millions Of feet will be put in this winter.
Year: 1861

against such turnpike company and in case up- on trial it shall be found that such notice to such director has been given, that such road or bridge was so out of repair, and so continued for the term of one month after such notice by said selectmen, or after the time limited by such judge, then such court shall adjudge the char ter of such company to be forfeited.

 Approved, July 8, 1861
Year: 1861

An Act relating to Repairs of Turnpike Roads.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Re presentatices in General Assembly eonvened:

 SEc. l. That when any portion of turnpike road, or any bridge thereon, which it is the duty of the company owning such road to keep in re- pair, shall be 80 far out of repair as to endanger the safety of travellers, majority of the select men in any town through which said road passes may give notice thereof in writing to any one of the directors of the company owning such road

 SEC. 2 The necessary repairs on such road or bridge shall be made within one month af- ter such notice, if practicable, but if they can not 80 be made, such turnpike company may apply for further time for completing the same, to any judge of the supreme court of errors, or superior court, giving reasonable notice of such application to such selectmen; and if such judge shall find that such company have in fact begun said repairs, and intend in good faith, with reasonable diligence, to complete the same, he may extend the time therefor. oo sucn period as he may deem reasonable,

 BEG. $. In case such repairs shall not he conn pieted within the time limited by such iudce or in case the time shall not have been ertendsd oy nm, mas as aforesaid, within thirty days from such notice by said selectmen, then and in that case, one or more of such selectmen may o;ve notice Of such neglect of said turnpike company to the attorney for the state, in the oonnfv where such town is situated, who,shall therenn. on file an information in the nature of a O,rf, Warranto, in the superior court for each countv
Year: 1861

CHAPTER LVI.

 An Act amending an Act, entitled "An Act in

 addition to and in alteration of An Act con

 corning Education," passed May Session,

 1886.

 Be tt enacted by the Senate and House cf Repre-

 sentatives in General Assembly convened:

 SEC. 1. That whenever any town shall main- tain any school of higher grade for the older and more advanced children of either sex, the board of school visitors of such town shall pre- scribe rules and regulations for the admission of scholars into such school, and for the studies books and classification of the same and shall examine all candidates for teachers in such school, and shall give to those persons with whose moral character and literary attainment and ability to teach they are satisfied, certif- icate setting forth the branches he or she is found capable of teaching, and shall visit such school ct least twice during each season for schooling, and may annul the certificate of any teacher in the manner and for the causes provi- cd in the second section, chapter fifth, of the act to which this is an amendment.

 SEC. 2sSuch town may at its annual election or at any meeting specially warned for that pur- pose choose by ballot committee of not more all the powers and discharge all the duties to such school as are by law imposed upon district committees in relation to district schools.

 SEQ. 3.Whenever any town shall fail to elect committee as provided in the section, the board of school visitors of such town shall ap- ;)oint committee who shall have the power and discharge the duties provided in the second sec- ton.

 SEC. 4. So much of the fifth chapter of the act to whichHthis is.an amendment as conflicts with the spirit and meaning of this act, is an- nulled in its application to schools of higher grade.

 Approved July Z, 1861.
Year: 1861

JuDsE CATRoN.-We saw this distinguished
gentleman yesterday. He informs US that the
Vigilance Committee Of Nashville did not wait
on him as Committee and give him formal no
tice to leave the State, but that individual men,
bers Of the Committee assured him that he could
not live there. His wife Ii now with In this city
LoHiSctlk Journal .r..
Year: 1861

"A Charleston correspondent of the
New York World relates the following
incident said to have occurred on the
day the Convention passed the Secession
Ordinance


ltmay not be cut Of place to state here
that the table on which the Declaration
Of Independence was signed-a table
now in the possession Of a lady Of
Charleston-was Intellectually applied for
by committee Of the Convention for
this occasion. The lady told the Com.
mittec that rather than have the ordiu.
anco Of secession signed thereon. she
would burn the table to ashes
Year: 1861

We consider it our bounden duty to
admonish the good people Of Virginia to
be oD their guard against 'precipitating'
disuuionists and Ievolutionists in their
midst From all we have seen aud heard


within the last few days, we have come
to the conclusion that it is the settled
purpose OF the dlsunion party in this
State to give the people no time for re-
hec''on--no time for mutual consultation
no time for considerate action. 1t is
the design of the precipitators to rush
the State and the people into immediate
revolution and immediate collision with
the general government. Hence, their
plan is to get the Legislature, which as
senbles in this city on the 7th of Janua-
ry, to authorize the call Of q convention
without moments delay, the elcc.icn u
Year: 1861

The New York correspondent Of the
Portland Advertiser writes:


At a private dinner party in this city
recently, Ex President Van Buren, relat.
ed personal "reminiscences Of Mr. Lin.
coin, which affords additional testimony
Of high character to the already we'll
known ability Of the President elect. In
MIR. Van Bureu's Presidential tour West,
during his term Of Office, committee
was appointed to receive and entertain
him while he staid at Springfield Mr..
Lincoln, who was then merely a local
lawyer, and of course not prominently
known beyond his little sphere of action,
was member Of this committee. While
in the presence of the President, they
engaged in conversation, aud the latter
was SO much pleased with it that he in
vi,cd Mr.. Lincoln tospcud the following
evening with him, which hc accordingly
did. They passed a very agreeable sea
son together, and Mr.. Van Buren said
he was SO forcibly struck by the intelli-
gence and high toned sentiments Of the
man, his rare and pleasing conversational





he afterwards mentally reviewed his
Western tour, what had become of this
man whom lie remembered as one of tho
most remarkable he ever met.


For years he heard no more from him,
but frequently recalled to his mind the
marked ability he then displayed, which
ever haunted him as one of the most 10.
teresting incidents he met with in the
West; and he hAd at length been forced
to conclude that, talent neglected, the
insatiate levcling made by the gigantic
strides Of Western progress, misfortune,
or an untimely death, had blasted the
bright future which such talents be.
tokcned.


The question he had SO often asked
himself had never, till within few
years, been answered; but during the
time he had occasionally heard Of the
obscure Western Lawyer who made 50
tayorobe and lasting an impression upon
him, and always as displaying the same
commanding ability and fine judgment
for which he had found him remarkable
years ago. and now, within very short
time, he had ascer,ained what had be.
come Of chat man--he had been raised
to the hi CHEST Office in the gift Of the
people, and was endowed with talents to
adorn the station.