smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

"Behold how great a matter little fire


kindlethl" A few weeks since handful of
San Francisco fremen, urged by what was
apparently spontaneous impulse, resolved
to quit the use of intoxicating drinks for the
period of six months, the pledge to be renew
ed at will. To confirm one another in this
resolution they organized temperance So
ciety under the quaint, suggestive and now
famous title of the "Dashaway" club. Their
example attracted others, including many of
the most distinguished citizens, until the
original club now numbers upwards of six
teen hundred members, besides having
branches in the principal towns of the State.
The first inception, and rapid spread to ex-
tensive usefulness of this club, forcibly re-
mind one of the half-dozen inebriates who
inaugurated the Washingtonian movement
many years ago, and illustrate the pregnant
remark that "every revolution was once
private thought"


The "Dashaway" movement has had other
and perhars more permanent results than
causing some thousands to lead temperate
much crime and suffering. 1t has led to the
founding of an Asylum for Inebriates, both
male and female, which is thesecond one star
ted in the United States, and, in point of sue
cess the very first. 1t has led to the establish
ment of public drinking fountains, on the
plan of those recently constructed in London
and New York. These fountains besides
the comfort and the ornament that they are,
must have positive reformatory influence,
by measurably removing the temptation to
wrongful indulgence that besets thirsty way
farers in city.


But the "Dashaways" are not yet weary
of we'll doing. Perceiving that they mnst
have some superior substitute Cor the con-
vivial pleasures abandoned by many of their
number, they are considering the propriety
of establishing library and reading room
in their hall, of holding dancing parties once
a week for the amusement of their members
and Of orsanizing music classes and deba-
ting clubs. There is much wisdom in this.
People must be amused, as the first Napoleon
said. No man drinks to excess because he
loves to be beastly, but from mistaken no.
tion of what constitutes enjoyment, until
drink seems at last to be a vital necessity
Hence it is wise for the Dashaways to pro-
vide attractive substitutes for the miscalled
joys of alcohol. Thus they can prolong the
vitality and usefulness of their organization,
much beyond the period that would mark its
demise if devoted to single speciality. We
record what they have already accomplished
with the profoundest pleasure, and hope
to be able to chronicle much more good
of their doing.
Year: 1859

AN eastern cotemporary says that a
great portion of the most serious crimes are
committed by boys varying from seventeen
years of age up to twenty, who are made
vagabonds by want of parental care in child
hood, and unlimited freedom in roaming the
streets and forming evil associations. The
remark is not wholly inapplicable to Cali
fornia. Street education is not the best,
Mike Walsh to the contrary notwithstanding
Year: 1859

An immense meteoric mass decended from
the heavens and struck the earth in Oswego
county, N. Y, on the 10th of June, tearing
up the ground in terrible manner and max
ing people think the event so long predicted
by the Millerites had really come. The body
resembles iron ore in appearance, and is said
to cover half an acre of ground, rising above
it in places sixty and eighty feet. The story
needs confirmation badly.
Year: 1859

A renowned clergyman of New York lately
preached rather a long sermon from the
text, "Thou art weighed in the balance and
found wanting" After the congregation
had listened about an hour, some began to
get weary and went out; others soon follow
ed, greatly to the annoyance of the minister.
Another person started, whereupon the par
son stopped in his sermon, and said, ''That
is right, gentlemen; as fast as you are
weighed pass out" He continued his SER
mon at some length after that, but no one
disturbed him by leaving.
Year: 1859

The London Times advocates the formation
of volunteer military companies throughout
England, in imitation Of the volunteer mil
new companies to turn their attention chief
ly to rifle practice, SO as to become sure
marksmen, as the chief value of soldier is
in his sure aim. 1t thinks that with such an
army OF defenders as could thus be raised,
England might snap her fingers at invasion.
Year: 1859

A bull and bear fight at Weaverville, says
the Journal was attended by about five hun
dred persons, who were intensely elated at
seeing the bull toss the bear around at his
pleasure. 1t was a very unequal battle. The
grizzly was too young, showed very little
disposition to fight his antagonist, and kept
mp pitiful crying all the time The bear
was shot and served up, and considering the
rough manner in which he was tossed about
in the fight, ought to have been exceedingly
tender.
Year: 1859

An unmarried lady aged 50, committed
suicide by hanging herself with clothes
line at Sacramento last week. Another
strange suicide was that of young man at
Mokelumne Hill, only eighteen, and very ex-
emplary, who shot himself through the heart
with revolver. Self murder is a stranger
enigma than life.
Year: 1859

SINGULAR DELUsIoN.-The Paris correspon
dent of the London Star reports the following
interesting intelligence;


"The death of the Cure d'Ars at Lyons has
caused the whole deyout population of the
rest of the Empire to hurry in crowds to his


tomb. The Able Lacordaire. who has remain
ed with him for several months, was with


him at his dying hour, and promise. the most


wondrous revelations concerning the passage
from life to death of the Saint. whose canoni-


zation already occupies the authorities Of the
Church. The miracles already wrought at the
tomb of the Cure d'Ars exceed, If any one may
believe the tale, both in quantity and quality
those once enacted at the grave OF the Diacre
Paris The blind are made to see, the lame to
walk and every human i'll is set At naught by
a PRAYER at the stone which covers the remains
of the Cure d'Ars. The Empress, who person :
ally declared the birth of the Prince Imperial
to be owing to this holy mans intercession, is
said TO have been in close correspondence with
him during the whole of the war. To show
the fanaticism inspired by the event of his
death. the omnibus service from Lyons to the
village where he lived, and which was started


to drive straight to his door, has been doubled


since his death, and drives nowhere but TO the
cemetery where his corpse reposes. A nine
days. vigil is established for the different con-


irerss throughout France, in order to facilitate
the transmission of miracles for the conyeni-
ence of those who cannot make the journey to
Lyons"
Year: 1859

Remarkable Eseape.-Y Yesterday afternoon
between and O'Clock. as a long train OF cars
was returning from the Far Grounds the Ell :
glneer discovered an intoxicated person on the
track ahead. The whistle was blown the
speed slackened, and the man got out OF the
way. The last we saw of him. he was sitting
on the bank with his dog, looking at the train
with a defiant expression of coun tenance I'M
medlately afterwards, as the cars moved on.
another man was seen just ahead of the engine.
20 stop the train, then, was impossible, aud he
was caught by one of the upper row of prongs
of the cow-catcher. 1t happened, however to
be an outside prong, and the man was dragged
some distance before the train could be stop
ped. Everybody expected to find him man
sied corpse; but when extricated, it was dis
covered that the iron had merely passed
through the back of his coat, leaving ghast-
ly rent but no perceptible wound on his per-
son. He lost his boots while riding the
cow catcher, but fortunately saved his legs.
The boots were found under the cars and he
proceeded to put them on with more delibera-
tion than could have been looked for in man
who had a moment before narrowly escaped
death.
Year: 1859

AN OIL FEvER.-The discovery of Seneca
oil in the eastern part of Crawford county a
few weeks ago, is creating a fever for specula-
ton which rapidly extends in adjoining coun-
ties. The oil is obtained by boring into the
ground a distance of about seventy feet. or
through a certain stratum of sands tone, and
from thence is to be pumped with the water,
what proportion of the latter we are not iu-
formed. A shaft sunk in Crawford county is
now producing almost fabulous quantities OF
Seneca ell which is worth at least forty cen Is
per gallon in the crude state, or just as it is
taken from the ground Several natural
springs, from which this kind of oil has been
obtained, have been known in Warren county
Two companies. composed of men of means
have been formed in this county, for the pur-
pose of operating in Crawford, while within
our own borders several oil springs have been
purchased by persons who think they can dis
cover vast quantity OF the pure Seneca
Warren Pa Ledger.
Year: 1859

EFFECT OF THE EXPLOSION OF LocoMo-
TIvE.-The Indianapolis Journal gives an ac-
count of the explosion Of the locomotive on the
Bellefontaine road, the other day, by which
the engineer and fireman were killed. and
says OF the terrible power of the explosion:


The engineer was found on his feet with the
engine, leaning against it, and must have been
with IL when 1t made the frightful leap from
the spot where the explosion took place to
where it finally rested. 1t first Jumped for
ward about one hundred feet, and made a hole
in the ground, by the side of the track. deep
enough TO bury itself in, and n second plunge
took it about fifty feet further, where il rested
on its driving wheels, leaning little to one
side and just far enough from the track TO be
out of the way. The forward truck of the en-
gine was thrown back on the tender, and the
two forward freight cars and their contents
were shattered TO splinters. The railroad
track was torn up-the rails twisted and ties
scattered The tender was made complete
wreck, and the underworks of the engine
broken into mass of small pieces almost in
distinguishable.


How the engineer could have remained at
his post, We might say, with the engine max
ing the fearful and almost incredible leaps that
it did, is a mystery. He was found in the same
place and nearly the same position, when
dead, as he occupied when living and on duty.
Year: 1859

UHIGAGO, June q.
The Rock Island correspondent of the Press
and Tribune says the Mississippi Railroad
bridge at Rock Island was seriously injured
on Saturday night bv the crossing Of heavy
train. The pier on the Iowa side and the
draw are crooked from top to bottom. Two
beams that support the bridge are broken
No trains have crossed since the accident
The Moline dam, some distance above was
swept away on Friday night. The loss Of
property amounts to several thousand dollars.
The river is said to be higher than it has been
in 26 years.
Year: 1859

CONCORD, June Il.
4 bill has been read twice in the Legisla-
ture to abolish the Court Of Common Pleas,
to transfer the business to Supreme Court
and to increase the number of Justices to 6.
The bill is to remodel the entire judiciary of
the State.
Year: 1859

w ASHINGTON, dune 23.


The opinion among gentlemen connected
with the diplomatic corps is, that although the
govern ments of Europe not engaged in the
present hostilities are desirous of a peace, the
complications are so great that there is almost
an impossibility of preventing a general war.
In such event there is no doubt that Russia
will array herself with France.
Year: 1859

CURIOUS FAcT.-If an acorn be suspen.
ded by piece of thread within half an inch
of the surface of the water, contained in an
hyacinth glass, and so permitted to remain
without being disturbed, it will, in a few
months burst and throw a root down into
the water, and shoot upward its straight and
tapering stem, with beautiful little green
leaves. A young oak tree growing in this
way on the mantle shelf Of room, is very
elegant and, interesting object. A contem'
porary has seen several oak trees and also a
chestnut thus growing; but all Of them, how
ever, have died after few months, proba.
bly, owing to the water not being changed
sufficiently often to afford them the necessa.
ry quantity of nourishment from the matter
contained in it.
Year: 1859

The LAWYERS OATH.-The committee


on revising the statues, have put back the
old oath required of those persons admitted
to the bar, in force previous to the present
revised statutes. By this oath, the lawyer
swears he will do no falsehood, nor consent
to the doing Of any in court, and according
to the old form be was also sworn to inform
the court if he knew of any such intention
on the part of others-this last clause is
Year: 1859

ta- The New York Express, in an art
icle on the revival Of the African Slave
Trade, says, and says sensibly: "But if the
entire South were willing to reopen this
traffic, it could not be effected without
the consent of the North, and certainly
there is no possibility that this consent
can ever be obtained. Hence all the hue
and cry in the abolition circles Of the
North about the revival of the African
slave trade has really no sort of founda-
tion TO rest upon; and whenever the cry
is for it in the South, and against it in the
North-as it is ever certain to be-let the
people remember that it is all for bun
combe, and simply intended as a con-
venient hobby on which to ride some in.
dividual or clique into office, who have
no means of getting an honest living in
the regular way.
Year: 1859

Des ARC FEMALE AcApEmy.-Fhe second session of this school, under the charge of Miss BLACK, commences on the first day of February next. The success of teaching Is demonstrated by the proficiency e-the papiis, and we are pleased to learn that those who have heretofore patronized Miss B., are well pleased with the progress of those who have been under her charge. We hope she will receive additional patrons at the commence nlent of her next session, and can safely prom ise that all will be done in her power to merit She continued favor of those who have here tofore placed their daughters under her care as a teacher.
Year: 1859

Who CAN INTERPRET THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVEN
sTARs?-The senstiveness of our fastidious cotem-
poraies has been very much shocked at the idea Of
publishing the most scandalOus portions of the evil


dence in the sickles but diversity of opinion
seems to exist in reference to what portions of the
testimony should appear in print, and what portions
should not. The Gazette is Mortified at the shame
lessness of the Commercial In publishing certain
tences which the former prudently omitted while the
paper arrays before the public without stint,
what tho Commercial considers too select for the
masses, and in lieu thereof inserts -" -. We
apprehend that the of peep glass of high magn-


Tying pewer not necessary to the solution Of the
significance of this astronomical phenomenon, and


the astuteness necessary in getting much mot hid


DEM meaning in so small Il space is exhibition
of enterprise and shrewdness.
Year: 1859

VERY PLEASANT DOMESTIC SoENE.-A widow
woman who lives on Broadway, near Pearl street, a
few days ago complained to q female who keeps a
boarding house in the same neighborhOOd that she
had been grossly insulted by certain Captain who
had rooms in the house alluded TO. The husband of
the person to whom complaint had been made, be-
coming aware of the facts quarreled with the Captain
and drew knife upon him, ut the same time threat
enng to send the soul of his adversary to that myth


lcal place whose name is often used synonym for
an exceedingly hot tompersture At this stage of the
proceeding his wife interfe red stating that she did
not doubt that the widow had been mistaken and
that the Captain ger tleman, and was entitled


to the respect of every person in the house for his no.


BILE bearing and courteous demeanor. This re-en-
eyes, whilo staring at its victim, charmed Reason


from its seat, placed itself upon her throne, and he
struck his wife, knocking her down; and not content
with this kicked her severely so much so, indeed,


that 1t will be some time before she will be again able
to resume her household duties. The widow who
evidently complained of the Captain because he had
not paid that attention to her which her vanity led
her to believe she deserved seeing the turn affairs
taking, tainted which fast drew the attention OF


the husband, who appears to be somewhat Interested
in her. and thus ended scene worthy the pen Of a
Fielding. The wife, woman like, has refused to ap-
pear against the wretch who struck her, hence I'M


less there be some truth In the doctrine Of Compensa


tion, he will never be punished for hisbrutaiy The
Captain has left the city, and tho widow mourns that
her conduct thwared tho very end she wished to at


tain The lesson is good one, and may be of use tc
her In the future for always scheming natures work
their own destruction. 90
Year: 1859

THE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY "A meeting of the As
Economical Society was advertised to be held We'd.
nesday. afternoon, but from some cause which
we could not learn, quorum did not attend This
We believe is not uncommon with this association, al
though no reason can be assigned for it, unless it be
that Its tendency is downward instead of upward as
1t should bo. There is doubt large benefit is to be
derived from study of the stars, but the persons
who should promote appear to be those who retard it,
Year: 1859

THE arrival of Mr.. Morphy in New York is expected
shortly As that gentleman WILL in all probability
pass through Cincinnati on his way to Now Orleans
our chess amateurs will hayea opportunity of pay
ing their respects to this prince of chess players
We hear that the st. Louis folks are talking of in
viting him to give them friendly call.
Year: 1859

CorRAGE.-As every man in the oxcr-
else Of himself and the community, strng'
gles with difficulties which no man has al
ways surmounted, and is exposed TO dan.
gers which is never wholly escaped, life has
been considered as n warfare, and courage
as virtue more necessary than any other.
1t was soon found, that without tho eXcr.
else Of courage, without an effort Of the
mind by which Immediate pleasure is re.
jcc'ed. pain despiscd and life itself set at
hazard, much cannot be contributor to
the public good, nor such happiness pro.
cured to ourselves as is consistent with that
Of Others
Year: 1859

a DEN OF TnIEvEs.-Thcrc is a place
somewhere in the town Of Forest in this
county and bordering upon Lapeer county,
which is inhabited aud solely occupied by
a gang Of thieves. Their depredations
have been going on for long time and
repeated efforts have been made to arrest
some of the most noted among them, but
thus far not to much purpose. A part of
the gang were arrested last winter, and
quite largo amount OF stolen property
taken and identified by tho owners
Those arrested were examined and com.
mittcd to Jail 10 await trial, but subsequent
ly succeeded in making their escape
among them the somewhat celebrated
Hub Hall" Recently an effort was
made by officers from this city to make
arrests among them, but the bird slipped
from the very ends Of their fingers. II
there is no other way. and as Dernier re-
sort, VIC should suggest the application of
torch, for fire has remarkably purify
ing power. The principal difficulties in
the way Of the officers seem to be COM
plete system Of telegraphing through chill.
dren and dogs, end the immediate pres
ence Of dense and almost interminsble
forest.-[Flint Daily News.
Year: 1859

SENATOR DOUGLAS was born in Vermont
and in his boyhood days was an apprentice
to cabinet maker-Express.


What if he WASP Is that any disgrace TO
him ? If the Express cannot rake up any
thing worse than this against Douglas, it had
better dry up"
Year: 1859

That was 4 grand victory which the
people achieved at the late election in
Pennsylvania. They became disgusted
with the miserable administration of the
buchanan party, and they thundered their
disgust at the polls. Consequently, the
Opposition are now in the majority in The
State, and upon their actions will depend
in a great measure, whether that victory
shall be one of benelccnce or whether it
shall turn to ashes as they grasp it. To
make it fruitful Of good, We must be de-
terminod and watchful. There are many
difficulties to overc0me-the most fOrmd-
able (which is seltishacss. We have cluS-
tering around our victorious standard, as
all victorious parties have, set Of un-
principled men, who connect themselves
with any party that they think they can
make something out of. If such now get
the direction Of the party they seal its
doom. The people are in no mood, at
present, to support party when they see
it in the hands of selfish and corrupt lea
ders.


Let the Opposition learn lesson from
the rise of 1854, and the fall of 1855. To
the Legislature of 1885, is to be attribu-
ted our subsequent defeats, and the final
election of Buchanan. 1t depends on the
Opposition themselves whether that drama
shall be repeated.


Let the members act as men and patri-
OTIS, and not as the tools of trading aspi.
rants and corrupt spoilsmen, and their
conduct will command the respect and
endorsement Of the people. With up
right action on their part, 1t will not be
necessary for them to concern themselves
about the party-the party will stand
upon its own merits. Let US have little
or no special legislation. No facticus
opposition to the Governor Let US have
no extravagance. Let US have no useless
waste Of time in "gah." Let US have a
short session. Give US these, and the
Members can 90 home with the conscious
ness that they have been good and faith
full servants and those Of them who be-
long to the Opposition, can feel secure in
the permaneney of the ascendency OF their
party.-LcJaRon Courier.


HoMELY UNCLE.-A little girl about
six years old, was talking with her uncle.


"Millie," said he, "did you ever hear
of Hurry, the calf weaner?"


Niecc-No sir.


Laclc-There was man, named hurry,
SO ugly, he followed calf weaving for llv-
ing. When the calf was with the COW, he
would look under on the other side, and as
soon as the calf saw him it would let GO,
run Of, and never suck again.


NIe'c-Unclc, | think gou would wean
ON 4rli.i
Year: 1859

new Police Commissioners, offered the following
resolution at a recent meeting of the Board:


"Reed That the General Superintendent be directed 70
Mostly lhe Of the Police ID tpimeut that the JIh article
Of the elers Rule viii be ngdy enforced and hat viola
ton the will b. deemed cause Tor dismissal from the
fJce."


The article of the General Rules referred to in
this resolution is intended to prevent the mem
bers of the police from making themselves con-
spicuous as politicians 1t 10 wise and whole
some rule, ard Sc are happy to learn that the
resolution for its enforcement was carried in the
Board by vote of five to two. The police ought
to he required to con6ne their participation in
politics TO the simple business OF voting They
should not be allowed TO belong to political clubs;
should never be seen at a political meeting. except
for the proiess nal duty Of preserving order; and
the member Of the force who should ever be caught
socitug others to subscribe money for party ex-
peuses ought to be at once dismissed.
Year: 1859

One days later news from Europe occupies
place in our columns this morning. There is moth
ing new from the seat of war; The constant rains,
and the high state of the rivers, are new alleged as
the reason for the inactivity Of both armies.
Year: 1859

IGNORANT LEGISLAToRs.-AV Vicksburg landlord
was always repeating his bill of fare at the table
lie gave as q reason, that when he kept hotel
at Jackson, so many members of the Legislature
couldnt read, that he was obliged to shout the
bill of fare for their accommodation, and he was
unable to break himself of the habit"