smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

A most frightful and at the same time. most
remarkable accident occurred at the Catholic
ohurch, yesterday morning Some twenty per-
sons We're engaged in putting up the new bell
which arrived the evening before There was
a windless erected on the ground 10 which was
attached n snatch block and shieye. Jmpedi
"eE aoose the open space IN the cupola, TO
which the bell was to be drawn IN, there pro-
'fuded a beam, to which attached another
snatch-block and pully, and the bell was to
have been conveyed to the top bv means of
strong ropes. working through. these shieves by
the power of the windlass and cylinder upou
the ground. The bell had been raised in tins
way almost up TO the open space in the cupeia,
and The men were just ready to pull 1T in.


A man named Thomas Newton was below
en- ngaged IN gniding the folds of the rope as it
wound round the cylinder. To do this he had
hrin grasp upon the rope. Wnen the bell had
reached great hight from the ground. one of
the cogs IN the wheels of the windiass fixture
gave way Another revolution of the wheel
ripped Oft all the cogs the bell fell to the
ground. and Newton. who had hold of the low
er end OF the rope, was carried up, with fright
fui velocity. a distance of one hundred feet from
the ground, and about four feet above the apar-
ture where the bell was to have been taken in
For the instant. every one was surprised be-
yond measure, and before those engaged in the
work could comprehend what had happened
Newton. with his hands all lacerated and bleed
Ing. worked himself down opposite the aperture
ana called for help TO those within. Bishop
helen. who was on the platfrom In the cupola
reached out at the risk of his life almost and
seizing Newton by the waist pulled him from
his awful position.


The accident struck every body it'll amaze
ment, and all but the eye-witnesses were 10th
to believe In the incredulous feat. The bell
weighed three thousand seven hundred pounds
and as 1t fell without hIndrance, some idea may
by formed of the rapidity with which Newton
assembled He says he thought of letting GO
the rope, but before the thought was clearly
defined. he at the beam. a hundred feet
above. He had no time to let go his hold upon
the rope Some cogs and pieces of machinery
were hurled distance of two squares from the
church. and Mr. Smith who was standing
near received an ugly wouid in the face from a
flying particle Mr.. Newton was taken to the
office of DR.. Hupp. where his wounds were
dressed. The flesh was all torn from the palms
of his hands even to the bone, which is suppos-
ed 10 have been done by the death grasp, and
his sliding down the rope during the swift pas
sage into the air.
Year: 1859

This viii be ore-third the white population =
In twenty years from that these States aciN hare a
mYortty of Representatives in Congress Young
men are now upon the stage of action, who will
see complete transfer of power, not only from
negro property, but from the ascendencv of for
eign commerce; but will no longe- predomnate
Ii ths nation IS to retain any public virtue. and
vlndIcate lis mission Of freedom it must get rid
oi the ascendency which slavery on the ne
side, and foreign commerce on the other
have had in our Councils The people who
live on those rivers and lakes, whose course
IS thousands of miles before they reach the
shores of the Gulf must sooner or later govern;
and although all sections and parties have CON
spIred against them and they themselves have
bowed their neck to the yoke. yet viii time
come when God and nature will give them the
power. Look at their past progress including
the whole territory above described:
Year: 1859

INGENIOUS IDEA-The fact that the study of
nature tends directly to the civilization OF na-
tion was well understood more than century
and half ago by that Ingenious. self made
Peter the Great of Russia. He conceived the
idea that love for tins department Of science
would contribute much toward the civilization
and refinement of his bar barian subjects, and
accordingly he established. at an enormous ex-
pense, large museum of natural history at St.
Petersburg and In order 10 induce his whisky
loving subjects to go there he ordered glass OF
brandy TO be presented to every visitor
Year: 1859

sK- There are many who fater and trembIe
long as there is any mixture of doubt in their
mind a To what they can what they ought 10
do, but who the moment that doubt ceases have
power and Will TO dare anything.
Year: 1859

We are sorry for you and you have our
sympathy, no matter when or where any Of
you may have occasion to use the above ex.
preston, and to prove that we do pity all
who may De laid on a bed ofsickness we viii
give few eommon-sense hints how to hasten
recovery. The first grand requisite is pa
tience, quiet and calm enduranc, of suffer-
ing, and temporary loss of health Then
GENES cheerfulness, not Of the sick alone,
but Of all around; cheerful countenancc
smiling over the sick bed can ID more good
than gallons Of phys;c. The mind Of tho
invalid should be kept diverted from the oil.
ment, and funny, interesting matter should
be read aloud for some time every day. The
sick room shouldb kept pattern Of cleanli-
ness. 1t should bewell ventilated, cool ii
light, and lastly, the doctor should be chosen
for his jollity and good humor as much as
for his scientific attainments; and, we had
nearly forgotten to mention it, never put a
sick person ia q cartained bed; let them, no
matter what the ailnent be, have plenty of
of the free lifs-giying air, and if the light be
too strong, a white shade can be hung before
the window, but put none around the bed.
A person who is sick should always, if pos.
Sible, sleep alone, and as light a covering as
is C 'nsistent with warmth is the rest--.Sci-
entitic american. .... =.
Year: 1859

The Plumas Argus says Plumas county
will yield twenty five per cent. more gold
than last season.


The agricultural interests of the county
viii keep pace with her mining.


The Assessors books for 1859 will proba-
llv show an increase of thirty three per cent.
over 1858.


Several buildings are under contract in
Quincy, and others in contemplation. The
town will probably improve more this sea-
son than during the last three.


Heretofore Quincy has had to contend a.
oanst the most uncompromising opposition
in every effort for improvement, consequent
lv her progress has been slow, particularly
so for California town. Now that she has,
despite opposition, taken precedence of all
other towns in the county, we anticipate for
her prosperous future, a rapid growth; in
anticipation of which, our citizens should at
once take into consideration the necessity that
exists for certain changes that must be made
now if made at all. We refer particularly to
the widening of the streets, they are too mar
row by one half, for either beauty, convent
ence or safety, and inasmuch as land is plen-
tv and cheap we suggest to the property
holders of Quincy the propriety of adding at
least twenty five feet to the width of the
streets and requiring all buildings hereafter
put up, to conform to the new survey Such
an arrang would speedily remedy the
evil, as a majority of the buildings are unsub
stantial and temporary and will be rebuilt
within short space of time Owners of
more valuable buildings would be more than
paid the expense of moving in their increased
security from fire-the increased value of
their building lots and the greater convent
ences afforded to the travelling public.
Year: 1859

A SAD RELIC OF THE CONTRA CosTA.-We
were yesterday shown a sad remnant of some
poor mortal who was hurried into eternity by
the late explosion on board the i'll fated Con
ira Costa. This was the entire skin of a
human hand, which was found yesterday at
Kincon Point, in the forward part of the
boat, by some workmen. 1t was brought to
a gentleman of our acquaintance, who will
place 1t in the possession of the Coroner to
day. This sad memento, which indeed leaves
us to believe that more lives have been lost
than any account has yet been given Of is
completely parboiled, white and festered, as
II by steam. The nails, with the exception
OF one finger, are entire even the hair on
the wrist and the top of the hand is unscorch
ed; all is entire, and forms a dreadful relic
OF the explosion 1t is evidently the skin of
hard working mans hand, as indicated by
the quality of the nails and texture of the
SKIN. The skeleton of the hand seems to have
been completely blown out of the skin, as if
the unfortunate man had been holding on to
something at the moment of the explosion
lhe skin is transparent and unwrnkled, like
worn glove. 1t is the left hand. The
numb is entirely blown away. Alas who
could have been the unfortunate unknown
man to whom this poor relic of humanity be.
!onged Who knows how many were blown
10 death in that terrific cloud of scalding
steam IS. r. Times, We'd.
Year: 1859

INoEND1ARY.- understand, says the
Sacramento Register, that the fire at Folsom
the other day was the work of an incendiary,
and since that time two similar attempts
have been made. The citizens are obliged to
keep a sharp look out constantly, and they
have been obliged to employ two or three
extra watchmen to protect the town from the
Internal attempts of these scoundrela.
Year: 1859

CB- A statement made up at the Treasury
Department shows that the specie in the
banks throughout the country in 1856 was
nearly two hundred and fifteen millions of
dollars; in 1851, one hundred and fifty
millions, and in 1858 over one hundred and
ninety-three millions three hundred and
thirty thousand.
Year: 1859

DAN FRANCISCO WEATHER-The past sever
al days, says the Call have been very pleas
ant and yesterday was indeed delicious
me opportunity was seized upon by many
having time and means for naval excursions,
rendered peculiarly delightful by the bril-
fant sunshine and balmy air. The roads to
the Mission the ocean. the Preside and the
Cemetery were crowded with vehicles and
equestrlans, with nothing to mar their en-
ioyment, except an occasional puff of dust
The streets, too, were filled with lovely wa
men in their charming array, giving to the
busy avenues an attraction which thew sol.
dom present, but when seen, truly refreshing
to the lookers.on. and irresistible to the
mountain STRANGER
Year: 1859

BUSINESS PRosPECTs.-The generality of
general will be very fair during the coming
three or five years. But the New York Tri.
bune takes a less hopeful view, for the follow
ing reasons:


1st.-Because the grain crop is 1858 was a
poor one, and the fall rains and broken winter
have had bad effect on the crop now in the
ground.


2nd.-Because this country is in debt to Eu-
rope from Three to Five Hundred Millions,
and will export less than enough to balance our
current imports.


3d.-Though there is employment enough
for all the manufactures of all kinds now built,
yet there are hardly any new ones building.


4th.-The errors and vices which produced
the late reyulson are still in operation.
Year: 1859

The New Orleans Picayune says of the ter
"when the steamer came to aid the rescued
passengers of the Princess, they were convey
ed on board on doors and window shutters ta-
ken at hazard In the cabin of that boat such
scene Of intense agony and suffering never
was encompassed in the same space before.
Here were wives bending over husbands, and
fathers wild with the agony of intense excite
ment-swollen, mutilated and dying friends
and relatives were here only known when they
could tell their names. "Is there lady who
will give her state-room to Ibis poor creature q"
said stalwart man, as he cleared the way for
young woman buried in blankets on a door
borne by others. 81 WILL said several voices
and the doors flew open with the words. 1t
was scene to melt all into one bond of love
aud tender emotion"
Year: 1859

BURYING A CHILD IN RAIsIN Box-THe
Pauper'S Fmerdl.-We are reliably informed
that little child was buried on Sunday even
ing last, in town, in raisin box, the mother
being too poor to procure a coffin for its re-
mains. The child died in the latter part of
last week, when the mother placed it in the
box, and on Sunday morning started, with the
box under her arm, and accompanied by her
little boy of three or four years of age, for a
grave yard in New Jersey, about two miles
below Easton, where some of her friends are
buried, and where she thought she would be
allowed to bury her child, though she had no
money for its interment; but upon reaching
the grave yard the sexton refused to dig the
grave because she had not dollar to give him,
and roughly told her to carry the child back
to Easton again. The poor creature was al
most exhausted from carryiog the dead child
such distance under her arm, and went down
upon her knees imploring him to bury her
little one, and offering him fifteen cents-all
the money she had; but this did not move
him. She then took up the box again, and
returned home with her little boy, who was
too small to be of any assistance to her in get
ting back her sorrowful load. In the evening,
a gentleman who had been told of the case
went to the garret in which the poor mother
lives, and took away the dead child, kindly
burying it for her without charge-EaSton
(Pa.) Express.
Year: 1859

EXTRA SESSION OF CoNGREss-CoNDITIoN
patch from Washington says that President
Buchanan declared on Saturday evening that
he had determined on calling an extra session
of Congress, and would issue his proclamation
within ten days. 1t is further said the Cabinet
will to-day decide when the session shall COM
mence. Probably it will not be earlier than
August.


This course of the President is dictated by
the pressing demands of the Post Office De
partment, which is already six months in ar
rears, with a present deficiency OF not less
than five million dollars.
Year: 1859

TERRIFIC SToRM-Gredt Sacrifice Of Prop
eYtv-The San Francisco Alta California Of the
18th ult. gives the following account OF the
gale which compelled the steamer Uncle Sam
to put back to that port after having thrown
overheard large amount of freight:


"The steamer Uncle Sam returned to port
Yesterday morning, at six o'clock having been
driven back by terrific storm, which placed
the vessel in great danger, and compelled the
sacrifice of a large amount of property.


The Uncle Sam left our harbor at o'clock
Yesterday morning, in the face of strong head
wind, which continued to increase in strength
till ten o'clock at night, when it had become so
terrific, and the sea ran so high, that became
evident the steamer could not live in it with
out being relieved of the large amount of
freight which encumbered her upper decks,
and rendered her top heavy.


Accordingly orders were given that all hands
should go to work throwing overheard every
thing on the upper decks, and as there were
five hundred men on board, a busy scene was
presented, though not all would work. Some
were listless and Indifferent; others were pray
ing, some swearing, and some said it was of no
use to do anything-the vessel must founder
their lives were not worth two cents apiece.
The sea was running mountains high, and
wave after wave broke over her to the great
peril of all on deck. OF course, all the men
were as wet as they could be, and this in a
fierce, cold wind, which driving through their
soaked garments made many think it the cold
est weather they had ever felt


There were about 46 tons of barley on the
upper deck, and that was soon tossed over
board. The packsaddles and apdrejoiS for per-
haps 400 mules followed. Then went large
number of barrels of provisions. Then
went 1900 sacks of coal which was in the
forecastle, and weighed down the bow of the
boat, so that the seas swept in and threatened
to put out the fires.


There were 200 mules on the upper deck,
but it would have required five or six men to
get each animal overheard, and in case of a
lurch, all these men would have been in dan
ger of going over too; so only few-not
more than half dozen-of the mules were
thrown over But nothing else was spared ;
spars, marine tackle-even the valuable
trunks and carpet bags of the officers and
passengers were all sacrificed. The value Of
the property thrown overload is not known,
but it is supposed by some persons on board
to amount, perhaps, to $4,000. There is a
possibility that some lives were lost by the
seas which repeatedly swept over the vessel


At half past eleven all the loose stuff on the
upper decks had been cleared off, and the YES
sci moved easier and at midnight the wind
slackened. The captain then turned the
steamer about and made for port where she
arrived, this morning, as already stated.
Year: 1859

FEMALE CLERKs.-A large number of dry
goods merchants in Buffalo, have recently sub
stituted female clerks for those of the masculine
gender. This is an experiment that is worthy
of trial elsewhere; and there are good reasons
for believing that it would be attended with
success. Besides, every new avenue that can
be opened to the labor of females, lessons the
probability of their falling into those dangers
to which the sex is liable, especially in the
great cities
Year: 1859

TRIAL OF Mr.. SIcKLEs.-A dispatch from
Washington informed us that the Grand Jury
will today take up the case of Mr.. Sickles,
for the murder of Mr.. Key. 1t is said the
prosecution will contest the case on every
point and have engaged able counsel to assist
the District Attorney
Year: 1859

ACCIDENT ON THE PROVIDENCE AND WoR-
cEsTER RA1LRoAD.-On Saturday a freight
train from Providence met with serious acci-
dent near Albion village. An axle broke,
which threw several cars from the track Sew
eral other cars were badly broken, and the
track was rendered impossible till Sunday
morning. The passengers by the train from
this city on Saturday afternoon, were taken to
Providence by a train sent up from that city.
Year: 1859

THE WEATHER for two days past has been
of the most delightful and Springlke charac-
ter The indications are that we may glide
gently and almost imperceptibly into Summer.
The blue-brds and robins render each pleasant
morning vocal with their melodies In short,
we are enjoying the March described by Bry-
Year: 1859

Found DRowNED.-Sunday afternoon, the
body of an infant, probably month old, was
found in the canal at South Worcester. 1t had
on but very little clothing, and had apparently
been exposed several days. Not far from the
shirts, but bearing no marks or indications
that would furnish any explanation of the mys-
terry. Coroner Day was called, but the cir
cumstances did not appear to call for an in
quest and the child was buried.
Year: 1859




THE VARIErIEs.-The Frenchy excitements of
Pauline" were repeated last night to rather slen-
der auditory, which found itself sufficiently thrilled
thereby. The brief and exciting acts of the drama
separated by entraces so lengthy that we found
the information the bill" interval Of one year
is supposed to eapse between these acts entirely
superfuons, for year seemed to elapse in reality
The delay, however allowed time for the strained
senses Of the assemblage to recover their equilibrium
in readiness for the demands upon them in the ensu-
ing act.


The AMPHITHEATER.-Maste Louis had good
house for his benefit, and played Gloster with as
much effect as the first time he personated the char
acter, on Monday night His Gloster is certainly a
remarkable performance for boy of his youth and
ineAperence, and can be witnessed with pleasure by
the most critical This is the last week of the Marsh
Juveniles.
Year: 1859

mother was relating to her little daughter the
story of our Saviour's suerings DEATH and glorious
ascension "And the vail of the temple was rent in
twain the dead from their graves, and the sun
went out, and it was quite dark"


" No wonder, mamma ; it went out to light Christ
back to heayen.'
Year: 1859

FoLLY-Sr Joshua Reynolds being asked how he
would personate folly in painting, replied that he
would represent man climbing over wall at the
risk Of bis neck with an open gate close by through
which he might walk with ease and safety.
Year: 1859

THE TRurH.-shelton, in one of bis sermons,
says: I" An upright is always easier than STOPPING
posture because it is more NATURAL and part is
better supported than another it is better to be
an honest man than knave. 1t is also more
y
Year: 1859

The Weaver Ditch, in Nevada county, is
progressing under the most favorable circum
stances. A lqrge force is laboring upon it.
and its completionis expected at an early day.
Gen Allen, who mas been along the line of
the ditch, and who, in company with Mr.
Olmstead has taken contract upon it,writes
as follows to the Hydraulic Press:


The contractors will receive "water scrip"
in pay, which. for the nonce, will become a
very convenient kind Of paper currency, as
abundance of laLorers are cheerfully willing
to accept it in remuneration for their servi-
ces. 1t will buy GRUB" and "dunnage," and
do almost anything else that money can do.
by the by-Brother Olmstead and will want
some stalwart hands on our contract. We
should like to have fellows cast in the mold
of Hercules, with thews and sinews of iron.
and stomachs that would make an ostrich die
of envy. Each one Of them should be able
to dispose of big fitch of bacon, half
peck Of potatoes, aid small wheel-harrow
load of hapiacks, at breakfast. But if such
cannot be lad, we must be content to enlist
men of lesser excellence. There are good
y number of people already at work on the
ditch but more are wanted for it is the
present determination to put the work
through before Christmas.
Year: 1859

Tue name of the man who was recently
accidentally killed in Benicia, by being
thrown from butchers cart, was Mattison.
The Contra Costa Gazette says


As lie ftH to the ground, the wheel struck
him upon the back of the neck, on the sec
ond joiup of the spinal column, injuring the
spinal cord to such an extent as to Paralyze
his whole body. lie could talk and move
the muscles of his face, but could not move
hand or foot and was 30 benumhed that he
had no feeling whatever in his lower limbs.
He lived about twelve hours after receiving
the injury.
Year: 1859

TIE Plumas Argus learns that few even
ings since, an attempt was made by some of
the young men accompanying Col Lander's
expedition to break up ball in Honey Lake
Valley. They were forced to retire however,
after lively fight
Year: 1859

BE CHEERFUL.-There are not few
who even In this life seem TO be pt epar-
ing themselves for that smileless eternity
to which they look forward, by banishing
all gaiety from their hearts, and all joy
BUSINESS from their ountenabces. | meet
one such In the street not unfreauently,
"a person of intelligence and education.
but who gives me, and all that pass.
such rayless and chilling look of recog-
milton, something as if he were one of
Heavens assessors, come down to /" dosn''
every acquaintance he met, that have
sometimes begun to sneeze on the spot,
and gone home with violent cold, dating
from that instant. l don't doubt he would
cut his Kittens tail off. If he caught her
playing with it. Please tell me who
taught her TO play with it
Year: 1859

i~t--r


BEAUTIFUL ExTRAcT-When the
summer of youth is slowly wasting In
to the nightfall of age, and the shadows
of past years grow deeper and deeper,
as if life was on its close, it is pleas
ant to look back through the vista of
time upon the sorrows and the .felici-
ties of former years. If we have a
home to shelter. and hearts to rejoice
with us, and friends have been gathered
together by our fresides, then the
rough places of our wayfaring will have
been worn and smoothed away in the
twilight of life, while the sunny spots
we have passed through will grow
brighter and more beautiful. Happy
indeed are those whose intercourse
with the world has not changed the
tone of their holicr feeling, or broken
those musical chords of the heart,
whose vibrations are SO melodious, SO
touching. s