smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1865

A correspondent of the Rocheste,


Evening Express, writing from Har
per's Ferry, thus alludes to John Brown
whose latter days were so intimatly
connected with that place:


"Here, too, right under my eve is tho
engine-house where John Brown and
his associates tookrefnge and held but SC
long against the frightened Virginians
1t is a notable fact that all those who
took part in the capture and execution
of John Brown and his men, were the
first to take sides against us in the pres.
Eent rebellion. OH Gov. Wise was tho
foremost, and we find at this day that
John Brown is spoken of among Union
Virginians as "noble and honorable
man." a"martyr ofhuman liberty" &c.
while old Wise is stigmatized as an Gin
famous traitor" and an "oppressor of
the enslaved as well as the poor white
man." 'ipa


eve, at the North, speak of John
Brown as ''lunatic" for undertaking
the overthrow of slavery with mere
handful of men. Not 10 here. Men
speak of him as one who well knew
what he was abont, ard his associates
as being men of character and respecta-
bility, who had their country at heart
and who sincerely believed their plan as
the only one that would bring the cursed
institution to an end. They did not
believe they themselves would bring it
about, but that it would be the ''begin-
ming ofthe end" At their last meeting
the night before the attack, they talked
the matter over calmly, and came to the
solemn conclusion that none would es-
cape death, that their numbers were too
small to succeed, but that they must lay
down theirlives for the cause of human
freedom.


"Brow nassured them that they were,
"marching on" to death, but that they
would lay the foundation of freedom to
the enslaved, which would in time
spread over the entire South; and if
there was any one among them who
feared to die, he was at liberty to leave
them. Not one faltered. Reii, his
Adjutant General, then rose and said
that he was satisfied that he should not
escape death, but that he loved the
cause and was willing to die for it.
John Edwin Cook, Captain, adressed
the assemblage, and seemed more san
guine of success, but was willing to take
the consequences. One after another
then spoke till all had done, and not
one besitated to go on VITA the great
undertaking. Their final preparations
were made, and all know the result.
The most of their arms and ammunition,
of which they had an abundance, were
secreted in farm house in MARYLAND.
They got over in the night enough for
present use and left the rest there. All
these men were intelligent, of refined
manners and respectable parentage.
When John Brown was hung he utter
ed the following language. 'It is glori-
Gus to die for ones country, but more
glorious to die for principle"


"The facts above written are derived
from an eye witness and one who was
admitted to the meetings of the devot-
ed band. Mrs. Cook, the widow of
Captain Cook, is now visiting her
mother at this place. Her residence
IS in New York with her father-in-law,
whois wealthy man. She has one child
i've years old. | might give many
more incidents in regard to the "John
Brown Raid" but space will not allow.
lie is dead and gone, but"


His soul is maj ching on"
Year: 1865

Who of my young friends have read the
sorsowful story of "Enoch Arden" so
sweetly told by the great English poets
IL is the story of man who went to sea,
leaving behind sweet young wife and
little daughter. He was cast away on a
desert island, where he remained several
years, when he was discovered and taken
up by passing vessel. Coming back to
bis native town, be found his wife married
to an old playmate, a good man. rich and
honoreg; WIN whom she was living hap
her pain and perplexity, resolved not to
make himself known to her, and I;vaJ an5
died alone: The poem has reminded me-
Of very similar story Of my swn New
England neighborhood, which have often
heard, and which l will try so tell, nd in
Year: 1865

A Newbern letter of the nth says: 81
clip from the Confederate of the Tth, pub
lished at Raleigh, the following synopsis
of the latest edict of poor King jeff, the
fugitive" The message is dated at Dam
vile:


JEFF. DAVIS MESSAGE.


The General-in- Chief found 1t necessary
to make such movements of his troops as
to uncover the capital. It would be un-
wise to conceal the moral and material in
jury to our cause resulting from the occu-
patton Of the capital by the enemy. 1t is
equally unwise and unworthy of Us to al
low our energies to falter and our efforts
to become relaxed under reverses however
calamitous they may be. For many
months the largest and finest army of the
Confederaoy, under the command of lead
ers whose presence inspired equal conf
dence in the troops and the people, has
been greatly trammellsd by the necessity
of keeping constant watch over the ap-
proaches to the capital, and has been
forced to foreg0 more than one oppOrtu-
nifty for promising enterprises. It is for
Us, my cOuntrymen, to show by our bear
ing under reverses how wretched has been
the self-deception of those who have be-
lieved Us unable to undergo misfortune
with fortitude, and to meet danger with
courage.


We have now entered upon new phase
of the struggle. Relieved from the neoes-
sity of guarding particular points, our army
will be free to move from point to point,
and strike the enemy in detail far from his
base. Let Us but will it and we may be
free, Animated by that confidence in
spirit and fortitude which never failed me,
I announce to you, fellow-countrymen,
that it is my purpose to maintain your
cause with my whole heart and soul; that
I will never consent to abandon to the
enemy one foot of the soil of any of the
States of the Confederscy; that Virginia
noble State whose ancient renown has
been eclipsed by her still more re-
cent history; whose bosom has been
barred to receive the main shock of
this war; whose sons and daughters
have exhibited heroism so sublime as to
render her illustrious in all ages to come
that Virginia, with the help Of the peo-
pie, and by the blessing of Providence,
shall be held and defended, and no peace
ever be made with the infamous invaders
of her homes, by the sacrifice Of any of her
rights Of territory.


If by the stress of numbers we should
ever be compelled to a temporary with
drawal from her limits, or any other
border State, again and again will we
return until the bafled and exhausted
enemy shall abandon in despair bis end
less and impossible task of making slaves
of people resolved to be free. Let Us
then not despair my countrymen, but rely.
ing on God, let us meet the foe with fresh
defiance, and with unconquered and un-
conquerable hearts.
Year: 1865

New York city, it appears, did allow
itself to become very much excited over
the news of Lees surrender. The Times
says, The great fact that the struggle
was over was accepted here in New York
we may say almost in silence"
Year: 1865

ESA gold nugget of the value of $500,
was found by Messrs Kirk and Sinner,
while working a claim half a mile south
Of Auburn, on one of the tributaries of
Baltimore ravine, few days since. Where
this specimen was found, the diggings were
not more than a foot in depth. At different
times, in the ten years last past, a number
of large specimens have been found in the
same vicinity. Probably there are moro Of
the same sort left
Year: 1865

MINING BuREAu.-Mr Cole has introduc
ed bill in Congress, to establish a mining
bureau in the Department Of the Interior,
for the collection and diffusion of useful in,
formation on the subject Of mining.


Good ilea and the Interior Department a
proper place to dtluse information, as the
honorable Secretary seems wofuly deficient
in correct information respecting the mines
Of this coast. lie and many other gentle
men in authority seem to think that mining
is all profit and no loss.
Year: 1865

MORE OVERLAND TgLEGRAPHs.-1heS S. F.
Call learns from gentleman just from the
East, that Company has been organized
in New York, for the purpose of erecting
two more telegraph lines across the continent.
All the stock has been subscribed and sutfi.
cient capital is in hand to carry out the
project. The people and press Of this coast
will be pleased to hear of the success of the
new enterprise, in the hope of relief from
the monopoly that is now exercised by the
single line that spans The continent. Upon
the completion Of the work, it will be npos-
sible for the Associated Press comprising
but three newspapers in California, to hold
exclusive possession of all the news dis
patches that come to the coast.
Year: 1865

EgThe monitor Ca,nancbe is now COM
pete and ready to be delivered to tho Gov
erntnent. She was to have made trial
trip on Wednesday, but the tide was not
sufficiently high to raise her out of the
mud in her dock, She will be gotten out
however, in few davs.
Year: 1865

JOKE on BUrLER-It seems that the


officers had little faith in the Dutch Gap
Canal, and at recent court>martial in the
Army Of the James, a soldier was sentenced
to tco gears hard labor on said canal. The
report adds that Butler was Disguised, and
dissolved the Court Immediately upon hear
ing OF the finding and sentence of the Court.
Year: 1865

EY- The contractors are making good
progress in putting up the Fire Alarm Teo
graph in San Francsco-and expect soon
to have it in efficient working order. 1t i:
the same in principle as that used in Boston
which is considered the best in the United
States,
Year: 1865

y Frenchman writing letter in England
to a friend, and looking at dictionary for
the work preserve, and finding it meant to
pickle, wrote as follows: May YOU and
your family be picked to all e'ernity,'
Year: 1865

PoLITICAL,--The Connecticut republi-
cans are uuCOmmonly we'll agreed to
nominate Gen. Hawley Of the Hartford
Press for governor. The papers and
the leaders all seem to be for him; he is
likely to be put before the people with
out opposition; and to be carried into
place by jealous and enthusiastic can
vass. The compliment is not only a
deserved one, but the decision is also
wise. The Connecticut republicans
have been running in the conservative
"rut" a good while; and trial of such
progressive, earnest sincere and sound
radicaism as Gen. Hawley stands for,
is not only the "fair play" of turn
about" but will probably be found to
give their organization new life and
power, and add to their popularity at
home and their influence upon the poll
tics of the Nation. Gen. Hawley has
ever been a consistent vigorous anti
slavery nan, and friend to equal and
impartial suffrage. 1t was not under
his lead, or by his consent, that Goa
necticut refused her intelligent citizens
the right of voting.
Year: 1865

The WBATHER,--We continue to have
remarkably mild and pleasant weather.
Yesterday the atmosphere was very
smoky, the appearance of the sun dur
ing the day being very similar to its APP
pearanoe in the months Of August and
September during thu dry spell.
Year: 1865

sgThe courts at Detroit have de-
cided that it is Illegal for a man to go
into Canada and wear back new clothes
without paying duty on them and such
offenders are TO he put through here
after.
Year: 1865

REQUIRING ATTENTIoN.-A prominent city
physician suggests to us. npropos of an item in
detective filling up Of wator-pipe trenches,
that we should stir up the city railroad COM
panies TO defects on their part OF the pavement
by which carriage wheels are badly wrenched
and frequently broken. He says he has suf.
fered to the extent of a few wheels on south
Seventh street, from Maryland avenue to the
river We notice laborers at work on the track
on Seventh street north, and doubt not they
will shortly reach the point cOmplained Of
Year: 1865

deliberate legislation, and it i'll becomes
comfortablc, full-bodied Senators and Rep
re,entatives, who now are aud will eontin-
lie al a safe distance from thc chamces Of
death or captivity in the service of their
country, TO legi>late additional hnttors
upon the heads of the brave men who are
fighting our battles. Rather let the ami
ted voice of the loyal men of The country
demand at the hands of the Administra-
tion general exchange o. all rhifc men in
captivity. This exchange can now, and
could for months back have been effected,
white man for white man, without detri-
ment to the negro question. The loyal men
OF the country, who have sons and broth.
ers rotting in the vile pens of Georgia. en-
during for twelve anil eighteen months the
torments Of hell, have too long forborne
from agitating the question. let them
now speak ont, and in such tones as will
insure their being heard and needed. The
election is now over. the great danger
which threatened the country has been
averted, and it is time that this question Of
exchange should be examined into. If
there is goo and sufficient reason for stop
ping the exchange. and it cannot be re-
newed without vital sacrifice of principle,
the country have a right to know it,
Year: 1865

on the left, was uncovered and lied last.
and submitted with a more decorous and
becoming department then either of the
others. Just before this. Father Bes>o-
MES. who had remained uncovered the
whole time. with the prisoners, kneeled
down and praycI-Ryan seemed to be
quite Indifferent. and Biliingsly considera-
bly affected. When he arose. he gave
crucfix which he had carried through the
whole dreadful march of death. to the men,
and each one kissed 1t with much apparent
devotion. Then the priest kissed each
prisoner himself. walked away to the right
and the last awful moment had come
The sergeant tied white cloth over each
ones eyes. and each seated on the foot of
his coffin awaited the order to fire. The
firing party of pickei soldiers moved for
warl some fon: or five PAGES AMI halted
In perfect silence, so far as we could hear,
they brought their guns to an "aim -
Ryan In the middle threw his head back as
if he were trying to see under the edge OF
his blindfold, and Murray spread his chest
as If he thought to die more easily by Civ
ing greater surface to the ball The or
der to fire" was barely audible. bnt the
veteran soldiers understood it, and a crash
so complete and united as not to allow a
Jingle sound TO be heard, roared out, and
as tie white smoke cnrled away from the
mnzzlcs of the guns, three dead men Law
where three living men had sat a moment
before. Murray fell back on his coffin and
instantly rolled off on the side next to
Ryan. perfectly dead Ryan fell squarely
back on his coffin and died as he lay,
without apparently moving muscle
D.liing>ly fell back. rolled off his coffin
on the inside and breathed heavily and
spaSmo'llrally for two Ur three minutes,
when Ma or Gazyam ordered the reserve
party to put him out of pain, and he was
shot the second time and killed Instantly


Thus ended strange and fearful scene
which Indiana has never, and we may well
hope may nover. see a parallel TO. Not
the least impressive part Gf it was a patty
of about one hundred bounty jumpers
sent out 10y General Hovcy to proGt 10y
the occasion. and placed over on the north
west. where they had full view of the
whole terrible lesson


We should DO less than Justice to Gen.
lfovay' JulIcious orders and the skiliiul
and Sensi lie management of Col. Stevens.
II we did not say that no execution was
more quietly or well done than this
There was no fuss or disturbance by ont.
sider<, no delay OF hindrance Of any kind,
and The poor prisoners were treated with
all possible humanity.


We are sorry TO have 10 record that
Colonel W amer was severely injured by
fall of hi, horse on the ice, after the ex.
ecution WAS over, hut when we heard last.
was doing we'll, an'! 1t was thought would
soon lc able TO be out.
Year: 1865

Several of our country exchanges in this
sfate have recently raised their subscrip-
fions to $3.50 per annum in advance
We have determined to follow the exam.
pie. after the first of March next, unless
the price Of printing paper and cost of liv-
ing. in the meantime. materially declines.
We mnst either do this or stop publish
ing the paper until times change. AT
present prices we are scarcely making a
living.
Year: 1865

WAsHISGTON, Dec. pa paymaster of the United
States army went into bank in this city to day with
Sl5,000 which he laid on the counter and turned
round for the purpose of writing check. His clerk
entered at the time and likewise placed on the
counter "a package of $4,000, and then engaged in
conversation with friend. Whilst the paymaster
and his clerk were thus engaged some party in the
crowd stole the $4,000 package with which he m ade
his escape unnoticad
Year: 1865

WGLMISGToS, n. G., Dec. 22.-The people are sen
sive about the negroes as the holidays approach 1t
is observed that the number of negroes in the town
has diminished perceptbly in the last two days and
has became matter of remark. They are said to
have gone to their rendezvous in the country. All
however is speculation.


The authorities entertain no apprchensions for the
safety of this community, but admit the possibility of
trouble in sparsey settled portions Of the country in
the interior. 1t is reported that suspicious charac-
ters have been seen lurking about and it is imagined
that they have been melting the negroes to make an
outbreak. Much allowance however, should be
made for the timidity of the people.


The apprehensions may be well grounded, but the
best informed persons anticipate nothing serious.
Should any disturbance occur, the military force is
sufficient for any emergency.


The organization of the Home Guard, under ordi-
of the Constitutional Convention is proceeding
rapidly Fifteen or eighteen full companies have
been organized, but have not been armed as yet
Year: 1865

siVe as to the temporary character o


the empire. The throne cannot always


be held up by foreign hands. The


time must come when it must stand by


itself, or tumble. There can be nc


such thing as its standing by itself, il


the Mexicans themselves are against 1t


Moreover, the cost of the empire Is


five times as great as was that OF the


republic. If the republic could not
avoid bsnkrupcy, it is very certain that
the empire could not long obtain the
means Of living. Mexico Is too impov-
erished, through continued war and an
archy, 70 allow any increase of taxa
ton. Foreign loans cannot be negotia-
ted. The late attempt in Paris, not
Withstanding the extraordinary appli-
ances of the French Emperor, proved
little better than a failure. 1t is ab-
surd to suppose that capitalists will
continue to build up a debt which would
never be recognized by the republic, Ii
able to be reinstated any year, or in
fact, any month.


The moral influence Of the American
and people against the
empire must greatly weaken it, even
without the slightest act of positive
hostility Our national protest against
the assumption ofpower was long since
placed on official record. We have
steadily refused to recognize any other
government of Mexico than that of
Jaurez So far as national action is
yet concerned, Maximillian is no more
10 this mighty republic than the beggar
who suns himself at the gate OF his
palace 1t dout know him. But he
knows it, and he tFembles at its most
distant shadow. Considering his pre-
tensions, 1t is bad enough for him that
ne remains unnoticed; yet that is not
20 hard as the fact that he may some
lay be noticed only 10 be told begone,
N ]. Tines.
Year: 1865

which resulted in the capture Of both,
and their confinement in the fortress Of
Ham. While the father was still in
prison, the Prince de Joinville made .
tour through the United States, and, in
passing Through this city, fell in with the
son, with whom he became so much
pleased that he carried him with him on
his travels. Shortly after, he was ap-
pointed French Consul at New York, it
is believed, through the interposition Of
the Prince. Since the rise of Napoleon,
Montholon has been great favorite, IS
he ought to be, if for nothing else, yet
for the fidelity and sufferings Of his
father in the cause Of the Bonapartes.-
He spent all the earlier years of his life
in the United States, having married an
American lady, the daughter of General
Grstiot. He is q man Of talents and of
very progressing address. He w.ss
great favorite in society while he lived
here.
Year: 1865

The London Times affects to believe
the absurd Justification Of the Northern
Government that the Confederate Com.
missioners at Fortress Monroe proposed
to Mr.. Seward to unite with the North
in war against some foreign Power eng
land or France), and leave the questions
at issue between themselves in abeyance
till the foreign war was ended. The
Times must know by this time what
amount Of confidence to put in Northern
allegations; but it suits its purpose to
profess faith in this transparent inven-
ton. There is no luxury to some minds
so great as cringing to the strong, except
it be bullying the weak. Mr.. Seward
has got England by the nose, and gives
it = vicious tweak whenever she raises
her e yes from the dust. Her "rigid
neutrality" will not answer much longer;
and we shall not be surprised to see her,
ere long, throw off that disguise and &C.
ceed to all that her master at Washing
ton may demand.


It is needless to say that the people OF
the South never dreamed of making such
a proposition, as the Times credits, to
the Northern Government, and that there
is at least one foreign Power now on this
continent with which, under no circum-
stances except those involving our own
honor, would we possibly consent to en-
gage in war. That Power is one which,
in the first Revolution, stood side by
side with us on the heights of Yorktown
and helped us to achieve our indepen-
dence; which has been our welhwisher
and faithful ally since that event, and
never sought, ,by open hostility or secret
undermining, to bring this Republic to
the dust; and while it frankly expressed
its.regret at the dissolution of the Union,
has maintained, in reality, neutality
which, in Great Britain, only meant an
impartial distribution of injuries to both
belligerents. France, the chivalric, tho
heroic, the military master of Europe, if
not the friend of the Confederacy, has
not been its enemy, and we hope never
NAV be. The British Government we
have never known except as our open
or secret foe.
Year: 1865

It is to be devoutly hoped that the
people at home will consent to adjourn
all party discord and strife till the mo-
mentous issues of this campaign are de-
cided. Let = veil Of oblivion, or, at
least, Of charity and forgiveness, be cast
over the errors Of the past, and let us
take one more long, strong pull, and a
pull altogether, in behalf of the COM
mon cause. Let those who delight to
indulge in wrangling think of it's en-
couraging effect upon the enemy and it's
discouraging influence upon our own
men. The least we can do is to abstain
from a word that will paralyze the arms
of our brave defenders, and to animate
them by the spectacle Of hopeful and
united people at their back. We hear
no voice of discord or of croaking from the
camp. Those heroes who stand ready to
shed their life-blood for US, move forward
shoulder to shoulder, and have no quar-
rel except with the enemies of their
country. Surely the least that We, who
are exempt from these perils and suffer.
ings, can do, is to make sacrifice of in
ternal discord upon the altar of patriot
ism, and to send back words of cheer
and harmony to the camp.