smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1865

l once (says a French writer saw a
lecturer upon experimental philosophy,
place cat under the glass receiver of an
air pump, for the purpose of demonstra7
ting that life can not be supported without
air and respiration. The lecturer had al
ready madeseveral strokes with the piston,
in order to exhaust the receiver of its air,
when the cat, who began to feel herself
very uncomfortable in the rarefeld atmos-.
phere, was fortunate enough to discover;
the source from whence her uneasiness.
proceeded. She placed her paw upon the
hole through which the air escaped, and
thus prevented any more from passiEF
out of the receiver. All the exertions of
the Philosopher were now unavailing;
in vain he drew the piston the cat ef-
fectually prevented its operation. Hop.
ing to OBJECT his purpose, he again let air
into the receiver, which, so soon as the
cat perceived, she withdrew her paw from
the aperture but whenever he attempted
to exhaust the receiver she applied her
paw as before. The spectators clapped
their hands in admiration of the cats,
sagacity, and the lecturer was compelled
to remove her, and substitute another cat
who possessed less penetration for the
cruel experiment
Year: 1865

The Philadelphia North american of
March 18th says:


A we'll known resident Of the Twenty
second ward has an old family horse, that
for twenty years had done him service.
The animal has always received the ten
derest care is in good condition and Wig
or, and can perform the duty required of
him as well as many roadster of but
half his years. For some time past the
quadrupcd evinced tendency to stumble,
and strain his sight at objects close to
him, in manner that set the kind heart
ed owner to dcvising remedy. The
gentleman judged the animal by his own
case, and satisfied himself that, with a
pair of spcctaces, the horse would do as
we'll as when in his prime. An optician
ground to order pair of pebble glasses,
about the size of the object glasses, of a
large sized lorgnettc. They were fixed
in frame over the horses eyes. That
animal is now horse in spectacles, and
not an elderly gentleman yet showed
greater appreciation of the convenience.
When in the stable the spectacles are re-
moved One day servant man driving
the horse forgot the perifocals in question.
The horse very plainly indicated the de-
ficiency before he had gone the first quar-
ter of mile up the lane on which the
stable is situated We saw the sleak old
animal jogging up York road yesterday
with his glasses on, looking as contentcd
and jolly as his excellent owner.
Year: 1865




THE last of the Wilson party of Ceur
dAlene prospectors have either returned
from that country or gone to other diggings.
We are told that Wilson insisted to the
last that he believed there was " big basin"
in that country, and that he was confident
he could find gold there This was a
change from his first statement, which was
that he had seen the "big basin" and had
found paying mines in the little one. He
was not Inclined to turn back with the
prospecting party, and although they were
worn out and running short of provisions,
he tried to persuade them to lie by few days
for rest and then continue on in the search
for the basin. He returned with the party
to the Mission, where, on his arrival, he was
taken in custody, by the miners who were
encamped there, and only saved from being
hung by the intercessions of the priest of
the Mission, and by making q written
statement that he had never made any such
statements as had been published in the pa
pers in regard to his reports; that he had
never witten letter to any paper about
the mines, and that he had never told any
one that he had found paying mines In that
country He was then set at liberty and
made his way down to Spokane alone, where
he was last seen. At that point he told an
acquaintance (Mr. Pope, who went up to
the Ceur d'Alene wholly upon his advice
that be was sorry the affair had turned out
as it had done that he knew there was
basin there, and that there mast be gold in
it, and tried to persuade him to remain
with him until the excitement died away
and then go back together and prospect
1t appears, say those acquainted with him,
that Wilson had been told years ago, by an
Indian, or half breed that there was gold in
that country in such basin as he describes;
and they account for his seemingly unac-
countable conduct now in regard to the mat
ter upon the principle that be has pondered
over the story until he has become mono
maniac upon the subject, and told the story
so often that he has become confirmed in the
belief Of the existence of the basin and the
mines, like Capt. Pierce, who has spent
years in looking through the mountains of
the upper country for the "gHttering stone" I"
described to him by an Indian. All the
prospectors with whom we have conversed
assert that they did not find the "C0lor" in
the country into which Wilson led them,
and that the only indications Of gold
they saw were a few specimens of quartz
gravel Thus ends the excitement in which
all the people of this cummunity had the
highest hopes and the fullest confidence.
Year: 1865

THE ROAD TO GRAND RoNDE.-We are in
formed by different persons who have recently
come over the Linkton Road from Grand Ronde
Valley, that the expenditure Of small sum Of
money-less than two hundred dollars-upon
this road would make it the best, as it is the
nearest one from this valley, across the noun
tains. There are few places along the road
where stumps and logs need cutting away, in or
der to put it in first rate condition for wagonng.
viii not our citizens see to it and have these
distractions removed? The travel over this
road is Of great benefit to our valley, A few
stumps should not bs suffered to be tbe means
our doors.
Year: 1865

PREs1DhNT MAnya.-The New York poll
ticians have already commenced looking up
the most popular men for candidates for the
next Presidency Generals Grant and Sherman
are spoken of in this connection as the most
available material among the military. The
politicians evidently think there is something to
be gained by the candidates getting an early
start in the race
Year: 1865

DEPoPULATNG.-Th San Francisco Call has
an article which goes to show that California
and the Pacific coast is to a certain extent be-
ing depopulated of its white inhbitants. The
Toss in white population, it estimates, is coun-
terbalanced by the immigration of Chinese
The white population according to the statis-
tics Of the last six months, is going out one
third faster than it comes in; while the Chinese
population is coming in nearly five times faster
than it goes out IF this state of things should
continue twill be bat few years until the
Chinese outnun1ber the white population on tie
Pacific coast TIE decrease in the white popu-
Taton is attributed to the action of the capital
ists who foster Chinese labor, which can be
had much cheaper than white labor and which
is being employed 10 great extent by the capt.
talists to work on railroads and in our factories
Year: 1865

HoBR1BLE.-A white man named Wells got
into an alteration with a negro on Thursday
at the farm about half-wa5 up the mountain
side, to the eastward of this city, in which the
negro made an assault upon Elm with draw
knife and cut his left arr3 off below the elbow
or so nearly off that it only hung together by
1itte piece of skin. The facts of the case, as we
get them, are that Wells sold the farm on which
the unfortunare affair occurred to the negro last
fall, and was to receive payment therefor in
rails, which the latter agreed to split. The ne
gro failed to fulfill his part of the contract, and
Wells went to the place TO urge him to do so, as
he had often done before, when harsh words en-
sued, and the assault was made as above. DR..
Day was sent for and went out and amputated
the arm. Some hours had elapsed from the
time the deed was done, and when the DR.. ar
rived Wells had nearly bled to death. Scarcely
a drop of blood issued from the veins during the
amputation. His recovery is doubtful. The
negro (whose name we are told is Green) made
his escape from the place, but it is reported this
morning that he was followed by party of men,
from the foot of the mountains, caught last
night, somewhere on the Walla Walla river, and
hung this morning. Green crossed the plains
last summer and has family Of groWn-pp
children.
Year: 1865

time conspiring with COpperheads (who the APP
feat the Union party But the Appeal's decep-
tions and inconsistencies are still greater. 1t
condemned Lincoln's assassination as the most
atrocious crime ever committed, and at the same
tiHe promulgated the heresy that the assassina-
tioo was necessary sacrifice to keep the Union
party united And now this paper that howled
so long and dismally over the murder of Mr.
Lincoln, and which rejoiced at the destruction
of democratic newspaper efices, simply because
of that murder and which gloatod over the il
legal Imprisonment of men who were simply
charged with expressing satisfaction over Lin
coins death, but who may never have so ex-
pressed themselves has the wickedness to hint that
it may be necessary "that Andrew Johnson shall
be assassinated to keep alive the Union fresl"
What assassinate the President Of the United
States simply to keep life in an expiring parti-
san facton2 What sort of insanity is that? and
how many Presidents lives would it take-how
many assassinations would it require yearly to
keep an artificial life in this destructive Union
party? The Appeal editor writes as if he would
justify the assassination of a President every
morning before breakfast if that would in any
way add to the strength of the Union party
But the moderate and sensible men of that party
will scorR to endorse such means to keep life in
any party, and they will help to sink the faction
that resorts to such murderous policy to main
tain ;tsaIf WIN DON'T the fnoociobs McOo1sl1


who delights in artestiug somebody, take the
President-killer of the Appeal In charge and
shut him up in some loyal lunatic ASYLUM ?
Here is a splendid chance for the redoubtable
Genera! 70 declare the Appeal man accessory
to murder before the fact"
Year: 1865




PRESIDENT JOHNSON ON DEsPoTIsn:-De chatting
the causes which lead to military despotism,
Mr.. Johnson in 1858 said


"Go to the Governments that have risen and
fallen before us, and what has been the cause of
the downfall and decline? 1t has resulted from
the influence of various armies and navies.-
Standing armies and navies, sustained by money
drawn from the people, are the two arteries
that have bled the nations before us to death
tell the States to beware, for their sovereignty
is at an end if you persist in your career. five
do not commence the work and arrest the expen-
ditures of this government, the time will come
when this government will be overthrown; the
time will come when the sound from the hoofs
of the cavalry horses will announce to the SOW
ereign States the approach of usurper; the
legions of the government in advancing column
announce despotism; when the goddess which
presides in the Temple of Liberty will descend,
and the last expiring hope of free government
60 staggering from our land through carnage
and through blood"


The best evidence that Mr.. johnson still holds
to these views, and still believes that large
standing armies are dangerous to the liberties
of a free people, is to be found in the fact that
at the earliest practicable moment after th.
rebel armies were conquered, the reduction of
the national forces commenced, and has con-
tinued until the armies are reduced to mere ake-
etons compared to what they were six months
ago Although there was no necessity for keep
ing up large army after the war had been
practically closed still if Mr. johnson had
been desirous of converting the government into
despotism, he undoubtedly could have accom-
pIished it by using all the powers at his com
mand to keep the armies full and by making it
appear that there was urgent necessity therefor,
and that the liberties of the citizen as well as
the peace and quietude of the country demanded
! it, But by having the armies reduced as fast as
possible, the President destroys the only power
| ful weapon in his hands through which he could
create despotism, and this is the best evidence
that could be given that he is fast friend of
republican government. So far as our armies
were concerned, that portion which was made
Up of the patriotic and intelligent home popula-
tion could not have been made the willing tools
of despotic power but the "Hessian" element
and the ignorant blacks had entered largely into
the ranks, and that this element could have been
moalaed to salt the plans and purposes Of des-
potism no sensible person Will deny. But the
material which might have been used in the
creating of ''frst class military government
or despotism, has melted away and the time at
which it might have been used for such pur-
pose has passed by, and President Johnson who
might have used the material and taken advan-
tage of the time, by his actions has shown that
his ambition is not of that stamp which governs
the aspirations of would-be despots
Year: 1865

THE ATTORNEY GaENERAI's OpMIoN.-Attor-
ney General Speed, in his letter to President
Johnson about the Issuing of an amnesty proc
lamation, gave it as his opinion that proclama-
tion was needed, and after alluding to Lincolns
proclamation of amnesty, said:


"Now one proclamation is desired to aid in
restoring order and reorganizing society in the
rebellious States. Reconstruction is not need
ed. That word conveys erroneous idea The
Constitution of this Government is as perfect as
human wisdom can make it. The trial to which
its powers and capacity have been subjected in
this effort of revolution and dismemberment,
proves with what wisdom its foundations have
been laid. Ours is the task to prove principles
and powers clearly and well Defined and that
have carried us safely through our past troub-
les"


The langtage hsFe quoted justifes the belief
that Mr.. Speed is STRONGLY opposed to any of the
proposed amendments to the Constitution, the
abolition amendment included. OF course, if
the Constitution 'is as perfect as human wis
dom can can make it' no amendment whatever
ought to be made And when he says "ours is
the task to prove principles and powers
clearly and we'll defined, T." we are further assured
that he Is warm friend of the Constitution as
it is" We here give the concluding portion of
Mr. Speeds letter


"Ours is not duty to reconstruct or to
change Society in the Rebel States has not
been and is not now in normal condition; nor
in harmony with the principles of our Govern
ment. That society has rebelled yainst them
and made war hpon the principles and powers
of our Government In so doing it has offended
and stands a convicted culprit; mercy must be
largely extended.


! Some OF the great leaders and offenders must
be made to feel the extreme rigor of the law, not
in spirit of revenge, but to put the seal of in
/ fanny upon their conduct. But the mercy ex-
tended to the great mass of the misguided people
can and should be so used as to reorganize So
ciety upon a loyal and a freedom-loving basis
| It is manifestly for their good and the good Of
mankind, that this should be dsne. The power
of pardon and mercy is inadequate to this end


Such condition precedent and subsequent can
legally and properly be appended as will root
out the spirit of Rebellion and bring society in
those States in perfect accord with the wise and
thoroughly y-tried principles of our Government.
If this power of pardon is wisely used, peace will
be established upon a sure and permanent basis
/
Year: 1865


Propeller Buckeye, Of the Northern transportation
line left here on Saturday evening with passengers and
merchandise for Toledo, when about four O'Clock on
Sunday morning, she struck o sunken rock near Cros
siver Light In the st. Lawrence river mile above Oak
Point sunk in seventy feet OF water The passengers
were aroused but had hardly time TO realize their peril
when the boat slid from the rock ana sunk


Three passengers known TO have been lost named
Mrs. O'Nel, Of Oswego, and Mrs. and Miss Aubry, Of
Milwaukee As the boat went down three men were
seen the water under the stern and is feared they
asQ were lost rs,,ss.&.-s>es'


There Va hot twenty minutes time after the vessel
struck before she SUNK The surviving were
brought to this city by the steamer Champion, Of the
Royal Mail line Tne low water and extreme darkness
Of the night e the given for the sad accident
Year: 1865

A Virginia correspondent of the New York
World has written to that paper an interest
ing account of the exploits and death of this
famous general. We quote the following
concerning the close of his career:


eff had not been wounded" said he, "or
had had one hour more of daylight, I would
have cut off the enemy from the road to Uni
ted States ford we would have them entire
ly surrounded, and they would have been
obliged to surrender or cut their way out !;
they had no other alternative. My troops
may sometimes fail in driving an enemy from
a position, but the enemy always fail to drive
my men from position"


He subsequently said ~ consider these
wounds blessing; they were given me for
some good and wise purpose, and l would
not part with them if could. "His wife
was now with him, aud when she announced
to him, weeping, his approaching death, he
replied, with perfect calmness, ''VerJ good.
very good; it is all right" These were very
nearly his last words. He soon after became
delirious, and was heard to mutter, "Order
A. ?. Hill to prepare for action Pass the
infantry to the front? Tell Major Hawks
to send forward provisions for the men v'-
Then his martial ardor disappeared, and
smile diffused itself over his pale features,
and he murmured, "Let US cross the river
and rest under the trees" 1t was the river
of death he was about to pass and soon af-
ter uttcring these words he expired


Such are the circumstances which attended
the last hours of the soldier who has so long
carried the Southern standard and accom-
plished such extraordinary success With
his disappearance from the scene the fortunes
Of the South, like her banner, began to droop
The Federal forces were often driven back
thereafter, but were never completely de-
feated. Great leaders were left, but their
exertions appeared to secure no definite re-
suits. Jackson had passed away by an in
scrutible decree Of the Almighty, and no one
seemed able to fll his place.
Year: 1865


Mr.. ED1ToR.-We hear much said of the ad-
vantages of education, of its paramount necessity
in such system of government as ours, Of the
power it confers in o country whose resources are
just beginning to be developed, and where every
man has the utmost allowable freedom of action,
where monopOlies are unknown, and where all
pursuits and professions are open to competition.
The politician talks of its advantages to the State
the man of business of its necessity to commerce,
its service to agriculture-whie the philanthro-
pst is full of its benefits to the people in moral
point Of view. This is all well enough in its
place. And well-written essays on such subjects
are to an idle man, delightful, since they provide
tn e means of willing away the slow footed hours
In glorious dreams of what might be if people
would only do what they ought. Now, we want
something more practical.


There are In our county great many children
who are poor, who have lost their fathers in the
great war through which we have just passed.
They have been deprived of their natural pro-
tectors and helpers, and have become, in pecu-
liar sense, the children of the community. These
children ought to be furnished with the means of
obtaining a common English education. Their





widowed mothers are not able to furnish the
means. 1t must be done by the community
There is no need Of eloquent tongue or pen to
stir the hearts of every true Virgnian in favor of
these children Of misfortune. To awaken sympa-
thy, we have only to say, ''he is soldiers child"
What we do need, is the means of turning the svm
pathies of the people to some practical account.
l wish to make a suggestion through your paper
Let there be organized at the county town socie-
ty which shall have for it's object the education of
INDECENT children of deceased soldiers. There are
several ways in which this society might he organ
lzed, But there is one way which commends it.
self to my mind as peculiarly proper. Let the
ministers of the Gospel, belonging to the several
denominations, form themselves into a society,
and invite others to unite with them Let aux
iliary societies be formed throughout the county
Through these societies subscriptions may be So
licited, and money be collected and paid out
do not pretend to give the details of such work
| this is merely plan of operations that might be
| adopted; others more feasible might be present.
ell. There is one objection with which any, such
plan will be met--the scarcity of money Money
is scarce, there can be doubt of that, and this
fact is one OF the strongest arguments in favor of
the organizato on of such society. That some
| money can be spared by the people, we will show
hereafter. r.
Year: 1865

Many citizens of Staunton are unwittin gly, but
certainly, doing great wrong almost every day;
to themselves and to the better class Of colored
people.


The least worthy freedmen are focking to
town, to seek their living by their wits. They
desert the FARMS and leave the fields uncultvated.
and depend on making living by little Jobs, for
which they charge exhorbitant prices. These
high prices in town are reported in the country,
and render the freedmen on farms dissatisfied and
disposed to leave.


The object Of the loungers around town is,
to live without work. If they do anything, they
charge double price, and are thus able to idle
away the greater part of their time. Every Job
of this kind to freedman, is bounty to lazinsss,
and an injury to the more industrious classes in
the country. 1t tends to injure the agricultural
interest, and thereby to increase the cost Of iv-
ing.


The remedy for this evil is for the people not
to submit to extorton. The fair price for cutting
up cord of wood, for an ordinary fireplace, is 81
cents-why should any one, therefore, pay q lazy
negro dollar for it? good hand can easily
cut up three cords of wood per day, and therefore
can.earn good wages at so cents cord.
Town people, especially females, do not know
the value of this kind of labor, and therefors
constantly imposed on. This evil ought to be
corrected. 1t is injuring not only the parties con-
cerned, but it is demoraizing the colored popula-
ton, sapping the foundation of the whole labor
system We should pay what is right, and moth
ing more Iffreedmen are not willing to work
for fair wa ges let them take She Consequences
The creator has ordained that man should earn
his bread by the sweat of his brow. Those who
will not work must do without the bread. Freed
men are not freed from the laws of God.


If we offer inducements to the negro to leave
the farms, scarcity and high prices Of grain, hay
and meats must follow. People ought to think Of
these things, and discourage negroes from coming
to town. Unless they do, the whole country will
be over-run by an idle, vagrant population, who
will live by stealing. Let us be kind, but firm J;
! just, but not weak and foolish. Let freedmen un-
derstand that they must earn their living by
steady industry and not by occasional jobs. LIZ
We pursue this course, the country will prosper.
| FRANKLIN