smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1865

HH~ The oil excitement runs high in
Grant aud Crawford Counties. The Cop
per Greek Petroleum Company are report
ed to have struck oil in their well near
Seneca, in Crawford County, at depth of
three hundred feet 1t is not a flowing
well, but believing that the vein will fur
nish paying quantities, they have stopped
boring and sent for tubing and tanks. In
Grant County a company has just been
formed to prove the oil indications at An
naton in that County. 1t is composed of
some Of the best business men of the coun-
ty, men of capital and ability, who after
an examination of the oil indications, are
willing to risk their money in proving
them. We wish them success.
Year: 1865

CoNcEET.- The friends of the Welsh
Methodist Church Of this village, announce
that they will give a Welsh and English
Concert at the Court House on Christmas
evening, December 25th, for the benefit Of
said church. At which time variety of
entertaining, amusing, and instructive pie
ces viii be sung and played. Some of the
best musicians in the village have been
practicing for this occasion for some time,
and it will no doubt be rich treat. On
the afternoon Of Christmas day services
will be held in the Welsh Methodist Church,
on which occasion an interesting time is
anticipated
Year: 1865

BRIDGE BURNISG. = Some inhuman
scamps-thought to be the farm mortga-
gors, made desperate by the bad faith of
the railroad companies been burning
the railroad bridges on the Milwaukee and
La Crosse railroad Some three or four
have already been burnt, and more are
threatened by anonymous correspondents.
The farm mortgagors have heretofore re-
ceived the sympathy and hearty co-opera-
ton of a numerous and influential class in
our state, but by resorting to such inhu-
man acts they will receive, and justly de-
serve, the censure of all law abiding citi-
zens. We do not believe, however, that a
majority of the members Of the Home
League are in favor Of such severe meas
ures, and can only attribute such baseness
to few of the more desperate.
Year: 1865

It will be remembered that we mention
ed the fact the other week that the mer-
chants and business men Of Warren and
some other places in Illinois, were using
corn in preference to wood or coal as fuel
It does not appear to act as well as antici-
pated. The Warren Independent,in speak
ing Of the matter, says: 1--WE have tested
corn as fuel and have arrived at the con.
clusion that all things considered, wood
and coal are preferable. The oleagnous
substance contained in corn causes it to
burn rapidly, emitting bright blaze. 1t
is easily ignited but speedily consumed,
retaining but little heat. The same guam
tity of coal will sustain comfortable fire
for greater length of time than corn
supplies more substantial fire and re-
quires less attention. Where wood is used
freely with corn, an excellent fire is OBJ
tanned, but such an expenditure adds
nothing to economy or convenience. Coal
at ten dollars per ton, or wood at six Or
seven dollars per cord, are the cheapest
articles Of fuel in this section. It seems a
sin to destroy the ripe yellow corn, and
we advise the farmers to return it to the
granary, for their is a better day ahead"


PAY YoUR TAxEs-John W. Thomas,
town Treasurer, gives notice that he is
now ready to receive the town and village
taxes for the year 1865. The Treasurer's
fees for collecting are one per cent. before
the first Of January, and three per cent.
after that date Those intending to pay
up before the first Of January, should not
wait until the last day, for they viii then
have trouble to pay them, for there is al
ways rush about that time The taxes
this year are very high, mostly caused by
the large amount raised to redeem out
standing bounty orders. 1t ranges from
forty three to fifty-seven and quarter
mills on the dollar valuation, according
to the school district, for the tax in some
school districts is nearly double what it is
in others.
Year: 1865

A glance at the rapidly increasing ex-
penses of our State Government will show
the necessity of retrenchment and reform.
The annual expenses Of the Government
since the organization Of the State have
been as follows:
Year: 1865

~ The Herald says two panthers are
known to be inhabitants of the town Of
Smelser, Grant County. They are proving
quite destruction to pigs and other barn
yard stock in the neighborhood.
Year: 1865

g- A young man by the name of Al
bert Burns, of Platteville, attempted to
commit suicide by taking strichninc on
Sunday last, but was prevented by friend
seizing his arm as he was about to swallow
the fatal dose. No apparent cause is known,
but he declares that his troubles are more
than he can bear, and he will yet destroy
his lifn
Year: 1865

AN9TuER.-The ladies connected with
the Methodist Episcopal Church of this
village announce that they will hold their
annual Tea Meeting on Tuesday the Goth
inst. Tables will be set in the basement
OF their church at 8 O'clock P. N. Ample
preparations are being made, and every
thing will be done to make the enter
tainment both interesting ard profitable.
Good speakers and good musicians have
been engaged, and will be on hand to in
terest and instruct the guests. The pub
lie are invited to attend. Admission so
cents.
Year: 1865

The following article from the New York Clipper
breathes healthy spirit for that latitude:


'sIn battle they the Southern people] were foes
worthy of our steel, and what generou heart, now
that they are overcome and utterly beat down,
would strike fallen foe. And yet we continually
hear men demanding more blood. They insist on
the fulflment of the terms Of the law, and when
asked to have surgeon by to stop the bleeding of
the wound they reply, is it so nominated in the
bond? do not find it in the bond.


What if it is not in the bond, mercy requires it.
These men not thieves or murderers in the COM
mon acceptation of the term. They were esteemed
heretofore as men of character and principle, and
when they rebelled it was to uphold and maintain
an idea long cherished and openly taught and al
though they.erred both in the idea and in theman-
ner they sought to enforce it, they showed how
sincerely they believed in it by the obstinacy with
which they fought for it. 1t is now blotted from
American politics, and it remains for to restore
country to the happy and powerful positi on it
occupied before the rebellion. This cannot be
done by shooting or hanging, but we must love
mercy and practice forgiveness, and endeavor by
a course of humane treatment, to make the South
ern people feel that are magnanimous con-
ouerors and having saved America from dissolu-
ton, we can afford to take them again by tie hand,
forget the fratricidal strife. and seek to out-do
each other in the delightful work Of peace. We
are not only commanded thus to love mercy, but
every consideration of love to our neighbors, the
future of our country and the mere selfsbness OF
trade and commerce, all point unmistakably to
thus do justice and love mercy.


We cannot afford to have an Ireland, q Hun
gary or q Poland on our hands, nor do we want
thousands of political refugees from our happy
shores residing in foreign lands, brooding over
wrong, Matching rebellions or attempting
to stir up our people to renewed strife which we
will have if this spirit hatred, malice and blood
thirstiness is not efectually frowned down. IfSlr
people will but act in the spirit Of the words at
the head of this article, our country will soon
again bud and blossom as the rose and we will be
the happiest and freest nation on the globe.
Year: 1865




The following article from the New YORK.
Herald, of the 30th, in reference to the late
election in Richmond, we transfer to our COL
umns, deeming it pretty fair view of the
sentiments which Influenced Augusta county,
in the election of county officers on the 18th
of July last:


ssIt is rather difficult for US to understand
how the election of ex-rebel soldiers can be
legally prevented. Union men were put in
nomination, but it seems that the people did
not want them in Office. This being SO, what
are we to do? The mere fact of an election
presupposes the intention Of the'general COVER
ment to allow the people to choose their own
local rulers; and if they prefer rebel soldiers
to Union men, we do not see how the matter
can be helped at present. Indeed, the Gov
erment can have no voice in the affair, unless
the President decide to violate the constitution
in order to keep ex-rebels out of official posi-
tions. 1t must be RENE mbered, however, that
after all, this is mere question of the records
Of the different candidates. There are no
rebels now. The soldiers of Lees army
elected at Richmond have already taken the
oath of allegiance, and been pardoned, or, at
least, they will do SO before they hold their
offices These ceremonies, then, maze them,
in the eye of the law, just as good Union men
as the rest of uss; and we hope that they will
prove to be so in practice. Tie shortest and
the easiest and the best way, therefore, to
remove all apprehensions in regard to the
Southern elections is for US to remember that
rebels died with the rebellion, and that all the
candidates are consequently good enough
Unionists for all practical purposes.


Nothing in the world could be more nat
uraz than for the Southern people to vote for
those candidates who had served them in the
rebel armies The Unionists of Richmond
during the war were very few and very silent.
Ii they loved the Union they kept the fact to
themselves, and only revealed it when Gen.
Grant had made the confession perfectly safe.
For al1 the good they did the Union cause
they might almost as well have been rebels.
But waving that point we find in the secresy
they observed in regard to their opinions a
strong proof that they considered themselves
estranged from the sympathies of the people at
large Now, does any one suppose that the
people have utterly changed their sympathies
within The past few weeks? They are sick Of
rebellion; they are glad to be in the Union
again; but they symyathize rather With the
Year: 1865

men who always thought as they did and
acted as they did than with those with whom
they were constantly at variance in sentiment.
We believe that they disdke Jeff Davis and
the other rebel leaders who deluded them;
but it is too much to expect them to dislike
Lees soldiers, who were equally deluded, and
with whom they suffered in common No;
the Southern voters are neither more or less
than men. We lie to see them selecting
their bravest men for office and we desire the
North. to follow their example. II the South
ern people were to rally at once to- elec. un-
compromising Unionists to posts of honor, we
should be inclined to suspect such sudden
loyalty.
Year: 1865

Randolph CO., N. c., 1st ID month, 1855.
To II. s Robins:


DEAR FRlEND-My mind has been exercised for
some days past to write thee letter, aud to free
myself OF the anxiety / now proceed to write. Thee
well knows that at the election last August was
two years ago that all the members of our society
voted for thee. At the last election all or nearly
all voted against thee. The reason was, that we
were afraid thee was little too strong for the war.
We had never supported or loved Mr.. Holden, but
the course he took in regard to the war drew US
very near to him. and on account Of thy great
opposition to him We all voted against thee with
very great reluctance, and the more we see of the
course Of our representatives the more many of US
are satisfied that We did thee injustice, and thee
knows that when we are satisfied that we arc in
error We always hasten to make acknowledgements.
have watched the proceedings of our Legislature,
particularly as to the peace movements [ have
seen nothing upon that subject that looked like il
would do except John Pools resolutions, and l
could see no prospect that they could do any good
Tor long time. But the thing that has most con,
cerned me and other Friends is that our represen-
tatiVes, mean Joel and Enos, have voted for any
and all sorts Of absurd propositions, which have
been presented, such as Sharp's and Hanes resolu.
tlonS. But we never give the thing entirely up
until we see the resolutions that joel put in, to
have committee appointed to enquire into the
wrongs committed by the Home Guard in this
pIOpOSulS U enquire INTO IQ6 nun
dreds Of robberies and thefts say nothing of the
numerous murders committed by deserters.


We were told last summer that all the deserters
were for Holden and his supporters but we thought,
or thought it was because they were for peace.
But now it really seems that Joel must be on their
side, for he only proposes to examine one side,
when no one knows better than he that there has
been several murders and innumerable robberies,
more than one hundred in the part of the county
where he has been a schoolteacher for the last
twenty years. Why, since he has been to Raleigh
aunt Alley Cox, old widow, and Sarah Henly,
both exemplary Friends, have been robbed Of the
most of their years supply of meal. Other Friends
and innumerable persons not Friends, have shared
the same fate.


Now, suppose that when the committee comes
they are not to enquire into the above named out
RACES. l do not believe, nor does any one of the
friends believe in any one-sided business We want
the whole thing looked into or none. We don't
believe in war, nor do we believe in deserters par
tcularly those that rob, steal and murder Friends
can't go to the war and fight, nor will they again
support man that proposes to examine but one
side of the subject Thee may count on my vote
next time aPd can say to thee, that many Friends
feel sorry that they did not stick to thee. Thee
knows that we never take an active part in public
affairs. Don't want to appear in the papers, but
thee is at liberty to publish this if thee thinks
proper.
~
Year: 1865

We copy to-day from the C0n'ercatire, letter
dated "Near Holly Springs, Randolph County" "
purporting to have been written by "a Quaker,
formerly of the straitest sect" We do not charge
that this letter is forgery, but we doubt its gen.
uineness. We do not believe there is member Of
the Society of Friends in Randolph, or in the State
who would write such letter. The Friends are,
tc man, opposed to war and in favor of peace. 1t
s hardly necessary that should say that neither
this letter nor any thing the Conservative can say
can iniure the standing of MeSsrs Ashcworth and
Blair or impair the confidence reposed in them by
the good people Of Randolph.
Year: 1865

All yet remains quiet along the lines. The enc
my have secured their position on both sides of
Hatcher's run-having greatly strengthened the
rifle pits of our men whom they dislodged. They
sent their cavalry forward to DinwddIe Q. H. in
tho late fight in order to give their infantry time
TO entrsnch The ruse was successful, and they
have succeeded in extending their lines few miles,
but not in advancing them.


The Examiner of the 9Th says that it was un der
stood that Vics President Stephens would leave for
Georgia that day. in order to the State for
a more vigorous prosecution Of the war.


Gen Hood had arrived in Richmond
Year: 1865

There are many Indications that the
present winter will be the type Of what
all our winters will ultimately become a
mild and open season. Nature feresaw it,
In preparing the coats for the ear Of corn,
and gave them but seanty covering; the
stream and ponds are net yet full, which
indicates that much rain is yet to fall; the
nuskrats have built their houses two
stories high, to avoid the rise of the
water; and the nuts are scarce, as the
squirrels will have the liberty Of the
woods, instead Of being blocked up in
their heles by snow banks.-Ne'odury-
port Herald.
Year: 1865




County.
N Office is hereby given, to the Taxpayers of
~ Collection District No. !, of Placer county,
that the State Poll Tax, Special County Poll Tax,
Military Poll Tax, and Road Tax, is now due and
collect..ble by law; and that will in person or
by deputy accompany the Assessor of said Dis
trict, who will commence the annual assessment
of the property of the District at this date and
shall promptly collect at the time these Taxes
from all persons, except those exempt by law,
as we'll as the Tax on all Personal Property ex-
cept when such personal property is owned by
persons returning Real Estate


When a failure is made in payment Of the
above Taxes at the time demanded, l shall in all
cases enforce their collection by law.


w. D. PERKINS,


Collector of District No. L Placer county.
March 9th, l865.-3m
Year: 1865

The Bulletin thus describes the pains
taken to save all the precious dust" in
the San Francisco Mint:


The old maxim, "a penny saved is q
penny made" meets with very literal
observance in the Mint. Nothing that
goes into the Mint, visitors excepted, is
allowed to come out again except in the
form of coin, ingots or ashes. All the
employees are obliged to change their
clothes on entering the Mint, and when
the working suits are worn out. they are
burned for the purpose Of recovering
the floating PARTICLES of gold dust that
may be hidden in their texture. The
crucibles in which the gold is melted,
although none is supposed to adhere, are
pulverized when worn out, and the row
der washed to catch any particles that
may be in it. All woodwork, boxes,
carpets, etc., used in the building are
reduced to ashes, and the gold extracted.
In the room occupied by females who
adjust the weight Of the coin by filing,
the utmost care is taken to preserve the
filings and even then the quantity Of
gold that escapes by minute particles
floating in the air is so great that when
the worn-out carpet Of the apartment Is
burnt, it always produces dust enough
to more than purchase new one. At
the end of each year, the furnaces and
hues of the establishment are taken
down, and the bricks pulverized and
washed to extract the gold. Even the
water in which the hands of the work
men are washed, is made to pass over
quicksilver to catch any fine particles
that may have adhered to the skin.
And finally, after al the gold has been
extracted from the ashes and debris of
the establishment that is possible by
any known Yankee process, the sweep
ings of the entire Mint are shipped to
New York, where they are sold for re-
shipment to France and Germany, in
which countries they undergo still an
other process for extracting the last re-
mains of gold they may contain. The
sweepings of the San Francisco Mint
usually sell for about $40, 900 per an
mum, and probably net as much more
to their Dutch purchasers.
Year: 1865

"Ir's Me. Passing q neat little
martin-box of a house recently, We hap
pened to see a man waiting at the door
for admittance. At the instant, a green
blind above just opened little way,
and by the gaslight we caught glimpse
of pair of brilliant eyes, and hutter
of something white, and bird toned
voice softly said, who's there 2"
''It's me-" was the brief response. The
eyes and the futter disappeared from
the window, like stars in a cloud, and
we almost fancied, as we passed on, We
could hear the pattering of two little
feet upon the stairs, winged with well
come. 1t was trife it all happened
in an instant, but it haunted US for an
hour. "It's me ~ Amid the jar of
the great city, those words fell upon the
quick ear aloft, and met a glad response.
Its me - and who was me - The
pride of a hearts life, no doubt; the
tree vine was clinging to; the DE
fender of the Faithful" in the best
sense Of the phrase. ''It's men' Many
are those who would give half their
hearts, and more than half the hope in
them, for one such recognition in this
"wide, wide world" On Change, in
the Directory. at the post Office, he was
known as A B c, but on the threshold,
and within those walls, ''It's me" and
nothing more and what more is there
one would love to be? Few of all the
hearts that beat SO wildly, warmly,
sadly, slowly, can recognize true soul
amid the dim and darkness of the world
in that simple but eloquent ''It's NE J"
as if he said,


Now am nothing to all the world,


For am all the world to thee.


-.Ne7r York Era.
Year: 1865

HYBRID BARLEY.-We were shown,
yesterday, by B. Howard Brown, grain
dealer, sample of barley said to be a
mixture between the common sort and a
quality imported from Napul, India. 1t
is entirely free from boards, is quite as
prolific, and each grain as large as the
common barley. The shape Of the
grains are also the same, and it is only
distinguishable from the common kind
by a peculiar roughness Of the outer
covering. A farmer in this valley
raised seventy sacks of it this season,
and it is held in high esteem for feed.
Stockton Independent.
Year: 1865

Nobody cared when he went 70 var.


Bat the woman whe cried On his shoulder:
Nobody decked him with immortelles-


He was only common soldier.
Nobody packed in dainty trnnk


Folded raiment and officers fare
4 knapsaek held all the recruit


Might own, or love. or eat, or wear.
Nobody gave him goodbye fete-


With sparkling glass and fowercrowncd wine;
Two or three friends on the sidewalk stood
Watching for Jones, the fourth in line.
Nobody cared how the battle went
With the man who had fought till the bullet sped
Through the coat undecked with leaf OF STIR
On common soldier left for dead.
The cold rain bathed the feve7ei wound.


And the kind clouds wepi the ivclenS night
A pitying lotion Mature gave,


Till help might come with morning light;
Such help as the knife of the surgeon gives.
Ceaving the gallant arm from shoulder
And another name swefts the pension hist
For the meagre pay Of common soldier.
See, over yonder all day he stands


An empty sleeve in the soft wind sways.
As he holds his lonely left hand out


For charity At the crossing ways.
And this is how, with bitter shame,


He begs his bread and hardly lives!
So YEARLY eking out the sum


proud and grateful country gives.
What matter how he served the guns


When plume and sash were over ,oaGer, p,
What matter theagh he bore the flag


Through binding smoke and battle thunder
What matter though 8 wife and child


Cry softly for that sAAd arm rent
And wonder why that random shot


To him, their own beloved, WAS sent!
Oh, patriot hearts, wipe out this stain
Give jewelled cup aud sword no more,
But let no common soldier blush


To own the loyal blue he Wore.
Shout long and loud for virt'ry won


By chief and leader staunch and true;
But don't forget the boys that fought
Shout for the common soldier too.
Year: 1865

SOMEBODY says there Is a touching
beauty in the radiant look of girl just
crossing the limits of youth The
radiance is nothing to that of a girl
who has Just crossed the plains
Woodland .Ne,cs.
Year: 1865

A LADY relates to a New York paper
that while running down at the intersec'
tion al Broadway and Eleventh street a
vonng gentleman neatly and fashtonably
attired, entered the stage. He seemed
an haLitas of the Fifth Avenue OF some
other fashionable quarter On irst en-
tering he took his seat opposite the lady,
but in few moments changed it for one
at at her II right side. Immediately be was
absorbedin reading the New York Her
uId which he held ostentatiously in his
right hand His left hand, toward the
lady, was quite differently occupied
After about three minutes intent perusal
of the Herald, he arose abruptly and
alighted. No suspicion was excited. A
few moments later the lady LETT the stage,
and found to her dismay her pocket in
side of her skirt had been emptied OF a
purse containing $50.
Year: 1865

SUBSTITUTE FOR GLASS WINDOws.--lt
sometimes happens that one would be
glad TO close window 80 as to admit
light, and yet has no glazed sash that
can be used, and it may be be does not
consider the object worthy the expense


4 simple piece of stout muslin tackled
upon a frame makes very fair substi-
tute 1t excludes the wind and insects
and admits the light. After tacking it
upon the frame it may be vanished with
a mixture of boiled linseed oil and copal
varnish, thinned with turpentine. This
will make it water tight, so that the
rain will not wet through, and more
translucent Where there is such a win
dow, and no danger Of violence, very
thin, cheap muslin may be used. Whom
it is tackled on, the edges should be tuck
ed under and tape laid over them,
through which tacks are driven, quite
close tsgether-Amerioan 4gricultwGlist.