smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861




DR.. Mort, in his lectures, gives the fol-
lowing account of young man about
twenty-five years ago:


He has been an habitual drunkard for
many years. l saw him about nine o.
clock in the evening on which i. happen
ed, buthe was then as full as usual, not
drunk.


ABOUT IL o'clock, the same evening,
| was called to see him. found him lit
orally roasted, from the crown of his head
TO the soles of his feet. He was found in
a blacksmith's shop, just across from
which he had been seen. The owner, all
of sudden, discovered an extensive light
in his shop, as though the whole building
wns in one grand fame. He ran with
great precipitancy, and on throwing open
the door, he discovered a man standing
erect in the midst of widely extended
silver colored flame, burning, as he des-
cribed, exactly the appearance of the wick
of the burning candle in the midst Of its
own flame. He seized him (the drunk
ard,) by the shoulder, jerked him to the
door, upon which the flame was instantly
extinguished. There was no fire in the
shop, nor was there any possibility of fire
having been communicated TO him from
any external sources. 1t was case of
spontaneous ignition. A general slough
soon came on, and his flesh was consumed
or removed in the dressing, leaving the
bones and few of the large blood-ves-
sells; the blood, nevertheless rallied around
the heart, and maintained the vital spark
until the thirteenth day when he died,
not only the most loathsome, ill-featured
picture that was ever presented in the
human view, but his shreks, his groans,
and his lamentations, also, were enough
to melt an adamant heart. He said he
was suffering the torments of hell--that
he was just upon its threshold, and
would soon enter its dismal cavern; and
in this frame of mind he gave up the
ghost"
Year: 1861

The grasses have many enemies, and
il is frequently necessary TO re-sow fields
where the seed has not. taken well, or
where the roots have been eaten badly by
worms. Wherever the grass is deficient,
whether in pasture or meadow, it is
good plan to sow seed at this season. AS
rule, seed enough is not used when
meadows are laid down to grass. After
several years experimenting, we have new
er found seed TO "take" so well, as when
sown upon the frozen ground, say in the
morning, the latter part Of March or ear
ly in April.


The alternate freezing and thawing at
this early season, open crevices in the soil,
and furnish the seed with that very slight
covering which it needs; the heavy spring
rains also help to bury it. The use of the
bush harrow and roller would make the
covering still moro sure, but we have new
er failed of a good "catch" without re-
sorting to them. In few weeks the
young clover and herds-grass make their
appearance, and yield toerable crop the
first season. This is great deal better
than bare patches in the meadow, which
will soon be grown over with sorrel or
weeds, if not occupied by grass.
Year: 1861

- A certain doctor, on calling upon a
gentleman who had been some time all
ing, instead of drinking glass of water,
accidentally took draught from a tum-
bier containing the medicine which he had
prepared for the sick man; he was not
sensible of his error till he found himself
getting i'll, and his patient getting better.
Year: 1861

MISSISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE kAiLRoAD-Ihe completion
Of this important artery Of commerce and travel opens
direct railroad communication with Grenada, Canton,
jackson and New Orleans and reduces the time between
Memphis aud the latter point TO twenty three hours
Twenty miles o the road on the southern end IRON Oak


land to Granada we're completed the 81 of July, and


the first through train left this city the following day
The future prossects Of he road certainly of tho most
atering character Passing through Of the richest


Cotton regions of the South ard forming, as It
oes an important part the great Northern and South


n line Of travel its future operations scarcely be
Otherwise than profitable the public and remuneratvr
20 stockholders and others interested The road is 99
mlls in length, and IS for the most part well built


There are thirteen Howe Truss bridges, and seven
wrought ron in spans Of % and 80 feet resting solid
and substantial spprosehes The pressure Of the times
Year: 1861

vacant post The consequence, OF course, is, that
every officer avais himself Of his position to extOrt
as much as possible, in order to reimburse himself
for this original outlay, so that when cOntribu-
tiOh is ordered to be levied from Cairo double the
amount is usually exacted. MahOmet Ali knows
this, and has tried to enforce more just admins
rtration, but without success. A commission Of
inquiry sent into the province in 1888 checked the
abuse for a time, but for u time only; the system
remaining unchanged . tr-


Abuses Of local administration, however, sink
into the shade when seen by the nfid light OF the
hOrrid slave hunts for which MahOmet Ali is alone
responsible, Pallme, who is in some sort an apo-
ogst for the viceroy when any fair excuse presents
ITSELF pleads for MahOmet Ali that a true account
Of the inhuman deeds committed in his name on
these occasions never reaches him; all the parties
employed being too deeply criminated to make
faithful report but common humanity and slave
hunt arc incOnvertible terms, and by no effort Of
the imagination could the rdler Of Egypt deceive
himself as to the true character Of these exped-
tiOns.


Pallme describes q SLAVE hunt organized in the
years 1888 and 1889, when the province Of KOr-
dOian was ordered to contribute 5000 slaves. The
slaves were to be procured from the mountains Of
Nubia inhabited by independent tribes The
inhabitants Of the first hill attacked surrendered ;
those of the second had fed. leaving nothing be-
hind them but their huts, which were instantly fired
and burnt to the ground.


"And now the march was continued to the third
hill. The inhabitants Of this village had formed
the firm resolution Of defending their freedom to
the uttermost and, determined to suffer death
rather than the horror of Turkish captivity, had
prepared for most obstinate resistance. The hill
was charged, but the troops were several times
Tepulsed; the attacks, however, were renewed, and
the village was ultimately taken by storm. The
scene which now presented itself to view was
frightful in the extreme. OF Eve hundred souls
who had been the peaceful inhabitants Of the vii
lage one hundred and lightweight only were found
living. Every hut was filled with the bodies Of
the aged and the young indiscrminately, for those
who had not fallen by the sword in battle had put
themselves to death to elude the dreadful fate Of
captivity. The prisoners were led away, and the
place was given up to the soldiery for punder, but
the dead were left disinterred. A fearful scene for
the few who were fortunate enough to escape the
carnage by 6ightP
Year: 1861

We are now threatened with Secession by the
disappointed office. seekers, but the people arc
ready for the question, let it come when 1t
may.


As between Judge Blair and Winter Davis for
Mr.. Lncons Cabinet, the Republicans OF Mary
land have but one voice, and that is for Blair,
though the first choice of the majority OF them
was for Judge William l.. Marshall the nephew
of the late ChiefJustice. But they are not fac
tOus, aud will stand by Judge Blair should he Dc
selected.


The news just arrived Of the refusal of Captain
Hill TO surrender Fort Brown, and OF his design
to recapture certain OF the Federal property has
given a rare flip of interest to matters, for
collision in that quarter will precipitate public
opinion with no little rapidity in favor Of the
Federal power just at this juncture.


The card of the President of the Police Board,
in relation to the course of that body on the oc-
casion OF Mr.. Lincoln's passage through Baltl-
more, has swamped the Marshal of Police in
mass of contradictions. Mr. Howard assures us
that the power of the Police Board was per-
fectk adequate to the task Of protecting the
President-elect from any Insult or assault, and
would have been used to its full extent.


The movement of Gov. Seward for National
Convention, as o substitute for the One-iore
Concress's amendment TO the Constitution, meets
with the general approval of all confederate men
in this quarter, simply because it draws the
teeth out of Secessionism, and gives time for
reflection.
Year: 1861

swords, scabbards. spurs, bits and metal-work
generally very dirty. As to bone and sinew,
the men are good as can be; the impression is,
however, that they could not be relied on to
stand or make a charge in their present con-
dition, and that they would do more harm than
good if any attempt were made to handle them
in the field. The Federalists seem to have in
creased their artillery force very much since
their last advance, when they had only 40
pieces in the field. They have now more than
three times as many guns well horsed, and an
enormous increment is still spoken Of With
their foundries, iron works, and resources in
skilled labor, there is no reason why they
should not be able to fight their battles with
artillery principally, and make Solferino or
Goojerat Of the affair. The Naval Department
is ordering guns by the hundred tons. 1t is a
pity we cannot sell them the American mon
ster guns which we bought during the Crimean
war by the pound, and which are lying in the
mud at Woolwich.
Year: 1861

CHICAGO IN DANGER.-An old project for
simplifying and cheapeniDg the means Of
communication between the West aud the
East has been revived in New York, in con.
sequence of the continued high freights, by
lake, from Chicago to that city, aud if the
plan elaborated is carried out-as il may
be next spring-the farmers of Illinois, Wis
cOnsin aud Iowa will be relieyd from the
crushing effect Of the monopoly which now
controls the lake trade, and the business of
Chicago will receive blow from which 1t
will not soon recover. The project is to
construct ferry boats with railroad tracks
upon them, and by uniform guage on all
the roads, secure a continuous line of rail
way communication between Illinois and
the Atlantic, SO that a car load of produce
Of any kind. put on the track at any of the
principal grain cities, may be sent through
without transhipment, thus reducing the
cost OF carriage to fraction OF what it is
under present arrangements But such an
arrangement would completely divert the
grain trade from Chicago. which now lev
les tribute on the teeming crops Of the West,
and destroy the corner stone Of its prosper
ity. The Chicago Tribune therefore sounds
the alarm, and calls upon the lake ship
owners 10 avert the blow thus aimed at
Chicago. by Increasing the number and ca
pacity of their vessels and so reducing the
price of freight that railroad competition
may be de6ed. Unless they do this, New
York will become the great primary grain
depot Of the world, instead Of Chicago,
whose immense grain warehouses will be-
come The habitatiOns Of bats and owls.
Year: 1861

the British Minister not only recognizes tie present


pretended blockade, but had sent to the commercial


Representatives to his country, decision Of New


York Judge, and the dictum Of WM h sRw1RD a


the rule for their guidance. If the circular does


not mean this, it means nothing Its mere bT7asm
f1iasa, trifing with great public question, in


velviDg vast and valuable interests. There is no
intimation of egality in the circular, and no dis.
eretiOn given to the consular agents he seems to
take the blockade for granted, and communicates
with them on that understanding. 'fg


this be so, we are constrained, under all the
circumstances, to regard the circular of Lord LIZ
oNs as most extraordinary document He has
evidences without number in his possession that
the Federal blockade is an unmitigated fraud and
imposition upon the natioas Of the earth 1t seems
to us that instead of aiding it by his sanction he
shOuld, when addressed BY Mr.. Seward on the sub
jsct have thrown the truth in his teeth, aud told
him that any interference with the commerce. OF
bis eountrymen. under any such pretense, on the
part of the Federal authorities, would be at their
peril The alternative he has adopted, if it means
what appears on its face has any thing but friend
y aspect towards the Confederate States Wehsre
10 navy with which to drive of and sink these in
ANGUS pirates that are lowering around cur ports
md destroying our commerce, and neutral nations
hould At least recognize what the law entities Us
0 as a matter Of right
Year: 1861

EDIToRs TRuE DEMocEAr-

 Srs: h the Missouri Republican of the 4th inst, we find letter purportng to be from man of our State, who lives ill Van Buren, Ark, which we send you.

 He says he is {" southern man, southern born and southern raised, and descended from southern parents, and one who has an opportunity of know ing that Western Arkansas is not unit for seces- sion, and all reports to that effect to be false.' We think that such a man, one who has no re- gard for truth and ntertains such principles as he does is unquestionadly an abotionst-should be hunted up, and made to "leave or swing;' and we are of the opinion that the latter would be the better All such men should be dealt with severe ly, notwithstanding every one who knows any thing of western Arkansas, knows this letter to be the embodiment of falsehood of the blaclest hue, vet it is well calculated to give aid and comfort" to the black republicans.

 The inconsistency of tAis man should be sufficient to show to the "Repubican' that it is false, vet. in the face of reason and good sense, he publishes this letter to the world.

 Is it not very strange that man can keep three men in subjection in this country? We think it passinsly strange.

 Now we request of you to demand the name of the writer of the letter, of the :" Republican" and if he refuses to give it, he should be considered the writer of this faLsehood and the same shown to the world.

 We make this request of you. hoping you will do if you think proper, if not, dispose of it as you see fit. Yours respectfully,

 H. J. HUMPHREYS,

 w. w. TANNER.
Year: 1861

VAN BUREN, ARK, May Is, 1S61

 MT. EDITOR: In your issue of April 30, notice the following: "Western Arkansas is a unit for immediate secession, and none are more strong than the heretofore union party. The whole peo- pie here, whatever may have heen their opinions heretofore, united as one against what they deem the aggressive policy of the administration. A war feeling is prevalent" Now sir, allow me to speak a word in contradiction to the above. I will first say that am southern man, southern born and southern raised, and descended from south en parents-one too, who has an opportunity to know the above to be false. The people of western Arkansas, the true people, the bone and sinew of our land, yet in sentiment and at heart for the preservation of our once glorious union. When it falls to pieces, and no plank is left upon which to tread then say reconstruct upon the basis of the old. We have with us fanatical party who seek the destruction of our union for the purpose per sonal ambition, the organic law of which is rule or ruin, ef-a9grandi=ement and self gain. Our State may to-day be out of the union if so, it IS not by the consent of the people, for, left to the people, Arkansas would ever remain under the eagle s pinions and stars and stripes. But the very source of power is denied power. We are told by the leaders that if we say union, we are aDolltonists, and we must leave swing; this IS one cause that so little is heard from our union men, The seces- sionists make all of the fuss. The bowling of one wolf at fl distance is taken for three or more; for tbis reason those in other States think the whole naonle of Arkansas are for secession. If direct vote were put to the people, western Arkansas would be loyal to the union by three to one, or more. Yours,

 A WESTERN ARKANsIAN."
Year: 1861

IN CAMP, NEAR VAN BUNEN, June SO, lOOl.

 MEssRs. EDIToRs-This morning Sunday Col. Churchil's Regiment of Mounted Rifles, struck tents and took up their line of march for the iron tier. The troops are in most excellent health have been very well drilled, and are burning with desire to meet the impudent cohorts of republi- cansm. Should any thing transpire worthy of communication you shall have it at once for the benefit of your readers.

 The volunteers are very much pleased at the idea of crops of cotton being subscribed to the Confectionery. It will be powerful stimulus to our friend, John Bull, to bid us God speed in the career of nations; and will at the same time, place means at the disposal of our government to carry on the war with vigor. In behalf of tie noble volunteers who, self-exiled from their homes, are marching to meet our common enemy, we say sub scribe not grudgingly-stint not your country, and thereby the volunteer, who has already suffered many inconvenency. You get value received in confederate bonds which must rise or fall with our country.

 Allow me to suggest Col c. W. LemOyne as an appropriate gentleman to act as agent in this mat ter in his section. Col. Lcmoynes whole heart and soul are in the cause, and his large acquaint- ance and great popularity would render his services invaluable. We want some men of enlarged pa trotism and liberal views to discuss this matter before the people, as they are not advised of the advantages that will accrue to them and their coun- try by the move.

 Those who arc behind can do as much as those who are away, and such men enlisted in are sure guarantee ef it's success.

 We would be proud to see that Arkansas does not lag behind her sisters in this great work.
Year: 1861



 How THE SOUTHERN CLIMATE AFFECTS TIE YANKEE TRooPs.-A letter from a member of the Rhode Island regiment dated in camp, at Williamsport, Maryland, Sunday, June 16-gives the following de- scription of a recent march of the regi- ment

 Yesterday morning at seven o'clock, we left our camp near Greencaste, and marching fifteen miles, arrived here at one o'clock. It was an awful march, as you may judge from the fact that out of ,350 men, only six hundred marched in with the column--many of these six hundred were so sick that they had to be carried in the wagons, and the rest of them had to stop along the road mile or two back, and they came along, one or two at a time, during the course of the afternoon. Ono of the wagon drivers told me that he had more than seventy-fve in the wagons at once I stood it as we'll as anybody. | have had no headache. although many did. I kept wet pocket handkerchief in my cap all the time.
Year: 1861

N- Some miserable creatures wearing the outward form of human beings are get ting to apply the term of traitor to every man who does not indorse the policy of an abolition administration and hurrah for the war. We have only to say to every fellow who applies the term to us, that he is mean CT than any dog. craven-hearted scoun- drel, base and dirty liar, beneath the dig nity of our contempt,-CrcleviAe (O.) Watckman,
Year: 1861

of union with reference to the right of se- ce.;sion. We turn in disgust from all this, denying that the proof at best can be plain enough to reconcile us to this butchery- butchery to be done, let us remember not by kings, autocrats, tyrants, but by repub- licans, advocates of popular liberty-them- slves the offspring of rebellionl We have of ten enough and clearly enough declared our anxiety that the great republic of America might be saved from dismemberment; but far greater is our axiety-lor tho sake of the hideous reproach it involves to popular libcrty-that it may be saved from the ter rible crime of forcing it's federal embrace upon any State at the expense of ruthless slaughter by fire and sword.
Year: 1861

soul afterward. The fullness of Hiram
Woodbury's love satisfied every longing
of my heart, and Laura was as dear to
me as to him.


/ sometimes think the intuition of chill
dren are deeper than the lore of the phi
losophers. 1t was Laura's childish faith
that the heavenly baby" as she always
called my little lost one, had been give in
charge to her own dear mother, who was
nursing it tenderly, as I nursed her child.
1t was child's conceit, but it has dwelt
pleasantly in my heart.


Laura is growing toward her sweet
woomanhood. / have never had another
child. l 60 alone, sometimes, to a little
grave, where the blue violets spread their
canopy, and weep above it tears which
long ago lost their bitterness. But even if
it's tenant could have lived to bless my
arms and heart, she could hardly have
been dearer than the sweet daughter Of
nv adoption.
Year: 1861




AS men, we say, when the hair begins
to fall out, the best plan is to have it cut
short, give it good brushing with a
moderately stiff brush, while the hair is
dry; then wash 1T we'll with warm soap
suds, then rub into the scalp, about the
roots of the hair, little bay rum, brandy,
or camphor water. Do these things twice
o month--the brushing of scalp may be-
proftably done twice week. Damp tho.
hair with water every time the toilet is
made. Nothing ever made is better for
the hair than pure soft water, if the scalp
is kept clean in the way we have named.


The use of oils, or pomatums, or grease
Of any kind, is ruinous to the hair of
man or woman. We consider 1t filthy
practice, almost universal though it be.
for it gathers dust and dirt, and soils
wherever it touches. Nothing but pure
soft water should ever be allowed on the
heads Of children. II is q different prac-
tice that robs our women Of their most
beautiful ornament long before their prime;
the hair Of our daughters should be kept
within two inches, until their twelfth year;
--HaWs Journal Of Health. '-@ '''i
Year: 1861

WOMEN AND HoME.-We clip the following
from an exchange, without knowing its ori-
gin:


Heaven did not intend women to be the in


mates of boarding houses They are out Of


their element in all such abiding places
There are erratic exceptions to the general
rule, but the true sphere of really womanly


woman is her own home-her true Emission"


to make her husband and children happy
Her heart, more than her head, marshals


her the way that she should GO Her af


fections, her Eifsly and motherly love, in


struct her intellect, sharpen her perceptions,


and give force. energy and precision to her
plans and purposes. Such woman prateth


not of her sex's rights-mourneth not over its


wrongs. She attends no conventions, covets


not the double barreled garment, demands


not a seat on the bench, post in the State
or vote through the ballot box. Content
with the position assigned to woman by the
Almighty at the creation, and which the
prophets, patriarahs. apostles, and the Sa-
vionr himself, have declared to be the most
meet and seemly for the weaker vessel,
the good wife never attempts to overstep the
limits of her appropriate sphere, but makes
that sphere charmed circle, within which
the husband and father is disburdened of his


business cares, and enjoys a fullness ofplacid


happiness which the outside world can nei-


ther give nor take away. Fortunate is he
who hath such woman to wife: for she not
only shall smooth the roughness Of his earth
ly journey, but lead him gently by the hand
toward Heaven"