smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

| City Of Rock Island


Amos StilIman being duly sworn deposes
and says that he is surveyor and civil en-
gineer and has made that his profession for
the last fourteen years; that he is now the
County Surveyor of the county Of Rock Is
land, and the City Surveyor and Engineer of
the City of Rock Island.


| Deponent further says that he has often
examined the Railroad bridge across the
Mississippi river at Rock Island, and did on
the llth day Of February, 1859, make
careful dxamintion of the superstructure
and piers therof. and he says that the same
is in very unsafe condition, and in great
danger of falling. He further eavs that
the piers are very much cracked, and
some Of them are displaced and out Of
shape, caused by the strain of the wood
work. He further says that the stone
pier nezt the draw on the Iowa side has
been showed sideways more than foot by
the span, and it il cracked in every
direction;-that he measured come of the
cracks in the stone work and found them
to be more than three inches wide,-
and that some of the large stone have
been displaced fully six inches. lie further
states that IN the month of October last
these cracks were all open, and he measured
some of them aud found them to extend
four feet into the pier, that since that time
they have all been plastered up, but
the pier has moved again and they are
opening again, and new ones are visible,
in some cases breaking the stones in pieces.
He further states that this pier and two
others have been fitted with timbers along
the side to assist in bearing the thrust Of
the arches, and in his opinion, but for these
timbers, one Of said piers would have fallen
long ago, that in one pier these timbers are
badly bent and liable at any moment to
break. He further says that the upper
chart of said bridge, on the Iowa side of
the draw, is badly broken and pulled apart
in several places, and at the point where the
lower chart of the span meets the draw
truss they have been cut off fifteen inches
to enable the draw to be opened


| Deponent further says that that part of
the said bridge on the Illinois side Of the
draw is in better condition than that part
on the Iowa side, but he considers the whole
to be very unsafe for the passage of railroad
trains. and that every train that crosses is
in great dadger of falling through into the
river.


Deponent further says that the spans of
said bridge are about $50 feet long, and the
trusses very heavy, which makes it more
dangerous than if the spans were shorter.


AMOS STILLMAN.


Sworn to before me, and SUBSIDIZED in my
presence, this 18th day Of February, 1859.
-lslander d Argus. E. R. Bean. j. P.
Year: 1859

FANCY Dress BALL.-The Fancy
Dress Ball at Metropolitan Hall last Q en-
ing, was a most brilliant affair and was
most literally patronized. The costumes
were of the most varied character, from the
most sublime and gorgeous trappings of the
court of Kings and Emperors, down to the
most grotesque and ridiculous of the clown
and comic irish character. We have not
time or space in this issue to givs full par
ticulars but may do SO tomorrow.
Year: 1859

A THAw.-The cutters were full Of
water yesterday. occasioned by melting of
the ice and snow on the Davenport Heights
the Bluff. 1t is expected that the river
will open soon and navigation Immediately
thereafter. During this kind of weather
the ladies are confined to their homes dur
ing the entire afterpart Of the day, mud
being to prevalent to admit of their being
out after dinner. Strange place this is for
change in climate.
Year: 1859

EB We observe that our Grocery
merchants are now very busy in receiving
their goods for the spring trade. The prob
ability is that this branch of business will
be good this spring, provided there is q
rush of emigration to Cherry Creek.
Year: 1859

!" The man from Fixes Teak
still continues to attract great, crowds. A
man from the moon could not command
more attention. The current conversation
on all occasions and at all places is "Pike's
Peak; the Gold mines" and almost nothing
else. Immense fortunes are made in a
horny by everybody, but there don't seem to
be any departures for that country. Those
who are going had better be going before
the precious dust is all scooped up by
those fellows who are now there. We hope
every Davenporter that goes will make a
fortune and come back here and invest it..
Year: 1859

The GIFT ENTERPRISE DRAwING.
The somewhat delayed drawing Of this
enterprise come off yesterday morning. at
Lahrman's Hall and resulted in the success
Of the following numbers which we publish
Just as they were drawn from the wheel:
Year: 1859

The only prize ticket sold was No. 7Os,
which drew the Spanish Jack. This ticket
was held by our fellow citizen, DR.. Adler,
and we here take occasion to congratulate
him on his good fortune. The animal is a
beautiful and valuable creature.


The drawing was conducted with the ut
most fairness and we presume our friend
Allen feels very fine over the result, as he
got . very good price for his Jack.
Year: 1859

GREAT GoLD NEws.-On our Sec
page will be found q quantity of the most
astounding gold news yet published. If
there is one tenth as much gold there as
these letters indicate. then there is enough
to make everybody rich and have enough
to buy all the paper towns in America be-.
side. We give the public the benefit Of the
statements of those who have been there,
and those who read can decide for them
selves.
Year: 1859

THE BRIDGE.--Whether or not
there is any truth in what follows. we are
unable to say. If there is not, let it be
promptly and properly contradicted; and
if there is, let the matter be attended to at
once.


To tie Officers and Employees Of the Chicago
and kock Island Ra,iroad Company:
You are hereby severally notified that
the Railroad Bridge which crosses the Mis-
sissippi river between Davenport and Rock
Island is in very dangerous condition, and
unsafe for the passage of trains.


Below you will find copy of the affida-
Wit of the City Engineer OF Rock Island, the
original Of which has been filed in the office
Of the Clerk of the County of Rock Island
Should any accident occur to any train
upon said Bridge whereby any lives are
lost. you will be proceeded against for the
G. ime OF manslaughter, this notice being suf
ficient to render you all liable therefor


r. L. GRAY.
Rock ISLAND, February IA, 1859.
Year: 1859

"A SAD INCIDENT OF THE FIRE AT MuRpnY's
The Columbia Courier says that when the
conAlgration which destroyed Murpheys
broke out the mournful services of funera
were being performed. A mother had lost
her little child of some two years old. The
little procession had reached the village
church, and were there paying the last sad
triL ute of affection, when the fearful cry of
fire smote upon the ear of that little group
So great was the panic, as the fumes burst
upon their sight throught the church win
dows that involuntarily all rushed out to
render aid in staying the progress Of the
flames. In moment, the poor mother found
herself alone with her dead child and, talk
ing up the little coffin, returned to her home
alone and unnotced
Year: 1859

THE subscribers being about to engage in other bu siness. are desirous of disposing of their entire stock of merchandise and enable them to close at an early day. they offer the entire stock at Cost for Cash 0slg in lots to suit.

 The stock consists of staple goods the most of them fresh and desirable. Persons wishing to purchase will find it to thsir interest to give us call before buyino elsewhere, we are determined to close the whole stock in very short time.

 Any one desrous of embarkng in business at this place. more advantages location, and stock suited for trade cannot be found to such buyer our terms would be very favorable.

 RAPLEY X HANGER, Jan. 1e, 1859.
Year: 1859

TNHE fall session of this School will commence on | Monday, the 27th of Scpr. Scholars from abroad will here be enabled pursue their stuiies free from the interruptions of large town, while pains will be spared by the teacher thoroughly instruct those committed to her care i'll any of the branches pertain ing to finished education. Care will be taken to avoid all useless show and to train the girls that they may go forth with clear heads and earnest hearts to the arduous duties of woman's life.

 Every pupil will be expected to cheerfully submit to the order and discipline of the school and care fully shun all habits that will interfere with their progress.

 Iewisburg is one of the most healthul locations in the southwest and all that can be desired in morals

 TERMS PER SESSION 2l WEEKS,
Year: 1859

A JoKE on A JUDGE.-At the January
term Of the Court of Appeals thn four reg.
ular judges and three Of Che Supreme Court
justices opened the term at the appointed
time, and proceeded to business, the jus
tice for the--di, trict not having arrived.
The case was called, and the counsel for
the appellant commenced opening it. The
gentleman is well known in the State, and
at a former election received the vote of
one of the great political parties for judg-
snip iu the Court of Appeals. He is n
good lawyer, with a dry, sound mind and
considerable humor. While he was in the
midst Of his case, the absent judge Of the
Supreme Court rushed into the room,
somewhat excited by rapid walk up State
street, the hill being much higher and
sleeper than he was accustomed to climb
at home.


He hastily took the vacant seat on one
end of the bench, seized the papers and
commenced passing them before his face,
within short distance of bis nose. The
lawyer who was opening the case bad new
or seen this Judge. and did not know his
pcculiarities. Presently the justice had
run through the case, and got to n point
considerably in advance of the lawyers mar.
ative Of facts. During the whole course of
reading the case the Judge had kept up u
fire of questions as to facts, and as his mind
was all the time upon some point different,
from the part which the lawyer was rela
ting, the questions interrupted the history,
and evidently annoyed tho lawyer.


Presently the judge said: "Mr. II. it
seems that the assignee transferred litter
of pigs in this interest"


ayes, your Honor" said the lawyer, and
resumed his statement.


The Judge hurried on, ard presently
matte another discovery. He interrupted
with another questi n


IL See in this instlumen You speak of
a particular pig, as li'man pig What
do you mean by litman pigG


The lawyer, whose patience had become
exhausted, threw down his hapers and re-
piled:


"If your Honor does not know what a
litman p g is, will say that it is the last
pig introduced into the litter, and is al
ways the noisiest and siIlieSt pig in the lit
terr-TN. Y. Post.
Year: 1859

MEAN IN BUsrNEss.-There is no grea-
ter mistake that a business man n axes than
to be mean in his business. Always Ia
king the half cent for dollars he has made
and is anqking. Such policy is very
much like the farmei's who sows three
pecks when he ought to have sown five,
and rs a recompense for the leanuess Of his
soul, only gets ten when he ought to have
got fifteen bushels Of grain. Everybody
has heard of tho proverb Of "penuy wise
and pound foolish" A liberal expenditure
in the way of business, is always sure TO be
a capital investment
Year: 1859

Crops IN WESTERN TExAs.-The San Antonio
Herald, of the I'd instant, has the following:


We have had fine damp growing weather for the
last five days, with sufficient rain to be great bene-
have no doubt been general throughout the entire
West and we may therefore expect to see things put
on much more cheerful aspect than for some time
past.


AS our paper is looked to abroad for information
of prospects in this region we take occasion to state
that from present appearances we think Texas is
destined to enjoy year of great prosperity for ad
hitting that the corn crop in several of the Western
counties is short still in those counties there is
abundance of old corn to make up the deficit, and at
low rates.. In these same counties, wherever corn
has been planted, the rains we have just had will in.
sure an abundant yield, but our dependence is only
partially on crops of any kind Stock is main re
lance at last, and that was never doing better Ia
the lower counties crops of cotton and corn will be
very heavy-the latter is already made, whilst the
former is so advanced as to be almost beyond contin
Year: 1859

The following excellent article, which we
take from the CanneIton reporter, is from
a sound Democratic .source-lrom the pen
of one who has done the State service the
last winter, in the investigation and expos
ure ofthe shameful abuses that prevail in
the management of the State Treasury. Its
appeal to the people to pay more regard to
the capacity and integrity of candidates for
public trusts, than to their party affiliations,
is in the right spirit


Why is Indiana taxed so heavily2 That
is the question which, just now, should be
| asked of and answered by our State officers.
$330,00o is required every year to pay in
terest on debt created long ago, by trad
ing politicians and foolish schemers The
expenses of government, with only biennial
sessions of the Legislature requires a less
sum than that. The taxables in theState are
estimated at from four hundred and fifty to
| five hundred millions of dollars. With hon
| esty in the public offices and economyin the
Legislature there is no need of heavy taxes.
Let the people nominate for office the proper
men-men whose capacity is well known
and whose honesty has been tried-instead
of noisy politicians who want to live out of
the public money. Let the candidate be
| questioned about the laws and finances and
general condition of Indiana, instead of
his views on the Kansas question and the
niger question, and the rights of man and
woman question. Let the voters select for
their Treasurers sober men, who don't want
to use the money of the State for the bene-
fit of their friends, or for their own private
speculationj and for their Auditors, let
them select honest men, who know how to
keep accounts and who won't wink at rsls-
cality. Let thern-the voters-look as sharp
after the capacity and honesty Of State
as they do for county officers and they won t
be as likely to have their property sold for
non-payment Of taxes.
Year: 1859

DsyNThe election of Ten Eyck, as Senator
from New Jersey, is viewed as a complete


overthrow Of the Stockton influence, and
the destruction of the power Of the Cam
den and zAmboy Railroad, which has SO
completely ruled the State for quarter OF
a century, has induced many to designate it
as the Camden and Amboy State. The
emancipation of the State from the lnonied
tyranny, is q subject of congratuIation to
the whole country.
Year: 1859

RHUBARB WINE.-We noticed in late
number of F07ney's Press an article on how
to make rhubarb wine. We learn from a
Grass Valley gentleman that Mr.. Loutzen- n
heiser of that place has succeeded in manu-
featuring the article from the celebrated
rhubarb of 7. w orthington. The Press says,
the wine is pronounced by experienced tast-
ers very fair article of pale sherry, and is
certainly better than half the costly wines
sold in the market.


We are informed that Mr.. Loutzenheiser
succeeded in first attempt in extracting a
gallon of wine from twelve pounds of the
plant.


The mode of making we gather from the
Press:


Add 81 pounds of New Orleans sugar to
gallon composed of equal parts water and
juice of rhubarb. Fill barrel with the
mixture, add isinglass and let it stand four
months when it must be racked off into
bottles. The pure juice makes very strong
win". $500 gallons can be made from an
acre of well cultivated roots.


If wine in such quantities can be made
from the stalks of rhubarb so cheaply and
of good quality, the effect of the discovery
must necessarily be great. Mr.. Worthington
raises on his ranch, between this city and
Grass Valley, rhubarb enough to supply the
northern part of the State with pale sherry.


Nepada Journal.
Year: 1859

The town of Lenox, Mass, has challenged
Stockbridge to meet her with row of trees
on the highway, each planting to the boun-
dary line. That is good--the best challenge
we have heard of for a long time-much
better than challenge to fight duel, race
horses or play cards or chess. We wish every
town in the Union would thus challenge its
neighbor, and that every challenge might be
promptly accepted. How beautiful the coun-
try would be with all its roads bordered with
shade trees.
Year: 1859

Lola Montez ironically remarks to young
gentlemen:


'sYou ought to know there are four things
which always more or less interest q lady
a parrot, peacock, a monkey, and man
and the nearer you can come in uniting these
about equally in your character the more will
you be loved. This cheap and excellent
recipe for making dandy, a creature which
is always an object of admiration to the
ladies'"
Year: 1859

THE AUsTRIANs.-They are neither barba-
rians nor slaves. There are no better bred
people in Europe Nowhere else are the se-
cial amenities better deyeloped-nowhere
else does the stranger receive more kind and
courteous treatment. At once affable and
sincere-with the honest heartiness of the
German, and the polished ease of the French
man, there is no better specimen of the
gentleman than the well-bred Austrian.
in no country of Europe, with the posi-
bile exception of northern and central France,
rs the physical condition of the common
people better In no other country in Eu-
rope does one see less poverty and squalor.
In no other country of Europe-hardly ex-
cepting Prussia-is the standard of popular
education so high. 1t is a rare thing to find
an Austrian peasant who cannot read and
write No one can receive a license to marry
unless he is able to subscribe his name with
his own hand to the certificate. Nowhere else
are more liberal provisions made for the sick
and the poor. Nowhere else are there more
magnificent schemes of public charity; are
there better hospitals and asyiums; are there
cheaper and more efficient schools. As in
France and Germany, the government takes
the matter of taking care of himself off the
hands of the subject 1t is his great bust
ness to be dutiful-not to worry himself
about the future. If he wants profession,
the government selects one for him; if he
gets sick, the doors of the hospital are open
to him. We should not like this sort of
perpetual tutelege; but it's the continental
fashion, and nobody does it more gracefully
than Austria
Year: 1859

end, and OUer reached the crowd hand
someIy; funny man said il was the first
time he ever saw counlryman stick
city crowd; felt indignant and said pro-
mjScuously that he lied fellow wanted
10 lick me, but Ruth Ann gave him
look


National Fair situated in a very pic
turesque locality; made a sketch of The
general appearance of the country The
following Is a copy of the original
Year: 1859

sW Hypocracy, treachery and mean
ness are invariably productive of bile
Judas Iscariot who sold his Master as If
he had been a share of Copper Stock
was as yellow as barrel of saffron, with
a sun flower in the bung-hole.
Year: 1859

This doughty chieftan is again on hand to
bring his august personal influence properly
to bear upon the Kinnikinnic wing of the dem
ocratic faction. Having doubtless bargained
for the services of suitable agents at Lake Su-
perior to crop and scour up the copper skins,
and shift trowsers from one to another as fast
as they vote on election day, Henry M.-occasin
Rice is now en- route to consult his major do
mo Joe Brown, about voting their patriachical
bands of Red democrats up the Minnesota
River.


Though Rice in the United States Senate
is but burlesque upon Craftsmanship, and
target for ridicule as well at home as in Wash
ington worthless alike to his State and the
country yet he is a shining ornament amorg
his old breech clout associates, where he can
still, as is his due, command fatherly reference
and submission.


Besides, in these hard times, very proba-
bly, the assessments levied upon the public
officers have fallen behind, and need looking
after. Democratic political masters know the
value of money, and when they farm out the
offices, see to collecting the rents!


Wouldn't it be policy for the Pioneer and
Democrat to invite Bice to call mass meet
ing in the State, to give us some idea Of what
job he has been working at for the last two
years, to compensate the people for his salary
of $4,000, with the exception Of moving the
Land Offices from town site to town site,
where he may have speculative interests +; and
then forcing the lands into market to alarm
and terrify the people; and again having them
withdrawn, as if like Nero he gloried in the
hellish sport We can discover nothing he
has done except to aid Shields in defeating
the Homestead Bill.
Year: 1859

@reat Meeting At the German Ath.
W eneum on Saturday night.


The torch light procession of the Germans
on Saturday night, escorting Hon. Carl
Schurz from the Fuller House, up to their
new Athepeum, came off duly according to
the programme, and was a fine affair.


But the meeting at the Theatre was the
glory OF the evening and of the campaign.
The house was packed and crammed with peo-
ple' main floor, galleries and stage, on which
latter were many ladies'. The house is a
beautiful one, and when finished will be the
finest meeting place in St. Paul. Our Ger.
mans deserve great credit for their enterprise
in putting up such a building in the midst of
these disastrous times.


When Mr.. Schurz was introduced to the
audience, he was received with cheers. His
hrst and most extended speech was to the
Germans, who formed great moiety of his
nearers' at least two thousand people being
present in all. Though we did not under
stand what he said, the bursts of enthusiasm
which his remarks excited, showed it to be
the great and telling speech our German
friends subsequently informed us it was. He
spoke over an hour and a half in German.


When he had concluded, the band played
a piece of music, after which Mr. Schurz again
took the stand and spoke for nearly an hour
in English; and though much exhausted by
continued speaking, we have seldom listened
to more logical, pointed, and eloquent effort.
He speaks very easily and correctly in Eng
lish-quite as much so as if that language
was native to his tongue.


The impression left upon the minds of all
who heard him is, that Carl Schurz is one of
the really great men and great minds of the
country and of the age and withal, that he
is sincere and honest man, who speaks from
principle, and not for the hope of applause or
reward. Would there were more such men
in public life, as Carl Schurz!
Year: 1859

Old Douglas had in the course of hu-
man events to 60 to town not over one
hundred miles from his plantation, to
transact some business as he said, but
in reality to see his friends, the British,
(the town being in their hands for short
time,) and have the satisfaction of seeing
the country in the possession of his king.
as he calledA George the III, and perhaps
have his loyalty praised to crafty some
thing like vanity in his bosom


Now there happened to be about the
same time, certain Major, roaming a.
round over the country pillaging indis-
criminately from Wings and Tories, and
as the fates would have 1t, this loyal Ma
jor wandered around, until he came to the
plantation of the loyal Douglas. Here he
found q fine drove of stock, and with sun
dry fine fat beef steaks looming up in the
future, making his mouth water, he de.
clared he iwould have them, notwithstand.
ing the loud and earnest protestation of
Sam, who declared that massa was Gas
good as de King, in loyalty" The sfore.
said Major, as he had often done before,
without the least scruple or qualm of con-
science. or any offer of payment drove
away the entire stock.