smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

A. o. BELL, a miner near Auburn,
Placer County, California, has " struck
it rich," after a patient probation of
poverty. He sold his horse for ten dol
lars, and pawned his wife's wedding
ring so as to keep his family in bread
during his last desperate at
tempt to find a successful lead. His
fortunate star did not desert him, for
he struck entirely by accident, vein of
decomposed quartz, sparkling with par
ticles of gold, and pounded out with pes
tie and mortar enough to pay expenses.
At thirty feet deep he had taken out
fifteen hundred dollars worth of gold,
and then the lead became SO rich that he
could wash the earth and rock in a pan
and earn from one thousand to fifteen
hundred dollars in one pan. In three
days he had taken out about thirty-five
thousand dollars worth, the last three
pans yielding ten thousand dollars, and
being a man of moderate and rational
tastes and ideas, was willing to sell for
fifty thousand dollars. His neighbors,
who had previously called him, pike "
Bell, now call him Mister"
Year: 1877

The English Court of Queens Bench
has just rendered very important de-
cision. Under the law declaring that
" every person found drunk on licensed
premises" shall be held liable, a publi-
can found drunk in his own house after
business hours was convicted by the
Magistrate and fined. Upon appeal the
upper court solemnly decided that the
law in question did not apply to the
case, and set the conviction aside. In
deciding the case Mr.. Justice Lush said
if the Magistrates views were sustained
it would tend to prevent publicans who
got drunk away from home from return
ing TO their wives and children for fear
of arrest.
Year: 1877

Washington Special to Pittsburg Com. Gazette.l


In the valuable prehistoric collection
brought back by w. III. Jackson, of the
Hayden survey, from a recent tri to the
ancient ruins of New Mexico, is an in
teresting human refic in the shape of a
skull. The skull was found cropping
out of the side of deep arroyo that
runs through the Chaco Canyon, where
it was exposed by the gradual washing of
the bank. 1t was buried fourteen feet
beneath the present surface of the soil.
1t was not a regular interment, for the
remains to which the skull belonged had
evidently been cast into the bed of some
ancient creek or reservoir. In the same
stratum were other human bones and q
large quantity of broken pottery. I'M
mediately above are the ruins of a large
building known as the " Puebla del Ar
roya," one the most important of the ter
ancient Pueblas in this vicinity. The
skull is remarkable as the only one thus
far found of the people who built the
most perfect and imposing buildings
north of old Mexico, a people of whom
not the faintest tradition now exists
The skull exhibits a curious reformation
being probably compressed in infancy
until now it approximates nearly cube
with the corners rounded Off Th
greatest depression occurs from the tol
of the skull diagonally down to its base
hattening it SO that the diameter from
the front to the rear is very much les
than through the ear. Chaco is in New
Mexico, about midway betweed For
Wingate and Rio San Juan.
Year: 1877

On the morning of July II, the managers
of the coal mine at Wheatland, Pa, ordered
anthracite coal burned in the engine furnace,
instead of the soft coal heretofore used. AT
about eleven O'Clock the engine passed into
the slope. After being in short time the
men in charge of the engine became sud,
denly affected by the gas from the hard
coal, causing them to fall to the ground in a
senseless condition. The engineer managed
to make his way back to the mouth of the
bank and gave the alarm, at which large
number of men rushed into the bank to
rescue their comrades. One after another
they passed in, but were almost i'm
mediately overcome by the gas, and
they, too, fell insensible. After sew
eral had thus fllen, gang was or
ganized to rescue those who went in last
and squads of four five passed in until
they came to a fallen comrade, when they
would take him in their arms and carry him
out to the open air. In this way thirty-six
men were brought out, six of whom were
either dead before reaching the mouth ol
the bank, or died Immediately after.
Year: 1877

Those who happened to be out of
| doors could see two heavy storms, one at
the southwest and the other at the north
west. For half an hour these piles of
| black clouds moved majestically east
ward in seeming parallel lines. At
about half past five there came a change
ScuddIng clouds could be seen coming
toward common center from each direc-
tlon, and there seemed to be breaking
up of the storm-clouds. For perhaps
five minutes this appearance lasted, and
those who had ever seen windstorms ap-
preaching knew at glance that whirl-
wind was coming. Those who lived in
the unfortunate district were hardly
warned before the terrible element was
at work with full force. Women rushed
screaming after their children, men
rushed toward house or barn, cattle
dashed back and forth in the fields, and
all living nature seemed intuitively to
feel that a strange calamity was coming
Windows and doors were closed as far as
possible, but in many instances
the occupants were unable to shut their
houses before the wind came One lady
describes it as two light streaks with a
black column in the center. This black
column, about forty rods wide, was the
immense battering ram of the elements,
and where it struck it left only ruin to
tell the tale; it struck with force like
that of a mighty column of stone driven
by the power of ten thousand locomotives.
It's approach was sudden, its effect ter
rible


Words fail when one attempts descrip-
ton of the territory which was visited
bu tbis 5actrnotiva Jop,on Of Joyoc+o
ton. All the descriptions of Mt. Car
mePs disaster, all the pictures of disas-
ters of the kind ever drawn with pencil
or brush, all the conceptions of the
most imaginative would give but faint
idea. One must see to realize it. Those
who read these words will believe that
the matter is overstated unless they have
seen it, but a sight of the ground will
make these words seem weak indeed.
Imagine a house blown down and
wrecked by the fall, then the parts
taken up by the wind and whirled with
terrific force through the air, falling
again many rods from the foundation of
the building; imagine only cellar filled
with stoves and heavy ware as the sole
mark where house once stood, imagine
stove whirled three hundred feet from
the house, conceive barn crashing upon
itself, and burrying under it's wreck
horses and cattle, think of man
whirled at least twenty feet from house,
add to this your most vivid conception
of the force of a mighty torrent and the
devastation which it bears, and you will
approach to something of an idea of the
| wreck of matter which greets the eye
for two miles along the river road west
of here.


There is no possibility of estimating
the losses at present. In most cases
they are total, there being no chance of
saving any portion of the buildings
The loss in crops is not to be estimated
The loss falls heavily upon all the suf
ferers, and they need sympathy and aid
Let neighborly aid be extended.
Year: 1877

There is young gentleman in a steam
boat office in this city who, having in his
clerical career noted how merchants with
large capital and enterprise from time to
time made various sums in specializing
thought he too would suddenly grow
rich. He studied from day to day the
way it was done, and the import mani
tests, with values, etc, all aided him in
his search for points and finally he got,
as he related to the reporter, " the whole
business" What should he do? What
article of demand should he import? A
consignment of Hartz mountain canary
birds furnished the sought-for inspira-
ton. These birds must be fed. Careful
inquiry developed the fact that there
was only moderate supply of bird feed
in the city, and the cable flashed the
order for barrels of bird seed to be
shipped by the next steamer. 1t
came" relates the young gentleman in
question, "and | had corner on the
| market. There was absolutely and posi-
| lively not enough of bird food in the
city, independent of what held, to meet
the consumptive demand for a week.
was certain of it, and l went in to bull
the trade. Riches was within my grasp,
| l fondly hoped. But l couldn't bull the
market; as put my price up the market
went down. Result? Why l sold out
at fifty per cent. below purchasing price
and had to take notes at that. | had to
pay entry duties and freight, and am a
| financial wreck, can't go to the Acad-
emy, and am u victim to my own en-
| terprise."
Year: 1877

The late Judge Petit is said to have
been a most earnest admirer of poker
and billiards. Congressman Ewing once
related that at one time when Petit,
ex-Chief Justice Lecompte and himself
were going through Missouri to attend
court, they stopped at St. Joseph and
played the usual game. About mid
night dispute arose between Petit and
Lecompte as to who had won the pot "
Petit insisted that his hand was the
best and that he was entitled to the
money. So did Lecompte. In the midst
of the dispute and of his wrath, Petit
arose, seized every bill on the table, tore
them in pieces, and threw them out OF
the window. Lecompte was very much
chagrined, but not disposed to give it up
1t was rainy night, and there was only
mud around the hotel, but Lecomptt
went down stairs and into the mud, feel
ing for torn bills. The search was fruit
less; he returned sad man, but Petit
and Ewing's laughter had no bounds
1t turned out soon afterward that eacl
man had bet all his money, and whel
they came to pay the hotel bill in tn
morning they had to ask the forbearanc
of the landlord.
Year: 1877

cent. of the grain shipped from the
West to the seaboard during the last
year was transported on rail lines, and
that over ninety per cent. of the entire
internal commerce is carried on railroads.
Although the total amount of the con-
tribution of the government up to the
close of the year 1876 in aid of railroad
construction amounted to S144, ,000, 900,
embracing the land grants and subsidies
to the Pacific railroads, yet this sum is
only three per cent. of the entire cost of
the railroad system of the country.
Year: 1877

The trial of Salvatore Danish, in
Naples, for the murder of the young
girl Giuseppina Gazzara, has resulted in
his conviction and sentence to death.
The trial lasted more than a month
Proof was given that, after poisoning
his victim, Danish cut her body up,
packed it closely in box, put it under
his bed and slept for eight days with it
there. At last he sent the box by rail
way to Rome, where it was discovered
Mt the station. AS soon as the court had
sentenced him to death burst of ap-
plausc rang throughout the hall. The
jury were out only half an hour.
Year: 1877

The British Admiralty have been
given orders to further strengthen the
Mediterranean squadron by the addition
Of the Shannon, which will be ready in
August, and the Temeraire, which will
be ready almost Immediately, and which
is the most formidable sea-going iron
clad in commission, carrying four twenty
five ton guns. They also seem to intend
to dispatch either the Thunderer or
Dreadnaught. Should the hydraulic
gear for loading guns prove satisfactory,
it is expected that the Hercules, lately
serving as the flagship on the Mediter-
ranean, will be prepared for sea as soon
rs possible.
Year: 1877

The Public Printer at the National


Capital has just delivered the first an
nual report on the internal commerce of
the United States. 1t says, among other
things, that the value of the railroads
OF the United States is about twenty
three times the value of the shipping en-
gagged in our foreign commerce, and that
The value OF our internal commerce is
twenty-five times the value of our for
eign commerce; that eighty-seven per
Year: 1877

The London Daily Ne,cs of a recent
date says that rumors prevail in quarters
which are usually well informed that
the Earl of Beaconsfeld is about to
Iesgn the Premiership. Although this
report is probably premature, yet we
believe his Lordship is anxious to retire
from office as soon as the state of public
business will permit him, his health hav-
ing been for some time past in an unsatis-
factory condition.
Year: 1877




WAsniNeron, May THE question OF
the extra session was discussed at length
In the Cabinet to day. A member OF
the Cabinet is authority for the state
ment that the Cabinet is still unchanged
In its opiyion that June is the best
day to e1ll the session, and that the
CabineNwill probably name definitely
the tie when the call shall issue at Its
nextgaeeting, Friday.


Members Of Congress living at a dis
tance have brought heavy pressure 10
bear to get the session called earlier
The administration has been anxious to
avoid calling the session ut all, but Ind
ing that impossible, has had the date OF
the call In abeyahee mainly to let oppo-
sitien to it's Southern policy have time
TO cool. BUELL..
Year: 1877

New York has been studying up its loss
grain committee Of the Produce Ex-
change reported last Saturday that the
great secret of B tltimore's supremacy
was that the terminal charges In New
York are double what they are In Balti.
more. A double remedy Was suggested
the building OF stationary elevators by
New York railroads and tne increase OF
the Baltimore terminal charges. The
first suggestion may be carried out. but
the second never will 80 New York will
doubtless continue TO mourn It's lost
trade.
Year: 1877

New YORK, April 22.-The Times to-
morrow will print the following letter
written by ex-senator Benjamin.. Wade
which is now published for the first
time:


Jefferson, Ohio, April 19.-To Mr.. u.
u. Painter, Washington, d C.-My Dear
Sir: Your letter of the 5th was duly re
ceived. You ask whether l remember
whitis said in favor of President Hayes
in my endeavor to procure his nomina-
ton at the Cincinnati convention. | do
rememberit it, after what has yet transpired
with indignation and abitterness of soul
that never felt before. You know with
what untiring zeal l labored for the
emancipation of the slaves of the South,
and to procure justice for them before and
during the time | was in Congress, and l
| supposed Governor Hayes was in full
accord with me on this subject. But
| have been deceived, betrayed, and even
humiiated by the course he has taken to
| a degree that have not language to ex.
press. During the first month of his
administration we find him closeted with
TWO of the worst and most malignant
enemies of the colored men that can be





there consulting with those malefactors
how best he can put these colored people
under the iron heel of their most bitter
enemies, aud reduce them to condition
Infinitely worse than before they were
made free. l feel that to have emanci-
pated these people and then leave them un-
protected would be crime as infamous
as to have reduced them to slavery when
they were free, and for Hayes to do this
to the men who had at the hazard of theil
lives given him the votes without which
he never could have had the power to do
this terrible injustice No doubt he medi
tates the destruction of the party thai
elected him. A contemplation of all
this fills me with amazement and mex
pressible indignation. My only consola-
tion is that history informs me thai
better men than ever pretended to be
have in like manner been deceived. Some
have attempted to excuse him by saying
that he "means WE'LL" but hell is paved
with such good intentions.


Truly, yours. B. F. WADE.
Year: 1877

When a woman is determined


That her own way she'll pursue,
You can just depend upon it.


That her plan she'll carry through.
You may use all opposition
To subdue her iron will;
You may even feign contrition,


But she'll have her own way still.
IT'S no use in even trying


You can't govern her, say;
For should you get her crying.


Them she's sure to have her way.
You may plead and try persuasion.
You may coax her night and day;
But you'll find on each occasion.


She is sure to have her way.
You may threaten, you may scold her,
And command her to obey,
You may talk till you are hoarse sir,
But she's bound to have her way.
in walking out together


And up street perchance you stray;
She will almost universal


Wish to go the other way.
To this rule you'll find exceptions.


And l donot mean to say,
That on yoU. I've.cast reflections.
But you know it is the way. %
Year: 1877

NEw YoRK Sept G.-The mails which at.
rived this morning from France and Ger
many by the steamer Servia reached the post
office SO hot that the bags could with diff
Guilty be handled. A large number Of letters
had been sealed with wax, which had melted
and the letters were badly torn and mutlated
in being separated. In some cases it was Inn
possible to decipher the address


In one bag there were about five hundred
registered letters with heavy WAX seals, and
the melting Of the wax had fused them into
an inseparable mass By the great care oi
the postofiee clerks they were able to get
most Of the letters separated, and those fol
other parts Of the country were reinclosed
and forwarded. These mails are supposed to
have become overheated by being carelessly
slowed too near the steamers boilers.
Year: 1877

LOUISVILLE, Sept. 6.-The damp weather
this evening lessened in some measure the
attendance at the exposition, but there was
still a good moderate assemblage present. al
though 1t may be several days before all the
cases are filed


IT ID a mistake to suppose that the exhibi-
tion presents O. ragged and unfinished appear
ance. It Is, on the contrary, rich in attrac-
tionss


The supper and ball to be given at the Calf
House on the occasion Of the visit OF Presi-
dent Hayes and suite to this city will be the
most elegant affair of the kind ever witnessed
in louisville. The visit Of the President will
be made an epoch In the history OF his ad-
mjnistration and he will long recall the
warmth OF the generous Kentucky welcome
which is TO be extended him. No man viii
talk Of politics.


A number Of guests Of this city are here
to-day. The committee of arrangements
have completed their plans for the illumina
| ton Of the city for the occasion.
Year: 1877

NEW YoRK, Sept. GA Times special from
Philadelphia says that rumors are rife here
TO the effect that on OF about the 18th inst.
general strike Of the railway employees OF this
section will take place. But little attention
has been paid to them heretofore, but investi l.
cation shows that preparations have been
making for some time for this movement, and
the men are perfecting their organization
The causes attributed for this outbreak s that
the men on some Of the Western leased lines
Of the Pennsylvania Central road have not
been treated right by the company, and that
the promises made to induce them to resume
work at the time Of the late strike. have not


been kept. As q matter Of principle the men
East will join In the strike to aid their breth-
rem in the West and number ef secret meet
| ings and mysterious gatherings Of working
| men have been held here lately, and the facts


are fast leaking out. They may prove un
true, but the growing discomfort OF the work
ingmen is painfully observed.
Year: 1877




New YORK, Sept. GA deputation of ten
striking Scranton miners who came on here
for that purpose had an interview to-day
with President Sloan of the Delaware, Lacka-
wana and Western Railroad, relative to the
grievances of striking miners. Sloan re-
ceiyed the deputation kindly, and short CON
versation was held. Sloan told them he could
do nothing with them while they were on a
strike, and that any amicable arrangements
between them and the company would have
to be made when the men were at work


At the request Of the deputation Sloan put
his decision in writing, and the men will re
peat to their brethren in Hyde Park, Scran-
ton, the decision of the company. When
the men quit, the company was paying, it de-
clares, more to its employees and laborers than
it could afford. The men now demanded an
Increase of twenty-five per cent, knowing
that the company could not and would not
accede to their demands. The company was
willing at present to consider any grievances
not based upon the question of wages, and
when the price Of coal would warrant it to
treat with them regarding an increase of
wages. The men having stopped work with
out any just cause, the company could
not negotiate with them until work was
resumed IN all the collieries Of the company,
Year: 1877

WASHINGTON, September Ga dispatch re-
ceived at the Department of State from the
United States Secretary of Legation at
Vienna gives an account of the opening of
the International Cereal Fair, on the Goth of
August in the rotunda Of the vast edifice In
which the exposition of 1873 was held in that
city The number OF produce and grain mer-
chants present exceeds 10000; the amount of
business transacted surpassed all expecta-
tions. The official report Of the condition of
the crops throughout the empire up to the
fifteenth of August, gives assurance of an
abundant harvest.


The condition Of the wheat crop is an
nogleed as good to very good, rye, uuc-
Year: 1877

New YonH Sept e-The California rifle
team which Is TO take part in the Interstate
military match. arrived this morning. After
breakfast at the sturtevant House, they pro.
ceeded TO Garden City, Long Island, where
they will stop until after the match at Creed
moor
Year: 1877

The CAMBRIA Iron Company, oi
Johnstown, Pa, is importing iron ore
from Spain at a cost Of only IS ton
and this in a region atoundiug in iron
ore which is worth in the mine not
more than fifty cents ton bat which
the strikers refuse to handle except at
higher rates than the iron masters al
the present low rates of iron can af
ford to pay.
Year: 1877

Admiral Porter once paid visit to the
late Admiral Alden as they we're lying
in the Mississippi river, waiting for an
upward movement. A rebel battery on
shore sighted the steamer. and sent a
few dying shot which scattered among
the rigging where the men were taking
look at the country. The tars came
tumbling down heller skelter Look
here, Jim,' said Admiral Porter, 81
thought you told me you had brave
crew" 80 did" replied Alden, "bu!
they amt on duty now"
Year: 1877

YES" he said. as he mixed some gin
and sugar, "life is conundrum. In
youth we believe in much that is false,
and in old age We doubt much that is
true. As u golden medium, young man,
you may charge that drink to me. My
name August -" The barkeeper pen
slvely pitched an ice-plck at the spot
where he had stood, but be had folded
himself like an umbrella and scooted.