smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

The OLD HoRsE.-The old horse re-
quires more time to eat his meals and rest
his nerves. Of all animals, the horse is
the worst abused. Although he has been
our most faithful and profitable servant,
yet in his old age the lash is applied to
force out his youthful vigor. The older
be grows the more he feels the lash. He
Is often turned out of doors to give place
to colts. Too often the neglect and abuse
he is subjected to, because he is a little
old, results in greater loss than is made
up In the care for the young horse. The
last part of horses life may be more
profitable, if rightly used, than the first
part. There is more comfort and less
danger in working old horses. We un-
derstand them, and they understand us
and we should be as willing to conform
TO their natures as they are to conform to
our wishes. 1t would be more humane
as well as more profitable to use them as
they should be, as long as it would pay,
and then take them out and shoot them
down. But the wicked practice is to
knock them about as much as they will
Dear and pay we'll, and then trade them
on to some more inhuman wretch than
themselves. The old servant is gone
among strangers, and he receives no sym
Pathy in his last extremities.
Year: 1877

SMALLPOX IN LONDON CABs.-A gentleman


happened to be passing door IN 4 certain
street in London before which stood a hack
cab. As he passed, an invalid, bearing on


his face the eruption OF smallpox, came out
from the house and entered the cab. The
observer followed the vehicle as rapidly as
he could, and was just in time to see it de-
posit its fare at smallpox hospital. En-
dcavoring to ascertain the number OF the
cab our informant still followed, and saw the
driver bailed By lady and gentleman, whom
he yainly endeavored to warn by shouts not
to enter the cab. They took no notice, got
in, and drove Off. Being q resolute man, the
observer still followed, and was Just in time
to see the pair descend at the door OF
house in one OF the best squares in London.
Having failed in his efforts either;to deter
the passengers or to get near enough to the
cab to take its number, the pursuer now
gave up the chase. Some time after, being
again in London, our informant thought he
would call at the house at which the lady
and gentleman had aiighted, with the view
OF explaining what might have seemed his
frantic behavior in shouting to them and in
pursuing the cab. He found the blinds OF.
the house down. The master had died on
the previous day OF smallpox, and bis wife
was not expected to recover from the same
malady Mall Gazette.
Year: 1877

TIE RICHMOND Posi- T-OFrICE.- WdShing-
ton, March 23.-It is stated by the gentle
men from Richmond who are here work
ing against the reippointment OF Miss Van
Lew as postmaster at that city that they
not only object TO her because, as they al
lese, she has continuously maligned the
whole people Of the city and State, but be-
cause she is herself entirely incompetent to
perform the duties of the Office. They say
that the Richmond post-oftice is we'll man
aged. but it is due simply to the fact that
the whole active administration OF the Of
fee is in the hands Of the deputy, Mr.. JET
ferds. The Postmaster-General stated to
DR.. McRae that he was opposed to the re-
appointment of Miss Van Lew, and if it
was left to his judgment it would not be
done.-Special dispatch to the Baltimore
Sun. =. ...-
Year: 1877

MORE ABOUT THAT INTERvIEw.-To-day
Rev. w. B. Derrick and State Senator Pow
ell, OF Virginia, colored, called on President
Hayes to present resolutions adopted at a
meeting of colored citizens OF Richmond,
bearing their testimony to the goodwill they
entertain for. the President, and giving
assurances OF their aid in support OF his
southern policy and Of his Administration
generally. The President, in reply, said
although that policy might not be success
full to the degree he desired, his aim was the
good OF the entire people of the South and
the restoration of peace on an enduring ba-
sis among all classes. lie sympathized with
the colored people who had expressed such
kindly sentiments, and trusted that his
friendship for them would be found more
substantial than the mere utterance OF words.
Baltimore American.
Year: 1877

Material improvements Of Richmond.


We are pleased to learn from the archi-
tects and prominent builders that at no time
in the past five years has the building pros
pects in Richmond been better, notwith-
standing the fact that the building season
proper does not commence earlier than the
list OF April. Over one hundred houses are
upon the boards Of the architects, or have
been contracted for by the. builders, who
are awaiting "the breakup OF the winter"
when work is expected to commence with
q rush. The cheapness Of building mate
rials-lumber, bricks, and lime-and the
low cost OF labor, less than ante-bellum
prices, conspire to make building mania


indeed, madness OF the most methodical
kind; not II bonanza, but the safest possible
investment" an inheritance to leave ones
chldren.''


OF late great impetus has been given to
building by real-estate agents, who, above
all men, are supposed to know what is
what in their line, and who are now
taking advantage OF the times by building
for themselves as Investments. The stricter
attention now given to architectural beauty,
and the consequent Improvement in the
style OF our buildings, so observable just
now, is no doubt to be attributed to the
educated taste Of the professional architect.
Formerly the carpenter was both builder
and architect, who, while he might have
been good in his line, was still no more OF
an architect than Il Stone-carver is Sculp-
tor.


1t is 10 be regretted that what has been
heretofore peculiar and distinctive feature
OF southern architecture is fast disappear
ing-the thick wall, single-house plan, CIV
ing way to the narrow-front tenement-sys-
TEN. The low price OF lots and abundance
OF space does not warrant this departure
from the single-housc plan. Our climate
and, consequently, hygienic laws forbid it.
The long winters and extreme cold OF the
North make contracted apartments neces-
Sarv The same necessity does not exist
even in so northern q city as Richmond.


Another characteristic of our city we
would not have cradicated is the front yard.
The depth OF our squares does not any more
Justify the building OF our houses upon the
streets line, close to the lots pavement, than
jammine them together on the tenement
pIan By setting back our houses we gain,
besides the green plot so refreshing to the
eye in summer, the porch or verandah, in
the place OF the less inviting stoop necessi-
tated by building on the street line.
1t is to be deplored that the beauty Of
Richmond-a beauty peculiar to herself and
dictated by naturc-should be spollt by
aping northern styles. Rather let Rich
mond. like modest maiden, veil her
beauty from the gaze Of the vulgar public in
the shade OF the vines and flowers now af-
forded by the allowance OF the small front
yard. ID.
Year: 1877

Changes Since the War.-It is noticea-
BILE fact that most Of the farms in Chester
field county that have been sold since the
war have gone into the hands OF either
Germans or Englishmen, and farms that
used to be sterile and worth. nothing now


present thrifty appearance. Some of them
near the old Courthouse look like beautiful
gardens.
Year: 1877

BITTEN By DoG.-On Saturday after
noon, Us Letter Carrier Henry Austin was
making his last delivery, he was attacked,
while in Lombard alley between Thirteenth
and Fourteenth streets, by q bulldog and
badly bitten on the leg and ankle. His
pants were literally torn from around bis
instep. lie went to the post-office, left his
letters, and then, with the blood dripping
out of his shoe, got into one Of the street
cars and went to his home, OIL Twenty-iifth
street
Year: 1877

Iris said that there ia a movement on
foot to take the collection Of the school
money Of the city district ont Of the hands
of'tho City Collector and put Il into The
hands Of the Sheriff. We understand that
the Legislature will probably be impOr.
tuned to pass a billto this effect. We rise
to inquire what necessity exists for such
change. A few years ago this same
money was collected by the Sheriff, and
it was thought hest to take II ont Of his
hands and put it into The hands Of the
City Collector Why then should 1t not
remain there2
Year: 1877

No one would suppose that hard times
were upon the land after noticing the
disposition OF the two houses Of the
Legislature to vote away the public
money in the shape Of mileage 70 those
who have no claim whatever to such bo.
muses.. The Senate yesterday, following
the example Of the House in the matter
Of mileage to its pages and committee
clerks, voted TO pay It's officers mileage.
The Code prescribes the pay Of said Off.
GERS and grants them no other perquislles


As DR.. Hall we'll remarked, II that pay
was adequate in 1868, it ia much more 30
now. But then what's the difference I?
The dear people car easily foot the bill.
Year: 1877

There must be sweet-scented State of
affairs in. Snn Francisco when Cinnamon
implore United States Senator and the
steamship companies to lay obstacles in the
way of further Celestial immigration. A
deputation of a1mond-eyed merchants waited
on Senator h1onroS recently and invoked him
that he secure the passage Of . bill provid-
ing for modification or nbrogation of the
BuE11soAME Trenty, and imposing a tar of
500 upon every disciple of CoSruc1us land
ing on American shores They recommend
that the fund thus raised be utilized in ex-
porting to his native home such portions of
each Chinaman as may escape the clutches
of the hoodlums, and they propose petition
ing the steamship companies to raise the fare
this way to SIS, and reduce the outgoing
fare to $50, TINT the sons Of the Orient may
be deferred from coming, or enabled to get
out when it becomes too hot for them. It
is now mora than ever proper for civilized
America to declaim against the rule in China
that obstructs the explorations of foreigners.
Year: 1877

Reports from Russia do not sustain the
great prophesies of grand uprising to fill
the ranks Of the Landwehr. The yeomanry
upon whom the Gar depended are inclined
to stick to their rights, and point out
various statutes in which it is provided
that they cannot be called out of
Russia for military duty. To this the
Car replies that they will be only
used as reserves and to garrison the forts
from which troops are to be withdrawn:for
the front, and this arrangement being held
US satisfactory as any other, the would-be
volunteers still hold back Moscow is form
ing q legion which it will support until the
end Of the war, but from other portions Of
the Empire news e rapid enlistment is very
meQTe. -
Year: 1877

Judge FAnwn1 has granted the motion to
quash the indictment against WALLER, but,
in his opinion, he holds that the special
Grand Jury WAS regularly drawn, which
is knock down blow for the indict-
e1 RING Commissioners. WALKER was
only advanced as n fgurehead, with
the expectation that the tenire which
brought together the body that indicted the
batch would be declared Illegal, and the
whole crowd would escape. This scheme
has failed signally. So far as is known, the
other indictments are sound, and the pros
poet is that the Ring will get its deserts.
Year: 1877

Tie Judiciary Committee of the Council
report that the Park Commissioners, under
the advice Of their counsel, will not accept


the responsibility of taking possession of


Michigan avenue and keeping it in decent
condition. But the Judiciary Committee


recommends, in lieu Of the project proposed,


that an ordinance be passed providing for the


improvement Of Michigan avenue, between


Monroe and Thirty-ffth streets, BY special


assessment upon the abutting property. We


fear this will prove to be a slow process.


Under the present law it takes about
two years to make such an assess
ment, fight it through the courts, aud
collect the money, and therefore the i'm
proyement would not be made much before
1850, unless the city advances the money,
which it is not very likely to do. But, if
anything be done to repair the street, it will
be wise and proper to pass such an ordinance
as the Committee has suggested,-i it is
within the power of the Council, ,-regu-
1ating the width Of the tires Of trucks, carts,
wagons, stages, and other heavy vehicles
that shall be allowed to drive On Michigan
avenue or any other graveled thoroughfares.
It is mathematically certain that heavy 1oad
on wheel-tires four inches wide will net do
ne-quarter the damage to a street that is
done by the same load on whee1-tires only
two inches wide. The narrow tires cut into
q graveled road like an az when borne down
by great pressure, especially in wet weather.
The resistance of the road-bed is governed
more by the width of the tire than the
weight Of the load. If the tires could be
made wide enough, heavy loads might i'm
prove rather than damage graveled streets,
as they would act US rollers; of course, this
is out of the question, and it is only men,
toned to illustrate the principle. But the
width of the tires on heavy wagons may be
so regulated that either the heavy teaming
will seek some other street or will not cause
special and destructive damage to the extent
that it shall travel on Michigan avenue. Such
an ordinance might be passed with advan-
tage, Whatever be the action IN regard to the
scheme for transferring the street to the.
Park Commissioners.
Year: 1877

Now that the construction of the City-Hal1
is again live question, and urged By all
classes, there is danger that it may be re-
tardcd by the confusion certain persons are
trying to stir up, as to who is the architect,


what plans have been adopted, what stone
shall be used and how thick it shall be, etc.
There is just one fact that stands out boldly
in this whole discussion, and it is TINT the
needs of tue city and the conditions of the
Law require TINT work shall be begun on the
City Hull without further fooling or procras-
tination, md prosecuted energetical1y to the
end. The points TINT illustrate and lead up
to this position may be briefly restated:


l. There is no longer any doubt that the
city authorities have been trif1ing with the
condition imposed upon them in the act of
the Legislature restoring the canal fund of
So, 121, ,420 to the City Of Chicago, and re-
quiring that from one-sixth to one-third of
TINT fund shall be applied to the restoration
of the public structures destroyed in the fire
of 1871. The sum of S317, ,149 WAS expended
in bridges and $4,000 for making the City
Hall excavations, and, though it is nearly
four years since all the money was paid over
to the city, nothing has yet been done on
the City~Hau. There remains Of the original


Canal~Lien Fund the sum of $775, 343; and,
as there ore no other public buildings to be
restored, the entire amount may be devoted
to the construction Of the City-Hall.


2. As far back as June 80, 1874, over three
years ago, the Common Council appropriated
the sum of SC61, 900 for building tha City.
Hall, to be taken from the Cana]-Redemp-
ton Fund This was included in the annual
appropriation bill for that year, and the
obligation to fulfill it is increased instead of
diminished by the length Of time during
which it has been ignored.


8. The Canal-Redemption Fund was q
trust-fund from the beginning, since it was
voted to the City Of Chicago by the State
under certain conditions, and to be used
for special purposes. Any diversion Of that
fund to other uses was not good faith as
trust fund it has claim prior to the city
certificates which have been drawn against
the general tax-levy. What remains OF the
Canal-Redemption Fund is now the City
Hall Fund proper, and so the City Fund
is trust-fund in the same sense. Indeed,
the Common Council have decided that it
must be regarded in this light, and at the
session Of July IL last passed the following
resolution:
~ ResoEred, That the Mayor and Comptroller be
and they hereby directed to hold and retain in
the Treasury snch sum Of the back taxes which may
properly be credited mad apportioned to tbs City
Year: 1877

If any one feels despondent about the fall
trade Of Chicago, or about the value of real
estate in this city, be cannot do better than
read the article on another page Of this num-
Der of TIE TRIBUNE under the head Of
'4Hard Pan" Elements of prosperity are
there shown to exist, and to be growing,
which must sooner or later give Chicago IN
exceptional prosperity as compared with any
othe. city in the world.
Year: 1877

work by striking a. present. On the
one hand, they have to consider a question OF
policy, the certainty of work at $1.25 per
day, with an increase when business warrants
it, or the probability Of no work at any
wages On the other hand, they have to
consider State statute which admits of no
compromise, or arbitration, or Infringement
without penalty. Can they afford to strike,
even though they have the right? If they
do strike, can they afford to disobey the laws
of tha State +?
Year: 1877

Hall Fund, and which may hereafter be col'ectco
and apportioned and credited to that fund; and %
1t funncr


I.esolred. That the Mayor be and he is hereby
requested to communicate to the Council statc-
ncnt Of the present condition Of all arrangements
heretofore made with reference to plans and ma.
teria for snch City Hall building, that the Council
may without delay take steps looking to the imme-
diatc opening OF work in the construction OF such
City Hall.


4. 1t is not true, as alleged IN certain
reckless, mendacious sheet, that this tnnd
has been squandered and stolen. There are
now $1.00o,0oo of money in the City
Treasury; and if the City Hall Fund be given
a priority over all others, as it ought to be,
then oil that remains Of it C5775,343) is
available for immediate use. But, even It
other special funds be regarded as trust
funds and entitled to proportion Of the
money on hand, then the quota belonging
to the City-Hall Fund now IN the City
Treasury amounts to $460,0 900, which is an
ample sum to begin on, to work through the
season, and to last till the money begins to
come in under the collection Of back taxes
next year, as provided by the new law.


Thus there is no excuse for further delay.
Competent architects ngree that good, SOL
id, broad foundation of thick aag-stoncs and
cement will completely obviate the necessity
for driving piles,--a process that would not
admit Of beginning other work perhaps be-
fore next spring. The sum Of S46o,ooo at
least will lie idle in the City Treasury all
summer, and fall, and winter, unless the
work be begun at once. We now have
Reform Council, that is, q Council which
will not steal or squander the money. The
city needs the hall badly, and the working
men are suffering for want of employment
II the work be delayed, under these circum-
stances, by procrastination aud pickering,
the Aldermen responsible for tho delay will
be held to strict account.
Year: 1877

The Judiciary Committee Of the Common


Council, to whom was referred the project
for transferring the control Of Michigan
proved and kept in repair as part OF the
park system, have reported adversely to the
proposition This decision is based upon
information, as the report sets forth, that
the Park Commissioners, under the advice Of
their counsel. will not accept the street.
This determination on the part of the Park
Commissioners has been reached, SO it is
said, because they are advised there is no
authority Of law for their accepting the trust.
And in this roundabout way project is to be
defeated which is admittedly in the interest
of the street, the city, the parks, and the


public, aud which is enthusiastically ap-
proved by all whom the matter concerns, and
opposed by nobody, unless it may be some
individuals of the dog-in- n-the-manger sort.


The people Of the South Division of the
city and of Hyde Park will not like to rest
satisfied with this disposal of the project.
The Council should hardly be governed BY u
report of q committee which has been made
LAW
that the proposed transfer of Michigan
avenue Is demanded by their constituents, is
it not the duty Of the Council to pass a
resolution granting to tho Park Commits
sioners all the city's interest, and title, and
control in Michigan avenue, provided that the
Park Commissioners will assume the trust as
part Of the system under their control, in
medintely improve the thoroughfare in the
same mnnner as their other boulevards, and
henceforth keep it perpetually in repair?
Such q resolution will jeonardize no in
terests, IS, in case the Park Commissioners
refuse to accept the conditions, the control
of the street will remain where it is now;
but it will place the responsibility upon
the Park Commissioners. It will then
bo for them to soy whether they will
accept the street under these conditions or
not, and the Council will huve done its duty
to its constituents When the case is thus
presented to the Park Commissioners, it is
not unlikely that they will take different
view of it from that which has been accred-
tied to them. Their counsel will probably
find special act of the Legislature, passed
several years ago, which permits the Park
Commissioners to extend their jurisdiction
over property not originally included in the
park system, and precedent will be cited in
the case of Oakwood Boulevard, which was
accepted as grant from the property-own-
ers, improved, and is now kept in repair
and managed by the Park Commissioners,
tho same as the Grand and Dre1el Boule-
Yards. At all events, no harm can come
from the passage BY the Council Of such a
resolution Us suggested. 1t will show the
Councils willingness to crafty popular de-
mand, md it can be determined afterwards
whether the Park Commissioners will be JUS
titled by the law In accepting the grant and
assuming the trust.
Year: 1877

taker guessed that they were still.
there. "Unscrew the lid," the
master of ceremonies ordered. "Bill
was in many a tight box and he
worked himself out somehow or
other, and it's no dead sure thing
that he amt got out on the trip to
the cemetery" While they were
taking of the lid it was noticed that
the screws were not solid silver.
One of the mourners remarked that
Bills game had not been one of
the squarest, but he guessed there
were tricks in all trades as we'll as
the monte players. The corpse was
found in the coffin. The men had
made arrangementswith one of their
acquaintance to read a prayer or a
short burial service at the grave,
but he came not. The wind was
raw and chilly, and after the lid
had been again screwed on, orders
were given that the interment
should be made.


Canada Bills proper name was
William Jones. He was an English
gipsy, and came to this country
seventeen years ago. He was a
horse trader, and finally began to
play at three card monte. He drift
ed into Kingston, Canada, where he
got the name of Canada Bill. He
operated all over the North during
the war, and after the war closed he
was on the Red river and on the
Mississippi. He was always dressed
in a very slouchy manner, and
cared nothing for good clothes OIL
jewelry of any kind. lie wor
thousands of dollars on the Missis
sippi, in the disguise of a planter
At one time he had a livery stable
and kept two hundred negroes a
work clearing swamp land, at thC
mouth of the Red river. Subse
quently he operated at monte OF
the Kansas Pacific and Union Pa
ciic railroads, running out from
Kansas City and Omaha. He be
came UNANIMOUSLY known all owe.
the country. All the tricks an(
new points in monte" were in
vented by "Canada Bill" He al
ways travelled as a countryman. H
is said to have won thousands 0
dollars on the trains, and as sool
as he had won it lost it at playing
faro. His friends say that in Chicag
alone, in 1874, he won $4,000 il
three months, and yet he died pen
niless, and had to be buried at til
expense of an old friend. He wa
about forty years Of age.