smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

IN May, 1872, Green Butler, citizen
of Galveston county, was murdered at
his own gate, by two men, just at dark.
Andrew J. Walker and jeff Black were
tried for the murder-Walker SEN
fenced to be hung and Black to the
penitentiary for life. They appealed
to the Supreme court on rather tech
nical grounds, and that body granted a
new trial. And now, for the second
time, Walker has been found guilty by
jury of his countrymen, and will, OF
course, be hung Blacks fate is not yet
known.


And thus may it ever be. The well
fare of civilized society demands that
he who commits murder should lose
his own life or be confined during his
life in solitary prison. In Other
words, society should protect itseli
against such murderous beings. We
trust that as better men are placed on
the bench and in other official stations,
the criminal laws may be rigidly en-
forced, and crime suppressed through
out the State.
Year: 1874

We have prepared the following Ia,
bic with much care for the TWO ioiu
purpose of showing the rapid growth
of North Texas and the reawakening
of that portion of the people VINO re-
fused to vote for years, until the last
Legislature enacted new registration
and election laws. The increase in the
vote arises from this latter cause and
emigration combined.


We take the second congressional
district for illustration. The first col
umn in the table gives the Democratic
vote for congressman at large in lSI2.
The second column shows the Demo-
cratic representation in the State con-
vention of 1878, based on one vote for
each hundred or fraction over flfty.
Next comes the votes for Coke ana
Davis, then the convention vote OF
each county in the next State conven-
ton, and in the last column is shown
the gain of each county in the next
State convention to be held:
Year: 1874

ufacturer or creator Of wealth by ad-
ding to the property Of the country, Is
n pernicious system. Dallas and all ol
Texas to-day groans under its blight
ing effects, and yet we have had scarce
lv n foretase of the ruin in store for US
unless we fall back, on this question at


least, into the beaten track OF the
fntbnrS
Year: 1874

What shall we do with our dead ?' has
become question Of considerable impor-
tance, especially in the large eastern cities.


Many Of the leading eastern papers have
taken grounds in favor Of the ancient meth
cd of cremation or burning the dead.
1t is held that the present method, be-
sides being inconvenient and to the poor or
middle classes in the cities great burden,
is injurious to the living. That the foul
gasses escaping during decomposition poi
sons the air, and that the ground is also
poisoned, and the water in springs and
wells made unwholesome. Further, that
all objections to the burning Of the dead
comes from prejudice, that the urn her
meticalty sealed, containing the pure white
ashes Of deceased relative, would become
as dear, and around it would cluster the
same tender emotions that cluster around
the grave.


The movement has gone so far that So
ciety has been formed in New York city
for the advancement Of the doctrine and
practice. If the plan succeeds it is pro-
posed to have our churches arranged with
furnaces and while the friends are singing
the last requiem, the body will be passed
through an unseen passage, in the support for
the cof6n, (the coffin being arranged with a
movable end or bottom for that purpose)
into the furnace, and will ascend in smoke,
and be waited with the songs toward
heaven.


At the conclusion of the services the
ashes of the deceased, properly bottled and
labeled, will be brought forth and with
proper ceremonies presented to the friends.


Although this is all very nice there are
some who object to it; some who would
rather not die at all if they cannot be de-
Gently buried. It certainly would be very
ruinous in its results. No longer could
our statesmen visit the graves Of their an
cestors; they could only take peep 1t the
bottles containing their ashes, which would
not be in the least poetical. S@ !. Z
The effect of great deal Of fine poetry
would 30 destroyed. Even the scripture
would need : new tranalation. OILY thiak
Year: 1874

slsy,. rsvs.us dis.riots thsrs Id been
nlliag Of in the noaths Of January md
sPsbrsasy Of revenue derived from intoxi-
eating liquors $s54. 900. The wholesale
dealers in Cincinnati had been seised with
CONSERVATION. Bankruptcy stared many Of
them in the face, and they were using every
expedient to check the work. They were
even sending special agents to every place
where the movement was being pressed to
counteraot its influence if possible. But in
spite Of their desperate efforts the work
WAS still progressing. Verify it seemed as
if this work must be i" Of Cod


But the greatest good that would prob
ably be accomplished by the movements
would be the strong temperance sentiment
that would be created. All respectable
men and women. whether they have hereto
fore been avowed temperance men and wo-
men or not, would now be more heartily and
earnestly in favor of the temperance cause.
Such brutal and outrageous conduct as the
whisky advocates Of Chicago had seen fit to
resort to, would only add fuel to the flame.
They could not lend greater or more ef-
6cient service to the the cause. 1t would
stir up the indignation Of respectable peo-
pie everywhere, and arouse the luke warm
to immediate and energetic action. Indeed
it might be that the God who had hardened
Pharoah's heart that his destruction might
be the more complete and signal would yet
permit these men in their blind rage to &C.
complish the destruction of their nefarious
traffic the more surely and speedily.


It was objected that this movement was
forwarded in fanaticism and carried on by
fanatics. The same objection had been
urged against Luther and many other great
and good men who are now regarded as tho
best men Of their respective ages. Every
reformer had been stigmatized as fanatic,
and every reformation as fanaticism.


Anti-temperance men had always been
loud in their praises of the plan Of moral
suasion. This was the only means in their
judgment that would prove effective in pre-
venting iutemperance. But when the moral
suasion principle is being pressed with the
most efficiency they suddenly lose faith in
it, and they are not so much in favor of
moral sussion as they were-in fact they
are absolutely opposed to it. The fact is
they are opposed to any and every means
that will decrease the demand for intoxi
eating beverages aud thereby decrease their
profits.


In conclusion the Rev. gentlemen coun-
seled wise aud deliberate action. He had
no doubt that in the enthusiasm of the
moment, rash acts hsd been committed and
mistakes made. He believed in carrying
on the work in the spirit Of love and kind.
ness, with charity for all. Saloon keepers
are not oil hard-hearted demons az they
are frequently represented. Many Of them
realize the true nature of the business they
are engaged in and would be glad to absn-
don it if there was any other business open
to them. 1t WAS one of the greatest benefits
of the present movement that they raised
money to remunerate saloon keepers fer
quitting the business and enabling them to
start in some more respectable calling
Year: 1874

Bismark has been threatening to resign
again. That is the way he has Of bringing
his government to time. This time it was
because the Reichstag opposed his army
bill. It would be joke if the government
would take him at his word sometime and
accept his resignation, but it is hard to tell
upon whom the joke would turn. 1t is
doubtful whether the government could get
along very we'll without him.
Year: 1874

"Ouo Of the most beautiful features


in the Grange is the fellowship and


brotherly feeling that it deyelope5
among its members"


These words we find in an ex.
change under the above caption, and
feeling assured that few remarks
upon this most noticeable and worthy
feature Of our Order would prove
both timely and acceptable, we earn.
estly request all Patrons to place
more weight and Importance upon
this principle of our Grange. There
is nothing more necessary to success
in this great movement, to achieve
the glorious ends anticipated than
brotherly love and iorebearance one
with another. We should at all
times exercise freely that greatest of
all other virtues, charity towards our
fellow creatures.


: Forbearance can accomplish much
and brings its reward in a multitude
of ways.


Where there is charity (and we
here use the word in its broadesl
sense) and sympathetic kindness there
is harmony and peace, and these are
quite essential TO oCr success. In no
Order, Association or Society is this
in ,ulcated more freely tfan in tho
Grange.


The platform upon which rests tFis
mighty Order teaches charity, in
these words 1T shall be an abiding
principle with us to relieve any Of
our oppressed and suffering brother
hood, by any means at our command.


The Grange while securing to its
members many benefits both pecunia-
rily and mentally inculcates and cul
tiyates the virtues, dispensing chari-
ty and strengthens the bonds Of good
fellowship and brotherly love among
all its members. The Grange id all
its teachings and ce emonies is
school of the Strictest morality, and a
Patron il true to its principles aud
teachings must be man "the noblest
work of God" Then Fellow Pat
rons, let all strife, fault finding, envy
jealousy, malice, hate and revenge
cease among ourselves. Let US ever
bear in mind that all within the
gates Of the Orange are III fact our
brothers and sisters, and that we owe
them, our Order and ourselves a
duty tnat must be discharged. Crush
out all feelings OF animosity and
grudge, and meet our iellow men upon
terms of friendship and brotherly
feeling, remembering that VIC are all
the creatures Of the one and same
Great Creator. Be ever ready with
the spotless mantle of charity TO
throw around the faults Of our fellow
beings. Forgive and forget memory
will not let US forget. but it is in the
power Of exalted human benevolence.
Yet memory, however faithful to her
trust, will not prevent us from being
ienient towalds the faults and follles
Of others aud even to forgive their
departure from a true life.
Year: 1874




It is q singular anomaly that tho whole
banking community Of this city, the District
Attorney of the county, and the Governor OF
the State of New York, should be praying for
the pardon of the notorious forger, Spence
Pettis, now convict in Massachusetts. But
when it is understood, as appears by the doc
uments published elsewhere, that his testimony
is necessary to the conviction of the most
skillful gang of forgers and counterfeiters OF
securities now in tho country, the petitions
will be universally joined in. The confession
of the convict assures his early reconviction'
and to District Attorney Phelps his testimony
appears sufficient to convict the others. 1t Is
a matter of some regret to find by this con-
fcssion that suspicious are again directed
toward two of the Detective force OF this
city, the same against whom the Bank OF En-
gland last year made complaint OF completely
with the forger MacdOnncll. The charges OF
conyicts do not usually count for much
AGAINST those who are set to catch them. but
the fact that tho District-AttOrney evidently
credits Pettis justifes the Board of Police in
the thorough investigation it is making in the
matter. The standing of the Detective force
Of this city Is not so high tnat charges OF the
kind referred to can be allowed TO pass un-
needed. 1t is duo alike to the service and the
officials thus implicated for the second time
that the facts should be investigated.
Year: 1874

It must be admitted that the great sums
which rich men bestOw are sometimes exceed
ingly impressive; and it is ungenerOus, un-
gracious, and substantially unjust to reckon
the difference between what they give and
what they keep. At the same time, we may
properly enough consider that those who en-
dow hospitals colleges, and other permanent
institutions build their own monuments; they
are for generations remembered through their
good works, which not seldom perpetuate their
names; while to give greatly out of abundance,
is easier than to give a little out of narrow
means. 1t is well enough known that enor-
nous legacies for charitable uses are often
wasted in their administration, so that it has
become quito a custom among men benevO-
lently disposed to give while living,
and sometimes personally to superintend
the dispensation of their bounty; and
this was done notably by Peabody, Vas
sar, Cornell James Lick, and Gerrit Smith.
All who bestOw their aims in these days of
much-needed charity may do substantially the
same thing, knowing to whom and for what
they give, aud the nature of the machinery which
their donations will help to keep in motion.
When we dlate with awe and admiration at





man, we ought to remember the sacrifices of
those who spare something out of their meager
store and who do what they can to alleviate
the misery which, greater sometimes than
usual, is never more than modified. Always
somebody ID in want. Always trife may be
treasure to some suffering man, woman, or
child. Always the command to "Help one
"another" is in order in this world of chances
and changes


1t is remarkable that the charity symbolized
in the inspired writings is oftenest made to
assume modest proportions. We read of the
widows mite and of the cup of cold water
rendered to the sick, and of particular gar
ments bestowed upon the naked. The benev-
olence of the New Testament never assumes
large, public, and corporate forms-it is a
giving from hand to hand, an immediate and
personal work, a kindness which the poor
can show toward the poorer, and which is
without that Ostentation against which We are
specifically warned. 1t may help us to UNDER
stand the economical as well as the moral
truth of this modest doctrine to consider how
very far little will sometimes 90, and at
what cheap rate, 30 far as cash Is con-
cerned, we may purchase the blessings OF the
suffering and the needy. For instance there
is Young Mems Christian Association in
Davenport, Iowa, which, according to the
annual report before us, has this year been
able to dispense only $780, sum which seems
In itself to be insignificant. Yet with this
"52 poor families have been assisted, II per-
sons aided in seeking employment, % per-
"sons actually furnished with employment, 81
"wortby persons provided with food and
Year: 1874

under It's present organization. The oridse
will have to be declared o public highway:
and the two cities viii be compelled to build
1t for their mutual benefit and manage 1t for
their own profit In their own way.
Year: 1874

1t would be curious If President MacMahon
were obliged to declare against an organisa-
ton of his powers. Yet this would be vir-
tually the meaning of the retirement OF the
Duke Decazes, which is represented as
probable. If the President has resolved to
await the action of the Assembly on the bill
for Second Chamber before taking action on
the demands of the Legitimists and Bonapart-
ists, he has merely postponed an impending
crisis. The constructive power of the Assembly
is as iuconsiderable as it ever was.
Year: 1874

The new postal agreement between the
United States and Canada, now promulgated,
is so liberal in its terms that it cannot fail to
facilitate greatly the exchange of mail matter
between the two countries, besides lessening
the cost accruing to either government under
the present system. But the agreement has
ye. to be ratified by the Postmaster General
of Canada.


The disappointed English shareholders in the
"Little Emma" mine have begun suit for five
millions or thereabouts against TrenOr w.
Park, Senator Stewart of Nevada. ct al. for
failing to make returns of 20 or so per cent as
they promised. We dislike saying anything
further to defect these unhappy spectators,
but going to law in this matter looks to us.
Indifferent rs to the result, very much like
jumping out OF the frying-pan into the fire.


The pOstpOnement by the Assistant Alder
men of the Bridge resolution authorizing fur
ther issues of bonds by New-York City may
be looked upon as the end of efforts to
continue the work as private or stock en-
terprise. After the first of the new year the
constitutional amendments will prohibit the
TWO cities from lending aid to the enterprise
Year: 1874

The reversal of Judge McCue's order grant
ing bill of particulars in the Beecher case
appears to have been a genuine surprise to
the counsel of Mr.. Beecher. A modification
of the order was confidently anticipated, and
it seemed to be in measure conceded by the
defense that some modification might prop
erly be made, but the absolute denial of the
bill was not looked for. The effect upon the
case cannot now be imagined, nor can the
future tactics of the defense be fOretold. AT
present the case is down for trial, with Triton
licensed to introduce all the evidence he
may be possessed of, and to spring any sur
prses lie may have on hand.
Year: 1874

An aggrieved man writes to Portsmouth paper: Allow me to express my disgust at the new issues of the 10 cent and 25 cent scrip, and the errors into which an honest man may be inveigled by the close resem- blance in size and appearance to the new 50 cent scrip. On Saturday bought 25 cents worth of something and rendered a dollar bill in payment. The storekeeper gave me in change one 10 cent and one 25 cent scrip and one cent nickel, and think ing had got two 50 cent serips and nick el, thereby being 25 cents in, I hastily stuff fed the money into my pocket lest the tra

 derj should discover his mistake before I got clear of the store. An hour later, when l found l had only received 40 cents in change instead OF the 80 I was entitled to, I went back and the storekeeper would not make up the difference, saying should have looked at my change before l left the store.' 7h* '# .-
Year: 1874

suppression of all these evils.

 It was agreed in the spirit of the resolu- ton that this committee, while assuming none of the duties or responsibilities of the towns committee, should yet cooperate with the latter; that they should cause the arrest of persons found intoxicated, duty not contemplated in the work of the other body; that they should do all that the pri vate citizens may do 70 maintain the laws that the towns committee thus seconded might the more perfectly accomplish it's work. The assurance given by member of the town committee showed one ample reason, were there no other to justify the creation of the committee of six. A case arising from an occurrence in our streets on Saturday, July 11th, was by vote entrusted to special committee composed of the members of both temperance committees, with the request that they proceed immedl- ately as the law provides. The case re ferred to was the disturbance made by two young men who were crazy drunk They were promptly arrested, but were released, liable however to being further dealt with, according to the statute which applies. The community should be impartial in the treat ment of all violations of the law, alike in low places and in high. It is in defiance of law, and of the good order of soclety, that man anywhere deals out that which inebriates. How can man who defes those two things claim that he is entitled to be let alone? It is good to agitate the sub ject. The more the noble theme of tenn perance IS agitated in any place and to this statement Falls Village is no exception the less will be the agitations of public order arising from the rowdyism and the drunken brawls fomented by the drinking places. N. G. B
Year: 1874

and pulling, others whistling, hose bursting, firemen swearing, women and children hat less and shoeless crying, and all together it was confusion confounded.

 Merchants for blocks away even up to Madison and Washington streets, were packing up their stocks and removing them to the west and north sides for safety. On the lake front the scene was magnificent the night was very dark and the park grounds on the shore of the lake were filled with people viewing the flames as they as cended high towards the heavens. The air was filled with millions upon millions of sparks which, being waited by the wind far out into the lake and to other parts of any moment they might kindle other fires, and ln case they had done so our beautiful business blocks of granite and marble would now be nothing but debris. The great exposition building was in danger of becoming prey to the fiery element, and upwards of one hundred men were put on guard around the building and on the roof, and this precaution saved it from destluc- tion.

 Undoubtedly Chicago will profit by this fire, for as we have previously remarked in this letter that the burnt portion of the city was filled up with wooden shanties, and so closely packed together that many wise heads have said some day this district will be the cause of terrible fire, and be the means of burning up our city. It has come and gone, and Chicago breathes easier, for there are no more finder boxes south of us to create the like again. In this burnt dis trict the streets and alleys were very mar row, and as very little ventilation could get in, this place was considered very un- healthy, and the mortality was greater than in any other. Now broad streets and al leys will be laid out both east and west, and by this means good ventilation will be se- cured and business blocks will take the place of what was once private dwellings 1; and really this fire in the long run will be a blessing in disguise.

 The north siders were the worst scared people you ever heard of, They came by hundreds to see if there was possibility of it's reaching their homes; nor could they be induced to leave until the wee sma' hours of the night and the firemen were masters of the situation.

 Respectfully yours, | R. B. MITCHELL.

 Chicago, Ill.,, July l6th, 1874.
Year: 1874

Another terrible confagration has visited our city. The fire broke out at o'clock F. M., the 14th inst. near Clark and Twelfth streets in wooden shanty, and before the alarm could be given and the engines brought to the scene, it had communicated to adjoining wooden buildings, also to the oil factory of Messrs. French & Co.,, and from this moment it was beyond control and ragged fearfully until past midnight, when it was discovered that the firemen were getting the advantage of it. The vii cinity where the fire originated is covered with low wooden shanties and close togeth CT, and the moment a fire was started it was next to impossible to prevent its spreading The structures, parched by long continued drouth, were nothing but finder boxes on which the flames could feed, and high southwest wind prevailing, most of us thought that the business portion of Chica- go would again be in ruins.

 The scenes and incidents of Fl were enacted over again. This part of the city was inhabited mostly by colored people and females of questionable virtue; in fact it was the vilest and lowest part of Chicago, and now that it is over we raise our eyes to heaven and thank God it is no worse; for had the wind been directly in the south, no doubt but what the whole business portion of the south side, and all of the north side on Clark street would to-day have been in ashes. Most of the people burned out are of the poorer classes, and many must inev- itably suffer privations and want; but it comes in season of the year when fuel is not wanted, except for cooking purposes, and of course there will be no suffering from cold. Then again, our relief society is in working order, and with ample means at their command, will relieve much of the suffering that otherwise would occur. The relief and aid society has now funds on hand to the amount of over $500, 900, and those in distress will receive what assistance they need. G. '' About 14O good buildings and $50 shan ties have been destroyed. The mail bags and mail matter were removed from the post-office, corner of Harrison street and Wabash avenue, at P. M., and the post office was burned at about 9 r. M. The streets were filled with multitudes of peo- pie hurrYing hither and thither, some run ming one way and some another, and prop erty was being driven away in wagons, in every direction. Engines were smoking