smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1866

FAILURE OF THE ATTEMPT TO AMEND THE
CONSTITUTION OF WIsooSsIN.-E Election re-
turns in Wisconsin show but light vote on
the question submitted by the last Legisla-
ture, of calling convention to amend the
State constitution. Only $4,000 votes have
been cast on the subject SO far as heard
from, and Of this number there is a majority
Of over 1000 against the amendment.
Year: 1866

THE French Emperor recently took long
walk after the council Of ministers had
closed, in company with the Empress. In
returning to the palace they stopped at a
pastry-cooks in the suburbs OF Paris to eat
petits paties, an honor which threw the poor
man INTO such ecstacies o. awe and gratitude
that he could not serve them, and they had
to help themselves.
Year: 1866

The SPHyGMoGRAPH.-This is a
new invention for measuring and re-
cording on paper the action of the
human pulse. The principle idea of
it is. that the short arm of light le-
yer is applied to the pulse, and u: the
end of the long arm is very del
icate pencil, which passes over a
roll of paper, which roll moves by
clockwork, similar to what is seen in
telesraphs office. The effect is that,
instead of Il straight line being made
on the paper, wavy one is produced
by the expansions and comtractions of
the pulses, and this line differs ac-
cording to the age, health and dis
ease Of the patient. Some very in
teresting results and discoveries have
been made by the use Of this instru-
ment, as phenomena which it would
be impossible to detect in the ordi-
nary way are clearly written OH paper.
Year: 1866

The last China mail is full Of accounts OF
| cruelties practiced on criminals at Annoy,


some Of which are almost too revolving for


belief, A letter thus speaks of one of the


most recent Of these outrages, which was
probably no more brutal than others con-


stantly occurring 5ef ssa4., .4


ss = The Hal-Hong wrote down their


names and ordered them to be hogged--the


rebel 800 and the other culprit 300 blows
with the bamboo. The rebel having re-
ceiyed his 300 blows. and borne them with
out q murmur, was taken to a cross that


had been erected for the purpose, and being
securely iashed TO IL, in an upright posture,


with his arms extended, tile executoner
commenced his horrible butchery by first
cutting off the flesh above the eyes. next
the ears and then the breasts; then he cut
through the muscles Of each arm, laying
the siivery white bone bare, the flesh not


being cut of, but left hanging, the blood
spirting out and actually bespatterlng the
executioner at each pulsation of the heart
Then the muscles Of the thighs were cut In
the same mannerl


After the executioner had performed
these dreadful tortures upon the poor


wretch, he laid his small knife aside and
took another. about ten inches long and
about an inch broad, and cut gashes on
each side of the mans chest laying the
ribs bare. Then he made several flourishes
with the knife, and then ran it into the
poor victims body, entering Just below the
sternum, In the middle of the chest. 20 the
full extent Of the bladel This / thought
and hoped would prove the np-de-grdcei
But no, for the man still breathed, and the
exeoutioner stu continued his bloody task.
cutting downward with his knife, and let
ting out his entrails! He then slaslIed and
cut open the stomach a
Then giving yell, ran his hand In and
seized the mane liveri and cut 1t out, pass
ing the bleeding quivering mass to his as
sIstant as coOlly- andin as business like q
manner as though he were opening and
butchering a pig, This finished the torture,
and the executioner left the victim in this
mutilated state, not yet dead. for saw him
give several gasps for breath afterward.
Hethen cut the sampan mans head of. at
the foot Of the cross, with single blow,
and then returned, and letting loose the re-
bells head, which fell forward, he decap-
itated him, certainly the most merciful
stroke he had given that dayI The bodies
were exposed on the same wharf with their
legs tied TO posts. for five days afterward,
70 the great annoyance of the Europeans,
who occupied the houses adjacent The /,
poor rebel bore his inhuman tortures most
manfully not moan or cry escaped him, |
during all the time. The only movement
he made was a slight quivering OF his
whole frame and a movement of his head
to and FRO; otherwise spectator might /
have questioned whether he were alive or
dead, during the horrible exhibition. . |
Year: 1866

least not the person who was killed In the
barn


J But the body was Identified. So 1t has
been printed. All who have ever had oc-
casion TO Identity dead human body
know with what feelings of uncertainty
the mind is impressed, unless there are
well-known physical marks that the eye
can recognize. Death has stolen away the
expression of life, and the beholder feels
for the first time that 1t was the soul look
ing out from living face that he knew,
and not the shape Of clay now before him.
Dead men are like statues made by un-
skillful artists. mere caryatides to adorn the
house that lasts till doomsday. and dIstin-
guishable from each other only by some
peculiarly OF the carving.


Hundreds and perhaps thousands OF mis-
taken identifications have occurred during
the war, eyeu when the body sought for
was that Of near and familiar friend. In
neighborlng city, hot long ago, father
identified the body of his daughter who had
taken her own life. Deep and terrible was
the anguish which thus fell upon a worthy
family but In the midst OF II the daughter
entered the house. The ''moist unpleasant
body that had been fisbed out of the river
belonged to some one else. No familiar
friend or acquaintance was present TO iden-
tify the supposed body of Booth. and Il was
not until II had been jolted over Virginia
wagon road, and exposed for two days on
the deck OF the vessel which brought It to
Washington, that any one who had ever
seen Booth living saw what was believed to
be his dead body. The young man Har-
rold, who was taken at the same time, was
the only person acquainted with BoOthlwho
saw the man before his death. Booths
safety, II still at large, could be assured in
no other way so well as by allowing the
belief to reulan that the body OF the dead
man was his. r


So long as John II. Surratt is not found,
no man can say Wilkes Booth could not be
hid. We do not express any opinion Of our
own upon the subject, but simply point out
what Is possible. that though believed 20
be dead, the assassin OF Abraham Lincoln
may still be alive. -. /,
Year: 1866

LIFE SAVED BY LAuGHrER.-A
comely young wife, the cynosure of her
circle, was in bed, apparently dying
from swelling and inflammation of the
throat, an inaccessible abscess stopping
the way she could swallow nothing !;
everything had been tried. Her friends
were standing around her bed in misery
and helplessness. TRY her with a
compliment" said her husband, in not
uncomic despair. She had genuine
humor as we'll as he; and, as physiolo-
gists know, there is sort of mental
tickling which is beyond and above
control, being under the reflex system,
and instructive as sighing. She laughed
with her whole body and soul, broke the
abseess and got well.
Year: 1866

FAILURE TO MAKE A TREATY.-Rumors haze
been rife for Several days that the commission
ers had failed to make treaty with the Indians
who had been gathered at Fort Laramie for that
purpose. The news is confirmed this morning
by our fellow citizen, Mr.. Henry Kline, who left
there about week since. He informs US that
the Indians refused to make treaty, and that
large numbers Of them had left upon the track of
the emigration to Montana, upon the new road
to that Territory. The Indians are stubborn up
on the subject of travel upon this road, saying
that emigration upon it will drive away their
game. The commissioners having failed to ac-
complsh their object, have left for the east The
warriors had nearly all LETT in different direc
tions, leaving only their old men and squaws at
at the post, to drdw Godernment rGtions. What
the result of this will be we are almost afraid to
contemplate. That trouble may be expected ups
on the roads and in the Settlements there is
scarcely room to doubt. We trust that Govern
ment will see the immediate necessity of putting
forth every energy to prevent repetition of the
scenes of the last three years.-DenUer NeTs,
29h uH.
Year: 1866

The last lines in the last chapter of his dis
NAL life now being read by the straining eyes Of
the people below and the full strength and glo-
y of the sun had flushed his face, and still he
never blenched. Every second now brought him
nearer, by terrible and irrevocable strides, to
the unchangeable future which all men dread.
He quailed not, though his hands were hands
cuffed behind him, though the rope begirt his
neck though the death-cap was drawn down
over his face though, left all alone upon that
spot of time, with only an instant between him
and God, the next second be would have moved
to the soft whirr and rushing as the planks fell
on which he stood. At lO:45 DR.. Swanton reas-
cended the steps of the ladder, and stood there
motionless for one little moment. Then he
gave the single arm-waive which reached up to
God the soul whose profoundly we cannot un-
derstsnd. The rope was pulled, the traps fell,
and their soft whirr and rushes died into silence
as they struck the paddle sides. The body of
Anton Probst dropped with single heavy thug
and remained perfectly STILL In two minutes
there are spasmodic tremblngs in his legs in
three minutes slight quiverings in the sides and
oscillations of the body. In less than FIVE min
utes all is motionless forever, and human retri>
button is complete.
Year: 1866

IT is fact of practical utility that
impure water is more injurious to the
health than impure air. If pitcher
of iced water be placed in room, it will
have absorbed nearly all the respired
and perspired gasses in the room, the
air of which will have become purer,
but the water utterly filthy. This de-
pends on the fact that water has the
faculty Of condensing, and thereby abb
sorbing all the gases which it does
without increasing its own bulk. The
colder the water is, the greater its capa-
city to contain these gases. Hence,
water kept in room while is always
unfit for use, and should be often re-
newed whether it becomes warm or not.
That which has stood over night is not
Git for coffee water in the morning.
Year: 1866

No BALM.-Elder T., having o.
casion to preach in the town Of Glllead,
chose what he fancied the appropriate
text, Is there no balm in Gillead Is
there no physician there ?" He tells the
result:


1t happened that among my hearers
was an old negro who had lived great
many years in the family Of the village
doctor, and nothing could rile the old
fellow so quick as the mere suggestion
that the doctor didn't know everything.
Every time that I repeated the text I
noticed the old darkey manifested much
emotion, which l attributed to the pecu-
liar fervency of the African tempera-
ment warming with the subject, I
repeated the text with unusual pathos,
: Is there no balm in Gillead, and is there
no physician there p Old pomp could
stand it no longer; and springing to his
feet he said Don't know muffin bout
the balm, Massa, but dere's jes' good
doctor as dere is in de world"
Year: 1866

It was in my foreign travel,


At a famous Flemish inn,
That met a stoutish person


With very ruddy skin; g
And his hair was something sandy,
And was done in knotty curls,
And was parted in the middle,
In the manner of girls,
He was clad in chequered trousers,
And his coat was of sort
To suggest scanty pattern,
1t was bobbed so very short;
And his cap was very little,
Such as soldiers often use;
And he wore pair Of CATERS


And extremely heavy shoes.
I addressed the man in English,
And he answered in the sane,
Though he spoke it in fashion
That I thought little lame:





For the aspirate was missing


Where the letter should have been,
But where'er it wasn't wanted
He was sure to put it in!
When I spoke with admiration
Of St. Peters mighty dome.
He remarked: "'Tis really nothing
To the sights we ave at 'ome!'
And declared upon his honor
Though, of course twas very queer
That he doubted if the Romans
'AG the hart of making beer!
Then we talked of other countries,
And he said that he had card
That Hamericans spoke Hinglish
But he deemed it quite habsurd,
Yet he felt the deepest hinterest
In the missionary work,
And would like to know if Georgia
Was in Boston or New York!
When I left the man in CATERS
He was grumbling DER his gin,
And the charges of the hostess
Of that famous Flemish inn;
And he looked very Briton,


ESQ, methinks SEE him stilD
As he pocketed the candle


That was mentioned in the bill
Year: 1866

Our Rail Road meeting came of on the 17th and instead of failure it was quite a success. A fno crowd of ladies and gen. tlemen were in attendance. We had de- lightful grove in which to meet, and sufi- cient preparations in the way of seats, stands, &c. At II o'clock the crowd had gathered and anxious for the exercises to begin. We have not time in to-days pa per to set forth the proceedings of the meeting as our paper is just going to the press. We have never attended a meet ing of any kind in which the peopleseemed more interested than the crowd to-day Judge Edwards first took the stand, and interested the crowd in a plain practical statement of facts and figures. Next, Col Burney came forward and introduced the subject in his usual easy and facetious manner, directing attention to the intrin sic importance of immediate and prompt action in the premises, intcrspersing his remarks with happy and well timed anec- dotes. For more than an hour he held the crowd spell bound. Although laboring under the severest cold and physical fee bleness, still he made an impressive effort. Col Hedgepeth next took the stand and dealt in facts to the interest aud edifcation of the whole crowd. Few men in our midst are better prepared to talk on Rail Road matters. than the Col. After dinner MT. Marsh entertained the crowd in a chaste and spicy effort in favor of internal improvements and everything pertaining to the development of our country.

 There was fine dinner prepared and sent in by the ladies, who are always fore most in every great and laudable enter prise. Everybody got plentiful amount ofdinner, or if he or she failed 1t certainly was his or her fault, for we were there and mixed up in the dinuer to our hearts con tent, and saw plenty left when all had dined Such an effort speaks well for the citizens of Des Arc, and especially for the ladies of this town and the surrounding country, 1.-the Des Arc, Dardanelle and Fort Smith Rail Road tails, there will be many sorrowing friends in and about Des Are, butthere is no indication of failure at present. Irregular list of appointments was announced, beginning at Hickory Plains on the 30th inst, Austin on the 3lst., Peach Orchard Gap on the lst Sept. Green Grove on the Sd proximo, Lewisburg the 4th, Springfield the 9th, Dardanelle the Sth, and Dover on the 10th Septem- ber The friends of the Road are in good earnest and are determined to put the Road through if energy and promptness will insure success. We bid them God speed in cause so praiseworthy.
Year: 1866

Notwithstanding tho many adverse cir cumstanccs which have been thrown around us asa people, 1t is certainly grati- flying to the Southern heart to. see the dark clouds of despair giving way to the firm light of determination, and the pros poets of the South which were a little while ago so forboding, increase in prom ise, and point to future filled with hope. But short while ago and our cities were nought but monuments of our fall, now they come forth from their ashes and des- olation and bear testimony to the honor and determination of the Southern people yet to do for themselves the great work of building up, net only their fortunes but their name. The South has become fully alive to the responsibility that has fallen upon her, and although she has not been dealt fairly with, still will she not grumblc, but in the majesty of her own might, she has determined to rise upon her own merit, and not upon the miserable conditions which have been proposed to her by that class of men who will live to hang their heads in shame, that they ever so mistreat- ed people whose least act was superative to their crowning deeds of glory. Yes the South is growing out of darkness into light. and it is the light of Truth, of Hon. or, and of manhood.
Year: 1866

It is we'll settled fact that We have in Des Arc an enterprlsing community, every member ofwhich is willing to contribute his mite to the furtherance of any meas ure of improvement that conduces in the least degree to our prosperity It IS also we'll known that we have within ourselves the clements of greatness, and the ability to become great town, in point of wealth and population if we but exert ourselves Everything indicates our rapid growth and prosperity, and the history of the past twelve months shows our growth to have exceeded that of any town in the State, Our purpose is however, not to eulogize what has been done, but to call attention to what must yet be done. One of the first things that calls it self to mind, next to Railroads, which always come first to an enterprising people, is our great need of schools, good schools. Now we believe that every citizen of this community feels the need of such enterprises, and it does appear that now is the proper time to take in consideration the best means of building such houses, aud establishing such schools as will add to our popularity and increase our character abroad.

 Next in importance, is the improvement of our appearance, for we all know that one must appear well to succeed in the world, and that which would most conduce to the appearance of our town and the comfort oi her citizens is the regulating and relaying of our pavements. At one time we had the best paved city in the State, and small outlay for this purpose would be profitable in more ways than one.

 We have called the attention of oul readers. the citizens of our town especially to these things, thinking that the time fol action has come, and feeling that every stroke we make is adding power to the le- yer that is toraise us to our proper position the first city ofthe State.
Year: 1866

The following is an extract from letter from New York publishedin the Baltimore Epi>copal Methodist of the 4th instant: A Southern lady, on visit to this city, went to worship in one of the uptown churches. Soon after, an elegantly attir- ed New York lady, of high social standing, entered the same pew and remained during the servicc after which the Southern lady called her aside into the vestry room and, in the presence of the rector, with whom she was well acquainted, thus addressed her; Madam, do not wish to offend you, but that shawl you are wearing belongs to me-" (The shawl was a superb one The New Yorker protested, and declared that there must be some mistake, 'If." says the Southern lady; "you will examine Q certain corner, you will see my initials worked in it, and the rector knows my name very we'll" The corner was found, as well as the initials. The Southern lady then remarked. "That ring you have upon your finger is also mine, and if you will take the trouble to examine the inter- for. you will see the same initia6en graved in the ring" Similar movements as above described took place, and with similar re- suits.

 Turning to her again, the Southern lady said: "Madam, that bracelet you have on is mine also, and by pressing spring on the inside it will unclasp and show you my portrait" Tho New York lady did as re- ouested and there was the lady's portrait. She promptly returned the ring and brace let, as she was convinced beyond the pow CT to controvert it, that they were the pro perty of the Southern lady, and remarked as she did, 'they are yours, and you are welcome to them, but as I wore the shawl to church must beg the privilege of wearing it home again" The Southern lady scceded, of course, and they exchanged cards The shawl came back in due time, but the New York lady had probably obtained the articles in such a manner as to render it too unpleasant to divulge. No more was said about it. Moral: If Southern ladies want to know where their articles of missing jewelry and wardrobe furniture are, let them attend some fash ionablc, tup town," New York church, and if the men want to know what has become of their fine horses, shipped North by army officers and "bummers," let them spend an evening in Central Park.
Year: 1866

SLAVERY should never have another repre-
sentative man in Congress secession should
never have another advocate and defender or
its floor, and no man should ever be permit
ted to occupy q seat there who aided by word
or force Of arms the most wicked and infa.
nous rebellion ever organized for the destruc-
ton of Government
Year: 1866

TIE last Pella Blade contains the raledic
tory Of the late Editor, c.. S. Wilson, sharp
writer and n sound Republican, who will do
good service for the right in whatever place
his lot may be cast
Year: 1866

"Brr it is of the very essence of freedom.
that they at liberty to go where they
please IF they are prosecuted in the South,
they can easily flee to their Republican
friends IN the North. ''-Neu Fork World.


Hear ye, oppressed peoples of the Old
World, how Democratic organ regards as
the essense Of freedom, the very boast Of lib
erty is not that man may enjoy 1t in the
land of his BIRTH but thst he may go to some
other land in search of it. President LINCOLN
pledged the emancpated negroes their liberty
and the rights of freemen in the land of their
birth And where this Government ignores
the pledge. or fails to maintain it in good
faith, in spirit as we'll as in the letter, it will
incur the contempt Of mankind and the con-
de,unation of Heaven,


The New York World makes jest OF the
sufferings, the liberties aud the rights OF four
million Of people, simply because of their
complexion God, on the contrary, is no
respector Of persons, aud in his Providence
he has listened to the cry Of the oppressed,
and has overruled the madness of their op-
pressors to secure their deliverance At the
expense of the desolation of the South. And
it may be He will see to It that ABRAHAM
LINCOLN pledge is made good to those poor
people, even if it should require the desola-
ton of the entire country to secure the object
The surrender Of the freedmen to the tender
mercies Of their late rebel masters under the
pretence of State rights, is not the ful6llment
Of the duty Of the Government to them,
neither is the privilege of running away from
the land Of their birth the freedom which
President LINCOLN pledged the naval and
military power Of this Government to main
tain .or the freedom of the South.