smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

Nearly century ago there lived in the
town OF Charlottesville young man who
played prominent part In society circles.
lie was an accomplished dancer, dressed
ID fashionable style, and was the central
fgure at balls and parties. Upon one of
these festive occasions wag, who was
present, attached bundle of rags to the
coat-tail OF the youth and with this absurd
appendage to his otherwise faultless ap-
parel he went through the maze of the
dance with the beautiful bellies OF the day.
When he discovered the trick that had
been played upon him the young man was
so deeply mortified that he ever afterward
eschewed society, and lived the life Of a
hermit. Abandoning the gay world, he
betook himself to small building which
stood on the site OF the present residence
OF Mr.. James Dolin, and commenced the
sale of whisky. The door of his den was
fastened with log chain, and was never
opened wider than was necessary to ad-
init the quart bottle of thirsty customer.
AT first he bought the liquor by the jug
and retalled ii by the pint, but as busi-
ness grew brisk he purchased barrel,
and finally, when the price of whisky got
down to 20 cents per gallon, he was ena-
bled by his rapid accnmulations to fill his
cellar He lived thus for many years,
never leaving the premises in day light ex-
cept at the May term of the county court,
when he would emerge from his den
clothed in a drab swallow-tailed coat,
reaching nearly to the ground, and pair
of leather breeches. walk to the court
house, procure his license, and return to
his hole. After night he would visit a
pump near the courthouse, and some peo-
pie said that on dark nights he would ex-
tend his walks into the country.


About 40 years ago, one rainy morning
when customer knocked at the door OF
this singular individual, then an old man,
there was no response. The door was
forced open and the solitary occupant was
found to be dead. A committee of .citi-
zens was appointed to examine the prem


ses. The cellar was found well stored
with liquor mellowed by age, and beneath
the ground, buried in earthern crooks,
Sc 600 in specie were brought to the sur
| face. Probably, with prophetic vision
of broken Charlottesville banks, he was
| hard-money man in the strictest sense OF
the words. A log of wood. upon which
the head of the miser rested, and blank
ct, covering his stiffened limbs, constituted
the furniture OF the miser's home. His
only ledger was slate, upon which was
found a statement of the amount of cash
on hand, which tailed with the contents
of the earthern jars. The name of this
old man was John Yeargen. There are
many of our citizens who remember him
well, and whose mouths water when they
think of the superior liquid refreshments
purchased at 81 gallon through the crack
felt bells to ring in Jonny Yeargen's day.
Charlottesville Chronicle.
Year: 1877

THE WEATHER -The storm on Monday last was not as severe in this place as in neighboring towns, though the lightning struck in several places in the south part of the town. On Thursday it was show cry. and having and harvest have been suspended nearly week. -.-.-3-
Year: 1877

THE sailing of the British feet from the
Greek waters to Besika Bay is significant
fact. 1t will be in easy communication with
Constantinople at this point, as it is just out
side the Strait of Dardanelles, and within
twelve hours of the Turkish capital. Its
presence there is intended as standing
menace to the Russians. Should they cross
the Balkans and march on Constantinople
the English fleet will no doubt be ordered to
pass the Dardanelles and cast anchor off the
Golden Horn. 1t does not appear that it
carries land force, or that any provision has
been made for the occupation of the city.
Should the Russians take Constantinople, it
is hardly possible that the English fleet
would lombard the place to drive1 them out
II they did, the Turks and their enemies
would suffer alike.
Year: 1877

We do not read anonymous letters and communi-
cations. The name and address Of the writer are In
all cases Indispensable not necessarily for publication
but as a guaranty of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or reserve commu-
nications that are not used.
Year: 1877

THE advantages of the war in Europe to
the business men of the United States have
thus far been exactly nothing. 1t may be
doubted whether the results are even as IA
YOrabla as that
Year: 1877

We see IL stated that some OF the colOred
people who ask aid from the Relief Associa-
tiOn, object 10 going out of the city TO work in
Maryland and Virginia, on the ground that
their employers may designate them as
f'niggahs." 1t Is a curious sort OF self-re-
specI that inspires them to stay where there
is no possible employ ment for them, and
where they rest under the stigma OF being
labeled paupers or thieves, rather than go
TO the country where their services are
urgently needed, lest they sbOuld be called
ssniggahs." Now the chances are altogether
in favor OF their being treated with very
much more consideration in the country
than in The city. They are for the most
part OF the contraband class that came
TO Washington during the war from
The Southern plantations, aud who were
kept afiOat for a time by the local politicians
as voting material, while we had the glori-
Gus right OF suffrage, and who Afterwards
found employment on the extensive system
of public improvements carried out by the
Board OF Public WORKS. There Is now no
work for them TO do. and 10 money to pay
them for work II that were supplied. They
have no trades or fitness for city occupa-
tlons. They are yet, as they were when they
came here, ut for nothing but farm work


The farms they left, now remain uncuitiya-
ted for want OF their labor. The farmers
themselves in their need of LABOR are, we re-
iterate, likely to treat them with a consider
alton they will not receive in the city. Here
they are drones, or worse, a burden under
which the taxpayer groans; everybody
feels their presence an Incubus; they
I'LL our almshOuses and our jails; the
epithets showered upon them areanything but
endeariug, and 1t seems inconceivable that
their self Prospect should stand in the way OF
their changing this degraded position to the
manly one of earning an honest living by
their owh strong hands, at the occupatiOn.for
which they are trained and especially fitted
Year: 1877

The Charleston NtlCs, in stating that the
city of Columbia has extended the President
an invitation 10 visit that place, says It is
the intention 10 give him welcome more
enthusiastic than he has met with anywhere
In New England or the west. In any event.
the Netos insists that Charleston must nave a
peep at the President, and says that in no
part OF the country are his efforts TO restore
peace and union more highly thought of or
more sincerely appreciated thaa In that CITY.
Year: 1877

There is now on exhibition in the Lin
dell Hotel the rudely stuffed hide of a
very large and Notwithstanding noun
tain lion, which was killed few weeks
ago in Hensdale County, southwest of
Pueblo, Col. Mr.. III. ]. Minor and
partner named Henry Shane were en-
gagged in running pack train OF bIrros,
or small Mexican asses, over the noun
tains to the mines in San Juan County.
They had Just gone into camp one night
in Antelope Park when the lion made its
appearance. 1t appears that one of the
burros had given out from exhaustion
and had been left standing alone in the
snow short distance from camp. The
animal, although almost unable to move,
suddenly gave evidence of great terror
and alarm and commenced to bray. MIR.
Shane started out of camp to see what
the trouble was. As soon as he left the
circle of the campfire large mountain


lion sprang upon him from projecting
rock abovehim and bore him to the earth:
His partner Mr.. Minor, saw the animal
spring and called at once to Shane to
keep still. The lion stood growing over
the prostate man, with its two fore feet
Oh his breast. Minor dropped the ropes
he was engaged in coiling and seized a
Winchester rifle and fired. The animal
dropped and Shane scrambled to his feet
and assisted in dispatching .the ferocious
beast. He was hurt slightly about the
breast where the claws had penetrated
the clothing. The lion is but poorly
stuffed, but it is quite curiosity. 1t re-
sembles a very large cat, and would
measure perhaps seven feet from the
nose to the tip of the tail. 1t is the lar
gest and best specimen of the Rocky
Mountain lion species ever brought to
this city.
Year: 1877

A FEW sentences from Swift's famous
letter "To Young Lady en- her Mar
riage" will indicate to what stage the
education of woman had advanced
in the age of Queen Anne. He says:
" 1t is little hard that not one gentle
mans daughter in a thousand should be
brought up to read or understand her
own natural tongue or to judge of the
easiest books that are written in it, as
any one may find who can have the
patience to hear them when they are
disposed to mangle play or novel,
where the least word out of the common
run is sure to disconcert them, and it is
no wonder when they are not so much
as taught to spell in their childhood,
nor can they ever attain it in their
whole lives. / advise you therefore to
read aloud more or less every day to
your husband. if he will permit, or to
any other friend who is able to set you
right, and as for spelling, you may COM
pass it in time by making collections
from the books you read. Your sex en-
ploy more thought and application to
be fools than to be useful. When re-
feet on this, / cannot conceive you to
be human creatures but a certain sort of
species hardly degree above monkey,
who has more diverting tricks than any
of YOU, is an animal less mischievous
and expensive, and might in time be
tolerable critic in velvet and brocade
for aught | know"
Year: 1877




Miss Lucy Wilkinson, of Covingson,
Kentucky, went to the kitchen the other
day to make a cup of tea for her sick
mother. In order to hum up the kettle
she poured little coal oil from a can
upon the Goals. A terrible confagration
ensued, burning her body to a crisp.
Her father rushed in and burnt his
hands to a blister in trying to extinguisll
the fire, and the sick woman leaped out
of bed, and is now at the point of death,
in consequence of her fright and ex-
citement. The girl died in great agony
the day after.


The very next day woman in Cincin-
matt, Mrs. Wuest, got up to prepare
breakfast and enacted precisely the
same scene with similar results She
lived a few hours and died in fearful
agony.


Other women will go off in just the
same blaze and get their names in
the papers Unexpectedly, just so long as
there is no law to prevent the use of
burning fluid and coal oil. 1t would be
better to go back to tallow dips where
gas is not to be had, than to run the
risks which must be run in using the in
hammable stuffin families where thought
less women and servants can get hold of
it. Why don't we have printed in
structions tackled up in every kitchen in
the land as they do in hotel bed rooms9
If Bridget couldn't read, let it be done
pictorially; representative of a burst
ing can, woman in flames, and a gen.
eral appearance of the crack OF doom
would be constant and wholesome re-
minder to even the most ignorant ser
want. If printed it should give full di-
rections. "Have your burial suit al
ways ready in your trunk, leave trink-
cts and corsets off, they stick to the
burned flesh. Fasten your garments
loosely, that they may be jerked off in
hurry" and other cheerful but simple
instructions. 1t would save many lives
in the course of year.
Year: 1877

THE deaf man continues to seek the
railroad track for his daily constitu-
tional;" the swift and economical hired
girl persists in pouring kerosene on the
kindfing woodland the number OF fools
is growing smaller by degrees.
Year: 1877

ROBERT CLARK has presented the
University of Cincinnati a collection of
three thousand species of fine and rare
land, fresh water and marine sheiis-a
generous and acceptable donation.
Year: 1877

What do you think, young friends,
ofthe hundreds of thousands who are
trying to cheat themselves and 9TH
ers into the belief that alcoholic
drinks are good for them? Are they
not to be pitied and blamed? Do
you want to be one of these wretched
men? If we are to have drunkards
in the future some of them are TO
come from the boys TO whom | am
writing and ask you again If you
want to be one of them! No? or
course you don't!


Well, have q plan for you that
is just as sure to save you from such
fate as the sun is to rise tomorrow
morning. 1t never failed; it never
will fail it cannot fail and L think
it is worth knowing. Meier touch
liquor an any form. That's the plan,
and it is not only worth knowing,
but it is worth putting iuto prac-
tiee.


/ know you don't drink now. and
it seems to youa if you never would.
But your temptation will come. and
1t probably will come in this way:


You will find yourself, some time,
with number of companions, and
they will have a bottle OF wine on
the table. They will drink. and
offer it to you. They will regard it
as manly practice, and, very likely.
they will look upon you as a nilkaop
if you don't indulge with them. Then
what will you do? Eh? Wnat will
you do? Will you say, boys, none
of the stuff for me Il! 1 know trick
worth haIf-a dozen of that?' Or will
You take the glass, with your own
common sense protesting, and your
conscience making the whole drough
bitter, and feeling that you have
damaged yourself, and then go off
with hot head aud skulking soul
that at once begins to make apollo
gies for itseli-just as the soul OF
Colonel Backus does, and will keep
doing during all his life?-J. q.
Holland, st. Nicholas fo1. Mly.
Year: 1877

This compliment to Postmaster
General Key is from the st. Louis
Republican: Secretary Key, the res
possibility head Of the Postal De-
partment, deserves thanks for his
Interpretation of the provision by
which the last Congress undertook
to re-establish the franking privilege.
1t is set forth IN that provision tha
every member of Congress shall be
able to receive or send any docu-
ments published by the Government
upon his affixing thereto his sigma
ture, and Mr.. Key has decided that
this does not create anything more
than the common privilege of all
people, to send and receive postal
matter upon paying for it.
Year: 1877

There was a lively time in Titus
Vile on Sunday night. A young
white woman, aged eighteen years.
a daughter of well-known and very
respectable people, was married to a
negro. The preacher was making
out the certificate as the irate father
came down upon him. Tne 'culled"
groom and white bride escaped to
the house Of another "culled brud-
der" but the father followed, and
took his daughter home. The moth
er swooned when she learned of the
transaction. Disappointment in love
is given as the foolish reason for the
young malden's foolish action
PittSburgy Post.
Year: 1877

Ier, who led the trail, at ouee reported to
his commander, and the result was a ten
mile gallop of Captain Revere horse-troop
over the Tennessee line, in time to save Lone
Star from "black jack experts, and in
season to give Lone Star another oppor-
tunity to speak word of timely warning.


That vigorous onset, and the surprise il
made, drove into fight more than double
the force Revere Commanded; but when
the Federal roll was called, after that free
fight" dozen brave men answered from
rude Iitters on which they lay, in suffering,
while as many more were silent, lying on
the green sward
Year: 1877

Cincinnati Gazette Special: At the
forth coming session of Congress no
species of general legislation win be
recommended by the President. The
only measures desired by the admins
tration are the passage of the army bill
and deficiency bill. It is possible that
in case of war between Russia aud Tur-
key, certain action in regard TO our ship
ping interests may become necessary.
It is understood to be the Presidents
opinion that the session ought not to ex.
tend beyond five or six weeks.
Year: 1877

specifications for the improvements or
construction Of the streets rercrred to,
to require not less than two surfaces 70
be rolled, or rolled and rammed, with =
steam road machine on any street or
highway that may be improved and that
such requirement will continue in said
specifications so long as your Board
deem IL to be to the interest OF the city.
The price proposed is 80 per
cent. below the price heretofore
paid by the city Ior the same
class OF work, and is less than rolling
alone, either by horse or steam power, is
being done in this country or Europe
doing the work we do or propose 10 do.
Our company make the assertion thn@
the beneficial results that accrue, tbs
saving effected to the city aud tax pay
ers by the use OF our machines where
all the other conditions ia tine
specifications are strictly complied
with is greater in excess OF tta
costs, which is susceptible oil
proof based upon absolute experience.
We therefore trust that your honorable
body will appreciate the Importance OF
this subject, and give the matter your
early consideration.


"R spectiuily submitted by order OF
the Board of Directors OF the Ross Road
Machine Company.


"S. w. RAMP, Secretary"
Year: 1877

The announcement of the name OF
Mrs. George E. Palmer among the vic.
tins of the Ashtabula horror sent a
pang of grief to the hearts of her friends
in this city, but they continued to hope
against all evidence till the body was
identified by the husband.


The Binghampton IN. Y. Republican
gives in detail the terrible story of her
death so far as it can be known, ana dis
pels the last hope Of her friends that she
might after all in some way have es-
capped.


Mrs. Palmer was a native of Balm
bridge, Chenango County, N. Y, and
her maiden name was Mary Yanyolken-
berg.
Year: 1877

No longer are cats to be doomed to
drag out useless existence and waste
their midnight melodies upon unappre-
ciative ears, for haven of rest is about
being prepared for them on Mansfield
island. Lake Erie. A purchase OF
that island has been made by man who
intends to stock it with black cats, take
excellent care of them, and kill their
progeny for their fur. He will feed
them at first on fish caught off the
shore by men who will live on the island;
but after the enterprise is well started,
by a rare system of economy, he will
utilize the meat of the slaughtered cats
as food for the living cats.
Year: 1877

The Programme for the Opening of Pariia-


ment by the Queen.


The WhitehdU ReUietU publishes the
arrangements for the opening of Parlia-
ment on Thursday, the 9Th of February.
The Queen will leave Buckingham palace
shortly after o'clock in the royal state
carriage, drawn by eight cream-colored
horses which are used only for these oc-
casions. With the exception of one car
riage (that one Immediately preceding
the royal equipage), which will be drawn
by six black horses, all the other car
riages will be drawn by the bays. The
sovereign will be accompanied by Prin-
cess Beatrice. Her Majesty, who, until
the death of the Prince Consort, used to
pass through the grand entrance of the
House of Lords, will alight from the
state carriage at the Peers entrance,
where the Queen will be received by the
Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain Gord
Aveland), and the great officers of state.
AS in previous years there have invaria-
bly, been many complaints by Peers and
Peeresses of the extreme crowding
around the door by which those person
ages enter the House of Lords, both on
their arrival and departure, it has been
deemed advisable to augment the num-
Der of police stationed in front of the
upper house. In all there will be upward
of ZOO constables between Buckingham
palace and the House of Lords. Those
who have experienced the difficulties and
discomforts of getting away from the
House of Lords after the royal ceremony
will doubtless remember why, on the
next 9Th of February, some arrangement
could not be made which would render
the task of getting away from the Peers
Chamber an easier one than has hitherto
been. Under existing circumstances. a
practical suggestion ON this point may
not be considered out of place. Just be-
yond Victoria tower there is large open
space, altogether unused at present, and
likely to be so for some time to come.
This vacant area might easily be made
available as an immense waiting-place
for carriages on the day of the opening
of Parliament, with results which would
be eminently satisfactory to all who have
assisted at the ceremony.
Year: 1877

It has been determined that storms
move at the rate of twenty-six miles an
hour on land in this country, and little
over nineteen miles over the ocean. An
express train or frst-class steamship
could easily keep ahead of common
storm
Year: 1877

ABUNDANT HARVEST. Our farm
ers are now in the midst of harvest,
and from all come reports Of the
moet cheering character. Oats and
fax are spoken Of as especially
bountiful in quantity and excellent
in quality. Barley, wheat and rye
above average yield and of good
quality. Winter wheat, of which
considerable has been raised in the
northern part of the county, and
some in other sections, is probably
the best known for many years 4
farmer from near AIittlin told us on
Saturday that he had harvested and
threshed 80 bushels of winter wheat
per acre, and sold the same for S1.40
per bushel. One Of bis neighbors
had field of the same grain which
yielded 2Sf bushels per acre. The
average yield in the neishborhood
this farmer estimates will reach
above 20 bushels per acre. Corn
promises better than was hoped q
month ago, and unless there is an
extra early frost seems sure TO be
good.
Year: 1877

oOO DELlNQUENTS.- There are on
the TRIBUNE list 500 persons in ar
rears-tor from one year to six-aggre-
eating the snug sum of about $500.
This money we very much need it
Is our due, and should be paid.
Every subscriber who is in arrears
knows it, and we want each such to
consider this intended for his esptcjoi
case, and respond promptly 10y COM
ing or sending the amount due: or.
II he does not know what the amount
is, send enough to pay for year at
least, and the amount will be duly
credited and receipt sent therefor
stating how his account stands.
Such as find mark Of pencil on or
around this notice are to understand
that their particular attention is in
vited to 1t. W. II. BENNETT.
Year: 1877

tion. over the defeat of the "Orphans"
at that place the week previous. On
Saturday, the "Orphans" were in no
condition to meet the excellent club
from Dodgeville, which came in to
play a friendly game, and to the
surprise of nobody the home club
came out badly defeated. The
pitchers arm was so lame as to be
useless, and several substitutes for
tnat important post were tried du-
ring the game the catcher, besides
being sore from the work of the day
previous, was quite sick and unable
to act one of the best basemen
was prevented by sickness in his
family from being present, and all
others were more or less out Of fix
to play good game. AS a consc-
quence the Dodgeville boys took the
lead from the start and kept gaining
on it up to the end of the 7th
iunings, when the score stood 30 fer
Dodgeville to II for Mineral Point.
To retrieve the game was by every
body conceded impossible. and so
the play was terminated by mutual
consent. and the honors properly
awarded to the visiting club.


The orphans" will be in condi-
ton again for the tournament at
Dodgeyille, and promise that the
club that vanquishes them Shall have
hot work.
Year: 1877

u. S. HOTEL, DoDGEyILLE.- It
was our privilege to be guest of
this excellent hotel last week, and
to note the improvements made in it
under the efficient management Of
Mr.. Reuben Marks, the present
landlord. BY an extensive addition
and general reiitting he has placed
it in the front rank of hotels in the
west. In the culinary department
also there is marked improvement
For people from this part of the
county especially it is the best place
to stop, being right in their way on
entering Dodgeville, on the corner
ner of the street leading to the fail
grounds.