smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

From an article on pineries and modes
of chopping in the Northeastern Lumber
man, we extract the following: The
STYLES of axes differ with nationalities. A
Canadian chopper prefers broad, square
blade, with the weight more in the blade
than elsewhere, the handles being short
and thick. A Down-East logger, one
from Maine, selects a long, narrow head,
the blade in crescent shape, the heaviest
part in the top of the head above the eye.
New York cutters select broad crescent
shaped blade, the whole head rather
short, and the weight balanced evenly
above and below the eye, that is, where
the handle goes through. A Western
backwoodsman selects blade, the cor
ners only rounded off, and the eye
holding the weight of the ak. The
American chopper, as rule, Sc
lects a long, straight handle. The
difference in handling is that a Down
Easter takes hold with both hands of the
extreme end, and throws his blows easily
and gracefully, with long sweep over
his shoulder. A Canuck chops from di-
rectly over his head, with the right hand
we'll down on the handle to serve in jerk
ing the blade out of the stick. A West
erner catches hold atthe end of the han
die, the hands about>three inches apart,
and delivers his blows rather directly
from over the right shoulder. In fact an
expert in the woods can tell the nation
ality or State a man has been reared in,
by seeing him hit one blow with an ak.
1t is, however, an interesting fact to
know that Yankee chopper, with his
favorite ak and swinging cut, can, bodily
strength being equal, do fifth more
work in the same time than any other
cutter, and be far less fatigued. This in
a very large degree will account for the
greater percentage of Maine men who
will be found each year in the woods.
Year: 1877

CHEMICAL analysis discloses the fact
that among the many articles used for
food there are only two, wheat and milk,
which contain all the elements of the hu-
man body and in the proper proportion.
Other articles-such as butter, sugar,
syrup, and fat of all kinds-are wholly
carbonaceous, or heat-producing; so that
if human being were to attempt to live
on these articles alone his brain and
muscles would starve. By actual expert
ment it has been found that a man could
not survive two months on such diet.
Year: 1877

THE poolselling bill has had an un-
expectedly easy triumph in the Senate,
passing without negative vote and in
the exact form in which it was received
in the Assembly. Mr.. Morrissey made
some gloomy predictions of the probable
effect of the measure upon race-courses,
and was excused from voting, at his own
request, on the ground that he was him
self interested in one, the fact being
moaestly concealed that he had also been
the principal proprietor of an establish
ment devoted to the practice which the
bil1was framed Nespeciall5Ato prohibit
that of political betting: The arguments
of those opponents of the bill who are
not interested in gambling-houses, and
their number is large, must now be ad-
dressed to the Governor. 1t was the
recommendation in his annual message
for the passage of law to put an end to
betting upon elections which inspired
the present bill, aud it remains to be seen
whether he will sacrifice one Of his own
measures to save the race-courses.-N.
2. Tribune. N
Year: 1877

~Well informed citizens tell us that
it will cost more to drain off the Frog
pond, that is proposed to be given by the
town of Alma to build the Court House
on, to enable foundation to be laid,
than it will cost to rebuild handsome
and substantial House at Van Buren,.
Our County is too poor to be footing
away their money on any Of Colonel
Locke's follies.
Year: 1877

leS~Says the Lawrence County Jour.
nal:


The subject of manufactures in the
South is being thoroughly worked up,
and our Senators and Representative in
Congress are alive to the interests of Ar
kansas in this matter. There is no good
reason why our cotton and wool and
wheat and other products should not be
made into cloth, -four, etc, right where
they grow. The idea that everything
must be made up North or down East is
fast giving way, and not many years will
elapse before the hum of the cotton-mill
viii be heard in every county in our
State. We hove everything that is nee
cssary to do all this and much more.
Keep the ball rolling. Southerners are
no sluggards.
Year: 1877

At a public meeting at Grand Army
Hall, Baltimore, Wednesday night, res
olution directing the Executive Commit
tee of the Grand Army of the Republic
to have prepared suitable floral memo
rial to be placed upon the Confederate
monument in London Park Cemetery,
was rejected by a vote of twelve TO six
t,-
Year: 1877

Below we give the amount Of tax that
will have to be collected in each town
ship for one year, for building the Court
House at Van Buren and Alma. The
very low figure of $50, 900 is the estimate
to build at Alma, and we venture TO say
that to build at that point will cost dou-
bic 100000 before respectable building
Year: 1877

ment. When all shall have adopted this
line of policy, and each be regarded
co equal in the work, then we will have
recovered from the blighting curse Of
the internecine strife, by which the land
was lately deluged in blood. Then, we,
the survivors OF those whose graves we
this day Decorate, may not be called
traitors and rebels by any considerable
number of our countrymen, but be re-
garded as true and efficient component
parts Of the General Government one
section Of which at one time, we with
these our fallen comrades, CALAMITY
fought.


Let the memory of their valor be
cherished for the common good.
Year: 1877

THIS was Robert Stephenson's remark
to the man who used to bother him
about perpetual motion: "If you will
take yourself up by the wsistbsnd of
your breeches and carry yourself
around the room. will consider the
matter"
Year: 1877

ted by the spirit of our institutions and
inspired by the sentiment of the light of
local self-government, as inherent in the
people. The Democratic party during
the past ten years has restored one State
after another until now the tread of
soldiers is heard in no Legislative hall
bit in every state the people are govern
ed by laws of their own enaction, and by
officers of their own choosing.


Mr.. Hendricks concluded with the de-
claration that this occasion had more
than a personal significance; it proclaim
ed that we had no sectional sentiment,
no Eastern or Western policies. The
West, the East and South We're one; a
wise and just policy would alike promote
the prosperity of each.
Year: 1877

and the jury brought in . verdict
of guilty of murder in the first de-
gree, and the unfortunate man va.
sentenced to be hung on May 20,
1877. The attorneys tried by ev-
cry means to get new trial. to
have the supreme court review the
decision of the lower court, but in
vain, and the young man prepared
for the almost unheard-of sacrifice.
As a last resort an appeal was
made to Governor Phelps for in-
reference, bnt after evans argu-
meut had beec exhausted the Gov
ernor firmly refused to interfere
with the findings of the
court. The last hope was gone,
and Poindexter prepared for death.


The fatal day was drawing near.
but the inierposing hand of Prov-
idence was also near. A few days
before the time set for the judicial
murder James Edmondson was
taken suddenly ill at Bloomfield
and laid upon his death>bead.
Then, knowing that his life was
drawing to an end he confessed
that he. and not his brother, had
killed William Shaw. Proper Wit
nesscs were called in and the con.
fession was taken down in writing.
AS matter of course the people
were greatly excited There were
but a few days intervening before
the time set for the execution.


What was to be done must be done
quickly. "A public meeting was
called, sum Of money raised and
young man sent with all possible
speed to lay the facts before Gov.
ernor Phelps at Jefferson City.
Bloomfield is considerable dis.
tance from the railroad, but the
young lawyer who was sent as q
messenger rode to the nearest rail-
road statior and then fastened to
Jefferson City and laid the papers
before Governor Phelps. This was
on the Sunday evening preceding
the Tuesday when Edmondson was
to have suffered. The governor
granted a respite to August 9th,
and then the lawyer began his ride
for life. He first teIegraphed
to Derter, the nearest Telegraph
station, the result of his mission,
and then, as fast as steam aud
horse could carry him, he fastened
back co Bloomfield with his order
Of Communication. He was not an
hour too soon, although his tele-
graphs had been received before.
But there was no hanging in Bloom.
field on that day, and the people
were all immensely happy. Poin-
dexter Ednondson could not speak
when first informed that his broth-
er had made confession. James
died, and the jailer, without au-
thority of law, let his brother at~
tend the funeral under guard. Meas
ures were at once set ON foot to
induce the governor to grant full
and unconditional pardon, which
will no doubt be done in day or
two.
Year: 1877

In these days when polo and lawn ten
mis- and cToquet are so popular, and every
body is racking his brains to invent new
game with which to amuse the youth of
America, we should like to suggest the
revival of pastime that was much In
vogue among a former generation. 1t is
sad to think that such ahealthy and lively
means of pleasure should have gone out
of fashion as much as it has, and that
only .unpretentiOus persons in out-of the
way places devote themselves to it. 1t is
a spring and autumn amusement designed
for the country. To play the game fairly,
requires tWenty-acre lot. Each player
needs to begin with team of good horses
ami avery peculiar looking chariot which
cuts through the sod with its sharp point,
and has only one wheel at the side to serve
rather to guide its course than aid in its
running. The driver hangs on behind,
laying hold of two light handles which
project in the rear for his convenience
The rate of progress across a field is of
necessity slow, but the course is very ex-
citing, especially where the ground is
stony, in which case tie driver, tying the
reins of the horses about his waist, is COM
PEELED to use great dexterity and strength
to keep his chariot in its proper furrOw
and is iolted like couple Of lovers sitting
on a blackboard. The game consists in
traveIsing the field from one side to the
other day after day until the whole sur
face is overturned, when the ground pre-
sents series of long, regular ridges of
clay, drying in the sun and looking DESC
late but extremely picturesque. This
sport is so fascinating that those addicted
to it continue at it from sunrise to sunset,
scarcely taking intermissions for their
meals, and they grow brown, hardy
and manly with the exercise To
prepare the field for the continu-
ance of the game is work of great
pains and no little time. The monotonous
ridges of brown and yellow clay fraye to be
broken down 10 an even surface, and to
effect this an ingenious instrument called
harrow has been invented, which is a
frame set with a great number of iron
teeth. When this is dragged rapidly
backward and forward over the field, it
Year: 1877

reduces it in time to pleasant level plain a
marked with delicate wrinkles tits then
necessary to sprinkle in the ground some '
cereal, such as wheat, oats or barley, in
order that by means of new growth
preparation for arother sod may be laid,
And when this grain crop is cut down the
ground is in such a condition that it will
be ready for a renewal of the game during
the next season. In this prosaic descrip-
tiOn we have aimed merely at giving a
definite idea of the sport, and have avoid
ed any idle. disquisitions on its beauties,
Suffice it to say that when it was popular
the whole country blossomed like the rose,
and the foundations of our prosperity were
laid; and if our young men could be in =
duced to take up this obsolete pastime
again and desist from 1ocking to cities for
more artificial amusements, spending
their precious timerin summer travels, and
squandering ther spare cash in European
tours instead of investing at home, some1g
thing of the old fashioned contentment
might return to the land. The passion for
pleasure and dissipation has gone through
all classes and driven the people intoiwild
and unwise extravagances, wherefore We
should be glad to see the popular tenden-
cies take more wholesome direction, and
earnestly recommend the revival of plow-
ing among all such young Americans as d
have leisure and opportunity to. indulge In
that noble pursuit.-N. Y. World. o'''ii'
Year: 1877

An elegantly scientific mode of conf
pelling man to swallow food, who other-g
wise would have starved himself to death,
has been devised and put in practice in
French lunatic asylum. One of the pa-if
tients who had persistently refused food
was becoming quite emaciated. The ply
sician in charge, DIR. Ritz, was expert
menting upon the patient to ascertain
whether any of the functions of the pal 2
ate, throat, ETC., were impaired. On ap-
plying the terminals of Ruhmkorf coil,
so as to pass a current from the pharynx
to the upper side of the neck just below
the angle of the lower jaw, all the mus
cles of that region contracted, and the
pharynx made an upward movement. A
bright thought struck the doctor. He had
some food prepared in portions, each of
which represented small mouthful One
of these boluses was put into the patients
mouth, and the mouth was kept closed by
an assistant Then an electric current
was passed. as before described, and in
stantly the patient swallowed the bolus.
The upward movement which the pharynx
made under the stimulus of electricity
was precisely the same as that which is
naturally made by that organ IN the act
of swallowing. Theprocess was repeated
with the remaining boluses until square
meal had been administered to the patient.
When The next meal-time came round the =
patient resisted and gave great deal OF
trouble TO the doctor and his assistants;
but the ingenuity which had so far trl-
umphed was not to be easily foiled, and
the treatment is pronounced successful, n
Year: 1877

living-his labor is his only capital. The
only and sole object of both parties is that
of making money; friendship and social
interests are Lot supposed to enter into the
relationship at all. Hiring and selling
labor is a business transaction wholly.
This being the case, how important it is
that the terms and conditions of the con.
tract be thoroughly understood by both
parties, beforehand; for the better protec-
ton of both, there should ne written
contract, made and executed in the pres
ence of a witness. In case the employer
has any doubts about the faithful per-
fOrmance-of the agreement on the part of
the party to be employed, he should insist
on a substantial guarantee that the terms
shall be faithfully carried out. This is
not unreasonable and the only test of re-
IsponsIpIIIIy he can secure.


8 Very many times, indeed, it is a yearly
occurrence, that where verbal agreement
Is made and there is nothing binding in it
the hired man will feign indisposition or
some other silly excuse, and leave his en-
plOyer just when he needs his services
more than at any previous time, and when
he isunable to find other help. Doubt
less in most cases of this kind a written
contract would have prevented loss 10





ton to the employer. In case minor is
employed the contract should be with the
father or guardian or they should guaran-
tee for the party employed. This done
there is then more, confidence between the
hired man and his employer, both expect
to fulfill the agreement and there is no
ground for suspicion or doubts. Aside
from the question of living squarely up
to the contract, there is very often a good
deal of meanness developed in this rela-
ton. The employer crowds his man early
and late; he allows him no time for read
ing or recreation; he treats him as social
inferior; he puts the hardest jobs upon
him and assumes the air of a petty tyrant.
In other cases the hired man is favored in
every way possible, and he rewards his
employer for his kindness by shirking
whenever he has an opportunity; by neg
lecting things which he well knows
should be done; by Indifference to the
interests of the business, whether farming
or trade. This is all wrong The en-
ployer should be kind, charitable and
generous to his men, and they should
seek to take care of the interests of the
man for whom they labor and make them
their own for the time being.-Detroat
Tribune.
Year: 1877

A RUSSIAN engineer has invented
bombshell tower, which is moved about
by steam, and in which artillerists sit and
pelt the enemy with destruction. Ply the
time the next war breaks ont the warrior
will sit in a rocking chair in the front
parlOr of hotel and talk his enemies to
death with a revolving telephone,
Year: 1877

THE new dress goods called bunting"
said to combine every good quality; it
is light, cool, durable, inexpensive, will
not crease, and is not affected by damp
ness or salt water. Long may it wave.
Year: 1877

We are happy to inform our friends that,
If the business of the HERALD be any indi>
cation Of the times, things are looking up.
We have been running three presses every
day for the past two weeks, and on last
Saturday, to keep our engagements, we
were compelled to run three power presses
until midnight. We have every facility for
doing job work, can and will do it promptly
and equal to any printing Office in this city
or Philsdelphia. We have been compli-
mented by some of our leading merchants
on the prime character of our work. If
you want printing done in the best style
and at fair living rates, try the HERALD
Job Office.
Year: 1877

Mr.. Charles Woodward, who worked in
tho HERALD office as compositor for a
considerable time, was last night elected to
the position of Superintendent of the City
Hospital. We are pleased to notice the fact,
Is Mr.. Woodward is man of high charac-
ter for integrity and morality, and in every
way qualified to fill the position with credit
to himself and benefit to the inmates of the
hospital.
Year: 1877

WE have just received copy of the first
issue of the Palouse Gazette" published
by Messrs. Kellogg and Hopkins 1t is a
sprightly little sheet and we wish the pro-
prietors success. In all new settlements
where prosperity and public welfare can
come only through untiring efforts, the
modern newspaper is sure to be the most
active and useful agent in bringing about
the desired results. .r
Year: 1877

A NARROW EsCAPE.-This week,
while the mate of the Bark Lizzie Mar
shall was quieting a drunken sailor on
board that vessel, the latter suddenly
drewa sharp knife and made quick blow
at the former. Fortunately the mates
hand was over his breast and received the
blow which otherwise would have reached
the heart. AS 1t was the knife passed
directly through the wrist, making an ugly
and painful wound. Before he was Sc
cured the man with a knife opened up the
Captains coat sleeve in a manner more
mceremonlous than pleasing.
Year: 1877

moment of awful silence as Saova stood
before the trembling Filing. Slowly she
raised the veil which had concealed her
features. Then presenting the youth to
his lovely bride, she screamed aloud:


Elline Mccarthy, | here present to
you Scanlan, the Chief of the Glen"
The youth instantly dropped the arm he
had grasped, Elline fell upon her knees,
and Lady Gromlaith stood mOtionless
with horror. A loud, fendish laugh
burst from SaOva as she exclaimed tri-
umphautly, Now, Chief of the Glen,
where are your boasted ramparts? Where
your good sword to defend you from the
vengeance of a poor, weak woman ?
Why stand you all aghast? Why gaze
on me as if in fear? lis true l am pes
tiferOus and have inOculated with the
poison of death all those upon whom /
have breathed. Look on your bride
see how beautiful she is | was once as
fair. Now what am l? and who made
me what | am ?'


Fiend-like she sprang upon the object
of her hate, clung to him like serpent,
and covered his face and lips with deadly
kisses. During this horrible struggle
neither his mother nor Elline dared
approach to assist him; they saw him
WrIthIng beneath the poisonous embraces
of the wretched woman, and could only
weep and call for help. At length the
vassals came; but at the sight of Saova
they stood Petrified and immovable, not
daring to approach beyond the threshold.
The frighttul contest was terminated by
Scanlan's plunging his sword into Saova's
bosom. For several days the young
chieftain's life was despaired of. During
this time the Lady Gromlaith made a
vow to bestOw a silver lamp upon the
blessed St. Finan Lobhra if her son re-
covered fIOm his present danger. She
also made a gift to monastery to defray
the expense of keeping the lamp con-
stantly burning before the altar, both by
day and night. The Chief of the Glen
recovered, but the legend says he never
afterwards had the use of his right arm,
which was the cause of his having the ap-
Pellaticn of " Scanlan the Scathed," and
that Elline fell a victim to the dreadful
Pestilence which ravaged this fair island.
Year: 1877

Experience of Il Steamboat Captain


Capt Charles Mclean, of the
steamer Geneva, sunk at Hugunillos
in the great earthquake on the
Pacific coast, on the 10Th inst, re-
Gently arrived at New York, and
tells the story of his experiences. He
says, though apparently safely anchored
his ship became entaDgled with others
near as they tossed wildly about crush
ing against each other, sinking almost
Immediately in fifteen fathOms of water
On the first alarm he came up from be-
tween the decks. 1t was about eight and
a half pm. There had been several
shocks in the previous twenty DAYS, but
he had completed his cargo of guanO and
was expecting to sail next morning
Aside from the frightful rumbling sound
his attention was arrested by the extra
ordinary phenomena on shore, the noun
tains above being so much agitated that
great rocks become detached and rolled
down toward the sea, resembling balls of
fire. Furthermore, the water at the an
chOrage suddenly Teceded so that the
ships in eight tathOms touched bottom.
At the same time it was observed that
the ships were surging round and round
and in opposite directions, and the an





the copper yards and interlocking, while
the air resOUnded with falling spars and
crash of the bUlwarks. The water came
surging in like a maelstrOm. causing the
Geneva to swing round at the rate of
eight or ten fathOms an hour in great cir
Cles until she struck against rock, which
tore out part Of her bottom. The ship
was forced in an opposite direction and
went down. The other vessel were as
violently driven ashore OF went to the
bottom, as in the case of the English
ship AvOnmOre, Capt. Garfield, which
took down with her the captains wife,
three children and several others. Capt.
Mclean says it seemed to him from the
sulphurOus or electrical appearance of
the mountain that the volcano was burst
ing out its sides. The rocks were tumb-
ling about with frightful noise. and
everything was lighted up. He thinks
the damage to shipping was caused not
SO much by the tidal wave as the upward
rush of the water and rotary currents
driving the ships repeatedly against each
other
Year: 1877

4 cOtempOrary thus strikes the key
note, and reaches the truth of this mat
ter in the following: Nothing presents
a sadder commentary upon the present
condition of society than the large mum
Der of families, both in town and cOun-
try, but more especially tn latter, that
subscribe to no paper Of any kind.
Hundreds and thousands of families are
thus growing up utterly ignorant of what
is transpiring in the world around them
ignorant Of the mighty events of the
day. But who can tell the vast amount
of injury that Is being inflicted on the
rising geueration-those who are TO take
our place in the busy world at no distant
day--gIowing up without any knowledge
of the present, or any study Of the past,
this ignorance, too, being imbued into
them by the sanction of those who should,
and doubtless do, know better, did they
only think of the injurious effect of their
insane course. Let the head Of every
family think Of this, and place in the
hands of those for whom he Is RESPONSE
bic the means Of acquiring some knOwl-
edge Of the moving panorama IN which
we act our different parts.