smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

A HALF wITTED Partisan hiss been
making an experiment in dentistry. He
had long been suffering from too bache,
but obstinately refused to go to u dentist,
and at length, finding the pain unendura-
able, took the following uncommon meth
cd OF extraction: To the tooth he at
tached n long string, and to the string a
heavy stone thus armed, ho proceeded
TO the topmost story of he house he occu-
pied, opened the window, aud hurled the
stone into the air. The weight Of the
stone and the length Of the string pro-
duced so violent a shock, that not only
the tooth pulled out, but with it II portion
of the jaw, his neck being 50 painfully
twisted that he tainted Hours ensued
ere Consciousness returned, and when be
recovered his senses, it was only 10 find
him,ef deprived OF the faculty OF
speech
Year: 1878

THE people Of Butte county are in fsv-
or OF holding District Convention at
Msrysville on the 9TH OF May, for the
purpose OF naming eight delegates to be
supported for the Constitutional Conven-
tion from this Congressional District
They want party lines oblitersted and
only the best men selected for the posi-
&ion-men who will devote their whole
time and attention TO ths business, for the
work 10 be done is Of great Importance
A call will soon be issued, and we hope
20 see our men take an interest in the
snatter.-OrOUiHe Mercury.
Year: 1878

PRETTY NEAR CoRRECT.-"Thsre is
not newspaper published from one end
of the year to the other that will not, if
critically considered, give otfen.e to some
body in the community. The newspaper
offands some one, just AS the weather,
rainy to day and sunshining to morrow,
is sure to annoy somebody. Tho con-
mon sense visw is that the newspaper is
the history OF yesterday written to-day !;
that it is the mirror Of tmes, and that
those who conduct it care nothing for in
dividusls except 10 do thsn justice. -
Exchange.
Year: 1878

ALREADY counterleits Of the new sill
yer dollar are in circulation. They so
closely resemble the gendine coin in ap-
pesrance and ring that none but expe, Is
can well detect the difference.
Year: 1878

THE Butte Record returns "thanks to
the ruling corporntiuns OF the State for
allowing the Legislature to ass the sp-
propriation bills necessary to meet the
expenses Of the Slate Government"
Year: 1878

The Etna, Sawyer's Bar and Black
Bear Wagon Road Co. intsnd making
a start on the new road in a short time,
with the intention Of finishing the work
by October or before next winter, at Attest.
Year: 1878

Only ten wears ago the credit OF the United
States. when compared with that of other nations
of the first class was low to n mOrtifying degree
This was not because the country was poor, for
no other nation could compare with 1t III re-
sources But the world could not he persuaded
to trust our people. Free government was on
trial in more ways than one. Ii had not been
proved and it was not believed that the great
masses of self-govcrnng men here had so fine
a sense of honor ms the small but cultivated
classes who govern the Old World. But since
then the Republic has demonstrated that it had
a conscience. According to the strict letter OF
the contract, the United States was under
no obligation to pay the 90 bonds III
coin The word was not once III the contract.
IL was purely a question of honor whether the
bondholders should be paid in cheap and dis
honorcd promises or in honest money. And
although there were not few sharp inanciers
tben-the same smart statesmen who are head
ING the silver column to-day-whO exercised
all their ingenuity to frame speelous argu-
mcnt for dishonesty, the country renewed us
pledges to keep its honor sacred. There can
be no doubt that it was this manifested spirit
of fair dealing which gave the Nation It's good
name throughout the world, and buoyed up
our credit until our per cent bonds could be
sold for their face


And now, the men who, ten years ago, were
counsclng sharp practice, are striving to un-
do what was achieved in spite of them. Our
credit has already begun to weaken as these
disreputable forces have increased III strength,
and if these forces now prevail, what is to pre-
vent it from falling below its old level9 If.
without consulting with its creditors, or
against their passionate protest, our Govern
mcnt, controlled by ignorance, or thoughtless-
ness. or quackery, or shameless dcmagogism,
now decides to pay them in deprecated mon
ey, what guarantee have they against more
serious attack of the scaling epidemic
Would not such course go far toward estab-
fishing the truth of the humilating dogma
that the word of Republic is not to be
trusted2 Ii is not the loss in dollars which
the National creditors or any other creditors will
suffer- nor yet the general palsy with which all
business will be stricken, which would be the
most deplorable result if this silver swlndle
should triumph 1t is, as we have often point
ed out, the decentralization of public character
which such disregard of the National honor
would indicate and generate. When open
oppeals to the rascality of the country prove,
after all, more effective than arguments ad-
dressed to the popular sense of truth and JUS
tice, it will be an appropriate occasion for all
the enemies of free government to hold
Jubilee.
Year: 1878

A recent decision of Judge Blatchford gives some
timely information which seems apropos OF the late
disasters at sea. The decision shows among other
things that old and experienced shpmasters may
be profoundly ignorant of the duties of their
profession. The suit was brought to relieve
the libel on q schooner, the Belle OF the
Bav. which had come into collision with and
sunk the schooner Benedict. In fog east of
PolIock,s Rip Light-shp. off the coast OF Massa-
chnsetts The Belle of the Bay was coming from
Boston 10 New-York and was sailing with the fog,
which enveloped her; she was pointed toward
little north of west, and was close hauled on her
port tack. The Benedict c0ursing toward the
northeast and was on her starboard tack, having
the wind free. Under these circumstances it was
the duty of the Benedict TO keep out of the way Of
the Belle of the Bay. Neither vessel saw the other
till too near to avoid collision. On the
Belle, two blasts of fog-horn were
sounded at frequent intervals On the Bene-
dict there seems to have been wild con-
fusion as to what were the proper signals to give
with the foghorn. although her captain was no nov
ice in seafaring business. When the libel was OBJ


tanned, the Benedicts captain stated that repeated
blasts of foghorn were given from his vessel one
at a time. But under the examination of the ccun-
sci for the claimants, Messrs. c. & N. ID. Lawton, 1t
Year: 1878

instead. The pestered bugaboo has been buried "A
long now that it smells unpleasantly.


Notwithstanding their frank avowals that they
"have had enough of Tiden," the Democratic Con.
gressmen are evidently troubled with apprehensions
that they may be forced to take some more Of him
whether they wish to or not. Just now they are
worried over a curious rumor that he proposes to
run again for Governor of New-York in order TO
show that he can carry the State by large majority
and thus demonstrate the necessity of renominatng
him. Mr.. Tilden 10 too shrewd to try any such
doubtful experiment that. He has used this State
once as a tlnkling cymbal to beat his "ref0rmn
music upon, and he is wise enough not to try that
little game again.


Collector Simmons has arrived IN person at
Washington to press his claims for retention. He
has had two protracted interviews with the Presi-
dent, and has loaded him with q bushel two of
memorials setting forth his merits a regenerated
civil servant. Boston is looking on in breathless
agitation, and the newspapers of the BristOw per.
suasOn are bombarding the White House with col
umn essays on true Civil Service reform. 1t is a
thrilling moment for Simmons and for Boston. IL
he is removed, the President will commit himself
to the terrible doctrine that repentance and zeal
in good works cannot save o hitherto erring civil
servant from condemnation. If he is retained Bos-
ton will have fit.
Year: 1878

A most interesting chapter in the early his
tory of the New-York press Is recalled by the
recent death of James j. Wilkie. the old pilot.
He was first-mate of the pilot-boat which The
tribune, in the eager newspaper rivalry of
Year: 1878

was shown that very different series OF occurrences
took place on the Benedict On that vessel, first
three, then two blasts were blown, and AFTER
ward one blast was blown at intervals. The
testimony on that point is almost as foggy
IA was the weather discussion took place
on the deck of the unfortunate vessel
as TO what were the right blasts to be blown.
The vessel also appears to have been unprovided
with proper signal lights. The result was that the
Belle of the Bay was msled and ran into the behe-
dict, sinking her with her cargo in the Atlantic
The Judge dismissed the libel, and lays all the blame
for the collision upon the officers of the Benedict.
II seems probable from this occurrence, that al
though the maritime law about fog-signals Is
quite plain it is possible for ship captains to have
very dim notion of its provisions.


When the Fuegian or FIJI Islander persuades him.
self that he has o controversy with a fellow bar
bariap he promptly hurls himself upon the party OF
the second part, and begins to gouge and pull har'
unless he is restrained by some dread OF superior
prowess on the part of his adversary. And II any
other gentle savage neglects an inviting opportunity
to cnch with him. he can conceive OF no other rea-
son for this forbearance than that the o1her Is
afraid of him. and he dcmeans himself accordingly
Imperfecy civilized persons frequently retain thcse
primitive instincts to degree which makes them Un-
comfortable neighbors. They are quite pOsitiVe
that people who are not everlastngy quarrellng OF
fighting with them are parayzed with fear. lhey
never dream that there is such state oil mlnd as
sincere desire for peace for the sake OF
peace. or that there may be moral or social
objections to strife of kind or another.
The fact that our Southern brethren are
still under the domination of these sem-barbarous
instincts makes them very disagreeahle persons TO
conciate Troops have been withdrawn, virtual
amnesty proclaimed, and the past forgiven by the
North because the North believed this course to be
lust; and it is not little exasperating to be re-
minded now and then, as We have recently been re-
minded, by the words deeds of some hot Southron
that the North weakened into these mild ways De-
cause it feared the solid South and its allies Ii is
not pleasant to be compelled periodically TO knock
COMPANION down and hold him there awhile in order
to win his respect, and in the long run 1t Is not
pleasant for the person who insists upon being
knocked down.
Year: 1878

England looks hopefully to Austria, but the
discouraging intimation is given from Berlin
that the imperial alliance is intact, and that 1t
i, frutless to calculate OH any rupture 1t
IA announced from the same quarter
that Germany has been asked to make
her influence felt at this Crisis, ana
that she will do so in the Interest of peace
From these and other indications, it is bccom-
ing evident that Austria will maintain a
passive attitude, and that she will not even
cmbarrass Russia by vexatlous protests against
the occupation of the Turkish capital.
Year: 1878

upon the great question of finance, are for
the rich, and against the workers


The Democracy has many men within Its
ranks who could ably fill the Office Of Rep
resentative. The necessities Of the hour
demand man whose voice and work would
be potentlonally heard and felt in Congress,
for the people who lalor. We should
hot limit ourselves to the seekers for office.
Any citizen who can suggest name ought
to do SO. Congress has adjourned the re-
sumption act is unrepealed; the army is
untouched idlers, like host Of occupa-
tiop, hold Washington as captured city.
A President is In Office who won his place
with loaded dice and Congress, IN the face
of Gods right and Justice, resolve that the
game was fair and just. +
Plain, square, honest men, who sweat,
toll, and deal fairly,-is this a state OF
uffairs such as you wishs
Year: 1878

The Kansas City Times gives an ac-
count of horrible tragedy that occur


red at Beaver Creek, Kan, about a
month ago. 1t appears that in 1875 a
young man named Arthur G. Wells
applied to Colonel Merriweather, the
owner of a cattle ranch on Beaver Greek
for the position as cow boy" and Of
fered to do the work for his board


Being quiet, honest looking youth


Wells was allowed to remain in the
"dug-out;" but afterwards, when he
assisted in herding, it was noticed that
he acted strangely, seldom spoke, and
that he frequently wandered off, being
absent two or three days at time. On
one occasion he returned to the neigh


borhood of the ranch with an old man,
who he said was his father, and the two
engaged in purchasing cattle, and herd
ing, The father was not more commun-
icative than his son, but it was noticed
that neither of them wanted for money.
A few weeks ago the herd belonging to
the Wellses was noticed to be scattered
and without a herder, and this fact,
created great deal of comment. On
Sunday, the 10th inst, three men rode
to Wells's camp, in ravine near Bea-
yer Creek, and found number of dead
animals lying about the place. There
were no signs of life about; but on en-
tering the dug out" the men discover
ed the headless body of the elder Wells
in all advanced stage of decomposition
lying near the door, and the son crouch
ed in the bunk. Young Wells sprang
to his feet, clasping closely some object
wrapped in blanket, and attempted to
shoot the men. He was disarmed and
in the struggle the head of his father
rolled from his arms to the floor. 1t
was then seen that the young man had
become lunatlc, and killed his father,
and 1t was with great difficulty that he
was taken into custody. An examina-
ton of the effects in the cave showed
that the old man was l.. A. Wells, of
this city, dealer in leather and hides,
and that the son had been charged with
some crime probably the murder of his
wife. He had fled from New York and
was followed to Kansas by his father
who endeavored to take proper care of
him. Young Wells was taken charge
of by Deputy Sheriff Knowlton of Sher-
man County, Kan, and is now on his
way Eastward, and will be received
by his mother. Young Wells seems to
be unconscious of the crime he commit
ted, and takes no notice of anything.
Year: 1878

trembled for the safety of our fine old


friend as we saw him apparently alone


In blaze Of flame, or half hidden IN


the dense volumes Of smoke, which rose


from the burning masses on all sides OF


him. And here we may remark that


although the discipline of the brigades,


their methods Of procedure, and their


total unbusiness-like air OF doing every


thing were to be condemned in toto, too


high praise cannot be bestowed on the


individual pluck and agility of the


members. We out Of Japan are now


familiar with the extraordinary feats Of
Japanese acrobats, but to see This skill


and agility put to practical use one


should "assist" at Yedo fire. When


the word is given for the hook and
ladder men TO 60 into action, 1t Is treat
to see some score Of muscular, active
limbed young fellows, not one whom
pauses moment to look at the danger
into which he is going headlong, dash
into the houses already tottering to their
fall, swarm on the roofs, swing from
rafter to rafter, struggle up almost per
pendicular slopes of loose tiles, often
with rope in their mouths, jump over
yawning chasms of flame as If they
were two foot bitches, fasten the
grapples to the blazing timbers, jump
down and signal an call right" to a
gang Of coolies below, who are hanging
TO the chain or rope. The wall totter
backward and forward for a minute,
but extra mettle is put into final pull,
and down comes the whole blazing side
of a house, burning half-a. dozen fire.
men sending up huge pillar of smoke
and sparks to the sky, and calling forth
a tremendous yell from the admiring
crowd. Scarcely has it fallen when a
dozen active fellows are hard at work,
with their firehooks. From under one
heap of timbers jump out two or three
of the hook and ladder men, who rub
their bruises and laugh frantically.
Out of cavern of smoldering ashes
crawls another, with an arm broken;
while from the innermost recesses are
pulled out two or three poor blackened,
mutilated remains of what were few |
minutes back rollicking, daredevils in
the prime and strength of manhood.
These last are gently carried off on
shutters, and tomorrow will be fol-
lowed to their last resting-place under
the cryptomerias and azaleas on the hill
side yonder, by crowd of relations
and comrades, proud in the midst of
their sorrows of the deaths met with
in the public cause.
Year: 1878

Once upon time a young man was
convicted of crime in Detroit and sen.
fenced by Recorder Swift to the Stat
prison for three years. He made No
record in prison and was pardoned by
Governor Bagley short time before the
expiration of the term for which he had
been sentenced, On his return to
Detroit he found employment at So a
week in one of the largest wholesale
and retail houses in the city. He con-
Quoted himself in an exemplary manner
and he began to believe that his lines
had really fallen In pleasant places,
until one morning an ominous message
came, informing him that he was want
ed in the prOprietor's office. Appre-
hensive that his history had been dis
closed, he entered the office with a heavy
heart, but resolved to meet the issue
like man. The proprietor stood by
his desk, holding in one hand letter
His manner indicated nothing of what
was passing in his mind but with
deprecatory gesture he handed the letter
to his clerk and told him to read it.
The young man glanced hurriedly over
the letter--a cowardly, anonymous
production-which was simply recital
OF the dark episode of his career.


els it truep" inquired the proprie.
tor.


"It is true," was the sad reply.


The merchants face lighted up in all
Instant. He grasped the abashed trem-
bling clerk by the hand and said to him:
"You are the man ] want. You may
draw $13 a week until further notice,
and at the first opportunity shall give
you charge of floor. l can trust man
who will face the truth in this fashion
under these circumstances, and you may
count upon permanent situation as
long as am In business"


What the young man said In response
to this unexpected declaration Of conf
dence has not yet been told; but the
merchant, whose sense of justice and
love of truth we're so signally illustrated
may be assured that he has gained a
royal friend, and earned the deathless
gratitude not only Of that young man,
but of all his family. 1t Is an example
worth more than whole decades oftm-
prlsonmoat.
Year: 1878

W hlch popular credence invested the


character and career of Blake, that


could not at that time believe had


killed him, and had not the hardlhOod


to expose myself to the RI k of again


falling into his clutches merely to make
this point certain.


In an incredibly short time | arrived
at what seemed to be tile place where
the trail branched, and turning into the
right path this time, l proceeded along
1t for a mile or more. Suddenly peal
of thunder reverberated through the
forest, instantaneously succeeded by a
vivid fash of lightning, which, illum-
mating my surrounding, displayed the
termination of the path, anil cluster
of settlers cabins directly before me.


A moment later | dismounted at the
door of the nearest cabin, and knocked.
My summons was quickly answered by
the proprietor, who happened to be the
man was in search of. He gave me
hospitahle welcome, and after my ply
slcal wants had been attended to, re-
lated my adventure. The knowledge
of Blake's propinquity gave my host
considerable alarm, and he at once com.
municated the intelligence to number
of his nearest neighbors, who, COM
pletely armed, assembled at his house
to be prepared in case the desperate or
any of his band should attempt to make
an attack upon the settlement.


The night passed without any dis.
turbance; and early in the morning
accompanied the backwoodsman to the
spot where | had been assailed. We
found the body of the man with the
bushy eyebrows, which was at once
identified as that of Blake. My shot
had been well-sped, and received the
hearty congratulations of the settlers
on my achievement. Blake's confede-
rate had made good his escape, evil
IDENTIFY having only been stunned by the
blow.


Not long after the occurrence / was
made the recipient of considerable re-
ward which had been offered by the
Government for the body of Blake,
'dead or alive;" and under the cir
hardly regretted my ad-
venture.
Year: 1878

Tore, IL was announced, the other day, that he
| was to deliver sermon in the Duvaa Street


Church, on a most important subject, the


colored people flocked by thousands to the
church to hear him. So eager were they


to see this famous preacher that consider


able number of men and women who were


present at morning service fearing that If


they left their places they would be unable to


secure them again, remained in their seats
the entire day, making meagre and insuffi-


cent dinner on peanuts and oranges; and it


was well they did this, as the struggle outside
the church to get in was SO fierce that hum
dreds Of persons were knocked over in the
| fight for pew, and one woman so seriously
| injured that charity wagon had to be sent


for to remove her to the hospital


Jasper's sermon was well worthy the large
| audience present. It was a powerful effort,


proving conclusively that the accepted belief
that the earth revolved around the sun is all
| bosh. Rev. Jasper took the ground that
it was the sun that moved, and clearly
demonstrated this from the Scriptures,


brushing away the fimsy conceits of the
scientists with the simple leaves Of the
Bible. The scientists could not dispute
the Bible, he said, and the Bible declared that
the sun moved and the earth stood still and
here he poured forth torrent of quotations
that would have staggered if not over


whelmed Galileo himself had he been present


Not satisfied with JOSHUA he quoted from


the Psalms, the Book Of Judges and every
book of the scriptures. At the end of the
sermon, the minister, submitted the question
to the congregation whether the earth stood
still or not The audience decided unanim-
ously and WITHOUT hesitation, by holding up
their hands, in favor of the Scriptures and
against science, that the earth did not move.


By the side Of the skepticism evinced by
many leading ministers on the late "hell"
question, the childlike faith of the
Rev. Jasper and his congregation stands out
as conspicuous picture Of faith and courage.
While Beecher is demolishing the Bible, Jas
per is defending it. The latter Is well pleased
with the excitement that his sermon has
created in Richmond, and informed a re-
porter that he was willing to deliver it again,
or to preach on the question of hell whenever
he is called on. AS it is known that Beecher
never refuses religious job, If paid for it, it
has been proposed to raise fund and organ
ize a debate between these two eloquent
preachers, whose styles Of preaching are said
to be very similar.