smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

On Sunday evening the steamer Norwalk
left Bay Ridge for New York with the pas
sengers from Manhattan Beach. Some of
the papers set down the number on board at
one thousand. Soon after the boat had
started on her homeward trip the weather
became SO foggy that she was compelled to
proceed slowly and with great caution.
When in the vicinity of Bedloe's Island the
Norwalk narrowly escaped collision witha
Staten Island ferryboat, escaping which her
pilot managed to run her aground in the
mud of the Jersey shore. The passengers
appear to have taken their misfortunes in
good part, and to have been disposed to
make themselves as comfortable as it was
possible to do under the circumstances.
But when some of them proposed to use one
of the small boats to go out and look for
assistance it was discovered that there were
no oars on board. The Norwalk got adoat
ut an early hour in the morning and landed
her weary load at the docks in New York.


Now what do the steamboat inspectors say
about this little adventure? There are said
to have been thousand passengers on board
the Norwalk. How many is she allowed to
carry under the law, which only few days
ago was ordered to be strictly enforced ?
There is some legal romance in existence,
we believe, to the effect that passenger
steamers are required to carry certain
number of boats. Are the boats to be left
without oars or SOULS or any means of pro-
pelling them, so as to be just as useless as
so many pine boards? If collision had
occurred with the Staten Island boat it is
likely that one-half the passengers on the
Norwalk and probably all the women aud
children, would have been drowned. No
means of saving them seem to have been
provided by the excursion steamer. Provi-
dentially no calamity occurred but how
long shall We be without one? How many
more of these death-inviting trips will be
made before the community is startled by n
bay horror, and reminded that the officials
who are paid for enforcing the law are
myths as tar as the discharge of their impor-
tant duties are concerned?
Year: 1877

ing of stock, and through the selfish devices
point out, bled roads to favor their private
enterprises. Ever since 1873 railroads have
been going into bankruptcy, and this is even
now going on at a rate which few people ex-
cept those interested in this kind of property
suspect. During the six months ending
the 1st of this month foreclosure sales have
been ordered Of fifteen roads, with a capital
stock of over torty-seven millions and
debt OF over eighty-tive millions. During
the same time thirty-two roads, represent
seventy-fve millions of debt, have been sold;
and receivers have been appointed for SIX
teen roads, with stock and debt amounting
to over one hundred and fifty millions
This unpleasant but nevertheless healthful
and necessary process of looming down to
hard pan" must continue, and the last
year has seen very serious general shrink
age in the value of railroad stocks


Under these circumstances the railroad
managers naturally desire to economize;i
but their workmen reply, ''Improve and pu-
rify your management" II they had made
this appeal without violence or lawlessness
we cannot help but feel that they would
have the public sympathy on their side. AS
it is, they have blundered and have shown
themselves incapable of managing their
cause, and they will be lucky if they escape
q general burst of indignation.
Year: 1877

time of great public excitement is not
good or proper time in which to propose
or discuss great measures of public policy;
nor will sensible or we'll meaning men at
such u time do anything which will call to-
gether crowds of people for any purpose
whatever We notice that various persons
and societies are proposing public meetings
in this city during the present week. 1t is
of very great importance to all classes,
but particularly to the working people,
that the peace of this great city
shall not be disturbed or even
threatened at this time. There are
here thousands of families who live by the
daily earnings of their bread winners, who
have nothing or next to nothing ahead, and
upon these women and children immediate
and terrible suffering would fall if we
should have any public disturbance. AL
ready the general stoppage of railroad trans
portation threatens to raise the prices Of
food, to the distress of workingmens fami-
lies in this city. 10 increase their hard
ships by anything which would tend to a
disturbance Of the public peace and order
would be crime not merely against the
laws, but against great multitude of inno-
cent women and children.


We urge respectable workingmen, there
fore, to keep away from all such as-
semblages, and to pay no attention to
what designing demagogues may urge at
such time as this. And we hope the
police will keep sharp lookout ON the men
who now seek to get together crowds of
people to harangue them. The right to
''peaceably assemble" is not to be inter-
fered with; but no judicious person will
attend public meetings called just now;
and as it is certain that thieves and the
labitual criminal class generally will attend
in force we hope the police will be on the
alert and prepared to nip the designs of
this class in the bud 1t will not do to let
them get headway here as they did in Pitts
burg, where, as the railroad men now
themselves confess, with modification, their
movement was taken advantage of by thieves
and robbers to commit violence and burn
down part of the city.
Year: 1877

Is it not disgraceful that in a country
which boasts of its Christianity and which
is full of churches such deadlock as this
general railroad strike should happen? Are
there not men on both sides with good sense
and Christian spirit enough to get together
and effect friendly arrangement? Law
lessness and mob violence must be
put down and will be. But is it
not better for the companies, better for the
men and better for every public interest
that the general discomfort, the existence of
which is undeniable, shall be amicably
talked over, and that employers and en-
ployed shall stand toward each other rs
friends and not as enemies? We wait to
see who will take the initiative in bringing
about good understanding.
Year: 1877




In time OF public turbulence like this
men with pet theories about society and pet
remedies for the evils which afiict 1t are
quite sure TO raise their voices. Anybody
who happened to think about them was GER
tain that the Executive Committee OF the
workingmen's party of the United States,
who keep their wisdom on tap ut Chicago,
would "speak out like little men !" and sure
enough they lost no time in recommending
their cureall to the country in yesterdays
papers. Ii the government will only buy
the railroads and telegraphs, and run them;
If it will, in addition to this, pass an eight
hour law, then all this trouble will cease,
they think.


Some OF these doctors are to address the
people OF this city, we notice, and the
HERALD, which has always shown itself
the faithful friend Of workingmen, now
urges these not to suffer themselves to be
deceived by a set Of shallow doctrines which
are, like all curealls, simply quackery.
Look at these propositions for moment.
In the first place the government is to buy
and run all the railroads. Now half, and
probably more than half, those railroads are
bankrupt to-day their managers and owners
would not like anything SO well as to sell
out to the government for handsome price !;
it would be an excellent speculation and
if the famous Executive Committee of the
workingmens party of the United States"
want any help in putting forth their nos
trum they can get it in about two-thirds
and perhaps three-quarters of the railroad
Offices of the United States. We are not
entirely certain but that they are already
warn the workingmen-the real working
men, we mean-- that scheme which would
burden them with monstrous taxes for a
century in order to let number of bank
rupt and half bankrupt railroad owners out
Of their bad bargains at profit is originated
not by friends OF workingmen, but by friends
of speculators.


AS to the Eight Hour law, if anybody
wants it, let him demand it Of Congress
and of the State Legislatures. But first, lot
him count up what proportion OF the work.
ingmen of the country would really get on
with eight hours work per day. The farmers,
the most numerous class by far, certainly
would not Alaw compelling people to labor
no more than eight hours a day would
cause revolt among the farmers at once.
Railroad men who are now striking would
never think Of arranging their work by eight
hours day; they know it would be impos.
sible. 1t has often being suggested to the
eight hour men that they should demand to
be paid by the hour, letting every man
work as he saw fit, and there is some sense
in that.


We advise the workingmen not to allow
themselves to be deceived by these nostrum
mongers and political quacks, half of whom
are ignorant demagogues, and not few
of whom are probably in the pay of specula-
tors who would like to unload" on the gov
ernment their Improbable enterprises, and
thus cast on the workingmen, the taxpayers,
O burden which they are tired Of
Year: 1877

All the odium of what was done must rest
upon them and their cause, aud they VIII
find that it will not help them. The United
States is not to be turned topsy-turvy III
order that few thousand men may make
an effort to get their wages increased.
Year: 1877

SECTION ONE HUNDRED AND NINE of the
charter ought to be remembered. 1t provides
that any five citizens who are taxpayers may
move for an Investigation into the conduct of
any city official, and OF the Supreme Court
Justices must assist them. The exercise now
and then OF the power conferred by this section
would accomplish an immense amount of good
Year: 1877

GEORGIA is MOLLY LIVING up TO her pledges
and to the amendments to the constitution. In
bill Of rights just adopted citizenship is guaran
teed to all races and fogging Tor crime is pro-
hibitcd. Delaware and Virginia would do well
to initiate the example OF the Empire State OF
the South in the matter of the whipping post.
Year: 1877

REcENER LAWRENCE has made a decision of
very great Importance to the policy holders of
the Popular Life Insurance Company-premium
notes must be paid before July 81 it their
drawers wish to share in the assets
Year: 1877

LET ALBANY ALoNE.-Tae liquor men are
talking about sending no one to Albany who
will not vote Tor Excise law to suit Them


This is wrong There other persons te be
suited well as they. What the honest men III
the trade ought ~ do is to- endeavor to aid the
authorities i'll framing law that shall be just to
all concerned, and that will repress vice and i'm
morality Us far possible. The less they say
about Albany the better tor their own interests
Year: 1877

CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. There will be no
exceptions in tiic enforcement Of the civil
vice rules. Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury
Mccormick, Ex-Governor Noyes, of Ohio, and
three or four other gentlemen high up in the
party, who hoped TO escape have found that
there was in holding out, and have given
up their places the campaign committees
What is good Tor the subordinate ought To DO
good enough for the principal ofce-hodcrs
The administration would have made itself
ridiculous by making fish OF and flesh OF the
other.
Year: 1877

THE AcTIoN OF THE ADMINISTRATION in ar
resting Escobedo and fourteen fifteen other
generals and colonels for violation Of our neu-
trality laws will be approved by the whole
try. Escobcdo pnd his party appear to have
been surprised Mexican bandits and outlaws
have been so long accustomed to do what they
please the border that they believe have
no rights there ut all One of them, see,
broke the terms OF his release. As soon as he is
caught he ought to be sent to State Prison.
Year: 1877

A remarkable scene occurred at the
close Of the Wieners. murder trial in st.
Louis. Wieners is gigantic rufisn,
formerly employed in a local variety
theatre, and the murderer nearly year
ago of q young man named Lawrence.
he shot and instantly. killed Lawrence
in fit of rage, the tragedy taking place
in the theatre. During the progress OF
the trial the aged and respectable father
and very attractive sister OF the prls'
oner were his constant attendants in the
court. The jury, after being out but q
short time, brought in verdict of MUIR
der in the first degree. The court room
was crowded. When the verdict was an
nounced the prisoners sister burst into
a paroxysm Of ,shieks, and the entire
family were removed by order of the
court to q side room. The father had
listened to the verdict of guilty ; but all
at once he began q series of hoarse yells
and blasphemous cursing, in fit OF alb.
solute temporary insanity. Then the
prisoner became frenzied and violent, and
had to be handcuffed, being 30 taken to
his cell, Meanwhile the father had
fallen in fainting ft, and divorced
wife Of the prisoner laughed in JOY at
his conviction. The entire scene was
one of the most horrible ever Witnessed
in 8 court room, occasioninga general
excitement. The verdict met with uni
Yersal approval.
Year: 1877

The war correspondent OF the London
Times relates this incident of the battle
of Rasgrad: As the Russians began to
waver and their fire to slacken as the
Turks were pressing forward with in
creased vigor, young Russian officer
was seen standing just behind one OF
their batteries waving his sword and
boldly encouraging his men to stand
their ground. Over and over again ne
rallied the troops who were pouring out
of the trench, but it was of no use !; it
was not in his power alone to stem the
tide of victory. His men, animated by
his example, turned and held their own
for few minutes, but the fire was too
heavy for any human thing to stay and
live. They could not bear it. They fell
on their knees and entreated him to fly,
but not an inch would he stir, and at
last he stood for more than minute ab-
solutely alone, save for the dying and
the dead piled in heaps around him.


It could only end one way amid the
storm of bullets which were raining
around him thick as hail one at last
found its way to that noble heart, and he
fell dead. As the Turks swept over the
parapet and dashed past the spot where
he Lay, the colonel, struck by the boys
extraordinary courage and devotion, gave
orders that he should be decently buried.
In the evening he reported to the com.
mander-in-chief that the body was that
of girl. I give this most astounding
declaration Of the colonel upon the au-
thority of one of the English officers Of
the serdar's staff. who tells me that he
was really present when it was made. IT
seems almost incredible; but, true OF
false, no braver heart ever beat than now
sleeps in that little grave on the sunny
slope of Kacelyevo.
Year: 1877

A San Francisco paper narrates the
following exciting incident which took
place recently in that city during an e1-
hibition of horse-taming given by Pro-
fessor Tapp: The horse stood near the
centre of the inclosed circle aud the
professor about midway between him
and the inclosing high barricade, the
horse perfectly subdued under the eye
of the commander. Some person on .
seat in the rear of Tapp asked him q
question, and for one instant Tapp re-
moved his eye and half turned his head
to answer. In that instant the crafty
brute sprang upon him like a tiger.
There was yell of horror from the
spectators as the horse caught the man


up by the clothes at the small OF his
back, shook him as terrier. does rat;
and flung him through the air against
the inclosing planking. Before Tapp
could regain his feet the ferocious MONS
ter was again upon him, seizing him
with his teeth by the left shoulder and
endeavoring to kneelrdown upon him.
This the cross-hobble prevented him
from doing, and the cool professor. with
his shoulder still in the grip of the
monsters jaws, struggled to his feet and
with his ri ght hand so held the bit as to
prevent as far az possible the successful
working of the horses jaws. The crowd
was intensely excited. Mr.. Wooden
seized long pole and poked it between
the halter and the horses lower jaw, and
still further retarded the biting. The
friends of Tapp called for a gun, bht there
was no gun, and what is remarkable IN q
collection of 200 Californians. no one
had revolver. or the murderous brute
would have been shot dead instantly.
The horse and Tapp continued fighting
half way around the ring, Wooden. on
the seats outside still hsmpering the for
mer's efforts with the pole. The
spectators on the front seats also did al
they could to distract the man-eater's
attention, one lady seizing the crutch OF
a man sitting next her and beating the
horse over the head with it. By the aid
of these distractions Tapp was enabled
by degrees to draw his arm through the
horses jaws, the horse chewing it as it
slipped away from him until finally it
vas entirely withdrawn. The crowd
shouted to Tapp to jump for his life, but
the plucky trainer called for his whip,
and with his mangled left arm dangling
by his side, so tickled the fetlocks OF
Cogniac that that enterprising animal
was again what Tspp fondly calls sub
lection. Last evening the trainer WIS
in the stable Office with friend pouring
an odorous liniment over his bandaged
arm, and the man-eater, with all his evil
passions inflamed with the taste of blood,
was romping around his prison and
eagerly reaching up for mouthful Of
any timid spectator that ventured near
enough to look down at him. The peo'
pie will continue to look forward with
interest to the solution Of the problem
of whether Tapp will tame the man.
cater or the man-eater tame Tapp. >
Year: 1877

Still another development of the pow
ers of the telephone has been made. An
experiment in New York demonstrated
that the current of one telephone would
divide itself into numerous smaller cur
rents, sufficiently strong for at least si1
telephones, discovery unparalleled in
the science of telegraphy. Connections
were made between the central Office and
six other places in the city, and cornet
played in the central Office was distinctly
heard in the other six offices,


A rather embarrassing discovery was
made the other day. Whilst putting up
a new line, the person engaged in the
work accidentally dropped the wire of a
line between q business establishment
and the residence of one of the proprie-
tors, and overheard conversation be-
tween an employee, at the place of busi-
ness, and the wife of the proprietor, at
home. Fortunately no dangerous secrets
were betrayed.
Year: 1877

How brightly through the mist Of years,
My quiet country home appears!
My father, busy all the day


In plowing corn, or raking hay
MY mother, moving with delight
Among her milk-pans, silver bright;
We children just from school set free,
Filling the garden with our glee
The blood Of life was flowing warm
When I was living on farm.
I heard the sweet church-going bell
As DER the fields its music fell.
see the country neighbors round
Gathering meath the pleasant sound;
They stup awhile beside the door,
To talk the homely matters DER
The springing corn. the ripening grain
And chow we neeo little rain"
"a little sun would do no harm,
We want good weather for the farm
When autumn came, what JOY to see
The gathering OF the husking bee,
To hear the voices keeping tune.
OF girls and boys beneath the moon,
To make the golden corn-ears bright,
More golden in theSellow light!
Since have learned the ways Of men,
I often turn to these again,
And feel life wore its highest charm,
When I was living on q farm.
Year: 1877

b The women on holidays turn out in
the old Morse costume. the chief feature
of which is the bodice, which is often
made OF some bright-colored velvet,
turned down in front with white sill, ,and
laced before and behind, according to
our author, "with several yards Of fine
silver chain, each chain ending in silver
bodkin, in order that they may be the
better threaded through, double rows OF
eyes (in themselves " strikingly pretty
articles of silver, that run in four lines
up the back and front OF this showy
piece Of Scandinavian haberdashery."
Both men and women are very fond OF
large, bright buttons and of silver OF
plated ornaments. ;, A Morse wedding is
always preceded by q series OF presents
from the bridegroom to the bride.


First, there are about two dozen meal
tubs of various sizes, elaborately painted ;
and last and crowning glory of the trous-
seau, there is wonderful clothes-press.
Inside, as far as regards drawers large
and small, and brass pegs and racks for
crockery, it is a marvel OF ingenuity ;
while outside it is perfect triumph of
art. The ground tint is warm bright
vermilion, painted all over with green
and yellow scrolls, enlivened with wreaths
of gorgeous flowers, and piles of bril-
liantly hued fruit, pleasingly interspersed
with quaint lovers knots and bleeding
hearts transfxed upon Cupid's darts, in
the midst of which are the names and
birth-dates of the liberal donor and
blissful recipient Of this magnificent
wedding. gift. A Norwegian maiden,


who is generally as sober as linnet in
her ordinary attire, appears on her bridal
day glittering in all the colors of the
rainbow. On her long fair hair is set an
antique crown of silver gilt and her
bodice, stiff as cuirass, is thickly
studded with beads, silver-gilt brooches,


and small mirrors. This bridal adorn-


ment is too valuable toibe the individual


property of any Morse belle, but belong


to the district, and is hired out for the


day.
Year: 1877

Ed. CHIEF We see, of late, good deal of talk in
your paper about the Severepce Postoice business,
and We have taken notion to say a few words about
it, if you will be kind enough to make room for them
in your valuable paper. In the first place, if our
Postmaster would attend to his own busness and not
bother himself pryng into the affairs of Others all
these bitter feelings would be avoided and in the
second piece if this great tool of his did not try
magn one Of our best citizens. would let it 20 un
noticed. We must say that we have known Mr. A. S.
Campbell since he to this place and have found
him true and uprght-true to his party md the prin
ciples he sdvocated-and if he did come here with
limited means, the great d. J. Mswherter styles it.
We think he carried with him good reputation. But
VIC think that Arch ought to feel grateful to Mawher
ter for the influence he brought bear on the COM
munity in his behalf at the time he here and he
so penniless; because at that time Mawberter was
man of vast wealth, and could help any poor man. if
he felt like it. Mswherter must forget that he has
lived on public patronage since he came here,
and Arch. Campbell has often helped to CORY him
through; and We see now that his thanks are the
worst kind Of abuse for the favors he has received
But We must consider the source from whence it has
come. When you show us q man that tries to carry
water on both shoulders, as hard as Mawherter has
tired, then You will show us man without much
principle The consequences are now, neither party
wants to have anything to do with such man. and
he is going to pull up, and, Barnumke humbug some
other community. We understsnd that Mawherter
turned himself into private detective, last March,
and went OF to Ohio to catch the fugitive Maher un-
der an agreement with Ruben Small and Nathan
Springer, that each Of the three named parties
were to besr an equal amount of the expense, but
failed to l his part Of the agreement when
the detective returned and he and Small had to foot
the whole bill and be now accuses Campbell of
making their designs known. But in this We think
he is mistaken, as there parties in town who
watched his movements, and claim to have known,
two hours after he left, where he was going. Now |
will say in conclusion, that if both these men did
not violate the oees Of trust that they held this dis
'ussion would have never taken place; and the less
hey say about itin future, the better.


OCCASIONAL