smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

We never could understand
why any morsimportance should
attach to the yelplng of cur
through a newspaper than to
THE baying Of hound upon the
street; both nulsances Of the
same character. And yet many


well-meaning friends remon-
strate with US if we do not ira
verse every dirty personal as
sault made upon our character
through the public prints, with
out regard to the character of
the assailant. We have been
the object of such attacks for
over forty years, in q more vir-
ulent manner than any other man
of our acquaintance, simply for
the reason that We never failed
to denounce public wrong COM
ing within our knowledge, nor
compromised with vice and IL
centiousness in social or political
life, either in or out of our party
or personal associations. Dur
ing those many years, we have
never known a VIGOROUSLY dis
reputable newspaper in our own
section, which has not made us
the special object of ribald vltup-
GRAFTON, without ever proving
upon us a dishonorable act, or
an offense against personal mo-
rality or public decency, or in
any degree impalrlng our social
standing among our acqdaintan-
ces and neighbors. Whenever
any man is made the special OBJ
ject of billingsgate abuse by
blackguards, the conclusion of
all decent people is, that he is
not one of their kidney. Our
experience Is, that the better
elements Of society will always
vindicate the character Of the
man thus assailed, and we have
but to refer to our own history
in proof Of this fact. To the
charge that we were "run out of
San Francisco for disloyalty,"
we can adduce the fact that the
most respectable journals in San
Francisco denounced the act;
the ablest Republican lawyers
in the State volunteered their
professional services toprosecute
our suit for damages, and the
mostsearching investigation fail
ed to discover a single RESPONSE
BILE person engaged In the law
less act, and no respectable citi-
zen ever publicly approved it.
The blaekguard paper of that
city denounced Gen. Wright as
"a hoary- headed traitor" and
subsequently Gen. Mcdowell as
"a rebel sympathlser, for main
tanning friendlysocial intercourse
with us at that time. We are
probably the only person IN
Washington Territory who was
honored with a special invita-
ton from the Governor Of Hi
nois and chairman of the com
mittee, to participate in the GER
emonies of unveiling the Lin
coin statue at Springfield, H.,
which shows what credence was
given by the immediate personal
friends of Mr.. Lincoln, who had
known us for a score of years,
to the charge of personal hostil-
ity to him and conspiring for
his assassination; a charge never
uttered or repeated by a respect
able journal or individual.


The same character of person
al defamation has followed us
through our seven years resi-
dence on Puget Sound, and eve
ry time their influence has been
tested by public expression of
the better class Of the people.
the result has been satisfactory
to us. We were elected chief
clerk of the Legislative Council
by unanimous vote; the only in
stance of unanlmity in an cleo
tion of that officer. We were
elected a Regent of the Univer-
Year: 1878

Hume's doctrine was that as
the circumstances vary, the
amount Of happiness does not;
that the beggar cracking his fleas
in the sunshine, and the duke
rolling by in his chariot, the girl
equipped for her first ball and the
orator returning triumphant
from the debate, had different
means, but the same quantity of
pleasant excitement.
Year: 1878

Of all things neglected, perhaps our care properly of our young trees, and we utterly neglect our old ones. The old trees might be made young and the expense of young orchards saved by 8 little care and forethought. It is, how ever, 8 matter of ignorance more than heedlessness. The majority of people, even among ordinary fruit-growers, do not know that they can rejuvenate an old orchard, even a wretched one that seems past cure. This can be done and fruit actually produced while they are doing it, simply by encouraging the growing shoots and removing the old ones gradu- ally. Not only will the new top but the bole and other roots will feel the effect. An orchard needs care and thought, which, if exercised upon it, will amply repay the owner. Keep your fruit trees free from all limbs that are of no use and you may encroach a little on the useful ones. Do not let the limbs get too old, Renew your orchard several times in it's life and its growth will thus be preserved. Thousands of farms to- day contain orchards which have gone to rack and rum for want of a little at- tention, such as is above indicated, and their owners are entirely innocent of any neglect on their part. Nothing grows which should not be watched and cared for where fruit is expected from the pro- duction,
Year: 1878

The old bucket fre-engine of Norwich Town that was in use in that part of Norwich for over sixty years has been resurrected from an old lumber shed near the site of B. Arnold's home and placed among the archives of the City Hall. It is probably the most ancient instrument of the kind in the State. It was made in England over one hundred years ago, and on it's front wheels is the mark of the Sheffield manufactory. It is peculiar instrument, yet had it been dug up by Professor Schliemann in his excavations at Mycen@ it would have undoubtedly been set down as the origi- nal chariot of the Grecian Achilles or the wooden horse that rolled into Troy. It consists of an iron tank on wheels, and an end stroke apparatus that is unques- tionably an infringement on the New England well-sweep. It has no suction, and so the firemen of eye olden time, J wholattended its wants, were obliged to first draw the water, pour it into the tank, and then project it upon the burn ing building by graceful gyrations of the Tend stroke. By the time all these ar engagements had been completed any en- terprising ' fire tiend" had either fin. ished it's work of devastation or ext1n- guished itself in disgust. The old machine has been presented to the fire department, and Chief J. B. Carrier will

 have it repaired and painted and put or file for the bewilderment of future gen

 erations. There is sad to be similar engine belonging to the fire department of New York city that is valued at many thousands of dollars as curiosity.
Year: 1878

"A fatal case of poisoning by peach stones which has just occurred in Paris may serve as a warning to those families in which children are allowed to look after themselves for hours together. It may be assumed that very few children under the age, say, of ten or twelve have any idea that peach stones or peach blossoms are dangerous. They have been shown the deadly n1ghtshade, and probably the wild hemlook, and have a canny dread of them but nursemaids are not nearly so fond of pointing out the peach tree as an object of horror and aversion. The victim of the recent &C., cident in Paris had certainly not been cautioned against the attractions of the peach. He had developed, at the tender age of five and half, the faculty of req soning on inductive principles, and he saw no reasons to doubt that cherry and apricot stones contained eatable ker- nels, the nobler fruit had, at least, an equally desirable treasure in it's inmost recesses. Accordingly, he secreted the stones of 8 number of peaches which had been sent to hls mother from the coun' try, and possessing himself of hammer when left alone, broke them open in dustriously and then set to upon a solid feast to which he did nasty but complete justice. The taste of the kernals wal not perhaps on par with the expecta tions previously entertained, but it would be ridiculous to go through the severe labor of cracking such hard shells with out entering into the fruition of the labo when once finished. So the unluck, child was found by his parent on her re turn writhing in the grievous agonie produced by prussia or hydrocyanic acid The arrival and efforts of the doctor wer vain, and another item had to be adde to the long list of deaths by impru dence." It is as we'll, now that the sea son for wall fruit has arrived, to explai what extent of poisoning properties possessed by the peach stone. Tn writer's on toxicology state that an ounc of the kernels contains about one graf of pure hydrocyanic acid, and it is know that one grain of the poison will almos to certainty kill any adult person. Two thirds of grain has very often bee fatal; and, indeed, may be regarded ( fatal dose for child.
Year: 1878

An exchange says: Thereal secret of the prolonged life of the Oneida Com munity is obvious to the thoughtful student of human nature, although it has, to a great extent, escaped notice. When Moves devised his plan of "social criticism he proved himself man of unusual cunning. It was the custom of the Communists to hold weekly meet ing for the purpose of abusing one an- other. This abuse was called "social criticism" and no Communist was per- mitted to make any answer to it, or to show any signs of anger. For example, Brother Smith being selected for eriti- cism, one Communist would remark that "our brother has an overweening sense of his own merits, which he shows in a way that makes him unpleasant and ridiculous. Another would call Brother Smiths attention to the importance of veracity, and would charge him with. a frequent tendency to tell lies. A third would mention that Brother Smith E manners at the table were simply revolt ing, and that he ought to try to become gentleman. Perhaps one of the trousered parodies would then tell the miserable brother that, being an exces- sively ugly man, he ought net to pain the sisters by unnecessary association with them, and another sister would lament that he never knew when he was | nOt wanted and wOu1d intruda his ,,rae ence when ladies and gentlemen were talking. All this time Smith was ex. pected to sit in meek silence listening to these disparaging remarks, and pretend. ing that he felt grateful for the interest manifested in him. As matter of fact, he writhed inwardly and longed for the next meeting. so that he might "get square " with the brothers by criticisine them in his turn.
Year: 1878

A man in Owego drives horse so poor and starved that it not infrequently falls in the street from sheer weakness. Some of the boys of the nelghborhood once saw this horse at meal time. His master gave him two "nubbins of corn, about enough to satisfy the hun- ger of spring chickeu, and little wisp of hay that might be grasped be- tween the thumb and finger, with the remark, "There now, eat till you bust.
Year: 1878

This morning about $3.50 O'Clock, the
wife of Edward b. Francis, found him
living in bed, dead. He retired last even
inc at his usual hour Feeling well and
was in good spirits, giving no intimation
to his family that he felt at all unwell.


The deceased was born in Stafford
shire, England, but has lived in in this this
a barber by profession, and at one time
Commanded the largest trade in this city,
old Indian Queen Hotel. He ives also
known very well in sporting circles being +!
at one time one of the best boxers in tins IS
country. He also taught the art OF sell
defense. lie was also noted markham,
and had taken part in great number OF
shooting matches, usually coming out the
winner. a


He was about As years of age and
leaves a wife and two children. Inc
cause of his death will be investigated by
the Coroner.
Year: 1878

The Milwaukee (Wis.) Sentinel of
Saturday says: William Elliot, a lad
about II years of age, resident on Fourth
street, between Vlietand Cherry streets,
is exciting the interest Of the neighbor-
hood on account of peculiar delirium
that he has become subject to within
the past few weeks. Having expressed
a wish to earn enough during his school
vacation to buy a small printing press,
his father procured him employment at
brewery, and it was while engaged in
stamping corks that he became i'll, and
manifested an extraordinary abnormal
condition. Williams confinement to
his bed does not debar him from observ-
ing what is transpiring in the neighbor-
hood. On one occasion his mother re-
ouested one of the children to ascertain
the condition of little girl who had
been quite seriously i'll for some time.
William Immediately advised the moth
er not to send his sister on the errand
since the child she was so solicitous
about had died. He Lad seen her go to
heaven. Inquiry revealed the fact that
the little girl had breathed her last.
In strange voice and singular manner
he declares that he, too, is about to go
to heaven-that he will be translated
like Elijah of old-in a chariot of fire.
The odd behavior of the boy and his
mysterious communications have been
carefully noted by his physician, and
the phases of the peculiar delirium have
become study as well as a matter OF
interest to the friends and neighbors of
the family"
Year: 1878

company. 1t cannot be denied that Con-
gress had the right to make the grant to
said company absolute and uncondition-
al, but in order to secure the objects for
which the grant was made on conditions
therein made, but having accepted 1t 1t is
estopped to deny their force and effect.
One of these conditions and the one under
which the applicant now claims the right
to enter portion of land granted to the
company is that all such lands so granted
by the section, which shall not be sold or
disposed of by said company within three
years after the entire road shall have been
completed, shall be subject to settlement
and pre- -emption like other lands at price
not exceeding Sl.25 per acre, TO be paid to
such company. While tits true thatncither
of the decisions of the supreme court clear
" and distinctly define the right Of the
government in the disposal Of said lands,
still they clearly indicate in the opinion OF
the court such Il right exists, and whether
| Il be considered that estate was granted as
an additional estate or an estate with aeon
ditional limitation, in either case am of
the opinion that 1t must be held that the
condition runs with grant, and is in effect
a reservation of a power of sale in the gov
ernment Of the lands granted to the COM
pany which remained unsold by it at the
expiration Of the three years after the en-


tire road was completed under the proyi-


sions of the pre-cmpton law.
Year: 1878

Washington Dispatch to Boston Herald.


A singular incident occurred in con-
nection with the work of the riggers on
the Washington Monument. A stout
rope has been hanging from the derrick
at the top, inside the shaft, ever since
the work has stopped, some score Of
years since. The question arose of how
to reach the top to make good connec-
ton for hoisting up the necessary tackle.
One of the riggers, after putting the old
rope to what he considered satisfactory
tests, undertook to climb it, carrying
q new one with him. His companions
stood from under, and he commenced
what afterward proved to have been q
most perilous ascent, Reaching TIE
top in safety, his hat and cut the old
rope down. The surprise of those on
the ground can be imagined when the
old rope on striking the ground fell in
to thousand pieces. 1t was found to
be completely rotted through, and
crumbled to small pieces on being
handled. The wonder is that it sustain-
ed its own weight, much less that Of
the venturesome rigger and his load Of
rope,
Year: 1878

Rats are n great pest in dwelling
house. barn, hen-house, corn-crib or
smoke-house. When they once find a
home round the premises it is very diff
ficult to enforce a writ of ejectment.
They are immensely cunning and are
not TO be caught in any common trap
or forced from their position by any
well laid stratagem. The only way to
get rid of them is to declare war of
determination, They must be perse,
cuted, annoyed, pursued and fought
against incessantly. Give them no rest
no peace, pursue them with quick lime
and potash in their holes; feed them
with strychnine; harry them with rat.
terriers; break up their nests; tar and
feather them, and give them to under
stand by all manner of significant hints
that their presence is not wanted
Trouble them on all sides and in every
conceivable way, not for day or 0
week, but till they quit the premises
A good share of patience and persever
ance, even without much hard labor
loss of time or expense of money vii
insure complete victory. When the
warfare is begun let 1t be sharp, relent
less and exterminating. The rat vii
fight shrewdly and even bravely sin
gle battle, but it is not the animal tt
stand long siege, or awell planned
and well conducted campaign.
Year: 1878

Since the meeting Of the Potter in
vestigation committee at Atlantic City quite
a number of witnesses have been examined,
and among them Secretary Sherman. The
evidence of the Secretary was much more
satisfactory to his friends than was expect
ed. He was very emphatic in his denial Of
the charges contained in Anderson's testi-
mony. Amongmany other documents which
he introduced was u letter to Gov. Hayes
and the reply thereto. To go through the
evidence OF the week, or to give even an in
teligible synopsis would be more than our
columns would contain without excluding
other important matter Nor would one of
our readers in hundred care to follow the
tedious windings for the occasional point
of interest. Suffice 1t to say that nothing
material except in general bearing in
moral way, has been brought out. Gen.
Sypher was on the stand on Saturday. and
testified in the interest, or rather in favor
of the Hayes electors, but was very severe
towards the Hayes government.
Year: 1878

ALL that ails the sensational story
now going the rounds about a nephew
of Senator Sumner who married an act
ress old enough to be his mother, is
that Senator Sumner never had q
nephew.
Year: 1878

A CURIOUS effect of the heat was no.
ted in Jersey City, where a sober man,
who had worked hard all day, went
homo to supper, undresscd as for bed,
and then went out into the street and
wandered around with a crowd at his
heels until a policeman took him to the
station house.
Year: 1878

A MINNESOTA man seems to under
stand the law of self-protection. He
caught couple of tamps setting fire
to his harvesting machine, and by the
aid of a shotgun made the transient
population of the State less by two.
Year: 1878

THERE is loud demand in the press
for some means to suppress the persist
ent wretch who makes warm weather
still more unendurable by rushing at
every body with the threadbare query,
We'll, is this hot enough for you?"
Year: 1878

Those contending police factions of
st. Louis are at it again. One would
think that St. Louis had experienced
natural warmth enough of late not to
need any Of an artificial character.
Year: 1878

The subject of the exodus of the
blacks from tho south is beginning to
attract the serious attention of the
thinking and considerate white residents
of that section of the country. Besides
the damage in business and CONNER.
cial way-the loss of the producing
class, fears are entertained that unless
the emigration of the colored people tc
the west and Liberia is stopped, thu
south will be iniuredin political sens,
will lose both in representativ,
strength in congress and in the electora
college.
Year: 1878

The Kentucky papers announce that
the song of the Katydid is now heard.
They begin to sing just six weeks be-
fore frost If it should be true this year
corn-stalks will need ulsters badly.
Year: 1878

THE TooTHACHE.--A man with the
toothache doesn't care about anything
else. The glories of the world pail on
his taste, the wonders of creation seem
as naught. The tooth becomes a vol
cano OF belching fury, and the rest of
Year: 1878

The Scientific says; The biggest water
melon it has been our pleasure to record
is one SO large that a small boy cut
hole in one end and crawled through it,
eating his passage through in the space
of 30 hours
Year: 1878

There is cat at Burlington that has lost its
voice The Hawkeye says it is just heartbreakng
to that voiceless cat 20 out into the moonlight
and climb on to the shed-roof and try by violent
and emotional pantomime, to express yOwl that
would break pane of window glass eight hun
dred Yards away
Year: 1878

one Of our citizens, who usually keeps
several dozen work horses, informed Us a
tew days since that he occasionally fed
Sour apples to his horses, with excellent
results. They are a certain cure for
worms. He recommends from half to
whole paiIful once a week. Another
citizen who has been in the practice of
keeping a considerable number of work
horses on his farm, says that he has been
p the habit of turning his horses into the
orchard in the fall where they could eat
as many apples as they liked. He found
that they derived much benefit from the
feed, and gained flesh much more rapidly
than others which did not receive an
apple feed Lewiston Journal.


A poultry fancier has found that lice
will not venture near a sitting hen in
whose nest two or three tobacco leaves
have been placed.
Year: 1878

The parlor matches are in many re-
spects superior, but the old lucifers still
hold their own with the man who has
contracted the habit of using the base
ment of his pantaloons in the place of
sand paper.
Year: 1878

THE Washington correspondent of the
Springfield Republican, an independent OBJ
server, says there is no longer any doubt
whatever that the first important paper
which the Democrats put into their case is a
deliberate forgery. The paper handed An
derson wednesday was the identical original
which he swore on Saturday he had placed
in the hands Of Senator Matthews. This
will be established beyond all question. Tue
reason for this sudden and to the Democrats
disastrous turn in their Louisiana case is
very clear. The Republicans were ready to
prove that this document, placed by Ander-
son in the hands of Matthews, was forgery
so far as. Weber's name was concerned,
This was announced in the morning papers.
This cross-examination by Reed before the
exhibition of the paper to Anderson was an
inquiry into all the circumstances surround
ing and attending the preparation and sign
ing of this paper by himself, and Anderson,
to make case for the Democrats, was
obliged TO swear that he was actually present
with Weber and saw him sign the original
paper. He was thoroughly committed in
variety of ways by Reed to the statement
that he was in every way party to the
preparation of the paper and witness to the
actual signing of it by Weber. Had he then
sworn to the identity of the original pre-
sented to him, when the Republicans fol-
lowed with their proof that the document
was forgery, Anderson would have had no
escape from conviction for participating in
the concoction of forgery. He therefore
resorted to the only device which would save
him from admitting the whole case against
him, of swearing that he had never before
seen the paper now handed him. As Re-
publican member of the committee expressed
it, he saw himself in direct path TO the
penitentiary for the crime of forgery and the
door wide open before him, and he suddenly
attempted to save himself by jumping to one
side. 1t is understood that he took this
course of his own motion and against the ad-
vice of his counsel and others, but it also
appears that his counsel feared he would do
this. From remarks he had dropped, he evil
IDENTIFY acted from great apprehension of
personal peril from the Republican mo ve-
ment to prove his paper forgery, and
without rejecting that the alternative he
chose would result in convicting him of per-
Jury, since he had sworn on Saturday that
the paper he gave Matthews was the original,
and that in any event he destroyed the
strongest paper upon which the Democrats
were basing their claim that Louisiana went
honestly for Tilden.