smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1866

CHAP. LAXl.


An Act to amend the Laws relating to the Post


Office Department.


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, That the Postmaster Gen
eral shall have power to appoint and commission
the preceding fiscal year shall at the time OF such
appointment have been ascertained to be less
than one thousand dollars per year; and in all
other cases the President shall appoint The
person appointed postmaster shall reside within
the delivery of the office to which he shall be ap-
pointed.


Sec 2. And be it further enacted, That the
Postmaster General, all postmasters, and special
agents, aud all persons employed in the General
Post-Ofce, or in the care, custody, or conveyance
of the mail, hereafter appointed employed,
shall, previous to entering upon the duties as
signed to them, or the execution of their trusts,
and before they shall be entitled to receive any
emoluments therefor in addition to the oath of
Office prescribed by the act of July two, eighteen
hundred and siXty-two, respectively take and SUD-
scribe the following oath or affirmation before
some magistrate, and cause certificate thereof
to be filed in the General Post-O Office: 81, A. B.,
do swear (or affirm, the case may be) that
will faithfully perform all duties required of me,
and abstain from every thing forbidden by the
laws in relation to the establishment of the post
office and postroads within the United States !;
and that will honestly and truly account for and
pay over any moneys belonging to the said mi
ted States which may come into my possession or
control; so help me God" Every person who
shall be in any manner employed in the care Gus
tody, conveyance or management OF the man.
shall be subject to all pains, penalties, and for
FIXTURES for violating the injunctons or neglect
ing the duties required of him by the laws relat,
ing to the establishment of the post-othce and
post-roads, whether such persons shall have taken
the oath or affirmation above prescribed or not:


Sec 8. And be it further enacted, That no mail
matter shall be delivered by the postmaster until
the postage due thereon shall have been PAID
and no box at any post-ofice shall be assigned to
the use of any person until the rent therefor mas
been paid for at least one quarter for Whlch the
postmaster shall give receipt, and keep record
thereof in his Office, which record shall be de-
Hvercd to his successors.


Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, Ihat every
postmaster shall keep record in his office of al
postage stamps and envelopes, and of all posta
books, blanks, property received from his pre-
decessor in office, or from the Poet Office Depart
Year: 1866

An Act to prevent and punish Frauds upon the


the Government of the United States.


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, That any person in the land
or naval forces of the United States, in the
militia in actual service of the United States in
time of war, who shall make cause to be made,
present or cause TO he presented for payment
or approval to or by any person or officer in the
claim upon against the Government of United
States, or any department or officer thereof
knowing such claim to be false, fictitious, or
fraudulent; any person in such forces or service
who shall, for the purpose of obtaining or aid
ing in obtaining, the approval or payment of such
claim, make, use or cause to be made or used,
any false bill, receipt, voucher, entry, roll ac-
count, claim, statement, certificate, affidavit, or
deposition, knowing the same to contain any false
or fraudulent statement entry; any person in
said forces service who shall make or procure
to be made, or knowingly advise the making of
any false oath to any fact, statement, or certif-
cate, voucher or entry, for the purpose OF obtain


ing, of aiding to obtain, any approval or pay
ment of any claim against the United States or
any department officer thereof; any person in
said forces or service who, for the purpose of OBJ


tanning enabling any other person to obtain
from the Government of the United States, or
any department or officer thereof, any payment
or allowance, or the approval or signature of any
person in the military, naval, or civil service of
the United States, of or to any false, fraudulent


fictitious claim, shall forged OF counterfeit, or
cause or procure to be forged counterfeited
any signature upon any bill, receipt, voucher, ac


count, claim, roll statement, affidavit, or deposit
ton and any person in said forces or service
who shall utter the same as true or genuine,
knowing the same to have been forged or coun-
terfeited; any person in said forces or service
who shall enter into any agreement, ombnaton


conspiracy to cheat or defraud the Govern
ment OF the United States, or any department or
officer thereof, by obtaining, or aiding and assist
false fraudulent claim any person in said
forces service who shall steal, embezzle or
knowingly and wilfully misappropriate apply
to his own use benefit, who shall wrongfully
and knowingly sell, convey, or dispose of any
ordnance, arms, ammunition, clothing, subsist-
ence stores, money, or other property OF the Uni
ted States, furnished to be used Tor the mill
tary or naval service of the United States; any
contractor, agent, paymester, quartermaster, or
having charge, possession, custody, or control of
any money or other public property, used or to
be used in the military naval service of the Uni


ted States, who shall, with intent to defraud the
United States, or wilfully to conceal such money
other property, deliver or cause to be delivered
to any other person having authority to receive
Year: 1866

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, That if any person, being a
resident of the United States, or being citizen
thereof, and residing in any foreign country, SHALL
without the permission or authority of the Gov
eminent of the United States, and with the in
tent to defeat the measures of the said Govern
ment, to weaken in any way their efficacy,
hold commence, directly indirectly, any
correspondence or intercourse, written or verbal,
with the present pretended rebel Government, or
with any officer agent thereof, or with any
other individual acting or ssympathizins there-
with or if any such person above mentioned, not
duly authorized, shall counsel assist in any
such correspondence or Intercourse, with intent
as aforesaid, he shall be deemed guilty of high
misdemeanor and, on conviction before any court
of the United States having jurisdiction thereof
snail be punished b. a fine not exceeding ten
thousand dollars, and by imprisonment not less
than six months nor exceeding five years.


Sec. =. And be it further enacted, That where
the offence is committed in any foreign country,
the district court of the United States for the dis
trict where the offender shall be first arrested
shall have Jurisdiction thereof


Approved, February 25, 1863
Year: 1866

stay in Washington and let them catch
him? 1 could have told you
that this thing was coming to pass six
months ago." He added: "Keep that
In your own skin, my boy. Don't
mention thati If you do, it will ruin me


Such is about the substance of the
testimony that will probably be pro-
duced against the prisoner. 1t is such
as convicted his mother and sent her to
her final account. His case will, of
course. be tried in a civil court; and it
Is possible that during the time that has
e!apsed since the former trials, addi-
tional evidence may have been discoy-
cred; and if SO, it is not improbable
that such evidence may have a bearing
on the case of the distinguished priss
oner at Fortress Monroe. aU -
Year: 1866

sENs1BLE WoMEN IN THE soUrH.-A
number of young women, belonging to
families formerly in affluent circum-
stGnees in Georgia, are now employed
in setting type in some of the printing
offices of that State. This is much to
their credit, and they will find it a
much more prosperous employment,
for both themselves and the section OF
country they live in, than going into
heroics over what they have been in
the habit OF styling the tslost causs',-
meaning the rebellion.
Year: 1866

my should derive no advantage from his
remissness. CHANGING :, from conceal
ment, he saw the stalwart sasage, with
kovery, muscle nerved, prepared to take
the leap. With the agility of deer he
gaye, bound; but instead of reaching
the rock his, progress was arrested as
though by some mysterious convulsion
OF his limbs and body, and he fell roll
ling down the rocky slope, a distance of
fifty feet, He had evidently received d
death shot from some unknown hand;
and terrible shout from below announ-
ced the death ofa favorite warrior.


A few moments suaiced to prove that
the advantage SO unexpectedly gained
would be of short duration, for already
another a 9TH ri Indian was seen approaching
tn the GOV cover recently occupied by his CON-
radc. Again the attack in front was
resumed with increased fury, SO as to
engage the fixed attention of both the
scouts. With this diversion in his ia.
vorr, the second warrior prepared to take
the he leap essayed by his predecessor
Wit With the spring of a tiger, the fierce
a and d,,7w wary savage ,darted towards the
coveted rock; but the same unseen hand
had intercepted his career, and turning
a complete somersault sin the air, his
body rolled down the declivity to join
that Of his companion :a1.i


This last mysterious sacrifice struck
dislmay to the hearts of the assailauts,
who, 1t being now. sunset, withdrew to
devise modes of procedure-a respite
which came seasonably to the scouts,
wcaried asithey were by the prolonged
and unequal conflict. 9mir


~ 1t was now that the absence of the
girl was first discovered; and the pioneers
supposed she had either fed through
terror to her former captors, or been
killed in the fight. But they were not
long kept in suspense for in few mo.
meuts the object of their conjectures
was seen emerging from the cover of
rock, carrying rife in her hand. In
the heat of the conflict, she had seen
warrior fall some fifty yards in advance
of the main body; and, Icrouching in the
upntdeersrowth, ptdeer she had crept to the spot
unobseryed, and secured his rifle and
ammunition. Her practiced eye had not
failed to notice the danger to which they
were exposed by the proximity of the
rock; and hers was the mysterious hand
by which the two warriors had fallen.
The second was the fercest and most
bloodthirsty of the Shawnees, and. it
was he who had ten years previously
murdered and scalped her mother and
sister: The night was dark and clou-
dy, a circumstance which enabled the
scout, under the skillful guidance of the
intrepid girl, to elude their enemies and
withdraw from their perilous position.
After toilsome march of three days
the party reached the stockade in safes
ty. Their escape deferred the indians
from their contemplated attack, the
surprise they had planned being there
by rendered impracticable, n
Year: 1866

Air goes smoothly with the new Atlantic
cable 1t is now ooiling at the rate Of two
miles an hour, in the tanks of the Great
Eastern. The Amethyst hulk is moOred
alongside the great ship Sherness while the
Iris is laden in her turn at Greenwich, and
will supply the Amethyst's place as soon as
the latter is. empted. Thus manufacture
and stewage go on concurrently, and at tho
moment one part of tho great wire is receiv4
ing its elementary coating of Chatterson's
compound, or perhaps spun at 1irrnnghami
other portions are laid down in the CREST
ship ready for the final paying out
Year: 1866

The condemnation of Father MCMAHON
is a disgrace to Canada, to England and
to the age. No greater outrage can be
inflicted upon the moral sentiment OF
Christendon than the execution of the
sentence that has been passed upon him.
1t is no wonder, in view of this
proceeding, that the Fenians IN
the United States are rapidly enrolling
new members in their organization,
arming speedily, and perfecting their
drill. 1t is no wonder that they are burn
inc with a desire to either rescue their
comrades from a felon's death or stern
ly avenge their blood. 1t is no wonder
that the American public has abandon
cd whatever sympathy for the Cana
dian cause it may have felt heretofore,
and now protests against the course OF
the Canadian authorities with an
earnestncss which may be followed up
by force.


The men who have been so unjustly
condemned to death, and the remaining
prisoners who will probably DE sen
fenced to share the fate of those whose
trial has concluded, are American citi-
zens. This punishment by the Canadian
authorities for crimes which they have
not committed, is an insult to our peo-
pie and our government which will not
be tamely overlooked.
Year: 1866

Weinvite attention TO the advertise


ment in another column, calling for n


meeting of the True Boys in Blue" of


this city, to take action for perfecting


their organization throughout the State.


This is a move in the right direction.


Had it been made sooner, the result of


the late election would not have been


quite so satisfactory to the Radical man


ayers. There was and is a very large
proportion of the Union soldiers from


West Virginia, unalterably opposed to
the centralizing and negro suffrage
schemes of the Destructives, and if this
element had been properly..organized, its
influence for good would have been al
most incalculable. The Conservative
Union soldiers are mostly reading, think
ing, active men-men into whose views
no element of passion is permitted to en-
ter, whose convictions are the result of
calm and dispassionate reasoning, and
whose political action is marked by that
steady, earnest devotion to principle
which can only he shown by men who
are satisfied that they are in the right
Such is the character of the
Union soldiers in West Virginia and
everywhere, who are opposed to radical
ism and disunioniSm in all its forms.
1t is with such men that the True Boys
in Blue propose to unite, so as tn form
the State an organization
of tried and trusty veterans, whose
combined efforts in behalf of law
and government may be as effective
now, as when they met and crushed
braver rebellion than that which now
threatens our institutions. We call
upon the Democratic and Conservative
soldiers of West Virginia to aid them in
the work they have undertaken. Themis-
sion of the bullet has succeeded against
the treason of the South: the mission of
the ballot is to destroy the rebellion of
the North. The same laws are dcfied,
the same liberties endangered, and the
same Government imperilled, that were
ieoparded by the Southern rebellion,
and we doubt. not that the same men
who defeated the armed and warning
foes of the Republic will still be found
battling against those enemies of the
nation who are comprising the destruc-
ton of the Government by means no


less fatal than the fearful blows of


treason's iron hand.
Year: 1866




what work that was, told me she should
soon be asleep as with kiss left her.
I took n light from our bed room, and
blew it out the instant ] entered my
sancturi and locked the door inside
hate squeaking locks-mine don't
squeak. Then I sat down by the win
dov, on the sill of which / laid piece
of ironmongery, which, small as it was,
held six lives within its power. And l
waited.


Waited till the moon, which set that
night at twelve O'Clock, had gone down
TO rise upon millions Of sleepers on the
other side of the world. Waited until
everything above, below, around SEEM
ed dark, and silent; and ghostly, as if /
were shut in a vast grave.


There were but two ways of reaching
nv house at that time of night-now
nearly two o'clock. One by a horse, or
wagon. the other ON foot. thought
knew enough of Peters TO be sure that
no sound of hoof or wheel would come
within my hearing through his agency,
and l was nearly right; for it was a
mufiled clatter that, Just after the vii
lage clock struck two, seemed to echo
family from some point mile OFF, and
beyond my "wood." But, listening as
intently as possibly could, heard no
more. And a half hour dragged wearily
on.


"Hushw my brain said TO my heart.
! q am not given to philosophy, reader,
so don't be alarmed by this expression;
but it describes what / felt.) Hush y
A creaking just outside my door, and
the handle tried! 1t was locked, as
said before. A stealthy footstep, that /
rather felt than heard, next made a
board crack further along the hall, and
1 thought heard something like eau
tious hand trying the street door fasten-
ings. Another board cracked on the
basement stairs; then on tho main stair
case of the house; and after that there
was profound stiffness again for awhile.
was becoming horribly excited. To
have a-wel, no matter what-walking
Year: 1866

of Septimus. The proofs were positive
against him, and as Ae offered nothing in bis
own yindication, the Judge therefore, was
proceeding to doom him to most cruel and
ignominious death, when, as if Illuminated
from Heaven, he discovered, through all
his misery, the features, though dim with
sorrow, of his long lost, loved Alexander.


Its impossible TO describe his Joy and
his pain on this occasion; happy in once
more seeing the person he most loved on
earth, distressed at finding him in such cir,
cumstances Thus agitated by contending
passions, he flew from his tribunal, and
falling on the neck of his dear benetactor,
burst into an agony of distress.


The attention of the multitude was soon,
however, divided by an other object. The
robber who had been really guilty, was ap-
pretended selling his plunder, and struck
with panic, confessed his crime He was
brought bound to the same tribunal, and
acquitted every other person of any part
nership in his guilt. Need the sequel be
related? Alexander was acquitted, shared
the friendship and the honors of his friend
Septimus, lived afterwards in happiness
and ease, and it was engraved on his toomb


That no circumstances are so desperate
which Providence may not relieve"
Year: 1866

The Kittanning Free Press says that for
some years past family named Dunmire,
consisting of the fatherand three daughters,
have resided in cave on the bank Iof the
kiskimintas river near the town of Apollo,
in sort Of semibarbaric life. They would
not labor, but, dressed in rags, and wallow-
ing in filth, they managed to secure a sub
sistence in a variety Of modes, suitable to
their debased and half civilized tastes. At
one time some Of the humanely disposed
people Of the locality of their abode, taking
compassion upon the abandoned life they
were leading, prevailed upon the girls to 60
among them as "help," but no sooner did a
favorable opportunity present itself than
they fled to their cave. No inducement
would prevail to cause them to abandon their
mode of life. A short time ago the father
died in the cave, and the fact becoming
known, the people in the neighborhood had
him buried. The girls were arrested and
lodged in jail of Armstrong county upon a
charge OF vagrancy, where they still re-
main.
Year: 1866

A VERY Curious INCIDENT. The Baton
Rouge 1drocute relates the following strange
incident Of the fight at Port Hudson:
That our fire was not without effect was
evident from the manner in which their bat
teries kept shifting position. On one occas-
ion this change OF quarters was brought
about by themselves in rather an unusual
manner. CAPTAIN Coffin having received in
structions to be very economical in the use
of bis ammunition, had loaded and aimed
his 24-pound gun, and, leaving it to wait
for the enemy to show themselves, he SAT
down behind the parapet and became en-
gagged in conversation with some other Off
GERS. Suddenly he heard the report of his
guns discharge, and looking up with some
anger, called out to know who had discharg-
ed that gum, supposing that his gunner had
touched her off without waiting for Or
ders.


He saw, from the recoil of the gun, and
from the smoke lowering over the vent, that
the gun had been fired, and yet the slow.
match was quietly burning in its position,
and not man was standing in the battery
Just then an officer of light artillery, who
had observed the whole affair, called out to
Captain Coffin that the enemy had fired his
gun. On examination it proved to be so.
A Parrott shell, or shot had come right over
the gun and grazed it on the upper part of
the scratch. The friction which this pro-
dueed had been sufficient to ignite the prim-
ing powder at the vent, and had discharged
the piece. 1t now appears that the projec-
tile could rot have bee nthrown truer than
it was, making is way directly into the bat
terry from which the shot had come, and the
Federal gunners, probably supposing that
we had got exact range, and intended open
ing upon them, limbered up, and speedily
changed their locality ,n.
Year: 1866

The COLOR OF GoLD.-Gold, as seen
by the light reflected by it's surface, is
yellow. When gold is precipitated upon
the walls of glass jar by oxalic acid,
it's color is blue. When we hold piece
of gold leaf to light, the color trans
mitted is green. This transmitted green
color is supposed to be due to mingling
of the bluenand yellow colors already
described .. ~
Year: 1866

The following pertinent remarks, by cor.
respondent of the Country Gentleman. upon
the subject treated, will appropriately apply
to majority of our California farmers, and
1t would be well for them to pay heed to the
wholesome advice herein contained


" This subject has been written upon so
oftens and people have, through experience,
been so impressed with its truth. that it NAV
seem, to some, useless to say anything more
about it; but. on looking around, we find 80
many who, while acknowledging it. are in
practice so very inconsistent, that | may be
pardoned for broaching it again. While it
Is true that the best is the cheapest to all
persons, In every business, design in these
remarks to touch on those subjects which
particularly concern the farmer.


In travelling over the country, in how
many fields do we notice teams of horses or
yokes OF oxen engaged in blowing or other
work. which on account of inferioritv of
size or condition, or of being slow walkers,
are able to accomplish but a small part of
what strong fast walking pair could do ;
and thus these farmers, instead of being
able to take advantage of the seasons as they
arrive, are delayed in their work, and Sc.
rious losses are often the results. The same
result is true in reference to steers, sheep
hogs, etc., for while it costs no more to keer
a first class animal than poor one. the diff
ference in value at the time of sale, often
decides the question of profit or loss and
in regard 70 cows. it is the same: for while
one COW will yield enough milk to merely
pay the cost of keeping, another that gives
double the amount of the first, will produce
a handsome profit.


So in reference to tools of all kind. Tc
save a small amount in the first cost, tools
are purchased that break upon the first
emergency, often in the midst of harvest,
producing delay and disappointment; and ii
! should also be remembered that men will do
their work better and do more of it with
good implements.


Perhaps this rule is verified more in regard
to the purchase of seeds than in anything
else. Although the ground may have been
prepared in the best manner, and at great
| expense for manure, etc., the sowing of in
ferior seed will cause an almost, if not total
loss. Take, for instance, the article of cab
bage, which, near our large cities, cultiva-
ted in the best manner, and raised from the
best seed, have been yielding from 5000 to
S400 per acre. Now if inferior seed should
he used, then there would be l loss of at
least one half. say $50 per acre. Thus for
the purpose of saving two or three dollars in
the cost of seed, this enormous loss is the re-
suit"