smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

In the wilds of Nevada, about sixty
eight miles east Of Wadsworth, new and
extraordinarily fertile agricultural country
has recently been opened up. 1t is about
fifteen miles north and south, and seven
or eight east and west, and contains about
10000 acres, watered by bitches from the


Humboldt river. The nature Of the soil
--an alluvial deposit, mixed with decayed
vegetable matter from the ground for ages
lis like peat in its black richness. Bar
ley, wheat, potatoes, berries and fruit of
all kinds grow beautifully in this earthly
paradise, and attain luxuriance unknown
even in that proverbially fertile State
California. Sad to say, this wonderful
country has its drawbacks--just as every
rose has its thorn. This Eden, like its
namesake in Dickens great book, is
full of fever and ague; and mosquitoes
which the veracious ehronicler says ~
have never seen outnumbered anywhere"
prey industriously upon the settler--fMa-
laria is in the water, and valley fever,
which is something like dumb ague, pre-
walls. Nor is this all. Gan unpleasant
feature is the fondness snakes manifest for
such a place--they literally swarm; the
bushy ends Of the dams in the river which
runs through the tract are alive with them.
and timid person would hardly venture
to walk across some Of the foot-bridpes.'
As every coin has two sides, every story
Of Western mining or agricultural wealth
and discovery has its dark as well as its
bright aspect. Seldom, however, Is il
that the chronicler Of discoveries Of new
mining lands Of new spots Of fertility Is 50
frank as the one from whom we quote.
We would wish, however, that they
were all like him, in order that those
into whose hearts Horace Greeleys max
i'm, "Go West, young man Go Westf'
has made its impress, might know the
difficulties they win have to face and the
troubles they have to encounter in the life
they are about setting out on. The path
way TO fortune in the West is no easier and
no more strewn with roses than Il is ii the
East, and those who 20 to seek fame,
name and wealth, in the fields and cities
OF the Occident, will need the same cour-
age, pluck and resolution that they require
IN the battle Of life in this part of the
country.
Year: 1877

The great mass Of men are ever trying
to solve the question Of how TO get rich,
and in the attempt to do so, have misery,
pain, disgrace, wrong, ignominy, discom-
fort, and all the outrages mankind have
perpe.rated. A grasping, eager desire 10
make and accumulate money has estrang-
ed neighbors, friends, brothers, and sons
aud caused bitter hate and strife, where
peace and love did and should exist. In
the inordinate desire to amass money nine
tenths of all the troubles Of life originate.
1t is the duty Of every one to try by all
honest and worthy means to make living,
and as the time may arrive, in the life of
all, when sickness or misfortune, or disa-
bility from any cause may oyertake us, it
is always desirable to be careful and pru-
dent, and try to lay up a little means to
prevent suffering and want when misfer-
tune overtakes US. But tho idea is erro-
neous that it is the main object of life to
hoard up money. The man that has spent
life in amassing a colossal fortune at the
expense of the feelings, the interest and
the prosperity of others, does not enjoy a
more happy aud quiet life or more peace
full death than beggar. Money may
command influence, and help toputf poor
mortal up, and cause him to be vain and
ostentatious, but it can never buy pass
port to Heaven, or compensate for life
spent in trampling upon the rights and
feelings of others. If there was more of
a desire to live and enjoy life, and do equal
justice to all, less avarice, more honesty,
more consideration for and interest in
neighbOrs and friends, and less grasping
after money, there would be less misery,
more happiness and longer and happier
DAYS.
Year: 1877

The man who does not sleep, Saunders,
now resides near Parkersburg, Va. Some
time in 1861 or 1862 Saunders enlisted
10 the Fourth West Virginia Volunteers.
For several years he has not slept at all,
so he says. But it becoming known direct
ly in camp that he made such pretentions,
it aroused the curiosity Of many of the
men and officers and they set watch upon
him. The colonel aud many others lost
great many nights sleep in endeavoring
TO entrap Saunders, but during the whole
time that he remained member of the
Fourth he was never caught asleep. He
stood guard night after night, week after
week, paid by sleepy-headed soldiers to
take their turns, but never was caught
mapping. He hauled coal several weeks
in succession, only stopping long enough
to eat and change horses, and plowed in
the fields with five or six stalwart men
until he wore them out completely, but
never seemed to tire.


During the year 1863 be went to Phil
adelphia and was examined by the leading
physicians Of the country. They sat up
with him in relays of Eve, night and day,
and kept up an almost constant stream of
conversation with him, and at the termina-
tion Of twenty-nine days discharged him,
with certificate, but could give no ex-
PLANTATION of this freak of nature. Many
stories Of the untiring energy and activity
Of this man are told, and all agree who
know him that this antipode Of Rip Van
Wrinkle is the most sleepless man they
ever met.


Mr. Saunders is now about ffty-six
years Of age, and says that he has not
known what sleep is for eighteen years.
He himself cannot account for it, as he
says the change in his physical organiza-
tion occurred within three days, aud that
was when he had a catarrh, about three
years ago. He is a hale, hearty man
and bids fair to live many years yet.
He is conscientiously opposed to making
a display of himself, or no doubt would
long ago have been before the public as
one Of the human curiosities of the world.
Year: 1877

An exchange says :--"The question is
very often asked What is the difference
between a registered letter and any other?
The difference is that registered letter
does not go in the mail proper. 1t passes
from hand to hand outside Of the mail
pouches, every person through whose hands
It passes being required to sign receipt
for It on receiving it, and secure rcceipt
for it on passing it over to the next trans
it. The person holding the last receipt is
thus always able to show who Is accounta-
bic for its loss The responsibility rests
upon the man who has signed receipt
for the registered package, and who is not
able to produce the package or a receipt
from somebody else for il.


The safest way to send money is bv
money order, Where it does not 20 to 4
money order Office it should always Be SENT
in registered package. Money ought
not to be sent ip an ordinary letter under
any circumstances. There Is no possible
way of tracking" such letter.
Year: 1877




In his recently published " Biographical
Sketch of Child" Mr.. Darwin notes the
fact that whereas all babies are well pleas
ed to see their faces in mirror, the high
or apes are highly incensed when they
behold their natural face in a glass. The
fact is also remarked that whereas children
soon learn that it is but an image which
they see there, the highest apes think it to
be real object and grasp around. behind
the mirror to catch it. Here seems to be
something on which to base theory, if
one only had the patience to construct it;
the facts are certainly interesting enough.


Other facts may be added to the above.
Place mirror before dog and he will
rush behind to attack his supposed adyer-
sary. Finding no adversary there, he
doesn't seem TO comprehend the situation,
and seeing his reflection in the mirror a
second time, he seems rather to manifest
disgust aud disappointment than admira-
ton. Place a mirror before cock chick.
en- and he will instantly prepare for battle
aud strike the mirror with as much fury
as he would natural antagonist. He will
also rencw the fight after many intellectual
hys at the mirror. Editors Democratic
Advocate.
Year: 1877

Men who use their muscles imagine
that men who use their brains are stran-
gers to hard work. Never was there a
greater mistake. Every successful pro-
tessional man or merchant does more real
hard work in the first ten years Of his bus
iness career than a farmer or blacksmith
ever dreamed Of. Make up your mind to
work early and late, if necessary, that YOU
may thoroughly master every detail Of the
business upon which you purpose to enter.
The habit Of persistent, rapid work once
formed, you have gained momentum that
viii carry you very successfully through
many pinch in business where a less Der.
slstent worker would find it vastly easier
to lie down and fail.
Year: 1877

SAVE THE OLD PAPER.-Never throw
away old paper. If you have no wish to
sell it, use it in the house. Some house,
keepers prefer it to cloth for cleaning
many articles of furniture. For instance,
volume written by lady who prided
herself on her experience and fact, says
"After stove has been blackened, it can
be kept looking very well for long time
by rubbing it with paper every morning.
Rubbing with paper is much nicer way
Of keeping the outside Of tea pot bright
and clean than the old way Of washing
them in suds. Rubbing with paper is
also the best way Of polishing knives, tin
ware and spoons; they shine like new
silver. For polishing mirrors, windows,
lamp ehimneys, &C., paper is better than
dry cloth. Preserves and pickles keep
much better if brown paper instead Of
cloth is tied over the jar. Canned
fruit is not so apt to mould if a piece
of writing paper, cut to fit the can is laid
directly over the fruit. Paper is much
better to put under carpet than straw. 1t
is warmer, thinner and makes less noise
when one walks over it.
Year: 1877

Business men soon yield themselves to
care. No sooner do they enter the world
than they lose that taste for natural and
simple pleasures so remarkable in early
life. Every hour do they ask themselves
what progress they have made in the
pursuit Of wealth or honor; and on they
80, as their fathers went before them, iii
weary aud sick at heart, they look back
with a sigh Of regret to the golden times
Of their childhood.
Year: 1877

During the past winter the city Of Brooklyn has
been using about IS, o0O 900 gallons OF water daily.
which about as much as the engines could pump
The Water aud Drainage Committee OF the Common
Council have decided to report tho Board OF Alder
men resolution 10 appropriate $4,000 TOR tho
sructon OF nc& engine and boiler house al the East
New York pumping station. II will take one year
complete the proposed WORK, which Is said TO DO an alb
solute necessity. There several schcmes for public
improvements now foot which promise TO give
work TO thousands OF unemployed aborcrs and
chauics during the spring ana summer.
Year: 1877

The company organized In this city some timo ago
under tho title Of "rhe New York Cab Company (lim-
ncd)," has dsbanded owing to the lack OF funds TO
enable thcm 70 successfully carry the enterprise
they proposed Some OF the projectors are forming
new corporation II is stated that number OF sample
cabs and coaches have been ordered that they will
be plying for hire early in the spring.
Year: 1877

The clergymcn OF various denominations are moving
In favor OF tho temperance cause In Kings county
Al a conference held Thursday committees were
appointed TO frame petition requesting the Mayor TO
appoint none but avowcd temperance men the
Board OF Police and Excise in May next, and TO con.
slider the question OF calling general convention OF
tho churches Of Brooklyn aud to report plan OF OPP
crntion. All churches on Long Island Will be invited
10 send delegates to the grand convention, and gen
cral revival in favor OF total abstinence Will be in-
augurated
Year: 1877

subject ~ ...a ,'


COUNTING THE VOTE.


A great deal Of time was occupied this
morning in deciding the preliminary question
AZ TO whether the House should now proceed
to the consideration of the resolutions re-
ported last Friday from the Committee on
the Privileges and Duties Of the House In
Counting the Electoral Votes, or to that Of
the compromise plan as published in this
mornings papers. The Republicans favored
the latter, and the Democrats the former.


The House is now voting on the question
by yeas and nays, and the precedence will,
of course, be given to the former. They
consist of five points, -f


First. That the Constitution does not
confer on the President of the Senate power
to examine and ascertain the votes to be
cast as the electoral votes.


second.-That the only power which the
Constitution does confer on the President Of
the Senate in the matter is to receive the
sealed list transmitted to him by tie several
Electoral Colleges, keep the same safely,
and open all the certificates (or those pur-
porting to be such) in the presence Of the
two houses.
Year: 1877

A MEETING of The Senate judiciary COM
mittee was held to day for the consideration
of Senator Thurman's Pacific railroad bill
Several persons interested in Pacific railroad
legislation were heard by the committee, bat
no action on the bill was taken by the COM
mtttpe.
Year: 1877

The Jackson Clarion gives a very
similar account of the Adams.SwCt-
man shooting affair TO the one We cop.
led from the New Orleans Democrat.
Both these journals assert that swst-
man fired the first shot.
Year: 1877

TARIFF OF ADVERTISING RATES. I


Advertisements will be inserted at one
dollar and fifty cents per square zone inch
of space or less), for the first, and seventy
five cents for each subsequent insertion, for
any time under one month. For longer
periods as follows:
Year: 1877

AT Fairpoint, n, Y, on the nth iu-
slant, Joseph Cook delivered his lecture on
New England skePticism and modern spirit.
ualism to an immense audience. Cook said
there were two New Englands---an eastern
and western one; Plymouth Rock was but
bit of granite taken long ago from the
Alps, and it has grown until FL Captain is
now its western front. There were more
small philosophers to the acre in New En-.
gland than any other spot on the globe. New
England is in her sophomore year of unrest.
She is under the sounding board, and her
sound and her ideas go abroad; but not only
New England but this age is in its sophomore
year, and is marked for loose thinking. Men
are struggling with difficult themes, and
they ought to be taught to think. Cook pro-
ceeded to give detailed history OF the de-
velopment OF modern skeptical thoughts
His address was frequently applauded
Year: 1877

The happiest people, and who live the
longest, are those who have good appe-
tites and eat square meals, especially in
summer. Nonsense all that about not
eating meat in hot weather; time you
want it. Hot weather is weakening,
meat is Strengthening. If you let up on
anything, do ii on the drinking, for
voluntary cold bath is much more re-
freshing than an involuntary hot one
and it is well.known fact in physiology
that person who takes cold drinks often
is in hot water all the time. We owe an
immense deal of rot, in regard to eating,
to the wave of vegetarianism which
swept over the country a quarter of a
century ago, and deranged many persons
minds and stomachs to an extent it will
take generations to efface. 1t is all very
well for the sick to adopt methods of
cure, and the " food cure" is probably
much better, at least less harmful, than
the medicine cure; but for well and
hearty men and women to deliberately
90 to work to reduce their vitality and
expose themselves, weakened to the
attacks of disease, is folly which many
sensible persons have tested, and found
to be folly. Once attacked with food
lunacy Of this description the victim
never knovs when to stop; he gives his
stomach mountains Of vegetable matter
to disintegrate, in the vain hope of ex.
tracing moiety of the strength which
would be obtained from small quantity
OF good meat-and eats and repents. and
rerents and eats-until he has laid the
foundation of dyspepsia that costs a
lifetime. Good broiled steak or chops,
roast or boiled mutton and roast beef,
with plenty of stewed tomatoes, fresh
peaches and good bread, constitute the
cardinal points OF healthy dietary for
the present time. Eat, drink water
moderately, a cup Of tea morning and
evening and one glass or more Of water on
retiring, and be happy.
Year: 1877

A correspondent with Gen. Crook was an eye witness to tragical occurrence at the headquarters of the command, Five prominent Sioux chiefs approached the post about noon with flag of truce. When within few hundred yards of the post, and before their approach was known to single officer or soldier of the garrison, they were bounced upon and killed by the Crow scouts who belong to the post, and who, of course, entertain a deadly animosity toward every Sioux. General Miles was indignant beyond measure at the bloody tragedy. He thinks 1t probable that they were coming in for the purpose of surrender. If this conjecture be correct it would have ma terially weakened Crazy Horses force and would have had an important effect upon the winter campaign against the hestless General Miles regrets the oc- currence greatly, both on account of it's atrocity and by reason of the possible inn portance of their mission.
Year: 1877

Additional details of the fatal act of the late chief engineer of the Lake Shore road are furnished by the Cleveland PL0i1, Dealer: He was found dead in bed in the morning in his residence. Two nights before he was seen alive for the last time, being then at work in his office, where he labored until about nine o'clock. Nothing in his demeanor mdi- cated any purpose of self-destruction. MT. Collins was alone in the house, his wife having gone to Connnecticut to visit relatives. A hired man built fires In the house every morning. The body lay in the bed, on the front side, the pillow and sheets being drenched with blood, At the left of the corpse were a large revolver and an unopened razor

 At the right was double barrel pistol. Three chambers of the revolver were found be empty, but only one wound was discovered. The coroner decided, after examination, that Mr. Collins had thrust the muzzle of the pistol into his mouth, the ball going through the roof of the mouth and coming out of the head near the back. There was no bullet mark on the headboard of the bed and no ball was found. But on the wall of the chamber was hole which had } evidently been made recently by such a 2 ball as the revolver would carry. He had gone to bed as usual. On the stand in front of the mirror lay his collar with necktie inside. His shirt, coat and pants were thrown over chair near the bed, and near by were his stockings and shoes. A search for his vest resulted in finding it under the mattress at his . head. The coroner is of the opinion that : death was instantaneous. At least there seems to have been no movement of the body, for the bedclothes were scarcely rustled. The pistols and razor found lay under the clothes as if the intent tc p commit suicide was premeditated. In g basket on 8 stand was an envelope ad

 dressed to C Mrs. c. Collins" his wife

 It was thought that this might con

 tain something of interest in relation tt

 his strange death, but on opening 1t i

 was found to refer to the time table.

 While no one, we believe, held him il any wayresponsiblef for the Ashtabula dis aster, 1t is probable that the thought O the calamity and the consequent over work on him caused him to take his life

 When he saw the wreck he wept lik

 a child. He was kind hearted, amiabl

 man, and the scenes he witnessed at tn

 bridge impressed themselves so on hi mind as to no doubt bring about tenn porary alteration of mind.
Year: 1877

The only irst-class hotel in New York where the traveller can stop for $2.5O and $500 day is the Grand Central, Broadway. Its location is convenient to the principal stores and places of amusement its table and attendance such that every one stopping there feels as though they had got the worth of their money
Year: 1877

The powers Of the city police ought to
he 50 enlarged, as to permit them to act a
officers beyond the limits of the city whe"
called upon to do so. 1t not unfrequently ,
happens, that some one they are called
anon to arrest escapes over the city line


and how far an officer can follow, is
question which often troubles him. The
LEGISLATURE ought to be invoked for gran
Of authority in this regard, and thereb,
greatly add to the efficiency Of our polio
Year: 1877

An English scientist has discovered that
music will increase the growth of plants.
ssJane, rush that piano now and waltz those
cabbages so that they shall be ready for
market by tomorrow. And Johnny, take
the bass drum to the corner lot and drum
up those onions..' Think, too, that by
music played over the telephone we can
from this city solo dead beat into life
either in Portland or Frisco! [For this
last idea patent applied for.1
Year: 1877

We forgot to mention the entertainment
given by the public schools two weeks ago,
at the Court House, but it was way up
entertainment nevertheless, and the build
ing was crowded to its utmost capacity by
an appreciative audience. The entertain
ment was certainly credit to teachers and
scholars.
Year: 1877

Elk are found in almost every part OF
the park, generally in the timbered
country or on slopes, singly and in bands
of ten or fifteen, according to the season.
With proper care they can be stalked as
near as one hundred and fifty yards, but
a good hunter who "jumps" herd at
FIVE hundred yards will bag three-fourths
of the number before they are out OF
range. When dressed they weigh eight
hundred to twelve hundred pounds but
as a dozen tall fellows, their horns laid
back, 90 crashing and laundering
through the thick pine forest, leaving
a storm of branches and dust in their
wake, each elk may be easily estimated
to weigh ton.


If wounded at close quarters in the
timber, they are dangerous foes, and
quick and accurate shooting is needed,
unless the hunters prefer to climb a
tree, which is an awkward predicament,
detrimental to temper and garment, and
provocative Of unfeeling remarks from
comrades when one returns late in the
night to camp.


The beauty and majesty Of the stately
creature require no description, and often
will the hunter grieve over his glory
laid low; yet elk-steaks and roasts are
so nice, his hide makes such elegan,
buck skin, and his branching antler,
form such an elegant trophy and me-
mento, that tears are seldom shed at hi.
demise.
Year: 1877

Never turn blessing around to see
whether it has dark side to it.


Have the courage to pay debt when
you have the money in your pocket.


Have the courage to prefer comfort
and prosperity to fashion in all things.


Have the courage to acknowledge your
ignorance rather than appear liar.


We confess our little faults, only to
persuade others that we have no great
ones.


Love of Justice, in the generality of
men, is only the fear of suffering from
injustice.
Life is the jailer, death the angel sent
to draw the unwilling bolts and set us
free.-LODeH


A mind that is conscious Of its integ-
rity scorns to say more than 1T means to
perform.-Burns.


Have the courage to do without what
you do not need, however much your
eyes may covetit.


We are always clever with those who
imagine we think as they do. To be shall
low you must differ with people; to be
profound you must agree with them.-
Bul,oer.


To be truly great it is necessary to be
truly good and benevolent, for all other
distinctions the clods of the valley will
cover and the greedy werm destroy
Anon.


Pascal has said somewhere that the
more mind man has the more he find,
out original people. 1t is your common
place person who sees no difference be
tween one man and another.