smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

Many touching, as well as awful,
scenes and situations are sure to be dis
covered in the ruins of a great earth
quake. Last year such disaster over
threw the town of Qua, in Venezuela.
In one of the ill-fated houses two little
boys had fallen asleep at their play.
One lay upon sofa, and the other had
crept beneath it.


The earthquake literally turned the
room upside down, the sofa heing over
turned by the falling wall the child be-
meath was thrown out and killed by the
descending rafters, while the boy who
had been sleeping upon it fell beneath
the lounge, and being thus protected,
actually remained in this position unin-
jured for the greater part of two days.
He had been numbered with the many
dead in that house of sorrow, and was
only found when the mourning survivors
were searching for his remains to inter
them,-alive, but insensible, and en-
tirely unable to give any account of what
had befalien him.


In another part of the town lady was
found, when the ruins of her house were
cleared away, upon her knees, with her
children surrounding her in the same
attitude,-all dead! The bodies were
unnjured, SO that it is probable that
they were sufocated by the dust of the
falling walls.
Year: 1879

1t is said that the natives of Australia
and New Zealand are familiar which the
deadly properties of putrid animal mat
ter, and that many of their poisoned ar
rows and spears are simply smeared with
the liquids from a putrefying corpse.
According to Tahin the Narringeris, who
inhabit the Lower Murray District of
Australia, frequently procure the death
of an enemy by this poison. The in
strument employed is called niejeri. It
is sort of spear, whose tip consists of
a sharp-pointed piece of human bone
six or eight inches in length. This is
poisoned by plunging it into the flesh of
partially decomposed human body,
and tying about it a bunch of hair or
feathers saturated with the fat of the de-
composing body. 1t is easy 10 under
stand how the slightest prick from such
an envenomed point might prove some
times, if not uniformly, surely and
speedily fatal.
Year: 1879

which the law guarantees them, that is,


none of their privileges Will lapse by reason


OF absence. This is but just to those who


may be seriously damaged by the


ravages Of the locust ) but, at the


same time, is It not convenient method


for those who strive to evade legal require
ments (and these are legion on the plains)
to further absent themselves from land on
which they have never resided, but have
homesteaded, and which they can readily
prove to the satisfaction Of the Government,
upon the testimony of "reliable wit
has been simply over
run with hoppers. This, of course,
Will prevent their improving the land,
and obviate the necessity Of being upon it
at all during the year, and ut the same time
their rights of requirement are unimpaired.
If the extension privileges could DO justly
between the actual settlers and
the spectators, their good intent would
operate to some advantage.
Year: 1879

It required throe days only to secure the


subscription of 100000 francs in Paris to


the Panama Ship Canal project. II. De
LEssEps, the engineer, now states that he
has sufficient means to obtain 8 concession
and commence the undertaking. IT would
thus seem that the first steps have been
taken, and that the realization Of the dream
Of centuries is at hand If the practicability
Of the scheme is as easily demonstrated as is
the fact that capital can be secured, there
Is nothing left to be achieved in connection,
and to ali intents and purposes the ship canal
is an established institution.
Year: 1879

If the frightful accident Of Friday nigh


ut the State street bridge, resulting in tht


loss Of one life and the precipitation OF {


hose-cart, horse, and driver into the river


were the first instance in which the reckless


driving of the Fire Department had mot with
serious consequences, the blame might be
! fairly placed entirely upon the insuhiciency
Of warning at the bridges. But the fact is
that the Fire Department has cultivated the
habit Of headlong driving to an extent alto
gether out Of proportion to the requirements


serious street-accidents on this account t, re-


sultlng in loss of life, bodily injury, and


much damage to machinery, and the practice


of driving up to and orer the bridges in the


same rushing, tearing fashion is responsible


for the affair of Friday night. There is


no need Of galloping the horses, and hose


carts, and steamers over viaducts and


bridges. Each division of the city has q


fair allotment Of engines, which will


naturally reach the Scene Of the fire first, and


do the preliminary work. 4 difference Of
few minutes in the arrival Of engines from


the other divisions Of tho city is not, there
fore, SO Important as if tho crossing of


bridge were necessary in order to get even
one machine to the fire. The running of
horses at full speed, dragging heavy ma
chinery over tha bridges, is destructive of
property at all times. Both tho bridges and
the engines and carts and horses suffer from
the practice, When the approach is IN ill.,
clined plane to the viaduct roadway,-as on
State street, then down an inclined plane
to the bridge, the best of signals might fail
to prevent just such an accident as occurred
Friday night, SO long IS the reckless driving
we're in vogue.


It is manifest, however, TINT there should |
be better protection against accidents at the |
several bridges connecting such crowded |
as State, Clark, Lake, Ran |
1o1ph, and Madison streets If any barrier I
be adopted, or be Of any avail, the gates which
lave long been in operation at the Bur1ing~ |
on 4 Quincy Railroad crossing on Michigan
avenue are the best that could be selected.
These gates are worked by one man rapidly,
md include light-signals as warnings. It is
;ertain that the railroads entering Chicago
hould be required to adopt them at every
principal streetcrossing, aud the city might
ind it economical in the end to provide the
principal bridges with tho same device. In
he meantime the shore-oads Of every bridge
hould be SO lighted up with special lnmps
S to enable every one to see at o consider
Bile distance whether the bridge is open
r closed. The lights on the bridges arc used
s warnings for the vessels, and shore-Gghts
re necessary for the guidance Of those in
ehlcles approaching the bridges. As there
re two bridge-tenders, it would seem to be
racticablo for each to hoist signal-light on
aore, between the ringing Of tho bell and
10 actual work of turning the bridge; if
ot, then big bright lamps should be locat-
on shore at the proper distance for Light
g up the approaches, SO as to make them as
fe at night as during the day. I
Year: 1879

The railroad interests which inaugurated
the plan for boring tunnel beneath the
river at Detroit have succeeded in securing a
recommendation from the House of Repre-
sentatlves for the appointment of commit
zee to examine into the matter. Are the
Southern members Of Congress looking out
for desirable points at tho North in which to
spend the summer?
Year: 1879

The House Committee on Banking and
Currency have formulated new bill which
viii be Of some interest to National bankers,
especially at what are known as redemption
cities. The chief points Of the bill will bo
found elsewhere,
Year: 1879

The President does not propose to give his
assent to the Judicial Expenses bill, because,
in his opinion, it is SO worded as to work a
complete notification Of election laws. He
also foresaes trap into which the Democ-
1acy desire him to fall through the signing of
the hill "a it now stands, and it is his inten-
ton to avoid this dilemma as far as lies in
his power.
Year: 1879

THERE is no interest more vitally
important TO the future growth of the
city of Knoxville, the prosperity OF
her citizens and the assurance of good
order, than the encouragement Of her
city schools of these institutions she
may now we'll be proud, no cities in
the South have them better regulated,
better governed or better taught. They
have attracted attention abroad, and
philanthrOpists have donated of their
means to the erection of buildings,
which are al ornament to our city and
will compare for useful construction,
and even in outward show with many
a larger city of the North. BY the
system of management nov adopted,
the schools are thrown out of any
probable connection with partisan fa-
voritism of any kind and a character
of permanence given to them, which
indicates that Improvements will be
continued until so near perfec-
tion may be obtained as it is pos
sible or things human. 1t has been
rumored that there are those who
would interfere with the present form
of management and place the schools
where each successive year might
change their position, or at least cause
severe contests. Nothing could be de-
Vlsed to more effectually empty the
school houses and make the schools a
disgrace and a useless expense. 1t is
the personal interest of every voter in
this city, white and colored, TO prevent
such a result. If they want the present
well managed system of free schools
continued and made to improve. they
should so select their Candidates in the
election to-day that they will elect men
who are school men In the strictest
sense of the words. There should he
no halfway ground, the most vital
Interest of the city is at issue, and if
the voters of this city want good
schools well managed and permanent
~ established, they should be careful
Ior whom they vote to-day.
Year: 1879

middle aged lady. richly dressed. and bearing
other evidences of wealth. entered o Broadway
horse at Fourteenth street yesterday
afternoon. md before the had gone
three blocks became insane and ravcd in
the most violent manner. Her appearance and re-
fined language created considerable excitement, and
q large crowd collected about the car in few min
utes Officer Robbins of the Twenty ninth pre-
cinct police, called and took the lady in.
charge. A cab hired and they drove to the West
Thrtieth street police station. When questioned
railways in the city OF New York. She further
said that she owned vast amount Of real estate
both In this country and In Europe From card
found in her pocket hor namo Is supposed to be
Mme DC Georgsan. The unfortunate woman
locked in cell In the station house and will DO
arraigned in Court this morning.
Year: 1879

EX-SENATOR PATTERSON, of South is said to be on the point of to Arizona. He has been in bad atmosphere, and the odOr stuck to him badly. The purity of the air here may help to restore him to sweetness.
Year: 1879

THE compromise between the SutrO Tunnel Company and the Water Mine Companies have entirely failed, and there is no hope of present adjust ment. The mining stocks have drop ped in consequence, and there is no knowing how the business will end.
Year: 1879

There was an ingenious amount of de-
yotion implied in the remark of a love
sick millionaire when the object of his
affections became ecstatic over the beauty
Of the evening star ooh, do not, do
not praise it like that p he cried 81
cannot get it for you."
Year: 1879

Not all the objections will lie to the

 water franchise granted by the Coun- cil at its last meeting, which were urged against the proposals rejected at the March meeting. In this case the City is not bound to take any water .at all. and there is some provision for regulating rates, though it is very fee ble. The exclusive term is now only twenty-five years; before, it was thirty. The bad points in the present proposi- ton are two. There is nothing to compel the water company to go on and complete their work. They are to be gin" in six months, and it may be six or sixteen years before they have drop of water flowing; and still, the exclusive franchise will continue So long as they are boring a little. there would be no forfeiture. Again, the streets and public places through which the company must lay its pipes, are protected by no provision securing their return to good shape after dis turhance. In both these particulars it i~ customary to make rigid regula- tionS.
Year: 1879

A PRIVATE letter from Tombstone refers to a shooting affray which oc- cured there on the night of April Sth. Frank Patterson was the shooter, but the name of the shot iS not given. From the tone of the letter we infer that the party was not dangerously wounded. The writer also spoke of flush times in camp and merchants generally doing a good business.
Year: 1879

The following inquiry which came from a gentleman in Buffalo will in terest our Florence readers. He says It is important for us to know when and why removed a merchant named Goldman from Florence, what kind of business and to what extension he car ried it on there, and above all where unto he went?"

 While in Florence last we under stood that merchant Goldman had de camped with about S1O,OOO in cash be- longing to other men and no doubt there are several other parties who, like our Buffalo friend, would like to know above all ''whereunto he went"
Year: 1879

NEW YORK, April 5.-The World quotes a recent remark of General Patterson of Philadelphia, that nine of the whole army would be highly gratified if the Presi- dent would dismiss Generals Pope and Mcdowell, and takes as a warrant for SO doing the report of the Advisory Board in the Porter case. The World says: There is no doubt that General Patterson accurately expresses the feel ing in the army.
Year: 1879

William Blitchfeldt young man in the employ of
John H. Starin Co.. committed suicide at pier No.
l. East River, yesterday under circumstances which
afford no clew to his motive For tho past two years
Mr. Blitchfeldt has been acting assistant TO Mr..
Sol. G. Bulkley. superintendent of the New York
and Staten Island Steamboat Company. He came to
his place of business yesterday morning usual and
apparently not laboring under any unusual men,
tai strain He went to the restaurant in the Pavilion


and his custom every Saturday paid the pro-
prietor his weekly bill for meals obtained there.
The proprietor of the restaurant stated to reporter
OF the HERALD yesterday afternoon that Blitchfeldt
seemed perfectly rational at the time. and, after in


dulging in o pleasant chat, went out About three
O'Clock in the afternoon he went to one OF the


on the dock and asked him for the key the Super


intendents Office. making remark to the effect that.
he did not feel very well. he thought he would
man william Cotter. of the First precinct. hearing
pistol shot. burst open the door. He found tho un-
fortunate man reclining upon two chairs, with
bullet hole through his right temple. stream Of
blood extended half way across the floor.
From the position OF the body there could
be no doubt that the shooting pre-
meditated. Blitchfeldts hat rested upon desk to
the right of him. and the weapon. fvebarrelled


volver found resting upon his breast. with one
chamber only discharged. 1t was weapon Of very
heavy calibre and death must have been nstantane-
mystery the universal testimony Of his employers
and associates to the exemplary character of de-
ceased He was quiet and socable in his demeanor;
had no habits OF excess not known to be in any
financial difficulty, and supposed to be happy in
his social and marital relations.
Year: 1879

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-


Please allow me to state, through the HERALD. the
utter disregard paid by the "L roads to the wants
of the travelling public in noglcctng to have placed
suitable lights under their stations where tho roads
cross At Third avenue. of Thirty-fourth
street, for instance, and at Second avenue, the
same street, 1t is very dark during the day. and at
night very dangerous in crossing. l witnessed IN
accident at the corner OF Thirty-fourth street and
Third avenue, when thcre was n respectable lady
run over by of the Fourth Avenue line Of carss
which cross the Third avenue line ON that street.
The L officials should be informed OF this state Of
things. CITIZEN AND TAXPAYER.
Year: 1879

Bread should be broken, not cut
but if you don't like bread, f" cut " Il
In " breaking" bread use a curb bit


Do not FIJI your mouth too full
rather allow some of the food to gel
into your mustache.


Split biscuit with your fingers, in.
stead of opening it with your knife
like an oyster. If the biscuit be
hard, a beetle and wedge are admissi-
bic in the best society


DO not pick your teeth at the table.
Pick them at the dentists, ,if he has a
good assortment to pick from.


Salt should never be put on the
table-cloth, but on the side of your
plate. If, however, you want to
pickle the table-cloth in brine. you
must put salt on it, of course.


DO not rattle your knife and fork
A knife and spoon will be found more
musical,


Eat your soup from the side of your
spoon, either inside or outside.


DO not take game in your fingers.
This, however, does not apply to A
game of cards.


DO not rest your arms on the table
cloth. Stack your arms in a corner of
the room before beginning dinner.


When asked what part Of tho lowl
you prefer, answer promptly, If you
want the whole of it, don't hesitate to
say so.


Do not drink with the spoon in your
cup; put IL in your pocket. Forget
ting il, you will be so much ahead.


1t is bad taste for the host and host.
ess to finish eating before their guests
1t is better to move their chairs so as
to finish behind them.


Never leave the tablo until all are
through, without sufficient excuse.
Tho sudden entrance Of policeman
with a warrant for your arrest is gen
orally considered sufficient excuse in
polite circles.


Pay 10 attention to accidents or
blunders on the part of tho servants.
II Bridget blows herself up while en-
couraging the fire with kerosene, keep
right on eating Just asif you had never
(kero) sene it


Mover help yourself to articles Of
food with your kuito or fork. Use a
harpoon or lasso.


When you have finished your meal
10y your knife aud fork on your plate
side by side, with the handles towards
tho right, a little south by sou-west,
bearing northerly when the wind is off
the side board quarter.
Year: 1879

EDITOR LEDGER: Alma" calls
attention to a clause in the taxing dis
trict act, which keeps alive the cor
poration of Memphis for purposes Of
suit. This clause arrested my atten-
tion on reading the act a week ago
when it first appeared in the LEDGER,
and surprised aud amazed me. No
such thing was ever dreamed of by
those who prepared the bill that was
sent to Nashville, nor by the citizens
committee who had charge of the ous.
mess. Our whole aim was to kill the
corporation and bury it forever and
save the citizens from the destructive
sea Of litigation which has swept over
US for so long, and we thought we had
accomplished it in the bill sent up.
Whoever interpolated the clause.
from whatever motive, has committed
a grave blunder.


MINOR MERIwETHER.
Year: 1879

The absurd rumor prevails in Jack
son and along tho line Of railroad in
imical to Memphis commerce, that
the yellow fever and smallpox prevail
here to an alarming extent. People
ought to know better than this, and
yet some are SO easily frightened and
credulous that they would believe and
circulate anything If there was any
fever here the LEDGER and other pa
pers of tho city would be certain, as in
the past, to make the fact known. We
published the death list as long as one
could be found, and should certainly
make it known were single case Of
either the fever or smallpox to ap.
pear.
Year: 1879

A Pans correspondent describes the strange
pallahty of the fates who turned the wheel
in the Exhibition lottery, for the blouse as
against the broadcloth. The great prizes, up
to the day Of writing, had all been won by
poor people, and had been distributed 10y
capricious fortune ia the. most picturesque
contrasts
Year: 1879

Washington, April 2S.-There is no
longer any doubt that TIE president
intends to veto the army appropriation
Dill, for it was authoritatively stated


at the executive mansion this afternoon
that the veto message is nearly fin
ished, and will be sent to congress either
tomorrow or Wednesday. In view of
this amendment and of the certainty
that the pending legislative appropria-
tlon bill will also be vetoed, there is
much consultation already in progress
tonight among prominent democrats
as TO the proper course for the majority
to pursue when the deadlock actually
occurs. OF course the matter will not
be decided without great difficulty, for
There are many conflicting views, and
large proportion Of the democrats in
congress continue to condemn all
propositions of compromise, but sew
eral of the coolest democratic leaders
nave this evening privately expressed
themselves in favor of the passage of
a Joint resolution extending last years
appropriations until December, and a
prompt adjournment. This plan would
readily obtain majority vote in both
houses by the union of the republicans
with the hard money democrats, who
wish an early adjournment to prevent
further widening Of the breech between
the eastern and western wings Of the
party, which is likely to result from a
continued tinkering with the finances,
put the soft money men have a major
ity OF votes In the democratic caucus,
and the adoption of this expedient fol-
escape from the deadlock is therefore
still very uncertain.
Year: 1879

Washington, April 2S.-The senate
military committee decided at their
meeting to request in executive session
the judiciary committee to report on
he question whether last years law,
stopping army promotions, is still bind
ing, and in case said report was not
made before the next regular meeting,
it was the intention of the military
committee to take action itself on all
nominations pending for promotio n. A
majority of the committee favor ecom-
mending all the nominations for contir-
nation. The request was probably
made as above stated for the sub-com-
mittee of the judiciary.


Senators Garfield, Edmunds and Car
penter are prepared and will report
tomorrow, and their report, it is un-
derstood, will be favorable.


Senator Logan, although beaten in
committee on his proposition to make
the date of nomination the date of
commission of an officer, which has
never heretofore been done, except in
the case Of new appointment will, it
is stated, bring the matter before the
senate.


1t is believed to be quite certain that
all pending nominations will be con-
firmed before this sessions close, and
the army appropriation bill, which also
contains u clause prohibiting promo
tions, shall have become law.


Maj. VIM. Gouverneur Morris, who
has been here for some time supervising
the publication of his report on Alaska,
leaves this week for his old post of duty
at Puget Sound.
Year: 1879

Washington, April 27.-Speculations
concerning the presidents action on the
army appropriation bill seem to have
settled down to expectations on all
hands to-day that he will veto it, and
there seems also to be nearly universal
impression that he will base his veto
upon one or both of two grounds,
namely, that the bill trenches upon his
constitutional powers to execute all
existing laws by military force, If ne
cessary, and that its enactment would
prevent the execution Of civil process
by the federal courts, by their own
officers, in cases where the civil power
alone might be insufficient.


Prominent democrats say that in the
event of the veto being based simply
upon the latter ground, the majority in
congress will promptly amend the bill
in that particular, and return it to the
president in such shape as will obviate
his objections.
Year: 1879

IS transpirlng is very limited. Secre-
tary McCrary says that the president
will make square issue with congress
on this bill, and maintain that it is
unconstitutional, and an infringement
upon his constitutional prerogatives.
The veto message will be sent to the
house on Wednesday.
Year: 1879

Washington, April 2S.-The house
committee on agriculture to-day agreed
to report bill making it d misdemea-
nor for common carriers to transport
cattle affected with pneumonia or
other contagious disease.