smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

A New Yorker writes to the postmaster
general: According to our papers here
there are but few applications for the mi
nor positions in your department. there
tore trust you will grant me the liberty
of offering myself as an applicant, to fill
any position in any part of the Union, for
81 200 to 800 per annum. have but
little, if any, political influence, but my
mercantile references cannot be surpassed.
Trusting that may llear from you at no
distant period, ''etc. Il


An answer to this selfsacrificing prop
osition was sent this afternoon. 1t is to
the effect that the minor positions which
the postmaster general finds a difficulty
in filing are postmastershiDs where the
salary is twelve dollars year, with no
chance to speculate in stamps. Where
the salary is as high as twenty-five dollars
par amman there is no lack Of applicants,
Year: 1878

Gen. r. W. johnson, one ot st. Paul's
Oldest and most esteemed citizens, who
was one of the party of excursionists that
made trip oveer the n. P. K. r. last
week, writes up an enthusiastic letter to
the Pioneer Press descriptive of the trip
and the country, of which the following 9
is an extract:


"Although l an an old settler in Mime
sofa, and have heard much in praise Of the
Red River Valley. yet all that l have heard
fell short of conveying to my mind q
proper conception of its beauty and it,
fertility. These lands have been charac
terized as worthless. Now will venture
to say that you may start from any city in
the Union and go five hundred miles in
any one direction and you will pass over
as much, if not more, waste land than you
will in the trip from st. Paul to Bismarck
| 1t will not do to say that these lands are
worthless. Worthless lands will not pro.
duce the fine grain saw along this line
of road The country iG setting up rap
idly with thrifty, industrious population
In all directions new houses and fresh
"breakings" are to be seen. In few years
the Red River Valley will be densely set
tied and the virgin soil will be occupied
and brought under cultivation 10y energetic
active workingmen, and all of this will be
due to the capital which has been invested
in the construction Of this road. Without
it the buffalo and the Indian would roam
at large over these beautiful acres, and to
the white man the country between the
Red River and the Missouri would be as
unknown as the wilds of Africa. This
road is destined to reach the Pacific, pass
ing through the rich agricultural, mining
and stock country of Montana. was in.
formed that at this very time there are
70, 900 beef cattle on the Sun River in
Montana awaiting shipment to the eastern
markets. Already portion have arrived
by boat, and | saw herd Of $50 in Bis
marck, which were IA fine cattle as | ever
saw. The wealth of that part of the coun
try between the Missouri and the Pacific
ocean, must find market to the East, and
must force the extension Of this road Con-
gress should extend the time for lis com.
pletiop, as y refusal to do so would prove
b. be at;onal calamity Of immense mag
llitude. Every western man is interested
in this matter, and should not rest salts
fed to see Congress adjourn Its next ses
sion without the necessary legislation to
secure the extension required"
Year: 1878

PRESIDENTS OFFICE,


MILWAUKEE, Aug. 9th. 1873.
James s. Foster, Yankton, D. r..


SIR: l have to thank the chamber of
commerce of Yankton, and yourself, for
your letter of the 6tl. current. 1t has not
yet been determined when, and by what
route, we shall construct our line west of
Sheldon, which place we hope to reach in
sixty days. Yankton has always been
talked of as our objective point on the
Missouri river, aud when the proper time
arrives will communicate with you.
Yours Truly,


A. II. MITCHELL, President.


The assertion that Yankton has always
been talked of as the objective point would
be certainly indicative that no other point
has been intended at any other time. A
few months ago an engineer CORDS was en-.
gagged in running line to the Sioux Xiv
er. Three approaches to the River were
made. One down the School Section creek
opposite Canton, one down Nelson Creek
below Belot and one via Fairview croS-
ing the Sioux near Tom Sargent's place,
and leaving the River westward mile
and half below Beloit. The engineer
in charge said his instructions were west
and in view of that Mr.. Kimball passed
over the course Indicated ahead Of sur
vey crossing the James River below Mil
town at Wolf Creek. He stated to US up
on inquiry as to the feasibility of the
route, that 1t was the most feasible route
for 50 miles that he ever saw for a Rail.
road. This course would bring them to
the crossing of the Missouri far north Of
Yankton, and it Yankton has always been
their objective point, what was the occa-
sion of their attention being called to so
great distance from it?


We would be gratiied at any project
that would benefit our Capital, and that it
would be materially benefited by the build
ing of the McGregor road there is unques
tionable, but how can any dependence be
placed upon that road as to its line as
long as they are rambling through the
country at all points of the compass, and
then its chief manager states that the line
a boYe referred to was not talked Of


Whatever portions Of the country finally
gets the road, will have TO pay for it un.
less contrary precedent is to be in this in
stance established of railroad building
over one hundred miles on their own
hook.


The completion Of the road wherever it
runs Will be Of great benefit, and do more
to establish the alue of and develop the
country, than any other contemplated road
in this vicinity. But when are we to be
relieved from the suspense that exists as to
where it will 60?


The more we hear Of it, the more it is
canvassed the more uncertain it looks,
and the sooner we settle down to the sol,
I'd fact, that it will not leave Sheldon un
til subsidies are secured all that can be
and that it will be built upon the route
that pays the most, the nearer the truth We
shall be.
Year: 1878

taxable sign of the breaking up of the
Republican party because Gen. Butler
has left it after an affilliation of seventeen
years with the party. It is because Butler
himself was far from Republican at
heart that that party ignored him. A rath-
er slim party that was only founded on
such trickster as Butler.
Year: 1878

HALF SHEET-We are Obliged to go 10
press with but a half sheet this week.
Since changing our express route pia
we have subjected to some an.
which we have ended with this
week. If our patrons will accept this
apology for the'prescnt issue we shall ap-
preciate their kindness.
Year: 1878

widow is dangerous thing for man
to meddle with, even when she is the widow
of his own uncle-a fact that has been
brought home forcibly to young Mr.. VIM.
D. Jackson, of New York. Very tender was
the friendship of the Widow Jackson for her
nephew-by courtesy when that gentle youth
was the happy possessor Of $4,000. In her
eyes he was the oak, and she was the ivy,
and she clung to him accordingly. A home
in her house was given him, and-as he
roundly asserts-a home in her heart was
limited at as possibility of the near future.


They rapidly approached the point when
their two souls would have but a
single thought and their two hearts
would beat as one, and in the mean
time she managed to get possession of pretty
much all of young Mr.. William D. Jackson's
$45,0 900, and invested it in building houses
on her own broad lands. But it fell out that
when the moment seemed to have arrived for
| articles of consolidation to be drawn up and


ratified, young William found himself
squeezed dry, and the widow, kicking up her
heels, as it were, frisked off and got married
| to Mr.. Hunt, leaving him with at least
900 worth of experience, and with moth
ing else. Luckily for innocent, trustful


mon blindfolded justice sees nothing in
| widows to make a tip-up of the scales in
| their favor, reasonable or right, and the way
the Court of Common Pleas is treating this
anything but common plea seems to indi-
! cate that young William will have his own


again. The moral of the story is that he


who sups with widow-just as much as he


who sups with the devil-should hold long
spoon.
Year: 1878

chine. sample thresher was in operation
while the visitors were there, and 1T received
favorable comment. A great many were IN
course of construction. In fact, it is pro-
posed by the contractors to put up seven
hundred of these machines for the demand
of the coming season.


This thresher-the ''Minpesota Chief
is comparatively new machine, having
been in the field but three years, but has
claimed as standing at the head of all ma
fact, the company received last year over one
thousand orders, and of the three hundred
and three machines which their limited
facilities enabled them to put in the field,
they sold three hundred and two, leaving
but single sample machine on hand, which
is certainly pretty clear sweep.


These are the kind of enterprises which
our young and rapidly expanding common
wealth needs and can appreciate.


It seems that in the matter of supplying
the castings for new work and repairs last
year, the contractors Messrs. Seymour, Sa-
bin & Co.-lost upward of $4,000, which
drawback has now been provided against by
the erection and successful operation of their
large foundry works lately completed on the
prison grounds. These gentlemen pay the
State at the rate of As cents a day per con-
vict for his labor, and employ about fifty
skilled workmen, superintendent and in
structors from the outside, to man
age and utilize the said labor.
FIRE ALARM.


Among the many objects of interest en-
countered about the premises was Messrs.
Poore & Megquiers Automatic Fire Alarm,
which was at the time being introduced into
the various workshops, and to the wonderful
operations of which many of the prominent
gentlemen of the party were witnesses. This
is new invention, consisting of tube of
sensitive metal attached by system of
wires to an alarm bell and indicator centrally
located in the building in such manner as
to sound the alarm and indicate the location
of the fire; so perfect in its operation that it
is impossible for any considerable fire to get
any dangerous headway without telling on
itself. It is a home invention, and should,
as it doubtless will, secure immediate public
favor.


Leaving Saltwater, on our return at 5
o'clock, we were speeded home in about As
minutes, the train landing the party at the
St. Paul & Pacific depot, few minutes after
dark.


| 1t need hardly be mentioned that the ex-
cursionists were indebted to the public spirit
and iberality of Hon. d. M. Sabin, for the
special train, the starting and arriving at a
convenient point, and for the many courte-
sizes of the occasion.
Year: 1878

From the Rev. T. D. Talmadge's Friday Night


Talk.


Washington was never in so good moral
condition as it is now. I saw less dissipa-
ton than at any other time. The Senate
and House of Representatives have in them
more men whose cheek and eye indicate
good habits than l have ever seen before.
In both Houses, the moral tone, judging
from appearance and utterance, is better.
The bad old politicians that sat in the coun-
ellis of the nation are nearly all dead, am
happy to say. They were beyond reforma-
ton, and new race of men have taken pos
session. Many of those old ones died of
delirium tremens, their obituary styling it
exhaustion from public SERVICE the red
monument on the end of their nose giving
way to the white marble shaft that tells their
virtues to the skies. There is as much talent
to-day in congressional circles as there
ever was, Notwithstanding all the
cant heard here on this subject.
in the opposite direction. Once in while
now member murders the Kings English,
but it used to amount to massacre! Many
of the old members used to write the pro-
noun "I' with a small letter dotted, not
through any overwhelming modesty at their
magnifcence, but because they thought it ac-
curate, and it took one of my friends, now
retired stenographer, until after midnight
to quel the riot of adverbs participles, ad-
jectiyes and verbs in many of the har-
rangues of celebrated members; and he
made his fortune by mending broken
speeches. In your Senate and House of
Representatives to-day there are men as pro-
foundly learned, as severely logical as mag
netically eloquent as were ever seen there
since the Government was founded. Let
the comparatively youthful men of our Ma
tional Legislature become as old as their
predecessors, and they will be as famous.
Year: 1878

A fair but not overdowing house greeted
the Hyer Sisters troupe last evening. The
entertainment was excellent as usual. The
last appearance Of this excellent company
will be this afternoon and evening.
Year: 1878

PANAMA, July 23.-The relations of the
state government with that of the uation
are not pleasant. The officer who took
charge of the troops few days ago in the
name of the nation found but 10S stand of
arms out of 1000 purchased by the geaer-
al government during the revolution Of
1876, and 1877; the remaining arms and
large quantity of ammunition are in the
hands Of the state government. A demand
was made upon the president, but he re-
fused to give them up. 1t is said that five
hundred men are now on their way here.
The missing arms have been distributed
among the adherents of the state govern
ment and they are being drilled. A couple
of cuartels are established at the entrance
of the town, and every preparation is max
| ing to give warm reception to the ma
tioLal troops should they come with hos


tile intentions. z
Year: 1878

In the atmosphere experienced here during the
summer months, the lethaigy produced by the heat
takes away the desire for wholesome food, and
frequent perspirations reduce bodily energy, par
ticulsrly those suffering from the effects of debili
ting diseases. In order 10 keep a natural health
full activity Of the system must resort to artlf


cal means. For this purpose Schenck's Sea Weed
Tonic is very eGectual. A few doses will create an
appetite and give fresh vigor to the enervated body
For dyspepsia, it is invaluable. Many eminent
physicians have doubted whether dyspepsia can be
permanently cured by the drugs which are gener-
ally employed for that purpose. The Sea Weed
Tonic in its nature is totally different from such
drugs. 1t contain no corrosive minerals acids


in fact it assists the regular operations of nature
and supplies her deficiencies. The tonic in its nq-
ture so much resembles the gastric juice that it is
almost identical with that fluid The gastric juice
is the natural solvent which, in healthy condition
Of the body causes the food to be digested; and
when this juice is not excreted in sufficient quanti-
ties Indigestion with all its distressing symptoms
follow. The Sea Weed Tonic performs the duty
of the gastric juice when the latter is deficient.
Schencks Sea Weed Tonic sold by all Druggists.
Year: 1878

The news of to-day is that all or nearly
all the points of disagreement in the peace
negotiations have been overcome. Russia
mas compromised on the demand for the
iron-clads and on the boundaries Of Bull
garia. Some doubt may be entertained
of the report that the Russians are
to occupy Constantinople. Russia's views
rs to the necessity for those stipu-
lations OF the treaty of peace that
relate to the government of Bulgaria
seem to be clearly set forth in commune
cation lately. published in the Vienna
Political Correspondence, the outline of which
is given in our dispatches to-day. Occu-
patton for two years is defended on
the ground of the need of the presence of
force that can preserve order in n
country passing from under the hand Of a
repressive tyranny that has governed it for
many centuries, and whose people would
in all probability use a new found freedom
in extravagant ways before IL government Of
their own could become effective in its
operations. But the occupation may, it is
held, be prevented from assuming
the character Of conquest. The
designation of nearly all Bulga-
ria and Roumelia as single prov
ince under the name Of Bulgaria
is defended on the ground of simplicity in
administration. AS Moldavia and Walla-
CHA, classcd as separate principalities and
treated separately in the "Declaration OF
Four Points," soon became single State
by the unity of common destiny and by
the ethnic relation Of the people, SO it is
Year: 1878

Our Havana despatch reports the surren-
der Of different parties Of the insurgents in
Cuba-fo four hundred at one place and six
hundred at another, the appearance being
that these surrenders include the entire
bodies of those hitherto resisting the Span
ish authorities at the points named. This
activity in the Abandonment OF their hostile
attitude seems to indicate some alacrity on
the part of the insurgents to regain law
ful status and the tranquility Of q peaceful
life; al alacrity indeed that cannot be
considered as discredit to the courage and
tenacity of men who have maintained des-
perate struggle through SO many years. It.
would not be in accordance with what COM
monty occurs in events Of this nature for
the cessation Of resistance in the island to
be so complete rs to eradicate the evil OF
the presence of insurrectionary bands. No
doubt there are '.irreconcilables" who will
hold out for years to come and make life and
property unsafe at certain points, whose
belligerency will oscillate between that Of
the patriot and the highwayman. But the
result secured is enough to substantially
tranquillize the country, and is Il great
triumph for the Spanish administration.
Year: 1878

regimental chaplain has been an officer as
difficult to properly place as marine on
shipboard. Mr. Beecher will give tone
to his branch OF the service. The
rank and file will be benefited to
such degree that the habitual
irreverence of so many of these young
men to chaplains in general will give place
to q much needed respect Mr.. Beecher
does not believe in the abolishment Of
hearty laughter, but all the more will his
wholesome influence assert itself. There
is much to be done in the way Of reform !;
but we do not hazard much in predicting
that the vain, and, to the plain citizen,
often unmeaning company chorus will as
sumo more reasonable language. He will,
for instance, not fail to convince them how
much more appropriate it would be to sing
'Hold the Fort" or '4Only an Armor
Bearer" than to chant as they often do,


There three sat trec-
Billy Magce Magaw.


And they were black ns black could be-


Billy Maacc Magaw.


And they all Tapped their wings and cried,


Cav cav! cav!


We look forward to Chaplain Beecher's
first regimental sermon, therefore, in we'll
founded hope.
Year: 1878

Since the war the manufacture of illicit
whskey has been carried on to very large
extent in different sections of the country,
generally in unfrequented places, and occa-
sionally in the most thickly populated por-
tions of even our larger cities. What is
known as the Blue Ridge range OF mountains
is, however, the seat of this peculiar indus
try, the wild character Of the country, its
remoteness from the great lines Of travel, its
inaccessibility, the sparseness as well as the
character of it's population affording COM
bination of favorable circumstances such as
perhaps cannot be found in any other part
of the Union. The Blue Ridge range ex-
tends through the Virginias, Kentucky, Ten
nessee. the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama
base in these different States the law-defy-
ing manufacturers of these mountain fast
nesses find ready market for their whis-
KEY, which has never seen the rod Of the
gauger or the stamp of the revenue official
In other columns we present graphic and
interesting description of these lawless
mountaineers their manner of life, haunts
and mode of doing business, together with
nm account Of the efforts made by the
government officers to bring them to
punishment. A moderate estimate places
the number of these mountain 'stills" at
about four thousand and the loss to the
Treasury in the way of revenue at nearly
two and one-half millions of dollars per an
nun. From these figures it will be seen
no means insignificant in whatever light it
is regarded. The difficulties in the way cf
it's suppression are very great, and if the
government means to put on end to it far
more energetic measures than the means
and methods now in operation must be
adopted.
Year: 1878

Our correspondent who accompanies Cen
eral Grant in his Eastern tour furnishes us
another instalmenr OF the history of the trip.
Here we find that the steam yacht bear
ing the ex-President up the Nile had


moored before the capital of Upper
Egypt long enough to allow the Cen
eral to receive cordial welcome at
the hands OF Wasif el Hayat, our Consul at
that point We do not doubt that this Incl
dent of his journey touched the famous
soldier, for it was clear testimony with how
strong blast Fame had trumpeted his tri-
umphs since they were so distinctly
re-echoed in his ears, even there by
the hoary old Nile. The youngest
of the nations thus receiving tribute at
the cradle of civilization cradle that had
crumbled to pieces centuries before Christ
was born will surely be a pleasant reminis-
cence for our travellers. Then we have
Grant pushing over the sands to the
city that was the birthplace Of Menes,
and more famous still as the burial
place of Osiris, whom Egypt worshipped
as q god. AS the pleasant gossiping of
our correspondent is glided over many of
our readers will contrast the Grant Of the
terrible days of the Wilderness with the
Grant of the lazy days of the desert, but
Grant patient and imperturbable still.
Year: 1878

thought it would be futile to endeavor
to make two divisions OF the country
that is practically Bulgaria in virtue
of the fact that it is inhabited by
Bulgarians. Russia, it is pointed out in this
statement, would have no objection to the
occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by
Austria But Russia is not satisfied with
the demand made for six. million forms by
the. Austrian government-from which it ID
to be supposed that the Russians, unlike
the Hungarians, do not believe this money
is to be spent merely in the occupation to
which Russia consents
Year: 1878

That Mr.. Beecher deferred entering on u
martial career to this late day is more sur
prising than his following the drum sixteen
or seventeen years ago would have appeared
then. There is so much of the church mill
tant in his sturdy nature that his acceptance
of the chaplaincy of the Thirteenth regiment
Of our National Guard is something on which
we can congratulate the pastor Of Plymouth
Church as well as the Brooklyn boys who
will hear him. We learn from his own lips
that he will only be expected to preach
once year to the regiment, but we are GER
tain that, once in the field of Mars, he will
not be satisfied with this minimum Of SER
vice. During the rebellion he showed us
that Peter the Hermit was not the only man
in clerical garb who could fire the heart of
n people to warlike deeds not that there
was anything of the fasting hermit about
him, or that he needed the aid of
a monks cowl to make his eloquence
tell. In his new Office he will carry
that olden spirit with him, and we may ex-
pect to find his influence quickly felt
among gay young militiamen all over the
country. In the present peaceful state Of
American affairs vigorous chaplain Is q
greater necessity in the National Guard
than martinez Of colonel. Hitherto the