smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871

From the New York Era.
A singular story is told in con-
nection with the Lincoln Assassi-
nation, by William Withers, Sr.,
which has never been published
Mr.. Withers has son named Will
liam, who was the leader of the or
chestra at Lima Edwin's theater last
winter. Both father and son were
in Ford's theater at the time when
Booth shot Lincoln. The elder
Withers was one of the orchestra,
and played the trombone. The
Younger had been seated in the
parquette, but, just previous to the
time when the fatal shot was fired,
he left his seat and proceeded to
the back part Of the stage for the
purpose of speaking to some one on
q private matter.


The two Withers were well ac-
quainted with Booth, and he with
them, the elder having played a
game of billiards with Booth on the
Saturday previous, the former los.
ing the game, but Booth, who would
not permit him to pay for it, exhib-
tied a thick roll OF bills of large de-
nomination, and in boasting vay
remarked that he had struck oil.-
After Booth had fired, and he start
ed to retreat through the wings to
the back entrance, he was met in the
passage 10y young Withers who did
not know what had taken place.
Withers was about to speak to him,
bu, Booth made a lunge at him with
a knife he had in his hand. With
ers lodged the blow, but it never
theless struck him in the shoulder
in an angular direction, and glanc-
ed of, cutting through coat, vest
and shirt, and producing slight
wound Of the skin. He then rush
ed out and mounted his HORSE
William Withers, .jr., stated taese
facts to Mayor Wallack previous to
his examination, who advised him
not to mention the circumstance of
receiving the stab, and he did not
do so. The elder Withers cannot
imagine for what purpose that ad'
vice was given.
Year: 1871

ever reached higher point than
that where Washington inscribed
his name, was Mr.. James Piper,
afterwards member Of the Vir-
ginia Legislature, but at the time of
this adventure 4 student of Wash
ington Collcge, Lexington. Years
ago, in some OF the school reading
books, was found an account OF
Washington's attempt to ascend the
Natural Bridge, and in connection
with it, story of still more reck-
less daring, the heroine Of which
was a lady, Miss Randolph, a cclc-
brated Virginia belle. With par
ty of friends she visited the Natu-
raj Bridge. They reached the
summit, but few Of them had the
courage to approach the edge and
look over into the abyss beneath
From the side of the bridge had
once grown a tree, which was bro
ken off in storm, SO that now only
the stump remained, projecting
over the abyss, with quite a broad
chasm between it and the bridge
A gentleman of the party, pointing
to it, said that he did not believe
there lived a person of sufficient
nerve to step out on that stump and
stand there. Scarcely had he ut
tered the words when Miss Ran
dolph sprang from. the bridge to
the stump, where, on a point SO
narrow that it scarcely afforded a
foothold, she stood moment sus-
pended, as it seemed, in mid-air;
then with another spring returned
to the bridge, and dared the gentle
men to do the same. We are told
that in the age of chivalry local
knights dared even greater dangers
than this for the sake of pair OF
bright eyes, but nineteenth century
prudence declined.
Year: 1871

The Burning or the City Of New London.


Tho Sound steamer City of New London
took fire of Poquetanoc Cove in the Thames
River, yesterday, and was totally destroyed.
The Hre was lirst discovered issuing from one
OF the ventiators, bu. three streams of water
were brought to bear upon it and it was sup
posed to be extiveRis5f1. Soon afterwards,
however, FIRE waar albnn discovered in some
cotton o'1deck, and this refused to succumb to
any efforts Of the crew. Thereupou the cap
tain determined to beach the vessel, but found
that the engine would not work, and that there
was danger of boiler explosion. There
upon every one on board determined to save
himself, but the life preservers and the boats
were found to lave been cut off by the spread
OF the flames, and the passengers and crew
were compelled to take to the water with
only such supports as they could secure
to serve as life preserver. Three
passengers and nine Of the crew were
drowned, aud the rest were picked up
by boats from shore, greatly exhausted. The
disaster to the City of New London brings 10
mind tho absolute necessity for not only moro
boats and more life preservers on all seagoing
Or river steamers, but also the necessity for
more general distribution of these about the
boat. Usually there is lifeboat between the
paddle boxes and others hanging over the
quarters, and as general thing life preservers
sre piled up on high shelf, entirely out Of
reach Of passengers, with as mach ill-advised
caro- as q thrifty housewife shows for her
clean table linen. They should be scattered
peu NELL about the boat, so that the passen-
fers themselves may see them at every turn,
and be within reach 81 them on evcrv ,.r rart Of
tho boat. As for the liteboats, there should
net only he pore q shem, but they should be
PLACED YhSgs asey can be easily launched in
IN emergency, aud they should always be got
ready on the lrst occurrence OF any danger
threatening the safety of tho boat.
Year: 1871




The directors Of the New York City Rail.
toad, popularity called the viaduct, met yester-
day and received the designations Of nearly
every member of the old directory, and pro-
seeded at onoe to reorganze new one.
Among the elements thus eliminated from tho
board are all that had any connection with the
@ty government or upon whom even the
shadow of connection with Tammany had
ALLEN. somc good men upon whom, It is
true this shadow Of Tammany rested, but
who had done all that has been done for the
project, WHO secured the passags 81 the charter
incorporating the company, and who have
been untiring and jealous in their efforts to
make the road tangible fact, are debarred from
(arther usefulness by the new departure but
On tho whole the change Is an excellent one,
and tho viaduot Railway is in far better
way Of completion now than ever. The new
organization comprises the wealthiest business
men Of the city, some of whom are famed far
and wide for their public spirit and enterprise.
John Taylor Johnston was chosen President
and lessrs. Edward p. Barker and William
Butler Dancan retain their positions respec-
lively - Secretary and Treasurer. The new
board. composed as it is of men outside Of
politics, is iupregnable against any machina-
lions Of lobbyists in the Legislature or fraudu-
lent sohemcrs here and thus the retention of
Ehe present charter is rendered certain at the
session next winter, and the building Of the
road honestly aud securely is merely matter
Of year or Two at the farthest
Year: 1871

TIE ELECTION in Washington yesterday re-
suited In the success of the republican party
Hon loan for the Improvement Of the city.
Ehe agitation about the removal Of the capital
doubtless secured the latter result, and thus
hr has proven quite salutary.
Year: 1871

The following affecting incident oc-
cure d in Lexington, Kentucky, while
the StrakOsch Company was in that
city. The story is told by an eye-wit-
ness: On Sunday last, as the vener-
able Chief Justice Robertson, stricken
by the hand of death, lay almost in
sensible to the world which he seemed
fast leaving forever, while the gigantic
brain, which, for so many years, has
thrObbed grandly to the inspirations
of his genius, barely futtered with
the consciousness OF life, he expressed
a desire to hear Miss Cary sing the
ballad of Old Folks at HOme,' as il
the strains of his favOrite melody
would have power to call back his
soul from the portals of the grave
which he was 50 fast nearing. The
wish was at once communicated to
Miss Cary, who willingly consented
to do anything in her power to arouse
the ebbing current Of life in one who,
as a statesman or jurist, has known
bat few rivals during the course of a
long and eVentful life. On reaching
the residence OF Judge Robertson, Miss
Cary was at once uShered into
the chamber where so much of in
tellect and learning was fast flick
ering out into the darkness
Of the unknown Hereafter, and
without accompaniment of any kind
raised her rich contraltO voice in the
touching words, way down upon the
SuWanee river but before she had
sung three lines, broke down in the
intensity of her emotion. Calming
herself, She again essayed the ballad,
and, while the venerable and stricken
man lay drinking her glorious melO-
dy, poured out her whole soul in the
simple utterances which gave so much
pleasure to one whose giant intellect
had in days agone, fascinated the
most talented of the land. When she
had ceased, Judge Robertson could
scarcely express his qualification by
signs, yet signitied desire that Miss
Cary should sing for him Home,
Sweet Home Twice did the gifted
artistic attempt to comply with the re-
quest, but her emotion was too great
and, choked with feeling, she was
compelled to leave the room. The
whole incident was one of the most
touching and affecting episodes that
ever marked the death-bed Of depart
ing greatness"
Year: 1871

The theory that man is a descendant
from the monkey may be all right to
talk about, but if the monkeys have
been watching the party which is in
power for the past few years they
would be justified in committing sui
eide. It's a serious charge to bring
against a monkey that tries ID be
good.
Year: 1871

From the age of forty to that of six


ty man who properly regulates him
self may be considered in the prime Of
life. His matured strength of consti-
tuition renders him almost impervious
to the attacks of disease. and all his
functions are in the highest order.
Having gone a year or two past sixty,
however, he arrives alta critical periou
of existence; the river of death flows
before him and he remains at stand
still. But athwart this river is Via
duet, called '"The Turn of Life, "
which, if crossed in safety, leads to the
valley of "Old Age" round which


the river winds, and then flows beyond


without boat or causeway TO affect


its passage. The bridge is however,
constructed of fragile materials, and il
depends how it is trGdden whether il


bend or break, GOut, apOpleXy, and
other bad characters, are also in the


vicinity to waylay the traveller, and
thrust him from the pass but let him
grid up his loins, and provide himself


with perfect composure. To quote a


metaphor, the "Turn Of Life" is q
turn either into a prolonged walk or
into the grave. The system and pow
er, having reached their utmost cX-
pansion, now begin either to close
like flowers at sunset, or break down
at once. One injudiciOus stimulant, a
single fatal excitement, may force it
beyond its strength: whilst careful
supply of props, and the withdrawal
of all that tends to force a plant, will
sustain it in beauty and in vigor until


night has nearly set in.
Year: 1871


The Berlin correspondent of the Lon
don Ncws writes that it is rumorcd
that Count MOLTIlE has expressed his
resolution TO Emperor WILLIAM to de-
cline the present of million of tllal-
ers, which is intended by the Federal
Council and the majority of the Reich
stag to bestow upon him He has de-
ciared himself quite satisfied with the
h0nors that have fallen to his share,
while his habits are so inexpensive
that he has no use for more money
than he already possesses; and he cam
not see that his nephew, who has been
made his heir, has any claim to re-
eeive money from the nation. 1t viii
be seen that the views of Count
MoLTFE are very different from those
of the distinguished soldier whom the
venerable Postmaster of Covington
has pronounced the greatest General
In the world. President Grant has
never been known to decline presents
from the public nor from private inGi-
viduals who may be struggling for of
fetal position but, on the contrary,
he seems 10 believe that such evidrn-
ces of appreciation should he encour-
aged by so disturbing the public pat
ronage as to foster a spirit of liberali-
ty on the part of ofiice-seekers. And
while the great Prussian General pro-
tests against his nephew and heir be-
ing provided for at the public expense.
our famous American General insists
on quartcring all his relations and ali
his wife's relations upon the United
states Treasury, utterly regardless of
their fitness for the lucrative offices in
to which they are thrust This striking
contrast in the opinions of two Gene
rails, who within the past few years in
their different fields of action have at
tracted the attention of the werld. can
hardly fail to- create comments at
home and abroad which will cause
Americans to feel very proud of their
preSideut-N Y S3k3
Year: 1871

F)R E-KEEPERS.-The man
agement of brooms and the sweeping
OF carpets, are matters of interest to
house-keepeTs. For their information,
therefore, we give the following which
we find going the rounds:


If broOms are wet in boiling suds
once a week, they will become very
tough, will not cut the carpet, last
much longer, and always sweep like a
new broom. a very dusty carpet may
be cleaned by setting pail of cold
water out by the door, wet the broom
in it, knock it to get off all the drops,
sweep yard or so, then wash the
broom as before and sweep again, be-
ing careful to shake all the drops OFF
the broom and not sweep far at time.
If done with care, il will clean car
pet very nicely. and you will be sur
prised at the quantity of dirt in the
water. The water may need changing
one or twice, if The carpet is very dus-
Year: 1871

The maxim that the voice of the people the voice of d
ynity may, in be open doubt but the tes


of honest and enlightened witnesses extending through


series of years and all to the puport worthy of
cedence admits of question Upon such testimony the
reputation of Hosetters Stomach Bters andote and
for many ailments is based. During the twenty years
that it has been before the world numerabe preparations
intended compete with it, have gone up like rockets and
down tho extnguished sticks. Meanwhile the pro-
of that Incompatible tonic has been swift and steady


always upwards and onward like the eagles flight 1t in
troduced revolution in therapeutics and it proved to be
those sautary revolutions that go backwards
To-day osetters Bitter is of the popular remedies
II Chrisendom and commands larger sale than any other
medicinal preparation, domestic imported, this side of
the Atlantic As for dyspepsia, bilious disorders,
affections general debility and preventive of
epidemic evers it takes precedence of every other remedy
This fact should teach the ambitious country dealers who
deavor ist their local abortons the public
how futile their small attempts to coe the community must
necessarily be. Where the game fish have failed there
chance for the :" suckers" Oct7
Year: 1871

A Brooklyn physician, in an article
10 the May number of the Medical
and Surgical Reporter, argues that
scaTlatina is contagious, quoting his
own case in illustration OF the affirma-
tive view: "In 1853 or 1859 l was in
attendance on two families at the
same time, in the northwestern sec
ton of the city of Philadelphia, in
one Of which there were four patients
and two in the other. In the former
the disease was of the most malignant
type, two Of the four children perish
ing within a day or two, while the
tu0 pat,.slts in the second family duly
recovered. But the point ls that in a
few days l W.Ss attacked with the
same disease, ana it ran its ordinary
course-my person being covered
from head to foot with eruption, with
skin about the color Of a boiled iobs-
ter. The thick skin Of hands and
feet peeled off in long shreds, Eud 1
shall never forget the peculiar seIlsa-
ton impaired to the nerve radicals or
extremfties by this exposure. Each
hair seemed TO have attained thrice
Its normal diameter, while the beard
felt like huge brush pile"
Year: 1871

A lady makes some sensible sugges-
tiOns in London journal, on the sub
ject of marriage or Celibacy, few OF
which we annex, and say that there
is a great deal of truth in them:


"When a girl marries, she ought, to
certain extent, to give up her Rc-
quaintances and consider the company
Of her husband the best company she
can have. The young wife must learn
cooking carefully, If she does not al
ready have a good knowledge of it.
There are many excellent cookery
books, but she must not follow them
implicitly. My own plan, for some
time after 1 was married, was 10 take
some dish and prepare it once accord
ing TO the receipt given, and note care
fully what ingredients could be dis
pensed with. The second time 1 gen
orally managed it at half the expense.
A useful plan is to keep a blank book
in the kitchen table drawer, and
whenever a deviation from the orthO-
GqX cookery book Is made, to jOt it
down. Do not wait till you have
washed your hands, let the book be
finger marked rather than lose an
idea. You will thus learn more OF
household economy than if you trust
to memory alone; and, when your
daughters grow up, what fund OF
practical information 1t will be for
them! To a great extent the celibacy
of our young men is owing to the way
in which girls are brought up.
Through mistaken kindness mothers
often themselves do what they ought
to make their daughters do. Let them
teach them housekeeping on liked,
methOdicai plan, and they will then
learn their history, French and music
all the better. IT is natural and right
that a mother should wish TO see her
daughters well educated, and even
highiy accomplished; and it is q mis-
take that good and careful education
would unfit q girl for the hOmely du-
ties Of cooking, dusting, etc. On the
contrary, those duties would be better
performed; and If mothers would, at
the same time that they seek talented
instructors for their daughters, impart
to them some of their own culinary
talent, there would be more good
wives and marriages. Little girls
should be taught, as early a. possible,
to perform simple hOusehOuld duties
neatly; and, as they grow older, let
them become gradually acquainted
with the theory of housekeeping Ia
such q manner that when they are
married, they will be able 10 adapt
to their circumstances,
aud be useful a. well as pleasing COM
paniOns to their husbands"
Year: 1871

mschine-shops, and if thereby I can
give employment TO the many who
need it, shall consider I have done
good work in relieving the distres.
ses Of the widows and orphans the
vicissitUdes Of war have made and
brought to misery. have 10 ambi-
ton for political hOnors, and choose
rather to pursue my calling as a civil
engineer, and do what I can to relieve
the Southern people in an unostenta-
tiOus UsvD
Year: 1871

NEW YORK, June 24.-Mayor Hall
has written a letter to President
Grant, in relation to a rumOr that the
friends Of Congressman Bowen are
asking the Executive for his pardon
in which he asks whether Bowen
ought not to disclose the means by
which he procured false and traudU-
lent decree for an alleged divorce
through the deppty clerk, from the
Office OF county clerk in this city, and
without the knowledge of the latter.
The Mayor adds that the county


clerk and the authorities here are de-
sirous of exposing and Furnishing the


fraud which was committed in the
interest OF Bowen, if not at his direct
instigation, and may need, if not his
evidence, information necessary to
convict the deputy clerk of fraudulent
intent and complicity, should his al


legation prove untrue, that he was
merely careless and was betrayed by
represent tatioDs calculated to deceive.
Year: 1871

WASHINGTON, June 24.-The in
structions for Captain Halls eXpedi
ton toward the north pole, by the
Secretary Of the navy, have just been
printed. They are full and specific
Appended is letter nom Professor
Henry, in which he says that al
though the objects and peculiar or
ganization of this expedition are not
primarily of a scientific character, vel
many phenomena may be observed
and specimens of natural history be
incidentally collected, and therefor g,
in order that the opportunity of OBJ
tanning such results might not be lost,
a committee Of the National Acade-
my Of Science was appointed to pre-
pare a series of physics and natural
history. The photographic Office and
signal corps have contributed necessa-
~ instruments.
Year: 1871

New YORK, June 24.-The arrange
ments for the reception of visiting
singers to the great Sengerfest to-
night and tomorrow morning, are
now complete. The buildings along
the line of march, as a rule, have been
handsomely decorated, and should
the evening prove clear, the illumina-
tiOns in the German quarter will be
very general. Western Societies will
arrive tomorrow morning and be
suitably received.
Year: 1871

CoLoRED ExcURs1oN1sTs.-Ala large party
OF colored excursionists from Petersburg
reached the city yesterday, and amused
themselves during the day by roaming
through the Capitol Square and admiring
the beauties of the city generally.
Year: 1871




The New York Herald is out for Gen.
Sherman for President. The speech of
Gen. Sherman to the American Union
Club of New Orleans, is the cause of
this announcement on the part of the
Herald. In that speech, referring to
the growth and destiny of the country,
Gen. Sherman said:


''But in order to gain this much de-
sired end, and to maintain ourselves as q
free and independent repablic, we have
got to show more charity to each other. F"
He believed, he added, ''that if the
question, and all matters as to the set
tlement of the differences between the
North and South were left to the armies it
would be settled at once, and everything
would become quiet and orderly. l so
believed" he went on to say, 'tand before
signing the agreement with Gen. Joe
johnson l called together all the other
Generals under my command, and with
out dissenting voice they agreed with
me. Ibelieved they Qhe Confederates)
surrendered in good faith and would have
lived up to the very letter of the agree
ment; and, in my opinion, if there had
been no reconstruction acts of Congress
and the armies been left to settle all ques-
tions of difference between the different
sections of the country the people would
at once have become quiet and peace
able.n


The Herald proceeds:


On this spontaneous and patriotic
speech we nominate Gen. Sherman for
next President. It is better than all the
platforms of party conventions. 1t
shows a large heart and broad and liberal
VIEWS Peace and harmony are what the
country want, and Gen. Sherman's mind
is imbued with that fact. Kindness or
charity combined with firmness, on the
part of government, would heal all our
sectional difficulties. Gen. Sherman pos
sesses these qualities in an eminent de-
cree, and if he were President there is no
doubt that the troubles perpetuated from
the war by Radical misrule would soon
be ended.
Year: 1871

THE Constitution of West Virginia
contains a clause declaring ''no person
who, since the first day of June, 1861,
has given, or shall give, voluntary aid or
assistance to rebellion against the
United States, shall be citizen of this
State, OF be allowed to vote at any
election therein, unless he has vol
unteered into the military or naval
service of the United States, and has
been, or shall be, honorably dis
charged tnerefrom. A proposition to
strike these words from the Constitution
was voted upon by the people of the
State few days ago, and although the
vote was very light there seems to be
very little doubt from the general run of
the returns that the amendment has car
ried, and that hereafter the disfranchised
whites will be allowed to vote. This will
make West Virginia Overwhelmingly
Democratic.
Year: 1871

the limits of its influence would have, if
he dared seek to restrict its monopoly,
restrain its exsctions or otherwise oppose
its supreme will.


No section of the country is more anx-
ious than the South to clear away the
war issues, for the sake of its own peace.
But no section is more interested than
the Northwest in throwing overheard
these same war issues and clearing the
deck for the great struggles of the future
with these monster monopolies, to pre-
vent them from establishing on this Con-
tinent grand feudal system, without
nobility, honor, intelligence or chivalry-
based upon corruption, mere mushroom
of money.