smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

CHICAGO, May 20-The Times has in
formation that Mrs. Lincoln, to-day,
attempted to commit suicide by poison
ing. After being removed from the
court room where she was adjudged
insane yesterday, she was put under
the strictest surveillance, it being fear
ed that she might do injury to herself.
To-day she escaped from her room and
hurried to the drug store of Frank
Square, under the Grand Pacific Hotel.
She ordered compound of camphor
and laudanum, ostensibly for. neural
gia. The clerk informed her that it
would take about ten minutes to make
it, whhereupon she took a carriage and
drove to two other stores. She was fol-
lowed by Mr.. Squares, who in each case
prevented the druggist from giving
the compound. She finally returned to
the first place and procured a mixture
which she supposed was what she
wanted, but which was harmless. She
drank this as soon as she left the store
and as it had no fleet she tried to leave
her room again to obtain a larger dose,
but was prevented. She was removed
TO private hospital at Batavia, Illinois
this afternoon, where she will have ev-
ery attention
Year: 1875

There has been an important decision in the
Supreme Court with reference to building and
loan associations. The Court affirmed the
right of building associations to corporate ex-
istence, but decided that such corporations
have no right to take interest on the amount
of premiums paid for precedence in taking
loans, but only on the amount actually loaned :;
that fines for non-payment of interest are not
legal that a reasonable fine may be assessed
for non payment of dues, but that only one
fine may be imposed for single installment
cf dues; and that in foreclosure of mortgage,
given to secure payment of dues, interest, pre-
miuihs and fines, it is error to calculate in the
Judgment for fines or other dues to accumulate
beyond the time of rendering the judgment.
Year: 1875

A new and fatal diseased has attack
ed the lemon plant, the origin of which
is believed to be the forced cultivation
of the fruit which has taken place
during the last few years. 1t is sort
or dry rot.
Year: 1875

According to the figures of the Fed
eral Surveyor General, J. T. STRAIT
TON, there are now over forty-siX
million acres of government land un-
surveyed in the State of California.
out of a total of one hundred million
acres. The private grants surveyed
aggregate eight million three hundred
thousand acres, and the public lands
surveyed forty-one and half millions
of acres. Thus it is seen that the pub
lie domain yet unsurveyed embraces
about one half the area owned by the
government. Inasmuch as settlers
gain comparatively no rights by occu-
patton of unsurveyed lands, all the
settlers on quarter section having
equal rights in the subdivision when
surveyed, regardless of the time of set
tlement, and owing to the impossibili-
ty of distinguishing railroad from the
public lands this part of the public
property is neglected except by those
who locate bee ranches here and there
upon the mountain slopes hoping by
the occupancy of the water to ward off
other settles upon the same tract. There
is large quantity of this unsurveyed
land that is valuable and deserves
cultivation, and the State would be
greatly benefited by an early compile
tion of the surveys. A large and val
liable class of immigrants could be in
duced to come to our State if public
lands could be readily obtained. Thou
sands of poor yet hardy and expert
farmers, who, having families, are
not in condition to move about from
place to place seeking employment
by the month; weary with the depres-
sion and disasters of the States are
ready to remove to this coast. They
have the means perhaps to bring them
to our State and enable them to culti-
vate tract, but could not purchase
private lands at the current rates.
California needs this bone and sinew
bnt cannot get it without offering
public lands for pre-emption and
homestead claims. Let all the pub
lie lands then be surveyed at as early
a date as practicable.
Year: 1875

In these days of loose fitting laws
and pliable judicial system, family


influence is the most effective shield


against the penalties of crime. In
Democratic America where the poor
est citizen is theoretically equal be-
fore the law with the richest in the
land do we behold the judicial axe
withheld from the neck robed in cost
ly attire. The power of wealth in
shielding the criminal from just pun
ishment is nowhere more potent than
In the United States. A poor man
steals ham, and is committed to the
prison as afelon; the scion ofa r.ch fam
lily appropriates hundred thousand
dollars of his employers money and


the law is powerless. The stain upon
the family escutcheon is covered with
gold, and the culprit is quietly sent to
some other quarter of the country to
repeat the operation. The infiiction
of the deserved punishment is regard
ed as disgrace, the commission OF
the crime is naught. If the culprit
can be kept out of the State prison the
family name is not clonded. 1t is
Year: 1875

The work of excavating a channel
through the bar at the mouth of Will
mington harbor is progressing rapidly
and the results are now beyond the
expectations of the engineers who
conceived the enterprise. The bar
was originally about three thousand
feet wide, of which some fifteen hum
dred feet on the ocean side is stiff
clay filled with boulders, the balance
being composed mainly ofsand. The
dredges have cut a channel inwards
from the anchorage one thousand feet
in length to the depth of thirteen feet.
1t was supposed that if the clay ridge
forming the outer half of the bar was
cleared away the sand on the inside
would be washed out by the ebb-tide.
This calculation has in q measure
been verified, for since the comb Of the
ridge has been cut the channel
through the sand inside has been
deepened to seven feet in its shallow
est part at mean low tide, whereas, not
more than half that depth existed be-
fore. 1t is reasonable therefore to
suppose that when the excavation is
completed through the clay nature
will finish the work, and allow vessels
drawing fifteen to eighteen feet in
gress and egress at mean high tide.
Inside the bar there is q natural har-
Dor having q depth of eighteen to
twenty feet and this extends to with
in about twelve hundred yards of the
wharf. Whether channel will be
dredged over this space up to the
wharf, or the wharf be extended to
deep water has not yet been definitely
determined, but it is probable dredg-
ing will be less costly both in the first
expenditures and as regards annual
repairs. We may therefore claim that
the labors of the able engineers who
conceived and are carrying out the
present system of improvements at
Wilmington have been rewarded by
results that certainly justify the ap-
propriations that have been made, and
warrant additional expenditures until
the desired end is reached.
Year: 1875

The question is raised as to the
equity and justice of the Common
Council in compelling the owners of
property on Main street to construct
at their own expense a main sewer
which it is intended shall become the
conduit for the sewage of large pro-
portion of the city. We believe the
rule usually observed in such cases
where the rights of citizens are re-
spected, is very simple and easily en-
forced. 1t is as follows: The 'front.'
age of all property to be benefited by
the main sewer, is measured as we'll
as that on the street through which
the improvement is to be made; the
entire cost determined and the amount
divided by the aggregate front feet of
property on every street benefited and
thus the quotient becomes the unite OF
assessment. This is the proper course
to pursue and is in fact the only one
which can be legally enforced. If the
Common Council attempt to sell the


property of citizens on Main street to
collect assessments levied for the con-
struction of the main sewer through
that street they will involve the city
in tissue of lawsuits which will cost
the taxpayers thousands of dollars.


Before these assessments can be col.
lected by legal process it will devolve
upon the Council to prove that this
main sewer is constructed for the sole
Year: 1875

really refreshing therefore when


Roman father appears here and there


in our annals, man who regards the
commission of crime severance of
the ties of blood, and calls out in the


midst of his shame and sorrow, for
Justice to award its proper punishment.
Ex Judge FISHER of Washington, the
telegraph informs us, will take no
steps TO shield his son, the assistant
District Attorney who is now confined
for his crimes at the capital of the ma
ton. Here is citizen worthy of the


republic. Would that there were
enough such to elevate the standard
nearer to that of the grand old Roman.
The circumstance at Washington
calls to mind the worst notable exam
pie of that public spirit which made
the descendants of AENGs the mas
ters of the world. LUCIUs BRUTUs
swore upon the dagger reeking with
the blood of LUCRETIA to destroy the
Tarquin. He made the people swear
never to submit to the kingly author
ity. His own son was the first to VIC.
late the pledge. The great Roman
set upon the bench at the trial of his
offspring, pronounced him guilty and
attended the execution of the traitor.
Year: 1875

IN San Francisco when an unarmed
prisoner attempts to escape the officer
shoots him dead. 1t is a cheap and
safe way to kill a man. One always
takes better aim, is cooler and fires
with more precision when the target
is the back of defenseless man, than
when the aim must be taken while
confronting the muzzle ofanother pis-
tol. 1t always affects ones nerves moro
or less to know that the man you are
shooting at has pistol and is as liza
BILE to shoot some one as to he shot.
We doubt if the people will endorse
the too common habit of San Francis
co officers OF shooting down unarmed
men whose only offense is an attempt
to avoid arrest.
Year: 1875

The contest for the speakership OF
the Assembly seems to have narrowed
down to General MCCONNELL ofthis
county and Judge ARCHER of Santa
Clara county. Both are able men and
old Democrats and no matter which
is chosen the Assembly will have an
efficient presiding officer. While we
concede the ability and qualifications
of Judge ARCHER we claim like rec
omendations for our townsman Gen.
MCCONNELL ana because he is oul
townsman and we know his fitness fol
the place we shall hope that the hon.
or will be conferred upon him.
Year: 1875

and exclusive purpose of draining the
property on Main street, and that the
property on no other street in the city
is benefited thereby. If the theory Of
the Council is correct that the proper
ty owners in the lower half of q city
shall at their own expense construct
the main sewer for the whole city a
system of appreciation of the higher
property and depreciation of the low
er will be at once inaugerated which
will work serious loss to many prop
erty holders in this city.
Year: 1875

SARGENT has hastened off to Wash
ington. This is characteristic of the
polite little Quaker Hill Statesman.
Just when his friends and it may be
partners in the whiskey business, have
got into trouble he runs away. Every
Federal officer in California holds his
place by permission of SARGENT and
if any of them are implicated in the
whisky frauds it is the duty of the
master to stay and see his servants
honorahy discharged or safely landed
behind the bars of prison.
Year: 1875

THE proprietors of the Bulletin and
Call have sued the Alta for libel.
These gentlemen have been the defen-
dants in score or more of libel suits
and we suppose they have bought this
suit in order to experience the sensa-
tion of the other side.
Year: 1875

ssoHoM1sH CITY, Sept. 20, 1875.


Our little burg was greatly excited the
oAher day over no less an event fthan a
case in cur justice court. 1t seems that
several of our Oldest settlers came down
the river and happening to meet at the
upper end of town, toward evening,
went into Mr.. Matthew's saloon to take
q drink and being in very good spirits,
were not quite as quiet as they might
have been. This raised the ire OF
gentleman living near ut hand and he
forthwith went out and expostulated
with the gentlemen in a manner not
very edifying to them. This having no
marked effect, the next day he had them
arrested for riotous and disorderly con-
duct, creating great excitement. Prot.
Morse stood for the prosecution and
Mr.. Matthews for the defence. Several
witnesses were called on both sides, in
oluding some ladies. The testimony
went to show that the prisoners were
doing no more than any other set OF
men would do under the same circum-
stances. His honor, Judge Writers, not
withstanding the legal thunder of Pro-
fessor Morse. said that he thought the
complainant was slightly in error and
that he could not see anything to con-
yict the prisoners for or bind them over
to the District Court. Thus was our
Grand excitement ended.
Year: 1875

E If men, when crossing the street,
were obliged every time they came to
muddy place, grasp the seat of their
pantaloons and hoist them up above
high water mark - wouldn't it look
ridiculous?
Year: 1875

While the columns of the Democratic
press abound in criticism and ridioule of
Senator Morton for his declaration that
the civil war-or the essential principles
of it-continues in masked form through
out the South, there come to tie bar of
public opinion the White Liners OF Missis-
sippi, with indisputable evidence of the
correctness of his views.


A single bottle of whisky, displaced
from the hands of an imbibing White
Liner who intruded himself upon an Or
derly Republican meeting at Clinton, was
both the signal and the excuse for the
sacrifice of fifty Republican blacks If
we are surprised at the promptness of the
revenge and the immediate presen ce of so
numerous body of the White League on
the outskirts of Republican meeting,
armed and ready for evil purposes, we
must be duly astonished at the statement
of the White Line Herald of vicksburg,
''That the negroes are responsible for this
great crime, and they and their master
Governor Ames, will be held to q full &C.
count"


To say nothing of the enormous value
of that whisky bottle, which requires that
Governor should be held to account for
the breaking of it, at point quite re-
moved from his physical presence, and to
atone for the deed Of friend over whom
he exercised no control, there is an ire
sistible logic conveyed by this affair, and
it appeals to the critics e. well as the
friends Of Senator Morton. It stands to
Democratic reason that one bottle Of
whiaky Is worth Afty negro lives, and the
loss Of 1t should canse the arming Of sew
etal counties in defense Of their rights
and liberties; also that William Allen
Year: 1875

by the very authority which advances it.,
that the Republicans Of the South are de-
nounced. They are charged with having
taught the negroes


That the whites among whom they live
are their natural enemies and oppressOrs.


That nothing stands between them and
slavery but the power Of the federal gov
ernpent.
They have been threatened d with all sorts
OF evils if they allowed the Republican
party in the South to be overthrown.


They have been promised all sorts of
blessings if they supported the Administra-
tion candidates.


They have seen ''the great ruler at Wash.
ington" securing the county with his cav
airy at election times, and his officers
arresting white politicians at pleasure for
no other crime than opposing the Admins
tration.


1t is not go strange that they should i'm.
agine he is going to be king next year, and
that then, all the land will belong to him. y


But the most recreant and cruel re-
cantation of responsibility is to be found
in the taunt of "the average Southern Re-
publican" who is congratulated upon
"the success of his experiment in the
political education of the negro" Pray,
whose experiment was emancipation
Who contended for the fitness of the negro
to exercise his rights? Who aided and
approyedthe invasion of the South by
John Brown? The founder of the Tribune
did all this. He would never have
shirked the responsibility for the results
of his teachings. His successors take the
property he created, and to add to its
value they proceed to obliterate every evil
dence of his ownership and to repudiate
every political pledge that he ever made.
Such evidence of moral timidity, such
mercenary merchandise of the faith and
fame of him who bequeathed both in trust
to his successors is sorrowful comment
upon political consistency, and we feel
rejoieed to know that the Tribune in present
hands can neither bring strength to the
allies who despise it nor inflict injury
upon those whom it proposes to betray
Its testimony is worth about as much as
that of the witness it discredits, and its
forty pieces of silver will be worth about
as much as the forty acres of Georgia
broom straw and gullies which the negroes
would burn, slay and plunder to buy "on
a long credit"
Year: 1875

Confederate General Cockerell said, at the
Union soldiers reunion in Ohio: Humanity
is the same in all ages of the world, and we
can not divest ourselves of it, even if we
would. We can not always control our
selves when laboring under passion, and l
do not want you to hold me responsible for
all I have said and done under circum.
stances incident to cruel and fratricidsl
war, but am willing 10 ask your pardon
for any real wrong have DONE" The Con-
federate Democracy have reminded him
that he was much too humble; that he was
not expected to beg pardon for attempting
to destroy the Union.
Year: 1875

should be elected Governor of Ohio to
vindicate the peaceful policy Of negro Ax-
termination, and the elevation of the Con-
fedarate White Liners to power and Office.


We are not disposed to ignore that
whisky bottle, but recognize that it has
now become historic by serving purpose
beyond its usual measure. 1t disclosed,
through its chivalric devotees, the spirit
OF civil war which no motive of prudence
or policy held in check; and in tearing
down the mask of the White Line in
triguers, it has given wholesome warning
to the trusting, and vigilant loyal mil
lions, who will cast their ballots in 1876.
Year: 1875

Some one has polled the votes tor Cover
nsr of Ohio in the State penitentiary, and
found that all of the Allen men but seven
had been pardoned out. These seven men
unwisely remarked one day that they pre-
ferred hard money to hard labor, and they
will not be released, although they are good
Democratic.
Year: 1875

HOW q Little AAorse Happened to


Beat Big One.


Turf, Field and Farm.l


A well-known driver relates to us the
following not poorly played trick:


II had won two heats in the trot and
my only real opponent in the race had
won two as we'll. We were now going
for the deciding heat. What to do to
win that heat was bothering my brain
greatly, though what not to do was more
plain and evident. My mare was as
tired as dog, and as she was not the
best couraged trcter in the world, |
could only rely on her gameness to pull
her through. Ny opponents horse, a
great big fellow, was nearly as tired,
yet he seemed irihe fresher than my
little mare. At all events, must keep
her as close upon him at all times as |
could, for let her in her tired condition
once fall behind, and she would give it
up at once and not struggle on at all.


Neither OF us cared TO score many
times, so we got on the word, he having
the pole and / right at his head. In this
position we went around the turn head
and head at rapid clip. As we struck
the back-stretch felt that he was out
trotling me. Half way down the stretch
my mare broke, tired, dead, with NO
speed and no desire to go further. |
tried to catch her, but as | ished her
with the bit she wouldn' respond. What
to do | was at loss to determine, so let
her jump along. She runs close to the
ground and without any effort. This
seemed to freshen her, and she took hold
of the bit anew. The driver OF the big
fellow began to be annoyed at my rum
ming and let fly few sharp CALCULATIONS.
All at once it struck me that my oppon-
ent's horse was so big that he hid me
pretty well from the judges sight AS
soon as this thought took possession OF
me, looked it over and saw that he
shadowed me completely. 1t was a hap
py thought. | let the mare jump along
with more confidence, and my opponent 8
horse let out another link


This amt a running race, he cried
out angrily.


Keep him at it, replied.


"' You'll catch it from the judges and
be distanced for running and so not
even get any part of the race, he dicta-
ted, as we sped along down the stretch.


'At the turn he took his horse in hand
but as he felt the bit he shut up, and as
his driver called on him again he houn-
dered, broke, aud was all abroad.


Expecting this, ] had my mare in
hand, and as he houndered | caught her,
and when he broke she showed her head
in front, trotting for dear life, and went
on clear of him. AS she now had rest,
and with this clear lead was greatly en-
eouraged to go on, she did right merrily,
and won the heat.


"Of course l expected a stormy time
in the judgea' stand, aud was prepared
TO combat, argue, and defend my action
in taking few little jumps.


But, lol the judges said they didn't
see me run at all, and that my opponent
was mistaken This made him rave like
madman, and the judges soon ordered
him out Of the stand. Poor fellow, he
never forgaye me the trick. But all is
fair in war. Twas well played, asn'titY
Year: 1875

peignoirs may be seen smoking cigar
cites, running races, or sitting talking in
groups. AT one end is cafe, where may
be witnessed the strange spectacle of a
gentleman with scarcely any clothing on
devouring hot sausages, drinking beer,
or chatting familiarly with the lady--of
mature years, be it said-behind the
counter.


Other bathers, armed with a rod and
line, angle from the windows for the
celebrated gouion immortalized by
Leech, or chaff the boatmen who pass
up and down the river. The bath, being
in the Moorish style, has very Oriental
character when the white dresses and
the generally brown skins Of the visitors
are added. Only as the bathers increase
and the night draws on, the water is apt
to become Of the consistency and color
Of pea soup, though the current OF the
river issomewhat strong. Old bathers will
shrug their shoulders at this, and tell the
legend of how last year diver brought
up drowned baby from the bottom, or
pleasantly remark that, inasmuch as
there are many drains which empty
themselves higher up, you cannot ex-
pect impossibilities In any case visit
to Seine bath, if even from motives of
curiosity, is worth any ones while.
Year: 1875

ball, and smother it over, so
that it would sometimes almost
deceive tanner it appears so like
the upper leather" With regard to the
bottoms, the worn part Of the soles is
opened from the edge, piece Of leather
is made to fit exactly into the hole or
worn part. 1t is then nailed and fled
until level, paste is applied, smother"
put on the part, and thus the dust of the
road initiated. This smother" plays
a very important part in the "transla-
ton" of old stogies. The smother" is
obtained from the dust of the room. 1t
is placed in q stocking, tied at both ends,
and then shaken through Just as lady
applies powder-puff. The profit at
this business is very good. The proprie-
tor Of the place makes good profit
after paying his journeymen fair wages


Very singularly the master "translator"
compels all his workmen to lodge in the
shop. Unless the shoemaker consents to
lodge there he will not De employed. The
boss charges him well for his bed; but
a man can sleep elsewhere, provided he
pays his lodging to the master all the
same. These lodging-places are said to
be very neutrality-suspicious. in such a
filthy and revolving state as to demand
the attention of the police The room


is never cleaned out, the furniture never
repaired the linen on the beds seldom
changed. I'm many houses" said my
informant, there is system of sub-let-
ting among the journcymen. In one


room lodged a man and his wife "a lsun-
dress lodged there), four children and
two single young men. The wife &C
tually gave birth to a child in this room,
while the men kept at their work. The


rats scamper over the beds, which lie
huddled together in the nighttime"