smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1872




The Carlinville correspondent of the
Democrat relates the following story,
the circumstances ofwhich, while they
are exceedingly sensational, can be
vouched for by persons residing in this
city: ~


One of the most remarkable divorce
eases on record has been begun, and it
Is to be tried at the August term of the
Macoupin County Circuit Court. The
parties have lived together for seven
teen years known to the world as hus-
band and wife. The reputed husband
now files bill, alleging the so-calIed
marriage to have taken place in Ma
lcoupin county in 1855, and praying for
"a divorce on the ground that the person
to whom he was. then formally married
is not woman, although previous to
and at the time OF said reputed mar
Iriage he was induced to believe the
person aforesaid tOabe woman. If the
allegations of the bill and of outside
parties are true, the trial will show the
extraordinary case Of two men having
lived together for this long period Of
time, in the character of husband and
wife, an instance, in other words, in
which a HatHrak-Eunieh has been able
to personate the female character and
as such to go through the solemn ex-
ternal forms Of marriage, and then to
continue for many years to deceive
neighbors, and even intimate friends as
to his real sex. The complainant al
lleges that his ignorance of the laws Of
this country, he being a German, and
the advice Of supposed com mDetent par
ties, prevent him from fling a bill for
release along ago from the bondage of
this pseudO-msrriage. As the parties
have accumulated a considerable prop
Ierty, it will be a point of great interest
for the Court to decide upon its equit-
able division, in case of a dissolution of
the curious co-rarthership.-[&. Louis
Democrat.
Year: 1872

An exchange regrets the removal of
a family whose boy started out year
ago by shooting himself. Two months
ago he choked himselfwith fish bone.
a few days after, he built fire in the
barn and called out the. steamers. He
then swallowed a top, got run over by
an ice wagon, fell into the river, was
lost for three days, and first and last,
he has been fountain of local news
whose value cannot be estimated on a
slate four feet square. gdga4iY
Year: 1872

JAMES SHARPE,
is one of the largest farmers i'll Johnson
County, is well connected, and is said
to be worth about fifty thousand dollars.
irH THE VICTIM.


The murdered man was well known
in this city, in Virginia, where he
formerly resided, and to all the cattle
men of the Southwest. His terrible
death will create profound feeling of
sympathy and sorrow for him, and a
terrible measure of public wrath must
be meted out to his brutal and coward
ly murderer.
Year: 1872

Note of the Government Of Colombia Urging the
State Of Panama to Settle the Case-Insolent
Indifference of the Latter-The Outrage
to the American Flag "Al Done in


Fun" -Bombastic Tone Of tho


Panama Press-Ready for War


with the United States.
Year: 1872

PRoTRACTED MEETING AT HARRINaToN.-A
correspondent from Harrington, on Saturday.
sent US the following For the past week quite
an interesting series of meetings have been in
progress here. But those of this week have
6een peculiarly marked by their fervor. Scores
have presented themselves for the PRAYERS of
the church, and many have protested to have
found the Saviour. Last evening we witnessed
a scene which beggars adequate description
At the close of brief but powerful appeal
from the pastor, Rev. A. d. Davis the invita-
ton was given, when the altar and several
OF the benches were thronged with penitents.
The whole place seemed filled with Divine
Power, and at :he conclusion of the meeting
twenty ight had professed to have found
peace in believing
Year: 1872

FATAL ACCIDENT.-On Thursday morning
last, between 10 and II O. clock, Sam'l Register
was walking from Smyrna to Clayton on the
railroad, almost helplessy drunk, and when a
short distance out of town he was run over and
almost instantly killed by the train. The loco
motive was pushing freight car ahead of it,
and no one on the train saw him. 1t is SUP.
posed that he attempted to cross the track as
the train was approaching and fell or was
struck. He was badly manged Deputy
Coroner Eubanks held an inquest and verdict
in accordance with the facts rendered.


lie was about &c years of age and widower.
He was sentenced to imprisonment for life and
sixty lashes about four years ago for killing a
negro at Kits Hammock, but after serving
a nominal Imprisonment Of abOuto one wear Gov
Salisbury pardoned him. His whipping was
RENTED at the request of nearly ali the tax
payers OF this community, on the ground that
It was barbarous. He was the only son
of wei to do farmer late Of this neishbor-
hood, and different course in life would
have put the young man in easy circum-
stances and good position, but dissOl lutte habits
got the mastry of him. He was almost penni-
less, however, at the time Of his death, if we
may except small prospective inheritance.
His remains were taken charge of bv the
undertaken till the day of interment.
Year: 1872

How he WAS CAUGHT The negro named
John Bishop, whose escape from jail and sub
ssequent capture We mentioned lately, it seems
had rough time OF it during his absence from
prison. The prisoners who escaped with him
each went his own way, leaving Bishop with
hIs iieg-rons on to paddle his own canoe.


!aVlng no friendly harbor in which to conceal
himself, he took to the woods and tbickcts,
and wandered about without shelter or any-
thing to eat for several days. In crossing Mr..
Iaylors cornfieh in the night his leg irons
caught on the stub Of corn stalk, causing
HIM to tall, and not having strength enough TO
relieve himself from his preIicament, be lav
there until Mr.. Taylor found him. When
brought to Jail he was in a sorry plight His
feet and legs were so badly frosted that they
Will have to be amputated We learn that
application has been made to the Governor for
an order to remove him to the almshouse. =
DeldWdredn.
Year: 1872

THE KENT COUNTY INSURANCE Co.-Tbe
Detdrdredn, in its last issue, charges the re-
movai of A. j. Wright, Esq, from the office
OF Secretary and Treasurer of the Kent Co.
Mutual Insurance Company, to political and
personal i'll feeling on the part of some of the
Directors. This charge is entirely false, and
without foundation, in truth. Mr.. Wright was
appointed by the same Board of Directors that
removed him; and his removal was for no
other motive or cause than bis lack of clerical
ability to fill the position he had been appoint
ed to, after two years trial, and the assistance
OF the former Secretary, Mr.. Dickson, to show
him the routine duties of the Office Had
SIr. Wright been competent he would not have
been removed. But every policy holder present
at the last annual meeting no doubt become
fully satisfied Of his ineficiency, on hearing
his report of the affairs of the COMPANY read
All the Directors of this Company, except two.
we believe, are Democrats Mr. Wright was
highly esteemed personally by the whole Board
as christian gentleman and worthy citizen.
out his experience as an accountant was NOT
suthcent for the requirements of the Office,
That Mr. Denney, the newly appointed Secre-
tary and Treasurer is a Republican, has no
significance whatever. He was selected solely
with view to competency.


No man should be retained in any official
position who is not fully qualified to perform
the duties of the Office.
Year: 1872

A AFARcE.-James Burns was tried for
killing John Halloran last Spring IN .
New York saloon, and was acquitted ON
the ground of insanity. Under the
statute he was at once sent to the State
Asylum. A habeas corpus was brought
to have him released from the lunatic
asylum on the ground that he was not
insane. The return set up his due and
proper commitment as lunatic. The
matter came up before Justice Sheriff
Butler bringing the prisoner down.
Judge Bacon appeared for the asylum
and District-Attorney Garvin for the
people. Mr.. Howe, Burns counsel, in
sisted that the return did not set up,
and in fact it was not pretended, that the
prisoner was now insane, and that there
fore he must be discharged. Judge
Bacon argued that having been excused
from the punishment of grave crime
on the grounds of insanity, be should
not be lightly held to be SAFE, and that
before that was done formal inquisi.
ton, and not the of hand proceedings
Of habeas corpus, should be held. The


Court reserved its decision.
Year: 1872

The STEREoTYPRD SMnE.-Beware OF
man or woman with a fixed smile.
Trust the most hideous scowler before
the being who goes about with an all
gelic grin carefully exhibited to all eyes
under any and every circumstance. 1t
IS not natural to smile perpetually, and
no one ever assumes mask without be-
ing conscious Of necessity for conceal
ment. Don t misunderstood me. There
are young women, and few old men,
who break out into a smile whenever
they speak. These are not the people l
mean. The smile of which l warned
you is a motionless, hypocritical, fixed
expression, which I have seen worn
during a silent three hours journey by
rail, without the slightest alteration
that sort of a smile which most mis-.
guided lady artists present upon theil
canvas when they deiineate martyrs,
saints and angels The portrait of
lady has a different smile-the fashion
plate simper-whicb, though semi-idiotic
is not dangerous. Persons of no pene,
tration allude to the chronic smile as
80 sweet" and any one capable Of hold
the muscles Of the face under control, Is
generally able to squeal sweetly, or move
quietly, and to use quiet language,
measured tones, in moments of the
greatest excitement, and SO can place O
better man or woman at great disadvan'
tage, and appear injured aud innocent


when actually most guilty.
Year: 1872

The question of pure milk is now OF
great importance in New York City.
A city journal says: The supply of pure
milk to the poorer classes of this city in
place of the chalk and water of the past
is matter of real moment. The object
of the convention to be held is to the
effect this as well as other ends; and in
doing this the farmers do not propose
to sell milk at any higher rates than
heretofore, out to get higher rates for
their own milk and to sell it in its native
purity. At present the farmers seldom
get over cents per quart for their milk,
and also have to furnish its transporta-
tion to this city, while it is resold here
at 8 or 10 cents per quart, and then
retailed at still higher rates. The farm
ers claim that it is impossible for them
to make any profit at the low rate OF 3
cents, which by various losses of cars
and delays of payments is really reduced
to 2. cents. Hence they propose to take
the matter in their own hands and TO
deliver the milk direct to the consumers
at the usual retail rates.


We need not argue the interest the
city people have in the matter; it is
evident, and they cannot afford to be
idle while this move is going on. With
out their cooperation the plan can
hardly be success. Already the milk
middlemen are saying to the farmers,
"The city customer will not buy Of you"
If the city resident is sincere in his de-
sire for pure milk, he must urge on and
aid this new movement; otherwise it
will fail, and the present supply OF milk
that is not milk, but little of chalk, a
little of salt, a great deal of water, and a
small portion of the "pure Orange
county," will he kept up with increased
force. Up to this time the move has
been entirely in the hands of the coun-
try people, while the really greatest need
for the reform is upon the part of the
inhabitants of the city. The meeting on
the Oath will afford them an opportunity
of showing openly their appreciation OF
the movement, and they should before
that time give the farmers earnest en-
couragement through the public prints.


The association which proposes to
carry out this excellent plan is acting
under charter from the State of New
York, and is composed OF farmers of high
standing and property in every county
which sends milk to this city. Its Presi
dent is J. B. Hollister, of Vermont ;
Vice. President, J. E. McNaughton, OF
the same State Treasurer, 7. s. Gold,
OF West Cornwall, Conn.,: and Secretary,
w. L. Benedict, of Orange county, N.
Y. These gentlemen propose a company
with capital of S1,O0O,O0O, in 10000
shares of $50 each. They will without
doubt easily laise that amount them
selves, and will ouly ask the people of
New York for their patronage but when
it is remembered that over 500, 900 quarts
of the present so-called milk are sold in
New York every day the immense profits,
even at small margin, became plainly
evident.
Year: 1872

Emily Wharton was the pet and pride
Of Riverdale. The old men reverently


called her "The Village Angel )" the young
men admired her by day and dreamed OF
her by night; and even her companions of
her own sex felt for her pure regard free
from the least faint of envy or jealousy.
II any one asked if she was beautiful, the
Year: 1872

A German, who in spite OF the decree
of expulsion, contrived to remain in
France throughout the late war, has just
published a history of his experiences
during that time Among other interest
ing matters touched on by him, the fol.
lowing is his account, derived, as he tells
US, from the Sub Prefect of Glen, of the
arrest and execution of the Prussian spy
Hardt:


The word espion Prussien was in every
mouth in every foreign face spy was
seen. The spy fever had reached tbe
smallest places. Under these circum-
stances, young and gentlemanly- looking
man was arrested in Glen; his foreign ap-
pearance had caused remark and his steps
were followed. he arrived late in the
evening before by rail, and early in the
morning had left his hotel, crossed the
bridge over the Loire, and, stopping often
to examine the country, was seen to take
notes. This was enough, naturally; he
was at once made prisoner and brought
before the Sub Prefect, NJ. B., worthy
man, but strict and upright functionary.
"Who are you, and what is your name 2"
asked NJ. B.


"My name is Won Hardt," was the an
swer. IL am Prussian by birth, was
formerly a Prussian officer, but left the
army about year ago, and went over to
London to take situation in house of
business"


"What brought you here just now, at q
time when our nations are engaged in war
with one another2"


THE war is the cause of my leaving
my situation in London l am on my way
to join my family in Switzerland"


"But what made you break your journey
through France at Glen, which possesses
neither Importance nor attraction, except
from strategic point of view2"
81 could go no farther, as my money
ran out the few coppers you found in
my pocket will convince you of that and
I was expecting remittance here"


"How came you then, to have those
Typographical notes of the region round
Glen il your pocketbook9"


Don't you think it natural" was the
calm, unembarrassed reply, "that ennui
should drive me to take them9 Besides,
l like to benefit by my travels; The
country attracted me, and l simply gave
way to an old habit of collecting notes of
travel"


The interview then ended; nothing
suspicious was found in the prisoners lug
gage, but on the next day he was handed
over to the military authorities at Orleans
then was sent to Paris, brought before a
court martial and shot. The personal
impression made upon the sub Prefect was
very favorable to the young man. NJ. b.
assured me that he preserved in his pres
ence the dignity and bearing of a gentle
man, that his GOODNESS, the tirmness ofhis
demeanor, and his language imposed upon
him, and inspired him With real sympathy;
he debated with himself for moment
even whether he ought not to release the
man, but he was obliged to own to himself
that appearances were strongly against
the prisoner, and that his responsibility
to his superiors and to his conscience left
HIM no choice. Moreover the excitement
in Glen was so great, that the release OF
the suspected stranger would have had
the worst results.
Year: 1872

I wish to lead pleasant life,


Avoiding duns and debt,
To keep aloof from care and strife,


And neither game nor bet.
Yet somehow it would be cram


To say I'm blest in lot;
Because you see sometimes 1 am
But then socetimes I'm not
It's very nice when in shop,


To buy whate'er you view,
Provided want Of cash won't pop


'Twixt purchases and you.
wish | were wealthy man


To buy things that enchant;
Because you see sometimes can
But then sometimes I can't.
It's quite delighttul-truly fun


To act as thoughts may strike;
And pleasant, too, to leave undone
The things one doesn't like.
often wish to have my way,


Thus free from all restraint
Because you see sometimes I may
But then, sometimes mayn't.
An even temper to possess


A mind that's balanced we'll
Must be bliss / cah't express,


That tongue may never tell.
Ny temper's pretty fair, but still
Act TRANQUILITY I.dont;
Because, you see, sometimes 1 will
But then, sometimes I won't!
Well, well The best man can do
Is not to growl at fate,
Not too depressed when ills accrue,
At bliss not TOO elate;
That l may so behave, old pal,
I would the heavens would grant
Because although sometimes shall
know, sometimes shant.
Year: 1872

ABOUT WooL.-Persons unfamiliar with
the wool trade would be Surprised to see
how much fleece of unwashed wool will
shrink upon being thoroughly cleansed.
This is especially the case with fleeces
shorn from fat sheep, where the wool If
of fine variety. Fat sheep secrete large
quantities of oil and gum in their wool,
which add materially to the weight Of
their feeces. A wool manufacturer in
Mootville, N. Y, gives an account OF q
fleece which was raised on farm near
Skaneateless and sold as weighing 10
pounds and ounces, which was correct
80 far as the weight was concerned in the
condition in which it was sold. But this
fleece when properly washed produced
only pounds 8. ounces of clean wool.
The St. Louis Democrat tells of an expert
ment made by a dealer who took merine
fleece weighing 27 pounds, unrolled II
and exposed it to the action of the sun to-
three days, as the end of which time II
weighed but 10 pounds. He then washed
It, without soap, jusy as sheep is washed
and it weighed but u pounds. FINAL!
the fleece was picked apart and scouret'
with soap and soft water, and when dr.
the weight of the fleece was reduced to ::
pounds. At the present St. Louis prices
for washed and unwashed wool the buyer
would have lost just 1854 on bis purchase.
1t is evident that better system of grad
ing wool is required, and that if dealer
would be more painstsking in their exam
nations of feeces the farmers would soon
learn that it was for their own interest r.
bring their wsol into market In good
condition. At present 1t is Just the other
way.
Year: 1872

Nothing could exceed the CHEEKY courage
with which both Liberal Republicans and
Democrats meet the changed aspects Of the
canvass which the October elections have
wrought. The meeting of the Democratic
National Committee, yesterday, breathed only
the spirit of determination and confidence. Mr..
SchelIs ringing address, on behalf of that
Committee, which we have already published,
was more than backed up by the declarations
of well nigh every one of its members and
they separated only to hasten home to
renew their work, and hasten their oIgani-
cations for the impending conflict.
PENNSYLVANIA and Indiana simultaneously send
out words of cheer; and in Indiana at least
our friends have no reason to doubt that,
with vigorous work, they can hold all they
have gained, and improve upon it.


From the other States which we have
reason TO believe we can carry, comes
ennal announcement. We may be beaten in
November; but if so, it will be, not because
there is not strength enough to win, but be-
cause we do not use our strength.


Meantime as the facts come out about the
wav in which the Grant triumph in Pennsyl-
vania was won, it becomes more and more
evident that it is impossible to extend the same
means of coercing one State over the whole
thirty-seven. There are not Simon Camerons
enough, with brothers-in-law in all important
towns like Lancaster to bribe election judges
to stuff ballOt-boxes; Dor are even the ample
funds of the Grant Ring sufficient to
warrant the investment of sums of
$500 or $500 in each election judge
whom they may thus seek to buy. It viii
always be possible, perhaps for adroit and
unscruDulOus men with enormous re-
Year: 1872

and spoke OF the widosproad corruption and demora
izaton that had ensuod from this Erie Ring, and tho
balefu effects upon the morals Of the community OF the
example set by is uDprinciped and centlous leaders
II had brought stigma upon tho Commonwealth that
every member this Assembly representing its honor
is interest ought TO be anxious TO wipe out 1t bad
even dragged the Judicial ermne through its slough OF
corruption and brought two OF the Judges OF the high
est court OF tho State TO answer charges OF maeasanco
which in the opinion OF large part OF the community,
should result In their impeachment He would not do
such injustice TO the people living the southern tier OF
counties as believe that they thoroughly understood
this question they would send petitions hero asking Tor
the continuance in power OF this Infamous Ring"


That was vigorous assault upon notOrl-
ous scandal What would have been thought
of it if men had known then, as they know
now, that Speaker Smith had been paid for
making 1t What would have been thought
if it had been known that the Attorney-Gen-
eral of the State paid fee to the Speaker Iof
the Assembly to promote legislation against
CRYING evil 7 And what would have been
thought if we had understood that the
Speaker insisted upon a law not in the inter
ests of the stockholders at large, but for the
benefit of the particular clique OF stock
holders from whom he had taken $500 7 For
Mr.. Smith was not only an advocate OF the
repeal of the Classification bill, but he spoke
earnestly against the amendment excluding
directors of the Atlantic and Great Western
Railway from the dictatorship of the Erie
Company, an amendment which of course was
aimed directly at his clients. "That amend
'"ment,n writes Mr.. Hale to Gen. Sckles, " was
"the only unfortunate thing about it, and
" that we did hest to prevent, and to got
"Out after it was in."


Thus far we have. heard nothing from tho
gentlemen implicated in this very disagree
able story. Until some explanation is offered,
we can only believe that the AttOrney-General
and the Speaker of the Assembly have been
concerned together in business which differs
little if at all from bribery.