smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

IT is useless to make out a synopsis of
the thousand and one reports that have
flooded the daily newspapers within the
past week concerning the three disputed
States, because to-day "wednesday the
Presidential Electors of each State meet at
their respective State capitals and record
the vote cast for President. Therefore, the
thing may be settled before we can get to
press OF the three States so long in dis
pute, Florida and South Carolina are
admitted to have given nnajorities for Hayes
on the vote actually cast; that is, most OF
the newspapers not intensely partisan
admit it. But Louisiana seems to be the
bone of contention. The doubt as to the
result turns mainly upon this "bull-dozed,"
misgoverned State. Nearly all the con-
servative Republican papers admit that
Tilden has a majority of the vote actually
cast in that State, but the Returning Board
is preparing to show that gross intimida-
ton has heea proved in a number Of
parishes sufficient to warrant or indeed to
compel the throwing out of their votes,
and that there is evidence of a sickening
array of outrages. By the laws of the State
the Returning Board has right to throw
out the vote of such parishes, and they
propose to do it. This law may be arbi-
trary, still it's law, and it is admitted on all
hands that the Returning Beard is proceed
ing strictly within the requirements of the
laws, and no apprehension is expressed
that it will in any particular act without
warrant of law. The n. Y. Tribune puts
the matter in this shape: The Democrats
assume that the action of the Board, though
legal in form is fraudulent in fact, of u its
former misconduct, (2) its refusal to FILL
with Democrat, the vacancy in its mum
bers, and (3) its refusal to tell the Demo
Gratis in advance when it was going to take
up the case of disputed parish. The Re
publicans assume that the action of the
Board is honest as well as legal, because Il
there is no proof to the contrary, ~ there
is known to be Republican majority il
the State, (3) there were a year ago heav!
Republican majorities in parishes which
now do not return Republican vote, an'
(4) there is overwhelming evidence o
intimidation, outrage, and murder in thos


localities on election day or for some tim


previous. But on either hand, observe


there is no question that the Returnin


Board is acting within the law and excl


cising emily powers specifically covered b


law
Year: 1876

The New York Observer is out with its
prospectus for the .ffty:fth gear. 1t is a
large paper of the first class, and should be
in every family in the land. Those who
do not take it should send for a specimen
copy at once, or, better yet, should send
the price for year. Any person desiring
a comprehensive weekly newspaper, filled
with just the news that every family wants,
and free from clap,trap or Objectionable
matter of any kind, will hardly do better
than send $3.l5 to S. /. Prime & Co.,
81 Park Row, New York, and receive the
Observer postpaid.
Year: 1876

The way in which Gov. Chamberlain
drifted to South Carolina is described by
correspondent of the Boston Journal: /:
An old college friend of his was drowned in
Chrleston harbor. He went there to settle
his affairs. That visit ended in his leasing
an abandoned plantation, and in entering
upon the untried life of planter. lie was
soon elected member of the convention
which formed the present Constitution of
the State"
Year: 1876

Dionenes has rival in Shreveport, La,
who rejoices in the high.flavored name Of
Citron. A short time ago atwo-story house
containing all hisworldly goods was burned
to the ground. Behind the house there
was q large wooden cistern with brick
foundation. Citron drew off the water, cut
an opening for door, and fitted up the
cistern as his future home, putting in a bed,
a chair, table, and wash.stand. He is
and is as contented in his cistern as was the
old philosopher in his tub.
Year: 1876

NARROW ESCAPE OF A WHOLE FAMILY
FROM DRowNIxG.-During last summer, the
dam of the Noxtentown mill pond, near
Townsend, the largest in the county, broke,
and tho water washed away the underpin-
ming from one cornor of tenant house
near the pond, owned by Mr.. Nathaniel
Williams. About a month ago, this break
in the dam was repaired by the owner of
the mill property, Jonothan Hand. Mean
while the water in the dam had come to a
full head.


Early last Thursday morning, Henry
Purse the tenant in the above mentioned
house, on getting out of bed, discovered
that the house was being washed away.
The whole family then rushed out of doors,
some of them not waiting to don their
clothes, and found that. the recently
mended place in the dam had broken
again, and the water was rushing against
the house, the building was even then
trembling and fitting, and in a few more
moments it went over with q crash, and
was instantly carried away by the strong
current and dashed up against the new
bridge. So great was the force Of the water
that the house was completely demolished
aAd broken into small pieces. All of Mr.
Purses household goods were carried away
! and only the timely warning enabled the
family to escape with their lives. Mr.
Purses family consisted of himself and
wife, children, his wife's mother, ageC
about IS years, and three men were spend
ing the night at the house. Some of then
lost most of their clothing, and the neigh


bors are now collecting money to put tn


family in a comfortable Gazette
Year: 1876

Col. Higginson gives it as his opinion
that the womens exhibition at Philadelphia
was exceedingly interesting, and in its
proper place, and adds: "If it could be
proved-which it certainly cannot-that
each separate piece of work there shown
was surpassed by some similar piece of work
done by men elsewhere on the grounds,
the value of the Woman's Pavilion would
remain the same"
Year: 1876

The Nation and the Springfield Republican
are agreed now that the way to elect Tilden
is by inducing some Hayes elector to violate
his moral obligations and vote for a third
man, thus securing the choice Of Tilden and
Wheeler. The Nation unfolded this project
in an ingenious article last week. The
suggestion is equally gsod for the other side.
A few Democrats or a few Republicans, who
will vote for the other man, can give us a
satisfactory President on the 5th Of Decsm-
Der. The great body of the American
people have ceased to care much whether
It be Hayes or Tilden. The most they
want now is that the question shall be set
tied speedily and fairly, and in a way moi
10 harm the Republic either in our owr
hearts or in Others eyes"
Year: 1876

There few valiant Northern Democrats
who are still anxious for war, provided the
South, however, prefers to have the blood
spilled in the North. As the Cosuier-Jour-
nal puts it: "If war should come it
would be fought elsewhere than in the
South. 1t would be brought home TO every
Northern door. The Northern Democrat
would be fighting for his political rights,
prompted by the same spirit which hun-
dred years ago inspired his ancestors"
This befrays woeful misconcsption of the
character Of tbs clustering type of Northern
Democrat. The fighting that comes home
10 his door is not the sort that he is after.
Year: 1876

Bismarck says that whatever might be Car
dinal Hohenlohes mission to Rome or whether
there be any mission at all. it is not authorized
by him. He declares that so long as he remains
at the helm. it is not the State which will make
the first advance toward reconciliation with the
Church.
Year: 1876

| est by night. He would have fought brave
| y enough in the open daylight, with a Wis
lblc antagonist, but these voices from
right and left, the shot which came direct
ly from the front, and the sudden termna-
ton of Bilis rush were all together too
much for him. He backed away to re-
spectacle distance and shouted threaten
lngly:


See here,you blasted niger, the best
thing you can do is to come out and give
yourself up or I'll shoot you.
Two can play at that game, responded
Fairlax's voice, this time seeming SO close
70 his ear that he fairly jumped with sud
den fright, took to his heels and ran still
father away. firing his gun without aim,
and Justify brawing Patrol Patrol"


Taking advantage of the momentary ep
portunity afforded by Jacks cowardice.
Fairfax and two the women noisslessly
made their way down to the rivers edge,
where hc again caused his two companions
to lie down, so as to decrease the chances
Of their being seen. Then, snatching up
three pebbles from the the shore, he threw
them tar out into the water, one after an
other, as rapidly as possible.


In answer to the summons thus signal
lea To the darkness and the stream, In
few moments \ boat with y single Iower





put the woman and girl into the stern. He
himself was pushing the little craft Oft the
sandy beach. intending to leap into the
bow as soon as she could be well ahaat,
when there came upon him the shock of
second encounter The shots and the
shouts of the dcuoralzed Jack had called
20 his assistance couple of mounted
patrolnen who happened to be upon an
adjacent road, and they promptly gsllop-
ed down TO the shore.


lhe foremost man was within ten feet
of the boat before he saw it. Then sim
nltaneously with his shout of Here they
are" he hred his pistol into the little
Sroup.


Fairfax was e1uaIlv prompt with h@
weapon in response, and the accuracy of
his aim was atte,ted by the suddenne.+
with which that patrolman tumbled from
his saddle,


The other mounted man dashed down,
closely followed by Jack, but already the
boat was so far out in the fog covering
the bosom of the river that it WAS lost to
their sight. They wasted a few shots
hlrmlnssly in the direction whence seemed
70 come the noise Of the FLASHING OF rap
idly piled oars, and then, with many oath5,
SIT themselves TO reckoning up the loss
on their side in the brief engagement.
Year: 1876

On the 1st of December the Pelham coach
will discontinue its trips for the winter.
For period of nearly seven months Colonel.
Kane has performed his self-imposed duty
with a punctuality and steadfastness not
generally conceded to American masculinity,
so frequently held up to unfavorable con-
trast with British pluck and robustness.
The very oldest stager could not have done
his daily task with more perfect regularity
and more sublime indifference to the as
saults OF the weather. There is complex
psychological problem lying behind all this.
The fascination of the ribbons" is an mex
plicable phenomenon, running back to the
days of the lordly Apollo and his gorgeous
four-in-hand We have no space, however,
for other considerations of the art than
briefly to commend it as q means of manly,
healthful and genial exercise. We hope the
impetus of Colonel Kanes example will bear
fruit next season in the appearance of other
coaches, equally we'll and perseveringly
driven, and that various roads will be made
lively with their rumble and the music OF
their horns. There should be "six Rich
monds in the field" and we look forward
with great anticipations to the opening Of
the next season. In another column we
print some interesting extracts about the
results of this years coaching.
Year: 1876

The end of the Martinez-Del Vale breach
of promise case has been reached in a verdict
for the plaintiff with only fifty dollars dam
ages out of the fifty thousand claimed. This
result, unsatisfactory in many ways, we may
reasonably surmise to be one Of those COM
promises of the jury room wherein out Of
strongly conflicting opinions an attempt is
made to reach the equities within the confines
of the law. Hence, doubtless, arises the
clared guilty of breach of promise of mar
riage while the sum awarded in compensa-
ton thereof is, on the usual scale in such
cases, no compensation at all. 1t is q
vindication Of the plaintiff, Miss Martinez,


qualified by the disparity between her claim
and the award, which stands as one thousand
to one 1t is condemnation Of the defend
ant, Mr.. Del Vale, mitigated by the proper
tion between the actual and the possible
inroad on his purse. The case has attracted
so much attention that its moral will be
sought on all sides in the verdict Unfor-
tunately the case will be judged more as an
apprniscment than lesson. If however, it
teaches anything it is that man who picks
up young lady and an acquaintance at the
same time from the sidewalk and after num-
Der Of intimate meetings places her in re-
sponsible position in his home, must not
expect cynical world to believe that his
sole desires were to learn English and get a
housekeeper. On the other hand, it teaches
that young woman who expects a wealthy


man to marry her must not let the shadow


Of improperly rest upon the first or indeed


any OF the steps in the progress of their ac-
quaintance. 1t is for each of the litigants
in this case to say whether the verdict is sat-
isfactory. To our mind it reproves with a
severe lash the faultincss on both Sides It
says that the plea of dispassonate disinter-
estedness in such on acquaintance so car
ried on is hypocrisy, if no worse. 1t en-
phatically discourages young women who
take such a road to q wealthy marriage.
The verdict saves Miss Martinez from being
branded as an adventures, but it is close
shave. To the more pronounced females
who mediate such "bold stroke for hus-
band" it would show that the game, unless
played according to the good old rules that
have been honored since connubial bliss
Year: 1876

in the White House, and we have not the
least doubt he will do what he intends.
What we desire to impress upon the repub-
lican bankers, merchants, manufacturers
and capitalists is. not that Mr.. Hayes, if he
is counted in, even under justly suspicious
circumstances, will have difficulty in getting
into the White House, if he chooses to ac-
cept the Presidency but that, to use once
more General Grants wise phrase, they
''cannot afford to have the result Of the
election tainted by suspicion" 1t is our
duty rs journalists to make them aware of
the risks they run.


That there are risks is, we think, no longer
doubtful. Mr.. Hayes must get the votes of
all three Of the disputed States to be
elected. Now, if Florida and Louisiana
should be declared to the satisfaction of
every voter in the land to have gone for
Hayes there would yet remain the just sus-
picion of wrong about the declaration of
South Carolinas vote. But the action of
the Louisiana Returning Board, when we
consider the bad character Of the men who
compose it, is already so justly suspicious
that, unless public opinion forces them to
change their conduct, it is hardly possible
for them to satisfy the country of the
honesty Of their work. Even in Florida the
interminable delays Of the Returning Board
and the squabbles of the Governor are not
rcassuring. These are matters which our
business men must look in the face. If they
wish to they can compel the observance of
good faith. When they raise their voices in
protest they have great influence The
question they should ask themselves now is
whether it is not time for them to interfere
whether it is not better, by timely and united
public protests, to avert from themselves
and from the country, in whose prosperity
they are vitality interested, o ruinous
calamity.


We are not playing the part of alarmists
The HERALD has been incessant in its
efforts to allay public excitement, and in
slant in reproving all who suggested violent
or illegal measures of resistance to the result
of the count. We have been aided in this
by the judicious words of such democratic
journals as the Journal Of Commerce, the Sun,
and now the World, which said yesterday
morning :-''Neither in the South nor in the
North is there danger of armed revolt, COM
motion or revolution on account of what is
going on in the South, or of what may 60 on
in Washington. None whatever" But the
business calamities from suspected, and
justly suspected, count are inevitable. The
fatal and lasting prostration of industry and
business which just now began to revive,
cannot be cured. 1t can be prevented
if the merchants, bankers, manufacturers
and capitalists of the North will speak out
in time.
Year: 1876

RAPID TRANsIr.--The Elevated Railway
Company will do well to place street lamps
on its iron columns along the railroad tracks
on Ninth avenue at every street crossing.
The posts are scarcely discernible at night,
and persons driving across the avenue at the
crossings Of side streets are very likely to
run into them. The remedy is simple one.
and might save loss of life and property al
we'll as prevent suits against the company,
which might follow such accidents Rapid
transit is SO necessary and SO great public
advantage that no person except for selfish
motives would throw an obstacle in its way.
AT the same time the company, which is at
present the only one to give us the boon.
would do wisely to make its road as unob-
jectionable to the public as possible in its
structure
Year: 1876

When the eye is cast over the story of the
young clerk of Brooklyn who lost his senses
when he discovered that the young lady
whom he was in two days to have wed was
subject to violent fits o sense Of pity
will overcome even those who are in
clined to laugh at everything That
his name is prosaic George Ketchum;
that there is q large reward to those who
catch him I; that he was in the grocery line ;
that he went mad because his lady love had
fits are the ready elements for that uncouth
paragraphic humor which selects the shock
ing for its mirth. Man can and must laugh,
and the embroidering of the grotesque upon
the horrible has been one of the desperate
resources open to the professional humorist,
as it has been the only funny refuge for
men to whom horrors are professional.
Shakespeare's picture of the joking grave
digger is an instance Of the latter, and the
s.Danbury Ne,cs man" and all the other
'funny men" Of our American press daily
illustrate the former. They will take poor
mad Ketchum as they take up scalded in
fants, burnt alive men and women and
mutilated sportsmen, and hand him round
from funny man to funny man until a
humorous railroad accident or comic wife
murder gives fresh grist to their mills. He
will be ''boiled down" from funny 'sstick-
full" to side-splitting line or two, and all
because he was runaway Ketchum, gro
Ger and madman in one. Yet not single
man of the paragraphers but will pause
wistfully as he thinks Of that awful
process, the violent unseating of reason.
Why, it is one of the most powerful
elements Of tragedy. Look at King Lear as
his heart bleeds in distilling mingled pathos
and madness when he cries above the body of
Cordelia, $50 my poor fool is hanged"
Ophelia, who goes mad with her wrongs
and her fathers murder, has been bur-
lesqued, but the tragedy of the scene re-
mains immortal and the clowns jokes are
forgotten. Ketchum, trying to jump off a
North River ferryboat, offering adeck hand
twenty-five dollars to let him commit sui
eide, does not appeal to our sympathy until
we know that poignant pity for the suffer-
ings of one he loved sent him forth aimlessly
wandering, crazed and tired of life. Read
of him in the lines of Coleridge not as
Ketchum, but ''the knight that wore upon
his shield burning brand -


That sometimes from the savage den


And sometimes from the darksome shade


And sometimes starting up at onco


In green and sunny glade,


There came and looked him IN the face


An angel beautiful and bright


And that he know it a nend


This miserable knight


May we not picture the Brooklyn clerk
wandering around the wilderness Of the
great cities with the angel face and the fend
face before him? Should we not then think
of him alone with pity?
Year: 1876

GENERAL Humphreys ANNUAL REPORT on
the Engineer Departments work is syn
opsized in another column. 1t will be
found to give in small compass a val
liable mass of figures concerning the
sums needed to perfect our lake
and seacoast system of Notifications,
and the sums needed to continue our river
and harbor improvements. Particular stress
is laid upon the necessity of providing an
adequate store of torpedoes for marine use.
As we have the best kinds of marine torpe-
does we should also have them in sufficient
numbers.
Year: 1876

need the attention it is receiving from the
authorities Of Queens county. Six fires
within comparatively small area in a short
space of time represent more loss to the
farmers of that neighborhood than is likely
to result from the average carelessness of
the Long Island farmer.
Year: 1876

began. is not worth the candle. To middle
aged Spaniards who want housekeeper the
experience Of Don Juan Del valle will sug
gest one way of seeking her that is likely to
bring upon them the incredulity Of the wise
and the unquenchable ridicule Of the pro-
fame. In truth. the plight of Miss Martinez
is pitiable, however just. while the position
of Don Juan is-what is very hard for .
Spaniard to bear ridiculous.
Year: 1876

WILLIAM NJ. TWEED asserts in blue pencil
that he has no intention of making any
revelations rejecting on Governor Tilden
This disposes of a great many shrewd sur
misses. We call the attention Of newspaper
writer's to the emphatic nature of his denial
When the most incredulous journalist learns
that the late Boss wrote the word in blue
pencil he will admit that settles it.
Year: 1876

Four distinct depressions were yesterday
observable in the United States and Canada
east of the Rocky Mountains. The storm
centre which was for the past day or two
coast in an easterly direction, accompanied
by rain and snow. Another depression is
central in the lake region, accompanied by
an extensive area Of rain and snow