smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1870

Reviewing the history of its State, a
newspaper in Virginia recalls a case in
which that insiduous kind of evidence
which is styled "circumstantial," ;" failed
to rob Il man Of his life only to leave
the remaining years of that life a prey
to something more cruel than death. In
the summer of 1907, about four years
after her marriage, the wife Of John
Sigans, young man residing in lay
lor county, was missing from her home
one morning nor could any trace OF
her be found, or any reasonable expla-
nation Of her absence devised. She had
retired to slumber, as usual, with her
husband and infant, on the preceding
night; and her husband, according to
his own steadfast assertion, ,awoke in the
morning to find himself and the babe
sole occupants of the couch. Being un-
able to offer any kind of help towards
the clearing up of the mystery, Sigahs
presently became an object Of ominous
suspic on, and upon the testimony ofa
neighbo- named Current, was taken be.
fore magistrate for examination.
The witness" testified that on the night
of the alleged disappearance he had
been aroused from his sleep by the fir.
ing of gun in or near Sigans' house,
followed by sound like female cry.
He also testified that he believed" a
murder had been committed, and a
woman's body buried under a heap of
stones near his neighbor's house This
last piece of testimony went for moth
ing, as the minutest search failed to re-
veal any hidden corpse but that about
the gun firing, though insufficient to
hold the accused in any legal bond,
,leepened the suspicion Of the public
against him.


The unhappy man, despite his pro-
test of innocence, was stunned from
that day forth by all hi eormer friends
and neighbors; and even his relatives,
taking his child to their own care,
trained the little one to judge and dcs-
pise bis father rs his mothers murder
er. The boy, as he grew up to man
hood, actually prosecuted his parent
until the latter died Of a broken heart.
and then seemed TO share the relief
avowed by his other kindred at their
riddance from one who had been nor.
ror and disgrace to them, In fact, for
no less than forty years, Currents tes-
timony was accepted as establishing
the moral certainty Of John Sigans'
guilt, really incOnsequent as that testi-
mony had been; but at the end of
nearly half a century from the night OF
the wife's disappearance, after Sigans
a-d Current had both passed away,
Mrs, Sigaus herself re-appeared in her
old home She confessed, says the
Grafton Sentinel, that she had meyer
beeL over one hundred miles away ;
had fed by night from the side Of her
unsuspicious, sleeping husband, to the
protection of another; had changed
her name, and wished to be as one
dead to those she had deserted. The
"gun" heard by Current must have
been the noise she made 10 falling upon
the stoop of her home as she fed, and
the female cry" her involuntary ex.
clamition of pain and terror Thus,
upon the strength of purely circum


stantlal evidence, and that so trihing,
an innocent and cruelty wronged mau
had been placed under ban of excom.
munication from all that is merciful in
life, and rersecuted into dishonored
grave by the hatred oe his own child
Year: 1870

drinking and smoking and other evil
practiees-making up their minds
jointly to live aud endeavor, if posi-
BILE, to get to be somebody. TO en-
courage and strengthen this purpose,
the man said they were trying TO get a
little money to rent and furnish room
where they might meet at night and
read good books and study, instead Of
spending their time idly and wickedly
in saloons, billiard rooms and on the
street. The story told in apparently
honest, straightforward manner which
appealed strongly to the heart and
purse of the ladies -acquaintances or
friends Of the ladies approached--as
having been called upon and giving
FIVE or ten dollars in behalf of so good
and commendable an object Several
ladies were thus interviewed by this
modern Saul" of Elmira, and con.
siderable money given him. All at
once he suddenly disappeared. 1t
turns out that intent on his pious work
of reformation he visited the residence
of citizen in the Fourth Ward and
the lady not being at home he "reform-
ed" gold watch from table and
both he and it are now missing. We
presume he wanted that watch to get
him IN EARLY at night to those nice
pleasant rooms which were being fitted
up Gin horn) to which he aud his
dear companions, tired of other wick.
ed ways, might quiet4y retire far from
the haunts of temptation to read and
to pray !-Elmira Gazette.
Year: 1870

DIRECTING THE Tors OF FRUIr TREEs.-If
you wish to have flavor in fruit. you mrst
nung it outside Of the tree Inside fruit
grown in the shade. is sure not to mature.
ls lacks color it will lack fragrance and
flavor will he less crisp and Juicy. 1t is less
healthy, also. All fruit should be kept on
the outside of the tree, and distributed UNI
formly. 1t is no excuse to say the orchard is
large. What pays in one tree will pay in a
thousand. We may as well have good fruit,
all of it. as not. Some trees will do their
own thinning. but many will not, aud must
be attended to if good, fair, aad uniform fruit
is desired


By thinning and distributing. the tree will
be strengthened for future bearing. 1t will
have good look. with the fruit all visible
and all alike, and .ll good, az good as sun
and air can make it. and is not so apt in a
rainy time to become mouldy.


When the top is dense and the circumfer-
ence close. there should be an opening made
at the apex, thinning out of the branches
Some trees will do this of themselves, hut if
not it must be done by the pruner. This is
not only to let the moist air ont. but the
moisture from the ground where the branches
reach it. the tree seeming like an inverted
cup. holding the moisture. Fruit inside of
this in wet season will necessarily be spoil
ed. There must be air and light, and a de-
gree of dryness for the fruit. If a little sun
gets through the apex or elsewhere. it will
not hurt any. 1t breaks The monotony also.
and adds to the beauty of the tree. An orch
ard can thus be treated artistically and
and be made an object ofinterest
to the eye. while at the same time the beauty
will be heightened by the sense of the profit.
Utility is always good foundation for beau
ty.- Country Gentleman.
Year: 1870

While an ignorant lecturer was describing
the nature of gas, bue-stocking lady in
qured of gentleman near her what was the
difference between oxygin and hydrogen:


Every little madam" said he. ''By oxy-
gin we mean pure gin; and by hydrogen gin
and water"
Year: 1870

Perhaps no one medi-
cine is so universally re.
quired by everybody as
n cathartic, nor was ever
any before so universal
ly adopted into use, in
every country and among
all classes, as this mild
but efficient purgative
Pill. The obvious rea-
son is, that it is a more re-
liable and far more effec-
tual remedy than any
Year: 1870

YESTERDAY MORNING we had the pleasure
of riding few miles into the country, with
friend. Stopping at the house OF farmer,
we observed that he had been cutting hay.
Speaking on the subject of hay-making, our
host advanced several ideas which we
thought might be of some interest or adyan-
tage to some of our readers, so we relate, as
nearly as possible, his remarks on the SUBJ
ject. Said he: MY observation has con-
vinced me that so,,i lar as wea;heris concern
ed, the most favorable time for making hay
is the last ten days in June and the first ten
in July. As general thing, al so, the grass
cut during this period is worth more than
most OF that cut later. The ev idence, too,
is clear that grass cut while in the bloom
and cured without much exposure to the
sun. is very much more valuable than that
cut later, and exposed a part of two or
three days to sun and air. Grass cut carly
and mace mostly in the cock, retains more
fully the grass qualities, and this all stock
like better than other food"
Year: 1870

How TO FORCE RADIsHEs. We have
just discovered that radishes may be forced
TO grow in u very short time, and for the
benefit of our friends we give the receipt
gratis:


Let some good radish seed soak in water
for fifty four hours, then put them in a bag
exposed to the sum- In the course of the
day termination will commence The seed
must then be sowed in well-manured hot
bed, and watcred from time to time with
lukewarm water. By this treatment the
radishes will, in very short time, acquire a
sufficient bulk, and be good to cat. II it be
required to get good radishes in winter, dur
ing the severe cold, an old cask should be
sawn in two, and one-half Of it filled with
good earth. The radish seed, beginning to
shoot before, must then be sowed in, the
other half Of the barrel put on the top ofthe
full one, and the whole apparatus carried
down into the cellar. For watering, luke
warm water should be used as before. In
the course of five of six days the radishes
will be fit to cat.
Year: 1870

CRUELTY To ANIMALs.-There certainly
ought to be law in this city, in fact
throughout the entire State, to prevent the
cruel treatment of animals. During the past
few days We have witnessed several incl
dents of the most outrageous maltreatmcnt
of these poor things that have no tongues
to speak for themselves On one occasion
We saw big, overgrown fellow beating a
lean, lank horse most numerically over the
head because he could not pull through a
muddy place load of timber nearly heavy
enOngh for three horses. At another time
We observed a man goading on his oxen
with a sharp nail fastened in the end of a
stick. Yesterday we noticed boy Of about
seventeen years of age abusing horse with
out any apparent motive, more than to hurt
the beast. First he would beat him over
the ears and nose with heavy stick, then
kick his lean ribs with all force Such
things are horrible to witness. and ought
not to be allowed. We will have more to
say on this subject hereafter.
Year: 1870

A REMARKABLE CASE OF LONGEVITY
Yesterday occurred the death of an aged
colored woman in our city whose hold on
life was remarkable. Her name was Sarah
Stith, and she had passed through eleven
and half decades. being one hundred and
fifteen years old at the time Of her death.
Year: 1870

The lead mines in the vicinity of Locust
Mound, No., are just now receiving great
attention. Many leads are yielding from
three to four thousand pounds a day to the
hand, and the young men of the country are
giving up farming for mining. The lead
furnaces in the vicinity are in full blast.
Year: 1870

A man in Iowa lately courted and engag-
ed to marry young girl. but his father
stepped in before him and married her. To
spite the old gentleman, the son married the
girls mother When farther and son are
blessed with children, what will be the fam
lily relations
Year: 1870

THE CHARLOTTE Obser0er says The
warm weather lately has brought out the
growing crops and the corn and cptton
were never in d finer condition than now.
So rapid is their growth that the farmers
think they can see it each day.
Year: 1870

THE NEW BERNE and Wilmington papers
tell of the appearance of fine peaches. We
have not had the pleasure of seeing any of
this delicious fruit yet; but we have no.
ticed fine, large potatoes in market
Year: 1870

Cable dispatches which we print this
morning inform us that the great fire in the
Pera suburb of Constantinople has been sub
daed, and that the excitem snt begotten of it
has been qlieted. 1t appears that the fire
was much more serious than was at first
imagined Some seven thousand buildings OF
all sorts have been destroyed, and OF these
some are said to have been the finest in the
city. The loss OF life has been great. The
remains of ono hundred and fifty human beings
have been discovered, and the presumption is
that this number represents not more than one
half of the actual number that has pershed.
The loss OF property has, of course; been
great twenty-five million pounds sterling is
an enormous sum. We can hardly imagine
that this correctly states the fact. At the
same time we are not disposed TO doubt the
truthfulness of the report. II twenty-five
million pounds sterling, or one hundred and
twenty-five million dollars worth of property
as one of the largest in modern times. 1t is
gratifying to know that the archives of the
British Embassy have been saved; for those
archives are, perhaps, the richest in that kind
of material which will be found necessary to
make up the history of the East in these last
days. 1t is not less gratifying to know that
the Armenian Church of the Immacu-
late Conception, although several times
on fire and seriously damaged, is not
destroyed 1t would have been sad if the
Gobein tapestry the gift of the Empress
Eugene, and specially associated with her
recent visit to the East, particular ornament
of said church, had not been saved. Altogether
this fire has been much more serious than we
supposed it was. If there has been 80 vast
destruction Of property the Sultan has found
an opportunity which we hope he will know how
to use If there has been suffering, as there
must have been, Christendom will not be slow
to overleap Mohammedan barriers, and to show
that humanity, after ALL is unit aside from
creeds. In other words, we must help the suf-
ferers in Constantinople. Will New York take
the hint!
Year: 1870

How TO OBsTRucT IMMIGRATION In THE
SouTH--For the Governor of each State to fol-
low the example Of Governor Holden of North
Carolina, and issue proclamations for political
effect, showing the shocking condition ofsociety
there. garnshed with frightful lists of alleged
Ku-Klux assassinations, robberies, house-burn-
ings and diabolcal outrages OF nearly
every description. The true condition Of
the South may be bad enough in some
localities, but It is manifestly mistaken
policy to ransack the country over and present
to the world in exaggerated colors every mis-
demeanor that occurs, and no doubt many
that do not 1t should be the purpose of
Southerners to strive to restore tranquility and
maintain order among themselves, and to en-
courage, by every possible means, the intro
ducton of class Of immigrants who will be
permanently beneficial to the interests of the
country. Proclamations like that OF Governor
Holden, charging deeds Of darkness upon the
Ku-Kluxes before such lawless bands even had
an existence, are poorly calculated to add to
the prosperity or social reputation Of the
State Holden had better hold up.
Year: 1870

Among the contemplated improvements
which are expected to follow from the estab-
lishment of the new regime there is none
more necessary or more popular than ferry
round the island from some high point on the
North river, with clear sweep to Harlem
Bridge on the east side, taking in the whole
water front. Suppose we take ferry line
starting from the vicinity of Fort Washington
and touching at copYenisut places on the
different piers Oh both rivers, with terminus
at Harlem what convenience it would be to
thousands of people on each side Of the city !.


This would be one OF the most available


modes of ''relief to Broadway so much


talked about that has yet been suggested. or


course the ferry should be well conducted.


The boats should be commodious and cleanly,


and the time of stopping at the various land
ngs should be uniform and punctual The


fare also should be moderate. A ferry 80
managed would command an immense traffic
In TACT II is a necessity which, with our
restricted means of travel up and down the
island, must be supplied. 1t is evident that
neither horse railroads nor Omnibases can
supply accommodations for the travel; 50 We
must fall back upon our splendid water high
way in order to reach the upper part Of the
| island iu comfort
Year: 1870

A WONDER IN UTAH. We will never know
when the last great natural wonder of this Con-
tinent has been discovered. A despatch from
Corinne, Utah, now reports the discovery in
that vicinity of an immense maelstrom, sup
posed to be the outlet of that other wonder,
Salt Lake. Scientific men are already on the
way to investigate the matter. There is
nothing 80 calculated to give us great ideas of
the grandeur and magnitude Of the domain we
occupy as thus to suddenly discover on the
silent, nnexplored wilds Of the great West such
stupendous wonders, hitherto unknown.
Year: 1870

THE INDIAN CHIEFS had another talk with
the white chiefs yesterday. Red Cloud
pressed bis demands for the removal OF Fort
Fetterman on the President, but without
much success, while Spotted Tail bid the
Secretary of the Interior goodby, and felt
happy under the assurances given him that he
should have horses to ride home on.
Year: 1870

The CHOLERA IN INDIA AND lTs DANGERS. -
The last dispatches from India state that the
Asiatic cholera is making dreadful ravages in
all parts of that country. Bombay dispatches
report that the disease is particularly virulent
in Madras The pestilent demon is far way
off from us, it is true, but at the same time it
would be we'll for our government to obtain all
possible information as to Its progress The
Navy Department, for instance, might make
inquiries, through the officers in command of
our ships in that direction, and the State
Department should inform itself, through our
consuIs, upon the subject We know that in
the cholera years of 1882 and lS49 the disease
was brought to this country in ships from
Europe. We should remember that the COM
munication, even with remote India, is much
closer now, by means of railroads and steam
ships, that cover the land and the sea, than it
was twenty years ago, and therefore there is
more necessity for foresight and precaution on
the part of the government. II will do no harm
to be q little ahead of danger.
Year: 1870

AN INTERESTING RUMog.-A rumor Is
current that the administration, disgusted
with the results of the late election in this
State, has determined to remove forthwith the
chiefs of the several federal Offices between
this city and Syracuse. This summary
pruning of the branches Of the republican
Official tree is believed to be necessary if a
healthful condition Of the main trunk is to be
realized at the next Presidential election.
Year: 1870

HOFFMAN FOR A SECOND TERM.-The Johns
town (Fulton county, N. Y.) Democrat is out
in full cry in favor of Governor Hoffman for
recollection. It declares that s'the vote outside
of New York city and Brooklyn will be suni-
cient to place him again in the gubernatorial
chair" It would be fortunate for the tax
payers OF the State were such likely to be the
fact, and Hoffman's popularity arising from
vetoing some Of the most abominable thieving
jobs that were ever concocted should insure
for him an almost unanimous vote Of the
people in 1871. But in the present uncertain
aspect of political affairs the friends of Gov
ernor Hoffman might just as well take into
account the little seventy or eighty thousand
majority New York and Kings counties will
give him for his second term, and pile as much
as they can upon that foundation.
Year: 1870

TaE DOMINION OF SoREHEADs. In Canada


they regard Minister Thornton's thanks to Pre-
sident Grant as ''disgraceful; y the criticisms
of the London papers on General Lindsay they
are disgusted at the Fenians they are more
than ever furious over, and, in fact, things 60
wrong with them. They cannot possibly
possess their souls in peace-it is such bad
world we live in and things are so especially
contrived to annoy, worry, excite and disgust
the Canadians, who are about the only people
Of exemplary virtues and tolerable taste that
the earth bears. Is it any wonder that the
people of Canada, with so many grievances to
endure, should come across the border by the
hundred thousand every year to be absorbed
into the peace, prosperity and good humor Of
the United States as the only means Of con-
signing their woes to oblivion? Who would
not leave such country9
Year: 1870

A HORRIBLE BRUTE. recent case OF
murder has such peculiar traits Of atrocity and
of fiendish inhumanity as the killing Of
Hannah Mullen in Twenty-Arst street by her
husband, Dominick Mullen. This wretch
INDUCED the daily exercise Of beating his wife,
till finally one kick, perhaps not more violent
than the rest, but better aimed, sent her to her
final account. All the details of the story
reflect the horror Of the life led by the wife OF
q coarse, drunken scoundrel. whose actions
shame humanity. tits mental satisfaction
after the perusal Of such story to reflect that
hanging is not yet quite played out
Year: 1870

The kind hearted people who have con
trihuted money for the benefit of the Fenisn
movement, will find that their donations
won I come amiss. The poor fellows a,
"she front viii need all the funds to get
home with.
Year: 1870

Several large dry goods stores in New
York have substituted girls for ''cash boys"
The change is said to work well, which we
doubt. Girls have aways been good at
taking cash, but very bad for handing back
the change
Year: 1870

At half.past twelve O'Clock this morning Martin H.
Kelly, residing at the corner Of Beecker and Crosby
streets, while in the liquor store, corner Of Greene
and Amity streets, was struck on the head with q
tumbler by stranger and received two severe scalp
Cane.
Year: 1870

A dressing which
is at once agreeable,
healthy, and effectual
for preserving the


hair. Faded or gray
hair as soon restored
to its original color
nth the gloss and
freshness Of youth.
Thin hair is thick
Year: 1870

Eleven Lives Lost on Mont RIanc.


fhe Journal de deneVe gives the fol-


lowing account Of q ts-Pihle accident at


Mont Blanc: "Three travellers, an Irish


man and two, Americans, with three


guides and five porters, left Chamounix


on Monday morning to arrive that day


and sleep at the Grands-Mulets The
! weather VAS 6ne but the next morning
there was 80 violent a storm that the in
habitants of Chamounix naturally sup
posed that the travellers would have
given up the idea of an ascent Of Mont


Blanc, and would not have quilted the


Grands-Mulets. There gss, theFetqFei
no disquiet respecting them IN the valley


News came it is true, in the evening
that from the Croix de Flsgere and from
Breyent they had been seen starting for
Mont Blanc in spite Of the leHFestl apd
that they had arrived upon the Dromeda-
Fy' $ hump, an hour march from the sum
nit; that theT bad been seen suddenly to
collect together, and TO hold fast to one
another, and then TO disappear In the
spoR-Yreaths raised by the wind. in
spite OF this, however, people persisted
IN DelltNluH tildl iuc1 must nave aHSl
tered themselves against the wind in
some nook or erevice Of the ice and
therefore there was no great occasion to
fear for the result. However, when the
next day the proprietor of the pavilion
de la Pierre-Piontue arrived, expressing
his attonishment at finding that no one
had redescended, people began to have
serious apprehensions regarding the fate
of the travellers. The day was too far
advanced 10 render it possible to make
any immediate search, but the following
morning thiriy-two young men Of the
valley went of in search Of them. I'M
fortunately the shocking weather which
prevailed prevented them from passing
the pavilion Of Pierre Piontue, situated
at two hours journey from Chamounix.
They were obliged 10 retrace their steps
without being able to do anything. On
the following day a new attempt
was made BY twelve courageous
young men, but again the rain
and the wind would not permit
Them to scale the mountain. At the
hour Of writing there remains no hope
that these unfortunate people have es-
caped death ID is possible that at the
moment when they were seen for the last
time grouped together on the top Of the
Bosses du Dromadaire, they we're max
ing supreme effort to withstand the
tempest, so terrible on these nights;
that their efforts were OF no avail, and
that they were preeipitated together
upon the Glacier du Mage, which spreads
out on the side Of the Alice Blanche.
Year: 1870

makes is more durable and beautiful than
any other, presenting the same appear
ance on both sides of the fabric and will
not ravel. 1t is also more economical,
requiring oNE-THlRD LESS cotton than
any OF. er kind of stitch. Being the same
on both sides, il is not necessary to use
the extremely fine sewing cottonrequired
by those machines which make stitch
with ridge on the under side, which can
.ouly be concealed by using thread too
delicate and fine to bear ordinary wear