smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871

BOddlepOpster is desd! The bare
announcement will plunge the city
into unspeakable gloom. The death
of BOddlepOpster was most untimely;
he should have died twenty years ago.
Probably no man of his day has exert
ed so peculiar an influence upon So
ciety as the deceased. Ever foremost
in every good work out of which any
thing could be made,an unstinted dis
penser of every species Of charity that
paid a commission to the disburser,
Mr.. BOddlepOpster was a model Of
generosity, and weighed at the time
OF his death one hundred and ninety
odd pounds.


Originally born in Massachusetts,
but for ten years q resident of CalifOr-
MIA and partially bald, possessing a
cosmopolitan nature that loved a
York shilling as well, III proportion to
its value, as a Mexican dollar, the sub
iect of eur memoir was one whom it
was an honor to know, and whose
close friendship was luxury that on
" the affluent could afford. 1t shall
ever be the writer's proudest boast
that he enjoyed it at less than half the
USUAL IdIeS.


In 1868 he was elected an honorary
member of the Society for the Preven-
ton of Humanity 20 MOngOlians, and
but for the loss Of an eye in carrying
out its principles, would have been one
of the handsOmest Whites that ever
resided among us. There is little
doubt that he might have aspired to
any Office in the gift Of the peO-
pie, so universal was the esteem in
which he was held by those he voted
for. In an evil moment he was in
duced to associate himself in business
with the Rev. Albert Williams, and
though he speedily Withdrew from the
firm, he was never able to wholly
eradicate the disgrace from his con-
stitutiOn, and it finally carried him TO
his grave. His last words, as he was
snUffed out, were characteristic of the
man; he remarked: "Fetch me that
damn catnip tea % The eatnip con-
ISOLATION arrived too late to be Of any
use; he had gone to the devil. Fare
well, noble heart-pure sOil-bright
intellect We shall meet again.
Year: 1871

say now and evermore, that per
sORs who are vulgar and beastly about
their eating, are vulgar and beastly
about everything they do or attempt.
Proof to the contrary called for.


How often one sees the daughters
in home tryingtO arrange the tables
as they hBve seen IL at some place
where they have visited. Thoroughly
ashamed Of the barbarity that they
did not dream was barbarOus till they
saw a better way, they aim at reform,
and are encouraged by the mother.


But the paternal bear don't approve
and grOwls his disapproval Of all re-
finements till the youthful refOrmers
are utterly discouraged.


know one Of these kindly affection
ate fathers, who seems to think it be-
meath his dignity to ask for anything
at his table. And whenever he can
not reach what he wishes vile sitting,
he rises and stretches his body across
the table, mastieating vigorously all
the tine.


I saw him once knock a knife frUm
the butter plate, ask in an ugly tone
what that pesky thing was ''thar for,
and then use his own, after giving it
preparatory draw between his lips.
Year: 1871

At the recent Democratic blowout,
at Dayton, Mr.. Vallandigham was
brought from his retirement to fire off
a few rhetorical rockets in honor of
the immortal Jackson. After a long
harangue, he happened to notices few
cOlOred men among his audience, and
thinking it a good time to put in a
word for number one, he addressed
them as follows:


Some of you speak of me as an en-
emy OfyOur race. This is not correct.
Individually have been your friend.
l have taken you by the hand when
your white radical friends Stunned
and cursed you. At my doors some
Of you have received that charity, in
years past, which was denied YOU at
the hands of your Abolition friends,
so called. No colored man ever ask
ed personal favor of me for years
past, and was denied; and as well be-
fore as now, l would have protected
you in court or against a mob quite as
willingly and as earnestly as any 9TH
er man.





YoucannOt control things by votes.
Numbering several hundred voters
here, you are yet rather a source Of
weakness than of strength to the Re
publican party. And you owe moth
ing to that party, except a mere right
to try the experiment of suffrage
They did not confer it upon you for
your sakes, but for their own as parti-
sans and demagOgues. Loud cheers. |
They wanted your votes but to put
themselves into Office and keep them
selves III power. Beyond this they
care nothing for you. The mass of
you were personal slaves in the south
before and during the war. At the
point of the bayOnet they freed you,
only now to make you, if you submit,
political slaves for their own profit and
advancement. And now /, who owe
you nothing, politically, warn you
not to organize as cOlOred party. Be
ware of threatening or attempting to
make your own race act and vote as a
distinct body. If you do, then be as
sured that sooner or laterthe white
race will antagOniZe you as white
men; and here we are not twenty to
one. In a political struggle we can
Overwhelm you. In 2 cOntestOf arms
in war of races, if you provoke it
we can crush out and eXterminate
you. Wherefore be wise in time.


If there are any eolOred voters weak
enough to be caught by such ehaf as
this, the Democracy is welcome to
their votes.
Year: 1871

Deal tenderIy with the absent; /;
say nothing to infiiet a wound on
their reputation They may be wrong
and wicked, yet your knowledge Of It
does not Oblige you to disclose their
character, except to save others from
injury. Then do it in a way that be
speaks a spirit Of kindness TO the alb
sent offender. Be not hasty TO credit
evil reports. They are often the re-
suit Of misunderstanding, or evil de-
sign, or they proceed from an exag-
gerated or partial disclosure Of facts.
Wait and learn the whole history be-
fore you decide; then believe what
evidence eompels you to, and no more.
But, even then, take heed not to in
dulge the least unkindness, else you
dissipate all the spirit Of your prayer
for them, and unnerve yourself for
doing them good.
Year: 1871

" AShlNGIONf OtG- IL 4otU. J


BENZ. ENISIONs, EsQ.-My Dear
Sri was gratified TO receive your
letter. 1 remember you well. I am
the same "Wick Yates'' who was the
first graduate of Illinois College. l
have lived a stirring life, having now
been in the public service since 1872,
being % years. When / reached the
House Of Representative in Congress
(as told you, when we were boys, I
would never go east of the Alleghan-
les till then,) / accomplished what ]
the Senate, my ambition is satisfied.
Long since, / declined being a candi-
date for reelection and at the end of
this session, I shall retire into private
life-at least long enough for rest and
quiet.


Perhaps there are none who soIittle
appreciate high public position as
those who fill them. The sweetest re-
collections that come to me, in the
long waste of memory, are those OF
my College days, to which you so
beautifully and feelingly alluded. The
bright hopes and visions of bOyhOOd
come back to us after long years, and
mingle with every tie and memory of
earth, and every hope of Heaven
Alas, how different are the realities of
life


Few men have been as successful as
/ at my age-perhaps / ought not to
say it, as it may look like egOtism-
and yet it is true, that / have fought
far in advance of all the leading poll
ticians of my State the uphill battle
of popular opinion in favor of the
emancipation and enfranchisement of
a poor down-trOdden race of our fel-
low men. I, therefore, as our great
Republican party achieved this mighty
result dearest of all to my heart, retire
the less reluctantly from office.


Alas my friend, happiness finds no
home in high pOsitiOn-With all its
drudgeries, care and responsibilities,
however well its pOssessOr may be able
in the providence of God to discharge
the duties it devOlves upon him.


You refer to our President Beecher,
and Professors Sturtevant and Turn
er. All my friend, much as we loved
them, we did not know them. They
were good and great men. L do most
sincerely believe that have not seen
three greater men in the United States
Senate than they are to-day.


{ AS yet my hair is as it was when
you last saw me, light and sandy,
with but few of the tinges that time,
sooner or later, makes upon fast ad-
vancing years. would be glad to
hear from you again, companion of
my bOyhood. 1 hope you have been
prosperous and that God may bless
you and yours:


Your friend,


RICR'D YATES.
Year: 1871

on Sunday morning, the 25th Of last
September, Patrick Conway made q
contract with Ralph Griffin to builda
cellar stone wall, 22x40 feet, and nine
feet high. Conway went on and did
the work on the foundation prepared
by Griffin, which was not level. The
price agreed upon was $50, $50 of
which was paid on account. When
the wall was nine feet high Conway
demanded his money. Griffin refus-
ed to pay, claiming that the wall was
not high enough, that it should be
nine inches above the level of the
curb. Conway said that he made no
such contract, and refused to build the
wall more than nine feet. Griffin would
not pay, and a suit was brought before
Justice Riley, about a month ago, to
recover the balance due. The case
was carefully tried and judgment rem
dered for plaintiff for so and S. cost.
Griffin appealed to the County Court,
and the case was tried there before
Judge Trop and jury. The defend
ant set up a counter claim for rent of
a new building in consequence of
plaintiffs delay, but the evidence
showed that Grlf1n agreed TO furnish
Conway with water for mortar, which
had to be carried half a block. This
part of the contract Griffin failed TO
comply with. 1t was also shown th vt
the contract was a verbal one, anC
made on Sunday at that. The case
was summed up for defendant by r.
w. Bloom, and for plaintiff by Pat
rick Ready. The latter dwelt upon
the fact that there were hundreds of
sharpers in this city,and in New York
who employ mechanics to DO their
work, and then refuse to pay upon
some technical ground. He asked the
jury to make an example of one of
them in this case, and give a verdict
for his client, Conway, who, he said,
was a poor man. The jury took the
cOunsel's and after over two hours
deliberation, rendered a verdict for
the plaintiff for $40, the full amount
claimed.
Year: 1871

A Sunday school teacher, who had
become almost discouraged over the
listlessness Of her class, at last felt re-
warded by an interested look from a
little girl The reward was lost when
the little creature touched a bracelet
on her arm and asked Teacher, are
them threaded on 'lastie2'i
Year: 1871

Out West they tell a story about a
dog which was greatly interested in


music, which attended asinging school
and was subsequently found in the
back yard with a music-bOOk in front
Of him beating time with his tail on a
tin pan, and bowling ''Old Hundred. y
Year: 1871

SAM. HOUSTON IN THE SENATE
William Schouler, In the Boston
Journal. describing the late Sam
Houston as he appeared wllie repre-
senting the state of Texas In the
United States Senate, fays: "When


not speaking or writing, lie sat in his
seat with tong-bladed knife I'm one
hand and a piece Of wood in the 9TH
er, whiting. Go when you would
into the Senate gallery and look upon
the Senate, you would see him work
ing with the knife upon a piece Of
wood, and around his chair would be
the chips he had cut OFF, He did not
appear to be making anything Of use
or ornament from tho block he was
whiting, but cut steadily on until
he had used 1t up, when one Of the
pages would bring him another piece.
He appeared to be very kindheart-
ed man, and fond of children. He
was a great favorite with the boy
pages, and frequently you would see
one or two of them standing by his
desk, talking with him. The only
pecullarity about his dress was vest
which he generally wore while he
was In Washington. IT was made OF
the skin of some Wild beast, with the
fur outside.n ....
Year: 1871

Try IT.-Mr. P. Pausen furnishes us with the
following news item from Duttons Creek, by
which the miners of not only this county but of
the whole State may be profted The claim of
Dixon, Paulsen 4 Co., on Dutton Creek, is work
ing with one sluice head of water. Their hy-
draulc is rugged with galvanized iron pipe and
twenty feet of canvas hose. The hose is pro-
tected by rings from four to ten inches in width
made of the same material as the pipe. The
edges of the rings turned up so as to not cut
the canvas and prevents them from slipping over
one another. This plan requires only one thick
ness of canvas to one hundred and twenty fee t
pressure, and the members of the company men
toned are confident that no additional hose will
be needed with two hundred feet fall Another
advantage is that the hose never kinks, nor rubs
on the ground. Experienced hydraulic miners
will not be slow to perceive that if these state
menS are true, great improvement is made in
that sor. of mining.
Year: 1871

INDICTED AGAN.-Deputy United States Mar
shal, B. Akerman arrived here Friday of last
week to again arrest Sheriff jackson and take
him below for trial under another indictment
for collecting mining tax from the Chinese
Akerman informs us that the Indictment was
found on the goth of January last, but that the
business on hand prevented his coming sooner.
jackson being out collecting at the time of his
arrival, Alderman staid in town until Jackson
came in on Thursday last and voluntarily gave
himself into custody. They will start below this
Saturday morning. Upon the demurrer inter
posed in Jackson's behalf upon the same charge,
the United States District Court virtually deci-
ded the State Law levying this tax to be void
Unless his counsel find another flaw in the plead
ings, Jackson will undoubtedly be convicted, for
he will not pretend to deny the collection of the
tax. Our opinion is that an appeal will be ta-
ken from the United States Court at San Fran
cisco, and the matter will not be finally at rest
until passed upon by the Supreme Court of the
United States. Meanwhile, we presume the tax
will be generally collected in the mining coun-
ties because the State authorities will encourage
its being DONE
Year: 1871

A SIGN THAT DON'T FAIL.-It has been fire.
ouently remarked this winter that ''all signs
fail in dry time,' and our experience for two
months past goes to verify the adago. Many
times this Winter have the weather-wise called
attention to atmospheric indications presaging
continued storms and with the first pattering on
the roofs our citizens would congratulate each
other on the prospect of good rain. In nearly
every instance so far we have been disappointed
having only light showers and the sun beam
ing out warm afterwards with frosty nights rem
dered what rainfall we had of little benefit Re-
Gently we heard one sign that it will rain all day.
that is claimed with some show of truth to be
unfaing. Last Monday it stormed nearly all
day, and the subject coming up in conversation
q resident of this place remarked that he knew
in the morning it would be a wet day by the
actions of his chickens. In explanation he
stated that he observed his chickens oil them
selves well and then go out to feed just as they
did in the finest of weather apparently paying no
attention to the storm. Our informant further
says that when the shower will prove to be of
short duration, his chickens seem to be aware of
the fact and accordingly seek shelter until it is
over. But on the contrary, when it will be rainy
all day they seem to know that too, and proceed
upon the plan that they might just as well face
the inclement weather at one time as another
Now, as nearly every one keeps chickens, the
conclusion will be naturally drawn from the
above facts that we can tell more about rainy
weather by watching our chickens, than by
scanning the heavens.
Year: 1871

SUDDEN AND SINGULAR DEATH.--The most
singular accidental death we have been called
upon to note occurred at Junction City on Fri
day of last week. Martin Strasen, while work
ing in shallow bed rock ditch on the Haas &
Hager claim just above Junction City, was
caught by triangular piece of bed rock of no
very great size weight, that slipped down
from one side of the ditcn. The ditch was about
five feet deep, and the descending mass sliding
about two feet struck him with the sharp edge


in the small of the back, wedging him forcbly
against the opposite bank, and instantly expel-
ling the breath from his body. Mr.. E. Flynn,
who was near by in the same ditch heard the
noise of the slide and instantly called out but
receiving no reply, hastened to see what was
the matter. He found the unfortunate man
standing as we have described, with his face to
the wall with his shovel handle in his left hand
as though he was about to use it or put it away
and already black in the face. Flynn immedi-
ately removed the rock, but life was extinct and
there is no doubt that death occurred instantly
Upon examination no bones appeared to be bro
ken. The deceased was brought to Weaverville
and buried last Sunday by the German Hospital
Society of which he was a member.
Year: 1871

SAGAoroUs CAT.-Mr. E. Cornell, of this place,
is the owner of an intelligent cat which, as he
tells us, is better than any alarm clock in the
State. Every morning, at five o'clock, his cat
comes to his bed and if he seems to be slumber-
ing, proceeds to awaken him by biting his hands
AS soon as he strs, pussy jumps down on the
floor. Cornell says that he sometimes amuses
himself by being very hard to arouse. At such
er until he can stand it no longer From his state
ment her regularity is something remarkable, sell
dom varying more than five minutes from the
hour
Year: 1871

"THE MILK PAN. N."-Occupying the first page
OF this issue will be found highly interesting
and original story, from the pen of T. E. Jones,
Esq, bearing the above title. AS a literary
production of its particular class, we deem it
worthy of especial notice, and hope that all our
readers will peruse it, knowing full well that af-
Ter having done SO they will bear us ont in the
assertion that the writer evinces superior liter
ary ability. In justice to Mr.. Jones, we will say
that it is his first effort in this line for several
years, and that this story was written on very
short notice.
Year: 1871

WILL OPEN CLAIM. w. Smiley has been
prospecting this Winter on Poverty Flat, in Wea-
yer Basin and intends running tunnel to work
1he channel back of the Chinese graveyard. 1t
Us his opinion that he has found q good paying
claim. Smiley is an experienced miner, and has
the reputation of having opened more good
claims than any other man in the county, but as
general thing for other men to work and make
money out Of We hope that in this instance
fortune will smile on his labors and the profit be
his
Year: 1871

VEGETATION. Weaver Basin is donning man
tie of green and with the weather we have had
of late, unless Jack Frost is on hand, there will
soon be two or three inches of grass The clover
is commencing to sproutfnely, but the fruit trees
are not more forward than usual.
Year: 1871

"TBE WEST CeAsr SiGNAb.''---By the last
mail from Humboldt county, we received a spec
linen copy of the above weekly, the first num-
Der of which was to be issued on the 18th in
stant, at Eureka, by David E. Gordon, editor and
proprietor. 1t is somewhat larger than the Jour-
NAL, of exceedingly neat typographical appear
ance, and is furnished at the exceedingly low
price of So per year. In his "Greeting' Mr..
Gordon says


The Signal will be a newspaper. It will not be
a political organ, nor will it eschew the discus
sion OF politics when the time and occasion re-
quire it. And here let me say that while it
shall be my chief aim to make it an attractive
newspaper, shall also assert the privilege of
speaking my own feelings in matters political.
DO not barter away my political opinions when
receive the price of years subscription 1t is
unnecessary to tell the people of Humboldt coun-
ty that my politics are Republican-that next to
my reverence for religion is reverence for true
Republican principles. And when occasion re-
quires me to take sides, l shall certainly take
the Republican side.


No one in Trinity will doubt that for mo-
ment. During the fourteen years that Dave was
resident of this county, there never was
time but what his standing was known he was
always found to be an able and courteous advo-
cate of his principles and the welfare of the people
We congratulate the residents of Humboldt upon
the valuable exponent of their interests which
we are certain they will have in the Signal, and
wish that our old friend and citizen may sue
ceed to the greatest of his expectations.
Year: 1871

In the Controllers accounts there is an entry
of warrant drawn st Of July 1862 to the order
of Col Wilcox Of the 9Th Regiment Of militia, for 1912,
for pay as armorer OF the regiment from Sept 1865 to
April l. 1862 Another warrant dated June s. 1863, Is
drawn the OF Col Clark for S2o for pay as act


ing amorer Of the 7th Regiment from Oct 1858, to
May l. 1862 These items might lead 20 the impression
that Coonels Of militia regiments in the habit OF


drawing sinecure pay from the City Treasury This is
not the case Col Clark gives the following explanation
of the matter The city allows each regiment 81 per
dem for the pay Of arnorer. The regiments ore un
able to procure the services of Trustworthy persons for
30 small o remuneration, and are in tho habit Of
supplementng this For instance the 7th Regiment
paid their $1,s2o salary for the year 1870
Moreover the city payments being made on this account
only once in six months and uncertain then, the
regimenal treasurer pays the month out
eginenta funds tho armOrer resgntnR his claim
city In favor OF the regiment by which they partly
recOup themselves the money paid out The Treasurer,
every six months, sends In bill for the arnorers ser
vices to the county in tho OF the regiment and tho
hill s OF course, made payable TO the order Of the
Colouc Hence by the mere formalitics Of account


might be naa to appear that Colones OF regiments
the arm9rers of their respective regiments Every Que
knows that this Ia not the but xpanton seems
the less desirable IN this era Of Misrepresentation
Year: 1871

Some scraps of letters of James How
ell, a toady courtier, who helped arrange
match between Prince Charles, OF
England, and the Infanta of Spain, are
full of interest The gossiping old fellow
says


There are comedians once a week
come to the palace, where under a great
canopy the Queen and the Infanta sit in
the middle, our Prince and Don Carlos
on the Queens right hand the King and
the little cardinal on the Infanta's left
hand. | have seen the Prince have his
eyes immovably fixed on the Infanta
half an hour together in a thoughtful,
speculative posture, which sure would
needs be tedious, unless affection did
sweeten it; it was no handsome compari-
son of 0livare's that he watched her as
cat doth mouse. Not long since the
Prince, understanding that the Infanta
was used to 60 some mornings to the
Casa de Campo, a summer house the
King hath the other side of the river, to
gather maydew, he did rise betimes and
went thither, taking your brother with
him. They were let into the house, and
lnLO Jne Rhrueni DuI Jnc 1nhaHLd "do III
the orchard; and there being ahigh par
tition between, and the door doubly
bolted, the Prince got on the top of the
wall and sprung great height, and so
made toward her; but she spying him
first of all the rest, gave a shrek and
ran back. The old marquis that was
then her guardian came toward the
Prince and fell on his knees, conjuring
his highness to retire, in regard he haz-
arded his head If he admitted any to her
company, so the door was opened and
he came under that wall over which he
had got in. / have seen him watch a
long hour together in close coach in
the open street to see her as she went
abroad. Icannot say that the Prince
did ever talk with her privately; yet
publicly often, my Lord of Bristol being
interpreter-but the King always sat
hard by to overhear all Our cousin
Archy hath more privileges than any,
for he often goes with his FOOLS coat
where the Infanta is, with her Meninas
and ladies of honor, and keeps blow
ing and clustering amongst them, and
Airts out what he list. .bga 1su 3GG ia