smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1870




The developments with regard to
the letting of-the contract for cutting
down HuIrs Hill. and filling up the
canal for two blocks, naturally direct
attention to the general policy adopted
by the present Council in the tran
saotioa Of the business of the city.
All who have watched its proceed
ings with any care must have OBJ
served the extraordinary preeaution
which vas taken at the beginning of
the municipal year. and has been pre-
served every since to have all the
important business of the city tran
sacted BY small cIiques, or rings, com
posed Of a few CounciImen. Of such
a character have been most of
the financial arrangements, the
Water Works contract, and the rail-
road interests Of the city, and the
thing has now progressed SO far that
committees are appointed. it seems, to
receive bids and award contracts.
This system IS a very bad one for any
city, and if persisted in for any length
Of time, viii prove ruinous to its
credit. What necessity can there be
for deputising a committee to receive
bids and award contracts2 Why not
stand By the old regulation and policy
Of advertising for bids, and then
opening them publicly in the presence
Of the Council and the bid.
ders. and awarding the contract
to the lowest responsible bid
der No fair-minded Council
man could object to this arrange
ment, and the departure from a rule,
the good sense and equity of which
has been demonstrated by years OF
successful trial in all parts of the
country, is ominous Of danger to the
corporation. and provocative of sus-
piciOn against those who bring about
the undesirableNchange.


The readers of the JOURNAL are
familiar with the manner in which the
Water Works contract was made.
There was no advertising and open
ing of bids. The whole thing was
placed in the hands of a small clique
or ring, and managed as it desired.
When it was demonstrated that re-
sponsible parties were willing and
anxious to bid on the work, and take
it at q saving Of many thousands of
dollars to the city. they were assailed
By the Ring and its friends with all
manner of internal abuse and con-
tumely. and the fire against them is
still kept up.


As in the Water Water Works con-
tract, 50 with other important mu-
nicipal transactions. But little bust
ness is done by the Council until it is
first made to pass through the hands
Of committees, and then only in such
manner as suits said committees. We
are aware that committees are neces-
sary; but they are mainly necessary to
ascertain facts, and report the same
TO the Council, so that it may act in.
telligently. We insist that the POLICY
OF clothing these committees with the
power to receive and open bids and
award contracts is dangerous and
vicious, and the tax payers will SO re-
alize before many months have passed
away.


The Council is the proper place for
the transaction Of the peoples bust
ness. There may be instances in
Year: 1870

yAyANTED-BY A GENTLEMAN, A GOOD SITUATION


w for colored boy; he ia excellent waiter footman
and the gentlemen going abroad would not part with
hin. Can be at his present employers NO East
3lstT
Year: 1870

NEW YORK, July 28.-The result
of the international yacht race caused
intense excitement here. The uni
versal feeling is that the relative
speed of the yachts is as yet undecid-
ed. When the rumor spread early
this afternoon that the Dauntless was
the winner, expressions of jubila-
ton were unbounded, and the revul-
sion was comparatively great when it
was learned that the English yacht
was victorious. The betting on each
was heavy, especially on the latter.
Among the guests of the Fifth Ave-
nue. Hotel and among all classes. the
number of persons VI no invested their
money on the American yacht, the
losses are large. The impression is
prevalent that the sailing master OF
the Dauntless took a less favorable
course than the Cambria, which was
disastrous.
Year: 1870

We begin, this morning. and will
finish to morrow, the very able speech
made by Senator Morton to the Re-
publicans Of Indianapolis, on Wed
nesday evening, at the Academy Of
Music. Like all of the Senator's
campaign efforts. the speech is an
able and convincing statement of the
claims of the antagonistic polite :
parties to public confidence. We %
the Republicans Of this part Of the
State will read the speech carefully,
and give it an extensive circulation
among their Democratic neighbors.
Year: 1870

the law required a majority of all the
voters IN the city in favor of the SUBJ
scription of stock, and that such ma
Jority was not so given at the election
on Wednesday. IF that was the only
reason, he must have forgotten the
law of 1867, which provides that the
city may take stock in any Railroad
Corporation when a majority of the
qualified voters Of said city, attending
and Uoting. shall vote in favor of
taking such stock at an election held
for the purpose of voting on that sub
ieot exclusively
Year: 1870




The Russell street Academy, which has
been rented and is to be used as the public
school building for South Edgeheid, was
yesterday the scene of hustle among the
little ones According to announcement,
the morning was set aside for the enrol
ment of children between six and ten years
of age, and the afternoon for those between
the ages of ten and twelve. At an early
hour in the morning the little ones from all
directions were moving in the direction of
the school building, and it was gay and
Joyous scene to witness the smiling and
happy faces of the little innocents as they
approached the school. J. w. Graham,
the principal, and the respective teachers
were present at the building to receive and
enrol them, and afterward to assign them to
classes. OF the small children there were
about one hundred and twenty-five enrolled,
and of those between 10 and II, about
twenty -fve-one hundred and fifty IN all
enrolled This morning viii be devoted to
the enrolment of those between II and IA
years of age, and in the afternoon to those
between II and 21. Tomorrow and next
day, the pupils of North Edgeheld will
assemble at McFerrin's Chapel to be en-
rolled, and on Friday and Saturday the
colored pupils will be enrolled So that
on next Monday, the schools will go into
operation.
Year: 1870

The pay roll for the street force, which
was made out by Commissioner Blair yes
terday, for the week, amounted to
s205.S5. The work on the streets Will
be pushed forward rspidly, if tax payers
will but step up to the Captains office and
settle
Year: 1870

OrruMwA AND ST.. PAUL X. r.
We refer the attention Of our readers
to the article on the outside of this
weeks NEWS in regard to the organ
ization of the Ottumwa Il st. Paul
Railroad Co. The gentlemen who
have taken hold of this project seem
determined to push ii TO its compile


ton at an early day, and as they are
men of both capital and enterprise,
and as the road when built will be
beyond a doubt paying one, We can
not help but conclude that the chan
ces of the ultimate success OF the OF.


tumwa & st. Paul Railroad Co., are
extremely ila,tcring. But perhaps
some Of our readers will wonder in


what particular this project concer in


Center Point. lfthey will take a
state map aud draw direct line from
Cedar Rapids TO Independence they


will find that Center Point is exactly
IN the way Of such line, and viii
naturally conclude that in case the


road is ever built it will make onl
place II point. We do no, wish tc
draw the attention OF our citizens
from the Midland project, for that We
must secure at all hazards, but w
have confidence enough in our peo


pie to believe that they arc able anc
willing to extend aid sufficient to Sc
euro two lines Of road, and with this


view we would suggest that some &C
tion be taken in this direction while
the opportunity offers.-Centef Pom
! SstrS
Year: 1870

Township officers and road Super
visors will be glad to learn that this
Legislature has provided for tho
compilation of all the road laws, by
tho Attorney General, to bo pub
lished in pamphlet form, and dis
tlibutcd to each Township officer
and road Supervisor throughout the
State. They will contain all the
information necessary TO enable Su-
pcrvisors to become fully convcrsaut
with their duties, without having TO
search through the Revis ion and the
Acts of the various General Assem-.
blies since 1860. Heretofore it has
been almost impossible for a road
Supervisor to know fully his duties
without employing an Attorney te
post him up. This compilation ol
the road laws was very much
poadal
Year: 1870

A law was passed this winte
making the Township Trustees q
Board Of Equalization, to Equalize
the Assessment of their respective
Townships. This act seemed to
meet with much favor and we trust
will work well. At least, we hope
it will have fair trial. So soon as
we receive II copy Of the law we
shall publish it for the information Of
nnr randers
Year: 1870

The following is the response of
Miss Mary L. Spencer, Engrossing
Clerk OF the House on the occasion
of the presentation to her by the
members of the House, of a Silver
Tea Sctt


IL thank you most heartily for this
bountiful gift, these expressions of
your appreciation and friendship for
me rendered with so much grace and
carncs:ness. If it had been the
pleasure Of this House simply to have
given expression by word as to Its
satisfaction with me as an official
and an experiment, my gratitude
would have been bound!ess, my am
bition realized, but in giving this tan
gible evidence you have transcended
my ability to express the thanks |
feel. The intrinsic value and beauty
of this gilt is far exceeded by its as
sociate worth. 1t is as suggestive
(laughter) as beautiful, and | thank
you for the hopc you have inspired
me with that its value may be in
creased (morc laughter) by a ncces-
sity Tor the use of it, great APP
plause and laughter) and |
herewith express that it would be
my greatest pleasure to serve each
one Of you from it sometime III the
coming year. ] confess | came to
this office with almost doubling
heart, thinking there might be a
mutual ,,nfitness with lady as en-.
cumbent those tears were long
since dispelled, and leave ii trcasur.
ing its memories as among the han.
piest of my life. | shall feel sorry
for succeeding clerks in this, only
that they were not the first to have
been the recipients ofthose number.
less klndnesses of word and deed
that have made my intercourse
with you SD enjoyable. This day is
crowned as the happiest and proudes'
ofmy life SO far, in which | have re
eeived a pledge Of tho approval and
friendship of the noble gentleman Of
thisHousc who so generously accorded
me their unanimous support, and sc
nobly fulfilled the promise Of that acl
by their uniform kindness and indul
gence. To my other friends who
have expressed their regard IN this
Joint gift, tender equal thanks.
offer you my life long friendship, and
gratitude and most earnest wish thai
happiness and prospe"ity may ut
tend each enc Of You forever. (Ap
plause.)
Year: 1870

We vote for putting off our State
and Congressional Conventions to
the latest possible day.


We have SO nearly nothing to
fight in Iowa, that it is really far
cical and toarfully ludicrouu to bc
pounding the air, and footing en-
wind intruments, for about six
months withrcally nonncmy in our,
front.


Let us appeal to the respective
State and Congressional Committees
to put the Conventions off as late as
possible, and then let US have short
sharp and decisive conflict, and Of
course, a glorious victory.
Year: 1870

# wa, said last fall the early cold
weather had killed the germ OF much
Of the corn--nearly all of in some
sections-while the external appear
ance of the grain WAS not changed
Every prudent farmer will look t"
this matter, and test his seed before
the time lor planting. while thost
who do not read the paper. VIII select
their seed from the crib rs nsuai:
plant it, and wait long and IN VAN
for it to come up.
We learn from the lineage !fo-
me that Prof. Bliss, Of the Illinois
Industrial University, tested thirteen
samples OF. seed corn. The Proportuo!
that .erminstel in the different lots
varied from four per cent. TO ninety
six per cent, averaging SIXTY one
per cent. We believe the report does
not stale where the Professor obtain
cd his samples Of seeds, but the result
is sufficiently suggestive to lead every
corn pIant,r to test his seed ut once.
As the grains at the butt OF the ear
are the last to dry, it will probably
r. tound that those near the tip vii!
GROW while those at the butt will not,
having been damp when the trsezr
.nm.,
Year: 1870

How TO Make CUTTINGS GROW
1t has been ascertained that cutting


will develop roots much sooner in moist


sand than in rich soil But the sand can
not maintain its growth for any length of
time. To prepare pots for raising cut
tings they should be filled nearly to the


brim with rich, garden loam-dark and


porous, not clayey and soggy; then pour
in one inch in depth of securing sand
sea sand will do as we'll as the yellow


sand Wet this thoroughly, and place


the cuttings, from which all but three or
four upper leaves have been removed,
close to the side of the pot; the contact of
ware against the stem of the cutting
promotes it's grotb. Press the wet sand
firmly around the tiny stem. A great
deal Of your chance fer success in raising
slips or cuttings depends upon this.
Plant as many cuttings as the pot will
hold, from six. to dozen, according to
the size of your pot; when they are firm
ly set in the sand, two or three can be in
serted in the middle of the pot. Set them
away in dark warm place for twenty
four or thirty-six hours. Thus, cuttings
will grow quickly in hot bed, because
the temperature is not dry. Their growth
depends great deal upon light, heat and
moisture. IF bud is close at the base of
cutting, it will strike root more easily
is not so apt to decay. The roots shoot
from bud, and the lower down it is the
surer your success. When the leaves
drop, the plant is commencing to grow ;
if they wither on the stem, it has, COM
menced to decay. By following these
directions no one can fail to grow all
kinds of house plants. Roses and all the
rarest flowers of the greenhouses are pro.
parated in this manner.-N II. Farmer.
Year: 1870

"You have but five minutes to live
said the sheriff. "If you have any hing
to say, speak now"


The young man said: 81 had one little
brother He had beautiful eyes and flax
en- hair, and loved him. One day | got
drunk, the last time in my life, and on
coming home found my little brother pick
ing berries in the garden, and becoming
angry without cause, I killed him with
one blow of rake. did not know any.
thing about it until the next day, when
awoke and found myself bound and
guarded, and was told that my brother
was found dead. Whiskey had done it
1t had ruined me. never drank but
once. I have only one word to say, and
then L am going to my Judge. say tc
young persons, never touch anything that
can intoxicate." In another moment
the young man was ushered into the pres,
ence of God.
Year: 1870


Farewell to the charms with which women has


bound me;
Thus cried an old bachelor, withered and worn,
I've broken the web that was woven around me,
Such tortures of mind can no longer be borne
Peace was my companion, from morning till even


ing,


I'd nothing to trouble when homeward came
Till just for a woman my heart set to grieving,
And my hopes are all blasted, and withered my


frame.
1 once was good looking, if mirrors tell rightly,
My dark glossy locks were the pride of the


girls;
To operas and dances took my way nightly,
And the queen of my heart was the lass with


brown curls.
Her eyes they were stars, and her cheeks were


blush roses.
Her head was lily, so shapely and white,
Her breath was the zephyr with which summer


closes,


Her step was fairy's, SO graceful and light.
One glance from her eye, so bewitchingly bril-


liant.


Would take the heart captive, no matter how


brave
And when first met her, tried to be valiant,
But L felt my heart going without power to


save;
SO basked in the light OF her smiles for one


summer,
And pitied the man who had no one to love
All nature gave voice to a musical murmur,
And I wondered If saints were more happy


above,
But alas for my heart, when the summer was


ended


All broken and bleeding it lay at her feet =
The romance of love with sad discourse was


blended,
My hopes, like the rainbow, had vanished, as


feet;
For the lady 1 loved gave her heart to another.


know,
GAS for you, sir" she said, "I can no longer


bother,
must marry the man who can make the most


show"
So cupid has hung my poor harp on the willow,
And there it may hang until time is no more,
1 know folks will say I'm singular fellow,
But I've had my short romance, and now it i:


DER;
The mothers may coax, and the daughters latter
They might as well talk TO man made ei


stone,-
You don't fool me twice. girls, now "that's what;


the matter"
I've made up my mind, I'll go through life


alone
Year: 1870

DoNATIoN.-The late John G. Baldwin,
of Orange, N. J.. who had while living,
giving SUBSTANTIAL aid to Middlebury Col
lege, made provision in his will for a
further donation for the benefit of this
institution in the form Of a legacy Of
about $4,000, the interest of which is to
be used for the aid Of INDECENT students
of worth and talent.
Year: 1870

MIpDLETowN.--Tbe death OF John c. Adams
on the fourth of May, at Middletown, very sensi-
bly, affected the young people at that place He
was son of Lucius b. and Sally Maria tkeyes)
Adams and was twenty-three years and a few
months old at his death. He died of consump-
ton. He was loved by the young people and re-
spected by all. He had been very steady and
very correct in his habits, morals and deport-
ment He early manifested fondness for books,
and was good scholar He received very good
academical education at Poultney and Fort Ed
ward, and taught school in all five seasons. He
was intending to commence the study of law this
spring, and doubtless would have done 80, bnt Tor
the disease which had fastened itself upon him
and from which there was escape but in death.
He was asyoung man without pretension, but OF
real merit, and gave promise Of usefulness. A
sad loss to his family and to the community. He
seemed prepared for the great change and to feel
that he had evidence that he would have place
with the redeemed in the world to come.
Year: 1870

into the future. Johnson saw in this a
chance for point, and after intimating
several times that the public and the
Ledger were swindled by wholesale pla-
giarisms from ithe Courier on the part of
Mr.. Prentice, be sprung his mine by pub
fishing in the Courier of May 1 the pre-
else wit and wisdom already given to the
world in the Ledger of May IA. He again
taxed Mr.. Prentice with plagiarism, and
held up these "damning proofs to the
public. Prentice, who seldom looked at
the Ledger, except to see that his contri-
button was in its accustomed place, was
nonplussed by this coup de plun'ae, and it
is doubtful if he ever accurately under
stood how the thing happened.
Year: 1870




The Archbishop of Bordeaux thus
describes q case of somnambulism in a
young priest: He was in the habit OF
writing sermons when asleep, and al
though a card was placed between his
eyes and the notebook, he continued
to write vigorously. After he had
written page requiring correction, a
piece of blank paper of exact size was
substituted for his own manuscript,
and on that he made the corrections in
the precise situation which they would
have occupied on the original page. A
very astonishing part of this is that
which relates TO his wiring music in
his sleeping state, which it is said he
did with perfect precision. He asked
for certain things, and saw and heard
such things, but only such things as
bore directly upon the subject of his
thoughts. He detected the deceit when
water was given to him in place of
brandy which he asked for. Finally
he knew nothing of all that had trans
pired when he awoke, but in his next
paroxism he remembered all accurate
ly-and so lived a sort of double life,
phenomenon which is said to be uni
versal in all the cases of exalted SOM
nambulism.


The Troy IN. Y. } Times reports the
following curious case: A farmer re-
siding in Bristol, Ontario county, in
this State is somnambulist. One day
while working in field he lost an iron
tooth from the harrow with which he
was putting in his wheat crop. He
hunted an hour to find it, but was un-
successful. During the ensuing night
he arose from his bed, partially dressed
himself and started out. The night
was very dark; one of his boys fol-
lowed him with lantern. He kept up
a running talk with himself about the
"drag tooth" He walked in a straight
line to the field where he had been la
boring, perhaps quarter of mile
from his residence. Arriving at cer-
tain point he stopped short, kicked
away some earth and brought forth
the missing tooth! Then turning square
around he proceeded directly to his
home. Arriving at the door he per-
formed the feat of lifting the heavy
stone step, which required the COM
bined strength of himself and another
man to raise the next morning. He
threw the iron under the step, let down
the stone easily, saying "there you are
and can't get away again." and then
coolly, and apparently without the least
excitement, retired to his chamber,
disrobed himself and went to bed
He was entirely unconscious the next
morning of what he had been doing
Now the question is, what peculiar
power enabled the. man to perform this
wonderful feat? 1t would seem little
less than a miracle, but of its truth as
related there is no doubt.
Year: 1870

The famous tun of Heidelberg is in q
vaulted cellar of the castle. l was
misled by the name, and supposed it
was sort of vat, but it is a regular
hogshead, containing $4,000 gallons.
The slaves are each massive sticks of
timber. The hoops are immense bands
of oak, six inches thick, and foot
across. II is supported by a huge
frame work of oak. There is a stair
case leading up the side to a gallery
on the summit, along which people
used to pass with the wine, which
was poured in at the top. How the
huge thing was ever built, pat up
and banded, / can not conceive. The
tradition is that it was built by prince,
who received a part of his taxes in
wine, and paid his servants and officers
part of their wages in wine, and that
complaint grew up that the wine
paid was unequal in quality. So this
huge tun was devised, into which all
the wine received was poured as it
came in, and from which ali the wine
paid out or used was drawn of a uni
form quality.


But, as | stood below the Great
Tun and looked up 90 feet to the top,
it began to grow upon me. Forty
nine thousand gallonsl l said to my
self. That is 1000 hogsheads, | am
tolerably apt at mental arithmetic) }, or
800 barrels. Forty-nine thousand
gallons! Why, at a gallon day, and
| did not think l would master more
than that, it would take at least 130
years to drink that hogshead dry. l
did not feel that l could stop to do
it. In fact l had other engagements
elsewhere. But ray of hope struck
me. said to the little girl who ac-
companied me as a guide; THAT is
a vast quantity of wine. Do you
think the tun is quite full?" why,
Lord bless your Highland Well-born-
Worship, said she, | had just given
her a double handful of kreutzers,
"Why, Lord bless your Highland
Well Worship, the tun has only
been filed three times, and the last
time was more than a hundred years
ago. There's not a drop of wine in itP'


MUREI.