smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

=, The Worcesaw Spy says: The e1-
traordinary longevity of the survivors
of the war of 1872 is certainly curious
fact well worthy of notice. That was
not q great war; not many troops were
engaged, and no very large force mus
tered into the service of the United
States, and the war came to an end al
most si1ty-one years ago. Yet the com
missioner of pensions reports 15,875
survivors of that war on the rolls of the
pension Office. Very few, indeed, OF
these can be less than eighty years OF
age, and the number must be nearly If
not quite ten Fer cent. Of the whole
force mustered for service. If the
veterans of the late civil wal
prove 40 tenacious of life, nearly two
hundred thousand of them will survive
in the year 1926. We should be very


glad to believe that all of them would


live much longer than that, but We can
not expect it, for it is against the course
of nature. It is hard to resist the con
viction that large share of the fifteen
thousand veterans of 1872 are impostors.
Year: 1876

When We remember the ve1atious de-
lays at Vienna, says the New York IT.
6une, We may be pardoned for. looking
with some oomplacsncy at the condition
of things ut Philadelphia. The opening
is three months off, and already the
placing of the goods has begun. The
main exhibition building is finished and
swept, and only little of the garnishing
remains to be completed. The machinery
and horticultural halls are substantially
finished, and workmen are setting up
some Of the machines. The art building
is occupied by plasterers and decorators.
The exhibition building OF the United
States government is complete, and con-
tains already a large part Of the remark
able collection Of mineral specimens
from the Pacific slope, which will form
one of the most interesting features OF
the fair. The agricultural building is so
nearly done that there can be no doubt
of its being ready long before it is need
ed. The roads are getting into condition
as fast as the weather will allow, and the
grounds are adorned by multitude OF
pretty buildings for special purposes,
among which the charming little red
tiled Elizabethan country house Of the
British commission stands modestly con-
spisuous, as if a small fragment Of
Shropshire had somehow been trans
ported to the banks of the SchuylkilL


Outside the. grounds the hustle OF prep
aration. is incessant. The railway COM
panies are extending their tracks; the
hotel companies are putting the finish:
ing touches to their huge temporary
houses of entertainments; thrifty house
holders are getting ready their spare
bedrooms. We may be sure that IN
every particular Philadelphia will be
ready In ample season for the entertain
ment to which she invites us. Whatever
else may be needed to complete the sue
cess of the Centennial must be done by
the people themselves.
Year: 1876

A farmer living near Washington, n.
j., was awakened early one morning by
the noise, of some one entering his
house. Spring from his bed he sailed
out to meet the intruder, and as ne en-
tered the kitchen he SOW the form OF 9
man standing in the room. Determined
to defend his property at all hazards, ne
called to his hired man, who slept in an
adjoining room, and seizing q chair
aimed d deadly blow at the burglars
head, The darkness interfered with bus
aim, and the chair struck the upper part
of a door, and splntering to pieces, fell
at his feet. Before he could recover
himself, the hired man made hie ap-
pearance, and mistaking his employer
for the burglar-who had suddenly dis
appeared-struck him with another chair
and knocked him down. Lights were
soon produced and the whole family
aroused, when it was discovered that the
supposed burglar was an employee on
the same farm, who had been out on a
sparkling" expedition, and had en-
to gain access to hisroom with
out awaking the family. His employer
informed him, as he caressed the bruise
on his body, that hereafter he should
take nightkey or keep better hours.
He thinks he will. -
Year: 1876

In an article on the Indian question
the New York Herald says It looks as


though we are to drift into a war with


the Sioux Indians, of the Black Hills,
unless something is done to avert it.
The. Dakota, or Sioux, is by far the
strongest Of the uncivilized tribes Of the
West. Gen. Custer computes that in
case of war they could put from eight
thousand to ten thousand warriors in the
field, but the number has been raised by
others familiar with Indian affairs to
fifteen thousand. - Contrary to the case
Of other tribes they have increased in
numbers during the past twenty-five
years and are well armed. They are as
brave III fighting as Indians generally
and as cunning as serpents. They are
led BY able chiefs, and but for the fact
that the leaders of the different bands
are almost as jealous OF each other as
Of the whites we should have had war
along the line of the Northern Pacific
railroad long since. 81. aa
j.. The irruption of adventurous miners
into the Black Hills as soon as the win.
ter is over will probably lead to trouble,
the NEGOTIATIONS with the Sioux for the
purchase of tie bills last year having
come to naught. While many OF the
shrewd old chiefs, who would like to-
make what they would think q good bar
gain with the government, will try to
restrain their followers, it is to be feared
that some of the young braves OF the
rovino bands will descend on the
miners and so precipitate hostiitles.
Blood once shed on the border means
more blood to be shed, and unless the
government is very alert we may lind
ourselves in the midst of q war to which
the Modoc struggle will be mere baga-
telle, and which will cost millions in
money and possibly thousands OF lives.
It is, Of course, correct to take the best
military precautions, and General Gus
ter Is q good man to intrust with them,
but the best efforts must be made to
prevent hostilities by seeking fair peace
terms with the Indians. In the present
depressed state of trade rapid increase
of territory available for settlement is
not our greatest desideratum, but while
these grand regions remain to tempt
those VINO have failed in the East we
may be certain that the energy which
hard times keep latent will endcayor to
assert itself ont there. ''' '''''.' =:


The cry of "gold " raises an insatiate
hunger at any time: and now it is likely
to be- doubly effective, no matter how.
miserably the diggings may "pan out. "
Danger will not deter the adventurous.
The prudence of neither Indians nor
miners can be relied on. While there is
yet time let the government do allin its
power to prevent q war. This is a na.
tional and not political question. "a:
Year: 1876

A LITTLE BOYS PLAYTuING.-A four
year old son of one Riley, living on the
old Milford and Oswego turnpike, in
Bloomington Grove township, Pa, came
into the house lately carrying a rattle
snake. lie had one hand clasped tight
" about its rattles. The mother of the
child was terrified, and screamed to the
boy to throw the snake on the floor,
which he did. 1t coiled in second
and filled the room with the din OF its
rattles. Mrs. Riley seized the broom,
and soon dispatched the serpent. Her
little boy cried over the death Of his
venomous playtbing, and said there
were more where he got that, and he
would go after another.


Mrs. Riley summoned her husband
from an adjoining field. He asked the
child to show him where he got the
snake. He led the way into the scrub
oaks about quarter of mile from the
road, TO a small ledge of rock, III which
were many assures. There, basking in
the sun, the farmer saw dozens of rat
tlesnakes. He took his child in his
arm and hurried away from the spot.
Procuring the assistance of a hired
man, the two, armed with fails, return
ed to the den. They attacked the ser
penis, thrashing right aud left. For
five minutes the contest waged, the noise
made Ly the rattles OF the snakes being
almost deatering. Riley and his man
killed twenty one of the reptiles, and
many escaped into the assures of the
rock. Riley's little boy had wandered
alone to this dangerous place, and had
captured the snake and took it home.
1t was two feet and half long, land had
eleven rattles.
Year: 1876

The Richmond State says: The quiet
that has for a number of years reigned
around that part of the city known as
''Bacon Quarter Branch, has recently
been broken. 1t was supposed that the
old brick house which fell there long
ago was haunted, but until within the
past two weeks no one had ever dream
ed of seeing a bona fide tirst-claSS ghost.
Yet, such is said TO be the case. Hun
dreds of people-men, women and chill
dren-claim to have seen II, and the
talk and fuss over the strange appan-
ton caused a State reporter 10 visit GER
tain of the witnesses and note their ac-
count of it.


Mr.. Henry Miller, who is q carpenter
by trade, and who lives in the locality
alluded to, was frs! called upon. lie
says that the ghost is seen every night
I about twelve on Mitchell street, beyond
the bridge; that it is in the shape Of a
quadruped and near the size Of a young
lion, and that it is white Gas all ghosts
are) and moYes along sometimes slowly
and sometimes in brisk trot. lie fur
thermore stated that the object seemed
TO be at first, as he himself thought, a
large white dog, but as a proof OF the
fallacy of such a thought, Louis Jones
dog, which had never been known to
refuse TO attack anything when set upon
it, tucked its tail between It's legs, hung
its head and skulked off In fact all
dogs were frightened.


Mr.. Henry Ganzert, another carpen.
ter, was next interviewed. He says
! that if this isn't ghost he don't know
what YOU would call it. According to
his account this mysterious creature
was first seen at the same hour every
night since. People from all parts OF
the city have been to Bacon Quarter
Branch and have witnessed 1t. Last
night over hundred persons saw the
great sight. 1t comes from the grave
yard near where the old Suens building,
which was torn down few months ago,
stood. When it was first seen 1t was no
bigger than a small dog, but 1t grew
rapidly until it reached its present size
Mr. Ganzert declares that he has been
within six or eight feet Of it and thrown
rocks at it, but to no effect. 1t always
lodged them. Other parties were ques-
toned and all gave substantially tue
same facts. The quadruped is said to
have been accompanied on one occasion
by a sepulchral looking figure, which
stalked erect and had wings. One lady
declares that the ghostly four footed
beast has eyes like balls OF fire, and that
when she saw it come down the lane
about a week ago it came roaring IN Il
full gallop and make more noise than
the clatter of forty horses. This may
have been slightly exaggerated, as no
one else heard the racket. The ghost
disappears always suddenly, seeming to
vanish in midar Several young men
of the neighborhood propose to arm
themselves with guns tonight and try
powder and shot on it. The public may
consider the story as it pleases, but one
thing is certain, that all of the denlzens
of the neighborhood of bacon Quarter
Branch" are in state of terment and
excitement over what appears 10 them
! TO be an old-timely ghost.
Year: 1876

IAIHHNy ATEUNJ


Nassar bas sent an invitation to Dom
Pedro to wait till September. SO that he
can see 700 young ladies simultaneously
eating green corn off the cob to slow
music -tPoughkeepsie Press.


This is rather q bold statement for the
Press to make, yet, when we consider
that the seven hundred young ladies
INDUCED in a river excursion Thursday,
and left the Poughkeepsie newspaper
themselves why they. were not invited,
there Is some excuse for it.
Year: 1876

On the 18th of September Maine will
cast her vote for Governor, State officers
and members of Congress. She will choose
q Legislature which is to elect United
States Senator, who is to succeed Secretary
Lott NJ. Morrill,, or perhaps more accu-
rately, we should say the successor of Mr..
Blaine. The next Senator may be Mr..
Morrill, or Mr. Blaine, but this is not a
question for present discussion in these
columns.


Our purpose now is to show the import
ance of the forthcoming Maine election,
because of its influence upon the Republi-
can cause and Republican triumphs or de-
feats in all parts of the country. Ever
since 1910 Name, in its annual election,
has been significant of triumph or defeat to
the one or other party. The almost uni
versal remark has been, "As goes Name so
goes the Union"


We have never doubted. We do not
now doubt the popular expression of her
vote on the general ticket 1t will be in
behalf of freedom and good government
but it is evident that influences are al
work which will weaken our cause in
two OF the Congressional districts OF
the State, the First and the Fifth. Di-
visions in these districts may lead to
the election of Democrats. A more de-
plorable result can scarcely be contem-
plated at such time as this. With the
conduct of the present ex Confederate Con-
gress before us is it possible to consider
with any degree of complacency the bare
probability that districts largely and over
whelmingly Republican will, or can on
account of wrangling and petty jeslousles,
be gwen over to the enemy? The bare
possibility of such result is a most un-
happy and unsatisfactory contemplation.


Are our friends in Maine aware of the
vital issues OF this campaign? What we
are fighting for now is net merely for a
better system of finance, better tariff for
revenue and protection, civil service re-
form and retrenchment and economy,
as important as all these questions may
be. The great and paramount issue
now is have We a Government? Is
the American citizen, black or white,
entitled to protection while he thinks as he
pleases, spesks as he pleases and votes as
he pleases on every inch OF American soil {?
This is the great and paramount question
which, in this autumnal campaign, towers
as far above all financial and mere monetary
and business questions as the highest
mountains on earth tower above the lowest
valleys. What are banks and tariffs, finance
and business, if we have not q government
that can protect every one and all of its cit
zens in liberty and personal freedom
DO the people of Maine understand this'
We know they DO. No people w;
Year: 1876

shape of increased beggarism, pauperism,
tramping and brig andage.


1t may mitigate our indignation, or at
least our disappointment. at the shortcom-
ings of our rulers to mark that the cause
of our trouble lies far back beyond the
reach of legislation. Seek for it in the
rooted antipstby of our countrymen for
productive industry; into every occupa-
ton offering the slightest chance to live by
the wits five men pressing to do what one
would do better; if the hands must be
used, then only in the genteeler ways, and
at what looks least like productive labor.
Mark everywhere the first ambition of far
mers' children to escape from their natu-
raj occupation, to crowd into the cities, to
get into some of the already. .overdone posts
of living by the wits. Then follow expe-
dients-legislation piled and tariffs modi-
fied-to give an artificial impulse to busi-
ness. Hence either making an unnatural
growth; hence, in the best-settled districts,
the soil not cultivated to half its capabilities;
hence it is source to Imagination that the
conscious earth resenis the indignity.
Our cities are overrun with Young men, loaf
ing and spunging, pluming their gay wings
and sporting their bright watch chains, less
10 be blamed than pitied, as the victims Of
the vicious public sentiment which regards
such life as vastly more respectable than
donning palmer garb and going in for the
culture of the ground.


Aman of seventy might have led quieter
life if he had started with the knowledge
acquired during his long life. How pow
erlessly reason pleads against popular mis-
takes till her advice is seconded by the
ruder buffetings of experience. Those
bufetings are beginning to tell. A speedy
return to better times is not likely; hardly
desirable. A longer process of cure Is
likely to be more lasting, besides the more
hopeful, as expressing thoughts dawning
on the honest and earnest everywhere.


Peter Cooper proposes an expedient for
rendering panics impossible. Set that side
by side with an expedient to render wreck
of fortune, health or reputation an impossi-
BILE accident to the luxurious spendthrift,
and the more general expedient to divest
of its terrors that salutary warning, The
way of transgressors is hard"
Year: 1876

THE economy of the House during its
session just closed, as exemplifed by the
reduction of the naval force, is severely
condemned by the Sunday Herald of this
city. THIS IS, perhaps, case of selfcon


acknowledgements finding fault with
Democrat-or is it a case Of ..dog eat dog
Year: 1876

THE reduction of the navy provided for by
the appropriation bills passed during the late
session of Congress was ostensibly urged in
favor of reform and economy. With &C
customed fatuity and characteristic blum
dering, however, the ex Confederate House
is responsible for the immediate eIpendi-
ture of not less than two hundred thousand
dollars of money in payment of the accu-
mulated salaries Of seamen whose dis
charge is compelled by the act in question.
Year: 1876

SOUTH CAROLINA Republicans must
show themselves equal to the emergency
by placing at the head of their ticket some
thoroughgoing man, in whom the masses
have confidence and for whom they will
vote. Place sterling men to the front and
remand "Gushers' to the rear.
Year: 1876

= THERE is a comforting assurance that
Sam Randall will not be returned to Con
gress next fall. His constituents have dis
covered him to be back pay, salary grab,
swindling demagogue of the most hypo-
critical stripe, and they will have no more
of him in the future. As chairman of the
Committee on Appropriations he has done
more harm to the country at large and the
District of Columbia in particular, than
any other Representative in Congress.
Year: 1876

IN the West a marriage recently took place
Helve. During the ceremony the following
hymns were sung "Blest be the Tie that
Binds" and "What Shall the Harvest BeP'
Some little hatchets. Send on your chrome
now, and don't you forget it.
Year: 1876

The store of Madame LIE Francois,
near the Pico House, was entered by
burglars last'night and about sixty
dollars worth of goods and money
stolen. The entrance was made from
Sanchez street in the rear of the es-
tablishment, the burglar knocking a
panel out of the door, when the aper-
ture would then readily admit him.
The inner door which is reached at
the end of a long store room was
forced by making hole large enough
to admit mans arm, and then un-
locked from the inside. The holes in
both doors were partially or wholly
made with an anger. Doubtless there
were two or more engaged in the bus
mess. 1t must have been done quick
ly and probably with little noise, as
Madame LIE Francois sleeps above the
store and heard no disturbance. About
five or six dollars in money was taken
from the drawer in the counter and
two or three caddies of plug tobacco,
besides some fine-cut. The burglars
evidently did not smoke or drink, as
the wine and cigars remained un-
touched. This is only one of sue
cession of burglares perpetrated in
our city during the past month or two,
and still nobody has been apprehend-
ed. We think it high time that our
police force display little of their
mettle if they have any.
Year: 1876

We have received the following let
ter which we place before the
people, trusting that some public
spirited person or some institution
within whose field of operations the
matter belongs, will take action upon
it and secure lecture or two for our
citizens from this gifted lady:


EDITOR HERALD.-We wish to call
your special attention to the visit of
Mrs. Livermore to your State. She is
our representative woman. Asa plat
form speaker she has no equal and has
attained popularity second only to
that of Mr. Cough. We feel sure that
she will be emnently successful in
your State, possessing as she does in a
marked degree the power of gaining
first the respect, and then the warm
est approval and admiration of her
auditors. Would it not pay you to
engage her for one lecture in your
city? Her terms are 500. We guar
a,1tee ner absolute success. She is to
lecture several times in San Francis
co in May. Please reply Immediate
ly. r. LYC. BUREAU.


Boston, March 7th, 1876.
Year: 1876

Barne, and that he had worked for
Mr.. Tedford who lives in the swamp.
Steps should be promptly taken lest
the man die of starvation or drown
himself. There is danger of this last,
particularly, as he expressed his belief
that it was necessary for him to go
through a pond of water OF great
depth. The place where he was seen
is a deserted portion of the ranch and
about five miles from Santa Ana.


All parties having unsettled ac-
counts at the Grange Store, now over
due, would confer great favor on the
present management by calling and
adjusting the same. A word to the
wise is sufficient.


The officers of Cour de Lion Com
mandery No. 8, X. T. will be installed
this evening at half past o clock.
Year: 1876

In view of DR.. Lucky's resignation
of the Superintendecy of our Public
Schools and the necessity for supply
ing his place with the best educational
talent we print the following letter
which we received yesterday. We are
not personally acquainted with the
writer, but, considering his prominent
position and long experience we think
it might be worth while for our Board
of Education to open a correspond
ence with him. The letter is as fol-
lows:


J. M. BAssETT, EsQ.-DEAR SIR ::
Desiring to learn something in regard
to your city | take the liberty to send
you these lines. | have been thinking
of changing my location and have a
tendency toward the Pacific Slope. |
have been in the Illionis Wesleyan
University as Professor of Mathemat-
les IA years, nine years of which time
l have been Vice President. wish to
learn something as to the condition of
educational interests in your part of
the state. Are there any Seminaries,
Colleges, &C., and are they well pa
tronized? Are there any vacancies in
to which an experienced educator
might enter? What are the advan-
tages in the Journalistic world with
you? have had some experience in
the work of editor and publisher. 1
send you copy of my last issue of the
Alumni Journal. l should be pleased
to have copy of your paper; and if
you can spare the time and have the
disposition to reply to the inquiries I
have made, shall feel myself under
obligations to you for your kindne ess.


Yours very truly,


H. G. DE MOTTE.
Year: 1876

A correspondent deprecates the suggestion
that the street cars be allowed TO carry only
as many passengers as can be provided with
seats, on the ground that the enforcement of
such rule might prevent many persons
from obtaining passage at all. The alter
native of walking, which he fears, is even
more tolerable than standing up in street
car, while his plan of charging lower rate
of fare for standing room could not fail TO
prove an intolerable nuisance. The passen-
gers who are seated in an overcrowded car
suffer quite as much as the 'standees, and
they are certainly entitled to some considera-
ton. 1t is for the sake of those, and at the
same time to compel the accommodation of
all, that we are anxious for law which
shall prevent overcrowding. If the Leg
islature will pass such an act its
good effects will soon be visible in the
increased accommodations which will be the
result. In ten years the street railways have
built few if any cars, and most of the lines
run fewer cars to-day than at that time
There is no care for the comfort of passengers
and no improvement in any direction. Even
the elevated road, which has more business
than it can accommodate, has not been able
to stir up in the street railways spirit OF
competition. In the meantime, however, the
crosstown lines which have come into ex-
istence are to be noted as an improvement
on the numbering cars of the Third, Sixth
and Eighth avenue lines. If similar cars
and plenty Of them, say one every minute,
were introduced on the uptown lines, leav-
ing the old two-horse cars now in use for
cheap fares for working people morning and
evening, the business would be largely in
creased and everybody might be accommo-
dated with a seat. The point is to give
seat to each passenger, and this is what must
be attained by our street railways