smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

WASHINGTON, May 19.-A severe gas e1-
ploson occurred in the Senate wing OF the Capitol today
near the foot Of the stairs leading from the basement to
the main floor. At the eastern end OF that wing Is
small store-roOn. used for keeping documents &C. Tho
gas kept lighted In this during most OF the time.
Recently. by defect IN pipe, the gas has been
apng there and has attracted the notice OF persons
passing through that portion Of the building Shortly
after o'clock to-day Capt. Cutter, old employ6 in
the fodlngroom OF tho senat', went into this
room with carpenter named King, either
to leave procure documents. 10
discover the Of the leak. He ascended ladder.
and while there lighted match The room full OF
gas and terrific explosion ensucd, which shook that en-
tire wing Of the Capitol and greatly alarmed not only
those who In tho corridors but the Senators WHO
sitting In Capt Cutler severely
burned about tho head face and hands, and his clothing
torn into shreds; but II is believed he not other
wise seriously injured Tho carpenter, King. who seems
TO have been standing just within the door OF the room,
thrown against the opposite wall Of the corridor with
great force where he struck by the fragments OF the
doc Of The room. which broken to splinters. Both
his legs and arms were broken. He severely cut
about the head. and otherwise much injured that he
survived only short time after being taken TO the hos
ptal.
Year: 1876

DIscoURAGING.-A Detroit youth
of thirteen sold fifty pounds of old
iron and piece of lead pipe, few
days ago, and received enough to
carry out his long-cherished idea of
establishing weekly newspaper,
which should represent the interest
of every section of Michigan. He
was willing to commence low down
and work up, and he established an
Office in the cellar of his fathers
house, purchased two quarts Of
"pi," hired his sister as an appren-
tice, and work was begun on his
first number. The boy had An idea
that an Independent journal would
pay best, and his first edition, which
consisted Of seven copies of sheet
about as large as an envelope, was
devoted to items of a personal ma
ture. 1t was rather family sheet,
also: seven of the eight items IN it
being hits at his father and mother,
and the lone one was bit of advice
to his school teacher. While he was
ont hunting up advertising and So
Letting subscribers, his father laid
the type away to shoot cats with, his
mother kindled the fire with the
wooden press, and when the editor
and proprietor returned, he was Civ
en- woodshed interview, and then
welded t. the handle of lawn
mower. He was yesterday ''hollcr-
ing over the alley fence to one of
his friends that he couldn't be
crushed ont nor frightened off the
track by no bloodthirsty mob; but
the prospect for new paper is du-
bions. Detroit Free Press.
Year: 1876

FORTY TO ONE.--One story from
the Indian country Is to the effect
that when Custer encountered the
Indians in his last fight they out
numbered him forty to one. The
tendency of the Indian mind to ex-
aggeration may underlie this story.
But it is certain that the attack on
the camp Of Sitting Bull was against
greater odds than were ever before
seen in military encounters. The
more the Custer charge is studied
the greater will be the admiration o.
mankind for the valor, self-denial
and self-sacrifice of that famous cap
tain and his band.
Year: 1876

great changes IN the appearance of the light
are produced When traversed by the dis
charge Of Ruhnkc-f coil, each ,of the two
Geissler tubes exhibits around the negative
electrode beautiful blue areola extending
to the sides OF the tube. Beyond this is a
long, dark interval, and thence to the posi-


tive pole streakes wide apart. This appear
ance is completely changed as sooa as the
tube is submitted 20 the action of the mag


net, when the negative electrode is at the
bottom or under the immediate action OF the
magnetic pole. The negative areola which
at first occupied the whole diameter Of the
tube diminishes to one>ffth its former dis
emeter, becomes highly luminous, and ex>
tends, without break or interruption, to the
positive pole 1t is cot improbable that in
these facts we may yet find solution Of the
practical utilization OF the electric light.
Year: 1876

mer differs from ordinary claw-hammers in
that the handles is not strapped


The anvil used by the diamond-splitte ie
Of wood in shape not unlike ninspin, but
tapered OF the lower end SO as to be placed
upright in coned hole in q sma l block of
lead. On the hand Of the ninepin is . Fat.
on which, by means of cement, the diamond
to be split can be firmly fixed Placed here
so that the plane of intended cleavage shall
be vertical when the wooden anvil is in the
lead block, deep scratch is made bya
second diamond, in which scratch the edge
Of the splitter's chisel is to be planted. The
diamond-splitter's chisel is very like an old
razor. This chisel the workman holds in
his left hand, in the right he holds that
which is his hammer. The hammer is
plain steel rod. about eight inches in length
and tapering from about half an inch diam
ter in the middle to three. quarters Of an
inch at the end. The very construction Of
this peculiar hammer gives the operator
large range for precise and graduated
blows; within certain limits he can most
carefully arrange that the path Of the cen-
ter OF percussion, the place of impact, the
line bisecting the angle of his razor-like
chlsel, and the expected plane Of cleavage
~
great coolness and the absence of all hesita-
ton, he gives blow, upon the effect of
which many hundreds Of POUNDS may de,
pend


IN steam hammers all muscular effect 10
intensity the blow IS transferred to the
steam, and all consequences Of centrifugal
action whether from hand or tilt hammers
at the ends Of arms, are removed Further.
in steam hammers nowadays the steam ops-
rates TO check as well as to intensity the
blow This checking action is called "cush-
ioning," and !: seems to do what an elastic
handle does N sledge hammer; it relieves
the rigid fabric or erection from jar as de-
struciion. ''Cushioning" is brought into
play by admitting steam for the purpose Of
checking the intensity of the blow due to
the action Of gravity alone, or of steam COM
bining with gravity upon the hammer.
Hence the perfect control over large steam
or air worked hammers, and the rapidity
with which the intensity OF the blow may
be changed. Such control as this over
sledge hammer is beyond our bodily powers.
We may Intensity the blow, but we cannot,
except .ust experimentally. and for the pur-
pos Of display bring the restraining power
OF the muscles to diminish the energy of the
descending hammer
Year: 1876

by Raleigh at about the same date. But it
was slow to attract attention, and it was
not till nearly century later that it began


to be much cultivated. In 1863 the Royal
Society published rules for its culture, and
from that time it rapidly gained favor. The
Dutch carried it to the Cape of Good Hope
in 1890, and thence it made its way to India
Year: 1876

There another explosion at He'll Gate yester lay
morning, when tho top was blown OF Frying Pan Rock
with eighty five pounds OF dynamite Previous to the
big blast Of Sunday last pounds OF the
plos:ve named were placed under against project
ing spur Of that rock the expectation that the
from the So 600 pounds in the big mine would
explode It. The shock from the latter was, however
80 slight that the Frying Pan remained unshaken with
the dynamite at It's base About leo pounds Of the
plosive remained on hand after the big mine was
charged, and this n few days ago placed IN prox-
unity to the unexpodcd charge against tho
Frying Pan Wires were attached to the
cartridges so that they might be exploded by
electricity and thus by the shock explode larger
charge previously paced there Bernard Boyle yestcr
day tested the wires with galvanometer to satisfy
himself that there was an uninterrupted circuit and
then, bv means OF small battery placed the Shore
fired the dynamite und shattered several feet the
summit oil the rock II Is wonder TO many people
that the work was not thought o. before, very
simple did II seem when done. The rock certainly
formed most dangerous obstruction, sticking up Just
high enough to knock hole the bottom oil u vessel
striking II at nigh water.


Tomorrow work viii be begun upon the acres
OF submerged stone known Flood Rock. A small
iorco only will be employed during the week. and they
will be occupied In getting ready the engines and
chinery and IN pumping out the tunnels which have
filed with water snco work discontinued In May
last Captain James Mercur. who has tho practical
management OF the work under General Newton, will
return In the latter part oil the week and organize


large iorce OF men Tor the vigorous prosecution of
work--that is, provided that money enough Is fur
nished BY the government TO pay them.
Year: 1876

long train of cars, fourteen or fifteen.
were passing over the mountains, on their
way westward. They were crowded with
passengers. As the iron horse snorted and
rushed on, they began TO feel that they had
begun to descend, and needed nothing but
the invisible power of gravitation to send
them down with terrific swiftness Just as
the passengers began to realize their situa-
tion, they came to a short curve, cut out OF
the solid rock. Suddenly the steam whistle
screamed as If in agony. Put on the
brakes, put on the brakes" Up pressed the
brake, but with no apparent slackening Of
the cars. Every window flew open, and ev-
cry head that could be was thrust out 10 see
what the danger was and every one rose up
in his place, fearing sudden destruction.
What was the trouble Just as the engine
began TO turn the curve, the engineer saw a
little girl and her baby brother playing on
the track. In moment the cars would be
on them the shrek of the whistle startled
the little girl, and every eye looking over
could see them. Close to the rail in the up
right rock was little niche, out of which a
piece of rock had been blasted. Ia an in-
stant the baby was thrust into this niche,
and as the cars came laundering by, the pas
sengers, holding their breath, heard the
clear voice of the little sister, on the other
side OF the cars, ring out, Cling close To
the rock, Johnny-clng close to the rock -
And the little creature snuggled in, and put
his head as close TO the corner of the rock
as possible, while the heavy cars whirred
past him. And many were the moist eyes
that gazed and many silent thanksgiving
went up to heaven. In few hours more
the cars stopped at station, where an old
man and his son got out OF the cars. ii,
had come so far to part with his child, who
was going to the city to live, while the ageC
father was TO turn back to his home. Al
the dangers that would harass the soI
seemed TO crowd into the heart of the fathe
as he stood holding the hand of his boy
just now to part with him. He choked
aud the tears filled his eyes, and all HI
could say was selling close to the rock
nv son Z"
Year: 1876

r HEREBY NOTIFY ALL PERSONS IN
/ debted to me to call and make an immedi-
ate settlement Of their Indebtedness, otherwise
l will be compelled to place the said accountr
in the proper legal hands for collection, and
will do SO in o very short time.


CHA5. STEIN,
Lower Main street.
Year: 1876

HOW MANY MORE LIVES WANTED.


A shocking accident occurred on Saturday afternoon,
at Manor station L. l., which cost the life OF young
ana promising gentleman. Mr. Octavius W. Mecks,
brother OF Mr. Joseph Mecks, OF vesey street. had
Just graduated at Harvard, and was returning to
his home by tho Long Island Railroad.
Al Manor station tho passenger trains nrst
run slowly TO tho freight depot, and
then back to the way station. Mr.. Mceks supposed
that the had stopped at the way station,
II was not going to allow him to get out. Whom,
therefore, the train moving slowly along tho plat
form OF tho freight station, which is considerably
higher than that tho passenger station, he jumped
from tho and In dong struck his hcnd against
the hood OF the shed, thrown back, fell between
the train and the freight platform, aud was rolled BY
tho moving tram between them the whole length OF
the platform. Ho was badly crushed that
he died the evening Two persons have
previously been killed at the station,
IN precisely the same manner, through
the same most natural mistake The public 10 In.
dignantiy asking how many moro lives sacrificed 10
will take convince the management Of he road both
tho utter stupidity of the present arrangement and
the dangers which attend It,
Year: 1876

and whether she has discovered tho uDquestonably
best suoke will appear. II she Will face tho best anna
teur fours OF this country and Europe at tho Cenen
NAL II she wiIl and it is SAID Kellogg, Wood and
Kennedy arc ready II Cook is, then he, by all means
should be the last nos to- then and there, stand
up for his own theory He will find something else to
pull through than lot OF Harvard sophomOres and
he will live many years before he find three better
at Yale to put behind him than the three already
Year: 1876

The following record will show the changes in the
temperature for the past twcnty-iour hours in CON-
parson with the corresponding dete last year. as in
dicatcd by the thermometer at Hudnut's pharmacy
HERALD BUILDING
Year: 1876

AN IMPOSING FUNERAL-0ENERoUS TRIBUTE TO


BRAVE POLICEMAN-THE OTHER FUNERALS


DICKERsoN RKCovERING--THE vRRDIcT UPON


THE VERDICT.


How deep the interest continues to be among the poo
pie OF Newark in the tragedy OF last Thursday de-
yesterday by the regular ovation paid by
populace to the memory OF the brave o1ncsr Benjamin
Esden, the first victim OF the Thiohorns 1t safe to
say that not less than 10000 people took part in
less degree yesterday in the funeral tribute
The dead officer was plainly but tastcully laid out
in the paror OF his late residence, No. IS Lafayette
street. Tho body dressed in policcman's uniform
and cncascd in q handsome casket, covered with
black and ornamcnted with silver. The plate was very
plain and simply bore the name, thus
Year: 1876

Wiggins, Junior, of New York, heard his
father say at breakfast that imitation is
the sincerest tsttery so, when he was on
his way to school, he initiated q sQuinting
policeman he met by the way. The lnsulted
guardian of the peace arrested little Wig
gins, but let him off with q sound shaking
and she exaction of q promise that he would
not mock him any more. Wiggy has Lost q
amount OF confidence in the
v7fnEan of aQa.
Year: 1876

Blessed is the memory of those who have
kept themselves UuspOtted from the world I
Yet more blessed aud more dear the memory Of
those who have keps thamsslves unspOtked IN
the wrEid.
Year: 1876

QUEBEC Dec a.-A Centennial celebrationin
connection with tho repulse Of the Americans
before this city December 81 ITS, is the order Of
the day, A grand ball takes place at the citadel
tonight and in connection with this aroyal salute
will be fred ut midnight The house in st. Louis
street in which the remains Of General Montgom-
cry were laid out Is suitably decorated and will
be illuminated tonight.
Year: 1876

"What did you steal those peanuts for, b Jy?"
said the Court TO O ragged little fellow with one
coat sleeve gone. "If I must tell you, suppose
must" said the young rascal, with a curl TO his
lip. "Jack Wood bet me that i couldn't get two
quarts into one pants pocket, and when have my
pants in my boots and hole in my pocket take
a peanut stand Of your own," said his Honor;
and don't know Of any surer way Of your getting
trade by which to earn the capital to start your.
self in the business. Make Il three months, clerk
/ think he will learn how to carry water by that
time"
Year: 1876

A man who inherits wealth may be-
gin and worry through threescore years
and ten without any very definite object.
In driving. in foreign travel, in hunting
and fishing. in club houses and society,
he may manage to pass away his time
but he will hardly be happy. II seems
to be necessary to health that the powers
of a man be trained upon some object,
and steadily held there day after day,
year after year, while vitality lasts
There may come a time in old age when
the fund of vitality will have sunk so
low that he can follow no consecutive
labor without such a draft upon his
forces that sleep cannot restore them
Then, and not before, he should stop
work. But, so long as a man has vitali-
~ to spare upon work. it must be used,
or it will become source of grievous,
harassing discomfort. The man will not
know what TO do with himself; and
when he has reached such a point as
that, he is unconsciously digging grave
for himself, and fashioning his own cof-
fin. Life needs steady channel to run
In-regular habits of work and of sleep.
II needs steady, stimulating alma
trend toward something. An aimless life
can never be happy, or, for long period
healthy. Said rich widow to a gentle
man, still laboring beyond his needs
Don't stop; keep at it," The words
that were in her heart were: ''If my
husband had not stopped, he would be
alive to-day" And what she thought
was doubtless true. A greater shock can
hardly befall man who has been active
than that which he experiences when,
having relinquishcd his pursuits, he
finds unused time and unused vitality
hanging upon his idle hands and mind.
The current of his life is thus thrown
into eddies, or settled into a sluggish
pool, and he begins to die.-[Dr. J. @.
| Holland; ScribneF for April.
Year: 1876

A Charleston merchant had been
treated by the best physicians of the
South for heart disease, of which they
assured him he was liable to drop dead
at any moment. Being once at his
fathers house in New York, he was
persuaded to consult DR., which he
did with no shadow of hope, but sim
ply to satisfy his father. Well, sir,
what is the matter with you? were the
doctors FIRST words. 1 have disease OF
the heart, answered the gentleman. Up
on this he was placed standing with his
head and heels against the wall, while
the doctor applied the stethoseope very
carefully, and then vigorously pounded
the patients chest for some time; and as
he was released from the wall and turn
ed to go, he was further treated to Sc.
we're blow right between the shoulders.
This was more than the young man
conld we'll bear, and he turned furious
with anger. The doctor warded him of
with his arm, saying good i,
is all right, my dear sir / find you
have no heart disease. If you had had
that blow would have killed you. OF
course there was nothing TO do but to
take this extraordinary treatment in
good part. From that day all symp.
toms of heart disease vanished.
Year: 1876

Politeness is to a man what beauty is
to a woman. II creates an instantans-
Gus impression in his behalf, while the
opposite quality exercises as quick a
prejudice against him. The politician
who has this advantage easily distances
all the rival candidates, for every voter
he speaks with becomes instantly his
friend. Polished manners have often
made sconnGrels successful, while the
best of men. by their hardness and cold
ness, have done themselves incalcnlable
injury-the shell heing go rough that
the world could not believe there was a
precious kernel within him Had
Raleigh never flung down his coat in
the mud for the proud Elizabeth to
walk on, his career in life would scarce
ly have been worth recording. Scores
of men have been successful in life by
pleasing manners alone. A pleasing
trait Of character ia we'll worth
cultivating. lads. Never forget the
value of true civilIty.
Year: 1876

Writing from Berlin, on February %,
q correspondent Of the London Times
rays:


"If all We hear sbont a new invention
is correct, wars are likely 10 be reduced
to even vet more of 4 matter of scien.
tific calculation than they are at present.
According to reliable information, VI.
LIE BnuIanger, Belgian Major of Ar
iillery has succeeded in constructing an
instrument indicating the distance be-
tween two armies by the mere report OF
the discharge The moment the enemy
fires a shot the action of the report upon
the Telemeier-this is the name Of the
machine-marks the distance to a irac-
ton. The instrument is eniirrly self
acting. easily kept in order, and requires
no particular experience or intricate CAL
cnlations to use il Alright. The expert
nlenis to which il has been subjected in
the artillery grounds of this and some
other countries are stated to have been
a complete success as regards cannon.
Whether the machine marks with the
same accuracy the rrport of one or many
rifles, and whether the small specimens
for infantry and cavalry use are a. relia
able as the larger ones attached to the
guns is not quite so certain. While the
artillery trial may be regarded rs at an
end, experiments in the rife grounds are
still going on, and, 1t is said. with fair
prospect of producing a satisfactory re-
suit. Should the latter expectation he
realized, war will be very different
thing from what II has been, seeing that
in the last campaign only one shot in
ten hit; but ever if the invention is con-
fined TO the artillery. its effect must be
tremendous, CONSIDERING the present
deadly efficiency of firearms. One of its
principal advantages, it is supposed, will
be to enable the gunners in a coast bat
terry To determine the position of hos
tile sbip-a calculation hitherto frauRht
with special difficulty. The adoption Of
the Telemeter by the German artillery
on land and sea may be regarded as Ger
Year: 1876

Now, who could believe that a fellow
who was about to get married would ev-
en- for a minute forget his girls name?
Yet such things do happen. Occasion
ally a fellow will become so absorbed in
come thrilling idea that he can remen-
ber anything. Such case happened in
this city. A young chap living on the
West Side went TO the Probate Court to
get marriage license, and when the
clerk came to the place in the document
to put 'her" name, he couldn't for the
life of him remember it, and had to &c
back home TO find it out, and her first
name was Mary, too.-[Cleveland Her
aid.
Year: 1876

1t was in New Jersey Sunday school
The superintendent approached youth of
color who was present for the first time.
and inquired his name for the purpose Of
placing il on the roll. The COED man tried
i'll vain to preserve his dignity when the
answer was returned-'Well. massa cal :
me Cap'n, but my maiden name il Moses
Year: 1876




MEssRs. EDIToRs:-The announce
ment of celebrating the Fourth OF
Juiy at Moore's Orerk battle ground
meets with hearty response In this
section. The brilliant success of the
Centennial last spring did not satiate
the patriotic feeling nor exhaust the
ardor for revolutionary principles yet
nourished in the bOsoms of the honest
yeomanry of the old Cape Fear
country. They regard such meetings
as promoters uf harmony and good
wiIl-tO star up associations CONNECTED
with our past history and future des-
siny, and to regale our minds with the
pr0GtahIe remembrance of heroic
times and principles. The times are
hard and the celebration will fall in a
busy season, yet however busy we may
be, we can spare one day to celebrate
the birth day of our independence and
the sabbath of our political freedom,
by meeting at the old monument with
offerings SINCERE and pure at this
shrine o. our constitutional liberty.


We feel around here that we will
prove recreant to the great trust com
mitted to US by our ancestors if we
do not. in some way, manifest our
gratitude and foster jealous regard
for the achievements Of '7G. 1t will
show to our brethren all over this
large country. that we of North Caro-
lima and Pender county, through all
the yicissitudes and disasters of war and
peace, yet maintain a jealous regard
and righteous pride for the hallowed
achievements of our fathers. Such
manifestations betray a noble spirit
and intention wherever made. Many
towns, counties aud States which have
no Bunker Hill, Yorktown or Moore's
Greek are preparing to meet on the
eventful Fourth and proclaim to the
world their patriotic love for this birth
day of our national existence. North