smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1870

The fifteenth amendment has already been rat
flied by twenty-six States, and but two more are
needed. 1t is almost certain that it will be as
sented to by more than the requisite number.
The present Legislature of New York having re-
cinded the action had at the preceding session,
the Ohio Legislature Offset this by doing the
same thing, thus making a stand-off The rati-
fcation of the amendment being a foregone con-
clusion, the following, taken from the Marys-
vile APpsal-under the heading of /" Prepare to
Pucker"-is directly in point


The Democrats who have walled and wept and
cursed and damned over the "enormties" of the
fifteenth amendment, may as well prepare to act
under It. We know it is Oppressive" to "reb-
els obnoxious to men who hate colored peo-
pie from Misunderstanding to the "secesh," who
look upon it as the crowning triumph of the
Union cause-and " Irritating" to the peculiar
friends of the ex-President of the ex-slavehold-
ers Confederacy. But " What can't be cured
must be endured, and the defeated party in the
field, at the balot-box, in Congress and in the
supreme court will now show evidences of great
philosophy by cheerfuy submitting to the
"powers that be, and greater sense and sapac-
NY by letting the dead bury the dead and start
ing out anew in the political field. The fifteenth
amendment will rnquestionaby be declared as
ratified IN few days, and henceforward white
and colored citizens, in every State of our Re-
public, are politically equal. Every citizen will
have the right of franchise and be competent to
vote and be voted for. Under this State of facts,
we advise our Democratic friends to cheerfully
accept the situation, and begin to look pretty
toward the colored voters of this State, who, in
close contested election may hold the balance
OF power. Fellow Democrats take your future
brethren by the hand and confess your "subjuga-
ton" Do it quick, because the colored voters
of the State are intelligent, and their prejudices
are to be overcome By kind acts and good treat
ment. We do not mean to advise you to court
their wives or daughters" that's played out 4"
but walk up and acknowledge the principle
upon which our government is based-that the
majority shall rule.
Year: 1870

ONO Democrats are running a negro as their
candidate for the State Senate. We suppose
Democracy is the same everywhere, and there
fore expect to hear less about the ''nigger" from
the "unterrfed in this State. 1t seems queer
that the Democracy should affiliate so soon with
the despised race. Consistency is part of their
creed
Year: 1870

WASHINGTON special says the House Com
mttee on mining will report a bill by which
placer miners may obtain title to ten acres lots
at two dollars and half per acre. The law al
ready provided way for workers of ledge and
quartz mines to get title.
Year: 1870

The GREAT Caisson Successfully Sunk.


New York has got the start of Philadelphia in
building its bridge, the initial performance in
which task is thus narrated by the EUeninq Post
of yesterday


The work of depositing the great East River
Bridge caisson on the Brooklyn side took place
this morning. 1t was towed by four steamers
from the shipyard of Webb & Bell, near Green
point, at an early hour, and laid upon its bed,
adjoining the Fulton Ferry slip, at 12 o'clock,
in presence of a large crowd of men and women.


The caisson is gigantic structure of heavy
pine timbers, each thirteen inches in diameter.
1t is fifteen feet in depth one hundred and sixty
eight in length, and one hundred and two feet
in width. The bottom timbers are laid solidly
together, but the two upper layers lie three
inches apart. 1t is not solid mass from top to
bottom. There is large chamber below, and
an engine on the caisson was perpetually at
work to force air into the hollow space and
expel the water, in order to keep the mass ahoat
until it should reach its destination.


A dock had been built into which the caisson
precisely fitted. The structure was covered
with iron cabooses, loose timbers, and human
beings, and was hauled quietly into place by
means of ropes and capstans.


The ground upon which 1t rests was five feet
below water at low tide in the middle of Feb
ruary. 1t is now thirteen feet below, and, at
high water, eighteen feet. The bottom, which
dere, has been dredged. To render it loose and
easy for this process, piles were driven, and into
the holes thus made shells were deposited and
exploded. Many of the boulders were over ten
tons in weight and were destroyed by explo-
sion through the means of divers. This work
was prosecuted at night. The cost of thus
clearing the ground has been about $35, 600.


1t might be thought that basis of solid rock
would be preferable for the caisson, but rock is
to be found only at a depth of ninety-seven
feet, and the present foundation will be equally
firm.


Now that the caisson is ia place, excavation 8
will be carried on below it, until it is sunk seven
feet deeper, and, at the same time, eight layers
of transverse timbers will be piled upon it. 1t
will then be precisely even with the surface of
the water at high tide, and from that level the
granite masonry work will begin, as basis for
the great tower of the bridge.


Operations were carried on to-day with great
ease, under the superintendent of Mr.. Roeb-
ling, the bridge engineer, and Mr.. Bell the
constructor of the caisson. Another caisson
will be built at the close of the coming sum-
mer, and will be deposited next fall at Pier 30,
on the New York side.
Year: 1870

sands Of crippled soldiers who filed OF could fill civil
Offices with reasonable aptitude, but could pass ex
amnstions in etomoloRy syntaI prosody? As the
Offices in New York, he knew that that city excep
ton every other place Nothing short of the hand
Almighty God could improve things there


mr Bingham (Ohio) opposed the bill constitutional
and practical grounds II would limit the appointing
Of the Executive TO the will Of three
and wthoat their consent neither the President
heads of deparments courts could appoint anybody
10 Office. We're these Commissioners to be clothed with
power that should be eligible TO civil Office
unless he was skilled in the higher cslculusS II vas


bill to create sristocracy privileged class, in the
face Of that provision Of the Consultation that neither
the United States State that shall confer title Of
nobility.


ME mentioned the case Of an examining heard which
had rejee ted soldier applying for place In the
in astronomy He sssd that the whole ab-
surdy the world had found long that the
author Of the Mechanism Of the Heavens did not prove
himself skilful civil affairs when called into
the cOunoils Of the first Napoleon He did not how
the gentleman (Mr Jenokes) procured to
trumpet the excelencie Of his bill 10 could not be
cessfuly defonded for IL in conflict with the spirit
and letter of the Constitution.


Mr. Paine opposed the bill because IL would prevent
the head of department from dismssing incompe-
tent clerk without the consent of the commission.


Mr. Niblack opposed it is attempt to do by legsa
ton what could only be brought about by healthy public
opinion.


hThe morning hour having EXPIRED the bill went till
tomorrow. Sc


The House then at 1915, went into committee on the
Tariff bill, Mr. Wheeler in the chair the pending
graph being that as to steel railroad bars
Year: 1870

CThE"Vht Va "h h"uhOss w "hsu-


Charles Lanman, the compiler of the ''Dic-
tionary of Congress" writes as follows to the
New York EUening Post from Georgetown,
d. Co.


The subjoined fragment of an unpublished
address by Washington has recently come into
my possession, and L send 1t to you for the edif-
cation of your readers. The two pages of the
original are numbered SO and 70, and SO far as |
can learn this is all now remaining of an address
that was delivered by the first President after
the adoption of the Federal Constitution.
Although incomplete, the style and sentiment
are eminently characteristic of the author


"a great necessity for the same indulgence
to the unintentional errors that may be discovered
In my administration, which have experienced on
former occasions but If my former conduct would
not induce my countrymen to count upon my future
attention and fidelity, could not hope that any
bal assurance OF mine would be of more avail Let
it, however, be remembered by us all, that we are
not come up hither for our own pleasure or emolu-
ment but in the sight of God and men, to act
dislnterestedly, and to render benefits to
Snr upgraen fenrn still u w0rF ge cnI %
fully together for the public good. Let us
rise early, late take rest and the bread of care
fulness, until we shall have wrought out coun-
trys political solution. For the attainment OF this
end let not think any labor too great any sacri-
flee too dear. You know there was a time when
your capitalists would manfully have seconded the
attempt, although 1t might have required post
may not natter ourselves that we are yet beyond the
reach OF danger 1t is to be dreaded that an
Ill disposition should produce Jeaousy-jeal-
ousy, discord-discord, separation separation,
ruin. II, after all the hopes and expectations
which we have fondly entertained, the
Union should be destined to an immature dissolu-
tion by some unnatural parrcide, let us at least be
guiltess OF its blood. In the name OF your suppl-
eating country, charge you then to beware lest in
suffer locality and resentment to obtain the ascend
ancy OF patriotism and reason. You ought to con-
slider those who lately opposed this constitution
brethren who only differed from you In sentiment
on a great political question, and who are now
equally entitled with the rest OF the citizens. "
Respectfully, yours, CHARLES LANMAN.
Year: 1870

Continued from the Third Edition.


Bills passed follows To enable the Secretary
OF the Treasury TO collect wrecked and abandoned
perty and derect claims and dues belonging 10 the
United States to aid in the construction of the Oregon
Branch of the Pacific Railroad authorizing the Southern
Minnesota Railroad Company to ats line with the
Northern Pacific Railroad.


Various propositions to amend made and rejected
and objections to Mr.. Morrel (Pa) veting the ques
tion of steel the ground Of his being directly
in the sut made by Messra. COX and McNeely.
and were overruled by the CHAIR.


In the of the proceedings Mr.. Brooks (N "
that he could procure within forty eight
of wealth who would deposit three million dollars in the
Treasury provided the twelve patents for the
transferred TO them and this bill
and cents pound them for years.


On one of the many propositions offered quorum
voted and there had to be call Of the roll whom ITO
members found to be present. Finally after
spending an hour and half over the paragraph it
agreed to follows On street railway bars per
pound and all railway bars made in part Of steel IN
cents pound and metal converted cast
iron by the Bessemer pneumatic process Of
form or description, S36 per ton.
Year: 1870

Two colored members of the North Caro-
lima Legislature have published an address to
the coiored people of the State, appealing to
them to turn a deaf ear to the false stories and
deceitful promises of agents who seek to entice
them to Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.


Boston saw with wonder, a few days ago, a
woman seated on pile of rubbish hard at work,
with several male companions chipping of the
dried mortar from old Bricks
Year: 1870

ID. \. j., Vicksburg, Miss. =" viii
you please give the way for making
wire fence and the usual cost of the
salpe?' The best wire fence we ever
saW-and we made it OurSelVrs-Was


made in this way. Good young larch


or red cedar posts were set eight feet


apart, as for board fences. (They We're


set three feet deep.) Holes were bored


with half-inch bit) through the posts,
six, eight and twelve inches apart, the
lower wire being one foot from the
ground, the two wires above six inches
apart, another eight inches above, and
one twelve inches above that. OF course
these distances may be varied according
| to circumstances. The end posts were
large and firmly set. One end OF e;tcn
wire was put through the hole in the
post at one end, wound around the post
once and twisted to fasten. Then the
wire was passed through each post to
the other end post, where it was wound
twice or thrice around Il horizontal cap
stan, consisting of Il round block OF
hard wood three inches in diameter,
through each end of which was inserted
a short lever with which to turn it.


This capstan was laid against the side
of the end post under the wire, which
is wound two or three times about it,
to get purchase. One man takes hold
of the wire and another Of the lever of


the capstan, and the entire line is thus


frightened until perfectly taut. Pine or


cedar half inch plugs, previously whit


tied and soaked in oil, were then driven


in the holes beside and above each wire


on each side of each post, thus dividing


the strain among the posts and protect
ing the wires from water where they
enter the same. After these plugs were
driven, the wire was taken from the
capstan and wound about and fastened
to the end post. The wires were then
painted. So made, a wire fence proves
effective against stock, (shecp, cattle


and horses,) and will last twenty years
without repair. No. wire was used,
and posts of the equal size for ordinary


board fence. Some find twelve feet


apart near enough to set the posts. We


should prefer eight feet for a pasture


fence. The cost must depend upon the


cost of wire per pound and the cost of
posts in the localities where it is to be
used.
Year: 1870

Leaves make good bedding, though
they are not remarkable abSorbcnts.
When turned to mould in the manure
heap, they are Invaluable for almost
any growing crop. Instead, therefore,
of letting them be blown at the winds
will, as they fall from the trees on these
autumn days, rake them together, and
deposit them in some convenient local
ity, in readiness for subsequent use. as
suggested.
Year: 1870

An Irishman took contract to dig q
public well. When he had dug about
twenty-five feet down, he came one
morning and found it caved in-filled
nearly the top. Pat looked cautiously
around, and saw that nobody was near
then took off his hat and coat, hung them
On the windlass, crawled into some
bushes and awaited events. In a short
time the citizens discovered that the we'll
had caved in, and seeing Pats hat and
coat on the windlass, they supposed that
he was at the bottom of the excavation.
Only few hours of brisk digging clear
ed the loose earth from the well, and Just
as the citizens had REACHED the h9tfam,
and were wondering where the body
was, Pat came out of the bushes, and
good.naturedly thanked them for reliev-
ing him Of '!sorry job" Some of the
tired diggers were disguised but the
joke was too good to allow anything
more than hearty laugh that soon fol:
lowed,
Year: 1870

THE SABBATH.-I think with shud-
der, sometimes, of what life would be
without SHndays-if day after day the
great wheel OF the world went round
with its ceaseless clatter, never a rest in
motion, never pause in sound. Ispeak
of tue Sabbath only in its original mean
ing, as q word that signifies Rest. And,
in this very sense, it is by all esteemed
as the very greatest of all the blessings
which the Almighty Benevolence has be.
slowed upon Man. The worst Sabbath
breaker of all is the migrate who is not
thankful when the Sabbath comes round.
He may go TO church three times day,
and be austere in all outward obserY-
ances, b9t he breaks the Sabbath in bis
heart if he reioices when it is over. He
who thoroughly enjoys his day of rest,
lives from morning till night in a state
of thanktulness to the Almighty the in
cense of praise is continually rising from
his heart, do not envy the man who
does not hail the advent of Sunday, and
rejoice in the rest which it vouchsates,


COrnhM Magazine.
Year: 1870

Everyman should be sober sometimes
j once knew one so unfortunate as 10 be
sober all the time, and yet an honest
man, We have known men that never
smiled, or seldom whose faces were
rigid as an iron mask, and yet they were
kind, simple, and really reliable.


But such are exceptional cases. Uni.
form sobriety is piesumptively very
much against a man. lie who gives no
play to the gentler feelings has some
thing the matter with him that should be
looked into before one trusts him.


Mirth itself is not always honest. But
it tends to oppenness. Mirth has better
staff in it to make a man Of than sobrie.
ty. 1t, too, is used sometimes as a mask
for hypocrisy but not half SO often as
sobriety is. Only consider how many
men, quite empty and worthless, inward
ly neither rich nor fearful, are kept a.
going by the mere trick of gravity.


When some men come to you, it Is
like sunshine. Everything seems to take
new life, and shines. Other men bring
night with them. The chill shadow of
their sobrietY falls upon every innocent
gayety, and your teelings, like birds at
evening, stop singing, and go to their
roost.


Away with these fellows who 90 owl
ing through !ife-.all the while passing
for birds of paradise.


lie that cannot laugh and be gay
should look well to himself He should
fart and pray until his face breaks forth
into light, Beecher,
Year: 1870

Now that the cider season is again up-
on us, some of odr readers would doubt
less like to know of some good way OF
keeping their cider fresh. For the ben:
eft of any who may desire to put up
one, two or more barrels, we give our
experience in The matter. T%o years
ago we took two barrels of cider, strain
ed it thrpHgh cloth, SO as to get out all
the pummace, and put it into two clean
oak barrels, in each barrel was put ten
lbs, of white sugar Qess might do,) one
quart of alcohol, and one-tourth OF an
ounce of oil of sassatras. This last can
be omitted, as spme do not like the flavor
of sassatras, Ally flavor desired can he
substituted. We closed the barrels
tight and let it stand. In one or two
months time we drew some of it of, and
found it to be the most pleasant tasted
cider we had ever drank. It contained
the flavor of newly made cider, and had
a rich and oily appearance. If it SHOULD
be kept air tight, it will remain the same
any length Of time, In December OF
JANUARY we sold the two barrels fol
thirty dollars, clearing twenty dollars
on the two barrels. Ii any Of our readers
wish to try this, they will find it just as
we tell them, provided they go accord
ing to directions.
Year: 1870

DISCOVERY OF ANOTHER GIAsr-TnIs ONE ONLY
SKELETON OH CITY pal Times Is responsible
for the following:-On Tuesday morning last, while
Mr.. william thompson, assisted By Robert X Smith.
was engaged In making an excavation near The
house OF the former about half mile north OF West
Hickory preparatory to erecting derrick, they ex-
humed an enormous helmet of iron, wnich was Cor
roded with rust. Further digging brought TO Ixnt
sword which measured nine feet IN length. Gu
riosty melted them TO enlarge the nole and
after some little time they discovered the bones
OF two enormous feet Following up the ''iead''
they had so Unexpectedly struck, IN lew hours
time they had unearthed well preserved skeleton
OF an enormous giant, belonging to species OF the
human family which probably inhabited this and
other parts Of the world at the time Of which the
Bible speaks, when 1t says, And there were giants
in those days." The helmet Is said to be OF the
shape OF those found among the ruins OF Ntneven.
The bones OF the skeleton are remarkably white
The teeth are all In their places, and all OF them are
double. and Of extraordinary size. These relics
have been taken to 1ionesta where they are visited
by large numbers OF people daily. When his giant
ship WIS IN the flesh he must have stood eighteen
feet In his stockings. These remarkable relics viii
Do forwarded 10 New York early next week. Tne
joints OF the skeleton are now being glued together
These remains were found about twelve f0et below
the surface Of Q mound which had been thrown up
probably centuries ago, and which was not more
Than three feet above the level OF the ground
around Il here II another nus fQr sutta1ar1ans u
crack. r
Year: 1870

A Number of PrussIan soldiers


Drowned.


A ssd event is Just reported from Bresian.
It appears that three companies of the
Tenth Regiment were returning from the
exercising ground in the Burgerwerder,
and whilst crossing the Oder in the ferry
boat, another barge full of soldiers ran
against it with great force, precipitatin
the men into the river, where the current
was running with great violence. The men
in the ferry-boat, in endeavoring to save
their comrades, rushed to one side, by which
it was capsized, and in moment the
whole of the five hundred soldiers were
immersed and seen struggling for their
existence. Though they were all good
swimmers, they were so impeded by their
arms and accoutremeuts-being in heavy
marching ordsr-and SO confined by want
of space for free action, that great many
sank to rise no more. Fortunately, the
crew of a timber barge lying near the
spot, with great presence of mind,
launched a number of spars and
boards, which many of the soldiers
were able to grasp, and though carried
down long way by the current, they
ultimately effected a landing. More than
twenty of the men were dragged out of
the water in a senseless condition; but as
many of the army surgeons had hastened
down to the scene of the accident, they
were all restored to life, with the excep-
ton of three. The swimming master of
the regiment was occupied for long time
afterwards in diving and bringing up a
number of muskets, helmets, knapsacks
and other military paraphernalia.
Year: 1870

Night


From the Memphis Ledger, Aug. II,


The report we mentioned yesterday that
five young men had been struck deaf at
Helena, Arkansas, is fully confirmed,
though the phenomena remain a painful
mystery. One of the young men, as we
stated, is in the city for treatment. His
name is Robb, and he formerly clerked at
Mansfield & Higbee's drug store. Yester-
day he was met and accosted by an old
acquaintance who had not heard of his
misfortune. He produced a pencil and
paper and wrote: 81 cannot hear a word
Won say; 1 have been struck deaf" This
rather dumb founded his friend, but they
went into Higbee's drug store and had a
Ioug talk on paper.


The additional particulars which we have
learned are as follows The young men
were together in a room one evening last
week, and when they separated for the
night all were as well as usual. Next morn
ing the alarming fact was discovered that
they were all completely deaf, and the
most of them suffering from heavy pain
in the head. No relief could be had in
Helena; SO four of them went to New Or
leans for treatment and young Mr.. Robb
came to Memphis and placed himself un-
der the treatment of DR.. Voorhees,. Va
rious conjectures have been made as to the
cause of this singular occurrence; some
ascribe it to q direct visitation of Provi-
dence; others, of superstitious minds, to
some subtle influence, not of God nor yet
of man, while some seek to find scien-
tifc cause in the condition of the weather,
or what they ate and drank on the occa-
Won,