smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

Los Angeles valley is one of the rich est
spots ON the face of the globe. Her soil is ca
pable of supporting a million people, and in
the near future her farm, garden and orchard
exports Will aggregate an immense bulk and
bring to her laborers a large revenue. To the
east and northeast of this favored spot lies
broad and rich mineral region which will
produce little save the precious metals, but
these in abundance. Naturally the valley
should supply the mountains with food and
raiment. The thousands of miners who for
genera ions to come will delve beneath the
granite piles must depend upon the valley for
the necessaries of life. The millions of tons of
ore which these miners will bring to the sur
face and prepare for shipment to the reduction
works must in the economy of trade reach the
ocean at the nearest point. Los Angeles is
that point. and though we may wrong our
selves and wrong those who come after us by
neglecting our plain duty sofar as not to build
the Los Angeles and Independence Railroad,
yet so great will ultimately become the de-
mand for this road that it will be built We
may build it now If we undertake the WORK it
will build itself after the first fifty miles Of
track is laid. The day we are able to run cars
to CajOn Pass, that day we shall have opened
the channel through which will pass the
freight to and from the mines of myo county,
Northern Arizona and of the many mines
that will hereafter be discovered in our "back
country" Thus much of tie road in opera
ton and the work of track laying will go on
on until some one Of the roads now stretching
Westward are touched and then we shall have
that which will make the Southern Coast
counties the richest part of all California-a
Southern overland railroad. Bnt looking at
the immediate advantages Of the contem-
plated road, we find that 1t will retain the
trade we are now rapidly losing and increase
it many fold beside affording q ready market
for the surplus products of the valley both
now and for years to come. We trust our
moneyed men and citizens of influence will
carefully consider the facts we have pointed
out and d.unite in one.srand effort the accom-
plishment of work which will secure us
benefits greater and more general than we
have enumerated. The people are awakening
to the importance of building this road al d If
the right men will lend 1t their aid its build
ing may be regarded as an accomplished
fact.
Year: 1875




Nothing better illustrates the advantages of
selling first-class goods and informing the
people just where you are and precisely what
you have for sale than a visit to tn,
great watch and jewelry emporium of Fisher
& Thatcher, 67 Main street. The regular sales
of this popular firm are always large, and
during the holiday season the quantity of fine
watches elegant jewelry and magnificent silver
ware disposed of by them is simplyenormous.
A large proportion of the goods sold by
this firm is manufactured in the house by
finished workmen of just the material and
carats fine represented TO the customer. Their
stock is always large and varied, and as they
advertise literally throughout Southern Cali
fornia and Arizona they are known every
where Never deceiving customer they
never lose patron. A liberal advertising,
square dealing firm, we take pleasure in rec
ommending them to strangers and new
corners; to those who know and have traded
with them they need no recommendation.
Year: 1875




Glancing over the record of 1874 we see that
every resident of the Pacific Coast must feel
proud of our progress within that period. Our
developments have been greater than are re-
corded of any other portion of the world.
Everywhere the spirit of advancement has
manifested ITSELF The population of the
State has increased at least 10000 within the
last twelve months, and the indications are
that the year 1875 will add at least 100000 to
the permanent population of California, Tie
tide of immigration has turned Westward In a
volume which increases in nlH1ber and
strength daily, and we may reasonably expect
that the growth Of twenty years will be
doubled within the half of decade. The
products of the State are as varied as they are
abundant. We have already become fhe
great wheat field of the world, and though we
have won this proud title not one-half of our
broad acres have yet felt the plowshare. With
4OO,OOO added to our population we shall ex-
port thousand bushels of wheat where we
now send off ten bushels. Our miaeral wealth
is also great. great beyond that OF any other
part ofthe world.
Year: 1875

from the Phlladelphla Evening star.


During the prevalence at the present
time of that frightful disease, scarlet
fever, the following recipe will prove in
most cases efficient:


1t was published several years ago by
the late Mr.. Simon Garland for the cure
OF scarlet fever, typhus fever and small.
pox, for the efficacy of which he has Civ.
en- undoubted proof and reference.


Put one peck of charcoal in a furnace
and burn the gas off in the open air;
then take it to the sick room and sprin.
kle over it gradually about five pounds
of common brown sugar; at the same
time, in order to raise good steam, ci-
der vinegar must be gradually sprinkled
over also to the amount of gallon. In
order to make it effectual it should be
tried for three days. OF course, medical
aid is required besides. A LADY.
Year: 1875

On the I'd of August smoke was seen
rising from the coal 'fUrning the cargo
of the bark Aurelis, bound from Liver.
pool for La Plata, and ON an iron test
rod being put between it came up red
hot. TIA hatches we're battened down
and water poured in, but unavailingly.
The fire burned seven days, during
which the crew, fourteen in number,
and the captains wife, were on the
deck with scanty provisions, amid
sitting smoke. At length they had to
take to their two boats, and then COM
menced five long days and nights of
sleeplessness and starvation. The
burning sun by day and rain and cold
by night made endurance well nigh i'm
possible. To add to the horrors while
thus exposed, the captains wife gave
birth to child. At length, when at
the last extremity, the two boats, which
had kept together, were seen and pick
ed up by the ship Moonlight and
taken to Barbadoes.
Year: 1875

The Supreme Court of Wisconsin
has recently decided that the whipping
of a child by public school teacher is
an assault and battery, and that an
offending teacher may be fined. as we'll
a. held answerable for violating the
dignity of the law.
Year: 1875

AN expert in fine penmanship r-
Gently managed to write several thous-
.aad wosds ON postal card. and the
smart country postmaster where !, was
mailed thinking this altogether too
much writing to be carried around the
country for one cent, sent it to the
q sad letter office. 1t was returned
with tho decision that u makes 10
difference how much man writes If he
only gets it all on one side of the card.
Year: 1875

A Jail in Forest, Mississippi, has been


burned, the single prisoner confined in


it perishing in the flames. The struc-
ture was built of logs, with but one door
and one window. Several men were
first attracted by the shouts OF the pris-
oner, and then the fire burst out around
the door, preventing escape by that exit.
ly barred, and gave directions how to
rescue him. Tie men were unable to
break the bars, although they tried ev'
cry practicable eXpedient, and the blaze,
steadily nearing the doomed prisoner, in
cited them to strenuous exertion. He
chung to the window alter the heat had


become so intense that those on the out


side had been driven away, pressing his
face between the bars for air while the
fire was catching his clothing. At last,
with touching cry of despair, his hold
loosened and ne fell back into the flames.
Year: 1875

The following copy of an agreement,
prepared in 1876, by a woman who want
ed to live happily with her troublesome
husband, is published in the Knoxville
Press and Herald:


"You do solemnly swear that you
ever will beat nor Gus or abuse me
without greater provicaliQn than have
given you; that you will not debar me
from going to see my connection and
neighbors when opportunity permits nor
them from coming to my amusement or
ass istance in sickness nor health; that
you will not be against going with me to
meeting or for me to go ON the same
terms; that you will never throw up
what has been passed in angoir; that
you will provide house room handy TO
water, and stay thare; that you will
not move me out OF the settlement
without l am willing to go; tnat you
will provide things to work on an with;
that you will not treat me with the hard
ship, font or wound my feelings as you
have done, but perform the duties Of
husband and try tor a living in piece on
all sids. l do solemnly swear that will
not throw up what has passed in angler;
that / will not fout nor wound your
feelings without cause; that will per-
form the duty OF wife as far as health
and reason will admit. will treat you
with kindness while. you do me, and try
for living in peace on all slds."
Year: 1875

A Plttsburg paper in speaking of the
recent execution there remarks:


The question of euthanasia as applied
to criminals is attracting much atten-
ton. There is no doubt that the main
reason why we have 80 many arrests
and convictions for murder to one hang
ing is in the general repugnance to con-
sign a fellow being to the barbarous
mode Of death we have inherited from
our savage Saxon ancestors. 1t is this
which makes juries slow to CON-
vict, judges slow to sentence,
governors slow to sign death warrants.
But il it were once made the practice to
administer justice in a Christian instead
of a Pagan manner, 1. g., to temper the
death penalty with the reasonable mercy
of an anesthetic like chloroform which
should take away the pain, most of the
terror, but none of the certainty of
death, and above all relieve it OF the re-
voting concomitants that now attend an
execution-justice would gain in that
sureness and certainty, which is now it's
greatest reproach, and punishment
would far more nearly attain the end for
which 1t is designed than 1t does at pres
emit,
Year: 1875

THE Nation in accounting for the small


supply of gold says that early in the year in
telligent observers expressed the opinion that
there might be serious trouble before the
year was out on account of the reduction in
supply of gold in the market and in the Treas


ury. The reasons which supported this opin


on were: Il that The specie shipments to
settle trade-indebtedness would be unusually
large unless Europe took an extraordinary
amount of our securities during the summer;
~ that If the Secretary held to the opinion
that the 500 bonds bought in excess of sink
ing fund requirements from the time Mr..
Boutwell, was seasetary until now could not be
entered 10 the account of the Sinking Fund,
and that accordingly $30,000,000 additional
bonds must be redeemed each year, the call
ing and redemption of these bonds would
compel us to send to Europe, where good
part of the called bonds were held, still fur
ther large amount of specie; and (3) that if
Mr.. Bristow attempted TO carry out that sec
tion of the Sherman bill which authorized
him to part with gold tossecure silver to be



rency, it would inevitably follow that in the
specie shipments gold would take the place
of silver to the amount which represented the
silver held by the Government for coinage
purposes. Unfortunately, Europe during the
past six months has not taken from us as
many of our securities as have been returned
to us from there by reason of Treasury re-
demptions of 20 bonds; and we have been
compelled to ship as large an amount Of specie
as it was feared we might be. The Treasury,
too, has about S15,O0O.0O0 of silver, which
might have been exported without any more
Inconvenience TO the country than the ex-
port of the same amount of merchandise, and
the gold sent in its place saved. The result
has been that the stock Of gold in the Treas
ury has been brought down, while that in the
market is probably now not over $1,000. 900.
Year: 1875

A MEMOIR of Renon, the distinguished
French meteorologist, published some years
ago, is now being quoted to show that severe
winters come in periods, and that four or
five Of them are usually punched round one
central winter of greatest Intensity. The
coming winter, therefore, may not be quite
as cold as the last, but it may be still colder,
ifRenon's theory is correct The three win
ters Immediately preceding the last were of a
character TO confirm the theory. The period
is supposed TO be forty years, which cor
responds to the maximum solar eruption.
Year: 1875

THE st. Paul Chamber of Commerce gives
forth a very positive expression on the cur
rency question. A resolution has been
adopted by that body declaring it to be ''the
duty of every citizen, the business of every
merchant, to use his utmost endeavors to-
wards securing at the earliest possible me-
ment a medium of exchange which is fixed
in value and convertible at the pleasure OF
the holder into conn.,
Year: 1875

The New York Eueniag Mail says that
there will be probably reduction in cabin
fare to Europe after next month, to exist
until Centennial travel in this direction be-
gins. Then, no doubt, the rate is liable to
be higher than ever.
Year: 1875

We do not read Anonymous letters and communi-
cations. The name and address of the writer in
all cases Indispensable, not necessarily for publication
but as guaranty Of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return CT reserve commu-
nications that are not used.
Year: 1875

THE name and family of Cavour have be-
come extinct through the death of the mar
quis Benso de-Cavour, nephew of the famous
minister. The marquis was the possessor Of
his uncle's papers.
Year: 1875

The credit Of the United States abroad has
suffered almost as much from the machina-
tions Of private gangs of American swindlers
as from therebellion or the subsequent move
ments Of wildcat politicians in favor of repu-
diation. When English capitalists bought
Confederate bonds they took risks on the for
tunes of war. They mingled speculation
with sympathy for the enemies Of the Union.
They did it with their eyes open. and
when the Confederation collapsed they
did not make much noise about their
losses The war over, and great and
victorious nation pledged to the payment of
every cent of its Indebtedness caused our
bonds to be favorite investment from Lon
don to Hamburg. American national credit
stood as high as any in the world, but the
unmasking of such gigantic swindles as the
Credit Mobilier, the Erie Railway, the North
ern Pacific and the Little Emma soon began
to frighten the money markets of the world
from almost all American investments not
purely national. Now we learn that another
giant fraud has been brought to light in
the operations of gang of land swindlers


VINO are Sdlu 10 nave sou lOIBeu uecuS W
lands in Missouri and Arkansas to the
amount of $50, 100000 Their operations
have extended all over the Union and inn
mense quantities of the forged deeds are
said to have been got rid of in England


This huge swindle deserves the most con-
dign punishment The classes, both here
and in England likely to have been victim
lied by these adroit and long-successful
swindlers are the hard working and
thrifty artisans the small farmers and in
fact all those who, with q little money in
hand, are anxious to open up the wild to
civilized life. The Little Emma shares were
sold to English people in the genteel walks
of life-widows, orphans and clergymen
These land-deed forgers have reached and
plucked the poorer and hardfsted who did
not want to dabble in fancy mining stock
but thought they knew what they were about
when they purchased land. No punishment
can be too severe for the principals in such
a wholesale crime against the worthy poor.
Year: 1875

One Of the recent epistles from Paris which
treated of the present habits and antics of
the Tammany exiles said Of one of the more
distinguished of the number that though he
had covered his tracks" very effectively, as
he thought, yet he would not venture within
reach of the authorities here for fear ''some
Of the covering might have blown off"
From which it appears that the true Tam
many brave studies with equal solicitude the
double art of enriching himself at the public
expense and Of SO destroying every possible
bit of evidence of his doings that he may in
the future be safe from conviction even II
discovered and exposed. 1t is therefore not
merely necessary to discover the ways OF
Iammany men, but to deal with them SO
energetically when once discovered that they
cannot take this precautionary measure.
Apparently there is now on foot in the
Marine Court process such as we have in
dicated they are covering tracks. 1t is re-
ported that the present clerk of this Court is
TO be permitted to resign and quietly let in
a successor by some Tammany combinations.
for this official is Tammany man. Our in
terest in these maneuyres is commonly not
great but in this case there is principle
involved which concerns the public welfare.
The functionary referred to has not settled
his accounts, and man who wishes to re-
sign an Office of trust without having gone
through this formality wishes practically to
put himself in the position of defaulter.
and this the judges should not permit. No
way has yet been found to make this class of
officials honest, except by the example that
dishonesty leads to unpleasant consequences,
and the judges of public court should not
lend their countenance to any scheme for
the breaking down of this guarantee. They
should understand that the people are
watching them now, not Tammany.
Year: 1875

the written and traditional law of the Pres
idency which began with the appointment
OF Cabinet in violation of law, and which
have ended thus far in the removal of an
officer of the judicial department for doing
his duty.


Thus far, therefore, the campaign for
the Presidency is religious crusade, with
Grant in nomination for q third term
as the candidate of one of the most powerful
denominations in the country, and sup
ported by the rank and file of party which
has virtually acquiesced in all of his schemes
for the furtherance of his power. 1t will be
said that this is another ''HERALD sensa-
ton" So it was said when we first called
attention to the rise and growth of the spirit
Of Cesarism in our politics. But suppose
we should have said, even in the widest spirit
Of prophecy, three years ago, that in the
winter of 1875, within a few months of the
election, General Grant would have been
nomination unanimously accepted by
Methodist Convention, as the champion of
''true Christianity" That would then have
been wild and impossible prophecy. Yet
it is the startling fact of the hour-a fact
more pregnant with good or evil for this
Republic than any that has happened
since Washington, nearly century ago,
was tempted to accept the crown from
men who affected to think, as Haven
and others do now, that the country needed
q protector" and champion and not
responsible President, fearing the laws
and knowing only the will Of the people as
the rule of his life.
Year: 1875

Lord Jefreys once sustained government
with the machinery of the law. He con-
demned three hundred and twenty persons
to death in one summer, and near the close
of his life, when reproached with the horrible
offences which he had committed IL the
name of justice, he said, II was not half
bloody enough for him that sent me-" That
distinguished person was the Executive,
James L., of more or less happy
memory So difficult is it for. the tools of a
corrupt government to meet its expectations,
to come up to the requirements of bad
case Jeffreys, in command of the
judicial Campaign in the West" could
at most only get at those who were brought
up on criminal charges. All the other OPP
ponents were still safe. If Jeffreys had
condemned three thousand instead of three
hundred the King would still have wished
him ''nore bloody" and Jeffreys would have
wept for the want of royal approval In
our own Campaign in the West" also it
will be found, we fear, just as difficult to
please the King in another style. Mr. Hen
derson's head is off because he said that not
even the President has the right to interfere
with sworn officer in the discharge of his
duty. His successor, therefore, will note that
all unpleasant lrE.rhss rrs must be lat. 2at Of bis
argument; but if he can prove c6hstitu-
tinnally that the President has right to sub
stitute his personal interests, whims, fancies
or affections for public duty, even then he
may find that he has.not done,enough One
distinguished lawyer has already refused to
take Mr. Hendersons place because ne is of
opinion that to accept it would be to admit
that the Executive may exercise censorship
over lawyers address to the jury, and will
not put himself in such position. There
are plenty, however who would not in
quire so curiously. Colonel Broadhead,
who has accepted the Attorney Generals re-
tainer, says ii9 is under no obligation to hold
his tongue. We shall see.
Year: 1875

We have not paid much attention to the
letter addressed by that New Jersey editor
to Mr.. Blaine in reference to the existence of
a secret society throughout the country based
upon the anti-Catholic idea, and of which
PRESIDENT Grant is said to be an active
member 1t seems incredible that the Presi.
dent would be foolish enough to take part in
any such organization. We have had many
rumors OF the existence of some such society,"
but we have dismissed them from attention
as part of the gossip of politics. Secret
societies among any active thinking people
are apt to grow up like weeds. They should
not flourish in any healthy community where
the will of the people governs. The only
excuse for a secret political organization
worthy Of consideration is that advanced by
the friends of freedom under the old Bour-
bon system in Italy, France and Spain.
Then it was contended that only by secrecy
could the friends of liberty unite in their
struggle for independence. But the best
judgment of political thinkers now is that
even the existence of an absolute monarchy
is less of an evil than that of secret political
societies.


In America any such political society is
an offence, because it shows that the members
prefer darkness to light Now, in free
country, with free press, free pulpit
and a free rostrum in country whore a
man may write or say what he pleases, the
going into a secret political lodge and adopt
ing a code of grips and signs and passwords
is an evidence of cowardice or evil purpose
What can these secret political societies do in
their lodge rooms that could not be done on
Broadway? What idea can they develop
What campaign can they execute? What
good can they accomplish that cannot be as
easily attained in an open public con-
venton2


1t may be said that the value of secret politi-
cal societies is the discipline and the direct
ness of purpose which they impose upon their
followers. But do not our friends see that
what they call discipline and directness of
purpose" becomes as a general thing, the
subordinat;ng of all free and independent
thought to the will of grasping politicians
The history of the Know Nothing society
shows that the movement, beginning in a
sentiment or an emotion about religion and
nationality, and spread throughout the coun-
try like wild fire. became the scheme in the
hands of designing men. The country sees
now that Tammany Hall, which, in the be-
ginning, was humane social society.
though its secret system has become the in
strument of the treason of Burr, of the rob-
berries of Tweed and the arrogance of Kelly.
The very advantage which the friends of
secret societies IN politics claim is not an
advantage, but an evil to the Republic.
What we want in our politics is light and not
darkness. 1t may be we'll laid down as a
maxim that when any politician believes he
can serve his principles or his party by go
ing into lodge and calling himself ''Saga-
more" or ''Sachem" and practising all the
tomfoolery of grips and signs and passwords,
he is coward who fears that his opin-
ions should be known, or o slave only too
willing to obey scheming leader.