smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

SPRINGFIELD, Mass, May %.


One of the most terrible disasters in
the history of Massachusetts occurred to-
night, in the burning of the French
Catholic Church at South Holyoke, dur
ing the evening service, involving the
death of sixtY.siX men, women and chill
dren. The exercises had nearly closed,
when the flame from candle caught the
drapery around the statue of the Virgin
Mary, streamed up and caught the build
ing. Immediately panic ensued. and
the people rushed for the doors. There
was but one entrance to the gallery, and
that from the front. On the stairway
leading from the gallery the people were
packed in solid mass, struggling to clear
themselves, as the flames rushed in that
direction, and this soon became blocked,
rendering exit impossible. Many jumped
over the sides of the galleries on the
crowd beneath, and were trampled on
and killed. The priests residence joins
the church on the rear, and many es-
capped through an entrance leading to the
house back of the altar. The priests eX-
ertions to keep order were fruitless.


The screams of the living and mOans
of the dying made deafeninG tumult
above the orders of the pastor, who
worked most heroically, and was person
ally instrumental in saving many lives.
One family of four were in the church
and all were killed. Many were pulled
out by the arms and feet SO badly burned
that they lived but a few hours, the flesh
peeling off on being touched. Some were
taken out with scarcely any flesh re-
naming on their bones


The Sisters of Mercy from the convent
were soon on hand caring for the
wounded and holding services over the
dying. Father Dufresne also held serv'
ices. His mother was among those ter
ribly burned Father Dufresne lost al
most everything in his residence, so rap
idly was the building consumed.


The Protestant church was thrown
| open for the reception of the dead anC
wounded, and several deaths occurred
in the building during the night. Sew
eral were also taken to the New Yorl
Mills bOarding-house, and physician
gave the Wounded the best medical care
Those who were too badly burned TO re
cover were put under the effects of NOR
phine, and passed away without strug
gle. tA At, -4~A q,


While the exercises were being hell


over the dying the most intense quie
prevailed, and the rough laborers knel


upon the floor with uncovered head
But about the Morgue and in the street
the wailing of the multitude was pitifr


to hear.


One girl escaped from the gallery b
jumping on the back of O man, who ca
ried her out while her sister, who wa
with her, was burned. Several men
bers of one of the hose companie
were playing ball near the church whe
: the fire broke out, and a relief steamC
4 was out for practice, SO that the FIJI
! Department was promptly on the spot
Q The scenes at the doors are describe
! as terrible. They were blocked wit
Year: 1875

THERE is an amusing little trick which
is sometimes played upon unsuspecting
persons, and which illustrates the prop
erty of air. An empty soda-water bottle
is laid on its side, and piece of cork
about as large as pea placed within its
neck. Anyone is then challenged to
blow the cork into the bottle, This looks
so easy that a person who does not know
the trick advances and blows sharply
into the bottle. To his great surprise he
finds himself struck in the face with the
piece of cork, which he has blown out
of the bottle and not into il. The fact
is, the bottle, though it looks empty, is
really full of air; and just in proportion
as AIR Is blown into il the air that al
ready exists is blown out, carrying the
cork with IT, The only way TO get the
cork into the bottle is to coax it, so To
speak, by blowing very gently and stead
lily on one side, so that the air within the
bottle is allowed to escape gradually, and
the cork slowly rolls along the side of
the neck until it is fairly within the body
of the bottle.
Year: 1875

This is the way a citizen of Napa,
California, acted when jury brought in
a verdict of not guilty" in case where
he was tried for killing man who Sc
duced his wife:


When the verdict was announced a
convulsive gasp escaped his lips, and he
sank forward from his chair. A party
standing by caught him and prevented
him reaching the floor. The mental and
nervous tension that had sustained him
for days gave way in an instant, and he
became as helpless as new born babe.
His condition was uncomfortable, con-
vulsive and frightful. His eyes were
CLASSY, his jaws set, and his face livid.
The veins of his hands and forehead
swelled out like whip chords. He
moaned and wept, but uttered no word
of pain or joy. The judge discharged
the jury and hastily left the bench, un-
able to bear the sight. The jurors fled to
the streets, and nearly every spectator
hurriedly left the court room. Fifteen
minutes elapsed bafore the prisoner was
able to walk. When he made his APP
pearance on the street great crowd of
people met him, hailed him with shouts,
and pressed eagerly forward to shake his
hand. He was escorted to his home
amid the widest shouts.
Year: 1875

If the sole object of political oratory
were to produce immediate effect, Prince
Bismarck might be pronounced the most
successful orator alive. From the day
when, in his famous "blood and iron"
speech, he stood revealed to Europe as a
new force with which nations had to
reckon, he cannot be said to have made q
speech, which, for the object he had in
view-that object not being always to
convince his audience in the Chamber
has been entirely unsuccessful, and he
has repeatedly earned triumph of the
most exciting sort. He is, in fact, by
far the most effective speaker in the
German Parliament-can crush an adj
versary with a sentence, or with n
peroration, can bring a majority to its
feet, foaming with applause. Clear and
vehement in utterance with one high
oratorical faculty-that of condensing a
policy into laundering epigram trans
latable into languages--he shares with
the Younger Pitt the power Of weighing
his speeches with facts known only to
himself, and letting out secrets where
needful, which tell like shells as they
drop into an advancing column. His
utter plainness, his vehement courage
so opposed to the reticence of most of.
fetal speakers-his terrible frankness
whether real or assumed, and the ex-
ceptional position which makes of his
words acts, all combine to give him an
ascendency which sometimes seem to
carry the majority out Of ITSELF till they
arc ready, like some horde after victory,
to raise him on their shields and pro-
nounce him king of men, London
Telegraph.
Year: 1875

Dio Lewis may blow around about the
virtue of oat meal, but a hot biscuit with
a bit of while clover honey skirmishing
around on the top of it will ever main
tain hold OH the affections of the Ameri-
can public.


Dickinson denies saying that she could
as soon love rhinOceros as man, and
we accept the apology and hope the
rhinoceros will resume his jovial bear
ing.


Some one sent Delaware man by
express a paving-stOne weighing thirty
six pounds, and as he opened the box
after paying eleven dollars charges his
voice was heard clear over in the next
county.


A woman rented house of man on
Croghan street the other day, stating that
she had but two children. Soon after
moving In the landlord discovered that
she had seven, and when he demanded
an explanation she replied: "Oh, well,
who'd be particular over just five chill
dronw


When Mrs. Gerkes, of Sixth street,
says she will do this or that she means
what she says. She told Gerkes the
other day that if he didn't bring her
new dress at noon she would go up town
and run him in debt fifty dollars. The
dress didn't come, and she went up town,
tramped around for three hours, and was
told by thirty-eight different men that
they wouldn't trust Gerkes for bath
brick.


On Fort street car yesterday a boy
made sudden grab among the straw,
caught something, and as he Strengthened
up he inquired: "WhO's lost fifty-cent
piece~ Seven men held out their hands
to him, and four more wanted to but felt
afraid. There was painful pause, and
then the boy unclasped his hand and ex-
hibited pants button. Seven men sud-
denly sank back to mediate, and the
other four INDUCED in winks.


Saturday afternoon young man was
softly inquiring of clerk in book store
for violet colored ink. After long and
useless search the clerk said "Well, l
can't find any. Why don't you take
some other color 2" IL couldn't think of
such a thingw exclaimed the young
man. "Pm going to write to n girl and
propose marriage, and l know Just how
she'd look upon it in blue or black ink"


The proprietor of house on Larned
street east was the other day sitting in
his parlor when bullet came whistling
through the window close to his head.
He sprang up and rushed out of doors,
and soon caught sight of a man in the
alley with revolver in his hand. "Did
you fire that careless shot?" he de-
manded; "did You fire that bullet
through my window "I presme it was
l." drawled the man as he looked into
the muzzle of the revolver. "This in
fernal hind sight on this revolver makes
me shoot over every blasted time! I've
pOt tn file her down -
Year: 1875

San Francisco. Jan. N.-In refer
ence to the action OF De Trobriand in
New Orleans, a resolution was
adopted by the Senate Of Nevada, by
strict party vote, disappearing of
the interference Of the military with
the civil power, holding De Trobriand
not guilty Of intended wrong and ap-
proving the course of the President
in the Louisiana difficulty and ex-
pressing confidence that. he will In
the future as in tie past execute the
laws with justice and moderation.
Year: 1875

From the Sioux City 1oWa) Journal, July 10.


While tic thunderstorm of yesterday
afternoon was rag ng 1t distance of ap-
parently a couple OF miles from this place,
a singular freak of nature took place in the
striking by lightning Of the depot. and the
striking and killing subsequently of J. II.
Boyer, the postmaster and blacksmith OF
this place At about D clock in the after
noon, at which time not cloud oOscured
the sky overhead or stood between the sun
and the town. a terrific flush Of lightning.
followed hv a deafening peal Of thunder.
struck the wires OF the telegraph Office and
set it on ire. The damage done to the tee-
graph apparatus was most complete. the
wires being torn to pieces and the different
instruments completely wrecked. lmmedi-
ately after the stroke, John ii. Boyer, who
was in hi- shop at the time, ran out in the
street toward the depot, where some boys
had been playing. lie approached them
rapidly and said .Why, boys, thought
some Of you had been struck. | was fright
eued on account Of YOU" lie evidently had
it in his mind that the terrible shock might
have frightened his family, as he started to-
ward hi- home Immediately. When within
about fifty yards of the house, from the front
window of which his wife was anxiously
watching his approach, another vivid fash
of lightning dazzied the eyes of all. and, ere
the thunder had ceased rolling, the naked
body OF the unfortunate man was seen to DO
living prone upon the ground. A number
of people. among them his wife, rushed to
the spot. and 20 horrible was the situation
that it was not until he had been carried to
the house that q iull appreciation was had
of the terrible death which nature had In
fictcd upon him. in examination OF the
body, from which every ve>tige of clothing,
not excluding even pair of cowhide boots,
bad been instantly torn, showed that the
subtle and fatal laid had first struck him on
the top of his head, whence, though the
skull was Left apparently intact, the hair
had been burned of for the space of the
size of a silver dollar Thence the fluid had
run down the side of the face. as was shown
by clearly cut track, 10 the shoulder, and
thence to the heart, where it apparently had
spread all over the body.


The terrible power Of the fluid was shown
by the presence in the ground, on the spot
where the unfortunate mans body bad been
picked up. of hole eight feet deep by actu-
al measurement. The clothing of the de-
ceased was found to have been shredded
and when first discovered was on fire, while
the silver watch he carried had been driven
into the ground, and. when lifted up, 1t was
found that the works had been fused into
lump of shapeless metal. The scene at the
house Of the deceased. who leaves wife
and three children to mourn his loss, was
painful beyond power of words to describe
Year: 1875

PARisIAN's INFERENCE OF HANGING.-
When | stood on the chair the mirror on the
mantelpiece inyoluntarily attracted me. and
| looked at myself as fastened the slip-knot
around my neck. Blood flowed to nv head
for nv face was very rcd something took
place at the same time in my optic nerves.
ior il seemed to Inc that my face suddenly
began to make grimaces. My eyes and nose
changed places incessantly. like the pieces
of kaleidoscope l kic- ed the chair from
under me, and fell with the sensation that |
had been struck on the top of my head with
hammer did not at frst feel the rope
around my neck. The only clear impression
which followed the blow with the hammer
on my skull was that of great heaviness in
the head. Ii seemed to me that my head
was larger and heavier on my shoulders than
the great bell of Notre Dame. At the same
time felt an immense night falling in and
around me. Then felt extremely cold at
my lower extremities. and at the same time
an acute, terrible pain in my neck, which
was produced by the rope. which cut my
skin and sawed my veins. Then | felt moth
ing. Evidently this was the moment when
my good Aunt Cecil entered my room and
cut me down.
Year: 1875

There is said to be great call for young
men all along the line OF the watering
places, and the ladies regard it as a sin and
a shame because eligible beaux do not put
in an appearance. There are a. many young
men a, ever. but there is not 20 much cur
rency lying about to paw hotel bills with
hence the absence Of the desired commodity.


The 0gdensburg Journal thinks it a
wonder thas the people of Vermont don't
wake up and lynch every tramp who at
tempts 10 enter the State The people may
wake up, by-and- by. and wonder themselves
that they have not done it in such case
Vermont will be very unhealthy-for trsmps
Year: 1875

\ Doc 5 REMoRsE.-Being accustomed to
terriers, it was my custom TO wash their feet
in a tub, kept for the purpose in the garden,
whenever the weather was wet. One morn
ing. when took up the dog to carry him
to the tub, he bit me 50 severely that | was
Obliged to let him 20. No sooner was the
dog at liberty than he ran down to the
kitchen and bid himself. For three days
he refused food, declining to 20 out with any
member Of the family, and appeared very
detected, with a distressed and unusual ex-
preston of countenance. On the third
morning, however, upon returning with the
other dog, found him sitting by the
tub, and upon coming towards him be
Immediately jumped into it and sat down in
the water After pretending to wash his legs
he jumped out as happy as possible, and from
that moment recovered his usual spirits.
There appears in this instance to have been
a clear process of reasoning, accompanied
by acute feeling, going on the dog mind
from the moment he bit me until he bit up
on a plan of showing his regret and making
reparation for his fault 1t evidently occur
red to him that | attached great Importance
TO this foot bath, and if he could convince
me that his cOntrition was sincere, and that
he was willing to submit to the process with
out a murmur, | should be satisfied. The
dog. in this case. reasoned with perfect ac-
curacy. and from his own premises deduced
n legitimate conclusion which the result
justified. London Spectator.
Year: 1875

SERMON BY REV. D. Il. VAN BUSKIRK.


Arespectable congregation attended the morning
ices yesterday at the Church of the Disciples of Christ
Buskirk preached. The title Of the reverend gentle
mans discourse was 1.-THE Christhood of Jesus the
Foundation of the Church and the Creed Of Our Re-
ligion." From this text Matthew xvi, 49, the
end gentleman proceeded to deliver eloquent
mon. He commenced by remarkng that the volumes
of nature and revelation the productions OF the
author. Unity Of design was not more clearly
written the constitution of the physical universe
than the economy of redemption He treated the
Bible practically as compilation of fragments. The
one truth which gave consistency to the
whole and in the light Of which the unity
Of design was seen the Christhood of
Jesus This truth stood related the other parts of


THE PLAN SALVATION,


as the sun did to the solar system. All the other
truths of religion clustered around this greater TRUTH
and shone in its light the minor planets did around
the sun The folly of attempting to dspace the by
of the satellites of Jupiter would not be greater
than the effort TO dspace this central truth by the
feeble dogmas of human philosophy. The reverend
gentleman did propose to discuss the truth of the
Bible ITSELF but wished to anayze the relations of this
truth with the other parts of the scheme of redemp
tion. 1t stood first the foundation OF the Church.
The question: did the Saviour refer to himself when he
said "On this rock will | build my Church."
answered by both Paul and Peter The former re-
marked "Other foundations no man lay than is
laid, which is Jesus the Christ" and the latter
said of Christ, ''Ths is the stone which you
builders rejected but which is become the head
of the corner" God formally laid this foundation when
He publicly introduced Christ at His BAPTISM saying,
''Ths Is my Beloved Son. in whom am well pleased.
Year: 1875

the Divine Spirit, but instead OF these being made
cause for backsiding they should be whereby
their chastening influence would have good effect We
all needed publication OF the spirit an awakening TO
the real purpose of life lining up of souls TO
Christ There too much fOrgetfulness Of the ineia


BILE love which Christ had manifested for us and just In
proportion had been wandering away the
broad road which is not TO heaven did need some
strong, powerful summons TO return, a command so
truthful and earnest that IL would be foolish not 10
obey IT, Religious revivals might accomplish this great
end, and here their object for anything
that made think OF their eternal salvation
was good and worthy Of adoption. There we're TOO
many dogmas in the churches. Each church had set
Of tenets of ITS own necessary for membership and fell


lowship, but the churches should rise above mere
dogmas The old party lines were fast breaking down
everywhere and in the churches there should be no
exception. The signs OF the times were presenting new
influences, from which would come If not thwarted
new religious life, full of revvined sanctity, bearing
the outward marks of sincerity to be unquesoned,
and being indication from its simple genuineness
that there harmony between the soul and its
Maker. Church dogmas almost insolent, and
could not last in their perpetual wranglings They
Christ and TO true Christian thought and deed in the
every day life Quarrels about methods should cease,
for, provided the end was reached the did not so
much signify In concluding the preacher complained
about the expenditure OF such vast of money in
erecting churches, when there many thousands
of Christian families in midst suffering from want
Year: 1875

The annual Convention Of the Diocese Of New York.
OF the Protestant Episcopal Church will be held in st.
Johns chapel varick street, next Wednesday, and i'm
medatey after the close OF the morning service meet
ing of the corporation for the relief of widows and chill
dren ofdeceased clergymen Of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in this State will be held in tho Sunday
schoolroom of the church The Clergyman's Mutual
Insurance League will meet in the vestry OF Trinity
church the next day TO present their annual reports
The standing committees of the Convention will present
reports the theological Seminary, the diocesan
and episcopal funds and the fund for aged and inhrm
Bishop Potter will also present his annual address, CIV
ing sketch Of the spiritual material and numerical
condition of the diocese The Bishop has issued cir
cular tho clergy and aity of the diocese calling at
tenton to the Importance OF making prompt payments
to the missionary treasury that the new ecclesiast
cal year may be commenced FREQ OF debt He especially
calls for such prompt aid in behalf OF the home mis-
sion work of the church and of the diocese.
Year: 1875

THE CLAIMS OF LIBERALISM UPON THE ALE


GLANCE OF MANKIND-sERMoN By REV. o. B.


FRoTHINGHAM.


The Rev o. B. rockingham preached yesterday
morning TO a very slim congregation ON the claims Of
liberalism 10 the allegiance Of mankind.


The possession OF faith of the ennobling attr
butes Of man. To be without il is TO be without mag
nation or higher instincts To have such feeling and
10 allow It to dwindle into nothngness is most repre-
hensibe IN life like this Now there is impression
that members OF the socaed liberal faith show their
loyalty toward II much less than those Of the orthodox
faith The contrast can be drawn in glaring colors


THE PILLARS ORTHODOX srRESGTH.


Il is common to exclaim that the orthodox outnum-
Der the liberals greatly that the FIRST occupy the largest
place in the chart Of Christendom. However, en-
thusiasm is not dependent upon numbers.
AS we have seen in Aloxander's campaign
In Persia and in many other wars,
how often docs small handful Of people vanquish


great horde II is said also that wealth Is the side
Of the orthodox This is true Somehow or other con-
seryatsm does get hold Of the money while radcalsm
either spends its money does not get it to spend
Here is church, almost world wide, which says
"Come in you shall be able TO move n the bes
society" But every church is only weakened by
these slp-shod smirking people II liberalism makes
Year: 1875

The Cathedral in Mott filled yesterday by
congregation made up for the most part OF the regular
MEMBERS the majority OF whom it seems, have at last
returned from the country The musical part of the
services grand as usual was under the charge of Mr..
Schmidt, the organst


The sermon was delivered by the Rev. Father Kane,
who took for his text the Gospel of St Matthew, in
which is given the parable of the king whom the
Saviour likened unto the kingdom Of heaven, who
'made marriage for his son, and who saw among the
guests a man who had not on a wedding gar
ment, and to whom the King said Glow camest thou
in hither not having wedding garmentp" and
who was bound hand and foot and into outer dark
ness for his offence. Father Kane dlated at consdera
bic length the parable and argued quite eoquently
to show that God invited all mankind without distnc-
ton to the kingdom Of heaven. But, he said to bo
admitted every was bound to appear in wedding
garments or that is TO say with soul free from the
stain Of sim Yet in looking about in the worlo we
saw nothing but indifference the part OF the majority
of men, who acted though they cared very little
whether they would get TO heaven not Men
went bustling about every day sraining their every
nerve TO gain the paudts Of their fellows to win fame
and glory and station in life and sacrificed their health
70 accumulate riches which they had to leave behind
them after death. They we're ever ready TO


UNDERGO SUFFERING AND TRIAL


20 attain some worldly purpose but for their souls sal
vation they not at all as rule. They plodded
along forgctful Of the God who gave them being, who
gave up To a cruel death His only begotten son that
! they might enjoy eternal life And when we reflected
on our past lives how many Of us there who could


look upon days msspent ldeness and sin and neglect
/ OF our duty to God without shuddcrY We were all
the while like man walking In the darkness, not care
fully counting his steps and taking every precaution to
avoid the precpces that on all sides Of him, but
bndly dashng ahead as If there were no danger TO be
| encountered no false steps TO be guarded against
] How did wo know but that we were