Friday, December 14, 2012
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield, Illinois on Saturday, November 30, 1833
Our readers may have noticed a grain wagon which passes frequently through Washington street, drawn by three beautiful grey horses. This morning, the driver, who it seems is a very passionate man, after whipping the noble animal that worked at the thills in a most cruel and barbarous manner with the lash, struck a blow on the temple with the heavy butt of the whip handle, felled the horse to the ground and instantly killed him. The wagon and horses belonged to Mr. Elisha Wheeler, who was offered $300 for the one that was killed, only last week. The driver we learn, has been apprehended and carried to the Police Court.-Transcript.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Published in the Sangamon Journal, Springfield,Illinois on Saturday, November 23, 1833
An occurrence which took place under our own observation, adds another to the thousand instances of devoted and untiring fidelity of the dog to the human species. An old negro who lived in an adjoining county, owned a dog, which during the whole course of his life had probably never had the benefit of a hearty meal. It was a perfect anatomy; the very skeleton of a shadow; remarkable for nothing but its glossy appearance, and its apparent devotion to its owner. It was likewise a cur, a race usually considered the most unpromising of all the canine species. The master died and the affectionate creature followed him to the grave. Upon returning to the house, he laid himself down upon an old coat, which had belonged to his deceased master, and no effort of force or persuasion could induce him to quit it. Whenever an attempt was made to coax him away, he howled so piteously, that those who heard him, declared his cry was distressing. But when force was used, he met it with savage and ungovernable fury. The neighbors taking compassion on him, gave him food every day, but the faithful creature rejected it with indifference. He clung to the only memorial which he possessed of his master, with a tenacity which nothing could shake, until death at last came to relieve his broken and affectionate heart.
Richmond Whig.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield,Illinois on Saturday, October 26, 1833
On Monday the cars on the Camden and Amboy rail road were started for the first time with a locomotive engine. From Amboy to Bordentown the cars went over finely, and back as far as Heightstown. There an unlucky hog got under the traveller of the locomotive, and in endeavoring to run out between the fore and hind wheels, was instantly decapitated. The locomotive was thrown off the track. But the passengers remained undisturbed, except that one gentleman in the fright, turned a somerset out of the window. The most moving part of the scene, was the lament of the Irish woman over her poor piggy, whose head could in no way be placed on the body so as to be of the least use in the world.
Journal of Com.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield,Illinois on Saturday, October 26, 1833
A boat belonging to Mr. Catt, brought on shore at Seaford, a few days ago, a fish of an extraordinary kind. Its fins resembled the arm and hands [with finger nails] of a human being, and it had two protuberances or sort of pockets on each breast, which were filled with small fish. When taken from the net, it followed the fisherman round the boat, and in order to get rid of “so ugly a customer,” they procured weapons and dispatched it forthwith.
Brighton, Eng. paper.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield,Illinois on Saturday, October 26, 1833
It is said that a lady near Galena this season has found between 50 and 60 bee trees.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield,Illinois on Wednesday, June 6, 1849
The Minnesota Register, published at St. Paul’s, gives as account of the half-breeds about the Red River, who desire to settle in the limits of the United States:
“Within the limits of the territories of the Hudson Bay Company, there resides a class of men, who, ground down by the tyranny of that huge monopoly, seek to place themselves under the protection of the River Half-breeds. They are, generally speaking, of mixed Indian and English, Scotch or French blood. Brought up from early youth to feel their subsistence will depend upon their skill as horsemen and hunters, they accustom themselves to every exercise and privation which can tend to harden their muscles, and prepare them for their vocation. As a matter of course, the whole body of these hunters are capital horsemen, and amazingly expert in the use of firearms. Depending entirely upon the Hudson Bay Company for ammunition and arms, they must submit to any and all the arbitrary rules imposed upon them, and they are heartely tired of these exactions.
Twice each year these hunters, four or five hundred in number, start for the American territories after the buffalo, with from 1000 to 1200 carts, drawn by horses or oxen, which are driven by the women and children. The men are governed by fixed rules while at the hunt, which must not be infringed under severe penalties. They all leave the camp together, with the exception of a few who are left as a guard, and when a cerne or surround of buffalo has been taken place, the women and children are sent for to assist in butchering and drying the meat of the slain animals. Each cart will contain the pemmican [or dried meat, pounded and melted tallow poured over it,] of ten buffaloes, so that the slaughter of these animals may be estimated at upwards of 20,000 annually. The meat thus prepared is purchased at a small price by the Hudson Bay Company, and is used to provision the inland trading posts. An attempt has on occasion, been made to prevent the incursions of these people within our boundaries, but without effect. Many of these mixed bloods desire now to remove to Pembina, which is the American side of the line, and settle there, if permission can be obtained from our government. They would constitute a formidable and efficient defense to our northern frontier in case of Indian disturbances, as they are much feared by all the different tribes. The British settlements at Red River, in the vicinity of Fort Gary, number about five thousand souls.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield, Illinois on Wednesday, August 16, 1848
A few days before the overthrow of Robespierre, a revolutionary tribunal had condemned to death am ancient magistrate who was a most estimable man. His faithful dog, a Water Spaniel, was with him when he was seized; but was not suffered to enter the prison. He took refuge with a neighbor of his master’s, and every day at the same hour, returned to the door of the prison, vainly seeking admittance. At last his fidelity so won upon the jailer, that he allowed him to enter. The meeting may better be imagined than described. The jailer, however, fearful for himself, carried the dog out of the prison but admitted him the next morning and each day afterwards. When the day of the sentence arrived, the dog in spite of the guards made his way into the hall, where he lay crouched between the legs of his master. At the place of execution the faithful dog was also present; the knife of the guillotine fell, but he would not leave the lifeless body. For two days afterwards his new patron sought him in vain; but, at length, found him stretched upon his master’s grave. From this time every morning, for three months, the mourner returned to his protector, merely to receive food, and then again retreated to the grave. At the end of that time he refused food; his patience seemed exhausted, and for twenty-four hours he was observed to employ his weakened limbs in digging up the earth that separated him from the being he had served. His powers, however, here gave way; he shrieked in his struggles, and, at length, ceased to breathe, with his last look upon the grave.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Published in the Sangamon Journal, Springfield,Illinois on Wednesday, August 16, 1848
It was one day during the present week, that two boys, sons of Seth Manes, of Bradford township, Pa., one perhaps fifteen and the other eight or ten years of age, discovered a very large bear carrying a sheep through one of the fields. The oldest boy ran to the house, got a gun, gave chase, and, on coming up to it shot and wounded it in the nose. He then commenced reloading his gun and whilst he was doing so his little brother ran forward, or by some means [the particulars we did not learn] became engaged with the bear. The older brother than ran to the relief of the little fellow, and when he reached him received a stroke from the bear on the arm, which knocked him down, and the three then rolled together, gun and all. Presently the older brother got loose, pulled the gun from under the bear, and whilst it was holding the child in its arms, deliberately shot it dead. The bear is represented to have been a very large one, and to this fact, perhaps, the lesser boy is indebted for his life and perhaps both of them, as his arms were too long to crush so small an object, and the wound in his nose and mouth prevented him from biting.-Clarefield Banner.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Published in the Sangamon Journal, Springfield,Illinois on Wednesday, August 23, 1848
A writer in a Cincinnati paper, describing a midnight visit to the animals of Raymond and Waring’s menagerie, in the winter quarters in that city with Driesbach, the famous keeper, says:
“It was a sight worth walking ten miles. We found, contrary to assertions of natural historians, an elephant lying down. It has always been asserted that these animals sleep standing. The different caged animals were reposing in the most graceful and classical attitude. The lion and the tiger, the leopard and the panther, were lying with their paw affectionately twined about each other, without regard to species and nativity. In cages containing more than one animal, it is the never failing custom for one to keep watch while the other sleep. The sentry is relieved with much regularity as in a well regulated camp of soldiers, although not, probably, with as much precision in regard to time. The sentinel paces back and forth, and is very careful not to touch or do anything to arouse his comrade. Occasionally he lies down, but always with his head toward the front of the cage, and never sleeps until he is relieved. This singular custom, Herr Driesbach informs us, since his connection with the menagerie, he has never known to be violated.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield,Illinois on Wednesday, May 30, 1849
The St. Francisville [La.] Chronicle says: For about a week past, some of our citizens have enjoyed themselves in shooting snakes, in the back water near our town. They seem to take refuge in the trees, where it is supposed, they resort to bask in the sun. They have succeeded in destroying upwards of one thousand, and they still exist in abundance. They have been known to take lodgings in some of the houses in Bayou Sara, when the occupants of the dwellings are sometimes greatly frightened by discovering them snugly ensconced in the beds for their comfort and convenience. We have not yet participated in the sport but have been informed that it is rare fun.