Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield, Illinois on Friday, August 27, 1841
The Richmond Star relates the following facts: -On Monday last, a dog, belonging to this gentleman, accidentally fell into a well; and for the moment gave him up as lost. But as a sort of desperate effort to save the dog, he directed a boy to let a rope he had,down in the well, in the hope that possibly it might catch around his leg or neck. No sooner, however did the rope come in reach, than the dog seized it with his teeth, and the parties above finding it had secured him, began to draw up; when about half way up, he lost his hold and fell back. Again the rope was let down, and again the dog seized it, and he was drawn nearly to the mouth of the well, when the bite gave way, and the second time he fell into the water. Once more the rope was let down, and this time the dog took so thorough a hold, that he was brought triumphantly up, and when set down in safety, shook the water from his hair, and wagged his tail, apparently as proud of the exploit as the other parties were gratified with it.
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield, Illinois on Friday, August 20, 1841
The importance of the American whaling trade in the Pacific is shown by the facts contained in a letter from an officer on board the United States frigate Constitution, written at Talcahuana in March last. He says:
We have about 500 whaling ships employed in this ocean whose tonnage is probably over 150,000, employing 12,900 seamen. This immense fleet is fitted out at home with domestic products, which, in all probability, cost over a million dollars; and this is left with our people, and the fruits of the ocean, after great labor, are taken home to them also. In addition to the whale ships, there are about fifty vessels from various ports in the United States, trading to the Pacific, in other branches of commerce. This is but a bird’s-eye view of our great and growing interests in the Pacific. Does it not merit the watchful care of the Government, and an increased naval force?
This place is a great rendezvous for whale ships;-twenty-three American whale ships have been seen here at one time. We have seen ten American flags flying here at one time. The bay is a beautiful one. The anchorage is good, and is protected from the violence of the sea, and heavy north winds, which blow on the coast of Chili in the winter months by an island lying immediately at the entrance, as the bay opens from the north, and the heavy gales are from the north. Nature seems to have placed this barrier to the sea. The climate is good; wood, water, and provisions can be had here in great abundance. The people are kind and hospitable. Talcabuana is but a small town, being the seaport of the city of Conception, which is distant eight miles inland.-This ill-fated city was about half laid in ruins in 1835 by an earthquake. The population then was ten or twelve thousand; it is now said to be five or six thousand. The terror of the earthquake of 1835 has not left the people yet, and many have removed from the city.
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield, Illinois on Friday, August 13, 1841
Mr. N. M. Ward, a gentleman connected with the mission at Pedang, on the coast of Sumatra, has published a well-attested account of a flying serpent, seen by the narrator. He saw the animal fly from a tree at the height of fifty or sixty feet, to another some forty fathom distant. It supports itself in the air by drawing in its belly, widening itself and forming an arch as far as the ribs extend, and forces itself ahead with the rapidity of a bird by sinuous motions, like a serpent swimming.
There is nothing in the reptile which bears any resemblance to a wing. Its length is about four feet, and its bite is dangerous. Another description of flying or darting serpents is described by the natives, whose bite in instant death. It leaps and flies only about half the distance of the others, and makes none of the sinuous waving motions in the air. This discovery, of truth of which there can be no doubt, shows the portion of the Scriptures which speaks of “burning fiery serpents” had a literal fact for the basis of its figurative language, though the species is now extinct in the region spoken of in the bible. What a terrible scourge must be such an animal. Give us the sterility of the frozen, rather than the fertility of the torrid zones, with such drawbacks. Polar bears are more agreeable than flying serpents.-N. Y. paper.
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield, Illinois on Friday, June 25, 1841
During a series of meetings in New York city, one of the delegates from the Baltimore Temperance Society related the following:-[We copy from the American Temperance Union.]-Weekly Message.
Mr. Pollard concluded the meeting. He said he was a kind of an old Butcher to bring up the rear. In his drinking days, he was the companion of a man down in Anne Arundel county, who had a Monkey which he valued at a thousand dollars. We always took him out to the chestnut parties. He shook all our chestnuts for us, and when he could not shake them off he would go to the very end of a limb and knock them off with his fist. This was great sport for us.
One day we stopped at a tavern and drank freely. About half a glass of whiskey was left and Jack [The Monkey.] took the glass and drank it all up. Soon he was merry, skipped, hopped, danced, and had all in a roar of laughter. Jack was drunk. We all agreed, six of us, that we would come back to the tavern next day and get Jack drunk again and have sport all day. I called in the morning at my friend’s house. We went out for Jack. Instead of being on his box, he was not to be found. We looked inside and he was crouched up in a heap. Come out here, said his master. Jack came out on three legs, his fore paw was on his head. Jack had the head-ache. I knew what was the matter with him. He felt just as I felt many a morning. Jack was sick and could not go. So we put it off three days. We each met, and while drinking, a glass was provided for Jack. But where was he? Skulking behind the chairs. Come here, Jack, said his master, and drink, holding out the glass to him. Jack retreated, and as the door opened he ran out, and in a moment was on the top of the house.
His master went out and called him down. He would not come. He got a pole and shook at him. Jack sat on the roof and would not come. His master got a gun and pointed it at him. A monkey is much afraid of a gun. Jack slipped over the back side of the roof. His master then got two guns and planted them on each side of the house, when the monkey seeing his bad predicament, at once whipped up on the chimney and down holding on by his forepaws. That monkey lived twelve more years and could not be made to taste one drop of whiskey again. The monkey had more sense than a man who thinks himself the first of all creatures.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Published in the Waukegan Gazette, Waukegan, Illinois on Saturday, August 27, 1881
A young lady of Johnstown, N. Y., while bathing at Chautauqua Lake, had a bad experience. A snapping turtle caught her by the ear. Her screams brought friends to her assistance, or she would certainly have been drowned; but the turtle’s grip was like a bull-dog’s, and after his head had been cut off it took ten minutes to pry the jaws apart. It will take a good deal of the poetry out of bathing in Chautauqua Lake. Sharks at Long Branch and Coney Island, and snapping-turtles at Chautauqua are not soothing to the nerves of timid bathers.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield, Illinois on Thursday, August 10, 1837
A friend from the country, says the Portland Argus, upon whose veracity unlimited reliance can be placed, has furnished us with the following facts: A neighbor of his, in pitching out his hay last month, found the body of a hen, very much compressed, which must have been under the hay since July, 1836, when it was stowed away in the barn. The body was thrown upon the barn floor, where it attracted the attention of several children, one of whom discovered signs of life about the eyes. Means were immediately used for resuscitating the hen, and they were completely successful. she having completely recovered from the effects of ten months confinement, and commenced discounting eggs for the benefit of her owner.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield, Illinois on Saturday, June 17, 1837
The Lakeville, [Ohio] Journal gives the following case of maternal courage as a recent occurrence. A number of Catamounts had been seen over the Michigan boundary and caused great terror among the farmers. One of them entered the window of Mr. Israel Hawkins, which had been left open, while his wife was engaged in adjoining room, and had crept up to a cradle, where a baby six months old was sleeping, Before he was discovered.-The mother, on perceiving him, seized a broad-axe which lay upon the hearth, and commenced an attack. He recovered, sprung upon the women, and throwing her down, tore her left thigh severely. She contrived to raise herself upon her knees with the animal clinging to her and struck a second blow. The edge of the axe penetrated the skull, and laid the monster upon the floor. Her husband came home shortly after, and found her lying prostrate and exhausted, with the Catamount stretched at her feet, and her two other children weeping over her. The woman is recovering rapidly.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield, Illinois on Saturday, May 6, 1837
A Pig Indeed!-At Cincinnati a hog was lately exhibited, weighing, [as it is said] 1500 pounds.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield, Illinois on Saturday, April 29, 1837
To preserve fish.-Fish may be preserved from dying and putrefaction in warm weather, by introducing into their throats a paste made of soft bread and Brandy, and wrapping them in straw. A little should be poured into the mouth after the paste has been put in, and great care taken not to wound the fish. They will live in this condition ten or twelve days, and then, after being placed in fresh water, in a few hours recover from their stupor, and are as lively as ever.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Published in the Sangamo Journal, Springfield, Illinois on Saturday, March 18, 1837
Every animal has its enemies. The land tortoise has two enemies-man and the boa-constrictor. The natural defense of the tortoise is to draw up in his shell and remain quiet. In this state, the tiger, however famished, can do nothing with him-for the shell is two strong for the stroke of his paw. Man, however, takes home, and roasts him; and the boa constrictor swallows him whole shell and all, and consumes him slowly in the interior, as the court of chancery does a great estate.
Edinburgh Review.