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Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 20, 1875
John Chinaman in New York
John Chinaman in New York - The New York Tribune describes the haunts of the Chinese in that city as follows:
In the Sixth Ward is a small district where most of the Chinese in New York live. A visitor to their opium smoking dens may go to Baxter Street, just below Franklin, where was formerly Donovan’s lane, the resort of the most desperate villains in the city, but which is now a Y-shaped court shut in on all sides by high tenement houses.
On the ground floor of one of these buildings is the establishment of "Old John", a Chinaman 74 years old, who has been in the United States 47 years, and was the first of his race to become naturalized. His quarters comprise three rooms. By the door is seated his assistant, who gives out the drug. Upon one side of the room is a low platform or dais; sometimes there are two, one above the other, like births upon which men are to be seen reclining in the different stages of opium intoxication. [How interesting - guess that’s where the word ’berths’ comes from].
The pipes consist of a bamboo stem and a porcelain bowl about 2 inches in diameter, in the centre [sic] of which is a small receptacle for the opium. A small piece of the drug is taken up on an iron rod and heated until it is dried to a proper consistency. Then it is inserted into the pipe, and the smoker slowly draws the smoke through, soon filling the whole room with a peculiar smell.
The proprietor furnishes his customers with pipes and a place to lie down. The drug is weighed out upon a rude pair of reed scales. The weight used is a silver coin. Each smoker is provided with a small horn box, which will contain about 15 cents’ worth of opium, enough to last an average smoker all night. The preparation is undoubtedly adulterated, since it costs the druggist $23.50 a pound.
A few doors below, on the same side, is another place where smoking is carried on, which does not differ materailly from Old John’s. There is, however, a temple connected with it. On the wall is hung a gayly [sic] painted picture of some Chinese god, at whose shoulder, on one side, man’s good angel is represented, and on the other, his evil angel.
The faces are very grotesque, and resemble those painted upon tea chests. Hanging upon the picture are numerous tinsel and paper flowers, with faces painted upon the petals, and a little below the picture is a shrine upon which stand two candles, to be lighted only upon festival occasions.
In the middle is a dish containing sand, in which are the burned fragments of several joss sticks. The pious Celestial lights one of these, and placing it in the sand on the altar prays to his deity. From the ceiling hangs two Chinese lanterns, and there is also a glass vessel containing some kind of vegetable oil in which floats a burning wick.
A cup of the same oil is placed in the shrine for the especial use of the god. Upon the wall are hung bulletin boards where the news which agitates the Chinese world is pasted. A curious scroll, resembling the red cover on a pack of fire crackers, attracts attention and proves to be a directory of business of the principal Chinese merchants in San Francisco.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 20, 1875
Conway
Conway - Joseph Bennett and his brother-in-law, John Madison, we understand, have been purchasing of late some 30 acres of additional meadow land of a Mr. Hayes. Their fine, extra tobacco, of about 5 acres in all, is safely on the poles.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 20, 1875
Hampshire County news
A pretty cheeky individual went to the station agent at Northampton Friday night, and asked him to send up a car to Hatfield to be loaded with tobacco for shipment to Hartford, representing himself as the purchaser and shipper. The car was duly sent up and 23 cases of tobacco, worth about $2500, were taken from James Warner's storehouse and placed in the car, and the car was started for Hartford.
The conversation between the thief and the station agent happened to be overheard by Samuel Billings of Hatfield, and after looking into the matter, his suspicions that all was not right were confirmed, and a telegram to Superintendent Mulligan caused the detention of the car when it reached Springfield.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 13, 1875
Sunderland
Sunderland - Albert Hobart has built a new tobacco barn and corn house. Deacon Gay is thoroughly repairing the house he bought of the E.E. Robinson estate. Tobacco is mostly on the poles, and on the whole is an average crop. Apples are selling low, there being more than was expected. The crop of onions is good, but prices rule low.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 6, 1875
6 executions at once
6 executions at once - 6 murderers, all young in years but old in crime, were hung on one gallows at Fort Smith, Arkansas Fri. These are their names: James H. Moore, Daniel H. Evans, John Whittington, white; Edward Campbell, colored; Samuel W. Favey, one quarter Cherokee, and Smoker Moonkiller, full blood Cherokee. Eight were originally sentenced, but one was killed while trying to escape, and the sentence of another was commuted to imprisonment for life.
"Well, mum, I am near-sighted, and I thought the window was open", explained an Athol gentleman who had deposited several gills of tobacco juice against the car window, to a finely dressed woman, who had received most of the liquid on her lap.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 30, 1875
News about town: Greenfield items
A desperate plan was laid by two of Greenfield’s young roughs, to burglarize Charles Keith’s grocery store last Wed. eve. About 11 o’clock in the eve. Miles Mowry, a clerk employed in the store, accompanied by E.S. Seaver, cutter for Seward & Willard, had occasion to go into the store. In the dark Mowry stumbled over someone secreted behind the counter. He at first thought it one of the other clerks trying to play a joke on him, but dragging the fellow out, he proved to be Jerry McAuliffe, the boy who, two years ago, broke into the store then kept by Mrs. S.F. Warner.
He served an 18 month’s sentence in the House of Correction at Pittsfield, and returned to Greenfield July 17th. Mowry and Seaver took McAuliff into the street and delivered him over to night policemen Jones and Carbee. McAuliff, when arrested, had a long dirk knife in his hand, the sheath of which was found in his pocket. It was not suspected at the time that there was another burglar in the store, and so it was locked and left for the night.
It leaked out the next day, when McAuliff was brought before Justice Brainard, that he was not alone. Another fellow, he said, cut a light from the back window with a diamond, through which they both got into the store, and it was their intention to open the safe, his comrade having the necessary tools. The fellow, he said, was not 4 ft. from him when he was taken from behind the counter, and he had a revolver cocked ready to shoot anyone who took hold of him.
McAuliff would not tell the boy’s name, but from what the Justice pumped out of him, it was suspected that Willard Gillett, employed about the Mansion House, was the second burglar, and he was accordingly arrested. Gillett denied the whole thing at once, but owned up little by little, and finally pleaded guilty to the charge of breaking and entering the store, with the intention of opening the safe to obtain money.
His trunk at the Mansion House was searched and in it was found a seven shooter loaded with six charges, capped and ready for execution, a long sheath knife, a policeman’s "billy", a hatchet, a diamond for cutting glass, a chisel, etc., beside some boxes of cigars and a few articles that are supposed to have been stolen. The magistrate bound each of the boys over to the Nov. court in the sum of $500.
Gillett was at one time employed by Dr. Severance, who now recollects numerous things that turned up missing while he was around the house. He afterward worked in Field & Hall’s printing office, but found he hadn’t a taste for that kind of work and so gave it up. A "form" of type was found in his trunk, from which he had probably printed some obscene literature for the benefit of his boy companions. He was certainly equipped for burglary on an extensive scale.
The wonder is, that with one of these boys armed with a dirk knife, and the other a pistol, they did not assault Mowry and Seaver when they entered the store. Had Mowry been alone, he might have had ugly treatment at their hands. McAuliff is 17 and Gillett 18.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 16, 1875
Coleraine
Situated up among the hills, yet we have some beautiful valleys as well as the lovely mountain scenery - we are a busy people - few if any loungers or unemployed, all have something to do, notwithstanding the cry of hard times so often heard. There are 3 cotton mills, many more lumber mills, 2 butter box manufactories, most kinds of mechanic shops, all of which are doing a good business.
Some very fine carriages are made here; there are several stores, 5 churches, two Methodist Episcopal, one Congregational, 2 Baptist. Five secret societies, viz. Grand Army Post, Sons of Temperance, two Sovereigns of Industry and a Grange; that we have a good hotel we hardly need assert as those who pass this way know, as well as others who read the papers.
We have many good farms well cultivated and from appearances are about to yield satisfactory harvests; the late rains have done much to improve crops. The farmers are getting wiser and are raising less tobacco than in former years, other crops receiving more attention such as grass, corn, oats, etc. and are looking well.
We know of no place in town where intoxicating liquors are sold, and one drunk is rarely seen. We have no railroad but there is considerable talk of one. Our schools, some 15 in number, are good, comparing favorably with those around us, and our mail facilities and modes of conveyance to and from are equal to larger towns, and places on railroads with the exception of the iron horse.
A good number from more crowded towns stopping here during the warm weather, yet there is room for others.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 16, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
The robbery at Tough End on the night of the 7th was reported by Michael Kane, a laborer on the Troy & Greenfield Railroad. He said he spent the night at John Bunting's, and in the morning found his pocket minus $11. P.M. Fitzgerald brought Bunting before Justice Brainard, and though some tobacco had been found on Bunting's person, which Kane claimed, the money could not be found, and the man was discharged for lack of evidence. Dwight Clapp brought before the same magistrate as a common drunkard was found guilty, sentenced and appealed.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 2, 1875
A man of will
Smikes made up his mind to stop chewing. He never was much of a chewer, anyhow, he said...(Read the whole story at Google Books "The Library of Wit and Humor" by Ainsworth Rand Spofford).
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 26, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
One night last week fire was discovered in an unoccupied room at the American House. The place is used as a store room, and filled with combustible articles. A match was probably thrown there by some careless smoker. The fire was extinguished by men about the premises without a general alarm.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 26, 1875
Letter from the seaside
Marblehead Neck, July 18, 1875 - ...I blundered upon Marblehead Neck. O, backwoodsman, who never saw a live lobster! O farmer, who never heard the roaring of the sea! O, country lawyer, full of the foul air of the court room, go to Marblehead Neck and renew your life and take back memories with you for old age. But stop at the Atlantic House and eat one of Tom Roche’s fish dinners and hear his merry laugh. Reader, I am not paid for this article. Tom Roche of South Deerfield was a stranger to me, and Marblehead Neck a myth, till that lucky day when Lon and I set out on a Bohemian tour.
I can give no details of our pleasuring. The time passed as if we had been residents of Utopia. Rowing, sailing, fishing, driving and smoking...succeeded each other in just the right order, and we forgot the "Hub" bub of our existence and gave ourselves up to dreams. Who would not dream with the Atlantic within half a minute’s walk of his piazza, and all around wild roses, whose cheeks are reddened by the salt breeze..."Sailor roses", the little brown faced girl, who tented on the beach, called them...
Six weeks had passed like a day, when it suddenly flashed upon us that our "business would go to the dogs" if we kept on oblivious to it...Max the Rhymer. [See Wikipedia].
On Fri. July 9, a person traveling up Hawley road, in the vicinity of Mr. Mansfield, might have seen parties of 2, 3, and 5, stealing along behind bushes and fences in a very suspicious manner, each one bearing baskets or pails carefully covered. When all these groups of wayfarers had gathered under the trees above the brook they started for the house to take Mrs. Mansfield by storm. Mrs. Mansfield was born in Middleborough, Mass. July 9, 1788, so this was her 87th birthday, and her friends and neighbors had gathered to celebrate the event.
The dear old lady was taken completely by surprise. After the usual congratulations had been made and the people were comfortably seated in the parlor, Mrs. Mansfield began to relate some of her youthful experiences. She told of daring feats of horsemanship and hairbreadth escapes in dealing with fiery steeds. Mrs. Mansfield's guests then presented their birthday gifts. There were aprons, ties and bows, a dress and collar, oranges, lemons and figs, a bottle of blackberry wine, a bountiful supply of snuff, a book mark, and most noticeable of all, a large pincushion with a set of pins in the center and stars in the corners. I know not whether the maker intended the stars to have any particular significance or not, but they reminded me of the promise: "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever".
Mrs. Mansfield has been a communicant of the church for half a century, and has led a most lovely and consistent Christian life. Towards the end of the afternoon tables were set under the trees, but a shower coming up they were removed to the spacious dining room. The tables were loaded with an abundance of choice viands that kind friends had provided. The aged couple sat at the center of the long table, under a floral arch made by their grand-daughter, Miss Essie Sears.
Just before tea was announced, Dr. Trow of Buckland and a friend of his drove up, and by their presence added to the pleasure of the occasion. Over 40 persons partook in the feast. Dr. Trow made an eloquent speech, which, I regret to say, I am unable to repeat. He called to mind the many changes that the venerable couple had witnessed in the long life that God had allotted to them, and speaking of all the friends and companions of their youth having passed away, compared their present state to that of the few solitary trees scattered over the mountain side beyond the Charlemont fair grounds, where formerly a forest had stood [and stands again]. http://www.charlemon...SCHFairgrounds.shtml W.E. Mansfield then gracefully thanked the company in his parent's behalf. One of the no. present read the following: "Lines to a dear friend on her 87th birthday"...Quizzie.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 19, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
Last Thurs. aft. Mrs. C.P. Forbes, who was in charge of her mother's house on High Street, left the hired girl ironing in the kitchen, and locking the front door, went out. During her absence a tramp entered through a window and ransacked several rooms. An old pipe was left on the carpet in the parlor. The only things missed were one or two small articles of plated ware. He had collected some other things to take away, but was apparently frightened off by the entrance of someone to the yard. No trace of the thief could afterward be found.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 5, 1875
Brief notes of a pleasant excursion
The Massachusetts Press Association left Boston on the morning of June 23, for their annual excursion. The party, including ladies, numbered almost 90...On this excursion two first class cars and a smoking car on the Boston & Albany road were devoted to the exclusive use of the excursionists...The sandwiches, cakes, etc. were neatly packed in pasteboard boxes for each individual, and were liberally accompanied with iced lemonade.
At Albany...there was a change to the fine cars of the New York Central Railroad, and we were soon steaming with almost lightning rapidity through the beautiful Mohawk Valley. The flat farm lands here are of an unsurpassing fertility. There does not appear to be an acre that is not under cultivation....The Mohawk runs parallel with the road for many miles, and on the opposite side of the river is the Erie Canal. The latter, which has been one of the great institutions of the Empire State for many years, appears to New Englanders to be a rather slow method of transportation. The canal boats, which we pass in quick succession, seem hardly to move, so snail like is the progress which they make, but what is lost in time is saved in expense. If it was not for the Erie our coal and grain would never approach the present low prices, and upon it has depended largely the wealth and development of the great Western States.
But...the day was fearfully hot, and our excursion cars were in the rear of a very large train; and the dust and cinders that poured into the windows soon blackened our faces, filled our eyes and ears, so that when we reached Syracuse about 8 o’clock in the eve., after a ride of 350 miles, we were a sad looking set, more like a band of miners from the coal region, than people who patronized soap and water. We were, however, nicely quartered at the Globe and Vanderbilt hotels and through the transforming influences of the bath, clean linen, and a good supper, were soon ourselves again.
The party left Syracuse soon after 6 the next morning, by the Auburn branch of the New York Central. At Auburn we got the chance to see the extensive buildings of the State Penitentiary, but did not stop for a close inspection of the establishment. A short ride brought us to the wharf at Cayuga, where we embarked on a small steamer for a delightful trip of 38 miles through Cayuga Lake...
With song and mirth the happy excursionists were soon on the top wave of enjoyment. At Goodwin’s Point a landing was made and the party visited Taghkanic Falls To reach the Falls we climbed a steep descent of a mile, under a broiling sun, and were hardly, when we reached the summit, in the most favorable mood to fully appreciate this wild freak of nature. These falls are on a small stream, and 215 ft. in perpendicular height, while the rocky gorge is nearly 400 ft. down.
It is a wild and picturesque spot, but at this season there is not a large flow of water over the fall. A hotel has been built upon the summit, within a stone’s throw of the fall, and it is quite a resort for excursionists and picnic parties.... Afterwards we landed at the beautiful town of Ithaca, at the head of the lake. the principal business here is apparently the transferment of coal. The coal is brought by rail from the mines in Pennsylvania and transshipped to the canal boats, which convey it across the lake and thence through the canal to the Eastern markets. Our quarters were at the Ithaca Hotel, a first class house...After a sumptuous dinner, carriages were provided for a visit to Cornell University.
The college buildings occupy a beautiful site overlooking the lake, and can be seen miles away...The college was opened in 1868, and everything about the premises is neat and new...The founder of the college, Ezra Cornell, Esq. endowed the institution with more than three millions of dollars...Our party assembled in the Library of the college, and were addressed by President White...It was the purpose of Mr. Cornell to found a university where any person could find instruction in any study, and well has his purpose been carried out. It recognizes no distinct religious belief, though its aim is to promote Christian civilization...
Upon the grounds an opportunity is afforded, as at our Agricultural College, for the practical study of agriculture. There is a carpenter shop, furnished with power and machinery, where students who have tastes in that direction can cultivate their skill in wood work. A large machine shop is fitted with lathes and a variety of machinery and tools, and we found here a dozen or more young men hard at work with sleeves rolled up, dressed in colored shirts an overalls, hands and faces begrimmed, just like "greasy mechanics".
Several valuable inventions have been made in this shop, and much of this work is put to a practical use. In the same building is a printing shop with a large assortment of type and presses...Cornell University recognizes the co-education of the sexes. Young ladies are admitted on the same footing as young men, and are advanced through the same studies...the young men, who at other colleges have been accustomed to practices that were vulgar and demoralizing have voluntarily given them up since the admission of the young ladies, and so far from the mingling of the sexes leading to unpleasant talk and scandal, as some had predicted, not a breath of suspicion of anything out of character had ever existed...
Before leaving the college grounds we were driven to Fall Creek Gorge a wild, romantic locality, where the waters of a small stream leap and splash over the rocks of a wild ravine in its mad course to the lake below. We left Ithaca at 7 in the eve. over the Utica, Ithaca and Elmira Railroad, the President of which is Gen. W.I. Burt, the Postmaster of Boston. General Burt had accompanied our party, and we were indebted to his kind attention and influence for many courtesies. On this road we pass through Elmira, and about 10 o’clock at night, in the midst of a drenching rain, arrived at the town of Watkins at the head of Seneca Lake. After a little confusion we were provided with carriages and driven through the pitchlike darkness up the steep ascent to the Glen Mountain House [See the NYPL Digital Gallery for great photos], which has been erected above the famous Watkins Glen.
There is no natural wonder on the American continent, with the exception perhaps, of Niagara Falls, that surpasses the Glen...Says Bayard Taylor: "In all my travels I have never met with scenery more beautiful and romantic than that embraced in this wonderful Glen, and the most remarkable thing of all is that so much magnificence and grandeur should be found in a region where there are no ranges of mountains...It is only since 1869 that the Glen has been accessible to the public...[A very large section follows about the Glen and its hotels. To be continued next week].
Gazette & Courier - Monday, June 14, 1875
A destructive fire in Wapping
All of the buildings of Dexter Childs in Wapping, Deerfield, consisting of a dwelling house, a new shed 70 ft. long, corn house, a barn built 5 years since, 84 by 57 ft, and 25 ft. high, with all modern improvements, a tobacco barn 36 by 40 ft., over 200 ft. of buildings in all were destroyed by fire on Tues. night about 10 o'clock, hardly a stick of timber being left. The fire was first discovered in the extreme eastern end of the buildings, the buildings extending west to within a few feet of the road, and was first discovered by Mr. Childs, who had been out into the main barn and put his horse out about half an hour previous, and let out a yoke of cattle.
/ He took no light with him, and is a man who never smokes. His theory as to the origin of the fire is, that there must have been a tramp in the tobacco barn, who had taken up his quarters there for the night, and was roused up by Mr. Childs, who made considerable noise in getting his cattle out, lighted his pipe for a smoke and set the straw in the barn, of which there was considerable, on fire. He does not believe it was purposely fired as he does not know that he has an enemy that would do it. In the barns were a ton of tobacco, two horses, a cow, two calves, two shoats and a goat, with all the farming tools of the farm, wagons, harnesses, etc., which were all destroyed; even in the barn yard a cart loaded with manure was partly consumed.
/ In the yard were 8 head of cattle, which the moment the bars were let down, scampered off into the lot like wild ones. Mr. Childs had a sick sister-in-law in his house, who was perfectly help less, and a sick son. The son was able to take care of himself, but the sister-in-law had to be carried from the house. Nearly all of the furniture of the house was saved in a good condition, but all of the provisions in the cellar was lost. Mr. Childs has an insurance of about $8500, $600 of which is on a small house and barn standing a short distance south of his residence and considerable of it on his crops, which had been used up. He had no insurance on his furniture, the policy having expired on Sat. His loss must be considerable over the insurance available. The house was one of the oldest in Wapping, being a low gamble roof one, and built 80 years ago by Mr. Child's grandfather, Henry Childs, Esq. It has been successively occupied by Mr. Child's grandfather, his father, and himself.
/ Over an acre of clover near the tobacco barn was burned over, several trees badly scorched, and the cinders flew over two miles north to the Deerfield North Meadows. The citizens of Wapping generally had to water the roofs of their buildings during the fire. Mr. Childs, who is one of the leading farmers and most respected citizens of Deerfield, has the warmest sympathy of his neighbors and friends, and dozens of doors were thrown open to himself and family. He will not rebuild this season, as he has plenty of timber on his farm to rebuild with and cannot get it out before another season.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, June 7, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
W. Newton Nims has purchased the machinery and tools in the shop of the late Lewis L. Hicks, about 3 miles north of the village on the Bernardston Road, and will continue Mr. Hicks' business, which was making tobacco hatchets and general jobbing.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, June 7, 1875
Deerfield
It was Edgar Allen Poe who said if a woman had a true perception of the beautiful, she would give evidence of the fact in every movement, in her every piece of handiwork, and that even the rustling of her robes would sound like a divine harmony. The Deerfield ladies who ornamented the Unitarian church for Decoration Day certainly displayed superior taste, and we know all interested in the occasion feel grateful to them for their decorative skill, as well as for the bountiful collation they so gracefully served in the Grange Hall.
/ "I slept and dreamed that life was beauty / I woke, and found that life was duty"...If universal testimony is to be regarded, the most beautiful and tasteful memento furnished for the occasion mentioned, was the floral monument, worked by the artistic hands of Mrs. Edward C. Cowles. Violets, both blue and white, were the only material...We are a poor hand at description; the violets have withered, and soon the masterpiece will be forgotten. In this coarse material "tobacco era", the truly beautiful is the quickest lost. But whether in the future tobacco sells high or low, there are a few who will still remember the two foot violet monument with its graceful proportions, its duplicate base, the words "REST" (worked with violets) near the top; and rising above the cap-stone, that seemingly angelic hand, pointing to a higher life, a glorious transition - a heavenly appointed translation from Deerfield tobacco materialism to eternal progression. Pocumtuck.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 31, 1875
Shelburne Falls
On May 25, Uncle Rodolphus Ellis celebrated his 84th birthday. The next day his wife was 80. About 70 of his neighbors helped him, and carried in appropriate presents. He was born here, and has always lived here, on or near the old Ellis place. He reads common print and files saws without glasses! Has used tobacco since he was 15. He served in the War of 1812 in Col. Longley's regiment. He is still pretty hale and hearty and can do a fair day's work. But what is uncommon for old people to admit, says "he can't do as much as he used to". He wishes to thank his friends for their kindnesses to him. He is one of the oldest and most constant readers of the Gazette in this County.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 31, 1875
Shelburne Falls
Last Fri. S.D. Bardwell, Esq., threw away his time and property by burning some brush on his lot near Ben Kemp's. He supposed the fire had gone out, and came home to dinner. But the wind scattered the embers in all directions, setting fire to his farm and the adjoining woods and meadow. Several tons of hay, sleds, wagons, phosphate and tobacco were all consumed in a few moments. Some 30 acres of land were burned over, and Mr. Atkins' woods were badly damaged. Mr. B. had no insurance, of course, for he don't believe in it. His loss is some $700. Mr. A's. has not been estimated.
The spelling match and sugar and oyster party on Mayday eve. was a very pleasant and enjoyable occasion. Notwithstanding the threatening weather a fair company turned out and had a "sweet spell" up to the hour of returning, when the rain poured down through pitchy darkness and the "spell" was broken. However, we hear of no one that would exchange the pleasure of the evening for a lost friz or feather, or a whole box of Day and Martin [don't know - cigars? Candy?]. The first match in spelling (C.W. Severance, master) was by tally, resulting in the triumph of the side chosen by Miss Belle Newcomb. Then came the repast in that famous long hall, tabled the whole length and supplied with an abundance of hot oysters and warm maple syrup. This fare proved perfectly adapted to enliven and sweeten the speciality of the company, and lead to a few toasts and speeches.
/ The first called out David Mowry upon English orthography, which he pronounced "abominable". Said he knew but one good speller, who always spelled correctly, and that was Josh Billings. Another to the ladies called out Dr. Wheeler, who humourously alluded to his embarrassing situation between his wife and mother-in-law, and the "trials of his life" with the latter. H. Wilbur spoke in behalf of the P.H. A toast to the bachelors was responded to by George Davenport, Esq. of Brattleboro, whose grave wit always upsets the gravity of his hearers. He closed with some seriocomic advice to young ladies.
/ The last match was for spelling down, the sides being headed by D. Mowry and M.L. Williams. The story is a short one with a long sequel. A few rounds from "Saunder's Union Speller" left all quietly seated excepting a youth of about 70 pounds avoirdupois, whose head was now about level with his competitors as regards altitude, and a little more so in spelling. This was Eddie E. Pixley, a boy living with S.B. Buddington. He spelled on near half an hour all the crooked words the master could find, the latter calling for volunteers to help down him. The crowd gathered around like a wrestling ring, peeking over shoulders to see how he did it, while several searched the spelling book for "clinchers". He finally tripped upon a simple word of four letters, "teal", a web-footed fowl, which he had confused with "tell", a lime tree.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 10, 1875
News of the week
The proprietor of a cigar store on Beach Street, Boston, rigged a gun at one of his doors for the benefit of burglars. Sun. night a would be robber was shot and will probably die. For thus protecting his own property the owner of the shop has been arrested.
- Wed, Feb 24, 2010
