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Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 6, 1875
The horrors of idolatry
The horrors of idolatry - Miss Harriet Brittan is writing some interesting letters depicting life in India, to the "Christian at Work". From a recent one we make the following extract in which she describes a religious gathering: "And now to turn to a sad sight witnessed during my visit to Allahabad...".
[Long article discusses diseased beggars, religious pilgrims who come once a year to bathe and shave at this spot. She describes one street "which appeared to be entirely devoted to fakirs...men who are supposed by self-inflicted tortures to have become very holy...They were about the vilest creatures that it is possible to describe; it made you shudder to think that humanity could be so degraded...These men were almost all of them almost entirely nude - none of them had any covering but one filthy little piece of rag, not more than a fig leaf...
Their hair and beards were all long and matted with filth, their bodies smeared with a mixture of cow dung and ashes; some of them had a thick mixture of whitewash or white plaster, with 1, 2 or 3 broad stripes, like, blood, down the forehead...One man...sat in a bed of ashes, with 4 fires built around him on either side; not of course close enough to burn him, but close enough to scorch him and cause great suffering...
There was another, a miserable looking creature, who for many years had held his arms up over his head with his hands crossed. At first when he began to do this, he was obliged to have his hands bound to poles, to keep them up until they stiffened in that position...
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 30, 1875
What is it?
What is it? Magic or Spirits? Mrs. Blair, the world renowned Spirit Artist, will give an exhibition of her wonderful power as a medium, on Tues. eve., Aug. 31, at Franklin Hall, Greenfield...She paints while thoroughly blindfolded, in the presence of the audience, producing the most wonderful paintings in an incredibly short time. Seance preceded by a lecture by Mr. Taylor of Boston. Admission 25 cents.
Spending a few days with friends in Rowe (which by the way is one of the pleasantest towns in the State) I attended an entertainment at "Ford Hall", gotten up by F.M. Bicknell and George Ballou, assisted by the young people in the vicinity, for their own amusement and instruction and for the benefit of the ladies' sewing circle, consisting of songs, tableaux, pantomimes, etc., which as a whole was the best I ever saw, outside the walls of a first class theater.
The performance commenced with an instrumental overture, after which "Villikens and his Dinah" was acted to perfection, followed by songs, tableaux, and a dialogue by 6 young ladies, which was well acted and which received much applause. But the main feature of the evening was the pantomime entitled "The Haunted Hotel", occupying about an hour in its performance. The costumes were faultless, the acting was perfect, and the slight of hand tricks [i.e. sleight of hand tricks] and transformations which frequently occurred throughout the piece, would have been creditable to a professor of legerdemain...A Friend to Home Talent.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 26, 1875
A religious seance
A "religious seance" at Boston Sun. night, at which 12 powerful mediums were to be produced, and do extraordinary things by gas light, was terminated early in the evening by the hoots and jeers of the audience. During the eve. the magician Herman [Hermann the Great http://www.magicrealm.50megs.com/html/history.html ] was called on the stage and offered to do all the feats performed by the "spirits" if allowed to enter the cabinet.
This privilege was refused, and he then performed outside numerous tricks with handkerchiefs and ropes, greatly to the amusement of the skeptical portion of the audience, and the disgust of the mediums and their followers. Prof. Tobin announces that he will expose the so-called spiritual manifestations next Sun. night.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, January 18, 1875
(Deerfield) A most remarkable address was delivered at the Town Hall on Wed. eve. by Dr. Smith upon the subjects of mesmerism, psychology, spiritualism, etc., etc. I say remarkable for it was indeed
(Deerfield) A most remarkable address was delivered at the Town Hall on Wed. eve. by Dr. Smith upon the subjects of mesmerism, psychology, spiritualism, etc., etc. I say remarkable for it was indeed most truly so. Picture to yourself a thorough ignorance of the simplest rules of English grammar most strikingly displayed; an address hesitating, vacillating, and devoid of all laws of elegance or refinement, and the matter itself a most feeble and illogical presentation of the subject in hand; to say nothing of the flippancy and irreverent manner [?] Some steps should be taken to suppress the appearance upon the public platform of exhibitions of such fully and corrupt teaching as was so visible in the occasion we speak of. Such a lecture as that can do the community no possible good; but on the contrary, must have a very pernicious influence...I want to speak a good word for the Greenfield Musical Association, and to urge singers from the towns in the vicinity to take advantage of its attractions. Several from this village attend its weekly sesions and are well repaid for the inconvenience and hardship of going so far in the winter season. The director, Mr. Cheney, is an excellent instructor, thoroughly understands music and has a rare faculty of imparting instruction...
Gazette & Courier - Monday, January 18, 1875
What a Greenfield man saw at
What a Greenfield man saw at http://chs4o8pt.blog...ople-from-other.html Chittenden , Vt. [Without the least faith in what is called Spirit Materialization, we publish the following communication because it shows some of the phenomena on which the belief is founded, and because the recent http://www.survivala...ntrols/katieking.htm "Katie King" exposure in http://www.survivala...graphs/crookes/2.htm Philadelphia , has made the subject one of considerable discussion and public interest - Eds.]. Editors Gazette & Courier: Since my return from http://www.theosophi...ericworld/chapter04/ Chittenden Vt., where I remained about 2 weeks at the homestead of the http://www.phx-ult-lodge.org/Panarion.htm Eddy Brothers , to witness the new phase of spiritualism called "materializations", I have been so often questioned as to what I saw and heard there that I have written out the following statement of facts as I found them, which you are at liberty to publish if you see fit. Those who have read the accounts of http://survivalebook...0the%20Other%20World Col. Orcutt's [actually http://www.theosocie.../46-96-7/th-sbdo.htm Henry S. Olcott , or http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/ts/bio-hso.htm Henry Steel Olcott ] experience will have a good general idea of the phenomena as there exhibited. For the benefit of those who have not seen those articles I would say that the room in which these manifestations occur is almost 40 ft. long by 20 ft. wide, occupying the entire upper story of the ell part of the house, extending across one end of the room is a platform about 10 ft. wide and two ft. high with a railing about 3 ft. high, extending across the front of the platform to the steps which lead down to the audience room; at the rear of the platform is a closet built out, lathed and plastered, almost 7 ft. long, 6 ft. high, and 10 1/2 ft. deep, with a small window opening to the rear of the house, and across which is nailed a piece of gauze netting; this netting was placed there by Col. Orcutt, and sealed by him and the seal is still unbroken. An opening in the closet or cabinet, on the side towards the spectators with a blanket strung across answers for a door. The audience are seated on two benches, about 10 ft. from the platform, and the light is supplied by a kerosene lamp in the rear of the room, partly turned down, so that the form and size of a person on the platform can be plainly distinguished, though the features cannot be. A lady, Mrs. Cleaveland [i.e. http://www.freewebs....e/articles/honto.htm Mrs. Cleveland ], usually sits on one side of the platform, and another lady, Mrs. Jacobs, on the other side and plays a cabinet organ when music is required. There are three kinds of circles, the dark circle, where voices are heard, hands touched, musical instruments played upon, etc. a partially lighted circle when the room is lighted as described above, and in which the full form materializations occur. The one in which the most startling experiences occur is the partially lighted circle. In this the http://www.survivalafterdeath.org/mediums/eddy.htm medium , http://www.blavatsky...great_beyond/ch3.htm William Eddy , goes into the cabinet alone, and while I was there I attended 11 circles, each circle occupying about one hour. One hundred and twenty nine forms of all sizes, ages and several nationalities dressed in their appropriate costumes came out of the cabinet and walked up and down the platform; some of them played on the organ, sang, danced and talked to the audience. Most of them were recognized by some of the persons present. One Indian called "Waukachee", came down from the platform, walked across the room within 4 ft. of where we were sitting, then put his hands upon the railing and easily leaped over the platform and then disappeared in the cabinet. http://www.blavatsky...reat_beyond/ch14.htm "Honto" , the Indian squaw, who appears oftener than any other one, frequently dances and occasionally invites some of the audience to join her on the platform. One evening she came down from the platform and shook hands with a gentleman who sat next to me. Once she danced so long she had not power to return to the cabinet, but apparently faded away from the rest of the party on the stage - two ladies and two gentlemen, whom she had invited from the audience to join her. In one of the forms that appeared I recognized an old friend of mine, Mr. C. Redding. He appeared on two different evenings, and although he was unable to speak he answered my questions by rapping. He was foreman at the central shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel, and while being lowered with 3 others the rope broke and they fell about 500 ft. to the bottom of the shaft. Four of my near relatives also appeared and answered my questions by tapping, but I could not see their faces distinctly enough to positively identify them. The most amusing one that appeared was "Jolly", recognized by Mrs. Jacobs as her former slave. She appeared several times, shook hands with her former mistress and talked with her. One evening she called for a pipe and on its being given to her she contentedly went to smoking. She then asked for a tamborine, and upon its being produced she took it and played and danced a genuine 'nigger' breakdown for 10 minutes. An Indian called "Black Swan" appeared dressed in a beautiful costume, which Mrs. Jacobs, who was on the platform, felt of and pronounced to be black silk velvet trimmed with pearls. http://www.harvestfields.ca/ebook/02/051/18.htm "Witch of the Mountain" appeared on the platform, sat down in a chair and talked to us 15 minutes. A Mr. M___, who died about 3 months ago, came and said he wished to send the following message to his wife: "Tell her if I could only live my life over again I would treat her differently". A lady who was present from Troy, N.Y. recognized him, knowing the family intimately, and promised to take the message to the wife. In the light circle the medium, http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/blav74aspi.htm Mr. Horatio Eddy , sits upon the platform close to the wall in the rear, with a blanket in front of him reaching as high as his shoulders. One evening http://www.virtualve...pecials/eddybros.htm he called me up to sit with him, our chairs were close together and he took hold of my arm with both of his hands, while in this position the hand of a man appeared between us and wrote his name upon a card; then that of a lady, both of whom were the names of friends of mine, and then another man's hand with one finger missing wrote the name of 'George Dix', the name of the spirit who controls the dark circle. The three cards are now in my possession. The http://www.prairieghosts.com/eddy.html Eddy brothers , the http://www.vermontgu...2005/Afterlife.shtml mediums , are to all appearances, honest, hard working young farmers, with none of the look of "slight of hand" [sic] http://www.theosophical.ca/Spiritualism%20.htm performers about them. The house is a country farm house in a very sparsely settled section of the country, and their confederates, if they have any, must live in caves or hollow trees. I know that there were no children, nor Indians 6 ft. high, nor negroes living in that house the two weeks I was there, and they must have been pretty lively to get in or out of the house without being seen by some of the numerous guests who were there, all anxious to detect fraud, if any. And now, what do I think of it? Since the exposure of the "Katie King" fraud in Philadelphia, it might be supposed that I might think myself deceived in what I saw at Chittenden. Not at all, for with any number of confederates they could not represent so to the life my old friend. Nor could they without quick detection produce from that cabinet in the short space of an hour and a quarter 16 forms, possessing speech and motion, varying in size and appearance, from the little child of 3 years with sunny ringlets, to the stalwart 6 ft. Indian with snow shoes, bow and arrows, etc. If this is a delusion, then it is a delusion that I met you, Mr. Editor, the other day on the street and spoke to you. The one to me is as much a reality as the other. H.H. Moody.
Lastly, there is an emerald as big as a walnut, covered with the names of the http://www.worldisro...73022/photo1634.html kings who have possessed it. The ancient Persians prized the emerald above all gems, and particularly those from Egypt. Their goblets decorated with these stones, were copied by the Romans. The Shah also possesses a pearl worth 50,000 pounds. But the most attractive of all the Persian stones is the turquoise, which is inlaid by the native lapidaries with designs and inscriptions with great effect and expertise. The best come from Nish[?]r in http://www.gardenvis...ultaniehtotehran.htm Khorassan , whose mines ornamented the gold armor of the Persians, so much admired by the Greeks.
Chardin records that in the treasury at Ipsahan [probably http://www.jewishenc...p?artid=292&letter=I Ispahan ] he saw "in each chamber the stones in the rough piled high on the floor like heaps of grain, filling innumerable leather bags". As with the King of Burmah [i.e. King of Burma] and the rubies, the turquoises of Persia are always first inspected by the Shah. They are divided into two classes, according to the position in which they are found. The first, called sengui, or stony, are incrusted in the matrix, and have to be removed by means of a hammer; the second are taken from the alluvial deposits, and though larger are of less value than the former, which are of a deep blue color. Although the lord of Lords contented himself with taking the least valuable gems of his incomparable collection on his recent tour in the West, he carried no less than 200 talismans, which, while they may be poor in appearance, possess limitless value in the eyes of Persians.
Among others, there was a fine pointed star, supposed to be worn by Rooston, and believed to have the power of making conspirators at once confess their crimes. Around his neck the Shah wore a http://www.oldandsol...cious-stones-1.shtml cube of amber , reported to have fallen from heaven in the time of Mahomet, and to confer on its owners invulnerability. Most precious of all, however, was a little casket of gold studded with emeralds, and said to have the remarkable property of rendering the royal wearer invisible so long as he remains celibate.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, December 7, 1874
(Greenfield) Zera, the magician who advertised to perform such wonders last week did not appear, but prolonged his stay at Holyoke, where he was havin
(Greenfield) http://silentgents.com/BSemon.html Zera , the magician who advertised to perform such wonders last week did not appear, but prolonged his stay at Holyoke, where he was having a great run.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, November 23, 1874
(Greenfield) Coming to Greenfield! The wonder of the magic world! Washington Hall, Mon., Tues. & Wed. eve'gs., Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and 2nd. ZERA [illustrated large letters that look like they're made o
(Greenfield) Coming to Greenfield! The wonder of the magic world! Washington Hall, Mon., Tues. & Wed. eve’gs., Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and 2nd. ZERA [illustrated large letters that look like they’re made of logs, with leaves and branches connecting them], the man with the spirit, hand and a hundred voices! The press has unanimously pronounced ZERA the greatest conjurer and ventriloquist the world has ever seen. Admission 35 and 50 cents. For particulars of programmes see "Zera’s Journal of Wonders".
Gazette & Courier - Monday, November 23, 1874
(Greenfield) Zera, the "Magic King", whose wonderful feats are heralded by the Spri
(Greenfield) http://www.classicim...9/april99/semon.html Zera , the http://silentgents.com/BSemon.html "Magic King" , whose wonderful feats are heralded by the Springfield papers, and journals in other places where he has appeared, will visit Greenfield on Mon., Tues., and Wed. evenings of next week. His power in vocal imitations astonishes his audiences wherever he goes, and the other magical arts which he possesses are truly marvelous.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, February 24, 1873
The most wonderful discovery of the 19th century
The most wonderful discovery of the 19th century - http://www.rdhinstl.com/mm/rs134.htm Dr. S.D. Howe’s Arabian Milk Cure for consumption, and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs. The only medicine of the kind in the world. A substitute for cod liver oil. Permanently cures asthma, bronchitis, incipient consumption, loss of voice, shortness of breath, catarrh, http://www.geocities...nlace16/folkmed.html croup , coughs, colds, etc. in a few days like magic. Price $1 per bottle. Also Dr. S.D. Rowe’s Arabian Tonic Blood Purifier, which differs from all other preparations in its immediate action upon the liver, kidneys and blood...Sold by Howland and Lowell, sole agents for Greenfield Mass...
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 16, 1870
Dr. W.F. Von Vleck, the New York World correspondent & the noted Medium Detective" [a work still carried out today by skeptics such as The Amazing Randi] produced
Dr. W.F. Von Vleck, the New York World correspondent & the noted Medium Detective" [a work still carried out today by skeptics such as The http://www.randi.org/ Amazing Randi ] produced some wonderful manifestations during the last week, and explained them
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 7, 1874
The mystery of
The mystery of http://www.newton.de...tn/100-199/nb101.htm hair snakes solved - The common belief is that these creatures are a transformation of a horse hair that has remained for some time in the water. "When a walking stick", says Dr. Slack, "becomes a snake, a horse hair will become a worm". As the former miracle has not taken place since the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, it is safe to conclude that the later transformation has not recently been made. A dry hair placed in water will absorb the moisture, and from the unequal expansion of the exterior and interior layers will become contorted, so too, would a piece of two inch rope, yet we have never heard of the latter having been accused of possessing vitality. The hair snake is a living creature, endowed with organs of locomotion and resppiration, and capable of propagating its species. Scientifically it is known as "Gordias aquaticus", the generic name being derived from the http://www.mercksour...andzSzdmd_g_11zPzhtm Gordian knot , in allusion to the tangled appearance, often presented by a multitude of these animals. The specific name "aquaticus" is not so appropriate, for they thrive out of water". Dr. Slack has taken Gordia [?] inches in length from the body of a grasshopper. They have also been found in the domiciles of insectivorous birds" (Turf, Field and Farm).
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 13, 1874
Cremation in Siam
http://www.wbur.org/...e/book_prothero2.asp Cremation in Siam - Among the Siamese, Burmese, Cambojians [i.e. Cambodians], http://www.speakingthai.com/stories/central.htm Peguans , people of Laos and all the surrounding nations, the http://www.tabloid.net/97/12/11/E1.html dead are not buried , unless the survivors are too poor or too parsimonious to pay the priests' fee for burning, and such cases very rarely occur. Hence arises the strange anomaly so often noted by foreign tourists, that in lands teeming with a population more dense than any other portion of our globe, so very few cemeteries are to be seen. But for the few burial places of the Chinese, the small, unpretending enclosure that marks the last resting place of a European traveler or missionary, and the occasional priestly pagoda or gorgeous mausoleum of some Musulman rajah, one might suppose that the Tyrant Death had been exorcised from these sunny lands, instead of lurking unseen amid the perennial verdure, and among the petals of every fragrant flower. During a residence of several years in Siam, I neither saw nor heard of a single burial in that country, nor did I meet with more than 3 Siamese tombs. they were the "Tombs of Three Kings", said to be centuries old, and all that I could learn of their history was that beneath those gorgeous monuments of black granite, exquisitely chiseled and adorned with mosaics in gold, silver, copper, ebony and ivory, reposed the ashes of the 3 great http://welcome-to.ch...i.com/ayutthaya5.htm warrior kings , who had ordered that their bodies be buried instead of burned, in order that the singularity of the circumstance might keep the memory of their virtues and bravery ever fresh in the hearts of their subjects. Burning is now, and has been for centuries, the universal custom in Siam - preferred, it is supposed, because of the facility it affords for removing the precious dust of the loved and lost. In old, aristocratic houses I have seen arranged in the family receptacle massive golden urns, containing the ashes of 8,10,or 12 generations of ancestors; and these are cherished as precious heirlooms to descend through the eldest male branch. The time, expense, and character of a burning depend mainly on the rank and wealth of the parties, though the ceremony is always performed by the priests, and always within the precincts of a temple. The only exception is in seasons of epidemics or where the land is laid waste by famine. Among the better classes the dead body is laid unmutilated, save by the removal of the intestines, in a coffin, and is more or less carefully embalmed, according to the time it is to be kept. If the deceased belonged to a private family of moderate means, the burning takes place from 4 to 6 days after death; if he was wealthy, but not high born, the body may be kept a month, but never longer; while the remains of a noble lie in state from 2 to 6 months, according to his rank, and for members of the royal family a still longer period intervenes between the death and the burning. But whatever the interval the body must lie in state, and the relatives make daily prostrations, prayers and offerings during the whole time, beseeching the departed spirit to return to its disconsolate friends. When the time for the funeral has arrived, the body is laid in a receptacle on the summit of a stately pyramid; the form and material of which indicate the wealth and position of the deceased. It is thickly gilded, and the receptacle lined with plates of solid gold, when the body has belonged to one of royal lineage and well filled coffers. The last is quite as essential as the first to a gorgeous Oriental funeral, since for rank without money an East Indian has ever the most profound contempt. Both requisites were fortunately united in the person of the queen mother of King Pra Nang Klau [i.e. http://www.thaifolk.com/doc/wangderm_e.htm Pra Nang Klao ], the old usurper who occupied the Siamese throne previous to the accession of the royal brothers, who died in 1868. At the funeral of this aged queen, there was such a display of Oriental magnificence as rarely falls to the lot of Western eyes to witness. The embalmed body lay in state under a canopy for 8 months; the myrrh, frankincense and aromatic oils used in its preparation cost upward of four thousand dollars, and the golden pyre about $80,000. The hangings were of the richest silks and velvets, trimmed with bullion fringe and costly lace, and the wrappings of the body of pure white silk, embroidered with pearls and precious stones. Incredible quantities of massive jewelry decked the shrunken corpse, and a diadem of glittering gems cast its prismatic radiance over the withered features. Tiny golden lamps, fed with perfumed oil, burned day and night around the pyre, while every portion of the vast saloon was decorated with rare and beautiful flowers, arranged in all the various forms of crowns, sceptres, angels, birds, lanterns, wreaths and arches, till Flora herself might have wondered at the boundless resources of her domain. Day and night musical instruments were played, dirges wailed forth, and prostrations perpetually performed; while twice every day, the king attended by his whole court, made offerings to the departed spirit, beat his breast, tore his hair, and declared life "utterly unendurable withut the loved one". All this kept up for 8 months, and then the scene changed to one of festivity. For 30 days, during most of which time I was present, there was a succession of levees, concerts, and theatricals, with feats of jugglery, operas and fireworks, and then the embalmed body, surrounded by perfumes and tiny fagots of sandal wood, was consumed by fire, and the ashes collected by the high priest or his deputy in his golden urn, and deposited, with other relics of royalty, in the king's palace. The funeral cost the nation about half a million of dollars. At all funerals choice flowers, especially http://www.jonathanfongstyle.com/contact/ tube roses [or tuberroses], the golden blossoms of the clustering http://www.naturaltint.com/WhatisHenna.htm henna , and the sweet scented daukmali, are profusely used, and there is constantly a crowd of well dressed people, for Orientals are always at leisure, and always in a mood to enjoy sight-seeing. When the http://www.isle-of-m.../iomnhas/lm1p107.htm pile is to be ignited, lighted papers are plentifully distributed by the priests, and applied by all who are near enough to reach the pyramid. Rejoicing and music are kept up during the burning, to celebrate the happy liberation of the spirit of the deceased. There is one other ceremony connected with the incineration of the body at all Buddhistic funerals that I must not neglect to mention. While the flames are gleaming most fiercely, sending forth their forked tongues of glowing fire, the nearest reletives toss bundles of clothing across the flaming bier, uttering meanwhile in low, plaintive tones solemn, earnest invocations, which can be heard only occasionally in the pauses of wailing dirge and the fierce clang of instruments. I had witnessed these strange proceedings, so like child's play to us at several different funerals, before I was able to comprehend their significance. To the imaginative Oriental they are no unmeaning ceremony, but a species of necromancy, by means of which he would peer into the unknown future to catch a glimpse of the loved and lost. All Buddhists believe in transmigration, and their sacred books tell them that 6 times at least the souls of even the best and purest must cross the fiery gulf that separates this state of being from the http://www.wholesome.../judson/judson4.html Nigban for which they pine - the Elysian fields, where in shady groves and amid fadeless flowers, the faithful ever securely slumber in dreamless unconsciousness, insensible alike to pain and pleasure, and utterly incapable of volition, thought and action, yet not dead. When guilt has been incurred by any breach of Buddhistic law, the number of probationary lives is increased in proportion to the magnitude of the offense - often, are generally, reaching to hundreds and even thousands of states of being - till, "by oft repeated trials and sufferings, the soul is purged from sin, and rendered meet for the companionship of the blessed". But 6 times, at the very least, the soul must have inhabiited an earthly body; and if, in tossing the bundles of clothing across the pyre, they fall not a single time, the survivors believe that the deceased has passed his last ordeal, and is thence forward safely housed in Nigpan. But if the bundles fall, read in this casualty an omen of additional states of trial and discipline, just as many in number are the failures in catching the bundles. After 8 or 10 falls they give up in despair, thinking it useless to peer further into the dismal future of one who has still so many lives of discipline before him. There is no childish trifling in this matter, as some travelers have supposed; it is an affair of the gravest moment and of heart thrilling interest, while its results are watched with intense anxiety. In this ceremony is doubtless to be found the reason why a devout Buddhist never plays in any game that requires a ball or other object to be caught in the hands. To him such pastime is a sacrilege, a profane trifling with things sacred - sure to be visited in some future state with a severe penalty. I have spoken of the lack of cemeteries, yet I have read many Oriental epigraphs, engraved, not on pillars or tablets of marble, but on those precious gold and silver urns; which, to the imaginative Oriental, form the tangible links in the chain that binds him to the dear ones that have faded from his view; and, watering them daily with his tears, the very spots where they rest beome to him hallowed ground. The epitaphs are characterized by touching simplicity: "The flower that once lay in my bosom", "The heart where I loved to nestle", "My withered bud", "Joy of the harem", "Earth's fairest flower", "Pure as a dewdrop", "Sunlight of my home", and "Sleep sweetly", without the name and age of the deceased, are some of the inscriptions I have read, not without emotion (Lippincott's Magazine).
Gazette & Courier - Monday, March 2, 1874
P.V.M. Association
P.V.M. Association - The 4th annual meeting was held in Deerfield Tues. The attendance at the aft. session in Dr. Crawford's church was not large, but there was a sufficient number of the earnest workers in the organization present to show that the interest in the purpose of its formation is still unabated. The towns represented were Deerfield, Greenfield, Charlemont and Leverett. The President, George Sheldon Esq., being in ill health, Col. R.H. Leavitt of Charlemont was called upon to preside...The number of members is 116, 11 having joined during the year and 4 having died. S.R. Phillips of Springfield, H.W. Taft of Pittsfield and http://ftp.rootsweb....u/bios/c/rchilds.txt Rodolphus Childs of Dover Ill. had become life members during the year...The balance in the treasury was $1262. The Cabinet Keeper stated that since the last annual meeting donations have been received from Susan S. Smith, Pembroke, A.D. Welch, Turners Falls, Alfred Wells, George Pierce Jr., Jona. Johnson, S.C. Wells, L.W. Rice, S.O. Lamb, http://archiver.root...Y/2002-11/1038538579 Whiting Griswold , Levi Stiles, C.H. Taylor, F.L. Nash, W.T. Davis, L.A. Nash, Frank J. Pratt, Greenfield, Mrs. Anna Upham, Mrs. Hannah W. Goodenough, John and Mary Mason, Lucy Shelburne, Mrs. Parsons Warner, Dwight D. Whitmore [I believe this is http://merrill.olm.n...hawks/HawksPart2.doc Daniel Dwight Whitmore ], John M. Smith, Mrs. Mary Taft, Mrs. Electa Squires, John Robinson, Eli [Barns], R.A. Graves, Fred Z. Beaman, Sunderland, Mrs. D. Nims, Osmond Hutchins, Mrs. Charles E. Williams, Martha Munn, Mabel A. Cowles, Mary Hawks, http://freepages.gen...tos/hampshire_ma.htm Charles D. Billings , Mrs. Antis Eaton, Charles E. Williams, Joseph A. Baldwin, John Fitzgerald, Mrs. Lucretia Eels, Deerfield, F.G. Lord, Athol, P.W. Johnson, A. Stebbins, Vernon Vt., Charles Barber, Winchester, N.H., Mary Belcher, Mrs. Caroline Cowles, http://www.gencircle.../casmero/1/data/4409 Mrs. Nelson Purple [Louisa Holton], Northfield, Samuel Millard Hingham, Mrs. E.L. Burke, ___ Frizzell, Misses Hinsdale, William E. Rythers, http://www.tracingro...an/RR02/RR02_065.htm Ezekiel C. Hale , Bernardston, R.H. Leavitt, Phineas Field, Charlemont, Alden Adams, Dr. David Rice, Leverett, Hervey Barber, Warwick, Zebina Taylor, Montague, Rev. A.W. Field, Blandford. A vote of thanks was passed by the association to the donors. A number of contributions of relics from various sources were brought into the meeting. Among them was a printed copy of a sermon preached in Shutesbury in 1810, by http://www.rootsweb.com/~mafrankl/zlev.html Rev. Henry Williams , the first Minister ever settled in Leverett, and which created a great sensation at the time and was followed by a large revival. This was from Mrs. Dr. Rice of Leverett, who also brought a book entitled "The Man of Nature", published in 1773, and another ancient volume in Latin, with several old bank bills and confederate currency. A tomahawk was presented by Franklin Arms of Conway, which had been found by him near where the first town meeting was held, Aug. 24, 1767. Deacon P. Field of E. Charlemont, who has something to offer at every meeting, gave this time a copy of the Boston Gazette, published in 1801, when Thomas Jefferson was elected President. He also had an ancient spelling book, an old pocket book, bank notes, confederate money, etc. Deacon Field proposed the building of a Memorial Kitchen, where their annual meetings might be held, which should be constructed as were the kitchens in ye olden time, and fitted up with all the appliances of that ancient day. Here he would have an annual dinner served, when the bill of fare would include the "delicacies" that delighted the palates of the epicures of a former century. Rev. J.H. Temple of Framingham objected to his including potatoes in his list of ancient eatables, for those were among the modern improvements. In the old times no one with any pretensions to respectability would eat a potato. The potato was first brought to this country in 1713 by the Scotch [which is funny, because they originated in Peru], were introduced into Sunderland in 1769, but were looked upon with such disfavor that they talked of disciplining a Minister for raising them. President Sheldon made some remarks in which he stated that Deerfield, long ago, set the example of electing women on School Committees, for Mrs. Sarah G. Barnard was elected and served in that capacity 11 years ago. Deacon Field read a narrative dictated by Mrs. Lucretia White of Northfield, an octogenarian, which gave the details of a journey from Heath to Bennington Vt., when the party was overtaken by a snow storm and spent the night in the wilds, with an old hut for a shelter and no food but a little that they happened to have in their lunch baskets. An election of officers of the Association for the year resulted as follows: President, George Sheldon of Deerfield; Vice President, Col. R.H. Leavitt, Charlemont, Mrs. Harriet Clapp Rice of Leverett, corresponding Secretary, Rev. R. Crawford, D.D. of Deerfield, Recording Secretary and Treasurer, Nathaniel Hitchcock of Deerfield; councilors, Rev. E. Buckingham , Dr. R.N. Porter, Zeri Smith, O.S. Arms, Mrs. Julia A. Cowling of Deerfield, J. Johnson, A. DeWolf. S.O. Lamb, E.A. Hall of Greenfield, Smith R. Phillips of Springfield, John M. Smith of Sunderland, C. Allen Baker of Cambridge, E.L. Holton of Northfield, Lorenzo Brown of Vernon Vt....The social and literary entertainment of the day was deferred until the eve. session, which opened at the Town Hall about 6 o'clock. The leading feature of the programme was a "tea party", and Deerfield tea parties are like those held nowhere else, for the good ladies of the village have attained the highest excellence in the culinary art, and enjoy nothing better than an opportunity to exhibit their accomplishments in this direction. The arrangements at the Hall were under the direction of Justin Hitchcock, assisted by Mrs. Julia A. Cowing, Mrs. Maria S. Hitchcock, Mrs. C.A. Stebbins and two or thee gentlemen. Before joining in the feast there was some excellent singing by the choir, and a blessing by Rev. Mr. Watson of Leverett. The refreshments were quietly passed while the company were seated, and all present were helped to the fullest satisfaction. Col. Leavitt finally called the meeting to order and the literary exercises were opened by the reading of a paper by President Sheldon, referring to the tradition about the deliverance of Hadley from an attack by the Indians in 1673. The story was that the people had assembled at the meeting house for fasting and prayer, taking their arms with them, when they were suddenly attacked by the Indians. At this critical moment there appeared among the settlers a man of venerable aspect and manner, [who] marshaled them to repel the savages, who were speedily driven from the town. The people were said to look upon their deliverer as an angel sent from God. Subsequently historians have claimed that the man with "venerable aspect and in strange garb" was http://www.bio.umass...nn.river/hadley.html General Goffe , one of the two http://www.rootsweb....tml/russell_1879.htm Regicide Judges who condemned King Charles, and were secreted in the home of Rev. Mr. Russell, fugitives from the British Crown, who thus suddenly appeared from his hiding place to aid the people, and who as suddenly retired and was never seen afterward. Mr. S. in his research has tried to trace the various threads of this history to a reliable source, but has become convinced, first, that there was "no attack" at all on Hadley Sept. 1, 1675; second, that General Goffe never appeared at any attack on that town. Rev. J.H. Temple of Framingham was now introduced, and read a paper on "Indian Name Words". The Red Men had no written language and there was great inaccuracy and confusion in their words transmitted to us by the early settlers. No one then took a thought of the historic value of the language, for it expressed the character and thoughts of the race with wonderful beauty and truth. The Indian talked but little, but when he spoke it meant something. He condensed his thoughts in his words, and there was beauty in their meaning. The names they gave to men indicated their leading characteristic, and were frequently changed, and for this reason the children had no names. They called the mountains, rivers and other objects by terms that expressed their description or history. http://www.crossmyt.com/hc/gen/deerfild.html Pocumtuck , the Indian name of Deerfield, was the "Open Rock Place", suggested by the cut through the mountain, where the Deerfield enters into the Connecticut. The name of the Connecticut signifies the "Long River with Waves". Sugarloaf Mountain was the "Red High Rock", that of Massachusetts "At the Great Mountain", and the speaker repeated many of the Indian appellations to different objects and things, and translated their meaning. He thought that it should be the object of the association to preserve these names as far as possible. The following poem was read by Miss Abbie E. Snow, a teacher in the Deerfield Academy: "Backward Glance" [very long poem]. Rev. J.H. Waterbury of Greenfield made some very happy remarks about the Indians. At Dartmouth College, where he graduated, the charter of the Institution requires that at least 4 Indians shall be educated there at all times, and many of the students had made able and eminent men. The speaker too had preached in Minnesota, and had become familiar with the missionary work among the tribes of Indians, and the condition of the affairs between the settlers and the savages. He denounced in strong terms the cheating and evil practices that had been pursued by Government agents, and said that the warfare staged by the Indians was nearly always a retaliation for the wrongs committed by the whites and spoke in warm praise of the peace policy of the administration....The choir, under the direction of H.S. Childs, which contributed no small share to the success of the exercises, and were greatly praised for their fine music, was composed as follows: H.S. Childs, Amos Shepard, William Warner Jr., B. Zebina Stebbins [ http://www.gencircle...useaann/2/data/42158 Benjamin Zebina Stebbins ], Tenor, Mrs. Edward Wells, Miss Lizzie Hastings, Mrs. E.C. Cowles, Mrs. H.S. Childs, Soprano, Mrs. C.A. Stebbins [ http://www.gencircle...useaann/2/data/42155 Laura Alfreda Grout, wife of Christopher Austin Stebbins ], Miss Susie Anderson, Contralto, Austin I. Billings, Edward Wells, J.B. Hitchcock, Edgar M. Smith, Basso, John Field, Organist. The exercises closed by singing an ode written for the occasion by George B. Bartlett of Boston, which will be found on our first page, to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, in which all joined.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, April 27, 1874
(Sunderland) A postal card with important information was 3 days going from North Hadley P.O. to Sunderland P.O. last week, a distance of about 6 miles. The only reason that we can think of why it sh
(Sunderland) A postal card with important information was 3 days going from North Hadley P.O. to Sunderland P.O. last week, a distance of about 6 miles. The only reason that we can think of why it should be so long on the way is that the sender drew the likeness of a pig instead of writing the name, and the P.M. kept the card to look at. We hope their curiosity was satisfied and they will forward all mailable matter at once hereafter.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 6, 1872
[Full column ad, with various illustrations. First, a man riding on the backs of 4 horses, standing up. Second, an extremely interesting illustration: the background is black, and the figures and wor
[Full column ad, with various illustrations. First, a man riding on the backs of 4 horses, standing up. Second, an extremely interesting illustration: the background is black, and the figures and words are all white. It says "Humpty Dumpty steals a pig". A farmer is standing, arms stretched above his head, holding a knife in one hand. He watches a scene in front - Humpty, a bald, homely fellow, has a pig in his arms, but has fallen, because another pig has hold of his leg, and 3 more pigs run alongside. No. 3 shows a woman doing a backwards somersault, three feet above a racing horse. Illustration 4 has the same black background with white figures. It says "Humpty Dumpty's Goody Two Shoes. The illustration is blurred and slightly confusing. It appears that several angels or http://www.scrapalbum.com/ff1.htm fairies , winged creatures anyway, are standing atop a hill. Stars surround their heads. At the bottom of the drawing are two figures gesturing up towards them. It says " http://www.geocities...ttletommytucker.html Tommy Tucker , Old, http://www.enchanted.../rhymes/Onetwo.shtml Buckle my Shoe " (old nursery rhymes)]. Will exhibit for one day only in Greenfield - on old circus lot, the great North American Circus and Humpty Dumpty Pantomime Troupe. J.W. Wilder [ http://www.circushis...ians/OlympiansW2.htm James Waterman Wilder ], manager. A rare and novel combination of all the excellencies and attractions of the arena, illustrated by a first-class circus company, and all the fun, frolic, and merry mirth of the perfection of pantomime, exemplified by Butler's New York Pantomime Artists from the http://www.rdavisinc.com/comique.htm Theater Comique [i.e. Theatre], New York - the two great specialties combining to produce an entertainment at once novel, unique, artistic, sensational, amusing, and laughable! The exercises of the ring will be novel and fresh in character, the object of the management being to create a new departure from the old, worn out, dusty and stale performances of the ring, and present a series of fresh attractions entirely novel to their features, and embracing everything which can appeal to the intelligent appreciation of the public. To secure this, they have engaged none but live, fresh, young ambitious people whose motto is Excelsior! and who will vie with each others and all contemporaries in an honorable spirit of emulation, for the applause and approbation of their patrons. New scenes of equestrianism, thrilling acts of gymnastics, sensational acrobatic scenes, startling acrobatics, etc., enlivened by the wit and wholesome humor of the two funniest clowns in America, will distinguish the ring performance, while the glorious pantomime of Humpty Dumpty will be given with elaborate tricks, bewildering transformations, and completeness of detail, added to the acme of artistic excellence on the art of the performers, thus leaving nothing to be desired. For full particulars and lists of companies, read our small bills and descriptive sheets. At the aft. performance at 1 o'clock, the entire Circus Company will appear in an elaborate programme, concluding with a pantomimic afterpiece. In the eve. at 8 o'clock, the full Circus Company and the pantomime of Humpty Dumpty!! concluding with the Grand Transformation scene, entitled "The Fire Fiend", in which Senor Fuego [also seen as http://www.circushis...pians/OlympiansF.htm Signor Fuego ] will appear, revolving in the air, surrounded by a globe of fire!!!! Grand street parade at 10 a.m., led by http://www.circushis...pians/OlympiansN.htm Adolph Nichols' Humpty Dumpty Opera Band. Will exhibit in Orange on Thurs. and Athol on Fri.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, April 20, 1874
(Shelburne Falls) The High School opened Wed., under the charge of Mr. Baldwin, an excellent teacher, with 22 girls and 5 boys. Many more have since come in. those boys are in clover.
(Shelburne Falls) The High School opened Wed., under the charge of Mr. Baldwin, an excellent teacher, with 22 girls and 5 boys. Many more have since come in. those boys are in clover.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, March 11, 1872
http://www.nfs-grund...leri1/sider/1872.htm Whiskers ! One package of Prof. Hall's Magic Compound will force the beard to grow thick and heavy on the smoothest face (without injury) in 21 days, or money refunded. 25 cents a package, or 3 for 50 cents. Edgar Jones & Co., Ashland, Mass.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 19, 1873
(Deerfield) Town Hall, Deerfield, Mass. Thurs. May 22nd. Entertainment for the Cemetery fund. Two comic pantomimes
(Deerfield) Town Hall, Deerfield, Mass. Thurs. May 22nd. Entertainment for the Cemetery fund. Two comic pantomimes - three groups of statuary - two sets frame pictures - comic and historic still scenes - by the ladies and gentlemen of Deerfield, under the direction of George B. Hart. Programme: The http://museum.research.missouri.edu/eagall.htm Voyage of Lallah Rookh ; Monumental Group; Morning-Glory - Harem Scarem [This is definitely in use before the Elvis movie; I believe it signifies "confusion", like helter skelter, willy nilly, etc. but I haven't found a real definition yet] - Family Jewels - Chocolate Girl. Too Late for the Train! Snow Spirits - Tired Musicians - Hard Earning, Charade in Tableaux -- Harem Scarem - 1st Harem, 2nd Scarem -- Illustrated Poem - The Sculpture Boy -- Statue "Nidia" . Our forefathers! Statue - Niobe - Pantomime - Love in Ambush - From our Young Folks' Magazine for Jan. 1873. Intermission. The Triumph of Ceres! The Goddess of Grain, surrounded by the Seasons, is escorted by Time on her yearly round. The Magic Mirror! A lover has applied to a http://digital.nypl....6%20lobby%20cards%27 magician to show him his lost love. Sewing On the Button. Pantomime - The Lovers. Doors open at 7 1/2 p.m. Curtain rises at 8. Admission 35 cents.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, March 9, 1874
(Deerfield) [Seymour, who wrote the next three articles, is really too poor of a writer to handle sarcasm or cynicism well. But
(Deerfield) [Seymour, who wrote the next three articles, is really too poor of a writer to handle sarcasm or cynicism well. But - you decide] As our three stalwart, sedate looking Selectmen elect, stood before the Clerk to receive the oath of office at our last Town Meeting, an enthusiastic, wide awake Granger in the crowd, gazing with wide open eyes and mouth at their dignified and stately presence, seemed suddenly electrified by some new and happy idea. He hesitated a moment, and then with a spasmodic and rapturous shout of "They are all Grangers. THEY ARE ALL GRANGERS" with his speaking face wreathed in happy smiles, and his whole person seemingly wrapt in the soul transporting thought, he clambered over desks, elbowed his passage through the crowd, in their innocence little suspecting the momentous startling fact, and the stupendous issues hanging thereon, and placing himself before the astonished three, exhausted with his extraordinary efforts, perspiring at every pore, yet with countenance lighted and transfigured with the glorious intelligence he had to convey, the clerk delayed the performance of his part; he gave each "the grip", and whispered the magic news. What a scene; happy dedicated brothers approached the 3 representatives in whose hands rested such new and awful responsibilities, and besought them to improve to the utmost the wide opportunities that lay in their grasp. Smiles, grips, jollity, happiness reigned. It was a touching scene. Descending finally to common scenes again and every day life, the clerk was permitted to perform his duty, and the business of the day proceeded. Looking over our list of Assessors, we find a majority of the Board, possibly every one, belonging to the same band of brothers. Such, Mr. Editor, are the melancholy facts, but in spite of this infirmity, we believe from what we know of the men elected to the offices, our town affairs will still be economically and intelligently managed. Disappointed political managers and aspirants in the late canvass attribute this episode to the "Granger slate". What a ridiculous idea! Besides, they deny it.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, March 17, 1873
The item which has been going the rounds of the papers in regard to the singular death of Justus G. Ringe of Templeton, after bathing his leg in Magic Oil, is a silly or malicious hoax, which is calc
The item which has been going the rounds of the papers in regard to the singular death of Justus G. Ringe of Templeton, after bathing his leg in Magic Oil, is a silly or malicious hoax, which is calculated to injure Messrs. Renne & Co. of Pittsfield. Dr. J.G. Batchelder, who attended Ringe professionally, says his death was probably caused by congestion of the brain or lungs, and was not in any way connected with the use of Magic Oil.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 11, 1871
The genial
The genial http://lcweb2.loc.go...m856sf=n004333:@@@cd magician - Nearly everyone knows http://www.uelectric.../blitzandthefire.htm Signor Blitz , the genial old gentleman who for 30 years or more, has given delight to the children and those older people who have gone to see him "for the children's sake" with his sleight of hand tricks, his ventriloquism, and his http://www.harvardma...sues/jf99/magic.html canary birds . One of the good things about the Signor is that though he is of a foreign birth, he has become thoroughly Americanized during his long residence in the Unite States and gives evidence, in his talk and actions, that he feels like one to the manor born. The Signor has been spending some of the days of his later years in recalling the amusing incidents which have happened to him at his various exhibitions, & has embodied them in a book, which he calls http://www.uelectric.com/pastimes/blitzwedding.htm Fifty Years in the Magic Circle ...
Gazette & Courier - Monday, January 26, 1874
Spiritualism the work of the devil
Spiritualism the work of the devil - Editor of the Herald: "Having read in the Herald of the 20th, the article headed "The Spirit Land", I feel impelled to say just what I think and feel...A few years ago when http://www.paralumun.com/planchette.htm planchette was introduced into the city of Boston, I purchased one and commenced writing, wrote fluidly and with perfect ease. I soon found http://www.mahkah.co...oard__hexenbrett.htm planchette was not sufficient for me. I took my pencil and through a mediumistic influence answered all manner of questions. Then mental questions were asked me; these I answered with remarkable facility. I next tipped tables; made one follow me across the room. I found myself becoming increasingly interested in Spiritualism; attended several seances, talked with mediums. I then became a medium, made predictions, was influenced by an Indian spirit, saw my friends in the "happy hunting grounds". I would go into a store and the moment I saw a person would know and feel that they were spiritualists. I approached one man and asked him if he were a spiritualist. "Why yes" he said. "I was one of the first Spiritualists in New England. But I have changed...Now I, as a professor of religion and one who knows something about spiritualism, feel it my duty to speak a word for Christ, and do all in my power to break down spiritualism...It is the devil and no other power in heaven or on earth"...(Boston Herald).
- Wed, Feb 11, 2009
