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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, August 16, 1875
Coleraine
The bee man, extensively known among those interested in bees, is sending queens to all parts of the country. It pays to visit his place and see the bee city, and witness with what unconcern Mr. Cary handles the busy little creatures. Where there, you should not fail to look at Whiting's trout ponds, and feast your eyes, if nothing more, by a look at the finny tribes there.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 16, 1875
Shelburne
Deacon Peck has quite a no. of city boarders from all parts of the country, which seems to suit first rate, and make things quite lively in the northeast part of the town, while the southeast is kept lively by the railroad excitement. The men who worked for Ward & Hagan have been greatly excited about their pay, and threatened to stop all the work upon the road and blow up the stone work if they were not paid immediately.
Mon. morning Mr. Hill, the State Overseer, was hung in effigy with a coffin nearby, surmounted by a red flag which caused much excitement, but it seems more quiet of late. Many of the men declare they will not work until they are paid up in full. It seems too bad that the honest farmers should lose their bills for board.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 9, 1875
Poisoned bologna
11 children, one of whom has since died, were poisoned at Philadelphia Thurs., by eating bologna sausage which had been thrown away by a grocery man, and which was picked up, cleaned and eaten by a boy named Koenig, who also gave some of it to the children. The grocery man and sausage maker were arrested.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 2, 1875
The social evil in Colorado
The Denver Chronicle of Apr. 25th contains the following:
"Alderman Case, on behalf of the Judiciary Committee, has submitted an ordinance to regulate the social evil in this city, which will come before the council for adoption. Section 1 of said ordinance authorizes the mayor, on application, approved by the city physician and the committee on police, to issue permits to keep houses of prostitution on payment of 50 dollars per quarter, and to sell liquor therein as if provided with liquor license. The applicant is obliged to furnish, with good sureties, a bond, in the penal sum of 300 dollars, for keeping a quiet and orderly house, and not permit any gaming of any name or nature therein, and for the faithful observance of all city ordinances.
Section 2 provides that the inmates of these houses shall, in no manner, hang out any signs to indicate their character, and shall be accessible, at all times, day and night, to the police. Section 3 compels all private prostitutes to take out license as above. Section 4 provides that no virtuous girl under the age of 18, nor male under the age of 21, shall be permitted to enter these houses without the written consent of their parents.
Section 5 forbids the "nymph" from, in any manner or form, plying their vocation upon the streets, or at the door or windows of the house, nor shall they make any open, meretricious display of themselves upon the street or in any public place. Section 6 makes it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of no less than 10 dollars, no more than 50 dollars, to violate any of the provisions of this ordinance, and authorizes the mayor to revoke the permit.
Section 7 repeals all former ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance. Section 8 provides that the ordinance shall take effect June 1, 1875. In submitting the report, the committee say that since the public mind had been directed to the necessity of dealing with this social evil question, they felt called upon to frame some provisions to regulate the same and keep the same under proper restrictions".
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 26, 1875
Charlemont
E.E. Warfield has opened his new dwelling to city boarders, receiving his first installment of boarders from Boston on Sat., and still has room for a few more. When such families open their doors it makes us wish we were a city boarder that we might enjoy the beautiful prospect from the mountain side and sit at the well furnished table, and last but not least, see the little ones quaff the sweet, pure milk from his herd of splendid cows that graze upon the hillside.
[Incredibly this farm, in the same location, still exists as a popular working farm bed & breakfast! It is called the Warfield House Inn at Valley View Farm. Started in 1868, and still owned and operated by the same family, and still having the most magnificent views around! http://archiver.root...Y/2003-01/1043125120 ].
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 26, 1875
News of the week
A shocking parricide occurred in thirty Fourth Street, New York, Sun. James Bailey, a wealthy gentleman, was shot dead by his eldest son, who refused to allow his father to see a letter, which the latter demanded. At the inquest Wed., Bailey was excused from all blame by the Coroner’s Jury. It seems from the evidence elicited at the inquest that when the son shot the father, the latter was in the act of trying to throw his (the father’s) wife out of the window. The son remonstrated, when the father turned on him and would have injured him had not the latter fired the pistol in self defense. When the verdict of the jury was announced, the mother, who was present, fainted and was carried from the room. The scene was very affecting.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 5, 1875
Montague City
The community, usually so quiet, had a genuine sensation the other day. It appears that one Partridge, who has lived in the vicinity for some time, separated from his wife a year or two since. The couple were never divorced, but the woman, not waiting for that process, remarried, and has since lived in Boston. Partridge kept possession of their child, against the mother’s will.
Two women came to Montague a few weeks since, both well dressed and city bred in appearance. From inquiries they made, it was found that they were after the child, and Partridge was put on his guard. But two weeks later he met on the road a stranger with a lady closely veiled. It occurred to him afterward that the lady was his wife, and hastening to the place where the child was living, he found that she had been forcibly taken away, the mother of the child using a pistol to frighten those who opposed her. Partridge has gone to Boston, and says that he will stay there until he recovers the child.
An extraordinary thunderstorm passed over the old Hungarian capital of Buda, opposite Pesth [i.e. Pest] on the Danube Mon. The lightning was incessant and hail fell in such quantities that the roofs of the houses and the surrounding hills were covered 2 ft. thick with ice. The waterfall was extraordinary. Torrents swept through the streets of Buda carrying men, vehicles and everything movable down the river. Many houses were suddenly flooded and destroyed before the inmates could escape. Over 500 of the inhabitants are missing, and at least 100 drowned or killed by falling walls. All the railways are interrupted. [See "The floods of Buda-Pesth in the New York Times online index for July 26, 1875].
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 15, 1871
Let the babies dig in the dirt
We once asked an old Winnebago squaw how it was that she cured her family by simply covering them every day with fresh earth, leaving only a breathing spot for their noses, and she said: "Earth our mother. Earth make she, and Earth take good care to make she papooses strong; squaw mother make she papooses sick. Earth mother make she papooses strong again. She can’t tell white squaw any more".
Now this poor Indian woman was wise according to her lights. Without knowing why, she saw that the earth was a friend to her children, and therefore gave them to its healing embrace. If the mother be fortunate enough to live in the country, she has the cure of many of her children’s ills quite at hand. Encourage baby to play in the fresh earth, preparing it properly for its enjoyment and cure, with as careful an eye to the comfort of the little thing as you would if it were to take any other kind of a bath. If it has no old dresses, make it a suit of cheap print, tie upon its head a light hat that will protect its eyes from discomfort, and invigorate it.
If it is a city child, and circumstances forbid a trip to the country for the sake of the weak convalescent, have a sand heap made on the warm side of your yard. Instinct will teach it to dig, and digging hardens the muscles and brings strength to the bones, while from the heart of the earth rises a subtle and strong power of healing that we can neither explain nor understand for ourselves, though we have both seen and felt its potency (The Metropolitan).
Gazette & Courier - Monday, June 14, 1875
Divorced
In the city of New York, on the 1st day of June, by the Honorable Abraham Lawrence, Justice of Supreme Court, Lucy Rose from Truman Rose. Divorce absolute. Parties formerly of Greenfield. [See Descendants of Wells first generation on the web].
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 31, 1875
News about town: Greenfield items
Greenfield promises to be well patronized this summer by city boarders. A Mr. Herrick and family of New York [this could possibly be Dwight Stiles Herrick http://www.peekskillmuseum.org/herricks.htm , will occupy Mrs. F.B. Russell's house on Main Street, Mr. Leadbetter and a family of 4 persons from New York have engaged a suit of rooms at the Mansion House, and William H. Erwin and family, who stopped at the Mansion House last year, will return this summer. There is no reason why our village should not be a favorite one for strangers, for there are few towns that can offer greater attractions.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 24, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
We have received from Joseph H. Sprague, son of P.T. Sprague, Esq. of this town, a neatly printed copy of the address of Mr. Sprague, who is Mayor of the city of Hartford, Conn. He has long been a resident of that city, and is very much respected as a business man and a citizen. So Greenfield boys, who respect themselves at home, are appreciated and make their mark when they go abroad for business pursuits and to make themselves a home.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 17, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
There is nothing which is more commendable in a village like ours, than a disposition on the part of householders to slick up and make tidy their dooryards and premises. In cities the authorities look out for sidewalks, etc., and compel the people to adopt sanitary rules and follow certain laws. But in our little democratic town every man is his own master, and is left to follow his own inclination. It is therefore very pleasing to see the spirit of cleanliness and good taste that often manifests itself. When one man in a neighborhood sets a good example in this respect, it is quite sure to be followed, and we want to see this "fixing up" mania so prevalent that we shall have the most charming village to be found in the Commonwealth.
The only amusing thing happening here of late was the visit of two mountaineers from Northfield to our beloved Erving Hermit, John. One was an old and the other a young and uncommonly bashful man. While at the Hermitage, other visitors arrived, a man and two ladies from Boston. One of the ladies soon discovered the annoyance the young man felt by being thus brought into "company", and planned for fun. Examining John's "register" she learned the young man's name, then, oh, how she played the sociable! She walked where he walked, talked rapidly, grandly, even affectionately, all of which took the breath out of him, for he never has been into company and she knew her sociability was tormenting to him. When at last freed from her, you ought to have seen him hurry up the mountain for home. And if there's to be such doings at the hermit's, one young man knows how to avoid further trouble [What a nasty piece of work that city woman was!].
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 3, 1875
Boston expects to make one of the most extensive demonstrations ever seen in New England at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill
Boston expects to make one of the most extensive demonstrations ever seen in New England at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17th, though there is already some grumbling that the $30,000 city appropriation is insufficient. The entire State militia, numbering 7000 men, will be out, and with other military organizations, will make 10,000 men under arms in town. The Norfolk (Va.) light artillery blues will be there, with the mayor and other city dignitaries, also the 7th regiment of New York, accompanied by Gilmore's Band of 100 instruments, the Putnam Phalanx of Hartford, Conn., the Ransom Guard of St. Albans, Vt. and others.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, April 26, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
The First National Bank has long felt the need of better safe accommodations, not that the officers apprehended any great danger from robbers, but the two safes in use were made long before the invention of modern burglar proof locks, and besides were small and inconvenient. It was finally decided to fill this want by the purchase of a new safe http://www.usgennet.org/usa/in/county/vanderburgh
ostcards/city_nat_bank_vault.jpg and the very best manufactured. A man from the establishment of Morris & Ireland of Boston, who have made safes for several of the leading banks of that city, was sent for, made some measurements in the vault, and has had constructed just such a safe as was needed for the place.
/ It is 4 1/2 ft. high, 3 1/2 wide, 28 inches deep, and weighs 5 tons. It arrived last Tues. and John Osterhout, who loaded it onto a truck at the depot, had a hard time pulling it up Clay hill. He got stuck once, and it was quite a long time before the 3 yokes of oxen and pair of horses succeeded in hauling the wheels out of the mire. The old vault door in the bank was not large enough to admit the safe, and George Day and Frank Park were employed to hew away the walls of mason work and make an aperture large enough to accommodate it and to put up the new vault doors purchased with it.
/ The latter are 6 ft. high and 30 inches wide, an outer and inner door, in a vestibule about 3 ft. deep. The doors, made of welded steel between plates of welded iron, are 2 1/2 inches thick, while the iron of the vestibule, made in a singular manner, is 1 1/2 inches thick. On the outer vault door is a Yale dial lock, and on the inner door a perfection lock. The safe, which is as burglarproof as it is possible to make them, is of welded iron and steel...and has a "strong box" inside...The cost of the safe was about $6000 and it will answer the requirements of the institution, it is hoped, for many years to come. The superintendent of Messrs. Morris & Ireland's manufactory was here to direct the setting up erection of the doors, etc. [Read more about Mr. Morris in the New York Times of Jan. 18, 1896].
Gazette & Courier - Monday, April 26, 1875
Daring robbery of a New York horse car
One of the boldest robberies that has ever been committed in New York occurred on one of the Belt line horse cars Mon. William P. Goldin, messenger for the Architectural Iron Works had just drawn $3000 from a bank and entered the car, when he was followed by 3 rough looking men, one of whom sat beside him, and the other 2 as near as possible. While passing through 14th Street between Avenues C & D, the man who sat beside Goldin snatched the package of money from him and dashed out of the door, one of the pals following him, while the other rushed to the door, drew a revolver and threatened to shoot the first person who stirred. The passengers, all of whom had risen, fell back dismayed before the revolver, the ladies screaming while the robbers jumped into a two-seated wagon that had been following the car and made off. One of the passengers managed to get out of the car and seize the robbers' horses by the head, but he was at once knocked down and the highwaymen made good their escape.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, April 26, 1875
News of the week
The Adventists in Chicago assembled Mon. night, in a private way, and waited till nearly morning with their white robes in readiness for the expected coming of Christ. They finally dispersed quietly.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, April 19, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
Any of the people of this vicinity who may desire to see some beautiful upholstered work should visit the furniture rooms of J.L. Lyons, and examine the rich parlor suits made by the upholsterer in his employ. No finer looking work comes from the city establishments and what is better, it can be relied upon as being well done. Mr. Lyons has a prime stock in every department of his extensive store.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, April 19, 1875
Barnum has laid his plan for his summer campaign
Barnum has laid his plan for his summer campaign. He has had 125 cars built to carry his Hippodrome through all the larger cities in the Eastern, Middle, and Western States. The daily expenses of the Hippodrome alone in New York are about $5000 in the winter, and there will be 1/3 more in the summer. Barnum employs 1800 men, women and children, 750 horses, including 300 blooded race horses and ponies, elephants and camels, English stags and stag hounds, ostriches, etc. Donaldson is to travel with the company to make daily balloon ascensions and his services with the cost of filling the balloons will be $500 per day. The wardrobes of the company cost over $100,000. Next autumn the whole establishment will be moved across the ocean to astonish Europe.
- Wed, Feb 24, 2010
