The Franklin County Publication Archive Index is constantly updated. By creating an account you can elect to receive notices when new articles are added and when people comment on the articles.
To search for a particular subject term, click on the highlighted link containing that term at the bottom of the article. For example, if you are seeking more articles about animals, click on the highlighted link which says Animals/Reptiles/Amphibians.
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
August Flower
August Flower - The most miserable beings in the world are those suffering from dyspepsia and liver complaint. More than 75% of the people in the United States are afflicted with these two diseases and their effects, such as Sour Stomach, Sick Headache, Habitual Costiveness, Palpitation of the Heart, Heart-burn, Water-brash, gnawing and burning pains at the pit of the Stomach, Yellow Skin, Coated Tongue, and disagreeable taste in the mouth, coming up of food after eating, low spirits, etc.
Go to the Drug Store of Childs & Payne, Greenfield, and W.B. Andrews, Orange, and get a 75 cent bottle, or a sample bottle for 10 cents. Try it. Two doses will relieve you.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 13, 1875
Conway
Conway - A tramp attempted to enter the house of one of our citizens, through the window, 2 or 3 days since, while the parents of the girls left alone were absent attending a relative's funeral. Instead of the croquet mallet and ball our young ladies must learn the use of fire arms, for their own protection, in these perilous times where the law is found insufficient.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 6, 1875
Leyden
Leyden - Some foolish boys have been doing mischief to unoccupied houses. Patrick Dwyer's suffering the loss of considerable glass. They had better consult Justice Davis and learn what penalty the law imposes upon such rogues.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 6, 1875
The Old Brick School house rejoices
The Old Brick School house rejoices - Ha ha! I am pleased. Relief has come: my eyes are partially in use. I am certainly improving, inwardly and outwardly. Past neglect has given way to present attention, and I am in high glee. In a few days I expect lots of company; and now that "Richard is himself again" all will go well.
The "five score of dollars" has been well laid out to help me in my declining years. Be assured, ye Fathers of the Town, and the School Committee, your labors in my behalf are fully appreciated, and I will serve you to the best of my ability. So send in the short folks. I will make room for them; they shall be well cared for.
Now I ask in closing, that I may have the "full use" of my eyes. Don't excuse the matter by saying that the boys will pelt me if I look at them. No such thing. The boys have too much respect for me at my time of life, to treat me ill. "Old Brick"
*Some windows are boarded up yet, and present a prison-like appearance.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 6, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
(Greenfield) The biggest thing in the way of cucumbers has been raised by John Holton of Gill. He brought two into town Sat., one measuring 5 ft. and the other 5 ft. and 8 inches in length. They grew in coils, like snakes. The shorter one can be seen in Moody’s window.
"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 30, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
Work has been commenced upon G.D. Williams Esq's. new residence. A.G. Ball of Deerfield is putting in the foundation, and F.L. Burnham will have charge of the carpenter work, which will be done by the day. It is hoped that the house will be ready for occupation about the 1st of Jan. It will be a two story structure, differing entirely in style of architecture from anything we have in town. Bay and dormer windows will make the principal rooms exceedingly pleasant, and the house will be finished in excellent taste, and supplied with every desired convenience.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 23, 1875
Advertisement
[Wonderful illustration of a Cohansey Jar, predecessor of the Mason Jar]. Preserving made easy! Housekeepers experiencing the superior convenience and reliability of the latest improvement in fruit jars, desire the "Cohansey" jars, with glass lid and screw clamp in one piece; or the "Protector" jars, with anti-rust lined metal tops. No separate pieces to the tops to be lost. No wrench required for opening or closing. Can be opened more readily, and are more reliable, convenient and cheaper than others. Be certain to try them. Cohansey Glass Mf'g. Co., manuf'rs. of window glass, bottles & fruit jars. Corner Third and Arch Streets, Philadelphia.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 23, 1875
Montague
A few mornings since a dark flag was seen waving on Mt. Toby by a Sunderland man, who was at a loss to determine its significance. He conjectured it to be a signal of distress, though he did not start to the rescue. The flag was in the hands of one communicating telegraphically with a person in this village. With the aid of glasses, these persons say they could talk successfully with each other. We should think proprietor Goss might devise a way to communicate with his man at the summit from his place of business at the city.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 23, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
Saturday night’s fire - We had a narrow escape from a serious fire Sat. night, after an immunity of over 2 years. About 11 o’clock, Charles Burnham and James Keith discovered smoke billowing from the basement of F.E. Field’s crockery store in Union Block, belonging to the estate of the late R.R. Taylor. The alarm was given at once, and the fire department were soon upon the scene. So dense, however, was the smoke in the cellar of the store that it was impossible to make an entrance, but the water was applied as well as possible through the basement window and door. It was like fighting an enemy in the dark, and ere long the fire had worked its way up the partition between Field’s store and the central stairway; and following beneath the latter, crept along the base boards and up the walls on the second floor.
Streams from two hydrants - one directed inside the crockery store, and the other in the stairway (holes being cut with an axe through the plastering) - poured in a flood of water, which deluged the block from top to bottom. But so difficult was it to reach the flames, and so thick was the smoke, that it was nearly an hour before the fire was finally subdued. soon after the first alarm, Mrs. Smith, a sister of Mrs. S.F. Warner, who occupied 4 rooms on the second floor, and who is an invalid, was taken out by Dr. Deane and others, through a passageway into the American House, the smoke preventing egress in any other direction.
The origin of the fire is not yet apparent. It caught in a pile of straw taken from crockery crates; but Mr. Field says that about 8 in the eve. he went into the cellar and everything was all right. Whether the fire was ignited by an incendiary or by spontaneous combustion is matter for speculation [I’LL say!].
The damage is of course more from the water than the fire. But few articles were taken from the stores, and everything in the main building was saturated. More or less crockery was broken, but the firemen were disposed to be as careful as the circumstances would permit. Perhaps the most serious damage is in the stove and tin shop of M. R. Pierce & Co., who occupy the other side of the block. It was completely stocked with valuable stoves and iron ware, which will be badly rusted and rendered unusable.
Their work room, fortunately, is in a one story projection in the rear, and escaped the general deluge. Mrs. Smith’s goods and furniture were thoroughly smoked and wet, and we understand that she was not insured. A gold watch, which she had left behind in her flight, was taken out by Charles Smith, when the fire was at its height, who entered a window at the risk of suffocation. There is $4000 insurance on the building, placed equally in the Dorchester and Quincy companies.
F.E. Field has policies of $3000 divided between the Hanover, N.Y. and the American, Pa., and $1000 in the builders. M.R. Pierce & Co. were insured for $3000 in the Hanover and American. The rooms over M.R. Pierce & Co’s. store had just been rented to a Miss Thayer, a dressmaker. She had her carpets put down on Sat., and the firemen took them up without serious damage. She had no other goods on the premises.
It is difficult to estimate the amount of the loss. The insurance companies will doubtless repair or settle all damages. The firemen, under Chief Engineer Lyon, did their duty well, and the Glen water proved its value. Hand engines, with such a fire, would not have been equal to the task, and there is no telling where the conflagration would have stopped.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 16, 1875
Conway
The latest case of mistaken identity occurred on Sat. A certain toper sent his boy to the village for a bottle of the ardent. The boy seeing the rosy face of the cashier, through the bank window, supposed that was the proper place and applied according to instructions. Unwilling to send the lad away with an empty bottle, the man of checks forgave the youth for his unwarranted judgment, and filled his whiskey bottle with ice water, refusing the proffered cash upon the plea that he would charge it as usual.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 9, 1875
News of the week
A bottle has been found on the shore of Lake Michigan containing a card purporting to have been written by Donaldson. The card states that the gas is rapidly escaping and the balloon will not stay up over an hour.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 2, 1875
Wife abuse
There was another illustration in the court of general sessions recently of the way a woman will lie to save her husband, no matter how badly he abuses her. Thomas Sprott was placed on trial, charged with trying to kill his wife by throwing her out of a third story window on to a pavement; two of the neighbors testified to seeing him pushing her out, and striking her hands when she laid hold of the window sashes till she had to let go, though fortunately an awning broke her fall; and all this within 4 days after she had given birth to a child, and at the hands of a man who had been arrested for beating her only a few days before her confinement.
Yet, when put on the stand, Mrs. Sprott swore that her husband never threw her out of the window - she must have fallen out in delirium - and was uniformly kind and loving. The jury, however, found him guilty without leaving their seats, and he was sentenced to 10 years at hard labor in State Prison.
[See the New York Times Online index article entitled "A brutal husband punished" in the July 20,1875 issue].
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, August 2, 1875
Shelburne Falls
A pack peddler called, not long since, on a lady in our village, and tried to sell her a bottle of cement for 10 cents. She told him plainly that she didn't want it. He then offered it for 5 cents. She told him no. He then offered it for a glass of milk. She told him no, but that she would get him some milk and something else (meaning a piece of bread), and started for another room; but the peddler, not knowing what that "something else" referred to, started out of the house on a run, and when she came back he was 30 rods down the street, going as fast as his legs would carry him.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 2, 1875
The lament of the "Old brick school house"
I cam into being a good many years ago. Good men and true contributed towards my building up and sustenance. I never was called good looking, but the old saying is "handsome is that handsome does", and the public shall be jufges whether I have done the handsome thing. Mattters connected with my early history may as well be brought to light. Within my walls were educated a large number of young men. Then I went by the name of Felenberg Academy. After a time my name was changed to "Old Brick".
Still I continue to make myself useful. Thousands of children of both sexes were sheltered and educated under my roof, and I could name a long list of faithful, laborious, excellent teachers, who taught "young ideas how to shoot!" In that same old brick school house. So upon the whole, it can be said in truth that I was a success. My surroundings on the south were pleasant - a large playground, well graveled, with seats for the scholars when tired of play, and shade trees in the school yard, and having at all times the pleasant Main Street in view.
These things combined, contributed to the happiness of all concerned. But the day of sadness came. I as not "looked up to" as in days gone by. Some questioned my ability to be of further service to my young friends. It was hinted that I lacked strength to endure the hard strains to which I was subjected from day to day and from year to year' and to tell the truth, there were those who proposed to leave me altogether, and set up an opposition establishment. Yes they did do it. How ungrateful, when the best years of my existence have been spent in doing all that lay in my power to do for the rising generation, then to have those who ought to have befriended me, turn against me.
It was hard, but such is life. "Republics are ungrateful". But the cruelest part remains to be told. After all my service for years, and hard service at that, not only did they abandon me as useless, but actually "put out my eyes", thus adding insult to injury. Yet, notwithstanding such cruel and outrageous treatment, what did I do? When the public were again in want of my services, I was free to offer them. They accepted the offer; but, I am sorry to say, they acted like a faithless lover - they have left me again! Since they left me, it has not been an easy task to find another friend to serve them better than I have done...
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 2, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
A resident of West Main Street was so disturbed by drunken marauders, fighting under his window the other night, that he got up, and armed with a wooden picket, drove them off his premises.
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 19, 1875
Deerfield
A day or two since, Amariah Briggs, while riding though the shady park of Great River, was stopped by two tramps, who demanded his money. As quick as thought, he took from his coat pocket a bottle, and pointing toward them the nozzle, replied that he had something he would give them! They mistook the bottle, which was partially concealed by his hand, for a pistol, and fled. http://www.workhouse...vagrants/signs.shtml
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 19, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
There has been a great deal of guessing about Joel Wilson’s building operations on the Newcomb property on Federal Street. The facts are these: Mr. W. is now erecting a small cottage house on his proposed avenue that will cost when completed some $1500. If he finds a demand for such tenements, it is his purpose to build 3 more cottages this season of about the same class. He finds it an excellent time for building, as labor and material are comparatively cheap.
He some time ago obtained plans for his own residence, which is to front on Federal Street, near the house of W.A. Forbes. It is doubtful, however, if he does anything about its erection this season, unless it is to put in a foundation. We have been shown the plans, which were drawn by F.L. Burnham, and they represent a large, fine appearing mansion, with Mansard roof, bay windows, etc., that would do credit to the builder, and cost at least $10,000.
- Wed, Feb 24, 2010
