davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29
A New Star.

The House of Representatives. yester-
day, by vote of 16O to 81, passed the
bill to admit New Mexico into the Un-
ion as a State. The prospect is that the
bill will become law. The manufac-
turers of bunting and the artists who en-
bellish the flag that floats over that
country which possesses-in stump ora
tory-"the best Government the sun
ever shone upon," may prepare their
machinery and their paint brushes for
revival of trade The old banners will
be useless, for no patriot can celebrate
an anniversary so near "our one hun
dredth centennial" as a Pennsylvania
Senator glowingly terms ii, with latter
ed bunting made more forlorn by new
star upon its union in the nature of
patch.
1t has been a sort of common law in
politics that no territorv should become
a State until it had population enough
at least to entitle it to one member of
the House of Representatives, but for
tunately there is nobody to enforce polit-
ical common law against political neces-
stiles, and new States have generally
been admitted to promote some object
other than the general welfare. The
Democrats seem TO think that New Mex
leo is expected to reinfore the Admin
istration power in the Senate in order to
balance its losses in the recent elections.
There seem, however, to be more reasons
for the admission of New Mexico as
State than can be alleged of any other
of the Territories. That Territory had
a population of $1,000 in 1870, and its
present population undoubtedly exceeds
that of almost any other State admitted
since 1920, at the time of its admission.
The friends of the bill assert that it has
10000 inhabitants; but if We omit the
rowing and dangerous class which is
proverbially so large in that part of the
Continent, it is questionable whether
they exceed 100000. But it promises
good behavior and rapid Development
Ne,v York Post
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

The following story, thatruth Of which
is vouched for by a California paper,
would seem to show that the noble traits
attributed to Indians by novelist and
playwrights have some foundation Of
fact to rest upon: Six weeks ago seven
male Indians and young Indian wo-
man started to cross Clear Lake, near
the northern end, in a small boat, which
was eapsized three miles from land. They
righted it, but as the lake was rough,
they could not bail it out, and while
full Of water it would not support more
than one person. The men put the girl
in and held on the edge of the boat, sup
porting themselves by swimming till ex-
hausted and chilled through by the cold
water, and then dropping of, sank one
by one. They showed no thought Of dis
putting the young woman's exclusive
right to the boat. She was saved by
their self-sacriice.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

THE EXODUS FROM CALIFORNIA
A Sacramento, California, contemporary
is the reliable authority for the state
ment that California is losing its ncne-
too-large population by emigration to
the east of the Rocky Mountains at the
rate of two thousand per month. Rath-
er an alarming decrease, and one that
would be regarded as a gross exaggera-
ton if put forth in the columns Of any
other than a California journal. The
Golden State does not seem to be alarm
ed either at the departure of her citizens,
perhaps depending ON arrivals from Asia
to make good the losses, though Ori-
entail emigrants are not by any means
popular on the Pacific slope. All ofthe
Eastern commonwealths will be glad to
welcome right cordially the surplus pop
ulation of the Golden State, though it is
not at all likely that California will long
submit to such drain upon her people
as is now said to be in active progress.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

A young man in one Of the Penobscot
river towns in Maine, recently supposing
himself to be upon his death-bed, quiet
ly arranged his earthly affair, 80 far as
he was able, and then astonished bis
weeping friends by the choice OF an auc-
tioneer TO conduct the funeral services.
"There's Mr.-down to Bangor" he
said, "he's an easy, fluid talker, and I al
lers liked to hear him. I've had deal
in's with him; ami alters found he set out
things jest about as they was. He's the
man / want to talk to my funeral" But
as the young man recovered after all the
autioneer lost the chance to declare him
cone"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29
Mill River DIsaster-The COrOner's
Investigation.


NoRTHAMrToN, Mass, May 25.-The
jdry Of inquest into the cause Of the
Williamsburg reservoir disaster met to-
day. Cheney, gate keeper, and his fa-
ther testified to the discovery Of leaks
long ago. A member Of the Reservoir
Company was notified Of the condition,
but attributed the leakage 10 springs.-
Nothing was done to strengthen the res
ervoir.
After the examination of several Wit
nesses, Collins Graves, who rode down
the valley, alarming the villagers as he
went, took the stand, and told, in a mod
est manner, the story Of his ride, which
agreed with the accounts already pub
lished Of his noble effort 10 save life.
Myron Day, the forerunner Of the
food to Leeds, gave an account Of his
experience in attempting to alarm the
people in time TO escape the coming wa
ters.
o. G. Spellman, Secretary and Treas
urer of the Williamsburg Reservoir
Company, was next called, and testified
that his interview was brief with Cheney.
When the latter came to tell him that
the reservoir had broken, he did not de-
tain him. Witness made a continued
attempt to avoid suspicion Of having
had any special authority or responsi-
bility in the construction Of the dam,
and betrayed a strong reluctance to tell
whether he thought the wall thick
enough or not. He had, he said, moth
ing to do with H. He owned a share in
the company, but so small a one heidi
not want to press anything, and he gave
way.
1t occurred to him that the outlet
pipes were changed from eighteen inch
es in diameter, aS originally intended,
to sixteen. He has always been on the
ground when repairs have been made,
and never expressed any misgivings
about the strength Of the dam at the
time of the building, but he confessed
that there had been times when he had
done so since then.
In obedience to the jury he read from
the records Of a meeting where the Res
ervoir Company instructed A. I. Tilley,
agent for the Nonotuck Silk Company,
and member Of the Reservoir Compa-
ny, to consult With D. w. Bond, of
Northampton, as to their legal individ-
ual liability for damages, in the case Of
the breaking away Of the dam, and ia
ken such measures az were necessary
He denied that there had been, at that
time, May IA, 1867, any talk about dan
ger from the dam, but he understood
that it was in consequence Of that meet
ing that the County Commissioners yis-
the dam. Adjourned.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

A Troy pawnbroker was badly swim
died recently by a stranger who offered
to pawn a heavy gold chain. The bro
ker offered to loan $40 on the article at
8 p. N. At that time the stranger ap-
peared and presented the chain to the
brokers' clerk, who produced the $40.
The stranger thought a moment and
seemed reluctant to leave the chain.
"No," said he, 81 guess won't pawn it
after all, saying which he picked it up
and held it for moment in deliberation
in his hand. Then turning to the clerk
he threw the chain upon the desk again
and said "Well, might just as well dc
it now as at any time. Gin me the
$40" He took the money and departed
The broker on examinated found that
the stranger had changed the chain
while talking, and pocketed the gold
one, and pawned for $40 plated chain
worth about eight dollars.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

A young lady in San Jose, California,
about month ago secretly married the
man Of her choice, and then went right
along attending 20 her business as IL
nothing had happened. But the otheg
day the happy couple concluded 20 pub
lish their marriage in the local paper
and the old man saw IL. Showing the
notice TO his daughter, he sternly de-
manded, "What does this mean; IL IL "a
joke, Maria Jane, or is it realityy' The
daughter raised her head, her face suilus-
ed with blushes, and answered, Yes
father, il is n joke-on your" The old
man felt speechless.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29
The Crops.

INDIANAPOLIS, May 24.-The follow
ing is an abstract of the leading infor-
nation published by the National Crop
Reporter to-day:
Returns now being received from cor
respondents in the cotton States, the full
deductions from which will be publish
ed next week, indicate that in all these
States, except Texas, the area planted
in cotton this season is considerably less
than the area planted last season, while
the acreage of corn is about correspond
ingly increased. There is very general
complaint of the destruction of the first
planting, both of cotton and corn, by
the cool weather and high water. Much
of the replanting has been accomplish
ed, bus it is feared that owing to the
lateness of TIE season a considerable
area will have to lie over. As far as
can be judged from reports received, the
stand May Is was considerably below a
full average, although the stand of corn
was much superior to that of cotton.
ne IStuEHS VI COIISS poilucIt5 III lhC
/ States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Texas,
Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wiscon-
sin show an average falling off in the
area sown this spring in barley, in COM
parison with the acreage of the same
grain last spring, of a fraction over ten
per cent. The estimated acreage of
spring rye shows falling off in the same
States averaging over six and half per
| cent.
The returns relative to the number
and condition Of beef cattle May l, in
the same States, show an estimated de-
creas in numbers from the correspond
ing dates of 1873, averaging over eigh-
teen per cent. and falling off from an
average good condition of over five and
one-half per cent.
Returns dated May Is denote that as a
whole the spring sowings of small grain
was got in good shape, and the present
prospects, especially of spring wheat,
are flattering. Generally speaking, this
is true of the winter wheat, although
there are from some localities complaints
of damages resultant from the hot
weather.
Complaints of the potato bug are fire.
quent throughout the West, and form a
source of considerable apprehension.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29
Life in an Oasis.

In the oasis of Sinootis, IN Egypt, there
are 1O4 towns with 10000 inhabitants.
A missionary writing thence to the
Christian Register says the most of the in
habitants are cultivaters of the soil,
though in this place are many weavers
and dyers. The town of Sinooris stands
high, as if built upon huge mound.
Nearly all the towns and villages of
Egypt are thus located, and are safe from
the floods that surround them in the ov-
erhowing of the great river. Most of the
dwellings are one story, made of sun
dried bricks with earth roofs supported
by beams cut from the palm tree, and
covered with branches and leaves of the
same, upon which the earth is packed.
/ saw but two houses furnished with glass
windows. The streets are narrow rnd
filthy. The people are exceeding poor,
and this although the district surpasses
all other parts of Egypt in fertility and
the varieties of its productions and rich
ness of its gardens.
Oppression comes to them daily with
its sternest demands. Taxation is suck
ing at the very vitals Of all classes. I'm
able to pay their taxes the people have
given their lands, 80 that the Viceroy has
now in his possession one hundred and
sixty millions of acres out of the two
hundred millions now under cultivation
leaving only forty millions now in pos
session of the peasants. The result is a
more distressing state of things among
the people. The most squalid destitu-
tion is revealed at every turn. Men. wo-
men and children sleep upon the bare
earth without bed or covering, and the
majority without even mat. A single
dark blue tunic of thin cotton is the only
garment of thousands by day, and their
only covering at night. Multitudes
have not a change of clothing, but wea,
the same garment until it drops in rot.
tenness from their bodies; of washings
and cleansings they knew almost nothing
These fellaheens may have treasures
buried in the earth, or ornamented theil
hair, ears and noses with medals and gold
rings, but they cannot be pursuaded mat
erially to change their customs. "Gold
does not wear out" they. say: "beds
coverlets, sheets, and the like do"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

James Golfer, quarryman in the iron
works at Paducah, Kentucky, and lately
a street laborer, hns gone TO England 10
get fortune left him by his uncle, who
died about seventeen years ago. The ex-
ecutors Of the latter's viii had been look
ing for the heir since his unole's death,
and only found him recently by accident
They are satisfied Of his identity, and
sent him money TO pay his passage 20
London, where the property is that no
iuherits, and he left Hillman's for Lon
don about two weeks ago. The value Of
the property is in the ncighborhood Of
$780, 900, part Of IL being a 6ne residence
worth $4,000.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

The afIidavits on which the premium
for the champion corn Of Nebraska for
1873, was awarded, have just been pub
lished by the State Board Of Agriculture.
The owner was Magnus NJ. Nelson, OF
Cass county. His champion crop was
grown ON a field of thirty-five acres
the second crop on the same ground
which was prairie broken in 1871. The
plowing cost 81 25 per acre; the plant.
ing 45 cents; the cultiyating 81 so; the
harvesting 81 25-total expense per acre
S5 70. The yield was an average Of 81
bushels per acre, which was certainly
worth not less than 40 cents per busheI
on the farm. The variety Of the corr
was the Mahogany; and the weight 6;
lbs to the bushel.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29
VOLUME 2.

a mile above the present village of
Franklin, but he found the Indians
would head him and get there before he
could. He then steered his course down
the river, intending to cross it below the
village of franklin, where the bed of
the river was wide, and the water shall
low. but he soon found his pursuers had
headed him there and they were already
on the bank Of the river, both above and
below him; when he got to the river he
found himself at the narrow gorge, in
the now village of Franklin, and the In
dians close on his track behind him. He
had not a moment to spare, and as it was
life or death with him, he made the fa-
nous 'Brady's Leap across the Cuyaho-
ga river.
MANY years ago, being in that neigh
borhood, went with man who lived
in Franklin, bv the name of John Hay
maker, to examine and satisfy myself, if
l could, where Brady jumped the Cuya-
hoga. Mr.. Haymaker was from the
neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He had
been personally acquainted with Brady,
and had heard him tell the story, which
agreed we'll with what Sumerall had
told me- We measured the river where
from the description we supposed the
leap was made, and found it between
twenty-four and twenty-six feet. My
impression is that it was few inches
less than twenty-five feet"
Jacob and Henry Slough, formerly of
Ravenna, but long since dead, were in
timately acquainted with Brady, Simon
Girty, and other noted characters in
Indian warfare. They have often relat-
ed the story of "Brady's Leap" to me,
substantially as given by Mr.. Wads-
worth, differing only in regard to the
place where Brady began the run-they
placing it on the Cuyahoga in North
ampton, instead of Sandusky. Henry
was an Indian trader as early as 1882,
and in that capacity visited the Indian
towns, not only on the Western Reserve,
but as far south as Fort Laurens on the
Tuscarawas. He was well posted.
This letter of Mr.. Wadsworth is quite
lengthy and very interesting. I have
made few extracts in answer to your
inquiry. Yours truly,
L. V. BIERCE.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

Yesterday morning boy sauntered up
to yard on Eighth street, where wo-
man was scratching the bosom Of the
earth with a rake, and, leaning on the
fence, said. "Are you going around the
back yard after a while?" The woman
said she didn't know; maybe she would,
why? Because" the boy said, Il just saw
the cistern-lid drop on the baby's head
o minute ago, and thought il you went
around you might lift il off," 1t is cur
rently reported that the woman went.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

Nor A CRUsADER.-Senator Sumner
was not crusader. His ocller was hll-
ed with specimens Of the choicest vin-
taees Of the world, the late Senator hav-
ing nice discrimination In yinoua bev-
ernges and his long official and social
relations with foreign ministers who had
the special facilities for getting The best
of W ines, enabling him to obtain "points
on getting the choicest brands ai low
rates and duty free. The whole stock
was sold ut auction ON Wednesday.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

A very bad little boy in Dubuque
rubbed cayenne pepper dust all over the
back of his jacket, and then went shame
fully into school. The school ma'am
thrnshed him briskly, but dismissed
school Immediately, to run to the near
est drug store for eye-salve.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

A Junior asked young lady the fol-
lowing conumdrum: eff small girls
are waits are large ones waifers?" "Cer-
tainly," she replied. DAT any rate, the
boys are in the habit of applying them
to their lips in sealing their vows"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

A Milwaukee man has applied for a
patent on a fountain pen, which, by the
pressure of the thumb on a small rub
Der ball, projects a stream of ink through
the holder and into the face Of the fell
low who Ia looking over your shoulder
while you are writing.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

Sometimes in hot weather everybody
about daily newspaper Office wishes
that he was beloved pastor of a rich
congregation, that he might have two or
three months vacation with salary run
nlng along all the same. But survices
can be dispensed with but the daily pa
per can't.-Dayfon Journal.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29
DO you remember the boy in Cincin-

Very well, William Haverley.'
Il am he said he. God bless you
And God bless noble Captain Har-
verleyr ANON.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-29

The Grangers Of Clark county, KY
will star. a bank on their own account
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-05-25
2fericult,lral Department.
SOAP YOUR FRUIT TREES.

Fruit trees should have a coating Of
soft soap at this season of the year, and
the sooner the better. 1t works to their
advantage in opening the pores of the
bark, and favoring an easy expansion,
while at the same time 1t washes down
with every rain, acting as liquid fertil-
izer to feed the roots. Besides, the bee
ties which produce the apple tree borers,
and the millers which produce the peach
tree borers. will be on the move in a
week or so, depositlng their eggs about
the base of all the trees that have not
been treated to a thorough soaping.
Soft soap, well put on, is a sure borer
preventive, and. really the only one we
know of, and since it benefits the trees
other ways, we certainly have no excuse
for not putting it on.
Common soft soap. made in the good
old way of grease and hardwood ashes,
suits us best for applying to trees. We
thin it with warm water until it will
flow through white-wash brush without
rOping, then we put it on the trunk the
same as if white-washing fence, rub
bling it well around the base of the tree
and in all the large forks.
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-05-25

How THE INDIANS CLIMB TREEs.-In
South America even the weakest woman
may De, not uncommonly, seen plucking
the fruit at the tree tops. If the bark
is so smooth and slippery that they can
not go up by climbing. they use other
means. They make hoop of wild vines
and putting their feet inside, they use
1t as support in climbing. The negro
OF the west coast of Africa makes a larg-
er hoop round the tree and gets inside
Of 1t, and jerks it up the trunk with his
hands, a little at time, drawing his
legs up after 1T. The Tahitian bows tie
their feet together, four or five inches
apart, with a piece of palm bark, and
with the aid of this fetter go up the CO.
Goa palms to gather nuts. The native
women Of Australia climb the gum tree
after oppossums; where the bark is
rough they chop holes with Ratchet.
then one throws about the tree a rome
twice as long as will go round it, puts
her Ratchet on her cropped head, and,
placing her feet against the tree and
grasplng the rope with her hands. she
bitches 1t up by jerks, and pulls herself
up the enormous trunk almost as fast as
man can climb ladder.
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-05-25

COMMODORE VANDERBILT's RETALI.-
TIoN.-The Inhabitants of Peekskill. n
l., having repeatedly petitioned for a
new and better railroad station Com
modore Vanderbilt promised to erect an
edltee that should be a credit to the.
town. Thereupon the town voted $50.
oOO to improve Centre street. LEADING
to the depot. But the Commodore re-.
CURED more land for the new structure
and number of avaricious real estate
owners refused to sell for less than
S25O,000. The Commodore offered $50 .
600, and his offer being rejected he set
about the building of his new DEPOT a
hal1 mile out of town, thus spelling the
$4,000 Centre street and forcing the
town 70 open new street up steep
MIL Then, In their wrath the inhabi-
tantS OF Peekskill said they would not
ride on the railroad, but would travel
In the boats. Again the Commodore
retallated, ordering all express trains
10 plunge right through Peekskill and
only the way trains to pay any attention
TO the place.
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-05-25

PROFITS ON HENs-A farmer of
Maine reports his experience in keeping
forty hens. He kept an accurate account
of expenditure and receipts for one year.
beginning In December. He says:
In the course of the year two died.
On l4th of June. dressed and sold 26
hens for $3.50. On 9Th of July. had
los chickens. Lost six by hawks and
twenty-seven by fire, which left l25.
Ut this number, forty were sold as poul-
try for s39.6S; also, one pair Black
COchins for Sc. Remaining on hand at
end OF year. S3-25 to make my stock
OF lens good, and ffty-seven for which
L would not take s57. Number of eggs
during the year, 257 dozen, sold for
S54.66. Total income, exclusive of
loss, sl72.84. Total expense, 7O.36.
leaving balance in favor of hens of slO2-
49, No credit for eggs used in family
nor for the twenty-seven chickens lost
Therefore, | consider it safe to account
a clear profit of $3.50 per head on the
hens.