davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-20
4 Japanese Race.
(colored).

A japan correspondent of the Cleve
land Herald writes: ION the outskirts
of Yeddo there is a race-course where
twice year the upper crust and much
of the lower stratum of the city and
surrounding country assemble to witness
the Derby and Saratoga of the Orient
Hither come jockeys clad, many of them
in grotesque limitations of the time hon
ored costume of the ilk; and here
are brought cross-eyed, bristly-maned
crooked-legged brutes, whose first DIES
tinatiOn should have been the SHAMELESS
The track is ingeniously arranged with
an eye to amusement Of the public The
turns are so sharp that it requires an
extra balance-wheel and a firm conf
dence in the integrity of ones center of
gravity to 90 around them faster than a
walk. AS in q beautiful landscape gar
den one views with pleasure the charms
of nature heightened by art, so there
the peaceful serenity which is apt to
cloud the riders mind and make him
feel as though the order of his internal
machinery had been reversed is in
creased as he beholds with what care
and consideration all the natural rough
neSses and declivities that streW his way
have been cherished and perpetuated by
the hand of art The Japanese public
would regard itself as the victim Of
gross deceit should it happen that there
were no troubles at the races. High and
lofty vaulting, broken heads and frac-
tured limbs are regarded as necessary
adjuDcts of the sport, and that man
would be bold indeed who dared to rutfie
the COmplacency of the pleasure-lOving
pOpuiace of 1eddo by Strengthening the
break-neck turns Of the race-track
Some one has POLITICALLY described a
good rider and fine horse as being of
one mind At Japanese race it would
seem as though each rider and pony had
forty minds between them. The rider
has a mind to go ahead, and the pony
has mind to go anywhere and every
where else but where his rider wants
him to go. The start is always en-
livened by playful contests between the
two, which generally end to the pony's
satisfaction. And when those who re-
tain their seats are once fairly under
way, stringing along one after the other,
suddenly some pony in the line will re-
member forgotten engagement and
bolt OFT sideways to fulfill it; another
will be filled all at once with a desire to
eat some of the spectators and will rush
pell-mell over the ropes; while still an
other will be actuated by an uncontrol-
liable wish to stop and scratch his ear
with one of his hind feet All of the
little incidents give variety to the scene,
and add much to the pleasure Of the
Japanese spectators"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-20
The COlOrs of Birds Wings.

IT would, however, be an error to sup
pose that all the exquisite metallic shades
which diaper the feathers of birds and
the wings of butterflies arise from pig
mentS; it was dream Of the alchemists
to try to extract them. Their sole cause is
the play of light, fugitive as the sparkles
Of the diamond When the beautiful
feathers on the breast of humming-bird
are examined under the microscope it is
astonishing TO see none of the shades the
mystery of which you would penetrate.
They are simply made Of dark-brown
opaque substance not unlike those of a
black duck There is, however, remark
able arrangement; the barb of the feath-
er, instead of being a fringed stem, offers
a series of small squares of horny sub
stance placed point to point. These
plates, of infinitesimal size, are extreme
ly thin, brown, and to all appearance ex-
actly alike, whatever may be the refec-
ton they give The brilliant, large feath-
ers Of the peacock are the same; the
plates are only at greater distance and
of less brightness They have been de-
scribed as so many little mirrors, but
that comparison is not correct, for then
they would only give back light without
cOlOring it. Neither do they act by de-
composing the rays which pass through
them, for then they would not lose their
iris tints under the microscope. 1t is to
metals alone that the metallic plumage
of the humming- birds can be compared :;
the effects of the plates in feather are
like tempered steel or crystallized bis
muth. Certain specimens emit colors
very variable under different angles, the
same scarlet feather becoming, when
turned to ninety degrees, beautiful en-
erald green-Fr0m "C0l0r IN AaatmaIs,' y
IN Popular Science Monthly for august.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-20
Attacked by Mad COW---MiraculOus
Escape.

Mr.. Z. w. RUTLAND, who is herder
for Mr.. Il. F. Hall, a dairyman who has
his stock in the suburbs of the city, had
a most wonderful escape from the at
tackS of mad COW recently, while at
tending to his duties as herdsman. When
in the act OF driving his stock the COW
charged him, knocking him down, and
would have gOred him to death but for
the human faithfulness of his herd, who,
seeing their friend and protector in dan
ger, themselves charged en- mldSSe the mad
brute and saved their master. Mounting
his horse, Mr.. Rutland had occasion to
stop u a small brook, whose BANKS were
about four feet above the level Of the
water. While in this position he was
charged again by the COW, who, with
foaming mouth and CLASSY eyes, plunged
down upon her victim, unhorsing HIM
and alighting herself upon the horse,
bearing both upon the PROSTATE rider.
The horse, to all appearances, appeared
dead, but the furious COW, although pros
trate, was still intent upon her victim.
The feelings of poor Rutland can hardly
be surmised when finding himself thus
imprisoned, with the weight of his fallen
horse upon his limbs and lower body,
and the fore part Of mad COW upon his
chest, striving with the desperate energy
of madness to paw, to gore and to bite
her helpless victim.
With the desperate energy of a de-
spairing man Mr. Rutland drew from his
pocket the smallest of penknives, whose
length of blade does not exceed one and
three-quarter inches, and proceeded after
a true Texan manner (being a native of
that State) to investigate the neck of his
Infatuated enemy, and with this puny in
strument succeeded with a single blow
in severing the jugular vein and etfecting
a Quietus to her madness. We have held
this tiny pearl-handled blade in our
hand and wondered at the fortunate cut,
and must confess that were we not stand
ing amid honorable men, the unfortunate
sufferer and his gentlemanly and efficient
physician, DR.. Cross, VIC could not real
ize the truth of the cutting without suf-
fering some qualms of our most sensitive
judgment
But the end of poor Rutland's troubles
was not yet-he was still imprisoned, a
bruised, helpless man, covered with frOth
and drenched with blood, under his tor
mentor, now more helpless than himself
For more than an hour after the conflict
ended he lay, thinking no doubt of the
horrible prospect of death, when a son
of Dr. Smith, neighbor, seeing blood in
the stream below him, followed the cur
rent and rescued the sufferer more dead
than alive.-LGttLe Rock (Ark.) Republican,.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-20
Terrible Powder Mill Explosion.

The following particulars of terrific
powder explosion between TamaQua and
MahOney junction, Pa, are furnished oy
the Tamaqua Item of a recent date:
The magazine in which the cause OF
the explosion, whatever it was, occurred
was stone building, and so completely
was it demolished that not a vestige re-
mains to mark the spot where 1t stood.
In fact, every building about the works,
I'VE IN number, was demolished, WnlIe
trees were torn up. immense stones
hurled TO incredible distances, house
standing perhaps a quarter of a mile
from the spot, and occupied by MI
Charles Coyle, the Superintendent, and
Mr.. Charles PeltOn, the boss millwrlght,
had every pane of glass broken, While
the covered bridge near by was badly
shattered by flying rocks. An immense
rock, weighing several tons, was hurled
into the road, distance of fifty yards.
But by far the most dreadful part OF this
awful catastrophe is the loss of life. Two
men, named Isaac Mummy and John
Krause, were literally blown to atoms.
owen CARRIER, a carpenter, working at
his bench in the shop about 400
yards distant, was struck by flying
VI tAC OelHp PIE onN1 AN
IN about ten minutes, and Frank
Coyle, son of the Superintendent of
the mill, who was playing near the car
penter shop, was struck on the back of
the head, near the left ear, and had his
skull so badly fractured that his death is
almost certain. Charles PeltOn, the boss
mlllwright, was outside the carpenter
shop at the time of the explosion and his
escape was almost miraculous. His
clothes were torn from his body and he
was knocked down, but escaped with
some bruises. He describes the scene as
perfectly appalling and says the air was
fairly thick with flying missiles. Charles
Coyle, the Superintendent, escaped in
jury, having been down at the stock
house on the railway at the time of the
explosion; and these comprise all the
men about the place. The women and
children in the houses, although terribly
shocked, also fortunately escaped injury.
Beyond mere conjecture, the cause Of
this sickening catastrophe will never be
known, as Isaac Mummy and John
Krause were the only men working in
the magazine at the time"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-20

The Commissioners governing the District
of Columbia have consolidated the School
Trustees of the District into one Board, con-
sisting of ten white and five colored members.
1t is said this consolidation is not designed to
affect the present relation of white and colored
schools.
few days ago a girl eight years of age,
named ida kurtz, was burned to death at
Green Bay, Wis, while attempting to start a
tire with kerosene.
In the recent races at Buffalo, \. Y, Gold
smith Maid trotted mile in 2:1519, being
the fastest time on record.
Cincinnati dispatch of the 9th says
forty-tive dead bodies of persons lost by
the burning of the steamer Pat Rogers had
been recovered, and all but fifteen had been
fully identified Two known to be lost had
not yet been found, making forty-seven vic
Tins in all, with possibility of there being
three or four more.
News from Clusters Black Hills expedition,
received on the 18th, was to the eff
feet that the command was in GOOD
health and spirits. A small party of
Sioux were met with on the 9th. but
there had been no fighting as vet. Since
the command struck Jhe bIdch Hills II had
been prospecting in a continuous line in the
most beautiful valley man ever looked upon.
In Custer Valley rich mines had been discov-
cred, both placer and quartz digging, and that
immense section bids fair to become the Ell
dorado of America. The march would be re-
sumed on the 9th for the head-waters of the
Little Missouri, and from thence to Fort Lin
coin.
Much excitement was caused in st. Paul
Mimi, on the Sth by the publication of pre-
tended special telegram from New York an.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-20
FACTS AND FIGURES.

"A Watervillian killed LOGO, 9S7 ,242
potato bugs in one day and has not been
strong enough to tell the truth since
ROne (N. ~ Sentinel.
1t is estimated, taking as a basis the
growth Of the country, that in 1881 there
will be 100000 miles of railroad IN the
Republic. We have already nearly 10000
miles.
Astronomers differ about the length
of Coggia's tail. Only little mistake IN
multiplication, probably, as it is only a
difference of some 20, 100000 miles. That
is nothing, surely, in the tail OF comet
The California wool crop now mar
keted amounted to nearly 2OOOO0V0
pounds, being the largest spring clip
ever taken. It brought good prices and
adds another to the great ylelaS OF the
year.
of the S73 deaths in New York IN
one week, recently, which reac1eu' ac
cOrding to one of its own Journals, twice
the number of those in any moderately
healthy European capital at thls SEASON.
more than half were infants
The extensive use OF postaI cards
does not seem in the least TO nave inter-
fered with the sale of postage stamps;
Over 100, 100000 postal cards were so a6
during the fiscal year ending June 81;
yet the number OF postage stamps soId
during the same time increased from
601, 931, $50 to 632, 733, 42O.
The Lansing Mich } Republican, from
an examination of the scattering re-
turns of the State census as made at the
capital, estimates the total present p0Pu-
iation of Michigan at 100000 The
United States census of 1870 footed up
to /, 1S4,059, leaving net gam IN Tour
wears of about 10000.
Mont Blanc was first assembled by
Balmat in 1886, so far as we have any
records concerning this hazardous en-
terprise. Since that time 724 persons
have reached the summit. For manyyears
no one had made the ascent, but since
1850 the summit has been visited every
year. In 1878 ffty-eight persons made
the ascent, and probably there will be a
larger number this year
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-20
The King-Bird.

THE king-bird haz silvery gray plum
age and a sharp song.
They skream when they sing, and kan
outfoot, on the wing, most ov the birds.
They are CRATE thiefs amung the bunny
bees, and pix up thousands ov theze little
toilers, on their way home to their hives,
loaded with bunny.
This makes sweet mOuthfull for the
king-bird
But thare il one thing about the king
bird that puts them at the head ov all
things that fly, and that il their fighting
qualitys.
They are the champions ov lite weights
They are not over ten inches long, and
are not so heavy az the rohbin-redbreast,
but they will fight bald-headed eagle, or
the deakon ov a church in good standing,
If they cum near their nests.
They amt afraid to fife emmy thing, and
the same amount ov currage put into a
hen-hauk would make them d terror to
all things.
Thare amt no bird, from the wren to
the CRATE blak eagle, but what fears the
little king-bird, and will run for dear
life thru the heavens when they 90 for
them
| hav often watched theze termagants,
ana even haV felt just as tho would like
to fife sumthing miself just twice mi size,
when [ hav seen them pitch into fish
hauk or lazy turkey buZZard
like pluk, but 1 hain't got emmy ov it
to spare miself
/ don't admire brutal currage, that amt
happy until it sees the blood start, but [
luv the kind ov pluk that amt afrade ov
a pound just bekauze it happens to be
only an ounce itself
Pluk haZ won much more in this world
than emmy other one thing that Iaz ever
appeared in it.
Next to a mans honesty I worship the
pluk that il in him.-J0sb Billings.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-20

An affecting drowning scene recently
occurred on the Schuylkill Canal, oppo-
site the Cross Keys Hotel, in Bern Town
ship, Pa a little girl five years of age,
with her brother, eight years of age,
children of Mr. Charles Gehrich, were
crossing over a small bridge, when it is
supposed that one of the boards gave
way and the little girl fell through. Her
brother caught hold of her, and mean
while both cried for assistance. The lit
lie fellow held on as long as he could,
and then remarked: q am getting tired;
I can't hold on much longer" The brave
little girl replied: :. Let me drop" and
no one coming to their relief he was com
PEELED to do so, and she fell into the
canal Finally Mr.. James Rickenback
heard their cries and hurried to their
assistance. He jumped into the canal
and got the little girl out, but relief came
too late, as she was dead.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-20
Scientific Men.

SCIENTIFIC men hinder scientific prog
ress because they fail to apply their
knowledge to practical use. They are
known to the world as learned men; but
their knowledge is Of little more use than
the Yankee side-hill pillow was to the Vir-
ginia planter whom | met in Lynchburg,
Va, under the following circumstances
/ sat in the store of Yankee agricu1-
tural implement dealer one hot July day
A tall, swarthy, Notwithstanding gen
tleman, on horseback, rode up to the
door. He was followed by fOur-mule
team, attached to heavy, covered Vir-
ginia wagon, driven by d colored man.
Good afternoon, Col. -" said the
dealer.
Good evening"" was the response,
with an accent indicating irritation.
What brings you to town so soon
again?" asked the dealer, who evidently
feared something wrong, as he had sold
the planter pillow day or two before
"WeIl, sir, I've brought that pillow
back" was the reply.
Brought the pillow back! Why, what
ais it? That was one Ofmy best plows-
perfect in every respect"
Well, sir" said the planter, with a
freezing dignity, "you remember there
was a small piece Of iron attached to
that pillow with string?"
Eyes" was the response
"Well, sir, I'll be dog gOned if either
I or my old man could find place where
it would fit! We tried it every way and
could do nothing with it, and SO there it
is in the wagon. I reckon you had bet
ter take it back or give me another"
THE planter had hauled it twenty miles
in an empty wagon, with a four-mule
team.
why" said the dealer land you may
imagine there was a broad smile upon
his face, "dtat acas an eTtra point far gan
to use acHe1 the one mn on the pl0oo had
C0rn 0ut"
The planter, graduate of the Univer-
sity Of Virginia, and really a sensible
man, saao the point, and allowed he was a
fool He knew he had pillow, but he
did not know how to use 1t; so men Of
science have the implements of useful
ness, but too generally fail TO use and to
teach others how to use them; and what
ever is useless is valueless; and for that
which is valueless there are no seekers.
Or. Rural Ne5o Yorker.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-20

There are 1872 boys in the Connect
cut State Reform School, and the official
report of the Superintendent makes the
interesting statement that just $50 of
them are liars.
Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-05-22

A LITTLE irregularity occurred at Typo
on Sunday last, between Thomas Best
and w. Killingsly, while engaged in a
game OF cards. Ugly words passed be-
tween the two, which resulted in Best
ejecting bullet through the right cheek
of killingsly, lodging just under the skin
in the left cheek. The shootist left for
parts unknown and the wounded man
was carted into Belmont on Tuesday.
DR.. Moore extracted the ball, and the
unfortunate man is comfortably ensconsed
at the County Hospital. Sheriff Cald-
well started for the battle field on Sun
day night, returning ON Wednesday,
minus the Best of the two Sabbath
breakers. Best has the best of the game,
as he got away with the money on the
card-table and defeated the object of the
Sheriffs visit to Tybo.-T Belmont Cou-
rier, 10Th.
Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-05-22

The Elko Independent, of the 10th,
says: From Manly Thompson, who ar
rived from Cherry Creek on Thursday,
We learn the particulars of the death Of
Frank Cole. When it was known that
MIR. Thompson was about to start with
his team for Elko several persons took
passage with him, among whom were
Frank Cole and DIR. Joseph Germany.
When within about mile OF John Day S
place, in Lamoille Valley, a miry spot
being struck, the party, in order to re-
lieye the horses, sprang from the wagon.
Poor Frank, in jumping, became en-
tangled in blanket, which, in some I'M.
accountable manner, dragged and dis.
charged shot gun lying in the wagon,
the charge entering his side, from the
effects of which be died in couple Of
hours,
Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-05-22
RAILROADS.
Union Pacific Railroad
TIME TABLE.

Until FURTHER NOTICE, TRAINS WILL
~ leave and arrive at Ogden daily, as follow
LEAvE.-Daily express, $50 q. m; mixed
$50 p. m; freight, 1880 a. IN.
ARRIvE.-Daily express, $40 p, m; mixed,
p. M; freight, 6l0 Il. N.
Daily connections made at Ogden with q
Utah Central Railroad from Salt Lake City
sll points in Southern Utah.
At BRYAN, with stages for the Sweetwater mines,
At CHEYENNE, with Denver Pacific Railroad,
for Denver. Central City, Georgetown and ali
points in Colorado and New Mexico.
At Omaha, with Chicago and Northwestern;
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific; Burlington
and Missouri River; Kansas CITY, st. Joe and
Council Bluffs Railroads, and Missouri river line
of steamers, for all points east and south.
Tickets for sale to all points east at Office OF
Wells, Fargo 4 Co., East Temple street, and at
the office of the Utah Central Railroad, in Salt
Lake City; also at the Union Pacific Railroad
ticket office, i'll Ogden, at which oihce berths on
sleeping-cars can be secured.
ARRANGEMENTS have been made whereby pas.
sengers desiring to visit Denver, on their way
East, can avail themselves of an excursion rate
from CHEYENNE to Denver, and return at greatly
reduced rates.
For particulars and all information in regard
to passage, apply at the ticket offices.
Passengers should be careful to secure then
passage tickets to all eastern and southern
points via Omaha, and thus avail themselves OF
a through sleeping-car, comfortable accommoda.
lions and quick time.
THOS. L. KIMBALL,
General Ticket Agent
T. Z. SICKLES,
au23tf Chief Engineer and Superintendent
Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-05-22
DESCRIPTION OF PRISONERS,

TIM MCNAMARA A native of Ireland; aged
81 years; height feet 10h inches (shoes); blue
eyes, light brown hair, red beard, scar on left
hip, scar on right side of back under shoulder
blade, made by knife, mole on back Of right
elbow. Sent from Storey county, Sept. 6, 1867,
for years, for manslaughter.
VIM. FORREST; Aged 20 years; trade, machin-
list; dark brown curly hair, blue eyes, large scar
on forefnger knuckle Of left hand. Sent from
Storey county February H. 1870, for years, for
THOMAS HEBRON; A native of Florida
aged 3S years; height feet, hazel eyes (watery)
dark brown hair long face blood veins in right
leg badly swollen scar on left hip, shot in
shoulder in attempting to break prison Dec. /,
1870. Sent from Elko county March 9, 1870.
Sentenced for life, for burglary.
CHARLES JONES; Native of Ohio, aged %
years; weight 149lbs.; light brown hoir, hazel
eyes, scar on right hand, ship in india ink on
left arm, small ears. Sent from White Pine
county March IL, 1870, for 10 years, for murder
End degree.
DAVID LYNCH; Native of New York, age 81
years; height feet 7 inches, weight l55lbs.;
blue eyes, brown hair, sandy beard, four dots in
india ink on left hand. star on right hand in
| india ink Goddess of Liberty and American
flag in red and blue ink on right arm, over
| which is three stars wreath and heart two
hands on left arm in red and blue ink. Sent
| from White Pine county April %, 1870, for 8
| years, for grand larceny.
T. G.. WATSON; Native of Michigan; age 90
| years. height leet 10 inches, weight 160ibs.;
| blue eyes, dark brown hair, spare face, scar on
| back OF neck. Sent from Elko county, June "a,
| 1870 for rs years, for robbery.
| ELIJAH INGRAM; Native of New York; age
Al years; light blue eyes, light brown hair light
brown beard, long spare face, mole on right
| shoulder, scar on inside of right thigh, scar on
| right side of forehead. Sent from Nye county
Sept. Is, 1870 for 20 years, for assault with in.
| tent to murder.
+. b. PARSONS; Native of New Hampshire
age 80 years; height 5 feet 10 inches; blue eyes
auburn brown hair, sandy beard, round face
| high forehead, small scar on left forefnger
| Sent from Washoe county for 20 years, for rob
| berry. Dec. %, 1870.
| JOHN l. JACKS; Native of Pennsylvania; ag,
| 80 years; height feet 3'4 inches, weight 143lbs
| dark hair, dark eyes, one small vaccination
mark on right arm between elbow and shoulder
Sent from Nye county, Sept. II, 1871. for years
| for grand larceny.
| mr31-2w.4w