davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02
The Sumner Family.

There were in all eleven children born
to Mrs. Sumner, who was a very dis
tinguished-looking lady. The family
lived on Hancock street, Boston, and
there all the children were brought up
Henry, the eldest, who was large, power
full man, died in Orange, N. J., some
years since. Charles was the next; and
his mother was always very proud of him
Being asked how it was he had become
the possessor of so many requirements, she
said that Charles when boy was very
good scholar and diligent at his studies.
Albert Sumner was, like his brother,
splendid specimen of manhood. He,
with his wife and family, took passage
for Europe in the Arctic, and were lost
with that unfortunate vessel. In connec-
ton with this event singular circum-
stance occurred. Albert Summers wife
was very rich lady, possessing upward
of a million dollars in her own right;
and when she was lost the Summer family
thought that rightfully they ought to be
considered the heirs at-law. Accordingly
they contested the inheritance with the
ladY's relatives, and ultimately won the
suit. But the Summers had only gone to
law to vindicate their honor and their
rights; they had no intention of impov-
erishing the dead woman's family; and,
having won the cause, they magnanlmous-
~ resigned all the property to the wife's
relatives, thus exhibiting rare disinterest-
edness. George Sumner came to his
death in a very remarkable way. During
the war he was going to inspect some troops
at a short distance from Boston, when he
met with an accident in getting in or out
of the railway cars, and hurt one of his
knee-caps. He was very much in favor
of the water-cure theory, and went to a
water-cure establishment to get his leg
treated. However, the injury went on
from bad to worse, until finally George
was so paralyzed all over his BODY that
it could hardly be said that any part of
him but his head and heart was truly
alive. Horace, a younger son, was a
slender youth, quite different in appear
ance from his stalwart brother, the SEN
atOr. He was placed for some time with
Levi Bartlett, of Warner, N. H., to learn
farming. He was offs dreamy, poetic ma
ture, fond of reading and meditation, and
very little inclined for any practical bust
went abroad and stopped in Rome for
and her husband. The two latter, with
their child, were coming to America, and
Horace embarked with them. When al
most within sight of home the vessel was
wrecked of, the Long Island coast, and
many on board, including the Ossoli fam
lily and Horace, were lost. There were
three daughters in the Sumner family, of
whom only Julia, who is married to a
medical officer in the United States ser
vice in California, survives. The rest of
the family died when yet young. Charles
Summers own modest fortune came to
him by the successive deaths of his broth
ers, who left their property to him.
N. 7. Daily Graphic.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02

Neyorg." The name of the person is
plain enough, but it would seem to re-
qulre the wisdom of Solomon to get at
the meaning of the remainder of the su
prescription. Mr.. Stone, however. is NOT
at fault for moment; he reads it off as
Fairport Monroe County, N. Y.n
Here, however, is a puzzler for all.
1t is plainly addressed to Brit
ton d Sons, Lime Mills, corner
Erie Canal and Lock street, State of New
York." and it will be sent back to the
Postotfice from which it came for further
inquiry. Another letter is addressed to
John Lippert, 257 Relruth Ebene, Fer
sittee, n. j." Mr.. Stone reads this in
scription as intended for 257 Railroad
avenue, Jersey City, n. J. A letter to
"Karuirus Muiargk, Salim Krosik,' is
sent to Salem Cross Roads, Pa. ''l'eksa-
ko, Maj Ulm, North America is sent to
New Ulm, Texas. "Brean Co., Prineton,
Merica," is made to read Princeton, Blu
reau County, H.; and letter bearing the
direction in Diana Stadt Apolis, Amer
Ica," is sent to Indianapolis, Indiana. A
letter addressed to James Brady, II
Worth city, Cansas," may be perfectly in
telligible to most people, yet it has to go
to Mr. Stone for translation into Leaven-
worth City, Kan. "Waaily, Humphrey
Co, Townesseed," as a concluding exam
pie, is sent to Waverly, Humphrey Coun-
", Ienn-N. \. ECenillQ Post
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02
4 Wildcat Story.

The Vicksburg (Miss.) Times tells the
following: Zone day last week the resi-
dence of Mr.. Powell, near head of navi-
cation on Sunfower River, was attacked
by gang Of wildcats, Mrs. Powell and
a colored servant only being at home
The door being closed, one of the cats
jumped through the window, when Mrs
Powell threw blanket over it and threw
it out at the back door. This one was
soon followed by another, which she
killed with a small ak. By this time the
colored cook was attacked short distance
from the house, and she alarmed a white
neighbor, who was at work near the place,
who came to her assistance and killed the
cat with Ratchet, but not until the cook
had been pretty well chawed" by the
kitten. The gentleman then went to the
relief of Mrs. Powell at the house, when
two of the cats attacked him quite severely
before he succeeded in dispatching them.
Four of the pack were killed and several
wounded before they could be scared off.
The hides of the four cats that were slain
were brought to this city on the steamer
Lizzie Yesterday A day or two after this
attack the carcass of a deer was found
buried near this place, with evidence Of
its having been the work of this same
pack of cats. This account comes to US
through a reliable source, and we can
vouch for the veracity of it. The natives
attribute the attack to hunger"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02
A Japanese Normal School.

The Normal School at Tokei was es-
tabllshed In order to obtain a supply of
properly -trained teachers for new graded
schools, which, according 10 the scheme
of the Education Department., are to num-
Der over $4,000. 1t was begun in the fol-
lowing manner: A class of twenty-five
picked young men was formed, and began
the study of English. They were fresh
and unspoiled, and learned with great ra-
pidity. At certain point, as soon as
they could understand the ordinary ex-
pressiODs of their foreign instructor, the
study of English was dropped. They had
been taught so far, simply for the pur-
pose of becoming familiar with the man.
ner IN which foreign teacher instructs
class, and maintains discipline. 1t was
something very different from what they
had been accustomed to. In Japanese
schools, teacher usually takes a class of
six or les s, and instructs each scholar sep
arately. They know nothing of reciting
in concert, and the discipline in iarge
school is in respect of noise AMI irregu-
lar attendance, about equal to that of the
very worst country schools at home.
As soon as these young men had learned
how class in foreign school is taught
and managed, little children were
brought in, formed into classes, and the
young men set teach them. This they
did in the presence, under the eye and by
the aid of their foreign instructor. The
latter did not know Japanese, nor did he
need it. At present there arc $50 young
men from all sections of the Empire in
training to be -COrrespoadence
Y0Le C01trdnt.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02
FACTS AND FIGURES.


The value of postage stamps issued
in February was 81, 632 ,567, an increase
of 49,. per cent over the same month last
year.
The consumption of potatoes i'm
ported into Great Britain must be very
large. The declared value imported in
the last twelve months was S1O,6O6, 173.
In the preceding year, SS,271,30
There was falling off last fall In the
champagne importation of 364 1863 bottles.
Whether this is an Indication of progress
0f the temperance cause or the progress
o, the national fondness for Bourbon is
not stated
OF ,259 petitioners to the Governor
OF Kentucky for executive clemency, filed
since 1870, there were 3,106, or about
three-fourths, of the petitioners who
charge their troubles to the use OF lntox-
icating drinks.
New York, with a million inhab-
ltants, uses about as much water every day
as London does with 100000 people; In
other words the average New Yorker
consumes three times as much as the av
erage Londoner. The daily supply in
London is 110,S74,000 gallons. In New
York it is 104, 100000 gallons.
The Massachusetts Agricultural Col
lege has IA undergraduate and two grad
uate students. The annual expenses of
the institution are about $4,000. The
income from the endowment is $4,000,
from tuition and room rent about $4,000,
leaving deficit of about $4,000 to be sup
Piled from some other source.
There are over 14,500,000 children of
the school age in this country. We spend
annually for schools over sos, 100000,
which is equal to one-third of 1 per
cent. of the property, real and personal,
OF the whole country, as returned by the
last census; and we employ 221 900 teach
ers. The National Government has al
ready set aside for educational purposes
14O, 100000 acres of the public lands.
According to the census of 1870 there
are 1920 persons engaged in the various
occupations in Illinois. or these 376 AL
are farmers and farm laborers; 1873 221
are engaged in manufactures and min
ing; 50, 422 in trade and transportation,
and 1913 in professional and other &C.
equations. 1t will thus be seen that
farmers and farm laborers have a major
lty of 5,434 over those engaged in all
other occupations combined.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02
PHUNNYGRAMS.

Caution Just another wee
drap fore you 60" Guest" Ma, ma,
all taxi nae mairl Pm in a new lodgin',
and Pm no vera weel acquainted wiz the
stairi"
{ Hi! where did yez get them trous-
ers? asked an Irishman of man who
happened to be passing with pair of re-
markedly short trousers on. 81 got them
where they grew" was the indignant re-
ply. "Then, by my conscience" said
Paddy, you've pulled them year too
soon!"
When Tom Scott was in st. Louis re-
Gently, little bootblack saluted him
with, BLACK yer boots, boss?" Pm no
boss, my boy" answered the railway mag
nate, pleasantly, shaking his finger at the
uurchin, who rejoined, Eyer boss of yer
boots, amt yer?"
"A st. Louis paper declares that
woman has secured foothold from
whence to make future cOnquests." 1t is
to be hoped that, in this sweeping asser-
ton, the paper does not include the women
of st. Louis. There is something terrible
in the idea Of st. Louis woman getting
Observation-Disclosures
"A shrewd wife in town who has for
getful husband has adopted method of
Jogging his memory which is at once
novel and effectual When she desires
him to bring her anything from the store
she makes a cross on the back of his hand
with lead pencil. When he takes a
drink at saloon, in extending his hand
for the glass he invariably sees that mark
and remembers the errand. Being thus
reminded thirty or forty times a day, it
would be singular, indeed, if he should
forget what was required of him.-Week-
ly BT1l1,SuScker.
MIR. OClarence missed his knife Mon
day morning. He had laid it right on
the mantel-shelf the night before, and if
anything could not stay Just where he put
Il he'd like to know the reason of it. The
knife was not there now, and he tore
about the house in a hopeless search for
it. Mrs. O'Clarepce mildly suggested
that he might have left it at the shop, but
received such whitening glance in reply
that she sincerely regretted the unhappy
remark. He prosecuted the search with
great vigor, looking under the stove, be-
tween the beds, and on the highest shells
of the china closet 1t was not absolutely
necessary for any one to be in the room
with him to get the drift of his observa-
lions. Finally he put his hand in his peck
ct, and found the knife there. But he con-
cealed his gratitude so effectually that
Mrs. O'Clarence was in doubt as to his
feeling it, and merely said that he'd like
to catch any one fooling with that knife
again.-DGnbury Neaos.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02
Misdirected Letters.

The number of these letters received at
the New York office varies from 300 to
500 a day, and in looking into the work
ings of this particular bureau it strikes
one that the number of careless and stupid
people in this country is enormous. Mr..
Stone, who has the first handling of these
letters, is an expert in reading blind adj
dresses in every sense of the word. Many
Of these letters bear the true direction, but
it is put on so quantity and blindly that
it requires great knowledge and shrewd-
ness to get at the meaning. This gentle
man, too, appears to know the streets of
every city in the United States, and is, in
fact, veritable walking directory. On
an average 400 letters of this kind are re-
ferred to him daily, and sample of some
of the peculiar addresses written on them
will prove interesting. For instance, Mr..
Stone takes letter from the table before
him, and it bears the address of John
Martin Galston, Varbod, Mondro Konti,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02
PERSONAL.

Judge Dent, brother of Mrs. Grant, died at
his residence in Washington on the morning
of the 22d.
Frederick Douglass has been elected Pres
ident of the Freedman's Savings Bank at
Washington, which has branches in nearly all
the Southern States. DR.. c. B. Pares another
colored man, has been chosen Vice-President.
Forty out of seventy clerks employed are col
ored.
Two sons of the Siamese Twins were in
Philadelphia On the 21st and would immedi-
ately leave for home with the remains of
their parents. They deny that the family in
tended to exhibit the remains, and said they
were to be at once decently inferred. The
sons have obtained from the physicians
statement denying that the bodies were given
them for autopsy as result of pecuniary
arrangement.
A Congregational Council met in New York
on the Oath, to consider the relations of Ply
mouth Church, Brooklyn, in which Henry
Ward Beecher oficiates as pastor, to Congre-
gationalism. The difficulty arose first out of
what is known as the Beecher-Tilton scandal,
| and from the informal dropping of Mr..
Tilton's name from the rolls of Plymouth
| Church. That action on the part the
church was a cause of offense to Drs. Storrs
and Buddington, and led to an animated cor
respondence. The council has been called to
| determine if a member of a church can cease
| to be member the moment he ceases to at
| tend upon its services. On the 25th Plymouth
Church voted not to participate in the coun-
| Gil, and presented protest against any action
| whatever upon any issue relating to that
| church. Addresses were made by Drs. Storrs
and Buddington, advocating the withdrawal
of fellowship from Plymouth Church and its
| pastor. The council adjourned to the Goth
without reaching conclusion.
| Platt & Boyd, of New York, whose books
were seized by Detective Jayne in July last,
have begun suit to recover $50, 900 damages
| for trespass. Other and similar suits against
Jayne are threatened.
The second Indictment for perjury against
| David A. Gage, ex-Treasurer of Chicago, has
| been quashed.
| The Congregational Council in Brooklyn,
n. Y, remained in secret session from the
morning of the Goth until one o'clock p. m.
On the morning OF the 9th letter was re-
ceived from Theodore Tilton asking that he
be accorded the courtesy of contributing to
the official records correct statement of the
reasons for and the circumstances attending
his retirement from Plymouth Church. In
this letter he explicitly denies that he had
ever slandered Mr.. Beecher by thought. word
or deed. Resolutions embedying the sense
of the council were to be presented ON tbe
following day.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02
nOmESTTC

A White House On. C.) dispatch of the
morning of the Esd says the reports of terrific
rumblings and roaring noises at Bald Noun
tain were confirmed. Scientists direct from
the scene said there was no doubt of volcanic
action going on. Shocks were hourly felt, the
crockery in some residences being thrown
from the shelves. The citizens were fleeing.
Religious meetings were held night and day.
The sayants thought a volcanic eruption is
very probable.
A horrible murder was recently perpetrated
near Centerville, Ill. The victims were Fritz
Steltzereide, aged about eighty; his son and
daughter-in-law, and two small children, one
an infant. The threats of the two men were
cut, and the skulls of the woman and children
crushed. The murdered family lived on a
farm three miles south of Centerville.
According to special telegram to the Chi
cago Inter Ocean, dated March %, Detectives
Sinner and Baldwin had fight with James
Younger, near St. Catherine, Mo-, on the 21st.
Younger and Baldwin were both wounded.
Younger getting away as usual.
The Governor of Iowa has offered a reward
of $4,000 for the arrest and conviction of the
murderer of Mrs. Algoi, in Clinton County,
two years ago.
On the morning of the oath the tow-boat
Crescent City, from New Orleans for st. Louis.
blew up at the foot of Montezuma Island
near Helena, Ark. Every part of the boat
was blown into atoms and she sunk III three
minutes. The tow, consisting of five barges
one trading boat and one fruit barge, was ut.
terly consumed. The lost were: Capt. James
Dawson, Mate Henry Gessler, Pilot John Os-
trauder and wife, Pilot William Mundy, Watch.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02
POLITICAL.

President Grant is reported to have said in
conversation with a leading Republican Sena-
tor, on the 21st, that statement that anv leo
islation tending to imitation must RIM the
gauntlet of his veto was wholly without
foundation; that he had conversed with no one
on that subject at all; and that, if he were
himself member Of Congress, he should
regard an intimation of veto in advance of
legislation as an unbecoming threat nv the
Executive, and should resent it.
The Rhode Island Democratic State Con
vention, in session at Providence on the 23d
resolved to make no nominations for State Of
ficers 1t appointed State Committee and
adjourned.
The Pennsylvania Democratic State Central
Committee will hold the State Convention in
Pittsburgh in May.
The balloting in the Massachusetts Legis-
lature for United States Senator on the oath
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02

RESOLVED, That for the purpose of securing
water competition to the seaboard, as well as
competition with corporate monopolies, we are in
favor of the speedy improvement of the Missis-
sippi River, and the construction, if necessary of
ship canal st its mouth
The committee to memorabilia Con-
gress Is composed of the following named
gentlemen: James NJ. Allan, of Geneseo;
Waldo NJ Potter, of Davenport; Calvin
D. Truesdale, of Rock Island; Charles
Atkinson, of Moline; L. D. Whiting, of
Tiskilwa; James L. Camp, of Dixon; W.
Il. Wells, of Peoria; F. D. Brewster, of
Peru; William Reddick, of Ottawa; John
Mahen, of Muscatine; A. B. Smedley, of
Cresco, and d. B. Sears, OF Rock Island
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02

the whole category of diseases to which hui
manity is susceptible, the cough is most neg
lected in its early stage. A simple cough is
generally regarded as temporary affection
unpleasant and nothing more; but to those
who have paid dearly for experience, it is the
signal for attack for the most fearful of all
diseases Consumption. A cough will lead to
consumption--if not checked-so sure as the
rivulet leads to the river, yet it is an easy en-
envy to thwart, if met by the proper remedy.
Aliens Lung Balsan, is the great cough RENE
dy of the age, and it has earned its reputation
by merit alone. Sold by all good druggists.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02

MORE than so years have elapsed since John
sons Anodyne Li,ainaent was first invented,
during which time hundreds Of thousands
have been benefited by its use. Probably no
article ever became so universally popular
with all classes as JotnSon's Anodyrae Lirai-
Yney2t
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02

THE MAGIC INKsTAND.-This valuable in
vention will drive all the pale, gummy and
corrosive inks out of the market 1t has just
been introduced into this country by r. G.
Roof, ANTHONY & Co., of New York. Mill
ions are being sold in Europe, and will be sold
here. See advertisement in another column.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02

PILLS which contain anthony, quinine and
ealomel should be avoided, as severe gripping
pains would be their only result. The safest,
surest and best pills are Parsons PurgatiUe or
A7atS- Bilious Pills
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02

THE ORGAN as household instrument
has been rapidly growing in favor, and
the yearly sales are now enormous. a
good Organ remains in tune, is easily
kept in order, and blends naturally with
the quality of the voice. The advertise
ment of the Smith American Organ Co.,
in another column, is referred to the con-
sideration of our readers. This house
has an enviable reputation for good work
and fair dealing.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02
THE NEWS.

IaE NEW y.
Bilboa Shelled by the CarlistS
With Terrible Effect.
A Desperate Engagement Between
Republicans and CarliStS.
Balloiing in the Massachusetts LeusIa-
ture for United States Senator.
A Wholesale Murder Near Centerville,
St. Clair County, Ill
The Threatened Volcano at Bald
Mountain, N. c.
Northwestern Cheap Transport
tatiOn Convention.
The Plymouth Church Question Be-
fore Congregational Council.
Other Interesting News Itens
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-02
Northwestern Cheap TranspOr-
tatiOn Convention.
The Plymouth Church Question Be.
fore Congregational Council.
FOREIGN.

Other Interesting News Items.
Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1874-09-03

how he would have answered the char,
ges brought against him. The people Of
this eouhty, that IS the masses, wput fair
play and are willing to bear both Sides
Still, do not think there was any, feel
ing that Judge Gillenwaters took any un.
fair advantage Of his opponents absence.
The Judges position seemed to meet
with general approval. and l am satisfied,
that unless change takes place. those
who have ID long reluctantly supportSd
Mr.. Butler, will now gladly give their
allegiance to Judge Gillenwaters.
1t may not be out Of the way for nc to
say, in conclusion, that / am not writing
because Of any personal Ill viii! toward
Mr.. Butler. | am not sorehead, who
has asked an eflicc or favor of any kind
and been refused. Neither am l writing
with the promise Of reward from ibyS man
or by reason Of any favor already done
me, but | am writing as citizen Of this
county in the interests, as | consider, IF
the people. GRANGER.
Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1874-09-03

II N. GRIFFITH, ATTORNEY AT
Ia, LAW AND COLLECTING AGENT,
Jonesboro', Tenn. Special attentions
given TO collections. Office, one door
East of Faw, Devault a. Co., under
keen's Gallery.