davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-01
A Monster Sea-Serpent.

IN the Straits of Malacca, the sea-mon-
ster-so repeatedly seen and so repeatedly
declared to be mythical-appears at last
to have been carefully observed by COM
petent witnesses. The creature was seen
by the passengers and crew of the ship
Nestor, on her voyage to Shanghai. and
on her arrival at Shanghai the master of
the ship (Mr. John Keller Webster) and
the surgeon (Mr. James Anderson made
statutory declaration of what they had
seen, before magistrate, as a mode, we
suppose, of formally attesting that they
spoke in good faith. The creature (which
resembled huge salamander, onl that
instead of being about six or eight inches
long, these dimensions must be multiplied
by at least seventy five or 100, the body
being from forty-five feet to fifty feet in
length, the head twelve feet, and the tail,
it IS said, no less than $50 feet, was first
seen st the 10 80 on the 18th of Septem-
Der, fifteen miles northwest of the North
Sand Lighthouse, in the Straits of Malac-
ca. The weather was fine, the sea smooth,
and the air perfectly clear The Chinese
on deck were terribly alarmed and set up
q howl. The whole watch and three sa-
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-01
FACTS AND FIGURES.

THERE are nearly 1000 ballet girls idle
III New York.
LONDON has 5000 miles of gas mains,
and upward of $4,000 lamps.
THE Southern cotton crop for 1876 is
estimated at 5000. 100 bales.
The Southern corn crop is 10000, 900
bushels greater than last year.
TEXAS is successfully experimenting IN
sugar culture at many points.
THE National Temperance Society is
without money and in debt $15 900.
IT is reported that 400 National Banks
are preparing to retire their circulation.
OUR exports of canned meat the past
year amounted to 1864 900, double what
it was the year before.
THE report of the Chicago Commits
sloner of Health gives the total number of
deaths in that city during the year just
closed at s, 573.
STORE rent has come down in Boston
from $17, 900 to $1,000 per year. That's
a saving or losing of S12, 900, and Boston
can't say which.
SINCE April last nearly SIG, 0O0,0 600 in
subsidiary silver coins have been paid out
by the Treasury Department. The weight
Gov. BRADLEY. of Nevada, estimates
the value of the mines of the State at
$50, ZOO, GOO, and their gross product at
$35 600, 900, while only $4,000, 900 of
mining property was assessed for taxation.
The entire taxable properly of the State,
real and personal, is but $50, 900, 900, ex-
elusive of the proceeds of mines. 1t is
thus seen that five-sixths Of the property
mot counting proceeds of mines) is un-
taxed, and this is owned chiefly by non
residents Of the State.
RECENT experiments show that it takes
about thirteen pounds of kidney, liver
and similar kinds of meat, to produce one
pound of fish. This point having been
determined, the owner of trout-ponds OF
streams can readily ascertain whether the
raising of trout for market by feeding ar
officially can be made profitable busi-
ness-not forgetting, however, that trout
fed upon livers and kidneys are more
beautiful to look upon than savory when
cooked.-M09re's Rural.
IT is an i'll war that brings nobody good
Both Russia and Turkey are eagerly buy
ing up American revolvers and rifles. BY
the Colt machinery bought by Gen. Cor
loft, already 100000 rifles have been
turned out. Russia has imported 100 ,00O
Smith 81 WessOn revolvers and 90, 900 ,00C
cartridges, to say nothing of the 100000
cartridges manufactured daily in Russia
from American machines. Meanwhile
Turkey has contracted in Rhode Island fol-
$780, 900 Martini Henry rifles, of which
100000 have already been shipped, and
100000 more are ready for export.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-01
Remarkable Effect of Cold Weather.

ELECTROMAGNETIC Master Mid
dlerib, with boys long foresight, got
tired of his sled and began to think of the
long summer days that were coming
when he would go fishing. And thinking
of these things, he got out his fishing pole
and examined it, and after fooling around
with it for a while, he leaned it up
against the wood shed, and ran out in the
street to chase after runaway sleigh, and
never thought of it again. After supper
Mr. Middlerib went out to lock up the
wood shed, remarkiHg that it was sting
ing night, and he wouldn't blame any
man for keeping warm, if he could find a
wood shed open. In few moments the
family, gathered around the fire in the
cosy sitting room, heard Mr.. Middlerib
struggling into the kitchen door, evident
ly in state of great excitement.
BY George, boys" they heard him
say, in tones of suppressed agitation, sit
beats anything | ever saw"
And then there was a great rattling and
scufflng of feet.
BY dad" exclaimed Mr.. Middlerib,
away with any of the old settlers stories,
this does''
And then there was more rafting and
scuffling, and the kitchen door was
kicked back by very excited foot
'Well, sir" they heard Mr.. Middlerb
say, never would have believed it; by
George, | wouldn't. 1t beats the snakes.
| never
Here curiosity impelled the family to-
ward the kitchen.
What Is it?' inquired Mrs NJ.
What is it?" echoed her husband
"you may say what is it. Bring a light,
quick. Most wonderful thing [ ever
heard of. Clothes-line's frozen so stiff
that when run against it | broke a piece
sixteen feet long right out of it, square as
a lath, and it snapped in two again about
the middle. Can't get it in the door
hardly, it's so stiff, BY jocks, never
heard of such thing before. There's
Az
And then the lamp illumined the scene
and disclosed Mr.. Middlerib, his coun-
tenance aglow and his hands nervous with
excitement, struggling with the pieces of
Master NIiddlerib's fishing-rod The
tableau was greeted with loud and long
continued applause, and the laughter and
tokens of appreciation continued long after
the red fire had burned out and the cur
tain was down, not entirely ceasing until
Mr.. Middlerib threatened to wear out the
limberest end of the rod upon the noisiest
spectator. And away on about midnight,
when Mrs. Middlerib thought, from the
sounds in his room, that her boy had the
Group, she went in to see, and saw him
sitting bolt upright in bed, pounding his
knees with his fist, and stuffing the corner
of the sheet into his mouth, and not bit
croupy. -BurlingtOR HACK EUe.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-01
The Philosophy of Breathing.

GOOD air is one of the first essentials in
physical and vocal exertion. No one can
keep the body and mind vigorous for any
leIgth of time in impure air. And the
most impure air is that which is filled
with the emanatiOns from the human sys-
tenn. The lungs should be trained to free,
full and vigorous action. They are, so to
speak, the very springs of vitality. The
more immediate importance of the lungs
in the animal economy will be brought to
mind when we recollect that person may
live for days without food, but to deprive
him Of air, even for few moments, is to
deprive him of life itself. If our breath
ing is imperfect, all the functions of body
and mind are impeded; in fact, the man
ner of breathing at any particular time is
almost as good test as the pulse itself of
the general state of the system, physical
and mental. One of the commonest
faults in the use of the lungs is the habit
Of breathing, as 1t were, from their sur
face-nOt bringing sufficiently into play
the costal and abdominal muscles By
watching the domestic animals horse
or cow, for instance-we may learn
lesson in breathing We perceive that
there is very little motion near the four
extremities, but the breath is impelled
from the tlauks. So should we have the
main action from the waist.-Church
Journal.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-01

swer for their daily bread, although
1t is better to vary these staples
occasionally, for 10 one likes to be con-
fined to precisely the same diet year in and
year out. But something more than the
best of grain is needed for the manufac
ture OF eggs. Hens will not lay without
some form Of animal food. If they could
have access to the grasshoppers, as in
summer, they would require nothing else.
but IN winter they require some kind of
meat. The refuse meat from the butch
ers' stalls, or the poorer parts of butchers
meat, or the scraps from the table-al-
most any animal food-should be given to
them In liberal quantities every day or
two. This goes directly to the compost
ton OF the eggs, and without such food
eggs will be scarce and without flavor. 1t
is an erroneous idea that there Is no diff
ference in the quality of eggs, even from
the same fowls. The quality and flavor
are affected by the food as well as by the
breed of fowls. For this reason we would
not feed hens on fish, in the fear, at least,
that the eggs, like the flesh of fowls,
might become fishy. Hens should also have
some green vegetable food. Cabbage
leaves may be thrown to them, whole or
chopped up. Hot roast potatoes will be
eaten with avidity, and will be stimulat-
ing by the heat they impart. Fowls are
much better in verv cold weather for some
hot feed. Hot buckwheat cakes are
capital food for hens when the object is
to fatten them, but not so good for eggs.
Give the hens soft food in the morning,
and at night feed of grain of some kind,
which they may grind up at their leisure
in the night. They should have fresh
supply of clean, tepid water in the morn
ing, and should never be left single day
without it. Ice-water or snow will not
supply this want
4. Material for shells. They must have
access to lime in some form as the material
for shells to their eggs. 1t is a bad plan
to feed out the broken shells of eggs that
have been used, unless broken so fine as
not to be recognized by the fowls, as
they may learn to eat their own eggs. If
they have access to open ground they will
pick up lime for their own use in manu-
featuring the eggs, but otherwise they
should be supplied with broken homes,
oyster shells, or lime in some other form.
By attention to these particulars, any
family, with a score of good hens may look
for large supply of fresh eggs through
the winter months as confidently as at
any other time of the year.-N. 7. %
Se7'Uer.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-01
Man Versus Insect.

THERE is nothing IN which the human
intellect appears to worse advantage than
in its struggle with the lower and COM
monty considered insignificant forms of
animal life. Man may pierce mountains,
tunnel under seas, abridge space with the
railroad, and annihilate time with the
telegraph, but he cannot keep rats out Of
his cellar. The curculio laughs at the eff
forts of the cOnquerOrs of nature to cheat
him out OF his square meal, and the gen.
tie mosquito is a torment to the men who
slay lions and tigers. Man does not fear
that which is high as much as that which
is low. 1t is the grasshopper which is a
burden-not the elephant The house-fy
causes more trouble in the world and
comes off more generally victorious than
all the carnivOra that range the forest.
The wicked flea is a source of discomfort
in monstrous dispropOrtion to his size If
an elephant were malignant in proportion
he would render the whole continent upon
which he dwelt uninhabitable.
At the present time the whole British
Empire is called upon to resist the potato
bug. He has been outlawed by royal
proclamation, and Her Majesty's officers
are reused to energetic activity to prevent
his invasion of the country. All incom-
ing ships are to be carefully searched for
him; wnen he is found he is to be put to
death summarily, without benefit of
clergy or trial by jury, and the vessel
bringing him is to be quarantined. He
is described in the royal proclamations
with all the particularly observed in a
decree banning a dangerous traitor. Care
fully prepared Autographs of His Can
tharidean Mightiness are furnished each
officer, and the official descriptions state
that he resembles large lady-bug, but is
rather longer, and is striped, which lady
bugs are not. His color is yellow, with
black spots on the foTepart, and fine black
stripes on each of the wing covers.
An American farmer, who has spent
his summer days in sharp struggles with
the enemy of his potato crop, must take
a little spiteful pleasure in thinking that
otherpeOple will know how it is themselves,
as he sees with his minds eye dignifie d
and burly BritCn-a "hofficer of 'er Maj
esty, sir, chasing a Colorado bug to
the corner of potato bin, transfXing
him with pin, and examining him with
a microscope, to see if he has the ten lines
and yellow color which will insure his
instant determination. All their efforts
will be in vain, however The march Of
the Colorado bug toward the rising sun is
as irresistible as the progress of fate or
the Vaccinations of lightning rod agent
The British farmer, and the European
agriculturists generally, may make up to
their minds to that fact, and commence
laying in a stock Of Paris green while it
is cheap. Nothing short of new glacial
period will stop the bugs onward career.
Toledo Blade.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-01
USEFUL AND SUGGESTIVE.

WHEN any animal manifests illness, of
whatever character, the first thing to do is
to separate it from all other creatures and
place it in a warm, dry apartment Then
II 1t will take food of any kind, give
something warming and slightly stimu-
lating. Wait till the disease develops it.
self, if you are in doubt as to what is the
matter.-I0aod State Register.
THERE are many terms used in agricul-
tural chemistry which are understood only
by the few. SiEer is sand, which cannot
be dissolved by pure water. But by the
aid of alkalies, even in limited quantities,
sand is dissolved, and forms silicate,
which enters largely into the formation of
healthy straw and grain.
SALT.-It will cure sick headache,
make cream freeze, make the butter
come, take ink stains out of cloth of any
kind, kill wens, kill worms, make the
ground cool; so it is more congenial to
celery, cabbage, etc. 1t will ease the
itching pain caused by irritating skin
diseases, like hives, itch, etc. 1t will
produce vomiting, or stop, as you like;
and many other things, too numerous to
mention All pure salt will do this to a
certain degree, but sea salt is the most
Health.
RATS are accomplished rope-walkers,
and are able to make their way even along
very small cords. Consequently so long
as they can mount upon the lines, moth
ing edible suspended therefrom is safe
from their attacks. A correspondent of
the Boston Journal OF Chemistry uses
wires, upon which circular pieces of tin
are strung, and hangs his meat, grain,
etc., between the tin pieces. The rats
cannot pass the tin circles, because, as
they attempt to climb over them after
walking out on the wire, the pieces re-
volve.
If could have my entire farm COW
cred with boards lying fiat on the ground
a whole year, l would expect more ben
eft than from twenty five leads of barn
yard manure to the acre. Now, as far as
straw goes, it has similar effect. / be-
lieve the very best use of straw, except as
a litter for the stables of barn-yards is to
spread it on the fields. put straw on
provement as compared with places
where none was spread. | expected i'm
provement to the clover, but in that was
disappointed. | noticed small spots
where the straw had been in punches
the clover was out, having been smoth-
cred apparently. l took up boards from
space about twenty feet square, after
they had laid two years, and planted po-
totoes, the surrounding ground being also
planted. Where the boards had laid /
had three times as many bushels as on
like plot adjoining Gazette.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-01
BeeSWaX.

WE venture to say that very few, COM
paratively, of our readers are aware of
the numerous and important uses to which
beeswax is applied. 1t is employed ex-
tensivelY in the arts. In the manufacture
of glazed, ornamental and wall papers, it
plays conspicuous part. Paper collars
and cuffs receive their polish by its aid
Its use in the laundry has long been
known. In combination with tallow it
forms the coating for canvas and cord
age, as in sails, awnings, etc., by which
mildew is prevented. 1t is also used in
paints and varnishes, and in what is called
"stutfing" for wood used for fine fur
niture, pianos, coaches, etc. 1t is en-
ployed extensively in preparations for
covering surfaces of polished iron and
steel to prevent them from attacks of
rust. 1t enters extensively into the opera
tons OF electrotypers and plasterers.
Large quantities of wax are consumed in
the manufacture of artificial flowers, and
the quantity used for this purpose is in
| creasing, Notwithstanding the employ
ment of paraffine, mineral wax and other
substances, for this purpose.
The employment of beeswax for useful
purposes reaches far into antiquity The
ancients were not ignorant of numerous
piled. They learned that it would pre-
vent mold and mildew, and they made a
cere-cloth for embalming their dead in
which this wax was used. The inner
walls Of buildings in Pompeii were
adorned with encaustic painting in which
beeswax was employed; and wax candles
were for centuries the means of illumina-
ton in the families of those who could
afford them.
The product of wax in the United States
is stated to be 200, 100000 pounds annu-
ally, and ncreasing-worth in money at
least $6,000,000 Of this about 100000
worth is exported, and about 81 100000
worth of honey also goes abroad. The
local product of honey and wax is worth
at present in the United States nearly $15,-
100000.
The ingenious production of artificial
combs with cells rivaling, if not exceed
ing, the natural product is an important
American improvement in apiarian cult
ure, which will add largely to the ecOno-
my of this industry, yet in its infancy.
fourths of its time in producing comb at
the very time when the honey harvest is
at its best, it is evident that the invention
of artificial combs must be great econO-
my in the collection and storing of honey;
but it is not so clear how the stock is to
be kept unless man deceives the bee by
using mineral wax" in the formation of
the artificial comb and this wax is not
true wax, but natural paraffine.- Vest
e1R RHTdI
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-01

A number of the congregation were
seen to be eating troches and lozenges,
and among them ex-senator Morgan 1t
is safe to say that there was more coughing
Yesterday in Mr.. Beyans' church than in
any ten churches in the city. BY the way,
it should be remembered that the desire
to cough can be allayed by drawing a
deep inspiration through the open mouth.
Swallowing saliva is also resorted to
sometimes with good effects. The poor
est way, however, is to endeavor to choke
it down. This intlames the passage of the
throat, and, after causing much annoy
ance, finally leads to an explosion.-N
Z. Graphic.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-01
Coughing in Church.

On Sunday. Jan 7, a lady in the
gallery annoyed the Rev DR.. Bevans. of
the Brick Church, by coughing inces-
sanity during his discourse This clergy
man speaks without notes, and the cough
ing made him very nervous. He glanced
upSeyeral times, and finally demonstrated
with her and expressed his opinion that
she had better retire. What he said was
kindly meant; but it naturally created a
great deal of establishment in the con.
gregation. The matter got into the
papers, and we understand that Mr..
Bevans has called upon the lady and ex
pressed his regrets at the necessity he felt
for pointing her out so conspicuouslv.
esterday every seat in the church was
fllled. but the amount of suppressed
coughing that continued during the whole
OF his discourse was something quite re-
markable. The very thought that thev
were liable to be pointed out as disturb
ers of the minister's peace of mind
seemed to act as an irritant upon the
Threats of nineteen persons out of twenty
IN the congregation. The writer sat in
the gallery and could see the faces of
most of the people upstairs, and two
thirds of those in the body of the church.
and 1t was curious to notice the amount
OF suppressed nervousness which was
visible in the faces of the congregation
AT least sixteen of every seventeen per-
sons IN the church coughed once or twice,
and fully one-half coughed more or less
throughout the discourse. The very at
tempt to overcome the desire to cough led,
no doubt, TO great deal of suffering
among the ladies and gentlemen so af-
hlcted. All this was not the result of
colds nor Of any desire to be disrespectful
to the minister, but was a matter of pure.
ly sympathetic nervousness We ali de-
sire to do what we should not do, and
coughing, like yawning, becomes general
from the mere imitativeness of contagious
excitement. When the hymn was being
sung perfect fusilade of coughs rang
through the church, and relief was expe.
rienced for short time.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-01

loon passengers saw the creature clearly
and observed its movements. 1t travelled
for long time about as fast as the steamer,
appearing to paddle itself by the help of
IAN undulatory motion of its tail in verti-
cal plane" The body and tail were marked
as those of the salamander are marked
with alternate bands, black and pale yell
low in color. 1.-THE head was immediate
ly connected with the body without any
Indication of neck' Both witnesses
state positively that the only resemblance
was TO some creature of the frog or newt
kind while one of them (the surgeonl
says that the longer he observed it the
more he was struck with its resemblance
to gigantic salamander. Its back was
oval in form. No eyes or fins were seen,
and it did not blow or spout in the man.
ner of a whale. The greater part of its
head was never seen, being beneath the
surface. Probably the creature is of a
race which survives from that very differ
ent world in which creatures of gigantic
size seem to have been so much common
er than now. There appears to be no
manner of reason for doubling the very
express evidence so succinctly and sober
~ given.-LOnd0a Spectator, Dec. 80.