davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03

FINALLY it has come to the point
when even the democratic members
of the Potter investigating commit
tee are compelled to admit that the
so-called notorious Sherman letter to
Anderson was not written or dictated
by Sherman but that it is forgery.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03

The Davenport Gazette and Mar
shalltown Times don't like the repub-
lican platform because it don't endorse
the Presidents policy. We presume,
however, that the election will 60 on
just the same, and Iowa will speak in
no uncertain tones as to its sentiment
about the "policy."
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03

A Kentucky man hitched up a pair
of unbroken mules to stone boat,
and commenced to train them with a
hickory pole. The team reared over
backwards and ran away with the
man mixed up in the gearing. The
appropriate epitaph on his tomb
stone is: ale died in harness.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03
Owning up,

The Missouri Republican says of
Mrs. jerks:
'"rhe Potter committee certainly
caught Tartar when they drew her
into their net"
The st. Louis Times says:
"There is some suspicion as to the
genuineness of the sO-called "Sher-
man letter." Mrs. jerks and Mr..
jerks, and other witnesses have
thrown doubts upon the possibility
of its having been written by Sher-
man."
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03
A Queer Thing to Do.

In 1862 Maria Nutting was SER
vant-girl in Hawley, Wayne county,
Pa. She had an eventful life, and in
dying, short time ago, did queer
thing. That's the reason of this no.
tice. In the year above mentioned.
Maria married man named Samuel
Helms. lie was u worthless fellow
for work, and was good for nothing
in the world but to catch rattlesnakes
and charm them, and travel with a
circus as a side-show. Ii was a dis
agreeable sort of business, and Mrs.
Helms didn't half like the idea of liv-
ing with a snake-charmer. Shortly
after his marriage Sam Helms went
South, and his wife heard from him
no more. Then Mrs. Helms left
Hawley and no word whittier she
had gone. Helms returned in two
years and found himself wifeless.
He resumed his bent of catching rat
tlesnakes in the wilderness of Pike
county, and exhibiting at fairs. He
finally drifted to Binghampton, N. Y,
where he opened a saloon, and there
learned that his wife was in Du-
buque, Ia, married to a man named
Wilson. Helms went out to Dubuque
to charm her back. He found her
married and comfortable with a man
of property. She told him she
thought he was dead. Wilson gave
her up, and she went back East with
Helms. He was more worthless than
ever, and failed to do anything for
her support. She finally obtained a
divorce from him, and went back 20
Dubuque and remarked Wilson
He soon died, leaving her several
thousand dollars. Mrs Wilson wen,
to st. Clairsville, Mimi, and settled
comfortably on her money. A man
named Jennings = well-to-do- saw
her and would not let her rest in wild
owhood. She married him. and they
had son. Jennings died in 1875
leaving all his property to his wife
and infant son. Last fall Mrs. Jen.
nings died, and the queer thing she
did came out in this manner:
The Erie railway train from tn.
West stopped at Lackawanna, Pa.
and stranger alighted. He asked
the first man he met: "Is there any
Ouc ucic WIZ huoWs WueFe Od1
Helms lives 2" "Sam Helms, the rat.
tlesnake charmer ?" said one. EYES,
"Well, he's been dead these fiy.
years."
"Then he's lost $5,OOO," was the re
ply. The stranger explained that h,
was the executor of the estate of Mrs
Maria Jennings, who died and lef
her divorced husband the sum of IS,
600. 1t came too late for Sam, but i
showed last kind thought of hi
wife, who did not like his trade ant
could not live with him for yer,
worthlessness. The infant Jenning
of St. Clairsville, Mimi, will get tn,
$5,O 600 that Sam Helms lost by dyins
too young. But it was a queer thin.
for that willing woman to do.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03
Are,sow that Needs cono,,,ating.

BosToN, June 26.-Henry Parr ar
rived from st. John N. b. yesterday
on charge Of murder, on board the
steamer Chesapeake from New York
for Portland on December 5th, 1868.
Parr was one Of the seventeen passen-
sengers who took possession of the
Chesapeake in name Of the Confeder-
acy, shooting the second engineer and
throwing his body overheard.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03
,MlscEMaNg.
ONLY 4 BABY.
ny PhIMR0sl

Touch the latch gently,
Death has been here;
See the Grape hanging,
The dead are 80 dear.
"Only a baby"
Somebody said;
Dress, then, in flowers,
The baby dead.
Gather the daisies,
Dainty and white,
Emblems of purity,
1mblemS of light.
Weave for her brow
A garland fair,
Take tor her hand
A rosebud, rare.
Gather white lilies,
Modest and sweet,
And lay them close
To the baby feet.
Take them to one
Who Is kneeling there;
Tell her that sorrow
Is epe,y achere.
Take them In gently,
Tell her for me,
No love like mothers
Ever con be,
Written for the Cincinnati Time
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03
NA6BY.

Mr.. Nasty in Disgust Returns to the
Corners, and Briefly Describes the
Effect Of the Burchdrd Resolution
Upon that IH-Fated Community.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03

II is the only medicine 1 would
give to my Baby, mother said, speak
Ing Of DR.. Bulls Baby Syrup. AT al
drug stores, 26 cents.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03

FULL election returns from Oregon
give the republicans the Secretary Of
State, State Treasurer, State Printer
and Superintendent of Education.
The democrats elect the Congressman
-. Governor.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03

A Connecticut woman was appoint
ed constable the other day, and the
fret thing che said was; "Now I shall
catch Q mAn.s
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03
,,,,1xy ,nr - p,,r,;rrtop

s's,uWAITE, of Burlington, has
Ar-. inted Secretary of the Re-
rds State Central Committee.
fIesires to know the name and
.Aostoffice address of every county
chairman in the State.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03

WAsHIN GToN, June 2S.-The Potter
committee has appointed Hunton,
McMahon, Springer, Butler and
Hiscock a subcommittee to remain in
Washington to take testimony. Pot
ter, Morrison and Cox will act as re-
lief for ii, and the subcommittee in
New Orleans. At the session to-day
l.. +. Dennis resumed his story. He
said box No 2, of Archer precinct
Alachua county, Fla, was objected to
by democrats ON account of alleged
fraud. The inspector of polls had,
in confidential conversation with wit
meas, admitted that there had been 2l9
fraudulent names added to the list OF
voters, and his knowledge of this fact
was partially the cause of his declin-
ing to testify as requested by Cover
nor Noyes. The addition Of these 2l9
names was q matter of public noto-
riety. Witness was appointed by the
Secretary of the Treasury as agent in
the secret service. His instructions
were to examine the records U. s.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03

THE Davenport Gazette don't like
Frank Hatton as Chairman of the
Republican State Committee, be-
cause Hatton is not Hayes man.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03
WILLIAM V. CHANDLER

testified that he visited Florida soon
after the late presidential election,
and met Governor Noyes and had
many conversations with him regard
ing the electoral vote of that state /; do
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-07-03

By the Chairman-Could Packard,
as matter of fact, have sustained his
government there for the last two
years without the aid of Federal
troops? A-No sir.
BY Butler--I have only one final
question to ask you, and that is this
l suppose in 1862 the authorities of
the United States and of the State of
Louisiana as State of the United
States, could not have been main
tanned without federal troops? A
No sir.
Governor Kellogg was then called
and some discussion ensned as to the
order in which witnesses should be
examined, and after discussion on
that point the committee adjourned
until Thursday.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-24
How Interest Eats.

One of the causes of bankruptcy is that
so few persons properly estimate the diff
ference between a high and low rate of
interest, and therefore often borrow money
at ruinous rate that no legitimate bust
ness can stand. Very few have figured ON
the difference between six and eight per
cent. One dollar loaned for one hundred
years at SIX per cent. with the interest
collected annually and added to the prin-
cipal, will amount to S340. At eight Der
cent, it amounts to S2,203, or nearly seven
times as much. At three per cent, the
usual rate ofinterest in England, itamounts
to sl9.25; whereas at ten per cent. which
has been very common rate in the United
States, it is S13, 300, or about seven hun
dred times as much. At twelve per cent.
1t amounts to SS4 ,075, or more than four
thousand times as much. Ateighteen per
cent. it mounts to s15, ,145,0O7. At TWEEN
ty-four per cent. (which we sometimes
hear talk of it reaches the enormous sum
of 81, ,551 ,799 ,4O4.
One hundred dollars borrowed at six
per cent. with the interest compounded
annually, will amount to Sf,842 in fifty
years, while the same Sl00 borrowed at
eight per cent. viii amount to S4,690 in
fifty years. One thousand dollars, at ten
per cent. compounded, will run up TO
s117 1870 in fifty years.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-24
A Discounted Attorney.

In a western village, not hundred
miles from Chicago, there lived an attor-
ney, who, for tangling and worrying wit
nesses in court, had scarcely any equal
In a recent trial the attorney was examin-
ing witness regarding the time of GER
tain event, and was answered that he could
not fix date; that he did not know ex-
actly when it happened. "But," said the
attorney, "can't you reeollect near about
the time; whether it was one month or five.
SIX months or a year, or FIVE years p
"No," replied the witness; Hbut | think
that it has been within six months" ssDid
/ understand yoE, then, to say that it was
six months ?" said the attorney. 81 don't
know what you understood, answered the
witness. There was a smile on the coun.
tenances of other lawyers, and an evident
discomfort was experienced by the attor-
ney. "Well, inquired the attorney. "what
did you say?" Il said | thought that it
was within six months, replied the wit
ness. "Then l understand you to say that
it was six months, said the attorney, to
which the witness replied, ''I don't know
what you understood; l said that it was
within six months; / aim to speak good
plain English, but have nc power to give
people brains to comprehend" That was
a settler, and the witness was dismissed.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-24
Optical Illusion.

Young readers may find a fund of
amusement in the following interesting
experiments Place coin in an empty
basin and then move back from it until
you can no longer see the coin over the
top of the basin. Stand quite still, being
careful not to move the head, while some
one fills the basin with water. As the
water rises, the coin viii come again to
view, and when the basin is full will be
entirely visible
Into goblet half filed with water drop
a silver quarter; now place a plate over the
tumbler and then turn it over very quickly.
Ii now You look into it from above the
water line, you will see your quarter on
the plate, but enlarged to the size of a
half dollar, while it will also appear in its
natural size just above. Unfortunately
when the water is poured out you will find
only the original left.
If ray of sunlight be allowed to fall
on a three-sided prism, it does not pass
through it as it would through the window
pane, but is refracted or bent from its
course, and appears upon the wall in all
the brilliant colors of the rainbow. This
colored strip, called the solar spectrum,
results from the unequal refraction of the
primary colors composing white light.
Every separate tint is now simple, and can
not be further decomposed, but with a con-
cave mirror or a double convex lens they
may be again united and form white light.
"a very simple experiment, based on
the persistence of vision, may be made by
any child who can draw or procure a pic
ture of bird and an empty cage. Cut
out circular piece of cardboard of suit
able size and paste on each side the cage,
and on the other the bird. Now attach a
short piece of thread on each side, take
the ends between a thumb and finger of
each hand, and twirl the card rapidly.
when the bird will appear in the cage.
Be careful in pasting ON the pictures not
to put them upside down to each other,
or the bird will stand on his head in the
cage.
Line the four sides of a small box with
looking glass, and the bottom of the bcx
will be extended in every direction to an
astonishing extent.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-24

bird Is never seen on the ground. Its
tiny nest, often no larger than walnut
shell, is fastened in the fork of branch.
or suspended by fine spiders webs to
leaf or the stalk of a creeper. Some var
ieties weave a nest as firm and durable as
leather; others-those that build on
branch-cover with dainty lichens, so that
it appears as portion of the original twie.
being completely concealed. There are
nests hard on the inside, Others soft and
downy as the finest silk lining, the fibre
Of certain plants, can make them. The
female, which, is like all other bird species,
is dull aud plain when compared to her
gorgeous consort, deposits one or, at the
most, two tiny white egs. In ten days
they are hatched, and in week after
birth the young are able to leave the nest.
although some months must elApse before
the male acquires the full beauty of his
plumage. Much has been written about
the food of these tiny creatures. the
early naturalists believing that they sub
sisted solely upon nectar of flowers. But
it has now been proved that they can not
long endure the diet of sweets alone. Mi
mute flies, spiders, and almost invisible
bugs are eagerly sought for by the hum
ming,bird, and it has been seen to make
fine breakfast ON the gossamer spider,
which it neatly abstracts from the centre
of its silver web.-HELEN S. CoNANT,
Hdrpers Magazine for august.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-24
Life at White Sulphur Springs.

it Is the nearl y universal custom of the
hdottaes to repair to the spring before
breakfast to drink the water, or to the
bathing establishment for bath. though
for the latter many prefer later hour of
the day From haf-past eight to half
past nine breakfast is served in the great
dining room of the hotel, to which the oc-
cupants of the cottages, in common with
those of the main building, repair to take
their meals-sometimes through torrents
OF rain, which is the price paid for the
greater quiet, retirement, and freedom of
cottage life. After breakfast the parlor is
thronged, and the ten-pin alley, shooting
gallery, billiard-table, croquet ground. and
at noon the "German" in the ballroom,
have their votaries. Promenades under
the oaks on the lawn or to Lovers Walk.
drives, rides, the last newspaper or maya
zine, and every species of occupation con
sistent with the sweet do nothing of the
time and place, then follow; and at half
past two, with appetites sharpened by the
mountain air-warm in the middle of the
day, but so chill at night that blankets ara
necessary in the middle of July often
the company, numbering sometimes more
than thousand, have dinner served to
them in the great diniug-room, where at
each OF the small tables little circle in
terchanges jest and laughter. In the al
ternoon the programme of the forenoon is
repeated, especially the riding, driving and
walking to picturesque points in the Vi
cinity; and after tea the parlor, larger than
the East Room in the White House at
Washington, is the scene of interminable
waltzes and Germans-on two nights of
the week of full-dress balls.-Harper's
MdqaziRe.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-24
OuriOsities in the Brighton, England,
Auarium,

The largest item in the commissariat
returns is that for dead fish, which is sup
piled fresh by contract daily from Billings
gate Market More than sixteen tons are
consumed annually, mainly by mammals
and reptiles. The family Of sea lions
(Oatdrio Stelleri) dispose of about 80 lbs.
a day, $50 lbs. in q week, or eight tons
in year. They are fed four times day,
either on whiting, plaice, haddock herring
or maekerel, tie two latter being their
favorite food. The fish is most carefully
cleansed and prepared, the plaice filleted,
the head and collar bones of the haddock
removed, and the herring and makerel
thoroughly searched lest a hidden hook
should prove fatal The food is swallowed
at one gulp, disappearing so rapidly
down their muscular throais that one would
imagine they could not taste it; but "AIa-
dame" is excessively dainty, and evidently
discerns, both by sight and smell, the ma
ture Of the food provided, disdaining plaice
and haddock, and refusing even to attempt
to catch portion of either in her mouth
until she is quite sure that the supply of
thatwhich she prefers is entirely exhausted.
Her consOrt is troubled with a large ap-
petite, and is somewhat less particular.
They are occasionally treated with bushel
OF sprats at a meal, which are very quickly
demolished, and it is amusing to see them
diligently searching the pond lest by
chance one should nave been forgotten.
These exceedingly handsome animals were
brought from California, and have now
been on exhibition for nearly three years.
They have much increased in size since
their arrival. "Jack" is ten feet long and
weighs 1400 weight. In May, 1877, the
lioness gave birth to cub, the first of its
species ever born in captivity Aseeond,
a female, was born in March last; but, un-
fortunately, did not survive. The young
sea-lion is now nearly as large as his
mother. When quite young, she prevent
ed his taking to the water, and brought
him to land in her mouth on one occasion
when he accidentally fell into the pond.
The parent animals are in splendid condi-
ton, and are very intelligent and docile.
Their performances at feeding-time are
highly divertiug, for they are remarkably
well trained, and take food from the hands
Of their keeper or pluge after it into the
water. The cub ate his first fish when
two months old.-From "The Commissa-
riat of the Brighton Aquarium" in the
Leisure Hour.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-24
A Reliable Man Wanted.

a reliable man wanted to take charge oi
a farm" reliable man wanted in 9
counting ng-house"-"A reliable man wanted
to superintend mill" What demand
there is for reliable men Young women
want them for husbands, fathers and moth
ers want them for sons-in-law. People in
trouble inquire anxiously for a reliable
lawyer whom they can consult; the sick want
a reliable physician, the churches want q
reliable man for minister although they
do not advertise their wants in a newspa
per.
There seems to be no end to the de
mands for reliable men. Are reliable mer
so scarce that so much point is made of
getting them.
We apprehend that they are not as
plenty as they should be. Reliable archi
tects and contractors and engineers are
not to be found in every place, or there
would not be so many railway and bridge
accidents, cashiers and other bank officers
are not always reliable or there would be
no defalcations. The same may be said
of trustees or insurance officers. In truth
reliable men do not crowd one another in
any class or occupation.
Young man, it is for you to determine
whether you will be a reliable man or noi
1t all depends upon yourself Nothing is
easier, only resolve that you will be a re-
liable man and stick to it through every
temptation.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-24
How Nitro-Glycerine is Made.

This wonderful explosive was discovered
in 1S47, by an Italian named Soboro, but
its practical application was made by Al
fred Noble, Swedish engineer. The pro-
cess by which it is made is thus described:
Every one knows what glycerine is-a
clear syrupy liquid, sweet to the taste and
somewhat greasy to the touch. Its scope
of employment ranges from the surgeons S
dispensary to the lady's boudoir. Chem
lists term it traitomic alcohol, and it may
be derived from fat or tallow by action of
lime and sulphuric acid Its properties are
many and various, but as they have no
bearing upon the present subject we shall
abstain from noticing them. If q quanti-
ty of nitric acid be added to twice its
weight of sul2huric acid, glycerine be
poured into this, and stirred carefully, the
whole being surrounded by freezing mix
ture, we obtain that wonderful substance
known as nitroglyeerine, which has more
than ten times the explosive force of gun
powder 1t forms on the surface as an
oil of a pale yellow color, is perfectly ino-
dorous, and has a sweet aromatic taste.
1t is poisonous whether taken internally or
absorbed through the skin, and small doses
of it produce distressing headaches. 1t
does not explode when brought in contact
with fire, and remains unchanged even
when raised to temperature of boiling
water; but at about forty degrees Fahren-
heit it becomes converted into an icy mass,
which merely requires friction to develop
all its explosive qualities.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-24
The Ocean Floor.

Here is an end of all romance about
hidden ocean depths. We can speculate
no longer about peris in chambers of pearl,
or mermaids, of heaped treasures and dead
mems bones whitening or coral caves. The
whole ocean floor is now mapped out for
US. The report of the expedition sent out
from London in her majesty's ship Chal-
lenger has recently been published. Near
ly four years were given to the examina-
ton of the currents and floors of the four
great oceans of the world The Atlantic,
we are told, if drained would be a vast
plain, with mountain ridge in the mid
die running parallel with our cost. Anoth-
er range crosses it from Newfoundland to
ireland, ON top thus divided into three
great basins, no longer unfathomed
depths" The tops Of these sea mountains
are two miles below sailing ship, and the
basins, according to Reclus, fifteen miles,
which is deep enough for drowning, if not
for mystery. The mountains are whitened
for thousands of miles by tiny, creamy
shell. The depths are red in color, heaped
with valcanic masses. Through the black,
motioness water of these abysses move
gigantic abnormal creatures, which never
rise to the upper currents.
There is an old legend coming down to
us from the first ages of the world on which
these scientific deep-sea soundiugs throw a
curious light Plato and Solon recorded
of the tradition, ancient in their days, of
a country in the western seas where -four
isked the first civilization of mankind
which, by volcanic. action, was submerged
and lost. The same story is told by the
Central Americans, who still celebrate in
the fast of Izcalli the frightful cataclysm
which destroyed this land with its stately
cities De Byurbourw and other archeol-
ogists assert that this lost land extended
from Mexico beyond the West Indies.
The shape of the plateau discovered by
the Challenger corresponds with this theo-
ry. What if some keen Yankee should
yet dredge out from its unfathomed slime
the lost Atlantis?