davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
A BAD STATE OF AFFAIRS.

The resolution introduced in the SEN
ate recently by John Sherman has had
the effect of giving to the public James
T. Meline's report of the frauds carried
on in the custodian division of the treas
ury department. 1t is certainly very
extraordinary document, and its develop
ments are not pleasant for the honest
citizen to contemplate. The Office was
created in 1876, aud one O. l.. Pitney
was put in charge at salary of 81, 400.
This was increased to 500 the follow
ing year. Mr.. Meline says there was no
authority for the creation of the custo-
dams department, or the appointment
of the custodian, and that both acts were
illegal and unnecessary. Not only that,
but the way in which funds were dis
bursed was contrary to law; that only in
relation to the purchase of ice, fuel and
carpets was there even the semblance of
legality; that in the purchase of supplies
all the precautions taken by an ordinary
business man were neglected; exorbitant
prices were paid; 70 inventory was ever
made of the stock 10 hand; supplies
which were paid for were never delivered,
and two prices, drawn from two different
funds, were in some cases paid for those
undelivered goods. Thus 1881 yards of
Wilton carpet and the cost of laying and
making were paid for twice, once out of
the contingent fund and once of the pub
lie building fund, and the carpet was not
delivered until the Investigators had
commenced their work. One Moses was
paid for 1914 yards of carpet which he
did not deliver until the investigation
had commenced, and then it was of an
inferior character. Cabinetmakers were
paid out of the fuel, light and water
fund; fifty-two dozen of file-holders
which cost 1902, were never delivered
1892 was paid out of the gas fund fol
what was put down in the bill as candles
but Custodian Pitney said that no can
dies were bought, but that 1892 was
paid for lemons, sugar, etc., to make
lemonade for the secretary, fifty-thret
and one-quarter gallons of bay rum
which cost $3.50, was put in the bill a.
deodorized alcohol. All in all, the repor
does not speak well for former manager
of the treasury department.
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
The Arrest in the World

A tannery in Louisville has the most
remarkable cow-hide In the world in
point of size and beauty. The hide was
found among carload of others which
were shipped from Chicago, and was
tanned and preserved as a great curios-
ity. The hide, which was taken from
the back of n steer, is by long odds the
largest one ever heard of in the world.
Each side of the mammoth hide weighs
forty-six pounds tanned. The ordinary
weight of hides is from eighteen to
twenty-tour pounds. The hide is not
only an exceedingly large one, but is al
so very beautiful in point of finish. 1t
is very smooth and glossy, and of uni
form thickness, which Is also very I'M
usual.
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
A Curious Machine.

There are but four fishing hook manu-.
factories in the United States, and OF
these three are located in Brooklyn, the
fourth being in New Haven, Conn. In
the largest of the Brooklyn establish
ments can be seen one of the most in
genious and complicated machines in
existence, which performs about ten
different operations, turning out com.
plete fish-hooks from plain cast-steel wire
In larger quantities daily than twenty
skillful workmen could make by hand.
There are only two machines of the kind
in the world, and both ara owned by the
house in question, for which the machine
was devised by the inventor, DR.. Crosby,
now deceased. The firm paid a very
large sum for the invention and for the
patent rights, which it now holds ex-
clusively.
Until recently this machine was oper.
ated privately, and no one was allowed
to see it work. The machine consists OF
two distinct divisions, each operated in
dependently of the other by separate
gear, yet which must work together In
perfect harmony. The wire is uncoiled
from large wheel, and at the same time
Strengthened by series of revolving
rollers, after passing through which it is
seized for a second by a clutch which
holds it in position to be cut off by
another knife working at right angles to
the others. This ploughs up with a
clean cut small spur of the metal near
the end, which is to form the beard or
barb of the hook. AS yet the point re-
mains perfectly blunt and square, but,
passing on, it is roughly pointed by a
sort of punch into the form of wedge.
At this stageit reaches the other machine.
which is at right angles to the first, and
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
BuCkIand's Froos.

Frank Buckland gave an amusing &C.
count of his adventures in connection
with green tree frogs. Returning"
he says "from the University of Ores
sen, [ brought about dozen green tree
frogs with me, which I had caught In
the woods near by. They are most diff.
cult things to find, on account of their
color so much resembling that of the
leaves ON which they live. have fire.
quently heard one singing in bush
and, though I searched carefully, failed
to find him. The only way is to remain
quiet till he begins his song. After
much ambush work / at length collected
dozen frogs and put them in bottle,
| started at night upon my homeward
journey in the diligence and put the
bottle containing the frogs into pocket
inside the diligence My fellow-passen-
gers were smoky, dried-up Germans;
very little conversation took place, and
after the first mile everyone settled to
sleep; but soon all the sleepers were
reused at one moment. On their sleepy
faces were depicted fear and anger.
What had woke them up so suddenly
The morning was just breaking, and my
frogs, though in the dark pocket of the
coach, had found it out, and with one ac-
cord all twelve of them began their
morning song. AS if at a given signal
they, one and all of them, began to
croak as loud as ever they could. The
noise their united concert made seemed,
in the close compartment of the coach,
| quite deafening. Well might the Ger
mans look angry; they wanted to throw
the frogs, bottle and all, out of the win
dow, but / gave the bottle good shak-
ing and made the frogs quiet. The Ger
mans went off to sleep again, but 1 was
/ obliged to remain awake to shake my
frogs when they showed signs of croak-
1 inc 3"
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05

is dropped into groove upon an endless
chain, which passes in front of the re-
volving files by which the hook is to be
finished. At the same time the upper
end of the wire is seized by an invisible
finger and bent into ring with the
lapidity of thought. 1t is then brought
in contact with the six files, one after
another These files are in the form of
wheels, each operated by separate belt
from the shaft, and each is of different
degree of fineness, graduated from the
rough burr which takes off the sides of
the wedge, to little polishing wheel
coming last and leaving the point of the
hook almost perfectly round. When the
hook, finished, but still straight, leaves
the last file, finger pokes it down upon
ratchet, which fits exactly into the
barb of the hook and forces it to bend
around projection on a fly wheel, which
gives the hook its proper shape and
throws it into receptacle below.
By this machine about fifty-five hooks
minute are turned out, all ready to be
tempered and blued or japanned, or
about SO, 900 in day of ten hours. If it
were allowed to run continually, more
hooks would be turned out than would
supply the whole market for year to
come, and more than could be con-
veniently finished and packed. The pro-
duction could be increased to over sixty
per minute, but so high a running rate
damages the files and the finish of the
hooks is not as good. The waste in de-
fective hooks is only about per cent.
Every hook, before being tempered, is
examined singly, and if imperfect is re-
jected. Only the large hooks, and those
for which there is the most demand, are
made by the machine, which can be adj
justed so as to make three different sizes.
There is the most demand for large trawl
hooks for cod fishing, which are sold to
fishermen by the barrel, as good-sized
trawl contains thousands of hooks.
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
Lost at Sea-

The British steamer Calliope. has been lost
on the Spanish coast and only one person saved.
The Swedish bark Aakras, from Wolgast for
the United States, has been abandoned at sea.
The captain, an officer and three men were
drowned.
The steamer British Queen arrived at Phila-
delphia on the 9th ult., In demorallzed con-
dition. Her quartermaster was washed over
board and several of the crew injured. At one
time her fires were put out and boats, wheel
house, bridge, standard, compasses, charts and
nautical instruments washed away.
One of the six missing boats of the Dutch
schooner KHnig Der Nederlanden, containing
nineteen persons foundered on the voyage from
Batavia to Amsterdam, was picked up in the
Indian Ocean and taxed to Alden.
The steamer Clan Macduff, from Liverpool
to Bombay, foundered off tho Welsh coast on
the night of the Goth inst. Three of the crew
managed to made their way to the
shore, but the others, thirty-six in
number, are supposed to have persisted.
There are now some 200 vessels storm-bound
on the Firth of Forth, off the Scotland coast
OF these twelve are large sea-going steamers.
Many of the vessels have lost all their canvas,
and some of them have been partially dismast-
ed. Much wreckage has come ashore in the
vicinity of Dundee
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
AMERICAN PORK IN FRANCE.

Consul Br1dgland, in writing to the
state department from Havre, France,
shows that the prohibition of American
pork is causing high prices for provis-
ions in France. Speaking of the in
spection of meats from Chicago, he says:
81 have watched with interest and care
the manipulation that has been going on
IN Havre for the last three months,
under an order of inspection with micro
scopes. The first order was given to the
Sous-Prefet, Mr.. Jeucla Pelous, to select
veterinary surgeons to make the inspec-
ton, which lasted only about three or
four weeks. AS the horse doctors did
not report trichina to satisfy the depart
ment of Paris, they were all dismissed by
order of the secretary, and a delegation
of professional scientists sent here from
Paris, and placed in the headquarters Of
Sous-Prefet, where little slices of hams
microscope to prove that there was the
large per centage of 25 or 80 per cent. of
American salt meat containing trichine.
The Sous-Prefet told me, in the presence
of others, that when one ham or shoulder
was found affected with trichin@ in q
case, they condemned the whole case.
And, as the cases contained from 800 to
400 pounds, with twenty-five to thirty
pieces, and from hogs perhaps from four
or five different states, as the meat was
principally from Chicago-and Chicago
being the great pork-packing CEN
tire of the world-I thought the
inspection was as unjust as the
original order of the secretary of the in
terror and of commerce. Mr.. Bridgland
suggests the following summary of rem
edies against France: alt seems to me
that our remedy consists in reprisal, un-
less this unreasonable order is rescinded
before the sitting of our next congress-.
There is not 10 per cent. of wines i'm
ported into the United States from France
that are really pure wines, as L am IL
formed. There is scarcely a steamer
coming from Spain to this port that does
not bring cargo of cheap Spanish wines,
that are compounded and shipped as
French wines. Logwood is used by the
ship-load in the manufacture of yin
ordinairc. With assevere an inspection
upon French wines as the French are
making ur N our American salt pork,
there woutd not be 10 per cent. of the
wines admitted into our ports. Why
should we not exclude French fabrics as
the French exclude our cotton fabrics :?
They cannot exclude our raw cotton
without having the grass grow in the
streets where their cotton factories are
established. There are hundred other
articles that France produces and ships
to us while she excludes 113 articles of
our production, and will not even admit
them under a tariff, among them plated
silverware. Heavy tonnage dues on
French ships would hurt her badly.
Just now while she is lavishlng her
money on shipbuilding in order to build
her mercantile marine, and she could not
hurt us much in retaliation, as we have
no steamers running to France, and but
few sailing ships"
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
What Lincoln Said to Joshua Speed.

[Denver Tribune Interview with Ward Lamont
Joshua F. Speed was one of Lincoln s
oldest and most confident friends in his
younger days, and their friendship con-
tlnued through all trials. After the Ca
pltulation of Gen. Lees army, Speed
came from his home in Louisville, KY,
to visit Mr.. Lincoln, and while in Wash
ington was invited to an informal meet
ing of the cabinet. The question of the
disposition of Jefferson Davis and other
prominent Confederates after they
should be captured was discussed, each
member of the cabinet giving his opin-
ion, most of them for hanging the trait
ors, or some severe punishment. Lin
coin said nothing. Finally Mr.. Speed,
addressing the President, said: " Now
Mr.. Lincoln, you have invited me here
and this seems to be a free fight. /
have heard the opinion of your minis
tiers and would like to hear yours. .
Well, JOSH" replied Lincoln, "that
reminds me of story. When [ was a
boy IN Indiana / went to neighbor's
house one morning and found boy OF
my own size holding a coon by string.
L asked him what he had and what he
was doing. He says: 1T is a coon.
Dad cotch six last night, and killed all
but this poor little cuss. Dad told me
to hold him until he came back, and I'm
afraid he's going to kill this one, too.
And oh, Abe [ do wish he would get
away. We'll, why don't you let him
loose? THAT would not be right, and,
If l let him go, dad would give me hell;
but, If he would get away himself, it
would be all right CHOW" said Mr..
Lincoln, " if JEFF Davis and those other
fellows will only get away, it will be all
right, but if we shonId catch them, and
l should let them go, dad would give
me hell ~
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
washington Gossip.

Ex-Gov. Edwin d. Morgan, of New York,
having declined the treasury portfolio, the
President, on the 9th ult., nominated Charles
J. Folger, chief justice of the New York court
of appeals, to De secretary of the treasury.
There being some doubt as to the legality Of
Postmaster General James official tenure, he
was renominated.
Frank Hatton, who succeeds Tyner as first
assistant postmaster general, is one Of the pro-
prietors of the Burlington Hawkeye, and as q
delegate from Iowa in the last republican
national convention, was the only man from
that state who voted for Gen. Grants nomina-
ton,
Ex-Gov. Beveridge Of Illinois is appointed
assistant United States treasurer at Chicago,
vice Frank Gilbert, formerly an editorial writer
on the Chicago Journal.
After argument by Scovile, Judge Cox post
poned Guiteau's trial until November 14th.
Scovie stated that in his opinion the court had
jurisdiction, and intimatod that he would not
raise any question on that point. District At
torney Corkhill has received telegram from
Judge Porter, of New York, stating that he will
assist the government counsel in the prosecu-
ton Of Guiteau. Judge Lawrence, first comp
troller Of the treasury, decided that witnesses
for Guiteau living more than 100 miles outside
the jurisdiction of the court District of Column
bia) cannot be paid by the government. Inside
that radius their expenses can be paid.
The resignation of Gen. James n. Tyner was
sent to the President on the Goth. Tyner in a
statement denies the truth of the charges that he
has been in sympathy with the star route con-
tractors, or that he has been hostile to their
prosecution.
On the Goth the senate confirmed Henry Fl.
Garnet, minister resident and consul general to
Liberia; William s. Raum, United States mar
shall for the southern district of Mississippi
Henry M. Cooper, collector of internal revenue
at Little Rock; W. w. Gibbs, register of the
land Office at Little Rock; J. NJ. Wilkinson, re-
ceiver of public moneys at Marquette, Mich.
Postmasters: Lloyd Shinn, Dodge City, Kan.
]. C. Mcbride. Lincoln. Neb.
The senate confirmed the following nomina-
tons on the 25th H. M. Kutchin, collector Of
internal revenue for the Third Wisconsin dis
trict; Hans Mattson, of Minnesota, consul
general at Calcutta, willard B. Wells, Michi-
gan, consul at Dundee; John F. Winter, Illinois,
consul at Rotterdam.
President Arthur sent the nomination Of ex-
gov. Edward D. Morgan, of New York, to be
secretary Of the treasury, to the senate on the
Oath inst, and that body Immediately confirm
ed the appointment.
Superintendent of the Census Francis A.
Walker has resigned.
Leigh Robinson, a young Washington lawyer,
has been assigned by Judge Cox to assist Sco-
vile in defending Guiteau. Mr.. Robinson an
enthusiast in his profession. He is native of
Virginia, the son of Conway Robinson, rather
noted democratic politician of that state.
Notwithstanding the fight made on him by
ex-senator Mcdonald. of Indiana, Col. Dudley
was on the 22d inst, confirmed as commissioner
Of pensions by goodly majority.
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
ARREARS OF PENSIONS.

Much complaint has been made of
late on the part of certain people that
the sums allowed under the arrears OF
pensions bills were growing to enormous
proportions, entirely beyond what was
contemplated by the trainers and adj
vocates of the law. In short, there
seems to be disposition to blame the
pension Office for the accruing of enor-
nous sums under a bill which provided
for the payment of those sums. The de-
ficiency this year will amount to about
$50, 100000, and people interested are
astounded at the growth of these claims
and the great expense that is being en-
tailed upon the government. Colonel
Dudley, commissioner of pensions, says
that not only ought this deficiency to
have been expected, but that the ex-
pense will show large increase before
it begins to decrease again. The regular
annus' pension roll amounted this year
to 10000, 900. There will be 10000
claims adjudicated and settled this year.
AS each thousand claims averages about
81, 10000 the amount of arrearages
since the war, added to the amount al
lowed for this year, it will cost $40, 000,-
600 to settle these claims. Thus, there
will be O demand for SO, 900, 900 this
year. As the appropriation only amount
ed to $50, 10000 the deficiency of S20,-
100000 is easily explained. There are
now upon the rolls and pending adjudi-
cation over 100, OG0 claims filed prior to
June 80, 1880, the date fixed by law for
fling of claims for arrears. 1t is calcu-
lated that Mt least $4,000 of these Will
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
''In Haste, "
[From the Detroit Free Press.

tFrom the Detroit Free Prees.I
A motherly-looking woman yesterday
carefully handed the stamp-clerk at the
postofice a letter marked Gin haste, 3"
and inquired if there was any extra
charge for writing that on.
"Oh, none at all.
How soon will the letter go out q"
"In about forty minutes"
"No sooner than that ?"
"Well, we might hire special train
and get it off in about twenty minutes.
"Would it be too much trouble )"
"Oh, none at all
She thought for moment. turned the
letter over three or four times, aid fin
ally said:
"I guess / won't ask you to hire q
special train, but if you will be kind
enough TO telegraph my sister that I
have written her letter to tell her that
I can't come till Monday, and to be at
the depot to meet me, and that mother
didn't 60 to Toledo after all, l shall be
ever 80 much obliged. Good morning"
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
A River Horror.

terrible disaster occurred on the Mississippi
River, on the 9th ult., by which seventeen per
sons lost their lives and many others received
severe injuries. On the fatal day the steamer
Jennie Gilchrist, with barge and fiat-boat in
tow, started from Rock Island, ILL.,, bound for
Cordova. Shortly after passing through the
bridge, and while steaming against rapid cur
rent, her engine gave way and the steamer and
tow drifted back against an abutment of the
bridge. The force of the collision careened the
steamer. partly filling her With water, and at
the same time her safety valves opened, allow
ing deadly stream of steam to envelop the
unfortunate passengers and crew. But for the
barge fat-boat, on which the survivors escaped,
the entire load of twenty-nine persons would
have been lost
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
Turkish Women.

The Turkish woman is manageable
at the age of 10 years, and by the Turk
ish law at that age, if married, she is
competent to manage her property and
dispose of one-third of her fortune. The
law allows her to abandon her hus-
bands house for no cause, and will pro-
tect her in 30 doing. She cannot be
compelled to labor for the support OF her
husband. On the contrary, he ID COM
PEELED to support her; and it Is penal
nffense to insult or ill-treat her. Should
he not furnish her with funds she is
authorized to borrow in his name and
even sell his property. After marriage
she has the absolute control Of her own
property, which he cannot touch.
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
APIucky Frenchaau.

Early on the morning Of the 28th ult., Gen.
Boulanger, Of the French delegation, awoke in
phia, and saw a man standing at the table
where he had left his watch and a roll OF bank
notes. The general sprang from his bed, seized
his sword, and detained the intruder until the
arrival of the police. He was identified az Will
liam Marston, alias Buffalo Bill, notorious
criminal. The grand jury at once found true
bill against him, and he was tried, convicted
and sentenced to three years imprisonment.
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
Work of the Flames.

ineendlary, destroyed the Warren Memorial
Tabernacle, (Presbyterian), the finest church in
Louisville, Ky., on the 2sth ult. Loss $3.50, 900.
The John Mitchell building, Cincinnati, Ohio.
burned on the 28th ult. Loss $50, 900.
four-story brick block On Franklin Street,
Chicago was destroyed by fire ON the 2Sth ult.
Loss $4,000.
On the 9th ult., fire started in the drying
room of the sugar refinery at Peoria, H., and
in an hour the entire works were mass of
ruins The loss is estimated at $45, 900 upon
which there was small insurance. The re-
fnery belonged to Hamlins, Of Buffalo, N. Y.
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
Fatal Boiler Explosions.

The boiler Of an engine on the Bloomington
and North Western road exploded as the train
was leaving Champaign, ILL.,, on the morning of
the 26th, scalding the fireman, Carleton, fatal
ly, and the brakeman, Rhodes, seriously
Henry Babel a fireman, and little girl,
name not given, were killed and several per-
sons seriously injured by the explosion of
boiler at Pineo & Daniels hub and spoke fac
tory, Dayton, o., on the 25th. Three workmen
were rescued from the debris more or less in
jured. The little girl who lost her life was two
squares away from the scene of the explosion.
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-05
Suicidal

Ezra P. Cook and wife, an aged couple, were
found dead in their house at Bellows Falls, VT,
on the 2Sth ult. The woman was Of unsound
mind and it is thought that she poisoned her
husband and then suicided. There were no
marks Of violence on the mans body, but on
Mrs. Cooks head cut three inches long was
found.
J. G. Howard, agent at st. Louis Of the
Southern Express Company, killed himself with
a revolver while suffering from swamp fever.