davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Owosso times., 1881-12-02

Comparing the week ending Nov. IL
with the preceding week, there has
been considerable increase in the area
of prevalence of diphtheria, and a con-
siderable decrease in that of diarrhea
and remittent fever. Judging from
past experience diarrhea has now
reached about its least prevalence but
remittent fever may be expected to still
further decline during the next TIN ee
months.
Special reports have been received of
smallpox at st. Joseph, Berrien Co.,
and in Bingham and Leelenaw
townships, Leelanaw County. The
disease was brought to st. Joseph from
Chicago. In Leelanaw county it be-
gan with two Indians who contracted
it at Traverse City while loading a ves-
sci with wood. One case eff smallpox
at Albion is reported November 20,
1881. Because smallpox may be
brought to any locality at any time by
, immigrants or travellers, it is prudent
for all persons to seek protection by
vaccination or revaccination with pure
bovine virus. Local boards Of health
are authorized by law to make provision
for free vaccination.
HENRY b. BAKER,
Sec'y State Board of Health.
LANSING, Mich, Nov. IA, 1881.
The Owosso times., 1881-12-02
SLEEP AS A FARM CROP.

Mr.. EDITOR: We were at Pastor
Spooner's to take tea, last evening,
and new crop came for discussion,
which may be profitable for some OF
your readers to cultivate more system.
atically. The old style teadrink-
ing, confined to about a half.dozen,
outside of the family, is the nearest
approach 10 social dissipation allow
ed in church circles in HookertOwh.
The modern festival, with its buskin
performances, and other devices OF
filch money out of reluctant pockets
for the support of the gospel, has not
invaded these parts. Mr.. Spooner
says: "If you want church privileges,
pay for them squarely, as you do for
your government and your family ex-
penses. A thrifty church should be
as much ashamed of begging as a
thrifty farmer" DIR. Blossom took
the lead in the conversation. and
when we were seated at the table, re-
marked: Sleep, / think, is about the
most profitable crop grown on the
farm"
"How do you make that out" in-
quired Mr.. Spooner. j thought men
and women were the glory of our
Connecticut farms"
Every true, if they were only finish
ed" the doctor said: but. alas a
large per cent. of them, especially the
women, are broken. down in health,
The Owosso times., 1881-12-02

Grapevines do much better when
planted i'm the Fall. They will not
thrive on low wet soil, but succeed
best on high dry ground with enough
slope to carly off the surplus water
The soil should be enriched by well
rOtted manure. bone dust. or some fer
tilizer that is not rank and coarse, and
should be thoroughly and deeply
plOwed. Set the vines in rows eight
feet apart, the strong growing kinds
being planted eight feet apart i'm the
row, and weaker sorts at six feet apart.
Make holes about one foot deep and
two feet across, having two or three
inches of good rich soil in the bottom
of each hole, and spread out the roots
carefully in every direction. Put fine
rich soil around and in among the
roots, and fill the hole to within two
inches of the top. Then place around
each vine shOvelful of fine. well rot
ted manure. Cut back the vine to
within two buds, and ut the approach
of winter mound up the soil over the
vine to the height of eight or ten inch
es, to protect from freezing and thaw-
ing in winter. When planting. it is
better to set a small stake in the CEN
ter of the hole before the vine is set
than to drive it in the ground after
wards.
The Owosso times., 1881-12-02
Quick Returns.

The making of quick returns in any
kind of business is always a desirable
matter where it is a possible thing to
carry out this principle in any business
enterprise that may be undertaken. In
the production of live stock it is desir-
able to have this kind of principle pre-
vail to the fullest possible extent. 1t
is very certain no branch of live stock
production can be worked on this
principle to any better advantage than
the raising of hogs can. This is espec-
tally the case since summer packing
has been established at different lead
ing points in the country as regular
business. 1t seems that since the es-
tablishment of this summer packing
business it has never been possible for
the packers to command as many bacon
hogs as have been wanted. The sum-
mer packing-houses are all engaged in
curing bacon for the different markets,
and this has grown to very large pro-
portions as branch of our American
packing trade. The kind of hogs that
is wanted for this large and increasing
bacon trade can in regular way be
produced easier, quicker and cheaper
than any other kind of live stock in the
whole list. An average weight of
about 200 lbs, and just middling fat is
what the packers want for the manu-
facture of bacon. And where proper
arrangements are made to carry on the
business of swine production iu sys-
tematic way, hogs of this kind by the
thousand can be got ready for market
at 6 or 2 months of age, and when got
ready for market they are always quick
sale at strong prices az compared with
what heavy and very fat hogs may be
selling for. During the summer sea-
son of each year large portion of the
feed given such hogs may be good clo-
yer; they should of course have enough
corn to give reasonable firmness to the
flesh so that they may not be ruled on
to the list of 'grassers.' Taking the
best breeds of hogs that are now
known, and ten months with proper
feeding and care makes good mess
pork hog. These want to be thick,
broad-backed hog, and weigh from 800
to $50, and as the case now stands
there is not month in any year but
what hogs of either of these two kinds
can be sold readily in dozen different
markets in the Western country and
what kind of business is there on the
whole list that will make quicker re-
turns or pay better profits than the rails
ing of hogs will pay under all these
conditions.
The Owosso times., 1881-12-02

winter they have bedded stall TO
sleep in, and after their evening ra-
tions are given them the barn is kent
as quiet as the house. Sheep suffer
very much from want of quiet. but the
dog law has helped that matter very
much in thinning out the worthless
ours that used tp chase them. 1t is
quile possible now, in the towns
wbere the law is iulorced, TO raise
mutton, lamb aud wool, and recuper.
ate our pastures. In making pork
cheaply, a good deal depends upon
clean, dry quarters for the swine. Tue
common prOverb, the breed is in the
trough, is only half truth. The
other half is N the blood and in the
sty. The common notion that any
place is good enough for swine is a
very expensive heresy. The pig takes
a mud bath in summer to keep cool
and get rid of vermin, it may be; but
give him a cool, dry place, and plenty
of straw, and he will keep himself as
clean as any other animal. If well
fed he will sleep large part Of the
time by day rs we'll as by night. The
more sleep you can induce in the sty,
the cheaper you can make pork"
This tea-table talk at the parsonage
has a fair amount of common sense in
il A perceptible change has gone
over our New England farms, in the
last thirty years, in making provision
for the comfort of our domestic ami
mails. The old-styl lie accommodations,
foddering cattle at the stack-yard,
which used to be severely handled in
the american AaricuIturist in the
early days, though still in existence,
has greatly diminished. Sleep was
difficult problem on the frozen ground,
with the thermometer down to zero,
and it took at least third more fod-
der to keep the animal in good con-
dition. AS matter of fact, all
stock thus wintered fell off in weight.
1t deteriorated the stock, while it
brutalized the owner. Now the model
barn. and such are multiplying quite
rapidly, is tight structure, almost
frost-proof. well ventilated, built over
a manure cellar, where all the drop.
pings of the cattle are composed of
muck, peat, leaves and straw, and
turned TO the best account There is
q large root apartment, or vault, on
the stall floor, and roots furnish
part Of the daily rations. The stalls
are kept well Uttered; and abundant
rations, comfortable temperature, and
quiet, favor sleep. Milk production.
in such barn, is possibility through
out the season, and occasionally a far
mer is experimenting in making win
ter butter, on the whole, we concede
the value of sleep as farm crop.
The Owosso times., 1881-12-02
Some Very Strong Men.

In the year 1871, a man known as
" Monsieur Gregoire, astonished the
people of Europe by his feats of
strength. 1t is said that he was afraid
to carry his own baby, for fear he might
squeeze it to death without knowing it.
Joseph Paspichilli was in the habit
of amusing the Hungarian public by
holding table in the air by his hands
and teeth, while couple of gypsies
danced upon it. He and his brother
could bear upon their shoulders a
wooden bridge. while two horses drew
over it wagon loaded with stones.
Simba, an Arab, whom Mr.. Stanley,
the explorer, met, could toss an ordin-
ary sized man ten feet into the air, and
catch him in his descent. He would
take large white Muscat donkey by
the ears and, with one jerk, throw the
surprised beast upon its back. He
once trotted around house, carrying
twelve men.
William Joy, who in his day, was
known as the "English Samson" could
hold strong horse by the reins
though the horse might be lashed ever
SO furiously, and though Joy stood on
the ground.
The Owosso times., 1881-12-02
AT THE GATE.
WILLIAM Q. RICHARDS.

Mould go through, but that the gate is shut
riung wide TO some as II at touch OF finger
whose hinges yet my strong desire reblt-
As al the barrier, In unrest, linger.
The fields look far beyond, and haryests glow
WIN sheen TO match the temper Of my
Might l but reap there, my glad zeal should
A hand untiring and heart unnckle.
Thus plead 1, with myself, before the gate
,r IN wonder half,and half In childish sorrow
That while the reapers work, only walt,
And watch each fading day till dawns to-
morrow.
But am sure that waiting is not best
when GODS own angel Is the closed gates
Since strength, from dull, involuntary rest
May spring, the sinews of the soul to hard
Ny waiting days are moments In his sight,
Who of my tolls and tears the score is keep
No loss TO him befAlls whose will is right,
Nor rusts the blade the Master stays from
reaping.
And it may be the gate Is not between
MY harvest and my hand; that, round me
Up-sprlngs where thisties and sharp thorns
have been,
Isgrain needed only faith for knowingi
And at the gate shall not miss the voice,
That yet may bid me with the reapers
So, here or there, to wait or work. the choie-
Till rest is heaven-be thine, not mine, o
Father!
Watch Tow.r
The Owosso times., 1881-12-02

Louisiana has offered to the Israel
ite immigration Society of New York
city 160 acres Of land to each and every
family the society may locate in GER
tain part of the State. In response to
the offer a committee of ten has
been sent to New Orleans to meet the
State agent and arranged for the trans.
fer of number of families.
Upon reptiles the fluid secreted in
the head of the toad acts as a power.
full irritant. On man it produces
no effect beyond a slight local irrita-
tion.
One of the latest applications of
electricity is to the working of forge
hammer, much like the steam arrange
ment.
The English steamers arriving al
Boston are crowded with freight, and
according to the Traveller, some of the
recent arrivals were unable to take all
that was offered. 1t Is only on the re
turn voyages that cargoes are short.
The Owosso times., 1881-12-02
THE FARM.

The "pink-eye" epidemic, now raging
among the horses at Baltimore, Wash
ington, Chicago and some other cities,
is thus described "The animal affect
ed first shows weakness. declines to
take food, the pupils of the eyes be-
come discOlored, the lids inflaine, and
the tongue shows evidence of high fe-
yer, being veIy hot to the touch. In
some cases swelling and stiffness of
limbs ensues, this being serious
symptom, and most frequently worse
to the hindmOst than in the foremost
limbs"
The Owosso times., 1881-12-02

A small hoy testified in an Austin
Justices court that the affray took
place on q Sunday. "How do You
know it was SundayY' because that
day had to go to the back door OF the
saloon to get beer instead of the front
door,"
The Owosso times., 1881-12-02
Natures Undertakers.

How often do we hear the query,
"What becomes of all the dead birds!'
The secret of their mysterious disap-
pearance was but just now half told by
the buzz of those brown wings, and the
other half is welcome to any one who
will take the trouble to follow their
lead. This beetle is one of mans in
calculable benefactors. 1t is his mis-
sion to keep fresh and pure the air we
breathe. He is the sexton that takes
beneath the mould not only the fallen
sparrow, but the mice, the squirrels,
and even much larger creatures that
die In our woods and fields.
Beneath that clump of yarrOw 1
found just what 1 had expected-a
small dead bird-and the grave-diggers
were in the midst of their work. AL
ready the rampant of fresh earth was
raised around the body, and the cavity
was growing deeper with every mo-
ment, as the busy diggers excavated
the turf beneath.
Now and then one would emerge on
tour of inspection, even rumaging
among the feathers of that silent
throat, and climbing upon the plumy
breast to press down the little body in
to the deepening grave.
These nature-burials are by no means
rare, and where the listless eye fails to
. discover them the nostril will often in
dicate the way, and to any one
desirous of witnessing the operation,
without the trouble of search, it is on
ly necessary to place in some cOnven-
lent spot of loose earth the carcass of
some small animal. The most casual
observer could not fail soon to be at
tracted by the orange-spOtted beetles.
EntOmolOgists assert that these insects
are attracted by the odOr of decay; but
from my own humble investigations 1
have never been able to fully reconcile
myself to this theory.
IL it were the question of OdOr alone
in this dead bird, for instance, it would
be difficult to explain the bee-line fight
of these ehumming- beetles, two of which
came swiftly toward me even from the
direction Of the wind, and dropped
quickly upon these feathers hidden
from sight among the grass. Perhaps
in such an instance we might imagine
that they had been there before, and
knew the way; that they had noted this
clamp of yarrOw, maybe: but / have
observed the fact before when there
was every reason to believe that no such
previous visit had been made.
am alwas glad of the opportunity to
watch these meadow burials. And
had you accompanied me on that morn
ing walk, you would have looked with
interest at those little undertakers-
seen that feathery body toss and heave
with strange mockery of life as the
busy sections worked beneath it, dig
ging with their spiked thighs, shoveling
out the loose earth with their broad
heads, and pulling down the body into
the deepened cavity.-Horper's Moga-
zine.
The Owosso times., 1881-12-02
HEALTH IN MICHIGAN.
TBULLErIN II.

BULLETIN
Reports ta the State Board Of Health,
Lansing, for the week ending Novem-
ber IL, 1881, by iorty-nine observers OF
diseases in different parts of the state,
show causes of sickness az follows:
Numner and per cent.
DISEASES, IN ORDER OF OF observers BY whom
0RnATEsT AREA OF each disease Was re-
PREvALENcx. ported
The Russellville Democrat., 1881-01-20

Quinn, X. B Renfrow, A. W. McAn~ ally. II. s. Carter, E. II. shinn and K. c. Brown
 Floor managers: W. A. Mckinney, A. Winsett, L. M. Smith, J. NJ. Har- key, J. T. Fowler, J H. Perry and Perry Rentrow.
 Representative H. Clabe Howell, Of this county. introduced in the house last Monday, bill to be entitled "An act to prohibit the issuance of free pas ses by any railroad or transportation company to any officer of this state, leg islative executive or judicial, or their acceptance of ths same" We will publish the bill next week. The Ga zette speaking of 1t says:
 ssThe penalties attached are cerainly very stringent, but inasmuch as the state is supposed to pay her servants liberal salaries for their services, its adoption would do no harm. It would certainly eliminate very disorganiz- ing element from our average legisla> tive bodies."
The Russellville Democrat., 1881-01-20
FROM LITTLE ROCK.
LITTLE ROCK, Jan. l7, 1880.

LITTLE ROCK, Jan. lI, leoo. Editors Russellville Democrat:
 The legislature has been in session one week, both houses fully organized with competent corps of officers. The speaker of the house, Judge rhornburg, is one of the finest looking men in the state. Those who know him best say he is the right man in the right place. He certainly rules with more dignity anl ease than any man l ever saw fill the chair, Bradley Bunch not excepted. His rulings have been the letter of the law, and noappealing therefrom as yet. 1 think the members of this general assembly are impressed with the inn portance of legislation to bear upon all classes of taxpayers equal, no further partial legislation, but repeal at least the act exempting railroads from taxa ton as enacted by last legislature, which I now verify believe will be done, and also regulate freight and passenger tariff oyer the several roads, one bill introduced to>day which l think is perhaps the forerunner of an other to follow soon.
 1 will watch their proceedings and perhaps you may hear from me again.
 HENRY.
The Russellville Democrat., 1881-01-20

improvement, seminary and Saline lands. Also trusts that judge Comp ton will be paid for assisting the at torney general in the suit against the Memphis and Little Rock Ky. 2
 He warmly supports the cause oi immigration, favors a bureau, back ed by a liberal appropriation, and at the same time puts in good word for the Industrial University.
 In regard to additional approprI- ,tions for the School for the Blind, he thinks the Insane Asylum should come first, and in fact should also preceds requests for the benefit or tho Dsaf and Dumb Institute.
 The necessity for the organization of state board of health he recog- nizes and recommends, as well as legislation regulating the practice of medicine and the sale of poison aus drugs. Laws are also recommended for the prevention of the destruction of game and fish and to prevent the carrying of deadly weapons.
 He touched the railroad question delicately, realizing that its phases demand passionless investigation, and recommends the passage of laws providing for the management ot the psni.entiary at the expiration of the present lease.
 In regard to the state debt he res pectfully suggests the adoption of the course pursued by Alabama and Georgia; the appointment Of com mission, with powers sui1cientiy broad and comprehensive to cover, once for all, the entire ground, so that the record of facts ascertainsd may be exhaustive, and furnish the representatives of the people, for their use in the final determination of the subject, all the information necessary or desirable for tfeir guid ance in forming their own judge ment The report of the commission CTS ought to be completed and pla- ced in form for distribution in time sufficient to enable the people to fully apprise themselves ei the contents some months before the meeting of the next general sssem 1 bly,.
 | In conclusion. he says "l am con scious that, right or wrong in judge ment. I have not failed in actions to follow my best convictions; nor have been wanting Tn point Of industry ia behalf of the people of the state It has been my endeaver, through good and evil report, steadily te keep in view the chef obligation with which I was charged, "the faithful execution of the laws. And may be, perhaps, fulfilling last duty, in placing upon recoro here my experience: that 1t is foI the most part precisely to those pas sages where labor seemed rii~ ar duous. where obstacles seemed Tn superable, where opposition and dis approyal--even at times that 0 frisnds--had to be met, and where all reward, other than such as con , science might afford, seemed Tar thest away, that l can now Tn ina retrospect, look back with neares i approach to satisfaction.
The Russellville Democrat., 1881-01-20
GOV. MlLLER'S MESskGE.

Little Rock Democrat, January 18th,
 The message of Governor William R. Miller, delivered to the general assombley Tuesday, is document of which he may we'll feel proud. Arkansas, while he held the reins of government, has indeed accomplish ed wonderful results.
 As he congratulated the people at the close of bis first term on the general prosperity of the state, he now congratulates at the end of his second term, on the continued-re- doubled--presperity.
 Speaking of the report of Secre- tary of State Frolich, he endorses his recommendations for larger quarters for the state library, and those relating to the state house, grounds, legislative halls, etc.
 In regard to the report of the au- ditor and treasure. he concurs with the former, that provision be made for the payment or settlement ofthe "ten year ten per cent bonds" due July l, 1884, either by sinking fund or exchanging for 30-year bonds at less interest.
 The report of the board of finance of which the governor is member is as follows:
 "On the 10th day of March, 1879 the board contracted loan through Mir. George H. Goddard, of St Louis, for the sum of $S0.00o. with which to pay the expenses Of tn. general assembly of 1878, for which notes were given payable on tho 30th of May, 1880, with interest al the rate of ten per cent. per annum and another on the 27th of June, 1879, through Mathews < Whitaker, for sl20,000, payable July l, 1880 with interest at the rate of eight pel cent per annum. Both of the above mentioned loans have been paid.
 "In July, 1880, third loan wal effected through Messrs. Matthew x Whitaker for the sum of two hun dred thousand dollars, payable Ju ly l, 1881, with interest at the rat of seven and halr per cent. per an nun.
 "The question of borrowing mon ey to pay current expenses of gov erHmsnt is one that will present it self to the legislature. The necessl ty for borrowing money is certsinl, s disagreeable one: but in the opin ion of the board the resort to the us' of scrip would be much more disa grssable and disastrous to the Tn terests of the state. If we declin to borrow, the issue of scrip will b inevitable. and depreciation in 1t value will as inevitably follow. Tn cost of every thing purchased o paid for by tho state in scrlp--ex eept official salcries--S would be en hauced from thirty to forty per cent and our various educational snter prises would be seriously injured. '
 He fayors new revenue law c the amending to the preseat one, & As to prevent ''tax lodging and re news his recommendation for needle Legislation regarding school, interuS