davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24
FROM st. LOUIS.
ST.. LOUIS, Feb. II, 1881.

EDITOR rhkf IhIhS'
The storm Of snow and rain which
has prevailed here for week has con
vertcd the streets and alleys Of the
great city into ''sea OF slush." Tho
mighty leo gorge fronting the city
for II miles, parted yesterday I'M
der the pressure of rain and u sudden
rise Of eight feet-thS break up was
witnessed by tens OF thousands and
tho scene presented was indeed grand
and awful. Several steamers and
barges were ground into fragments
in the mighty folds andmoving fields
Of ice; many are the congratulations
that il was not more disastrous to the
barbor and shipping.
The execution OF James Banks was
TO have taken place in the city Jail
yard this morning. which event was
prevented by stay OF execution
granted by the Court of Appeals AS
l am writing this article, the jury
have just pronounced their verdict Of
guilty against Joseph Kotaphsky, who
has been on trial for several days on
the charge of numbering his sweet
heart Augusta Simon.
1t would be entirely to sensational
to give your readers an account OF
crime prevailing in this city. Mr..
Wells, the jailors secretary, has just
informed me that he has now in Gus
tody eighteen mm'dererS, who are
awaiting the execution of the death
sentence pronounced upon them by
the criminal court of this city, within
the last twenty months. The police
department report that the record OF
murder made in this city since the
LIST of January last is the bloodiest
yet, and is absolutely without a par
alel in the history of st. Louis. Last
night Jean Wilhelm shot and killed
his wife in drunken jealous frenzy,
then fell by his own hand on the
corpse of his victim. The murder OF
julius Hanske, whose throat was cut
in an alley few evenings since still
remains a mystery without detection
or even clew. But ] shrink from
further details, nor would I dwell up
on this dark side of metropolitan life
if it were not for the persistent and
scurrilous attacks Of Il certain promi-
nent Republican journal OF this city,
upon the citizens of Texas. What do
you think of journalism that would
characterize life in Texas rs passed
in the "favorite pastime of shooting
each other to death ?" Such yici-
ous falsehoods from the pen o. Sian.
derous knave lose all significance and
sink far beneath comment.
The city sustained fearful loss by
fire last Saturday night and the whole
northern portion narrowly escaped
destruction, thanks to the heroes OF
our splendid fire department.
BY the way, it is announced in the
morning papers that the regular da'-
IN San Antonio train via Iron Noun
tain and international Railroad, is to
begin running at 8 A. N. Monday.
This is an epoch in the history OF st.
Louis and will be hailed with gladness.
Thus we are happily anihilating
space between us and the great and
growing state of Texas, and making
more intimate our business interests
and social relations.
CARL SMYTIIE.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

SENATOR HoUsroN objects to the bill
requiring the advertising OF judicial
sales, because 1t would pay the news
papers. Why does he not oppose all
Legislation that permits the lawyer to
m Ike a fee? The senator does not
make his living in the newsp2pcrbu bust
ness, but he shas done so. it is said.
remarkably well in the practice OF
law. We too, would oppose the bill,
were it alone in the interest Of news
papers, but since it is in the interest
of securing competition in purchase,
and therefore, better results both for
the creditor and debtor, We would
have the bill become law. It is Just
though beneficial in some degree, to
that agency which public men use
without stint, when permitted to
do so.-StatcSWdR,
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

The graf boat race between Ilanlan
and Layeoek, over the Thames course.
London. for the championship Of the
world. took plsce reses;ly. tie former
proving an easy rie:or. Ilanlan took
the lead at the start, Inain,sining it to
the fsish. aud coming IN four or Eve
lengths sbesd. lie bou becomes ALSO
late owner Of the sT,or;snau's challenge
cup soa BuiiTu'c5 ehsrTios q the
-orid.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

WESTERN members Of Congress have
announced their determination to
make an issue on the question of i'm
proving the Mississippi river, and to
acknowledge no friends who oppose
that measure.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

THE revised version of the New
Testement viii be printed and offered
to the public some time in May. I'm
til that time you can read tho old
one.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

Tho International is graded out
twenty-five miles west of San Anto
MO. It will be pushed through to
the Mexican frontier as rapidly as
possible.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

Mn. JONI II. PARSEL, brother of
the 'agitator, who owns a plantationin
Georgia, announces his intention of
starting land leagues in that state.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

A new electric light company has
been organized at Detroit, compris-
ing some of the heaviest capitalists
there.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

TmE water in the overhowed dis
tricts Of New Orleans has receded,
and the people can now touch bottom.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

A big mineral excitement is break.
ing out at tho Ross farm on Shoal
Creek, Missouri.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

John W. Young, son Of the Nor
mon saint, has been arrested for
bigamy.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24
The New, s,Ibie-QuIck Work,

The new version OF the New Tesla
pent. which has been SO many years ~
the course OF translation aud which -
professionally tho most important IT.
erary enterprise this century has seen;
IL being waited for with curiosity aud
anxiety by hundreds OF thousands IL
is not generally known that hrst
edition oi 5U0,Uu0 copies has already
been manufactured ia England, mud
lOO. 900 copies are said 10 bc already 10
New York City, not one OF lheIn,pernlt'
tod to DO sold. They nre awaiting u
telegram from the ulhorlties ~ England
authorizing their issue. The first copies
eau only be had ut the exirayagant
price OF SO per copy. The Literary
Revolution proposes fully to meet the
demands which It's Amy ol friends are
making upon il by doing probably the
quickest work in book max ing which
has ever yet been accomplished. Ar
rangemen,s have been fully made to
put the entire book into typo inside OF
- hours from the time a printed copy
OF the English edition Gun be procured,
aud within three days at least l0,OOO
copies will be bound ready for delivery
TO waiting purchasers, and at least 0, 0OU
copies will be manufactured every day
thereafter, until the dcm,nd IL met. II
will be printed in large, beautiful type,
neatly aud strongly bound in cloth, in a
volume OF about 800 pages, and sold q
the nominal price oil 30 cents, A fine
edition in half Russia, gilt top, will be
GOLD Tor GO cents, and one in full Tur,
key morrscco. gilt edges for 81 %. VI
course. the popular demand will be
enormous. Orders will be filled in thu
order in which they nre received, will
remittance. American Book Exchange
New York.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

The cotton factory at Atlanta, Ga,
now consumes from 1GO to $50 bales
of cotton per week.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

LAST month s,07G immigrants land
cd at New York, being 1899 more
than during January, 1880.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

CoyoREss refused to adjourn on
Washington's birthday.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

There vii be no eclipses in lSSl.
They have not been draw ng p1rucu-
lsrly well Of late.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24
PENSIONS

LIVERY wound or injury. even by accident. or any
IL disease ,niitrsa suldirr OF the late war 10 a
pension. All pensions bS the law of January, lai9
begin rACK at discharge or death Of the soldier All
cnti tiled shonld apply at once. Thousands who are
soldiers and willows II the wa" of lSl2, and Mex
icn wlr, arc tntitl,dre pensions. Thousands are
yet emitted 10 bounty, hut do not know it. Fees
in all cases $40. Pay tor every description OF
claims collected. Employ Atturury residing in
Wa.hingto;, who eau give personal ai'enh II 10
your business. American and Foreign patents oh.
tanned on short Notice Sem! two stamps 10, pen
sion aud bounty laws Address W.T.. FITz !ruAip,
U. y. Claim Agent, Lock Box 42l, Washington,
u. g. Feb. II, ISL tt.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

Enrich Bios, Of Eighth Avenue
New York are out betmes with the New
Premium LAST OF ERIcns FASHION
QUARTERLY Tor 1881 and 1t is aston
IsnIug to zee what ample Inducements
they are pb.c OTTER to uauyassers. Their
system of combination subscriptions aud
subscription premiums Is highly ingen'
lous, und renuers IL possible tor an Gu
erpeiic canraHser TO obtain II handsome
cash remuneration Tor his or her labor
Among the new premiums are some beau
tiiul Illuminated Scripture Tablets and
Cards, which will be appreciated by all
interested in Sunday School and Church
work.
Accom- pauying the Premium List is
an interesting pamphlet entitled SHOP
ping in New York" which gives an ann
mated description Of the system and
economy OF Il great New York store, as
well as an illustrated piice list OF Il host
of articles OF general necessity, which
may be ordered by mail or express. a
gcnrine novelty, introduced Tor the first
time in this pamphlet, is the system OF
furnishing unmade dresses in certain
styles, OF which illustrations are given
For fixed price, the purchaser receives
the pattern and the entire material for
making up, including lining, sewing silk
buttons. and in short everything but the
needle and thimble. The advantage OF
this system, to u lady who wishes to dc
her own sewing, is obvious,
The two pamphlets can be ohtaned
by sending postal carl with the ad-
dress to Enrich Bros, 2S5 to 295 Eighth
Avenue. New York.
Eh,ich's Spring numbers will be on
sale as soon as issued at the News De.
pot of &. r. Julian.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

ABOUT 100 Of the choicest numbers
Of the Sensible aud franklin Square LII
brary. just received at the News Depot
of q. X. Julian.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

And their bands o. highwa, men down 10 1881. Con
tnins more MaR 10 Illustrations embracing late
PORTRAITS Of the principm characters, including
Frank James. never before published, aud Il VINE;
t0A.OHED PEhY'Es. Inter views and let.
tiers from Cole Younger .ht,f'ing ReD,lltioRS. All
about the JLfck FEtg, the Black O.ith, The Secret
cure, aud hundreds Of other wonderful things.
Most exciting book ever published : mare Mritiidg
Nan q rondnce, get true IN ogery essential. Sells
ike wild-tre 10000 ord red in adv Ince Nothing
like it l-beat- every hing! over 400 pages, price
sl.i0 Agents canvassing outfit, 80 cents. Write
Immediately Tor full particulars, to DAN. LIMA.
HAN, Publisher. st. Louis mo.
February II. 3w,
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

IEaiered as Second Class Matter al
he POs,e6ice a, San Marcos, TrdsI
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1881-03-31

There are scores of lines under tho
eyes and above the cheeks, caused by
the drawing up of the skin. Then their
mouths have become wider. and they
keep them closed with difficulty. The
most marked result of the disease, how
ever. is in the voice. The entire fam
ily talk in the same tone, resembling as
near as anything the voice of an alto
singer. Males and females have the
same infection and intonation. Most
of them have more or less trouble with
their eyes, several having become very
near-sighted. The pupils have con-
tracted and the entire eyeban is dimin-
ished in size This is accounted for
by the contraction of the eyes while
laughing and the effort required in
working or reading while undergoing
an attack. Very little physical annoy
ance is caused the laughers. They read
and write, sleep and work without any
trouble. The only thing they seem I'M
able to do, while attacked. is to eat.
and that can be readily understood.
Several grandchildren have been born.
and in all but one instance they were
taken, soon after birth, with stated at
tacks at the same hours as their par
ents. OF course they do not laugh as
the older ones do, but they crow and
express all the signs of baby glee twice
day and never cry while in that state.
FrenchtoDn On ~ Cor. Rhitateiphia
Times.
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1881-03-31
HUMOROUS.

1t was wealthy Philadelphian who.
being asked on his return from Europe.
how he liked the Bosphorus. replied
that he didn't eat any, and preferred
the ordinary homemade sausages.-
american Queen
"A short time ago a clever article
appeared in the Ninetsenth Century from
the pen of Mr. MaliOck. entitled. rs
Life Worth Living?' The answer TO
the conundrum is: "It depends on the
liyer."-St. Louis Post DisPstch-
In the year 1880 America issued
seventy patents to women. And not
one of these was an indicator TO De at
ta.hed to bed post 10 show II there IS
q man under the bed. And yet. think
how much getting down on hands ana
knees such a thing would save women
boston Post. -.
There has been . good deal Oh PIT
ter controversy in New YORK over sarAn
Bernhardt's exact weight, and one Oh
those who believes her to be the cham
pion dramatic lightweight OF the age
asserts that not long ago at rehearsal
Sarah introduced the feature Of nfihs
q pistol at the villain Of the piece
Instead of the usual result, the wad re-
NAMED perfectly stationary woile tne
Bernhardt and the pistol were oso"h
backwards through the side scenes
San Francisco Posi-.
We have just learned that on me
afternoon before the last holiday So'-
onel Scion noticed . sign on the 400,
Of an Oil City bank. saying: 'Bank VII
be closed tomorrow; al paper ia'nrs
due then must BE- paid today" Inc
Colonel rushed wildly into the bank;
saving: s.Do you mean 10 say that l
l must pay my note to-day. which iaii.
due stamorrUw2'' sGertainls. ST..
..But l haveu't . cent OF money to-day
and -and-and-welt--noa. ! think Q.
L. 1 havsn's any mute 70 pey eitnsi.
And the good Colonel walled s~ay WIN
. sigh Of relieL-Devriek
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1881-03-31
A CHARACTER SKETCH.

The mule seemed pensive, even sad,
As ii by conscience pricked.
But, when they came 10 share his woes,
He raised objections-kicked.
The cat came UP TO sympathize,
With NEW and gentle purr:
Alas. she got within his reach,
Observation-Disclosures and fur.
The dog. in pity. neared him to
Alleviate his care:
He tried to pass around him once,
Rut-sausage-meai and hair.
And John. the honest farmer-boy,
Who had the beas, in charge.
Tried reckie ssly TO harness him
His funeral was large.
o trifiing were the causes which
His iiexile legs unfurled:
And many were the quadrupeds
That sought another world
He never did decent thing:
He wasn't worth ducat:
He kicked and kicked until he died,
And then he kicked the bucket
". Y. Sun.
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1881-03-31
The Beers, and What They Want.

A correspondent asks what the Trans
vaal is, what its inhabitants. the Beers,
have done, and what the English have
done, and why they want to tight about
it. Without entering at this time into
minor details of difference or the later
incidents that have pushed exaspera-
ton to hostility we will name the broad
er features of the controversy. The
Transvaal is region that includes all
the country to the north of the Vaal
River-and hence the name AS far as
the Limpopo Tor Crocodile) River. and
embraces both sides of the Quathlamba
Mountains. 1t lies between latitude
twenty-five degrees fifteen minutes and
twenty. eight degrees forty minutes
south, and longitude twenty-six degrees
to thirty-two degrees fifteen minutes
east. Its area is about one hundred
and fifteen thousand square miles; and
its population is estimated at three hum
dred thousand, of whom about One-tenth
are whites.
Now, certain Dutch Beers who lived
in Cape Colony and Natal became dis
satisfied with British rule. They did
not take kindly to change which to
the old Hollanders of Manhattan made
SO little difference. Like the people
of the Orange Free State they thought
they would like government of their
own. The Scotch were consoled for
the merging of their nationality by the
consideration that a Scottish dynasty
was seated on the British throne; and
it was long ago pointed out to Dutch
colonists whose country was coded to
England that the circumstances of a
Dutch Prince having as :ended the En-
glish throne should reconcile them
selves in a like manner. But the
Beers failed to see the matter in this
light; such comfort they thought
might have been very well for con-
temporaneous enjoyment but was of lit
tie worth merely as n "Reminiscences.
Thus it was that in 1910 these dissat-
isfied Beers marched. like so many
modern Hebrews, out of the land of
their masters and set up a Republic for
themselves on the further side Of the
Vaal. They deemed this to be free
territory, and thought that at least they
would only have to contest their footing
with savages. For long time they
cherished hopes that Great Britain
would allow them to enjoy their indie
pendence in peace. But for some
special reasons apart from her custom
airy lust for territory, Great Britain
began to feel otherwise disposed. One
plausible reason given out for interior
ence was the fear of q general war be-
tween the natives Of Africa and the
European colonists; and. at last. in
1847. the Transvaal was formally an
nexed to the Cape Colony.
Such, in hrisf. is an outline OF the
events that have led to the present war.
England wants the Transvaal, like its
neighbors, Natal and Cape Colony, TO
be added to the List Of Imperial posses
sions, and asserts = claim to the soil
prior to the Boer occupation; and the
Beers want their Independence. We
have said enough TO indicate alike the
validity Of their claim to this .indepen-
dence and also. unfortunately, their
slender chance of forcibly maintaining
tn y. Evening Post.
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1881-03-31
Personal AND LITERARY.

The Edipus Tyrsnnus" of
Sophocles is to be acted by Harvard
students in the third week in Nav.
Three performances are to be given.
Lady Florence Dixie. distinguished
rs a fearless and accomplished horse
woman, is going to the Transvaal as
war correspondent for the London
Morning Post.
Prof Richard A. Proctor. the emil
nent astronomer and lecturer. IL is re-
ported from ST. Joseph, Mo, is about
to wed lady Of that city. a widow.
and will henceforth reside in this coun-
try.
Will S. Hayes has written and COM
posed about three hundred and sixty
songs, and there are ten OF them that
had sale Of two hundred thousand
each. Mr.. Hays is on the editorial
staff of the Louisville (Ky.) Courier
journal.
Mr.. Longfellow. the other day. sent
this little verse to the Columbus (O.)
school-children, who celebrated his
birthday:
II any thought of mine. e'er sung or told.
Has ever given delight or e"nsol,tion,
Yehave repaid me 0acS :-oussnd-fold
BY every friendly sign and sa,,Itstiou-
With compliments and good wishes Of
IL. ". LoSGFELLow.
Mrs. Judith Twombiy recently cele-
brated her 102d birthday at the resi-
dence of her son-in-law. Mr.. James
Stackpole, q prominent citizen Of
Chelmsford. Mass. Her grcat-g great
reat-grandson. aged five years. was one
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1881-03-31

IL Along the Delaware k~noTts
20 Stay Periodic Laughter-Tales Told by
the NeighbOrs.
Straight across the Delaware from
here, and back among the hills which
run parallel with the river for many
miles, lives family concerning whom
the strangest stories are told. The Ia
Their and sons are farmers, and all live
in large, substantial house, few
wards from the road to Doylestown.
They are all chronic laughers, having
an affection of the muscles of the mouth
and throat which compels them to give
vent to apparent merriment at stated
intervals. The malady first appeared
in the father about ten years ago. He
was usually very quiet man, enjoying
fun, but manifesting his enjoyment
without much noise. He was seated at
the dinner table one day in the spring
of the year, eating steadily and not en-
gaging in any of the conversation which
the other members of the family were
carrying on. Suddenly. without any
cause, he burst into loud fit of laugh
ter SO extremely different from his ac-
customed laugh that all were attracted
by it al once. When asked what was
made no reply, but continued his merri-
ment. Some of the boys thought he
had Mysteries and pounded him on the
back, but it did no good. After few
moments he made motions for pencil
and paper and wrote that he was unable
to control his risibles and asked them to
send for doctor.
THE NATURE OF THE MALADY.
The rural physician came, but could
give no remedy that stopped the laugh
ter. Peal after peal Of what sounded
like the heartiest kind of fun came
from him, and nothing would avail to
prevent it. The doctor finally came
to the conclusion that he was the VIC
tim of q nervous attack, and. leaving q
nervine, departed The father con-
tinued laughing until about shutdown,
when he suddenly stopped and fell on
the floor, completely Frustrated. He
soongrew better, however, ate q hearty
supper and spent the evening much as
usual. No signs of return OF the odd
trouble appearing, he went to bed and
was soon fast asleep. Along about two
o'clock in the morning. however, his
wife was awakened by his laughter, and
the same symptoms manifested them
selves as on the afternoon previous.
He kept it up until seven o'clock, laugh
ing loud and strong. At seven
O'clock the noise suddenly ceased
and did not return again until
dinner time. Thu. it continued. re-
curing each day shortly after noon
and in the night about two O'Clock. and
has ever since. As the weeks passed
he grew SO accustomed to the disease
that he was caused very little inconven-
fence by it. He did not get tired out,
as at first, and soon was able to go
about his work-sowing seed and plant
ing corn, digging vegetables and wa
tering cattle-while laughing immoder-
-ately. He could not talk while under
one of the spells. but carried slate
and pencil around with him, after the
fashion Of deaf and dumb person.
THE LAUGHTER SPREADS.
The trouble was very regular In its
coming and going and only occasional
ly broke forth at unlooked-f0r seasons.
Once the old man was taken in church,
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1881-03-31
A LAUGHING FAMILY.

The Strange MaIadv Which Amicts n Fami'
Iy Along the Delaware fruitless Efforts
to Stay Periodic Laughter-Tales Told BY
the NelghbOrs.