davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28
Strangely Ignorant,

The school superintendent OF Knox
County, Illinois, has furnished notes
from an official diary, which indicate
that the applicants for teacher certif-
icates are strangely ignorant in some
instances. The answers to questions are
on file, and these are some of the edify-
ing responses: One youth mentioned
the Chicago Times and the New York
World as the educational journals" he
had read, and declared that John Han
cock was one of the commanders at
Gettysburg. A sister of this man blessed
with such vivid imagination produced
the following historical information
'sBalabo crossed the Isthmus of Suez
and discovered the Pacific ocean; he
named it the South Sea because it was
free from storms. He was a Spanish
enthusiasm looking for the tabled
fountain of immortal youth" One OF
these Illinois historians had rank OF
ninety per cent. in arithmetic.
Among the living American authors,
other candidates enumerated Chaucer,
Spenser. and Shakespeare. The depart
ment of American politics was repre-
sented ably by these seekers for a certif-
icate. Senator David Davis represents
Utah and has six wives" is specimen
reply. The following reference to a
national sorrow is among the answers:
"a. Lincoln dicde April 10 he was
berried at Spring field Ill over the Same
roote in which he went to Washington.
The cares were Draped in black the
principil buildings ever person wore
badge of mourning"
The superintendent who tells this sad
tale is woman, and her thoroughness
has enriched the archives of Illinois with
these and many similar contributions to
knowledge. She declares that the result
of her questioning has been sometimes
almost appalling" which would seem
| to be moderate statement.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28
About Grows.

Professor Linden said good word
the other day at Buffalo for that much
prosecuted bird, the common crow. The
crow of America belongs to scattered
family of about two hundred species, in
Guiding among them the buzzard, jay,
raven and magpie. Of the genus proper
to which the crow belongs, seven exam
pies are found in the United States, the
great black raven being at the head. In
the wilderness about one hundred miles
from Buffalo, on the shores of Lake On
tario, ravens were found. Their nests
were so secluded as rarely to be discov-
cred. So wary were the birds that Mr..
Linden had found it impossible to OBJ
tain specimen. They were reported
more abundant on the Canada shore OF
Lake Ontario. but it was impossible to
procure a specimen even there, though a
liberal reward had been offered.
The crow was only preserved from an
inhalation by its great cunning. Even in
captivity the bird displays degree OF
sagacity which almost resembles human
intelligence. Mr.. Linden admitted that
the crow could hardly be called a sweet
singer; still when tanned he made a very
interesting pet. On the whole, he might
safely be set down as useful bird and
real friend of the farmer. He eats
large quantities of noxious insects, and
though he has bad habit of pulling ur
young tender shoots of grain, it was q
question whether the damage was not
more than compensated by the number
of larvae of beetles thus brought to light
and dcvoured.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28
Swiss Farming,

The smallest farms in the world are
found in Switzerland. In the canton of
Geneva the average size is only five and
a half acres. AS matter of course, the
employment of labor-saving machinery
is out of the question. 1t is stated that
there is not a reaper or mower in the en-
tire canton. The grain is cut with the
old-fashioned sickle, threshed with q
fail, and winnowed by pouring it
through the air. People turn the soil
with u spade, and cultivate the crops
with hoe. The amount of the milk
produced is very large, and it furnishes
a considerable proportion of the food of
the people. Those who are too poor to
keep cows keep goats, which are able to
climb the steep hills and mountains
without difficulty. A large variety of
cheese is made from different kinds of
milk, while the COWS and goats arc graz
ing on the mountains. All the Swiss
dairy products are of very superior
quality, and bring a high price in the
market. Strange as it may appear,
Swiss dairy cheese is sold in every large
city in this country, and the milk can
ned among the Alps completes with that
put up in our condensing factories.
Swiss dairyman make considerable by
separating the sugar OF milk from the
whey Frauds in the manufacture OF
butter and cheese are unknown in Swift
zerland.-COr. Sacramento Bee.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28
The Human Brain,

It seems almost impossible to believe
the accounts of the severe injuries from
which the brain sometimes RECEIVERS. An
instance is related in which a French
man drove dagger through his skull
With mallet, in an attempt to commit
suicide. He struck the dagger about a
dozen times. Tho weapon, which was
ten centimetres long, and one wide,
was nearly imbedded. In order to re-
move the dagger, the patient was placed
on the ground, and while two strong
men held his shoulders, the dagger was
forcibly pulled with carpenters pincers,
but all to no avail. Strange to say,
these proceedings did not cause any
pain and although patient and assistants
were raised off the ground, the weapon
remained immovable. At last the man,
walking without much difficulty, was
taken to coppersmith, and there the
handle of the dagger was fastened by
strong pincers to chain, which was
passed over cylinder turned by steam
power. The man was then secured to
rings fixed in the ground, and the cylind-
er set gently in motion. when, after the
second turn, the dagger came out. No
pain had been suffered by the patient
during all these maneuvres, and after
remaining in the hospital for ten days,
he returned to his work. and the wound
gradually healed.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28
A Frontier Hnmorist,

Away on tho extreme Western front.
Ter, in the foot hills along Green River,
Gen. Forsythe, of Sheridan's staff, found
humorist during tour of inspections:
He came upon solitary station-keep-
er who lived in q hut containing four
stalls for animals and combination
parlor, kitchen and sleeping apartment
six by ten feet in size. Over the door.
outside, were in huge letters: '.Hotel do
Starvation; 1000 miles from hay and
grain, 20 miles from wood, and Is miles
from water"
The walls of the room were decorated
with pictures cut from police publica-
tons. Over the door, inside, in charcoal
letters foot in length, were the words,
God bless our home" and in another
place the notice: "Wanted-A nice
young girl for general housework.
Apply within"
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28
On Kingston Bridge.
ny RILEN MACKAY HUTCHINSON.
On All Souls Night the dead walk on King
ton Hriloe-iOil I,pvenl

On All Souls Night the doad walk on Kings
On Kingston Bri ,gc the starlight shon.
Through hurryins mists with shrouded
glow:
The boiling nigh,-wind made It's moan,
The mighty river creHt below;
Twas III Souls Mint. AMI To and fro
The quick ami dead together walked,
The quick AMI dead together talked,
On Kingston Bridge.
Two met who had not mot Tor years
Their hate was once too deep for fears;
.Oue drew his rapicr a. hc CAME
Up lcapt his anger like u flame:
With clash of mail he faced his foe,
Aud babe him stand and meet him SO.
lilo fet graveyard wind go by
Cold, cold us was his enemy;
A stony horror held him fast.
The Dead looked with u CHASTITY stare,
And sighed. Il know thee not" and passed
Like to the mist and LET: him there
On Kingston Bridge.
Twas All Souls Night, and to aud fro
The quick and d 'ad together walked,
Tho quick AMI dead together talked,
On Kingston Bridge.
Two met who had not met for years;
With grief that was too deep for tears
They parted last
He casped her hand, and in her eyes
He sought Loves rapturous surprise
20 Swcctf' he cried. "AaS, thou come back
To say thou lov'st thy lover stiliY'
Into the starlight pale and cold
She gazed afar-hcr hand was chill.
''Dost thou remember how we kept
Our ardent vigiiS?-how we kissci2
Take thou these kisses as of oidH'
An icy wind about him swept;
~ know thee not" she sighed, and passed
Into the dim and shrouding mist
On Kingston Bridge.
Twas All Souls Night. and TO and fro
The quick and dead together walked,
The quick and dead together talked,
On Kingston Bridge.
1.-The Century Mag.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28
Ghosts on the Trail.

Wells, Fargo & Co.'S express car No.
5 is said to be haunted. The messengers
on the run between San Francisco and
Ogden have been exercised over the fact
for some time, and when the car was
sent to Sacramento, several weeks ago,
to be overhauled and repaired. they all
expressed much satisfaction, and were
firm in the belief that the car-buildcr
would kill the ghost and return the car
to the rail free from all demoralizing in
lluence. In this they were disappointed,
for the messenger who left San Francisco
one night recently was visited by the un-
seen power, and put to deal of trouble.
The ghost came in and tumbled the box
es of freight about, tolled bells and made
sweet music, and called the messenger
by name. On the last trip the car made
before it was taken from the track the
messenger heard strange noises on the
roof His thoughts were on his duty, and
he came to the conclusion that robbers
were waiting an opportunity for entering
the car. He opened the door, and
took look at both ends of the car, but
found everything quiet. He could see
nothing unusual, and returned, closed
the door, and was walking back to the
mailing table. when down came a box
of cooked shrimps and bandbox.-
The freight was pushed about, and fin
ally left in the same place. The myster-
ious din was INDUCED in until the train
was nearing Terrace Station, in the cast
ern part of the State, and the messenger
had about made up his mind TO take to
the sagebrush, when all was still again.
On one occasion, when they had a
corpse in transit, the head and trunk Of
a mans body was seen to rise up from
the casket; take good look around the
car, calling the messenger by name, and
then vanish. The car was in the train
several years ago, when all accident oc-
Cured Just west of Truckec, killing Con-
ductor Marshall and an express messen-
ger, and since that time these mysterious
noises have been frequent, much to the
discontinue of the occupants. The ex-
press boys say car No. 5 is known to all
the companys employees, and they all
tell the same story for the truth.-Reno
Gazette.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28
At1anta,s Prettv Shoemaker.

Atlanta can boast of genuine curl
osity-a live female shoemaker-young,
pretty, and industrious. Having occas-
ion to send my little nephew with pair
of boots to be mended, he surprised me
on his return by remarking that 'she''
said so and so about the boots. / then
learned for the first time that we had in
our neighborhood young girl under 20
years OF age, the daughter of shoema-
ker, who daily works at the trade her.
self, not only mending, but making in
good style, both boots and shoes. For
several years she has thus been employ
ed, and has won the respect and pat
ronage of large circle Of appreciative
families Savannah NeUs.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28
Gen. Gordon.
Anecdotes Of the Georgia Politician and Rail-
roodsr

Gen. Gordon Is going to Europe be-
ell with the development Of certain lands.
and the building Of now railroads in the
southwest. With the generals energy.
which keeps him always on the 60. there
is genial playfulness and bOyishness
about him that makes his presence con.
genial to all. both old and young; and
probably no agent could he sent abroad
more likely To win success. Everybody
seems 10 love him; children hang around
him, ladies ilatter him, old men seek his
company, and audiences are charmed
by his elOquence. Gen. Robert E. Leo
yielded to the fascination of his genius
and involuntarily rendered it an immOr-
tai tribute in an incident that was sub
lime in its grandeur. It was at APP
pomattox cOurt-house-Grant had de-
manded Lees surrender and Lee had
refused; another day had passed; Lee
sent word to Gordon to know whether
anything more could be done; with a
impenetrable barrier Of steel; '.It's hope
less" was Gordon's reply. When Lee
heard Gordon's opinion he dropped his
head and said: Then we have done all
that can be done, and consented toisur-
render. As long a. Gordon hoped, Lee
he'd on.
With all the generals gayety and
imagination, he is,. and always has been
sincerely pious man, and never went
into an engagement that he did not ask
divine assistance and favor. Once, how
ever, he almost lost his ,.ravity at pray
crs held on the eve of a battle-the battle
of the Wilderness. One of the common
soldiers was called on to pray, and men
could pray ut such times, knowing that
within the next hour or two one or more
of them must be lying in the dust. On
this occasion the soldier began: "Oh,
Lord! Thou knowest we are about to
engage in terrible conflict, il you take
a proper view of the subject" At this
time the hearers lost their gravity, and
fought the battle of the Wilderness with
their internal spirits giggling all the way
through.
At another time, when Gordon was
about to lead an attack at Petersburg.
he and Gen. Heth and some others went
into a little school-room on the lines to
pray. Sol Hcth. the generals brother
and adjutant general, who was always
on the lookout for drink, was stand
ing little ways of, and Henry Peyton,
one of Gen. Lees staff, beckoned him
to come to the house and join them. Sol
did not understand their object, but to-
tally misconceiving it, held up his can
teen. and, shaking it, said: mo, l thank
you; I've just got hold Of some. Non
roe advertiser.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28
The Gold Winter Of '27.

Two oldest inhabitants, who are al
ways remembering something. discuss
the weather. Eyes, SIR" says one, "for
real unauthorized cold weather give me
the winter of lS26-27. The rivers were
ali frozen solid, and the fish in EN-, and
recollect that chopped out an eel and
used him for q walking-stick. OF course
stood it up against the door outside
Whenever I went into The house"
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28

Strenuous efforts have been made by
counsel to secure pardon for the con,
victed observation-disclosures recently captured
by Gov. Cameron. of Virginia, in his
campaign up the Rappahannock river.
The governor. however, has steadily re.
fused to listen to any Communication OF
the sentences, which in some cases not
only involved imprisonment. but forfeit
urs Of the vessels engaged in the traffic.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28

The Chinese have introduced . new
variety of radish into California that
obtains remarkable size and still
remains tender. Specimens are In
the San Francisco market that are
twelve inches in circumfsrsnes ana
weigh two pounds.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28

1t Is a pertinent and timely remark
of the San Francisco merchant, that
we should laugh at the French if they
neglected the languages of their neigh
bors, the Germans and English, and
taught their children Turkish and Syr-
lac, yet we, as a people, neglect the
Spanish language, the tongue of forty
two million Inhabitants of tho Ameri-
can continent, our close neighbors, an |
future business customers to vast ex.
tent
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28

A petrificd alligator is said to have
been found Embedded in sold rock,
twenty feet under ground, in quarry
two miles from Saratoga Springs. 1t is
8 feet inches in length. and measures,
two feet back Of the head. 0 inches In
diameter.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28

The days are getting shorter, but the
country editors are not It would be-
impossible.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-12-23
Crime.

Kokomo, ind. 2l-Claud McSl5teI'
son of the auditor elect of Howard
County, is q fugitive charged with forging
notes 10 the amount of $1,000 The
money was used in Chicsgo speculations.
San Francisco, 2I--Police officer JOS.
Lsnkt.ee was arrested tonight on two
charges of burglary. LAST night eight
bales of silk brought hare on the steamer
Belgic from China, were stolen from the
Central Railroad. Lanktree was sus-
peeted, his house searched, and the ste-
len property found secreted The silk is
valued at Sc, 600. Lanktree has been q
member Of the police force for q number
of years.
New York, 22.-The Sun'S Washing
ton special gays: Killer and Sunder-
land. of California, intrusted several hun
drec thousand collars to .Kilbourne,
Lolita and Olmstoad to be invested in
great real estate pool to be engineered by
Lotts during the reign of Boss Shepherd.
They both claim to have Teen swindled
by their hackers, and it is said by those
who are we'll informed, that testimony
will sustain the charges of fraud A
mass OF revolving perjury Will come
to light when the truth is published to
the world.
New York, 22-Esrnest Dubuque,
who ran "a muck" on Fourteenth
street, last October, etabbing a woman,
is on trial for murder. wss this morning
found insane and selt to the Ipnstic
asylum.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-12-23
The Italians.

Rome, 22.-The debate on the parlia-
mentsry oath bill was resumed in the
Chamber of Deputies. The minister Of
foreign affairs and the minister Of justice
supported the MEASURE, expressing conf.
dence in the government. 1t was ulti-
mAtely csrrird by 324 to 81. Thirty-one
members of the left, including Signors
Carroll and Crlspi, abstained from 7ot-
ing.
There was demonstration in front of
the Austrian embassy last night crying
"Long live Trieste" and Down with
Austria" The military dispersed the
crowd.
In the Deputies, Bovie gave notice Of
an Interpretation iDquiring whether the
Italian government had interposed with
Austria, with the view ofobtaining Over
dank's pardon.
The prosecution of Overdonk at
Trieste caused great excitement here
where he was student in the Echool of
engineers.
London 22.-The government has de-
cided to prosecute BiggAr, member of
Parliament for Cavan, for his recent
speech at Waterford in which he de-
nounced Earl Spencer, lord lieuten ant of
Ireland, as blood thirsty English peer.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-12-23
1ELEGRAPHIC

Birmingham, Conn BAsselt's paper
bog factory end Halleck's hardware fac
tory burned this morning Loss,
SO, COO.
New York, 2l.-Fire tonight at the
bookbindery of Robert Ruler, Il6 and
Ii8 East Fourteenth street, caused dAm.
age of $4,000. Partly insured. The
fire was directly opposite Tory Pastcr's
thestre, but the audience WAS unaware Of
the fact.
St. Louis, 2l.- Fire tonight burned
Hagerly g Sons auction house. Loss,
$40 GOO; insured for $50 900. mi
Walker s. Co., dry goods. Loss, S75 coo.
Damaged Mayer 6 Co, hats and caps.
and Frank & Frank j. Fans, in unknown
amounts.
London, 22.-Two warehouses and one
vessel, petroleum laden. burned at
Exeter.
New York, 22- Despatch from Ex-
eter, England, says the explosion oc.
CURED at Thomas petroleum stores this
morning, causing great fire which has
already Destroyer several business build
ings and adjoining houses. The flaming
oil ran swiftly along the shores OF the
canal, setting fire 10 shipping One brig
anchored in the canal was entirely con-
sumed. It is still burning fiercely. over
60,G00 gallons Of blazing oil ran into The
river at Exeter. lighting up the shores on
both sides More shipping threatened.
Brownsville. Tenn, PA cotton fac.
tory burned. Loss, $75 600; Insurance,
$50 GOO. One hundred hands thrown
out ofWork.
Panama, 12.-The village of Empire
On the Panama Railway, was almost to-
tally burned. One hundred and fifty
huts were destroyed. Loss reached $780,
eco. Chinese merchants are the chief
sufferers. The Herald intimates the full
extent Of the disaster as unknown.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-12-23
Casualties.

San Francisco, 2l.-A small boat con
tsinir 6 four men crossed the bar las
Tuesday, bound on fishing cruise. Thu
boat has been missing since and careful
search has been made, but without
avail. There is every reason TO believe
the boat capsized and all on board were
drowned.
Bridgeport, Conn, 22.-A passenger
train from New York, on the New
York and New Haven road, ran into G
switch engine here, derailiDg the smoker
and the first passenger car and smashing
both locomotives Several passengers
were badly injured. Carelessness.
Dontmund, 22.-TRenty-fve persona
were killed by the falling Of the cage in
the Hsrdenburg Mine, Wednesday. The
cage fell distance of 1900 feet.
Paris, 21.-More deaths in consequence
of the explosion in the cartridge factory
at MoDtualercon. The remainder of the
injured women are suffering fearful
agony.
Berlin, 22.-The semi-oficial North
German Gazette comments upon GER
tain uttersnces of the Vienna press,
showing the existence Of belief in some
quarters of the recent articles in the
Cologne GaSeete on the military equili-
brium may have been intended IS
warning TO Bismarck and to certain
nti-Germans.
The steamer AntGrctiQiSe, belonging to
the Compagne MARITIME Du Pacifquea,
on the voyage from Eden to Oalss thence
TO Bordeaux, struck a submerged rock
On the 10th ult.. near Port Oherrepe, and
10 less than an hour was q total wreck.
The passengers fortunately oil escaped.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-12-23
Emit PIeutIfnI

New York, 22.-The supply Of oranges
and lemons this year is much larger than
in former years, and the fruit is arriving
IN better order. a prominent dealer
SAD this morning that the orange crop
this year Is very large. We can bring
oranges from Florida and sell them at
lower prices than apples from West
Chester County, prime fruit is now sell
ing at from So so to SIS crate. Valen.
cias 81 50 to IS crate.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-12-23
The Irish.

Dublin, 22.-Signs Of distress among
small farmers and lsborers are becoming
more visible. In some districts the
government is beiDgpressed to establish
relic works.
Cork, 22-Paff and Bartlett have been
convicted Of the murder of Thomas
Brown, farmer, near Castle Island, and
sentenced to be hanged January 23d.
They protest their innocence.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-12-23
CrueI Chinese.

st. Petersburg, %. - Chinese in the
Province Of Lie, tortured and Murdered,
in Oc.ober, two Cossoeks. and the Rus
sian clerks at the Russian Consulate st
kuldjs, are making an investigation,
Russians on the frontier sre exasperated.
and threaten uprisal. The guards are
reinforced.