davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
AMERICAN vs.. GERMAN FARMERS.

An interesting comparison between the.
German and American husbandmen is
drawn by the German author, Heinrich
Semler, in volume on theinsignifcance
of North American competition in agri-
culture. The fact is strongly noticeable
that the American farmer always comes
out anead where parallel is drawn be-
tween him and his German compeer, who
is his equal as to property. The former
is more active and prudent. II he is too
poor to possess improved farm machin-
cry, he hires them, and all his tools, even
to the smallest, are Of the best pattern
and material. In q small household de-
tail. that Of cohee-mills, Herr Semler
notices the fact that in Germany the
coffee-mill is still held between the
knees, while in America it is screwed 70
the wall, thus saving half the labor. In
Germany it generally takes three men to
shoe horse while in America one is suf-
fcient. The apron used by German
workmen impedes them il climbing and
even walking; the American apron IS slit
upthe midd to the hight Of the legs, and
the two halves are bound round the
ankle, which is both more comfortable
and better protects the clothes. q some
.parts Of Germany the laborer eats 6ve
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
LOSSES BY FIRE.

A series of comparative statistics rela-
tive to the damage done by fires during
last year was prepared recently by the
New York Commercial Bulletin. It
gives some interesting and instructive
figures of the extent of destruction
wrought during the year by fires, the re-
ported damage by which was over $780,
600. The loss entailed by fires of lesser
extent, which were more numerous than
in 1880, was $4,000, 900 more than in
the latter year, cud, with the exception
Of the year 1777, the figures exceeded
those recorded any year since 1872, when
the memorable Boston fire broke out.
Of fires causing over $4,000 damage
there we're $50 in the United States, and
they inflicted an aggregate loss of $685.
600, 900, or an average of 800, 900 for
each fire. In seven instances the damage
exceeded 81, 900, 900, and in % cases it
was between $50, 900 and 100000. In
81 cases it was between the latter figure
and double that amount. SIn 80 cases
the loss was between 5000, 600 and $780,
600: in IL cases between $500, 900 and
$500, 900, and in 6 fires the amount of
damage done ranged between $500, 600
and 81, ,000,00 Thus by 16 fires alone
SIS, 100000 worth of property were
wiped out of existence, leaving $50, ,00O,-
600 as the result of the destruction done
by the remainder of the $50 sslarge"
fires.
The Boston Commercial Bulletin says
that one authority has placed the annual
total Of fires, large and small, in the
United States at from so, 900 to 10000,
but this total it deems open to the ques-
ton of being somewhat exaggerated, and
concludes that 800, 900, 600 would cover
the amount of annual loss. All this ex-
tent of damage is Just as much of an
absolute loss, although insurance will
enable the burden to be moro evenly dis
tributed, and thus apparently ightened,
as though this vast amount Of money
were gathered together in bulk in bank
notes and surrendered to extinction by
the flames. Further than this, the list
of causes Of these numerous fires proves
that nine-tenths of oil of them are to be
attributed to carelessness. And, not
withstanding the repetition of costly
warning that such carelessness should be
avoided, the fire records continue to
show that the same absence of proper
precaution against the spread of the
flames, the same lack of care in the
handling and slowing away of inaamma-
BILE stuff, and the same negligence in
throwing aside articles that are liable, at
any moment, to cause an outbreak Of the
flames. .E- f.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
AN OCEANIC HIGHWAY.

The continued increase of ocean traf-
fic between America and Great Britain,
aud the consequent increasing danger Of
collision at night, and during fogs, and
the desirability OF keeping steamers be-
tween certain parallels of latitude SO
that aid could be sent in case of disabil-
ity, has again brought into prominence
the question Of Atlantic 'lans routes" )"
for steamers. For sailing vessels, of
course, the laying out OF route would
be useless, as their courses are entirely
dependent on wind and tide, and there
fore irregular and uncertain. In letter
to the Nautical Gazette, q steamship
commander presents q new scheme which
he thinks will serve all desired ends. He
proposes to lay down lane or "neutrai
ground" across the Atlantic-saY Jane
thirty miles wide-and letthe east bound
steamers track lay south of the southern
edge of the lane. and the west bound
steamers north of the northern edge of
the lane, then each line can instruct it's
commanders the distance to be kept from
the borders of the lane" According to
this plan every steamship line can have
q wide margin within which to select the
tracks it's vessels shall pursue, but never
within the lane of neutral ground. The
plan, though incomplete, certainly de-
serves careful consideration, as obviating
the chief objection urged against the
fixed routes hitherto prescribed, which
is that they are arbitrary and confne all
lines to single route each way. It fully
admits OF the exercise of variant judg
ment on the part Of steamship command
ers as to the most eligible paths across
the ocean, and it provides that the class
of frail steamers of the "ocean tramp
species, sailing vessels and disabled
steamers may be found within the lane,
and will know which way to steer if they
want assistance or towage, as they are
near the American or European shore .
, The New York Herald commends the
plan for some of its points, but prefers
the plan recently presented by Captain
Mckay by which Atlantic steamers would
follow two "lanes thus forming almost
continuous lines across the ocean. Ship
masters as class are too independent t
be governed by regulations Of this kind
and while the benefits of mutual agree
ment concerning regular eastward an6
westward routes are plainly apparent. il
must be said the hope of thorough
adoption by them of any given plan il
vague and ethereal.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
Starting With 'Possum Skins.

lFFOm tno 11Ot fOanC (IexAe) Po6t.J
J. II. Rogers, a farmer near this city,
engaged four years ago for a period Of
six weeks in the novel pursuit Of hunting
opossum and other small varmints then
plentiful in this vicinity. This pursuit
was engaged in both as q measure of
sport and profit, and, Notwithstanding he
was constantly laughed at by his friends,
he boldly declared his intention to make
the proceeds of th tsix weeks opossum-
hunt net him 81 900 in less than ten
years. Now for the result. The meat
and pelt Of that hunt were carefully
sold, and when brought together aggre-
gated $50. This amount was invested in
twelve calves, which, at the end Of two
years, were sold and reinvested for 100
calves, which now, at the end of -four
years from the first investment, are held
at $40 each, making net value ol
a. 600. 32s:sy: .es I'll
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
Miner 6lishaps.

VIM. Ellih and A. 2. Sultan, Of Purdy, Tenn,
BOYS, went to slsep on railroad track, at
Mckenzie, Tenn !, and were run over BY train.
The former was instantly killed and Sultan had
5oth legs taken od. >s':' !.
4 Newspaper carrier accidentally shot Geo.
B. Hawkins, night clerk in the Indianapolis
Daily Sentinel Office. early on the morning Of
the doth inst. Death was instantaneous.
A horrible accident shocked the employees Of
the car shops at Pullman, H.. on the 20th inst.
N. Radley and Ed. Wilson in some manner got
caught in the betting and we're fatally mlpg1ed.
By the falling Of Z. bridge s. conIae of con-
struction at Lebanon, KY, On the 18th inst, 4.
Hayden was killed and several othsn sesjously
wounded. : -: =a..Is5.ss17.
Al Bradford, Pa., on, the 18th inst, four
pounds Of nitro-glycerine e1ploded, killing
t1 Two fatal railroad accidents happened, on the
18th inst, in Michigan, Iernan Small well-
known resident Of Aims, being Glied at st.
Louis, and J. n. Cross, an aged man, who has
rich relatives In New York, betn8 killed at
Sheridan.
a Young Mexican girl while making . balloon
ascension ct Cuantla, Mex, on the 18th Inst,
fell from the trapese when the balloon ~
three -fourths Of mile high, and was ekn1hed
to death.
Eve oonvicts wsre drowned near Iit4ls Rook,
Ark., on tho 14th inst, while ctosstng saesk
in lat bost. 5.sss. s2 .$sz
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
A Useful Toy.

It appears that kaleidosco2es are
turned to very good purpose as
foundation or suggestion in making pat
terms. They not only give the outline
of design, but suggest colorlng, and
with that lens attached to it, q carpet
designer can see the whole effect when
arranging and grouping his patterns.
They are used in all sorts of designing.
Architects sometimes take designs from
them for architectural ornaments. A
kaleidoscope saves a great deal Of pre-
liminary and purely mechanical laber.
An architect can turn Kaleidoscope ull-
I'll he finds design that suits his pur-
pose, and then copy it photographically
With . camera lucida, or by the eye, if he
wishes to vary it 3 little. The centre
pieces for ceilings made Of plaster OF
Paris are 90 designed, but the greatest
use Of the Kaleidoscope is in the manu-
facture of round stained-glass windows.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
MOrfuaPY.

The Rev. DR.. Enooh Pond, president Of the
Bangor, Me-, Theological Seminary, is dead:
Henry E.. Rockwell, secretary Of the United
states fish commission, dropped dead, 1T WASH
ington, Oh the 22d inst, aged II.
Gen. ellss Casey, .. g. A., died at Brooklyn,
N. Y, on the 22d inst. -
E. r. Cannon, secretary Of the Railroad Cou-
ductors' Life Association Of tho United States
and Canada, and conductor on tho Little
Miami road for thirty years, died At Columbus,
O.. on the 21st inst. -.5 *~l.s.s. -,
Lieutenant VIM. Kendrick, of tho Milwaukee
police department, died on the 18th inst. ~
Ex-Gov. Bullock, Of Massachusetts,, fell dead
Of apople1y in tho street at Worcester, on the
17th. -.
Ex- Congressman A. a. Pettngill, died ut
Bridgeport, Conn, on the 18th.
The death is announced Of Lord Lurgan,
aged 81. He at o. \ liberal In the house Of
peers, and was prominent in sporting circles.
Ex-Judge Mckenzie, the man who sent Gen.
sherman's famous signal Hold the fort; v
are coming" !" died 1t Marshantown, Iowa, On
the 10th. >- @.%< ,5 sss5. =
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25

times day, and during the harvest
time takes even six meals, and
this habit alone will enable the
American who eats only three times
daily, but better, to compete suc-
cessfully with the German. The Amer
ican drinks no brandy while at work; he
is not lazy as soon as his masters back
IS turned, and being more respected,
respects himself more than the German
workman. The best workman in America
has often been q very Indifferent one in
Germany, which is owing to the improved
social position in which he finds himself.
In activity and excellence the Ameri.
can farmers vile is much better than
her fame in many a travelling authors
mouth. Sne does not work so hard as
her German sister in the same rank OF
life; she does not trouble herself about
the cattle, neither does she herself fetch
the wood, Goa, and water. But, never
theless, she is q pattern of housekeeper.
The good arrangements of kitchen, and
stove, and all sorts of time and labor
saving machiues afford an ease and
facility of work unknown in German
households. The American is not only
clever in his housekeeping in the treat
ment of his work people, and in his busi-
ness, but also in the choice of the pro-
ducts which he cultivates. The same
kind of moors that on the North Sea
coasts of Germany are considered value
less and unredeemable are planted, on
the coasts of Massachusetts and New
Jersey, with cranberries, which yield ten
times as much profit as corn grown on
the richest soil. There are limestone
mountains in Germany that miserably
support a poverty.stricken population.
The same species of country in Vermont
and Maine grows forests of the sugar
bearing maple, which yearly yield %,
600, 900 pounds of sugar and 1000, 900
gallons of treacle, both of excellent
quality.
The cooperation of American farmers
and merchants has been OF brilliant re-
sult-two classes which in Germany are
utterly careless of each others advan.
tage. The American merchant informs
the farmers what agricultural products
are most in demand in the markets of the
world, and how they must be cultivated
and packed in order to be rendered
capable of expectation. The merchants
know that they can import only wher
successful export puts their fellow citi
zens in a position to buy. The Ameri
can chambers of commerce regard tht
opening and securing of the world'l
market to agriculturists as their frs
task. There exists in America numer
ous companies and societies in which
scientific men, merchants and farmers
each adhering strictly to his own depart
ment, cooperate unanimously and sue
cessfully. German agricultural socie
ties certainly reverence science, but they
speak too much of learned things, O
salts and acids, and the peasants canno
understand them. They should seek
says Herr Semler, to facilitate the sal,
and purchase of agricultural products
which are now effected in slow ant
clumsy manner, and cost much time ant
money. North Americans can teach tn
Germans much of the unprejudiced
bold and untiring self-help which render
a people independent q all state assist
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
Railway WHecka.

On the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, on
the 10th inst, freight train ran into the
caboose Of another freight, resulting in fatal
injuries to three men-Conductor Fred. Easter
ly, Fireman Albert Phillips and Brakeman
Timothy Farley.
A passenger train on the Dubuque division Of
the Milwaukee and st. Paul Railroad met with
IN accident about five miles from New Albion,
Ia., on the 10th inst. A wheel ON the forward
truck Of the smohng-car broke, precipitating the
smoker and the ladies' car down twenty foot
embankment A child Of Mrs. Cavanaugh, OF
Warren Mills, Wis.,, was killed, and twenty pas
sengers injured. Three Of the latter It is
thought will die.
Near Tabor's Mills, Va, on the night Of the
18th inst, . passenger train ran into land
slide, killing John Minton, the engineer, and
seriously injuring the fireman.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
Guiteau,s Trial.


Forty-si1th Day. -scoville began his closing
argument with confession of his unfamiliar
ity with the modes of practice in criminal
cases. All the defense asked for was fair,
candid, impartial weighing Of the evidence by
fair and candid men. The counsel would at
tempt no oratory, because he was not equal to
it, and besides he would not do it if he could.
judgment and intellect of the jury. Oratory,
eloquence and appeals to the passions he would
leave for the counsel who would follow him
judge Porter. Scoville's remarks were very
caustic at times and drew forth few impatient
remarks from Porter and Davidge: The pris-
Forty-seuenM Day.-On the 18th inst. the
prisoner was allowed to make short harangue
at the opening of court. No attention was paid
to him, and Scoville then resumed his address
to the jury. He reviewed Guiteau's life, and
his entire argument was to show that the pris-
oner was insane. He denied that duiteau bad
ever been % morally corrupt as the prosecution
tried to make him out. Later on he read pas.
sages from the prisoners speech, when the lat
ter called out: "You had better STOP Scoville; it
will 60 dead against your fool theory" Scoyille
criticised the prosecution severely for not allow
ing the prisoner to address the jury, simply
because, as he said. they feared the prisoner
true mental condition.
Forty-eighh Day. .-Scoviile continued bis
argument and created a profound sensation by
denouncing Grant, CoDkling and Arthur as be-
ing morally and Intellectually responsible for
the crime committed by his poor, insane client.
During recess Scoville received q telegram an
nounciug that the New York court of appeals
had Just decided that the prosecution where
some evidence Of insanity is produced for de-
tense, must make out case OF insanity beyond
reasonable doubt. Guiteau exercised bis
tongue repeatedly and seemed to be in the best
of spirits.
F6rtv-ninM Day.-As soon as the prisoner
took bis seat he delivered speech with POM
pous effort ut oratorical effect, thanking the
New York court of appeals for their recent de-
cieion in regard to the prosecution Of alleged
insane people. Scovile resumed his argument,
occupying the entire day.
FIftieh Day.-Scovile concluded his argu-
menf. Counsel for the prosecution withdrew
their objections, and the court announced that
Guiteau would be allowed to address the jury
in his own behalf. The prisoner not being pre-
pared, IN adjournment was taker.
Fifty first Day.-Gulteau was given an OPP
portnnity to address the jury. He prefaced
his remarks by saying that he would SIT down
because he could speak better, not that he was
afraid of being shot. He asserted that moth
ing could more strongly indicate insanity than
bis shooting down the President, ana If the
jurors believed him to have been the agent of
the Deity they muet acquit. At one point he
broke completely down. and buried his face in
his handkerchief, Mrs, Scoville adding to the
effect by sobbiDg convulsively. After two
hours of orstorical effort he said with great
solemnity that if . hair Of his head is
harmed the nation will go down IN blood.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
ShinWrack.

The bark F. L. Carney, from the West Indies,
for Baltimore, with cargo Of guano, WAS lost
off Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina. on the 22d
inst. Eight lives we're lost. G. G. Carlson, =
Swede, and q colored man named Frank Blakely
were saved.
The ocean steamship City of London, Of the
Centaur line, has not been heard from since
November 18th, and is supposed to have been
lost at sea. The steamers Henry Edge aud the
Constantine are also reported lost. The loss
Of these three vessels involves about one hun
dred lives.
The steamer City of Dallas. from Balize,
brings news Of the loss Of the British schooner
Weather Gauge of Colron's point in Z squall.
She was loaded with twenty-five mules and ten
passengers, and on her way from Omoa for
Balize. She was running under light breeze
at II o'clock at night, December 81, with Ill
sails set, when she was struck by 4 whirlwind.
The vessel was lifted by the stern and went
down by the bow and sank. Eight lives were
lost, aud two of the crew managed to get
ashore.
The'American whaling bark Pacific capsized
and sunk in Panama harbor, recently. All on
board ESCAPED.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25

The balloon which carried Walter Powell to
sea from England in December WAS found near
Marseilles, France, with the aeronAut's corpse
in the basket.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
Found

By the explosion of q boiler 1t East Liberty,
O., on the 20th inst, Albert Grouse was killed
and several other persons seriously wounded.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
NashvilDo's Baptism

The flood at Nashville, Tenn, gathers force
every hour, and already surpasses anything
ever seen there. Ten thousand persons have
men are unemployed. N5th Nashville Is cut
off. and the breaking OF the gas-pipes left
South Nashville in darkness
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
NEWS IN BRIEF.
Death in q Mine.
Fatal ExDl00bDns.

D0BSW II u N4lW00
An explosion in Cross Keys colliery, Eng
land, recently, killed four men and afty horses.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
AmalA.nox

Smallpox is now epidemic in sixteen Of tie
states Of the union, and is spreading rapidly,
especially in the east and south.
A curiously complicated case is reported from
Ludlow, ky. A convict there. who is under
sentence of death for murder, has been stricken
with smallpox. The governor Of the state
says that this tact must not interfere with his
execution, and the prison officials are afraid to
approach the criminal for fear Of contracting
the disease with which he is affected. Added
to this, the physicians soy that he cannot live
until the day appointed for his hanging.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
Suicia2ls

Samuel II. Ward, prominent and wealthy
citizen Of Port Huron, Mich, ended his life on
the 7th inst, by taking strychnine. No cause
is assigned for the rash deed.
At Bradford. Pa, on tho 7th inst, J. II.
Smedley, aged 81, member Of IN oil l-producing
firm blew his head of with shot gun. The
deceased was single man aud in good circum-
stances, ~. -, -.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
Failed

The panic on the Paris bourse continued On
the 21st inst, and tie branch OF the Union
Generate Bank, at Lyons, was besieged. Many
noblemen Of Rome have suffered in the crisis,
and it is repc rted that considerable portion Of
the Papal fund is invested in shares Of the i'm
periled clearinghouse. A Paris dispatch Gays
that thousands OF families have been ruined by
the panic on tho boufse, and the news comes
from Vienna that many persons have become
insa!. 9 over their losses.
The failure Of the peoples bank at Tecumseh,
Mich, inflicts q loss Of about $8O, 900 on poor
clerks, women, mechanics aud farmers. Reck-
less speculatlons in pork and grain involved the
concern. The president slipped out to Mexico.
leaving the cashier to fac, the small army Of
victims.
A sudden drop in securities created panic
on the bourse at Paris and Lyons, France. on
the 10th inst. At the latter point the failures
aggregated E6lO, 900.
The following suspensions were announced on
the 10th inst: Aphons Narcotic, dry goods,
McGivern; Tucker Il Mcdonnell, lumber and
VIM. McLaren d Co., boots aud shoes, all at
Montreal; total liabilities 100000. AT New
Orleans, Seymour & Stevens, with liabilities Of
$10O, 900. At Baltimore, Eccles Il Thomas, su-
gar retiners, with liabilities Of S67, 200. The
assets in all the above cases we're quite large.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25
Burned to Death.

At Lewis, near Clinton, No.. on the night Of
the 10Th inst, mother and four Gf her chill.
dren-one of the latter being young lady, an.
other young man and two little ones-perished
in the flames of their burning house. The
father and two other children narrowly escaped
With their lives.
Bucharest, on the 18th inst, spreading &
rapidly that the occupants escaped With grea
difficulty. The beasts in the enclosure opposite
the hippodrome received q severe scorchinf
and their struggles were fearful. Several mer
and horses were roasted to death. The loss Of
property was heavy.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-25

CoRpsE stealing is getting soprevalent
that dead heads at the theatre have be
gun TO get uneasy.