davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30
EVOLUTION OF THE BANJO.
Row the Instrument Has Advanced
in the Favor of Society.

"It is astonishing how fashionable the
banjo has become of late years." said an
eminent instructor in the mysteries OF
that instrument the other day to a New
York Times reporter. The professor
was seated IN an easy chair with a banjo
resting on his knee, while his hand,
wandering v the strings, produced
dreamy suggestions of plantation mel.
ody. 'Once," he continued, 1.-The banjo
was considered a barbarous instrument,
to be classed with the kettle drum and
the toEl-tom, n was thought incapable
OF anything beyond an accompaniment.
Nowadays the development OF musical
taste has brought about an appreciation
ofthe higher possibilities of the banjo,
and has also produced a marked inn
provement in the instrument itself. The
modern banjo with its carefully stretched
sheepskln, steel Frame, u acat-gut
the original instrument which one sees
even now IN the South in the hands Of
the negro, whose greatest delight it is
TO strum upon it accompaniment
those strange, barbarous chants, the
primitive music brought from Africa,
which were doubtless once the war songs
of the native tribes. The first banjo
was doubtless a simple bamboo st ok,
with 4tibres stretched pupon5git, upon
which the mag:ciAns, or Obi-men, in
Africa may have played while conduct.
ing their entertainments. The next step
in the evolution of the banjo was a cal
abash a gourdlike fruit with Il long stem,
upon which the strings of the instru.
ment were stretched. Tho present
shape is probably directly traceable 10
this pI1riOl,a inc; r1nnpf Evan l.,
the South the darkies make banjos out
of gourds, across which they stretch
some sort of skin for a diaphragm.
Snake skinais a favorite material for the
purpose. "There is no race of people
more generally gifted with natural mu-
steal ears than the African. 1t il q rare
thing to see NEGRO in the South who
cannot sing or play upon some musical
instrument. Il once lived upon a l,lanta-
ton for a few weeks, and every night
the negro, quarters were filled with the
music of the banjo and the voices of the
darkies singing. There was one instril-
ment l heard which puzzled me very
much. 1t seemed to give forth buta
for some time that l knew what pro-
duced it, and you could never guess
what it a A negro would ley his
horny finger on the table, which served
as sounding boatd, and, whe,ting the
finger with his tongue, draw the stick
slowly across it, producing the long bass
tone / have described. A year and a
half ago the banjo furore was in its
height. It even became fashionable in
England, where proncielty In playing
upon the instrument anne 10 be consid-
cred an elegant accomplishment. II il
still fashionable, though not quite 30
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30
THE AsTOR S, ~CENTENNIAL

From 80 q Week to 500, 900 900.
tits one hundred years ago this month
since John Jacob Aston bou hit a steer
age ticket for Baltimore and sailed from
England, where he had been at work
for two years in the musical Instrument
shop of his brothers, with $25 in his
pocket and seven. German flutes. AT
New York he sold the flutes and bought
furs and took them back to London and
then returned to New York and appren-
ticedf himself to q furrier at 81 per week.
He died worth $40, 900 GOO. Attic death
of John jacob; his eldest son William
B., had acquired Sc. 1000 1000 for himself,
and when he died in 1875 the estate.
which he had accumulated Was estima-
ted at $40.n0O,O00.
The present representative Astors,
John jacob and William, sons of Will
liam B. Astor, despite their great wealth
live as plainly as their father did. They
dwell in twin brick houses, on Fifth
avenue, which are large and substantial
rather than handsome. At Nos. 81 and
% West 18th street the two brothers
have their Offices in an unpretending
two story brick building. Their old Of.
fee at No. 81 Prince street, VIII oh was
built in 1885, and occupied by the foun-
OeT VI, Cn0 lALuily, was LOTU QOWn TWO
Years ago to make way for a spacious
store. Their fortunes are said to amour I
at least $4,000, 900 each. and as the
country increases in population their
wealth steadily increases also. Murray
hill lies in the heart of the family pos
sessions. They are strict landlords, but
just and liberal in their care of the prop
erty., Henry Astor, their brother, re-
sides or q farm up the Hudson. His Of
flee in the city is at 1477 Broadway.
John Jacob Astor's only child, Will
liam Waldorf Astor, the present United
States minister to Rome, graduated
from Columbia college. He has figured
more prominently in public than any OF
his name. He was elected to the state
Legislature in 1867, and was reelected in
the following year, and assumed the role
o a New York city reformer. He was q
republican candidate for Congress last
year, but was beaten by Roswell, P.
Flower. President Arthur appointed
him minister to Rome. He married in
1875. Miss Minnie Paul, a celebrated
Philadelphia beauty. he has two chill
dren. Mrs. John jacob Aston Is Of a
charitable deposition and, among other
gifts, has made generous donations to
the children's aid society. OF. William
Astor's family. the eldest daughter.
Mrs. Van allen, died two years ago at
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30
Domestic Recipes.

There is a choice possible in almost
all the affairs of life ever in so lrihins a
matter as purchasing a honeycomb Quilt;
for instance, there are the o!d-fashioned
quilts, with no particular pattern, all
blocks and squares, and the greatly i'm
proved ones which are now made, with
a pretty centerpiece and border. By
all means choose the latter.
A delicious sauce may now be pre-
pared for winter use; it is made of Gran
berries and raisins. To one quart canlul
of cranberry sauce allow one good
handful of r%aisins; they impart q deli
cate favor, which is a great improve
ment on the cranberries alone. Gram
berries are also excellent canned alone,
with a little sugar, for pies and pud-
dings. 1t is better to put them up early
in the season. as there is likely to be
more waste later on.
An appetizing dish appeared on our
table the other day, called on the menu
"smothered heart with lemon sauce"
1t was made OF slices Of beef heart
cooked in a very little water until ten
der, then dipped in flour and nicely
Drowned lin butter. The sauce was Of
flour, butter, and hot water, ard was
favored with lemon. This is to be served
as an entree only, and not to take the
place of the roast, which forms the
piece de resistance at the ordinary DIM
ner.
L. is an excellent plan to prepare the
cabbage for dinner an hour before it is
time to cook it. Cut the cabbase in
quarters and scatter q handful Of salt
nuar IT q nI nNVur n with cnl1 xr-otnr
This is a good course to pursue il one
has not the time to look the cabbage
over carefully. Caulitlower should be
treated in the same Wav, after being
picked apart" There are so many small
insects this year, especially, that great
care is necessary in looking over vege-
tables.
A new fancy in the crazv quilt line is
to have in the exact center Of the quilt .
block OF plain satin with the initials, in
monogram or otherwise, OF the owner of
the quilt. Another new departure is 10
have each block the embodiment of an
idea, or at least to have each block de-
velop method in madness. For exam
pie, let n have keEsington work in
work of d tferent kind, or applique, or
painting. The foundation OF these
blocks must necessarily be Of plain COL
ors in silk, satin or velvet. &sf
A mixture is excellent 8,or removing
grease spots and stain : from carpets and
clothing made of two ounces of ammo
mia, two ounces Of white CASTLE soup,
one ounce Of glycerine, one ounce of
ether; cut the 8 APP fine, dissolve in one
pint Of water over the fire; add two
quarts of water. This should be mixed
with water in the proportion of a tea
cupful to n ordinary sized pail ci
water. Mix thoroughly, and wash
soiled garments in it. For removins
spots use a snongc or clean flannel cloth,
nd with q dry cloth rub as dry as pos
sible. Wooden goods may be made to
look bright AID fresh by being sponged
with this.
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30
would be the last blood shed i. civil

would be the last blood shed in civil
dissenfions.
A few doubloons still remained in his
purse; he handed it to the officer and
asked him TO distribute them to
the soldiers OF the firing party-'To the
poor fellows who have this last disagree
abe duty TO perform for me-"
He then placed q handkerchief over
bis beardithat 1t might not be burned by
the powder; for the squad had been or.
dered to stand very close, within six or
eight feet. This WAS his last act before re.
ceiving the fatal discharge. All three met
their fate bravely and decently; but thu J
suffered greatly. The Rrst fire was not
fatal and had TO BE- repeated.
Tho adobe we'll has crumbAsd " q
but pits for three black CROSSES have
been excavated on the spot where they
stood. Some time. perhaps q moro be-
hitting monument may be reared on the
sierra de las campanas, commemorative
Of this peculiarly tragic and pathetic
episode, OF notwithstanding history.
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30
Good Coffee.

Good coffee is one Of the most essen
tial requisites offs good table. Often
after the best coffee is procured 1t is
spoiled in the making. Nothing will so
perfectly destroy tho flavor of coffee as
an old burnt boiler. Many times is the
question raised, what can be the mat.
ter with our coffee?" and 1t is not an
swered until the mistress examines for
herself. The cook declares that she has
made it in the usual way and the fault
must be in the coffee. Upon investiga
ton the old burned coffee pot is found
to be the cause of the trouble. Unless
the greatest care is taken and the
grounds removed every time coffee is
made it soon becomes unfit for use.
There are numerous patent coffee-post
which IN d measure obviate the trouble,
but most of them are quite expensive,
and sometimes quite useless. One,
however, is very simple and really very
practicable. 1t is of plain tin, made in
two parts, something alter the fashion
of a tarina boiler. The bottom OF the
upper part is covered with q thin cloth,
which is so arranged that it can be cas-.
lily removed or replaced. The coffee is
put into this part which reaches quite
low into the boiler proper. No egg is
required to settle this coffee, the
grounds being held by the strainer.
Boiling water is poured through the cof-
fee, and then it is allowed to stand a few
minutes Oh the stove. This method OF
making coffee is similar 10 the French
way, but differs in this respect that the
strength of the coffee is only partially
extracted 10y pouring the water tAroush
49, ~ ~ - -
round in II.
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30

thorough pulverization OF the SOIL. inns
year | planted some in q young orchard
of about two acres, putting one 70" ne.
tween the rows of trees, and used ABOUT
two quarts of seed, which l consider
rather too much for the ground, u l
Judge that ten pounds woald be suftlclent
per acre. planting the rows three ieet
apart. After plougl,ing the ground twi"e
and narrowing it down smoothly, the
heavy rains of May made. it nee
essary for me to go over it again wltna
Gu tivator which was done the latter
part of the month, and on June |
took the plow and ran q furrow through
about two inches deep, sowed the seed,
and covered it with a slicker or clod
crusher. In about a week it had started
nicely, but was too thick, and when
about TIVE feet high l commenced thin
ming it out to three or four inches apart,
feeding it to the milch cows, and have
continued to do SO ever since. i think
it is n OF the best forage plants for an
imals-horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs
and nothing better while tender for
poultry. l cut about half a ton OF It be-
fore tasseling out for hay. putting 1t in
barn the day after cutting, and find that
horses eat it in preference to hay. l
lllSo DCSI lCCulllS " lhC PooS WYNN
some twenty-five pigs, two months old,
on the mature canes, and find that they
devour it readily, and are doing we'll on
it. This variety OF sorghum | consider
the lest, as it contains more sugar, and
consequently more fat-producing qu,li-
ties. than any other. / find the seed
makes excellent chicken feed, and have
no doubt it would do, ground for horses
ami hogs. fta ~ sEt-@ # ~
To those having silos / think there is
nothing that will afford more ensilage of
so good a qualify as sorghum, for after
cutting the canes for the first crop two
new sprouts start from every joint, and
if cut near the roots several new stools
come up, which will bear seed if per-
| mitted.
The advantage it has over corr is that
it will grow and mature %inground where
:orn will dry up, and If used as q pas
are will keep growing until the heavy
rosts kill it. The stalks average about
i've from the seed sown, grown from
seven to fifteen feet high, and are about
three-fourths of IN inch in diameter.
The yield of seed is about eight sacks, or
sou pounds per acre. The feed coming
at a titne Of year when all natural grass
IS have dried up, il makes it valuable to
talrymen, stock ralsers and even the
farmer. 1t will not do so vel! When
planted too early, as the cold retards its
growth, but when planted in warm
weather, with enough moisture to start
it, the growth is wonderful. AS it is SO
Easily grown in this climate, and con-
tains SO much sugar, it 10 strange that
some enterprising capitalists have not
ere this started a sugar factory in San
Franc sco.-A. B. j., in Pacific Rural
Press.
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30
FIELD AND FARM.
Agricultural Items.

a cheese 3 feet 8 inches thick, 5 feet 4
inches diameter, circumference IS feet
8 inches, and weighing 5,233 pounds, is
on exhibition in Boston.
Over so per cent. Of the cattle in Bessa
rabia are afflicted with the plague.
The Shorthorn cattle sal es at Lexing-
ton aggregated $4,000.
Mercedes, the champion Holstein COW
owned by Thos. B. Wales, Jr., Iowa
City, produced this year in thirty days
ninety-nine pounds six and one-half
ounces of butter. Mary Anne, a Jersey
COW owned by O. Z. Fuller, st. Lam
bert's, Canada, produced ninety-seven
pounds eight and one-half ounces in the
same time. f
Kane county, Illinois, last year mar
keted sl6.s22 pounds of butter ,676, 600
pounds OF cheese, 10, 053 ,565 gallons of
milk, and nearly q million gallons OF
cream. Commenting upon this remark
able array of dairy products, the Peoria
Transcript says: And be it remem-
bered that this took nothing from the
land as the same value of grain crors
sold off the land would have done. The
more sold of this kind of product the
richer becomes the soil that raises it."
There is in the following item that
y rich suggests a line of action which
may well be adopted in more places than
Texas, and where the cutting of fences
is unknown. The Houston Age SAYS:
Capt. Robert L. Stafford and Capt. Jos.
Davis have immense bodies of land ir-
closed ior pastures, and neither of them
has v e had a fence cut or any trouble
with the smaller cattle-owners. They
never fence on any land but their own.
They do not even fence in all that be-
longs to them. When they are inclos-
ing pasture grounds they always leave
a little lard and water on the outside
for their neighbors' cattle to Craze on"
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30
Recreations IN Science.
From Fuck

i AVN
"The sun is 49, 900 years old and
will last 5000. 900 years longer" This
fact will quiet a great deal Of anxiety
and alarm. An impression had got
abroad that the sun would only last H.,
0oO,0 900 years longer. The sun holds its
age we'll. Oldest inhabitants say that
it does not look a day older than it did
sixty-fve years ago. " . The tempe a.
ture yf the moon is at least zoe degrees
below zero. and it is highly edifying te
mirg!e among the Oldest inhabitants
who congregale around the village bar
DON stove IN midwinter and listen to
their lies about the cold January of 100.
ISL years B. G., when water froze while
boiling on the stove. The hypothesis,
however, that the temperature of the
moon. is 2G0 degrees below zero is evi
dently a false one. If the theory were
tenable the United States government.
would have sent an exploring expedi-
ton there to freeze to death. = : Some
stars are SO far away that their light,
moving with a velocity of $4,000 miles
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30

close it softly and pensiveiy, and then
stoop to gather up the scattered papers
that have been whirled about our feet
like fading forest leaves. the blessed
Serosch whispers promises of q gooh
time coming, and we are copsoled with
confidence that in that bright dawninf
era autumn days will be free from
carking care, for the man who leaves
the dOOr,Dpen yaust 20.
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30

A Canadian who has returned from q
visit to Eortk Dakota says there are in that
section at least 81, 600 Canadians, who hay.
been ''driven out OF Canada by oppressiv.
land Law and the superior advantages to be
found in the states. e
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30

per second. require 5o ,y3I' wears e
reach our eyes, but by "%co,,id,ing" with
a half open door; when groP,hE about a
dark room at midnight, the l.eSht OF l2S,..
Ga 600, oDo,oCo st a%n1Ita meoe Jy v ,iisss' .h wi,l
6rst appearance.
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30
Names Of the Fabrics.

Everything connected with ones bus
mess is of importance. Very few dry
goods men know the origin of the names
of many of the goods they handle
These nay seem trivial points, but they
are of interest to the nan who seeks to
be thoroughly familiar with the mer-
chandise in which he deals. For the in
cremation Of such, we give the deriva-
ton of the names of the following goods:
sntins from Zaytown in. China; calico
from Calicut, stown in India, formerly
celebrated fer its cotton cloth. and
where calico was also printed. Muslin
IS named from Mesul in Asia; alpaca
from an animal Of Peru, of the llama
species, from whose wool the fabric is
woven. Buckram takes its name from
Bochara. Fustian comes from Fostat,
a..city of the middle ages, from which
the modern Cairo 10 descended;
taifeta and tabby from a
street in Bag:ad; cambria from Cam
hrai. Gauze has its name from GAIA;
baize from Bajsc; dimity from Damielta,
AMI jeans from Jean. Drugget is de-
rived ron a city in ireland, Drogheda.
Duck comes from Torqle, in Normandy.
Blanket IS called alter Thomas Blnnkett,
4 famous clothier. connected with the
Introduction of wootens into England
about 1910. Serge derives its name from
Nerga, a Spanish name for a peculiar
wooden blanket. Diaper is not from
DYpres, as is sometimes stated, but
from the Greek diaspron, figured. Vel
vet is from the Italian v~eliuto, woody
Lain, veliuf, n hide or pelt. Shawl is
the Sanskirt sala, floor; for shawls were
first used rs carpets and tapestry. Ban
danna is from an Indian word meaning
to bind orr lie, because they are tied in
knots before dyeing. Chintz comes
from the Hindu word chett. Delaine is
the French ''of wool"
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30

Henry simmons, Wholesale notionsof
Chicago has assigned. Liabilities $40, OOo
and assets $25, 900. 1t is alleged that the
failure was preolpitated by the stealings OF
dishonest employees.
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30

Newport. Mrs. Roosevelt is the second
daughter. Mrs. Coleman Draton is the
third daughter and Miss Carrie Astor,
who made ner debut in society a year
ago, is the youngest. =
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30

Debt is the vampire that issucking the
blood of Egyptian peasants. Usurers
chat ge them from 80 70 Us per cent. per
aunum.
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30

B~loomington's DIR. Gideon is sued for di
vorce on unco1Dplimentary grounds.
The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30

rE4 s
@ts-as ssNrksa.s
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-04-18

1T. Louis. April IL Flour unchanged. Wheat
lower and irregular; No. . rel f,li, si.0sta
sl.Os's cash No. 3 red IAN, si.O3S. Corn dull
and lower; i7s@t-sc. cash. oats slow aud
hrGer AZ f24 f2sc. cash. WhiSkey steady a,
sl.l4. Provisions very quiet ani slow, only
small Job trade done n obvious prices.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-04-18
Investigating Charges Against super.
yiSing-Archifect Hill.

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE special
committee to investigate the charges
against Supervising-A Hill. of the
Treasury Department. began it, session
to-day. Ii will sit with open doors. The
charges preferred against Hill by ex-Rep-
resentative Murch, Of Maine. were made
public to-day. The papers are voluminous,
and are drawn in regular legal style. The
general charge is OF corruption. fraud, and
extravaganza against the ring i'm the Archi-
tect's office. composed OF Assis.ant-Secre-
tary French. Architect Hill, Assistant
Architect Jacobs, and others, and a num-
Der Of contractors.
Among the contractors alleged to have
been improperly favored are the Cape Ann
Granite Company, Dix-Isand Granite
Company, Badwell Granite Company. Hur-
ricane-ISland Granite Company, Old Do
miniOn Granite Company, Westham Gran
tie Company. Collins Granite Company.
Clarkc-Island Granite Company, and Bart
lett. Robbins & Co. Among the witnesses
named are Secretary Folger. Senator
Dawes. \. Il. Mullett. W. G.. Stcnemetz.
X-PostmasterGeneral James. and T. III.
Murch. eX-congressman from Maine.
Eleven charges preferred against Hill by
A. b. Mullett. formerly supervising archi-
tect, have also been referred to the special
committee. These charges allege general
mismanagement on the part Of Hill in con-
nectiOn with the pOst-oflice at Philadelphia
and the custOm-hOuse at Chicago. Mullett's
allegations cover period dating back TO
his own administration.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-04-18
New York Gambiing.Houscs Raided.
TIE SEIZURE or GAMING PARAPHERNALIA
CLAIMED TO BE ILLEGAL.

NEW YORK. April 17.-Last night the
police raided seven or eight prominent and
well-known gamblirg-houses and seized 4
large quantity Ct furniture and gambling
implements upon warrants sworn out upon
information and belief, and directed against
the houses and not against individuals,
and they made the announcement that they
could and would stop gambling by further
similar action: but to-day the police COM
mis>iOners are disconnected 10y the tiscov-
cry that under the Penal Code last nights
raids are Illegal. The Code authorizes
the seizure Of gambling tools only where
the owner is arrested. and couples the d.
reetiOn a. To the manner OF dispOsng OF
them throughout with the procedure
against the owner. the destruction OF ma
terial following his conviction. Inspector
Byrnes claims to have acted under the
warrants i'm the raids, and that he j. pro-
tected by them. The hope Of the police
seems TO be that no owner dares to claim
the gambling property for fear Of arrest.
but II i suggested by lawyers that the de-
partment can be sued for treSpas, and IL
legal abstraction Of property. and be made
to nav damages.