davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01
What Is a Mirage!
American Agricu1turist.


Recently the papers have given no
tees of wonderful mirages that have
been seen upon the coasts of Europe,
and it is not strange that some of my
young friends should ask about them.
The name mirage is a French one.
meaning to loom up" It should be
pronounced mee-rdzh, as near as the
pronunciation can be written. Ia some
countries a mirage is very rare; in
others it is of almost daily occurrence.
Before I try to tell you what causes a
mirage must first describe how they
look. Sometimes places very far dis
tant appear to be close at hand and
seen in the air; at sea ships known to
be many miles distant are seen as if
suspended in the air In travelling
across the continent have seen many
a mirage In the distance would ap-
pear a beautiful sheet of water. with
headlands, islands. and sometimes a
fort could be plainly seen and even
ships. AS to water the illusion was
so perfect that it was difficult to be-
lieve that it was not real. In the
early days Of travel to California by
trains Of wagons overland, many of
parties suffered greatly, and some were
entirely lost, by pushing out for what
seemed to be water. Sad, indeed are
the stories told of this mistake
This is not easy to explain, unless
you know something about light.
Most of you have noticed that when
you place an oar or pole in the clear
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

water of a pond or a river it seems to
be bent. If you look across a hot
stove the objects on the other side an.
pear to be curiously distorted out of
place. Rays of light passing from a
denser medium to a lighter one are
bent on straight course. Thus, when
they pass from an oar or pole in the
water, they are bent, ana the object
appears to be crooked When thew
pass from common air through much
lighter, heated air, the objects seem to
be bent out of their shape Now all
the mlrages [ have seen have been
where the soil became very hot from
the sun; this hot soil heated the air
just above it. There was layer of
hot air close to the earth and Just
above, the other air was not heated.
Objects seen at a distance through
these two kinds of air were singularly
distorted, and, like things seen across
the hot air of stove, much out of
shape. In this state of the air bar
rem, sandy tract looks like water. and
clumps of bushes are distorted to look
like trees. Wherever q mirage has
been examined the appearance has
been found to be caused by differ
ence in the density of the air, wheth-
er from contract with heated earth
or seen at sea, with heated water.
Mirage is very interesting phenom-
enon to see once or twice, but when
it occurs day after day, one soon tires
of its unnatural appearance and pre-
fers to look upon a landscape that is
Te21
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01
O'DOnneII's Trial Postponed.

LONDON, Oct. 19.-ODonnell to-day
pleaded mot guilty" to the indictment
for the murder of Carey. The trial
has been postponed till Nov 21 Mr.
Sullivan read the affidavit of the pris-
oners solicitor, that the Solicitor of
O'Donnel at Cape Colony had cabled
there were important witnesses there
who could be called to testify in the
case. Attorney-General James stated
that he would not oppose the applica-
ton for a postponement of the trial.
if the names of the witnesses were in
serted in the affidavit and the drift of
the evidence to be given by them indi-
Gated. After remarks by Judge Den
man it was decided to postpone the
trial. Previous to Sullivan's applica-
ton for a postponement, O'Donnell
was brought into court, and in re
Spouse to the question of the Judge as
to the charge of murder preferred
against him, pleaded not guilty IN a
careless and Indifferent manner. Gen.
Roger A Pryor, O'Donnell's Ameri-
can counsel, was in court seated be-
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01
ACROSS THE WATER.
A Fearful Earthquake in Asia Minor
O'DonneII's Trial Postponed until
Nov. 2Ist.

A Fearful Earthquake in Asia Minor
O'DOnneII's Trial Postponed until
Nov. 21st.
CONsTANTINOPLE, Oct. 19.-It is re
ported that much damage to property
and great loss Of life was caused by
the earthquake on the peninsula be-
tween Chesme, Asia Minor, opposite
Chios, and Vouria, on the southern
coast of the Gulf of Smyrna. All the
villages in that region were destroyed
Il is believed that upwards of L, 900
persons persisted, The survivors of
the disaster are suffering fearful pri-
vations. A complete panic prevails.
Most of the houses collapsed at the
first shock, burying the inmates. The
people who escaped became panic
stricken and sought the fields, where
many are still huddled together in a
starving condition and suffering from
cold. Help for the stricken people is
going forward from Smyrna. The
Porte has issued notice stating that
20, 900 persons are homeless and plead
ing for immediate assistance A Gov
eminent Commission will start as soon
as possible to aid the local officials.
The report that 1, 900 persons persisted
is confirmed.
The shocks completely destroyed
six villages and seriously damaged
many others.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01
A LOST SWEETHEART.
TIie Romance OF Young Texan
Whom "a Generals Daughter Dis
cardeG.
Washington Post.


An interesting romance, to which
his untimely death forms a tragic con
clusion, was connected with Robert G..
Fly, who was shot and killed at Hun
do City, Texas, recently. He was
son of a wealthy mine owner, Major
Fly At San Antonio, Texas, young
Fly fell in love with Miss Ord, the
daughter Of the late General Ord, and
they became engaged to be married.
But General Ord sent his daughter
to enter the ost-graduate class at the
Georgetown Convent. When this
season of probation drew to close, as
he imagined, young Fly came to
this CITY, impatient to claim his bride
Upon his arrival, every one was
struck with his manly figure. He was
tall and handso>2e and had dash
ing air, which though a little non
chalent from his Southern and Yves
tern training, rendered him immense
ly popular.
He was doomed to bitter disappoint-
ment, however. A sorrow awaited
him which overcast the rest Of his life,
and Indirectly led to his tragic fate
Immediately upon reaching Washing
ton he went to the convent in quest of
the object of his love, but he was in
formed that the young lady was not
there. The Sister Superior told him
that they had received letters address
ed to Miss Ord, but that they had not
seen her. The young man was rem
dered almost wild with anxiety; he
was involved III a mystery which he
could not explain. He searched in
every direction, and wrote letters,
but to no avail. After few months
spent restlessly in this city, he went
back to Texas, carrying with him a
| likeness of his lost betrothed Ga very
beautiful young LADY,, and which he
probably never parted with during his
life.
In Texas his search ended. Miss
Ord was there, but he found her at
the marriage alter. She became the,
bride Of the Mexican General Trevino
and her discarded lover lost all desire
| to live.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01
CATTLE INSPECTION.
Long-Needed Reform, at the stock
Yards Now i'm Operation.
Chicago Tribune

Until within the last few months
Chicago has had no system of live
stock inspection. In all food animals
snlpped to this market. no matter
what their condition, there was unre-
stIcted traffic. Cholera hogs, sheen
suffering from foot-rot and the scab.
ana cattle with cancerous sores or i'm
the last stages of spienic-fever were
openly bought and sold at the Stock
Yards. 1t would be unfair to assume
that all or a majority of the local
butchers, were guilty of the rascallv
practice OF offering as food the carcaS-
ses OF diseased animals, but it is be-
You'd dispute that there were some
who had no scruples in the matter
and 1t is known that hundreds of
beasts, which disease had rendered
wholly unfit for human food, have
annually found their way into the
stalls of the local retailers. to the
serious impairment of the public
health and the impeachment of life.
The extent to which the nefarious
traffic has been carried on appears
from the record in the Health Office.
which show that since Sept. / there
have been condemned and sent to the
rendering establishments no less than
eighty-five head of cattle. At present
two Inspectors are located at the
k-Yards, and vigorous war on
the traffic is being waged The in
spection is rigid, and for the first time
IN the history of the city the consum-
er may feel a reasonable assurance
that when he places an order with his
butcher, he will not be served with a
steak from a cancerous COW, or a
roast from cholera pig. The reform
was not accomplished without serious
opposition. The country shippers
and few of the less reputable com
mission men, have cried aloud against
what they are pleased to term the
arbitrary confscation of private pro
perty, while the disputable gang of
seal pers and butchers, who have
grown rich and insoIent in the beast
ly traffic, are ready to weep that a
business which for the last quarter of
a century they have followed with
immense profits and without molesta-
should now be so summariiy set down
upon. The reform was slow. to come,
but let it be hoped that it has come to
remain.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01
The want of "a reliable Dfurettc

Which, while acting as stimulant Of the kidneys.
neither eXciteS nor irrtates them, was long since
supplied by HOstetters Stomach Bitters. This
fine medicine eXertS the requisite degree of slim
ulatiOn npOn these organs without producing ir-
rtatiOn, and is, therefore far better adapted for
the purpose than mmedicated eXcitants often re-
sorted to. When we consider that the kidneys
and bladder share in Importance with the bowels.
as the sluces or outlets for the refuse matter of
the system, TIE necessity of sustaining their
t.vity becomes apparent. The kidneys act pu-
rifierS of the blood and when their functions are
interfered with through weakness, they need ton
ing. They become BEAUTIFULLY active by the use
of the Bitters when falling short of relief from
other sources. This superb stimulating tonic also
prevents and arrests fever and ague, constipation
liver complaint, dyspepsia, rheumatism and other
ailments Use it with regularity.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

GEN. HEsNEY, of the Chinese army,
a native of the Island of Jersey, Is
authority for the statement that the
Black Flags who are fighting against
the French in Tonquin are subsidized
by the Chinese Government; also,
that they are in the habit of eating the
bodies of those Frenchmen who fall
into their hands, as they believe that
the flesh of ferocious men makes them
brave. Gen. Hesney does not appear
to be overloyal to the Power ia whose
service he Is.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

THE steady progress of Mexico is
worthy of remark. Telegraph and
railroad lines are being rapidly con-
structed, and revolutionary squabbles
are falling into disrepute.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

hind the junior counsel's seat. He
was the object of much attention on
the part of spectators. Luxuries and
food of the best kind are daily sent to
ODonneu from tavern adjacent to
the prison. Mcinery, an Irish lawyer,
is coming to London to assist IN the
defense of O'Donnell.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

THOMAS COATS ST., one of the orig
inal members of the well known firm
of Scotch thread manufacturers, is
dead. He was noted for his philan-
thropy, and one of his notable gifts
was large and beautifully decorated
public park to his native town, Paisley.
In 1880 he visited this country for his
health
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

SPRINGFIELD, PRINCE GEORGES Co.,
MD.-Mr Chas. G.. Addison, of the above
place states: II sprained my right knee
causing intense suffering. and the use of
crutches for several weeks. found no
relief in other remedies and finally tried
the miracle of cure, st. Jacobs Oil In a
short time [ could bend my knee-which
had been as stiff as an iron rod-laying
aside my crutches and was able to walk
as well as ever"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

THE Chinese laborers employed on
the Canadian Pacific Road are being
smuggled into the United States from
British Columbia by twenties and
thirties The people of Oregon and
Washington Territory ask for greater
vigilance on the part of the custom
authorities to prevent a continuance
of this.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

On the 9th of November Governors
will be elected in Massachusetts,, Mary
land, Minnesota, and New Jersey.
Elections will also occur on the same
day in Connecticut, Mississippi Ne
braska, New York, Pennsylvania and
virginia.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

COMPETENT authorities estimate
that the net foreign immigration to
the United States for the four years
ending June 80, 1884, will be in the
neighborhood of $500, OOO-enough to
constitute a small nation.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

THE New-HampShire law prohibit
ing the sale of toy pistols provides a
penalty Of from $40 to $50, and makes
the dealer liable for all damages re
sulting from selling or giving away
such pistols,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

THERE is report at Quebec of the
discovery of a plot to assassinate Lord
Lansdowne, the new Governor Gen
eral of Canada, who took the oath of
office there Monday.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

A PHILADELPHIA railroad clerk sue
ceeded in saving $50 a month out of a
salary of $50. There is evidently a
great future in store for that young
man
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

Ex-GOv. BOUTWELL, has given up
his law office in Boston, and will here
after live at Washington. He gsts a
salary of about $4,000 a year as
counsel for the United States before
the French-American Claims Com
mission, and can make perhaps much
more outside.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

GENERAL MILES, of the regular army,
had a chiIdless Boston uncle worth
81, 700, 600, but refused to resign his
commission, and was left only S., 600
by his crusty relative. After law
suit the General obtained $1,000.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

THE wife Of Mr.. J. Russell Young,
the United States Minister to China,
died in Paris Monday morning. She
was a niece Of the late Governor Mar
shall Jewell, of Connecticut.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

THERE are at present 1921, 755, 324
of coin and Of paper currency in cir
cuIation in this country. OF this huge
amount $7O7, O16, 584 is in greenbacks
and national bank notes.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

AT San Francisco, on Saturday,
Miss Hills suit against ex-United
States Senator William Sharon, of
Nevada, was dismissed
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

Two famous observation-disclosures
Arnold, the author, and Henry Irving,
the tragedian-have arrived at New
York.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

THERE is a warlil1e state of affairs at
Oswego, N. Y, between striking
lumber workers and force of Cana
dian 1aborers recently brought in.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

THE treaty of peace between Chill
and Peru has at last been signed and
consummated. The chief feature of
this peace is the big piece of Peru that
Chill gets.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

An Ohio man published card deny
ing the accusation that he is tenn
perance man. People have very little
to do to cast such slurs upon an Ohio
man.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

News has been received at Hartford
from Paris, that the wife of United
States Minister John Russell Young,
now in China, is rapidly failing, and
can live but few days The was a
Miss Coleman, a niece Of the late
Governor Mashall Jewell, of Connec-
ticut.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

JOHN Young, son of old Brigham,
is a good speaker, and ranks as chief
dude of the Mormon Church.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

ORDERS are said to have been sent to
Fort Totten to drive the Cree Indians
and renegades across the internation-
al line.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

A little girl being asked by her
grandfather where cotton grew, her
piled with the greatest simplicity. re
old gentlemen'S ears "In
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01
GENERAL NOTES.

A VEIN of coal has been found eighty
feet below the surface at Manning, Iowa,
considerable westward of the supposed
limit
AT the national horse-shOw in New
York, an engine company harnessed it's
team and made ready for a fire in 81
seconds.
j JUDGE CARLTON, of the Utah commits
sion, feels positive that polygamy is de-
creasing, and that only One-fifth of the
males ever practice it.
M. M. KITTLEMAN, of Michigan, de-
feated William Martin in a foot-race, of
one hundred yards, at Portland, Oregon,
for $4,000, making the distance in nine
and three-quarters seconds
GOVERNOR BUTLER got the attorney
general of Massachusetts to decide that
a woman was not legally person, and
then removed Mrs. Clara I. Seward
from the state board of health and lun-
acy.
IDA KENT, a Michigan City girl, mys-
tesiously disappeared last Friday, and
sympathizing friends have since hunted
over the entire region in the hope of
finding her.
A COMPANY Of leading citizens Of Far
go, Dakota, have filed a mining camp
of two hundred acres on the town site
Of Lisbon, and subscribed 100000 to
work it. In all that region nothing
but the gold discoveries is talked about
AN insurance company of Milwaukee
has been defeated in its attempt to evade
the payment Of 100000 and interest on
| the life Of E. G.. Comstock, of Muske-
gon, because of habitu2i drunkenness.
/ The officials in the postOtfice depart
ment at Ottawa, Ontario, have for two
weeks been kept busy returning regis
| tered letters addressed to a Louisiana
! lottery, which the American authorities
refused to receive.
THE Society of the Army of the Cum
| berIand met Wednesday in Cincinnati,
with General Sheridan in the chair.
Generals Rosecrans, Logan, Newton,
and Fullerton were among those pres
ent.
Most of the Cinnamon arriving at
San Francisco of late have traders certi-
ficates issued by the imperial govern
ment although it is evident that they
are only Iaborers. Some lads of s years
brought students papers, and could not
be excluded.
IDA KENT. whose disappearance from
Michigan City aroused the people to
search, was brought back from Porter
Station by apoliceman. She states that
she was decoyed from the school-room
to a wagon, chloroformed, covered with
a buffalorobe, and driven into the woods
where she was tied to a tree and left un-
til farmer released her. The yarn is a
good one for girl of 10.
A lady said her husband will sit on
a barb-wire fence all the afternoon to
see a game of ball and never move q
muscle, but when he goes to church
he can't sit in a cushioned pew fifteen
minutes without wiggling all over
the seat, and changing his position
forty times, -Peck's San. It might
be different if the preacher would
make an occasional hit-Detroil
Christian Herald. Or if the cheil
would keep the score correctly when
they make run.-Baltimore EUerg
] SATURDAY..
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-01

An Effective medicine for kidney diseases, low
few erS and nervous prOStratiOn, and well worthy
of a trial is Browns Iron Bittersi
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-06-06
BROWNSVILLE.

The Henry Rogers Post of the Grand
Army of the Republic observed Memorial
Day last Wednesday, with appropriate
exercises. In the forenoon the old soldiers,
with their friends, went to the cemetery
and placed flowers on the graves of their
deceased comrades, and then hung wrcaths
upon cross, prepared for the purpose,
in memory of the absent dead. Any one
was allowed to provide and hang wreath
upon this cross in memory of their friends.
Miss Kate Wilcox availed herself of this
privilege and sent wreath in memory Of
her brother, Adiel Wilcox, of this county,
who was member of Co. ''C'', 9th Min
nesota Regiment, and was shot on the
battle field at Nashville, Tenn, Dec. 10th,
1864. In the afternoon the old soldiers
assembled at the call of the fife and drum
and marched to the church, where Rev.
E. r. Lathrop delivered an interesting
address, suitable to the occasion. The
address was we'll received by the veterans
and their friends, and at several points
the audience broke out in applause. The
address was declared the best ever deliv-
cred on similar occasion in Brownsville.
No accidents occurred to mar the proceed
ings, and the day, though cool, was with
out rain. and all passed off satisfactorily.