davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-03
The Pencil Thief.

There is no meaner thief than the
lead-pencil thief. He takes rank be-
low the umbrella snatcher. He never
has a pencil, in sight. He asks for
yours, 'siust q minute" to sign tele-
graph book, address a card, and then
with business-like air sticks it into
his pocket, knowing that nine times
out of ten you will never think of the
pencil until you want to use ityourself,
and then he will be far away, playing
his game on some one else. They are
shameless fellows, proud of their petty
thieving. They throw back their coats
to show you the spoils nesting in q
in a vest pocket, and they tell you
from whom they stole each pencil. We
lost the last pencil we had in this world,
not ten minutes ago, by 'the hands of
q pencil thief. A man who makes a
business 0: stealing pencils ought to
be burned at the stake, boiled in oil.
beheaded at the block, hung, drawn
and quartered, and buried without be-
netit of clergy, at the solemn hour of
midnight, in the dark of the moon, at
lonely place in an awful forest where
two roads meet, with q lead pencil
LnruSI InrOuSn MS neaft. Here we are,
robbed by q soulless villain, not q lead
pencil to our back, and it may be half
a day before we meet man from
whose confding hands we can lift a
pencil to make good the one we lost.
We played poor old Professor Sayitslow
for that one; he is so absent-minded
anybody can get away with his lead
pencil, but, then, he's out of town.
The stars in their courses seem to be
fighting against us to-day. A plague
on all pencil thieves, still we say
R2LrLilnkO1a HnzrkR2Le
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-03

There is a story current of quarter
master at frontier reservation post
who after many fruitless applications
for additional food for the Indians at
the agency, at last put in requisition
for Calling gun. The commanding
officer forwarded the application with
this endorsements: ''In my opinion the
Indians at this agency are starving to
death, and recommend that Calling
gun be sent to compel them to starve
peaceable." The gun was sent, so the
story goes, and the Indians are now
starving quietly.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-03
Ship Atlantic wrecked. Observation-Disclosures. 10
Steamer State of Florida. 135

DHIp ACIaHIlC WrtCkeU. 10
Steamer State of Florida. 135
Total. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS s., 154
Here, then, it is shown that the pres
ent year has witnessed considerably
larger sacrifice of human life through
calamities of various sorts than did
1883, which stands as an d7andS hoYrabilts
in the history of calamities. 1t is not
likely, in the nature of things. that we
shall have a repetition of last years
earthquake and volcanic experience to
add abnormal proportions to the list of
deaths by disaster, but from present
appearances 1884, aside from these I'M
usual features, is likely to be quite as
terrible as last year, if not more So
IrOu Times.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-03

Grand Trunk collision. Observation-Disclosures. 81
Bellyilie, HIS, convent. :. 20
Steamer Hwai-Yuem, China. 207
Gamont colliery. Wales. IL
Steamer City of Columbus. Observation-Disclosures. lOI
Crested Butte mine disaster. 60
Gales in England and France. %
Rhondda Valley colliery, Wales. .......... IA
Gloucester fishing vessels. II
Steamer Rhywabous, Cardiff. ........... IL
Wreck OF Corunna. Spain. 10
MaSsacred Christians, TonQuin............ 800
Drowned near Domrad, Austria. .......... S.
Caspian fishermen drowned .......... 80
Ohio flood victims. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. "a
Southern cyclones. Observation-Disclosures. 400
West Leisenring colliery, Penn.......... 10
Boiler explosion near Hong Kong...... II
Railroad collision near Paris, IIl..... Is
Mine disaster, Sonora, Mexico 20
Pocahontas mine, Virginia. ............... 154
Gloucester fishermen. Observation-Disclosures. -. II
Steamer Daniel Steinmann. .............. 120
Running of steamer Rebecca.. 5000. 20
Gazing tunnel. Zacatecas, Mexico...... 40
Circus at Bucharest. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 100
Cindad Real disaster, Spain. .........-..... 80
Collision off Newfoundland. ............... II
Powder explosion, HAVANA. ............... n
Poor house, Hartford. Mich. ............... Id
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-03

Ihere were hundreds OF other fatali-
ties, in which the loss of life ranged
downwards from twenty, but it would
be impracticable to keep list of them.
The Times has, however, kept a cnro-
biological record that includes all fatali-
ties where the loss of life was ten and
upward Adding the number of deaths
caused by these and not included in the
greater casualties above cited, 152, the
total of recorded fatalities for the four
months, or one-third of 1888, was /, $50.
This would no doubt be larger by 10 or
Is per cent, as would also be the ex-
hibit of 1884, were it possible to keep
track of all the minor accidents by
which individual lives were lost.
Turning to the record of 1884, we
have jotted down in the following table
of casualties showing the loss of life for
January, February, March and April,
all accidents and disasters involving q
loss of ten lives or upwards:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-03
GREAT CALANITIES.
The Record for the First Four Months
Of 1888 and 1884.

Last year was remarkable for the
NUMBER, frequency, and appalling re-
suits OF It's great calamities. These be-
gin with the beginning of the twelve
month, and January, 1883, is memora-
bic on account of the rapidity with
which disasters attended by terrible
loss of life and other horrifying fea-
lures succeeded each other. The re-
cord for the whole year, including only
such casualties as involved q loss of
twenty human lives and upwards, pre-
sented total of los, 605-a great many
OF victims to natures malefic power,
for they persisted in every conceivable
way-by shipwrecks, flood and cyclone,
in the torment of flames, the agony of
railroad disasters, the unknown ter
rors of mine disasters, and by the
swifter and by comparison merciful
powder explosions. It must be borne
in mind, however, that the total was
swollen to its exceptional dimensions
by two uncommon catastrophes. The
earthquakes in Casamicciola carried off
5000 victims; while the Java volcanic
eruptions swept 100000 human beings
from the earth.
What the present year has in store
for us can be matter of only fruitless
conjecture, but a comparison of the
fatalities of 1884 for the four months
ending with April will probably sur
prise great many persons by showing
that the number of lives lost by disas-
ter this year thus far exceeds the total
for the same period in 1888, which was
regarded as especially destructive to
humanity. Up to May l, 1888, the re-
cord of disasters, including only such
as caused loss of twenty lives or more
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-03

A pile of ], coo, 90 81 BIS we'd be
fortv-tive feet high. -.--
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-21
THE MASSACHUSETTS, BOLT.

Last week we made reference TO the bolt
of the Blaine nomination in Massachusetts
by the Republican Reform Club The
bolt was supplemented last Saturday by a
similar movement on the part of the an.
dependents" A few prominent leaders
sent canvassers among the business men,
and in a short time over 1900 men who
voted for Garfield In 1880 signed call
which set forth that the nominations just
made at Chicago ought not 10 be supported
in any contingency that now seems likely
to arise" The signers included such men
as Henry L. Pierce, who was almost nomi
mated by the Republicans for Governor last
year; Charles r. Goldman, one of the most
pronounced Republicans b the state
President Eliot of Harvard College; the
Rev. Dr. James Freeman Clarke, the well
known anti. Butler clergyman; the Rev. DR.,
Rufus Ellis, leader of the Unitarian de.
nomination; Samuel Hoar, of the Hoar
family; Thomas Bailey Aldrich, the poet;
Edward Atkinson, TO whom many sensible
Republicans wanted TO give George FRS
bic Hoar's place In the Senate last year !;
such financial giants as William T. Endi-
colt, Jr., Henry Lee, Henry L. Higginson,
Nathaniel J. Bradlee, Francis G.. Peabody,
and Charles c. Perkins; and such prom
nent private citizens as Moorfield Story,
John G. Dodge, Phineas Pierce, William
Everett Ezra Farnsworth, Martin Brim-
mer and Avery Plummer.
The meeting thus called was attended
by about 600 of the signers-the hall not
holding any more-and organized by plac-
ing Col Goldman in the chair. The gen.
eral expression of the speakers and the
resolutions adopted favored the support of
the Democratic nominee for President
provided he be such man as Cleveland or
Bayard otherwise TO get out an indepen-
dent candidate. As Col Goldman said;
If the Democratic party want our votes
they know how they are TO be obtained.
If they do not, we know how TO withhold
them. II may be our duty to stand up and
be counted as an Independent party
[Great applause. know that third par
ties are apt TO be short lived, but sometimes
before they die they do great things.
An executive committee of 100 was ap
pointed to confer with Independents in
other states as 10 future steps 10 be taken
in the movement
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-21
Obituary.
CHARLES HOLMES HOOK
Adjourned

CHARLES HOLMES HOOK.
The death of Charles H. Hook, Esq, took
place in this city on last Wednesday evening,
after an illness of some weeks. The follow
ing sketch of his life, from facts furnished by
one of his intimate friends, is from the Times!
Charles Holmes Hook, Esq, was born on
the 9Th day of February, 1884, in the city
of Uniontown, Penn, the eldest son and
child of Peter Uriah Hook and Elizabeth
Harmon Hook, both now deceased.
He died at his residence on Illinois avenue
in this city on Tuesday evening, at $40
O. clock. of congestion of the brain, after an
illness continuing throughout four weeks.
His parents were among the early resi-
dents of Uniontown, where his father was
prominent in commercial and political circles
"a man of liberal education, ready wit and
engaging manners.
At the age of II he entered the Madison
college, n Methodist Protestant institution at
Uniontown, graduating at the age OF Il with
high honor, being especially brilliant IN
Latin Greek and prose composition.
Immediately after his graduation he went
into the law Office of Col. S. D. Oliphant, the
leading member of the bar Of that city ana
a prominent politician of his day, where he
remained a student at law during the sue
ceeding nine months. -,
During the winter of 1856 his father, while
in attendance upon the Legislature of Penn
sylvania at Harrisburg as member OF the
lower house, became acquainted with the
Hon. o. C. Gray, of this city, then spending
a short while at the Pennsylvania capital,
to whom he mentioned his desire TO have
his son find employment in some Western
city. a.
Shortly after Mr.. Gray's return to Qua.
wa. Mr.. John F. Nash, at present cashier OF
the First National bank, but at that time
clerk of the Circuit Court of this county ana
ca otfcio recorder. requested Mr.. Gray 10
recommend some young man to HIM as
competent deputy Mr.. Hook was recon
mended and written to. He reached ottawa
in April 1857, and at once entered upon the
duties of his position. When MIR. Nash was
succeeded by A. B. Moore, Mr.. Hook was
retained as deputy, having complete charge
of the office during the period OF Mr.
Moore's absence in the war.
At the expiration of Moores ONCE term
Mr. Herman Silver was elected as his sue
cessor. Mr.. Hook had made himself snen
an invaluable part of the Office that he could
not be dispensed with, and so was again re-
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-21
Galloway P. o.

The new postoffice of Galloway, recent
" established on the Vermillion river, was
formally opened to the public on Saturday
last, with A. Elliott as postmaster, Mails
are received daily from Farm Ridge.
Saturday evening a very interesting fes-
tival was held at the residence of the
postmaster, for the benefit of the Sunday
school. The receipts were $50-pretty
good for beginning, Two brass bands
the Tonica and Farm Ridge, were in at
tendance.
John Briggs and William Meyers are
each building new and substantial barns
on their farms Several other minor i'm
provements are also in progress in this vi
cinity.
Corn blowing for the second time Is
nearly finished, and an occasional piece has
been plowed third time and laid by.
Crops generally are in fine condition.
There should be several copies of the
FREE TRADER sent to this office
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-21
From Mendoza.

MENDOZA, June 16.-The aldermen OF our
city are busily engaged with the water
works. The pipes will soon be laid. This
is great Improvement for our city. The
electric lights are another improvement. BY
the 4th our city viii be ready for good
time, and all will be disappointed if we don I
have one of the grandest times that Mendoza
has ever witnessed.
We noticed a large train on the central
this morning. filed with the boys in blue
The bows. as usual, we're lively.
The ladies' aid society of the Presbyterian
church had most delightful time at its
lawn soc;able at the Hoffman house last
Thursday evening. The grounds were awe
with happy folks chatting and promenading
The ladies netted $40.
Mr. Highbee is at home at present
Rev. W. II. Smith, formerly resident Of
our city, now pastor of the NJ. E. church at
Rockford, stopped with Mendoza friends on
his return from St. Louis.
Last Monday evening the friends OF Gas
per Fischer gave him a surprise. OF course
thew had a splendid time.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-21

tanned as head deputy, position he held
until the republican convention, which met
in 1868 nominated him as its candidate for
the Office in which he so long acted as q
deputy. In November he was elected by the
suffrage of his fellow citizens by very large
majority. So satisfactorily did he discharge
the duties of clerk Of the court that in the
next republican convention there was no
opposition TO his nomination, and practically
none at the polls on the day of election,
| His term of Office expired in 1876, from
which time, until his last illness, he was
employed in the recorders Office his skill as
penman and his great familiarity with the
records Of the county making him great
aid in the proper restoration of the burned
records.
! On the 3lst day of October, 1861, Mr..
| Hook was married, the Rev. NJ X. White.
sey, then pastor of the Congregational
church, performing the ceremony, to Miss
Anna Schemerhorn, daughter of DR.. and
Mrs. Schemerhorn, old residents Of this
city.
As . result of this union are four children,
three boys and one girl, Charles, Arthur,
Lee and Virginia Hook, all of whom, with
the mother, are still living at the family
home.
OF Mr.. Hooks three brothers and two
sisters, two brothers and one sister survive
him, one brother residing at Grand Ridge,
in this county; another in Colorado, and
the sister at his early home in Uuiontown.
Few men have had a warmer place in the
affections Of the people of La Sale County
than Chss. II. Hook. His rare talent and
marked ability and high honor as county
officer, coupled with generosity as wide as
a church door, and neverfaling flood of
kindly good nature won him n place in the
friendship of all who knew him, while his
pquant wit, and fine literary turn of mind
combined with perfection of companionable-
ness endeared him to all those choice spirits
and brilliant men who during the past 20 OF
so years have adorned Ottawa society and the
Ottawa bar. His popularity as public Off.
Ger was unbounded. Everybody who entered
the court house knew him, and never entered
it without wanting to see him. He had his
faults and his weaknesses No man is with.
out them Yet so much greater were his eX.
celences that they overshadowed all else and
his friends will ever remember him as one of
the choice spirits of earth whose place cannot
he rpfilpd
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-21
DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTIONS.

Since the letter of Mr. Tilden, declining
to be candidate for the presidency, has
been made public, the Democratic State
Conventions, as rapidly as held, with scarce
Nv an execution. are pronouncing in favor OF
the nomination Of Gov. Cleveland, of Ne"
York.
The New York Democratic State Conven-
ton was held at Saratoga on Wednesday
and while the convention was at least two to
one in favor of Cleveland, it was yet deemed
best TO pursue such course "a should har-
monte all the factions, while substantially
attaining the main object in view. Thus
Tammany Hall, Of which John Kelly is king,
and which threatened to kick up row un-
/ less allowed an equal voice in the conven-
ton with the other wing OF the party in New
York city known as the County Democracy,
was pacifed by being allowed all the dele
gates it claimed and to pacify the friends
of Mr. Flower who was running an absurd
tilt against Gov Cleveland for the support
Of New York in the Chicago convention, was
allowed the delegates Of all the districts that
had declared in his favor Thus all the fac
tons were harmonized, and yet, as at least
GO Of the ~ delegates appointed are Cleve-
land men, the whole state was given to Cleye-
land by the adoption of resolution instruct
ing the delegates at Chicago to vote as unit
in accordance with the will Of the majority
on all questions coming before the conven-
ton. New York is therefore TO be counted
as unanimous for Cleveland.
The democrats Of Maine held their State
convention on Tuesday, $50 delegates being
present, and feeling Of strong confidence
in success pervading the body. John B.
Redman was nominated for governor, and
the delegates to the Chicago convention were
instructed to vote as unit for the nomin-
alton Of Grover Cleveland as the democratic
candidate for president.
The Michigan Democratic State convention
was held on Wednesday, and though the
delegates appointed to the Chicago conven-
ton were left without instructions, ii is well
understood that they are all strongly for
Cleveland.
The democrats Of Colorado met in State
convention at Denver on Wednesday, and
instructed the delegates to
Chicago to vote as a unit for Cleveland. The
delegation is headed by Gov. Grant as dele
gate al large.
The Louisiana State convention, on the
same day, instructed its delegates to Chicago
to vote for Tilden, if there was any use in
doing so, otherwise to use their own dscre-
tion though the delegates are understood to
favor Cleveland as their second choice,
The Tennessee delegates alone, appointed
on the same day, were sent without instruc-
tons, and are understood, with the Kentucky
delegates, to be in favor Of Bayard
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-21

the House, at Washington, on Tuesday
passed the bill to prohibit the importation
ana migration to this country of foreigners
under contract to perform labor The sys-
tenn of such labor importation was pet
one with the manufacturing lords Of Penn,
sylvania and New England, who, though
clamorous for protection against competi.
ton of foreign manufacturers, always in
sisted on free trade in labor. The Demo
Gratis, by mercilessly exposing the incon.
sistency and injustice of the system, have
shamed the Republicans into acknowledge
ing ii in some of their party conventions,
but their honesty will now be put TO the
test Of passing the bill by the Republican
L. s. senate
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-21

The Prohibitionists of Illinois held q
state convention at Bloomington on We'd.
nesday and placed the following state tick.
et in nomination: For Governor, j. b
Hobbs, of Chicago; Attorney General
Hale johnson, of Jasper; State Treasurer
Uriah Copp; Auditor, A. B. Irwin, of San.
canon; Secretary Of State, c, W, Enos, OF
Jersey.
A National Convention Of the Prohibi.
tionists, under the name Of "The Ameri.
can Party" is now in session at Chicago
20 nominate presidential ticket
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-21

State convention on Wednesday, and tina, is
probably the last we shall hear Of Kelly :
bolt, though Cleveland should be nominated
At Chicago. Yet should Kelly carry his op'
position to Cleveland and his threats 10 Chi
cage, it is not likely the convention will be
greatly frightened by them or give them the
least attention. 1t will be remembered that
Kelly attended the ST. Louis convention that
nominated Tilden eight years ago and there
entered a solemn and emphatic protest
against the nomination of Tilden, threaten
ing pell nell bolt by Tammany and the
overwhelming defeat Of Tilden in the state.
But the convention paid no heed TO him, and
the result showed that Kelly was merely
GLOWING Tammany dared not bolt, and
Tilden carried the state by a large maj ority.
The Chicago convention next month will re-
call that fact and laugh at Kelly's threats,
should he repeat them.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-21

BLAINE's WAR RECoRp.-At the meeting
of the Republican Boilers in Boston last
week the Hon. E. F. Pillsbury, a next door
neighbor of James G. Blaine and who said
he was acquainted with his history to the
last detail, gave the following as his war
record:
lie was the first TO be drafted in his dis
trict, but prior TO that an organization had
been effected in Augusta TO protect men
against the draft, each member paying S25
TO the fund to hire substitute if drafted.
Mr.. Blaine, out of that fund, hired n substi-
tute named Bradford. A soft place was
found for the man TO remain at the post in
Augusta instead Of going to the front. After
a while he was detected in selling for money
certain certificates, and he was put in Jail
until the close Of the war. That constituted
Mr. Blaine's service in the field. Loud
laughter. After the war had closed the
men who had been drawn claimed that the
towns and cities should pay the expenses
they had been put to, and Augusta gener-
ously voted to pay these men the money they
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-21

The L. S. Senate Committee on Foreign
Affairs was taken by surprise, week ago,
on the receipt of a note from Secretary
Frelinghuysen asking for special appro-
priation Of S2j0000 10 the secret service
fund. As the usual appropriation per an
mum TO that fund seldom exceeds $4,000,
this extraordinary request threw the senate
into a flutter, and several secret sessions
were held over 1t, resulting in an agree
ment on the part of the senate 10 vote the
appropriation without letting the country
know what il was about The House, how
ever, must also agree TO the appropriation,
and as no secret sessions are held there, the
object of II had TO be divulged; and il
turns out TO be, In brief, 10 buy from the
present owners of the Nicaraguan Canal
the concession of their rights and obtain
he renewal of the same by treaty. II is
understood that the De Lesseps people are
watching for the expiration of the Nicar
aguan concession In October next, for the
purpose of gobbling II up and preventing
he United States or any private company
getting in and constructing canal II /.
alleged that they have already captured the
Eads scheme by some means, and if they
can scoop in the Nicsraguan they viii thus
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-21

had paid for substitutes, and Mr. Blaine got
his bond for $500. But that is not the end.
Afterwards resolution was put before the
common council of Augusta to pay Blaine
500. the amount he had paid for a substi-
tute, and it was voted and passed, and he
was paid. That you can rely on as being a
true story.