davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1884-06-21
NEGRO SUPERSTITION.
Plantation Signs and omenS Mainly
OF American Origin.
Beasts of the Field and Birds Of
the Air---Jaek o. Lanterns
and Other Queer Night
P-henomena-
Washington Republican,
afTia a hiatory

~ hsulnDbOu GAtpupLLCdu-
l @rTis a history sa-
Handed from ages adown: a n%nrse's tale
Which children open eyed and mouth'd do
your: T' f.- lH'
And thus as garrulous Ignorance relateS.
We learn it aud believe"
Negro superstition is almost purely of
american origin. Much Of ituwas invented
in the cotton fields OF the south, around the
blazing hearth fire Of the old log cabin, or
In the boys and swainps, where slaves wero
assembled together at work or pastime. The
negroes were not alone in these beliefs, for
the poor whites of the south eagerly be-
1eved in signs, forebodings and dreams, and
do to this day, In common with a large ma
jority of the colored people. From these
plantation superstitions a class Of ~humbugs
sprang up. known as youdoo doctors and
conjurors. who hold the ignorant In dread Of
their mysterious. arts, aud against whose
practice laws have been passed in several of
the southern states.
The Growing of a hen at midnight isla sure
sign of death. II a rooster retires to his
roost with a hoarse voice and crows in an
unusual manner it is regarded 4 as the voice OF
5 hen, and IL any one about tho place is sick
preparations are frequently made for his
funeral. II a luckless nen should at any time
make an attempt at drowning her head is IN
SANITY cut off to prevent the death of some
person. In connection with this class of uni
versal birds the negroes recits the followip
couplet:
"De whistlin' woman an de CROWN hen
Nehber Gums to emmy good end.' -gH.l
Frogs, and particularly toads, play an i'm
portant partin southern superstitions. The
hearts OF ten toads made into a stew, will
cause the effects Of COMPUTATION. The hind
legs hung over the fireplace one week before
Christmas will bring plenty OF food and pres
ents, and the large eye-balls of a water frog
or @blood noun,' as they are called, worn as
a breast-pin. will keep his Satanic majesty at
a respectful distance from tho wearer.
The weird jack o. lanterns which bob up in
the boys of the south during dark nights are
regarded as ghostly apparitions, and indicate
the presence Of white sheeted spooks. The
average plantation negro or white will dash
wildly toward home on the appearance Of a
jack o. lantern before him. Inieed. it is a
very difficult matter to get one Of the above
CLASSES out of doors after sunset under any
circumstances
The first appearance of frost Is anxiously
looked for and its pretty formation eagerly
scanned. The glistening pictures must be
observed when the sun rises The silver
pictures thus seen in the irst frost of the
season are regarted as Illustrations of your
fate. A coffin means death; flowers, a we'd
ding; money, riches; birds, long life, and
stars, sickness. - -#. .Eta 4s.
The approach OF a coon or 'possum coming
toward your house in the daytime is a very
had omen. The corn-field bard says of this
rare occurrence: At
@When de coon cumes out
In de broad daylight,
, 1884-06-21

The John +. Reynolds Post held n
meeting nt their headquarters in the Ma
sonic Hall last evening and several new
members were received into the organiza-
ton. The post will turn out nearly one
hundred strong on The Fourth, if nothing
happens.
, 1884-06-21

Enis Keeps the boss soda water.
, 1884-06-21

BAIRD & Campbell Sr c. B.GR and \ C. cA P%mEa f At
enne, Wyoming Rooms Nc. and TO- second floor, Stebbins & Post S bank biloxi
Land and mining business auepdedto .sa-.' DN
, 1884-06-21

G. A. ,D'HEMEC0URT SY Land A Sa2ye2 @IEI 5n7,5 HSe sIS5I-5
ETC. made for all engineering work: The surveying and constructing IF irgaing
a specially. Drawings of all kinds exeuted. Room G, Phoenix Block, p
, 1884-06-21

AND RESTAURANT, New and nice,
Elegant rooms, splendid table, Every thing
Wyoming, opposite +. L. Warren & Go.
, 1884-06-21

Low shoes In any style 1t Polhck's.
, 1884-06-21

Successor to DIR. Gray. Offices ov
Drug Store, corner Sixteenth and Eddy,
I'm the office day or night. United States
one No. 80.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03

lections. One was raised by Mr..
Norton. the keeper of the poor house,
and it was beauty. 1t conclusively
proves that the County's wards are
well taken care OF, and that the county
farm is in good hands. The other
was by Mrs. ]. Stewart, who made
over fifty separate entries, and re-
ceived several first premiums.
The grain exhibit was splendid in
all particulars. Corn was exceeding
ly good, there being some stalks
about fifteen feet high, and the ears
were we'll filed. Wheat was repre-
sented by seven or eight different
varieties, the Red Amber, the Fultz,
Michigan White, etc. Oats of SUI
perior quality were displayed, in
Guiding about dozen different kinds.
Barley and rye were also represented.
r. M. Cross, of Ovid, showed the
best collection of grain-forty-nine
ties,-twenty-seven kinds of
wheat, and twenty-five of oats, all of
were properly arranged and labeled.
The fruit exhibit was hardly up to
some previous years. and yet it was
in many respects excellent. The
grapes of N. B. Aiken were very fine.
Quite number of winter apples, a
few peaches, large number of pears
and ounces, by John Parsons, and
]. Newbury, completes the fruits.
Canned fruits, pickles, jellies,
creamery butter, and maple sugar
were also to be found in the Agri-
cultural Hall.
Robertson Bros, show of honey
attracted the attention ofmany. The
samples were good ones, and were
awarded first premium.
Never was such a show of potatoes
at county Fair. 1t is said fifty
bushels were shown.
The quality of the fruit shown was
equal to that of the State Fair.
The machinery men made a good
showing. The different kinds OF
machinery that were run on the
grounds drew the eye of many farm
ers and others interested.
Herbert Neff was assistant secre-
tary again this year.
Thos. Nelan proved one of the
best workers among the officers.
Jersey cattle seemed to attract the
attention of the crowd.
Candidates for county officers
seemed to use their time to good ad.
vantage.
The absence of the usual number
of catch-penny games was one D
the noticeable features of the fair.
Two young men were caught jump
ing the fence and were taken to the
Treasurer's office and made to buy
membership tickets.
"Four days for the fair hereafter
was the remark heard very often.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03
4 CARD FROM SECRETARY
WILLIAMS.
To ail whom it NAV concern:-

10 all whom 1t may concern:-
hereby submit classification of
entries made at the twentytifth Fair
Of the Shawassee County Agricul-
tural Society. No doubt very many
Of the articles entered could not be
brought on account of the rain the
second day, and Notwithstanding the
fair was extended one day it was i'm
possible to have that fact reach every
one who naturally supposed he was
shut out at IL NJ, of the second day.
DIVISION A.-HoRsEs-Roadsters and
Trotting Stock, rs; Grade 81; Farm
Teams, III; Carriage, 142; Draft, 60;
Speed 10; Total 531.
DIVISION B-CATTLE.-Shorthorn "a.
Aysrshircs. 1; Holsteins. 2, Jerseys, 0;
Grade, 81; Working, 10. Total II.
DIVISION C-SHEEP, SWINE AND PoUI-
TRY-American Merinos, 40; Unregistered,
So; Long Wool, IS; Grade 81. Total 1870.
DIVISION C-HoGs-Berkshire Is;
Poland China, 10; Chester White, 4;
Grade 6. Total 3S.
DIVISION C-Poultry, 81.
DIVISION D-FARM IMPLEMENTS, ETC.
W, DOOlS, kDllOtS, ClC., U,
Cabinet, IS; Domestic, SO. Total oil.
112; Needle Work, 160 Flowers, 30.
Total 303.
DIVISION Fruit. ITO; Bread, Butter
and Cheese, 81; Sugar, Honey, ETC., 60.
Total 800.
DIVISION G-MIscELLANEoUs-vege-
tables, 1862; Grain, etc., 1872. Total 554.
Sweepstakes, 10.
Whole Number of Entries, 1884.
Certainly one thing was demon
strated-and that was, the people
can have a fair If they want one; an
other was, that the accommodation
for stock is entirely inadequate for
the entries made this year; plenty Of
men desired to make entries of
horses, but there was no provision
for them, and they very modestly de.
clined to play the ethiopian" and
all could not use Loring's.
The people of Owosso have aided
literally and are interested in this
matter and they ought to unite with
this associatson in demanding that
the y. ID. p. A., do as they repre-
sented they would do, and let there
be no let-up by the members of that
association until men are put in Of
flee who will futher the interests of
both associations.
All parties having bills or accounts
against the association will pass
them in Immediately, that they may
go before the proper committee and
be audited. No bills will be paid
that are not so audited. The Board
will meet at the council room, Oct.
a, at 10 o'clock a. m, to audit pre-
MUM list aud hear protests.
Respectfully,
A. LEE WILLIAMS, SEC.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03
$4,000 IN PREMIUMS.
OVID UNION FAIR.

REMEMBER the dates of the
Ovid Union Fair, Oct. 7, s, 9, and 10
1884.
The success this society has gained
in its former exhibitions promises to
equal if not excel in the coming ones.
Several new and attractive features
have been added and all will be done
to make this meeting of Farmers,
Manufacturers, Mechanics, Stockmen
and all others all pleasant, and profit
able. Competition open to the
Counties of Clinton, Gratiot, Sagi-
nav, Shiawassee, Ionia, Genesee, and
Ingham.
For Speed Card, and Premium
List, address the Secretary,
E. B. VOORHEES,, Ovid.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03
CARRIAGE PAINT !!

We desire to call the attention Of
our readers to Worlds Lightning
Waterproof Liquid Finish. Only
paint used that one coat completes a
finish. 1t is proof against cold, heat
or water. Our goods are done up in
$I.oo and So 90 sizes, and we guar
antee one can of the SI.co size &c
paint your carriage TO complete fin
ish, and to give as good satisfaction
as painter who charges $500 OF
$500. Should you decide to buy
and give it trial, you will please
call at
STEVER BROS & WILLIAMS
where you can obtain it.
EARL & AUSTIN,
Western Agents,
Kalamazoo, Mich.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03
Rinqworm Humor and Salt heun'.

RAYNHANI, MASS, Aug. II, 1873.
G. I. HOOP g. Co.: Gentlemen
have had ringworm humor and salt.rheum
so badly that my body was covered win raw
had any number OF doctors in the last seven
years, and none of them could cure me. one
day my mother was in the city 81 Taunton,
and found one of your cook books, and IN
cures from the use Of your Sarsaparilla and
Olive Ointment. l ielt forced to try IL;
although had seen many things advertised
that never did me arg good. l have now
Sarsaparilla. and used three boxes OF ONT
ment. / now call myself cured. Nothing
can be seen OF the humor but the dim out
lines Of the sores. i shall take two more
bottles, and then the cure will be complete.
] am gratefully yours,
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03
FARM FOR SALE

A rare bargain. A first class grain farm.
consisting of 105 acres (6t miles south of
Owosso, and Al west of BancrofD, good
buildings and located in one OF the best
farming sections in Michigan. IS acres
under good state of cultivation; good els.
tern and never failing well, with wind
mill; fine apple and peach orchard. Will
be sold at low figure as the owner is en-
gagged in business in the west. For par
ticulars enquire on the premises or address
E. .. Place, box " Bancroft, Mich. 4m.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03
BiTousness, Sick Headache.
PTTTaFTKLD. MASS.

fITTSFIELD, MASS.
MEssRs. c. I. Hoop q Co.: Gents-Please
send me by express two bottles HOOPS SAR-
sAPARILLA and few Cook Books Tor dis,
tribution. Your preparation has worked
wonders In the case OF my wife, who has
iousness for years. She only took one-half
teaspoonful at dose, and has not been SO
well for 1--WE years as now. She found that
within week after taking II she felt very
much better, and Is now entirely free from
those severe headaches. She has not taken
any Of any account since last spring, and
what little she had Is lent to do some others
some good, and we must have 1t In the house.
Yours truly,
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03
,'NECTAR FOR THE GODS.

GARDEN FoRMOsA, ooLoNG TEA, 1854
CROP: The finest tea gro,cn IN tie 'oortd
Delicate leaf, rosy and aromatic, and while
sleeping filling the home with its sweet
scented fragrance: Nothing like it ever
before offered in Owosso. Come and try
it, and then buy a lob chest and be hap
py. For sale only by
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03

To anybody who has disease of throat
or lungs, we will send proof that Piso's
Cure for Consumption has cured tho same
complaints in other cases. Address,
Z. II. HAzELTINE, Warren, Pa.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03

Several pear trees near Flint are in
blossom.
Bedding churches have five cent
socials.
The wells are drying up in Oak
land county.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03
LIME IN BAKING POWDERS.

Prof r. A. ..Witthaus, M. D., Medical
University, Buffalo, N. Y, who is the
highest authority, says that Calcium
Tartrate Improperly called Tartrate OF
Lime), advertised as the lime found in
baking powders is derived from the wines
that produce Cream of Tarter. 1t is q
constituent of the grape and other fruits
and is absolutely harmless.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03

Neckwear specially at Rotb's,
Bank block, Anything in the latest
novelties you want in that line, call
on him.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03
BUSINESS NOTICES.

Forty dollars pays for full business
course in Parsons East Saginaw Business
College.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03
DUFF e. BANIsTER.

Oakside School, Owosso, Mich, board
ing and day school, Fall term opens
Sept. LIST. For particulars apply to Mrs.
l.. Z. Gould, Principal.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03

Parsons East Saginaw Business College
occupies the entire upper story Of Music
block, one of the finest blocks in the city.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03

The best business and professional men
send their sons and daughters to Parsons
East Saginaw Business College.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03
HOODS sARsAPARILLA

Is sold by all druggists. Price 81, or SIX
large bottles for s5.. Prepared only by G. L
HOOD q CO. Apothecaries. Lowell, Mass.
~ Use HOOPS ToorH-PowDER.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03

Just received at Rotn's, new
stock of the celebrated J. 3. Stetson
hats.
The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03
HooD's SARsApAR!LLA

Works through the blood, regulating, tonlng
and invigoratng all the functions Oh the
body.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-15
Measuring Their Time.
IRnstnn IIerald.l


When a visitor to the office OF the Ameri-
can Bank-Note Company sat down to talk
to Mr.. Lee, says the Bridgeport Standard,
that gentleman put piece OF white paper
under stamp, pounded on it, and laid the
paper aside. When the visitor arose to 90
away Mr.. Lee put the paper under the
stamp again, and pounded it once more.
"You talked eight minutes said he; "that
wasn't bad" He showed the piece OF paper
to the caller, who saw upon 1t two printed
clock dials. One showed the hands at four
minutes to O'Clock, the other showed them
at four minutes past O'Clock. ave keep
that stamp" he said, $50 that you shan't go
away and say yOn came here at ii O'Clock
in the morning, or that you had TO wait an
hour an half, or make any other misstate-
ments which can be guarded against"
Mo- he added moment later, 't that
stamp is the latest wrinkle in office furhl-
ture. 1t is an ordinary stamp with clock
attachment. The hour-hand Is simply a
raised point upon a movable circle. The
minute-hand is an arrow on another revolt
ING circle. The usual linked tape passes
over these indicators and the outer circle OF
hour figures. Beside the clock face is a
cylinder with several faces.each bearing a
word-one is approved another is
wired another is answered. Others are
.delyered,' Lee 'receiyed' Thus bust
neSs-man is able whenever he sends away q
letter, telegram, or package; receives an
order, transac!s any business whatever, to
record the precise moment at which The
thing was done.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-15
a Monster Gss.Well.

5 Pittsburg correspondent telegraphs
4 monster natural gas-well has been struck
Oh Raccoon creek, three and one nan mites
back OF WoodlaWn, a station on the ft's-
ln,,g and Lake Erie railroad, twenty-one
nils from this city. IL Is four miles souln
OF he Rochester well, and Is l,2OO ieet
deep. The Rochester we'll Is l,lOO leet
deep. and is an excellent though small
producer. The pressure OF the new
well is sand 10 be fully equal to the
Westinghouse well in the east end OF
this city, and is almost due west OF IL
and the MurraySvile well. II Is the prop
ertv OF a. w. Miller, the Pittsburg bank
or. who has leases covering 5000 acres I'D
the vicinity. The present value OF the:e
gas-wells is much larger than the puDhc
generally would suppose. The Edgar
Thomson Steel Works, at Bessemer Siation,
On the PENNSYLVANIA railroad. have almost
discarded the use OF coal under boilers,
ana nav $4,000 year for gas, which Is
much chegper. In one ward in this CITY
alone the Penn Fuel-Gas Company mas
contracts amounting TO 100000 year:
This company has refused an oner oil
$500. 600 from the Standard on Company
No. lis plant and contracts. George west
knobouse. OF the Westinghouse Air-Brake
Tomnauy. whose well was developed cou-
Ne of weeks ago, says his pront from the
- ll will soon amount 10 $1,000 day.
These Gas discoveries are attracting nlucn
attention here. both from manufactures
"a d private consumers.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-15
Foreign Fact and Gossip.

The official returns or the salmon calcn
in England and Wales last year show that
a quarter OF million salmon were taken,
OF a total weight Of 1,4lS,000 pounds. For
the wear previous the total was l,OOO,OOO.
The arrivals last year at Billingsgate were
more numerous than in any other year
since 1871.
Mr.. Arthur Morgan, an English gentle
man living ut Twickenham, on the Thames,
has imported from Venice q genuine gon-
dola and along with the gondola genuine
eondoher TO manage ii. 1t Is said the
strong tides i'm the neighborhood some
what interfere with the evolutlons OF the
skilful foreigner, but that "the smells IL
low water most infallibly bring back TO MN
sweet memories Of his native clty."
The baronetcy conferred on the late sir
Rartle Frere. in 1876, deyolyes upon his
only son. Bartle Compton Arthur trere'
an officer OF the Rifle Brigade, who Is now
stationed at Dover. He was born IN !eoi'
and was educated at Eton and Irinlty
College, Cambridge, being graduated from
Trinity in 1880. Besides this son Sir
Barton Frere leaves family OF four un-
married daughters and widow. Lazy
Frere is member OF the Imperial Order
OF the Crown OF India.
AT Hamburg Is now sojourning a me-
nagerie OF great size that has been brought
from Ceylon with view to making TOUR
OF the chief German cities. II contains
TWENTY-FIVE elephants, two OF which are
said TO be the largest that have ever been
brought 10 Europe. The cost OF the ele-
infants was S37, 500, and Of the other ami
mails $4,000. Special agents sent to Cey..
lon TO collect the animals raised the cost OF
the enterprise to $4,000. For kilograms
alone $1,000 was paid. The travelling
EXPENSES from Ceylon to Hamburg were
$4,000.
II ,be can find the necessary money IL Is
said that Spain will order this year an
;ron-clad OF from 5000 TO 5000 tons, ana
carving ffty-ton guns in revolving tur-
rsts The Madrid correspondent OF the
london Times says Of the project tnat
!. 70 those who know Spain, her resources,
and the necessity Of limiting her marine
aur 10 strictly defensive purposes,
a Went so far as swift cruisers might
molest the enemy's traders, the order uof
anch a vessel Is an act OF giganIlc iony,
10th as regards It's first cost ana its iut''rc
n uvJr or usefulness"
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-15
The Parasites OF Money.

The Brankfrter Zeitung states that Dr..
Reinsch has found, as the result OF long
series OF minute Investigations, that the
surfaces Of 50-picnnig pieces (sixpences),
which have been long in circulation, are
the home and ieeding-grOund OF minute
kind OF bacteria and vegetable fungus.
An extended series of observations showed
that this Is the case with the small CONS OF
all nations, the thin incrustation OF organic
matter deposited upon their surfaces In the
course OF long circulation rendering them
very suitable for this parasitical settle
ment. DIR. Reinsch Scraped oil some OF
these incrustations. and, with small
scalpel, divided them INTO fragments,
which were subsequently dissolved IN
distilled water. The employment OF
lenses OF very high power showed the
bacteria and fungi distinctly. This Is a
matter OF no little importance from a
bygienic point OF view. 1t has now been
conclusiyely established that bacteria form
the chief agency in the propagation OF
endemic disease. The revelation that they
have a chosen domicil in the most widely
circulating medium which probably exists
IN the world presents us with new factor
in the spread Of infectious disease. There
ia. however, a remedy. Where coins have
been in circulation for a number OF years.
il thew are washed in boiling weak solu.
ton OF caustic potash they Will be cleansed
from their organic incrustation, and Sc
freed from the unwelcome guests which
they ha, bored.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-15
Did with u CHIP.


1 An interesting story Is told IN connection
kth the old State Prison at ChariesIoMh,
11icb shows how small and insignihcan' q
,ing NAV give liberty to a prisoner: a
onyict had been sentenced to imprlso,h-
nj for fifteen years for committing ase ,ooS
burglaries, and had served between en-
Iree and four years when one gay nc
Fought small chip Of wood from ;ne sn1P
here he was engaged in labor 10 ms cen zen
Ais fact was not worthy OF notice at the mo
6nt. When, however, the prisoner, wleS
5lers, had marched TO their cells, he plae ecu
! chip in such a way as TO prevent inc
3lt OF the door OF bis cell from fasIen'i,s'
Se officers on duty made their usual IN n
ection, saw each man in his cell ana Do
ported. After the Inspection had oe ,eas
|de the convict In question opened w,
u door, closed II again, ana passed. a
uickIy out OF side door into tne yaru.
D moment he had gained tne mop !,
here he worked. Here he put on par y,
feralls belonging 10 one OF the INSTRUCTORS .aols
4ployed by contractors, and IRON tnsie
got upon the prison wall and entering