davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
A Thrilling Adventure.

At the mouth of Beaver creek, on the
Missouri river, lives family by the
name of Eilson. There are several sons.
and they are all noted as being very
powerful men and very fond of hunting
One day while Daniel Boone, the eldest,
was out cutting hay in the field he heard
his dogs give tongue few hundred
yards distant. and producing his gun he
followed the direction of the sound until
finally he discovered them baying some
thing in clump of bushes on a knoll
only few feet distant from the river
bank. Regardless of danger, he rushed
up on the river bank TO leconnoiter.
but he had scarcely time to discover
anything when out sprang huge bear,
rose on its launches, and jumped for
an attack. Mr.. Filson had Just time to
bring his gun about half way to his
shoulder, when it was discharged with
out taking aim. By singular coinci-
dence Mr.. Filsou's brother-in-law had
heard the barking of the dogs, too, and
was Fastening to the scene, and only
few rods distant, as the bear sprang out
of the bushes. Having his gun loaded
with heavy shot, he fired at the bear at
close quarters, hitting him, but also
shot Mr.. Filson in several places. The
next Mr. Filson knew he found himself
buried in a sand-bar, all except por-
ton of his face around his eyes, with
the bear standing directly over him
and growing savagely at his brother
in-law, who was preparing for another
shot. His brother-in-law fired, and the
bear sprang in the direction of the shot,
but as he did so his hind paws, which
were resting on Mr.. Filson's legs, were
brought down with such quickness and
strength that they tore the flesh from
the bones in shreds. Before the bear
could reach the brother-in-law he fell
MORALLY wounded; but Mr.. Filson Law
for six months in precarious condition
and has never fully recovered from the
injuries received In relating the cir
cumstance he stated that when that
bear stood on him it seemed that he
weighed fully as much as big elephant.
and for whole year afterward he felt
as if he had almost been crushed to
pieces.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
The Mysterious Author of RutIedge.

A popular novel by a Southern
writer, published by J. G. Derby, was
"Rutledge," which made a stir equaled
by few novels to-day. This novel also
met with rebuff when it first came
North, and was rejected by Messrs.
Harper. The story is strange one,
the name of the heroine never being
mentioned in it. An uncle of the au-
thor, Mr.. Weeks, brought the manu-
script to Mr.. Derby and said that the
author did not wish to be known. Mr..
Derby replied that he never published
book without knowing who wrote it,
and that he must decline the manu-
script on such terms. Mr.. Weeks then
offered to publish it at his own ex-
pense if Mr.. Derby would put his i'm
print on it. This he declined to do
Also So meeting was arranged, and
Mr.. Derby met Miss Miriam Coles.
The question of the day was: "Who is
the author of Rutledge?" and every
body was anxious to hear the answer.
Mr.. Derby, who has keen apprecia-
ton of the humorous, got the editors of
the Family Fair to announce that in
certain number they would publish
portrait of the author of "Rutledge."
Expectation was on tiptoe. The num-
Der appeared, and there stood the
graceful figure of a lady outlined
against the page; but alas, the face was
covered with veil !-EGchange.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20

Two State Conventions have been
called for Wisconsin. The Republicans
will meet at Madison on Wednesday,
April 30, and the Democrats will con-
vene in the same city on Wednesday,
May %. The work of the two political
bodies will be to select delegates to the
National conventions which meet in
Chicago the present summer. The Re-
pubhcans of Wisconsin will have an
opportunity, without doubt, of having
quite voice in the selection of can
didate tor President. During the past
few years the Badger State has been of
considerable Importance in national
politics, and her actions are watched
closely by leading politicians every
where.
If the State Convention in April select
n delegation that will truly and faith
fully represent the party in Wisconsin,
and not one that will go off after some
candidate known to be in disfavor, they
will not only make for themselves a
good name, but will give the members
of the party at home that feeling of
strength which is necessary qualitica-
ton to have during national election.
The choice of Wisconsin will be the man
who has an unblemished record to go
before the people with; man who can
command the respect of all sections,
and who will be acceptable to all fac
tions; n man of national repUte and one
who viii labor to carry out the prin-
ciples of the party. Such man will
We acceptable and can be elected.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
when that time will come is as much of
mystery as is the cause of crime.
viii There be Unity!


The Democrats are chucklino to them
selves over what they term discords in
the Republican party. They aver, with
much gusto, that thousands of Republi-
cans have become disguised with the
old party, and will vote the Democratic
ticket hereafter. A more foolish thing
could not be uttered. The mere idea of
such actions on the part of Republicans
is preposterous. Does any one suppose
that thousands of the members of a
party that struggled for years to gain
the ascendancy, and after gaining a
majority accomplished SO great work
for freedom and humanity, are going
to desert their party without cause?
During its twenty-fours of supremacy,
the Republican party has accomplished
more for the good and prosperity of the
citizens of the United States, than all
other parties combined since the forma-
ton of the government.
The cry of disunion among Republi-
cans is but another of the great Demo-
cratic principles which that party in
tends to put forth in the coming Presi-
Dental campaign, and no doubt they
will run that with as much vim and
earnestness as they have their prin-
ciple of tariff reform. The aim of the
Democrats in making this statement is
to cause people to believe that there is
truth in it. But there is no truth in it,
whatever. Republicans know that to
vote with the Democrats is to throw
away every principle of patriotism and
loyalty they have contended for during
the last quarter of century. During
the next Presidential campaign the Re-
publican voters of the United States
will show strength that will appall
their adversaries. The Republicans
will not be united, do you say, Mr..
Democrat? Just wait and see. There
will be more united feeling among
Republican electors, if such thing
could be, during the coming campaign,
than ever before. The Republican
party is not yet ready to turn over the
government to men, who restoring Fitz
John Porter, would restore jefferson
Davis and pension every Confederate
soldier asking for relief. Yes, Mr..
Democrat. you may rest assured that in
the Republican party there will be unity.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
The Record of Crime.

The crime record of the present day
is something fearful to contemplate.
Cases of murder, rapine, burglary. etc,
are reported hourly by the daily papers,
and some of them are of the most afro
cious nature. The murders committed
in the United States for a week would
make horrible record if compiled in
one publication; while the robberies re-
ported are up in the millions of dollars
in value. There must be some reason
for this state of things, though as yet
there has been no attempt made TO ac-
count for it. Evidently the world is
becoming more and more deprayed.
Human life is held as of little value. not
even rs much as that of the smallest
animal that runs in the field.
Legislation on the subject of crime
seems to have no effect to reduce the
amount committed No matter what
the punishment inflicted, there is no de-
crease. Hanging has no terrors for the
criminal We read of hanging, per-
haps triple hanging, at some locality
and from the same place comes report
of murder perpetrated on the same
day. There is nothing that will cause
n cessation of crime. unless it be the
final winding up of the world, that has
beeu talked about so much, and just
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
MeteOric Dust.

1t is well known that the earth IL
daily and nightly pelted with millions
OF meteors, the vast majority of which
are almost instantly consumed by the
intense heat developed as they dash
into our atmosphere. The products OF
the combustion of these meteors filter
slowly through the air, and have been
found In the shape of metallic dust on
the snow fields in the arctic regions.
on mountain peaks in Europe, and in
other similar localities, being recogniza-
BILE by their peculiar chemical compo-
sltion. 1t is also known that the solar
system abounds with swarms of mete-
ors revolving around the sun, and that
the earth crosses the paths of a number
OF these, occasionally encountering the
swarms themselves.
The vast majority of these meteors
are very small, those that are seen
weighing on an average probably only
few grains; and since the telescope
reveals millions which escape the naked
eye, it is reasonable to conclude that
millions more are too small to be seen
even with telescopes-mere meteoric
dust. There are historical instances of
supposed falls of meteoric dust. the
most remarkable, perhaps, being that
of 1888, when Europe, part of Asia and
part of North America were covered for
months with a dry fog or haze, which
excited the greatest alarm. Scientific
american.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
One Of John 7. Rarmond,s Stories.

Il will tell you story of fellow
who haunted me in certain Western
clty-never mind names-and who
wanted me to read his play. He bore
letter of introduction from a friend
of mine who knew as much about PLAYS
as you do, Judge, about Choctaw."
Was it as bad as you anticipated ?"
Judge, it was worse. 1t was deadly.
Five acts, and it took him forty-fiye
minutes to read the first. 1 let him
wander through the vast desert of the
second act, with never an oasis in sight.
when l gasped and sank down in my
chair. / told him was i'll, and, excus-
ing myself, went down stairs. / dali
lied around for fifteen minutes, and
then sent up a bell-boy, who reported
that he was still there, and that he
hoped was better He also calmly
sent down word that he would wait till
L came up. A thought occurred to me
that Florence was playing in the oppo-
sltion theater. | sat down and sent
this note to the incubus in my room; I
want your play. 1t is not suited to
Raymond. ! will buy it of you if you
will call within half an hour. w. J.
Florence
did it move him."
Move him Judge, I never knew
how he got down stairs. He must have
held his manuscript in his teeth and
slid down the banisters. 1 made a
Decline for the theater, and haven't
been to that town since. WdShi7aq-
ton Star.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
Good Walks.

There is nothing so much needed about
many houses as good walks in paths
that must be used daily. There is
hardly an excuse for not having them.
when either brick, gravel, or timber can
be had. A good walk through muddy
yards can be easily and cheaply made
by placing poles side by side, short
distance apart, and then filing the in
tervening space with gravel, or with
broken eorn-cobs, or with sawdust.
Oak planks will last many years, ii
turned over occasionally, and this also
eounteracts warping. One of the best
walks through level barnyard can be
made by cutting off short pieces from
logs, foot or more in diameter. and
setting them upon end in q shallow
trench. Such walk from the barn to
the kitchen will always be clean, and
there will be less to disturb the temper
OF the women folks of the household.
to say nothing of the good effect upon
the men folks who take pleasure IN
Tightening the labor required to keep
everything neat and tidy within doors.
Farm and Fireside.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
French Scientific EXPLORATION.

A company of French scientists lately
explored the southern extremity of
South America. DIR. Hyades, in his re-
port on this expedition, communicated
some interesting observation on the
inhabitants of that region, known as
Terra del Fuego." They are Of lively
disposition and communicative, but not
without tendency to melancholy. They
are no cannibals and live principally on
dried or cooked fish. Intoxicating
liquors they do not drink. Red is their
favorite color; for other colors they lack
mostly the power of distinction. Their
dress consists of seal or other skins,
which they carry loosely thrown over
the shoulder. They know nothing OF
pluslc or dancing or any of the fine arts
No special customs concerning death or
burial were observed among them, and
they seemed to have no religious belief
OF any kind. They certainly do not be-
lleve in the immortality of they soul.
Polygamy is not unknown among them.
but is the exception They have neither
chiefs nor slaves. The social ties do
extend beyond the family proper, and
are so loose that it is but seldom a
number of families Is found living to-
gether. Firearms are unknown among
them; they fight with spears and har-
poems of which the points are made of
bone. Their language is very imperfect;
for instance, they have name for only
the three first numerals, but count quite
we'll on their fingers. They are decidedly
better than their reputation and capa-
able of civilization AZ far ~ nnnld ba
observed this race is not doomed 10
speedy extinction. but is rather hardy
and productive. Their blood seems to
contain fewer corpuscules thar that of
the Europeans.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
FitZ John Porter.

The United States Senate now had il
In hand to reward or continue in dis
grace man who, in the hour of a ma
tons peril, refused to obey the order of
his superior officer. That body has seen
lit to reward Porter. While statesmen
may have desire to condone so great
crime, there are few soldiers of the
war OF the rebellion who would replace
Fltz John Porter in good standing. In
the army the soldier was taught prompt
obedience of orders, and every true sol
dler never refused, even though his own
judgment told him that the order meant
death. Has there been case before on
record where so important an order as
that issued by Gen. Pope to Porter was
disobeyed and the person refusing was
taken up as martyr to carry out the
whims of politicians? The court martial,
sitting in judgment on Porter's case.
had the power to order him out to be
shot, the same as Il private soldier. would
have been for a much lesser crime.
That they did not order Porter shot was
more because of his stars than of the
offense he had committed. OF this there
can be no doubt.
Now comes Democratic House and
says that the finding of the court martial
was an injustice to brave soldier; that
Porter should be restored to rank and
placed on the retired list, drawing pay
from the government, for what? For
dIsobedience of orders at time when
armed foes were marching ON the capt.
toll. The case is without parallel, and
1T seems strange that nation should
promulgate precedence of this nature.
When Porter received his order to move
promptly at one O'Clock, did he, like
true soldier, proceed to obey? No, in
deed. A point brought out in the court
martial, but which has never been men
toned in all the debates before Con-
gress, was that when the orders were
received and read, he handed them to
his Adjutant with the remark: "There
is something for you to sleep on" Was
that the course general, having the
welfare of his country at heart, would
have done? A true general would have
said "Adjutant, proceed at once to have |
all necessary arrangements made fol- |
the prompt obedience of that order"
To restore Porter TO rank is to place a |
premium on disobedience of officers,
and will lead to much trouble in main
tanning discipline in the army. This |
Porter matter is the result of favoritism
more than patriotism, and that an
American Congress, after a period of
more than twenty years has elapsed,
should say that a court martial, with all
the proof fresh at hand when the SEN
tence was rendered, had wronged an
officer of the army, is only making
bad matter worse. Statesmen may feel
proud of such legislation, but the true
soldier and patriot will look upon it
with DISGUST.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
A Bad Memory.

"My DEAR" said wife to her hus-
band, who had reached home very late
one Saturday night and in a state of in
toxication, did you order the meat for
to-morrow's dinner?"
no." he said, Il (hic) forgot it,"
did you tell the grocer to send a
couple of mackerel for breakfasts"
II forgot that, too"
well, the vegetables. l hope you
didn't forget them?"
"Yes, L did," he replied as well as he
could; I'm very sorry (hic), but I for
got a-all about EN-"
"You didn't forget to get intoxicated,
did you?"
Nom"
did you order the brandy for the
mincemeat?"
Yes" he said, pulling out of his
pocket a half-emptied bottle, an / (hic)
brought it with me-"
Il declare" said his wife, inpatient
ly, I'VE haven't thing to eat to-mor-
row. It's the last time / will ever ask
you to do any marketing"
We'll, responded the husband with
considerable indignation, Eyer dom ex-
pect (hic) er man to r'member every
thing, do you ?'-PhiJddelphia Call.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
No Mystery to Him.

A studded farmer, who had come to
market with load of potatoes, entered
restaurant near the Central market
and called for dozen oysters on the
half-shell. A couple of jokers hap
pened to be in the place, and, while one
attracted the farmers attention for a
moment, the other dropped a bullet
into one of the oyster shells. The
man gulped down one after another,
until he got the one with the bullet in
his mouth. Calmly and quietly he bit
at the lead with his teeth-calmly and
quietly he removed it from his mouth
and turned to the light.
by Georgel but it's bullet" cried
one of the men.
Probably shot into the oyster to
kill him." added the other.
Well, that is a mystery" said the
man behind the counter.
Gentlemen, that's no mystery to
me, replied the farmer, as he deposit
ed the ball in his vest pocket. "At the
battle of Fair Oaks, over twenty years
ago, was hit in the leg by that very
bullet. It's been a long time working
up, but she's here at last, and I'll
have it hung to my watch-chain if it
costs 50. Detroit Free Press.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
Millions i'm Barbed Wire.

The manufacture of barbed wire has
made millions for many men. The
great West may be said to be fenced
with barbed wire. The $500 miles of
fencing destroyed by the Blue Devils of
Texas this winter, was all of barbed
wire. The most familiar pattern of this
fencing is made by twisting wire to-
gether so that at every two feet the
pointed ends of the metal thread project
at right angles with the lengths. Dur
ing the civil war and tor ten years
thereafter thirty patents were issued
for barbed wire. Before that, PLAIN
wire had been used on the great farms
and pastures, its cheapness rendered it
preferable to any other material. A
Worcester man bought up all the
barbed-wire patents and the firm he es-
tablished had the patents reissued, and
then asserted that this gave them the
control OF the principle. 1t took them
years to get decision sustaining them,
and in the meantime barbed wire fac
tories sprung up like mushrooms all
over the West. After the decision, the
Worcester men got all the other makers
together and issued forty licenses to as
many firms to continue making the
wire, each being limited to certain
output, obliged to sell it at certain
figure, and compelled to pay the Wor-
cester men S15 a ton. The little makers
were crushed out.
The monopoly raised the price two
cents pound and added $4,000, 900 to
the profits in half dozen States. Iowa
felt the burden most, and there some
founders formed an association and set
up DeS MONIES man to manufacture
moonshine wire for them, and to test
the rights of the monopoly. The Su-
preme Court IN Washington, in the case
of Miller against the Brass Company,
dealt heavy blow at the abuse of reis-
sued patents. Persons who had been
hunting up patents for inventions dis
family resembling successful new de-
vices, and by purchasing these devices
for song, had been getting them reis-
sued in shapes so broadened and
strengthened as to make them cover
the new device. The Supreme Courts
decision strengthened the farmers. In
1888 the United States District Court for
Southern Iowa declared the reissued
barbed-wire patents invalid, and last
week another decision in measure re-
affirmed that decree The fight stin
goes on upon such grounds as remain
for the Worcester men.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
Jeff Davis Marriage.

The second frame house erected in
Prairie du Chen was built by James
I'll. Lockwood. This house was used
tor the garrison of Fort Crawford, and
was the residence of various army Off
GERS, among whom was Zach Taylor,
then colonel in the United States army
and commander of this post for about
sixteen years. Also Jefferson Davis,
afterward president of the Southern
Confederacy, was then a lieutenant in
the regular army at this point. 1t was
here that JEFF wooed and won Miss
Noxie, a daughter of Zach Taylor,
concerning which episode no little of
romance and fiction has been from time
to time written. But the plain facts in
the case we find to be these: Taylor
was strongly opposed to his daughter
marrying Mr.. Davis. but the girl being
of age repaired to Galena, H., where
she had friends, and Davis met and
married her there. which greatly en-
ragged Taylor, WHO carried this enmity
in his breast till the battle of Buena
Vista, in TIE Mexican war, upon which
occasion Lieut. Davis proved himself a
gallant soldier and a true friend to his
father-In-law, Taylor. by coming in
from an unexpected quarter as re
serve to fill up the gaps made by his
falling soldiers. This .'coal of fire"
softened Xaylor's enmity toward JEFF. ;"
and they then and there shook hands
over the past and were ever afterward
the best of friends ~. l.. CO. in
T37fe9. Ocean
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20
The Rosey Tinge.

When Rose Eytinge, the actress, was
young she appeared in Washington one
winter. She was very handsome. Henry
j. Raymond, editor of the New York
Times, was member of Congress, and
became much fascinated with the
beauty. One night call of the House
was ordered. Raymond was one of the
delinguents whom the Sergeant-at-
Arms produced after midnight. The
correspondent of the Times was in the
gallery. Not to lose good sentiment
he included in his description of the
scene the following: Then appeared
MIR. Raymond, flushed with the rosey
ttrage of the morning" 1t was an ex-
cellent hit and made no end of fun. A
week later he was discharged. Ray
mond was not man to be trihed with
by subordinate.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-20

The American fondness for giving a
man title is illustrated in the fire.
quency with which the Vermont Sena-
tor is called Judge Edmunds. the fact
being that he never occupied a position
on the bench. Another popular blunder
about Mr.. Edmunds is the common
ideal that he is an old man. There is
certain venerable aspect about his
head, but it is calculated to deceive, for
he is really only sc years old, or but
two years the senior of either Arthur or
Blaine. while he is younger than Tilden
by fourteen years. and Payne's junior
by nearly score of years. As for men,
tai vigor and executive capacity, the
Vermont Senator will be just in his
prime for the next few years. Brooklyn
Union.