davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-09-18
ss ,-.-.s-ssss Extremely Fragile Bones.

A peculiar disease atflicts the wife OF
an Episcopal minister now residing in a
small town in Minnesota, near the
Wisconsin line. The minister is well
known over the Northwest, and the
facts here narrate were given by
the reverend gentleman himself. A
dozen or SO years ago he married
a wealthy young lady of the little
Minnesota town, and has resided
there much of the time since. Last wear
he took charge of q church on the
Connecticut seacoast. hoping the change
of air and scenes might benefit the con-
dition of his well-nioh helpless wife
The hoped-for benefits did not result,
and little while ago the couple re-
turned to their old home. The gentle
mans wife is afflicted with what is
known in common English as fragile
bones" All of the bones in her body
are gradually turning to a substance
resem milling hard chalk. Several years
ago an acquaintance in helping her
out of carriage broke her collar-bone.
AS soon as it had healed one of her
arms broke while some one was assist
ing her from a vehicle. A little later
the other arm dropped helpless at her
side when she attempted to make some
use of it. After q great deal of trouble
both OF the fractures were reduced, but
in a little while one of her arms was
broken in another place, the last time
caused by the sufferer merely lifting o
sugar-bowl Thus matters have run
along for several years, the unfortunate
woman breaking one of her limbs every
-, II
spreading, and is now reducing the
bones of her legs to chalk. The great
est care is exercised to prevent the suf-
ferer making use of her limbs. She is
carefully lifted about, and is moved
around in an invaiid's chair. Ply
sicians say if she should fall from
her chair or have an unusual shock all
the bones in her body from her knees
up would snap into small fragments,
and of course her death would ensue.
The case has attracted unusual atten-
ton among doctors, and many of the
mokt prominent physicians in different
parts of the country have been called
to attend the sufferer. They all unite
in pronouncing the case hopeless, and
can suggest no remedy. There are COM
paratlvely few cases OF the same kind
on record. The one in question is said
to be the most prominently developed
of any of the cases recorded. Fragile
bones are caused by an absence of ami
NAL matter. The cause of the disease
has never been discovered. The affiict-
ed lady in all other respects is appar-
emily enjoying the best of health. 1t is
said that death usually results in one
year, but in this instance the disease
has been fully developed for over six
years. -MGIaUdatkee Wisconsin,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-09-18
A Tricky Rat.

The extraordinary intelligence of q
rat is told the readers of Nature by
Mr.. T.. W. Kirk, of Wellington, New
Zealand, as follows: Il was standing
in the doorway of a large shed, the
further end of which had been parti-
toned off with bars to form a fowl
house, when | was attracted by q
gnawing and scraping noise; turning
round, | saw 4 rat run for a large dog
biscuit which was lying on the floor
and pass through the bars. Being Gu
rious to watch if he would return, [
kept quiet, and presently saw we'll
grown specimen of the common brown
rat (Mus decumanus) come cautiously
forward, and after nibbling for short
time at the biscuit, drag it toward the
bars, which are only two inches apart,
and would not allow the biscuit to
pass. After several unsuccessful at
tempts, he left it, and in about five
minutes returned with another rat,
rather smaller than himself. He then
came through the bars, and, pushing
his nose under the biscuit, gradually
tipped it on edge, rat number two pull
ing vigorously from the other side; by
this means they finally succeeded in
getting a four inch biscuit through a
two inch aperture. Not feeling pleased
that my dogs biscuit should be used
rs food for rats, threw a hammer at
them and picked up the biscuit"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-09-18
Buffalo Gnats Kill Hogs.

Great numbers of hogs have been
dying in West Tennessee during this
month. Many owners have lost all,
while others have lost one-half. 1t has
been noticed by close observers that
years when the buffalo gnats are bad an
unusual number of hogs die. During
last April the buffalo gnats were ex-
tremely bad. Horses that were not
CREASED with tar and grease of some
kind of gnat oil would die in day,
and COWS would suffer if smokes were
not made for them or they were not
creased with a preventive. Some
years these gnats do not appear at all.
1t has heretofore been thought that
buffalo gnats did not affect hogs, but
the unusual number dying after the
gnats have disappeared has led the
owners of hogs TO investigate. Those
who provided their hogs with smokes
or kept them up. it seems, have lost
but very few, and this fact strengthens
the theory that the gnats are doing the
deadly work. One strange thing about
it is that the hogs do not die forthwith,
as horses or cows, but a month or two
elapses before they die or get sick. A
raiser of hogs in the adjoining County
of Lauderdale cut hogs head open
the other day and found a large num-
Der of gnats in the head. This hog was
affected like all the others that have
been dying. Post.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-09-18
How A Problem was Solved

Some of the teachers and school
board officials were much amused dur
ing the progress of the written ex-
aminations by the solution of the follow
ING problem which was handed in by a
colored pupil. The example is correctly
solved and the scholar received one
hundred for it, but the solution of the
problem shows the droll, roundabout
way some people have of solving q
question, and of keeping the object well
in mind.
The following is the written copy:
''Solution-Number of chickens equal
number of chickens. Number of chick
ems plus one-half the number of chickens
plus one-third the number of chickens
plus 2 chickens equals 20 chickens.
Number of chickens plus the numb
of chickens plus 20 the number of
chickens plus SO the number of chick
ems plus chickens equals 20 chickens;
then 6 plus number of chickens plus 6
times the number of chickens plus 2
times the mum Der of chickens plus II
chickens equal 420 chickens; 6 times
the number of chickens plus times
the numer of chickens plus times the
number of chickens equals IL times the
number of chickens equals 420 chickens
minus II chickens, equals y chickens.
Seventeen times number of chickens
equals 40S chickens. Once number of
chickens equals "a chickens. There
fore he had "a chickens. Louisville
CoaIrieT-JoWr7aGL.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-09-18

One night a loud knock was heard at
the back door, and rs the door could
not be reached by any one outside ex-
cept by getting over the garden wall,
some alarm was caused. On the knock
being impatiently repeated, the door
was opened, and the cat ('Nlrs. Muf-
fins'') walked in with great dignity.
Since then she has never failed to make
known her presence in the same way,
always waiting after the first knock.
Some weeks elapsed before it was as
certained how the knocking was pro-
duced, but at length it was discovered
that a slip of wood which runs down
the side of the door was loose at the
bottom; this slip she pulls out with her
paw, and then allows it to rebound.
She is very affectionate mother. Some
time ago her mistress, by accident,
hurt her kitten. Mrs. Mullins"
walked up to her and gave her two or
three sharp slaps on the dress. To-day
the same thing has occurred; but on
this occasion, as the servant was the
offender. Mrs. Mullins followed her
into the kitchen to chastise her. | may
also add that she has shown great in
telligence in making her wants known
70 her friends.-Nature.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-09-18
"POOr Carlotta."

The emperor and empress are re-
membered with more love and Justice
as time goes on, and the latter is in
variab bly, spoken of us poor CarlOtta. "
She won the hearts of the common
people as the wife of no subsequent
ruler has ever been able to do.
AS one incident among hundreds
illustrating this fact, let me tell you
what occurred not long ago at the
Teatro Principal: A well-known Next
can opera company had been delight
ing this music-IoVing people for many
nights, and the favorite prima donna
gay and pretty little creature-was
loaded with gifts and favors. One
night, for an encore, the audience (who
are always far more excitable and de-
ponstrative here than our colder blood
I'd gatherings at the north) demanded
of the prima donna one of the many
little songs written 81 the fall of the
empire, ridiculing the emperor and
empress. The prima donna endeav-
ored to divert them from the point,
coquettishly singing other songs at her
prettiest, but still the cries continued
for the one at first demanded. In vain
she ulu UeE UtSb Ill OIucE 1lueS. luc
willful audience would not be diverted,
the cries degenerated into howls anC
then into Kisses, till she was driven
from the stage. The manager. going
behind the scenes to exercise his per-
sonal authority, found her in a passion
of tears. She explained that she had
once been maiden of the palace, that
the empress, discovering her talent,
had been her patron and paid for her
musical education, and that the very
dress she was then wearing was poor
Carlotta's'' gift. Could she use the
advantages thus gained to ridicule her
benefactor? Meanwhile perfect
pandemonium was raging in the
theater; yells, cries, and groans were
deafening; many people were hastily
leaving, and chairs had begun to RAIN
down upon the stage from the galleries,
with alarming indications that heavier
articles might soon be expected to fol-
low. The manager stepped to the
footEghts amidst shower OF missiles,
and explained the situation. With the
characteristic volatility OF the Latin
race, the little girl was recalled IN the
midst of her tears and cheered to the
echo, order was restored, and the
offensive song was rendered by the
chorus without her assistance. -Meri-
can Cor. Springfield Republican,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-09-18
WOMEN AS FRUIT GROWERS.


A correspondent of the Chicago Iri-
b1tae writes from Lacon, ILL.,:
There is many town where berries
and grapes are scarce and none seen
upon the market. There is, in every
such village or city. one person at least
who could do great deal toward sup
plying this deficiency in fruit. and at
the same time helping themselves fl
Dancially. This letter is written for
the special benefit of women, but men
are not debarred from taking some of
the advice themselves.
Many widow, with a large garden
SPOT Or e few acres of Land, has u hard
time TO Keep the won al pay anu pro-
vide support for herself and family.
Any woman can make a successful
living by raising berries, and any wo-
man who does raise them can find a
quick and profitable market for the
berries in her own town. The people
would be glad to patronize such a de-
serving person, and success would
surely crown the efforts of the grower.
The real, hard work of raising ber-
ries is at the beginning. At the very
first opening of the idea of such bust
ness; at the time you are wondering,
doubling, and guessing; at the initial
steps, there comes the hardest work OF
the whole misunderstanding yourself
reconciled to yourself for the start and
overcoming discouragements. The sue
ceeding days, months, and years that
you are engaged in this delightful and
fascinating occupation will be as moth
ing so far rs hard and worrying ankle
ty is concerned Us compared to the
strain of making the first effort.
All that is necessary is to raise the
berries, and just before they are ready
for market 90 to the local grocer and
say to him that you have q quantity of
berries to put on the market. He will
sell them Tor you, charging 10 or 10
per cent. for his services if he pays YOU
cash, but paying you full retail price
II he pays you in goods for the fruit.
Thus your market is secured, and ali
you need do will be to put your crop
into boxes and those into crates hold
inc sixteen or twenty-fOur boxes. These
boxes and crates are very cheap. The
marketing of berries is simple and easy
and need give no care to the woman
who raises fruit.
1t is not easy to think of q work
which affords a more independent, re-
spectacle, healthful, and pleasant oc-
cupation than is found in the cultiva-
ton of small fruits. A wors an of reas-
Onably industrious habits can in short
time become Independent through the
cultivation of two or three varieties of
fruit, even if she does not add to that
work, as she can easily, the keeping of
bees, of poultry, or of some other oc-
cupaton which may be followed at
home without interfering with the care
of the fruit.
l have not named any special kinds
of fruit that l thought best to grow,
for that is very difficult thing to do
without knowing the circumstances of
each case: but as an easy fruit to ham
die. and a profitable one, with the
greatest average certainty of success, [
would name the straw berry.
[ hope that some women will give
this idea more than a passing thought
and act on this advice, for | know that
they could make it win.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-09-18

Canada since its organization II years
ago has been very satisfactory. There
has been large increase of popula-
ton, the exports of manufactures have
trebled, the volume of trade has
doubled, and the number of post-oflices
is more than three times as large as in
1868
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-09-18

The fund of $4,000, collected in the
Ceur d'Alene mining region for the
first baby born within the territory,
was awarded to the wife of freight
hand on the Northern Pacific, who
walked twenty-five miles that her child
might first see the light in accordance
with the terms of the prize. and re-
ceived the raoney.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-09-18
FARM TOPICS.

Improving Springs SO as to Afford
Water for Stock in Pastures
Women as Fruit-GrowerS.
Morning journal and courier., 1884-10-14
DEMOCRATIC RALLY
At Carlos Opera HOuse-AddreSses b
Hon. w. w. Eaton and Hon. M


At Carlos Opera HOuse-Addresses by
Hon. w. w. Eaton and Hon. MIR.
Kennard.
CarlIs Opera House was filled last evening,
the occasion being another Democratic rally.
The speakers were ex-senator W. W. Eaton
and Hon. John III. Kennard. Hon. Colin NJ
Ingersol1 presided and gracefully introduced
Mr. Eaton, who arraigned the Republican
party as having committed numerous and
grieyous errors and misbehaved itself alarm
ingly Mr.. Eaton was as dignifed, impress
sive and oracular as ever, even more so than
in the days 20 years ago when he so stub
bornly adhered to his extreme opinions and
convictions, erroneous and misguided though
they were, as to render him quite famous
and a central figure in Connecticut Democra-
CIV. His hair is si1vered now, but he retains
much of the old fire and is emphatic in his
assertion of opinions ever. After assail-
ing the Republican party he pitched
into the tariff question, that knotty
question of which his brother Waller on
the same stage few evenings ago averred he
knew nothing. Mr.. Eaton gave no uncertain
sound and denied that the Democratic party
were unqualiiedly for free trade. 1t took
many millions to run this government and
protection was an essential element in good
government He then launched out into an
array of figures and went into details to an
extent that seemed laborious to the speaker
and depressing to the audience. The au-
dience seemed to feel that the ex-senator was
sound and profound and was totally demol-
ishing Senator Platt, but it was rather dull
music for the average Democratic heart
which no doubt ached for the
willy and magnetic Waller However, the
Senator was frequently applauded when he
made his points Mr.. Kennard, who fol
lowed the Senator, is good speaker. Upon
the stage were Mayor Lewis, ex-Mayor Rob
ertson, Prof. W. P Trowbridge, William II.
Law, Alexander Troup, Richard Peck, ]. w.
Bradley Charles w. Allen, Charles M.
Eli Mix, w B. Catlin, Charles Lichtenstein,
Charles L. Chaplin, P. B. O'Brien, ex-Coun-
Gilman Thomas and about twenty others:
Morning journal and courier., 1884-10-14

and struck pine grove, overthrowing about
fifty trees. Some of the trees have their
tops broken off, while others are twisted off
and the trunks split to the ground. The tin
covering of the cloth room of the mill was
torn off and rolled into ball with fright
full noise and was rolled several rods away
into the bushes. The tin on the roof of the
main building was also raised, but
not carried away, making terrible
noise and alarming the operatives SO
that most of them rushed from the mill
Much minor damage was done, many Chin
neys being blown down, the roofs of several
residences being carried away and individual
trees leveled. A little boy on the iron bridge
which crosses the Little Androscoggin had
his cart blown into the river and only saved
himself by hanging to the stringers. The
lattice on the bridge was laid fiat. The tin
roof of the N. G. Ester house was inflated
like balloon and ripped to pieces. The
windows were blown out of many
houses. George Mallon and John
Cheltham both had their grocery teams
capsized and their goods scattered
while load of furniture was treated in the
same manner. From Auburn the wind
swept across the river and would have car
ried several people from the Broad street
bridge but for the high railway. Lewiston
escaped without serious damage, heavy
shower falling all the time. At Bleaching
Hill, fences, bill boards, small trees
and chimneys fell before the gale
At Sabbatus the roof blown from the
wooden mill fell on A S. H Ellis grist mill,
nearly crushing it. Numerous chimneys,
trees and barns were blown down in the
cyclones path, which was circuitous vary
ing in width from few rods to a quarter of
a mile. The damage will amount to several
thousand dollars. No loss of life has been
reported.
Morning journal and courier., 1884-10-14
An Important Decision.

ST. LOUIS Oct. 13.-An opinion was re-
ceived to-day in the United States court from
Judge Brewer in the case of Vickery against
the State Savings association which is of i'm
portance. Plaintiff had given draft with
unrestricted Endorsement. This passed into
the possession of the Bank of Indiana, which
forwarded it to the defendant for collection,
the two institutions having correspondent for
more than twenty years. They did not remit
collections, but struck balances to each other
to be adjusted from time to time in process
of further collections. The judge holds that
under such circumstances balances were
fairly permitted to remain upon credit OF an
ticipation of remittances The fact that he
lost money owing to the failure of the Indi-
ana bank, into which his paper had passed,
appears to Judge Brewer to be the fault of
the plaintiff alone, for by restricted in
dorsement he would have given notice of his
title to every one who touched his paper AS
he chose to give an unrestricted endorsements,
thus permitting his paper to pass into an Or
binary channel of trade, he accepted in blind
faith the stability of the Indiana bank and
must abide the result of his confidence His
Endorsement for collection is immateriaI, the
simple question being whether a collecting
has the right to look on transmitting bank
as the owner of draft paper. 1t having done
SO in this case, judgment is entered for the
defendant
Morning journal and courier., 1884-10-14

w AN
A SITUATION by a girl to do general homework
IA or laundress. Good reference if required at
oc14 its fR ROSTn i;TIoISirST
Morning journal and courier., 1884-10-14
TELEGRAPHTC JOTTTNGS.

The prime meridian conference at Wash
ington yesterday adopted Greenwich as the
standard meridian, twenty one nations favor
it, one st Domingo) voting against it and
France and Brazil refraining from voting.
Sunday afternoon lightning struck tree
near the house of Jesse King at Raynham,
Mass, and ran to the house some distance
away, knocking Mrs King and daughter in
sensible, leaving an imprint of the tree on
the daughters shoulder. She will recover.
Two freight trains on the Kentucky Cen
trail railroad collided yesterday morning near
Decoursey station. The two trains were al
most completely wrecked. Engineer Gray
was seriously and possibly fatally injured
and two others slightly. The collision was
caused by a mistake of the train dispatcher
in giving orders.
Base ball yesterday: At Detroit, New
Yorks 4, Detroits 3; at Buffalo, Bostons 2,
Buffalos 2; at Pittsburg, Providence 8, Ale
ghanys O.; at New York, Metropolitans 3, II
dianapolis 1; at Baltimore, ST. Louis s. Bal
timores 4; at Philadelphia, Columbus 3, Ath-
letics 2; at Brooklyn, Cincinnatis 5, Brook
lyns 2; at Richmond, Toledos 6, virginias g.
Morning journal and courier., 1884-10-14
Prohibition state Conference.

Tomorrow afternoon, October 18th, a
State conference will be held in McDonough
Hall, Middletown, to discuss the following
question: CHOW ought temperance men to
vote on Tuesday, November 4ths" In addi-
ton to several Connecticut speakers, the
meeting will be addressed by the Hon. John
P. St. John, of Kansas, and George R. Scott,
of New York, who have agreed to be present
It is probable that John N. Stearns, of the
National Temperance society, and Mrs. Caro-
line B. Buell. of the National Women's
Christian Temperance union, will also deliver
addresses. Professor Franklin and John w.
Smith, Continental vocalists,' will sing
several songs, and it is expected that Mr.. and
Mrs DIR. Barker, of Meriden, will also sing
temperance melodies. A collection will be
taken to defray expenses. All opponents of
the liquor traffic are invited to attend.