davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29

We would like to know why that in
vestigation, so freely promised, never
took place? And are not the books and
papers of the company the property
of the policy holders, and if so have
they no right to investigate their own
property?
Have the policy holders, as body,
no voice or vote, no opportunity at all
to take part in the business of the COM
pany?
These questions are vital. Questions
which are worthy attention and should
be perfectly understood. These ques-
lions involve the very existence of the
company. When We took insurance in
the company we were faithfully prom
ised that it was to be mutual, and as
such, each policy holder would have an
opportunity to be heard at each annual
meeting. About three years of the
cOmpany's existence have passed and no
meeting of the kind has been called that
we know of. We have been patient.
Will we be quiet for three more years to
find out what this new secretary will
do and run the risk of paying such enOr-
nous assessments as we have paid?
Hard times are upon us and we will
take no taffy now. Wewant more than
mere promises. Now look at it; the
company has had eighteen months to
make one change. fit takes that long
to make one change and then likely
to blunder, in an institution where pos
sible things are all wrong, how long
will it take to get right. Just about
twenty years.
The Officiary should call a meeting of
policy holders and let them assist in the
management of their own institution.
But if this is to be done it must
be done quickly, as policy hold
eTs, in Dickinson county at least, are
becoming a rare article. This is what
we wanted over one year ago. 1t was
promised, but that was the end of it.
We are not just now hungry for prom
iseS, we have been fed Oh them until we
are ready to disgOrge. Begin right
and you will come out right. What we
write is not simply our own, it is
backed by host.
S. PALMER.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29

The only prohibition breeze which
has made the Kansas House of Repre-
sentatives interesting stirred things in
rather a lively way last Monday. The
majority report of the temperance COM
mittee was to report the bills back to
the committee with the recommends
ton that they be indefinitely postponed.
Mr., CARROLL and Mr.. OYERMEYER
very vigorously opposed this report, as
its adoption would have killed the
chance of discussing the measure at all.
The reports went over to Tuesday, Feb
4th, when they will be considered. Pro-
hibition is on top, but it may afford some
lively amusement to the talented mem
bers of the lower House.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29

The Democratic Congressional Com
mittee of the Fifth District, at their
meeting last Monday in junction City,
passed resolution which gave to Hon.
A. A. CARNAHAN the control of the
federal patronage of the District. In
other words, the committee invested him
with the power he would have possessed
had he been elected to Congress. And
it was a wise thing to do 1t is a power
that should rightfully belong to Mr..
CARNAHAN. Applications for Post
Office appointments should be sent to
him, and in towns where there are con-
tests he will use his best endeavors to
harmonic conflicting claims. Let the
democrats of the district be as Self-con-
tanned and dignified in the enjoyment of
victory as they have been patient under
successive defeats, and everything will
be peaceful and altogether lovely.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29

For the information of the members
of the democratic committee of this
Congressional District and their distin-
guished guests, the REFLECTOR will
state that Mrs. Stoves ''Uncle Toms
Cabin was written in 1851 as a serial
story for the National Era, an anti
slavery paper at Washington, and APP
peared in book form in 1852. The ques-
ton of the date of the publication of
this book consumed at least half of the
evening session. The erudite and lit
erary members of the committee varied
all the way from 1874 to 1859. One of
them was sure that he had seen the play
in an Ohio town in 1S4S or 1919. The
REFLECTOR man knew all about it, but
he didn't wish to appear smart in the
august presence of the democratic lea
ders of the District-leaders, of course.
in intellectual ana moral as well as in
political matters. And we further
trust that we may be pardoned for using
the widely-circulated REFLECTOR as
medium to convey to them information
which they are not to be too severely
blamed for not possessing. But the Re-
FLEcToR reflects for all.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29

Senator INGALLS, was reelected to
the United States Senate by the Kansas
Legislature last Tuesday. The vote
stood AS for INGALLS,, for CLICK, +
for BLAIR. Absent, or not voting, y
The REFLECTOR notices that the Hon.
c. n. CoGGEsHALL, democratic mem
Der from Dickinson, accepting the in
evitable result of the ballot and max
ing virtue of a necessity, voted for
the verbal horror and oral terror.
CHARLES democracy, however, is not
questioned by his friends.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29

The United States government con-
tinues to mass troops against the Okla
homa boomers. The REFLECTOR SYM
pathises with the settlers. The title of
the land is undoubtedly vested in the
United States, and war against the set
tiers is waged in the interest Of rich
cattle corporations. The killing of the
settlers by L. S. troops will be nothing
less than legaliZed murder.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29

The appointment of Rev. A. B..
CAMPBELL as Adjutant-General of the
State is very unsatisfactory to the sol
der boys. They do not like the idea Of
being commanded by such fiat, oily
nan of Coda persOnifcatiOn Of
DICKENS CHADBAND. But Mr.. MAR
TIN was forced to appoint him or else
break a promise.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29

The ST. JOHN matter is still raging.
LKGATE has published a long letter
which exonerates ST. JOHN. The apos-
tie of prohibition yet stands unframed
and unsmirched, while his detractOrs
are calling each other liars, scoundrels
and other graceful English words.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29

The REFLECTOR understands that
Capt. J. r. MCCLURE, of Junction City,
wishes to receive the appointment of
U. S. Marshal for the State of Kansas.
Well, the Capt. deserves that honor.
He is one of the very oldest settlers of
this part of the State. He lost a leg in
the Union service. His democracy is
broad and liberal, but its consistency
has never been questioned; it is rock
ribbed and eternal as the sun. He is,
by natural ability and acquired knowl-
edge, eminently fitted for the position.
The REFLECTOR takes great pleasure
in endorsing the gallant Captain.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29

Mr.. C. n. COGGEsHALL, representa-
tive from this county, is on the Militia
committee. The members Of Co. K,
3dReg't., should memorabilia him. He
should be asked to work and vote for an
appropriation sufficiently large to pay
the rent of all company armOries in the
State, to provide for the expenses of an
annual encampment of state troops and
to keep the companies and regiments in
good shape generally. The citizen sol
diery of the state need and deserve rec
ignition at the hands of the Legislature
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29
FOR SALE.

Thoroughbred Plymouth Rock Fowls.
Inquire at residence of Mrs. j. w.
BirchmOre on Buckeye Ave. 24-4w.
The Republican journal., 1885-07-30
Small versus Large Farms.

Our own notion is that smallS farms,
well cultivated, are almost invariably the
most profitable; and hence, we firmly
believe (what has so often been asserted),
that if many farmer would sell half or
tWO-th thirds of the acres he now occupies,
and poorly tills and manages, and devote
bis entire time and energies to the care
and cultivation of the remainder, he
would derive far more profit from his
labor and investment, with much less
yeXatiOn of spirit The fact is, as some
body truly asserts, we have too many
farmers who are Gland p0or'-who have
so much land they cannot make a living.
ParadoXica as this may appear, it applies
truthtully to many a naturally fertile and
productive locality When such farmers
have learned that it is not economy to
own more land than they can till in the
most profitable manner, so that it will
pay for the money expended in keeping
IL free from taxes, weeds, and other en-
cumbranccS. they will have solved the
problem of ease in practical rural life.
The happiest and thrittiest farmers we
have ever known lived on farms Of only
ten to one hundred acres, every foot of
which was made to count. On the other
hand, the farmer who has so many broad
acres that he cannot walk over them
daily where rods Of fence corners are
never cultivated or otherwise utilized
lives a life Of anxiety and worry. Instead
OF working like slaves and living in a
misery manner. in order to "run a big
farm" or purchase "all the land that
Joins them" it would be wise for hosts of
farmers to sell some of their broad acres,
concentrate their efforts upon limited
areas. and look more to the comfort and
happiness Of their house holds, and the
proper education Of their children Even
if large farms were the most profitable
which We deny small ones are to be
preferred fer many and cogent reasons,
not the least Of which are the comfort,
peace, and general welfare of the owners
and their families. u. y. i. Moore in
American Agriculturist ior August
The Republican journal., 1885-07-30
The Failure of John Roach.

Lightning out of Il clear sky could not have
ment that John Roach, man who was consid-
cred one of the richest shpbuiIters in the
world, had failed. A New York club man,
whose knowledge of. and interest in. public af-
fairs, has given him a wide acquaintance with
the leading business men of the country, eX-
pressed himself thus, while talking to report
er: ''The announcement of the failure is in
deed startling to me. as it undoubtedly will be
to thousands of people i'll New York. But If
you will stop and think moment you will
come to the same CONCLUSION AS myself namely,
that it is nothing more than could be expected
under the circumstances; and what are the cir
cumstances: | will tell you: Secretary Whit
ney's actions in regard to the Dolphin was the
entering point of the wedge which has torn
Roach from his financial moorngs. The repeat
ed trial trips of the Dolphin, the hostility shown
toward him by members of the Examining
Board, especially appointed by Secretary Whit
ney to condemn the Dolphin, and finally the de-
c>ion of the Attorney General announcing that
the contracts held by Mr.. Roach authorizing
him to build the four steel cruisers, now nearly
completed in his yard at Chester. are null and
void, were enough to ruin any man. After the
Attorney Generals report was published, what
could Mr.. Roach do? He has expended in con-
structon of these four vessels, designed for the
navy of the United States, $4,000, 900 or 800
00O,000. He began the construction of these
vessels believing that the Government would
perform its part of the contract if he performed
his. Now what does be find? He finds that he
has on his hands some $20,000,000 worth OF
iron-cads which the Government declares il
will not buy. Mr. Roach has undoubtedly made
large loans on the strength of his contracts
with the Government which he cannot now
meet. Nothing but ruin stares himself and his
son in the face. How could he do otherwise
than make an assignment of his property? Mr.
Roach has the sympathy of the commercial
world, irrespective of party affiliations"
The Republican journal., 1885-07-30

A Funny Bridal Tour.

ORANGE BLOSSOMS on A BALTIMORE STREET
a HUNT FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER.
The sight of a busning bride, in full bridal
street, mel the eyes of all passers-by yesterday
afternoon. The brde-who looked old enough
TO know better-wore a wreath of orange
blossoms and smiaX, and veil, while her hands
were encased in white kid gloves, and her feet
in white kid shoes. At her bosom she wore a
large bunch of orange blossoms The white
conrasted greatly with her raven black tresses,
which fell in ringlets about her neck. Her
husband wore Il full suit of store clothes and a
straw hat. lie had great difficulty in steering
the poor horse, and the buggy looked AS If ii
would fall to pieces. The bride and groom
rode up and down Baltimore street, much to
the amusement of the crowds on the street, and
in vain tried to find photographer who would
take them. At last they found one near Gay
street. When the groom found the place he
had much trouble in getting the horse and
buggy up to the curb, and at last had to get out
and lift the buggy into position. Then he lift
ed his wife out, and she stood on the pavement
in all her bridal glory and finery, the observed
of all observers; but she did not mind that,
and seemed TO care more for the safe disposal
of Il bandboX and Il lace shawl than the crowds
who watched her. The couple went into one
gallery, but there they could not be taken large
enough, and they came down again and
Went into another. The groom put on his
white Kid gloves, and they had perfectly
"scrumptious time" sitting for their picture in
bridal costume. Several plates were used be-
fore good negative was secured, because the
groom insisted upon kissing the bride every
time the photographers back was turned.
After the 'ordeal" the bride took off her orange
blossoms and veil, and opened the bandbox and
got out white bonnet and put it on. Theu
the couple left. The groom went into the
middle of the street, and after taking off the
steamboat hawser that tied the horse to the
hitching post. turned him ''off" so the wheel
would not dirty the brides white dress, and the
lady, unassisted. hoped into the buggy. He
followed her, and soon the vehicle and its
precious load went down the street and out OF
the city towards Philadelphia. Baltimore
American.
The Republican journal., 1885-07-30
Something in a Name.

In chatting with one of Boston's old ship-
masters yesterday, he related an old war story
that VIII be OF interest to your readers. Mr.. ID.
d. Kelley, the eminent Eas-Boston shipbuder
was-as is well known-a strong Southern
sympathizer. He built fine l20O-ton ship and
named her the &C. K. Valandingham.' He
also had Il fine painting of the person she was
named for hung in her cabin. When the ship
was nearly ready for sea, but before she was
enrolled in the Custom House, MIR. Kelley tele-
Sraphed to one of the large San Francisco Com
mission Houses at New York that he wanted a
charter for his new ship--u>ing her name-tbe
answer came back that they would load no Ship
by that name. lie then telegraphed her name
to be the ''Roger b. Taney." They refused to
load Il ship by that name. Mr.. Kelley finally
called her the "Andrew jackson" she was
loaded and ever after bore that name All the
famous East Boston ship yards are empty. The
grounds where Douald Mckay built and launch
ed the Great Republic" and GLORY of the
Seas" will probably never know the sound of
the busy shipbuiIder more. 1t is q radical
change. and it is well that many of the most
noted New England shpbuiIders have not long
out-llved their pet industry. Boston Cor.
Marine journal.
The Republican journal., 1885-07-30
The Hudson Bay Route.

The failure of the Canadian government
steamer Alert to penetrate the ice at Hudson
straits is regarded as a serious blow to the
scheme by which it is proposed to establish a
summer route via Hudson Bay and straits to
Europe for the shipment of produce of the
Northwest territories. The Alert was sent out
for the purpose of following up observations
taken by the government steamer Neptune last
year, which were undertaken with view to
ascertain whether or not this route would be
practicable for commercial purposes. Several
attempts have already been made in both the
United States and Great Britain to raise capital
to allow those who secured the charter from
the Dominion to construct a railroad from
Winnepeg to some point on Hudson Bay, but
so far without success. The government only
sent out the expedition to satisfy those who OPP
pose the Canadian Pacific railroad as the only
outlet for products of the Northwest, not eX-
pecting they would succeed in establishing the
feasibility of the Hudson Bay route. Since the
Alert returned to st. Johns, N. F.. those who
until now have had some faith in the success
of the expedition, have abandoned all idea of
its resulting in anything buc failure.
The Republican journal., 1885-07-30
A W arning.

They met beside the sea-beat shore
In dog-days apathetic:
He was a learned pedagogue,
And she maid poetic;
They met, they loved, within fog,
The maiden and the pedagogue.
She dotted on the picturesque,
And he on natural history,
And while he mused above the shell
Which made the clam mystery,
She sweetly chanted poetry
On summer by the dark blue sea.
Or tinkling of her light guitar
Upon the wavelets flowing,
He in pursuit of jelly fish,
And her, came lightly rowing.
The moon bIinked softly through the fog
Upon the maid and pedagogue.
They welded ere they went to town;
But. oh ! the sad confusion.
They found in clearer atmosphere
Their love it was delusion;
That dreams and natural history
Would not by any means agree.
And now they lift a warning voice,
Fraught with intense emotion,
70 all the summer men and maids
Who tarry by the ocean.
deceit" they cry, ''is in Il fog"
The sad wife and the pedagogue.
Susan Hartley SWEET in Harper's Weekly.
The Republican journal., 1885-07-30
An Un-Ameriean Policy.

1t would not be easy to devise a more distinc-
tive unAmerican policy than that which the
Administration has thus far pursued. The
course of Mr.. Villas in refusing to pay to Amer
lean steamship companies the money appropri-
ated for that purpose, in connection with the
foreign mail service. promises result in put
ting all our mails in foreign vessels, in placing
an immediate check upon hopeful beginnings of
foreign trade, and driving the American flag
from the pacific. Mr.. Villas has avaed himself
of petty quibble, based on a forced construc-
for neglecting to obey what was unquestona-
bly, the purpose of the law. A pcayune econo-
my is effected, but large and important inter-
ests are endangered, and the authority of the
legislative department of the Government is
overridden. Secretary Whitney, actuated SEEM
ingly by personal or political animosity, or
both, has used the power of the Government to
crowd to the wall the owner of the greatest
American shipyard, and to close up one of the
few surviving establishments in what was once
flourshing industry. To sustain the Secretary
in this action the Attorney General has deliver
ed himself of an opinion so sweeping and far
reaching that it strikes at every contract with
the Government, and makes it perilous if not
runous for any one to enter upon obligations
which are one-sided in their binding force, and
which, on slight preteXts or no pretext at all,
may be repudiated by the Government.
Here are three Cabinet officers following a
policy perfectly consistent with ITSELF and adj
miraby adapted to put an extinguisher upon
American industry, and to play into the hands
of foreign shipowners and merchants. If only
one member of the Administration had adopted
such course of action, it might be set down to
individual caprice or stupidity. But when three
Cabinet officers, each in his own department,
mark out this policy, it must be accepted as the
policy of the Administration, either "personal-
ly conducted" by Mr.. Cleveland or chosen
with his acquiescence 1t will be remembered
with what satisfaction the English press gener-
ally hailed the nomination of Mr. Cleveland.
Perhaps he feels it incumbent upon himself to
Justify this applause by a course which, howev-
er detrimental it may be to American indus
tries, Is calculated to put money into the purse
OF the British Or perhaps, as a friend of agri-
culture, and author of the original and novel
proposition that 'the soil stays in its place. y
Mr.. Cleveland thinks it would be well to have
American industry restricted to the til.ing of
the soil. boston journal.
The Republican journal., 1885-07-30
Painting Single Roofs.

There are to be found a few farmers
who paint the roofs of their buildings in
the full belief that the coating will pre-
serve the shingles for long time. SO
far as our experience goes, and it is con
siderable, we believe that whatever is
used upon wood to preserve it should
coat both sides Of the shingles and also
penetrate into the pores of the wood
The Scientific American says that more
shingle roofs are painted now than ever
before in the history of building il this
country. 1t is mostly seen in cities and
suburban towns, although in the country
it is by no means rare. Considerable in
quiry has led to the conclusion that many
have their roofs painted to add to their
appearance, which in many cases it GER
tainly does, while others labor under the
impression that the paint acts as a pres
ervative to the shingles. The latter are
probably right, provided the paint is re-
newed as often as it needs to be. If the
roof is allowed to remain with the paint
partly worn off the shingles will retain
more moisture, and consequently decay
sooner than they would were they not
painted at all. On the score of durabil-
ity, however, little can he gained IN cost
of painting.
A good shingle roof unpainted Will last
a great many years, and the expense OF
painting it few times would replace it.
One painter, who had painted the roof OF
his own house, when questioned by rep
resentative of the Lumberman, used good
logic from his standpoint. He thought
that painting roof would add somewhat
to its length of life. ''You see," he said,
''that have painted mine. do for my
self what | desire to do for others. If
did not, the influence would be bad"
The Republican journal., 1885-07-30
Measuring Standing Grain,

An officer in the English navy has con
structed Il table for estimating, with all
neodtuI accuracy, the amount Of wheat
on an acre Of land, before it is harvest
ed The estimate can be made as soon
as the grain is ripe. Make wood or
iron frame one yard square, carefully let
it down over the standing grain, and
then shell and weigh all the grain on the
stravs belonging inside that frame. If a
circular "crop form" as he calls it, is
more convenient, make il six feet nine
and quarter inches in diameter, of half
inch iron. From his elaborate table, we
extract the following.