davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-27
The Draft Horse for Profit.


The farmers of the west have opened
up to them lucrative business in the
draft horse. Draft horse raising, though
at first of slow birth, has gained steadily
in favor and to-day is considered an
established fact. The business has arriv-
ed at this important juncture through
long series of critical tests. Consequent
ly, by common consent it is considered
perfectly reliable-with judicious care.
Every successful occupation or business
is within the reach Of every farmer. He
only has to avail himself of surrounding
opportunities, coupled with judiciOus care,
proper selection and adaptation to realize
the fact that the draft horse is a source of
profit The properly bred draft horse
always commands a ready sale and fair
price. There is no other class of horses
so universally sought after. The horse
buyers seek the locality that contains
heavy draft horses, and wisely shuns the
locality that contains the old line scrubs"
There is a vast difference between the
draft horse of to-day and that of twenty
years ago. And the difference in the
market prices Of then and now are equally
as great. This is certainly a strong argu-
ment IN favor of improved stock, and yet
Notwithstanding the vast amount of evil
dence in favor or bloOded stock, many
still linger in the old ''rut," raising scrub
stock and continually grumbling because
of the starvation prices offered for the
same. AS matter of fact, there are some
breeds that produce better draft-horse
stock than others of which the same quail
ties are claimed To mention what in my
opinion are the best draft horse breeds is
not the province of this article, but suffice
to say there are special breeds for special
purposes, these crossed with certain other
conditions produce the desired result
the popular draft horse. There is a great
difference between the properly bred draft
horse and the nO-pUrpose bred scrub horse
as theirs is between the orthodox trotting
record of the mule and the famous record
of Jay Eye See. Breed in and improve
the desirable qualities, the good qualities,
and breed out the bad ones. Herein lies
the secret of successful fine stock raising.
The successful stock breeder understands
and appreciates the value of this practi-
cal theory.
The draft horse may be made a source
of reasonable profit without making the
business a speciality. This is not an es-
sential part In this as in some other kinds
of business. 1t may be successfully run
IN connection with the various duties of
the farm. So that the business is placed
at once directly in the hands of the far
mer. VIII he avail himself of the golden
opportunity? A servibeable dreft horse
is the one universal demand of the times.
The farmer may raise two, four or six
good draft horses for his own use, and af-
ter reaping the reward of their Iabors
for several years put them off at profitab-
lie prices. For the great market the draft
horse is the most profitable horse the far.
mer can raise.
w
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-27
Cropping New Land in the Northwest.
Country, Gentleman.


New land, most of which is prairie, in
the northwest, is plowed the season previ-
Gus to cropping, to kill and more or less
complete the decay of the roots of natur-
al grasses and other wild plants, decay
being a prerequisite to facilitate the pull
verization of the soil. There are a few
exceptions to this rule. For instance,
turnips and swedes are planted on small
scale on the sod of early broken lands in
June or July of the same season. Beans
are also planted in some cases on sod.
The rate of decay varies according to
the time when the land is first plowed. In
most seasons the sod OF land pIowed in
May and June rots far more rapidly than
that plowed between June 20 and the mid
die of July. In fact, it is considered in
iudicious and worse than labor lost to
break up new prairie land after July 4.
The prevailing idea is that corn can
not be proftably grown as new and first
crop; but this depends on the condition
of the pulverization of the soil. If new
breaking done between May 20 and June
20, three inches deep, is cross-plowed the
following September five inches deep, and
given two extra borrowings just be-
fore freezing up in November, and an
other when preparing to plant the corn
crop of thirty or forty bushels per acre
can be grown, as [ proved years ago on
eight acres treated as described.
The general poor success with corn on
new land IS due to the poor preparation
of the land itself, not to any inherent de-
feet IN the soil. If it is desired to raise
corn, the land should be broken between
May Is and the middle of June, to facili-
tate the rapid rotting of the grass roots,
which, in condition with the top growth,
are more succulent during this interval
than later. By cross-plowing, instead of
'back-setting turning the burrows back
ineally is back-setting), the burrows are
twelve. fourteen or sixteen inch pieces,
according to width of pillow used. The
following mode may be adopted by new
settlers in Dakota or elsewhere: The sod
can be cross-plOwed or back-set five inches
deep.
in September, blowing once only. This
course brings up new soil, to be naturally
pulverized by freezing, and thawing the
succeeding winter; but the furrow slices,
containing the mass of grass roots, are
not much broken down or pulverized in
this way, the harrows not working as deep
as the ground is plowed. Two plowings
in the fall-when corn is to be planted in
the spring-will, however, cure this trou-
BILE.
The first blowing need be only as deep
as the breaking pillow works, say 21a to B
inches. Narrowing well, after blowing
back, pulverizes this surface soil, also
breaking up its contained growth of
roots. The sod being plowed and well
narrowed, pillow again five inches deep.
This course puts the rich vegetable mold
down to depth of three to five inches,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-27
Out Of Employment.
Providence Journal.

1t is terrible to think of the privation
which is sure to prevail next fall and win
ter. Recently manufacturer of my &C
quaintance talked with a woman, who, in
town not far from Boston, is of much
prominence in the order of the Knights
of Labor, and the fame of whose elo-
quence in the sanctuary" of the order
has reached even the profance ears of
outer barbarians.
One constantly recurring phrase Of hers
my friend took the liberty Of questioning
somewhat.
1--WE can injure the manufacturers" she
kept repeating with that malicious inton-
alton which shows that the sense of class
grievance has reached thoroughly vi
cious stage. eve can injure the manu-
facturers."
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-27
PRESSED CHICKEN.

The chicken should be nicely jointed,
and put into a kettle with just enough
water to cover. Cook until the meat slips
from the bone. When done take out all
the bones. Spread napkin over cake
tin, and lay In the pieces Of meat, alternat-
ing the park and white meat. Fold the
cloth oveOthe top, and place over it an
other pan which will fit in to press upon
the chicken. Place a heavy weight on
the pan and let it stand until cold.
HARD SAUCE.
3 cup butter, one cup prwdered sugar.
Work the butter till like cream, and then
stir in the sugar. Stir till white and
creamy, then flavor as you choose. A cup
of washed strawberries is a delicious adj
ditiOn to this sauce.
TO CLEAN CARPETS.
Having well beaten and brushed. scour
with OK gall, which will both extract
grease and brighten the colors. A part of
the gall in three gallons Of water (warm)
will do for large carpet: it had better
not all be mixed at once, but one-third or
fourth at time; and when that is cold
throw away and mix more.
TO sooUR BOARDS.
MIX IN saucer three parts OF common
sand and one part of lime; lay little of
this on a scrubbing brush; it is very use
full In removing grease, and in getting
rid of vermin. No soap is required. Rinse
the boards well and they will look nice
and bright.
Portland and Dennyville, Me-, will cele-
brate this year the centennials of their
settlements.
The profits of the gambling tables at
Monte Caklo during the four months end
ing on February % last were S6,67S,O53.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-27
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
HOW SHE IRONED HIS SHIRT.
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.

I'm afraid you may think him dandy,
And mention it, to his disgrace,
When tell you the front was embroidered
And the neck and sleeves trimmed with soft
lace.
But / ironed it WITH such feeling
AS never possessed me before.
Though had laundered his shirts, full hun
dred,
And made then for him by the score.
But tenderly feeling Ter this one,
said, :. Bless his heart, 3" and my sweet
boy!''
And smoothing the lace on the neck band.
| fingered minute to toy
With the fril as it lay my finger
And, though you may think was soft,
/ pressed two quick kisses upon it,
And laughingy held it aloft
know wives don't usually do this. tTTss
When ironing shirts for their lords:
They're more apt to indulge in tantrum
OF spite DER their ironing boards
But list, and I'll tell you the secret,
And you'll sympathize with me- I know,
AS woman will with another
If she the white feather will show.
My little girl up to her grammy's,
Was staying, the morning before,
And while she was rummaging cbildlike,
Midst some buds in an old bureau drawer,
She captured shirt which her papa,
When he baby, had worn,
And begged it to rig up her dolly;
And as it was wrinkled and torn
Returned home, she said: Mamma wash it,"
And so, as did her beheSt,
And thought low my terrible giant
Within its wee size had been pressed,
Do you wonder said bless his heart" as
My fancy presented to view,
4 miniature phase Of the monster
Who now measures just six feet two?
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-27
StOddord'S Mule.
Carson (Nevada) Appeal.

Many years ago down in Idaho, during
a gold excitement good many men went
into the country to make money outside
the gold hunting industry. Their idea
was to make other fellows delve for the
gold while they appropriated it afterward.
Rollin Z Jggett, afterward Nevada's con-
gresham, established a ferryboat on a
small creek and named the place "Death's
Ford" at the same time invented a
legend to the effect that it was thus nam
ed because so many lives had been lost in
the attempt to cross it. The stream was
not over dozen yards wide, and the
water nowhere over two feet deep, but he
rugged up a fiat boat and pulled it forth
aud back by a rope continuance. When
ever the prospectors crossed he RECALLED
them with horrible tales of the treachery
Of the stream, and the remorseless quick
sand which had drawn so many men and
mules to terrible deaths.
In the night when he ferried people
over he would caution them not to go too
near the edge of the boat, as a fall over
board was certain death. By letting the
dim old lantern out and making slow time
he frequently impressed the passenger
with the idea that the stream was half a
mile wide. For night trips he charged
S., but if the wind was high and the
weather bad he struck sanguine prospect
ors for much larger sums. In the day
time ST was the modest charge.
He went along in this way for several
months, the men who rushed to the hills
looking upon him as a benefactor to his
race by this conquering Of so formidable
an obstacle to travel as "Deaths Ford"
One day Charlie Stoddard, the promoter,
appeared on the bank with mule and
boarded the fat-boat to cross. In the
midst Of the stream, just when the ferry
man was telling how dangerous the place
was, the mule grew FESTIVE and fell over
board. One leg caught on a rope, and he
got his head under water, and unable to
extricate himself was drowned. When he
was cut loose he lay there in the middle
of deaths Ford" half way out Of the
water, so that all who came along saw what
a miserable sham the ferry was and that
any four-footed animal could walk across.
Daggett tried to get the mule away, but
he was too heavy to bulge, and so he lay
there IN plain sight for weeks, until Dag
gets business as ferryman was ruined.
That's the reason old Dag hardly ever
speaks to Charlie Stoddard when he meets
him.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-27
Anecdotes Of Josh Billings.

Anecdotes Of Josh Billings.
Now that no more novelties in humor
are to be expected from "Josh Billing
Henry w. Shaw, the following should be
placed ''where they will do the most
good.'
One who called upon Josh Billings and
modestly solicited his autograph, reports
that he took the autograph album on his
knees, gave his mouth comical twist and
wrote:
Thrice is he armed who hath his quarrel
just.
The Bard of Avon.
And four times he who gets his blow in
fust.
j. Billings.
When Rubinstein was over here he was
presented to Josh, and the pianist was
careful to impress the American with &C.
counts of the nobility of his ancestors
my family" said he, loftily, "goes back
to the time of the Crusaders. My research
es IN this direction enabled me to discov-
er that one of my ancestors accompanied
the Emperor Barbarossa.''
Josh smiled, and effecting to be i'm
mensely impressed, Immediately re-
marked:
"On the piano, of course
On one occasion he was thrown among
a batch of students in country town
near New Haven. He was tramping along
with rusty yellow dog, and entered the
bar-room of a hotel for some refresh
ments. A group of the Yale lads CHANGED
to be there on a frolic, and Immediately
interviewed Billings, whom they evident
ly mistook for farmer. They inquired
with affected interest after the health of
his wife and children, and Josh, with
counterfeited simplicity, gave them a
graphic account of his farm and little fam
lily.
''Of course you belong to the church 81
one student asked.
eyes, the Lord be praised, and my ia
Their and grandfather before me-"
"Now, I suppose you wouldn't tell a lie"
was asked.
''Not for the world"
''What will you take for that dog?'
pointing to Josh's cur, which was lying
beneath his chair.
II won't take twenty dollars for that
dog"
Twenty dollars! Why, he's not worth
20 cents''
II assure you I would not take $40 for
him.
"Come, my FRIEND" said the student,
who, with his companions was bent on
having some fun with the old man.
"Now, you say you won't tell lie for the
world. Let me see if you will not do it
for $50. 1 will give you $50 for your
dog"
9TH not take it."
''YOu Will not? Here! let me see if this
will not tempt you to lie,'' added the stu
dent, producing small bag of half dol
lars, which he built up in small piles on
the table.
Josh was sitting by the table with his
hat in his hand, apparently very uncon-
cerned.
''There," added the student, ''there are
$50, all in silver; [ will give you that for
the ANIMAL
Josh quietly raised his hat to the edge
of the table, and, as quick as thought,
scraped all the money into it except one
half-dollar, and then exclaimed:
Il won't take your 500. Nineteen and a
half is as much as the dog is worth; he is
your property"
A tremendous shout from his fellow
students clearly showed the wouId-be wag
that he was completely sold, and that he
need not look for sympathy from that
quarter, so he good-naturedly acknowl-
edged himself beaten.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-27
The Boy and the Preserves.
Washington Critic.

Il want some preserves on my bread,''
whined boy to his mother.
''You mustn't have it, Johnny, "coaxed
the mother. "That nice butter and sugar
is just the thing for little boys"
''Wow, wow" he howled, II won't have
it. 'Tain't nothing but glucose and oleo-
margarine. I seen it in newspaper this
morning, and it's pizen. Gimme preserves,
if you don't want your little boy to die"
The little boy got the preserves.
'Cut-rate tourists-peopIe who spend
very little and talk very much"-is the
way San Francisco paper speaks of this
seasons eastern visitors
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-27
Curious History of the Potato
Western Plowman.

The colonists who came to North Amer
ca in 1854, under Sir Walter Raleigh.
we're first to introduce the potato into
England. In report of the new coun-
Try by Thomas Heriot, he speaks of a
liant called 'openawk," the roots of
which were round, some as large as a
Walnut, others much larger, and were
rood food either boiled or roasted. Raj
Ugh took some of the roots to Younghall
the County of Cork, Ireland, and when
ne gardener had reared to the full ma
lrity of "apples," the potatoes which he
ad received from the knight as a fine
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-27
SELECTED RECIPES.
CREAM FRITTERS.

After made dishes well prepared frit-
ter of any kind is acceptable. It may be
of fruit or a soft, creamy batter, and
served after the entree, but may be sub
stituted for the usual dessert when the
family circle is small. The easiest mode
of preparing them is as follows: Sift to-
gether pint of flour, half teaspoonful
of salt, and teaspoonful of baking pow
der. Work these to a paste by gradually
adding pint of scalded cream. Whisk
two eggs thoroughly with tablespoon
full of sugar; beat the whole together;
drop teaspoonfuls of the batter in very
hot fat, and fry to dark bsown color;
let the fat drain off them, dust sugar
over them, and serve hot with sweet
sauce made from the syrup in canned
fruit, or sauce specially prepared and
favored with fruit syrups.
Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1886-11-05
Democratic Admonstion.

The New York World, recognized
by both parties as the leading Demo-
cratic journal of the country, init
mates daily, and often strongly as
serts, that the President is not carry
ing out with sufficient fidelity his dec
laration that, under his administration,
public officials would not be permitted
to control and direct political affairs.
A Democratic President, the World
says, in one of these recent articles of
admonition, notified public servants
that "a quiet and unobtruslve exer-
else of individual political rights is
the reasonable measure of their party
service" He issued an order to ex-
ecutive suborinates notifying them
that "oflice- holders are the agents of
the people, not their masters" and
declaring that "the influence of fed
eral office holders should not be felt
in the manipulation of political pri-
mary meetings and nominating con-
ventions."
But, says the World, this order has
been definitely disregarded and open
1y disobeyed by many Office holders
during the past summer. Because
the World has set forth this fact and
the proofs of it certain Democratic
papers have said that it is no "real
friend of the President. These it
answers thus: care they not real
friends of the President who insist
that he shall prove the sincerity of
his reform promises and secure res
pect for his authority? Only false
friends advise a man to be untrue to
himself and to his duty" The world
is an excellent example of the thor
oughly independent newspaper. In
this respect it excels most of the jour
nails that make "mugwumpery" a pro-
fession. For so anxious are they to
justify themselves for having support
ed Mr.. Cleveland for the presidency
that they think it necessary not to
point out mistakes or oversights or to
criticise the conduct of his admins
tration.
Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1886-11-05

ENGLISH AS SHE Is WRoTE.-W
mentioned few days ago that the
King James version of the Old Tes-
timent made bull in the latter part
OF the verse xxxv of XIX chapter of II
Kings which said:
"And when they arose early in the
morning, behold they were all dead
corpses.
Since then we have received a
copy of the new version of the Bible
and we find the verse very materially
amended. The new version makes
the matter a good deal better and in
that the whole verse reads:
"And it came to pass that niobt.
that the angel of the Lord went forth,
and smote in the camp of the Assyri-
ans an hundred four-score and five.
and when men arose early in the NOR
ming, behold they were all dead
corpses."
The new translators might very
well have omitted either the word
dead" or the word "corpses,n but we
suppose strict translation requires
both words, so as to make the lam
guage strong.
Tim Moore, Canadian, was killed
accldently near Kingston, North Ida
no, last week. S. ID. Arnold and =
companion while deer hunting, heard
IA noise in the brush, and lust then
seeing streak of white, fired at if
shooting Moore in the neck. He died
n few moments. Arnold went 70
Kingston and gave himself up. At
he inquest the shooting was found to
'e accidental, and Arnold was dis.
'harged.
Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1886-11-05

A Montreal special to the Post
says: Since the arrest of Jake Sharp
and othor alleged bribers, Billy Ma
loney, exReading Clerk of the Doodle
Council, has been more communica,
tive, and confessed that he received
Doodle money in connection with the
Broadway scandal, and paid it over
at the rate of $4,000 to each of the
boodlers. Where the money came
from, however, he has refused to say.
remarking that this missing link was
only known to himself and one other;
that he was no informer and never
would be one. All kinds of offers of
pardon he said had been made him
from the District Attorneys office in
New York, if he would return and
give evidence for the State against
the brlbers and bribed. The same
dispatch says that absconding Alder
man Sayles has arrived at Montreal,
Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1886-11-05
We are one people, after all.


We have had our differences and we
fought them out. Earring politics and
conflicting oplons will always exist and
cause more or less pickering. We
must expect all that.
But zone touch of nature makes all
the world kim" When genuine dis
tress strikes one section, when a
great calamity befalls it, then we re-
alize how closely we are knit togeth-
err by the bonds of brotherhood and
sympathy.
Before the dust from Charleston's
shattered buildings had ceased falling,
Boston, New York, Philadelphia,
Hartford, and other northern cities
flashed their offers of aid to their
stricken sister by the sea.
This warm and spontaneous outburst
OF sympathy speaks for ITSELF. 1t
will never be forgotten and it will
find ready response in the hearts
OF grateful people, Atlanta Con-
stitution.
Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1886-11-05

When you hire servant in Mexico
1t is with the understanding that his
or her entire family reside with YOU.
In the "hill" of a mosquito there
are hive distinct surgical instruments
These are described as lance, two
meat saws, suction pump and a
small Corliss engine.
The Mexican stage coach always
has two drivers, one to hold the reins
ana the other to do the whipping.
The later carries bag of stones
to throw at the leaders.
The most universally diffused Or
ganlsm in nature, the least size with
which we are definitely acquainted, is
so small that 100000 of them
could lie together in LOO square
inch.
David Allen, farmer of East
brldgewater, Mass, has eaten but
one meal day for thirty years. He
is Oh years of age, perfectly healthy,
and does as much work as AVERAGE
farmers around him.
In deep test bore at Blcominp.
ton, Ind, Postsdam sandstone has
been reached at depth of 2,450 feet
L IS supposed to be the stratum Of
'Ae stone which crops out in Michi-
gan and elsewhere.