davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-12
From Ransom.

A meeting was held Monday evening for
the purpose of making preparations for a
4th of July celebration Several commit
tees were appointed. Much of the success
of the affair will depend upon the manner
in which they perform their duties.
Mr. Thomas Herbert died at his home in
Brookfeld township Thursday, and was
buried in the Seneca cemetery Saturday.
Mr.. Herbert settled in that township many
years ago. by untiriRg industry he became
the possessor of considerable property,
which afforded him large income in his
declining years. He passed away surround
ed by relatives and sympathizing friends, at
the ripe old age of rs years
DR.. Mccoy was ell .cted village trustee
Saturday, without much opposition 1t
would be we'll for Ransom if there were a
few more like him on the board,
Mrs George Rugg of Ottawa is the guest
of her sister Mrs. J. W. Translau.
Nate Mcintyre and wife went to Chicago
Monday.
John Joyce went to Joliet yesterday to
get work. If he does not, he will probably
soon embark for Ireland.
On Saturday Our citizens honored the
memory of our heroic dead in an appropri-
ate manner. In the forenoon they visited
the cemetery in Otter Creek At half past
two they marched to the Ransom cemetery
and strewed with flowers the last resting
place of our countrys defenders. A MOTTO
able feature of the procession was the at
tendance in body of the teachers and
pupils of the Ransom school. the Grafton of
the day was delivered in the NJ. Z. Church
by Rev. Springer of Macon, While not
wishing to assume the roll of the critic, we
do think the speaker did not do justice 10
the occasion.
Many comments may be heard in regard
to Aliens items in the Republican the
trouble is that the items contain too much
of what is true, to suit certain class. Thus
far their effect 10 find out who Allen is ap-
pears to be in vain. One of them says that
"sap-headed Sapp'' wouldn't tell the cores
pondents name,
Many of the farmers are hauling oats to
town.
Mr.. and Mrs. Mckay are receiving
congratulations-Its boy.
Willie Wayman is at home in Morton
visiting his parents.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-12
From Ransom.

RANSOM, June 10th, 1SS9.-On account
Of the very dry weather crops are not grow,
ing very fast.
Farmers In the eastern part of the town
ship are feeling happy since Tuesday night,
when there was heavy rain, but 1t did not
spread itself enough to suit all.
Mr.. Baker has about two hundred acres
of the best corn we have seen this year.
John Joyce returned from Joliet Sunday
a wiser if not sadder boy.
The festival given in the City Hall Fri,
day night by the band boys was complete
success. They furnished an excellent sup
per. The Smithdale band was in attend
ance, and played several fine pieces of
music.
jim Corrig,n was assested So and costs
last Friday by Justice II Ulster, for getting
drunk.
The Catholic Church will be dedicated
newt Tuesday.
Nick Steinhardt went to Chicago yester
day 10 visit his brother Gus.
John Phelan's youngest son drank some
poison Tuesday which was left where he
got hold OF it, but an emetic was given in
time to save his life
Another partner has been added to the
drug firm of Transeau d Co. The new ar
rival will make soothing syrups and pari-
goric a specially.
Jim is so happy over the event we pre-
sumo he will call the boy Grover
Mr.. Albert Cleal of Hastings, Neb., who
has spent the past week with his relatives
here leaves for home today.
Mr.. Wagner one eff our Oldest citizens,
Is We y ill, and it is thought he canno live
much longer. SCRIPT0R.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-12

At last the Mendoza N. GEO have reached
the Trenton rock in boring their big we'll
on the Porterield farm near this city,
and the drill is now at work at depth of
about $50 feet The rock was found at a
depth OF TO feet, and just before it was
reached the drill went through about II
inches of sand rock, in which a vein OF gas
was struck that rushed up through 100 feet
OF water with loud roaring noise, and 1t
is estimated that the pressure was fully so
pounds to the square inch. This vein was
cut off by the easing, and the drill is still
at work in the rock below, with, tits hoped,
good prospect of finding still greater flow
In the rock belew.-Bulttin.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-12

Wallace on Aug, l4,h 1884, was beaten ~
a horse from Freedom, name unknown.
Quite number OF our Wallace boys went
fishing TO Dayton last week,
Paddy Fennessy the butcher, caught the
largest fish that was ever caught over the
Dayton dam. He pretty near pulled Paddy
into the water but Paddy was true blue
and finally brought his victum ashore.
The farmers are wishing for rain.
Thos. Hayes is visiting In this vicinity
He is delighted with the location.
Pat Fennessy while escorting his girl
home the other night, had his horse become
frightened and landed Pat and his girl In
the ditch. Fortunately they were not hurt.
Pat Curtain is visiting In LaSalle.
A great many Of our boys wear gloves
in the field.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-12

The much-talked of disease germ cannot
possible exist where the purifying and re.
generating influence of Nichols Bark and
Iron have once held sway. If this never
failing remedy is constantantly used disease
will be banished from the household and
health reign triumphant.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-12
FromW allace.

The outlook for this year is large crop,
and future prosperity.
The Wallace mansion is fast developing
into an elaborate dwelling
Assessor Fogarty is on duty, Mr. Fogaty
a. an assessor Is man of unequaled ability.
The law suit of Connors and Curtain is
decided, Mr.. Curtain is putting in the tile
now.
The fast time made by the Pride of
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-12

What are the desirable qualities in a
whisker dye? 1t must be conveniet to use,
easy to apply, impossible to lub off, elegant
in appearance, and cheap in price. Buck
inghsm's Dye for the Whiskers unite in it
self all these merits. Try It,
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-12

Can be corrected with simmons Liver Reg
ulator. 1t is particularly adapted to the
st ,mach, correcting acidity, destroying foul
gases, Inflammation. Take after eating, a
alf-tablespoonful, it assimilatss with the
food and ensures perfect digestion, without
which bad breath must eDsue.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-12

Herman Flint, laboring man living near
Western avenue, Aurora, recovered a yer
dict of $4,000 damages in Judge Garys
court against the c., b. & @. railroad, Flint
was going to take train at the depot at
Western avenue, Chicago, in 1884, when
train overlook him in backing into the yard,
throwing him down and cutting off his
right arm
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-12
Bucklin's Arnica Salve.

The best salvc in the world for cuts, bruises,
sores, ulcers, salt rheum, fever sores, letter,
chappcd hands, chilblains, corns, aud all skin
eruptions, and positively cures piles, or no pay
required. 1t is guaranteed to give perfect sat
isfaction. or money refunded. Price IS cents
per box. For sale by ID. LorriauX.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-12

More broom corn is raised in Coles
County this State, it is said, than in anv
other county In the world. The crop OF
1885 is valued at 100000.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-12
ANNOUNCEMENTS.

We are authorized to announce that CHARLES FER
GUSON, of Freedom township, VIII be candidate for
the office of sheriff Of La Sale county, subject To the
endorsement of the Democratic county convention.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-12

Morrison has but three saloons Sterling
has eight, licence $1,000 a year, while
Dixon has fourteen with liCence at $500.
Fulton has four, licence $500.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-19
SUPERSTITION.

Some of the Vague Premonitlons Of Inn.
pending Danger Harbored BY Unreason.
ing People, M
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-19
BASE BALLS.
How They Are Made-An Ingenious and
Important Industry.

Important Industry.
The manufacture of base balls in this
country has become an important in
dustry, and an ingenious one, too,
according to the description given OF
the process: First, there is a little hard
rubber ball, around which there is
wound a strong blue coarse yarn, and,
when this reaches a prescribed size, it
is firmly wrapped with white Vene-
tian yarn. The balls are now placed
in an oven end baked until the moisture
is taken out of them and they are re-
duced in size, this making them solid.
They are then coated with cement,
which causes the balls to retain their
shape, and they can not be knocked
crooked. After this comes some fine
blue yarn and around the whole is
placed fine white gilling Irvine. The
balls are weighed, each to have a cer-
tain weight, and the covers are put
on, these being made of the best horse
hide. 1t consists of two pieces, each
cut in the shape of a figure eight
By bending n section way, and
the other in an opposite direction, a
complete cover is obtained. This is a
simple and etlectual substitute for the
former method of covering with four
pieces of leather.-N. Y. Tribune.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-19
with untanned hide covers in tie

with untanned hide covers in TIE
town clerks office were carefully
searched, but no title was found in any
one of them. Three years afterward,
on August 80. 1868, the club, amid
great hilarity, and after careful prepar-
alton, seized the island in behalf of
thier chief and betowed upon it his
NAME. That occasion was one of the
many grand festive days at Indian Har-
Dor. Quincy, the photographers, was on
hand, and Tweed's Island was taken =
second time. The instrument was placed
on a point of rocks now covered by the
south piazza ofthe Indian Harbor Hotel.
Tweed sat behind surrounded by many
political stars, then bright and shining
lights in the city government, but now
forgotten. To add to the a~ttractiveness
of the island, Tweed built the cottage
mentioned, still standing, and placed
over it a tall flag staff.
After Tweed's escape in 1874 the cot
tage was said to be his hiding place, and
for several days oystermen were en-
ployed in boating detectives and report
ers to this place in search of ciews.
From that time till 1S77'the island was
the resort of oyster thieves by night and
an occasional picnic party by day. The
cottage lost its coat of paint and was
gradually falling into decay, when a
poor oysterman, James M. Morrell,
took possession of it, and went to work
to restore the place to its former attract
iveness. Last winter, in the Rocky-Neck
store, Morrell boasted that he would
soon W the island by adverse posses
sion and doubtless he would, had he
talked less upon the subject. The mat
ter was brought to the attention of the
owners of the Indian Harbor Hotel.
They wanted it, and State Treasurer Al
fred L. Goodrich declared the land to be
an escheat, and petitioned the Probate
Court for an order of sale for the benets
of the State.
During the progress of the proceeding
William F. S. Mclaughlin, of Plain.
field, N. j., appeared as y witness, and
he astonished every one by producing q
warrantee deed, executed in 1888, and
conveying the island, for $35, to his
father, John G. Mclaughlin, of Jersey
City. Mclaughlin testified that his
father had purchased the island supposL
ing that it abounded in potter's clay,
Finding that he was mistaken, he con,
sidered it of no value; he died twenty
years ago. The deed was found on rec
ord, but had been omitted in the index
The escheat proceedings then ended, ant
the Mclaughlin heirs agreed to sell tn,
island to the hotel.-M Y. Tribune.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-19
TWEED'S ISLAND.
The Mystery of the Place Where Politi
clans Once Held Carnival.

The Mystery OF the Place Wnere TOllCl-
clans Once Held Carnival.
Lying at the mouth of the Indian
Harbor, Greenwich, Conn, beautiful in
its combination of rocks and shade
trees, is Tweed's Island. Summer
boardcrs at the hotel have often cast en-
vious chances across the water at the
rough oysterman occupying a tasty cot
tage high above the sound and have
asked many questions concerning the
history and ownership of the spot.
Those who landed there reported having
seen, hanging in the best room, a beau
tiful crayon portrait of VIM. M. Tweed.
The kind, benevolent expression, that
which was always potent with the
masses, appears as in life. The picture
once hung in the parlor of the Ameri-
Gus Club House. When the club wa dis
solved, the crayon found its way into
the oysterman's cottage.
Until recently the ownership OF
Tweed's Island has been unknown. Old
residents told of Jonathan Finch, who,
seventy-five years ago, called it his,
claiming to have purchased it for a calf.
But the land records were silent. Finch
had no deed, and for many years it was
untaxcd, unclaimed and uninhabited.
When Tweed and the Americas Club
went to Indian Harbor, twenty-five
years ago, he attempted to purchase
the island. The ancient books
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-19

Some of the Vague Premonitions Of Inn.
pending Danger Harbored BY Unreason.
ing People.
After curiosity, the most deplorable
attribute of human nature is blind, un-
reasoning superstition, and yet we see
people every day who are ignorantly
superstitious.
Many a man who is old enough to
know better will shivcr with supersti-
tious dread when the stove pipe falls
and hits him on the head, and again
there a great many who regard it an
evil omen when they see a creditor over
the left shoulder.
Ionce had a very dear friend, whose
only weakness was superstition; such
| trifies as a visit from his wife's mother
| would depress him for days, and once,
when he fell out of a third-story window,
he said that he regarded the incident as
an evil omen.
In his arduous duties as driver of a
street-car, one would think that he would
have had but little time to indulge in
| such vagaries of the Imagination, but he
always had the greatest faith in omens.
| On one occasion, when the company put
a sorrel mule on his car, he expressed a
vague %premonition of impending dan
ger, and was gloomy and taciturn all
day.
In the evening a passenger who was
standing on the back platform of the car
was surprised and annoyed by being hit
on the equator with the remains of the
driver, part of which also hung over
the bell rope, and protruded from the
fare box. His presentiment had
been verified and the mule was
still robust. Afterward, seven
drivers were hurled into space by
this animal, all of whom expressed a
presentiment of evil as Don as they
boarded the car.
have only had one presentiment in
my life, but it was a large silver-plated
presentiment with a silver tip; I was try
ing to enter a neighbours house at mid
night by the back window, to secure a
few articles Of silver as souvenirs, when
I encountered the family bulldog. I'M
mediately 1 was seized with a peculiar
dread, and when the seance was over,
and a genllemanly policeman pried my
neck out of the dogs mouth, the pecu-
liar dread was still there.-WaN Mason.
IN The Whip.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-19
~LIGHTNING's E A
The Remarkable Stroke Experienced and
Observed in Minnesota.


The Granite Falls Journal, Minnesota,
gives IN account by N. o. Carrie and
Christian Olson, farmers of Granite
Falls, of the remarkable results of a
stroke of lightning which struck the
prairie about a mile and a half from
Olson's house. 1t occurred in June
last, during a heavy storm.
They say it made a hole in the ground
between five and six feet across, and
nearly six feet deep, and from this hole
there extend six trenches two feetdeep,
branching off in different directions,
and extending for a distance of from
six to eight rods. And what was
very singular, not a particle OF
the sod and dirt thrown from the hole
and trenches was to be seen, except
now and then a large piece of sod
twenty or thirty rods away. Mr.. Olson
says that by actual measurement the
bitches plowed out by the lightning
from where it struck were all of an
equal distance apart; four of them were
of the same length, and the other two
six feet shorter. The report is said to
have been as terrible as if an explosion
had occurred. A lady sitting at a win
dow in a house a mile away sensibly
felt the shock; two men were sitting
outside another house a mile away
from the scene, and so forcibly did they
feel it that they Immediately jumped
to their feet and went into the house
without speaking. MI. G. A. Bennett,
editor of the journal, writes us that
he vouches for the truthfulness of the
above account.-Scientifc A1neYlca,
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-19
POOR POLLY.
A Case for the Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals.

of Cruelty to Animals.
Mrs. Clamwhooper, a fashionable
New York lady, has a pet parrot of
which she is very fond. She has also a
husband of whom she is not very fond.
A few days ago her husband was mon
keying with the parrot, when he sud-
denly cried out in anguish and danced
around the room, holding his fingers in
his mouth, removing them from time
to time for the purpose Of using his
mouth to turn loose a torrent of pro-
fame language.
Good gracious, what's the matter,
Charles?"7 said Mrs. Clamwhooper.
"That ~accursed parrot!" calculated
the suffering man.
81 hope you haven't hurt the dear
bird"
''No, but the dear birdh has bit a piece
out of my finger"
"Great goodness, I hope it didn't
bite it clean oat."
eyes, it did"
81 wish you would be more careful, :
Charles. The nan l bought that bird
from told me not to let it taste meat
under any circumstances. Poor Polly!
Polly want a cracker?'-N. Y. Mer-
cM2y.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-19

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad sta
ton in Philadelphia is to be after the
plan of that at Charing Cross, London.
with a fine hotel at one end.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-19

in Amador County, Cal, recently
q man found a mirs,r's unburied bones,
and, searching further, came across an
old boot containing about 1000 worth
Of gold dust and nuggets.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-19

The hat Of DR.. Richmond, Of st. Joe, was
found on the river bank near the depot, but
the doctor is still missing,
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-01-09

that didn't require oiling, to any imitation
they were capable of conceiving. Even in
modern times the dreamers have not been
lew. The Patent-office of the United States
is full OF models for flying machines on
which copyrights have been secured. These
nave wings, and fans, and parachutes, and
Dladders and every possible Continuance by
which gravitation can be overcome or ayoir-
dupoiS reduced
In 1S42, about the time the Millerites
were talking about going up and ascension
robes were in great demand, Mr.. Henson.
an enthusiastic Engishman, evolved an idea
from the recesses OF his mind and came ont
with machine that he claimed could 20
without the aid of muscular force. As
muscular eXertiOn is the great bane of
thinking men, HensOn's contriyance was
popular among scholars. His machine
looked something like an Overgrown bat.
having propeller instead of feet and
light framework covered with thin cloth.
instead of wings The first thing needed
by him was to get up rapid rate of speed.
which he accomplished by taking his in
vention to the top of steeu
hill and letting it run down like hand
sled. When it got to going in good shane.
making the dust fly and blowing up the
dirt like an avalanche he spread out
the wings and it shot off into the air
like puff of smoke from the mouth
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-01-09
HOW RET1F DE La BREToNNn DID IT.
III might be- sunnosed ANAL these old idea

1t might be supposed that these old ideas
would have vanished with the advent of
Baconian philosophy and have gone to make
up the cemetery of exploded notions, filling
grave by the side of alchemy, elixir
vitae and other ancient notions but they
did no. On the contrary, they have been
more common and more diversified of late
years than ever before. One of the most
complex and intricate machines was that
Invented by Ratef de la Bretonne several
hundred years ago. This was complex
arrangement OF wings and pulleys and
lines, made to operate like the wings of
birds when flying, or, more nearly, like the
apparatus which old poets and artists used
to attach to their first class dragons. In
addition TO the wings, which were made in
way that would awaken pride in the
heart of any dragon, he was provided with
an umbrella or parachute over his head and
a lunch basket under his feet For some
reason at present nknown--peThaps It was
because he carried too many rations in his
basket or perhaps the bread he carried was
of ''soggy" nature, and refused to rise
when bidden-the contrivance did not sue
coed, and Retlf, after breaking both legs,
and showing willingness to break
more if he had them, concluded his
aerial career by breaking his head and
ended his life as peanut-peddler or IN
some other vocation that did not require
such risks. His failure did not discourage
others, however, but for every one that
failed there were twenty waiting to take
his place. Soon after America was discov-
cred, and the gold of the New World came
pouring into Spain, it is said that every
village had its resident who was preparing
to go up when his machine was completed
but who never went higher than the top of
two-story building. In those days there
were men leaping off from every house and
mountain side in the country. Few tried it
second time. Some devoted their remain
ing days to crutches and SPAWN cure, while