davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
THE VALUE OF FORESTS IN STOR-
ING THE RAINFALL.

The Springfield Republican is wor-
ried about the preservation of the
Adirondack forests, not only as health
resort, but OH account of their ''un-
doubted effect" upon the water supply
of York state. Our mugwump neigh
Dor is far behind the times. In these
days when storms are tracked for hun
dreds and even thousands of miles,
sometimes covering the entire continent
and the Atlantic to boot, it is absurd
to suppose that even so large forest
as the AdirOndacks affects rainfall to
any appreciable extent. 1t is true
that forests collect moisture, but the
meteorological operations of nature are
on too grand scale to be senslbly
changed by such slight local causes.
The ancient theory to which the Re-
publican clings is no longer accepted
by the foremost scientists of today,
Henry Gannett declaring in a recent
number of Science: at seems idle to
discuss further the influence of forests
upon rainfall from the economic point
of view, as it is evidently too slight to
be of the least practical Importance"
- Homestead.
1t cannot be that the Homestead
would Intentionally mislead its read
ers. If the foremost scientists of today
assert that forests have no perceptible
influence upon rainfall they will hard
ly assert that forests have no valuable
agency in storing the rainfall and
discharging it gradually into the
streams, thus giving a much steadier
| flow of water through the season and
person who has lived on one of the
New England rivers for the last 40
years needs no scientific knowledge to
demonstrate to him this fact. Take
the Passumpsic river for instance.
Perhaps as much water runs in its
channel in May as ever, but not a
quarter part the volume passes through
it in time of drOuth as did 40 years
ago. The reason is apparent. The
forests about its head waters and trib-
utaries, which were almost unbroken
then, have been gradually slaughtered.
The swamps of the forests, decaying
leaves and other vegetable matter ab-
sorb the rainfall and discharge it grad
ually, whereas from cleared lands
heavy rains run off rapidly, making
floods along the streams and leaving
little or no storage of water to be dis
charged into the feeders of the rivers
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
The New Chief Justice.

President Cleveland has nominated
Melville w. Fuller of Chicago success
sOr to Chief Justice Waite. The ap-
pOintment was not surprise to those
nearest the President, for Mr.. Fuller
was known to be his first choice. The
appointment is generally approved,
both by republicans and democrats.
He is a man of slight, wiry frame, with
a fine head of white hair which gives
him an older look than his 50 years
fairly warrants. Mr.. Fuller is native
of Augusta, Me-, graduate of BOwdO
in, his classmate being E. J. Phelps
our minister to England. For 30 years
he has enjoyed lucrative practice in
Chicago. In his practice in the SUI
preme court of the United States Mr..
Fuller has repeatedly come in contact,
both as a colleague and as an oppo-
nent, with Messrs. Edmunds, Thur
man, HOadley, IngersOll and other ad-
mittedly great lawyers, and has never
failed to hold his own against the
greatest of them.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
Hiram Atkins's Salary.

Either Hiram Atkins or the files of
the treasury department at Washing
ton must be at fault. A few weeks
ago the Springfield Republican in an
editorial article stated that Mr.. Atkins
was in receipt of 81 a day as superin-
tendent of the government building in
course of construction at Montpelier.
This statement Mr.. Atkins through the
Argus promptly denied, stating that
his pay was only So day. Now the
files of the treasury department at
Washington show that Hiram Atkins
is employed at compensation of So
per day as superintendent; that he is
allowed clerk at compensation of
"a per day, and a foreman at COM
pensation of So per day. MIR. Atkins
employs as clerk George Atkins, his
brother, Tor did so employ him up to
the close of 1887, and we suppose he
remains in that position today and
employs as foreman one George A.
Brown.
Will Mr.. Atkins inform an anxious
public how he harmonizes the treasury
department records of what is paid
him with his own statement of what he
receives Will he also inform an anx-
ious public as to whether his brother
George, under government pay of 81
per day, finds time to perform any 9th
er duties in connection with Mr.. At
kins's private business in the Argus
office
Perhaps it would be impertinent,
but we would really like also to know
about how many hours in the course of
the month Mr.. Atkins's valuable time
is employed in experimenting" the
construction of the building for which
he pockets the So and possibly the en-
tire SI3 day.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Queen Victoria is at home again.

Queen Victoria is at home again.
Frederick White touched an electric
lamp in front of a store in New York,
received a powerful shock and dropped
dead.
The former Burlington road engi-
neers and firemen insist that the strike
is still in progress, and say that they
will fight it out if it takes all summer.
An official of the New York National
Park bank, who has been in it's service
for twenty years, has taken from it's
funds nearly 100000 by an ingenious
system of classifying the books.
Berlin dispatches dated May state
that the emperor's fever has increased.
The expectoration is more copious and
his cough is worse. He is languid and
has little appetite and hopes of perma
nent improvement are shattered.
A school exhibition was in progress
at Bellefontaine, O., Friday night,
when the floor gave way with fright
full crash. and 400 people went down
in a heap to the ground, distance of
20 feet. Two were instantly killed, 10
seriously and probably so others more
or less seriously injured.
Rev. Edgar L.. Hermance, late pastor
of the Presbyterian church in the viii
lage of White Plains, N. Y, shot him
self in the pulpit of his church Sunday.
Money losses in business enterprises
are said to have occasiOned the TRACE
dy. His wife is daughter of ex-Presi-
dent WOOlsey of Yale college. .
An epidemic has broken out among
the sheep in SALISBURY that threatens
serious loss to wool growers. The
sheep that are in the best condition
are the earliest victims. The first
sign is weakness of the limbs. The
animals stagger around and soon lose
entire use of their limbs. They then
bloat rapidly and die quickly.
The Connecticut and Merrimack riv-
ers have been very high all the week,
overlooking banks in many places.
At Bellows Falls the Connecticut rose
eight feet in 30 hours. The biggest
flood since 1869 threatened. The pulp
mills cannot be operated on account of
back water. The building owned by
the Russell Paper Co., filed with val
liable machinery was undermined and
in 20 feet of water. 1t was rOped to
surrounding buildings in the hope of
saving it.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
Bishop Berkeley,s Tar Water.

These Blaineacs remind us of Bishop
Berkeley and his tar water. George
Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne, was one
of the most cultured and religious
Irishmen of his time, and that was two
centuries ago. Near the end of his
life he became melancholic, thought he
received benefit from tar water, used
it freely, recommended it to others for
every ailment, and finally published a
book of philosophical reflections on the
virtues of tar water, and this remedy
became the rage,-the fad of that day.
Had man smallpox he took copiOus
draughts of tar water; had he con-
sumption, pleurisy, "peripneumony"
or what not, tar water was the only
recognized remedy; indigestion, asth-
ma, and drOpsy all succumbed or were
govt, gangrene, hysteria, hypOchon-
dria, poor appetite, restless nights,
wasting pains and anxieties were all
alike treated with tar water. Woe be
to him who dared to utter protest. He
was soon shamed into yielding and
submissively swallowed the prescribed
half pint of tar water night and morn
ing, on an empty stomach, no matter
what allied him.
Herein was the Bishop and his tar
water like the Blaineacs of today, who
insist upon it that in their leader is
found the one and only cure-all, the
specific for all the diseases that affect
the body polite. Does the tariff need
revision, Blaine is the remedy are
boundary questions to be settled,
Blaine is the only man that can do it
is there fishery dispute on the tapis,
call in Blaine to attend to the bust
ness do our foreign relations need re-
adjusting, Blaine's firm hand and his
alone can do it; is an extraditiOn
treaty faulty, Blaine's brain can fix it
are we Over-run with anarchists, call
for Blaine do we want to beat Cleve
land, Blaine it is again; Blaine, Blaine,
Blaine, the only man in the nation, the
only remedy at hand.
The Bishops tar water proved to be
a melancholy failure as a medicinal
remedy, and numberless graves swal
lowed up it's victims. Let the Blaine
acs take warning before it is too late.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
ArbOr Day.

Gov. Ormsbee appoints tomorrow as
Arbor Day in Vermont, advising "that
it be observed as day for planting
trees, shrubs and flowers, to the end
that the waste and barren places be
made more valuable and fruitful, and
our homes more attractive" The gov
ernOr recommends that the youth in
the schools and colleges be invited and
serve the occasion, as far as may be,
by collective action, and calls special
attention of town authorities to the
fact that in too many instances the old
cemeteries and burial grounds are
greatly neglected, in fact, seemingly
forgotten by the living, and he sug-
out reforms in these directions on Ar
Dor day. ArbOr day could be observed
to better purpose about a month later
in this section of the country, but, for
tunateIy, the excellent suggestions
made by the governor are of such a
nature that they can be carried out all
through the spring months to good ad-
vantage, and this, it is hoped will be
done by the people of Vermont. Let
it be made perpetual thing and the
results will enhance the value of prop
erty and beautify the face of the cOun-
try.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03

We notice that the name of the
editor of this paper has been mentioned
in connection with the office of lieuten-
ant governor. This is personally
pleasant, as the position is an honor
able one, but he is not Il candidate for
this or any other Office and will be in
nobOdy's way. He has no political
aspirations whatever, and desires only
to serve the republican party the best
he may in his present calling st.
Adams Messenger.
Let's see, it was the st. Adams Mes
senger, if our memory is not at fault,
that said few weeks ago of Hon. b.
ID. Harris's letter of withdrawal from
the gubernatOrial candidacy: "The
communication is more formidable
than the candidate has been at any
time" The bearing of this comment
lies in tke application of it.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
CABOT.

The hill roads are impossible. The
prospect is that the teachers residing
in Hardwick, who are to begin schools
in this town Monday, will be obliged to
come via Wells River.
There is some talk that E. HI. Clark
will not rebuild, but will move to his
house in the village in the fall. The
insurance company settled with him
for $4,000, which was much below his
loss.
Some of the parishioners and friends
of Rev. and Mrs. j. E. Knapp met at
the parsonage Tuesday evening, May
|, to remind them that it was the fif-
teenth anniversary of their marriage.
A purse of money and some other to-
kens were left.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
Better elect him for term of several

Better elect him for term of several
years.
Our cornet band seems to be in a
Furnishing condition. 1t has Is pieces,
good instruments, good leader, and is
almost if not quite free from debt. Now
if st. Johnsbury wants some first class
music for fourth of July, let the Peach
am boys fill the unoccupied field.
Prof. Bunker and wife gave the pub
lie general invitation to a sugaring
off in academy hall on Saturday even
ing and all had a good time. Bunker's
sugar orchard is of limited extent, but
by the application of exact science to
the boiling, settling and sugaring off
he manages to compete with the best
sugar makers in town.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
EAST HARDWICK.

James II. George expects to move
into the Cheever house soon.
Whitcher & Fort began their roof
painting business last Monday.
The Democrats held caucus Satur-
day evening. j. III. Graham was chos-
en- delegate to the convention at Mont
pelier.
j. ii. Pressey expects to go to Wal
den Station and A. j. Whitcher of
West Danville is to come here as sta
ton agent.
d. w. Jenness was called home from
the democratic caucus Saturday night
and found a house full of people to eel
brate his sixth marriage anniversary.
Among the presents were a willow
chair, cake basket, etc.
A. w. Newell was severely injured
by being struck with cane by his son
Ebert. Mr.. Newell is a worthy citi-
zen and has the sympathy of the en-
tire community who feel that he is I'M
kindly treated 10y his family.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03

during any protracted dry season.
This is why the Adirondack forests are
a necessity to the flow of water in the
Hudson and its tributaries; and this is
the reason that unless the slaughter of
the forests is stopped the value of all
the New England rivers as source of
power for manufactures, will soon be
comparatively worthless, and their
beauty destroyed.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
NORTH DANVILLE.

B. ID. Hartshorn has returned from
California where he spent the winter.
Mr.. Hastings has raised fifteen lambs
from eight sheep and has lost but one
lamb. Who beats this ?
Miss Hattie Clifford is to teach at
the village; Kate Stanton in o. N.
Drew's district; Carrie Wells in the
Stanton district; May Hastings in F.
Drew's district; Miss Starks from ST..
Johnsbury in the Morrill, district; Miss
Symonds in f. ID. Prescott's district !;
and Nettie Stevens at Goss Hollow.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03

Appearances from different sections
of the state indicate a strong leaning
towards Col Albert Clarke of Rutland
for lieutenant governor. While it
would seem much more fitting that he
should head the ticket, yet his unusual
qualifications as presiding officer and
his entire life devoted to the public
service, peculiarly adapt him to the
position of lieutenant governor.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
THE TOWNS AROUND.
WEST BURKE.

The Quebec lumber company have
again started their mill.
Mrs. Edo Gaskill and daughter re-
turned from Pasadena, CAL. Monday
night.
A pound party was given Rev. j.
Morse Tuesday evening. A very
pleasant time was enjoyed.
FJ. Wiley while moving now
ing machine with others near his shop
accidentally caught two of his fingers
in the gearing, injuring them badly.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03

The good old CALIFORNIAN, which we
have read with much pleasure from
boyhoOd up, dubs itself with the ugly
name CHECKER" We do not like the
change Barton Monitor.
That is just what those who need kick
ing always say. "No rogue ere felt"
etc. But such papers as the Monitor
and CaledOnian are profitable for Gre
proof, correction and instruction"
That's what we are here for.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
SUTTON.

DR.. Colby is able to be out again.
Mrs. Lewis Gordon is very sick with
drOpsy.
Arthur Kincaid has bought Andrew
Lang's farm. Lang goes to Massachu
sets.
Mrs. N. K. Campbell has returned
from New York where she has been
through the winter.
G.. M. Campbell has lost one of his
white faced horses that got loose and
fell through the floor and broke its
leg
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
DANXILLE.

j. B. Barron's boy of West Danville
died Tuesday of diphtheria.
Orrin Steere, who was shot at Ly-
man, N. H., was former resident of
this place.
George Burdick is home on visit
from Boston.-Mrs. Burdick is home
from Pennacook, N. III.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03

The periodical democratic farce at
the Atkins primary, is what one who
was present calls the democratic eau
Gus at Montpelier Thursday evening.
Expectations of an interesting fight
had been excited because John III. SEN
ter had written a letter to Frank H.
BascOm expressing a desire that Bas-
com be present at the caucus to hear a
statement of his standing in the party
and in the community. BascOm was
there but there was no fight and At
kins delegates were turned out by his
machine ready made. OF 400 demo-
cratic voters in Montpelier, only 50
cast ballots. The boss seems to have
his tools well in hand.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
McINDOES FALLS.

Seth Ford of Wells River has bought
the Moulton house and force of car
penters are engaged repairing it.
The death of Capt. Robert Blair on
Sunday at the age of 70, of paralysis,
removes one of the old citizens from
this place, and one who has been iden-
titled with local affairs for many years.
He was a successful farmer and had
for many years held town Offices.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03

Editor Camp explains his silence on
state political questions, a silence that
is significant because of his furious on
slaught on Forbes 81 Co. some weeks
ago, on the ground that "the recOil
from the first shot, firing at nothing,
was so severe we are fiat" A poor ex-
Dlanation.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
SHEFFIELD.

Rev. j. R. Franklin, pastor of the
Free Baptist church in this village has
received and accepted call to the pas
tOrate of the Free Baptist church in
Comic, N. HI.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
ST. JOHNSBURY EAST.

Rev. j. F. Whitney has received a
call to become pastor of the COngrega-
tional church at Jamaica, in Windham
county this state. He will probably
accept and move there with his family
in the near future.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
PASSUMPSIC.

Rev. Edward Mason is visiting
friends in this place.
A. III. Coruth has returned from
Montreal on a visit to his family.
The village school commenced Mon
day with Miss Carr of st. JOhnsbury,
teacher.
The entertainment given by the base
ball club last Saturday evening was a
success, a good number being present.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
Another Echo from 1854.
st. Adams Messenger, Rep.

His republican clients in Vermont
are expecting that Senator Edmunds
will hustle around to recover this year
what he helped to throw away in 1884.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03

William E. Barrett, another of the
many bright Vernon ters, who has been
editor aHl manager of the Boston Ad
vertiser for the past two years, has
organized a new publishing company,
which has purchased the paper with its
evening annex, the Record, for $IlO,-
900. Mr.. Barrett has already achieved
success as journalist and his many
friends will wish him still greater sue
cess in this new departure.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03

A number of press comments on the
progress of the Blaine campaign are
given in this issue, not because there
is demand for more Blaine literature
but because his own name has given
rise to more newspaper talk the past
week than that of any man before the
people. When paper like the BOs-
ton Journal calls for an explanation
from the great statesman it may safely
be assumed that things are getting in
teresting.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
REACHAM.

Rev. G.. A. Emery goes from here to
Grand Isle.
We noticed one of our seleetmen
shoveling out the road to the Hollow
the other day. He seemed to be work
ing diligently and said that he charged
fifty cents day and boarded himself.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
LYNDON CENTRE.

The town meeting on Tuesday called
out about $50 voters. A. l.. Ingalls,
was elected second selectman on the
fourth ballot.
Ten families in town would doubt
less have experienced great suffering
last week but for the OppOrtune open
ing of the town liquor agency. The
"disease" will doubtless become cpl
demic as soon as the agency gets fair
ly advertised.
The Boston Journal of Apr. 26 has
among its personals the following re-
garding Miss Strong who was teacher
of art at Lyndon Institute in 1886
"The many friends of Miss Beulah
Strong, who is now at the Julien art
school in Paris, will be pleased to learn
that portrait painted by her has been
accepted at the salon, and on account
of its high merit been placed among
the best exhibited"
LYNDONVILLE.
The Methodist society had a sugar
party in the grove last Tuesday. The
inclement weather prevented Il large
attendance.
The wind or some other motive pow
er took the large snow roller from near
Matthew's block to the fountain in the
park last Monday night.
The |. O. G. Il. dramatic club will
will play the drama "Ont on the world"
for the benefit of the Lyndon cOrnet
band at Music hall next Friday even
ing. Promenade and dance after the
play. Half fare tickets from st. Johns
bury.
The old rail shop has been moved to
the north end of the blacksmith shop
and will be put in condition for use as
Il blacksmith shop as soon as possible.
Several new machines have already ar
rived and more are coming; $4,000
shingles are being put on the roof of
the car house.
w. B. Best, who has for year or
more been employed on the Canadian
Pacific r. R., as engineer, has returned
shops. He was formerly leader of the
Lyndon cornet band. He is fine cor
net player and the boys give him a
hearty welcome.
Riverside lodge installed these of
ficers May 1: G. T., E. NJ. Campbell
V. T., Mrs. l.. F. Edgerton; S., Mrs.
H. Willmarth; f. S., Mrs. H. G. Sta
pies; Treas, II. G. Staples c., c. S.
Smith NJ, IL. II. Powers ID. NJ, An
Ma Carter; G., Mary Leach; Sent, F.
o. Manson A. S., Paul S. Carter; S. j.
T., Mrs. NJ. Jenness P. c. T., B. III.
Pierce. III. G. Staples has been APP
pointed lodge deputy, vice E. M.
Campbell resigned. The lodge now
has 65 members, gain of four since
Feb |
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
Boston Record, Rep.

Mr.. Blaine is only few hours dis
tant from this country by telegraph.
He is less than fortnight's distance
by mail. Is there no one in this coun-
try near enough to him to get from
him an absolute statement as to wheth-
er he will accept the nomination or
not9 The way things are today puts
a very bad face on matters. Mr.. Blaine
"should place himself and his partey
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03

Bismarck has declined the proffered
dukedom.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
Another Letter Coming.

A political rumOr reaches us from a
high republican source and of so i'm
portant character that we publish
it prominently. According to this
intimation the last thing that Mr..
Blaine will do as he embarks on board
the steamship which is to bring him
home to the United States will be to
renew, in the most positive language
his refusal to be the republican candi-
date for the presidency.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-03
PRESS COMMENTS ON BLAINE.
The Public Must Decide

hUUUNU HeTulu, 7Iep.
The public has taken both Mr.. Harris
and Mr.. Blaine at their words. Nei-
ther is candidate. If either becomes
a candidate now it will be, not because
he seeks it but because the public
seeks him. The public is ga bigger
man than old Grant"