davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
Ben Butler.

General B. l. Batter, says a Washing
ton correspondent, is here for the pres
ent in his big stone house opposite the
southern end of the capitol. I called
there few days ago, and found the
rooms large, and luxuriously furnished,
the walls hung with fine paintings. One
room contains an elegant billiard table.
The General is suffering from a success
sion of colds in the head, from which he
can get no relief. He is hard worker
every day, and has so much business on
hand that he is a slave to his pen. He
says the dinner hour is the only leisure
he has, and he has made it an infexible
rule that no matter who calls to see him
while he is at dinner he will not be dis
turbed. II cannot and will not see the
dinner fiend," he says. After dinner he
goes back to his work, remaining until
11:30 p. m. Then he is hungry and calls
for something to eat. He goes to his
sleeping-room, lights all the jets of the
central chandelier, and the gas lights
each side of his bed, and piling in reads
until he falls asleep. If he wakes up
during the night, as he often does, he re-
sumes his reading. He is the first one
up in the morning, when he at once goes
to his desk. Such is the daily routine
life of one who has acquired wealth and
is well on in years, but who is not able to
stop business and take rest. That will
only come with the end of life.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
Four Days Lighting n Match.

One of the coolest days recently
pedestrians on Clark street stared in
Amusement at a big man who shufHcd
along apparently overcome with heat.
He carried an enormous coonSkin coat
on his arm, his big fur cap was pushed
back from his forehead, his coat was
unouttoned, and the perspiration
stood in beads on his brow. He was
looking anXiously at the store windows
as if in search of something that he'd
got to have and have right of. Along
about Washington street he gave it up
as a bad Job and tackled shiverin Q
Chicagoan who was hidden in a fur
collar and was trying to keep from
freezing to death.
Say, stranger!" he remarked fee.
bly,, wiping his forehead with the back
of his hand, ''kin we steer me onter
somethin' coolin'-soda water or sech
like? I'm clean done up with the
heat"
The Chicagoan was too much as
tonished to reply, and stared blankly
at the speaker.
whats the matter with this here
durn town, anyhow" continued the
big man, taking off his cap and I'M
buttoning his vest. ''All the soda
water masheens is done up in tisshoo
paper an burned if [ kin find so much
ez a drink O ice-Water. | sh'u'd think
sech hot weather ez-"
"Hot weather." broke in the other
man. ''For the Lords sake, man, it's
five beloww
Gosh! is it hot's that?" said the big
man hopping his face and moving into
the shade.
"Where'd you come from, anyway?'
asked the Chicago man, in an awed
voice.
''Dakota-an' in the last blizzard l
wuz-"
90, I see," said the Chicagoan,
been pretty cold up your way lately,
and you amt used to our mild eli
mate"
That's it, that's it." responded the
Dakota man, drawing himself up with
conscious pride. ''Why, in the last
blizzard 'twuz so cold didn't have a
smoke fur near a week"
''How's that" asked the nearer
''cigar freeze while you were smok-
ing?"
80, no, but it took a steam-grind-
stone four days to light match. p
Chicago Tribune.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
An Astonished Medicine-Nian.

There was another episode which
these peculiar people seemed to con-
slider as huge joke, which will ex-
plain as briefly as possible, to show
what the native people consider as
funny in the frigid zones, says Lieut..
Schwatke in paper in Woman for
February. One of the Eskimo men
had a peculiarly disigured face, to
which he pointed so often that one of
the party was finally led to ask him
the cause. He most cheerfully assent
ed to explain, amidst the grins and
suppressed laughter of the others.
When he was a young boy he was one
of the small band of natives that came
upon the remains of one of Sir John
Franklin'S unfortunate parties that
had starved to death, and they found
many curious things among the scat
tered material at the site of the sad
scene. One which immediately took
his boyish eye, was a red fattened
can that he found. full of .sblack
sand" as he expressed it. TIE s.black
sand" was of no possible use to him,
and, on the first occasion he had to
utilize the can, which was one winter
evening, when he was sitting by the
lamp in his snow-house, he poured
this useless material out on the plat
form of snow that held the lamp, and
in doing so some of it splashed in the
flame. There was an instantaneous
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
SQUIBS.

Mamna-"Who dweit in the Garden of
Eden, Freddie?" Freddie-"Oh, know
the Adamses!"- Harvard Mampoon.
"What's your business?" 81 feed the
lions in 1nenagerie." 'Must be dreary
work." "On the contrary, it's very funny.
They keep the table in r."-To Sn
Topics.
When ponderous lady recently adopt
ed Buddhism friend of hers remarked:
II can understand her turning anything
except somersault."
George" asked The teacher of Sun
day-school class, "whom above all others
shall you wish to see when you get ia
heaven?" With face Frightening up
with anticipation the little fellow shout
ed, "Gerliah!'
"Can men ~" asks the Boston Globe.
Certainly. Were you never present at
fire about the time the hose burst?
Some one advised President Harrison
to get dog to watch his premises and
take care of the fruit trees. "Better get
Sunday school teacher to take care of the
children" was the wise reply of the old
soldier.
Farmer-"And what is your brother
Frank doing now?" City Visitor-"He's
paying good deal of attention to his
etching" Farmer-"Um! What is he
taking for it?''
The inhabitants of Pada5 have revolted
against the Borneo company, and have
murdered four policemen and have
burned the town of Batu. They also
attempted to destroy Mamba-Kuk, but
were prevented by the Interference of
British man ofwar.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05

explosion. which he tried to explain
by yelling BOOM until thought
the top of my head had been knocked
off, and when some of the shock had
passed away he found that the top of
his snow hut had disappeared in the
dark night, the stone lamp was broke
into pieces, and the kitchen utensils
and parlOr furniture were all mixed
up. He was 4 medicineman of the
tribe-that is, one supposed to cure
sickness my magic, lamentations, ETC.,
and at the time the powder-can ex-
ploded patient was visiting
him, who disappeared in the con-
fusion, and his whereabouts was
not known for month or two after
ward, when he turned up in another
tribe farther south, whose doctors, he
claimed, were not of such pyrotech-
mic school of medicine. The medicine
man and his own nervous system was
badly shattered for long time, and
his hands and face were fearfully
scared as evidence of his story, but if
his appetite was at all injured he had
more than fully recovered, for he was
the most enormous eater, savage or
civilized, that [ ever saw in my life.
and could easily dispose Of reindeer
ham at a lunch whenever he came
around TO repeat his story, which was
altogether too frequent; but we luckily
found a good plan of Kidding ourselves
of him by the apparent careless hand
ling of q powder-can.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05

BILE feud between them. The long haired
chap will be taken out to Oak View in the
spring. Hector has never been so honor
ed.
The white rat IS getting along famous
~ on the fat of the land. He plays
about Mrs. Cleveland's sitting room,
standing on his hind legs and looking in
to interesting places. He took to his
hole for hours after the alligators came.
He gets the choicest brand OF cheese and
dainty dishes of every description, pre-
pared by Sinclair and served by the maid.
Mrs. Cleveland gave him a big Florida
orange to roll about and nibble at. He
Is ali right with the cats. There is
perfect understanding. Hector is not al
lowed near him.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
A Primitive Grist- Mill.

| The editor of Tennessee paper has
been making tour in the mountain re-
| gion of his state, and in his travels dis
| covered mill which he says is perhaps
| the most primitive of the kind in the coun-
! try, and is almost entirely the handiwork
of Mr.. Henderson. The mill proper is
about 1920 feet, and is built of legs, after
the style of the country pig pen-that is,
| the logs laid one on top of the other, the
! chinks not being filed up. The power is
furnished by water, and the mill sets with
in about ten feet below the top of the
dam. When the creek is not overly flush
the water falls over the dam, between il
and the mill, and operates a horizontal
futter wheel, but when the creek gets flush
the water comes over the dam in volume,
and instead of dropping between the mill
and the dam, lands directly on the roof of
the building and completely deluges the
place. When it becomes evident that such
state of affairs is coming on, the miller
just removes his corn and meal to
the bank and waits for the water to fall
before he can go back to work. The
grinding stones are about six feet in cir
conference, and seem to be made of some
kind of sandstone; they had been CORFU
gated once, but that was in the long ago,
for now the corrugatlons are completely
worn off and they are as smooth as a piece
of paper. The hopper over them will con-
tain probably bushel and a half OF corn,
and only one grain drops from it at
time; after grinding up one grain the
stones Immediately jump on another. and
thus the thing goes on. The miller fills
up the hopper in the morning, and goes
off for the cay, blowing, herding cattle, or
L Z
shaft which connects the wheel with the
stones, instead of being iron or steel, is
simply hickory pole, end just how the
stones are fastened to this shaft yet re-
mains mystery. The barrels about the
mill are pieces of hollow gum logs with a
piece of board nailed on one end as bot
tom. The entire plant is the hand york
OF Mr.. Henderson, and while it is queer
combination it is well worth visit.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
They Were Out of Eggs.

A Newfoundland dog named Don
had been sent for eggs. As he was re-
turning home. carrying his basket
with a proud, dignified air, he met a
dog against whom he evidently had an
old grudge. He set his burden down
carefully on the walk; then, giving a
bark of challenge, started after his
enemy on a dead run. A friend of his
mistress, who witnessed this proceed
ing, picked up the basket and carried
it to its proper destination. Mean
while, Don, having vanquished his foe.
returned to the spot where he had left
his eggs. On discovering that they
had disappeared, he ran around fran
tically, trying to find them. Finding
his effort vain, he sat down and lifted
up his voice in howl of anguish, az
visions of his mistress whip, or at
least the loss Of his dinner, filled his
mind. Suddenly he started for home
at brisk trot. Sneaking out into the
back yard he picked up an old discard
ed basket that lay in one corner of the
yard. and carried it in and deposited
it at the feet of mis- mistress. He had
been taught, when he goes to the
grocery for any article they do not
happen to have, to return and give a
succession of sharp barks. This he
proceeded to do, as if to say, They
were out of eggs to-day.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
How Daniel Boone Died

The Bourbon (Ky.) News publishes
some extracts from old copies of the Paris
Citizen dated in 1916 and 1918. One of
them is notice of Daniel Boone's death
as follows:
GAS he lived, so he died, with his gun in
his hend. We are informed by gentle
man direct from Boone's settlement on
the Missouri, that early last month Col.
Boone rode to q deer lick, seated himself
within blind raised to conceal him from
the game. That, while sitting thus con-
cealed with his trusty rifle in his hand,
pointed toward the lick, the muzzle rest
ing on log, his face to the breech of his
gun, his rife cooked, his fingers on the
trigger, one eye shut, the other looking
along the barrel through the sights-in
this posi- on, without struggle or mo-
ton, a1@, of course, without pain, he
breathed out his last so gently that wher
he was found next day by his friends, al
though stiff and cold, he looked
as if alive, with his gun in his hand Just
in the act of firing. 1t is not altogether
certain, if buck had come into range of
his gun, which had been death to thou
sands, but it might have ihstintively obey
cd its old employers mind and discharged
itself The hypothesis being novel, we
leave the solution TO the curious"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
Where Gold Seemed to Grow.

a few weeks ago parties who reside
in this city were making an eXamina-
ton of the old SOgg chute of the Mer-
rifield mine, and found in one of the
slopes of the abandoned upper works,
which have not been touched for per-
iod of twenty-five years, a piece of very
rich quartz, which had been broken in
two with hammer and laid upon the
foot-wall, probably by some employe
who intended to carry it away, but
was prevented doing so. The two
sections were lying about half an inch
apart upon highly-mineralized clay.
The fragments were carried to the sur
face and washed, and an effort made
to join them together, when it was
found to be impossible, the spurs of
one piece refusing to re-enter the cav
tiles to which they correspondent in
the other, these cavities having par
TALLY filed with gold since the frac-
ture was made. In some places a thin,
foliated film of gold had spread upon
the surface of the rock, but the most
noticeable formation was in the holes
and assures. When placed under Il
powerful magnifying glass it could be
plainly seen that the two pieces were
originally one, and that a formation
of gold had taken place, so that to
join them accurately again was inn
possible. This quartz was laid as be-
fore stated, alone on a bed of clay, and
this proves that the gold-producing
power is not confined to the rock and
earth alone, but must exist in cur
rents, which are stronger in some
parts of a mine than in others. But
the process of gold growth is slow, and
requires ages to become large enough
to make the formation, in which state
it exists, of value to the miner
NeUaG0 City (CdL-) Herald.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
Bright Hints.

Jewelry can be made to look like new
by washing in ammonia and water or al
cohoi, then rub drying and polishing with
prepared chalk applied with flannel Or
chamois skin.
Silverware to be kept bright should
never be washed in soapsuds; clear water
is best. To prevent articles from tarn-
ishiug, warm them and apply with soft
brush thin solution of co?lodium In al
cohol. The ware can be frightened by
rubbing with fannai or channels skin,
dipped in whiting or chalk, then with a
newspaper.
Brass can be cleaned by securing with
| asohes and soapsuds and afterwards with
vinegar mixed with salt heated to boiling
point, then dried thoroughly and brighten
with newspaper.
Lime free from grit mixed with alcohol
applied with leather will give beautiful
polish to steel.
To give stoves good luster add either
alum or sugar to good polish.
Tin pans can be prevented from rusting
by heating them and rubbing we'll with
linseed oil and heating again, Wood
ashes or whiting (Which is better mixed
with kerosene will brighten them.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
Churning Cream from Shippers.

It is generally supposed that the cream
from COWS old in milk is more difficult
to cburr into butter, and that the butter
lacks the flavor and quality of that from
fresh COWS. But according to an expert
ment made by a correspondent of the
Country Gentleman, this does not always
follow. He writes: 'We churned the cream
from a number of COWS fresh in milk and
about half as many shippers, i. e., cows
due in two to four months. All along
since we have had new mich COWS the
cream has all been charmed together. the
butter generally coming in from Is TO 20
minutes AID coming uniformly in good
granulated condition. The butter in this
test from the fresh COWS came in about
Is minutes, while that from the strippers
came in just nine minutes, both lots be-
ing excellent in quality and no apt
ible difference between them"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
A Strange Breed of Cattle.
Boston Transcript

A strange breed of wild cattle is found
in the high hills skirting the umpqua
valley, Oregon. In the mountains, near
Riddles and Rosebud, they are probably
most plentiful, but they do not venture
down in the valley much. They stay on
the hills and get water faom the living
springs which rise there. For the most
part they are concealed in the dense
growth of oak and fir in these mountains
there Is heavy under brush, too, SO that
1t is hard matter to get them. They go
in bands of SIX or eight usually, but
night ct night herd of forty or fifty get
together and lie down III the same yard
That Is, they sleep in the same spot,
which is usually a secluged place among
the trees. A band of wild cattle have been
known to get together on a cleared place
like this every night for couple of years.
When feeding there are always few bulls
to act as sentinels. While the cattle
Craze in bands of half a dozen or so,
they are nevertheless, close to other bands,
so that an alarm from any one of the
bulls, which leisurely feed on high ground,
they all turn away together. The cattle
are of all colors and wilder than deer. 1t
is hard matter to get shot a. them,
for the reason that there scent is so keen.
they can smell man long distance off.
They got wild in 1858, when the old man
Riddles and two Or three others of the
first settlers came to she valley. Their
COWS wandered off and could not be
found. After two or three years, all the
pioneers had to do when they wanted
beef was to rig out two or three pack
animals and go up into the mountains.
The cattle had to be killed on sight, the
same as deer and bear, for they could no
more be driven down than deer could.
Once killed they were quartered, packed
on the horses and carried down. They
have been hunted good deal of late
years, so that they are not as many as
used to be. popularity of these cattle
are that there horns and eyes are
jet black. The retina, iris and the
whole apple OF the eye are one mass of
jet black. You can't distinguish any
difference in any part of it. The horns
too. while being black as ink, are long
and sharp. Brought to bay, tie Oregon
wild cattle are very wicked fighters.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
WHITE HOUSE MENAGERIE.
The Pets of Mrs. Cleveland and Some of Thei
Peculiarities.

The Pets of Mrs. Cleveland and Some of ThefI
Peculiarities.
Never has the White House known such
number and variety of pets as within
the last year and half.
Since Mrs. Cleveland added the agile
young alligators--those precious trophies
of her tropical trip-her collection has
has been unique, if not complete. Thsse
beauties from the bayous will be we'll treat
ed, and when the weather softens into
May days they will be taken down to the
oval-shaped miniature lake back of the
mansion and treated to a jolly swim.
The bit of water is already alive with
rosyskinned fishes, that have been fed
oftentimes by the first lady of the land,
and when these Florida fellows spread
themselves on the shining surface there
will be scatteration of the fnny tribe.
Mrs. Cleveland's first pet of note after
she entered upon her domestic duties
not counting the family of national cats
that have been a part of the Executive
household for a number of terms and
with whom she made friends the first
WEEKS the curly, black haired dog,
Hector, sent her from Amsterdam as one
of the souvenirs of her European tour.
This dog has never been personal pet,
SO to speak, of Mrs. Cleveland. He was
not as tractabIe as some dogs, and had
to have sound thrashirg soon afte- his
arrival.
The gymnastic little monkey, which
was perpetual source of amusement to
Mrs. Cleveland, 1s-dead. Peace to its
ashes. 1t was the gift of dear friend
and it has been missed sadly. The
Potomac flats malaria and the name
"Mugwump" given it by a cruel newspa-
per were too much for it, and it folded
its lithesome arms and climbed the golden
stairs.
The pet to which Mrs. Cleveland is
most devoted is the beautiful white and
yellow dog, partly st. Bernard, that was
presented her sometime ago by one of
her guests. It accompanies her regular
ly in her afternoon walks through the
rear White House ground and back by
the drive alongside the TreasurJ. She
takes this constitutional every day be-
tween $50 and 5 O'Clock. The dog stays
close by her, never leaving for little run
without look back to see if he 'may."
Hector hailed the advent of his success
full rival with hair turned the wrong way
and offers of fight. To say that he is
envious when he sees his hated rival out
for the afternoon stroll, the observers, is
drawing it mild. There 10 an irreconcila-
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
Sailing.

Over the waves in the favoring breeze.
Sailing away toward the sIngilded Sky,
Fading. at last. on the glimmerng seas.
As the stars in the glow of the surprising
die;
Or. as q spirit in garments of white
Passes away when we wake from dream
Fades. and forever. in daylight's first BEAM
So in the morning, our ship fades IRON
sight.
Only sail which we watch with our eyes
Dewy with tearGrOps Obscuring our view,
Much like the sails of this vessel. which lies
Rocking at peace OF the HarbOr waves, blue
Anchored a t rest as she lay yester night;
Much like host Of the sails on the sea-
Sails which are nothing to you or to me
Passing, UNDECIDED, in darkness or light.
Say not our ship shall return as she goes;
Changes come often and years intervene;
Ships may be lost when the wild tempest
blows,
Time cast its shadow our friendships be-
tween,
For often the hearts are forgetful who roam;
Watchers who stand on the black pier to-
day
Long may have passed from our circle away,
Long ere our ship from the distance comes
home.
Jane Maria Read.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
THE FARM AND FlRESIDE.
THE MOTHER-IN LAW IN REAL LIFE.
BOSTON COURIER.

Who was it, when wed my wife,
Wished me long and happy life,
From trouble free, unveNed by strife?
My mother n-law.
Who was it taught my wife to bake
a loaf of bread or fancy cake.
And appebKing dishes make:
My mother n-law.
Who gave US counsel when we went
Housekeeping, money freely spent
On things for use and ornamentSs
My mother-in-law
Who taught my wife to take delight
In making all around her bright,
And meet me with smile at night?
hly mother in-law.
Who was it when nv wife was il
Bestowed upon her care, and skill,
And saved TO me nurses bills
My mother-in-law
Who then my little ores prepared
Each morn for school, who for them cared
And all their little SORROWS shared?
My mother-in-law.
Who was it, when heir prayers were said
So Snugly tucked them into bed
And, till they slept, beside them stayed:
Ny mother-in-law.
Who of 10y clothing then took care:
Who overlooked my underwear
And kept each garment in repair?
My nsother-in-law.
Who comes the first to soothe my woes?
Who loves my friends and hates my foes.
Who buys my children lots of clothes?
My herin-'aw.
Who oft TO me her aid has lent
To buy the coal and pay the rent?
Who'd gladly see me President?
My mother-in-law.
A loving grandmother is she,
A generous friend she's been to me,
Forever honored let her be,
My mother-in-law.