davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
Lulling Her Babies to Sleep.

Mrs. Julia Sophia Walker died at her home in San Francisco on Friday night under peculiar circumstances. She was @ handsome, vigorous woman, not yet thirty years old, and mother of two children, one baby and the other about fonr years old. Save for their company she was alone at home in the evening. She was busy with her household cares. and the children climbed about her until shortly after o'clock, when 1t came their bed time. She tucked them in their cribs by the fro, and kissing them goodnight turned down the light that they might sleep the better. Going then into the parlor adjoining, she left the door aiar, and sitting at the piano played for time in soft strain as lullaby. After a time the music ceased abruptly, and the elder child was aroused by a sound from the parlor like heavy fall. Calling its mamma repeatedly and re- ceiving no reply, the little one arose, went into the parlor, and there by the piano, on the floor, just as she had fallen from the stool, lay the mother, dead. MT. Walker reached home within few minutes thereafter and was overwhelmed with the spectacle which greeted his en- trance. His wife lay dead and his chil- dren were crying with fright. The Coroner was informed, but, as death plainly resulted from heart disease, nc inquest will be held.
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
A NEW RAILROAD.
After Long Troubles the South Penn
 sylvania will be Built.

Pittsburgh dispatch says that for years of interncl dissensions which enabled the Penn- sylvania Railroad to interfere with building of the South Pennsylvania 8 parallel line, the leading interests of the latter company have agreed fully upon a plan for completing the road. The statement comes from an official source, and means that the road will be com pleted as soon as possible. Since the return of Mir. Andrew Carnegie from Europe he has been busy upon Q plan of settlement of the disputes His plan was submitted to the Van derbilts, Dr. Hostetter, and Mir. R. Bagaley, as they were tho majority stockholders. These gentlemen have finally agreed to accept it. On Saturday it was signed by Hostetter, Bagaley, and the gentlemen pociated with MT. Car negie, having already been signed by the Van derbilts and Mir. Carnegie.
 By the new contract the stockholders agree to an immediate assessment of 20 per cent, which will amount to $3,000,000 Already $70O, 900 have been spent, and when the $3 OOO,- 0N0 have been put into the road the company will issue $1O COG, 900 of thirty-year per cent. gold bonds, which it is understood have all been sought after already by investors. The the bonds. Andrew Carnegie takes $500, 900, and Messrs. Hostetter & Bagaley take $6OO, 900. The money which will thus be raised by the assessment and the bonds will be sufficient to complete the road and equip it. One of the results of this agreement is that MT. Bagaley withdraws the suits brought by him, and all is peace.
 Work on the road will be resumed shortly. The line has been examined by engineers and found to be in good shape, very little damage having resulted from it's abandonment. The traffic agreements with the Reading and Jer- sey Central are still in force, and so are those with the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie and the Pittsburgh. McKeesport and YouyhioGheny roads, and by means of the last-named roads an entry is obtained to Pittsburgh.
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
THE BEHRING SEA. The Canadians Want Damages for Our Sealer Seizures.

An Ottawa despatch says that Professor Dawson is on the way to Washington, as agent of the Canadian government, in relation to complaints of that government about the wrongs suffered by some of it's people in Alaska.
 This refers probably to the seizure of a num- Der of Canadian sealing vessels in Behr- ing Sea and their condemnation at Sitka The Carolina, Onward and Thornton, all confessedly Canadian sealers. were seized in August, 1886, by an American revenue cutter, while over sixty miles from land, in Behring Sea, and were later con- demned by the United States court. About the sametime several American sealing vessels the San Diego, Sierra and others-were also seized, under similar circumstances, and also condemned.
 Early in 1887 the President ordered the dis continuance of the proceedings against the Canadian sealers and their discharge, but the American vessels captured and condemned were held. Subsequently, in July, 1887, five other Canadian sealers--the Grace. Dolphin, Alfred Adams, W. P. Sayward and Anna Beck-were seized, also at distance from land. For all these seizures and the losses inflicted on the owners and crews, damages are claimed by the British Government. In considering these claims the question whether the United States can hold Behring Sea to be closed sea turns up,
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
PROHIBITION WORKING.
An Omcial Report of Poor Success
 in Rhode Island,

Chief of State Police E. F. Curtis, in his first annual report to the Legislature, makes . poorer showing for the working of prohibition than during the first year of tho trial of the law. There arc now 32S appealed liquor cases and 338 indictments on the Court of Common Pleas docket, and the Chief comments: elf the Judge should be able, sitting with . jury, to dispose of one case day, it can be seen that over two years would be occupied in the trial of liquor cases alone now pending. If to this delay be added the further delay occasioned by the taking of ex- captions on questions of law to the Supreme Court, and, when these are overruled and the cases called in the Court of Common Pleas for sentence, the taking of new exceptions again to the Supreme Court. and ss this court has but two terms year, it can readily be seen that liquor prosecutions are prolonged to . great. and, as it see us to me, an unreasonable length"
 Legislation is isrecommended requiring de- fendant to take all exceptions at one time for errors alleged to have been committed up to the time of excepting, and empowering the court to proceed to sentence, notwithstanding exceptions have been taken, when, in the opin- ion of the court, the same are manifestly inn material, frivolous, or intended for delay, as is done in Massachusetts.
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
Croze to Death.

A sad story comes from from North ern Dakota of the death of school teacher and five children by freezing during the late intense cold. The teach CT, named George Patrick, was employed in an isolated district about forty miles north of Mandan. When the blizzard came on, only five children were present in the school. It is supposed that Pat rick concluded to remain over night in the school house with the children rather than attempt to face the storm. The blizzard ragged for several days, and when the school-house was reached, at the end of the storm, teacher and chil- dren were found frozen to death. They had burned all the wood, broken the desks and torn up the floor for fuel. The teacher had stripped himself of his outer garments and wrapped them about some of his pupils.
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
Tho Old Silver Spoon.

 How fresh in my mind are the days of my sickness, When tossed mo in pain, all fevered and sore; The burning, the nausea, the sinking and weak ness,
 And even tho old spoon that my medicine
 bore.
 The old silver spoon, the family spoon, The sick-chamber spoon that my medic no
 bore. How 10th were my fever-parched lips to re-
 ceive it, How nauseous the stun that it bore to my
 tongue, And the pain at my inwards, oh, naught could
 relieve it, Though tears of disgus. from my eyeballs it
 wrung.
 The old silver spoon, the medicine spoon, How awful the stuff that it left on my
 tonsue.
 Such is the effect of rauseous gripping medi- icines which make the sick-room memory of horror. Dr. Pierc,s Pleasant Purgative Pc : lets, on the contrary, are small, sugar coated, easy to take, purely vegetable and perfectly effective 25 cents vial. 'srm going to leave, num-" s'What for7 I'm sure have done all the work myself in or der to keep girl" 'Well, mum, ther works not done to suit me-" If afflicted with sore eyes use pr. Isaac Thomo son,s Eve Water Druggists sell at 2Ss per bottle
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
Nail These to the Barn Door.

If the iron wedge will not draw, build fire of chips and heat it.
 Heap up and tramp down solidly the snow around the young fruit trees.
 Water, green food and meat, fowls
 Watch the outlets of the tile drains, that they do not become closed with ice.
 There is one part of the farm that IS not benefited by drainage: the manure heap.
 Politeness pays in the COW stable. A gentle man gets more milk than harsh man.
 Straw and corn-fodder are best worked into manure by putting them through good animals.
 The best preventive of trouble at lambing time is daily exercise for the ewes during winter.
 Take the bridles with you when you go to breakfast, and put them near the stove while you eat.
 Separate the weaker animals; they need extra feed, whereas with the stronger they get scant feed.
 Profit in farming comes from the max imum crops, the products of winter thought and summer work.
 If the chain pump is clogged up with ice do not give the crank a jerk. Both wheel and chain break more easily when very cold.
 Every farmer may be the architect of his own fortunes, and Is 1t poor policy to let the job out to luck. Harness hung in the stable is damaged as much by the gases and dampnes there as 1t is worn by use. When green wood IS used for fuel part of the heat is absorbed to convert the water in the fuel into vapor. If you do not wish cloddy and lifeless ground in the spring keep the cattle of the field when the soil is soft.
 Drive your horses little to one side when you stop with load on the sled. This makes it easier to start the load. A fire burns better in a hot than in a cold furnace; it is equally true that an animal we'll wintered Is half summered. If open, outdoor feed troughs are turn ed over at night they will not be filled with snow and ice ill the morning. If you place the ax near the stove for 1 fifteen minutes it will cut better and not be so apt to break along the edge. The flavor of the fuel used for smoking meat is somewhat imparted to the meat hence the fuel should be selected care fully.
 You have no right to feed dog SC long as you have not the money to pro. vide your family with good papers and books.--Aneerican Agriculturist.
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
DYNAMITE AND CANNON.
The Trials at San Francisco and
 Sandy Hook.

The detailed results of the trials conducted in December by army officers at Sandy Hook with the dynamite projectile invented by Lieut.. James Weir Graydon. formerly of the navy, are made public. They in- dicate that notable advance has been ac- complished in the ability to safely use small amounts of high explosives as the bursting charges of shells fired from ordinary rifled cannon. Of course no such charges are prac- ticable as those thrown by Capt. Zalinski from the Mefford pneumatic gun. Yet the advantages obtained in range and penetrative power, provided the Graydon device should continue to prove both safe for the artillerist and dang. rous to tho enemy, make the late trials extremely important.
 There have been in all three series of official tests of the Graydon shell. The first was made in the summer of 1886 at the Preside of San Francisco with 3-inch field piece. It's results were such that Board consisting of Capt. John W. Dillenback and Lieuts. H. l.. Harris and Adam Slaker, First Artillery, was detailed to conduct additional experiments about . fortnight later at Fort Winfi Id Scott, five miles from San Francisco. This second set of experiments was with 41laa-inch siege gun. Fifty-two shells, many containing more than pound of dynamite, were safely fired in these trials, while the Board reported that both heat and shock had been successfully Cbvated, there being no premature explosions.
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
Better Burn it to Ashes.

The Mayor of Richmond, received the fol- lowing letter, dated Philadelphia, in reference to the proposed sale and removal of Libby prison to Chicago:
 SIR: As I rode to my office this morning read in @ Philadelphia Record of Chici go scheme to remove Libby prison to that city for public show. It fairly horrifed me for . moment. lost father and two brothers in Virginia, and have been striving for twenty-three years nearly to bury the war in oblivion. which is impossible while Republican politician lives to wave the bloody shirt Why, this would perpetuate in the North all the animosity of war. And what can the people of Richmond be thinking about to permit it or even harbor the thought for . moment? Better burn the building to ashes than for . few paltry dollars allow it to stand in Northern city, a standing shame on the fair fame of the South. Excuse mo for ad- dressing you. 1 do not even know your name, but trust you will respond to my sincere de- sire that your people will not consider any such vile scheme, no matter under what spec ious plea it may be hidden. I am, sir, with great respect your obedient servant,
 JAMES H. WORKMAN. Late Captain Company "H," Sixth Pennsylva-
 mia Cavalry (Rush's Lancers).
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
LIVE STOCK STATISTICS.
The Value of tho Animals on Uncle
 Sam's Farms.

The February statistical report of the De- partment of Agriculture relates to the num- bers and values of farm animals. There is a reported increase in horses, mules, and cattle, largest rate of increase is in horses amounting to fully per cent, and it is general through out the country, though largest west of the Mississippi. The aggregate exceeds 13. 000,- 900. The increase in mules averages S1 per cent. The increase in cattle is nearly 21, per population. It makes the aggregate over Az, 900, CO., or S2 per 100 of population. The increase is nearly IS large in milch COWS as in other cattle. In sheep the decline appears to focks being about 43, 500, 900. There is . smaller decline in the number of swine, less than one per cent, leaving the aggregate over
 Prices of horses and mules are nearly the same as last year, but both are lower than in the year 1884, when the continuous advance from 1877 eliminated. Tho. average for all ages is 71.62 for horses, and $79. 7S for mules, decrease of SS and ST cents, respectively.
 From 1879 to 1884 the annual estimates of ed yearly, and the decline has since been un- interrupted, with out exception, for either class of stock. The fall in milch COWS has been from $26,08 to $24,65, over 5 per cent, and in " oxen and other cattle from S19. 79 to S17.79, decline of 10 per cent. in the last year.
 In sheep, as In other stock, the annual ad- vance wa quite steady after 1879, and amount ed to 9 per cent in four years. From 1883 to 1886 the decline was over 25 per cent, or from g.. 53 to S1.91. The next years average was S2.01, and the present average s2.05, or nearly as much as in the depression of 1879, when prices were the lowest in twenty years.
 There has been an advance in the average for swine of all ages from S4.4 to $4.9S or II per cent. The annual advance was continu- ous from 1879 to 1888, then declining to 1886, and slightly advancing again since.
 The aggregate value of all farm animals is sS COG, 900 more than year ago, the totals for cattle being smaller by about s64, ,O0O, 900, for sheep . tride smaller, with increase in those for horses, mules and swine. The horses re- present S946, 900. .OOO the mules, S175, ,000, 900; cattle, S97S, 900, coo; swine, s521 ,00O, 900 and sheep, SS9, GOO, 900; a grand aggregate of $2 409 OOO 600 for these classes of domestic ami mals on farms and ranches
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
Natural Gas in Texas.

Northern capitalists prospecting at Fort Worth struck gas at depth of 380 feet. Great volumes of gas, accompanied by cloud of sand. rushed from we'll with roar that could be heard a mile away. James Gabriel, a workman, lit his pipe twenty feet from the we'll, igniting the gas, burning of his whiske rs and hair, and throwing him fifteen feet. The flames scared upward sixty feet, burning the limbs of trees thirty feet distant Two houses thirty-six feet distant had to be torn down to save them. Stones and gravel, earth and water were thrown in upon the flaming we'll but the fire could not be extinguisEed. barrel of salt was next emptied into the we'll. Earth was thrown into the we'll and cement on top of it. The gas still presses i'self through and burns ra Didlv
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
An Oil We'll in St. Louis,

While boring an artesian we'll at Grones Bros. brewery few dcys ago an oily substance was noticed on the water that was met at depth of 200 feet. The boring was continued, and at depth of 100 feet the oil was found in considerable quantities. Tests proved it to be crude petroleum. A pump has been at work for several days anti, though very im- perfect experiment. brings up sbout two bar rels of oil 2 day, mixed with large quantities of water. The we'll will be bored deeper and moro perfect tests made with view to dsysl-
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
CATTLE MARKETS.

NEW YoRK-Good Steers, g to 1Ossc. ;Fair do., 8 to S1Sc.; Oxen, 6s4 to 1Oasc; Dry Cows, live weight, ls4 to 41laae.; Bulls, do.. , to 411.c.; Sheep, to 6lac: Lambs, to 7c; veals, 6
 WATERTowN, Mass.-Market Beef, choice, S7.0O to S7.50; extra, $6.5O to SC. 75; 1st quail ity, $500 to s6.25; 2d quality, $500 to s5.5o; 3d quality, S4.O0 to $4.50. Swine. Western fat, live, to 64c.; Northern dressed hogs, 7H cents per 1b. Sheep and Lambs.-In lots, $500, s3.50 to s4.5O each; extra, si75 to 95 30; Spring Lambs, 511.. to 7c, per fb; Veal Calves, 21la to 7c fb.
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
The Pneumatic Gun.

The Board of Naval officers appointed to e1- anime and test the eight-inch pneumatic dyna- mite gun has submitted it's report to the Secre- tary of the Navy. The following are some of it's conclusions:
 The accuracy of the gun is remarkable. The extreme range is probably about two miles. The gun appears to be perfectly reliable in its action. It is an important weapon for harbor defence. It is adapted to naval warfare when ever mortar fire can be used 10 advantage. A modification of it may be valuable to project torpedoes from ships when at short range. It is not e1pedient to adopt it part of the battery of ships of war until after the efhclency of the guns on board of the dynamite cruiser now building has been ascertained and their performance af1oat observed.
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
NEWS IN SHORT ORDER.
DOMESTIC HAPPENINGS TOLD
 IN A FEW BRIEF WORDS.
Interesting Paragraphs Condensed from Many Redundant Columns

The bark FAirmount, from Nova Scotia, went ashore on Point Pleasant, N. J., and her crow was rescued by men from the life saving station at Bay Head.
 Mrs. Eliza Newton of Anderson county, s. C., hanged herself to . rafter.
 Fifteen naval cadets have rendered their resignations as . result of the last cxamina- 6on.
 Robert 0. Geddes, dealer in rubber goods e co ash''d''pn''' has failed Liabilities 'S0'-
 The Rev. Sam Small addressed the pro hibitionists in New York City on "An Appeal from Uncle Sam Drunk to Uncle Sam Sober"
 The body of man, 60 years of age, who had been frozen to death, was found in the suburbs of Detroit.
 New Orleans will celebrate Mardi Gras with moro than usual brilliancy.
 The physicians of Mandan, Minn., are un- able to check the spread of smallpox in that village, and nurses are deserting their pa tients.
 The forthcoming report of the Civil Ser vice Commission will defend the present law as the best possible under present circum- stances.
 -Ironton, Ohio, has been visited by s1OO,- 900 fire.
 Washington military circles were some what ruff1ed by false report that colored non-commissioned officers had been pro- noted.
 Mr. Blaine has written letter to Chair man Jones of the Republican National Conl- Mittee, stating that his name will not be pre- sented in the Chicago Convention.
 --nss1JessTe Mar1n and mss Annie Rainey, two we'll known society ladies of Baltimore, took the veil at the Convent of the Valuation, that city.
 Fourteen bo dies from . wreck (the Aber- corn) have been washed ashore near Olympia, w. IT., among them Pilot Johnson and Capt. Irving.
 Petitions were read by the women of the Temperance Union in the Massachusetts Leg islature to raise the age of consent from 13 to lS years. One speaker suggested 35 years as the age.
 -E. A. shoyer Co.,. wholesale dealers in teas, failed in Chicago.
 The will of Mrs. Susan Holbrook probated in Worcester, Mass, gives $10,0 900 to mission ary and church work.
 John Benson of Wilmington, Del, was fined $1, 900 and costs in each of two cases for writing lottery policies.
 The Hon. witler G. Baxter, one of the most prominent citizens of Southern Michigan, vas found dead in bed.
 Mrs. Otto Baum, wife of . raving Anarch- kt, asked for food at Chicago station house, 6 herself and baby were starving.
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
Jenny Lind's Will.

The will of Madame Otto Goldschmidt, Jenny Lind, bequeaths to her grandson the cabinet of books presented to her by the New York fire companies. The freehold estate pur- chased out of the 1OO, 900 which an American @ tied upon her on her marriage is bequeathed to her husband. A legacy of 5000 Swedish crowns is bequeathed to the University at Up- sala, Sweden, for the maintenance of poor students, and the University at Lund, Swe- den, receives 5000 crowns, to be applied to the aid of poor students who purpose entering the ministry of the Protestant Church. The personal property of the dead singer is valued If f@O 620
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
France's Naval Force.

The debate on the naval budget was begun in the Chamber of Deputies at Paris. Admiral Krantz said that France WAS compelled to keep many vessels ct distant stations. In order to have sufficient force It the Governments dis posal at homo it would be necessary to reduce tho effective fogce in distant seas. Under tho b1aSet thei Mediterranean squsdron would re- M 16p1 q e11ieiea e tAeso ixeS61a2A
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
The Heather ana the Gust

San Francisco investigating the reported opium smuggling and has discov red that the old ring, which formal y imported opium by the ton, has been reconstructed, and is more powerful than ever. Two of the members of the old ring are in prison, although S50. 600 was spent by their confederatcs to obtain their re- lease. The smugglers still at large it is charged, have formed combination with in- fuential officers of the Custom House, and are not only importing opium oncs moro in large quAnt1tass, but chln3se silks,
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
Leap Year.

"Charley is coming to see me tonight" remarked Ella. "I don't know why I feel so nervous about it, but I have a presentiment that something's going to happen"
 "Oh, there's no use feeling nervous about it if you've made up your mind to do it," answered Clara. "Very likely he'll say yes; he was always soft.-Neu Tork Sun.
Connecticut western news., 1888-02-15
"non,, Marry H,mi"

"He is such a fckle inconstant fellow, you will never be happy with him." said Esther's friends when they learned of her engagement to a young man who bore the reputation of be- ing firt. Esther however, knew that her lover had good qualities, and she was willing to take the risk. In nine cases out of ten II an uncommon girl and to every ones surprise Fred made model husband. How was it? a great deal of tact Then she enjoyed perfect health and was always so. sweet, neat and wholesome that Fred found his own home most pleasa mt, and his own wife moro agreea- ble than any other being. As the year passed and he saw other women of Esther,s age grow and more that he had "a jewel of a wife. y Good health was half the secret of Esther success. She retained her vital ty and good looks because she warded off feminine weak nesses and ailments by the use of Dr. Pierce's Eayorita Prescrintion.