davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26
Thirty Prehistoric Men.

The people of Floyd county, Iowa,
have often specialized as to the contents
of group of forty curious-looking
mounds on the farm of John Scrimger:
but none of them had curiosity enough
to investigate until Professor Webster
took the work in hand on his own ac-
count last week. The Scrimger farm
lies just north of the pretty village of
Charles City, and is one of the most
beautiful sections of the state. On the
eastern part of the farm is long, low
ridge, running directly north and south,
on top of which are mounds, some forty
in number, about three feet in height,
and ranging from fifteen to twenty-five
feet in length. Thus far Professor
Webster has opened fourteen of these
mounds and found the skeletons of
thirty people, he thinks of a different
race from any of the prehistoric re-
mains yet unearthed in this country.
Just how long the ridge and mounds
have been there, Mr.. Scrimger can't
say. Neither can the oldest settler,
and neither can the Pottawatomie In
dian traditions, which run back many
centuries. That both ridge and mounds
were built by human hands is plain, from
the mathematical regularity with which
they are arranged, and the hardness of
the soil composing them, which is
packed firm, like a stone, while that of
the virgin prairie in the neighborhood
is soft and yielding. The skeletons
found by Professor Webster are in va
rious stages of preservation, some quite
solid and others crumbling to dust,
while in one mound there was nothing
but bed of ashes. All the dead had
been found in a doubled-up position
the knees being crowded on the lower
jaw, and the head of each carefully laid
toward the east. While the femur
bones show that most of the skeletons
are people about five feet seven inches
tall, there are four the original own
ers of which must have been fully
seven feet tall. The skulls are those
of a race of very inferior beings. The
tops are abnormally thick, and the
frontal bones slope abruptly back from
the eyes, while the lower jaws protrude
forward so that the under teeth come
outside of the upper ones. In general
contour the skulls resemble those of
the prehistoric mound builders found in
Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin. Most
of the skeletons found by Professor
Webster show marks of fire, as if the
flesh had been burned from the bones
before burial. Another strange thing
is the entire absence of anything like
trinkets, or implements of war or of
the chase, as are generally found in
Eastern mounds. The bones of ami
mails, showing that the friends of the
deceased had celebrated their interment
with funeral feasts, are also missing.
The only things thus far unearthed in
the Iowa mounds, aside from the skele-
tons, is a lot of broken pottery of crude
design and make, including one nearly
whole vase or urn of archaic workman
ship, which Professor Webster now
has.-Nelc York San.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26
Speed of Trains.

Inquiry is frequently made as to
how the speed of train may be esti-
mated. The traveller especially is Gu
rious about the speed his train is max
ing, and we suggest three methods by
which the. speed may be guessed with
remarkable accuracy, as follows: CD
Watch for the passage of the train by
the large white mile posts with black
figures upon them, and divide 5000 by
the time in seconds between posts
The result is the speed in miles pei
hour. (2) Listen attentively until the
ear distinguishes the click, click, click
of the wheel as it passes rail joint
The number of clicks upon one side OF
the car in twenty seconds is the speed
in miles per hour, where the rails are
thirty feet in length, and this is the
case generally. (3) Count the number
of telegraph poles passed in two min
utes and twenty seconds if there are
only one or two lines per pole. The
number of poles passed is the number
of miles per hour at which the train is
travelling Rail,Cdy Rerie,c.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26
Pay John Williams"

AT prayer-meeting " down East" a
man noted for his failures to meet
business obligations arose to speak.
The subject was: " What shall | do to
be saved?" He commenced slowly to
quote the words: " What shall | do
to be saved?" Again with more solemn
tone he repeated the question of ques-
tons, when voice from the assembly,
in clear and distinct tones replied:
" Go and pay John Williams for that
yoke of oxen" The incident stirs up
solemn thought. a great many people
before they can be saved, or guide
others to the Savior, will have to " go
and pay John Williams " the money
they honestly owe him. Shrewd trick
sters in the marts of the world are not
shrewd enough to be dishonest at heart
and retain the favor of God who loves
purity in the inward parts" Neither
can hope of the world to come be like
a sheet-anchor in the soul of any one
who robs God by being dishonest to his
fellowmen. Thousands read no other
Bible than the lives of those who pro-
TESS to be following its precepts in their
daily lives. The greatest need of the
church is true, pure, upright living
living epistles, known and read of all
men," The square man is the best
shape. The tree is known by its fruit.
"Go and pay John Williams. Mid
Continent.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26
To Europe by Balloon.

A novel form of balloon is in pro-
cess of construction by two Ger
mantown gentlemen, who have great
hopes that they will be able to dem
onstrate the long-studied problem of
the navigation of the air. The in
ventors are w. G. Toplis and G. p.
Fest, and the principal feature of their
balloon is that in its initiation hot air is
used instead of gas. A machine has
been patented to be carried in the bal
loon, which, by the consumption of
gasoline sustains constant high tenn
perature upon the interior of the bal
loon and this apparatus is so constructed
that the heat may be regulated and the
temperature inside of the silken bag
maintained at an even ratio with the
temperature of the outside air, The
reason why the inventors have displaced
gas is because gas balloon can remain
in the air only limited time, whereas
in their own invention a constant sup
ply of hot air can be maintained. Mr..
Toplis has estimated that forty-fve
foot balloon could be kept up one hour
with one gallon of gasoline, hence the
time of remaining in the air would only
be limited by the amount of gasoline
that could be carried. The steering ap-
paratus to be applied to the new air
ship has not yet been completed, but
the inventors are working assiduously
upon it. They claim to have propul-
sive power which will render their bal
loon independent of air current; but
while denying that this power is cleo
tricity, steam, or any of the well-known
sources of motion, they will not yet dis
close its real nature. Messrs. Fest and
Toplis have, as yet, had no opportunity
to test the value of their invention on a
practical scale, but they have under con-
struction balloon to be forty-five feet
in diameter and capable of lifting into
the other atmosphere weight of 100
pounds. With this they expect to be
able to transport themselves for consid-
cradle distances, directing their course
at will, and they will probably under
take to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Let
tiers patent have already been granted
for some portions of the machinery
and all that remains to be done is the
completion of some details in the steer
ing apparatus. -Philadelphia Record.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26
True Fame.

No ambition could be higher than
that which seeks to be worthy of
ministry of personal helpfulness.
There is an Oriental story of two broth
ers, Ahmed and Omar. Both wished
to perform a deed whose memory
should not fail, but which, as the years
rolled on, might sound their names and
praises far abroad. Omar, with wedge
and rope, lifted great obelisk on.its
base, carving its form in beautiful de-
vices and sculpturing many strange
inscription on its sides. He left it
standing in the hot desert to cope
with its gales. But Ahmed, with
deeper wisdom and truer though sad
der heart, digged well to cheer the
sandy waste, and planted about it tall
ate-palms to make cool shade for the
thirsty pilgrim and shake down fruits
for his hunger. These two deeds il
lustrate the two ways in either of
which we may live. We may think of
self and worldly success and fame, liv-
ing to gather fortune or make name
splendid as the tall sculptured obelisk,
but as cold and useless to the world.
Or we may make our life like well in
the desert, with cool shade about it, to
give drink to the thirsty and shelter
and refreshment to the weary and
faint. Which of these two ways of
living is the more Christlike it is not
hard to tell. -Erchunge.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26
Avoid Extremes.

DIR. Lyman Abbott says that early in
his ministry he resolved-and still holds
to the resolution-that he "would not
profess religion for a man after death
who had never professed it for himself
when living" No man ever made
more rational resolve. The orthodox
preachers who are ready to find title
for every great, rich, or popular man to
a mansion in the skies, even though he
never gave any Scriptural evidence of
being born again, take back in the par
ticular what they preach in the general,
excite contempt among unbelievers,
encourage neglect of religion, and
strengthen the hands of loose thinkers
in and out of the church. The fashion
of always speaking about the religious
character of the deceased is often
"more honored in the breach than in
the observance" If he were very bad :,
the least said is the soonest mended
If he were an ordinary Christian, there
is nothing to be said except that he was
Christian. Excellent traits, good
deeds, public services, kindnesses
shown, may without fulsome praise be
referred to-a fair picture of a worthy
life drawn; but to dissect the private
experience and character at every
funeral, to parade before a congrega-
ton last words to every relative, and
harrow the hearts of the bereaved, is
neither edifying nor comforting. Safety
lies in avoiding characterization
Advocate.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26
Climate of Washington Territory.

Washington Territory is divided into
what is known as Eastern Washington,
Central Washington, the Sound and
Coast country. Eastern Washington is
that portion embracing the Walla Walla,
Palouse and Spokane sections; Central
Washington embraces the Yakima and
Big Bend country; the Sound embraces
all that section bordering on Puget
Sound; the coast includes the counties
bordering on the Pacific ocean from the
mouth of the Columbia river to the
Straits of Juan de Fuca. The climate
is essentially different. The coast
country is dry in summer, but there are
occasional showers; in winter it is wet,
with a slight fall of snow. The sum
mers are exceedingly pleasant, with
cool nights. The Sound country has
similar climate, but is somewhat milder
than the coast, with but little snow in
winter and delightful summers. Cen
trail Washington has a climate similar
to that OF Utah, with shorter winters.
The summers are long and dry, with
only occasional showers; the winters
are short with considerable snow and
cold weather. There is no wind in win
ter, and no drafts to encounter. Irri-
CATION being resorted to, rain is not
necessary in summer to insure crops.
Eastern Washington has winters sim
liar to the Central portion, but rains
are more frequent in summer and irri-
CATION is not necessary. Olympia Par
tico1l
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26
The Lick Observatory Clocks.

The Lick Observatory has five stand
ard clocks by the best makers in the
world. They are all bolted TO heavy
brick piers, which pass up through
the floor of room specially con-
structed for the purpose, with double
doors, windows and walls throughout
The piers are built on solid rock of the
mountain, and are entirely discon-
nected from the building, so that no
jar can be communicated to the clocks.
The double walls of the room effect
ually guard against sudden changes of
temperature. Five chronometers are
also kept here, two of which are regu-
larly used in connection with the serv-
ice. In some observatories, the clock
room is situated deep under ground,
and the clocks are even sealed up in air.
tight cases; but the equable climate of
California renders this unnecessary on
Mount Hamilton. Four of the OBJ
servatory clocks keep sidereal time and
are allowed to run without regulation,
their errors being allowed for. The
fifth is the standard mean time clock,
and is constantly adjusted, so as to be
as nearly right as possible, every day at
noon, when time signals are trans
mitted to the railroads. This is effected
by means of small weights of different
sizes. The one most used makes the
clock gain tenth of second per hour
when placed on top of the pendulum,
and makes it lose the same amount
when placed on little shelf at the bot
tom. 1t weighs 73,1 grains. The clock
is compared with one of the sidereal
clocks and two chronometers every day
little before nine O'Clock in the morn
ing, and thus its error is determined
Then the weight is applied, so as to
correct the error before noon. If, foI
instance, the clock should be two-tenths
of a second slow, the weight would be
put on top of the pendulum and re-
moved at the end of two hours, when
the clock would be just right. The
pendulum is of itself so nearly an adj
justment that the clock will run day
without getting more than tenth of {
second out, and it is hardly ever neces
sary to correct an error of as much al
two-tenths of second. The rule
which has been adopted is to Away
have the clock within tenth of sec
ond at noon. Another comparison
with the two chronometers immedi
ately after the noon signals are sen
gives the precise amount of error o
the latter. The errors of the siderea
clocks are determined by observation
three times week. There are othe
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

Poor BETTER THAN AssERTIoN.-With
such proof as the following letter from W..
Ii. Dean of No. 27S Seventh street, New
York it is not necessary to make the bare
assertion that ALLCoCK's Porous PLAsTERs
cure lumbago. Mr. Dean says: "SoIae ten
days ago / was taken with very violent
pain in the small of my back. 1t was so
severe that | could hardly breathe; every
movement caused great agony. / finally
found out it was lumbago. Being entirely
two ALLCoCK's Porous PLAsTERs; these
were well warmed and applied to my back,
one above the other. In half an hour, TO
my great delight and surprise, l found the
pain began to abate. In two hours | was
able to walk out and attend to my business,
the pain being almost gone. Next day
was all right but continued wearing the
plasters for week.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

WONDERFUL CUREs.-w. d. Hoyt & Co.,
wholesale and retail druggists of Rome,
Ga, say: We have been selling Dr.
Kings New Discovery Electric Bitters and
Bucklen's Arnica Salve for four years.
Have never handled remedies that sell as
well or give such universal satisfaction.
There have been some wonderful cures
effected by these medicines in this city.
Several cases of pronounced consumption
have been entirely cured by use of few
bottles of DR., Kings New Discovery, taken
in connection with Electric Bitters." We
guarantee them always. Sold by c.
Rlakely, Montpelier, VT.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26
Mistellanp.
Sweet Fern.

The subtle power in perfume found,
Nor priest nor sibyl vainly learned;
on Grecian shrine or Aztec mound
No censor idly burned.
That power the hoary Magian knew,
The dervish in his frenzied dance,
The Pythian princess swooning through
The wonderland of chance.
And nature holds, in wood and field,
Her thousand sun.lit censers still
To spell of flower and shrub we yield
Against or with our will.
| climbed hill-path, strange and new,
With slow feet, pausing Mt each turn;
A sudden watt of west wind blew
The breath of the sweet fern.
That fragrance from my vision swept
The alien landscape; in its stead,
Up fairer hills of youth l stepped.
As light of heart as tread.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

For three years was almost crippled with an aw-
full sore leg from my knee down TO my ankle. The
skin was entirely gone and the flesh was mass of
disease. Some physicians pronounced 1t tncurable
II had diminished about One-third the size of the
other and was in hopeless condition. After try.
ing all kinds of remedies and spending hundreds of
dollars from which got relief whatever, | was
persuaded to try your CUTICURA REMEpi Es, and the
result was as follows: After three days noticed a
decided change for the better and at the end of
months I was completely cured. My flesh was
purified. and the bone (Which had been exposed for
over year. got sound. The flesh began to grow
and to-day, and for nearly two years past my leg is
as well as ever II was sound in every respect and
not a sign of the disease to he seen.
S. q. AHERN, Dubois, Dodge county. Ga.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

INTERPRETED PEOPLE. - Advertising a
patent medicine in the peculiar way in
which Kemp's Balsam, for coughs and colds,
does 1t is indeed wonderful. He authorizes
all druggists to give those who call for it a
sample bottle free, that they may try 1t be-
fore purchasing. The large bottles are fifty
cents and one dollar. We certainly would
advise trial 1t may save you from con-
slimption.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

Two clerks in an office. First clerk
Go second): You are the biggest fool
ever saw" Employer (who does not
like his clerks to waste time during
business hours); "You forget, Samuel,
that Pm here.''
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

whiskey.hasks in their pockets" The
young fire-water drinker did not wait
to finish his smoke. There was too
much mirth and music in the air just
then.-Liule Christian.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

Piles PILES, ITCHING PMEs!-Syn3ptoms.
Moisture; intense itching and tinging, most
at night; worse by scratching. II allowed
to continue tumors form, which often bleed
and ulcerate becoming very sore SwAYNE's
OINTMENT stops the itching and bleeding
heals liberation and in most cases removes
the tumors. AT druggists, or by mail, for
fifty cents. DR.. Swayne x Son, Philadel-
phia, Penn.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

Sold everywhere. Price: CUT1CuRA 81 cents;
SOAR, - cents; REsOLVENT. 81. Prepared by the
POTTER DRUG AND CHEMICAL CO., Boston, Mass.
~ Send for " How to Cure Skin Diseases" "a
pages, so illustrations and 100 testimonials.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

CUTICURA, the great skin cure, and CUTICURA
SOAR, an exquisite skin beautifer, externally and
CUTICURA KEsoLvENT the new blood purifier, liz
ternally, positive for every form of skin
and blood disease, from pimples to scrofula
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

methods of regulating clock without
disturbing its pendulum, but probably
none are simpler and better than
this.-San Jose Herald.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

The path of life is beset with thorns, and
they who are not afraid to encounter them
may gather the rare flowers that grow
between.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

MY objection to babies" said an old
bachelor, " is that they are SO insufferably
childish. - HQrperS Ndgd.dte.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26
Terrible Suffering from skin Diseases.

have been y terrible sufferer for years from dis.
eases of the skin and blood and have been Obliged
to shun public places by reason of my disfguring
humors. Have had the best of physicians and spent
hundreds of dollars, but got relief until used
the CUT1CURA REMEDIES, which have cured me
and left my skin AS clear and my blood pure a
chds. IDA MAY BASS,
Olive Branch 7. o.. Miss.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

IT is easier to find crosses in ones lot than
to feel quite sure that one could change it
for better.-urS. Ecing.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26
advertisements
Sore from Knee TO Ankle.

Skin entirely gone. Flesh mass of dis
ease. Leg diminished one-third I'm size.
Condition hopeless. Cured by the Cuti-
cura Remedies.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26
From 145 Pounds to ia Pounds.

have taken several bottles of CUTICURA REsoL-
VENT with all the results could wish for. About
this time last year when commencing its use,
weighed las pounds and to-day weigh III pounds.
GEO. Campbell, Washington ID. c.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

NoTE.-The CUT1CURA REsoLvENT is beyond
all doubt the greatest blood purifier ever COM
pounded.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26

NOTICF.-Notice is hereby given that have
~ this day given my son, Philip Shoneo, his time
during the remainder of his minority, and win
claim none OF his wages nor pay any OF his debts
after this date. ARNOLD b. SHONIEO.
Witness, Il. w HUNTLKY.
DuIbury September 10, leSs-
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1888-08-02

The New York Sun says: The appear
ance of James G. Blaine on the stump
next month is sure to give the repub-
lican canvass an impetus that will be
felt far and wide. Vast crowds will at
tend his meetings wherever he speaks,
from the hour of his landing in this city,
through New England, and all over the
west. He will arouse enthusiasm at
every meeting. In times not far back he
used to be described as magnetic man.,
and the influence of magnetism is
known to all who have felt it. He is a
man who has millions of admirers. He
will come here as the man who refused a
presidential nomination from the conven-
ton which was anxious to make him it's
candidate. He is an impressive speaker
upon political questions. He will cap
ture votes for the republican party, draw
funds into the republican treasury, and
otherwise strengthen General Harrison's
campaign.