davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13
Can Snakes Charm BirdsP

Three different incidents of snakes
charming birds have fallen under my
own observation, says a letter from
New Madrid. Once I saw a bluejay
charmed by what is commonly known as
the "blue racer" snake. The next in
stance was a redbird charmed by q
''blue racer" and the next was cat
bird charmed by ''cowsucker." As
these snakes are classed as non-poison
GUS, they could not have bitten the birds
and then quietly awaited their death.
In the first case the bird was in an
apple tree, some ten or twelve feet from
the ground, when its attention was first
arrested. The other two were somewhat
under the influence of the snakes charm
when first observed. Iwould Judge that
it takes from one to two hours for q
snake to bring bird completely under
the spell, which they can most certainly
do if not disturbed after the birds atten-
ton is once gained.
I have never seen q snake charm a
frog, though I have seen them catch
frogs often. They are more than a match
for the frog in a footrace; consequently
they have frog legs to eat whenever they
wish, provided the frogs can be found.
The greatest trouble is to swallow the
frog after catching him. The frog is
swallowed heels first. Whether this is
q preference on the part of the snake or
whether it is because this is the first
part overtaken and laid hold of, do
not know. When caught the poor frog
cries out in the most pitiable terror.
Then the struggle of life and death be-
gins, with determined animal instinct
on the part of the snake; nay, might
say with deviish triumph-for he knows
that victory is sure in the end-and al
most human horror on the frogs part.
The instant the snake seizes hind leg
it is swallowed, and the hard part of the
job is to get hold of the other leg with
out releasing the one he already has.
The frog soon finds it useless to strug-
gle to release the leg already swallowed
by the snake, and seems to realize that
its only hope is to keep the leg that is
free out of that horrible mouth which
has such wonderful suction power. l
once saw a garter snake push frog over
thirty yards, endeavoring to force the leg
of the frog that was free against some
obstruction, that it might get hold
upon that also. It finally succeeded,
and the struggle was soon over after
that. When both hind legs are once
in the snakes power q deeper horror
seems to take possession of the poor
little creature who has battled SO hard
for life; its eyes dilate with terror and
assumes CLASSY stare, its whole body is
stupefied, paralyzed with an awful
dread of its impending fate. The snake
does not swallow; it crawls over its
prey. It does so by means OF strongly
contracting muscles IN the throat.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

GEN. MILES statement to the Senate
Committee of Canadian Trade Rela-
tions is of decidedly grave and alarm
ing character. He says that the whole
Pacific coast is entirely at the mercy
of any foreign foe, our defenses in that
quarter being utterly worthless. 1t is
to be hoped that this conclusive assur-
ance of national peril will lead to early
action for the construction of proper
Notifications at San Francisco and 9th.
er important points.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

The Survival Of Consciousness After
Decapitation Proven.

A volume has Just been published at
Paris in which DR.. Paul Loye, under
the title of La Mort par Ia Decapita-
ton, studies the question as to whether,
after decapitation, consciousness survives
for q short time in the severed head
and physical suffering is felt in both
parts of the executed body.
Every time q head falls under the
sword or executioner's Ak, says DR..
Loye, the imagination of the spectators
has, in the physiognomy of the victim,
looked for proofs of the survival of will
and consciousness. The eyes turned,
which was q sign of pain the lips
moved, which showed that they wanted
to speak the mouth opened, in order
to bite, in kind of fury. There is not
a movement of the face which has not
been interpreted as mark of the con-
tinuation of feeling. And ever since
the guillotine moved down the heads of
multitudes during the reign of terror,
scientists have stood around the scat
fold, bidding all their humane faculties
vanish, and concentrating their whole
intellect on the one question, "Does
consciousness remain after the victims
head is severed from the body"
In connection with his belief DR.. Loye
quotes terrible story told by NJ. Petit
gand about an Anamite who was be-
headed by the sword in 1875 at Saigon
"The place of execution was the
Plain of Tombs, vast sandy tract, serv-
ing as cemetery to the Anamites and
Chinese. -Four Anamite pirates, taken
with their arms in their hands, were to
be beheaded. The chief of the band,
man in the prime of life, energetic,
muscular, brave without boasting, and
firm to the very last, had attracted my
special attention, and decided to make
my observations on him only. Without
losing sight of him for single moment
I exchanged few words in loud voice
with the officer in charge, and noticed
that the patient was also looking at me
with the liveiest attention. The prep
arations having been completed, 1 took
my stand at the distance of about two
yards from him. He knelt down, but
before bending his head he exchanged q
rapid look with me.
ellis head fell down at the distance
of about yard and a quarter from
where I stood. It did not roll in the
USUAL way, DuG SGOOu Will Iuc SuIldCc VI
the wound resting on the sand, a posi-
ton by which the hemorrhage was &C
cidentally reduced to minimum. At
this moment I was terror stricken at
seeing the eyes of the doomed man fixed
frankly on my eyes. Not daring to be-
ieve in conscious manifestation, I
went quickly to one side of the head
lying at my feet, and I found that the
eyes followed me. Then 1 returned to
my first position; still the eyes went
with me for short distance and then
quilted me quite suddenly. The face
expressed at that moment a conscious
agony, the agony of a person in state
of acute asphyxia. The mouth opened
violently as if to take in breath of air,
and the head, thrown off its equilibrium
by the motion, rolled over. This con-
traction Of the maxillary muscles was
the last sign of life. Since the moment
of decapitation from fifteen to twenty
seconds had passed"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

Four more Hungarian miners have
lost their lives in Pennsylvania mine,
the casualty at Toms Run following
close upon another, in which the
loss of life was greater. The explo-
sion at Toms Run must have been due
to gross carelessness, probably on the
part of the men, who come from a
very ignorant class, but who should
have all the more careful supervision
on that account.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

ANEW law in Madagascar gives a
husband the power to chastise his wife
with regulation whip only, and does
away with clubs and dray-stakes en-
tirely. The whole world is progress
ing, even if slowly.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13
True Economy

II y dos Econmy 70 buy Hoods Garsi&u5IA
soe 100 Dsees Ons Dollar" b original with u
6os only Of this popular medicine Hyuu VII
TO prove this. buy bottle Of Hoods HrsaparSf
and measure its contents. You win ind e q
hold 100 tsaspoonfnlA Now read the directnns
ana yoa wW ind that the average dose fof pss.
soos OF different aees il Les than a teaspooAfa1
Inns y certainly conclusive evidence Of The pecus
mar strength and economy Of Hoods Haupari1lA
eook Hoods 6arsaparilla for loss Of apps.
ute dsspspsia and general languor. II did Ne
vast amount Of good" ]. W. WuIxrolb,
Quincy. III
Hood'o SarsaparilIa
500 py ~ dfussisea- q. 6for $. Prepared only
BY C. L HOOD 4 Co Lowell, Mas.
100 Doses One Dollar
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

Or all the war vessels of the United
States the largest and most powerful
will be the Maine. She will be 30
feet long. with breadth of 81 feet, q
displacement of 6, 64S tons and horse
rover of 1900. She will have two bat
tefies. and her armor will be II inches
thick. She will be a very ugly custo-
naer for any hostile vessels to attack.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13
KANSAS RAILROADS.

Ell Dorado Republican: 1t is now
stated in railway circles that the old
Carbondale road is sure enough to be
extended to Wichita this year. All the
arrangements have been completed and
active work will commence soon. We
hope this is true. When the line gets
as far west as Emporia, we will begin
to feel assured that it is coming.
Delphos Republican: We were mis-
taken last week in our item about the
changes to take place in the Solomon
branch as to terminal points. 1t is
the intention to build from Beloit to
Kearney or Hastings, Nebraska, on the
north, and Mcpherson to Hutchinson,
instead of Wichita, and thence over the
n. o. & G. to deep water harbor on
the gull, thus giving the Nebraska and
Kansas systems of the o. P. southern
outlet.
Usage City Free Press: The follow
ing is the valuation of the different
railroads in this county, including side
tracks rolling stock and other property,
and is divided as follows: Santa Fe,
32.19 miles, main Fae. at S3S1,452.O2;
Missouri Pacific, $3.50 miles, s177,419.
IL; G. Z. & w., 1885 miles, $1O7 1925.
60: Southern Kansas, 2O,6O miles,
S143,925.19: Lawrence and Southwest
ern, 8.75 miles, $26, 256.24; 4. N. Il D.,
1871 miles, 1854, 1896.
Paola Republican: 1t is rumored in
railroad circles and has been published
in some of the leading papers that the
NJ, K. & T. has purchased the Kansas
City & Pacific road. running from COT
feyville to Paola, and will take posses
sion of it July LIST. Their object In
buying the road, if they have done So
is to get an entrance into Kansas City,
which they will do over the Gulf road
from Paola. The NJ, K. & 7. is badly
in need of such a road, and this fact
gives strong color to the report. This
change would doubtless be big thing
for Paola, making this city vir-
tually the end of the NJ. K. & T., and
would undoubtedly add very materially
to our railroad interests. Some OF the
possibilities are, the Offices Of the road,
car repair shops, big round house, e1-
tensive yards, with miles Of side track,
etc.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

HERR JOSEF RITTER Won WERND1,
the great Austrian rifle inventor and
manufacturer, gained his knowledge of
firearms in America, and then from a
small beginning built up factory en-
ploying eight thousand men. On the
announcement of his death stock in
the concern fell 10 per cent, showing
the Importance in which his person
ality was held.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

The London Daily News, in an
nouncing the retirement of the two
spinsters who have had charge of the
Shakespeare birthplace and relics at
Stratford-on Avon, says that last year
there were II, 900 visitors, "of whom it
is interesting to note that about one
fourth were Americans"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

GREAT progress is being made in
dentistry for animals. Barnum's hip
popotamus lately sat and had bad
tooth extracted without growl, and
the same operation is now practiced on
lions and tigers. When the wild beasts
are all provided with false teeth we
propose to interview few of them in
their cages.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

WHEN Drexelius was asked BY a
friend how he could do so much as he
had done, he answered: "The year has
three hundred and sixty-fve days, or
eight thousand four hundred and sixty
hours; in so many hours great things
may be done; the slow tortoise made a
long journey by losing no time"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

A STRIKING story is told by Darwin
IN the life of his grandfather, DR.. Oar
win, OF Derby. One day a patient en-
tered the consultation-roomo of London
physician and detailed the symptoms
OF his illness. It was an obscure and
difficult case, of a kind that was only
imperfectly understood, and the Lon
don doctor confessed himself fairly
puzzled. He could only say that the
patient was in most perilous state.
There is only one man in England
who understands the disease" said the
London doctor, who understands cases
OF this sort, and you should go and
consult him. It is DIR. Darwin, of
Derby" aAlas!" was the answer, II
am Dr.. Darwin, Of Derby" 4
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

The advocates of corporal punish
ment for children are not to be allowed
the use of the scripture phrase, "Spare
the rod and spoil the child" in defense
of their practices. The word "rod" in
this connection, We are now told, does
not mean an instrument with which to
strike. It is translation of the same
Hebrew word which is found in the
text, "The Lord is my shepherd; shall
not want. His rod and his staff,
they shall comfort me-" The rod is the
symbol of power in the Hebrew, and
there is better symbol of power than
the rattan.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

SIR JULIAN PAUNcEFoTE, the new
Minister at Washington from Great
Britain, is to be paid $4,000 year
for his services, while his Government
finds him q house, servants and @sun-
dries" without cent of expense to
himself. Compared with the inclusive
payment of 81, 500 to our Minister at
London, Sir Julian is extravagantly
paid, and his good fortune is the more
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

KATE FIELD thinks that the way to
stop intemperance is to abolish treat
ing. A good deal of drinking is doubt
less due to sociability, but, as in the
popular game of euchre, a man can
often go it alone"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

ONF of the most distinguished Amer
lean engineers, q man of vast knowledge
and experience, who has not failed in
anything he has attempted, said the
other day that the Panama Canal could
be taken as it stands and finished for
less money than it would cost to make
the necessary preparations, collect the
machinery and get the commencement
Of work on the Nicaragua Canal fairly
inaugurated.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

WHAT is kiss? is a question which
has agitated the world for centuries.
The great problem is solved at last
DR.. Henry Gibbons, in recent lecture
at San Francisco, described kiss as
"the anatomical juxtaposition of two
orbicularis oris muscles in q state of
contraction" There!
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

THE Young Mems Christian Associa
ton has grown to vast proportions.
There are 1,248 associations In America,
1892 in Germany, and even in Japan
there are 200. e is ON interesting fact
that there is an organization in Naza-
reth. where Christ lived, and at Jerusa-
tenn. whore He was cruciied.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

DANIEL DoUGHERTY, the famous
lawyer and silver-tongued orator, has
been making public addresses for
twenty-five years, yet he never gets on
his feet before an audience that he does
not experience all the agonies of stage
fright. John B. Cough, the great
temperance advocate, was one of the
most entertaining of men when he got
started, but lecturing, as he did, night
after night for weeks at time, and to
the most ordinary audiences, he in
variably went upon the platform in a
cold perspiration, with his knees
trembling and his backbone quivering.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

The King Of Italy intends to pay a
visit to the Empress Frederick, at
Homburg, during his stay in Germany /;
and as the projected marriage between
the Prince of Naples and Princess
Clementine of Belgium has been aban-
doned, it is exceedingly probable that
the young prince will be betrothed to
Princess Margaret of Prussia, the
youngest sister of Emperor William.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

The Spartan boy who hid fox I'M
der his tunic and let it gnaw out his
vitals rather than betray its presence,
is matched by Lady White, wife of the
British ambassador at Constantinople,
who, rather than disturb the carnival
festivities in which her husband bore
an important part, made all prepare
tons for dangerous surgical opera
ton, even to the making of her will,
went through the last ball of the sea-
son with apparent cheerfulness, SUBJ
mitted to the operation the next day,
and let nobody know about it until, on
the fourth day afterward, she was de-
clared out of danger.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

CALLED was right; the world does
move. A railroad is to be built from
Jerusalem to Jaffa on the Mediter-
ranean, 81 miles distant, the ancient
port of the Jewish capital and the
landing place of the cedars with which
the temple was constructed. A Jeru-
salem Jew-Joseph Nabon by name
who is an Ottoman subject, has OBJ
tanned from the Sultan a charter for
this purpose. The charter holds good
for II years. The estimated cost of
construction is s25O,OOO. So, then,
hereafter civilization is to be domesti-
Gated in Palestine. The nineteenth
century will arrive in those parts when
the first locomotive puffs into Jerusa-
lem.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

A WOMAN in Rockford, ILL.,, has OBJ
tanned a divorce because her husband
made her get out of bed before day
light to play euchre with him and then
compelled her to listen to his reading
of the Bible. She never complained,
however, until the last infection was
presented
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

Oewen CITY, &298; Burr Oak, $2Ss,
balance scattering. Number Of ex-pris-
oners IN the county, 80. The biggest
representation from any one regiment
- the LIST Iowa cavalry with 10; of
4otn Illinois infantry; 6 of the 10th.
ana OF the 18th Iowa infantry.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

AMERICAN women are said to spend
So, 100000 a year on cosmetics, and
the more money they spend the worse
their compilations get.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

For "a years Dobbins' Electric Soap has
been initiated by INSCRIPTIONS soap makers.
Why7 Because it Is best of all and has an
immense sale. Be sure and get Do6bins'
and take no other. Your grocer has it, or
will get it.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

y MINNESOTA has a law hooking out
imported dressed beef, but she wishes
she hadn't. It simply makes the butch
ers of the State trust.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

Wibble: 81 wonder if it would pay to
start a dime museum in this town."
Wabble; 81 doubt it. The dime museum
business is very uncertain-full of freaks,
you know"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

Mrs. A.: 81 found one hundred dollar
bill today
Mrs. B.: ibid you try to find the own
En-"
Mrs. A.: 'tNo, hid it in the family BIZ
ble."
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

Visitor in editorial room Ito writer)i
''You seem to be busy"
Writer: "Yes."
Visitor: "What are you writing about?"
Writer: Don't know. I'm writing an
editorial"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

Wife: "John, what's that unearthly,
noise upon the roof, and the clatter of boot
jacks and klndling wood?''
John drowsily): "I'm not positive, but
reckon they are holding a National Skat
Convention"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

Mamma" said Four-rear-old, reflective
ly, ''did God make me?" "Yes, Harvey"
answered mamma, soberly. "God made
you for mammals little boy" "Humphp'
said Harvey, after little while, ''God did
pretty good job that time, didn't he?"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

SIR CHARLES RUSSELL has been Of
fered $4,000 to deliver fifty lectures
In the United States next season.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

MARY" said Miss Ponsonby to her maid:
''you must really never again allow Fido TO
get on my bed" ssI've done my best to
''for its awful" 81 should say it was aw-
full" returned Miss Ponsonby. 81 just
found a bed-bug on the poor little thing"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13
TOPICS OF THE TIMES.
A Choice Selection Of Inter
esting Items.

THIRTEEN sat at the Presidential
table at the centennial hall, Long
live they all!
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

Mrs. CLEVELAND was received with
tremendous applause on one occasion
during the centennial ball.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

DR.. ELkINs figures out that the star
Arcturus moves with velocity of 400
miles a second.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

On Friday, May "a, Queen Victoria
celebrated her birthday. She was
born in 1919
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

''What pity you don't have looking
glasses all along the walls-then one could
see ones self as one went round, you
know" "Why, miss, if you were to see
yourself in looking glass just now you'd
never git ON a 'orse again."
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

he bad declared his passion and was fe-
verishly awaiting het reply. NJ Samson,
she said, and her voice sounded Ike mel,
'sthe letter which you 90 kindly offered to
post for me two weeks ago tonight never
reached its destination. Farewell"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13
Sanctum Mysteries.

Humorist's wife. 'sWhat in the world are
you sending all these mother-in-law and
plumber jokes to the Daily Blowhard forf
They are as old as the hills"
Humorist: eyes, my dear; but the editor
who selects the humorous matter for that
paper is q young fellow just out of COLI
lege, ard they'll be new to him."
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

The tombstone is about the only thing
that can stand upright and lie on its face at
the same time.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

A writer who, whec young, was very green.
In time grew blue, as years passed DER his head.
You ask what caused this transformation scene?
The man grew blue because he was not read.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

When pa gets to burning natural gas in
the parlor she will have to be very cautious
with her flame.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

Michigan must be an awful state. A man
in Port Huron has just sold the city II acres
of land to be used as a cemetery, provided
es.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

A calf with three horns is a recent curios-
ity at Lenox, 10. And in prohibition state
too.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

We win a1ve 800 reward for any case Of
setaxfh that cannot be cured with Haut c.,
texIh Cure. Taken internally.
=. ]. CHENEY 4 CO., Proprs., Tb3odnO.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

Norristown Herald: The snakes man
sees when he is wrestling with a severe at
tack of delirium tremens are not water"
snakes. This is reliable.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

It is industry more than worth that Lifts
shine in society if he will stoop to conquer.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

marked when it is remembered that
the clerkship from which he was pro-
NOTED only yielded him about $4,000
YEAR
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13

People who live in the country have q
very gnatty appearance.