davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07


there is no exception to the general
rule. During the first half of the
Eighteenth century the insurance COM
panies began by keeping fire engines for
the purpose of protecting property on
which they held iusurances, and in 1893
seven offices combined under the title Of
the London Fire Engine establishment.
Others were gradually added till all the
principal Offices were members, and the
establishment became the city fire de-
partment Even to this day the insur-
ance companies constitute one of the
principal sources of income to the bri-
gade.
In London they have 50 steam fire en-
gines and 95 hand engines. There are
80 miles of hose carried on 70 hose carts.
Besides these there are steam vessels
and II RATS. OF fire escapes there are
146, besides long wire ladders. The
firemen number sol, including all ranks,
10 pilots and 67 coachmen. They have
some ingenious contriyanoJS&'2f wing
life in London one of the most useful
of which is canvas shute, in which a
person NAV come down and be received
by the firemen without injury. Capt.
Eyre NJ. Shaw is chief of the brigade.
The New York department, when
steam engines were adopted, was
built entirely anew, The management
was placed in the hands of commission
ers, the command being given TO chief.
In New York there are nearly double the
number Of firemen employed in London,
being about | 900 in all. The steamers
number IS, and the fact that there are
no hand engines, IA in London, indicate
that tho people Of the United States are
far more ready 10 throw q old than
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07

sIGHTsEERs IN THE SENATE GALLERY.
list designed in the Surrender at York
town, Oct 10, 1884," to show how the
autumnal sun OF Virginia had affected
the ontestants-F'rench, English and
Americans-from commanding general
to drummer boy, being Of "rich. dark
red complexion" But no sarcasm can
lessen the patriots interest in the pro-
ductions OF John Trumbull; and the
more he knows about tho artist the more
will he study tho pictures, for the paint
er's life was itself a truly American epic,
and he has wrought his character into
the paintings.
John Trumbull was son Of the ia
nous Jonathan Trumbull, Revolutionary
governor OF Connecticut and staff officer
OF Washington; the son, born in 1856,
lived till 1913, and thus saw, and, as one
may say, felt the evolution Of the United
States. He was present at tho "surren-
der Of Gen. Burgoyne, Oct. II, l777,"
and made a sketch of 1t in pencil-a
sketch he amplilied into this painting.
And TO add to the interest the figures are
nearly all actual likenesses, for which
the subjects sat TO the artist. From
Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and sew
eral others tlre artist received the most
minute details of the position OF the
members while the "signing OF the
Declaration Of Independence was in
progress--all these details brought out
in the picture. So the SO called ''Trum-
bull Series" in the rotunda have never
failing interest; he was Americas pa
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07

the people OF Engiand. Dut IN new
York there are 3 water towers, 90 hook
and ladder trucks, 10 chemical fire. en-
gines, 100 chemical cxtinguishers, with
Is miles Of hose and "a hose tenders.
Charles o. Shay Is chief.
This force and apparatus protect the
abodcs and tho goods Of less than
2,00O,000 Of people, while the London
fire brigade is supposed to protect city
Of some 4,500,000. II will appear that
the New York apparatus is more modern
from the excess OF steamers and the
chemicals" Indeed, comparison Of
the number Of men and apparatus
seems to indicate far moro effective
service In New York than In London,
though, perhaps, the buildings are more
substantial in tho Old World.
In efficiency, doubtless, the Chicago
department comes next to New York.
After her great fire her citizens saw the
necessity Of perfecting her fire depart
ment, and the result is today very fine
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07
Built TO Sell.

A railroad is railroad, isn't it2 The
public thinks SO. But under the surface,
railroads are sometimes built to SELL For
instance, there is a piece of road re-
Gently saw that is laid with rails of thir-
ty pounds to the yard--l05, 900 pounds
of iron to the mile of trade. Now, u To-
cal street car company will put seventy.
eight pound steel rails down-274, $50
pounds to the mile, or 1877 tons and 500
pounds. A great many trunk lines are
laying ninety-six pound steel rails
337, ,920 pounds, or 1853 tons and 1920
pounds to the mile. At $50 ton to iron
the first would cost $1,000 a mile, the
last 5000. So it will be seen how rail
roads are built to sell But this is not
all the saving. Sometimes it is cheaper
to build two miles Of track around a hill
than half mile straight through; and
the miles count in selling, especially
western roads. Then, have seen rails
spiked at quarters and centers, or, at
most, half the ties skipped. There is also
o difference between eight inch clear
white oak ties without sap, sixteen inches
between centers, and ''culled" or soft
wood ties two feet apart. In short, it
takes man long time to learn the diff
ference that can be made in the expense
Of constructing railroad. Interview in
st. Louis Globe Democrat.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07

itor gaze long at tnesc men, TOR they rep.
resent many hard struggle and success
In every walk of life. The veDorobIo
Edmunds, Of Vermont. who helps 70 ssps
resent a third Of a million Americas,
and the sturdy Hiscock, Of New York,
who has nearer six millions behind him,
are here but the equals Of Jones and
Stewart. whose entire state has fewee
people than one ward Of New York city.
while the genial Cullom, who won honor
in tho war for the Union, Ii but the col.
league OF Louisiana's Gibson, who y, e
paragraphers say, 'pockmarked with
bullet wounds" received for the south
ern Confe2eracy--tlieirc cooperation here
sublime monument to reunited coun-
try.
These look like the workmanship Of heavsa;
This IL the porcelain clay Of human kind,
And therefore cast into such noble moldA
Many days might profitably be spent
In the galleries of the two houses, but for
the short time visitor there is too much
to sec in Washington. Aside from The
public buildings, which are perfection Of
their kind, these places demand special
attention: the Smithsonian Institute, the
Corcoran Art Gallery and the Patent
Office. The first two are largely the
fruit Of private benefaction; the last em-
bodies the genius Of nation and the
liberal craftsmanship Of congress. But,
aside from all these, Washington itself,
as city, is well worth seeing. Every
American should embrace the earliest
opportunity to see the beautiful capital
Of his country.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07

9ANNbALOLAS lhiDONb bOI=DtIso hEEOAS6
| THE FIRE.
Do new conditions need new adaptS
tionsp The character of material used,
II the height Of buildings. the exposure Of
frame districts, which, when afiame. act
as kindlers to more substantial struc-
tures-these and many similar matters
entering into the problem of fighting fire
in great cities, come up TO excite new
interest.
The growth of fire departments in the
older cities where modern systems have
been perfected has been very slow.
London during the Eighteenth century
was far ahead Of New York in fire appn-
ratus, but during the halcyon days of the
American volunteer system, and during
the early days of steam fire engines, New
York shot far ahead Of her old mother
across the ocean. While London had the
primitive fire engines, which, it is true,
were worked by people who were con-
sidered too old for any other purpose,
their principal operators being old wo-
men, lines of New Workers were passing
buckets filed with water from the North
and East rivers.
After relying on these for more than
half a century, they sent to London and
secured some engines such as were then
in use there. These engines were the
beginning of the New York fire depart
ment. Out Of those who were accus-
toned to take them to fires grew the
volunteer system, which attained its
greatest perfection and prominence in
the "flfties." Then hand engines were
superseded by steam, and since there
has been steady improvement in dis
cipline and apparatus.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07
READY FOR TIE FRAY.

The late Capt. Ericsson bears such re-
lation to the modern method of fighting
fires as Harvey, the discoverer Of the
blood, bears to the modern practice Of
medicine. Ericsson was a pioneer, but
he was not a practical developer of the
present system. John Braithwaite and
John Ericsson built o steam engine in
London sixty years ago, but they had to
fight prejudice against innovation
which then existed in England; besides,
none Of the earlier steam fire engines
were available on account Of the time
required for getting up steam. The diff
ficulty was overcome when A. b. Latta,
of Cincinnati, introduced tubular boilers.
Since then the steam fire engine has been
the only method of throwing water ON
Hres in large cities.
The fire department Of London is
called the Metropolitan Fire brigade,
and exists by virtue of parliamentary
act. The chief is an autocrat during
fire; he may pull down houses, shut the
water off the mains of any district, and,
If necessary, would doubtless not hesi-
tate to blow up one-quarter Of the city
II he could find dynamite enough. In
London everything has grown out Of
some exigency. The fire department
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07
siaHrsEKRs IN THE RoruNDA.

muddy in wet weather, very dusty in
dry weather, and not at all attractive In
any weather. Now Washington Is the
Mecca Of bridal couples, the delight Of
the tourist, and a place sought by men
Of means and leisure.
In the good old times Davis, of Indi.
ana. and Marshall. Of Kentucky, and
Browning, Of Illinois, and their col.
leagues from all the central west made
up little parties for the journey TO Wash.
ington, for II was rather a tedious affair
by stage or canal to the river, up the
Ohio by steamer as far as they could go,
and then by stage over the mountain
and down 10 Washington, and it was
important to have good company. Nor
did they fear the loss Of much time in a
session entertaining their callers from
home. Now tho constituents of their
Successors como by thousands during
the year; tho excursion to Washington
Is as common rs the little trip by steam
or was in 1880-40, and many roads sell
tickets from New York to the west with
"via Washington" IL desired. And
the middle, western or southern man in
WuSIlIiEtOII btlIl CUIlb OIl HE IuCuiUcE
often feels 1t social duty TO do 80.
The visitor is usually an early riser,
and when he has paid his respects to his
member, no hastens away first to the ro-
tunda Of the Capitol and gazes long and
earnestly up through ie0 feet Of mel
lowed light to that wonderful concave
where Freedom, Victory and other god
desses are playing ring around the rosy
about the head OF the immortal George.
II he Is stalwart and enterprising, he
wants to 60 up there, and, after a weari-
some climb, reaches the little gallery,
which is invisible from below. Once
there, his first feeling is apt to be dis
gust--at the figures which looked 80
lovely from below. Close at hand they
look like coarse smcars OF tallow and
ocher. Brumidi painted "The Apotheosis
Of Washington" to look well overhead
and 1870 feet or so away.
In few minutes, however, the visitor
finds that he Is repaid for tho climb by
the view OF tho floor below. A comical
effect Of tho vertical sight Is tho distor-
ton Of figures; man walking directly
under tho observer looks as astronomers
tell us man would look on the face OF
the moon II we had telescopes sufficient
to matcrialize him---and there was man
there. The observer sees but the top OF
the mans head and his shoulders. His
body seems but q few inches In length
while his legs, swinging to front and
rear, and therefore presenting u lateral
view, appear AS long in proportion as
those of spider. The great painting Of
Brumidi is on canopy Us feet In dame
ter and 205 feet in circumference, cover
ing, therefore, an area of 1904 feet. Its
execution at such q height involved sew
eral years Of arduous labor.
The paintings below, ranging around
the walls of the rotunda, arc not YET
complete, but they are interesting, in
structive, and to some people amusing
Critics have had much to say about the
coloring in sons OF those pictures, and
it is humorously suggested that the art
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07

some years secretary cf the senate. sciis
me the following story 10 illustrate the
backwardness Of senators as prayer timc;
During the presidency pro tempors Of
Ben Wade, q new and bashful senator
told the bluff old statesman from Ohio
that he had bill which he wanted to
pass, and as there was nothing in it any
one could object to, he intended asking
unanimous consent. "Whcn would you
advise me to bring my bill forward"
asked the new senator. "Oh, bring II
up right after prayers" said the old
msn, splendid chance to pass your bill
when no senators are about"
There was one decided innovation this
year. Usually, the opening Of congress
brings the presidents message to the floor
Of house and senate in q perfect shower
Of printed pamphlets. But this year the
president declined to follow the usual
custom, which. II to have the message
printed ct the government printing Of.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07

fross wisi..n aass c~sin reveiry was q
IL height. and the crcvices between the
cabin lugs were FREQ from sschinking."
The night winds that came through thess
wcrc disregardcd by the assembled guests,
who, inside and out, numbered probably
100 By nssiduous crowding. which In
terfered with the dancers, about half this
number could get In.
The picture was . striking one. Sew.
eral children frolicked about with their
Santa Claus toys that had stood the
wear and tear Of two days. Toy bal.
looms, stick candy, canned fruits and
tin horns were conspicuous. The nature
OF holiday investments by the old folks
was evidenced in the display Of brass
lnger rings, ear bobs, brooches and
watchchains, which were already tar.
nishing. The younger members Of the
gathering could be found within. where
Q violin was -dolefully squeaking ''sugai
in de gourd," and all hands seemed en-.
ergetically vying with each other a. t.
agility and staying qualities. The hon
ors Of the dance went to the most vigor
ous. When a contest was spirited the
others would gather around, applaud,
join in tho patting--on tho knees, chest
or two hands--and urge the dancers te
further efforts.
In one corner, on Q rude pine table
which was the buffet, stood the viands
which gave the name to the occasion
the hot supper. Tho good things were
as savory as though Delmonico's chef
had presided at the spit. Liquids and
substantials were retailed by the hostess
to the guests present. and the manner oi
distinction in her prices might give a Gu.
to some Of our enterprising bonifaces
On the payment Of twenty-five cents
the whilom diner was allowed to helf
himself. For fifteen cents he was served.
and not allowed further replenishment
Refreshments were taken standing. Of
the black bottles that contained the
liquid refreshments, q wag remarked or
therc being only two kinds: "Plair
drunk" and "drunk and disorderly."
Tho cooking was done outdoors over o
huge fire, which had been lighted in the
front yard. About this, sitting on logs.
were the older folks. smoking and study.
ing tho blaze. or talking in subdued
voices, as If afraid of disturbing the fur
within. THOMAS p. HENRY.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07
AMERlCANlZEO BLACKS.
How the Old African Songs Were Natu-
rallied and Modified.

Especial Correspondence.l
NEW YORK. Dec. 5.-The least known
and most rarely witnessed pastime of
the plantation darkey is perhaps the
"bran dance" The season for il is when
the corn has been gathered, and new
meal is in the bin; but it is often danced
during the holidays when the weather
permits.
l once walked up on such a dance,
which was suspended as soon as was
observed. A group patted and chanted
the steps of the dance, which was being
described by about half dozen young
bucks. There would be lull and then
a burst of wild harmony. Bran, which
gave its name to the dance. was conspic-
uous by its absence from the ceremony.
Although knew several of those present
very intimately, the dancing was not re-
sumed. When interrupted the dancers
were swaying themselves backward and
forward with regular movements of the
hands, then this would cease and they
would jump up as if suddenly the earth
had become heated to an unbearabIe de.
gree. The only reason could gather for
the dance was that they always danced
it. Inquiry failed to elicit further in.
formation, and l fancy that it was orig
inally an African dance, the motive of
which has been lost and the music and
movements remaining to them have been
dedicated to the harvesting of the corn
crop.
A fayorite entertainment on every
plantation is the hot supper. 1t has as
warm a place in the affections of the
tenants in the quarters" as has the rattle
on the east side Of New York or the
''pink tea" in the Murray Hill district.
Christmas had only two days before
gladdened every Christian fireside, when,
ON advice Of "Cupid," and under his
guidance, we started out one evening tc
witness such an occasion. Tho air was
sharp and bracine. with a suggestion OF
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07

NEW MEMBERS ON THE FIRST DAY.
memory's sensitive plate the picture pre-
sented by the opening day of congress.
Now am the only man in the gallery,
and am yawning. Somehow or other,
the people on the floor seem to be sleepy,
too. Three days ago they were as lively
as crickets. Congress opened with every
man sitting bolt upright in his seat, dig
nified, alert, statesmanlike. Now look
at them.
The house on Monday was like the
boys in the country picture 1t In their
minds eye. Congress is respected in the
country. Its manners are there thought
to be good enough TO take to church.
the same notion. He walks to his seat
on the opening day with as much dig
nifty as he knows how to employ. He
buttons up his coat--a long Prince Al
bert, which he has had made for this
very occasion--in order to gain impress
siveness Of person. Once seated. his de-
pertinent is such as would do credit to
the deacon who never mods.
Can it be possible that we are now
looking at the same man? Has the lapse
of three days effected such transforma-
tion in his manners? His feet are rest
ing calmly on top of his desk; or he has
his arms upstretched in the awkward
gesture which is the trademark of a
yawn; or he is snuggled down in his
chair, as careless as he can be, and sur
reptitiously smoking cigar, though
that indulgence is forbidden by the rules
of the house. Yes, it is the same man.
Still these same careless congressman
demand that their speaker shall be a
person of dignity. At least one of the
late candidates for speaker would have
made more headway in his canvass had
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07

CAPT. SHAW, LONDON. eralship ON the
part Of its chief and great efficiency on
the part Of tho men.
A great feature nowadays In fro fight.
ing is the telegraph system. To know Of
fire the instant it occurs, and to get to
it with apparatus for its extinguishment
without delay, arc Of the utmost i'm
portance, especially in windy and dry
weather. The large cities now all have
fire department telegraph, with nu-
merous signal stations. The horses are
SO placed that they can be harnessed in
the quickest possible time. and learn,
when they hear the gong which is struck
by electricity, that they are going to race
to n fire, and are eager to be Off.
The appurtenances for use ut fires have
been increasing in ingenuity till there
are now water towers, telescope ladders,
life saving hooks with cross pieces for
climbing and tools for extinguishing In
profusion. But Of late years new
problem has been staring the firemen In
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-07


he been a man of better manners. He
did not lack popularity, and men liked
to call him by his first name, but they
did not want him for speaker. There is,
after all, a strong sense of the proper in
our American legislators, little as you
would think So to look at them, as do
at this minute, sprawling and straddling
and chewing and laughing on the floor
below. On "big" days, on the opening
days of sessions, or occasions which
bring out large audiences, the members
Of the house behave well enough, and
probably their general department would
improve if we had more pomp and form
in our Legislative formula. Old members
tell me they like the practice of voting by
tellers, in which two men, named by the
speaker, stand in front Of the chair and
count the members as they pass through
first those in the affirmative. and then
those in the negative. There is move
ment, action, form in this method of vot-
ing. and it is popular.
Probably some of the ceremonials Of
the English house of commons could be
employed here with good effect AS the
new speaker was escorted to the chair on
Monday by his defeated rivals could
not help contrasting the simple manner
in which he ascended the throne-for a
throne of wonderful power it is-with
the entree of the presiding officer of the
house Of commons as it has been de-
scribed to me. The British speaker files
into the hall at tho head of n long, sol
emn, dignifed, impressive procession
composed of all the members of the body,
each with his hat in his hand. No other
than the tall silk hat, commonly known
as "stovepipe," is permitted, and as soon
as the speaker has reached his chair and
all the others have found places along
the benches, at signal all place their
hats upon their heads and sit down.
Possibly the hat feature of the English
custom would not suit here-there are
western members who never wore q
stovepipe hat, and who would resign
their seats before donning one-but am
sure some such a feature as the grand
entry of the speaker at the head of the
house would add to the self respect and
dignity OF both presiding officer and
member.
There are many ways of distinguish
ing the new member of congress Ho
takes keen interest in the proceedings
for q day or two, carefully reads The
Congressional Record every morning,
studies the rules good deal and is near
ly always present at prayers. But his
zeal is short lived. In two or three days
he learns TO loaf about the cloak rooms
and swap stories and have good time.
Yet, with all its democratic tendencies,
the house gives better attention to pray
ers than does the old and highly respect
able senate. One morning during the
last session only one senator appeared in
his seat as the presiding officer took his
chair at high noon. The chaplain, how
ever, was at his post, and President pro
tempore ingalls, raped his desk with the
gavei and with admirable gravity said:
"The senator from will come to
oXder." Then the chaplain offered a
prayer.
Hon. George Gorham. who was for