davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
A Funny Church Incident.

Every seat in the Brooklyn Tabernacle
was occupied last Sunday morning. The
famous clergyman was in the midst of
most interesting sermon, and the ten
thousand eyes of the congregation were
rlvlted In Interested expectancy upon the
expressive face and gesticulative figure of
the noted divine. The stiffness of death
except for the exhortations of the pulpit
orator pervaded the huge ediice. Down
in the center of the church, almost
crowded out of sight by her older neigh
Dor, a black eyed little tot, of four years
nestled close to her mothers skirts.
The hairless pate OF an aged worshiper
doomed up directly before the bright eyes
of the little miss. A common house fly
circled around the chief and finally
alighted on the top of the old gentleman's
head.
1t stood motionless for second and
then moved softly over the smooth and
shiny surface. The aged gentleman was
deeply engrossed in DR.. Talmage's SER
mon, and for while, evinced no uDeasi-
ness from the ticklish manners of the
little insect.
All the while the child's eyes followed
the movements of the fly. She was deeply
interested, and looked around to see il
somebody else wasn't enjoying the
scene.
Suddenly the old gentleman's arm shot
up, and came down with a resounding
whsck upon his Uranium. The little one
behind him had been waiting for this, and,
sliding out of her seat before her mother
could check her, she placed her chubby
little hands on the old fellows shoulders,
and peering over into his face, unmindful
of the time and place, asked with much
animation: "Did 200 kill itf"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
JOSH BILLINGS PHILOSOPHY.
New York Weekly.

1t IL our duty tew pray for them who
revile and persekute US, but don't kno az
we are obliged tew let them kno it.
just exackly az man grows pure, he
grows humble.
The less we kno the more we suspect.
CRATE mind haz no room for suspicion.
Extreans meet; the very wisest are
often seen to do the most phoolish
things.
1t il hard tew quit play while We are win
ming. 1t liz just SO in morals; men seldu m
undertake tew git religion az long az
they kan git emmy thing else.
The man who never told a lie il a
well-bred man, don't kare if he sprung
from a dunghill
Thare il no better evidence ov wisdom
than tew beleave what we kant understand.
Threw courage IL as gentle az a pet
lamb.
When we are young, we change our
opinyuns too often. When we are old,
too seldum.
Thare amt no people in this world who
makes SO many blundors az thoze who
don't beleave "that emmy good things ever
came out ov Nazareth.
We lay all ov our bad luck tew sum
boldly else, but our successes we Civ our
self kredit for.
dandy in love IL in just about az bad
tx az stick ov mollassis handy that
haz half melted.
Thoze who luv most to play jokes upon
others Inv less tew hav jokes played upon
them.
One ov the most difik uIt things for old
persons tew forgit, and at the same time
the most necessary, IL that they are no
longer young.
Seckond luv liz like seckond case ov
meazles-the pashunt alwus haz it light.
Men in luv alwus akt like phools or
lunatlks, ackordin tew the amount ov
their branes.
1t liz better tew be stubborn than weak.
Thare il no more degrading sefvitude
in this life than tew be obliged tew fatter
another.
Most men would rather be rich than
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
FRIGHTENED BY WITCHES.

Old Hays with Crooked Sticks Praetieing In
on the Fears OF Credul0uS Negroes
Mary Harper, negro woman. died the
other day of fright caused by witchcraft,
says Chattanooga (TeRn.) letter to the
New York World, although the ply
sloian's certificate states that she died of
nervous exhaustion. The facts, as rela-
ted by one of her neighbors, with whom
she was very intimate, are as follows:
The deceased and a woman named
Watson were rivals for the hand of a ne
gro named Thompson, who seemed first
to prefer one and then the other, being
exceedingly variable In his moods. Sew
srsl quarrels took place between the
womsn, none, however, with serious con.
sequences. About three weeks spo the
Watson woman told the Harper woman
that If she did pot leave Thompson alone
she was going to six" her, by which was
meant that she was going TO resort to
witchoraft. This weighed heavily on the
woman's mind, and within two or three
days she became too weak to work and
was confined to her bed The sheets
were found pinned together with rusty
needle, and after this discovery the wom-
an grew more feeble ev9ry day and died
q few days ago as stated
The physician was unable to find any
disease and the presuH ption is therefore
irresistible that she died from the effects
of sheer fright. Witchcraft among the
negroes is on the increase among the ne
groes In this region, and number of
notable instances have occurred within
the last few months.
The case or OIaili Franklin has become
noGed lone. Afflicted with heartburn
and stomach troubles, with icy feeling in
the back, he sought relief from a regular
witch doctor, who is well known here,
going about the streets with small.
crooked stick, with which it is supposed
she controls the elements. She oupped
the man with a horn which contained
live frogs and bugs, which she said came
from the mans side. He then became
better, and the operation has been re-
peated several times, until new he is in a
dangerous condition from exhaustion
and loss of blood.
About month ago Mary Christian was
"conjured" by rival, who placed a ball
of red flannel and sticks tied with white
string, at the other end of which was 9
toad, under the woman's doorstep. This
at oEce so worked upon her mind that
she began barking like dog, and it was
not expected that she would live She
has now recovered physically, but is in
sane and regarded as inourable.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
The National Capitol.

LATE Samoan advices state that a
peace treaty has been concluded between
the warning chiefs Mataafa and Tamase-
Sc.
The widow of N. P. Willis, the poet, is
living in Washington. She is pleasant,
attractive woman of 60 and is occasion
ly seen in society. Her son, Bailey Willis,
is member of the corps of the Geologi-
cal Survey.
WAsHINGToN.-The annual statement of
the com ptroller of the currency shows
that the national bank circulation has
fallen from $252,OOO,00O year ago to
$215,OOO,OOO, or about IL per cent. OF
this reduction $27, 000, 900 was secured by
bonds and $13,000,O00 by the deposit of
lawful money.
AT conference held in Washing ton
on Wednesday by the President, the mem
bers of mis- Cabinet and several United
States Senators, a decision to call a
special session of Congress to meet
about November 1, is said to have been
reached.
WAsHINGToN.-Therew was heavy rain
fall Monday and the large vault in the
court yard of the treasury building in
which there are over eight million silver
dollars stored, is flooded with two inches
of water. Considerable damage to boxes
and bags containing silver, but the latter
was unin jured.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
News in Brief.

Ex-PREsIDENT WOoLsEY, of Yale Col
lege, died at New Haven, CT, Monday af-
terno on, aged So.
Mrs. JESSIE BENTON FREMONT is engag-
ed in writing the biography of old Kit
Carson, General Freemont's favorite
scout in pioneer days.
A TEXAS paper says that themoral con-
dition of the State is worse since so
many "ex-bum evangeIists" have been
laboring in it.
DURING the last ten years Americans
have contributed $20,O00,00O to relieve
suffering caused by disasters and epidem
les.
QUITMAN, Mississippi.-Prince Flem-
ing and Richard Jordon, colored, were
hanged here for the murder of
John Taylor, colored, in the presence of
great thropg of people.
A BITTER war on Northwestern freight
rates is feared by conservative railway
men as an outcome of the present differ
ences between the all-rail and the lake
and-rail routes.
IT is feared that several extinct VOL
canoes around Sussnvil;e, in the Sierra
Nevada, will become active, as earth
quake shocks are being continually felt.
A COMPANY of three or four Chinese
millionaires of San Francisco has pur.
chased for 100000 an immense tract
of land in Southern California, and ex-
poets TO make fine profit by selling lum-
| Der and minerals from it.
A HINDoo lecturer in England says
that the British have degraded India and
| her people TO the level of beasts, and
| that tens of thousands die yearly OF
starvation and all reports are suppressed
SOME religious papers are noting it a:
| a curious fact that the bigger clergy
mans salary is the longer is his vacation
The poor fellows who receive just a little
more than nothing year fnd it hard tt
get any vacation at all.
WHILE Corporal Tanner and Congress-
man Reed were leaving the Chautauqus
grounds at Council Bluffs, Iowa, the
horses attached to the carriage in which
they were riding became frightened and
overturned the vehicle. Both escaped
without injury.
| The eldest daughter of the Prince OF
Wales, who is to marry the Earl of Fife
is said to have but little claim to good
looks. Her face is long and OCULAR, bu
the expression is pleasing. Of the three
princesses the youngest is the prettiest
| They all dress alike and are very uiet il
public, but are vivacious enough when BY
| themselves.
WILLIAM NEAsoN, q convict in tbs Cali
fornia state prison at San Quentin, res
cued man who was drowning in tn,
bay. The man gave him $40. Neasor
asked the warden to send the money Il
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11

"The prairie-dog is about the size of a
fox squirrel sand is almost the color of
one. They are very destructive to crops.
The farmers poison thousands of them.
but it seems as if the old adage of killing
one Fly ten will take its place has refer
ence to the prairie dog. Another tale is
told Oh the prairie dog-that the rattle
snake, the prairie owl, and the prairie
dog all live in the sanle burrow, but that
Is the greatest mistake of all. The owl
and the rattle snake do live in the towns,
or rather the rattlesnake dies in the
prairie-oog town, for no sooner does he
enter the burrow than the dogs collect
and commence filllng up the burrow, and
If the rattler has gone up too far to
hear them his doom Is sealed but if he ia
near the mouth of the burrow he will
come out as soon as possible. When the
owl takes up his abode in burrow the
dog leaves 1T and goes to another burrow.
They never try TO fill up a burrow when
an owl goes in, probably because thew
think there is not rs much harm in an
owl as there is in rattlesnake."
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
A NOVELTY IN FUEL,
An Important if Practical Invention by Which
a Great Saving is Effected.


What appears to be an important in
vention has recently been made public in
this town, says letter from Phillips,
Wis. II is 10 less than a practical and
cheap use of water for fuel. The ap-
pliance consists OF nothing but piece of
gas pipe two, or six or more inches in
diameter as ma be desired, and of con
venient length to fl cook stove or a par
lor or other heater, with short legs or
other stable support, to keep it in posi-
ton. This is placed in the stove with
one end slightly projecting, to which is
attached a vessel of water with stop
cock conduit from the water vessel into the
pipe. Before reaching the steam chamber
the water passes through the important
part of this invention, the part that con-
stitutes or contains the great discovery.
By means of it the water may pass into
the steam chamber while the steam can
not pass out. The part of the pipe con-
tanning the steam chamber is within the
stove, although small part may be with
out, if desired. To this the heat of a
moderate wood or coal fire is applied, so
as to heat the Steam to a high temper
allure, say 800 or nearly 400 degrees, when
it passes out of small orifce, imme
diately into the midst of bed of Goals
or flame from burning wood or coal, when
it is at once raised to the required tenn
perature, 400 or more degrees, to be i'm
mediately decom posed into it's gases,
oxygen and hydrogen, which instantly
become flame. Only moderate summer
fire of wood or coal will be required the
coolest day in winter, the gaseous flame
furnishing the balance of the heat need
ed in the coolest room. Tie capacity
for reducing heat may be regulated to
suit requirements.
When it is known that hydrogen fame
yields heat in burning Eve times greater
than carbon, or about 1000 to $500 de-
grees, one may form some idea of the ca
pao1ty of this little continuance for pro-
ducipg heat.
By increasing tbs temperature of the
gas pipe to about 400 degrees, the vapor
may be deoomposed into its gases before
exit from the pipe, and in such cases it
is emitted in jet of blue flame. In eth
er case the oxy-hydrogen fame is. easily
produced and with very small consump
ton of fuel.
This water burner has been in opera
ton here for some time in a cook stove
and in four-foot box stove, with results
as above stated. The inventor, whose
name may yet live beside the names of
now famous inventors, has been at work
for many years, and he now feels that he
is near the reward for all his labors.
No exact test has yet been made, but 1T
is safely estimated that the discovery will
effect a saving in cook stoves and heaters
of seven eights of the fuel. 1t will cook
especially well with soft coal. 1t may
easily be adjusted to blacksmiths' FORCES.
One important feature is its cbeapness;
it may be adjusted to the common stove
for $40, and it is very simple, having no
delicate parts to get out of repair
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
Criminal.

The Carran brothers, who have been
on trial at Waupaca, Wis, for the murder
of lawyer Hazeltine, were acquitted on
Wednesday, the jury bringing in YER
dict of not guilty.
FIRE-BUGs are making life miserable
for people in Oshkosh, Wis. Three
barns have been burned Tuesday morn
ing and five within four days.
JOHN KuNzE, the alleged partner of De-
tective Coughlin in the murder of DIR.
Cronin, is under arrest at North Hal
sted Street Station and has been identi-
fed by Stenographer James.
GOVERNOR FIFER has pardoned Joseph
Mackin, sent to the penitentiary from
Chicago four years ago, for puriury in
connection with election frauds in this
city.
j. @. FhEDRIoKs, clerk of the court of
Outagamie county, Wis, has absconded
with about 81, 500, leaving his bonds men
to mourn his disappearance and pay the
amouat.
SHERIFF R. S. BRANsoN and his deputy
were both killed while trying to arrest
William and James Miles during a cele-
bration at Kirbyville, Mo-, Thursday.
William Miles is the man who killed
the Bald Knobber chief, Nat N. Kinney.
FRANK HoYT, who for eight years has
been teller in the First National Bank of
Hobokep, N. j., has been found to be a
defaulter to the extent of $4,000. When
charged with embezzlement yesterday he
acknowledged that he had taken the
money TO use in speculation on Wall
street. He offered to turn over to the
bank property valued at $1,000 and was
confident that he could raise the balance.
He pleaded to be released, that his mother
and family might be saved from dis
grace, but the Directors decided TO prose
cute him.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
Athens as a Place of Residence.

The Greeks are proud of their capital,
and there is no doubt that Athens is
very beautiful city and would be a de-
lightful residence but for one thing
formidable, unbearable - the dCst. 1t is
real plague. You may have your boots
polished (price cent? on the sidewalk,
but if you only cross the street they are
as white as if you had stepped into bar
rel of -four. The scarcity of water rem
ders the sprinkling OF the streets diff
cult matter, and even when this is con-
scientifically done it is only the half
dozen or so OF, the principal thoroughfares
and does not solve the vital question.
The asphalt pavement has been tried and
found unsatisfactory, wood pavements
will not answer, and the only solution is
the pavement with large blocks of
stone. But the cost is so heavy, from the
fact that the stone must be carried from
quite distance, that the municipality is
afraid to venture such al outlay, and the
question still remains In abeyance.-
Athens Correspondence New York Com
m erciaI-A dyertISer.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
ELECTRIC SPARKS.
Fires and Casualties.

IT is said that 113 families at Albany,
Mimi, are affected with black diphtheria.
No deaths have been reported.
RAIN flooded out five families in Cam
bria City, Pa. The water came pouring
down the mountain side destroying all
furniture that had been saved from the
big food.
The fire at HALEY, Idaho, did not reach
the residence portion of the town, and
there is little suffering among the peo-
pie. Loss, 100000, with little insur-
ance.
M1NNEAPoL1s.-A special from Ellens-
burg, Wash. T., says fire started Thursday
evening at 10 O'Clock, and before the
flames could be subdued the entire bust
ness portion and over 100 dwellings were
consumed. Loss is estimated at hun
dreds of thousands. No lives were lost.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal.-Dispatches re-
ceived from S0sanville, in the Sierra
Nevada mountains, say that the slight
earthquake shocks have continued, and
that the people have become so accus-
toned TO them that no attention is paid
to them. Old settlers are predicting vol
canic disturbances in extinct craters,
such as took place IN 1850.
DULUTH, Minn.-Nearly 5000 laborers
went out on a strike Tuesday morning,
demanding $1.75 per day. The former
rate was $1.50. The strike was commenc-
ed by the gas company's laborers, and
soon extended until all the laborers re-
ceiving less than the rate demanded Join
ep the ranks of the strikers.
A DA- froi tho NorfnIE q
Western Railroad was wrecked by wash
out at Thaxton, point thirty miles
above Lynchburg, Va, Tuesday morning.
The first account says forty people were
killed in the wreck. Advices sent to the
president of the road, whose office is in
Philadelphia, state that five train hands
were killed outright and number of
passengers injured
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11

the Johnstown sufferers. The fact came
to the governors knowledge, and few
days ago Neason received free pardon.
AT the meeting Of the Methodist min
listers in Chicago Monday was very
lively discussion on the saloon question.
The opinion prevailed that a public sem
timent should be created which would
force the closing of all saloons on Sun
day.
The Giant diamond, lately discovered
in Cape Colony, and now &C the Paris
Exposition, weighs $50 carats and IL
valued at 100000. 1t is kept in glass
case by itself, and guardians stand around
it all day. At night it is placed in big
safe, which is similarly guarded all night.
1t is said to be of the first water, and as
pure as the famous Regent in the French
crown diamonds.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
DISP ATCHES BOILED DOWN.

VIM. Lyon, the oldest iron manufrctur
er in the country, died suddenly of ap-
op'exy at PIttsburg, Pa, at the age of 78
years.
Rain flooded out five families in Cam
bria City, Pa. The water came pouring
down the mountain side destroying all
the furniture that had been saved from
the big food.
An engagement has taken place be-
tween Egyptian troops and body OF
Dervishes at Cairo. Of the latter 500
were killed or wounded. Two English
officers were also wounded.
The race for the diamond SOULS al
Henley, England, between G. G. Psotta
the American amatuer champion and
Blackmore the English oersmen, was wor
by the, American beating by three
lengths.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
HE STRETCHED HEMP.
An Old Man at Portage Burns His Home al
Then Suicides.

An Old Man at Portage Burns His Home and
Then Suicides.
PORTAGE, Wisconsin.-Edward Buck
busch, of this city, Monday night set fire to
his house and barn and then went to
work shed near by and hung himself. ]
is supposed that he had some difficult
with his family and they were driven {.
neighbors. The fire attracted the atten-
ton of neighbors who were aroused, and
in carrying out articles from the work
shed man run onto the body of Buck
busch hanging by hempen cord.
He evidently intended to burn
his body. Burkbusch was an eccentric
character, about go years old, and leaves
wife and child. ooroner's inquest
will be held today.
Postmaster Jones yesterday transferred
the Portage postoffice TO his successor,
CIV. Morrison. Mr.. Morrison says the
Office was in excellent condition. Mr..
Jones has been postmaster for three
years and ten months, and has given ex-
cellent satisf action.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11

The sectarian political warfare now
and French Canadians is fierce and
implacabIe. Difference of race and
religion is there irreconcilable. The
French inhabitants do not take kindly
to English domination and will not as
simulate in politics, in progress, IN action
Or in religion. Four generations have
passed since they came under the British
yoke; but today they are as IN English
as their ancestors were, and as
sturdily resist all progress. Just Low
the quarrel is on sectarian grounds.
The dispute is on the educational ques-
ton. The French are Catholics and in
sist that their schools, under Catholic
guidance, shall be supported by the state.
The English influence insists, not simply
that the schools shall be uncatholio, but
testant influence ana Protestant in their
teaching. Both sides wish to make the
public school the means of PROSECUTING
and neither is disposed to yield one jot
or compromise on the common ground
of strictly non sectarian system.
The condition of things there is sig,
niicant in it's suggestion that "we don't
want any of Canada in ours" TO use an
expression of the boys. Annexation of
such an unassimilative people is surely
not good policy. None of the peoples
which surround US, the Mexioans, the
Cubans or Canadians are a desirable
people to De yoked with. We are better
without them.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
Three Rebellions q Dav.

Three rebellions, obstinate, though bloodless,
occur in the stomach OF the dyspeptic who par
takes of food thrice day. The digestive organs
refuses on each occasion to perform the duty
assigned to it by nature, and trouble ensues
How discipline, how regulate itf Simply with
wineglassful Of the genial invigorant ana appe-
tier Hostetter's Stomach Bitters before each
meal and before retiring Digestion will, after
course of this pleasant regulator. become easy,
and its forerunner, appetite, also improve
Nervousness and insomnia, always induced by
chronic, dyspepsia, viii disappear with It's dlsap
pearance thus insured, and constipation and bill
leave Not only will the system acquire strength,
but also substance by a more perfect assinlila-
ton of the food. Rheumatism, malarial and
kidney complaint and neuralgia yield to the
RifterS
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11

YOUNGSTOWN will be fortunate if il is
not owned ny the lawyers before it is
possible TO find out what belongs to whom.
There are thousands of dollars in the
bank and acres of land, the original
owners of which are dead, and the heirs, if
they have any, unknown. Fraudulent
claimants are sure to appear and render
the work of obtaining justice harder for
the rightful ones.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11

MARY ANDERSON will not re-appear ON
the stage in October. Her health is not
improving in England, and she is absent
minded, unable to recognize old friends,
and evidently very sick woman.