davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-01-10
ABOUT SNAKE POISON.
A Septic Principle Closely Resembling
Strychnine and Digitalis.

A Septic Principle Closely Resembling
Strychnine and Digitalis,
From the time of Fontana, the first
writer on the subject, Q167l, to the
present. a multitude of theories have
been broached as to the composition
and nature of snake poison. This be-
ing the age of microbes it was natural
that its lethal qualities should be as
cribed to the presence of microscopic
organisms theory, however, which
has been disproved by actual expert
ment. The venom of the cobra dica-
pello and the fer de lance, inclosed in
a sterilized vessel and exposed for
three hours to a temperature of 125
degrees Centigrade, still retains its
peculiar properties. 1t is effective
even when mixed with alcohol or am
monia, and resists the action of the
most powerful acids, s1eh as caustic
potash and nitrate of ilver. Snake
venom in its natural state, though
somewhat like ordinary saliva. is less
fluid and more gummy, its color vary
ing from amber to clear yellow. It
dries rapidly on exposure to the air,
when, while retaining its natural color,
it becomes CLASSY and shining. The
latest authority on its chemical COM
position is NJ. Armand Gautier. After
analyzing many specimens he has come
to the conclusion that the active prin-
eiple of all snake venom is an animal
alkoloid analogous to that which is
found in purifying body; and how
deadly that is. many an unfortunate
surgeon, accidentally inoculated while
making an autopsy, has found to
his cost. The venom is neither a
virus nor a ferment 1t is a septic
principle like strychnine and digitalis.
and, like strychnine and digitalis it
acts always in the same way, other
things being equal. Hence, (assuming
the correctness of Mr.. Gautier's theory
the venom of the English viper and
the cobra are practically identical,
the bite of the latter being more fatal
simply because nature has provided
him with a greater abundance of septic
matter. According to DR.. Weir Nit
chell and other authorities the glands
of the viper contains 10 centigrammes
of venom, those of the rattlesnake
from 4S to 81 centigrammes, of the
Indian naga 1.30 grammes. The viru-
lence of the venom, or rather the vigor
of the serpent, is, moreover, modified
by climate and temperature. In the
higher parts of Martinique, for in
instance, dangerous and much less fire.
quent than in valleys and plains. The
greater freshness of mountain air low
ers the snake vitality, and though his
store of venom may be the same, he
strikes his enemy or his prey with di-
minished energy. Snakes only enjoy
the fullness of their powers in low lati-
tudes. Cold stupefes them. The
European viper becomes torpid in win
ter. and menagerie snakes are reused
with difficulty from their habitual
languor. On the other hand, cold
blooded animals-mollusks, fishes,
frogs, turtles, and snakes themselves
are impervious 10 the poison which the
latter secrete. The only warm-blooded
creatures proof against it are pigs, an
immunity which they owe to the thick.
ness of their adipose tissue.-Spectator.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-01-10
A FRESH COMPLEXION.
Some Advice Which Lady Readers Might
Follow to Advantage.

Some Advice Which Lady Readers Might
Follow to Advantage.
The best means of preserving the
complexion is first to avoid care and
worry, anxiety and fretfulness, which
are detrimental to the complexion.
Try to sleep well. and be careful Of
diet, and meet the world as it comes.
Cold atmosphere and plenty of cold
water are good tonics, excepting in
cases of exceedingly delicate people.
Protect your faces from strong winds
by wearing a thick vail until the skin
becomes somewhat hardened to the
cold.
Some good writer's and prominent
physicians oppose the use of cold
water and advise hot water. 81 must
say am opposed to heat in any form
for the face" says a lady who has
made dermatology study, and who
has a most beautiful complexion OF
her own to show for her care and
study. "For example, you wash your
face on rising in the morning with hot
water, which is more agreeable in its
results if you are compelled to go out
doors? After washing ones face in
hot water it feels drawn and soft if
exposed to the cold air. Now, what
you want is not soft but hard skin,
firm but smooth and velvety-looking.
You can never have a pretty complex
ion with soft skin, as it very soon
wrinkles, and who does not detest
wrinkles?"
If people would make study ct
dermatology and pay more attention
to physiological laws, there would
probably be more good, healthy COM
plexions and fewer demands for COS
metics. But will that time ever como?
My experience of the past few days,
am sorry to say, leads ine to believe
that the use of cosmetics Is alarminglY
on the increase IN r. Nail and Es
press
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-01-10
THE YOUNGEST SOLDIER.
The Drum-hIajor of the Eighteenth Ohio
Makes a Good Claim.

The Drum-Major of the Eighteenth Ohio
Makes a Good Claim.
was born April 80, 1850, and went
out with the 10th Ohio in 1861 as a
drummer, without being enlisted, re-
ceiving only my rations and my clothes
for my services, until June, 1868, when
was captured at the battle of Win
chester, Va
was taken to Belle Isle prison, and
was shortly afterward paroled. then
went home, where remained for few
weeks, and then enlisted in Co. G, 18th
Ohio. when but twelve years and five
months old. But this was after service
of two years in the army without enlist
ment. Through the influence of Cen
eral c. H. Grosvenor l passed the sur
geon atMarietta, o. Twas transferred
from Company G to Company B, and
after the terribly-hard campaign of
Thomas army against Hood in the win
ter of 1868, was promoted Drum
Major of the regiment.
During the first days battle at Nash
vile Captain Ebenezer Grosvenor, COM
manding the regiment, called upon me
to take his horse to the rear, saying
that he never expected to have use for
him again. took the horse back and
when l returned to the line of battle l
found that the brave captain had been
shot through the brain by a minie-ball.
He never needed his horse again. He
was as brave an officer as ever sacri-
feed his life for his country, and was
beloved by his men.
We were driven from the field, leav-
ing our dead commander in the hands
of the enemy, besides many other of
our bravest and best officers and men;
but we occupied our field of battle the
day following, and found that our brave
commander, as well as the other gall
liant dead of our regiment, had been
stripped of their clothing and valua-
bles.
During the battle of the following day
I was within ten feet of Lieutenant
Colonel Benedict when he was shot IN
the mouth. The bullet had struck the
pole of the Fourteenth q. S. Colored
Troops flag, and glancing struck
Colonel Benedict in the mouth. He
opened his mouth and spit out hand
full of teeth, the ball also. His in
jury was of such character that he
could not articulate, and he went to the
rear.
Upon the rout of Hoods army we had
the hardest marching ever experienced
by any army, through rain, mud and
snow, and were the worst used-up
army, with the exception of Hoods, in
the country. Owing to exposure, l was
invalided and was sent to Chattanooga
from Stevenson, Ala.
NY father went to the authorities and
had discharge made out for me, which
I refused to accept This paper was
handed to me by General C. II. Gros-
venor, and tore it up in his presence.
served until the regiment disbanded.
-Lucius ". Hall, Drum-Major 18th
Ohio. NeIsonUille, O., in National Iri-
bnse.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-01-10
RANDOM SHOTS.

THERE are homes for ex-Union SOL
diers and sailors in twelve States.
The city of Nashua, N. H., will de-
vote $4,000 to the erection of SOL
diers' monument.
GENERAL W. w. AvERILL has been
appointed ''Inspector of the Soldiers
Homes of States"
The 2,436 deserters from the regular
army, last year, were all privates or
non-commissioned officers.
THE surviving members of the Wis
consin State Sanitary Commission are
to reorganize at an early date.
THE Twenty-frst Wisconsin will raise
funds for its proposed memorial build
ing at Waupaca, by stock subscription.
POsTs are being organized at Blanch-
ardville, Browntown, Cedarburg,
Birnamwood and Port Washington.
Wisconsin.
E. B. WOLCOTT Posi-, No. 1, Mil
waukee, Wis, has a membership in
good standing of 234. During the
past year $125.73 was paid out for re-
lief.
Mrs. c. H. BELL, president of the
Wisconsin Department of the 7oman's
Relief Corps, personally inspected
eighteen subordinate corps during one
week.
The Woman's Relief Corps of Juneau
County, Wisconsin, are raising funds to
erect Juneau County Cottage on the
Soldiers Home grounds at Waupaca,
Wisconsin.
The house on Seminary Ridge occu-
pied by General Lee as his headquar-
ters during the battle of Gettysburg, was
recently sold by the Thaddeus Stevens
estate for $40.
Mrs C. II. BELL. Department Presi-
dent of the Woman's Relief Corps of
Wisconsin, desires the names of all
army nurses who served in hospitals or
on the field now living in the State
named.
The Commissioners of the District of
Columbia have decided to honor the
memory of General Phil H. Sheridan by
naming the circle at the intersection of
Massachusetts avenue and Twenty third
street Sheridan Circle.
The National Pension Committee,
appointed by Commander-in- Chief Will
liam Warner. is as follows: George S.
Merrill, Lawrence, Mass. James Tau
nan, Brooklyn, N. Y; John Kountz,
Toledo, O.; John W. Bursh, Sycamore,
ILL.,; Richard W. Blue, Pleasanton,
Kan.
The Society of the Army of the Cum
berland erected statues in Washington
City. in honor of Generals Thomas and
Garfield, costing $4,000 each. The
society proposes to erect similar one
to the late General Phil II. Sheridan.
The Government will be asked to do
nate the site and pedestal
SENATOR SHERMAN introduced bill
to pay to soldiers of the late war who
were promoted while serving their
terms of enlistment the bounty they
would have been entitled to had they
not been promoted. The same pro-
vision is made with regard to soldiers
discharged on account of diseases con-
tracted.
THANKSGIVING DAY at the NaJlonal
Home, Dayton, o., was pleasant one
so far as the dinner was concerned.
The following bill of fare received
ample justice from the veterans Roast
turkey, $500 pounds; cranberry sauce,
z barrels; giblet sauce, 20 gallons:
oyster dressing. so gallons; mashed
potatoes. so bushels; celery. 200 dozen
punches; Pickles, 80 gallons; bread,
1000 pounds; butter, 100 pounds;
mince pie, 1900 quarters; apples, p
barrels; coffee, 500 gallons; clieese.
800 pounds
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-01-10

The United States contributes 800
toward the support of each soldier in
the State homes.
Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-08-16
Business Blocked by Bees.

A swarm of bees took possession of
Main street in Meriden, Conn, a few
days ago and blocked traffic on that bus
ting city's busiest thoroughfare for over
an hour. A few venturesome drivers sent
their horses through the buzzing mass,
but those that made the trip paid the
penalty of the folly of their owners
People in the neighborhood were COM
PEELED to shut down their windows, for
the day was hot and the bees were angry.
The bees banged themselves against the
windows in attempts to get inside. Staid
business men threw handkerchiefs over
their heads and ran skipping away like
school boys. The bees were stray
swarm just let loose, and although at one
time they occupied a space as large as a
load of hay, they finally became COM
pressed into half bushel wad and lit on
one of the low branches of an evergreen
tree in the Baptist church lot. At sun
down the church janitor spread white
cloth on the ground under them and
placed large keg at an angle on the
cloth. The lower head of the clock had
been knocked out, ana the inside of the
keg was smeared with molasses. Then
the limb was sawed off and the bees
dumped on the cloth. The queen bee
made for the keg, and in an hour a royal
swarm was housed. - Chicago Journal.
Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-08-16
Birds and the Insects They Destroy.

The following birds are to be classed
among the most helpful kinds in the gen.
eral warfare against insects: Robins (cut,
and other earth worms), swallows, night
hawks, purple martins (moth catchers)
pewees Striped cucumber bugs, wood
thrushes and wrens (cut worms), cat birds
0ent caterpillar), meadow larks, wood
peckers, crows (wire worms); blue
throated buntings (canker worms), black,
red-winged birds, jays, doves, pigeons
and chippies (strawberry pests); quails
(chinch bugs, locusts), whip-poor-wills
(moths); hawks, all night birds, owls,
ETC., tanagers and black winged summer
red birds (curculios) nut crackers, fly
catchers, chimney swifts, indigo birds,
chipping and song sparrows, blackbirds,
mocking birds, titmouses, vireas, orchard
orioles.
Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-08-16
A Harpoon in a Whales Blubber.

There has just been received at the
National Museum, in Washington, to be
placed in the fisheries section, an interest
ing souvenir of the Arctic whale fishery
which Captain J. w. Collins, the superin-
tendent of that department, greatly
prizes. 1t is an old-fashioned, hand
nodded swivel harpoon, which has quite
story, as CLEANED from the papers ac-
companying it.
While in the Okhotsk Sea last summer,
the ship Cape Horn Pigeon, commanded
by Captain L. Nathan Rogers, captured
whale, in the blubber of which was i'm
bedded foreign substance. On investi-
CATION this proved to be harpoon, broken
Off at the junction with the lance, which
had been in the whale over thirty wears.
On the hinge of the harpoon was stamped
In plain letters IS. I. D.'-ship Thomas
Dickerson-and the name of the maker,
not so plain, could also be made out.
This was the first and only messenger
from the good ship Dickerson, which
sailed from New Bedford, Mass, in 1866
and was lost the next year in the very
waters where the crew of the Cape Horn
Pigeon secured the harpoon thirty-two
years iater.-Neao York Herald.
Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-08-16
Richest of American Cinnamon.

l had the pleasure of meeting Sam
Lock, recently. Mr.. Lock is probably
the richest Chinaman in California, and is
possessed of an acuteness which would
do credit to Sam Slick He is one of
the very few Mongolians who have be-
come citizens of this country, and has
cut loose in every way from his native
land, and as far as possible from his peo-
Pile. He wears ''store" clothes and
keeps his shirt inside of his trowsers. He
has large ranch in this country, and pos
sesses a number of mines in Montana.
He spoke quite casually of building a
canal seventeen miles long to take water
to mine which has not been profitable
heretofore because of the lack of that
article-Neio York Tribune.
Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-08-16
The Moods of a River.

Flint River, Ca, like human being,
appears to have its moods. Now it will
be all brightness and sunshine, its placid
waters scarce seem to be moving, but in
its quiet, crystal depths the lordly mag
nolias along its banks are reflected, and
the wild fowl plume their feathers over
its mirror like surface. Again, it looks
dark and angry. The water, of a yell
lowish red color, resembles the complex
ion of choleric man with his bile all
stirred up. On it dashes, resistlessly bear
ing along great waves of foam, where it
has fretted over the rocks, or the limbs
of forest monarchs which it has angrily
uprooted and torn away, as worried by
up-country rains it has overfowed its
banks and swept all before it.-Atlanta
Constitution.
Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-08-16

The New York city Board of Health
has introduced into its office, on trial, a
machine which, it is claimed, will do
automatically and by electricity, with
correctness and dispatch, the arduous
work of tabulating a vast amount of sta
tistical information, which has hitherto
been performed by clerks. If it per-
forms the work properly, it will be a
permanent fixture in the statistical de-
partment of the board. The device is
an exceedingly complex one in its
mechanism, but is simple in its operation,
and when thoroughly understood by
the operator can be worked with great
speed. 1t is certainly most ingenious
contrivance, and was designed by its in
ventor with a special view to its intro
duction at Washington for use in the
compilation of the exhaustive statistics OF
the eleventh census. By only slight
change it has been adapted to the facts
and figures which go to make up the
records of the Bureau of Vital Statistics
IL the New York Health Department.
Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-08-16

''It's only about hundred years since
checks and bills of exchange were first
used in the transaction of business" said
John Jay Knox, formerly Controller OF
the Currency, now President of one of
the biggest New York banks, to a Star
man. ''The coin of the realm doesn't
play very important part in the tinan-
cial operations of the country" he con-
tinued. The total coinage of the Govern
ment since its foundation has amounted
to 81, $50, 900, 600. This sum vast as it
may seem, would not last but six days il
paid out by the banks of the country in
their daily transactions. The coinage of
all the mints of the land for the past
year would not make the payments OF
the banks for an hour and forty-fve min.
utes on any average days business. The
total coinage of the United States is esti-
mated at $500, 900, 900, but it would not
last three days if used by the banks in
making their payments. Coin, then,
plays but small part in the daily com
mercial life of the nation. 1t is the basis,
but not the vehicle, with which our busi.
ness is moved"
Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-08-16

The longest examination of a witness
on record, so far as known, has at last
been concluded at Newark, and the case
of the State against the Morris and Essex
Railroad Company for back taxes amount
ing to million dollars or thereabouts,
has been placed in condition for argu-
ment. Richard F. Stevens, the expert
who examined the railroad company's
books, is the witness who has been so
long on the stand. He began giving his
testimony two years ago and has been on
the stand for hours each week ever since.
The testimony, when printed, will fill
three volumes nearly as big as the ere
vision of New jersey"
Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-08-16

The New York Tribune says "There
is queer story told of E. L. Harper, the
wrecker of the Fidelity Bank of Gin
cinnati. 1t is to the effect that he has
been doinga profitable iron business to
the tune of $3.50, 900 a year while serving
his sentence in the Ohio penitentiary
Through the efforts of his faithful wife,
joint stock company was formed, and,
presumably through the collusion of some
of the prison officials, Harper was al
lowed to direct the movements of this
company by telegraph, thus enabling it
to make money when other men in the
iron business were actually running be-
hind 1t is striking illustration of what
smart man with money can do even
when he is dead in the eyes of the law
In the meanwhile the discovery of this
little arrangement will be likely to arrest
the effort to obtain pardon for this dis
tinguished criminal" :"
Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-08-16

The atlanta Constitution says: "Can
dor compels the sorrowful admission that
Georgia leads the procession of illiterates.
In 1880 Georgia returned greater num-
Der of persons ten years old and up
ward as unable to write than any
State in the Union. In total popula-
ton, 'ten years old and upward of
1,043, $40, there were whites 1913, 934,
and colored 391, ,4S2, total $40, ,416, who
could not sign their names. Alabama
shows total of 433, AL unable to
write-whites, III, ,767; colored, 321,- :
$50. In white illiteracy Tennessee leads
with PIG, ,227, with Kentucky close by
with 214, ,497."
Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-08-16
Capers of Cannon Balls.

Captain Meredith, John Ritchie and
George Shields, known as "old hosses''
and "old- timers" sat around in the Press
club one afternoon recently and talked
about the times of the war and told of the
funny capers that cannon balls and
musket balls cut. Captain Meredith
said he once found a dead Confederate
behind big tree. The dead man wa.
resting on one knee, in a position tt
shoot. His musket was in his hands, the
butt of the gun was against his shoulder
and one eye was open, squirting along
the gun-barrel. There wasn't mark OF
the body, but the man was stone dead
There was ten-pound cannon ball buried
in the tree. The man had been killed
by the conclusion. Mr.. Shields said tina,
he saw cannon ball go into the ground
about 200 yards in front of where he wa.
standing. He thought that was the emo
of the matter, but in about three seconds
the ball came out of the ground fifty
yards beyond the place it struck. Ii
then in its flight struck stump, car
romed off, broke soldiers leg, and
rolling on few yards further, upset {
camp kettle and scalded a mans hands.
John Ritchie said he saw man hit
with a ttspent" cannon ball. He walked
over to where the man lay to see what he
could do for him-give him drink out
of his canteen, or a chew of tobacco, OF
something-but all that was visible was
a mass of about 100 pounds of flesh and
blue cloth, mixed up like sausage, with
an eye and two teeth sticking out on
top.
Captain Meredith said that, speaking
of cannon balls, one of the most novel
sights he witnessed during the war was a
cannon ball about as big as flour barrel
going through horse lengthwise-that
is, lengthwise of the horse. There was
left of the horse its head, its four feet
and the lower six inches of its tail. The
Captain said he could always tell the
body of a Confederate soldier from a
Northern man on battle field, because
whenever Confederate was wounded
corn bread oozed out Chicago Meil.