davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09
AMERICAN GENEROSITY.

generosity is n trait OF American ma
tional character. II Is strong, impul-
sive and widespread. 1t is distinct from
and above mere alms-giving. 1t ami
mates all hearts and loosens the purse
strings Of the rich and poor.
This great characteristic OF our peo-
pie has been tested time and again and
never found wanting. No unfortunates
at home or abroad appeal in vain for n
mite of our abundance. Blessed with
every comfort of life, free from mon
archial parasites, and prosperous to n
degree, the cry OF distress is never
heard without helping hand being
extended to tighten tho paugs OF mis-
fortune.
When famine's gaunt shadow turned
Ireland into vast charnel house in
1880, it was American generosity that
rescued thousands OF starving people.
Again in 'S1-'S2, after England had
drained the lifeblood of the country,
and left thousands OF people to starve,
it was American dollars in lavish abun-
dance that purchased q new lease OF
life for the unfortunates.
When the agonizing cry OF despair
rose from the smoking ruins of Chicago
in 1871, the whole country responded as
one man and poured millions in cash,
clothing and food into the city.
That appalling calamity was a test
of national benevolence, and most
nobly was it met by the people.
Encouraged and comforted in their
distress, the stricken people gathered
strength from their misfortune and rose
from the ruins, fortified by the ties OF
sympathy and humanity.
The Mississippi and Ohio valley floods,
the Boston fire, the Charleston earth
quake, and the yellow fever scourge
which in recent years decimated
outhern cities, made large drafts on the
nations generosity without diminishing
the quantity. The people OF the Mis-
souri, valley have, on several occasions,
felt the generous touch of substantial
sympathy. The victims of the grass
hopper plague, OF blizzards and
| cyclones and prarie fires were
succored by their more fortunate neigh
bors, and their immediate wants sup
| piled by generous hands.
The appalling calamity in the Cone
maugh valley has placed the whole ma
| tiop under tribute, an d never has the Cry
for help met a more liberal and ready
| response. A disaster so sweeping, sc
destructive and deadly needed no more
eloquent appeal than the simple recital
of the facts to start the fountains o
generosity throughout the land. Aud
from every city, town and hamlet in
the land comes evidence OF the people s
determination to relieve the distress
and tighten the crushing misfortunes
of Conemaugh's survivors.
In the humdrum of every day life
there is little to test the large-hearted
impulsive generosity of our people. I
requires these periodic disasters t,
show the strength Of the bands o
brotherhood which binds humanity.
is touching and beautiful evidence O
the warm christian spirit which rise
in the face of misfortune and now flow
in bounteous measure to the u nfortul
ates of the Conemaugh food.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09

THE decision of the district court on the
right Of way of the street railway COM
panies over the Siaducts, settles the
vital point that neither can claim ex-
elusive rights. The court grants both
companies joint use 1of the tracks on
both viaducts, under such rules and
regulations as may be adopted from
time to time. The decision goes far
ther and plainly declares that street
railway companies can not bar rivals
from any section af the city by merely
building and operating tracks on lead
ing thoroughfaress.. When necessary to
complete the system OF a company, the
use of such tracks must be granted on
reasonable terms I Tbis settlement of
the disputes between the motor and the
Omaha companieslopens the highways
to the south side to both, and they must
occupy the ground within limited
time or forfeit their rights. The de-
cision insures an early and extensive
system OF rapid transit for the south
side, and eventually two lines to South
Omaha.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09

THE appalling destructiveuess OF the
Johnstown flood oversbadows the losses
of life and property in the adjoining
states. Though not as overwhelming
as the deluge which devastated the
Conemaugh valley, they are none tho
less disastrous to property interests.
Five great rivers have overllowcd the
surrounding country, doing great dam
age in cities and destroying thousands
OF acres of growing crops. From twenty
to twenty-five lives have been lost in
central New York, and five million dol
lars worth OF property wrecked. In
eastern Pennsylvania, a vast amount
OF property, estimated at ten
millions, was swept away, and over one
hundred persons perished. The loss of
life in Virginia was comparatively
small, but millions OF dollars worth of
property was destroyed by the overflow
of the James, Rappahannock and APP
pomattox rivers. Fifteen lives were
lost in Maryland, and fully ten million
dollars worth OF property. In breadth
and destructiveness the storm of last
week has no equal in our history. 1t
represents a property loss of fully sixty
million dollars. But the saddest fea-
ture of the calamity is the frighttul
loss of life, which now seems likely to
exceed all estimates.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09

THE papal succession has become a
subject of rumor and gossip in certain
circles. Among other speculations it
is given out that Cardinal Gibbons is to
have the tiara now worn by Leo XIII.
There is not the falntest shadow of
foundation for such a prediction. The
college of cardinals is. now, as it
has been for several centuries,
overwhelmingly Italian. 1t does
not stand to reason that a for
eigner, and especially an American,
would stand the slightest chance of Sc
lection. Quite apart from the natural
tendency of the native cardinals to give
preference to one OF their own number.
the pressure from the courts of Austria,
Spain, and even little Belgium would be
adverse to any American cardinal by
reason of his republican tendencies.
Cardinal Gibbons has been a lifelong
and outspoken champion of American
institutions, and the college of cardi-
nails is for the most part made up Of men
In active sympathy with monarchial
forms of government.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09

VITAL STAIISTICS.

1t is the desire of the. census authori-
ties to make the vital statistics of the
eleventh census moro comprehensive
aud complete than they have ever been.
AS the United States has no system of
registration of vital statistics, the CEN
sus affords the only opportunity of OBJ
tanning an approximate estimate OF
tho birth and death rates OF much
the larger part OF the country. In
order to make this branch OF the
census as thorough as possible, the
census office is endeavoring to
obtain the cooperation of medical
made an appeal to them to aid in this
work. The Office will send to any ply
sician applying for it a book in which to
register returns OF deaths, and it is de-
sired that such as are disposed to per-
form this volunteer labor shall keep the
record from June 1, 1899, to May 81,
1890. There were nearly twenty-six
filed up at the last census, and it is
hoped that double this number will be
obtained for the eleventh census.
The simple announcement OF the de-
sire of the census authorities in
this matter should be sufficient to
insure general response from
the medical fraternity, which may
be presumed to appreciate more than
| any other class the Importance Of trust
| worthy vital statistics. In most other
countries these statistics are carefully
and Systematically collected, and are
relied on for the purpose of ascer-
| tanning the actual movement of popula-
tion. But their value is not limited to
this. There is great deal OF informa-
tion in statistics OF this character which
can be made available in promoting
medical science, and therefore
they possess special worth to the pro-
gressive physician who takes more than
selfish and perfunctory interest in his
great profession. The physician Of this
class wants all the Information he can
obtain having relation to his work, and
he wants it reliable. The vital statis
tics of the nation at large are not
therefore, matters of unconcern to him.
The aim is that the next census shall
supply knowledge in this particular as
thorough and trustworthy rs posi- BILE
and physicians generally should will
lingly assist in carrying out this pur'
pose, having the assurance that all in
formation they give will be held strictl,
confidential.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09

records OF which must make
one think better OF his race.
Nor should there be omitted from
mention OF the heroic the army
of brave men and women who, with an
alacrity born OF the highest sense of
duty and the noblest impulses OF hu-
manity, went to the scene OF disaster
to assist in burying the dead and reliev-
ing the living, many OF whom are toll
ing there now with no other expecta-
tion of reward than the consciousness
OF having we'll performed II great duty.
This terrible calamity will be memora-
BILE, not alone for its fearful destruction
OF life, but also for having brought out
the. .grandest qualities Of human nature.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09
BuzzlNGS.

There IS small bore Cronin mystery
among the paving contractors. Who is j.
w. Furnace, and where does he hail from!
Why should bank run with wind Need
ham for ballasta .....r,
IN the lottery OF commercial life the Bank
of Omaha failed to draw the capital prize.
1t rs hopod the park commission will re.
move the Jefferson square band stand at
night.
Judge Thurston will be one of select
party to accompany General Alger, of Michi-
gan, in his private Car on fishing trip to
Alaska this summer. The sober and sedaJe
Philadelphia Ledger insnuates that Alger is
Thurston to lead the republican orchestra
three years hence.
Five young lions were born in Chicago re-
Gently. No record is kept of the tiger fam
lily.
Ed McGinty is one of the bold butcher
boys of South Omaha. Less than a year ago
he wandered west from Chicago in search Of
fortune which he solemnly vowed to drop
into the lap of Letta Maoney when secured.
Ed prospered amazingly. Recently he sent
for his intended to share his prosperity, but
she came not. He received a dainty box of
mittens instead, and his companions have
wisely refrained from whistling "The Letta
that Never Came"
A Leadville minister sued his congregation
for back pay and losses occasioncd by dona-
tion parties, but the court held that salvation
was free and rejected the claim.
What doth it profit man if he gain the
whole world and place it in the Bank of
Omaha2
The signs ut Rosebud indicate that the In
dams are gracefully falling into the govern
ment Siouxp.
A romantic story of domestic felicity in
Wyoming was aired in q Chicago divorce
court last week. Alice Fisher roughed il
with Thomas j. on ranch twenty miles
from Laramie. Cowboys were plentiful In
that region and women were scarce. Nat
urally Mrs. Fisher attracted much attention
and admiration. but persisted in wearing
dresses which hid her dainty feet from
curious eyes. The cowboys resented the
fashion and periodically peppered her skirts
until her ankles appeared in view, and
Fisher utterly failed to protect her. This
was more than she could fare, and after
! packing her duds, she struck out for freedom
and Chicago, where mysteries are never
ventilated.
Josh Mullen and Lucinda True, two smit.
| ten Hoosiers, eloped recently, Josh had
wagon which was deemed essential TO the
| domestic establishment, but no horse With
| q loving wink at Lucinda he jumped into
| the wagon and made her pull il to town.
In Chinese social life the size Of the card
| indicates the visitors rank. A fresh i'm
| portation from China recently stood guard at
| a reception in Washington. The guests pre-
| senting the usual reception cards were
| coldly received, but whom the gas man
| showed his bill, All Sin bowed with profound
| reverence and escorted the collector into the
| front parlOr. The celestial was instantly
cashiered.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09
JUNE.

Milton L. MurfOch in Drdke's Mdgdzine.
June, with rare beauty in her blushing face
Trips DER the fields garbed in her brightest
green:
Showering her blossoms with bewitching
grace,
Glowing with warmth and life-fair sum
mers queen.
Flashes the sunrise midst her glisteniug
gems;
Shimmers her leafy robe of changeful hue;
Shineth her mantel with bright diadems,
Flung from veiled skies, erstwhile so
deeply blue.
Sweetly her feathered songsters trill their
notes;
Lightly they dart from waving screen to
screen.
Drowsy her lullaby that lightly floats,
Wooing each sense, while darkness wells
the scene.
Athwart the dimpling streamlet brightly
glows
The wavy image Of her cloudless moon;
Her cooling zephyrs breathe of sweet repose
Welcome, thou beautious queen transcend
ent June!
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09
A KORD FOR THE HEROES.

The world is full of heroes. They
are about US on every hand. They are
not peculiar to any class of people or to
any grade of society. They are among
the uncultured and the wearers of
home-spun as we'll as in the ranks of
those to whom fortune has been more
generous. There are men walking the
paths OF life unnoted who need but the
opportunity to display herolsm for the
admiration of the world. There are
women who will face danger and
death with the most exalted cour-
age. 1t is materialistic and
selfish age, but whatever else
it has despoiled human nature of the
heroic instinct remains.
History and poetry have immortal
lied the name of Paul Revere, who at
midnight rode through Charleston to
Concord heralding the coming of the
British forces. The records of our own
time preserve the name of George
Cheney, the keeper OF the Mill river
reservoir, who, when he saw the i'm
pending danger, mounted his horse, and
dashing down the road to Williamsburgh
village, shouted the fearful warning
that the flood was coming; of
Collins Graves, the milkman,
who took up the warning and carried it
to other threatened villages, and OF
Myron Day, the expressman, who,
catching sight of the coming floods,
hastened along the track of tho pursu-
ing waters and gave the alarm. Plain
and humble men these, but in that hour
OF peril they were heroes. With never
a thought or care for self, they took
their lives in their hands and by their
heroism saved hundreds from death.
The unknown hero who rode through
Johnstown, crying unheeded to the i'm
| perilled people to fly to the hills, would
| have his name enrolled high in the
lists OF the heroic, but that the mad tor
rent, swifter than his horse, enguifed
both and blotted out his identity. His
warning was futile, but mono the less he
grandly met the duty presented to him
aud were he rustic or gentleman, illit-
crate or cultured, he was still hero
whose example will not be lost.
| There were many heroes developed
by the great disaster in the Conemaugf
valley who deserve an imperishabls
fame. One such was the young
foundryman, Edward C. viii, wht
at the imminent peril of his life and re-
gardless OF the pleadings of wife and
relatives, launched frail boat into the
angry flood and rescued twenty-five
persons. IA tribute too great" SAID
tho dispatches, 'cannot be paid to his
noble character" and yet this intrepic
hero lived among his neighbor with M
thought on their part that he was more
than an ordinary man. The femal,
telegraph operator who remained at hcl
post sending news of the coming deatl
until she was overwhelmed by the wat
ers, the cook and the brakeman who rem
dered splendid service in resculng WON
en- and children at the risk of thei
lives, the locomotive engineers and fire
men who stood at their posts giyini
such warning as they could in the fac,
OF danger, and in some cases of certain
death, the schooi-boy who swan tn
torrent to save a baby--these are bu
some OF the examples Of heroism amonl
the many incident to this calamity, tn
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09
THE NORTH PLATTE COUN TRY.

The north Platte country is geo.
graphical division OF Nebraska, COM
prising fully three-ffths OF the area of
the state. In fertility of soil, in variety
of valley and upland and IN abundance of
water courses, it is not surpassed in agri-
cultural richness by any section of the
west. The evil effects OF being stamped
as ''desert" by the early explorers
turned thousands of early settlers to
other and less favored sections and
seriously checked its growth. With
the exception OF the Missouri river
counties and those adjacent to the
Union Pacific, the whole country was
for years abandoned to the ranchman
and cowboy. But the hardy
pioneers who followed the track
Of the Elkhorn road up that
famous valley and penetrated the north
west, soon proved that instesd of being
barron waste it possessed every essen
tial element to gladden. the heart of the
tiller.
During the past ten years the settle
ment Of the country has progressed at a
marvellous rate. Its isolated condition
did not seriously retard the influx of
settlers. The slogan of ''cheap lands
and free homes" was irresistible,
and its attractive force is shown
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09
WASTING SYMPATHY ON DOGS.

The aims. and purposes of the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ami
mails are in accord with the highest
civilization of our age. To protect our
beasts OF burden and domesticated ami
mails against brutality and ill-usage
appeals powerfully to the humanitarian
sentiment. This commendable SYM
pathy with helpless brutes may, how
ever, manifest itself to the detriment OF
the human race.
A striking illustration is afforded by
DR.. Miller's appeal against the enforce
ment Of the dog ordinance. The doc
tor Is Mortified over the killing Of a few
hundred dogs, whose owners neglected
to comply with the law. According to
DIR. Miller the Cry about hydrophobia is
false alarm. The people are asked TO
rise up and protest against the
slaughter of inotfensive dogs.
But are all these dogs inoffen siveP
Are not scores of them vicious and
often dangerous? Why should children
and even adults be exposed to attacks
by dogs prowling about our streets
night and day? Why waste sympathy
on worthless ours? Is not the life of
one child more precious than that OF a
thousand dogs?
If 1T be cruel and shocking to shoot
dogs, it is certainly more shocking to
slaughter lambs, calves and chickens.
And yet DR.. Miller enjoys his veal cut
lets, mutton chops and spring chicken
as much as auybody
No matter how rare hydrophobia may
be in the opinion of the doctor, the
recent death from hydrophobia in this
city affords sufficient warrant for
prompt and energetic action in the
interest of humanity. Better that
all the dogs in Omaha perish than that
one human being should be afflicted
with the agonies of that terrible disease
Charity should always begin at home
and human sympathy should be exert
| ed in behalf of humanity first.
Let the dog ordinance be enforced
even il a few inoifensige ours are pre-
maturely removed.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09

THE spectacle of a pardoned ballot
manipulation convict being received on
his return home with cheers and other
testimonials OF a cordial welcome,
which happened at the capital of Hoo
sierdom day or two ago, is not calcu-
lated to give encouragement to young
men who are trying to win glory and
wealth honestly, but to give emphasis
to the fact that those who do not keep
up with the progressive ways of our
times, must lose fhemselyes in the
ewirl
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09

A DIRECT rail connection between
Omaha and Yankton is admitted by all
to be desirable. This city ought to
have the trade of the rich valleys OF the
Missouri and James rivers, above Yank-
ton, opened to it. Already considerable,
tho trade OF that region is certain to be-
come much larger in the near future
and to invite vigorous competition.
Under existing conditions Omaha would
compete ut Il disadvantage, and the
business having been secured
by other centers would not be-
easily withdrawn from them. II
Omaha had direct connection with
Yankton, there is not shadow OF doubt
that our merchants could command a
generous share. of the trade of southeast
Dakota, while this would become the mar
ket for cattle, hogs and grain from that
section. The people of that portion OF
Dakota want the connection, and their
appreciation of 1T would undoubtedly be
manifested by liberal dealings with
Omaha. This is SO obviously an enter
prise with which our bust ness men
should promptly and earnestly concern
themselves that no extended argument
can be required to commend it to their
attention. Their united influence should
be brought to bear to induce existing
roads to make the desired connection,
and failing in this they should them
selves carry out the enterprise. The
valuable aud growing trade OF southeast
= XA..Ir 80. L.. .1l A. L.
wholly diverted to other trade centers.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09

KANSAS is getting an unenviable rec
ord for lynchings. Two occurred IN that
state during the past week, one OF them
ut the state capital. This application
of mob law has become so common in
Kansas that the great body OF the peo-
pie seem to have grown Indifferent to
II, and OF the numerous cases
IN no instance have the perpetrators
been punished. When the mob takes
tho law into its hands at the very seat
of government, it is time the law-re-
specting element asserted itself in a
vigorous effort to bring about change
Of public sentiment.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09

hoof, or any increase in freight rates
by railroad, will inv olvo some of our
best people In hopeless bankruptcy"
In view OF the fact that in Oregon,
Washington territory and elsewhere
the invasion of pasture lands by
tillage is lessening rapidly the beef
producing capacity of the country, sug-
gesting that the period is approaching
when we shall have to import beaf, in
stead OF being exporters, there would
seem to be no good reason why cattle
raisers in Montana, or anywhere else in
the country, should be alarmed as to
the future of the industry. The pres
eut situation is very likely not alto
gether favorable to the raisers of cattle,
or at least those remote from tho mar
kets, but it appears probable that this
can not long continue. Meantime, it
will be wise to leave the remedy to the
operation Of natural causes.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09
THE OPERATOR AT JoHnsTowN.
NeW iOik WOrid.
MFSsAGEy

NeW fOrh W0Ttd.
MESsAeEi.
The torrent poured across the PLAIN,
Iapped torrents from the hills Oorhead;
''It looks rs tho 'twere going 10 rain,"
the laughing operator SAID;
And then she wirod- she loved her joke.
"lhat reservoir may soon be broke,
You'd better all get out your arks."
They laughed, forsooth, TO hear her ia:1s.
MESSAGE ~.
"Fhsre Is o Hood and here's your proof
We're telegraphing from the roof!
Flea for your lives The muddy foam
Engulfs already many home;
The waters at our window-sills-
The Dam has broken thro the Hills"
MESSAGE III.
'sThis is my last message"-a hush
Along the wire: "a sudden rush
OF waters ."Heiplr Too late--they'yc swept
Where two brave women dying wept,
And weeping died, If they might save
The prey OF Conemaugh's wild wave!
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09

JUST as the government perfected
chain of sentinels on the northern bor-
der, the incoming tide of Cinnamon
veered south and is now lashing the
shores of Lower California. From this
point facilities for entering the prom
ised land are excellent and inviting.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09

WYOMING courts evince an irresist-
ible weakness for public land thieves.
The fact that one batch OF cowmen
fenced in thousands of acres Of govern
ment land, without right or title, is
looked upon as public blessing rather
than breach OF law. Three hundred
thousand acres of public land have
been fenced in by the cattle barons, and
the supreme court OF the territory af-
firms their right to it.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09
Logic in the South.
Ma vv.-I. nl.IsS.

A young man urged before the Episcopal
council of Virginia, recently, that the colored
ministers should have recognized position
in the council, and was promptly asked by
an old member whether he would like to
have negro marry his sister. This very
conclusive and familiar southern argument
did not floor the young man, but it seems to
have had the usual horrifying effect on the
members of the council.