davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10

In March of 1862 found myself on the
gunboat Conestoga, a wooden boat which
made famous record during the war on
the Mississippi, Tennessee and Cumber-
land rivers. 1t was a species of river
scout, the swiftest gunboat of the Missis-
sippi fleet; it covered an immense territory
In an incredibly short space of time.
One week its swift paddles reverberated
through the wooden shores of the upper
Tennessee, day or two later the soughing
of it's steam pipes would be heard on the
heights of Dover on the Cumberland, and
again, short time after, the roar of guns
was heard, as it exchanged shots with a
masked battery on the shore of the Mis-
sissippi. It was scout in search of in
formation, police officer on patrol duty
keeping order within its beat, soldier
when there was fighting to be done, dis
patch and mail boat between the iron-clad
/ embarked ON the vessel at Cairo, and
soon after we were steaming swiftly down
the river. Donelson had fallen, Columbus
had been turned and was now evacuated by
the enemy and the Conestoga was about to
scout the river below Columbus, which was
yet in the possession of the enemy.
OilC VI GLlC LII SU pCloOllS Lltt dltSI ~
ing aboard was John Grant, whom |
had last seen on his farm several years be-
fore. He was in uniform and had charge
of one of the guns. The recognition was
mutual-on my part one of great graft
fcation at meeting an old townsman; his a
trife less ELUSIVE. He had changed in
many respects. He appeared to be thirty
years old, although | knew that he was not
more than twenty-five. There were
wrinkles about his eyes and long, dropping
lines from the corners of his mouth His
eyes were sunken and feverish, restless,
and furtive III their expression.
He was also more reticent than when we
were at home; he was evidently glad to see
me, and yet not glad; there was some
thing of hesitation in his manner and
speech. Little by little | obtained from
him a sparse account of his travels since
he had left the household. He had wan
dered here and there and had at last en-
listed in the navy.
What do you hear about Bob!' asked,
after we had exchanged greetings.
A scrowl came into his eyebrows and his
lips. grew white, while a crimson flush
rushed into his cheeks.
I'D if | know or care Somewhere
in the south, | guess he replied in a
thick voice.
From what | remember of Bob, he was
a fighter like yourself and he is probably
in the southern army
Very likely he responded with in
difference.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10
The Coming Sheep.
Practical Farmer.

What is the best sheep? The question
presents itself to the inquiring shepherd,
who views with dismay the long list of
breeds and herd records, and reads with
confusion of mind the claims of contending
breeders and the exaggerated accounts of
their favorite sheep. Is there any one
sheep above all others, which is the right
one in the right place, anywhere or every
wherein the range. in the shepherds
pasture or Old the ordinary farm? Il there
be, it is something different from all other
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10
An Unfortunate Woman's Horrible Death
at Duluth.

DULUTH, Mimi, Friday afternoon a
fire was discovered at the house of
Joseph Pirreo, just below the Northern
Pacific bridge. Mrs. NJ. Pirreo persisted
in the flames and her six-year-old child
Josephine was badly burned in the face,
arms and body, and may die, though there
is hope for her recovery. The origin of
the fire is explained thus: Mrs. Pirreo
was boiling pitch in large pan and
poured water into it, which caused the
pitch to boil over, all ablaze, over her dress
and to the floor. In her excitement she
could do nothing, and before she realized
it she was enveloped in flames. Jumping
wildly about. the unfortunate woman fell
at last into the seething mass of flaming
pitch and was burned to death, her limbs
and abdomen being a perfect crisp. An
inquest will be held tomorrow. The little
child is being cared for by friends near by,
but is suffering intensely from burns.
Several men who were boarders lost con-
siderable property. Mr.. Pirreo lost all he
had
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10
A Mild Beverage.

Drink to me only with thine eyes
And l will pledge with mine,
Or leave a kiss within the cup,
And I'll not look for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth rise
Doth ask drink divine,
But might l of Jove's nectar sup
would not change for thine.
Ben JOnsOn
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10

As fisherman the Gar has the patience
Of Job. But he is lucky, and often brings
a fine string of the fnny tribe home in the
early morning and orders them cooked for
the second breakfast. About noon he takes
long promenades in the roadways about
the castle, having as companion Princess
Marie of Orleans, whose disposition he
finds charming At times these excursions
take him far into the country, where tired
and thirsty, he enters an inn or the restau-
raut of distant railroad station to drink
glass of beer and eat a sandwich. He
is not recognized On these tramps by the
people whom he honors, as he wears the
simple grey suit of huntsman. The most
remarkable thing about his sojourn in
Fredensborg is his apparent inclination to
mingle with the common people, while in
his own land he fears their very approach.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10
A TRAGEDY OF THE WAR.

A Deadly Shot from a Union GunbOat Kills
the Gunner's Brother, a Lieutenant in the
Southern Army-A Family That Was
Divided.
Incidents connected with the late civil
war, although already narrated to the
number of millions, are not exhausted.
and probably will not be for another gen
Grafton. They are always of interest, even
the least of them There is one | recall
which, while given a few words in the
public prints, in the letter of the army cor
respondent who was a witness of it, has
never been related in detail
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10
This is not death.

But death that brings guilty hearts decay
Is double DEATH and doubly dead are they
Whom honest men despise; whose lives Were
vain
And worse for living. On the human plane,
To godly live and godly pass away.
This is not death
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10

muzzle passed out of the foremost starhoard
port hole and was lost in the gloom
His countenance In the dim light was as
somber as the environing darkness There
was no sound save from the machinery of
the steamer. the rapid beating of its pad
dies on the water, the long-drawn, melan-
choly sough of the liberated steam, and the
metallic elang of the cranks.
There was something In the situation
which presaged evil. was oppressed with
foreboding of some horrible and relent-
less catastrophe. The darkness weighed
like nightmare. A dread of know not
what bore me down and filled my soul with
frightful anticipations
Thus we drove on through the blackness.
The men about the gun stood in fixed posi-
lions as If they we've statutes, and uttered
no word. All at once, almost in an in
slant. we passed into a thinner darkness,
and then into what grew to be light. The
water of the river was revealed and | saw
through the portfolio the low-lying shores
of the Missouri bank and beyond strips
of infamed and angry clouds. Scarcely
had 1t thus lighted up when there was a
fierce ring from the bells in the engineers
room; there was a shifting of levers, and |
saw that The boat was coming about. 1t
was about minute before the star-board
port faced the Kentucky side Of the river.
revealing lofty bluff and collection of
houses
GIN the heights just above the little town
a group of horsemen was watching and
not far from them locomotive with steam
pouring from its safety valve. A puff of
steam and smoke issued from the smoke
stack 1t was about to start 1t did
start.
Fire on the enginer' came from
voice above.
In a moment Grant ran his eve over the
piece and motioned to the gunners the
direction in which to move the breech. He
elevated the muzzle by the turn of screw
and gave the command, ''Fire!"
The piece was already primed, the lam
yard was jerked and burst of fame and
smoke flew from the muzzle and the boat
trembled with a recoil of the gun and the
roar of the explosion.
1t was wonderful shot. A glance at
the locomotive showed only dense cloud
of steam. Its boiler had evidently been
pierced
"a great shot, john" I said. A grim
smile played on his mouth and something
like satisfaction shone in his eyes.
"A clean thousand yards at least
Twan't bad practice
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10
Death.
BY WILLIAM WALLACE COOK.

This is not Death who, at the close of day,
Comes softly as the stars to weep and lay
His cool hand on feverish brow of pain,
To still some godly heartbeat and remain
The dweler in amold'ring house of clay.
He is not dead who, still and cold for aye,
Lies meath the sod while living comrades say:
"He wronged no man; his life free from
STAIN;
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10
V [.

A little later the Conestoga was tied to
the wharf. and some of us, including some
officers and Grant, went ashore. It was
the town of Hickman.
I'D like to inspect my target" said
Grant. ut was the prettiest bit of prac.
tice ever SEEM"
the locomotive. A crowd of people, main
ly negroes of both sexes, was standing about
gazing with open mouth and wonder-bulg-
ing eyes at the locomotive, which showed
an irregular opening through which Ghe
shot passed and the steam escaped.
WAS anybody hurt?' l asked of color.
ed spectator.
"Yey, sab; lieutenant from the south
ern army, sab, was killed."
What was he doing on the locomo.
tive?"
81 dunno for suah, but think he was 3
waitin to see the Yankee feet comm down
the river. and then take de news to the
fort at Number Ten"
Where is hep"
"Ober dar in dat house where you SEE
dem men coming out. -
Come, John; let's 60 and take look al
your victim,''
All right.
We entered the door of the shanty indi
Gated. A form was extended on the floor
it was In gray uniform with an overcoat
whose cape had been thrown over its head
We advanced and lifted the cape to inspect
the features of the dead man. he lay
squarely on his back, and as we lifted the
cape we had full view of the upturned
face
''God Almighty. 1t is BCb!' shrieked
John. Il once wickedly swore to kill him
and have done it without menting it!''
| have no more to tell of this curious
narratino. It may stop here; in veiw OF
the tremendous tragedy on the Hickman
bluffs the fate of the survivors sinks in
significance. PoL1UTo.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10
Coyote and Badger.

One morning, as we were driving
through sage brush region, we saw
large coyote stop suddenly, as if he had
met something that required his serious
attention, says a writer in Forest and
Stream. He had arrived within yard or
two of the hole of "a badger That the pro-
prietor was at home was certain, for we
could see his head protruding from the
front door. After little hesitation the
coyote stepped forward, and at the same
time the badger advanced quite out of his
hole and stood with his nose close up into
the face of his visitor. We now regarded
them with interest. | expected in a
minute or two to see badly whipped
wolf But not so. The badger remained
firm, but the wolf turned away. | had
once seen large dog under just such cir
cumstances as wolf. The dogs
self conceit forced a collision, and in
minute he discovered his mistake. He re-
turned to his master with his nose side well
slapped. The badger is the most industr-
ious of animals. Often he digs a half
dozen holes in one night, and from one to
two feet in depth in the hardest clay and
gravel, and as often in tie road as else
where. These pits become traps for bugs,
crickets, lizards and other insects, and
furnish the badger with food he expects
when he digs the pits,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10

things living or otherwise. for conditions
vary and circumstances alter cases every
where. But there is sheep, or one NAV
be found, that will be at home under all
conditions mentioned and that will be
found in every part of our broad land, and
In all cases very desirable.
This sheep Is the largest bodied and
long-wooled delalne merine. 1t has all
the essential good qualities of the common
American merino. which has been admit
ted by all shepherds everywhere to be the
best sheep of its class In existence, and it
has several important advantages over
this excellent sheep which make it more
generally useful. 1t is larger bodied.
weighing Us to It's pounds: it has
smooth skin without the Objectionable
wrinkles; its wool Is more even in quality;
is cleaner and more free from grease and
excessive yolk; is longer in staple,
and may be combined and used
for wider class of fabrics, and
it makes excellent mutton Wool
first and mutton second is to be the
purpose of the coming sheep, but if any
one sheep can please the wool manufacture
er with its fleece and the housewife with
its meat this one will, and these purposes
include all that can be wished for in a
sheep.
But tastes differ and the'proverbial rest
lessness of the shepherd will always stand
in the way of the general use of any one
sheep. And, besides, there are other
kinds of wool wanted coarse, lustrous,
short for carding and long for combing;
and as long as fashions change there will
be demand for these different staples.
Hence, the Southdown, Cotswold, Hamp-
shire, Oxford, Shropshire, and even the
much-abused native, owing most of its
good points to the merlno, will find places
and afford opportunities +or the restless
shepherd to change his focks and seek pro-
Mt IN new adventure.
But sheep must be fed differently if NUT
ton is to become more urgently demanded
by the public. Flavor and tenderness are
the chief points in good mutton, and these
can not be secured to the fullest extent
without good grass pastures, and roots for
feeding In the winter to young sheep.
Mutton must be young to excel in these
qualities and lambs must be forced to ma
ture In twenty-four months, and be fully
grown. Improved agriculture is indispen-
sable for successful sheep culture, and
this being necessary the fits and starts, the
ups and downs, the sudden changes, the
panics, and the new beginnings so COM
mon among American shepherds, must be
discontinued; and sheep rearing must be
for better or worse a life business.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10
No Intimidation


1t being pretty near election time in
Arkansas, | thought would have a little
political joke with an old darky who was
leaning against cotton bale at the end of
the platform, and sauntering down to him,
| said:
"Well, Uncle, election will soon be
here"
"Reckon twill, sab, - he replied, as he
dotted his hat.
81 suppose you are interested?"
'Not in the leckshun, sah.''
How does that happen?'
"Well, sab, l'ze sorter made up my
mind to keep cl ar of it.
''For what reason?"
Wall, dars Mars Jones. He saws | kin
vote if | wants to, but he reckons leckshun
day will be a good day fur me to hunt
possums ober In the ole co 'nfield. Mo-
tracks ober dere dan you kin count in two
days
Yes
''And dar's Mars Williams. He says |
kin vote if | wants to, but ne reckons fish
will bite monstrous heavy down at the
bayou dat day. Says he nebber knowed
it to fail on leckshun day. His man
Joe got TO teen suckers last leckshun day."
Yes
''An' dars young Tom Baker He's
gwine to stand at de polls all day. He
says kin vote if | wants to, but he will
be obliged to ak me constitutional quesh-
uns, an if | can't answer 'em I'll be took
en- up for crime an lay in the county jail
all winter. Says he'll give me fo' bits to
grub on stumps dat day, an fo' bits is
better dan three months in Jail"
81 see"
can dars Mars Davis, who runs de cot
ton scales. He says kin vote if wants
to- an dat muffin would please him better
call out in loud voice, but eff doan' watch
de scales on leckshun day who's gwine fur
to do it? If dey is carried off how we
gwine to weigh cotton?"
''That's true"
can dar's my old woman She says de
law gives me de right to vote, an dat my
vote is as good as a white mans; but
s'posen constitushional queshun jumps
up, an de hull crowd begins shootin' My
experience wild constitutional queshuns
hahn t very great, but somehow de white
folks ailus has de most revolvers, and shoots
de fastest, an dey allus shoot at black folks.
re got muffin to shoot wild, an dis rheu-
maticks is so bad | can't run very fast.
Sides dat, my ole woman doan' want to
run the risk of losin her TO jobs of wash
IN, an she says leckshun day is a good
day to fix dem hinges on de doahs.'
$50 you won't participated"
''Only jist leetle. I'll keep away from
de polls all day, an den como out at night
an help boiler fur de winnin' ticket. =
New York SIM
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-20
CLOSING UP BUSINESS
For the Death of CounciI--The
Market House Property.

For the Death or COunCli--Ine
Market House Property.
To-night's being the last meeting of
the old city council, there were num-
Der of committee meetings yesterday,
the object being to clear up as much as
possible of the business on hand so that
the new council can start in upon fresh
business at it's first meeting, Tuesday,
June 5. The committee on claims met
and transacted lot of routine, while
the committee on parks recommended
the division of the $4,000 appropriation
for summer concerts between the Great
Western and First and Second Regi-
ment bands, the organizations to play
on Decoration day. The most impor-
tant committee meeting was that of
ways and means. The West Side park
project was recommended in order that
it might come before the main body each
committeeman, however. reServing the
right to vote against it in council.
The petition Of George G.. Squires ct
al, that triangular strip in Summit
court be taken for park, to cost 81, 500,
met with the opposition. Attorney L. ID.
O'Brien was before the committee in the
interests OF the George Lains Furniture
company, with the proposition to con-
vert the old market house into a huge
store. 1t was represented that the house
had been operated at loss of s, 900 a
year, with the exception of the year
1889, when 1t realized $1,000. There
would also be loss upon it again this
year, according to his figures, and be
proposed to lease it for fifteen years at
a net rent to the city of $1,000 per an
mum. Messrs. Cullen and Gehan OPP
posed che scheme, holding that it was a
small return upon property valued at
100000, and that no one could foresee
how much it might be needed in fif-
teen years at the rate the city is in
crpocino
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-20
A TELEGKApHIC FEAT.
Congratulating Denver Over ;
Line $500 Miles in Length.

Congratulating Denver Over a
Line 1880 Miles in Length.
Last night Denver was added to the
number of Associated Press towns re-
ceiving telegraphic news over leased
wires, the Rocky Mountain News hav-
Ing leased wire for the service, and
that town now enjoys the distinction of
being the first city west of the Missouri
river whose news reaches it over
leased line. This advantage is best
appreciated and understood by those
telegraph editors who handled
the blind script formerly fur
nished by Western Union operators
and now edit the clear typewriter copy
turned out by the experienced Associ-
ated Press men which has been sub
stituted for it. Congratulatory mes
sageS were sent to the Rocky Mountain
News by the GLOBE and Pioneer Press
over the new leased wire, and the dis
lance covered made it remarkable
feat. Recently DR.. NOrvin Green, OF
the Western Union, told congressional
committee that it was impossible to tele-
graph successfully over a single wire
for distance of 1900 miles. This mes
sage last night took roundabout
course and travelled 1880 miles, the local
operator sending direct to the Denver
operator, who is Harry Collins, st.
Paul boy, whose telegraphic superior
does not exist Denver is not of course
that far from ST. Paul, but the wire eX-
tends from st. Paul through Milwaukee,
Chicago, Detroit. Cleveland, Columbus,
Cincinnati. Indianapolis, ST. Louis and
Kansas City to Denver. This circuit IS
still larger than that, however, having
New York on the east, New Orleans on
the south, Minneapolis on the north
and Denver on the west for its limits.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-20
TO ENTERTAIN TEACHERS.
: Interest in the Work Becoming
EaDapaI-Couvent Notes.

: Interest in the Work Becoming
General-Conventi Notes,
A meeting was held in the parlors Of
the Aberdeen last evening for the pur-
pose of making arrangeme hts for Il can
vass of the city with the view ofraising
funds and ascertaining the places of en-
tertaining the delegates to the National
Educational association, which meets in
st. Paul in July. The ladies on St. An
thony hill, and in fact, all over the city,
will this week ascertain what funds
can be raised. and the names of those
who will entertain visitors, and report
by card to Assistant Secretary Nicho-
las Dunn at the headquarters
in the Ryan not later than Friday even
ing. An active and final canvass will
be made next week by paid canvasserS,
who will commence next Monday and
go over the ground not previously can
vaSsed. Those present at the meeting
last evening at the Aberdeen were d.
d. Merrill, chairman of the general
committee on entertainments; w. III.
Patterson, chairman of the Subcommit-
tee; Nicholas Dunn, assistant secretary;
Maj. B. F.Wright, assistant chairman of
the general committee; Judge and Mrs.
White. Mrs. c. W. Hackett, Miss Ella
Walker, principal of Lincoln school;
Mrs. A. J. Trumbull, of Merriam Park
Mrs. j. F. Hoyt, Mrs. E. o. thinner
mann, Miss U. j. Zimmerman, Mrs. c.
FL. Cannon T. d. Parker.
NOTEs.
The alumni of all colleges in the
United States residing in st. Paul or
Minneapolis are requested to send their
names, addresses, college, etc., to S.
Sherin, secretary n. Z. A., as arrange
ments are being made for reunions at
the time of the convention in July.
The executive committee met yester-
day at 4 p. IN. A reunion of college
alumni was arranged for, and the secre-
tary instructed to secure names and adj
dresses of as many as possible residing
in st. Paul and Minneapolis. Meetings
of these alumni will be called as early
as possible.
The committee authorized the bulletin
committee, of which Maj. Wright is
chairman, to prepare an ''Official Guide"
which will contain forty-eight pages. to
be filled with information regarding st.
Paul of value to visiting stranger dur
ing the convention. Retail dealers,
hotels and railroads will be asked to
insert advertisements; $4,000 copies will
be issued,