davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06
CHAPTER xIv.-pAKoTA.

Leaving Chicago we went northwest, passing through Wisconsin, that grand state so famous for cheese and butter; through Minnesota with its broad fields of growing wheat, clear rivers and bracing air, into Dakota, the new. the great the grand; the giant of the northwest Here little homes dot the prairies giving evil dence of growth. Here the hardy pioneers come to taste the romance of tanning nat ure and to coax wealth and happiness from the fertile soil. We passed over riv- CTS whose waters were clear as crystal; through villages full of enterprise and thrift.
 This seems growing state,' said, looking out over the expanse of country thickly dotted with cosy little homes.
 "lt is among the first" said the duke, in answer to my question. Tt claims greater number of postofiices than anyone of the twenty three other states and terri tories, and pays more revenue into the postoffice department than any one of the thirty-two of them. It has colleges nor nal schools and institutions endowed by the territory. Its educational fund, de- rived from lands donated by the general government promises to be the largest be- longing to the state. The official reports show that there is less sickness in Dakota than in any other state or territory in the Union. Immense beds of coal are being discovered in many parts of the territory. Time was, they tell me, when all these fertile plains belonged to what we knew in our school days as the Great Amercan Desert But not n trace of the desert re- mains on any railroad map of today. 1 remember picturing the sand on the des-
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06
An Awful Ride on n Mule.

A printer well known in Atlanta got hard mp in Birmingham recently, says the Atlanta Consultation, He wanted to come to Atlanta and he crawled into tho first vacant stook-car he saw. and. as it was night, rolled into one cornet and went to sleep. He was awakened in a little while by lot of mules which were driven in on him.
 "scarcd9 We'll, think 1 was" h, says in telling the story. But wanted to come. and thought l could pacify the mules so they would let ma alone 1 soon found that wouldn't work. TheN eyed me suspiciously, then bit at mt aud kicked me until began 10 rcalig, there must be some change or my last days had come.
 ''l made up my mind 10 ride one the mules. tried ono. and was promptly landed against the top of th, car. Then another and another witI the same result. The fourth one wa, dooile, and on that mules back I rode for q day and night. It was the mos' horrible ride anybody ever experienced, and you need not wonder at my haii turning gray"
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06
If They Only Believed

Do you ever picture to your self what ahc world would be If every one lived right up to his or her convictions? Ii the minister and all his flock believed the orthodox doctrines he preache. they would be always at work, as tire- men work to save victims from burn. ing buildingl No ioafing Il. home or party-going, no lecture season or amusement business for them. but hand to-hand hard work, coats of and in their shirt sleeves to save soulsi If moralists believed all they preach they would take no rest night nor day., Wherever they found young lad smoking cigarettes, or young girl lettering about the depots or on the streets after uightfall. or d child listen ing to the evil conversation of profane men. they would gather them in out of danger as shepherds gather in tho lambs when the night threatens to be cold. If tho temperance lecturer had the absolute courage of his convictions he would smash every beer glass and wage open war upon every saloon in the city as natives fight snakes in 3 junglel Bah, we are all so luke warm and cowardly, What the world needs. is a new red-hot race Of fanatics to stir up the dead bones and set thlngs
 moving. N. I. Sun.
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06

One cannot be justly charged with uu~ eiendliness to any section or class who peeks only to restrain violation of law and personal right. No community will ind awlcssness profitable. No community eau afford to have it known that the officers who are charged with the preservation of the public peace and tho restraint Of she criminal classes are themselves the pro duct of fraud or violence. The magistrate is then without respect and the law with out sanction. The floods of iawlessness cannot be isvced and madeto run in one channel.
 The killing of an cruitod States marshal for carrying writ of arrest for an cleo ton officer Is full of prompting and sug- gestive to men who are purs1ed by cisy marshal for a crime against life or prop srty
 Hut it is said that this legislation will revive race animosities, and some have even suggested that wbeu the peaceful methods of frauds are made impossible they may be supplemented by intimidation and violence If the proposed law gives to any qualified clector, by hairs weight more than his equal influence. or detrscts by so much from any other qualified cleo tor, it Is fatally impeached. But if the law is equal and the animosities it has evoked grow out of the fact that some electors have been accustomed to exercise
 he franchise for others as well as for
 Themselves then these animosities ought
 Ot 10 be confessed without shame and cannot be given any weight in the discus. sion without dishonor.
 No choice is left tn mc but to enforce with vigor all laws intended to secure to tho citizen his constitutional rights and to recommend that the inadequacies or such laws be promptly remedied. If 70 promote with zeal and ready interest every project for the development of it's material inter ests, rivers. harbors, mines and factories, and the intelligence, peace and security under the law of its communities and it's homes, is not accepted as sufficient evil dences of friandliness to any state or sec tiou I cannot add conuivance at election practices that not only disturh local re- suits, but rob the electors of other states and sections of their most priceless polit- teal rights
 The preparation of the general appropri- atiou bills should be conducted with the greatest carc and the closest scrutiny or expenditures, Appropriations should Dc adequate to tue needs of the public service but they should be absolutely free from rrodigality.
 I venture again to remind you that the brief time remaining for the consideration of the important Legislation now awaiting your attention offers no margin for waste If the present duty is discharged with diligence fidelity and courage tho work of the Fifty-trst congress may be confidently submitted to the considerate judgment of the. people
 BENJAMIN HsRRISoS, Executive Mansion, D. C., Dec. l. lsn'
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06

building or living expenses is kept from the wages"
 "What do they live on' I sec the land has just been broken"
 "You have seen the little provision store and postofiice, well, that Is kept by my agent and au account is kept with each tenant of the amount of provisions he Is in debt for. It Is brought here from various places"
 Do you furnish the farm implemenrspn asked.
 "Yes, I furnish everything; but get discount on large purchases and reduced rates on railroads. SO it is not Sd expensive as it seems at first sight"
 You see this is fine soil" he said, lift ing handful and examing it.
 Ut is a fine, rich, sandy loam." l said. "Then this is the fine country where the great desert used to be- The home of the buffalo and roaming red skins has been rc. deemed and is now being purchased by English and American landlords at ar rapid rate.'
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06
Irrigation In the West.

Mai. J. W. Powell. the Director oi the U. $. Geological Survey, contributes an article to the Century on The IF. rigabe Lands of the Arid Region,' from which we quote the following The Snake or ShoShone River head. in the great forcst-clad mountains of Wyoming and runs across the line into Idaho, then passes quite across the Ter tory until it becomes the boundary line between Idaho and Oregon. Passing the northeastern corner of the last mentioned State. it enters the State oi Washington. and runs westward for long reach until it debouches into the Columbia The Shoshone River is one of the great volume, second only to the Colorado. Reservoir sites along it's course in Wyoming and Idaho have already been revealed by the surveys. and it is shown that in the upper region water can be stored to an amount of more than 2.000, 900 acre feet. This will irrigate at the first usage at least 100000 acres of land; and if they he properly selected. so that the waters can be collected again and again after serving the land, the area redeemed
 
 There are many other tributaries below that have not yet been examined. and 1t is safe to say that the waters of tn, Shoshone with its tributaries may ulti mately serve from 5000, GOO 10 10000. GOO acres.
 In its utilization three clases of prob lens are involved. If the waters are taken out in small canals near to the river, and the lowlands served first, and prior rights and interests established on such lands, then but small part oi the stream can be used and the greater part will run away to the Pacific Ocean, and subsequently the region oi irrigation can be enlarged only by buy. ing out vested water-rights scattered along the course of the river. But il at the very beginning the water can be taken out high up the river and carried in great canals to either side and there distributed to the higher lands. and used over and over again on it's return. complete utilization can be secured. and the cost of the construction of the system of irrigation by reservoirs and canals will be greatly reduced per acre To irriga,e 1000 GOO acres of land neat to the river by short canals taken out along it's course here and there will cost moro than half as much as the con. struction of hydraulic works that will serve from 6.00o. GOO to s.O00. GOO; while scattered minor works will be forever subject to destruction by the floods, and the agriculture secured will be of less value per acre. because the best lands will not be served and only : perfect drainage will be secured"
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06

There's astory of a sehoolbov of II who, with preeocity that is not unexampled, fell in love with pretty Miss of 10and used to pay her bash ful attentions whenever the opportu- nifty presented itself. Shereciprocat- ed his sentiment, and walked with him at recess and going home from school. One day when they were on their way homeward he saw a oevy of their companions advancing, and sheepishly said; Please let go my hand. They'll see us. This pru- dent speech did not suit the little maiden, and she sharply responded. Yes, will; and you needn't think nin't just as much ashamed as you a,.Nf
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06
A Trific Pessiuistio.

Early in the century there lived In Edinburgh. says the N. Y. Ledger. q well-knowu grumbler named Sandy Black, whose oft-reeurring fits of spleen or indigestion produced some amusing scenes of senseless irritability which were highly relished by all eX- cept the fellows good. patient little wife. One morning Sandy rose bent on quarral, The haddios and tho eggs were excellent, done to a turn. and had been ordered by himself the previous evening; but breakfast passed without the looked-for compliment.
 What will you have for dinner, Sandyp" asked Mrs Black.
 "A chicken. madam" said the hus- band
 Roasted or boiled?'
 ''Confound itl madam. if you haa been good and consideratc wife you would have known before this what l .ikew Sandy growled out as, slammiug ghe door. he left the house. 1t was in Inc spring. aud a friend who was present heard his little wife say:
 ''Sandy's bent on disturbance to- day. shall not please him, do what l will"
 The dinner-time came. and Sandy and his friend sat down to dinner The fish was eaten in silence. and on rais- ing the cover of the dish before him In a towering passion the former called out:
 Boiled chickenl That's it. madaml "A chicken boiled is chicken spoiledr" Immediately the cover was raised from another chicken roasted to q turn- Madam, l won't eat roast chickenw roarcd Sandy. You know very well how it should have been cooked At that instant broiled chicken with mushrooms. was placed on the table. w ithout green peas! roared the grumbler
 Here they are, my dear said bis wife,
 How dare you spend my money in this mauuer9"
 They were n present, said his wife.
 Rising from his chair Sandy clenehed his fist and shouted:
 How dare you receive presents with oal my leave?"
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06
Guarding the Water.

The subject Of tue conservation of the water supply of the arid regions has hat much attention from congress, but has no as yet been upon a permanent and satisfac tory basis. The urgency Of the suojec' does not grow out of any large present de mands for the use of the lands for agrt culture, but of the danger that the water supply and the sites for the necessary eatet basins may fall into the hands of individu' als or private corporations and in part tt render subservient the large areas depend ent upon such supply. The owner of the water is the owner Of the lands, however the titles may run. Unappropriateo natural water sources and all natural reservoir sites should be held by the gov ernmeut for the equal use at fair rates of the homestead settlers who will vol untarily take up these lands. ihe United States should not iu my opinioni undertake the construction of dauls and canals, but would limit the work to sucu surveys and observations as will determine the water supply, both surface and SUD terrauean, the grass capable of irrigation aud the use, location and storage capacity of reservoirs. This done, tho use of the water and the reservoirs might be granted to the respective states and territories, or to individuals or associations upon the con dition that tue necessary works should De constructed and the water furnished at fair rates without discrimination, the rates to oe subjected to supervision by the legislatures or by boards of water commissioners only thus constituted The essential thing to bc secured is the common and equal use at fair rates of the accumulated water supply. tt were almost better that these lanas fhonld remain arid than that those who oc' cupy them should become the slaves of un. restrained monopolies controlling the essential element of land values and croT results
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06

ert here, as playing the same pranAs as in the Great Sahara of Africa But imagine that great desert becoming n blooming garden!'
 How much this looks like Illinois," said as we were riding along
 "Yes, Waverland, you will be surprised to find that all prairie lands have some of the same general features, at least 1 was But you notice there is no low, Hat, marshy land here The surface of the prairie, both upland and valley is every where undulating" said the duke, while the river courses, fringed with timber afford grateful relief from the monotony of the prairies."
 Here we are at our destination" said the duke. as the train came to halt al a little station where everything looked new Even the business signs seemed to smell of new paint.
 We found comfortable rooms in little house occupied by the dukes agent The agent kept a provision store and pos,ofiice His wife. fair, intelligent woman. took charge of the office and did her own house keeping. She was a stout energetic wo- man, kep, things in order, gave us good meals, and the tenants their mail
 Then this is your Fl Dorado" said to the duke, when, after com fortahle din. ner. we started out to see something of this new American dukedom
 "Yes, this is my Fl Dorado" he an ewercd laughing You have not seen any thing of the famous king. have you'"
 The prairie stretched away in the dis. tanoe like mighty sea of gentle undulat- Ing venture. It was n country fresh from the hand of nature
 "Are these little buildings the homes of your tenantsr' asked
 Yes they may look small to us, hut to these poor beings who have been coopcd mp in crowded tenements it rivals even the famous Fl Dorado. There are families here, with all their uncies, aunts and cou- sins, until the whole settlement seems one family of kin folks. They are from the north of Europe, where they have eeeu trained to unquestionahle obedience and plodding industry n
 How much did it cost you to bring them heres" I asked. as we were riding from place to place on the estate,
 Seven dollars a head he answered. as though speaking of herd of cattle
 "l see you have been in America long enough to have learned some of her xhrewdness"
 ''How so'"
 You conld never have brought people here without some previous arrangement. How did you manage its''
 Very easily You see I had bought large tracts of lands from the railroad com pany and they were under some obiiga- tons to me. l asked for honest rates to bring settlers in. At first l could not get rates that would justify me in bringing them. But after great deal of consuita- ton. we arranged with different railways and line of steamers. until the fare ssas just seven dollars per head by the family"
 These buildings. how did yuu arrange for thems
 There again the railroads helped me. got rates for everything, Each house as it stands cost me fifteen dollars. The tenants built them, themselves.
 How will you ever set your money back" asked
 Each man is hired by the year. until the land begins to produce something, then they will reat Whatever I pay for
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06

forming into unions and clubs to work against us, we will soon find ourselves as the man said, in a den of tigers instead oi among herd of asses"
 "Do you believe the lrishmnn's story, that he is working for the same landlord here that he was under in Irelands"
 'lt may be true Lord Sanders once owned the estate Sir Wren now owns i'm Ireland."
 "Why. was he the man Sir Wren told me had three hundred tenant farmers evicted because he wanted to make the whole estate into tenant farmt"
 'I presume he is the man, said the duke.
 r Well, he did not have very pleasant time of it. Sir Wren said that the enraged tenants would drive on his stock as fast as he could buy it in spite of all the dogs and agents he could procure"
 That was his reason for selling. He told me he was very thankful for the change; that putting his money into pro perty in America had added thousands of dollars to his wealth. IL was through his good success that was tempted to put so much money into lands in the new West If the people are beginning to think and inquire it may not be so safe trusting to cowboy force and barb wirc-fences to hold these lands as we were thinking Tn mak. ing my last purchases I have had that in mind. and have been very careful in get ting bona fde titles to the lands pur- chased. But here is another trouble that may annoy us as the farmer said. if they should establish law to levy taxes on land values and not on Improvements, it would soon change our profits into losses, Yet 1t will be a long time before that will come to pass. Only few have thought of that yet and the people of this country have to be educated into any change" said the duke.
 As I understand it, from those I have Glked with, the object of the Farmers Alliance Club is to educate the common people on this very subject. The people. 1 mean the masses are being educated in the one grand principle of equality There are unions, clubs and orders devoted entirely to this subject. The people are power in this nation, when once thoroughly aroused. And" l continued. ''when men like these tenant farmers groaning under the in justice of unfair rents and unjust taxes finally band together for mutual protection and just laws. they will create a force that even money cannot controlr'
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06

has been kept constantly in mind and m effort has been or. will be spared to pro mote that end We are under no disadvant- age ir any foreign market except that we p6 anr workmeu better wages than are paid elseWtisro better abstractly, better relatively to the s-st of the necossaries of life.
 RECIPROCITY UPHELD.
 do not doubt that very largely in. creased foreign trade Is desirable to us without haftering for either our home market for such products of the farm and shop as our own people can supply or the wages of our own working people. In many of the products of wood and iron, and in meats and breadstufs, we have advant- ages that only need better facilities of in tercoutSe and transportation to secure for them large foreign markets.
 The reciprocity clause of the tariff act wisely and effoctually opens the way to secure large reciprocal trade in ex- change for the free admission to our ports of certain products. The right of inde- pendent nations to make special reciprocal trcae concessions, is well established and does not impair either the comity due to other powers or what is known as the favored nation clause, nso generally found in commercial treaties. Indeed, this reel procity provision is moro than an offer; our part of the bargain is complete; de- livery has been made and when the couu- tries from which we receive our sugar. coffee, tea and hides have placed on their free lists such of our products as shall be agreed upon as an equivalent for our con- cession, proclamation of that fact com pletes the transaction: in the meantime, Our own people have free sugar, tea, coffee and hioes.
 DISPUTED LAND TITLES
 The subject of the unadtusted Spanish And Mexican lanS grants and the urgent necessity for providing some commission or tribunal for the trial of questions of title growing out of them, were twice brought by mo to the attention of congress at the last session Bills have been re ported from the proper committees in both houses upon tho subject and very earn sstly hope that this congress will put an end to the delay which has attended tho settlement of the disputes as to title be- tween the settlers and claimants under these grants These disputes retard tho prosperity and disturb the peace of large and important communities.
 A NATIONAL BANKRUPTCY LAW.
 The enactment of Q national bankrupt law regard IS very desirable, The con stitution having given to congress juris- diction of this subject, 1t should be exer- cised and uniform rules provided for tho administration uftthe affairs of insolvent debtors The inconvenences resulting from the occasional and temporary exer- else of this power by congress. and from the conflicting state codes Of insolvency which come into force intermediately should be removed by the enactment of a simple, inexpensive and permanent national bankrupt law.
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06
To Make Hanging Painless.

An Englishman has invented ma, chiue for hanging man tor woman if, becomes necessary in manner per. fectly painless to the subject undergo. ing the extreme penalty of the law. The rope is passed through a brass clamp double. forming loop, attached to the clamp Is an iron crescent, so ad. tasted AS to rest on the shoulders. When the trap is sprung the head Is pressed to one side, while the rope pulls 1t in the opposite direction. The yer. tebra is snapped and death is instsn. taneous.
The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06
The Postal Telegraph.

The use of the telegraph by the postofilce department as means of transmission of written communications is 1 believe, upon proper terms, quite desirable, Tho govern ment does not own or operate the railroads and it should not l think own or operate any telegraph lines It does, however, seem to be quito practicable for the govern ment to contract with the telegraph com. panies, as it does with the railroads, te carry at specified rates such commnnica tions as the senders may designate for this method l recommend that such legislation be enacted as will enable the postoffice de. partIneut fairly to test tho advantages oi such q use of the telegraph