davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-12-04
THE METAL OF THE FUTURE.

Aluminium and tho Wonders 1t VIII Work
Remarkable Qualities of the Metal-Every
Farmer Has Thousands of Tons of 1t.
The recent progress of the world has
been so great along all lines OF indus
try that we are now prepared to expect
near future The invention of steam
and its application to locomotion by
land and water; the invention of the
telegraph and the telephone, and the
Bessemer process for making steel have
been the wonders of the nineteenth
century. As we approach the twentieth
century men are already asking what
new wonders will appear to give that
century equal renown in the annals of
human progress?
Prediction is impossible in regions
not yet invaded by the inventive genius
of man; but starting from the point
which we have already reached, we can
easily foreteu the direction that prog
ress will take for a time at least The
wonders already wrought by electricity
and the enormous development of in
vention in this field within the past few
wears indicates that there will be I'M
limited progress here, and it is signii-
cant that the greatest electrical experts
feel that we are now in the mere dawn
of the era of electricity.
The revolution which the invention
of the Bessemer steel making process
has caused in house building and in rail-
way construction has turned the minds
of men toward finding even better
and cheaper material than steel Such
a material has long been known, but as
yet it lacks the merit of cheap produc-
ton This iC a1rruinuro Scientific
men are already predicting that it will
change our industrial life as it has new
er before been changed
The supply of aluminium is absolutely
immeasureable and inconceivable- Ev-
cry farmer has it in his fields in quanti-
ties to supply his whole State for an
indefinite period E=e-y hill is filed
with it-more than 300 pounds In every
ton of clay. But why has not such an
abundant metal yet come into general
use? The reason is that we have not
yet found a cheap way to separate it
from the clay In which it is hidden
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-12-04
GROWTH OF INDIGO.

- ! -
One of the Mast Pro<itahte Industr-es 81
css<ral aud south America
The portion of the Nicaragua which
stretches to the northeast from the
shoresof Lake Managua is known as
one Of the best ind igo-growing districts
of the world The climate is coofer
than thaspf the plain of Leon. and CON
tinues growing so as one gradually as
cends the grade until he finds himself
on the plateau o. Segovia, where the
days are always pleasant and the nights
cold enough for fires
But few leagues from Leon. on every
side of the~trail and as far as the eye
can reach, q rich green underground
resembles the tender sprouts OF the
locust tree. and is what the natives call
s.jie utilize, /. or the indigo plant
In planting it the richest soil is care
fully cleared and burned over, trenches
are dug two or three inches deep and
about foot apart into which the seed
is thrown and lightly covered with
earth.s The planting is done in May, a.
the close of the dry season and the
shrub is ready to be cut in August
The young bushes have TO be care
fully weeded to prevent any other
plants from sprin-ing up and mixing
with them, which would niure the quail
ity of the indigo About the middle OF
August the leaves present a rough sur
face and appear as If covered with :
green sand, when the stalk is cut of by
the gatherers few inches above the
ground. leaving few sprouts remaining.
which produce n second crop that u
gathered about two months later.
The first years result is usually
small. that OF the second year much
greater and the third years immense,
after which the crop diminishes again
until the seventh year when the fields
have again to be cleared and planted
The cut plants are tied in bundles.
like wheat in the United States, and
carried to the fermentation vat where
enough water is allowed to run in to
cover IT, then the swelling mass -
weigh ted down to steep and ferment-
The only skill required in the manu1
facture is to be able to check the fere
mentation at the proper monent and
natives competent to do so receive
very good pay. When the solu-
ton of indigo has a peculiar green
color it IS drawn off into another vat
where it is necessarily agitated ana
beaten by revolving fans until it
changes from its original green color to
dark blue, and the coloring matter
commences to recipitate-
The water is then drawn of, leaving
granulated, soft blue clay, which is
drained IN bags, then dried in the sun.
carefully selected as 60 quality ana
packed for export in packages OF one
hundred and fifty pounds aschs Or
''ceroonS"-e
Forty or fifty years ago Nicaragua
produced from, nine thousand to ten
thousand ''ceroons'' of indigo per aEs
mum, but now it may be doubted if she
total annual product exceeds tive thous
sand
Most of the fine .'haciendase of the
high country are now commencing 70
Craze cattle. and, though many stilS rE
main where labor is cheap. the indigo
farms are gradually disappearing, and
cattle, coffee and cacao fields are sakine
their place.-Golden Days
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-12-04
SOME COLD FIGURES.

Tho Agricultural Depression of the Coun-
try and What 1t Means to Each Farmer.
The hard times now bearing SO heavi-
~ upon the farmers are all the more
striking when it is remembered that
his cribs are now larger than ever be-
fore The present year is Of course an
exceptionally bad one; and the yield of
the farmers crops being smaller, crops
being short in European countries also.
prices have gone up.
Taking last years crops and prices.
and comparing them with those of 1850
thus giving period or ten years
the agricultural depression of the
country is very strikingly brought out
Ex-Counsul j. Schoenhop, of New
York, has prepared table of the crops
and prices in 1850 and in. 1889, which
will enable any farmer to understand
the extent of this depression in the
country as whole. Here it is:
statement of the quantities and values of
the PRINCIPAL cereal crops In 1850 and 1883
Illinois average of prices taken from the
report of the Department. of Agriculture,
December, 1859 Quantities and values in
millions):
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-12-04
FARM AND GARDEN.
sHEIIER FOR CONS.

How to Enlarge and Improve the Ordi-
nary Cattle Howell -t
Hovels for COWS like Fig. 1 are found
in all parts of the country. The one
am using is made as shown in the sec
ond engraving. It has an extra shed
with a pump room and stable inclosed
on the ground floor, and is attached to
the grain barn instead of being separate.
I have made these notifications be-
cause of the extra convenience and
profit secured. The upper part Of the
building has windows in the front and
rear for taking in hay. In some cases they
have been fitted with hay forks, carrier
and tracks. The lower part of the
howell is left open to the cow-yard on
one side and usually faces the south or
southeast. Tive years ago 1 was raising
some choice heifers and the strong cat
tie annoyed them by pushing them to
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-12-04

with loud and vociferous bawling to at
tract sucker. The mock auctioneer
does not need crowd to conduct his
business.
One evening. for a joke, Mac drifted
into a mock auction shop on Chatham
street, or Park row. as you please.
He knew what he was about, but Mrs
M. was in the country, and time hung
heavily on his hands. There were FIVE
men in the place. How many were cap
pers and how many Macs it would be
hard to say
The auctioneer frightened up when
he saw Mac, and sizing him up for a
family man (Mac boards in Brooklyn he
held up to view a handsome ivory.
handled carving set, worth fifteen dol
lars if it was worth cent.
'How much am l offered?'' said the
auctioneer, after dilating on the merits
of the set.
''Half dollar" said Mac, thinking
he would start the bidding by way of a
joke.
''So1d," said the auctioneer. not even
asking for another bid. Wrap up the
set, Jerry. and take the gentlemans
change. And rare old bargain he has
Sot. 4>OWs ouOii, SOiGlCLuOus WO ddSO OH
elegant lady's gold watch"
Mac looked sadly around the room.
The five men, cappers or customers.
looked severely at him. He did not
want the carving set for fifty cents, or
for any price. But no had made bid
and his offer had been accepted. He
could not gracefully back down The
eyes of the five cappers or customers, to
say nothing of Jerry and the auctioneer.
were upon him. A backdown on his
part meant a rough-and-tumblef fight.
with the honors against him.
He gave Jerry 81. Jerry handed him
the package and a lead half dollar
by way Of change. Mac knew it was
counterfeit, but he put it in his pocket
and walked out, glad to escape with a
whole skin.
On the way to the Office Mac
dropped the package. The knife-blade
was bent into the shape of the letter L.
It was made of lead. The steel was
shivered into dozen pieces. 1t was
made of the most brittle kind of cast
iron. The ivory handles were cheap
celluloid. Mac threw the package into
a garbage barrel.
He has sworn of on jokes.-N. Y.
Herald.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-12-04
FIG. 8.

four sticks, BIB and &C, on the inner and
upper sides in which to nail strips.
Leave 5 inch spaces between these for
cattle or only inches for sheep OBJ
serving these measurements, 13-foot
spruce Turing strips will make just
three strips for the rack. The shallow
bin at the bottom saves the short hay,
which the cattle may pull out and also
makes receptacle for feeding oat chaff
or any fine fodder. This rack can be
divided into partitions for hay and straw
if variety of food is wished for. It is
very convenient when all hands are in
the woods or elsewhere for the day, as
THE cattle can be fed in the morning
and plenty of room is given the weaker
so they can get enough to eat.-Jacob
Wyckoff, in Farm and Home.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-12-04

Decrease in value of crops of
1889 from 1880. 19S, 900 600
+Both ranges of prices are Illinois prices.
Thus it is seen that while the crop in
aggregate has given an increase of 1885,
600, 600 bushels, or IS per cent, the
salable value is actually by Si93 OGO. 900.
or 16. 80 per cent, less than in 1850. All
other cereals and such crops as potatoes
and sweet potatoes would not materially
affect this result for all these do not
amount to more than 10 per cent of the
staple crops above given.
There is another important fact that
must not be lost sight of in estimating
the weight of the above figures. The
farming population is now at least one
fifth greater than in 1880; and while
the money value of the crop of 1889 was
enormously smaller than that of 1880,
it had to be divided among a much
larger number.
Let us see what their division would
give to each person engaged in farming
and in laboring on farms According to
the census of 1880 there were e $40, Oe0
such persons occupied in all forms OF
agricultural employment The total
crop of wheat, corn and oats, as above
given, was valued at 81, 1SG, 400, OO0
which would give to each person Sf53
Now increase the number of agricult-
ura1 people by one-ffth; the result is
g. 200, 000 persons Among these we are
to divide the wheat corn and oats of
each year, which, as seen above. was
worth 1898, 900, 600. This allows to each
person S102. That is to say, these nine
million persons received an average of
S51 less last year than in 1850. OF
course no account is here taken of the
cotton crop nor Of the wool crop, which
would considerably increase the figures
for each of the two years compared, but
would not materially change the pro-
portion of loss to each person.
The average extra labor caused by
the tariff to each person engaged in all
gainful pursuits in the United States
is equal to about forty days at one dol
lar per day. This can be shown to be
divided approximately thus: For the
Government to pay duties on foreign
goods. 20 days labor; to the foreign
manufacturers to pay protection prices
on their goods, 80 days labor; total,
40 days But the farmer, alas, has
to do much more than his share. be-
cause most of these protected classes con-
tribute nothing, and the non-protected
classes are compelled to labor for them.
In view Of the unequal burdens thus
laid upon the peope engaged in agri-
culture, it is most astounding to note
the remedy which the Republican party
has just proposed as the cure for agri-
cultural depression. That party says
that the home market for the farmers
products is not yet large enough; there
fore it will compel him to bear larger
burdens than ever in order to increase
his home market! And in order to do
this they enact a tariff bill which largely
shuts out the commerce of Europe. and
which is thus certain to narrow the
farmers market in Europe. The Nc
Kinley remedy is worse than the dis
ease of agricultural depression
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-12-04
LOVE AND MARRIAGE.
A Farce Tragedy in Two Short
Acts.
written for this Paper.1


ACT I. BEFORE MARRIAGE
Scene Morning. Parlor in the
.Bane mansion. Enter Mortimer Jones;
embraces Clara, who is discovered"
seated on the sofa.
Mortimer-Ah, Clara. how glad am
to see You once again. 1t seems an age
since saw you yesterday.
Clara Tightening her arms around
his neck)-It was just the same with
me, dear Mortie, although 1 dreamt of
you all night long.
Mortimer with sparkling eyes)-And
did you dream of me? Oh you darl-
ing! you pet! you angel! Excessive
osculation.]
Clara Arranging her disordered
bangs)-Yes, / dreamt we were in a
millinery store, and i selected a fall
hat.
MOtirner removing long, light
colored hair from his mouth)-1 hope
you picked out the most expensive one
in the store.
CIara-I hesitated, but you, like the
noble man that you are, insisted.
Mortimer (holding up his head proud
1y)-Of course l did. Is there any
thing in the world too costly for you?
! would be worse than brute to deny
you any thing-frOm the priceless gems
of the Orient down to chunk of chew
ing gum.
Clara (hystericnlly)-Myo own darling
true love!
Mortimer with equal emotion)-I
am! am!
y
Scene II. Noon Dining-room of the
Bane mansion. Clara and Mortimer
seated at the table.
Mortimer = Where are your folks,
Clara, dear?
Clara-Oh! they won't be home to-day.
Mortimer has an uncomfortable de-
sire to annihilate himself for not asking
that question before: However, moves
his chair up, and starts in on the din
ner. Takes a spoonful of soup and
makes wry face.
Clara-You seem disturbed, darling.
LAnxiously.] Don't you like the food?
Mortimer (got the raptures once
more)-Ah, Clara, dear, when you are
near every thing tastes good. But
Casting soup once more) 1 think your
cook must be in love, for she has forgot
ten to put salt in the soup.
Clara (coyly)-Of course she is in love,
and with you; for, knowing that you
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-12-04
UNIQUE INVENTION.
Evolved From Bright Woman's Brain tE
Meet Need.

Evolved From a Bright woman,s Brain tn
Meet q Need.
1t has become a tradition so firmly
rooted in the human mind that women
never invent any thing. that, no matter
how often individual ones may dispute
it every new announcement comes as q
surprise. There is one thing about it,
however, when an article is invented BIZ
one OF the sex, it is sure to be some thing
very practical
The latest woman on the list of ins
ventors is Miss Annie L Gorham. a
Boston artist in water color, and an c.r
casioEal newspaper writer. The pres
ent is not Miss Gorham's first appears
ance in the character of inventor, for q
few years ago she patented q faienoo
which was very successful, especially
among amateur workers She now
comes to the front with an easel writing
desk. which is one of the most ingenious
contrivances Imaginable, and at the
same time highly decorative. Seeing it
in a room one would never imagine the
complications of 1T, it is SO innocent
looking. 1t has a particle of an air Of
deceit about 1t. and yet it is one of the
most witching contrivances Imaginable,
and nobody but = woman would ever
have thought it out As one sees it
first, it is simply an oaken easel, with a
lovely water-color picture, handsomely
framed, resting on it But after. the
picture has been sufficiently admired
Miss Gorhana just turns it down. and the
back OF 1t forms the top of most re-
markahle writing desk. 1t is of highly
polished oak, trimmed with ant que
drawers. with places for pens, paper.
I'll
that lady viii require to carry on her
correspondence. Lovely art silk cur
tains run on a brass rod drape the desk
across the 'front.' and there is any GUAM
tity of secret drawers and burglar-defv-
ing locks and such mysterious things
about it 1t is a sort OF mysterious
store room. such as one might have
found in the old castles Itwould have
delighted the heart of Mrs Radcliffe had
it been extant in her day, and it will j..
equally delight the modern maiden who
m ay come to own it Pins do the work
of keys and deft fingers pry secret
openings There are rests for candles
and there is also a rack of newspapers
that may be added or not
Then, too, it can be taken with its
owner wherever she goes, SO she can
keep it constantly under her eye and
see that no one trifes with her CORE
spondence- The top slips of, and there
is square parcel the size of the picture,
which will go comfortably into any
trunk For compactness, convenience,
mystery and prettiness it is ahead of
any thing yet made. -
Already a Large concern has purchased
the right OF manufacture. and it is sim
cerely to be hoped that one newspaper
woman at least is on the high road to
fortune Herald
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-12-04
CLEVER MEMS WIVES.

An Article Which Could Not Possibly In
terest Mr.. Austin.
"YOu seem much absorbed in thought 81
said Mrs. Austin to her husband, as they
were seated in the parlor after tea, the
other evening. "What is the subject?''
81 have been reading an article on the
subject of Clever Mems Wives
81 don't see how that can possibly in
terest you any,"
''Heyw said Mr.. Austin, turning
sharply around.
''What did the article say about clever
mems wives?" continued Mrs. Austin,
without needing the ejaculation. ibid
it say that they were clever, too?"
mo, it didn't. It said they were gen.
orally dull.''
'Then If the reverse of the PROPOSE
ton be. true, what smart wife must
be-" laughed Mrs. Austin.
81 don't understand you, Mrs. Austin
''No, you never did understand me, -
replied Mrs. Austin, vehemently. ssYou
are always boasting of your smartness
and cleverness, but have never seen it
yet. And you hint in vague way that
1 am dull. I will admit that was very
dull once"
''When was that?'
"When I married you. Oh, you
needn't start to your feet. I'm going to
have my say about this thing once. /
too have read about the clever men, as
they are called, and the kind of lives
their wives led. There was Bluebeard-
he was clever man, suppose. Killed
every wife he had except the last one,
and she was clever enough to finish him.
Byron ran away from his wife and never
returned. And there was Lot, who
didn't earn his salt, so that his poor wife
was compelled to turn herself into pill
lar of it, or there would have been none
about the house; and Peter, Peter, what's
his name. who put his wife in pumpkin
shell, and kept her-while he sat around
bar rooms telling how smart he was; and
now you want to set yourself up for a
clever man and hint that your wife isn't
up to your level. But am up to you,
John Austin, and tell you now
But when she looked around, John had
f1ed.-Texas Siftings.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-12-04
PROFITS IN IRON.

ssInfant" Industries That Reap Large Gains
Through the Paternal Policy of Protec-
ton.
The Senate refused to make a very
slight reduction in iron ore; but there is
abundant evide nee that the mine-own-
ers and pig iron makers are growing rich.
As far back as 1862 the Thomas iron
works in Pennsylvania were making pig
iron at total cost Of less than S14 O6
per ton. Last year the same works pro-
duced pig iron at SI3O5 per ton and de-
clared dividend of 25 per cent Nor
have they an advantage over other
works in their district. for they use a
very lean ore and are therefore required
to use more fuel than is necessary in
case richer ores are used ----
Last January the Iron Age, the prin-
cipa1 trade Journal of the iron trade in
this country, said that the metropolitan
Iron and Lead Company, in the Lake
Superior region. was also clearing 25 per
cent on its capital The Age stated that
the shares of the company. the par
value of which is S25. were then "close
to SIS" and it goes on to state facts
which explains thatenormous premium.
1t says: THE company's mines will
greatly increase their output and
very 1drSo pdrG udS dircdOy OSeh
sold at an advance on last seasons
prices. Unless an unforeseen revision
should occur in the trade, or mining
operations be seriously impeded by
some accident the year 1890 viii be the
greatest in the company's history, both
as to production of ore and net results
to stockholders"
7 Twenty-Five per cent dividends and
still higher ones in prospect and the
United States Senate afraid to give the
seaboard manufacturers slightly lower
duties on iron ore lest the Lake SUE
perior people should be hurt.
This Thomas Company. already re-
ferred to. has an equally cheerful out
look. The latest number of Brad
streets says: The Thomas Company.
the largest producer. has the smallest
stocks on had for months It has none
for sale at present prices. and in fact
can hardly keep customers supplied who
have con tracts