davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29
ANCIENT FEET.
Facts That Show That the Feet of the Early

Facts That Show That the Feet of the Early
Races Were Larger than Ours.
A noticeable thing about the statues
found in cur museums of art, supposed to
represent the perfect figures of ancient men
and women, is the apparently dispropor-
tionate size of their feet. We moderns
are apt to pronounce them too large, par
ticularly those of females. It viii be
found, however that the symmetrical per-
lection these of feet could not be better. A
Greek sculptor would not think of such a
thing as putting nlne-inch foot on five
and-one-half-foot woman. Their types for
these classical marble figures were taken
from the most perfect forms of living
persons. Unquestionably the human foot,
as represented by these old soul ptors, was
larger than the modern one, and, in fact,
the primitive foot of all people of whom
we have any record, either in painting or
statuary, was considerably larger than the
restricted foot of modern times The
masculine foot, forming an approximate
average of four different countries, was
about twelve inches long. This would re-
quire at least a No. II or 121a shoe to
cover it comfortably. The average mas
culine foot to-day is easily fitted with a
No. 81 shoe, and is therefore not above
ten and seven-sixteenth of an inch. Now,
by the old sculptural rule of proportion, a
man five feet nine inches in height should
have a foot eleven and one-half inches
long, or one-sixth his height. It was of
no great consequence what size he wore,
but he would have required modern shoe
Of at least a No. 1917 for medium fit or a
No. II for real comfort For women, al
lowing for the difference in the relative
size of the two sexes, which was about the
same then a now, as woman of five feet three
inches in height would have had foot
ten inches long, requiring a modern shoe
it ought to be spoke only in whisper
No. as the most comfortable for that
foot, a No. So as the limit of torture. The
reason for the difference between the old
classical foot and modern one is obvious.
Restriction is what has done it.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29
Beautiful Ecuador Women.

The females of Ecuador are proveribial
for their beauty, those among the aristo-
cracy being said to have the fairest com
plexions of any in South America,
while all possess large. soft, and express
i've dark eyes, the blacklist and most
abundant hair. the whitest teeth, we'll
rounded figures, and small hands and
feet. Like all women in the topics, their
nature early and fade quickly; but per-
haps their average span of forty years in
Guides more heart-happiness than comes to
women of colder chimes in three score
years and ten, for these are harassed by no
''carking cares s. or high ambitions. In
dolence, religious superstition. and faith
fulness unto death are their most promin-
ent characteristics; their passionate ma
lures are completely satisfied in the love
of home, husband and children, and for
them the whole universe lies within the
limits of vision. What higher praise
could be bestowed upon the women of any
country? To be sure, they are notorious.
ly-untidy in dress and habits, but the
manta or paneulon, like the mantle Of
charity, covers multitude of sins. As
the poncho for men, il the universal and
most useful garment for the middle and
lower classes, answering for coat by day,
a coverlid by night, an umbrella when it
rains, and basket when there is any
thing to carry, the female manta is worn
by all classes and is equally indispensable,
since it hides unkempt hair and all de-
fects of toilet.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29
WASHINGTON.

A BILL has been introduced in congress
amendatory of the census act, prescribing
a penalty for the acceptance of bride by
any supervisor or enumeratOr.
WAsHINGTON.-Sen Hoar has
introduced joint resolution pro
posing an amendment to the constitution
providing that neither the United States
nor any state shall pass any law author
ling the establishment or maintenance of
any lottery or the distribution of prizes by
chance.
HELENA. Mont.-The supreme court OF
Montana has decided in the contested
election of the sheriff of Silver
Bow county, involving the vilidity of the
vote OF the famous precinct No. "a. The
court unanimously held that the. vote of
the precinct was so irregular in all respects
and so saturated with proven fraud that it
should be entirely rejected. This elects
the sheriff and all the republican officers
in Silver Bow county.
WASHINGTON, D. C.-The secretary
of the treasury has received a telegram
from Collector Pinkerton, at Ced;u
Keys, Fla, saying that the town is still
controlled by the Cottrill influence; that
the situation is becoming critical, and
that there will be no safety for the
United States officials until he is arrested
especially if the revenue cutter McLane
should leave there. Orders been
has issued from the treasury department
for the McLane TO remain at Cedar Keys
until it is considered safe by the Of
fcialS
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29
FIRES AND CASUALTIES.

HARRY MURKEs, stock broker, OF
Philadelphia. failed on Monday, for $780,
900, with unknown assets.
The Public Grain and Stock Exchange
Qimited) of New York, the largest bucket
shop in the United States, went to the
wall Monday, owing to an attachment
secured by customer at Oswego, n. Y.
LINCOLN, Neb. - Last Sunday night
during a FIRE here in the livery barn of
Bohan Bros, two fireman lost their lives
by the falling of the hay loft which had be-
come heavily saturated with water. 1t is
believed that colored man lost his life at
the same time.
PORT WASHINGTON. "A number of
neighbors were assisting Charles Brimmer
in raising his house, Sunday, when the
blocks gave way suddenly and the house
came down with a crash, pinning three
men, julius Hebers, August HoItz and
Louis Beyer. to the earth. Hebers and
Holtz were instantly killed. Boyer suffer
ed dislocation of the shoulder and other
injuries and will die. Each of the deceas-
ed leaves a family in very poor circuln-
stances.
QUEBEC. = In consequence of over
speculation in timber, and of a de-
cline in prices in England, the firm of
Smith, Wade & Co., leading dealers in
lumber in this city, are in financial diff
culties. Their liabilities are about 81, 200,
000 Their principal creditors are Bryant
Fowls & Bryant of London, for 100000;
Quebec Bank. SITS, 900; Bank of Montreal,
$4,000; Merchants Bank, 1925, 900;
Bank of British North America. SIC, 900;
Union Bank, s25, 900; and Western Lumber
men 100000.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29

president for information as to the landing
TO an armed force from revenue
cutter, at Cedar Keys Florida, the fore
ible entry of houses and the pursuit of citi-
zens. On motion of Sen. Edmunds it was
laid over. After an executive session the
senate adjourned.
HOuse-Mr. Flower of New York, in
troduced a bill suoiecting oleomargarine
to the provisions Of the laws of the several
states. Referred. The house then went
into committee of the whole on the river
and barber bill. Mr.. Hit moved an
amendment to give the city Of ga!ena, ILL.,,
the right to take up the harbor improve
and complete it. providing the city shall
then receive 100000 Adopted
SATURDAY. May "a.
Senate.-Sen. Wilson. of Iowa. obtained
unanimous consent, that on Tuesday next,
after the routine morning business. the
bill subjecting imported liquors to the
provisions of the laws of the several states,
shall be taken up, and its consideration
continued until disposed of. Sen. Black
burn presented the credentials of John G.
Carlisle. as senator from Kentucky, for
Sen. Beck's unexpired term, which COM
menced March 4, 1882 Placed on file.
The naval appropriation bill was then
|, taken up. After adopting number of
amendments Sen. Cockrell moved to strike
out the provision of three sea going coast
line battle ships, not 10 cost more than
100000 each. Pending action the
senate adjourned
Houston motion of Mr. Henderson, of
Illinois, the amendment was adopted re-
ducing 81, 100000 to 100000 on the APP
preparation for the improvements of the
Missouri river from the head of the pas
ses to the Ohio river. Senator Davis, of
Mimi, today presented an amendment to
be offered on the tariff bill removing a
duty of one and a quarter cent per
pound on binding twine and placing it on
the free list. On presenting the amend
ment Mr.. Davis gave notice that at some
time during the progress of the bill, he in
tended to submit some remarks on the tax
in its present form and in the proposed
modified form, which is, he said, consider
ed by the farmers of the northwest as op-
pressive, exacting and extortionate
Blanchard said this was due to the fact
that congress made urgent the appropria-
ton of one million dollars for the improve
ment of the river on the understanding
that a reduction of that amount be made
in the river and harbor bill. The COM
mittee arose and gave eulugistic address
ses on thememory of the late David
WILDER, of New York, the house adj
journed.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29

KANSAS CITY.-Elzo Allan, con-
fdential clerk of the Austin Invest
ment company is thought to be in Canada,
together with $4,000 of the company S
funds.
DENVER Information has been re-
ceived here that a man recently convicted
at Clayton, No, for stealing horses, has
been identified as the man who robbed
President Mofatt, Of the 1 First National
bank, a year ago of 81 .000 A requisition
Will be issued Monday.
SAN Francisco, Cal. - II. D. Ar
mold, prominent citizen of Colusa, who
has been on trial for the killing of S. W.
Garness last January, for circulating
scandalous reports about his family, was
acquitted.
MERRILL, Wis.-Yep Same's Chinese
laundry was wrecked Sunday night by
the explosion of a dynamite cartridge
placed under corner of the building
There is no clue to the perpetrators of the
deed. Three Cinnamon were asleep in the
building when the explosion came, bu;
none We're injured. Buildings were Ii
Jured half mile away.
ROCHESTER,, n. Y.-Frank Fish, aged
70, VINO SnOU JOHN Odlllnln, dG CdnanQlgd
last January, and who has been convicted
of murder has been sentenced to die by
electricity at the Auburn state prison dur.
ing the week beginning July IL.
The Chicago police are on the hunt
again for y. B. Simonds,' the man who
bought the furniture for the Carlson cot.
tage in which DR.. Cronin was murdered
''Simonds" has been seen on the street
twice lately by the salesman from whom he
purchased the goods.
NEW YoRK-Charles LIE Bree, the
collector of the Western Union Tele-
graph Company, who is charged with en-
bezzling Sc 5000 belonging to the company
was arraigned in court today, and held fo1
examination.
WATERBURY, Conn.-George W. Rob
erts, who for twenty years has been
the bookkeeper and confidential
manager of the Smith & Griggs Manu-
featuring company, was arrested here
last night for embezzlement, and was We'd
day admitted to bail in $4,000. Mr.
Roberts declined to see reporters, but to
friends acknowledged the embezzlement.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29
Is MAN DYING OUT.
A Picture of the Time Coming When
Woman VIII Have Things All Her Own


Troy Times.
It has long been noted that in civilized
countries there is a steady decrease in
the population of the males to the whole
population. The fact has been accounted
for IN various ways. scientific, physiology
cal and otherwise. but no one has given
the matter especial thought except tC
mourn the necessity of here and there a
woman being left without the protector
nature designed for her 1t was preserved
for an indianapolis reporter, however, to
discover that the males are not only grow
ing proportionately less in number but
that the sex is actually dying out. The
argument he presents In support of this
view is not at hand. but it is not difficult
to imagine some of the points he makes.
For instance. the rapid advance of the
gentler sex in fields hitherto held sacred
to the man is one indication that nature
is training woman for absolute independ-
ence. At the present rate it Els not i'm
probable that the generation now begin
ming life will see women in charge of al
the importont branches of human activity,
and fully capable of managing the world
without masculine assistance The cling.
ing vine style of femininity is giving way
before the active, self-reliant and In
dependent woman, and the chances are
! at the clinGing business will in few
ears become the exclusive property of
the males
Other reasons might he cited, but for
present purposes it is sufficient to acknowl-
edge that at some day nen will be num-
bered with the trilobites, mastodons,
megatheriums and other evidences of by
gone life. This manless future will be a
long time coming, and before its arrival
there will be blissful period for the few
men left to enjoy it. AS the proportion
of males to females grow less and less,
masculinity will be enhanced in value, and
specimens of the sex which are now cast
aside with scorn will then be worth their
weight in gold. Even the insane dude
and the anglomanic will come to have p
definite value, and will no doubt succeed
the poodle and the pug as feminine pets.
But fear of an impending scarcity of men
should not lead the members of the gentler
sex to take up with every male specimen
that offers itself. The supply of worthy
and reasonably good men is far from being
exhausted and the present alternative is
not a crooked stick or none at all. Here is
one of the places where it is wise to make
haste slowly and not be ,lriven into pool
bargain because there is possibility for a
future corner in the supply.
And what glorious time the last MAJ
of all will have! Nothing will be too gooc
for him, and his days will close in ar
uninterrupted dream of bliss. And wher
he is gone very large proportion of the
remaining inhabitants of earth will wish
to 60 too.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29
HORRIBLE BRUTALITY.
A Russian Garrison Refuse to Save ExiIes
From Starvation and Death.
PETERsBURG.-Horrible S

ST. PETERsBURG.-Horr scenes
are reported during the burning OF
Tomsk, the capital of western Siberia.
The place was visited simultaneously by a
fire and cyclone, the result of the combined
disasters being the destruction of three
quarters of the buildings, which were OF
wood, and the loss of hundreds of lives.
The cathedral, situated in the high part OF
the town, is in ashes. The walls of the
face in falling, crushed an adjacent hos
pital, burying the inmates, who were
subsequently burned to death. The gar
rison brutally refused to render the least
assistance in saving lives and property on
the plea that they had enough to do to
protect the barracks and other government
buildings. They said they had no time to
assist worthless exiles." The city was
soon covered by mantel Of snow and
there was a sudden fall in temperature
which added to the sufferings of thousands
of shelterless men, women and children.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29
Ferdinand Wards Prison Life.


Of all the prisoners in Sing Sing it is
probable that Ferdinand Ward feels his
degradation most keenly. He is employed
in a little printing Office adjoing the head
keepers quarters, and has the best employ
ment of any of the involuntary tenants OF
the place. His Office is bright and cheer
full, if any place within prison wall can
be considered cheerful, and his task is a
light one. The walls of his work room are
adorned with many Autographs, and
opposite his case may be seen the photo
graphs, of handsome woman and pretty
child, his wife's and his child's. With all
his faults Ward was devoted husband and
loving father What memories must
have rushed through his mind when he
learned of his wife's death, and what
thoughts must have filed his brain when he
reflected that his acts had divorced him
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29
REVOLU EXPOSED.
A Scheme to Capture Lower ,CaEfornia
F, ON Mexico.

A Scheme to Capture Lower california
Faom Mexico.
SAN FRANCIsCo.-TheC Chronicle We'd
nesday morning devotes four columns in
giving complete details of an alleged con-
spiracy to capture Lower California and
to found an Independent republic for an
nexation to the United States. The reve-
lations claimed to involve a number of
prominent capitalists interested in Lower
California and well-knoNn citizens of Los
Angeles and San Diego, which latter city
appears to have been the headquarters of
the fillibusters. The general outline of the
plan it is alleged, was for the Mexican Land
& Colonization company, composed of
wealthy Englishmen, but owing to con-
cessions of the peninsula to place in the
hands of San Diego capitalists, 100000
to be used in advancing the interests of
the flibusterers. A large ware house at
Ensenada was to be filed with arms, am
munition and provisions for the use of the
revolutionists. Officers of the English
corporation claim that the policy of tn.
Mexican officials has been ruinous to the
company AS the congressional action of
the United States to annex Lower Califor-
MIA was unfavorable fllibustering ex-
petition decided upon, the annexation
petition was to follow The names of the
projectors are given, among them a
wealthy resident of Minneapolis.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29
JOSH BILLINGS, PHILOSOPHY.
New York Weekly.
Vanity IL the superstition ov pride.

Vanity liz the superstition ov pride.
Pure religion IL like good old Hyson tea
it cheers but doesn't intoxikate
| often meet in mi travels bigoted
Christians who seem few think they are
the guardian angels ov all the virtew in
the world Such men would hav us think
they are bills ov exchange on the kingdom
ov heaven, when in reality they are only
bogus currency, which passes amung men
by general consent, provided it IL decently
we'll executed.
l prefer an open and brass mounted
villain tew a soft, timid, painting
hypokrit, who IL az unsafe az a sleeping
snake.
Piety, like beans, duz the best on a poor
sile.
A good wife IL sweet smile from
heaven.
Beware of the dog!' also ov the
whispering man, and the loud-talking
woman.
If was going tew pick up some snake,
certainly should take holt ov the father
end of him. This IL the way handle all
ov my subjecks; ind them less guarded
thare.
A man doesn t alwuz grow wize az he
grows old, but alwaz grows old az he grows
wize.
The biggest phool in this world hasn't
bin born yet; thare IL plenty ov time
yet.
A petted child IL like bile that won't
cum tew he'd.
Publik honors in this country are quite
often like the peacock's tail-fust rate for
spread, but after they are shut up, the
glory goeswith the tail.
had rather be pot-bellied seed cow
cumber, flung carelessly onGa wood-pile
tew ripen, then tew be an old batchlor
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29
0AuntO Nancy Lice.

Aunt" Nancy Luce of West Tisbury,
one of the most remarkable residents of
Martha's Vineyard, died recently. She
was well-known character among the
summer visitors and was constantly visited
in the summer months. She had been an
expert equestrian, but her age had prevent
ed her from riding in recent years, and she
mourned the deprivation greatly. She
made her living from the sale of her pho
tographs and from a pamphlet she pub
hshed, called "A Memorial to Two Favor
lite Chickens" These were two bantams
that she had trained to perform variety
of tricks, and when they died she had
them buried near her home and placed
monuments to their memory. Aunt"
Nancy used to array herself in antique and
eccentric costumes, and did mrch:to en-
courage the visitors, whom she turned to
good profit. She prepared herself, how
ever, for ill-bread people by keeping fire.
arms in constant readiness, and when she
died two pistols, loaded and cooked, were
found in her desk.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29
Clergymen's Sons.
From the Boston Advertiser.

There is an old SANDER, now happily
nearly extinct, to the effect that ministers,
sons, are, as a rule, more lavish sewers of
wild oats than the sons of laymen. The
subject of the clergyman son in journal
ism has never yet been regarded as an is
sue, and yet the profusion with which
some of the newspaper Offices of Boston
are sprinkled with the sons Of ministers
might well lead to a discussion of the topic.
In the office of one of the Boston dalies, re-
Gently, group of six attaches of the staff
were in conversation, when it became
known that of the six five were sons of
ministers. Still another member of the
staff, himself a clergyman, is the son of
a clergyman. From this same office, with
in the last year or two, three members Of
the staff have gone, one by one, to swell
the staff of another great Boston daily, and
and all three are sons of ciergymen. All
of these nine men are of good repute, and
are all rather proud that they are able to
refute the saying, once so frequently heard,
but now rapidly falling into disuse.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29

JUDGE THOMAS DRUMMoND, who died
at Wheaton, ILL.,, Friday, at the age of 80,
had been a Judge in the United States
courts for that section for "a years when
he retired in 1884 He was native OF
Maine and graduate of Bowdoin college,
and began the practice Of law at Galena,
Ill.,, as early as 1885. He gained such
success that President Taylor made him
Judge of the United States district court
for Illinois in 1850, and in 1869 President
Grant appointed him circuit judge for
that section. Judge Gresham succeeded
him on his retirement six years ago. He
was a thoroughly conscientious and cour-
ageous man, well equipped in the learning
of the law and possessing that rugged
honesty and fearless directnesss in the
administration Of justice which won re-
spect for his opinions and decisions from
ALL He became best known in the years
Immediately following the panic of 1873,
when so many western railroads went into
the hands of receivers. At one time
$1,000 miles of railroad were operated by
receivers appointed by and reporting to
Judge Drummond. He thus stood for a
time in charge of railroad interests larger
than were ever committed to the keeping
of one man before, and in the work OF
saving the properties to the creditors he
was successful to the last mile of road.
In this time he did much to shape the
future policy of the courts all over the
country in managing railroads in the
hands of receivers. Since his retirement
from the bench Judge Drummond has bee
living quietly, enjoying well-earned
rest. He leaves family of two sons and
four daughters.