davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03
A Rock Full Of EIectricity.

L. A. Dixon, of Sodus, N. Y, has just
discovered a wonderful ore called
''electric rock" which contains a hidden
force that puzzles and astonishes all who
see it, expert electricians in particularly
The rock is of dark slate color and g
somewhat lighter in weight than sandr
stone. It is composed of iron, aluminiunf
calcium and other minerals, and particles
of gold are found sometimes. b
Mr.. Dixon says it will generate unlim.
tied power and gives any desired amount
of incandescent light. For Illuminating
business places and residences it would
be considerably cheaper than kerosene;
In fact, after the building had been wired
and the batteries prepared the cost would
be merely nominal, and the light would
be equal if not superior to that produced
by manufactured electricity.
In Mr.. Dixon's Office a nine-pound
piece of rock has been ringing bell
since last November. A piece weighing;
half a pound was placed in pint tumblei
and wires attached TO the bell, which
caused it to ring as loud as an alarm
clock. The test was made in the presence
of several gentlemen, who pronounced i
a wonderful discovery.-San Franessco
Chronicle. n
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03
Persian Blood Atonement.

In 1929 a Russian envoy was mur-
dered at the Count of Persia. In atone-.
ment for this crime the Shah sent Prince
Khozra Mira to St. Petersburg with.
priceless presents. The cortcge reached
the capital in winter. The Prince drove
in State carriage drawn by six horses,
and was followed by elephants which
wore leather boots to protect them from
the cold, while the cages of the tigers
and lions were lined with bear skins.
The long train carried besides these gifts
of rare animals, superb Persian webs
gold stuffs and pearls, which were borne
upon gold and silver dishes by magnifl
Gently dressed Persians. The Neysh
monastery received large portion Of
these precious offerings, ,and we saw three
mitres set ia jewels, and pontifcal robes
of gold brocade, and episcopal slaves and
crowns which came from that Persian
envoY.-Mw York Obsercsr.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03
Rich Puyallup Indians.

There arc scores of Indians on tho
reservation worth from $50, 900 to $780,
600 each, and when the reservation is
thrown open by Congress, as it It, will be
in very few years, thcro will be IN
Pierce County dozen or two OF the
richest Indians in the United states.
Following are the names of some OF the
wealthiest Indians: ,
Mrs. Joseph Douette, full, M ,bloodea
Indian widow, with s25o,ooo; Chris
Lauphlet, widow, with 100 acres and
seOs0 Joe Coates, 100 acres and $780,
600 and the Coates family, worth Sl2S,;
600, are some of the richcst.-Puge'
Sgund iNens.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03

To complete the outfit the maker fur
nishes the lecture to go'with the freak.
This insuras the same story being told in
all parts of the country. The lecture is
very pretty story, and we reproduce
the opening of it: "In 1888 party of
alligator hunters came from England to
Florida to secure some alligators. After
successful hunting, returning to Jack
sonvllle, they saw this monstrosity lying
in a swamp about six miles from the
city. At first they thought it was q
negro, but by going nearer to it they
soon realized that it was half boy and
half alligator" etc.
One of the best of the freak makers
works is a double e-bodied baby made to
represent nature. Is is not generally
made as if mummiied, but instead is in
vested with the delicate tints of life.
The first one OF these attracted a great
deal of attention, and it was represented
as the embalmed body of real infant.
There has been a great demand for this
freak, and there are now number OF
them in existence. Every lady who
wishes may have one for $40. in fac
simile of life or mummitied.
Of course the tabled sea serpent, so
often seen but never caught on our coast,
has furnished the text for museum
freak. The "Africanus horidus" is the
name for this monstrosity. He IS made
somewhat after the manner described
above, though his numerous protu5er.
ances aloue the spine have to be made OF
chunks OF WOOD. When his chamols
covering is on these Jumps look very
natural behind glass case. A good pair
of bright glass eyes and some tusk like
teeth help to convince people that when
alivc-and to quote the lecturer again
';shall have been captured by party of
fishermen near the coast Of Maine and
preserved in spirits for exhibition to the
Intelligent audiences" etc. he was a
very formidable creature.
Sea serpents are $50 each and fifteen
feet long in New York. The Maine
fishermen cannot furnish them at this
low price.
1t is not hard to convince people that
mummifed Indians have been dug up in
Dakota. The variety that are made IN
this city are dug up by cowboys when
the lecturer gets them in hand. The
Indian freak comes in two sizcs-''grown
up and children" to quote again-and
the child been the cheapest,i it is generally
supposed that mummifcation is more
common among the young dead Indians
than their elders.
At present the market is calling for
something new. "AIermaids," "demon
children" and the elephant fish" about
close the list of artificial freaks OF the
pasteboard variety. The maker gua'an-
tees to furnish any known or unknown
animal if its description, sketch or photo
graph is furnished, but just at present
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03

be able to employ corps OF assistants To-
help him fill his orders. AS it is, While5
he is never able to carry a stock of made
up goods, his orders do not warrant tho
giving away to other men of his trade
secrets. Some of them appear here, II is
true, but not all, for there are nicetiesNn
the work that no amount of description
could give, and the trick of making y
little work produce a great effect is one
of his most vaunted accomplishments. II
is this trick that leads him to advertise
himself as the ''greatest imitator of
natural subjects of the world, 2" and he
deserves the title, so the museum men
say.-Ne,o York Herald.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03
FREAK FRAUDS.
HOW CURIOSITIES ARE MADE
FOR DIME MUSEUMS.
Sea Serpents. Alligator Boys, Freaks,
NIummied OF Fresh, Produced
at Prices Within the Reach
of Any Snowman.

Museums in former days were few and
as a rule were confined to Chatham street.
Performers and freaks who now get S35
for q weeks work were glad to get 81 a
day, and sharp proprietor could some
times secure them for lower figure than
that. With the advent of the 81" road,
the surface travel became so small COM
paratively, that the dime museum bust
ness on Chatham street and the lower
Bowery became Improbable. The old
style of showmen that used to organize
museums in stores which were temper
arily vacated looked about them for some
better means of livEhood.
AS one of them puts it, 1.-The days
when you could rent vacant store at
ten o'clock in the morning and have a
museum ready for visitors at twelve are
past" The advent of more imposing
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03

museums further up town necessitated
more and newer attractions.
The living curiosities began to multi
ply because the country was secured for
them, and ten pting salaries impelled the
monstrosities who were formerly anxious
to hide their deformities in the seclusion
of their homes to put themselves on ex.
hibition before thousands of sightseers.
The old time museum man, who used
to take q Chatham street store and put
in five attractions at gross cost Of five
dollars day, now turned his attention
to making inanimate freaks to be exhib'
tied as mummifed or dried specimens OF
the human race. This man and others
made large collection of dried num-
mics, sea serpents and monstrosities of all
conceivable kinds for man named Bern
stein, and he carried them over to the
other side of the ocean and exhibited
them in Germany, England, Ireland and
Spain, and fually returned with them to
this country, with net profit, it is
claimed, of $500 for a years work
among the larger foreign cities.
A recent visit to the freak makers
little shop on the east side of town has
enabled the writer to explain the manu-
facture of this kind of exhibition goods.
In small third story front room portly
man was found at work on two headed
mummy, which was to be exhibited as
having been found in the Pyramids Of
Egypt. The furniture of the room sug-
gestcd extreme poverty, although the
stout man is able to make $40 q week at
his queer trade. He lives all alone, and
it is fair to presume that he is saving his
money against the time when he can open
a new museum of the new style for his
own profit.
The real appearance of one of this mans
freaks, even when it is in an unfinished
state, explains why so many people are
willing to accept them at the voluble
museum lecturers valuation, and when
you see the work directly under the me.
chanic's hand, the excellent modelling of
the face gives the object an uncanny look.
Unlike the wax figures these things are
not modelled from life, nor does the
maker ever employ an artist to assist in
perfccting the anatomical intricacies of
his subject. He is not an artist himself,
in feeling or training, but simply a awork'
man, who, from constant practice, has
been enabled to make figure of nearly
correct proportions with the crudest kinds
of tools.
Pasteboard and paper are his chief
stock in trade. With an outer wall OF
soft cardboard and numerous layers of
paper back of it the head form when we'll
soaked in water can be pressed into aper-
feet semblance Of the human face.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03
A Ratskin Vest.

An industrious young Chicago Eng
lishman is not to be outdone by the ladies
in the present fur. craze. Being EN-.
ployed by firm at the stock yards, where
rodents are gigantic and plentiful, this
young man engaged in the capture Of the
pests, and after securing some choice
speciments he had the skins tanned and
dexterously pieced together, after which
they were converted into a vest. A
beautiful vest it is, too, and the weareT
being English its perfect propriety Is
never questioned. -,
81 say, Dobbins, old fel, where dld
you get the vestG" asked one OF MS
cronies the other night.
"Aw, from 'ome, ye know; LATEST
thing in waistcoats in London, mo
."-Wicago Times.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03
CURIOUS FACTS.
(To BE coST1NUED.)

The city of Boston was founded in
1880.
The French navy has been provided
with bicycles.
Sunday is now generally observed in
Japan as day of rest.
The number of missionary stations in
Africa now exceeds 500.
The receivable traditions Of China go
back to 5000 years before Christ.
1t has been calculated that in setting
and distributing $4,000 type a day o
printers hand travels ST miles.
Salt Lake, Utah, is deeper than Lake
Superior by 200 feet. The depths are
400 and 1900 feet respectively.
The British burntd the public build
ings in Washington on August "a, 1914.
a fire broke outin the Capitol in 1851.
Il takes five hundred and twelve cubic
feet of well-settled alfalfa to make ton.
This is eight feet square by eight feet
high.
There was no State admitted to the
Union between 1922 and 1885. Mis-
souri, came in. in 1921, and Arkansas next
in 1886.
H. C. Wheeler, of Odebolt, has under
cultivation the largest farm in Iowa. 1t
comprises 600 acres, every foot of which
is under cultivation.
Iron collars for heavy work horses are
coming in use. They may weigh less
than seven pounds, and the advantage of
their use is said to be immunity from
sore necks.
A new fashion in Paris, France, puts
metal boxes on the tombs in all the
cemeteries, into which friends of the
deceased can on All Saints Day drop
their cards through the slit at the top.
Columbus died in Spain, and he had
received honors aud wealth from the
sovereigns Of that country at one time,
but he died in great poverty, never hav-
ing rcnounced his citizenship Of Italy.
He was imprisoned through the jealously
Of the councillors surrounding the hlnS
Of Spain.
1t is not generally known that the
custom of keeping birthdays is many
thousands Of years old. 1t is recorded
in the fortieth chapter of Genesis,
twentieth verse: "And it came to pass
the third day, which was Pharaoh's
birthday, that he made feast unto all
his servants"
"Robin Hood" a famous outlaw
archer of the twelfth century, robbed
the rich and generously divided the
spoils with the poor. He never harmed
the aged or women or children. This
famous character is said to have been
Robert, Earl of Huntington, chief OF
band of robbers, which infested Sher-
wood forest, in England.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03

with thick paste, in pieces which will ac'
commodate themselves to the various
curves of the work. When the char1ois
skin is we'll dried on, and the whole
structure is carefully vanished, the body
parts are not only soft looking, but give
something at the touch as well.
Hanging on the side wall of the work
shop is carefully executed painting of
Jerusalem, which at one time was part
of panorama. The freak maker said
that this painting, which is about three
feet high and seven feet long, cost 5000
in the old country. To explain the cost
of this work in his own words: "Pano-
ramas in the old country a-e very care
fully made. You will notice in this
piece how carefully everything is made
how the stones in the wall and the
little ornaments on the temples are drawn
so fine and clear. That is because in the
old country the panorama makes plenty
of money, and it must be fine, for the
people 60 in great crowds aud look very
carefully at pictures of the Holy Land
and the Pope's palace, and fine churches,
and all such things. They lock very
close at the picture, and examine it all
over and talk about every little thing in
it for perhaps half an hour for each one.
In this country people go up to a picture
and say, "Och, picture. We don't
want to see that. Come" So you see
on the other side the painter must be
very careful and have everything good OF
the people will say that it is bad work
and complain to the Snowman"
During the telling of the story Of
panoramic excellence in the old country
the visitor has had time to observe the
various freaks in all sorts of repair hung
about the room. An awful looking OBJ
ject which represents an alligator boy
was placed in one corner of the room, all
ready for the man who ordered it. This
monstrosity is one of many of this pat
tern which have been turned out by the
freak man. They are all made the same
size, four and half feet long, and cost
only $50 each, so that an alligator boy
may be said to be within the reach Of
any dime museum. A repulsive looking
black body with the head turned side
ways is attached to what seems to be the
back half an alligator. Real wool covers
the head and real teeth are introduced in
the mouth opening. The boy is repres.
ented as grinning in the conventional
negro style.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03


Little bits of card or paper may have
to be added to accentuate the features,
but when the work it ready for the pasty
varnish which is to cover the first shap-
ing and cffectually adhese all its parts,
these added pieces look as though they
wcle part of the rougher first model.
On a stove near by are the gaunt rep
reservations OF arms and legs, the fingers
and toes made of bits of card Tapped
over one another until the desired length
is reached. The joinings show very
plainly at this stage of the work, but
when the coat of varnish covers them
later, and the edges of the cardboard are
pressed down fiat, it requires q very close
inspection to determine where the figures
are pieced.
The anatomy of these limbs, when sou
take into consideration the patchwork
quality of the operation, is rather Won
derful. When the curious-looking 10:
of objects are put together and the
whole thing varnishcd brown. the re-
spectacle looking mummy seems to be
ready for its purchaser, but it really is
not, for in the estinIationn of the honest
workman nature has not been fully re-
produced.
He considers that the head and hands
of human beings, on account of their
constant exposure to the atmosphere,
have harder cuticle than the covered
portions of the body. Although it
seems unnecessary that he should carry
out this idea in his mechanical freaks,
his next operation accomplishes just that
purpose. A covering for all the body
but the head and hands is made of soft,
thin chamois leather. This is pat on
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03
wben they woke t,p early N the morn

When they woke up early N the morn
ing they were hungry and thirsty. They
found the water, drank heartily, then
hastened away in spite of all the hostess
could say 10 prevent them. She wanted
them to stay at least until she could give
them cup Of coffee. Finding them res.
olntc, she gave them large slices Of bread
with lloIasses on it. She was very poor,
tears in her eyes as she hoped God would
care for them as they walked Oh IN the
gray Of the morning.
I must 60 down the river" the mother
said: while Rose Somers did not care
which direction they travelled so that she
could find means to communicate with
tie world.
It was long, weary walk to the sta
ton. The day was we'll advanced as they
approached the railway station at New
Florence. A group of men stood about.
Can YOU tell us when q train will be
here, sir"
The man locked at her. he OWNED
the truth in q moment.
No, ma'am. There may be one here
in half an hour-it may be in the after
noon. Nobody knows"
Are YOU employed on the railroad:"
Yes n that's why ! said no one
knows. You want to 60 down?"
"Yes-anywhere."
There's lots like you; 60 over to that
house-it's full of them. Fifty, l guess
-more'n CON find room in the train.
The travellers walked to the house. 1t
was tuu OF people who were distracted
with doubts and fears.
AS they sat down on the porch, Rose
stopped and quietly removed the shoes
Miss Franklin gave her. They were fall
ing apart. The mother, who was now
known to Rose as Mrs. Vern, did the
same. One of the soles of her shoes
had dropped off, She showed Rose her
foot. 1t was bleeding.
Il don't care. I could walk over stones
or hot iron, if thought could find my
baby"
Fortunately they were not compelled
to wait long In less than an hour
train came up the road. 1t contained
people who we're bent on securing the
living, and who were there to bury the
dead. When it returned to Pittsburg it
bore away upwards of two hundred who
had escaped the great flood. Survivors
were picked up at every station until there
YVES no room for more. The aisles we're
jammed with men, women, and children.
Fortunately, Rose and her companion
found seat before the train became
crowded. Weary and faint they fell
sound asleep long before the train filed
up. They slept SO soundly that all the
noise and confusion and the constant
blowing of the whistle did not disturb
them seriously. They reused themselves
at times, but they were never thoroughly
wide awake until they arrived at Pitts
burg, when trainman shook Rose
roughly, placing hand on her shoulder.
saying:
Here. my man; get up"
Rose started and looked up at him. The
hat fell back from her head.
Excuse me, madame, /"
you are quite excusable," said Rose.
Thanks for your kindness"
Then as the companions stepped out on
the platform Mrs. Vern said:
Thank God! Now we may learn some
thing"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03
JUNE ROSES.
BY c. c. HAHN.

There's a BIT OF red in the garden
And scent Of pinks on the breess;
And see that the red June roses
Are budding under tie trees.
OF all the flowers that blossom,
More are SO sweet as these.
But there comes pain with Ju-e rcses-
Out OF tho leaves of the rose-
And thoughts that are full Of sadness,
Which only the suffering knows,
Which come i'll the beautiful Juno days
With the leaves of the red June rose.
Size gave me beautiful June rose!
o, never n flower blows
As sweet as the heart OF my darling.
That gave INC thai sweet juno roseI
Who stood by my side, her lover,
And gave me tie red, June rose!
! smell Of the old-!a shioned roses
That bloom in ny garden small,
And they stir my hear with pulses
As if heard her cal.
Calling my heart to her,
The sweetest June rose of all
But, o, my love. like the roses,
Passed away with the spring,
And left in my heart not q fragrance,
But only cruel sting;
For JOY may come in the summer.
But sorrow nay come in the spTi1g.
Blossom, o roses Of June-time,
Turn your fair heads to the s1n;
You were made TO grow and perish
When the summer is 1ast begun,
As died nv love with the roses
Under the mild June sun.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03
mere was not a woman there.

He passed into the next. His hear
throbbed violently as his gaze rested
uron n woman whose head reminded hin
OF his wifcs. He walked through the
tie car. The two women were strangers
There were thee women IN the third car,
total strangers.
Somers sat down and was prey te
despair for a time. When the tralI
pulled up Mt each station he looked out
eagerly. He walked out on the platform,
scanning the crowd. He poered at all the
women who we're near him. There was
not one who bore the least resemblance
to his wife.
Finally he grew deHpondent-indiffer.
ent. Tie train.was crowded to sutfoca-
ZION. oomers suugnt anotner car. AS n.
entered the next, he caught q glimpse oi
face that made his heart rebound
The face was turned up in the light.
He made his way through the crowded
car to the place he had seen that face, to
be doomed to the biterest disappoint-
ment he had yet experienced. Not when
taken out of the water and from amidst
the ruins at Johnstowp, hoping TO find
evidence to dissipate all doubts, had he
tApeIleuccu uleapPolHiinoAe ao heeuiS "'
when he stood beside seat in which a
man wearing a red "wamus" or jacket
was lying, with one arm across another
The man with the flannel jacket wore a
straw hat; his companions face was COW
ereo at tnat nome with oattered ant
torn felt hat.
The mems clothes were ragged and
dirty. They looked like two miserable
tramps.
Somers sighed vearily and stepped
outside Of the car upon the platform: He
wanted breath of fresh air-to be alone
that he might cry out in his agony with
out being heard by anyone.
When he entered the car again he stool
listlessly beside the door and never moved
from there until the train pulled up al
the depot in Pittsburgh.
Then no was all life again. He could
not walk quick enough. If there weH
any chance of learning anything of hit
wife, living or dead, he would avail him.
self of it before he rested the sole of hit
foot again.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03
4 Monkey Nurse.

A pet monkey, in Atlanta, was care
fully trained to watch baby and ROCK
il, cradle when it cried. He was con;
sidered very trustworthy and useful
brute, but one day, being left alone WITH
the infant, and finding himself unable to
stop its crying, he jumped into the cradle,
scratched the child's face, bit its ears
and nose, tore of its clothes. and when
discovered was stufing the bits OF cictn
into its mouth. He is no longer en-
ploved as q nurse.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03

A PECULIAR torture is practiced in
the prison of Uskub. Thieves and for.
gers are chained naked to the floor and
fifty ants are placed on the body OF
each person. 1t is said that the uneasi'
ness caused by the ants roaming freely
over the body is the most exasperating
tortpra. --..--...-.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03

there are no new ideas forthcoming ana
the duplication of the stock ideas goes
merrily Oh.
The freak man is awaiting the time
when some "Carditf giant" hoax will
enable him to get a brand new subject
for dissemination among the hundreds of
dime museums between New York and
The Pacific slope, and be fondly hopes te