Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-11-27
SOMEWHAT STRANGE.
ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS OF
EVERYDAY LIFE.
Queer Episodes and Thrilling Adven.
lures Which Show that Truth Is
Stranger than Fiction.


Stranger than Fiction.
San ANTONIO, Texas, several months
ago purchased a pack of young blood
hounds to be used in tracking escaping
criminals. The dogs were placed in
charge of Pat Bergen, farmer living
near there, for training. They were
quick to learn, being of unusual intelli-
gence, and have developed u sagacity
that is probably not equaled by any other
pack in the South. A test Of their
seeming powers was given few days
ago in the presence of the Board Of
County Commissioners. The dogs were
fastened in their kennels and man was
started off from Mr.. Bergen's house. He
skirted the fence, and, reaching the rail
road track, climbed upon freight car,
walked along the roof of that and other
"ars attached, coming to the ground again
ut distance of 2O0yards. Hcthen took
two long planks and walked along them,
carrying each of them alternativcly and
walking on the other, so that for dist
ance OF 800 yards his feet nor hands never
touched the ground. He then continued
his course, carefully covering up his
tracks in the dusty roadway by means of
stick for distance of half mile. He
continued his course for two moro miles,
using various devices tn destroy the trail
and finally took refuge in Il tree. About
three hours after the man had reached
the tree the dogs were brought out AS
soon as they had caught the scent they
started off on run, finding their first
difficulty ut the railroad cars. They be-
gan to circle around in widening circles
until the scent was picked up again at
the point where the man had left the
cars. The animals had but little diff
Guilty in following the trail from there to
the tree, where they came to standstill,
believing savagely when they discovered
the object of their search.
AT Georgetown, Brown County, Ind,
twenty miles from railroad, twenty-five
years ago Flora Staple was born. Since
that time she has been more helpless
than babe, having no power Of motion
except the perpendicular movement of
her jaws. During oil these years she has
taken nourishment only in fluid form.
Strange us it may appear it is fact that
she has grown to be very beautiful and
of perfect. form, except for slight cur
vature Of the spine. Her power of
speech has been developed. and she
reuds and speaks the English language
tluently and correctly. Two years ago
che was brought to Chicago and witnessed
large elephant, she Informed her mother
on returning home that the sight Of it
had made an impression upon her mind
that-she would never forget, and that she
believed if she hsd some plialde sub
stance she could form with her mouth an
image Of the beast. She was first given
ON apple peeling, and her parents were
greatly surprised on seeing that per-
feet image Of the elephant was formed
With her teeth. Since that time she has
learned to form with great rapidity
letters, words and sentences as perfect as
print, and in this she takes great delight.
A ROMANTIC story comes from Paumo-
to Islands in the South Pacific. William
Gibson has Just returned from there and
says that Samuel Harris, twenty-six
years old, who was born and reared here,
ind has been been five years in theislands,
has married the daughter of King Toxic
taia, and has been made Prime Minister.
When Harris left San Francisco he went
to trading in the islands. He had small
capital, but he turned it to good account,
and soon became identified with the
pearl fisheries at the harbor Of Tokotaia,
and quickly made 80 much money that
for two or three years he has controlled
the fisheries and is known as the "Pearl
King" The King Of the islands is
proud Of his enterprising son-in-law, and
openly states that at his death he will
confer the sceptre on him. The Paumoto
Islands are long way out in the South
Pacific. They are east of the Society
group and are part Of what is known Us
the Lower Archipelago. The Paumotos,
which comprise some 5000 miles in area,
are independent Of the French, and Har-
ris, as Prime Minister and heir to the
throne, says he will take good care that
the French do not get their grip on tho
country. The population of the Paumo-
tos is about 5000.
nomenon occurred in Brookteld, Fairfield
County, Connecticut, which will be re-
mombered to life's end by those who
heard it. About the time for the even
ing service and when the congregations Of
the churches were awaiting the beginning
Of worship it began to thunder and
tighten in the distance, and the shower
appeared to be rapidly approaching un-
til it was directly overhead. Suddenly
there was burst Of musical thunder,
sounding somewhat like gong in differ
ent tones, and SO marked were the musical
notA rs to be sweet and almost bugle-
like. AS quick as fash, oil the eyes Of
the congregation in the church were d.
rected to the ceiling and the suppressed
cry Of Whats that?" could be heard all
over the church. 'It's thunderw was
the exclamation from all. All were
startled, although some were more
frightened than others. There were
those who, doubtless being little con-
science-stricken, thought Of the final
reckoning.
HERE is the method employed by the
hunters of British Columbia who poach
upon the scaling grounds. When the
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