davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26
rHE EARrH.s RoMsARpMENr.


M.fs"~S to the Number OF 4OO,OOO,OOO
Fired at Us Every "a Hours.
All the common shots that have been
fred since the first cannon was cast do
not equal In point Of number the bonn
bArdment that our earth undergoes every
tWenty-four hours. II you will look
OF the sky some clear December
night you will soon see one or more of
the familiar shooting stars, SO called,
darting through portion of the heavens.
They are not stars, but small particles of
the material out of which stars and
worlds are made. They are composed of
the same elements that exist in the stars,
In the comets, and in all the nebulous
matter that Is distributed throughout the
universe.
Meteors snd aerolites, which are the
correct names Of these luminous little
bodies, are fred into the earth's atmos-
phere at the computed rate of 400, 000, 900
In twenty-four hours. The bombardment
is perpetual, though we can see the
missiles only at night But the earth's
defensive works are perfect. They are
not made of stone or of earth embank-
ments, but of air. Yes, the earth's at
mosphere is perfect defense from all
the shots fired at us from outer space,
for 1t not only stops the missiles, but
burns them up OF all the meteors shot
at the earth, not one reaches the ground,
the friction produced by their great ve-
locity through the upper air acting on
them like blast furnace on a sheet Of
paper, and only minute remains fall
harmlessly.
Occasionally one of these missiles is SO
large that it escapes total destruction by
the atmosphere and reaches the earth.
This class Of bodies are called aerolites.
Not one in million of the fiery little
bodies safely runs the gauntlet of the at
mosphere, reaches the earth and thus
earns the name Of aerolite, meaning air.
stone.
There are few, but very few, well
authenticated cases of large aerolites
reaching the earth. One was found in
Siberia, o mass of iron and nickel, which
weighed nearly ton. There is one in
Buenos Ayres partly buried in the
ground, whose weight is estimated at six
teen tons, and another in Brazil weigh
ing about half as much. But there is no
case on record Of q person being struck
by an aerolite, and with the practically
invulnerable defense that even atmos-
phere affords we needn't care If thrice
four hundred million meteors be fired at
US every day.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26
A Wonderful American Lake.

The deepest lake in. the world is Lake
Baikal in Siberia. It's area of over 9, oOo
square miles makes it about equal to
Lake Erie in superficial extent; it's
enormous depth of from 1900 to 4, 500
feet makes its volume of water almost
equal to that of Lake Superior. AL
though its surface is 1850 feet above the
level of the sea its bottom averages over
1900 below the same level. America has
a lake which, although its waters are
not as deep as those of the Siberian won
der, also bears a unique distinction. 1t
is located in the Yosemite Valley and is
called the Mirror Lake. On account of
the height and sheer descent of the sur.
rounding mountains the sun does not
rise upon it until 11:30 o'clock in the
morning and sets 73 minutes later.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26
Punctuation,

1t is strange that the use of points for
purposes of punctuation should be such
a comparatively modern invention. OF
the four generally used points only the
period {. dates earlier than the fifteenth
century. The colon (:) is said to ha 70
been first introduced about 1885, the
comma q some thirty-fiye years later.
and the semicolon (;) about 1870. 1t
is difficult to understand how the liter
ary world dispensed for so many CEN
turies with the useful points, and their
lack must have added to the toll of the
decipherer of written documents. When
we remember what curious diversions of
meaning may be caused by the misplace
ing OF a comma, we marvel how early
authors contrived to escape misreading
OF their works, in which no points guided
the students.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26
what His Father Would Have Done.

A story is told of young Irish officer
who, while dining at banquet In con-
nection with some great military display,
was grossly insulted by superciliOus
young cockney officer, who contemptu-
ously alluded to him as "a verdant bog
trotter." The young fellow rose in his
place like shot, and dashed glass of
wine full in the face of his insulter, who
sat directly opposite him.
A grizzled old Colonel, who chanced to
be sitting next to the spirited young Hi
bernian, and who had been a quiet spec
tator of the incident, gave him an ap-
proving pat ON the back, and exclaimed
encouragingly:
"First rate, my boy, first rate; but If 1t
had been your dead father, who is in
heaven, he would have let the miserable
puppy have the decanter."
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26
Double sashes for Railway Cars.

In consequence of the decided addition
to the comfort of travellers of double
sashes in passenger cars by reason of the
prevention of the admission of cold air
in winter and dust in summer, several
railway companies have decided to use
double windows altogether in the future,
and this conclusion has probably been
fastened by the fact that many of their
best. day coaches and chair cars rival
special cars in the richness of their
pushes and interior decorations, and
they cannot afford to have such fittings
rapidly destroyed by the dust
The comparative ease with which a
car fitted with double windows can be
heated in winter is also consideration.
They not only prevent cold air leaking
in where it is not wanted, but they also
interpose layer of comparatively still
air between the warm air in the car and
the cold atmosphere outside, thereby
preventing the loss of considerable heat
by conduction and convection.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26
Gen. Grant at School.

He attended the district school, where
he was fair pupil and noted for his
kindly disposition-a trait of character
which he inherited from his1mother. In
after years one of his early playmates
said of him: IL never saw him show any
resentment, and do not believe that he
ever felt o tinge of 1T. He was never
rude, oppressive, or disagreeable to
other children. Once, when he was a
very young scholar, he was very much
troubled by one of his lessons. A school
mate, noticing his perplexity, said, You
can't master that Ulysses replied:
Can't! What does it mean?' why
replied the boy, 1T means that-that you
can't. There!' Ulysses went to the die
tionary and tried unsuccessfully to find
the word there. Then he went to his
teacher, and asked him what was the
meaning of the word can't telling him
that he had searched for it in vain in the
dictionary. The teacher gave proper
explanation, and added, ulysses, if in
the struggles of life any person should
assert that you can't do thing you de-
sire to accomplish, let your answer be,
The word "cah't" is not in the die
tionary.'"
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26
GROUND PLAN OF TOWER.

The tank tower possesses many advan-
tages over the old method If larger tanks
beused it saves the expense of lead lining,
which is absolutely necessary when the
tank is placed in the house Afcedar or
cypress tank can be made which is notonIy
cheaper, but does not contaminate the wa
tar as lead always does. The principal
tank can be placed high enough in the
tower to be thoroughly efficient as
fire extinguisher. II desired two tanks
can be used; one, the most important, to be
placed In the top Of the tower, the other
below, at a height where it can receive the
overflow from the upper tank, and from
them pipes are laid to supply the various
buildings. In case of leak in the house
the water can be shut off instantly where
the pipes enter the buildings by q stop cock
placed there for that purpose.
The water tower here illustrated is Is
feet In diameter and 80 feet in height, is
ssrong1y constructed of heavy timbers
securely bracsd and bolted together, and liz
sheathed wich one inch lumber on the out
side and shingled, with lookout on the
top which affords fine view of the sur
rounding landscape It IL finished inside
With yellow pine, and has q stairway lead
ing TO the top The outside woodwork Is
painted in two coats The foundation
walls are Of brick or stone The design is
In the Qnesn Anne style OF architecture,
and presents very attractive appearances.
4 ID. w. RzEG.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26
A nuoYs wANpERrNos.
For Year. II Ba- ROam.d tho Briny
Deep.

For Years II Haa Ronm.d tho Briny
Dssp.
An Interesting instance of the strange
wanderings Of dsreicts at sea, whi h
throws light on the old stories Of drift q
relics carried from America to the coast
of the old world before Columbus sailed,
is furnished by the Atlantic pilot chart
for September.
On November 90, 1886, the Port Royal
buoy, having gone adrift, began It's career
of adventure or Charleston harbor.
Drifting out into the Gulf stream, 1t re-
mained In the warm waters OF the cur
rent during the remainder OF the year,
gradually moving northward in zig-zag
course, probably under the influence Of
conflicting winds. 1t was last seen in
the Gulf stream ON December 4, 1ooo.
Three months later 1t was discovered
floating of the eastern edge Of the Gulf
stream, some 200 miles north Of the
Bermudss. Then it started for more
southern latitude, and during the month
of May voyaged along past the southern
side of the Bermudas.
For more than year it was lost sight
OF, but although it had been in and near
the track of the great hurricanes it was
seen in good shape on June 4, 1888, 800
miles northwest of the Bermudas. 1t
remained In that neighborhood, always
drifting, and sometimes retracing its
tracks, but never venturing more than
100 miles in any direction. 1t was seen
by passing vessels several times during
this period.
At last it took another trip south, and
according to the latest adyices, Septem-
ber 25 last, it had again got below the
latitude of the Bermudas, but keeping
500 or 800 miles to the eastward of the
island. 1t was still in good condition
when last seen.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26
Coal

A coal-washing plant has been erected
at a colliery n.Yorkshire, England. The
plant has a capacity of 400 tons per day,
but has dealt with 500 tons by the wet
process The system adopted is carefully
sizing the smudge and automatically
washing and rewashing, after crushing
the various sizes. The plant is driven
by 100 horse power steam engine, and
the water used in the process Of washing
is circulated by means of a powerful
centrifugal pump, which, when in full
work, circulates nearly five tons of water
per minute.
The object in erecting this plant was
to produce high-class coke out Of
mixture Of very dirty hard and soft
smudge. The coke produced is of uni
form quality, and the ash in the coke is
steadily kept below per cent Besides
the preparation of the smudge for the
coke ovens quantity OF small peat,
suitable for fuel, is produced by the
washer.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26

feat
%,>a s-,rfsca W. ,r.tar ha;n, ,ada y, nanetrata
e Sa,..h - - tLe tsa,s sfI,, -.
r -. ,-l,;.b 80 aiaaa1.. r,;it +b., host
- ~, - I'D 49, ~. - -. d,;,I;,,r, I,
- ds,-.h - a.. 100 ~ aoo faa+ UolIs
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~trcsr -rIa,o tro,,, noo 70 < ooo yaIJonS
- ..s,,,,,,.,d - ,,.,,sI1r, 80 si~ ;nchoS
=, 5;araasor and vor,,;nc, fror, TX to xno
go -. - - 5a,stls .rrrl,, -
-. s1,,;'.. ~ 60. 900 - IN 90 ,,a1-
ions ,,s. Sa- caTs La b.5 Ths or,onrt Of
80. ,s,,,i,5 fo. dor,.as+;c ,,,,,.,,,,sas nov
eonito With a dna aI1owance for vv,sta
c.nrot ho os+in,otad at leSs thar from,
49,, e., fft1, rraIla,,. 1rr;+ho,+ ho+hs
All s;-od hatb riiI consnn,. frop, th;r+v
=, f,.t-r -,
Atts., - a. Iii 4, ,,,,,>1,.oz ., ,,,,,,,,> 3,
r,ocal in the tnba and tba uatar. 10 forced
tr,to tonIr -. -. ~ a.,fso;o,,t
La;obt to diTtrih,te tba svo+er IN the to,, Of
tha hiohas+ bniIdiroS Tha ,,oyve,. ,,sed ia
sor,at;ynes a staa :, n,r,n or hot air errrira
h,,t A., ohaa,1ast ,,nr,,a,, lr,,o,,,,, e., ~
x,a+, 5,Toi1i,a, nv sr,a,I ,,;lIaora = ~. -
viii for Il = on mt urti-;ne, sorv,nt lsbors
aod ,,;o,ht ,rr;+ha,,+ taea AL - -,
i,strrctiops and DrU nevor - fa;Is
The accoponanv;ng c,,ts show aeon r.+o,v
the Man and 1aiavatinn of n tank w,tar
tower With windmill or the Ton Tba
7,y,n,n is i, +ho coII.r Owl +ba +ank ;a T.,
the to,vor r,oo,. tha ~, anJ ba. o11 A.
,,ac,,;s;+o r;,,, "a ,e,,,,,.+;,,,, rf,,to -,
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26
MINI telY Exacf.

The knack of looking at the bright
side OF things was never developed to
such perfection as In the case of d
Southerner who, after railroad acci-
dent telegraphed to friends wife:
@Your husband killed in railroad acci-
dent; head, both arms and both legs cut
off," But later this correction was re-
ceived: aFirst report exaggerated; your
husband killed; head and legs cut off,
but only one arm"
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26

*Daly. fDaily except Sunday. sMea,s.
Rates via the Buckeye Route are always as lowas
by any other line Through tickets sold and bag
gage checked to destination.
II contemplating journey in any direction, please
call on nearest agent of the company, or addfeeg
any of the following representatives Of the passen.
ger department for folders rates and other infoma
ton:
e. R. DAVIDSON, Northern Passenger Agent, De-
troit.
H. A. WILSON, City Passenger Agent, Toledo,
L. W. LANDMAN, Southern Passenger Agent,
Gallipols, o.
L. w. BULRNAsTER, City passenger and Ticket
Agent, 314 N. High st., Columbus, o.
CHAs. H. ROCKWELL, General Superintendent,
Columbus.
W. II FISHER, General Passenger and Ticket
Agent, Room 81, Deshler Block, Columbus.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26

also OF eombust-
ible gas. Wells
were also numer-
Gus in ancient
Greece, and pre-
vious to the time
Of Appius Claud-
ius Cesar the city
OF Rome received
its water supply
chiefly from wells.
At PoInpeii a very
fine well 1l6 feet
d e ep was dis
covered near the
gate of the Pan
theon. Good wells
yielding an abund-
ance OF pure water
can be made In
low, swampy dis
tr1cts by boring or
drilling and put
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26

THERE are propositions in France to
construct canals from Bordeaux to the
seaboard of the Atlantic and from Mar
bonne to the Mediterranean; total
length, $50 miles; cost, $3.50, 600, GEO
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26

BY new process a cord of wood and 300
gallons Of Lima oil will make 10000 feet Of
gas, half barrel of tar aud 65 bushels of
charcoal.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26

The laws Of Ohio provide that any
person may kill any animal Of the
dog kind found running at large.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26
--1- - 1-7-
Train Run Into

The Chicago express on the Flint and
Pere Marquette Railroad was run into at
Birch Run Station. Mich, BIZ an extra
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26
wAreR SUPPLY lFoa a v.LLAeE.
a wIna.In and Tank Tower over an

A Wtndniu and Tank Tower Over an
Artesian Wen the Best.
lcopyright BY American Press AssociAfion.l
In the sanitary arrangement of homes
there Il no feature more important than
the water supply. In many communities
the only available water supply is from
wells The water obtained from open or
shallow wells near large towns or cities is
invariably contaminated with organic mat
ter, ammonia, nitrates and chlorides, the
ammonia being obtained by putrefaction,
and the nitrates by the oxidation Of the
organic matter.
But procuring good water supply, is
only question of depth. With the aid of
modern improved machinery water can be
found in any country by sinking artesian
wells.
Wells were used in China at an early
period, not only as a source of water, but
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-26

Accommodation train leaves Columbus at 4 80 o.
m daily, except Sunday, Newark 6:45 p. m. Zanes-
vile 6:39 p. m, and arrives at Cambridge 1880 p.
m.
Columbus and Sandufky Accommodation leaves
Co lumbus II 20 &. D., arrives sandushy 12;30
Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1891-11-12
New Lakes on Mars.

There is one point of view from which
the formation of new lake in southern
California by the overfiowing of sandy
desert with water from the Colorado
river possesses peculiar interest. 1t may
throw light upon some of the mysterious
changes that have occurred upon the
planet Mars. Near the equator of Mars
there is region which has been believed
to be part of the dry land of that planet,
and which has been named Lydia by the
Italian astronomer Schiaparelli.
But few years ago change occurred
in the color Of Lydia" and some OF the
observers thought that it must have
been suddenly overflowed with water,
since it had assumed the color charac-
teristic Of the other regions of Mars that
are supposed to be water covered.
Other similar changes have been seen
by telescopists on Mars.
Now that new lake has actually been
formed on the earth by the unexpected
filing up with water of depressed area
of dry land, those who believe that a
similar occurrence, on larger scale, has
taken place on Mars will probably be
strengthened in that interesting opinion,
Youths Companion.
Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1891-11-12

Two of the crew of the schooner Mar
guerite, of Seattle, met with severe
accident at Port Muller, on the north
side of the Alaskan peninsula. Their
names are Thomas Boswell and J. Schief-
felin, and they were ashore prospecting
for coal. Both were armed with rifles.
They came across bear and both fired.
Though badly wounded the animal made
a rush at the men, and in the excitement
Boswell got cartridge damned in his
gun. Before Schieffelin could reload, the
bear was upon them and knocked them
down, one after the other, with blow
from its paw. Boswell tried to get to
his feet, but the bear seized him by the
leg and crushed it from the knee down.
The animal then ran away, but returned
about ten minutes later, when Schieffe-
lin, who had recovered consciousness,
shot it. The two men got back to the
schooner and the captain made sail for
Oonalaska. 1t took eight days to get
there and then Surgeon Berry Hill, of
the Marion, amputated Boswell's leg
San Francisco Report.
Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1891-11-12
SnibblinC Beans.

Snibbling beans is at this season Of
the year an evening occupation for Ger
man housewives. They are the common
string beans, which can be bought by
the bag, about two bushels. They are
washed and strung, and then, with a
very sharp knife or special implement,
they are cut into very thin slices and
packed in layers in an earthen crock.
On each layer of beans is spread layer
of salt, and when the crock is almost
full large plate covers the whole, and
is held down by weight, generally a
brick. If brine does not collect suf-
ticiently to cover the layers, little
water is added, and the beans are ready
for use in the winter. Tho salt that is
absorbed must be removed by soaking
the beans overnight, when they are
ready to be cooked. 1t is not unusual
for housewives to have snibbling par
ties, at which their friends and relatives
assist in the slicing, refreshments being
secondary features of the occasions
New York Sun.
Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1891-11-12
Photography and Crime.

The exhibition of the Photographic So
ciety of Great Britain is Of great inter
est, both from the artistic and the scien-
tific point of view. DR.. P. Jeserich, a
German, has devoted his attention to
the development of photography as a
means Of assisting the administration of
the law. The screen which cantains DIR.
Jeserich's plates is one of the chief curl
osities of the exhibition. He has shown,
by charging photographs taken upon
sensitized plates. that it is possible to
detect certain kinds of forgery in the
most unimpeachable way; for example,
where a figure or word has been al
tered-and this is one of the commonest
kinds of forgery-the different inks en-
ployed appear in the plate in quite diff
ferent colors.
Similarly, where name. has first been
written in pencil and then traced over in
ink, however carefully the pencil marks
have been erased, some faint traces Of
tne plumbago are sure to remain in the
interstices of the paper, and these are
revealed in the magnifed photograph.
DR.. Jeserich's photographs of hair and
of pure and impure blood, before and
after treatment with reducing agents.
are also most curious, and several stories
are told of the use that has been made
Of them in murder trials in Germany
London Times.
Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1891-11-12

Mackinac is perfect heaven for low
era The Grand hotel has it's front all
dotted with little balconies, one to every
other window and each strongly sug-
gestive Of the prettiest scene in 'Romeo
and Juliet" On a distant balcony l
have seen lovely girl appear to hold a
long whispered conversation with her
beau three times after leaving him for
the night below stairs-once when she
reached her room, again when she
thought of another thing to say before
disrobing, and yet again in her wrapper,
after she had made herself otherwise
ready for bed. And at that time there
were other lovers talking from one bal
cony to another, others in the grove in
front Of the great hotel. others on the
board walks leading to the village, and
still others, l doubt not. everywhere that
the moon shone and the breezes famed
the island. Julian Ralph in New York
Sun.
Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1891-11-12
Birds and the Statue of Liberty Light.

Birds and the Statue of Liberty Light.
A few evenings ago took the steamer,
with party of naturalists, to Bedioe's
island, as the electric lights at the top of
the statue are known to attract multi
tudes of birds every spring and fall.
There had been cold weather for few
days before, and millions of birds were
hurrying south. We obtained permit,
and went up to the topmost gallery OF
the statue and waited. The night had
not far advanced when all the heavens
seemed to become full of wings, which
produced tempest of whirring sound.
Then came the calls of the leaders, and
they rang out so clearly that they could
be heard for half mile through the
storm. The responses were fainter than
the signaling cries, but they were quite
definite. The object of the calls, Of
course, was to keep the focks together,
for, as could be seen through strong
glasses, birds of hundred species were
driving along on the breast of the storm.
All that came near the statue lowered
around the light in large circles, but
some of them struck against the bronze
or stone. There were sandpipers of
every kind, ''peeting, peeting" as they
went; golden wings and other wood
peckers, with their loud and rather
hoarse cries; warblers of every kind
and their signaling ran through wide
gamut of sounds-thrushes, robins,
meadow larks, nuthatchers and congre-
cations of bobolinks that filled the air
with hurricanes Of lovely music as they
swept by. Sometimes huge black
cloud passed along, and the glasses
showed that they were blackbirds, but
they did not chatter as they do on the
edge of the forest.
The leaders made all the noise and
preserved order. l know not how many
focks went by of teal, wood duck, black
duck, mergansers, curlew, snipe, plover,
pewees, phoebe birds and what not, but
none could mistake the kingfshers as
they went, with their scolding laughter,
through the dark.
We caught score or SO of the birds
in nets and in our hats, and kept them
till the morning, after which we re-
leased them. And all through the night
bats chased and Toasted upon the silly
moths that gathered around the spikes
of electric fame.
A large number of birds lay dead
upon the grass in the morning, having
struck the atue.-Harper's Weekly.