davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-25

Mnat would be your feeI;n. ,o,rs
.ne brave fellow who crosses The inf,,,
;;anges OF the Rocky mountains imneriii-
yn,, 'ias ,le IN Inc dangerous passes to bring
Is the postoffice? In the corner &c ~, ~ n s1
TIE store or rude hotel The yijlseers cni
rect ana all are eager to learn HE Iatos,
news and read their letters parcba,'o
m Inc Garner has other points still To raac.
ne pouch is opened and the mail nonTed
uaJ on une moor The frontier postmaster
PICKS out what belongs to his Office and
tne rest is put back in the pouch 10 he eau ea,u
risa stili farther to Its destination.
brave, hardy mountaineerst 7 love -
snin i OF their courage and heroism. II
1eealIs the story of Swan Nilsson the
oWede mali-carrier of the San Juan who
vas vas iost IN snowslide December %. 1883.
ana aI was NOT found for nearly two vears
HIS route was from SiIverton 70 6nb;r
ohiy the hardest and brayest would at.
Tempt the trip through a storm Nilsor
was warned against making the attemnt
n terrible storm was raging between Hi.
,verton and Ophir, and those who had been
tohgesI IN tne Rocky mountains told him
ne could not reach Ophir in that mounta;r
tempest. But Nilsson would not listen 70
tneir warnings, and even if it were
Periioas, ne must go. 1t was two
days before Christmas. and his
mall pouch was larger and fuller than
usual de spoke of the old Christmas
tiihe In iar-on Sweden, and how people of
ssseIy cdiine loved to celebrate it. He knew
his mail pouch contained Christmas nack-
ages from the East, and the people of
Ophlr would eagerly look for his coninr
Out IN the binding storm he started on
tnat awful journey, and with MANY a mis-
giving the group at the Silverton postoffice
bade him good-by. On his back were the
christmas letters, packages from the East.
cIlI0rrn oil
OF love ana remembrance that make
every christmas hallowed time.
friend accompanied him a
part of the way up the trail.
and before turning back, ATTEMPTED
to persuade Swan Nilsson TO give IN The
idea OF going TO Ophir through that ter
Tipie storm. 1t will not be Christmas at
Ophlr, said the carrier, 'unless get there
with this old mail-pouch." Giving his
friend hearty shake, Swan readiusted the
heavy burden upon his back, and started
on his lonely and perilous journey through
the great wilderness of snow that enyeloped
the rugged San Juan. None but those who
have crossed the great continental divide
IN mid-wlnter can appreciate the heroism
of Swan Nilsson.
At Ophir the miners of the camp were
waiting and longing for the appearance of
the faithful letter carrier. Christmas eve
came, but still Swan Nilsson had not been
esp1ed oh the mountain trails, where
many an anxious eye had been turned.
Boys" said an old San Juan miner,
yer may say and think what yer please
about 1t, but I've bin in these hyer noun
talns too many years not to know what
this hyer storm means. Swan is as brave
man as iyer carried a mailsack over these
hyer noun tains. But if he heZ tried ter
come, l am afeared he can't make it. That
ar Ophir pass is an arful skittish place.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-25

great movement. Only year before his
death Jefferson Davis began to write his
own autobiography. He was SO weak from
illness that he was compelled to dictate
the matter to friend. But even then he
was unable to get through with more than
an Introductory chapter From this point
his wife has taken up the thread of the
story. and the result is two large volumes
containing over LOO pages. While yet
poor lieutenant Davis fell in love with and
married Miss Octavia Taylor, a daughter
of General Zachary Taylor. The latter
strenuously opposed the match, but his
anger was turned TO grief soon after, when
his daughter, after being married a year,
died. From this union there was one
child, who is also dead.
After his return from the Mexican war
Mr.. Davis went to his home in Mississippi,
where he met Miss Varina Howells. of New
Jersey. Although born in the North. Miss
Howells' sympathies were all with the
South, the old home of her ancestors.
Her beauty and wit captivated the bronzed
hero of the Mexican war, and year after
ward they We're married. Davis was ut
that time about Al years of age, and Miss
Howells considerably younger.
Mrs. Davis attachment to her husband
bordered on idolatry, nor did she less
warmly espouse the cause which he cham
pioned. Since his death she has always
signed her letters and other documents to
which it was necessary to affix her sigma
ture. as Veuve Jefferson Davis, or Widow
of Jefferson Davis. All through the trying
days of the civil war Mrs. Davis was the
constant companion of her husband, and
did much to tighten the many burdens
laid upon him Unfortunately by friend
and foe alike.
BY his last marriage, Mr.. Davis had four
children, two of whom are dead. OF the
remaining two, Miss Winnie Davis, who
was born in Richmond at the close of the
war, and who has become famous as the
Daughter of the Confederacy," is best
known. She is a beautiful girl. of an ex-
tremely lovable disposition, and is the con-
slant companion of her mother. Not long
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-25

A FIT SbbJEt FOX THE RED CROSS SOCIETY.
war. far away on the mountain coasts of
the Black sea, were nesting under bIan-
kets and partaking of food purchased with
the grateful gift of that comparatively lit
tie town hidden away on the banks OF the
Ohio.
| name this single instance as an indica-
ton of the promptnesS with which the
facilities of this worldwide organization
enable ii TO act, and lest | weary my read
ers allow me to conclude with quotation
from a yet unpublished article of my own,
for which liberty | beg the kind grace of
the publisher should it meet his eye
1.-The work of the Red Cross in this
country has thus far been rather a test
than otherwise of its efficiency, usefulness
and possibilities, and SO fully has it met,
and even surpassed ell early expectations,
that any limited description like the
present, seems rather an annoyance,
as leaving the subject where its
best interests should commences; and
although III orr land we may
never have need of its protecting arm on
the fields Of human warfare, it is enough
for us to know that we have needed it, as
no words can tell. Only the lonely graves,
the desolate homes. the widowed faces
grown wan and old before their time, the
orphans who have lacked a fathers love
and care can tell what it would have been
to us only one generation ago, and although
it may be true, that what had happened
NAV happen again, ii Is true that the best
provision against possible misfortune IS
the duty of government towards its peo-
pie, and the duty OF people towards each
other. CLARA BARTON,
President American National Red Cross.
Copvrighted 1890
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-25

the antagonists of the South as well as to
her leaders: 'naught TO extenuate, nor set
down aught in malice. If fail, it will be
because my love for the Southern people
and their lost cause and leader may UNI
consciously influence my judgment of the
men and beliefs that were arrayed in
deadly conflict during the war between the
states Z"
The accompanying picture of Jefferson
Davis is taken from portrait in the pos
session of Mrs. Davis. and is her fayorite
picture of her late husband.
The early chapters of Mrs. Davis book
are devoted to the early life of her hus-
band and his ancestors, who came from
Wales and located at Philadelphia. There
were three brothers, and the youngest of
these, Evans Davis, removed to Georgia,
then a colony of Great Britain. He mar
ried widow named Emory, and had one
son, Samuel Davis, the father of Jefferson
Davis.
Mrs. Davis quotes Jefferson Davis as
having described his father and mother in
the following language:
During his service in South Carolina
my father met my mother, and after the
war they were married. Her maiden name
was Jane Cook She was of Scotch-Irish
descent, and was noted for her beauty and
sprightliness of mind. She had graceful,
poetic mind which. with much of her per-
sonal beauty she retained TO extreme old
age. My father, also, was unusually hand
some, and the accomplished horseman
his early life among the mounted men of
Georgia naturally made him. He was
man of wonderful physical activity.
The last time ] saw my father he was
81 years of age. He was about TO mount q
tail and restless horse. so that it was diff
ficult for him TO put his foot i'll the stirrup.
Suddenly he vaulted from the ground into
the saddle without any assistance. He
was usually grave and of stoical character,
and of such sound judgment that his
opinions were a law to ms children and
quoted by them long after he had gone to
his final rest, and when they were growing
DID,.
In the other chapters of the book Mrs.
Davis enters at length into the private and
public life of the family and answers the
attacks that have been made upon her hus-
band in his several capacities The social
life of the Confederacy is also described
with great minuteness, and as Mrs. Davis
was such prominent figure in that
sphere, her words will be read with inter-
est especially as it contains much matter
that Is new.
Mrs, Davis is living in New York this
winter with her daughter Winnie, who is
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-25

Swan kin git through if anybody kin, but
as ] said, ! am afeared he can't make it."
"I'll bet the drinks said another, that
Swan will get here with the mail before
Christmas is over"
THAT thar bet goes, pard, said the old
San Juaner. Come boys, what'lI yer
hev? Drink hearty ter the brave lad on
the mountain trail who's a comm with
yer Christmas mail. bet agin him, but
l hope I'll lose that ar bet"
And thus, while those at Silverton were
anxious, the miners at Ophir were becom-
ing apprehensive at the delay. Christmas
came and went, and still nothing of the
mail carrier. Searching parties went out
on the trails, but there was nothing to be
seen or heard of the lost carrier. When
the news reached Silverton of the non-ar-
rival of Swan, still others went out TO
hunt for him. Some started rumor that
Swan knowing that his mail pouch
contained money and presents, had lett
the country. But few could harbor such
thought against the honest and faithfuI
mail-carrier of the mountain trails. Dur
ing the summer the search was continued
by one or two friends, but still there was
nothing learned of the fate of Swan. An
other year rolled round, and during the
summer another search was made. and on
the 18th of August, 1885. at the bottom of
a snow-bank the picks and shovels of the
searching party uncovered the body of
Swan Nilsson. and still strapped to his
back was the old pouch with 0phir Christ
mas mail The lock was rusty and the
pouch had to be cut open. The wax on
the currency package had rotted hole
through the greenbacks. Some of the mail
was mouldy, but part of 1t could be read
quite easily.
Recently was looking over the old mail
pouches that have been stored away in the
inspectors department of the Denver post
office.
Il think that pouch is still here, said
the inspector, who was helping me IN my
search. We found pouches that had been
cut in train robberies; others that had
been burnt in wrecks; each one In itself
told strange story of the Western railway
mail service. Here it is said the in
spector, pulling out from near the bottom
of the pile the old mail pouch of Swan Nil
son. fhe rusty lock was still unbroken.
Some of the hemp rope used TO adjust II on
the carriers back is still attached to the
pouch.
HfelIs a thrilling story.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-25

aid, but as showing how promptly such
aid can be rendered | may quote one ex-
ample.
During the troubles among the Austrian
states in the winter of 1856. circular call
went out from the international committee
of Geneva, Switzerland, the working corps
of which held the hospital relief for the
sick andwounded in the Balkan mountains,
that the patients were suffering beyond
their power to relieve; that the cold on the
mountains was intense; their supplies had
given out; and funds for procuring more
entirely exhausted. This appeal was at
once published; the first response was TO
this effect.
The people of New Albany, across the
river from Louisville who had been terri
bly, swept by the floods of 1SS3-ISS4, and
each time assisted by the agents of the
Red Cross, having read the appeal, tele-
graphed to myself, as president of the Red
Cross, the sum of i've hundred dollars
($5OO) for the use of the suffering soldiers
in the Balkan mountains. This dispatch
was that day cabled to the international
committee of Geneva, and by them tele-
graphed to their corps at the front; and
word came back to me that in less than
forty-eight hours the poor, cold, be-
numbed, hungry and perishing victims of
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-25

well defined article recently published III
leading magazine. The writer says:
The Red Cross national bodies in time Of
war are required 10 be on hand and to furn-
ish aid the volunteer bands are formed IN
corps. are bound to serve definite period,
and are required not to NEEDLE with mill
tary affairs. The brassard, or arm badge, IS
worn by all in its service. Hospitals bear
the dag over them; their ambulances are
designated on the march by the Red Cross
flag. Its corps must be self-sustaining.
The international committee provides that
the hospitals and ambulances, etc, are
considered as neutral ground. Unless
held by military force. all persons en-
ployed therein are neutral and non-com-
batants.
Neutrality continues after victory; in
habitants are to be considered free when
caring for wounded; shelter of such TO be
protection for all; wounded soldiers 70 be
returned TO enemies outposts whenever
possible; on order of commanding general,
all wounded prisoners. incapable of service
again, TO be returned others TO be paroled;
absolute neutrality 10 prevail at all eyacu-
atoms: Red Cross and sanitary attendants
TO wear distinctive uniforms and badges.
This treaty has changed not only the
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-25


ago her engagement TO be married was an
nounced, but owing 10 declining health,
the match was broken of.
The other daughter married Mr.. Hayes,
a Colorado banker. As Jefferson Davis
left no male descendant, her son is ex-
pected to perpetuate his name. When the
bow was born, the state of Mississippi by
act of the legislature, changed his name to
Davis: So the boy is now known as Jeffer-
son Hayes Davis.
I'm the first chapter of the book. Mrs.
Davis explains that her object in writing
the book is, as Tar rs possible, 70 tell the
story OF her husbands life in his own
words; to make il autohiographcal and 10
complete the task he left diminished. Then
she says:
During the intervening period of over
foursCore years. Jefferson Davis, by his
stainless personal character by his unfag-
ging and unselnsh devotion to the inter
eSts of the South; by his unsurpassed
ability as an exponent and champion of
her rights and principles. as we'll as by his
distinguished public services in peace and
war. and his high Official station, was
universally regarded. both at home and
abroad, as pre-eminently the representa-
tive of great era, great cause, and a
great people. The era Is closed. the cause
is lost, but the people remain and revere
the memory. and mourn him. dead whom,
living. they delighted 10 honor. Ii is for
them that I write this memoir and vindi-
cation OF his political action. In yindicat-
ing him | also vindicate them: fer he
spent his long lie in their service and was
rewarded with their love and confidence
from his cradle 10 his grave. In the doing
of the sacred task | shall endeavor TO be
guided by the spirit that inspired him dur
ing his whole life-a spirit OF unYieiding
devotion TO truth and duty, of uncompro-
missing antagonism against all assailanis
nf Justice, without regard to their preiu-
dices or their numbers, bat mindful OF the
tact that every opponent, even 10 the death,
is not necessarily ar enemy, and that sin-
ceritv II belief Is entitled 10 respect, even
when found arrayed against US ] shall
endeayor 10 do exact and equal justice 10
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-25

notice had been given to the
Red Cross, and that unusual
activity was observable at its various head
quarters? Is this the same Red Cross that
works on our fields of misfortune in civil
life; that gathers up people from element
al wrecks; that fed starving cattle in the
Mississippi floods, and built and furnished
acres of homes in Johnstown? If so, who
gave it notice to work on these fields, and
in case of European war would it be ex-
pected to, or could it render aid there, if
needed?"
1t is very difficult to determine the inn
port of their warlike manifestations, which
are, most likely, mere manifestations, and
which, in the great march of progress and
the clear light of later days, will probably
find better ending than open war.
Still it is to be remembered that the
specks of war have been long on that hori-
zon. The clouds have alternately gathered
and dispelled and it is impossible to fore
cast the moment when the lightning play
ing behind their white rifted thunder caps
may shoot out and startle old Europe to
its center So long as the boundaries of
nations are fixed by the sword. as for all
time they mainly have been, so long shall
we be in danger oftheir being maintained
by the sword; and until the "balance of
power" upon which the existence of ma
tons is supposed largely to depend, shall
mean something more than the mere
strength of their armies, nations and peo-
pie must look more or less TO this direful
savior for even physical life.
The outbreak ola war tomorrow between
Russia, Austria and Turkey would be no.
thing the surprise to the world as was the
declaration of war between France and
Germany, in this same month twenty
years ago. Their comparative provoca-
ton, necessity or the relative value of the
causes which led to the one or would lead
to the other must be left to the general in
telligence and diplomatic wisdom of the
world To decide.
But the allusion to the Red Cross would
remain the same in both. Napoleon Ill.
declared war upon Germany on the 18th of
July, 1900. On the 18th the International
Red Cross of Geneva. Switzerland, was on
its way to the front" wherever the meet
ing of the contending forces should chance
to make ii.
The first men who fell in that great his
toric contest were picked up by the corps
of the Red Cross on the field; all sick and
wounded were, under the stipulations of
its treaty, held as neutrals and treated as
non-combatants.
In better explanation of the conditions
of the treaty, | will quote direct from a
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-25
MRS. JEFF DAVISBOOK
Widow of Confederate Presi-
dent Completes Her Memoir.
HITHERTO IMPRINTED FACTS.
The Political and Social Side of the Re-
beiiion-Jeferson Hayes Davis
Perpetuates the Name.

New YORK, Jan. 19.-TSpecicial Core
spondence. IA book that will cause a
great deal of excitement in literary, social
and political circles is soon to be issued in
this city. 1t is entitled Jefferson Davis,
ex-President of the Confederate States a
Memoir by His Wife"
Ever since the death of the champion of
the lost cause Mrs. Davis has had repeated
and very catering offers from publishers
all over the country 10 write history of
the inner life of the Confederacy, and espe-
clally of the family and the man himself
who was such prominent leader IN that
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-25
TO RUSSIA.


Who tanned your lawless Tartar breed?
What David bearded in her den
The Russian bear in ages when
You rode your black, unbridled steed,
skin clad savage OF the sleeps?
Why, one who row sits low and weeps-
Why. one who now walls out 10 YOU
The Jew--the homeless, hated jew
Who grit the thews OF your young prime?
Why. who but Moses shaped your course
And bound your fierce, divided force,
United down the grooves OF timer
Your mighty millions all today
The hated, homeless Jew obey.
Who taught all histories 10 you2
The Jew-the hated, homeless Jew.
Who taught you tender Bible tales
OF honey lands of milk and wine?
of happy, peaceful PALESTINE
of Jordan's holy harvest wales
Who gave the patient Christi say,
VINO gave ron Christian ereed2 Yea, yea,
Who gave your very tod to YOU
The Jew. the Jew. the hated Jew
joaquin Miller
take it before breakfast" Dr.. Henieys FL
ish DandelIon Tonic.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-25
UNDER THE REDCROSS
Clara Barton Tells What She
Would Do in Case of War.
A FLAG ALL NATIONS HONOR.
What tho Red Cross Society Did at
Johnstown-0uick Relief to the
Suffering in Every Land.

Pertinent inquiries recently received by
me are so timely as to call for immediate
response, at the risk, even. of that consid-
Grafton which the gravity of the subject
might well claim, or the literary precision
which the cultured tastes of leaders might
demand. i will attempt to meet them in
order as they occur.
w hat are we to expect from the init
nations of the latest dispatches of trouble
among the Eastern nations; the threaten
ing attitude of Russia, and the movements
OF the German emperor; and especially,
how shall we interpret the little remark,
apparently quite incidental that
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-25
/ THE SNOWSHOE NAIL.
Raid Men Who Climb the White
Peaks of the Rockies.
CARRYING LETTERS TO MINERS.
assking Life ON Every Trip-Forty DOL
lars Suit for Underwear-How
Brave Swan Nilsson Perished.

pryvEs, Jan. 19.-ESpecial correspond
.sreI--The most welcome of all in the
Mining camps far up among the Rocky
rmntain peaks are the mail-carriers.
Rave. hardy fellows they are. that climb
Is, peaks on snowshoes, delivering the
mail and the many precious packages that
Issys fill the pouch. Delivering the mail
i tbe mountains in mid-winter is diff
suIt and dangerous work. Sometimes the
nrrier is swept away by a snowslide, and
/ months roll round before the brave fellow
"a mail pouch are found. About fifty of