davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-16
Backer's Plant,

Note-broker Backer, who failed 10 New
York the other day having liabilities esti-
mated at "a, 900, 0O0 and who is now await
ing the action of the grand jury on a charge
of grand larceny made by Judge Harden of
this city, seems to think that he does not
deserve the harsh treatment he is receiving
from the judge. To representative Of the
New York Herald, who represented him as
being in very respondent frame of mind,
his chin resting on his Observation-Disclosures
shirt bosom, he said that be could hardly
realize that the man whom he had helped
all his life could be 50 ungrateful as to want
to put him in the penitentiary.
Like most men who do wrongful acts
Backer cannot understand why he should
be held responsible for his wrong doing.
It may be that he has often loaned money
to Judge Harden, and. perhaps. he has done
him other fayors, but it is pretty safe to
assume that he exacted full payment for all
the assistance he ever rendered the Judge.
And even if he did not it doesn't follow that
he was justified in converting to his own
use between $4,000 and s12, 900 worth of
the judges securities.
The securities which he appropriated
were entrusted to him for a specific pur-
pose. They were to protect him against
loss if the judge, for any cause. should fail
to pay a note Endorsed by him.
Instead Of keeping the securities for that
purpose Backer pledged them as if they
were his own. II that isn't larceny under
the law of New York the law ought to be
so amended as to make it SO.
And now Backer sheds crocodile tears
and complains that he is badly treated
man. He doesn't appear to be in the least
disturbed about his own very shady trans
actions. he thinks of himself and not of
those who have lost thousands of dollars by
his unfaithfulness to the trust reposed In
| him.
There are too many men of the Backer
kind abroad. II there is no law to cover the
kind of offeDses of which they are guilty
such a law cannot be enacted too soon for
the good of society. They are the sort of
men who cause business men to distrust
each other and make the transaction Of
business more difficult. They are found in
almost every community, and, strange to
say as long as they are out of the clutches
of the law they are given the same social
recognition as those whose business careers
have never been married by single dishon-
| orable act.
Backer says that one year ago he was
worth 81 600 900, and that now he is penni-
less. HIS liabilities are placed at 81 0O0, 900
and yet only about 5000, 900 of his paper has
been reported. The question is naturally
asked, Where is the other IS. 4oO,OOOl The
assignee has made no statement and Backer
says nothing, and in business circles it is
admitted that Backer's failure presents a
most puzzling conundrum.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-16
Recent ACCOMPLISHMENTS Of the

Recent announcements of the sudden
death of Gen. Ben. F. Butler are met by q
vigorous denial from the general himself,
who declares that he was never kicking
harder in his life. and almost everybody
knows that the bevel-eyed attorney is some
thing of kicker. That settles the matter.
Surely no one should know better than he
does whether he is alive or not.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-16

That junketing committee of Columbian
exposition commissioners is still chasing
exhibits and hobnobbing with the crowned
heads and other baldhesds Of Europe in the
course Of its impetuous pursuit Of abnor-
NAL pumpkins and preternatursl pigs and
things. Whether it secures many prize po-
tatoes or not it is sure to realize whole lot
Of fervent fun for the commissioners.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-05-07
Arlington.

ArbOr day was observed in District
No. 2, with programme of singing and
Rotations, and the planting of two elm
trees in the school grounds. The Celebra-
ton began at 10 o'clock with the follow
ing order of exercises: Reading of
Scripture selection by Miss Emma Bene-
dict, teacher of number 2 department;
singing, america" by the school; adj
dress, by the Rev. Richard G. Soaring;
Rotations, 1.-The Prairies," Nettie Ken
dali, "Blessing for the Tree-planter,"
Maud Adams, "Ow State Willie Guilt
nan, "An April Day." Ethel vi; ut;
brief Rotations from "ArbOr Day
Leaves by Elva Brownson, Willie Reid,
Sara Cullinan, Katie Walsh, Julia Nor
risey, Ethel Vault Nellie Wilson, Selwa
Gault. Next the children were formed
for the march to the place where the
principal tIee was to be planted, which
had been already set up but not covered.
The marching song was march o
brief rcsitations also from "ArbOr Day
Leaves" by Nettie Kendall Maude
Adams, Alice Sanborn, Helen Gault,
Agnes Rule, Willie Cullinan and by four
children from the primary department,
followed by an essay entitled THE Elm"
by Miss Florence Holden. The exercises
concluded with the singing of the DOxol-
Ogy, and the casting of earth about the
roots of the tree by all the scholars, to-
gether with the teachers, Miss Benedict
and Miss Hathaway, and the prudential
committee, G. b. Vault. Thus passed
a celebration of ArbOr day undoubtedly
long to be remembered by the children.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-05-07

There are many seeking admittance to
KillingtOn Lodge of Odd Fellows.
Charles Constantine, who attempted to
commit felonious assault on young
woman two months ago, plead guilty in
the Municipal Court, and was sentenced
to State prison for two years. and to pay
a fine of $50. He was taken to Windsor
on Saturday.
The Orthodox church in the historic
and literary town of Concord, Mass, has
extended a call to the Rev. Norman
Seaver, d. D., of Rutland, to become its
pastor. This is rare compliment to
DR.. Sewers ability and learning.
The division of the Fillmore estate at
Buffalo, n. Y, is bringing to the surface
an army of cousins, several of whom are
from Vermont, who somehow failed TO
attend the funeral of Willard Fillmore in
1874, or of Willard Powers Fillmore in
1890.
The real estate market during the past
week has been quiet with holding values
firm. The large sales have been few, and
the smaller ones numerous. The chances
are bright for the closing up of very inn
portant deals within two or three weeks.
OOlne ten uays nave gone by since the
disappearance of Edward Smith of
Pittsford, one of the State Board of Fish
Commissioners. He was last seen on the
night of April 23rd Two apparent
clues were reported on Sunday, as to
Smiths whereabouts, which have been
the first discovered since the search be-
gun. One located man answering his
description on a Delaware and Hudson
train bound for the West on Friday
morning, April oath. Sheriff L. c. Fish
has gone to Schenectady to further trace
the report. The other clue was a report
that a man answering the description of
Smith was seen GU the road in Salisbury
Thursday of last week. This trace has
been investigated by Counsellor Charles
Howe and Frank II. Chapman, who Wis
tied that town on Sunday. The supposed
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-05-07

The Vermont Farmers AdrOcdte, which
is moving a wide swath most energeti.
cally on behalf of the farmers, after de-
filming the Farmers League, closes with
this paragraphs:
''Such is the significance of the pres
ent farmers movement. 1t is the mani
festatiOn of a common conviction that
party management has fallen into the
hands of selfish, INSCRIPTIONS men who
use and abuse party and politics for
their own advantage regardless of the
welfare of the whole people, Against
this evil the farmers protest and to the
people they appeal
All very well. Just so they do not
swing OFF from one branch to chang
'twixt earth and heaven and swing on
to another, merely tanning the air. The
farmers reform Legislature lately showed
its utter inability to put working team
of Legislators in the field and all the
business was done by few who eXerted
themselves manfully to lead their bleat-
ing flock Ito change the similc) in fruit
full paths. Most of these shepherds, too,
were of the very legal fraternity of
whom the farmers stand so much in fear.
The evident need of better fodder amply
d iustifies the discordant bleatings of the
flock, but they need to stop making
sleeps eyes at every lOud-mouthed man
who promises to lead them by hook OF
crook into the promised land.-St.JOhnS'
bury CdiedOHidH
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-05-07

Mr.. Elliott Stock announces 1.-THE Sc
cret Log Book of Christopher Column
bus, noted and written by himself in the
years 1923.
1t is not generally known that Column
bus kept many things from his compan-
ions knowledge, both as to their posi-
ton and the danger they were in. As a
precaution, he kept duplicate journal,
which he wrote up privately in foreign
tongue. On the homeward voyage, dur
ing terrible hurricane, and in order
that the secret of 1.-The New World
should not be lost to mankind, he placed
his private journal in wooden box, and
threw it overheard. Four centuries later
one James Cakes, in travelling OFF st.
Govan's Head on the PembrOkeshire
coast, has brought up this identical jour
nal in an old, sOdden and seaweed COW
cred case. He communicated the fact to
Mr.. Elliott Stock, who, securing the
prize, has arranged for its reproduction
in, as nearly as possible, the exact state
in which it was found. The journal, a
small folio, bound, apparently in sheep
skin, is written in black letters in En-
glish, and is illustrated by rough
sketches. The paper is naturally much
diScOloTed with sea-water. The outside
is deeply incrusted with sand and sea.
weeds from its long burial in the ocean
A curious addition to the value of the
journal is, that between its leaves il
found the original commission granted
to Columbus by Ferdinand IL, and that
attached to it by the official red and
yellow cord, is the wax seal of the Kings
of Spain. The facsimile reproductions
of this unique relic have each accom-
panying them an exact copy of the orig
inal letter from the fortunate fisherman
who recovered this journal, describing
in his rude language and imperfect spell
ing, the circumstances under which il
was found.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-05-07
"CAFE AU LAIF,"

Coffee is the one thing that it is most
difficult to get in a New York cafe, and
perhaps it is, on the whole, the least sat
isfactory beverage served in this town.
Even many first rate restaurants habitu-
ally serve to ordinary patrons coffee that
has been kept hot in an urn perhaps for
hours, and nearly everywhere the Gus
toner must ask for cream if he is to be
served with any other allaying liquid
than the thinnest of skinned milk. A
few of the French and German restau-
rants have the art of making coffee with
out cream palatable, and at most the
only true cafes in town are to be found
on the far east side. Here an order for
coffee and cakes, unaccOmpanied by al
cohOlic stimulant, is the usual thing, and
men linger for hours over chess and
checkers with no other beverage than
cafe al idit.-Netg York San.
Few Americans, says one who knows,
know what the dish which the French
call "cdfe az Idit' is. 1t is, as its name
implies, coffee treated with milk as a
chief ingredient. The milk, which must
be new and containing its full compile
ment of cream, is cooked separately and
is twice in quantity to tie coffee served
with it. The latter is very strong, but
when mixed with double its quantity of
hot boiled new milk is no stronger than
the usual cup of American or English
coffee with cream. But this latter seems
like very thin beverage compared to it.
cafe an ldit is meat and drink. 1t is a
nourshing dish and ought to be a more
common one than it is in this country.
1t is, however, singular that the English
and Americans know little of it, though
it is the coffee of the continent of Eu-
rope. Spanish-Amelica has it, we be-
lieye, and it is found on our own Pacific
coast not unfrequently.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-05-07
NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY WEATHER.
CROP RITIIETIN.


lReported for the BANNER by the New England
Meteorological Society, cooperating with the
United States Signal Services
Bulletin No 2
For the week ending May list, 1891.
The temperature for the week ending
today has been very variable Cold windy
days with threatening weather and snow
squalls have alternated with days of ex-
IRENE heat The nights have generally
been cool with strong daily ranges in
temperature. At Newton, n. H., frost
occurred on the oath, 25th, 26th, goth
and Both, while in most sections there
was frost on the 18th and Both. At
West Milan, n. H., the temperature was
50 below the freezing point of water on
the Both, and at Kingston, X. |. it was at
the freezing point on the 10Th. Water
frOze there to the thickness of window
glass. At North Haverhill, n. H., on
the 10Th ground froze to the depth of one
inch. The mean temperature for the
week was generally reported below the
average.
Very little precipitation has fallen dur
ing the week in any locality and III many
places none at all. Snow squalls with
little rain were generally reported on the
%. In Southern Connecticut it melted
as it fell, but at STAFFORD, n. H., the
ground was white with snow. There
has been an excess of sunshine excepting
in the extreme North, and that with the
high winds has served to dry the ground
and make it favorable for working.
The week has been very favorable for
blowing and narrowing and that part of
farm work is far ahead of the average.
While tine high winds have rendered the
sowing of grass seed and light grains
very difficult. and the cool weather has
made the ground too cold for seed
Many farmers have their ground pre-
pared but are 10th to plant until the sol
is warm and there is a prospect fol
warmer weather "a very wise precaution
There are very few reports of injury
by frost. Grass is perhaps slightly in
jured in places and some early potatoes
are nipped, though not seriously. Feari
are entertained for the fruit buds il
Southern New Hampshire and in Contra
Connecticut, but generally the observer
do not consider them developed enough
to be injured to any extent. Peach
plum and cherry trees are in blossom il
alEthe Southern sections, and If not in
jufed by frost, good crop is promised
The prolonged dry weather is having
II Ddu clAotN vi bliD grass anu uilCoh Idll
comes soon will be much injured on DIR,
lands. The want of rain is beginning Il
betfelt, also, the winter grains, sprinl
sowed seeds and garden truck generally
N0report has been received as yet o
grass being winter-killed.
At Mayfeld, Me-, ana in places snow
drifts are yet to be seen. In the south
ern part of those States the work is wei
along and some pastures are ft for graz
ing. In the Connecticut Valley in Mas
sachusetts and Connecticut a large acre
age of potatoes and corn is being planted
In Eastern Massachusetts, and Rhod
Island the tent-caterpillars are appearin
in large numbers.
PROF. W. NJ. DAVIS, Director.
J. WARREN SMITH, Assistant.
Cambridge, Mass, May I'd, 1891.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-05-07
Troy Merchant Gives a Check for Sl24, :.
600 in Payment for Cannon PIace-In-
terestirg Incidents of q Bnslnesa Career.

Troy Merchant Gives Check for Sl24,-
900 in Payment for Cannon PIace-In-
terestirg incidents of a Business Career.
This morning William II. Frear handed
to George II. Cramer, agent of the Can
non estate, a check on the Troy City
National Bank for Sl24,000, and received
in return the title deeds of the property
known as Cannon Place, on Broadway
and Second street. This is the largest
transaction in real estate ever made in
Troy.
The check was number 9S, 600 of checks
issued by Mr.. Frear since he engaged in
business in this city. The first check
was drawn March !, 1855, and was for
$780, Check Nos, drawn March s, 1865,
to the order of Alexander T. Stewart q
Co., was for 1864, and was to pay for two
invoices of goods dated March 3 and 4,
which had been shipped March 1, re-
ceived March and the bills checked up
March I.
This system of paying cash for every
thing was adopted by Mr.. Frear at the
outset of his business career, and he has
continued it until now.
In his quarter-centennial circular last
year Mr.. Frear said: 1--WE believe this
is the only house on the face of the earth
that for twenty-five consecutive years
has invariably paid cash for its pur-
chaSes."
Mr.. Frear was asked if he could recall
the drawing of the first check used in
his business. Eyes" he replied, ''look
at this" and from a safe in his office he
took package of papers, neatly folded
and labeled lin the pToprietOr's own
handwriting and opened them for the
inspection of the visitor. "There is
check No. l, and so on through the year
twelve packages-one for each month.
These are filled with the invoices and re-
ceipts, as you see, and the packages are
kept in order in respect to months and
years" And everything in Mr.. Frear's
offic seems to be arranged in the same
methodical manner-a place for every
thing and everything in its place.
A low estimate of the amount of
money represented by the checks is
$40, 100000. One per cent. off for cash
on the amount of the purchase price for
goods to that amount has given the en-
terprising Trojan the snug sum of $780,
600 on this item alone. When the num-
Der of checks is taken into consideration,
| it is shown that the average is about
| 1920 checks year.
At the time Of the reporters visit Mr..
Frear was afiixing his signature to a
batch of 1873 checks for merchandise ag-
gregating $4,000, and the check with
which Mr.. Frear to-day paid for Cannon
Place is probably the largest individual
check ever given in this city.
Mr.. Frear is one of the largest real
estate owners in Troy, the American
House, the Fulton Market, the Farnum
residence on third street, his country
seat on lakewood avenue and Cannon
Place being among his ownings.-Troy
Times.
This from the Times of Monday will be
read with interest by our patrons, most
of whom have newspaper acquaintance,
if nothing more, with the distinguished
| Trojan named above.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-05-07
CORRESPONDENCE.
From an old Correspondent

SANDSTONE, Minnesota, April p, 1891.
To the Editor Of the BdRRer:-DEAR
SIR:-When l wrote from here before,
Minnesota was new experience to me.
Since then have seen something of the
loggers at their work, and since the ice
went out of the river the logs have been
hoating down pretty regularly toward
the saw mills farther down.
Kettle River is some larger than the
WalloomsIc and is quite a rapid stream,
with high and rocky banks. The bridge
upon which the Minnesota Eastern II. X.
crosses 1T here will rival the Brooklyn
bridge in height.
This town loves its existence to the
stone quarries along the river bank, aud
other quarries are in prospect farther up.
Mineral springs are numerous and the
water good. The most novel part of my
winters experience has been what i
have. seen of tine logging camps. The
cabins themselves are built of heavy
logs and are quite comfortable as fan as
protection from cold goes, whatever may
be their condition in other respects.
Several times was present at the dinner
hour, and found they lived well. l in
tended to spend night in the camp but
never found it convenient, and what |
saw of the barracks did not impress me
very strongly with the thought of pleas
ant dreams.
Here we have representatives from
nearly every nation and tribe in Europe
and Australia, though l think the Swedes
predominant. They have a church here.
The French and Irish form a Catholic
community which has mass once a
month.
The sleighs in use in the woods fol
hauling logs are nine feet wide between
the runners, and the holsters upon which
the logs are loaded, are from II to ID
feet long, and that is the width of a load
of logs. 10000 feet are often hauled al
load. Sometimes only two horses are
used but in most cases that L have
noticed four horses are the most com
mon team. With such a tremendous
load behind them of course no team
could hold back on the hills, so a mar
runs on ahead to scatter hay along the
places where load would be apt to crowd
and thus help to hold back. One steer
hill just across the river from here hai
a large brush arbor built over the roaC
so that no snow could fall upon yhe track
and thus the team can hold back.
The prime consideration in estimating
the commercial value of stream is it
capacity to float logs. A few weeks age
| took a trip up the Mississippi anC
found that was used in the same way al
its tributaries. At Grand Rapids in Itasci
county is draw bridge across the Miss
issippi, made so, not because the naviga
ton required it, for only one boat has
ever gone up, but it has to be turned il
case of jam of logs, to let them pass
There has been no jam of any import
ance here this spring, but last year at a
place known as He'll Gate little way VI
Kettle river, there was a man killed il
trying to loosen the logs and start then
on again. Being son the drive" as it i,
called, does not seem to be considered
desirable business on account of expos
ure to danger and the unpleasantness Of
getting wet.
May 1, is our Arbor Day. Mayflower'
are coming out plentfully.
Yours Truly,
C.. Il. BRECKENRIDGE.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-05-07

"A paper mill will soon be built at
Wells River, $500 of the $4,000 re-
quired having been subscribed. The
Adams paper Company, manufacturers
of MANILA wrappings, is already located
there. The village is one of those pleas
antly located, lively towns which are
common all over tine state. Business in
terests are lively and large section is
tributary to the town, so that trade is
brisk. Aside from that the hills near by
abound in good quality of lumber and
wood suitable for pulp.
The logs which the Green Mountain
pulp company got together on the banks
of the creek at Brandon during the win
ter were dumped into the stream Mon
day morning. They were caught in a
boom just above the railroad bridge at
Middlebury and are allowed to pass
out of that town and down to the mills
as wanted. The first Of them went over
the falls Wednesday morning. The com
pany had two and q half million feet at
Brandon aud all these will be sent down
at once. They are destined for the COM
pany's lower anil at huntingdon Falls,
Weybridge.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-05-07

Why is she sad? Has some loved
friend departed? Has some living friend
proved false? Has she asked the ques-
ton, lis life worth living?" and sadly
answered MOP She longs for death!
Why? Because she is suffering. Be
cause she is bowed down with a weight
of woe. Because all pleasure is driven
| from her life by the demon of pain.
She is not alone in this respect, for
alas! most women also suffer. They
may suffer in silence, but it is none the
| less severe and none the less needless.
Women were created for pleasure, not
pain; for happiness, not for misery.
They suffer, but they need not. A little
care, little assistance, use of the right
thing will prevent all such troubles OF
cure them in time. This assistance,
which women so much need, will be
found in the use of that grand medicine,
Hunts Remedy.
Many women have already discovered
this secret and have renewed their health
and lives. Read what some of them say
Il was cured of heart disease, arising
from deranged kidneys, by Hunts Rem
edy."-MRs. A. o. ROCKWELL, Provi
dence, r. l.
81 suffered Tor years with weak bach
and swollen limbs. Hunts Remedy
cured e.''-MRs. WIN. GRAY, Hote
Goldsmith, Boston, Mass.