davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02
WHERE CRUSOE LIVED.
The Rock Bound, Sea-Girt Isle OF
Juan Fernandez.
The Lonely Spot on Which That Hardy
Scotch Buccaneer, Alexander se1-
kirk. Made His Home for Four
Long, Lonely Years.

Upon Juan Fernandez, or Mas-a-
TERRA, rock-bound, sea-girt islet in
the Pacific ocean, may the name of
Robinson Crusoe's island be fairly be-
slowed. For here, says London Black
and White, did that hardy buccaneer,
Alexander Selkirh, of Largo, in Scot
land, spend more than four dreary and
lonely years, thereby suggesting to
Defoe his immortal narrative. 1t must
be remembered, however, that other
spots upon the earth's surface lay claim
to Robinson Crusoe, too. Thus Tobago,
in the West Indies, is held to be the
true Crusoes isle, and during the last
Colonial and Indian exhibition held in
London there was sent as an exhibit
from little Tobago q skull actually
purporting to be that of Robinson
Crusoe's historic goatl But the Scotch
pirate certainly suggested his romance
to Defoe, wherever that author may
have chosen to lay his plot, and for
this reason Juan Fernondez must be
interesting to English readers, from
the crowns of It's volcanic peaks to the
silver surf which breaks eternally upon
It's shores. Amidst the islands forests
Of tree-ferns did Selkirk live, build
him habitation, and cultivate the soil;
from its mountain caps must his weary
eyes have sought sail through the
long years of lonely waiting. Our
Illustration, while showing point Of
Juan Fernandez especially associated
with Selkirk, affords at the same time
at characteristic aspect of the island
Itself. "Selkerk's Lookout is ragged
mountain draped in foliage, thinning
towards the last rounded peak; and,
In 1868 tablet was placed in position
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02

resolution and earnestness, and the de-
meanor is dignified'and impressive.
The statue may be regarded as rep
resentative of the colonial time and
spirit. The pedestal is designed to
harmonize with the figure, the Ionic
columns of the front recalling the
period when classic architecture had
full sway in this country. Mr., Part
ridge is the sculptor of the Shakespeare
In Chicago, and he Is at work on the
equestrian statue Of Gen. Grant to be
placed in front of the Brooklyn Union
League clubhouse.
The suggestion that the Hamilton
club erect the statue was made by the
late Edward A. Secomb, and he ar
ranged the preliminary steps in the
matter. Since his death the matter
has been taken charge Of by Willis L..
Ogden. The funds to pay for the work
have been subscribed by the members
of the club.
The statue is great addition to the
few to be found In public places In
Brooklyn. The Lincoln at the park
entrance, the Beecher In front of the
city hall, soon to be removed to Pros
pect park, and the Stranahan in that
pleasure ground are the only ones to
be found, save few busts in the park
and In Greenwood cemetery.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02
A Lasso of Human Hair.

The most grewsome relic in the
United States, If not in the whole wide
world, is in the possession of "Old LIE
Pier" a Spanish Indian living on the
Wenachee river at the point of its
junction with the Upper Columbia.
Old LIE Piers odd souvenir is nothing
more or less than lasso, or lariat,
composed wholly Of human hair. 1t is
over fifty feet in length and as varie-
gated in color as was the coat Of
Joseph Of old" The priests (none
but the mission clergy are ever al.
lowed to even get sight of it) say that
not less than fifty women and girls
must have been scalped to furnish ma
terial for this horrid rope, the black,
brown, yellow, red and gray hair being
curiously and intricately woven into a
rope that Is strong enough to hold an
OK, horse or buffalo.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02
HAMILTON IN BRONZE.
The Statue Recently Unveiled In
Brooklyn, N. Y.
One of the Best Works of william Ord
way Partridge, the sculptor-In-
scriptions That Have Been
Placed on the Pedestal.

The bronze statue OF Alexander
Hamilton, the work of William Ordway
Partridge, was unveiled with public
ceremonies in front of the Hamilton
clubhouse at Clinton and Remsen
streets, Brooklyn, October 4. George
NJ. Olcott, ex-president Of the club,
made the speech of presentation, and
the statue was received by President
James McKeen. Johua M. Van Cott
made an address on Hamilton as a
statesman, and Gen. Stewart L. Wood
ford spoke of Hamilton as a soldier.
The statue stands in front of the
clubhouse in Remsen street, halfway
between the entrance and the street
corner, just within the iron railing
surrounding the club property. A
solid foundation has been laid to sup
port the pedestal of marble, eight feet
in height, on which the statue, ten
feet in height, stands. The following
inscriptions have been placed upon the
pedestal:
There is not In the constitution Of the United
| states an element of order, OF force or of du-
| ration which he has not powerfully contrib
uted TO introduce and caused to predominste." &"
| -Guizot
HE smote the rock Of the national resources
and abundant streams OF revenue gushed
| forth."-Webs ter.
"The model of eloquence and the most fasci-
| mating of orators STORY.
"His rare powers entitled him to the fame OF
being the first intellectual product of America Z"
| Stevens.
'Ihe name OF Hamilton would have honored
Greece in the age Of Aristides, "-Ames.
Mr.. Partridge, the sculptor, began
thinking of a statue Of Hamilton, at
the suggestion of DIR. Arthur Matthew
son, ten years ago, and has endeavored
to set forth in the figure the genius OF
the man of whom Talleyrand said:
"He OWNED America" 1t represents
Hamilton In colonial costume, with a
roll of manuscript in his left hand, in
the attitude of an orator, earnestly
setting forth great truths. The pose
of the figure is firm and expressive OF
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02
UGLY BEDFELL0WS.
Leaves from the Note Book Of an
Old Traveller.
The Habits Of Centipedes, Scorpions and
Tarantulas Twenty-Four Babies
and y Mother Scorpion
In Shawl

During my life In tropical countries,
writes Eugene Murray Aaron in the
st. Louis Republic, found that there
were three sorts of occasional bedfel-
lows that one could never be too care
full to see were not between the sheets
or otherwise hidden in bed or hammock
before retiring.
These dangerous bedfellows were CEN
tipedes, scorpions and tarantulas, or
trap-door spiders. OF the three al
ways had the greatest dread of the
scorpions, partly, perhaps, on account
of their greater bulk, but more,
think, because of their villainous
| temper.
So far as have observed, the taran-
tula will only visit house or even u
camp in search of flies or other food,
and he will usually quickly retreat if
his way is clear
So, too, the centipedes as a rule pre-
| fer to hide under washboards or in
| damp cellars and decaying timbers,
| only coming out after food, such as
reaches and croton bugs.
at is always the unexpected that is
happening" sure enough, with scor-
| pions. However carefully alert one
may be they are sure to turn up at the
most unlool1ed-for times-to be found
in coat-tail pocket, on the inside of a
horses collar just as it is about to be
put on the unsuspecting beast, or in
the bathtub, which only few mo-
ments before was carefully inspected.
Looking over pile of letters on my
study table in Jamaica one afternoon,
a pile which had carefully sorted out
just before lunch, heard a scratching
in one of the larger envelopes, and be
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02

paws before their faces, the attitude
in that case strangely suggesting one
of depreciation.
What occurs when belligerent bucks
actually engage only instantaneous
photography could record, so rapid are
their movements. Presumably, they
try to bite, but must consider defense
the better part of valor, for they never
appear to get hurt much, and between
the rounds will nibble away at the
crust which brought them into the
vicinage, only showing their excite.
ment by rattling their tails against the
ground. Occasionally tail seized by
the teeth leads to one mouse having to
drag his enemy over the floor till the
latter lets go.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02

fore had time to drop 1t received a
painful wound from the fang of large
scorpion.
Another time, desiring to take an
afternoon siesta in my hammock, /
shook out the shawl spread over it, and
scorpion. Having respread my shawl
l turned over the pillow to beat 1t up,
when from under it there dropped over
"a baby scorpions. The young scor-
pions usually travel from point to
point on the mothers back, but while
she is foraging around for food they
are generally to be found in hiding
near by, as was this little colony. Over
70young ones have been found with
one female.
The poison from these creatures is
applied in three different ways, though
the poison itself is much the same and
similar in action.
The fang of the scorpion is ut the
very tip of It's long, flexible tail, as the
abdomen appears to be, and with it the
creature can deal itself quite as deadly
blow as 1t can to any enemy. This it
will do, just as described in one of By
ron's poems, If it be surrounded with a
circle of fire and assured of it's inability
to escape. This have tested quite a
score of times, thus disprovipg claims
of certain naturalists, who probably
never saw live scorpion, that Byron
invented the story to suit his rhyme.
The amount ofpoison in the scorpion
will not, in my opinion, kill healthy
adult, although it will cause an amount
of pain for some hours that is most
difficult to bear with fortitude, as
can testify from personal experience.
But large female scorpion certainly
san cause death to a half-grown child
or to timid woman, or q man whose
blood Is In bad or impure condition.
The tarantula carries its poison Mt
the base of the most savage-looking
fangs, that hang down from the lower
side of It's head. Owing to their po-
sition, the term "bite" may be more
correctly applied to the tarantula than
to either of the others; it is, neverthe-
less, not bite, but q sudden down.
ward stroke of the fangs into the OBJ
ject attacked.
! have never found anyone who knew
of a case where a centipede wounded a
man without first having been stepped
on, rolled on or in some like manner
hurt. Its poison is much more di-
Lutte fluid than that Of the others and
Is exuded from the hollow feet.
A centipede that rolled on with nv
naked back In my sleep on the little
steamer that plies on the San Juan
river In Nicaragua left a thick red
ridge as wide as my thumb quite
across my back, but there were no
holes in my skin that friend with a
pocket lens could discover. Its poison
is much less serious in effect than that
of the other, not much worse than a
row of hornet stings would be; but. al
though the least painful of these three
sometime bedfellows, 1t Is quite bad
enough.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02
THE MIDsHIPMITE."
,ung sailors in the navy are

by which young sailors in the navy are
often called.
These disks are exactly like small
bull's-eye lanterns with regular lenses
and refectors.
The lenses, says the Boston Herald,
gather the rays and the refectors
throw them out again. There is q lay
er of phosphorescent cells between the
two, and the entire effect is as perfect
as if made by some slSillful optician.
Many other fish have ''rehectors," /"
many have 'lenses," but the 'mid-
shipmite" is the only kind that has
such splendid specimens of both.
The fish is so constructed that wher
1t is frightened by some devouring ses
monster it can close it's lenses and hide
itself In the darkness. 1t can turn its
lantern off and on at will, and then il
is always "flled" and ready wher
wanted.
Another marine animal has lumin-
GUS bulb that hangs from its chin, and
thus throws the light before it to warn
1t of the approach of enemies. Still
another upholds big light from the
extremity of the dorsal fin. Others
again have constant supplies of lumin-
Gus oil that runs down their sides from
the fins, making a bright and constant
light all around it,
Most of the jelly fish are phosphores-
cent. These live far down, on the very
floor of the ocean, where it is always
dark and gloomy. The dwellers in
these watery depths are provided with
lights of their own shining bodies and
fins, which illumine their home with
strange, though no doubt cheerful,
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02
HOW MICE MAKE WAR.
They Face Each Other, Standing on Thei
Hind Legs.

Ahcy EaCo G8ch ouner, SCanulnR on In01r
Hind Legs.
Before we had much observed mice,
the use of their long tails was ques-
tion that had puzzled us. We do not
know of what service they are to the
females, but to the bucks they are, we
see, Of use in their combats, for, when
they fight, they very often face one an.
other standing on their hind legs, the
tails then making, as with kangaroos,
the third feature of q tripod.
Their appearance, when they thus
stand facing one another with their
heads thrown back and their paws in
front of their faces, is, on account per-
haps of the resemblance it bears to the
posture of prize-fghters, extremely
comic, says a writer in the Northwest.
Small mice, also, when attacked by
their bigger congeners, raise their
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02
OPTICAL PHENOMENON.
Rainbows and Photographs Produced in
Fog Bank.

Rainbows and Photographs Produced in
Fog Bank.
correspondent of Nature, at Chris
tlana, gives an account of very GU
rious phenomenon witnessed from the
TOT of Gausta mountain (height 5000
Norwegian feet) in Telemarhen, south
OF Norway. We were party, he says,
OF two ladies and three gentlemen on
the summit of this mountain on Au-
gust A. On the morning of that day
the sky was passibly clear; at noon
there was thick fog. Between six and
seven o'clock inthe afternoon (the wind
being south to southwest) the fog
suddenly cleared in places so that we
could see the surrounding country in
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02
SIR EVELYN WOOD.
The New Ouartermaster General of the
British Army.

HH NOW UuHrterIhastef VtherHI OF ths
British Army.
Sir Henry Evelyn Wood, who has
just received the appointment of quar-
termaster general in the English army,
has been In turn sailor, dragoon, a
leader of irregular cavalry, an infantry
leader, diplomatic and an admins
traitor. He has fought in the Crimea,
the mutiny, Ashantee, South Africa
and Egypt, and as result of these
heroic enterprises he wears dazzling
display of decorations, the Victoria
cross among them. He is in addition q
barrister, learned in the law, and q
brilliant and facile writer. 1t was said o1
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02

A coon with a leather strap around
its neck, which was lost by young
woman at Chester, w. Va, about fif-
teen years ago, was found the other
day by a hunter in the woods near
Chester. The animal still had the
leather collar around it's neck.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02

When an Armenian maiden attains
her seventeenth year and is not en-
gagged to be married she must undergo
a strange punishment She is forced
to fast three days; then for twenty
four hours her food Is salt fish and she
Is not permitted to quench her thirst
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02
LIVING LANTERNS.
Queer Fishes That Carry Bright and
Striking Sea Torches.

Away down in the dark depths of
the ocean there are living lanterns
that are borne about to light up the
darkness. A queer fish called the
"Midshipmite" carries the brightest
and most striking of all these sea
torches.
Along its back, under it and at the
base of its fins there are small disks
that glow with a clear phosphorescent
light like rows of shining buttons on
the young middy's uniform-in this
way it gets it's name "midshipmfe," ="
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02
Suicides In European Armies.

In view of the epidemic of suicides
which seems to have set in of late 1t Is
interesting to see how different coun-
tries stand in this respect. The follow
ing figures give In the number of sui
cides in the various armies of Europe
per 100000 men: Austria, 131; Ger
many, e7; Italy, 40; France, 20; Bel
gium, 94i England, %; Russia. 90, and
Spain, a.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02

A watch that was worn by Alexan-
der Hamilton when the declaration of
independence was signed and also dur
ing the duel with Aaron Burr is in the
possession of Louis M. Habbins. of
Madison. Wis. .------, --,
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02

upon the mountains side at point
Judged to be sacred to many a weary
month Of the forlorn exile's solitude.
Scratched and cut about it are to be
read the names of innumerable nonen-
titles who have since visited the spot.
Nothing Is sanctified, no tract of
ground too celebrated or too sacred for
Smith, Jones and Robinson. Given n
stump Of lead pencil and they would
gleefully inscribe their historical
names In the Holy of Holes, together
with the date, and their addresses in
Peckham Rye, Brixton, or elsewhere.
But while denying such as these the
satisfaction of their names in print, we
may copy the actual memorial. Thus
II runs:
In memory OF
Alexander Selkirk.
Mariner.
native OF Largo In the county Of Fife, Scot
land who lived on this island In complete
solitude for four yearsand four months
He was landed from the Cinque Ports galley
90 tons, 10 guns, A D., 1904,
And was taken on In the Duke" privateer,
February la, 1909
He died lieutenant OF a M 8. Weymouth"
A. D. iT2a
Aged ~ years
This tablet is erected
Near Seilkirk's Lookout by
Commodore Powell,
Andthe ofhcers of Il NJ 8. ''ropaze," A. D., 1853
Selkirk's cave Is also point of inter
est, though it may be doubted whether
there Is much more than an imaginary
connection between this cavern and
the solitary sailor, The history of
Juan Fernandez presents no feature of
particular interest. The island was
discovered In 1868 by the Spaniard
whose name 1t bears, and between that
date, until It's occupation by Spain in
1850, appears to have been little more
than q sort of headquarters for the
bold buccaneers who roamed all the
Pacific over. Juan Fernandez passed
to Chilli when Spain lost her South
American possessions, and from 1919
until 1885 her new owner used the islet
as a penal settlement. To-day Chilian
sportsmen-amateur and professional
wander upon Juan Fernandez seek
ing and staying seal or sea-lion when
opportunity offers; but efforts in more
civilized directions have also to be re-
corded, for In 1877, the Chilian govern
ment leased the land to Swiss, who
established considerable colony upon
its fertile shores. The result of the
experiment, with full description of
1t, was published about five years ago
in an interesting article in Chambers
Journal But to Englishmen the name
of Alexander Selkirk will ever be
coupled with Juan Fernandez; and
from Sellsirk it Is but step to Defoe
and Robinson Crusoe. The island, there
fore, may reasonably claim the title
we have bestowed upon it. 1t is inter
esting to note in passing how many q
lonely sea-bound rock has been from
time to time utilized by man as con-
venient for purposes of imprisonment
or exile for his fellow-man. st. Helena
instantly occurs to the mind in this
connection; and the Bass Rock still
can show ruins of mouldering prison
walls. The latter, indeed, will COM
mand fresh interest, at any rate for
literary minds, by reason of the graph.
ic scenes described as happening there
on In Mr.. r. L. Stevenson's last ro-
mi
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-02
In memory of
Alexander Selkirk,

Mariner.
A native OF Largo In the county Of Fife, Scot
land, who lived on this island In complete
solitude for four yearsand four months.
He was landed from the Cinque Ports galley,
90 tons, 10 guns, A D., 1904,
And was taken on In the Duke" privateer,
February 12, 1909
He died lieutenant OF a M 8. weymouth"
n
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-28
MIR. BLODGETT SIGHS
At the Action of the Canvassing Boards II
1his City Last Evening.


Chief Supervisor Blodgett is somewhat
vexed at the action of some of the can
vassing boards in this city yesterday,
who postponed making alterations In the
voting lists until the final canvass a
week before election; for by this action
several hundred voters are going to be
disfranchised.
Mr.. Blodgett has been at work and ap-
pointed his supervisors before the time
for the annual canvass, SO that the men
whose names should be struck from the
registry list for not filing their papers
with the city clerk as required by law, or
for any irregulariJy which could be rem
edied. could hunt up their papers aud file
them with the clerk before the final can
vas, and thus ge, back on the list.
In this way hundreds OF men who dis
covered, for the first time, their ineligi-
bility after yesterdays canvass. would
be able To become eligible before the
final canvass, and thus enabled TO vote
But in several wards in the city the can
vassiug boards decided not to strike OF
the registry men who we're challenged.
The supervisors objected to this, but it
did little good. The result will be that
the voting lists that will be posted
twenty days before election will bear the
names of perhaps 1000 men against
whom some disqualification Is recorded
with the chief supervisor.
These men will see their names on the
lists thus posted, and, supposing they
are all right. will think no more about
the matter. At the final canvass they
will be challenged, and III then struck of,
will have no time to redeem themselves.
Mr.. Blodgett thinks this Was unfortu-
nate, to say the least.
The returns, 50 far as received, from
the canvassing boards of this city. Paw
tucket, Lincoln aud Woonsocket, show a
great loss in the registry lists. resulting
from all sorts OF disqualifications. but
principally from decentralization or
the non-fhng of papers. Pawtucket, so
far as heard from, reports over 400
stricken of. but the canvass Is not con-
pleted there yet.
In four wards Of Woonsocket 361 have
been stricken on. with one ward TO hear
from. In Lincoln there arc some 200 dis
qualifications.
In this city there are about $500 names
60 be challenged, already reported. and
there will be additions TO this list.
Mr.. I5lodgett this morning appointed
Michael Naughton Democratic. super
visor for District No. Of Lincoln.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-28
Investigation Held.

NEW HAVEN, Conn.,. Feb. 2s-This
moring General Superintendent Platt OF
the Consolidated Road and Superintend.
ent Curtis OF the Northampton, and SUI
perintendent Waterbury of the Shore
Line Division Of the Consolidated. held
an investigation into the accident which
occurred at the cut through which this
city is entered over the Northampton and
Shore Line divisions.
All or those in any way connected with
the accident were present. With the ex-
ception of the crew of the Shore Line
train, which was wholly blameless, all
employees of the road who figured in the
accident are suspended from duty pend
ing an investigation.
The engineer of the Shore Line Is free
from blame as it was evident to all that
lie did all in his power to stop his train.
After being In session about an hour, the
Investigation had To be pos poned until
this afternoon as Superintendent Platt
had meeting TO attend with the super
intendents or the road at IL o'clock.
superintendent Waterbury, of the
Shore Line, was highly commendatory
in speaking of the action of Engineer
Knowles OF the passenger train. Mr..
Knowles saw the wood flying in front of
his rapidly moving train, and knew that
a collision could not be avoided. How
ever, he stuck TO his post, and reversed
his engine, remaining in the cab at the
risk Of his life. So cleverly did he man
age his locomotive that the passengers
behind him hardly knew that anything
had happened.