davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-01-27

"A Statistician Has Figured 1t Out Tha
Monday is More Unlucky.

"A Stat1stlc1an Has F1gured 1t Out Tha
Monday is More Unlucky.
Many years ago, when sailing ships
were the only means of communica-
tiOn between the different countries,
superstition was more rife among
sailors than at the present time.
These absurd fancieS were not con-
fined to Jack alone. Harper's Young
People says they were shared in to a
greater or less extent by shipmasters
and owners. Friday was considered a
day of evil, and the most malignant
results were supposed to attend a
voyage commenced on this day of the
week. In those times he would have
indeed been reckless skipper who
would have attempted to sail on this
i'll omened day, for the crew would
have broken out in open rebellion
rather than lift the anchor from the
bottom or cast off shore moOrings.
Since the advento of steam many of
these prejudices have become as
derelict as the ships on which they
were once entertained.
A true story is told of a skeptical
Massachusetts captain who, away
back in the early years of the repub-
lie, determined to exhibit the fallacy
of this particular superstition. He
contracted On a certain Friday for
the building of ship, and it was ar
ranged that the keel of this vessel
was laid on Friday, that she was
launched on Friday, named Friday,
commenced loading en- a Friday and
hauled into the stream on the same
day of the week. To add to the DOS
sibilities of disaster, a negro cook
named Friday was engaged: and thus
fully freighted with the sinister
name, the Friday sailed on a Friday,
bound to port in the West Indies.
From that day to this no tidings of
the ill-conditioned era t have been
received. But those of us who like
Friday for various reasons. but chiefly
because it leads up to Saturday, upon
which day schools are closed, will be
pleased to learn that it is not half so
unlucky day as Monday, the day
school opens again. A German stat
istician, feeling that Friday has been
a much maligned day, determined to
make scientific Investigation of the
matter, and has found that it is not
Friday but Monday, that is the most
unfortunate of the week days. Ac-
cording to his investigations 1914 per
cent. of all accidents occur on Mon
day, 10 81 per cent. on Tuesday, 16.13
per cent on Wednesday, 15.47 per
cent. on Thursday, 1888 per cent. on
Friday, l6 38 per cent. On Saturday
and only , 69On Sunday
The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-01-27

blind to their own interests, for it helps us
capitalists to secure a firm footing in the
New West"
we'll" said the colonel. 81 have often
heard that men can learn more of them
selves through other peoples eyes than
through their own. / thank you, Mel
vOrne for having shown us some of our
weaknesses, and where some of the dam
gers to our nation lie. | never knew that
our American lands were being gobbled up
so fast, or that vast estates are being made
of the very lands that our American farm
ers will need to make homes for them
selves and their childrcn.'
The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-01-27

A Baltimore dispatch says: The
Maryland Steel company at Sparrow's
Point is making ready to hoist the
krupp exhibit for the worlds fair out
of the steamer that will bring it to
this country.
This exhibit will consist of the
largest gun in the world, now being
cast at the works of the Krupp Gun
company, Essen, Germany, several
pieces of smaller oIdinan ;e and an
immense armour plate. The hy-
draulic mechanism by which the
shears are worked is being hurried to
completion. Special cars are being
built to carry the exhibit to Chicago.
One OF the cars will be about the
length Of the largest trucks now in
use, commonly called tie "Scullv
truck" but it will be built much
wider and built almost entirely of
iron. 1t will be flat truck, placed
on thirty-two unusually large wheels.
This will be used for transporting
one piece Of freight-the 124-ton can
non-the heaviest single article that
will ever have been handled. The
other car will be used for CARVING
two smaller pieces of ordnance. the
joint weight of which will be sixty
five tons, and one piece of steel
armor plate, thirty-two feet in length
and eleven feet wide This car will
really consist Of two cars, with thirty.
two wheels each, joined by an iron
bridge, presenting the appearance of
one long car with sixty-f ,ur wheels.
New trestle work is being put under
the bridge OF the Baltimore & Spar-
rows Point railroad across Bear creek
at this time to give the structure
greater strength for supporting the
great weight of the big gun. Spar
rows Point is the only place on the
Atlantic seaboard of the United
States that possesses shears Of sniff
cient lifting power to handle the
great piece of ordnance.
The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-01-27
CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.
BOUND IN HUMAN SKIN.
Is Astronomer Flammarion's Latest Work.
"A CHASTITY Romance.

Is Astronomer Fiammarion's Latest Work.
"A CHASTITY Romance.
M. Cammillt Flammarion, the we'll
known astronomical correspondents,
was some years ago the guest of the
country seat of a certain count and
countess, whose name he requests the
Herald's correspondent to suppress.
The countess was of foreign origin.
Her husbands seat is in the DEPART
ment of Jura. She was dying with
consumption and became deeply
impressed with M. Flammarion's
account of his scientific flights to
sidereal regions. She became imbued
with his theory Of plurality of inhab-
liable worlds, and this enabled her to
await the inevitably fatal termina-
tion of her disease with calm resig-
nation, perhaps with hope that death
might only prove transition to Mars
or some other celestial world.
In due course of time, M. Flamma-
rlon's visit came to an end. He
returned to his observatory at Juvish
and forgot in the absorption of astro-
nomic duties all about his hostess at
the chateau amid the mountains of the
Sura. Some time ago package
arrived at the observatory, accom-
panied by a letter in black-edged
envelope. The package and letter
were received by M. Flammarion
who on examining the contents found
that the package contained large
piece of white skin, very thick and
most cold to the touch. The letter
read as follows:
"Dear Sir:-I hereby carry out the
dying wish of woman who strangely
liked you. She made me swear to
send, the day following her death,
the skin from those beautiful shoul-
ders you so admired the evening you
were bidding her farewell. Her
desire is that you bound in this skin
the first copy of the first work that
you shall have published after her
death. forward you, my dear sir,
this legacy, as | vowed to do"
The letter was signed by a we'll
known medical practitioner of the Jura.
LAS matter of fact" said M.
flammariOn, 81 had admired the
beautiful shoulders of the countess
on the evening / last saw her and
when she was in a dinner decollette
oilet. What was i to do with the
strange legacy? l was tempted to
send it back, but, Oh reflection, |
determined to carry out the wish Of
the dead woman, whom | remembered
with pleasure. Accordingly / sent it
to tanner, who worked on it for
three months and he sent it back
beautifully prepared. l have just
had my last work, "Terre ct Ciel.n
bound with it. Here is the volume.n
The binding is not only unique but
exceedingly handsome. On it is
stamped in gold letters the words:
Souvenir dune morte."
The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-01-27

In Ireland there are 40 0Oo mud
cabins consisting of but single
room.
The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-01-27
Ruined by His Claim.

The celebrated McGarrahan claim,
which has been before congress for
thirty odd years, met another defeat
when the senate refused to pass the
bill over the presidents Veto.
This brief statement Of facts carries
with it one OF the tragedies Of con-
gressional history. The bill which
met its fate did not grant McGarra-
hans claim to the Panoche Grande
ranch in Southern California, but re-
ferred it to the Court of Claims for
adjudication. The veto Of the presI-
dent was based upon the ground that
the interests Of the government were
not sufficiently protected in case of
an adverse decision by the court.
Poor old "Billy" McGarrahan, as he
is called, burst into tears when he
learned the result. Friends tried to
console him with the hope that his
claim might meet with more success
in the next congress.
II am not thinking about the next
congress-" replied the wan, white
headed IrisIman. 81 am thinking
now about where | am going to get
my supper tonight. ! have lived for
years uhon borrowed money and the
hospitality Of friends, and | am get
| ting old, very old"
The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-01-27

Huronite: A South Dakota printer
was asking some credit on Il new and
costly press in Chicago a few days
since. "As you are new 80 u.s." said
the type foundry proprietor. "can you
give us some statement Of your prop.
erty atrairs?" ''Certainly," responded
the honest printer man, II have two
hogs and am taking corn on subscrip-
tion every day, and -" "Hold on
right there: that's enough, Responded
the proprietor. II owe you an apol-
ogy. Get right into the carriage and
60 down to lunch with me, and if you
want this esta blishment, just draw
your note for it due in ninety days"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-01
Our History.

Az Mr.. r. A. Books connection with
the Virginia Historical Society as secretary
has now ceased, we shall expect TO hear
more of him as IN author. True he is still
the editor Of the Southern Historical Papers,
but this cannot demand all of the time
of man as industrious as he Is. From
his boyhood almost he has been an indie
fatirable collector of manuscripts and
rare books, particularly such as have a
bearing upon the history Of Richmond and
Virginia, and bis library is one OF the most
valuable in this State. His industry and
ability az a collector and historical student
have been recognized by learned societies
all over the world, and fifty or sixty OF
them have elected him to membership.
Material gathered and prepared by him
has been sought for and used in scores OF
publications In and out Of Virginia, in
Guiding the standard cyclopedias and
works on biography IN this and other
countries.
II has always been our hope that he
should be encouraged to write history Of
Richmond, and some weeks ago we sug
gested that fund should be raised to So
cure his services for this purpose. We do
not know that this will be done-nor that
he could be persuaded to undertake the
task Just at this time-but 1t would be
pity not to make use of his collection in
this way at an early day. lie has secured
the Land Office. the records of the courts
of Henrico and Richmond, the journals Of
the City Council, the Acts of Assembly,
mortuary records, family papers, &C., for
historical material aud genealogies, and
has a stock of information Of this cha
racter never before acquired b. any man.
1t should not be suffered to remain in
perishable form. 1t ought to be put into
print.
The activity that Mr.. BROCK has displayed
in this field of research-and in others
covering far greater territory-has e1erted
a wholeson3 influence upon Others IN
stimulating historical inquiry, and 1t may
be truly said of him that he has done
great and good work for his city and State.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-01

ble 10 tho United States that. claim
ing TO be the most intelligent coun-
try IN the work., it should be behind
any other country in the matter OF trans
porting and delivering Matchmaker. Pneu-
matte tubes transmit letters at the rate OF
500 miles an hour in Europe. Why should
we be content with transporting our mall
matter twenty miles an houra Why
should letters be OF the road from New
York 10 Chicago nearly whole day
when they could be transferred from the
one city 10 the other in less than two
hours Why should we in Richmond be
willing to wait ten hours tor our New
York mail.matter when the pneumatic
tube woull deliver it to US in one hourr
The cheapness of transportation OF tho
mails NAV be assumed TO be in proportion
to the safety, certainty, and especially the
celebrity of the mode of transportation.
Therefore, the transmission OF matchmaker
by pneumatic tubes must be much cheap
er. once the tubes are put into place, than
its transportation by railroad-cars. But
even If It costs more. thsreform Is one that
ought at once TO be made.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-01
The New York Democracy.

We are inclined to think that Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND made good point in his own behalf
IN the case of the New York senatorial
election soon to come off when be re-
marked that though he was opposed TO
Mr.. MURPHY he had no favorite upon whom
he wished to bestow that high position.
This may be considered concession to
the friends Of Mr.. MURPHY, seelng that 1t at
once suggests that some other Tammany
Democrat than he might with the Presi-
dents appreciation be selected as Mr.. HILL's
colleague in the United States Senate.
However, from the days of the "Bocofo-
cos" until now the New York Dem
ocrats have been divided into two
or more factions. That name was
given to the faction that used locofoco
matches 20 relight the lamps which had
been extinguished by the other faction.
Hard-Shells, Soft-Shells, Barn. burners,
Free-Soilors, and what not have figured in
New York politics. Tammanyites, the
County Democracy. the TuDEN men, the
SEYMOUR men, the KELLEY men have kept
the whole national Democracy in hot
water. What power Tammany is, TO be
sure. But even 1ammany might well
hesitate a long time before throwing
down the gauntlet to a President of the
United States armed with the thousands
of ofiices-the public patronage-that will
loo his weapons of offence and defence if
be chooses so to use them.
Let us hope that Tammany will not an
dertake to fight the national Democratic
party nor the Democratic President of the
United States. This we say without ref
erence to the New York senatorial ques-
ton
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-01
Postal Reforms.

The New York Herald forged ahead "
of us when it proposed, as it did in its
issue Of Thursday last. the introduction of
an international postsge-stamp to be sold
by every country IN the Postal Union, and
20 be receivable for letters aud packages
in all parts of the allied service. This is a
reform well worthy of consideration. and
OF adoption if it shall be found TO DO both
practical and beneficial; and we know OF
no reason for doubling that it will be re-
form of that kind. Thousands of persons
scattered all over the United States find
difficulty in sending packages to Europe
which could safely and expeditiously be
conveyed thither in the international
mails.
Another postal reform is advocated by
the Herald. This one. We think, We had
ourselves advocated before our New York
contemporary. But that is q matter OF no
consequence. The reform in question is
one that cannot too soon be adopted by
Mr.. WANAMAKER or his successor in the
Office of Postmaster-Genersl. We quote
the Herald:
"AuOtner must OrkehtF-poedea reloftn u tne
introduction Of more rapid delivery than that
which our railgays afford, especially In connsc-
ton with large cities. Europe Is ahead Of rs IN
this respect. Letters dropped in tho Paris post
ONCE are delivered 10 Berlin. 100 miles distant,
10 an hour and half by means OF pneumatic
tubes. beginning Is proposed here, between
New York and Brooklyn, which certainly do
serves success. II II proves practical the goT-
ernmsns should take up the matter ana extend
TO ali parts OF the United States q pneumatic
tube system, 20 be the property OF tho poss-of,cs
and TO DO operated exclusively BY that depart
ment."
Congress ought at once TO make provi-
sioa for this reform. II is discredits-
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-01
The president-Elect and Fitz Lee


In March. 1896. at the Inauguration OF MIR.
CLEVELAND as President OF the United
States, the stalwart, soldierly cavalryfnan
FRI LEE was the greatest attraction
In the immense procession that marched
along Pennsylvania avenue. More cheers
greeted him than were accorded even to
President CLEVELAND. Nobody knows
these facts better than Mr.. CLEVELAND
himself; but it IL evident that he is not at
all Jealous of our FTrz, or else he would
not even bipt that that distinguished VIZ
einiau ADD southron ought TO be remem-
bered when the distribution Of the high
offices at the disposal of the President
shall have been commenced. The Demon
stration in FIrz LEES case in 1885 was IN
tended 10 show that the war was over, and
was accepted at tho time as evidencing
that fact. That demonstration was pleas
ing to the President then about TO be
indicted into Office. because il told IN IN
mistakable language Of restored Union
In 1893 the same President and the same
soldier have more reason for rejoicing than
they had n 1885. Perhaps Ffrz LEE may
again De s, lected 10 ride at the head OF
magnificent procession OF soldiers. Who
knows? Surely the Union is now restored
in all It's integrity.
We must add. to prevent misapprehen-
sion. that we are speaking Of FRI LEE the
soldier. We intend TO pursue the policy
OF total abstinence from interference
IN any manner IN the selection of Cabinet
or other officers from among the many
good Democrats in Virginia We shall DO
content 20 accept all Of President CLEyE-
LANDS appointments as the best he could
have made ia the interest Of
"Unlon Of lakes and union OF lands
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-01
A OuadrilliOnaire.

After saying that Ar. JAY GOULD COM
pleted the acquisition of his first thousand
dollars say thirty-fve years ago, the New
York Sun adds:
"In thirty-fve years the thousandalre became
worth 5000 100000. Itho had started thirty
I've years ago with s2OO,OOO,0O0 instead OF
81 OOO and each thousand Of 1t lad increased at
tho same ratio as the original thousand, his es-
tate would now be worth the magnificent sum Of
$4,000, 600 900, 900. 900. or about 10000 times
the present entire wealth Of the globe at a most
liberal estimate Of tho financial resources Of rhe
human race"
in other words, TO such result could
possibly have been brought about. Lake
the figures which show that every man
has two grandfathers. four great-grand-
fathers. eight great-great-g randfathers,
sixteen great-great-great-grandfathers,a AMI
so Oh up 10 millions Of such ancestors,
the SUMS figures arc based upon an as
sumption which is not true.
Nevertheless, we know no reason for
doubling that hundred years hence, or
two hundred years hence, billionairos will
have become as numerous as mlllionairo9
now are-that is. if the Anarchists or some
other reformers" shall not before that
time have destroyed all tolerable society
or found o remedy for the evils under
which the masses of the people of all
countries now suffer.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-01
The Free Coinage of Silver.

The avowed opposition of Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND to the election of Mr.. MURPHY to the
United States Senate from New York has
called out Mr.. ELLERY ANDERSON once
more. On this interesting subject Mr..
ANDERSON says among other things:
"Mr. Cochran has rendered g:est service 10
the party and to the country. He was foremost
in the battle against the tree coinage OF silver
when the House came very near passing the
bill providing for IL. l know OF no one who did
more 20 defeat that bill than Mr.. Cochran
This Mr. ANDERSON said opropos Of the
proposition to elect MIR. BoURKE CocKRAS
20 the Senate. What we desire to call atten-
ton TO is the utter disregard by the New
York politicians of the Democratic
national platforms utterances on the sill
yer question. The Virginia congressman
are. LET us say, unit for the free coinage
Of silver. whereas Mr.. COCHRAN is recon-
mended for Senator by the New Workers
Of the ELLERY ANDERSON type, if not by all
the New Workers. because he is opposed to
that measure
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-01
A RECEPTION.
In Honor Of Miss Anna Rhodes.

tCOrteaDOhcOhcoo OF the hicnnOnu Dl5patch.I
GREEN BAY. Va. December 9i.-There
was q delightful entertainment given at
the beautiful country home of Mrs. A. L.
Rhodes last night in honor of her daughter,
Miss Anna Rhodes, of Washington. When
your correspondent entered the ballroom
his eyes rested upon an array of loneliness
rarely equalled, Among the ladies pres
ent, who were beautifully attired, may be
mentioned Misses Myrtle Lithgow, Mabel
Jetfress, Mamie Owen. Sallie Owen, Helen
Owen. LottIe Coleman. Mittis Coleman,
Elma Staples, Pearl Dance, Mary Hardy,
Blanche Hardy, Sarah Hardy, Jennie Wall,
Leila Queensbury, Annie Bradley, Carrie
Lipscomb, Page Pettus. and Leila Price.
Among the gentlemen present were !:
Messrs. George Duncan. @. A. Coleman, r.
w. Price, W. D. Price. 7. O. Gee. J. II. Price,
.. G, Wall. W. Staples. M. Crymes, Ed.
Haskins, George Hardy. Jr., Branch scott.
Walter Davis, Charlie Pettus, Charlie
Dance. and J. o. Inge. The festivities of
the occasion were kept up till late hour.
when each and all returned to their re-
spectiye homes.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-01
ANeeRo PENSION CROOK IN LIMBO.
Edward Murphy Drowned while Skating
Cat His Throat and Robbed Him.


Correspondence of the Richmond DispatchI
ALEXANDRIA. Va, December 3i.-United
States Commissioner Fowler had before
HIM yesterday Champ Carter. a well-knOwn
negro resident of this city, on a charge of
conspiring TO defraud tho United States
Government IN having made false deposi-
tions in the pension claim of Mrs. Patsy
Smith, widow Of Peter Smith, who was
soldier in the United States army during
the late war. He was committed to await
the action of the grand jury IN the United
States courts, which meet on Tuesday
next.
Edward Murphy. resident of this city.
was drowned n thel Potomac river near
the Long Bridge by breaking through the
ice while skating yesterday. His body was
recovered and taken in charge by the
Washington police, who took 1t TO the
morgue, where 1t was identified this morn
ing.
Benjamin Gray, a young negro man. re-
ported TO the police here this morning
that last night while walking from this
city TO Washington he was set upon by
two white men, who, after cutting his
throat with large knife, robbed him of
Sl5, all his money, and a satchel contain
ing some clothing. In the mans throat
was a gaping wound an inch and half
long and SO deep that the trachse was ex-
posed to view. An eighth of an inen
deeper and the man would have been
killed.