davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
THE SOD SHANTY.

reputed to have become an American
city's streets. But the new develop
ment of the west is making them OBJ
solete. Freight cars carry cattle more
swiftly and safely. The "man with
hoe" needs the land and is plowing up
the trails and running his barbed-wire
fences across their courses. The open
ing of the Cherokee Strip and Okla
homa ended the existence of the
greater ones--features around which
clustered So much Of trade: romance
and adventure.
Closely connected with the cattle
trail, yet not wholly confined to it in
his sphere, was the cowboy, the stage
hero of the west. His character has
been so maligned and lauded, SO
heaped with glamour and contumely,
that one who has not met the real ar
ticle considers him either prince Of
romance or monster. Occasionally
O man stalks down Chicago, New
York Or Boston street wearing q wide
brimmed white hat, leathern trousers
and blouse, broad belt and high boots
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06

Professor Guamuri, OF the Univer-
sity of Pisa, is of the same opinion as
that published by him in 1892, viz,
that the process of postulation, both
of cowpox and smallpox, is originated
by parasite which develops in the
epithelial cells. He has studied both
the morphology and biology of this
organism. It is capable Of amebic
movements, which can be seen on ex-
animation of lymph taken from the
initial vesicle at the temperature of
the human body. By this process
Professor Guamuri has also verified
the multiplication of the parasite un-
der the microscope, and the fact of
phagocytosis by po!ynucleated, leu
cocytes. With stain of gentian and
methylene, the structure of this low
organism may be studied. It consists
of roundish body with clear out
line. Professor Guamuri has sue
ceeded in reproducing the parasite in
the cornea of rabbits with incubation
of the same lymph, andhe has verified
the fact that no other source of irrita-
ton is capable of producing anything
Of the appearance of the same parasite
in the cornes. Professor Guamuri be.
lieves that it is a zooparasite belong
ing to the class of rhizopode, and that
it is the cause of both cowpox and
smallpox.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
A SOD SCHOOL HOUSE.

through the long nights when driv-
ing storm sompels constant riding in
order to control the herd.
Eleven months of the cowboys year
are spent on the range-which means
on the monotonous prairie twenty or
thirty miles from railway. The other
month goes in taking the cattle to the
shipping station, and usually includes
a week of revelry, which gives such
places the name of being the worst
towns on earth. The cowboy is hut
human, and his lonely life tends to
make his weakness more noticeable
when he comes before the pubGc's
eyes.
The dividing of the great ranches
of the prairies into farms has driven
the cattle owners and the cowboy to
the ranges of Montana and Wyoming.
In Texas and Kansas, where he gained
his fame, he is forgotten, except as
some old-timer recalls the early days
of his prominence. Brave, chivalrous
and faithful, the cowboy is not a bad
fellow. He is neither the tinseled
desperate of the stage nor the vim
dictive villain of fiction. Like the
troubadour and the puritan, he has
fixed place in popular ideas, and 80
seldom is representative of his class
seen that it is doubtful if the current
impression of his character can ever
ba norrantod
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
Chandelier Of Human Bones.

In the centre of the arched roof Of
ALI Saints Church, Sedlitz, in Bo.
hemia, hangs chandelier constructed
entirely of human bones. The church
in which this remarkable object is sus.
pended is decorated from the floor to
the ceiling with the blanched bones OF
human bodies. Garlands of bones
stretch across the walls and hang from
the ceiling. Pyramids, topped with
golden crowns, are srtistically reared
from the ground with these whitened
remains of the dead. The affairs are
literally covered with skulls, among
which are hundreds of those which
had been pierced by bullets or crushed
by murderous blows from swords and
other weapons, denoting that these
grim relics of humanity have been
gathered from adjacent bsttlefelds.
Tradition says that these piles of hu-
man bones were gathered by blind
friar of the Cistercian Order, who
stored them in corner of the church.
As they were fast changing into their
original elements, a man named Rint
devoted himself to the task of cleaning
and arranging them in the church.
Prince Carl, of Schwarzenberg, took
q strong personal interest in the res
toration and arrangement of the
church, and ordered all the repairs to
be done at his own expense. New
York Telegram.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
KNOWLEDGE

Brings comfort and improvement and
tends to personal enjoyment when
rightly used. The many, who live bet
ter than others and enjoy life more, with
less expenditure, by more promptly
adapting the worlds best products to
the needs of physical being, will attest
the value to health of the pure liquid
Laxative principles embraced in the
remedy, Syrup of Figs.
Its excellence is due to its presenting
IN the form most acceptable and pleas
ant to the taste, the refreshing and truly
beneficial properties of perfect lax
alive; effectually cleansing the system,
dispelling colds, headaches and fevers
and permanently curing constipation.
It has given satisfaction to millions and
met with the approval of the medical
profession, because it acts on the Kid
neys, Liver and Bowels without weak
ening them and it is perfectly free from
every Objectionable substance.
Syrup of Figs is for sale by all drug.
gists in SOC and 81 bottles, but it is man
ufactured by the California Fig Syrup
Co. only, whose name is printed on every
package, also the name, Syrup of Figs,
and being well informed, you will not
accept any substitute if offered.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06

standing back among the trees, and
recall, not without regret, the happy
days spent therein-days when hearts
were young, when care was yet to be
known, when life was all before them
and the now decaying, despised sod
house seemed a palace because it was
home.
To toll slowly over weary leagues of
painless plain or to race amid mad
cataract of rushing humanity at the
crack of rifle, to stop suddenly and
call the place your own-that has been
the experience of the settlers who dur
ing the past two decades have, either
by entry or in the opening of Indian
reservations, secured claims on the
prairies. The land once obtained, the
battle was, however, but begun. The
plainsmen called the prairie 'wild,"
and said it must be "tamed." They
well expressed the situation, for there
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06

The prairie schooner was the May
flower of western immigration. The
family that crossed the Mississippi to
the sound of its creaking wheels feels a
decided advantage over the one that
was hurried westward on the luxurious
divans of Pullman car. Not unlike
vessel WAS it with it's huge poke
bonnet-like white canvas cover, sailing
steadily through the sea of waving
prairie grass. It was Of this ship Of
the plains that Whittier thought when
he wrote the "Kansas Emigrant's
Song"
I'VE cross the prairies as OF old
The Pilgrims crossed the sea-"
A lean and lazy team, bearded
man on the front seat, wife and babe
surrounded by bedding, cooking uten-
sils and provisions just visible beneath
the half raised side curtains, some
chairs tied to the rear and colt or
COW led behind-that was the prairie
schooner's cargo. In early days, when
danger threatened, scores of these
unique vehicles travelled together and
plodded toward the mountains along
the we'll defined wagon trails leading
across the plains. But in later years
each has gone by itself, and the single
family that has made it a habitation
while in search of an abiding-place
has steered as fancy or interest die
tated.
The last grand review of the prairie
schooner fleet was when on beautiful
day of the autumn of 1893 hundreds
of them lined up, ready to be hurried
into hunting grounds OF the redskins.
When the signal was given at high
noon, and the memorable crush" had
taken place, scattering the congre-
gated homeseekers in a moment over
the waiting lands, the display was
ended for American history. Never
again can so many of these old wagons
be gathered.
The prairie schooner was freighted,
as is the white-winged traveller of the
ocean. with hopes and SORROWS. Oft
times the long journey, the furnace
heated south winds and the constant
jar wore out the tiny spark of life in
the baby's breast, and the mother
never recalls the pilgrimage without
thinking of little mound that nestles
low am:d the prairie grasses some
where along their course.
At an artists exhibition last winter
a western railroad president purchased
at an exhorbitant price large paint
ing of typical prairie schooner. ~
shall hang it, said he, ''beslde su.
perb drawing of my private car. Had
my parents not ridden in a prairie
schooner 1 should not now enjoy the
luxury of palace on wheels
Had the pioneers of the Western
States disdained the picturesque but
numbering vehicle and the sturdy toll
of which it may well be considered an
emblem, the splendid development of
sse trans-Mississippi region might be
yet far from accomplished. Detroit
Free Press.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06

Winds shook not nor could waters
wash away the dugout. 1t was as sub
stantial as the prairie itself, and many
plainsman risen to better things, re-
tains the humble structure in which
he began the new life on the prairies,
as q refuge, should tornado threaten
his more modern home.
The dugout as family dwelling is
no more. Locomotives smoke rolls
over nearly every section OF the
cheaper, more primitive dwelling.
Only q herder here and there, or a
hunting party making q long stay,
condescends to seek its humble pro-
lection.
The sod house was an evolution and
an advancement from the dugout. 1t
was above ground instead of below.
It had windows and shape and parti-
tions. In neighborhood where dug
outs were the rule, the owner Of sod
house was an aristocrat. The dugout
has never been celebrated in song, but
seldom is there a western "school ex-
hibition" or "lyceum" meeting at
which is not rehearsed a crude favorite,
beginning:
I'm looking rather seedy now, while hold
ing down my claim,
Mt vituals are not always served the best ;
And the mice play slyly round me in my
shanty on the claim
As I lay me down alone at night to rest.
sThe hinges are of leather and the windows
very small.
The root it lets the bowling blizzard in;
But I'm happy as a clam on this land OF
Uncle Sans
In my little old sod shanty on the claim"
It took skill to build sod house.
Not every one could construct a wall
of earth that would stand the winds
and storms of years. Slabs Of the
firmly knitted grassroots, undistur bed
for centuries, we're cut two and half
feet long by two feet wide, and laid
one on another as in buildings OF
stone. Rough window and door
frames were built in and sometimes q
board roof was afforded, though more
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06

with long jingling spurs. He glsres
fercely from side to side and the i'm
questionable stare wonderingly ut the
staggering creature, thinking they
gaze at a, cowboy. They are mistaken
it is the basest limitation. The
real cowboy does not wear outlandish
dress nor swagger. He is engaged in
too serious business to make trsvesty
of his calling. Not without training
and clear brain can one take part in
handling herd of wild Texas steers
from the back of still wilder bron-
cho.
The cowboy works hard seven days
in the week. He is usually an ambi-
tious young man who has come west
to seek livelihood, and if you watch
him you will see him occasionally take
from an inside pocket the picture of
q brighteyed eastern girl, the memory
of whose smiles is his inspiration
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
Discovery Of Aztec Relies.

Moses Thatcher, q noted and ex.
ceedingly wealthy Mormon leader,
has returned to San Francisco from
an exploring trip IN Mexico.
Referring to tract of country in
the Sierra Madre Mountain district OF
the State of Chihuahua, where q
Mormon colony has recently been
established, Mr.. Thatcher said:
sIn radius of 100 miles there is
enough masonry to build two cities
the size of San Francisco, sad this
tells the tale of great civilization
that once fourished there. Near by
I purchased tract of land. On part
of this land I discovered about half 9
dozen caves. The entrances were
walled up with cement two and half
feet thick, with only port holes and a
narrow aperture left sufficiently wide
to allow one person to enter. These
caves were provided with ollas, in
which water and provisions were
stored, and were formed Of long SAGA
tion grass, mixed with cement, and
were usually about twelve feet high
and eight or nine feet in width. One
was in perfect preservation.
'The caves were divided into apart
ments, and one of them contained
seventeen rooms. Upon the walls are
still fresh character writings of the
ancient inhabitants, of the same class
ss described in the Mexican Antiqui.
ties by Lord Kingsbury. The caves
on the land referred to will accommo.
date fully 1000 persons, and cele.
brated Belgian scientist not long age
found more relics in them than he had
in search of $50 miles elsewhere. -
New York Advertiser.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
General Sickles.

It is said that General Daniel E..
Sickles is tired of Washington and will
not seek a reelection to Congress.
Should this rumor prove true few
months will see the close, 90 far as the
public is concerned, of an extraordi-
nary career, but General Sickles will
remain until the end one of the strik-
ing figures of this big town, writes
Wilford Gray in New York letter.
He is now past seventy-two but does
not look to be over sixty. His figure
is still erect and powerful He has q
massive head, strong features, dark
complexion and an energetic express
sion which is increased by the fire of
his dark eyes. His head of hair and
heavy mustache retain their pristine
hue, and seem even darker than they
were in his younger years, and yet
nearly fifty years ago this SCARED vet
eran of politics and war was in the
New York Legislature, and during the
bitter debates upon slavery that pre-
ceded secession, he was leader of
the Democracy in Congress. His
career as volunteer officer in the
service of the Union, frola the time
he raised his renowned brigade until
the day he was manned for Life, and
through the battles that were fought
between the Chickahominy and Get
tysburg, was distinguished by the
same vehemence and tenacity that he
had previously displayed in politics
and that were subsequently displayed
in another field, about which Less is
known by his countrymen. The story
is of his successful efforts at Madrid,
when he was American Minister to the
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
PRAIRIE TYPES.
VANISHING PECULIARITIES OF
FAR WESTERN PLAINS.
The Early Settlers Residences We're
the Dugout and the Sod House.
The Claim-Cattle Trails and
Cowboys-PrafrieS Schooners.

x MOUND of earth, tiny swell
n in the limitless ocean oflevel
NJ sod, the dugout was the first
refuge of the dweller on the
plains. 1t was the emblem of the
mound-builder age in westerndevelop-
ment. Near to natures heart indeed
were those who inhabited it. The
walls of their home touched every
land and nation. The first step in its
erection was to shovel out the rich
dark virgin earth as if for a cellar. In
building no other kind of house does
one begin at the top. When the ex-
cavation reached depth of four or
five feet slanting rafters were thrown
across, sod and dirt piled on, chin
ney opening left and the residence was
complete. A blanket was the first
door-wooden panels came later. On
Lone Prairie one such dwelling had
two window panes fixed roughly in its
front wall and for miles its fame as
''the shack with glass eyes" spread,
giving its owner considerable prestige
and renown.
Three or four steps downward led
into the dugout, much as did a stair
way cut in the rock conduct one to
the humble dwellings of highland cot
tars in ancient times. Once inside
you often found most homelike and
cozy apartment. Whitewash fre-
auently covered the earth-walls, and
an ample hearth and blazing fire COM
pleted CHEEKY picture.
Sometimes there was more than one
room, board or cloth partitions divid-
ing the interior. Upon the earth
covering of the primitive dwelling
many housewife sowed the little
package of flower seeds brought with
precious care from the old New Eng
land home, and produced veritable
roof.garden. Old-fashioned holly
hooks, four clocks, pinks and mari
COLDS tossed and nodded their gay
heads in the prairie breezes, strange
visitants among the wild flowers and
tumbleweeds Of the west.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
ID with sod |

often it was poles covered with sod
and hay.
The sod house was the most common
first residence of immigrants. There
was poetic appropriateness in max
ing their very shelter out of the land
they had acquired after 60 long a
journey sunsetward, and SO much
planning and effort.
Within tho sod house you found
more thar in the dugout. There was
g stove, carpet, sewing machine,
rocking chairs, and mayhap an organ,
paid for by close economizing in the
management of the claim.
In those early days of prairie de-
velopment school houses and even
churches were of sod, small, to be
sure, but large enough for that gener-
alton. With added prosperity the
sod wall has been relegated to the
stable and the tool house; but on
many o homestead the father and
mother, now grown gray and care
worn, look through lacehung windows
at the queer forsaken sod shapty
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
A Very Smart Jacket.

Huge leg-o'-mutton sleeves are seen
on the natty jacket shown here. 1t is
cut from light beige colored cloth,
made tight fitting, and fastens in
front with small ivory buttons. A
Figaro is initiated by wide bias fold
of cloth stitched three times. The
sleeves are also machine stitched at the
wrists, as well as at the sides and bot
tom of the garment. It is finished by
wide revers of white cloth trimmed
with three buttons each, and two
collars, also of white cloth, the second
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06

is no poetry in developing weu-tlleo
and improved farm out of hundred
and sixty raw acres.
Mighty hopes centered around the
half-mile square on which after 90
much preparation the settler began
life again. Those reared beneath
ancestral roofs can little realize the all.
absorbing optimism that prevades the
prairie home. Inspired by its radiance
husband and wife skimp and save and
struggle, enduring and suffering all,
in order to realize the more perfect
prosperity that the future offers. From
the claim to the city addition with its
streets. alleys, electric lights and
trolley wires is long step, but west
ern lands have often taken it, and there
is to the settler no reason why his OWL
possession should not repeat the his.
tory.
There was something inspiring IL
the word "claim." The land repre-
sented was not purchased, leased OF
loaned-it was "claimed" by the
holder as his right as an American
citizen to the unused territory of the
nation. The first who came were first
served and eager-sometimes bloody
were the contests over desirable
quarter-sections "claimed" by more
than one settler.
The claim was the financial salvation
of thousands of deserving families
during the past two decades, and it is
unfortunate that Uncle Sam has been
compelled to tell his children that he
can no more "give them all farm. "
The claim and the settler can figure
no more in western development-be.
cause the claims are all taken and the
settler has become farmer, or real
estate speculator, or an ofice-holder.
Leading up from the ranches of the
southwest to the northern shipping
points, taking their way over hill,
valley and river, washed by rains,
swept by the winds, trodden by mil
lions of pattering hoofs, the cattle
trails of the prairies for twenty years
were unique features in western land
scapes. Great furrows they were, two
to three hundred feet wide, chocolate
colored bands on the green Of the
plains. Along their undulating course
herd after herd plodded its northward
way. None ever came back-for the
little seas of thin, nervous faces, slen-
der branching horns and hairy backs
that became such familiar sights were
but supplies for the waiting shambles
of city market places.
The wealth of an empire moved over
these broad highways. In a single
season nearly million Texas cattle
traversed them. To see the herds in
stinctively arrange themselves in order
like an army, with the same leaders
day after day was study for the ma
turalist. Rivers were crossed with
out confusion, herders riding their
swimming bronchos beside the bovine
commanders of the battalion. At
night, rounded up" the cattle lay
close together, huge circle of breath
ing, living animal force. The crackle
of stick, the snort of a horse, the
howl of coyote, and ten thousand
panic-stricken steers, any one Of which
would not hesitate to attack man or
horse alone, were stampeded, to be
again controlled only after hours of
chasing and the loss of scores Of mar
ketable animals.
The cattle trails, first located by
the herders as convenience dictated,
became recognized as the prairie's
thorouahfares. lust as coHpaths are
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
THE SCHOOL BOY
Mica RrpTHA WOLFE

MtHs BERTHA WOLJE
Of Dayton, Cattaraugiis
Co., N p, writes: Il
suffered from loss o1
appetite, constipation
neuralgia, and great
weakness. and had ter
rible attacks Of sick
heads O b Q very he-
Quently; also nose
bleed. Ny health was
so poor that / .was
not able to 60 to school
for two years. / took
DR.. Pierce's Pleasant
Pellets and Golden
Medical nfecnveYy.' and
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
some day. ,

Over fifty per cent. Of the cases Of
Group in Sweden and Norway are
fatal.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06

DR.. Kilmei's SwAMP-RooT cures
all Kidney and Bladder troubles.
Pamphlet and Consultation free.
Laboratory Binvhamton. NY
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06

DON'T Wheeze and cough when Hales
Honey Of Horehound and Tar will cure.
Pixies Toothache Drops Cure in one minute.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
A Beautiful Souvenir Spoon

j. g. Simpson. Marques. W. Va, says:
Halls Catarrh Cure cured me Of very bad
case OF catarrh." Druggists sell II. 75c.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06

in a short time was strong and well. Many
friends are taking your medicines, seeing
what they have done for me-"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06

The star sapphire shows in its depth q
whise star with five rays.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
Shiloh's Cur

VIII be sent with every hottie of DR.. Rorste'
Certain Group Cure. Ordered by mail, post
paid, so cts. Address. hoxsie. Buffalo, y. Y.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
The Germ of Smallpox.

Hoods Pills are prompt and efncient, YET easy
IN acuon. Sold by all druggists Is cents