davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21
RUINS OF FORT Du CHARITIES
Historic Relic Slowly Going to Dust Over
in Randolph County.

Historic Relic Slowly Going to Dust Over
in Randolph County.
Over in the northeast corner of RAN
dolph county, ILL.,, covered with under
growth and weeds, but one little gate
remaining with the crumbling walls of
the outer bastion, is all that is left OF
one of the historic fortresses of the
American continent 1t is the ruins OF
old Fort du Chartres, one of the chain
OF Notifications erected by the French
for the purpose of repelling the attacks
of the red men and later the redcoats,
Away back in IT'S this point was first
selected and constructed. 1t took it's
name from the fact that 1t was con-
structed under the charter direct from
the French king and was built OF wood
in ancient blockhouse style. That was
all that was needed at time when ar
tillery to breach the walls was hard to
get and impossible to transport over
the dreary waste of the western conti-
nent. 1t became the most fourishing
of the posts and the surrounding region
soon settled up with thrifty subjects of
far-away France.
Villages sprang up around the post,
the necessity for greater protection
than farmhouse causing the people to
group themselves near fortified posts,
that the thirsty Indian might not shed
their blood in the overcoming raids
on the '.pale face" In time it was
fred, however, and nearly all de-
stroyed. 1t was abandoned in 1772. The
villages were swept away in the floods
| which buried all of that portion of
what is now the great state of Illinois.
Prior to this final abandonment, how
ever. under the administration OF
Chavalier Macarty, the post was turned
into a regular fortress with heavy ma
sonry quadrangle, inner and outer
bastions and scarp. This was done
principally for the purpose of resisting
the attacks of the English, then at wal
| with France on this continent.
st. Ange De Belle Rive succeeded the
| Chevalier Macarty in the command OF
Fort Chartres and retained possession
of the fort and country until the arriv
al of Capt. Sterling of the British army
on July II, 1765, when st. Ange and hi,
troops took possession of the presen,
site of St. Louis, Mo.
This fortress built at SO much ex
pense in the wilderness of America
and at the same time SO strong ani
durable, has been declining since itl
abandonment. In places the walls
are torn away and almost even with
the surface and will all be mass O
ruins in few years unless the govern
ment takes steps to protect it. Every
summer relic hunters from all over tn
state visit this fort and dig within IL
walls for relics. Chicago Chronicle.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21

suspended on heavy wire cables, and in
this particular instance the structure
spans deep gorge. Down in the
depths of that gorge flowed a swift
stream of crystalline water, which
tumbled and roared on in its tortuous
course to the sea.
This frail bridge swayed back and
forth at the slightest breeze. Peggy
moved forward over the rough planks.
by the time she had reached the middle
of the bridge she was overcome by dir
illness, caused, no doubt, by the motion
of the structure and the great height
Mt which il spanned the stream. She
sat down on the rough floor and rested
her head against brace, while one
plump arm hung Imply through 4
crack in the siding. She was tired and
dizzy and her eyes were heavy. In q
moment her head toppled over and
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21
sinh Ends OF Thought.

No man is hero to his valet, any
more than any woman is an angel to
her maid
Welded bliss consists largely OF two
people getting used to each other.
Women change their minds quickly
on the principle that large bodies move
slowly.
Religion with too many people IL the
church they belong to.
Children, as rule. are rank material
ists-the more you give them, the bet
ter they like you.
It's a mean husband whose heart
isn't softened by good dinner.
Love makes courtship; law makes
marriage.
When a man goes to lying for profit
he is beyond reformation.
The more scandal is spread out, the
thicker it gets.
we smile with the heart and laugh
with the lips.-Detroit Free Press, :
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21
HELPED THE CHURCH.
Father MaIoney Was Undignified, But Die
a Good Thing.

Good Thing.
''Father Maloney was one of the best
known and most loved men in Nevada
remarked an old mining man, land J
am sure he did as much for the church
as any two men in the state. Wher
Father Maloney solicited subscription:
for new church men who never gave
before dug down deep into then
pockets and donated with an appear
ance of cheerfulness that was surpris
ing. One day he walked into a saloor
where big poker game was running
He watched the play till he could speal
without interrupting and then said:
Gentlemen, we are trying to gei
money enough to build new church
here. Do any of you feel disposed tt
help us out2
"a big, raw-boned fellow, who ha6
been losing steadily, and was conse
quently in no pleasant mood, growed:
's.I'll rastle you for forty dollars
| 'sWithout a word Father Maloney pro
duced the amount and laid it on the
bar The gambler looked surprised
and hesitated, but when the Other
players commenced to jeer him he go
up and covered the priests wager
They pulled off their coats and squared
off. Father Maloney commenced play
ing for an opening in manner tina
showed he was no stranger to the sport
The big fellow made rush and threw
out a long arm to clinch his opponen
around the neck Quick as a fiasl
Father Maloney grabbed his wrist wit
both hands, turned, and thew the bil
fellow clear over his shoulder. III
struck on his back with crash tina
made the glassware behind the ba
rattle and jump. Father Malone
quietly donned his clerical coat, pocket
ed the stakes, and watched the big fe
low pick himself up painfully.
"My FRIEND said he, L would hav
been very thankful for ten dollars.
had to be little undignifed, but
have made forty dollars for tn
church. San Francisco Post.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21
bridge and looked longingly toward the

bridge and looked longingly toward the
sleeping Peggy.
At that moment Tommy came noise
Iessly around turn in the road and
saw the panther, which was intently
gazing toward the middle of the bridge.
Naturally his eyes followed the course
in which the panther was looking, and
he beheld Peggy. The gathering gloom
was so thick that he was unable TO tell
whether or not she was alive, but his
only thought was to secure her. He
dropped on one knee, and just as the
panther again started onto the bridge,
| there was flash, deafening roar and
a piercing scream from the panther, as
| it leaped into the air and disappeared
| over the side of the bridge into the
gorge below.
Peggy awolxe with a start and lisred:
Else dom ter dramma's now A mo-
ment later she was clasped in the arms
OF her thankful and brave-heartee
brother. who FASTENED home with hel
to the great relief of the aunt who was
almost beside herself with grief. After
supper when Peggy was put in her LITTLE
trundle bed. she whispered: Peggy
SO sleepy, but she's dom ter dramma's.
The next day tn body of the panther
was drawn up to the bridge by means
of ropes in the hands of the neighbor
ing mountaineers, when it was fount
that Tommy's bullet had not touched
vital spot. but that the wound and tn
great fall to the rocky river bed had to
gether killed the beast. 1t was anon!
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21
The Flower Vase.

An exquisite new style OF vase is OF
the most delicate glass. 1t is in the
shape of a flower, or some weed, as &
poppy or thistle. The stem has tiny
buds and leaves falling away from
it, and expands in the open flower,
which is, of course, intended for the re
ception of other blossoms. They are
most beautiful when not colored to fol
low nature. as then they destroy with
the tint the contents which they bear
Philadelphia Press.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21
The Family Doctor.

New Resident lat Faraway)-Who ID
the best physician in the place?
High Local Authority-Dr. Germs py
all means. He is becoming very IA
nous man. Why, people are sending
for him from everywhere. Iadviseyou
to try. him.
Observation-Disclosures his speciality?
High Local Authority with pride)-
Autopsies, believe, sir.-Judge.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21

Madge-I remember few years agt
that she was seeking hero
Marjorie got bravely over that.
She's now on the lockout for fool witt
plenty Of money Life.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21
Provisional.

Mile Are you engaged to the
baron?
Dollie-Well, emo; he hasn't got
quite SO far that he can propose in Eng
lish yet.
Millie-Ah, he only knows how to kiss
in English SO far, suppose.-N. 4.
World.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21
PEGGY'S PROTECTION.
BY CHARLES A. HARTLEY.


Sc dom ter dram
mas; Use doin' ter
dramma's," chant
ed a dust-stained
little figure, as she
trudged along a
West V ir g j n ! a
m o u n t a i n road,
swinging her little
pink sunbonnet by
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21

Ranns-You didn't know that was
once engaged to marry your wife, d'o
you? ~ .oe.
Danns-No; who broke the engage
ment?
Banns-I did.
Danns-Did, Ell? (Smashes him ana
hounds him within an inch OF his nie,.
There. now; if you ever play a trick
on me like that again, I'll Kill you tho
next timei-N. Y. World.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21

A to Fruit.
"Weh, you are peach" exclaimed
Adam enthusiastically. as he caught his
first sight of Eve.
mo, Adam, DEAR" cooed Eve, softly
as she nestled tenderly close to his mani
ly form, 1--WE are a pair
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21
Consistency.

A young lady, dressed in much false
hair, was warbling at the piano, and
when her mother summoned her to as
sist in some household duty her rosy
lips opened poutingly and snapped out:
"Oh, do it yourself!" and then went ON
singing: "Kind words can never de-
N. Y. Journal.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21
To he Sure.

younebusband had been wed week.
And then set forth his club to seek.
His wife was tempted to demur,
His company was dear to her. ~.
.sYou vowed you'd never leave me- fIeo~
Oh dear! VIII you be iong?" she said'
"Well, yes," said Fred. as on he New;
"Of course-I shall belong to you.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21

Burglar-Your money or your life.
Sleepy Father-Take both, but don's
wake the-baby.-Detroit Free Press.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-21

ing SnelIeT IOr the niSHt.
In the meantime Tommy had reached
the road and was scanning it for some
sign of the absent sister. He clutched
his rife tightly and shot a glance down
the road as his eye caught sight of
footprint ''She has started to go to
grandma's alone" exclaimed the excit-
ed brother. "Oh, if could only reach
her before she falls over cliff and kills
herself. or is devoured by wild BEAST.
| Away Tommy ran like the wind. Dig
| ging his stout toes into the yielding
earth at every step. Once he paused to
listen and then went on. If can only
overtake her before she reaches the big
bridge! If she gets there she'll be sure
to climb up on the railing to look over
and fall off,
The panther crouched still lower as 1T
dragged itself toward the sleeping child,
unsheathing and sheathipg its sharp
claws in its anxiety to be upon its limo
cent prey.
Once the beast was about to spring
when the breeze sway6d the bridge a
trifle more than usual and grating
sornd, unfamiliar to the panther. was
carried along the cables after the man
rer of telephone and reached the cal
of the wary animal. 1t was such {
strange sound that the panther, beins
cautious about advancing onto thu
bridge at any rate bounded back a few
, yards to await developments. A seconC
and third time it advanced, when tn
same sound sent it bounding off tn
! bridge. twas afraid of some trick, ant
| finally stood erect at the end of tn
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-05
KANSAS CITY GHOSTS
FAMOUS SPooKS OF THE TOWN ON
THE BIG MUDDY.

The Original Ghost Is From . Case Of
Fratricide-HOw the Santa Fe Spook
Was Laid-Hov . Man With the SJim-
Jams" Stirred Up Jail Full Of Criminals.
1t may be true that conscience makes
towards of us all, but with the ignorant
and superstitious conscience is not q cir
cumstance when compared to a vivid
imagination The greatest coward on
earth is the person who sees in every
dark shadow, in each deserted house and
around every dismal building the rest
less spirit Of some departed sinner whose
crimes will not allow him to enter
heaven, who is doomed to wander around
this earth until Gabriel's trumpet is
sounded, who must hover near the scene
of his former misdeeds until the last
day.
The place by popular consent most
adapted to ghost wanderings and the
place most fruitful in the production of
the bona fide article is naturally the
graveyard The drearier, gloomier and
more mournful the aspect of the grave
yard the more ghosts. But the real be-
lever in spooks and spirits does not
deem it necessary to go among the tombs
and graves Of the dead to find a spirit.
Ghosts ere numerous. They can be
found in all sections of the country.
There is not village nor a deserted
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-05

taken place between persons In close
sympathy with each other is an admit
ted fact. The following ease is selected
from the researches of the Society For
Psychical Research, they having verified
the embodied facts:
Mrs Kenon Bruce started from Eng
land to America to join her husband in
Nebraska. On board ship shortly after
it left Queenstown she fell ill and be-
came delirious. She saw her husband
lying dead in the middle Of field, and
her agony was excessive On arriving
in New York she received a telegram
stating that Mr.. Bruce was thrown from
a horse and had broken his neck, and
this occurred at the very hour when she.
thousands of miles away on board ship,
said she saw him lying dead in the field,
as, in fact, he was at the time"
In this case the elements of collision
and muscle reading are certainly elimi-
mated. -'"Travels of Thought" in Bos-
ton Herald.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-05
HER STRANGE PRISON.
Where . Cincinnati Man Found His Wife
After n burglary.

Where q Cincinnati Man Found His Wife
After burglary.
The construction of city fats is such
that it seems Us il fiat thieves ought to
be able to obtain almost unlimited plum
der with IMMUNITY. But they are for
ever getting caught, and most of them
are the lowest grades of sneak thieves.
Anything like originality in their
methods is rare, SO tie experience Of the
head Of modest west side fat is re.
markable. He arrived home from bust
ness about clock and at once observed
Indications that something unusual had
been going on.
1t was evident that thief had been
around, and that he had gone away
without taking much, if anything, with
him unless i: was the residents wife,
for she was nowhere to be found. The
husband presumed that she had gone to
notify tho police, SO he sat down and
waited, but after an hour or two no be-
came anxious and inquired of the neigh
bors
They had heard or seen nothing either
of thief or wife. Then there was trou-
BILE. The husband hurried to the near
est police station. His wife hadn't been
there, and n general alarm was sent ont
for patrolmen to watch for her, while
two detectives returned to the house
and helped push inquiries.
The kitchen and dining room looked
as if tho wife had been interrupted in
her work, bat there was no other sign
of her. The detectives looked very wise,
asked many questions that seemed i'm.
pudent to the distracted husband, made
some notes and went away.
The husband was in bad state Of
mind. but not so upset that he didn I
presently realize that he needed food.
Rather than &c to restaurant lie went
to his refrigerator to see what there
might be to cat. He opened the door,
and there, curied mp in the ice chamber,
was his wife. She wasn't hurt. SIN
hadn't even tainted.
She was simply asleep, somewhat
stupctied with the close air and cramp'
ed in every joint. but otherwise i'll good
condition and glad to get ont. She ex'
planned that she caught thief at work,
and that ho clapped her into the refrig
orator before she could scream. Once
in she could do nothing. There was nc
inner handle to the door. She cried
aloud, and finding no response just
waited TO be discovered, dreading al
the while that her wedding spoons hat
been taken. They were not. though.
They had been placed, with other valu
ables. in the center of the dining room
table for carrying off, and the incident
ended happily.-Cincinnati Enquirer.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-05
That Troublesome Meringue.

Tho secret Of making the meringue
for lemon pies SO that it stands tall and
thick is in the baking. Whip the whites
of the eggs to froth that will not fall
out of the bowl when turned upside
down. Put in about o tablespoonful of
granulated sugar for each white. stir
very little, spread it Oh the pies when
they are just done and still baking hot
without taking them out of the oven
and let them bake with the oven open.
If made hot enough to brown, the me-
ringue will surely fall and become
worse than nothing. Five to ten minutes
is enough to bake the merinsue dry and
straw co!ored. Stiff granulated sugar
on the top Of the meringue as soon as
spread on the pie before baking Phil.
adelphia Times.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-05
country house nor a railroad bridge but
hac tic frl,act R11t the crhoStS ,rc mot n Ii

country house nor 4 raj lrOGd bridge but
has its ghost. But the ghosts arc not all
confined to the country by any means.
There have been several in Kansas City
that have gained extensive notoriety on
account Of their many visitations,
and the parts Of the city i'll which they
arc wont to disport themselves are still
eyed with suspicion and looked upon
askance by the inhabitants Of Belvidere
Hollow, Hicks Hollow and other por-
lions Of tho city thiekly settled by the
descendants of Ham.
The oldest, the original ghost that is
most wildly in the memory of the su-
perstitious and is most often the topic
of grewsome whispers among the people
mentioned, walked the levoe between
Main street and Broadway IL years ago
One winters night, the story goes, a
man was lying in wait for an enemy
on the levee. In his hand he clutched
q ponderous double barreled shotgun
loaded with nails and slugs. He saw a
man walking down the levee. In the
dim, Pickering light he thought he rec
ognized his enemy. He raised his gun,
fired and hurried away. The next day
he read in the papers that his brother g
body had been found on the levee, hor-
ribly mangled and torn. The murderer
WINGED, but kept his secret Then the
dead brothers ghost began to walk. Ev-
cry night, at the same hour Of the
shooting, it could be seen on the levee.
Each time it would walk straight to the
spot where the body had fallen. Then
the ghost would fall, go through death
struggle and disappear. 1t kept this up
for years, and there are those who say il
does it still
The second healthy, well developed
ghost disported itself in the ruins Of the
old Santa Fe Stage Coach company's Of.
fee at Second and Main streets in 1856.
So generally known did it become that
often large crowds would congregate and
await the appearance of the nocturnal
visitor. Early one evening young man
who wished to investigate little went
into the ruins. When he emerged from
them an hour later, he found Large
crowd standing on the opposite side o1
the street, near the Jail, watching fol
ghosts. Some one in the crowd, thinking
that the young man had been playing
ghost, threw brick at the investigator
striking him en- the head He fell sense
less with q gaping wound in his head
The Santa Fe ghost has not been seer
since
In 1887 there was q story af1oat tina.
at I2 O'Clock each night ghostly cabl,
train glided down the incline between
Walnut apd Main streets and disappear
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-05
TAKEN ATAGLANCE
Rock Island as a Substantial
City.
EVIDENCE OF IT ON ALL SIDES.

WAT 1t Possesses Now and What Prof ress
viii he Made the Present season-The
County Court House and Government
Postoniee Buildlng.
The visitor to Rock leland, even
though a casual observer, cannot
fail TO note that Rock Island pos
sesses evidence of a progressive, up
to-the-times spirit, not common to
every city Of its size. This is not
spoken in a spirit of egotism. but
rather as voicing feeling Of pride
that every Rock Islander possesses.
The miles of paved streets, the es-
tablished system of sidewalks ex-
tending to all parts OF the city. the
splendidly equipped paid fire depart
ment, the modern churches and
schools and beautiful parks all bear
evidence to the tendency Of the peo-
pie. With nearly a million dollars
in building improvements last year.
and As much more promised for the
coming season in addition to the
new court house representing s125.-
600, and the federal postoffice build
ing, the bids for both Of which will
be opened next week. cuts of which
proposed buildings appear elsewhere
in this paper, one may Judge OF the
highly favorable prospects that now
present themselves to the city.
Manufacturing, Bu.iness and Commerce.
Few cities have better or larger
factories, better banks or CONNER
cial facilities. With four railroads
entering the city, with the Missis-
sippi and the Hennepin canal at its
door. Rock Island has no apology to
make for presenting its claims for
recognition among the important
cities of the state, and in this con-
nection with these facts so briefly
stated. it is the purpose to invite in
spection on the part of the repre-
sentative business men of the state
who at the present time are in thu
city, to the end that they may know
and appreciate the facilities which
the city possesses.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-05
Circurnstantial.

The Springfield Union tells a story Of
the late George W. Stearns He was de-
Tending young fellow for larceny, the
evidence against whom was only cir
cumstantial. Stearns urged that circum-
stantial evidence ought never to convict
q man. why" said the counsel,
when was boy I remember q play
mate Of mine who, while his parents
were absent, went to the pantry and
nearly devoured big custard pie before
he thought of the paternal strap. When
he did, he looked around for some means
Of hiding the traces of his guilt. He
saw the family cat in the corner, and
taking puss by the neck, and carefully
smearing her paws with the custard,
took the guilty cat out into the back
yard and shot her. As the shotgun rang
out the boy observed to me with a
chuckle, There goes one more victim Of
oircumstantial evidence. The jury
,lisapreed
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-05
THE WATCHER.

Tho influence Of air and sky
Are side lights from the eternal throne
That fall upon the watchful eye
OF him vino, silent, waits alone,
And crown him master Of his own.
He knows the beauty of the rose,
The central sun; the farthest star he knows
The balance Of q blade Of grass.
The winds that in the meadows run,
Gathering incense as they pass
To offer to the throned sun.
The trembling secret to be won
From every running stream, all these
Are his, yet force him silent to his knees
The watcher shall possess the earth
In silence, leaping to control
In moments mighty with the birth
OF passion, when the eternal soul
Shall wholly bind him to the whole.
The air and sky, the winds, the rose.
Are his, the earth, yea, God himself hi
knows.
p. H. Savage in Youths Companion.