davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-05-30

ern Union and Postal Telegraph Com
panies lost every wire out of the city,
which is in total darkness.
y dispatch from Chicago says at
$50 tonight it was reported that the
cyclone had passed through East st.
Louis, H.. killing 81 men and demol-
ishing the round house of the Wabash
road. 1t is not known whether any
lives were lost in latter building or
not. From ) O'Clock to $50 the oper-
ators of the Wabash road were un-
able to get any word from any part of
the country lying south of Decatur.
at a few minutes after the operator
reported to the main Dispatcher's
office at Forest, ILL.,. that a cyclone
had passed through the country south
of Decatur doing great damage.
In thirty minutes he sent word that
a second wind storm had passed across
the country nearly in the track of first
and that all wires We're down south of
Decatur. The W. L. Telegraph Co.
has announced because of its inability
to keep up wires that it will be i'm
possible to get out any more messages
tonight from st. Louis or vicinity.
Reports regarding the duration Of
the storm are conflicting. The opera
tors on the Alton Road were unable
to get any information from their men
in the neighborhood of St. Louis. but
reported just before day their con-
nections with that city broken off that
they had received word that there had
been a severe cyclone at Rush Hill.
Mo-. Il small town on the Alton Road
not far from Mexico. Mo.
The Dispatcher's office of the |. c.
has not been able all night to get any
information from any point on the |.
{. south of Centralia. 1t was report
ed to them however that a cyclone
swept through all the country south
of that point.
Word by way of Carondelet states |
that sixty dead bodies have been |
taken from the St. Louis City Hospital |
which was completely demolished and |
every patient has been killed.
\ Chicago IL Alton limited passen-
ger train was blown from the Eads |
Bridge into the Mississippi River
with all on board
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-05-30

the city should De proud OF her peo-
pie. Besides all the modern conven-
fences Of city life she has the advan-
tage Of a location that can be sur
passed by no other place of the same
size il America. y portion of the city
looks old and it is old, too. but there
Is so much of the modernized ideas of
architecture and home building. that
the old portions possess an interest
ING feature of the place
The members of the Southeast Mis-
souri, Press Association will remem-
Der for years to come the entertain =
ment they received at Cape Girardeau
and cherish the names OF everyone
who contributed toward making our
stay pleasant and profitable.
From the Charleston Enterprise
Cape Girardeau is 4 beautiful city
and has a good country TO back her
up, and we predict that at no distant
day she will not only out-class all
other cities of Southeast but will forge
ahead of cities of higher class to-
day. Cape Girardeau should at least
down Cairo, as she is in every re-
spect except the natural facilities for
manufacturing, as far ahead OF Cairo
as Charleston is of Dutchtown. Prob
ably most of our brethren don't know
where Dutchtown Is, but Bro. Hafner
does.
The Cape has three good newspa
pers. the Democrat, Gazette and Re
view. but like all other competitors do
not get along the best in the world,
but since they have come into the AS
sOciation it will be different.
The fire department work with the
hose attached to the water works
plugs was fine exhibition. and one
We wish our people could have wit
messed in order to learn the benefits
to be derived from IL good water
works system.
lDIO' w CDD. vi biH1 vi llIt
Democrat, while looking for fish i'll
the river, dropped his hat overheard
but Mr.. Glenn. a good merchant of
the Cape. sympathized with him and |
made him Il present of a brand new |
straw hat of the latest cut.
From the Scott County Democrat
Cape Girardeau is Il city that all |
Southeast Missouri canwell feel proud |
of. Elegant residences, substantial
business blocks, pretty streets, water
works. electric lights, street ears, fac
tories. mills. breweries. etc. are sat
evidence that'an illustriOus
future lies in the path through which
this city is progressing.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-05-30
FURIOUS WIND
That Was Kin to q o.
clone.
struck this City at About EIeveI
O'Clock "Wednesday Night.


At about ten O'Clock Wednesday
night Il severe wind storm struck this
city. The wind came from the north
west and it was regular old time
storm-nOt As bad as Il modern cy-
clone but bad enough to frighten the
whole town. Excepting the blowing
down of shade trees the storm did lit
tie damage in the city.
\ mile vest of this city the wind was
much tiercer than here. At F. +.
Burrough s. place on the Bloomfield
road ten or twelve large forest trees
in front of Mr.. Burroughs house
were blown down. and the wheat in
the wheatfields for miles around was
laid hat on the ground.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-05-30
The Late Patrick Fitzgerald.


That the readers of the DEMOCRAT
may know something of the life o
Il man who helped to establish anC
put in operation our wate" works.
we reproduce from the Cairo Argus
the following article written by an in.
innate and personal friend OF Patrick
Fitzgerald, VINO was the father-in-law
of Thomas w. Cannon. President Ot
our Water Works Company.
1t was the privilege Of the writer
TO know Mr.. Fitzgeral from the civil
war period. He came to Cairo some
time before the war. and when the St.
Charles Hotel was opened took a po-
sitiOn in it as steward. The St.
Charles was then what the Halliday is
now, one of the best hotels in the
State. and it did an enormous bust
ness during the war, always being full
to its capacity. and this prosperity
lasted until some time after the war.
While enjoying the height of its
prosperity, Mr.. Fitzgerald left there
and built on Ohio Levee near Fourth
street spacious two-story frame
house with basement for saloon and
restaurant. residing in the upper
story. This house became popular
resort from the opening, and doing Il
large transient business. it made mon
ey. Mr.. Fitzgerald being Il man of
genial disposition and ready wit, also
possessed of much mental vigOr and
capacity, he met everybody on an
equal footing and counted among his
friends and patrons leading tcitizens
and prominent visitors who irequented
Cairo.
His house was destroyed by fire: but
previously he had purchased the eX-
tensive and valuable property be-
longing to his estate at the corner of
Commercial Avenue and Fourteenth
street, and hence, instead of rebuild
ing on the levee he occupied the
Fourteenth street property. where he
remained until his death. Here he
branched out in various lines of bus
mess, his saloon being mere Incl
dent to the whole. his headquarters.
his Office being adjacent or part of
it.
Here he stood on solid pins ready
to talk with anybody who wanted to
trade or had Il good enterprise to
offer. For time dealing in horses.
mules and other stock was a speciality
with him. He opened q large livery
and boarding stable. Il feed store to
correspond. and was ready TO engage
in any kind OF contract by which
animals or Iaborers were required.
For 4 term of years the Illinois
Central had heavy traffic in trans
porting Texas cattle 20 Chicago. ana
they were unloaded here to rest and
feed, extensive yards being provided
ior them. lIr. Fitzgerald had the
contrac. Tor Supplying this stock
with feed, and i was important 70
him. as it required the handling Of a
large amount OF Iced ana occupied
much OF hi- time. When this item OF
business ceased 10 amount 70 mach.
he engaged more extensively i'll con-
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24

sides and across the valley the widow had the door open and was waiting fer her visitor.
 II just thought I'd stop minute, Mrs. Martin, to warm up, for it's power ful cold out this afternoon" said the deacon, stamping his feet to shake the snow from his boots before entering.
 I'm real glad to see you, deacon; come right in and sit down by the fire" :"
 In a few moments Deacon Harding had removed his heavy coat and thick gloves and was comfortably seated on one side of the broad fireplace, while the widow was rocking herself gently to and fro at the other.
 As his good temper increased the den. con kept looking over at the widow. What nice, pleasant little woman she was, to be sure, and she was pretty, too there was no mistake about that! He sat there enjoying his novel sensations without speaking for long time- Sure ly there was something the matter with him this New Years eve. He was usual
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24
8 8

ly able to talk about something wher- ever he was, but now he couldn't say Q word if his life had depended on it, though he tried desperately several times to start conversation. And the widow just sat there, apparently en- tirely unconscious, with her mind seem ingly fixed upon some trifie she was sewing. Did she have an idea of what was passing in her visitors mind? Of course not; women are such dear, inno- cent creatures, especially widows. The deacon grew very restless as the minutes passed swiftly by and finally, as if the heat was too great, he got up and moved away from the fire. Somehow when he settled down again his chair was much nearer the widow, but she didn't seem to notice the change and kept on sew ing.
 Its powerful cold to-day, Mrs. Mar tin. There'l be a heavy frost tonight, Ireckon," remarked the deacon, finding his speech at last.
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24
A womnn's Mistake.

A well-dressed woman in search of n Christmas present for her son walked up and down the aisles of n book store, closely scanning the titles of the books. At last she picked up volume and handed it to the clerk. "Is this good book ?" she asked. "An excellent book, madame" replied the clerk, as he wrapped it up, land the only copy we have left" "How fortunate I am to have secured it, then" the delighted woman exclaimed. My son is just crazy over the game, and I wanted to get a good authority on 1t so that he could learn to play 1t properly" The clerk looked dazed as he handed his customer the copy of Charles Dickens Cricket on the Hearth," and she had been gone some time before 1t dawned upon him what mistake she had made. No one knows what the boy said.--. Golden Days.
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24

while if the truth must be told he abso- lutely chuckled aloud and rubbed his hands on his knees as if something had happened with which he was immense ly delighted. Do you recall what the parson preached about?"
 It must have been the heat from the burning logs that caused the widows cheeks to blush so. She couldn't even look up from her sewing as she replied:
 "Well, come to think of it, deacon, I think it was about weddings and such things. But I ain't quite sure, for I didn't pay much attention, I'm afraid, to that part of the discourse"
 The chairs were getting very close.
 That's it, that's it." cried the deacon, bringing his hands down upon his knees with a slap that startled the ca- nary from his perch and set the widows heart beating furiously. That's it. And don't you remember where he said it wasn't good for man to live alone !? I think he told the truth, don't you?"
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24

the town board. The deacon was feel ing cold and out of sorts generally, and somehow his ideas had been travelling for weeks past in direction decidedly
 singular for such confirmed bachelor as he. All he appeared to lead up to one object and that was the Widow Martin. The deacon was getting on dangerous ground, but he didn't seem to know it. He had always said there wasn't D wom- an who could catch him. He had lived so long without one that he was not go- ing to be taken in by any of them nt this time of life. Not he; and he grew sew eral inches higher every time he hugged this consolation to his breast. But this particular New Years eve he was un- lonely and dispirited. Everybody who was anybody in Con- way was full of rest and cheer and just brimful of happiness. The spirit of the holidays was everywhere, but the deacon was alone. There was no one to welcome him, no one to greet him with "A Happy New Year!" at his home, ex-
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24

Do tell, deacon" replied the widow, shuddering, but don't you think you'll get chilled if you sit so far from the fire ? Do draw up closer and get warm; you've got quite way to go to town apd you must take care of yourself in such terri ble weather"
 "Yes, ma'am; it be chilly, that's . fact. think I'll move up piece to the fire"
 "How kind she isl" the deacon kept repeating to himself as he edged nearer toward the blazing logs and at the same time drew closer to the rocker, where the widow still sat sewing.
 "l saw you at church last Sunday, Mrs. Martin. The minister preached a powerful fine sermon, didn't he?" re- marked the deacon, after another long interval.
 "Yes, deacon; and it did me power of good, too"
 "rm real glad to hear you say that, Mrs. Martin" exclaimed the deacon. His face fairly beamed with delight,
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24

cept, perhaps, his old housekeeper, who was deaf and i1l-tempered enough to sour the biggest cask of cider in his cell lar. tp
 It was no wonder, then, that as he reached the Widow Martins cottage he determined to stop just for chat with her and to warm himself before going to the meeting. That was all. If he had been told there was anything else on his mind he would have thought the suggestion ridiculous. The widow heard the deacon's blackboard stop-in fact she had seen him coming up the road-and there had been a hasty glance over the room, and just a peep in the looking-glass on the mantel to see if every thing was in order, long before the deacon's voice was heard on the frosty air and the wheels had ceased to revolve in front of the cottage. By the time he had blanketed and covered his horse and led him to the shed out of the cold blasts that swept down the hill
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24

For if I'm to be Santa Claus. and that's of course expected, I'm sorry that cannot claim the note was misdirected. She wants a great big doll. she says. with wavy golden tresses, Some hats to put upon the doll. and lots of handsome dresses: A bureau and a trundle bed. a set of little dishes. A table and a trunk as we'll. besides some real gold fishes"
 likewise lots of candy. She also adds, quite calmly: "A plano would be handy" She wants a watch and lots of books. and games as well. in plenty: Of minor toys, 1t seems to me. she asks for fully twenty. She writes that she would like 10 have a little stove for cooking. And for a necklace, I'm informed. most anxiously she's looking: She wants desk that's "aii her own," on which to do her writing. And altogether. I confess the outlook's not inviting. The things that she would like to have. I find by calculation, Would cost a thousand dollars al the low est valuation. And so say regretfuliy. with spirits most detected, I'm sorry that cannot claim her note was
 Chicago Post.
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24
A Holiday Mockery.

He held a handsome Russian leather pocketbook up for the inspection of his friends.
 "Beautiful!" they exclaimed.
 "A mockery," he replied, turning 1t upside down and shaking 1t
 "A most useful present." they per sisted.
 "A holiday mockery," he repeated. '.Of what use is a fine pocketbook to a man who has gone broke on Christmas presents for the very girl who gave it to him ?"-Chicago Post
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24

Conway it was Deacon Harding, the pill lar of the Methodist church and the strictest selectman the New Hampshire married, and some folks said he was too mean, and that all he thought about was putting up goodly share of this worlds goods to his credit in order that he might make better provision for the commodities of the next. But, then, people will talk.
 It was, therefore, matter of consid- erable speculation among his neighbors when the deacon was seen to stop oc- casionally at the Widow Martins cot tage, and many and varied were the con lectures about the outcome. The widow was plump, rosy checked, and good na- tured, and her dear departed having left ner more than two years before she was, as she believed herself, fully quail fled to be considered among the eligibles of the little world in which she lived. She had heard (what women does not?) of her neighbors' talk about her, but being of that happy disposition which does not heed the stories Dame Rumor occasionally circulates, she kept on her way regardless of all the gossips said.
 The widows cottage was an inviting spot when the snow lay piled up in great masses in the roadways and on the mountain sides and the mercury was away below zero. A bright light always shone from the windows while
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24
Timely PrecAution.

Have you thought about doing any Christmas shopping yet?" asked MT. Hunnimune.
 No, dear," was the reply. Tt is a little early for such preparations, isn't it?"
 +Myes. But it is well to take time by the forelock. you know. Have you a memorandum book handy?"
 Yes
 "Well, you might jot down these lit- tie points. Here's the brand of cigars that I prefer. They cannot by any pos
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24
8 8

sibility be purchased at a bargain. Here is the number of slipper that I wear, and you might make note of the fact that my preference in neckties Is dark red, with small black figure, also that I do not need any suspenders."
 And she thanked him and wrote 1t all down, thereby saving no small share of future regrets and embarnssments.- Washington Star.
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24

The chairs touched now. The deacon W as absent from the town meeting that New Years eve.
 When the villagers assembled at church next day they saw little wom- an sitting beside Deacon Harding. It was the Widow Martin. She was welded to the deacon New Years morning, for the parson had said it wasn't good for man to be alone.-B. A. Macdonald, in Chicago Mail.
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24
PROBABLY A CHICAGO GIRLS.

Chimmy McGovern = Great scottl Mickey, get on ter dat. wouldn't want der job of darnin' dat feller's sock.
 Mickey McSwatt-But say, but just t'ink wot a cinch dat sock would be at Christmas time ter knock ole Snnty Cluss silly.-N. Y. Truth.
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24

llIIllIT~J When he feels like 1<'rIlnNH N turning nn . " ljIVA ersets or stand
 ing on his head. I never was so wide awake in all my life And mother thinks I'm going to sleep a
 dozen hours or more. want to sit up tonight to get a little
 peep At Santa Claus. Why does he come when want to see the reindeer, and I'd really How they can ever stand it to have so far And then I'd like to ask him-for I can't
 make 1t out at all- How he scrambles down the chimneys,
 when they are all so small, With his great big bag of picture books
 and sugar plums and toys. When he comes to fill the stockings up for
 little girls and boys. wonder if he'll bring me just what want A lightning patent coaster; and want it
 painted red. How does he know what boys want? He al-
 ways guesses right. How can he get to everyone in just single
 night? Wen. I am getting tired here, it will be fine To lie awake all night. There! It's strik- ing nine! Yes, mother will be sorry in the morning,
 should think, When tell her how haven't slept single
 blessed wink. I shall listen every minute, and when hear him creep Very softly down the chimney, when he thinks we're all asleep, T,H watch nd then I'll tho finn ui fho,,t a speck of noise. Ho! Ho! The jolly fellow cannot always dodge the boys! Helloi I hear jingle. Have the reindeer come at last? must get up and see them, for they prance away SO fast. I was just getting sleepy-hey! Time to dress, you say? And the breakfast bell is ringing? Hurrah! 'tis Christmas dayi
 Sidney Dayre, In Golden Days.
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24
Not Necexsar.

Dora-Here's some mistletoe for yeur Christmas.
 Cora-Can you spare it7 Dora-oh, don't need it.-N. +. Truth.
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24
"TM REAL GLAD TO SEE YOU, DEA-
 CON-"

the hickory logs crackled and sputtered in the wide, open fireplace. Everything about the place was so neat, clean and wholesome looking that one felt at home the moment he crossed the thresh- old. At least that is what Deacon Hard ing thought on New Years eve as he came in sight of the cozy home of the widow while on his way to meeting of
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24
The Day After.

Oh dear. it's so far to next Christmasi Seems long as forever and more. I've been counting the days over m over, Three hundred and sixty-fourl That's a dreadful lot to be waiting To hang up your stockings. you see; But to-morrow-thats something-there's only three hundred and sixty-threel
 -Harper's Young People.
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24
ReEin Arnin.

Turn the soiied leaves with one more look, And drop one more repenting tear; And then begin In Gods own Book The story of another year
 Frank W. Hut, in Rams Horn.
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24

Tommy-How many presents did yer get?
 Jackie-Twenty-one. How many dyer get?
 Tommy-Nineteen. But I'll bet yer I can make more noise with mine than yer can with yours.-N. Y. Truth.
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24

HE putitup the chim- ney so that Santa Ciauscouid getit; Of course I pulled it down again. and now I must re- gret It.
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24
Az Usual.

Baggs-Well, old man, what did you get in your stocking this morning2
 Waggs-My foot.-Brooklyn Life.
Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24

F any one man was better
 known than another for miles around the village of
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-11-11
No Autographs For Her.

a certain family whose home is in
the suburbs of London have in their
employ cook whose ways are invarl-
ably SO methodical and her cooking so
near perfection that were she to leave
her present home one-half Of the mis-
tresses in the district would be eager to
secure her services. Never by any chance
has dinner been late at Myrtle Villa, or
the joint under or over done, neither has
any policeman crossed its threshold.
But, treasure that she is, she came near
to making a change Of residence at the
close Of her very first months stay.
On the morning Of the Day upon which
her wages became due her mistress re-
auested her to step into the study where
her master was waiting to pay her. In
a few moments she rushed from the
study to the kitchen, where she had
left her mistress, and in less time than
it takes to narrate had given that aston
ished lady notice
.sBut whatever is the matter, Mary?
inquired her mistress. "Y, hat has your
master said or done to annoy you?"
"He hasn't said nuthin," replied
Mary as she fourished check in her
mistress face, "but he's on'y given me
this for months slavery. Not me. I
amt no orygraph collector, 7 amt !"
Amusing journal