davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16
A PURPOSE IN LIFE.

WE BELIEVE it is speaking within the
bounds of truth to say that lack of
definite purpose in life is the cause of
fifty per cent. of the crimes that are
committed in our land. Prison stats
tics show that d large majority Of the
criminal classes are addicted to the use
of intoXicants, and some people hold
that liquor is responsible for most of
the crimes, but is it not true that in
temperate men are, as a rule, weak and
vacillating? The man who has pur-
pose III life will not be found lOaiing in
saloons. He knows the value of time.
that only by its judiciOus use can he eX-
pect to reach the goal for which he
strives, and this is his safeguard against
falling victim to the sensual pleasures
that are INDUCED in by the weak and
the idle. Our observation has shown
us that those of our comrades who go
from here with a we'll defined purpose,
and the strength of will to follow the
course mapped out, are in no danger of
again becoming wards of the State. On
the other hand, those who leave the
prison with the avowed intention of be-
| ing governed circumstances other
words, being content to wait for ''some-
thing to turn up to decide their future
plans, invariably make poor use of
their liberty, There is not one of us
here today but can rise above our deg
radiation; and, handicapped as we are
by the criminal past, make our lives
fruitful in good deeds if we decide on a
right course and let nothing turn us
aside. Our lot in life may be of the
humblest, but as much of real happiness
can be found in the lowest walks of life
as in the highest if we deviate not from
! the path of honest, steadfast purpose
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

here today who will feel deep sorrow at
the news of his death. Himself the
soul of honor, yet his tender nature
was touched with compassion for the
repemtant criminal. and many lives
shrOuded in gloom were again bright
ened with hope by his helpful words
and deeds. In him The MIRROR had a
true friend. In its early days he sent
generous sums to help put it on a solid
financial basis, and at time when
breath of adverse criticism would have
swept it out of existence. he did all in
his power to create favorable public
sentiment.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

THE case of Bat Shea is another Illus
tratiOn that innocent men are some
times condemned to death by due pro-
cess of law Shea had been convicted
of murder, preparations had been made
to execute the sentence of the court,
and in forty eight hours a judicial muir
der would have been committed had
not convict in the penitentiary volun-
tarily confessed that he was guilty OF
the murder for which Shea was con-
victed. If the confession had not been
made the sentence of the court would
have been carried out, and good people
would have congratulated themselves
on the fact that justice O. had not been
cheated
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

Our martyred presidents, Lincoln and
Garfield, planned their lives on the text
"Know thy work and do it, Perhaps
they never dreamed of the grand part
they were destined to take in the worlds
history, but with high purposes and de-
termination to succeed they rose from
the obscurity of their humble origin to
the highest honors that a nation Of free
men could bestow upon them.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

JOHN DAILY, the leading gambler i'll
New York City, has announced his in
tention to close his New FORK and Sara
toga gambling houses and retire from
the business permanently. 1t was not
a spasm of moral virtue that decided
him to take this course, but because of
the vigorous action of the police com.
missioners in suppressing gambling.
Daily's gambling establishments were
fitted up in princely style, and while he
was given for a consideration police
protection his business yielded big re-
turns. but he now declares that for
months past he has lost money, and be-
lieving that gambling is dead in New
York City he has decided to quit the
Improbable business. There are other
evils that would be found Improbable
if the laws were properly enforced.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

In THIS issue we publish a contribu-
ton on the Armenian question from
the pen of Gen. r. w. Johnson which
will voice the sentiment of every
Christian man and woman in our land.
1t seems strange indeed, when Chris
tian nations are so ready to turn loose
the dogs of war upon each other, that
they would remain passive while those
terrible deeds of butchery and rap
inc were being enacted. The mas
sacre of the Armenians cannot be as
cribed wholly to frenzied outbursts of
Moslem fanaticism. There was con-
certed action which denoted deliberate
plans for the determination of the Ar
menians, and it is not unreasonable to
suppose that the sultan was cogniZant,
if not the instigator, of the hellish plot.
1t ought not be recorded in history
that these inhuman crimes went I'M
punished.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16
N 0 TIC <

THOSE receiving copies of The MIR
ROR who are not subscribers will
please consider them as sample cop
les. If, after reading them, you should
conclude that THE MIRROR is
worthy Of your patronage, send one
dollar to this office and we will enter
your name on our books for a
years subscription.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16
THE MIRROR is a weekly paper published

THE MIRROR is a weekly paper published
In the Minnesota State Prison. 1t was founded
In 1887 by the prisoners and Is edited and man
aged by them. Its objects are to be home
newspaper; to encourage moral and intellectual
Improvement among the prisoners: to acquaint
the public with the true STATUS the prisoner
to disseminate pathological information and to aid
ia dispelling that prejudice which has ever been
the bar sinister to fallen mans self-redemptiOn.
The paper is entirely dependent Oh the public for
its financial support If at any time there should
accrue surplus of funds, the money would be
expended in the interests of the prison library.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

In THE recent fire at Herman the
building occupied by the Enterprise
was burned down. The Job press and
type were saved but the large press was
destroyed. Nellie Jacobs, publisher Of
the Enterprise, will have the sympathy
of every printer in the State.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

TIE industrial and educational prog
ress being made in the South has had
beneficial effect in ameliorating the
condition of the conyicts. The State
of Alabama has contracted to build a
large cotton factory at the penitentiary
to be worked b. conyicts. and the lease
system. which has 50 long been a dis
grace TO the state, will be a thing of the
past
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

The latest newspaper venture to
reach our exchange table is the Doug
lass Optic. published at Galesburg, Ill.
The Optic is neat we'll edited paper,
published in the interest of the Afro
American race,
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

TIE PRISON MIRROR is about the
only paper in Minnesota that does not
advertise railroads. The editors must
be great home bodies. Grove City
Times.
The ties that bind us are hard to
sever, hence are we 'hOme bodies.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

CoLLIER's Weekly has been enlarged
to a thirty-six page paper, more than
twice its former size, and the issue of
Jan. 9th appears in handsome coIored
cover. \ new feature is the weekly in
stallment of some popular work of fc-
ton, the present serial being Mrs
CrOker's novel. married or Single
The issue contains numerous short
stories. poems, and articles on questions
OF public interest. 1t is deliberately
illustrated the first one showing weird
night scene of the wreck Of the schooner
Emma Jane" and the rescue of the
sailors by railroad men.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

THE Alliance idcOcdte. heretofore a
Peoples party paper, has been bought
by +. X. Stanley who will run it as an
independent paper.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

ALL BURGLARS worthy Of the name
will condemn the unprofessional con-
duct of the st. Louis burglar who re-
Gently robbed fellow craftsman,
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

THE police force of Jefferson City is
the most proficient of any city in the
State. When convict is released he
must leave town Immediately, but some
will occasionally hang around longer
than they should. The police can spot
an ex-convict every time, which is a
rare ment.-Jefferson City
(Mo.O Courier.
The ex-convict, when first released,
is about as easily distinguished from
other men as he is when wearing the
prison stripes, but we will admit that
it shows considerable shreWdness- in
policeman to "spot an ex-convict
every time
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

lT NOW looks as though Englands
attempt to control the earth is to receive
a check.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16
Chr 9fltrrnr%
Edited and Published by the Inmate s
of the Minnesota State Prison.

Entered at the Post Office at saltwater. Mimi,
as second class mail matter.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

This paper will be forwarded To subscribers
paid.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

Should TIE MIRROR fail to reach subscriber
each week. notice should be sent to this office.
and the matter will be attended to at once.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-01-16

Contributions solicited from any and all sour
ces. Rejected manuscript will not be returned.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-12-24
FREE TO EVERY MAN.
The MethOdIlOf a Great Treat
ment for Weakness of Men.
Which Cured. Him3After. Everything
= Else Failed.

Painful diseases are bad enough, but when
a man is slowly wasting away with nervous
weakness the mental foTbodings are ten times
worse than the most severe pain. There Is
no lei up 10 the mental suffering day or night.
sleep Is almost impossible and under such a
strain men are scarcely responsible for what
they do For years the writer rolled and
tossed on the troubled sea Of xual weakness
until Il was a question whether he had not
better take dose Of poison and thus ends
all his troubles. But proyidential inspiIa
ton came to his aid in the shape Of eombi'
nation Of medicines that not only completely
restored the general health, but enlarged bis
weak and emaciated parts 10 natufal size and
,deof and he now declares that any man who
viii take the trouble 10 send his name and
address NAV have the method Of this wonder.
fuI .treafment free Now when ! say tree
mean absolutely without cost, because ] want
every weakened man TO get the benefit Of my
experience.
am not a philaBthrOPist, nor do pose a.
an enthusiast, but there are thousands OF men
suffering ihe tortures Of weakened manhood
Who would be cured 81 once could they
but get such a remedy as the one that cured
me Do not try 10 study out how can ahofa
10 pay the few postage stamps Necessary q
mai the iniornrtion, but send Tor Il and learn
fhat there are a few things on earth that
although they cost nothing 70 get they arc
wosth a fortune 10 some men and mreh ie
lifetime Of happiness 10 moot Of us' "rie
Thomas Slater, BoK 800. Kalamazoo. Mich.
snd the information will be mailed IN PiaiI
ealed envelope.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-12-24
why the
Chimes Rang

IA Christmas Wonder Story, by Raymond M.
Alden. Copyright kindergarten Ltera'
ture Col
There was once, in a far-away country
where few people have ever travelled won
d,rful church. 1t stood on high hill in the
midst of great city, and every Sabbath, and
on sacred days like Christmas, thousands o.
people climbed the hill to its great archways
looking like long lines Of ants all moving IN
the same direction.
When you came to the building itself you
found stone columns and dark passageways,
and grand entrance leading to the main room
Of the church. This room was so long that one
Standing at the doorway could scarcely see the
other end where the choir and the ministers
sat near the marble altar. At the furthest cor
ner was the organ, which was SO loud tha
when it began to play the people for mile
round would close their shutters and prepare
for storm, thinking they heard the th"udeT
Altogether, there was no such church ever seer
as this one, especially when it was lighted W
for some festival, and crowded with people
young and old.
But the strangest thing about the who'll
building was the wonderful chime OF bells
There stood at one corner Of the church gray
stone tower. with ivy growing over it as Tar ~
as one could see AS far as one could see
said, for the tower was quite great enough t.
ct the great church, and it reached so lar int
the sky that it was only in fair weather any
one claimed to be able 10 see the top, and evel
then there were but few who thought it wa
was within sight. Up, and up, and up cllmoe'
the stones and the ivy, and, as the men "h'
built the church had been dead for hundred
OF years. everyone had forgotten how high IN
towei was supposed to be.
Now all the wise people knew that at IN
top of the tower was chime OF Christina
bells. They had rung there ever since tn
church was finished, and were the most beau
tiful bells in the world. Some thought 1t wa
because a great musician had cast them an'
arranged them in their place, and Others san
1t was because Of great height, reaching up 4
Where the air was clear and Purei ho"eVe
this may be, no one who had heard the chine
ever denied that they we're the sweetest II
the world. Some described them as sounding
like angels far up in the sky, and othsiS ''E'
strange winds singing through the trees
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-12-24
STATE NEWS.

Byres Mills at Baker City is turn
ing out four cars of flour daily.
Thomas II. Barry has become mana
ger and editor of the MarShheld Mail.
The Albany fire department will
give masquerade ball on Christmas
Eve.
Fisher LagarS,Uf Prineville, who had
lis feet frozen has had to have them
amputated.
The Gazette, published by r. ID.
Hume at Wedderburn, Curry county
has suspended publication.
Peter Baler, of,near Springfield this
year raised several hundred bushels
Of canary seed for the market.
The highest individual taxpayer in
Lane county is E. Stewart, who pays
on 35,555. Que bank paying $50, ,l35.
Kruse aud Shambrock, of Roseburg,
last week shipped 500 turkies and ex-
pect to ship as many more this week.
Madison's cigar store was burglar
ized at Astoria on Monday night and
abuot $40 worth of property carried
of.
Mr.Herrick expects to have work be-
gun on his cannery at The Dalles In a
few weeks, to put it in shape for the
the spring run.
Mrs. Sarah jenkins, of Eugene, died
at her home, on Thursday, aged 81
years. She was the widow of the late
Rev. Stephen Jenkins.
At a meeting held in Pendleton by'
the Commercial Association "a resolu-
tion was passed not fayoring the di-
vision of that county.
w. e. Ellsworth, of Portland, who
is under sentence OF Is years and TO
pay fine of 81 900, for the mu4der Of
his wife, is to have new trial.
Everybody has been mispronounc-
ing Maceo. Here Is the correct way:
Emphasize the first syllable, Ma, aud
give a the same sound it has in
martha, then finish the word with
"theo;" thus Ma-the-o.
Notwithstanding the era Of pros
perity, which the Salem Statesman
saw dawn with the election of Nc
Kinley, the rich Santiam country the
other day sent one OF its citizens, and
the first one, to the Marion county
poor farm.-Portland Tribune.
1t is said that c. +. Madison, Of
Helix, Ore, has fallen heir to $25, 1000,
left him by an uncle, who resided In
San Francisco. Mr.. Madison left for
San Francisco, Saturday night, to at
tend to the probate business connected
with the estate.
City Recorder Lash, of Baker City,
was shot at the other day, the ball
taking effect in his leg. The shooting
was the result of carless man with
gun who was playing he would shoot
him and was discharged while he was
lowering his aim from his head. His
wound is a severe one but not danger.
Gus.
Linn county can boast of the young.
est school teacher in the state, per-
haps in the United States, in the per.
sen of Lester Humphrey of Foster.
He is just 13 years Of age, and has
passed the teachers examination in
this county with total average of
SOs, enough to warrant second grade
certificate, but on the account of his
age and it being his first examination,
only third grade certificate could be
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-12-24
CHRISTMAS EVE.
LFOR THE JOURNAL.l

In the heavens above us tonight;
In the stiffness of the glad star light
The cherubs are singing ONCE again
Peace on earth and good will to man."
iTis the old ,old greeting, yet ever new
This beautiful song they sing to you
'Peace on earth" All sweetly they
sing;
Like bells on the air, their voices ring.
Good will to man"-to all alike,
They sing their gladstone song to-
night.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-12-24

Of them by the shoulders. Th,n they all stoo
up together and stared straight a; the altar, to
see what gra. gilt had awakened the hong sil
ent bells.
But all that the nearest Of them saw was
the childish figure Of Little Brother, who had
erept softly down the aisle wien no one was
looking, and had laid Pedro's little piece Of
silver on the altar
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-12-24

100 lbs ginger standard ground in 5
10. cans.
so lbs cinnamon standard ground 10
10. cans.
25 lbs. cayenne standard ground in
5 10. cans.
25 lbs. sage standard ground in ID.
cans.
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-05
CHATTER OF THE CAMPAIGN
Big Johnston Meeting Near the
Rolling Mills.
STRONG SILVER SPEECHES
It's the Masses in Preference to the Classes
Johnston the favorite in the Betting
Pratt City and Ensley Aspirants.

One of the most enthusiastic Johnston
meetings of the campaign was held at
Concordia hail. near the Birmingham
rolling mills, last night. There We're
present about 300, composed of the en-
ployes of the Birmingham Rolling mills
The meeting was presided over by Mr.
w. II. Stanley. president of the Trades
council.
The principal speech of the evening
was made by Hon. A. o. Lane. His
speech was we'll received and ELECTED
much applause, especially when he re-
ferred to Captain Johnston and the finan-
cial issue,
Short speeches were also made by Col.
sam viii John, Hon. A. J. OKeefe, r. l..
Thornton Esq. f. E. White, Esq, and
Mr. Hans Reign.
Every speaker showed his intent to be
for. the interest of the masses and not
the classes in the advocacy of the free
and unlimited coinage of both gold and
silver at the ratio of 16 to l. and the APP
plause that greeted each and every one
was evidencec conclusive that the audience
almost to a man was in sympathy with
their every utterance, 1t was beyond
question the opening of the campaign in
earnest in Jefferson county, and eVinced
beyond question that the people are de-
termined to be heard by their ballot for
the principles they advocate unbiased,
Embarrassed and uninfluenced by any
thing save the best interests of the peo-
pie as a whole
Confident Betting on Johnston.
There never was anything like the
hustling for office now going on in Jeffer-
son. Candidates for the fat county jobs
are making the common folks feel much
set UP in Importance by the attention be-
ing paid them The constant haunting
fear of every county candidate is lest
some combination may be made against
him. But these fears seem so far to be
groundless 1t seems to be a pretty race
for the county Offices open. fair and
square. Argument with the outs is the
wisdom and fair toting of drink and pass
the bottle, and the ms ARE basing claims
on special fitness for the place, party SER
vices, etc.
The sporting element of the campaign
period are not paying much attention to
anything except the race for governor.
Everything else is mixed. 1t is easy to
arrange a wager on the Johnston Clarke
contest. Johnston is easily the favorite
In the betting. A well known gentleman
during the past S'eek gave 1t out that hel
was prepared to ret two to one anywhere
from $1,000 to $1,000 that Johnston will
carry jefferson coul..y. Also any amount
from $1,000 to $4,000 that Johnston will
60 into the state convention with not less
than eco votes ON the first ballot. He was
taken up in a small amount--Sl5 to $50
by a Kolbite on Friday. 1t was the i'm
preston OF the odds giver that the lat
Yet was betting more on his prejudice
than his Judgment. Another gentleman
yesterday traversed the principal streets
with spare 500 trying to find some
body TO take a bet against Johnston's
nomination. The quest was in vain. The
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-05

| special proteges of law or of some ia
Nored' condition or environment. The
essential cause of all this was the crime
of 1873, when the peoples money was
one-haf demonetized. To restore the
peoples money should be the ambition Of
all. When that is accomplished pros
perity, central and in the aggregate, will
come and come to stay. We will become
indeed and in truth the richest nation on
earth, and the greatest, because our
wealth will be divided according to hon.
est endeavor of our people and not accu-
mulated in the hands of the few by dis
honest legislation at the instance of the
gamblers and conspirators to control
the peoples money. When that day
comes, as it surely will, unless our ma
tional spirit is already dead and our pride
ana ambition gone, the fairest, richest,
happiest and most glorious spot upon the
face of the earth will be the United States
of America.
When this old earth turns upon her
axis to present each portion of her face
to be kissed by the morning sun Old Sol
VIII smile With JOY and pleasure as his
rays kiss the eastern shore of America
From Eastport, Maine, to hte Florida
keys every available port will be occu~
pied by American ships to carry away
to the waiting nations of earth our sur
plus of farm. shop and mill. AS the rays
of light pass from east to west, across the
Atlantic slope, the magnificent cities, all
alive with business and thrift from Ban
gor to St Augustine, will be revealed.
When they descend the slope of the Ap-
palachian mountains, with their various
ranges, numberless mining and indus
trial towns and cities will be revealed
nesting among the hills. the happy
homes of thousands of contented Amer
leans, who are bringing into commerce
and industry the mineral wealth of coal
and iron hidden in the mountains bos-
ON. Thence across the unsurpassed val
ley of the Mississippi. divided into delta,
plain and prairie, burdened with harvest
of golden grain in the north and snowy
cotton in the south with the most mag
nificent interior cities in the world to the
foothills of the Rocky mountains AS
the rays climb these mountains, bringing
into bold relief their sublimity and gran
deur, among the gorges and canons will
be revealed numberless villages, the
homes of thousands of Americans en-
gagged in mining the precious metals, sill
yer and gold to become the Joint queens
of the industry, commerce and trade of
nations
Thence across the great plateau to the
Cascades and the Sierra Nevadas, with
their grand scenery and great natural re-
sources, to the Pacific slope, filed with
all the things of earth that make a ma
ton and people great, good and happy.
Thence he will kiss the western shore a
good night and greet the orient with his
morning light. leaving behind content
ed prosperous, happy, patriotic people
Americans to the very core-whether to
the manner born or by naturalization.
Then will the spirits of our forefathers
chant an anthem of praise to the great
God who gave to them and their chill
dren this goodly land and inspired them
with the great conception of our form Of
government.