davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30
HYsTERIA AND SUPERSTITION.
Thrived In the Middle Ages in
Northern Europe.
Popular Science Monthly


Mental diseases and especially hysteria.
have, from the earliest times 10 the pres
emit exercised a tremendous influence upon
the current metaphysical conception OF the
universe and upon the whole mental devei-
opment. and that precisely because they
not only occurred sporadically, but, as We
shall soon see. attacked the masses in the
form of epidemIcs and so became OF the
highest significance and importance for
the life OF society as a whole.
Religious enthusiasm and pronensss to
the mystic ard the occult formed, even In
the highest antiquity. an Important fac
tor of those degenerate and hysterical In
dividuals who entertained the delusion
that they were in communication with
good or with bad spirits. and who by that
channel influenced the masses not q little.
a great number of the prIestesses who de-
livered oracuIar responses TO the Greeks
with strong quaking OF their bodies"
were psychopathic subjects undergoing
the hysterical commissions well known TO
today. Hence epilepsy. which in those
days was not Disseminated from hysteri-
cal cramps. came 10 be called the morbu-
sacer or sacred disease. Piutarch, in his
description OF the PythIan priestess, de-
lineatss the typical image OF a hysterical
subject who. in ecstatic CONFUSION. starn-
rnered uninteiiigshle words. into which tns
priests injected some sense. But hysterta.
with It's inclination 10 religious enthusi-
ssm, was not limited 10 separate persons.
On the contrary. we meet with X among
all peoples and In all periods OF history
and among ALI peoples We meet with ls in
the form of epsdemics OF various kinds
But never did this disease find a better or
more fertile soil in which TO thrive than
In the middle ages % northern Europe
marked as they were by ignorance and
superstition. and. accordingly. we find
that epldersies OF hysteria then assumed
dimensions SURPRISING those OF any ssnt-
lar oufturs;s IN other centuries. great
rrsny fne books have been written about
the individual ard epidemic crazes of
those ares The French have made par
tlculariy careful researches into the mat
ter
CalmeIi describes a great number o. hys-
ssrf~as enid~nnics % different forms. Ore
OF the principal erupiions in Germany was
1emonorraaia or teufalswahn. In the
year 1879" says Calrseil. "a dsIusion called
vspdolsle prevailed IN Artols. that the
devils carried many secretly in the nigh.
10 the assemblies. where compacfs were
ma &c with Satan. Without knowing how.
the participants OF the nocturnal meetings
found themselves next morning back in
their dwellings"
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30
New York Mai ard Express.


Tie had deposited his ticket In the box on
the downtown station OF the Sixth avenue
az" road 81 Fftieth street. early this
morning and was counting his change In
search for plugged dimes and nickles. A
quarter fell from his hands and rolled along
the platform until IL lodged under the
raised steps which form the edge or the
platform. There 10 lay In plain view. but
as una.tainable as the golden apples OF
Hesperides- The loser was the picture Of
rage.
81 don't care about the blamed CON-" he
walled 1--WE got 'em 10 burn, bsit IL Just
makes me mad 70 see that quarter there
and can't get it,
Gimme a dime. mister" said mess-n-
ger boy. "and Ave cents for expenses. and
I'll get yer mum
The man regarded the boy for moment
ard said, Go ahead"
He returned in few minutes with bis
form working eonvlisivcly. In ais hand
h@ had a piece OF scantisng. The crowd
watched him cursosss}y From has mouth
~ha boy took weli-masticated wat ~
chewing gum. lie stuck this on the end
% the scantIing and. thrusfing the stick
through the narrow space. pressed the Soft
and sticky gum firmly on the lost co'n.
Then he drew II ON and presented tho
money 20 lis owner.
Keep the whole outfit" said the man
boy. you're a peach We i've AMI learn :
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30

\ WONDERFUL NEW MATERIAL.
IL Molds I'm Liquid Form Any OBJECT
I'm stone or Metal.

Il
Prof. Woods. Washington City chem
list. has discovered a substance which can
be made to resemble any metal or mar
bic in color and texture. 1t can be nodded
into any form, takes a high polish. re-
produces the patterns of the toughest
stone or most delicate lace. is acid proof.
imperishable. unbreakable. and is prob
ably destined to bring about a revolution
In arts and architecture.
The compound. which has been the re-
SUI Of years of study. is a metalloid in
its nature, and has been named Protean
Plastic from it's adaptability to every
metal and stone with which 1t Is brought
In contact, and also from the innumerable
uses to which 1t can be put. The aston
ishing change by which 1t will take on
the texture of any substance is Its great
est advantage. and it is by this means
that II can be made to resemble gold, sill
yer. copper. iron. steel, brass, glass, gran
lite, marble. onyx and numberless other
minerals The laboratory in which are
kept many models of this new discovery
Is in one of the busiest streets Of the
capital Scattered about the room are
molds of the plastic in every form. here
a cameo OF gold. there a bas-relief OF
bronze, while on long table Is arranged
a collection of figures in every known
metl. iron and shining gold resting side
by side with marble and mosaics Of high
est pofiSH.
All of the objects are made of the same
substance, the changes in its appearance
and color being brought about by a chem
ical formula. which is known 70 the in
ventor alone.
The plaster Is metalloid. as by its
nature IL partakes of the nature OF
metal. Prof. Woods. however. states that
the base of this plastic is of very finely
powdered stone. known as steatite. va
riety OF soapstone known to commerce.
This. with other elements. he places in a
crucible and subjects TO heat or nearly
600 degrees. adding at pleasure the sub
stances with which he varies his formula
TO produce the different effects.
This liquid. which is about the consist
ency of thin molasses, is poured into
mold and as soon as cooled is ready for
market. BY mixing a peculiar compound
containing gold dust, the work will come
out with a golden surface. it will be, not
gided wood. or marble. but metal as
hard as gold. of the same color and pos
sessing all the properties of the most pre-
cious of ores. except that II is not quite
so heavy. But II will not corrode and will
last forever
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30
CHEMISTRY OF A TEAR.
1t Performs other Functfons Than
Indicating SORROW.


The principal element in the composition
OF tear. as may readily be supposed is
water. The other elements are salt soda.
phosphate OF line. phosphate OF soda and
mucous. each in small proportions. A dried
tear seen through a microscope OF good
average power presents a peculiar appear
ance- The water. after evaporation leaves
behind 1t the saline ingredients. which
amalgamate and form themselves into
heightened cross lines and look like a
number OF minute fish bones.
The tears are secreted in what are called
the "iachrymal glands" situated over the
eyeoall and underneath the lid. The con-
tents or these glands are carried along
and under the inner surface OF the eye
iids by means OF six or seven very fine
channels, and are discharged a little above
the cartilage. supporting the lid.
The discharge OF tears from the lach-
rymal glands is not occasional and acct
dental. as Is commonly supposed. but con-
finuous. II goes on both day and night
though less abundantiy at night-through
the "condnits.' and spreads equally over
the surface OF the pupil. in virtue OF the
incessant movement. OF the lids.
After serving its purpose, the flow Il
carried away by two little drains situated
IN that corner of each eye nearest tho
nose-into which they run-and called the
'iachrymal points, The usefulness OF
this quiet flow Of tears TO both man and
beast is manifest
There Is such an immense quantity OF
dust floating in the air and instantly get
ing INTO the eyes that, but for ii, they
would soon become choked. Very little is
requisite To keep the ball free. and when
some obnoxious substance-smoke. an in
sect and the hke-that affects the nerves
ooes make Its way in, an increased flow Is
poured out 10 sweep IL away.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30
Horrid Superstition.


We all know horrid custom of the past
which was that of human sacrifice In con-
Junction with the erection of building or
the construction of a bridge. II was sup
posed that no such superstition was dis
covered among the Dravido-Tibetan races
A correspondent writes to Nature that this
belief does exist. There was ridiculous
story rife in Bengal. not so long ago. that
the queen OF England. for some purpose
unknown. wanted the heads OF FIVE chill
dien from each village. All the villagers
hid and were prepared TO fight for their
children. II took months before the peo-
pie could be made to believe how utterly
absurd was the story. After awhile II was
found out that the report OF children hav-
ing been wanted arose from the fact that
foundation was 10 be built for a great
railroad bridge II was discovered that
among the people living IN the past 4. had
been the custom 10 sacrifice a victim when
anything OF importance in the way OF a
building was undertaken. Thus the stories
or former ager, when these acts were car
red on. had not passed away and they re-
main In folklore. AT least the dread OF
the Rengali coolies was based on tradition.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30
TWO TEXAS GENTLEMEN.
A sheriff and = Culprit who Knew
What Good Manners We're.


When the sheriff went over to Golden
hiii. to Luckey valley. after Jim Sanders,
who was wanted for shooting Dan WILL
Jams in quarrel over a game Of cards.
he didn't even take a gun along He
found his man In saloon and asked him
to step up and take a drink Jim CON-
piled, but kept his hand on his gun
When they had drunk they sat down and
the sheriff told three or four funny
stories BY and by the puzzled Jim broke
out with:
me-'
Wall. thought you might want to jog
along back with me-" was the reply
Not much, I'll never be taken aIiver'
Then that settles 1t. Let's hev another
drink"
They drank again. and the official told
very funny story about tenderfoot's
experience In Golden City. Jim laughed
as loudly as the others. but presently
grew serious and said:
Say, Joe. ye can't take me alve"'
Wall. We won't worry ABOUT that.
jim. was the reply. Lets hev another
nip and then game OF cards
The game lasted until the sheriff had
lost about s2e. Then he ordered drinks
and sang song When the song was fin-
ished he said 10 Sanders:
Jim. heven't made things pleasant fur
you today?''
You hev. joe and no mistake"
Treated you Ike gentleman. heven't
r.
You certainly hev.''
That's my way doing things. Now. /
want you to treat me like a gentleman.
Go back TO Golden City with me-"
but l shot Dan Williams over thar
''of course you did,.
And they want 10 hang me-"
''Of course they do, but that's nothin' TO
me. don't make the laws. I WAS sent
cUt arter you. and wan; TO take you back
! could hev sneskei in and got the drop
on We, but I knnw'a 'twouid hurt yer
pride. Hevent ] bin tender with ye.
Jim.''
You hsv. Joe. but don't want TO be
hung
u s'rose not. but see how nice I've used
ye. Would any sheriff hey donc it?r
NO. ] reckon not
'of course not. and IL you are hung
won't boss the jos, ana make II as easy
az possible, Just come right along 10
ohIeege me, jim
"would IL he a great favor to YOU.
1T would. and IL would show me that
Won was = gentleman TO boot. I'm gen
tienan myself. and kin appreciate a gem
tieman.'
wall. joe" said jim. after moments
thought. II a.! say I wouldn't GO and I
6ii think didn't want 70 be hung but
10 onleegs you AMI 20 show these critters
that know what good manners is. I'll 20
along with ye"
And ten days later Mr.. Sanders attended
n necklace social. and was lef, behind
when the others started for home
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30
Finance In the Sunday school
London Tit-Bits


The Sunday school needed money, and
Mr.. Smart. the superintendent. had new
way or getting ii. He proposed giving
each boy half crown. At the end of
month the principal. together with what
IL earned. was to be returned to him. The
scheme was good. but II didn't work quite
as Mr.. Smart had anticipated. The fourth
Sunday found the superintendent ready to
ardit the profit and loss accounts, and he
commenced with Johnnies class.
How have you done. Johnnie?"
MY half-crown has earned another
one. said Johnnie, with an air of one hav-
ing an option on halo.
Good!" said the superintendent. mot
only is Johnnie a good boy IN helping the
school. but he shows business talent.
Doubling ones money in a single month
requires no common ability Who can tell
but what We may have another budding
Croesus among us? Johnnie, you have
done well. And now. Thomas. how much
has your haif-crown earned?"
Lest it," said Thomas
What Not only failed 10 earn any,
thing, but actually lost,' said Mr.. Smart.
How was that?"
Il tossed with Johnnie" was the reply.
"and he won"
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30

then brought more in the open market
than II did at che mint. As the price OF
silver fell nearer and nearer 10 the cost OF
production in Nevadas great mines OF
quartz and milling ore these senators be-
came advocates of International bi-metal-
Ism. When the price Of silver fell SO that
the Nevada difficult mines were c.osing
they became the original. the ardent. the
sireless. the ubiquitous missionaries OF
free and unlimited coinage at Is TO l. ut
terly regardless of the interests OF the rest
OF the world. Then. and not until then.
did they proclaim themselves the friends
OF the to.ler." the enemies OF the gold ty-
rants" the champions of the debtor and
the oppressed. the heaters OF the SEX and
suffering Masses They first and very
quickly organized the free silver move
ment In the silver states, where self-inter-
est enlisted all. They planned. directed
and expanded the campaign to convert
other states.
The free silver craze had It's origin IN
oyer-reach.ng greed.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30
Valuable Books .. America. Fishes.

Edmond s. Meany. registrar OF the Uni
versity, has just received a copy Of Bui-
ietin No. 81, just issued by the National
museum under the direction OF the Smith
sonian Institution This Is book OF l.2ie
pages and Is entitled The Fishes Of
North and Middle America Descriptive
Catalogue of the Species Of Fish-IAke ver-
tebrates Found in the. Waters Of North
America. North OF the Isthmus of Pan
anna BY David Starr Jordan, PHI D..
President OF the Leland Stanford Junior
University. and Barton Warren Ever
mann. Phi. D.. Ichthyoiogist of the United
States Fish Commission
This Is part one of the creates. work
ever isrued on the fisnes OF America. and
was sent to Mr.. Meany through the court
esy OF President Jordan No doubt other
copies OF this important work will be re-
cesyed by interested parties in Seattle ere
long. and in the meantime this copy will
be left at the Young Naturalists; Society.
wnose members are greatly interested in
nshes. They have collected much mate
rials and information that have helped the
scientists OF the government In amassing
and publishing the knowledge such as is
contained IN this new work.
Tnere are 1.6I species described In this
book under the three following classes
!. Leptocardii. IL. Marsipobranchii III.
Pisces There is a table of contents COW
--"sS Ac&-y -s1sCH pages anu an INTEREST,"
Ing preface. Besides the full. careful and
accurate description or each species there
are ample notes, synonymy and an ana
lytical key that will make the work most
useful to students OF fishes.
The dedication OF the book Is an attrac-
tive page II is as follows: Dedicated
to the memory OF those ichthyologis,s OF
the past who have studied American fishes
In America. in token of the only reward
they asked-a grateful remembrance of
their work. Then follows a list OF forty
eight noted ichthyologists from Georg Ma
regraf, 16l0-l644, to Marshall Mcdonald.
ls36-lssS. The list contains well known
names. such as George Wilhelm Stellar.
1s1-l1i5. the naturalist who accompanied
Vitus Boring on his Great Expedition
and Spencer Fullerton Baird. 1s23-lss7,
VINO did so much for natural history re-
search In America
Mr.. Meany was greatly pleased to re-
ceive this book. as lie is endeavorlng to
collect all the books and published ad-
dresses by Presiden. Jordan, whom he
holds In high esteem
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30
VINING SHOT TO KILL
rwO SEATTLE nEs wrTu wmoM
m HAD oUARRELED.
he 0hse One, BOT HIS Seeena shee
Killed His Best FrsenA-TAen
vanang TarneA The nias As.inss
MinseIs, asA Puiline ~ Tssg-
ser, Dropped Dead.

Olympia, Oct 15s-Special.-Ge VIM
ing sho: and instantly killed James Jones
IT Shelton last night and wounded 4 man
from Seattle named NcInfyre. after which
he turned his own rife upon himself and
dropped dead from a shot In the abdomen
For several days two characters from
Seattle have BEEN hanging around the
shelton sasoon with no apparent occupa-
zion. Early last evening they became en-
gagged In row with George Winning. and
the latter got the worst Of II; having q
piece bitten oat OK his lip. ABOUT a. n
they were all sitting In Deerss saloon
waen vining remarked that be guessed ne
would Kill the couple Of men and then end
3gia own life. With tina. re left the a.
loon. went 10 his cabin. Al the edge OF
town. and got his rifle Returning. ne
opened the saloon door. but failed TO ind
tho nacn he was looking for. He then took
Ep hiz station across tise street and waited
Cor his victims.
The first man 10 leave the saloon was
Fad fought. His name was Mcintyre. Vim
ing lcveled bis rifle and struck McIntyre's
arm. shattering the bone 10 that amputa-
zion waa necessary.
With the first report Of his rifle tho
u9hts In the saloon we're extinguiahed,
and the people scattered. James Jones
sras the ffrst TO leave the place. He no
sooner appeared In tho doorway than
crack went Winnings rifle. and Jones drop
ped dead. shot In the abdomen.
viniHg never intended TO K.ii Jones. ~
ne was particular friend. and there In no
DOUBT that he supposed his victim was one
~ the Seattle men with whom he had
cuarreicd. Al any rate vining leaned
aga'nst the side Of the house. turned the
hare. at his rifle AGAINST his own abdo-
men. pulled the trigger and dropped dead.
Jonas was quiet and nsaceab.c man, -
years cf age. He was unmarried and had
two brothers and sister living In shell
ton.
vininE was woodsman. and sshen not
IN hls cups vas psaeeable enough. He was
years Of age. unmarried. and lived In a
cabin ut the edge OF town.
Nothing can be learned Of the two Seat
~ men,
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30
THE QUEENS NAUGHTY SISTER.
A Princess Of Madagascar Slaps an
Ambassadors Wife.
ChIcago Recorf.

chicago RECORD
There is something extremely comieaI,
as well as grave, about the circumstances
which have led to the recall OF NJ. La
Roche from the pos tot minister and res
ident OF France at the court of the queen
of Madagascar. and the dispatch in his
stead OF Gen. Gallieni. who Is intrusted
with the duty of completing the conquest
of the island and with a task Of eferctu-
ally converting II into French colony.
IL seems that although the queen OF
Madagascar processes the Christian faith
and gets her dresses from Worth and Do,i-
Get at Paris. yet both she and the ladies
OF her court are accustomed TO indulge in
rotations OF brandy and whisky TO an ex-
tent which would horrify the majority 81
the customers OF the great French cou-
turters just mentioned.
When In their cups these great ladies OF
Madagascar are exceedingly violent, and
IL appears that at some great state fanc-
ton which took place at court a month
ago the French ameassadress. while pre-
ceaing her husband into the presence OF
the queen. was attacked by the latter q
sister. the Princess Rasendranoro.
Her dusky royal highness Is reported to
have sprung out OF a corner OF the throne
room and 10 have gone for" the unfor-
tunate ambassadors. slapping her in the
face and punching her nose The amhas-
sador. In the attempt TO protect his wife.
was badly scratched by the intoxicated
princess, who. likewise. pulled out few
tufts OF his whIskers, and * was not un-
I'll the remaining members OF the embassy
had ciutched hold of the hands and feet
OF the princess that NJ. La Roche and hts
wife were enabled 10 make their ape
IN a sadly dilapi3afed condition
The minister, OF. returning to the French
legation. lost no time In forwarding a
strongly worded protest 70 the queen, bat
the only satisfaction he received was an
expression OF regret. with the ansatisfae-
tory explanation that the princess was a
spoiled child, in the habit OF doing what
she pleased. and not responsible for her
eccentriclties when IN her cups.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30
UNITED In A CYCLONE
BODIES OF THE POsTNAsTER AND
HIS WIFE FOND TOGEraEK.
Tive sticks Were Driven TAFough
the Pestnasterss skull-One 81
Many Inefaents % . sserD That
Devastated . vast Territory In
OklaAona ana the Neighhorhood.

Guthrie o. T. Oct "a cyclone swept
over a stretch of country about twenty
miles east of here al 10 o'clock last night.
devastating a district several miles long
and probably a hundred yards wide. The
farm house OF William Toby was first in
the path OF the storm The building was
destroyed and Toby was probably fatally
injured The other members Of his FAM
lily escaped
Half mile further north the Mitchell
post3fice and store was lifted bodily into
the air. carried a hundred yards and
dashed to the earth The building was
smashed into spiinterx, and Postmaster NJ.
T. Mullfn and his wife. who lived In the
building. were killed Their bodies were
found this morning. They died clasped In
each others arms. Two sticks were driven
through Mr.. Mullins skull. but there was
not a scratch on the body OF his wife. The
Mullins came here from Rock Island. Ill.
The farmhouse of Ahner Jones twas also
wrecked. and many smaller buildings were
destroyed, trees uprooted and crops
ruined
Rumors are current here that the same
storm did frightful damage further north
east, in Payne county. and that several
persons were killed there. but up to late
hour tonight no particulars are obtafnable-
There was a tremendous falf of rain and
considerable damage was done by wash
outs and the carrying OF OF crops.
Tornado Kills Six.
vicksburg, Miss, Oct 29-Tensas parish.
La. was frightfully afflicted by tornado
today about noon. Six negroes were killed
and there was great destruction OF build
ing on various plantations. Seven houses
were destroyed in the town of St. Joseph.
The parish was generally visited and full
details are not obtainabse tonight.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30
which Ever Way You Lock at It..

MsIWANkte StHtFFtI.
ff. under a free coinage policy, our pslr-
chases from England would be reduced
without changes in our tsrlG policy upon
grcteciion lines. as tire silver projections
lists claim. IL would seem 20 be inevitable
thai the real cause Of our purchasing less
would be q iessensng ~ our ability 20 buy.
which really means increasing poverty.
And under a free silver pos4cx. We could
increase our exports OF products only hv
un6Srssiling competitors n the foreign
markets Such undertaking process could
only be brought about ny a reduction IN
the prices 81 our products No matter
watch way y1u lock AZ the proposition Ia
horers and producers generally are GER
tain 20 obtain 10 benefits from a.