davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-08

been completely stamped out, or where
1t has been buried deep beneath it's cano-
Ply of sand.
1t is the oasis that is the redeeming pearl
OF the desert. No poetic temperament is
needed to prepare one for the enioyments
of its coming. From miles of distance the
eye fastens itself upon the tree-tops; the
dark green is a break in the landscape
and like the black shadow of clouds it
seems to go and come, the gentle undula-
uons OF the desert throwing it now and
again out of sight. We had penetrated but
moderate distance into the desert, but
the coming of the oasis was a relief that
can hardly be observation-disclosures dense
groves at date palms and the circulating
streams of water. What must indeed, the
oasis be to those who have YEARLY plodded
it's sands for weeks at a time! When we
returned to Biskra after our southerly
journey, the sun had just set behind the
palm forest illuminating the sky with that
SOFT African yellow, which has been match
ed only by the brush of Edward Frere. The
tall tree-trunks rose against this in spec
tire shadows of brown, silent monoliths ris-
ing as if from a silent grave. An Arab
group appeared here and there, the flowing
waters and the mosque asking each to his
special devotions
The heat Of the desert is an unuuestiona-
Bile reality; and yet, perhaps in the month
Of our travel, the hottest of the North At
rlcan months, 1t was not so dreadful as
might have been assumed. 1t is true that
the mercury, whether by night or by day,
felt little disposed to leave the region of
the ninety-eights, unless it was in the di-
rection of an upward journey During the
hours of midday 1t stubbornly chung to
the division line of 10 degrees, passing
even beyond it slightly although, per-
haps, not in the most perfect shade) at
BislSra, during our brief absence, 1t stood
at ZIG degrees. In travelling, however, we
were subjected to even a much higher tenn
perature, as, at rapidly recurring inter-
walls, the heated reflections from the burn
ing sands were, as it seemed blown bod
lily into us. 1t was then that we remarked:
This is like an oven." And, in truth, 1t
was very much so.
l was surprised to find that there was a
difference of only twenty degrees between
the heat of the open sun Q32 degrees) and
that of the shade; the temperature of the
sunny sands was at it's highest 13
degrees. The excessive dryness made
the heat perhaps on the whole more bear
able than if the atmosphere had been in
measure charged with humidity; at least
such is a general belief, and am not sure
but that it is well founded. Certain it is
that excessive perspiration has been large
| ly reduced thereby. on the other hand,
this extremely dry heat brings to many
a partly suffocating feeling-a feeling as
though the atmosphere was lacking in the
proper amount or quality of oxygen.
The parched palate asks for a moisten-
er and for repeated lotions in decreasing
periods of time. Still the whole is both
bearable and supportable, and the for.
eigners who have located at Biskra seem
to have acclimated themselves in a com,
paratively short space of time.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-08
FISHES INsENsIBLE TO PAIN.
The Observations OF NaturaIists
Lead to This Belief.
From the New York Sun

From the New York Sum
All fishes have nerves, ana in some re-
spects fishes are extremely sensitive. A
fish that has buried itself in sand or mud
so completely that only the tip of its tail
fin is above the bottom will feel upon that
the slightest touch and instantly dart out
OF its sandy bed. A fish is very sensitive
to movements in the water surrounding it.
A shadow falling upon the water will star
tie fish into flight. But sensitive as fishes
are in some respects, it is probable that
they do not suffer pain from injuries re-
ceived.
Fishes are extremely sensitive at the
nose. A fish that had in pursuit of prey
run its nose against a rock might shake
its head violently, perhaps in pain but
fishes sustain serious injuries from actual
wounds without showing any indication of
pain. In fact, the indications tend to show
that they do not suffer.
A fish that has been hooked by an an
gler, but has escaped, perhaps carrying
off a hook in its mouth, may a few min
Ntes afterward bite again at another hook.
Such instances are not infrequent. In such
cases the hook would probably be conceal
ed by the bait and the fish would not be
likely to see It, but the fact that 1t is
ready to take the bait shows that Il is
continuing to feed, which it would scarce
ly be likely 10 do If 1t were suffering great
pain. A shark from whose body all the
viscera had been removed has continued to
feed
Sensitive as fishes are about the nose
many of them use the nose in pushing
stones and gravel about in building a nest
for the female to spawn in. The salmon
VIGOROUSLY often wears its snout down
TO the bone in excavating a cavity for a
nest. and often IL wears Off Its tail to a
mere stub in brushing out stones and
gravel. Yet such fishes frequently re-
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-08

cover from their injuries and return to
the ocean.
Tirnid and sensitive as fishes are in
some respects, they fight one another
vigorously. In such fights they receive
injuries that may be described as terri
BILE. To these injuries they may pay
so little attention that after the fight is
over they go on with their feeding or
with whatever occupation they have been
engaged in.
Injuries which would throw a human
being into a state of help1essness do not
interrupt the current of fish life. The
fish may afterward die from its injuries,
but apparently it does not suffer pain
from them.
Fishes sometimes survive injuries of a
remarkable character. The stomach of
a captured goldfish was found to be pierre
ed by a spine of a founder which it had
swallowed. The sharp, thorn-like spine
projected about half an inch beyond the
outer wall Of the stomach into the fsh's
body. Apparently the Goldfish had suf-
fered no inconvenience from this. The
wound caused by the spine had heale
around it, and the Goldfish was fat and
in good condition generally.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-08
FIRING FROM THE CoWCATCHER.
Accommodating Railroad Men Make
1t Pleasant for an Enthusiastic
Gunner.

Accommodating Railroad Men Make
1t Pleasant for an Enthusiastic
Gunner.
From the Lewiston Journal.
Speaking of accommo dati1g officials on
the different railroads, it would seem that
those running on the mixed train of the
Phillips and Rangeley railroad should be
presented with the blue ribbon" for the
careful attention they pay to It's passen-
gers, and when one asks a favor, if it is
in the power of the trainmen it will be
granted.
The other day a party of jolly drum
mers were coming up the line. and the en-
tire party were well supplied with ammu-
milton. They were mixing a little sport
with their business calling. Among the
number was William l.. Gerrish of Port
land The trainmen were telling about
seeing cartridges nearly every trip, and
this rather enthused the party and start
ed the sporting blood in Mr.. Gerrishs
viens to flow more iercely and, after it
had made several trips through his anat-
omy, the gentleman was prepared to face
almost amy obstacle in order to get a shot
at the almost numberless birds that in
habited tho woods on either side of the
railroad track
But all this time his mind had been
busy thinking up some scheme whereby
he could get a chance to fire at one or
two.
81 have it," said he to himself, and
moment later his actions were causing as
much comment among his fellow passen-
gers as would a flash of lightning from a
cloudless sky. All the while he was put
ting his thoughts into action. He arose,
took his gun from the case, inserted a
couple of cartridges, and started for the
door of the caboose.
where are. you going, Gerrish!" asked
one.
"Going to shoot a partridge" replied
the drummer sportsman.
They thought he had become suddenly
insane and was going to jump from the
train. But this idea was soon dispelled
from their minds for a moment later all
that could be seen of this cratic sports
man was his patent feathers dangling
from the top of the freight car, and a mo-
ment later he had entirely disappeared
from view. His companions quailed with
fear. Had he fallen from his lofty seat
on the freight car, or had he seen a bird
and made a wild plunge in midair for mis-
much cherished gamer They went to the
door and ,peeped out. He had vanished.
They looked back. Nothing could be seen
but the imaginary form OF what was but
brother in the "Order of Satchels and
a moment ago one of a jolly party and a
trunks
But the man, ooh, where was he?"
Safe and sound, and by the time his
friends had given up the hunt a train
hand came in, and seeing the anxious look
upon the faces OF his passengers, assured
them that the missing member was safe
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-08

and warming his back against the boiler
on the COW catcher. He had gone from
the caboose, over tho cars, through the
engine, and seated himself in this consplc-
uous place watching for the enemy" He
had not long to wait, for right ahead he
spied beautiful bird. He put his gun to
his shoulder and blazed away The bird
fiuttered a moment, keeled over and was
no more. He signaled to the engineer TO
stop, and as soon as possible the train
was brought to a standstill.
Running back, he procured his prize,
and on being told to hurry
up and Get aboard, he started
at once. But he stubbed his toe pur-
posely, his friends say, and fell in shape
less mass upon the roadbed.
The train started on. The man arose,
brushed the sand from out of his eyes and
started for the woods to find the dead
birds mate. But It was growing dark
and he was several miles from Rangeley.
He set his wits TO work. About time for
the night train, he thought. No time TO
lose. He Immediately made torch and
signaled the train. 1t stopped, he got
aboard, and on his arrival was greeted
with a hearty handshake by his many
friends. who were anxiously waiting at
the Oquossoc the arrival OF their friends
the cow-catcher hunter.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-08

is healed up thoroughly and the disease
completely driven out of the blood.
over sixty Running Ulcers.
Mr.. Alden was ist attacked by this
loathesome disease about six years ago,
and since that time the tortures which
he suffered, both of mind and body, are
beyond description.
First there appeared on his arms and
limbs small pimples, causing much an
noyance by their itching and burning, and
which gradually broke out into nasty run
ming ulcers, varying in size from that of
a penny-pieee to some in which could be
placed a silver dollar. So painful were
these sores that many nights were passed
pacing the floor, the suffering being so
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-08
-7-----------s--,.-e-
RICE-GROWING IN TEXAS,
A Vast Field for the Cultivation of
the Crop.
From the Louisiana Planter.

From the Louisiana Planter.
The almost unlimited acreage of the
level coast lands Of Southeastern Texas.
is beginning to attract the attention of
rice planters. Mr. II. S. Kneedler of the
Southern Pacific railway, in the GuIf
coast country of Texas. says that four
years ago there was not an acre of rice in
Orange county; that this year 2.l6s acres
were planted; that although this land was
not properly cultivated the crop was be-
yond expectation, yielding eight to ten bar
rels per acre.
or course. the great drought OF the spring
and summer Of 1896 greatly retarded the
development of the rice industry in South
eastern Texas, as we'll as injuring IL ter
ribly in Southwestern Louisiana. but the
fact remains that to this immense stretch
of country beginning say at LAFAYETTE.
La, and extending to or beyond Beaumo,
Tex, we must look for the bulk of the
rice supply of the United States. Barring
the cost Of the Irrigation, rice can be pro
duced on these coast lands as cheaply as
oats can be produced further north. The
cost of Irrigation, while considerable is
not excessive, the abundant SUNNY Of
fresh water in the creeks and bayols Of
the country making the Irrigation Of the
rice lands a comparatively easy matter.
A recent trip through Texas over the
Southern Pacific and Santa Fe railway
systems brought to us ocular evidence of
these vast possibilities OF the rice indus
try on our Gulf coast lands They are as
yet but sparsely populated, can be bought
as low prices, will produce any crops pc
culiar to the middle west and southern
states, and are peculiarly adapted to rice
culture, because OF the low cost Of prepar-
ing the lands planting. irrigatlng and
harvesting the crop and the facilities for
rapidly marketing II.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-08
Life UnendurabIe and
Death Almost 'eI(OInod,
The Condition of Mr. A. S. Alden, Who Was Suf.
fering From Eczema in Its Most Horrible
FOrm-After Six Years Torture
and Agony He Is Cured by
q B B @
In One Months Treatment-Over so Running
Ulcers Made His Life Misery and Burden.

There is probably among the large num-
Der of skin eruptions arising from disor-
ders of the blood none more annoying and
distressing than Eczema. The different
forms of this disease vary from the small
patches of pimples, itchy and worrisome,
to the large running ulcers, that may
spread over the entire body, making the
life of the victim a misery and burden.
To add to the dread of this obnoxious
malady, there are few diseases and affec-
lions of the skin and blood that are as
difficult to subdue, and the sufferer from
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-08

Eczema has before him
a dark outlook for a
life of comfort or
h e a tn, and their
chances for allevia-
ton of the misery
they undergo, judging
from t he success of
the great majority of
p h Y S / clans in the
treatment of this dis
ease, is extremely
slim.
Such was the condi-
ton of Mr.. a. S. AL
den, who has been a
resident of Savannah
for over thirty years,
but recently removed
TO JeSup, Ga. ana VINO
is well known to the
people of Savannah.
Mr.. Alden had suffer-
ed excruciating agony
for six years from Ec-
zema, and after being
treated by many ply
sicians he finally ap-
piled to Abbo for
treatment, and, as a
result every sore snOt
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-08

of what l have suffered causes me to
shudder, Suffice it to say that when I
called on you 1 had feared there was no
hope for me, and death would have been
almost a welcome visitor. All of the Ill
GERS have now healed and my health ana
month 1 have increased twelve pounds in
weight my appetite has returned, sleep
is enjoyed, and, in fact, my whole condi-
ton is improved to an extent that is al
most beyond belief. 1 am certainly CRATE
full to you for your care and treatment,
and have cause not only to thank you, but
to publicly make known your wonderful
skill and curative powers. Yours grate-
fully, A. s. Alden,
30 Broughton street.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-08

intense that sleep was an inpossib;p+,
For over eighteen months life las MY
cry, and Mr., Alden had begun o look ''t for
death as welcome relief to lis agony.
When he did so his condition was ~
tremely pitiable, as not only WIS his bo1I,
a mass Of sores, but his kidneysand otbeyy
been reduced twenty pounds IN WEIGHT 4au
Gained Twelve Pounds in Month
On the 18th of last September he nlacad
hlmset under Abbo's Treatment, and tha
rapid recovery that resulted was most re
markable and wonderful. In DE moptb
after every sore had healed IN earnnIa t.i..l
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-08

NeAAA
all pain hae been dis,
PEELED, his kidneys
were working natural
~ and in a perfectly
normal condition and
he had increased in
weight in this short
time fully u pounds.
Mr.. AIden's letter.
Savannah, CT. Oct.
10, 1886. TO DIR Abbo:
Dear Sii-In refer
ence to your cure OF
my case, 1 caa hon
,estly say that the re-
suits of your medi-
cines were aston shing
in the extreme To
fully appreciate my
condition, when call
ed on you, it would
have been Necessary
TO have examined my
body or to have spent
with me one of the
many nights that 1
spent in torture una
BILE to sleep or gain a
moments relief from
pain. To describe my
condition fully l can
mot &c thn fibn,Yobtg
The Red Cloud chief., 1896-06-26

troubled himself ~ any extent ahOu,
the question ot a suitable engine. which
could he furnished easily cuoUch when
needed. The problem was to make n
machine that would fly. and fly In the
right way this accomplished. there was
no difficulty in Supplying the power re-
Quircd for a long "trip.
In short the difficulties are greatly
iesscnCd Ivy the enlargement of the ma
chine. \ flyer of this type eighty feet
long would have Il sufficient area oi
planes to sustain Il powerful steam en-
ginc ana a ear carrying a number of
passengers. The steam may I've obtain
ed from liquid fuel or 10y burning gas
that has been compressed and loaded
into cylindrical reservoirs of thin
drawn steel tubing. such u reservoir
can he made to hold 100 times its cubi-
cal contents of gas. and thus the air
ship is able to take on board a great
quantity Of fuel in a very small com
pass. The tour-horsc power Copeland
engine now on the market weighs only
tw~enty-scNCn pounds and occupies a
1oor space of but ten inches square, it's
height being t~wcnty-onc inches.
Professor Langley calls mis- machine
an "acrodromc' or air runner. II trav-
els at the rate of eighteen miles an
hour. The inventor regards II as an
important point of advantage that !, is
able to 20 So slowly. This will loo un-
dorstood when II is explained that the
sustaining power required by the air
ship becomes less In proportion to the
increase of its speed. \ man can skate
over thin ice which would not bear him
If he stood sim. The faster he goes
the thinnc! III" ice needed 10 hold him
up. II he 20 fast enough he could run
over the surface of a pond of water.
Ihe same principle applies to the aero
drcmo in its progress through the at
mosphcrc.
If the acrodrumc is able to sustain
itself when flying only eighteen miles
an hour, II can carry twice as much
weight when going twice as fast. Until
recently IL has been imagined that the
atmosphere was not dense enough for
propellers to act upon it effectively.
The Red Cloud chief., 1896-06-26

People commonly think Of night in
the air "a implying m ascent to great
heights, but for tina, there is no nCccs.
sity. All that is required for practiCaI
purposes is that the acrodromC shall
travel at a level high enough TO he clear
OF houses and trees. The start must
he made from a height. Not the best
hNcr among the soaring birds can make
a start from the ground without much
dIihculty. The eagle takes a long run
before II can rise, thus gathering mo-
incntum. The sky-scarching condor of
the NndCs gets a start usually by drop
ping from a lofty crag. An important
part OF the problem vt human flight is
the question of landing safely. People
are not going to travel in a vehicle that
is apt to wind up its Journey with Il
smash-up. Professor Langley believes
he secs the way ont Of this trouble, but
ne guards his ideas ON the subject very
carefully.
II may I've that the aCrodromc of the
Iuturc Tor passenger traffic will be mod
iiod on the plan of 4 trolley for the sake
ul safety. suppose u line Of poles carry.
lnS Il trolley wire to be erected from
New York to Chicago. The airship
overhead would I've connected with this
wire below 10y two wires. The connect
ing wires would travel along the trolley
wire. BN means Of this arrangement
the power for running the propeller
fans could I've furnished from dynamo
stations at suitable intervals along the
route. Thus all necessity for carrying
an engine on the aerial vessel would re
obriatcd. The airship might fly at a
height oi 100 feet or 50 above the trolley.
II would carry SUSPENDED beneath IL a
ear for passengers. Who can say that
ten years hence We may not see such a
line as this running across the contin-
cnt, with a continuous flight of aero
dromcs departing and arriving at 30
minute intervals? one important adj
vantage Of the trolley idea IL that the
wire would control the flying machine.
and no steering would he necessary.
Fifteen years ago a man who had the
tomCrity To deliver Il serious lecture on
the prospects OF navigating the air
The Red Cloud chief., 1896-06-26

sible to understand what changes the
new invention was destined to bring
about. But to-day We are on the TIRES
hold OF a more important application
of science wen than the steam locomo-
tive. Professor Langley's flying ma
chine that will fly introduces n revolu-
ton in transportation more radical
han that which any invention has
wrought in the past, because at last
land and water transportation is
transferred to the frictionless air.
For the World Professor Bell has
described Professor Langley's inyen-
ton as follows:
Last Wednesday. May G, | witnessed
4 very remarkable experiment with
Professor Langley's aerodrome on the
Potomac river. Indeed, II seemed 10 me
that the experiment was of such his
tOricai importance that il should be
made public. | should not feel at liber-
~ to give an account Of all the details,
but the main facts | have Professor
Langloy's consent for giving you, and
they are as follows:
llt 'lbUIolIf, VI ~ IDS UlitlIlt,
in question was of steel, driven by IA
steam engine. 1t resembled an enor-
nous bird, soaring in the air with eX-
IRENE regularity in large curves, sweep
ing steadily upward in a spiral path.
the spirals with a diameter of perhaps
100 yards, until il reached a height of
about 100 feet in the air, at the end Of a
II nla,,. InIV q. ,,.I. III "
steam gave out, the propcllers which
had moved II stopped, and then, to my
further surprise, the whole, instead of
tumbling down, settled as slowly and
gracefully as 1t Is possible for any bird
TO do, touching the water without any
damage, and was immediately picked
out and was ready to be tried again"
The flying machine carries a small
steam engine of one-horse power. The
whole contrivance weighs twenty-five
pounds. Its light steel framework holds
extended horizontally three sheets of
thin canvas, n above the other. The
length all over is fifteen feet. The en-
CINE runs two propellers.
The machine could fly 100 miles, or
wen a much greater distance with n
sufficient supply of steam. But the
small engine employed Is not Of the
condensing pattern and has no means
of using the same water over and over.
Professor Langley will soon construct
n flyer of large size, which will carry
a proper mechanical equipment and be
capable of extended flight. The one
described Is only a model for expert
mental purposes. The inventor has not