davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-05

lent, for the labor bestowed; the only
item that encouraged confiict with the
wilderness to reduce il TO cultivation;
the only product that promised
future wealth to the newly
founded Commonwealth. Upon these
parts Of North Carolina where
settlements were made and fields
were opened, tobacco was the leading
crop, even in those parts where il was
subsequently abandoned TO be re-
suned again III our day with more dis
tinction and far more profitable re-
turns In North Carolina, as in Vir-
ginia, tobacco became the currency OF
the country.
It is well known that until 1857, when
bhe process was discovered of giving
10 tobacco that bright golden color
and that exquisite delicacy of texture
which has so greatly enhanced its
value previous to that year various
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-05

others. Thus all the higher types of
tobacco are indigenous to North Car
DINA soil. Here is their native home.
That their production is profitable,
is evidenced by the thrift and prosper
ity of those farmers who cultivate
them intelligently. The average cost
in North Carolina of raising and mar
keting tobacco is $51.25 per acre, and
the average price realized by the far
mer is $100 per acre, an average profit
Of $48.75 per acre; $50 pounds being
the average amount produced per
acre. The more intelligent and scien-
tific farmers reap much more than the
average profit, producing the finer
types of leaf, obtaining far more than
the average price for them and having
but little, if any, more than the aver
age cost of production. Here / would
be glad to give itemized accounts of
operations and results in the exper-
fence of large number of scientific
farmers that have been furnished me
from various counties, but / have not
time to undertake it as at first in
tended.
1t is sufficient to say they show that
intelligent farmers find large profits in
growing the fine types of leaf tobacco
ON North Carolina soil; the growth OF
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-05

which is rapidly spreading into new
territory, indicating that the time IL
not very distant when the "Old North
State" will produce 1O0,OO0,00O pounds
annually; surprising all others In
quantity as she now does in quality.
(Ths prediction has nearly il not
fully been realized within five years
after it WAS made.--Editor.
In support of what / have Just said
about intelligent farmers getting the
greater part of the profts.shown i'm
my statement of the average cost Of
production, price obtained and net
profit, have certified accounts Of sales
from a number of counties, from which
l find the combined average price per
pound obtained by given number of
the best farmers, and the number OF
pounds raised and profit realized per
acre in each case to be as follows, viz ::
In Surry county, fifteen farmers OBJ
tanned a combined average price of %
clio cents per pound, the combined
average amount produced to the acre
being 49S pounds, equal to $780, less
cost $51.25, equal to $S1.21 profit per
acre
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-05

however well known is this fact to
those present, it is far less widely
known than many suppose. North
Carolina soil is everywhere generous
to the tobacco plant"
One or two other States grow great
er quantity, but the money value OF
her crop, according to the number of
pounds produced, exceeds that Of any
other State. Within her borders is
produced such variety of high-grade
leaf and in such quantities as is no
where else to be found the world over.
Upon her high type of cutting leaf the
great cigarette business of the world
was built up. Her unsurpassed smo-
kers produced in the Golden Belt, 7"
placed her graduated smoking tobac-
60 at a premium over all others in the
world. Her mahogany types Of filters
and wrappers are, by chewers of to-
bacco everywhere, preferred before all
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-05

held the monopoly, one always in de
1nand one that might assure TO
them commercial strength and IN
dependence. With the expansion OF the
colony into the lands of the interior
the culture of tobacco spread with pro-
portionate rapidity, and the product
became almost the sole article OF eN-
port to England, and the sole medium
OF exchange. In the absence also OF
money it became the legitimate
currency of the country, with which
merchandise was purchased, salaries
paid. taxes discharged, and with when
the stipends Of the clergy were dis
charged. And Virginia was formed
into great tobacco paradise, where
material and sentimental aspirations
we're alike supplied and gratified.
With the progress of settlement and
the enlargement of colonial territory,
North Carolina partoolS of the agrieui-
tural and commercial habits of Nir-
ginia. With the one, as with the other,
in those days tobacco was the sole pro-
duct of the fields that could bring the
needed returns in money, or it's equiva-
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-05

cents per pound, and produced an aver
age of 1,493 pounds per acre, equal to
$2S8.64, less cost ($5125), equal to
$237.39 profit per acre. A most wonder
full showing, indeed, of pounds per
acre.
In Granville county, five farmers re-
eeived a combined average Of 27 and
$40 cents per pound, and produced an
average of 700 pounds per acre, equal
to $4,000, less cost $5125, equal to
$16S.37 profit per acre.
In Wilson county, eight farmers re-
ceived the combined average Of % and
ga cents per pound, and produced an
average of 902 pounds per acre, equal
to $205.19, less cost $51.25, equal to
$153.94 profit per acre.
1T is wen to note that some of the
best of these showings are based ON
the production and sale of the HIGH
types of red and mahogany filters. and
wrappers just awhile ago referred to.
These are among the best results Of
scientific farming in each county
named, but hundreds more of equally
good showing can be furnished; forty
or more counties contributing a fair
proportion each. Forsyth county not
excepted, though for good reasons not
quoted.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-05

the golden weed grown and manufac-
tured III our borders.
A plant that feeds and clothes SO
many people: builds towns and cities,
erects churches and endoWs colleges.
and contributes so largely to the
growth and prosperity Of the common
wealth must be OF commanding inter-
est to the whole population.
Tobacco has always had leading rec
ognifion III North Carolina as well as
in Virginia, in which State it became a
staple from the earliest colonial times.
The plant was native Of the Ameri-
can continent, and its use by the ma
tives prevailed wherever the white dis
coyerers appeared, whether on the
islands or on the continental shores,
and the whites quickly adopted fasci-
mating habit, which was acquired with
ready facility, for the fascination of
its spells fell with equal charm upon
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-05

processes were adopted with reference
chiefly to the production of chewing
tobacco of greater or less excellence
by such systems as the habits OF gene
rations had approved sun-curing,
kiln-curing, fue-curing, all, however,
resulting in a dark material, packed
and marketed according to intrinsic
value, the lower priced qualities being
packed in hogsheads which supplied
themselves the place of wagons, re-
yolying on spindles placed in the CEN
tire of the circumference of the heads,
TO which shafts were attached. to
which a team Of two or three animals
was hitched and then dragged off to
distant markets-to Petersburg or
Fayetteville through mud and water,
to the reduction of whatever value the
rude material may have had. For such
tobacco prices were only nominal, but
it supplied in quantity what was lost
in quality; for then tobacco was grown
on strong new land, and the leaf grew
large, lusty and heavy. But when fine
color was made the desideratum ia
connection with quality, the quality
Of the soil in reference to color, tex
ture and flavor became subject Of
prime consideration, and the cure.
preparation and marketing operations
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-05
VIA. WOODS FACTS ANo FIGURES

The spread Of tobacco growing in
North Carolina has been an interesting
study to those who have taken the
trouble to watch its progress. First a
batch of four or five counties on the
North with Caswell as the center one.
the industry spread East, South and
West until now forty-fve counties,
covering more than half the area of
the State, are extensively and profit
ably engaged in its production and
others to a less extent. Beginning
East, the forty-five are as follows
Pitt, Edgecombe, Martin, Halifax,
Green, Wilson, Nash, Warren, Wayne,
Johnston, Franklin, Granville, Vance,
Harnett, Wake, Durham, Person, Chat
ham. Orange, Alamanee, Caswell,
Randolph, Guilford, Rockingham,
Davidson, Forsyth, Stokes, Rowan,
Davie, Yadlin, SurTy, Lincoln, Cataw-
ba, Alexander, IredeIl, Wilkes, Ale
ghany, Ashe, Watauga, Caldwell,
Burke, Mitchell, Yancey, Mcdowell,
and Buncombe.
About nine of these counties beyond
the Blue Ridge mountains produce
wrappers famous for their beautiful
bright colors, and together with filters
and nondescripts, aggregate about ten
millions of pounds annually selling
for an average price Of fourteen cents
per pound.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-05

In Rockingham county, fourteen
farmers combined, average price OBJ
tanned was 80 and 1-12 cents per pound,
the average number of pounds to the
acre being All, equal to $3.50 less
cost $5125, equal to S10655 profit per
acre.
I'm Franklin county, eleven farmers
obtained a combined average price of
10 and 3-s cents per pound and pro-
duced the combined average Of Ole
pounds to the acre, equal to S177.09,
less cost S51.25, equal to S125.s4 profit
per acre.
In Vance county, seven farmers re-
ceived a combined average of AS 3-s
cents per pound, and produced an aver
age of 792 pounds per acre, equal to
$3S3.13, less cost S51.25, equal to $331.Ss
profit per acre.
In Edgecombe county, three farmers
received a combined average of 10 1-3
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-05
NORTH CAROL INA LEAF
1T COMMANDS THE HiGHEST
PRICE OF ANY TOBACCO
GROWN.

The production of tobacco brings
seven million dollars annually into the
pockets Of the farmers of North Caro-
lima. The choice weed grown in North
Carolina sells for a higher price per
pound than tobacco grown in any other
soil in the world.
After this weed leaves the hands of
the farmers, that portion of it which is
manufactured in North Carolina
brings to the State more than seven
million dollars thus adding from
fourteen to fifteen million dollars an
nually to the wealth of the people from
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-30
GRAIN AND STOCK.
Quotations from Chicago and Milwau-
kee Markets.

Chicago, July 2S.-Wheat: July,
$3.50; September, 59Ac. Corn: July.
247sc; September, 251ac. Oats: July
161sc; September, 177sc. Rye: SIC.
Barley nothing doing. Flax: 741ac
Timothy, $40 Glover, 74O. Pork
July, 5.95; September, $500. Lard:
July 3.1212; September, 3.171a. Ribs:
July, 3.1212; September, 3.17k@3.20.
Hogs: Receipts, $4,000; market steady;
light, 3.20@3. so; mixed, 3.O0@3 10;
heavy, 2.65G325. Cattle: Receipts,
$4,000; market steady to a shade high
er; beeves, 3.15@44O; COWS, 1903 20;
Texans, 2.40@345; stockers and feed
ers, 2.25@36O. Sheep: Receipts, $4,000;
market 10@15c lower.
Milwaukee, July 2S.-Flour firm and
higher. Wheat buoyant and higher;
No. 2 spring, 5S&c; No. l Northern,
Gle; September, 59Ac. Corn steady:
No. 8, &c. Oats steady; No. 2 white,
2O1ac; No. 8, 2O$4 @2O1ac. Barley
nominal; No. 2, Sic; sample, 26@3O1ac.
Rye steady; No l, 311ac. Provisions
lower. Pork, 800. Lard, 3.45. Re-
ceipts: Flour, O,4O0 bills; wheat, 20
900 bus; barley, 5000 bus. Shipments:
Flour, 1890 bills; wheat, none; bar
ley, $4,000 bus.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-30
KILLED BY LIGHTNING.
BOY MEETS
DEATH ON SUNDAY.
Under Tree With Two Com
paniOnS
Madison, july %.

Little eight-year-old Jesse benson,
son of Mr. and Mrs. o. F. benson of
Verona, was instantly killed by a bolt
of lightning about o'clock Sunday af-
ternoon while at play under cotton
wood tree in John Jackets yard at
West Madison. Two step-children OF
Mr.. Jacket, Thomas and Alfred Nor
gan, aged l. and respectively, were
stunned but recovered shortly after
ward. Young benson was standing
w. his back to the tree, and the bolt
struck him in the back of the head,
passing down the spinal column and
limbs and cut of one shoe, which was
torn from the foot, while his clothing
was stripped from the body and torn
into long strips. The tree was splint-
cred. Mrs. benson, mother of the vic
tim, is sister of Mrs. Jacket, and the
family were paying their Madison rela-
tives a Sunday visit.
The body was taken home and the
funeral will occur this afternoon at
Verona.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-30

The quantity is not large but is abund-
ant for wintering all stock, and in few
localities some to spear. Rye and bar
icy have harvested excellent crops.
Oats are ripening very rapidly and
some are being cut in the southern
and middle sections. The crop is very
heavy but somewhat damaged by rust.
Potatoes promise we'll and fruit is
excellent THE army worm has made
its appearance in various parts of the
state simultaneously, and is doing
great damage to late oats and is at
lacking the corn in some counties. 1t
Gees not appear to be confined to any
particular portion of the state, but is
Il ported in damaging numbers in
Marinette, Outagamie, Kewaunee,
Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Washington,
Dodge, Racine, Kenosha, La Crosse,
Vernon, Jackson and Wood counties.
The greatest damage appears to have
been done in Marinette, Kewaunee,
and ShebOygan counties.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-30

the new members remained in the city
for Mondays meeting. The silver
party has established temporary Head
quarters in the CorcOran building,
Washington Future events will de-
termine whether or not it will be con-
tinued there 1t is rumOred that the
populists national executive committee
will also make it's headquarters in that
city. but Mr.. Butler refused to either
confirm or deny the statement, While
it has not yet been definitely decided
there will probably be no formal notl-
1ication of Bryan by the
populists. 1t was learned yes
terday that it is the intention
of the populist committee to
waive the usual formal notification
and on August II hold a ratification
meeting in New York at which Bryan's
nomination for the presidency will be
announced,
st. John, treasurer of the national
silver party says: THE national sill
yer party has accepted an invitation
from Baltimore merchants to notify
Bryan and Sewall in the city of BaiCl-
more. The notification will be made
Ia days after the democratic nOtifica-
ton"
The middle-o f-the-road delegates to
the populist convention have appoint
ed a provisional national committee"
to decide upon future action of the
populists in case bryan should not ac-
cept the nomination rendered him or
endorse the platform adopted by the
convention. Henry L. Call of New
York city, a prominent middle-of-the-
road populist, has been appointed
chairman of the provisional commit
tee. He said last night that letter
had been sent to the delegates of each
state asking them to furnish him the
names and addresses of all prominent
populists in their state opposed to
Bryan's nomination.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-30

to the people through the park com
mission and will be used for the i'm
provement of the park and boulevard
property from Gordon Park to Shaker
Heights.
DOrOthea Baird, who was recently
married to Sir Henry Irving's eldest
son, Henry B. Irving, is an actress who
has been before the footlights only for
a short time. Young Mrs. Irving is
very pretty and very talented. She
came before the public prominently
when Beerbohm Tree selected her for
the original Trilby in the London per-
Torrance But prior to that engage
ment she had essayed rather difficult
work and had aspired to lofty heights,
as Constance in She Stops to Con-
quer, Rosalind, Kitty Give, Lady
Henry Fairfax, Hippolyta, Countess
Zicka, Pauline and Hermione. When
Mr.. Tree pitched upon Miss Baird for
his Trilby, her manager, who was
playing her through the English
provinces, kindly surrendered Her.
One of the members of this company
was the young Irving, and so attached
cid he become to Miss
Baird that he could nc bear
to be separated from her.
She soon returned to the provincial
company she had left, and then the en-
gagement was announced. And SO
they were married. Mr.. Irving and his
brother are both actors. Both are
tall slim, have clean cut features and
intellectual fOreheads. Lawrence is
said to be the more talented.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-30
DEMURRER IS FILED
CONTEST OVER THE APPORTION-
MENT LAW IS ON.
ARGUMENT IN SEPTEMBER
John c. Spooner and VIM. E. Crater,
Representing Secretary of State
Casson, Demur to the Complaint
on the Ground that 1t Does Not
State a Cause of Action.
Madison, July Is.


A demurrer in the apportionment
case was filed in the supreme court
yesterday by John c. Spooner and
William E. Carter, attorneys for Henry
Casson, secretary of state. The de-
murrer sets forth that the complaint
in the case does not state facts suf-
ficient to constitute cause Of
action. The filing of the demurrer is
a formal matter, and will not delay
the trial of the case. 1t will come be-
fore the supreme court in September,
and the decision Of the court upon this
point will settle the case. The argu
ments of the demurrer will be
consideration of the various phases of
the apportionment law, and if it is
sustained it means that the law is
constitutional. On the other hand, If
the court overrules the demurrer, an
other session of the legislature will
have to be called to pass a new bill.
Senator Michael Kruszka of Milwau
kee, who is the plaintiff, filed the COM
plant in the case several weeks ago,
asking the court to restrain Secretary
of State Casson from issuing notices
of election under the new law. Mr..
Kruszka's attorneys are Senator w. F.
Villas and Burr w. Jones of Madison,
and George G. Greene of Green Bay.
The attorneys for Mr.. Casson, John c.
Spooner and William E. Carter are
now working on the case and the fight
promises to be very interesting from
a legal as we'll as from political point
of view.
The apportionment law in question,
was passed at a special session
of the legislature convened last Feb
ruary by Gov. Upham. The appor
tionment was based on the state CEN
sus of 1895. The plaintiff, who seeks
to have the law overthrOwn, is Michael
Kruszka. a. democratic senator from
Milwaukee. In the complaint the va
lidity of the special session, is at
tackled, and the differences in the pop
ulation of the districts also pointed
out.
The demurrer filed is brief and
to the point. 1t is as follows:
relation of Michael Kruszka, plaintiff,
versus Henry Casson, secretary of
state, defenda 1t: Henry Casson, sec
rotary of state of Wisconsin, the de-
PENDANT in the above entitled proceed
ing, by John c. Spooner and William
E. Carter, his attorneys, demurs to the
complaint, information or relation of
the said plaintiff in this proceeding,
for the reason that it appears upon the
face Of the said complaint, informa-
ton or relation, that the same does
not state facts sufficient to constitute
a cause of action against the said de-
PENDANT, or to entitle the said plain
tiff to the relief prayed for therein or
to any relief whatever or against this
defendant"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-30

Now that it is settled that Miss Will
son learned in a dream that young
Mr.. Vanderbilt is her affinity, there is
nothing for the Vanderbilt family to
do save to surrender gracefully. Miss
Wilson is a young woman OF energy,
and no sooner did she awake than she
went after the young man with a spirit
born of high religious purpose. Arte-
mus Ward tells US in his memoirs that
a lady tackled him once with the same
proposition. We do not recall the con-
versation in extenso, but we remember
that he stigmatiZed her as ''scander-
lus femail," and when she threw her
arms around his neck and wildly call
ed him her affinity he ungallantly Of
fered to bet her $3.50 that she wasn't.
Of course this was in the days before
the noble principles of theOsophy had
sunk deep into the mind of the nation,
and Mr.. Wards affinity, according to
his disposition, was lacking in those
personal charms and graces which
have been so freely conceded to Miss
Wilson. If we were young, impress
SlOHd Dle anu ulSeuLduSlcu, anu d Dedu-
tiful young woman should WOO US with
the customary ardor and demonstra-
ton Of an affinity, we should feel dis
posed to see the affair through to a
reasonable extent. The embrace of a
beautiful affinity is not to be sneezed
at, and well has the poet said: For
love must cling where it can, l say. At
the same time it does not follow that
afinities may not be mistaken, and an
affinity that conduces to severe at
tack of rheumatism may be regarded
with measure of suspicion. Until we
are confronted with the mahatma in
the case we shall not believe that Miss
Wilson is the Joan of Arc Of love or
that Mr.. Vanderbilt is in duty bound
to go further than a gentleman should
under the circumstances and with
gallant disposition to please lady.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-30
HARRISON AT MILWAUKEE.
Ex-President Will Attend Republican
League Convention.

Milwaukee, July 24-Ex-P President
Harrison has promised to be in Mil
yankee at the time of the republican
league meeting. He is going to spend
a few weeks at the Adirondacks and
cannot be here at the state conven-
ton, Aug. s. as was desired.
Gen. Harrison came near spending
some time at Lake Koshkonong just
after his election to the presidency
eight years ago. said Chairman Coe,
and there is a good story connected
with it. [ was at Madison on business
just after the election and Gov Rusk
called me into his office and said that
he had letter from Gen. Harrison
which he did not quite understand.
He produced the letter, which was to
the effect that Mr.. Harrison expected
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-30

to spend some days at the lake on the
invitation of Mr.. Peck, and that he
would like to have the governor spend
day with him while there
Now what l want to know, and
what l cannot understand said Uncle
Jerry. is what George Peck has to do
with our president
Il told the governor that it was
probably Mr.. Peck Of Chicago who had
invited Mr.. Harrison to the lake, and
not George.
"'Oh, is that it?" asked the gov
ernor. You mean the Auditorium
man. l said yes and then Uncle Jerry
was satisfied, saying that as George
Peck was around the lake a good deal,
he supposed the invitation came from
him. and he did not like the looks
Of it
But Mr.. Harrison probably could
not get away from the crowds as he
did not come.