davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16
On the strength of experiments "

On the strength of experiments with
the ROentgen ray scientist has come
forward with a pamphlet to claim that
the SUMS notan inconceivably hot body.
but habitable globe, with an ideal
climate. 1t sends to the earth vast cur
rents of electricity which, in passing
through our atmosphere, are converted
into light and heat. According TO this
theory the earth is magnet, solarized
in space, and between all heavenly
bodies exists an interaction of electro
magnetic currents. These currents from
the sun are fully returned to it. because
the reaction Of the other heavenly bod
les equals the sum total of the suns
electric discharges. In regard to the
creation of the earth, the author has nc
explanation to offer, but he says the
sun is not going to cool off, man will
not disappear, nor will the earth ever
become a frozen ball on account of the
suns loss of heat.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16
A Ghost Story Exploded.

1t is a relief even to those who scOrn
to believe in the supernatural when
supposed ghost is clearly proved to be
of earthly origin. One of the most ia
nous murder cases in Australia was
discovered by the ghost of the murder
ed man sitting ON a rail of nam (Aus-
tralian for horsepond) into which his
body had been thrown. Numberless
people saw it, and the crime was duly
brought home. Even the skeptical a13
mitted that this ghost seemed to be an
authentic one. But some years after,
dying man making his confession said
that he invented the ghost He wit
messed the crime but was threatened
with death if he divulged it as he wish
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16
The Community of Letters

Writers have liked to speak Of the Ke-
public of Letters, as if to mark their
freedom and equality; but there is a
better phrase. namely, the Community
Of Letters: for that means intercourse
and comradeship and life in common.
Some take up their abode in it as if
they had made no search for place to
dwell in, but had come into the freedom
of it by blood and birthright. Others
buy the freedom with a great price,
and seek out all the sights and privil-
eyes of the place with an eager thor
oughness and curiosity. Still others
win their way into it with certain
grace and aptitude, next best to the
ease and dignity-of being born to the
right. But for all it is a bonny place to
be. Its comradeships are liberal edu-,
cation. Some, indeed, even there, live
apart; but most run always in the mar
ket place to know what all the rest
have said Some keep special company,
while others keep none at all. But all
feel the atmosphere and life. of the
place in their several degrees.-Cen.
tury.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

beloved object" contrary to the wish
es of her father, "a man of thews and
sinews," and one day the latter kicked
the lover violently into the street. In
a day or two (after recovery the re-
jected suitor, apparently not one whit
discouraged, called at the house once
more. "What, again!' exclaimed pater-
familias, putting on his well-soled boots
for action.
mo, SIR" cried the young man. 81
have given up all hope Of winning your
daughter; but in consequence of that
astounding kick you gave me the other
day l have been requested, on the
strength Of my earnest recommends
ton to the committee, to ask you to
join our football club
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

No sooner have the X rays given srr-
geonS an interior view of the human
body than new surgical operations have
been projected more wonderful tIan
the X rays themselves. There i, a
man in Chicago who, having un1er-
gone resectiOn of the femur, Lad
three inches Of a calf's bone inserted
to preserve the length of the limb; bus
even this feat is to be eclipsed. DR..
Miller, of Fertile, Mimi, is experiment.
ing to test the practicability Of trans
ferring the kidneys of one animal to
the body of another. He has already
attempted the operation and overcome
the most serious obstacles, and is con-
hdent he will soon be able to replace tho
diseased kidneys of man with those
of dog. The prospect which these
experiments open up is rather confus-
ing. Evidently the time is approach
ing when Bright's disease will lose it's
terrors, for if this malady attacks
man he will simply get a new set of
kidneys and go about his business. But
this can be done will only encourage
self-indulgence, and result in general
breaking down Of the system. On the
other hand, there is a prospect that
new livers, hearts, and lungs may be
provided in the same way, so we are
all at sea again. One thing to be con-
sidered before one submits to such op-
erations is the effect of these organic
repairs on character. If, as material
lists assert, every mans character is the
inevitable product of his physical ma
ture, it follows that no serious change
can be made in the organs of his body
without corresponding change in his
mental traits. Probably no one doubts
that il a mans brains were taken out
and replaced with calf'S brains it would
make change in his way of thinking.
But it is just as obvious that if he had
a calf'S liver it would make a proper
tiOnate change in his character; and so
on with the other organs. Then the
question arises whether these changes
would injure human character or i'm
ploNc II, anu lil1S VI COuISc uGl)cuuS Oh
the man. Some cynic has said the
more he saw of men the better he
thought of dogs. and probably he would
consider that the more dog there could
be transferred to a mans body the bet
ter man he would be. Certain it is that
there are men, here and everywhere,
who with some traits of the dog, the
hog, and even the hyena introduced
into their character would be better
citizens. But one thing leads to an
other, and we are next brought face to
face with an awkward problem con-
cerning personal identity. If one part
after another of a pocketknife is chang
ed it gradually ceases to be the same
knife. Much more if a mans vital or
gans give way to those of the sheep,
the calf, and the dog, he must become
a different moral being. Is he a man
at all? Has he soul? Is he account
able and immortal? After all, it is diff
ficult to tell whether DR.. Miller should
be encouraged or not in his daring eX-
perimentS.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

line officers and 200 ordnance soldiers
as guard. Under these circumstances
the capacity of the arsenal and the
armory would be the full armament
and equipment for regiment of cav
airy or of infantry, some 1,2OO strong,
each working day.
The departments fully equipped ano
running at present comprise the ma
chine, carpenter, leather, paint, gun
carriage and forge shops, the foundry
and rolling mill employing about 4OO
men, with monthly pay roll of nearly
$4,000. The administration of the
government shops at all the arsenals Il
excellent, and the relations between
employer and employed would form
an excellent model for many Of the
large manufacturing establishments OF
the present day. 1t is steady work
with short but busy hours every day
good wages and certain pay, just treat
ment, clean and roomy shops.
The Present Output.
The arsenal to-day is engaged in the
manufacture and supply of ordnance
stores for the regular army, the ma
tional guard, the military colleges, anG
partly for the marine corps, UniteO
States navy, and the naval reserves
a total force of over 100000 men. The
main part of the work consists in the
construction of siege gun carriages
siege howitzer carriages, fixed gun car
riages, with limbers, caissons and bat
terry wagons complete, the complete
accouterments for infantry and cav.
airy soldiers, horse equipments an0
harness for light artillery. No rifles
swords or revolverS are manufactured
here in time of peace, but large quaint.
ties of these small arms are sent from
the national armory at Springfield.
Mass. to be distributed to the army
forts, national guard and military col
leges of the Mississippi valley and the
Western States. All iron, wood, cloth
and paper targets are also made here,
besides the regular elliptical targets,
iron frames to be covered with cotton
cloth and representing soldiers in the
act of firing, kneeling and lying down
on the skirmish line, and cavalry sol
diers on horseback. Small arm car
tridges of all kinds are received in car
lots from the government cartridge fac
tory at Philadelphia, to be distributed
also as above. In the several labor
atories all kinds of cartridges for fixed
guns are made up. The fixed guns and
their projectiles are made at Water
vliet arsenal, West Troy, n. Y. Con-
tracts for material used in construc
ton at arsenals are made yearly.
In the gun yard of the Rock Island
arsenal may be seen grim trophies of
several wars. One gun speaks of revo-
lutionary struggles and patriotism and
bears this inscriptions: Surrendered
by the convention of Saratoga, Oct. II,
1777." This trophy of the surrender of
Burgoyne has for many years been an
honored guest at the arsenal.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

other citizens tomorrow. Mr.. ROcke-
feller's is largely in stocks and Sc
curitieS The dukes is principally real
estate. Its value and earnings are lit
tie affected by outside causes. For a
century indeed the only variation has
been an increase of value and rentals.
The duke is interested in many COM
mercial enterprises and railway and
other corporations, but, as was said,
the bulk Of his belongings is in the
nature of real estate, business blocks,
market places, houses and farms. His
income ranges from 100000 to So,
100000 annually. 1t is not so great as
that of several Americans, whose ag-
gregate wealth is much less than that
Of Westminster, but if their returns are
larger their risk is greater. The dukes
belongings, real and personal, amount
to about $175,OOO,00O.
The dukes popularity is as great as
his wealth. If his position were elec-
tive and he were to resign, he would be
returned again at the next election.
He is a truly democratic peer-making
the true distinction between democracy
and the vulgarity and yiciousness of
Aylesford, Queensberry and other no
torious aristOcrats dead and alive. He
is beloved of his tenantry and admired
by people of all classes whether they
are his dependents or otherwise. His
popularity was not gained in politics
or in diplomacy, but from association.
His hospitality is boundless and his
many ancestral seats are always filled
with guests The fire is alight the
year round. 1t is in the hunting field
that his grace finds greatest joy. He is
a true sportsman, and is careless
whether farmers or princes accompany
him in the chase. 1t is the game he
seeks, not society. He is the best judge
is not wholly theoretical in his informa-
ton. He can fit a racing plate to a
horses foot with the skill of q master
smith His horses are the pride of his
life. His stud farm is the estate ON
which his principal country seat, Eaton
Hail. is situated. This is in Chester,
near Hawarden, the home of Glad
stone. The lords of the stud are the
great Ben dor and Ormonde.
The duke, who describes himself as
being in the prime of life, was born
October IS, 1925, and is now in his
seventy-first year. He has been mar
ried twice, the first time in 1852. His
wife was Lady Constance Gertrude
Leweson- Cover, daughter of George
Granville, duke of Sutherland. They
had eleven children, of whom six are
now living The first duchess died in
1880, and in 1883 the duke married
katherine Caroline Cavendish, daugh-
ter of Lord Chesham. They have three
children.
In discussing the democratic ways
of the duke Englishmen relate the
story of stranger who desired to see
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

In 1898, according to the report of
the Commissioner of Education. which
has been brought down to that year,
the number of school houses in the
United States was go, ,426, valued at
$39S, ,435 ,039, with an annual revenue
of $165, 100000, teachers numbering
3S3,010 and an aggregate of 1908. $50
pupils. The illiteracy in the United
States has been reduced to 1873 per
cent, this including 56.S per cent
among negroes, and 13.1 per cent
among white immigrants But little
over half Of the negro population is
now illiterate. While education in this
country is extending at a rapid rate,
there is still much to be done before
reaching the standard of Germany,
with only per cent. of illiterates.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16
The TOurah Prison.

The chief prison in Egypt for maIu
hard labor convicts is at Tourah, about
eight miles south of Cairo, where the.
adjacent quarries, which once furnish
ed limestone to the builders of the
great Pyramids, supply unlimited scope
for labor six days a week. There are.
nine hundred and fifty convicts, and
though one hundred of them are
'GferS," there are others whose term
is only for six months Strict discip-
line is maintained by sixty-fiye ward
ers, who are unarmed and do not carry
even a stick or whip; but by night there
are nine sentries and by day there are
four, who patrol the roof and the out
side of the prison, and who know how
to use their loaded rifles with deadly
aim. These sentrieS are blacks from
the equatorial provinces, and have pre-
vented more than one attempted es-
cape. Nearly all the convicts are ma
tives of Egypt, the blacks only supply
ing five per thousand and the Nubians
averaging only two per thousand. Any
extra bad characters among the con-
victs, such as the ringleaders of 1T
tempted revolt or escape, are locked up,
at night in solitary cells to lessen their
chances of communicating their fell
lows.
AS whole, the convicts are by no
means of a ruffianly type, and their
physiognomies are very like those Of
the ordinary peasant. In this country,
where crime is at such a minimum and
where even the lunatics are as quiet as
sheep, it is not too much 70 hope that
education and improved environment
may one day do much to improve
the lot of the townfOlk, from whom
the convicts are mostly drawn. The
''ticket-of-leave" system has not yet
been introduced into Egypt, and would
certainly be worth a trial. for at pres
ent there is very little incentive to we'll
conducted convicts to lead a peaceful,
hard-working life within the prison
bonds. Every visitor cannot fail to be
struck with the very healthy, well-fed
appearance of the prisoners, and Oh in
quiry l was told that there were only
fourteen ON the sick list.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

A Philadelphia writer contends thai
everything in nature goes in threes,
and that after discovering the lumi-
nant and the actinic power of light
science should have known that there
is another attribute, which has been
found, and is called the Y ray. "If
the third ray" says this theorist, ''has
information to give us of the sun, moon
and stars as vital and important as
that conveyed by the luminant ray
through the spectroscope, we are in
deed on the eve Of an inconceivably
vast extension Of the field Of human
knowledge" This view of the matter
may be pronounced interesting, but
uncertain
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

One Of the best ways for the higher
courts to lessen the lynching tendency
is to refuse to set aside verdicts against
criminals Tor any reason that does
not touch the question of guilt or in
nocence. The people prefer to have
justice administered by the duly ap-
pointed agencies, but when those agen-
cies allow justice to be defeated on
technical and frivolous grounds, other
means Of enforcing the laws have to
he invoked
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

site Of the largest arsenal belonging to
this government. Rock Island is in the
Mississippi River, about 500 miles
above st. Louis and ten miles below
Galena. 1t is nearly three miles in
length and varies in width from one
fourth to three-fOurths of mile, and
contains, above low-water mark, $40
acres. Lengthwise the island lies near
ly east and west, such being the course
of the river at this point. The civil
war early showed the need Of a great
armory and arsenal in the Mississippi
Valley where the legions of the West
ern States could be rapidly armed and
equipped for war.
Rising well out of the bosom of the
broad father Of waters, among the high
surrounding hills on which the cities
of Davenport, Moline and Rock Island
are built, with an immense water power
right at hand, situated so far inland
as to be secure from an enemys at
tack, affording that seclusion so nee
essary for the prosecution Of work of
a warlike character and possessing fine
rail and water communication, the
island of Rock Island would seem
marked out by nature as the ideal spot
for the greatest United States armory
and arsenal.
The United States acquired it's title
to the island through a treaty which
was made with William Henry Harri-
son, Governor and superintendent of
Indian affairs for the Indian secretary
and district of Louisiana, with certain
chiefs of the Sac and Fox tribes of
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

themselves for the degree OF ~ SO
as to teach or carry on researc and sI
the exceptional men on whom or or
seven years Of speciaf stddy Is not
wasted. The new step taken by the
university is one Of the highest import
ance, as it bears upon the promotion
Of liberal study for the development Of
knowledge and the training Of men fit
ted to do the best work in teaching or
in any other calling which requires a
general training of specific character:
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16
brigadier general and chief Of ord
nance. General Rodman died at his
quarters at the arsenal June Z, 1871.
Great Military Plant.

Great Military Plant.
This great military plant consists
of ten immense freproof stone shops of
U-shape, with system of dams giving
over 5000 horse power, and the neces-
sary storehouses, magazines, labora-
tories, barracks and quarters, situated
near the center of the island. Five of
these great shops. placed in row,
each of which cost nearly $500,000, are
intended as an armory for the manu-
facture of small arms, such as rifles and
carbines and cartridges, and the re-
naming five shops, in another row on
the opposite side Of the handsome, tree
embowered avenue, facing the first
row, are intended as an arsenal for
the construction of ordnance and ord
nance stores. When in full operation
during time of war, and provided and
equipped with all the necessary ma
chinery, the arsenal shops would en-
ploy some 10000 workmen, with twenty
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

A proposal to exclude from the army,
the legislature, and municipal office
all persons whose fathers and grand
fathers were not citizens, is before the
French Chamber of Deputies. The
rule would have kept out Napoleon
Bonaparte and Gambetta A law ad-
mitting only the children Of French
citizens to the civil service is also
under consideration.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16
Not His Fault.

Old Lady-Did't L tell you never to
come here again?
Up-to-Date Tramp hope you will
pardon me, madam, but it is the faul.
of my secretary; he has neglected to
strike your name from my calling list
-Tid-Bits.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16
MUNITIONS OF WAR.
MADE AT THE ROCK ISLAND
ARSENAL.
Gigantic Shops for the Manufacture
of Wars Enginery-Picturesq Sur
nitions.
Equipment for an Army.

If ever again it is decided by the
United States Government to unleash
the dogs Of war Rock Island will at
once become pivotal point of per-
haps greater international Importance
than any other spot of land of equal
size in this country. Not the city Of
that name, but the island itself, the
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16
RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD.
The Duke of Westminster Is Award
ed that Distinction.

His grace the Duke of Westminster,
honest man, sleeps easily. Though his
children number some seven living, and
he has. grandchildren too many to be
reckoned readily, yet he has no fear for
the morrow. The duke is probably the
richest man in the world. Ii Hung
Chang has been rated higher, and
Americans in their pride claim greater
wealth for Mr.. Rockefeller, but, ev-
erything considered, the Duke of West
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

Within recent years Africa has been
parceled out among the powers Of
Europe, England having seized broad
belt of the continent reaching from
Cape Colony to the mouth Of the Nile.
What is to protect South America,
Central America, Cuba and Mexico
from a similar fate? Nothing, if the
historic policy Of The United States
hury
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

The University of Pennsylvania has
esta blished a series Of scholarships and
fellowships for postgraduate study for
two years and for three years after TAX
ing the degree of Ph d. The scholar.
ships make provision for three classes:
The men who have the ability which
justifies their taking year more than
The college course; those who are lifting
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

minister's holdings will doubtless top
those of the Chinaman and the Ameri-
can. He is certainly the heaviest own
er of real estate in the world. There
is considerable uncertainty as to the
title of property in China. 1t is the
subjects to-day; it may be the en-
peror's or it may be parceled out among
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

Russia has expressed a willingness
to annex and govern Armenia with
the permission Of the other powers
1t is a task no weak nation could ac-
complish. AS a matter of geography
and race Armenia should have gone
to Russia long ago. England has bar
red the way, though unable to point
out any other solution.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

Thousands of scientific men are eA-
perimenting with the X ray in Europe
and America, and as the subject grows
on acquaintance, it is likely to hold
place among the leading topics of 1896.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

Emperor William says that to the
best of his knowledge and belief the
relations between Germany and Eng
land are absolutely harmonious. He
keeps his left hand on his sword mere
ly from force of habit.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16
EATON HALL. HOME DUKE WESTMINSTER.

ed to, and the only way he saw out Of
the impasse was to affect to see the
ghost where the body was found. As
soon as he started the story, such is the
power of nervousness that numerous
other people began to see it, until it's
fame reached such dimensions that
search was made and the body found,
and the murderers brought to justice.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

The French are said to have invest
ed $300,O0O,OOO in the South African
gold mines and a much larger amount
in Russian stocks and Spanish bonds.
The payment Of the German war in
demnity and the Panama Canal losses
appear to have made very little i'm
preston on French wealth
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

The spirit of Wendell Phillips is not
stalking about Boston to any extent
these times when three leading hotels
refuse to entertain a Bishop because
of his color.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-04-16

''The game is up" remarked the hun
CRY customer as he noted the advance
in price of birds ON the bill of fare."-
Philadelphia Record.