davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-06-24
The Twelfth Victim.

Little Falls, n. Y, June 2O.-George
Denman died here today. making the
twelfth victim of the steam yacht boiler
explosion on Thursday. Joel O. Mans,
boiler inspector of. Utica, says that the
accident was caused by the giving way
of the boiler fues, which had long been
in a dangerous condition, and also that
the boiler heads were not braced as they
should have been.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-06-24
EVANSVILLE MAN KILLED.
Edward Brown Meets Death in a
Railway Accident in
Vermont,

Montpelier, VT, June 22.-Two men
were killed and three were injured in u
rear-end collision on the Central Yer
mont railway near here this morning.
The collision was between cattle train
and a Montreal express. The men killed
were:
J. SESKIND of Chicago.
EDWARD BROWN of GAINESVILLE, Wis.
Both were cattlemen.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-06-24
Oshkosh Boy Appointed.

Oshkosh, Wis, June 20-[Speciai. +
A telegram from Congressman Cook to-
day announces the appointment of Ernest
Peek of this city rs cadet at West Point
with Karl lander of Mishicot as alter
nate.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-06-24
CHICAGO MINISTERS TO COME.
Will Take a. Voyage on the Whaleback
Next Monday.

Chicago. H., June 22.-ESpecial]E
Rev. w. H. Holmes presided at the
meeting of Methodist ministers today.
extended by the proprietors of the whale
lack steamship Christopher Columbus
for an excursion to Milwaukee next Mon
day Every Protestant minister in the
city has been invited and the trip will
be managed BY Rev.. J. Fl. Alling of
Mayfair. The las ministers union meet
ing will be held on the DQat'
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-06-24
CUBANS PLACED UNDER ARREST.
They were Landing at Havana-Two Mer
Executed.

TXbCUteU,
Havana, June 22.-Eleven Cubans ar
rived at Annette bay on Saturday last in
an open boat. Three of them landed
and the remainder of the party started
to return, but the boat was detained
Three of the men are said to be mes
sengers from the insurgents The boat
was chased by Spanish gunboat.
Miguel AIonzo Cabrera and Andreas
Hernandez Rodriguez were shot today
outside the Cabanas fortress.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-06-24

1t was almost noon when he awoke.
At first his head felt confused and
empty, but gradually he collected his
thoughts, and now the experiences of
before e his He es sndd slI3o recalled eeI
all his feelings during the walk
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-06-24
4 UG. WIGGENHORNT,
Wutchmaka1 and 1e70eLey

Opposite Bank of Watertown, corner
Main and First Streets. Keeps constantly
on hand a large stock Of Watches, Clocks,
Jewery, Silver and Plated Ware, etc Par
ticular attention paid to repairing watches,
clocks, jewelry, etc, and warranted to
give SatiSf ctiOn.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04

gotiating for the job, but far had
only been able to obtain an indefinite
answer. Would this incident affect his
decision? Jim was afraid that it
might.
Cant you leabe me jes' a few tubs
full, please, SURF" asked the negro wom-
an, anNiously, she saw the water
gradually disappear from the spring.
Il jes' 'bieeged to wash for de jedge to-
morrer, an 1 needs de money mons'rous
bad. If you take all de water dar won't
'nough run in tonight to rinse de
Clothes.
Cant you find enough in the neigh
borhood to do your washing?" asked
Jim.
''AlI but dis spring done dried up
''Well, I'm awfully sorry, auntie; but
I'm afraid I'll have to take every bit of
it. Mr.. Blackburn told me to keep the
machine going at all hazards. and /
can't do that and go to the creek. We
are on particular job which we wish to
finish before dark
But it was long after dark when the
job was finished, and Jim was able to
seek rest. Instead of doing that, how
ever, he went to the creek and once
more filed his water wagon. And it
was near midnight when he stopped at
the negro woman's cabin and called for
her to bring out her tubs.
A few days later Judge Morgan rode
up to the machine as it was at work
1--WE decided to let you have that job,
Mr.. Blackburn" he said, abruptly. ''You
may commence on it whenever you like.
And, by the way, i saw that water boy
of yours the other day. Quite an indie
pendent, welI-spol<en fellow thought
him. 1 particularly liked the way he
treated an old eo1ored woman, who does
our washing She told my wife about
it. From business point of view, Mr..
Blackburn, i would advise you to keep
hold OF him. Such hands are valuable
As the judge rode away Mr.. Black
burn turned to Jim.
Il don't believe It will be worth while
to wait until you are IS, JIM he said,
sniIingly- Suppose you take charge
of the mac ine now have other work
that needs my attention, and win be-
glad to be relieved-@-N. Y. Independ-
emit
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04

filing his wagon a negro woman camo
wrathfully across the road.
''Doan' you take dat water!" she
cried. I'VE all pend specially on hit
for our libin'. Jes' you frow dat bucket
in de cyart an hist out Now, I tells
yeh.''
Jim latghed.
but I must take it, aunty,' he ex-
postulated. This is the only water in
the neighborhood, and we must keep
our machine going.'
What l car for yo' machinel I tells
you leabe dis water lone. Oars de
creek
Two miles away, aunty. Too far
for US. Plenty more water viii run into
the spring for you to use;" and Jim
reached down for another bucketful.
Hello, What's the matter?" asked
a gruff voice; and Jim locked up in time
to see portly, well-dressed man rein
in his horse.
dis rapscallion thrasher's takin' all
my water" complained the colored
woman Il tells him / make my Iibin'
by dis spring.
TOO had-too bad." said the man.
There is too little water in the springs
for it to be taken away by he wagon
Lead Then to Jim: Cant you go to
the creek? %
Its too far away" answered Jim,
civilly. Il couldn't get it fast enough
to keep the machine going"
Whose machine are you with?''
MIR. Blackburn's.''
''Ah. Did he tell you to come here
foR water?"
Yes, sir; he got permission from the
man who owns the land"
What I car for dat!" broke in the
negro woman, fiercely. Il been use dis
spring for 20 yeah, jedge. Aim L got
wash you-all clothes? an aim Mis-
Laura tell me do hit sho' to-morrer?
Mebbe dis spring run nough to drink,
but how bout de washin'? I 'bleeged
to have mons'rous big lot, jedge; an if
dis thresher use hit all, whar 1 be?
Take dis no count spring free days to
run full ag'in. Jes' make him go way,
honey"
The judge shook his head. Il reckon
you'll have to make the best of it. Aunt
Liza he said. This boy seems to be
rather obstinate. If he has permission
from the owner of the land there is
nothing more to be said. But it does
seem too bad to have all our spring
ter used up by thrashing machines
Jim watched him anXiously as he
rode away. Judge Morgan owned sew
eral large farms, and was supposed to
have 10000 or $4,000 bushels of wheat
TO thresh. Mr.. Blackburn had been ne
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04

Jim's duty to keep the engine supplied
with water, and when they happened to
be near a river or spring his work was
light; but il they were thrashing at
considerable distance from water-as
was often the case-he was taxed to his
utmost to keep up the supply
During the season-that is, from the
time they began to thrash out the grain
in July to October or November-they
were very busy. Days commenced with
the light, and only ended when it was
too dark to see. Often they worked
as many as II or IS hours day, and
it seemed to Jim that he had only
touched his bed at night when it was
time to rise.
There We're several thrashers in the
neighborhood, and competition was
keen; and this very competition made
them accept jobs that would other
wise have been refused. A farmer
would want his rye thrashed one
week and his oats the next,
and his wheat the next; and often
he would not have more than 100 or
200 bushels of either. As the machine
was capable of thrashing from 1000 to
1900 bushels in day, this necessitated
a constant moving from one farm to
at as many as three or four places, and
more than half the time would be con-
sumed in moving.
Naturally this made a sharp compe-
tition for large jobs. The farmer who
had 5000 or 1000 bushels of wheat to
thrash was an object of interest to the
owners OF machines, and they APP
preached him from every vulnerable
point.
Jim was not yet II, but he was strong
and well grown, and had already been
two years with the machine. He was
thoroughly interested in his work;
and, as he was a boy to be trusted, the
owner, Mr.. Blackburn, was already be-
ginning to hint of the lime when he
might be given in charge of the thrash
er. The other men were good workers
enough; but they were stolid and mat
ter-of-fact, and had little interest in
their labor beyond the wages it
brought them. They had been with
Mr.. Blackburn for years, Tut were not
the kind of men to have charge of a ma
chine, he said; he wanted a hustler,
one who would be ambitious to pick up
jobs. The only trouble with Jim was
his age; but if he kept on as well as he
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04

had begun, ne would certainly have
charge of the machine when he was Is
And with this understanding Jim rose
in the morning and went to bed at
night; and the thought of it made his
work lighter and his days shorter and
his small wages more satisfactory.
There were only he and his mot her,
and they lived in a small cottage sur
rounded by two or three acres of land.
The owner was anxious to sell. and Jim
had already saved, 500 CT the $500 nee
essary for its purchase; and he was
now looking eagerly forward to the
time when ne would have charge of
the thrasher. With the good wages
he would then receive, it would be an
easy matter to finish paying for the
place.
During the lar,er part of August the
season became very dry, and many of
the small streams and springs dried up
At some places it was almost imFossi BILE
to find water enough to supply the en-
gine.
At one of these places Jim was Obliged
to go to a small roadside spring nearly
mile away and dip up water with a
bucket just across the road from the
spring was a negro cabin As Jim WAS
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04
ON THE BANKS BY WELLS. MILL.

see the white sands twinkle to fields
where wild doves roam:
And the morning-glories climb the gate
and garden walls at home;
hear the tinkle, tinkle of the fountain and
the riIl,
And I'd like to be a-dreaning on the banks
by Wells Mill.
The sunshine used to silver there from
Maytime's ioveliest sky,
And sweet the bird songs in the air, and
sweet the kildee's cry;
The winds sang through the Swaying vines,
and seem to WOO me still
To peaceful dreams by sunny streams
down there by Wells Mill.
o the brown bees bent the blossoms in that
springtime long ago,
And the daisies cleaned around me like
little fakes of snow;
And one there was beside me who made my
fond heart thrill,
And the roses leaned to kiss her hand
down there by Wells Mill
o brown bees in the blossoms! o roses, red
with bloom.
o lilies OF the valley, o violets' perfumeI
Suns, stars, streams, skies and loves sweet
eyes-how dear your memory still.
And 1 dream and dream forever of the
banks by Wells Mill,
Frank L. Stanton, in Atlanta ConStitE-
ton.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04

a national holiday came around but
that Watson was ahead of its neighbors
in patriotism and enthusiasm.
On this particular occasion the citi-
zens of Watson had made unusual prep
arations to celebrate the national holt
day. There had been a committee APP
pointed, which was expected to arrange
the days programme, and this commit
tee had arranged for quiet celebration
something that the town of Watson
had never known before.
1t had been what is known in the
west as 'shot town." but within the
past year or two it had become more or
less an adjunct of civilization. The
fact was, that with the advent of bet
ter times and the consequent influx of
miners wives, mothers and sweethearts,
the town began to be ashamed of itself,
and its individual citizens began to
think seriously of the future
On the evening of the I'd of July the
Watson Star came forth with the Off
cial announcement of the committees
action in the matter of arrangements
for the celebration of the national holt
day.
BY most of the citizens of Watson
the programme, as arranged by the
committee, was looked upon huge
joke. The very idea of Watson having
any kind of celebration involving such
pusillanimous, essentially feminine
number as is comprehended by a picnic
was almost incomprehensible and ex-
ceedingly ludicrous.
In one family, however, this picnic
portion of the programme was taken
seriously-very seriously, indeed.
81 will not stand it," said Mr.. Harmon,
as he sat opposite his wife at the supper
table on the evening of the Sd of July.
Il suppose that Rhoda expects to at
tend that idiotic picnic with that young
ass of a district school-teacher. 1t
makes me sick to think that daugh-
ter of mine should become so infatuated
with a ty-dollar-a-month fool like
that as to throw over man like John
Simpson-with all the property that he
has got, and with his known habits for
sobriety. Where is Rhoda tonight, by
the way?"
''Wh-why, she's at Mrs. Wheeler's.
She'll be back soon.'
''Why should she be over Thereof
Probably because she was invited
over there responded Mrs. Harmon.
bridling bit. Cant that girl have
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04

an evening out without you getting
ugly about it 2"
Mr.. Harmon bit into a hot muffin
and had nothing more to say.
The national holiday opened as usual.
about three a. m, with the firing of
anvils and the enthusiastic but uncom-
pretending plaudits of the American
small boy.
Rhoda Harmon appeared very demure
at the breakfast table on the morning
of the glorious Fourth She had little
to say, but she smiled complacently as
she took her seat and looked at her
mother over the top of the tall old
pewter coffee-pot.
How do you two women expect to
spend the day?" asked Mr.. Harmon.
with masculine snort.
Il suppose you'll follow up the fool
programme the committee has made
out, and by the time you get back home
again you'll be half dead; and, Rhoda,
/ don't suppose your friend Tom Wheel
er will overlook an opportunity like this
to install himself as the escort of the
female members of the Harmon fam
ily?"
Rhoda answered not a word, merely
CHANGING at her father as he drew back
his chair in a manner intended to be
expressive Of disgust. and left the
breakfast table and the house.
Presently he returned, having had
a short walk around the yard. and,
opening the door, remarked:
Il am an old soldier and a patriot,
but I fail t. see what use there is in
trying to celebrate the nations birth
day with ice cream and lemonade.
am going down to the store, and I want
to be let alone. except by people who are
enthusiastic over the day because it is
a nations birthday; and as for the rest
of them. those who howl merely be-
cause it is a holiday, 1 want them to
keep away from me-"
John Harmon dominated his women
folks"-at least. he thought he did Had
anyone suggested to him that his meek
little wife and handsome daughter had
their way in any manner whatever. he
would have scoffed at the idea He was
by no means a tyrant, but he was one
of those me. who cannot bear to think
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04

that they are not omnipotent in their
own family circle.
When John Harmon left his home
that morning and walked to the store,
he was not at all disturbed by any
thought of what his wife and daughter
might or might not do. During the day
had he given the matter any particular
thought, his narrow mind would have
told him, no doubt, that they would
remain at home, leaving him to join in
any celebration that might occur up
town.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Harmon and Rhoda,
over their coffee cups, were having a
discussion in which the husband and
father had no place, excepting as \
troublesome factor.
'.Rhoda, you'll have to give Tom up,
that's ALL said Mrs. Harmon, in her
gentle way. Il like him, but your pa
doesn't; and you know how set your
pa is when he makes up his mind
Here's John Simpson, now. He'd give
his two eyes for you-and you tell me
you refused him. Why, child, that man
isn't 80 yet, but he's worth a hundred
thousand, anyway
Lets not discuss the NATTER said
the girl, quietly. Il made up my mind
on that matter some time ago, and
there's no use talking about it,
Fifteen minutes later Tom Wheeler
drove up to the front gate, and Rhoda
went out and joined him.
The picnic was held in large grove
about four miles from Watson, and
hardly any denizen of the village old
enough to comprehend what the day
was set aside for missed attendance.
AS usual, there were several over-en-
thusiastic persons there, and these had
brought out an old brass cannon, of the
vintage of 1912, which they were firing
at such brief intervals as to warrant an
accident-and the accident happened.
John Simpson, was assisting in load
ing the cannon, which was overheated,
and just at the moment that he was
about to ram in charge of wadding,
the weapon was prematurely dis
charged. carrying away the larger por
ton of his right arm.
Quick as thought, Tom Wheeler, who
was sitting with Rhoda in a buggy near
by, sprang out of the conveyance and
ran to the rescue of his late rival.
Mr.. Harmon was also one of the first
arrivals at the scene of the accident.
Some people are always sticking
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04

their noses into other folks business"
he sneered, as soon as he saw that John
Simpson was not seriously injured. IF
L"
That sentence was never finished. At
that moment a woman's voice screamed:
Tom! Toni"
The next instant Tom Wheeler was
pursuing a runaway horse, with all the
strength Of his athletic young limbs,
and John Harmon, forgetful of every
thing but the fact that his only daugh-
ter was behind that horse, stood speech
less and helplessly staring.
Tt was not a sensational runaway
Within so yards Tom managed to catch
the buggy and to climb into it from
the rear-and when, after he turned it
round and drove back, neither he nor
Rhoda exhibited a sign of excitement
but John Harmon was as pale as DEATH
until he made certain that his only
daughter was safe. Then came another
sneer, as who should say:
Anyone can climb into n runaway
wagon, if they're swift enough afoot,
but
Take me home, Tom-I'm i'll. Quick
ly. please" pleaded Rhoda-
About five o'clock that evening
Wheeler came into Harmon's hardware
store. and asked him to come outside
for a minute.
.'WelI?" asked Mr. Harmon, doubt
fully
What will you sell your place for, Mr..
Harmon?" Tom asked. without any pre-
liminaries-
Il haven't gone into the market yet
And. supposing have. my young friend.
have you anything to buy with?"
well. ':said Wheeler. Il could only
make n first payment of $500. the bal
ance secured by n mortgage on the prop
erty. payable within the year"
Harmon looked at him hard for a mo-
ment- Then
IF you're in earnest. Tom IS, 900 fiat.
on those conditions And the deal may
as well be closed now"
This was done before notary pub
lie. and within a half-hour John Har-
mons homestead property was trans
ferred to Tom Wheeler.
When all the papers had been signed.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04

1y feelings towards their fellow-men in
general, can conceive no good of the un-
fortunate individual who happens to in
cur their dislike No matter what the OBJ
lect of dislike does or says, it is all one
to the otherwise fairiy-disposed man
no one can be fit to live who does not
suit his ideas of the fitness of things
in personal way
John Harmon. president of the town
board of Watson. and. in a general way,
: magnate of the village and most of the
community of which it was a part.
meant to be fair to all mankind--but he
simply could not bear that crazy school
: master" Tom Wheeler.
He abominated him for his good looks;
for the fact that he had nothing of the
worlds goods: because, instead of turn
ing his hand to something profitable,
Z he persisted in roaming around the
country with prospector's hammer
and some geological work (never with
= out the book; and. last out not least.
because he was in love with Rhoda, and
fhoda seemed to be rather glad of it
Ss%han otherwise
Watson was patriotic town. Never
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04
sealed and delivered. young Wheeler

sealed and delivered, young Wheeler
ventured word.
mir Harmon" he said, IT have played
rather a low-down trick upon you; but.
upon the other hand, I expect you, when
you understand the circumstances, to
return me my $500 without question.
1.-The fact is that for three days past
I have had expert coal operators work
ing upon your land, and they assure me
that by the investment of less than
So ,OOO (Which can be very easily secured
in Pittsburgh there will be found in
sight at least six times that amount.
Moreover, there is one more thing
to which I wish to call your attention;
and that is the fact that any contract
whatsoever made upon legal holiday
is void. Squire Mcdowell doubtless
knows this, but must have forgotten it
in this instance"
John Harmon looked steadily for a
moment at the young man who had I'M
doubtedly resolved to be his son-in-law.
s.Wa-al,' - he drawled, with al imported
Maine accent-'sI don't b'lieve y're sech
a blame fool as We look t be. after all.
Come up tonight to supper, you and
your ma. I'll get lot of fireworks. and
if we don't have the biggest family
Fourth of July celebration you ever
saw. my name isn't ohm Harmon
The next day, John Harmon, who al
ways wanted to be fair" man, decided
an undivided half interest in his property
to that Objectionable school-teacher.
''Tom," he asked. two or three days
afterwards, unable to control his curl
osity. ''where'd you get that S500-out
of your salary?"
''That money Rhoda's aunt left her."
said the prospective son-in-law,
straightforwardly.
well, you're a bird."
LESTER KETCHUM.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04
A Bi<d That shaves.

Man Is said 40 be the only creature
that shayes- But this is not so. A
South American bird called the Mot
mot" actually begins shaving on ar
irving at maturity Naturally adorned
with long blue tail feathers, 1T is not
satisfied with them in their natural
state. but with it's beak nips off the
web on each side tor a space of about
two inches, leaving neat little oval
tuft at the end of each.-Chicagc Chron~
icle.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04
THE BLACKBURN THRASHER,
BY FRANK H. SWEET.
IN CARSON drove

M CARSON drove
the water wagon
for the Blackburn
thrasher. I b e T e
We're three men be-
sides himself with
t b e machine
Dacie, the engi-
neer, and Bill and
Sam Scott, the two
feeders, 1t was
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04

HERE are some per-
sons who, with the
best intentions in
the world, and
AH