davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14
REPRODUCTION OF THE VALUABLE AZTEC MANUSCRIPT

open. revealing space in the center in
which lay roll Of birch bark covered on
one side with strange hieroglyphics. The
workman was intelligent enough to know
that the find was of some value and, TAX
ing it to his home. carefully spread out
the manuscript and encased it between
glass in frame. The matter was brought
to the attention OF Miss Emma Clark of
Fairfield. who had heard of the museum
at Colum bus, and she wrote there, describ-
ing the find in ali it's details. / concluded
that the flnd was certainly worth examin-
ing and persuaded Miss Clark to send the
wooden receptacle and manuscript for my
inspection.
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14

MAY OnceHa tnIow

ing, which is from his own pen, the status
of thSfind from an archaeological stand
point. This is what he says:
ITO the Editor: The Ohio State Archeo-
logical and Historical Society of Coium bus
received early in February m ost remark
able relic. On September 2, 1896. labor
ing man of Fairfield, Iowa, while exca-
waiting for the water works, brought to
light what was apparently a chunk of
wood, except that its surface was encased
with coating of pitch. The object was
found about three feet below the surface.
It's dimensions are something over foot
in length by eight inches and five or six
inches thick.
"Out OF curiosity the workman struck it
q blow with a pick, causing it to split
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14

iF5I BIRCH-BARK manuscript now
MgAE being examined by the authorities
1%Ey of the Smithsonian Institution at
Washington is likely to change the entire
theory as to the origin SO far as America
is concerned of the Aztecs, held to be the
original inhabitants of Mexico. Professor
Warren K. Moorenead, archeologist of
the Ohio State University and a man
famous for being versed in Aztec lore and
knowledge. makes in this article the first
accurate statement and the only one re-
garding the manuscript, which was dis
covered by workman at Fairfield, Iowa.
Despite his learning regarding the hero
glyphics in which the AZtecs transmitted
their history from generation to genera
tion, Professor MooreEead has been una BILE
to satisfactorily declpher the inscription
upon the birch bark. For this reason he
forwarded the manuscript to the Smith
sonian Institution. The results of the ex-
animation by the experts there will be far
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14

the pieces together but made the recep-
tacle practically water and air tight, had
been evenly distributed by turning the
block over a fire. This was plain. because
the block was not only covered with SCOT,
but was also slightly charred. The char
aciers are written in red, evidently the
juice of some plant. The work is neat.
AFTER a careful examination decided
that could not read the characters and,
furthermore that no one could read them,
that great deal had been published on
Aztec and Maya manuscripts, but that no
one could translate them, and that one
hall of the psychologists who claimed to
read them gave different translations of
the same manuscript. The characters are
manifestly Aztec or Maya and were made,
l think, by some of the highly cultured
tribes OF Mexico or Yucatan. a party, for
some unknown reason, set out north,
carrying this little box and, on account of
a decrease in strength, either through
sickness or war, buried the manuscript at
the point where it was found. 1t is not
al all probable that the whole thing is a
hoax, for if it we're fake we must ac-
count for the knowledge on the part of the
workman who found it of Aztec and Maya
gly phs, which is not in the least proba bic.
There are very few men in this country
who know anything about these hero
glyphics, and it would be impossible for
any one in Fairfield 10 make them unless
he had work at hand containing plates
OF the Maya hieroglyphics. There are
only a few such books in existence and
they are very high priced.
"The characters are not Indian. For
instance, take the grotesque human fig
ure shown in The middle section, around
which is the sun symbol. The sun SYM.
bol with the character in the left hand
upper corner OF this middle piece and all
the characters in the upper piece are very
like those upon the tablets OF Central
American ruins and to the four manu-
scripts or books preserved in the European
museums. Combinations of straight lines
and dots are strong proof OF the southern
origin of the manuscript. There have
been several fraudulenily sculptured stones
found in the United States, but they are
all totally different from this, and do not
appear either aboriginal in concept or ex-
ecution.
II have sent the box and The birch bark
to the Smithsonian Institution at Wasti-
ington for further examination, with a
request for en- opinion as to their mean
ing and age. Whatever may be said the
find is one OF great interest and value to
the geological world, and there Is
every indication that it points to an ex-
ploring party sent north from the Aztec
country. WARREN K. MooREHEAD,
"Curator Department. of Archaeology.
Ohio State University"
The most generally accepted belief con-
Corning the Az,ecs has been that they
came from some portion OF Asia. 1t is
supposed they made their advent into
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14

1.-THE bark is extremely thin and its
natural color is well preserved. This is
due to the fact that it was sealed almost
alright. The edges are torn and broken
and there is every evidence that part OF
it is missing. l had further excavations
MADE. but there was no more fragments
or relics of any description and the work
man positively asserted that the manu-
script was found in a fragmentary condi-
tion and that he had sealed between glass
all that he had found of it.
''The wood is of oak. and shows marks
on the end of having been rudely hewn
with stone axes. With the manuscript
were received letters from prominent cit
izens certifying to the character of the
workman. A letter from the editor of the
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14

more important than might be thought at
first consideration. Unquestionabiy it is
the first genuine Aztec manuscript ever
unearthed within the borders OF the United
States.
Professor Moorehead says, over his own
signature, there is small doubt OF its gen.
, uineness. It has long been held that the
Aztecs inhabited certain portions OF tails
country as early, if not before, their ad-
vent to Mexico This find and the ancient
appearance of the hieroglyphics as COM
pared with those even many centuries old
seem to give strong color 10 the belief re-
.garding the United States. Professor
Moorehead states succinctly in the follow
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14

Fairfield, states, Griffith is labering
man Of about average intelligence and in
formation, and would have neither the
ability nor the knowledge to mislead any
body as to the circumstances. Nor is
there anv practical joker in this vicinity
who would have the knowledge to exc
cute plan like this and keep quiet about
it. Nor has there been interest sufficient
in matters of this kind in the community
10 furnish such people basis for work.
"a tree some fifty or sixty years old
grew directly over the SPOT. the hollow
Jog, or wood, being found under Its roots.
The gum, or wax. which not only fastened
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14
RG OF THE AZTEC5 IN AMERICA TRACED BY BRCHK MANUSCRIPT

ton of one.half OF the translation Of tn
Talmud into Russian, under the direction
of DR.. Robinson, that gentleman should
receive $4,000 rubles and the remainder Of
the $4,000 rubles upon the completion of
the second half.
'The donor OF this large sum of money"
said DR.. Robinson. ''is a thorough He
brew scholar and a master of the English
language. and it was after reading the first
volume of the translation that he made
the offer. DR.. Raqovin is desirous of civ
ing the Russian public an opportunity to
read the Talmud in their native language.
The Emperor Nicholas, during his life
time, offered 100000 rubles for transla-
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14
PROFESSOR WARREN K. MOoREHEAD.

Russia, telling him that wealthy client
of his, DR.. RaqoviD, had subscribed $4,000
rub!es. to be paid to him for the transla-
tion OF the Talmud into the Russian lan-
guage. The money has been deposited in
st. Petersburg and the necessary papers
have been drawn up. DR.. Raqovin has
also made a clause in his will to the effect
that if he should die before the compile
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14

Several shares have already been Sold
but the company is in no hurry to dispose
of the stock and is looking for competent
publisher. 1t will then issue the work in
bi-monthly volumes at 81 80 per volume.
DR.. Robinson has already translated six
volumes out of the twenty that make up
the Babylonian Talmud.
Several days ago Dr.. Robinson re-
ceived letter from friend who is q
prominent attorney in st. Petersburg,
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14
The Ialmud in English.

A com mpany for the publication OF q
forthcoming translation of the Babylonian
Talmud has been incorporated under the
name of the Talmud Publishing Com.
pany. DR.. Michael L. Robinson OF Gin
cinna,i is the translator of the work. The
stock consists OF 200 shares of $50 q share.
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14
Train Set on Fire bu Ice.

On the northern division of the Mil
waukee and ST. Paul railway train,
which was composed of several carloads
OF ice and lime, came into collision with
another at one of the functions. The ice
anu lime were thrown together, and this
contact was the cause OF the mischief.
Gradually the ice melted. and the water
trickled down upon and slaked the lime.
The intense heat developed set fire to the
woodwork of The cars and caused con-
siderably more damage than the collision.
The weight OF the average-sized man 10
lao pounds; of the woman, 125 pounds.
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14

ton of tho Talmud into the Russian and
paid DR. Pinner 20. 600 rubies for trans
Iation of one volume into German. New
York Times.
Nearly every castle in England has its
underground passages, and none are more
notable in this respect than the grand
fabric that stands on the summit OF the
cliff at Dover.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-11
A CARD.

Or Mozley-Allow me to thank you mos
kindly for the bottle of Lemon Ell&lr;
am not much of believer in medicine ou,
being overtaxed with excessive worA' :,
concluded TO try your Lemon ElXr :.
proved all and more than you claimed ~
ii. It acts like a charm on the liver slol l
ach and bowels. gives a check to nerVous,
ness and produces what l craved inos'
pleasant and refreshing rest at night
Chas. T. Logan
Editor and Proprietor Sunday Telegram
Atlanta, Ga
A Prominent Farmer writes
Robert Station, Jones County. Ga.-%
the recommendation Of Rev. G. c. Da' ~
] used DR. Mozley's Lemon Elixir foI ~
digestion, debility and nervous prosuas.
ton, having been a great sufferer for yea 49,
and tried all known remedies for ~ ~
diseases. all OF which failed. Five notu'
Of Lemon Elixir made a new man OF ms
Your friend, william B. EmdrsOH
MoZLEY's LEMON HoT-DRoPs'
Cures all Coughs, Colds. Hoarsens 81
Sore Throat. Bronchitis. Hemorrnaee ~ -.
all throat and lung diseases. Elegah" ~
liable. .,sr.
Twenty-Five cents at Druggists. Prepsss
ed only by DIR. II. Motley, ATLANTA
lad.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-11
MUSEUM CRANKs.
People Who Want to Dispose of Al
legged Valuable Relics.


The amateur collector of curiosities
generally has an exaggerated idea of the
value of his treasures No sooner does he
get hold Of something which he considers
unique and interesting than he fancies
that every museum in the country will
jump at the chance at purchasing it from
him. With this idea he is continually call
ing upon museum keepers and trying to
persuade them into exhibiting his social
ed rarities.
The curator of a popular northern mu-
scum has been much worried in this way
during the last year or so. Only the
other week a white-haired old man came
to him and showed him a dagger which
was said TO be the weapon used by King
John in stabbing the boy, Prince Arthur
The dagger was quite a modern affair
and showed no signs of old age, but the
old man stuck TO his description strenu-
ously.
MY dear fellow" he said to the cura-
tor, in patronizing tones. IF you are so
blind to your own interests as TO refuse
this dagger 1t is no concern Of mine It
has been in our family for centuries. and
we are descended in a direct line from
Hubert de Bourg, the nobleman who re-
fused 60 allow Prince Arthur's ewes to be
burnt out with red-hot irons. I'll give you
one more chance, and If you won't have il
in take IL elsewhere"
Needless to say, he had to take It else
where.
Another crank drove up 20 the museum
gate one afternoon on a dray, to which
was strapped a big, cumbersome writing
table. The curator FASTENED out to meet
him and was just in time to prevent him
bringing the piece Of furniture bodily into
the hail.
on being asked for an explanation. the
visitor said he had decided to present the
museum with q priceless treasure in the
shape of a writing table used by sir Fran
els Bacon. lie had been preserving il for
long time, he said, in order that he might
write its history, which he had at last
completed In a manuscript volume OF 800
sheets The curator, who is, OF course, an
expert, examined the desk and declared
10 10 be worthless. IL had apparently been
used In a school room until IL had got too
rlckcty Tor service, and then dispensed
with. AZ any rate, a. couldn't have been
more than 20 years OLD. This report was
communicated 60 the visitor who there
upon took TO ravng like mailman. and
became 30 violent that he and his treasure
had TO be moved along by the police.
Royal relies are much ln favor with
amateur collectors. and, though some OF
/ the curiosities submitted 20 the museum
recently have been thought worthy of "A
place on the tables the majority have
proved 10 be hopeless rubbish.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-11
Eco SUNDAY IN WASHINGTON.
Ways in Which the Cabinet Ladies VIII
Serve Eggs
Made spec MY
andM

oven until the gravy is smoking. Now
break in the eggs. dash with pepper and
salt and bake until set. The appearance
of these is deceptive, as they cook from
the outside, and are raw in the middle If
you take them out under three minutes
or so, according to the heat of the oven.
Mrs. McKenna, wife Of the Secretary of
the Interior, is of German birth and has
the good old country ways engrafted upon
a very modern realization of society. Her
"little suppers" are little dreams from an
cpicurean standpoint and sleep producers
from any other view. She gets up a kind
of egg rarebit that is an excellent imita-
ton of Welsh rarebit.
To make this you break seven eggs in
a bowl and pour a cup of milk in it. Beat
well. Meanwhile melt a heaping table
spoon of grated cheese. Pour the eggs
in pan and when nearly cooked add the
melted cheese. Fold in omelette shape
ana serve as soon as possible
Miss Flora Wilson, daughter of the Sec
rotary Of Agriculture, is a good cook so
are Mrs. Gary and Mrs. Alger. These
ladies have recipes at their tongues end,
as well as etiquette and other useful
things. An are necessary for a Washing
ton life, and the woman who comes here
not knowing how to cook is out of the
swim, al least until Easter is over.
Grant Eldredge.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-11

Washington, April 9.-Mrs. Mckinley
has announced that she will continue the
egg-rolling festival of Easter Monday, in
augurated by her predecessor of long ago,
and will make the day, as far as possible,
a holiday for the school children Of Wash
ington.
Although not a woman who can come
down and roll eggs with the children
Mrs. Mckinley Will sit upon the veranda
and look down the long, sloping lawn at
the gambols of the little ones.
To tell the truth and expose a personal
fad. the Easter egg has long been a hobby
with the Presidents wife. She has made
a specially Of their decoration, and every
year for the past fifteen Casters has deco
rated them for her friends. One year she
and little Marian Foster. the artist friend,
who died last spring, painted eggs until
the Mckinley sitting-room was barn
yard in "glorifed hen fruit" as Mr. Nc
Kinley said
As is natural with one who makes
specially of anything Mrs Mckinley has
neglected no branch Of her self-learned
trade. and is one of the best egg cooks TO
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-11
JAPANESE SUICIDES.
The Numbers Vary with the Rice
Crop From Year to Year.
From the Philadelphia RECORD.

From the Philadelphia Record.
Some statistics have lately been gath
cred about suicide in Japan. The statis-
tics extend over ten years, and show that
suicide has been on the increase in ia
pan. both actually and in proportion to
the total number of deaths. In 1885 and
1856 the number in proportion to the pop
ulation reached it's highest. The statisti-
clan, who is an eminent authority, OBJ
serves that during these years there was
a great rise in the price of the necessa-
ries of life.
In the case of Japanese women, the age
at which suicide is most frequent is about
20; the corresponding period with men
is about %. Compare lively few women
commit suicide after the 18th year. but
men are not safe until they are past 40.
The women. after marriage, usually take
life as they find it, and submit with stole
ism to its conditions The suicides of men
are due to the worries and reverses of
business, and are often the results of cool
and deliberate choice between the two
evils. Female suicides are rather more
than half those of males, but with a dis
tinct tendency to increase
From January to May are the worst
months for suicides. The number mounts
rapidly month by month from January TO
Nav, and keeps high until July and il
cides in December and January are at
tributed partly to pecuniary troubles at
the close of the year, when all accounts
are supposed to be closed and all liabilities
met A raise in July is attributed to fnan-
cial troubles at the half-year. In recent
years the use of the sword by suicides Is
decreasing greatly. Hanging Is the meth
cd most frequently employed. nearly three
fourths of the male suicides and nearly
half of the females having terminated
their lives in this way; but among women
drowning Is more common even than hang
ing. Firearms and poison are very rarely
used. probably because they are not read
lily obtainable, while a japanese Of either
sex always has a long girdle and always
has water sufficient TO cause drowning at
hand In the deep wells In every village
and adjacent to almost every house
The hgures show that the number OF
suicides varies year by year with the
price of rice. IL rises When the price OF
rice is high, and falls when rice Is cheap.
The statistician has endeavored 20 tab
ulate the causes OF japanese suicides, and
from the figures Of four years which he
gives il appears that about half the total
number Is due TO mental derangement.
about a quarter to general reverses OF
fortune an eighth OF the whole Is at
tributed TO physical suffering, ana the re-
mainder to love, remorse, shane. bereave-
mcnt. domestic quarrels, etc.
no attempt Is made In the statistics TO
distinguish between educated and uned.
ucated persons who commit suicide IL
seems, however that the view OF the ed.
ucatod japanese Is that he has a right 10
commit suicide II he things his life has
been failure, or that n has become an
intolerable burden 20 him
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-11
WASHINGTON WOMEN TURN COOK EASTER SUNDAY.

be found. She used to cook them in the
kitchen, but latterly. since the chaing-
dish era, she has prepared them in the
sitting-room or the library, or wherever
the chatting dish was located.
Her best egg dish is said by her friends
to be a gravy omelette.
This, it may be told, is very nice dish,
and quite good enough to go as lun-
cheon course, and even for a dinner en-
tree. It IS prepared thus
Make small omelette and turn It upon
a warm platter without breaking it, DO
not have the platter hot enough to dry
the omelette. Have ready half a pint OF
roast beef gravy. Stir a teaspoonful Of
chopper parsley into il and pour smoking
hot over the omelette. Serve instantly.
Mrs. Mckinley is not the only woman in
Washington who knows how to cook eggs
and has her 'specialues." Mrs. John ID.
Long, wife of the Secretary of the Navy,
Is New England woman of rare attain
ments, both culinary and otherwise. Mrs
Long gets up a scrambled egg dish that
is very nice II is called Mrs. Longs
bouquet of eggs"
You break six eggs (for family Of four
into a bowl and beat until light, with a
teaspoonful Of water stirred in and plenty
OF salt, bur no pepper. Put a tablespoon
ful of butter in a granite pan, heat very
hot and take OF the stove Stir in the
eggs and keep constantly stirring until
they are of a creamy consistency. Serve
upon large lettuce leaves. An excellent
hot day breakfast dish.
Mrs. Lyman Gage is not much of a
cook, but she got from friend in Chi
cago year ago a very nice recipe which
her cook prepares for breakfast. 1t Is the
ideal Easter egg dish.
Procure enough cheap calico warrant
cd not fast colors" 10 sew around a nest
ful Of fresh eggs. Boil deep pan OF wa
ter until IL fairly dances. Put in the eggs.
Set the pan of the stove, on the stove
hearth, ana at the end Of five minutes
take out the eggs. They viii be found the
perfection Of soft boiled eggs
a crab omclette Is delicacy served at
the table Of Mrs. Garrett A. Hobart IL
IS made with hall teacup OF oyster crabs
and enough eggs for the family. Beat the
eggs well, stir Ia the oyster crabs. and
make the omlette in the usual way. 10
those who are fond Of the uny crab. as
found 10 company with the oyster this Is
delicacy worthy a gourmet
Mrs. John sherman, for twcuty-eight
years la Washington, has been noted for
her table, which eNcels In new home
dishes. People who want "just some-
thing new" 90 20 Mrs sherman for &c.
She knows 80 many egg dishes that che
could celebrate Easter every day OF her
llfe without repeating herself One Of
these Is panned eggs.
Better ny this for Easter luncheon
or Tor AFTERNOON W You have "a spread "a
O'Clock. n Is not o breakfast dish.
Pour enough cold meat gravy into =
aely cake Ia 10 hair nn u. Set Il IN the