davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
Slow but Sure

slow but steady gain in bas1ness with
an advance in prices, an increase in the
number of hands employed and growth of
new orders, and an increase in the amount
OF work done are pointed out by "Dun's
review in its last issue as a renewed evil
dence that business is improving. A study
OF the newspaper sentiment of the country
as expressed in the publications of all
sentiments shows a concurrence in the
belief thus expressed that there is a mark
ed and general improvement in the bust
ness situation.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30

if his friends, through concerted move
ment, were to make point Of telling him
every time they met him how sick he look
ed. The imagination is powerful motor.
When everybody one meets talks of hard
times, a tinge of melancholy is created
which overspreads the whole community.
This cloud can be dissipated by cheerful
talk and by considering the really favora-
BILE factors of the tuation.-Minneapol
Tribune Rep.)
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
Lumber Men Encouraged.

In the opinion of the lumber men. their
market is gradually and steadily gettinc
around to the point where profits can
once more be expected. Sales are increas.
ing at rate which, though not rapid is
nevertheless encouraging. Heavy dealers
now see in the situation sufficient to ms.
tify them in laying in liberal stocks. and
very large transfers to them have recent
ly been made at leading mill points. To
purchase of 32,OOD,OOO feet, made in the
latter part of May, large local yard man
added another purchase of 22.0OO,O 900
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
Nearly Up to the Stand lrd.

The volume of actual transactions is NOT
in value tenth smaller than it was in
the years of the greatest prosperity ever
attained in the United States, althouob
the volume of payments now represents
much lower range of prices. This de-
crease, whether little more or less. l.
greatly to be regretted. but it is NOT
paralysis Whatever else may be with
reason said of the difficulties in the wav
of industrial recovery, it cannot be said
that business is paralyzed when the earn
ings of all railroads reported for Nav arc
only 2.3 per cent smaller than in the Same
month of 1S92.-New York Tribune
Rep.).
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
Prosperity at Hand,

The time has come when to carp and
cayll at the slowness with which pros
perlty is returning to this country, after
the depression of the past three years.
mas lack Of truth added to that mean NAL
Ice which can rejoice in misfortune Pros
perlty is coming. and the slowness of it's
approach only means its sureness and its
sIaDlllty. There are signs on every hand
that President Mckinley was right when
he said that the country is going not
backward, but forward, and that the
steady hands and hearts of the American
people are strengthened and encouraged
Dy the immediate prospect of a revival
OF wholesome and profitable activity in
all branches of labor. trade and business.
Inc. taunt of Populist Bryan that others
beside himself regret his rejection at the
polls is as untrue as it is unpatriotics-
New York Mail and Express Rep).
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
Large Hanslins of Goods.

Bank clearings last week were light, but
little over $900.0O0,000 in the Chronicles
table, in which one day is estimated But
the increase over the corresponding week
of the previous year was no less than II
per cent. and in comparison with earlier
and more prosperous years it must be re-
membered that there has been such de-
cline in prices that identical figures would
indicate very large gain in quantities
The truth is that in volume of merchan-
disc handled the amount of business done
now does not compare unfavorably with
the amount done in good years, but at
these lower prices profits are small and
sometimes disappear entirely .-Financial
Chronicle DEM,
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
Good SIGNS.

That business is getting better is evil
dent from many signs. The financial re-
views and commercial agencies publish
reports from all parts Of the country
which indicate this. The reports of rail-
roads show increased earnings over those
of the same period last year. Another
significant and hopeful sign is the fact
that the money now in circulation in this
country is $13S, 49, 12 more than the cir
culation one year ago. the total amount
in circulation last Saturday being ST.
659, 733,S95 The absence of speculative
interest is not an unmixed evil 1t indi-
Gates that what improvement is taking
place in business is ealthful-Atlanta
Journal Dem.).
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
The Frightening Outlook.

Democrat and anti-protectionist though
he is. Senator German is too good a poll
tician and too shrewd business man to
maintain hopeless resistance to the Re-
publican tariff bill. There is new hope in
this for every legitimate branch of bust
ness. 1t means that it will not be neces-
sary to wait until autumn to get a taste
of better times. 1t means that the new
tariff will have longer period in which
to work out its results and vindicate itself
before being put to the test of congress
sional election. This prospect that the
new tariff will go into effect with the fiscal
year is bad thing for Organism, but it
is good thing for the merchant, the man
ufacturer. the farmer and the wage earn
er.-Boston Journal Rep).
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
Improvement Will Surely Confirm

mprovement Will Surely Continue.
Some stress is laid on Former Post
master General John Wanamaker's state
ment that "the country is not prosperous
and that "since the outset of the last pres
ldential campaign the party press and po-
litlcal leaders generally fixed the Novem-
Der election of 1896 as the date of the be-
ginning of good times" And the state
ment follows that "thus far but one of the
important issues of the campaign is near
ing settlement and hardly any improve
ment of the wretched times is manifest"
Mr.. Wanamaker draws erroneous conclu-
sions. No man in the country who was
at all conversant with the trend of bust
ness affairs thought for a moment that
good times could be made to come instant
aneously. But what did take place i'm
mediately on the election of Mr.. McKin-
ley was the immediate restoration of con-
fdence and the return of vast Numbers of
workingmen to the avenues of labor and
trade. Gradually, but surely. business
has been growing better, and the country
only awaits the passage of the tariff bill to
settle down to development of the manu-
featuring resources of the country. which
will stimulate other business.-Buffalo
News 4nd.).
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
Basis for Confidence,


The general symptoms developed in
Wall street during the past week have
been the most hopeful features witnessed
for many months past. Without any spe-
clal stimulus or speculative effort, there
has been a marked revival of buying oper-
atoms and, with few exceptions, an adj
vance in prices. Also, it is a notable
symptom that several persons of emf
nence and directly in touch with the farm
ing interest and the larger industries have
simultaneously expressed their views on
the business outlook in Unexpectedly hope
full terms. Mr.. Thomson. president of the
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad; Mr.. Gould of the
Missouri Pacific, Mr.. Chauncey NJ. De-
pew and Mr.. G. P. Huntington, who are
among the foremost representatives of the
railroad interest in different sections of
the country, have uniformly expressed
sanguine expectations as to the general
outcome of the harvest and the prospects
of business at large Similar estimates of
the drift of the crops and of business have
been made by Mr. Andrew Carnegie, Hon.
Roswell T. Flower and Mr.. Hill, presi-
dent of the Great Northern. Such body
OF opinion, coming from men possessing
the best source of knowledge as to condi-
tons and movements, constitute basis
for confidence which cannot be disregard
ed-Weekly Financial Review.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
Every Man Feels It.

There is not progressive business man
in Kansas City who does not feel more
cheerful over present conditions and flu
ture prospects than he has felt for many
years. The great majority recognize that
the movement towards better times is well
under way, not by reason of Mr.. McKin-
ley's election or because of the promise of
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30

OF the interesting ys
in In kaedu Patnt Off
% hhapit these gan in
tn most msem fmsemf ed
"
N h tn Han Others
gd the
so he Ia IN hutaa ofHC
always
g
in matter n a 1.-The DISTRIBUTE lclansto hoew
h O. Patent whGhh
yrmhe ntrorD
O Interior
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30

are now being distributed through the
country to those on whose orders they
were originally engage d-New York Com
mercial Bulletin Oem).
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
Signs of Cheer.

The business sentiment is undoubtedlv
stronger. There are many reasons for
hopefulness. Not the least important re-.
cent happening has been the assurance Of
Secretary Gage that the Federal admins
tration would not forget the mandate Of
the people, whose voice in behalf of hon
est money and sound finance rang ont
loud and clear in November last Chr
re0cy Reform 10 vital to business secur-
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30

ity: and it is helpful to confidence to have
official reinsurance that tariff tinkering
is not to be the last of administrative ex-
pedients. for the removal of business dis
trust and depression. There are other
grounds for commercial cheerfulness.
Business failures are lessening in number
and Importance. Commercial loans are
expanding; bank clearings are increasing,
and the transportation companies are
earning more money. The end of tariff
uncertainty is drawing near; the impor-
tant crops all over the country give prom
Use of abundant harvests; productive costs
IN the great industries have been crowded
10 the apparent minimum: there is less
reason to fear further important price
snrlnkages; the storekeepers' shelves, as
rule, hold no unwieldy accumula tons of
stocks, and labor is becoming more gen.
orally employed. These are favorable con-
oltlons for a sustained revival of bust
ness.-Philadelphia Record Dem.).
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
BETTER Times in the West,


Mr.. E. V. Smalley of st. Paul writes
to the New York Evening Post the results
OF his observations on recent trip of
month from Chicago to Portland, Oregon.
lie stopped at various points on the way,
thus gaining opportunities to gather re-
liable information concerning the business
conditions. and his conclusion is that
trade is everywhere improving-not much,
but to an appreciate extent. The rail-
roads, he says. report a net gain in re-
celpts from freight. but none worth men
tlonlng as yet from passenger earnings.
Bank deposits are increasing and collec-
TONS are easier. People are paying a
little on their old debts carried along from
boom times, and there has been great
deal of liquidation from foreclosure. All
the solid industries are doing fairly we'll.
Prices are low and profits small, but the
close economies practiced enable projec
tors to come out little ahead.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30

transfers, ranging from 100000 to 12.-
O0OO0O feet each, have also recently been
completed. Prices are now firm, in strange
contrast to the Generalization that pre-
vailed few weeks ago.-Chicago Times
Herald Qnd).
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
Reviving Trade.

The change which has come over the
face of things in the business world is
unmistakable. The confidence for which
everybody has been looking is here 1t
may lose its sharp edge by some unfore-
seen event, but it is hardly to be expected
that any serious check will now occur.
1t seems to be taken for granted that
there will be tariff law on the statute
book within few weeks. Perhaps a
month is too short time to give the slow
gsing legislators of the Senate The as
surance in regard to the tariff is the most
potent influence in giving more confidence.
but the good effects of Secretary Cages
speeches have by no means worn off. eth
er in the United States or abroad. Salts
factory crop reports. increased railroad
earnings and the statement of bank clear
lngs, which. considering the fact that
one day of last week was a holiday, is IA
vorable, are among the subsidiary infu-
ences that are making for faith in the fu-
ture.-Buffalo Express.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
Business Situation BETTER

There is no longer room for question on
the proposition that conditions in the
world of business have improved. While
there may still be found isolated cases
where the return of commercial activity
has not'yet broken up the long spell of
stagnation, such cases by their rarity are
but the exception to prove the rule. Bet
ter, perhaps, than the actual improve
ment, which can be reduced to figures nv
comparison with the past, is the general
belief that business has not only imnrov.
ed, but that the improvement is bound TO
continue President Mckinley and Sec
rotary Gage touched the keynote of this
sentiment in their recent notable utter
ances. The far-reaching effect of these
speeches became evident when advices be-
gan pouring in from abroad to the effect
that American securities were in stronp
demand. Foreign capital, keenly anxious
for the right moment to arrive, has seized
the opportunity and in measure led tho
way to practical demonstration of reviv-
ed confidence. The enhanced yalue of all
securities quoted on the Stock Exchanoa
is but a barometrical indication Of This
altered condition. Reports as shown hv
railroad earnings still bear witness TO tho
growing increase of trade. Individual
lines of business. too. almost without ex-
ception, acknowledge the same state of
affairs. Not only is this manifest in tha
larger manufacturing industries. such &C
clothing, hardware and boots and shoes
but the more limited branches dependent
entirely on the general prosperity of the
commercial world report a gratifying in
crease in the volume of business on which
estimates are asked.-Chicago Post Qnd
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-30
A Good Example for the Peon,e


Among the solid facts on which exnec.
tations may be based are the katherine
crop prospect. President Hill of the Great
Northern is quoted as predicting that tha
wheat fields contributory to his lines will
furnish 100000 bushels of grain this
season for transportation and the man
ayers of other lines contribute eonallv
favorable information. The jobbers sov
that the supply of manufactured goods
which may be counted among the necas
saries of life is generally exhanstod
throughout the country, and that the moo
pie must buy and the mills must resume
operation to meet the demand, which will
bring into circulation the millions of dol.
lars that have been boarded throupb tbo
hard times. 1t would be we'll if ali mo-
pie, everywhere, would initiate the chaar-
full and optimistic tone of the President
and the members of his administrator
Let them withdraw their gaze from the
dark and gloomy aspect upon which il has
,dwelt for several years past and hahituate
themselves to looking upon the bright side
of things. 1t is we'll known that almost
any man in good health might be made i'll
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-18
RELICS OF AUD LANG SYNE,
Notes Issued as Money by c. and II
Canal Company.

An interesting bit of past history of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company is
brought to light over the recent resurrec-
ton of a number of bank notes issued by
the corporation in its early life, by its own
authority, which were circulated quite free
ly for a while and accepted as money, but
which were subsequently repudiated by the
corporation and became worthless. The
notes are now valueless and are kept only
as relics Of by-gone days. The notes first
made their appearance in 1910. Some were
made payable in Frederick, Nd. and others
in Washington. All issues We're payable on
demand, and bore interest, no rate being
named, but six per cent being usually un-
derStood.
All of the notes were signed by Francis
Thomas, then president OF the corporation,
and Thomas Turner, clerk, and were print
ed on but one side, blank space beng
er of the same was written. The notes
could be cashed by the owner or by any
bearer, and Endorsements We're not neces-
sary on the back. The notes were issued
.ents and twenty-five cents, and were all
printed by Dunforth, Underwood & Co. of
New York.
The SO note bore the engraving repre-
SentlnS petition being presented to the
legislature of Maryland by a committee,
with Roman head on each side of the
same. On the right side, extending clear
across the note, We're the letters Ten
the background of each letter being a Ro-
man head surrounded with scroll work. On
the upper left-hand corner the denomina-
ton OF the note in figures was engraved,
and below this was a pastoral engraving
The lettering on the note was as follows:
Frederick, Sept. 8, 1910. No. 49, b.
Nine months after date the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal Company promises to pay
on demand, at their office at Frederick,
Md, to Jacob Markell, or bearer, ten dol
lars, with interest from date
The So note bore a sketch of q set of locks
in the canal, viewed from a distance, with
figure representing agriculture in the
foreground. The lettering was the same az
on the SO note. On the central left end
was on engraving representing farmer
driving cattle, and on the corresponding
left side was a scene of a farmer loading
wagon with grain. The corners bore the
denomination of the note in Roman letters
and figures. The 90 cents and 25-cent notes
had a picture representing an Indian in a
canoe.
Some years ago some of these notes were
presented to the Georgetown office of the
canal company to be redeemed. The clerks
of the Office never knew of such an issue Of
stock, and were surprised to see them
They were willing to take the notes and
frame them as relics, but were unwilling to
redeem them at their face value. A dollar
note at present, if paid, counting the in
tereSt, is worth about $4.42
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-18

mandery, No 2, thin latter fact insu-ing
at once an excellence rattendance. Mr..
Hay Is an entertaining tAlker and will no
doubt give many go and interesting ideas
is to be handsomely illustrated with a fine
series of stereopticon Views. Prof. Leo
Wheat, the well-kaowni pianist of this
city, will give piano recital as a sort of
Introductory to the dectire.
DIR. STAFFORD ON, CITIZENSHIP
Rev. d. j. Stafford.SD.D. the. best-known
orator and lecturer IN this vicinity, will de-
ciple of American Citizenship" at the Co.
lumbia Theater tomorroW night. The lee
ture is given under the auspices and for
the benefit of John E. Reynolds Post, No.
6, Grand Army of the Republic, and will
attract general attention ON account of
DIR. Stafford's well-known ability as lee
turer the appropriateness of his subject
at this time and the fact that 1t is given
for the benefit of G. A. r. organization.
This field in the lecture world is not new
to DR.. Stafford although he has confined
great deal of mis- time to dealing with
Shakespearean subjects, and his admirers
will find much in his lecture to meet with
the sincere praise that he always obtains.
THE LINDSAY COURSE.-The LINDSAY
course of popular entertainments begins
rext Monday evening, when the celebrated
author, F. Marion Crawford, will deliver
his new lecture, entitled Leo XIII in the
Vatican" Mr. Crawford is so well known
that he hardly needs an introduction. His
works have made for him hosts of friends
everywhere, and those in Washington who
know him as novelist will now have the
opportunity to meet one who has enter
tanned them by his pen. AS writer Mr..
Crawford has style that is interesting
always original and with the ability to
portray character in a vivid manner and in
a way that rivets the attention of the
reader he stands today probably the fore
most American novelist. Central Hall,
where the LINDSAY course is to be given,
is situated over the 9th street wing of the
Center market with cars to the door, and
1t has been arranged in most comfortable
way for the patrons of this course The
sale of tickets for ME Crawford's lecture
opened yesterday with the indications that
a large audience will greet the lecturer.
seats may be had at E. F. Droop & Sons,
go PENNSYLVANIA avenue
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-18
SOME OPINIONS OF THE PHILADELPHIA
PRESS.

There was something so extraordinary, so
unearthly, so fascinating in the strange, ST.
lent pictures, with their moving. yet voice
less, crowds that the absence of flesh and
blood only made the conception more spir-
ltual, and relieved 1t from any touch of irrev-
erence. Ledger.
The most notable and certainly the most
noble, use to which that marvellous invention
has yet been put. 1t was n demon
stration, indeed, of the wonderful possibilities
OF this magic life photography. and proved TO
be an event which will remain ever men,
orablc In the recollections of all who wit
messed the realistic spectacle Record.
No words could bring before the mind with
like accuracy the scenes depicted-''-Star.
An attraction Of general interest, and pro-
f0undly SO to church goers of all denomina-
tions. The most perfect moving pictures
reproduce with remarkable accuracy
and living realism the scenes Of this play as
depicted by these devout peasants. Times
extraordinarily interesting and impress
sivc. The most extensive and i'm
portant development of the moving picture
idea that has yet been accomplished. North
American.
when the patient figure OF the bound
Christ brought before Pilate, and surrounded
by menacing mob, appeared the
awful significance of the mimic production OF
the worlds sublimest tragedy fell upon the
acknowledgements.