davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

shoals which have been gradually form
ed by the accumulation OF marine veg
citation. The reconquest OF these shoals
from the sea has already been begun by
the Dutch government.
The proposal for draining the south
ern Zuyder Zee FIRST necessitates the
construction of a barring dam, which.
starting from Euvyck, will join the
coast of north Holland TO the island of
Wieringen. The average height of this
dam VIII be little over Ave meters
above the level OF the river. The foun-
dalton of the dixie will be strengthened
by -FOUR rows Of large basalt blocks The
dixie Itself will be made OF fascines
and clay. Toward the open sea il will
be protected by a lining OF square
basalt blocks, rising i'm a slope to a
height Of 4h meters. Above there will
be earthworks of clay. the top of which
viii be but two meters i'm width.
This is in order to prevent it's use as
roadway, which would damage the
works.
The portion OF the Zuyder Zee to be
damned will not be entirely drained. A
large lake will be retained which is TO
be called the Yssel lake separated from
which will continue 10 flow the rivers
which now run into the Zuyder Zee.
The overflow OF this lake will be made
TO empty into the sea by means of a
canal dug out through the island of
Wieringen and provided with six locks.
opened at low tide. these locks will al
low the overflow of the interior waters:
closed during the rising Of the tide, they
f,ftl1 ha inv aufn Of he
In this manner the salt water of Lake
Yssel will gradually diminish, and in
time the lake will become a gigantic
fresh water reservoir. Parallel with
the drainage canal there will he built
a canal for navigation purposes. In
Friesland a canal will be built from
Harlingen 10 Piaam. other canals will
put the cities on the old seacoast in
communication with Lake Yssel. The
commercial Importance Of these cities
vill therefore. be greatly increased, as
their old time sandy harbors will be
replaced by navigable ports.
The draining of the Zuyder Zee
would make the landing of hostile
forces on the coast of north Holland
easier and place Amsterdam in a less
secure position. In view Of this dan
ger, fortress will be constructed on
he island of Wieringen. and the locks
Z the "howout" canal will be so ar
anged as to make II possible to bring
IN a flood for strategic purposes. In
his manner the approach to Amster-
lam will he protected. 1t is estimated
hat the time required for the carrying
lut OF the plans devised will not be less
than SO years, and the cost will be
'omething like l330O0,0OO. The barring
dam alone will cost S12 ,000,0 and will
equire nine years for it's completion.
The commercial Importance of this
great work cannot be estimated
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16
THE AUTHOR OF BEN BOLT.

which DR.. English especially objects to-
1t seems that the stanza beginning:
oh. 90 you remember the school, Ben
Bolt
continued originally:
And the master so cruel aud grim?
the poor author having suffered from
the said schoolmaster i'm the old days
The song as sung today reads:
oh. do you remember the school Ben
Bolt
And the master 80 kind and SO true?
DIR. English says that whenever he
hears that old tyrant eulogized it makes
him wild.
The author OF Ben Bolt" had no idea
that II would create the sensation that
IL did. Indeed, he thought So little of il
that he doubted it's ever getting into
print although he sent IL to a friend,
he young editor OF paper and a COM
r7de OF his boyhood This friend Is sup
posed to be the Ben Bolt of the poem,
and the references To the schooltime
and friends were made for an under
standing eye and ear.
Or. English says there was only ofis
line that had any poetical value and
that one has been omitted in all copies
Of the poem as they appear in song
form today.
Another Of Thomas Dunn English =
writings was The ballad Of the COL
ors, which was published i'm Harper's
BaZar and became very popular
The aged author OF Ben Bolt" Is now
living at Newark. n. j. lie is over "a
wears Of age. lie Is an ex-congressman
from the Sixth district. Essex county
y. J. He has always been a clever
writer, and contributed TO many of the
foremost magazines and publications
throughout the country before the days
OF the present generation. lie has also
been for many years a successful news
paper man.
DR.. English is tall and distinguished
m appearance. His hair Is only slightly
streaked with gray but his mustache
s hlanched, probably" ne says. from
70 habit ! have of working my Jaw In a
iNely way upon provocation.' He Is
'ways genial and entertaining and has
nsfs of friends throughout the country.
Ills service In congress has been high
appreciated by his constituents. and
He has many tokens Of their esteem.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

sesses The theatrical characteristics Of
the sombrero denote the poseur, the
slothful. indolent dreamer OF day dreams
I'm an orange scented atmosphere of ro-
nance and subtlety. while the "Will
West model as it's name indicates.
brings with IL a swift rush OF keen wind
across "A prairie. the whoop OF lusty
lungs. the swift swish OF "A lasso. the
crack OF rife and the low humming
OF camp fire melodies.
The Wild West hat means life ana
love and the canter after the cattle:
the sombrero, a burning passion, n
stealthy stab. a long siesta and the
curl OF cigarette smoke. They are
cousins. but the Spanish strain i'm the
one takes away from that strong indi-
vidual Americanism that makes the
Wild West hat a type as purely our own
as it's wearer is a child of a life known
nowhere on another continent.
The thousands Of Cehstials wander
ing through our streets I'm their oriental
garb and altogether incongruous head
wear lead an observer 10 query regard
ing the source from which flows this
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

First cousin 10 the Quaker hat is that
worn by the Dunkards. II varies so
slightly in shape that the casual buyer
would scarce detect the difference, yet
there is "A shade OF variation which is
perhaps given by the Dunkard hand as
ID places the hat upon the Dunkard
head or presses the crown i'm a new
curve. the rim into slightly different
roll.
From the calm placidty OF the Quak-
ers of Dunkards 10 the dash and daring
of the Mexican is a far cry. The quiet
dove gray tones OF the life and habili-
ments OF the one are in strong contrast
10 the passion flower environment Of
the dark eyed, swarthy signors who
love the Jingle Of metal accoutrements,
the rare barbarism OF clashng color
and gold ornaments. Fancy a Mexican
i'm Quaker hat. AS well 10 imagine a
hot tamale smothered in bonnyclabber.
No quiet shape for him-the pictur-
esque. the unusual. yet usual 10 him.
because ii has always been his especial
mode.
Next In aesthetic condition comes the
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16
OUR SOLDIERS IN ALASKA.

Shortly after the great finds in the
Klondike were made public the war de-
partment at Washington decided to es-
tablish an infantry post near that re-
gion. at Circle City. Alaska. In the dis
patches which have been published in
newspapers all over the country con-
cerning this proposed station the state
ment has been repeatedly made that
there is AZ present M government sta
ton in the great northwest territory Of
Alaska. and that there are no govern
mcnt troops in all of Alaska. To the of
fc,rs of the United states navy AMI
many civilians vino have visited Sitka
it is surprising how such an error could
have been made since one Of the most
conspicuous buildings in that city Is. the
United states marine barracks which
faces the main anchorage in The harb0r
and over which the fag has flown for
many years
AT this barracks q one company post
of the marine corps IS maintained un-
der the command OF a captain, there
being In all some so enlisted men iu the
command The principal duty OF this
force Is 60 guard the naval and other
government stores IT Sitka. but under
tho law they are available for any
duty that might be performed by de-
tachmcnt Of troops from the army. and
I'm case Of any trouble with the miners
on route 10 the new mines over any OF
the various trails which pass through
United States territory could be imme-
diateIy ordered into the field by the
president to enforce order or protect
the lives and property Of the citizens Of
this country.
The men for this command arc on
listed at the marine recruiting reudcz-
vous on Ellis street In San Francisco,
and then sent 60 the marine barracks
az the Mare Island navy yard. Here
they are thoroughly drilled and taught
the various duties OF an infantry sol
der.
when u becomes necessary To re-
plensh the Alaska post. 90 fll vacancies
| there causod by discharges. deaths on
Z desertions. the most reliable and trust
worthy men are selected.
This makes the command a very er.
hclent one and though further from
T heailuarteis than any other military
3 force Of our government. their efiicien-
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

endless stream of felt plainness. the
John Chinaman hat being as dis
tinctive In It's way as the John China
man pigtail." China is not responsible
for these muffinlike inhations OF felt.
They. too. are OF purely American pro-
duction. being dubbed the staple
shape" though II must be confessed the
almond eyed wearers eve them "A touch
utterly unknown To the manufacturer.
OF the hats not distinctly character
istic Of any certain section OF our coun-
try though I'm general use, the DIR
Jim" ,s particularly well known It's
spreading softness having won dis
tinction during the famous raid OF Dr.
Jameson. whose determined features
look especially well envroned by it's
shadoWy rim. Bicycle enthusiasts long
since recognized the merits of this
model. and along the park roads and
suburban pixies the "Dr. Jim" is seen
in the peaceful raids Of riders upon
time. ozone and good health.
our college boys also are responsible
for "A special shape i'm the felt plateau
that TO the unframed eve appears to be
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

quite like any other one, but which ls
at once recognized by students AZ The
hat for the class Of 1900. the voluminous
folds OF the crown pressed into a dou.
Bile telescope and bearing the band that
pr0claims the alma mater of it's weater.
TO write a sketch Of this sort without
giving the dress hat OF the clubman a
special place would bo 10 slight one OF
Americas greatest Institutions. Tho
boy growing 10 manhood looks forward
10 the hour when he can with dignity
and assurance assume the high silk hat
and the coat in keeping. Tho buying ot
that hat Is an event. it's varying style
matter for profound study. IL Is as
ISOLATED with the great happenings OF
his life. He carries IT decorously and
soemnly AT funerals, or with a jaunty
air az weddings. The politician empha-
sizes and punctuates his oratory by the
angle at which he places 1t on his head.
Tho shabby genteel cling 10 il even
when its glossiness has assumed a mir
rurlike meagerness that suggests
threadbarc poverty. 1t is the relic Of a
former regime.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

II is generally claimed by men that
hey are free from the subservience 10
fashion that women display by the
weakness with which they allow the
milliner TO place the most hideous look
ing creations" on their heads simply
because they are the fashion"
But is this really so? Are not men
lust as much governed by "A geographic
al tyranny as women by the caprice of
Dame Fashion.
Behold the southern gentleman. the
Colonel" who has inherited his title
through a long line of ancestors, the
smell OF powder and the din of cannon
not necessarily punctuating that dig
hfied nomenclature - the colonel" ,"
whose soft accent and insidious mint
Julips have made a figure In the history
II these United States at once pictur-
esque and unique! Would he be the
same distinctive unit We're he 10 be
parted from that special felt hat which
forms the background for his imperial
and his hatred OF the Yankees? Inn
agine, II you can. Colonel Carter Of
Cartersville in the derby Of the bank
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

cy has ever been matter of pride to
the naval service.
At the post all the drills, guard de-
tails, reviews and inspections are car
ried out the same as at any other post
i'm the United States.
Several times the command has been
sent out to preserve order when the In
dians became discontented with the
rule of the whites, but as a rule life at
the post has been uneventful. the red
letter days being those when the steam
ers from San Francisco came i'm with
their loads of tourists, anxious to pay
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

long northwest coast line would make
them, II anything, more valuable than
an army force, which would have to
wait Cor a convenient steamer to be
transported to a distant part OF the
coast where trouble might arise.
The families of many Of the officers
and men reside i'm Sitka and form quite
an important part of the population Of
the northwest capital.
Despite the fact that many OF the
residents OF Sitka have given up their
homes and business to seek treasure in
the Klondike, the enlisted men of the
navy and marine corps in Alaska have
mostly been true to their oath OF enlist
ment. and so far but few desertions
have been reported. This is not due.
however, Ia the large pay they receive
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

islands, separated from each other by
wide straits
The sections OF the isthmus formerly
dividing Lake Flevo from the sea form
today from west TO east, the islands OF
Texel, Nlieland Terschelling and Anne
land. Between these two last named
and the coast of Fresland there extend
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

many garbled versions of 1t turned out
upon an unsuspecting public as his
"Ben Bolt" that the author himself has
almost had difficulty in recognizing his
offspring.
There is one line especially which has
been entirely metamorphosed 10 suit the
sentimental idea of the song writer and
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

Thomas Dunn English. the aged yet
lear minded author of Ben Bolt"
NE text Of the little song which has
,een so well known for many years and
which has been rendered famous by Du
fauriers "Trilby." There have been So
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16
A STUPENDOUS ENTERPRISE
The Zuyder Zee to Be Drained Cost of 900

The extensive gulf formed by the
North sea between northern Holland
and Friesland, and which the Dutch
call zuyder Zee. Is relatively of recent
origin. AT the beginning of the Chris
tian era the two provinces now sepa-
rated by the Zuyder Zee formed a con-
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

impossible prices for worthless Indian
trinkets and souvenirs.
The navy maintains station vessel
at Sitka. which spends the winter
months at anchor In the harbor and
during the short summer cruises among
the adjacent islands and along the
coast.
The landing of naval battalion from
this vessel could also be ordered by the
authorities at Washington to preserve
order al any point along the coast. ana
the fact that the vessel Is always ready
90 convey It's crew on the force from
the marine barracks 20 any point of the
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

Buffalo Bill hat, which that well known
scout made famous and which was
worn by All the members OF his Wild
West organization. The cowboys of the
west and southwest have always claim
ed this hat for their very own, and be-
ing considerably lighter than the SOM
brero il reveals a practicablity that the
former fantastic creation never pos
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

tinuous stretch OF land, But small
portion of this territory was taken up
by a fresh water lake called Flevo, in
TO which several rivers flowed. Owing
10 successive floods the lake gradually
became extended, and in time the sur
rounding lowlands were transformed
into marshes. Finally, in l177, during
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

paratively open ground. visible from a
long sweep of the popular driveway. II
Is planned eventually TO erect "A stone
seat OF architectural proportions close
10 the banks OF the Schuyhill river,
whence the group may be viewed.
The officers OF the Fairmount Park
Art association had hoped 10 unveil the
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

set aside $4,000 10 help the association
in completing the work. Another $1,000
is expected from the same source.
In placing the statue it has been nec-
essary to find a rock foundation ne
cessity which has involved much extra
labor and expense
1t is intended that the unveiling cer-
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

the course of a violent storm, the sea
washed away the isthmus which join
ed north Holland 10 Friesland and
shortly afterward the waters OF the
lake became merged into those of the
sea. In the following century other
gaps were made and created a chain OF
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

from the government. es that ranges
from SIS a month for a private 60 S35 u
month for ssgeant. but more perhaps
90 the fact that several years residence
IN the far north has made them famii-
lar with the dangers To be encountered.
Besides the regular uniforms. the men
are provided with extra heavy clothing.
i'm case they should be suddenly ordered
60 service inland. where the winter cli-
mate Is much more severe than along
the coast. and within few hours would
be ready 10 leave their barracks fully
provisionod and equipped for anv sesys
ice that soldiers can perform
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-11-10
THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED.
First Step Taken to Thwart The
Land Grabbers.

In appointing the committee author
,zeu oy the meeting of property owners
helo In the circuit courtroom on Monday
evening Chairman w foods luakes the fol.
lowing statement:
III pursuance with resolution passed
at general mass meeting of the citizens
ana property owners of this city held in
the circuit courtroom November Sth,
1897, ! have appointed the following
executive committee: Joseph L. En-
gleby, j. b. Andrews, c. w. C. Wool
wine, j. a. Jamison, Joseph Rosenbanm,
IL. s. Trout, G. r. Henderson, Il. w
Goodwin, c. NJ. Armes.
This committee is fully authorized by
said meeting to take such steps and in
stitute such procee dings as it NAV deem
necessary; to notify property owners of
the applications heing made; to resist
those who have applied for property in
perfecting the title to same; to prevent
further applications being made as we'll
as further proceedings to acquire title on
the applications that have been made: to
Detition the next legislature for n revision
or repeal of the present delinquent tax
law aud generally to do whatever else
may be ne 3essary to protect the interests
OF all parties concerned.
feel sure that | speak the general
" eoooC PltSeuJ aL Tile meet
ing when l express to the EVENING
World and The Roanoke Times nv
thanks to them for the generous manner
in which they have endeavored to give
notice to all parties of the applications
being made, and to The Times especially,
in that it had published full list of the
properties applied for. For these public
oenefactions both papers are to be COM
mended. Their generosity affords a
striking contrast to the grab-game spirit
exhibited, except in special cases, by
those who are filing applications under
SAID law. They are the objects of special
commiseration at the, hands of property
owners. The committee will meet at the
Office OF c. w. c. Woolwine Wednesday
evening at 5 o'clock.
Respectfully,
JAMES y. WOODS, Chairman.
Roanoke, Va, November 9, 1897.
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-11-10
FOR HARMONY IN VIRGINIA.
Congressman Walkers Scheme for
Republican Supremacy.

Washington, Nov. 0.-Congressmen
Yost and Walker, of Virginia, were in
the city yesterday and called at the Post
office Department upon matters relating
to their districts. Both discussed the re-
cent election in their Strte.
I'm view Of the fact that the Republi-
can ticket polled $4,000 votes" said Mr..
Yost. sit seems to me that the Lynch
burg convention has BEEN indicated.
Thirty thousand of these votes were cast
In the white districts, which shows an
overwhelming preponderance of senti-
ment on the part of the white voters.
I'VE know, of course, that the negroes
were told not to vote the McCaull ticket,
aud We know also that we had everything
TO contend against-the machine, the adj
ministration, and the influence of pa
tronage. The result, however, shows
what might have been done If the party
had been united in fight against the
Democrats.
Congressman Walker says that the
time has come when the Repu blican
I'-A"J IL ~ sSihh OuSHb W wipe our
fractional lines. eve have had our fight
before election" said he, land now let
us get together
And how is this to be accomplishment
"My scheme would be to hold a con-
veDtion. Let us refer the whole thing
back to the people If majority of the
Republicans Of Virginia are satisfied with
the Agnew committee, let them say so in
convention. If they want to retain the
Wickham committee, they ought to be
afforded the oppoi tunity TO do so, but.if
they want neither, they can name an en-
tire new committee and new chairman
in the convention. tt.littit
"For one, will be willing to abide by
the verdict Of such a gathering. All
that want is harmony, and i'll happen
to be on the minority side will gladly
yield my personal preference to the wis
dom of the majority. If the leaders on
both sides would agree to let the people
settle the dispute and then abide by the
decision we would all get together and be
in splendid fighting shape for the next
campaign"