davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06
GETTING DESPERATE.

The so-called "big" insurance com.
panies are getting desperate, if we are
to believe the published reports. For
the past six years it is undeniably true
that these "big" companies have been
exacting eXhOrbitantrates of insurance
in Minnesota. The board companies
and the term includes the more
wealthy companies of the country
thought, some six years ago, that they
had the people so thoroughly subju.
gated as to be able to put rates of in.
surance up 20 per cent from the then
existing figures, and force policy
holders to their terms. the order was
given and up went the rates. The
people kicked, but in the language at
tributed once upon time to Wander
bilt, the companies simply said "the
people be damned" we know what our
business demands and you pay or get
out! Well, the people have been
gradually getting out ever since.
They find on investigation that the
"big" companies, with high salaried
officers and monster business blocks
spread out all over the country are
not the only safe and reliable insur-
ance companies in the country, and
that there are good reliable companies
who do not belong to the "board" COM
pact-which is nothing less than a
gigantic trust organized to put up and
maintain rates of insurance. The
"big" 'uns are losing large amount
of their insurance, and especially is
this true of the better class of risks,
and they are getting ugly. They now
give it out that "war Of eXtermina-
tion" will be commenced on the
smaller companies-making as pre-
text for the onslaught the excuse that
these smaller companies are paying
excessive commissions to agents. The
real truth Of the matter is that this
phase of the case is a myth. No doubt
the non-board companies pay fully as
high a rate of commission as do the
board companies. and still they are
able to pay all losses and show a
healthy net increase of revenue. But
the mosquito that is biting the board
companies on the cheek and making
them squirm most is the fellow that
has got tired of having his blood
drawn 20 per cent in excess of the re-
quirements. In other words, the
business men have simply dropped
the board companies in large blocks
and gone into the non-board COM
panies where they get just as good
value for a much less cost. Such has
been the case in Mankato, and the
ieavening has only just began to work
we'll The same is true all over the
state.
Let the "war of determination pro-
ceed." 1t is time that the rates of
board insurance we're reduced some-
thing like rs per cent, and unless
something of the kind is soon done,
they will find that the "small" COM
panies have grown great, through
their own greed.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06
Judge Scrubbed the Bible.

Justice of the Peace Lewis R. McCul-
loch was presiding in the Hoboken IN.
j.. police court the other day. A police
man was called to take the oath, took
the grimy old Bible in his hand, but
failed to press his lips to its soiled cover.
Justice McCulloch saw the cops &C
ton. After court he took up the book,
and turning to the fly leaf read the in
scription, "Deo. 1, 1870
He sent for bottle of ammonia,
some soap and water and a scrubbing
brush. Then he gave the Bible thor
ough cleansing.
"Now,'' said the justice after he had
finished, "it's clean at any rate, and I
guess it will see another 90 years of
servioa.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

w
ly the same price that it did in 1892.
Corn, oats and barley are depressed
and come the nearest to the alleged
so per cent decline. But they show
rally from last year. But the farmer
who is following along intelligent
lines is not worrying over their mar
ket value for he is feeding them at a
good profit on the farm The price of
stock as whole shows up consider
able better than year ago, and
steers and lambs bring better price
than in 1892. On the other hand the
dollar the farmer gets today will buy
more of everything he consumes and
wears than it would in 1862. 1t is not
fair to expect the high tide that the
Popocrat journals can now see exist
ed in 1892, will come back at a bound,
after four years Of depressing infiu-
ence of ''the step toward free trade"
The return must come slowly, but
we submit that very good progress is
being made. Industries everywhere
are starting, or making active pre-
parations to start up, and with the
renewal of activities the consumption
of all products will materially in
crease,
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

A SUGAR planter in Louisiana has
ordered an advance in the wages of
his employees Of 16t per cent to take
effect today. 1t is also stated that
many other planters will follow his
example. 1t is also reported that the
sugar trust will mat "rially increase
the wages of it's employees.
The calamity howlers should
take note.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06
ALEXANDER DEL MAR, the emine]

ALEXANDER DEL MAR, the eminent
mining engineer and author of several
works on minerals and money, advises
young men not to 60 to the Klondyke
region. In regard to it he says: "That
it is extremely perilous and arduous;
that it will require a capital of from
$500 to 81, 900 to avert starvation; that
it will need great endurance, and that
it may end in disaster or untimely
death. Gold is most widely diffused
of all the metals, and it is fare more
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

advisable for the young gold hunter
to be satisfied with his SO, "a or s. in
California, which he is almost certain
to earn for every day in the year, than
to take the chances Of receiving S15
or 800 a day in the Klondyke for three
months in the year and brave the in
Vulnerable risks and perils in so in
hospitable country" Mr.. Del Mar
is well acquainted with that far off
region and knows whereof he speaks.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

FIVE years ago, August 2, 1892, when
everything was at the high tide of
prosperity, wheat was quoted at 72c in
the local market. A year ago, on Aug.
1st and 3rd, the End being Sunday, it
was 49c. Today it is quoted at 73c.
Still the calamity bowler shuts his
eyes and howls and says there can be
no prosperity under the gold standard.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

THE St. Paul Dispatch says that the
increase in the price of wheat and
corn for the past two months will
amount to S1O7 1893, 900 in the value of
the farmers wheat and corn crop this
season, figuring the crop to be the
same size as last year. This is quite
a respectable sum, and one that wiz
be appreciated by the farmers.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06
THE PRICE OF FARM PRODUCTS.

The POpOcrats are fearful that un-
der the new tariff bill there will be no
prosperity. Just now they are engag-
ed in lauding the prosperous times of
1892 and declaring that the Dingley
bill will be fat failure if under it
times do not revive and reach as high
point. But in 1892 these same
Popocrats were declaring that pros
perity did not exist, and that it
needed free trade to bring it about. 1t
seems to be case where distance
lends enchantment to the view. At
ter four years of their step toward
free trade doubtless most any old
thing from the past looks like pros
perity. There are two or three points
that some of tthe Popocrat journals
make, that little reason and inves-
tigatiOn shows to be untrue. First
they insist that the price of ali farm
products are at least fifty per cent
lower than in 1892, and second, they
will not admit that such prices are
improving. Now the prices on farm
products as whole are not so per cent
lower than in 1892. In looking over
the local market quotations we find
that on the last Saturday in July,
1892, quotations of some of the
nripcinal prod ,1cfc noro O G fO11ouc.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

THE steamer Portland expects to
have about 100000 of Klondyke
gold on her return trip from Alaska
and is afraid of pirates in the Behring
sea, and as a consequence has asked
the protection of United States
revenue cutter, and the request has
been granted. Government officials,
however, do not share the fears of the
Portland officials.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

THE Fairmont Sentinel says. "But
after all Republicans have no right
kick, They are getting what they
voted for" Yes, and they are per-
fectly satisfied. Things are working
to suit them. The tariff bill is law,
prices of farm products have grown
better of late, and business is reviving
everywhere. No, the Republicans
are not kicking, nor do they want to.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

THE heavy tax and royalty Canada
has put upon miners and mining in
in the Kloukyke region, will doubt
les lead to extended prospecting on
the American side of the border, and
doubtless with equally rich results,
for it is hardly probable that the line
between the two countries stops the
rich finds of gold.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

MRS. LEASE is said to be seriously
thinking of running for governor of
Kansas. 1t is said, however, that the
people there do not take kindly to the
idea of having governess.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

THE ChicagoCnronic seems to have
about decided, that If in order to de-
feat cheap silver money, it must d.
rectlY or indirectly help the Republi-
cans, it will let the matter slide and
won't help. But then all men do not
hold principle as lightly as the
Chronicle seems to.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

JOHN r. MCLEAN. VINO wants to go
to the United States senate on free
coinage platform from Ohio, and who
is fearful the dear people will suffer
if free coinage is not brought about,
keeps Altgeld, Stewart and Jones
in putting the gold pay
ment clause into all his contracts.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

A FELLOW in San Francisco paid
$3.50 for I'll cket to Klondyke and
then sold it for several times that
sum. He doubtless did better than
the fellow who bought his chance
will, and avoid all the discomforts of
the trim
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

1T is to be hoped that the silver
senators who are on their way to
China will, on their return, give full
description of how labor prospers and
grows rich there under the silver
standard.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

GEN. GOMEZ says that he will &C
cept nothing but the full indie
pendence of Cuba. Gen. Weyler will
have some more work at pacifying.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

way but persist that they are not
Democrats. But then, doubtless the
Maryland senator simply misspoke
the word when he dictated theresolu-
tion and meant Popocrat instead.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

POSSIBLY Prof. Andree is so busy
looking for the pole he has forgot to
send back word.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

WHEAT in the local market today is
quoted at 72c. A year ago today it
was 49c.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

THE delay of the federal senate
cost Uncle Same about 100000 in
tariff duties.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06

THE Chicago Inter Ocean thinks
that along about Christmas. there
will be call to help the starving in
the Klondyke region.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-14

menu" means, whereas bill of fare" is
plain American. In support of his bill,
Repres sentative Sutton said: Il object
to having the only name down on a hotel
bill for goose livers 20 be patty day for
grassy Mr.. sutton's speech thought
on a ike;y discussion, says the Dress re-
port, ana his bill was made the special
order fo' future day. -
On the day before last Christmas a Some
what noted dinner was served in The c,,v
of Atlanta. The bill of fare was fIled
from top TO bottom With French names for
peas, potatoes. coffee and cakes, notwith-
standing IL was a democratic dinner. and
was participated in by gentlemen who had
consecrated themselves to the task OF
throwing off the yoke of foreign domi-
nation AT that time the Morning News
eaiied attention to the preponderanee OF
Ioreign names in American bills OF fare
ana asked how it was to be expected thar
we should be able to think An,ertoo,
"Hiie DSihg forced TO eat French, Span
ISM or Italian. It was also suggested that
some reforleer in line with the prevailing
antl-torelSn Sentiment should take hold NJ
the menu Wie1 mailed hand and choke
the foreign elemept out of it. And nov
Representative BSlamy S. sutton of In
diana has arisen . no occasion W.
congratulate him upon it, an u, -, -
of some thousands of American citile~.ss,
who shun swell eating houses because
they do not know how to order dinner in
the French language, we bid him Godspeed
We have in mind that so well-informed
gentleman as the Hon. 7. Lawrence Can't
of South Carolina only recently fell vic
tim to "bouilon" because he did not know
the English of it, whereas beef broth" on
the bill would never have fooled him.
Representative Bellamy S. Sutton says
every American citizen has a right to know
what he is eating without being COM
PEELED to acquire the knowledge of for
eign language before he can order din
ner in perfect confidence. And he is right
1t is probably safe to say that more ex-
celent, wel-meaning, honest people have
been made fools of by the foreign names on
hotel menus than have been by even the
sixteen to one craze. just how the bills of
fare are to be Americanized through leg
islation is not quite clear, but it would ev-
identity be easier TO regulate them by stat
ute than to legislate a love for temper
ance into a whole state or change the
laws Of finance by an act of congress
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-14
The Murder 'rrInIs.

Two defendants in murder cases were
tried during the last week in this county,
with results that justify the opinion that
there is getting to be a healthier public
sentiment in respect to crimes Of violence.
The jury in the Pitts case did not take
as serious a view of the crime committed
by the defendant, Pitts, as the public did,
fully that II crimes of violence are to be
checked in this community the fun penalty
OF the law must be inflicted upon those
who commit crimes of that kind
What is needed more than anything else
is a public sentiment against crimes of
violence that will not only sustain jures
in doing their duty, but which will make
juries feel its displeasure when they fan
short of doing IT. With a healthy pub
lie sentiment we shall have very few hom-
icides. and the practice Of carrying con-
cealed weapons will disappear altogether.
There are other murder cases awaiting
trial. 1t is to be hoped the solicitor gen
eral will not let up in his good work until
he has entirely cleared the docket of this
class of cases. The moral effect of prompt
trials, and, when the accused are guilty,
swift punishment, is very great. TO put
off cases from term to term causes dis
content among the people and lessons con-
hdence in the courts. Public duty con-
performed seldom fails TO
receive recognition from the people.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-14
Afraid of the Courts.

At the meeting of the stockholders of
the Southern Mutual Building and Loan
Association in Atlanta last Thursday one
said; IF we have receivers appointed
they and the lawyers will finally get all
the money"
What a comment was this on the courts!
Has it come to this that the people are
afraid to go to the courts for justice? 1t
an indication of public sentiment and
there is reason for thinking it is.
The receivers and lawyers are not to
blame for putting a high price on the ser
vices they render, but the judges are 10
blame for allowing fees out of all proper
ton to the services rendered.
The judges may say they are better quail
flied than anybody else to say what the
services rendered by their direction and
under supervision are worth, but are they?
What special qualifications do they possess
for arriving at the value Of the services
of receivers and others appointed by
them?
A point has been reached at which cred
itors of insovent concerns hesitate to go
into the courts. They are afraid that af-
ter vexatious litigation nothing of the as
sets of the insolvcnt concerns will be left
for them, or so small a portion that il
would be far better TO compromise and ac-
cept what they could get.
This is certainly an unhappy state of af-
fairs And there doesn't seem to be any
way to obtain reform, unless II be through
legislation liking the limit of fees. Com
pare the allowances made by the courts
now in receivership cases with those made
quarter of century ago! What diff
ferencei Clearly there will have to be a
reform in this matter or else there will
be popular movement to reform the
courts.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-14
A Noulh,s Adventures.

When riding in the tramcar through the
widest parts of Peekham Rye. writes
a contributor TO the London News, with
a fricnd-we We're bound on a journalistic
errand-a bronzed young man OF marine
appearance jumped into the car, and at
we had gone very far / was deep in one
OF the oldest family histories. This new
arrival, 1t seems, when a boy OF IA, bad
been possessed by the fear of cOnsump-
ton, that fell disease having carried off
his, brother and threatening his father
and mother, Accordingly he read every
ing with the subject and, as the result o.
MS reading ran away 70 Bourne mouth
hs Engaged himself to a i0cal hshmOnger,
carrying his matters fish to the various
customers, When the days work was
done. he. shedidefed d hammock which
among some of those pines for which that
southern health resort is famous
One night q gentleman, sauntering along
smoking 4 cigar, noticed him, and, being
into conversation with him. Why,
know who YOU are exclaimed reclaimed the con- con-
ure island p" How do you KNOW said
the gSntieEmI ma, Beeanse de so d go@
replied Stevenson. for he it was, sure
enough. But YOU don't talk ike tlsh3
the boy, and then poured his strange Sc
cret into the noVelist's ear, which was
sympathetic enough, you may be sure.
| The result of this odd meeting was an in
Vitation to breakfast. "Oh, and l did
eat" said the young mamie told the
story so loudly that the whole train
laughed. And the servants couldn't make
II. gttt-at all, to see the distinguished au-
TheHfNRtaining the fishmonger's boy.
saw MN aA,ySelt-S<A Paris and never
strange youth was siezed with a year14the
for the scent Of the eucalyptus, and per-
suaded his friends to send him to sea.
When he reached Sydney he sold his out
fit and ran away into the bush and lived
in the open with eucalyptus galore.
Thence, after many adventures, he sailed
for the south seas, and abode by reef and
palm for many a long year. One day,
when cruising as Supefcargo among the
Gilbert Islands q think) a European swell
in beautiful white ducks, a great red
sash and a spreading panama hat with a
peacock's feather in it, came aboard the
schooner. Good morning, Mr.. Steven
son. said the supercargo. Mr.. Steven
son looked, and wondered who knew him
in these far-off seas. Il don't know you'
he said shaking his head. But / know
you. Don't you remember the fishmon-
gers boy who ate such a big breakfast
at Skerryvore?" so do. Well, the
world is small, indeed And no doubt
the two had pegs and tiffin Tor whatever
they call such things in the islands) to-
gether. What a strange, small world it
is, indeed. Well one succumbed to the
dread disease-the other is as hearty a
fellow as ever 1 saw. 1t was a quaint,
grim fancy to go lodging phthisis all over
the world
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-14
Gov. Budd's Deep Disgust.

Gov Budd of California, never forgets
or forgives an injury, the Newsletter
says. He has squared up most of his debts
of malice, but he sorrowfully admits that
there is one big account upon which he
still occupies the wrong side of the ledger.
During the gubernatorial campaign two
years ago nothing caused Budd SO great
by that cynical artist Clarence Webster.
Fudd never encountered the artist, al
though when the bloom is on the rye he
has frequently expressed in ferociouS Ian
guage a strong desire for personal inter-
view with Webster in a sealed apartment.
At a holiday dinner given in San Fran
cisco the governor was seated next TO. a
mild looking, specialized gentleman, who
proved a most entertaining table cOmpan-
ion. The governor had failed TO catch the
name of his neighbor. who told quaint sto-
ries with the dry wit which has given the
artist humorist high rank as a reconteur.
As the dinner ended Budd expressed his
Sratification at meeting his witty compan-
ion and begged TO inquire his name.
Webster" demurely replied that gen.
tleman.
And your business?n continued the chief
executive of the state.
'Newspap per artist" said Webster. with
impCrturbable gravity Noting Budd 5
savage look of interrogation he continued
serenely, Yes. l drew those cartoons you
are thinking about"
The governors face was a study. He
felt he had been caught in a trap and that
some courtesy had been squeezed out OF
him under false pretenses. He turned the
famous Stockton purple hue and almost
foamed at the mouth. He struggled WITH
himself for several minutes then eXplod-
ed.
of every man to his trade, but I'm damned
if 1 like NOurSp'
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-14
BRIGHT BITS.

AIRS. Baldwin: That husband of mine
is the most careless man. 1 expect he'll
lose his head some of these days.
Mrs. Bum: / see he's lost the next thing
to it-his hair.-Yonkers Statesman.
His Specialty.-"Has your son any es-
pecial talent?" asked one man,
Yes" replied the other; II think he's
am inventor"
'.IIas he invented many things?"
should give him money. Washington
Star.
Aunt Maria Cat the theater): Why do
all those men rush out in breathless haste
the moment the curtain falls?
Uncle Henry: Just wait till they come
in again, and you'll understand it,
When they returned there was not a
breathless one among them.-Boston
Transcript
Il am bold bad bacillus
Recently located in Bombay
For business
And when | waltz out among the populace
Things look squally.
I'm not a heavyweight by any means,
Like John L.,
Nor a has-been,
But when l take the warpath
People make themselves scarce
Just the same,
See2
|. may not be daisy, but I'm bubonic
From WayDack,
And don't care who knows it.
This is going to be my busy year
But when I'm strictly in it
/ m happy. Chicago Times.