davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18
Nature as an Educator.

DR.. NJ. l.. HolbrOok gives the follow
ing advice as to the education OF chill
dren: 80 far as possible, love Of na-
ture should be early and continuously
inculcated. Nature is, in a physical
sense, the father and mother Of us all.
and child that grows up to maturity
with genuine love of rocks and trees,
flowers and insects, animals and
plants, storms and sunshine, cold and
heat, fresh air or the ocean wave: of
every varying landscape and mood of
nature and all the activities around us.
stands not only better chance Of pos
sessing healthy nervous system. but
of maintaining it during life. than if
the opposite had been the case | am
not at all in sympathy with any sys-
tenn of education which takes children
far away from nature. Nature is Il
book, great library of books. whose
authorship is the Infinite. Our little
works, our libraries, vast and valuable
as they are, cannot be compared with
it. They are poor transcripts at best
of the thoughts of half-develOped ilu.
man beings"
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18
GOVERNMENT CROP REPORT.
The Average Yield of Corn Shown to
Be 23.7 Bushels to the Acre.

BE Zo.7 Bushels to the Acre.
| The November report Of the statistician
Of the Department of Agriculture gives
23.7 bushels as the average yield per acre
Of corn according to the preliminary re-
turns Of the department correspondents.
The corresponding preliminary estimate
last year was 27.3 bushels, and that of
/ 1895 26.2 bushels. The average yield in
| the principal corn States is as follows:
New York, 32.5; Pennsylvania, 800;
Ohio, 32.5; Indiana, $50; Illinois, 31.5;
Iowa, 29.0; Missouri, $50; Kansas, 1910;
Nebraska, 29.O. The average per cent of
quality is S6.3, as compared with SS.4 in
1896 and 92.3 in 1895.
The preliminary estimate of the average
yield of buckwheat is 20.I bushels per
acre, as compared with 1871 bushels last
year and 20.1 bushels in 1895. The aver
ages in New York and Pennsylvania, the
two States of principal production, are
% and q bushels per acre, respectively.
The average per cent Of quality is 94.o,
as compared with 94.7 in November OF
last year. The average yield per acre OF
tobacco is GAG pounds, against 619 pounds
per acre last year and T43 pounds III 1879.
The estimated average yield per acre of
Irish potatoes is GIG bushels, as compar-
ed with S6.S bushels last year and 1907
bushels in November, 1895. The average
per cent Of quality is S1.3, against 81
in November last year and 94.S in Novem-
ber, 1895.
The average yield Of hay is 1.42 tons
per acre, against an average of 1.21 tons
per acre for the last fifteen years. In
point of quality the average is 92.S per
cent, as compared with 92.9 per cent III
November, 1896, and 91.3 per cent in
1893.
Favorable conditions for the sowing of
lie fall crops are reported from most parts
Of Europe, and the condition of the
crops, so far as sown, is likewise favor
able. The opinion is freely expressed
that an increased area has been sown in
wheat, but this appears to be more as
matter of inference from the natural ten
dency Of high prices to produce such an
effect than as an observed fact. The crop
reports from India continue favorable,
and On the whole this is true as to those
from Argentina and Australasia, but IN
all these countries the harvest is too re-
note to permit any very confident pre-
,liction as to the ina, outcome. In the
case Of Argentina 1t may prove that more
damage has been done by the locusts and
the spring frosts than is yet apparent.
There is nothing to indicate that the
wheat shortage in Europe is any less than
has been supposed while the crop of Man
itoba is DOW represented to be much below
the official estimate issued in August and
that of the Canadian Northwest territory
is DOOR,
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18
The Paw Of Naval Officers.

The relative rates of American and
British naval officers pay in compari-
son are as follows: Naval cadet $500,
midshipman $160; ensign $1,000, sub
lieutenant $455 with extra as naviga-
tor 1925; lieutenant, junior grade, ST.
500, lieutenant 5000 to $3.50 with ex-
tras up to $365; lieutenant $2,40O, lieu
tenants in command $1,O05 to $1,370
with extras from $420 to sos; lieuten-
ant commander $500, commander
$780,; commander $1,S25 with extras
to sos; captain $4,000, captain 5000
to 5000 with extras from $3.50 to
81 $40. Thus only the senior captain
in the British navy, with full allowance
Of extras, receives more than our junior
captain. But after one gets to be cap
tain things change. Every British cap-
tain becomes a rear admiral in q few
years, as the rank of commodore is only
temporary, and rear admiral starts
with $S,210 and may wind up with
$13,6S5. Our rear admirals get only
$4,000 at most, while their comrades
of equal rank in the army, the major
generals, get $500. Then the British
sailor has two, and sometimes three.
steps after he gets his flag; he may be-
come vice admiral, with pay ranging
from $12,775 to $15,510, and even adj
miral, with pay and allowances Of
17,100 to $19.s35.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18

A great revolution in warfare will be
effected If anything comes Of the new
French rifle which discharges vitriol in
stead OF bullets. Heroes do not fear
death, but naturally shrink from disfg-
urement. The Duke of Wellington, we
are told in the Latin Grammar (comic),
would walk among the cannon-balls,
him not caring one blow" but even the
great duke would hardly have exhibit
ed the same Indifference to rifles squirt
ing vitriol. No decent-looking soldier
will be got to face them; they will have
to be approached backwards. This will
entail new system Of drill. Think
of a whole regiment charging back
ward! If both forces are possessed Of
this novel weapon, the spectacle will
be doubly entertaining. Our ideas will
not only be transformed, but inverted.
When our warriors return, says James
Payn, they will no longer exhibit with
pride the wounds they have received in
front-quite the reverse; the more be.
hind the better.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18

faculty of any Western College. Her
own alma mater, the University of cal
ifornia, has not yet seen tit to open it's
faculty door to women, but Stanford,
being younger, is less conservative.
Miss Mary Mathilda Mclean is a
young lady of interesting personality.
She is of Scotch stock, and has always
been noted for her serious tempera-
ment. She is we'll endowed mentally.
though not remarkable for robust
physique. She is ambitious and decid-
edly earnest and thorough.
Miss McLean's family were New En-
glanders when they ceased to be
Scotch, and the sturdiness of the race
shows in this youngest scion. The
young lady is % years of age, an only
child, and has been carefully reared.
Her father is Rev. J. X. Mclean, D. D..
who has been in California for thirty
years, and is known all over the West.
He is the leading Congregationalist in
California. At Stanford Miss Mclean
is to be an adjunct to the chair of En-
glish literature. She will Introduce q
number of European methods, culled
from the great colleges, all of which
she has visited, into her new depart
ment,
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18
EMPLOYING COOLIES.
Illinois Mine Owners Said to Be I'm
porting C1inese Labor.

| Illinois Mine Owners Said to Be I'm
| porting Ci1inese Labor.
The news that { hInamen are to be i'm
ported into the mines at Carbon Hill is
not considered very seriously at Spring
Valley. Men stood around the corners in
knots discussing this latest phase of the
strike situation in Northern Illinois, but
the coolies did not interest them as much
as the reported settlement at Braceville,
where it is stated the miners have accept
| ed the operators offer.
The men in the Spring Valley district
are indignant over the action of the
Braceyille men in accepting a settlement
below the scale. The Spring Valley men
claim to have the strike won, and the
leaders say that no matter if Braceville
does return to work at a non-union scale
the Spring Valley men will hold out until
next May, if necessary, for the scale for
mulated at Springfield. Ladd, Seaton-
vile, La Sale and Peru are equally firm.
| The labor leaders scoff at the idea Of
the coolie movement being success.
They say it is only bluff. Said one
prominent leader: What if they do sue
ceed in working one obscure mine with
Cinnamon? That does not necessarily
break the strike. We are not going to
let 200 Cinnamon at Carbon Hill make
the price of coal digging for 1000 white
miners of Northern Illinois. The very
fact that the Northern Illinois operators
are importing 'coolie' labor is an indca-
ton that the white miners are poorly paid
and evidence of their cause"
A remonstrance against allowing Chi.
nese coal miners to be imported into the
State for the purpose Of mining coal at
Wilmington and other towns in place Of
striking miners will be placed before
| Gov. Tanner in the name of the United
Mine Workers of Illinois. The Governor
will also be asked to cooperate with the
| State secretary Of the Miners Federation
nkeeping out the coole labor.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18

day In the school room, aud there 10
no telling how much they would be
benefited by surroundings which would
appeal to and stimulate their artistic
sense. The cost would not be grfat,
and in most cases q few pennies con-
tributed by the scholars, and expended
judiciously by a teacher who possess
es tact and good taste, would reVolu-
tionize the place where the children
now spend the most receptive years OF
their lives.
Brighter, prettier, more cheerful
school rooms ought to be provided. Pic
lures of great eve 8, replicas IN plas--
ter of paris of famous statues-works
which represent the genius Of the
worlds greatest artists-all these
would help the scholars and equip them
in broader and higher sense for their
contact with the world for the noble
and responsible duties of American cit
iZenship.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18
;zzz,|l |l6azRggal .! :,
9Szzzre11 - ree114z|AHElP 81
Chips for the Teacher.

Endeavor to cultivate public Opinlon.
Children suffering with headache
should be sent home.
Endeavor to keep your scLoolroom
well ventilated at all times.
Caution the pupils about burning
the midnight oil' in studying.
Punishments should vary according
to the temperament of the child.
Never strike Il child on the head.
Never pull the child's hair or ears.
Endeavor to govern your school with
out resorting to corporal punishment.
BE sparing of commands; but when
ever you do command, command wirb.
decision and firmness''
Don't allow children to sit in tbe
schoolroom with wet feet or damn
clothing.
Protect your pupils eyes from esces-
sive light and from the direct RAYS OF
the sun.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18
E. P. LOVEJOY.

E. P. LOVEJOY. Nov. {, 1881, that 4
mob, angered by the abolition editorials
appearing in Lovejoy's weekly paper, the
Alton Observer, came across the river
from Missouri and besieged the editor and
his friends in Godfrey & Gilman's ware
house, where they had taken refuge. The
doors and shutters were strong and the
mob was unable to gain admission. The
infuriated men sought to d1sl0dge the
Lovejoy party by throwing burning
brands upon the roof. Lovejoy climbed
from the window twice and snatched the
brands, receiving bullet wound the sec
ond time from which he died shortly after
rejoining his friends.
Through the efforts of the late Senator
c. A. Herb of Alton an appropriation of
$4,000 was made by the State Senate,
but Gov. Altgeld refused to sign the bill
till the citizens of Alton had raised S12,
600 by popular subscription. The Love
joy Monument Association was then Or
ganized, and succeeded in raising about
half that amount. The Governor then
allowed the appropriation to pass into the
hands of the association. Plans and spe-
citications were Immediately drawn up,
the work Was started and was pushed to
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18
EVIDENCE IN NOvAK'S TRIAL,
The Jury Is Secured and Witnesses
Are Called to the Stand.

The trial of Frank A. Novak, who is
charged with the murder OF Edward Muir
ray at Walford, Iowa, last February, was
begun at Cedar Rapids Tuesday. The
work of securing jury was completed by
the noon recess. Immediately after noon
the jury was sworn and County Attorney
Tobin made the opening statement to the
jury.
He said that the State expected to prove
that Novak was on the brink of financial
ruin and insured his life for large sums
of money, and that in numbering Euward
Murphy, which was a part of the precon-
ceived plan, it was for the purpose Of
causing the people to believe that he (No-
vak) had perished in the ruins, and that
1t all was done with the intent OF de-
frauding the insurance companies. Judge
Ney, assistant counsel for the defense,
made the opening statement for the de-
fendant. The taking of testimony was
at once commenced.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18
completion in a short time. The monu-

completion in short time. The monu-
ment cost $4,000. The architect was
Louis Mulguard of St. Louis, and the
sculptor Robert Bringhurst of st. Louis
The first speaker on the program at the
dedication was Thomas Dimmock of ST.
Louis. Lieut.. Gov. Dimmock is better
acquainted with the story Of Lovejoy
than any other living man, having been a
resident of Alton at the time and an in
innate friend of the family.
DR.. Wilkerson, colored divine of Up
per Alton, representing the colored peo-
pie, made speech. Lieut.. Gov. North
colt delivered an address and choir con-
sisting of the different singing societies
Of the city furnished music for the occa-
sion, accompanied by the White Hussar
band. John w. Harmed of Greenville,
ILL.,, who was an eyewitness of the death
of Lovejoy, was present at the dedicatory
exercises.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18

Machines keep themselves in power
by saving the people lot of trouble. a
democracy calls upon every man to do
his share of government. Political war
fare is a chronic condition. 1t is not a
personally perilous contest, but it in
wolves labor, and the people send sub
stitutes" and the substitutes are the
machines" To break the machine in
wolves trouble, and it often holds pow
er for years simply because the laziness
Of the people is slowly overcome. Since
the people are the source of all power,
it is no use to blink at their responsible
ity for its abuse
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18
neutrality-suspicious.
NOTES ABOUT SCHOOLS AND
THEIR MANAGEMENT
PIucky Teacher Who Thrashed ana
Then Expelled Unru1y Pupi1s-' alue
of Decorations-The School Ncwspa-
per-He1ps for the Teacher.
Tanned Her UnruIy Pupil

There is one young school teacher IN
Long Island who need never be out of
a job. So completely did she succeed
in quelling a rebellion last week that
offers from other places have already
been received, but the school directors
of Babylon, where she is now engaged,
will not hear of her departure. Her
name is Ella Hart, and here is how she
came to establish herself so firmly in
her present position:
John Coleman, who is boy Of ten
der years, but tough tendencies, has
for several days been living under the
shadow of the rod. Miss Hart has an
official whip, and Friday her expert
enced observation told her that John
Coleman was ripe for castigation and
she called him up to receive his due.
The operation proceeded with COM
plete success for few moments. John
ME Coleman gave all the evidences of
mortal anguish customary to such oc-
casions He squirmed and twisted and
rended the air with lamentations, prot
estations and calculations of peni
tence.
Stella Coleman, a stout girl Of 16
years, sister of Johnnie, heard the
walls of her brother and appeared as
q rescue and punitive force. She dash
ed into the room like young whirl-
wind and attacked the teacher with
rush. The boy took advantage of the
diversion to rub himself a few times
where he felt that rubbing was neces-
sary and salutary and then Joined in
the attack. Miss Coleman scratched
vindictively and reached for her teach
er's hair. Miss Hart proceeded method
ically and according to the most ap-
proved principles of pedagogics. She
first captured the girls hands and then
tripped her up, threw her and sat on
her. Then she reached for her whip
and thrashed Miss Coleman until all
the fight and most of the family affec-
ton were thrashed out of her. After
that she caught Johnnie Coleman and
began on him all over again.
Having completed her work con-
scientiously and thoroughly, she eX-
PEELED both the offenders and appear
ed before the trustees. scratched and
somewhat battered and disheyeled, but
triumphant, and reported her action
She was sustained and the school will
probably continue its exercises peace
fully
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18

These frequent train hold-ups, each
more audacious and startling than any
which preceded, indicate that railway
managers and local authorities alike
have failed to take the necessary steps
to put an end to this form of highway
robbery. From stealing train to steal
ing railway is only one step, and L
the railway companies Of the West
want possession Of their roads they
will soon be compelled to adopt some
sensible and effective method of pro-
tecting their trains.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18
A Device in Discipline.

A high school teacher has each pupil
keep his own record of both conduct
and study in n little blank book pre-
pared for the purpose, and make daily
entries. This is not the ''self-repOrting
system" because the pupils standing
is not made up from this record. The
pupil does not report to anybody: he
simply keeps the record for himself.
The principal frequently looks at these
little books to see how they are kept.
but never criticises the marking. The
pupil is not required to show his book
to his parents, and yet he is encOur-
aged to keep Il report that he will not
be ashamed to show. The pupil is
given to understand that the record is
for his own benefit exclusively, and
that it is for his own inspection excIu-
sively, unless he chooses to let others
see it,
The foregoing device is an excellent
one, for two very manifest reasons:
1. 1t compels the student to constantly
compare his own performance, in
both conduct and work, with his own
ideal standard of excellence, and this
is worth a great deal to any one.
whether in school or out of school. .
1t places no inducement before the Du-
pill to make false report, and this
gives it its immense advantage over
the self-repOrting system" Let no
teacher fiatter himself that this device
or any other, however good, will run
itself.-Selected.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18

In case you haven't enough to worry
ABOUT, here is something: Astrono-
merS are now watching with increased
interest the big sun spot which has
been in great activity for the last two
years, and are specializing on the out
come. 1t is said the molten mass is
likely at any time to burst from the
suns surface. Prof. Siverimus J. Cor
rigan, director of the Goodsell Obser-
vatory Of Carleton University, says:
"a new planet may at any instant
break away from the sun, and the ter
rife explosion which will necessarily
accompany this break away will pro-
duce great disturbance of the entire
universe, but particularly of the earth,
perhaps completely smashing it, and
surely destroying all animal life OH
land as we'll as in the waters. The re-
suit of my investigations on this sub
ject indicate that the earth is closely
approaching a critical epoch in it's
career; yet the day or the hour Of
visitation no man knoweth,' but these
results have convinced me that it is
imminent Look to the sun. Neither
is this tremendous disturbance of the
earth and the destruction of all life
upon it completely unprecedented. \
similar detachment of solar matter by
the same means is known by scientists
to have occurred 23,OOO,OOO years ago,
a period simultaneous with the pa
laeozic age, at which time all animal
and vegetable life then existing on the
fact of the earth, was completely
crushed out" Of course all this is nom
sense. but it will do to worry about.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18

We are panied to learn by the London
Vanity Fair that 1.-The queen empress
is dissatisfied with the course of the
United States and ''holds almost pessi-
mistic views in regard to the stability
and future of the republic" After that
we suppose the United States might as
we'll put up its shutters and go out of
business. If Mrs. Victoria disapproves
az lis there is little use in trying to keep
a good opinion of ourselves.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18

Thanks to the encouragement which
Emperor William has accorded to the
practice Of dueling, it is now being
adopted by the medical profession in
Germany. a couple of physicians sum-
moned in consultation became involved
at the bedside of a patient in so violent
a dispute with regard to the character
of the malady and Of its treatment that
they concluded to fight the matter out.
The conflict took place on the outskirts
of Bonn, on the Rhine, one of the COM
batants, DR.. Fisher, receiving bullet
in the chest, which killed him in.
stantly.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18
After Vacation.

Before they had arithmetic,
Or telescopes or chalk,
Or blackboards, maps, and copy-bOoks-
When they could only talk;
Before Columbus came to show
The world geography,
What did they teach the little boys
Who went to school like me?
There wasn't any grammar then,
They CT uldn't read or spell.
For books were not invented yet
l think it was just as well;
There were not any rows of dates,
Or laws, or wars, or kings,
Or generals, or victories.
Or any Of these things.
There couldn't have been much to lea NJ
There wasn't much to know;
Twas nice to be Il little boy
Ten thousand years agol
For history had not begun,
The world was very new
And in schools, don't see what
The children had to do.
Now, always there is more to learn
How history does grow.
And every day they find new things,
They think we ought to know:
And if it must go on like this,
I'm glad live to-day,
For boys ten thousand years from now
Will not have time to play.
st. Nicholas.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18
TO AID lCE.BOUND MEN.
Movement to Send the Cutter Bear fu
Point Barrow.

There was conference at the White
House in Washington Monday, attended
by Secretaries Gage, Long and Alger,
Commodore Melville and Commander
Dickens of the navy and Capt. Shoemak-
er commander of the revenue marine ser
vice. to consider measures for the relief
of the American whaling fleet said to be
icebound in Bering sea. 1t was decided
to send the revenue cutter Bear to the
relief of the whalers. She is now at Sc
attic, Wash, having just arrived from
Alaska. Orders have been issued to put
her in commission for the voyage at once,
and Capt. Shoemaker says she will be
ready to sail as soon as she can be pro-
visioned, which will take but a short time.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-11-18

day. The dedication
was first to occur in
June, but an acci-
dent to the monu-
ment while in course
of construction ne
cessitated 4 post
ponement, and it
was decided by the
committee in charge
to dedicate the struc-
ture on the anniver-
sary of the killing Of
Lovejoy. 1t was ON