davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
GOOD MONEY IN POLECATS.
Man Starts a Skunk Farm and Ex

Man Starts Skunk Farm and Ex.
pects Soon to Become Wealthy.
Edgar Brown, who lives all alone on
an island in the lake of the woods
about twelve miles from Rat Portage,
Ont, is the owner Of what is probably
the most novel farm in existence. He
calls 1t skunk farm. The entire ISL
and Is given up to the raising of pole
cats. Brown came to Duluth from st.
Louis, Mo-, in boom days, made a for
tune and lost it again, like great
many others. Two years ago he got
the gold fever and went into the Cana
dian gold fields. He had about $1,000
when he left Duluth, half of which he
Invested in gold mine. which he had
been told was the greatest mine in ex-
istence. He found rich ore and plenty
of free gold on the surface, but after
the purchase price was paid for it the
mine failed. Brown saw that he had
been swindled and this disguised him
with gold mining.
He had determined to come back into
the United States and go into real es-
tate again, when one day he discovered
that there We're other ways in which
he could make money. While he was in
one of the stores of the Hudson Bay
Company an Indian came in and sold
polecat skin. He noticed that the fur
was very fine, and that the company
paid S1.25 for it. He made some in
quiries and found the company was
RI hy,x oil f,,v = -
that kind for the same price. This sat.
isfied him that there would be money
in raising the animals for their fur.
He determined to start a skunk farm.
With this end in view he leased an ISL
and In the Lake of the Woods, about
twelve miles from Rat Portage, with
an area of 1GO acres. He employed Il
number of half-breeds to catch some of
the little animals for him and they
soon had 200 or 800 in captivity. He
stocked his farm with these He built
little houses for them to live in in win
ter and made everything as comfort.
able as possible for them. He person
ally superintendent their care, feeding
them himself. They are fed on fish en-
tirely, which is very plentiful there.
When feeding time comes Brown takes
a little cart load of fish, pushes it
around to different stations he has
marked out on the island and whistles
for his pets. They always eat just at
dusk, feeding only once each day. At
the sound of the whistle the bushy-tail-
ed children of the devil" as they are
sometimes called, come scampering
from all directions.
Last year Brown raised 400 of the lit
tie creatures and this year $50 mothers
have families of from two to six each
He has now about 1000 of the black
footed beauties and they multiply fast
The Hudson Bay Company has con.
tracted to take all the furs and oil he
can furnish, and Brown says his farm
will soon be worth from $4,000 ia
$4,000 year to him, with no danger
of Door crODs
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
Taking Its Own Portrait.

1t seems like something of an achieve
ment to make wild deer take it's own
portrait, but such a feat was lately &C.
complished by Mr.. Charles Hughes, OF
Red Bluff, Cal.
He conceived the idea of causing 8
wild animal to take flashlight photo.
graph as it passed along a trail in the
Coast Range Of mountains, secure un.
der cover Of night.
TO accomplish this purpose Mr..
Hughes set up the camera short dis.
lance from a trail over which deer were
known to run, and then connected the
shutter and the fiashlight materials
with a trap. When the deer stepped
upon the trap the camera was opened
and the flashlight set of at the same
instant. Mr.. Hughes thus secured the
negative in the dead Of night, and when
there was not soul within sight or
hearing of the animal.
On developing the negative Mr..
Hughes found the photograph of a deer.
The frightened appearance Of the AMI.
NAL as he was startled by the sudden
flash Of light is clearly shown in the
picture.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
NOOstng q Sea.Lion.

A correspondent of Rams Horn mar
rates pulling-match between a sea
lion and farmer:
Near Tillamook, Ore, an old German
farmer CHANGED to be driving along the
beach, when his watchful gaze was
greeted by the sight of large sea-lioI
some distance out on the sand, fas,
asleep.
1t was the work of moment for ia
cob to make lasso Of stout rope h.
had in his wagon, fasten the end of Il
to the hind axle, and adjust the moose
over the sea-lion's head. Then Jacot
Jumped into the wagon and started
homeward with his prize.
The sea-lion did the same, and rs his
team was the stronger of the two, ia
cob started seward at good pace, and
only saved himself and his outfit by
springing quickly to the ground, grasp
ing his Jack knife and cutting the rope
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14

ton Of surface finish and richness o.
color that lends them an intrinsic val.
ue, such as electric seals, have won fol
the mselves, and which some Of the high
grade machine laces now deserve.
Many of these weayes defy water and
will not crease rs would the royal vel
vet in which our yrandmothers made
themselves queenly. Entire costumes
are to be of such weaves-there are all
cloaks, coats and capes. In to-day's
fourth illustration is a pretty blouse Of
one of these si.k-faced velveteens. II
was striped in two shades Of peacocE
blue and was gathered at neck and
waist. Hooking beneath the iabot OF
ivory lace, the garment was belted
with black velvet and trimmed with
bows Of it, each bow held with t.Iy
gold buckle.
The hat of this last sketch was pea.
cock blue velvet, trimmed with b.acS
ostrich feathers and a bow Of blue vel.
vet. But more to the point THAI these
details was the arrangement Of its
plumes. Feathers % this sort are te
be even more plentiful than they were
last season, and though they lie in low
" fashion instead of towering assert.
lively as they formerly did. there's
nothing shrinking about the outlay
they'll necessitate. BY the new ar.
rangement there is room for mort
plumes. and size and fineness are az
desirable and costly as they were. Take
the hat Of the concluding sketch, which
is also typical; its plumes were but two.
yet their size and quality made them
cost q pretty penny. Like the felt they
trimmed, they were gray. and thels
stems were held BY . pleated black
velvet rosette and steel ornament.
Copyright. 1901.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14

the start OF the season seems to
have taken hold, and it is for us
to profit thereby. In the display new
ideas are SO many that only few Of
the most characteristic ones can be
treated here. Among cloths the smooth
finished sorts seem most popular
though there is the usual assortment OF
tweeds and rough Scotch mixtures.
Camels hair, to revive which there
was an effort last year. appears in silky
softness, but doesn't seem to catch on
very hard, for few imported costumes
are made of it. and they do not look
particularly attractive. Cashmere IS
really idealized. 1t was never SO per-
feet in finish. and not To have a cash
mere gown Is to want one very much.
This goods is so attractive that two
newly stylish uses Of it are put in the
first and second of the accompanying
pictures. In the first, ii very pretty
house dress, taffeta was combined
with 1t, and herein is another new
wrinkle; for though the recent tenden-
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
Cuts Like Cheese.

Nature has made it easy to build
houses in Bermuda. The entire group
Of Islands is made up Of coral rock, so
his back yard if he cares to dig deep
enough. This stone, when first cut, is
soft and white, so that it ''cuts like
cheese" and can be got out in square
blocks with an ordinary hand saw. On
exposure to the air, however, 1t soon
break the teeth out Of the saw that cut
1t so easily from it's bed.
As there is no lumber in Bermuda
except that which is brought from Can
ada at considerable expense, stone Is
used for nearly the entire house. The
walls are laid in blocks about eight
inches by six, and two feet in length.
Window stills and door jambs are also
sawed out of stone in the proper shape,
and even the roof is covered with stone
shingles, which are made simply by
setting block of soft, fresh stone on
edge and saving it into thin slabs. Both
roof and walls have to be kept white
washed. or the stone would crumble
away, hard as it finally becomes; but
with this precaution it lasts long time.
There is an old coral stone house in
Harrington sound which is considera-
bly, over 200 years old.
Coral islands are formed by the coral
polyps, or insects, which build up reefs
to about the level of the sea and then
die. On the rough surface Of the reefs
seaweed clings. The wind and the
waves work together to grind up their
substance and pile it in heaps of sand,
which finally solidifies into the rock
which can be cut SO easily.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
Locks.

Tradition says that locks were maze
IN England in the reign Of Alfred, but
II was not till the fourteenth century
that the craft was recognized as a dis
tinct one. In the reign Of Elizabeth
locks with bells or chimes were SO con-
structed as to ring an alarm or play a
tune when they were tempered with.
In the sixteenth century, In Germany
ana France, as well as in England, the
art OF the locksmith was at its highest
nerfection, and the keys were truly mr.
tistic, with escutcheons, armortaI IN
sigma ornaments and plercings upon
tho end to be grasped by the hand.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
BIG MONEY IN BASEBALL.
New York and Boston Pocket a Quartz
of n Million of Dollars.


The Boston club will make fully $780,
4to this season." said James Mulcahey,
who looked after the finances Of the st.
Louis team during the recent eastern
trip. An employee Of the Boston manage
'hent estimated the profits Of the club at
tne above sum in conversation while
the st. Louis team was playing in Bean
own One gatekeeper at Boston said
mat the average attendance there this
season was the best in the history of the
same. Ned Hanlon, the manager Of the
Baltmores, received $1,000 as his clubs
share Of the gate receipts for three games
at Boston. New York will make at least
slooOOO. Like Boston, the attendance in
New York has been large from the COM
mencement of the season. New York has
the best paying grand stand in the league
All the Gotham regulars patronize the
best seats at the new Polo Grounds. The
visiting clubs get none Of this rake-off.
New York paid st. Louis $500 for six
games this season. For one game, on
April ~, the st. Louis club received ST.
W' Baltimore has made plenty Of money,
nut the hcme patronage did not keep up
consistently. The strong clubs only drew
os crowds in Baltimore. They say at
ulncinnati that they will clear about &c.,
wv on the season. Washington will also
make big money, something like 1000.
Philadelphia started off pretty we'll in the
spring, but the poor work of the Quakegs
toward the finish cut the attendance down
70 nothing. st. Louis received 5000 less
man 1t did in 1896 for it's series in Phila-
deiphia. Reach and Rogers will be lucky
break even on the season. so they say
Philadelphia. Cleveland's profits fell
On one-half. In '95 and 90, when they
we're pennant factors, the Spiders made
"s money on the road. This season there
W was big slump in their playing speed.
Inc attendance in Cleveland has never
amounted to much. The Pittsburg club
also -, fell behind in money making way.
me home attendance of this club fell of.
ohicago's stockholders will receive good
| interest as result Of the seasons pro-
IT'S"
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
Fresh Air for a Bcd.Fa Patient.

L
''As all the world knows, there is no
more perfect means of ventilation than
an open fire. writes Mrs. Burton
Kingsland, telling how to nurse the
sick, in the Ladies' Home Journal. ut
Is continuous and attended with no
danger of draught. A more equable
temperature is obtained With wood
than with coal, and the thermometer
should be frequently consulted in a
sick-room. AS fresh air is the best
tonic, it is said that window may be
opened at the top on a sunny day, no
matter how ill the patient be, if in the
opening a wooden frame covered with
flannel is fitted. The air strained
through the wooden material is de-
prived Of all power to harm. An UNI
brella covered with shawl makes 4
good screen when the windows are
open, the patient being sheltered I'M
der it as if in u tent. A folding clothes
horse may also be utilized as screen
frame. AS a person lying on his back
is deprived of the protection of his eye
lids from the light, the blinds and cur
tains should be adjusted with regard to
that fact. A room little shaded is
more restful to person in illness, but
II patch of sunshine can be let in
somewhere in the room it makes a
CHEEKY spot to turn to If SO minded.
The Italian proverb says, Where the
sun does not enter the doctor does"
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
A Tree Upside Down.

John Meiners' distil,ery in Milwau-
kee has not been in operation for nine
years. 1t is an old landmark and is
surrounded with the interest that every
old building in Milwaukee aWakens in
the historian. The grounds about it
are covered with grand Old trees and
rustic benches, and form little by
way nook, whose existence one would
not suspect from the road outside the
fence at the south.
But the object Of greater interest in
this unique place is an old apple tree
that was planted twenty-eight years.
ago, with it's limbs in the ground and
it's roots in the air, and which still lives.
to bear fruit and roots where twigs anL
leaves should be, curiosity to all be-
holders.
trial through an old German legend, in
which such an inverted tree played a.
prominent part.
When Mr.. Meiners planted his TWEEN
ty-tive apple trees they showed no signs,
Of life for long time. Finally the one
still remaining showed leaf, Soft
ened by summer rains and expanded
by the sun, with great deal Of care it
was nursed to sturdy life. 1t grew
very slowly, and has not grown more
than two feet in height since 1t was:
planted. 1t is now about four feet,
high, with trunk fifteen inches in di-
ameter. The roots had tendency to
droop, and it was found necessary to
prop them up with trellis. Instead of
growing vertically, they have extended
horizontally in long slender arms. There
are about twenty Of these, rad.ating IN
all directions. Each year, MS they grew
longer, additional props were put un-
derneath, and they have extended along
the trellls fiat, straight rs a ceiling,
with little slender shoots running at
right angles and INTERVIEWING with one
another so closely that they afford some
protection from the rain to one who
may stand underneath. The top Is cir
cular in form, and about fifty feet In
diameter. The tree has borne fruit
for about twenty years, and Is now COW
cred with little green apples. The fruit
is Of good quality, but the variety Is not
known by Mrs. Adolph Meyer, daugll-
ter of Mr.. Meiners. who now occupies
the old homestead with her husband
and famiiy.-Meehan's Magazine.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
A kLONDlKE FABLE,
The Miner with the G old and the " an
with the Meats.

with the Meats.
The Klondikc gold miner wrapped his
furs around him and put bit between
his teeth to keep them from chattering
lie looked at his pocket thermometer
1t was so cold the thing had burst.
"Cgh,' he muttered, taking out the
bit for moment. tits cold here, but
you bet I've got the stuff
He kicked large bag in front OF
him containing dust of the paltry sum
OF SlS5,OOO. Then he sighed.
Not enough for a square meal" he
muttered.
With new energy the toiler arose and
prepared to sink new shaft. Urged
on by the pangs of hunger he sunk
through So feet Of solid ice, and by the
aid of 1900 pounds of dynamite blew
hole in the earth two feet deep.
Before him lay glittering nuggets.
Anywhere else but in Klondike he
would have had to go deeper.
With nervous hand he scooped them
up and climbed to the top of his ice
shatt. For moment he gaZed at the
peaceful scene around him. The au.
rora borealis was just getting in its
work.
But he could not eat the aurora bore.
ais.
In feverish haste he counted up his
wealth. Together with the tritie in his
bag he estimated $S96OOO.
Alas he cried, Il am still 4 poor
man."
just them man drawing dog
sledge passed his way. The MINER
eye glistened as he saw a meat parcel
protruding from the passcrby's pocket.
He hailed the new conner.
what have you there!" he asked.
"You see before you a man who has
had nothing but ice to eat for twelve
days. l would pay any price for a
square meal"
The sledge man expressed his sym
pathy, but remarked that business was
business. He showed the miner a
pound Of bacon, and the miners eye
glittered for the third time.
Then without word he handed over
his meager $S96,0OO savings and grasp
ed the bacon. The man in the sledge
drove on.
AT least said the miner, as he
buried his teeth in the toOthsomc NOR
sci, II have kept the wolf from the door
for another day."-Denver Times.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14

tist1c worth and may easily be used on
several different garments before their
usefulness is over. A distinct feature
Of the season, they are an outgrowth Of
the passementerie and applique effects
that is worthy of encouragement.
Like cashmere. ladies' cloth has tax.
en- on a surprising new richness. 1t
seems every bit as beautiful in lustel
as satin, and is much more graceful! in
chang" In the third sketch is com
paratively simple dress Of it. yet with
its deep red enhancing the beautiful I'm.
ish Of the goods, it seemed exceedingly
rich. Front and sleeves We're trimmed
with alternate bands Of surall in a
lighter red than the goods and black
lace insertion Collar and belt We're OF
the surah. Dark cOlors are abundant.
and most of the lighter ones are mark.
ed by richness. Among these are
bright green--a still brighter and more
yellowish shade than the grass greer
fashionable for the last two seasons
cerise, lavender. turquoise blue. and
last and newest. gray in all shades.
The abundance Of dark colors means
more than the yearly reaction that al
ways takes place against summer gay
ETY., for new goods are in greater varie-
ty in dark rich colors than has been
seen for several seasons. The number
of new weaves in black is significant Of
a tendency towards rich dark tones.
All sorts of velvet weaves are offered
in reds. green's and blues; indeed, it is
no longer the thing to wear silk velvet
except for really formal dress. Silk
faced velveteens come with perfec.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
Yours, Mine and Ours.

A Western paper tells story of a
mixed brood Of children which reveals
the confusion liable to exist in certain
families.
A widower and a widow, each hnyine
children. married, and children were
subsequently born to them. The par
ents agreed much better than the chill
dren did. One day neighbor, goins
past their place, heard commotion
within, out OF which rose the voice OF
the wife, screaming to the husband:
Jim! Jim! Hurry out in the yard
Your children and my children are beat
ing the lives out of our children
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
Poorly Named.

An avenue in an embryo town in
Maryland, not far from the city OF
Washington, bears the name Of Mudd.
The man who laid out the town aud
has so handicapped the sale Of property
along that thoroughfare Is an ardent
admirer Of Congressman Sydney e..
Mudd, a prominent Maryland p0ltti-
clan, and the use he has made Of the
name Of his political idol 10 Striking
proof Of his regard for the Congress-
man.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14

II you lend q person money q -
comes lost for any purpose q y0r- own.
When you ask for It back again, You
find friend made m enemy BY youe
own kindness. II ron begin - pFeep
sti;l further, either ron must pAxk N1tll
what you have lent, oF else yas n06l
lose your friend. -F1Autua
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
Must Bid Above $4,000, 600.

Attorney General McKenna issued aal
'uciai statement announcing that the
government had decided not to appeal to
ne Union Pacific foreclosure suit, but to
a.low the road to he sold in consideration
y inc Union Pacific reorganization COM
n INIT raising its guaranteed bid from
no, ~, O50 to $5O,O0O,OOO. The road, he
suaet, is to be sold to the highest bidder.
s y. with mini1um bid guaranteed az
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14

resident Mckinley has decided to al
wv 4. Benzinger, an artist who resides
:. brunnen, Switzerland, but who has
ss:uoios in Paris and New York, to paint
- Portrait. The portrait is to be the
|eoperty Of Vice President Hobart.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
cord instead Of fiat braid.

cord instead Of fat braid. Different
sizes of cord and different widths of
braid are employed in the most elab-
crate designs. Great pieces OF braiding
In the form Of hearts, circles, four-leaf
clovers, ovals and strips are made en-
tirely of braiding like sort Of heavy
lace. These are laid on cloth, the cloth
cut away from beneath to the very
edge Of the design, and q contrasting
material made to take Its place. The
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
This Cyclist Was Lucky.

This CyCIist Was Lucky.
Football is a mild sport compared to
bicycle racing. A bad "spiir' on a
crowded track is a spectacle more try.
ing to persons with nerves than any
that the 'gridiron" can furnish. 1t is
dozen riders to be thrown in an indie
scribable heap by the fall Of the leader.
In a recent race at Seattle under the
auspices of the Young Mems Christian
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
Condimcnts and Dxrostion,

The Introduction Of mustard or pep
per into the stomach Of rabbit caused
the secretion Of pancreatic Juice to b
tripled and even Quadruplcd. This &C
counts for the stimulating effects Of
these condiments upon digestion.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14

HE Is only half q
woman W no can re-
sist the shops now.
The fall styles are
stunning, and be
their observer short
or long. fat or thin.
she cannot fail to
see something in
which she knows
she will look her
very prettiest. Be
s i q cS that, the
prices are amazing
ly reasonable. Tho
fashion of stinulat-
ing trade by put
ting down prices at