davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

ers parted as friends because each one
was satisfied that hia wheel was the
better. This Is a striking Illustration
OF the civilizing and humanizing innu-
ence OF the bicycle, but II Is something
which to all wheelmen is mere COM
monplace. Pc...teness and good nature
are merely two in a long catalogue Of
benefits. Its cheerful influences know
no limit to their range. II has multi
piled courtships and abolished elope-
ments. and while II has encouraged
matrimony 1t has diminished divorces.
The melancholy wheelman is wholly
unknown, and It Is positively asserted
that no wheelman has ever committed
suicide voluntarily. When n reflects
that the bicycle is, so to speak, still an
infant industry, the mind is lost in con-
lecture as to the future of Its influence
on the human race.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01
old women as Prisoners OF War.


Another paper from the journals of
the late Il. ]. Glave appears in the
Century" under the title of New
Conditions In Central Africa. "Mr.
Glave thus describes some of the
sights he saw at stations along Lake
Tanganyika; This anti-slavery move
ment has its dark side also. The ma
tives suffer. In stations in charge of
white men, government officers, one
sees strings of poor, emaciated old
women, some of them mere skeletons,
working from six in the morning till
noon. and from half past two till six,
carrying clay water-jars, tramping
about in gangs with a rope around the
neck. and connected by a rope ons and
a half yards apart. They are prisDn-
ers of war. In war the old women are
always caught. but should receive a
little humanity. They are naked, ex-
cept for a miserable patch of cloth OF
several parts, held IN place by a string
about the waist. They are moi loos-
encd from the rope for any purpose.
They live in tie guard-bouse, under
the charge CT black native sentries,
who delight in sJapping and ill-using
them, for pity is not in the heart of
the native. Some of the women have
babies, but they go to work just the
same. They form indeed a miserable
spectacle. and one wonders that old
women, although prisoners of var,
should not receive a little more con-
sideration; at least their ~nakedness
might be hidden. The men prisoners
are treated in a far better way.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

Gen. John A. Logan was named
Black Jack and Jack OF Spades, be-
cause Of his LONG. black hair and dark
complexion. Gen. early was called
the Bad Old Man by the Confederate
troops; the German general, Franz
sigel, was called Dutchy: syksey was
the name OF Gen. Sykes; Rhody was
applied to Gen. Burnsides, he having
been formerly colonel OF the first
Rhode Island regiment; Skin-and-Bone
was conferred on Gen. Malone by the
Confederate troops. Gen. Fitzpatrick
was called XIII, and Physics was given
to Gen. Crawford by the Pennsylvania
Reserves, he being a surgeon at the
beginning of his military career.
Superb was a nickname given to
Gen. Hancock from a remark made by
Gen, Meade at Gettysburg. when the
second corps repulsed Longtsreet's
men. One-Armed-Dev and One
Armed-Phil was Phil Kearney called
by the Confederates.
Cockeye was a name given to Gen.
Butler because mi OF his eyes was af-
ficted with strabismus, and his cog
nomen OF Picayune Butler was given
by the New O%rleanaise. that being the
well-known appellative OF the colored
barber in the basement of the st.
Charles.
Stonewall Jackson was conferred on
Gen. Thomas Jonathan Jackson. and
the expression had It's origin in the ap-
pellatlon used by the rebel Gen. Lee,
on trying to rally his men at the battle
of Bull Run, There is Jackson stand
ing like a stonewall." and from that
day he was known as Stonewall jack
son, and his command as Stonewall's
brigade.
Louisa was a soubriquet given to
Gen. Lew Wallace by the troops under
his command. He was n great fayorite
for his fighting qualities. and the SOL
dierS adopted that inappropriate name
for want of a better one. Lille C.
Flint, in N. Y. Observer.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01
Army Mechanics.

OF the numerous and amusing nick
names that have been used in refer
ence to noted generals, there are per-
haps non more fitting than those that
were given to some of the commanders
during the Civil War.
OF these Gen. Grant and Gen.
Thomas were more favored than their
contemporaries. Uncle Sam, Uncon-
ditional Surrender, United States and
United We Stand Grant have been he
many interpretations Of the initials of
that general, and he was also called
Old Three Stars, the number indicating
his rank as lieutenant general.
Gen. George H. Thomas was called
Old Snow Trot and Pa Thomas by
the Army Of the Tennessee, Old Re
liable, on account of his sterling ma
ture and his steadfast purpose. but the
name most familiar to us is the one
that was given him when steadfast
he stood in Tricks Gap, on the field
Of Chickamauga, after the column OF
both his TANKS had given way before
the torrent of Bragg's onset; the hail
Of fire that swept the Union ranks
moved him not a jot from his firm
base, and the billow that swamped the
rest of the field recoiled from him.
1.-THE rain descended and the foods
came and beat upon that house, and
it fell not for it was founded UPON a
rock" Therefore the soldiers of the
Cumberland army were wont to call
him the Rock of Chickamauga."
The same battle was associated with
Gen. James B. Steadman, whose SOL
diers called him Old Chickamauga as
well as Old Steady.
'Old" seems to have been rather a
term Of endearment than otherwise
with the soldiers. Gen. Rosecrans wal
called Old Rosy, Stonewall Jackson
Old Jack, Gen. HaIleck Old Brains, and
Old Tommy and Old Warhorse were
both given to Gen. Thomas G. Deyin,
who commanded Devin's brigade dur
ing the war Of the Rebellion.
Gen. P. T. Beauregard was called
Old Bory; he superseded Bonham in
command of the forces at Manassas,
about the first Of June, 1861, and the
South Carolinans said one day. ''Old
Bory's come" Soon the Virginia
troops had an opportunity OF seeing
this "Old Bory'' who seemed SO popu-
lar with the Palmetese. Little Napo-
leon was a name applied to him and
to Gen. George B.. Mcclellan. Uncle
Robert was a soubriquet bestowed up
on Gen. Lee. and in turn he gave the
name The Gallant to Mai. John Pei
ham OF the Confederate army.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

The International Cyclists Associa-
ton will hold it's annual meet on the
Celtic track, Glasgow, Scotland. or
July 20. 20 and 81. A great effort is
being made to have as many countries
as possible enter riders in the inter-
national event. A feature of the meet
will be a series of special for the
British Umpire, wherein every colony
and dependency Of the Empire will be,
if possible, represented. Favorable re-
ports have already been received from
many of tho colonies. Little doubt is
entertained that the United States will
send representatives.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

Record breaking camps will not be
the fashion this year, and on this point
a follower of the game says: Some
Of the crack riders of the country have
arrived at the conclusion that record
breaking IS not, in the long run, very
profitable. AS a result, some of the
more prominent specimen have decid-
ed to stick closely to the racing game,
and will be seen in all the circuit
events during 1897. Little Michael,
johnson, Bald, Cooper, Kiser, Kimble,
Gardiner, and others will help form
the circuit crowd this season, and this
talent should make things decidedly
interesting. Some new riders will be
found who will win a share of the glory
and money"
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

Mysterious Phenomena IN the Pcrainn Gulf
In his recent address as president OF
the British Institution Of Electrical En-
gineera, Sir Henry Nance said that In
the Persian Gulf one occasionally wit
messed natural phenomena which to
the untravelled might appear incredi-
BILE. In the midst OF the mountains
neal Mussendom he had seen during a
thunderstorm such displays Of light
ming as banned description. He had.
at certain seasons OF the year, OBJ
served the water In the bay-which
was large enough to hold all the fleets
OF the w~orld-present exactly the APP
pearance OF blood. Not many miles
from Mussendom he had witnessed
mysterious fre-circles fitting over the
surface OF the sea at a speed OF n
hundred miles an hour. a phenomenon
which no one had yet been able . ex-
plain. While steaming along the coast
of Beloochistan, he had been called
from his cabin at night to observe tne
more common phenomenon OF a milky
"cag ehS WhtOi LII aAC
s%ingularly white and luminous. In the
same locality the sea was, for snort
periods. as II putrid, the fish being
destroyed In myriads, so hat to pre-
vent a pestilence. measures had to be
taken to bury, those cast up on the
beach. This phenomenon was doubt
less due to the outbreak Of a subma-
rine volcano and the liberation OF sui
phuretted hydrogen. In these waters
jellyfish were as large as footballs, and
s~ea-snakes of brilliant hue were met
with in great numbers. On one occa-
sion a swarm of ~sea-snakes forced
their way up one Of the creeks in kar-
achi harbor, apparently for the pur-
pose Of having a battle royal, for the
ground between high and low water
mark was thickly covered with their
bodies, in positions which ~betokened a
deadly struggle.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

1t is said that a number Of the
S'gents" who read Mr.. ingalls, graphic
and really literary account of the mill
at Carson have taken exceptions to the
sentence in which the distinguished
author says ut had beer bruited
about" This they regard as having
a covert personal application and some
of them may send a def to the atten-
uated Atchison statesman. Before Mr..
ingalls, started for Carson, however, he
purchased three blood-red neckties, and
it might be wise for the gents" not
to be toe hasty.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01
Swapping Horses.

General Horace Porter, in his Cam
palgning with Grant" in the Gen,
tury," tells the following anecdote OF
ms chief during a ride from Peters.
burg to City Point:
owing to the heat and dust, the lone
rae was exceedingly uncomfortable
MY best horse had been hurt, and
was mounted on a bay cob that had a
trot which necessitated no end OF
saddle-pounding" on the part OF the
rloer; and If distances are to be meas
ured by the amount of fatigue endured,
this exertion added many miles to the
Trip. The general was riding his black
pony JEFF Davis" This smooth little
PAGER shufied along at a gait which
was too fast for a walk and not fast
enough for a gallop, so that all the
other horses had to move at a brisk
trot to keep up with him.
When we were about five miles from
headquarters the general said to me in
a joking way: You don't look COM
portable on that horse. Now | feel
about as fresh as when we started
out"
replied; 1T makes all the differ
ence in the world, general, what kind
OF horse one rides"
He remarked: ooh. all horses are
pretty much alike as far as the COM
tort OF their gait is concerned"
In the present instance" l answer
ed, Il don't think you would like to
swap with me, general"
He said at once, "Why, yes; I'd lust
as lief swap with you as not; and
Threw himself off his pony and mount
ed my uncomfortable beast. while T
put myself astride of jeff" The gem
eral had always been a famous rider
ever when a cadet at West Point
When ne rode or drove a strange
morse, not many minutes elapsed be-
lore he and the animal seemed to nm
derstand each other perfectly. In my
experience | have never seen a better
rider, or one who had a more steady
seat, no matter what sort of horse he
rode; but on this occasion it soon be-
evident that his body and that of
the animal were not always in touch.
and he saw that all the party were
considerably amused at the jogging to
which he was subjected. In the mean
time JEFF Davis was pacing along
with a smoothness which made me feel
If were seated in a rocking-chair.
When we reached Headquarters the
general dismounted in a manner which
that he was pretty stiff from
the ride. AS he touched the ground
turned and said with a quizzical
look, We'll, | must acknowledge that
animal is pretty rough"
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

Paris physicians have gone on a
strike. The municipality has been pay
ing 81 a visit to certain designated doc
tors for responding to emergency calls
when the patients were too poor to pay
the fee themselves. This arrangement
proved somewhat expens We, SO that the
project of police changed the basis of
pay and paid the doctors a salary of
$120 a cal. In some districts this was
satisfactory as there were not many in
digent persons. 1t was discovered that
some official physicians were compell
ed under the new system, to make Wis
its for about so cents each, and, as a
result there was a strike among the
doctors. The Paris Medical Syndicate
will be asked to aid the doctors in their
fight against reduction in fees.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

When Ed Bald was asked if he knew
of any new men who were entering the
racing field, he replied: only two or
three, and l think that there will be
only a few. You see. there are between
ninety and a hundred professionals in
this country who can ride well enough
to tackle the circuit. Sometimes as
many as forty or fifty of the men get
together at a meet, SO what chance has
a new man against such a bunch?
There are probably a dozen amateurs
in the country who are good enough
to win in the professional game, but
they have a walkover when they are,
and they would be foolish to change,
unles the Racing Board makes the sug-
gestion. | have given up all idea of
the European trip-at least until after
the National Circuit is over and the
American championship is decided. I
may not be the only pebble this year,
but there won't be any funny business
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

Recent French statistics show that
while the. number of adult criminals in
creased eleven per cent during the last
dozen years, the number between the
ages Of sixten and twnty increased
twenty-five per cent. In Paris, mor
than half Of the criminals arrested are
under t~wenty-one. Similar tendencies
are manifest in England and Germany
and in this country. American Grim
biologists have repeatedly called atten-
ton to the increase Of juvenile crime.
Probably a variety of causes operate
to produce this result; but in all the
countries mentioned, and in ours not
least, one Of the chief causes is the
publication of the sensational details
of crime. The president of the New
York Society for the Prevention Of
Cruelty to Children, in his last report,
declared that the chief agency in train
ing the young in vice is vicious journal
ism. The papers which print lurid
stories Of crime, wildly illustrated, and
give elaborate sketches of criminals,
lead young readers to imagine that
there is something heroic or romantic
in a criminal career.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

In this age Of sophistication there has
been much righteous and indignant
protest at adulteration of food products.
The practice is a menace to health, and.
as the buyer does not get what he pur-
chases, 1t is a swindle. 1t is no wonder
that a long-suffering public is begin
ming to revolt, and there are hundreds
of people who will indorse the manly
stand taken by the editor of the Larn-
ed, Kas., C~hronoscope on this ques-
ton:
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

The frequent newspaper accounts of
accidental shooting are usually ac-
companied by the plea that the per-
petrator did not know the gun was
loaded. One efficient ~precaution, which
may serve as an example, was early
taught to ex-President Rutherford B.
Hayes. He had been promised a gun
on his fourteenth birthday on the con-
dition that he should never point it,
loaded or u%nloaded, at any person. The
long-expected day arrived. A beauti-
full little rifle was placed in his hands,
and beside himself with joy, the boy
took instant aim at the giver, exclaim-
ing, Look out, grandma, I'll shoot
you!" The gift was Immediately re-
called for six months, by which time
the bitter but important lesson was
mastered.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01
A. A. GRACEY.

records were all made in and about
Philadelphia. He lost very little time
in making this marvellous performance.
He rode early in the morning. at noon
and at night, which makes his per-
Torrance all the more remarkable. In
bis sworn statement Mr.. Gracey stated
that he rode the same wheel through
the entire year and had no trou-
BILE whatever with it; in fact, he was
not hampered or annoyed by waiting
for repairs to be made.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

~"
'Forever-neverl Never-foreverF
Halfway up the stairs II stands,
And points and beckons with Its hands
From Its case of massive oak,
Like a monk, who. under his CLOAK,
Crosses himself, and signs alas!
With sorrowful voice to all who pass
"Forever-never! Never-foreyerF
BY day It's voice is low and light;
But In the silent dead OF night
Distinct as a passing footsteps fall,
It. echoes along the vacant hall,
Along the ceiling, along the floor,
m seems to say at each champer
"Forever-neverl Never-foreverg'
Through days of sorrow and of mirth.
Through days of death and days OF
birth,
Through every swift vIcissitude
or changeful time. unchanged 1t has
stood
And as If. like God, 1t all things saw.
II calmly repeats those words of ave.
AForever-never! Never-forever?
In that mansion used to be
Free-hearted Hospitality;
His great fires up the chimney roared;
The stranger toasted at his board.
But, like the skeleton at the feast, I.
That warning timepiece never ceased
"Forever-never! Never-forever!'
There groups of merry children played.
There youths and maidens dreaming
strayed;
o precious hours, o golden time.
And affiuence of love and time.
Even as a miser counts his gold.
Those hours the ancient timepiece
"Forever-neverl Never-foreverr
From that chamber. clothed in white,
The bride came forth on her wedding
There. in hat silent room below,
The dead lay in his shroud Of snow;
And In he hush that followed the
prayer
Was heard the old clock on the STAIR
"Forever-neverl Never-forever!"
All are scattered now and fed,
Some are married, some are dead;
All! when shall they all meet again."
AS in the days long since gone by,
The ancient timepiece makes reply
"Forever-never! Never-forever?'
Never here, forever there,
Where all parting, pain and care.
And death and time shall disappear
Forever there, but never herel
The horologue of eternity,
Sayeth this incessantly,-
"Forever-never! Never-foreverr'
-Longfellow.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01
JAAP EDEN.

about my riding" Concerning the
Jaap Eden challenge he said: Il will
not pay any attention to Eden's chal-
lenge. The challenge originated with
me, and if Eden wants to race me all
that he has to do is to come here and
accept my challenge. I meant business
when / issued 1t, and it will still hold
good. if he cares to come over here
after some of my money"
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

The meteor of the ocean air
Shall sweep the clouds no more.
Her deck, once red with heroes blood,
Where knelt the ~vanquish'd foe,
When winds were hurrying DER the
flood,
And waves were white below,
No more shall feel the victor's tread,
Or know the conquered knee;
The harpies of the shore shall pluck
The eagle Of the seal
o, better that her shatter'd hulk
Should sink beneath the wave;
Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
AND there should be her grave;
nan TO the mast her holy flag.
Set every ~threadbare sail,
ana give her to the god of storms
The lightning and the galel
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01
phenomenal Performanee OF oraeey.

Mr.. A. A. Gracey, of Philadelphia,
has been awarded the championship
mileage medal by the Century Road
Club. He is a member OF the Century
Club OF Philadelphia. and Is one OF
the most ardent long-distance riders In
the country. He is an enthusiast. II
there eve was one, and his perform
ance this year stamps him certainly
as a marvel. He not only receives the
mileage record. but his 22,S4S miles
has been officially stamped an Ameri-
can record. The anne an be said
of his 1856 century runs. Gracey's
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

Mr.. Andrew Lang sneers at "the in
expensive pathos of Dickens" 1t is not
everybody that can afford high-priced
pathos. That is the reason, perhaps,
why the demand for Dickens books is
still SO much greater than for Mr.. An
drew Lang's?
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01
From vhe Utica Morning Herald.

The belize that lightning will not
strike a fe luther bed was shown to be
mistaken by an incident Of the cleo
trio storm q Saturday. A bolt struck
a chimney W the house Of Charles
Steates, who lives on the Deerfeld
road. Part OMIT jumped to the house
Of Bernard Huss and tore off the CON
ductor pipe. Thu other half went
down the chimney, tipped the plaster
and paper from a be Nroom. and then
struck a feather bed. The bed was
torn and the feathers Suffered about
the room.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01

Adjourned Court to Hear Fight News.
(From the st. Louis Globe-D Democracy
A rather peculiar incident occurred
in Judge Zachritz's court. yesterday
afternoon during the trial of Jacob
Fischell, charged with assault to kill.
When the newsboys began passing the
Four Courts crying their extras about
the fight, the jury seemed to lose all
interest in the case, and squirmed
~nervously in their seats. All were
anxious to hear the result, and several
times some of them called Deputy
Sheriff Ruler and asked him who won.
Attorney John L. Martin, who is de-
Tending Fischell, noticed the uneasi-
ness of the jurors, and, rising from his
chair, he asked Judge Zachritz to sus-
pend proceedings long enough for him
to go downstairs and learn the result
of the fight, sc he could inform the
jurors. Judge zachritz replied that it
would be something out of the ordin-
airy, but as he himself was anxious to
know the anne thing he would grant
the wish. When Attorney Martin re-
turned he announced that Eitzsimmons
had won In fourteen rounds. This
seemed to satisfy the jurors, and the
trial was resumed.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-01
Items from Lumpkin County.

FULL thC D0AAOAS66 Na66CSsI
A minister appeared at the postofice
last Monday just in time to prevent
some of his brother members from
stalking money on the Corbett-Fitzsim-
mons fight.
Louis Brady, Jr., and Miss Hannah
Berry were married in the upper part
of the county one day last week by
the Rev. Willard Dowdy. They had
been counting zeal fifteen years, and
the marriage was no surprise to their
neighbors.
While several big mining trades were
being made this week Merchant Ben
Anderson and Albert Whelchel, hav-
ing no mineral property to dispose of,
seemed determined to keep UP with the
march Of progress and snapped hens
Mr.. Anderson getting six eggs to boot.
Marshall HARRISON went out to the
residence of James Hall last Wednes-
day, where he found the man and lady
Of the house, under the influence of IL
quor, engaged in a quarrel. The Off
Ger put a quietus to the row by arrest
ing the husband on a warrant charg-
ing him with handling blockade whis-
ky in an illegal ann and brought
him to town.