davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
a BRILLIANT SPECTACLE.
An Ignorance That Was Not ~Altesether
BIissful.

Some weeks ago a story was circu-
lated In Harrisburg that there would
be visible In the western sky 0 after
sunset a brilliant light, which was
nothing less wonderful, the rumor told,
than a huge electric spark which som
scientists were sending up nightly over
Pittsburg. says the Philadelphia Times,
The story spread rapidly, and when
evening came the streets were filed
with credulous people who gazed with
amazement at the brilliant, orb, which.
true to report, shone out bright and
clear. The newspapers OF Harrisburg
commented on the occurrence the FOL-
lowing day and told the people that tina
story Of the electric light was a fake
and that the ball of fire was simply The
planet Venus. which had been shining
there at corresponding seasons for
ages and would doubtless continue to
illuminate that part of the h~eayensilnr
til the world should be no more.
The Harrisburg people perceived that
they had been duped and were ashamed
at their display of Ignorance. But a
week later the same story was. spread
in the town OF West Chester. and the
usually intelligent people OF that bor-
ough went through the same perform
ance of admiring the wonderful elec-
trio light. The newspapers again as
sumed the role of instructors In as
tronomy, and Venus was for the second
time given proper credit for the e
ing illumination. s. tFs1.
But ignorance will not down, and
last week the good people Of Lancaster,
having heard the story, went out after
unset and beheld with amaZement the,
glowing orb that had already brought
so much fame to the scientists of Pitts
burg. There are some doubling Thom-
ases, however, among the Lancastrians
and the story was not accepted univer-
sally. A pilgrimage was made to the
observatory on the grounds of Frank
lin and Marshall college and there a
glance through the telescoDe dissipated
at once all belief in the story that, sim
gularly enough, had found Judgment in
the minds Of the people in three dis
tinct localities. III M
Where the display of ignorance may
break out next is ~problematical. Per-,
haps the delusion is at an end. But
all this should point the lesson that
the facts Of the world in which we
live are not taught plainly and intelli-
gently enough in the schools, and the
haiti OF observation is scarcely taught
at all. II children in the schools were
given some rudimentary instruction in
astronomy, or at least had their atten-
ton drawn to the wonders of the heav-
ems, there would be no such displays of
ignorance as have broken out in this
state, and the people would have a far
better chance to enjoy the. world. be-
cause they could appreciate some OF
its many beauties.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
SURPRISING CONCEPTIONS WHICH WILL BE FEATURES OF THE PARIS EXPOSITION OF 1900

of the human soul; that they most of
them accept one soul which survives
death, and also some other subsidiary
souls which do not survive it; that
many of the negro tribes suppose that
each man or woman has also a bush
soul" which Is a ghost-like animal
with a taste for ranging out freely in
the bush, and which may be trapped
and kept in a cage, to the great, dis
comfort of the true proprietor; that,
again, not only low negroes, but Ban
tus, believe in a dream soul, which
also. flies abroad when the owner is
sleeping, and IL he is awakened too
suddenly may not be able to get back
home in time for his awakening,
whence. again many evils result; and
further, that there is a shadow soul,
which may be seriously injured If any
one treads on the shadow. Miss
Kingsley even relates that she saw a
woman who had a hatred for a GER
tain man s~tealthily creep behind him
to where his shadow was falling on the
earth, and hammer a great darn
ing needle into the shadow Of his head.
intending thereby to bring about his
death. The West African tribes think
the bush soul is the aniinal1 part or
them, which, when it is relieved of the
superintendent of its human intelli-
gence, enjoys its freedom in the bush
like the animals to which they retain
so close an affinity; that when they
dream there is some part of them that
can leave the body and play fantastic
tricks among their neighbors: and.
again, that there is a life in the shadow
which accompanies every n during
the day time-which life is closely
linked to the life which survives the
body.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
curlous suspenrlon Bridge.

A remarkable engineering work. of quite a
novel character. is being commenced at
I;ouen. In France. 1t is called "A .-pont trans
bordeur." and Is intended TO serve all the
purposes of a bridge without interfering
with the free passage of shipping, even
though the masts be loo feet high. Two
high towers are TO be erected. one on each
bank Of the Seine. about three-quarters OF
q mile below the lowest bridge existing at
R0uen. Between these two towers a narrow
iron chain bridge Will be suspended. The
height from the quays Is to be not less than
1GO feet. Lines of railway are to be laid
upon the chain bridge, upon which a light
carriage or platform on wheels will be run.
This Is TO be dragged from one tower TO the
other By steel ropes passing. over wheels and
worked by steam or electricity. From this
wheeled platform will be suspended by steel.
hawsers. the tfansbordeur. at the level of
the quaysl d e., 100 feet below the level of
the chain BRIDGE. and this transborfeur. or
+, suspended Carriage. win carry passengers
and vehicles from one bank to the other. 1t
is expected that the electric tramways on the,
quays will make a connection at this point,
and thus they viii be able to run on TO the
transbordeur. and cross the river without
the passengers requiring to change their
seats.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

Of the buildings which now cover the
site. This is ono OF the facts
which indicate the determination OF
France to excel the world. Never be-
fore has an immense section OF a city's
heart been torn to pieces In an effort
TO provide room for an attraction OF
sufficient magnitude TO make this busy
world pause and wonder. While all
the details of the architecture have not
yet been worked out, II is certain that
The Palace of the Trocadero. which
was utilized both for the expositions OF
1878 and 1889. will be used, al well as
several Of the great exposition halls of
1889 In the Champs de Mars, although
there will be changes in all Of them.
On the site Of the Palace OF Industry,
in which the exposition Of 1855 was
held, will rise a splendid structure to
be used as the fine arts hall OF the ex-
positione universale. Just west Of this
location. and on the same side OF the
Champs Elysees, the ground has been
broke for the hall Of liberal arts,
which Is to be a permanent edifice. A
broad avenue will extend between these
two buildings, from the Champs Ely
sees to the Seine. At its meeting place
with the river the stream VIII be
spanned by a stately bridge. which will
be known as the Alexander bridge. for
the present emperor laid the corner
stone of the foundations thereof on his
recent visit to Paris. 1t is promised
that this bridge will not only be re-
markablegfor its strength. but equally
notable for its architectural beauty.
This bridge, too. will onnec the
Champs Elysees and the E%splanade des
Invalides. Thus it can be fairly said,
and for the first time, that the work
of constructing the exposition has been
begun. The plans are revised as stat
The key note of 1t all, however,
is the determination of France to ex-
eel everything in the way of EXPOSE
tons that the other nations of the
earth have accomplished. 1t is her
purpose to spare neither time nor mon
rs
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
China's 100000 Detectives.

A .Erenchman naturally ~thinks-the
Partisan detectives the best. English
men swear by the shrewdness of Scot
land Yard men, and Americans, of
course, swear by the New York detec-
tives. After three years residence in
China, says n writer, l do not think
either of the three bodies are entitled
to the credit given them. The Chinese
beat them all. They are at one time
the most expert thieves, and at n
other the most skilled detectives in the
world. A Chinaman oan steal your
watch while you are looking at 1t, and
he can catch the man who stole 1t IL
it happened to be some other than him
self when a French detective could not.
rIhave seen evidences Of detective abil-
ity among the Chinese which would
startle even lola. 1t is impossible for
IN evil-doer to long elude the Chinese
detectives. They scent a crime and
follow it to the last before civilized de-
tective would know of it. In a coun-
try Of so many people who all look
alike, this Is remarkable. ! heard Of
one case. which will serve to illustrate
their shrewdness. A family In Ton
squin was murdered, and there was no
apparent clue to the murderer. The
entire detective corps Of three prov
inces were placed upon the case, and
in three weeks the murderer-none
other than the chief Of the secret po-
lice, who handled the case for the
murderer-was arrested and behead-
ed. Think OF that. The Chinese detec-
tivesforce is e secret body. and the best
organized In the world. They have an
eye upon every man, woman and child.
foreign OF native. in China, and In ad-
ditlon watch over each other. Inform
ers are encouraged, sud collision is
impossible. The head Of the Chinese
police is not known. but there IL one,
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
~TAcoMA.s EARLY MONEY.
Coin Which No United States Bank
would Recognize.

Coin Which No United. States Bank
Would Recognize.
Tacoma once had. a mint that coined
all Of the money, in circulation where
the City Of Destiny now stands. and it
did not require the fat Of Uncle Sam,
the silver of Idaho or the gold Of Cali
fornia to make the pieces from Ia
coma's mint pass current among Indi-
ans and the few hardy pioneers who
we're blazing the path of civilization
through the forest on the shores OF
Commencement bay, says the Tacoma
Ledger. N. \ sS XXI. I'm ess, y
Back in the early '70'si the Tacoma
Mill Company. not being able to hand
lily secure gold and silver for use in
trading with and paying off the Indian
laborers and early settlers, hit upon.
the novel plan of issuing its own cur
'rency, and to this end set its black
smith to work to fashion out of scraps
of iron and brass pieces Of money, or
rather tokens, which could. be used as a
circulating medium 1ri sna eAssi
$50 Il nG PlCICo SOADAoLCQ OA ~ Gnu ~
cent iron tokens andebrass 81 pieces.
The 40-cent pieces were about an inch
In diameter; and the Ascent pieces were
about the size OF. the present silver
half dollar. The 81 pieces were oval in
shape, about IN inch and a quarter
long, an inch wide and a sixteenth OF an
inch in thickness. These pieces. were
stamped with the. figures showing their
value and readily passed current all
over the country tributary to the mill.
Nearly all of the old mill, coin has
passed away, but a few days ago Will
lam Hanson Of the TaaomasMi1kcom
pany presenter a set of these queer
coins to the Ferry museum. InghisV ct
ter to the muselhYaKesafd sasssFhe hon4
estyg Of the people and the absence Of
any blacksmith a v that of the COM
pany made the use Of this money pos
sible." AL
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

which was the International Exposition
of 1855, the first of the series of French
expositions.
1t really seems as If every ingenious
schemer the world over has been de-
voting himself to making suggestions
for striking features for the exposition.
There is the marvellous city in the air
to be sustained by a gigantic balloon.
The city is to drop down to the ground
at convenient intervals and take aboard
such additions to its, population as
may be inclined to thus rise in the
world, or to permit the debarkation of
persons who are tired of remaining
80 long within one city's limits. The
woman's building, which has practi-
cally been decided upon, is likely to be
in the form of a composite head, this
head being made in accordance with a
composite picture of the most beauti-
full women in the world. The head Is
to possess many unique features, be-
sides containing all sorts of comforts
from the rooms, where women may
gossip in easy chairs to the restaurant,
where they will gain at the same time
new ideas and excellent meals. One
of the most unique ideas submitted was
that of a gigantic fountain to be placed
in the center of a great basin or lake.
Tremendous force is to be applied to
the jets, forcing them to a height Of
200 feet. The papers have already de-
scribed at length the great globe, the
aerial railway, the gigantic telescopes
and other big features of the exposi-
ton. Among the other propositions
presented, and there have been $50 of
them, is a palace for the accommoda-
ton of the public in general, a gorg-
eous affair, which, 1t is declared, shall
contain everything that heart could
wish and money can buy. +
Then there will be an exhibition Of
the works of man from an early pc
Rod up to date. This will apply par.
ticularly to the more notable inven-
tions OF great artists, and will include
portraits, statuary, manuscripts, etc. A.
two hundred ton clock is under con-
alteration. A wine vat that will hold
$4,000 gallons is another suggestion.
Mines and geological exhibits without
number are among the plans submit
ted. Camille Flammarion, the famous
astronomer. wants a tremendous moon
constructed, around which those who
desire shall circulate in a balloon. As
for fheaters, panoramas n other
amusements, there are suggestions
without number. or course, it is pro-
posed to have the Passion play. An
other idea is to have a submarine thea
ter. Then comes the usual Alpine pam
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
OId-Bicycle tires.

That the secondhand bicycle. or its
tire, has its uses is evident from the
fact that for some time ingenious per-
sons have used the older inner tuDes as
water or ice bags. The tube is cut off
at the valve and the long section is
filled as may be desired for heat or
cold. In order to avoid the weight of
pressure at one end of the tube rib
bons or tapes are tied around thestube
at intervals, suggesting a string Of sau-
sages. AS a hot-water bag this ar
rangemeht Is most desirable, Ifrone
requires small bags the tube can be cut
in sections. one end sealed with ordi-
nary cement and the other. after flI-
ing. may be tied with the string.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
sudden Re,toratIon OF speecb.

A child who had for some years been
speeches. from what appeared to be
paralysis of the vocal chords had been
under treatment at an institution for
deaf mutes in the hope that something
might be done to restore her lost fac
ulty. The physicians had failed to
produce any effect, and the little one
was to be sent home as incurable. The
children who were recovering their
powers of speech were singing a ia
vorite and inspiring hymn, when the
child, without the slightest warning,
Joined in the chorus and sang heartily
and with tolerable e~nunciation. Later
she pronounced several words and
spoke with tolerable ease. The doctors
are somewhat puzzled and can give no
satisfactory explanation of the curious
circumstance.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

Results already achieved In field and fac
tory on a commercial scale during the past
SIX years, 10 say nothing Of many thousands
Of farm and laboratory tests, demonstrate
beyond question two thing: ~ That the
sugar beet can be grown in profitable quanti-
ty and quality over IA sufficient area in the
United States to furnish the worlds supply
of sugar, and t) that the cane-sugar indus
try can also be largely developed. SO true
is this that 1t Is now recognized. by all we'll
informed about this new industry. that Cali
fornia. Iowa.. Nebraska, and any one OF the
several other states could alone supply the
United States with all the sugar she con-
sumes. Once firmly established. American
genius, will so improve upon present condi-
lions that I'm due time the Cnifed States win
be an exporter Of sugar, For experience has
shown that. once established. the beet can
more'thaD compete with cane.-Review of Re-
views.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

TALLY covered with buildings. and most
OF these are now in course OF demo-
ition. In their place will rise a pleas
ure city that will outrank those OF the
tales Of the Arabian Nights" No city
anywhere, not even in the United
States. contains in its center an area
OF land equally available for exposition
purposes. When you stop to consider
that this wonderful show is to be held
net in the outskirts of this, n OF the
Oldest and most beautiful Of the Eu-
ropean centers Of population, but in
ths very heart thereof. you will be
able to form an adequate idea OF the
first step toward the construction of
what the Parisians claim will aston
ish all mankind. The site for the ex-
position includes the public grounds
on both sides of the Seine from the
Place de la Concord, that great monu-
mental square in the city's center, to
a point beyond the Pont d'Jena. This
includes in its sweep of territory the
Champs de Mars, the Trocadero Pal
ace and park, which was the site Of
the exposition Of 1889, the E%splanade
des Invalides, the Quai d'Orsay, the
Quai de la Conference, the Cour la
Refine, and a large section of the
Champs Elysees, this latter Including
the site OF the Palace of Industry.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

Rising Mt morning or evening from some
Iow-land, often carries in its folds the seeds
of malaria Where malarial fever prevail
no one is safe. unless protected by some
stomach Bitters is both a protection and a
remedy No person who inhabits, or So
journs in a miasmatic region or country,
should omit to procure this terrifying agent.
which Is also the. finest known remedy for
dyspepsia. constipation, kidney trouble and
rbaumatfGm
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
kENTucky's OLDEST MILL.
Built in 1909 by Two Shaker 9 Mission
aries from New York.
Especial Lottery

Ha.HH
One of the oldest mills now standing
in Kentucky is that known as the
Shaker mill, which is located On
Shawnee run, a small stream in Mer-
Ger county about six miles northeast
of Harrodsburg. The mill has o
fallen into decay; the dam was par
TALLY washed away by afreshet in the
spring of 1896, and the mill stones,
which for SO many years ground their
grist day and night, are. stilled. The
mill was erected about the year 1909
by John Meacham and Benjamin
Youngs, Shaker missionaries from the
Mt. Vernon Society in New York. They
had established a. Shaker community
within a mile Of the mill site. and as
it was thriving rapidly they soon found
the need of a mill. At first the mill
was rather a small affair, but as the
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
KENTUCKY's OLDEST Mill.

Shaker community increased in num-
bers and wealth improvements were
added until it was finally one of the
best mills in Mercer county. 1t was
noted all over Central Kentucky for
Its excellent qualities insmaking the dea
licious salt-rising bread SO familiar to
all strangers who have partaken Of
K~entucky's country hospitality. .
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

Although golf may be played all
through the winter. as has been the
caseu at Lakewood this year, many
ardent golfers prefer to follow the
swallows south Of Mason and Dixon's
line. There is a very smart colony at
Aiken; SEQ. this and the links at
Hampton Roads have been played on
regularly. These latter have tho ad-
vantage Of being within reach of the
~oficers' quarters at Fortress Monroe.
Ishq there n much sal5y between sell
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

Maryland pays $4,000; Texas. $4,000;
Idaho, $4,000; West Virginia. $2s7O0.
Delaware and Utah have the same
standard of compensation for the gov
ernors. $4,000. The governor of Ala
bama receives the same salary as the
governor of Alaska. $1,000 Wisconsin
pays 50 $500 and Colorado So, 900.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

In a poem no alluded by innuendo 70
Jefferson as
That inglorious soul
Which creeps and Winds beneath q
Mob's control,
Which courts the rabble's smile, the
rabble's nod. '
And makes. like Egypt, every beast It's
god. ' -
In the same poem he describes wash
ington as a misguided person.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

and a very active one. too. I have
heard that the present head was once
an ambassador to a European coun-
try. but really do not believe any n
knows who he Is. There are said to DO
over 100000 men under him and his
assistants who control the various dis.
tricts. ti'pn'
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
To Lyons, Estes Park

And the famous fishing resorts in st. vrain
canon. Sunday, June 9Th, the Burlington
will put on a morning train between Denver
and Lyons. This train will leave Denver
every week day at $3.50 a, M, arrive Lyons
11:40 a. M, connecting at Lyons with SPLEEN
did four-horse stages for Estes Park,
Weleh's Ranch and Arbuckle's Fishing Re-
sort. The Sunday train will leave Denver ut
$3.50 n. M. and returning will reach Denver
PARK and the Canon aof st. vrain. Sunday
for one dollar for round trip.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
Loafsr's Idea OF Don onlsoss. !

Yes, senior, Don Quixote was a fun
ny chap. It's asgreat book, though. and
known to the whole world, even to the
heather and to the English, and the
Others. ! read it and found 1t droll
reading, but the best of it / did not
get. There is much in it for persons of
learning. They all say who know that
the science Of the world is there. and
that when you understand it you can
get as rich as you want. But lam ig-'
norant, and was only amused. Don
Quixote was a very ridiculous fellow.
surely! Think Of his taking those
wee.ss at TIE VSlva 0 castle maid
ems! Jesu, what an ass he was. And
Sancho, you say! Well, he is like you
and me, he wants to eat and sleen and
get along with everybody In a nice way.
But then I don't know the book. There
Is something In it I can't &c thold or.
which makes priests and the like read
1t over and over. Don FEDERICO, a law
yer, who now lives in Madrid. says
there is not another book like 1t, SO full
OF politics and everything. ON the
Trail Of Don Quixote.
It cost Boston s1os;S15 last q
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
AS rhlngs Go.

Here's another case of extremes meet
ing 4.s~a .>e4-
"What?' N7
ssN0t long ago you couldn't hire q messen-
ger boy to hurry; nov, since they've put him
on q bike, you've got to fine him to keep
him from scorching.' North
American n. &t Et4 H3I tf+9a} r7t9 sHM tHf n
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
Don't Tobacco Spit and Smoke Your Life AWAY.

n 20 quit tobacco easily and forever, be mag
netic, full of life, nerve and vigor, take No
to-Bac. the wonder-worker that makes
weak men strong. AL druggists QUO; or 81.
Address Sterling Remedy. Co., Chicago or
New York. q sft 3 y M q EfH
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

Miss Mary H. Kingsley. the we'll
known traveller, afirms that not a few
of the negro and Bantu tribes of West
Africa believe in the composite nature
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

1t is an extraordinary fact that only
two presidents were born between
April and October. The record by
months is as follows: January, two:
February. three; March. four; April.
four; July, one. August. one; October.
three: November, four; peceIaber
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

The rejected Cornelius, after the refusal
.ssYou will be a sister to me. A tenJdollar
sleigh ride this afternoon, a box at the opera
Al sister to me? Great Scott. what sort Of a
fool human being do you take a brother to
bev'-Harlem Life.