davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-01
some Interesting Facts Regarding
the Oufpuf of Crescent BIcycles.

This article is intended to convey a con
ception of the enormous amount of raw ma
terial consumed during a season in supply
ing the demand for one OF the most popular
bicycles made. The Western Wheel Works
Chicago, makers of the Crescent wheel, have
the largest, and without doubt the most
complete, bicycle factory in the world. and
can turn out. when running TO fullest ca
pacity, rs finished Crescents in twelve
hours. or complete up to date bicycle
per minute.
They used during 1896 $50 miles of tub
ing, or enough to nearly reach from Chi
cago to st. Paul If placed in a straight line
The spOkes were made in their own fac
tory, and required $50 miles OF wire, or
enough 10 reach from Chicago TO Lincoln.
Neb.; so miles of brass rod was required
tor spoke nipples. Ii the spokes, spoke nip
pies and tubing were placed in a straight
line they would reach from Chicago to the
Rocky Mountains at Denver. The cranks,
u placed end to end, would cover a distance
of p miles. They used IS miles of steel for
crank axles, wheel axles and pedal sXles,
and 10 miles of steel for seat posts. Ii III >
rims that were used in the manufacture of
Crescents IN &c were placed one upon the
other they would make pile 1880 feet
high, 5000 feet higher than Pixies Peak
and about the height of Mount Elias in
Alaska, whose summit has never vet been
reached by man. 1t required 32,0S4 square
feet OF sheet steel TO make the crescent
hollow tooth sprockets, and 2l,S76 square
feet for the steel stampings of the head and
seat post clamps, or in all enough fet steel
to cover an area of 1t acres. Tn re ,sere
used 10 miles of cork grips, los miles of
finished hubs, and % miles of steel wire to
pin frames together before brazI0g. The
finished chains, end to end, would reach
20 miles, and the different pieces of which
they are composed would reach 1874 miles.
or in all 307t miles, the distance from Chi
Cago to Cincinnati. The bearings Of 1896
Creseents required 1922 300 steel balls,
which, If placed in a straight line. side by
side, would reach distance OF 452 miles.
To lace the chain and dress guards on the
ladies Creseents manufactured IN 1896 re-
quired 434, $50 yards of cord. or 2465 miles,
enough to allow a small boy to stand on
the top of the Auditorium tower in Chicago
and fly his kite where the people in Des
Moines, Iowa, could see Il. To supply
Crescents sold in 1896 required l6O6.742
bolts, and LASS. 075 nuts, having an agcre-
gate weight of % tons. The total weight
of the complete bicycles was 2.3S2, S42
pounds, or l.l9l tons. To crate these BIZ
e. Giles required l,235.740 square feet of lum-
Der made up in pieces: 72.7lS.66S separate
and distinct pieces entered into the CON
struetion of '9i Crescents. and If al were
placed in a straight line, end to end. they
would reach from New York TO some dis
tance IN the Pacific ocean west Of San Fran.
cisoo.-Crescent Bulletin. July /, 1897.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-01

ened by his ride from the city. TO say
nothing of the wait in the parlor. rose
with alacrity.
The dining-room was tastefIdly
trimmed with flowers and eyerg' cen.
the work of which Betty ascribed to her
maid, Polly. aud Polly. blushing to the
tips of her fingers. as il seemed. ac-
fnow lodged the compliments with
confused courtesy.
Betty poured the tea as she chatted
away and Polly was near by TO see
that Capt Lee as her mistress guest
wanted Tor nothing.
The table was spread with the deli
cacies of the season, which told Capt.
Lee that the young girls harder had not
suffered much. il any. through the war.
At last the young officer pushed aside
his plate and leaned back i'm his chair.
I'm sorry | cannot offer you des-
sert as fine as you enjoy in the old-time
homes of New York, said the girl. apoI-
ogetically. Truth to tell. Capt. Lee,
we must put up with just what we can
get in the country in war times and"
"0f course. begging pardon. Miss
Betty" broke in the officer. Your
dessert, I am sure. will be delightful
as your dinner has been, and am dis
posed TO praise il beforehand
At this moment Miss Betty Logan
waved her hand to Polly, who stood at
the door leading into the kitchen.
Our guest is ready for the dessert,
Polly. You may bring ii on
\ deeper crimson came TO the maids
- 81. 1. -.
ing OF the words so artly spoken by
Petty and in another moment she left
the room, closing the door behind her.
behold the dessert, Capt. Lee!" ex-
claimed Betty, when the door opened a
moment afterward. and the British Of
ficer staggered from the chair as his
gaze fell upon three men dressed in
continental uniform, each of whom COW
cred him with a pistol.
Whats this, miss?" he cried. what
treachery is afoot under your roof"
1T is simply the fortunes of war,
Capt. Lee. You are a prisoner subject
to exchange for another prisoner of
equal rank. These gentlemen Consti-
tute the only dessert | have to oilcr.
with profuse apologies"
Al nTst capt. Lee thought OF resist
ance, but sober second thought came
to the rescue and in a little while he
was in the hands of the patriots.
"Your trick will fall short of its de-
sign. my little rebel" he exclaimed.
Capt. James shall not be exchanged for
Capt. Lee. | promise you that"
Betty made no reply and her late
guest was hustled from the premises
and escorted to the nearest Anne rican
camp where he was turned over to the
commander thereof.
Several weeks interveIed W. an one
evening a young soldier rode up 10 the
Logan home and sprang lightly TO the
ground.
lie was met at the steps of the trel-
Used porch by young girl whose eyes
sparkled above flushed cheeks.
"Thev tell me that owe my exchange
to you, Betty" he exclaimed. "Capt.
Lee was very obstreperous at first, but
he gave in at last and here [ am"
- don't know whether Capt. Lee will
ever forgive me. but | didn't know of a
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-01
AS AN OBJECT LESSON.
q he Real Meaning of the Noise and
Enn OF the EnnrIh

run OF the FOURTH
We confess TO a large degree of SYM
Pathy with the irrepressible impulse OF
the American small boy-to say moth
ing of boys of larger growth-to fire oil
thinese crackers and other din-produc-
ing explosives on the Fourth of July.
Not that we particularly enjoy the
noise. Ii is not always easy to keep
ones temper on even keel through the
long, long weary day." of ceascless
turmoil OF patriotic powder burning
aud the smell OF 'villainous saltpetre.'
Yet less and less, as the years go by,
are we disposed TO object to this out
ward and visible sign of the inward
grace of patriotic ar'Ior. Undirected. it
is true. this impulse TO efTervescent
racket ON the part of boys and men,
on the one unrestricted day OF the year,
may mean nothing to them out license
To make noise; but. wisely used, this
differentiation of the day may be made
The means of intoxicating patriotic
sentiment in a more impressive way
than would otherwise. perhaps, be pos
sible. The mass of mankind still learn
great SESSIONS best through the medium
of symbols. In this respect. we have
lot advanced very far beyond "them
Of old time" The heap of stones taken
from the bed of Jordan spoke not more
truly TO the children of Israel of the
great things wrought for them there
than does independence day" TO US of
our fathers mighty deeds: and SO. in
stead of fioHting at the noisy demon-
STATIONS of our boys on this day, let us
utilize its observance TO teach them
the real meaning which lies back of
their noisy fun. and thus lead their
minds up to "A broader conception of the
truths for which the celebration Of the
Fourth of July STANDBY. Y. Examiner.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-01
BRIDGE WITH A HISTORY
1t Connects the Capital with the
Virginia Shore.
During the War Long Bridge Was
Talked About In Every Nook and
Corner of the LRnd-Its
Rest Days Gone.
Tspecial washington Letter.

All mature reading people know of
the existence of the Long bridge which
spans the Potomac at the national cap
ital. 1t has occupied an important
place in history, and during the civil
war it was constantly mentioned in
the telegraphic dispatches.
The Long bridge was originally con
structed nearly 80 years ago. In the
year ls0s congress passed an act a hor-
izing Daniel Carroll, of Duddington,
and others of the District of Columbia
TO constitute board of commissioners
with authority to open books for re-
ceiving subscriptions and raising cap
ital stock, not exceeding 100000, in
shares of 500 each, for the purpose of
erecting a bridge over the Potomac
river between the city of Washington
and the Virginia shore. The act of
congress STYLED this board "the Wash
ington Bridge company" 1t was stip-
ulated that the bridge should be 80 feet
wide, with at least one draw over the
channel, and be lighted with '2G good
lamps well furnished with OIL That
was long before monopolies in gas and
electricity were known; and the sallow
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-01

Throwing the lines over post. TO await
Peters attention. the young captain
sauntered towards the house, and just
as be mounted the steps vision of Ios e
Iiness appeared.
Miss BETTY was simply but tastefully
dressed aud looked very pretty thus ar
rayed.
She smiled a cordial welcome TO the
Seer as he came on and took his out
stretched hand without a show OF
treachery.
Though we differ about the war.
Capt Lee said she. in her sprightIy
manner = can II help asking you for
the latest news from the front"
There is but little to communicate.
There has been no set Engagement of
late; the two armies sem to be plan
ming Tor position. and IL is doubtful If
a battle will come of for some time"
That is good. do not like to hear
Of bloodshed Ii is bad enough in this
part OF the country between the for
aver. but when large armies meet in
deadly conflict il is much worse. Still"
and her eyes seemed to sparkle. I'VE
cannot gain our independence without
some blOodshed."
Capt. Lee smiled.
Il will never be able TO CO -vince 70 O..
/ see" he said. Like Ephra,m. Miss
Betty. you are joined to your idols"
'Yes. captain. to the idols of liberty
and prosperity for America. You must
admit that you find our soldiers men
difficult to conquer. When people fight
for their homes and native land they do
not gi.e up the struggle without terri
Die contest"
But in this case they are rebellious
and the king will not stop short of their
entire subsection"
The young girls gaze wandered from
the room. and for little while seemed
TO rest on the bushes on the lawn.
Suddenly. however, she turned again
TO the officer and said:
'One of my friends has had the mis-
fortune to become a prisoner of war"
Indeed. Miss Betty" exclaimed
Capt. Lee, in the most innocent manner
possible. But that s ore OF the vicis-
STUDIES of war. Your friend must put
up with It and consider that imprisOn-
ment is far better than being left on the
battlef eld."
Il d. not doubt that. but confine-
ment TO Capt. James is irksome. TO say
the lea. u
The British onicer seemed TO start a
little a mention of his rivals name.
Capt James is confined in New
York" continued retty. "He was cap
tured in a skiTmish and hurried thither.
Exchange is hardly to be thought Of,
you know, since our people do not hold
as prisoner an officer of equal rank"
The conversation now drifted ia
other subjects, aud Capt Lee was most
pleasantly entertained by his fair host
ess.
He knew that Betty Logan was in
tensely loyal TO the cause Of the col
onies; but out of respect for her APP
parent helplessness her property mad
not been disturbed. though on several
occasions several spies had been
tracked to il.
Her only servants we're Peter and a
housemHid as loyal as her mistress, and
with these Betty. the fair rebel, in
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-01

bridge, but il was in successful running
operation the next year (1s09). 1t was
built with two draws, one at the east
ern and one at the western end, there
being two channels to the Potomac. one
near the Virginia shore and one near
the District shore.
The bridge was operated successful
~ by the Washington Bridge company
until 1914, when by order of the govern
ment the southwestern end of il was
destroyed, on account of the presence
of the British in the vicinity of Wash
ington, for which damage caused by the
government, congress, in 1916 (act of
April %, appropriated 1900 10 reim-
burse the company. The bridge was re-
paired and was soon again in operation.
In 1882 (act of July IL congress. at
the request of the company, purchased
the bridge for 100000. and, m 1884. APP
uropriated 500. goo to rebuild it. This
was accordingly done. but the new
structure did not last long. being
washed away by the ice gorge of 1886.
Congress again authorized its recon
struction on new lines. The new bridge
was to be one mile long and contain
two draws. one II :hc southern end Of
the bridge 10 be &C feet in width, and
another in the northern end to be SO
feel. This was accordingly dore and in
1898 Andrew jackson laid the corner
stone Of the rcv bridge. which was to
connect the city of Washington with
the dream of his life, the city named
sitter him. on the opposite shore. He
expected Jackson City 10 some day
rival Washington.
In the year 1850 congress passed an
act Il extend the limits of the city of
Washington beyond the Potomac, so as
to include the Lorg bridge. This
bridge has existed in more or less state
of repair or preservation up TO the pres
ent date
IN 1861 the war department ordered
Mai. Beggs. the celebrated military
railway constructor 10 repair the
railroad between the south end OF
Long bridge and Alexand in 20
days lie completed the work in 10
days. The Long bridge was then test
ed, tracks were laid aud in 1861 the first
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-01

glow of the rancid oil cast a Pickering
and uncertain light over the dark wa
tiers Of the river.
The bridge was not then, as it is now,
a free bridge. but the act of congress
provided that tolls should be taken as
follows: Each foot passenger had to
pay 6A cents to cross. a person on
horseback 1881 cents. Persons in a
chaise, sulky or riding chair had to
pay 171a cents. For each coach,
coachee, stage-wagon, chariot, phaeton,
curricle or other riding carriage, 100
cents must be collected; and the fur
Their sum of 1874 cents for each horse,
more than two, by which such coach,
coachee, chariot, phaeton or curricle
should be drawn. For each sled, or
sleigh, 37b cents must be collected, and
the further sum of 1917 cents for each
horse or other beast more than two
by which said sled or sleigh should be
drawn. For each four-wheeled wagon,
cart, dray, or other two-wheeled car
rage of burthen 1884 cents must be
collected; and the further sum of 1874
cents for each horse or other beast
should be drawn. For each pig or sheep
the toll was three cents, and toll of
Ga cents each was levied on horses and
meat cattle, other than those in teams
drawing sleds, sleighs, or carriages. or
with riders, and one person only to
each drove or team was allowed to pass
free of charge.
The government, however, was eX-
empt from duties. The act contained
the following: provided, that no toll
shall be exacted at said bridge for the
passage of any wagon or carriage laden
with the property of the United States.
or for the drivers thereof, or for the
passage Of any troops of the United
States, or the militia of any state or the
District of Columbia, marching in a
body; or any cannon or military equip
ments belonging to the United States"
The company, by the powers of this
act, had five years in which to finish the
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-01
WHAT ARE YOUR FAvoRrrEs. cAPrAINq"

habited he little home near the Hud-
diers Of the hing.
Fond OF MUSIC. Capt. Lee importuncd
his hostess for a song. aud, rising. Betty
swept TO the instrument in one corner
of the coy parlor.
"What are Your favOrites, cap ain?''
she asked. with a sly look over her
shoulder.
.Washingion's Retreat for one.
said the officer with a ght laugh a. he
mentioned sung al that time popular
in rovalisr ciicles in New York.
The cheeks of Betty Logan flushed
aud her fingers swepf the ivory keys as
IL impeiled by magic.
"You don't sing that, suppose. con
tinued the captain.
u am here TO entertain you and
.Washington's Retreat shall be given
according TO request"
In another moment the meludiOus
voice Of the girl seemed TO ill the house
as she sang the piece which had re-
ccived encore after encore IN the the
aters wherever the British held sway.
Cant. Lee listened like one eHtranced
and his gaze followed her every mo, e
ment like one enraptured.
perhaps you have heard this" said
Iicttv. as the last note died away. and
forthwith she started up with rolIick-
ing COW boy AR such as the Wild ma
rauders of the Neutral Ground were
wont 10 sing when out on their forays.
II was full of the most rebeIliuus
sentiment. and some of It's pointed al
hIsions to King George drove the color
from Capt. Lees face
But hc was not in position To grum
bile. for had not Iietty sang a real royas
air? lie sat rlutely AID listened as the
song crcpt on ard on. the girl seeming
H. take delight in tingIing the ears of
her relocated guess.
Il suppose I wouldn't be allowed to
sing that in New York;" exclaimed
Retty. turning round and catching a
sign OF the captains disappro'al in his
look
by no means. Miss Betty" was the
reply. The author of that docgerel
Will stretch hemp one Of these days"
when you catch tie hare. captain.
not before" .IugheG the girl "By the
way. the author of nat song Is doing
some good in the ranks just now. and
Washington has made him lieutenant
for bravery on the battlefield. and you
don't Niil prisoners. believe.
sir Henry Clinton might break the
rule in the barl's ease. was the quIck
rejoinder. aud then Betty ran her fin
gers over the Keys again aud sang
love dirty Which put her guest IN the
i,est OF humOr.
The oGiiad ended. Betty Logan ex-
cused herself and left the ParIur.
1t seems TO me that she might be
tanned" passed through Capt, Lees
mind. ~rhe girl is real jewel ann
would make an excellent wife. so her
friend Capt. James is enjoying The
,ielicacies of prison fare. suppose tina:
she doesn't know that ! am. in part. re-
sponsibls for his ch7nge Of .0rtunes
bat alls fair in love and war. and Il
do not fail Miss Betty may sing none
but loyal songs in the near future.
wonder Il that fellow attended prompt
Is to my horse?-
The British captain was on the eve
~ rising Whea BETTY again appeared in
the doorway and auuouucrt dinner.
she had m7de q Htile change in her
taiiet and looked preitiei than ever
aud Capt. Lee. viii an appetite skap
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-01
FARM AND GARDEN.
ABOUT EGG FARMING.
Three Elements which Are Also.
IuIely Essential TO succeas.


Three Elements when Are Abso-
Iutely Essential 10 Success.
In these days of speeialties farm
ing is much more divided than former
iy; we have fruit farming, dairy farm
ing, duck farming and egg farming.
OF those who have attempted the pro-
duction of eggs on a large scale few
have succeeded. The chief cause of
failure with those who have not been
successful has been that they seem
ingly undertook it with the idea that
all they had to do was TO multiply the
small flock with which they did well
by 100 or 1000 to get 100 or 1000 times
as much profit. Multiplying the num-
Der OF hens is the very smallest factor
of success in egg farming.
The first element in successful egg
farming is small fiocks; the second is
economical housing; the third, facili-
ties for handling and eheaply caring
for the focks. The hocks being small,
each one can be cared for and treated
as though il was the only one on the
place. The houses should be warm
and convenient for the birds and the
attendant. 1t will be much cheaper to
limit the range of the fiocks by their
own free will instead of by fences or
runs. To do this, place the houses at
short intervals apart-ten or twelve
rods-and have them of different col
ors and 18th different surroundings, so
each may be readily distinguished by
its occupants when they wish to seek
quarters" at night or for laying.
One of the most successful egg farm
ers in this country arranges the houses
of his hens along streets, ten rods apart
through his farm. Half of the 120-acre
farm is used as hen yard one year and
the other half cultivated. The next
year the houses are moved over to the
cultivated half and the hen yard used
for cropping purposes. The houses are
built on sills which form runners. and
good team Is used for moving them
in the spring. During the summer they
are moved their length every week; in
this way the houses are kept sweet, as
the soil where they are TO stand is
plowed before the houses are moved.
The object of this is to keep the houses
healthy with fresh soil as an absorbent
of the droppings. which renders the air
pure without the labor and expense of
a daily cleaning, and also fixes" the
fertilizing elements in the droppings
and enriches the soil for next years
crop.-Farm, Field and Fireside.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-01
ENLARGED JOINTS
FROM RHEUMATISM,
Such n Condition Indicates a Chalk >
Deposit and is seldom Cured
There Is Hope In Some Cases,
however, from an enrich
ing of the blood.

From the Record and Union, Rochester.
MINI.
Mrs. Elizabeth Pratt, wife of Mr.. John
Pratt, one of the oldest settlers in Olmstead
County, Minnesota, for many years has
been painfully afflicted with rheumatism in
its most aggravating aud announcement form.
Mr.. Pratt is well known IN the vicinity OF
Viola, having during one administration
held the responsible position of postmstress.
She tells the tale of her affection and subse
quent restoration to health, which Is printed
in order that others similarly suffering may
read and adopt the same remedy she did:
Viola, Olmstead Co., Mimi, Aug. "a, 1896.
"A little over ten years ago | discovered
that the joints of my fingers were enlarging,
and very sore. | consulted many physicians,
with some slight relief at times from pain,
but the joints grew larger and larger, and
my neck, shoulders and limbs were so stiff
that i could not move them without great
pain. Ny toes too were swollen out OF all
shape. and my fingers were so drawn. and
the muscles so contracted that ! could not
use them. | had given up all hope of cure,
when my attention was called about three
wears ago to the wonderful cures effected by
the use of DIR. Williams Pink Pills for Pale
People and procured a supply.
IL was not long after began taking them
before | experienced considerable relief, and
! continued using them according to direc-
tons until | have taken altogether about
three dozen bONeS+ NV ringers are now
straight and flexible. and The Joints reduced
to their normal size, the rheumatic pains are
almost gone, and now, though | always keep
Pink Pills by me, ] never use them unless |
catch cold, or get wet through. / am will
ing that this testimonial should be published,
in order that the extraordinary curative
powers Of DIR. Williams medicine may be
known to rheumatic sufferers.
(Signed) MRS. +. A. PRATT"
DR.. Williams Pink Pills contain. in a con-
densed form, all the elements necessary to
give new life and richness TO the blood and
restore shattered nerves. They are also
specific for troubles peculiar to females, sven
as suppressions, Irregularities and all forms
of weakness. They build up the blood and
restore the glow of health TO pale and sallow
checks. In men they effect a radical cure
in all cases arising from mental worry, over
work or excuses of whatever nature. Pink
Pills are sold in boxes tnever in loose bulk
at so cents a box or six boxes for $3.50. and
may be had of all druggists, or direct by
mail from DIR. Williams Medicine Company,
ScheneCtady n Y.