davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09

Gle is, happily. not tied down to the
same narrow and rigid lines. But, in
a broader and freer sense a suitable
track is essential to even its efficiency
as vehicle. This is why the wheel
men everywhere constitute the most
Jealous and active propaganda Of the
gospel Of good roads-a propaganda
which is growing rapidly in strength
and influence, as those who ride BIZ
cycle increase and MULTIPLY. But this
is a work which can be accomplished
only through legislative reform Of
the administrative machinery and
methods Of road making, and, there
fore, through the slow education Of the
farmers and others in the economical
value of good country roads. The build
ing of cycle paths is, therefore, an ex-
pensive and foolish evasion of what
should be cycling's motto-Good roads
everywhere and for all people. On no
other platform will better riding sur
faces come either to cyclists or others"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
Left-Footed Cylists.

1t is fact that many cyclists habit
usually ride right-footed orleft-footed
as the case may be. That is, they do
most of their pedaling with one foot.
1t is a fault that should be promptly
corrected and yet one that it is very
difficult to overcome. 1t is acquired
unconsciously and is therefore hard to
detect and still harder to cure. 1t is
quite as natural perhaps that the in
dividual be right or left-footed
as right or left-handed, but it is very
apparent that the habit of riding in
this way must inevitably lead to I'M
equal physical development, a result
always to be avoided in every form Of
athletic exercise. Furthermore, the
one-sided rider cannot accomplish his
full measure Of work. An even dis
tribution of the force exerted in pro-
polling the wheel is absolutely neces-
sary in riding the greatest distance at
the least possible expense of energy.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
MIXED PARAGRAPHS.

About 100000 feet of logs are go
ing down the Connecticut river in New
Hampshire, bound for the mills.
A petition has been circulated in a
Michigan town requesting the council
not to levy any taxes on account OF the
hard times.
Switzerland has issued a new twenty
franc gold piece, Helvetia being repre-
scented on it's face, realistic peasant
girls head Around it are twenty-five
stars for the twenty-five cantons.
The municipal debt of London
amounts to 1884 900, which is less
than the proportionate debt of nine
out Of ten of the next largest cities.
The estimated expenditure for 1928
is f2,452, 900.
B. P. Hutchinson, Known as "Old
Hutch" is living at the home OF his
son-in-law, E. A. Lancaster, in Chi
cago He does not go out a great deal,
and when he does eltare on a walk
he is attended by soi.,e one.
In the public schools Of Japan the
Ell glish language is required by law to
be taught. The Japanese youth in the
open ports and com mercial cities are
all eager to learn English as passport
to wealth, position and employment.
A plausible yours man accosted a
Georgia farmer one day las week, and
in a very little while induced him to
pay $50 for machine which he assured
him would turn out brand-new twenty
dollar bills by simply turning crank.
Senator Wellington, OF Maryland, In
terests himself while the senate Is IN
session in looking over newspaper
clippings about himself. He subscribes
to a news-clipping bureau, and reads
everything tina: is said about him with
great deal Of interest.
Lightning struck the home OF Mar
shall Spring, at Hiram Me-, and set
fire to six rooms besides tearing up a
board under Mr.. Springs chair and
melting a bronze bracket near which
one of his children stood. The whole
family escaped unhurt. however.
One of the gifts at a recent silver
wedding was twenty-five silver dollars
of 1897. There was some difficulty
found in making the collection of that
number of dollars Of this year. At the
beginning Of each new administration
the money in the treasury is counted,
and late issues are hard to find.-New
York Times.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09

But NO one heard them. The water
roared too loudly. So they sat for
hours and hours-it seemed to them
until the gray light Of morning began
to break in the east. They strained
their eyes as it grew brighter and look
ed off across the gray food Of water
with Its scattering heaps Of wreckage
to the town on the hill.
II thought Memphis was bigger
city tNan that" said Polly.
ut isn't Memphis" said Fred, with
a little joyful ring in his voice that
made Polly and her grandmother look
around quickly; "it's Springville.'
"Springville"
And Springville 1t was. They could
see the little weatherbeaten church on
the hill, and the red-brick schoolhouse'
and Judge Carson's home, and great
many other familiar places, although
some of the buildings that had STOOD
near the river had disappeared.
But haven't we come only four
miles?" said Grandmother Melton
looking greatly surprised.
Half an hour later two boats came
alongside and the castaways were car
ried ashore. On the bank Polly found
herself in the arms Of her father, cry
ing and laughing all at once. Father
Melton looked old and worn and wor-
ried. He had given up his family FOR
lost, and he was bravely helping the
other people in the work OF rescue.
After the flood was subsidized the
Meltons went down to look over their
home. Father Melton hardly knew
what to do, but Polly spoke up quite
promptly.
81 tell you, father, let's leave 1t right
here and live in 1t: Fred and won't
have so far to go to school"
And what do you think? That is just
what Father Melton did. He straight
ened the house around, built a new
foundation under it, and the Meltons
are living there today, quite happy and
contented. So you see the food helped
two persons at least-Polly and Fred.
Chicago Record.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
A Failure.

A certain professor In one of the
leading schools of Nashville was not
long since DESTROYS Of Incorporating
some negro dialect in story he was
preparing. says the American of that
city. Not being very we'll versed in
their manner OF speech, he bethought
him that 1t would be good idea to
study the language In Its purity unde-
filed. With this end in view he betook
himself to the vicinity of the Union
depot, near which representatives OF
the ebon race are always to be found.
One effort was enough. Meeting a
coal-black negro driving wagon
rather we'll loaded, and accostlng him
as Uncle john" the following brief
dialogue ensued:
pretty heavy load, uncle. Can you
get up the hill with it?"
IL do not know, sir, but 1 presume
So"
Such an example of English coming
from such an unexpected source al
most parelyzed the professor, who re-
traced his steps to his apartments.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
Won by an Outsider.

The Buffalo Martin road race, as
usual, was won by an outsider. There
were 240 entries and 112 prizes, the
first prize being a piano and the time
prize $500 diamond ring. The wea-
Their was wintry cold and the wind
blew strong in the face Of the riders
all through the last half. The course
was to Bowmansville and back, the
finish being at the Parade house,
where about 5000 wheelmen gathered.
The limit men had minutes start. The
scratch men were Goehler, Peckham,
Barnabee, Juller and Duer. Although
some accidents happened at the start
Of the race, not single man fell at
the finish, where minor accidents have
been numerous in other years. The
first man in was A. D. Parker OF the
Rochester Athletic club, whose time
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
GAVE HIMSELF UP TO DEATH.
Feelings of = Man Who Fell Into an
Abandoned Shaft.

Abandoned Shaft.
p. D. Smith, an old book man, tells
most interesting story of how it feels
to be buried alive, says the Los Angeles
Record. For one hour he lay at the
bottom of deserted mine shaft and
was only saved by a dog that whined
and howled at neighbours house. Just
after recent storm Mr.. Smith went
prospecting In Deer canyon, a branch
of the Big Tejunga, in the San Fer
uando range. He was removing some
timber about the top of an old shaft,
when the rotton wood gave way and
carried him to the bottom Of the shaft
A heavy load of timber and earth fol-
lowed. Strange to say. he was unin-
jured and lay free from immediate
danger in the dark, damp space left
by the boards Gloomy were the
thoughts that filled his mind as he lay
there and thought of his past life and
the friends he would never see again,
for the shaft was one which had been
covered overhead and lost to the knowl-
edge of the neighborhood for years.
Moreover, 1t was mile and a half
from the nearest house. Once or twice
he shouted. but his voice sounded Sc
pulchral as 1t echoed in muffled way
between the overhanging walls and re-
verberated in his ears. For one hour
he lay there in this cramped position,
while gloomy thoughts passed in
frightful procession through his mind.
Fortunately, his little dog was with
him. Boss" is particularly intelli
gent dog and after the accident to his
master went to the nearest house and
acted so strangely that Mr.. Walton,
the owner. followed him to the shaft
There he found and rescued him.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
WE'RE MOVING.

one shouting far out on the stream and
they saw the glimmer Of lantern.
They shouted in return, but there was
no answer, and presently the lantern
was swallowed up in the darkness and
the three castaways were even more
lonesome and terrified than before.
They were compelled to cling firmly
to the rope and the ridgepole all the
time, for the house was continually
humping against distractions in the
stream and careening and jolting like
a boat in a rough sea. Besides this,
thew were wet to the skin and SILVER
ing with cold and fright. Occasionally
huge forms would loom up near them,
and they would see the outline of trees
or buildings floating down the river.
They were momentarily afraid lest
their boat should bump into something
and be broken up. If this happened
they knew they would have small hope
of escape.
Quite suddenly they felt the building
grind on something, and then, with
jolt, 1t came to standstill. Thay
could hear the timbers strain and creak
and the current of the stream splashing
about it, but it did not move.
well, we're anchored" said Fred.
81 suppose we're out somewhere ON a
sandbar in the Mississippi"
do you think we have reached
Memphis?" asked Polly, anxiously.
To Polly it seemed as If they had
been drifting for hours.
For a long time they remained al
most still. Occasionally they Joined
their voices in a great shout. but there
was no answer. Fred said the water
roared so loud that no one could hear
it, anyway, but it eased their spirits
to be doing something.
At last they started again, with a
jerk and SILVER, as If some Of the
timbers of the building had given away
They bumped on for what seemed an
endless time, and then, after scraping
along for some minutes, they again
stopped. BY this time the rain had
ceased and the moon shone out family
through the clouds.
"There's lights" cried Polly, joyfully
Sure enough, on the hill, not such a
great distance away, they could see
many lights cleaning out over the
water. Nearer. there were other lights
moving about. as If in boats.
Its Memphis" said Polly, and then
they all shouted at the top of tkelr
voices.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
A New Lamp.

A flashing bicycle lamp is among the
latest inventions patented in Washing
ton. 1t consists of an ordinary lamp
with an attachment by means of
which flashes of different colored
lights are produced while the bicycle
is in motion. The attachment is carried
on base plate turned up at one end
to fit the front of the lamp base and
with a spring pressed plate hinged at
it's other end to fit the rear Of the lamp
base. A nearly vertical shaft is jour-
nailed in bearings formed in the ends
OF plate secured to the base plate.
The shaft carries above circular
frame in which there is disc Of COL
ored celluloid. Between the bearings
the shaft carries a wind wheel which
causes the shaft to rotate as the bicycle
moves and the disc to revolve in front
of the lens.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
A Purauit Race.

Frank Starbuck, of Philadelphia,
lowered the colors of Nat Butler, Of
Boston, in a five-mile pursuit race
at Boston the other night the purse
being $50. The men started from op-
posite sides Of the track. Butler gain
ed for the first two miles, being at
the four miles five yards ahead Of
Starbuck. Then Starbuck picked up
gradually and at the three miles the
Philadelphia man was thirty-fve yards
ahead of Butler. Starbuck gained
gradually, showing increased gains
every lap, finally landing the prize by
over 200 yards. The time of Starbuck
for the five miles unpaeed was 1901
2.5, and of Butler, 1917 2-5. Jimmie
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
A. D. PARKER.

was one hour, sixteen minutes and
eight seconds The next following
him were R. A. Miller Of the Green
witch Wheelmen, New York; E. j.
Fox, of the Ramblers; and A. D. Pilkey
of the Parksides. A. B. Goehler, the
noted racer of the Buffalo Ramblers,
who started in spite of very sore
knee, won the time prize, making the
course in one hour and ten minutes.
Ray Duer Of the Parksides, won the
second time prize. The Parkside club
won all the club trophies offered.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
OFFICES

The civil service question is usu-
ally discussed from the point of view
of good government. What is the best
mode Of appointment? Ought politics
to be considered in selecting civil SER
wants? Should the minor officers and
clerks have fixed terms or be retained
during good behavior? Such are some
ton.
There is another side to the question
that which concerns the individual.
In the broadcast terms it is this: Is
position under government a desirable
career for a young man?
On the one hand it is surely true
that no man occupies a nobler sta
ton, or one in which he can better
serve his fellow men, than he who
helps make the laws, and he who di-
reefs the execution of those laws In
other words, the highest walks Of po-
ltical life are worthy of the ambition
of the ablest and best citizens. More
over, no one reaches the heights save
those who have started lower down
and have toiled up the ascent.
II lowly position in the govern
ment service gave opportunity to rise
to a higher or if occupying it stirred
the ambition Of him who had secured
it, there could be no doubt that 1t
would be well for young men to seek
office. Unfortunately it is not so.
There is fascination not difficult
70 explain in drawing a salary from
government. Those who have once
experienced it are apt to acquire a
taste for off1ce-hoding almost as hard
to overcome as is the physical appetite
for an intoxicant. Almost every ono
Of us can call to mind at least ond
person who, having been a clerk or
petty ofiicer under government, and
having lost his place. is good for moth
ing else.
He Is willing, perhaps, to do the
dirtiest political work, and to become
a "toady" to any one who can help
him back into a position where he may
draw pay from the treasury. He can
not content himself in any private
position nor even in business.
That there is sacrifice Of iadepend-
ence, and that ambition is too apt to
become limited to passion for retain
ing what one has, are additional rea-
sons for thinking that, even under a
civil service system administered ac-
cording to reform" ideas, career
therein is not one that should attract
an active, energetic young man. The
case is far worse when civil servants
are at the mercy Of the "spoils' sys-
tenn.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
A Gift from God"

Trenton. N. j., Special: Rev. J. B
Randolph Of Shiloh Baptist church,
has surprised members of his flock
by announcing he would inaugurate a
system Of bicycle checking in the lob
by of the church on Sundays. He also
solicited the members of his congrega-
ton to appear in bicycle costume, as
he believed that "the bicycle was a
gift from God" DR.. Randolph said;
"Of course, we will not countenance
the wearing of boomers, because it is
eminently immodest, but the short
skirt and knickerbockers are perfect
ly prorer. and there certainly can be
no objection to enc coming to church
to worship God in such costume"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
A Birds Sea Resort.

Naturalists consider 1t a wonderful
fact that the Bermuda Islands have
only seven native species of land
birds, while no less than a hundred
and twenty-eight other species pay
visits 20 the islands. Many of these
visitors are birds which pass the sum-
mer in the United States, and utilize
the Bermuda Islands as a convenient
winter resort, thus initiating some of
their human compatriots. Even some
American bats follow the example Of
the birds by wintering in the Bermu-
daS.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09

Michael started against the mile marks
made by Bald at the Waltham track.
ISL 3-5. Michael was paced by the
sextuplet, manned by Saunders. Loug-
head Kennedy, Blanchard, Hoyt and
Packard. The sextuplet carried the
first third in .33, the triple picking up
at the two-thirds done in LOS or try
ing to. The sextuplet took the place
Of the triple and paced the entire mile,
doing LAS is. Michael drew up to the
side of the big machine at the finish.
This is the fastest mile ever rislted by
electric light.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09

applications. The patent Office RECORDS
show plainly low rapid the increase
has been. Until 1876 the bicycle IN
ventor was not prominent at the
patent office. for but 800 patents per-
tanning to the bicycle making industry
and more than 1000 cycling patents
have been issued since then, and OF
this number more than half were dated
since 1890. Formerly one examiner
attended to the cycling inventions, but
the force has been increased repeated
ly until now eight men are usually
swamped, more than a thousand ap-
plications sometimes awaiting action.
In the earlier years Of cycling the
patents issued for bicycles were main
ly for driving mechanism, but the BIZ
cycle has now reached stage OF de-
velopment were the Improvements
must necessarily be made to the de-
tails of equipment. Of course, the
freak inventor is prevalent still and
every week sees some idea Of his pat
ented, but the great majority of the
cycling patents issued are for improve
ments, real or imaginary, in saddles,
brakes, chains, joints and in bearing
adjustments and fittings. There has
been of late a noticeable diminution in
the number of patents issued for tires
and tire valves, field which a few
years ago, was fertile one for the cy-
cling inventor.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09

1.-THE most perfect locomotive"
saws The Wheel, "would be of no use
without proper track to run on.
The track is an essential part of the
r,acl,-.rv IF locomotion. The bicy-
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09

Watts-"Notice how bald headed the
pictures OF King George show him to
be?" Potts-"Yes. l can't understand
why he isn't at the front of those bal
lie. sakirted troops. indianapolis Jour-
nal.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
NOTES OF THE WHEEL
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO DE-
VOTES OF THE BICYCLE.
Tho fncreaGe In Inventions as an Indi-
1ator OF the Wheel Industry-Some
English Neutrality-suspicious. Matters
VI Current Interest.

HE increase in the
number of bicycle
in v e II t | ons has
been so large late
ly that the eight
expert assistant
examiners employ
ed exclusively in
this branch Of pat
ent Office work are
unable to keep up
with the rush OF
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09
FLOOD THAT HELPED.

RANDM o T H r R
Melton lighted the
kitchen lamp and
set it in the middle
Of the table.
I'VE might as
well have supper"
she said. Your
( a t h er prob'ly
won't be back till
late"
Fred and Polly
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09

President Hoetbuer, of the Deutscher
Radfahrer Bund, has resigned because
of differences over the new sp>rting
league of Germany.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-09

There is another side to the question
that which concerns the individual.
In the broadcast terms it is this Is a
position under government a desirable
career for young man?
The herald., 1897-10-15
PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES
The Coroner Will Investigate the
Death of a Colored Woman

The coroner will today investigate the
death of Mrs. w. Hunter, colored wo-
man, which occurred Wednesday. The
woman is said to have died under pecu-
liar circumstances. She came here about
Eix weeks ago from Prescott, Ariz., and
spent the first month at San Pedro.
Two weeks ago she came to Los Angeles,
and has been stopping at 240 San Pedro
street. She has been in poor health and
since her arrival here has been consult
ing a Chinese physician. Wednesday
evening she died suddenly.
DR.. M. E. Sykes signed the certificate
of death, giving the cause as pulmonary
consumption. When the woman's eff
fects were gone through so in money was
found. A telegram was sent to her hus-
band notifying him of the facts. He
telegraphed back that something must
be wrong, as when his wife left home
she had $780, and he asked that the cor
oner should investigate the case. The
body was embalmed at Booth & Boyle
sons undertaking establishment. There
is no emaciation and none of the usual
signs of wasting consumption. Hunter
will arrive today and the coroner will
conduct an Investigation over the corpse
to determine the cause Of death.
The herald., 1897-10-15
McStaV-Whitaker

Miss Mary L. Whitaker and Carl Nc
Stay were married at o'clock last even
ing at the First Presbyterian church,
the Rev Burt Estes Howard officiating
The bride, who is the daughter of David
S. Whitaker, was goWned in cream
white satin, a long tulle veil was bound
to her head with orange blossoms, and
she carried white crysamthemums. Her
sister, Miss Georgia M. Whitaker at
tended her, and wore a charming cos
tune of pink silk and chiffon and pict-
ure hat of leghorn trimmed with pink
and black plumes. Walter McStay,
brother Of the groom acted as best man.
Little Miss Marguerite Hughes made a
dainty little flower girl, who scattered
rose petals in the path of the bride and
groom as they left the church. Mis-
Rogers presided at the organ. The
church and rostrum were effectively dec
Grated with pepper branches, potted
plants roses and crysanthemums A
reception was held at the family resi-
dence, 1415 Central avenue, after the
ceremony to limited number of inti-
mate friends and relatives.
Mr.. and Mrs. McStay will return in
about fortnight and will receive their
friends at 123 West Twenty eight.
street.
The herald., 1897-10-15
DILLY CHANGES HIS PLEA
And Concludes That He Was Guilty
of Assaulting Anna Jansen

John Dilly, arrested at Westlake park
OH the night of September 9th while in
the act of assaulting Anna Jansen, list
ened to the evidence of the complaining
witness in Justice Morrison's court yes
terday and then expressed a desire to
change his plea of not guilty, and be al
lowed to plead guilty to the battery
charge. The case was then continued
until today for sentence.
The hearing was very brief Miss
Jansen testified to the facts of the at
tempted outrage as previously pub
ished. She denied that she had ever
given Dilly any reason to believe that
he could take liberties with her, or that
she had accompanied him to the park for
any Improper purpose. Special Officer
Wilson testified to the arrest of Dilly.
He had been attracted to the west side
of the park by woman's screams for
help, ard had discovered Dilly in posi-
ton which could leave no doubt of his
purpose. The fellow showed fight, ard
later rendered the officer $50 to allow him
to go free. Dilly and the woman were
both employed in the family of W. S.
Arnold. on San Pedro street, as coach
man and cook.