davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23

the cost Of fences as shown by the CEN
sus reports. At that time the value
of the fences in the United States was
estimated at 100000, O00 By the
same authority the value of all the live
animals in the country requiring
fences to restrain them, including
swine. was s1,942, 100000. The value
OF all the farm and garden crops grown
annually was S2,S20,000. 900. Sums
stated in millions and billions are not
easily cCmprehended by most minds.
To pick up and count silver dollars at
the rate Of four a second ten hours
day and 312 days year over fifty-six
years would be passed before as many
dollars would be handled by counter
as our fences have cost.
A simpler showing can be made with
fewer figures. 1t takes 81 in fencing
to keep S1.S4 worth of animals from
breaking in and eating up or destroy
ing S2.S2 worth Of annual crops. There
mas probably been a favorable change
in these proportions since the date of
the figures given. Farmers and others
are getting along with fewer fences,
but there are far too many yet left to
be annually repaired or rebuilt.
Fences that cut up cultivated lands are
always an obstruction. They are in
the way of cultivation; they take UP
valuable room, no farm implement can
work up close to them, and they con-
stantly invite weeds and bushes where
they are not wanted and where it is
difficult to destroy them. Roadside
fences obstruct snow in winter and
frequently render the highway impas-
bare. The cost to towns for clearing
reads in winter would be greatly re-
duced if there were no fences along
the cultivated fields. The cost of cult
roads in winter would be greatly re-
reduced and the roadsides could be
easily kept in more tidy condition.
Village fences are also a constant
source OF expense for planting and re-
building. In many towns a public
sentiment is growing against them.
A>o" oACS sti Z uot peluS bulll dHu Olu
ones are taken away as they become
unsightly. The custom of keeping
cattle out of the highway except when
attended by keeper has made such
fences of little use. They would be
with still faster if dogs were
kept more at home and boys were
little better trained in regard to the
rights of others and their duties and
Oranges and farm
ers' clubs should discuss the fence
problems often and change public |
sentiment as fast as practicable in
favor of fewer fences. This will help |
increase the profits on crops .-New |
Farmer
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23
A CROOK FOR SURE.

William c.. Woodward, alias big
Hawley," the gambler and card sharp
who has just been convicted of at
tempted blackmail in New York City,
while on the witness stand said: II
am 81 years old and a native of Mem
phis, Tenn. I have been arrested
thirty seven times, but | have never
been convicted. and this is the first
time that I have even been tried. I
think there is some fatality pursuing
me, as | have lived in London under
the name of Hon. Lionel Musgrove.
There | made a million dollars From
there | went to Ceylon, where I got
diamonds worth 100000. From there
[ went to Van Dieman's Land, where |
was arrested three times, once for
robbing a bank in London. I have
never been guilty of anything. Since
my return to this country I have been
doing the trains between New York
and Boston, learning young dudes to
play cards. I went to st. Louis, where
| was arrested on suspicion. That was
in February, I think. After I got out
of Jail in st. Louis I got to Washing
I ton in time for the Inauguration.
There [ was arrested for picking a
pocket, but I was innocent, as the poe
ket was picked before I got in the
crowd. Then I went to Colorado
where | was arrested again. I got out
of that all right and came on toward
this city. I stopped over in Philadel-
phia, where [ was arrested for swind-
ling a jeweler, but I also escaped pun
ishment for this" The frank admis-
sions of the defendant startled the
court as well as the spectators.
Woodward said of the charge that he
had written threatening letters to
Bridgeham that he must have been in
! jail either in Colorado, st. Louis or
| Washington at the time. When the
! jury retired, Woodward offered to bet
100 to 1 that he would be convicted.
When the court stenographer produced
dollar bill the prisoner smiled and
said: mo, no, son; no gentleman
would bet On sure thing; I do not
! want to take your money The YER
| dict showed that Woodward had fore
told his fate accurately.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23
Beet Growing.

In anticipation of an extended
growth of sugar beets next season, H.
A Huston of the Purdue agricultural
lowing hints to intending planters,
which cannot fail to be of service:
The increased interest in the sugar
beet question has brought to the ex-
pertinent station an unusually large
number of samples of sugar beets from
all sections of the state. Some Of the
beets were raised from seed obtained
from other sources. In the case of
the seed sent out from the station, full
working directions were furnished. In
most cases these directions were not
followed, although those who request
ed free seed agreed to fully follow
working directions.
The most essential preliminary to
raising good sugar beets is the proper
preparation of the seed bed. the
ground should be stirred to depth OF
at least sixteen inches. The best way
to accomplish this is to turn furrow
ABOUT SISnI luCllCo uCCp Will O. Vim
mon pillow and follow with a subsoil
plow in the bottom of the furrow.
Very few farmers who tried raising
beets report that they used a subsoil
pillow or any other implement for STIR
ring the soil to a greater depth than
eight inches. The result of this is
seen in many of the samples received
Instead of a single tap root, there are
q number of small roots, and instead
of the beet growing we'll under ground
it extends so far above ground that
nearly one-half of it's weight is useless
for sugar making purposes. Both OF
these defects can be corrected by deep
blowing and subsoiling. 1t is much
better to do this blowing and subsoll-
ing in the fall We therefore advise
! all those who intend to experiment
with sugar beets the next year, or who
| intend to raise them for any purpose
| to pillow the land now and be ready tc
plant as early as the season will per-
NIT in the spring. This early planting
| is a great advantage on the moderate
| 1V HSnL ldIldS, tIdl dIc UeSI ouo1pIoe
! for sugar beets, since it advances thu
crop to a stage where it can better
| withstand the usual dry summer sea
son.
In the distribution OF seed in thu
spring the station will give preference
to those who have land properly pre-
pared If farmers intend to try thu
raising OF sugar beets, it is of the ut
most importance that the work b1
properly done in every respect. Fol
every test not properly conducted
growing beets of poor quality is no
only useless, but directly injurious
since it seems to indicate that the 10
cality is not adapted for beet culture
Badly conducted tests may be thu
means of keeping beet factories ava.
from localities that are really wei
suited for the business. They will
certainly never be the means of Undue
ing capitalists to invest money in fac
tories IN any locality.
The first step in the right direction
is proper blowing, and this can an
ought TO be done at once.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23
DIDN'T LIKE HIS BARGAIN.
His Broken Clock and Broken English
Broke Up the Official.

One of the officials of the postoffice
department was somewhat alarmed
and surprised not long ago to have a
wild and excited Frenchman rush in
| to his Office with a clock under his
| arm and in strident tones and broken
English demand his money back for
the same. 1t seems he had bought
| the clock at one of the periodical sales
of the dead letter office, at which all
| undelivered packages that have ac-
cumulated are auctioned off, but one
purchases at his own risk. as the
things are sold in the original pack
ages, and neither the purchaser nor
! the auctioneer is expected to know
| what they contain.
Eyes, I bought re clock, zair. at re
dade letter office, and it got no pas de
tout, pas de tout. So I bring her back
to lis great government, an want
my money back. You understand. I
want my money back" said the
Frenchman.
Did the auctioner guarantee the
clock to you?" asked the official.
did he promise you it would go?'
mo, sair; no, sair; no, sair!"
shrieked the Frenchman. "But when
I buy a clock I suppose she will go.
If she no go, want my money back.
Tere is zis ole clock. She is no good.
pas de tout. Give me back my
moneys
'ENow let us talk this matter over
calmly" said the official. You say
the clock won't go. Have you tried
to fix it? 1t has lain some time in the
dead letter Office. Perhaps it needs
oleaning.''
Il spend no more of my moneys ON
her-no more, you hear? Zare is re
clock 1 bought from this government.
Give me back my moneys"
cit is quite impossible for you to
get your money back" soothingly re-
piled the assistant postmaster gen
eral. 'but I'll tell you what I'll do.
l know something about clocks my
self. and if you will come up ~ my
house tonight I will try to help you
fix this one. If we succeed, you will
have your moneys worth and we shall
all be happy"
But that was not what the French
man wanted. He grasped his despised
purchase with both hands, and, hold
ing it before him, shouted;
''Zair is no justice in zis country
no justice, no justice You give me
my moneys back l TAX he home!"
and, holding the clock in front of him,
dictions on this country and this gov
eminent New York Tribune.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23
Straw Piles or Stacks.

The eastern farmer travelling through
the west is astonished at the piles of
straw d1sfgllring the farms, interfer-
Jig with cultivation and wasting fer
tility. As straw is usually stacked and
left to rot it is little better than the
practice Of burning the straw pile as
soon as the thrashing machine is out
OF the way. The latter seems a wan
ton waste, but is a saving of labor and
leaves a field more tidy and convenient
for cultivation.
II we could all be impressed with the
value of straw for feed and bedding
there certainly would be more care
given to housing and stacking it. As
fertilizers are valued, the farmer who
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23
SENDING PRESENTS.

A word about the manner Of sending
Christmas gift. A dainty wrap
ping will give holiday air to the little
remembrance that will add greatly to
its value. The prettiest way to dress
a Christmas gift and the one that
saVors most Of sleighbells and freshly
fallen snow is to wrap the parcel in
gllstening white French tissue paper
and tie with. silver cord or scarlet
ribbon, slipping a bit of crisp holly
Or mistletoe through the knot and
then fastening in a bow. Natural
flowers are also used. For example.
a dainty box containing a gift for a
tiny child is wrapped in snowy paper
and tied with white satin ribbon of
the narrowest width, through which is
thrust bunch Of tiny rosebuds. their
ends just turning pink In using flow
ers their color should always follow
the color scheme of the gift as far as
possible
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23
Cows in Winter

In this connection we may further
quote the advice OF the Farmers Ad-
vocate on watering COWS in winter
Cows, he says, require especial atten-
ton in this regard, so large a proper
ton Of their milk being water, and he
goes ON to say:
Where roots-mangels or sugar
beets-are literally fed, a drink once
or twice daily of pure water will suf-
fee; but when a less succulent ration
is given, even though corn ensilage be
literally fed, the herd will undoubted-
ly return a greater profit for the same
liberal food and care provided provid-
ed if the water supply is more album
dant. If one would watch a herd of
COWS in a pasture of green grass he
would see marked differences in the
frequency and quantity of their drink
ing. At the last Ontario dairy conven-
ton, attended by John Gould Of Ohio,
in referring to the watering of COWS IN
the stable, he gave the results of his
observation Watching a herd of COWS
drink. The experiment was made
with six COWS, and it was found that
the average quantity consumed daily
varied with the individual COWS from
seventy to 40 pounds. The test was
made in the stable during several days
and the water was weighed ard sup
piled as they needed it in their respec-
tive basins. One COW drank 14C
| pounds daily right along, ard some
! the smaller quantity, with an average
of ninety pounds each. Another dis,
| coVery made was that some of the
COWS would drink very often, while
i others drank at longer intervals. One
/ COW would take most OF her twenty
four hours supply at once in morning
end only a little in the evening These
COWS were getting fifty pounds of ensi
| lage per day, which shows that ever
| though a moderately succu1ent ration
| is given, the consumption OF water is
! little reduced. It was found that tht
| greatest desire to drink was about ar
hour after the morning meal While
some Of the COWS drank varying
| quantities from day to day, Others
were very steady in amount taken dai
~. The animals were continuously
stabbed during the test. 1t was evi-
dent that the COWS that drank severa
times day did the best There was
no doubt whatever but that the indoor
watering system, where the cows car
drink wholesome water at their pleas
ure, is by far the most profitable with
dairy or even beef cattle. An import
ant feature in stable watering is that
| the water is always at the same tenn
perature, which must of necessity
maintain the body at a normal tenn
perature in a much greater degree
than can possibly be the case where
| cows are driven to creek once a day
| and allowed to take into their systems
seventy to 100 pounds of icy water.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23

wastes his straw crop loses of nitro
gen. phosphoric acid, and potash a
cash value OF about 81. so for every ton
OF straw wasted, to say nothing of the
greater value of the crude fiber which
worked into the soil, increases its now
er to retain moisture and fertility.
we have been impressed with the
sioFeniy and wasteful manner that
straw is handled where grain 10
thrashed in the fields. In the majority
OF cases there is no effort made TO
stack the straw, but the blower scat
ters as suits the thrasher and the
"lnd. occasionally we see one man
seldom more, on the pile. With the
swinging blower it is claimed no man
is needed on the straw pile. It is rars
HOW 10 md straw carrier since tho
FARMERS desire to save the exDepse of
three men on the straw pile. and tho
owners of the thrashing machine
claim the blower will pile the straw
better. We do not DENY that tho
blower can pile it better than the
average run of men will. We can
ma one who claims to he ab1a 20
make a decent-looking strawstack
lat VIII shed water, but We cannot
ma the two or three helpers who will
Try TO keep the center of the staok
wei packed and full. Each of these
Will take a place and pass the straw
along to the stacker, who works ON
the outer course and keeps it fairly
soma. The stack when finished has
three solid places where the helners
stood and the rest of the stack settles
INTO troughs to carry and hold water
ana each rain settles these places.
making the destruction of the stack
sure and rapid
Unless the farmer does his own
stacking and can get helpers that viii
do their part we conclude the blower
Will make as good a stack as the aver
age thrashing help will make. The
blower is the coming stacker. not he
cause the farmer is saved the wapes
Oh three Or four useless men. We
stlll believe, however, that there is a
Wanton waste of straw as we'll as off
grain IN the rushing recklessness thar
is common with the thrashine-u,a-
chlne gang. We can, however. secure
great comfort for stock at little cost if
We will take the time before thrashing
TO put in few strong posts and
strangers and place on these poles or
Old rails, on which even the blower
can pile straw so as to make a good
shelter for stock. With the straw
piled ON the west and north of such a
frame we have shelter into which
the sunshine comes and the cold
winds are kept out. Although we
nave comfortable bank barn. well
lighted and ventilated, yet the stock
seem to enjoy more the straw shelter
IN the barn lot. The straw crop piled
there is worth tenfold more than when
piled In the middle of field, causing
loss every time the field is cultivated
and d1sflglring the farm. The ma
nure made around the straw shelter
IN the barn lot is worth more than
that made from the remains of the
straw pile in the field.
AS long as farmers will continue to
pile their straw in wads in the fields
it is as well for such to bale it early
or sell it to the balers and get a little
ready cash. and relieve the farm and
the neighborhood of the unsightly in
cumbrance. Baled or sold it COM
monty nets the farmer about 81 a ton.
Breeders Gazette.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23
WORKING WOMEN INCREASING

A manufacturer who gives employ
ment to a large number of women and
girls cites a few reasons for the pre-
ferment shown the fair sex. He says
that women are more adaptable, more
reliable, more easily controlled, heater,
quicker, more industrious, careful,
polite and docile than men. "Furth-
ermore," he continued, where men
and women are in other respects equal
there is one point of superiority on the
part of women that counts heavily,
and that is sobriety Taking this in
conjunction with the fact that en-
ployers are more and more making
it an absolute condition of employ
ment, it will be seen that women pos
sess an advantage that is very marked.
The advantage of being willing to ac-
cept smaller pay is an unstable equi-
l1briuEn, but the advantage of habits
Of sobriety is a stable equilibrium, and
sober men possess the same adyan-
te ge."
The percetage of increase of women
4S, while the percentage Of their in
CT ease In mechanical industries ia
| nearly So. Among the gatnful occupa-
lions in which women are engaged to
the actual number of 100000 are
those of pilot, sailor, locomotive eng1-
neer, plumber, machinist, workers in
| iron, steel, brass, lead and zinc; boiler
maker, nailmaker, furnace maker.
roofer and slater. Although as Yet
women are not found in rolling mills,
| blast furnaces, nor in any of the oecu-
pations that expose the workers to ex-
cessive heat, it is probable that there
will be inventions before a very long
time which will relieve all such labor
| of many of it's special hardships, and
| the entrance of women will follow.
Carroll D. Wright, gives it as his opin-
| ion that the great invasions OF women
| in these lines is not likely to encrOach
on the employment of men nor limit
their chances. Mr.. Wright gives two
reasons for his conclusions: First, the
| development of industries is still offer
| ing new occupations to men; and, Sec
/ ond, women are in many cases taxing
| the place of children, not Of men at all.
! 1t is strange that it is not more often
recognized and stated that if women
are entering the pursuits heretofore
/ only open to men it is a just retribu-
| ton on the men, who first entered
I their provinces of spinning, knitting,
weaving, sewing, cooking, preserving
and dairying.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23
SHOES AND STOCKINGS.

French children do not hang up their
stockings, but place their shoes side by
side ON the hearth. This custom is
followed in other countries. In Nor
way and Sweden the shoes of the en-
tire family are polished and set in
row, not so much in expectation of
gifts as to express the hope that the
family may walk together in peace and
happiness through the coming year.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23

Christmas does indeed cost money
but no money is ever better invested
when the Christmas investment is
made judicious1y. Christmas invest
nents are rapid in bonds Of love and
stocks Of pleasure, which yield a heavy
interest in unalloyed happiness. And
no man can get anything better for mis-
money than that.-Savannah News.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23

would slip softly by to the tinkle of
the mandolin, and the sound of his
children's singing.
To be continued.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23
CHAPTER xxx

sighed as I resumed my walk. 7
realized all that had lost. This
lovely child with her simple fresh ma
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-23

Farm Fences.
Some years ago I made a study of
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-10
Gossip or the Ring.

nike Hauser says he will challenge the winner OF
she f~tzsinnons' McKeeyer contest.
): b. C., New fOrk.-Bctween llb and 1919 poupd.
ana not exceeding the latter weight.
Sam Fitzpatrick has Jack DAILY OF pbrad.,nb,s 4,
toW, ana yesterday cabled to England chaIlenpinv the
winner OF the Burgr'C auser contest.
billy Brady said yesterday TO a sus reporter, .cor
80 uotsht care how many challenges he receives
tssuh pusilis . In his class. He will not night any Of
sm"Irept '"
Ic,er Mahef. through a representative, sendn word
~ ~ nUN that he Is ready to fight any one in the
aht Tor $4,000 TO $4,000 a SIDE. He will chaI.
u u winner OF the Goddard -Sharkey nght.
max obfien has accepted the challenge of Rob
GeoSroor, VINO wants to fight any I22. pound man.
49, a, uaruher. who eau be found at the New
onu a y, writ = TO THE SUN that he will nost
"''e any Time TO bind a match.
S,nse solIy smith defeated George Dixon he h.s
hsed ny over "a dozen socalled feather.
GeiSS u clalln that they have nrst right 10 =
ISL, ~ q that have asked Solly for a match The
. good side bet. "'sn' Anu command
confer John Kelly. who has Aecured the nninh
Sa Ia between Kid McCOy and Dan Creedon. baa
Ssstc W arrange TWO more contests and make q
snhsas'c carnival OF the anair. Three matches incin'ins
EaJir" tSoyC Fetuon battle, have been Apoke an ~
6oIIy ~ ~ hBurlhg on having George Dixon meet
intends s a lnlsh FOR a purse OF $4,000. Kelly
Em,th ~ ~ Is sara. 10 deposit = forfeit with Al
snSouhter. Kelly also Intends TO have another match
s ~ ma possibly bid for the winner OF the PaImer'
sSu'tnah match and Jimmy Barry. Barry M arrived
~ Ens!shu, AND Is now asaistIng Tommy White 10
Ssu' ne canadian A. Q, 10 located within = fss
PN's :" ssr1 Erie on the Canadian aide. ~"