davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-03

ing appointments CT consuls it has
never occurred to our presidents and
our secretaries of state that we ought
to have agriculturists for consular po-
sitions. The politicians have never
considered that phase of the subject.
But you can see how important it is
that we should have men versed in
agricultural affairs, as well as in poll
tics and diplomacy, for such positions.
You know there is an army officer
and a navy officer, called an army or
naval attache, at the headquarters OF
our ambassadors and ministers, to
give counsel on military and naval af-
fairs. In my judgment we should also
have an agricultural attache to every
embassy and legation. By following
this plan during the next ten years
this country would have a consular and
diplomatic service which would be
none the less valuable in the world Of
interna tional diplomacy, but vastly
greater in every respect because of its
broadness.
Il recently had a conversation with
an ex-minister about the horses of Eu-
rope, and he was absolutely unable to
tell me anything about them, except
that he had seen thousands of them.
I am anxious to find out all about the
characteristics of the horses which are
required for the heavy cavalry and ar
tiIlery of the armies of Europe. You
see, there is a big market for our
horses. and we ought to have some
good men in Europe all of the time,
sending US information about the
breeds most popular with the different
army commanders, and which Will
bring the best prices.
That, you will understand, is prac-
teal inllustra ton of what I mean
when 1 say 1 shall urge constantly the
necessity of sending men versed in ag-
ricultural affairs to consular posi-
tions. By looking over the list of ap-
poin tmepts made during the present
administration, and ascertainiEg their
antecedents, you will find that quite
a number of them are farmer boys"
Secretary Wilson is a very earnest
man, and talks with energetic en-
phasis. He has undoubtedly ex-
pressed his vigorous views to the presi-
dent; and therefore deserves credit
for having had farmers boys ap-
pointed in the consular service. Those
who know him appreciate the fact
that be viii hammer away on this idea
until it becomes an accepted admins.
trative policy. SMITH d. FRY.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-03

with skill, has been sent abroad unfit
for market. This has been largely be-
cause of the carelessness and indif-
ference of the railroads which have
unIoaded their cargoes on the wharves
CT New York, and allowed the butter
to lie there and spoil before it entered
the holds of the ships which were TO
take it abroad. You might also say
that the vessels have shown consider
able indifference in the matter. On
account of such things, some of our
best butter has gone abroad unfit for
use, and given us a bad name as butter
producers. This must be stopped.
while am secretary of agricuI-
ture, propose to do my best to extend
the markets of our farmers, dairy
men and stockmen. That is what this
department was originally created
for. That is what the farmers expect
of the department, and that is what
the secretary has for his prime duty.
Therefore l am working constantly
to secure increased European markets
for our people.
The scientific men employed here
are fully imbued with the Importance
Of the work devolving upon them, and
they cordially cooperate in the work
committed to their several divisions.
Some of the best men in the country
have from time to time been employed
here, and many of them have become
fixtures in the department.; not alone
because of civil service rules, but be-
cause of their special fitness for the
positions which they occupy.
THE clerical force is efficient, but it
could be improved if we had our way
about it entirely. We expect to i'm
prove the character and quality OF the
seeds furnished by the department in
the future, and our bulletins from the
bureau of animal industry ought to
aid in the improvement of our meat
products.
1.-The weather bureau is well con-
Quoted and its work has been of meal
culable value to our people, not only
to those engaged in agriculture. but
also to those engaged in commerce
and navigation. This bureau should be
enlarged by the increase of the num-
Der of its signal stations.
''But to return to our agricultural
commercial agents. The department
of state has for many years relied upon
it's consuls and consul generals, not
only for diplomatic informa ton, but
for commercial information to be used
by the treasury department. In maxi
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-03

quake of November Is occurred and
the island in question was so shattered
and partially submerged that what
ever treasure there might have been
was utterly lost.
In 1923 the islands were bot-bcd OF
piracy. Blue Beard and Black Beard
lordsd it IN st. Thomas, and their rival
and sworn foe, Jose van Dyke, reignsd
in Tortola. Those were stirring Gays
International rights were rather
loosely observed. The islands really
belonged to. Spain, but as she could
not deal with these nests of pirates
England and Denmark set about doing
it for her-and, driving out the pi-
rates, hoisted their respective flags
and took possession. Tortola proved a
rich acquisition for England, being
first-class sugar island in those days
of high prices and slave labor, and it
soon became s hourishing colony,
whilst its neighbor, St. Thomas, with
its matchless harbor, although eco
nomically worthless, became the en-
trepot of the Lesser Antilles and q
rival of Port Royal.
The subsequent history of these is
lands is that of the West Indies. Only,
perhaps, that their decadence and
ruin has been both more precipitate
and more complete. If to-day St.
Thomas is but the shadow of its for
mer self, Tortola has not even the
shadow wherewith to console its spir-
it. Of all the once fair and hoGrisking
plantations that made the little island
one continuous garden Of economical
vegetation from the center all round
to the sea-" not one remains. The
y L l. IL
the land, and the shadow of desolation
covers it as a cloud. The fields nre
covered by forests at least a quarter
Of a century old; the jungle has in
vaded formerly populous villages; and
even in the capital. Road Town, the
halls of the once opulent colonists arc
crumbling ruins and eloquent wit
nesses to the speedy triumph of nature
over the works of man in the tropics.
From 10000 the population has dwin-'
died to scarce as many hundreds.
This utter ruin is partly due to
economic causes, but more immediate
ly so to the terrific seismic visitation
| of 1867 above mentioned incidentally.
That, to a great extent, changed the
very face of the islands, leaving great
trails behind that can be seen to this
day-the earth coverings of mountains
swept into the sea here, leaving the
gaunt rugged rock bare, and the very
bowels of others collapsiEg there, leav-
| ing vast and repulsive crateF-like
chasms where even tropical vegetation
refuses to grow. And the springs were
all dried up, so that aridness has sue
ceeded fertility.
But the Virgin islands are yet YER
liable fairyland of scenic beauty. This
| perhaps goes without saying, when one
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-03

gives thought to the panoramic posi-
bilities of those varying combinations
of sea and landscapes that must APP
pertain to such a group. Tortola and
Virgin Gorda, as the loftiest. present
the finest and most extensive pros
poets; and possibly nowhere else can
be found quite so magnificent a piano.
rama of land and sea as that seen from
the heights behind Road harbor al sun
rise. looking through the mouth of the
harbor to the island chain beyond.
Here, during the phenomenon of sun
rise, literally all the possible lights and
shades of nature are seen marching in
gorgeous procession over land and sea,
to which superb display both elements
lend themselves in perfect gamut Of
perspective gradatiOns-if 1 may so de-
scribe ii. Three to five hundred feet
higher and the spectator has the en-
tire panorama of the Virgins spread
out before, behind and on either hand.
Another Interesting. and far more
important, feature of the Virgin is
lands that must be here noticed. but
which it would require an exclusive
letter (and more) to deal with exhaust
lively, is the thermal and medicinal
springs that seem-according to the &C
counts of the Datives-to have come
into existence after the great earth
quakes. So far as / am aware, they
have not been scientifically investigat-
ed. They certainly were not up TO
1885. when i visited the islands. The
natives claim that these nasty wa
ters,'' used both externally and inter
nally, have, in their experience,
wrought miraculous cures for all sorts
of ailments TO which tropical flesh is
heir; notably rheumatism, malariaI
pains, sprains, toothache, etc, bowel
complaints, shortness of breath, sore
eyes and a dozen other troubles that
do not now remember. do remem-
Der, however, that one of the pools ION
Ginger island) completely cured me in
three days of muscular contraction of
the leg caused by a wound, and which
lad for six months defied liniments-
Here is field not unworthy the notice
of the scientific Investigator, should
think.
The point is, that these interesting
islands lie right outside the back door Of
the United States new colonial acouisi-
ton, Puerto Rico, where they can be-
leisurely done by anyone so mind
ed at trifiins cost and little trouble.
T. P. FoRTHR
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-03

ing together, for all the world as
though the formation of the whole
wonderful island chain had been de-
termined by the law that governs the
movement of solid fragments on a
liquid surface.
And, regarded in this light, there is
no other section of the West Indies
more calculated to awaken human
sympathies by a display of pathetic
decadence and ruin side by side with
the most superb exhibitions of piano.
ramic loneliness than the compact
little archipelago of the Virgin islands,
extending northeasterly from Vieque
or Crab island, off the eastern point of
Puerto Rico, to Anegada on the Dor
ders of the Atlantic, and which in
cludes on its outskirts the well-known
island of ST. Thomas.
With the exception of Tortola. ST.
Thomas and St. Croix, if the latter
can be fairly included, neither of which
is, however. of any size, the islands
are so small as to amount to little more
than islets or quays- But what they
lack longitudinally they for the most
part make up vertically. Of volcanic
origin-whether of subsistence or up
sheer from the bed of the sea, reach
ing up to several hundred, and some
times over a thousand feet above sea
level, presenting broken and diversi-
fed surfaces covered with rich soil
that supports abundant tropical vege-
tation in some instances, whilst else
where a coral formation prevails and
the soil is highly arenaceous, support
ing nothing but cocoanut palms and
cacti.
Geography books state that there
are so virgins" all told; that, how
ever, may be taken not only as
round" but rather fancy number;
for whilst they are numerous enough,
and as bewildering as a Chinese puzzle
to sail amongst, the admiralty chart
shows scarcely 40, including rocks and
naked shoals. and the islands worthy
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-03

perience with the world after they
have been graduated from the agri-
cultural colleges. With such men as
these at the capital cities of Europe
we could obtain all the inforba ton
which we desire and which we need.
TOO much cannot be said in praise
of our state agricultural colleges.
They are developing practical, intelli-
gent and intellectual farmers who are
becoming ientifically acquainted
with the surface of the world on which
we live, and who are thereby develop
ing food products which strengthen
mankind and increase longevity. From
these colleges 1 would draw the agents
who are to look after our agricultural
interests throughout the civilized
world.
The congress has been dealing
quite literally with this department
during the past session. Everything
that we have asked for has been grant
ed US, and we are not now hampered IN
our important experiments as we have
been heretofore. With the money OH
hand I propose to send milk, butter,
eggs, cheese and all valuable dairy
products across the ocean, accom-
panied by men scientifically skilled.
OF course, these products will be sold
over there, and thus this department
will be able to use the money over and
over again; a condition which has not
heretofore prevailed.
81 propose to have these agents re-
port fully and in detail the condition
of our products after the ocean voy-
age so that we can find what evil be-
falls them, and thus be able to avert or
ward off any injuries that may come to
our products. It is a very important
matter. if we want the markets of the
world. that we should deliver our farm
products in European ports in as good
condition as we can deliver them to
Chicago or any other metropolis of
our own.
ST shall also send car load of cattle
snd car load of our best horses to
Liverpool, or London, or some other
Eurpean port, and shall have reports
concerning the effect of the voyage
upon them. i believe that we can raise
| the best cattlf and the best horses in
| the world; and SO far as this depart
| ment is concerned you may say that
every effort will be made to enable our
stock men to demonstrate that fact,
The dairymen OF this country have
neverhad q fair show at European mar
kets, because of the numerous obstacles
/ which have been thrown in their way,
! Some of the best butter ever made,
from the best milk of the best cows,
fed Id the best manner, and cared for
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-03
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.
A Field for the Photographer and
the Scientist as Well
Least Known and Fafrest OF the Car
ibbee Islands - Pathetic R1Sn
Amid Most Magnificent
Scenery.
Especial Kingston (Jamaica) Letter.l

ISpeclaI kingston (Jama1ca1 Ietter.l
The Americanization Of the Span
ish West Indies in the near fu-
ture cannot fail to bring the en-
tire chain of the Antilles, both
the Greater and the Lesser, under
the immediate notice of the people
of the United States. Of late years
the various tourist syndicates have
done a great deal in this direction,
but their attentions have been neces-
sarily confined to those of the larger
and more important islands where
some sort of hotel accommodations
may be counted on. These islands.
however, by no means monopolize the
palm for romantic tropical scenery
or of the interest of antiquity-as an
tiquity goes in this part of the world.
Indeed, from an artistic point Of
view, the palm easily rests with the
smaller islands, where the elevations
are more apparent in the perspective
and the tendency is toward a group
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-03
WILSON'S PET HOBBY.
Wants Farmers Appointed ConsuIs
and Diplomatic Agents.
Why Men Versed i'm Agricultural
AffaIr1 Should BE SePt Abro-a
by the Government, Espe-
cially to Europe.
Especial washington letter.

"Your people viii undoubtedly be in
terested in knowing that we are con-
stantIy trying to send dairy products
into the markets of Europe" said the
secretary of agriculture in his office
room the other day.
There is one matter of vast impor-
lance which the people ought to know.
I propose to keep hammering away at
this one idea during my entire term
of Office in order to accomplish the re-
suit. If can do so that one achieve
ment will be sufficient to satisfy me
that my term of office has not been in
vain.
Every foreign government has bere
at this capital an agent who is thor
oughly informed on agricultural af-
fairs. Everything that we do is re-
ernments, so that they know what we
are doing as well as we know ourselves.
For example, when our fruit entered
Germany, and the San Jose scale was
discovered, all they had to do in Ber-
issued by this department, which is
on file in Berlin, and there they could
learn all about it.
"Our amba ssadors, ministers and
consuls are bright and capable men.
We send abroad only the best men for
diplomatic positions. But not one of
the corps knows anything about agri-
culture and agricultural affairs.
Therefore, it is almost impossible for
this country to have definite informa-
ton concerning the agricultural ST nd
ing and development of other coun-
tries. although they know all about
us.
my proposition is that we shall
have agricultural agents at the cap
itals of all the leading countries of
the world. These agents should be
graduates of our state agricultural
colleges, who are practical farmers,
and who have had at least ten years ex-
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-03

the name, as supporting populations,
may be counted on the fingers of one
hand, If we exclude the Danish colonies
of St. Thomas and ST. John. These
are Tortola. the queen of the group;
Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke, Peters
island and Salt island
The group was discovered by Column
bus on the feast of the Annunciation,
hence the name. Their first European
inhabitants were pirates, the innum-
cradle channels, inlets. lagoOns, vol
canic caverns and what not affording
the essential elements of concealment
and security. A good deal of treasure
has, in point of fact, been found
there from time to time. AS
lately as 1867 party of three Amer
leans turned up atTortoia with an old
chart which they claimed indicated
the location of buried treasure In a
cavern on one of the islets fronting the
harbor of Road Town. They got q
concession to search from the govern
ment, but strangely enough before
they could get to work the great earth
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-03

: the prisoner. calmly.
And to his utter CONSERVATION, Fred
read as follows:
my Dear Sherman: Awfully sorry I'm
not going to be at home; but I'll lend you
the gun with pleasure if you'll take the
trouble to go down to our house at Lake
Beach and get 1t yourself. I'd send you the
key, but father doesn't think it's safe to
put 1t in a letter. However, with your slim
fingers you can easily squeeze your hand
through one of the shutters and lift the
latch. .Nothing's nailed up. The gun stands
in a corner of the dining-room, which is
in the wing on the side next the woods.
Would write more. but am scribbling this
while on the cars so as to mail 1t at the
next stop. Your everlasting old chum,
tom WILTON"
It was now Fred's turn to be the vic
tim, and think he suffered more dur
ing his attempts to explain matters
than Sherman Brown had under the
window sash.
But the young Engishman (for such
he really was) took the awkward mis-
take very good-naturedly.
Mike was promised first choice of
| cast-off garments at the Appleby's if
he would keep quiet on the subject in
the village. and after Fred had crawled
IN and secured the gun, Sherman was
prevailed upon to lunch with him.
Before the afternoon train left for
the city. the two had become very good
friends, Sherman protesting himself
happy to have made the acquaintance
| Of one so faithful to his trust. At the
same time, both boys would have been
| better pleased if Tom had not forgot
| ten all about the watch he had asked
Fred to keep.-Golden Days.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-03
The Stage of Life.

On the stage of life there are always
the same old sins and sinners. but
there is no end to the variety shows
they can furnish.-Chicago Sun.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-03
Not Easily Gotten R,a NJ.

The, men whom everybody is glad to
see gos TO war, never get shot.-Wash-
ingtoa (Ta.] Democrat.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-03

in the Black Hills country this year
than for the last ten years combined.
The Florence daily tribune., 1898-07-07

II II II
The Florence daily tribune., 1898-07-07
LOCAL NEWS
Subscribe for The Tribune al

Subscribe for The Tribune at
once.
T. II. Morrissey returned from
Pueblo yesterday
j. P. Callahan has moved his
notary Office to the McCandless
block today.
Judge G. w. Nottingham will
occupy the room formerly used by
Jas. p. Callahan, as a law Office!
Quite a number of campers are
passing through Florence from
Pueblo, bound for the mountains.
Miss Ray Cumny came up from
Pueblo yesterday to visit with
Mrs. Geo, Morrissoy for u few
days.
The Foresters had an ice cream
recess last night in which all pres
ent participated, after j. Fl. Miller
was initiated into the mysteries of
Forestery.
Pat Burns leaves this evening
for San Francisco, where he will
join the navy. He has served one
term of enlistment in the navy
yards at Brooklyn and now wants
to see active sea service.
The Boston Ladies' Military
band, which gave a concert in the
opera house last night, was greeted
with fairly good house, consid-
ering the limited amount of adver-
Using the aggregation received,
an oversight, the management
claims, of the bill-poster. Not
withstanding all this the band did
some excellent playing.
The Florence daily tribune., 1898-07-07
NOTICE

All local announcements such as
of church services, entertainments,
and meetings are published as
news in the local columns of Tho
Tribune, but such notices and all
local news, to insure publication
must be in The Tribune office be-
fore 8 a. m. on the day that publ
cation is desired-preferabl by
the previous afternoon. The
Tribune, in order to print one
half of the foreign matter it re-
ceives, cannot give any time to
local composition after 10 a. m,
unless the matter is extraordinary
The Florence daily tribune., 1898-07-07
All News

New type, new borders, new
rule, high quality inks and power
on presses. These make an up to-
date job office. The Tribune has
them. No other printing Office in
Florence has.
The Florence daily tribune., 1898-07-07

Brief work done accurately and
promptly at the Tribune office
opposite d. q r. G. depot. Tele-
phone No. 10.
The Florence daily tribune., 1898-07-07
Classified

FOR RENT-Large, elegantly furnished
room; steam heat, bath and electric
light; inquire Wilson block, cor. Main
and Santa Fe Ave,
The Florence daily tribune., 1898-07-07

ngpubc he
of
The Florence daily tribune., 1898-07-07
Secondary Battery
The only line of strictly Fancy Groceries
in Fremont County.

III rIeHlollt Nouuly.
l. A full line of Reid, Murdock & Cos. cele-
brated Monarch brand of stuffed and pitted Olives
Canned Fruits, Vegetables. Preserves, Jams and
Fish, which the best epicureans have pronounced
tempting to the palate of the most exacting.'
2. Flicknger's California Fruits.
3. 'enang Spiees-the purest and strongest in
the world
4. Dwinell & Wrights celebrated Coffees, in
Guiding the famous White House.
s. Chandler & Rudd's Club House Cheese,
finest imported Peas and Mushrooms in glass,
Maconochies Canned Fish, Russian Caviar, etc.
The Florence daily tribune., 1898-07-07
Main Battery

d 'ASAAl A'"SSNA
$4,000 worth of fine linens, bought directly
4 importe.s During special LINEN SALE
Il the next ten days discount of 10 per cent
Il be given in addition to the exceptional values
lerto offered
Twenty pieces of new all wool Henriettas in
- It and dark shades marked down from 40c and
] to 35c.
j Three pieces of all wool Novelty goods
- from 30c to 20c
y Three elegant pieces of Brilliantine cut
"a 75c to Soc
Dimities, Mulls, Organdies, Percales and
ION Brode's at sacrifice
81 Entire stock of children's and misses Ok
and Sandals below cost.
III large line of shoes, all sizes, at absolute
ST. " '
n Special Inducements in Straw Hats. Sun
ITS, Tamoshanters and Ladies' Shirt Waists