davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-07-30

Jual.)
without exception, are given up to the
negroes and poorer classes, who
crowd one upon another in the most
appalling manner. The population
within the walls is estimated at 10000,
and most of it lives on the ground
floors. In one small room, with a film
sy partition, a whole family will re-
side.
The ground floors of the whole town
reek with filth, and conditions are
most unsanitary. In a tropical coun-
try, where disease readily prevails, the
consequences of such herding may be
easily inferred. There is no running
water in the town. The entire popula-
ton depends upon rain water caught
on the fat roofs of the buildings and
conducted to the cistern, which occu-
pies the greater part of the court
yard that is an essential part of Span
ish houses the world over. butthathere,
on account of the crowded condition,
is small. There is no sewerage except
for surface water and sinks. while
vaults are in every house and occupy
whatever remaining space there may
be in the patios not taken up by the
cisterns. The risk of communicating
the water is great, and in dry seasons
the supply is entirely exhausted. Epi-
denies are frequent, and the town is
alive with vermin, mosquitoes and
dogs.
The streets are wider than in the
older part of Havana and will admit
two carriages abreast. The sidewalks
are narrow, and in places will accom-
modate only one person. The pave
ments are of a composition manufac-
tured in England from Stag, pleasant
and even and durable when no heavy
strain is brought to bear upon them,
but easily broken and unfit for heavy
traffic.
The streets are swept onc a day by
hand, and, strange to say, r kept
clean. From it's Typographical situa-
ton the town should be healthy, but it
is not. The soil under the city is clay
mixed with lime, so hard as to be al
most like rock. It is consequently i'm
peTVlOuS 10 water anu luTHlSueS q
good natural drainage. The trade
wind blows strong and fresh, and
through the harbor runs a stream Of
sea water of not less than three miles
an hour. With these conditions no
contagious diseases, if properly taken
care of. could exist; without them the
place would be a veritable plague spot.
Besides the town within the walls,
there are small portions just outside,
called the Marina and Puerta de
TERRA, containing 1000 or 5000 inhab-
itants each. There are also two sub
urbs, one, San Turce, approached by
the only road leading out of the city,
and the other, Catano, across the bay,
reached by ferry. The Marina and the
two suburbs are situated on sandy
points or spits, and the latter are sur
rounded by mangrOve swamps. The
entire population of the city and sub
urbs. according to the census of 1887,
was $4,000. 1t is now estimated at 3d.
900. One-half of the population cor.
sists of negroes and mixed races.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-07-30
A QUAINT OLD TOWN.
San Juan, h Capital of Puert Hies,
Has Walls, POrtcuilis, Moat,
and BattIements.

San Juan is a perfect specimen of
walled town, with portcullis, moat,
gates and b~attlements. Built over $50
years ago, it is still in good condition
and repair. The walls + picturesque,
and represent a ~stupendous work and
cost in themselves. Inside the walls
the city is laid off in regular squares,
six parallel streets running in the
direction of the length of the island
and seven at right angles. The houses
are closely and compactly built Of
brick, usually of two stories, stuecoed
on the outside, and painted in a variety
of colors. The upper floors r occu-
pied by the more respectable peo-
pie, while the ground floors, almost
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-07-30
VALERIA'S PRAYERS.
lily Entertainer with Her
Unique S~uppIications.

Valeria, ager seven, and 4 snrrce O..
much entertainment to the family,
was being put to bed by her mother
the other night. First she said: Now
| lay me down 10 Sleep closing, or
delaying to close, rather, as follows:
'Oh, Lord, bless papa and mamma
and grandpapa and grandmamma anC
Eugenia and Auntie May and all my
dear little friends and my Dummies and
the old mother cat and Playful hat ]
gave away and Jerry and Pedro and
Jerry is the family horse and Pedro
is the dog, also given away like Playful.
the kitten. 1t was evident that the
prayer was being made simply a pre-.
text for keeping her mother, Sc
Valeria was requested to curtail her
remembrances. She accordingly
brought that prayer to a close, but
insisted that she should not rest easy
unless allowed to repeat another about
''Oh, Lord, bless the pence we bring"
Her mother yielded, but still the child's
praying appetite was not satisfied. She
launched into another effort, purely
original this time. 1t was a perfect
imitation of certain forms in prayer
and she was extremely fervent. Il
must be explained that her mother hat
just recovered from an attack of neu
ralgia.
"Oh, dear Father in Heaven" sh,
said, give that mamma may have haC
the very last pain she will ever have
Give that she may be truly and indeed
well. And, oh Lord, help us to be very
kind to all animals that have three
legs, or two legs. or one leg; and to al
birds that have one leg, or two legs, OIL
three legs, and to people that have ne
legs. And, Oh Lord. we bless Thee fol
all the beautiful things we see in the
world around us. Give that we may
do what is right and bless thou oul
sins. Amen"
The morning of Decoration day
Ealeria climbed into bed with heI
mother and asked if she might go ouI
to the cemetery and put flowers OF the
graves. Her mother readily assented,
and said she thought it would be a very
lovely thing for a little girl to do
Naleria announced that Mrs. Smith,
Il neighbor, was going to put flowers
on Mr.. Smiths grave.
What was he?" she demanded.
He wasn't a soldier, but it has be.
come a custom for people to put flower
on the graves of their friends"
I'VE haven't got anybody out there
sighed Valeria, mourfully.
No, and just think how grateful we
ought to be that 10 one we love is lying
in the cemetery"
YES" obviously; then, with salts
faction. But you came near going
Yes, and so did you"
YES" with greater triumph, "anc
so did sister"
"-And so did your papa when he was
hurt on the railroad. And so did grand
papa when he was so very ILL.,"
Yes, and grandmamma-well, she
didn't"
NO. but size has been very sick
times"
YES, but we most went off the hunks
and she didn't"
Not long ago Valeria prayed that the
Lord would put Spain in the soup"
Since then she is quite at rest about
the outcome of the warn. Y. Sun.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-07-30

There are houses still standing in
Nuremburg Bavaria, that were built in
1850.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
Booker I. Washington
at the Peace Jubilee
in Chicago.
in Chicago

Booker T. Washington, presiden, of the
Tuskegee university, spoke as follows;
"On an important occasion in the life Of
the master when 1t fell to him to pronouce
judment on two courses Of action, these
memorable words iell from his lips
And Mary hath chosen the better part.
This was the supreme test in the case oil
an individual. 1t is the highest test in
the case Of a race or a nation. lie: ms ap.
ply this test to the American Negro.
In the life Of our republic, when he had
tho opportunity to choose. has it been the
better on worse part? When in the child,
hood of this nation the Negro was asked
to submit to slavery or choose death and
extinction, as did the aborigines, he choose
the better part, that which perpetuated
the race.
"When in 1776 the Negro was asked to
decide between British oppression and
American independence We find him
choosing the better part, and Crispus At
tucks, Negro was the first 10 shed his
b.coi On State street, Boston, that the
white American might enjoy liberty for
eyer, through hisrace remained in slavery
"When in 1914 At New Orleans the tes,
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
Il Word TO TOTEXS.

Before depositing your vote next
month in the ballot box, you should be
sure that you have made the X at the
word Republican: because it was the
Republican party that restored pros
perity and furnished employment for
all honest labor The Democratic
party proposes no new plan or issue.
1t is not a party of principle or pro-
gression. 1t only seeks to light up the
fires of hatred and passion or satifies
the appe,ites of some. 1t is not a
builder. it does not know the arts of con-
struction, it is wrecker. For the past
fifty years it has been on the wrong
side of every question. They opposed
the freeing of the slaves; then later
they opposed giving the colored man
his right of suffrage, and to-day they
hate to see colored men hold any office
Of trust or honor. They demonstrate
that in their laws they make discrimi-
mating against the colored man. They
pass Jim crow car laws and all other
laws that can be devised to check the
colored man, and yet would colored
man in Iowa ever think of voting for
the Democrats, or the Populist party,
for it is the same old party just disguise
or painted up little, So corrupt is it
now, that the honest Democrats are
leaving in. Let the co]ored voter be
sure when you 60 to the polls that you
will vote the Republican ticket.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
STRIKE IN ILLINOIS.

The recent trouble and bloodshed
in Virden, between the striking min
ors and the colored, who came over
from Kentucky and Alabama to
work in their place, have caused
much bitterness and uncalled for
bloodshed; by the failure or rather rel )
fusal of Gov. Tanner to do his duty
as eheif executive, whose duty it is
to execute the laws that he is sworn
to do. We may (situated where we
are) not know all the facts, yet if
reports be true, and there seem to
be no contradictory statements; the
governor of Illinois has made an
irreparable mistake, in failing to do
his plain duty as governor, that is 10
protect all honest laborers seeking
employment. His reason for not
protecting the imported colored min
srs was, that he was opposed to the
importing Negro miners, who were
a rough, worthless class, mostly ex-
convicts and ignorant. Did the
governor ever think for a moment
that fully two thirds of the strikers
at Pana and Virden were foreigners
who were imported from foreign
countries? Ore half of them are SO
ignorant that they cannot read or
write the english language; one third
cannot speak our tongue, they are
the offals of the foreign country
and yet he would prefer pro-
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
HOW WILL OUR RACE BE
MEASURED?

Booker Washington is undoubtedly
correct when he intimates that the po-
sition of the colored race in this
country will be measured by its gener-
al usefulness. He means that they
will be judged by the measure Of citi-
zenship which they succeed in filing.
Not alone that they are industrious
and increase in wealth, but also that
they fully comprehend their duties po-
litically and are right in using the gifts
ACQUIRING from tho great act Of the i'm
mortal Lincoln. Gratitude heretofore
has kept them with the Republican
party, for however limited is the
friendship of that party for the race,
it did not look upon the colored man
as an enemy. It was sufficiently prac-
tical to acknowledge that the millions
of colored voters was factor and they
have willingly accorded them the rights
given by the constitution to every citi-
zen. no matter how they become robbed
in the great priviledges. We cannot
help but admire the stoical adherence
of the Germans in America to those
principles which through their general
intelligence and their experience they
believe to be right. Party line are
brushed aside when necessary to man
tain their political honesty and they
arc beguiled by no theories based upon
an abrupt coming of the millennium,
Their example in this contest with
fctism is worthy of emulation, and our
race gains with them in standing with
the conservatism of the world for
honest money and honest government.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
A New Book.

Progress of Race or The Re-
markabe Advancement of the Ameri.
can Negro" written by II. +. Kletzing,
A. NJ. and w. II. Crogman, A. M, Pro-
fessor of Clark University, Atlanta, Ga,
with Introduction by Booker 7. Wash
ington, is just out and put in the hands
os our worthy citizen, Mr.. j. T. Blag-
burn $40 School street. 1t is very
interesting and useful, and should 60
into the homes Of every family. Price
S2.:5, Morocco binding, and $3.50 for
common binding. For further perticu-
iors write or send in your orders by
mail-it will only cost Is cents extra
for postage prepaid.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21

teCtlng tnem VINO WOulQ not WOIK
themselve, and then prevent honest
colored labor who were willing to
work. These colored men who
came from adjacent states trying to
better their condition, are true, loyal,
honest, law-abiding citizens and like
every other man; was trying to earn
an honest living. Why, it is pre-
posterous, a gross injustice for a
governor to say that you must hire
a certain class of men or none, and
that he will not allow a citizen Of
his state to come to Iowa and hire
laborers to 60 to Illinois to work.
Think of it. See the hypocrisy and
fallacy of the idea. 1t is not the
colored labor's fault that he is not a
member of the labor unions. They
are not PERMITTED to membership in
unions. 1t is probably true that the
employees are paying to low wages,
yet if the poor colored miners can
better his condition by leaving the
crowded and poorely paid mines of
Virginia, Alabama and Kentucky
he has right to go, and receive the
protection of the law, which is grant
ted by our constitution and is the
fundamental law of this land, and
Governor Tanner should be indited
or impeached for violating the oath
of his office.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
FALLICIES or FREE
SX YER.

1t would seem incredible that any of
the colored voters of Iowa should be
led to vote for the silver policy at the
corning election and fortunately but
very few intend doing so. There is
not one single reason why they should
and there are many reasons why they
should not.
1t will be remembered that the gist
of all silver arguments are based upon
the assumption that with the single
standard the dollar of redemption ap.
prec;ate and of necessity the value of
product go down, which is not really a
fact, but it is fact that cheap dollal
which has driven out the dearer one
means that prices would go up and the
wage earnsr could purchase but frac-
ton of what he can now secure with
his wages. 1t is not enough to say
that wages would 60 up proportionately
as the experience of the world is that
wages follow depreciating values at
once but that it is the last thing to fol-
low a great appreciation of prices.
This being the fact it is not difficult to
see that vote for free silver is a vote
for lower wages or in other words
wages that will buy fewer commodities.
From the very nature of things the
members of the colored race in this
country are found among the employed,
They are working for a fixed sum and
not for profits and it behooves them to
stand for that policy which will give
the most for what they earn.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
DEATH OF MILES
N. BELL
4 Well Know and Highly
Respected Des Moines
Citizen.

On last Sunday telegram announc'
ing the sad intelligence of the death OF
Miles N. Bell in Phoenix, Arizona, at
his home Saturday morning. Mr.. Bell
left our city over year ago, and
moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where it was
thought he might regain his health
again, and he was seemingly regaining
in health all the time, as he had stated
in letter to his aged father, just a
week prior to his death.
Mr., Bell was BORN in Mississippi in
1857; came to Iowa with his parents in
1864, Immediately after freedom. They
first settled on farm in Dallas county,
two years latter they moved on farm
near Valley Junction, than again with
his father, Henry Bell, to Des Moines;
after which young Bell attended the
public school; and on learning the
barber trade ha embarked into business
for himself. He was an able speaker,
pow erful thinker, a logical reasoner,
q staunch republican warker and q
leader of his race. He held several
political offices, and was mail carrier
during Isaac Brandts term. He was
fearless in advocating what he thought
to be right, and was highly respected
by all.
His aged parents, who are alive now,
are strong characters; each are nearly
so years old and are enjoying good
health. They had fifteen children and
during the rule Of slavery some were
lost of which they have never heard
from since. One of his sons was shot
down by rebel soldier without provo
cation, during the Civil war.
Mr.. Miles Bell had become to like
mis- new home in Phoenix quite we'll
and was rising very fast in political
influence and usefulness. He leaves
a wife, father, mother, several sisters
and host of friend to mourn his loss.
We extend our coincidence to the family
and relatives in this their sad hour.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21

The prejudice against the colored
race is costing the tax payers of Alton,
ILL.,, quite sum for their foolhearted-
ness. They are trying to MAINTAIN sep
arate schools for the white and colored.
The Lovejoy school house was built for
the colored children at cost of s., 944,
has but one pupil, and is now costing
the citizens of Alton 81, 1856 year to
educate him. All of this money is
taken from the pockets of the tax pay
ers, because the whites do not want to
see little eight year old colored boy
in school with their children. We
trust that the Supreme court will soon
say to the colored people, you can send
your children to any of the public
school in this or any other county in
the state.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
CXICA GO PkACEJ JUBILEE

The White City, the queen of the
West is holding peace jubilee this
week. She is entertaining the Presi-
dent and some of the leading men
of all races.
The President is in great demand
and nearer the hearts of the people
than any other president since Lin
coin. The magnificent receptions
given through Iowa, at Omaha and
St. Louis and now at Chicago, is
demonstrative of this fact. Among
the prominent men who spoke was
President Mckinley, Rabbi E. G.
Hirsch, Booker T. Washington,
Rev. John Henry fellows, Carter
Harrison. The crowds in Chicago
are immense and it is a week long
to be remembered.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
OTTU MWA NEWS.

Especial Correspondence to the BYsrANDER]
Mr.. James Roberts went to Cedar
R'pids Sunday.
Mrs D. B. Carpenter was taken quite
sick Saturday night, but is much better.
Mrs. Mason returned home Saturday
after weeks visit TO the Exposition.
Owing to the illness of Rev. Alexand er
Sunday morning, W. S. Page occupi ed
the pulpit,
Misses Florence Page and Bertha Ca r
penter were out to tea Sunday; guests CT
Mrs. Graham.
Mrs. Taylor Of Oskaloosa was a visitor
in our city last Thursday.
Mr.. walker Perry was visitor Sunday
Master Julius Campbell is last improv-
ing.
President Mckinley passed through
Ottumws last Thursday. A large Gro wd
OF colored people, as we'll as white greet
ed him with smile.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21

The Richmond Times, one of the
leading Democratic papers of Virginia,
in discussing the prospects of its party
in the coming campaign says that Free
Silver is milestone around its neck,
and we have no idea that the party
will have gost of a chance at the
polls.
The Republican party has the genius
OF turning the panic of 1895 and 1896
into prosperity. 1t has devised the
ways and means which makes this
country great.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21

The II, T.. S. met with Mrs. r.. A Will
burn and the following officers were
elected: President. Mrs. Denney; vice.
president, Mrs. Nilburn: secretary, Mrs.
Palmer; assistant secretary. Mrs. War
icks; oracle, N1esdamcs Wilburn and
Cleggett. Program for October 27th:
Paper, Club Life, Mrs. Basfeld; Read.
ing, Mrs. Smith; Booker T. Washing.
ton, his life and works, Mrs Palmer;
Quotations from Dunbar. After very
pleasant meeting the club adjourned
to meet with Mrs. f. T.. Banks, 1O46
Enos street.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
S electing Wall Paper

isn't "a easy as it looks.
Don't buy paper just because it looks
pretty it may be totally unfit for the
room you intend to use it in.
Let us help you pick out paper that
is suited to your room-the result will
please you,
Bring your pictures in and let US
frame them; our prices are low and our
work good. The JENNINGS WALL
PAPER Co. SCI Walnut street. Phone
l41.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
MUCHAKINOCk NEWS.

Mrs. George Harris, Of Dss Moines, is
the guest Of Mrs. VIM. Padsett at this
writing.
Elmer Moore, driver in No. 9 mine,
was run over by = car and instantly
killed Saturday. He leaves 4 wife and
two children. ~-~.
Mrs. Henry Nicholas is on the sick list
at this writing.
w. II. Reeves aud wife are happy
over fine baby boy.
Mrs. tAsbby Rhodes will leave for her
home in Staunton, Va. shortly.
The Saxton Sisters that showed here
last week was regular flakes"
C.R. Foster has returned from Vir>
ginia and resumed work.
Mrs. Lucy Willis has returned from
Virginia and reports . fine time.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21

Read the Bystander, for it tells you
what our leading racemen and woman,
are writing and speaking.
Because we tell you the social events
among the colored race, that no other
paper in Iowa print. Pay for it because
you want to see it continue on and get
better.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21

Harry McCraven, son of Henry Nc
Craven, was appointed as one OF the
ianitors for the State Board of Control
at the Capitol this week. Harry is a
good boy and we hope that he will pre-
form his duties well.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
Agents for Butterick Patterns.

Let every Republican work from
now until election day to get out the
full party vote, and we will win great
victory. A great victory can not be
won without the united efforts of all
Republicans. .
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
The Carbondsle Fuel Co., Of this city
cln give good steady work to fifty min
ers. Good miners houses in their vii
lage.

Mr.. Haneock, Chairman of the Re-
publican 81 sntral Committs, has
returned froL visit to his home in
Dubuque, he say that the republicans
are becoming interested. and will car
ry state by an increase majority.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21
Haryis-Emery Go.
lOwA's GREATEST DRY GOODs
....' .-t HOIIAR 1853 #tfr.

See them! See with your own
eyes the object lessons in econ
omy that fairly overflow the Big
Store. See for yourself the Oc-
tober demonstration of stocks ---of
styles and OF values that will in
duce you to come back again and
again.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21

Mr.. Frank Blagburn would like to
hear from more literary societies
in the state, who are interested
in the organization Of a State Literary
Association.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21

The people knows that every promise
made by the Republican party is being
fulfilled as fast as possible, and with
their ballot the people will sustain the
grand old party.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21

Mr.. c. Il. Woods received letter an
nouncing the death of his sister, Mrs.
Rachel Baldan of Charlottesville, Va.
this week.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-10-21

1t should be the determination of
every honest man to vote against every.
thing that will interfere with American
labor and business.