davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03
How Railroads Profit.

Those who think railroads receipts
are all profits should read this from
the Railway Age: Last year the
railways Of the United States carried
over thirteen billion passengers one
mile. They also carried ninety.five
billion tons of freight one mile.
1.-The total amount paid in divi-
dends on stock was $S7, 3,37l-call
it lightweight million dollars. OF
the total earning Of the railways
about seventy per cent came from
freight service and thirty per cent
from passenger service. Let us assume,
then, that Of the lightweight million
dollars paid in dividends, seventy per
cent, or 100000, was profit on
freight service and $26, 400, 1000 was
profit on passenger service. Let us
drop fractions and call it sixty.two
million dollars from freight and
twenty-six million dollars from pas
sengers.
l
"By dividing the passenger profit
into the number Of passengers car
ried 0hirteen billion we find that the
railways had to carry passenger 500
miles in order to earn one dollar Of
protit--or five miles 10 earn one cent.
Their average profit therefor was less
than two.tenths OF one cent for carry.
ing passenger (and bis baggage) one
mile.
by dividing the freight profit into
the freight mileage (niuety-fve bill.
lion) we find that the railways had to
carry one ton Of freight 1880 miles
in order to earn one dollar, or over
fifteen miles to earn one cent. The
average profit therefor was less than
one fifteenth of cent for carrying a
ton of freight (besides loading and un-
loading it) one mile"
Such figures as these explain why
thy the Pops are not accepting Mr..
Ripley's proposition to lease them a
train and let them run it to make
money.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

Better prices are already being re-
celved from the lands Of the plains
region and there is scarcely an agent
who has not had inquiries from the
people of the middle west, looking to
the prairies as did a generation Of
other days. The lands Of the farther
western sections, where cattle raising
is being followed so generally, can be
sold only to the men who are there,
for the most part, and the prices will
show but little advance. They
are already about as high as the re.
turns will warrant. In the eastern
sections there is healthy demand
for land that is having its effect.
Town property is yet untouche by
the change but it will feel the i'm
petus later. A new era IS opening
for the West and more substantial
one than it has ever known. 1t is
based upon actual conditions and not
on theories and speculation-and that
is the only kind Of prosperity that
will last.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03


IN incident in the trial of lawsuit
in Judge lenrys court in Kansas City
the other day made the jury burst out
laughing. A woman was suing the city
because Of injuries she received by trip
ping over step in the sidewalk. At
torney George Jones, representing the
city, said all through the trial that
the step was no more than the step to
the witness chair in front of the jury,
and person would be no more liable
to stumble over it. sand you know,
gentlemen, that no person would be
likely to trip over that step there"
said Mr.. Jones, pointing to the step
before him. moment later Mr.. Jones
started to 60 to the witness chair and
stumbled over that very step and fell
sprawling. What followed can easily
he conjectured.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

Henryk Sienkiwica, author of "Quo
Vadis," has been travelling around the
United States and has written a roast
Of the American people. He says
that our custom house officers are
barbarous, unpublished, and open to
brides: that he found corruption
everywhere, and that the greatest
thieves were the Judges of the courts;
that the people have no deep learning,
and that all education is superficial,
and for show, II Henryk feels that
way he need not expect that here
after there will be any attempt made
to pronounce his outlandish name
correctly.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03
WHY Hogs and Corn Are Too Low.

C. Wood Davis in the Forum shows
how the use Of cottonseed oil is affect
ing the price OF hog products. He
SAYS II, as is probable, the urban
population Of the United States annu-
ally consumes lard, or commercial
substitute therefor, to the extent Of
$50, 100000 pounds; II on an average
we have exported in recent years more
than 5OO,O0O,00O pounds as shown by
the customs returns; and il the COM
mercial supply Of swine's fat averages
some 500, 100000 pounds per annum
then it is obvious that some $50,
100000 pounds per annum result from
admixtures impossible without the
use OF cottonseed oil, and that, to this
extent, cOttonseed oil has destroyed
the demand for the secondary prod
ucts Of the corn field.
The "lard refners" have enabled us
to palm of as swine's iat--much OF it
upon Europeans-vast quantities OF a
cheap vegetable oil, and at the same
time have afforded needed employ
ment for our representatives at for
eign courts in earnest efforts to con-
vince European authorities that they
ought not to impose the least obstacle
to the importation Of lard so ere
fined" that a thousand tierces contain
neither a single trichina nor yet an
ounce OF the fat of swine
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03
McKinley's Good Service.

One Of the most creditable acts at.
taching to the present administration
at Washington is the breaking Of the
backbone of the powerful Indian
lobby which for years.has successfully
resisted every attempt to introduce
more civilized state of affairs in the
Indian Territory through the lavish
aud corrupt use Of money. For the
purposes Of this lobby the councils Of
the Five Civilized Tribes annually
voted extravagant sums Of money,
which went into the pockets Of the
organized band Of plunderers and
harpies at Washington-exept that
portion which did not cling to the
fingers Of the middleman in making
the transfer from one pocket to the
other. 1t got to such q pass that no
legislation could be adopted without
its aid. Recently when bill was
worked through by this same gang
and it went to the president he took
up the papers, examined them care.
fully and then with equal care and
precision wrote across the face of each
successfully: mot approved. VIM.
Mckinley"
The back Of the Indian lobby was
broken. President Mckinley is prov
ing himself level-headed and a lover
Of fair play.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

Kansas Day banquet passed off without the
presence Of Cy Leland. Politically speaking
1t was the play with Hamlet left out. The
fellows who were candidates. or receptive
candidates, and were present, would have
preferred that Cys political eye winked
favorably upon their hopes and aspirations
than the whole influence of the Kansas Day
banquet. But alasl Cy was conspicuous
for his absence.-lSalina Republican.
All this is very pretty but would be
improved by stating the facts. Mr..
Leland was one Of the most promi-
nent Republicans at the gathering
and no one received more cordial
greetings than he. Mr.. Leland is a
great bugaboo to the editors who
never leave their office.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

their fences they forget to stop at the
corners and build on and on until
they have strung the barbed wires
around ten or twelve thousand acres.
1t is estimated that not over twenty
per cent Of the lands is owned by the
residents. Eastern people who have
taken it under foreclosure own the re-
mainder. Sometimes they object to
the use Of their lands by the settlers
and then the reply is given: III you
do not want your land in my pasture
come and take it out; or il you can
prove that my cattle have damaged it,
sue me-" The chances are that Meth
er Of these plans is taken, and the
possessor remains monarch OF the sit
uation. His cattle mature and sell
for a good price and be does not real
that they have cost him anything.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

The remarkable increase in the con-
sumption Of sugar in the United
States during the past twelve months
points to tho field which the beet
sugar enterprise in this country has
to fill. The sugar consumed during
1897 was 2,O96,26O tons against
1860, 0S6 tons in 1896, an increase Of
1856, VI tons or 272,S54,000 pounds.
There were last year only 41,S47 tons
of beet sugar produced in the United
States, $4,000 tons Of cane sugar,
5000 tons Of maple sugar aud 800
tons Of sorghum sugar, making a
total Of 1856, $50 tons Of various kinds
Of sugar produced in the country, and
leaving l,76O,6O7 tons to be imported,
most Of which comes from Europe.
There is no doubt, however, but that
from this time forward the annual in
crease in the beet sugar product will
be large and there is no reason why
it should not finally include the en-
tire amount now imported from
Europe and elsewhere.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

Only twenty-four senators could M
found to support this an s.,,... n
the Teller silver :,
:, resolution that
"ou'u navy weakened the govern
meh1 credlr. almost as much as would
d Tree coinage measure:
THAT all the bonds of the United States
issued or authorized to be Issued under the
said acts OF congress hereinbefore rected
are PAYABLE principal and interest in gold
coin or Its equivalent; and that any other
Payment without the consent OF the creditor
would be in violation Of the public faith and
derogation of his rights
The same sentiment went through
the house by fifty majority killing
Teller's buncomb quickly and pain
lessly.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

The Kansas butter product will this
year will be worth at least $4,000, 600
and the return per COW has increased
from $7.Ol to $9.65 in the past ten
years. The people are keeping better
animals and are making the breeding
count in the production of more milk
with the same feed. Many a county
receives from the creameries $3.50, 600
annually aud this goes into the homes
where the expense is felt very little
compared with the cost of producing
the grain Of the fields. The COW is
doing much for Kansas.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

The Troy Times tells story Of q
little boy who was reading in a Sunday
school paper the story of missionary
having been eaten by cannibals. "Pa-
pa" he asked, twill the missionary 20
to Heaven" "Yes, my son." replied
the father. sand will the cannibals 90
there, too?" queried the youthful stu
dent. NO" was the reply. After
thinking the matter over for some time
the little fellow exclaimed. "Well, I
don't see how the missionary can go to
Heaven if the cannibals don't, when
he's inside the cannibals."
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

OF course the silver senators knew
that their resolution providing that
United States bonds should be paid in
silver coin would not get any further
than the senate, since the Republican
party is in control of the house Of
representatives and there is Repub-
lican president in the White House
But then it gave them a chance to
get their silver speeches in the Con-
gressional Record and send them out
for campaign documents at Uncle
SANS expense.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

With the "middle-of.road" Popu-
lists protesting against further CO.
operation with the Democratic party,
and eastern Democrats declaring
openly they will no longer support
Mr.. Bryan and his single principle Of
free coinage Of silver at l6 TO /, the
prospect Of further unanimous action
by those who supported Bryan in
1895 is very greatly reduced.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03
The Abilene REFLECTOR quotes Napoleon as

" The Abilene REFLECTOR quotes Napoleon as
saying, SOLDIERS, forty centuries are look
ing down upon you, and the writer Of Kan
sas Notes In the Kansas City Times says
that Napoleon said forty ages" As the
Times man gets his information from I'd
Little and Little was there when the MAN
Of Destiny said 1t, the Times is doubtless
right.--IEmporla Republican.
A Misrepresentation of history all
around. What the Little Corporal
really did say, was; "Boys, Ed Lit
tie is watching you. Do your best.
Republican,
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

abilene Populsts are an arstocratlc lot,
minneapolis Messenger.
They are, Governor, they are. Like
wise the Abilene Republicans and Abb
lene Democrats. The only people in
this great center Of aristocracy who
do not put on style are the Abilene
ProhiOitionists. Nothing is too good
Tor an Abilene man at home or
abroad and all Of 'em expect front
seat in St. Peters grand carnival
above.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

Why is 1t that deep sorrow often
seeks relief In versihcationP The
New York Evening World recently
printed an obituary notice and fol-
lowed 1t with long poem" Of which
the first stanza may serve as sample
Ihave his blocks that he used to play,
And make out Of them housesi
Railways kept my son gay
And neat dressed, Every one knows it;
And now my only child is dead,
There can be no question concern
ing the genuineness Of that fathers
grief, but the propriety Of its display
in verse is decidedly unquestionable'
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

The beautiful new chapel at Fort
Riley is great addition to the mag
nificent army post which, because Of
the handsome buildings and other i'm
provements, ranks among the most
notable in the world. Kansas is
proud OF Fort Riley and rightly so.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

Western Kansas is not worrying
about crops-the cattle industry is
making it rich, crops or no crops
There are no roads except through
the pastures. One may drive for
miles and never be out Of sight Of
cattle. The owners Of the herds own
the lands along the water courses, or
lease them. Then when they build
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

A new provision in the contracts
between teachers and the school dis
tricts employing them which will
likely be construed by teachers as an
encroachment Of their rights has been
proposed by William Stryker, state
superintendent. His Office furnishes
blank contracts for the school dis
tricts. The wording can be changed
but, as a rule, the contracts follow
the printed forms. The new forms
contain the following: at is also
agreed that said teacher will pursue
the professional course of study pre-
scribed by the state reading circle
board, or its equivalent; will attend
county and district teachers associ-
ations and will follow the common
school course Of study adopted by the
state board of education. Continued
failure to comply with the above con-
ditions, one months written notice
having been given the teacher and
district board by the county superin-
tendent, renders this contract void at
the option Of the district board, the
county superintendent concurring.'
Stryker never misses o chance to slap
the school teacher in the face.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03
MINNEAPOLIS Messenger: The

Minneapolis Messenger: The ABB
LESE REFLECTOR says il Coburn is
elected governor Del Valentine is to
succeed Ed Little as private secretary.
II the REFLECTOR will give the Re-
publicans Of Kansas a downright as
surance Of that, Coburn will be elect
ed governor by one Of the largest ma
jorities ever given to man in
Kansas.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

1t is mighty lucky for this nation
that the house is unlike the senate
anu gave no encouragement to
such debasing propositions as the
Teller resolution. The United States
senate has betrayed the N,at,ou,s hon.
or and it is well that "a final action
r'" piopo''''o"S to weaken credit
' nv III ~ 4 hands.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

Topeka Capital: Abilene is a re-
markable little town and is doing
more missionary work than any other
locality on the terrestrial ball. 1t
now has missionaries in central
America, Mexico, North Africa,
South Africa, Japan and India and
expects and hopes eventually to have
one in the United States senate.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

A New Jersey minister has run
a way from his charge to escape the
acceptance of a $4,000 purse Of kold.
No Kansas minister could be fright.
ened by thing like that. Any such
danger will be met bravely by the
prairie pastors who hate a man w'oc
is a coward under such circumstances
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

"a Tainted Senatorship" is the
title Of a stirring article in the News
in which Hanna is frequently men.
toned, Yes, it does seem as though
something was said last winter about
Georges failure to push forward the
great cause OF reform"
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

Has Kansas more than one senator
in congressp We hear Of Senator
Baker doing this and that, helping a
pension along or speaking for the
States interest not word of
anybody else from Kansas comes
from the upper house. Have we more
than one senatorp
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

h ~, ,,sl ,er boys frequently wonder
a,,hr ary Allen, Of the Ottawa Re-
W .can, can take trips south, to
ashington and elsewhere. They do
not know that he has job as a sort
Of confidential postoflice inspector-a
snap that falls to the lot Of but few
and that Uncle Sam pays all his bills.
Allen is in luck.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

The American export trade does n

The American export trade does not
seem to have suffered during the past
year despite the fearful walls Of Dem
ocrats that the enactment Of a pro.
tective tariff law would ruin our trf,dq
abroad. The official figures show tina,
for the twelve months Of 1897 Amer.
can exports Of merchandise reached
the enormous total Of sl,O99, l99,5l9,
being an increase Of sos, 100000 over
1896. The excess Of exports over i'm.
ports was $500, 1856
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

All honor to Senator Baker for
standing up solidly for sound money.
His vote against the Teller sill yer
resolution was that Of q true Repub-
lican and be deserves the commenda-
tion Of Kansas.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03
A San Francisco woman who died a

A San Francisco woman who died a
few days ago is reported to have
weighed over 600 pounds. She was so
large that the undertaken had to break
down the stair ratings and lower the
body with chains. A special casket,
bound with iron, was made, and fur
niture van had to be used in place of a
hearse in taking the remains to the Gem
etery.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

The Olathe Mirror asserts that ev.
cry Republican has his choice
for the nomination of each can
didate for office, and that he is in
honor bound to support the man
named by convention. Not only is
this true doctrine, but its practical
application is the right way.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

The Nebraska State Journal says
that the Ice on Missouri river, is thick
enough to hold upa train. The des-
peradoes also are thick enough along
the Missouri near Kansas City to do
Il frequently.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

Wichita proposes to have the most
glorious time in its history at the
meeting of the trans-Mississippi con-
gress there next fall. Will "His Gate
Receipts" make another s2,4OO
speechp
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03
,rru Simnson said On the floor Of

Jerry Simpson said on the floor of
congress Wednesday that Coburn
will in all probability be the next
governor Of Kansas. The Pops them
selves are realizing the impossibility
Of re-electing Leedy.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

Hutchinson News: rs. Lease is
an agent for the New York Life In.
insurance company. Now II Mr..
Bryan will &C to work, the "army Of
the unemployed" will be materially
reduced
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03
FEBRUARY-lSs8.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1898.

Maryland has two Republican sena-
tors and Kentucky one. According
to its deserts Kansas ought to have at
least three
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

w. s. Tilton OF the Downs Times
will remove to Nebraska. He found
that his paper could not upset the
national administration.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

1t is declared by an aeronaut tina;
womans voice carries three times as far
as a mans. This may open future pos
sibilities for the fair sex in various call.
ings that are now monopolized by men,
train announcers, street ear conductors
and the like.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03
Admits Organisms Fallacy.

paign, Colorado was a hotbed Of Bry-
anism. The Prospector, published at
Del Norte, Col, was one Of Mr..
Bryan's most uncompromising sup
porters among the newspapers Of
that State. A recent editorial in III
columns starts OF thus:
ut really begins to look as though
this old Republican administration
may be upon the right track after ALL
Prosperity, to a certain extent, has
dawned all over this section.n
The editorial then reviews the pres
ent conditions Of mining, stock rails
ing and agricultural interests in Col
orado. 1t is shown that the wages Of
miners have been advanced, the
amount Of meny invested in mines
has been greatly increased, and the
operations have been enlarged all
along the line.
1t Is shown that cattle, sheep and
wool are bringing more money than
they have brought for years, with
everybody in expectation that still
better prices are coming.
1t is pointed out that farm products
are selling at good fSures, that farm
ers are posperous and happy, and that
they are paying off the debts incurred
during a long period Of depression.
Then the editorial continues:
"These things being true about
mining, stock raising and farming, it
goes without saying that the business
OF the San Luis merchants has been
good, taken as a whole, for the past
year, and there is better feeling
among all classes than for long
time past.
Money, consequently, is easier to
get by long odds than it was year
ago.
perhaps these conditions do not
constitute increased prosperity; per-
haps they do. The people should
learn to know prosperity when they
see it placarded and coming along the
highway. 1t appears to be with us
now, certainly to greater extent
than year ago.
"Charge 1t up to what we may, it
Is among us to the extent named, and
1t Is but just that we tender it proper
recognition.
"We all know that had Bryan been
elected, a corresponding increase in
our prosperity would have set us all
wild with delight"
Would the Monitor have been fair
and logical enough to admit that even
II its candidate had been elected and
such conditions as now exist had fol-
lowed his election, the improvement
would have been taken as indisput.
able evidence Of the benefits of Bry.
anlsmi
On the contrary, the plyHn organs
either ignore or belittle every indica-
ton Of prosperity, seek out and en-
large upon every trivial instance Of
business failure, and boldly declare,
as does Mr.. Bryan himself, that
time are no better than they were.
But everybody knows that even the
biased editors of these papers know
better. Nobody is deceived except
the editors themselves, who fancy
that they can delude the people, in
the very face OF common and conspic-
uous evidence, into believing that
prosperity in adversity.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-03

Enterprise received 81 cars Of wheat
yesterday while Chicago only receiv-
cd 2S cars. Westward the star Of
empire takes Its way.