davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
Jackson and His Sister.

There never was a stronger Union.st
Than General 'Stonewalr Jackson" is
rather surprising statement. but IT is made
by Mrs. Louisa Jackson Arnold, the Cen
erals sister and only surviving relative.
Mrs. Arnold, who is now in her seventy
second year, has lived in Ohio ever since
the war. and for fifteen years past has
made her home in a "water-cure" estab-
lshment near Columbus Though a con-
firmed invalid. her memory, like her eye
sight, is unimpaired. and her favorite
topic Of conversation is her distinguished
brother. At the outbreak of the war
she says, General, then Major. Jackson,
was, like herself, earnestly opposed to
secession, but while she, following her
inclinations, devoted herself 10 the task
of caring for Union soldiers. her brother
felt that loyalty TO the doctrine Of States
rights demanded that his services should
be given to the Confederate cause. There
was, however no doubt about his views
Mrs. Arnold declares. for when the Rich
mond Convention, 10 decide whether Nir-
GINA should secede or not, was APP
preaching. she received many letters from
her brother, in which he advised her
husband and neighbors 10 exert what
influence they could against a division
OF the Union. These letters are now lost.
having been stolen by unknown persons
from an iron box in which Mrs Arnold
had kept them for many years. Mrs.
Arnold is an honorary member OF the
Army of West Virginia, a distinction
which has been bestowed upon no other
woman except Mrs. Rutherford b. Hayes.
New York Times.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06

hole in the ground. Then the female
kicks all the eggs into the hole with one
foot. She sets at night, and the male
sets on the nest I'm the day time, thus
making turn about until the young
ostriches are Matched.
"A young ostrich must be one year
old before it can be picked An ostrich
has scarcely any feathers on it's neck
and breast and is, therefore, an ungainly
looking bird. The long feathers, known
in the trade as ostrich plumes. are
plucked from the wings. These plumes
are shipped to New York, and bring
from seven TO nine dollars per pound.
or course these piumes are there cleaned
and steamed. and, when fully prepared
for the millinery market, bring from
seven to nine dollars apiece. An old os-
trich Is worth from SIS TO 500. and a
young one is worth from $40 TO $50. and
they are sold at those prices to menag-
cries and geological gardens throughout
the country Another revenue comes 20
this farm from the sale of ostrich eggs
Persons buy them as ouriosities. paying
five dollars apiece for them. IL has been
found that the ostrich thrives splendidly
on the alfalfa grass that grows wild i'm
Arizona. Sometimes corn is fed TO them
IL is quite amusing 10 see long necked
ostrich swallow whole ear OF corn as
easily as a chicken swallows one grain
OF corn.'-St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
Stellar Gods.

Our Arabian missionary, the Rev Sam
uel NJ Zwemer, before the American
Society of Comparative Religions, last
week gave an interesting account OF a
curious religion he encountered in a trip
TO the lower Euphrates and Tigres. lie
said OF this peculiar sect:
These strange people whom we know
as the Star Worshippers. Sabans, Ma
screams, or st. John Christians, designate
themselves the Mandaeans, and although
they number only a few thousand, re-
main entirely distinct from the Jews
Moslems and Christians, among whom
they have dwelt for centuries Their orr
gin is lost in obscurty and their number
is rapidly diminishing. Their religion
IS compounded or Christian, heather and
Jewish elements; the language they
speak is entirely different from that Of
their neighbors. They are a moral. peace
full and industrious people. They be-
lieye that the stars embody the good OF
the universe and the planets the evil
Unlike the Parsees, they do not worship
the sun and the moon. found that their
knowledge of astronomy was thorough
In many respects"
lie further said that their moral code
is that OF the Old Testament I'm every
particular, and that he found them an
easily spproachable people. though il
required a long acquaintance before they
allowed their literature 10 be SEEM
Christian Intelligencer
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
How MexIcans Forecast Weather.

In the northern section OF the republic
OF Mexico. according 10 the Herald, the
pastoral classes still cling to native SUI
perstition. 1t Is colloquially known as
the cabanuelas, and is in effect home
made weather bureau. The cabanuelas
commences to take effect on New Years
The believers in this system OF mete-
of January.
The believers of this system Of Mete-
orology sit up on New Years eve, not for
the purpose of drinking glasses OF eggnogg
TO each others health as the bells chime
in the newborn year, but for the purpose
of seeing from which quarter Of the hesF-
ems the new year arrives. The CLOUDS
are watched carefully, and the first break
in their masses, after the midnight hour
has struck. opens the way for the en-
trance of the new year. The quarter eN-
erts a general influence on the weather
for the next twelve months, but the
weather which is to be expected Tor each
particular month Is TO be ascertalned as
follows: The weather which prevails on
the first twelve days OF January ihul-
cafes the average weather 20 be expected
during the next twelve months, ana these
are called las cabanuelas al derecho'
Again during the next twelve days from
the 18th 10 the oath OF January the
months are counted backward ana are
called las cabanuelas al reeves. FROM the
18th 10 the 30th OF January, inclusive
the DAYS are divided into two parts from
midnight TO noon OF the 18th beins jan
uary and from noon 20 midnight Oh the
same day representing February. ana 80
an IN midnight OF the 5Oth. This leaves
twenty-four hours to be DIVIDED up diio"s
the twelve months exactly as the hrsl
senting a month. from midnight TO noon
being las cabanuelas al derecho, and then
counting backward from noon TO midnight
Of the 3lst each hour 10 a month are las
cabanuelas al reeves. In order 10 Illustrate
how this complicated system OF weather
bureau operates a sample case may ne
Civ n:
THURSDAY. being the Sd Of the month.
oorrasnorde IN the third month, March.
The l2th VIII, therefore, be December.
and coming backward with las cabanue-
las 81 REYES. December viii be the 18TH
and March the I'D. In like manner
March will be represented by the Twelve
hours from midnigh. to noon OF the nth.
and by the hours ? 10 3 A. NJ. ana 10 ~
p. NJ. OF the Slst. Now, should the weath-
err during these days and hours De the
same-that Is, should Ii all De snlne or an
rain. etc.-it Is considered Dy the caoan-
ueltstas as an infallible sign that that IS
the kind OF weather that will prevail dur
ing March OF that year. and the farmer
can govern himself accordingly. Should.
however weather during the different por-
tons Of January assigned to March DIFF
tor then the weather during that month
will be variable, and those versed In the
cabanuelastic science have a full code OF
rules for ascertainng what portions OF
the month will be rainy and what days
will be fair.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06

versity students and professors volun-
tarily contributed last year S2,iS3.D TO
religious purposes: of this the students
paid $3.50. Opponents OF the University
charge that the students are a dissi-
pated set. deny this point-blank ana
challenge the production anywhere OF an
equal body OF students more sober, orr
derby, and gentlemanly.
II is also said TO be the Rich mans
school" The above cited facts refute
this charge. The student, however poor.
with moral force brain power, and In
dustry IS honored and revered by his
fellows. and appreciated by the profess
sors. '.--
Within distance OF $50 miles from the
mountain TO the sea has been born and
nursed on the bosom of the old mother
State galaxy OF great men, without q
parallel in the same time and space on
the earth's surface A Washington. JEFF.
ferson, Madison, Monroe. Mason. the
Lees, Marshall, Henry. Nelson, Lewis.
Randolph-theSe great men did virginia,
honor before the time when they could
have felt the influence of her University,
but even now. or I'm the very recent past.
the University has had two members OF
the President s Cabinet, two Justices on
the bench of the Supreme Court OF the
United States three Judges on the bench
or our own Court or Appeals, number
less professors in colleges throughout the
South besides and host OF alumni dis
tinguished In every vocation of life. Such
men are trained only In schools of high
degree. They are the outcome OF the
highest types Of educational forces.
But besides all these reasons, anoth-
er reason why the University should
not have $4,000 taken from its appro-
priatiOn is found in the acts OF the last
General Assembly 1s95-'96 page 159, I'm an
act entitled IAN act to enable the rector
and visitors of the University to repair
the loss sustained by that institution by
the fire Of October 81. 1885, wherein 1t
was provided I'm section that
THE sum of ten thousand dollars per
annum IN ADDITION TO THE FORTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS PROVIDED
FOR BY SECTION 1854 OF THE CODE
OF VIRGINIA SHALL BE PAID TO the
rector and Visitors of the University OF
Virginia in equal semi-annual INSTALL
ments at such times as they may fix.
The said sum OF ten thousand dollars per
annum shall be used by the said rector
and Visitors for the sole purpose, and no
other. of paying the interest as II shall
accrue on the bonds authorized by this
act to be issued, and Of providing a sink
ing fund for the payment or the principal
thereof
The $4,000 thus appropriated should
not be withdrawn.
Let MS pray that the lustre OF this
University. the glory of the State and
South. may not be dmmed by policy
short-sighted and mistaken. but rather
that renewed and reinvigorated IL may
be fOstered 10 go forward 10 greater
heights OF usefulness and grandeur
THOS. II. CARTER.
Proctor and Superintendent OF Grounds
and buildings.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS.

Why should the Legislature try to Grip
pie the building and loan associations =?
Such associations in other States have
been ruined by hostile legislation, but
in Virginia they passed safely through
the ordeal Of 1895 They have done a
great work in building up homes in Viz
ginia. and IL the charges are too high
competition will force them down. At
any rate, no man is compelled TO borrow
of the associations If he does not choose
to do so, and it is a well known fact that
these associations have saved the
roof over many a mans head by loaning
where the banks declined TO loan and by
letting him repay the loan on the Install
ment plan. Another thing; Those who
own the stock in the building and loan
associations are largely poor men and
women who have adopted this means Of
capitalizing their savings from month TO
month. To cripple the building and loan
associations with hostile legislation is to
cripple thousands OF poor people in Vir-
ginia.
The associations have had a hard time
of II during the past several years, and
their earnings have been nothing Ike 81
large as they were in former times. Cen
orally speaking, however, we believe that
they are now in good condition and in
fair way to recoup. and it would be bad
policy for the Legislature at this time to
strike them a blow
As we have said. competition will fix
the charges. and we have no doubt that
the time is not distant when the associa-
lions will be forced to reduce their
charges. Let the Legislature keep its
regulate itself.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
ana rHERrFoRp unlaw.

mischicvous, and THEREFORE, unlaw-
II st is OF the first kind he says. II Is
protected by the Constitution. II OF the
latter It Is not.
II must be perceived at a glance that
this Is a total change of base. The de-
fence in the first case was confession
that tho agreement was a restraint OF
trade" but II claimed that II was no
more than a reasonable one. Mr.. Roy
alIs pamphlet argued that no such agree
ments could be restraint upon trade"
in the legal sense Of that phrase, because
they lacked the element OF Intentional
mischief and aimed only at the parties
benefit.
Mr.. Phelps confesses that he has chang
ed his base since the former argument
and apologies for 1t. lie says, page IS.
after stating the new proposition:
This point was not made In the argu-
ment OF the Trans-Missiouri case. be-
cause no such constitution OF the act
las the court made in that case was
anticipated by counsel"
Mr. Phelps had perfect freedom. in the
other case. to suggest to the court what
ever he thought would be of advantage
to his client. yet he made no hint of what
the true bearings of the questions are.
The Times hammered it's solution out
OF the raw material and now Mr.. Phelps
hastens to appropriate the results OF Its
work as his own. The Times has great
hopes--it may even say confidence-that
the Supreme Court is going TO adopt its
solution OF these great social problems,
because IT has an abiding confidence
that 1t is right and just. And, when
viewing them from The Times broad
standpoint. and perceiving their mighty
influence upon all the relations Of man
in life The Times hopes and believes
that the court will abandon the position
Il took when the true view OF the SUBJ
Ject had not been presented to 1t. IL
this should happily be the case. The
Times intends 10 more fully disclose the
part it had in accomplishing this great
result FOR all the people of the United
States.
Meantime we congratulate Mr.. Royal
upon the influence which his thoughtful
and philosophical work has already had
iu bringing before the Supreme Court
the real principles involved in this great
social problem.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
Was Durrant Innocent ?

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. 5-"There
is far greater reason for believing that
Joseph Blanther murdered the Lamont
and Williams girls than they met death
at the hands OF Durrant
Such was the observation OF Charles G.
San Francisco Cali. who has just return
Gun 10 luopuodssIIoo uolSuIussM 'uolIBO
ed from Meridian, Tex, where. In com
pany with Louis =. Boardman. attorney
for Durrant, he has been investigating
Blanther's confession.
Attorney Boardman believes that when
Durrant paid the death penalty an inno-
cent man went 10 a most ignominous
fate. He thought from tho beginning that
there was a great deal in the confession
OF Joseph r. Blanther. who was arrested
in Texas for the murder OF Mrs. Lang
fedt, an aged woman. In San Francisco.
Blanther committed suicide while I'm the
Jail at Meridian. / went 10 see for myself
myself what could be learned In regard
10 Blanther's confession and obtained
facts after a most thorough investigs-
ton OF the mans antecedents and OF the
circumstances attending his confession.
/ am bound TO declare that there 10 far
greater reason for believing that Blanthsr
murdered the Lamont and williams girls
than that they came 70 death at ths
hands or lnfOlort DuEIdut.
This fellow Blanther was a degenerate.
He was the son OF a German nobleman.
but was forced 10 leave HIS native lana
for disgraceful conduct HIS entire record
in America was one OF crime. In Chicago.
California, Arkansas and Texas he left
a broad trail OF wickedness. He married.
three or four women. in utter defiance OF
the laws against bigamy. He was q thief
and forger; he killed the Langfeldt wom-
an and took from her body money ana
valuable jewelry.
In Bosque county. Texas. whittier he
fed, he succeeded IN getting position
as teacher in the public schools. passing
a brilliant examination. But he was being
tralled for the murder on the Pacific
coast and was landed in jail at Meridian
on suspicion. While imprisoned he COM
mtted suicide.
"a fellow prisoner, named Pitts. some
time afterward found IN the pockets OF
hts coat n letter written by Blanther con-
Tossing TO the killing OF the two girls.
Pitts had no motive Ia the world for man
ufacturing such document, and ne told
me a straightforward. natural story about
IL when | went TO see him on his farm.
Experts compared the writing in the letter
OF confession with many specimens OF
Blanther's chirography. and they declared
It 10 be his penmanship beyond doubt.
There was no motive for Blanther.
seeing that ne had resolved on death.
TO add 10 his long list Of crimes a lie that
would only make his name blacker. II Is
almost certain 10 my mind that he, ana
not Durrant, was the perpetrator OF the
most henious double assassination OF the
century"
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
WHAT ISDEW .

The question has been raised In Louisa
county as to what IS dew? One cor
respondent of the News replies: Il have
often wondered where dew came from.
It is hard to tell exactly. some people
say it descends and others say it ascends,
but I think It descends from the heavens
in form Of mist"
Here is a popular delusion: Dew is
moisture deposited during the night on
the surface Of bodies exposed in the open
air. 1t is produced by the condensation
OF watery vapor from the atmosphere.
The deposit of dew is caused by the cool
ing of the bodies bedewed. and this takes
place In consequence OF the radiation of
heat into open space without any equiya-
lent return
Dew does not descend as so many peo-
pie seem to suppose. II is deposited from
the moisture in the atmosphere round
about
The saying Of Portia, that Mercy drop
peth like the gentle dew from Heaven
upon the place beneath" is poetic. but
not scientifically accurate
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06

Charity. in this sense-and speak OF II
purely as student OF political institu-
tions-has been the controlling force and
the guide through all the progress which
we have accomplished for the last 200
years"
That is a noble sentiment and timely.
Charity in its broadest sense. in the sense
in which st. Paul employs It, must be the
rule OF conduct with him who would be
noble 1t has its place in the political
world as well as in the church. IL Is
charity that differentiates the patriot
from the time-serving politician and
demagogue.
Charity thinketh no evil; IS not pulled
up; doth not behave itself unseemly." II
is not proscriptive; It is not intolerant;
It does not profess political sanctihcation.
1t accords TO an opponent honesty OF
motive and comedies his right to his
own political opinions, eash man being
responsible TO God and his own con-
science for his political acts.
1t is an affair also of nations. 1t does
not tyrannize. II does not lay its hands
upon the goods Of a weaker nation; 1t
deals not in embargoes on the one hand
and retaliation on the other. 1t is the
distinguishing feature Of civilization and
in its perfect development will lift the
world entirely out of barbarism. Man
Is by nature savage and all the nations
of the earth are savage in a degree. Else,
why the eastern question and the Cuban
question and the great standing armies
and the iron clad vessels and the en-
gnes Of destruction?
Charity should be the great moving
principle in all international affairs and
1t is, year by year. asserting itself 1t
made a great stride when the arbitration
treaty between Great Britain and the
United States was agreed to between the
representatives Of those two nations. The
treaty had a temporary setback, TO be
sure, but the principle was recognized
and 1t will eventually triumph.
Then will the swords be hammered into
pruning hooks and the battleships VIII
be transformed into merchantmen: for
charity is perfect peace.
I'VE know" says Mr.. Cochran in con-
GLIDING his address, "that the light
which shone over the cradle in Bethlehem
has not faded. That light will penetrate
into every quarter Of this earth. giving US
hope that in a universal reign Of char
ity we shall see established the founda-
tons of universal Democracy for that
light is the light of Christianity the dis
tinct contribution Of Christianity to the
civilization of the world"
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
THE REDDl BILL.

We are sorry that Senators Flood,
Turnbull. Maynard, Parr and Jackson, Of
the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions. should have reported the Reddy bill
with the recommendation that 1t do not
pass" II looks very like the sentiment
in opposition which was manifested at the
Roanoke convention is cropping out in
tho Legislature.
But senators should not deceive them
selves. If we know anything about public
sentiment in Virginia. there is strong
demand for the senatorial primary plan
and the Reddy bill meets the case per-
fectly.
The bill is not dead by a great deal
Senator Barksdale is a worker to be reck-
oned with and he and Mr.. Reddy make
a strong team. The senatorial primary
plan is coming. and its opponents might
as well accept it gracefully.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
Artificial Silk.

Coventry England. is 10 have a mill
to make 1000 pounds of artificial silk
daily from cotton waste. The waste is
heated 10 100 degrees and placed in
earthen pots, saturated with a mixture
OF nitric acid and sulphuric acid sqeez-
ed by hydraulic machinery, and subjected
to a continuous stream OF pure water.
partially dried, and rotated In hollow
cylinders, with ether and alcohol, until
reduced TO a PUPPY substance, known as
"collodion." The pulp is then forced by
hydraulic congresses through a series
Of filters until It becomes a perfectly
pure liquid, which is stored in reser-
Voirs, from which when needed for spin
ming 1t is forced by hydraulic pressure
into three-inch tubes, furnished with
taps. to the ends OF which are fastened
glass tubes with exceedingly minute ORR
fees. Through these orifices the liquid
Is forced In a spray, which loses its liquid
ity on coming in contact with the air,
and after rising an inch from the tube
becomes a solid viscid filament. finer than
the thread OF silkworm. These filameats
are wound on bobbins. twisted, washed.
dried and washed and dried again. after
which 1t is dyed and woven like ordinary
silk. taking the dye better and having
a very fine gloss.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06

mine whether General Toombs was 80
terribly wrong"
l had the honor to be personally &C
quainted with General T0ombs; served
with him in Lees army; occupied the
same quarters with him on the line OF
the Rapidan. when Lee was holding that
line against Meade. The picket lines were
so close together that hungry Confed-
crates snapped tobacco for Federal ba-
con. But never did / see Toombs mani
fest the slightest sign Of trepidation or
even Of uneasiness. lie was one OF the
finest combinations OF physical and in
tellectual manhood that 1 ever met, even
IN the Army OF Northern Virginia.-Dr.
Hlden In Religious Herald.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06

of Savannah, died recently OF blood pois-
on as the result of vaccination.
Mr. Wanamaker is still reticent and
will not commit himself yet as TO wheth-
or or not he will accept the Republican
nomination for Governor OF Pennsylva-
mia.
At a meeting of the officers Of the Exc
cutive Committee OF the Sound Money
League of Pennsylvania, held In Phil
adelphla, Friday morning, IT wab decided
to raise sufficient funds 10 continue the
active work OF the league.
Abram staley died suddenly at his home
near chambersburg. Pa, on Friday last.
aged one hundred and two years
A number Of New York capitalists.
headed by j. L. George, are making ar
rangements to open a large department
store In the City Of Mexico, and II Is
said that $4,000 will be invested IN the
enterprise.
William J. Fitzpatrick, who had been
a conspicuous figure on the American
turf since boyhood, died on Friday last
at Saratoga. N. Y He was known as
Dare Devil Fitz"
Mrs. Beulah M. Dutton WIDOW lair
and forty, has filed suit in chicago
against John II. Hanan, the millionaire
shoe manufacturer OF Brooklyn. for
Sl50OOO for breach of contract The
character OF the contract is not stated.
Vanderbilt's railroad lines now en-
brace a mileage of 1881 with outstanding
stocks Of si79. 905, 500 and bonds Of 'e04'-
g57 SCI.
Miss Florence Higgins has been APP
pointed professor of cratory and director
OF the department Of elocution In the
Northern Indiana College Of Law at VAL
paraiso.