davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-27
OPEN LETTER.

To the Citizens of Grand Rapids and
Ceutrufa, WIS: In order that there
may be no misconception of our posi-
ton and that a knowledge of the
facts as they exist, in relation to the
public lighting of the streets may be
known, a time has now come when we
desire to make brief statement COW
ering the question in such way that
if the streets still remain in darkness
we are in no way responsible for it.
This question must be discussed
from pure business standpoint. The
fact, who does this lighting, or
whether the ownership of the Central
Electric Co. should be in the hands
Of the people, can and shall have
nothing to do with this case, as will
be shown.
1t has been often stated and gener-
ally believed that the business as con-
Quoted by the Central Electric Co.
has been extremely profitable to its
stockholders, Notwithstanding the
prices charged for current are lower
than any other place in this state.
The large profits are not true at all.
But the opposite belief. The appar-
cnt success of the Wood County Tele-
phone Co. and the discussion of mu-
nicipal ownership has eliminated in
the formation of an electrical CO.
operative corporation, whose purpose
is to supply light to its patrons at not
above II per cent. above cost. The
name is ''The Twin City Electric Co. "
The five year contracts with Cen
tralia and Grand Rapids have now
expired. The officers of the Central
Electric Co. have tried to get some
expression from either one Or the
other municipal bodies as to what
they wished to do, and have failed
There is a fixed cost to clothing, boots
and shoes, dry goods, groceries, and
all the neceSSarieS Of life. In the
same way, there is Il fixed annual cost
in producing the current of an arc
lamp. The longer hours of service
increasing this cost in marked de-
gree. These statements apply as
thoroughly to these small cities as to
all other places in the world. nOtWith-
standing you have some very eminent
authorities in this community who
have told you that there was large
profit in the two contracts just COM
pleted and that any change in the
price was not to be considered at all.
The actual contract price for Grand
Rapids was $67.4 per lamp per year;
for Centralia, $50. 90 per year. During
the past year, the actual price paid by
Grand Rapids was $61.95 and Contra
liza $3.50, showing reductions made
on the contracts.
In March, 1897, a report was made
to the Northwestern Electrical aSso-
citation by its members, 226 in num-
Der, showing the prices paid in the
cities and towns to the lighting COM
panies, not only for lighting the
streets but the incandeScent lamp as
well. The reports from Wisconsin,
A in number, are presented below:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-27
E. >. Minor and Reformation

The Milwaukee Telegraph has the fol-
lowing to say about E. S. Minor, Con-
gresham of this district:
We hear but one name mentioned in
connection with the Republican nomi-
nation in the Eighth district, and that
is the name of Captain E. S. Minor, a
man who during his two terms in Con-
gress has earned the good opinion his
constituents have of him and their ap-
probation of his services as we'll. Be
cause of that good opinion and keen APP
probation Mr.. Minor is liable to be re-
nominated and reelected until he
throws up his hands and cries ''hold
enough
This being true ofthe gentleman of the
Eighth, We can think of no better com
pliment than to record it in this connec-
ton.
Like Sauerhering, Often and Barney
Captain Minor took strong Democrat
&c district, and. by a campaign that was
superb, made it safely Republican.
At this end of the district we know of
no opposition to his denomination and
probably there will be none in the dis
trict.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-27

We invite the most careful eXamin-
alton of the reports and call attention
to the different conditions existing in
the different places. For -instance,
De Pere pays $1,000 per year each for
so lights on moonlight schedule, but
each light is only 1900 candle power
which is 1888 per 20O0 candle power
on a moonlight schedule. The price
at La Crosse is $500 per year on a
dark hour schedule, 210 lights in use.
The cheapest light furnished, out
side of Grand Rapids and Centralia.
isat Eau Claire, which pays 5000 per
light for all night lights, 2000 candle
power and uses 30 lights. Yet Grand
Rapids has been paying S66. As for the
same thing, using Is, while Centralia
paid 5000 for same service using only
10. What reason was there for these
prices? Can they be continued:
There is no answer needed, unless you
say clothing, groceries, hardware car
be sold here without reference to theil
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-27

Of all diseases, Bright's Disease of
the kidneys is the most dangerous, on
account of It's subtle and insidious ma
ture. Usually it is firmly fixed before
its presence is even suspected by its
victim. For this reason it is important
that the treatment be commenced on
the appearance of the first symptoms.
Even then it requires careful treatment
to stay its progress. Pains in the back
irregularities IN the urine, swelling OF
the limbs or abdomen, should be the
subject of instant investigation and the
proper remedy Immediately applied
DIR. j. II. McLean's Liver and kidney
Balm has proved in thousands of severe
cases its efficacy in curing this terrible
disease. Price S1OO a bottle. For sale
by T. L. Steib & Co.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-27
value everywhere else. Again, why

value everywhere else. Again, why
do these other places pay SO much
more and does anyone here know the
dividends paid by the electrical COM
panies to their stockholders? Several
of their reports are in our hands and
the interested are invited to read
them.
The facts are, this lighting plant
has been kept up by pulp mill and a
flour mill. Ask the owners how much
money they have made in running
their business. If they tell you one
thing. the tumble down buildings say
another.
These contracts were made when
the two plants, then separate, were
entirely rebuilt five years ago. Poles,
lines and machinery were all new and
the owners did not have the slightest
conception of what was the cost until
long after the contracts were signed.
The incorporators Of the Twin City
Electric Co., without any practical eX-
perience in the use of electricity at
all. have said to the people that not
only could they furnish better light,
but they also believed at less cost
than that they had, not only for the
arc light but the incandescent lamp
as well.
Naturally, the common councils
have believed with their brethren and
until that question was settled we
told the councils we would continue
to light the streets for $500 per year
on a dark hour schedule. This is $13
per year less than La Crosse. Wis,
where 210 are in use. Grand Rapids
replied that we might continue with
10, at a price of 1851 per year per
light less than paid by Eau Claire who
use 10, and we could run them until
they were ready to shut them off.
For year, under the threat of mu-
nicipal or cooperative ownership, our
property has been a football subject
to every rumOr that came to diScredit
our work or the service furnished to
the people here. We now insist that
this uncertainty shall end. The in
stincts of common humanity, if not
here then among the people OF this
state, shall say that fair treatment
and a reasonable protection to the
capital invested shall be accorded to
us.
We do not dispute with the prin-
cipleS of the Twin City Electric Co
at all They are perhaps right and
we offer them our electric plant at a
fair appraised value, hoping they"will
realize from its operation all their
projectors have promised.
Practical, every day experience in
the most particular business that can
be conducted is a harsh master, and
those who come after us will hardly
escape similar results in the applica-
ton of this powerful, mysterious ele-
ment to the endless uses of every day
life-scarcely understood at this time
at all.
If the cooperative company cannot
purchase. we offer it to the two cities
collectively, giving an option to them
for two years, appraisal to be made at
once and extensions or improvements
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-27
Try Grain-O! Try Grain=O!

Ask your grocer to-day to show you
a package of Grain-O, the new food
drink that takes the place of coffee
The children may drink it without IN
jury as we'll as the adult. All who try
it, like it, Grain-O has that rich sea-
brown of Mocha or Java, but it is made
from pure grains, and the most delicate
stomach receives it without distress.
the price of coffee. Is cents and q
cents per package. Sold by all grocers
Sept.9y1.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-27
GEO. L. WILLIAMS.

Exposure to rough weather, damp
ness, extreme cold, ETC., is apt to bring
on an attack of rheumatism or neural
gia: chapped hands and face, cracked
lips and violent itching of the skin also
owe their origin 10 cold weather. Dr.
J. II. McLean's Volcanic Oil Liniment
should be kept on hand at all times for
immediate APP plication when troubles OF
this nature appear. 1t is a sovereign
remedy. Price 25c, SOC and $1,00 a
bottle. For sale by T. l. Steib & Co.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-27

A woman should keep her age as
young as possible. The fewer years il
carries in the eyes of others, the greater
her power to charm and win the battles
Of life. We would advise all ladies to
use Rocky Mountain Tea, Natures
beautifer. Keeps one young. For sale
by John E. DAILY.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-27
ONE OF TWO WAYS.

The bladder was created for one pur-
pose, namely, a receptacle for the urine,
of disease except by one of two ways.
The first way is from imperfect action
of the kidneys. The second way is
from careless local treatment of other
Iicaocnc
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-27

10 be paid Tor as Shown at the end Of
each year. Upon five years con-
tract for % lights or more, we will
furnish them at $50 per year less than
the stated price paid by the city of
La Crosse for the same service.
CENTRAL ELECTRIC Co..
By order of the Directors.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-27


Beaver Dam. SL33 month
O
Jefferson. p. m. m.
1902 e
pc to 2O'c
Pattevlle S667 moonlight - o'clock
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-27
THE MARKETS.
Latest Quotations From Grain and
Live Stock Ccntera.

live stock CcnterN.
st. Paul, May %. - Wheat = No. 1
Northern, $1.45@1.4S; No. 9 Northern,
Sl.3OM1.33. Corn No. 3 yellow, 81
an SIC; No. 3, 33 a 34c. Oats -
No. 8 white. 32@32 1-2c; No. 3. BIG
81 1-2c. Barley and Rye-Sample bar.
ley, 34@4Oc; No. 2 rye. G3@64c; No. 3
rye. 6OM62c. Seeds-No. 1 flax, $1.32@
1.33; timothy. $1.1O@1 .35: red clover.
$3M3.60. Ground Feed and Millstutfs
No. 1 feed. $14.75@15; coarse corn
meal. $13.50@13.75; bran. in bulk,
$11.25@11.75; shorts, in bulk, $11.25M
11.75.
Duluth, Mimi, May %. - Wheat -
Cash, No. hard, $1.55; No. North
ern. $1.55; No. 2 Northern, S1.35; to
arrive in May, No. hard. $1.55; No. 1
Northern, $1.55: to arrive. regular,
$1.4S; May. No. 1 hard, $1.55; No. l
Northern, $1.55; July, No. hard.
$1.4S; No. 1 Northern, $1.4S; Septem-
Der, No. 1 hard, 80 1-2c; No. 1 North
ern, 81 IL. Oats, 80 1-sM31 1-Sc; rye,
to arrive, CSC: barley. to arrive, 44c.
Minneapolis. May 22.-Wheat - May
opened at $1.49 IA and closed at ST .53;
July opened at SLIT IL and closed at
$1.40 IL. On track-No. hard, $1.51;
No. L Northern, $1.49 Ii; No. . North
ern. S1.37 II.
Chicago, May %. - Wheat - Cash,
No. 2 red. SLAP: No. red. 81. 126l1 30;
No. 9 hard, S1.15M1.1S: No. 3, 81. 1O0l
LIS; No. 2 spring, $1.1S; No. 3. $1.1Ol
1.30; No. 1 Northern spring, SLIP: No.
9 corn. 36 1-Sc: No. 3, 3:5 Sic; No. 9
oats. 32c; No. 3, soc.
Milwaukee, Wis. May %. - Flour is
steady. Wheat stcadier; No. North
ern, July, $1.44 10; No. 9 Northern,
spot, $1.3G. Oats lower at 32M32 1-2c.
Rye weak; No. 9, G4 3-4c. Barley low
or; No. ., SIC; sample, 47M53c.
Chicago, May %. - Hogs - Light,
S3.NM4.25; mixed, S4.1904.45; heavy,
$4.15Gl4.55:. rough, S4.15M4.25. Cattle
Beeves. $4M5.2O; cows and hcifers,
S2.75M4.75; Texas steers, $3.9OM4.5O;
stockcrs and feeders, $3.9O@I4. 81
Sheep-Natives. $31O@4.5O; Westerns,
$3.75G4.40: lambs, $3.75@5.35.
New Brighton, Mimi, May %. -
Hogs. $3.250I4.30. Cattle-Cows. $:55.22o
@3.G5; stockers. S4.1O; steers, S4.3O;
bulls. So.
South st. Paul. May 90. - Hogs -
S3.6OM4 80. Cattle-Cows, $3.:lOGi4. O5;
steers, $40: stockers. $3.SCda4 50;
hcifers, $3M4.G5; bulls. So. 1O13.775.
Sioux City. Iowa, May %. - Hogs -
$4.1C0430. Cattle - Gamers. 50. Ii;
COWS. $40: heifers. S4m4.25: bulls. s.;
03.9o; stockers, $4.1504.ti5; yearlings,
S4.40M4.15; calves, $4.5OM5.3O. Sheep,
$3.G0M4.3O.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-27
Wednesday May is.

1t is thought that Manila will soon
capitulate.
The cruisers Concord and Boston
will take Iloilo.
Blanco is expecting the Spanish
squadron at Havana.
Dewey is maintaining an extremely
rigid blockade OF Manila.
The president will not, for the pres
ent at least, issue call for more vol
unteers.
Gen. Aerritt's request for more
troops for the Philippine expedition
Will probably be granted.
The fleets of Sampson and Sclley
Will not pursue the Spaniards, but
will see that they do no mischief.
~ report comes from Puerto Plata.
San Domingo, that the Spanish fleet
has reached San Juan, Puerto Rico.
\ report reaches Port au Prince of
heavy cannonading having been heard
Off the coast of Tortuga. 1t is be-
lieved serious engagement was in
progress.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-27
THE ToRNADo's WORK.
Everything in It's Path Completely
Devastated.

Rhinelander, Wis, May 21.-The tor
nado which visited this section devas-
tated everything in it's path. At Pen
nington, eleven miles east of the 500
road the wind swept everything be-
fore it. The depot. round house. hotel
and dwellings We're destroyed and
huge cars of coal picked bodily and
thrown from the track. Two people
We're killed and several injured. The
500 officials arc here and doing every
thing'possible. A local accommodation
train due here at 7:25 p. m. from st.
Paul was delayed three hours by the
storm. 1t was obliged to back up sew
eral times. 1t brought report that
eighteen dead bodies laid in the depot
at Heafford Junction. These are sup
posed to have come from Goodyear's
camp, near Harshaw, where thirteen
men were reported killed. Commune
cation is difficult with wires down in
many directions. Line repairers are
busily engaged establishing connec-
lions between here and Gladstone,
Mich. Many poles being down. The
school house in the town of Pelican
was destroyed and several buildings
We're unroofed. 1t is now likely that
the 500 division will be changed to
Morrison, a station west of Prentice.
as the damage at Pennington is such
that it is not thought that the place
will be rebuilt
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-27
Saturday, May II.

The organization of the independent
volunteers has commenced.
Sagasta says the new cabinet will
follow out the policy of the former
ministry.
Nothing definite has been decided re-
sarding the Spanish expedition to the
Philippines.
The concensus of opinion among ma
val men at Key West is that great
battle is imminent.
The navy department officially con-
firms the news of the arrival of the;
Spanish feet at Santiago de Cuba.
The first detachment of troops to re-
inforce Admiral Dewey leaves on the.
Picking; Others will follow rapidly.
Spaniqrdst attempt !. to destroy the
blockading squadron by sending adrift
hulks resembling torbedo boats. load
ed with dynamite.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-27
Thursday May 10.

SaSasta succeeds in forming q cab
met.
The battlcship Alabama is success
fully launched.
The Charleston sails for Manila
with supplies fo- Dewey.
The Spanish squadron ut Cadiz is
ready to sail. 1t is believed that it will
so to the Philippines with troops.
Gen. Merritt will have the strongest
division of $4,000 troops that it is pos
sible to raise in the United States.
y better feeling towards America
seems to be growing in France since
the publication of Chamberlan's
speech.
Prince Bismarck gives his views on
the situation. The aged statesman is
evidently not in sympathy with the
United States.
Secretary Long gives out the inform
alton that the Oregon is now safe, but
sdeclineS to state whether or not she has
joined Simpsons fleet.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-27
FRIENDSHIP OF FRANCE.
state Department Reaches m I'm
lerstnDiins With French officials.

State Department Reaches m Tn.
lerstnDdins With French Officials.
Washington. May 21.-As result Of
several recent exchanges between the
officials Of the state department and
those Of the French embassy an
agreeable understanding has been
reached which gives assurances of Il
continuance Of traditional friendship
existing between the United States
and France. 1t has served to make
clear that each government has the
fullest confidence in the friendly attl,
tude Of the other, and many criticisms
aroused by incidents in the war have
not been shared by the government Of
ficials OF either country. All misappre-
hension on the steamer Lafayette Incl
dent and the alleged holding of official
dispatches at Martinique We're cleared
up. AS to the Lafayette the state de-
partment never questioned the govern
ment's faith in French authorities,
and as to the delay in dispatches this
was disposed of by the fact that the
messages came over the British, not
the French, cable line. Altogether the
recent exchanges have produced q
pleasant impression on both sides. and
a feeling that any apparent estrange-
ment between the two countries has
been QYercCu.p
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-27

THE cY GU ONES AWFUL WORK
Eorty.One Persons Known to Have
Been killed.

FOrty.Onc Persons Known to Have
Been Killed.
Chicago, May 21.-Forty-two persons
IRE known to have lost their lives and
twenty-eight others are reported dead
Us the result Of the tornado which de-
vastated portions of Eastern Iowa,
Western Illinois and Northern Wiscon-
sin Wednesday night. Iowa heads the
list with nineteen fatalities. The storm
in Iowa started near Stanwood and
swept through the northeastern parts
of Cedar county, the southeastern part
OF Jones county, then the northern
part Of Clinton county and touched
the southern part of Jackson county.
Nineteen persons lost their lives and
more than twice as many We're in
jured. The property loss will prob
ably reach half a million dollars. In
many places not a building of any de-
scription was left standing. Cattle,
horses and hogs. We're killed by the
hundred. In numerous instances farm
ers lost everything they possessed.
The Iowa storm crossed the MISSISSIPPI
pi river into Illinois near Savannah.
Considerable damage was done on the
Illinois side before the storm spent its
force. The second tornado in Illinois
started near Stillman Valley and
swept northward,
Wrecl<ing Farm Houses
and killing as it went. But the great
est loss of life was at the point of ORR
gin, where four We're killed.. At Lam
ark the storm ended it's career by
wrecking the county almshouse and
killing three inmates. Three others
were fatally injured. There were over
fifty persons in the building and all
of them We're more or less injured. In
Wisconsin the storm was more violent
than anywhere else, but fortunately it
originated in the numbering districts
of the northern counties, rushing along
the line of the 500 road and spent its
fury in the pineries. Nine people are
known to have been killed. Vague re-
ports brought in by train crews from
the scene of the storm are to the eff
feet that eighteen bodies of lumber
men from camp near Heafford juno
ton are lying in the railway station at
that place
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-27
WAR; SUMMARY.
n1o,,dny, May 10.

Commodore Schley's feet will put in
at Kew West.
The Spanish squadron is reported to
have sailed from Curacao.
One Of Admiral Dewey's warships
captures Spanish gunboat.
Americans cut the cable at Cienfue-
COS during the recent engagement.
Blanco plans Il cunning ruse TO get
rid Of our blockading fleet, but it mis-
carries.
The failure of the Gussie's expedition
was due to the activity of the Spanish
soldiers.
Unusual activity at Key West indi-
Gates some important movement is be-
ing planned.
Dewey cables the war department
that he is maintaining u strict block
adc of MANILA.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-27

:sufferinfi pain. No narcotics were adj
.ministered. Though a national funeral
will probably be accepted by the fam
mains of Mr.. Gladstone will be laid to
rest in the peaceful graveyard at Ha-
warden, adjoining the church where
fury ago.
London, May 2O.-Every other topic
in Great Britain yesterday dropped
out of sight before the passing of Mr..
Gladstone. Hawarden focused the at
tention, which from the highest to the
man in the street, was respectfully,
sincere and profoundly moved. In two
places, perhaps, was the tension most
keen and most heartfelt-the house of
commons and Hawarden. Just before
the house rose yesterday a telegram
from Mr.. Herbert Gladstone reached
Lord Stanley announcing that his
father was sinking. Already. before
his death, the shadow of grief seemed
to fall over the scene Of his triumphs;
and from the present men turned to
the past, recalling sayings and doings.
A great lion lay dying, his old col
leagues, his one-time enemies and fol-
lowers watching his last long fight
with his last and implacable foe as
they watched in past days his fights
against foes whom he could overcome.
True to himself, he was yielding slow
ly, inch by inch. 1t was generally felt
at st. Stephens that his dying was but
the sequel to that great scene wit
messed four years ago, when. his last
speech spoken, lie quilted the house
without one word of spoken adien.
Anticipating the inevitable the men,
bers of the government discussed the
appropriate procedure to be observed,
and resolved that no effort on their
part should be wanting to mark q
Suitable Sense of Their LOSS.
Disregarding recent precedence, 1t
was decided that the programme in
parliament should be the same as that
adopted in the cases of the earl Of
Chatham and of the younger people,
namely, an address to her majesty
praying for funeral at the public
charge and q monument erected in
Westminster Abbey. Throughout the
whole kingdom every public gathering
added its words Of deep grief to the
volume Of national mourning clearly
versed in the telegram from the prince
of Wales to Mr.. Henry Gladstone:
'My thoughts are with you. your
mother and your family at this trying
time you are experiencing. God grant
that your father does not suffer-
1t was the topic Of the hour in great
Britain. Abroad the evidences of
sympathy were almost as universal.
M. Faure, president Of the French re-
public, daily inquired and has regular
1y received every bulletin. The press
of Belgium, France, Italy and Greece,
in a spontaneous outburst, recalled
how many oppressed peoples during
Mr.. Gladstone's life have offered
hymns of praise for his Intervention in
their behalf; while in Madrid, even the
prospect of his death has caused a
twenty-four hours suspension of war
luminosity against England. Not the
least point in this tribute to Mr.. Glad
stone was it's profound unanimity.