davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-26
AT PHILADELpUIa

Washington defeated pb,i.s,
through the latter's inabil;,,
Dfneen. Both teams played ,aa.,sp
tendance. 200. poofy.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-26
AT CHICAGO.

The Clevelands and the Orphans CON
pleted their schedule, splitting even !
lhe season .er!e.. Attendance Ilnl
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25
A HISTORIC SPOT.
AndersonviIle, the Site of the Old Con-
fcderate Prison.


Among the many places of interest
which surround Americas, Ga, there is
none so historic in its character or of
which SO much has been spoken and writ
ten as Andersonville, the site of the old
Confederate prison and the national GENE
tery ia which lie the remains of over
IL, 0IrJ Union soldiers. 1t lies eleven miles
northeast Of Americas and can be reach
ed by rail or carriage. The drive is a
pleasant ard picturesque one, the road
winding among the hills and valleys and
passing through forests of pine. "a the
old prison pen, which was, in fact moth
ing but a stockade inclosing thirty acres
of land. through which runs Sweetwater
creek, little remains.
A few struggling h~alf-rotted posts mark
the line of the ~stockade. 4 few low earth
works, upon which were mounted small
field pieces. show where once were the
gates. Here and there are a few Of the
wells dug down into the hard red clay for
shelter and in the hope of escape. Prov
dence spring, which burst forth just on
the edge of the dead line" and furnished
fresh water for thousands OF thirsty
throats. still contributes its never failing
stream to Sweetwater creek. The
grounds are now the property of the
Grand Army of the Republic, having been
purchased by the depart nent of Georgia
and turned over to the rational encamp-
ment. Carriage ways and walks have
been constructed through the grounds,
and it is intended to erect a club house.
Visitors occasionally pick up some relic
of the thousands who We're confined there
in the shape IT a button, a buckle or q
rusty canteen.
The national cemetery. in which lie rep
resentatives from every State in the Tn
ion and from almost every regiment, Will
It's $1,000 white hendstones resembling
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25
FATHER or MEMORIAL DAY.
Gen. John A. Logan Was the Inspira-
ton of the Observance.

ton of the Observance.
When the few gray-haired veterans OF
the great wal for the Union met together
in annual observance of Memorial Day,
few bear in mind that the day itself as d
part of the national life is the result OF
the inspiration of the greatest OF all the
volunteer soldiers who fought for the flag,
Gen. John Alexander Logan of Illinois;
Few, indeed, of those not associated with
the organization of Old soldiers remember
this. But such is the fact. The soldier
statesmatl who won his spurs in actual
fight and refused to accept peaceful hon
ors while the war was still ON, one of the
first, if not the first, of the list of hon.
ored comrades who headed that organiza.
ticn, is the originator of the day of sor.
rowful remembrance of the bravery and
virtues of those who fell in battle or who
have crossed the river since the conflict
ended. .
Few warriors of ancient or modern
times achieved as great distinction and
won as high rank in the service as Gen,
Logan. While, to be technically accti-
rate, he cannot be classed as the officer
of the Federal army who reached the high
est grade from the volunteer organization,
it Is true that he won the highest rank on
the smallest degree of military education
and preparation. Grant, Sherman and
Sheridan are all classed with the volun-
teers. The. former two had severed their
connection with the army and re-entered
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25

flag for the grave, and one the piece
from the city. They had all seen service
in the war. Behind them came old Dea-
con Brown, and beside him the new minis
ter from Westham, a young man with a
fresh, bright face. Then came the people,
men, women and children. The drum and
fife played Marching Through Georgia"
as they came up the path. AS they enter
ed the graveyard the music ceased. The
people formed a ring about the grave and
the two women standing by it. The dea-
con made a prayer. The drum and fife
walled the dead march; the flag was plac-
ed at the head of the grave; the column,
with its surmounting eagle, at the foot.
The music ceased. The minister stepped
forward into the ring by the grave and
spoke. He spoke of the honor of war, of
the splendor of victory, of the nobleness
of giving ones life for ones country, Of
the saddened homes, of the joy of the
mother in surrendering her son to her
country, and closed by repeating the lines:
How sleep the dead who sink to rest,
By all their country's wishes blest,
When SPRING."
Don't, don't, l can't bear it!'
These words interrupted the minister's
low tones, and all eyes were turned from
him to Mrs. Piper, who stood, now alone,
by the grave, her worn face grastly white
in the fading yellow sunlight.
Don't go on-1 can't bear it no more,
Oh, Lord, how can /! My son Jimmy
only son-he -he-I've been livin' a lie
these twenty years-an' maxim him out
what he want, he--he want killed in
battle-how can I2-how can ~I?-he-he-
lie was shot for desertin'."
The thin black figure fell upon it's knees
by the grave, the head bent forward over
the little futtering flag. The last rays Of
the setting sun came in under the trees
upon the bushed group. In those mo-
ments they realized it all-the grief, the
pride, the shame, the bitter secret of their
neighbours life; and the hearts of the peo-
pie felt for her. A squirrel raj across the
neighboring wall, a woodpecker tapped on
a tree; the tiny flag spread itself in the
breeze and tapped against the black bon
net bent over it. The first human sound
was the low voice of the minister repeat
ing half unconsciously, Il am the Resur-
rection and the Life, saith the Lord"
There was a stir among the people;
slowly, with hushed breath, they filed out.
Someone hit against the drum, the harsh
noise making them all start. The sun
sank below the horizon, and left three fig
ures standing by the deserted grave-the
black figure bowed over the flag, the tall
figure of the young minister, and the
STOPPING, sympathetic woman friend. The
friend whispered to the kneeling woman.
She looked up, bent forward and pulled
the flag down from the rave, and, clasp
in il in her hand, was led slowly out of
the yard.
The three entered the darkening kitch-
en-. The minister said what few words
he could, and went away. Mrs. Bacon
made some tea and persuaded her friend
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25
MEMORIAL DAY
ATTHE CORNERS

HREE men were sitting one April
morning on the wooden bench out
sid the small building which served
the little settlement of Westham Corners
as postofice, store and general lounging
place and which was also, in the upper
story, the home of the ~storekeeper, Israe,
Bacon, and his wife Hannah. They
glanced now and then at the school house
across the way and the graveyard beyond
it.
Wal" said the oldest of them, a man
with white hair and a white beard under
his chin, Il don't see why we can't hev
some sort O celebration on Decoration
Day IS well s other towns. To be sure,
Jim Piper's the only soldier we sent to
the war, but l reck'n that amt no reason
why he shouldn't hev his dues. | hold we
ought to hev some sort of a time this
year"
Il hin SO, too," said Jed Barker. 81
shd think it would be a sight o. comfort
to oil Mis- Piper. / sh'd think she'd feel
kind o hurt we amt never took no notice
OF her son-not even to put a flag on his
grave"
Il sh'd think shed "a done it herself
IL she'd wanted it," said the youngest
man or the three. "She does put lilacs
on the grave every year-but anyone ken
hev them, if they amt died for their coun-
try L sh'd want a flag on my gravel
know that"
Les see," said Barker, "or Jim died
bout two years after his son, didn't Ae2"
They was the most broke ap couple
ever See" observed the old man, when
the news com about Jim's death down
South, an the eP man started right off
for the body"
An they spent" said the young man,
nigh onto all the money they had laid
by, gettin' of it home, didn't theyy"
Yes" said the other, "an' we never
heard much about it neither. Ye see,
Jim's regiment want near none of the
other boys that went from these parts,
an they didn't know nothin' bout it. nor
jest when he was killed. 1t alays seeH.-
ed queer we didn't hear more particulars.
But We see them Pipers was al'ays a ter
rible quiet set. The coffin, VAN never
opened, an there want no funeral to
speak of-of Parson Bolles come from
Ridgeway an jest made praye think
twas sort of onchristian like"
The three mon got up and went into
the small store. They had a long talk
with Israel Bacon aud his wife. During
the week they called on the rest of the
people at the Corners. 1t was decided 70
AVE a celebration as they proposed. But
it was not to be till the afternoon OF Me-
mortal Day, for all wanted to go to West
ham in the morning to hear the speeches
and have l~unch-then come back to the
Corners towards evening and decorate the
one grave.
Memorial Day dawned fair and warm.
The trees and the grass seemed greener
than the day before; the birds sang blith-
Ter; spring was everywhere. The lilac
bushes waved their greenish purple
plumes, and here and there in a sheltered
nook the splendid purple sprays were In
full blossom.
Mrs. Piper did not go to bed tie night
before. She sat by the window till every
house in the village was dark. Then she
got up and lighted her lamp. She took
it in her trembling hand and went slowly
up the stairs to the small room in the east
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25
slppi experienced when they preceded

sippi experienced when they preceded
Farragut up past New Orleans:
1.-THE Pensacola and the Mississippi
steamed slowis with their black hulls
at regular intervals sheeting t.e air
with lurid fire as they replied 10 the
forts. Abreast Of st. Philip, whore the
Confederate fire was hottest, they drew
in so close that the gunners aioat and
those ashore heartily cursed each other
as they worked"
The Mississippi was with the squad
ron again when IT ran down past New
Orleans on the way back, fair targets
for nineteen big guns at close range.
The hardest fight that the Mississippi
ever was in was the n that ended
her. The feet was trying TO run by
Port Hudson with It's powerful batter
les. None of the squadron got by. The
Mississippi ran aground in the fog and
smoke and stuck hard and fast. In
thirty minutes she was shot fall Of
holes. Her crew climbed into boats on
the side opposite the forts, and, after
setting her on fire, made for the other
side Of the river under a whitening rife
fire. Upon this occasion Lieut.. Dewey
stuck to his guns until the last and he
did not quit the ship until all others had
left. Admiral Porter singled him out
for special praise.
In July, 1868, Dewey was or the gun
boats that engaged the Confederates
below Donaldsonville. In 1864 he was
attached to the North Atlantic block
aiding squadron, assigned to the steam
gunboat Agawam. The A5awam was
one Of the great crescent Of warships,
big and little, that pumped shot into
Fort Fisher N December, 1864, and
January, 1865. Dewey received his com
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25
Fans i'm China

Almost every child in China has a fan
of it's own. They are the playthings of
Chinese babies, as children in this coun-
try delight in rattles. Chinese nurses
amuse their young charges with heir
fans, which they are never without.
The children learn to handle their fans
very expertly, for the fan in the hands
of a Chinese has a certain language of
it's own. Rich and poor alike, every
boy and girl, must have a fan. A poor
little Chinese boy who has scarcely a
whole garment and who rarely gets a
good meal will still have a fan and use
IT co~nstantlV.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25

missio mas lieutenant commander on
March 3, 1865, and served for two years
on the European squadron, first on the
steamer Kearsarge and then IN the
frigate Colorado, the flagship. In 1868
he was assigned to duty at the Naval
Academy. In 1870 he received his first
command, that of the N~arragansett,
which was employed on special service
until 1910.
The Pacific survey of 1S72-75 was H.
trusted TO him. After two years as
lighthouse inspector and Ave as seere-
| tary Of the Lighthouse Board he was
put in command of the Juntata On the
Asiatic squadron in 1882. In Septeni-
Der, 1884. he was promoted to be q cap
tain and placed in command, Of the
! Dolphin, then brand new, and me of
the four vessels to which the name
white squadron" was first given. From
1885 to 1888 he was the commander OF
the Pensacola, the flagship of the Eu-
ropean squadron. In 1883 his energy
and ability to complete matters of de
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25

gable-the room that had been Jim's.
Here she set II lamp upon the bureau
the room had not been changed for many
years-and, taking a key from her pocket,
opened the top drawer. In it was a fad
ed blue uniform, some worn shoes, a belt,
a cap-all that had been brought home on
the body of her son. She lifted them
carefully from the drawer and placed
them one by one upon the narrow bed,
forming something like the efigy of a
human figure. She sat on the chair by the
head of the bed, her head bowed in her
hands, her elbows resting on the pillow by
the side of the faded cap.
One hour she sat there, two hours
three hours; her head fell forward on the
pillow, and she slept. When she awoke
she sat for a momen and looked upon the
bed: the clothes were hideous in their
shabbiness. She rose. put them back in
the drawer, locked it, and put the key in
her pocket. She sighed as she left the
room. Her year was over-another year
had begun. For this was Mrs. Piper's
New Years Day-by this day she had
counted her time for twenty years.
She went downstairs, opened the door
and went out. She went to her white
lilac bush and gathered an armful of the
blossoms. The wet spray fell soft and
refreshing on her withered cheeks. She
took one spray from the purple bush, and
then went down the path. across the road,
up to the graveyard. and straight to a lot
in which there were two graves.
The day proved a hot one. About 6
o'clock Mrs. Bacon called on Mrs. Piper.
The " women sat talking for some time
by the window and looking out towards
the graveyard. The white lilacs had with
cred and turned down during the day.
Mrs. Bacon, at the faint sound of q drum,
the signal agreed upon, asked Mrs. RI
per TO go with her over to Jims grave.
Mrs. Piper got up with a weary sigh, and
put on her black bonnet. The two women
sauntercd across the road and up into the
graveyard. Presently the drum was heard
again, this time accompanied by the whis-
tie of a fife. The woman in black trem-
bled and clue.hed her friends arm.
What is il, Iaanahg' she exclaimed. II
hear a drum and fife. What is itF"
Mrs. Bacon seized her friends arm and
whispered: ITS the folks a-comin' TO dec
crate Jim's grave. They are goin' to hon.
or him like the fest of the soldiers"
Mrs. Piper gave one gasp for breath and
stood as white and still as a stone. Tween
drove up in front % the school house;
the people dismounted and formed the pro-
c~ession. First came Jed Barker, carry
ing d big flag; then ca ne TIVE old men, one
with , aslm, Que vita a 6fei aud behind
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25
Floating Printing Office.

There is a unique craft on the Ala
bama River tied up at the foot of
Commerce street In Montgomery, Ala.
1t has no name ald its tonnage is not
known. 1t does not carry freight or
passengers for hiGe, but contains a
well-equipped job printing office, with
a full stock of printers supplies. The
proprietor, his wife and five children
occupy the front part of the craft, and
the presses, chases and cases the rear.
When the gangplank is hauled in it is
understood that the business lse closed
for the day and he is not disturbed by
company except by an occasional visit
from a fisherman at night. 1t is said
he does a good business. Having no
taxes or license TO pay, and no house
rem to bother him, he can do work
cheaper than his competitors in bust
ness.-Nashyille Banner.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25

-n, .. -. .a.f .h.4 - .tst .fff
4 great ARMY 81 the dead, lies abort half
+, mile From the prison grounds and Is SUE
rot nded by a brick wall. The grounds
are, neatly laid out, the walks are well
paved, the lawns are kept nicely trimmed,
While clumps Of trees and shrubbery break
the monotony of an almost level plateau.
All but a few hundred of the graves are
laid put In long, straight lines, with ave-
nues between, lust as they were dug by
the corps of prisoners who buried side by
side their dead brethren. A wonderfully
correct record was kept by this corps, and
1t has been transcribed and is kept in the
Office of the superintendent, who can In
a few minutes point out the exact spot
OF n one buried in the grounds. Near
The center of the cemetery. apart from all
the others, unmarked and unhonored, lie
the remains of four prisoners who were
convicted by their fellows of robbery and
murder and were hung upon a gallows
erected within the stockade.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25
A Fortunate Accident.

In a splendid room in the palace of
potsdam, M of the decorations is the
figure of a large spider wrought in gold.
An interesting tradition attaches to this
piece of work. 1t commentaries an
incident in the life of Frederick Will
fam, the grand-uncle of the present EN-
peror of Germany. An attempt had
been made to poison him in a cup of
chocolate. By chance a spider fell into
the cup, and for this reason the bever-
age was given to a dog, who Immediate
ly upon taking it died. The cook was
afterward hanged, and the golden
spider in the POtsdam palace immortal
ICES the incident.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25
How He Felt.

The Argonaut gave an amusing lit
tie story of a ships carpenter, not long
ago.
Once when the Pensacola was COM
ing up to San Francisco from the South
Seas. somewhere off Honolulu, she met
a gale that almost laid her down. Car
penter McGloin, a privileged character,
who invariably became seasick in
heavy weather, promptly went to bed.
Finally it was reported to the captain
that something was wrong with thn
foretopmast. The captain sent for nc
Gloin, and the carpenter staggered on
deck.
Get up there" commanded the cap
tain, "and see what's the matter at the
f~oretop.''
.Up that mast?' gasped McGloin.
"Up that mast" reiterated the cap
tain, .and find out what's the matter at
the foretop."
Captain said McGloin, in a last
despairing protest, do you reilly mean
that you want me to go up that mast
in this storm, with this ship going this
wayT'
.you heard what | said" exclaimed
the captain. losing patience at asst;
you get up that mast, and be quick
about it. foev'
Captain" said McGloin, solerlnly.
IF there vi a fouri1ch plank from
here to Brooklyn. I'd walk home"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25

tail was recognized by making his chief
of the bureau of equipment and recruit
ing, which carried with 1t the rank of
! commodore.
In May, 1893. he took another turn on
duty as a member of the Lighthouse
Board. He was made an actual com
modore on Feb. %, 1886, and was at
about that time put at the head Of the
important Board of Inspection and Sur
yey. He was transferred to the COM
Dand of the As!atlc squadron Jan. /,
1898
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25
Gratitude.

Americas show of gratitude for the
deeds of her soldier heroes is a fitting
monument to patriotism. No nation can
compare with ours in the wealth of its
reward for sacrifice. France prides her
self upon the greatness of her Hotel des
Inyalides. and England boasts Of the vast
ness of her military hospitals for the
s.oueen's own but Americas National
Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, as
the inal triumph of military asylums,
surpasses anything else OF the kind set
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25
A FIGHTING COMMANDER.
Dewey, the Hero of Manila, Has Seen
Hard Service,


In his sixty-one years of life Admiral
George Dewey, the hero Of Manila,
has seer q great deal of red hot fight
ing. He was bornamong the green hills
of Vermont and received his appoint
ment to the Naval Academy at the age
Of II. When he graduated in 1868 he
went with the steam frigate Wabash
ON a cruise in Mediterranean waters.
When Fort Sumter was fired upon
Dewey was promoted from ensign to
lieutenant and assigned to the steam
sloop Mississippi, which was to take
part in the fierce fighting of the West
Gull squadron. The Mississippi was a
side wheeler of seventeen guns, and
was commanded by Commander Mel
ancthon Smith. The West Gulf squad.
ron went at once to the Mississippi
River to force its way up. The Ills.
tory of Our Navy thus describes the
sort of things the men on the Missis.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25
An A,mor-PIated Fish.

DIR. A. @. Panton, Of Portland, Ore,
has received from a friend who is win
tering on the coast of the Gulf of Mex
leo the skin of a fish the like of which
has never been seen there before. The
scales are diamond shaped and are of
bone, the edges being as sharp as
sharks teeth. In fact. the skin looks
as il 1t was covered with small sharks
teeth fitted neatly together. The fish
was about fifty inchea in length. No
ish with common scales would stand
a ghost Of a show In combating one Of
these armor-plated monstera
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-05-25

it as volunteers at the opening of the war.
But both were skilled soldiers and grad
yates of the national school of war. Be-
sides they had had years of actual expert
ence on the frontier, and were recognized
as capable officers from the time they took
the field. Logan had no such preparation.
He had fighting blood and common sense
as his sole military education, unless a
limited amount OF schooling might be call
ed his from the part he played as a vol
unteer in the war with Mexico.