davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
PORUS-PLASTER ROOF.
A West virginian Shingled His House
with Them.


with Them.
That story about the woman who
bought coffin plate engraved with a
name different from her own, because,
as she said, her husband might die
and she might marry a man by that
name, and it might come in useful, is
probably apocryphal, says the New
York Press. But the story of Pompey
Cochran, who saved his old porous
plasters because they might come in
useful some time, and finally shin
gled' his house with them, is true,
and it comes from West Virginia.
Pompey was soldier in the Confed-
crate army and was wounded at the
battle of Gettysburg. After the wa;
he settled down on a little farm near
Mooresfield, w. Va, and has lived there
ever since. The farm is small and
Pompey is not prosperous. The only
thing that has flourished with him of
late years has been the pains caused
by his old wounds, and for those moth
ing afforded relief except porous plas-
tiers. He had a contract with the
village druggist to supply him with
porous plasters by the gross, and the
tax on his resources became so great,
on account of being addicted to the
porous plaster habit, that he became
penurious and demanded that old tin
cans and broken forks and every other
odd and end should be saved. And es-
npnio11Xy ha oh ;1 80 In
old porous plasters. The plasters had
stuck to him and he would stick to the
plasters. He was as proud of his cab
met of old plasters as man given to
the bric-a-brac and curio habit is of
his collections, and declared that some
time they would come in mighty han
dy. Now there were three buildings
on Pompey's farnl-his house, his barn
and a dilapidated building, where he
kept his farming tools and his collec-
ton OF old tomato cans and his por-
Gus plasters. One night the house
burned down and the family moved in
to the Toulouse. 1t was good enough
except that the sun and the stars shone
through the roof. Then came the tri-
umph OF the porous plasters. Pom
pey got out his collection and shingled
that whole blessed roof with old plas-
tiers, and as they were thick with Ber-
gundy pitch they served we'll the pur-
pose and made the roof water tight.
Now people come miles to see the
house shingled with porous plasters,
and Pompey says that they draw bet
ter than they did when they were on
his back.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
DEVIOUS DEFINITIONS.

Confidence-A tender plant nourish.
ed by bunko men.
Satire-A good-natured jest that Is
always half ire"
Tomorrow-The happiest day in the
average mans life.
Hunger-A necessary evil for the
promotion of industry.
Fools-A class of people that wise
men work for living.
Cipher-The average man who thinks
he is one in thousand.
Cynic-A man who is never happy
unless he is very unhappy.
Consistency-A jewel that the pawn
broker refuses to recognize.
Genius-A man who can do almost
anything except make living.
Business-A mantle that covers a
multitude of queer transactions.
Charity-A cloak that is sometimes
used to cover an amateur concert.
Notwithstanding possessed by
the man who never argues with wom-
an.
Photographic representation that
fiatters others and does you an in
justice.
Egotist-A man who always talks
about himself when you want to talk
about yourself.
Notwithstanding that ails the
man who would rather work for $1a
per week than $l3.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
KNOWS THE BIBLE BY HEART.
Deaf and Blind Colored Boy Who Can
Quote Scripture Correctly.


From the Louisville Post: while
visiting an old friend on the Tennessee
river, near where Shannon's creek
empties into the larger stream, not
long SINCE" said country minister,
Il saw a negro lad of II who is as
great a wonder to me as Helen Kellar.
the world famous blind girl and deaf
mute. He lives in a typical Kentucky
backwoods community. and has had
no advantages. My friend asked me
if l would like to see the youth, and l
assured him l would. We went to The
child's home, if the little hut might be
termed home, and before l left it /
had opened my eyes wide in astonish-
ment. The boy was born deaf and
blind, and with one arm. He was for
years, while a negro tot, called the
freak by the negroes, who unfeelingly
poked fun at the unfortunate. This
child was given raised letter bible by
an old nomadic missionary. who hap
pened to see the plckanniny while
preaching to the negroes, and from ii
the boy learned every chapter in the
bible. He can quote any verse in the
scriptures, and do it quickly. lie
spends every hour of his time in study
ing Gods word. and says he is going
to teach the blind children of his race.
The lads name is Henry William Ia
laam Freeman, and he is good look
ing mulatto. l am going to get some
friends of mine to join me in collec-
ton to be sent the boy to further his
studies.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
The Old Lady Was Failing.

The maiden aunt of San Francisco
official has gradually cultivated fond
ness for sensationalism until love
of reading horrible descriptions in the
newspapers and marbid imaginings in
books has gained a complete ascen.
dency over her. An old friend of the
family inquired few days ago of the
nephew concerning the health of his
aunt. 'We are rather anxious about
her." was the perfectly serious reply.
"She is not exactly ailing, but her
spirits seem depressed. She does not
seem to be enjoying her murders and
lynchings as much as usual"
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
LOST--A HEART.

Lost-a heart; on Monday,
Dropped somewhere in the street;
The loser will gladly pay
A reward and be discreet.
OF little value except
To the owner of the same,
Who hopes. if it is kept,
The finder will send her name.
No questions, on return
By a girl with Psyche head
And lips which make one yearn
To press their tender red.
Lost-a heart; on Monday,
In the hustle of street cars,
In the rattle Of truck and dray;
She may know it by it's scars!
New York Weekly.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26

Look out for colds
AT this season. Keep
Your blood pure and
Rich and your system
Toned up by taking
Hoods Sarsaparilla. Then
You will be able to
Resist exposure to which
A debilitated system
Would quickly yield.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
HOw's This.

We offer One Hundred Dollars reward
for any case OF Catarrh that cannot be
cured by Halls Catarrh cure.
+. j. CHENEY q CO., Toledo, o.
We. the undersigned have known +. j.
Cheney for the past fifteen years. and be-
lieve him perfectly honorable in all bust
ness transactions and financially able to
carry out any obligations made by their
firm: West 81 Truax, Wholesale Druggists,
Toledo, O.; Walding, Klnnan & Marvin,
Wholesale Druggists, Toledo, o.
Halls Catarrh Cure is taken internally
acting directly on the blood and mucous
surfaces of the system. Testimonials sent
free. Price 75c per bottle. Sold by all
druggists.
HALLS Family Pills are the best.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
SCRAPS.

Sweden has $3.50 miles Of railway.
equivalent to 1914 miles for each TO-
300 inhabitants. the largest pro rata
mileage in Europe. Switzerland COM
ing next, with 7ls miles per 10000 pop
llation.
Frank Mark of st. Louis is the only
pensioner In Missouri who is awarded
500 a month, yet he was In the army
only sixteen days and did not fight a
battle. He lost both arms In cannon
practice.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
independents.

Biffers-"Hello, Winters. How goes
1t? Still working for Harde Cash g
Coz"
Whiffers-"No. I'm in business for
myself now"
"You don't say sou
Eyes. married an actress"
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
Halls Family Pills are the best.

Young ladies take up the collection in
the First Baptist church Of Trenton, N.
j. A marked increase in the attend
ance has been noticed since this novel
feature was introduced. The clergy
men Of other churches in the vicinity
criticise this innovation, and one of
them has said, Every soon the lady col
lectors will be required to shoot around
the aiSles on roller skates
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
TATE INSTITUTIONS.
COMMITS BIZ INVESTIGATION
MAX ITS REPORT.
Recommend ! Board of Control, Which
Can So (ssoo,ooo Each Bien-
= NAL Period.
Dies MONIES, Jan. IS.

~ Dies MONIES, Jan. IS.
The pre- II management of Iowa in.
sane asy hs, penal institutions. and
ether ind utions outside of the state
Ames 9, state normal school cost the he
state 81 200 or. 10 per cent more each
biennia hriod than they should;
! &esid fthis the sixteen institutions with
thifsse boards of f., some seyenty-nvee
membSiE ere paid $4,000 in salaries and
expenses. which should be saved.
with charges of ignorance on the part
of trustees, acknowledgement and misuse
Of funds, make up the most sensational
report ever submitted to the Iowa iegls-
The report is from the hands of the
special committee appoited last winter to
mend improvements. 1t is composed OF
Senator Thomas d. Healy of Webster. re-
publican; Representative Calude R.Porter
Ct Appan0oss democrat az ana Repgeseh ra
publican. For six months this COM
mittee has worked hard and energetically
and the result was lain l before ra both
pr some fifty columns of newspaper type.
rhie committee finds that the institutions
have been running the state, instead of
the state the institutions. that many trus-
tees knew nothing of their duties, that
the institutions expend money foolishlyL
and wind up by recommending central
board of control, similar to that OF New
York and other states.
Representative Merriam goes further
In q separate report and says the state
educational institutions should be in
cluded in the general house cleaning.
There are sensational charges in the re-
port as WELL The trustees of the soldiers
home are criticised for taking per diem
when not entitled to it, for buying goods
at retail and for a drug bill of $1,000 a
year. The whisky bills of $500 a month
are particularly noted.
At the Glenwood institute the treasurer
r. criticised for not turning over pre-
miums on warrants and for accepting
salary as treasurer when member OF the
board. The guard service at the peniten-
tiaries Is roasted and the suggestion made
that the selection of the warden should be
taken out of politics.
There is evidence all through the report
that the institution of this investigation
has created a desire upon the part of the
management of the various institutions
to pick UP the lax threads of business.
In nearly every case the visits of the
committee have called forth unasked the
assurances that some of the most glaring
evils shall not be repeated, the manifes-
tation of disposition much like the
small boy who promises never to repeat
the offense If he can but escape punish
ment this time.
The report was written by Senator
Healy and shows careful study of the
subject throughout 1t is very possible
that still more interesting information
will be drawn out in debate over the. bill
Nmbodying the recommendations which
will be introduced at once.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
Force of Habit.

did you ever notice the queer TO.
tary gesture Mr.. Chilkoot always
makes when his wife rings for the
butler?' Eyes; you see, he used to be
a motorman before he went to Klon-
dixie" Boston Traveller.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
victoria's Dress of Spider-web.

The queen owns a dress manufao
tured entirely of spiders webs. 1t was
a present from the late Empress of
Brazil, who had it specially prepared
in her palace by twenty native silk
workers.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26

Life would be a lot happier If the
average woman knew as much about
what temperature is best for the family
as she does about what is best for her
cactus.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26

Probably the limit Of girls unhap-
piness isn't ever reached till she takes
dinner with a man and gets a dish that
she doesn't known how to eat.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26

Klondike via Portland, Tacoma or Seat
tie. Only personally conducted excursions
to Portland leave Chicago Thursday a
Write JNO. SEBASTIAN, G.P. A. Chicago
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26

Educate Your Bowels With Cascarets.
Candy Cathartic. cure constipation forever. 100
nc. If C. @. &C. fail druggists refund money.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26

Mrs. Winslow's Soothing syrup
For children eething sotens the gums reduces fnan
nation, allays pain. wind collie. rs cents bottle
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26

The New York postoffice made a net
profit of $4,9O0,O00 in 1897.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
TROUBLE AT SOLDIERS. HOME.
Committee Finds Many Irregularities and
and Jumps on the Commissioners.

place and comes in for a large share of
criticism and comment. The statute does
not provide for a per diem for the six
commissioners of the home. but they have
paid themselves from the funds Of the In
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-19

lcan pattle-ship on such unequal terms was Tar from desirable and might bring serious results. For this reason the official information reaching the authorities to-day was the source of most hearty congratulation. Where the report came from was not mada known, but the mere fact that Secra- tary Long regards the Oregon as safa makes it possible that she has nassad to the northward of the Windwar6 Islands.
 The cruiser Charleston. which started to-day on her long journey to n,aat Ao1nlral Dewey at Manila, should ar- rive tnere in about twenty-four days. allowing couple of days at Honolulu for coal
 The stock of ammunition which. tbe Charleston carries is believed to he 1ba great essential just now, the fierce en- gagement at Cavite having consumed large part of the American adniraI,s shot and she'll
 There IS good deal of talk at the War department to-day of the possi bllity of an issue by the President of another call for volunteers. but care- ful Inquiry tends to warrant the state
 
 ment that this is at least prematura and that no further call is likely to issue until the aggregate number of soldiers already called for have responded and have been duly equipped for service. This last matter the equipment of the new troops, Is the main source of de- lay and promises to become even worse in the near future
 ho soon be ready for service; likewise the Newark, and it is believed the cruisers Columbia and San Francisco. which have been stationed off the New Eng land coast, are also under orders to pro- ceed south and join either Sampson CT Schley. The auxiliary cruiser St. Paul. Captain Sigsbee, arrived at Key West to-day. The addition of these war vessels will greatly strengthen the fighting and flying squadrons. There will be a sufficient force not only to ef- fectually maintain the blockade of Cuba's south coast, but for the siege of Havana. Blanco's forces will be attacked by our land forces before re- lief can reach him from Admiral Ger vera.
 Meanwhile the Board of Strategy. facetiously known here as the Board of Letharrv." is without any informa- tion as to the present whereabouts of the Spaniards or their probable des- tination. All it appears to know is that the fleet sailed northwesterly from from Curacao. No confirmation of the report that the squadron is now in the harbor of San Juan has been received either through the press or official dis patches. If the Spa-.i2rds are at San Juan ID further strategy will be re- quired. They will either be fought to a finish In their own harbor or else it's mouth will be 'lockaded, and the Porto Ricans starved into submission, while the siege of Havana Is progressing.
 If the Spaniards kept on their north westerly co they should, by this time, be vc--- near Cienfuegos, where there are only few small American vessels or else In the Yucatan Channel, with the idea of descending upon Ha- vana and raising the blockade,
 It Is altoget' CT improbable that the
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-19

stone. In two places, perhaps, was the tension most keen and heartfelt-the House of Commons and Hawarden.
 Just before the House rose yesterday a telegram from MT. Gladstone reach ed Lord Stanley announcing that his father was sinking.
 Already, before his death, the hush of grief seemed to fall over the scene of his triumphs, and from the present men turned to the past, recalling say ings and doings. 4 great lion lay dy- ing, his old colleagues, his one time enemies and followers, watching his last long fight with his last and i'm placable foe, as they watched in past days his fight against foes whom he could overcome. True to himself, he was yielding slowly, inch by inch. It was generally felt at St. Stephens that his dying was but the sequel to that great scene witnessed four years ago when, his last speech spoken, he quilted the House without one word of spoken adieu
 Anticipating he inevitable, the mem bers of the Government discussed the appropriate procedure to be observed, and resolved that no effort on their part should be wanting to mark suit able sense of leir loss
 Disregarding recent precedents. it was decided that the programme in Parliament should be the same as that adopted In the cases of the Eari of Chatham and of the younger Pitt.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-19

While President Mckinley was at first anxious to avoid smelling Cuba's capital attended as it will be by the destruction of innocent live to say nothing of the sacrifice of many ot our soldiers. who are to invade Cuba, he now realizes that the longer it is de- layed the more difficult will be the cap ture of Havana Blanco is not only taking advantage of our delay to thro" up serviceable earthworks along the north coast, but there appears to De fair prospect that Admiral Cervera fleet on this side of the Atlantic Will soon be reinforced by the powerful bat tleship Pelayo, the cruisers Emperador Carlos V, Alfonso XIII and several more torpedo-boats.
 He realizes that a mistake was made in not following up the Manila victory with t6o reduction of HavanaS batter ies and a bombardment of tie city in- stead of sending Sampson on Wlio goose chase to San Juan, where little was accomplished beyond damaging US principal Notifications. But It IS not not vet too late to recover from this lost opportunity, and it was said to-day that the President had determined 10 send 100. 900 men to Cuba if necessary.
 Secretary Long gave out the welcome infornaation to-day that the battleship Oregon. the second largest craft in the American navy, had successfully com nlated her long trip from San Fran cisco. making the entire circle of South America. and was now safe. Whether or not she has joined Admiral Samp- sons fleet the Secretary would not say. The rigid secrecy of the Navy Depart ment was relaxed only enough 10 make known the best news the Navy Depart- ment had received since the battle or Manila as it meant not only that the Oregon was out of harms way rom d concerted attack on this one snip oy the whole Spanish squadron now III southern waters, but also that her great 6gbting strength would be added to Adrniral Sampson's force in the near f,,ture :f. indeed, it had not already augmented the admiral's strength.
 In all the trip covered more than , Q ooo ,niIes. The last stretch, from pebia to the Windward Islands, has baen followed with anxiety by naval officials. for, by a strange colncldence, tha formidable Spanish squadron Of . armored cruisers and torpedo boats :, ,nnroac ched the Windward Islands at Inc very time when the Oregon was aue there. It had been suspected that tbe Spanish admiral would try to in- tercept the battle-ship with his su- nerior force, and before leaving Bahia captain Clark of the Oregon was warned to keep 8 close lookout for .I. Cya a,,iSh feet
 In reply Captain Clark expressed his confidence in being able to hold his own single-handed against all the Spanish cruisers. The only apprehen- sion he felt was as to torpedo boats under the Spanish admiral's command, for these are a new and practically untried element against the modern battle ship, and Captain Clark, while confident of holding out against these also. said a chance blow might be struck by them.
 Notwithstanding Captain Clarks as- surances. the Navy Department con- tinued to feel that a meeting between the Spanish squadron and the Amer
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-19
Englond's Grand Old Map Summoned to f lis
 FiDul Rest.
Peaceful Close of the Career of One of the Greatest Statesman of
 tbe NiDeteenth Century.

namely, an address to her Majesty praying for a funeral at the public charge, and monument erected in Westminster Abbey.
 Throughout the whole kingdom, every public gathering added its words of grief to the volume of national mourn ing, clearly voiced in the telegram from the Prince of Wales to MT. Her bert Gladstone:
 My thoughts are with you your mother and your family at this trying tme you are experiencing. God grant that your father does not suffer.
 ALBERT EDWARD"
 At the banquet of the Home Counties Liberal Federation last evening, Sir William Vernon Harcourt, Liberal leader in the House of Commons, in stead of delivering an important party attack, only uttered a few words of grief, and left the room. The Duke of Devonshire, Lord President of the Council of Ministers, speaking before the British Empire League, referred touchingly to the mourning scenes at Hawarden, where ''the greatest of Englishmen was slowly passing away"
 In other places, Lord Horatio Davis, Lord George Hamilton, the Secretary of State for India, Henry Campbell Zimmerman and many others in Lon don, as well as in Birmingham, Swan sea, Cardiff, Liverpool, Edinburgh and elsewhere, at all sorts of gatherings, politicians, divines, agitators. reform CTS and women joined in the expression of national and individual grief. while the press, without exception, published Of detail and columns of edi- torial comments.
 It was the topic of the hour in Great Britain, but abroad the evidences of sympathy were almost as universal M. Faure, President of the French repub-
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-19

much credence in the report from Porto Rico, published by the Herald, that the Spanish squadron has reached San Juan, but they have been unable to confirm it. None of the scouts have re- ported the fleet. Consul Van Horne, at. St. Thomas, cables that the only Spanish vessels sighted were three small gunboats and a trans port bound for San Juan. If Admiral Cervera's squad ron is not at San Juan, the belief here is that it is still coaling off the Venezuela coast.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-19
WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE.

ceived every bulletin. The press of Belgium, France, Italy and Greece, in a spontaneous outburst recalled how many oppressed people during MT. Gladstone's life have offered hymns of praise for his intervention In their be- half; while in Madrid, even, the pros pect of his death has caused a twenty four hour suspension of war animosity against England.
 Not the least point in this tribute to MT. Gladstone was it's profound una nimitY.