davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-01-10
Railroads to Make improvements

Denver, Col, Jan. 9.-President L. T.
Jetfery, of the Denver 6 Rio Grande
railroad, who has just returned from
the east, announces that the company
VIII spend this year s1,5oo,0O0 for new
tfaeksgs and equipments
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-01-10
Close AppIication wa. m. No.,

Close Application Was His Motto.
The doorkeeper of the Boston the
alter who died recently, held his place
50 years, and in all that time never wit
messed play there or anywhere else.
On only one occasion he asked for
holiday and that was to attend clam
bake down the harbor. He missed the
boat AMI was in his place at the theater
door at the regular hour.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-01-10
MURDERED BY ROBBERS.
Post of Duty Near Bethlehem,
Pa.-No Clew.

= Philadelphia, Jan. Oh. Wurster,
the night telegraph operator for the
Philadelphia & Reading at Bingen,
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-01-10
before Columhus.

Prof. Proctor asserts that 100000 900
people lived and died in America before
Columbus discovery
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-01-10
UNITED STATES eUNBoAT CONCORD.

other home and foreign orders are report
ed. The demand has never been greater
at the beginning of the year than 1t is now.
The wheat movement has to sustain it
the largest foreign demand movement ever
known for wheat and corn together, and
Atlantic exports of 5,214.420 bushels. flour
included, against 2.S40,31S last year. with
Pacific exports OF 614.s33. against S72, 44s
last year, would give some reason to an
ticipate higher prices were not the western
receipts 4.101.532 bushels, against 2.S76072
for the same week last year. The wonder
Is that the foreign demand for corn con-
tinues so heavy, S,572,412 bushels having
been exported this week, against 1884, $50
In the same week last year.
Failures for the week have been 243 in
the United States, against 1922 last year and
"a in Canada, against 80 last year.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-01-10
Nominations.

Washington, Jan. 9.-The president
sent to the senate the nomination of
Col. William NJ. Wherry, Seventeenth
infantry, to be brigadier general in
the regular army, vice Worth, retired;
Robert II. Rolfe, late colonel First New
Hampshire volunteers, to be inspector
general, with rank of major. He was
Immediately confirmed and will be as
signed to duty on the staff of Gen.
Brooke.
There were sent to the senate also
a large number of nominations, being
promotions in the regular army and
volunteer regiments, also number of
staff appoin tments.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-01-10
Deserves Careful ATTENTION.


THAT the plan deserves careful atten-
ton Is shown from the fact that it is the
outcome of the careful study given the
subject by naval board with such men
as Theodore Roosevelt then assistant Sec
Commodore Melville, Capt. Robley d.
Evans and Capt. Crowninshield. Free
from technicalities. the purpose of the bill
Is to establish new line, including the old
line and the engineer corps; to remedy the
present stagnation in the lower grades Of
the service; to better the condition of the
enlisted men: to reorganize the marine
corps, and in general to increase the eff
fciency of the navy. The bill treats the
whole subject broadly. from the standpoint
OF the greatest naval efficiency"
Mr.. Foss says he is receiving strong
support from the press, and be has re-
ceiyed over 100 favorable editorial ex.
pressions on the reorganization
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-01-10
Bradstreet,s Report.

Bradstreet's says: 1.-THE situation is one
of quiet, sustained strength. In wholesale
distributive trade annual inventories have
occupied attention, and distribution In this
branch is. therefore. of only seasonable
proportions. Retail trade reflects the
quieting down of the eager demand ruling
before the holidays but 1t is significant
that the majority Of the reports received
since January in this and in the whole
sale branch refer to collections as almost
uniformly good. Export trade, particular
ly in cereals. continues we'll up to max
imum figures, while reports from the new
great industries of the country are favor
able.
Returns as to 1898 trade In most lines
have been favorable, and the opening Of
spring trade is awaited with more than
usual confidence, this feeling being par
ticularly marked in the lines above emu
merated and In lumber and agricultural
implements. Bank clearings for the week
reflect exceptionally heavy annual settle
ments in total of S1,765, 800. 900, nearly s4O,-
100000 larger than ever before reported, %
per cent. larger than last week, "a per
cent. larger than in this week a year ago.
"a per cent. larger than in 1887. 70 per cent
larger than in 1895 and Is per cent. larger
than In 1884,
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-01-10
NAVAL PERSONNEL BILL.
Early Hearing Probable ON Most
Important Measure.

Washington, Jan. 9.-Representative
Foss, Of Illinois, chairman of the naval
subcommittee, having charge of the ma
val personnel bill, says the prospects
are good that the rules committee will
fix an early day for taking up this meas
ure in the house. Mr.. Foss' request
for a day has been reinforced by Mr..
Boutelle, chairman of the full commit
tee, and Speaker Reed is disposed to
give the measure hearing when the
rush of appropriation bills is over.
Importance of the Bill.
''If we can get hearing" said Mr..
Foss, II am satisfied the bill will commend
itself to members of the house. Thus far
we have been building up our new navy
with special reference to ships but with
out much reference to the men who man
the ships. For an efficient navy both the
men and the ships are essential factors,
and now that we have the ships, this bill
seeks to SO organize and classify the men
as to make complete and approximately
perfect naval establishment, covering
every branch Of the service.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-01-10

Al druggists ssli pr. Anss Pssn YiIiA
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-11

render roH1 building no easy task. The
prevailing material is a sticky clay, and
the predominant color is brick red. The
material is finely divided, and is cut
with astonishing ease by running water,
The solid bedrock, especially in the
more hiliy portions, lies at depth Of
80 feet or more beneath the surface If
the soil.
In the South mountain district Of
North Carolina | have seen holes | > feet
i'll depth, and Of a size TO accommodate
Il cart and yoke of oxen, worn in the
read during the course Of few days Of
heavy rains. The greatest care is ncces-
sary in driving over such roads, as the
pits have often Il projecting rim, which
serves 20 etfoctually conceal them from
view. Driving, except in full daylight,
is clearly impossible
Ii is during Il rain that the mountain
roads give the traveller his full share Of
occupation. There are no bridges, bat
the small creeks are crossed by fords
and the rivers by ferries. After a very
few hours Of heavy rain the deep red
soil has become slough of mud, every
little stream has increased two or three
times it, normal size and the water has
become the color Of the ground. These
little creeks have a most sociaule way
Of accompanying the road on its jour-
ney, sometimes for several hundred
yards. Consequently during storm tho
road is turned for the time into boil
ing torrent of muddy water. Frequent
~ it is necessary to wade for long dis
tances in front of the horses in order to
make sure that the road has not been
destroyed. Each step must be carefully
tested with feet braced against the
current to see that the depth of water
Is not too great to allow the wagon to
pass.
The roads described were seen only
during the summer. 1t is difficult to
imagine what must be their condition
during the more inClement portions of
the yeHr. 1t is to be presumed that
these mountain roads are occasionally
repaired, but | have never seen men
employed in such work, even on tho
main roads leading from one portion of
the region to another.
The work already done in portions Of
the south, as that about Washington
and in the case of more southern city,
that on the roads about Atlanta, goes
far to prove that good roads in the
south can be made. Road metal of good
quality, both quartz, trap and lime
stone is in the greatest abundance, and
labor is exceedingly cheap. Surely SO
beautiful region as that of the south
ern Appalachiana should possess at least
one good highway, fitted for use of the
pedestrian.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-11
COAL OIL ON HIGHWAYS.
A Discovery which May Revolution.
j1c Read Buiiding.

i've Road building.
Recent experiments indicate that we
are ON the verge of discovery that
will change the face Of the country al
most as radically as the invention Of
steam engines. says the Pittsburg Dis
patch. We have the worst roads of any
well civilized country, in spite of the
time and energy that have been put
into the good roads movement, but it
seems that the whole situation is to be
suddenly changed through the applica-
ton of coal oil to our highways and by
ways
II oil be sprinklcd on ordinary dirt
roads, there will be formed hard coat
ing-a sort of concrete, which will not
get muddy and 90 into ruts in wet
weather nor become dusty when dry.
If this is true, Lieutenant Mcigs of the
United States engineer office in Kcokuk,
Ia, who suggested the plan, has made
one of the most beneticent and impor-
tant discoveries Of the day.
These oil roads would be cheaper than
the other kind of hard roads, for the
estimated cost of the material for COW
ering mile of read 10 feet wide is
$126. 50-about I 10 barrels at @l.10 a
barrel The method of applying the oil
is simply by sprinkling, followed by
rolling with a four ton roller to- distrib-
ute the oil and make it penetrate as
rapidly as possible so that it will not
be carried >f on wagon wheels.
.t,ff Ia AE l,p
scheme has not yet been demonstrated,
and it is very possible that the oil may
work we'll with certain soils and not
with others. The experiments that have
been made so far certainly Indicate the
complete success of the idea for any
kind Of soil
Lieutenant Meigs not long ago sprin-
killed. Il stripof roadway , feet wide an
200 feet LONG with crude oil A second
strip 500 feet iii length was sprinkled
more lightly than the other. Just after
the application Of the oil heavy rain
fell, and examination showed that even
before the oil had penetrated it formed
coating that kept the ground under
meath dry; hence here the road became
neithel muddy nor rutty, AS the adjd-
cent untreHtcd parts did. After thi,
rain the Thermometer went to zero and
remained there for some time,
When the road was examined again.
the difference between the oiled and
The unoiled portions was very marked
the former being smooth and evidently
perfectly dry, while the latter was cut
up into ruts several inches deep. Thu
soil of this road is what is called black
gumbo, which holds water like wei
and often forms into huh deep ruts.
So far this test is altogether satisfac
tory and if wher the spring thaV
comes the oiled road continues in gu0t
condition there is no doubt that Mr.
Meigs oil treatment will he taken III
generally and in few years we shal
have as good roads throughout our vas
new land as they have got in Europ,
after centuries of incessant work u
them
OF course the roadbed must be prom
orly treated before the oil is put on.
should be graded so that the water vii
flow of and narrowed so that the oi
will penetrate readily.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-11

wore perfectly fitting suit ana Il saucv
little hat with red wing III it. She
looked like a fearless child--shc was.
1t was o'clock. The fountains were
FLASHING brightly in the autumn sun
shine as the three strolled down the
Rue Royale toward the Place de In Con-
cordo. Glittering cquipages with high
stepping steeds aud supcrhly apparclcd
occupants We're rolling up the Champs
Elysecs,
They walked around TO Colombin' s,
took a cup Of tea, absorbed some luke
warm, soggy and buttery mullins in a
tiny room gorgcd with women dressed
III the height of fashion, who chartered
like magpies over last nights balls,
Delna's new role at the Opera CONTINUE,
the appearance Of prominent personages
at the PalaiS de Glace, which is Jaw
fully bad form after o'clock, my dear
] should not think Blanche would have
done anything so inconvcnante" --hcard
mixture of Anglicisms, Americancse
and CalliciSms and then started for
home, Mary rcgretfully followed She
had lOngcd for hot toast after she had
dellghtcdly consumed her mullins, but
her companions both seemed absent
minded and in a hurry to get out of
doors again. They crossed the Tuilerics
gardens, the Place de la Concorde, and
We're walking up the Champs Elysees
before Priscilla was ut all like herself
She had been stiff and unnatural.
There is Il friend of mine here, a
singer " she explained dctiantly as they
passed the Palais de l'Industric, "Her
name is Constance Brandtord. Her
stage name is Brilla. ] will trouble you,
Mr. Stornmouth, to walk with MS as far
as the Rue Lincoln. | am going to call
on her. We can 20 home in cab.
II know Constance Brilla," said
Stornmouth Unexpectedly. "She was a
friend Of my sister "
ooh, indeed" from Priscilla unen-
couragingly.
She has been over here seven years, ~
said StOrnmouth "ls it possible the
poor thing is pegging away yeti" he
added conmiseratingly.
Priscilla turned and confronted him.
Her cheeks were stained with a vivid
crimson borrowed from her oppressed
enthusiasm S revolt. She began with
fine sarcasm. "You have perhaps an OBJ
lection also to Brilla 'treading the
boards, as you call it!'
"Not the least in tho world, replied
Stornmouth instantly.
1T is more than probable" contin.
ucd Priscilla, as if she had not heard
him, THAT you have taken it upon
yourself to make undesirable remarks tC
her about her future every time you
have laid your eyes upon her, F"
Nothing of the kind" responded
Stornmouth in tone of surprise, why
SO;
/ 1T appears to me, " cried Priscilla,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-11
A PHILIPPINE VOLCANO.
Daring Exploration of the Crater of Taoi
by DR.. Kane, the Arctic Hero.


Professor Charles w. Shields writes Of
"1he Arctic Monument Named For Ten
nyson by DIR. Kane" and incidentally gives
a sketch of tho latter in The Century.
Professor Shields says:
1t was at Luzon, the largest of the Phil
ippine islands, that his adventurous spirit,
though under scientific impulse, passed
the limits of prudence in his far famed OK
ploration of the crater of Tael volcano
on the Pacific coast Of the island, in a
region inhabited only by savsges Cross
ing over to the capital city Of the island
during ono of the long delays of Chinese
diplomacy, he procured an escort Of ma
tivcs from the archbishop of Manila (by
means of letters from American prelste.
which he had secured before leaving home),
and in company with his friend Baron
Loo a relative of Metternoh. penetrated
the country to the asphaltic lake in which
tho island volcano is situated Both gen
tlomen at first descended together until
they reached precipice overbanging the
cavcrnous gulf of the crater, when the
baron saw further progress to be impossi-
bio But the doctor in spite of the 70.
monstrances of the whole party insisted
upon being lowered over the ledge by
means of rope made of barnboos and held
in the hands OF the natives, under the
haron's directions, until he reached the
bottom, 200 feet below.
Loosing himself from the cord, he forced
his way downward through the sulphur
Gus vapors, over the hot ashes, to the
green boiling lake, dipped his specimen
bottle into its waters, returned to the rope,
several times stumbling almost stilied
and with one of his boots charred to a
coal but succeeded in again fastening
himself and was hauled up by his assist
ants and received into their hands eX-
haustcd and almost inscnsiblc Remedies
brought from the neighboring hermitage
wore applied, and he was so far restored
that they could proceed on their journey.
But rumors spread before them among
the pygmy savagcs on the island OF the
profanc invasion which had been made
into the mysteries of the Tacl, and ar
angry mob gathered about them, which
was only dispersed by one or two pistol
shots and the timely arrival Of the padres
The trophies of this expedition We're some
valuable mineral specimens a bottle OF
sulphur water, a series of graphic views
from recollection, in his skctchbook, and
a written description of the volcano by one
of the friars, which. after many wander
ings, was put in his hands as he sat at the
home dinner table ! , years afterward.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-11
Pickle and an Emergency.

The talk turned the other day in an
eastern Maine town on good luck coming
out of apparent misfortune, and as an il
lustration a gentleman told how Waldo
county mans house caught fire in d time
of great drought when the we'll was dry
and there was no water within half mile.
The woman Of the house discovered it
burning at lively rate on the dry roof
Help was scarce as water. She began
wringing her hands and saying over and
over to herself; Here's a pretty pickle!
A pretty pickle"
Pickle, picket" the word unconscious
ly repeated itself and then She thought of
n whole barrel full Of pork pickle in the
cellar, saved for boiling over. She dartcd
down the cellarway and soon began delug-
ing the roof with the brine. Every ono
who has tried it knows what a complete
fire extinguishcr salt water is The effect
was magical, and before the supply of pic
kle was exhausted she had the fire out. and
the homo was saved She says she never
should have thought of it ii that word
pickle had not kept running in her mind.
Lewiston (Me) Journal
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-11
Copyright. 1893, by JB,LiPpincott Co.

lnoy all say that, " returned Storm
mouth. IL wonder if the singing teacher
exists in Paris who does not lilen any
new voice to tho voice of nightingale.
Nightingales are rare enough, in all
conscience. "
He said" cried Mary, sticking her
inquisitive littlo head across Priscilla
so that Stornmouth could hear her voice
better, that she would sing III grand
opera. "
"Oh, no, he did not, Priscilla con-
tradictod peromptorily. 81 particularly
remember he did not say that. lie only
did not discourage mo when | said |
wished to sing in grand opera. He rccog.
nized Just possibly "--this with palpa-
bly, malevolent intention, the candid
eyes cloudod, the sensitive lips pressed
tight together" realized happily
that when girl sets out to do anything
in this world the most powerful obsta-
Gle she has to overcome. to ignore, is
the supertluous Encouragement of her
friends. "
Look at tho woman in that car
riage, said Stornmouth, with quiz.
aical CLEAN in his eyes. "Sho is prima
donna, if you will She sings at the
FL Dorado, down on the boulevard OK
tcrieur. She has diamonds as big as
birds eggs. There isnot a man in Paris,
from cocher to n crown prince, who
does not know every glance of her eyes,
every note OF her voice, as we'll as nv
knows his last years record at the
Grand prix.
But she is horrid, bedizened old
thing!' cried Priscilla, who had stared
ardently, looked away shamcfacedly
and was now biting her lips furiously.
That's fame, he remarked uncom-
promisngly. 1T nearly always stamps
Il woman or man that way" Storm
mouth was unusually reserved, He pos.
se,sed an Anglo-5a contempt for in
reference. Today, i'll spite of himself,
1t must be confessed, he appeared singu-
larly devoid OF his ordinary tact
Il should hate to see Il man, any
man, " he continued a trifo hoarsely,
gazing at your littlc face through an
opera glass, child. | heard some men
last night at the vaudeville discussing
an actress points after the fashion of
couple Of horse jockeys on race
course. | couldn't blame them. The
woman had set herself up to be gazed
at They eazed "
Priscilla lifted her head very high
| indeed and answered not word She
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-11

Abraham Lincoln : western pioneer al
ways on the look out for danger and ready
to magnify it beyond its true proportions,
is only one of a large class of people who
use up in one way and another n good
deal of vitality which might be proltably
applied.
Mr.. Iincoln's old backwood'man had
very heavy oyerhanging eyebrows and
wore big spectacles with brass rims. One
day he came rushing into his cabin and
seizing his rife aimed it carefully through
a crack of the door at "a great oak tree that
stood near and fired
What is it?" whispered his wife.
"A wildcat, Sairy, the orncriest wildcat
you ever see, an | missed him.
He hastily loaded and fired again and
then again.
Nov, hold on, Joshua " said his good
wife Let me look at you. Why, hawks
a-dasy, it's nothin but n little bug on one
O your eyebrows Youth ) Companion.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-11
Crude OIL on Roads.

Through an accident recently some
ground became saturated with the oil,
and very soon it was noticed that the
mud dried up and the surface of the
earth became hard and remained SO. So
notorious WAS this piece of bad road
that the effect of the oil on it became Il
matter of much comment, and the eX-
pertinent was repeated in other local.,
ties, with the same effect.
a barrel Of crude oil is sufficient for
a strip Of road 100 feet long and IL feet
wide, 1t appears that the ground be
comes compact whore it is sprinkled
with the oil, and presents hard, firm
surface. The oil soaked earth sheds the
water, and, of course, there can be nc
mud
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-11
HAVE A MONEY VALUE.
Improvement of Highways II Good
business investments.

That good roads are worth the cost
. of construction is self evident. That
they have IA money value to the farmer
is true for the following among othe:
reasons:
The saving Of time and teams be-
tween the farm and the market.
To permit the profitable cultivation
of truck patches and the marketing Of
their produce in the odd times Of farm
leisure.
Reducing the wear and tear of wa9
ems, teams and harness.
1t will allow our farmers better OF
portunitios TO take advantage of The
change in market values.
And last, hut not least, il will in
crease the real estate value Of his hold
ing,
This is only the economical side OF
the question, bnt there are other adj
vantages scarcely less important. social
educational and religious.