davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
BASE BALL TOPICS
CURRENT NEWS AND NOTES
OF THE GAME.
0synsts e the Inheld-Third Base
Moro Important Since Change In
iRitching Distance - Jimmy Collins
Great Work on the Last Bag.
Keynote to the Inheld.

When the old pitching distance was
In vogue the second base was the key
note to the infield, but the five-foot
kmpost has veered the course of many
o ball hit through or into the infield,
thus giving the third baseman more
chances than under the old ruling
Then there are more balls hit to the
left side of the inner circle because
the sphere consumes more time in its
travel to the plate, and many a right
deId batsman, or those who made an
effort to place the ball in right field,
became left field hitters since the hvC-
foot handicap was tackled to the dis
fance. This change has made new
plays in the infield, making the third
bag the keynote to the inner circle.
The latter day fry of third basemen are
forced to accept more chances tnan
the third bagman of a decade or so
ago. and the guardians of the third
sack are superior to the old guard OF
2hird bagmen by reason of the larger
number of chances they are called
On to accept. Even the partisan friends
u Jerry Denny or Billy Nash must ad-
unit that neither of these star infielders
played the phenomenal fielding game
of Wallace and Collins, whose per-
fornance would seem almost impos-
sible ten years ago. The third bag IN
the Brooklyn inner circle might have
decided pennant If the race resolved
into a two-handed contest between the
Boston champions and Hanlon's Su-
perbas. Hits that look promising when
they angle on the bat into Jimmy Col
Inns territory are eaten with relish,
consumed and smothered by the nerve
and skill of the Boston third haseman.
And now these grounders and bound
ers that go as outs with Jimmy Col
lins sometimes figure as hits when
Casey is called on to negotiate for SIM
lIar chances. Would the Boston club
have won three pennants with COM
mon, everyday mechanical third base
mani" NAY, nay; and likewise nit,
remarked Earl Wagner, in discussing
the merits of the superb third bagman
OF the champions. Hanlon doubtless
appreciates this fact. The Superbas
are distinctly handicapped at the most
Important point at their infeld. And
there's the rub that kept Hanlon ON
the worry.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
HUNTING IN DANGEROUS COUNTRIES.

tree standing by itself, and upon IT.
trunk there were orchids growing so
thickly that they almost covered 1t. A
brief examination showed them to be
of the species he was searching, and he
Rugged himself with Joy as he gave
his coolies orders to begin gathering
the plants.
Forstermann and his employers
made lot Of money out OF his first
consignment of several thousand fine
specimens, and his good luck induced
him to remain in the East for five or
six years hunting new varieties. In
that time he visited many localities in
India, the island Of Ceylon, Siam. Java,
the Philippines and the islands of Sulu,
whose picturesque Sultan recently ac-
knowledged the sovereignty of the
United States. From his talk 1t would
appear that Forstermann got to be on
extremely good terms with the reign
ing Sultan, who must have been the
one murdered few years ago by the
old Sultana, whose young son is now
the ruling Sultan.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24

There never was a more enthusiasts
tic hunter OF orchids than Ignatlus
Forstermann, who stuck to his chos-
en- calling as long as his vigorous man
hood remained, visiting many out-of-
the-way corners of the world in pur-
suit OF the strange plants, but finally
settled down near the Newton station,
on the Long Island railroad, and re-
manned there cultivating and selling
orchids till the day of his death, three
Or four years ago. Forstermann was
. native of Coblentz, on the Rhine, the
son Of sturdy peasant couple. Being
of a delicate constitution, the boy was
sent to German school OF gardening
for three years, and after that he was
made an employee in a great garden
now belonging to the Duke of Hesse.
There he first became infatuated with
orchids. Later, at the Botanical Gar
dens in Basic, Switzerland, he met an
inspector who had visited almost in
accessible parts of South America
searching for new varieties Of the Gu
rious flowers. His tales OF adventure
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24

hurled chunks of sulphurous diction at
the umpire whenever the play wasn't
even close, and Comiskey, backed by
his players, organized themselves into
a committee Of Danites and guerillas,
and threatened to sprint on the form OF
the umpire unless he gave the Browns
several shades the best OF 1t. I asked
Comiskey what the object was in kick
ing after decision had been rendered.
why, to buff him into giving us the
next close 1ne, you Rube,' said Com
mie. Then Connie rehearsed me In a
kicking speciality, told me what to say
and when to say l., and l must say
that h'S reheaL'sals were picturesque
efforts as regards rhetoric Comiskey
was backed up by Chris Won der Aht-
who even encouraged instead OF
checked the hoodlumism that made the
Browns notorious in the association
circuit.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24

in the tropics fired the youths imagl-
nation and made him long to be an or
child hunter.
Forstermann used to tell how his
opportunity came, early in the sos,
while he was in London as an employe
OF one of the largest British houses
which deal in orchids. A man came
into the Offices of the concern with an
orchid Of unusual appearance. 1t had
been sent to him by brother then
living in India, and he wanted to know
whether it was new variety or not.
Examination by experts showed that it
was, and the plant was sold few days
later for 200 guineas, or about $3.50.
Naturally, Forstermann's employers
were anxious to get hold of more or
ehids of the same variety, If possible,
and, naturally, he jumped at their Of
fer to send him to India in search of
them. He knew when starting out
that his journey might be a wild goose
chase, since the only information that
could be given to help him in his
search was that the orchid was dis
covered by tea planter of certain
name, living somewhere in India. and
that it probably grew in the neighbor-
hood Of his plantation.
Forstermann's first rebuff was re-
ceived at Calcutta. There he applied
20 the postoffice authorities for the ad-
dress of the tea planter, but they said
they had no time to hunt up the in
formation he desired. From the post
office he went out into the city, and for
days wandered almost aimlessly up
and down the streets, trying to think
out a plan of action. He dared not go
directly at his task, since If 1t had been
known that he was seeking rare or
child other professionals in his line,
more experienced than himself, would
have logged his footsteps from morn
ing till night, and likely would have
found the plant as soon as himself
On the third day his eye was caught
BY sign in window. 1t read, "Tea
Planters Gazette" He had seen the
sign before, but that day it flashed into
his head that possibly he might get the
address he wanted there. UP the
stairs to the office he bounded, two
steps at once, barely bethinking him
self in time 20 moderate his pace so as
not to seem too eager. The clerk be-
hind the counter was polite, and when
asked for the address got out big
look and ran his finger down q long
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
~There are two planters of the name

There are two planters Of the name
you ask about" he said; lone has a
plantation at Silchar and the others is
hear Sylhet."
This was a puzzler. The two places
were 200 miles or more apart and there
was no way Of finding out which was
the right one but by personal visit.
If he chose the wrong place the entire
trip would be wasted, probably, since,
while he was travelling and searching,
the agent OF the man who had left the
orchid in London might go to the other
place, gather lot of the rare plants
and ship enough of them to England
to glut the market. However, the risk
had to be taken, and Forstermann took
it. He worked out his course on the
theory that the object of his search
would be found, probably, in the more
out-of-the-way Of the two localities.
Inquiry showed 1t to be Silchar. 1t is
near the border of the province OF
Manipur, where the population is
sparse and where Europeans are scarce,
because no white man is allowed to
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
HUNTING ORCHIDS IN DANGERoU COUNTRIES.

In all, Forstermann found about two
score new orchids. Not every one was
commercially valuable, though nearly
all were of great interest to botanists.
He made no other special searches on
which so much depended in financial
way as his first one, but he had many
thrilling adventures. Once, in Siam,
when on the march, he sent guide
ahead to select a camping place for the
night. He had not gone far when an
agonizing cry for help was heard. All
hands rushed to his aid, but were I'M
able to save him, for gigantic tiger
was dragging the wretch into the
woods as they came up. They dared
not follow in the rapidly gathering
darkness, but next morning they found
tiger and guide, the former gorged to
stupidity and the latter half eaten.
They killed the beast.
Once, when in the Dyak country,
native hut to ask Ills way. Being in
vited to enter. ne complied, but was
Mortified to see half a dozen human
heads Suspended by the hair in the
middle Of the place. Naturally the
orchid hunter declined the invitation
to spend the night there, though, as he
learned later, it would have been en-
tirely safe to do so. The master OF
the hut was head hunter" but had
the reputation of being friendly to
white men. One of Forstermann's
most valuable finds was an orchid
growing at the tip top of an exceeding
ly high tree. He discovered 1t while
looking up and down the trunks with
his field glass. The plant was listed
by the botanists under Forstermann's
name,
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24

Earl Wagner is in favor Of shorten
ing the championship season by open
ing the first week in May and ex-
tending to the middle of October, thus
giving the player five and a half
months contract instead Of six months.
"You hear the same old bearded gag
every season from every team in the
league" says Mr.. Wagner. "One or
more Of the players complain of char
ley horse, rusty knee joints, or tired
arms. If the last two weeks in April
were devoted to practice instead of
championship ball, the players would
start the season in finer physical form.
and there would be fewer postpone
ments of games. Scores of games are
postponed in April, thus resulting In
double-headers later in the season. At
the next league meeting, will advo-
cate a laser opening, say. the first day
OF May or during the first week q tn
month az 0oWera,n
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24

enter Manipur. So far as Forstermann
could learn, orchid hunters had secured
every inch of territory near Sylhet,
while few or none had ever searched
the neighborhood of Silchar.
So, hiring boat, cook and some
coolies to tow the boat, Forstermann
betook himself to Silciar. There he
found the house of the planter, and,
without making his presence known
to the latter, began a weary hunt
through the jungle for the orchid. In
prosecuting his search, which lasted
more than a week before any results
were attained, Forstermann Travelled
over many miles of jungle and every
day was more discouraged than on the
day before. The jungle was full of
orchids, some Of them extremely beau
tiful, but none was like the one that
had been sold in London for 200
guineas One day, when about to give
up the search as hopeless, he ran foul
of a Scotchman, and the two began to
talk about flowers.
81 came across a beautiful orchid,
one day last year." said the Scot. 1T
looked like new species to me, but.
not being an expert, gave it to a
planter friend of mine who lives near
here. He promised to send it to Lon
don, and If it turned out as l thought,
l hoped to make some money out of it.
Not long ago he toll me word had
been received from London that plants
of the same species are common
there"
Naturally Forstermann held his
peace about the real object Of his pres
ence at Silchar and the talk drifted to
game and shooting. Presently the Scot
said that there was chance to get
tiger and other big game in Ehe jungle
about twelve miles away, just over the
border in Manipur.
DANGER IN THE HUNT.
"If you go there" said the Scot, "you
must be cautious, for the natives of
Manipur have been killing white men
pretty freely of late. It's over there
that found the orchid l was telling
you Of"
Forster1nann started on hunting
trip across the border in Manipur on
the following day, but he did not go
hunting for tigers. He found the
growth much more difficult than any
he had encountered as yet, but he
persevered. literally cutting his way
through in places. Finally, in an open
space. in the forest, not far from the
~. .-s..<.~- r~~~.1 .~~ h 1osna = ,r<oat
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
SANDOW ON EXERCISE.
Says DumbbeI Practice, II Not Overdons,
Il the Proper Thing.

Il the Proper Thing.
"Dumbbell practice gives strength to
every sinew, from the finger tips to the
elbow, from the top of the head to the
sole of the foot" Sandow, the strong
man, said in a recent interview. 1.-THE
young can be kept in perfect health,
and older people are helped and i'm
proved even when suffering any all
ment which appears to them to be
quite hopeless, but, of course, great
care must be taken not to overdo the
practising, and it is wiser to increase
the number of movements very grad
,ually and not on any account to get
overtired at first" he advised. But he
does state most emphatically that
dumbbell exercises, taken in modera-
ton, give grace and suppleness to the
figure and that perfect ease to the car
riage that comes from having the mus
Giles under control. He makes strong
point of an easy beginning, which does
not expect too much at first, but gains
strength by degrees. Such exercise
sends the blood through the veins with
new life, which gives pleasure and JOY
to every individual.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24

Harry d. Quin, the temporary presi-
dent of the new American association,
is a successful young business man Of
Milwaukee. He Is interested in the
leading blank book and stationery
firm of that city. In 1891 he was the
president and principal owner of the
Milwaukee club of the American as
ISOLATION. 1t was chiefly through his
enterprise that Mike Kelly's Killers
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
A Veterans Career.

Jack Glasscock has been in the ma
tional game not far from twenty years.
His father was a ship-carpenter who
river opposite Wheeling, and Jack fol-
lowed the same trade when not playing
baseball. He started out as ball
player as a member of the Standard
Baseball Club of Wheeling, w. Va,
and Bridgeport, Ohio just across the
river The Standards were one of the
fastest amateur or professional
= clubs in the country and their chief
rival back in the very early SOS was
the Neshannocks of Newcastle, Pa.
Curt WEIGH, the celebrated center field
er, graduated from the same club sew
eral years after Glasscock had gone
down with the Crockery Citys from
East Liverpool to play the Standards
at Wheeling and the management took
a shine to him and got him job as
bartender in Charlie Millers saloon in
Bridgeport, so he could play with the
Standards. 1t was Glasscock who took
Joe Miller and Sam Moffett out of the
: Standards and brought them to To-
p! Iedo in 1884. Sam Barkley graduated
from the same club and Jesse Burkett,
now of St. Louis, watched Glasscock,
Barley, Miller, Moffett, George Lane,
and other old-timers play In the
Standards at the fair grounds on
( Wheeling island when Burkett was a
e. small boy playing hooky from school.
Barkley runs saloon in Chicago,
WEIGH is dead, and Moffett, Miller and
sther players who came on the scene
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
Start of Scrappy Ball.

what they call the scrappy kind of
ball started in the old association,
and was introduced by the st. Louis
Browns, under Charley Comiskey, as
carly as 1885," said Arlie Latham. Il
was signed by the Browns, from the
old League Alliance, and played third
base and caught for the Alliance team
In Philadelphia. l replaced Billy Glea-
con at the third corner Of the Browns
diamond. Jumping from the Alliance
team to the st. Louis Browns was like
9alking from Sunday school into
Steve Brodie's on Saturday night.
couldn't understand the scrappy meth
DDS employed by Comlskey and Yank
sHoblson.
~1hey Kicked on balls ana strikes,
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
A Paator'a idea,

When asked Whats layman?"
pastor replied: "One who lays thinga
upon his pastor which he himself
ought to do."-~Richmond Rsligicus
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
Not ContogiOus.

The "reminiscences and recollections
of w. G.. Grace, the veteran English
cricketer, contain at least one good
story-a joke made by Tom Emmett.
famous bowler. One Saturday after
noon Emmett was bowling for his club,
but the fielders dropped catch after
catch with such systematic persistence
that he lost his temper, threw the ball
on the ground, and said: I'm not go
ing to bowl any more. There's an cpl
demic on this ground, but thank
heaven, 1t amt catchin'!"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24

were transferred to that city. Mr..
Quin is popular in social and business
circles and is great patron of sports.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-01-01

0uR1p ~ &IoS y -. 800
ed by w. y ~ q. Empioyes.
Last night about 10: 80 o'clock as Mr..
N. e. Welsgerber, -superintend OF
the w. & E.. G. r.. r. Co, was about to
leave the office to 60 home, one of the
employees notified him there was somes
thing wrong with one of the cars anu
requested him to examine the same and
see what was wrong. On entering the
car the lights were turned on and ne
found himself in the midst OF nearly
all the men employed on the road, and
to his surprise Mr.. William Carrie, sec
rotary of the road, stepped forward and
in a neat speech presented Mr.. Weiss
gerber with number of handsome ar
ticles as a testimonial of the esteem in
which he is held by all the employees,
who have worked with him so ardu-
ously to make the road efficient and
we'll managed. The articles consisted
of handsome gold headed cane with
the inscription, Presented to II. r.
Weisgerber by the Employees OF the
Wing. & E. G. R. r. Also handsome
silver shaving outfit suitably inscribed,
a fine cigar tube and box of cigars. Mr..
Weisgerber, who was at first almost
overcome with surprise and emotion,
finally recovered enough to accept in
a few appropriate words and thanking
them for their appreciation and kind
ness. wished them all Happy New
War
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-01-01

The stewart and Ehrls Paarm.ci-. Enter

4nB STEWART anu I1nIf0 Hal AlACsSo HAAAAGA-
ed by Burglars Yesterday Morning.
The drug stores Of H. G. Stewart on the
corner of Thirty-sixtn and. Jacob streets,
and John Elhrle. No. 43l5 Jacob street,
were entered by burglars early yesterday
morning. AT the former place they got
over the transom and dropped down from
the inside, anu made their escape by un-
boiling and gong out the back door.
About s12 in change was taken from the
cash register, which was broken open,
and an overcoat was also taken
Nothing else has been missed yet.
1t is very likely the robbery oc-
CURED about 5 O'Clock, for DR.. Haning
was returning home about that time and
noticed man standing in front of the
store, and it is supposed that he had a
pal inside while he was a guard OUT
side, and by the doctor passing they were
frightened away before they could secure
anything more than is missing. AT Ehrle's
drug store the robbers entered in about
the same manner, showing the same peo-
pie had done both Jobs. They climbed
up to the transom and reached through,
unfastened the bolt and pushed or forced
the door open Mr.. Ehrle,s loss in cash
was considerable, and belonged to the
express company for which he is agent.
Also all the show cases were opened and
the goods generally overhauled The rob-
berries at both places were not discovered
until the proprietors went to open their
places of business. There is no clue for
the police to work upon, and they think
the robbers were acquainted with the fact
that the police go off duty at o'clock,
as it was about that time the robberies
took place
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-01-01
OIL Ne VS..

Special to the Register
ocio, o., December 31.-The new year
starts in with bright prospects for the
Scio Oil field. Ten wells have been
drilled so far, all producers. There are
ffty-four wells drilling or under way
to begin and many others contem-
plated. The Allegheny Oil Company
brought in two small producers and
Caldwell d Boyer one producer on Fri
day William Frendenberg and j. l..
Means are organizing a company to
drill on the Bond property, back of the
college. Sixteen new wells have been
started drilling on the following leases:
Scio, brick works lot, Rev. Cook, DON
aldson & Arbaugh, Wood & Ford, j. E.
Sergeant, Connection Valley Company
on college grounds, Davis on hill back
of college, William f. Smith, j. A.
Butcher, David Kennedy, Prof. Smith
Mrs. Shambaugh's interest in the
James Amos estate, Allegheny COM
pany on Fowler College avenue prop
erty. and three on the John McLands-
borough lands.
The oil fever which has spread to
Carroll county is epidemic there. Two
subscription papers are going the
rounds at Carrollton raising money to
drill. One was started by Thomas
Hays, Esq, and the other by Hon. D..
o. Rutan and Stockton Bros.
The farmers of Lee and London
townships, in southern Carroll county,,
are taking stock in a home company.
If the Amos we'll in that vicinity comes
in a producer numerous other COM
panies will be organized. The people
about Harlem Springs are awaiting GER
tain developments before they pitch in
and drill. At Sherrodsville the oil ex-
element is intense and company IS
being organized to drill in few weeks.
Pennsylvania operators have leased a
number of farms near MechanicstoWn,
on which wells will be drilled. The
farmers around Feedspring, in Harri-
son county, have organized to develop
that territory.
Pittshurg operators have leased sew
seral farms in Holidays Cove. W. Va,
on which they propose to drill.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-01-01
DEFENDER,s RAD LUCK.

The towboat Defender, owned by c.
lutte & Co., which is on her way to
New Orleans with tow OF coal, got
caught in wind storm at Salt river,
thirty miles below Louisville, yester-
day, and sunk 1.-TWO coalboats, contains
ing $4,000 buShels of coal. The tow
boat John A. Wood broke her cylinder
timber and will have to lay up at
Louisville for repairs. The Jim Wood
will take her tow of coal to New Or
leans. The Smoky City, while enter
ing the canal yesterday afternoon stove
three coalboats, but they were kept
from sinking. The Boaz also stove a
coalboat, but did not sink it. These
losses make a loss of six coalboats at
and in the vicinity of Louisville this
week