davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The record-union., 1899-08-18
A CURIOSITY IN PLANT LIFE.

natural history is noted than the
growth Of a certain order of hyacinths
in the st. Johns River. It seems that
near Palatka there was pond in
which this type Of hyacinth with it's
pale blue or violet flower grew luxuri-
antly, having very long stalks and ex-
ceedingly ambitious roots. The pond
was cleared out in 1890 and the plants
were thrown into the river. No one
thought Of their taking root there ard
growing. Presently, however they
were noticed to be f1ourishing anew and
to be spreading rapidly u2 and down
stream, lining the banks and shallower
reaches with their beauty and their
close foliage.
Soon the fisherman began to COM
plain Of them as entangling their nets
and rendering it difficult to pull boats
on the fishing grounds. Steadily the
plants advanced into the stream and
took possession of the navigable chan
American" they have for 200 miles
taken such hold upon the stream as to
impede navigation, render steamboat
sailing on the river almost impossible
and to actually inhibit steady and safe
navigation.
The plants wind up in the paddle
wheels and anchor the boats firmly.
They twine about propeller blades and
bring the Sfa11tac+ opCipoc ~ n e+oo5
still They are drawn into the suction
pipes and injection tubes and choke
them. They clog pumps, AMI at places
are so thick that vessels ere unable to
force their way through them While
the greater growth is near shore it
often spreads to a width of 200 feet
and blocks the channel and sometimes
the mat Of growth spans the stream.
When food stages are on. the flowers,
stems and foliage become detached,
form into masses, regular islands of
green and violet, and floating against
bridges and dam up the current until
the structures are carried away and
trestles are broken down. This re-
markable growth has become such a
nuisance that Government attention
has keen called to it, and the War De-
partment is considering engineering
plans for the construction of boats
specially designed to force the plants
into masses SO that they can be up
rooted and torn out of the streams.
The belief is that the plant can be ex-
terminated, but it is going to cost a
round sum of money to effect it. A
scientist Of the Department of AgIi-
culture claims that he has discovered
a parasite fungus which attacks the
leaves Of the plant and infects it with
a disease that is death to it. This
enemy Of the hyacinth is to be culti-
waited and given full opportunity to
work its Office. It is feared that trav-
elers, attracted by the beauty 0f the
flowers Of the weed, which in places
forms dense mats across the entire ex-
paase Of the river, have piucked vhe
plants up and taken them to various
parts Of the country, and that thus
the nuisance may be widely scattered
and presently appear in other waters
The record-union., 1899-08-18
Weekly
Union

Is a l2-pagc family and business
newspaper issued every Friday
morning. Thus, for the very small
sum of ST its subscribers receive no
less than GA pages of choice read
ing and news matter IN a year.
This reduction has been made
that we may afford the people In
these times of stringcncy the fullest
opportunity to have the Weekly
The record-union., 1899-08-18

Some Of the letters of Aguinaldo adj
dressed to the Filipinos and signed by
himself and his more prominent officers
were taken recently by our troops, and
General Otis has by cable commune
Gated the contents in a few words The
burden'of Aggie's appeal Is that by the
31st instant European recognition will
come to the0Filipino republic; that be-
sides, the American Administration
viii be overthrown in a short time, and
then the insurgents will have things
theirsown way In Luzon. Which proves
how ignorant even Aguinaldo is Of our
political system, He speaks Of the Ad-
mipistration being overthrown, as if we
follow the example Of turbulent monar-
chical States, and set UP Cabinets and
Presidents one day to knock them over
the next, after the manner OF the
French, some South American States
and nearly all the Central American
liliputian Powers. Aguinaldo would
greatly obhge people on this side IL ne
would explain how the Administration
is to be overthrown and for what? Has
brother Bryan been advising him, or
has he secret communication with his
Lieutenant on this side, Mr.. Atkinson !?
1t. is long way from home to get the
home news, but if there is going to be
any bouncing out of Mr.. Mckinley by
the. instant, really we would like
to know who is ito fill the vacant seat
and who the bouncers are TO be. Yet
this is the sort of stuff with which
the arch insurrectionist deludes his COL
lowers and kindles anew their hopes of
success.
The record-union., 1899-08-18

The San Jose Mercury says it is
difficult to see what the Democratic
leaders hope to gain by having the
Democracy war upon the campaign in
Luzon, and oppose the use of our sol
diers to establish the authority Of the
nation in our new possessions. Cannot
understand it? Why, it is simple; easy
to see what they hope to gain-office
and the spoils of office, to be sure.
The record-union., 1899-08-18

The genuine Angostura Bitters of DR..
J. G.. b. Siegert & Sons, are the most
efIicacious stimulant TO excite the ap-
petite. Ask your druggist.
The record-union., 1899-08-18
VOICE. OF THE PRESS.
EXTRACTS FROM EDITORIAL
EXPRESSIONS.
State and Coast Opinions on Sub
jects of Living News
Interest.

San Jose Mercury: 1t is to be hoped
that the New York mob of American
citizens derived a great deal of salts
faction from the burning of William
Waldorf Astor in effigy. Astor is a
snob, but this display of prejudice and
brutality will serve admirably as an
argument in support of his contention,
untenable as we know it to be, that
American citizenship isn't anything to
be proud of. The United States is we'll
rid of Astor but it is a matter of re-
gret that it cannot as easily. get rid
of such Americans as those who COM
osed the recent New York mob.
The record-union., 1899-08-18

Fine watch repairing at Steinmans.
1912 Fourth street. All work war
ranted.
The record-union., 1899-08-18
Weather Forecast.

For Northern California-Partly cloudy
Friday; cooler in southeast portion; fresh
northwest wind.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17

take In the excursion to Shreveport on the
18th.
w. d. Lawson. travelling passenger asen,
OF the Katy. is In the city.
l.. ]. Parks, general passenger agent Of
the Southern Pacific. Is In San Antonio.
The Katy has had handsome new avn.
fngs placed In front OF its Main street
ticket offce.
w. II. Masters. assistant traffic manager
OF the Southern Pacific. returned yesterday
to San Antonio.
II. N. Brown. commercial agent OF the
Galveston, Houston and Northern, is back
from a trip to Little Rock.
Charles Hubener. secretary to General
Manager Van Week of the Southern Pa
CHIC. is confined TO his room by Illness.
Charlie Hightower. travelling passenger
agent OF the International and Grea,
Northern, headquarters in Palestine, is Ia
the city at the Lawlor.
l.. s. Palfrey, general freight and pas
senger agent OF the Austin and Northwest
ern. headquarters in Austin. came down
yesterday and visited the officials OF the
other roads centering In Houston.
Earnings OF the Illinois Central syrtem
for the year ending June 80 we're S2s.-
1i469o, an increase of S796.S70 over the
preceding year. Net earnings amounted
to $3.50, 42S, a decrease OF Si09. 1922.
f. p. Cushing, general superintendent
W. II. Taylor, general freight and passcn-
ger agent; William Doherty, general pas
senger agent OF the Houston East and
West Texas. returned last night from a
trip over the road.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17
WEATHER AND CROPS.

Cleburne Johnson County, Texas, Au-
gust 15.--Cotton in Johnson county is very
badly damaged on account of dry weather.
third of q bale to the acre will be a
good average.
Operas Cove. Coryell County, Texas,
August 14--Weather is extremely dry;
cotton Is losing its forms rapidly. Farm
ers think that rain on the majority Of
the crops would be a detriment instead
of an advantage.
Sherman, Grayson County, Texas. Au-
gust l5.-lt is now almost an assured fact
that Grayson county's cotton crop viii not
yield exceeding 90 per cent of last seasons
output. The acreage Is oil of 20 per cent
short of last seasons and the drouth has
cut the yield short very materially.
Bolton, Bell County, Texas August 10
The weather has been extremely hot FOR
the past ten days and is causing the cot
ton to shed: It Is already damaged one
third; the hot weather also prevents corn
from filling out and It VIII be light. the
sorghum crop is In excellent condition.
Bartlett, Williamson County. August 1G.
There is a great deal OF complaint among
the farmers about cotton dying in the
field. Some farmers say that one-third OF
their crop il dead while others claim
but little damage. Colonel eagle, one
of the biggest farmers, claims that over
3 per cent of the cotton tributary to Bart
lett Is dead.
Rayner, Stonewall County, Texas. Au-
gust 1.-THE country Is needing rain very
badly and early cotton is suffering in con-
sequence of the hot winds for the past
few days and II the weather continues
dry and hot very long the cotton crop
will be- cut very short. The range is
splendid and cattle are fattenlns rapidly
and buyers are plentiful and are paying
good prices for fat cows and steers.
West. McLennan County. Texas. August
14.-Prospects for a good cotton crop be-
gan to fail about ten days ago and now
from a promise of two-thirds of bale
per acre, the most sanguine expects only
one third. II extremely hot weather and
insects continue there will be no top
crop at all; there Is no middle crop to
speak OF and the bottom crop Is very light.
Cotton should 20 to s cents pound, II
prospects are as bad elsewhere as here
New Boston. Bowie County. Texas. Au-
gust 14.--Fifteen days ago the cotton crop
of this county was the finest In many
years, owing to the hot winds which have
been blowing for the past ten days and the
hot weather tho cotton crop now Ii a
burning mass. During the past week
The Post correspondent has Travelled over
portions ofNhe county and have seen many
fields that would not average over bale
to five from ten acres and the general ay-
erage OF the county Will be four acres TO
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17
DROUTH INNORTn TEXAS
Is Reported to Have Done Very Serious
Damage 10 the Cotton Crop.
SOME RAIN HAS FALLEN IN SOUTH TEXAS.
The Moisture Has Done Good Gem
orally but Damage Ia Reported
from some Counties.

Dallas. Texas, August l6-~Tor Ave weeks
all North Texas has been held tight and
fast In the grip Of destructive drouth
Light local showers have fallen at rare
intervals. but no rain OF consequence has
fallen over this end OF the State since the
first week in July. The season before that
had been an excellent one and the sud
den change has brought q destruction to
the growing cotton crop that needs toibs
seen to be appreciated.
Cotton fields are dusty and dry and
the hot winds have parchrd the bolls till
they are dropping to the ground by the
million. Whole fields OF cotton that but q
few weeks ago gave promise OF producing
ut least bale per acre are now blistored
and scorched till the staple will scarcely
be worth picking.
The blight of an awful drouth has fallen
on the crop with terrible effects. Nor Is
tho complaint local one. Practically all
the black land belt is affected and cotton
men who are thoroughly informed as to the
situation say the growing crop has been
reduced at least one-half
Mayor h. S. Royal of Wolfe City, Hunt
county, is In the city. He is a leading
cotton buyer OF his county and has been
past ten days. He said to The Post cor
respondent; The long and severe drouth
has halved the growing cotton crop. In
fact, that estimate is low one so far as
the yield In North Texas As concerned, In
Hunt and adjoining counties the ground
In all the cotton fields Is plastered thick
with dead hollis that. scorched by the
bust and hot winds, have fallen, Even Aho
stalks show signs of drying up and dying.
never saw more disastrous spell OF
dry weather, Six weeks ago the promise
of big yield of the tleecy staple was
bright, indeed. never saw prospects
more golden than at the beginning OF July.
Now all is changed. Land that promised
yield of a bale an acre will do well to
produce half that amount. Other prom
Used yields, OF course, Will be In propor
ton. The present outlook has utterly
disheartened all the growers. The reduc-
ton of the North Texas yield, due entirely
to the prevailing drouth, Will aggregate
thousands upon thousands OF bales
There are scores OF reports from nearly
every county In North Texas similar to
that of Mr.. Royal. The havoc the dry
weather and hot winds have wrought IL
almost beyond computation Mt present, but
cotton men say the guessers rs to the
Texas yield may as well cut their former
estimates down a half million bales.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17
Cotton Belt Matters.

Tyler, Texas, August IA general or
der has been issued by General Superin
tendent Britton of the Cotton Belt that
no head or subhead of departments should
retain in his employ any relative and that
all departments should report Immediately
their condition in this respect. The order
applies to the entire system and will be
most felt in the st. Louis offices.
Mr.. Ben Vowel, for ten years an en-
poye in the special agents department
under Mr.. o. X Wheeler, has succeeded
Mrs. A. NJ. Calhoun as general claim agent.
Mr.. Calhoun resigned to become chief
clerk to Division Superintendent Coughlin
of the Northern division of the Pee Gee.
General Superintendent Britton and Cen
eral Freight Agent Farrell left last week
for Dallas, Fort Worth and other points
on business.
There are twenty-four cotton seed oil
mills located on the Cotton Belt railway in
Texas.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17
JUDGE WANTS NO FREE PASSES.
Returns the Courtesies Extended to
Him by Railways.

Returns the Courfesies Extended to
Him by Railways.
Vincennes, Ind. August 13.-George w.
Beeman, judge of the Fortyfourth judicial
circuit court of Stark and Pulaski counties,
has returned all free carnival railroad
passes back to the railroad companies. In
the legislature and public officials from
their term of introduction into office he
has been presented with annual free rail-
road passes. Judge Beeman is democrat
and after some deliberation decided to re-
turn back his passes. accompanying each
with a letter, which fully explains the
motives which prompted his action Inc
letter says:
I'm the return of this railroad pass am
prompted by what deem to be the duty
of a Judge. Passes over railroads, given
to members of the legislature and judges
are granted for the same purpose aud that
purpose is to influence those who accept
them i deem 1t wrong for judge TO &c
cept a free railroad pass from company
which may become a party TO litigation IN
the court of the Judge who accepts sald
pass. Ii farmer would enclose Sloo 10
Judge and it was accepted and afterwaru
a law suit was lUstiluttu W 'he
against railway company in the court
Of the Judge who had accepted the farm
er's hospitality, and the knowledge We're
brought to the defendant railroad company
of the farmers hospitality and acceptance
OF hospitality, the RAILROAD company would
make haste to take a change OF venue
from the court on account OF the Dias OF
the Judge. but, upon the other hand,
railroad company places railroad pass
worth to him 800 per annum In a judges
hands as a mere matter of courtesy ana
the Judge tries to educate himself TO can
didIy believe that he is not influenced by
the acceptance OF the same. have ialled
to so conclude and believe that IL is as
unwise for a judge to accept rallroad
pass as 1t would be for him to accept sloo
from a farmer who expects TO be party
to litigation in the judges court who aac-
cepts the money. The trend OF events IN
dicates that during the next hve years
many important law suits that VIII come
up for trial before the courts IN TINS
judicial district will be determined from
a standpoint OF public policy. and DO not
deem that a judge would be true 70 MS
oath and duty to determine questions De-
tween railroad corporations and the peo-
ple while under the smallest obligations
10 the corporations. These are among the
reasons that have led me to return this
day all the annual passes held from rail-
road companies"
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17

the kind" said Mr.. Archer. .srve seen
what has been published in the newspapers
! can tell you this. however; II it does
come. We are the people who know where
to get war paint"
Pat Owens, we'll known passenger con-
duotor now with the Pee Geo. has been Wis
ting In Galveston for the last two days.
He says world OF improvements ale &C.
ing on. There are twelve gravel trains
working along the line Of the Pee Geo he
says. and section men are as thick as
meas on dog. Before the rainy season
begins the roadbed OF the Pee Gee will be
second to none in the South.
The freight business OF the rosd Mr..
owens says, is immense. It's not one way.
either but there's a great lot OF lumber
and merchandise going north and .Aerc's
a great lot of merchandise and grain COM
ing south.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17
A Rumor at Trinity.

Trinity, Texas. August 16.-Generar SUI
perntendent E. B. Cushing, accompanied
by General Freight and Passenger Agen.
Taylor of the Houston East and West Texas
railway, came over from COrrigan OH a
special train last night and returned to
Houston via Corrigan this morning. The
visit of Mr. Cushing over the Trinity divi-
sion of the Missouri. Kansas and Texas
was cause for a rumor to the effect that
the Houston East and West Texas was
soon to assume control of the Trinity and
Sabine branch, which has been designated
as "the orphan"
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17
THE FIRE RECORD.
barn Burned by lightning.

Orange, Texas. August 16. - Yesterday
afternoon about 4 o'clock, Just as the big
rain and thunder storm came up, light
ming struck a barn on tho rice farm OF #.
II. Catron. nine miles south of Orange,
and in an incredibly short space OF time
the building and its contents were re-
duced to ashes, The building contained
two Mccormick reapers. a comparatively
new drill, a threshing machine and twenty
tons of hay that had just been cut and
stored in the barn. Nothing was saved
from the building at all, Mr.. Catron being
away on another place at the time The
loss Is estimated at $1,000. insured for $500
in the London and Liverpool and Globe,
through the Curry agency.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17
OFFICERS ELECTED.
G.. II. and 8. A. Branch of the south-
crn Pacific Meeting

G.. II. and 8. A. Branch OF the south-
ern Pacific Meeting
At a meeting OF the stockholders OF the
Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio
Ion Tuesday the following officers wero
elected as directors; G. p. Huntington OF
New York. ]. Kruttschnitt Of San Francis
co. Charles Babbidge OF New York, W. G.
Van Week, ]. T. Mahl. w. B. Mulvey and
G. II. Seger OF Houston.
Immediately after the meeting of the
stockholders the directors held a meeting
and elected the following officers for the
ensuing year: G. p. Huntington. presi-
dent; ]. Kruttschnitt. first vice president
w. G.. Van Week. second vice president;
C. b. Seger, secretary: h. G. Cushman,
treasurer; Charles Babbidge. assistant Sec
rotary and assistant treasurer.
The meeting was perfunctory, all the old
directors and officers being elected.
On September 5 the stockholders will
meet in Houston again and elect directors
and officers of the Texas and New Orleans
end of the line.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17
sHERIFFs' DEPARTMENT.

Strayed or stolen from Louis Beinhorn.
Houston Heights. Houston. Texas. one
bay horse. 6 years old, IA hands hign, star
In forehead, branded W with half circle
over it; had on new saddle; liberal reward,
Taken UP by Mrs. c. B. Fisher, one-half
mile north of Houston Heights, Houston,
Texas, two sorrel horse mules, one
branded v on shoulder, necked together
with chain and has bell on.
Strayed or stolen from c. r. Nc
Whorter, Galveston. Texas, one Iron gray
MARI pony. years old. IA hands high,
chip in ear. harness marks on back, name
reached. barefoot all around, branded
1connected) on left foreshoulder $40 re-
ward. A. r. Anderson,
Sheriff Harris County.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17
CIeburne Notes.

Cleburne, Texas, August 15.-The Santa
Fo road has commenced drilling another
well to furnish water.
Foreman Dan S. Davidson Of the rip
track department is in Galveston.
Foreman Robert Strehorn of the ma
chinery department of the big shops is IN
Denison. and Machinist A. G. Jennings is
foremanizing few days.
A big pneumatic derrick to load and I'M
load cars has been placed at the southeast
corner of the main Santa Fe shop building
Workmen at the shops are putting in a
large suction pipe that will carry all the
shavings from the carpenter shop to tho
furnace, consuming them.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17
TEXAS RAILWAY CLUB.
The Next Meeting Is 10 DC Held N
Galveston.

Galveston.
Galveston, Texas, August 16.-The Texas
Railway club will hold its next meeting in
Galveston on Monday and Tuesday. August
81 and 90, 1899. The club is an association
of well known officials of Texas railroads
and it's conventions are hummers frcm
away back. large number of ladies are
always present to lend grace and dignity
to the occasion and to preserve the proper
decorum of the boys. A good time is cl-
ways had. AS this will be the Grst visit
of the club to Galveston the local officials
Intend to prepare an elaborate programme
D. B. Stancliff. manager of the National
Railway Building and Loan association of
Atlanta, and owner of the Texas Railway
News and illustrator, is here looking after
the arrangements for the convention. He
will be here several days. The sessions of
the convention will probably be hell ar
the fremont hotel parlors.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17
cane neIt Croasing.

Wharton. Texas. August 16.-Messrs.
Dunoyant and Eldridge were at Water
housewife last week. and while there Sc
Iected the depot grounds for the town site
where the Cane Belt hits the river atthat
point 1t will be half mile above tbs
county bridge. opposite Waterhouseviiie'
This will be about seven miles from Whar-
fen. In case Wharton fails to raise the
bonus asked for the road Will pass sew
eral miles to the east. thence down Old
Caney. such is the statement OF Messrs.
Dunovant and Eidridge to citizens OF that
section
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17
stables ana Horses burned.

Fort Worth, Texas, August 16.-Fire,
which started little after noon today in
North Fort Worth, destroyed the stables
and a portion of the pens of the Fort
Worth Packing and Provision company.
Some six or eight horses were burned up,
along with buggies, harness, feed. etc. The
losses will approximate about $1,000, the
greater part of which was insured. The
fire is believed to have been started by
tramp.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-17
:, Conroe Lumber Company.
-Nnat Is the matter with the lum-
''sA Ado About Nothing.

/" highly sensational story
rounds Yesterday that a dyna.
Y nad, the night before. been
sl1sl the front wall of the Law
va, aae so-called bomb was a can
' - end that had been pick
Il; 'ne banks of the bayou and
~ again near the hotel and
y oy Waterman. 1t was
~ Y the police and was sub
r aiovn out in the back yard
s., ms.l, When Mr.. Lawlor heard
ia' i. rumors connected with
y procured the can and saws
aa'lon he found it to contain
~ ,s powdered substance which
4. ~ His best Information
~ contained powdered pumice