davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13
GD HIS is the story of how Chicago
dealt with grade crossings, main

{NN1 HIS is tne story OF now chicago
dealt with grade crossings, main
ly condensed from the Chronicle:
Fifteen years ago Chicago was inter-
sected i'll every direction and at all pos
sible angles with railroad tracks. Ev-
cry track was laid at the grade of the
streets or alleys it crossed. Accidents
generally fatalities, for grade cross
ing accidents rarely stop short of the
death of the victim--were of daily, al
most hourly, occurrence. Chicago be-
gan to murmur aud rebel against the
grade crossing-it was determined to
abolish them once for all
The railroad companies were willing
to elvate or depress the numerous
tracks, but were not willing to under
60 the hardship and expense of the i'm
provemcnt. Guards and watchmcn
were maintained at the crossings time
tables We're public property, and tile
roads saw no reoson why they should
be called upon to bear millions of dol
lars extra expense to remedy the diff
Guilty.
The grade status in Chicago to-day is
an excellent eXemplar of what Chica-
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13


Chicago dentist and inventor claims
to have discovered a method by which
the soft coal of the west can be sue
ceSsfully cooked so that soft coal coke
will be equal to hard coal coke for
blasting and smelling purposes. In
commenting upon this discovery the
Ottumwa, Iowa, Courier remarks that
If the discovery is practicable, the iron
Industry will witness a great change,
and the production of pig-iron in the
Western States where soft coal is
plentiful will be vastly increased Up
to this time the great Eastern iron
making centers have had an advantage
over those of the West Both have de-
pended almost entirely upon the Lake
Superior mines for their ores, but the
Eastern iron furnaces are located so
much nearer the great sources of the
coke supply of the world that they have
had great advantage over the Western
furnaces. If the Chicago man can do
what he promises, however, the condi-
tions will be just reversed and the West
will have the advantage over the East
The bituminous coke can be
made for from 50 to $3.50
per ton, while the anthracite coke
costs So to 500. Pennsylvania is
great iron manufacturing State al
most solely because of the fact that it
is the great anthracite coal center, and
when this new coking process is
brought into use there is no reason why
the West should not become great
iron manufacturing section. Last year
the Western furnaces smelted but one
fifth of the iron ore taken from the
great iron mines in the Lake Superior
region. but now that they can produce
their coke at home, instead of shipping
1t all the way from Pennsylvania, they
may be expected to take large share
in ali the industries 10 which iron ore
gives rise.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

mining to fight the enemy in detail in
stead of in bulk. The result was at once
apparent, for the roads were tangled
up, and each had its own particular
fight on Its hands. The Northwestern
was the second to get to work, for in
1893 plans We're submitted for the ele-
walton of the Galena division. which,
with some unimportant notifications.
were decided upon as good working
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

Isn't it about time that something
We're done to make 1t difficult to obtain
carbolic acid? 1t can be had for the
simple asking in almost any drug store,
and thus an easy way of "shuftiing off
this mortal coll' is practically placed
within reachsof those who are weary of
life. There would be fewer suicides If
carbolic acid We're difficult to obtain.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

A recent expose of the brutal treat
ment of privates in the army of France
by their officers gives new emphasis to
the danger of arbitrary power. 1t is
also reported that in Austria the Gus
tom of boxing the ears of soldiers and
recruits has been SO common and SO
violent that thousands of them have
suffered such impairment of their hear
ing as partly to unfit them for service.
The minister of war has recently issued
prohibitory order.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13


Truth should be double edged, and
cut both ways. Now there's the bird
question. Possibly the time may come
when women will not allow them to be
killed for their adornment nor will men
kill them for the pleasure of killing
something, says Beacon. have never
been able to understand why it is not
as well TO preach against the enormity
of shooting birds for fun as for shoot
ing them to make women look prettier
but l notice that the emphasis is all
placed on the latter. Probably. the
pigeon that is shot at in shooting
match does not enjoy it any more than
the hummingbird which is killed out.
right for woman's hat. yet for one
word that is said against the former
instance there are hundreds said 1
against the latter. suppose it is easier
for man to preach for his sisters
benefit than to practice for his own.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

Mr.. Porter, the United States Ambas
sador to France, has reported to the
State department that the grave of
John Paul Jones has been discovered
in Paris. If there is no mistake in the
identification of the grave Congress
should not hesitate to take prompt ac.
ton for reburial in this country and the
erection of fitting monument to the
memory of the great sea fighter, who
was the first to make the Stars and
Stripes respected on the seas. No naval
hero has more worthily earned the
gratitude of the American people than
the lion-hearted sailor who fought the
powerful Scraps and its consofts with
that rotten old hulk, the Bonhomme
Richard, which apparently was no bet
ter fitted for fight than Kiplings old
hulk Of Bolivar Bay.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13
SMALLEST REPUBLIC.

Two and Half Square Miles, with a
Population of Sixty.
The smallest republic in the world
is that of Tavolara. an island about five
miles long. with an average width of n
little more than half a mile, situated
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

1--WE do not suppose" remarks a
critic of fighting, 'the majority of us
have any overmastering desire for the
fierce delights of personal combat"
The black eyes and bloody noses of our
youth remain as vivid memory. Man,
when he is grown, prefers the fighting
at long range, which is one of the re-
suits Of invention and the higher civill-
cation. He can get all the fun out of
it that is in 1t that way.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13
EiderfoWn.

The cider duck lines Its
fully with its own down. I
robbed of the down by the
and the duck quickly proceS
line her nest. supplying the
from her own body. The third
drake gives his down. and this is al
lowed TO remain.
s Ten thousand pounds Of eiderdown
are gathered annually in Iceland and
the natives receive for It about So a
pound, although the trade Isl carried on
through a barter. the natives receiving
little or no money.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

One New York railroad wants to
abolish sleeping and dining car tips,
but SO far as the result is in the hands
of the walters and porters they may be
expected to hold out to the end.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

that Scotty was there at all. They
looked over the transom and saw pair
of feet protruding from the foot of the
bed. for Scotty had crawled under 1t.
The smell of escaping gas was suffo-
eating, but they kicked in the door and
pulled Scotty out. His chaperon had
quite forgotten his good Samaritan
work. The dazed man was set down in
the yard, where he soon recovered.
& He had been in the room for over
thirty hours, inhaling the poisonous
fumes, and his bra" constitution and
the two inches of opened transom are
all that saved his life.
scotty said few things when they
pulled him out at 10 o'clock this morn
ing. One of his remarks was:
"Hoot. mon, but dinna like the
smeel over ."-Detroit Journal.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

The trouble with that Chicago man
who accumulated forty-two wives was
his failure to interlard his marriages
literally with Chicago divorces.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

There are few more successful meth
DDS of dipping people, in their desire for
wealth, than for some impecunious
trickster to tell them he has "sure
thing" by means of which they can
speedily get rich. They never stop to
ask why he does not make himself
rich, although the precept, physician,
heal thyself!" is so old and hackneyed.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13
EsTERHAzY OWES HIM $40.
A Telegraph Operator in New Orleans
Says French Officer "Did,' Him..

~ icieBrapu operator in New Orleans
Says French Officer "Did.' Him.
"Count Esterhazy, who figured SO
prominently In the Dreyfus trial, has
been In New Orleans several tines y
said a guest at the Grunewald Hotel.
II myself saw him on one of his visits,
and was present when he did some
cabling to France. the cost of which,
or rather portion of the fee, he de-
liberatcly dcfrauded the operator out
Of 1t happened thus:
"Esterhazy had come In town by one
of the roads from the north and went
to the Southern Pacific depot to board
train for the West While waiting
for his train he remembered that he
had some cabling to do and walked
over to the telegraph operator In the
building and asked for a blank.
''The operator gave 1t to him, and the
Frenchman wrote out quite lengthy
coded cablegram and addressed 1t to a
private party in Paris. BY this time
there were Only few moments left for
him to get aboard the train, and the
operator had to hurry in looking up the
rate. To arrive Mt the exact figures
necessitated some little calculation,
and the operator, to expedite matters
for the noble count, told him the rate
and asked him to make the calculation.
too.
'This the FrencLman. who was evil
IDENTIFY quick ut figures, did, and had
finished a moment before the operator
called out his result. and asked IL that
was what he made it. Estcrhazy look
ed straight at the operator n second.
as though reading his very thoughts,
and unhesitatingly replied: 1T is cor
rect
"He paid the amount and hurried
away. a few minutes later the opera.
tor discovered that he had been paid
just $40 less than the correct amount;
he had made an error In his calculn-
tons. and tile count had taken advan-
tage of his error to save the money.
The young man Immediately wired
ahead of the train asking the conduc-
tor to see EsterhaZy. explain the cal
culatlon. and request the $40 The con-
ductor complied, but when he had ex-
planned to the noble traveller the lat
ter only shrugged his shoulders and re.
piled that 1t was no concern of his.
And the operator made good the short
age from his own salary. 1t was as
clear case Of steal as L. ever heard
of."--New Orleans Times Democrat.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

A California minister has denounced
kissing games at church socials. This,
however, is not given as the reason for
the removal of the author of ''The Man
with the Hoe" from California to
Brooklyn.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13
One on senator Depsw.

Nothing is more incomprehensible
to European writer's than the American
custom of breaking eggs In a glass.
Chauncey NJ. Depew likes to follow the
American custom, and one day the
waiter at the Hotel de Russo, in Paris,
told him he mustn't do it. There was
a dispute, and the head waiter was
called. "Theglasscs cannot beproperly
washed" 1t was explained. "They are
ruined.'
Nonsense" said Mr.. Depew, my
servants at home do 1t every day in She
year. Use a little more elbow grease"
Then Mr.. Depew broke his egg into
the glass, as usual, and the waiter
watched him. When the glass was set
aside he came with dustpan, cracked
the glass on his boot heel and disap-
peared with the fragments. Yhe charge
for the glass was on Mr.. Depew's bill,
and he refused to pay 1t. He was too
good customer to make angry, so the
hotel people smiled. They knew that
Mrs. Depew was going to remain n
week longer. A broken egg glass was
ingeniously worked into her BILL and
she paid for 1t, but Mr.. Depew didn't
know 1t for many months afterward,
when he was telling the story as an
instance Of his success in counteracting
the eXtortions of European hotel keep
ers.-New England Home Magazine.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

The editor of an Eastern paper has
discovered that Dewey turned around
Is Eye We'd" We fancy we see the
editor turning Dewey around.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

Evil wins now and then, not because
1T is stronger than good, but because
good does not realize its own strength,
and does not use it to the best advan-
tage.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

Do not jump at conclusions. When
a man fiatteringly says that you look
like ready money he may mean 80
cents.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

When it comes to modifying election
results at times the back counties are
anything but back numbers.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

pC . COZ SOf.
The man who scorncd the deadly mines
aud led his fleet ahead,
Who managed 10 arrive before the foe
was out Of bed,
Is great, but would you rather be the
admiral to-day
Than the boy who can afford to give six
million plunks away?
o, the Kaiser on his gilded throne is
quite parsonage,
And so is he who stands supreme upon
the mimic stage.
But would you rather be the knight or
emperor, to-day,
Than the boy who can afford to give six
million piunks away?
There's Chamberlain and Edison and
Kipling with his pen,
And fiery little Funston and the other
famous men
Would you be one of these instead (f you
could choose. to-day,l
Or the hoy who can afford to give six
million plunks away,
And has some ninety millions left to keep
him feeling gay?
Chicago Times- Herald.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13
Adulterate 1t Themselves,

A process has been invented and pat
ented in Brazil for preparing coffee in
tabloids by n system of compression.
1t is argued that not only will there be
less expense in exporting coffee in this
form, but that the customer will be
more certain of thus receiving for his
use the pure, unadulterated article.
Your dog seems to follow you with
out orders" Yes. he wouldn't take
any orders from me. He's been in the
family long enough to know the real
boss. "-Cleveland Plain Dealer.
An epigram is a lot OF words fitted
together in such peculiar manner that
their lack of meaning Is concealed by
the brilliant effect produced.
She-Whnt's the difference between
fimple and a wrinkle? He-Oh. about
thirty or forty years. Town Topics.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

But constant agitation may in time
cure both evils and SO educate man that
he shall see no pleasure in killing help
less birds and animals without any
purpose other than sport.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

There was dress before there was
loom or a fashion-plate.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

Wlggs-Why does Bjones have that
photograph going all the tlme7 It's
awful. Waggs-Well, you see his wife's
away, and when he has the photograph
going he says be doesn't miss her SO
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Record.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

A Newark IN. ~ court has admin.
istered new and most effective cor.-
receive for Juvenile crime. Five boys
were caught stealing fruit from freight
cars and arraigned before a police JUS
tice. When proved guilty the justice
sentenced them to twelve lashes with
policeman's belt. Il is said the young
culprits were perfectly satisfied with
this method of punishment and agreed
they would behave themselves in flu
ture, while other boys who have been
In the habit of misbehaving have sud-
denly manifested violent and uncon-
trollable desire to reform their habits.
A thorough spanking by vigorous po-
liceman is much more salutary form
of punishment for young boy than
sending him to an institution where he
will learn more deviltry and practice it
when he is released. For extremely
youthful persons bent upon going in
the wrong direction there is nothing so
certain to turn them into the right road
a spanking. 1t is much more effective
than incarceration CT milk-sop rem
edies.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

A man with but one idea is some
times worse off than man with no
idea at all.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

What has become of the old-fasli-
Toned woman who admired her hus-
band, and called him Pa?
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

More men cot idleness than Of hard
work,
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13

Stubb-Golng to give him a GU. "a ~
tura, Maria?-Chicago News.
Euddy-But what makes you II
that Scales is not much of music
Duddy-Didn't you note that he sp
about rendering selections upon
violin? A really good player Is $;
fed with playing pieces Boston I
script.
Getting Matters Adjusted. -"Y on
half an hour late at our appointr
Mr.. Thompkins." Eyes; l stopp,
get my luncheon" well, be
enough to sit down and walt WI
go out and get mine."-Chlcago
ord.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-10-24
SOLDIER LIFE IN THE ORIENT.

From Joseph T. Cerney, company Il,
Fourth United States infantry. station
ed ait linus, Philippine islands. comes
the following plain brusque story Of
one American soldiers service in and
about Manila. 1t is record Of march
ing and fighting written by the soldier
himself for The Sunday Inter-Ocean
We landed at Manila on March 10
and spent ten minutes over our dinner
of hard tack and bacon Then we
marched oult to Caloucan. where the fir
ing line was at that time six miles
north of Manila. We camped on the
road about 600 yards back of the Third
artillery. We had a hard time OF il the
first night, because the enemy kept up
a constant fire ON the artillery outpost.
and we caught the stray bullets. We
did not sleep wink A week after this
we were ordered to relieve company l..
about half a mile back and here we
did guard duty day and night for
week. Then we moved again. going
into the trenches at blockhouse No. =,
Wa kept on the move until June ?,
when we were marched 10 Morong.
ON the way we had some fighting at
Antipolo. After four days of hard
marching we reached Morong. and were
met by the Washington volunt eers.
who had already taken the town.
1--WE marched at once along Laguna
de Bay, where We met General Lawton
and the North Dakota volunteers, and
were ordered TO remain at Morong. W.
arrived at la Iona blockhouse June ..
All we're tired out and laid down to
sleep without supper. Al o'clock next
morning we weIe Weakened, ordered TO get
our blankets rolls together, and to re-
lieve the Twenty First infantry at Bar
hague. After few days there we were
relieved by the Thirteenth infantry and
went back 60 Manila. We went over
the bay To Bacoor, which had been taxi
en- by our troops. After two days there
we were marched tot linus, which had
To the Fourteenth infantry
ION June 10 we left To locate the
enemy toward Malabon. and We're sud
denly attacked from all sides. The FNl-
ipjnos tried 10 surround us but we
charged fhree times. and finally maos
our way out. retreating TO linus. Each
~ the boys had two or three shells left
We lost thirty-two men. Aug 10 we
went out again towad Cavite 20 locate
the enemy. We found them strongly in
ranched After an hour Of fighting we
back to linus with one killed
and one wounded
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-10-24

OUR prohlbitiohist friends are in the
field as usual u,th an undiuted fun
strength water candidate for Mayor,
Overseer OF the Poor. and Harbor Mas
TER tn. convention agEaed. howeve..
that Cty Treasurer ID. l.. ID. Granger
conducts his office on principles sufi-
ciently close TO the prohibition standard
to warrant IT in omitting to oppose him.
This year, blythe way, Mr. Granger has
the positive Endorsement OF the Repub-
lcans and his name will appear on cheir
ticket. His triumphant march on his
way TO all the hearts of his fellow
countrymen hsreabouts Is thus practi-
cally complete. Now if the Socialist La
Dor fellows will only stretch a point i'm
his favor and the esA emel Telegram
geis a new up-to-date portrait of him
with his whiskers off. the last wee dis
cords To the harmony that threatens
when the city treasurer is mentioned
will be finally removed.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-10-24
THE WORD " l."

NJ Zola. when I'm England. was much
IMPRESSED with tn English use OF the
canital a." "Why is it, he says.
that the Englishman, when he writes
of himself. shouil invariably use a
cani,al letterP Thai tail Il which oc-
curs 80 often i'm "a personal narrative
strilsea me as being very arroglnt.
Erapchman. referring 20 himself.
Writes .ie' with a small j German.
tboueh he may crafty all his substafl-
tives with capital letters. employs
small a. i'm writing ich.' Spaniard'
whom ne uses the personal prOnoun az
an bestows "A small " on his 20,
,vhilo he honors the person he address.
a. with n caDital " | believe indeed
-though am not sufficiently ac-
ouainted with foreign languages 10
sneak with certainty ON that point
that the Enelishman Is the only per
son i'm The world who applies capitui
letter to himself" NJ. Zola might nave
enforced his contrasts still further ny
referring 90 the japanese. who fenl,N
have mo- word Tor Il - saws the Buna" :"
Commercial ln speaking uf oneseH ",
Japanese self debteciatOfy terms ~,
used. such as servant" the awkward
person. Junior" white in sp-akins vt
ur % oth ueopie complimentary
terms are employed such a. senior
"master" "priucc" FUSED by young men
in addressing each other familiarity.
The most usual Japanese equivalent
FOR "f" ~ "watakuahi" " which means
literally "sclnshncss.'
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-10-24

LATER news from South Africa in
dicates that the recent brilliant actions
i'm which the British were victorious
were after all only i'm the nature OF
sOrties and that the effect is hardly
more than 10 stave off the massing
Beers and hold the ground fought on.
The British government, press and
people are earnest To push forward the
heavy reinforcements which are about
as badly needed as they were before
the bloody repulses Of hast week. for
the small British force at the various
garrisons is practically besieged and
until new troops arrive lacks the pow
er OF recuperation possible TO the Boer,
operating in their own country 1t H.
pretty plain that an invasion of tho
Boer territory is not at all likely with
the present body OF British troops on
the field and that the best that can b.
hoped for is that they will hold their
own and. IL more sallies become neces-
sary. continue TO keep the enemy suffi-
ciently demoralized TO prevent 1t from
pursuing aggressive tactics