davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-23

A few years ago public attention was
widely called to certain men who claimed
that they could produce rain. Some, in
cluding the better class, proposed to do il
by making great noise, especially by ex>
ploding bombs in the air. One of them
went so far as to write book proving that
rains followed great battles. The mode of
proof was very simple. After nearly every
great battle it had rained somewhere, either
in the neighborhood where the battle was
fought or some other part of the continent.
Battles after which no rain was recorded
were conveniently left out of the discus
sion. The reader was not expected to con-
slider that it is raining somewhere on every
continent nearly all the time, and that, il
tho Combatants wished to do so, they could
not well fix on time for the battle when
it was not going to rain somewhere within
a very few hours. That this theory met
with anything but ridicule was due solely
to lack of knowledge of atmospheric mo-
tions. To one who knew That the rain
which fails on us today comes from a NOV
ing mass of air weighing thousands of mill
lions of tons which yesterday might have
been hundreds of miles away, the idea
that great atmospheric currents could be
set in motion and brought to a particular
spot by firing bombs would seem to be as
absurd as that of opening cannonade from
Governors island to bring the gulf stream
in shore to warm up New York harbor.
And yet so little appreciation mad the pub
lie of this fact that large appropriation
was gotten from congress to send an eX
pediton down to Texas there to produces
rain in the dry season by exploding dyna-
mite bombs
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-23
An Ancient Idea.

On another occasion an inventor appeared
at the Navy department with a proposal
for a new engine which was to utilize
nearly all the power generated by the burn
ing of coal, instead of wasting eight or
nine parts out of ten, as every steam engine
must do. Such result could not have been
otherwise than tempting and the claims
put forth seemed very plausible to one WHO
did not add to knowledge of steam engi-
merry that common sense appreciation of
new conditions which scientific attanments
do not always bring. The inventor came
armed with an endorsement from one of
the most eminent naval engineers. The
logical result Of his theory was that it was
possible to run an engine with the heat OF
the ocean and thus get along without any
coal. TIE eminent engineer endorsed this
plan and showed what splendid results for
our decaying commerce would follow wher.
this result was reached. Very naturally
the secretary of the navy was much con-
cerned lest the invention should not get
complete trial and il is said that the en-
eine was actually put in operation at the
Washington navy yard
Now, the fact is that the proposed engine
bad really nothing new about 1t in prn-
ciple. 1t was to all intents and purposes
common engine in which ammonia was USED
instead or water. The idea was so old
fashioned as 20 he worn out Time and
again it had been shown that no advantage
was to be gained in such way. OF course
there We're differences of detail; quite likely
a number of new features were introduced
into this ammonia engine. The difficulty
was to discriminate between the new fea,
lures of the engine which did not in any
way affect the principle, and the sub
version of law of nature. The inventor
did not pretend to have discovered any new
law or to have gotten any new appliance.
He had merely altered the form OF the
engine He was allowed to run it for .
short time, and then he and his machine
passed into oblivion.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-23
POSSIBILITIES OF INVENTION
Surprising Results Achieved During the
Past Fifty Years,
APPLYING The LAWS OF SCIENCE
How the Public is Imposed Upon by
Nisionnries-ENpIod Theories
Revived nnd Branded ns
Wholly New.
ING THE LAWS OF SCIENCE

The application of science to the arts of
life during the last fifty years writes Prof
Simon Newcomb, l.. l.. d., in the lnde-
pendent, has led to results so surprising
that We are apt to look upon almost any
claim made by an inventor as possible.
When scientific men maintain that certain
things cannot be done, or at least cannot
be done in the way proposed, the public is
very apt to receive their words with impa-
tienCe. Have not things apparently impos-
sble been done in the past? Why then
should they not be done in the future? When
the public entertains such a feeling as this
it may be useful to point out that after
all, the great inventions of the age have
proceeded on rather narrow lines and have
been in strict accord with scientific dis
coyeries.
The public sometimes forgets a very neces-
sary distinction between the scientific in
vestigator and the inventor. These two pro-
fessions. though often confused are really
quite distinct. The investigator properly so
called is concerned solely with the laws of
nature, and the consequences of the infinite
variety of conditions under which these
laws operate All he aims at is to predict
the result of every possible experiment, to
show how the course of nature goes on un-
der all circumstances. The increase of
knowledge is the goal from which he must
never turn his eyes Experience shows that
if he seeks to make the acquisition of knowl-
edge subordinate to money making he will
fail in pursuing science with that singleness
of purpose necessary to success. Perhaps
we ought rather to say that the really sue
cessful man of science must be too much
absorbed in his work to think of devoting
his time to new inventions
The inventor is one who, having mastered
the laws discovered by the man of science,
shows how they may be applied to a useful
purpose. 1t is not at all necessary that he
should be an investigator. SO far as the
writer is aware, Edison, perhaps the greatest
inventor of our time, never published a scien-
tifc paper and never attempted to add to
our knowledge Of electricity or any other
agent. He wisely chose the functions to
which he was best adapted. He mastered
the laws of electricity as thoroughly as any
one before him had ever done Then he
used his great genius in showing how they
could be applied to useful purposes. The
really great and useful inventors of our
| times are men, who, like him. are thor
oughly conversant with the laws of nature,
! and apply natural processes to the gaining
of useful ends. The visionary paradoXers
and speCulators, tt1e perpetual motion mer,
| the circle-squarers and a crowd of others
! who try to impose on the public with
| claims of great discoveries and inventions
are of an entirely different class. How
| these classes are to be distinguished may
| be shown by some examples which have at
! various times come within the writer s
| knowledge
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-23
Aerial Navigation.

At the present time the public is much in
terested over the question whether aerial
navigation is possible Can science answer
this question? In an absolute way 1t can
not, The best it can do is to point out GER
tain limitations of the idea which can be
removed only by the discovery of some rad
ically new law or by the production Of arti-
icial conditions Of which We up to the pres
ent time have no conception. Abstractly there
is no known reason why a man should not
make artificial wings by which he could fly
as rapidly as bird. The difficulty lies in
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

wheels Of the car passed over one OF his
legs, breaking il below the knee. he bore
up under the accident like hero and u
getting along nicely. DR.. l.. J. {. Barley
reduced the fracture.
Mrs. T.. T.. Goodloe was visitor last
week for few days, but was called to the
Gap on Friday on account of Mr. fergu'
sons death.
Col. and Mrs. Garard, of.PiuevIle, n.y.
were visitors on Monday, viewing the
sights.
Daniel b. Wentz spent TUESDAY at the
works inspecting the improvements nov
in progress.
Rev. Mr.. Cockcram, who - IN charge OF
the mission work at Maggard. conducted
the services in the Presbyterian Church
here last Sabbath. morning and evening
He is a Young man with prospects OF
bright future.
SATURDAY will lie pay day and in conse'
quence a good amount OF money VIII
circulate.
George II. Esser has returLed to the
palernal roof. allera very enjoyable fort
nights visit at the Gap.
! Mrs. VIM. Callahan il home In Stonesa
again and reports having speat pleasant
month visiting relatives in Pennsylvania
and West Virginia.
Miss Lucy Barstow i. back in her OLD
poslion at the Cashiers desk in the store
Mrs. A. d. Tanzcy left for her home II
Washington Cour. House. o., last evening
having closed her engagement Tor Inc
season in charge of the millinery Depart
ment Of the Virginia Coal Iron Co.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20
FROM LAUREL.
nondencc Of The Big stone Gap ro.,.


Goo. io"ai' rr"n, ,h;s nI,oo
u',,",, e.,
JfsSee Hubbard Is AT the breaks oil Inc
';s;,;n, rr;omds
49,, IT,, ,1., -.
siohroe ana ivory i"n"'fu ""A Si.s'
river on the 18th inst
u.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20
WISE COUNTY'S VILLAIN
Gus ROADS.
A Preacher Takes a WhaCk at
Thems

The Rev. Marley S. Hard, in
"Christianity IN Edrnes','a Meth
odist publication, has the following
to say about our miserable roads,
which surely rank as the poorest i'll
the world, and are a disgrace to our
civilization:
4 NOVEL AND PECULIAR TRIP came
in our travel within month.
The Virginia Conference held ITS
session in the mountains on the south
crn border Of the State.
The long and heavy rains made
the roads so wrctched that a team
could not take a wagon, with any
load. from the station ny to the seat
of Conference. We left the train at
a flag station.
The rain fell in torrents. No stage
came tor passengers, and house was
not in sight. Soon boy came out
of the bushes with five saddle horses.
One was assigned to us. The STIR
rnps were too long, but the straps
were in knots and we must needs use
them az we fonnd them. a boy took
six mail bags on one of the horses.
The horses were friendly and insisted
on keeping close together. when
one would step into mt mp to his
knee the mud would plaster us.
When we ended our ride Of six miles
we were wet to the skin, and if mud
had beea poured on us from bucket
we could not have looked worse.
1t took two days to dry our over
coat. Yet the trip brought US to
Gladeville, the county seat.
4 new 100000 court house was
there, in which the Conference held
it's sessions. A kind and generous
community gave the Conference
splendid entertainment.
1t was an unusual trip, unique
and original. We are glad that we
had the experience. 1t was q bene-
diction to meet such brave and de-
voted band of preachers as is found
in the Virginia Conference.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20
FROMSTONEGA.
Correspondence ct The Big Stone Gap Posi-.

Correspondence Of The Big Stone Gap Posr.
SroNEGA, Va, July ls.-Rain, the macl
wished for blessing came in gentle show.
err yesterday and did great good to the
parched grounds and dusty gardens, but
we can stand larger quantity without a
murmer as water is one Of the principle
factors in the manufacture of coke as well
as for household purposes.
The new Artesian Well is down to 26O
feet, aud with the other two (Which have
been furnishing the needed water during
the dry spelD will, when completed, sup.
ply all present needs. Mr.. Lybrook ia in
charge of the boring machinery.
Vim. Griffith was killed bv fall In the
mine last Friday morning at 8 O'Clock.
George Cooper and Bedford Ripper were
working with Griffith al the time of the
accident, and we're slightly injured, They
had neglected instructions providing
against falls, hence the result. The par.
ties are all colored.
Howard Callahan fell In front of nit
car In the Trot mine yesterday and the
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20
BRISTOL TO WILMINGTON,
N. G..
Great Railroad Scheme Con-
Meeting Mountains with
SeaCOaSt.

There is a grand railroad scheme
being worked whereby Bristol. tht
"Amthens of the Mountains" may
be brought into direct touch will
the wild waves of the Atlantic sea
coast at Wilmington. n. c., by
means of the communicative trans
portation facilities of steel ribbons
and electric telegraph impulses
The idea is to convert the East
Tennessee and Western North Caro-
| lima railroad into standard gauge
and connect with the Virginia d
Southwestern Railway running from
Elizabethton to Bristol, on the One
hand and on the other, with an ex.
tension of the Seaboard Air Line
from Lincolnton, n. c.. by way OF
Linville River, to Cranberry. The
connecting link which remains to be
built is that lying between Cranberry
and Lincolnton, y. c., a distance OF
about fifty miles only.
Expert Civil Engineer Thos, Mat
son, of johnson City, who surveyed
the very ingenious route for the +. L.
Il w. y. c., and corps of engineers
have just completed preliminary
survey of the line between Lincoln
ton and Cranberry, and it is under
stood, will make a favorable report
thereon.
This is thought, will insure the
building Of this missing link" by
the Seaboard Air Line. one of the
several southern systems. This done
the +. T. IL. w. n. c. will widen to
standard gauge and Bristol will
have been bound with bands of steel
to her seaport sister Wilmington.
From Bristol the Virginia Il South
western Railway runs to Big Stone
Gap, and thence to Big Tunnel where
it connects with the l.. e.. n. and n.
IL W., the latter running to Toms
Creek, near Coeburn, Wise county,
Va. BY this proposed system the
Virginia Iron, Coal e. Coke Co. could
get its output of coal at Toms Creek
through direct to the southern sea-
coast aud return it's ears ladened with
iron ore for use at its several Virginia
furnaces.
This is great, grand railroad
scheme. Let her come, Bristol will
welcome her with outstretched arms
The more the merrier. 1t would
traverse hitherto undeyeloped coun-
try, and would mean much to Bris.
tol's many merchants, penetrating as
it would western North Carolina and
East Tennessee mountains, rich in
railroad tonnage aud wholesale trade. |
Neps.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

I'm, she left the sweetest evidence behind
her that she was going to that blissiul
home where there will be no more part
inc. pain nor death. She was quietly
Laid 10 re,t in the family graveyard nesr
her home Sunday evening. \ large con-
course of friends were present.
Rev VIM Robinett and ". ampler
attended the union meeting at Indian
creek Saturday and sunday
4. NJ. Wright, Of Coon's Eye has been
visiting Henry l.. Gardner for the past
two weeks.
IN. Hi went to Norton to-day on
professional business.
MI. Mcconnell, Of Wayland, Scott Co"
nassed here Yesterday en- route to the
Pound TO Inv car load Of sheep.
Tim"
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

In the Clerk Urice of the Circuit Court
of the County of Wise on the 18th day OF
July, 1899.
W. H. Bond, Plaintiff,
against la Chaucerv
j. \. Ramsey ct al, Defts.
The object of this suit is to subject 10 the
payment Of Defendants bond for $3I 33l ,
with interest from January Bird, 1891, aud
Sill costs 4 certain tract or lot of land
situated in Bondtown aud known ~ lot
No. } in block No. ! fronting - feet on
the Norfolk Il Western Railway COMPANY
right and extending back to the
west line of Second street, and an attach
ment having been issued and returned
levied on said property and an affidavit
having been made and filed that the de-
PENDANT, j. n. Ramsey, is not resident of
tie State of Virginia, it is ordered that he
do appear here within - DAYS after due
publication hereof. and do what NAV he
necessary to protect his interest in this
suit. And it is further ordered that a
copy hereof be published once week for
four weeks In tue Big Stone Gap Posi-, and
that copy he posted at the front door of
the court house Of this County on the
hrst day OF the next 'erm OF the County
Court.
a cOpy-Tc ,e:
W +. kILGoRE. Geek.
by {. a. JOHNSON, ID. c.
u V 'ouNfs' pa. 7-l3 2s-3l
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20
FROM DRYDEN,
Correspondence Of TIE Zig stone Dap Post

Correspondence Of The Zig stone Gap Posf,
DRYDEN, VA, July lS.-fhere seems TO
he great calamity about schools on Wal
lens creek-arstOcracy against democ-
raey.
Taylor CoIdirop, Of Dryden, i our con-
stable: king the place % 6. i. Turner,
who was killed short time ago,
i. +. Richmond is doing frsl-class
business saw-miling in this country.
Cousins of Big Stone Gap and Stickley-
vile exchanged visits last week.
Our Institute bogus AZ Jonesvillc 2ith
inst, and every teacher mast rome Or he
sick
Hurrah, for the Elys. They seem to
have great deal of beard.
Dr. G.. ". Young j. DONG an excellent
business in this country. EGic THE RED.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20
FROM LIPPS.
Correspondence OF 'tno isg Stone Gap Posr.

Correspondence Of fno isg Stone Gap Post.
LIrPs, July 1--WE are having yer,
dry weather, and it looks as if growing
crops was we'll nigh suilocaiion.
J. y, Gardner aud family, of Dewey
have been visiting homefolks for the past
week.
{. ID. Wax came in Satardsy evening
from several days business trip.
Or. A. Wells, whose illness has been
mentioned heretofore, is able to he out
again we are pleased 10 note.
Messrs. Crit and Charles Hylton, of
Wise, passed here Sunday evening on
their return from Dewey.
Miss NJ. Z. Gardner, who has been sick
Tor some time quietly passed away Satur-
dey night. Her death had been expected
for some time, therefore it was no shock
to her many friends aud relatives. Still
We were loath TO part with one so dear.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20
A Tribute.

Robert Ferguson is dead. The
gentle, kindly man. the friend of chill.
dren, and OF the young aud helpless,
has passed away and the world is the
loser.
For years he has Laen familiar
figure 10 Big Stone Gap; quiet man
with a good face and pleasant voice,
loved and respected BY all who knew
him.
lie is at rest now, and we would
not call him back il we could, but we
shall miss him on the streets and in
our homes, and We are sorry, an!
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

THE dispatches tell us that another
terrible famine is upon Russia, anC
10000, 1000 people are threatened
The Government is attempting tC
float loan of $50,0O0,000 in Pari,
for relief fund and thus tide over
the crisis, but one of the main diff.
cu'ties in the way of relieving the
famine in Russia is the rascality Of
the Government agents who have the
duty of distributing it. 1t was not
many years ago that we sent several
ship loads Of grain from this country
to the starving Of Russia. We may
be called on to do the same thing
this year.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

GOVERNOR TYLER has announced
his intention of being a candidate
before the next legislature for United
States Senator, to succeed the Hon.
Thomas Martin. 1t is the belief of
many that the Governors chances of
election are very poor, that Mr..
Martin will succeed himself as the
next Senator elected from Virginia.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20
FROM DWALE.
Correspondence u nv ,gg sloac Gap rosr.

DwALr, Va, July ii.-Doc Hawtins, A
well to do blacksmith Of Clintwood, died
of consumption the other dag, after an
illness of some months. The remains are
being taken TO Russell county, his old
hom3, for jnterment The deceased leaves
a wife and several children.
There is a normal srhool being con-
Quoted at Clintwood under tie wanage-
ment of Prof. N. W Rcmines, with yety
fair attendance.
County Court has been in session ri
Clintwood this week. There was grand
jury empaneled, though not many ndct-
ments were found. +. NJ i.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

EyTERrRlsING merchants in small
Northern place have quite unique
method of drawing trade to their
town. They get together once a
week and offer a prize of $500 to
the farmer who comes the longest
distance to their town to trade. 1t is
said to greatly increase the trade OF
the town.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20
Volcanic EruptiOnS

Are grand but skin erupiions rob life
of JOY. BuckIen's Arn'ca Salve' cures
them; also old, running and fever sores,
ulcers, boils, felOns, cOrns, warts, cnts
bruises, burns, scalds chapped hands
chilblains, best pile cure on earth Drives
out pains aud aches. Only - cts. box.
Care guaranteed. Sold by j. W. Kelly,
druQQjst
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

more than sorry! that he is gone.
gone forevercr, and though we lived
through countless ages we shall never
see him more on earth. May God
rest his soul.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

The unsuccessful man generally
spends so much of his time explain
ing why things did not turn out as
he expected that lie has very few
moments to spare for new efforts.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20
RATES or ADVERT IsING.

The above rates are for standing ADVERTISE
ments only.
~LocAL ADVERTISEMENTS will be charg-
ed for at the rate Of cents per line for each
incertion.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

TIE testimony in the contested
election case between Walker and
Rhea is being printed at the Govern
mcnt Printing office, and will fill a
volume Of nearly $500 pages.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

The government has been vainly
looking for four typewriters and
shorthand writer's who can speak and
write Spanish. The salary is $500
per month for service in the Philip
pines.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20
BiSmark'S Iron Nerve

Was the result of his splendid health.
lndom'table wall aud tremendous energy
are not found where stomach. liver kid
neys and bowels are out Of order. If YOU
want these qualities and the success they
bring, use DR.. Kings New Lite Pills.
Fhey develop every power of brain and
body. Only % cts. at j. ". Kelly's drug
store. D
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

AS a result OF the failure to settle
the tin plate wage scale at the
Chicago conference, all the tin plate
mills in the country are preparing to
close down, throwing nearly $4,000
men out Of work.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

Ar present the future prospects
for Big Stone Gap are brighter than
ever before. We may have some
thing good to tell our readers in a
short time.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

THERE is rumor alloat to the
effect that the Norfolk 81 Western
railroad will soon be annexed to the
Pennsylvania lines.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

The drouth in Tennessee is severe.
The corn crop is small and Irish
potatoes failure. The cotton crop
is small, but in good condition.
Wheat averages 56 per cent, and
grasshoppers have injured the tobacco
CROP
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

The town council of Pulaski has pur-
chased the water works at that place from
the Pulaski Light aud Water Co. The
price paid was $4,000, Sl00Oo cash and
the residue in D per cent. bonds.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

TIE annual meeting Of the Nir-
GINA State Bar Association will be
held at Hot Springs, Va, August LIST,
2nd and 3rd.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-20

The Treasury officials think the
deficit for the present fiscal years will
be about 800, 100000.