davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31

house, but if it be desired the ad6i-
tional cost would not be great.
The construction is shown in the fol-
lowing abstract Of the specifications:
The size of the building is 40 feet in
width and so feet in length. over all ex-
cept projection of steps. The height
of the story is ~ feet in the clear. The
foundation is of good hard-burned
brick laid in lime mortar, leaving 10
inches in height of wall exposed to view
on exterior. The fireplaces and chin
neys are built of good handmade brick
and mortar laid with close joints. The
interior walls and ceilings are hard
finished on two coats best brown NOR
tar and seasoned pine lath. The frame
is of sound timber, properly farmed
and secured. The walls outside are
sheathed and papered and finished with
half-inch pine siding. The studding,
joists and rafters are spaced 16 inches
from centers, and all joists are well
bridged. All window frames have
Ts-inch stiles and timber sills of clear
pine. The sashes are 1ss inches thick,
and glazed as indicated on elevation
and hung to balance weights with good
cord. The porch floors are of narrow
tongued and grooved pine. all careful
~ laid and thoroughly nailed at each
bearing. The closets are shelved and
hooked in the usual manner. The doors
are of seasoned pine, paneled and mold
ed; inside doors 1as and outside doors
ia inches thick; all doors hung with
suitable butts and mortise locks; sash
fastenings to all windows. All outside
work usually painted has three coats
of paint; inside filed and hard-oiled
yellow pine finish. The house can be
built as thus described in most local
tiles for about 81, 900 to 81, 1900.
E. A. PAYNE.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31

Dobbs Ferry. DR.. and Mrs. Reyes had
arranged to stay over night at the
Casino.
From the accompanying sketch it
will be readily understood how it was
that DR.. Keyes caused the accident
which resulted in the death of himself
and his wife. The Casino is equipped
with both electric and gas light, the
electric current having been in use
on the evening in question. In turning
off the key in the lamp socket it is
proba bic that DIR. Keyes' thumb or
finger struck the gas key. which must
have been quite loose, and accidentally
turned it about three-fourths around.
The result was that sufficient gas es-
capped to kill the two occupants of the
room.
The proper design for the com bina-
ton of electric and gas-light fixtures
is subject of vital Importance, and
the location of the two respective keys
should be as far apart as practical
bic. 1t seems to the Electrical Review
thatthe designer of fixture of the sort
here sketched comes pretty near be-
ing guilty of criminal negligence
Electrical Review.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
PRODUCTS FROM WOOD.
Sixty-Five Peg Cent. of 1t Are Con.
verted Into Alcohol, Acetate of
Lime and Wood Tnrs.

1t is not generally known that over
60 per cent. of wood may be converted
into liquid. The strongest hydraulic
pressure would not squeeze one-half of
one per cent. of moisture, from dry
wood, but by putting the same ma erial
into an iron retort and converting it
into charcoal by means of heat, the
gases and smoke, to the extent of fully
65 per cent. of the weight of the wood.
may be condensed into liquid called py-
roligneous acid, and from it are OBJ
tanned wood alcohol, acetate of lime
and wood tars. A cord of wood weigh
ing 1900 pounds produced about 1850
pounds of pyroligneous acid and 700
pounds of charcoal. The pyroligneous
acid from one cord of wood produces
nine gallons of 50 per cent. crude wood
alcohol, 200 pounds of acetate of lime,
and about 25 gallons of tar, besides 35
bushels of charcoal. After the pyro-
ligneous acid is neutralized with lime
the wood alcohol is distilled off, the
lime holding the active acid in solution.
After the separation of the wood spirit
the remaining liquid is boiled down in
open pans of sugar, which is dried and
becomes the acetate of lime OF COM
merce. Acetate of lime is used for max
ing acetic acid. Fully three-fifths of
all the wood alcohol and acetate of lime
produced in the world are made in the
United States. Fully $1,000 acres per
year are cleared for this purpose. Wood
alcohol affords perfect substitute for
grain alcohol for manufacturing and
mechanical purposes, and at less than
one-third the cost. 1t is used principally
as solvent in the making of shellac
varnish. in making, celluloid. photo
graphic paper, etc. It makes many
beautiful dye tints. It is antiseptic
and much used for liniments and for
skin rubbing in bathheuses.-Bosten
Transcript.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
PSYCHIC EPILEPSY.
Which Occasionally Terminates
In Capital Grimes.

While on the subject of nervous dis
eases. how many suffer froh psychic
epilepsy" and how many know what 1T
is? DIR. Hamilton B. Deadly. director of
the Pathological institute of the state
of New York, is said to have stated
that it viii hereafter be possible to as
certain whether a man was conscious
of his action when committing a
crime. 1t has been demonstrated that
a nerve cell inspired by an impression
received from an emotion would form
combination with other cells, this be-
coming so strong that without knowl-
edge of the brain an individual is COM
PEELED by it to an action suggested by
the first impression. AS the brain takes
no part in the act, this condition is not
insanity. The body is like an engine at
full speed without an engineer. The
nerve cells are the beginning and end
of existence. No one knows how many
there are. It is supposed that there are
billions. They hold communication
with the muscles by means of fbers.
and form combinations with each other
by processes or fibers. The action of a
friend may cause mOmen taTy emotion
of hatred instantly repented and for
on nerve cell, whence it is flashed
through the fibrous connection to an
other cell and another, constantly in
creasing in intensity while the brain re-
mains ignorant of what is taking place.
If the person who caused the original
impression appear when the combina-
ton is strong. it may assert itself while
the brain remains dormant. a crime
r. H..
forgotten impression of hatred.
This condition is called psychic cpl
lepsy. At the time the person appears
absolutely sane. He may acknowledge
that he committed the act. but Will
probably soon fall asleep. On awaken
ing the brain is again in control and the
nerves in subsection. The man will
honestly say that he is entirely ignor-
ant of that with which he is charged.
II crime be committed and the au-
thor on examination remembers any of
the circumstances after sleep, he is like
" to have done the deed voluntarily
Psychic epilepsy was formerly con-
sideTed hopeless, but it is now known
that it can be cured by teaching pa
tent to remember. If you are guilty
of an unconscious action which Injuries
you, and your attention is called to it
when it is about to occur again, you
check yourself, re1nem bering that it is
unwise and what are the results.
Nerve cells are always in action. even
when we sleep. They are connected
with every motion, voluntary or other
wise, with every breath. thought and
sensation. Nervousness is lack of self
control. A small dose of strychnine adj
ministered TO person troubled with
sleeplessness will stimulate power Of
self-control and induce sleep. 4 nerv-
Gus condition means 4 lack of energy;
a normal condition of the nerve cells
normal mentality.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
THE CREW GREW FLESHY.
Phenomenon Explained by the Press
cnce OF Much Arsenic on
BOARD.

The German bark Zion, which arrived
at this port recently from Fowey. Eng
land, brought a rather peculiar cargo.
1t consisted of 1,sO0 casks of china clay,
but in addition there were on board
800 casks of arsenic. This part of the
cargo had a remarkable effect on the
crew.
The fact that arsenic as well as
strychnine helps the formation of adj
pose tissue when taken into the human
system in minute particles is we'll
known, and both drugs have become
favorite tonics for convalescents. On
board the Zion the men slept very near
the large array of barrels containing
the drug. They were stored in sthe
hold, near the forecastle. and partially
exposed to the rays of the sun, which
streamed in through the open hatch.
When only about a week out from port
one of the crew mentioned to his mess
mates that peculiar and indescribabis
odor was coming from the casks con-
tanning the drug. 1t was not long after
their attention had been called to ii
that they all noticed the same thing
and, strange to say, noticed it all the
more forcibly a week later. Several oi
the German tars became aware of the
fact that they were filling out their
clothes to much greater extent than
when they shipped Many others. as
days went by, became abnormaliy
stout, in vast contrast to the former
slim appearance which many of them
presented before the land was left
One man gained, IT is said, 25 pounds.
Others were affected to less extent.
But the aggregate weight put on by
the entire crew was little less than 4OG
pounds.
Several of the sailors are known here.
and they are said to be scarcely. recog-
nizable when contrasted with the old
days. The, entire sudden taking on of
avoirdupois is attributed to vapor.
which, generated by the action of the
sun on the casks. was inhaled by the
seamen as they slept and acted precise
~ in the same manner which it does
when given as a tonic in prescription.
Capt Hammes. who slept aft in the
vessel. entirely removed from the
arsenic. does not show any effect of the
nhalation.-Philade1p Times.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
Fine Churche. i'm Man,f.

By far the most striking character
istic of Manila is the number, size and
splendor Of the religious edifices
Though the walled area is only about
ESQ acres in extent, within these lin;
its are half a dozen churches. incIud,
ing cathedral The spires and bell
towers of these massive structures form
the most picturesque characteristic
feature of the city. The oldest OF
the existing churches, that of ST. Au.
gustine, was founded more than zoe
years ago. That il has withstood the
tyPhoons and earthquakes of three cen,
turtles is proof of its solidity and alsd
OF the ability Of its architect, a nephe1
OF the builder of the Escuriai at Mad
rid.-Chicago Chronicle.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
Toothp,ck. from Portugal.

The best toothpicks made anywhere
In the world come from Portugal. They
are whitfield by hand from orangewood
splints by peasant girls, the only tools
used being an ordinary jacknife. These
picks are as smooth as ivory, and viii
not break into splinters. They are ex-
pensive. Only one hotel in Philadel-
phia supplies them. The girls who
make the picks receive less than ten
cents a day. AS the duty on the for
eign-made picks is only 35 per cent.
they can be sold here at less than picks
of similar quality could be manufac-
tured in this country, despite the i'm
proved American machinery and skilled
labor. The profit on American picks Is
almost exclusively on the cheaper
product. Some OF the Portuguese
picks are highly ornamented with hand
carving. They are too expensive for
ordinary commerce. Small quantities
have been imported into this country
on rare occasions for use at notable
banquets or as unique specimens of
handicraft.-Philadelp Times.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
a GRASS bl0E.

and wooden paving is entirely absent,
and the moistness of granite pave
ment unknown, as the resilient sur
face of the grass blocks offers vel
vety surface to the hoofs of the horses
that makes their tread quiet and or
derby thud.
The claim is made that the grass
blocks are calculated to outlast any of
the granite or wood paving now in
use. So confident is Mr.. Amies of this
that he is willing to guarantee the
blocks for period of five years. Mr..
Amies declares that ANY required de-
gree of density may be given to the
blocks according to the pressure to
which they have been subjected. A
density of from 25 to GO pounds per
cubic foot may be attained. They may
be made as dense as mahogany (the
wood now being laid down in paving
blocks in Paris at great cost, which
is for Spanish mahogany SO pounds
to the cubic foot, or as English oak,
which weighs IS pounds to the cubic
foot. "-Chicago Inter Ocean.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
Serum Cure for Pneumonia.

Prof Wasserman, of Berlin, one of
Prof. Koch's ablest pupils, is believed
to have discovered a serum for the cure
of pneumonia. He inoculated rabbits
with pneumcoccus bacillus, which is
generally believed to cause pneum onia,
and with the serum thus gained he
inocuiated mice suffering from pneu-
monia. A subsequent series of expert
ments showed it was in the red mar
row of the bones the antitoXin is pro-
duced, and that the red marrow taken
from human corpse dead from pneu-
monia and used as serum Will cure mice
infested with that disease. According
ly it is hoped this serum will have the
same satisfactory results in human be-
:ngs.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
A TALK ABOUT COLDS.
They Are Caught Most Frequently In
Places Where the Ventilation
Is Defective.

The old-fashioned cold has been GUST
ed to some extent from its former posi-
ton in domestic medicine by the mod
ern influenza. An attack of influenza
is much better excuse for non-attend-
ance at the office or shop than cold,
the latter being commonly regarded as
an accommodation bill drawn by lazi-
ness or idleness. There is unquestion-
ably such thing as a cold-that is to
say a deviation from health obviously
consequent upon, and due to, exposure
to cold and damp. The initial sensa-
ton OF cold is followed by more or less
pronounced physical discomfort, pos
sibly by more definite signs and symp-
toms of bronchitis or other disease a
fFigore. With that prediction for in
exorable logic which characterizes the
undiscerning, the average citizen re-
CARDS every illness beginning with n
chill as cold, losing sight of the fact
that there are chills-i. e., sensations
of cold-which are in nowise due to the
action of the low temperatures. This
vulgar error has been productive of Sc
rious consequences in more than one di-
rection.
Nowadays. and rightly, we are all for
fresh air. We fear no foe save the
ubiquitous microbe, and we fight him
with fire and poison, with results that
amply suffice to justify this war out
rance. 1t may, on the other hand. be
= person with n weak chest who expe-
riences Chill" and. as it is the
oretically impossible ever to exclude
the influence of cold. he or she attrib-
utes the symptoms which follow-the
cough. the sweating, the eXpectoration,
etc.-to incautious exposure. whereas
the chill merely heralded a rise of tenn
perature incidental to an outburst of
tuberculous disease.
It would surprise many intelligent
people to be told that chill is q sign
that there is fever, and that sweating
Is usually sign that the fever is abat-
ing. Yet such is the unvarnished fact.
and it would be we'll for it to be gen.
orally known. Cold is merely debil
itating agent, the effects whereof viii
vary according to the individual. 1t
throws q strain on the organic ma
chinery and the weakest part gives.
II the machine as a whole is in good
trim. nothing happens beyond a little
temporary discomfort. In a rheumatic
person it may determine pains in the
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
S(iFi:N!(,5E; 5Mza ~
PAVEMENT OF GRASS. ;
Sew Jersey Clergyman Produces a
Novel Sort of Block for Use
in City Streets.

Paving blocks made of coarse marsh
grass have been used in Norfolk and
Richmond, Va, with, it is asserted,
gratifying results in cost and wear
ing qualities. These blocks are the in
vention of Rev. J. II. Amies. of Allan
tic City, n. J. Coarse grass grown on
meadows adjacent to the sea Mr.. Amies
congresses by hydraulic means into
square blocks. first curing it by means
of q special preparation of oil. tar and
other resins blended, this preparation
making the blocks, according to the
claims of the inventor. proof against
moisture and decay. The finished
blocks measure IA inches by 21 by 6.
and weigh 40 pounds per cubic foot.
The blocks can be laid upon any
proper founda ton in the same manner
as granite blocks, vitrified bricks. or
other paving material. In the first
place, he states that they will cost less
than any other pavement now in use,
and, besides this. Mr.. Amies claims
that his blocks are the most dura bic,
that such thing as rut or hollow viii
be unknown on grass-paved streets
that. in fact, the mineral matter which
falls upon the grass roadway will only
make it smoother and stronger, the
seeming paradox of this statement be-
ing supported by the claim that the
grass blocks are elastic and moisture
proof and therefore incorporate with
themselves any mineral natter that
comes their way.
Mr.. Amies says that his paving blocks
can be made, by process of treatment
of which he alone possesses the secret,
of the consistency of granite. while the
slippery surface common to asphalt
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31

ter located. and arranged SO it could be
heated in winter. Or if one did not
want bathroom the room shown for
that purpose could be converted into
an outside closet and the adjoining
porch somewhat enlarged. Construc-
tionally the house ranks among the
more costly, the materials being of
good quality throughout, experience
having proven that good substantial
materials and work are less expensive
in the end than iashy. perishable orna-
ments. No cellar is provided under the
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
ART IN ARCHITECTURE.
DESIGNED ESPECIALLY

u - - - -

IN SOME districts there is great de-
mand for five or six room cottages
= with rooms all on the ground floor.
Houses of this class have many advan-
tages, especially in cases where there
are old people or invalids in the fam
lily. In such cases the passing up and
downstairs is the greatest trial about
keeping the house. They are not the
least expensive houses to build, the
same amount of floor space being con-
sidered, but often the additional con-
vehience of such an arrangement we'll
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
New Patent Ho-se Feed

The German government is making
an experiment in the feeding of artil-
lery horses by dieting them on patent
food. This is composed of fresh blood
from the slaughter houses, mixed with
sugar refuse and the screenings of bar
ley, wheat and the like 1t is claimed
that the albumen in the blood, aided by
the other two ingredients, makes the
new forage very Strengthening. AS the
new productioni is comparatively cheap,
the cost of maintenance will be sensi-
bly, decreased
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31

joints; and so on-7in short, it picks out
the weak spots, and converts weakness
into disease. Colds are VIGOROUSLY in
fictitious, and the places where colds
are most frequently caught arc places
where ventilation is defective and where
microbes abound, as in certain theaters,
churches, railway carriages and the like,
so that even the symptoms of the old
fashioned cold are for the most part
the result-of microbial infection and not
of exposure.-Medical Press and Cir
cular.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
All Bees Cnrr Baskets.

Every bee carries his market basket
ing the body of bee through mi
croscope will observe that on the hind
legs of the creature there is a fringe of
stiff hairs on the surface, the hairs ap-
preaching each other at the tips, so as
to form a sort of cage This is the bees
basket, and into it, after successful
journey. he viii cram enough pollen to
last him for two or three DAYS.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
DANGEROUS FIXTURES.
Deaths Caused by the Careless Plnc'
ing of Electric Light Lamps
on Gas Pipes.

DIR. II. E. Reyes and his wife were
found dead in room at the Ardsley
Casino, at Ardsley- on-the-Hudson. n.
Y, not long ago. They had been acct
dentally asphyxiated by gas, which it
is believed DR.. Keyes inadvertently
turned on just before retiring. The
unfortunate couple had been attend
ing a dance at the residence of Gen.
Griffin, first vice president of the Gen
eral Electric company, who lives at
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
no Float Stranded Yes.el..

sandbars by a new apparatus consist
ing of an endless chain OF buckets to be
attached to the sides of the vessel and
driven by engines to excavate the sand
from around the hull until the ship
floats free.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31

can all be secured for reasonable sum
of money.
There are many things to be taken
into consideration IN. the planning of
houses for the different sections of our
country. This cSttage was designed to
be used in one of the southern states,
but with some slight notifications it
would be very desirable home for any
part of the country. If built in north
ern state the bathroom should be bet
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31

fepays the additional outlay in cost of
construction. The cottage illustrated
In this coHtmn has pleasant appear
ance and has six good rooms arranged
around a central hall. Each room is
provided with an open fireplace and it
Is intended to heat the house in this
manner. There is a large amount of
available floor space in the house and it
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
A -Four Centurx secret.

In Nagasaki, Japan, there is a fire.
works maker who manufactures pyro-
rechnic birds of great size that, when
exploded. sail in a lifelike manner
through the air and perform many
movements exactly like those of living
birds. The secret of making these wen
derful things has been in the possession
of the eldest child of the family OF each
generation for more than 400 years
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31
Little Breechea.

she-Mr. Hay? the secretary of state ?
He-Yes.
He belongs to the old Knickerbock-
er families, does he not?'
Not that ever heard Of
'Well, then, he wrote something
about them. or something like that
Indianapolis Journal.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31

Tom bs Are Their Homes.
Thousands of people in Egypt live in
old tombs.
La democracia. (Ponce, P.R.) 1890-1948, 1899-09-22
DreNVs
iMdVyJtNdO
Francia y los francsses

Los cables del veinte, es deeir, de
hace dos dias, anunciau hsber frmado
ell Presidente de la RepGblica franoesa
ell decreto de indulto a Dreyfus.
El indulto Sc reiere a la lena i'm
puesta por ell tribunal de Rennes.
Ell captain semits queda en- libertad
absolute. No Sc repetira, pues, Ell aoto
de la degradation.
Los cables no hsblau de condolences
espeoiales impuestas en- ell decreto de
indulto. Esto POGO imports. El he.
cho moral es ell que habla, y este dice
que a Dreyfus 10 ha absuelto Ell espfritu
de justicia que caraeteriza q Francia.
En- este gran litigio, sin duda ell mas
notable de la Europa en- ell presente 81
glo, = cuyo desarrollo lie hs tocado al
pueblo de las grandes conmociones so :
ciales, hay que anslizar una dlferencia
surgida en- ell debate.
Nos referimos a la Iucha sostenida
por la Francia y & la lucha sostenids
por los franceses.
Estos Sc han agitado en- circulos de
distintas posiciones, y de aht han arran-
cado las luehas, las pasiones, las encon.
tradas controversies y pareceres.