davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
Cats Made Over,

IF you want a Persian cat bring me
any common kitten you like, and with
in six months / will return it to you
with coat which would put to shame
that of the shah's favorite pussy" said
a cat 7ancier to the writer mo tor
ture or fake is employed. Some time
ago it was brought to my notice that
the cats living in refrigerating cham
bers got coats of enormous thickness,
and also that they grew to nearly dou-
BILE the size of the ordinary pussy. The
idea being given, the rest was easy.
had small refrigerator fitted up in my
premises, and made an experiment. 1t
was so successful that l have since
made a profit, by turning common pus-
sizes into genuine Persians, of $4,000 a
year. Again, l now have only one cure
for cats, never n.ind what disease
they are suffering from. freeze them,
and am by this remedy able to return
them to their owners, within week,
perfectly happy and WELL Again, for
the last two years the majority Of show
cats have come to me in the early
autumn to have their winter coats
made by my method, so that they shall
not catch chill owing to any sudden
change in the weather"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
Notes.

The eight-hour day has been in
augurated in the government postage
stamp factory in France.
California's law requiring corpora
tions to pay wages at least monthly
has been declared unconstitutional.
The miners strike at Pana, ILL.,, has
been settled. Under the agreement
reached the miners union will be rec
ognized and the Accent scale paid.
Two new fruit jar factories at Fair
mount, Ind, now use blowing ma
chimes. Forty-five men on the two
turns now do the work of twice that
number of men with hand blowers.
One effect of the attention which re-
cent successes of America in COMPETE
ton with British manufacturers has
had is found in the reported intention
of the London Times to send a me-
chanical expert to this country, whose
duty it shall be to investigate and re-
port on American methods Of manufac-
ture.
Lumbermen who have started log
glnR Op6TdllOuS III tuc NlCluiIy VI w cck
Superior, Wis, say they are already
having trouble to get the men needed.
Many contracts have been made for
heavy cuttings. There are many more
yet to be made. Teams are scarce as
we'll as men. The lowest wages offered
at present is $50 per month. That Is
for the swampers, who two years ago
we're getting SIG per month. The out
look seems to be that these wages will
advance rather than decrease.
A proposal is on foot in Germany to
temporarily remove the duty on iron
and steel. 1t seems that the union Of
manufacturers Of half-flnished iron and
steel products has only been able to
promise 3S per cent of the amount of
metal required by its customers for the
first half Of 1900. The shortage will
therefore amount to So per cent, and
those works which are dependent upon
half-finished products will probably
have to shut up for nearly four months.
This would throw thousands of work
men out OF employment
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
NOTES OF THE WHEEL
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO DEv-
OTEES OF THE BICYCLE.
MILITARY Cycle Design-Maohires Adapt
cd for Carrying Soldiers ays1 Camplete
Armament and Traps-Uniqus Tdsa Of
an Up-to-Date Chicago Inventor.
Free Wheel fop ChainIess.

The advent Of the chainless, sue
cessful as it has been, is far from a
simple proposition. 1t is not merely a
question of changing from the chain
and sprocket to the gear and shaft.
Important as the running gear may be
as factor, 1t is not by any means the
only thing to be considered in perfect
ing and equipping a bicycle to sue
cessfully meet the storms Of its selling
career. The buying public is not alone
interested In the question OF chain or
chainless. 1t sees fit to ask about free
wheels, coaster brakes, gear coverings,
frame lines, weights and frame con-
struction. Thus the builder Of the
chainless cannot content himself with
the work Of perfecting bevel gear
power transmission device or with de-
signing a novel and desirable cross
roller gear. He must meet as we'll the
current problems mentioned and must
meet them in as able manner as does
the maker Of the chain machine.
When the curious and wondering
layman casts his eye down the long
vista Of "has beens" and then turns
bewildered to the hazy future and
asks What next?" the answer is apt
to be "Chainless bicycles with free
wheels and back-pedaling brakes" AL
ready one firm in England has full
filled the answer and is marketing a
chainless machine with coaster brake.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
Prosperity Is Here.

Prosperity is here, with vengeance.
Not the millennium; not season when
one may get up in the morning and
scrape up a pot Of mama and catch
a roasted quail on the wing for the
DAYS ration; but season when oppor-
tunities to work are multiplying, wages
are rising, and prompt cash payment
of the same is the rule. Here are a
few extracts from labor papers, publ
cations not given to exaggeration In
matters of this kind: Journal OF La
bor. Atlanta, Ga.-Hardly a week
masses that some union in the ranks
of organized labor in Atlanta does not
make a notable progress. Western La
borer. Omaha, Neb.-If the demand for
carpenters continues new blackboard
at the Labor Temple will be necessary
IN hold the want ads" thereon.
United Mine Workers Journal, Indian
apolis. Ind.-Indications are that the
entire New river field West Virginia)
and its tributaries will be operating
at the advanced price in the very near
future. Labor World, Quincy. Ill.,
All the union carpenters in the city are
working. and man who hires nom
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
OVER 80 MILES OF WIRE.
Water Makes 10000 Horse Power

Water Makes 10000 Horse Power.
Which Is Sent to Los Angeles.
Today the most notable transmission
plant in existence is that of the South
ern California power company, de-
signed to carry 10000 horse power at
$4,000 volts over SO miles of line from
the power house to the town Of Los
Angeles. The power house is stu
ated at the base of the San Bernardino
mountains, on the Santa Ana river,
and the power water intake is at the
junction of Bear creek and the Santa
Ana river, about seven miles below the
famous Bear creek dam. The water IN
this river, like all waters in southern
California, is owned by water COM
panies, and as soon as it reaches the
valley it is led off in irrigation bitches
in different directions. Under these
conditions any power company using
the water must not interrupt the flow,
and the regulation of the Pelton water
wheels which are used must be by de-
flecting nozzles. The water is carried
about two and half miles, 80 per cent
of which is through tunnels, and the
rest Of the canal is open masonry and
wooden fumes. The elevation at the
intake is 1922 feet above sea level, and
that of the power house 2,670 feet, CIV
ing head of 1856 feet on the wheels
Casters Magazine.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
AUTOMOBILES IN DESERT.
Belgian Nobleman Makes Tour Prov
Ing Its Possibilities.

Belgian NObleman Makes Tour Prov
Ing Its Possibilities.
It seems likely that trade In the
desert of North Africa Is going to
undergo a startling revolution. The
long caravan of camels, with their
tinkling bells and white-robed drivers,
may shortly become nothing but a
poetic memory and live only in verse,
1t Is the autocar which Is to effect this
revolution, and the way has already
been prepared by the adventurous
tour of two Belgian noblemen, Baron
Pierre and Baron Joseph de Crawhez.
The tour lasted three months and ex-
tended over vast tracts Of northern
Africa. Once they came to a river,
but drove boldly into the food. The
bottom was very rough, and the car
bumped from side to side, but after a
most perilous passage, being nearly
swept away more than once, they
reached the other side in safety. Their
proudest achievement. however, was
the crossing Of a ridge of the Atlas
mountains, through vast snowdrifts.
at the height of $500 feet above the
sea level. The great success Of this
expedition should open the field of
great deal Of kindred enterprise, and
possibly in the future camels will be
found only in geological gardens
Chicago Chronicle.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24

The nineteenth annual convention
of the American Federation of Labor
will be held in Detroit, Mich, begin
ming Dec. H. Representation will be
on the following basis: From national
or international unions, for less than
1000 members, one delegate; 1000 or
more, two delegates; 5000 or more,
three delegates 10000 or more, four
delegates; $4,000 or more, five dele
gates, and so on; and from central
bodies and state federations, and from
local unions not having national
union, and from federal labor unions,
one delegate. Only bona-fide wage
workers, who are not members of, or
eligible to membership in, other trades
unions, are eligible as delegates from
federal labor unions. At meeting OF
the executive board Of the Federation,
held a few days ago at Washington,
D. c., the following business was
transacted: The arrest Of miners In
the Occur d'Alene district of Idaho
was denounced in resolution. 1t was
decided that a bill be drafted, to be
presented to congress, limiting the is
suance of injunctions by courts so that
they shall not lie against working
people. either singly or in combina-
tons, quitting employment, or against
the moral persuasion of workers con-
sidering the questions of quitting such
employment. 1t was decided to press
in the coming congress the eight-hour
bill which failed of passage in the SEN
ate in the last hours of the fifty-ffth
congress. Attention was called to the
fact that the order Of the secretary OF
the navy for the payment Of time and
half for work over the eight-hour
day in cases Of emergency has not been
carried out in the Charlestown (Mass.)
navy yard, and action was taken to
bring this to the notice of the navy de-
partment. The secretary's report shows
a marvellous increase in the number OF
organizations formed and affiliated.
The income of the organization more
than doubled that Of the year last pre-
ceding.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24

union carpenters should not bs too Sc
verely censured, for 1t is possible he
could not get any others. Midland
Mechanic, Kansas City, Mo.-Space on
the blackboard at Labor hall has been
at premium all this week, and 1t re-
ssmbles the want" column Of daily
paper. Metal Worker. New York.-In
housekeeping parlance, this is a great
year for manufacturers and merchants
to clean house." Accumulation OF
years are being swept out. Unstable
goods and unstable sizes are going out
what the people want, but cannot get.
A variation of one-siXteenth inch or
even one-eighth inch in thickness is
cheerfully overlooked by a consumer
who must have some bar iron or steel
to finish work which he is doing under
pressure for his customers. Industrial
Advocate, Denver, Col.-Owing to the
rush of business the Sole cigar fac;
tory found it impossible to give its
help the halliday vacations they ex-
pected this week. The boys loyalty
yielded their desires and helped the
proprietor out. 1t is hard to tell
whether the proprietors or the en-
ployes feel best over the increased
trade the agitation for Colorado-made
cigars has brought the factories.
Worker, Abilene, Neb.-Every manu-
facturer in Nebraska is said to be
working overtime in order to fill Or
ders. The railroads find the heavy
traffic practically blocking the roads.
They cannot get cars enough to meet
the demand. On all sides are evidences
of this unusual condition. Those who
have made study of these conditions
assert that indications are for con-
tinuance of these favorable times in
the state for another year. United La
Dor Journal, Memphis, Tenn.-1ndus-
trial enterprises and factories of all
kinds are working to their full capa-
city, and energy and enterprise seem
to be pulsating with ever-increasing
volume through the veins Of every
avenue of business.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24

Though practical warfare has never
demonstrated that the bicycle is val
liable aid to modern military practice,
experiments in times of peace have
shown that some parts of military
drama might be played with most ex-
cellent results by cyclist soldiers. Be-
cause Of the fact that military coun-
try never knows where war may be
fought it Is compelled to prepare itself
for struggles in many different loca-
tons and under varied conditions.
There are places and there are circum-
stances which warrant the use Of the
bicycle in war. Should such territory
be the center Of combat at any time
the utility of the bicycle in war would
be quickly demonstrated. In nearly
every northern country the existing
conditions are such that the regular
routine of maintaining standing ar
my is materially aided by the cycle
corps and kindred organizations. In
our own country bicycle rough riders,
light artillery men and messengers
may at least form very pleasing part
of Decoration day, Fourth Of July,
and jubilee national grand professions.
The recent favor shown the bicycle
by military authorities in this and
other countries has stimulated inven-
ton whose object is to provide cycles
better adapted to the needs Of the SOL
der than the ordinary machine. The
greater number Of designers of mill
tary machines have attempted to fit BIZ
cycles for army use without materially
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
Nnt tn ha DlsnlaCad.

Everything considered, we need not
anticipate the spontaneous adoption OF
the automobile and relegation of the
bicycle. That there will be countless
thousands of them made and enthu-
siastically ridden is an assured GER
tainty, but that they will replace the
bicycle in the estimation and employ
ment Of the public is a matter that
does not warrant serious considera-
ton, states an exchange. Bicycles will
be ridden by preference long after au-
tomobiles have achieved absolute per-
fection-a condition some time of,
from present Indications.
Although everybody admits that
motor vehicles will shortly attain to a
very prominent place in the affections
of the public, there are many reasons
why the autos will never entirely SUPP
plant the bicycle, chief among which
are the greater initial cost of the for
mer, their more complicated mechan-
ism and operation, and certain lack
Of the man-influenced sensibility and
submission Of the bicycle to the de-
sires of its rider. There is present In
the automobile factor of danger COM
mon to all engines propelled by other
than strictly manual agency. There
is always possibility of loss of
control with attendant disadvantages
and dangers. The action Of steam,s
gas and electric motors is always me-
chanical, apathetic and unresponsise to
the vagaries Of Its user. The automo-
bile runs along in formulated rut
from which there is no deliverance.
1t Is insensible, stolid, sullen and
phlegmatic and in all ways entirely
different from the representative, will
ing and sympathetic action of the BIZ
cycle, which responds instantly to ev-
cry demand, however sudden and ex-
acting, and which Is always peculiarly
in harmonious accord with its riders
every mood. The bicycle is almost a
thing of life and reason in this respect,
always tractable, responsive and I'M
der control, meeting every demand in
stantly and in its almost human CO.
operation virtually becoming an Or
ganic part of its rider.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24

INVENTOR MERGENTHALER.
he failed to serve out his full time on
account of difficulties which made him
resolve to seek his fortune in the
United States. When he landed in
Baltimore his worldly possessions
barely exceeded $50 in cash. Going to
Washington, D. c., where his uncle
was engaged in the building Of ma
chimes, he obtained employment with
his relative at that place. Here in the
course of time he originated and per-
fected the machine which has since
placed him in the forefront of great
modern inventors. Mr.. Mergenthaler
was barely more than thirty years of
age when he conceived the idea Of the
linotype. Seldom has genius been more
precocious. On account of i'll health
Mr.. Mergenthaler had not engaged in
active work for some time previous to
his death.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
SMALLEST REPUBLIC.
Two and . Half Square Miles, with q
Formulation of Sixty.

Two and . Half Square Miles, with q
Population of Sixty.
The smallest republic In the world
is that of Tavolara, an island about
five miles long, with an average width
of little more than half mile, sit
uated about dozen milAs to the north
east Of Sardinia. The total population
of the whole republic does not exceed
$50, but they elect president every six
years, and council of six members,
all of whom serve the state without
pay. The women of this island go to
the polls and vote with the men, and
ever since it became republic, in 1886,
all public business has been transacted
without turmoil; the elections taking
place without any high party feeling or
undue excitement. In 1886 King
Charles Albert Of Sardinia granted the
Island of Tavolara to a family of the
name of Bartoleoni, but in less than
half century the inhabitants threw
off the yoke of monarchy and took to
themselves. This little war did not
alarm the world, and was quite a
peaceful one. King Paul I. reigned
until 1882, and on his deathbed re-
quested that none of his kin should
succeed to the throne, and as no one
claimed the honor four years later the
people decided to draw up oonstitu-
ton, and Tavolara has been very
successful little republic since. Twelve
years ago its independence was recog-
nized by Italy, and, it is to be pre-
sumed, other powers would have recog-
nized it also If they had known of its
existence. The inhabitants live prin-
cipally by fishing and raising fruits
and vegetables. They fear no sudden
invasion, for they dispense with any
army or navy, and, presumably, in case
of need, would rely upon the entire
population to uphold the freedom of
the country.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
Long Crank Bicycles.

Engineering says long crank bicycles
are now coming into favor. A 61s-inch
crank with IS gear is equivalent to
an Sk-inch crank and an IS gear, yet
a given distance is ridden much more
easily with the second arrangement
than with the first. 1t is suggested
that the nerve waste in riding is pro-
portional to the number of times the
muscles are energized-i. e., to the
number of pedal strokes made. Riders
who have done much hard riding with
short cranks find some difficulty at first
in accommodating themselves to the
longer pedal, because they become more
or less muscle bound. The great de-
velopment of the muscles used in push
ing down the pedal and the shortness
of the stroke made lead to shorten
ing Of these muscles. which then find a
difficulty in making the longer stroke
required by the long cranks.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24

The national government has just
decided to go into the menagorie bust
ness on a scale which will make the
ordinary collection of animals look
lonesome by comparison. The new
menagerie will occupy 166 acres of land
northwest of Washington. Circulars
have been prepared and sent out to the
consular representatives of the govern
ment all over the world, instructing
them to purchase and forward to
Washington animals Of as many differ
ent species, indigenous to the countries
in which they are located, as possible.
1t is expected that Africa will con-
tribute the most specimens, among
them the gorilla, giraffe, and CHM
panzee. The national 200" will be
maintained in connection with the
Smithsonian institution.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
LABOR AND INDUSTRY
SOME ITEMS OF INTERKNr TO
UNION WORKMEN.
Higher Wages and Reduced E0urs-A
Iscision In Utah That Declares It .
ssisdemeanor for Anyone to Violate
the Eight-Hour Law.
The Story of Life.

Only the same old story, told in diff
ferent strain:
Sometimes a smile of gladness, and then
a stab of pain:
Sometimes a flash of sunlight, again the
drifting rain.
Sometimes 1t seems to borrow from the
crimson rose its hue;
Sometimes black with thunder, then
changed to brilliant blue;
Sometimes as false as Satan, sometimes
as Heaven true.
Only the same old story, but oh, how the
changes ring!
Prophet and priest and peasant. soldier
and scholar and king;
Sometimes the warmest hand-clasp
leaves in the palm a sting.
Sometimes in the hush of even, some
times in the midday strife,
Sometimes with dove-like calmness,
sometimes with passion rife;
We dream it, write it, live 1t. this weird
wild story Of life.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
Vacant Lot Farming In Richmond, ind.

Vacant Lot Farming In Richmond, ind.
Under the direction of Miss Emma
Rhoades, city missionary, the town OF
Richmond, Ind, has just completed its
fifth successful year Of vacant lot farm
ing for the poor. During the season
just past there were 14S lots under
cultivation, with 145 tenants. The total
cost to the city was 1854, leaving SIS
of the amount appropriated by the citzf
council to be turned back into the
treasury. The value Of the produce
raised on each of the lots was $40, max
ing the total value Of the crop s1.4S0.
One poor widow planted her two lots
in corn, which she sold for enough to
pay for her winters supply of wood.
At the close Of the season an exhibi-
ton was held and premiums were
awarded Tor the best specimens ohoWu,
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
THE SUTHERLAND FAMILY.

The Duchess of Sutherland, who has
just published an anti-socalistic novel,
is the wife of one of the richest noble
men in England. Though still young
woman, she has been prominent for
some years in philanthropic and tenn
perance work. The town house of the
duke is one of the show places of Lon
don. The dukes father, whom he sue
ceeded in 1892, startled London society,
after the death of his invalid wife,
by marrying the widow of his game
keeper, Mrs. Blair. To add to the
complications of the situation. Mrs.
Blair became a widow through an un-
fortunate accident on the part Of the
duke. While hunting one day he &C
cidentally shot Mr. Blair, and 1t was
while calling on Mrs. Blair to express
his sorrow and sympathy that he fell
in love with her. She was then over
40 years old, but as the dowager Ouch
ess is still a somewhat prominent and
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
FIG, 3.

bicycle for ordinary use which is
built very much like that shown in
Fig. with the exception that there
is no frame at the rear for knapsack
and baggage. The fact Of his having
applied for patents on bicycles of such
odd design for both military and civil
use is evidence that the inventor is
strongly inclined mentally toward the
Duryea idea Of triangular frame and
upright position with hands at the side.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
A GREAT INVENTOR
MAKER OF THE LINOTYPE
PASSES AWAY.
Ottmar Mergenthaler, Whose Idea Has
Rsvos stionixed tire Printing Business.
Dies ut His Homo In Baltimore.
His Wonderful Genius.

Ottmar Mergenthaler, the inventor
Of the linotype machine, which is now
used by the principal newspapers of
the country instead of the old method
of setting type by hand, died re-
Gently at his home in Baltimore. He
was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in
1854. While he was still mere boy he
was apprenticed to a matchmaker, but
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-11-24
Obdurate Memory.

Fairly crushed under the accumlat-
ing sense of his unworthiness, he was
leaving her forever. "You will forget
mel" he had faltered. 81 don't know"
she was now sobbing. II took the full
course in mnemonics and memory Gull
ture at college," A little learning is
always painful and sometimes danger
Gus, to borrow the apt phrase Of the
patent medicine advertisement