davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-16
SMART wooDPECKERS.
They Saved Themselves Much Hard
Work by Calling Chemistry to
Their Assistance.

A Chicago professor who has been in
the Maine woods this summer tells an
interesting story Of the intelligence Of
family OF woodpeckers which he en-
countered near the headwaters of the
Allegash, and which were most uncom-
monty bright birds. As everyone
knows who has observed these birds
at all, they feed on the worms which
burrow into trees. Any worm with a
fair amount of activity can bore gall
lery three or four feet long in tree,
in single season, so to find his prey the
woodpecker has TO make several holes
in the tree in order TO get at his victim.
This particular family of woodpeckers,
having some difficulty i'm getting at the
worm after they had drilled hole in to
his gallery, proposed 20 save themselves
unnecessary work. And what do Won
think they did? In the Aliegash woods
grows the Indian poke" plant with
berries possessing an alkaline Juice
particularly disagreeable 20 all animal
life. And so these Allegash woodpeck-
ers, having made an entrance into the
domain OF the borer, proceed next TO
drop berries of the Indian poke into
the opening. And so much does the
worm dislike the odor of the poke ber-
ries that he comes out TO get away from
IL, and incidentally TO see who has had
the impertinence 60 cause him so much
discomfort. He never gets any farther
than the entrance, because Mr.. Wood
pecker Is waiting there, and that worm
Is gobbled up so quickly that he never
knows what happened to him. This
seems like a good deal Of fairy story,
doesn't IL. but Prof. Eastman J. Clarke
says he saw il with his own eyes.-Chi-
cago Post. ~
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-16
LAND OF THE BOERS.
Authentic Information Concerning
Its Climate and Topography.
snow I'm winter IL Not Uncommon.
Hut the Summers Are Very Hot
-CnftIe-Raisipg the PrIn-
cipaI Industry.
[speolal corrsspondence.l

The impression that the South Az
rican republic and the Orange Free
State are tropical countries seems
10 prevail quite generally. Some
imaginative newspaper writer's have
gone so far as 10 compare the
climate of the two countries with that
of Cuba and the West Indies. Nothing
could be more misleading than such
statements While the climatic con-
ditions of the district in question are
not by any means ideal, still some
sections, especially that called the
'Hooge yeldt" (the high field, which
forms the major part OF the Transvaal,
is very healthy. The heat of the sum
mer is mitigated by great elevation
lin most places 1900 feet above the
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-16

sea leveD, and the winters are quite
cold. snow frequently falling on the
slopes OF the Drakenberg. a mountain
chan whose SUBMITS are 1000 feet
above the level of the sea in several
places.
Pretoria. the capital of the South
African republic, has had n weather
bureau for a number of years, and in
its reports the January temperature
Is given as 90 degrees Fahrenheit,
that of the winter months as 40 de-
grees. The summer is the rainy sea-
son. and storms with thunder and
hail are frequently severe. The rains
usually begin about the middle OF Oc-
tober and last internationally until
April, almost the entire fall taking
place during this period. At Pretoria
the average rainfall is 30 inches. This
increases toward the east, reaching
a maximum in the mountain region,
and decreases toward the west, in the
direction OF the Great Kalahari des-
ert, barren and dry strip OF unpro-
ductive land. so that on the frontier
II is not more than IL inches. eli
mate SNtn rs TINS Is, Oh COuIHts nOi Ia
vorable 10 the growth of timber, ex-
cept in the river bottom lands. Con-
sequently anything bigger than bushes
is not often seen in either of the two
states, although the soil supports an
abundant heritage which, in the win
ter, becomes dry and brown, but
springs up with renewed vigor and
Increased succulence with the first
rains. Nature has made the Trans
vaal country a vast pasture, and that
Is why cattle raising Is the chief in
dustry of the burghers.
General farming is profitable only
where costly irrigation plants have
been established. The soil is adapted
for the cultivation Of all kinds OF veg
etables and fruits, and in some districts
a very fine quality of tobacco is grown.
Grain also does well in certain districts
but as whole the two Dutch repub-
lies are purely pastoral in their indus
tries. As the pasturage is scanty for
half n year, the farms are necessarily
large, for the stock must often be driven
long distances in search of fodder. This
accounts also for the small population
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-16
SCHOOL AND CHURCH.

Ten denominations have established
and maintain missions in Alaska.
The Evangelical alliance in Boston
asks for half day off for policemen
on Sunday SO that they may attend
church.
Prof. George 4. Ladd, of Yale, has
received from the japanese emperor the
third-class decoration of the Order Of
the Rising Sun.
The native Christians in Uganda, At
RIGA, purchase every month more than
$500 worth of books and stationery, q
large part of the books being Christian.
Among the women students at Ger
man universities the most favored
studies are the literature and philology
Of modern languages, philosophy (psy-
chology, logic and ethics) and history.
The Hebrew Educational society of
Milwaukee has recently been estab-
lished under the leadership of Rabbi
Caro-, and has for its purpose the es-
adjustment of school, primarily for
Russian Jews.
The Gospel mission to the Tombs of
New York has been at work for nearly
20 years. 1t is managed by board Of
ministers and laymen, representing the
Baptist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Meth
odist, Presbyterian, Reformed and Re-
formed Episcopal churches. The chap
lain holds services Sunday and week
days and visits the prisoners in their
cells Mt all times. In this way he comes
in contact with $4,000 prisoners an
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-16
Mhnt athc oncen.s shIIIlnav Is.

According TO the British system Of
enlistment, queens shilling" is paid
over 10 every man who enters the scrv-
ice. The queens shilling" by the
way, is not n coin of special design.
II Is exactly like every other coin OF
the same denomination and Is termed
"the queens" from the fact that It's
acceptance from a recruiting sergeant
makes the receiver a queens man."
body and soul.--Chicago Chronicle.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-16

of the immense territory covered 10y
the Boer states, the average in the
Transvaal being seven inhabitants to
the square mile and only four in the
Orange Free State.
Until the discovery OF gold the Trans
vaal was n country of farms. The gold
regions are of small area. and nearly
all controlled by English capitalists and
miners. Although the Beers were given
every opportunity TO engage in mining,
they stuck 10 their farms which. by the
way, are truly picturesque establish
ments. They consist of sheep kraals
ostrich farms, Kafiir huts. where the
boys eat an sleep, wagon houses and
outhouses rooted with zinc. The
dwelling houte usually is a square, red
brick building. with matched roof,
fronteu by q low brick wall. The walls
surrounding the sheep kraals are made
OF lod. The average Borr house con-
eisfs OF one big r, nm. int, which the
front door opens. II Is ca Ted the "sit
knn'e," or sitting-r ON, and has no
flooring beyond clay or cay studded
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-16
ncmncrnfic Dewey.

o dewey was the morning and dewey
were the--but after all the greatest
thing about living in free country is
that the law-abiding citizen can always
90 about his own affairs, says the Chica-
go Times-Iierald, without caring what
the crowd is going TO think or do about
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-16
Pic Thnt .Afc. Well.

Ted's friend treated him to n piece OF
pie. IL was so good that he wanted an
other, but thought IL would not be DO.
lite to ask for IL. So he sidled up TO her
and said; Miss Turk. that pie eats
well"--Cincinnal Enquirer.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-16

Squildig-"YanlSee Doodle" is an alb.
surd song. Who on earth was Maca-
roni. anyway?
Mrs. Squildig-Why, my dear, don't
you know7 He was the man that in
vented that wireless telegraphy.-N. Y.
Press
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-16

Clm'a--So that Gotrox girl didn't sue
reed IN capturing lord after nll2
Maude--No; but she married baron.
and they say he gets as drunk as O.
lord.-St. Louis Post. Dispatch.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-16

It has been calculated that the cost
of muddy day - .-sndon Is something
like $4,000.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23

up an old building and rented it to
Charles Leonard, of Kirksville, No
~. B. Morris has built a barn and
smokehouse and otherwise improved
the property lately purchased Of 6. NJ.
Neal. q. w. Bean has in course OF
erection two of the best houses in town.
One is a business house, 26x76, two
stories high. He also has under way
the finest residence in town, which,
is to be completed by Dec. 20.
Death has visited this continuity "a
number if times since any items have
appeared from this place and removed
many of the old pioneers. Among the
number are the following: Vim.
Swank, aged 30; George Brain, aged N;
Henry Whistler, aged 70, and ID. B.
Denney, aged "A.
Udell, like many other places, is
wanting more mechanics, but cannot
get them. OF course, everyone blames
the Mckinley administration.
The bulk OF. the corn is in the crib
in this vicinity, and it ranged from
20 to 60 bushels per acre.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23
BIRNIINGHAIT.

Birmingham, Nov. 23.-Mr. and Mrs.
E. II. Skinner spent several days in. Ne
ibraska, visiting his brother.
Born, to Mr.. and Mrs. L. II. Lawson,
a boy, Nov. 20.
The first car of brick for the new
school house arrived Tuesday There
has been some delay in the work on
account of brick. The car that came
was shipped from ST. Louis.
The quiet of our town was disturb
ed Monday morning by an attack made
on Mr.. Graham, by the brick mason
that is working at the school house. He
left Town but was arrested at Eldon,
and brought back for trial.
nomas Randall returned home Mon
Eday after a two weeks visit with
friends at Mt. Pleasant.
The Sunday school convention held
lat Stockport was well attended, about
Twenty from this place being pres
tent.
| Rev. Brown, of the Presbyterian
church will preach the Thanksgiving
sermon in the NJ. +. church.
Miss Emma Ross is able after a
weeks Illness to resume her duties In
the school room.
Miss Maggie Black is quite ill a,
the home of her grandparents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Anderson Clark.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23
CHEauEsr.A

Chequest, Nov. %. John Farago and
family spent Sunday at the home of
their son, Mart Farago.
i. S. Harryman was in Keosauqua
Monday on business.
Claude Gray began the winter term
of school in district No. /, Miss Mile
Written in district No. 2, and Miss
May Fellows in district No. o, last
Monday.
Tell Rambo had the misfortune to
cut his ankle very badly last Friday
while at work in the timber!
John Mccullough, who, for some time
has been at Burlington taking treat
ment for his eyes, returned home Nom
day.
County Attorney Ed Harlan and Geo.
Dufffeld, of Keosauqua, passed through
here last Saturday.
c. c. Rambo and family visited Sum.
day at F. S. Harryman's.
Mr.. Gray, of Troy, was caller here
Sunday evening.
Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. Lewis, of mean
Pittsburg, We're Sunday guests of A.
E. Mccullough and family.
| Chas. Clafin's new dwelling is near
ing completion.
Regular preaching services were well
attended at Bethel last Sabbath even
ling.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23
HEDRICK.

Hedrick, Nov. Lieutenant John
Morrison, Jr., who is at present with
his regiment in the Philippines, has
been ordered to take the examination
for promotion to first lieutenancy.
Lieutenant Morrison will receive this
promotion on account of special brav-
cry, shown upon the field of battle
during the campaign in Cuba.
Rev. DR.. Blalseslee, of Mt. Pleasant,
president of Iowa Wesleyan university,
spoke at the Methodist church Sunday
in the interests of his school.
Hedrick people are very much inter-
ested in the newspaper talk in regard
TO the abandoning of the Iowa Central
trains Nos. 1 and 2. 1t will greatly
cripple the train service of this city
to lose these two trains.
DIR. R. Weller returned home Sat
urday from an extended trip through
Washington and other parts Of the
west.
Mrs. w. H. Young returned home
yesterday from visit with her sister
at Corning.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23
co,rpETINE.

Competing, Nov. 23.-Mr. and Mrs.
J. c.. Hawthorne entertained a large
company of young people at their
pleasant home Saturday evening. I.
Mrs. Eliza Richardson, of Nugent,
visited relatives here over Sunday.
Many herds of hogs in this vicinity
are threatened with cholera.
& Miss katherine Dickens will be home
Thursday from Ames where she has
been attending school.
James and Clyde Baldwin are build
ing fire large cattle barn for NJ. A.
Dickens.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23

ter, of new postmaster will be hand
ed to dhe congressman with many
tales of worthiness and woe. Mr.. Bissell
will settle up his business and will go
to Tacoma, Wash, where he will en-
gage in business.
+ Mrs. A. j. Beckett is nursing dis
located wrist, the result of an eXper-
fence she had with vicious horse last
Sunday evening. She was driving along
the public highway when the horse be-
came frightened at passing train.
Mrs. Beckett got from the buggy and
attempted to hold the animal, and in
the plunging that followed she was
thrown to the ground anu her wrist was
dislocated.
FL Griffin, farmer who resides
about six miles north of the city, is in
a very precarious condition from being
thrown from a buggy by a runaway
horse. He was driving past Service
church, when the horse started to run.
There was no one with the gentleman,
and it is thought in turning a curve
the buggy was overturned Mr. Grit
fin was found lying beside the road
with a bad wound over his left temple,
and his body badly cut and bruised.
He has not regained consciousness as
yet, and the doctors state it is doubt
full if the man will recover. The bug
gy was found farther up the road in a
broken condition and the horse was
found in a field nearby, having jumped
the gate.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23
Rl;EI,liNNAP.

Belknap, Sov. a1.-President
Kirkwood, of the, Protestant Methodist
church was 4 visitor last week at the
L. Ware home.
MIR. aud Mrs. Samuel Mcconnell Wis
tied with relatives at Floris last week.
Fred Eberlinetand family of DurNille
visited at the w. Pickett home Thurs
day.s{5 III
I John Riley removed his goods from
here last, week and the family will
stay with relatives at Coatesville. No..
until they decide where they will To-
cate.
Geo. Livingston is having his house
partly re1nodeled.
Rev. r. S. Tague announced yester-
day that his next appointment at
Sherman Chapel would be in three
weeks, and from that time on to the
Rev. NJ. E. Moore of West Grove,
lis expected to preach at the copgrega-
tional church. Sunday evening, Dec.
3d. All are invited.
A large number OF people from
Belnap were in attendance at the town
/, ship Sunday school convention at Sher-
man Chapel Sunday, and pronounced it
a success. The hospitality OF the peo-
pie OF Sherman Chapel was all that
could be desired, as each visitor re-
ceived numerous invitations to dinner.
John Brundidge, of Grand Island,
Neb., is making: d short visit here with
his sister, Mrs. Marion Eberline and
family.
Otis Pickett has returned home
from near Kansas City, where he has
been at work this summer
Miss Abbie Patterson Of Drakeville,
visited here Friday night at the home
of her brother, f. A. Patterson.
4 An interesting program was given by
the school here last Friday afternoon
v. d. Bell and family visited Sunday
4 near Drakesville with Add Mum and
wife.
John Allen and family of Pulaski
expect to move this week to the S. Me.
4 Cornell farm = few miles north of here
4 Fred Eberline is moving his family
into their new home here, to-day.
4 Eli Truitt and wife and John Sayles
and wife, of Drakesville, visited here
Sunday with Mr.. and Mrs. w. NJ. Viii
i liams.
i Mr.. Wright and two daughters, Of
Pulaski, visited here at the. Joel Nc
Gee home Wednesday night. One o.
the daughters has left for Colorado.
4 j. B. Lafferty, of Alexis, H., who i.
on his way home from an extended trir
through Tennessee, Kentucky and Mis-
sissippi, stopped off here for weeks
visit with his daughter, Mrs. e. A. Pat
terson, and family.
4 Mrs. +. G. Davis and granddaughte,
Chloe left Saturday for Unionville, tt
attend the Dunkard meeting.
II Mrs. Joe Thompson and sister-in-law
Miss Thompson, of Kansas City, Mo
arrived last week for a visit with rela
lives here -. Ya-.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23
NORTH ENGLIsH.

North English, Nov. 23.-The supper
given last Saturday, night by the ladies'
aid society was a decided success.
Geo. Magoon made business trip to
Cedar Rapids Monday.
Fl c. L. Smith returned Tuesday from
a trip to South Dakota.
C. G. Post was in Wellman Monday.
Mrs. M. b. Horn, Of Bloomfield, is
visiting her daughters, Mesdames Duff
field, Erwin and Greenlee.
Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Grabel, of As
toria, ILL.,, are visiting at the home Of
their daughter Mrs. r. i. Cook.
DR.. Cox As on the sick list.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23
FOSTER.

Foster. Nov. 22.-R. Williams and
wife spent few pleasant hours Sum
day with Mr.. and Mrs. C. P. Jones in
Urbana township. 81
Evan Highes. of Smoky Hollow,
spent Sunday in town with his many
friends.
Thomas Dale, one of our farmes,
has built good two story house on his
farm.
Qss mines are running nearly full
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23
HIGHLAND CENTER.

Highland, Center, Nov. 23.-Rev DR..
Blakeslee, president of the Iowa Yves
leyan university of Mt. Pleasant, spoke
to a large audience Sunday night on
The subject of "Christian Education"
He is an excellent speaker and his SER
mon was greatly enjoyed by all.
VIM. Ward and wife, of Ottumwa,
spent Sunday at the home OF George
Houten.
Miss Bertha Elder, of Ottumwa, was
All over Sunday visitor at the home
of her uncle, j. NJ. Elder.
The first quarterly meeting of the
N. E. church Of this charge will be held
at Hedrick, Saturday and Sunday, Nov.
Is and 26. The official members are all
requested to be present.
Art and Fred Beck and Roy and
Frank Deyol, who are attending college
at Oskaloosa, spent Sunday with their
parents.
A social dance was held at the home
of Miss Regina Mccormick, Saturday
evening, Nov. is. All spent very
pleasant evening.
Miss Lynn Mitchell, of Ottumwa, is
visiting her friend, Miss Bernice Will
liams.
Rev. L. Ipgham, assisted by Rev. Dill
Ion, of Martinsburg, commenced a SER
les oil revival meetings last Thursday
Rev. Dillon is very able talker and
they invite all to attend the meet
| ings.
Samuel Baker returned Thursday to
his home at Peoria, ILL.,, after visit
with his son, DR.. Z. O.. Baker He
was accompanied by his grandson, Lee
Baker.
Robert Cresswell and family, of OF
tumwa, spent Sunday at the home Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Mccormick.
| Misses Dell Roop and Ada Hull, o.
/ Hedricls, spent Sunday with the family
of j. NJ. Elder.
Benton Beck. who is attending the
Iowa Wesleyan university at Mt. Pleas
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. George Beck.
A delegation of the members o
tRathman lodge, l. o. O. r., went IL
COMPETING last night to help institut,
a lodge at that place. Delegations wer,
present from Ioka, Martinsburg, He'd
rick, Abingdon and BE:densburg. Thos
in attendance from here We're: L
Drummond, G. B. Devol, E. NJ. Bowlin
II Charles Allender, H. @. Williams, w
/! H. Coffman, E. j. Thompson, S. "A
Buclner, G. w. Buckner.5A. G. Butler
4 w. A. Scott, +. NJ. Cobler, F, NJ. Elder
| Albert Long. Frank Emery, Elmer Pur
= dy, John WyclSoff. The officers of TIL
new lodge are: Noble grand, G. F
Sterner;s vice grand, Ed Durbin; sec
fretary, DR.. Henry; treasurer, Hampton
Scott.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23
THE OTTUMwA THURSDAY, NOVEMBER %, 1899.

time, some stoppage being caused be-
cause of lack of coal.
John Wilkins, of Cedar Falls, was in
town Tuesday on legal business with
R. Williams.
The postmaster, Mr.. Hickenlooper,
has moved into his new quarters an
Washington street Saturday night.
Farmers repor. their corn yielding
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23
DAHLoNEGA

Dahlonega, Nov. 23.-Mr. and Mrs. J..
S. McClung We're over Sunday visitors
at the home of Mr.. and Mrs. D. W..
Thompson, at Competine.
Joe Vest, of Ottumwa, has been
visiting, his friend, Clifford Giltner.
Robert Speers has returned TO his
home at ST. Louis after a pleasant visit
lat the home of his brother, Alex
Speers.
Mr.. and Mrs. H. L. Trout aud son,
johnson, and little daughter, Nina, re-
turned Sunday morning from Batavia,
where they visited at the Weeks
home.
The Dahlonega literary society held
its first meeting last Thursday night,
with good attendance. The next reg
ular meeting will be held at the school
house, Thursday night.
Frank McElroy was an over Sun
day visitor at the home of his uncle, L.
A. Clapp.
Miss Ella Arandus has returned from
Nebraska, where she has been spending
several months with her sister, Mrs
Worthing.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23
ANIADOR.

Amador, Nov .21.-Mr. and Mrs. Bert
Hendrickson passed through our town
Saturday enroute to Ottumwa.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Wellman and
Mr.. and Mrs. Aft Marts, of Ottumwa,
were guests at the home of Mr.. and
Mrs. John Hendrix, Sunday.
Bert Wilkinson marketed some fat
hogs at Ottumwa Monday.
Saturday night, Nov. 10, Mr.. and Mrs.
Jacob Arnold gave a party at their
home, in honor OF their son, Roy.
About fifty guests We're present. The
evening was pleasantly spent in games
and music and at late hour dainty
refreshments were served.
Mr.. and Mrs. Newt. Shields were roy
ally entertained Sunday by Mr.. and
Mrs. Bert Wilkinson.
Mr.. and AIRS. John Schwartz spent
Sunday at the home of their daughter,
Mrs. Earl Myers.
Mrs. Lawrence Baker and Miss Susan
Spangler returned Wednesday from a
months visit with relatives in Kan
sas.