davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15

1t is a general admission in official
circles that in all the official corps of this
administration there is not one member
who is more alert in the mana gemcnt of
his department and for its further de-
velopment than is Hon. Perry 5. Heath
First Assistant Postmaster General. This
may in some measure be due to the fact
that he has been for many years a sue
ccssful newspaper correspondent and
manager, for it goes without saying that
he who can succeed in this difficult field
can remove mountains.
As he sits in his pleasant room at the
southeast corner of the old POst-ofice
Department, Mr. Heath Is "A most inter
esting figure. No one can dispense bust
ness faster than he, and this brings one
back to the fact of his newspaper train
ing. Never were the affairs of the de-
partment in a condition of better discIp-
line, and this gives new force 10 the as
sertion that the trained journalist can
succeed in almost any avenue of life.
Postmaster General Smith has spent his
life in newspaper office. Many of his
aIsistaOts have had similar training. The
Immediate superintendent of rural free
delivery is Conquest Clarke, one of the
old figutes of News aper Row.
In journalism Assistant Postmaster
General Heath has had a varied expert
ence. He began as a printer. His father
was a clergyman at Muncie, Ind, and did
not possess a plethora OF this worlds
goods. At an early age the boy had to
begin to earn his own living and chose
the trade of a printer. Almost before he
was out of the swaddling clothes of his
apprenticeship he was known as a fast
one at the case
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15
QUEEN ILLS DARING NEPHEW.
He Nearly Lost His Life on the Delaware
River.

From the Philadelphia Bulletin
An exciting adventure has fallen 10 the
lot of Charles Freeth, the seventeen-year-
old nephew Of former Queen Liliuokalani.
of Hawaii. For eight hours Saturday he
had been given up by his friends as
drowned in the Delaware River and a
message was about 10 be sent to Homo
lulu TO the boys mother, announcing his
death, when he appeared safe and sound
AS was his custom, young Freeth DON
ned 4 pair of swimming trunks and plung-
ed into the cooling waters of the Dela-
ware for bath. He soon tired of splash
ing about within the circumscribed limits
or the DOCK. Securing a stout plank and
paddle Mt propelled himself into the heart
o. the strong ftoOQ tide and in a trice
aslrloe OF his lmprUyised canoe was coars-
Ing rapidly dp stream. This was the last
seen OF the daring youth by the residents
OF East henslTSJon until mis- sudden re-
turn. clad only in a baggy pair CT trous-
ers ana a blue Jumper which he had
borrowed from stranger in Bridesburg
during his absence, IN The belief that
the youth aad been drowned. the river
was patrolled by the harbor police tug
Stokcley in Il search for the body
The story of his thrilling adventure was
related By FreeJh, who seemed none the
worse for a StVen-mlle ride up the Della
ware aSIlde plank. he went as far as
!sslnomlng. II was a delightful trip so
far. on the return Freeth soon became
exhausted in his frantic attempts 10 stem
the current. above BrlGesburg he hailed
d man In Il boat. As the plank sWerVed
nearer the shore the boy discovered thar
the occupant OF the boat was Il deaf mule
de managed 10 make the bOaIman under
stand that he wanted To get ashore and
grasping the line flung 10 him reached the
bank with barely enough strength remain
ing 10 hold 10 the plank. Had the deaf
mute not given his timely assistance
FTeeth would have surely been drowned
On shore al Bridesburg he was given
meal. d pair or trousers, and a blue lean
j. mper, which added considerably 10
young Freeths wardrobe. and permitted
him 10 ride home in a trolley car with
the aid OF q nickel furnished him by
stranger.
AT ms clearinghouse he found his host
ess about 10 send the message 10 his
mother
Freeth IS a native Hawaiian and came
10 the United states two years ago from
Honolulu, where he was born. His father
is Capt. Charles Freeth. an Englishman.
who for years has traded in the Pacific
between san Francisco and HOngkong
touching al Honolulu. During one OF
these trips il Is said. he met the beautiful
nother Of young F.eeth at a court func-
ton. The boy has been the hero OF a
number OF other thrilling adventures both
In Hawaii and since his arrival in this
Ct untTy two years ago. and il was only
on Thursday that he was nearly drowned
In the Delaware. while suffering from an
attack OF cramps.
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15
He Found the Letter Drop.

From the Chicago Inter Ocean.
A nice-looking elderly gentleman, With
long white whiskers, stood on the Rush
street bridge one evening last week hold
ing a letter in his hand and gazing per
plexedly up and down the thoroughfare.
He was looking for a post box. There
was none in sight.
Il don't like ter go very fer away" he
muttered, because that thar pesky boat
likely ter light out most any moment"
Suddenly his eyes lighted up. and he
chuckled 10 himself, and, hurrying across
the bridge was seen a moment or two
later leaning far over the bow Of the
black hulled steamer that lay at the
wharf. Luckily deck hand appeared on
the scene in time to save The old gentle
man from a Watery grave. And after the
old gentleman had got ais breat1 he
waved his letter in the face OF the as
founded deck hand and painted:
What kind of letter box = that, I'd
Ike ter know? Heyi Do you think I'm
akribat er a kontorsh'nist, do yer?
Hey. What say: What letter box? Why,
that one thar
He pulled the deck hand 70 the rail and
pointed 10 the hawse-hOle in the shiD's
bow. Near il, in great yellow letters
was the inscription, ~. 5. Mail
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15
BlISTERED BY WATER.
Its CONSTANT Dripping Proved to BE VERY
Painful.

Iatbtui.
From the Philsdelphia Inquirer,
To learn just how much pain would be
caused by the constant dripping Of water
on the body several students at Wichitd
Kan, have tried H.
4 gallon OF water was 10 b. loOsed drop
by drop from a height OF three feet, the
drops falling at intervals Of about Two
seconds. A gallon Of water contains
about 81 ia drops. and at this RAJ" DC
would take over thirty-four hours 10 com
plete the task.
One of the students was seated a 'a-
BILE, and allowed his left hand to h. tx'4
immOvably TO the table, 20 as 20 insure
every drop striking the same spot 90 me
back Of the hand. The apparstus 20.
dropping the water vas adjusted and tas
experiment began. For the first forty.
five minutes he experienced no iHc9nFrH-
fence. save his hand becoming uHg0m'
Portable from being vet constantly ain
the cold water. Arrangements were wen
made 10 keep the water al blood fstl
and it soon became more comfo.iaL-..
In about two hours a slight Tedness ufs-l
20 appear which gradually got a. BIZ ds
4 quarter The third half hour mo 1i'N
were scarcely felt az all the hand rf-aA
apparently numb 10 the water, ai'-2.&3
NFNrttlsf 10 iEf LOuth OF diis lfa.t+H
The red spot increased until Il was large
than silver half dollar, and The .'0.'
ping OF the water began 10 become -iEa'-
- painful. II was noticed tha' u d.f
one told story or did anything fg o.
vert tho students attention from %
hand he I'D not notice any pain a ~.
but concentration Of thought upon %
hand made the pm grow.
After about II hours and a haH 70
red sDOI whiC/ rad been FIRST a-izf'
red. slowly i/rned 20 a purple. and a. n..t.
FER began u rise. The pain had increAsel
gradually ~ TO this stage and the yoi1k
man said he felt as though every fs.Has
drop came with the force Of hAmr'i.
he pain reaching the shoulder and re.
a little beyond. After the blister ha1
raised the blows from the drops ~efe 70.
so severe. but he said they we're 30
enough. producing a dull feeling re
slowly pushing down upon a.
After about eight hours and tgrn't
minutes the water was smut on. Ah"-i
u. 90 drops had been let fan the rae
being a little above the schedule oay
one quart and two ounces Of water BAY
ina been used.
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15

farmers would be deferred from so,...-
tn the village; by fOurth-class pasf-1..
tiers. who feared removal. by star ro~,,
agents. whose occupation was thrsaferss
and so great was the opposition he.
curing The ensuing administration ~
President Cleveland no attempt Was uasss
TO further the movement.
VIII Soon Equal kuropc.
so it was that when | came inro a,
nee the mere skeleton Of rural free 5sH-
cry remained. and that was thr.are-,4
with disme beTment But Il is gradusr-
winning its way, and in the near fufr,,
] venture to predict we shall have a sy,.
tenn as perfect as that in many OF Nh.
thickly populated European countries
Rural free delivery is now In opsrstlo,
in upward OF two hundred towns IN TIA
United States. Every State has mad A,
trial of it, and II has been especially
successful in the States of New York
Pennsylvania Ohio, Indiana. Illinois
Michigan, and Wisconsin, where there are
so many localities that are thiczly set
tIed,- and where 1t has probably been es
tablished for longer time than In some
OF the other States.
Now, let me make a statement 10 Won
that is almost beyond belief. In every in
stance the amount of mail delivered has
been greatly increased after the estsb-
lishment OF the free delivery. In nearly
every instance il tas doubled. in most il
has trebled. in many quadrupled. and n
some quintupled recall one place. IN
Michigan, in the district Of Congress
man, who was opposed TO the establish.
Of ha a
however. and within three months ms
amount OF mail delivered to the country
people OF that place had more than quIn.
tupled. | showed the report to the CO..
gresham, and he said he Rad no further
opposition to rural free delivery.
No More Expensive 7 h IA Urban.
Another feature OF the system that
will surprise you is that the cost OF De-
livery to the rural population is not more
per piece than IL is to the urban popu-
lation. This is almost too much 10 be-
heve. but it is an absolute fact Now.
why should not the farmer have his lel-
tiers and newspapers brought TO his door
as well as the jewellers in cities. when
the cost of such delivery is actually less
per piece than in the city? AS matter
of simple equity. the service should be-
established wherever there is the least
need for IL. Moreover the establishment
Of free delivery i'm the cities has been se-
coD!panied by no such increase in The
amount of mail as in tho country. irr
this respect there IS no comparison, thus
showing the eagerness of the rural pe9-
pie for news and correspondence"
While Assistant Postmaster General
Heath allows nothing to interfere with
his attention to the many ordinary duties
OF his office. which include the divisions
of salary and allowance, free deliver.
pcst-office supplies, moEey orders. dead
letters. and corresycndence, his great en-
thusiasm Is for the thorough establish
ment and general extension OF rural free
delivery, which, If il be rot the offspring
of his brain, certainly owes its existence
to his interest and energy.
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15

A peculiar species OF climbing pian. fson
Brs I'll has lately been introduced in ne
south Of England. where II grows ir 'ts
op=ii air. It's flowers are PROVIDED aiis
nat. horny plates. situated above the nee
Tar cups In the center Of the blossom. -n3
which are called "pinchinE. bodies" Whsa
an insect thrusts is prOb0seis iHio ~
neci.gr the plates pinch II fast and on y
departure the insect must either carr eh
the pollen masses Of the flower or !Fats
is T.'sbsscis behirh Ia the former fsss.
the pollen h HWY V reach AMI !CfliE
another flower. \ the latter. the ln-er'
tunstss insect. aepNyet Of is prosss =
dies. Sometimes the ieNr. a. well s~ -
nose sc insects are foNfld sticking in ias
fie.en% Only the bumEse bee appear .
be strsnk enough always 10 escape INV
tstion-
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15
TREATED AS AN EXILE
Expulsion of c. L. Vallandig-
ham from the North.
A KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
Unwritfen History Now Made Public by
Was Southern sympathixer Who Was
Considered Dangerous Man to Have In
Ohio-Ssnt to Confederate Lines by Or
der Of President Abraham Lincoln.

An historic incident OF the civil war
which has not been heard Of, but was
discussed years ago. was the exiting Of
Clement L. Vallandigham. 1t was during
the thickest Of the long war. in the sum
msr or 1858. Immediately following the bat
tie Of Stone River. The Army of the
Cumberland. under the command Of Gen.
ROsencrans. and the Army of the Tennes-
see, under Gen. Sherman, both remaining
idle, caused considerable talk politically.
In the borCer States. especially Ohio and
Indiana, the objection TO the further Wig
oTous prosecution of the suppression of
the rebellion caused opposition TO Mr..
LincOln's policy. In these States a secret
party political called the Knights of the
Golden Circle, or ''Butternuts." sprung
Up and caused the Governors much trou-
bic. Indiana had as the leaders of the
movement such men as Miiligan and
BoWles and other lesser lights. while In
the House Of Congress Mr.. Voorhees, and
VI. 9. Kerr were especially violent in
their denunciation of the administration
In Ohio. under the leadership of Glenn
ent L. Fallandigham, Mr.. PendIeton, and
a number of others, the same violent op-
position was urged to the further prose
cution Of the war.
lHdtly the administration decided TO
punish these men as leaders of move
ment for the overthrow Of the govern
ment and thus strike these secret Organiz-
atoms at their root. Almost simultan-
eousfy in Indiana and Ohio leaders of this
movement were arrested and placed on
trial before cCurts-martial- charged with
treason. Convictions followed. and the
death sentence was passed on several of
the leaders in both States. But in every
instance il was committed by Mr.. Lincoln
10 Imprisonment, save in the case of Mr..
Vallandigham.
He was sentenced to be taken to the
headquarters of the Army of the Cumber-
land, where he was to go under a flag OF
truce through the Federal lines and be
delivered to the advance post of the Con-
federate Army. Should they refuse 10 re-
ceive him he was to be turned loose be-
tween the lines of the two contending ar
mics, and if he approached the Federal
lines he was to be treated as an enemy
trying to enter the lines without a permit
to do so.
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15
sp&in's Queer River.

From the Chicago TiEes-Hersid-
Extraordinary qualities are possessed by
the River Tinto. in Spain. Il hardens and
petrifies the sand of its bed. and il a
stone falls into the stream and alights
opon another IN a few months they unite
and become one stone. Fish cannot live
in its waters.
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15
RANGERS CLOSE GALL
Experience of George I. Bell
on the Texas Frontier.
A CHASE AFTER CATTLE THIEVES

MerIcaus and Indians Ran on a Choice
BaBch Of Steers, ard the Community
Was Called TO Horse and Started la Pur-
suit - Came Up with Nsrsuders After
Four Hours Of Hard RidinE-Life Saved
by shrewdIy Playing 'Possum.
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15
..Eor the sake Of Fnr. MI.ehIef Is Done. ;.

vast amount Of mischief is done. too.
because people neglect 20 keep their blood
pure. The mischief appears in eruptions-
dyspepsia, Indigestion. nervousness, kid
ney diseases, and other ailments This
mischief fortunately. may be undone BIZ
the faithful use Of Hoods SarsaparfIla.
which cures all diseases originating In or
promoted by impure blood.
HOODS PILLS cure all liver Ills. Non
Irritating ,
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15
TRUFFLES IN AMERICA
New Industry for the Small
Truck Farmers.
DOGS ARE TRAINED 70 FIND THEN

The Tubers Grow Benealh the Ground and
a strorg Characterization Largely Pur-
sued in France-New Variety of Straw
berries Discovered by Agricultural De-
partment-Eecent Investigations
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15
Fine Grade Of strauberri...

Prof. Swingie also sent 10 the depar.-
ment strawberry which possesses pec,I-
liar and valuable qualities II is a ulaut
that produces berries for feur months in
the year. The fruiting season OF the Or
binary strawberry r. this country Is no,
longer than a month. and Il can be seen
that IL this berry Is grown IN the United
states II viii become very popular, espe-
cialiy with small gardeners who raise fhe
berries for home consumption The berry
l. of good size and has a delicious taste
Prof. SVingle obtained the berry from N
fillamorin, the famous French gsedsrnan
and plant grow er. and is origin, according
to Monsieur NilIsmorin possesses consd-
cradle interest
Several years ago an cid Catholic priest
living in France became an ardent grow
er OF strawberries and was continually
experimenting In their cultivation. One
day while walking in the forest he found
berry which he had observed fre1ueut-
ly before and had noticed that IL was
continuously Towering. Upon closer ex-
animation he found that il was a villa
strawberry, and he concluded 10 expert
ment with IL. BY growing il with an.
other berry which he had long beer csIl-
uEatsng he found that be could produce
the present Misunderstanding straw
berry. For years ne grew these berries
for the pleasure IL afforded him and Was
very charry about letting any OF his
nsighbors into his secret. Finally one
day he told a neighb0r, and inside Of !.
wear half dozen berry growers were
marketing the berry. each claiming il As
The product Of his Own cultivation.
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15

OF the Confederate lines. where he COM
municated with Gen Brsgg. at Shelby
Vile After considerable delay Gen
Bragg. in company with HIS staff. rode
out to where we were, and I fully ex-
planned TO him my srrand At first he
demu-red and said he would have to com
municste with RiehmoEi regarding the
same. But as I assured him I had been
up all night. and that M command az
well as myself was very tired. nc agreed
to his advance guard receiving NJ. Vail
landigham. The Confederate officer Aav-
ing command of the advance guard and
then rode back 10 the dag Of truce.
and / found my prison1- sit.'n- on los.
surrounded by both Federal and Confed-
crate soldiers, protesting AZ what ne was
pleased TO term an outrage
Turned Over to Confederates.
II rsde known 10 him the result Of the
conference, when he again protested as
10 the actions of the United States as
both national and prrVaIs outrage. l
again replied it was no. thing over
which 1 had any control save to oDey M
orders. / asked him as In my treatment.
He replied that / had treated hin both
with kinCness and courtesy / directed
the bdglsr to sound Boots and Saddles"
and after shaking hands with NJ. VaiIan-
dighan ae rode at a quick trot back TO
our lines. wnere we found 4 relief awai,-
ing our return. / then returned 10 Muir
srecs boro AID made my rspprT.
"ln after yesrs ] became very we'll ac
quainted with Mr.. Vallandigham, and we
often laughed over the fare, as he was
pleased to Germ his expulsion from, the
United States. He always ADDRESSED me
on meeting him as the bold soldier boy
who turned MIN over to The enemy"
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15
HEATH AS A PRINTER
10.5O0 Ems in Five Hours His
Record at the Case.
HE Is NOW EXPLOITING THE MAILS

First Assistant Post aster General Is an
Enthusiast Concerning the Development
of Rural Free Delivery Scheme Was
Once Tried Before, but Is Now Vastly
Improved-It Is Very SuccessfuIi in the
More Tricky Populated Districts.
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15
Located by Scent.

II is by the odor OF the truffle that its
presence in the earth is detected. put man
alone cannot discover it. Squirrels. hogs.
dogs and other animals frequently dig IN
truffles and dcvcur them, and il has been
necessary to train the hogs and dogs TO
point out the places where they grow,
without eating them. Pigs will ALWAYS cat
trutfies and dogs will do so OCCASIONALLY
and II IS therefore usual 10 give the
trained pig or dog small piece OF cheese
or some Ike reward each time 1t Is sue
cessful.
The department purposes to make care
ful experimentation with the growing of
the trunle IN this country and Prof. swim
gle thinks that there Is little doubt in
can be produced successfully. II so. il
viii prove an additional source Of income
10 the agricultural class, and with An
average price Of $50 PER pound. Il can
readily be seen that IL viii yield a large
income TO the producer. especially as 4,
will undoubtedly be more universally usei
as an article Of food than IL is an nres-
ent. The people Of the United States novr
do not consume one pound OF truf1es
year where the French do one hundred
pounds.
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15
A Person al "Reminiscences.

At that time a gentleman well known in
Washington was stationed in the SUBURBS
OF Murfreesborough, the headquarters OF
the Army of the Cumberland then under
the command of Maj. Gen. W. S. Rosen-
Grams. He had command of a regiment OF
cavalry. and on the day of the arrival Of
Mr. Vallandigham he happened to be the
field officer of the day. In speaking of the
matter, which has since become historic,
he says: THE advance pickets of our
army were on the Shelbyyille pike. some
five miles from the town of MuFfreesbor-
ough, and during daylight the advance
picket line of the Confederate Army could
be seen. The house of Mr.. Hunter was
situated on the Murfreesborougi pike and
we had pckets stationed there on the
night in question. As field officer of the
day. after having visited our line and
made the changes required, l ate my sup
per and went to where the reserve of the
picket posts was kept.
While smoking and talking with the
officers and men composing the reserve we
suddenly heard the tramp of a large body
of cavalry coming down the pike. Soon
il stopped. and an orderly called for tha
officer in charge of the reserve, as well
as for the field officer of the day. / az
once walked out TO where the cavalry had
halted and found the provost marshal Of
the Army of the Cumberland and some
officers of Gen. ROsencrans' staff. / also
noticed a closed carriage
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-15
Interested In Rural Delivery.

Among all the muItifsrious dniies Of his
office none excites A deeper Interest in Mr.
Heath than the brsnd-new field Of rural
free delivery, which broadly means The
extension 10 country high roads Of the ad
vantages Of the house TO house delivery of
the cities.
Yet strange 10 say. remarked Gen.
Heath. 10 the writer the other Gay. "aheH
! came into this Office ] was not aware
that there existed such an INSTITUTION "a
rural free delivery. One day after I had
been In sfficesfor some time Mr.. Maehen.
VINO has charge OF the free deliver se--
vice. came 20 me and made snnI., inquiry
In regard to rural free delivery, and /
had 10 ask him what 1t was Al once ]
became interested. The vast Dosslblli,les
or the system came upon me she more
forcibiy, perhaps. as ! had had mich ex-
perience OF country places, aud knew the
Isolation OF the farmer from the advsa-
tages Of the daily mali. l Oct sFalif.ed 20
do all that lay within me 10 advance toe
system. and the results are yea more
- usfacisry than my anticipation
Under the administrator OF Mr.. Har-
risen, Mr.. Wsnamsker secured a small
appropriation for experiment with rursi
free delivery. but little Was accomplish
ed The machinery was not properly put
In operation. hue and cry vas raised
against the Introduction Of the system
~ country storekeeSers. who feared the