davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26
FOR MEMoRY's SAKE.
Memorial Day a Time for Especial
Remembrance for the Loved
Ones That Are Gone.

Memorial day, with its sweet, sad
significance, is again at hand, the one
day of all the year devoted to memory,
and to beautiful and tender offices for
those who have gone just beyond our
sight
Especially set apart as a day of low
ing recognition of the deeds of the
brave young heroes who gave up every
thing for God and country during the
civil war, it has gradually grown to
be observed by all who miss the ia
miliar presence of loved ones, who have
gone out from their lives, never to re-
turn, as a time of especial remem-
brance.
In thought, however, Memorial day
is still especially associated with the
veterans of the civil war, and year by
year, as the line of march has grown
shorter, and the aged participants
feebler and grayer, deeper tinge OF
pathos has been added to the beauti
full custom of strewing with flowers
the graves of comrades who fell in bat
tie, or who have since fallen out by
the wayside of life, and all of US have
been forcibly reminded of the time, sc
near at hand, when the last of these
men shall have gone home, and the
work of decorating their graves shall be
left to the children of our day, and 50
on to their children's children.
And these children have been taught
in homes and in schools, the meaning
of the day, and of late they. too, have
joined in the loving work, their tiny
hands and sweet voices lending a ten
derer note to. the loving message of the
season.
In our fancied security, however, we
have confined our thought to the past
believing that the number of heroes
graves would be complete when the
last veteran of the civil war had gone
to his reward. But this year the day
has taken on a new meaning. The I'M
expected has occurred, and one does
not need vivid imagination to picture
the Memorial days of the future, wheI
a younger generation of men shall pay
loving tribute to their comrades, brave
| men all, who gave up their lives in the
service of manity.-Elizabeth Rob
bins Berry, in Boston Budget.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26
DECORATION DAY.
1t In q Day Dedicated to the Brave
Dead and should BE
Held Sacred.

Among the many national holidays,
there is none which so tenderly affects
the heart of the thoughtful as Decora-
ton day.
The day when rich and poor alike go
to the silent resting-place OF the loved
and lost, to lay with reyerent hands
flowers upon the graves of their dead.
The day when a grateful people go to
decorate with the sweet offerings of
fragrant springtime blossoms the
graves of those who fell in battle, and to
speak in hushed and saddened tones of
those troublous times when every heart
was sorrowing, and every eye was wet
with tears for the dissension which had
rent our beautiful and beloved land in
twain.
Decoration day! The very name calls
up such sweet and tender memories!
How the flowers are tended and cher
ished through the long, cold days of
winter that they may be at their best
and brightest for Decoration day! And
the costliest offerings are not too good
to lay upon the graves of those we have
lost, but whose memories still live in
our hearts.
How those among us who are far
enough down IN the dIteFnOOn Oh lie
remember the time when wars dread
notes disturbed the peace and tran
quillity of the land! How we remem-
Der the anguish of suspense after a
battle had been fought, until the aw-
full list of KILLED and missing" had
been made outi And then? All, God
had need to be merciful to those who
read the names of their loved ones in
the terrible list!
How from the pine-clad hills of
Maine to the palmetto plains of the
gulf states-from the Atlantic to the
Pacific-the cry of grief was in all the
air, and the brave young sons of the
north, and the equally brave and gal
liant young sons of the south, gave
up their bright young lives. and the
mOurnerS went about the streets in
every town and city in the land!
Mothers sent out their sons, and
wives sent their husbands. And when
they came not back, as, alas! so many
of them did not-the desolated hearts
of those who had loved them sought
solace by setting apart one day when
all the soldiers of the land who had
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26
some startIfng Figures.

The Pacific covers $4,000, 900 miles,
the Atlantic 81, 200, 900, and the Indian
ocean, Arctic and Antarctic 42, 900, 900.
To stow away the contents of the Pa
cific it would be necessary to fill tank
one mile long, one mile wide and one
mile deep every day for 40 years Put
in figures, the Pacific holds in weight
Gas, 600, OO0, O0O, OOO, 900, 900 tons. The At
lantic averages a depth of not quite
three miles. Its waters weigh 325, GOO =
600, 600, 900, 600 tons, and tank TO cpn-
tain it would have each of its sides 430
miles long. The figures of the other
oceans are in the same startling pro-
portions. 1t would take all the sea wa
ter in the world 1000, 900 years to flow
over Niagara. A tank to hold it all
would have to measure nearly 1,002
miles along each of its sides.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

building too much. They emulate the
example of wealthy neighbors. The
happiness that one can get out of a
home is by building only such as ne can
comfortably pay for and maintain with
out sacrifices.
The illustration here given shows
very sensible and artistic everyday cot
tage home, and is a fit and meet thing in
every way The exemplification of
practical common sense in cottage
building is, in this design, thoroughly
shown in every line, and it is an excel
lent plan. The convenience of the in
terror arrangement is apparent, as re-
vealed by examination to this end
The front hall is of fair size and con-
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

to her attendant, and passed on her way
until she stood beside the undecorated
grave.
Fremont rubbed his eyes and stared.
The lady motioned to the negro to
lay his fragrant burden down.
Merrill fastened up the path. He
was near enough to hear the well-re-
membered voice say: you may go,
Uncle Sorney; I'll arrange the flowers
myself
The servant shuff1ed away down the
path he had come, while his mistress
knelt to place the blossoms.
Merrill Fremont paused, hat in hand.
Erma believed him dead and forgave
him. How would it be when she found
him alive? He stood in dumb uncer-
tainty. She was his only love, and to
lose her again would be more terrible
than not to have found her. Dead, she
surely loved him; her action proved it.
Would he not better go away in the
certainty of that love than, by staying,
perhaps revive the old bitterness which
his return to her unframed, while all
her beloved family lay dead, might re-
call?
He was about to retreat. 1t was too
idte, the lady turned and saw him. He
stood awkwardly before her. She
looked at him in puzzled inquiry.
Suddenly he cried out: ''Erma.'
She moved back pace in surprise at
being so addressed by an apparent
stranger.
Once his tongue loosened Merrill
gave her no chance of escape. In quick,
incoherent words he poured forth the
! mistaken report of his death, his love.
| his sorrow for her grief and at last an
earnest plea that she would prove more
kind than in the past.
| AS she listened a delicate flush crept
into the lady's pale, sweet face. The
| shadow that rested in the deep. blue
| eyes lifted. She looked searchingly at
the man before her. Could this really
be her young lover, returned in the
guise of this impetuous elderly man j.?
She had never thought of him save as
the soldier boy who had gone away at
her bidding. At last she seemed to I'M
derstand. For a moment the corners of
the lovely mouth forgot to droop.
| BY the light of memory the man and
woman grew young again.
| When his torrent of words ceased she
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26
RUBBER FROM CORN.
1t Has Almost the Appearance and
Many of the Qualities of the
Genuine Article.

Inventors for many years have en-
deavored to provide a substitute for rub
Der, but their success has at best been
Indifferent. Ultimately, no doubt, the
problem. like many another difficult
one, will be solved by chemistry; In
deed. it may have been already. Ac-
cording to a writer in the Chicago
Times-Herald, its solution seems i'm
minent, at least.
Experiments, he states, have been
conducted in that city for a year OF
more by the chemists of large glucose
factory with view to utilizing the
refuse. This amounts to about five per
cent. of the raw material, and 1t Is
thought can be proftably employed Id
producing corn rubber
Corn rubber, he continues, has almost
exactly the appearance of the ordinary
reddish brown india rubber. The proc
ess of manufacturing it is not perfect
enough, however, to make 1t resist heat
so we'll as india rubber This has OF
fered the greatest difficulties to the
chemists, who are now working to rem
edy this defect. The oil of corn-from
which, principally, the rubber is made
by some secret Process-does not ox1-
die readily, and those who are work
ing on the corn rubber declare this will
be an enormous advantage for the new
product, Articles manufactured from
it will always remain pliable and not
crack.
Contrary to reports, this new prod
uct has not yet been put on the market
1t is intended to go on with the expert
ments until its success is assured, and
then begin manufacturing on an i'm
mense scale.
The corn oil from which the rubber is
made comes from the germ of the corn.
and not from the hull. The starchy and
glutinous portions of the kernel are
used in making glucose and starch
while the corn oil heretofore has been
practically useless. The five refineries
of the trust have used 21 ,o00, 900 bushels
of corn in the last ten months, of which
about five per cent was refused.
Though 40 different products are
made by the company, still five per
cent. was practically waste. By utiliz-
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

ing this waste in making the new prod
uct it is calculated that corn rubber can
be sold at six cents a pound, of which
two cents will be clear profit. The corn
rubber, it is said, Will be adapted to
nearly all the uses that ordinary rub
Der has, from bicycle tires TO linoleum.
The more refined uses to which india
rubber is put, however, Will be closed
field, for the composition of corn rub
Der will prevent its substitution for in
dia rubber for scientific work.
The writer further states that Germ
rubber may be advantageously mixed
with Para rubber, producing a cheaper
article, having substantially the same
qualities, for ordinary service, as gems
uine rubber.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

of sound timbers. properly framed and
secured. The outside walls are sheathed
and papered and covered with pine
Notwithstanding. All windows have
box frames and are hung on balance
weights. The porches are well con-
structed, with turned columns and level
ceilings. The roof is covered with good
cedar shingles carefully laid All out
Side work usually painted has two coats
best paint; inside woodwork filled and
finished in hard oil on first floor and
painted on second floor. The house is
arranged TO be heated by furnace. and
would cost complete in most places
about 81 900 to 81, 200, not including fur
mace. E. A PAYNE.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26
MERRILL FREMONT"
Born 1888. Killed at Gettysburg, 1863 -


why, that's my name!" and the old
man looked about him in dazed man.
ner, as though for moment he doubt
ed his identity.
''Yes, my name is Merrill Fremont,
and was born in '3s, but though was
wounded did not die at Gettysburg. a
union soldier in confederate grave
yard. All, that accounted for the lack
of memorial flowers" and he smiled
grimly. But I'm not dead" and he
thumped his cane vigorously upon the
gravel path.
He leaned his hands on his stick and
stood gazing intently at his own name.
1T isn't me-but it is some union
soldier buried for me, and he shall have
some flowers. Yes, I'll decorate my own
grave" and with a chuckle Merrill Ere
mont started briskly down the path.
As he neared the gate it opened, and
tall, slender figure clad in black en-
tered, followed by an old negro fairly
staggering under the weight of mag
nolia blossoms. Something familiar in
the two figures made Fremont pause
But they did not notice him. The lady
turned up a side path and walked quick
ly toward the end of the grounds Mer-
rill had just quilted, followed more
slowly by the old serving man.
Merrill faced about and watched
them. He was certain now that the
woman was Erma. He expected her to
enter the Ralston lot, but she only
paused, waved her hand toward the
fiower-hidden graves, said something
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

They died for country. Meath the somoer
sod
They lie in silence, heroes ali,
Where the soft winds murmur and the
grasses nod;
They died for country at their country's
call.
Deck with flowers that sacred mound,
In solemn gratitude. On hallowed ground
We stand. where brave men sleep, a sainted
throng.
Your fearful tribute and your solemn song
Shall prove the fervor of a nations woe,
The glory of the sacrifice they made
And as your chant arises, soft and low.
Upon the grave Gods gentle sunlight
plays.
AS if in blessing on the resting place
OF those who persisted in the darksome
days
Edward g. Van Ziie, in Once a Week.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

bolutely attractive and beautiful. New
ertheless, there has been progress in
the making of attractive houses. 1t is
an undisputed fact that a simple and
even plain house of good proportions
and outlines will look better than an
ornate building of improper and incon-
gruous ornamentation. And it will cost
no more to build beautiful home than
an ugly one, when the proportions are
the standard by which the beauty is
judged. A great many people who
build are ground into the earth by
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

could almost hear them now: go. You
are traitor. never want TO see your
face again.
The old man shook his head sorrow
fully. No, she would never forgive him,
not even now, after all these years.
Well, he would go back north on the
morrow, so what matter?
He and the Ralston boys had been
college students together. He would
pay a visit to their last resting place.
He opened the gate and slowly made his
way among the fower-covered mounds.
When he reached the Ralston lot he
looked about him sorrowfully. He felt
sadly desolate. He alone was left of
all those merry, laughing fellows.
Presently his eye wandered to a grave
somewhat apart from the rest. The
scarcity of it's flowers drew his attten-
ton to it. He wandered idly toward
it, thinking: 'Some poor, friendless
chap"
He started and then dropped upon his
knees in his eagerness to read the
simple inscription on the headstone. 1t
ran:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

pie closets, and a bathroom fitted with
tub and washbowl. The construction
of the building is of good materials and
workmanship. The size of the building
is "a feet inches in width and "a feet
6 inches in length. The cellar is under
entire house and is feet inches deep;
the first story is feet and the second
feet. The foundation is of good stone,
Is inches thick, neatly pointed where
exposed 10 view. The chimneys are of
hard brick, laid with close joints, and
thimbles where required. The frame is
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26
Memorial Day.

We have shed bitter tears for loved and lost
ones,
Yet our dear dead are never far away
IT'S we who drift in thought and feeling
from them,
Though toward them still we turn Memo
rial day.
Then may these flowers bear tidings to
those loved ones
The subtle fragrance rising like prayer
And tell our longing and our deep devotion
To those-not lost, but dwelling other
where.
Our Fathers house, we know, has many
mansions;
They dwell in others while in this we stay
Could we but see their loving hands reach
toward US
And draw us near again, Memorial Day.
Judith Spencer, in Good Housekeeping
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

tains a pretty staircase. The parlor IS
on the left and opens into the dining
room by portiere opening The kitcheQ
is reached from the dining-rOom
through the pantry. The dining-room
has fireplace with pretty mantel. The
pantry is we'll fitted with shelves. pastry
table and flour bins On the second
floor are three good bedrooms with am
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

The attention wsacn has been given
domestic architecture has greatly i'm
proved its general character. This is
true particularly with respect to the
economical planning and arrangement
OF dwellings. As to the outward ap-
Pearance there has been at times dis
position to make that which is strange
and unusual rather than what is alb
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

We fall into ranks and we answer
To our names on the roll call: "Here!'
But each year are our numbers fewer,
And still as the years go by
There are fewer and fewer to honor
The graves where our comrades lie.
Yet the blue May skies bend above us.
The flowers our full hands bear,
In wreath and in cross and in cluster,
Their same fresh spring beauty wear.
Time brings to them never such changes
AS fall on each comrades head
Ere he lays down his burden and hastens
To join the ranks of the dead.
The tender and clinging green grasses
Have decked all the soldiers graves,
And the flag we fought for as gu1don
In its starry gemmed glory waves.
They have given their life for its honor,
And therefore We come to-day
To bring them, in tender remembrance,
The laurel the palm and the bay.
One by one shall our ranks be lessened.
One by one will our comrades pass
AS they join the great silent army
In it's bivouac meath the grass.
Til at last shall we all be lying
In a dreamIess and calm repose,
Beneath the summers sweet sunshine
Or the shroud Of the winters SHOWS.
But the tears of Nature above US.
In showers or in falling dew,
And the songs of the birds around us
OndL COItIc Will liiClI ti1OUlO IL dC'
In the heart of the great earth mother
Kept so close to her tender breast,
Till the last great reyeille wakes us
We shall lie in our quiet rest.
But until the last summons calls US
We will march, at the bugle's note,
To the loyyly mounds where our banners
In a solemn remembrance float.
There we pause for a moment in sorrow,
AS each year, when this day draws nigh
We come with our hands full of flowers
To the graves where our comrades lie.
Mary n. Robinson, in Good Housekeeping
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26
Cured.

"Jove, old man, I'm glad to see you.
haven't seen any of the boys for
ages"
That's so.,'
"Say, where's Charley Green? When
was here last he was head over heels
in love with Miss Deudimple.. Got all
sover that by this time, suppose?"
''Yeup, all over it.
''Gave her the throw down, did he ?''
mo, he married her."-Detroit Free
Press.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26
oad Ex~. of sharks.

A sharks egg is one of the oldest
looking things imaginable 1t Is I'M
provided with shell, but the contents
are protected by thick, leathery Gov
ering almost as elastic as india rub
ber The average size is 2x2sz iTichess
and the color is almost pure black
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26
Gestures Among savaEes.

language is still extant in Australia
Some of the tribes possess such an ex-
ceilent code that it is almost as efti'
cient as the spoken language
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

stood silent for some moments, and
then held out her hand as she softly
said:
1--WE Danish our anger forever
When we laurel the graves of our dead. "
-Gilberte Holt, in Detroit Free Press
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

was in haste that
his mission should be concluded, SO that
he might get away from the quiet,
sleepy village. The very beauty of its
fragrant spring dress saddened him.
In timid, hesitating way he had
made a few inquiries for old friends,
but the answer was ever the same. War
had scattered most of the old families.
Those alone remained who slept in the
peaceful cemetery in the dip which
formed a vale at the bend in the river.
-And the Ralstons?"
: All were gone. OF the impetuous,
high-spirited family, only Miss Erma
was still alive. sThe Ralston boys
four of them-lay in soldiers graves
beside their gallant father.
Mrs. Ralston had seen her brave boys
brought home dead one by one. But
she gave them for her country's sake,
gladly, but her heart was slowly break
ing. She did not long survive her hus-
band.
Did Miss Erma still live at Iron
wood? ?"
No. The old plantation was desolate
and Miss Ralston lived III little white
cottage down the road, the one almost
smothered in jasmine and roses.
The gentleman took his cane and
with brisk step which told of some
young blood still flowing in his veins
started down the street in the warm
spring sunshine. The square shoulders,
erect head and firm tread all bespoke
the soldier.
AS he came in sight of Miss Err
mas house his steady walk became
jerky and finally settled into an uncer-
tain amble0 For the fraction of a sec
ond he paused at her gate, then beat a
hasty and confused retreat. Complete
ly out of breath he drew up beside the
high arched gate which opened upon
theosoldiers' last tenting ground.
by Jove! It's no USE 1 couldn't
face her." and the old man mopped his
brow. ''Whew! how her eyes did blaze!
@ Facing a cannon is play to standing the
fire of Erma's angry eyes"
He leaned against the post. The
light died out of his face and he thought
of that long-away time when he and
Erma had been lovers. And then came
the war. How quickly had followed
that awful day when he went to say
farewell and she,would not look at him
tried to argue, tried to persuade, but
she would not listen.
She was southern girl-CoL Raj
ston's daughter. If he fought the
south, he fought her and was her dead
ly foe. Was it not cruel enough that
the dreadful war should deprive her of
her lover, without calling him to fight
against instead of for her?
How clearly he could see her as she
stood then/on the low, wide steps, a
slim, girlish figure clad in clinging
white. Her cheeks were flushed and
hersnnouth tremulous, but the chin was
firmly set. All through the war he had
carried in his. heart the memory of heI
as she stood if the sunshine, framed BY
the stately pillars of the gallery; while
ne, with despair in his heart, but a
logged determination in his eyes
turned, when half way down the broad
avenue of live oaks, and, lifting his
1nion cap, murmured: 'sGod keep my
southern sweetheart
How often he recalled her words. He
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26
She Is Now

"Was that your sister saw you with
last night?"
Not when you saw me- i hadn't
asked her then."-Harlem Life.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26
ART IN ARCHITECTURE.
DESIGNED WRITTEN ESPECIALLY FOR THIS PAPER
NED AND WRIIIEN EsPEcllLY foR IHIS PAPfR.

es&SSS&eSSSGS&SS& SSeSSS&SSGESSee
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26

, THE shrill loud
notes of the bugie
Ring out in their