davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-12-01
BURNING ICE FIELDS.
A Lake in the State Of Kansas That
Is Infammable.
Accounted For by the Fact That
Natural Gas Abounds I'm the
Region-A Most Sim
gular Sight.

It seems a somewhat surprising state
ment to make that on the recovered
surface of Kansas lake it is possible
to build a bonfire by simply breaking
through the ice and applying match
to the surface of the water. The flames
will shoot up as high as a man and will
burn brightly for minute or two. This
is what has been possible for several
winters on Doniphan lake, Kansas, and
on one of its tributary streams.
The fuel for these fires is natural
gas, which bubbles up through the wa
ter the year round, but tits only during
the very cold wintry nights that it is
thus temporarily stored under the ice
IN immense bubbles or pockets, some
times ten to twenty square yards in
extent. Puncture these bubbles with a
chisel, apply lighted match, and one
has a roaring fame before which the
skater may warm his benumbed fingers,
The experimenter must be careful to
stand between the wind and the jet
of gas as he lights it, or he will have
his clothing singed before he can get
out of the way of his impromptu torch
There are places where the gas sup
ply is so abundant as to prevent the
ice from forming, except on the very
coolest nights. When such places are
frozen over they remain covered only
a few days. for the gas, coming from
a considerable depth in the earth, is
so warm that it soon melts passage
way through the ice and escapes. The
present winter formed ice of Is inches
thickness on the lake, and yet some OF
the areas of gas supply were not frozen
over. Near the entrance of one of the
creeks into the lake the water is quite
shallow and the bottom may be read
lily seen. Here the gas has formed reg
ular channels up through the mud, and
out of these large bubbles of gas are
discharged every few seconds.
Doniphan lake is located about four
miles north of Atchison, Kan, and is a
river lake; that is, it was formed from
bend of the Missouri river by the
water taking short cut across the
narrow neck of the bend, thus leaving
the old bed to be occupied by beau
tiful horseshoe lake about five miles in
length. This happened during the high
waters of the spring and early summer
of 1891.
Becau use the neck is thus comparatively
recent in formation, some observers have
contended that the gas which collects
under the ice is only marsh, gas. But
the supply is too great to be accounted
for in that manner. Were it marsh gas
it would rise more equally all over the
lake, for the bottom is everywhere
about the same. On the contrary, the
gas is supplied only in certain localities
and the eastern arm of the lake is with
out gas. Besides, the places of dis.
Charge are the same the year round
On the Missouri side of the river are
three ether lakes of like formation
Mud, Sugar and Bean lakes. These dc
not show gas except in occasional very
small bubbles Scientific American.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-12-01

(Once Was Privateer and Is Stul Useful
at the Age Of 94.)
but she is also the oldest vessel in the
American registry, having been built
in 1905, at Amesbury, Mass.
Although "a years old, the Polly,
barring accidents, is good for many
more years of service, and since she
has been "new-toppcd" she looks as
good as most of the coasters sailing out
of Bangor.
She is only 81 feet long, 10 feet beam
and feet deep, registering As tons.
She was built of the best white oak,
and the quality of her materials and
workmanship is shown in her remark
able state of preservation to-day, after
nearly century of battling with the
seas, lumber freights and British men
of-war.
It was in the war of 1912 that the Pol
ly won lasting fame as a warrior. She
was a privateer, and her log shows
that in war she captured II British
ships. all much larger than herself.
Her guns were few and small, but she
had great crew, not in numbers, but
in courage and seamanship.
Once, while her captain lay sick in
his berth, the Polly's crew, contrary
to orders, tackled a great British ship,
with the result that the Polly was
captured, but her master soon retook
her, and ever since then (1S1D she has
sailed under the stars and stripes.
Most of the Polly's original timbers
are still in her frame, and considerable
of her original planking also remains
intact. She is engaged now in coasting
between Bangor and Boston, although
her master, Capt. d. A. Mcfarland, of
Portland, says she is fit to 60 any
where.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-12-01
Facts About Mason Co. Washington.

= III
The editor receives many. inquiries
from people in all sections Of the IN
ION, as to industries, wages, lands. ETC.,
and to obviate the necessity of writ
ing letters. the following general re-
plies have been prepared. The Editor
will add further information, but. en-
quirers should always send stamps:
WAGES.
Logging camp wages range from So
$3.50 per day, and the employees are
charged board.
Carpenters So to So per day.
Ordinary labor $I.50 to So;
Woodworkers ST. so to So;
Farm labor $40. to $25. per month;
The nature of work, the skill OF
workman, ana condition of the mark
ct makes difference in wages.
RENTS.
A house in Shelton rents from 80
to- $40; some poorer buildings are
cheaper, but good comfortable d vel
ling brings So to $40. Houses are
scarce here.
There are some farms and ranches
which can be rented cheap, and one
or two places, which can be had for a
year or two for keeping them up.
FUEL.
Wood is burned almost entirely.
Fir wood sell at 80 cents to 81. per
rick (half cord) delivered. Hard wood
alder and maple will cost little more.
On the ranches and away from town
wood costs the cutting.
LIVING.
The cost Of living in section is very
moderate, very few things being much
higher than in the East, and many
much lower.
Best flour is 80 cents to 81. per sack
Butter, Is to 80 cents, according to
season.
Eggs, Is to 30 cents according to
season.
Potatoes and other vegetables, Is to
80 cents per bushel.
Fruits and vegetables are becoming
very plentiful, producing heavily, and
are within the reach OF all.
LAND PRICES.
Practically no good vacant land
convenient to settlement, is available
| for homesteaders. The Northern Pa
cifc and the Mill companies own large
bodies Of logged-off lands, some O
which are we'll situated for agricultur
al purposes, which are offered for sale
at prices ranging from 81 to S. pei
acre on the 5 and 10 year contrac
plan, which is very reasonable.
We advise homeseekers that tht
best and cheapest plan for them is K
find a partly improved ranch and buy
it, where they will find everythin,
ready to begin making living. Thi
is good section for workers, and idler
and people who are not willing t.
work are not wanted. There are goot
openings for milling, or other business
or intelligent farming in Mason Co.
but no one should come without sufi
cient means to secure a start.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-12-01
MEDALS FOR FIGHTERS.
British Government Will Distribute
Many of Them In Illinois and
Her Sister States.

About 800 silver medals ordered by
the British parliament will be sent to
Chicago in short time to be pre-
sented to men who were once in the
military service of Queen Victoria.
Many of them live in Chicago, while
the others have settled in various parts
of Illinois and neighboring states, but
in spite of the fact that they have cast
their lot with the American republic,
each man will be presented with a
handsome souvenir of his former al
legiance.
The medals are for those who, serv-
ing either in the British army or the
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-12-01
THE OLDEST wARsHIp.
ancient schooner which Did Service
An the War OF 1912 II etill
An Commission.

OF all the ships that sail the seas
there's none can match the Polly. Un-
like most Pollys, this one is far from
being pretty She is little roly-poly,
stub-toed schooner, with thick planks,
a strong frame and bilge as square
as a box. What she lacks in beauty
and grace she more than makes up in
rugged usefulness.
The Polly is not only the oldest &C
tive vessel afoat that ever carried the
American flag in naval engagement,
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-12-01
II postal card With your name
and address will brine full
particulars.
The New Library
Of Universal History.

Is acknowledged to be the greatest
historical achievement of the Century.
In most interesting manner it tells
the story of the progress of mankind
from the earliest historical period
down to the ratification of the Peace
Treaty with Spain, and being the work
of noted historian, and afterwards
reviewed, verified and endorsed by the
professors of history in five of the lead
ing American Universities, is authentic
in every particular.
The Library is composed OF IL
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and profusely illustrated with full
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We wiJl supply our present
and prospective readers W1tIe t n Is
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On receipt of your name anu
address 1Ue will mail specun'e"
pages and full Information re-
gnrdi1ag our offer.
THE CHICAGO RECORD
HISTORY DEPT.
181 Madison St.. Chicago
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06
PUERTO RICO DEATH HARVEST.
Five Thousand Perished in the Furious
Storm and Flood.

Conservative estimates now place
the number of lives lost in Puerto Rico
during the furious storm and sudden
flood of August Sth at 500.
The exceedingly heavy rains which
accompanied and followed the wind
were the most destructive combination
of elements that have visited this ISL
and since August %, 1772.
The wind destroyed the coffee trees
that were loaded with ripening berries
1T blew oranges, lines, lemons and all
kinds of fruits from the trees, or else
swept away the trees entirely, and.
worst of all, it leveled to the ground
practically all the banana palms of the
island, and thus destroyed the fruit
that served as bread to the poems.
The sugar houses and machinery suf-
fered greatly, while the sugar cane it.
self was little injured, except from
the floods.
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06

Manitoba has big wheat crop. SC
big in fact that the great problem is tc
get men enough to harvest it. So Sc
rious is the situation that Premie,
Greenway has officially recognized it.
In public letter he says:
"When the wealth of our province
represented by the wheat fields. upon
which the prosperity of our cities.
towns and villages, as well as all on,
business concerns, banks and railways
and implement agencies, so much de.
pends, is in danger of being left unon
our fields for the want of sufficient belr
to garner the same, this department
deems it wise to do all that is possi.
ble in the way of securing help for the
farmers to assist them in garnerlng
their CROP" .
There are 80, 900 farmers in Manitoba
and if only 10000 of them needed an
extra man, which is small estimate. q
large importation from the East would
be necessary.
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06
M'KINLEY TO THE cUBANS.

President McKinley's proclamation
addressed to the Cubans says that the
disorganized condition of the island. i.
resulting from war and the absence of
a general reorganized authority, aside
from military control, makes it neces-
sary that the United States should fol-
low the restoration order by giving it's
assistance to the establishment of self
government.
AS preliminary step in the perform
ance of this duty the President says he
has directed that census be taken.
The people are urged to aid the census
officers by all means in their power in
the performances of their duties.
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06
SPEED OF THE NEW CRUISERS.
The Flattering Results of the Trial Trip of
the Alabama Makes Talk in Naval
Circles

The naval architects of the United
States Navy are apparently going to
secure IN the new battle ship Alabama
better vessel than they themselves
devised. This will be gratifying to
those who have noted with anxiety the
Willingness of our designers to be con-
tent with ships of antiquated speed re-
qulrements. Last year, when the
Navy Department was preparing to
build several battle ships of an esti-
mated speed of 16 knots and min
lmum requirement of Is knots. the
Tribune criticised the plan of begin
ing such ships, to be completed some
years ahead, when there was already
at1oat fifty faster battle ships. Asare-
suit of its campaign the contractors
were permitted to submit alternative
designs to secure the 18 knots speed
Admiral Millvile desired, but was not
permitted to provide for in the official
specifications. Thus the United States
Navy was saved from deliberately
building out of date ships. Now it ap-
pears that the contractor in the case of
at least one of the vessels at that time
already under construction has so
done his work as to give the Navy the
benefit of the speed which the battle of
Santiago showed to be so valuable in a
battle ship. The Alabama was de-
signed for 16 knots, but on the build
ers' trial on Tuesday made III knots.
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06
BRYAN WOULD CHOKE TRUSTS
HIS PLAN IS TO SQUEEZE THE WATER
OUT OF THEM BY LICENSES
Bryan Reaffirms the Chicago Platform and
Speaks CausticaIIy on Trusts
and Imperialism.

W. j. Bryan in late address said:
Il believe the outlook for success in
1900 was never better than at present
The Chicago platform at the conveh-
ton next year will be reaffirmed entire
ly. In fact, doubt whether any op-
position to the platform will manifest
itself in the convention at all.
MANY methods have been suggested
for the determination of the trusts
The most feasible, it seems to me. is
to require every corportion to obtain
license from the Federal Government
before it is permitted to do business
outside the State in which organized.
The license can be granted under con-
dltions which will squeeze the water
out OF the stock and prevent the mo-
nOpolizatiOn of any industry.
"This nation must choose between
being republic or an empire.
An imperial policy cannot be
defended on any ground. From a
financial standpoint it will be an ex-
pense to large majority of the people
and profit only to the capitalists,
who would organize syndicates to de-
velop the Philippines. From a relig-
lous point of view it cannot be de-
Tended. A despotism at Manila is not
consistent with free government in
the United States. This nation can
not endure while half it's people are
citizens and half vassals."
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06
A SENTENTIOUS SPEAKER.
Some Characteristics of the Hon. William
GOebeI OF Kentucky.

Less than a year ago Hon. John
Young Brown, who is now one of the
opponents of Hon. William Goebel,
the regular Democratic nominee for
Governor of Kentucky, remarked to
ex-COngressman Caruth, of Louisville,
that Mr.. GOebel chad wonderful
gift OF terse expressions. He is an
able lawyer, and he can say more in a
brief of few lines than almost anv
other lawyer can put into a page or
two OF foolscap." A speech made by
Mr.. GOebel at Bowling Green Monday
to great gathering of people seems to
verify Mr.. Browns opinion of him.
In this speech he referred personally
to Theodore Hallam, Harvey Myers,
w. G. Owens and w. G.. p. Breckin
ridge, striking back at them for their
personal attacks on him. He dismissed
Hallam and Myers by declaring ''that
while In the Legislature they were
partners in drawing a monthly stipend
from the lotteries. | passed the bill
that took from them that stipend. ;"
Referring to Mr.. Owens he said:
while at Frankfort [ did what |
could to make 1t felony to run faro
bank or roulette table and other gam
bling devices, and thereby [ interfered
with Owens regular business. Con
tinuing, Mr.. Goebel said "And an
other purifactiOnist is Col. w. C. Pol
lard Breckinridge. l need only to
mention his name. And these are the
men who are trying to purify politics
in Kentucky" Referring to the
charges that he had not been loyal in
his support of Mr.. Bryan in 1896, Mr..
Goebel said he delivered over sixty
speeches and made a personal contri-
button of 800 for campaign expenses,
(which was more than Hon. John
Young Brown had done"
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06
a Word to Mothers.

Mothers of children affected with
Group or a severe cold need not hest
tate to administer Chamberlain s
Cough Remedy. 1t contains no opiate
nor narcotic in any form and NAV be
given as confidently to the babe as to
an adult. The great success that has
attended its use in the treatment of
colds and Group has won for it the an
proval and praise it has received
throughout the United States and in
many foreign lands. Sold by Clifton
~ Raymond, Smyrna; T. L. Mason.
Clayton.
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06
DELAWARE STATE FAIR, DOVER.
Reduced Rates via Pennsylvania Railroad
A Promising Institution.

For the benefit of persons visiting
the Delaware State Fair, to be held at
Fairview Park, Dover, September 5, 6,
2, and 8, the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company Philadelphia, Wilmington
and Baltimore Railroad) will sell ex-
cursion tickets. including admission to
the grounds, from principal stations
on the Maryland Division and from all
points on the Delaware Division and
branches, at greatly reduced rates.
Tickets will be sold from September 5
TO 8 inclusive, good to return until Sep
tember inclusive.
The Fair this year promises to ex-
eeed all former years in interest and
attractions. Large premiums will be
offered the bicycle, trotting, and run
ming races, and the grand display of
cereals and live stock will prove most
interesting and instructive.
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06
THE OYSTER.
An Industry That Gives Support to ThOus.
ands of Maryland People.


There are but few people who realize
what a great industry the oyster bust
ness of Maryland has become. In
eleven counties in Maryland the oyster
industry is the principal means of sup
port to the population of those coun-
ties, numbering at least 300, 900 per
sons. 1t is safe to say that the oysters
taken from the Maryland waters an
nually are worth hundreds of millions
of dollars.
Oysters abound mostly in the lower
part of the bay, along the Eastern
Shore. Here the industry has been
given more attention and oyster farm
ing carried on more extensively.
The careless and destructive meth
ods of dredgers in years gone by led
to the enactment of many salutary
laws, such as the culling law, which
requires that young growing oysters
must be thrown back into the water.
This has resulted in the supply keep
ing about the same in recent wears.
but wasteful methods in earlier
years make oysters scarcer than fortv
or fifty years ago when the reefs we're
simply overloaded with them. An
Eastern Shore oysterman's canoe is
the pride of his life, and is generally a
fine boat.
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06
DeIaware's Financial Vote.

Coming to Delaware we find, ac-
cording to the official returns, that in
1892 Mr.. Cleveland received 18,
votes and carried the State. In 1896
Mr.. Bryan received but 1851 votes, a
falling off of 1911, and lost the State
by about 1000 plurality.
These comparisons eloquently illus
trate the effect of Organism and free
silver coinage upon the Democratic
party of the country and of the State
of Delaware. -EUery EUening.
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06

China, Egypt, Portugal and Russia
are all visited by the plague, which
extends slowly westward, following
the law OF progress observed in its pre-
vlous visitatiOns. But it seems no.
where to display any serious degree of
vlrulence. 1t is disagreeable guest.
ana measure of terror still goes be.
fore 1t everywhere, but to the Western
nations it is far from being so alarm
ing as 1t used to be. Modern sanitary
methods thoroughly applied have been
found match for it even in populous
lndla' ano there is little doubt that
they will prove equally eficacious in
the protection of European cities and
communities.
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06

A Ready Reckoner.-''My friend, ~
said the traveller to the provincial, "do
you know this country well?"
'I reckon So"
els it far to the next town?"
"Reckon it is"
"About three miles?"
Reckon So"
swell, am 1 in the right road?"
Reckon you air."
Tell me" said the traveller, "have
you any other business besides reck-
oning?"
fT reckon / hasl" was the final
reply. ."-AHanta Constitution.
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06

Of the seven millions of dollars in
coin that have been paid to the Amer
ican soldiers in the Philippines, more
than one-third of that amount has been
returned to the United States. The
National Government, to encourage
the men in saving, has to allow inter-
est at four per cent. on moneys de-
posted in the keeping of the Federal
Treasury. Many of our boys in the
East on their return home will find
snug balances awaiting them when
mustered out.
Smyrna times., 1899-09-06
FARMERS PROSPEROUS,
THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE TALKS
ON THE GOOD TIMES.
heaVy Crops OF Corn Throughout the Vest
Great Balance of Trade will be
Maintained.

Mr.. Wilson, the Secretary of Agri-
culture, in an interview, declares that
the farmers in the United States were
enjoying unprecedented prosperity:
That this happy condition of affairs
would be permanent; that money was
plentiful IN the great agricultural COM
munities; that the legal enactment of
the single gold standard by the next
Congress would be greatly to the ad
vantage of the farmers; that the West
ern States were already feeling the
good effects of commercial expansion
IN the Oriental markets, and that. so
far as he could judge, ''the best people
morally, religiously and patriotically.
IN the United States would sustain the
President" in his effort to conquer a
peace and to press the war in the Phil
lpplnes to successful condition.
Il am confident" said the Secretary
THAT the agricultural interests in the
United States are to-day in as prosper
GUS condition as could reasonably he
desired. The crops in the Mississippi
Valley are the heaviest ever grown
there. Kansas will produce 400. .OOO,-
900 bushels of corn. Nebraska's Weld
is estimated at 100000, 900 bushels.
Iowa and Illinois will have record
breaking crops. Throughout the
Western country feeding animals are
scarce and dear. Heavy exports of
corn will result, our great balance of
trade will be maintained and ready
money will be brought back to the pro-
ducers. Agriculture and horticulture
are exceedingly prosperous in the
mountain States and along the
Pacific Coast. Our total wheat crop
will be short of last years figures, but
all other crops will be abundant.
No Backward Financial Step.
81 believe that the legal enactment
sOf the single gold standard will be of
practical and permanent advantage to
the agricultural interests of the United
States. l base that opinion upon per-
sonal observations and indisputable
evidence which have come to nv
knowledge within the last three years.
Since July, 1897, the United States has
exported to foreign countries more
than 81, 200, 900, 900 worth of goods. Of
this more than $3.50, 100000 have been
contributed by the farms. The farm
ers have received payment for their
products in gold or its equivalent. 1
believe that no benefit can be gained
for the farmers by abandoning our
present fiscal and monetary system
and by going over to silver currency.
On the contrary, l think that we
should, in the interests of the agricul-
tural classes seek to strengthen our
present position in favor of sound and
safe money by legally enacting the
single gold standard at the next ses-
sion of Congress. 1 believe that such
legislation would give certainty to the
financial situation for many years to
come and would enable all produces,
and especially the farms, to make safe
calculations accordingly. 1t would
naturally give a sense of security to
the great creditor class and would in
sure a satisfactory financial condition
from almost any point of view.