davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06
YEAR CLOSES.
Has Been a Prosperous One for
MankatO.
Factories Turned Out More Goods Than
Ever, and Many New Buildings
Erected.

The year 1898 passed into history Sat-
urday, and next to the last year of the
nineteenth century opens tomorrow
The year which is now closing has
been prosperous one for Mankato in
more respects than one. 1t has seen
much building done in the city, and it
has seen vast amounts of building
material shipped to surrounding points.
1t has seen our factories, stone quar-
ries and brick yards worked to their
full capacity, and it has seen the ship
ments out of the city increase in a
remarkable degree. 1t has seen south
ern Minnesota blessed with splendid
crops that have brought good prices,
and it has seen our merchants and job
bers handle more business than ever
before. Such is the proud record of
1898, and it will ever be recorded as
one of the most prosperous years that
the city has ever seen
The building operations have been
mostly along the line of new residences,
scores of which have been erected in
various parts of the city. These houses
have been built mostly by those who
have occupied them for their own
homes. In most cases they have the
modern conveniences. Many of them
are architecturely beautiful, and some
of them represent considerable expen-
diture Of money. Undoubtedly the
finest in every respect is that of Lorin
Cray, which will be completed within
few weeks. Next to that is John B.
Meagher's residence, and then comes a
whole line of comfortable and con-
venient homes that are adornments to
the various localities in which they are
situated.
Many of the most desirable unim-
proved residence lots have changed
hands during the year, going from
those who hold them for speculative
purposes to those who desire to build
upon them. There are now very few
vacant lots on Second, Third, Fourth
or Fifth streets and other streets
within eightor ten blocks of the post
Office are we'll built up. A number of
fine residences are projected for the
coming year, and our contractors and
building mechanics will have another
busy and profitable season.
In the matter of stores, very little
was done in the way of building the
past season. The reason for this is that
the wants of the city in this direction
had been anticipated during the prev.
ious two or three years Probably very
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06
A SUDDEN DEATH.

Mrs. Matilda j. Ore died at 80
o'clock Friday at the home of her
son, Ed Ore, about three miles south of
town, where she had resided for the
last fifteen years. She was stricken
with apoplexy and died ten minutes
later. Deceased was u years of age
and leaves two sOns and three
daughters. Both sons live near Man.
kato, but one of the daughters is at
Valparaiso, Ind one at Detroit, Mich
and one at Dundas, Ont.
The funeral services occurred at
the house at / 100 O'Clock Sunday after
noon, and. the lnterment took place
at Glenwood cemetery.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06

few business blocks will be put up next
year, as there are still several vacant
stores, although not over half as many
as was the case year ago. Probably
the finest business property erected the
past year were the solid brick blocks put
up by the J 1. Case company and
B. D Pay & Son. The city has
also put up new central fire station,
which would be credit to any city in
the country.
An unusual amount of building has
been done in the surrounding towns
and in the country, and Mankato labor
and material have been deeply drawn
upon. This demand promises to keep
up for another year, at least.
With the return of prosperous times,
Mankato has received its share of the
blessings of revival of industries. Our
factories have been running to their
full capacity, and still unable to keep
up with the orders. The big mill
never turned out so much -four before
as it has been doing the past few
mouths. and it could not turn out
another barrel day if it tried. The
knitting mill has resumed work with
what it has always needed, plenty of
capital, and its output has been doubled
and still it is unable to keep up with
the orders. The cement works finds a
ready sale for all of its product that it
can possibly make The other factories
are prospecting as never before. and the
only difficulty is to get sufficient num-
Der OF hands to work. The jobs are now
seeking the people, not the people the
jobs
The stone quarries have shipped
away more stone than ever before, and
Gus Widell's monthly pay roll has been
something startling to those who do
not know the extent of this industry.
The brick yards have had ready sale
for all the material that they could
produce.
The local jobbers have had their
hands full during the year now prac-
tically closed. They have reached out
for wider territory, and with the
increased buying capacity of the people
have had largely increased demand
for their goods.
The railroads have handled a greater
amount of freight through the local
offices than usual, and Mankato is now,
as it has been for years, one of their
most profitable stations.
The farmers have been blessed with
an abundance of all kinds of crops.
Generally when one crop is good,
another is not, but this year everything
has been fruitful and prices of every
thing have ranged relatively high. AS
consequence, debts have been paid,
and an unusual amount of buying has
been done. Several years of enforced
economy have created many wants,
and these have been and are being
satisfied More money is lying around
than people know what to do with, and
the banks are vainly trying to put out
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06
PAID 1T ONCE.
G. F. A. Does Not Want to Pay a Fire
Loss Twice.

Judge J. o. Andrews went to Lee
Sueur Saturday to appear for the
Citizens Fire Association of this city in
an action in which 1t is the defendant,
and which was set for trial today
before Judge Caldwell The company
paid 5000 loss some time ago, prompt
ly and without murmuring. Now
comes third party who claims to have
had an assignment of portion of the
insurance money made after the fire
and before the loss was paid. He sues
the company for the amount of this
assignment, which the company claims,
as it's defense, to know nothing about.
There is also some question about the
assignment being valid, but this does
not appear in this action. The Citizens
Fire Association does not want to pay
the loss twice over.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06
For Sale

A good stock of hardware and farm
implements. A good Business is es-
tablished. Sold some 40 binders and
mowers the past season. Will alse
sell building in connection Herewith.
Terms reasonable Call or address
FRED GERLICH,
st. Clair. MINI.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06
SHIPMENT OF WOOL.

Lawrence Henlin made big ship.
ment of wool to lhicago Friday 1t con.
sisted of a years accumulation, and
filled eight cars, making a train load
The shipment aggregated about 10000
pounds, and went over the Milwaukee
road. This is some of the output of the
sheep industry in this vicinity
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06
$40 TAKERS.
The Water System is Well
PatrOnized.
The Use of Meters Causes Greater
Economy in the Use of Water or
Larger Bills.


public works, is at work on the annual
report of the water takers. He has
completed compiling the list of the
takers and finds that it contains $40
names of consumers, which is a substan-
tial gain over last year. He estimates
that the number will exceed 900 next
year and 1000 in 1900. 1t is splendid
showing of the popularity of the city
water, and accounts for the decrease in
the amount of sickness due to a pol.
luted water supply. 1t means that old
wells that get the drainage of cess
pools and manure heaps, are being
abandoned. and that the people are
drinking the pure, sparkling artesian
water, that comes from beneath 800 feet
of rock formation.
President Porter estimates the in
come from water rentals the past year
at $4,000. This, with the front foot
assessment, pays all operating expenses,
and leaves little balance that ought to
be applied to sinking fund. This
makes no allowance for water used by
the city, which would come to $1,000
for street sprinkling purposes and $50 Il
hydrant. In most cities, the hydrant
charge is $50 to $50, and none pay less
than $40 In order to meet the water
bonds when they come due, the surplus
earnings of the water works should be
placed at interest in sinking fund.
. The placing of meters On many build
ings where large amounts of water are
consumed has resulted in the cutting
off of large amount OF waste. The
city has sometimes received less income
and sometimes more, on account of the
meters. The case of the high school
building will illustrate where the city
gains by the meters Formerly the
school board paid a dat rate of $52
year, but the board of public works
thought that it would be good thing
for the city to place q meter in the
building ana charge at meter rates.
The bill for last August, when there
was no school and the building was
closed, was SIG. The school board was
nonplussed when the bill came in, and
appointed committee to look into it.
The only use for water at the school
building during August was for sprink
ling the lawn, and dollars worth of
water would have been sufficient for
this purpose. AS matter of fact,
big stream of water was running to
waste day and night in the main hall
way, where the members of the school
board saw it every time they held
meeting and heard it splashing while
the board was transacting it business.
A stream as big as mans little finger
was running to waste, doing no good,
while the city pump had to pump that
much more water from the bowels of
the earth and hoist it into the reservoir
on the bluff, adding to the fuel expense
account. This is not the only public or
private building where there has been
and is now a shameful waste of water.
The placing in of the meters is bring
ing home some of the cost where it
properly belongs. With proper economy
in the use of water, the school board
could probably get all the water needed
in the high school building at less cost
than the former fiat rate.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06

A. J. Veigel, Esq, chief clerk in the
postoffice, yesterday purchased from j.
F. Single his residence on Fulton
street, between Byron and Record. The
price paid was 81, 500 cash, Mr.. Veigel
has secured bargain, and is to be con-
graduated on his purchase.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06
Notice.

The annualm Getting of the share
holders Of the MaDkato State bank
for the election Of directors Of said
bank, will be held at their banking
II oms Tuesday, January 10th, 1899.
Polls open from 2 tn o'clock p. 10.
JNO r THOMAS, Cashier.
n ankato. Mimi, Dec. 7th, 1898.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06

Glover Seed. G. Roller wants
5000 bushels, also timothy and fax
seed, corn, oats, rye and potatoes.
Will pay more than any shipper with
Ia I00miles.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06

Highest cash price pasa FOR W.
Fowler 81 Pay
Mrs l. w. Wells returned to her
home in Sterling today, after weeks
visit with her parents, MI. and Mrs.
w. N. plymat
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06
TO CURE A CoLDIN ONE DAY

Take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets. Al
druggists refund money if 1T fails to cure. 2oc
The genuine has L. b. q. on each tablet.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06
Plenty of Money

to lend; terms to suit borrower Man
kato Savings Bank.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06
CITY HALL ITEMS.

Bill Miller was before the court
OF the Charge of assault in the
third degree, preferred by Joe Huettl.
He pleaded guilty and paid fine of
IS 60.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06

The hydrant at the corner of Front
and jackson streets was found to have
been cracked nearly all the way around
at the bottom. 1t had been supposed
that it leaked because it was not screw
ed down tight, but it was due to the
crack. A new hydrant has been
ordered.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06

The police officers made their month
ly change of beats Sunday noon Off
GERS Bienapf and Circuit will take the
north and south day beats respectively
officers Schiman and Thilgen the north
and south Front street night beats re-
spectively; and Officers Kelly and Dan
iels the north and south beats at large
respectively.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-08-11
SCIENTIFIC TOPICS J'['lI'
CURRENT NOTES OF DISCOVERY
AND INVENTION.
A Tov Sprinkler Made Out of An Eng
lish Walnut, Two Hazel Nuts, Two
A Toy Sprinkler.

a 10y Sprinkler
Here is toy sprinkler that any
bright boy or girl can make with the
aid Of a pocket knife and gimlet; the
necessary materials are an English
walnut, two hazel nuts, two straws. a
cork and bottle. Following is de-
scription of how to make the sprinkler:
Remove by the aid of small saw or
a pocket knife about one-third Of q
walnut. Then take out the kernel Of
the remaining larger part and make It
nice and smooth inside with the knife.
Now you bore two holes in the sides
of the shell, and insert a straw in
each hole, the straws to be about two
and one-half inches long. Then take
two hazel nuts and make two holes in
each, the holes being in right angle
with each other and reaching the CEN
ter of the kernel. Now put the straws
coming out of the walnut in the top
hole Of the hazel nut, and in the side
hole you introduce short piece of
straw. Use beeswax or sealing wax
for Stopping all leaks. Now your
sprinkler is ready for use, and all you
have to do is to place the walnut on
its pointed end on the cork of an
empty bottle and pour water in the
walnut basin. The water will then
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-08-11
This Bird Impri. ons His Broodinc Bird

This Bird Impri ons His Broodins Bride
In the Paris Museum ofsNatural His
tory at present the center of interest is
the only living captive specimen of
what African explorers have called the
prison bird" The popularity of this
feathered beauty is that he is the most
tyranaical and jealous of husbands,
imprisoning his mate throughout her
nesting time. Livingston watched the
birds habits while in Monpour, and in
his subsequent observations referred
to the nest as prison and the female
bird as slave.
The nest is built in the hollow of a
tree through an opening in the bark.
AS soon as it is completed the mother
bird enters carefully and fearfully, and
settles down in it. Then papa walls
up the opening, leaving only just space
enough for air and food to pass
through. He keeps faithful guard and
brings food at regular intervals with
out fail. The female thrives under her
enforced retirement. But if the prison
bird is killed, or in any other way pre-.
vented from fulfilling his duties, the
mother and her little ones must die
of starvation, for she cannot free her.
self from bondage.
Normally the Imprisonment lasts un.
til the chicks are old enough to fly
Then the male bird destroys the bar.
rier with his beak and liberates his
family. ut is charming" writes Liv.
ingston, "to see the joy with which the
little prisoners greet the light and thu
unknown world"
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-08-11
TURKEY HoNoRs OUR FOURTH

Sultan's Representative Raised q Flag
on the Nations Birthday.
There are no less than thirty embas-
sizes and legations in the national CAPT.
tai, representingg as many nations of
the globe. Of those only one recogniz-
ed and participated in the universal
celebration of the most glorious Fourth
OF July this country has known in
many years, says the Washington
Post. The residence of the Turkish
minister on @ street, near Eighteenth
street, is very comfortable and at
tractive building. 1t was conspicuous
because from the Flagstaff, which ex-
tends from second story window,
there was displayed a Turkish flag in
honor Of this nations natal day. It
was flung to the breeze early in the
morning, almost as soon as the sun had
risen and when the morning air had
begun to echo the popping of thousands
OF nrecrackers. 1t was quite conspicu-
GUS on the street-its rich red ground,
with its white crescent, standing out
in marked contrast to the brilliant red.
white and blue of the national colors.
which were to be seen in all directions
along the street. It was not taken
down until sunset. Secretary of State
Hay was asked whether it was the GUS
tom for the representatives of a for
eign nation to participate in the cele-
brat:on Of national holiday of the
country to which they are accredited.
NO." he said. lit is not necessary.
Embassies. and legations always cele-
brate their own holidays by displaying
their own colors, hut they do not Of
ten recognize the holidays of the ma
ton to. which they are accredited.
but the Turkish legation is display
ing fag," was suggested. "The rela-
tons between the United States and
Turkey" said Secretary Hay, with a
smile. ARE very cordial indeed. The
sultan Is very friendly to u.s. The ac-
ton Of the Turkish minister is a mark
Of unusual friendliness, but the lack Of
flags at the other residences is by no
means mark of disrespect." '.Did not
the American embassy in London raise
a flag in honor Of the queens birth
day." "Oh, yes" was the reply, ..anu
we generally recognize grand occa-
sions abroad
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-08-11
Electricity for All Uses.

Thomas A. Edison is building a
model town on mountain top.
1t will be perhaps as remarkable as
anything the inventor has ever done
1t will be in the backwoods, vet as
finely appointed as far as modern con-
veniences are concerned, as the resi-
Dental portions of the larger cities. In
fact, it will be more advanced than
many of these. for nothing that is
not up to date will be allowed. Moth
ing so slow as gas, for instance, will
be used in the houses. The village of
Edison now occupies the site of the
proposed town. but it is insignificant.
The place is now only group of shan
ties rising irregularly around the
mouth of the great rift known as the
Edison iron mine. This great hole
which the steam shovels are eating into
the top of Mount Musconetcong in
Northern New Jersey yawns wider
year by year and is expected to become
in time the center of great industries.
1t may rival Niagara Falls as an in
dustrial center. Edison, who found a
great deal of finely divided iron ore in
the rocks about, has devised method
for extracting this ore To state it
simply, he brushes the iron-laden
rocks between great steam rollers and
then drops the resulting powder past
the faces Of big electromagnetic. The
iron ore clings to the magnets and is
saved. The broken-up rock drops past
the magnets and is carted away. Just
now the iron dust is shipped to the
smelling furnaces, but it is probable
the ore will be used eventually in fur
naces built near the mine. But in the
meantime the business has outgrown
the little nest of shanties which hang
over the edge Of the hole. Those work
men who have been pioneers in open
Ing the mine feel that the camping-out
period of their existence is over. To
begin with, fifty houses are being built
on hill top. With one exception the
point of land is the highest in New
Jersey. That exception is great game
preserve owned by a New York sport
Ing club. Halfway down Mount Mus
conetcong, on the way to. New York,
lies Lake Hopatcong, lined with swell
watering places. The village Of Edi-
son Is already lighted by electricity.
has telephone connection with the out
side world, schoolhouse and steam
engines to carry freight. The new
town will be lighted by electricity,
supplied with electric bells, have an
improved system Of sanitation, which
the steep mountain side will favor. and
water supply better than that Of any
large city. The houses are Of the cot
tage form. with roomy porches.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-08-11
SMOKING CONTESTS.
A Hundred Strong Cigars In Twelve
Houra.

A Hundred Strong Cigars In Twelve
Hours.
Smoking is the temperate as we'll as
the contemplative mans recreation,
and great smokers are 10th to exhibit
their tobacco-consuming abilities by
engaging in smoking contests. Still,
however, there have been some curious
tobacco-burning races, says London
Tit-Bits. In 1923 there was a great
smoking match at Oxford, scaffold
being erected in front Of an inn for the
accommodation Of the competitors. The
conditions were that any one man or
woman who could smoke three ounces
Of tobacco first without drinking or
leaving the stage should have prize
of IL shillings. Many tryed," says
Hearne, "and twas thought that
journeyman taylour of st. Peter's-in-
the-East would have been the victor,
he smoaking faster than and being
many pipes before the rest, but at last
he was so sick that twas thought he
would have dyed, and an old man that
had been builder and smoaking gent
ly came off the cenqueror, smoaking
the three ounces quite out, and he
told me that after it he smoaked four
or five pipes the same evening"" Abou.
forty years ago gentleman agreed to
smoke pound weight of strong for
eign cigars in twelve hours. The hun
dred cigars making up the pound were
all to be smoked down to one-inch
butts. The match was decided on a
Thames steamer plying between Lon
don and Chelsea, and by taking up his
position we'll forward the smoker had
the full benefit of the wind The
contest began at 10 a. M, and in the
first hour the smoker consumed sixteen
cigars. After nine hours Shaking IS
had been disposed of, and with three
hours to go and only fourteen cigars
to smoke, the hacker of time gave in.
The winner declared that he felt no
discontinue during the contest, and
finished off the 100 cigars that even
Ing. More recently a solid silver ci-
gar case and 200 cigars were offered
to the smoker who consumed most
cigars in two hours. Food, drink and
medicine during the contest were for
hidden. There were seventeen en-
tries. After the first hour ten COM
petitors retired. The winner, who
smoked without pause from start to
finish, reduced ten large cigars to
ashes in the two hours, while the
nearest competitor only finished seven.
The people of Lille are inveterate
smokers, and to decide the champion
ship of the town a smoking contest was
held. Each competitor was provided
with a pipe, fifty grams (about an
ounce and three-quarters) of tobacco
and pot of beer. The one who smok-
ed the tobacco first was to be the win
ner. At the signal the air was filled
with clouds Of smoke. In thirteen
minutes a workingman As years OF
age had reduced his weed to ashes,
while seven minutes later the second
man had finished his little smoke. Aft
ser such herculean smoking matches It
is scarcely necessary to mention the
American contest, in which the win
ner smoked 100 cigarettes in six hours
and thirty-five minutes.