davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

Prof. w. j. MCGEE, governmental
ethnologist, has been to some pains to
disprove the oft-made statements that
mankind is deteriorating. He believes
that man is to-day higher in develop
ment than ever before and that we are
on the eve Of a development which will
transcend that of the present as the
present surpasses that of the past CEN
turtles. Prof. MCGEE may be optimistic
Of the future, but he POUNDS his op-
timism upon facts. The race is CON
stantly progressing. Athletic feats
that We're considered marvellous wears
ago are as nothing considered to what
our athletes can now accomplish. This
is especially true of feats of endurance.
one of the severest tests to establish
progression or deterioration. Years ago
when O'Leary walked 1000 miles in
1000 hours he was the athletic idol of
the day. Such feat would not excite
passing notice now. Every year sees
speed and strength records in the ath-
letic world broken. These things have
come to be expected and cause but mo-
mentary wonder. In stature mankind
Is Improving. 1t is we'll known that
Englishmen are unable to encase them
selves in the armor of their. ancestors,
Americans have reached greater devel-
opment than the people of other coun-
tries. They average an inch taller than
Englishmen, who, in turn, are an inch
taller than the average continental.
Americans are longer lived than Euro
peans. In this connection Prof. MCGEE
says:
"The average expectation of life in
the United States exceeds by two years
the average expectation of life in En-
gland. The estimates for England ex-
coed in turn the estimates for France,
Germany and Italy and the rest of Eu-
rope, taken as whole, by about two
years."
Herbert Spencer observes the hustle
and hustle Of Americans years ago and
gave as his opinion that as a race we
were running ourselves to death. So
great must be the resultant nervous
strain at which we were working, Mr.,
Spencer solemnly declared, we would
eventually become mad. That he was
wrong has been proven, also that we
are far ahead of other nations as re-
CARDS endurance. Prof. McGee's ex-
PLANTATION of this marvellous endurance
is given in the following:
"In this connection will say that 1
believe that the greater amount of la
Dor that the American Is able to stand
is due in considerable part to single
cause. The American is the breakfast
eater of the world. He invariably COM
mences the day with good meal Of
strong steam-producing food. Conse-
quently work is no drag on him and
he can surpass easily in results the
European, who commences the day
with little but roll and cup of choco-
late"
The physical advancement has been
accompanied by and in a large meas
ure is due to mental progression and
moral Improvement The mind is ex-
ercised in an endeavor to prolong and
improve the physical life. There is less
intemperance. Judging the future by
the past there is reason in Prof. Nc
Gees optimistic prophecy.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

An actress stopped the play recently
In New York theater to allow the con-
versation in one of the boxes to go on.
1t was stern rebuke, but was it I'm.
deserved? Nothing in all my career"
says Madame Marchesi, the great Paris
music teacher, has annoyed me more
than chatter during my singing" Once
when she was singing Mt the German
ambassadors, and the noise had reach
ed its height, she suddenly ceased. The
host rushed IN. 81 wish to be listened
10 ~ he'sdid in clear tones, and silence
followed. 1t is doubtful If any of those
who had thus trespassed on the artists
rights and on the enjoyment of the 9TH
er guests, ever repeated the offense.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24
BOSS TALkeR OF THE NAVY.
Commander Lucien Young Wins tn,
Purse in Novel Contest.

Commander Lucien Young Wins the
Purse in a Novel Contest.
A good story comes UP from Cuba
about a well-known naval officer.
Wherever the United States navy is
known Commander I,ucien Young is
known. Young was one of the men
who went to the rescue of the ship
wrecked sailors at Samoa after the
greatcyclone in1 1885, says the Washing
ton Star. He also performed daring
feat off Cape Hatteras when the Huron
was lost, and was presented with a
sword by the state of Maryland rs a re-
suit Of 1t. He was one of the leading
party at Honolulu when the cruiser
Boston sent troops there to support
Minister Stevens in his recognition of
the provisional government which over
threw Queen Liliuokalani in Hawaii.
Lucien is a kentuckian, and us talker
is second only to Joe Blackburn of that
state. But to get to the story. 1t ap-
pears that some naval officers were to-
gether down in Havana, and late ar
rival wiped his brow, ordered drink,
and remarked that he was completely
talked out, as he had been up against
the greatest talker in the navy.
81 guess you must have struck Lucien
Young" remarked one of the other Of
ficers.
NO" he replied; ~ havejust been up
against plain Smith,"
"Well, then, you have got another
guess coming as to who is the great
est talker," responded the man who
had mentioned Young's name.
81 don't know what your man Young
can do" said the newcomer. "but i
have S. to back my man Smith against
him."
'"Taken," answered the champion of
Lucien Young, quickly, and the money
was put up in third mans hands.
1t was agreed that nothing should be
said either to Young or to Smith, but
1t was arranged that this group of naval
officers should bring them together and
quietly allow them to get started on
some topic. The arrangements were
all made. The men met casually. A
drink or two was passed around and
some topic introduced with which both
Young and Smith were familiar. The
Others dropped out. leaned back in their
chairs, and smoked their cigars, while
Smith and Young talked against each
other over the table. This went on for
matter of two hours, and each ap-
parently doing his level best. Finally,
Smith brought his fist down on the ia
BILE with bang and said: "Lucien
Young, you are the greatest talker in
the navy. I'll quit you right here"
The money was passed over to
Young's hacker, and the joke explained,
amid loud laughter on the part of those
who had perpetrated it upon the two
takers.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

= That a man may dignity any station
Ito which Providence calls him is un-
questionably true. A good blacksmith
Is more admirable than bad preacher
and many a capable negro minstrel has
been spoiled in the making of mighty
poor Legitimate" actor. Yet 1t is not
advisable that man should assume an
humble station when he can achieve a
higher one, and for that reason the
Yale authorities are justified In abol-
fishing the system of student walters
which has obtained for some years in
the Yale commons. In the first place
1T is admitted that the students were
mighty bad walters, and in the next
place the occupation was unseemly for
young men of studious employment.
Other means will be provided to assist
the self-supporting students through
college and the waiting will be done by
colored gentlemen whose inclinations
tend to craps instead of the classics.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24
Brief State hnppen,nxs.


An antitrust league branch is being
established at Marshalltown.
The saloons Mt Odebolt have been clos
ed by order of the county attorney.
Waterloo is figuring OH getting connect
ed with the G. & n. w. Railroad.
The savings bank at Roland will this
spring erect n two-stors brick block.
One divorce for every six marriages is
the record Of Woodbury. County for the
past year.
Waterloo is to have canning factory
this year; $4,000 worth of stock has al
ready been subscribed.
Warren Warner. farmer living near
Rodney, was held up and robbed of 1857
while on his way home.
John Dcde of Davenport, firing of life,
fred bullet into his brain. Ill health
is said to have been the cause.
DR.. William II. Randall, one of the
most widely known practitioners in Des
Moines County, died at his home in Au-
gMsta.
The Woodbury. County Board of Sup
ervisors has offered n reward of $500 for
the apprehension of the murderers of the
late John T.. Robson.
Trains are now running on the d., R.
I. e. N. W.. the new railroad between
Clinton md Davenport.
A livery stable at Garden Grove was
destroyed by fire and seventeen horses
persisted in the flames.
Rev. G. S. Rollins of the Edwards
Congregational Church at Davenport has
withdrawn his resignation, much to the
qualification of the membership.
Local implement men at Des MOines,
assisted by outside capital. are forming
corporation for the purpose of manu-
featuring threshing machines and hope
to establish n factory this year.
Col. Dick Root of Kcokuk has been
appointed to n $1,000 place in the Office
of the Senate sergeant-nt-arms.
Mrs. Kate Stone, pioneer lady of
Muscatine, died, leaving her fortune to
the Old Ladies' Home at that place.
Judge Bishop of Des Moines has noti-
fed the saloonkeepers and drug stores
to people who have been divorced on ac-
count of habitual drunkenness.
The button workers at Muscatine who
went out on strike some time ago have
now but poor show of future employment,
as the employers are breaking in new
set of operators. The strikers are still
talking of starting cooperative factory.
John Woessner and George Lehman,
farmers from Ackley. on their way to
Germany for u visit. put up at the True
Blue Hotel in New York. One of them
blew out the gas and Woessner's body
was found with Lehman unconscious ly-
ing beside it. Lehman was taken g :.
hospital, where he died.
Former Gov. r. II. Drake of Center
vile, for whom Drake University of Des
Moincs is named, has increased his dona-
tions to that institution $32.500 which
will he used in making immediate neces-
sary improvements. He said he hoped Ia
see the university have nm endowment of
81, 100000, md expected to furnish at
least one,foprth of that sum
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24
DEAD MEN
Who Are Found After Battle in Posi-.
tiOns of Life.

VINO Are fOun0 After Battle In PO9i.
tiOns of Life.
Surgeon General Mackinnon was one
of the first of the Crimean warriors to
enter the Redan after it had been evac-
uated by the Russians. The first thing
he saw was Russian officer sitting on
a gabion. His arms We're folded across
his chest, and he appeared to be sleep
ing, but he was dead, with rife ball
Embedded in his left breast. There
was nothing to show whether he had
sat down OH the gabion after he had
been shot, or whether he happened to
be sitting there when he was killed.
DR.. Rossbach, of Wurzburgh, tells of
soldier who was killed as he was
raising cup to his lips. The frag-
ment of shell tore off his skull. leav-
ing nothing but the lower jaw. And
he was found twcnty-four hours after
ward in n half-sitting position, still
holding the cup with his unsupported
hand raised up to his headless lower
jaw.
Nolan, in the celebrated charge of
the Light Brigade at Balaclava, rode
for some time, sword in air, a veritable
headless horseman.
A British soldier in the Transyaal.
searching for missing comrades after
the zulus had disappeared, found one
man knecling behind tile outer de.
lenses with his rife to his shoulder and
resting on the parapet as If he was tax
ing aim. He touched him on the Shout
der, asking him why he didn't come in
side. He fell over. He was dead.
Nor are the eccentricities of shot and
shell more curious that those of cold
steel. Irving Montagu. war artist,
mentions n case of Russian and
Turk, who. meeting, fought to the
death with fixed bayonets in wood
In Anatolia. The fatal thrusts must
have been Instantaneous, the strange
fact being that both stood, with their
legs much apart, each with his bayonet
Embedded deeply in his adversary's
breast, for several days.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

Apropos Of the present wars and
rumors Of wars perhaps the gravest
charge ever brought against women
was that made by John Ruskin when,
he said that women were to blame for
war. He maintained that women had
1t In their power to put an end to war
II they would. Women" said he,
7"lionize victorious fighters and make
gods of them. If 1t We're not for this,
warriors would soon be in disfavor,
and war as an honorable pursuit would
no longer be possible" The only way
of proving the truth of Ruskin's posi-
ton would require practical demon
;stration, which is not Mt all likely to be
attempted. Certain 1t is, however, that
women abhor war and to be logical
should regard those who take part in
1t with the same degree of contempt.
But it is yet to be proved that women
are profoundly logical.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24
Increased Strength of China.

A German engineer has brought for.
ward a new method Of constructing
chains so as to eliminate the weakness
due to faulty material or construction,
which sometimes occurs In chains made
of solid metal. The method consists in
winding wire into links and binding the
turns of wire by dipping in bath Of
liquid zinc or other noncorrosive
material. The wired links may also be
stiffened by being wound on an internal
steel lining adopted to receive the wrap.
pings of wire. tbs claimed that chains
made by this method provide equal
strength with less waste of metal.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

AS sensible men and women give
more and more time and thought to the
care Of their health, walking steadily
grows in favor. There is only one way
to keep well, and that is to exercise
nationally. And of all the forms of ex-
ercise walking gives the best results
with the least interference with those
mental activities which are or ought to
be the chief occupation of every civ
ilized being.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24
Want Anti-snloon Law.

The Iowa Anti-Saloon League conven-
ton adopted n resolution favoring the
passage of a law at the present session of
the Legislature which shall prohibit the
sale or manufacture of intoxicating liz
uors within FIVE miles of any of the State
institutions of learning. The Rev. Mott
r. Sawyers of Centerville was elected
secretary to succeed the Rev. Q. L. VIII
liams of Des Moines. ID. S. Coffin of Fort
Dodge was elected president.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

they put into the higher cost machine,
for those of the lower class no kind of
stuff lying around the barn is too mean
to find some use. Old lumber, lath,
shingles. split rails, old packing boxes,
barrel slaves. coffee sacks, tin from old
tin roofs, the gearing from old now
ers-there is scarcely an odd and end
that does not have use in the home
made mill,
For $3.70 W. W. Her of Havelock
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

They are eating corn meal In Europe.
1t is ten years since the corn propagan-
da was begun in those countries by this
Government. In 1888 we shipped only
25,OOO,0O0 bushels of corn across the
water. During the eleven months of
1899 ending with November our ex-
ports of corn were more than 1S5,0O0,-
600 bushels. The value of the years
corn exports aggregates $74,742,1 27.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

better class of homemade can be at.
tached wires, by which the power can
be transmitted several hundred feet to
where 1t is needed. Sometimes the mill
is set at the house, and Its energy is d.
rected so that it will run the pump at
the barn-in fact, the Nebraska farm
er's ways of utilizing these homemade
contrlvances are endless.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24
Drowned in a Well.

The body of Lloyd Orris was found in
a we'll on his farm, one mile from North
Liberty. The we'll was only eight feet
deep, and he had thrown himself into
or fallen into it while looking down, as
he was found head downward. His ac-
lions recently would not indorse the sui
eide theory and many of his friends be-
lieye that death was accidental, as he
was victim of heart trouble and had
been in the past troubled with fainting
smells
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24
Iowa City stores Are Burned.

Fire in the store of Mrs. Hattie e.
Horne at Iowa City caused a loss of $780,
600. Lena Delschied, snleswomnn, in
attempting to light the gas dropped n
burning match in pile of cotton batting
and the store was soon ablaze. The
stock, valued at 1000, was total loss
and the building, owned by w. P. Coast,
was damaged to the extent of $4,000.
The fire spread to adjoining buildings.
The other losses are: G. NJ. Lewis. gro
Ger. $1,000; Suppel 4 Moore, clothing
$1,000: Price, Heith Il Co., jewelry, ST.
900; G. Suppel, building. $4,000; other
stocks and buildings damaged by water
and smoke, $4,000. All carried partial
insurance. james Wahnke, fireman, was
badly burned.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24
Iowa,s Ex-Governors.

The last seven ex-Governors of Iowa
are yet living, as follows: Joshua 9. New
bold of Mount Pleasant, 1S17-lS; John
H. Gear, Burlington, 1882; Buren, H..
Sherman, Waterloo, 1926; William
Larrabee, West Union, 1SS6-9O; Horace
Boies, Waterloo, 1S90-94; Frank ID. jack
son, Des Moines, 1S94-96; Francis Nj.
Drake, Centerville, 1S06-0S.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

small fruit orchard. bringing up 30
gallons of water an hour in a fifteen
and one-half mile wind. Then there is
the "toy" water mill of A. G. Walker,
civil engineer, which pumps 6,4SO gal
Ions of water in twenty-four hours.
Near Kearney was an abandoned mill
and storage reservoir. The mill was
fixed at slight cost, bits of broken-up
boxes We're nailed to the arms and the
whole thing worked as well us it did in
Its better days.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

A timorous man has asked the mar
riage recorder to refuse him license
should he apply for one at any time,
averring that a certain young woman
can hypnotic him and he fears her de.
signs. She may block this move by
hypnotizing the recorder.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

A woman on shopping tour left her
baby in department store. When n
woman has affairs of real Importance
on hand she is likely to overlook mat
tiers Of minor Importance. Just think
what would happen to the babies If
women went earnestly into politics.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

The city pest house in North Des
Moines was burned by the citizens in o.
der to prevent its use for smallpox pa,
tients. The Council having determined
to isolate all cases of the disease there,
the citizens Of that part of the town rose
Indignantly and declared the pest house
would be burned. 1t was fired and burn
ed to the ground. The perpetrators are
unknown
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24
Mu broom and snake v.no,,

U HroUIH HItu snake Venom
A French scientist has found that
some kinds of mushroom afford vac.
cine against the venom of snakes. The
juice of the mushroom renders person
immune against the poison for mointS
or two.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

quirements. The reports of labor COM
missioners show that while the actual
number of minors who are wage-earn-
ers is increasing, the proportion as
compared with the adults is steadily
falling Off.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

Gen. Hull, chairman of the military af-
fairs committee of the lower house of
Congress, secured favorable report up
on measure introduced by him provid-
ing for the establishment of military
post at or near Des Moines. The com
mittee, in its report, says it is the policy
of the Government to abandon the. small
er posts on what has been known as the
frontier and to concentrate troops near
large centers of population and railroad
centers. This policy will be continued,
as the Indians are grouped on reserva-
tons and the necessity for small detach-
ments of troops to protect settlers disap-
pears. Des Moines is one of the great
railroad centers Of the West, having ten
roads, which, with their branches, reach
every part of the State and could be used
to transport troops to any point OIL the
Mississippi or Missouri river to protect
the great bridges across those streams.
The measure is also Endorsed by the War
Department officials, who have asked for
the establishment of fort near Des
Moines
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

He-"Miss Clara, ! have question to
ask you; although of ancient origin, 1t
is ever new, and
She-"Oh, never mind asking ii. /
was at minstrel show last week ~
Chicago News.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

A Western woman is suing the men,
bers Of mob for giving her husband
horsewhipping. She probably took
this action on the ground that they were
interfering with her prerogatives
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

The will of Thomas Calderwood, pro-
bated Mt Clinton, leaves $4,000 for char
liable purposes distributed rs follows:
Lyons Methodist Episcopal Church, 3d.
600; Rev. L. Dewitt Tnlmage, Washing
ton, $4,000, TO be used for missionary
work in Armenia and India, the same to
be held in trust by Mr.. Talmage and dis
posed of as he sees fit; Christian Home
Association, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 1000;
Lyons Library Association, $1,000; Aga
tina hospital, Clinton, $1,000; needy poor
of Lyons, $1,000; to Rev. G. Il. Manning
of Dewitt he left $1,000. Mr.. Calder
wood was bachelor, who died recently,
leaving an estate valued at about $780,
quo. He had no near relatives
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

1t is mean man who tells his chill
dren there is no Santa Claus just so he
can have the full credit himself for buy
ing few cheap toys.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

London Punch threatens to publish an
American edition. After this no one
can Justly accuse 1t of lack of humor
which appeals to the American mind.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

Coal is worth S125 ton at Cape
Nome. 1t isn't likely that they hunt
for the coal scuttles when the cats get
on the back fences in that neighbor-
hood
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

American clocks and watches are now
being shipped to every part Of the civ
ilized globe. The new century will see
the whole world regulated by Yankee
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

Raynor-I hear there is new baby
next door to you. Shyne-You don't
hear II half as often as ! do.-Chicago
Tribune.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

War nevertheless is all the profanest
historian ever called it. When the sol
diers are even doing nothing they are
killing time.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

puerto Rico," even with the Gov
eminent at Its back, is going to be hard
to popularlze.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

Britain Has the Tallest Soldiers.
The standard of height in the British
army is greater than in the army of any
other nation.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

A circus ostrich once made q meal
Of sauer kraut and fat pork, and died
within three days Of indigestion.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24

Briefly Defined.
Define divorce"
Its the interlude to rag-tlme mat
rimony.'-Chlcago Record.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-24
THE STATE OF IOWA.
OCCURRENCES DURING THE
PAST WEEK.

Army Post for Des Moines-costly Fire
at Iowa City-Fortnne Goes to Chari-
tics-An Anti-saloon Law Wanted
Found Dead in Well.