davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16
HAMILTON GORMEL.

Ruth Barnes, bright faced little girl
stood watching him handle the wea'
pom. The boy advanced toward the
girl and slowly raised the pistol to g
level with Ruth's head, at the same
time slowly pulling back the hammer
and taking steady aim at her. AS he
approached he said: II am going to
kill you."
The girl now realized her danger
and screamed, slowly backing into a
corner of the room, but at this instant
Leon pulled the trigger and the sharp
report was followed by the fall Of the
little girls body to the floor, the life
blood flowing from wound in her
temple. The parents of the Ray child
rem heard the pistol shot and rushed
into the room and found Leon calmly
surveying his victim. The sheriff was
notified Of the crime, and, despite the
tender age of Leon Ray, took the lat
ter in charge and placed him in Jail.
When asked for an explanation Of his
deed the boy refused to discuss it. He
has remained stubbornly silent, and no
motive can be ascribed for his crime.
The boy has always been cheerful and
five minutes before the crime he was
leading spirit in the children's
games.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

The mine workers met in Indian
apolis recently to arrange their scale
for the year, and to take such action
in connection with the mining indus
try as the situation warrants. The op-
eratives asked for an increase in the
rate of mining, recognizing the great
demand for their product, and believ-
ing that the operators will see the
necessity for compliance with the de-
mand. The mine owners also as
sembled, to be ready to submit such
suggestions as they may desire to the
workmen. with coal in demand the
world over, with no surplus in sight,
and with keen demand for even daily
supplies" said member of the Mine
Workers executive board, "it would
appear that an agreement will not be
hard to reach. There are certain
changes which the miners think it
necessary to have which may occasion
a little friction, but an amicable I'M
derstanding is hoped for"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

The American Tin Plate Company
is seriously hampered in its operations
at Mouessen, Pa, by the scarcity OF
carpenters.
The United Mine Workers, after
years Of effort, have succeeded in thor
cughly organizing the men in the
Maryland field.
1t is estimated that no less than
$4,000 men in the building trades at
st. Louis will be receiving substantial
advances in wages in the present year
Beginning January l, plumbers get
81 day. April /, bricklayers, carpen-
tiers, painters, bridge and structural
iron workers, roofers, fathers, plas-
terers and other trades will receive in
creases ranging from 10 to 40 per cent
over last years rates.
The minimum legal wage law is now
in force in the Colony of Victoria, Au-
stralia. Under the law, no employer
can offer an employe-nor can an en-
ploye accept-less than the stipulated
rate, which, of course, varies for diff
ferent occupations. For instance, jour-
neyman bakers must receive at least
20 cents an hour, while their appren-
tees must receive at least S1.50 per
week. Under the law the piecework
plan, of course, becomes imperative.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

Twenty-Five thousand French prison.
ers were taken by the German troops
at the battle of Sedan, in the Franco
German war, on the 31st of August,
1870, while on the following day, as the
result of the German victory, other So
900 French soldiers surrendered, to-
gether with 70 mitrailleuses, 400 field
pieces ard 1907 fortress guns. About
$4,000 French wounded were found ly-
ing on the battlefield and about 5000
escaped into Belgium and laid down
-aeir arms. On the 9th of October, in
e same year, Marshal Bazaine, after
1ghting and suffering several defeats
in the neighborhood of Metz, surren-
dered with his army, including Mar
shals Canrobert and LIE Boeuf, &C gen.
erals, about 5000 officers, and $4,000
men, including the Imperial Guard. 400
pieces of artillery, 100 mitrailleuses,
and SO eagles or standards.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16
AVOID DANGER.
Tho Danger of Catarrh OIntments That
Contain Mercury.


This journal, although more particu-
larly devoted to all that interests
finance, commerce and manufacture
ing, is nevertheless always awake to
the need and wants of its readers, let
the subject be what 1t may. We were
asked to investigate and report upon
the merits of the various catarrh reme-
dies on the market. The production
of preparations of injurious compost
ton cannot, unfortunately, be stopped
or restricted at present, or until our
state legislatures can be induced to
pass such suitable and stringent laws
as will effectually prevent their APP
pearance on the market. In the mean
time, the people must look out for
themselves. In this matter, we have
made most careful and painstaking
investigation, realizing the confidence
that would I've placed in our reply Our
medical staff employed to make such
Investigations were most favorably
Impressed with the preparation known
as Halls catarrh cure, manufactured
by F. ]. Cheney C Co. of Toledo, Ohio,
and agreed that this peerless remedy
deserves our highest Endorsement.
Many of the catarrh remedies on the
market contain mercury, which de-
stroys the sense of smell and deranges
the whole system when entering
through the mucous surfaces. From
analysis we found that Halls catarrh
cure contains no mercury. 1t is taken
Internally, acting directly upon the
blood and mucous surfaces of the sys-
tenn. We have no interest whatever
in this matter beyond faithfully serv-
Ing our readers, and as our indorse-
ment is extended without reward Of
any kind, and is wholly unsolicited by
this company, and will be received
with the full credence that all our
statements have met with for the past
eighteen years.-Southern Review Of
Cnm m prna
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

when l was about to embark from
San Francisco for the Philippines,
met an old friend from home, who
told me that my mother had died and
all my relations had left for unknown
parts. This news saddened me very
much. l had just made up my mind
that after one more voyage l would
return home. But this news caused me
to abandon the project altogether.
Since then l have wandered all over
the world, trading with natives, catch
ing gorillas, tigers and other wild
animals, and exploring the least
known parts Of the globe. have en-
tered the trackless forests of Borneo
and the darkest regions of the Dark
Continent. Nine years ago a dying
shipmate asked me to carry a message
from him to his poor old mother in
Dallas, Texas. He had left his mother
after a quarrel three years before.
Naturally l promised to carry out his
dying wish. I went to Dallas as soon
as I could manage it. There l became
interested in a ranch on the south
eastern border of Texas, just outside of
Lagarto, not far from Corpus Christi.
l put the few thousand dollars I had
into it and gave up the sea for ranch
ing. Three years later I sold 1t to
syndicate of Englishmen for $780,
900, making a great profit. l have
now another fine ranch of my own not
far from Catulla, on the line of the
International & Great Northern Rail-
way.
"A few weeks ago I received a ire
mendous shock. A Bridgeport paper
fell into my hands quite accidentally.
I glanced at it, and there read that
my mother, Mrs. ]. T. Gormel. was
visiting my sister, Immediately
wrote to them and learned at once
that they were really my mother and
sister, and both living in Bridgeport,
Just as they had done when l went
away. I had been living for fourteen
years under a cruel misapprehension.
My mother, strange to say, was SINH
larly mistaken as to my fate. She
read FIVE years ago that Hamilton
0ormel had died in Cleveland, Ohio,
hospital, and that he came originally
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16
AFTER MANY YEARS.
HAMILTON OORMEL CAME
HOME TO HIS MOTHER.
Both Believed Each Other Dead and
Gone-He Amassed Fortune and
by Accident Discovered That She Was
Still Alive.

Hamilton Gormel left his home in
Bridgeport, Conn, twenty-one years
ago. He was given up for dead, and
he believed that his parents were
dead. The other day he came back
home with large fortune, fell into
the arms of his old mother and gave
her check for $1,000. 1t all sounds
like fine, old-fashioned, whole-souled
Christmas story-one that Charles
Dickens himself could not improve
upon. Hamilton Gormel related his
own story to the writer:
AT the age of sixteen" he said,
II ran away from home, with wild
desire to have adventures and to make
a fortune. / had a good home, but,
like a good many other boys, was
restless and disconnected. Often and
often afterward 1 wished myself back
home again, but now at last 1 have
made a fortune and seen all the adj
ventures that any man could wish
for.
1T was dark and gloomy night in
November twenty-one years ago when
left the old homestead. / can re-
member it as if it were today. I went
away without saying a word to my
people. My first idea was to enter the
navy. did, in fact, make applica
ton to be enlisted, but was rejected.
Then | shipped on board vessel
bound for China. 1t was there that
earned the first dollar that I could
call my own. l exchanged some small
examples of Yankee ingenuity that l
carried with me and obtained for them
Oriental goods Of far greater value.
returned home with quite valuable
stock. l carried on the same busi-
ness in Samoa, where l went on my
second voyage. While I was there I
became quite intimate with Robert
Louis Stevenson. Fourteen years. ago,
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16
CHILD MURDERS CHILD.
Seven Year-Old 10y In Georgia
Shoots His Girl Playmate.

A seven-Year-Old 10y In Georgi,
Shoots His Girl Playmate.
The people of West Point are dis
cussing the horrible tragedy in which
Leon Ray, aged seven, shot and killed
his playmate, Ruth Barnes. The little
girl was at the home of the boys faith
err playing with several children there
among them Leon Ray. Brewer Ray
a leading citizen, resides a few mile!
away, and his home has long been 6
popular one with the children of thu
neighborhood, because Of its Cheerful
surroundings and the hospitality
shown the little ones when they visited
the place. In their games the children
romped into the sitting room of thu
house, and there Leon saw a big pisto
lying on the mantel. Without wore
he climbed on a chair and got the
pistol and then climbed down again
Seeing that he held the weapon, somt
Of the children became frightened ant
ran out Of the room screaming, but
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16
LABOR AND INDUSTRY
SOME NOTES OF INTEREST TO
UNION WORKMEN.
The A. II. of L. to Pass Upon All Boy
cotts-The Growth OF the Building
Trades Councils-Success of Free EN-
ployment OGices-IndustriaI Notes.


Ny feet are weared and my hands are
tired,
My soul oppressed
And with desire have | long desired
Rest-only rest.
IT'S hard to toil-when toll is almost vain,
In barren ways.
'Tis hard to sow and never garner grain
In harvest days.
The burden of my days Is hard to bear,
But God knows best:
And l have prayed-but vain has been
my prayer
For reSt-Sweet rest.
TITS hard to till, and when tbs titled, to
The autumn yield
IT'S hard to plant in spring and never
reap
Ger fruitless field.
And so | cry weak and human cry,
So heart oppressed;
And so l sigh a weak and human sigh,
For rest-for rest.
My way has wound across the desert
years,
And cares infest
My path, and through the flowing of hot
Ipine for rest
Twas always SO when still n child / laid
On mothers breast
My wearied little head-e'en then l
prayed,
AS now, for rest.
And I am restless still: twill soon DO
For down the west
LIES sun is setting, and l will see the
shore
Where 1 shall rest.
Father Ryan.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16
Idle workmen Scarce In Germany.

During the whole of last year in
Germany there was a large demand
for workmen, and in many branches il
was impossible to obtain as many
workmen as could have been employed
The deficiency was met partly by the
importation of Russian, Polish, Cali
clan and Bohemian workmen and part
ly by the introduction of mechanical
power. Even in small enterprises
motive force was widely adopted
Cases Of workmen being unable to find
employment were practically nil. No
considerable modification of the gen.
eral hours of labor occurred, though
the agitation for shorter hours was
kept up, together with movement for
the extension of the dinner interval to
one and half hours. In isolated in
stances the agitation proved successful.
Sunday rest was generally observed In
large enterprises, but I'M small under
takings the law was largely disregard
cd. There was slight general rise In
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

The Puerto Rican problem presents
some difficulties. Under the colonia
system Of Spain, the islanders enjoyed
certain commercial privileges, in send
ing their products to Spanish markets
which they have now lost without re-
ceiving any compromising advantage
from their connection with this coun'
try. The result has been great pow
erty and distress. If the products o.
Puerto Rico were to be admitted tt
our great markets free of duty, II
would please the islanders, but dis
please many of the tobacco and the
sugar-raisers who are afraid of this
competition. In these circumstances
the proposal has been made in Con.
gress to levy upon Puerto Rico goods
one-half of the regular rates of duty
Whether Congress has a right to levy
upon them any duty is much disputed
constitutional question.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16
The Story of a Song.

When the authorr received midnigh;
telegram which read, What is the low
est cash price for which you will sell
all rights to your words, When the
Troops March Home? We have set
them to music. Answer" he decided
that at last his fortune was made and
wrote in reply, Zone hundred dollars.
The publishers replied that they
could not think of giving him that
much cash down; but they would be
willing to give $50. The author would
not hear of it, go ahead and publish
song on royalty basis" They took him
at his word and at the end Of six
months they wrote, Enclosed pscase
find IA cents in stamps for royalty or
your song, When the Troops March
Home We wish you mighty we'l!"-
Atlanta Constitution.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16
Sea Ports.

The memory of man runneth not
oack of the time when seaport towns
ID cities did not exist, thrive and
..urish. There is a new and promls-
ing one growing up down south which
bios fair to soon enjoy great commerce.
1t is La Porte. at the head OF Gal
weston Bay on the gulf coast OF Iexas:
A magnificent natural land-locked
aarbor already exists and extensive
docks, wharfs and terminals are being
constructed. The government is to
deepen Galveston Bay, affording 26-
foot channel into the splendid fresh
water harbor bay Of San Jacinto. AS
Newport News is to the Atlantic coast,
md Duluth and Superior are to the
inland seas. so La Porte is to be to
20 south.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

In fine figure the greatest of Rom
an poets, Lucretius, paints the strug-
giles of warrior hosts upon the plain,
the CLEAN of FURNISHED arms, the fiery
wheeling of tho horse, the charges that
thunder on the ground. But yet, he
says, there is tranquil spot on the
far-off heights whence all the securing
legions seem as if they stood still, and
all the glancing flash and confusion
of battle as if it were blended in a
sheet of steady flame. So history
makes the shifting things seem fixed.
Posterity sees whole. With the
statesman in revolutionary times It
is not So Through decisive moments
that seemed only trivial, and by i'm
portant turns that seemed Indifferent
he explores dark and untried paths,
cropping his way through jungle Of
vicissitude, ambush, stratagem, expe-
dent; a match for fortune in all her
moods, lucky II now and again he
catches a glimpse of the polar star.
Such is the case of Cromwell. 1t Is
we'll to cherish what has been rightly
called history's serene and soothing
touch; but we may not forget the
torrid air of revolutionary times, the
binding sandstorms of faction, the
suspicious, jealousies and hatreds, the
distortions of mood and aim, the fierce
play of living passions, that put an
hourly strain of untold intensity on
the constancy, the prudence and the
valor Of a revolutionary leader.-John
Morley, in the Century.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

Spain has nobly vindicated in honor
and wisdom in deciding to renew and
maintain the treaty relationship;
which subsisted between thah country
and the United States before the war
Spain means, that is to say, to make
the best of it's altered circumstances
turning its face toward the light in
stead of sulking in the shadows.
''From the frying pan into the fire" is
one Of Spain's own proverbs, which
happily it does not intend to adopt as
its rule of conduct.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16
--..tIn1 the British Soldier.

70 guard against misfits the English
rcmy clothing stores make their uni
forms in no less than thirty-six differ
ent sizes. The stores at present en-
pioy over 1000 women making khaki
uniforms. Khaki is dyed cotton. but
what it is dyed with the government
officials themselves do not know. The
arm that discovered 1t keeps the secret
very much to itself.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

The strike of 100 marble workers
recently on the Western Methodist
Book Concerns new building in Chi
cago because the contractor would not
agree to use blocks cut in union fac
tories, has been approved by the
Building Trades Council. This ap-
proval of a sympathetic strike is likely
to tie up all the important buildings in
course of construction in Chicago. The
Chicago Building Trades Council is
composed of all the unions in the
building trades and has been in exist
ence 10 years. Its growth and success
have stimulated the formation of CEN
trail bodies in various cities of the
country on similar lines, until now
every city Of any prominence has its
council of building trades. Not salts
fed with local organization alone, tine
building crafts now have their national
council, which, though of late forma-
ton, bids fair in time to WELD po-
tent influence. The third session Of
the national body opened in Milwaukee
recently, with fair representation
from the locals which have become af-
filiated. All the unions connected with
the Chicago councils are enjoying the
eight-hour day and good wages. The
secretary Of the Chicago Building
Trades Council Is e. A. Davis, and to
him is given the main credit for the
success of the council. He is intelli-
gent and honest. and the thousands of
skilled mechanics of the western me-
tropolis place implicit confidence in
him.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

The Brazilian minister to the United
States has been endeavoring to encour-
age the importation into this countrv
OF Yerba mate or Paraguay tea, to take
the place to some extent of Chinese
tea. Yerba Mate is stimnlant used
generally throughout South American
countries. Most Americans who visit
Southern countries become fond Of the
brink, though 1t seems doubtful II It
will ever take the place Of tea in this
country. Our consul-general at Rio
Janeiro in a report to the state de-
partment recommends its use, how
ever, as an excellent stimulant and
nerve tonic. 1T is pre-eminently \
temperance drink" he says, land the
temperance societies in the United
States could do very useful work by
helping to popularize 1t. Yerba mate,
has all the stimulating and sustaining
qualities of Chinese tea or of coffee,
without the detrimental effect caused
by their constant and excessive usN-
affection Of liver and kidneys, irrita-
ton of the nervous system, etc.-and
It is very cheap. The great masses in
Uruguay and Argentine, including the
famous gauchos (cowboys) Of the
pampas, who drink it constantly in
stead Of water, tea or coffee, hardly
ever use alcoholic stimulants. Intoxi-
cation is rare occurrence there.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16
Kruger's and Napoleon's Little Joke

Kruger's and Napoleon's Little Joke.
Mr.. w. Bernard writes: your very
amusing story of an incident that took
place at one Of the informal gather
ings of the leading members of the
volksraad, at which President Kruger
corrected Gen. Joubert Ono, Piet, you
are longer, not higher, than / am,) Is
in all respects precisely similar to one
related of Napoleon and Marshal Mac
donald, with which was familiar for
ty years ago. am not quite sure that
1t was Macdonald, but no doubt the
recollection Of some Of your readers
may be clearer than mine upon this
point" 1t will be interesting II a CO.
incidence should be proved. The story
is so characteristic of Dom Paul thai
one can hardly doubt that 1t is correct
ly told of him.-London Chronicle
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

Who are injured by the use OF coffee.
Recently there has been placed in all
the grocery stores new preparation
called GRAIN-O, made OF pure grains.
that takes the place Of coffee. The most
delicate stomach receives 1t without
distress, and but few can tell 1t from
coffee. 1t does not cost over one-fourtn
as much. Children may drink 1t vita
great benefit Is cents and 25 cents
ser package. Try It. Ask for GRAIN-O.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

Four American steamers designed
for the Pacific trade are each to be 73(
feet long, with capacity of 22,00C
tons. Some of the builders say the
transpacific liners of the future will be
1000 feet long.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16
Honey Stopped the Clock.

A church clock in Harborne, near
Birmingham, England, was found to
have stopped on account Of bees
uwarming in 1t and filling the works
Sith honey. It took two days to get
the honey out. Another Yorkshire
clock was stopped by a bird, which
made a practice Of roosting on one Of
khe hands.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

Admiral Dewey has had all sorts oil
experience in boats, but something diff
ferent will come to him when he takes
that proposed trip over Chicago's all
mud route to the Mississippi.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

wages, which was, however, neutral,
lied by rise ia the price of food arti-
cles, especially meat, and in the cost
of rent. so that distinct improve
inent in the pecuniary condition of the
working classes could not be reported.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

Whenever the demand for kisses ex.
ceeds the supply young man is al
ways anxious to establish balance oil
trade.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

Should France and Germany inter-
vene in the Transvaal controversy the
act could not fail to arouse the Irish Of
Senator Hoar.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

If collision could be arranged be-
tween the one-eyed mountaineers Of
Kentucky and the three-card noun
taineers of Chicago, it would be worth
going miles to see.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

An individual whose ideas are vague
rs to mis- own duties usually has very
clear ideas as to the duties of his
neighbors.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16
A New Siege Train.

y siege train is being specially con-
structed for the purpose of assisting
troops in their attack on Pretoria. 1t Is
TO be armed with sixteen new six-inch
howitzers, each one capable OF throw
ing q fifty-pound lyddite shell
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

There are times when Jim crow cal
legislation savors strongly of Jackpot
craftsmanship.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-02-16

The man behind the red nose has
knocked out Alabama's proposed dis
pensary law