davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-02-16

that he broke up the camp meeting.
fIe was the first hereto in the west,
although the word was unknown in
that country then. He became famous
and was in demand. Wherever he trav
eled he had his bag of trained snakes.
and he waXed fat and became indie
pendent
Whenever there was any doubt about
the success Of any movement the word
was passed that Rev Bill Scroggins
should be summoned.
People in that section believed in
ghosts. as many more enlightened peo-
pie believe in them in this day. There
was one ghost which had done Il lively
business along the highway between
the county seat and river known to
this day as Bear creek 1t was the
horsemen over the highway until the
ford at Bear creek was reached. There
the chase stopped. The ghost never
crossed the stream.
When the fame of Rev. Bill Scrog-
gins had spread abroad. 1t was sug-
gested that he travel over the Bear
creek road and try his hand on the
spirit. Bill accepted the call. He
made number of Journeys before the
ghost materialized and there We're
people who began doubling the exist
ence Of the ghost. while others cited
Rev. Bill as one who could overcome
anything, and by that token he had
made the ghost take to the woods. The
community was equally divided.
However, the ghost showed up one
night in the midst of q storm and chal-
lenged Rev. Bill to ride for his life.
The snake ecclesiastic refused, and
there was contest in which Bilrs
horse was killed. and he was left afoot
The ghost got the bag of snakes and
escaped to the ford. where Bill over
took him on the following day, and the
contest was renewed The ghost I'm.
dertook to turn the snakes on Bill, but
they refused to act. Bill got possession
| of them and turned them on the spirit
They drove the spirit into Bear creek
and across it. and the spirit fled, anG
that was the end Of the ghost in thai
4 country.
1 Bill returned in triumph to the coun
ty seat and told the story. 1t was re
ceived with some doubt, but as years
slipped by and nobody was chased
people began to believe Bill, and apol
ogies came in rather late. But Bill wa
indicated Then he mysterionsly dis
appeared.
Some years later den of snakes wa
discovered in what is now Bates coun
ty. Mo-. the adjoining county on tn
south to Cass. and in this den was dis
covered the skeleton of man. In TIL
opinion Of many the skeleton was non
other than that Of Rev. Bill Scroggi..,
So we'll was his memory revered tina
1he bones were collected from tn
snake den. and when the first cour1
house was built in Cass county. 1t
said. they were placed In box unde
Z the cornerstone and were found ther
years after when the old COURTEOUS
s's demolished BROOKLYN Eagle.
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-02-16
Key, Zee, Kay.

Professor Skeat wishes to know when
the pronunciation of key as kee can
first be clearly detected. 1t occurs in
Milton. "Comus,' line 10
To lay their just hands on that golden key
That opes the palace OF eternity.
And a little later in Marvell's "Flec-
no."
Now as two instruments to the same key
Being tuned by art, if the one touched be.
The other opposite US soon replies.
These instances are curious, for both
before and after this time the prevail
ing pronunciation was evidently kay.
Herbert rhymes the word with way.
In THE Secrets of Angling" Q6l3)
culverlieys is rhymed with rays. In
Wither's mistress OF Phil'arete'
Q62o). key with day. Dryden. too and
Swift have the same pronunciation.
and not till come to Green's spleen
Q737) do l. after an hours search, find
the other. There pleas rhymes with
keys. This pronunciation must. how
ever. have become common soon after
ward
In Duncombes "Imitation of GraN'S
Elegy' it is rhymed With me. and Gar
rick RHYMES it with flea. which would
l suppose, he pronounced then as ii is
now. Mares. in his elements OF Or
thoepy'' dT64,. says of the diphthons
ey. sits s spr Should be !il
Of the eyer. Is
to il F1l
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-02-16
Mnusers and Lee-Enflelds.

The chief distinction between the
Mauser and the Lee Enfield is this
that while the Lee Enfield has a maya
zine which is inserted underneath the
body through the trigger guard and Sc
cured by Il catch and is provided with
what is called "cut Off to prevent
the cartridges from rising, SO that it
can be used as simple breechloader
for single firing until the magazine,
which contains ten cartridges, is order
ed to be used, the MauSer has Il maya
zine which. though not absolutely fix
ed, is only intended to be taken off for
cleaning. 1t does not need ''cut off,
to use as single loader.
The magazine contains five car
tridges, but whereas the cartridges
for the Lee Enfield have, when the
magazine is charged, to be each put in
separately, the magazine of the Maui
ser is filled at once by placing against
the face of the magazine a set of five
cartridges held in a clip which falls off
when the cartridges have been inserted
in the magazine.
Thus if each weapon were at the be
ginning of a fight empty, the Mauser
would permit of more rapid fire be
cause it could be loaded five cartridges
at time, while the Lee-Enfield would
take, cartridge by cartridge, as long to
load as a single breechloader On the
other hand, the times when very
rapid discharge Of fire is desirable are
| for thpSn tho
Enfield has ten cartridges ready
against the Mauser's tive.-Nineteentf
Century.
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-02-16
VANQUISHED A SPOOK
BILL scRoGGiNs DID 1T AND THEN
DISAPPEARED.

The singular History of Peculiar
Character Who Located Wells For
Missouri Farmers and JuEEled
with Trained Snakes
Rev. Bill Scroggins was character
in border county of Missouri in 1914.
How he acquired the ecclesiastical pre-
fix and what he did under the title
were stories which used to be told in
the farmhouses of what is now known
as Cass county
They said he had been snake
charmer when be was young man,
that he travelled about the country as Il
sort Of magician and that he showed
farmers with his divinlng rod where to
dig wells.
The people of what was then from
tier country assembled once year in
their respective communities and held
camp meetings. On one of these reli-
glous occasions Bill followed the crowd
with his bag of reptiles. The minister.
an old man whose face was like that of
q patriarch, told the story in a sermon
of Moses lifting up the brazen serpent
in the camp Of Israel under the com
mand of Jehovah. The Missouri farm
err who used to entertain travellers with
the recital said that the congregation
was not particularly moved by the APP
peal, but after its delivery Bill Scrog-
gins got up and announced that he had
a bag of real, crawling, kissing reptiles
which he would exhibit after dinner
just outside the camp ground, and he
claimed that he would show the people
some snake tricks which would beat
the Mosaic story they had just heard.
In spite Of the protest Of the minister
the people turned out to the live snake
show, and Bill gave them an exhibition
which was a great success. 1t is said,
or it used to be said, that there wasn't
snake trick which Bill Scroggins'
serpents didn't do. When the exhibit
ton was over, Bill told the people that
he was a sort of missionary himself in
connection with his business of locat
ing wells and that he would call on
each member in the evening and advise
with them as to their spiritual and
worldly wants
When he called, his first question
was, "Have you got well?" If the
reply was in the negative, and wells
were scarce, Bill informed the membe
that he must have one located, ant
then he opened his bag Of snakes ant
as they began crawling Bill lifted VI
his voice and called the people to re
:pentance. He told them the, snake
would do no harm If they (the people
would give him the job Of locatin
wells.
1t was a tax on human belief. bu
the Missourian who told the stor
youched for the truth Of his assertio
that the people gave Bill more order
than he could fill in one season an
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-02-16
and Fills the World With HEALTH Jov and Hardness
constipation-Rheumatic Iritis.

~, - Omaha Neb, August
MIR b. MOSES, MGR, Nebraska Oxygenor Co., Omaha, Neb
Dear Sir-For the with
which affected whole body
sm lrs less than bills
benefit except momentary relief - - "
During the
was friends to try your Perfected King
d with the result that after
work and am in health after weeks
year. cured
senor Will effect of rheumatism
Yours truly JP HANNAHER HOS 18th St
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-02-16
aeaxen Twice Eonna-

Now she suffers him to print kiss
upon her brow.
This is heaven" he says
Two wears pass now. His baby has
just ceased crying.
This is heaven" says he
Here we see how a mans ideals
change with the lapse of time.-Detroit
Journal.
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-02-16

1t has been calculated that the loss
of work in the year. or 21la per cent of
the work dane by the whole population
between u and e. years OF age
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-02-16
Too Much Time Wanted.

IF You will get my new suit done by
Saturday" aid customer to Il tailor.
"I'll be forever indebted to you"
"If that's your game" replied the
tailor "the clothes will not be done at
all"-Oho State journal.
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-02-16
Testimonials from Everywhere Soma from Near 4om6

I6SbllOlldS liUl Dl0IyMlbfO SOlD llUHl Nbdi 'UilO
the Doctsrs.Cured by the Oxygenor in Weeks
Council
Co. Omaha. Neb
enemen grateful for the of being able
publicly heartfelt OF the benefits derived from
your wonderful The Oxygenor.'
suffered months
en weeks ) OF
prevailed and able
walk about three Well
by the have rlt better enjoyed life than
have before cannot highly the oxyseo
would whout
under Very Sincerely Yours
b MILLER, 1913 South Main St
Powerful Endorsement by Judge arndey OF Omaha.
Neb, May 9, 1890
To THE NEBRASKA oxYGENos Co, Omaha Neb:
Ito
had the
md shotd
medicine should remedy About the
pains which
from her she called
we'll
olowng had left and she
during the
not
she has
during nothing but
entitled full credit for having cured her
could begin supply them
fast would want them Yours respectfully
L. H. 5l9 Paxton Block
health
constitution That the first thing nothing precedes In the atte
that should first thoughts not his ability
health the all
Abilities bring health but health and generally does
develop ability
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-12-20
WILL FIGHT TIE UANTEEN.
mine to Keep Up Work For
House Provision.

Washington, Dec. pa conference
Of church and temperance bodies fay-
oring the anti-canteen section of the
army bill was held here today. The
bodies represented by delegates or
communications We're the permanent
committees OH temperance in the
Presbyterian churcl4 in the United
States, the Methodist Episcopal
church, the Evangelical Lutheran
church. the Disciples of Christ. the
Uniyeralist church. the Friends, the
National Women's Christian Temper
ance union, the National No1i-Parti-
san Women's Christian Temperance
union. and the national division Of
the Sons Of Temperance OF North
America Representatives of the Bap-
fist and Congregational churches and
Independent Order of Good Tempiars
participated as individuals.
Mr. James l.. Ewing, chairman of
the national committee on legislation
of the American Anti-Saloon league,
was elected chairman of the confer
ence and Rev. E. G. Dinwiddie, legis-
latiYe superintendent of the Anti-Sa
loon league, and Mrs. Margaret Dye
Ellis, legislative superintendent of
the Women's Christian Temperance
union, submitted reports of their
work. Mr. Dinwiddie subsequently
said in part:
'.The conference held today indi-
Gated that the bodies represented,
having constituency of about 6,000-
600, Will not be content with any
compromise such as has been report
ed by the subcommittee of the senate
committee on military affairs, but will
insist on the anti-canteen provision
as it passed the house. 1t is not true
that we are opposed to the post ex-
change system We believe in it and
desire to have it extended and i'm
proved. but we are opposed to the
sale of beer and other intoxicating
liquors in the canteen section of the
exchange"
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-12-20
SPANISH TREATY PAID ASIDE.
Vote on the Hay Pauncefote Treaty May
Occur In Senate Today.

Washington, Dec. 20.-The execu-
tive session of the senate Wednesday
demonstrated that the discussion of
the Hay-Pauncefote treaty by that
body is practically exhausted and
that the senate is ready for the vote,
which has been fixed for today.
When. upon Senator Lodges motion,
the doors were closed and he called
up the treaty no senator eyinced de
sire to speak upon it.
Without making any special request
for speakers, Mr.. Lodge asked the
senate to take up the treaty with
Spain, providing for the cession to
the United States of the Philippine
islands. of Sibutu and Cagayan Zulu
and their dependencies, in considera-
ton of the payment to Spain of $780,
600 Objection to this request was
made by several senators, including
Messrs. Hoar, Wellington and Bacon.
and Senator Lodge. with the hope of
removing the objections made, went
into brief explanation of the terms
of hte negotiation.
Senators Hoar and Bacon said they
should like to have more time to con-
slider the question and Senator Wei
lington made unqualified objection.
Accordingly the treaty was laid
aside for the time being.
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-12-20
FOR BouTELLE,s RETIREMENT.
Senate Passed the House Bill Placin,
Him on Naval Retired List.

Senate Passed the House Bill Placing
Him on Naval Retired List.
Washington, Dee. 20.-The senate
passed the house bill authorizing the
president to appoint Representative
Charles A. Boutelle, of Maine, to be
a captain of the United States on the
retired list. without opposition. 1t
was expected that the president will
approve the resolution and in accord
ance with the authorization, nominate
him as Il captain on the retired list
of the navy. Mr.. Boutelle is a mem
Der of the present house of repre-
sentativcs and a member-elect of the
next house.
1t was assumed that he will resign
his membership in the house and thus
open the way for his retirement in
accordance with the provisions of the
resolution.
Aside from the transaction of some
routine business and the passage of
II private pension bills the senate did
nothing of Importance in open SEES
sion.
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-12-20
Dead Bodies shipped.

Bedford, Pa. D c. 20.-The body Of
A. Speer Metzgar who killed his
wife and committed suicide at Hope
well. was shipped to his brother in
Newark, N j. The body of Elsie
Dinsmore Metzgar was shipped to
her mother, Mrs Lillian Carruthers.
at North Towanda, n. Y.
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-12-20
To Prevent Prizefights.

Chicago, Dec. 20.-Mayor Harrison
revoked all permits for prize fights
issued prior to the passage of the
anti-fight ordinance by the city council
Monday night The mayors action
puts an end to stories that no would
not approve the new law.
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-12-20
Funeral of Mrs. Briee'

Lima, O.. Dec 2o.-The funeral of
Mrs. Calvin S. Brice took place from
West Market Street Presbyterian
church here. The serves were con
Quoted by Rev. Robert J. Thomson,
pastor of the church, assisted by Dr..
Thomson, formerly president of the
Miami university. who also delivered
an address at the funeral of Senator
Brice
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-12-20
CHANGES IN ARMY BILL.
Senate Committee May Report Their
Measure Today.

Washington, Dec. 20.-A sub-com-
mittee of the senate committee on
military affairs completed its work
on the new army bill sent over from
the house. 1t drsw up new bill,
retaining much of the language of
the house bill, but making many
changes. The new measure was re-
ported to the full committee at p.
m, was approved and will be report
ed to the senate today.
The house eanteen provision was
amended so as to permit the sale of
beer at the canteens. This exception
was made by emitting the word
beer from the prohibited articles.
Senator Harris made an effort TO have
the canteen provision extended to the
city of Manila, so as to prohibit en-
tirely the sale of liquors in that city,
bu failed.
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-12-20
DHLFIpORE / OHIO Z. 3.

~ Passenger trains will leave fair
mont as follows, on and after Sun
day, May 20, 1900,
WEST BOUND.
No. Through Passenger .............. SOB A. N
No. Limited Mail .,,....,......... 7.06 d"
No. 55-Through ...... 7:25 P. NJ
No. 47--Wheeling and Cumberland Ac-
commodation. ...... ego P. "
EAST BOUND.
No 8-Througn Passenger...........,-.. 3l9 a. N
No. 72-Wheeng and Cumberland Ac-
commodation $50. ......... 1915 AN.
No 46-Through Express 122
No. Mail and Express. SIS P. IA
All trains stop at Fairmont.
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-12-20
WON AGAINST HAYES HEIRS.
Due TO Annuity to an Insane Man Being
stopped.

stopped.
Columbus. O.. Dec. 20.-The SUI
preme court has affirmed the judg-
ment in the lower courts in the case
of Rutherford Platt Hayes ct al and
Scott Il. Hayes ct al. VS.. James Hunt,
administrators The decision necessi-
tates the sale of Spiegel Grove, the
home of former President Rutherford
r. Hayes, at Fremont, O.
The property was willed to the late
president with a provision that an
annuity should be paid to an insane
uncle. At the death of the ex-presi-
aent the annuity was stopped. The
administrator of the uncle sued the
Hayes heirs and has won the suit
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-12-20
Union Improvement Go.
SupplierS Of Natural Gas & Water.
PLUMBING And GAS FITTING

All VINO contemplate having plumb
ine or gas fitting doneshould consider
that little saving in first cost is not
always economy. We buy our goods
at first hands, strictly for cash. We
have expert plumbers and will guar
antee all work, at prices as low as
consistent with tirst-class material
and workmanship, We will be here
to protect our work as long as gas
lasts and people use water
This Is point worth considering.
Remember everything first class and
work guaranteed to be according to
the most approved sanitary regula-
tinns
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-12-20
WelSbach Lights Reduced to St.G

Large mica chimneys Acc extra We
are the only authorized agents for
the genuine .sWelsbach. +" All other
incandescent lamps are infringements.
$500 reward for the conviction of
any one selling spurious burners as
"W"
The colored American., 1900-10-20

So Richard B. Harrison was called upon
for a recitation. Richard, too, had
caught the fever. He had been fnocu-
lated with the virus of the eloquence
that had sjust preceded him. He re-
cited Paul Laurence Dun bars "P ahty;"
and he put his whole soul into the
work. At its conclusion he was SO
uproarously applauded at he re-
sponded with that tendere { all dia-
.ect poems, "When Mal' Y Sings"
Not even Paul himself CO, d have read
it better. Tenderly, sweetly, In that
own winning way so peculiar TO Dick,
he stole through the poem TO find at It's
conclusion that tears were standing on
the lids Of mony masculine eyes.
WILLIAM A. MORAN.
In the COnservator.
The colored American., 1900-10-20

Atlas with the world on his back.
R. a. J. Shaw was the first man
called upon Suave and graceful, he
did much to tighten the burden. He re-
sponded to the toast, "Our Guest" +"
That gentleman he found in the south
land, where the magnolia mods its head
in unison to the babbling of brooks,
and when he brought him North and
landed him among the rustic and
hustle of Chicago, and finally IN the
chair at the head Of Freedmen's Hos.
pltal, he not only covered himself with
glory, but put every man in the room
on his mattle. Throats were cleared,
heads were raised and eyes sparkled
With q new interest. Bob had set the
pace.
After one or two other gentlemen had
been called upon, T. ThomRs Fortune
was asked to respond to the toast, "Su-
premest Moments" Gaunt and erect,
his hair standing straight up like a
bush, his eyes splitting fire. and hls
bony index finger beating time to his
The colored American., 1900-10-20

impassiOned eloquence, he told the
gentlemen about him what were his
"supremest moments" His supremest
moments, he said, came with every
opportunity to strike blow in defense
Of his people, and he meyer let one pass.
Every time he reached out he landed
hard blow full and square on vulrer-
aoie spot of the enemy. The big Injun,
Hoop-ls TilImsn, with his many tined
Di chfork, came In for scoring about
ss severe as was ever poured out upon
the head Of man. His De KaIb speech
was noticed, and, for that matter, bis
impudent audacity along every lire con-
sidered as only Thomas Fortune can
consider 1t. Trembling and much over
wrought from his effort, he sat down
amid tremendous applause.
J. Madison Vance spoke Of Chicago
from southerner's point OF view. He
likes Chicago, likes the atmosphere, the
hustle and get there of the people.
DR.. George G. Hall wac called upon
to respond to the toast, "Aspirati0n."
DR.. Wesley was asked to speak, and
then Harry c. Smith, of the Cleveland
Gazette, WAS requested to speak 30 the
toast, "'The Joys OF Journalist
II Mr.. Fortune bad been striking and
eloquent, if Mr.. Fortune haG been inn
passioned and pleading In his manner,
Mr.. Smith, if possible, Was more 80.
His words flowed from his lips smooth
and red hot, burning themFelves IN the
brain of every man about him. He
took the present. past and future of the
Negro and told how he thought their
great problem could In q measure be
solved. Not by Crumpacker bill, ne
said, but by the intelligent Negroes
unifying their interests so that they
could make of themselves a bulwaTk
that would be strong enough to protect
the ignorant, bulwark that could
stand for all time against the dashlng
waves of the tempestuous enemy. HE
greatest joy, he said, lay in advising
his people, as best he could, how TO at
| tain that end.
The speech-making was now over.
The colored American., 1900-10-20
To Contributors and Correspondents.
In the COnseTvator.

The demand for space In The Col
ored American at this time is very
great, and 1t is not always convenient
60 print everything that is sent. The
COlOTed American is a national and
not local newspaper and it endeavors
to cover the whole country and not
any one particular part OF It. COntri-
butOrs and cOrregp pOndents whose mat
ter Is sometimes ON tilted in one issue
may look for 1T II the next, pro-
vided said matter Is acceptable. 1t is
not necessary to write long and abusive
letters to the editor and demand to
know why such and such an article
was not published. In matters OF this
kind, however, the largest complaints
come from those who want the biggest
share OF space but whs, as agents, cell
the fewest number of copies. A little
patience and consideration on the part
Of our contributors will save lots OF
worry, and s. little effort on their part
to get new cash subscribers and send
in the cash, will make lots of sunshine
for the printer and the box ONCE VIII
flourish like q green bay tree"
The colored American., 1900-10-20

voice announcing the purpose of the
gathering, his tall, striking figure OUT
lined against the white curtains, as a
background, his genial face beaminC
with smiles, not even he was able to
drag the entertainment from beneath
It's heavy spell. The gentlemen pushed
their chairs back and prepared to lis
ten, their faces lit up With dull smiles
In fact the air was surcharged with a
strange interest. 1t was felt by every
one in the room. Each man was sn