davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

covered with webbing, so that 1t can swim
through the water. 1t suckles its young
like a mammal and 1t bores in the earth
like mole. 1t is usually found along tho
fresh water streams Of Tasmania and Vic
toria. 1t lives in little tunnels. one Of the
openings Of which is below the water and
the other in the land Above It. The platy-
pus has two doors to Its house, one Of which
leads 1t into the stream. and the other out
into the ocean. Its nest is in the tunnel.
half wav between the two. Here 1t lays and
matches its young, laying two eggs for each
setting and sitting on them as birds do.
The fur Of the platypus is very beautiful.
although the animal Is so scarce that 1t Is
hardly an article Of commerce. have a
skin about twelve inches wide by eighteen
inches long, which cost me 81. The fur is
as soft and smooth as moleskin. but the
bill and legs are as hard as horn The skin
Is sometimes used to mako rugs. q good
platypus rug being worth at least s125. The
platypi feed upon small water insects, shell
fish. beetles and vegetable particlss They
are sometimes speared by tho blacks, and
the whites sometimes catch them with
night lines.
Where the Mermaids Come From.
Some Of the Queerest things Of this con-
tinent are found along the coast You can
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

see penguins on some Of the islands of the
far south. and the big-billed pelican is COM
mon. especially in the coral reefs of
Queensland. There are also seals. and q
sort Of sea COW. which excited great interest
some years ago on account of it's likeness to
the fabulous mermaid. In the first days
Of Austr s1a q fisherman who was one Of a
party collecting beche de mer off North
Queensland imagined he saw some of these
wonderful creations. half-woman, half-fish.
He came running to the boat. saying that
he had seen a party of mermaids lying
among the sea grass rolling about and dis
porting themselves. One Of them had raised
her head and shoulders out OF the water and
looked at him. He was so terrified that he
had fled to the ship as fast as his legs could
carry him. Later on the men discovered
that the supposed mermaids were the AUS
tralian dugongs. the mothers of which con-
stantly hold their young to their breasts.
and while so doing look not unlike the ira
ditionai mermaid.
The dugong is somewhat like a porpoise.
It has a smooth half round body, broad,
fat tail and two anterior fippers which are
short, thick and feshy. It's head has a
rounded muzzle and the mouth Of the male
has projecting tusls. When grown the du-
gong Is from eight to ten feet In length, but
1t sometimes attains to as much as twelve
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

attacks the sheep to such an extent that
bountles are given for dingo scalps. The
animal is sort Of . cross between
hyena ana dog. It is in fact q genuine
dog, but wild one with curious habits
It does not bark nor growl like an ordinary
dog, but simply howla It Is a skulking,
sneaking animal as cunning as a fox. 1t
has a good scent and will track its prey
for miles It breeds in holes in the rocks
and in hollow trees and lives on such anil
mails as 1t can find.
The dipgo is caught BY the blacks and
tanned and used for hunting. Tho whites
hunt tho dingo. They have no friendship
for him and shoot him on sight. One Of
the sports Of Australia Is dingo hunting.
the dingo being chased just as the fox Ia
chased in England. On the great sheep
ranches men arc employed to defend tho
focks from these animals. They use pol
son. injecting strychnina into leg Of NUT
ton. which Is then hung from branch ct
. tree 30 near the ground that the digoes
can reach 1t. The result 10 that day or
30 later their distorted and distended
forms blown up by the poison are to be
seen lying scattered about under the NUT
ton.
Queer Australiaa Birds.
wish I could show you some of the ODD
birds OF Australia Tho continent has more
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07
0GISTS INTERESTED in CAt0KA MOUND NEAR MADISON I'LL
An Effort to Have the State LegiS
lature Make Appropriation
for It's Purchase Is
Being Made.

IN the United States-many say in the worid
its history IS regarded with the greatest
interest. Its purchase by the State and It's
subsequent exploration by authorized SCI
entists mag SET at rest the theories as to
objects OF the mound builders. who evi-
IDENTIFY spent many years in past ages erect
Ing the vast heaps of earth.
The mound itself is rather ar imposing
structure. fronting due south. and with a
profile sIantins down towards that end.
due TO the summit being ,srracsd towards
the south The peculiar arrangement ot.ths
summit. with an elevated TABLETOP earth at
one end. is believed to portend some re-
ligious purpose in its construction.
All around the central mound are smaller
mounds. Some ~ which are ccnfcal and 9th.
ers square Some of these have been opened
and numerous relics discovered. but as
many are 200 feet square. even the smallest
have not been thoroughly explored. The
land in the neighborhood ia largely under
cultivation. and many of the smaller
mounds have been planted their sides
aud submits with corn.
Both Professor Putnam and Professor
Smith are expected In this neighborhcod In
the course of the summer. Professor Put.
nam Is curator of the Peabody Museum OF
Harvard University and curator of the
American Museum of Archaeology In New
York, and Professor Smith is assistant
curator Of the latter institution.
They will be assisted in their work about
the mound by David ]. Bushnell. Jr.. OF
this city. well-known amateur archasolo-
gist, who was graduated from Smith Acad.
envy in 1895. and attended the Washington
University here.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

feet. 1t is sort OF a sea COW. tho animals
associating in herds Of from half a dozen
to forty. They swim about in little colonies.
the females being more numerous than the
males. The mother dugongs cry like human
beings when nursing their babies, and It Is
probable that the dugong which posed as a
mermaid was nursing at the time she took
In the sailor.
These dugongs are chiefly found in the
tropical waters about the north coast. The
natives hunt them under the superintend-
ence Of Europeans. They chase them in
boats or bark canoes, speartng the cows
with harpoons. to which long lines are at
tached. The best place to strike Is through
the tail. This causes the dugong to en-
tangle itself in the line, and by means Of
a second spear 1t Is dispatched.
The blacks are very fond OF dugons flesh.
They cook 1t and eat 1t. boiling down the
fat for the oil, which has medicinal value
bringing as much as S. per gallon The
hides are worth about 10 cents pound, and
the large tusks of the male about rs cents
a pair.
The wild Dogs Of Australia.
Every Australian knows the dingo and
despises him. This is the name Of the
wild dog of the country. It is found every
where. and it is everywhere hunted. It
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07
Largest Earthwork Known to
Scientists viii Be Further Ex-
plored by Professors Put
nam and Smith
wn,7rt,N ron THE SUNDAY prrunL1c.

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY RRFuBiic.
Archaeolog;sts have aroused public interest
IN a movement; recently set on foot. 20 pre-
serve the famous Cahokta Mound of Madi-
son County. Illinois, the largest artificial
earthwork in the United States. by means
OF private purchase or State appropriation.
Harlan l. Smith. assistant curator Of the
American Archaeological Museum. is ex--
pected hers shortly from New York In the
interests of the movement.
Archaeologists of The country are anxious
20 see the mound purchased by State ap-
preparation on account of the general inter-
est taken In the mound and its historical
value. Many relies Of former American
races have been preserved by public pur-
chase In other States. including the Serpent
Mound and Fort Ancient of Ohio. but the
Cahokia Mound has as ye, remained open
to dissertation
The mound lies near the Collinsville road
six miles northeast Of East ST. Louis. and
near the border line of Madison and st.
Clair counties. 1t is midway between the
river and the Illinois Bluffs and is rectang,,
feet wide. with an average height of 100
feet. Exactly who were the builders of the
mound IL unknown. but IT is believed that
exploration in its depths Will reveal many
matters most important to the archaeolog,-
cal history Of tho country.
That tho mound is centuries old IS regard
ed a. certain. as is the fact that 81 was once
the center OF prosperous settlement. All
around the central mound arc small cree
lions to tho number Of fifty. none OF which
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07
VIEW OF oAHoK1A MOUND, FROM THE EAST: :

railroad has been laid along the county
road which passes within a few yards OF
the mound, and enterprising vandals have
already begun to cast longing eyes on the
earthwork as a center for amusement prof.
ects. The construction of lake at its base
and the erection OF chute the-chutes" ar
rangement on Its sides is one Of the latest
propositions advanced.
To prevent any such disflguring Of the
mound as this. is the object of the move
ment stirred up by prominent archaeologists
and scientists. Professor F. w. Putnam of
Harvard University has already visited the
mound and written a monograph upon 1t
and is expected here this summer to make
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

however. possess any distinguishing charac-
teristic which would enable scientists to
deduce what generation or race of mound
builders was responsible for their being.
Examinations OF the soil In the neighbour
hood have resulted in the discovery Of
thousands Of flint implements and OF earth
enware vessels in fragments. seeming ia
indicate that the mound was once inhabited
as fort or that its erectors banqueted
there.
Its immense size has heretofore prevented
any careful examination being made of its
interior. the difficulty OF exploring It being
increased by the fact that It is heavily tim,
bered on the summit. Recently an electric
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

by uncivilized trines can be imagined. I.
must have taken the combined efforts OF
hundreds Of men for many months to erect
such a vast heap OF earth. and It is recog-
nizei that some strong purpose must have
impelied them to the task.
Several years ago party of scientists
obtained permission to run shaft into the
side of the mound. and several finds OF
relics were made which proved of interest.
No official report was made of the under
taking. however. and as the shaft merely
ran along the surface for about fifty yards
with depth of only few feet. 1t is
thought that the main portion of the mound
will certainly contain finds OF great value
The fact that absolutely nothing is known
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

further Inspections. It is believed that SUI
flcient interest can be aroused to induce the
Illinois Legislature to act in the matter.
Several years ago Professor Putnam ex-
amined the mound carefully and reported
his discoveries to the Peabody Museum, OF
which he is n curator. He stated that the
mound was probably built for defense. or
as place where members Of a tribe could
retire at night to be above the malarial
mists arising from the river.
Many cling to the belief that religion
had something to do with such a colossal
work. It is estimated that the mound con-
tains over 100000 cubic yards of EARTH
and the work of building such q mountain
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

ABOUT the builders will make the eyp'ora-
ton OF the mound OF great interest. prom
Using. as 1t does. TO reveal something Of
curious and unknown people. Work on
mounds in Minnesota was carried on last
summer by party. in which was David 1.
Bushnell. Jr.. OF st. Louis and finds IN
the various mounds proved conclusively
that the Sioux tribe or their ancestors had
built the mounds.
The proof consisted of relics easily traced
down to the present generation OF Sioux. Of
nints and vessels modelled after the Sioux
fashion and Of various human bones and
remnants which were proved to belong
originally to members Of that tribe.
As it Is the largest artificial earthwork
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07


70 Killed FOR 4ts skin. as are many other
varieties. There IN great demand for
kangaroo leather for bags. shoes and other
things. and quite a lot is yearly exported
to the United States. The musk kangaroo
Ii 80 small you can put it in your pocket
There is . kangaroo. which looks like a
rabbit. known as the hare kangaroo, and
another like an enormous rat, which ia
called the rat kangaroo.
This Animal Lays Eggs.
The eggs Of the United States are laid by
fowl. fish. tortoises and reptiles. Down here
there Il curious little beast which pro.
duces it, young in this way. Have you ever
heard Of the platypus? 1t is the connecting
link between the mammals. birds and rep
tiles. having some features common to ALL
1t has bill like duck, and its feet are
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

have her own way. she viii never marry
any one. It really looks now. though. az
IL the royal minds that rule the Prince and
Princess were seriously considering the
marriage question. and their fates are likely
to be settled almost any day.
Princess Victoria Il signing for ca
reer. and Prince George says he il heartiiy
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

tired Of being Governor Of Crete, and
wishes the Powers would ind some one
else who likes Crete better than he does.
One Of the things that has reconciIed the
Princess to suggested bridegroom Is the
fact that he holds high ofnciaI position,
where his consort would fnd ample oppor-
tunity for almost any sort Of career she
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07
nounced.

chose. II Prince George insists On retiring
to the senaiobscurity that was his before he
went to Crete. the official ,matchmakers
may have much trouble in convincing the
Princess as to her duty. for Victoria Is
said to have all the win power that her
royal father possesses.
In the eyes Of the world The two people
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07
is announced.

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
Gossip e again busy with the nuptial
plans Of Princess Victoria OF Wales and
Prince George Of Greece. It Is doubtful II
ever Princess set the world matchmaking
as has this one. and to make this all the
more interesting. It Is said on fairly good
authority that. Il Victoria. Of Wales can
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

most interested would make 4 most iucon-
gruous pair. Prince George Is Of the typo
Of jolly good fellows who want to 20
through life as II 1t was a perpetual fete..
Princess Victoria Is Of decidedly serious
mold, and takes to the gayeties Of life less
than almost any other Of the Kings chill
dren
New-York tribune., 1901-10-28
RA-NINED IN HE'LL GATE.
FERRYBOATS SIDE CUT DOWN BY
UNKNOWN STEAMERS PROV.

The ferryboat College Point run into and
badly damaged while passing through He'll Gate
at I O'Clock last night. The name of the vessel
which was in collision with her had not been
learned by the ferry authorities late last night
Captain Hudson. of the College Point said il
was one of the fleet which plies between New
York and points on the Maine coast He
thought It was either the North Star or the
Lloyd.
Captain Hudson's story is that all went we'll
until he near Hogs Back. at Wards
Island. He at that point met the steam
er with which the ferryboat was after
ward in collision. He says he blew one
whistle and sheered off as far as the limited
space and the strong current would admit. He
says the approaching vessel paid no attention
10 his signal and did not answer He kept on.
and then. seeing the other was not altering her
course nor paying any attention 70 his signal.
he rang TO stop and back and blew the alarm
whistle
Still there was no response. and Captain Hud-
son as serts that the other kept on at fair speed
until almost on top of him. Her prov hit the
College Point just forward of the paddle wheel
and cut through guard and overhang until
within a foot of the waterline. The College
Point listed badly under the blow and the pas
sengers on board rushed about screaming and
hunting for life preservers. They were mostly
persons used to riding the line and realized
the danger resulting from the fact that they
We're In almost the worst part of He'll Gate.
They were quickly calmed by the crew Of the
ferryboat, and quick examination Of the hull
was made 1t was found that. although only a
tew inches separated the hole from the water.
none was flowing into the hold. The ramming
vessel backed out quickly-so quickly that Cap
tain Hudson thinks she must have been run
ming at full speed astern and carried into
his vessel by the headway attained before the
reversal. As soon as clear she ranged along
side and asked if aid wanted On hearing
the report that no water was being taken in
Captain Hudson replied there was no danger.
and the vessel al once proceeded down the iIVer
toward port. The College Points crew shifted
everything movable the sound side of the
boat and with a resulting list she made her
way to College Point. where she tied up.
New-York tribune., 1901-10-28
IN THE PHILIPPINES.
INSURGENTS SEVERELY PUNISHED IN
PANAY-GooD NEWS FROM CEBU.

Manila. Oct 27.-The constabulary report a
fight with insurgents near Passi. Province Of
noilo. Island Of Panay in which twenty-five in
surgents were killed and three captured. to-
gether with a quantity Of arms and ammuni-
ton.
The news from General Hughes regarding
conditions in the island Of Cebu is encourag-
ing. Lorega has surrendered with his entire
force and one cannon and seven rifles. while
General Hughes is negotiating for the surrender
OF Maxilot. who styles himself Governor Po-
litico-Militar" His surrender will mean the
pacification of the province.
Dispatches from Cathalogan. Samar, say that
stringent and energetic measures are being
taken 10 suppress the nsurrection in that island.
General Smith has given notice 10 all the presi-
dentes and head men OF the puebos that III
order To avoid trouble they must surrender all
arms and turn over the persons implicated in
the Balangiga massacre before November g.
threatening that otherwise the presdentes will
be sent TO the island of Guam. the villages de-
stroyed and the property coniscated. Marines
under Major Littleton ". T Waller have been
stationed at Balangiga and Basey. and ten gun
boats are vigilantly patrolling the Samar coast.
Most of the towns in the southern part of the
island have been destroyed.
Naval Cadet Loveman Noa commanding the
gunboat Mariveles, who had gone ashore at
Nipa-Nipa, South Samar. 10 prevent smuggling,
was attacked by the insurgents. He lost his
revolver. and was shot and boloed.
Lack Of food and the harassing effects of the
aggressive tactics now pursued by the Ameri-
can forces are having their influence upon the
natives In many places where rice is doled
out by the government only enough is given
for one meal. so that it is hardly possible for
any large quantity to find its way 10 the in
surgents.
It is believed that the recent manifestations
in the island of Samar chiefly due 10 the
lack Of food the insurgents finding IL neces-
sary 10 make outlets the coast in order 10
obtain this.
The first labor problem growing out OF the
new tariff has arisen. a hat and umbrella fac
tory. employing six hundred hands. has found
II necessary 10 close. The lawyers are making
a protest 10 the commission, urging protection,
as the same goods from Germany can he sold
at half the price IL takes TO manufacture them
here.
New-York tribune., 1901-10-28
FIGHT WITH 4 DESPERATE
WOUNDED BY OFFICERS. HE STEALS \
HORSE AND FLEES TO THE WOODS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE J

Nashville Tenn OCT. 27.--Ar attempted arrest a
fight between suspect and several officers. the
flight of the fugitive-frst in ice wagon then in
buggy and next horse all OF which he
pressed into service by the display OF two re-
volvers-the Wounding Of the suspect" and his
escape into the woods was the sensation Of to-day
in this city.
Two detect, IS attempted 70 arrest a man sus-
pected Of being Of the party who on July
last robbed Great Northern Railway express
train near Wagner Mont. securing Incomplete
new bankrotes and money order blanks amounting
10 $500 The man made a purchase In a store
to-day. and offered a $50 banknote in payment
The proprietor Of neighboring store. where the
bill taken 10 secure change. recognized the
note. and informed the police. The detectives re-
sponded and placed the under arrest. where
upon he drew a revolver.
He was knocked down but after a fight escaped
from the store He jumped into an ice wagon and
leave the vehicle. Lashing the horses he drove
madly across the public square East Nashville
pursued by the officers. with whom ne exchanged
several shots. One bullet inflicted "A wound I'm his
OF the horses fatally hurt. Jumping into
buggy, the fugitive drove rapidly from street 10
street until he reached Shelby Bottom. where he
threw away pocketbOOk containing 81 go in notes
which correspond to those stolen.
Abandoning the buggy, the fugitive stole a horse.
rode some distance and left the animal and dis
appeared in the woods. officers and bIoodhounds
have been searching for him since Some days
ago Annie Rodgers. alias Maud Williams. ar
rested here while trying exchange 500 of the
stolen notes. and is now in jail. After the train
which were placed In circulati tiOn. and some have
turned up In this section recently.