davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24
pEApLIEsT OF REPTILES.
Compared with the Eer-de- Lance tn
Rather Ia "A Gentleman

Compared with the Eer-de- Lance the
Rather Is Gentleman.
The most deadly snake in the world
is the fer-de-lance. Comparatively lit
tie is known of the yenomous reptile
oueside of the French West Indian Is
lands OF Martinique, Guadalupe and
the British possessions OF Saint Lucia.
Martinique is especially unfortunate
In possessing them in large numbers.
The natives, taught by dear expert
ence, regard IL with deeply rooted ha-
tired and fear, and rightly, too, for 1t
can be truthfully said to reign SUI
preme in the forests and byways,
ofttimes being found on the more fire.
quented paths and roads, but rarely
venturing into the cities or towns.
There are about eight varieties, the
most common being of a grayish black,
and by its color, so resembling the I'M
derbrush and stumps, is scarcely dis
tinguishable at times. The head, as
the name implies, is lance shape, fiat,
wi reddish eyes, changeable like an
opal, which become very bright at
night and can be seen for some dis
lance away flashing out defiance at an
intruder, whether man or beast.
Its length rarely exceeds FIVE feet,
with body the size OF a mans arm,
and not of lead pencil thickness as inn
agined by some people, Quite unlike
the RATHER of the United States,
who, to do him justice, is a gentleman
compared to the "fer-de-lance," this
snake never gives warning. but at
once when approached becomes the
aggressor, quickly gets into battle ar
ray, darting forward its triangular
head with lightning-like rapidity--so
quickly, In fact. that the human eye
can scarcely follow the movements.
end woe to the unlueky morta; or ami
zeal that IL strikes.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24
kentucky the Homs Of reaa..

Nowhere is the fued so common. SO
old, so persistent, so deadly, as in the
Kentucky mountains. Nowhere else
is there such organization, such di-
vision of enmity to the limit of kim
ship. About thirty-five years ago two
boys were playing marbles in the
road along the Cumberland river
down in the Kentucky mountains. One
had patch on his trousers. The
other boy made fun of it, and the boy
with the patch went home and told his
father. Thirty years of local war was
the result. The factions fought on
after they had forgotten why they
had fought at all While organized
warfare is now over, an occasional
fight yet comes over the patch on
those trousers and a man or two Is
killed. A county as big as Rhode Is
land is still bitterly divided on the
subject.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24
The south Is waking up.

England in the sixteenth century felt
the first decided movings on the same
impulse that now throbs from Virginia
to Texas. She went into the critical
period third rate, or it is more ac-
Curate to say, fourth-rate power; she
came out an acknowledged leader
among nations, with primary the
strength and duration of which no one
now hesitates to attribute in great part
to the commercial ascendancy ac-
quired through her immense manufac-
turing interests. Few will dispute the,
claim that when the subjects of Eliza
beth ceased to send their fieeces to be
woven to Flanders and dyed in Flor.
ence they had worked out an achieve
ment OF better worth and more notablel
results than when they defeated Phil
ip's armada Nun Dn's Magazine.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24
Hunting with the c.m.ra.

The new sport. begun by natural
lists. % hunting all manner of wild
creatures with the camera, spying
upon them in the supposed privacy of
their retreats. studying their habits,
domestic customs and individual
traits. offers a pursuit infinitely more
significant, more eleyating and of
greater value to humanity than the
sport whose vista Ia bounded by the
sights OF q gun-barrel. II certainly
calls for a higher courage, and !nso-
much is 4 more manly occupation.
Tracking big game TO its lair, circum-
venting II at short range in order
TO get II in good light, waiting for 1t
to strike an effective pose, then calm
IL swapping a shutter. while unfet-
tered by cumbrous weapon and am
munition. is drawer deed than touch
ing a trigger at rife range. II GER
tainly demands superior skill and
Yields superior results. When the OBJ
iect OF the chase is some little harm
less animal, It Is usually much more
difficult feat 10 secure its reflected inn
age than II would be 10 Stay II with
A charge of shot or to land II with
a hook
Through camera observation, vast
new department of education is being
opened up to the student, a vast field
in delightful surprises, and a tender.
intimate appreciation of animal life,
which cannot help but make better
and wiser those who probe its mystic
ries.
The hunt with the camera is an up
lifting occupation. educating to a new
reverence for the humblest of created
things. and free from the brutalizing
influences of sport which has killing as
It's end.
n "a an ideal pursuit for young peo-
nile. many OF whom have shown them
selves most successful in the delicate
flnesse, the patience and stealthy
movement essential to drawing near
their quarry without disturbing 1t.
In field and orchard, In canyon and
vale. among the high mountains and
IN the forest depths, among birds and
,rsocts and shy four-footed things,
weird and fascinating life stories are
waiting TO be unfolded which have
never yet been told.-San Francisco
Chronicle.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24
Declares Matrimonial
Association
of Marriage

thinks. be brought about only by hard
work and practical means.
He Becomes Famous.
In August, 1885, the first session Of
the Matrimonial association, compos-
ed of couples married by Mr. Meese,
was held at Auburn, Ind, the home
of the parson. Nearly 1000 couples
responded to the invitation. They all
agreed to work for reform of the
marriage and divorce laws. An an
nual reunion was determined upon,
the story of the session went broad
cast over the country and the Rev Mr..
Meese found himself famous outside
the limits Of De Kalb county.
It was thought that this last re-
union, held at Waterloo, would far
surpass all of the preceding ones in
enthusiasm and results, and SO 1t
would have. had it not been for the
rain, which caused many to stay at
home But the day frightened up and
the reunion was held Parson Meese,
in his black Sunday clothes and derby
nah hihtSu 6lONIs
to a thousand details, greeting new
corners, showing them where to regis
ter, chneking children under the
chin and playing host to the big gath
ering. Among the resolutions passed
by the members were:
Depiores Divorce Record.
THAT we deplore the alarming in
crease in divorces as compared with
marriages in our community and that
we view with disgust the evident in
sincerity with which many of our
young men and women enter into their
marriage VOWS. That marriage is not
failure and he who declares the
contrary questions the rectitude OF
the creative scheme of Almighty God
That we believe the strength and
safety of the republic are dependent
upon the morals Of the people and that
no nation whose people show fidelity
to their marriage institutions can far
depart from the principles of liberty
justice and equality. We therefore, in
woke the aid of all patriotic and
Christian men and women in creating
sentiment against the present loose
divorce laws and the lack of solemn
ity with which the marriage state is
invested"
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24

vegetables had been nlbbled of and
as fuzzy had never been known to
80 into the garden he thought some
Mlid woodchnck had made his home
eioSe by to be near Fuzzy. That night
ne set trap. The next day when he
visited the trap. there. caught fast by
one reg was Dorothy's Fuzzy! Poor
FuEzys leg was broken. He moaned
ana sroaned while IL was being ban
uaged. He was put TO bed. and Dor
o'hy smoothed him and petted him,
ana cried over him, and she felt that
Iuzxy understood how sorry she was
ior MIN. After long time Fuzzy wa
ap'e TO go about as well as ever. but
ne never again showed any inclination
10 go Into the garden. Little Folks.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24
(wichita Letter.)

(Wichita letter.
One OF the most noted cowboys and
bandits who ever drew gun on an en-
envy is 1t is said, to have a monument
erected to him in West Wichita. He is
Jack Ledford. who fell in West Wichi-
ia in 1871, while fighting whole COM
pany OF regular soldiers. Already Led
ford's friends have raised $500 for the
monument, and soon work will be be-
gun to erect shaft on the very spot
where Ledford fell.
During the civil war Ledford was a
scout under Gen Phil Sheridan. At
Springfield, Mo-, he got into fight
with some of the opposing side, and
killed six without stopping to reload
his revolver Then he made for the
Missouri river and under a heavy fire
swan to the Kansas side. After that he
quit scouting and turned outlaw His
headquarters were in the Arkansas
river bottoms, near Wichita, and his
field OF operations along the line of
the southern stage coach route, run
ming from Fort Sill to Wichita. Once
he held up 40-wagon government
train alone, and rified the mail bags of
thousands of dollars He was the orig
inal lone bandit who has in late years
thrived in the wilds of Arizona.
Handy with the Pistols.
Ledford always carried two revolvers
with him, and could hit the mark ey-
cry time. One of his favorite tricks
was to take revolver in each hand,
and twirling them around. snap the
hammer between the cartridges, all
the while pointing the muzzle in the
face of friend. 1t was great sport for
him, but single slip of the finger
would have put the bullet in his
friends head. Luckily he was sure Of
the trigger. Another feat was to shoot
the nails out of the walls of saloons
and allow the costly paintings to crash
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24

DER of marriages he has performed.
For all that he is known as a marry
ing parson." he has turned away al
most as many as he has united. He
will not marry a couple II he knows
either one has been divorced. He
win not marry a girl who looks to be
a mere child. no matter what the legal
license may say. His Meese Matri-
monial association stands pledged for
a uniform divorce law in the United
States.
There are few more picturesque
characters than Meese. Though sew
enty-three. he is agile and quick
witted. He has not a biblical phrase
upon his lips at every turn of events
The great social reforms in which he
Is now thoroughly wrapped up can, he
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24
rhs cahe rhat We. narnt

There was little cook, and she made
little cake.
She put il in the oven just To bake.
bake, bake;
II was full! OF plums and spice,
And OF everything that's nice.
And she said, An hour. ! reckon. II
will take. take. take"
And then that little cook went TO have
little play,
With very charming cat across the
way. way, way;
She forgot the cake, alaek.
Il was burnt. well. almost black.
Ana wonder what the cooks mamma
would say. say. say!
The little cook ran on, and confessed
her tale Of woe.
For 10 dnd her cake elnder was a
blow blow. blow;
"Cheer up the mother said.
As she stroked the golden head,
"Foy accidents will happen. We all
know. know. know
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24
camp. There he was commanded to at
tend to Ledford's wounds.
Reformed by ayGirl.

Reformed by a Girl.
When it was thought the man-killer
was going to die he sent for his sweet
heart She came, and DR.. Holland, of
the regular army corps, who witnessed
the scene, thus describes it:
Jack wanted her to marry him, but
she refused. She cried great deal of
the time, and told Jack that she loved
him, but that she had promised her
mother never to marry him as long as
he was "a outlaw. He remained silent
while, and then announced that he
would give up the outlay business IL
she would marry him. The girl seemed
pleased and kissed him. He wanted
her to marry him then, but she insist
ed that time be given in which to
prove that he was speaking the truth.
1t went hard with the outlaw, could
see that, to have his power overruled by
woman, but he was madly in love.
So he agreed, and after hard tussle
he recovered and reformed"
1t was quite surprise to the COM
munity when Jack announced himself
a candidate for sheriff of Sedgwick
county at the election in the fall of
1870. To every man from whom he
sought vote he said:
If am elected sheriff of this county
there will be no more horses stolen
around these parts"
OF that the citizens were well aware,
and they elected him. Shortly after his
election the governor ruled that the
election had not been conducted prop
erly, and appointed the officers then in
to fill the next term. Jack was chta-
grined, but he did not go back to rob-
bling.
Later he married the Vigus girl, and
the wedding was a matter of much i'm
portance in Wichita. The bandit, under
the gentle rulings of his wife, COM
pletely reformed, even to drinking.
Their life would have went on very
smoothly, perhaps. had it not been for
the coming of Sam Lee. former
sweetheart of Agnes. He found that
big reward was offered for Ledford, but
the officers at Fort Harker did not
know his whereabouts. Lee Informed
them and secured 1000.
The killing of Ledford.
Capt. Harger, of Company B, Sixth
United States Infantry, with full
quota of men, came to Wichita one
morning in July, 1871. They found Jack
in room playing billiards. He was or
dered to come out, but refused. Finally
one soldier slipped in the rear of the
room and shot him in the back. This
enraged the fighter and he ran out into
the street, fighting with two pistols.
He killed four of them before he was
disabled. When removed to the hotel.
he inquired how many he had killed.
In a few days Ledford died. On his re-
volver butts were found 50 tacks.
which, his intimate friends said, indi-
Gated that he killed that number OF
men.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24
1T is NOT A
FAILURE...
(Auburn, Ind, Letter. }

tAuDuri, lnu., Letter.
One thousand five hundred couples
In thirty years is the proud record of
the Rev William L. Meese, the marry
ing parson Of De Kaib county, Ind.
Last week at his behest many hun
dreds OF people who had been Joined
by him in matrimony, left their labors
IN various parts Of the state. and
journeyed to Waterloo to testify their
friendship for and devotion to the
aged parson. Not many other minis
tiers could do what Mr.. Meese has done
Curing the seyenty-three years of his
life. The father OF eleven children,
he has seen the earth close over all
but three of them. as we'll as over their
mother. Yet he is as earnest and un-
firing In his work as he ever was.
Turns Many Away.
The great fame that has come to
Mr.. Meese rests not alone on the num-
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24

1t is almost certain death, and if the
services of physician cannot be Sc.
cured within an exceedingly short
time the venom does its deadly work
causing the flesh to spot, after which
comes-death. II the strike has been
made upon vein or an artery there
is absolutely no chance for life unless
the limb be amputated at once, and
often then it is too late, as the venom
has gained too much headway through
the blood system to be checked or the
victim succumbs to the heroic treat,
ment
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24
A NEW SYSTEM.
Decidedly Interesting. Its Workings
Are Exemplihed In Chicago.

Decidedly Interesting. Its Workings
Are Exempiihed I'm Chicago.
The Speers system of imparting use
full knowledge to the young, as ex-
emplified in Chicago. is not novel
one With notifications, it is the
same system used in training perform
ing monkeys and dogs. The learned
pig gets his education by the Speers
method and so the system may justly
claim to be well grounded. In the
Speers system as prepared for the little
bipeds of Chicago, the teacher points
out on the Speers chart the word
"hop" Then the teacher hops and
the children hop. The next word is
skip" and the teacher skips and the
children skip. If the next word is
grin" they all grin. If it is wink"
they all wink. 1t is fun as well as
profit, you see-espeeially for the
teacher. When it reaches ''fiip-fap"
and 'summersault' it becomes more
so. What is that word, GEORGE"
says the fond Chicago father to his
bright offspring. Pronounce it for
me, daddy" says the bright or
spring. Reverse" replied daddy.
"Ah, know" cries Master George, and
at once stands on his head 1t certain
" is a nice system.-Pennsylvan
Grit.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24
Language OF Apes.

The Bushmen, or low-grade Hotten-
tots, on the plains OF South Africa
have a language which has been prov
ed by GARNER to be close approxima-
ton to that of the higher apes. IT
consists of kissing, clicking and grunt-
ing sounds
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24
HOW LEDFoRD MADE LOVE.


on the floor. Shooting up the mirror
or smashing lights were beneath his
dignity.
South of Wichita in an unexplored
region was the rendezvous of the Led
ford bandits. After robbing stage
coaches until they almost quit carry
ing money, Jack organized a band Of
horsethieves and acted as leader. The
man who owned valuable horse could
not keep it long after Ledford's band
learned where he stabbed. The gang
rode fine Kentucky-bred horses and
lived on the fat of the land, as it were.
The surrounding country was then in
such wild state that the gang felt
perfectly safe in visiting Wichita
whenever they chose. Horse stealing
was not considered such a crime in
those days.
Ledford's Love-Making.
At that time in Wichita German
doctor named Vigus owned the leading
hotel. He was also the father of a
pretty girl, named Agnes. She was a
buxom lass, with a wealth of long
brown hair, full face, and sunny blue
eyes. She fell in love with Ledford,
THE bandit king" as he was pleased to
style himself.
The Hotel Vigus was the scene of
many gay revelries, the dancing lasting
until daylight. Ledford was star fig
ure at these dances. and he made no at
tempt to conceal his love for the little
German girl Her father was furious,
but it could not be stopped. One day
the girl was by Encouragement stand
ing in front of her fathers hotel, when
Ledford came riding down Douglas
avenue like the wind. He drew near
the platform, but did not stop. AS he
reached the girl he swung partially
from his saddle, caught her around the
waist and raised her into the saddle.
For half an hour they galloped about
town, she sitting on the great Ken
lucky horse in front of her sweetheart,
the picture of contentment and happi-
ness. After they had enjoyed them
selves to their own notion he rode by
again and sat her lightly on the plat
| form. This was what he called buggy
riding.
The old German objected to 1t, but
his daughter insisted on standing near
the sidewalk on certain days. Once
when Ledford came riding down to
his sweetheart he found her on the
walk, but back of her was the father
with shotgun drawn and ready for
| action.
"If you take her, shoot" he yelled
well, old man. you'll have to
shoot" Ledford reached down and
grabbed the girl from the arms OF her
father. as 1t We're, and they took their
ride as though nothing had occurred.
In a fight between stage coach
driver and Ledford in 1870 the latter
was injured. He was taken to the rem
devious, and a doctor was kidnapped
from Wichita, blindfolded. and taken
In roundabout way to the outlaw
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24
TO HONOR A BANDIT.
BAD MAN WHO WAS THE TER
ROR OF KANSAS

And Who Sent Fifty-Two Men to HIS
Private Graveyard TO Have u nIonu-
ment Erected to His Memory at
Wichita-How He Died.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-24

who has never done thinking never
begins doing.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-12
THE MOSQUITO.
Organized Effort 10 Be Made
Next Season TO Drive II Out.

The mosquito question has begun to at
tract the attention of the health authori-
ties in this city and II is possible that a
regular mosquito crusade may be insugu-
rated by another summer. For many sea-
sons the people on the east side have been
so troubled by mosquitoes that they could
not enjoy their piazzas in the evening.
DR. Chaplin and Prof. Gorham have long
been anxious to investigate the matter,
but owing to the large expenditures OF
money for smallpox patients this year,
they will not do anything extensive un-
Ill another season.
However, Prof. Gorham and Or. Chaplin
have been going over the territory in
search of possible breeding grounds.
These they found in the following places:
At the foot OF Blackstone Park; at the
foot OF Public street; near Rochambeau
avenue. in the rear of the Weybosset
Mills and In bitches off Hartford avenue.
IL was observed by DR.. Chaplin that
about ponds where fish abound the mos
quito was always absent. DR.. Chaplin AL
so says that where the malarial germs
were present, the malsrial mosquito was
also TO be found. thus indicating that the
latter insect undoubtedly does much to-
wards spreauing malaria in this city.
Dr. Chaplin and Prof Gorham also WIS.,
ited number OF catch basins and found
| that they afforded a good opportunity,
when dry. fo- ,ne mosquito TO breed. BY
| sprinkling Kerosene in these basins
during the warm weather IL is thought
| by DIR. Chaplin that the number OF mos
| quitoes could be materially reduced. In
| fact. kerosene could he used advanta-
| geously In nearly all infested districts,
| though It Is probably that some ponds
| ought TO be filled in. The most difficult
| problem Is 10 clean out the breeding
| places along the Moshassuck river.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-12
PLANNED BIG FACTORY BUILDING.

The plans for the three large factory
buidinEs that are 20 be erected at
Athol, Mass by the l.. :. stanstt Com.
pany have been completed by Fred
Hinds formerly ~ that city. but now OF
Boston Mr.. Hinds is The architect for
the COMPANY. and has designed some OF
the best N the eampauvs buildings
These viii 100 ~ mill construction. will
include four-story machlus shop 50 by
100 feet IN dimensions thres-story and
basement graduating shop 20 hy i6i feet In
size. and a i~o-story steam plant. 90 b.,
feet All The buildings viii he con
strucied OF brick and stone: there will be
two hreproof floors and the equipment
will include elevators snd best systems
OF heating and ventilation obtainable.