davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-10-28
A FAVORlTE NIGHT WITH THE
YOUNG FOLKS.

1.-TWO hazel nuts | threw into a flame
And to each nut l gave a sweethearts
name;
This with the loudest bounce was sore
amazed,
That in a flame of brightest color
blazed
AS blazed the nut, so may thy pas
sion grow,
For twas thy nut that did SO brightly
glow"
The night before All Saints Day.
called All Hallow Even, or Hallow-
cen, is perhaps more remarkable
than any other, according to ancient
belief and modern custom, and for the
peculiar observances with which it
was SO long observed The leading
idea respecting Halloween, says an
old English writer, is, that it is the
time, of all others, when supernatural
influences prevail. 1t is the night set
apart for a universal walking abroad
of spirits, and all sorts of beings not
of this world; the night of sure divina.
ton, when fortune tellers of the
earthly are discounted. Burns said:
1T is thought to be a night when
witches, devils and other mischief
making beings are all abroad on their
baneful midnight errands," and from
this belief has probably grown up the
modern custom among the young
folks of mischief making, gate break
ing, etc.
With maids it is a favorite night in
which to discover their future hus-
bands One authority on ancient GUS
tom says: Take a candel and go
alone to a looking glass, eat an apple
before it; and also comb your hair.
and the face of your conjugal compan-
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-10-28
HOLLOWE'EN LOVE TESTS

The most common and most pecu-
liar ways of making matrimonial fore
casts is by means of roasting nuts.
Two nuts are placed side by side, and
named for the person trying and the
preferred lover or "loveress.' ii they
burn quickly and brightly it means
sincerity and affection; cracking and
jumping away means Inconsistency; If
they burn together a happy marriage
is indicated. Another trial is to name
two nuts and then throw them into
the fire; if one of the nuts should
burst, the person for whom it is
named is not sincerely affectionate;
but if it is reduced to ashes a warm
feeling is betokened. Perplexity
comes to the poor maiden whose two
nuts both burn to ashes, unless her
feelings help her to give the prefer
ence.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-10-28
HALLOWEEN INVITATIONS.

Invitations for Halloween parties
can be made by sketching in one cor.
ner a lighted candle, the figure of a
ghost, a bit of fruit or a basket of
nuts If the artist is especially clever
the etching of two figures over a Wis
ionary fire is good, with different
lines, such as, Come, take chance
'"Tis midnight, and I'll tell you true. >
"Once year" ''AlIs we'll that ends
WELL" "A Jack for a JILL 81 am
looking, love, for you If you wish
to mystffy your guests the invitation
can be written backward.
Halloween comes but once year,
Over at my house you will find good
cheer;
shall certainly expect you at quarter
to eight,
Later than that ghosts will have
fastened the gate.
Backward.
,Raey q ecno tub semoc ne'eWollah
;Reehc doog dnif lliw 10Y esuoh YIN
ia revo
,Thgie OF retrauq ia 10Y tcepxe vi,
niatrec llahs |
.Etag eht denetsaf evan lliw stsohg
taht naht retail
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-10-28
,'aukegan Man Found Dead.

Rochester, N. Y, Oct. 18.-The body
of man identified by papers as Will
lam A. Bishop, 50 Borden block, Chi
cago, and residing at Waukegan, H.,
was found yesterday in a cornfield
near this city, with his throat cut.
Bishop was member of the law firm
of Bishop & Strong, Chicago. He has
been missing from home since Tues
day night and it is said had been de-
spondent over business matters.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-10-28

ion will be seen in the glass peeplng
over your shoulder.
We learn from Burns again that
burning of nuts is a favorite charm"
as is told in the verse at the begin
ming of this article.
Another talisman is the pulling of
kali or cabbage stalks. The boy and
girl go out of doors, hand in hand,
with their eyes shut tight, and pull
to. They then return to the fireside
and examine their prizes. According
as their stalk is found big or little.
straight or crooked, SO is the future
wife or husband of the person who
pulled it to be, and the quantity OF
earth clinging to the root is supposed
to denote the amount of their fortune,
Anoher divination is called the
three dishes. One is filed with pure
water. one with dirty water, and one
is left empty These are arranged in
a row before the fire, and the parties
approach, blindfolded, dipping their
left hands into one of these dishes. If
they dip into the one with clean water
they will marry a maid. If in the
dirty water, widow, and if in the
empty one, they will not marry at all.
Among the superstitious rites of
Halloween, says the author of Tradi-
tions of Edinburg, knotting the gar
ter holds distinguished place. It is
performed by young ladies, as a di-
vination to discover their future part
ners in life. The left leg garter is
taken and three knots are tied in it..
During the time of knotting, the per-
son must not speak to any one, other
wise the charm will fail. She also
repeats the following rhyme:
This knot, this knot, this knot knit
To see the thing | ne'er saw yet
To see my love in his array,
And what he walks in every day,
And what his occupation be,
This night in my sleep may see;
And if my love be clad in green,
His love for me is we'll seen;
And if my love is clad in gray,
His love for me is far away;
And if my love is clad in blue,
His love for me is very true"
After all the knots are tied, the
garter is placed under her pillow, and
it was believed that her husband to
be would appear to her in her dreams
These are but few of the well
known customs of this night, the 31st
of October. Nearly every boy and
girl knows a hundred more.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-10-28

A Canadian has invented a device
for braking q vessel at sea which, if
it possesses the merits claimed for it,
may prevent many ocean disasters
1t consists Of one or more pairs of
stout doors on each side of the ship
which can be opened by electricity,
steam or compressed air, thereby
creating a resistance against the
water that will stop the heaviest
vessel within few hundred feet.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-10-28
SUGGESTIONS FOR HALLOWEEN

Have one of the young ladies who
knows little palmistry be the witch
of the evening" A short, bright-hued
skirt, a gay plaid shawl crossed over
her shoulders, a scarf bound about her
head, will make very striking cos
tune, and, with the aid of a little
paint and powder, quite an effective
disguise. If she is enough acquainted
with the guests to give some personal
history she can produce some very
telling fortunes.
After the witch has exhausted her
ingenuity as a palmist, let her offer
to disclose the name of the future
bride or groom of each one present
by means of the fairy mirror. The
room she uses should be dimly
lighted She writes the name on a
mirror with French chalk, rubs it off
lightly with silk handkerchief, calls
in the person for whom the name is
written, and requests him to breathe
on the glass. When he does so the
name will appear.
For souvenirs have water-color
sketches suggestive Of Halloween
If the cards are cut to represent
leaves the effect is pretty AS final
gift to your guests, give them at part
ing the half of an egg-shell filled with
salt, with the injunction that it must
be eaten just before retiring, and who
ever the person dreams of will be his
future bride.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16

trade in. the South American republics
and such splendid representatives Of
this government as Mr.. Swain, are do
ing much to bring about the desired
era of good feeling and mutual trade.
Mr.. Swalm's statements as to the
wealth, culture and refinement of the
better classes in South America, and
that they are Spanish only in the
same way that the people of the Unit
ed States are English, German, Irish
and Scandinavian, is surprise to the
average person who has not given this
subject special study or investigation
The United States should have reg
ular line of commercial steamships
running to the principal South Amer
lean ports and if governmental sub
sidy is necessary in order to bring this
about, then the Courier is in favor OF
congress granting such subsidy.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16
FIRE BUGS.

If it be true that the two recent Sc
rious CONGREGATIONS in the town of
Eddyville, have been Of incendiary orr
gin, then the county authorities should
unite with the citizens of that place,
in offering a reward for the detec-
ton of the culprits. Arson is crime
that cannot be condoned under any
circumstances. If there is in fact, as
there seems to be in this case, good
reason to believe that the despicable
incendiary has been doing his work
in Eddyville, then no reasonable effort
or expense should be spared to bring
the criminals to justice. The danger
to life and property especially, at a
period like the present. of extensive
fires, is so great that the crime is en-
HANGED in seriousness and the case
is one where no effort to secure pun
ishment should be spared.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16
GIRLS AND TOBACCO.

It is said that smoking is considera-
bly, practiced by women of the present
period. We are inclined to doubt it,
says the Boston Herald, except in the
decidedly fast circles. The sex has
little attraction to the use of tobacco
in this generation, which is the more
remarkable when we consider how
much men are dependent upon it. But
previous generations of women did
used tobacco a good deal. They took it
in the form of snuff, and it was widely
the custom with the older women of
the earlier days of the last century
The old ladies of those days used to
carry their snuff boxes, and it was
thought to be pardonable, and even ap
propriate, that they should use theil
contents. How this practice died GU
has never been explained, but it is Ger
tain that it did vanish. and almost sud
denly. Perhaps it was partly because
so many of the men abandoned it. Thu
statesmen of the earlier period wer,
snuff takers. Henry Clay was snui
user, and in our times it used to b
said that the red bandanna of Senate
Thurman, of Ohio, was signal of hi
snuff taking days.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16

to the value of Capitalization as step
in the solution of the rural school
problem. There was approval OF the
township unit plan as substitute for
the small Independent districts. 1t
was shown that this plan had given
good results where tried and it seems
likely to come into general USE The
plan has been adopted in some OF the
northern Iowa counties. 1t consists IN
abolishing the small school districts
and establishing a large school at a
central point in the township, proVld'
ing for the direction of the same bet
ter class of teachers than can other
wise be had and arranging for the
conveyance by team OF the scholars
| from their homes to the school and
vice versa. There is no question but
what this system serves to secure q
| higher grade of teachers and better
educational facilities for children il
the country districts. The none!
saved by the centralizing process, ha:
been found to be sufficient to full.
cover the expense of conveying tn,
/ children to and from school in SAT-
covered vehicles.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16
PEOPLES PULPIT.


Editor Courier: = The Kimball
Graphic says: Doesn't the
new tangled spelling make you
tires? One doesn't see any
periodical or newspaper of stand
ing garbling English in any such silly
and outlandish manner. If thru
spells through, 'enuff' enough, 'thoro'
thorough, 'baut' bought, and SO on,why
not go on to the end of the dictionary
and writ it tut (tough). cot Cough,
ruff (rough), boka (bouquet). Better
yet, ayolish the spelling books and let
everyone spell to suit himself"
This editor evidently believes in
travelling along in the same old rut.
He is of the ight-where-you-are
never-improve-anyth kind. There is
vast room for improvement in our
spelling system, and IL we are ever to
improve our spelling it lies in the
hands of the influential papers and
educators, and not in letting everyone
spell to suit himself. Were we to
| tackle improving the whole diction-
airy at once as this writer suggests it
would be too much of shock to men
of his class. Zone doesn't see any
periodical or newspaper of standing
garbling English in any such silly and
outlandish manner" The Courier
adopted the new form of spelling as
soon as the University of Chicago
sanctioned the movement, and we will
wager late copy of Webster's Diction-
airy against the antiquated one used by
the editor of the Kimball Graphic that
the Courier is more influential than his
paper, for search through Rowell's
American Newspaper Directory, edi-
tion of September, 1900, fails to dis
close the hiding place of the latter pa
per. Personally we are in favor OF,
spelling more simply, for of what use
are many silent letters? It may not be
out of place at this particular time to
make mention of the eleven words
which the learned men Of the Univer-
sity of Chicago are seeking to improve.
They are altho (althoughO, catalog
(catalogue), decalog (decalogue),
demagog (demagogue), pedagog (ped-
agogue), program (programme), prolog
(prologue), tho (though), thorofare
J {thoroughfare) thru (through) and
! thruout (throughout). So, by this
list, it will be seen that there is no at
! tempt at improving the words bought
\ and enough" as one would infer from
reading the clipping alluded to. 1t
will take time to improve on the mode
of spelling now in vogue, but with a
} few more papers of the influence and
:, prestige of the Courier to assist in the
4 movement, may we not hope for much
and continued improvement.
Eddyyille, Iowa. j. r. s.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16

The Ohio democrats in their late
state convention shook off the popu-
listic embrace with will. The party
in that state is for sound money and
the convention declined positively TO
endorse the Kansas City platform or
Mr. Bryan. In demanding that no
municipal franchises shall be granted
without vote of the people, the Ohio
democrats are simply asking that that
state shall come up to the plane OF
republican Iowa in it's legislation upon
this question. AS showing how com
pletely Mr.. Bryan was turned down
one enthusiastic admirer who tried tc
get the name of the Nebraskan into
the resolutions, could muster but 81,
votes out of convention of nearly
1000 members.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16

A special from Iowa City to the
Des Moines Register says: "The Sec
ond district is just now the fighting
ground for three men who have siren
uous desires to be governor of Iowa.
The Register representative found
Herriott and Cummins at Muscatine
Yesterday, and Senator Hartman in
West Liberty this morning. The SEN
ator took drive about the country.
In conversation with friend he ex-
pressed himself as very confident OF
being nominated at Cedar Rapids. The
Wapsie part of Muscatine county and
Johnson and Iowa counties will un
doubtedly go uninstructed. AS mat
| ter of fact there is an anti-Cummins
sentiment in the undercurrent bobbing
I'D all around in the Second district
heretofore unnoticed, but whatever
the Second district determines upon
in district caucus, that same will be
united"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16

The independence day address of
Rev. Father John O'Farrell, of st. Pat
rick's Catholic church, published en-
tire from revised proofs in the Court
er last week is an historically accur-
ate tribute to Irish-American patriot
ism, that will be read with deep inter
est by all classes of people. Since
long before the revolution Irishmen in
America have been strong, vitaliz.
ing, constructive force in the up-build
ing and maintenance of free institu
tons. The liberty loving, patriotic spir
it of the Irish people has never beer
discounted and never will be. AS {
comprehensive presentation Of the
part taken by the Irish race in the
making and perpetuation of our re
public, Father O'Farrell's address il
an interesting and valuable one.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16

The Forthcoming report OF the audi
tor of state will show that more than
eighty banks, probably nearly ninety,
have been organized in Iowa during
the two years ending June 30, 1901.
During that period not single bank
in Iowa has failed. The deposits June
80, 1899, were $77,4O5,66 in the state
and savings banks. In less than two
years, on April "a, 1901, deposits had
grown to $112, 465,254, about three and
one-half times what they were June
80, 1891. Capital stock has increased
since June 80, 1899, from s16,874,170
70 S18,750,4O0. The next report, which
will soon be called for, will make a
still better showing for the state and
savings banks. The banking business
has been most satisfactory, both tt
the bankers, owners of bank stock
and the customers of the banks. 1t IL
an index of the universal prosperity
and business activity that has pre-
vailed in the state during the las
two years.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16

-Four banks, one Of them national
bank, have failed recently. The fact
that these wrecks have caused not the
slightest uneasiness in the country is
a fine tribute to the solidity of bust
ness conditions. The country's cur
rency is anchored to the gold stand
ard, the republican party is the gold
standards author and defender, and
the days Of the republican party prom
Use to be long in the land. This is why
neither bank failures nor stock ex,
change flurries excite alarm. The par.
ty of good times is master of the sit,
uation, and its tenure Of power is not
threatened.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16

Ottumwa needs a park and a town
clock. A few years ago certain per-
sons offered to donate to the city a
beautiful tract of land for park pur-
poses. The people of this city, for
reasons best known to those who yot-
ed against it, turned down this propo-
sition and Ottumwa still remains, we
believe the only city of Iowa OF the
same size that does not have public
park and place for recreation conven-
lent of access, that can be utilized free
of charge by all the people. If some
one should offer to donate a town
clock to the city, with the provision
that the same should be kept in repair
and running order, would the people
turn down the proposition? Here is
hot weather conundrum which we
confess our inability to solve.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16

The next time a woman comes into
the office of, the United Banking and
Savings Company, Of Cleveland, Ohio,
and asks for money on her bank ac-
count, she will get it If the bank off,
cials have to smash in the bank vault
in order to satisfy the demands. Wed.
nesday. woman called at the bank be-
fore the regular hour for business to
draw her money. In that sharp, short
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16
NO END TO THE MAKING OF
LAWS.

The dangerous tendency of our sys-
tenn OF government is in the enact
ment of unnecessary and harmful
laws which are calculated to interfere
with the liberty of citizens and with
the normal and proper development
of business enterprises AS an indlca-
ton of this tendency in our law-mak-
ing bodies, from the lowest to the
highest, we cite the following from
the Oskaloosa Herald in it's picture OF
life in Oskaloosa, if the city council
carries out certain resolutions that
have been adopted by it, which con"
template strict enforcement OF all
CITY ordinances within the next thirty
days. The Herald says:
Obsolete and long forgotten ordl-
nances are to be resurrected and en-
forced. This means that the city of
| Oskaloosa is to have the old blue
laws enforced. The resolution is
more sweeping than will be guessed
at casual reading. 1t means that all
livery stables drug stores, bakeries,
meat shops, news stands, cigar shops
and all business for the day
shall be closed after III
D. M and on Sundays. No business
of any kind will be permitted after
that hour All other ordinances are
to be rigidly enforced and all places
about the city are to be closed per-
manently. There will be permitted
no vehicles on the sidewalks in front
of livery, feed and sale stables, and nc
boxes, barrels or other instructions
of any kind whatsoever will be per
mitted on street or alley at any time
/ The above is but an indication of
tendency which will have to be brave
lily met and checked in the near future
Thomas B. Reed, as speaker of the
house of representatives, did this ma
ton a service which has not yet beer
fully appreciated in his firm and de
, termined stand against unnecessary
and what he believed to be harmful
legislation A member of the hous'
who had anything new in the way o
, legislation to present, had to satisf,
Mr.. Reed, beyond the question of
doubt of it's value and Importance t.
the people before he could secure rec
ognition. The best government is tina
. which leaves the public the most fire
in all the ordinary and normal affair
of life. Hampering, restrictive, intel
, fering legislation is to be avoided as
rule, at all times. What the publ
wants is just as few laws as possibl
and those along clearly defined line
necessary to the moral and physics
!, welfare of the community.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16
OUR SOUTH AMERICAN NEIGH
BORIS.

The address of Col. Al. Swain, Unit
ed States consul to Montevideo, was
one of the notable events at the Mid
land ChautauQua, in Des Moines; this
week. Mr.. Swain is a man of mature
Judgment and keen faculties for OBJ.
servation. What he says about South
America and its people can be accept
ed as accurate and directly to the
point. His statement that the people
of the United States need to know
the people of South America better, is
unquestionably true. There are vast
fields for the development Of American
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-16

The board of pardons of the state
of Minnesota is finding it an exceed
ingly difficult task to keep certain
portion of the public from making
heroes of the Younger brothers who
have been released on parole. The
departure of these men from the Min
nesota state penitentiary will be a
secret and they have been enjoined to
SO far as possible avoid public gath
erings and notoriety.