davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
Taking of Testimony Concluded

Freehold, N. j., December 23.-The
taking of testimony in the Laura Big
gar trial was concluded today and the
lawyers for both sides began summing
up. Miss Biggar again went -
stand at the opening Of the proceedings
today. She contradicted the testimony
given by Josie Lane and Ter former
maid, Mollie DeSkin, to the effect that
Miss Biggar had maintained improper
relations with other men during Ben
-nett's life time. DR.. Hendricks denied
the statement made by Josie Lane as 70
his relati ms with Miss Biggar.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
Porto Ricans' Greet Admiral Dewe,

San Juan, p. r., December 23.-Ad-
miral Dewey arrived here on board the
Mayhower at $3.50 this morning. Thou
sands of people thronged the wharf. the
city and public and private buildings
were decorated with flags and the forts
fired a salute. The admiral was es-
corted to the palace by artillery. infan-
try and mounted police, where a recep-
ton was held. The palace was throng-
e. with officers who viii attend - hsg
private reception tonight given by Gov
ernor Hunt in honor OF the debut Of his
eldest daughter, Elizabeth.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
Prudence.

"I suppose you would like TO say or
do something that will live in history"
well" answered Senator Sorghum.
'there are so many things concerning
which | should prefer TO keep history
uniformed that | guess I'd letter not
take any chances on trying to break
in."-WashingtOn Star.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

Knoxville, Tenn, December 2S.-In a
suit in chancery court. a Judgment :
been given a local merchant, c. G.. Da-
Wis against the Orient Insurance Coin-
pany of Hartford, Conn, the Manches-
ter Assurance Company of England. the
Phoenix Insurance Company of Brook
Ign, and the Virginia Fire and Marine
Insurance Company of Richmond, Va,
for certain amounts of insurance Mus
% per cent. penalty under a state law
which provides this additional
on insurance companies unless they set
tie losses within sixty days time aft"r
a fire. The insurance companies VIII
appeal and attack the constiJutionalitv
of the statute which makes them liable
for the penalty.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
Did Not Know His Peril.

Frailman-Ah. doctor, | called to ask
for your bill against me for service
during my recent illness.
Doctor-YCs? That's strange. for /
was just about to make it out.
Frailman-What is the amount?
DoctOr-It's just an ven $500.
Frailman-What You don't tel me
fits that much? Why. | believe if | had
known / was as sick as that it would
have killed mei-BoSton Courier.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
Benefit of kdvertisfaE.

4 merchant in one of cur northern
cities lately put an advertisement in a
paper headed:
"Boy wanted"
The next morning he found a band
box on his doorstep with this inscrip-
ton en- the top:
"How will this one anSwer?'
On opening it he found a nice. fat,
chubby looking specimen CT the article
he wanted, warmly done up in flannel.
London Spare Moments.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
Beyond the Danger Line.

"The apartments on the tenth f1ocr."
said the manager Of the Sl;yscrIper
fats. command a higher rent than
those on any other floor because they're
the safest in the building"
~"Indeed?', remarked the homeseekcr.
"Oh. yes. You see. few airships ever
dy that low. and automobiles lever
Jump that high" Catholic Standard
and Times.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
II You Were scared.

asily you might suppose that the pain
in the ,cwer part OF your back meant
kidney trouble. But being q person of
sense you know it is only muscular
stiffness. from cold. and that prompt
treatment with Perry Davis Painkill"r
will prevent it from growing into lum-
bago. Act accordii gly and you will no
glad you saw this. There is but n
Painkiller, Perry Davis.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
TIE Ruin Water Worked.

81 don't see why S!ioddyuIdn is kick
ing SO about the way the bremen del
uged his factory with water. They got
damage"
"Yes. but the water ruined his stock"
"What does he manufacturer"
"Umbrellas." - Cincinnati CONNER
cial Tribune.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
Water Works Company laced in
Receivers HANGS.

Macon, Ga, December 23.-The Tele-
graphs Columbus, Ga, special says
that the Columbus Water Works Com
pany has keen placed in the lands Of
a receiver. w. s. Greene. OF Savannan
By the United States court. The bold
ed Indebtedness is $500, goo: the capital
stock $40. coo and The value of the pl OPP
erty as returned for taxation S124, 600.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

Ir old times there were three ways
90 report testimony. the verbatim. b
sketch and Let Us give an
example,:
'.Iohn Smith sworn and examined by
Mr.. Jones:
-o-wha. Is you busipessf'
Al an a CARPENTER"
"o-How Ions nave you worked At
your trader"
Al nave worked at my trade o
twenty years"
s.Q-Do you know the Defendant"
Al have known him for the past
ten veers."
So much for the verbatim. Now for
the sketch:
John Smith. on being sworn. sa;i
he was n carpenter. He worked at his
trade for twenty ear n knew the
defendant for ten years"
And the summary:
"John Smith. n carpenter. knew de-
PENDANT for ten years"
The yellow journalism, however. has
evolved q new style OF reporting.
John Smith. a tall n anguinrly
formed fellow with bushy red hair and
flaming whiskers, was sworn. He kiss
ed the book with a resounding smack.
adjusted his green nscktie. sat doan
in the witness chair. ran his right hand
through his ruby locks. crossed ais
legs. which were closely fncased in
hlue and white ousers OF h latest
cut. and then looked straight into the
eyes of Counsellor Jones. In solemn
tones the latter asked him his business.
81 am a carpenter" was his humble
-eDly, made in 2 clear and high pitch
II voice that was heard distinctly In
The remotest corner of the court room.
How long have you been n carpen-
teri" asked MIR. Jones. with a threaten
ing look in his left eye. L have been
4 carpenter. sir said the witness with
great dignity and fully approaching
the Importance of the question. dur
ing the past twenty years Then Mr..
Tones drew himself up TO his fullest
height and extending his right arm at
an angle OF forty-fve degrees. he
brought it down again swiftly until lis
huge fist struck the able with a eor-
rible dull thud. do you know the de-
fendant?" he shouted I'm thunderous
tones. Il do was the reply. made In
| accents pitched in n high key which
conrrasted strangely with the cavern
nns tones of the learned counsel. Then
Mr.. Jones. with flashing eyes and
.iinched fist. coiled himself up ill a
serpent and Kissed. How long nave you
known him?' Ten years was the an
| swer tossed back tn the awyer VIII
iightning-like rapidity."
Well this method of reporting may
ne very beautiful. but IL makes rather
| tiresorne reading, and In these Gays.
when few citizens can afford h luxury
uf reading themselves to sleep. bath
| erskite reports of murder trials are
| very much avoided.--New York SUM-.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
A Position of Truxf,

"No. lady" said Abandoning Mike,
81 amt workin'."
"Have you tried to get workY'
"Yes'm. | nearly had a job shovelin'
coal. but l couldn't find no one to go
On me bond an guarantee de owner DAT
l wouldn't Washington
Star.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
Failure.

II thought SpoonamOre was going to
marry Miss G~arlinghorn. but | see she
has let him get away"
"Yes: her father didn't appear to be
at all anxious for the match. and her
mother was a little too anxious. She
lost him on account Of bad team
work."-Chicago Tribune.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
General Reyes Resigns.

Mexivco City. December 23.-GeneraI
Bernard Reyes. minister Of war has
resigned. This is considered a move
ment IF far reaching political sign;ti-
canoe as it practically caves Senior
minister of finance alone
in the race for the presidency OF the
republic to succeed Diaz-
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
A Fair Proposition.

"Oh. give us a rest" said the impa-
tient young father, whose firstlIorn
had been busy for ten minutes plying
him with questions.
The little fellow looked ut him q
moment and then. with the utmost in
nocence. said:
"Well, you rest and I'll talk"
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

what would you do 10 you had the
Zen that laid golden eSgsy' inquired
,he man with fhe heavy mustache.
"Me?' queried the solemn man. 81
should feed her this stuff that makes
1ens lay according TO the advertise
ments."-Philadelphia Ledger.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
Augusta Chronicle to be Sold.

Augusta, Ga, December en-
chambers today, Judge Brinson pass
ed al order making E. B. Hook per
manent receiver for the Augusta
Chronicle, and fixing the first Tues
day in March as the day of sale Viii
liam K. Miller. is narnei as special
oommissic mel to con due the sale.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
steamer Parthenon Lost.

ConstantinopIe December 23.-The
Greek steamer Parthenon. havinGon
board a crew of twenty-five men and
six passengers. is reported 10 have been
lost.
The Parthenon was last reported at
N~ovorossisk. November 18th. from Ia
ganron.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
PROTECTING the Young.

cit Is appalling to think of the temp
taticns to which young men are ex-
posed. We women should do what we
can 10 lessen them"
81 do my share. For the last five
years I have made K an infe.ible rule
never to tiirt except with married men,"
Town Topics.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

JudgeThe witness told all that hap
aered On the second floor. Now. why
do you object to his telling what hap
pened on the third floor?
Counsel Because. II II please your
honor, that = another story. New
York Times
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
BOUND OVER TO COURT

Investigation of the Shooting
Sent Up for TriaI-Den
Jones, CoIored, Bound Over I'm Five
Cases for TrafHcing i'm Liquor on
Sunday.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

Washington, December 23.-Rear Ad-
miral Winfield S. Schley is iii. SITTER
Ing with an acute attack OF luml,ago-
His condition. however. is not at all
serious. though the attack will Confine
him to his bed fOr \ lew days
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
Domestic Economics.

She-Do you think my cooking is
economical?
He-Why. yes Your bread lasts
much longer than does the cooks
Ionkers Statesman.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

It may be dat honesty counts fur
suntlin' In business. but IL looks 10 me
as IL de man who settles wid his cred
itors fur Ia cents on de collar Is de one
who Is ahead OF de game.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
BROTHER GARDNER

NOV an den I hev called o nan q
IN liar. but l hey gincraity been
SIRE dat I weighed ut least
twenty pounds mo- dan he did
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
n Usual Way.

HAHow did you come to get inter
!. ested I'm that story?
She-I liked the way 1t ended--De-
sfroit Free Press
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

1t may be a little late in de day. but
arter Il lifetime spent in wonderin'.
arguin'. jawin' an disputln' | hev
come to de conclusion dat il actually
rainul fo'ty days an nights to bring
OH de flood an dat l can't put on nor
take off q day. NJ. QUAD.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
Conditions of cora<IIa. Vanderbilt.

New York. December 1.-The usual
early evening consultation Of b physi-
Clans. who are attending Cornelius Van
derbilt. was not held today. Dr. Flint
said he thought no buIietins VII be
posted Defore tomorrow.
THIS morning the physicians made
public the folio wing bulletin:
Mr.. Vanderbilt had a VERY restless
night and is still seriously I'll. His
general .o~t Hilton and temperature re-
main about The same. Any slight
changes perhaps are on the aide OF inn
provemenf.'
A ca5Iegram yas received at the heuse
OF Nj. yanderh.t's mother who Il In
London The contents Of hte message
could not be learned
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
: TIE ARIZONA KICKER !



Copyright. 1902. by c. Z. Lewis.l
~LD fashioned molasses candy
q b pulls and progressive check
~ ers are going to be all the
rage among u local Four
Hundred this winter. and h~ighba.ls
and rabbit sandwiches will be the only
refreshments handed OFT
The editor OF tie Grass Valley Ban
ner has gone to his reward. That is.
he allowed q Eluffer to pull lis nose q
month ago without resistance. arr the
other Gay his Office was raidcd and lie
was criven into the BUSH rs a natural
result.
The agricultural department, which
has been N Of the features of the
Kicker for the last year. has been in
definitely suspended. We have tried
our level best to u a department on
burdocks. wild plums and r~attlesnakes.
but 1t has proved too agricultural for
Us.
There are Tot as many "colonels" in
town as there were last week. Ten of
them got notice from the vigilance
committee the other day to leave for
ether fields, and they prudertly needed
the caution. Colonel DefoC is left, but
he is not worth hanging.
1t may save certain people more or
less trouble and ammunition to lie told
that u bedroom in tee p~ostoffice is
bullet proof. A hundred shots may be
fired through the windows fronting the
street, out not one will reach us. Wait
until daylight and then have q fair
pop at US.
When the Lone Jack Recorder says
that we hold twelve public offices. it
tells a falsehood, as the number is only
six When it says that we banker for
more. Ii tells the truth.
Major Callahan Jones. who boasts of
participating in four wars. six duels,
five Indian skirmishes and q dozen ST.
loon rows. Is lying in the own hospital
with a broken leg. An old cross eyed
mule kicked him. NJ. QUAD.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

Heaps an heaps Of folks will allus
look upon de game of poker as siL,Ll
an sunthin' to lie avoided. but il am
my personal experience dat de mo-
poker you play de mo- you know about
human natur'.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

Mo- dan fo'ty years ago I diskivered
dat dere were many things wrong In
dis world. an arter all dat time I
can't find dat de number has lcssened
any. | hev simply worried foty years
fur Euthin'.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
ORIGIN of The Christina. Tree.

Most of as know that the Christmas
tree comes TO, US from Germany. All
we know Of the tree worship of the
Druids which obtained In England and
France. and which probably had some
influence on the later use of the 49, n
the Christian festival. But we do not
all know that a similar festival with
the tree as a browning feature is OBJ
served amor many heathen nations,
aad mat IL comes from sun-worsniD.
which older than history. The re-
yival OF the sun after the winter solstics
a eyel been the SUBJECT OF rejoicing
and of celebration by ceremonies which
represent the new light brought back
to the world. Our tree with its small
candles. its gilded ~knicknacks and toys
for the children. is a direct descendant
of TINS Old festival in honor OF the sun.
Traces of il exist In ireland. where
the 'service-tree Is found ader-ed with
burning lights during Christmas night
TIE English yule-iog is a faint survival
OF this festival. But IL Is beyond t~c-e
that / wish TO draw your attention.
back further even than the Druid mys-
teries of the Gallo forests IL is to
China, that home of all olcer a-s NJ
a history. 1t has been shown that as
long ago as 247 Il. c. a tree with a hun
dred lamps and lover was placed m
the steps of the audience-haH. .ss
appears again in the records OF Princess
Yang who lived 1876 Il ID. and W.,
caused a hu1dred-iamp trees eighty
feet high TO be erected on a moarf7fn-
1t was Dehted during New Years night,
and the illumination was seen for
dreds Of miles. eclipsing the light OF the
moon. n canGle~tree Is no longer
lighted in China. being replaced by IN
unusual number of ianters. which sro
hung everywhere. a suggestion Of the
rree. however. still IS In Japan
At the New Year two evergreen trees
are placed without. ON either aide NJ tsse
door. Their tops are tied together with
tn sacred band OF straw. and various
nbiecIs. dried Holsters m oranges are
fastened TO their branches-Stfwart
Calm. OF the University az Pennsyiya-
nia. In the December woman's Home
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

Now an den I fnd q man widout
guile. but no sooner do I make up my
mind to tic Up TO him an git &c benefit
Of his innocence dan l ind him TO be q
man widout brains.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

don't say dat a term OF three years
In state prison is Il good thing fur q
man who desires to become a politi-
clan, but when &c three years comes as
q sort of wiudup to a political career
/ don't see anything unnatural or in
consistent about it.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
pop at VI

When the Lone Jack Recorder says
b a we hold twelve public offices. it
tells a falsehood. a. the number is only
six. When it says that we banker for
more. Ii tells the truth.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26
Judgment Against Insurance Com
panies.

P. S.-Ei. w. Divine sell our paint
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

! hev had several lawsuits In my
time an hev got beaten In each an
cherry one OF 'em. but I hev de consola-
ton OF feelin' dat I hov aided judges,
Jurors an lawyers to arm an extra
dollar or two.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

I don't reckon dat one black cat is
blacker dan another in n dark night,
but IL any one ONE along an wants
to argue de matter I'm willin' to sit on
de fence an try an convince him dat
SIGH am de case.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-26

1t allus gives me q feelin' Of placidity
to contribute two bits To de heathen
of Africa Of 4 Sunday. but when |
wake up OH Monday mornln' an lind
dat my hen roost has been robbed by a
heather Of America | amt sayin' dat l
doa't believe we'd better keep our
money at home.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-10-26

of tine Inventions Ia question. Illustrates
the Importance which tbs PEDAL eXtremitics
now play in fraudulent seances or sttinga.
II Is Il counterfeit of the tip Of the shoe.
not of the flesh and oiood digit Of lie
lower cxtremlties A pair OF these was
lately discovered in the kit Of an Ingenious
seance juggler. They are made OF spun
brass, as thin as paper, but with wen
derfully high degree OF tensile strength
They snugly fit over the tips OF q pair OF
patent leather shoes, and being lacquered
over have the precise polish Of glossy
boot Even the extension OF tue sole, the
stitching therein and the fancy border CT
the tip are represented. When worn over
the supposed mediums shoes they attract
no attention.
Thorough exposure Of sleight of hand
manifestations has made the progressive
bogus medium more wary OF manual ma
nipulations that he used to be. In Ia.
divldual seances he may place the sitter
Opposite him at table. The spun-brass
toes are In place. The room is bare and
the doors are locked. The light is turned
down after the possibility OF intervention
of a third person has been banished. Now,
TO prove TO you that these manifestations
which you are about TO witness axe not
caused by me-" says the medium, | VIII
ask you to grasp both my hands ana place
your toes upon mine. Thus yau can account
for my hands and feet throughout the eN
pertinent"
The sitter presses his toes upon thots o.
the medium" BY so doing ne enables tae
latter TO withdraw one or both OF MS fett
from the false shoe toes. The sitter coA'
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-10-26
COFFEE FLYERS.
en- b 90 y You SO . IIt.


The coffee habit ls as injurious az other
aof Well dig IN ana see Ihe system
Graves a stiuiulaht more ana more until
finally the victim wakes up
When we arc as fortunate as Mr. James
D. Rimble Of Northampton Mass, 70 feAl,
Ize that we have got % stop or the penalty
viii he severe, II q o little startling at
arsi 10 consider ae says. II was 40
inveterate coffee drinker during twenty
years Of my life. a.,
The first ten years | experienced ne ~
effectg from tho coffee, but Us insidlons
working brought forth a train Of, eylls later
on ! became very nerYous ana ifrltaDle,
In fact, felt an the time aS II bhoull ~
Ii pleces' Nv nerves were al unat ing
and craved coffee as topper does hhHor'
In truth was a coffee topper t,
NV appetibt became very poor ana soila
food repuqnaN 10 the sights dyspepsia
md iudigsetioit were my insepernnle COM
panlons and food did me but httle good.
About four enT age Fd ts1e9e oa sas'sfa w m
ioafb TO believe that coffee was the cause
III nv trouble therefore ! did not nave
much faith In Postum, nevertheless com,
nenced IFS use and from the very nrsi /
experienced a decided benen!. ~ spPtai ~,
returned food began 20 taste nailfal aii,a
ala me good Nv nervousness graduany
dieanpeared: the brain became clear the
loss III strength and hesn arrested ana
the stomach gradually strengthened. lie
seemed once more wQlib lsiNs 4pd ,. s1
Doinfed me- To me coffee proved slow ngau'
on / have found Postum 20 he buiioer
and sustainer Of the system ana heartily
recommend II 10 the slaves OF conee. WITH
NJ KlmbIe mentions 10 bic letter many
~ his frlendt In Northampton who have
recovered health ana strength fxQm ueins
Postum on his recommendations