davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05

veled at the unDretentious dress Of the
Montana judge who came to them as
their ruler without any trappings or re-
gala to indicate his high Office
The traveller in Porto Rico must carry
away with him lasting memory of it's
beauty, for it is exceedingly pleasing to
look upon. One after-dinner speaker re-
ferred to it as 'sthe palm crested gem OF
the Caribbean" It has rows of pretty
little hills that run wavering along as if
in doubt which way to go, and mountain
ranges so lofty that they have given the
road builder hard tussle to conquer
them. ct has ever green valleys where
the white blossoms of wild cotton wave
in the wind, and where morning glories
Chamber everywhere. And then there is
F., the palm, always the palm, lifting high
| it's tufted head like a sentinel keeping
watch It has jungle and plain and wind
| ing river, as we'll as countless thickets
of banana plants, whose torn, emerald
| hued fans droop under the weight. of the
languor that pervades the southern seas.
But there is something>in the air which is
new to the tropics. 1t is the spirit Of
Americanism. 1t makes itself felt in many
ways. There is wind mill upon Moro
| castle. On the base of scrumbling
statue of the Virgin 1 saw a glaring adj
vertisement of Chicago hams. The hands
are playing American two-steps. The
new penal code is a model of the Cali
fornia criminal law, and the new civil
system is patterned after that of Louis
lana. The light of civilization Is at last
kindling in the Antilles.
Frederic ]. Haskin.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05

Correspondence of The Journal.
San Juan, Porto Rico, March 23.-Porto
Rico is on the boom. Although free trade
with the United States has been in effect
only seven months, the leaven or pros
perity Is at work, and the improved con-
ditions are apparent on every mana. mere
is not a vacant house in San Juan and
all rents have about doubled. Wages for
common labor are twice what they We're
formerly and men are needed everywhere.
The governor has on his desk many APP
plications for various kinds of franchises
capital is now eager for access to the
little island since it has been taken under
Uncle Sans wing All vessels plying in
this trade are being taxed to their full
carrying capacity and new line of steam
ers to the United States has just been
put on. Trade is very brisk with the local
merchants. ! came here from Cuba and
the retail district of Havana as compared
to that Of San Juan is as quiet as grave
yard
Before free trade was established be-
tween Porto Rico and the United States
the legislative assembly of the island was
required to put into effect system of
taxation that would supply sufficient rev.
enue to defray the expenses or the gov
eminent. The law calculated to meet
this requirement has been in effect lit
tie over a year and the result can now
De discussed. IN the matter OIL eSclse
taxes the reports show that $4,000 was
collected during the first month and a
substantial increase derived for each sue
ceeding period of thirty days until the
sum for the last one ran up to So, III
the total for the year being $3.50, AT IS.
The splendid outcome of this experiment
is particularly gratifying for the reason
that prior to it's Inauguration the people
were oppressed with system of taxation,
which, while working direct hardship to
the masses, was at the same time mad
eQuate to the necessities Of the govern
ment.
Tax System a Fair One.
The present system Is working so
smoothly and satisfactory that it's accept
ance without complaint has been general.
To illustrate how unanimous the &C.
ceptancs Of the new order Of things has
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05

lures Of agriculture that will be benefit
to the man who derives his living from
the soil.
A Monetary Shock.
The people of Porto Rico have
thoroughappreciation of the era of good
times which is nowe being felt through
out the island. For some time past they
nave had an uncommonly hard time of it.
or course the change Of government was
demoralizing for time, and the change
OF money caused another great loss to the
people. When this occurred the fellow
who went to bed with Spanish dollar in
his pocket woke up the next morning with
only 90 cents-that was all his dollar was
worth in American money the next day.
This change effected nearly $7,OO0,OOO in
currency, outstanding bills and mort
cages which aggregated, all told, nearly
S50, 100000 That was an ordeal, but SO
long as the change had to be made some
time, 1t was considered best to do 1t at
ence and have the unpleasant job done
with. All this shows that Porto Rico has
had her full quota of trouble. Under
American rule the return to prosperity
mas been very rapid, yet the conditions
are not anything like they will be in a
few years Of good government. It is
claimed that it's fertility, in connection
with it's free ntrance and proximity to
Tue great united States market, makes it
the most favorable tropical island in the
world.
The Governors Trip.
Governor William H. Hunt, chief execu-
tive of Porto Rico. accompanied by an
! official party, and a special correspondent,
has just returned to San Juan from a trip
| through the island.
The one sight, freigkted with the great
est pOrtent, which every hamlet and vii
lage and city presented, was the ranks
of school children lined 10 in orderly
! array, neat and tidy in their personal
! appearance and under the perfect control
of their teachers. In charge of every
squad of these little black and brown re-
cruits there was a trim, white owned
American girl, moving about with the
confident air Of a general. When she
gave the command and her little forces
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05
BUSINESS PORTO RICO IS ON THE BOOM s% n k S S

been, it Is shown that although $500 200 200
worth OF property was levied upon, and
$4,000 schedules returned, the board or
equalization had only $50 applications for
REIMBURSEMENT Of assessments. The bur-
den of taxation has been so generally dis
tributed that it's weight has not been
felt by any particular class Of industry
1t is claimed by some authorities that
there is not another civilized country in
the world as fairly, lightly, and ada
quately taxed as Porto Rico at the pres
emit time.
The improved condition of the country
is shown by the increase in the number
of it's industries. In twelve months the
number of dealers in articles subject to
excise taxes increased from 5000 to $500;
the number Of tobacco manufacturers
from ITO to 604. During the same period
the amount Of taxes paid on manufactured
tobacco increased from SIS, 146 to $50, 203,
band the tax on rum from 1882 to S42,ll2.
A comparative statement Of the exports
of oranges and straw hats to the United
States during the first six months of free
trade and the corresponding period of the
preceding year discloses some increases
that are worth noting.
OF course the largest sums were in
volved in the items of sugar and tobacco
Before free trade the amount of sugar
sold to the United States in six months
| was $631,516 and for a corresponding per-
iod afterward 81, $50. During the same
time tobacco jumped from $176,721 to
| $545,056
The people of the United States have
not been educated to the taste Of the Por-
to Rican coffee although it is of very
| fine quality. The statistics show we in
creased our purchases from $S47 to $4,91S,
| yet 81 ,45SS5 went to other countries
| principally to France.
The Sale of American Goods.
The dominant issue with the American
business man is the sale of goods to the
people of our new possessions. The
amount Of their purchases Is an item Of
great Importance to every one. The sta
| tistics of Porto Rico, as furnished me by
| the custom house officials of San Juan,
are as follows: During the last year Of
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05

very profitable inves tment, and this su-
perior species now represents two thirds
of the goat population OF the United
States to-day. &=
The fleece Of the Angora, called mohair,
furnishes some Of the finest fabrics among
ladies' dress goods and is used in various
other manufactures. The manufacture of
mohair products in this country is a rap
idly increasing industry. The mills man
ufacturing mohair goods now number
forty-four in the United States. Besides
consuming all Of the home product the
mills are obliged to import very large
quantities to meet the demands Of the
American trade. Wool growers who have
gone into the business of raising Angora
goats believe confidently that the oon
sumption Of the products of mohair will
continue to increase. and that the indus
try will grow to many times its present
proportions within few years. It is
pointed out that it is q product than
which there is no other fiber more beauti-:
full. not excepting silk. The natural lus-,
ter in the mohair on the goats back is
never absent, whatever the manufac-
tured form it takes or how ever long it Is
used. For durability mohair goods are
said to have no equal, and in some forms
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05

sell for an average price Of one cen:
apiece. When the 100000 trees now
planted begin to bear and bring a return
Of two dollars each per year, in addition
to the wild trees that are already yielding,
as we'll as the large number that will be
installed III the meantime, it is plainly
apparent that Porto Rico will reap a rich
harvest from this source in the near fu-
ture. The situation IS particularly ia
vorable to the Porto Rican growers for
the reason that the Florida orchards were
injured by frost during the past winter
and the industry in California-for the
first time in its history suffered from The
same cause. There is no question about
there being a demand for fruit or the
ability of Porto Rico to fill it.
Good Roads.
Good progress is being made in the
very necessary improvement of roads.
Since the American occupation over $50
miles of public highway which was con-
structed by the Spanish authorities has
been put in first-class condition. In addi-
ton to this over $2,00O,0OO has been ex-
pended in the construction of new thor
oughfares. In the past the heavy and
frequent rains which occur throughout all
portions Of the island have, during GER
tain portions of the year, rendered COM
munication between the various locali-
ties impossible for weeks at a time. The
system Of roads that has been planned
and is now being built, will soon estab-
lish connection between the farms and
villages, and the markets and seaports
during every condition Of tropical
weather. Us
An Experiment Station.
Congress has made an appropriation Of
$4,000 for the United States department
Of Agriculture to use in establishing and
maintaining an agricultural experiment
, station at Porto Rico. The main farm
will consist3of about 200 acres, and there
will likely he sub-stations in order tt
experiment with the kinds of soil moi
found on the central farm. An effort viii
be made to improve the manner of cult.
waiting the principal crops, as we'll as
food supplies for home consumption, the
Improvement Of live stock, and all fea.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05


| the product seems indestructible by ordi-z
nary usage. According to the best fig
ures obtainable, there were consumed by
the mills Of the United States in the year
1899, 81 sass pounds Of mohair, Of which
1,119,46 were imported. The latter fig
ures would seem to indicate that the in
telligent, rearing OF ,+Angora goats would
open up to. the farmer another profitable
industry which has been almost entirely
overlooked.
Northwest's- Opportunity.
The northwest seems destined to become
home for this extensive and profitable
industry. At present the raising Of An
CORA goats Is not followed by many farm
ers and stockgrowers In this section OF
the country.
H. r. Fletcher is the largest grower OF
Angoras in Minnesota He wintered a
flock OF about 400 goats on his farm near
New Brighton the past winter, and is
making money from them. He has made
many large sales in the past two years.,
and Is confident that the industry will
assume large proportions and become
more profitable within short time. The
cost OF raising the animals. he reports is
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05

Spanish rule the people of the island
bought from the United States supplies to
the amount of $2,254,9S9; during the first
year of American occupation, So ,39S, zig;
during the second year of American con-
troll, S., 4S3, 613, and the third year $685.
557. The total amounts purchased from
all other countries during the same period
were as follows: Last year OF Spanish
rule, $1O,714, S37; first year of American
occupation, $S,S56,3 second year, $3,225,-
406, and third year, $2,071.931.
These figures look right from an Ameri-
can standpoint and the indications, for the
current year warrant the expectation of
record breaking totals.
Area Of the Land.
The total area of the island amounts
to 1871, 5S6 acres. This territory was di-
vided, according to the last report of the
commissioner of the interior, rs follows:
Pasture lands, 1908, 206 acres; coffee, 1885,
1874: woodland, 1851; sugar cane, S2,67S,
and tobacco 30,704, leaving less than $780,
900 acres uncultivated. The next report
will show general departure from these
figures. Coffee is losing to tobacco, the
pasture lands are being turned into cane
fields, and fruit is making inroads OH them
all.
THE Orange Industry.
Last season, iO,QOO boxes of oranges,
which sold for $l40, 900, found their way to
the American market. All of these grew
wild. Until this time there has been no
serious attempt at fruit culture on the
island. The people here are fully alive to
the possibilities of the new market opened
to them, however, and it is estimated that
fully 1000 acres are now planted in
oranges. The first crop from these new
trees will make it's appearance in the
United States market during the latter
part of 1904 and the quantity will increase
| rapidly from that time In order to illus
trate the vast possibilities of this par
ticular branch Of the fruit business, one
Of the growers, who has 1000 acres undar
cultivation told me that he had seventy
trees to the acre, and, at the most con-
servative estimate these trees would yield
yearly 200 perfect oranges: They are
packed in boxes holding 200 each and
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05

his ancestors used to ride on horseback
Into Westminster hall, where the newly
made king sat at his coronation feast. and
fling down their challenging gauntlet, has
Just been presented to King Edward, and
hereafter will be on exhibition at Wind,
sor Castle.
| Both champion and his valiant steed, in
effigy. will stand forth in one Of the halls
of the castle, and the figure Of the former
will be encased in the famous armor.
| This particular suit, Of armor was last
worn at the coronation of King George
It was sold in 1877 and found Its way into
a private collection, finally being secured
by the ndblenan who presentedsit to the
king, The aImor worn by the Dymoke
champton ct the coronations Of the latsr
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05

saving was no small one. for the champion
had been in the habit of receiving from
the lord chamberlain, besides an elabo-
rate suit of polished steel armor, q
spirited horse, with twenty yards Of GRIM
son satin with which to caparison It, to
SAY nothing Of the goblet of pure gold
with which he drank the kings health.
He had to be accompanied, too, by an en-
tire retinue, including two trumpeters,
sergeant trumpeter, with mace on his
shoulder; two sergeants- at-arms, also
bearing maces: two esquires, bearing the
champion's lance and shield. and gor-
geously clad herald. ss +
This brilliant company entered the
great banquet hall short thy. after the ooro-
nation FEAST had commenced and paused
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05

The goat-that bearded, omniverous,
rumlnant, rumgumptious, fetid, disreput-
able QuadruDed which served in ancient
times as an emblem of dishonor and i'm
purity and later 'degenerated into an ex-
haustless subject for the New York carl
cature papers-will make 251s American
millionaires in the next year if the Amer
leans will let him. This, at least, Is the
estimate OF a member Of the United
States department of agriculture who has
a penchant for statistics and who has
delved deep into the subject of goat rails
Ing. The author Of this estimate AYERS
that the goat. despite his many failings,
can be made the NEST profitable Of all
domesticated animals.
The goat is valuable for his fleece, his
milk, and his meat. He can be maintained
more easily than can any other herded
animal. His butting equipment enables
him to protect himself better than most
domesticated animals against such enc
mics as dogs, wolves and coyotes. He
Is easily adaptable to all kinds and con-
ditions of pastures. He Is a tireless
and invaluable scavenger. While other
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05


herbiverous animals prefer always the
cereals and grasses which must be raised
at the expense OF the farmer, the goat
rejects these and prefers briers. thorns,
thistles, cactus, the rankest weeds and
vegetable refuse. He thus voluntarily
cleans the fields before these noxious
weeds go to seed and spread or die and
cause CONGREGATIONS. After he destroys
the injurious growths, the fields become
fertile and are covered with nutritious
grasses. n
The Aristocratic AngOra.
The plebeian goat is and does all Of this.
His more aristocratic kinsman. the An
CORA goat, thrives equally as we'll on the
American ,feldn. is almost as serylceable.
the expense of raising is practically the
same, and he Is Of far greater CONNER
cial value because Of his silky fleece, now
used in the manufacture Of mohair. The
failings Of the Angora's poor relations
and his own redeeming qualities have
caused him of late to crowd the common
animal into comparative obscurity. A
few years ago farmers began experiment.
ing with the Angora goat and found him
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05
THE KINGS CHAMPION
CHALLENGE GIVEN


Georges, however, is in the possession Of
the present head of the historic family,
who keeps up his ancestors old estate at
Schrivelsby court.
King Edward has decided not to trouble
Mr.. Dymoke either to wear armor or to
challenge all and sundry at the forthcom-
ing coronation. There was no champion
at Queen Victoria's coronation, nor at
that Of her uncle, William w. The latter
monarch discontinued both the champion
and the customary banquet for the sake
of economy, the royal exchequer being at
that time at decidedly low ebb. The
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05

For breeding purposes one buck is sufti-
cient for hundred ewes.
Angora goats are particularly robust
and are credited with being the healthlest
of all live stock. They are very seldom,
If ever, infected with scab, require no
dipping, and are far more easily handled
and cheaply kept than sheep. The life
of the Angora is from two to three times
that Of sheep-a valuable and important
consideration in estimating profit.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05

London, March 22.-Although it has
been supposed that the Kings Champion
with his white horse, his gauntlet and
his offer to fight anybody that wanted to
question the kings right to the crown
was nothing more than a memory Of the
past, there is a modest, every daylook
ing young man living out In Lincolnshire
who has the right to claim this privilege
which descends in his family, and whose
right is being considerably discussed at
present. His name is Frank s. Dymoke,
and he Is particularly interesting just
now because the suit Of armor In which
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05

small, and as compared with the expense
of maintaining a flock of sheep or herd
Of cattle, is almost nothing. Goats are
very prolific and begin to propagate at an
early age, the males at seven months and.
the females a little older, If so allowed.
The ewes will bring forth twice year,
but are allowed to bring forth only once
a year as general rule. One kid is
usually born at the first birth, afterward
two and sometimes three or even four.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-05-17
ITO Be Continued
TEAM WORK AMONG SQUIRRELS
What One Is Unable to Carry 9th
ers Aid in Getting Away
With,

A party Of young people who were
tenting in grove near a glen at a
Mortified conference witnessed an
incident which seems to show a
friendly unders landing among squir-
rels. The Deerfield Valley Endeav.
orer tells the pleasing story.
An out-of-doors dinner had just
been finished and the party was still
sitting at the BILE, when a red SOUR
rel, with glistening, eager eyes, came
creeping down tree which stood
near the table. He crept nearer and
nearer, and finally leaped upon the
table
The lady who was presiding said:
Eyes, help yourself to anything you
want!"
Upon this invitation the little fell
low made bold to creep up to a loaf
of bread from which only a slice or
two had been cut. He seized it and
dragged it to the side of the table.
and somehow managed to scramble
down the side with it to the ground.
He then fixed his teeth in the crust
and dragged it away and down the
steep sides of the glen
But when he reached the bottom
and confronted the steep rise on the
other side it was too much for him.
Then he gave sort of call, which
seemed to be understood, for soon
squirrels were seen coming from sew
eral directions. They crowded round
him, and after little conference all
took hold, and with tug and strain
they managed to bring the loaf to
the top of the hill and disappeared
with it in the woods beyond.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-05-17
RHEUMATISM CURED AT LAST.

Lake Sarah, Mimi, May th.-Thou-
sands will read with pleasure that a
cure for Rheumatism has at last been
found. si.s - =,
! A Mrs. Hildebrardt, of this place, aft
er trying very many medicines, has re
Gently found successful remedy for
this painful disease.
This woman suffered SO with the
Rheuma tism in her arms that sleep or
rest became impossible.
She heard of Dodd's Kidney Pills, but
having little faith in anything, was very
reluctant to spend any more money for
medicine.
However, she decided to try one box,
and this helped her so much that she
continued to use the Pills. Now she
says:
Il am real well, and I don't know
how lean express my thanks to Dodd's
Kidney Pills for what they have done
for me-
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-05-17
WISCONSIN STATE NEWS.
Death of Jesse Stone.

Jesse Stone, lieutenant governor of
Wisconsin, died after a lingering IL
ness at his home in Watertown, aged
66 years. Mr.. Stone had lived in Wis
consin since 1869. Besides local Of
fees he was three times elected to
the assembly, in 1880, 1882 and 1896.
He was twice a delegate to the re-
publican national convention and
long a member of the republican
state central committee. He served
on Gov. Towards staff and was elect
ed lieutenant governor in 1896 and
reelected in 1899. He was a thirty
second degree mason and belonged
to many orders. He left a widow
and one son, w. C. Stone, who is the
manager of the manufacturing bust
ness in Watertown.