davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13
THE GROUND HOG THEORY
Explained by an Old Hunter and
Trapper.
special Contribution TO The Argus.


Special Contribution To The Argus.
While calling on friend the other day,
who, by the way, is a great hunter and
trapper, your correspondent made the remark
Mat this had been a hard winter and that
we didn't think the ground hog or his
shadow had anything to do with it,
"No," said our friend, ''but If you will
go to the trouble Of digging one of these
grea, weather regulators out. you will dis
cover that his head is now towards the
entrance of the hole"
"Is that an indication of spring ?" we
veuiured to ask
ayes. DO you remember the thunder
storm we had few days ago ?" We
answered in the affirmative.
'well, that was the turning point in the
life of the ground hog. lie then about
faced, and is now ready 10 march olt after
the next thunder shower which will probably
occur between the 18th and goth of the
present month"
Here We asked him IL he was not a reader
OF "Word and Works or whether he had one
of hicks aimanacs in the house.
"No," said he, "but used to. read p.
Are Smiths representations very closely,
and must say that always found them very
correct in theory, but not in fact" We
here reminded our friend that he was drift
ing from the subject and he again proceeded
as follows
"You see about the above date the earth
will again be shaken by thunder and the
ground hog will come forth in all his glcry-
after the shower is over-of course he won't
come out in the rain. Bat as soon as the
thunder ceases to roll and the sun comes
out he will venture out, get up on his hind
legs and look around him. II the sky is
clear, no ring around the sun, you can bet
your setter pup, that spring is here in all
her beauty. But should he discover a ring
around the sun, he goes back into his hole,
not as he came out, but crawfsher. You
see if he should go in as he came out. il
would require a thunder storm to again
arouse him and another one to reverse him,
thus making it unreasonable for spring
blowing and work generally. But should
he discover ring around the sun, land we
do pray that he will not, he goes back as
above stated and remains for ten days, during
which time we will probably have all kinds
OF weather-raln, snow, sleet and hail. But
when he again appears to behold the beauti-
fer Of nature, he neither looks to the right
nor the left, but Immediately departs for
pastures new and the place that sheltered
and protected him all the long winter, will
probably know him no more forever"
Seeing hat this burst of eloqueuce had
unnerved our friend to some extent, we took
our departure, wondering if all men 52rre
created equal.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13
Dority.

Correspondence Of The Argus
Our snow had left but more has como
% seems the longer the winter the harder
the storms We think it has showed our
candidates under so deep that they won't
get out especially Ben Arnold
School has commenced again with Lee.
MIA 1eets as teacher We think 10 would
bo better 10 their was but one trustee. we
would have had school three weeks ago
or all winter Some men would like 10
teach the school whether they have a
certificate or not
Daniel Dodge and several other good
farmers went 70 Terra Alta last Saturday
T. q Summers intends 10 move bis steam
saw and single mill near the pike where
90 Will be more convenient
Jacob Albright has been making n lot of
crosstcs this winter Jake says obey ara
Tor the new railroad that is 20 be- buut ua
Cheat river
Preaching az this place every .wo weeks
BY Rev. shulu
Stock is wintcrng we'll SO FAR cxceo,
sheep BAY IS a little scarce With some. as
most farmers have sold aU their ba.ied
hay except Grant Kelly who we think has
"a good bit set
Peter F.ckcy the huckstcr from near
Iar was here last week looking after tbc
butter ard eggs
what BIAS become OF old Uncle Zoe Of
Brandonviiic, Are you showed under down
hcrc' We would like fo know hos, gor and
Aunt Mandy are getting along
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13
Oklahoma TerritOry.
Special correspondent of the Argus
ORA

Special correspondent of the Argus
LAMONT, OKLA, March 3, 1902.
As have not written letter to THE AR
Gus for over year will try and give your
readers few items of interest.
Well, am here in the little town of La
mont Oklahoma, in the photograph bust
ness. Lamont is a little town of about 700
Inhabitants, and is located on the FRISCO II.
r., about rs miles southwest of Blackwell,
Okla, and it is one of the best and liveliest
towns in Oklahoma.
will give you a short directory of the
town as named below: Four Hardware
stores, four grocery stores, one racket store,
one clothing house, one drug store, two iur-
niture stores, two livery stables, two banks,
one printing office, two hotels, three res
taurants and four blacksmith shops.
II has been cold dry winter, the coolest
the mercury registered was below zero, and
we have not had any rain to speak of for four
months, had some snow but not any great
amount.
The prospects for wheat are not very fat
tering at present, although don't think it is
damaged to very great extent yet, but if
the dry weather continues very much longer
there will be good prospects for an entire
failure.
You people in the east don't know anything
about sand and dust storms, there is one
raging here today and it is so dusty at times
that you cannot see one-half block. sup
pose you think it is here just like it is on the
deserts, but there is where you are mistaken
it does not last only a day or so at a time.
Don't get into your minds that there is no
place but Preston county, but come west
and see our beautiful land Of corn and wine,
where we raise from 20 to 80 bushels of
wheat per acre, and all other aims and
vegetables in proportion.
Jimeson Snyder and sons sold 900 acres
OF land near Wellington, Kans., for $1,000
and will invest in land near lamont, Okla.
Well, I expect I have written as much as
the readers of TuE ARGUS can stand 10 read
so will close, wishing your readc.s pros.
porous year
Yours respectfully,
w. DALLAS SNYDER.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13
News and Notes.
From Id Grafton SentlneI.

From the Grafton Sentinel
Mrs. DR.. T. L. Lanham and children
were at Newburg from Friday afternoon to
Sunday evening, the guests of friends.
Oren F. Morton, the well-kuown Preston
county author of "Under the Cottonwoods, 4"
and "Winning or Losing" was in the city
Friday and Saturday last, coming over from
Kingwood, and leaving Saturday for points
on the Belington branch, where he goes in
the interests of his publications.
b. o. passenger train No. 10 had a
narrow escape from serious disaster a, New
burg last Friday afternoon Rounding the
curve jus, west Of the coal dumps she
plunged into freight train Several of
the freight cars were wrecked but fortunately
no one was injured. Trains were delayed
for an hour or SO, both tracks being blocked
The passengers were badly shaken up, but
went on their way rejoicing, perfectly salts
fed that tho accident was no worse
Hon. c. C Showalter of Fairmon,, state
! supreme ruler of the Knights OF the
Maccabses, last Friday made purchase Of
the handsome W. 4. Beaver summer resi-
dence a' Terra Alta, paying therefor the
sum Of two thousand and two hundred dol
lars. Mr.. Showalter will remove his family
and also his father aud mother TO their
handsome new summer home just as soon as
the weather will permit Property at Terra
Alta is moving along very nicely Just at
present and especially that suitable for
summer residences. The hotels there all
| expect large crowds the coming season and
the city officials are using every effort to
/ beaulify The town and surroundings in cx-
pectation Of a very successful season in the
mountains
The body Of Ezekiel Lanham arrived here
| Tuesday evening from the Philippine
Islands, and on Wednesday was Inferred in
the National cemetery, on the west side Of
| the city. The deceased was the only son of
Mr.. and Mrs Zadock Lanham Of near In
| dependence, Preston county, and at the
time Of his death was serving as a Lance
| Corporal in Troop K Of the First l.. S. A..
Cavalry. lie died in the First Reserve
| Hospital, Philippine Islands, ON December
/ 18th last, and as n troop ship was scheduled
to leave at an early date thereafter ,heibody
was embalmed and forwarded home. The
entire expenses Of shipment and burial were
paid by The United States Government.
/ Quite a large delegation OF Lyon Post No.
p, G.. a. r.. of Independence, together
with members Of the family Of the deceased,
attended lbe funeral, and Che services
throughout were unspcakabiy sad and de-.
| pressing
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13


And now another member Of the
Presidents Cabinet has "given no.
tice" and will soon part with the
strenuous duties in connection with
being a member of Teddy's official
family. Secretary Longs resigna-
ton has been given to the President
to take effect May Ist. Congress
man w. II. Moody, Of Massachus.
etts, will succeed Secretary Long.
having accepted the Presidents ten
der Of the portfolio. The new ap-
pointee of the Navy Department is
brother-in law to Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge Of the "Old Bav
State, who occupies a similar posi-
ton to Roosevelt that Hanna did TO
Mckinley.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

The Wheeling Intelligencer sent
a staff reporter 20 Tunnelton TO
write up she new countyseat. and
after spending two days there last
week, and being loaded 10 the muz.
zle with enthusiasm and misinforma.
ton be moved the Court House
from here aud located il in the Coal
Center by an overwhelming major.
ity including many Of The promi.
nent citizens of Kingwood. "who
strange % say are in favor of The
move" % quote the IntelIiqencer's
report We infer from the above
that Kyle, The aforesaid reporter
must have been hobnobbing with
Maj. Kim Iinn and imbibing of the
spirit of The bic Ghost Dance
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

Grafton is now rejoicing over the
location OF the Beaumont Glass
Plant at that place. II comes from
Martins Ferry, Ohio. The Grafton
Industrial Company donated a site
and $50 lots at Woodford, a point
about half mile west Of the city
limits and situated between the pike
and the railroad. The lots we're
placed on sale at szoo and at once
bought mp by citizens Of the town
Inc Glass Company guarantee TO
have the plant in operation by Au-
gust fst and TO employ not less
than rs men.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

Last week Senator Scott presented
to the Senate a petition signed and
sent in by the citizens of Bruceton,
this county, favoring the passage of
the Grout Oleomargaine Bill. Sim
liar petitions from many other
places have also been sent in.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

Mark Hanna has been posing as
the peacemaker between labor and
capital, and trying to reconcile one
with the other. His modus oper-
andi with labor is to hire one
half to shoot the other half, when
ever a big strike is on.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

M members Of fhr HAY Fryrr A.....,.
zion would usc DR. Kings Sow Discover
Toy Consumption fhc club would go io
pieces ior BE- always cures this maiady. and
Asthma ilc kind that battles fho dociore
Do Wholly drives from thc system TIoue.
ihdt ~ once hopeless sufferers from Con.
sumption Pneumonia. Bronchitis .e.s fI,.i,
Nfct and health to &c. 10 conquer. Crlp
fFcs little ones from Group aud VyhooDi0r
Lonfh and IS positively guaranteed for I'D
Throat and Lung troubles GOO Rfoo Trial
poiies Tree oi The Cooke Supply CO.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

Prince Henry of Prussia sailed
Tuesday of this week for home on
the steamship Deutschland, from
New York, after a two weeks visit
and round of entertainments that
no one but past master of the bus
mess could stand up under. He
was received everywhere with open
arms and the utmost enthusiasm,
and his visit should cement the
bonds Of friendship between this
country and Germany and make it
solid and unbroken for the present
generation anyhow. 1t is expected
that great commercial good will
come of the visit.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

The report comes from all along
the railroad that people are not fall
ing over each other to sign the pc
tition for moving the Court House
to Tunnelton, and it is very doubtful
if enough bonaide voters can be
secured on a petition to the coming
session of the County Court, to
have the question submitted to a
vote this fall.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

contracted to do certain work for
the least possible money will be as
accommodating and as ready TO
issue money orders, register mail
and in other ways increase their
work as men who are paid a salary
and who appreciate that their posi-
tions are permanent so long as they
perform their duties to the satisfac-
ton of their patrons and of the De-
partment. These are but a few of
the many objections to the measure,
but | feel confident that, could the
residents along the free delivery
routes have an opportunity of ex
pressing themselves, they would be
unanimous in their opposition to the
change" From what / have been
able to learn from the Senate end
of the Capitol 1t seems hardly likely
that the bill will receive a favorable
vote in that body, particularly as its
opponents predict that before the
Senate takes it up for consideration
the Senators will be overwhelmed
with protests from the residents of
their several States.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

There is railroads and rumors Of
railroads Of all kinds now, and II
we get half the number reported, in
our day and generation, we will be
well fixed for coal and other devel-
opments. Here is The latest re-
port hot from the wires
The Baltimore e. Ohio Railroad
Company Us considering the sdvisa-
biIiiy Of building a branch from
kowlesburg 90 Durbin. w. Va
utilizing the Dry Fork railroad.
There rs also a strong probability
that the Chesapeake Il Ohio viii
construct a line from MarlInton 10
Cowen, 10 Webster county, w. Va.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

And so the Republican party is
going to control the trusts. In 9TH
er words the calf is going to fight
its mother.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

Some of the Republican papers
are very much worried over Bryan's
lecture tour and try to make politi-
cal matter out of it, although he is not
candidate for any Office and there is
no campaign of any kind on hand,
but they have become so accus-
toned to lying on him that they
simply can't help it.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

VALUABLE PROPERTY FOR SALE
AT MANOWN vs.. w.
One Sow Dwelling House ttXl8 two
ONE sew STORE ROOM
1870 Goods and poslomcc included.
buildings
Two Acres of ground well cultivated.
with Choice Fruit and we'll of very fine
water.
Any ono wshins to boy property OF Mis
Kind please e4II at mF place. or write me
and viii make prices known.
J. ~ Johnson
M1nown w Va
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13
A GOOD MAN GONE.

One of the best known and most
picturesque characters of America,
Charles Broadway Rouss, died at
his home on Fifth Avenue, in New
York City, March 3rd. The imme-
date cause of his death was pneu-
monia, although he had been in i'll
health for some time with dropsy
and heart disease He was one of
the merchant princes of New York
and worth about four million dollars,
and made it all himself by hard
work and close attention to bust
ness. He had been blind for sew
eral years, and offered a million
dollars TO anyone who would restore
his eyesight. He served in the
Confederate army and was greatly
attached to Virginia, naming his
only daughter after the old State,
and calling his son Winchester
Rouss, after the place where he
began his mercantile career. He has
been very liberal to the town and
State, and was greatly beloved by
the people down there. He was
buried in splendid mousoleum in
Mount Hebron Cemetery there,
which he erected at cost of 500, =
900. He also built a fine iron
fence around the Cemetery costing
$50, 900. He gave $40, 900 for a
City Hall $4,000 for Water
Works $40, 600 to the Fire De-
partment SIS, 900 to the Shenan-
doah Valley Agricultural Society /:
$1,000 to the Charlestown Fire De-
partment. After the fire at the
University of Virginia in 1895,
which destroyed the rotunda, library,
labratory and lecture room, Rouss
gave s35, 900 towards having it re-
built. He also gave sIoo, 900 to
the Southern Battle Abbey at Rich
mond. Besides all these public
gifts he has given many thousands
of dollars to old friends and poor,
deserving people generally, and all
kinds of charitable purposes. He
went to bed every night at 9 O'Clock
and arose at 4 O'Clock every morn
ing and went to work at six.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

The Keysei Echo is now the sole
property of Joseph w. Stayman,
the principal of the Terra Alta
Schools, as he has purchased the in
terest of his partner, Herman Cor
don Johnson, who has accepted a
position on the Pittsburg Times.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

President Roosevelt is the author
Of new book entitled "The Deer
of North America" which will be
published in the spring While the
work is mainly a scientific one, il
will contain many Of the Presidents
personal observations on the deer
family The book is illustrated and
Che President is revising the manu-
script devoting a part Of each day
to his literary work. lie is the an.
thor Of quite a number Of books
already ami is very hard worker,
but as he takes plenty Of out door
exercise and has a very strenuous
constitution he seems able 20 stand
most anything.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

The House Committee on Terri
tories has reported favorably, on a
bill to admit Oklahoma, New Mex
leo and Arizona to statehood. There
is no question but that these terrific
ries should be admitted into the
Union, as they far exceed many of
the States in wealth and population.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13
KingwoOd, March 13. 1909
squlrni

Dent get money under false pre-
tense. Look how Andrew Carnegie
Soulrms
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

1t is reported that the girls out in
the Pleasant Dale neighborhood are
very mad over the appearance of
the big bear in that section one
night recently, as it has stopped all
the counting in that section since, as
the young men are afraid to make
their usual Sunday night call on the
young ladies, for fear Of meeting
the bear on the road home and get
ting more hugging than they want.
We are sorry for the girls, but they
will have to grin and bear it and eli
Their sit up all night with the boys
when they come, or go without hug
ging till the scare is over.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

Once more the British get it in
the neck N South Africa, and the
Boer war is not ended yet by bar
rel full. Gen. Methuen and four
guns have been captured by Cen
eral Delarey.
Gen. Methuen was wounded in
the thigh. The British loss is three
officers and SO men killed five
officers and u men wounded one
officer and 200 men missing. The
fight occurred before dawn on
March 9TH, between Windsburg and
the Lichenberg Orange River Col
ony. The British force was 1900.
The Beers captured all the British
baggage, and Gen. Methuen is re-
tanned as a prisoner.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

1t is said that Uncle Paul Kru-
ger is now preparing to come to
this country on visit. We wonder
If the "Grand Old Man" from the
brave little South African Republic
will be received with the popular
enthusiasm and official courtesy
that has been accorded the repre-
sentative of royalty that has just
been here?
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

Ex-senator David Bennett Hill
of New York, is now making a big
bid for the Democratic nomination
for the Presidency. But Bryan
goes after him in great shape in the
Commoner and says that
"Mr. Hill is the leader of thoes
who would make the Democratic
so nearly like the Republican plat
form that Democratic victory,
even if possible, would mean moth =
ing to the people at large.
AS President Roosevelt will likely
be nominated the claim is made by
the Eastern Democrats that the
Democratic nominee shonld also
come from New York, as that State
would be the battle ground. How
ever, if the Democratic nominee is
to come from the East, Senator
German will be stronger and more
popular candidate than the Sage of
Elmira.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13
Chorus-A Natural Spell.
Mrs O. II. Parsons Pianist

Three or four Of the best performances
had to be cut out owing to having no
piano, and Prof Stayman being too hoarse.
However the program was we'll rendered
and well received anyhow. A number Of
the performances being encorded and
most OF them heartily cheered by the
audience The'singing by Miss Kelly aud
Miss Bessie Feather was of a high order
and specially good. as both have spleudi id
lam Elliott. son of a. J. Elliott, brought
down the house with his solo II Need tEe
Money aud the Duet I'D Rather Not "
by Miss Kelly and Mir. Zeller. was very
well rendered. while the "Bill Of Fare
and Wen Have to Mortgage the Farm
were hard to beat and the Trombone Solo.
by Charles T.. Burke, The Holy City. "
was good. In fact il was all good and
our people got the worth Of their money,
and will be glad to have them come again.
The proceeds amounted to S4LSS. about
the same as at Terra Alta. and they were
very well pleased with the result OF the
trip over here
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

We heard OF another party who cut down
hollow tree in the early part Of the win
ter and found a very large black snake in
Il frozen stiff lie carried it home to show
It and then threw it upon the coal house
roof where IL laid in the snow all winter as
stiff and dead as poker til the first warm
and pretty weather came when il disap.
peared and supposed to have gone hunting
something to break its long fast