davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21

The real American Santa Claus OF TO-
day is quite a different fellow from the
bearded and beady-eyed little gentleman
of our childhood. For one thing he hasn't
n round little belly that shakes when
he laughs like bow1ful Of Jelly" As
a type ~ IS as strsigsi ~ a. fit
rs a board, muscular and 1.-THE. His fea-
lures are as clear cut as & cameo; his
eyes snap with the strenuous energy OF
which his whole body is breathing et-
ponent; and often n reckless, devil
mav-cere st,irit isfa scinatingiy combined
with an unshakable great sense Of duty.
This twentieth century St. Nicholas is
found in many places, and he wears many
costumes. Sometimes he sits IN the loco
motive cab and his hands and face, peak
ed cap and Jumper suit are grimy with
the contents Of his oil can and coal dust.
Sometimes he rides back Of the 1ocomo-
tive in the first cars, and, as the train
plunges through the country, white with
snow or laden under dour skies, in his
shi { sleeves he works miracles with b.
after bag of Christmas messages and
packages. He is the ainble-handed rail-
way mail clerk: and his twin Is the
express messenger. who, in a neighboring
car. bearing the couEpany's name. as does
his blue cap, sometimes handles as many
as 5000 parcels at this time Of the year in
a single run.
Again he is that picturesque relic of
the great WeSt's most picturesque days
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21

form his full duty by delivering his
Christmas mail.
For example. take John Henderson,.
attached to the New York poseonfce-
the small Islands adjacent to City Island
at the western end OF Long Island Sound
To get to one of these islands he Is COM
PEELED to row in an open boat for q hall
hour in fair weather. and when the wtn-e
ter season comes. it frequently takes him
ITO hours to make the trip. Several
times he has been caught in snow and
wind storms and floating ice. and all but
wrecked: and once or twice he has been:
saved from death by freezing only by
the timely appearance OF men IN mora
staunch craft.
The carriers who must tramp acrosa
city fields for miles before they can de-
liver all their letters frequently suner4
much exposure round about Christmas
time. not a few getting frozen ears and
hands and feet. =
A HEROIC STAGE COACH SANTA
CLAUS.
Like the other real Santas, the stage
driver frequently unostentatiously per-
forms deeds that would oe called brave
In other than public servants IN otosr.
that the seasons spirit may not be MISS
rne where he can possibly place It.
sam Masters is a stage driver OF ina
900, old sort in the employ OF DIE
e~nress company. and he takes the stage
- oe Carson CITY Nevada. to seVerat
mountain towns and mining camps WIN
in q radius of thirty miles a..
Two Christmases ago Masters s s's
caught In a blizzard when anout Ten
mites from one of the camps. ae Rne"
that he had packa ges aboard, the con,
tents of which would cheer the isolateu
canop for many day, so ne uISeo ms
horses forward with might ana main.
Eut it was to no purpose Tne storm
event animals and stage out or the 1oau-
way and almost completely buried them
in snow drifts.
Masters crawIed into the stage ana
STAYED there until the worst OF the piiz-
zard was over Then loading hlmseit
With packages marked for the first camp
ahead he set out for it. How many
hours he tlouudered through the snow no
one can say. but at last he got TO tne
edge of the camp just as the day was
closing There he fell. exhausted ana ln-
sensible. He was discovered in time %
ssve him from freezing by miner on
his way to his shanty from saloon. ana
tie first words that he spoke when ho
rcgained consciousness were:
Merry Christmas. boys. Here're your
sweethearts greetings"
Oe such stuff is the real American
Serta CIaus-and may this Christmas %
a merry merry ons-his Christmas that
is generally celebrated on the 26th. for
want of time to observe it on the proper
date.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21
AN EXPOSITION HALL
Bic stone Gap Has an Interesting Ex
h;h:t CT vineral Wealth.
(specla, Dispatch to The Times,

Especial Dispatch to The Tines.l
ZIG STONE GAP. VA, Dec. eo.-1t is
probably not generally known that Big
Stone Cap has an Exposition Hall, which
contains many specimens Of minerals,
fossils and other curlosities. descriptive
of the great natural resources of this
section.
Tho little building which. is very artis-
Tic In design. was constructed some years
ago. on Shawnee Avenue. ana is the gift
pr. Roland B, N.hitrld se, Of Boston.
To- the 3to WI.
one end Of the huildin is :: sb.p
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21
SANTA CLAUS SUBSTITUTES.

and how many country boys do. II is not
to be wondered at that thousands of boys
throughout the country believe that there
is place for them In this great metropo-
lis. But frequently they err in their
method OF reaching here. To-day every
body in tho financial world is talking of
Valentine P. Snyder, president of the
Western National Bank, who is said to
be the president of the companies 10 be
merged under q still greater corporation.
to be known as the Western National
Bank Of the United States. He is a coun-
try boy. But he did not come to New
York until he had made his mark in his
native town. It is so with others. Among
those who are not. native here Aand yet
who have attained the highest positions
there are few who came with their for
tunes tied up in a pc ket handkerchief.
Most Of the men had made their mark.
They had proved their ability, their intcg-
rity, their value. They became necessary
in the larger field, they were needed Tor
larger performances. It was so with Mr..
Snyder He achiered success because he
deserved it. When int listed with greater
responsibilities III the center of n nations
finances he proved his value and his new
honors, dignities and emoluments como
to him as the reward Of successful per-
Torrance. The moral is obvious. Let
those boys In the country who seek an
opening in the metropolis do we'll what
is intrusted to them in their native town
and if they dc,velop ability tie city not
only waits for them, butts wants them.
David H. Moffat. who is deservedlv
called the most progressive fan west
OF the Mississippi" with his partner.
Mr.. William J. Evans. has returned TO
Denver, Col. He was quite i'll with bron-
eliitis for couple Of weeks, which de-
iayed his return: but when sufficiently
recovered he concluded his business
Mr. Mofrat has successfully financed his
great railroad project, the Denver,
Northwestern and Pacific. The blu ,ldinS
of this road is one of the most iniport-
ant. enterprises which has been under
taken In late years. 1t is not merel,-
connection between Denver and J'ah,
It is not merely Il new railroad between
two already connected points. 1t abso-
Iutely opens up an inaccessible territory
larger than New England. which is rich
In heavily mineralized ores. coal. asri-s
cultural lands, and timber lands Mr..
Mofrat In the past has been conspicuous
for building railroads which had q rea-
son for existence. He does not build
from the Wall Street standpoint. His
Cripple Creek and Creeue roads were
built to afford TRANSPORTATION TO and
from. rich mines. The new road will
open one of the richest regions in Colo
RADIO and Utah. Mr.. Moffat experienced
in financing rai'fea6d tu''i.re a. ~,'-.zf
realized that II he could tan the great
enclosed valleys west OF the Colorado
Dtvide he would secure freight for 1ts
road ana enrich Colorado BY making
accessible the millions stored lip In he ne
rocks. tho lands. thu forests id : sthe5
streams. II took d big ma Il to k1nn gle.
such u enterprise n 81 ffatis.ya DE
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21

Although, at this season OF the year. the
doctrine of peace and of love among mon
has the right ring. 1t Is comforting TO
know that we are stronger in ships OF war
than we were at this. time last year. 1t
Cas not SO long ago that the nation
watched the voyage Of the United States
batleship Oregon" along the western
coast of South America, around the Horn,
UP the eastern coast and her grand per
folmance off Santiago. The nation re-
Jciced not only In her effectiveness IN bat
tle. but in her speed. Speed has become
an essential! Since the affair off the
southern coast of Cuba, our naval con-
structors have aimed TO acquire speed
T'he battleships Kearsarge and Illinois
have now come to the front as the fastest
Lattleships In the world, Mr.. Calvin b.
Circuit, president of tl,e Newport News
Shipbu!lding Company, in speaking OF the
k.arsalge which was built by his COM
rany, said:
THE statement is frequently made that
buttleships in the regular service sell
Com, if ever attain the speed made In
official trials. 1T Is incorrect. On the
run from Hampton Roads to Culebra Is
lard, as shown on official report, the
maximum speed for battleships- is give,i
as follows: Battleship keaIsarge, i.G
knots: battleship Alabama. 1853 knots.
and battleshi, Massachusetts,, la.5o knots.
The offici;n trial speed of the kearsarge
was 1854 knots. The performance retelr-
oil to on the run to Culebra is nearly
half knot better, thus justifSins Admiral
evans assertion on the occasion of her
official ial that the Kearsarge was a
II 1-2-knCt vessel The record for the
fastest battleships is held by Mr.. circuit s
anr,nanv. as ncxl to the kearsarge comes
the illinois with las knots per hour.
William Trlvers Jeromes latest exploit.
MA. of sun,moning private individualsto
rive testimony against gambling houses.
ir.sed upon the assumption that the per-
sons summoned have played roulette or
fzro at these houses, has created q
Storm. Jerome's popularity has been
steadily on the wane: but he is secure
N an rnexpirea term Of three years. If
he persists in bringing conspicuonsly r1cn
mer before the grand jury to give testl-
ucny as to what they claim oZbe per-
senal matter" there Is litle doubt as TO
The result. Young men about town pc
lievc they have d right TO spend money
when and how their impulse Directs.
They see no reason why they should not
lore 1t at gambling table If they SO
desire. Official' inq,nstion into personal
aftsirs Will be resented and there IS al
ready talk OF an effort to be made TO
obtain legislative Interference It would
not be surprising to see an effort made
to amend the gambling laws. Men. who
ncs er gamble resent the surveillance OF
the District Attorneys Office.
great city is Is snrpTa NJ TO sea how few
Z. ss.,S i.,~ SsAxirat. erss
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21

No persons are nearer to the poor and
unfortunate III this city, as a rule. thall
are the Tamnany district leaders ana
minor bosses. Clergymen OF different de-
nominations do something, more or less,
when distress and misery ovcrtake MEM
bers of their tiocks. but in practical deeds
OF charity and relief they are not in II
With these Democratic politicians When
a constituent is in trouble, they make no
inquiries about religion or race, but put
their hands in their pockets at once.
For those out OF employment they hunt
up places. Has the law laid its hands
heavily on a member Of some political
club? Bail and q lawyer are at once
forthcoming. Duri-.s the year hundreds
CT men and women behind in their
rent are saved from eviction. In win.
ter empty coal scuttles arc filed, and
lean larders supplied with food. In sum
sweltering in the tenements, while ben
etits.'' ..raffics'' collections are con-
staDtiy going on in aid of some form of
benevolence \ forcible illustration OF
all this is furnished in the stories told
in print OF one Of these Tammany men
who has just died AS a politician he
had lost both his power and the comfort
able fortune he once possessed. He mad
next to nothing when the end came eN-
cept the love and the gratitude Of the
thousands h, had once befriended They
have put their poor flats in mourn
irg for him Meagrey draped Autograph
pictures OF the old leader, left over from
some long AGO camt>aign. are exhibited
in gri11ly windows: while faded little cal
leo flags. edged with some bit of !, rusty St:
canes in the frosty air. as bleak and cold
in many of these dreary hives of human
wreteFed,1ess as it is in the slush and
snow piled streets. But what a tribute
wales n,aiorities comes from the hutn-
bic Ie from those whose. life battle is long
and hard. Why wonder, that Tammany
controls It?
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21
|SomE LETTER CARRIERS NAVE TO Row
n b 81 9PTH 6Gfu a95 MqyR5M u ORDER TO
Us HN1 SAE

American Santas. During the two weeks
preceding the dawn Of Christmas th'
railway mail clerks scarcely have time /
eat and snatch little sleep. Every on
of tho 1000 in the United States work
feverishly at ever increasing mountains
mail. Not one gets his usual lay off be
tween runs. for when the amount o.
business increases over rs per cent. al
most in the twinking Of an eye no tlmt
can be wasted if the great American
| public is to receive its gifts on Christmas
morn.
AS tho mail clerks task is phenome-
nally multiplied SO is the work OF the
| letter carrier. IN skyscraper, where
! he usually delivers 1900 letters a day TO
5000 tenants. beginning at the twenty
| fifth story and distributing as he walks
| terthward he scatters among the occu-
! rants 10000 messages and packages. LII
| the residential sections he not. only ap-
! pears with two buIging@ bags suspended
from each shoulder and one in his hands,
as in the skyscraper; in addition, he Is
| accompa MED by two or three assistants
| often messenger boys-pushing hand
| carts loaded Eeaping full with holiday
| rcnlembrances On the day before a re-
cent Christmas Philadelphia carrier
was obliged to employ horse and de-
livery wagon.
SANTA CLAUS SUBSTITUTES.
Even though the letter carrier thus
makes a grooming beast Of burden OF
himself, he would not be able to play
lis role Of Santa Claus to the entire salts
faction of his penpe were-it not for the
,, substitutes provided for just such an
emergency. 1t is a strictly enforced rule
Of the Postof1ice Department that let
tel carrier must not work a minute over
eight hours a. day. If he does, and his
superiors find it out. he IS brought before
postal court and fined a days pay.
Tight hours work would scarcely per-
nit & carrier to get rid of the mail
brought in by one through train for the
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21
az '>s''<A !'|;@s{Is ~ ) X(>SzEI)!1 -

BY Guy T. Viekn's'ki--T'cp light 1902.
was dressed o
all furnished with ashes and scot.
A stubb of a pipe held fast In his teeth,
ii encircled his head like wreath.
His eyes they twinkIed; his drnple how merry:
NeFs rosce like cherry
q a little belly
Which shook when he laushted like bowlfu of Jelly
Til Niri
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21

enough for this stupendous job that OF
piercing |, mountain that OF opening q
Sonr into q treasure chamber OF Colo-
rado NO wonder MI. David II. MotIat
is called the Hercules of Colorado.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21

causes these young men to become more
than merely interesting figures. *
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21

great city is Is surprising is ses how few
nAiirs Ner forksrs hold srss tons
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21

The Night Before Christmas.
The Washington times., 1902-09-09

I1l-healtli in woman is generally trace
able to disease of the delicate wonanly.
organism. Many women have been re-
stored to happiness by the use of Dr..
Pierce's Favorite Prescription. It estab-
fishes regularity, dries weak ening drains,
heals Inflammation and liberation and
cures female weakness. 1t makes weak
women strong, sick women well.
NJ feel it my drty to inform you that had
been a sufferer for many years from nervous.
ness with all its symptoms and complications.s
writes Mrs. o. N Fisher. of 1861 Lexington Ave,
New York, Ny. 1T 10 constantly going to
see physician or purchasing medicine for this
or that complaint as my troubles became un.
bearable. In the spring of 1897 my husband
induced me to try Dr. Picrce's Favorite Pre-
sc-iption. After taking one bottle and follow.
ing your advice was so encouraged that took
FIVE more bottles OF Fsvorite Prescription and
theu did not take any more for several weeks
as felt so much better but still was not conn
pie!<ir earei. / commenced taking il again and
felt that was improving faster than at hrst-
am not now cross and irritable. and have Q
good color in Fly face: have also gained about
ten pounds in weight and one thousand of eDnss.
fort for am new woman once fnore.-
The dealer who offers a substitute for
rFavorite Prescription does so to gain
the little more profit paid on the sale of
less meritorio,is medicines. His profit is
your loss, therefore accept no substitute.
DR.. pierce's Common Sense Medical
Adviser is sent free on receipt OF stamps
to pay expense of mailirg0Nly. Send ~
one-cent stamps for the paper-covered
book, or 81 stamps for the cloth bound.
Address DR. 2 V Pierce P1Ttfeio. n. Y.
The Washington times., 1902-09-09
BEACON LODGE OBSERVES
ITS 58TH ANNIVERSARY
Odd Fellows Gather in Numbers to Lis
ten to an Excellent
Program.

Beacon Lodge No. 10, Independent Or
der OF Odd Fellows, celebrated the fifty
eighth anniversary OF Its organization
last night at it's hall on Seventh Street
with appropriate exercises. Col. Edwin
Hay. past grand master Of Beacon
dresses. Tie balance of the program was
composed of songs and recitations, in
which some of the best talent in the city
took part. All of the numbers were
greatly enjoyed and loudly applauded.
There were a number OF members OF
other Odd Fellow lodges present TO en-
joy the affair.
Beacon Lodge is one of the oldest
lodges in this jurisdiction, having been
organized in 1874. and boasts of having
che of its original charter members.
Past Grand James W. Colley. still an
active and earnest worker in the lodge.
Mr.. Colley is at the present time. and
has been for many years. the financial
secretary of the lodge, and to his care
ful supervision is largely due the pres,
ent prosperous condition of its treas
ury.
Beacon Lodge has always had a prom
inent part in the affairs of the order
in this Jurisdiction. at all times having
among its members officers of the Grand
Lodge. and one of its members, Past
Grand F. A. Stier, has the distinction
of representing this jurisdiction in the
Sovereign Grand Lo1ge for fourteen
!ears,.a longer term than any other rep.
resentative ever sent from this jurisdic-
tion.
The lodge is still active, and it Ia
claimed leads all others in work, having
initiated more new members during the
past year than any other lodge in the
Jurisdiction.
The Washington times., 1902-09-09
LIGHT HARNESS
HORSES AT PIMLICO
JAPANESE FISHERMEN
FOUND ON WAKE ISLAND
Captain croskey, of the Transport Blu.
ford, Tells Some Interesting Facts
Regarding the Place.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. s.-Captain
Croskey, master of the United States
transport Buford, relates some interest
ing facts regarding Wake Island, In mid
Pacific, owned by the United States, but
inhabited by Japanese
On his outward voyage from this port
last June Captain Croskey stood up by
Wake Island He passed close to the
island and saw what he supposed to De
q number of shipwrecked men. He
brought the troop ship to anchor and
was prepaSing to send boat ashore,
when the men on the lend put out in a
small boat.
They proved to 5e Japanese. and when
they boarded the vessel asked for medl-
cal supplies for sick companion. Cap
tain Croskey said:
"They told me they were fishing and
working the guano deposits. They were
placed ON the island by fishing schoon-
er, and had ample food to subsist on.
Wake Island, as charted on the map.
rises only ten feet above sea level.
found this island fully fifty feet above
the sea. and it is covered With verdure
The soil is fine. and a lagoon of pure
water is in the middle"
Captain Croskey reported these facts
70 the photographic Office in Washins-
ton.
The Washington times., 1902-09-09
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
TEACHERS INSTITUTE
Will Be in Session Five
Days Next Week.
Program Is Designed to Attract Larger
Attendance Than Any Former
Gathering.
Especial to The Washington rimcs.)

ROCKVILLE, Nd, Sept. S.-The an
nual institute of Montgomery county
school teachers will be held in the court
house, September 10 to 10. inclusive. Ac-
cording to Secretary S. r. White, of the
school board, the institute this year will
far exceed that of last year in general
and practical instruction to the teach
ers.
The entire program will be under the
supervision of Prof. NJ. Bates Stevens
the State superintendent. Among the
topics for discussion are: MASS Teach
ing" by Alexander Chaplain; "Progres-
sive Course in Reading" by Miss NJ.
Louise Edwards; art of Questioning"
by Alexander Chaplain; Expression
Sign of Reading" by.Miss Edwards.
There will be social of teachers and
friends ON Monday evening. On Tues
day evening there will be lecture on
.America-Old and New" by Leon c.
Prince; a trolley ride on Wednesday
evening; and on Thursday evening, lee
ture. ..Immortelles in Poetry by John
T. White.
The colored teachers will hold their
institute on Thursday and Friday Of the
same week, at the Colored NJ. e. Church,
this place.
Messrs. Talbot G. Prettyman, attor-
neys for William H. Pope. have filed a
bill in this court against Alice F. and
Harry n. Nollner. of otter Bourne,
near Chevy Chase. asking the court to
enioin the use of a cessnool owned and
used by the defendants, and to enforce
the right of inspection.
A marriage license was issued here to-"
day to Mr.. Gerald McGovern, aged thir-
ty-six years. of Baltimore, Nd. and Miss
Lottie W. Lindig. aged thirty years. OF
Montgomery county. They were after
ward married. A license was also issued
this morning to Mr.. Arthur Reese Wat
kins, aged twenty-nine years. and Miss
Elite E. Bell. aged twenty-one. both Of
Gaithersburg. They will be married on
Wednesday next.
Mr. Frederick p browne, aged twenty
two years. of Providence. r. l., and Miss
Lila C. White, aged twenty-five years, of
Broad Run, Va, were married here Sat-
urday night by the Rev. S. r. White.
On September last, Mr.. James p. Cul-
len aged twenty-five years, and Miss
Margaret Flaherty. aged twenty-five
years. both CT Washington. were married
here.
The Montgomery county school board
has refused tC grant a holiday to the
teachers of the county during fair week.
OH October 7-10, saying the teachers
have had sufficient holiday and that If
any of the teachers desire to go to the
fair they can hire substitute to teach
to take their places.