davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17

Grafton in June, 1895; now hundreds of
grass Irvine looms are weaving day
and night. The earlier machines made
simply floor mattings; then the Irvine
was wrapped with colors of cotton
yarn and rugs were made, as well as
ceiling and wall-coverings. Later, by
continuous experiments, it was found
that in the manufacture of furniture
grass Irvine could be used wherever
willow had served.
As the whole industry is practically
but five years old, no one can prophesy
what may yet be accomplished with
wire grass. The extreme toughness
of the fiber gives it remarkable wear
ing power. Builders are now using it
as foor-deadenings for houses, for
which it is said to give particularly
good service. What other uses in the
building line may be discovered, is, of
course, predetermined; but with the
growing menace of timber famine,
American woodland being chopped
away by the thousands of acres every
year, it is not impossible that tho
marsh-grass will go far as a substi-
tute for wood. Because of it's great
cheapness, also, the grass fabrics are
taking the place to an appreciate ex-
tent Of cotton and wooden goods, and,
it is thought, will crowd willow-ware
practically off the market.
American inventive genius, American
business "gumption" and American
cash are the sole makers of this indus
try. The possibilities in export trade
are simply stupendous; for, in the
first place, the grass is primarily an
American product, and, secondly, the
entire industry depends upon specially
constructed machines, from the lar-
vesting of the grass to the weaving of
the last warp, every one of the ma
chimes being protected throughout the
world by patents. Hence, English,
German or French capital would hard
ly care to undertake the role of rivals,
and the worlds market of vast in
dustry is in the grasp of handful of
keen-minded, far-sighted yankees"
E. T. GUNDLACH.
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17

The habit Of placing the sole of one foot
across the instep of the other is said to be
sure sign OF madness, incipient or other
wise.
in the Hungarian capital he has ample
scope for observation.
The habitual contraction of the
brows and forehead, resulting in the
skin forming mass of wrinkles and
eccentric lines, is given by the profess
sor as one of the surest indications Of
approaching Or semi-insanity.
So is the odd habit of placing the
sole of one boot across the instep Of
the other whenever you sit down, or
even when standing.
People who, in walking along the
street, tap every lamp-post as they
pass, or draw their fingers along walls
or palings, are very far from sane.
What is at first trick of manner be-
comes after time an absolute mania.
Should person given to one of these
habits remember, at midnight, say,
that he or she had forgotten to touch
certain post or to draw line along
certain wall during the day, that
person will, if the trick has become a
mania, arise from bed to remedy the
omission, no matter what trouble it
may cost them.
Insanity is almost bound to follow
in due course.
A watch should be constantly kept
on a mans fingers and mental note
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17

ry and others that the grass could
be used for making very tough bind
er Irvine much cheaper than any other.
]. f. O'Shaughnessy, of cotton seed
fame, saw the opportunity here Of
fered. So in October, 1897, a small fac
tory with ten machines was opened
in Oshkosh, Wis. Within year a
large grass Irvine factory was started
at ST. Paul.
Others of the leading business fac
tors of the west became interested in
grass Irvine, SO that millions of capital
poured into the industry. Inventions
and new patents came out at the rate
of one month-often more frequent
ly. Factory followed upon factory in
the western country, and just now an
other gigantic grass Irvine mill is be-
ing built in New England.
The variety of products in these vari-
Gus institutions is stupendous. Here
are some:
Rope, binder Irvine, cordage, rugs,
floor mattings, handsome carpet lin
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17
ing away and thought they had stolen

ing away and thought they had stolen
march on the rich men. There are
about 100000 acres of wire grass in
Minnesota and Wisconsin alone, of
which only a few acres remain for,
those not already in the grass Irvine
business. Many sections of recently
purchased land are practically uneX-
plored; elsewhere roads have been
built into the marshes. Besides huge
camps" where 1000 men and as
many horses are kept busy during the
in the northern country. To cultivate
the growth of the grass the marshes
are regularly drained and fed with
water.
The moving begins in July and lasts
until September, the bales OF grass
being cured" by sweat process for
several months before they are shipped
to the mill. The making of Irvine is
simple process-although many thou
sands of dollars We're spent in expert
menting before this simple process
was evolved. The wire grass is
"combed''-that is, the short pieces
are brushed out of the longer, the lat
ter being sent Immediately through
the spinner, where the silver and twist
er turn them at once into finished
Irvine.
The shorter blades, meanwhile, are
shipped to another portion of the mill,
where they are made into bottle covers.
One factory alone sold to one brew
cry last year 100000 of these bottle
| covers.
The Irvine begins wonderful met
amorphosis after its first stage. Any
one who has ever seen a loom making
ribbons, or cloth-fabrics of any kind,
must have wondered at the almost hui
man intelligence of the machine,
throwing the threads in and out, above
and below, while a beautiful figure
shapes itself. To be able to do this
work by machine was the problem of
a century. But the grass twine indus
try required machines different from
any other ever made, and the problem
was solved in few months. The first of
these new mechanisms was put in OPP
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17

When you bite your finger nails you are
said to undoubtedly display symptom of
madness and should see an expert.
least one very eminent mind specialist,
both are sure signs of an unbalanced
brain-as is the writing of the man
whose lines run up or down across the
page.
For those of US who have friends
given to eNaggeration-not to say
downright untruthfulness-it may
come almost with comforting force to
know that these characteristics are
due to an abnormal mental condition,
only removed by narrow margin
from real madness.
Self-consciousness is another fore
runner of insanity. There is always
the certainty that a man who bushes
and stammers when in the presence Of
ladies has the little rift within the lutte
which may widen into something more,
always the possibility that it may do
so with appalling suddenness.
A hungarian professor has devoted
years to the study of lunatics and their
ways, and in his capacity es visiting
specialist to a large private asylum
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17

appear in his Office, to which they are
assigned, for months at a time. The
case of E. II. Keller, of New York, was
selected as the most glazing example
of absenteeism by the house commit
tee and by the league committee. The
formers report says:
cit is the opinion of the doorkeeper
any event, he has not worked over six
months in the nearly four years during
which he has drawn pay, and has not
been in. Washington for IL or 12
months"
The Civil Service league comment
ed on these facts thus: at is very
evident that the positions in the
service of the house of representa-
tives are regarded by many members
not as places where there are duties
to be performed, but as sinecurcs
COR which there is public money to
appropriated or as plumber to be
led; and the sinister question
ably presents itself, whether
legislation is to be expected
ressn,en who are thus guilty
rawing from the treasury
ted States numerous small
~ benefit of sthe objects
ronage? Is public vir-
matters possible in a
,culation of no higher
IN for mary years an
titution2 That there
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17

The man who opens his umbrella held
straight out in front of him, thereby en-
dangering the eyes and noses Of passers-
by, is said to have a faint Of madness in his
brain.
part in the drama of lunacy detection.
A man is walking through crowded
street. 1t suddenly begins to rain. The
man jerks his umbrella until it lies at
right angles to his body in front of his
face. He keeps it there, but never
pauses on his way. Passers-by dodge
the point of that umbrella as it makes
for their faces and seeks to poke an
entrance into their eye-sockets. Snap!
The cover is up at last, and not till then
is it raised above his head. Mad?
Well, according to recent research,
that umbrella tiend is pretty we'll on
the road to lunatic asylum.
Another embryonic maniac may also
be recognized as he takes his walks.
This is the man who persists in swing
ing his walking-stick in circle as he
strides through the street. A lunacy
expert declares that this reprehensible
habit is almost certain proof of the
existence OF lunacy; not one sane man
in hundred would dream of manipu-
lating walkingsticll in this way, as
stupid as it is dangerous to other users
OF the pavement.
How do you draw circle? A great
deal depends on whether you begin IT
from left to right or from right 10
left. One doctor has studied this point
very carefully. and he has noticed that
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17

Men who are in the habit of playing with
their mustaches are said to stand very
good chance of going mad. If not already SO.
taken Of the way in which they are
used. For instance, if man frequent.
ly uses them to pull or twist his mus.
tache, there is little doubt that he is
threatened with the terrible affection.
Then again, grown persons who bite
their finger nails are in doing so exhibit.
ing symptoms which the Hungarian
expert would regard with considera BILE
suspicion.
All these are traits which mark the
men or women in the world who ara
either half-mad already or may be.
come mad any day. Yet they maintain
reputation for sanity, while some,
who are undoubtedly sane incur the
charge of madness. H. ] HoIAMEs.
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17
Some strange Medlclne..

In New England cobweb pills are
supposed to cure the ague, and in the
south a certain knuckle bone in q
pigs foot is sure cure for rheuma-
tism, if it be carried in the pocket or
worn suspended from string around
the neck. Tracing the SPIDERS web
pill, it originated in China, where all
species of insects have certain positive
or negative values in medicine, says
writer in the Detroit Free Press. In
Picking it is customary to give two
or three scorpions or spiders to pa
tient i'll of fever. In Ireland the
peasantry swallow small spiders alive
to effect cures. From these the cob
web pill of the New England native was
easy. In Flanders the live spider is
fastened into the empty shell of wal
nut and worn around the neck of the
patient. AS the creature dies the fever
decreases, until it is gone entirely.
Are Not Always Valuable.
Friends can be bought, though you never
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17
THE CAREX sTRICTA.
A Marsh Weed Popularity Designat-
ed as "Wire Grass"
A ME ricnn Ingenuity and Enterprise
Have Developed n Bls Industry
by Utilizing the PIanta
Solid Stems.
Especial Chicago Letter.]


I'll AVE you ever walked along the
i outskirts of a peat bog, brushing
your way through numberless
long, thin weeds? The rods, reaching
almost TO your shoulders, are different
from any other marsh weeds; they
have round, solid stems unlike ordi-
nary tiat-bladed grasses and shoot
straight up into the air three, four
feet or more, without a joint from the
got to the needle-like point.
That is wire grass. CareX stricta,
the botanist calls it. And until five
years ago the botanist alone was in
terested, for rest of the world con-
sidered it quite worthless stuff-untit
for cattle food and nuisance on farm
lands.
To-day S15,ooo,OOo of American CAPT
tai are invested, manufacturing this
same wire grass into wonderful fab
RIGS, from binder Irvine to fancy chairs
and rugs. Five years hence the de-
spised American marsh weed may sup.
ply domestic and foreign markets an.
nually with products worth S50,0o0,00C
or more. The supply of raw material
is practically unlimited and he cost
of manufacture much lower than that
of any competitive article.
This prodigious development of 6
new neutrality-suspicious., per
haps, in the history of the world-al
sprang from an experimental machine
which was worked out by George A
Lowry and put in operation in Chi
cago in 1896 or 1897. Various trial.
with carex stricta convinced Mr.. Low
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17
Haze you Any Of the
Signs Of Insanity :? * X
Little Things Which Are Said When
= Mind Is Not Right. !

lunatics invariably begin drawing
from the right towards the left, where
as person with well-balanced brain,
such as mathematician, commences
the circle from the left towards the
right. Eccentricity in the use of pen or
pencil is a sure sign of mental derange.
ment, possibly not yet sufficiently
marked to be noticeable, but neverthe-
less there, and often ready to break
out.
Illegibiity in the writing of educated
adults, the frequent and often point
less UNDERLYING of words, are both
common enough amongst everybody's
acquaintance. In the opinion of at
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17

The man who grips his newspaper fierce
ly, as though he expected it to be torn
from him, is on the high road to madnesn.
of insanity before an audience of in
surance men, and in this he pointed to
large number of what he classed as
the common, everyday symptoms of
brain disease, and he declared at that
time that it was the duty of all who
first comprehend these signs to en-
Tighten the unfortunate man or wom-
an, who exhibit them, that advice
might be sought before it was too
late.
According to some specialists you,
without doubt, are in the incipient
stages of insanity if you, in reading a
newspaper, grip it tiercely with both
hands as though you expected someone
to tear it away from you. The man with
an evenly balanced mind never clutches
his newspaper in this manner. He
holds it firmly but gently. Tomorrow
morning look around at your fellow
citizens and observe how they hold
their newspapers. You will doubtless
see at least three out of eight exhibit
ing the lunatic grip!
The manor the woman-who
makes it habit of carrying his-or
her-umbrella, grasping it tightly in
the center, is likely to become mad in
the course of time. 1t has been dis
covered that the condition of the brain
at this stage is such as to bring about
mental alteration in q degree likely
to engender total disregard for APP
,earances. This finds expression in
such little things as carrying parcels in
a clumsier and less comfortable way
than that which is customary-and
more convenient.
1t is not in this way alone that the
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17

man has a god SooPee'0i io'
,hance of going mad if Even eminent
ne is addicted swing SPECIALISTS NAV be
Ing h cane violently -, a..
around in u circle.
times, and o I
that reason we do not give their opin-
ions as actual facts, and though all
the signs which they point to as evil
dences of madness may Indicate such
condition in some cases, and with
some people, yet if you are other
wise mentally sound we do not be-
iieve the existence of one or more of
these evidences in your case should
straint in an asylum for the insane.
A Boston specialist delivered some
time ago lecture on the evidences
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17

=; seml-clerical POSITIONS are de-
red by the report to be unable to
d or write. They receive small sal
es, while others on as laborers do
actically nothing at all and receive
rye salaries.
Employees have been called upon to
Jay, through recesses of congress, the
alary of one of their number, who
lst be kept on account of his politi-
al backing, but who has been so un-
lucky as to find himself without regu-
lar position at the time of adjourn
ment. Men who spent IL months of the
year outside of Washington have held
excellent positions, their salary
checks going to them by mail regularly
every month. The executive officers of
the house testified to the existence of
these conditions.
The house telegrapher never Off
cially touched key in the capitol, and
is assigned to sinecure in the library
5000 salary from the appropriation
for hire of horses and wagons for the
clerks Office. The man who is the Of
fetal but inactive telegrapher receives
$1,000 per annum. The man who, as
teamster, carts about boxes and sta
tion.ry for the members, for which the
vas appropriated, gets $40 per
I, which is made up by contribu-
from certain officials.
doorkeeper testified that one OF
ges, being unable to read OF
is employed as the driver CT a
because he was valueless as
but had to be taken care of
who is entered on the rolls
drivers place is employed in
floors and cleaning cuspi.
employees are shown to have
ent most of their time without
pay. One, Leroy j. Hooker
~ from May, 1897, till Decem.
the same year, though he was
from Washington continuous
.ng that time. C. c. Leavens, a
IL II hotel, was permitted to draw
pay in Il folding-room position
ugh his labors at the hotel ceased
~ at noon and the only time he de
tied to his duties at the capitol was
/. the afternoons. When asked to ex
,lain this case, the doorkeeper sale
that Leavens chad long line of in
dorsements."
The superintendent Of the folding
room testified that there were dozen:
of employees who are paid, but do no
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17
CORDING tic

G C o II ID l n G to
IN a n y eminent
specialists there
are a great many
more crazy people
at large than arc
confined in .asy-
lums. In fact they
say t Ii e re are
many really mad
people who are
neither aware OF
their conditions
themselves, n o .
have their friends
and acquaintance
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17
TITLE SNAPS.
Employees of the House
Representatives.
Their Pay Checks Is the
rk Some Do for Uncle
ABUSES That Need
Correction.
,ial WASHINGTON Letter.

:ial Washington Letter.]
organization of the next con-
SIS will cause very few
nges in the working force Of
e of representatives. Hon.
!. Cannon, of Illinois, will be
aller, but the present clerk,
alarms, doorkeeper and
er will be reelected. These
officers will retain in their
positions all of the appointive
), so that il will be useless for
| politicians to hope for any
the new congress.
ming these soft snaps" the
Civil Service Reform league
de very interesting report
that the places are divided UP
the representatives, those OF
ninant party receiving practi-
/ of them. Men on the rolls as
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-17

Are Not Always Valuable.
Friends can be bought, though you never
can sell them for anything.
New-York tribune., 1903-07-26
A TRIBUTE TO PETER The GREAT

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: This story does not necessarily have any
reference to recent events at KIshneff in
serva. Neither need it be supposed that it Is
intended to disturb the good feeling existing be-
tween friendly governments. Rather let it be taken
as designed merely to promote the gayety of ma
tCns, and incidentally 10 illustrate of the
puzzles foreigners encounter in trying to conquer
the intricacies of our beloved English language.
Just forty years ago there fourshed in Newark,
then as now New-Jerseys metropolitan city IN
various respects, the Philomathic Society formed,
its indicates. to foster intellectual pursuits
1t had good many bright members. among them
L. V. +. Randolph. poet and fpancier; Alexander
Gilbert president Of the Market and Fulton Bank of
NeW-York, and particularly the subject of the fol-
lowing incident in the person of John SchnelI-
bacher, a typical German student. who combined
his races untring persistence with a delightful
enthusiasm in the quest for knowledge. especially
in striving acquire 1ueuCy in English expression.
Well, the subject for discussion certain event
ful evening Peter the Great of the old
time favorites with debating societies. Several OF
US had our say, pro and con- and by common
consent the closing remarks left SChnell-
bscher. He reviewed the theme in a most care
fully prepared written paper in excellent English,
for the most part and gradually worked his way
up to this astounding climax: DE Russians. dey
ware barbar ans and Peter himself vas q barbar -
The debate ended then and there in a whirlWind
OF hilartty. And nobody attempted to question the
accuracy Of the conclusion
Paterson n J.. July 16 1903.
New-York tribune., 1903-07-26
WOULD LET LEASE STAND
CIRCUIT BLOCKS HAWKES..
Not Disposed to Take Pier from
Murphy and Gafneu.

controller Grout is not disposed to cancel the
pier leases Of the New-York Contracting and
trucking Company because Alderman Gaffney.
ex-president Of the company, has been indicted
for misdemeanor in getting the lease while
city officer. Section 1888 OF the charter says
that on conviction for misdemeanor OF a city
officer for obtaining contracts from the city the
leases or contracts shall be declared void Com
missioner Hawkes. nearly year ago asked the
Controller to take action against the New-York
Contracting and Trucking Company. holder OF
leases for the Seventy-nin.h and Ninety-sixth st.
piers The case was turned over TO William J.
Lyon, head Of the law division in the Con-
troIer's office Mr.. Lyon did nothing
District Attorney Jerome il was learned
yesterday. has decided to ask the Corporation
Counsel to ask the Controller 70 void the leases
Of the Murphy-Gaffrey company on the face Of
the judgment rendered by Justice Mayer, OF the
Court Of Special Sessions. In holding Garney for
trial
1T is a question whether Il Is wise public
policy" said Controller Grout yesterday to
Tribune reporter, ito void a lease even when
officer Of company committed misdemeanor
in securing it. The law. I understand it.
leaves voiding it optional with the Controller.
He is the one to decide whether the city's inter-
ests demand such action. I viii not void the
lease unless it is shown that the citys interests
were made to suffer by the granting OF tne tease
in the first place. Nor would it be fair to void
the leases because, pertLps, they are more val
liable to-day than they were at the time they
were made. The value of the lease at the time
it was made must control. If the price was a
fair at the time the New-Yor Contracting
and Trucking Company made the contract, the
lease should be allowed TO stand although one
member Of the company may have violated the
law in securing the lease. The other stockhold-
ers of the company should not be compelled 70
suffer because of the wrongdoing OF one OF their
number"
why has nothing been done on Commits
sioner HAWKES. request for cancellation or
the lease?" Mr.. CirOut was asked
THE matter turned over TO Mr. Lyon
head of the law division, when it came to this
office" said the Controller. Mr.. Lyons de-
partment is greatly overworked- He had TO at
tend to the more pressing duties first rev
months ago he died leaving the pier lease mat
ter untouched. His successor, Mr. MCKINNEY
has not had time to look into the matter as
vet I have asked him to give 1t his attention :
Controller Grout's views on the propriety OF
voiding the leases are not shared by CorlInls-
sioner Hawkes. and Assistant District Attorney
Clarke They want the leases cancelled ana viii vii
press the subject the attention OF the cor
poration Counsel