davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09
INcUBATED SEVEN MONTHS.

The Rev. J. B. Toomay, of Carthage
preached sermon last Sunday which
he had in process of incubation for
seven months says Missouri paper.
He spent his last summers vacation
working as common laborer on rail
road being built out of Carthage.
His action attracted wide attention
and it was supposed that he would
work his experiences into the sof OF
his sermons. He says. howe, 9r, that
the interest in the matter became sc
wide he feared that if he publicly re
ferred to it. people would think he was
seeking notoriety, and he never men
toned it in sermon until last Sunday
He drew from his experience the moral
that the most good may be done for
the people by getting down among
them, and told story of one preach.
er who climbed into his church steeple
to get closer to the throne of grace
only to discover that God was on the
ground floor working among the
people
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09
SYNOPSIS.

CHAPTER 1.-The sensational news of
the disappearance of four of New York
Wealthiest millonaires appears in the
New York Record and startles that city.
CHAPTER I.--Robert Van Horne is
owner OF the Record and William Chal-
mers is his managing editor. Mr. Hestor,
has hobby for journalism and offers
his services gratis. Hestor has made a
Worldwide reputation as a reporter. and
Is constantly planning some great coup
that will immortalize his name.
CHAPTER III-Hestor arranges a
meeting with p. j. Morton. financier and
railroad magnate, and states his plans
for the formation of newspaper trust
CHAPTER IV.-R. j. Kent, the famous
board of trade operator, stampedes the
stock market. forcing many small firms
cHAPTER v.-one morning Andrus
Carmody, Palmer j. Morton, r. j. Kent
and Simon Pence, millionaires. cannot
be found and the stock exchange is panic
stricken as a result.
CHAPTER Vino clew to wherea-
bouts of men car be discovered but next
ing they are all safe. L. Sylvester Vim
cent. Chicago promoter, has also dis
appeared.
CHAPTER vII.-Miss Helen Carmody
daughter of Andrus Carmody, calls on
Chalmers and arranges for payment of
large reward through the Record for
rescue of the millionaires and arrest Of
CHAPTER vIII-Chalmers bends ev-
cry effort to work of rescue, greatly for
Helen's sake. Seymour, reporter at Chi
cago, telegraphs that Vincent is the alb
ductor Chalmers endeavors to learn of
Hestor's whereabouts; latter had report
ed he was about to leave on a trip to
Europe in his yacht. the SHARK"
CHAPTER IX.-Strong circumstantial
evidence is unearthed pointing to Hestor
as the abductor. Chalmers and Helen
Carmody become quite friendly while
working together on the case.
CHAPTER X.-Seymour goes to New
Orleans and learns that Hestor had had
house built for him recently somewhere
in the tropics,
CHAPTER XI-Hestor had invited mil
lionatres to take short cruise in his
scheme. They had accepted and when
out of the harbor he told them they We're
all to be his guests for some time as
he had intended to learn if the universe
would continue to run in their absence.
They are all thunderstruck at the infor-
appearance on the boat. Sidney Ham
| mond, young lawyer friend of Hestor,
| is also one of the party.
| CHAPTER XII.-An attempt to bride
| Hestor to return to New York proves a
| failure
| CHAPTER XIII.-After a voyage of a
| few days they come to an island in the
| tropics.
| CHAPTER XIV.-Hcrc they debark and
find a house newly built and evidently
intended for them. Hestor unloads grea,
quantities of provisions and furnishings
| telling the millonaires they will stay here
| for some time. They awake next morn.
ing to find Hestor and the yacht gone.
! CHAPTER XV.-They discuss situation
| and find there is nothing to do but &c
| FAKE the best of it.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09

make him go way" pleaded Mr..
Pence.
But Mr.. Kent had disappeared.
Mr.. Vincent went in search of more
help. He found Mr.. Haven.
Il shall have to ask you to chop
some wood" he said.
Certainly" said Mr.. Haven, with
surprising alacrity. Where is the
AK? | was dandy at chopping wood
when boy. How long do you want
it?' In a few minutes the sugar
magnate was hard at work, and at
the end of three hours he had accu-
mulated goodly pile of wood and
ravenous appetite.
During the day Vincent went about
his duties in most systematic man
ner. He took each member of the
colony in charge, and showed them
the mysteries of the storeroom and
kitchen. and the exact location of all
foods and cooking utensils.
After dinner Mr.. Rockwell was de-
tailed to wash dishes and Mr.. Kent
to wipe them. 1t was worth a Jour
ney around the world to watch the
great capitalist serape a frying pan
or kettle, and to see the deftness
with which the famous Spectator
handled a towel on the knives and
forks. He was giving pan finish
ing touch when it dropped to the
floor with crash.
''Tin plate seems to be going
down." observed Mr.. Haven, who
was watching Mr.. Kent with much
interest.
YES drawled Mr.. Kent, what do
you suppose sugar is doing in New
York while you are away? I'll bet
it is not going up"
1T began to rain during the fore
noon, and Sidney was compelled to
postpone an expedition he had
planned, in which he proposed to
follow the brook to it's source. which
he calculated would be the highest
point of land on the island.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09
THE KIDNAPPED
MIILIONAIRES
By FREDERICK U. ADAMS.

A TALE OF WALL STREET AND THE TROPIC

Mr. Pence looked at Mr.. Rockwell
appealingly.
II have nothing to do with it." Mr.
Rockwell said, unless Mr.. Hammond
urgently needs and demands your
services on the exploration commit
tee. If not, you will have TO obey
Mr.. Vincent. He is general superin-
tenaenS, and you voted for him and
his authority"
Sidney said that lie did not need
Mr.. Pence at present. That gen
tleman arose, and with a woeful ex-
preston followed Vincent to the
kitchen. few minutes later he
donned "A white apron and entered
on his new duty. He proved an
adept. and Mr.. Kent looked in at a
side door and regarded his work with
approval.
HE is the best man you could Sc
lect," said Mr.. Kent, addressing the
general superintendent, who was
critically watching Mr.. Simon Pence.
He can cut the thinnest pairing you
ever saw. The potato will weigh
more when he gets through with it
than it did when he began He is Il
wonder. You ought to see him pare
a dividend"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09
SUBSCRIPTION RATES.
Tally Courier. year. by mail. $500
semi-Weekly Courier, ! year. -. LEO
BRYAN AND THE IOWA IDEA.

In his speech at the Jefferson ban
quet at Des Moines, w. j. Bryan said
a great many queer things for a man
who poses as the leader and dictator
OF the democratic party. He did not
welcome harmony or favor the return
OF the democrats to the party who are
conscientiously opposed to his finan-
cial and economic theories at the price
they ask for their fealty. They must
bow to his views OF seek other political
company. Every proposition he adj
yanced had something queer about it.
Not satisfied with flashing the demo-
Gratis who do not believe in free silver
he seeks to place the republican party
of Iowa in false sosition by misinter-
preting the last req blican state plat
form. In doing this he questions the
sincerity of Governor Cummins along
lines he is advocating. Of Mr.. Cum
Minis he says: HE insists that he
makes the protest as republican, and
he is doubtless sincere, for he realizes
that failure on the part of the repub-
lican party to champion the peoples
side of this great controversy is going
to weaken the party. He is going to
try to ingraft the Iowa idea upon the
national republican platform. While
he seems destined to fail in his pur-
pose, and while he may support the re-
publican ticket no matter how odious
the domination of his party may be-
come, let us encourage him, for every
word that he speake in favor of tariff
reform or antitrust legislation will
have an educational influence His
words will go on making converts,
though he may recant rather than
leave his party. Governor Cummins
calls himself republican. but by
showing some sympathy with the peo-
pie as against the corporations he has
proven he is much nearer the demo-
cratic party than the men who left it
in 1896"
The evident intention of Mr.. Bryan
in saying what he did was to make
republicans question the sincerity of
Governor Cummins and also question
the wisdom of the course he has taken
on the subject of tariff revision. The
thought he drops is that Mr.. Cummins
in order to remain in the republican
party may recant his views and thus
show an insincerity that would belittle
him with his friends and party. He
+ Bays thdt uONSlHUT Sdlio
himself republican, This is an in
situation that he is not, and is evil
-denced when Mr.. Bryan says that 'he
(Mr. Cummins) is much nearer the
democratic party than the men who
left US in 1896.
The object of Mr.. Bryan's reference
to the governor of Iowa was to stir
up trouble in the republican party. He
made only passing reference to the
Iowa idea" claiming that it is purely
democratic doctrine, fathered by the
republicans of this state. What he
sought to do was to leave the impress
sion that Iowa republicans had cut
loose from the principle of protection
and We're being led into the democratic
camp by their governor. He dared not
quote from the governors speech be-
fore the Polk county convention or say
what the republicans meant when they
incorporated the idea in their platform.
This was foreign to his purpose.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09
Beware of ointments for catarrh That
Contain Mercury,

as mercury will surely destroy the sense
of smell and completely derange the whole
cous surfaces. Such articles should never
be used except on prescriptions from rep,.
table physicians, as the damage they will
bly, derive from /. them. Halls Catarrb
Cure, manufactured by Il. j. Cheney (.
Co.. Toledo, o., contains no mercury, and
the blood and mucous surfaces OF The sys.
TEN In buying Halls Catarrh cure he
sure you get the genuine. 1t is taken in
and made in Toledo. Ohio. nv II
j. Cheney x Co, Testimonials free. =
Sold by Druggists. price 75c. per bottle
Halls Family Pills are the best.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09
is HE A HEN?


st. Paul Pioneer Press---The Charles.
ton News and Courier and the Wash
ington Post have raised, between them
a new national bond issue Is the
American eagle the Bird of Freedom, .
a male or female. The former declares
that odd Abe" Wisconsin's
famous war eagle. hadn't been in Madi-
son for six months after his return
from the south, when one fine morning
"he" hoped into the janitor's easy
chair and laid an egg. Woman suf-
frage, co-education, the leadership of
either seX,in national affairs, and head
ship in the American household--all
would seem to depend upon the ques-
ton. is our eagle a hem? lacking 9TH
er issues the next democratic national
convention will be expected to declare
itself on this.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09
NEWSPAPERS A NECESSITY.

In the year 1894 the legislature of
Pennsylvania passed a law making it a
crime to do work of any kind on the
Sabbath day. The old law was never
repealed. Not long since a few radi-
cal reformers undertook to enforce the
hoary old enactment, and among the
first people they went after were the
publishers of newspapers with Sunday
morning editions. The first case to
come to trial was before Magistrate
German and was an action brought
against the publishers of a daily news
paper. The magistrate in dismissing
the case delivered long and very able
opinion in the mission and necessity of
newspapers and said that. they are an
factual necessity and a power for good.
lHe thought that their mission in this
!. ogorld is of such a high standard that
saheir appearance every day in the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09

week adds to the good they can do in
the world.
In his decision Magistrate German
laid down the following truths in re.
lation to the newspaper of today:
1t keeps men informed on every
event of public interest and in man
ner fs Ines the only common chan
mel of communication between the peo-
pie. 1t watches with care over the
conduct of our public officers and the
manner of the performance of their
duties. 1t models, if it does not form,
a public opinion upon public questions
and conserves the interest of citizen
and public which it would be impossi-
BILE to do in any other way 1t edul-
Gates, inspires patriotism, elevates and
strengthens the love Of home and coun-
try.
In recent years the press has been
of material assistance in apprehending
notorious criminals and exposing crime
and wrong in public and private
places. 1t protects the weak encour-
ages the enterprising and teaches les
sons of morality to those who never
hear the word of God except such as
may pe puUllSlleu III newspaper.
Thinking people will agree with the
distinguished Pennsylvania Judge as
to the good a newspaper does as a
great moral agent. Evil doors fear the
press, and the fear of exposure often
keeps them from going deeper into
crime. The press and the pulpit are
the two greatest agencies in the world
for reform. The Pennsylvania judge
knew what he was talking about
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09

Rev. Abraham E. Nelson, a Chris
tian minister in ST. Louis. declares
that under certain conditions the act
of self destruction is not sinful. He
said that the human being is made like
a boiler, and he can resist SO much and
no more. When man has been taunt-
ed and goaded to the limit, suicide
presents the only solution. He also
took the ground that ''if peace or death
is slow in coming to the man who ear
nestly desires it, and his lot is more
than he can bear, who shall dare to
stay his hand in the act that will bring
him relief?" No doubt most suicides
result from dependency, and men
lead their minds to point where all
is gloom, and then they end their
troubles. But do they do right? Pos
sibly there are cases of justifiable sui
eide, but they are very rare.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09
THE PRESIDENTS.

st. Nicholas: Washington was chief
of the men who had carried the nation
to independence through the revolu-
tionary war. and When the people de-
cided to have President they had no
room in their hearts or minds for any.
body but him. He would have been a
President for life if he had not insist
ed on retiring when he felt that he
could leave the office without injury to
the country.
Presidents John Adams, Jefferson
and Madison were all industrious
statesmen of the revolutionary period
and each was the natural and proper
choice Of the party that elected him in
behalt of the nation.
Presidents Monroe and John Quincy
Adams were both statesmen of distin-
guished character and service, with
high claims upon the whole people and
stronger claims than any of their com
petitors upon the party to which they
belonged.
President Jackson, coming up from
the humber ranks of the people, had
gained great fame and popularity as
military and political leader at the
time of his election. He was a man of
violent passions and prejudices, but
like the gentler Lincoln of after years,
man of many virtues and of rare
strength of character and lover of
truth. honesty and the interests of his
country. Following the. examples of
Washington and Jefferson, he refused
to serve more than two terms. and
gladly went into retirement at the re-
NTH of his power over the government
and people
President Van Buren, was man of
winning manners and of great popular.
ity; he was renowned as a manager of
political affairs and having been a
loyal and most valuable helper to Jack
son, the latter, in turn, did all he
could to make his friends succession
! to the presidency. easy and sure.
! President William Henry Harrison
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09
CHAPTER XVI.
AN EXPLORATION.

Thursday was perfect day after
the storm. The air was fresh and
cool from the ocean. Sidney was IN
at an early hour and took his OBJ
servation of the time of the sunrise.
1t was Mr.. Kent's turn to get break
fast, and he did himself credit. In
the meantime Sidney had been pre-
pairing for the exploration of the
island. He looked over the stock of
guns and selected rifle and shot
gun. He found these weapons in
fairly good order, but oiled and
cleaned them carefully. and tested
both several times
1t was about eight o'clock when
Sidney and Mr., Kent disappeared in
the thicllet through which the brook
took its course. Mr.. Pence had been
detailed to explore the north shore
of the lake, and from the express
sion of his face he did not relish
the task.
He refused to take gun, and
armed with heavy club set out on
what he regarded a most dangerous
expedition. 1t was low tide, and the
beach was clear of water to the
frowning rocks which formed the
gateway to "Morton's Bay"
For the first quarter of an hour
Sidney and Mr. Kent found it fairly
easy to follow the course of the
brook. A trail had been cut along
the winding bank the preceding
year, but such is the virility of
tropical vegetation that already it
was well-nigh closed. On both sides
was a jungle 50 dense as to be inn
| penetrable.
At the end of an hours hard
work they came to a cleared space
| and found Where the dam had been
built across a gorge between two
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09
Homeseekers' Excursions.

The Iowa Central railway has re-
established its 'Homeseekers' rates"
to Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana,
Idaho, Washington and Oregon in ad-
dition to points in the west and south
west. south and southeast. These ap.
ply on the first and third Tuesdays of
April, May and June. 1908, and are
the exceedingly low rates of one fare
plus 81 for the round trip, limited 81
days from date of sale. For full par
ticulars inquire of any Iowa Central
ticket agent or address A. B. Cults.
,G. p s. 7. A. Minneapolis, MINI.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09

Judge A. Van Wagenen in his JEFF
ferson banquet speech advocated the
government ownership of railroads.&c.
he is in the lead for the nomination for
governor, he will be able to incorpor-
ate in the platform a government own
ership plank. AS far as the outcome
of the election is concerned what the
democratic platform may contain is un.
important. A plank OF the kind advo-
Gated by Judge Van Wagenens would
only tend to increase the number of
inconsistencies the instrument will
contain
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09
How to Compromise Differences.

Ringgold Record: Uncle John Mahin
of the Muscatine Journal, man who
is wise above most others, suggests
that all those in the republican party
who hold or who profess to hold di-
verse views about the tariff and tariff
reform, should get together and COM
promise their differences by adopting
the plan advanced by President Roose-
welt and advocated by Senator Cullom,
for tariff commission to Investigate
and report whether certain schedules
need revision or not. He sensibly urges
that there is no radical or essential
difference among those supposed to
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09
Chapter xv-ContinuedO

SudplSl --N1OntlnuSuJ
The motion being carried, Mr..
Rockwell pondered few moments
and said:
Il am of the opinion that all mem
bers of the Social Island Colony
should serve on the committee on
housekeeping. If the work is shared
by all, the task will be light, but if
it dcvolves on one or two men it will
be mere drudgery. l am going to
appoint Mr.. L. Sylvester Vincent as
general superintendent of the Social
Island bungalow, and of all the lands
and game preserves thereunto APP
pertaining. He will have full author
ity to call on the services of any
member not employed at the time
on other duties, and in case of dis
pute the president will render a
decision. The president will also be
subject to Mr.. Nincent's authority
in the matter of household duties.
1t will be accepted as unwritten law
that each member must keep his
own room in order. Mr.. Vincent,
will you accept this commissions"
Eyes, sir-or Mr.. President,
rather" said Mr.. L. Sylvester Vim
cent. He was delighted with the
title of general superintendent and
by the extent Of his authority.
II shall appoint Mr.. Hammond
chairman of the committee on ex-
ploration," said Mr. Rockwell. HE
will be assisted by Messrs. Kent and
Pence, both of whom are great ex-
plorers.'
II don't want to explore" protest.
ed Mr.. Pence. II would prefer to
go on some other committee"
''The chair will accept no resigna-
tions," said Mr.. Rockwell, and he
hammered on the table with ruler
TO indicate that the question was
settled. 'Mr. Andrus Carmody will
be chairman of the committee on
escape; Mr.. Morton and Mr.. Haven
will serve with him on that commit
tee The president volunteers his
services on any and all these com
mttees. Is there any other business
before the meeting? If not we
stand adjourned, subject to call at
any time. Adjourned"
THAT is the way to do business, .
said Mr.. Morton. Each man knows
his duty and can go about it,
Mr. Vincent walked out into the
kitchen and in q few minutes re-
turned He stood in the open door
and looked over the gentlemen who
were variously engaged.
Mr. Pence" he called.
Mr.. Pence had sunk back in his
chair and was examining book
which Sidney left on the table. He
lifted his eyes over his steel-rimmed
glasses and gazed languidly at Mr..
Vincent.
you can come to the kitchen,
Mr.. Pence" said Vincent, land pare
the potatoes for luncheon"
Whats that?" exclaimed the
astounded millionaire. Pare pota-
toes! Me pare potatoes? Absurd"
There was a general roar of laugh
ter.
81 am on another committed" ex-
claimed Mr.. Pence, 1.-THE committee
on exploration"
You now seem to be on the es-
cape committed" said Mr.. Kent.
Take him along, Vincent"
Il
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09

was much like Jackson in the great
mold ne had upon the masses through
MS military fame; but he was well
bred man, and amiable to all men Md
parties. He was old when the great
Office came to aim at last, and died
only month after the date of his in
auguration.
Presidents Polk, Pierce and Hayes
were men of esteemed private charac-
ter and creditaD-e standing in politics.
Their positions in public life were too
moderate to give them hopes of the
presidency, but their parry leaders
chose them as compromise candidates
when unable to agree upon statesmen
of greater fame.
President Taylor and President
Grant were military men who had be-
come popular heroes through famous
victories, for which reason they were
taken into politics and made presiden-
tlal candidates, as being more likely
to defeat the civilian candidates of the
opposite parties.
Presidents Buchanan, Garfield, Ben
jamln Harrison and Mckinley were
public men of long and prominent ser.
vice, who, without surprising other
men of their own parties, perhaps,
were plainly in the front rank. They
We're finally preferred in the nominal.
ing conventions because we'll and
strongly supported by their adherents.
and because their prospects of sue
cess favorably impressed the members
of the conventions.
Presidents Lincoln and Cleveland
were public men who each made a
rapid rise to national prominence be-
cause he seemed to be the very man to
deal with questions out of the ordinary
line of politics, which much engrossed
the popular mind at the time.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09

Former Vice-president Adlai q.
Stevenson pulled himself out of seclu-
sion long enough to. attend the Jeffer-
son banquet and give w. r. Hearst's
presidential boom little boost. The
distinguished resident of Bloomington
will not make another public bow for
some time.