davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24
TOUCHING TRIBUTE LATE
MISS GETS BY MACCABEES
Memorial Adopted by Ladies Of the
Maccabees of the World


We are called upon, almost without
warning, to mourn the loss of our be-
loved sister, Grace Estella GettS,
stricken down when she had but begun
to mount the bill of life.
She became member of our hive
March 5, 1903, being one of the charter
members.
Her death comes as blow to our
order, for in it's infancy we had learned
to look upon our faithful record keeper
as beacon. Now her place is vacant
and that vacancy whispers that death
has been there.
A pang of sadness comes to each
heart at the thought that we shall not
see her again in her accustomed place.
We revere the memory of our sister
for her spotless character, her true
womanhood, her loyalty to our hive,
and the friendship and love that
bound us to her.
We can point with pride to her life,
| for within her noble nature were en-
twined sympathy and generosity;
| happy when others were happy.
| Those who watched her life depart,
the light fading from her eye, knew
| that all was we'll with her soul, as she
gazed upon the eternal shore, for
peace and quiet reigned supreme.
With the last sad rites of the Macca-
bees of the World we placed the re-
mains Of our beloved sister in the
embrace of mother earth and commen-
ded her soul to God.
Come away, for life and thought here no longer
dwell,
! But in city glorious,-
! A great and distant city,-have bought
Amansion incorruptble.
| We trust that God, who gave her
perfect peace in her last hour, will
heal the broken heart strings that
| they may again vibrate in perfect
harmony with all that help TO bring
| joy aud comfort.
AS token of our high regard and
esteem, be it
/ Resolved, That Central Rapids Hive
mo. 103, has heard with profound
sorrow the death of Grace Estella
Gets.
Resolved, That in the death Of our
lady record keeper the hive has lost an
efficient and faithful officer and mem
Der.
| Resolved, That copy of these reso.
lutious be sent TO the bereaved family
and spread upon the record of the
hive
Resolved, That as further mark
of respect for her memory the charter
shall be draped in mourning for thirty
days.
Mrs THERON Lyon,
Mrs. j. w. COCHRAN,
| MRS. A. c. OTTo.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24
HERMIT Who ENJOYS LIFE
With His CHINESE GODS
Joseph Corson Tells About Some Of the Events of
His Life to Reporter Represen-
tative.

Near the eastern boundary of the
city stands one of the smallest dwell
ings in the county. 1t is surrounded
by rich growth Of tall pines and oaks.
Within hailing distance is located the
Forest Hill cemetery. Among the
trees, by the shanty. are hung curious
images and pictures of heather gods.
On the door is fastened the head of a
Chinese dragon, whose eyes, made
OF compound lenses, has a fierce ex-
preston when the suns rays beat
upon them.
The scene presented on dark
stormy night is even more mystical.
The grove is lighted with the many
colored lights, issuing from the eyes of
the gods and the dragon. Curious
sounds are heard. An old man, carry
ing lantern and hummipg g solemn
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24
POST MAYOR
ON THE LAW
Quaker Doctors" Personally Ad-
dress Mayor Wheelan on
License Question.
POSITIVELY MUST HAVE
MONEY BACK OR SUE
Want to Know the Stand Grand
Rapids Will Take in the
Matter.

The "Quaker doctors," who were
here selling their cure-all medicines
some weeks ago, have prepared
exhibit B, in the form of a letter to
Mayor Wheelan, in which they
formally demand the return of the
license money paid while here.
The same combination addressed a
letter to the REPORTER requesting a
nice little apology for publishing
that they were takers.
''It may have been a mistake, ;"
thought the doctors.
incidentally a mention was made
that they would sue the city to secure
the return of the money they had
paid while here.
Evidently the doctors" thought
they had wasted ink upon the
REPORTER, for they now attempt to
post the mayor on the law.
Time will tell. The courts are
open to the doctors" and the city
will be ready to meet them there at
any time.
The breezy letter, No. 2, reads as
follows:
MINNEAPOLIS, MINI, July 6, 1903.
w. e. WHEELAN,
Mayor of Grand Rapids, Wis.
DEAR SIR:-Upon the advice of my
attorney l hereby make personal
demand for all money paid you for
license to sell my Quaker remedies in
your city, towit S155, on the grounds
that am the sole proprietor of the
Quaker Remedy Co. and that I manu-
facture all of the remedies sold in
Grand Rapids.
No city can collect a license of any
man who is manufacturer, hence all
money paid was unlaWfully collected
and should be refunded. Kindly
write me at your earliest convenience
what stand the city of Grand Rapids
is going to take in this matter.
Respectfully,
DIR. c.. M. BECK,
Proprietor Quaker Remedy co,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24

We need factories; the trained soci-
ologist tells so and we believe him. Our
own experience tells the same thing,
and we believe IT.. Our knowledge of
other towns that have grown or have
not, tells that we do, and we believe
it. We have faith that more
manufacturing industries would
continue our growth, and add to the
prosperity of every other institution
and property in the city. We have
faith in Grand Rapids, but faith
without works is dead.
We are building block after block of
most excellent and substantial streets,
and other blocks of good and enduring
sidewalks, both Of which will stand
as witness to prove to future genera
tionS, that we have lived active and
useful lives, but streets, new bridges
and sidewalks do not bring prosperity.
They are only signs that we possess
some already.
We have cOmmOdiOuS school houses,
with all modern appliances, a good city
hall and court house; our electric
light and power system, our water
supply, are all as near perfect as
modern engineering skill can make
them.
All these things are not makers Of
prosperity; they are evidences that we
have gained some fair share Of worldly
wealth in the past. They are our
necessities, our conveniences, perhaps
our luxurieS. We may be wise in
having SO good, expensive and ample
conveniences; we may not be. Passing
the question for the present we will
all agree that community, no less
than an individual, must have earnings
that exceed expenditure, or be tinan-
cialIy unsound.
We know, without dispute, that
whatever evidence of prosperity we
have, is the result of the manufacture
ing concerns that have been and are
being located here. The workers in
these institutions have paid out their
wages to marshal these evidences of
our prosperity, Every body will say
then, "Let us get more shops and
factories that will employ men,, and
with equal voice, the answer comes
back to us, "How can we do it,?
A wise answer to that question will
assure our future.
Grand Rapids is in better position
to ask and receive the attention of
both large and small manufacturing
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24
WAS NOT SATISFIED
WITH EQUALIZATION
Commission Appointed to Review Portage
County Assessment.

Commission Appointed to Review Portage
County Assessment.
Judge G. M. Webb has appointed E.
M. Deming, of Marshfeld, John Fl.
Thomas, of Berlin, and Chas. Delo, of
Symco, as commission to review the
Portage county assessment for 1902, in
accordance with an application made
by the officers of the town of Almond
some months ago.
The chairman of the town, John
Frederick, was not satisfied with the
action taken by the committee on
equalization last fall, and thereafter
at meeting of the town officials they
decided to make test, the complaint
being mainly against few of the
towns in the county, outside of the
city. The town of Almond is repre-
sented by Mcfarland, Hanna &
Murat, and District Attorney Dahl
will look after the interests of the
balance of the county. If Almond
wins, the rest of the county must
pay the expense OF this commission,
together with that of the attorneys,
the court expenses. ETC., but il it
loses, the town will have to foot the
bill.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24

of the world. 1t used to contain two
rooms; [ moved one of them out to
scrub 1T and while drying, some one
came round aud stole it. | was afraid
my well would be taken away and /
therefore nailed a cover over it.
When Vincent sold his farm he
sold me along with his other toolS--I
/ am rough, but rather useful"
81 Am Not Crazy"
Corson stopped suddenly in his
speech. He went out and sat down in
chair near the porch and was heard
to murmur: "My name is Eliza Hod-
dicker Peler Pankake; Pm a whole
team and one horse to let; dog under
the wagon aud a candidate for post
master in Hardscrabbled Townshipi
Pumpkin county, Vermont. My
mother is policeman; my father is
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24
WARNING SENT TO
SHADE TREE OWNERS
Gray Bark Lice Destroying Trees in Many

Uray DARK Lice destroying lIeeS III rauy
Cities.
A warning is being sent out from
Milwaukee and other cities that a
scale is forming on many shade trees,
especially the naples and baSswoods,
a white, cotton-like substance with
the appearance of petrified leather.
The white substance is mass OF
eggs, which will later hatch out
millions of small gray bark lice,
destroying all the foliage on the trees.
Owners of shade trees in this city
should see to it that the pest does
not get a foothold here. The scale
may be looked for on the lower
branches, and the best remedy thus
far discovered for it's destruction is
solution of kerosene, soap and
water, applied in spray, care being
taken not to have the mixture too
strong.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24
HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER
RESIGNS HER POSITION
Miss Kate Andrews Informs Board She Cam
not Be Here This Fall,

Miss Kate Andrews, of Seymour,
Indiana, has rendered her resignation
as teacher in the high school for next
year. Miss Andrews successfully
taught here during the past three
years. The school board has engaged
Louis j. Paesto, of Milwaukee, to
take Miss Andrews place. He is a
graduate Of the state university and
is we'll qualified for the position,
having taken several years of post
graduate work in the branches he
will teach.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24
WAUSAU TO BUILD
LAKE NEAR SCHOFIELD
Plan to Widen the Wisconsin River Will Be
Pushed.

For six weeks Wausau parties have
been busy securing riparian rights
along the Wisconsin river between
Wausau and SchOfield and it is
reported that they have been success
full When this work has been
accomplished the long projected dam
at RolhSchilds to create Lake
Wausau" will be constructed. This
project was defeated few years ago
because a few parties owning land
which would be overtioWed held it at
an eXorbitant price.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24
TESTIFIED in
800 CASES
Record Made by the Famous Ink
Expert, Henry L.
T0lman.
ABOUT $50 KINDS
OF INKS In EXISTENCE
Was Here Several Years AGO
AS Witness=-Praises City and
the Reporter.

A REPORTER representative had a
pleasant interview with Henry L..
Tolman, expert on inks and seals, whu
testified in the Hunt case last week.
He said in part: Il am glad to see you.
| was newspaper man once myself
in Chicago and New York. The
REPORTER certainly is lively up-to-
date paper.
Grand Rapids is one of the best
cities l have been in. AS my work
takes me to hundreds of cities in the
United States and Canada, I think my
judgment in this respect is of some
value.
II was here some years ago as wit
ness in the cases of the State VS.. Royal
Johnson and Brown VS.. Cohen, and do
you know-I hardly knew the place
when | arrived here last week. There
is a healthy spirit, metropolitan I
might put it, that was not SO apparent
on my last visit. The city seems to
be growing rapidly and you have
plenty of enterprising people here who
will help to make Grand Rapids one
of the largest in the state.
''The fresh air, the good water, the
beautiful scenery-why this is place
where | would like to make my home
and L intend to stay around here
enjoying nature a few weeks.
"My first real knocks with the
world was as lawyer. 1 earned about
S25 month and with this amount i
had to support myself and wife. One
day saw book on photography in a
store windOw-it cost S1.25. For a
month and half / saved car fares
and finally bought it. l learned short
hand and then secured a position at
S25 a week with a newspaper as court
reporter. In this way / became
acquainted with all the prominent
lawyers. Later [ took up the study
of inks and seals and soon became
known as an expert on these subjects.
Ny services are now worth $50 per
day.
81 have been an expert witness in
over three hundred cases in the United
States and Canada, and among these
may be mentioned the MolineauX,
Patrick and Hintze cases.
''In 1898 l made an examination of
the United States silver dollars to see
what preparation were counterfeit. [
secured permission from Secretary
Gage to examine the counterfeit dies
and notes in possession of the secret
service department and the dies and
plates in the bureau of engraving and
printing and also specimens in the
Sub-treasuries at Washington and
Helena.
"There are about l50 kinds Of inks
in the United States, all differing ip
some respects from one another.
Whenever [ come across an ink am
not acquainted with | examine it and
place the results of the examination
on file in my laboratory.
at paws to be honest. There are
too many crooks in the world. l never
testify in case unless / am fully
convinced that what am saying is
correct. The road to success is only
rugged to those who attempt to get
there through trickery-to the honest
and truthful man, as rule, success is
comparatively easy, provided he is
| fitted for the work he is undertaking.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24

a conductor. / got two brothers-cne
is Sampson Ritan and the other.
Moses Morris; the latter is second
handed clown. One day in the after
noon just before breakfast he went
into an apple orchard and climbed up
peach tree to get some cherries to
make a plumb pudding. He fell
down and stove out his insides."
CorsOn then turned a summersault
over the chair ami leaped to the house
in frog fashion. "They say am crazy;
Pm not. / don't like to talk too long
with people aud went out to get some
fresh air. ;"
The Curious Old Chest.
In a corner of the room stood an old
seaman'S chest. Corson seemed to
understand the curiosity it had aroused
and exclaimed: "You are not the ONLY
one who would like to see the contents
OF that trunk. AS you see from the
many labels pasted upon it, it has
been in almost all parts of the world,
You will be the first one in this
county, outside OF myself, who will be
allowed to get peek into it,"
COrson fumbled around until he
found large rusty key and then
slowly opened the chest. 1t contained
large number OF Chinese god images,
even more fantastic than those ex-
hibited in the grove, sailors clothes,
Old newspapers and several packages
OF old letters. Yes" he cummeu ted.
Il have been in love-you would not
believe it, but it is, nevertheless,
true. Here is the remains of those
warm feelings which woman once
said she felt for me. 1t was short and
Sweet-but how dreadful the awaken
ing! Don't ask me if / have faith In
a woman''
Disappointed in Love.
There were tears in his voice as he
spoke. "4es, | will let you read
some of the letters, if you like, but
you must repeat them. Let them be
warning TO you, young man. Don't
believe all you hear a woman say;
think OF the siren and the many
wrecks upon the rocks of love. Here
is copy of the first letter | wrote to
that woman:
"'My dearest love: Perhaps you will
wonder at receiving few lines from
me, but | bave thought of you so much
of late that / thought it very necessary
TO my own happiness to declare some
of my love to you and hoping you will
not in any way be regardless of my
feelings all my hopes of future bliss
depends upon your answer. You have
it in your power to make my path in
life full of joy and happiness or miser-
able forever. If you cannot return my
love | will not blame you. Although
misfortune will frown upon you, you
will always find me your lover,
whether L am upon the boundless
ocean OF upon land. | address to you
these few lines and l would be very
happy to receive an answer from the
one | sincerely love and adore
''She answered." CorSon vent on
pathetically, land soon the wedding
day was SET But it was only dream.
Now l console myself bv speaking
words Of love and affection to nv
Chinese gods.n
In leaving, Corson said "Come
again and bring your dinner with you;
stay all night, and [ will teach yoas
the language and mysteries OF the
Chinese gods and the faithful dragon -
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24

dirge, walks about, caressing now this
god, now that. From time to time he
enters the house to read an old worn
book, as if to gain inspiration for
some future work.
Many children from the city visit
the grove during the day but only the
most brave attempt to solve the
mysterious gloom that surrounds the
place at night.
Brought God Images From China.
This is the home of Joseph CorsOn,
the traveller, the sailor, the pirate,
the hermit.
It was on Sunday afternoon that
representative of the REPORTER
went to interview him. ''Being the
dav it is, have not ambition to dress
up," was Corson's first greeting.
people say that / am miser-that
I have great zeal of money hidden
in this l2x14 shanty, but it is not so. l
am seventy years old; | have seen
much of the world, but have been a
rolling man, gathering no money"
Pointing to some half-fried sausages,
he complained: "Those things snarl
and bark at me even now. My only
friends are those god images about my
house: talk to them; worship them;
I took some of them with NE when l
came from China and India years ago. "
Served on a Pirate Vessel.
Corson came to Wisconsin four years
ago from New Jersey. He served on
merchant ships during the civil war.
sat this PERIOD" he continued, 81
often visited South America to get
provisions for the northern army.
For one year | served on one Of the
monitors which protected the coast
from Jersey to Florida. At one time /
was taken prisoner by the southern
army, but was soon exchanged.
cat the close of the war / hired out
on vessel which traded between
South America and South Africa. l
was .shipwreckec on the coast Of Brazil.
A close shave / tell you--five hours on
a rock not larger than this house. L
was picked up by a vessel which L
soon found to be manned by pirates.
For ten months, l was compelled to
lead the pirates life. / luckily es-
caped when we were near the coast of
Africa.
Was Not Understood at Babcock.
II used to live down at Babcock two
years ago. The people there did rot
understand me. They Knocked my
Chinese gods and the faith | have in
them. They didn't think they owed
me living. And SO the pirate nature
that is in me arose in all its
fierceness. Every body were losing
chickens and sheep. Family blamed
family: there were feudS worse than
in Kentucky. One day Deputy Sher-
jff Jack Riley asked me to watch his
farm. | said i would-but instead
watched his chickens. Riley kept a
butcher shop. stole his chickens and
sold them to bin And he wondered
where they went TO. After | had fun
enough told them | was the pirate
an honest thief. no second handed
thief. Then the sheriff came and
asked, Joe. what is all this about?'
! Ny o Use at BabcOck was sold, but ]
! saved my Chinese gods and dragon.
Vincent Erects Home for Him.
s'They jailed me at Grand Rapids,
but not long. Vincent built me a
. house near his farm, and [ was happy
again to get away from the wickedness
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24

Bicycles and repairing at Kreiger s.
Company'S, on west side.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24
STREET WASTE PAPER
BASKETS A GOOD THING
A Hint From Wausau Is Not at All Out Of
Place.

Some time ago the ladies Of certain
society in Wausau purchased three
waste paper baskets for street use.
The Wausau Record says:
"The three waste paper baskets
recently placed ON Third street appear
to be success, being filled each day
with paper which would litter up the
street except for their presence.
After a little further trial. i. if the
present good results continue, about
twenty additional baskets will be
provided"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-24
SCHOOL CENSUS WAS
TAKEN OVER AGAIN
Appleton Found Too Few Children--Second
Census Almost the Same

There was a falling off in the school
census of Appleton and Manitowoc
this year. The public was SO stirred
up over the matter that the census
was retaken but only a few names
were added. Stevens Point had an
increase of 236 over last year, Oshkosh
139 Grand Rapids showing of 232, ia
comparison, is therefore very crafty
ing'
Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1903-08-22
DETERMINED TO INVESTIGATE
Sec. Hitchcock and Commissioner
Jones are Agreed Upon This.
THE PRESIDENT is INDIGNANT

Washington. Aug. Is,-The deter
mnation of Secretary Hitchcock to
order a thorough investigation of the
alleged frauds and questionable trans
actions in Indian Territory, was stim-
MATED by direct orders from Oyster.
Bay. The report made by Mr. Brosius,
of the Indian Rights Association, was
transmitted to the president from the
headquarters of the association at
Philadelphia, and is said 20 have made
profound impression and to have
aroused the presidents Indignation
It is learned that Secretary Hitch
cock informed j. George Wright some
time ago, that he must either resign
his place as special agent CT the gov
eminent or give up his connection with
the trust company. Mr.. Wright has
done neither, SO far as known here
Brosius states in his report that
Indians are induced to sign lease of
their lands at nominal sl,in for the
period of five years provided by con-
gress, and another agreement to sell
their lands to the lessee at the concfu-
sion of the leasing period for u mere
song. The interior department, under
instructions from the president. will
make complete investigation of the
scandals
1t is expected that the Investigations
will bring to light IA ia: more extensive
scandal than that developed in the
postofice department Commissioner
of Indian Affairs Jones said
Il believe the Indian Office should
at once undertake thorough investi-
cation of the conditions in Indian
Territory and prepare report, and
then if congress considers I, further
Investigation desirabl there will be
material upon which to work. Twenty
million acres of land are involved, and
millions, of dollars in money, to say
nothing of the interests of some 400, 900
Indians"
Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1903-08-22
"COME OVER AND HELP US"
MacedOnians Appeal To The Powers To
Intervene For Peace.

Sofia, Aug. 1.-THE delegates of the
Macedonian committee have sent an
appeal for the intervention of Europe
to enforce tie provisions of the Berlin
treaty. The committee say that Sin
tervention is the only means of RENE
dying the evil and stopping bloodshed.
The sporadic efforts of the powers to
secure reforms have failed, they have
resulted merely in Il recurrence Of
Turkish fanaticism and suppression.
sit is evident that reform measures
to be etlicacious must include the APP
pointment of Il Christian governor
general, some one who has never held
office under the porte, and who must
be independent of the Turkish govern
ment in the exercise of his functions,
and the further appointment by the
powers of a joint, permanent admins
trative board, with full power to deal
with any disturbances. -