davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1903-06-16
Last Weeks North Carolina Crop
Bulletin.

Some cotton is not yet up, but
generally abundant moisture brought
most of the seeds up, and stands
have improved; as regards size the
plants average nearly thirty days
late chopping is proceeding actively,
and most of the cotton has been Gull
tivated once; cool weather prevented
rapid growth. Corn is doing well;
the plants are small but healthy in
appearance, and damage by cut
worms seems to be limited to stiff
bottom lands; cultivation is we'll ad-
vanced; there is very little more
corn to be planted. The week was
especially favorable for t~ransplant-
ing tobacco which progressed rapid
ly; drought caused early set plants
in the east to bud or button quite
low, so that some farmers have cut
plants back; the condition of early
set tobacco is not very good. Spring
oats have improved somewhat since
the rains, which came too late for
winter wheat and oats; rye is good;
harvesting is proceeding rather slow
Iy. Gardens have improved; cab
bages are heading nicely; the ship
ments of Irish potatoes continue
from the eastern counties, with fair
yields. Meadows are in better condi-
ton. Apples will be plentiful, peach
es and plums are beginning to ripen,
also b~Iackberries and dewberries.
Peanuts are doing well, but the en-
tire crop has not yet been planted.
A large number of sweet potato
slips was set during the week.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1903-06-16

W. W. Kitchen, the Representative
from the Fifth District, would also
be in the race for the nomination
for Governor, and it has been fire.
quently limited that the friends. of
Capt. r. B.. Glenn would present him
for this nomination; but the infor-
nation that it is proposed to have
him contest the nomination for Con
gress with Mr.. Kitchen is brand new,
and interesting. [Later.-Mr. Glenn
denies the rumor.1
Raleigh Cor. Asheville Citizen:
The State Superintendent of Public
Instruction will, in a few days, issue
the new list of books recommended
for use in rural school Libraries.
State warrants we're issued to-day
for two Libraries in Jackson County
and one in Vance. There is
much development in the State this
year in the way of cotton seed oil
mills, and at least a dozen new ones
are now under construction, ready
to begin work when the season opens.
These mills have also proved great
money-makers. The trust has Sc
cured a number of these mills, but
has always had to pay a fancy price
for it all bought. The State
Superintendent of Public Instruction
is gratiied by the receipt of a letter
from the superintendent of Camden
County, in which the latter says
more progress has been made in the
past twelve months in the way Of
improvement of school buildings, in
creased attendance and better teach
ing than was made during the five
years previous. This statement is
the more important because Camden
is a small county and has not a large
school fund.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1903-06-16
News of the Farm Crops.


Mount Airy News: The tobacco
crops for 1908 in Surry County will
not be an average. IF the seasons
are favorable from this time on there
will be lots of tobacco raised, but
not an average.
Danbury Reporter: The abundant
rains last week arrived just in time
to prove the salvation of the farmers.
Tobacco plants were suffering seri-
ously, corn had not come up in many
places, while wheat, attacked by the
flies, drouth and rust, looked exceed
ingly bad in some sections.
Bayboro Sentinel: Potatoes are
moving rapidly this week. The Bay
River Transportation Company's
steamer Blanche moves one thou
san barrels from Bayboro. Besides
there are numerous small craft at
other points that are busy. The
crop in this county is much better
than expected owing to the drouth.
The Observer finds from the rec
ords of the weather Office in Char
lotte that the past month was the
driest May in at least twenty-five
years. On none of its thirty-one
days did enough rain fall to help
vegetation. The heaviest was 10
inch on the 18th. In all only SO
inch fell. Average for twenty-five
years is 3.91 inches, leaving a defci-
ency of 1888 inches.
Col. Olds: The comment made on
the crops in the State now is that
while they are late, they are very
clean, and generally look vigorous.
1t is asserted that the most for
tunate part of the State this year
so far as ready money is concerned
is that between Mount Olive, in
Wayne County, and Wilmington. It
IS SAID by a resident that the truck
ers, berry-growers, etc., have more
money than ever before.
Raleigh dispatch: It is said that
less cotton is now held here than at
any time in many years. The re-
ceipts of cotton from the first of last
September to date are 1875 bales,
against 1888 during the previous
season. Once Raleigh was n Of
the largest, if not the largest, of in
land cotton markets, as during the
season of 188O-'81 no less than 49,
1913 bales were received here, nearly
all by wagon.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1903-06-16
STATE NEWS
1DoM cURRITUcK TO CHEROKEE.
Teams of Interest Cleaned From Our Cor
respondents and Exchanges.

The election held at Mount Airy
for the purpose of deciding if the
+ov should be increased from 25 to
q cents for school purposes resulted
IN a majority of fourteen votes in
favor of the increased tax.
A new ordnance at Edenton will
close all the saloons at eight o'clock
p m, Likewise a new ordinance at
Henderson will close the saloons at
nine o'clock p. m. The new COM
missioners' board of Nashville, in
response to a petition of citizens,
has declined to grant license.
News and Observer: The profess
sions are all wisely putting up the
bars in admitting applicants. Thirty
Of the n hundred and seven appli-
cants to practice medicine failed
and ten of the twenty-seven appli-
cants failed before the Board of
Pharmacy. The people have a right
TO know that none but qualified men
are admitted to these important pro-
LESSONS.
Raleigh Post: The State Super
intendent of Public Instruction has
received the gratifying news that
Macon County has voted for COM
puIsory education by SO majority.
This is the first county in the State
to adopt this system by popular vote.
The recent Legislature enacted a bill
establishing such a law for Mitchell
County; so that there are two coun-
ties in the State that have this sys-
tenn.
Raleigh Post: The North Caro-
lima Supreme Court in an opinion
written by Chief Justice Walter
Clark afirms the lower court in the
noted case of H. F. Seawell VS.. the
Seabord Air Line Railway Company.
This is the case in which Seawen OBJ
tanned in the Moore County Superior
Court a verdict for $4,000 damages
for being egged in the S. A. L. sta
ton at Shelby in 1900 while he was
on a campaign trip as Republican
nominee for Lieutenant Governor.
Col. Olds: 1t is said that DR..
Charles W. Dabney, of the Univer-
aty of Tennessee, and for years
North Cardinals State Chemist, is
more than apt to be made president
OF the University of Virginia. -
Inc attendance at the State Liquor
Dealers and Distillers Association
convention, in session here, is the
largest on record, members say.
Both dealers and distillers are deep
" stirred by the situation, which the
watts liquor bill has placed them in,
anu by the knowledge that the great
usnt against liquor is growing in
strength daily. 1t is said that the
sale OF liquor is now permitted at
more than one hundred places in the
''ate' and this number is more than
'P' TO be largely decreased, and that
CVOn' The criminal term of Wake
Tuperlor Court, at which the Ernest
haywood case will be tried, begins
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1903-06-16

OO~- 'O~O $1,000 49, @O@AO'0 OS4-
dent, J. B. Carlyle, Wake Forest
College; First Vice-President, Prof.
j. |. Foust, Greensboro; Secretary
and Treasurer, W. D. Carmichael,
Durham; Vice-Presidents, W. P.
Few, W. W. Boddie, Collier Cobb,
John Graham, j. L. Douglas, Miss
Margaret A. johnson and Miss lola
Exum.
Raleigh Post: The Supreme Court
of North Carolina has affirmed the
decision of the lower court in the
case of the State against James Will
o for the murder of Nell Cropsey
at Elizabeth City. It will Nbe re-
m~embered that Wilcox was first tried
in Pasquotank County and SEN
fenced to be hung. Upon appeal to
the Supreme Court a new trial was
granted and the trial was moved to
Perquimans County where it was
heard before Judge Council and a
jury. A verdict of murder in the
second degree was rendered and Will
cox was sentenced to thirty years in
the p~enitentiary. Appeal was again
taken and the Supreme Court yester-
day affirmed the decision and judg-
ment of the lower court, the opin-
ion being written by Justice Conner.
Manager Bailey, of the State Anti
Soon League, requests us to publish
the following notes: Widespread in
terest is manifested in the Temper
ance Convention at Raleigh, July Z.
On account of the Summer School
at Raleigh, the rate on this day will
be n fare for the round trip. It
is hoped that every one in North
Carolina who is interested in the
great temperance movement will be
present on this occasion. The work
in this State has never been practi-
cally organized, and this Convention
will reorganize the present forces
and form the policy hal is to be
pursued. The Convention will meas
ure the interest of the people in this
great cause. There are only
forty counties in North Carolina in
which liquor may be sold, and it will
be easy TO carry four-ffths of these
this year against saloons if the peo-
pie will organize. Liquor is sold IL
legally in many of the counties, and
there should be organizations in
them for the purpose of suppressing
blind tigers. The Anti-Saloon
League will not stop with fighting
the saloon, but will go right on and
make war on the blind tigers. It adj
dresses itself to the monster Drink
Evil in all its forms. The leagues
come into existence, therefore, not
for a summers campaign, but for
a permanent mission.
Charlotte Observer: Mr.. Bryant
sends from Greensboro some politi-
cal gossip to this mornings paper.
The report that Mr.. Linney will next
year stand for the Republican nomi-
nation for Congress in the Eighth
H. "
The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-15

paid to the widow or children of any such
employe killed in the line of duty. or who
dies within one year after an accident in
which he has suffered disabling injury.
Supposing that he is disabled. but is lucky
enough not to die, he receives full pay for
twelve months after the date of the injury.
Few railway mail clerks last more than
twenty years in the service. their work be-
ing done under such high tension that. even
If they escape death or disabling injury,
they are soon worn out.
At all times they are expected to defend
the mails with their lives. attacks upon pos
tai cars by robbers being not infreauent
If the clerk refuses to open the door of his
car in response to demand by highway
men. he must be prepared for an immediate
fustllade of bullets, followed perhaps by an
explosion of dynamite.
or course it is always the registered mail
that the robbers want particularly.
Mail cars to-day are very different vehi-
cles from what they were fifteen years ago
much more commodious. and built to resist
collisions as far possible. They are not
proof against dynamite. but in many in
stances they have been able to Withstand
determined attacks by highwaymen
For the transportation of mail the Govern
ment pays SO much per one hundred pounds
plus from $25 to $50 a day per car, according
to the length of the vehicle
The appropriation for this purpose for the
current year is s5,104.9OO
Iralns consisting of mail cars only are
now run between important points The
New York and Chicago fast mall comprises
clerks.
1t is. In fact, large post office on wheels,
sraVehns at fifty miles an hour.
The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-15

Inough all social engagements were closed
TO her on account of her mourning, she is
sui free TO enjoy all forms of outdoor life
and equestrian exercise is her favorite one
In no way Is her beauty better set forth
than when she is mounted upon her thor
oughbred horse.
Miss Pansy Bloomer. a debutante Of the
season. Is another equestrienne Her bow to
the polite world was made THANKSGIVING
Day at a tea at the family residence in
Massachusetts avenue
Since that auspicious occasion Miss Bloom
er has possessed an undisputed popularity
with the young set in which she moves.
She Is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
George Bloomer. She is very fair and petite
and stylish. and sits her horse with grace
and case. She is also very fearless, and
has won for herself a name as a cross
country rider.
Miss Bloomer is an ardent devotee OF the
chase, and is nearly always present at the
meet OF the Chevy Chase Club when they
ride to hounds
MISS -POSTLETHWAITES SKILL.
One of her contemporaries in the social
world is Miss Postlethwaite. who is also a
rider. Miss Postlethwaite is a daughter of
the late William N. Postlethwaite. who was
chaplain at West Point Miss Carolyn
Postlethwaite was introduced this winter at
a series Of dinners for young people given
The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-15

by her mother at their home in New Hamp.
shire avenue.
Miss Postlethwaite. who is one of tho
most exclusive matrons Of the social set,
gave ball for her daughter on New
Years Eve at Rauscher's. The occasion was
veritable holiday: affair, the ballroom be-
ing gay with Christmas Rfeens and the red
flowers and wreaths of the season.
1t was the night when Senator Kean en-
tertained at a large dinner dance for the
four Misses Roosevelt. who were then in
the city-Miss Alice Roosevelt and the
Misses Christine. Helen and Efrida. The
party at the Senator's house Joined the
company at Mrs Postlethwaite's ball q
short time before midnight. when all Joined
in merry rout to ring out the old year
and in the new.
Miss Mason. the daughter Of Senator Ma
son Of Illinois. is another equestrienns to
be included in the list. Miss Mason rides
from a pure love Of the sport. and has
adopted every method conducting to the
keenest enjoyment and safety in the pur-
suit.
Like many another girl of the Prairie
State. Miss Mason has adopted the divided
skirt. enabling her to ride astride and thus
gain complete control Of her horse. Miss
Mason is liberal in all her viewR and be-
lieves this to be the proper way to ride,
considering 1t better for the horse and safer
and more beneficial to the rider.
The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-15

Fire, water, wind and the robbers pistol
are all dangers to be encountered by the
railway mail clerk.
Inasmuch as they spend their lives in
travelling. they are bound to be mixed up
in accidents occasionally, and whether they
suffer or not is a mere matter of chance.
Quite commonly they do suffer, partly be-
cause the mail car is placed usually behind
the tender, where 1t Is reasonably sure IN
case of collision to be smashed to kindling
wood between the tender and the baggage
car.
Recently. however. an effort has been
made to alter this arrangement. placing the
baggage car between the tender and the
mail car, and thus it is hoped that the
number of casualties will be lessened.
1t is a very strange and interesting fact
that liability to accidents has greatly in
creased on the railroads of the United
States, and is to-day greater than ever be-
fore Notwithstanding the marked improve
ment in methods of operating railway lines.
The reason is simply that lines have multi
piled, gridironing the country in every d.
rection while the trains run faster and
more frequently.
So, in spite of the superior construction Of
roadbed, improved collision-proof cars and
the protection afforded by the admirable
block system, the number of accidents per
mile of railroad has actually increased.
Of this striking fact the record Of casual
ties in the railway mail service affords
proof, the percentage of killed and injured
among the travelling postal clerks having
steadily risen.
Last year, as already stated, it broke the
record, with total of 399 killed and wound
ed. or just about per cent Of the entire
personnel.
At this rate 1t would appear that a railway
postal clerk in twenty-five years Of service
Is practically certain to be injured at least
once in an accident on the rail. while his
chance Of being killed during that period is
about one in forty.
Hence. the Importance of providing some
equivalent of pension for the families of
clerks who lose their lives.
/. Ghs laE NOW provides that il.Qoo shall be
The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-15

veteran r1Eer man.
, ST. Louis The City of Monroe. which. with
, the Vicksburg. Arkansas City. the Cairo.
and Providence. was wrecked in the st.
Louis harbor by the cyclone of May. 1896.
is now the Hill City. She was practically
rebuilt.
Captain James Grasty, the last owner Of
the City of St. Louis. sold her to a New
York City oil company having interests in
the Texas oil field for $25, 900. 1t was the
oil company's intention to convert her into
a hulk for carrying oil to the sugar and
rice plantations on the Lower Mississippi.
but the plan was abandoned. and the ves-
sci will doubtless soon go to the scrap
heap. 1t Is said that the st. Louis in her
early career made for the old company
several times her cost in clear profit, and
was steady contributor to the Scudder
fortune, and to one or two others that had
origin In the prosperity of the Anchor Line
boats before the railroads and bad cham
nels IN the river put them out of business. ,
captain Connors tells me that a continue
Gus water channel is all that Is necessary
to establish great heavy freighting traffic
on the Mississippi. He thinks the late
change Of policy of the Mississippi Valley
transportation Company, by which the line
abandons light or package freight and con-
nnes itself to heavy bulk freight. such as
wheat. corn, -four provisions, ETC., mainly
for export. means the development OF a
much greater traffic in that line when con-
ditions of navigation shall warrant the in
crease of barge fleets to cater to and to
create that class Of business. He believes
there is at all times-even at the lowest
record stage-water enough to make 10
loot barge channel from St Louis to Cairo,
and that the proper engineering plan only
needs to be adopted and carried out to
make such a channel q reasonable certain
ty He is very much encouraged over the
latest action Of Congress in granting an
appropriation covering a series Of years,
believing that to be the beginning of the
rivers restoration as the artery of greater
commerce. EDISON BRACE
The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-15

I that of the river, and leave the old channel
! dry.
! This will mean a loss to Boone County
| farmers Of more than a million dollars. and
will leave many of them penniless. The
soil of the Burlington Bottom is very soft.
sandy and loose. as is all bottom soil, and Is
easily affected by water
This land is considered the most fertile in
Missouri. and is rivaled only by the Bois
Brule bottom of the Mississippi. Investors
are offering S100 an acre for It, in the face
of the fact that 1t is in imminent danger Of
destruction. On 1t two years ago was raised
the corn that received fret prize at the
Pan-American Exposition. Such a thing as
crop failure is unknown among the river
farmers.
The county road from Wilton to Harts-
burg has been moved farther north three
times. 1t is now directly along the right
of way of the NJ. K. & T. r. R., and at
one place the river has washed into the
wagon road so far as to make 1t impossible
to pass with a wagon. Houses, schools and
barns have been moved to make room for
the greedy river.
FARMER COMPELLED TO
MOVE HOUSE THREE TINES
Frank Ham. who lived two miles south Of
Wilton moved his house twice and the
third time placed it on a hill far out Of
danger.
gress for the Missouri River served to some
extent to keep it within bounds. The utter
failure of the limited appropriations to open
the river to navigation discouraged Con-
gressmen and the Missouri River Commis-
sion was abandoned. Several years ago. the
citizens Of Harrisburg. realizing that their
town was in danger, sent an enamissary to
Washington.
He pleaded earnestly with the Congress-
men, but to no avail. Similar attempts
made since then have proven equally futile.
Six months ago the citizens Of Harrisburg
resolved no longer to wait on Congress
and they have taken the matter into their
own hands. Uurged on by the nearness Of
the danger. they have contributed literally
to fund which will be used in the build
ing of dikes and revetment. But the larg-
est amount they could possibly contribute
would serve only to ward of impending
danger. and in the course of a few years
the river will be as dangerous as ever. Help
from Congress is the only hope for the
Burlington Bottom farmers.
WALTER WILLIAMS.
The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-15

West of this point, near Kansas City. the
Wabash Railway has a river route, con-
structed at very little cost but 1t is cost
ing the road a hundred thousand yearly to
protect the right of way from the river.
1t is rumored that the Wabash may aban-
don the river route for one through the
hills. at a greater cost of construction, but
at lower rate Of protection. The Katy
may be compelled to do the same.
In the neighborhood of Wilton the river
approaches to within 100 yards of the
Petite Bonne Femme Creek, the current
flowing in exactly the same direction as
that of the creek. If the river reaches the
channel of the creek it will abandon its old
channel, take up that of the creek and
destroy the Burlington Bottom, a great
part Of which is of about the same level as