davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31
CHRISTMAS FREAKS.

Along with Santa Claus and the
good cheer of Yuletide comes the an
nual crop of newspaper Christmas
stories, that may well be termed
freaks. Probably the prize for novel
ty should go TO st. Louis, where the
story emanates that two women, hid
ing their Christmas presents under
the bed, saw a burglar concealed
there, dragged him forcibly from his
hiding place and handed him over to
the police, One of the women search
ed the burglars pockets and found
$135, which was not claimed, so she
purchased additional Christmas gifts
with it. There's the element of nov.
city that deserves a present. The
story has romantic attachments, like
sewing machine. One can imagine
the startled shrieks of the feminines,
the cries Of "Oh, dearie, just what ]
wanted" Assuredly, st. Louis wins
the honors this season.
Philadelphia, the city of sleep and
brotherly love, comes in close sec.
ond, with a Christmas-tree story to
the effect that 10000 spruce pine
trees were hauled to the suburbs and
destroyed by fire so as to advance the
price of the remaining trees from
seventy-fve cents 10 three dollars.
The trust element has been injected
into the Yuletide festivities. The
laws of supply and demand nave TAX
en- to governing enjoyment and gift
giving, and even the output of anna
teur Santa Clauses. Philadelphia did
real well, for Philadelphia, and is far
removed from the consolation prize.
!, But the crop is such varied one;
novelties all of them. There's the
western town which produced a man
who destroyed himself and his entire
family because there was no money
for Christmas presents. There's the
invention of a wooden nutmeg state
native Of asbestos, non-combustible
Christmas trees. There's the story
that the boll-weevil had made COM
pulsory woolen boards and decora-
tions this year instead of cotton, and
the worst Of all. the woman who
bought an elegant sealskin cloak as
her husbands present to her and or
dered the bill sent TO him. But what
would the space writer do for a
Christmas gift If he could not draw
on his Imagination?
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

TN the case of Gov. Cummins
and his mother" Gays the Cedar. Rap
ids Republican, there was the ideal
relation-a courageous and tender
mother and strong and dutiful son
who never forgot to .idealize and adol-
ize his mother. She was typical Of
the sturdy race of American pioneers,
who feared not the Wild prairfes of
the west, nor minded the heat Of the
summer, nor the cold of winter, who
dared all things and who endured all
things in new land, where riches
were not yet and where comforts
were mdreamed of. But the closing
years of her good and noble life were
passed in peace and comfort and with
In sight of the golden dome where
her son was the governor of the
proudest state in the west which she
and her brave husband helped to
make out of the raw prairies."
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31
The ISLE OF PINES.

The Isle of Pines which has recent
ly come into public notice because OF
its strategic location in the event Of
hostilities between the United States
and Colombia, and because Of the de-
bate now going on in the senate re-
garding it's rightful ownership, has a
peculiar interest to many Iowa peo-
pie. American colonists now own
more than half of the island, have
established a town and postoflce
and are investing large sums. A larg-
er number Of Iowans are Of the Amer
ican colony than residents Of any 9TH
er state. A number Of excursion par
ties have been sent to the Isle OF
Pines from Iowa and q number OF
companies formed to handle land or
engage in other business on the isl.
and. The American Land Company
was formed at Fairfield last winter,
and number of Fairfield people are
interested. Then there is quite a
colony from near Spencer, and others
from Creston and Ottumwa. 1t is
said there are forty or fifty families
from Iowa now interested in the isl
and. Almacigos Springs is a winter
bathing resort started by Iowa peo
pie, and the town of Columbia is
thoroughly American, with a postor
fee established by General Wood
Several months ago these Iowa peo
pie and other Americans, represent
ing colony of between 400 and 500
sent protest and petition to Presi
dent Roosevelt in which they asked
that the present misgovernment oi
the island be abolished and that the
government be organized by the Unit
ed States. There are about 2,00(
persons on the island and it is at
tached for administrative purposes tC
the province of Havana. A residen,
alcalde, clerk and policemen repre-
sent the government. II there are
deeds to be made or recorded q triI
must be made to town In Cuba, anG
then exorbitant fees are exacued fol
small services. The colonists repre-
sented also that the belief is current
on the island that IL Cuba secures the
island a part will be used as con
vict colony, as 1t had been undel
Spain at one time, andthe remaindel
for a leper colony. If this shoult
happen the property purchased b,
Iowa people would not be wortl
much. The Iowa senators are to b'
interested in the protest against rat
ification Of the treaty OF cession t
Cuba which $ pending in the senate
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31
FATAL INJURY.
What Cheer Boys Life Almost Crush
Nj ed out In Mines.

What Cheer, Dec. 28.-Emmett
Griggs, aged seventeen years, a son
of Mr.. and Mrs. John A. Griggs, of
this place, was fatally injured in a
mine accident near here this morn
ing about nine o'clock. A loaded car
started from the dump upon which it
had been placed and caught the boy.
One leg was cut OF and the other
badly mashed. The car wheel caught
in the groin and was blocked by the
body of the boy. 1t is thought that
the boys life can not be saved. He
had gone to the mine this morning
to take the place of his father who
was i'll and could not work.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

I'm discussing the business stu.
alton of the country Henry Clews, the
well known New York authority says:
rThe money market is no longer a
subject of anxiety, and the much fear.
ed stlingency did not appear during
the crop-moving season. Like nearly
all forseen disturbances it was avert.
ed by anticipation. Funds are now
returning more freely from the in.
terror; so that, barring any furry in.
cidental to dividend and other dis.
bursements January 1st, bank aver.
ages ought to rise for the next two
or three months. Gold imports have
also been on fairly liberal scale,
and international trade conditions
indicate that this movement has not
ended, although easier money rates
there would quickly stop the influx
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

"A fight is threatened in st. Louis
that may mean the end of the team
sters and drivers union. Nine thous-
and members of the union threaten
to strike January 1, and tie up the
entire traffic of the city. The Citi.
zens' Association proposes to break
up the combine at any cost. Already
$50 non-union men have been secured,
and they will be protected by all the
peace officers of the city, ana all the
citizens of st. Louis who are begin
ming to chafe under the seemingly
uncalled for strikes that have men
aced the municipality. If the die is
cast the consequences promise to be
dire.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31
Charlton Herald: T,

Charlton Herald: The Register
and Leader printed last week a pic
ture Of five generations of one family
living at or near Fort Dodge. There
was only one great-great-grandchild
in the family, which record can be
beaten five to one down here at
Humeston, where Mrs. Steele, aged
9S years, has daughter, Mrs. James
Taylor, aged 80 years, a grandson,
w. ]. s. Taylor, aged 60 years, five
great-grandchildren and five great.
great-grandchildren, all living and in
good health. The whole family of
five generations had reunion at the
home of w. J. s. Taylor, on last
Wednesday, it being his sixtieth birth.
day.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31
CHANGE PENAL LAWS.

Revision of the criminal laws OF
Iowa is forcefu1ly suggested for the
consideration of the coming general
assembly by the state board Of con.
troll, through paper read by Judge
G. s. Robinson, one of three members
of the board, at the quarterly confer.
ence of superintendent at DesMoines
Wednesday. The following summary
embodies the recommendation in the
briefest possible form. 1t is now up
to the legislatures:
State inspection of city and
county prisons.
Juvenile court with large discre.
tionary power.
3-State reformatory for males un.
der 80 and women under 20.
4-Power to suspend sentence
when for less than two years.
5-Intermediate sentences for all
but life prisoners.
6-Creation Of parole and prison
board.
7-Superyision of the paroled Grim
inal and furnishing him employment
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31
OFFICIALS IN TOWN.
Gen. Supt. Cable Of Rock Island On
Tour Of inspection.

y .
General Superintendent II. A. Ca
BILE has been making this city his
headquarters for the past few days.
The other occupants of his two pri-
vate cars which have been side
tracked near the depot, are Division
Superintendent w. H. Given, Train
master c. L. Brown and Roadmaster
w. F. Lee. The officers are upon a
tour of inspection of property ana
have made Oskaloosa the point from
which numerous trips have started.
Interviewed concerning the extension
of the Oskaloosa and Knoxville
branch to Council Bluffs, none of the
party knew anything of the intention
of the road, but all agreed it would
be fine thing.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

According to the Des Moines
News, riches do not take wings. They
ride away in an auto to the repair
man. The same paper has noticed
that man often has to work because
his schemes won't.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31
CRIMINAL STATISTICS.

Literacy is on the decrease among
Iowa criminals. The figures prepared
by the secretary of state, showing the
original prosecutions in Iowa during
the biennial period, show that while
in 1902 there were Lit convictions
of people who could read and write,
in 1903 there were only 984 convicted
who could read.
Varying conclusions may be drawn
from these figures, probably the one
suggesting itself most readily would
be that education is a preventive
against criminality.
Another conclusion, directly con-
trary to this, might be drawn from
the accompanying figures which show
"a total of Is convicted during 1908
who could neither read nor write, as
against IL the year before, and also
against 9S4 prisoners convicted who
could read and write.
According to these figures it might
be argued that illiteracy is not the
cause Of crime, and that the ranks of
the criminals are recruited from the
educated. On the other hand, the
proportion of illiterates convicted of
crimes and offenses as compared with
the total number of illiterates in the
state is possibly considerably larger
than the proportion of literate crimi-
mails to the number of people in the
state who can read and write.
The same table shows the number
of native American born criminals in
Iowa is on the decrease, while the
number of foreign criminals is in.
creasing.
In 1903 there were 691 American
born criminals sentenced as against
759 in 1902, showing decrease for
the past year Of Is. In 1903 the num-
Der of foreign born criminals was 26S
as against 248 the year before, an in.
crease in the number of foreign born
criminals in 1903 of 20.
The total number Of convictions in
Iowa shows a falling off as compared
with the previous year. In 1908 there
were 1902 convictions, as against l.
439 in 1902, a decrease of 1877. The
total fines were $106,99S.2 .25,as against
$120,4S2.95 in 1902. showing falling
off of $13,4S4.7O.
Polk county shows up well in the
table securing more convictions at a
less expense in 1908 than in 1902.
In 1903 the number of Polk county
convictions was 105. in 1902 the
number was 7S. The total number of
years of penitentiary sentences was
greater in 1902, amounting to 217
years in 1902, as against 1874 in 1908.
The expense of criminal prosecu-
tions in 1903 was considerably less
than in 1902, amounting during the
past year to $7s.S1550, as against
$11s,S67.2S for 1902, difference OF
$40,051.78.
This sum does not include the pay.
ments of fees to the county attorney
which in 1902 amounted to $1,691.5O,
and to $1,991.97 in 1893. In 1902
there we're 1920 assessed IN fines OF
which $540 was collected, and in 1908
there was $3,470 assessed and s1,645
collected.
In 1902 three were sentenced to be
hanged and three got life imprison.
ment The total number of felonies
for which convictions were had was
500, misdemsanors 769. other offenses
"a.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

The Melvin Argus says that Iowa
has the money to build good roads,
but not to throw away on dirt roads.
"Graveling or macadamizing the roads
now would,in the course Of ten years,
prove a saving of money" the, Argus
asserts. "a
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

The Marshalltown Times-Repub,
lican has adopted a rule of cash in
advance for all one-cent-a-word "ads'
and small briefs, including announce
ments of secret societies. This is
done in order to avoid extra book.
keeping and taking the time Of their
collector, who is kept busy with his
larger and regular collections.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31
DEATH WITHOUT WARNING.
MarshaIItown Woman Stricken While
Visiting Mother.

Marshalltown, Ia, Dec. 28.-Death
came without warning and with fear
full suddenness to Mrs. c.. Carlson,
while she was visiting at the home
of her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. G. A.
Carlson. While sitting talking she
was attacked with severe ft Of
coughing, and in doing so ruptured
blood vessel of the lungs, causing
hemorrhage. She died ten minutes
later.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31
-Burlipgton Hawk.Eye: "The oska

Burlington Hawk-Eye: "The Oska,
loosa Herald calls attention to the
peculiarities of human construction
in Grinnell by quoting from the Her
aid of that place news item to the
effect that "A. D. Talbott's plate glass
front has. just been replaced with a
new one.' That is where Mr.. Tai
bott gets ahead Of the X-Ray." How
about that, Ray? @E
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

Suppose you became possessed
OF $1,O00,000 or more dollars, what
would you do?" asks the Davenport
Republican. What In the world is
the use of newspaper man worry
ing about such trifes?
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

--Wu Ting-fang, formerly Chinese
minister to this country, has been
appointed vice president of the newly
created department of commerce in
his home government. 1t will be his
province specially to look after the
foreign commerce of China.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

"A pretty New York woman on
trial for forgery objects to having
bald headed men on the jury. The
Sioux City Tribune thinks it probable
that she expects to tell hair-raising
tale.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

ED Howe afirms that every time
there is a crowd of young folks in
the parlor having party there is an
old man in another part Of the house
trying to get some sleep.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

The circulation or money in the
United States has increased $56,000,-
ona during the past eleven months,
which suggestes to the Sioux City
Journal that 1--WE surely ought to be
able to settle up Jan. l."
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

-Dowie declares that any man who
votes the democratic ticket is a
jackass, and the Des Moines Capital
observes: There are times when
Elijah Number Three shows an intel
ligence which is almost human"
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

"A Des Moines woman is after a
second divorce from the same man.
The Capital figures that she has had
two such glorious honeymoons that
she wants third.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

"A $4,000 saddle will be exhibit
ed in Mexico's display at the Worlds
Fair. 1t is the property Of President
Diaz, having been presented TO him
by Colonel Cortina, of the Mexican
army.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

The hide dealers of the country
are to organize, but the Council
Bluffs Nonpareil quotes them as de
nying the charge that they are to op'
crate skin game. ..
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

The difference between the be-
ginning of winter in the calendar and
at the coal pile is another of those
things that the Keokuk Gate.City can
not understand.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

The area Of Panama is 91,571
square miles--about the same as that
of the state of Indiana. Its popula-
ton in round numbers is 100000. Its
commerce about $S,OOO,OOO per an
num-
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

Does Christmas end at midnight
of the 25th, or at the moment when
the last bite of the warmed-over tur-
key is consumed?" the Knoxville Elk.
press would like to know.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

The Burlington Hawk-Eye be-
lieyes that Uncle Sam ought to well
come the first decent excuse to teach
"the insufferable Turk" much need
ed lesson.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31
Daniel Willard, wi

-Daniel Willard, who has been
elected second vice president and
general manager Of the c., B. & @.
railway company, was brakeman in
1879. Some brakeman of today may
succeed Mr.. willard, if he has the
right kind of stuff in him." suggests
the Fairfield Ledger.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

The following epitaph in Keo
kuk cemetery has an optimistic rins
combined with certain amount o.
epitaffy that will be generally appre
ciated:
Here lies inferred P. c. Bird. y
Who sang on earth till sixty-two;
Now upon high, above the sky,
No doubt he sings like sixty, too
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

MIR. Bryan did not visit Waterloo.
The Washington Post explains that
he knows enough about the Waterloo
business from personal experience.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

The Iowa state library commits
sion." says the Des Moines Register
and Leader, sis unique among Iowa
state organizations. 1t does not ask
an increased appropriation"
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

If $40 would buy man as much
joy as 10 cents viii buy for boy, the
Omaha Bee declares that the mints
could suspend indefinitely.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

"A Des Moines women mixed gas
oline literally with the stove polish
to make it soft. Her husband de-
clares he will never marry again.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

According to the st. Louis World
a wife generally is confirmed in the
belief that her husband is wrong If
he won't admit it.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

The Saint Joseph News and Press
declares that a person who never
raised a pup doesn't really know
what trouble it.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

The Chicago Tribune explains
that Senator Hoar is good man who
is afflicted occasionally with sort of
political strabismus.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

1t would be genuine relief TO the
Keoluk Gate-City If the oldest Ma
son" would stay dead.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31
TROLLEY ACCIDENT.
Five People Injured in a Street Car
Wreck at Boone.

Boone, Ia, Dec. 2S,-Two women
and three men were injured, Chas-
Humphrey, car barn man, possibly IA
tally. in the wreck Of a street car by
a switch engine on the Boone subur-
ban line at ten o'clock this morning.
The eight passengers miraculously es-
capped death. The car was complete
ly demolished
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

Following time honored custom
no Daily will be issued from the Her
aid Office on Christmas Day.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

A substantial gift Of nine tons OF
coal was given to nine Des Moines
families Christmas day through the
Salvation Army by I ID. Adams, a
travelling man.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31
QUEER SHOWER OF Fish.

Nature Snap Shots in Knoxville
Journal: Most people doubt the truth
Of stories which tell OF fish, worms,
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

The Iowa legislature will meet
on the 18th Of January
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-31

--"Open his front door and you are
in his back yard" is the latest de-
scription of the boastful shallowpate.
The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1903-05-15
LETTER 10 J. ". DODGE.
cl.izsssrs. ". VI.

Dear Sir: We hear you're doing a
rood business, and we know already,
without your telling US, that you use
good paint and do good work. We've
got a big business too-been at it lao
years-making good pant, best paint in
fhe world, Deyoe Lead and Zinc.
Sewer gallons and wears longer
ahat's the reason In short. It takes few
er gallons of Devoe Lead and Zinc than
Of mixed paints cover house. and it
wears longer than lead and oil or any
mxied pant.
Smith & WILDER. Cambridge Springs,
IA, write:
One of our painters says Devoe is the
best paint for painter to use when
taking work by the job. as it goes far.
ther and covers better than any pant he
ever used.
Here's the experience everybody hes
with it. The dealer who sells Dcvce
gets the bulk of the paint business of his
town. The painter who paints Devoc
gets the painting of his town Yours
truly, F. W. DEvoE & Co.
New York.
The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1903-05-15
RoM1NEs MILLS.

Rev. p. C. Strader filed his regular
appointment here in the Z. B. church
Sunday, May 10. and delivered a very
able and instructive sermon to very
attentive audience. Sunday school and
choir practice in the evening.
Aiessrs. Thos. Little and John high
of clarksburg, were calling on friends
in our burg last Sunday.
AIRS. Wiseman. of Glen Falls, is visit
ing her sister, Mrs. Boyles, the past few
days.
Miss Eva Hart i. dangerously i'll, but
we hope for her speedy recovery.
Thos. Davis little daughter, Ethel, is
very sick at this time.
\ week or 80 ago We might have said
fishing was the order of the day, but
since the 18th of April our boys have
quit fishing. or else don't tell when they
go. Yes; the word fishing brings to
mind little Law abiding. Office. seeking
party of seiners from your city, the
header of which. or at least the spolses-
man. was in person who hired some
of our boys to help under the pretensc
that he was the prosecuting attorney,
and telling them that there would be no
danger Of indictments.
Mr.. and AIRS. Maynard y. Shuttle
worth. Of clarksburg. were visiting rel.
atives here Sunday.