davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-12-15
extensive than in Kansas.

have often wondered who intro
duced the red May wheat into Kansas,
and where it originated. My first
seed was grown by James Bell, on
his farm adjoining Abilene on the
south. This wheat did not yield
large. 1t was tender to heavy frosts,
l experimental with other varieties
The Fultz was introduced from Penn
sylvania. 1t was very promising at
first, but also proved to be too ten
der. brought the Clawson from
New York; beautiful soft white
wheat, but it could not Withstand the
cold, dry, winter winds. Finally my
attention was directed to the "Tur'
KEY" or Red Russian variety. II
was hard wheat, and at first re-
gsrded as much inferior to the rec
MAY, but it proved very hardy anc
yielded proliically. l substituted it
think, in 1878. 1t became widely
popular and it is the variety still
mainly grown in Kansas, and in th'
great Missouri west. | know
nothing OF its origin. The whea
farmers Of Kansas should offer priz
for that information.
This leads me to suggest In con
clusion, that an association composed
OF practical Kansas wheat farmers
should be organized and confne it
Investigations to that product with
view to preserving its welfare. Kan
sas, no more than California, can In
definitely grow wheat and not ex
haust the virgin fertility. The aver
age yield in California, as compared
with forty years ago, 10 now barrel.
NOR, than one-third, and yet Their
are naturally no more fertile valley
| In the world than the Sacramento ant
the San Joaquin.
4
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-12-15
A Lucky Bunch Of Money.

The other day Solomon man who
owed j. N. Burton $94 sent 1t to him.
He bought money order for a and
got 500 in bills. He wadded the
whole thing and stuck 1t in an euve-
lope which he addressed with a lead
pencil, then mailed it.. When the
carrier delivered it the family was
away and he stuck it behind the
screen door. 1t was found that even
ing and thrown on the table. Mr..
Burton thought 1t was q sale bill
someone had sent him, so bulky was
the letter, and threw 1t on his desk.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-12-15

WAS reared on limestone farm
adjoining Clifton Springs, N. Y. Ny
father was an intelligent, thorough
going farmer. His specially was win
ter wheat, to which the old farm was
particularly adapted. To this day
no agricultural product 80 interests
and attracts me as that cereal. The
land was hard to work. Nearly every
rod OF the fencing was stone, gathered
from the field inelosed. The frost
heaved new supplies to the surface,
which we're regularly harvested after
each blowing, never succeeded in
doing furrow-turn without striking
q buried limestone boulder. My hips
we're bruised all seeding time by the
handles jerked beyond my strength
and control, as the pillow encountered
those hidden "bumpers." For that
reason, and some others, shortly after
attaining my majority, l struck out
for the west. l never intended to
farm another acre Of land.
l still carry the impression those
great prairies Of Northern Illinois
made upon me when first saw them
from the Alton line in October, 1865
They we're as fertile as l saw they
were black. Thousands of cattle
were feeding upou the ungathered
oornfelds and not stone as large as
IS hazelnut on 10000 acres! l decided
if the worst ever again came to the
worst, and had to 60 back to farm
ing, should abide thereabouts.
A futile attempt to add to my ex-
chequer by growing Gotten in Ala
CANA at cost OF 20 cents per pound
and marketing it in Montgomery at
II cents, cost me my patrimony, and
eventually in'my removal to Abilene,
Kas. There l purchased quite tract
of land adjoining the town at 1925
per acre, which twenty years after
ward sold for $3.50, O00-nearly $27O
per acre. So after all l became a
farmer-a Kansas farmer. l soon
-"caught on" however. Within two
years captured a county office and
became a real estate "broker." My
two partners we're both county otti
GERS, and all together, including some
deputyships, We held about four-ifths
OF what there was of them in sight.
Having successfully organized what
the envious termed "the court house
ring" we gained a second term
Meantime was steadily adding to my
land holdings. By 1879 l had bought
outmy partners and my competitors
gaining practically a monopoly Of
the real estate business in Dickinson
county.
Alternating seasons Of drouth by
that time had convinced me that corn
could not be relied upon for safe
and leading crop. Spring wheat was
more successful. Diversified and
specialized crops were not favored in
that frontier era OF agriculture.
Sporadic attempts to grow winter
wheat had been made In the county,
but with irregular and precarious re-
suits. Boyhood predictions deepened
any interest and Influenced my sys-
tematic observations. Ia 1873 l was
ready to introduce my system Of winter
wheat culture, based upon changes
of methods, and then began opera
ytions.
In Franklin's autobiography is an
account OF the demonstration Of the
value Of phosphate Of lime-"pIaster"
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-12-15
JheStory Of aWheat King
How Dickinson County Became Famous in the Seventies as "The
Golden Belt Of Kansas
BY t. G. HENRY.

as a fertilizer applied to common
clover. Those OF us who are familiar
with its use in the east know how as.
tonishing the improvements. Frank
lin selected field in the suburbs Of
Philadelphia and sprinkling the lime
on the clover, spelled out in great let
ters: This Has Been Plastered. !"
Very soon, of course, this unique dis
play could "be seen and read OF all
men," The advertisement feature to
me was quite as desirable as any pos
sible direct returns. The ingenious
ness Of Franklin's expedient appealed
to me, so | chose the Smoky Hill val
ley, east Of Abilene a couple Of miles,
alongside the Kansas Pacific railway
for the site of my winter wheat pro-
]ect. thought that few hundred
acres area, returning but moderate
average, would be far more effective
spectacle than small acreage, how
ever extraordinary its yield. There
fore broke up 500 acres. This was
mostly done with Texas oxen, six
yoke teams drawing 20-inca Moline
plows, rugged to self hold. The herd
law statute just enacted dispensed
with the need of fencing. In August
the seed-the cary red Mayor "lit'
tie" red Maya soft, amber-col red,
small symmetrical berry-was broad
c,sted on the sod and covered by
common Scotch harrows, drawn by
OK teams. The ground was so dry
and hard that each wing of the bar
row, in order to get results, was
weighted by a moving machine wheel.
When the seeding was completed
buU60 uhIIuW bOotu W0Lo mOto o1uosp
all but worn away. My processes
were purely primitive and inexpeD-
sive, merely lequate for an example.
The opulent Kansas wheat farmer Of
today cannot comprehend the economic
straits which beSet his predecessor
thirty years ago.
The drouthy and grasshopper year
OF 1874 is famous in the annals OF
Kansas. Crops Of all kinds were
nearly total failure. Great distress
particularly in the frontier counties,
folio we'd. But my 5OO-acre "fence
less" wheat fields, a veritable oasls,
advertised itself, like Franklin's
clover. Its proud and surpassed
owner became famed as "The Kansas
Wheat King" Two Marsh harvesters
and Weylich header we're purchased
to harvest the crop. The bar
vesters were quite like the pres
ent machines, without the self.
binding attach III nts. Two men rode
upon them and, standing, bound the
cut grain as 1t was elevated. But the
hot winds so ripened the grain tina,
10 forty eight hours from the time we
began, the brittle straw bands would
break and we could use the harvesters
no further. There were more than
400 acres still left unsecured. had
never seen q header work. was in
duced to purchase one through the
representations Of MIR. G. B. Seelye, q
leading merchant Of Abilene, who had
headed wheat in Illinois before com
ing to Kansas. But for that single
header | should have lost the major
portion Of that wheat crop. We ran
it with team relays night aud day
for about ten days. At first it hap
pened to be moonlight and we could
operate. Later q man on a white
horse, dressed In white, carrying o
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-12-15

He gets so many sale bills that way
that he did not open this for a day or
two. Then he thought that before
throwing it away he would see what
sale it was-and $94 tumbled out.
The moral to this is that people have
so much money nowadays that they
send it aroundit punches.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-12-15
Doctors Bring q Suit.

Drs. King & O'Donnell. surgeons
Of Junction City, have brought suit
in the district court against Ernest
staatz. They claim fees Of Mr..
Staatz in the sum Of $l01.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-12-15

&C. s. Crooks is on the sick list.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30
LOCAL BREVITIES.

Miss Douglas and Miss Elliott will
not have their dancing school Saturday
night, December 81.
Messrs. R. c. Acton K Son, jewelers.,
have gotten out one of the prettiesl
calendars of the season.
The Robert Portner Brewing Com
pany, of Alexandria, has purchased the
Globe Brewing Company's depot in
Stauuton, and will make many i'm
provements.
The funeral Of the late Mrs. Julia A.
Bremen, who died Wednesday night in
Washington, took place this morning.
The remains were brought to this city
for interment.
The off Gals of the Southern Railway
last night asked Of Chief Pettey the use
of about 400 feet of hose for the pur'
pose of forcing water into locomotives
The request was granted, the hose hav'
ing been sent from the Columbia house.
The alarm of fire shortly before noon
today was caused by large volume o.
smoke which was pouring from house
on the north side of Wilkes street, be
tween Royal and Pitt. There was nc
fire, however, the smoke having beer
caused by burning soft coal. The from
axle of the Relief truck was broker
while the apparatus was on the way down
Royal street
Wilbert c. Baggett will have for sale a
his stall in the market tomorrow morning
fine supply Of home killed meats. Also {
few choice turkeys. Marketing delivered FREE
of charge
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30

The Sunday school Of the Second
PRESBYTERIAN Church will hold its cele-
bration tonight. A feature Of the affair
will be stegeoptican views of biblicSl
scenes. which will be in charge Of Mr..
J. Russell Verbrycke, of Gurley Memo
rial Church, Washington. An offering
for the Home and School of Fredericks-
burg will be made on the occasion.
One of the most interesting entertain
meuts of the season was held in the
Methodist Protestant Church last night.
Santa Claus came from his residence at
the North Pole bringing with him his
retinue of brownies and fairies who gen.
erously distributed bags of candy to the
scholars az well as remembering the pas
tor, superintendent and scholars with use
ful and beautiful gifts. The following
programme was well rendered: Chorus
by the school, "Wonderful Counsellor"
prayer by pastor; chorus by school, The
Angels Sweet Refrain" solo, "The
Little Lord Jesus" Elizabeth Hantz-
mon; sextette, christmas Sunshine
chorus by school, Peaceful Night;
solo, Dear Little Christmas Stars, "
Annie Padgett; chorus by class, "Hark
the Music" chorus by school, "Angels
Adore Him." solo, 1.-The Holy Night j"
Miss Florence Brown; chorus by school,
Waking out of Silence" chorus OF
girls. awake and Joyfully Sing solo.
ssMid the Shadow of the Night, "
Pauline Lyles; chorus by school, with
Exultiug Tribute" chorus of girls, 81
Think Hear the Sleigh Bells Ringing.
The Sunday school of Trinity Nj. +.
Church last night held its Christmas
celebration which was largely attended
and greatly enjoyed by all present. The
exercises consisted of music, recitatIons
and a pretty little eautata entitled
"Ssn;a Claus Visit to Grandmother
GRAY" The scholars were all giver
gifts as we're the teachers, while the
popular pastor OF the church, Rev. ). A
Jeaers, was most generously remem
bered. 800,
The scholars and teachers Of the WI
Iage Chapel Sunday school held thsl
Christmas entertainment last night
The affair was enjoyable in every respect
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30
Chess Club.

The Valley Chess Club held its 18th
annual Christmas tournament at the house
of Mr.. John s. Blackburn this week.
The members, Messrs. n. Fl. Willis, X.
O. Allen aud A. P. Thomson, from JET
ferson county, West Virginia, were pres
snt. After close contest DR.. Thomson
won the cup. lie won three and bali
games. ard lost two and half Mr.. Will
lis won three and lost three ; Mr.. Black
burn won three, and lost three ; Mr.. Al
len won two and half, and lost three
and half Messrs. Willis and Tho M
son also played game left over from the
August tournament in the valley and
Mr.. Willis won.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30
Making the Connections.

AS was stated in the Gazette few
DAYS ago, the work OF connecting the
new water mains in West End with the
reservoirs is now in progress, and brief
incOnyenieuces to consumers VIII
necessarily follow until the work shall
have been executed. Last night many
people found the flow from the
spiggets was weak from the fact that
the water had been turned off from the
larger of the two supply pipes. That
in the smaller pipe, however, was
necessary to meet actual requirements,
and this morning the flow was as ener-
getic as usual. This evening at 8
o'clock it will be necessary to again
turn the water off the big pipes snd
later the pipe will be cut. A force OF
mechanics will be at work on the con-
nection and as soon as possible the flow
will be turned on again. The water
last night was cut off without giving the
Southern Railway officials due notice
and caused some inconvenience at the
shops and in watering the engines.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30
i'm the County.

Alexandria county was thrown into a
ferment about midnight last night when
il was learned that Miss Elsie Peverlli,
the eighteen-y ear-old daughter OF Mr..
Lewis Peverill had been brutally assault
ed by a negro. The crime was com
mitted between 10 and IL o'clock last
night at q point about fifty yards south
of Arlington Junction, on the Washing
ton. Alexandria and Mount Vernon Rail
way. The victim was attended by DIR.
A. A. Rittenour. of this city, who was
summoned at late hour. Excitement
is running high among men engaged IN
the search for the 6end. The police OF
Alexandria and Washington are ON the
lookout for the negro. Parties were
securing portions of Alexandria county
all night endesvoring to locate the per-
petrator of the outrage.
The circumstances in connection Win
the assault are revolving. Miss PeveI'l,'
who was accompanied by Miss BeulSn
Ebaugh, daughter of Mr.. w. f. EOangn'
of the Columbia Brick Co., was on her
way nome from Columbia school mousse
where a Christmas celebration had oeeh
beId When the two young women
reached point near Addison Heights a
negro man suddenly appearedin front OF
them. The darkey struck Miss Ebaugh,
knocking her down and stunning her
She soon revived, however, and regain
ing her feet ran for her life toward the
Waterman at the Potomac brick yard.
Upon reaching him she gave all alarm
and the Waterman and Miss Ebaugh
started in searchtoi Miss Peverill. The
young lady was found in gully along
side the railway embaDkmen: IN semi
conscious cond ton, her clothing cover
ed with mud. her face and head bruised
and her throat giving evidences OF ter
rible choking she had received. Miss
Ebaugh had been so quick IN nohiying
ihe Waterman that The negro had 10
release the young woman without accom-
plishing his real purpose and flee. MISS
Peverll was conveyed TO Mr.. Ebaugh 5
home nearby and medical aid summoned.
She is in a serious condition and cannot
be removed to her home. When she
WAS in a condition to talk Miss Peverlll
related her terrible experience with the
fiend, and she and Miss Ebaugh descrlb-
ed the negro as near as they could.
The news soon spread over the county
as well as in this city. Every road was
secured especially those leading to
Washington, and trains were searched
for the negro. The Alexandra police
have endeayo-ed to locate the assailant,
and this community is exasPerated be-
yond measure at the outrage. Mr.. Lewis
Peverill and his family are virtually
Alexandrians, being as well known as
actual residents, aud their many friends
sympathize with them in the trouble IN
to which they have been plunged.
A telephone message received at this
Office at 3:45 o'clock this evening from
the county, stated that about one-half OF
the people of Jefferson district were look
ing for the brute who assaulted Miss
Peverill and that nothing was doing
there except waiting for lynching.
The Alexandria police are searching
diligently for the assailant.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30
The Libraries.

We have received copy OF the first
annual report of the Library Bureau OF
the Virginia State Library for the year
ending June 80, 1904, to which IS ap
pended the first annual report of the
State Librarian, Mr.. John P. Kennedy
These reports contain information on
matters of vital interest to the State at
large. one point of Importance being the
Travelling Library system as inaugurated
by the State Library; another, the
Inter Library Loan scheme, which
makes it possible for the libraries OF
various cities to take advantage OF the
vast treasures of the State Library; and
a third is the circulation of free litera-
ture to the blind in any part OF the
State.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30
Inquest.

DR. Purvis, the City Coroner, this
morning recOnvened the jury which was
recently impanelled to examine into
the mysterious death of David Frazier,
colored, who was found in a dying con-
dition in yard in the northwestern
portion OF the city. The inquest was
held at Domaine x Sons undertaking
establishment several weeks ago. Sew
eral colored men and women appeared
before the jury and testified. but their
evidence cast no additional light on the
affair. The stomach had been aualyzed
at the Army and Navy Medical Museum
in Washington and evidences of cocaine
had been found. The jury, of which
Mr.. J. H. Trimyer was foreman, re-
turned a verdict to the effect that Frazier I
death was caused by cocaine poisoning.
The only additional information obtained
by the jury was that the deceased hac
purchased cocaine from three darkeys-
"Black Kid" Jumbo" Bryant aud
Andrew Lomax.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30
Marriage Licenses.

Marriage licenses we're issued IN
Washington yesterday to Charles Wal.
ter Moreland, of Falls Church, and
Katie NJ. Paxson; Hugh Smith and
Carrie B. Alexander, of Culpeper county;
G. II. Porter and Blanche Porter, both
of The Plains; Thomas B. ROsson and
Emma /. Brown, both of Culpeper;
Joe Amidon and Mary Cornell, both Of
Dumfries.
Marriage licenses we're issued in Balti'
more Yesterday to Charles b. Gray, 81,
widower, of Washington, d c., and
Elizabeth Gray, 55, widow, of Alexan-
dria, and to Frank S. Jenkins, 80, Wild
over, of Washington, d. c., and Pru
ella F. jenkins, "a, OF Dranesville, Va
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30

| f1fmerIy Of this city, but now OF hnoA-
vile. Tenn, we have received copy oil
pProgressiye Knoxville" a pictorial re
view of that city. Mr.. Dsnenhower IS now
the president of the Knoxville Printing
and Publishing Company which has got
ten out this extremely handsome book.
Mrs. Harry c. Griffith and her dangh-
ter Miss Minerva 0wings Griffith, were
the hoslesses yesterday afternoon OF a
charming tea given at their residence on
Washington street.
Miss Bessie Smith is the guest OF Miss
Mary Moncure in Fredericksburg.
Miss Victoria f. Bell, of Mount YER
non. n. Y, is visiting Mrs. lhomaS
Jacobs on south Lee street
Rev. Father r. l.. Carne' mn' mas
been visiting his old home IN 'hls Guy
returns to Phoebus tomorrow. -.
Mr. Louis Eichberg, after a VISIT 10
bis narepts' in this city, has returned 10
his home 10 Philadelphia.
Among those who attended the Christ
mas german given in Leesburg last
Monday night, we're Mr.. Ro5t. thinner
man and Miss Leila Steiner, of this city.
Miss Edith Ramsay, of this city, at
tended the Christmas german given in
Norfolk on Tuesday night.
Mrs. A. c. Murtaugh and Mrs. X:
W. Fuller very delightfully."- entertained
the Ladies' Euchre Club at the formers
residence on Washington street on We'd
nesday night. The prizes were won by
Mrs. G. S. French, Mrs. W. K. Purvis,
and Messrs. G. S. French aud John
Leadbeater. After the games a pretty
supper was ser ied.
Miss Ethel I6rmand entertained
few of her friends at her home Thursday
evening. Among those present was
Miss Katherine Gossett, OF Texas.
Miss NJ. Laupheimer has announced
the engagement of her daughter, Miss
Belle, to Mr.. Samuel Levy, OF Wash
inptOn
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30
Anrtinn sales Tomorrow.

Mr.. Samuel H. Lunt, auctioneer, will
bier for sale at noon tomorrow 10 Ifon'
j the ROYAL street entrance to the City
3Iall. a lot of ground with the improve,
ents thereon on the north side oil
vthe street, near Patrick. -,
Capt. X. f. Knox, auctioneer VIII
offer TOR sale at the same place and time
a lot of ground with the improvements
thereon on the east side of Payne street,
between King and Prince; also a lot OF
ground with the improvements ON Wolfe
street. near Columbus.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30
Acca Temple.

The following officers of Acca Temple,
of Richmond, at which a number OF
Alexandrians are members, have recently
been elected: Chas. H. Phillips, Po-
tentate Geo. j Hooper, Chief Rabban
Jas. NJ. Cliff, Assistant Rabban Jno.
r. Charleton, High Priest and Prophet
Thos. w. McCaw, Oriental Guide
Jno. +. Mayer, Treasurer Chas. A.
Nesbitt, Recorder. Representatives to
the Imperial Council Geo. l.. Street,
Preston Belvin, f. E. Downham, Thos.
J. Nottingham. The Imperial Council
meets at Niagara Falls in 1905.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30
Company F's Claim.

Mr.. Sol Culchius, attorney at law. OF
Richmond. has sent communication 70
Cant. r. II. Atkinson, of Company +
alexandria Light Infantry ofthe Third
Virginia infantry, enclosing a memoran
dun that has been addressed to all Of
licers of Virginia companies which served
in the Spanish war. Two forms have
been sent by Mr.. Cutchins which the
officers are required to Oil out and return
at once. Formal proof of actual service
and other facts must be furnished in
order that payment for service can be
obtained from the u. s. government.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30
Deaths.

Mrs. Brown, wife of Mr.. Septimus
Brown, died at her home, near Balls
ton, Alexandria county, at an early
hour this morning. The deceased was
70 years old She had recently been
paralyzed.
Mrs. Jordan, former resident OF
this city. died at Silver Spring, Nd,
Yesterday. The remains will be brought
here for interment.
Mr.. Thomas r. Perry died in Wash
ington yesterday. He was 80 gears old
The deceased leaves widow, who was
formerly Miss Grace Darling, of this city.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-30
Mr.. Cannon.

Vice President Frank S. Cannon, OF
the Metropolitan Railway, of New York,
who receives salary of 500, 900 year,
will, on January 8, become the vice
president of the Rowland Improvement
Company, which has leased the Atlantic
and North Carolina Railroad, and will
take active charge Of the operations OF
that road. Mr.. Cannon was for years
the third vice president of the Southern
Railway, and had charge OF its opera
ton. He is we'll known 10 this city.
He came to the Southern from the New
Jersey Central.