davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23

the rival nation were said to have
been seen among the murderers-one
even was pointed out as having struck
the first blow.
Meanwhile the king was virtually
a close prisoner in the hands Of the
Japanese, who, however, attempted to
appease popular rumor by recalling
their minister and opening an inquiry
into the manner of.the queens death.
This was finally decided to have been
accidental, and the minister Is said
to have been reprimanded.
With the king fast in their hands,
the influence of the japanese became
ladies Of the royal harem contrived
to smuggle out the king in her own
sedan to the Russian legation, where
he proceeded to a prompt reversal Of
his forced policy. From that day
dates the destruction Of Japanese in
fiuence in Korea. If they ever hold
the country it will be in the chains of
Hair Cropping Edict.
Another grievance of Korea is the
"hair-cropping edict," which was
promulgated in 1895, presumably by
Japanese influence. The people had
borne with comparative calm the MUIR
der of their queen and the practical
Imprisonment OF the KING, DuL the
attack on their topknots was too
much. The queue to the Chinese is
a sign of subjugation or Of loyalty,
and that Is ALL but to the Korean the
topknot means nationality, antiquity,
sanctity, entrance on manhood So
cially and legally. A Korean without
topknot may be treated as a name
less and irresponsible boy. The cere-
mony of investiture is one of the most
important in the life of Korean, and
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23

the deprivation Of this precious insti-
tuition was a concession to the spirit
of progress and an attack on tho
foundations of social order. The
whole country was in ferment, and
it was in the midst of this excitement
that the king made his sensational es-
cape to the Russian legation, which
he made his residence for more than
a year. The kings first act was to
issue new decree repeating the hair
cropping order, and a mob promptly
executed the cabinet ministers sus-
pected of inspiring the hated edict.
Korea's Political Future.
The political future Of this Shut
tlecock among nations" Is most I'M
certain. Aside from the probable or
possible consequences of a war be-
tween Russia and Japan, and dealing
only with conditions to-day, 1t may
be accepted as certain that, while
Russia's political influence is doni-
nant at Seoul the commercial and
rea is unquestionable. Her colonists
and merchants have been insistent
and energetic; the japanese hold tho
mint and banks already and the gov
eminent is largely in their debt. She
has adopted a staggering and over
bearing attitude toward her weaker
neighbor, which has not tended to
help matters. The fiction Of Chinese
suzerainty Is dead, SO that the Picking
government need not be considered
at all. Russia's aggressive designs
are not in doubt. Her general ter
ritorial acquisitiveness and her adj
mitted desire for a naval marine In
the Pacific, together with the superior
advantages possessed by Korean har-
on the Lao Tung peninsula, give am
pie ground for Japan'S anxiety
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23
VSP1n0 and Tinkr NnONn F~mpire Which and
f0t

the natives themselves frequently find
1t next to impossible to proceed along
the roads leading to the capital.
Bridges over rivers are slight frame
moved at the beginning Of the rainy
season, and not replaced for three
months.
An Abnormal Coast Line.
Like Italy, Korea possesses an alb
normal coast line, out Of all proper
ton to its area, extending about 1,740
miles. Its shores are largely indented
by bays and harbors. those on the
east coast being frozen up in winter,
while those on the west are still open.
The coast line Is protected by null
titudinous clusters and chains of is
lands, some being mere rocks. The
navigation Is difficult and dangerous
and fogs are frequent and dense. The
tides also. rise and fall twenty-eight
to thirty feet, causing eddies and
whirls which perplex the sailor and
cause considerable trouble. At low
tides vast mud flats are uncovered,
which afford a pretty good indication
Of the dangers that would have to
be encountered by navies fighting Off
these barren and inhospitable shores.
OF the islands which promise to
figure most in a strategical sense,
Quelpaert. the largest. is sixty miles
south or the mainland, and Port Ham,
1lton, much smaller island, once oc-
cupied and fortified by Great Britain,
lies nearer the cost. Close to Fusan,
the nearest port to Japan, on the
Korean strait, Is Koje, which forms
exceptional advantages for a naval
base, and thirty miles south are the
two islands Of Tsushima (The Twins),
belonging to Japan. Taken as a
whole, Korea presents an area Of con-
siderably less than that of Pennsyl-
vania and Ohio combined.
Korea's three principal ports are
Fusan (meaning Pot or Kettle noun
tain, from the outline Of the knoll
upon the shore); Gensan, on Brough-
ton bay, on the eastern coast,
and Chemulpho, In the south estuary
of the River Han. upon which stands
the Korean capital, Seoul, about
twenty-six miles distant. The last
named port only dates from 1888, and
Is Of no great value as a harbor.
The People of the Land.
Tho Chinese and Japanese have left
their impress upon the country, the
Koreans are like neither. The more
common type have yellow faces, with
the characteristic slanting eyes, high
cheek bones and thick, hanging lips;
but among the better classes are men
and women as white as Europeans,
and again, among the coolie classes
are found people as black as Africans.
AS may be imagined, there Is a great
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23
BUDGET OF NORWEGIAN GOSSIP

So far Christiania has had no snow
worth mention this winter. This Is
rather queer, as the surrounding coun-
try has been for a long time snow
decked. The sun has been quite
stranger for weeks and fog, dense as
the London brand, has been predom-
inant. However, a ride on the cleo
trio car UP the hillside to Holmenkol-
len, would restore your belief that the
orb was still shining. Up there with
plenty of snow for all sorts of winter
sport, you could breathe the purest air
among the snow-covered pines, with
sunshine all the short day long, while
the city below lies enwrapped in a
heavy mantle Of fog and smoke. Dur
ing the holidays thousands have spent
their hours Of freedom roaming up
there on skis, on sleighs, on
foot, any old way, just so they had a
chance to enjoy the bracing at
mosphere and the sunshine that Chris
tiania did not have.
Tales of the Sea.
Another disaster at sea, which the
kilograms have already told you
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23

about. The oil reservoir on board the
Norwegian coast steamer Orion caught
fire, an explosion followed. Six per-
sons lost their lives and the steam
ship company their vessel, which was
destroyed by the flames. The steamer
was far from shore, en- the coast Of
Finmarken, when the accident oc-
Cured, and those rescued in the life
boats spent long hours Of suffering
before they reached land.
Bjornson and the Nobel Prize.
OF other recent events worthy of
attention was the distribution Of the
Nobel prizes on Dec. 10. General sat-
isfaction seems to prevail over the
selections made by the committees.
The winner best known to Norway,
and, perhaps, also to the world at
large, was Bjornstjerne Bjornson, who
received the literary prize.
Who the man is and what he has
done need not be retold here. Only
one thing I shall mention. .Bjornson
has always been considered the great
est antagonist against the union with
Sweden that NORWAY had. Now the
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23

of a curse to Norway, as all the
| money invested in the whale hunting
| industry may now be considered al
most lost entirely, because the law
provides that even if the whale has
been caught in open" sea or on ter
ritory belonging to other countries, it
cannot be landed anywhere in Norway.
It is therefore up to the men inter-
ested in this business to find new
! fields for their operations. In
Japanese waters Norwegians have for
| the last two years been engaged in
whale hunting, and 1t is therefore not
| strange that they now also have their
eyes on the Alaskan waters where
whale are known to appear In num-
bers. One thing is certain, that re-
gardless Of what the ultimate effect
Of the new law will be, it has brought
| the different interests into bitter COL
lision. The whale hunters are near
country, the town of Sandefjord being
their headquarters, while the cod fish
ers all live in the northern part,
Nordland and Finmarken.
Emigration Once More.
Figures just published show that in
1903 35,098 persons left Norway from
the following ten ports: Christiania,
Larvik, Skien, Arendal, Christian
sand, Stavanger, Bergen, Aalesund,
Christiansund and Trondhjem.
In this are included some Swedes
and others who merely have passed
thru Norway, but even after reason
able deduction, the figures still re-
main unusually high, higher than
ever before. The total can hardly be
put below 10000 for the year, and
this will easily break the record held
by 1882, with 28,OO0-quite number
from country with population Of
only about 2,250,000.
The st. Louis Exposition.
It is now settled fact that Nor
way will not participate in the st.
Louis exposition. Whether this is
merely a political move, or for eco
nomical reasons, is hard to tell. The
leading papers have never been much
in favor of 1t. A man claiming to have
lived in America more than thirty
years had an article in a paper not
long ago, where, among other rather
/ queer things, he says that even If
Norway did participate, he was will
| ing to bet money that not as many
as 500 Norwegians in America would
go to the fair anyway.
Christmas Visitors from America.
They came all in due time. A great
number wearing the traditional fur
overcoat, with the fur side out, and a
tie of colors bright enough even for a
colored man. But never mind the
clothes. It is only the "stay- home
Norwegian who knows nothing about
a northwestern blizzard, that finds
them odd. and in the inside pocket
are dollars for poor relatives at home,
and that counts more than anything
else. But if some of the returned
Norwegians could come down to use
a more moderate langua ge when de-
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23

years ago. En-mun, the Korean script,
which until 1895 was only read by
women, children and the uneducated,
has the distinction Of being the only
language OF eastern Asia which has no
alphabet. It is now used in the Off
cial gazette, mixed up with the Chinese
characters, only royal rescripts and
diplomatic correspondence adhering
to the old form. There is no national
religion, tho Confucianism is the Off
cial cult, and spirit Worship species
of Shamanism-prevai all over the
kingdom.
"Shuttlecock Among Nations"
Korea's traditions go back to prime
val times and shadowy rumors are still
current of the deeds Of it's rulers as
early as LOO years before the Chris
tian era. However fictitious these may
be one striking fact stands out in the
history of the country and that is that
it has been constantly called upon to
struggle against it's neighbors, either
China or Japan. First one and then
the other claimed suzerainty-Japan's
claim being maintained more or less
continuously, at least over the south
ern end of the peninsula, until 1875,
and China's over the northern half.
One of the most remarkable of Japan's
enterprises was Hideyoshi's invasion
in 1892, and for a time, as result,
Korea had to pay tribute to two for
eign-born overlords. So far as the
outside world is concerned, the chief
events Of the eighteenth century, in
connection with Korea, were the at
tempts Of missionaries to obtain a
foothold in the country, despite tor
ture and persecution. AS late as 1889
a wholesale massacre of Christians
occurred, and this led to punitive
French expedition which achieved no
direct results. In 1866, however, there
was another outbreak against French
mission priests and their converts, and
a French fleet assembled the Hau-Kiang
to Seoul and few months later took
Kangwa and 'Tongch1n. The French
were so closely pressed that they
finally withdrew without accomplish
ing their purpose.
America and Korea.
Americas dealings with Korea be-
gan the same year. Two United States
vessels touched upon her shores. The
crew of one, the Surprise, were ship
wrecked, were kindly treated, and
found their way back to China. A few
months later the American schooner
General Sherman coasted along the
Korean shore on an experimental
voyage. Sailing up the Tatong river,
on which the city of Ping-An is stu
ated, it vanished from sight forever.
On the news of this affair the late
Rear Admiral Schufeldt went to the
Tatong with the warship Wachusett
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23
Philadelphia Ledger.

Philadelphia Ledger.
NE of the least known coun-
"a tries Of the world, re-
II sembling Tibet in It's ex-
~ clusiveness and inhospit-
\ able attitude toward the
outer world, Korea seems
doatinnd 70 ho tho haffla-
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23

variety of physiognomy among them,
all the more remarkable because of
the uniformity Of costume. The diff
ficulty Of identifying people, it is said,
which worries the stranger in Japan
and China, does not exist in Korea,
and the race as a whole may be de-
scribed as handsome. The men are
stalwart and well-built, Of an average
height of five feet four and half
inches, the women being considerably
smaller, but strong limbed and mas
terful. The language of Korea Is
mixed. Chinese is used in the litera-
ture of the country and among the
educated, but it is the Chinese Of 1000
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23

Swedes gave him the Nobel prize,
and it is handed to him by no less
man than King Oscar himself. That
historic moment has been recorded
even on postal cards, sold for the ben
eft of the poor.
While it would be hard to find any
! one worth while listening to, who
would claim that the stand taken by
BJornson in the last Norwegian po-
litlcal campaign, was taken with any
| idea of securing the literary prize
from the Swedes, there are many who
would not think it impossible that
the Swedes gave him the prize in con-
views on the political relationship Of
! the two countries.
AS 1t is, Bjornson has the $4,000
kroner, and was the hero Of a day
as long as he stayed at Stockholm.
The old king and the old leader of
headstrong Norwegians seemed to get
on famously together. And may the
opinion about Bjornson and his work
| be ever so much divided, one thing
is sure, when he is gone, sit will be
quite IN the country" as another au-
thor mas said, and perhaps it will take
a long while before Norway will pro-
duce man able to fill his boots.
Literary Convention With the United
/ States:
Again is this subject brought to the
| front, but as to the result it is safe
to say that nothing will come out of
| the whole affair. Now, as formerly,
Norway claims that America wants
full protection for her products, while
she gives none to Norway. A we'll
| known Norwegian author wrote not
| long ago in one of the leading papers
mere, that II Norway accepted the pro-
posal now presented by the United
IL
ways putting her official seal on
document that would license the
American theft of Norwegian litera-
ture.
| While the American proposal seems
satisfactory to the composers Of music,
the literary men oppose its acceptance.
The Whale Protection.
The long quarrel about the whale
has now been settled ythe storthing' s
passing of a bill, providing for ten
years protection Of the king of the
sea. 1t is simply case Of public
| opinion gaining a victory over scien-
| tific arguments.
| The fishermen have for years been
solid for this decision, and the whale
hunters have been. equally energetic
in opposing the measure.
| Scientists have always sided with
| the whale hunters, and their view has
been that the whale had no effect on
the numbers of cod coming towards
the coast.
| The fishermen have always been of
IA different opinion. Their theory is
that the whale follows Immediately i'll
the wake of the shoals of the herring
and cod, chasing them both within the
catching range of the fishermen.
Now it remains to be seen who is in
the right. Should the idea of the fish
ermen prove wrong, as it probably
Twill, then the law will be nothing short
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23

scribing the greatness of America,
and the faults of Norway, they would
bestow a blessing on everybody. re-
member that William E. Curtis wrote
on this subject when in Norway; that
while 1t was true that the native
American was. given to boasting when
abroad, he could not hold a candle to
his naturalized brother. I will say
amen" to this. and as regards the
naturalized brother, I will add that he
is altogether too quick to find fault
and pass judgment on things of which
he knows but little. have never,
among the hundreds, not to say thou
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23

sands, of foreign travellers I have met
in Norway, heard any one, no mat
ter of what nationality, speak disre-
specially of this country, except
some of the naturalized Americansi
they do it, and do it frequently. When
in America this very same man will
swear that there is not finer and
better country on Gods earth than
Norway, Just as he does about Amer
lea while here. So you see, he does
not really mean it in a bad way at all,
but to people not knowing the style
of speech, 1t does not sound well and
does no good. M. A.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23

~ HRIsT1ANIA, Norway, Dec. 81.
Owing to the kindness OF
1 those good people who make
~ almanacs, we received three
holidays in succession this
year instead Of two under less favor
able circumstances. The preceding
days were marked by the usual activ-
ity, altho from the reports Of dealers,
this years Christmas sales are rather
below than above the average. First
and foremost, times are hard. and
money scarce, and the city has so
many poor, that perhaps many a dol
lar that In better times would have
been spent for presents had this year
gone for the relief Of the needy ones.
The citizens Of Christiania have this
year been very freehanded with their
donations. and the sums collected
have been surprisingly large, but de-
spite 1t all the need Is still greater.
While do not think anyone was
forced to go hungry to bed on Christ
mas eve, the city will before long have
to help the great number of unem-
ployed with the necessities OF life.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1904-07-07
BETHEL.

Earl Maharg celebrated the Fourth
at Gray.
Walter Estes Sundayed with Elmer
Johnson.
Bert Renshaw is laid up with a
game leg.
Some of the Bethel folks celebrated
at Coon Rapids.
Will Foley traded horses with Dick
Johnson Monday.
Ralph Duvall spent Sunday at the
Silas Wadell home.
Christian Mack has a new horse
which he purchased of Mike Foley.
There was no meeting at Bethel
Sunday evening on account of the
rain.
Clarence and Nellie Turner and
Neal Meyer spent Sunday with Coyle
Edwards.
The boys had a good ball game Sat
urday. The score was IA to 10 in ia
vor of the first team.
A good crowd celebrated at Luc-
cocks grove Modnay and had as
good time as those that drove a
further distance to the towns. The
foot racing was very interesting, es-
pecially the old mans race. The tug
of war between Melville and Leroy at
tracted great deal of attention and
when Melville won great hurrah
was heard,
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1904-07-07
Early Comhin,s and Corners.

"Engrossing' was an Offense punish
able in England by fine and imprison-
ment, and the laws against it struck at
those-called "engrossers"-who plan
ned to gain control over necessities,
such as grain or food stuffs in consid-
cradle quantities, either by purchase or
otherwise, with the intention of raising
prices.
The statute book holds quite series
Of enactments designed to prevent any
thing in the nature of what we know
as corner" or combine" "Regrat-
ing" was a criminal offense, and so was
''forestalling." The former consisted
of buying and selling the same day in
the same market or near it, and the
latter implied the purchase of merchan-
disc on the way to market or before
the hour at which the market COM
menced. with the intention of selling
at a profit, while it was also ''forestall-
ing" to circulate rumors calculated to
raise the prices of commodities.
Though these laws have fallen into
desuetude. they were in force in our
grandfathers' time. At Preston, for in
stance. there were prosecutions almost
up to the accession OF Queen Victoria.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1904-07-07

The young of the poisonous species
of serpents, deserted from the very first
by the parent snakes. are as dangerous
as If full grown from the moment they
enter the world. The proprietor Of a
Philadelphia museum learned this to
his cost. In big glass case partitioned
through the middle by wire screen
there lived side by side an eleven foot
anaconda (of the constructor family
and a colony Of cotton mouth moe
casins. 1t was impossible for the moe
casins to glide through the narrow
meshes Of the screen or even to ven
ture an occasional strike" at their
large and peaceful neighbor. But dur
ing the night brood of young cotton
mouths Unexpectedly appeared-babies,
not five inches long. They squirmed
through the meshes of the partition
and before they had been two hours in
this world were gliding joyfully over
the Iifeless body Of the huge constructor,
which lay poisoned by the youngsters
fangs.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1904-07-07
GRAY.

Mrs. Audas was on the sick lisl
last week.
Mrs. Geo. Gray's child was very
i'll Sunday.
Charles Ross left Tuesday for
the Rosebud reservation.
Mr.. Ore and Frank Corner went up
to the reservation Sunday.
Mrs. Anna Ross west of town has
been on the sick list the past week.
Mrs. c. H. Wilson has been having
trouble with her eyes the past week.
Miss Mable Coulter, of Audubon,
visited the Hepp home last Sunday.
Clara Anderson, of Audubon, spent
the Fourth with her sister, Mrs. Camp
bell.
Mr.. and Mrs. .Boysen and family
returned home last week to spend the
ummer.
Mrs. Chat Dustin and children, of
Audubon, are visiting few weeks at
the CARRIER home.
Mrs. Creveling celebrated the Fourth
OF July with her parents Mr.. and
Mrs. John Cameron.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Hepp, of Audu-
bon, spent a happy Fourth at his
brothers, Mr.. f. G. Hepp. ~
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1904-07-07
ROSS.

VIM. Krauel's visited at VIM.
Diest's Sunday.
Miss Elizabeth returned from Corn
ing Saturday evening.
Miss Nancy Rutherford has left for
Nebraska to visit with relatives few
weeks.
Miss Eva PROV, of Audubon, spent
Sunday with her friends the Misses
Ehlert.
Mrs. Chris Kraft's sister of Omaha,
came down Friday and spent the day
with her.
Miss Florence Magill left for Grin
nell last Thursday. She will take
charge of the kindergarten school at
that place.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Wilde were
visiting friends in Ross the latter part
of last week.
Nearly all the folks around Ross
celebrated the Fourth in Manning and
all say they had fine time.
Rev. J. Knoll and wife, Prof. c.
Knoll and Miss Sara Brant all came
from Magnolia last Thursday and are
visiting at the home of Rev. NJ. Knoll.
Children's Day at the German
church was well attended Sunday.
The program was one of the best that
ever was had and the church was
decorated tastefully.
Mr.. McCuen met with an accident
Sunday night. Being out before the
rain, he fell and laid in all the rain
before he was found. He is now in a
critical condition but we hope he will
soon be about. DR.. Fulton was called
to attend to him.