davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
BRATTLEBoRo, FRIDAY, JAN. 90, 1904.
On Writing Obituaries.

Speaking the truth Is an accomplish
ment that requires a considerable de-
gree of moral courage, particularly II
the medium of conveying intelligence
is a reputable newspaper. That def
mite but intangible something known as
Public Opinion smiles on man, woman
or editor who dares to tell the facts no
matter whose OK is gored. 1t may have
been Solomon, or perhaps Benjamin
Franklin. who recognized this in the
precept,
Tell the truth and shame the Devil"
error find much consolation in the
knowledge that human nature wants to
be charitable and that since that day
when the Master said HE that is
without sin among you, let him first
cast stone at her." that form Of moral
courage which manfests itself in abuse
of the defenceless, however well de-
Even pugilists practice this, and
Never hit a man when he is down."
Humanity finds a closer and kindlier
brotherhood in death than it ever finds
in life. This is not altogether an I'M
selfish relation. Every man who draws
the veil of discreet charity before an
other, newly dead, knows that he too
will sometime lie as cold and silent, as
far beyond all vindication or defence of
self And he likes to think that when
that time comes his fellow men will
speak of what work he has done well,
what heroism he has shown what
temptations he has resisted, what kind
nesses he has done, and not of his mis-
takes, his frailties, his failures or his
enmities Therefore said the Romans,
de mortuis nil, nisi bonum."
Moral courage, then, which finds its
expression in harsh, even if truthful
criticism of the defenceless dead, is
moral courage gone astray. Surely
there are lessons in abundance to be
drawn from life, even from the lives of
the rich and successful. If it be true
that "the evil that men do lives after
them we pray to have no part in
keeping it alive. Under such circum-
stances truth-telling becomes bravado,
not bravery. We are taught by one Of
the fables of Aesop that
"A live ass can kick dead lion"
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
MATTERS OF OPINION.
Selected from the Editorial Columns
Of Our Esteemed Contemporaries.
Obituary Ethics Disresarded.
[st. Johnsbury Caledonian.l


1t has been well said that there is
too little taffy and too much "epi-
taphy" in this world but, per contra,
why is one constrained to exploit a
mans faults instead of his virtues af-
ter the struggles of life are over mi
nisi bonum' is an excellent motto for
one to keep in the sanctum whenever
he is called upon to chronicle the de-
parture of a fellow townsman. Such
thoughts are suggested by the surpris
ing departure from obituary ethics
which appeared in the last issue of
the Brattleboro Phoenix in its cruel
attack upon the character of the dis
tinguished artist, the late Robert Cor
don Hardie, The editor of the Phoe-
nix would have us remember that Mr..
Hardie was the incarnation of affec-
tation, egotsm and conceit." whose
personal appetite was given free play
to the point where he lost command of
himself" We shall forget this post
obitum" character sketch and remem-
tinguished artists whose name and
fame was known in two continents. If
such an attack on Mr.. Hardie had APP
peared in the Philistine we should
not have been surprised; that 1t should
appear in his home paper and from
such a source is not only surprising
but almost unexplainable.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
never NEGLECT
EVERYDAY ILLS.

A cold is one Of the everyday ills of life.
People Of all ages, in summer and in winter,
are liable to catch cold. and a cold is always
dangerous, because a cold is but the beginning
of catarrh of, some internal organ - head,
lungs, stomach or pelvic organs. Any remedy
that will cure q cold should cure the many
effects of q cold. That's why Smiths Triple
Cure is so popular, why people are so enthu-
slastic after experiencing its wonderful cnra-
tive power. Smiths Triple Cure promptly
cures colds and catarrh wherever located, be-
cause it acts directly on the depressed nerve
centres, giving strength and yigor to tired
nerves, removing the congestion of the circula-
iun and imparting renewed vitality to the
,Qacous membranes.
Picture TO yourself the horrors of bronchial
catarrh - the terrible cough, disgusting expec-
toration, wheezy breath and loss of strength, OF
the fortunes of female catarrh the swollen
bowels, shooting pains, offensive discharges,
displacements and burning distress, and then
realize, if you can, how thankful these suffer-
ers are for Smiths Triple Cure which has de-
liyered them out of their troubles. Is it any
wonder that Smiths Triple Cure is rapidly dis
placing all other catarrh treatments in hospi-
tails and sanitariums and is prescribed by the
medical profession generally 1t meets want
felt for centuries, yet felt now in this strenuous
life of ours as never before. Smiths Triple
Cure cures catarrh sufferers OF all ages, makes
the sick well and the weak strong; it builds up
healthy digestion, makes strong nerves and
enriches the blood. That's why all the world
is praising it, why its magical curative power
is talked about in the homes and on the streets.
Smiths Triple Cure consists of four separate
three remedies taken internally
acting on the mucous membranes. stomach,
liver and digestive organs, purifying and en-
rching the blood, and catarrh cream used
locally in allaying all inflammation and killing
all disease germs in the nasal passages, throat
and lungs, full two weeks treatment of COM
bined remedies, sold tor only 80 cents by all
dealers, the greatest value for the money ever
offered. If your druggist won't supply you,
send % two-cent stamps by mail today, and
we will send it postpaid and guarantee safe
delivery. Address W. +. Smith Co., l25 Sum-
mer Street Boston, Mass
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
WAS FOUND IN UTICA, N. v.
Hoffman, the Springfield Jail Breaker,
Taken After Long Chase.

L. o. Hoffman, alias w, j. Reid
who escaped from the Hampden county
jail at Springfield Mass. January 10,
was captured Monday afternoon at
Utica, N Y, by police officer Of that
city. Hoffman was sitting in the' sta
ton at the time reading an Amster-
dam paper and when the officer walked
by him Hoffman held the paper In
front of his face. The officer thought
the man looked suspicious and pulled
out circular to compare Hoffman's
picture with the fellow. Hoffman at
once got up and started toward the
officer and was grabbed by the officer.
The man denied stoutly that he was
Hoffman, but when he was searched In
the station he was found to be a small
museum of discriminating articles.
These included two rebate railway
checks, dated January 10, the morning
of his escape. The first was between
Springfield and South Vernon, and
the second between Brattleboro and
Bellows Falls. Two fine steel saws.
one six inches long and one originally
eight inches long, but broken in two,
and a link of the. chain hitched to
the cell-room door at the jail consti-
tuted an assortment Of hardware that
he still retained on his person. The
broken saw showed marks of severe
usage. Another of the famous wooden
keys, made of cigar boxes and umbrel-
las, with an assortment of bits, was
also in his pocket. In addition Hof-
mans personal appearance identified
him with much certainty His black
beard remained. His clothes were the
same black suit and derby hat that he
wore when he left the Jail, and the
missing teeth described in the circular
completed the chain of physical charac-
teristics which identified him.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
A Pretty Plan,

The secretary of the state maple SUI
gar makers association writes the
Barre Times in answer to its criticism
Nef the recerl decision of the associa-
= tioH to make no exi ~ d1ks product
Vatthe st. Louis exposition. The answer
is simple and conclusive-the sugar
makers can't afford to make the ex-
hibit There are people and organiza-
lions who would be bound to make a
show anyway, even though it might of
necessity be fiimsy one or one carry
ing a debt in it's wake. All honor to
the sugar men who have the good
sense and moral courage to keep within
their means.
The secretary states that in previous
prosperous years the association has
done more than any or all state organ
izations together to represent its in
dustry at fairs and throws out a mod
est hint to the effect that a little con-
tribution from those who are so word
lily anxious to have Vermont represent
ed at St Louis would be cheerfuly ac-
cepted. Though a little down on its
luck and poor in purse this year, the
association is still rich in confidence
and self respect as becomes a lot of
workers who in a good season produce
four-fifths of the yield of maple pro-
duct in the United States-about 16
million pounds out of a total product of
10 to 20 million pounds-which product
has a world wide reputation for flavor
and quality.
1t is on this basis, perhaps, that the
secretary fashions his pretty little plan
of the way Vermont should be repre-
scented at ST. Louis and throws it mag
nifcently at the feet of his critics:
Vermont should be represented at
st. Louis with a granite sugar camp,
covered with Vermont slate with an
up-to-date sugar making apparatus in
side and statue of the Hon. Joseph A.
4 DeRoer in the front yard with the in
Sscription The New Vermont whose
composition and opportunities COM
mend it to prosperity and growth, and
then if one could induce the Hon. c. }.
Bell to take charge of the exhibit and
practically demonstrate the process OF
sugar making by operating the camp
Vermont would be in it."
1t is a pity that Vermont, who has SO
many people with special genius for
spending money gracefully. should have
so little money to spend on pretty
things. 1t is a pity that she, too, like
the maple sugar business, must have
fundamental repairs and commonplace
necessities before she can conscien-
tiously branch out into statues and
moving maple sugar pictures. 1t would ,
be ever so much more fun posing for !
her picture in a sweet little toy maple /
sugar camp at the big show than kill
ing worms. setting out trees and chok-
ing off the sugar frauds. as she has got
to do.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

Attorney General Cunneen of AL
bany N ". replied to man who ques-
toned him recently as to the effective
ness of electrocution as punishment
for murderers, that so far as he knew
no person who had been electrocuted
had ever again committed murder or
any other crime. The death penalty
has certainly one claim over any COM
petitor--it settles the case Of the MUIR
derer beyond all further question. 1t
might be useful sometimes if men were
only capable of settling each others
cases.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

The abuse of the privileges Of free
country is well exemplified by the anti
toxin trust, which is combination to
raise the price of the only remedy for
diphtheria. Depending as it does on the
fact that the supply is limited and the
demand urgent the new trust proposes
to make money out of traffic in life and
death. The private purse and the pub
lie health will pot long endure the
promised oppression of the Death
trust" fittingly so-called, and we hope
to see the Illinois medical societies
succeed in their protest against it.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
Makes Quite a Showing.
[Barre telegram

In his editorial upon the character
of the late Robert Hardie, the Brat
tleboro artist, whose demise following
hard upon that of his wife, has occa-
stoned much comment in the state, Ed
itor French of the Phoenix shows rare
sense, discretion and good taste, and
withal, loyalty to the truth and a
sense of obligation to the coming gem
Grafton to point out to them the paths
of good sense.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
The Candidacy of Richard olney.

Richard Olney looms as a presiden-
tial candidate. The endorsement by
the men of his party in his own state
has not been taken as perfunctory
putting forward of a favorite son. 1t
has attracted the attention and won
the approval of western democrats
and forced itself upon the minds of
even unwilling editors in a national
reach. The first question of mans
fitness for presidential nomination is
availability, about the last one that
concerns his fitness for president, but
it is easily discovered that Mr.. Olney
has some claims in this direction
which the party leaders are not likely
TO ignore. He is the one man named
who has that most desirable point of
availability that he measures up to the
office and there would be no waste of
energy in defending him. There re-
mains just the possibility that one
Theodore Roosevelt will be elected, but
such candidate as Olney would be
credit to the party and the people.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

The pure food bill that passed the
national house Wednesday is expected
sugar interests of Vermont, in pro-
tecting them from the many imita-
lions of syrup and sugar that now flood
the markets in the guise Of pure Ver-
mont product. The limitations lower
prices and hurt the quality reputation
of the real article The new Yer
mont" naturally feels eager for the
passage of this bill and the re-estab-
lished prosperity of one of her most
famous industries.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
Il WILL BUY IT BACK"
GEORGE E. Greene's Remarkable Way
of Selling M-o-na, the Flesh Form
ina Food.

{ ''S
Just ask Druggist George E. Greene
what he thinks of Mi-o-na. 1t Will not
take you long to ask him but it will
take him some time to tell you all the
good things he knows of this remark
able flesh forming food.
1t is natural for people to doubt, but
when Druggist George f. Greene frank
ly offers to buy back any empty boxes
when Mi-o-na fails to restore health
and increase the weight, and return the
full amount of money paid, it silences
the doubters and they cannot help but
& feel that Mi-o-na is an unusual and
remarkable preparation. Used for a
little while, this flesh forming food will
show that it actually furnishes real
nourishment, regulates digestion and
increases weight.
Weigh yourself and then begin its
use and the scales will soon show the
good Mi-o-na is doing. 1t gives
strength and tone to the digestive or
gans make rich, red blood and puts
the whole system in proper physical
condition. If it did not do what is
claimed for it, Druggist George E.
Greene could not afford to sell it the
way he does, agreeing to refund the
cost, soc, in case il does not give COM
plete satisfaction.
Every one who is thin, weak and
out of health, should begin the use
of Mo-o-na on these terms, for it costs
absolutely nothing unless it makes you
well.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

In his speech on THE Moral Issue
at Lincoln Monday night Mr.. Bryan
declared that the Kansas City platform
is sound in every plank and should be
reaffirmed in its entirety by the next
democratic convention. All necessary,
Mr. Bryan thinks, is the addition of a
few new planks in harmony with the
old and the selection of candidates who
believe in the platform. But he failed,
at this point, to mention either Richard
Olney or Grover Cleveland.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

Somebody deplores the fact that Yer
mont has been so long continuously
dominated by one political party since
such control is not favorable to the
healthy progress of business and gov
eminent. 1t is also true that when
there are two strong, active parties in
a state to fight each other, harmony In
the party ranks is better preserved. A
party having nobody else to contend
with is very liable to contention within
itself, division and decentralization. This
is obviously bad for the party, but not
always bad for the state. The recent
differences of opinion in the republican
party of Vermont have resulted in good
for the state-good that will grow.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
Dsfranchisement and Representation
New York World

If the southern democrats who are
forcing these measures do not perceive
their ultimate inevitable consequence
they are lacking in political under
standing. The preponderating vote of
the northern states will not consent
permanently to representation in con-
gress and in the ELECTORAL college OF
millions of DISTINGUISHED inhabitants
in the southern states Especially Is
this true when the DISTINGUISHING quail
ifications apply and are intended to
operate not against illteracy or shift
lessness or unworthiness but solely
against color.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

the maintenance OF state fish hatch
cry and to give up their land along
the streams as highway to the sport
Ing community during the fishing sea-
son. while the latter are allowed to car
ry away the fish, the rightful property
of the land owners. He also says that
the farmers are obliged to breed and
feed the deer for the huntsmen and
suggests n "law that would let any
land owner kill the deer whenever
found on his premises, whichever sex.
II the farmer makes the venison he
should surely have right to kill and
eat it, II such deer be taken on his
premises"
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
Willing, But Ignorant.
[Montpelier Argus.l

The association of farmer Legislators
has adopted resolutions calling for q
modification of the law to avoid double
taxation. Others desire such change
as well as the farmers, though the
double taxation bears most heavy on
agriculturists. There has not been in
recent years any lack Of willingness on
the part of the legislature to remedy
the evil, but rather a complete lack of
ability, the matter has been brought up
at almost every session and nothing
has been done for the reason that no
one knew what ought to be done or
how to do it. Let the farmers present
a satisfactory plan and it will be
adopted in a hurry.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
Thetford INDICATED.

white River Junction Landmark
Speaking about the record mentioned
CThetford, so below,) a commercial
traveller in town last week. whose bust
ness carries him into Thetford and adj
jaeent towns in that part of the state,
gravely assured us that he had no
doubt of the correctness of the report.
for he had seen snow drifts in the
mountain hooks in those localities in
August Everybody knows that com
mercial travellers are a class of men
who would not exaggerate a story for
nav
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

The school authorities in New York
state are waking up to the fact that in
the effort of modern times to enlarge
educational opportunities and extend
the lines of public school work, the
fundamental things are being neglect
ed This fact has recently been en-
phasized in public statements by DR..
William H. Maxwell, superintendent of
New York city schools, by 7. B. Con-
merry and by Whitelaw Reid who said,
very truly: Even in building an edu-
cation, as in building house or a
bridge, the most vitality important part
is the foundation. Nothing can ever
make up for a weakness in the three
P,c,r
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

And now they are bringing up the
name of W. W. Higbee of Charlotte
as a candidate for Acknowledgements
on the ground that he is an authority
on bovine tuberculosis. 1t is asserted
also, that ex-Gov. John L. Barstow
thinks well of him. But has anybody
sounded him on the hedgehog ques-
tiong And what are his views on gar
den seeds? We must not be hasty.f
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
The shakespeareans Sure.
barre Times. ]

The Vermont womans organization
in "a large and cultured town." which
sent a petition to Senator" Kittredge
Haskins at Washington protesting
against the seating of Reed Smoot of
Utah in the United States senate
might to good advantage mix in little
state observation along with its ma
tional concerns. Can it be that the
cultured" town is Rutland?
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
The Ubiquitous Candidate.

Randolph Herald and News.l
Among the names suggested for lieu
tenant governor we note that of C. j.
Russell of Burlington. Senator Russell
took a leading and thoroughly credit
able part in the work of the upper
chamber indeed of both chambers
at the last session, and impressed
many with the idea that he was des-
tined to move higher up"
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

Uncle Mark has issued his proclama-
ton and the republican national con-
vention is called for June q at Chica-
go. If the outcome of the November
election were as certain as the result
of that convention the republican par
ty would have little to worry over.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
A Duty Well Defined.
[st. Adams Messenger.l

The duty of the press is not so much
to convert people TO its own opinion as
to see that they have opportunity to
canvass all opinions and then that
they do little thinking for themselves.
After that is done. after the people
have begun to think about a thing,
they wind up by doing something about
il. and almost always the right thing
too.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

The farmers of the legislature who
supposedly voice the sentiments of the
farmers of the state, urge that candi-
dates for all places of honor and trust
be selected according to their ability
to work "for the best interests of the
state" That means good roads, a
dairy school building, the rehabilitation
of the maple sugar industry, thor
ough overhauling of the tax system,
limitation below prohibitive prices of
freight rates, restraint of the bold and
ubiquitous deer and death to the
hedgehog and the forest worm. This.
then. also means farmers for candi-
dates, but whom? Until this question
is settled the real estate business in
farms promises to continue brisk. The
farmers are not saying much but they
are thoughtfully watching the lineup.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
Not Our Kind. !.

Huntington Clipper1
The most famous woman in Vermont
this minute is Mrs. Mary Rogers sched-
uled to go out at the end of rope for
the killing of her husband Brattleboro
has laid no claim to her having once
been of that enterprising hamlet. Has
Brattleboro lost it's nerve or is it diff
fident?
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

When Mr. Bryan succeeds In his eff
fort to obtain suitable quarters for the
representatives o. the government
abroad, perhaps we shall hear that he
has secured position for himself In
the diplomatic service.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
The Worst Ever.


hUIIdIIU ftFdIU.J
We do not remember to have read an
obituary written in such bad taste as
the one which appears this week in the
Brattleboro Phoenix on the occasion of
the death of Robert Gordon Hardie,
the celebrated portrait painter of that
place. 1t would have been better
to leave this unsaid.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22
Land, Not People.
Huntington News.l

IBurIlngtOn NeWS.I
It is defective logic to reason from
the action of the legislature to the SEN
timent of the people. The Legislature
represents not the people of Vermont
but various tracts of land largely unin-
habited, labelled Baltimore" "St.
George" etc
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

And so the Chicago public must pay
for having its theatres built on safe
principles. 1t seems to be case Of
your money or your life"
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

It's a good thing for the senate that
not every election results In an investi-
CATION of character like that Senator
Smoot is enjoying.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-01-22

Half Of the money spent In the last
state campaign for governor would
make most creditable appropriation
for the st. Louis exposition.