davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Holbrook argus., 1904-05-07
NOTES FROM MANYWHERE.

Air famine Is the common cause of pneumonia.
 The people of Tibet rarely wash. finding 1t warmer to be dirty.
 The mercantile fleet of Japan ranks seventh in the worlds shipping.
 France and England each own in Africa an area as large as the United States.
 The naval vessels under construction in the United States aggregate more tonnage than those afoat
 Vast quantities of earth containing radium compound have been discov- cred in the Llano mineral region near Austin, Texas.
 A person clad in garments made from the hair of the reindeer will not sink in water. A factory for textiles in reindeer wool is in operation in Vienna and one will be established in London.
 The Prince of Wales has a most ex- traordinary design tattooed on his arm. It takes the form of fearful-looking dragon. with open jaws bristling with rows of gigantic teeth and row of spiked horns down the middle of its back.
 The Wisconsin Telephone Company in Milwaukee suggests in its telephone directory that patrons send in fire alarms by telephone. The chief of DO lice has requested that the manager of the telephone company omit this suggestion from the book hereafter, for the reason that 1t frequently takes too long time to notify the fire head quarters by telephone.
Holbrook argus., 1904-05-07
Not Q Flying.Fish.

It was "a beautiful fish," the butcher said so, and Mrs. Wilcox was beauti- full woman; a clever one, too, and the first in her class at college for think ing out things" Therefore, when her maid of all work went to her cousins wedding, Mrs. Wilcox was quite sure that she could prepare the fish dinner for which MT. Wilcox had asked. What he thought about 1t is no part of the story as the Chicago News prints it.
 At four o'clock precisely Mrs. Will COX put on one of her rousseau aprons and began to think. She thought out the gastronomic trimmings first, but when she had made some hollandaise sauce, and put it where 1t could not possibly keep hot, although that was not her intention, she began to consider the fish.
 To her intense annoyance, the butch CT had neglected to clean 1t and make it ready for cooking.
 Very well, she would do 1t herself. So 1t came about that when MT. Will cox got home he found his wife with worried brow and flushed cheeks stand. ing over the sink, the fish in one hand and the teakettle in the other.
 "There is something wrong with this fish," she announced. Tt is most peculiar. I have poured gallons of boiling water over it,-just as I re- member grandmother used to treat newly killed chickens before she could pick the feathers off, and the horrid scales stick just as tightly as everw
 "Why don't you try singeing 1t" Wilcox managed to ask before he ex- ploded. t%
Holbrook argus., 1904-05-07
VALUE OF DEAD LETTEHs.
During the Past Year They Contained
 Nearly @6O,OOO in Cash.

Nearly e6O,OOO in Cash.
 Tho great amount of mail matter that cannot be delivered or returned to the senders, says Superintendent David P. Leibhardt, in his annual report on the work of the dead letter office, is due chiefly to the failure of writers to give their names and addresses, and to the dispatch of advertising and other printed matter under seal which must necessarily be destroyed. A large per centage of parcels, also, which are supposed to contain merchandise are found not to contain merchandise at all, but pamphlets, catalogues, medi- cines, fruit and flowers, which must be destroyed.
 Altogether during the past year 1O, ib8. 8.628 pieces of mail were handled by the dead letter office. Of this matter l.259,941 pieces were unopened, S,921,. 770 were opened. and 2S,1S3 pieces were on hand from the preceding year Of the mall that was opened, 27,70S let ters containing money. 56,536 contain ing money orders and drafts, 224,715 with stamps, 911 with manscripts, 5S, 655 with photographs, 110,32S parcel, of merchandise, and 2.O01. .633 letters containing writing of value, were final ly delivered.
 Of the opened letters 51,416 con tained money to the amount of $4S, 684.04, including that found loose in the malls. Fifty-two thousand eight hundred and sixty-four letters had in them drafts, checks, notes, money or. ders, deeds, wills, pension certificates. and insurance policies to the total val us of $1,493, ,563.65. All these latter letters have been delivered or are being held awaiting delivery.
 During the year there were two sales of undelivered merchandise matter, at which 133,238 articles were sold for $6.780. The net proceeds were ST. 146.88 and this was deposited in the treasury; $13.S12.39 was taken out of letters which could not be restored, and this amount also went into the treas ury.
Holbrook argus., 1904-05-07
The Dust Of ldleness.

"How dusty these chairs arc, Norah" said the mistress of rosy Celtic treasure, lately acquired. Norah looked disturbed for a moment, but quickly recovered.
 She ran her finger along the seat of one of the chairs, and then regarded 1t closely.
 Now who'd iver think 'twud make all that difference to have nobody sit in lem just the wan day, mum" said Norah in amazement. If 'twasn't for visitors ord have to be at lem wid . cloth all the toime.
Holbrook argus., 1904-05-07
Why the suitor Chose the sroutest.

Why the Suitor Chose the Stoutest.
 An amusing method of securing the marriage of his five daughters has been adopted by wealthy tradesman in Berlin. As suitors were not appar- ently inclined to seek the hands and affections of the daughters, the father advertised that he would pay to the accepted suitor of each daughter a dowry in cash proportionate to the weight of the selected damsel immedi- ately after the wedding ceremony. A young lawyer was the first who sub- mitted himself for the fathers ap- proval, and, having produced satisfac- tory evidence as to his responsibility, he was presented to the daughters. He visited them for week, and then chose the stoutest of the five, to whom he was yesterday married. When the ceremony was over the lady was weighed and registered IT stone, the father immediately paying over to his son-in-law a sum of 13,OOO clowns Westminster Gazette.
Holbrook argus., 1904-05-07
WHERE WIVES ARE SOLD.
This Shocking Bartes atill . !CoEnmr,1
 Custom In England.

This Shocking Bartes atill . Colnmr,r
 Custom In England.
 It is not necessary to 90 back 1oe years to encounter sales of wives, says the London Globe, in commenting up on recent tale of fiction where such an incident was recorded. There are sufficient modern instances, continues the Globe. to maintain the assertion that wife-selling is still British GUS tom. There are hundreds of people who still believe that to transfer a wife to another man for a cash pay ment is a legal transaction. and a valid dissolution of matrimonial ties. AS a popular error 1t ranks with the idea that if husband or wife be absent and unheard of for seven years the other is free to marry again. In York shire generally, and in Sheffield in par ticular, this doctrine of wife-selling Is still so firmly esta ablished and frequent ly pract1ced that 1t has little less than the force of local law.
 Legends of Sheffield grinders who in drunken bouts sell their wives for quart of ale are well known. The ma 5ority of such sales of wives never at- tain publicity. At Leeds Assizes, in 1895, Benjamin Gibbons was tried for bigamy. He admitted that he had mar ried a woman while his first wife was alive, but he pleaded that as he had sold her, he was entitled to marry again. He had disposed of her for 3s Cd to soldier. Again. at Leeds As sizes. three years ago. another big amist offered the same defense. On his arrest he stated: When I married her knew I had a wife living. but I sold her for 50 shillings." More re- gently. at Stockport, an elderly man told the magistra les that he thought he was entitled to marry again. as he had sold his first wife to a chimney sweep for 1Sd.
 A few years ago at Irthlingbor- ough, near Northampton, a shoemaker paraded the streets with bell, calling upon all persons to know that he had that afternoon "sold and bequeathed" his wife to John -. He proclaimed the names of two companions as wit nesses to the transaction. The pur. chase money was two shillings. Bar ing Gould cites similar cases in the West country. and to go back more than thirty years would mean the ex. tension of this subject to intolera ble length. for century ago wife-selling was almost common. That 1t is prac. ticed as frequently as it is will come as surprise to most readers. In ad- diton to these northern instances many a wife is sold to-day in the east end of London, but of all such cases over the country only a few are re- vealed to public knowledge.
Holbrook argus., 1904-05-07
Thav Language of Ours.

"Oh, don't worry about such trlnes," said the girl. "Just keep stiff upper lip and everything will come out all right"
 But" protested the other maid, Tt Is a physical impossibility for mo to maintain a superior labial figidity."
Holbrook argus., 1904-05-07
In Cleveland.

Guest Gin cheap restaurant)-Here. waiter, bring me napkin.
 Waiter-Sorry, boss, but de gent at de nex' tables usin' it. Tore turn'll cour fore long. .a
Newport weekly independent., 1904-01-01
Frank White, the Negro Murderer of Farmer George Clare,)
 Pays the Penalty.
SIX CONTACTS OF 1,7O0 VOLTS
 APPLIED TO THE CONDEMNED MAN.
Dr. U. n. Stein, of BuFtsIo. One of inc Witnesses, Fell Into Swoon on Witnessing the Execution, Which Presented Some Sensational Fea- lures.

Auburn, N r., Dec. 3O-Frank White, negro, was put to death in the electric chair at the state prison here. Tuesday, for the murder of George Clare, farmer of Scribe, Oswego coun- ty, by shooting.
 Six Contacts Required.
 Six contacts, each of 1,740 volts 7ib amperes were applied before White was pronounced dead. After the fourth contact strange gurgling in his throat made the physicians step back and hor- rified the spectators. The contact was quickly repeated, but still the stetho- scopes recorded cardiac action, and two more contacts were given During the second contact the head electrode flashed brilliantly. and there was an odor of burning hair. The executioner said it was the sponge beneath the electrode. He adjusted it more tightly before the next shock. Among those who made test with the stethoscope was Dr. U. B. Stein, of Buffalo, and he reported that the heart had not ceased to beat. When he had resumed his seat in the front row and the fifth contact had been turned on, he sud- | denly pitched forward and fell to the floor in swoon. He was picked up by three keepers and carried from the death chamber, but soon revived. | Electrician Davis Explains. | State Electrician Davis, in charge of | the execution, explained the gurgling in Whites throat by saying that he l held his breath for few moments be- | fore the first contact, and it was sim ply the air escaping from his lungs. He declared that White was practically | dead after the first contact.
 White, who was abolt 25 years of age, was employed by Clare on the lat ter's farm On September 15. 1901, | White enticed the farmer into a corn | field on pretext that the COWS were in | the corn, and while Clare's back was | turned, the negro deliberately fired sew eral bullets into his body until he fell | to the ground dead. Robbery was the motive for the crime.
 | Was Desperate Prihoner. White kept his watchers in great suspense during the last days in the corridor for the condemned by his vio- | lent attempts to sham insanity. He ran anluck in the narrow confines of his cell on the day before Christmas, smashing everything breakable, and
 was only subdued after the prison hose
 had been turned on him for a quarter
 of an hour. White cared nothing for
 religion, and neither friend nor rela-
 tives inquired for him during his two
 years confinement.
Newport weekly independent., 1904-01-01
NO FRESH OUTBREAK YET.
President Roosevelt Interested In the Gloomy FOrebodings
 From Kisliineff.

Washington, Dec. 30.-At the in- stance of President Roosevelt, who has interested himself in the reports from abroad of massacres and contemplated massacres of Jews in Kishineff, the state department is making active in- quiry through it's diplomatic and con- sular officers with the view to ascer- taining the exact situation as affecting these people. The United States con. heard from and he cabled the state de- partment that there has been no fresh outbreak at Kishineff as reported.
Newport weekly independent., 1904-01-01
ALABAMA AT WORLDS FAIR.
A Field of Growing Cotton and a Colossal Statute of Vulcan Among
 the States Exhibits.

St. Louis, Dec 29-Mr J. A. Mac Knight, of the Birmingham Commercial club, says that one of the most inter- esting exhibits from Alabama will be that of the nine cotton mills of Hunts will. A field of growing cotton will be shown, together with the process of turning the raw cotton into cloth. The gins, looms, etc, will ell be in opera tion in full view of the spectators. This exhibit will be made in the Agriculture building.
 MT. MacKnight reports that the statue of Vulcan to be exhibited by the Birmingham district will be 150 feet high, and will contain 100000 pounds of Alabama iron. The model, built by G. Moretti, of New York, and a corps of assistants, is now nearly ready, and will soon be shipped to Birmingham, to be cast in iron there. This will be the most difficult and costly pieces of iron work ever done in this or any country. If cast in ten separate sections of uniform weight, each piece will weigh over five tons, 5nd these must fit together so perfect ly that when the statue is set up in the Mines and Metallurgy building it will appear to be in one piece. But the great statue will be remarkable not only for it's bulk It will be a mag nificent work of art, it's lines beautiful to the eye from every point of view, and every proportion and detail per feet.
 After the exposition it will be re- moved to Birmingham, Ala, and set up as permanent memorial in one of the public parks of that city, and funds for the purpose will be derived from the sale of miniature representations of the Colossus. These souvenirs will be sold in a booth built of Alabama marble near the great statue, where several other specimens of the states mineral wealth will be offered.
Newport weekly independent., 1904-01-01
yl HEAD END COLLISION
Wreck On the Pennsylvania Rail
 road at Larwill, Ind.
One sMnn Killed, Two Seriously and Seven Others More or Less
 Severely Hurt.

Fort Wayne, Ind, Dec 30.-One man was killed, two seriously injured and seven others more or less hurt in a mia limited train No 5, west-bound and an eastbound freight train at Larwill, 30 miles west of here, Tuesday
 The dead:
 James Raifsnider, of Crestline, O.; baggageman
 The injured:
 Oliver Hebert, engineer of the limit ed; seriously.
 Elmer Stafford, fireman cf the limit ed; seriously.
 H. c. Suttler, Norfolk, Neb passen- ger.
 James Robinson, colored porter.
 I. G. Betts, Chicago
 Wm. Hamilton, train barber.
 c. J. Mieldstock, colored porter
 A. L. Hill, Jersey City, colored DOT ter.
 John Hebert, son of Engineer Hebert who was riding in the cab with his father
 The engine crew of the freight traiI escaped by jumping.
 The fact that Engineer Hebert was under orders to proceed with his train under control, owing to a bad stretch of track near Larwill, alone doubtless prevented serious loss of life, for tht limited was late, and otherwise would have been proceeding at terrific speed The wreck was due to mistake by Engineer Crowell of tho freight train in reading orders. He had been giveI orders to meet the limited at Larwill a 5:30 but misread his orders as 6:30 ant was taking his time to make the meet ing point.
Newport weekly independent., 1904-01-01
SURE SIGN OF PROSPERITY,
The Year 1903 Takes the Palm for Smallest Record of Railroad
 Foreclosure Sales.

Chicago, Dec. 30.-The Railway Age will say: The year 1903 takes the palm sales in every respect, number of roads, mileage bondage, bonded .lebt and cap ital stock Since the year of greatest activity in bringing bankrupt roads to the block, 1896, when the sales includ- cd 5S roads, with 13,730 miles of line and $1 ,150, 1000, ,000 of bonds and stocks, the decrease in foreclosures has been constant and remarkable. In 1903 the totals were 13 roads, mileage 555, bonds and stocks, $15, ,S00,0 900.
Newport weekly independent., 1904-01-01
PNEUMONIA IN NEW YORK.
The Unusual Number of Cases Has Led to an investigation of the
 Cause of the Epidemic.

New York, Dec. 30.-Owing to the unusual number of deaths in New York from pneumonia in the last six weeks a corps of physicians has been appointed by the board of health to make an investigation of the cause of the epidemic and thair report will be in the hands of Health Commissioner Lederlee in a few days. Tn the -.ast week PIP fatal pneumonia cases wer' recorded. That is the largest number of deaths from the disease in the his tory of the city. The previous weel 269 deaths occurred and it was thel thought that conditions would i'm prove
Newport weekly independent., 1904-01-01
OPENING THE WAY FOR US.
The Canadians Building an Armored Cruiser For Service On the
 Great Lakes.

Ottawa Ont, Dec. 30.-The building of a Canadian armored cruiser for the great lakes has caused comment on the treaty supposed to restrict such a movement, Under Secretary of State Pope points out that no treaty exists between. Great Britain and the United States limiting the number or arma- ment of vessels to be maintained by the United States or Canada on the great lakes. There is an agreement to cease placing them there after six months notice by either country. MT. Pope doubts if it is binding.
Newport weekly independent., 1904-01-01

In every Country of the civilized world Sisters of Charity are known. Not only do they minister to the spiritual and intellectu;hl hl needs of the charges com mitted to\ their care, but they also minister o\their bodily needs.
 With so mi Npny children to take careof and to protecNt from climate and disease, these wise anH prudent Sisters have found Peruna sA neveriailing safeguard.
 Dr. Hartmayh receives many letters from CatholiGf Sisters from all over the United States. A recommend recently received ffom Catholic institution in Detroit, Mich, reads as follows: Dr. s. B. .Harfman, Columbus, Ohio:
 Dear SSir:-"The young girl who used the Pekruna was suffering from Iaryngi- fis, a1nd loss of voice. The result of fhe sfreafmenf was most satisfactory. Sh5e found great relief, and after fsurfher use of fhe medicine we hope 10 be able 10 say she is entirely cured. :" Sisters Of Charity.
 The young glrl was under the care of the Sisters of Charity and used Peruna | for catarrh of the throat with good re- | suits as the above letter testifies Send to The Peruna Medicine Co.,. Co., 1 lumbus, Ohio, for free book written by | Dr. Hartman.
Newport weekly independent., 1904-01-01
'''i fl 'iisIf1 HSs5SS paI,6 x: ]: X
Massacre of J H. rntc, n White Missionary, With Eighteen of
 H1NFoIlOwers.

Washington. Minister Lyon has reported tcN state department from Monrovia, " da. under date of November lastMA>e details of the massacre, in the de khs of an African forest, of a white missionary named John G. Tate with aIof his following, IS in number. It arSoears that the massacre took place axAfar back as March 15, 1901, yet this, ythe first de- tailed account, has just cGSme to hand in an affidavit by Mrs. Mar!Y*L. Allen, white missionary at NounG Kroo. Li- beria She had the Story fTcm some of the native Doc tribesmen, ,who knew of the killing. Tate had d asSlarge mis- sion and farm, and, besideS he main tained a considerable schtbol in the jungle, and altogether 19 people were in the mission when it was Surrounded in the night by the Docs. The first man who answered a knock at the door was shot. The interpreter next was shot, and as Tate appeared anGi tried to protect the body of the interpreter, he, too, was shot and cut to pieces The bOOo tuOH hlllSu cll sl6 iGildluluS M mates of the house, cut off their hands, and placing the bloody members in coffin, sent them back to their people as trophies. In explanation of their ac- tion the Docs said: We have no fight with the white man, but if we do not kill him now he will bring his country to make war upon us
 .c this Affidavit, has communicated with the Liberian secretary of state with a view to securing fuller information. and perhaps the punishment of the per petrators of the massacre.
Newport weekly independent., 1904-01-01
Court Functions will Proceed.

Berlin, Dec. 30.-Emperor William probably will give up his projected va, cation in the south of Europe, as it is said he no longer feels the need of rest from public business. Arrangements have been made for the usual winter court functions, especially those of Jan. uary and 20.
Newport weekly independent., 1904-01-01
0i Detectives Desmond of St. Louis Will Co to Receive
 the Prisoner.
IE IS NOW SIMPLY AWAITING
 flAAL OFFICIAL REFORMATION.
Kratz' Family VIII Follow Him
 From Mexico, and Charles Carroll and John Kratx Win Look After
 PriSIker's Business Interests

Louis Dec 3O.-Chief of Detec-
 Desmond Will decide on the time # $h;s departure for the Mexican bor- 8Q sr to receive Charles Kratz as soon as S&{no hoard of police commissioners re- Hives telegram from Fenton R. Me r4kary. secretary to Ambassador Ciay ton at the City of Mexico. saying vbether or not Charles Kratz will he surrendered immediately.
 II was expected that MT. McCreary ,.o,,,d wire this information Tuesday. nesmond says he does not want to go <. VI Mexico until he is quite sure that he can retursp at once with his prisoner. He expected<to receive a telegram. < Tuesday, from Sheriff .Dickmann. ex- plaining the status of affairs in Guada- lajara.
 Advices from Mexico state that the 0 orities are willing to turn Kratz Ito Sheriff Dickmann, and that
 lz himself is willing to waive
 ther appeal to technicalities and he back with the sheriff; but the St. buis authorities declare they do not Z hre to take any chances of delay, and {'ae OCSAlOuu AAMocll VIII Uo Soul u the prisoner
 Papers in DesmOnd's Name.
 The credentials as agent of the Unit
 States for the purpose of accepting
 custody of Kratz are in Desmond g |.a4 pe, and changing them would neces- Sitate delay of a week or more, which Circuit Attorney Folk and the other authorities are anxious to avoid.
 Judge Rojas, of the district court at Guadalajara, has received the official documents from the federal govern ment at the City of Mexico, ordering sthat Kratz be turned over to the Unit
 States agent for return to Missouri. ,dge Rojas immediately notified teriff Dickmann of the receipt of the apers, and told him he would be al- lowed to take charge of the prisoner. Oickmann, however, telegraphed to St. 0Iouis for instructions,
 No Further Recourse.
 It is stated that the time in which Kratz could have appealed for writ of amprao has expired, and that he now has no recourse. Kratz seems to E1We given up, and says he is willing < "A return to St. Louis and fight it out
 expressed disappointment at the
 of his struggle against extradi-
 but said he was glad the suspense
 ended. He declares he will return S 1uadala1ara as soon as he is re-
 py the Missouri authorities, and placed his business affairs in the x85S HQS of Charles c.rroI I; l;,,,
 n Bonn Kratz, his brother. 1 hmily will follow him to St. M 4s bMwill not return with him.
Newport weekly independent., 1904-01-01
1o YVITNEss ROBBERY.
{ |b j|ls. <. z x'. {. mn of West Point, < a1 to witness Rob-
 ery of Post Office.

s .,, o,ond. Val, Dec. s0--J L Gar
 Ricnn 'na town watchman of West Estf, 'nv 'as held up, Monday night, by ofr'1' .,ssn maa armed with revolyers who three msa and gagged ~ g him, marched him to Bound anu mae broke in the door, blew me pos' o ssfe and robbed it of con open spara,,Ie M money and paehage Rage, con con
 ae1as 'sg s2, 100 in bonds s Garrst' hn1o pars was
 is,nelled is'ns to witness the sos wno,e nea per eoFppvrmsses The robbers escaped.