davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20

ship Kowshing, which was laden with
Chinese troops. A curious fact in con-
nection with this event was that the
Kowshing was commanded by Capt.
Galsworthy, who also had received his
training on board the Worcester. When
the Kowshing wa sunk Galsworthy
was nearly drowned, but his life was
saved by Togo who sent a boat to rescue
him. After the Chinese war Togo was
raised to the rank of real admiral, and
promoted to be third in command of the
mikado's fleet. Prior to his present
appointment he was commander at
Maizuru dockyard on the Sea of Japan.
Togo is described as being reserved in
manner, and he is cool, r~esolute, deter
mined, very courageous, at the same
time being calm and unprecipitate in ac-
ton. He is said to know his feet we'll
knows what it can do to a nicety-and
his operations at Port Arthur have
shown that his conception of conditions
has been wonderfully exact.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
GREAT CLOSED LAND.
AS SUCH THIBET rs KNOWN
AMONG AsIATICs.
British Are Now Trying to Conquer
the Mysterious Country of the
Fanatical Lamas and Ma
gicians.
London eng Special.

The news dispatches of the last few
weeks telling of the attempts of the Brit,
ish force under Col. Younghusband to
enter Thibet have been somewhat over
Swallowed by the details of the larger
conflict in Asia, which at the present
moment is the %cynosure Of the eyes of the
civilized world.
China, M%anchuria, Japan and Russia
TO the ordinary lay reader mean some.
thing concrete, something which even
the most casual geographical student
can understand. Thibet, ''the great
closed island, " on the other hand; Thibet,
the unknown, the isolated, the mysteri-
ous, is something which the great world
at large looks upon with whimsical dis
interestedness.
Nomads by inclination and by neces-
slty, practically every male in Thibet is
a soldier, and as they gain a greater part
of their livelihood from ~brigandage and
hostile forays, one tribe against another,
it may properly be said that their entire
existence is given up TO unremitting war
fare. f,
Should England succeed eventually in
her purpose to add Thibet to herAtlantic
domains, anyone who has ever been in
Thibet can well ask: What will she
secure as compensation for this ire
mendous outlay of men and money!
All explorers in Thibet agree that the
natural resources of the country are in
intestinal and that nothing of con-
crete value ever can be secured to repay
for the enormous expenditure necessary
to prompt from nature something which
she will nj yield even if s%trenuously
urged.
British statesmen argue that Thibet
will serve as the great buffer to Rus
sia's expansive ambition Indiaward. but
the fact that most impresses any Thibet-
an traveller who has toiled for weary
months at a hating pace through these
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20

barren and inhospitable wilds is that
Thibet left to herself would dampen even
Russian ardor for expansion.
For scientists and geographers the
opening of Thibet will mean much. The
secrets of the mysterious city of Lassa,
which has detied all attempts of white
explorers to reach it, will be laid bare.
Practically the last ofthe great unknown
tracts of the habitable globe will disap-
pear, and with the subsequent spread Of
cfvilizing and humanizing influences will
in turn disappear the curious features
of one of the strangest races Of the
world.
AS is natural to suppose, the features
of the landscape are reflected in the ma
tives themselves. AS a race they are a
dirty and filthy lot of the most degraded
savages, building no substantial dwell
ings, except among the agricultural
tribes in the eastern districts bordering
on the Chinese frontier, but with their
herds of yak and horses wandering over
the country, living in small tents made
of yak skins OF in cave dwellings. BY
nature the Thibetan Is a glutton and will
eat wherever and whenever opportunity
presents itself.
Both men and women are ugly, with
huge features. They have great faith
in the pernicious habit of disfguring
themselves with paint and strange tattoo
marks and cicatrices. There is no settled
form of government outside of the UNI
stable hierarchy at Lassa, the constitu-
ton of society everywhere being sim
pie. Almost every crime is condoned by
payment, this leniency causing a bru-
tally and bloody license which provoke
long protracted feuds and wars. Life
Sis held in little If any esteem and is
taken upon the least c~ompunction.
The real curse of Thibet, however,
Is the powerful lama hierarchy. These
clergymen form nearly one-third of the
entire population Of the country and are
rulers in substance If notin name. Mag
ic, charms, fetch, rosaries and other
mystical" emblems constitute the main
features Of the cult OF lama Buddhism.
One of the most peculiar features of the
Thibetan religious side of life is the
prayer wheel. 1t forms q strange sight
indeed to watch the Tfibetans going
about their daily avocations monoton-
ously. and by practice apparently
consciously, twisting these instruments.
The worship of deceased ancestors
Is carried on among all tribes, the ma
tfyes at different periods digging up the
bones of these illustrious forbearers and
r~8igiously washing them.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
MARRIAGE in JAPAN.
ANCIENT cEREMoNIALs STILL
IN VOGUE EVERYWHERE.
Grooms of Twenty Usually Wed Maids
of Observation-Disclosures Are
of Short Duration and
Quite Informal.
Toxic lIapanl special.


A Japanese marriage is essentially q
business transaction, and its celebra-
ton is remarkable for a total absence
of sentiment of any kind. There is moth
ing characteristic OF a religious cere-
mony about it. 1t is regarded by all
concerned merely as a civil contract;
and the presence of a priest is deemed
quite necessary even by the most de-
vout worshipers of Buddha.
ALI preparations for a marriage are
undertaken by the friends of both par
ties, and the couple themselves are about
the last persons whose advice is sought.
The engagement which precedes the
marriage is Of short duration. Such a
thing as an engagement ring is quite
unknown. In its place the young man
gives his %betrothed a rich sash Of colored
silk. The giving OF presents is quite a
curious feature of the engagement.
These are given so layishly that when
the time comes to set up housekeeping
the young couple find their
almost exhausted. A bride receives no
dowry, but she is provided instead with
q trousseau and the necessary house
hould furniture. Embroidered silks take
the place of jewellery, which latter is
not worn by the women of Japan.
On the momentous day the bride al
most conceals her face under a thick
coating OF paint, and, in company with
the bridegroom and all relations, goes
to have the marriage legally registered
In the office Of the kocho, or mayor Of
the town. The real celebration COM
mences in the evening, when the we'd
ding feast takes place. This feast is
more like a dinner-party than anything
else, it's chief features being the chang
ing of garments and the drinking of
enormous quantities of a rice-wine
known as sake.
When dusk is falling the bride is taken
10 the house of her father-in-law in a
p%alanquin, escorted by little procession
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20

carrying Chinese lanterns. The brides
relatives take their seats in one end of
the principal apartment, while the BRIDE
groom's friends sit opposite. The bride,
dressed entirely in white, is led into the
room by two richlv-attired young girls.
The bridegroom, who has already taken
a seat in the middle Of the room, makes
no sign of recognition, but keeps his
ayes fixed on the ground, while the
bride seats herself opposite him. A
table is then drawn forward, on which
is placed a double-spouted kettle filled
with hot sake.
Another table, loaded with eatables,
is placed before each person, and the
feast begins. The two girls who es-
corted the bride into the room hand cups
of sake to the guests, who are expected
to drain them to the dregs for luck.
After this ceremony the bride and
bridegroom retire for a short time to
change their costumes. When they re-
turn the two bridesmaids fill three cups
with sake, and hand them to the bride
and her parents-in-law. Three cups are
imbibed by the father-in-laW, who then
gives the vessel to the bride. She in
her turn drinks three cups, and receives
a present from his hands. Another
course, usually rice or fish, is now
brought forward, and the bride goes
through the same ceremony Of drinking
with the bridegroom's mother, after
wards receiving another present A
thin soup is then served, and three more
cups of wine are drunk all round.
Then comes the great event Of the
evening. This is the almost sacred sake
drinking by the. married couple, which
appears to constitute a kind OF mar
riage service. The bridesmaids bring
forward the double-spouted kettle and
present it to the lips of the married pair.
These drink alternately from it until its
contents have been exhausted, the act
being mathematical of the way in which
they intend to share one another's joys
and sorrows.
When the happy couple have partaken
Of the sake kettle the ceremony is at an
end. So Wellversed are the bride, bride
groom and relations intheir roles that
the whole affair passes off quite silently.
There is no confusion. Each person
knows what IS expected of him, and does
it ina mechanical way that gives the
proceedings an air of monotony. After
the marriage the bride continues TO live
In her father-in-law's house; fort is an
almost inYariable rule that a welded
couple shall dwell during their first
months ySf married life at fha hn1Sa nj
the bridegroom,s father.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
Animals for the Fair.

Bert Clouse and Art Palmer started
from Miller overland for st. Louis
with their exhibit of wild animals.
1t includes m solid man (petrifed),
II buffalo wolf, ~so-called because his
front feet stand higher than his hind
ones and he has quite a name, giving
him a slight lionish as well as a buff
falo appearance; one common coyote
or prairie wolf about the size of a
shepherd dog; n swift or wolf as
large as a fox; n silver gray fox;
several prairie dogs the size of a cat;
n singing or whistling badger; one
bald eagle; two rattlesnakes.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
TOGO, NELSON OF JAPAN.
Admiral in Charge Of Port Arthur
Rlackading Squadron Highly
Esteemed at Home.
Toxic (Japanl Snecial

TOXIC JapaD Special.
Vice Admiral Hehatchi Togo, "the
Nelson of Japan" is here shown from
his latest photograph. The picture was
taken at Toxic, just before the break
ing out of hostilities. Admiral Togo is
the hero of the campaign thus far. He
is a true-blooded Japanese, being a So
called Satsuma Samurai. He was born
October IA, 1857, and was educated in
England on board the Worcester, a,ship
belonging to the Thames Nautical
Training college. He served two years
on board this vessel. During that time
his conduct was reported to be excel
lent and his ability very good. During
the Carbohydrates war Togo COM
manded the cruiser Naniwa, and at the
opening of hostilities sank the troop
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
Boo MLET FOR ~ALscHuLER.
Eastern Managers Would Like to
Have Illinois Man Nominated
for Vice President.
Chicago Special.

Chicago Special.
Eastern reports of the inner workings
in national democratic politics continue
to link the name of Samuel Alschuler, of
Chicago, with the vice presidential CAM
didacy. tits argued as a matter Of party
policy that Alschuler is the most avail
able candidate for the second highest
office in the gift of the people.
Because he has automatically man
aged. to keep out of the rival democratic
factions in Illinois, it's assumed that he
would be the best nan to sooth any ele-
ment of discord. His attitude toward la
Dor has been such, it is claimed, as would
receive the undivided support Of the
working classes.
Mr.. Alschuler's record as political tim
Der is also counted in his favor. In
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
ADMIRAL JEsSEN's DASH.
Commander Of Vladivostok Squadron
Hailed as a Hero by the Peo-
pie Of Russia.
Seoul (Korea) Special.

The only Russian naval commander
who has thus far achieved any kind Of
success Is Rear Admiral lessen, COM
mander of the V~ladivostok feet, who re-
Gently left his home base and made a raid
on the harbor of Gensan, Korea, which
is about 800 miles away from Vladiyos-
tok. The admiral's ships destroyed sew
eral steamers and one transport belong
ing to the enemy and then returned to
V~ladivostok. 1t may be taken for
granted that Japan will notpermit a rep
etition of the Gensan raid and that here
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
Roundup.

Preparations are rapidly being com
pleted for the annual spring roundup
of cattle on the great ranges of vest
i South Dakota. Thousands of
bronchos are being gathered for the
use of the vast army of cowboys and
~stnekmen who will nantieinate in the
roundup.
The roundup this spring will be
Q important than for years past,
owing to the severity of the spring
storms, two of which were expert
enced during the month of April
much later than usual.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
PUBLIC LIKES MISS ALICE.
President Roosevelt's Daughter Has
Warm Place in the Affections
of Washingtonians.
washington I'd. ca Special.

Miss Alice Roosevelt, the charming
daughter of the president, called by
some dyspeptic newspaper scribblers
Princess Alice" is unquestionably one
of the most lovable girls of her age at
the capital. Recently she suffered from
an attack of German measles, and the in
terest which the public took in her i'll
ness proved beyond a doubt that the
young lady has a warm place in the af-
fections of the people. Miss Alice is per-
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20

haps not as diplomatic as she might be.
but it must be remembered that she is
just now passing through that peculiar
period Of a girls life when there is but
little to learn. If the women who criti-
else her would Just think for a moment
of their own young Womanhood days,
with its illusions and self-consciousness,
they would be more charitable and quite
ready to admit that Miss Alice, every
thing considered, is displaying a re-
markable amount of tact.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
SOUTH DAKOTA NEWS
Assaulted the Doctor.

Neal Van Overschelde, a farmer
near Sioux Falls, became enraged be.
u DR.. Z. j. Phelps of Letcher and
another physician quarantined his
home, where a cas- of diphtheria had
developed. In company with Alfred
Duvetter the angry farmer went to
Letcher and, finding DR.. Phelps alone
in his office, made an assault upon
him..
One of the assailants held the physi.
clan while the other pummeled him.
Dr.. Phelps cries brought assistance
and the two farmers were arrested.
When taken into court they pleaded
guilty to the charge of assault. Van
O~verschelde was fined $50 and costs,
while Duvetter was let off with. a fine
of $25 and costs.
They then Went to a saloon and got
into a row with the proprietor anu
got badly pounded with a beer bot
lie.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20

for Vice President.)
1900 he ran 1905 votes ahead of Bryan
in the state, and in Cook county he beat
Gov. Yates, his republican opponent, by
a plurality of 1878 votes.
Samuel Alschuler is a native Of Illi-,
nois. He was born in Chicago Novem-
Der 20, 1859. He is a bachelor. His pa
rents, Jacob and Caroline AIschuler;
moved to Aurora, his present residence,
in 1851. After clerking in a general
store, young Alschuler studied Law, and
in 1881 he was admitted to the bar. To-
day he is considered not only a power
full orator, but an able lawyer. He was
state commissioner of claims from 1893
to 1896, when he was elected to the leg
islature, which place he held for four
years.
Il know nothing of these rumors be-
yond what | read in the papers," said
MI. Alschuler when asked if he was a
candidate for vice president. 81 have no
idea where these accounts emanate, for
| have never talked to any one on the
subject in any way which would give the
impression that l presume to seek the
Office"
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20

on Gensan. Korea.)
after Admiral lessons Jour ships will be
watched closely.
Admiral lessen is not a particularly
well-known figure in Russian naval cir
cles. He Is, however. a personal friend
OF Gen. Kuropatkin, commander Of the
Russian land forces in the far east, and
has the reputation of being a good fight
er. It is reported that, In spite ct his
bold dash. he will be retired upon the
arrival OF Admiral Skrydlof at Port Ar
thur.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
New Plays Tried in Country.

1t is often the practice of theatrical
managers to try q new play in country
towns before produing it in the metropo-
lis. A well-known manager was asked
the reason. Because said the man
ager, "we know that II q rural own will
stand a show without killing the COM
pany, New York is likely t be persectly
delighted with it,
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
Danger Bal Transfer SLIPS.

Street car conductors in New York
city i required to serve their transfer
tickets dry That is, they must not mois-
ten with their mouths the fingers which
tear off a ticket from apacket, just be-
fore giving II to a passenger. 1t is as,
serted that transfer tickets thus mois.
tened spread disease.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
Is a Failure.

An attempt was made to burn the
Salvation Army barracks in Mitchell.
Two men passing by the building saw
flames and breaking in the front door
extinguished them before much dam
age was done. On Investigation it was
ascertained that a carpet on the stage
and some flags were saturated with
coal oil, as was also the papers on the
floor. A string was run from the pa
pers to the outside of the building.
which was soaked in oil and the fire
started from this. No clew was Sc
cured as to who started the fire.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
BRIEF Notes.

Z2 DO
Ernest Perth, a butcher, committed
suicide in DeadWood by shooting him
self in the temple with a revolver.
William Lardner and wife, of Dead
wood, celebrated their silver wedding
anniversary.
Black Hills mining people r be-
ing urged to ask the next state legis-
lature to make an appropriation for a
commission of three or five we'll
known mining men whose duty viii
be TO Investigate and report on all
mining companies whose stock is on
the market for sale.
letters received from Bishop Hare
announce he is rapidly recovering.
Scarlet fever is raging in we're type
in Custer. Several deaths have oc-
cnrred. In the home of Agent Pevin
of the Burlington company in one
weeks time three children. tsae entire
family. died.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
ostrichas 81 the Antinodes.

Ostriches are being successfully reared
IN Australia. They produce magnificent
white feathers, as much as 81 inches In
length and Is inches in width. The first
birds were imported from Africa.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
Anstralia,s Public Ileht

AustraIia's public debt averages S278
for every man, woman and child in the
country; that Of the United Statesis only
S11 for each person.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
Tha Insact Hau oa Ianan

a natural curiosity OF Japan is the in
sect belI.n It is a black beetle, which
emits harmonious sounds like those OF
a little silver bell.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
strawbe Ferries.

j. w. Mcneil, whose farm is stu
ated west of Elk Point, Union county.
has demonstrated by experience that
he can make as much money off a
corsfaratively small tract of land by
devoting a part OF his attention to
Strawberries as many farmers make
from an entire farm. Last year he
devoted two acres to Strawberries, and
secured a yield of 1000 quarts. These
were sold at an average Of about IL
cents per quart. His strawberry acre
age this year will be increased to four
acres, as he set out Il new patch Of
two acres with plants last season. He
expects "a yield of about $4,000 quarts
from the four acres.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
Steals Houses.

Elder A. o. Swartwood, pastor OF
the Christian church, Miller, states
that his house and fence have been
stolen from his homestead west OF
Pierre while he was preaching to the
people and was unable to be on his
land. Another man recently returned
to his house after a months absence,
vent to bed only to awake in the
night ten miles from his land, thieves
having six horses hitched on moving
it west. The owner stepped out with
two guns and ordered the volunteer
housemovers to forthwith return his
home to original foundation without
prejudice. The men did so, apologize
ing by saying they did not know he
was home.
The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-20
More Corn.

wore corn. sT
Each succeeding year sees in south
eastern South Dakota a decrease in
the acreage OF wheat and correspond.
ing increase in corn. The present
seeding season is ample proof that the
change is going on. From the south
ern tier of counties the reports show
a marked change from wheat to corn.
Practical farmers give their reasons
for the change as follows: First, corn
produces more money to the acre;
second, the crop average for corn is
better than for wheat; third, stock
farming has come to stay and corn
must be had for feed. Last year
where wheat went twelve bushels of
No. 3 to the acre, corn yielded forty
five to fifty bushels of No. / quality.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-16
Astute Leader Of Tam
many RrediCts and
Gives Figures.
DOUGLAS TO MAKE
NOVEL CAMPAIGN
Less Real Betting Thus Far
Than in Any Election Since
the War-WorA in the
West Being Pushed.
Many Speeches
Scheduled. s
(sneclnl from q stan correyppond.st.)

(snecinl from a Staff Correspond.ct.)
NEW YORK, October Is. -'.Mr.5 Murphy.
tells me that the Democrats will carry
! New York city by 10000. said National
Chairman Taggart to-day, as he came
away from conference which he ami
August Belmont had with the Tammany
leader at Tammany Hnll. When Mr.. Muir
sphy was asked about the statement, he
smiled and said: Il am not giving out
arsy figures yet" I'd
There is no question TINT he told Tag
gnrt that the city would give the Demo
Gratis 10000 Majority, which means that
tho State will 90 for Parker by at Least
10000 probably more rather than less.
1t is confidently expected by the Demo
Gratis that II Murphy's figures are any
where near correct. and he always comes
within a very fow votes OF forecast!ng
tho result Of an election In this city, New
Jersey and Connecticut will 60 Demo-
cratic. These two States have nearly
always gone MS New York has gone, and
/ the country has been with New York in
every presidential contest since the war