davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-05-06
A Queer Death Superstition.

y curious relic of the supcrstitious
IDEAS Of the middle ages still exists i'll
many parts OF England the notion
that When the death of Il person is inf=
minent the fastenings of the door of
the death chamber or of the other
rooms of the house hinder the depar
uIre of tie soul from the body, thus
making final dissolution doubly pain
ful
y gentleman writing about half q
century ago for Il collection of anti
quarian papers states that when he
WAS curator 1T Exeter he had a call
TO the deathbed Of one of his parish
toner's Ipon arriving there the wife
of the patient told the minister that
she had expected her husband to die
during the previous night and on that
account had left the doors all open or
unlocked. Upon asking for reasons for
this odd proceeding ne was told of the
neighborhood superstition.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-05-06
Organs Lost by Dssnse,

IL Is suggestive fact not always
sufficiently considered that ,'as soon as
any organ or faculty falls into dsuse
1t deg, her4tes AMI is finally lest alto
g"ther. Through al the ages that
man has had the power of speech this
power has not bova fined in us in any
degree "Hafeyer by heredity 1t is rr-
Easa!etl as definitely proved that If Il
cl6Id Of civilized parvuts we've brought
III iii desert ft,trc and allowed fo
communication whatever With mau ii
would never make amy attempt at
speech.
Up to the last century it was not un-
common to lind persons living in 4
Wild state in the woods and forests of
England, France. Germany and Rus
sja who We're utterly incapable of
speech, though they could make sounds
i'll imitation Of the cries OF Wild ami
mails. Certain parasitic insects have
so completely degenerated that they
possess neither eyes, legs, heads.
stoHachs nor intestines Lei
sure IotF
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-05-06
The Heart of Robert Bruce.

When Robcr1 Bruce, king of Scot
land, lay upon his deathbed i'll the
year 1929 he remembered that he had
registered Il vow to help wrest the
Holy Lana from the heather Turks.
1t Was clear that the time for fulfilling
this VOW had passed. but /; new thought
presented. Why not have his heart re-
moved and sent to Jerusalem for
burial? TO make the story short. this
WAS decided upon. and Sir James Doug
las WIS commissioned to carry it in Il
silver urn ito q place as near as posi-
bic to where the Saviour was cruci-
fed and there bury it. Arriving in
Spain. Sir James With the precious
relic strung to his neck by a chain,
WAS killed in Il battle With the Moors.
Sil. Simeon Locard returned With the
heart to Scotland and deposited il un-
der the altar of Melrose abbey, where
t now is
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-05-06
4 Rack Action Joke.

fhe travelling men of Maine are not
ed for the jokes that they are always
tprn"ing on the public, bat recently
one OF them got into trouble in an 1ll,.
expected WaS. His parents celebrated
their golden wedding. and the drum
mer had long planned to spend the
day With them. But when the day ar
rived he found that he WAS too far
from his old home to get back to it. so
he sent a telegram to his father. He
thought that it was good time to get
off Il Joke on the old man. so he mere
ly sent the message. "Is marriage a
fiulure! lie was somewhat taken
aback Whom he got the reply, Mar
riasc Is not but the results sometimes
Gre"
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-05-06
THE CASPIAN SEA.
One OF the KemurI<nbIe Physical
Features of the Globe.

one ef the tHost remarkable physical
features "t The globe is the deep and
wide detu"S>fou in tie uolluW of which
stands tH" aspirin sea and u"ar to it
tlle sea al zFa5 t. 1he Caspian is nearly
As large a~ '=a a.. aud It's surface is
eighty four lgrt h,tUW the level of the
i'tft-k ~-a Hrs-~ ~5t nj ttal is nearly
a> la-e - iselaad aad is very little
W." tic se.l I,.yoI. Witt.fn r"T"ut geo
~ I'll t.sllts> 5.-e- -Ns>t -sNI I.4n>e ii which
tiit,>t' isaae= NC tra!h WIS sea Its
tica-r hrs beca ge4tl ally raised am, the
walters atiH4 tie aeHreSsiens are all
that Is Ieft Of au ancient Mcditcrra-
noan. y strange feature OF both bodies
oi Wftcr is That although they receive
laree rivers, especially the Caspian,
into which the Nol@;, the Iral river
and scores Of Strcams from the eau
easzllS flow. both have for many years
been getting shalloWer Evaporation.
for they haN" no outlet, exceeds the in
flow, But, for some climatic reason
probably. the sea Of .tr;tl and its neigh
bor, Lake RaIkItaSll, have since 1871
9teti dtfte5t,IflS III deiail. W ilefedS tie
Caspian. like the Dead sea. is very
salt, OWING q tie rate Of evaporation.
.Nral and H-sikhaSh are hracksl only
These remnants of What WIS once Il
great Sea= efeHin@ into the ocean. ttss
the Mediterranean does now. still con.
tain marine fish and seals. Some of
the latter survive III the Aral and Kai
k;fl lakes having gradually become
fitted for theil. habitat, though it is no
longer salt,=l1Ht merely =braekiSll, aud.
in the case of Raillll. actually fresh
water.-IoHdon Ieiearapl1
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-05-06
Fugitive Poems.

Poets Little Roy-Why do you ral'
them "FugitiVe Poems" papa: Poet
Because when ! begin to read them my
listeners generally flee, Chicago Rec
ord Il erAld
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-05-06

It Is miserable state of mind to
have few things to desire and many
things to fer and vet that commonly
Is the case of kings-Bacon
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-05-06


~
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02

prisoner. Mrs. Cordelia BOtkin. Judge
Cook ordered the jury into the custody
OF the sheriff. IL " alleged that be-
side four jurors who are said to have
been influenced, an attempt was made
to bride a fifth one. When the de-
nouement came I'm court. Mrs. Botkln's
attorney made passionate speech dis
claiming that Mrs. Botkin or any one
connected with her case was impll-
Gated. He also said that he would not
continue with the present jury. The
states attorney concurred in a motion
to discharge the jury. A brief lnyestl-
CATION was held by Judge Cook after
the jury left the room.
Chief OF Police Whitman testified that
one OF the jurors had followed him to
his Office after the noon adjournment
Tuesday, and said that on the previous
evening a stranger had called on him
and said:
We have secured four jurors for the
defense, and want a fifth. We will
give you $50"
The Juror told the chief that he had
turned down the offer. asserting that
Il am no such dirty man. | would not
take $50 or $4,000"
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02
CECIL RHODES SCHOLARSHIP
Contest VIII be Held at University OF
Virginia April 18th and 18th.

DIR. ] Nj. Page, Of the University I'll
Virginia, chairman OF the Committee IN
Virginia appointed To examine candi-
dates for the Cecil Rhodes scholarships
assigned this State, announces that the
dates for h rlding the qusliJ iogexamina
ton will be AOrIl 18Th and li,h at The
University of Virginia.
Each applicant mast be unmarried;
must prove his citizenthip; must be 70
tween nineteen and twenty i've years oi
aye: must have had at least two year,
of college training, and must pass the
"responsion" examinations oil Oxi 1rd,
which embrace the subj cts oI mathe
MATES. English. Latin and Greek
The committee Tor Nirginia-Dr. j. NJ
Page. Professor : C. Mitchell, OF Rich
mond College, and Professor +. v \
/ Painter, OF Roanoke COllege-will make
the selection from those men who have
passed most creditsbly the "responsion
/ taking in consideratin the other require
ments, as prescribed under the terms ol
the Rhodes will The candidate chosen
from Virginia will NO TO oxford next
YEAR lie will receive n scholarship ol
81. 800 year, and will have at least
$500 left over above all expenses. which
An be- used for tour OF the continent.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02
VIRGINIA NEWS

Mr.. Alfred Walters. near Madison Mills
was paralyzed Wednesday, the second
stroke in the past few years.
Mrs. Charlotte Gray, widow oi George
d. Gray, died at CulPeper "Wednesday, II
the seventy second year Of her age.
Sunday the barn of I. Nj. Triplett. al
Markham. Fauquier county, was burned
The harness and feed were destroyed
horses saved Insurance covered about
half of the loss.
Louis W. Fry and Miss Lucy h. vii
liams. both OF LOyettsville. LOudouu
county. were married in that town We'd
desday by Rev. Asa Richards, At the
brides home. Mr. aud Mrs Fry will re
side in Loyettsyille.
There was a fine sale OF tobacco al
Shelburne's warehouse. Richmond. Thurs
DAY About 40, 900 pounds were sold
The highest price was $50, which wa
brought on lot Of 600 pounds belong
/ ing to w. X. Cooke, oil Louisa.
Lewelyn L Pemberton, formerly o
King and Queen, now of Richmond. and
Miss Annie Mercer Daniel. of Middlesex
were married Wednesday night by th,
Rev. Joel T. Tucker, at the home OF tbs
latter. After the ceremony reception
was given at the home OF the groom.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02
AGREE TO OYSTER LhWs.
Virqinia and Maryland Legislators
Draft Joint Measure for Protection
of Bivalves.

The Virginia legislative oyster com
mIs.ion. which has been on n trip TO bal
timore and Annapolis relative To The
oyster question aud uniformity OF laws
pertaining thereto, held a conference
with the Maryland commission at An
napolis Tuesday and Wednesday. and
agreed upon bills which, when coneurred
in by the legislatures Of the two states
will put an end TO the yeIed question
The essential points are;
|. Making the season Tor taking 0yS
tersIrom the waters in Chesapeake BAY
begin October and end March ! ..
,. The authorities Of either State tC
pursue violators of the law into The
waters of the other State, capture an'
bring them To trial
3. Fixing the sizs OF oysters at tive
and a half inches hinge to mouth 10
stead of three inches.
4. Making compulsory the seizure an'
confiscation of vessels engaged In yi0lat
ing the oyster laws.
It is understood from the members
the commission who made the trip tina
the Mary land legislature will undertake
TO pass the bill az outlined above durini
the Gay. The session ends Monday
night
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02
U. s. CONSUL WON THE DAY
American Flag Floats at Newchwang
After Strong Protest.


Newchwang. March 81. - Under a
strong representation made by United
States Consul Henry b. Miller that the
civil administrator had invaded neu-
trail rights when he ordered the lower
ing Of the American flag from buildings
belonging 10 American citizens, even
though II was done through the APP
prehension that the flag was Illegally
used by Chinese for the purpose OF re-
sistlng police inspection. the civil ad-
ministrator has promised to duly and
in proper form through the military to
raise the flag over the buildings from
which II was removed. The British flag.
which was ordered taken down. will
also be allowed to remain.
The United States gunboat Helena
has received orders to proceed to
Shanghai. She will take away all
Americans who desire to leave New
chwang.
Five merchant ships, which arrived
on Sunday last. but were not admitted
into the harbor until today. report
that they saw a Russian feet of nine
warships cruising off Port Arthur at a
distance OF ~ miles out to sea. The
protected cruiser Askold was farther
out acting as scout. while the forts
ashore were making experimental shots
under direction of the ships. A fleet
of torpedo boats was also seen close
in shore.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02
CONGRESS AND THE POSTOFFlCE
REPORT.

The clamor In the House of Repre-
s,ntatiyes aroused by the Bristow
repor. seems to have somewhat sub
sided, and while the investigation he
fore the special committee has
thrown some light upon the source
OF the Objectionable report, yet the
persons charged with it's origin have
40 far. with such remarkable astute-
ness, diselaimed any knowledge oil It's
origin that the real author OF the
document has not yet been produced.
Mr.. Bristow, who was the first object
OF attack on the part OF the House,
declared that he had nothing to do
with the preparation OF the report,
and while it was quite clear that the
President personally had no hand in
iss production, open hostility and
covert attack upon him even on the
Republican side are not lacking. AS
the investigation progresses it is be-
coming evident that Chairman Over
street, OF the Postoffice Committee,
Is likely to be held primarily respon-
sible for the offensive document, not
as it's author, but for the tactless
manner In which he has managed the
affair, principally on account OF the
form in which the report was made
public.
There was unquestionably good
ground for righteous Indignation on
the part OF the 191 members of Con-
gress accused in that report and
placed in a false light before the
country. In all cases except those
the Congressman involved are charg-
ed with recommending increase OF
rental for postotfice buildings or in
crease OF salary OF postofice clerks.
10 most cases the salaries OF these
clerks ranged from $50 year up to
5000 or $500, and in no case Is it
even intimated that anything ac-
crued to the Congressman making the
recommendation. 1t was for the
Postoftice Department. at Washing
ton to say whether or not the request
should be complied with. Where
there is anything reprehensible or
wrong In this, we fail to see. On the
contrary it is the duty OF a Congress
man TO look after the interests OF his
constituents, and il any OF them in
the employ OF the government is re-
ceiving compensation inadequate for
the service rendered, it is plainly the
duty OF the representative to recon-
mend and urge that proper increase
be made.
The other three cases are reported
to be leases of property owned by
congressman for postoffices, and the
rental charged isin no case excessive.
We regard the whole affair as un-
fortunate and unnecessary, the veri-
table creation OF a mountain out OF
mole hill.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02
Extend Library Work.

The State Library BOARD in session at
Richmond has provided for the eireula-
ton OF books from the State Library,
the same to be issued to responsible per
sons throughout the State on the recon-
mendation OF the county and city super
intendents Of echools Librarian Ken
nedy was authorized to publish library
Ieaiet. An appropriation was made for
the purchase OF books for the blind, and
the librarian was aut. 'ized to inaugu-
rate a series OF readings for the blind.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02

The report that gained circulation
a few days ago, that Senator Cor
man had declared for Judge Parker
as the Democratic nominee, turns
out to be untrue. Senator Bacon ex-
plains that he was speaking OF the
contest in Georgia, where Mr.. Hearst
was making a strong fight, and it
was in reference to this contest that
Mr.. German stated that the Geor.
gians should go for Judge Parker.
This comes very near being "bsby
politics." and if the Democrats who
arc opposed TO Mr.. Hearst continue
to do as they have been doing and
are now doing, Mr., Hearst will COB
BILE up the delegates and go to st.
Louis strong enough to control the
convention. 1t will take work to
counterfeit the Hearst movement.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02
"Fewer Gallons, Wears Longer.

The secret is out and Fredericks-
burg can go on living just as IL the
riddle had never been asked.
Mott can't, either. Fredericksburg
is not going to be what IL was before.
Its houses are going to be brighter,
its people little more prosperous
they are going to have some OF their
money left to buy other things. with
The answer to the riddle is this;
you can paint building with fewer
gallons OF Devoe Lead and Zinc paint
than with mixed paints, and 1t will
wear several times as long az bnild.
ing painted with lead and oil mixed
by hand. :,
There's proof abundant of it all
over the United States. There will
soon be proof abundant OF itin Fred
ericksburg.
What will people do with the rest
OF their money!
j. Willard Adams sells this paint.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02

In advance OF any authoritative
declaration ofprinciples by the Dem
ocratic party for the next Presiden'
tial campaign, Mr.. Clark, OF Missou'
ri, has sent forth the slogan he
thinks the party should take up If it
would win next fall. He commenced
his speech in the House Monday by
declaring: eve go forth to battle
with tariff reduction and genuine
reciprocity inscribed upon our ban
ner."
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02
THE NEW ROAD LAWS.

The Edmondson road bill, which
was approved on the 18th OF March,
1904, vests in the board OF superyis-
ors OF each county the jurisdiction
formerly vested in the county courts
so far as the opening OF new roads ls
concerned, altering the location OF
roads and erecting bridges, and the
methods of procedure before the
board are practically the same as
those formerly required before the
courts, with the right of appeal from
the decision OF the board to the cir
cult courts. The law operates as Il
repeal of chapter 43 OF the Code OF
1881, in reference to opening and
altering roads, building bridges, Ne.
Section | of the act provides that
the board OF supervisors OF each
county shall levy a road tax upon
all real and personal property as
sessed for taxation in their county OF
not more than 40 cents on every
500 value OF such property, to he
used for making and repairing
bridges, altering and opening roads
and purchasing road machinery,
tools, teams, &c.
In addition the boards are directed
to levy another tax OF not more than
30 cents on the 500 worth OF such
property, to be used in working and
keeping in repair the roads OF their
county, the amount of tax collected
in each magisterial district to be eN'
pended in the district in which 1t Is
collected.
Section Ii OF the act provides Tor
the appointment by the board oil
supervisors for each county OF "a com
missioner or superintendent OF roads
for their county, who shall have
charge OF the roads in his county
and who is required to give bond Tor
the faithful performance OF his duties
He is made criminaIly responsible Tor
neglect of duty and is subject to re-
moval by board for cause. The
boards are to divide their counties
into road districts under charge OF
deputy commissioners where eountl' :
are too large or road mileage too
great for the superintendent to per
sonally supervise the whole road.
Provision is also made Tor work
ing roads by convict labor, and Tor
procuring material for mending them
wherever it is most convenient, com
pensation being allowed the land
owner affected, as may be agreed
upon. or assessed by three freehold
ers summoned upon warrant oil n
magistrate.
Section 36 and several sections fol
lowing make provision for the issu'
ance OF bonds by any county for the
purpose OF macadamizing or other
wise permanently improving the
roads OF the county.
The provisions of this act do not
apply where they are inconsistent
with the provisions OF any special
act In effect in any county, but where
they are not Inconsistent with any
such act they are in force through
out the State.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02

In the New York primaries Senator
Hill seems to have carried the day,
and downed both Hearst and Tam
many, and is now ION top" in New
York politics. In consequence oil
this result, it is said the Empire
State will be solid for Judge Parker
at st. Louis, which will play On i'm
portant part in the Parker boom
throughout thecountry, pending the
appointment Of delegates TO the Ma
tionsl Democratic Convention. 1t il
claimed that as the Parker stock
goes up the Hearst stock will decline
a thing which will be hailed with
pleasure, for it is admitted by many
that the success his boom has already
met with has not added strength OIL
dignity to the Democracy of The
cJuntry.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02

1t is stated that an effort is on
foot among the cotton spinners OF
England, France and Belgium to or
game to prevent speculation in the
raw material in this country by re-
s.ricting the output OF goods. II
this effort should be successful it
would do the speculator but little
harm. 1t Is the man who raises the
cotton who would suffer most.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02

Senator Burton, OF Kansas, has
been found guilty Of receiving illegal
fees, and it is said he will likely go to
the penitentiary. There are already
several candidates In the field for his
place, which shows that such high
position will not be allowed to go
hanging.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02

The commission OF the Virginia
Legislature to confer with a similar
commission from the Maryland Leg
islature regarding a uniformity OF
oyster laws between the two States
in the Potomac river, visited An
napolis Monday. The members were
welcomed by Senator Applegarth, to
which Senator Sale, OF Norfolk, hap
PLY responded. 1t is believed the
parties will come to an agreement
that will be beneficial to the oyster.
men and to the public generally.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02
To El.e. University Presidency

The board Of visitors Of the University
of Virginia will at the meeting on Apri
9th positively elect the president OF the
University, the first In the history Of thu
University. The only names prominently
mentioned in connection with the posi-
ton are those OF Dr. Edwin A. Alder
man. president OF Tulane University New
Orleans, and DIR. j. NJ. Page, Of thu
faculty OF the universIty d virginia.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02

The Russian soldiers engaged ID
the Eastern war will wear the gray
Uniform. 1t should be remembered
that it is not the uniform 50 much
that does the work, il is the soldier
in the uniform. The Confederate
soldier made the gray uniform hon.
orable and respected in all countries,
and although those who wore the
gray in the Southland are passing
away, their memories will be treas
ured for generations to come
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02
Rao. Question Reversed.

Richmond, Va, March S1.-Fourteer
negro wagon drivers Of the Richmond
Baggage Transfer company notified the
company that they would not work
with a white man who had been EN-.
ployed as a driver. The company dis.
charged the whole negro force and sub
stituted white drivers.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02

Spring has sufficiently advanced
for the fruit grower to report upon
the condition of the peach crop.
Those OF Georgia, Alabama and
parts OF Tennessee report the peach
all right, but they may be permitted
it two weeks from now to change
their minds.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02

1t is rather sad that the first re-
port OF the Russian general, Kuro-
patkin, after reaching the scene OF
war at Port Arthur, should have been
a Russian defeat. But SO It Is. The
Russian cavalry attacked the Jap
anese cavalry and we're repulsed with
considerable loss. The Russian COM
mander reports that the Japs fought
gallantly.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-02

The bubonic plague is again rag
ing In India and thousands succumb
TO the disease. The last report
shows the death rate to be upward,o OF
forty thousand in one week. The
excitement is intense among the in
habitants.