davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
NEv EST COLLECTION FAD

The craze for collecting the bands
placed around cigars was imported
from San Francisco, where the fad
reigned for years before it was taken
east.
1t is to be hoped that the small boy
does not turn to England for his new
est fad, which is the collection of
enamel letters used on shop windows
and bits of mosaic from house vesti-
bules.
So widespread has become the craze
that the London police have been given
strict orders to be particularly alert in
the detection of these acts of pilfering;
and the small boy, not to be outdone,
has formed his companions into robber
gangs, with scouts posted on the cor
ners to warn the active marauders of
the approach of the hobbies
In several instances shop windows
have been cleaned of lettering in
single night, not always by a single
gang, and now that boy who has sue
ceeded in removing the letters from a
sign fastened inside of the window is
regarded doubly hero by his fellows.
Damage to signs to the extent of sew
eral hundred dollars week has been
recorded, and unless the craze abates it
will seriously injure those whose busi-
ness is the manufacture and adjusting
OF these signs.
In several instances the boys have
climbed to second-story windows to re-
move the lettering that ordinarily
might be supposed to be safely out of
reach.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
HAVE YOU THE TELEPHONE EAR?

1t is discovered that the telephone is
resposible for a peculiar development
of the sense of hearing. Most users of
the instrument place the receiver to the
left ear, and although the extra receiver
for the other ear is to be found in
thousands of offices, it is the left ear
which perceives the sound, and the re-
ceiver at the other ear serves mainly
TO keep away exterior sounds. 1t will
be found that an extensive use of the
telephone sharpens the left ear at the
expense of the right, or vice versa if
you generally make use of the right
ear. In the majority of cases the diff
ference between the two organs of
hearing is not very great, but in some
persons it is alarmingly so. The sensi-
tive nerves are so irritated by the
sound coming so directly on them and
i'll a tone which is strange that it sets
up reaction which, although un-
noticed at the time in all probability,
has a cumulative effect and upsetsd
them.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
ANCIENT INSURANCE

Marine insurance dates back to the
time of the Caesars. Claudius Caesar
having been the first to insure vessels.
During a famine he issued a proc
lamation that all vessels engaging in
the carriage of food stuffs meeting
with an accident would be replaced by
the state and by so doing largely in
creased the fleet of merchant vessels
The Jews had some system of in
surance from early times, as did the
Greeks, while the Romans must have
introduced the idea into Britain. since
in 1901 an English statute says: 1T
hath been TYNE out of mynd an usage
amongst merchants both of this realm
and forrain nacyones, when they make
any good adventure to give some con-
sideration of money to other persons
to have assurance made of all their
goodies"
Fire insurance was the outcome of
the marine assurance, and life insur-
ance did not follow until some time
later. Now it is possible to have
almost any sort of insurance. the latest
being the formation of a company TO
guarantee that the cost of construc-
ton on a building shall not exceed the
estimates made by the architect.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
czAR's PRIVATE NEWSPAPER

While the Russian citizen is forced
to be content with his foreign papers
blacked out by the censor, the czar,
until the commencement Of the Jap
anese war, was supplied with news of
the outside world only through the
him by a special department of the
foreign office.
This contained clippings and ,trans-
lations from all of the European papers
and was printed upon fine paper from
special type. All items which might
be supposed to be disquieting to the
czar were eliminated by the editors,
and the freshly printed sheet contained
news designed to please the one SUBJ
scriber.
Since the commencement of the war
the czar has insisted upon also being
supplied with "unblacked' copies OF
certain English papers, and these have
been sent with no good grace by the
sorted to odd devices to keep certain
publications from their imperial
master.
This was notably the case with rev.
olutionary sheet published in London,
and which was rabid in it's structures
of the court officials. The paper and
type were so cleverly counterfeited
that it was some months before the
scheme was detected.
The BACKED out matter is saved for
record, and in huge scrap books may
be found all prohibited articles. A
glance at these books is courtesy ex-
tended by the censor to his friends.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
AUTOMATIC FLoeelNe

The spanking machine has been used
in farce comedy as mirth provoker
but the flogging machine now adopted
in the Russian army is a more compli-
Gated and serious affair.
The whipping has always been done
by other soldiers under the command
of an officer and the punishment has
varied according to the feeling of the
soldier toward his victim.
The new machine is automatic in its
action and as soon as the culprit is
fastened in position spring is tight
ened or loosened to gauge the exact
force Of the blow. A pointer is moved
ever a dial to the requisite number Of
strokes and the mechanism is started.
With perfect regularity the victims
back is scourged by the thongs, the
handle of >the whip being moved by Il
screw device after each stroke so that
the lash does not fall upon the same
spot throughout the punishment.
Each blow is of uniform severity and
as soon as the required number have
been given the machine comes to rest
and the offender is released with the
assurance that the exact punishment
ordered has been meted out to him.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
BETTER THAN BEER

While there is now on foot an agita-
ton in favor of christening the battle
ship st. Louis with beer instead Of
champagne, and while the temperance
societies protest that pure water alone
should be employed, the Japanese
have long solved the problem by maxi
ing an Offering of birds as the ship Is
launched, and leaving the wine for its
better service at the subsequent BAN
quet.
When a japanese ship is about to be
launched there is suspended from the
bow a huge cage, into which are
crowded a score or more of birds. just
as the prov cuts the water the side of
the cage Is thrown open and the ves-
sci enters her native element with her
PROV crowned by a living garland of
birds, whose free fight through space
is emblematical of the spirit of the
ship.
Another and equally pretty sentiment
is this: AS the spirits of the air well
ccme the return to freedom of the
denizens of the air. so shall the waters
receive with equal joy the ship into its
proper element.
Apart from this the ceremony Of
christening is accomplished in much
the same fashion as in this country,
the name being given the boat as she
slides from the ways and at the exact
moment when the birds are liberated.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
OCEAN TRAVEL SAFEST

Peril of ocean travel is becoming OBJ
solete with the passengers on the lin
ers, for of the accidents recorded less
than 1 per cent occur on board ship,
Indeed. it would appear that the most
dangerous thing to do is to remain at
home, for 81 per cent of the accidents
happen to persons in their own homes.
Only "a per cent of accidents happen
upon the street, though this should be
increased IS per cent by accidents to
those who ride or drive. The man who
does not know that it is loaded and
the man who does are together respon-
sible for but per cent of the casual
ties, and the same proportion of acci-
dents is attributed to the bites of vic
ious animals.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
PLATINUM is ANCIENT

Perhaps some Psychologist will short
ly discover that radium was known to
the ancients, for most of the recent
discoveries appear to be but duplica-
tions of earlier results. 1t has been
generally supposed that platinum was
first found in the early half of the
sixteenth century, when gold ore from
the Spanish mines in Darian was
found to sometimes include particles
Of white metal possessing properties
of what the alchemist termed the
noble" metals, but which could not
be identified. The export of this new
metal was prohibited, and it was not
until 1850 that it became generally
known and was made the subject of
investigation.
Two or three years ago Nj. Berthelot,
French savant, while in Egypt, was
ascribed to an Egyptian queen of the
seventh century before the Christian
era. Among articles of use and adorn-
ment he found plate of what he at
first took to be silver but which, upon
closer investigation, he discovered to
be platinum, probably from the allu-
vial deposits washed down from the
Upper Nile in time of flood. Since then
other discoveries led to the knowledge
that the metal was known to the Egyp-
properties.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
COSTLY DREssMAKING

Items of dress are serious matters
sive as that of the sultan of Turkey,
but even that Oriental might well be
staggered at the cost of the wedding
dress recently worn by his daughter at
her marriage to Abdurrahman Pasha.
The garment was embroidered with
pearls and during their work the dress
makers were guarded by an officer and
two soldiers; not alone to prevent the
attack of thieves, but to insure the hon
esty of the workers themselves.
The dress when completed was valued
at $4,000, and was a costly one even
for a country where barbaric splendor
is sought after.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
NATURE HELPS INVENTORS

Walking ON the outskirts of a city
one autumn evening, a young man be-
came interested in watching the seeds
falling from a sycamore tree. He OBJ
served that they acquired a rotary mo-
tion before reaching the ground, and
inquiring into the cause. he found that
the two wings were slightly turned in
opposite directions, which caused them
to revolve in falling. The idea of maxi
ing a screw propeller on this principle
at once occurred to him.
Galvani. a natural philosopher Of
Italy, was dissecting a dead frog one
day while a pupil was making expert
ments in electricity by his side. He
observed that the muscles of the frog,
being exposed, gave signs of motion
whenever the nerves came in contact
with the scapel. Galvani discovered the
existence of a new principle in this
phenomenon, and originated the fertile
branch of physics known by the name
Of galvanism.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
RAILWAY STATISTICS

A railway expert has been comparing
the figures for American and English
railroads for the past year and makes
many curious deductions.
England is so honeycombed by rail-
ways that in spite of her relatively
small territory there are one-tenth as
many miles of track in England as in
America. While upon these tracks
there were hauled trains a distance of
400, ZOO miles, in America trains
travelled 9oo,OOO,OOO miles
But while the distance Travelled by
the trains in America is more than
double that of the English trains, the
English roads carried twice as many
passengers and yet killed or injured
but one person for every ten accidents
or deaths on American roads.
These figures are surprising at first
glance, but it must be remembered that
the English roads are forced to make
up for their short mileage by frequent
trips and all of the roads are constantly
seeking to attract traffic through cheap
excursions to or out of London.
The short runs and the thickly
settled condition make it possible to
give greater care to avoidance of acci-
dents through track walkers and signal
systems, and for the purpose of fair
comparison in the matter of accidents
it would be necessary to take the fig
ures only for the suburban traffic near
the large American cities in order to
arrive at an honest standard.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
THE ExrRAvAeANT SULTAN

Turkey is one of the poorest coun-
tries in Europe, yet it's ruler is one of
the richest. His income stands third
among ruling potentates. While his
navy rusts into ruins he is having built
yacht which is a miracle of beauty
and art. All the principal rooms are
panelled in the richest woods. The
dining saloon is mahogany and ann
boyna; in the sultan's cabin satin
wood holds the principal place, and the
imperial study is all cedarwood. The
imperial suite has been FURNISHED by
one of the greatest London firms in
eighteenth century Renaissance style
and every appointment is as perfect as
money and taste can render it.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21

The location, climate and soil of Ok
lahoma are the three things which
make it the most profitable place in
the United States for raising potatoes
These three considerations offer an
ideal condition. which is inducing ex-
perienced potato growers from the
famous Kaw valley, in Kansas, to go
to Oklahoma to engage in raising po-
tatoes. They have found that Okla
homa potatoes are all marketed before
the Kaw valley potatoes are ready for
digging, and that on account of reach
ing the market early the Oklahoma
grown potatoes command better
price than do those of the Kaw
valley
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21

In the seventeenth century English
men thought it injurious to sleep in
rooms facing the sun, so most of the
rooms faced north and east, opening off
a passage or else out of each other
At the head of the stairs slept the
master and his wife, and all the rooms
tenanted by the rest of the household
were accessible only through that. The
daughters of the house and maid SER
wants lay in rooms on one side say the
right, with the maids in those most
distant; those of the men lay on the
left, the sons of the house nearest the
chamber of the masteHand the serving
men farthest away
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21

THAT Russia has an enormous
amount of gold in her treasury
reserve is evidenced by the pic
ture reproduced herewith showing an
interior view of the Bank of Russia at
st. Petersburg.
Sixty millions is represented in the
contents of vaults, sacks and cup
boards This wealth of the czar's en-
pire is trebly guarded. The great iron
doors of the entrance to the treasure
room have three locks, the keys of
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
A zIezAe ROAD

F all the crooked and winding
| roads in the world, the zigzag
motor road in France has the
greatest number Of bends to it's credit
In the short distance in which It as
cends the mountain near Nice this
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21

In a gymnasium fitted up for the
kaiser's son on board a steamship in
Hamburg, the London Graphic says, is
an electric horse which is understood
to be particularly energetic in it's
movements.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21

If one belongs to the German army
he cannot wear a monocle. The sin
gle eyeglass has been forbidden TO
officers and men as foppish and savor-
ing too strongly ,of Anglomania.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21

A Vienna court has condemned two
men to pay a monthly allowance to the
widow of a man whom they told, as
Joke" that his wife was not true to
him, and who committed suicide in
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21

India is the leading producer of mica,
and supplies about one-half the worlds
requirements.-Lond Engineer.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21

James McCardle of Jamaica Plain,
Mass, 100 years old, has since 1852 been
drawing pension as British soldier
at sixpence day.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21

Australia's exports of wool to the
United States have doubled within a
year.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-01-27
BRYAN AT WHITE HOUSE.
Tells President He Approves Latter's
Position on Railway Rate
Question.

Washington, Jan. 23-In company
with James K. Jones, his old campaign
manager, William Jennings Bryan
called at the white house Saturday and
told President Roosevelt he thoroughly
approved of his stand on the railway
rate question and also praised Commits
sloner Garfield's plan to issue govern
ment licenses to- corporations doing in
terstate business. Mr. Jones added his
approval by stating to the president that
in pursuing his present policy on these
questions he was not radical, but a
conservative. Mr.. Bryan said the presi-
dent did not appear adverse to receiv-
ing democratic support on these ques-
TONS
The call of Mr. Bryan at the white house
was especially notable because it was
the first time a former democratic pres
idential candidate ever, expressed sper-
sonal approval of the policy of repub-
lican president. The support given the
president in the last election by the
Bryan men made the visit noteworthy
also.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-01-27
SHORT SPECIALS.

GAINESVILLE, Ind, has decided to dis
annex the negro section of the town.
Gov. La Follette's election to the
United States senate. from Wisconsin
is assured.
James H. Eckels declared that Chi
cago is rapidly becoming the financial
center of the country.
Maj. Jacob r. Wright, prominent in
the coal strike settlement, died from
a pistol wound in New York city.
John Johnson, the negro slayer Of
Policeman Fitzgerald. of Chicago, paid
the death penalty for his crime on the
gallows.
Herr Moeller, Prussian minister OF
commerce and Industry, foresees wide
spread industrial distress in Germany
as result of the present coal strike.
John K. Mackenzie, of Chicago, a.
prominent mining engineer, and DR..
Robert c. Coy. Chicago dentist, were
massacred by Yaqui Indians in Mex
leo.
Denver has a day of prayer, IS, 00S
persons from mansiLn, shop and slum
turning out for religious services.
BUSINESS houses, saloons and public
places close.
john Sharp Williams, leader of the
minority in the house, threatens to
resign that position because of lack
OF support in his opposition to a
proposition involving a reduction OF
pay for Gen. Miles,
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-01-27
RUSSIANS REINFORCED.
Troops at Mukden Said to Number
100000 Men-No Big Battle
Likely Soon.

Toxic, Jan. 23.-In well-informed
quarters here it is said that the Russian
army at Mukden was recently rein
forced by four divisions. Its present
strength is estimated at nine army
corps, or 100000 men of all arms. Gen.
Kuropatkin's headquarters are at Fong
mountain in close touch with the (Muk-
DEM Fushun line. The Russians late
ly have heavily strengthened their
wings. At present two and one-half
divisions are facing GeE. Oku, two corps
are before Gen. Nodzu and the greater
strength Of three corps confronts Gen.
Kuroki and guards the coal mines in
the vicinity of the Fushun valley. Be-
tween the opposing armies is network
OF trenches. Kuroki's outposts are
within 500 yards of the Russians en-
trenched along the line of ridges near
Kwantalien mountain. Cannonading
and rifle firing are constantly taking
place, but owing to the intense cold
there seems to be no immediate likeli-
hood of great battle
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-01-27
HAPPENINGS OF
A WEEK IN BRIEF
SUMMARY OF MOST INTEREST
ING EVENTS OF PAST
SEVEN DAYS.
WHAT CONGRESS IS DOING
Progress of the Russo-Japanese War
in the Far East-News from All
Parts of the Union and the Latest
Foreign Intelligence.
CONGRESSIONAL.

The house of representatives on inc
Goth passed the army appropriation Dill
The statehood bill and the fur seal IN
demnity bill again divided the atten'ion
of the senate.
The senate plans to hold night ses-
sions in the Swayne impeachment case
to complete it by March l.
The house on the 18th completed de-
bate on the army appropriation DILL
Consideration of the statehood bill was
continued in the senate and Sena'oi
Stone spoke for two hours in opposltlon
to it.
The house of representatives on the
18th adopted the II articles OF I'M
parchment against Judge Charles
Swayne, of The district court OF the
northern district of Florida. In the
senate Senator Stone delivered
speech in support of his resolution tc
investigate charges against prominen'
men of improperly N connection with
the campaigns of 1896 and 1904.
The senate in executive session con-
firmed the nomination of Vespasiar
Warner, of Illinois, as commissioner o.
pensions.
The house on the 18th listened to {
fiye-hour debate on the Swayne i'm
peachment case. The committee OF
post offices and post roads reported
the post Office appropriation Dill.
carries $3.50, 1893. y
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-01-27
RUsso-JAPANESE WAR.

Japan proposes to dam the entrance
and Pump Port Arthur's harbor dry in
Hyier TO save suDken Russian warships
for the mikados may. 800
Japanese, arc cushing up their heavy
artillery from Port Arthur to employ it
srainst Kuropatkin's army. and a con-
siderable increase in the range of FIRE
has beer noticed thrre lately.
A dispatch from Tientsin states that
Russia has threatened 70 invade ,north
China and Chinese Tlrkestan If China
continues to discriminate against Rus
sian coHtraband in favor of Japan.
Kashgar. q city Oh a1.oG0 Inhabitants
in Tnrkestan, has Eeen occupied by
Russian troops. q
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-01-27
MtscErI eANEous. D,

The car Ii Russia and Instantly ha
narrow escape from death at the Win
- ter palace in ST. Petersburg. AS the re
suit of deep-laid plot or grave acci
dent charge of grape was fired into tn
mansion, missiles striking near to tn,
imperial party, breaking windows ant
wounding an officer The official version
of the affair is that it was accidental
but this is doubted by the public.
st. Petersburg is on the verge of re.
volt; 100000 men are out on a strike;
half the city is in darkness; soldiers have
refused to fire on the rioters; 25,OOt
troops have been called out, and every
newspaper has suspended publication.
The strike of the cotton mill opera
lives at Fall River, Mass, which af-
fected about $4,000 persons and has
been in progress for six months, has
Geen called off, the operatives agree
ing to accept reduction. 1t is esti-
mated that the cost of the strike to all
interests will reach $5,0O0,0OO.
After fearful sufferings, during
which one man was frozen to death
and another became insane, the sur
ViVing members of a party that tried
TO open up the Bigg Lumber COM
pany's snow blockaded railroad from
Lumberton to Elvado, in Colorado,
have been rescued.
Reed Smoot, United States senator
from Utah, appeared before the senate
committee as witness in his own de-
Tense and denied that Mormon church
influence conflicts with his federal du-
ties. He also declared that he is opposed
to polygamy.
John Kenneth Mackenzie, one of the
foremost mining engineers in the coun-
try, and his companion, DR.. Robert Coy,
both of Chicago, were murdered by va
qui Indians in the mountains of Sonora.
Mexico.
The United Mineworkers' convention
expelled Delegate Randall of Wyoming,
who accused President Mitchell of sell
ing out the Colorado strikers.
Secretary Hay has received Japan's
pledge for the preservation of China.
President Roosevelt plans vigorous
prosecution of rebate charges.
The cold weather of the past few
days has killed all of the fall vegeta-
bles in central Texas and up and down
the Brazos valley.
Andrew Carnegie paid student losses
in the Oberlin (O) college. because of
the bank wrecked by the Chadwick
forgeries.
Aged John r. PlaIc testified in New
York he never wanted to sue Hannah
Elias for hundreds of thousands he
gave her, but that his brother COM
PEELED him to 80 So
-Four more ministers reGSued from
Denmark's cabinet because of a wrangle
of the military.