davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

forefnger. A careful examination OF
the end of that finger convinces me that
it had not only been dipped in blood, but
thereafter drawn over surface while
wet. The difference in the degree OF
the stain at different parts of the finger
indicates that. How far above the floor
is this writing?"
Just about foot and half. 1t is a
tinted wall and the writing is imme-
diately above the footboard.'
WAS the writing horizontal? Did
it run just parallel with the footboard?"
Just about
"If man had directed this writing
from higher point, Thomas, he would
have written back handed. How was
the slope of the letters?"
Natural"
And have yor seen any specimens
of North's handwriting? Does he form
his letters that way?"
Eyes; as nearly as could be expected
under the circumstances"
"Then should say" said the surgeon,
rising, that it is more than probable
that North wrote it.
But with a wound like that" sug-
gested the reporter, death must have
been instantaneous"
"Ah, there you have failed to distin-
guish between speedy death and in
Simultaneous death. What is common
ly called instantaneous death-from a
shot in the heart, for instances by
no means such. A second is an hour to
dying man. On the other hand, the
severing of the spinal column by bull
let would actually cut thought in two
Man goes into the presence of his Maker
under such circumstances without an
instant to prepare himself. But in a
case like North's we must take into con-
sideration the power Of the human will
to prolQng life."
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06
(copyright. by The cassell Publishing Coz

tain signs that need not detail, we
know that death has not been presen,
more than II hours. In from IL to Is
hours, however, the eyeballs become
soft and inelastic and feel faccid The
last sign of the earliest stage of death is
the rigor mortis. This is, perhaps, the
most dependable of the signs we have
to guide us at present. OF course the
rightly of the body may continue be-
You'd week, but the circumstances
which would occasion this would be toe
extraordinary to be unnoticed. Consid.
ering all these things, should repeat
that the length of time which MFR. North
has been dead is tolerably certain"
And from this, when did you deter
mine that Mr.. North had died?"
Perhaps DR.. Jarrett would object to
my giving that information to the
press" said the surgeon, hesitatingly.
Then don't give it to the press. Give
1t to me-
Thomas smiled insinuatingly.
And you-what will you do with it?'
Compare 1t with such other informa.
ton as l already possess, to see if my
suspicious are correct"
you suspect somebody"
Everybody"
Then l understand that this com.
munication is confidential?" he asked.
Decidedly, for the present"
I'm that case, don't mind telling you
that we came to the conclusion that Mr.
North was shot between eight and nine
o'clock last night"
OF course, you know about that
strange writing on the WALTZ"
Yes" was the answer; DIR. Jarrett
said there was no doubt that name was
scrawled there, and that the writing
was in blood"
DO you think Mr.. North could have
written it HIMSELF"
well, that's leading question" an
swered the surgeon, as he leaned back
in his chair. Il did not see the writing"
eNo?" said Thomas. He unrolled the
photographers proof. "Well, there it
is-natural size, just as it looks"
The surgeon scrutinized the scrawl
with great interest.
We'll, this is most extraordinary"
he said. why, you can plainly mark
how many times he was Obliged to dip
his finger by the corresponding heavi-
ness of outline. Observe the S, the a,
the b, and finally the letter following
the u, where his strength seems sud-
denly to have deserted him and the fin
ger dragged downwards. That makes
four times
Eyes, If he wrote it," said Thomas.
But how about that, doctor?"
There is, at least, no conclusive rea-
son why he might not have written it
himself. 1t was certainly done with his
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06
rHE D1R y R RoAp.

The common condition OF the dirt
roads Of all the country, especially Of
all the vast territory Of the prairie
northwest, is this: They have been
graded up at some time and never
touched since. The roadbed may be-
sixteen feet wide, is dished toward
the center, with ridges of earth piled
up on each side Of the wheel tracks, and
there are dips and hollows and every
condition requisite for the formation
Of mudholes just as soon as a rain
falls. The puddled condition Of tho
surface Of this roadbed makes it prac-
tically water tight, and the water
which accumulates upon 1t must re-
main until evaporated. After it dries
up it becomes SO rough that it is in
almost as bad condition as when
wet, and not until prolonged period
Of dry weather has come does this
road ever become in any sense good
road. Now, this can all be remedied
at very small expense and at very
little trouble. II this sort Of road 10
gone over with the King drag, haul
ed by four horses, just when it is in
its muddiest and worst condition, the
slush and mud forced toward the cen
ter Of the roadbed will fill every rut
and sag, the water will be forced out
Of the road and the first important step
to make good road of it will have
been taken. II after 1t has dried of
and while the surface Of the road is
still mellow it is again dragged, this
time with two horses-for it will be
easier work the second time tho
change in the road will be absolutely
astonishing. 1t will be crowned in the
center, will be smooth as floor, the
travel will be distributed, no ruts will
form, and the oval and smooth surface
will offer an almost perfect protection
against any ordinary rain. The often
er the road is SO dragged the more oval
and hard and smooth will It become.
This method Of treating our dirt roads
is so simple, so easily carried out and
withal so very cheap, that the plan
should be put in operation all over the
country without delay: Let every
farmer start it himself. Don't wait
for road boss or to see whether you
can get pay for the work or not Let
every man who owns farm get
public spirited move on himself and
resolve that he will take care in the
manner above indicated of the road
from his front gate to his neighbours
front gate, for one season at least If
he does this the problem of bad roads
is settled
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06
RAT RENTS.


There are sections in Minnesota and
northwestern Iowa Of naturally
marshy prairie lands which are the
home Of the muskrat, which during
wet seasons multiply in enormous
quantities. These rodents select the
swamps to live in, constructing their
haycock winter homes by the thou
sand. The pursuit Of these rats dur
ing the winter season gives employ
ment to many men and boys, the fur
being valuable and worth about IL
cents apiece. The business has be-
come so systemized that rat marsh
is worth to the owner more per acre
in rent than If it were the finest and
most productive corn land, the usual
rental being SIS per acre. Aside from
man the chief enemy of the muskrat is
the mink, which in dry seasons slaugh-
tiers them by the thousand In wet
seasons however, the rat has chance
for his life when pursued by the mink
by taking to the water. The homely
rat skin is SO manipulated by expert
furriers that it later reappears under
other names as costly fur for the use
Of the fashionable society dame.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06
Real Estate Transfers.

Furnished by Lowenberg & Co., 1o7
Court street
Evans Margaret E. and w. to o. l.
Shadford lot 10, blk 2, Janney add
GttumWa.
Huffstutter Mile and P. to J. F.
Ketchum, lots 26-272s, blk. II, Eldon
$4,000.
Cooley Julia A. to Martha G. Ryan
pit. lot 33 and pit. lot 80, Hamilton
Chambers & Co. aed. Ottun1wa, s1.00
Still II. NJ. ct al to Norton & Smith
60. c. d. lot 10, Hamilton, Chambers
(. Co. add $500.
Black A. E. and wife to Florence G
Arnold, pt. ssss 4. blk. 3, Eddyville
Sss2h
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

The entire roof of large addition
being made to western insane hos
pital collapsed lately, resembling the
people whom it was intended to shell
ter-being weak in the upper story.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06
LIGHTNING RODS.

We are asked by several Of the read
ers of these notes to say something
about the real value of lightning rods
as a protective agency for buildings.
Electricity, while very erratic and
subtle force in nature, is year by year
becoming better understood, SO much
SO that at the present time very re-
liable code of laws has been formu-
lated for *its management and use.
One fact is that when generated and
seeking liberation 1t will always seek
the path OF. least resistance; thus It
follows logically that II safe and
suitable conductor for a current Of
high voltage such as is common to all
our summer storms is provided the
operation of the natural law will cause
such current to seek such a conductor
without harm to the building upon
which it Is placed. Now in the selec-
ton Of such conductor there ara
some things which must be observed
carefully. There must be a perfect
damp earth connection; second, the
capacity of such conductor will Deepen
upon the material Of which it is con-
sructed, copper being the best MIA
terial, and the superficial area afford
ed by it, the conducting power to, the
rod being mostly confined to its sur
face, suggesting that rod composed
Of large number Of fine wires would
prove far better conductor than one
Of solid construction. Where build
ing is equipped with such a rod hav-
ing perfect earth connections we
should say that it was a reasonably
reliable and desirable protection from
lightning.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06
CHAPTER VII.


THE INSPECTOR DISCOVERS NEW
EVIDENCE.
The Friday when the body of Paul
North was discovered, and the day fol-
lowing, were two exceedingly busy days
for the police department, under the
active superintendent and guidance
of Inspector Applebee.
Again and again he had examined
every nook and corner, turning his
bull 's-eye upon the recesses of every
trunk and box, sounding every cask and
receptacle, making sure that nowhere
within the four walls of Paul North's
home was hidden the weapon which had
caused Paul North's death.
1t was with rather puzzled counte-
nance and mind unsettled and i'll at
ease that about noon on Saturday he
sought a conference with his chief at
headquarters; for even Inspector APP
plebee had his superior officer.
We'll, Applebee!" said the chief in
spector, as the door was closed, and the
two men found themselves alone in the
little Office; are you prepared to make
any arrests? What's on your mind?
Have you found out anything?"
Found out anything? I've found out
too much. There's just the trouble.
When l woke up this morning my mind
was settled. Four hours work and it's
all at sea again. Fully prepared to make
an arrest to-day, I've now reached a
point where l don't know whom to sus-
pect. or what to think"
We'll, take this morning for a start
ing point. When we separated last
night, you were sure the partner was
our man"
81 Eas. In the first place, North
seemed to have written his name on the
we'll in his own blood. Now, it strikes
me that an accusation made at the mo-
ment of death is very solemn one. A
man isn't likely at such time to in
dulge in feelings of petty spite or prac-
teal Joking, is he, now?"
Il should say not, decidedly But
why were you so sure that he wrote it?"
Because the doctors say he could
have done it, and that there are few cir
cumstances Of death like that under
which such thing could happen And
it strikes me that to assume somebody
else did it in face of such report, is
taking too much advantage of what
must be in that case remarkable coin
cidence."
Condolences happen" said the chief,
shortly.
so they do. But in nine hundred and
ninety-nine chances out Of thousand,
If a murderer endeavored to throw us
off by such ruse, the medical examiner
would discover the trick at a glance,
and denounce the writing as fraud"
Continued in Next Issue).
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

Best beef has gone up to Z cents on
foot again, and now it will be the con-
sumer and not the producer who will
do the most kicking at the beef trust.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06
Tile Draining.

There is an immense satisfaction in
tile draining that old slough which has
for years been such an eyesore and null
sance on the farm. There is the pleas
ure in the improved looks of the field
and still more in noting the growing of
the splendid crops which it is sure to
produce when so drained Many a
farm all over the country can have $500
added to Its value by an investment Of
500 in thing well done.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

Cheap fuel, whether it be gas. oil or
coal or available water power for the
generation Of cheap electrical power,
has much to do with determining the
density Of population of country and
its degree Of civilization.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06
lc is our firm belief that no man is
altogether bad who likes to 80 a-fish-

Poultry ratsers will do well to re-
member that capon will sell for just
about as much as turkey and not
cost one-half as much to raise. Then,
they will stay at home and not bother
the neighbors, Us the turkeys will.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

The planting season for all Of the
north section Of the country Is very
brief, often not to exceed three or four
weeks. There are but few crops which
do we'll planted after May Is. only
beans, millet, sorghum, buckwheat and
what may be termed catch crops. II
poor seed is planted there is almost
always a loss resulting, as there is
not sufficient time for late planted
crops to mature.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

ton Stackkouse What would you say
II told you that the said gentleman's
elsewhere has one weak spot in it, in
volving the lpl else period of time that
you have mentioned"
X should say nothing. but remain in
hourly expectation Of Thornton Stack
houses arrest.'s
Very well. See that you do say moth
ing, for the, secfet is yours and mine at
present. And So you have already con-
victed the poor jfellow?"
John Lamm took one Of the cigars
which stood upright in the upper pocket
OF his vest, and drew match against
the under side Of his chair, which was
tipped back against the wall.
Il must confess" Thomas replied,
that it looks to me something that
way"
oh, indeed, yes. The evidence is
strong-even stronger, probably, than
You know-against him. But then
In lieu Of continuing, Lamm lighted
his cigar.
Thomas, what is your definition Of
a good theory of mystery?" he sud
denly inquired, as he threw the match
from him.
81 don't know that ever thought OF
defining it,
We'll, I'll tell you what mine is. A
good theory is one which thoroughly
explains all the facts in the case"
Short and comprehensive" said
Thomas.
Il subscribe to it, That's my idea.
Now, is there any fact in the case, so
far known, inconsistent with Thornton
Stackhouse being the MANI"
None at ALL
"Ah! And yet can see plainly enough
that you don't subscribe to my opinion.
is there any fact which the supposition
of his guilt leaves unexplained?"
There is one fact which the suppo-
sition of his guilt does not explain
We'll, now we are coming to the
point. What is it?"
1T doesn't explain to my mind why a
certain individual of my acquaintance
should be SO anxious to convict him"
Name the man"
1t would be breach of professional
etiquette. But as you and are old
friends, Thomas, and never betray each
others condolences, don't mind saying
to you that, if you can get hold o. any
facts tending to explain Mr.. Richard
Fetridse's strong interest in this case,
| shall be exceedingly obliged if you
will bring them to me-"
"Jupiter!". exclaimed Thomas, open
ing his eyes; there is more in this case,
then, than thought"
And when he left the room after
half-hour's further conversation, it was
with the conviction that, unless some
unexpected thing happened to deter
mine otherwise, the North mystery
would turn out to be complication
worthy of his best thought and his most
skillful treatment
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

When one buys seed corn shelled he
offers big premium for dishonesty to
the man who sells it. The chance to
be tricky, which this affords, will de-
moralize man almost as quickly as
the chance to sell milk which he knows
will not be tested
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

1t is tree planting time, and, here
is a hint or two: Trim the top of the
tree to correspond with its shortened
root system, mulch thoroughly for the
first season, do not plant trees too
close together and allow for the room
which the tree will need twenty years
hence.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

No man is a good neighbor who will
keep an ugly dog, dog which will
charge out on the highway at passing
teams, one that every body is afraid Of
If such beast is found dead some fine
morning it simply shows that some
patriot has been serving his country.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

1t is always a bad policy to permit
the poultry to have the run of aud
roost in the horse and COW barns. The
fowls infect the stock with lice, befoul
the hangers and while robbing the
horses and cows Of their grain get too
much for themselves. Poultry should
be always kept separate from other
domestic animals.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

A Connecticut woman made the nice
sum of $500 last year raising turkeys
and chickens. She raised $50 turkeys,
which brought her over So each. There
was good deal of trouble and bother
getting the bids started, but once well
on their feet they were placed in charge
Of boy herder and lived mostly on
green food and grasshoppers until fall,
when they were finished for market on
corn. This was nice salary for wo-
man to earn-more money than she
could have expected to get In almost
any employment open to woman, and
aside from two months in the year tho
birds required only small portion Of
her time. Neither did 1t require large
farm or much capital to obtain this re-
suit
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

There is something besides three ker-
nels Of corn in a hill Of good germinat-
ing power necessary to make good
crop Of corn There must be available
fertility and moisture for three stalks
to develop so that they can produce
three good ears. On worn land, even
If three stalks were secured in each
hill, also on better soil when drought
came, it would be found that the con-
ditions were such that only one stalk
could make an ear. Important as is
the question Of using good seed corn,
closely allied with 1t and Of equal i'm
portance is the need of so rotating the
crops and caring for the fertility Of the
soil that good crop may be possible
when the good stand is obtained.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

If one seeks country where it Is
never very hot and never very cold,
where no blizzard, snow, thunderstorm
or cyclone ever comes, he is quite likely
to find the fact Of living reduced to
very commonplace sort Of proposition.
1t is the contrasts Of life which fur
nish its elixirs. A living easily won
and lazily enjoyed will not evolve a
very high type Of manhood.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

We believe the day will come when
large per cent of the now abandoned
farms Of the eastern states will be In
measure reclaimed and restored It
is being found out that on many Of
them alfalfa will grow and do well,
and where this legume can be success
fully grown the problem Of restoring
lost fertility Is easy. Timber culture
will restore others, the dairy COW still
more, while many will be made profit
able as poultry and small fruit farms.
The men who will do this work will
come from Europe, from countries
where it is impossible for poor man
to own foot Of land, and the labori-
Gus, economical and palnstaking habits
which they will bring with them will
In time work out the redemption Of
many such farms.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-06

complicated. and may battle even the
most thorough investigation"
Thomas pursed up his lips, and re-
garded the gas jet doubtfully.
You don't think SO, eh?"
when l hear what Thornton Stack
houses alibi is, can answer you bet
ter"
."Alibi, eh? So you have the medical
examiners report? Good! Just what l
was after. When did North die?"
| The reporter laughingly parted this
query with another
DO you suppose have the doctor S
report on the autopsy in my coat pock-
et?"
| Mr.. Lamm ventured to express a
shrewd suspicion that his friend did pos
sess, by some fortunate chance or other.
the essential facts of that report. and
ls.. Thomas quite justified that suspi-
cion by letting him know, in strict con-
fdenc' the outcome OF his interview
with the surgeon.
The detective uttered long, low
whistle.
Curious! Mighty curious!" he COM
nented
If you'll be so good as to give me an
opportunity" suggested Thomas, "I'll
be pleased to calculate with you"
'Um-ha! You said a moment ago,
Thomas, that your opinion of the case
would depend upoa the allpi ct Thorn
Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1905-12-15
MEDICAL MELANGE.

An acting model OF the human heart
with every detail has been made by q
French physician. The blood can bs
seen coursing to and from 1t through
artificial arteries.
investigation OF the properties OF
mineral springs by DR.. II. Mache, OF
Vienna, seems to establish the fact
that many of them have radio activity,
which certainly points toward radium
as one of their curative properties.
Graphology, the science of estimating
personality from the Handwriting, is
proving an aid 10 the physician. French
medical men have found that epilepsy,
hystcria and other nervous disorders
have characteristic effects on the writ
ing, which in certain cases may even
DC the only means of detecting the dis
ease.
Ov~ercrowding Of the medical profess
6ion in Germany is a matter Of grave
concern. There are now in the empire
20, 200 physicians, which doubles tho
number found in 1876. In other words,
shere Is one physician in Germany for
every 100 inhabitants. In the city OF
Berlin 4G per cent. of all the physicians
have an income of less than 500, and
1--WE per cent. Of the whole number do
not have "A sufficient income to return
ii for taxation.
DIR. Schafer, the German army sur
aycon who was sent by the authorities
90 study the late war in the far east
from a surgical viewpoint, says that
the Russian wounds were to q very
great extent light in character. The
most astonishing feature was The
slight effect produced by bullets which
traversed the bodies Of the soldiers in
all directions. In very large numbers
OF casc@ bullets which from the ana.
tomlcal position of the canals they had
produced must have touched the vital
organs not only were not fatal, but
seemed to have caused no more dis
turbance than II the tissues had been
pierced by a needle.
Distinction of our homes through
Che paints employed Is a new field
of investigation that promises useful
results. a number OF experimenters
nave shown that paints have a distinct
G~erm-killing effect, and that this
varies greatly with the color and char
acter OF the materials used. In some
cases powerful disease microbes laid
upon the paint were destroyed within
"a hours. Discussing the causes OF
h action, DR.. A. Cartez, a French
physlciogist, finds that the materials
are more or less poisonous, but that
much depends upon the degree of dry
ness OF the layer, color, illumination,
ventilation and porosity OF the coat.