davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30
A CANAL in FOUR YEARS.

That lock camel can be built
across the isthmus of Panama in four
years is the opinion of M. Banau-Var-
lila, formerly representative of Pan
ANA at Washington, as expressed be-
fore the French academy of sciences.
He says that lock canal will be suf-
ficient to handle all the commerce that
will come to the isthmus for several
years and thatit can, when the volume
of trade demands, be lowered to a sea
level canal without seriously interior
ing with commerce The lock canal,
according to the plans favored by M.
Bunau-Varilla, would have a summit
height of $50 feet. He declares that
the commerce at present could very
easily be handled through such canal
and that estimates of the increase that
would naturally follow the construction
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

bosses jes' give one big jump at the
sound, and away they went, ev'ry last
soldier a-fallin' off-they was standin'
on their heads on the hosses' backs at
the time, | think l mentioned-and
ev'ry one of them comm burned peril
GUS near t. breakin' their necks. The
bosses, not KNOWN what was dom
without their riders, stampeded f. the
tall brush FIR fair, and most Of 'em ran
about twenty-five miles before they
was corralled, and that wa'ant till five
days later on. Most of the soldiers
had to go to the hospital f'r repairs,
bein' all bunged up from fallin' on
their heads, and you can bet the kun
mel O. the regiment was more than red
headed about 1t. Then an officers kid
that had slipped up clus t were Ficks
| lay, told the oldaman that 1t had been
Ficks Pluffey that had sounded the
charge a-snorin' and Ficks had t. stink
up t. Atchison and stay there month
or so till the thing bowed over, or the
soldiers would sure ha' killed him.
well, even vile that hard luck
Ficks was UP in Atchison, he couldn't
keep out O. trouble on account Of his
snorin. He came so near wreckin' a
freight and passenger train by bring
| ing 'em t'gether t. send him t. state
prison FIR life If he didn't make q move
back t. Were he came from.
ut seems that Ficks was sleepin'
one night in clump o. bushes along
side the railroad track, when long
freight train pulled up clus't to were
he lay. There was hot box or some
thin the matter with the engine, and
the freight had t. be stopped right
there o., the main track.
"The overland express from the 9TH
er direction was rue right then, too
and brakeman was jes' startin' for.
ward with red lantern t. signal the
passenger train t. pull up until the
freight could get under way t. make
, the sidin' wen 10 and b'hold' the
, whistle Of the passenger train was
heard in the distance up the track.
Well, that whistle o. the passenger
train sort o. got Ficks Plufeey t'dream.
in as he lay there alongside the track,
and durn my whiskers If he didn't In
his sleep let out snore that could ha'
been heard ten miles, and that meant
all right-track clear-we're on the
, sidin.' The freight crew was SO kerr
f1ummoxed FIR minnit that they did
. not know which way to- turn, but they
] heard the passenger train a-thunderin'
down upon them, and the brakeman
, he'd jes' time t rush forward, wavin'
his red lantern with all his might, and
stop the passenger train, the engine
j o. which came t a halt on'y about an
, eighth Of an inch away from the help
/ less freight engine. It was the mar
} rowest shave ever knowed in western
J railroadin' and wen the two crews in
vestigated the source of the snored
} whistle and found Ficks still asleep,
they booted him awake and handled
him somethin' scandalous, and poor
Ficks was warned t. git out o. Atchi.
' son before daylight"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

Of the waterway do not contemplate
a greater growth in the commerce
than could be handled through a lock
canal for several years.
The beauty about the Panama mans
plan Is that the canal can be built in
four years. A sea-level canal would
require much longer time and time
is an element that should be reduced
to minimum in this canal building
enterprise. M. Bunau-Varilla is an ex-
pert and there is every reason to be-
lieve that he knows whereof he speaks.
On account of his name and some Of
the things that he said early in the
days of Panama as an independent
country, good deal of fun was made
Of Bunau-Varilla by the American
newspapers. He is a man of ability,
however, in the particular field IN
which he figures in this instance. For
years he was connected with the en-
cheering department of the Panama
canal company under the French re-
gime. The French academy at least
takes him seriously. 1t will be we'll
enough for Americans to consider
what he says.
A sea-level canal is evidently the ul-
innate need, but the time required to
dig 1t means great loss to the worlds
commerce The American people do
not want lock canal as permanency
in Panama. A sea-level canal must be
built there. but if American engineers
agree with NJ Banau-Varilla that a
lock canal can be built in two or three
years less time than it will take to
build sea-level canal, and that the
latter can be constructed without in
terfering greatly with commerce
through the waterway. then it would
seem advisable to build the lock canal
as soon as possible for temporary use.
This is matter for the engineers to
study, and some of the best skill that
the world can muster will be enlisted
in the work AS an ultimate require
ment the sea-level canal is what the
country must insist on.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30
THE RAILROAD INVESTIGATION

For more than five weeks the SEN
ate committee on interstate commerce
las intclligently and patiently ipvesti-
gated the whole question of railroad
rates. When this matter came before
the committee near the close of the
last session of congress, by the pas
sage of the h-Townsend bill, the
committee was severely criticised be.
cause it would not at once report the
bill to the senate, but now it Is ap.
parent that the committee acted
wisely and for the best interests OF
the whole country.
No conclusions have been reached
by the committee, but the people OF
the country are now possessed of a
large amount Of valuable information
they did not have when the investiga
ton began. There are many people
who believe that anybody can keep
hotel and there are thousands Of
others who feel sure that anybody car
run newspaper, yet keeping hctel
and conducting newspaper are two
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30
SID FL 8

The fat sleeper In the middle Of the
smoking car was snoring like lum-
berjack after the spring drive
The man with the store clothes and
the black glazed bag, in the seat be-
hind, regarded the fat sleeper curl
ously.
Right smart on the snore, hey?" he
remarked to his seatmate, who nodded.
with the black glazed bag, he's some
on the snore or snorin' goes back this
away but his work sounds like jews
harp alongside bass drum In COM
parison with the snorin' O. Ficks Pluf
fey, out my way"
"Ficks," commented the seatmate Of
the man with the black glazed bag,
must ha' been some noisy slum-
berer."
That's what Ficks was" said the
man with the black glazed bag. "Ficks
holds the Kansas record for snorin' at
all distances, from jump to four
miles, and there's heap o. powerful
snorers out in Kansas, at that. Ficks
Pluffey druv coal wagon out in Leav-
enworth, and he lived next door t me.
So l ought t. know. Ficks KEEP me
shorin' up my shack with railroad ties
for five years, on account of his snor-
| in. At that, Ficks snored SO hard one
night that the blamed wickieup fell in
on me vile was in my bunk, and
like to've piped out right then. That
was when the town got together and
made Ficks sleep out in the woods.
ct was real drawback t Ficks, his
snorin' 1t sure was. He was always
gettin' into some kind of mess along
o his snorin'. l never will f'get the
time he broke up all the cavalry horses
at Fort Leavenworth. The soldiers
havin' what they call monkey-andC Cos
sack drill on the p'rade groun' on the
Fourth O. July, and Ficks Pluffey took
a run up to the post to look 1t over
Vile waitin' FIR the boss soldiers t
show up Ficks picked out soft piece
o grass under tree over t. the left o
the p'rade ground, and from chewin
on blades O. grass and loahn' there II
the shade, what does Ficks do but gi
Il t. slumbering'. He was OFF In a spo
| by hisself, and nobody knowed tina
Ficks was anywhere near the post.
well, the bosses with their riders
came a-rompin' out, a hull regiment
and purity soon they got t dom then
fancy circus tricks, a-slowin' the
bosses up some SOS t. be able t. hans
on. Well sir, ev'ry one O. them sol
diers was a-standin' on his head on his
hosss back, the bosses goin' slow ant
even like, when-tara-ra-ra- wen
the trumpet call that meant charge.
1t was on'y Ficks wakin up and lettin
out final snore blast but the bosses
| didn't know that and neither did III,
soldiers, f'r it sounded jes' as mucl
like the trumpet call t. charge as tn,
charge itself Now,a o. them hose,
IN the Fort Leavenworth cavalry hat
been out in Injun fights. and tn,
charge t. them was like what a bar
keeps bungstarter 'ud be t me ant
you. 1t started 'em.
"Ey'ry one o. them thousan' and od
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30
VICTORIA AND EMPIRE DAY.

A broad principle of universal
right and peace is given expression by
the Toronto World, in It's comment
upon Victoria day and Empire day,
which, on the British calendar
of holidays, occur on the same
date On Wednesday the sub
jects of King Edward everywhere cele-
brated the eighty-siXth anniversary Of
the birth of the late Queen Victoria.
The same day each year is observed as
Empire day by the Britons, and the
fact that the dates coincide is the sub
ject of an editorial in the Toronto pa
per, expressing the theory of the evolu-
ton that has come over the civilized
world, cycle of progress which has
turned slowly but surely from constant
warning and disagreement to senti-
ment which favors worldwide peace
and harmony between all nations. Says
the World:
Empire day and Victoria day come
fifty together Her long reign was one
of the gerat periods of expansion, and
not so alone. but it was, accompanied
in Britain by reforms SO radical and
far-reaching in their effects as really to
involve a revolution. The transforms
ton of the United Kingdom from an
aligarchy to democracy brought with
1t many and important consequences
to the Britons beyond the seas. IT
conferred upon them self-government
and by that very act laid the founda
lions for a. closer union and truer
appreciation of the value of the impe
rial idea. The, first steps were taken
in fear and trembling. an dthe domin
ion of the older principles of colonial
policy was not easily shaken, but OF
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30
The NEW rHEREs Bridge.

The new bridge across the Missis-
sippi river, at Thebes, ILL.,, which was
form ally opened for use yesterday, is
one of the most important links in the
great chain of railway lines which
connects the north and east with the
west and southwest The new bridge
is gateway to the richest portion. the
least developed portion of the United
States. Just now the southwest, rath-
err than the west or the middle west.
attracts the attention of all those wide
awake men who are looking for new
business fields to conquer. This is a
fact that is recognized by the railroads
and five of the great transcontinental
lines will hereafter cross the father of
waters at Thebes and continue their
way through Missouri and Arkansas to
the great southwest.
The Importance of the Thebe5 bridge
cannot be overestimated. 1t is the
only one between st. Louis and Mem
phis. It Is located about thirty miles
above the mouth of the Ohio river. BY
means of this crossing the railroads
are given an entrance into one of the
richest mineral and fruit belts Of
which the central portion of the coun-
try can boast The wealth that lies
below the surface of the ground in the
Ozarks is not yet realized by many, for
| that little mountain range, Stunned
as it has been by railroads, has not
been given the opportunity it should
have had to develop. All around 1t,
even to the west, the country is better
developed. But now it's turn has come
| 1t is not to be wondered at, then, that
the people of Missouri, through, their
governor, yesterday welcomed the op-
ening of the Thebes bridge. It marks
an epoch in the development of their
state and the state of Arkansas, as
we'll as that OF the great and almost
| boundless southwest.
Work on the Thebes bridge has been
in progress for almost three years
Ground was broken on July s, 1902
/ The cost of its construction was ap
proximately s3,O00,000.
The bridge is magnificent structure
of double track width, and, owing tC
it's prominent location, presents a
most imposing appearance. Its loca
ton is particularly fortunate one be
cause of the high bluffs on each side
of the river which obviated the neces
sity of long approach trestles. The
bridge proper consists of continuous
steel structure of five spans built or
the cantilever system and weighs
about 28,00O,0O0 pounds. The centra
or channel span is GIT feet long. each
of the other spans being about 521
feet long.
The steel bridge is approached at both
ends by series of concrete arches
The total length of the bridge proper
including the concrete approaches, is
II 1917 feet, and the total length Of the
! entire double track construction, in
Guiding grade approaches, is AZ miles
The total height of the bridge, from
; the bottom of the lowest foundations
to the top of the highest point on thu
superstructure, is 231 feet.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

der. The grand encampment selects
new commanders each year and there
by passes the honor around. 1t often
has its mind on future calls and al
ready number of the "old veterans"
have expressed wish that Col Clark,
Of Cedar Rapids, be honored next 1t
is more than likely that this sentiment
grand commander without opposition.
Col Clark is well known throughout
the state and is so eminently worthy
Of the honor that eulo CYSTIC words are
unnecessary.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30
C.. M. &. ST. p,

=. NJ. q. 81. r.
No. Going East Via Cut Off. Time
sa-washington, Muscatine, Dav-
export and Chicago :. 5:45 p. m
export and Chicago .12:o5 4. m.
e2b-Dayenport freight ..... -. 9:iO L. N.
Going West.
sa-Kansas City and 1nterme-
(. S aiate rh,,,icotih.s R.c a9:1s e. m.
sier Springs and Kansas
City .:.....:....... 2:14 a. m.
s3b-Chillicothe freight -. 700 a. M
e1a-Chillicothe freight 80. 1890 p. m
69a-Chillicothe freight -. .10:4 40 a. m
Going East Via Marion.
1ob-Marion. Cedar Rapids and
intermediate 80 :55 a. M
1osb,,Marion., Cedar Rapids and =
ssbNMarion freight 49,. $40 a. M
Coming West Via Marion.
ec-Marion, Cedar Rapids and
1o3b--Marlon,- Cedar Rapids and
a-dais; b@escept Sunday; zoe eea e; p
Monday.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30
SENATOR HARPER MENTIONED
FOR GOVERNOR.

Vinton Eagle.-The G. A. R. seems
it's political work and invariably sue
ceeds in picking out its best material
for grand commander At it's session
just closed the grand encampment Sc
lected Senator Harper. Of Otturnwa,,
for it's grand commander for the com
ing year. The senator is qualified to
be governor of the state He is a
brave soldier, a competent business
man and will make an Ideal comman-
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

THE attorney who made the open
ing statement for the defense at Red
Oak declared that the civic federation
was trying to break down the reputa-
ton of Tom Dennison," says the Des
Moines Capital IF you have tears to
shed prepare to shed them now"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

Perkins. Young. Murphy, Ingham,'
chants the Marshalltown Herald. al
there are any more newspaper men ir
the state who would like to be men
toned as possible candidates for gov
ernors next time. please send in your
names early
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30
WABASH TIME TABLE.

No. Arrive. Time.
13a-Moberly & Des Moines 1920 am.
3a-St. Louis & Kansas City 1900 o. m.
TO. Depart. Time
2a-St. Lou.s & Kansas City s:25a M.
6a-Moberly & Des Moines ..4:15p. m
aa-st. Louis & Kansas City %. 9:eO o. m
a-daily.
For. Information call new telephone 1904
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

A district convention Of the Dauet-
ters of Rebekah will be held at West
Liberty June 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

Office: 117-119 East Second street.
Telephone editorial or business OF
ficel No A.
Address the Courier Printing Co.. OF
tumwa. Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

"Mr. Rosewater's newest experience
is one of his toughest" declares the
Dubuque Telegraph He is 81 and !.
he has done something foolish, ant
the chances are that he has, he h..
done something very foolish, for Their,
is no fool like an old fool"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

BURLINGTON ROUTE, c. B: & 9:
No, Goinq East. Depart.
!9n-Chtcapo. Dunuaue & Quincy 2:1n a. M.
aoh-Iocal Freight ....... 6:45 n. M
5eh-Burlngton & st. Louis. -. 1875 a. m
lnh--Peoria. Dubuque & Quincy II 80 n. M
:6a-Chicaeo Limited " >. 1:48 p. m.
4a-rhicago. St. Louis & Quincy 7:ln p. M
ea-Fast mail .. 1897 p. NJ
Going West.
5a-Omaha. Council Bluffs &
*. Nebraska ,,RG, , ia a. m
91o-Local freight -. 5000. 500 a. m.
sa- Omaha. Kansas Citv Denver.
Hot Springs Deadwood. Og-
dem Portland & California :45 a. m.
"a Fast mail 1850. ......... ~ u. III.
'apr'G,itsd 10 1915 m
1a-Denver to Omaha 80: II: 90 p. m:
.a--dally: b-except Sunday. Nos. Z. and
Is do not carry passengers.
Via Fort Matchmaking East.
Ft. Madison &, st. Louis (b) 900 a. IN.
=. Going West.
From Fort Madison and st.
Louis CD ............ $50 p m.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

Entered as second class matter Oc-
tober II. 1903 at the postoffice. Ottum-
wa. Iowa. under the Ac. of Congress OF
March 3. 1879
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

I'm biblical days they remarked how
great a tree could grow from tin!
mustard seed says the Jefferson Bee
but in these days we witness TIL
growth of a great, costly, heart-break
ing strike out of absolutely nothing"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

IF a man is going to get married.
do better, as rule, than to wed a
school ma am, for she knows something
and is bright and usually good look
ing, and is used to children. Did you
ever know school ma'am who was
silly or homely or dull or bad temper
ed or snapped skulls with thimble-
armed finger? Never once. No, sir
school teachers as wives are the cream
cheese"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

The Creston Advertiser-Ga is
able to find a connection between. the
Japanese victories, over the Russians
and the decree of the Iowa state board
Of health that physicians must be
shayed..
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30
CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC

No. Going East. Depart
FOG, Keokuk, Kansas City. Cali
fornia and southwest ..9:33 a. m.
202-Keokuk ......... 3:08 p. m
2O4-Eldon, Davenport & Chi
cago ..... $50. -. -. 10: II pm
274-Local freight ........ SIS p. m.
Going West.
203, Des Mones, Ruthven. West
Nebraska and Washington,
Muscatine, Davenport and
cago .............. 700 a. m
201-Des Moines & Omaha. II 30 a. m
205-Des Moines & Omaha. 1908 pm
273-Local freight ;. ). :. 5000, n
Unless otherwise s,eci6cd all trains are
daily except Sunday.
All C. M. G. ST. P. and Wabash trains
depart from Jefferson Street Unior
depot. w. L. Richards Agent.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

The Mason City Globe Gazette says
that President Roosevelt has been
pretty much American so far and the
evident attempt by the democratic
| correspondents to get him in fight
with congress will prove just as fruit
less as former attempts.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

With the result of the beef trust in
vestigation in mind, the Council Bluffs
Nonpareil says 1t cannot very enthus-
iastically support the suggestion of
governmental investigation Of the in
surance companies, as it might mean
the discovery of ground for an ad-
vance in premium rates.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

The Sioux City Journal observes
that Wisconsin will lose Governor La
Toilette and the giant firecracker at
about the same time
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30
R. R. Time Tables

A! c. 3. q @. and c. r. l. G. P. trains
depart from Washington street I'm
ion depot. O
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

The Des Moines Capital says that
May music festivals can be depended
upon to furnish at least two things
a. genuine feast for lovers of good
music, and healthy deficit for those
who provide the exquisite bill of fare.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30
Founded 9Th August, 1e4e.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES.
Daily Courier, / year, by mai,... 90
Tri-Weekly Courier, / year $500. l.bo
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

Noting that the Grand Duke Ser
gus murderer has just been hanged,
the Council Bluffs Nonpareil says, "We
wish them a happy reunion"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

Petitions for a pardon for Hoch
have not been very freely circulated
thus far but the hystericals will prob
ably proceed to get busy within a few
days" says the Des Moines Capital.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

THE country is looking for men,
says the Webster City Freeman Trib-
une, who are big enough and broad
enough to do their duty In of1icia
places regardless of the effect it ma,
have upon this or that political party
Men are wanted who will serve the
whole people,"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-30

There is only one thing more re
n1arkable than the proposition that tn
state shall go into the saloon bust
ress," says the Keokuk Gate City, IAN
that is the enthusiasm 1t doesn'
create"
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1905-04-20
e. =: PIONEER az. ::
". WANT COLUMN !: J.:
Try Pioneer Want Ad--lc word
FOR SALE.

FORSALE, Seed wheat. choicest
varieties. Bemidji Elevator
Co.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1905-04-20
City Organization.

BEM1DJ1 has long outgroWn it's
swaddling village clothes and
day by day the need of city or
ganizat ton grows more evident.
Attempts to organize as a city
haYe thus far been defeated
through the opposition Of a poll
tical faction which fears, and
justly too, that city organization
will give to the people Of the city
the power it,.now possesses. To
the defeat of attempts to organ
ize as city certain business in.
terests have also contributed
simply because they have feared
any sort Of change from present
conditions.
The Pioneer suggests that the
charter drafted for Bemidj il about
a year ago be referred to the at
torneys Of the city as a body to
be by them revised and presented
to the charter commission and
then to the people for adoption.
A charter so secured would be
free from suspicion of haying
been drafted to further the in
terests Of any faction and would
be as perfect an instrument as
any city can hope to secure.
Some such step must be taken
some time; the sooner the better
for the interests of Bemldji.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1905-04-20
HELP WANTED.
WANTED-Ca Capable nurse Ap-
ply at this Office.

g. ply at tIl1S OthCe.
WANTED 70 supply your type.
writer wants. The Pioneer.
WANT-To let contract to cut
5000 cords or more is inch
birch wood, near Farley good
camp buildings and garden on
place. Good chance for man
with saw rig. J. J. Opsahl,
5l8 Beltratni ave-, Bemidii,
Minn.