davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12
WHY ONE Is SLEEPY

Scientists disagree as to the cause
of drowsiness. Some curious and re-
markable reasons are assigned for the
desire everybody has for sleeping. 1t
is attributed by some people to an ac-
emulation in the system of the poison
Gus products of the wear and tear of
the body during the day. There seems
to be some measure of truth in this, for
in many diseases the patients are often
sleepless. Another hypothesis is that
the nerve cells of the brain dwell apart
from each other, as it were, during
sleep. The brain is composed of mil
lions of tiny bodies called cells, each
having several delicate prolongations,
or branches, for the purpose of COM
municating with other cells. When the
brain is fully active all these cells are
Ii, contact, or ready to be in contact,
with one another, but the time occa-
sionally comes, it is thought when the
branches of all the cells curl up, and
their isolation means that complete
communication between the cells
ceases. The state Of the body and
mind that follows is what we call
sleep.
The most probable explanation or
sleep, however, is that in some way or
other the internal condition of the cells
is changed, partly from exhaustion and
partly because of diminished stimula-
ton from other parts of the body.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12
VEGETABLE GROWTH IN TROPICS

To people of the temperate zone the
rapid growth of tropical vegetation
seems almost incredible. In many
parts Of the tropics the climate is so
favorable and the soil so fertile and
conducive to rapid growth that almost
any stick placed upright in the earth
will spring to life. In some portions
of Central America one may see mile
after mile of fences apparently COM
posed of growing trees, which, upon
examination, prove to have once been
barbed wire fences, the posts having
branched out and grown into good
sized trees. Many a Central Ameri-
can telegraph pole will be seen with a
crown of leaves at the top, which have
sprouted since the last visit of the
lineman. In the tropical countries they
have as much trouble to keep the trees
from growing as we have in our north
ern latitude to make them grow. and
one of the greatest difficulties encoun-
tered in that country in railroad work
has been to keep the railroad ties from
sprouting.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12
DEADLY FIGHTING MACHINE

The latest weapon of man is float
ing fortress for coast defense purposes.
This fighting machine, which is called
the Cerberus, lacks in every line OF
beauty. 1t is nothing more or less
than a perfectly round floating fort,
about two hundred feet in diameter,
heavily protected by impenetrable
thicknesses of armor plate and
equipped with batteries of heavy guns
far too large to be mounted upon any
ordinary warship. The idea of the in
vention was suggested by small but
strongly fortified island. The new
fighting ship makes no pretense at
attaining high speed. On the other
hand, it is maintained that with the aid
of such floating forts the Japanese
could have effectively bottled up Port
Arthur without the assistance of their
huge fleet.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12
BROKER OF MURDER HOUSES

A murder has naturally a very con-
siderable effect upon the value of a
house or shop in which such an act
has been perpetrated. Thousands OF
people thoroughly practical in most re-
CARDS shrink from using rooms where
murder has been committed. An in
genius London speculator has made q
speciality of buying up the premises,
generally for an old song almost, as
the phrase is, afterward Transforming
the buildings and taking all risks, By
the aid of a clever architect and his
own staff of men, the speculator at
once transforms the house or shop so
completely that it virtually becomes a
new property, and local authorities are
for the most part thoroughly COM
plaisant in aiding even the renumber-
ing of such a house, where the thing
is at all feasible. The identical room
in which the crime has been ,perpe-
trated is always altered absolutely TO
become unrecognizable.
This man has derived not a little
profit by selling the woodwork, the
floor boards, and so on, taken from
murder rooms, these being acquired by
showmen generally.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12
ANIMALS AS ROAD MAKERS

The instinct of Welsh sheep to dis
tinguish boundaries and assert right oi
way has been recognized by the lega
authorities. on certain farms the
flocks know the boundaries of their
mountain pastures and, It is supposed
transmit the knowledge to their off
spring. The sense Of locality adds to
the value of the flocks bred on these
hills.
The sleeps knowledge of boundaries
is difficult to account for. Sheep have
for unknown ages been the path
makers on mountains and downs and
have left their marks on the hills. The
sheep walks are made Intentionally, as
the flocks, having once settled what is
the shortest, easiest and best route
across the hills, never seem to aban-
don what their reason has decided TO
be the best. That this pathfinding Is
part of their early instinct is clear
from what we know of the musk OK
and its habits. This animal is akin to
the sheep in a general way. 1t natur-
ally assemblies in great flocks and Is
migratory. These focks always return
from the barren lands in the far north
by the same road and cross the rivers
at the same fords.
The only event which causes them to
desert these routes is the persistent
slaughter at these points by the In
dians who beset them. Pictures and
anecdotes of the migration of these
animals and that of the bison of for
mer times represent them as moving on
a broad front across the prairie. The
examples of all moving multitudes
suggest that this was not their usual
form of march, and their roads prove
that they moved on a narrow front or
in single file. Though the bison is ex-
tinct, the roads still remain on our
prairies as evidence after the 'destruc-
ton of a species of some part of its
habits. These trails are paths worn
on the prairie, nearly all running due
north and south (the line of the old
migration of the herd). They are hard,
the grass on them is green and short
and they generally lead near water, to
which a diverging track leads from the
highway.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12
A HISTORICAL CHAIR

In the collection at the Louvre
known as the Museum of Sovereigns
there is a chair which has seen more
than its share of vicissitude 1t was
presented more than century ago to
Queen Maria Theresa, who had 1t
placed in her boudoir. At her death,
in compliance with her express com
mands. IL was sent to queen Marie
Antoinette at Versailles and formed a
part of the furniture provided for Louis
XVI during his imprisonment at the
temple. After his execution his valet
had it removed to England, where II
became the property first of the prince
of Wales and afterward of the duke
of Cumberland. The latter took 1t with
him to Berlin, where it was placed in
the hands of an upholsterer to be re-
paired. The workman to whom the
chair was given discovered, upon re-
moving the horsehair with which 1t
was stuffed diamond pin, portrait
of a boy and several sheets of manu-
script He did not mention the dis
covery to his master, but afterward
sold the pin to jeweler, giving him
also the portrait and the papers.
The jeweler succeeded in making out
from the papers, which were written
in French, that they consisted of
series of instructions from Louis XVI
to his son, and that the portrait was
that of the dauphin. A few years later
this ieweler whose name was Neuen-
dorff. claimed to be Louis XVII, the
son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoin-
ette. and produced as evidence in his
favor the papers and portrait and, as
will be remembered, imposed on many
people. When the workman came 10
die he told his family how the papers
which he had given to Neuendorf
came to be in his possession. and by
them the armchair was recovered from
the place where the duke of Cumber-
land had left it in Berlin and sold to
a Frenchman. He took it with him to
Paris and his widow was brought 10
such low circumstances that it was
the only article of furniture remain |
ing in her possession when she en-
tered the almshouse, where she died
some years ago. She bequeathed it to
the Museum of Sovereigns at the
Louvre
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12

The oldest man in Germany-or who
is believed to be so-has just cele-
brated his one hundred and eleventh
birthday, or, to be more exact, the one
hundred and eleventh anniversary of
his christening, which took place, as
recorded in the official register, on De-
cember 2, 1898. His name is Kasper
Griesser and he lives at Lorsch, in
Hesse, where he follows the plow
even now. During the whole of his
life he has never quilted his native
place for more than a day.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12
CHICKENS IN MlpAlR

TN the driest deserts Of Arizona dwell
the Papago Indians. They are very
good Indians, and quite civilized.
living in mud houses and doing their
cooking in outdoor kitchens in circular
Enclosures protected from the wind by
grass mats fastened to stakes, and
with a fire in the middle.
One popularity of these Indians
(who, by the way, are such formida-
BILE warriors that even the Apaches
are afraid of them) is that they ele-
vate many things upon stills. Their
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12

1t is said that in Norway a bucket
of water is always placed within reach
Of a horse when he is taking his al
lowance of hay. ''It is interesting"
says the writer "to see with what rel
ish they take sip out of one and a
mouthful of the other alternately,
sometimes only moistening their
mouths, as any rational being would
do while eating dinner of such dry
food. A broken winded horse is scarce
ly even seen in Norway"
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12

mail boxes are on stills, to keep them
out of the reach of the coyotes, which
will eat letter if it has been handled
by human beings, and also because of
the annual floods. 1t rains in that
region only about once a year, but
then-.my, how it does pour! The
heavens seem actually to open, and
immense areas are temporarily con-
verted into lakes.
To keep them out of reach of the
foods and the coyotes (not to mention
skunks) the Papago chicken coops are
elevated high in the air-fifteen or
twenty feet-and at night when it is
time to go to roost the fowls fly up and
find perfect safety in their lofty eyries.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12
RAM OF A BATTLESHIP

T%HE RAM OF modern battleSh1p is
most formidable contriVance,
and when it is taken into consid-
Grafton what the striking force of this
great weight is, backed by the immense
fabric of the ship, one can easily figure
that it strikes with the impact of mil
lions of tons. This picture shows the
ram of his majesty's steamship Britain
mia. 1t weighs $4,000 pounds. and some
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12
STANLEYS GRAVE

THIS monument marks the grave OF
the great explorer Henry M. Stan
ley, and is unique because of sen
timent which attaches to it. 1t weighs
six tons and was recently erected over
the grave at Pirbright, Surrey. Ac-
cording to Lady Stanley's wish, the
stone is fashioned by ages, tempered
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12

John Waterworth, the oldest engineer
in the world, died recently at Preston
England, at the age of S5. He began
driving in 1876, and drove an engine
100000 miles in his thrty-seven years
of service without single accident.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12
LoNDoN'S SUBWAY

TN London they are delving at subway
roads with the same feverish ac-
tivity as the work is being prose-
cuted in New York. At one point the
New York subway runs under a splen-
did monument erected to the memory
passers-by wondered what was going on
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12
A FOOT IN TWO COUNTRIES

w THILE an American was travel
Wv ing recently near the boundary
line dividing Germany and
Austria it occurred to him that it
would be interesting to have his pic
ture taken half in Germany and half
in Austria. The picture which was
taken is reproduced herewith. The
subjects right foot is in Germany and
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12

A writer in Nature, of London, refer
ring to the sale of Charley Park, Stat
fordshire, says that the sale involves
also a change of ownership of the
remnant of the celebrated herd OF
white cattle which have been kept
there for 700 years.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12
CURIOUS sTEED

~ HE accompanying photograph ex-
plains itself. The carriage and the
steed, it will be seen, are exceed
ingly we'll matched. The harnessing is
complete and the driver and the groom
are ready for the start. There seems
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12

A Russian bride is not submitted to
the trying ordeal of appearing in white
satin and lace in broad daylight. The
wedding takes place by candlelight in
a drawing-room.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12

Queen Helena Of italy is said to be-
lieve in the Montenegrin superstition
that it is unlueky for a child to sleep
In room into which any light pene-
trates, and lightproof shutters are the
order in the nursery at Rome.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12

A wildcat was caught in a trap III
Ross-shire, Scotland, recently, and is to
Westminster Gazette says wildcat is
beautifully marked" and adds that
"it is more dangerous for game or
man than the fox
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12

idea of its size may be had by COM
pairing it to the man seen in the pho
tograph.
With long range guns the chances of
getting near enough to an opponent to
use this ram are comparatively slight.
For this reason the United States ship
Katahdin. built solely to be used as a
ram, has an odd value.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12

The cries of no animals approach
more closely that of the human voice
than those of seals when lamenting
the loss or capture of their young.
They emit wailing and affecting cry
similar to that of a woman in deep
grief
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12

The longest straight piece Of railway
line in the world is from Nyngan to
Mourke, in New South Wales. This
railway runs 1856 miles on level in a
perfectly straight line.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12
sNowsHoE DIFFICULTIES

IT HERE is a reverse side to the de-
lights of snowshoeing. For one
who can skillfully navigate with
snowshoes the exercise is delightful. 1t
is possible to skate along the surface
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12

TINE automobile has invaded the Ca
madam wilderness as an engine
of work-a-day utility. In the
wilderness of the northland is proba-
bly, the most powerful motor in the
world. 1t is of 200 horse power,
weighs twenty-five tons and it is here
shown dragging a log train which
weighs $50 tons over rough ground at
a speed of eight miles an hour.
Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-12

London society women are forming
prayer circles in connection with the
Torrey- Alexander revival.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-14
VANCE CHOSEN DEAN
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIvER-
sITY Law SCHOOL.

= The resignation of Henry St George
Tucker as dean and professor of law in the
department of law and Jurisprudence OF the
George Washington University was yes
terday presented to the executive COM
mittee. DR.. Tucker has been elected presi-
dent of the jamestown Exposition, which
position will require all of his time during
the next two years. The committee elected
Prof. William Reynolds Vance as dean of
the department. to succeed DR.. Tucker, re-
signed. Prof Vance has been two years In
the department, giving his whole time to
the work as professor of law, and has won
the esteem of every one connected with the
university and of the student body in this
department.
Prof. Vance was born at Middletown, KY,
on May ., 1870. Graduating with honors in
1888 from an academy In Shelbyville KY.
ne received an appointment teacher of
mathematics and Latin in the West c. orgia
Agricultural and Mechanical College, at
Hamilton. Ga. In 1890 he entered Washing
ton and Lee University, winning the degree
OF bachelor of arts after two years. feat
That has perhaps. not been before or since
accomplished in that institution Being
then appointed to the Mapleson scholarship.
ne took his masters degree in 1888, and
then, as incumbent of the Howard Hous-
ton fellowship continued his post graduate
studies In history English and constitu-
tional law. In 1895 he received the degree
OF doctor of philosophy, presenting as his
thesis a brief historical treatise entitled
Slavery in Kentucky" which has since
been published by the university. During
the years 1s91-95 he was also Instructor in
English in the University.
Graduating in law in 1897, he began to
practice in Louisville. KY, but was shortly
thereafter elected adjunct professor of law
IN his alma mater, Washington and Lee
University. In 1890 he was promoted to
professorship and began to devote special
study to the law of real estate and Of In
surance, in which branches his special in
terest sttll continues At this time he began
the work which he has recently published
under the title Vance on Insurance"
Upon Henry st. George fuckers resigna-
ton as dean Of the department of law in
Washington and Lee University in 1902,
Prof. Vance was chosen to succeed him.
In the following year he resigned this posi-
ton to accept a professorship in the George
Washington University
Prof. Vance is a member of the Virginia
and American bar associations, and pre-
sented the minority report of the American
Bar Associations committee on insurance
law at the associations last meeting at
Narragansett Pier.
In September 1902, he was married to
Miss Annie Wilmer Hume, Oldest daughter
of Dr. Thomas Hume, professor Of English
literature in the University of North Caro-.
lima.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-14
AN EXCITING TIME.
False Alarm Calls Out. Fire Depart
ment,

Considerable excitement was caused on
18th street and F street at the hour Of
their greatest congestion. few minutes
past noon. today by the sudden appearance
from different directions of rushing fire en-
gines, reels and trucks. The roadways were
crowded with vehicles of all kinds and ac-
cidents were narrowly averted
The engines had come to the business
center of the city in response to a call
sounded from an automatic fire-alarm box
in front Of premises No. 512 11th street
northwest. With the apparatus came Fire
Marshal Nicholson, who failed to find any
evidence of blaze. An investigation showed
that some miscreant had been tampering
with the automatic box, according to Mar
shall Nicholson, and in broad daylight at
noon, with the thoroughfare crowded with
people, had smashed the glass pane in front
OF the alarm->box, summoning the fire de-
partment, endangering life and limb and
putting the District to useless expense.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-14
"GOLD GOLD"
GOOD" HE SAYS, but COMFORT BETTER -

"GooD," HE SAYS, but COMFORT BETTER"
FOOD that fits is better than a gold mine" says
a grateful man.
Before commenced to use Grape-Nuts food no
man on earth ever had worse infection from ca
tarrh of the stomach than had for years.
~ could eat nothing but the very iightest food,
and even that gave me great distress.
az went through the catalogue OF prepared foods.
but found them all Except Grape-Nuts) more or
less indigestibie. generating gas In the stomach
(which in turn produced headache and various other
pains and aches) and otherwise unavailable for my
use.
"Grape-Nuts food have found easily digested
and assimiated and It has renewed my health
and vigor and made me q well man again. The
catarrh Of the stomach has disappeared entirely
with all its attendant iiis thanks to Grape Nuts,
which is my almost sole food want no
other" Name given By Postum o., Battle cEssk,
Mich.
Ten days trial tells the story. y.
There's reason
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-14
Collectors Comment.


Commenting on this financial statement,
the collector says:
"a comparison with the receipts of the
prior fiscal year show an increase of S12,-
SIO.46 on account of realty tax, $31. $3.50 on
account of personal tax, $49, S5598 on ac-
reduction of $15.S7745 on account of penal
ties and interest, making a net increase on
account of the general fund of $13S. 1910
Special and trust funds show an increase
of S3S,957.7S on account of repayments to
appropriation, a reduction on account of
trust funds of 1853. 10, and SOIL on &C
count Of collections for the United States,
making net reduction Of $12O, 1852
1.-THE collection Of personal taxes by per-
sc raj demand has proven very successful
and more than met reasonable expectations.
True, it gives the office much additional
work, in preparing lists. checking them off
daily. etc, but the largely increased col
lections warrant the effort.
1.-THE collections for the fiscal year Just
ended on account of arrears of personal
tax aggregated $685. O55.51, due to the facil-
tiles obtainable by the appropriation of
$500, with such aid as could be given by
the regular force of this Office during the
dull season.
For the ensuing fiscal year 5000 are
available, but experience has proven that
much larger appropriation can be used to
advantage.
Payers Of Personal Tax.
1.-THE number OF personal taxpayers who
will only pay under duress is very large,
making It necessary to put force in the
field sufficient to reach all delinquents with
In a reasonable time after bills become due
and payable, otherwise many bills become
uncollectable by reason of death. failure
in business. removal from the city, etc.
Collections can often be made from this
class of delinquents If reached promptly.
but in order to do this the office must be
given sufficient facilities to enforce the law
without delay"
Mr.. Davis also says that he believes the
pr esent tax sale law Is the best the Dis
trict has ever had, but he recommends an
amendment to section 5. which, If adopted,
will do away with certain objections most
frequently heard-namely-tha records of
ouch transactions shall be kept both in the
Offices of the recorder of deeds and of the
collector of taxes.