davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus., 1905-11-08

Cedar Rapids has signed Charles
Conlin. an outfielder formerly with
Rockford.
Rock Island Argus., 1905-11-08

Dubuque has signed F. l.. Fleming,
an amateur. who pitched fer Paxton
this year.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04
The Real Test.

1t is a temperate and well stated sum
mary of the present situation with regard
to our Vermont liquor legislation which
is copied from the st. Albans Messenger
on the fourth page of this paper, under
the heading, Pass 1t by this Time" But
while endorsing the suggestion there
made, we wish to repeat and urge anew
the statement repeatedly made in these
columns-that the real test of the final
sentiment of the state toward the local
manner in which 1t is enforced, and
especially in towns which vote no license.
What the temperance people of Vermont
want is restriction or prohibition of the
possible, and II it proves after ample
trial that a no license vote In any town
means actual prohibition of rum selling
in that town there will be few who will
join in a crusade for a return to the old
conditions. But IT, after little time,
when the new is worn of. it proves that
enforcement of the law grows lax, and
the sale of liquor is allowed TO go on in
no license towns, there will surely come a
revulsion of sentiment and a demand for
a return to a prohibitory law. 1t is for the
license men themselves to remember,
most of all, that the real test of the
license law is upon its strict and i'm
partial enforcement.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04

1t is a pleasure to see bright young
Vermont lawyer like Charles II. Robb
OF Bellows Falls making a success OF his
attorney general at Washington, but it
would be a greater pleasure still II YER
mont presented opportunity enough to
keep most OF her bright young men at
home.-[St, Adams Messenger.
our good neighbor in the northwestern
corner Of Vermont has contracted a habit.
The same thing was said several times in
reference to Walter E. Ranger alone and
now whenever any Vermont man receives
recognition beyond the borders OF his own
state The Messenger feels compelled to
rise up and emit a remark as to the
desirability OF keeping home talent at
home. The pertinence and relevance of
such statements are not apparent. If
The Messenger has anything tangible to
offer please inform those that sit in dark
ness The opportunities which Vermont
offers are circumscrbed to a large extent
by its size. location and physical char
acteristics. II the state happens to be
the nursery of strong men and produces,
in addition to those who are wanted at
home leaders who have been able to I'LL
high places elsewhere, what's the harm
Who's hurt, anyway. and what's the
point?
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04
The Farmers, pepartment.

1t is now the turn of the agricultural
department at Washington to come un-
der fire. but, fortunately, the develop
ments do not show wrong doing or
knowledge or liberation of wrong doing
in the head of this department or Of
those in actual authority under him. The
worst that has come to light is the fact
that two subordinates secretly gave out
forecasts of the cotton crop in advance of
their publication by the government and
in this way enabled spectators to work
the market for their own advantage.
Beyond this II is cause for regret that
there has been a development which
made necessary or advisable the resigna-
tion OF DR.. George T. Moore, psychologist
in charge of the laboratory work of the
bureau of plant industry. 1t was DR..
Moore who discovered the method of in
oculation of leguminous crops with ben
eficial bacteria, and it was the discovery
Of the fact that he had accepted or had
had assigned to him a block of stock in a
corcern organized to exploit this discov-
cry commercially that led to his resig-
nation. But 1t appears to be true that
his action was due to an error of judg-
ment rather than to an intent to de-
fraud the government.
In discussing the affairs Of the ag-
ricultural department the strange mis-
take has been made in the press dis
patches of stating repeatedly that this
department 'labors under the disadvan-
tage" of always having at command more
money than it needs-extra appropri-
ations being secured by TRADING" on the
part of congressman representing rural
districts Such statements have no foun-
dation whatever in fact. Senator Proc
tor of this state is a member of the ag-
| ricultural committee of the Senate and
Representative Hasklns of this district OF
the agricultural committee of the House
and both these men know that at every
session, when the long and carefully de.
tailed estimate of future needs comes II
from Secretary Wilson's department it /!
carefully scrutinized item by item, rea'
sons are required to be given for all in
creased appropriations that are asked for
and the bill as a whole is pared down t.
the smallest amount that will permit tn,
work Of the department to be done prop
erly and adequately.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04
One Thing We Need.

There is some show of plausibility in
the suggestion of The Brattleboro PhG-
nix that maybe a triennial celebration
OF Old Home Week would be more likely
to catch the popular fancy than any at
tempt at an annual observance. The
sentiment of the Old Home Week idea
is beautiful, and it is a pity that in some
way or other 1t is not made to speak for
itself in regular commemorating eXer-
cises. We hardly realize it, perhaps, but
our life back here in rugged old rural
Vermont has something of a barren mon
notony in it that stands in need OF just
such elevating and refining influences as
are born of such celebrations when the
brightest and best of our people "get
together" One of the retarding factors
in our experience here among these
mountainS one of the reasons why our
people are over-cautions, over-conserva-
tive, and consequently too often slow to
progress, is local isolation. We do not
get together enough to get better ac-
quainted with each other and encourage
mutual condolences. We lack something
of the inspiration to higher aesthetic cul-
ture that is born of the electricity gen.
Grated in crowds.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04

The Passing Of the Marrow Gauge.

1t is inevitable that locally a certain
sentimental interest should attach to the
passing of the Brattleboro & Whitehall
railroad out of operation as a narrow
gauge road, though such an interest ex-
lists mainly in the minds of the older resi-
dents Of the West River valley who were
identified with the hard-fought contest
for the construction of this road in the
years 1877 to 1880. The main features of
this contest are recalled in the historical
sketch reprinted in this paper from The
Phoenix of the week in which the road
was opened for business in November,
1880, but only those who were in the
fight and a part of it can know with what
persistence and devotion, and, in not
a few cases, at how much cost of self
sacrifice, the result was finally accom-
plished
And the road has justified the faith and
endeavor of those who saw the need Of
this enterprise and carried it to COM
pletion. The building of the mar
row gauge road opened new channel
of life for the towns OF the West River
valley II it has not made them rich and
popuous it has at least kept them from
stagnation and decay. 1t has developed
their resources invited new business en-
terprises, and made their people feel that
they have a part in the life OF the world
at large.
1t should be said, moreover, that the
experience OF the road has justified the
faith of its projectors and builders in the
narrow gauge as a practical system Of
railroadihg. To have built the road as a
standard gauge would have been an i'm
possibility. The cost as three-foot road,
including equipment, was between $4,000
and $4,000 a mile. To have built and
equipped it as a standard guage would
have cost not less than 900 a mile and
such n sum Of money could not have been
raised. Whatever failures and drawbacks
and disappointments have been experience
ed have not been due to the gauge of the
road, but, primarily, to the lack Of suffi-
cient capital in the hands of the original
company to own and operate the road, to
keep the property in its own hands, de-
velop its business, and devote it's net
earnings to its own maintenance and
betterment. No doubt exists in the minds
OF those who have been identified with
the road from the beginning and watched
its operation, that, given adequate capital
and careful, Independent management, the
narrow gauge road has always been
capable Of paying its own way, improving
its road-bed and equipment, meeting all
the needs of its tributary country. and
yielding net return on it's original
capital stock.
So much for what is PASTOR a chap
ter that is closed. We welcome cordially
the coming of the standard gauge in
place OF the little road" II imperfect
and incomplete at the start it will be not
only the choice but the necessity Of its
management to make the road bed safe
and adequate. and additional equipment
Of cars and motive power will be readily
available for all business needs. AS a
result of the change made last Sunday
we look to see in the road ample and
satisfactory railroad service and in
creased and continuing prosperity for the
people of the West River valley.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04
John Hays Part in Anglo American
Diplomacy.

Mr.. Hay undoubtedly possessed the
gift of settling controversies. Since the
cession of Alaska to the United States in
1867, the boundary between that territory
and the Dominion of Canada had remain
ed undetermined and the adjustment of
1t had become imperative. An important
step in that direction was the modus
vivendi which was effected at Washing
ton, on October 20, 1899, by an exchange
of notes between Mr.. Hay and the British
charge d'affaires ad interim, by which a
provisional line was fixed about the head
of Lynn Canal. In replying to local
criticisms upon his action, Mr.. Hay de-
clared that the rights of the United States
remained absolutely intact" and lhat
their assertion in due time would be
earnest and thorough" These declara-
tions were afterward abundantly justi-
fed. BY the convention signed at Wash
ington on January "a, 1908, and the de-
cision rendered Hereunder, the claims of
the United States were completely es-
tablished.
His course in this as well as in other
matters shows how groundless was the
accusation now and then made that he
was too friendly to England" There
are in every country persons who, by
reason of special prepossessions, demand
that its policy shall be governed not by
consideration for the interests of its own
people, but by partiality for or hostility
toward the interests OF some other people.
Mr. Hay certainly was not one Of these.
He no doubt believed, and acted upon the
belief, that the maintenance of friendly
relations between the United States and
Great Britain, on the basis of mutual re-
spect, was a sound and advantageous
| policy, especially with reference to the
'open-door" rule for which England had
always stood in the far East. He also
exhibited wise friendliness toward
Germany, when, by the treaty of Decem-
Der 2, 1893, he finally settled to her salts
| faction the Samoan question, without
abandoning the particular interests Of the
| United States. In these things he acted
simply as an American" He wished foi
no other title for himself and insisted
upon its being used by our legations anc
consulates even at the cost of some lega
and practical inconvenience.-[From "Mr
Hays Work in Diplomacy" by John Bas'
sett Moore, in the American Monthly Re-
view of Reviews for August.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04
HullabaIoo Religion.
tFrom Topics of the Day. Providence
Journal.l

JOuTIldl.l
There seems to be reason for believing
that religion, like everything else in hula
balloo New York, is hullaballoo religion,
or fairly on the road to that variety Of
religion. In any event, according to a
reliable authority. there was a resort to
a curious manner of going out into the
byways and hedges and compelling the
populace to come in and fill the Academy
of Music at a revival meeting held re-
GENTLY. A dozen automobiles ten of
which were furnished by an enthusiastic
woman, were sent into the main thorough
fares and the side streets. Besides the
chauffeurs, each car carried a speaker
and a musician. The former told of the
gathering mentioned and besought all to
attend. The latter played on a parlor
organ strapped on behind the tonneau.
AS many as could be accommodated were
invited to ride to the improvised house
OF worship; and while people, as a rule,
will break a stout hitching rope to escape
from what comes from a parlor organ,
they climbed in to escape, being run over
by the machines.
There were days when the church and
the methods it employed to extend it's in
fiuence were regarded as rather slow; but
some years ago a distinguished divine
broke the ice by insisting that the devil
should not be allowed to enjoy a monopoly
OF the best songs, and since that time he
hasn't had monopoly of much of any
thing. Changes have followed one another
with startling rapidity. Hymns are sung
to the strains OF sally in Our Alley and
the Bulldog on the Bank the gymnas-
ium and the billiard room have been as
simulated and the saloon has been sancti-
fled and annexed. The eXhorter's auto
mobile is the latest novelty to be attached
The church may not be as popular with
the world as it should be; but the world
f,lx. lot, INntk
is not as worldly as it can well be and
remain a church.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04
STATE PRISON INVESTIGATION.
Sensational Testimony by Sheriff Peck
Prison Supplies Used for Private Pur-
poses.


Prison Supplies Used for Private Pur-
poses.
The investigation of the state prison at
Windsor by the special commissioners
was resumed at Bellows Falls Tuesday,
the hearing continuing through Wednes-
day, when the session was adjourned, prob
ably to be resumed early in September.
Gov. Bell was in attendance Wednesday.
The most interesting part of the testi-
mony came in the direct conflict of state
ments between Superintendent Lowell on
the one side and States Attorney Charles
Batchelder and his sister, Miss Anna
Batchelder of Woodstock, on the other,
with reference to the interview with Mary
Rogers, published in a Boston paper. Mr..
Lowell contended that he did not know
that Miss Batchelder was a reporter and
that he supposed she visited the prison
simply as Mr.. Batchelder's sister. Batch
elder said that Lowell must have known
that his sister was a reporter. Miss
Batchelder said she wrote to Sheriff Peck
for permission to interview Mrs. Rogers,
that she went to the cell accompanied
by Superintendent Lowell, Sheriff Peck.
the housekeeper and States Attorney
Batchelder. The interview required the
use OF a telephone for 30 minutes Mr..
Lowell asked her to send him a copy of
the paper containing the interview.
Ihe witnesses called earlier were l.. E.
Herrick OF Claremont and John Green,
two ex-employes Of the prison; Mrs. Lind
sey of Cornish Flats, a former domestic
in Superintendent Oakes's family Harry
f. Craven, an eX-steward, and w. A.
Hutchinson of Claremont, bookkeeper in
the institution eight years. Their testi-
mony related largely to the use of supplies
such as butter cream, meat etc, for Mr..
Oakess family when going to Sunapee
lake. There was also testimony regarding
the use Of stamped stationery by Mr.. and
Mrs Oakes and the taking of plugs of
tobacco from the prison by Luther Oakes,
the superintendent's son. Mr.. Craven and
John Oakes, the superintendents brother,
were also alleged to have used supplies
for private purposes.
The sensational part of the testimony
came Wednesday when Sheriff Peck said
that he asked States Attorney Batchelder
what reply he intended to make regarding
the criticism of the interview. Mr.. Peck
told the commissioners that he would tell
them what Batchelder said If they would
have the women removed from the court
room as Batchelder's remarks were un-
printable.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04
MASSACHUSETTS NOTES.

Charging his wife, Ellen Newton, with
cruel and abusive treatment, and con-
fronted with a counter charge of a statu-
tory offence, DIR. A. L. Newton of North
field was before the supreme court at
Greenfield two or three days this week
asking for a decree of divorce. Both
libels are being tried at the same time.
Mrs. Newton in the cross-libel names
Maude Stratton, a Northficld trained
nurse, as correspondent. DR.. Newton in
his bill alleges 23 specifications. He
charges his wife with having slapped
choked and kicked him. Dr. Newton
weighs about $50 pounds; Mrs. Newton is
well above the 200 pound mark and heI
growing obesity is said to have been a
cause Of trouble.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04

Rodney Wheeler is adding a veranda
to his house.
Ernest Perry has moved this week to
Greenfield, Mass
Mrs. H. E. Miller of Lynn, Mass. is
visiting at E. E. Fishers.
Mrs. George F. Root of Dorchester,
Mass, is visiting at Francis Lynde's
Miss Clara White went Monday to
Springfield, Mass, where she has a po-
sition.
]. F. Bigelow, the granite cutter, has
moved from Brannan street to Henry
Clsbee's house
Mrs. Harry Dowley went to Randolph
Wednesday to stay two weeks as a guest
of Mrs. F. L. Bass.
E. 1. Perry, who has been occupying a
tenement in H. F. Weatherheads house,
has moved to Greenfield this week
Arthur G. Winter, who has been with
his parents several weeks, has returned
to his work in Worcester
Mrs. c. PhilbricE has returned from a
visit through the West and is now with
her daughter, Mrs. l.. NJ. Keneston.
Mrs. ]. ]. Ward, who has lived in ]. L.
Stockwelrs building, has moved to the
east village to occupy rooms in Crosby
block.
Hiram Weatherhead began work yester-
day on the cellar for a cottage house
which he will build on the lot adjoining
Z. NJ. Goodenough's premises.
Mr.. and Mrs. George d. Rollins of
Philadelphia, who have been guests at
F. r. Mann's, started Saturday on their
return home.
Mrs. ]. o. Johnson, who is in the
hospital at Montague, is reported as do
ing well, and win be expected home with
In a few days.
The infant son of Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
Riggarmen was brought home Tuesday
from the hospital at Montague, where he
was taken on account of severe burns on
the head. 1t is thought that there will
be no noticeable scars on the child's face.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04
NO. 81.
WEST 5RATTLEBoRo.


The New Pastor Of the Baptist Church.
Rev. John A. Mitchell, pastor of the
Baptist church in Wilmington, has ac-
cepted call to the church here to fill
the vacancy caused by the departure of
Rev. N. A. Wood to Essex Junction
several months ago. Mr.. Mitchell ex-
poets to finish his work in Wilmington
August ~ and to take up his labors here
the first Sunday In September Mr..
Mitchell was born in Fitchburg, Mass,
May 10, 1877, but most of his life was
spent In Lynn, where he was a member
OF the class of '97 Of the Lynn classical
high school, He took a year of special
training at the Gordan Missionary Train
ing school in Boston and spent a part of
1899 in special study in Chicago. Then
after which he entered the Newton Theo-
logical institution in Newton Centre,
Mass, from which he graduated in Sep
tember, 1903. He went from there di-
rectly to his pastorate in Wilmington.
He was ordained to the gospel ministry
In the Essex Street Baptist church in
Lynn June Is, 1908, and in September Of
that year married Miss Carrie May
Mears, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. L.
Mears Of Lynn. He has been very sue
cessful in his work in Wilmington and
several members have been added to the
church by baptism, experience and
letter. A Baptist young peoples union
and home missionary department, with
more than 40 members, have been organ
lied in connection with the regular church
work.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04
Charles II. Robb's Work In Washington
Washington Post.l

In avoirdupois Mr.. Robb is hardly
heavier than good healthy boy of eight
cen, but in legal talent he is a young giant.
Attorney General Knox ascertained Mr..
Robb's calibre before the latter had been
in Washington very long 1t was on the
motion of Mr.. Knox that Mr.. Robb went
to the post Office department when the
late Postmaster General Payne stood in
dire need Of a first-class man to clean
out the legal branch of his department
and get rid OF get-rich-quick concerns.
Mr. Robb works with great energy and
he gets results. He is especially strong
on legal Investigations and has been in
trusted with several momentous cases,
some of them coming directly from the
President. His assignments at the de-
partment cover Chinese exclusion law,
immigration law, internal revenue, civil
service, and post office cases.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04

The changing of the West River Rail-
road company's line, more commonly
known as the narrow gauge railroad from
Brattleboro to South Londonderry, from
a narrow gauge to standard gauge track
between Saturday night and Monday
morning, indicates that big things can
be done expeditiously in Vermont as they
can elsewhere. The change was made
without interruption to traffic. When such
feats are accomplished in the cities they
are regarded as very remarkable and
command columns Of attention from the
metropolitan press. We are more modest
in Vermont.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04

Walter Christie lowered the American
kilometer record by covering the distance
in 25 seconds fiat on Cape May Beach
course Saturday. Barney Oldfield at
Toledo, Ohio, lowered worlds mile record
over half mile track to Ill 3-5.
Great Britain is declared to be Loyalty
supporting her ally, Japan, in the peace
negotiations, and will support her de-
mands, however rigorous, meanwhile de-
ferring to her views with reference to an
armistice.
Congress at its coming session, 1t Is
said, will make an investigation of recent
departmental expenditures and ask for
an accounting OF the SIC, 900, 900 granted
for the Panama canal and expended by
the Walker commission. This inquiry
may result in the refusal of further
lump" appropriations and a more care
ful supervision by Congress of public
expenditures.
Bridgeport, Conn, was visited by a
flood Sunday, and much damage to life
and property was caused. Heavy rains
proved too great a strain for reservoir
dams above the city and they gave way,
and a mighty torrent of water was re-
leased to go down the valley destroying
everything in its path. Reaching the
Poquonock river, the flood did much
damage to shipping In the harbor below,
driving several schooners against the
DOCKS ana sending others out to sea, The
property loss is estimated at 100000
The fercest electrical storm Of the sea-
son swept over New York and adjacent
New Jersey cities Sunday. At Coney Is
land, where lightning killed six persons
and injured two score, the tempest was
said to be the most fearful in its history
The persons killed, with those severely
injured, had taken refuge from the rain
under the boardwalk at the base of a
| hagpole at the Parkway Baths. The
bolt shattered the fiagpole, and, following
it down to the base, killed and injured
those sitting there. Three thousand per-
| sons on the boardwalk were said to have
felt the shock from the same bolt.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04
Equitable? what's in a manner

John Mitchell, president of the united
mine workers, considers the talk of
another great coal strike, involving
anthracite and bituminious operators, as
highly sensational He says the present
contract between the mine owners and
the laborers holds good until next spring,
and that he believes that new ones, sat
isfactory to all, will then be made.