davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-02-16
NOT A RAIL SPLITTER.
Lincoln Said 10 Have Denied Widely
Prevalent Belief.

Prevalent Belief.
The Boston Republic lately printed
some "reminiscences OF the Hon
John CONFESS, U. S. senator from
California from 1863 to 1869, and the
sole survivor of the eight pallbearers
at the funeral of Abraham Lincoln
Mr.. CONFESS, who is now resident
of Boston, attacked one wellrooted
tradition. Lincoln was not rail
splitter he said He once told me
he never split rail in his life.
81 recall distinctly the occasion on
which Lincoln told me about the rail
splitting. was at the White House
one morning by appointment, discus
sing some official matter, and by de-
grees our conversation drifted into
other channels. John Hay, then the
| assistant secretary, came in for a sec
ond with some papers, among which
were one of the weeklies of the day
with some picture or statement refer
ring to the Illinois Rail-Splitter
"tDo you know, CONFESS, said Mr..
Lincoln to me. there isn't word Of
truth in this railsplitting business,
| not word; and yet what am to do
about it? The day after was nom
mated I was standing on the front
porch Of my house, and the people
were coming up to congratulate me,
and parading by, some of them actu-
ally carrying on their shoulders the
rails which was supposed to have
split.
"I was much confused and trou-
bled, and did not know exactly what
/ could do about it. My impulse was
10 tell them, but then, / thought, here
were masses of men taking their own
means of expressing their pleasure at
my nomination, and I asked myself
| If should dampen the ardor of my
supporters on the very threshold of
the campaign, or let it go on and treat
| 1t as means or incident in our
election.
Then all OF sudden there oc-
Cured to me little story about an
old farmer who lived up near where
did when was boy. He was an
old bachelor, and didn't have much
of farm, and was a peculiar chap.
Farm hands didn't like to work for
him, and he used to have lot Of
trouble getting them.
Finally he got one, good, hard
working fellow, who was a great help
to him, and who stayed longer than
any of the others. This fellow had
only one fault, he used TO love to sing.
He sang all the time about the house,
and when the was working in the
| field. !.
BY and by the old farmer got SO
| THAT the singing disturbed him CON
siderable. So he called UP the man
and said: Look here, John, you must
stop this singing. It's really more
than / can sand. Don't let me hear
you again" "
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-02-16

John went oht and tried silence
for couple of days, but one morning
the old farmer found a note for him
saying: Have gone to hoe where Il
can sing So, CONFESS, just thought
I'd let 'em sing. Z"
The real value Of the tradition lies
in its clear assertion Of the fact that
Lincoln was one of the humble peo-
pie who grew to high estate. That is
true, and because the tradition put the
truth in form that every one could
grasp, it has survived.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-02-16

B Lost Lincoln Monuments
EectN National
resident Supplied
100000 Raised for This obect


A movement to erect monument
ITO President Lincoln has recalled the
existence and mysterious passing Of
the National Lincoln Monument asso-
citation, chartered by act of Congress.
March 80, 1867.
The plan was backed by the most
prominent men in the country at the
time, and 100000 was raised by popu-
lar subscription. The design for the
monument vas executed by Clark
Mills. the sculptor, site in front of
the Capitol was selected, and can
tured Confederate cannon were turned
over to the association by the war de.
partment from. which to cast the
bronze figures surrounding the pedes.
tai
But the association and its organic
ers seem to have vanished into thin
air, work on the monument was never
even begun, and - far as can be
learned the money was never re-
turned.
From 1867 to 1882 the record of the
association is clear, but there is alb
solutely nothing to show what became
of it after that date. The list of in
corporators submitted to Congress in
the former year with the application
for a charter included such prominent
men as James Harlan, Alexander
Ramsey, Schuyler Colfax, Frederick
Douglass, Godlove S. Orth, Shelby M.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-02-16
zza3AI|s & &
KEPT CASH in HIS POCKET.
Lincoln Had No Confidence in Banks
When He Was Postmaster.

'The developments in the postoffice
department" said Senator Cullom, ire
mind me of the early times in Illinois
when Lincoln was the postmaster of
the town of Salem.
t.The cash drawer of the postoffsce
there was Lincoln's vest pocket, but it
was a cash drawer that was sacred to
him. remember on one occasion
when a postoface inspector came
around and made a careful survey of
everything in the postoffice. He took
account of stock and figured out just
how much Lincoln ought. to have in
cash belonging to the government.
Some Of Lincoln's friends were afraid
that he might be a little short and
went to him with offers OF money IL he
needed it. He replied that he guessed
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-02-16

>~@SS~~~SNsseS-@N~~~e
Cullom, Samuel Shellenbarger and
Richard Yates. Senator Cullom of
Illinois, whose name appears as one
of the incorporators, said recently
that he didn't remember anything
about the association and couldn't say
or what became of the 100000 col
lected in one-dollar subscriptions from
all over the country
From the record it appears that on
June 25, 1868, little more than a
year after the association obtained it's
charter, Congress passed a joint reso-
luton authorizing the Secretary of
War to place at the disposal of the
association damaged and captured
bronze and brass cannon and ordnance
out of which to cast the principal
: figures surmounting the pedestal. The
act provided that no such allotment
Of ordnance should be made however,
until the voluntary subscriptions to
the monument fund should reach $780,
900.
While no record can be found to
lected, it is probable in view of the
above law that the amount was in ex-
cess of 100000, as the records of the
War department show that under the
act twelve brass cannon were issued
to the association.
The last Congress record of the as
sociation is an act passed in 1882, pro-
viding that five trustees should con-
stitute a legal quorum of the asso-
citation; and it is believed that this
provision was enacted owing to the
dying out of interest in the project
and the difficulty that had been ex-
perienced in securing attendance at
the necessary meetings.
Recently a number of the engraved
subscription receipts of the association
have been found. They were executed
at the bureau of engraving and bear
the signature of Gen. F. E. Spinner,
treasurer Of the association and at
that time treasurer of the United
States as well. In view Of this fact
it has been suggested that if the
books of the treasury department were
carefully examined the 100000 or
more subscribed by the people and
,-sslaced in Gen. spinner's care would
be found on deposit.
The following description of the
4 monument. as designed by Clark Mills
and accepted by the association, was
4 published at the time
ssThe pedestal to be OF granite, and
figures bronze, the whole structure to
be 70 feet, surmounted by thirty-five
colossal figures. Its construction tri-
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-02-16
HELD GREAT RIVALS HAT.
Stephen A. Douglas at the Inaugural
finn IF I ipcofn

otePnen -. douglas at the inaugural
ton Of Lincoln.
! When Lincoln was inaugurated the
| first time there was one little Incl
| dent that impressed those who saw it.
The president-elect came forward
upon the platform prepared at the
east front of the capitol with his
| natural awllwardness increased by the
momentous circumstances of the oc-
casion, and by a gorgeous wardrobe,
in which it was evident he felt ex-
ceedingly uncomfortable. The stiff
dress coat, vest and pantaloons of
black broadcloth were enough of
themselves to disturb his mental and
physical equanimity, but to these
were added other membranes in the
shape of a brand new silk hat and a
| ponderous gold-headed cane.
The cane he managed to put away
in corner, but the disposition of the
hat perpleXed him greatly. 1t was too
good to throw away, too fine, as he
thought, to rest upon the rough
boards, so. for minute at least,
poor Lincoln stood there in the gaze
! of assembled thousands, grasping the
! hat desperately AID seeking in vain
for safe place to deposit it. Doug
| las, who sat Immediately in the rear,
saw the embarrassment of his rival,
| and rising, took the shining beaver
! from its sorely bothered owner and
| held it during the delivery Of the in.
augural address.
Probably had Stephen A. Douglas
| been told, five years before, that he
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-02-16

was destined to hold the hat of Abra-
ham Lincoln while that Individual
was appearing for the first time as
president of the United States the
Little Giant would have laughed at
the very idea
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-02-16

John A. Young, held at Huron for
completely in the murder Of G. M
Todd, near washington, last October
is about 90 and is bright looking fel.
low. He declines to make any state
ment. Rumor says enough Is now
known to warrant the early arrest Of
another man
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-02-16

L tla =
That bore nation In its hold
From this mute witness understand
w nat Lincoln was=-ho# large OF mould
The man who sped the woodman' s team
And deepest sunk the ploughman's share,
And pushed the laden raft astream
OF fate before him unaware
This was the hand that knew to swing
| The axe--since thus would freedom train
\ Her son-and made the forest ring,
| And drove the wedge, and toiled amain.
Firm hand, that loftier office took
A conscious leaders will obeyed,
And, when sought his word and look,
With steadfast might the gathering swayed.
No courtier's, toying with sword,
Nor minstres, laid across d lutte:
chiefs uplifted to the Lord
When all the kings of earth were mute!
The hand of Anak, sinewed strong,
The fingers that on greatness clutch;
Yet, 10! the marks their lines along
OF who strove and suffered much
For here, in knotted cord aad vein,
trace the varying chart of years; 81
know the troubled heart, the strain,
The weight of Atas-and the tears.
Again | see the patient brow
That pam erewhile was wont to press;
And now tbs furrowed deep and now
Made smooth with hope and tenderness.
For something OF formless grace
This moulded outline plays about;
A plying flame, beyond trace,
Breaties like spirit, in and out
The love that cast an aureole
Round one who, longer to endure,
Called mirth to ease his ceaseess dole
Yet kept his nobler purpose sure
Lo, as gaze, the statured man.
Built up from yon large hand, appears:
A type that Nature Wills to plan
But once in all peoples years. sg
What better than this voiceless cast
To tell of such as he,
Since through It's living semblance passed
The thought that babe race be free!
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-02-16

now me snsjest OF this
weight of
codng to the Bible Of a osg
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-05
Sherman S March Held Up
March ls. usts
A roRTlETH ANNIVERSARY WAR sToR,

ana enabled thom to throw up hasty
breastworks out OF view OF the enemy
Iohnston's guns were we'll served. and
the vaor Of bis soldiers In charging
my lines would have counted for mors
had his columns not been broken In
passing through the thIcket. As Il was,
they charged again and again until
late hour. When night came on had
my army well In hand and intrenched,
stu | had a strong foe In my front
and could not keep my engagement 10
meet Sherman on tho Neusc river next
day The iierceness OF the battle con.
nrmed the story OF the desertcr VII.
lisms that the enemy had made every
preparation TO smash me. and. while
might have ignored the warning and
attempted to cut my way through, l
thought II was time when could
afford to be too slow rather than too
fast and not risk another Balls Blufr
disaster.
The Idea Is generally accepted that
the march Of sherman through the
Carollpas at that time, threatening 10
come up In the rear OF Lees army
along the James and catch Il between
two fires, decided the issue between
Lee and Grant and led TO the surrender
at Appomattox. That view OF the case
makes 1t plain that blow like tho one
Johnston would have been able TO
strike had | not been warned OF his
presence and continued my march with
the columns strung out would have
been terrible disaster Just at that
time
Williams was the hero OF that cri !
sis, and he took his life In his hands In /
more respects than one when he set
out from the Confederate camps 10
warn mo OF my danger. There was ar. |
Ing going on between the Confederate
skirmlshers ana ours, SO that man
r!skei his iife passing between the /
lines. Besides, II discovered by the (
southern people while getting away
they would shoot him down, and the
northerners would do the same unless
they understood his signals, II was
most fortunate for Williams ms well as
for my army and the cause that he
happened TO run right into the arms
of an old fellow soldier 80 that the
Identification OF him aud acceptance
of his story di1not take five minutes
For his own Safety hc might better
have waited until the battle was on
before attempting to rcIoln his old
friends, If that was his sole object, II
would have been an easy matter then,
but he was true to the flag and bis
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-05
GAME or SEVEN UP.
Results In a Logger Being Stabbed a,
Springfield.

Charles Taylor, carpenter. aged
about so years. was probably fatally
stabbed today by George Tucker. 4
logger In saloon at Springfield The,
men had been IN the saloon all night
playing cards and drinking, and early
this morning began 10 quarrel over
samc of acven-up Blows followed and
IA the mlx-up Tucker drew large
pocket knife and cut Taylor IN the
breast over the heart, 'fhe mon wsre
separated aud Tucker placed under
arrcat Taylor was taken TO his room
ana u physician pronounced the wound
very dangerous, the knife blade having
penetrated near the heart. Tucker Was
brought to Eugene and placed in Jail.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-05

former calling OF scout. Having learn.
Cd vital news for the Federal com.
mandcr, hc riskcd his llfc TO cnrry II
TO the opposing camp
The dtsratehIng Of Foraker 10 sher.
man for help was the next act In the
drama. and after night march Sher.
man came up with Logan's corps and
Joined me on the battlefield nj Benton.
vile the morning OF March 20. As
soon as be arrived we developed the
enemy's lines and found them very
strong. as Williams reported, but when
We began TO push things Johnston Ills
covered that he was Just II day too late.
Tor Sherman'S army was united, lie
then retreat"d hastily toward Raleigh"
Two days later Lee attempted 10
break Grants hold on Petersburg by a
night sortic. He failed aud attempted
TO back of aud march south TO meet
Johnston. That plan Sheridan follcd
at Five Forks on April /. SO the game
was up for the southern Confederacy.
Williams name does not appear ON
the list OF winners OF medals OF honor.
He was In the service all through ths
war, having re.enlstcd nj the expira.
lion Of his first term. He returned 10
syracuse to engage In business, In
which he met with varying fortunes.
GEORGE l.. KlLAlER.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-05

drlG nlulof eur specially designed
lacarty drick firing sun, mounted on
i pivot, capable uf helng raised or low.
arcd and turning IN all directions, The
drivers sent Ia also 40 arranged that "
can be lowered sufficiently 10 sink the
Ean below the line Of fire, Heavy
hAulagc work, such NJ That of stores.
munitions and even heavy guns. Ia NJ.
ready done BY motor In the Austrina
army.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-05
Folgsr Promoted.

Manila, March 4..-Rear Admiral
Sterling viii be aueeo@ied In COM
mand OF the Aaintlc fleet by Rear Ad-
miral W. NJ, Foiger. on March 20. Ad-
miral Stirling viii sail from here for
Hong Kong on March 10, on board the
battlcShip Wisconsin. accompanied by
the Oregon ana torpedo boa, float.
lila, From there he viii return home
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-05
MASSAGE.
MISCELLANEOUS.

OFFICE CONSTRUCTING QUAR-
termaster, Astoria. Ore. February
Is, 1905: Sealed proposals, in tripli-
cate, will be received at this offics I'M
til 10 o'clock a. m. March Z, 1905, and
then opened. for grading ana con-
struction OF plank roadways and side
walks about new public buildings at
Fort Columbia, Wash. United States
reserves the right to reject any or all
proposals. Plans can be seen and
specifications obtained at this office.
Information furnished on application.
Envelopes should be marked "Propos-
ais for grading. etc" and addressed
Captain Goodale. ouartermaster. As.
toria, Ore.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-05

War Motor Car.
The Austrian war department has
lust SANCTIONED the construction OF an
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-05

Grow beautiful hair. New method.
scien,lnc and natural cure for scalp
and hair troubles Six weeks Eoihcn
lintr culture Course by mail with rem
eJles, Results guaranteed. Send 10
cents postage for trial treatment
t.othen Co. IS Ajax Rlis.. cievelaHd.o
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-05

FOR RENT--TW0 FURNISHED
rooms for Housekeeping, s6I Fiji
teenth street, corner Exchange.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-05
PoiAons in Food,

Perhaps you don't realize that many
pain poisous originate In your food
but some day you may feel n ,wingr Of
dyspepsia that will convince you. Or.
Kings New Life Pills are guaranteed
to cure all sickness due to poisons OF
undlgested food-or money back Csc
at chas. Rogers drug store. Thy
them.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-05
Fully Recovered.

Chicago, March i.s-Dr. William Il
Harper, president OF the University Of
Chicago. who recently underwent AN
operation, has left the Presbyterian
hospital tonight AMI has been taken to
his home, He will Immediately taks
UP hts work at the university.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-05

FOR LE-SHETLAND PONEY,
cart and harness. Apply to A. f. AL
len, Clatsop. ore.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-05
FOR RENT-RooMS.

FOR RENT-FoUR NICE SUNNY
rooms, Inquire at Star theater
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1905-01-10
HindoOs na Fighters.

A native officer of India writes Of
the native soldiers: THE Sikhs or re
formed HiGdoos have all the qualities
Of the best fighters. and the Indians
as well MS their fellow subjects in
Europe have indeed reason to be proud
Of them. There are two other castles
IN the Punjab also noted for their fight.
ing qualities, the Jats and the Dagras
Another greaT fighting race in the Pun.
Jab inhabiting the northwestern part
IRE commonly known as the Pathans.
They are now Mohammedans by faith.
The Gurkhas OF Nepal. the only indie
pendent state in India, though general
~ below average height. have proved
themselves the most indomltable,
brave and hardy hill fighters. Euro
pean officers attached to Gurkha rei;l
1lents love their men and are proud
Of them. Their free and easy man
ners, abstemious habits. cheerful dis
position, bravery in the field OF war
Jr Of sport help to raise them In the
estimation Of all who come in contact
with them. They are Of Hindoo OF!
gin"
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1905-01-10
Tonic to tha System

For liver troubles ana constipation
there is nothing beaten than Dewitt-s
Little Early Risars, tae famous littls
Pills. They do not weazcn The stom.
ach. Their action upon tha system Is
mild, pleasant AM harmless. Bob
Moore. Of Lafayette, Ina says:-'No us-
talking, DeWitt's Little Early Riser-
Do their work, All other pills ! have
used grip and make me sick in the
stomach and never cure me. DeWitt's
Littale Early Risers proyei 70 Be the
long sought relief. They ar Simply
perfect Persons travelling md Little
Early Rsers the most reliable remedy
70 carry with them Sold by Stone &
Mercer.
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1905-01-10
THE BUTTERFLY.
some Of the Extraordinary Gifts -
This Silent Insect.


The extraordinary gifts of the pus-
ierfly race have always excited the
wonder not only of naturalists. but Of
the most ignora 1t observers their ST.
lent and unseen chauges, the instinct
by which they distinguish their favor
tie plant food--as, for instance. even
smong the scarcely differing species OF
the complex race OF asters, where they
show themselves. as Professor Asa
Gray said, better botanlsts than many
OF u.s." their SKIN in depositing their
eggs nnerringly on or near the precise
plant on Shich the Forthcoming cater
pillars are fitted TO feed. although they
as butterflies have never tasted II. 10
these should be added their luxurious
spread of wings, giving opportunities
FOR those likenesses and variations z
color which protect them during tue
few days of their winged state; the
brief time when, If ever, their eggs
must be laid aud the continuance OF
the race made sure. The whole feaIm
Of animal "nimicry." as 1t is now term
cd, reaches its highest point in them
and leads to some extreme cases, as in
the fact that. while butterflies are or.
dinarily homogeneous, there is yet one
species in Africa which has departed
so widely from thus rule that the male
has not one mate only, but actually
three different wives. each SO utterly
unlike him in appearance as to have
long been taken for wholly differeLt
species. IT. W. Higglnson in Atlantic
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1905-01-10
A LOST ISLAND.
Old West Indian Legend That Date.
Dnck 40 Columbus, Time.

Old West Indian Legend That Dates
Back 10 Columbus' Time.
There IS an old legend in the Yves,
Indies which has been handed down
from the time OF Columbus TO the et
fect that somewhere among the numer
GUS Gays OF the Caribbean sea there
exists an island inhabited only by wo
men.
The aboriginal Caribs and ARRIVALS
found 1t incoDvenient to have women
around in times of war. Usually when
the enemy conquered number Of the
tribes fairest maidens were carried
off. So goes the story.
The deplorable possibility OF losing
III the women of the tribe was averted.
however, by the prompt action of the
chiefs, who ordered all of the remain.
Ing female element to this unknown
lsland in the Caribbean. According to
the legend. the place IS copously
watered by ideal streams, oveshad-
owed by breadfruit, mango, plantain
AID all the necessaries to life and
poetry. tbs husbands and lovers were
allowed to visit the island paradise not
more than twice year in times of
peace.
But.it is further handed down that
all the men OF the tribe were even
ualls wiped out in an Indian wer ane
That G!l trace Of lie isle Of women was
lost According TO Washington Irving
even Columbus made vain efforts 70
ind II.