davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-09

had, for the situation was gloomy and forbid
ding enough to give an older person the
"creeps."
10 make the matter worse with me, the
neighbors were always relating in my presence
stories of a panther having been seen prowling
abont IN the settlement, sometimes in one
place and sometimes in another, and not infre-
quently in the neighborhood of the mill road.
l do not know whether panther had ever
been seen in the settlement and rather sus-
pect one never had. | am of the opinion that
some person thought he had seen one and re-
lating his experience, set the people to talking
and got up sort of rivalry among them
which led to many such accounts, all of which
were imaginary or willful misrepresentation.
| But be that as it may, the stories had their
effect on me, and | never passed through the
woods after night that my mind was not filed
with thoughts of panthers, and expected ev-
cry minute to be attacked and torn to pieces
| by the savage beasts
Any little noise, such as the cracking of a
twig, the rustling of the leaves or theSfalling
of nut, was sufficient to send the blood cours,
ing to my heart or cause my hair to stand on
end.
One day in the early spring, when 1 had
just entered my fourteenth year. l was sent
to mill, leaving home just as morning began
to dawn in the east.
remember it was warm cloudy weather
and the deep snow that had lain on the
ground all winter was going off, filling the
creeks and branches full to oyerhowing
| AS usual, / had to wait at the mill all day
and until far into the night, before I got my
grist. ! suppose it must have been about two
O'clock in the morning when was ready to
start home.
l hesitated about going then, and wa.
strongly inclined to wait at the mill unit
morning, but father had said to come horne
as soon as | got my grist, and l had beer
taught that he meant to be obeyed when he
spoke so put aside personal preferences ant
began my homeward journey
Diohf tuac darlr and nnuld
guish objects at the distance of a rod. AS
rode on, my thought drifted back to panthers
and soon succeeded in working myself uT
, to such pitch that imagined the woods full
Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-09

of them, and expected every moment to see
ne spring out and bar my way:
l had gone two or three miles on the, way
wher l came to place where the road ran
the other side of the road from the river there
was mountainous hill, thickly covered with
trees and bushes.
was riding through the narrow pass thus
formed when all at once there was great
rustling among the bushes a few feet above
me, and like fash dark object darted INTO
the road in front of my horse and stopped.
Of course, my first thought was OF panther
ard felt that my end had come.
l think my hair must have stood straight
up, for know that if there was possibility
Of a person being scared out of growth, as
the old saying goes, would have lost at least
a couple of years right then and there :,
For an instant | was too much astonished
to do anything but stare but when did get
control OF my tongue / gave vent to shrek
that surely could have been heard mile
away.
That shrek caused the horse was on to
shy, and scare the other one so badly that he
broke away from me and ran off, while l,
trembling like leaf, rolled to the ground
right at the edge of the river bank
The fall had the effect of joltn,g my wan
derng senses back into action, and l arose 70
sill ting posture to listen. The horses were
gone. and for little while heard and saw
nothing. / began to breathe easier, for |
thought that the panther had been scarce of
/ started to get upon my feet, with view
slight noise behind me, and looking quickly
back, / caught glimpse of that same dark
object but few feet away.
One glimpse was enough, and / waited for
no more With another shrek l gave leap
forward and went tumbling down the bank
to the river.
The Ice had not broken up in the river yet
though it. had become :otten, and the water
was standing foot deep on the top of it
Down on to the ice and into the water went
dIenchilg myself thoroughly but my thoughts
of the danger behind me were too pressing just
then to allow me to take any notice of such
a small matter as a soaking.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-09


try in which we located was at that
time comparatively new, and the small popu-
lation was scattered through the hills and for
ests, the houses usually being removed two or
three miles from each other.
The dense forests were unbroken save for
the occasional patches of newly-cleared land,
containing from one to dozen acres, and the
only highways were the rough, winding roads
laid out by the farmers, with blazed trees on
either side to mark their courses
The only public place in the settlement
was Groomer's mill, and though at that time
/ thought it wonderful town, 1 recall it
now it appears to have been an extremely in
significant point.
1t contained general merchandise store,
blacksmith shop, a half dozen houses, and
last, but not least, Groomers mill, from which
the town got its name. =
This mill was one of those long-since obso-
lete -mills-that is it was run by horse
power, and each customer was required to
furnish his own horses. and. as it took two
horses to run it, each customer who carried
turn of corn to mill was obliged to lead Sec
ond horse with him.
About the only striking peculiarity that
can remember about this Mil was its wonder
full facility for killing time. l don't think
ever saw anything to equal it in that respect,
and l distinctly recollect that the phrase, GAS
in the settlement at that period.
have good reasons to remember the slow
ness OF the mill, for many and many were the
nights that sat up there from dark until
dawn awaiting my turn, and very often /, in
connection with other boys who were waiting,
parched and ate SO much corn that it really
looked as if there would be little left for the
erist by the time the mill had worked its way
up to it.
1 did all the milling for our family, and
every second week l carried turn" of corn
to the mill, always riding astride of the grain
on one horse and leading another. usually
left home at daylight, but sometimes when the
night was not too dark | started earlier, even
as eorly as midnight occasionally.
At whatever hour started | went prepared
to remain all day and all night, so the folks
at home were never uneasy on account of my
protracted absence.
/ never had any fancy for the long, solitary
night rides through the dark woods, and
think very few boys of my age would have
Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-09
DOG POWER

There is Wisconsin paper with weekly
edition of 1000 copies, which is run entirely
by dog power. The dog is named Gypsy, and
is an English mastiff, weighing one hundred
and forty pounds. A large wooden wheel,
eight feet in diameter, was built expressly for
Gyp's accommodation. At the word of COM
mand the intelligent animal enters the wheel
and begins his work. To the wheel is at
tached belt connecting with the presses, and
in two hours Gyp runs off the entire edition.
He seems to enjoy his work and never has
to be driven to his station.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-09
THE coLDEsT COUNTRY

Ninety degrees below zero, colder than the
cold of space, has been registered in the prov
ince of Werkojauk, North Siberia. Yet
there is a population of 10000 people, chiefly
Jalu,ts and LAmuts. There is good grazing,
and the people keep large herds of cattle, and
live chiefly on milk and cheese. They cut
hay in summer for winter feed, but during
out; out first, however, taking the preeaution rec
to tie over their udders piece of felt, other
wise the poor brutes would suffer from frost
bite.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-09

was Uuduhlul 1OI biio HOOa ANAN,.I,
but had presence of mind enough to realize
that my position was critical one, Tor, Try as
would, could not release myself from the
trap into which had fallen.
1t was all l could do to keep my head ABOVE
the water that flowed over the ice. and !
knew that if l remained there long, wouia
become numbed and must at last loose my
hold, and be swept under the ice. Jhen, 70
add to the terror of the situation, l discover
ed after the lapse OF a few minutes thaG .he
water on the ice was growing deeper a,be an IIe
time, and that soon it would be Impossible
for me to keep my head above it.
No one can imagine the horrors OF that time,
and it would be utterly useless to attempt to
portray what 1 suffered. If ever. a boy
thought seriously of death, l did, and II ever
any one longed for home and friends GER
tainly did.
l forgot all about the panther, and thought
only of death and of my home. =.
/ had little hope of rescue, for 1t was nearly
two miles to our house, and no one else hved
nearer. and it was improbable that any one
would pass the road at that time OF night.
| felt sure that no one could pc near yee
voice, acting on the principle, suppose, oil
the drowning man who catches at straw.
II seemed to me that almost an hour passed,
though it was probably not so long. Anyh1w'
| / know my arms began to acne areadIully,
and NV lower limbs grew stiff and lifeless.
| The water crawled up slowly but steadily,
until. raising myself as high as l could, was
barely able to keep my mouth above IT. An
other rise of fourth of an inch, and the wa
fer would strangle me, and the lapse OF anoth-
or FIVE minutes and my arms would refuse to
bear my weight longer :,
T tried to resign my self to my fate, for
had abandoned all hope of rescue. was about
To close my eyes and cease my endeavors to
Leen above the water when voice from the
hank broke the awful stiffness.
II was voice / knew. and in an instant all
the desire to live came back upon me, and
with a mighty effort ] shook off the stupor
that had stolen over me, and raised my head
clear of the water and answered back.
| The next instant the man--for it was one of
! onr neirhbors who had called to me-came
down the bank and across the flooded ice. 1t
was so dark that he had some difficulty in To-
eating me, and though ] attempted to call to
him. 7 was too weak to make my voice heard.
While he was still looking for me- his dog,
which followed him, came to me and set up
furious barking, thus guiding his master to my
side.
when / came to consciousness again / was at
home in bed and the sunlight of another day
was falling into the room. The neighbor was
i still there and when opened my eyes almost
the first object that met them was my panther
Of the night in the form of the neghbor's big
| black dog. The man was out hunting and
fortunately was not far away when | got my
terrible scare.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-09

Without a moments hesitation l
sprang up and started across the river,
little caring what course | took. only
50 it led away from the dreaded panther.
Il had nearly reached the opposite
bank, when. suddenly the ice cracked
under my feet, and in another instant
parted, and l went down. ~ =,
AS l sank threw out my arms, and,
fortunately, caught the ice on either
side, and by superhuman effort manag-
ed to stay, my descent, .o -.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-09
Copyright by James Elverson.)

1HEN was a lad of twelve my father,
with party comprising eight fami-
lies, moved from Kentucky and set
II tied in Western Missouri near
= Grand River. The section of coun-
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-09
RAILROADS ON THE RACK
Thirty Penalties Will be Demanded
From the Iron Mountain Route
Other Western Lines

Washington, D. C.-Attorney Gener-
al Moody, in accordance with the pol
icy heretofore determined upon has
directed further prosecutions of a
number of railroads for violations
of the federal safety appliance acts.
The United States attorneys for the
various districts wherein the acts
were committed were directed to file
and vigorously prosecute suits for the
recovery of the statutory penalty. The
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway
company will be sued for seventeen
penalties, and the St. Louis, Iron
Mountain e Southern Railway com
pany for thirty penalties.
The roads to be made defendants
and the districts where suits will be
brought include the following:
Belt Railway of Chicago, Northern
district of Illinois.
Chicago & Northwestern Railway
company, district of Nebraska.
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail
way company, district of Nebraska.
Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific Rail
way company, Southern district of
Iowa
Kansas City Southern Railway COM
pany, Western district of Missouri.
Missouri Pacific Railway company,
Western district of Missouri and dis
trict of Nebraska.
ST. Louis & San Francisco Railroad
company, Western district of Tennes-
see.
ST. Louis, Iron Mountain & South
ern Railway company, Western dis
trict of Tennessee.
st. Louis Southwestern Railway
company, Eastern district of Arkan
Sas
Southern Railway company, West
ern district of Tennessee
Union Pacific Railway company,
district of Nebraska.
Union Stock Yards company of
South Omaha, district of Nebraska.
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-09
IOWA IS FOR BRYAN
Iowa Democratic. State. Convention
Declares for Bryan. Names
Strong Ticket.

Waterloo, lathe democratic
state convention on Tuesday nomin-
ated a full state ticket, headed by
Claude r. Porter, of Appanoose coun-
ty for governor, adopted platform
and adjourned sine die tonight.
The platform favors a tariff for rev.
enue only, the election of United
States senators by direct vote Of the
people and demands the enactment
of such legislation as will effectually
destroy all trusts.
The platform expresses sympathy
with the purpose of national labor
organizations as set forth In recent ad-
dresses by Samuel Gompers, John
Mitchell and others calling on labor
to assert it's political rights at the
ballot box.
A resolution was adopted pledging
to William Jennings Bryan the sup
port of the Iowa democrats for the
presidency in 1908.
The first ballot on governor re-
suited: Claude r. Porter 262; John
d. Dennison 245 1-2; George W. Ball
231 1-2; H. H. Boles 1870; Donald
Macrae SO.
The second ballot showed slight
gain for Porter. The name OF Ma
crae of Council Bluffs was with
drawn after the second ballot.
The third ballot gave Porter 338:
Dennison 249 Ball 179; Boies 1853.
The fourth ballot was started when
Ball withdrew. Porter was then nom-
mated receiving 507 votes; Boies 292
and Dennison 1872.
John d. Dennison was nominated
for lieutenant governor by acclama-
ton. Both Porter and Dennison were
called before the convention and
spoke briefly. Other nominations were
made by acclamation until judges of
the. supreme court were reached.
Four names were presented and one
roll call. L. NJ Fisher of Scott and
E. NJ Carr of DLeleware were nom
mated over E. A. Sager of Bremen and
e. c. Herrick of Cherokee.
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-09
Physical Tests Start Dismission

Kansas City-Railway employees OPP
Grating trains are greatly interested
in the agitation that has recently
been started in the lodges of the
brotherhood of locomotive engineers
on the Burlington system relating to
the physical tests to which that CON-
pany subjects all its engineers. The
tests for eyesight are the special sub
ject for consideration, and it is as
serted in railroad circles that if these
tests are vigorously enforced many of
the older men will be forced to leave
the service. The agitation is the re-
suit of the recent action of the com
pany in suspending number of en-
gineers shortly after one of these ex-
aminations. u
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-09
success that bids fair to attend the
movement"
TURKEY EXPECTS TROUBLE
New Warships May be Found Useful
in Case of Russian Revolution

Constantinople-The new Turkish
cruisers and destroyers in the Golden
Horn are coaling and an extraordi-
nary council of ministers has met at
the palace to consider measures to be
taken in connection with the disturbed
state of the Russian Black sea lit
toral The unrest in the Island OF
Samos is also thought to be connect
ed with the meeting.
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-09
PLANS FOR BRYAN'S RECEPTION

New York-At a meeting of the ex-
ecutive committee of the William J.
Bryan committee today it was decided
to issue reserved seat tickets to Madi-
son Square garden, where Mr.. Bryan
is to deliver his address.
Madison Square garden has seat
ing capacity of $4,000. Lewis Nixon
reported that about thousand prom
inent democrats from all parts of the
country had been invited. The ques
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-09

than any president of modern in
surance company. Within the first
decade social vices infested the COM
munity; drunkenness, pickering, SLAM
der, Righteousness and even crimes
against nature were commoA All
this took place in community of
very limited numbers. No New Eng
land village of today need fear COM
parison with the early Plymouth
colony"
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-09
DoWIE is OUT OF THE RACE
Not Candidate for Overseer Of
Zion City

Chicago. Ill.-Two candidates filed
their certificates of nomination for
the Office of general overseer of the
Christian Apostolic Catholic church
in Zion City. The candidates are
Wilbur Glen Voliva, who took charge
of the church and Zion City after
John Alexander Dowie had been sus-
pended, and Alfred e. Bills, a former
adherent of Dowie's, who claims to be
opposed to Voliva. Dowie, through
his attorneys, disclaims any connec-
ton with Bills. Bills is said to be
large property owner in Zion City
and has lived in that city for five
years.
Dowie, through his attorneys for the
second time announced that he would
not be candidate
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-09
ROOSEVELT GIVES 81 TO PARTY
Appoves New Plan Adopted to Raise
Funds for the Campaign

New York-President Roosevelt has
contributed 81 to the republican ma
tional congressional committees cam
paign fund. The contribution was
sent in response to general appeal
for 81 contributions. Chairman Sher-
man Sherman of the congressional
committee today made public the
presidents letter, inclosing his con-
tribution to the fund. The letter
reads: II have your letter of the
oath instant and Enclosures. l send
my dollar. / think it an admirable
plan. and / congratulate you upon the
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-09

tion of whether any reserved seat
tickets should be issued was discussed
at some length, but the suggestion
of the finance committee that the
whole house be ticketed prevailed.
Alexander Troup, treasurer, reported
that the expense of the reception
would not be less than $4,000.
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-09

been instructed to make certain alter
ations which will increase the cost
$2000,000 over the original estimate.
There are to be 700 rooms. The addi-
tional expense will be for women's
and mems grills and the court. In
nearly every respect the famous old
court will be duplicated.
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-09
San Francisco's New Palace Hotel

San Francisco, Gait is finally de-
cided that the new Palace hotel will
cost million dollars with 600 thou
sand dollars allowed for furniture.
The New York architects, who are
preparing preliminary plans, have
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-09
PILGRIM FATHERS AS GRAFTERc
john D. Long auses Sensation at PLY
mouth Church Tercentenary


Plymouth, Mass.-The halo usually
accorded the Pilgrim fathers was rude
ly shattered by John d. Long, former
secretary of the navy, who gave a
distinct shock to his hearers by de-
claring that they were no better than
they ought to be and that some among
them were the equals of present day
grafters.
Mr.. Longs remarks were part of an
address delivered at the ter-centenary
of the First church Of Plymouth.
Among other things he said
'The saints in Plymouth colony can
be counted on the fingers. Some of
the very elect were false to their
trust and used their positions to feath-
er their own nests-falser to the trust
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1906-08-24
Lowering That Ditch.

Speaking OF the work now being
done i'll "Shake Rag" by the road
committee-the lowering of the bed of
the branch in that section will be of
great valve, not only to that imme-
date section, but to Tazewell Avenue.
and all that lower section OF town.
Ibis branch drains a large number of
lots. Much valuable property in that
section, and as far up as lower Main
street, is swampy and wet, owing to
the fact that the bed of the branch is
not lower than the surrounding land.
Lowering the ditch down the car line
will help much, but the work should
be extended to at least Mechanics
avenue. Property would become more
valuable, and health better and the
chances fol- fevers and other diseases
reduced TO the minimum.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1906-08-24
D. c. Gillespie at Home.

David c. Gillespie, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Geo. ". Gillespie, who has been
IN Germany for three years pursuing a
special course Of study, reached b, me
on Wednesday. Jake" was welcomed
with open arms of course. His home
coming was great delight to his re-
latives and many friends here.
He graduated in his special study.
mathematics, receiving his degree.
Some id IA ofhOw hard he worked will
sc gotten when it is remembered that
first he had to learn to speak as well
as read and write the German Ianou-
age, as all lectures, recitations, etc.
were held in German He has done
finely, ane deserves the many congrat-
ulati ms he is receiving.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1906-08-24

Capt. r.. J Miles, former agent OF
the y. 4 W. here, has resigned. and
viii make his future home in Spokane,
Washington. Mr. Miles has been in
charge OF the eompany's business here
for number OF years. He is univer-
sally popular, and his leaving is a
source of deep regret. He has been
universally obliging and the large
number OF people with whom he has
had 10 deal are more than sorry that
he has given up the position. Mr.. Me.
Dowcll, OF Blamwell. is not filling the
vacancy.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1906-08-24
Notice to Debtors.

l have placed all notes and accounts
due the late J W.Ashley in the hands
of l. ii. Harry. Falls Mills, Va. Per
sonsrAesiring % settle notes or accounts
will call on Mr.. Harry, who IS author
lied to receipt for same. Persons
desiring To- communicate with me i'm
regard TO the S0ove will address me
at Livingston, Nels IN County, Va.
II. I. ASHLEY, Admir-,
j. W. Ashley.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1906-08-24
Stole the Skunks.

Mr.. Paul Peery has small skunk
farm on his mothers place west Of
town. A few nights ago some one
entered the high board fence enclosure
and stole sixteen OF the cats. There
were evidences around the place and
IN the neighborhood that strong resis-
tance was made on the part Of the
skunks.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1906-08-24
TresspasS Notice.

All parties are hereby warned under
penalty of the law, not to trcspass on
my premises, 10y riding, driving, hunt
ing. fishing, or otherwise.
q. S. Gildersleeve,
4 ID 1y Grafton, Va.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1906-08-24
Trespass Notice.

All parties whatsoever are hereby
forbidden ind r penalty of the law to
hunt, fish, swim, trap, walk, ride or
cut timber or otherwise trespass on
my lands and premises in this county
without written permission nom me.
Mrs. Margaret White.
Five Oaks, vs., May 10, 1905.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1906-08-24
VIR GINA MILITARY INSTITUTE
LEXINGTON, Virginia.

C3th Year. State Military Scientific and Tech
meal school. Thorough courses of general and
applied chemistry. and in Electrical and iVii
Engineering. Degree of graduate in academic
course. and degrees of Bachelor OF Science in
Technical Courses. All expenses, Including
clothing and incidentalS. provided at rate of
$3.50 per annum, as an average 70 the four
ears. exclusive of outfit. For information ad-
dress
SCOTT SHIP, Supt.