davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27
INSANITY ON INCREASE.
Ratio of Growth Of Mental Trouble
Greater Than That of the
Population.

That insanity is on the increase in
the United States is shown by report
from the census bureau on insane and
feeble minded in hospitals and institu-
tons. The report is based on statistics
for twenty-three years, figures prior to
1880 being insufficient. The report
says in part:
"From whatever point the matter is
viewed, the census returns since 1880
permit but one conclusion, that the rate
of increase is greater for the insane in
the United States than it is for the
general population. 1t is impossible,
however, to determine the difference
until provision is again made for an
enumeration of the insane, no matter
whether found in or outside of institu-
tions. Although the hospital returns
tell one-sided story, they invariably
point to an increase in the prevalence
of insanity.
cat the end of the decade 1880 to
1890, the number of insane in hospitals
had increased from 1922 to 74,02S, or
33,0S6, and the number of insane per
100000 of population had risen from
SIG to 1852, or 36S. In 1908, thirteen
years later, the number per 100000 OF
population had increased by IS.
"ln 1880 there Wete enumerated ST.
OH insane persons outside of hospitals,
as compared with 1892 in these in
situations. AT the census of 1890 only
32,457 insane were discovered outside
of hospitals, but the enumeration was
confessedly less complete than the one
preceding it, in which physicians had
co-operated and helped to return a
large number of insane whose existence
otherwise might have been overlooked"
| AS the number of insane has in
creased the growth OF hospitals for
their trea tment has been correspond
ingly great. On June 1, 1890, 74,O23
insane patients were distributed among
1862 hospitals, of which 119 were public
and 43 private institutions.
On December 81, 1908. there were in
the United States 150,151 insane pa
tients distributed among 32S hospitals,
of which 226 were public and 1O2 pri-
vate institutions.
In the sex of the insane, the report
says, the males greatly outnumber the
females, with the exception of the
South Atlantic and western states,
where the number of insane females is
Slightly in excess. The greater number
of insane males is attributed to the
large proportion of men committed to
hospitals as alcoholics and victims of
drugs.
Among the foreign-born insane, the
Irish, German and Scandinavian races
furnish more than 65 per cent of the
total number. The French and Scotch
rank lowest, with little more than /
per cent each. Among the native-born
patients, the offspring of mixed parent
age show an alarming rate of increase
In the insane death rate, the NOR.
tally of the colored and Latin races is
decidedly greater than that of the
native born and the northern European
races. The age at which the largest
mortality occurs is between 40 and Go.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27
DIES MONIES CAPITALS BIG BAR
GAIN OFFER
Greatest Newspaper Bargain Ever
made.

The now famous Bargain Days of The
Des Moines Capital include this year
the entire week December 21st to 18th.
From December 21st to 2Sth you can Sc
cure the Daily Capital for the entire
year 1907 for only $500 REGULAR PRICE
$500. This offer is extended to both
old and new subscribers BY MAIL ONLY.
Old subscribers to take advantage of
this offer must pay up all arrears to
January lst and $500 for the year 1907.
All you have to do is to mail your letter
ON any day during the week December
21st to 18th to Lafe Young, Des Moines,
Iowa, or give your $500 to your POST
master, Publisher or Newsdealer. If
you are already subscriber, send The
Capital to some friend or relative as a
Christmas present. They will be sure
to think of you each day during the
year 1907. The Capital is live news
paper, publishing the full leased wire
report of the Associated Press, furnish
ing the news of Iowa and the world and
it first. It's market reports are unex-
celled. 1t is printed in two colors on
the finest press in Iowa. The legisla-
ture is in session this winter and every
fam ily in the state should subscribe to
a newspaper published in the capital
city. None will publish more COM
plete report than The Capital. We
urge our readers to take advantage of
this generous offer.
! REMEMBER THE BARGAIN PERIOD
DECEMBER 21ST to 18TH.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27
Bravery OF Railroad Men.

Considerable comment has been oc-
casioned by the article in the last issue
of the Republican announcing the re-
cent death of C. S. Coffin, brother Of Mrs.
DIR. Radcliffe, who lost his life while on
duty as railroad man. The fact that
seven brothers were railroad men, three
of whom were either killed or MANNED,
leads many to wonder why an entire
family of brothers will follow such
dangerous occupation. To cosmopoli-
tan, conversant with the variable tenn
peraments of men, there is no mystery
whatever attached to it. If all the rail
road men in the universe were to pass
through physical and chronological
examination it would, with few excep-
tons, be found that they are not only
absolutely fearless, but are of that
peculiar sameness of temperament
which impels them to engage in profess
sions where life and limb are hourly in
jeopardy. There are no drawer men
who so readily risk their lives to insure
the comfort and safety of the travelling
public as our railway army. There is
another peculiar characteristic of these
men: They are generous and tender
hearted almost to fault. The last
penny of their salaries will at any time
be handed to the needy and distressed.
A large per centage Of them, like C. S.
Coffin and his brothers are capable of
holding positions where intelligence re-
finement and trust are the paramount
attributes, and far more lucrative than
that of train men. Ask one why he pre-
fers the more hazardous Of the two and
he will smile pleasantly, signal the
engineer to pull OUT on trip that
may be his last, and as the way-car
comes flying up the line, light like a
bird on the last step, and waving his
hand to the questioner, yell, See you
later." That's all the answer he will
ever give you. The world dosn't hold
this class of men in the esteem to which
they are entitled. Death results every
) hour in the day among them in the full
fillment Of their duties, but when 9
wreck occurs and when the wires
flash the news over the lines that the
passengers are all safe, the unthinkin2
people draw breath Of relief, for
Only a brakeman lies mangled ant
cold,
Only a fireman has drawn his last
} breath,
Only an engineer, the world is told
: To save other lives, had battled will
: death.
-Wathena, Kas. Republican
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27
SECRETARY WILSON'S SHOWING.

The secretary of agriculture deals in
large figures. Farming is a big bust
ness. Think of this: For 1906 the
farm values are S6,794, 100000, or $780,
100000 more than in 1905, and two bill
lions more than in 1899. Corn led, with
value of S1,100,00O,000, followed by
cotton, S640,000,000; hay S600,0O0,000;
wheat, S45O,00O,000; oats, $780, 10000:
potatoes, S15O,O0O,00O; barley, S65,0OO,-
900; tobacco. S55,OO0,000: sugar cane
product S75,000,000, and other "un-
enumerated" products estimated alto
eether at B. billions. The value per
bushel of cereals was less in 1906 it
seems than in some preceding years,
but the number of bushels was larger.
Corn, for example, tho a smaller crop
this year than in 1905, was produced to
the extent of 1881, 100000 bushels.
Most Of the increase of the aggregate
of farm values is due to horses and
meat animals, which brought higher
prices in 1906. Milk also went higher
along with poultry, but there was an
offset in the lower farm prices Of butter
and eggs. Beet sugar, valued at S34,.
100000. makes new record, as does
rice, which was produced to value
of SlS,O0O,0OO.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27
ABOUT JUDGE WADE.
Claims That Rough on Rats is Not
a Poison.

Judge Wade has raised curious
question: in the supreme court at Des
Moines regarding rough on rats in
murder cases.
He denies that the drug is poisonous,
at least he insists that it must be
shown by competent evidence that it is
poisonous every time an effort is made
to convict OF the crime of murder by
its administration. In other words, it
is not enough to charge murder by
arsenical poisoning and then only show
that rough on rats was administered.
This is the critical point in the f. S.
Blydenburgh case. Judge Wade has
secured a rehearing from the court on
the strength of it. In view of the fact
that two of the judges originally were
opposed to affirming the life sentence
against him for wife murder, it is
thought possible that on rehearing the
Judgment of the lower court may be
reversed and Blydenburgh given his
freedom.
On the trial of the case the indict-
ment charged Blydenburgh with MUIR
derin@ his wife By administering ar
senic to her. When it came to proving
it, it was shown that rough on rats
had been used. That is, the effort OF
the state was to show that the prep
aration had been used by Blydenburgh
in a pie which he fed her after she
returned from church.
But no effort was made to show that
the rough on rats which it was alleged
he had used was poisonous. This was
said to be the fatal error. The supreme
court will consider it on rehearing.
Judge Wade is doing more business
than any other Iowa lawyer, it is be-
lieved. The last six verdicts he Won
were for $4,000 each. He recently won
a $4,000 verdict in glucose damage
ease from Davenport. He has cases in
at least thirty counties and is engaged
in most of the big cases. such as that
involving the Wells estate in Grundy
county. OF course, it is not ethical te
advertise and Judge Wade keeps {
close mouth about his professional
affairs; but his friends have beer
watching the rapidity with which his
law business has been growing anc
since it has attained proportions large
than those of any lowan, they think il
not improper to speak Of the fact
They now perceive why he refused tc
| go to congress.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27
A PLACE FOR REAL REFORM.

suggestion to Governor Cummins:
Recommend in your message that the
railroad commissioners be authorized to
fix maximum rates for express companies
between all points in Iowa. There is
no good reason why the commission
should not be given such authority;
there are abundant reasons for such
legislation. The railroads have never
been in it with the express companies
in the matter of excessive charges and
unjust discrimination. There are no
settled express rates, the charge is al
ways what the shipper is compelled to
pay. One man gets a reasonable rate,
another has to pay an extortionate
charge. About year ago all the ex-
press companies raised their Iowa rates
% per cent without notice. It's time to
stop this sort of thing. -Odebolt Chron-
icle.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

Congress will not consider the Sher-
man two-cent fare proposition for a
,nonth or two at least. The house com
mite on interstate commerce has post
poned until January s consideration of
the bill. In the meantime Representa-
tive Mann, of Illinois, will prepare bill
going further than that OF Mr.. Sherman
and fixing two cents per mile as the
maximum rate of passenger fare that
can be charged on any train. There
will probably be brief hearings on the
two-cent fare question, but it is not at
all probable that any bill affecting pass
enger fares will become law during the
present session. 1t is doubtful whether
any such bill will even be reported from
the House Committee.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

With an increase OF 42,477,0 SD bushels
over that Of last year, the corn crop of
iowa again FORCES to the front with one
Of the largest yields on record. The
report shows that not only that crop
was bigger. but that the acreage was
grea ter, and the increase per acre
larger than last year. This year the
yield per acre amounted to II bushels,
as against 37.2 bushels for last year.
iowa farmers this year planted 9,443,-
$50 acres TO corn. According to the
report by counties the average per
acre amounts to d1 bushels. According
10 the prevailing price paid by feeders
and buyers, 33 cents per bushe!. Sage
estimates that the enormous crop is
easily worth S12S,l55,l43.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

Dun's commercial agencys latest re-
port on prices OF necessares of life
makes them the the highest for % years.
Since 1896 rents have risen 20 to 30 per
cent, vegetables from 10 to %: milk and
eggs from 20 to 40, and clothing from 10
80 40 per cent. liz fact, says this au-
thority, the purchasing power OF the
dollar of 1896 is only 66 cents now. That
IS, it takes only G6 cents worth of
products now to buy dollar that 100
cents worth of products had to be given
for ia 1896
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

For his service in closing the Russo
Japanese war the Norwegian parliament
mas awarded the Nobel prize to Presi-
dent Roosevelt. The prise is $4,000
md the president will use it to estab-
lish a permanent peace committee at
Washington, the work of which he says
shall be "to strive for better and more
equitable relations among my country
men who are engaged, whether as
capitalists or laborers. n industrial and
agricultural pursuits"
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27
Holiday Rates.

The Burlington Route will as usual
sell holiday excursion tickets at one
and third fare for the round trip.
Tickets on sale Dec. Goth to 18th inclu-
sive and 30th and 31st, good to return
up to Jan. 9TH. For further information
apply to G. M. KETCHAM. Agent,
Leon, Iowa.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

Having been forced to do SO by the
congressional opponents to his spelling
reform, President Roosevelt has with
drawn his order that public documents
from the executive department be
printed in acco dance with his ideas
and hereafter they will be spelled as Of
yore.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

The New York Evening Post calls
attention to the fact that there are
more than 700 woman pensioners of the
war of 1872, and 7,4SS Of the Mexican
war. Going further. it is figured out
that, if young girls keep marrying aged,
pensioners, we may be paying civil
war pensions in 1886 and pensions for
Spanish war widows in the year A. D.
2021.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

And now Secretary Shaw confesses
that the county is too prosperous so
prosperous in fact as to cause the dis
tressing money stringency which exists.
1t is clear that they may make IN over
plus even Of good thing.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27
Long Tennessee Fiqht

For twenty years w. L. Rawls, of
Bells, Tenn, fought nasal catarrh. He
writes: "The swelling and soreness in
side my nose was something fearful,
until began applying Bucklen's Arnica
Salve to the sore surface: this caused
the soreness and swelling to disappear
never to return Best salve in exis-
tence. 25c at L. p. Van Werden's.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

The Supreme Court of Iowa has
rendered decision that will be of
interest to every city in Iowa. The
court holds that the assessor in addi-
tion to assessing the property of a
public corporation, can also assess the
value of the franchise held by it for the
use of the streets.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

IF all the teachers in the state were
to be examined under the present law
instead of small per cent" the Mason
Journal considers, "a safe estimate that
at least half the country schools would
DE closed for the want of teachers
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

More than one-fourth of the last one
hundred marriage certificates issued in
Polk county We're by consent of the par
ents of the applicants, the parties being
too young to we'd without papa's or
mammals permission.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

Judge Crosscup calls the Presidents
message "a crazy quilt. The people of
California will at least have to agree
that it has made them all hot.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

Marcus Aurelius said: "Let not thy
mind run on what thou lackest so much
as on what thou hast already"
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27
Something Refreshing

in the form of a beverage is desired by
everyone, especially in summer but be
careful what that something is. Before
you take it into your system know that
it is pure and wholesome, that it is free
from disease germs or chemical adulter-
ations injurious to health. Therefore
when you drink, drink OTTUMWA
BEER, which has stood every known
test for absolute purity and healthful-
ness.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27
OCCUPATIONS OF LAW MAKERS.

The coming session of the legislature
will be composed of 80 senators and 10S
representatives. They are divided by
occupation as follows:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

Colonel Bryan should apply to the
courts for writ of injunction or the
president soon may have the last of his
planks.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27
THE LATEST
from The DekaIb Illinois, Evening Chronicle,
Wednesday, October 81, 1906.

: Damons Coored Musical Comedy Co. at \
4 the Chronicle hall last night and gave satisfac-
a tory performance was ever given in Chronicle
4 hall. The house interested all the evening" at
q times was almost boisterous with applause Every
q number on the program received recall
= Mr.. Damon himself is musical marvel and \
= his violin playing was easily the best ever given
4 here by colored artist He could have held the
stage for half the evening appreciatve his
= audience. Jeff Webb and Charlie Edward,
4 edians and song and dance performers every
Il thing that claimed for them. Miss Damon
a has high soprano voice under fine control and
= sings like nightingale The Allyne Sisters made
4 big hit with their songs and pretty dancing.
4 The closing banjo medley by the entire company
A alone worth the price. 1t is Jolly treat.
4 Above attraction will give one performance at
4 VdnWerden'S Opera House, Monday, Jan. 7 /
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-27

One way to make you appreciate your
blessed peaceful home is having rela-
tiyes visiting you.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-09-18

tapir from South Africa came in this
way. and the first Alaskan muskox
ever shipped to the United States was
secured through official channels.
From Alaska came another animal,
the pride of the ZOo-the immense AL
askan brown bear. This great beast,
more than eight feet tall, is still grow
Ing, and Is the largest specimen of its
kind in captivity.
Among the funny looking beasts is
the big yak; from Central Asia, a very
much upholstered looking bovine, that
Is also rare. The graceful little Afri-
can antelope which, like our bison, is
threatened with extinction, is repre-
scented in the collection by several
specimens. If this is not enough, then
ask to see the Tasmanian ievil-sort
of rat of the bear family. which was
sent by the American consul at New
South Wales.
AS to birds, there are birds in
houses, birds in the great flying cage.
and vulture-like preying birds in a
smaller flying cage
Near by, in separate enclosure,
Is a wonderful creature, the largest
bird extant-a harpie eagle from the
0Oueu AhCi ASdu Alluco, SeuL W tue ZOO
by Lieutenant Todd of the United
States cruiser Washington.
The principal outdoor flying cage,
where most of the birds are confined,
is built over a tree-studder plot and
is 300 feet long, so feet high and 100
feet wide. Inside the trees and shrubs
grow as in the natural branches and
the birds nest and rest among the
branches. The cage is the largest of
the kind ever built.
The consular service is not the only
avenue through which animals come
A number are presented by private in
dividuals. Sometimes animals are
bought from big dealers and not infre-
quently menageries and circuses make
gifts or leans to the institution.
At present herd of Buffalo Bills
bison are boarding at the National, and
in the fine new elephant house is
Dunk. Forepaugh's keeper killing ele-
plant, which was presented to the ZOO
after 1t had killed two men.
Many gifts of all sorts OF animals
come to the president, and all these are
cared for at the zoo. These are too
many to enumerate. but we might
mention the lion and the hvena sent
by the king of Abyssinia, and numer-
GUS coons presented by Mr.. Roosevelt's
southern friends after the Booker
Washington luncheon.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-09-18
UNCLE SANS ZOO IS
BEST IN EXISTENCE

Uncle Sam Is enough of Yankee
to be something of Snowman He
has menagerie and ZOO at his home
In Washington which is truly model
of its kind.
How he became the proprietor of
this unique animal collection and a
dealer In as well as a purchaser of
strange and wonderful birds, beasts
and reptiles is told in the Rosary
Magazine.
Fifteen years ago our national uncle
did not know the difference between an
armadillo and an ibex; but TODAY he
mas IN his consular service an army
OF agents which he may at any time
utilize In securing desirable animals
ior the National Geological park-his
greatest show on earth"
According to accounts the founding
or this great scientific collection oc-
CURED In quite accidental manner.
Inc Smithsonian Institution and Ma
tlonal Museum had a large collection
or stuffed birds and animals and en-
pioyed several taxidermists to prepare
specimens for exhibition.
Naval Officers, cOnsuls and other
people coming from abroad sent gifts
OF live animals to this institution and
IL became practice to keep a number
OF these on the grounds in order that
the taxidermists might sketch anil
study the animals in their natural
positions.
VI course, after while this prac-
tice became more or less OF a nuis-
ance The matter at last was brought
up to Mr.. Langley. director of the
Smithsonian Institution, and he 1t was
who conceived the project of having
the animals kept in park adapted
to their needs.
Mr.. Langaey's plan was agitated
among the officials of the institution
and 1t was in the end decided to ask
congress for an appropriation for
National Geological park-a unique
animal park designed particularly and
especially with view to the comfort
of the animals. There was great
deal of opposition, until in 1899 con-
gress appropriated 100000 to go to-
ward the purchase of a suitable site
for Animal Town
A natural park of woodland 40
acres in extent, embracing the valley
of Rock Creek and the surrounding
hills, was purchased and an addition
al appropriation for maintenance fol-
lowed.
There are many mysteries to the
untutored in the menagerie. For in
stance, Keeper Blackburn often
changes an animal from one cage to
another He has found that changing
the cage of a confined animal once in
a while makes it better and healthier.
The Gagged animal is not long in his
prison before he knows every inch of
it. every scratch on the steel bars,
every knot in the floor. Hour by hour,
day by day, he has the same environ
ment. the same outlook This mo-
notony is killing to an animal, for the
impressions received through the
senses are evrything to the creature
that has not intellect.
Many rare creatures have been Sc
cured by our foreign consuls. A baby