davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15
A Story from Indiana.

Those people who are so concerned
about the high cost Of living and the
prices demanded by so-called trusts"
can read the following with no little
interest and a considerable amount of
instruction. John L. Norman, of Knox.
Republican district chairman for the
Thirteenth Indiana Congressional Dis
trict, said recently:
We are having few speeches in the
Thirteenth District. About ali we are
doing up there is to tell one story. and
it seems better than speeches. Listen
Not long ago farmer in Nebraska, Bry-
ans State, went to buggy dealer to buy
a buggy He found one that suited him,
and the price was $62. The farmer hap
pened to remember that about a ( zen
years ago he had bought a bugcy just
like it from the same dealer for 500, and
he mentioned the fact. The dealer went
to his books and found this to be true
But" said the dealer, my books show
that you did not pay cash for it, because
you did not have the money. You hauled
in 500 bushels of corn and gave it to me
for the $50 buggy. Now, III tell you
what l will do. If you are willing to
bring me now 800 bushels of corn | viii
give you the $50 buggy, a self-binder
worth 1925 sulky pillow worth $50 and a
walking pillow worth S12. In addition to this
l will hand you $16 in money" The dealer
could have carried out the proposition,
too, for corn is worth 30 cents a bushel
now, while at that time it was worth
only II cents.
About the same time that this farm
er was buying buggy for $50 and pay
ing for it with 500 bushels of corn at
II cents a bushel other farmers in Ne
braska were selling spring lambs to the
butchers for 50 apiece. while full grown
sheep were sold in Ohio for 80 cents
head. Now the Nebraska farmer
gets 80 cents for his corn and 81 for
his lamb, and sheep in Ohio sell at
$3.50 to 81. Not only that; the value
of farm lands in the United States has
increased over six billion dollars since
1900, and they were in 1900 worth fully
six billions more than in 1895. The
farmers are all stand-patters On the
tariff, and they know the reason why.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15

1t is no new thing to say that woman
has more potentially for powerful emo
ton than man, but the world is jus!
beginning to awaken to the deep, re
lentless and implacable hated that an
mates the women of Russia's dreaded
flying section" and impels them to
deeds of almost inconceivable daring.
The last victim of her own revOlu-
tionary enthusiasm is Sofia Konopluni-
kova, hanged for the murder of Gen.
Min, commander of one of those Mos
COW regiments which slaughtered hun
dreds during a recent uprising. Wait
ing quietly on the railway station plat
form at Peterhof at close range, she
deliberately fired five shots into the
body of the hated commander, and then
submitted to arrest.
There was no opportunity for escape,
nor did she seek one. Long before the
pistol was lifted she had steeled her
heart to the inevitable
Il gave my life she said quietly,
as she assembled the steps to the gal
lOws-"all l had to give"
Unhappy Russia! What must peo-
pie suffer when their women go serene
ly to their death as to their brida II
feast?
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15
The Wooing Of
Sadie Calkins.

S7 8 the shiny, rubber-tire buggy
I5A drawn by the snowy little Nor
gan mare, skidded through the
thick dust in front Of the store, Marvin
Parsons pushed jocular elbow into
Washington Hancock's ribs. How does
that there outfit strike you, WashY'
he asked.
I don't erprove of It," replied Han
cock, severely, leaning forward to reach
for splintered shlngle that looked like
good whiting material. "Fust place"
he continued, pressing the spring of his
Jack-knife and shaking out the blade,
"fust place, the gals too good lookin'
for him; second place, the seat o. that
buggy Is a durn sight too narrer, an,
thirdly, he's havin' too doggone easy a
time, anyway. Abe Wilson ought to
have booted him over the fence the fust
evenin' he come around to set up with
the gal"
Il don't see why" observed Sol Ba-
ker. SANS a toPable likely young
Teller an he's got good farm of his
own, sides what he'll git when the OF
man passes in his checks"
I'D do it on glnral principles If
had a gal an some Teller come sparkin'
around" said Wash. 81 wouldn't lei
him think he was goin' to git her too
easy. I'd be more like Isrul Calkins
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15
GUN DECLARED USELESS.
Tvve1ve-Inch Weapon No Longer Fl
for Coast Defense

for Coast Defense.
That the Pinch gun in use at most
IF the coast fortifcations of the United
States would not last through an engage
ment of two hours, the period that would
elapse from the time the leading vessel
of a feet would come within the range
until the last vessel would pass beyond
the range of the guns. is the statement
made by Brig. Gen. William Crozier,
chief of ordnance. whose annual report
has been made public.
Gen. Crozier thinks that it is of the ut
most Importance that some method be
devised whereby the necessary gunpow-
er can be secured with less expense than
that involved in using the high velocities
of projectiles now employed, with the
accompanying rapid wearing away of the
rifing, in such a manner as TO destroy
the accuracy of the gun after few
hours. The Pinch gun will last for
about sixty rounds, and as the gun is ca
pable of firing for considerable inter
val at the rate of fOrty-fve rounds per
hour. it can be seen that the limit of the
life of this gun could be reached in less
than an hour and a half.
Similar statements can be made with
regard to guns of smaller caliber. says
the report, although as the caliber dimin
ishes the admissible velocity increases. By
lowering the velocity of the Pinch pro-
jectile from $500 feet to $3.50 feet per
second the life OF the gun is increased
to 200 rounds. The penetration of armor
is reduced by the process. that of the r.
inch gun at 10000 yards coming down
from about ten and one-nalf inches to
about nine inches and the range at which
its projectile would penetrate twelve
inches of armor plate being reduced from
about 5000 yards to about 5000 yards.
The chief of ordnance states that it
appears, by using in the situations re-
quiring the greatest power a 14-inch gun,
with 2.150 feet per second velocity of pro-
jectile, instead of the 12-inch gun with
$500 feet per second initial velocity, the
army would secure a better gun and a
gun which would last four times as long.
Gen. Crozier states that the Taft board
for the revision of the report of the Endi-
colt board on coast defenses, recommended
this gun and that the department has de-
cided to use it in place of the 12-inch gun
in situations where the highest power is
required. and the Pinch gun as a max
'imum caliber has been abandoned.
Among the changes made in the equip
ment issued to cavalry, infantry and ar
tillery during the year was that of the
cup, which formerly was made of steel,
heavily timed, and which is now made of
aluminium, adopted after an extensive SER
vice trial
Gen. Crozier states that a number of
militia batteries have been supplied with
the new three-inch field artillery material
and others are being rapidly furnished
with it.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15
WEST POINT CLOTHES.
Cadets Have Trouble Taking OF
Stiff Duck Trousers.

Cadets Have Trouble Taking OF
Stiff Duck Trousers.
In changing apparel and dressing
up" the West Point cadet far outshines
many a fashionable girl at a summer
hotel, says the New Tribune. Many
times a day stern military fashion COM
pels him to appear in certain prescribed
uniforms at the various exercises.
Among his most particular articles of
dress are the snow white duck trousers.
Not a break must be seen III the long
crease from top to bottom. These cost
81 a pair Each cadet has from twelve
to fifteen pairs. Dement'S are imposed
for a bad wrinkle or a break in the
crease during dress parade. A short
walk along Irritation path" and few
sittings for spooling with a fair camp
visitor play havoc with a fresh pair
of duck trousers, and they must be dis
carded for official wear until relaun-
dered. ( Probably Uncle Sans young
wards at West Point are the only sol
diers that cannot Dull off their own
trousers. One of the amusing scenes
caught by a Tribune photographer re-
Gently was one cadet giving another a
drag" This is, however, only an or
binary courtesy between cadets At an
angle of 10 degrees one reclines on the
floor or bed. while his partner, with
hands grasping the inner edges of the
boardlike trousers, by a swift pull and
twist slips them off without rutf1ing the
precious things.
Hello, Jones, come give me a
drag" is one of the most familiar and
often heard calls just after parade or
other formal ceremony.
While in camp the cadets had the op-
portunity to carry out numerous class
customs and jokes of a mild nature. the
oldtime hazing having been entirely
done away with. One of the most ex-
citing and spectacular of these diver
Sions is that of giving a cadet the by
drant" When a man qualities in SWIM
ming or gets a ''make''-that is, if he
is made cadet company officer-at the
first opportunity he is suddenly seized
who carry him bodily to the nearest by
drant, and, Notwithstanding vigorous
kicking and struggling, great volume
of water is poured over the helpless
victim, A pair of white trousers is re-
duced to a rag-like condition by the op-
Grafton lie short order.
Two of the most interesting foreign
ers at West Point are the young Chi
nese cadets. Chen and Wen, now in the
third class. These two Asiatics are
both bright and popular and have made
a good record so far as students. Their
expenses at the academy are paid by
the Chinese government, and they are
| being educated as a special act of cour-
tesy by Uncle Sam to that nation. They
hail from different provinces and come
from high aristocratic families. Both
| expect to become generals some day in
| the Chinese army. where they will put
into practice their West Point training.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15

The st. Louis Nationals tried 16 pitch
ers during the past campaign.
Willie Fitzgerald is to get another
crack at Harry Lewis, the clever young
lightweight who recently knocked him
cold in jig time. The boys have signed
articles for a six-round scrap in Phila-
delphia soon.
Battling Nelson will now have to find
an antagonist other than Joe Cans The
Battlers manager, Billy Nolan, tried to
arrange a match between the two men,
but Cans imposed conditions as to weight
and splitting the purse that Nolan would
not consider.
John Horgan of st. Louis, Mo-, cham
pion continuous pool player of the world
has formally surrendered his title and re-
turned the diamond championship emblem
to the donor Horgan's interest in bill
lizards, he says, causes him to give up the
pool title.
Ed Walsh, whose great twirling was
one of the main causes of the Cubs de-
feat, is the youngest member of the White
Sox. He is a.
No member of the Detroit club will
have a two-year contract for 1907 and
1908. Only one-year instruments have
been handed out.
The American athletes who covered
themselves with glory in Greece have
shown the i'll effects of the journey since
their return. Nearly all of them dis
played poor form in the contests i which
they competed after returning from the
Olympic games.
With the outdoor track meetings over
for the season enthusiasts of the cinder
path are busy getting together an ALI
American" team.
Richard Sampson, trainer and jockey
from Australia, has arrived in New York
in charge of shipment of 30 thorough
breds from Belgium and France, and
which will be sent to a breeder of horses
in Iowa.
Baseball follows the flag. 1t has late
ly invaded Panama. A game was played
there recently that was attended by the
society people Of Panama. The players
were made up of distinguished American
and Panaman officials and Others
Terry McGovern and Young Corbett
are waiting for the promoters to get in
their bids for their next fight, articles for
which they signed in New York the other
day.
Ted Sullivan, agent for the Cincinnati
club, has Travelled over all the best base
ball territory in the country and says
there are really few players of class who
are ready for the major leagues.
There is only one Indian before the
public aspiring to gain glory and cash in
the squared circle who has made any pro-
gress. This Indians name is Joseph
Gregg, and he is a full-bloojed red man.
having been born on a reservation in
Arizona about &c years ago.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15

feet that they should willingly permit
the farm products of Canada to come
into competition with their own In or
der that a larger market for Ameri-
can farm products might be provided
down East.
The farmers of Iowa, Illinois, Wis
consin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Ne
braska and other Middle States are not
fools. They understand the situation
exactly; they know that in this agita-
ton for Canadian reciprocity they are
to be made the victims of every ar
rangement that is contemplated, and
for that reason they are opposed to it
in toto and to man.-Cedar Rapids
Republican.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15
State News in Brief.

Mrs John Schuttel of Oshkosh became
insane and was taken to the Northern
hospital.
La Crosse county poor house, is dead at
the age of %.
An independent ice company is being
formed among business men of Kenosha
to oppose the ice trust.
The high school in Stoughton has been
opened, after having been closed ON &C
count of typhoid fever.
4 son weighing ten pounds has been
born to Mayor and Mrs. Sherburn Becker
at their Prospect avenue home in Mil
waukee.
Hugh R. Edwards, contractor, fell
from the roof of the Racine high school
building dying before he could be placed
on the operating table.
Socialists are threatening to start &C
ton against members of the Manitowoc
Council who, as members of mercantile
firms, have sold supplies to the city.
As a result of falling into a pail of
boiling water, the 2-year-old daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. Louis Berg of Bangor re-
ceived scalds which caused her death.
The will of John Edtzborsky of La
Crosse has been filed. The estate is val
ued at $4,000. All the income will ac-
crue to the widow. and no division shall
be made during her lifetime After the
property will be divided among the chil-
dren and grandchildren.
In North Fond du Lac there is a zeal
Gus marshal There also reside a num-
Der of smart little boys. Six of them
were arrested for Halloween indiscre-
lions and paid fines. Now they are COM
plainants in an action against Marshal
abusive language.
Pewaukee will make a contract soon, it
is believed, with a company to furnish
light for the city. The matter was dis
cussed at meeting OF the Advancement
Association.
The 4-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs.
Dan Mcdonald of Chippewa Falls was
badly scalded and may be disfgured for
life as the result of coming in contact
with boiling soup.
Richard Williams, father of H. R.
Williams, formerly general manager of
the Milwaukee road and now president of
that roads Pacific coast extension, died
at Seattle. aged 80 years. The body was
brought to Palmyra for burial.
At the silver wedding anniversary of
Mr.. and Mrs. d. t. Babcock of Albion the
hostess served part of the original we'd
ding cake. The remainder is being saved
for tha golden wedding
Thieves are again busy in Chadbourne
hall. the girls dormitory at the State
university. A woman detective has been
working on the case, and one OF three
suspected co-eds may be found guilty.
In Omaha Mrs. Minnie Beechler La
bagh has fled petition for divorce from
Heber Isaac Labagh, formerly Of Hurley
In her petition the wife alleges that her
husband kidnapped their two children last
Christmas and has since kept them secret.
ed SO that she could not see them.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15
"'WhyT she says. An 1 guess she
wasn't jokin' him, either.


wasn't jokin' him, either.
Gust then the OF lady got through
countin' out her aigs an waddled up
an fined 'em, an LATE went away
feelin' there want no show fer him
ever. He studied and studied an
couldn't see no way ontil iin'ly he got
desprit. He called around at the house
that same evenin' an the OF folks set
up an talked same's usual ontil at
last Isrul stretched himself an told
Sadie to climb.
"'You stay awhile, Sadie, says Lafe.
I've got somethin' ter say ter you
"'What have you got ter say to her"
asks the OF man, a-prickin' UP his ears.
"T'll tell her after you folks has
gone ter bed says LATE.
"'Well, I'M sure, Lafayette Cook,
says. Mis- Calkins, is there anythin'
you've got ter say ter my gal that 1t
amt fifteen her mother should hear|
"T calculate there's a right smart
saws LATE. I'm a-goin' to marry Sadie
II L KIN UDu out leI SuOIS IL SAA' " '''A
in. an | want a chance 70 find out
I've been a-comin' here fer two years
now an having ter lissen ter you two
folks CAB 'thOut gittin' in word aidge-
ways to the gal. I've stood it as longs
1 can. If folks hain't got no sense
they've got to be told, an I'm tellin'
you now
"For the lands sake! says the OF
man. why didn't you give US hint O.
the way you wus feelin'?'
"Took 1t pretty we'll, didn't he? re
marked the storekeeper.
"Ya-as," drawled Hancock. But
when they was a-goin' ter Sedalia fer a
veddin' trip Mis- Calklns wanted ter
90 along. She said she'd never seen
Sedalia right we'll an she'd be willin
to pay her own expenses. Safie seemed
willin' to have the old lady go, too"
"Wus Lafe?" asked the storekeeper.
Hancock got up, brushed the shavings
from his knees and walked away with
out replying.
There. you've got him mad now"
said Parsons-Chicago Daily News.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15
The House Republican.

The Republicans will have a salts
factory majority in the next House of
Representatives. They have controlled
it by larger or smaller majorities since
1894 an almost unexampled length of
time
During this long period the Republic
can party would have lost the House
once and again if it had not been for
the dissensions which fatally weakened
their adversaries Usually it is the
party in power which suffers from in
ternal strife. In this instance the mi
lority party has been afflicted. The
Republicans owe much to the war be-
tween the radical and conservative
wings of the democracy.
The Republican victory means that
President, Senate, and House VIII be
Of the same political complexion du.-
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15

The Legislature is Republican by
large majority in both branches. The
Democrats gain two Senator's. A. Ha-
zelwood in the Walworth-Jefferson dis
trict and Charles L. Pearson in the Sank
Columbia district-and FIVE Assembly
men. The Social Democrats gain one As
semblyman, making their representation
five instead of four. Joseph A. Donna
chowski of the Fourteenth Ward is the
only Democratic Assemblyman elected in
Milwaukee county. Complete returns re-
elect District Attorney McGovern by 100
plurality, but the Social Democrats still
claim the election of Thiel. The Social
Democrats cast 10000 votes in the coun-
ty, against 1861 by the Democrats and
%, 593 by the Republicans.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15
STEALS s1,121 BY QUICK WIT.

Young Man Takes Place of Clerk
and Gets Cash at Bank.
Through a mistake an unknown mn Sc
cured the sum of S1,121 from the Ma
tional Exchange bank in Milwaukee mad
disappeared with the money. The error
was caused partly through an unusual
rush at the noon hour. A clerk from a
large business establishment proffered a
check for 1,121 to one Of the tellers to
be cashed. While the teller was count
ing the money the clerk left for a mo-
ment to speak with a friend. Meanwhile
the teller completed his task and handed
ont the cash. \ youth who meanwhile
had taken the clerks place accepted the
money and FASTENED away.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15
DID BIBLES SAVE HIM.

John Selesl<i, Carrying Load of
Books, Thrown High in Air.
Did the fact that John Seleski had a
number of Bibles in his buggy save his
life, when his rig was struck by freight
train? This is question that is agitat-
ing Pound. Whether their presence had
anything to do with his escape or not, it
| is considered q miracle that Seleski is
able to be about Seleski was trying to
cross the Milwaukee road tracks IN front
of a freight. lie was too late, and his
buggy was struck. Seleski was thrown
thirty feet and landed without a scratch.
The buggy was demolished, but the horse
was not hurt, although the harness was
| stripped off him. The Bibles were scat
tered for some distance
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15
WINS RACE WITH BEAR.
Lum herman Runs Quarter of Mile
for Life Near Fountain.

Lum herman Runs Quarter of Mile
for Life Near Fountain.
Frank Fountain. lumberman of Foun-
tain, had an exciting race with bear
recently and won out by about twelve
inches. Mr.. Fountain was out in the
woods and when about a quarter of a
mile from his Office turned and saw a bear
on the brow of a hill. Mr.. Fountain was
not armed so he made for Donald. AS he
quickened his pace the bear did the same.
Then ne started to run and the bear came
on in a gallop. During the last eighth of
a mile the big fellow was only a few feet
behind. Mr.. Fountain reached his office
just in time to slam the door of his office
in the face of Bruin, who was so close
behind that he nearly bumped into the
door. Mr.. Fountain secured his rife and
ran out the back door and fired at the
bear which came tearing around the rear.
Fountain again sought shelter. He ven
tured out once more and this time the
bear fell dead almost on the steps. The
animal weighs 34S pounds.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15
New Yorl<'s High Structure An
chored by Ingenious Method.

New YOrk's High Structure An
chored by Ingenious Method.
The Singer building, now building on
Broadway, near Liberty street. New
York, which will be 625 feet high, the
tallest skyscraper in the city, is to have
wind anchors so that it may be firmly
braced against every gale.
The wind pressure, on account of the
structures great altitude, will be tremen-
dous, and for that reason the building is
to be literally tied to its foundations by
an ingenious arrangement of steel rods.
They will be three and a half inches in
diameter and descend for nearly fifty
feet into the concrete which forms the
caissons resting on solid rock eighty-ive
feet below the curb. The lowest rod has
on the end of it great anchor plate to
which it is secured.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15
ONLY A LITTLE FELLOW.

Only a little fellow,
Pattering here and there,
A streak of dirt on his sun Drowned cheek
And gold in his tousled hair.
Only little fellow,
With laugh like silvered song!
A small white soul in the crowded hives
A mite in the striving throng.
Only little fellow,
But lost to mothers breast
And the night wind breathes lullaby
Out where he's laid at re :.
Milwaukee Sentinel.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-15

magniicently, but he led only an en-
thusiastic mob against a trained army
However, the fortress has been held
and the enemy checked. The rest Of
the country is delivered from the ne
cessity of having to treat the State Of
New York as lunatic asylum. Some
thing has been gained, but what has
been gained is not an evidence of good
work, but a warning of work to be
done.-Chicago Inter Ocean.