davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent., 1906-12-20

road methods are exposed in scathing terms.
Mr.. Berge made his campaign for governor
upon the railroad pass issue and the fact that
ne ran many thousands ahead of his ticket
shows in measure the deep interest the people
OF Nebraska are taking in this phase OF t.e rail
is a valuable contribution to current political
discussion and should have wide circulation
among those who are interested in making the
railroads the servants, rather than the masters,
Of the people.
Eminent Educator Endorses II
Lincoln. Eeb.--Hon. George w. Berge My
DeafMr. Berge: l have just finished reading
'The Free Pass Bribery System" and close 1t
with the conviction that Il will have career.
1t lis the clearest and completest explanation Of
current western politics that have ever seen.
Your style is terse. brilliant, and effective, you
have avoided partisanship, and you have ex-
pressed yourself with great moderation and
self-restraint. Although the book Deals with
Nebraska conditions, IL will no doubt attract
attention outside the state. hope you will not
fail to sond a copy to the Hon. James Bryce,
author of THE American Commonwsalt
who always appreciates realistic studies of
American politics. With the best wishes for .
hearty reception Of your book, remain.
EDWARD A. ROSS.
Ex-Llsutenant Governor Endorses II
York, Neb.-Hon. George w. Berge. My Dear
Sir: am reading your book 1.-THE free Pass
Bribery System, !" and hasten to assure you OF
my high appreciation of it. tits an able, inter
esting an instructvesex position of the inhu-
ence oethe pass in defeating wholesome rail-
road legislation and in maintaining q most de-
testabe railroad domination in this country.
Your book is timely and valuable contribu-
The independent., 1906-12-20


free pass
ious that
The independent., 1906-12-20
Values The Book Highly

Bridgeport. Seb.-I think that ever voter !
Nebraska should read IT, would noI os wIl
out il for four prices Of it, G. CADEEu
The independent., 1906-12-20

The whole country shocked the disclosures of br
afoad bribery greater evil than bribery with
The independent., 1906-12-20
YORK. NEB.. DEMOCRAT

1.-THE contents Of the book are highly salts
factory. AS its title imparts, it lisa Discussion
of the pass evil and is forcibly and clearly writ
ten. 1t shows up the methods by which the
railroad companies de Feat railroad legislation
and maintain their dominion over the state
through the instrumentaiity in the main by the
raj roaa pass The book strikes fearlessly and
powerfully at one Of the greatest evils Of our
time and ought to meet with a hearty reception
from the reading public"
The independent., 1906-12-20
THE CoMMoNER

George w. Herge, of Lincoln, editor and pub
Usher of tho Nebraska Independent and fusion
candidate for Governor in 1904, has published a
book entitled "Thc Free Pass Bribery system"
Mr.. Berge deals with the pass bribery evil in
precision the evils that follow in the train Of
this form of political corruption. He is not
content with showing how politics is corrupted.
but shows beyond dispute the demoralixiug ef-
feet upon the great masses of the people. Rail-
The independent., 1906-12-20
Fighting the Pass Evil

Weatherford, TeI.-l am making angn.ao
here against this evil H. L. oiAN'
The independent., 1906-12-20
. Ex-LIeutsnsnt Governor Endorses Il


book and 50 sure 1t wN please y0u e oeT to S9"0 gov m @
oney at all the book does not please you We ram 1
ceipt Of yOur order wW send you the boot Pog IT"
~ send $780, IF you do not womt to keep the 5oo %S
fye days from the time you receye it. you return the Soos u
and w pay the postage for its return AN @s a
that the book be returned good condition. We ca"
THIS chance because feel you ao'0 like hg 60os a
pe believe thoroughly IN tie rugged honesty of tie Pe ,,v
hardly Aoao this kind of proposition can fd
reader Of the INDEPENDENT Every mh0 reads ' 7 %
should order this book at these cond'ons' ne
anraous that Metg against free passes be carr'e9 s
tho ana
Ion the stated herein
The independent., 1906-12-20
The Railroads and the U. s. sen.]

10 overthrow railroad domination in any state
the present railroad bosses with their chimes AZ
tho free pass bribery system we mi.
Ht tner most Vulnerable point This book st,ts
~ ana powerfuiiy at his of the nsst .
ume and points out with unerrne preoIsion .S o.
cni corruption which II begets. Ii IS the onv ns h po
"nten on the SUBJECT and everybody will want to read
in heavy cloth. ~ 'a'eu and IS bu
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12
E3'"vt-ss"a,"rs
A SOCIETY OF BACHEL ORS.

The ranks became so depleted from
this meeting that before another
could be held it became necessary to
reorganize the society, which was
done. The reunions, held on Aug. 10.
1904. and on Aug. 16, 1905, were most
successful
Fully 10000 people were in attend
ance at each of the gatherings, and
unique programmes portraying the ex-
istence of a bachelor were success
fully carried out.
On these occasions, as on previous
ones, every member wore a yellow
badge upon which was Inscribed the
motto of the order, None that I love
more than myself"
At the last reunion the prize of the
oldest bachelor girl was awarded to
a giddy young woman of 92 summers,
who, in spite of her advanced age,
failed to exhibit any signs of being
afraid that she would lose out in the
contest for a bachelors heart and
happy home.
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12
DESERT CORN FOR MELONS.
More Money Made from Juicy Fruit
Say Oklahoma Farmers.

Lawton, Ok.-The greatest water
melon shipping station of the south
west is Cement, Ok, small town on
the Frisco railroad, 80 miles east of
Lawton. The shipping of this sea-
sons crop began two weeks ago and
to date 120 cars have been shipped to
Kansas City, ST. Louis and Denver
Before the season closes more than
500 cars will have been shipped. In
radius of a few miles of Cement
there are 700 acres planted in melons
this year. The average production to
the acre is 500 melons, or about half
car load.
The melons placed on the track at
Cement bring the producers an aver
age of $50 per acre. At this rate there
will be shipped from that point this
year 350,000 melons that will place in
the pockets of the producers S35,
hecently there was a scarcity of
cars and during the few days inter
vening between the last shipment and
the arrival of more cars 10000 melons,
or 20 car loads, were piled along the
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12
But IL winton could have bee. an

But II Winton could have been an
eavesdropper behind the door of Super
intendent Colbert's Office on the second
floor of the Union depot, his doubts
would have been resolved instantly.
The telegraph operators guess went
straight to the mark. Mr.. Darrah was
raising particular sand because his
wire order for special engine had not
been obeyed to the saving of the ulti-
mate second of time. But between his
objurgations on that score, he was
rasping out questions designed to ex-
haust the chief clerks store of in
formation concerning the status of af-
fairs at the seat of war.
will you inform me, sch, why 1
wasn't wired that this beggahly appeal
was going against us?" he demanded,
wrathfully. What's that you say,
sch? Don't tell me you couldn't know
what the decision of the cou't was go
ing to be before it was handed down;
that's what you-all are heah for-to
find out these things! And what is
all this about Majah Eva'ts resigning,
and the Utah's sending east for a pro-
fessional right-of-way fghteh to take
his place? Who is this new man?
Don't know? Dammit, sehl it's your
business to know! Now when do you
faveh me with my engine?"
Thus the Rajah; and the chief clerk,
himself known from end to end of the
Colorado & Grand River as a queller
of men, could only point out of the
window where the Rosemary stood
engined and equipped for the race and
say, meekly: I'm awfully sorry
you've been delayed, Mr. Darrah; very
sorry, indeed. But your car is ready
now. Shall l go along to be on hand
if you need me?"
No, seh!" stormed the irate master;
and the chief clerks face became in
stantly expressive of the keenest re-
lief. "You stay right heah and see
that the wires to Qua'tz Creek are kept
open-wide open, sch. And when you
get an ordeh from me-for an engine,
a regiment of the National Gyua'd, or
trainload of white elephants-you fill
1t. Do you understand, seh?''
Meantime, while this scene was get
ting itself enacted in the superintend-
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12

a more than usually volcanic frame,
of mind.
Now Winton, though new to the
business of building railroads for the
Utah Short Line, was not new to Den
yer or Colorado. Hence when the
Rajah, followed by his secretarial
shadow, had left the Office, Winton spoke
to the operator as to a friend
What is the matter with Mr.. Darrah.
Tom? He seems to be uncommonly
vindictive this morning."
The man of dots and dashes nodded.
Hes always crankier this time than
he was the other. He's holy terror. the
Rajah is. ] wouldn't work on his road
for farm down east-not if my job took
me within cussing distance of him. Bet
hen worth $50 he is up in Mr.. Colbert's s
ccice right now, raising particular sand
because his special engine wasn't stand
ing here ready to snatch his private car
on the fly, SOS to go on without losing
headway"
Wlnton's eyes narrowed, and he let
his writing hand pause while he said.
so he travels special from Denver. does
he?"
"On his own -road?-well, I should
smile. Nothing is too good for the
Rajah; or too quick, when he happens
to be in hurry. I wonder he didn't
have the T. C. pull him special from
Kansas. City"
Winton handed in his batch of tele-
grams and went his way reflective.
What was Mr.. Somerville Darrah's
particular rush? AS set forth by Adams.
the plans of the party in the Rosemary
contemplated nothing more tasteful
than a leisurely trip to the Pacific coast
"a pleasure jaunt with winter soiourn
in California to lengthen it. Why. then.
this sudden change from "Limited''
| regular trains to unlimited specials?
Was there fresh news from the seat of
war in Quartz Creek canyon? Winton
thought not. In that case he would have
had his budget as we'll; and so far as his
own advices went, matters were still
as they had BEEN. A letter from the
Utah attorneys in Carbonate assured
him that the injunction appeal was not
yet decided. and another from Chief of
Construction Evarts concerned itself
chiefly with the majors desire to know
when he was to be relieved.
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12

track on the ground. No such sight
was ever before seen in the southwest
country. No train of 20 cars, contain
ing watermelons alone, was ever be-
fore pulled out of Oklahoma. The
Alabama sweet variety has been
adopted by the melon farmers. This
is long, striped melon of yellow and
lead colors.
The production this year will be
double that of last year and the acre.
age is in the same ratio The quality
of melon is also better and the de
mand has been greater.
E. G. Lutes, lessee of some Indian
allotments in the Indian pasture south
of here, this year has cultivated 200
acres of melons, the seeds from which
he is selling to a Kansas City seed
house for IL cents per pound. The
juice is being manufactured into
syrup by new process. His crop is
unusually fine and he has found that
more money can be realized from the
growing of melons than from any
other branch of farming.
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12
REMARKABLE RANCH HOUSE IN
WILDS OF WYOMING.
Has Finer Cut Glass, China and Silver
Than Any Other House in State
Hostess Is Refined
and Educated.

Lander, Wyo-A little one-story.
six-room log ranch house in Wyoming,
with sage brush land stretching away
from it in all directions and with only
numbering mountain stage coach
drawn by four horses connecting it
with the outside world, has in it more
and finer cut glass;. china and silver
than any other house, public or pri-
vate, in this state.
Arapahoe boasts not near fifty souls
all told. But the traveller going by
stage from Lander to Shoshone will
find its ranch house an uncommonly
good one at which to stay overnight,
for Mrs. Becker, it's gracious hostess,
does not spend all her money en- orna-
ments for her table. She always
makes enough to pay the salaries of
two flrst-class Chinese cooks and to
supply her table with delicacies.
Many ranch houses look neither
more nor less inviting from the out
side than does this one. Dirt, poor
food, cracked dishes, wretched serv-
Ice and insufferably bad beds compose
the accommodations. The traveller is
agreeably surprised, then, when he
hnds the wealth of cut glass, china
and silverware which graces Mrs.
Becker's table, excellent service, every
delicacy that a city market affords,
cleanliness everywhere, easy chairs
and couches, beds fresh and comfort
able and an atmosphere of refinement.
Mrs. Becker's cut glass, china and
silverware are the pride and the de-
light of Arapahoe and all of the coun-
tryside round about it. Even the In
dians who have got a glimpse of them
regard them with sort cf proprietary
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
It was late breakfast time when the
Transcontinental Limited" swept
around the great curve in the eastern
fringe of Denver, paused for register
ing moment at yard limits and went
Gathering in over the switches to come
to rest at the end of its long westward
run on the in-track at the Union depot.
Having wired ahead to have his mail
meet him at the yard limits registering
dash for the telegraph Office the moment
the train stopped.
THAT is our wagon, ever there on the
na-row-g gauge" he said to Adams, point
ing out the waiting mountain train.
"IIave the porter transfer our dunnage,
and I'll be with you as soon as can send
a wire or two"
he saw the yard crew cutting out the
Rosemary, and had glimpse of Miss
Virginia clinging to the hand-rail and
enjoying enthusiastically, he fancied,
On the way across the broad platform
her first view of the mighty hills to the
westward.
The temptation to let the telegraphing
wait while he went to say good morning
to her was strong, but he resisted it and
fastened the more for the hesitant
thought. Nevertheless, when he reached
the telegraph Office he found Mr..
Somerville Darrah and his secretary
there ahead of him, and he remarked
that the explosive gentleman who pre-
sided over the destinies of the Colora-
do & Grand River appeared to be in
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12
s~aef~s-saf~ss-.|1N-ss--~1H.sfa

After the last two reunions an epi-
demic of weddings broke out Il mat
rimonial wave seemed to sweep
through the ranks of the society and
claimed for it's victims many of it's
faithful officers, who rendered their
designations and became beledicts.
A number of bachelor girl clubs in
central Illinois are the outgrowth Of
the bachelors reunions. Prominent
among them is the Hillsboro Bachelor
Girls club, Of Hillsboro, which dates
its organization back several years a.
1t is composed of wealthy, hand
some, and talented young women Of
r1iilsboro, and all are members OF
prominent families in Montgomery
county. Quite friendship exists be-
tween the two associations, and sew
eral weddings between its members
have resulted.
The present officers of the associa-
ton are c. p. Hamlin, president; G. D.
Scott, first vice president; William
y. Alden, second vice president; Fred
w. Ernst, secretary, and George Hell
derbrandt, treasurer.
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12

shake. 1t was unique society fuuc-
ton. Each of the numerous guests
went home from it with a costly gift
from the hostess. One young lady
was given saddle, another beauti.
full and costly souvenir spoon with an
elk's tooth set in the handle and the
others received gifts equally valuable.
This remarkable woman, who has
made snug fortune out of a little
ranch house in the wilds of Wyoming,
is educated, refined and accomplished
and there is not a more gracious host
ess in the state than she. This keeper
of a ranch house has gowns that
would attract attention in any large
city.
So wide has become the fame Of
Mrs. Becker's ranch house and so
great its popularity that handsome
addition is being built.
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12

ent'S office, mild fire of CONSERVATION
was alight in the gathering room of
the Rosemary. AS we have guessed,
Winton's packet of mail was not the
only one which was delivered by spe-
cial arrangement that morning to the
incoming Limited at the yard regis
tering station. There had been an
other, addressed to Mr. Somerville
Darrah; and when he had opened il
there had been a volcanic explosion
and a hurried dash for the telegraph
Office, as recorded.
Sifted out by the Reverend Billy,
and explained by him to Mrs. Carteret
and Bessie, the firing spark of the ex-
plosion appeared to be some news of
an untoward characte. from a place
vaguely designated as the front"
1T seems that there is some sort of
right-of-way scrimmage going on I'D
in the mountains between our road
and the Utah Short Line" said the
young man. 1T was carried into the
courts, and now it turns out that the
decision has gone against u.s."
How perfectly horrid!" said Miss
Bessie. Now l suppose we shall have
to stay here indefinitely while Uncle
Somerville does things" And placid
Mrs. Carteret added, plaintively: "It's
too bad! l think they might let him
Lave one little vacation in peace"
who talks of peace?" queried yir-
ginia, driven in from her post of van
tage on the observation platform byy
the smoke from the switching engine
Didn't l see Uncle SomerviIle chare-
ing across to the telegraph Office with
war written out large in every line
of him?''
Il am afraid you did," affirmed the
Reverend Billy; and thereupon the
explanation was rehearsed for yir-
ginia's benefit.
The brown eyes flashed militant
! sympathy.
"Oh, wish Uncle SomeryiIle wonId
go to the 'front.' wherever that is. and
take US along!" she cried. at would
be ever so much better than Califor-
MIA
The Reverend William laughed: and
Aunt Martha put in her word Of ex,
postulation. as in duty bound.
lTo BE coNTINuEp.
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12
Weddings Often Result from Reunions
History of the Odd Organiza-
tion Which Is Fourteen
Years Old.

Nokomis, Ill.-The famous bach
elors' picnic was held the other day
at this place. the home, of the Illi-
nois Bachelors association. Nokomis
claims no other distinction than that
of being the birthplace of such a body
and the devotees of the single life
were feasted and entertained from
sunrise until dark.
The bachelors state is regarded in
this community as the ideal life. Bach
elors parade the principles Of their
cult to the world from the mecca of
single blessedness. Hundreds came
from all surrounding places within a
radius of so miles.
Unmarried persons of both sexes
attended by companies and battalions
to aid in the beatification of bachelor
dom. A feature of the entertainment
was wedding ceremony performed
before the assembly Of skeptical
celibates.
The history of the association dates
back to Aug. 10, 1892, when few
forlorn and hopeles bachelors Of No
komis invited their fellow unfortun-
ates to unite with them in a grand
picnic, at which time new schemes
for more successful attacks on the
rapidly increasing ranks of unmarried
young ladies were given out to the
faithful
Many marriages resulted In this re-
union. and even the president OF the
order fell q victim to the charms ola
fatr enchantress
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12
LOG HOTEL WHICH IS FAMOUS.

interest. Not long ago Mrs. Becker
sent an order to New York for 81, 900
worth of cut glass and that $1,000
worth is not all she has. Besides her
valuable collection of cut glass, china
and silverware Mrs. Becker has many
hundred dollars worth of Navajo
blankets and Indian curios. She made
an army officers wife a gift of five or
six hundred dollars worth of blankets
and curios recently and thought moth
ing of it. She is a western woman
and does things in a western way.
Not long ago Mrs. Becker gave a
party at her ranch house to which she
invited some of the best and best
known folk in Lander and army Off
GERS and their wives from Fort Wa
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12

Oddly enough, the comment on Win
ton did not pause with the encomiums
of the train crew. When the Limited"
was once more rushing on its way
through the night, and Virginia and her
cousin were safely in the privacy of their
state-room, Miss Carteret added her
word.
do you know, Bessie, l think it was
Mr. Adams who scored this afternoon?
she said.
How so?" inquired la petite Bisque,
who was too sleepy to be overcurious
'T think he took a rise out of me, as
he puts it. Mr.. Winton is precisely all
the kinds of a man Mr.. Adams said he
wasn't"
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12

even if it had been made of solid
gold" said DR.. Vincent Brown, the
physician in charge. More than 500
unfortunates. some MANNED and n.
jured and others dying. have been
treated in the last month In the I'm.
provised hospital"
In the excitement following the,
earthquake and fire the old tourist car,
was rigged up with surgical appli-
ances and soon became a complete.
emergency hospital.
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12
TOURIST CAR IS HOSPITAL.
Old Coach Is Used by Physicians to
Shelter unfortunates.

San Francisco.-An old Pullman
tourist car, bearing a sign reading
Emergency Hospital" has stood on
siding in the network Of Southern
Pacific tracks at Fourth and King
streets ever since the earthquake, and
is still serving as the company's hos
pital.
with the hospitals Of the city in
ruins. the hospital on wheels would
have paid for itself . dozen times
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12

How did you feel when he kis.ed
your"
felt all right but the canoe w.
terribly upset Houston Post
Barbour County index., 1906-09-12

New South Wales Growing.
The population of New South Wales
on June 80 was 1.540,240, an increase
of $40 for the quarter.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-08
COLLISION AT HELL GATE.
Fall River steamer Maine HanMcd
 and Had t0 He Rencl,ed.

rou ItlNer Steamer NSIne Habnute0
 and Had f0 He Rencl,ed.
 NEW YORK. Nov. s. While passing through Hell Gate op her way 10 her pier the Fall River line steamboat Maine was ranlmed by tug of the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad.
 The tug struck the Maine on the port side amidships. staying in the side for twenty feet and smashing the rail- ing and deck.
 The force of the collision threw most of the crew of the Maine from their feet. Fortunately she carried no pas sengers. Captain Hazard blew shrill blasts from his whistle, which attract ed some tugboats, but before they could give any assistance Captain Hazard swung his wheel around and beached the vessel on the sandy shore of East River park.
 When Captain Hazard beached the steamer he ran her on a submerged rock, and she went bow high out of the water. Under the stern at this point the water is 110 feet deep.
 7
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-08
His Hired Man Defeated Him.

Winsted, Nov S.-Professor Nj I. Pupin. Columbia university in siructor and inventor of the ocean tcle. phone. was defeated in Norfolk for the legislature by his hired man. Matthew 0'Brien, A stone mason. by sixteen ma. jority. The vote stood: O'Brlen. 172; Pupin. i56. The other successful can didate for representative is also a Democrat. Warren Corbslly. coach man. Laborers voted against Profess. or Pupin because they said he brought workmen from san Francisco to toll on his large country estate. O'Brien work cd hard to defeat his employer. taking n day off. Professor Pupin did no elec- tioneering.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-08
MRS THAw GOES TO PITTsBURG.
Has Conference With Detective Who
 Worked on Her Sons Case.

Pittsburg. Nov S.--Mrs Mary c. Thaw, mother of Harry Kendall Thaw. held for the killing of Stan ford White, paid hurried visit to pittsburg yesterday for the first time since Harry Thaw's troubles began and since her home. Lyndhurst, on the Beachwood Boulevard. was footed by thieves. Every effort was made to keep her arrival secret. She had a long conference with Roger O'Mara. a private detective who has been working on Harry Thaw's case.
 Mrs Thaw also had conference with her Pittsburg agent relative to the sale of Lyndhurst, which is on the market. An offer of $400,000 has been refused for the place. Mrs Thaw has built new and smaller home near Lyndhurst, where she in- tends to live.