davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01

He served his time, and left the
prison jail-bird for life. His first
destination was his home. He wished
to see Claremont, even though he
were a jail-bird and his home
wretched blur on the rural landscape.
He found nothing changed His moth
er was still suffering patiently; his
brothers and sisters were still pale
and hollow-cheeked. Everybody there
needed the commonest necessaries of
life, SO Stearns Kendall Abbott, the
youth, more self-reliant and energetic
than Stearns Kendall Abbott, the
child, went forth to obtain them, not
caring greatly how he obtained them
SO long as he succeeded. He broke
into small store and was possessing
himself of it's money when the coun-
try constables arrived and possessed
him. For his offense he served six
years in Concord prison.
Thence he went into the army for
service against the confederacy. Some
body cheated him out of his bounty
money, and he deserted in Hartford,
Conn. He was at once confronted by
the problems of feeding and clothing
himself, and he followed his bent.
One day he espied mail bag without
protection. He stole the United
States property, opened it and ap-
propriated it's contents. But they
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01

the bedroom, and holding the lamp
high. above him, he stared into the
room The huddled figure of Mrs.
Crue lay on the carpet Her head was
splashed with blood, and her clothes
were wet A quilt partly covered her
lower limbs. The woman was quite
dead-and it was murder. The hus-
band ran out of the house.
Presently the family of Augustus
Woods, the nearest neighbors of the
Crues, were disturbed at their supper
by a peremptory knocking Woods
hurried to the door and opened it.
Crue stood on the stoop, bare-headed
and wild-eyed.
Somebody has murdered my wife!"
he shouted. Come quick"
Groton became tremendously ex-
cited over the deed, and the medical
examiner and the constables immedi-
ately began to make their investiga-
tions- They found two bullet holes in
the woman's head and another in her
breast But there were no signs of, a
struggle, and there was no robbery
The officers retained the bullets and
took Impressions of the imprints in
the snow outside the house. Crue was
questioned closely, but he proved an
alibi. Then the officers surmised that
tramp committed the. deed, and
searched the village thoroughly for
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01

Groton.-In this quiet Massachu-
sets village 25 years ago, there lived
a family named Crue. Their home was
a small farm house in a particularly
lonely location, three miles from other
habitations.
Crue was teamster, whose duties
compelled him frequently to go to
Aver Junction, several miles away.
Sometimes he left home early in the
morning, and remained ia his 1abors
until sunset. His wife was left under
the protection of dog, who spent a
large part of the day sleeping near
the kitchen stove.
Mrs. Crue was an ordinary New
England housewife. That is to say
she was purely domestic, worked from
morning till night at household du-
ties, and knew the outside world only
slightly. The desolation of her domi-
cile was second nature to her; she ac-
cepted it as her fate. When, day after
day, she was left practically unguard-
ed it never occurred to her to be
frightened.
If a yagabond came to her door,
whether or not he asked for aims
surlily and peered about as though to
learn of her unprotected state, she
showed no fear, but gave him food and
told him to be off before her husband
came down stairs and detected her
charity. Moreover, Mrs. Crue, by rea-
son of her daily domestic exercises,
was strong and hardy enough to feel
self-reliant. Invariably she held
stout broom during her talks with the
occasional Migrants. She believed
thoroughly that this traditional house
hold weapon would serve her faith
fully in time or need.
Rumors of Domestic Troubles.
From time to time there were ru-
mors among people who knew the
Crues. They said the husband did not
pay as much attention to his wife as
he should, and they mentioned other
names, but the wife never answered
impertinent questions. She told curl
GUS people that she minded her own
business and expected her neighbors
to follow her example. Whereupon
they shrugged their shoulders, and
any possible sympathy for her they
might have felt expired.
On the morning of January IT, 1880,
the home of the Crues was surround
ed with snow. The adjacent woods
were thin and scrawny, and the whole
Immediate world was bleak and chilly.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01
Pe-ru-na Restores Strength.
PUTTING 1T RATHER ROUGHLY.
Leading Question Asked of Methodical
Writer.

There is a certain writer in Boston
"a man of remarkable versatility
who once gave a friend in the publish
ing business in New York a resume
OF the details of his average days
work.
Il am as methodical in my work."
said the Boston writer, "as any bus
mess man. My daily tasks are so di-
versified and so arranged that I am
able to afford myself considerable va
riety during the IL hours per diem
that I employ in authorship. For in
stance, from eight in the morning to
ten 1 do my verse; from ten to IL my
criticisms; from three to five / am en-
gagged upon a history of the world in
tended for perusal by children" And
so he continued to give his visitor the
whole scheme. When he had con-
cluded, the New Yorker, an exceeding
ly blunt individual, rather unkindly
inquired:
"And when, sir, do you think?''
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01

caught him and sent him to Jail for
five more years.
Long Career of Crime.
He was used to that sort of life by
this time; and he was unused to any
other kind, save existence in a pow
erty-stricken home. Thereafter one
offense succeeded another. He stole
a horse and buggy, and served a re-
sultant sentence of four years in
Charlestown; he embezzled $3.50 and
returned to Charlestown for two years
more. Later he entered house in
Manchester, N. H, and stole SIT. For
this crime he spent three years in the
New Hampshire state prison. He was
now AZ years old, his terms of con-
finement aggregated % years, and he
was known as an habitual criminal.
Stearns Kendall Abbott was in Gro
ton on the 18th of January, 1880. He
was only a month and a half out of
Concord prison, and presumably was
trying to obtain employment as a
wood carver. This was his trade
his prison taught trade-and he was
a capable man. He called at several
houses and explained ia one man that
he wished to secure job as a wood
carver and to another-and to several
others-that he wished to purchase
some farm property. OF one man
Henry Hewins-he asked to be direct
ed to the Crue house.
From house to house Constable
Reed, of Aver, traced his movements,
until at last he located him in East
Weare, N. H. The prisoner denied
the crime. He said that he had never
known Mrs. Crue, AID had never seen
her. He told the court that he left
Groton during the afternoon of the
18th and went to Boston, where he
spent several hours in a house of ill
repute. But he couldn't corroborate
his statements. Witnesses located
him in the Crue house; a chain of cir
cumstantial evidence held him firmly.
Death Sentence COMMITTED.
He was sentenced to be hanged, and
from his window in the jail he
watched them building the scaffold-
Wendell Phillips and others became
interested in his case. and urged Gov.
Long to commute the sentence AT
first the governor refused, but when
one of the chief witnesses against
Kendall, Jennie Carr. admitted herself
a perjurer respecting part of her tes-
timony-respecting a denial of her
motherhood-Gov- Long reprieved the
condemned man and ordered that he
spend the remainder of his days in
the state prison
That was Is years ago. Twenty-Five
years ago they wrote the last record
against the name of Stearns Kendall
Abbott-.life prisoner for the murder
of Maria L. Crue, of Groton- 1t was
the concluding chapter of one OF the
most stirring murder stories OF west
ern Middlesex county 1t was also
the aftermath to the prisoners hope
less childhood
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01

| evidence of strangers. Everybody
was puzzled over the apparent alb
sence of any motive.
Stearns Kendall Abbott.
If the home of the Crues in Groton
was lonely, the childhood home of
Stearns Kendall Abbott in Claremont,
n. H., was the merest existence.
There. in 1889, he was added to an
already large family.
1t was a very sordid existence; it
was almost worse than nothing. In a
general way the boy knew, as he grew
older, that other boys here and there
enjoyed three nourishing meals a
day, and slept in beds by themselves
and had enough clothing to keep them
warm. Yet it seldom occurred to him
to think much about other boys in this
world, because he was always con-
cerned with the problem of satisfying
his hunger and his craving for warmth.
Later he went to the country school.
He wore ragged clothes, and, of
course, everybody in the school could
see them and everybody in the town
knew that he was a poverty-stricken
youngster, and, therefore, according to
country traditions, looked down on
species of the race of small boys.
At the age of Ia he went to Lowell
to obtain employment. But he was a
very helpless waif, who lacked every
lettering influence, who was thorough
ly cowed-a hopeless waif whose des-
tiny was nine-tenths death or degra-
dalton and one-tenth honest livelihood
He failed to get job at once. He
fr1rn fSh No
factories needed no small boys. He
fell among disreputable men, who told
him how to make money with ease.
One companion of the waif from Clare
mont explained that if he forged an
order for SIS he could secure the
money without any danger and
promptly lose himself in some other
city. The boy was without any an
swering argument Indeed, the plan
appealed to him, for he lacked many
necessities of life So he made out
an order on a firm for SIS, for work
done, presented it at the cashiers Of
fee, obtained the money, divided it
with his adviser, and then went to an
eating house and fed heartily The lad
was suddenly wealthy.
Given State Prison Term.
But the swindled tradespeople gave
the police an excellent description OF
the thief, and the police caught him
He could only say that he had needed
the money badly, and had taken the
advice of an older man. He couldn't
tell them, however, that he had never
had affair chance Lacking the vocab-
ulary; he could not tell them one
tenth of his sordid childhood No
| body defended him. He went before
| the court and received a sentence of
80 months Then they took him away,
not to a reformatory. but to state
| prison.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01
GIanoers in Cherokee?


There is q probability that the con-
stitutionality of the Kansas game and
fish law will come before Judge Smart
a Ottawa A few weeks ago certain
fishermen of Lawrence were arrested
by game wardens and brought be-
fore Justice Killing of Lawrence for
trial He dismissed the cases on the
ground that the law is uncons1itution-
al The wardens have taken pro-
ceedings to bring suit in the district
court where it is probable that the
defense will again raise the question
or constituttonality-
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01
GOOD coLoRs FOR HOUSES.

1t is not generally known-not even
among painters-why certain tints
and colors wear much better than
others on houses, and the knowledge
of just what tints are best to use is,
therefore, rather hay.
One writer on paint, in recent
book, says that experiments seem to
show that those colors which resist
or turn back the heat rays of the sun,
will protect house better than those
which allow these rays to pass
through the film.
Thus red is a good color because it
turns back, or reflects. the red rays.
and the red rays are the hot rays
In general, therefore, the warm
tones are good and the cold tones are
poor, 50 far as wear is concerned. In
choosing the color of paint for your
house, select reds, browns, grays
and olives which, considering the va
rious tones these tints will produce,
will give a wide range from which to
choose.
Avoid the harsh tints, such as cold
yellows Qike lemon, cold green's
like grass green, etc., and the blues.
1t must be understood that no vir-
tue is claimed for tints in themselves.
irrespective of the materials used in
the paint Any color will fade, and
the paint will scale off, If adu1terated
white lead or canned paint is used,
but If one is careful to use the best
white lead-some well-known brand
of a reliable manufacturer-and gen.
uine linseed oil, the warm tints men>
toned above will outwear the same
materials tinted with the cold colors.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01
Heavy Movement Of Iron ORE

The movement of Lake Superior
iron ore during the month of June was
the heaviest during the history of the
trade. Nearly 100000 tons were for
warded to the lower lakes-a gain OF
almost 500, 900 tons over the CORE.
spending period last year. The total
movement this season up to the 1st
of July aggregated 11,241.596 tons.
compared with 10,S14,054 tons for the
same period last year.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01
Wichita Fair BUILDINGS.

All the buildings on the new fair
grounds at Wichita are to be of
permanent nature, it being the opin-
ion of the board of directors that it
is the cheapest to build the best. The
large sales barn which is now in
course of construction is being built
of cement Alphabetically the
buildings will resemble, to a GER
tain extent, the buildings in the
Wonderland park, just across the
river from the fair grounds.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01

Lewis Single Binder straight SC cigar
made of rich, mellow tobacco Your
dealer or Lewis Factory, Peoria, Ill
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01
MISS RICKA LEOPOLD. 1877 Main
~ street, Menasha, Wis, Sec'y Lied

MISS RICKA LEOPOLD. 1877 Main
~ street, Menasha, Wis, Sec'y Lied
erl1ranZ, writes
ssThree years ago my system was in
q terrible run down condition and was
broken out all over my body. / began
to be worried about my condition and /
was glad to try anything which would
relieve me.
"Peruna was rec0mn1e nded to me as
fine blood remedy and tonic, and 1
soon found tn at it was worthy of praise.
"a few bottles changed my condition
materially and in short time was
all over my trouble.
81 owe to Peruna my restoration to
health and strength. am glad to en-
dorse it."
Pe-ru-na Restores Strength.
Mrs. Hettie Green, R. r. 6, Iuxa, Ill,
writes 81 had catarrh and felt misera-
BILE. 1 began the use of Peruna and
began to improve in every way. My
head does not hurt me so much, my
appetite is good and L am gaining in
flesh and strength
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01

A man never realizes the goodness
of his neighbcrs until he is sick
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01

Now and then a biting wind swept
across the open stretches, and whirled
the snow OFF the roof of the house. Be
times the thin spirals of smoke rising
from the chimney contrasted with the
brittle snowscape.
Shortly after dinner Crue told his
wife he had to haul some logs to Aver
Junction. and expected to be late for
supper.
Crue harnessed his horses and
drove away over the white road,
around the windy corner OF the tim
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01

The school of experience Is open
"A hours each day.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01

D. w. Travis, state fish and game
warden, has gone to the extreme
western part of the state to make an
investigation into the killing of prai-
RE chickens. For some time reports
have been coming in that the prairie
chickens were being wantonly shot
in direct violation of the law. Mr..
Thavis has instructed all the deputy
fish and game wardens to arrest the
offenders at once and is now gazing to
make a personal investigation. A
few years ago there were very few
prairie chickens in the state, but the
new game law has protected the birds
until there are a large number in
some sections. Hunters are permit
ted to shoot the chickens in Novem-
Der
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01
Eudora Has Gas For Sale.

A group of EudOra capitalists have
prepared a franchise which they will
present at the next meeting of the
Lawrence council, asking for the
right to place their pipes in the city
of Lawrence and furnish natural gas
to the city. The company, which
will be known as the Lawrence Oil,
Coal and Gas company, will get its
gas from the Eudora field and if the
franchise is granted will begin con-
struction Immediately.
Contracts Let for Electric Line.
The contracts have been let for
the Rawlins interurban electric sys-
tenn. The system will be so miles
long and will extend from Chanute
to Joplin, Mo. There will be two
branches. one running from Chanute
by way of Thayer to Cherryvale,
Coffeyville and Independence, and
the other by way of Erie and Par
sons to Columbus, Weir, Galena and
Joplin
Kansas BOY Dies of Horses Kick.
Patrick Cooper, IL years old, who
lived south of Frankfort, was kicked
in the abdomen by a horse while
playing in the barn and died the next
morning from the injuries.
CHAMBERS in Cherokee?
A report has reached the office of
the state live stock sanitary COM
missioner that there is an outbreak
of CHAMBERS among the horses of Cher
okee county.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
KANSAS HAPPENINGS 5
Tubercuiosls Census.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

The Kansas State board of Health
is making preparations to start war
against the spread of tuberculosis The
first move will be to prepare census
of all the cases of tuberculosis in
Kansas. Tables will be prepared and
one will be sent to each of the 5000
physicians practicing- They will be
asked to compile an accurate list
of the cases of tuberculosis under
their care and the exact stage of
each case The blanks will also have
a place for showing the cause of the
disease as nearly as can be ascer-
tanned and much other information of
an Interesting character. The board
of health is of the opinion that he
disease can be checked in many in
stances with proper care, such as sani-
tary arrangements, nurses and lsoia-
ton. With the information at hand
the board will be able to take some
definite action against the spread of
the disease. The information thus
obtained will also in all probability
be used before the next legislature to
show the great need of a state sani-
tarium for the treatment of those af-
fected with tuberculosis Failing in
this, the board will simply try to edu-
cate the people of Kansas in the treat
ment of the disease.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01
Studying Dry Farming.

Studying Dry Farmih9-
William Macdonald, editor of the
Transvaa1 Agricultural Journal and
the official organ of the British gov
eminent in South Africa, is in Kansas
studying the method of dry farming
in this state. He has been making
tour of the world and is now re-
turning to Africa. He has been
studying the irrigation plans in the
western part of the United States
and has come to Kansas to learn
now the farmers in this state raise
crops without water. Il am of the
opinion he >said, that dry farming
is the best system for us in Africa.
1 like the irrigation plan, but We
have not enough water in every place
in our part of the world to make that
practicable. We have to try the Kan
sas system and 1 believe it will be a
success
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01

caught him and sent him to Jail for
five more years.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-09-01

evidence of strangers. Everybody
was puzzled over the apparent alb
Sence of any motive
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1906-03-08

California, Ia, March srd, Mrs.
Julius w. Wilder, aged 64years.
Mrs. Wilder, whose maiden
name was Margaret Ann Weav-
Ter, was a native of Kentucky.
IShe was united in marriage to
Mr.. Wilder, Nov. Goth, 1860.
After trying their fortunes in
Tennessee and Indiana. they
came to Iowa in 1880, since
which time they have resided
in Iowa and Nebraska. Three
years ago they came to Califor-
MIA junction and have made
their home here since that time.
The deceased leaves a husband
and seven children, six sons and
one daughter to mourn her loss
One daughter died in Blair,
Nebr., in her twenty-eigth year.
Mrs. Wilder was stricken with
paralysis three years ago and
has been speeches. and par
TALLY helpless ever since that
time. The end came peaceful
ly: she is at rest.
The funeral services were
held in the church, Monday,
March 5th, at / p. M. The re-
mains were taken to Blair for
interment.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1906-03-08
Jones=MorgaIl.

Married, at high noon today,
at the residence of the bride's
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. S. H.
Morgan, Mr.. Carl Tennis Jones
and Miss Frances Clara Nor
gan. The bridal couple de-
scended the stairs to the strains
of Lohengrin,s wedding march,
Miss Halle Jones, sister of the
groom, at the piano. They took
their places under a canopy of
pink and white, where Rev.
Williams, using an impressive
ring service, pronounced the
words which made them man
and wife. The bride was
gowned in q beautiful creation
of white silk null finished with
tucks and lnSertlngs and carried
an arm boquet Of brides roses.
After congratulations a sump-
tuous wedding dinner was
served. 1t was d home affair,
only members of the Immediate
families witnessing the cere-
mony. A large and elaborate
list of wedding presents was
received. Out of town guests
were Mr.. and Mrs. I. A. Kirk
wood and children, Weston;
Mrs. j. E. Kirkwood and chill
dren, Long Pine, Neb.; Ben
French, Honey Creek; Bruce
Morehouse, Loveland.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1906-03-08
st. John Items.

Mrs. E. A. Roies and Mrs. r.
L. Lindsey, of Missouri Valley.
spent the day with Mrs. G. w.
McGavren on Thursday last.
The little five-year-old son of
Mr.. and Mrs. l.. Nelson came
very near drowning one day
last week. He was playing
near a ditch close to the house,
which the. river had filled with
water, and in some manner
Slipped and fell into the ditch.
An older brother happened to
be close by and rescued the
little fellow.
Joseph Smith, of Missouri
Valley, was in st. John Wednes-
day.
Orville Owens was calling on
St. John relatives Friday.
The Boyer is falling again,
much to the delight of the
farmers.
Mr.. and Mrs. a. L. Haigh hit
entertained about fifty of their
friends and neighbors Saturday
evening. A merry time was
had by all. A bountiful three
course supper was served dur
ing the evening.
Mrs. A. Haight and family
left Monday for their new
home near Logan.
F. C. Keller has rented the
place formerly occupied by Mrs.
Haight and a German family
from near Fish lake now occupy
the place where Mr.. Keller
lived.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Varnes,
Mrs. j. A. Deal and Mrs. G. w.
McGavren are attending a din
ner at Mrs. Legs near Mobiles
lake today Wednesday,
The annual school election of
this district is next Monday,
March IL.