davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-01-12

For many years ]. n. has been
called crazy In large sense, this
is without doubt true. His mind has
been impaired since time before the
civil war of the rebellion. His CONVEX
sation and his public speeches were
evidences of this fact He could not
speak about anything intelligently for
long at a time For a few sentences
he might give utterance to a brilliant
thought, but then he would wander off
into maze of words that no one could
follow, or, at least, form into sense.
He would talk about lifting the veil,"
and assuming the pressure" etc.. and
his theory for solving national ques
tons and party differences, but his au
diences were never given the details
of the theory, because his mind flew
off at tangent before he got to this
part of his speech. He was witty
at times, entertaining at times but
for the most part his talk was tire
some and his audiences left the hall
or the public places where he was
speaking long before he had finished.
The mind of J. N. was early
wrecked. AS boy and young man he
possessed brilliant mental attainments,
far superior to the youth of his
neigaborhood, and it was often said
that the future had IN store high
honors and useful career for Jacob
n. Free. He was the son of farm
er, and was born on a farm near Nc
Charlottesville, small village in Wy
andotte county, Ohio, on the main
road between Tiffin and Upper San
dusky. His father, in addition to his
farm duties, followed teaching as a
profession, and taught the country
schools for years in that vicinity. The
old farm home in which j. N was
born is yet standing along the main
road, pointed out frequently to the
passer-by as the place that gave birth
to the wandering philosopher and
apostle of truth. j. NJ was given
every advantage in the way of an early
education, and he improved his oppor-
tunities. He attended an academy and
carried Off the honors of his class.
Then he studied law. was admitted to
the bar. and entered upon the practice
of the profession.
Tried a MurSer Case.
There are several stories afioat as
to the circumstances that led to the
dethronement of his reason. One of
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-01-12

on President Davis, to whom he also
explained his theory, and was given
the privilege of "airing his views"
on the streets of Richmond. He was
not slow in doing it. His queer ways
pleased the confederate soldiers for
awhile. but ere long he became a
nuisance. and, on the pretense that he
was a northern spy, he was sent back
through the lines to Washington. He
returned satisfied that he had made con-
verts to his theory of both Lincoln and
Davis. and resumed his lecturing tours
through different cities of the north,
posing as 1.-The martyr of truth" and
preaching his theory of lifting the
VEIL" Throughout the years since
then he has followed this mission, and
there are few cities and towns, in the
west, particularly, that he has not
spoken in. Now, however. his mind is
so shattered that he never attempts
to make a public speech. So many
know him in every place he wanders
that he always finds those who will
extend him hospitality and help out
of sympathy.
Never Paid Railroad Fare.
The source of his money supply j.
N. always refused to divulge, as OBJ
stinately as he refused to tell his age
He was seemingly never without it
when occasion demanded that he
should fish up a nickel or dime for
lunch. or some obstreperous landlord
or railroad conductor positively re-
fused to acknowledge his philosophers
right to the best without price. AS a
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-01-12

meetings, of late years. failed to ma
terialize. He realized the fact that he
could not hold his audiences, and con-
tented himself with the notices that ne
got through the newspapers. He al
ways hunted up old friends, however,
and they "stood the pressure" for
coin of greater or less denomination.
But j. N. never begged; he only &C
cepted such sums as contributions TO
the cause of truth. His acquaintance
among public men was wide. He knew
abont every lawyer and politician in
any town he might visit For many
years he was acquainted with every
president, and most If the governors,
senators and congressman. He never
forgot face or name In his visits
of the states if he happened at the
capital when the legislature was in ses-
sion, he was asked to address it. There
was seldom a political convention, ma
tional or senate, that he did not at
tend, bobbing up at some of them in
recent years, when many OF the dele
gates had supposed him to be dead.
Such was the case at the Illinois state
convention which he attended year
or two ago. At that time it was said
that sit was only the ghost of the I'M
mortal j. NJ"
Legacy He Will Leave.
When j. N. is dead, when with him
this mortality shall have, in reality.
put on immortality, it will be a
strange life record that he will leave
behind-surely not such one that
in the days of his young manhood he
had hoped, and had every promise of
leaving. He was brilliant then, gift
ed, environed by circumstances that
would have led him into positions OF
honor. j. N. might nave been IA
vorite son of Ohio, governor, a
United States senator, had not his
intellect been early clouded. Such was
the dream of his youth, such was his
ambition when he was admitted to the
bar. Now when death comes to him,
and it cannot be far off, the journal
lists. and the thousands who knew
him, will speak of him as crank, a
man who was welded to theory that
had nothing practical in it, that his
life was an aimless, wasted one. They
will say that he accomplished nothing,
simply chased a phantom, an idea
which he was never able to define in
telligibly. This is the legacy the I'M
mortal j. N. Free will leave.
FRANK DILDINE.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-01-12

Maysville, when, in single night. in
1852, lire practically destroyed the en-
| tire business section of the town. The
building in which j. N. was located
| was burned, and almost everything he
| had was lost His escape from the
building was miraculous, and the
nights horrors were of such La
| ture that his reason was again affect
ed. For a few years he sought 70
bring fortunes smiles back to him but
was unsuccessful, and he returned to
his old home in Ohio The condition
of his mind continued to grow worse,
and he was seized with the fancy that
he was the apostle OF truth. He be-
gan lecturing tour, speaking on gov
ornamental questions and calling him
self then "the Demosthenes of Amer
ica." In the memorable presidential
campaign preceding the war of the re-
bellion he took a part, not however.
as Republican or q Democrat. He
campaigned Independently, speaking
whenever and wherever his wander
ings took him. The breaking out of
the war evolved in his demented mind
his theory for the solution of the diff
ficulties that separated the north and
the south, theory which, if accepted,
he maintained would bring about
peace. He claimed that both sides
were right, viewed from their own
standpoints," and both wrong, viewed
from the standpoint of the other" His
mission was ito lift the veil' and show
each side it's error.
His first public speech along this
line was at Tifin, o. He spoke on
the public square, and he had a great
crowd to listen to him. His utterances
were of such violent nature that for
his own protection the officials took
him into custody AMI placed him in
Jail. He was, however, soon released,
and then he went from town to town
through Ohio speaking on his theory
for staying the bloody hand of war"
and bombarding the newspapers with
his views.
Visited Lincoln and Davis.
1t was some time after this that
he went to Washington His mission
was TO see President Lincoln and ar
range meeting between him and
President Davis for a peaceable set
Element of the war, seemingly salts
fed that if he could get the two to-
gether that he could end the war.
President Lincoln accorded him an in
terview. To him ]. N unfolded his
theory. He desired Lincoln to pass
him through the army lines so that
he could visit President Davis at Rich
mond. President Lincoln was amused
with his eccentricities, and, seeing the
harmlessness of his madness. fur
nished him with protection through
the lines and note to Davis.
]. n. reached Richmond and called
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-01-12

tricities, just as their grandfathers
and at-grandfathers have done.
But j. N. is not now the continuous,
rapid wanderer of the years gone by.
Even his iron constitution has yielded
to times influences. He is broken In
health. But his restless spirit keeps
him on the occasional move. His
mind, more shattered than ever, is now
unable to carry continuous thought
for more than a few minutes, yet his
memory of faces and names, which
was always one of his remarkable
characteristics, continues good. He
now spends considerable CT his time,
when his illness does not permit him
to travel, at the homes of relatives
living in McCutcheonsville, O., and Co
lumbus. He has sisters at both places.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-01-12
The Immortal, j. N. Free. One
of the Most Unique Char
acters of His Times.
MIND SHATTERED IN HIS YOUNG MANHOOD
Toured the Country the Demosthenes of
America and Apostle of the Truth and
Was Known by Thousands
Still Living in Ohio.

Columbus, O.-The man in the pic
ture, presented in this STORY of a
Strange Life" has been in the pubic
eye for over half a century. He is
known to hundreds of thousands OF
people in the middle western states
and TO hundreds of thousands more IN
the other states of the union, for dur
ing almost his entire life, now meas
ured ty over four score of years, he has
been a wanderer. AS 1.-The Apostle Of
Truth" he has probably spoken to
more people publicly and oftener than
any ether living man. In Ohio. In
diana, Illinois, Michigan and Wiscon-
sin ne is known, by name and features,
more generally than any of the gov
ernors, congressman, or other public
men, and the same is true of him in
many of the other states, particularly
in the west.
Let him enter almost any city or
town in these states now and pass
along the public streets, and, although
he may not have been there for years,
hundreds of those whom he met would
recognize him. His tall form, marked
features, and long gray locks hanging
down over his shoulders, with his
peculiarities of manner, would attract
attention. He would be stopped and
greeted by the initials of his Chris
tian name by many Of the men whom
he met, and the next issue of the daily
or weekly paper would have in it the
mention of the presence on the streets
of 1.-The Immortal j. N, the Philoso-
pher and the Statesman" This has
been true of him since the days of the
war Of the rebellion. 1t is true of
him now
Is Not Dead, But Liveth.
Several times during the last few
years the report has gone out that
''the Immortal J. N. Free is dead" and
it was published in many of the news
papers of the country. There are very
many people who, having seen no
contradiction of the statement. now
believe that the report of his death
was true. The Immortal J. n. is not
dead; he yet liveth. | met him
only few weeks ago on the streets
Of Columbus, o. While the strong,
vigorous health of former years mas
gone, he is yet very much alive, and
it is possible that another generation
may come into the world to gaze upon
the old fellow and wonder at his eccen-
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-01-12

which, if followed, he felt convinced
would solve two of the three greatest
arctic problems. These friends, thor
oughly believing in Amundsen, real
lied at once the merit of his argu-
ments, and unhesitatingly indorse his
scheme, and thus was inaugurated the
expedition that was destined to live
forever as among the most brilliant ex-
petitions in history.
But Capt Amundsen is not satisfied,
it seems, for he is planning next sum-
mer to continue his voyage around the
arctic circle. To do this he must go
through the Northeast passage, feat
second only to the one which he has
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-01-12
London Street Names.

There is superfluity of King streets
in London. In the county 19 thorough
fares are so named, and three of these
King streets are in the city of Westmin-
star.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-01-12

when he had nn1Shed, tired anu worn
out, he left the courtroom and went
to his hotel to lie down, leaving his CO.
counsel to be present in the court
when the verdict of the jury was re-
turned. Thoroughly exhausted, ]. N.
slept for several hours. being awakened
by knock at the door. To his come
in" his client walked into the room
The jury had returned verdict of
not guilty, and the man had fastened
to Free to thank him tor his efforts in
his behalf.
During the conversation he confessed
to the young lawyer that he was really
guilty. Free, indignant and excited,
hastily threw on his coat, grabbed up
his hat, and rushed out of the room
to notify the judge of the terrible
mistake the jury had made. When
he reached the judges home he was
in 4 towering rage, hardly able to
explain the nature Of his mission.
The shock of the discovery that he
had cleared a guilty murderer rem
dered him insane and threw him into
a violent fever For weeks he lay
between life and death, and when
finally he recovered sufficiently to be
out, his health was so poorly that his
father thought it best for him to give
up study and the law for awhile, and
go west.
Lost His All in Fire.
About this time, 1849, the gold
fever in California was at it's height
and Free went there. He was soon
engaged in a successful business, and
was rapidly on the road to fortune at
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-05-05

of the dear, deep past, but the one
and only lily of the valley, the bright
and morning star of the Kansan
dressers. There have been many
beautiful objects in Kansas-first and
last-many Kansas CONNECTIONS in dry
goods: many combinations of Kansas
groceries in flesh and blood that have
been altogether lovely to behold,
many mixtures of drugs, pants and
oils that have shamed the roses
blush; many stocks of hardware and
shelf goods have hung about the Kan
sas human form divine, cheating the
sun of its lustre. But twelve years
ago, when Gov. William Mckinley of
Ohio, was whiZzing through Kansas
in his private car speaking at the
water tanks and campaigning for the
presidential nomination, there got
on the train at Emporia an effulgent,
bedazzllng. glorified combination of
dry goods and groceries, drugs, paints
and oils, hardware implements and
cutlery, ina bell crowned high hat,
gorgeous pleated shirt, suit of New
York clothes of faultlesS cut and fit,
a pair of patent leather shoes with
white kid spats, long watch chain
draped about his neck. and an odor
of frank incense and mYrrh perfam-
ing the air of regal distinction around
HMM all a man, fine, handsome,
well set up figure of a man, a real
man. prancing like warhorse that
shifts the battle from afar: and when
Gov. Mckinley saw that man, he bat
ted his eyes, and asked the coatless,
suspender sagging wilted crowd of
Kansans about him that hot Septem-
ber day Who is that distinguished
looking gentleman?"
s'That," replied Jim Simpson, and
his Kansas heart fiuttered with par
donable pride, that" he repeated to
give emphasis to his remarks, and Cy
Leland and Joe Bristow, and Gov.
Morrill,, and Lit Crum hushed the
murmur of their voices to let the
words sink into McKinley's memory
-s'that is Bent Murdoek.'
And Mckinley, who had sat receiv-
ing the homage of the common herd.
rose to greet the stranger.-Emporia
Gazette.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-05-05
To Members of Captain Treeo Post.

/ take this method of reminding
you that the regular meeting of the
post will be held on Saturday, May
II, at 2 p. m. You are aware that
Decoration day is approaching and
we must meet and arrange for that
occasion. Orders just received from
headquarters demands supplement-
ary report from the post, which must
be attended to on or before the 18th
of the present month.
1t has been whispered to me that
the post will be the recipient of a
photo of Captain Trego, after whom
the post as well as the county is nam
ed The donor is gentleman of this
city who has the welfare of the veter-
ans at heart. The recipient of this
should be acknowledged at the regu-
lar meeting of the post, when the
donors name will be made known
Nothing but sickness will be ac-
cepted as an excuse for non-atendance.
w. c. OLSON, Commander.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-05-05
VOda.

We had two hail storms last week,
and the gardens look sick.
Fred and Otto Schwanbeck are
breaking sod for r. Owens.
Wheat is fine. the best prospects
we ever had this time of the year.
T. r. Austin and the two Tiltons
are breaking sod for p. f. Schecher
Miss Theil, of Collyer, is staying
with her grandparents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Geo. Kristoff, at Voda.
-Four inches of rain fell around Voda
in the last week, and it has been too
wet to get into the fields.
Mr.. Pearl is hauling brick from Wa
Keeney to build his fiues. His house
is being plastered this week.
Price Owens, G. Bordovsky, R.
Owens and Schwanbeck Bros. report
that they killed 40 rattle saakes
where they are breaking sod west of
Voda.
The new school district has been
organized and the following officers
were elected: w. d. Austin, direct
or; r. Owens, clerk: Otto Schwan-
beck, treasurer.
/ notice that Jimmie has let the lid
slip again. Before the people elected
him commissioner they all said that
Jimmie was a man that you could tie
to. Now they all want to tie a can
to him A commissioner that doesn't t
know the difference between 80 and
"a per cent, or 90 and 333 per cent
isn't the kind of man to tie to un-
less it would be a can
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-05-05
Program for Closing Week of School.

Closing week with Tlego County
High school, May 18th to May Is:
Baccalaureate sermon, Sunday even
ing, May 18th, at Presbyterian
church.
Glass day exercises Wednesday
evening, May 16,. at court house.
Commencement exercises Thursday
evening. May17, at court house.
Athletic day, Friday, May IS.
Rev. J. G. Everett will preach the
baccalaureate sermon. All who are
interested in education and its ad-
vancement in our county are cordial
ly invited and most earnestly request
ed to be with US during this closing
week. Very respectfully,
j. FL NIEsLEY
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-05-05
He Could Wait.

A Western Kansas paper tells this
story: "Well,' said Farmer Short
Grass to the artist, chow much will
you paint my barn with me standing
at the door for?r 'sOh, S25,n said the
artist. .Done," said the farmer,
Come tomorrow" In due course the
spaintIng was finished. But, alas, the
careless artist quite forgot to paint
the farmer on the picture of his barn.
:" Y es, 1 like it," said the farmer, shut
where's me?" The error he had made
flashed across the artist, but he tried
to put it off with joke. ''Oh,' he
said, you've gone inside to get my
S25-'' sOh, have II" said the old gen
tleman; ''p'r'aps I'll be coming out
soon. and if do I'll pay you In the
mean time We'll hang it up and wait"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-05-05
Kansas City Markets.

Stock Yards, Kansas City, Mo-, Tues
day, May 1st, 1906
The cattle. market has stood up
under a severe test yesterday and to-
day. Prices advanced 20 to % cents
last week after Tuesday, which natur
ally brought out a liberal supply this
week, 1000 yesterday and $4,000 to-
day. Chicago had an excessive run
and lower market Yesterday but IN
spite of all this all classes have sold
steady here, some sales of heifers and
sUockerS and feeders a shade higher
Prime cattle are extremely scarce,
top price today s5,75, several droyes at
S5.35 and upwards, but choice steers
would sell at $500 now. Shippers are
generally getting more for their cat
tie today than they expected, and
statesmen are of the opinion that to-
days market on beef steers is the
best this year to date.
Receipts for April foot up I57 900
cattle and calves, against 124, 900 last
April, and $4,000 heaviest previous
April, in 1903. For the four months
ending yesterday 712, 900 cattle and
calves were received here, against
5O4. 900 head first four months last
year, and $4,000 the heaviest cores
ponding four months. which was two
years ago, in 1904. The market has
been remarkably steady all this time,
and now that receipts show signs of
shrinking, buyers use extraordinary
activity and prices have good pros
poets of further rise. Bulk of the
fed steers sell at 81 60 to So 30, heifers
1915 TO S4.T5, a few choice heifers and
yearlings up to 1915, cows 50. % to
81 so, bulls So % to 1926, veals 81. so to
So 90. stockers 1885 to $3.50, feeders
81 90 to s490, few choice 1850 black
feeders today at S5.15.
There are signs of an increase in re-
ceipts of hogs, Il 900 here today, and
prices may decline somewhat, but no
Dig break is looked for, Top price
today is s6.42a, bulk of sales So 25 to
S6.35, light weights up to $3.50, pigs
s. 90 to S5.S5, market weak to lower
April receipts foot up PIG, 900 head,
an increase of 10000 over last year in
April, and the price has been s1.O0
per cwt. higher, average weight about
the same.
Lamb prices are % to 40 cents high
er than a week ago, several lots at
s7.30 today. bulk at s7.15 to s7.3O,
clipped lambs 1910 to s6.15. A few
wooled ewes of medium grade are
selling at s5.75 TO $3.50, otherwise
sheep market not tested today. Sup
ply $4,000 today, nearly all lambs,
including 1000 lambs to feeder buyers
at SIS to $780, Clipped wethers and
yearlings are worth s4.s5 to $3.50, Is
to p cents higher than week ago.
J. a. .RIcKART,
L. S. Correspondent.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-05-05
Communicated.

Spring is two weeks late.
Last weeks high winds were very
disagreeable.
One inch of rain fell on the 27.
Some varieties of the plums are in
full bloom and are very fragrant We
fear frost.
The cottonwood can never be fool
ed. They are beginning to leaf out.
We were shown a peach tree nine
teen years old laden with blooms for
the first time.
a large supply of shrubbery has
been received and planted.
The prettiest tree in Trego county
is pine planted and trimmed by an
artist.
THE DEACON
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-05-05

WORLD got ''cff'' tthe court house
fence) just little last week, in the
matter of paint and dates. This love-
ly coffee and cream color which John
Brown is rubbing in" on our court
house fence is not its first baptism of
beauty. Incidentally, everybody is
hoping that will not be the last.
Court house bonds were voted July u,
1887. The building was erected in
1888, and the park fence was built in
the spring of 1899. 1t was painted
white just about an even seventeen
years ago, and at least part of paint
ing was done by Clarence S. Johnson,
who was a teacher out of job, hav-
ing just finished a term of school in
the old DowneT school house. Many
old timers will remember him.-Arm
Chair.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-05-05
The Best Dressed -Kansan.

Emporia Gazette: The man with
Two Thoughts on the Topeka Capital
has written an essay about the best
dressed Kansans, and has left out the
satorIal flower of purest ray serene
that ever blossomed on the Kansas
praries: not John J. ingalls,, not
Verres Nicholas Smith, not Jim Lane
in his buffalo skin overcoat; not the
prim and proper Horton, of whom it
was said in the ''airy days" that he
never kissed pretty girl without
wiping his glasses before and after
the operation-not any of the beaux
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-05-05
Kansas Patents.

Granted this week and reported by
G. A. Snow & Co., Patent Attorneys,
Washington, d. C.,-David H. Cleve-
land, Kansas CITY, combination lock;
Theodore Eek and A. G. T, autweIn,
Mulvane, fence post; Lewis f. Hake,
Ottawa, gate construction; Hanford
L. Kerr, Kansas City, railway car;
Henry r. Ransom, Pittsburg, secur-
ing device for plate glass. For copy
of any of above patents send ten cents
in postage stamps with date of this
paper to G. A. Snow & Co., Washing
ton. D. G.