davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
sNoozEs ON PHONE POLES.
Lineman Twice Takes Maps in Peril
Gus Places.

Baltimore, Md.-John Leitner, 27
years old, lineman for the Chesapeake
and Potomac Telephone company has a
nania for falling asleep on telephone
poles.
Twice within 4S hours Leitner has
slumbered peacefully on the top of a
pee, and in both occasions the police
have been called upon to take his sup
posed dead body from the wires.
A few minutes before IL o'clock
the superintendent of Timanus Mills
telephoned to the Northern police sta
ton that an employe of the Chesa-
peake and Potomac Telephone com
pany had been stricken by electricity
and that his body was resting on the
wires.
A moment later the Mount Vernon
Mills, the Timanus Mills and other
industries In the neighborhood were
emptied of their worlmen going to
dinner; but nearly all of them halt
ed and with plying glances and hor-
ror-stricken faces leveled their eyes
upon the still figure on the top of the
pole.
The man lay perfectly still One
leg was thrown over cross beam, the
other was wrapped about cable, and
his arms were extended and partly
resting his dropping head on the beam
above him. Just as the ambulance
approached the pole the supposed
dead man awakened, but lay down
again.
The policemen recognized him as
the same individual who had fooled
them before and they ordered hin
down. Leitner descended, and wher
he reached the foot of the pole be
staggered so perceptibly and talked 81
vaguely of the wires being hot tha
he was taken into custody and eharg
ed with being drunk.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
MORE DIVORCES IN GERMANY.
Greater Proportion of Marriage Fall
ures in the Large Towns.

Berlin.--The number of divorces in
Prussia has increased rapidly of late
years and Is still growiAg.
In 1901 there were 4,675 divorces
and the last annual total reported by
the Registrar was $685. These we're
very unevenly distributed, the more
densely populated districts showing a
far greater proportion of dissolved
marriages than the more sparsely In,
habited sections.
Again, the religious belief of the peo-
pie seems also to have had consider
able effect on their views as to the
disruption of the marriage tie, Prot
estants, according to the returns, dis
playing greater readiness to seek di.
vorce than Catholics.
Taking the country as a whole, one
divorce is granted to every 1000 mar.
riages. ,
Berliners, however, who are over,
whelmingly Protestant, obtain one de
cree for every 300 marriages; the
Protestant provinces of Schleswig
Holstein and Brandenburg one in 750;
Saxony, Pomerania and East Prussia
in 1000; Hesse- Nassau, / in 1,100
and Hanover, | in 1,400.
On the other hand, the Catholic
provinces of West Prussia, Schleswil
and Rhineland show only one divorce
for every 1850 marriages, Westphalif
one in 1000 and Posen and Kohen
zollern only one in 5000.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
PRISON TRUCK FARM.
ONE OF FEATURES OF MISSOURI
PENlTENTIARY.
Is Started Because Warden Of lnstltu-
ton Likes to See Things Grow
Welcome Change In Con-
Vict Fare.

Jefferson City, Mo.-Truck garden
Ing on large scale has become one
of the features of the management OF
the Missouri penitentiary, under Matt
w. Hall, who is farmer when not In
the public service, and has the inborn
desire of all farmers to see things
growing around him. On what is
known as the state farm" he has this
year produced a tremendous amount
of garden stuff of all kinds, all OF
which is utilized on the prison table,
affording a very welcome and health
full change of menu for the convicts.
The state farm" consists of AZ
acres of land. Part of it has been cut
away in supplying clay for the prison
brickyard, part is utilized as a pas
ture, and about IA acres are titled for
the prison garden.
Some idea of the magnitude of the
output of the prison garden can be
gained by the statement that 47O bush
els of "snap" beans have already been
fed to the convicts this season. 1t
takes TO bushels to go around at one
meal In the prison dining room.
On three-quarters of an acre OF
ground 26,500 pounds of cabbage have
been cut this season. This is not all
of the cabbage crop, but this was an
early and unusually prolific patch"
There are several acres more of the
garden in cabbage.
Onions to the amount of several
hundred bushels, besides several
meals OF young onions, served early
In the spring, radishes, rhubarb and
other stuff were grown in the greatest
abundance.
The pride of the warden and his SUI
perintendent, John Brumer, centers,
however, in the tomato crop. Eleven
thousand seven hundred vines, cover
ing something over three acres Of
ground, are in full fruit, and yield new
something like 40 bushels per day. A
more welcome addition to the prison
fare than sliced tomatoes could not
be supplied. The crop is exceedingly
prolific and fine this season, and the
vines will keep on bearing until frost
Col. Hall figures on having enough
green tomatoes to pick late In Sep
tember to make several hogsheads OF
"chow chow" and other pickles to add
to the prison larder.
The garden lies on top of some Of
the high bluffs overlooking the Mis-
souri, river. The land originally was
not the best, but has been brought tC
q high state of productiveness by fer
tiliz4tion. Six or eight crippled and
sperannuated convicts are employed
ia the garden under the supervision o.
Mr.. Brumer.
1t is the intention of Warden Hal
to put In next spring small herd O.
cows for the purpose of supplying
milk and butter for the prison hos
pitai They will be kept in connection
with the garden and will work con
siderable saving to the state, as thu
milk and butter supply for the hos
pital now costs something like six dol
lars per day.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
sToRK LIGHTS IN DEPOT.
Saves Cleveland Mans Boy from Be.
ing Native OF Canada.

Buffalo, N. Y.-The stork Is most
patriotic American bird He showed
It at the Lehigh Valley station in
Washington street, when bouncing
baby boy was born to Mr.. and Mrs.
James Ripley, of Cleveland, o.
Mr.. Ripley is prominent business
man of that city, and expecting the
arrival of the heir, the young couple
took a train for Buffalo, hoping to ar
rive at the home of Mrs. Ripley's pa
rents in Hamilton, Ont, before the
happy moment arrived. They went
TO the Lehigh Valley station. where
they were waiting for the Grand
Trunk train. Mr.. Ripley lighted q
cigar and strolled around the block
while his wife rested herself in the
ladies waiting.room. She complained
of feeling III and was cared for by sew
eral women passengers who were In
the room.
After the birth of the boy, buxom
chap with lusty voice. StationmasteI
Charles Sandl summoned the ambu
lance from the general hospital anC
mother and child we're taken there
Both were doing well at last &C
counts.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
SWANS FIGHT FOR SAME GIRL
"You Win! ! Love Her, but III keeI
Away" Says Loser.

New York. - Frank Jorden and
Thomas Sullivan, two young men from
Harlem, love the same girl, and as
they could not settle the matter peace
ably they fought ave rounds on the
banks Of Mott Haven creek, the Bronx,
with the agreement that the winner
was to take the girl.
Jorden won by knockout, and when
Sullivan had been revived he shook
hagds with his opponent and said:
"You win. love,the girl, but I'll keep
my word"
About a hundred persons witnessed
the fight, having accompanied the
gladiators from Harlem. The boys
stripped to the waist, and with Michael
Hurley as referee and Frederick Cope
as timekeeper, went at 1t according to
marquis of Queensberry rules, except
that they used bare fists.
Just as Jorden delivered the knock
out the police arrived, and the specta-
tors literally took to the woods, scat.
tering in every direction. The name
OF the girl was not divulged, but the
way the boys went at each other
showed that they were very much in
love.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
A COED A MAIL CARRIER.
Miss Mary Matthews, of Baker, Kan,
Ran a Rural Route.

Sabetha, Kan.-Miss Mary Mat.
thews, an attractive young girl of Sa-
betha, is rural mail route carrier
now Miss Matthews is daughter of
J. p Matthews, a rural mHil carrier.
Mr.. Matthews has one of theNbest rc-
raj mail carrier records for rompt-
ness in the United States. FDr two
years he has not had vacation This
year he took a month off and his
daughter is delivering the mail.
Miss Matthews has hardly failed in
an instance to keep up her fathers
record for promptness. Mr.. Mat
thews mail wagon is at the appointed
house on the appointed moment, with
probably greater regularity than the
average railway train. And Miss Mat
thews has kept this record up. All
along Mr.. Matthews route people go
to their boxes at certain hours and
they invariably find their mail.
The fact that Mr.. Matthews changes
horses half way on his route, 1t was
feared, would cause Miss Matthews to
lose time. But it did not. She. made
the change in four minutes, which is
all her father devotes to the work,
OF course, the man at the house where
horses are changed has the animal
harnessed and all ready for hitching
to the cart. Miss Matthews was paid
$50 for the months work, as any sub
stitute would have been paid. Her
father also drew his salary.
Miss Matthews is student al
Baker university, in Baldwin. She Is
taking a five-year course. She Is as
sisting in her college expenses by act
ing as librarian in the English library
a few hours each day Miss Matthew;
is fitting herself for librarian. she
will leave soon for Baldwin to take
up some special summer work IN tha'
line. She is just 20 years old.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
WoolNe TERMS ARE MADE.
"Composite Mother" Sends Them to
Bachelor.

Huron, s. D.-A few weeks ago a
number of washington Springs girls
adopted an orphan girl and now are
giving her a home. Since the fact be-
came known the girls have received
numerous applications to adopt other
children, but the most interesting
feature of the whole affair is that a
wealthy Nebraskan writes offering to
marry any one of the IL foster-moth.
ers, and also to adopt and educate the
child.
The girls gave the proposition a
businesslike consideration, and in re
ply to his letter made counter-prop
osition. 1t was that the oldest of the
IL accept his offer of marriage on
these conditions:
That he prove that he is sincere.
That he is qualified in every way
to contract marriage.
That he is able to provide com
Portable home for his bride and Is will
ing to make provision for her every
need and comfort.
That he shall abstain from the uss
of cigarettes tobacco and intoxicants.
That he use no profane language.
That he spend his evenings at home
That he will not tiirt with otheI
women and will attend church a
least once each Sunday.
The Nebraskan's answer is awaited
with interest.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
Whole Number 1909
War on Consumption.

The war upon tuberculosis, says the
Nashville Banner, should be made q
common cause in all the states and
cities, by cooperation of all the
agencies available to be used in pre-
venting infection and ameliorating the
condition of those who suffer from the
disease. In this movement prevention
is the most important and the more
familiar the people generally can be-
come with the most approved means
the better will they be able to help in
good cause. The main thing to keep
in mind is that consumption is contag-
ious and that every means to prevent
contagion should be adopted. The
Health Department of Greater New
York is giving wide circulation TO the
following rules printed on cards for
distributions:
To avoid consumption:
Don't live, study or sleep in rooms
where there is no fresh air.
Don't live in dusty air. Get rid of
dust by mopping with damp cloths.
Don't sweep with dry broom.
Keep one window partly open in
your bedroom at night and air the
room two or three times day.
Don't eat with soiled hands. Wash
them first.
Don't put hands or pencils in mouth
or any candy or chewing gum other
persons have used.
Don't keep soiled handkerchiefs in
your pocket.
Take a warm bath at least once a
week.
To those who have contracted con-
sumption:
Don't waste your money on patent
medicines. If you go to doctor in
time you can be cured,
Don't drink whiskey or any other
form OF liquor.
Don't sleep in the same bed with
anyone else, and, if possible, not in the
same room.
Good food, fresh air and'rest are the
best cures. Keep in the sunlight as
much as possible.
Keep your windows open winter and
summer, day and night
The careful and clean consnmptive is
not dangerous to those with whom he
lives and works.
The following rules are enjoined or
even healthy persons, and they are
asked to observe them
Don't spit on sidewalks, floors or
Railways. Spit into cutters or a spit
toon half filled with water.
Don't congh or sneeze without hold
ing handkerchief or your hand over
your mouth or nose.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
PASTOR PAINTS; WOMEN SING.
Head Of Struggling Flock In Bay State
Dons overalls.

Maiden, Mass,--Rev. John Newber-
ry, pastor of Pentecostal church, the
other morning began painting the ex-
terror of the church building, aided by
several members Of the congregation.
The church is struggling one and
a few days ago the pastor said he
would do the painting II some one
would provide the paint, which the
citizens did, and the Rev. Mr.. New
berry went bravely to work clad In
overals and a jumper donated by a
clothing firm.
Before starting in the pastor held a
short service on the sidewalk, praying
and reading from the scriptures. his
wife served lemonade at intervals to
her husband and his helpers, while
women of the congregation encour.
aged the workers by singing hymns
inside the church, one of the number
] niaving the organ.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
MARRlEs IN OLD CLOTHES.
Pennsylvania Farmer Loses No Time
When Girl Changes Her Mind.

Washington, Pa.--After twice secur.
ing license to marry the same girl,
the second attempt proved successful,
and Albert Hatfield, Of Amwell town
ship. welded Sarah Amos. A year ago
Hatfield took out license, but on the
day for the wedding the girl backed
out after the clergyman was ready,
saying she would rather remain with
her mother. Hatfield returned the II.
cense and wanted his fee returned.
Miss Amos decided the other morn
Ing that she was ready to be married,
and sent word to Hatfield. Without
waiting to change his clothes, Hat
field came to Washington from the
harvest field, obtained another license
and, hurrying back home, secured q
clergyman. The ceremony was per
J formed in the AFTERNOON.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
WANT A ROYAL PALAcE7
The Old One Of Richmond, Where
Kings Have Died, Is for Rent.

London.--A rare opportunity Of
leasing an English royal palace Is row
offered to any one whose ambition
tends that way. "The old Palace" of
Richmond, which has come into the
market, was formerly part of the roy
al palace at Sheen, once the home OF
Anglo.Saxon monarchs, and has his
tory almost as interesting as the
Tower of London.
Edward III died there In 1877.
After his death the palace was pill
laged by the servants. Richard H.,
with Geoffrey Chaucer as Clerk Of
Works, added greatly to the building,
and Edward ~. settled it on Queen
Elizabeth. At the end of the year
1897 it was burned down. 1t was re-
built in 1901, and Henry VII. died
there In 1909, leaving it is said, treas
ure of the value of $9,000,000 hidden
in vaults which have not yet been dis
covered.
The last royal person to reside In
the palace was Queen Charlotte, tC
whom a lease was granted in 1917
The palace faces Richmond Green. II
contains five reception rooms, ten bee
rooms and two bath rooms, with
stables and coach houses.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
SNAKE nITE TO CURE CANCER.
Woman's Remarkable Experience Sug.
gests a New Remedy.

Port Jervis, N. Y.-A remarkable
cure of cancer has been effected on
Mrs Wilhelmina Lodwig. farmers
wife, who resides several miles back
of Millrift, in Pike county, Pennsylya.
MIA.
Mrs. Lodwig has been a sufferer
from a cancer on her left leg, just
above the knee, for long time. The
disease had advanced until spot
about six inches long by three wide
was developed.
While out picking huckleberries
two weeks ago she was bitten on the
leg by rattlesnakes. Her nephew,
Karl Lodwig, came to her assistance
and killed three rattlesnakes, which
by their appearance had just shed
their skins.
Before the doctor came the woman S
leg had swelled to an enormous size.
A remarkable thing about the case
was that the swelling did not go above
the spot where the cancer was located
The physician said he could dc
nothing on account of the cancer, and
that the woman would die.
And now comes the remarkable
point in the case. The cancer, which
had always had the appearance of ink
fringed with red, turned into run
ming sore.
1t remained In this condition fol
four days. On the fourth day the dis
charge stopped and proud flesh begaI
to make its appearance. The snake
poison had worked all through the can
Ger, the swelling disappeared, and th'
heretofore ugly looking cancer begar
to heal, and turned to healthy flesl
color.
To the Joy of the patient and hel
family, the waund began to heal, ant
the other day Mrs. Lodwig was /,
town, almost cured.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
wooINe TERMS ARE MADE.
"composite Mother" Sends Them to
Bachelor

Huron, S. D.-A few weeks ago a
number of Washington Springs girls
adopted an orphan girl and now are
giving her home. Since the fact be-
came known the girls have received
numerous applications to adopt other
children, but the most interesting fea-
ture of the whole affair is that a
wealthy Nebraskan writes Offering to
marry any one of the II foster moth
ers, and also to adopt and educate the
child.
The girls gave the proposition a
business-like consideration, and in re-
ply to his letter made counter prop.
osition. 1t was that the oldest of the
10 accept his offer of marriage on
these conditions:
That he prove that he is sincere,
That he be qualified in every way
to contract marriage. .t
That he is able to provide a com
Portable home for his bride and is
willing to make provision for hel
every need and comfort.
That he shall abstain from the use
of cigarettes, tobacco and intoxicants
That he use no profane language.
That he spend his evenings al
home
That he will not flirt with Other
women and will attend church at leasr
once each Sunday.
The Nebraskans answer is awaited
with interest.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
WOMEN ASK FOR UNIFORMS.
Are Willing to Wear BIoomers to Save
Street Car Fare.

st. Louis.--The women clerks In the
East st. Louis post Office may soon be
decked in uniforms Postmaster JOS
eph B. Messick, who has been in com.
nunication with the department at
Washington, has recommended the
adoption of uniform consisting of a
"romper' waist and skirt, of material
resembling In color and texture the
garments worn by the carriers. 1t Is
believed permission will be granted
Postmaster Messick to make the ex-
pertinent.
The principal reason for the change
lies In the fact that the men employees,
when in uniform and wearing badge,
ride on street cars without paying car
fare. A lump sum is paid monthly by
the men to the street car company,
and this is less than their car fare
would be 10 and from the post office
The plan has worked admirably, the
letter carriers getting over their routes
more quickly and handling much more
mail than they could walking, as was
the custom several years ago. The
girl clerks and employees of the post
office seem to think they have been
Disseminated against and are willing
to wear any uniform suggested, sc
that they, too, will have the benefit Of
the free car rides to and from theil
work.
Postmaster Messick says it would
stop rivalry in dress among the EN-
ployes and better the service gen
orally.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
Find. Way to Make Ice LAST.

Rhinelander, Wis.,. M. barrow,
connected with the paper mills hore,
claims to have discovered in a waste
product of the mills preparation
which will preserve Ice indefinitely
The compound, it Is said, can be
manufactured at a coSt of AZ cents for
1000 gallons, and is called di-nitro-
eellulose. Housekeepers with this
preparation in hand can buy a cake of
ice. coat 1t and have no need to trou.
BILE the Ice man again all summer.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
Old War sloop 10 Be Sold.

WashingtOn.-The old sloop of war.
Saratoga, a relic of the navy of the
United states. has been stricken from
the official list of naval vessels and
offered TO be sold. 1t was built at the
navy yard at Kittery, Me-, in 1912, was
ship-rigged and carried 20 guns. It
had length Of 1&7 feet six inches and
a beam measure of SO feet one inch.
Its mean draught was 16 feet, and 1t
had q displacement OF 1,02s tons.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
Now n Is reIephons Neck.

Derby, Conn.-The women of the
farming districts of Connecticut are
getting the telephone neck" Doctors
say that the sex is destined to be de-
formed. Some time ago the telephone
was installed in nearly every farm
house Since then the women have
used the phone by the hour, standing
In position which throws their heads
to the left side. The muscles of the
neck do not fully recover and half Of
the women walking the streets In
cline their heads severely to the left,
as though standing at phone with
the receiver at their ear.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
HALF OF BONES GONE.
Man Lives Ten Months After Remark.
able Operation.

Detroit, Mich.-George ]. Schwartz,
aged 81, died after living ten months
without any bones on the right side of
his body lying fiat on his back during
the entire time, his fight against death
for nearly year providing a new won
der for the world of medicine.
Mr., Schwartz was afflicted with a
tumor three years ago. He underwent
an operation. This was unsuccessful
and three other operations followed
within the two years following. Last
summer his condition became so seri-
GUS that his physicians decided an
other operation was all that could pro-
long his life.
A like attempt had never been per-
formed. Physicians found that all the
bones on the right side of the trunk
were diseased and must be removed
to insure a continuance of life. The
operation was held Oct. 3 last at the
Detroit sanitarium, and was witnessed
by physicians from all over Michigan,
medical students and members of the
medical profession from adjoining
states. All the ribs on the right side,
the collar bone, the breastbone, part
Of the hip and shoulder blade were re.
moved and the patient was left with,
out any frame for his right side.
Mr.. Schwartz recovered, but was
never able to lie in any other position
than on his back. His fortitude was
declared marvellous by all physicians
under whose notice the patient came
No one who witnessed the operation
thought he would survive. For some
time past his death was momentarily
expected, but he constantly rallied un
til the battle against the final end haC
| exhausted all strength.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
How to Remain Young.

To, continue young in health and
strength, do as Mrs. n f. Rowan. Nc
Donough, Ga, did. She says: 'rfhree
bottles of Electric Bitters cured me Of
chronic liver and stomach trouble,
complicated with such an unhealthy
condition of the blood that my skin
turned red as flannel. I am now prac-
tically 20 years younger than before |
took Electric Bitters II can now do
all my work with ease and assist in my
husbands store" Guaranteed at, H.
G. Miller's drug store. Price SOC. :
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
Concerning College Degrees.

II takes an astute millionaire to
avoid being dubbed doctor of some
thing he knows nothing about.