davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27

ing a tremendous pressure of gas
which pours out of the spindle cavity,
causing the rocket to shoot skyward.
The colored stars, which go in the
head of the rocket or bomb, are COM
posed as follows: Red, nitrate of ba-
ryta, chloride of potash and shellac;
green, nitrate of baryta; yellow, oxil-
ate of soda Purple and blue are COM
posed of various preparations of cop
per, while the making of the other
tints are trade secrets.
The Roman candle is charged as
follows: Sets of cases are placed on
pins and there is scooped in first a
quantity of clay, which prevents the
explosive composition from burning
the hand; then a charge of gunpow-
der, and on top of this are placed the
colored stars in the proper sequence
of color. On top of this comes COM
position called fuse, which makes the
intervals between the discharge Of the
stars After the fuse hammers are
brought down to pack the material,
the operation being repeated as often
as required The candles contain from
two to 35 stars. The finishing con-
sists of covering the candle and pro-
viding a quick match for easy igni-
ton.
Quick match, one of the important
features of fireworks manufacture, is
made from specially prepared wick
soaked in a solution of gunpowder. At
the proper time it is wound off on
frames and just before it is dried it is
sifted over with very fine powder in
order to make it extra quick in action.
1t is then cut in lengths of about six
feet and worked into what is known
as match paper, after which it is
placed in manila paper cases and
joined together. Fire at one end OF
quick match leaps to the other and al
most as quickly as would electricity.
The quick match is fitted out on what
are known as lances, or rods of bam-
boo. For set pieces the design is
sketched by an artist and then scaled
so it can be enlarged to any size. The
regulation set piece frame is 10x5
feet and is divided into squares a foot
large. The design is outlined in rat
tan, pegs are driven into the rattan
and on these pegs are fastened the
quick match lances referred to.
Sulphur, saltpeter and charcoal en-
ter largely into the manufacture OF
fireworks and for particularly brilliant
effects steel and iron filings are added.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27

John, with the exception that your
second cousin, Randolph, tried to ex-
plode a toy cannon and removed the
apex Of his thumb and about half of
the dining-room window
ut may be necessary to celebrate
the birth of freedom by bursting forth
into noise, but my idea, John, is that
Old Glory would like it much better
If we were more subdued and kept
our children on the earth instead of
letting them go up in the air in small
fragments.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27

our forefathers had suspected that
their great-grandchildren would make
such an Internal racket on the Fourth
of July they would have waited for a
snowstorm on the 10th of January be-
fore signing their John Hancocks, be-
cause then it would be too cold to ex-
pIode firecrackers under your neigh
boris eyebrows when he least ex-
poets it.
1--WE had nice, quiet time at home
on the Fourth, John, with the excep-
ton that little Oscar Maddy, who lives
next door, presented me with roman
candle which joined me between the
third button on my waist-coat and the
solar pleXus.
Il acknowledged the receipt by fall
Ing off the front step and barking my
shoulder.
"You should always remember, John,
that the Fourth is the day when your
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27
THE FLAG.

What is the meaning it has for you.
With it's ripping ribbons Of red and
white
And its clustering stars on their field of
blue
What does it mean as it breaks in view,
Flashing its colors upon your sight?
Do you see it there, where it floats above,
AS the emblem of freedom from prince
and king?
Do you gaze on its folds with the rever-
emf love
That brave man has for a sacred
thing?
Or is it to you but the outward sign
OF a peoples pride and nations
might,
OF power wherever its stars may shine
And its shimmering stripes flow red and
wh.ss?
What is the meaning it has for you
AS its bright folds ripple above your
head,
with its clustering stars on their field of
blue
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27

with the firecrackers cheering him on.
Liberty, John, is the only real thing
in this world for a nation. but just
why the glorious cause of freedom
should be slapped in the face with an
imitation of the bombardment of Port
Arthur is something which I must
have misconstrued.
1--WE had very quiet time here at
home on the Fourth, John, with the
exception that another interesting
cousin of yours, my young namesake,
Peter Grant, tied a giant f1recracker
to the cats tail, and the cat went to
the kitchen to have her explosion.
1T took two hours and seven neigh
bors to get your good old Aunt Maggie
out of the refrigerator, which was the
place selected for her by the catastro-
phe.
the stove lost all the supper it
contained; little Peter Grant lost two
eyebrows and his Buster Brown hair:
the cat lost seven of its lives, and the
glorious cause of freedom got a send
off that could be heard 10 miles.
I'VE all missed you, John, but may
be- it is better you were not at home
on the Fourth, because the doctor is
occupying your room so that he can
be near the wounded-otherwise we
are all well.
Il think, John, that when freedom
was first invented by George Washing
ton the idea was to make it something
quiet and modest which he could keep
about the house and which he could
look at once in while without getting
nervous prostration-
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27
Word About New Belts.

The. belts of the season! One
pauses to contemplate, but to pause
too long is to become bewildered by
the variety and winsomeness of the
designs and styles offered. A narrow
belt of black patent leather clasped
with a modest pearl or brass buckle
is quite as modish as the wider and
more expensive belt of seal equipped
with gold buckle, or the wide steel
studded belt of black elastic, the
adoption of which by smart dressers
promises to insure an elastic belt
furore by the time summer arrives.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27

And it's glorious ribbons of white and
red?
Is it merely a challenge to foreign slaves,
A thing to be followed when armies fight,
And never wherever it proudly waves
To cease to float splendidly, wrong or
right?
see in its beautiful stripes of red,
AS it proudly waves and serenely floats,
The blood that it's grave defenders have
shed,
And its stars are calling in clarion
notes
Calling to me as they are to you,
To keep the faith and to seek the
height,
And to serve the flag with love as true
And a heart as clean as its stripes are
white.
What is the meaning it has for you,
With its ripping ribbons Of red and
white
And its clustering stars on their field Of
blue
What does it mean as it breaks in view,
Flashing its colors upon your sight?
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27


a
with
with founce blocks
silk
motifs of
which
ing IN
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27

patriotic yOic e
should climb out
If your thoraX and
make the Welkin
ring, but it isn't
really necessary to
get up a row be-
tween a stick of
dynamite and a
keg Of giant pow
der to prove that
You love the cause
Of liberty.
"You will find
that some of our
best citizens-men
who love liberty
with an eVerlast-
Ing love--are hid
Ing in the cellar
with both hands
over their ears
from July Sd to
July 9Th.
1--WE had a nice,
quiet time at home
on TIL e Fourth,
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27
UNCLE PETER

" ANO4@A< 4 - H. 4-<AS
passed the Fourth
of July at his old
home in Ohio. l
must show you a
letter he wrote me
a few days after
that noisy event:
Dear John: We
had a nice, quiet
tim e on h e
Fourth, with the
exception of my
ankle, which was
somewhat dislo.
Gated because my
foot stepped on an
infant bombshell,
which same ex-
ploded for my ZEN
eft.
II like the idea
of the Fourth with
the exception of
the noise.
Il believe that if
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27
Checks and Stripes.

Although many fancy suitings are
being used, there is no doubt what
ever that plain colorings in the tailor
made gowns hold the lead. In fancy
effects checks predominant, the gray
and white and black and white stripes
and checks being in the lead.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27
eve had a very

We had a very
quie t ii m e a t
home, John, on the
Fourth, with the
exception of your
distant relative,
Uncle Joseph Car
berry. Uncle Joe
annexed about six
mint juleps and
then went to sleep
on the front porch
with five packs of
firecrackers in his
coat pocket.
Full of the spirit
of liberty, your in
teresting cousin,
Randolph, set fire
to your uncle's
pocket, and when
last seen your I'm
Gle Joe was rush
ing over hill and
dale in the gen.
eral direction Of
Hartford, Con n,
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27

later on. Board drains, especially
where the ground is so wet that they
are kept constantly saturated with
water, will last for years. Farmers
living in the districts where timber is
cheap, will find that such drains will
answer the purpose very we'll without
much expense. Such drains have been
known to last 20 or 25 years, at
which time they seemed to be in just
as good a state of preservation as on
the day they were put in.
To make wooden drains it usually
requires two men, one to hold the
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27
You Never Know Your Luck.

I'm so glad you have come, Miss
Morrison! 1 have so longed for q
dance with you. May I have the
fourth waltz?"
You may if am not engaged"
your card shows that you're not"
'Yes-but I'm going to sit out the
third waltz with Jack, and-well, I
may be engaged WHEN the fourth
comes. The Royal.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27

the exception or
your second cous-
in, Hector, who
p a t ri otically at
tached himself to
a hot-air balloon,
and when last seen
was lowering over
Erie, P a., a n d
making signs for
his parents not to
wait supper for
him.
Most Of Ou r
n e i g h b ors for
miles in every di-
rection have sons
a n d d a u 6 hters
missing, but what
could they expect
when a child will
try to put a pound
of powder in four
inches of gaspipe
and then light the
result w i t b a
match?
"The Fourth is
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27
With a Joker in the Pack.
His Wife Felt the Same wav.

YES" said Subbubs, signing, "the
only girl really cared for 1 couldn't
have"
WHAT" exclaimed the visitor;
that doesn't sound very compliment.
tary to Mrs. Subbubs."
"Oh, she felt as badly about it as /
do. You see, the girl wanted 81 a
week and we can't afford more than
S5.'-Chicago Journal.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27
"ponep Eiends Executed.

The use of opium by the japanese
is so thorougLi in opposition to pub,
lie sentiment, sas-- Medical Progress.
that it is reported that six Japanese
soldiers in Korea, found in an opium
den, were convicted and shot.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27

"But George forgot to leave full in
structiona. and nowadays when the
birthday OF freedom rolls around the
impulsive American public wakes up
at daylight, shoves up the window and
begins to hurl torpeGoes at the house
next door, because noise in the air
is worth two noises on the quiet.
Eve had very quiet Fourth at
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27
Which WAY?

eyes" unused the celebrated ocu-
list of fabulous fees, as he paused in
the work of writing an article for the
press, 1--WE oculists want to get dots
on this face-veil industry"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27
,,,,ROALD. a 49,
SaMgaa lEM-M@a nv
1lNPR!0! i! :
~ FL.
MAKING BOARD DRAINS.
They Are Economical and Will Last a
Long Time.

Drainage is a live subject with the
farmers in many sections, and many
would be glad to do great deal more
of it if they were in a financial condi-
ton to do so. While tile drains are
considered the best, board drains will
give very good service for a number
of years and will enable the farmer
to raise better crops and thus provide
himself with the means for buying tile
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27
The BLACK Hand.

you say you had an experience
with the black hand while in New
York;"
Eyes. And a terrible experience 1t
was. I had three aces and the other
man had i've clubs. "-Washington
Star.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27

CANNON CRACKERS

Let him go. 1t is part of boys
education.
It does seem to the small boy that
ne should have one day to spend un-
hampered by rules and regulations.
What does your boy care if you
did only have one bunch of firecrack-
ers for the entire Fourth when you
were a boy? He knows that the world
was slow and sleepy then anyway.
One reason why this country has
a population of nearly 80,000,000 is
that so many glorious Fourths have
been rainy
A Chinaman invented the firecrack-
err, but it was some other fool who
made the first toy pistol
If there had been cannon crackers
when George Washington was a little
boy, this country might never have
had father.
AS usual, we start in the day after
determined to have a sane Fourth
next time, and henceforth to use no
other.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27

A normal man breathes 10000 times
n the course Of ope day.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27
Nearly "Broke. I"

Nearly "Broke."
Ella-My face is my fortune.
Stella-Haven't you ever had any
more money than you have now?
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27

The red frecracker in her hand
Beside her lips twas duller.
Twas in her hand, you understand;
but compare the COLOR
A frown was on her gentle brow;
BE careful, pleased" / shouted.
Best let an expert show you how"
Just like a mani" she pouted.
"Firecrackers are," 1 gravely said,
Alive with risk and danger.
Phey strike at the devoted head
Of friend, or passing stranger.
They must be handled with dispatch
Or all the risk is doubled
First one must try to find match"
Just like man. she dubbed.
''You light the match and touch the fuss
And when it is ignited-"
She seemed to tremble in her shoes,
But said she was delighted;
That this was quite the best of larks-
''See how the fire has wriggled
Until by turns it flames, then sparks"
Gust like mani" she giggled.
I held the cracker, while her eyes
Grew wide and wide with wonder.
l said: 'In this one must be wise
And not make any blunder.
Observe, now, that let it drop
Just when the flame was glinted
Close to the charge. Now it will pop.
'Just like a MANI" she-hinted.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-27

Let him go. 1t is a part of boys
education.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-28

The Associated Press dispatches con-
tinue to be filled with accounts of
railroad accidents Accidents of this
kind have been so frequent of late that
railroad men have made a study of the
causes. 1t is claimed by some of them
that the steel rails furnished by the
rail works are not up 10 the standard;
that in the hurry the manufacturers
do not give the time II attention to
the work hat should be done, and con-
seQueEtly, there are many more brok-
en- rails than there used to be. In
these days Of heavier engines, longer
trains and greater speed the rails
should be made mucn stronger than
heretofore, whereas they are not as
good in quality as in earlier times.
Statistics on some of the roads show
a much larger proportion of broken
rails than in former years. Whose
fault this is has not been determined.
but it is a fact that more accidents
occur now from broken rails than did
in the past.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-28

per cent. These cotton men close their
circular with the following remarks on
the present conditions and the outlook
of the crop:
At the opening of the season the
conditions were very favorable for the
preparation OF the land, and much
cotton was planted earlier thar usual,
and the inclination was to plant alF
the acreage possible. Weather condi-
tions during April and the first half of
May have been abnormal over the en-
tire cotton belt. Temperatures have
been unseasonably low, and rains have
been constant and excessive. These
u~nfavOrable weather conditions have
generally eliminated the early start.
Farm work has been greatly interfer-
ed with and ~replanting has been gen.
orally necessary Much of the conrem-
plated acreage is yet to be planted.
Sunshine has been deficient and there
has been no growing weather, and
poor stands LAY been the rule. We
consider the outlook for the crOp very
u~nfavorable. 1t is in fact in a critical
condition and is dependent more THAI
usual on favorable weather conditions
for the halanc" of the season.
For North Carolina and Virginia
there were 368 replies which gave a
total of acreage in cotton of 1901
$50 as against L, 214,O @ for last year.
Texas of course led with 895 replies
showing the same acreage this year
as for the last, which was 1892, 900.
We do not claim 20 be a prophet or
the son of a prophet, but it does seem
to us that if the figures of Latham,
Alexander & Co. as set out in their Cir
cular are correct the present crop of
a pound.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-28
\ SELF-EVIDENT PROPOSITION

AS far as we car judge from relay
ing the paving on Princess street
where the two tracks Of the Consoli-
dated Company have been put down
that street will be in better condition
than it was before the double tracking
was begun. The Consolidated Com
pany seems to be making a good job of
relaying the paving, out we would sug-
gest to Friend O'Brien that he keep his
eye on the work and not let anything
be done amiss. If the work will be
completed rs it is now being done the
city will have a much better pavement
on this street than il had before. All
Chairman O'Brien has to do is to keep
the work up to the present standard,
and, judging from the sharp lookout
he is keeping on the work, we feel sure
this will be done. Without intending to
go into the bouquet throwing business,
but wishing simple to give due cred
it where it is deserved, candor and a
sense Of justice oompels US to say that
Mr.. O'Brien, as chairman of the streets
committee of the board Of aldermen, is
doing his full duty te his city in the
way Of looking after the matter of
street Improvements. 1t is a very i'm
portant position he occupies-that of
looking after the Improvement Of our
thoroughfares. To him the city looks
for progress in the way of development
of the city. No city can progress I'M
less she has good streets. Some one
said a nations civilization could be
judged by it's public reads. He might
have added that a city's progress was
gagged by her streets. Mr.. O'Brien
believes that to be true, and he is act
ing on that axiom, and Wilmington is
progressing.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-28
Worth Basley. U. s. n.

The ceremonies attending the un-
yelling of the statue of Ensign Bagley
at Raleigh, n. c., yesterday were Of
national interest. Worth 6agley was a
fine type of the young American train
ed to do national service n he per-
formed his part with honor. He died
in a small engagement. but with a
spirit as intrepid as ever was shown
in the greatest of fields or sea or land.
Capt. Richmond Pearson Hobson was
appropriately the orator of the
day. He is of the Bagley kind, as Bag
ley was of the HObsOn kind. Had the
young North Carolinian, indeed, been
present when Admiral Sampson call
ed for volunteers to carry in the ship
to close the mouth of Santiago narDOr
he would have lined up with those
seeking the honor The influence of
such men on our national life is of
lasting effect and importance.-Wash-
ingtOn Star.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-28
A Burial Under Remarkable Condi-
tons.

L. Rosser, of Cape Fear township, was
supposed to have died. Next day h
was carried across Cape Fear river for
burial, and before burial the casket
was opened for her relatives and
friends to take their last look at her.
They were surprised to find her eyes
open, n some moisture on the in
side of the glass on the casket and her
body limp. DR.. j. L. Shepherd was at
one sem for, but he decided On eX-
animation that she was dead and she
was accordingly buried. = Chatham
Record.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-28

Under the date of May 21st Latham,
Alexander & Co, of New York, one
of the most conservative and reliable
cotton houses in this country, send u
a circular on the PROJECTS of the 1907
cotton crop. This firm states that
with the view of obtaining the most
reliable information possible concern
ing the cotton acreage" it sent out g.
600 letters to banks, bankers, cotton
commission merchants and responsible
planters embracing every cotton grow
ing county in the south" Up to the
time of issuig the circular it had re-
ceived 1862 letters in reply, of the av-
erage date of May 10th, and it tabu-
lates the result of these replies. They
show an average decrease in acreage
of 1852 per cent. or 1,011,230 acreas as
compared with last year. The acreage
last year was 1855, 900 as against o.
674,77O this year. Arkansas, Missouri
and Louisiana show the greatest de-
crease In the acreage, which is ten per
cent. Texas shows up with the same
acreage as last year, while North Car
DINA and Virginia come in with the
smallest decrease, which is only one
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-28

Call at our store please for a free
sample of DR.. Shops Health Coffee.
If real coffee disturbs your stomach,
your heart or kidneys. Then try this
clever coffee imitation. While DIR.
Shoop has very closely matched Old
Java and Mocha Coffee in flavor and
taste. yet it has not a single grain of
real coffee in it. DR.. Shops Health
Coffee Imitation IS made from pure
toasted grain and cereals, with Malt,
Nuts, etc. You will surely like Health
Coffee. Sold by S. w. Sanders.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-28

Cascasweet for babies is the best rem
edy for collie. summer complaint, dlar
rhoea and sour stomach. 1t is espec-
tally good in cases of teething when ir-
ritation affects the stomach and in
testines. Cascasweet is a pleasant.
safe remedy, containing neither OPT
ates nor narcotics; all the ingredients
are printed plainly on the wrapper.
Endorsed by mothers because it acts
so quickly. Sold by Robt. r. Bellamy.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-28

We do not intend to butt into
this controversy some of our friends
of the press are having over the max
ing up of the ten best dishes that can
be set before a man, but we are sur
prised that in none Of the dishes do
We find barbecued pig, "a la Edge
combe' or baked "possum an dtaters."
What meat dish better than either of
these can anyone suggest?