davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
FLYING LEAP RESTORES MIND.
PIucky Man Bandages Broken Leg
and Seeks Succor.

Joplin, Mo,-His reason restored by
a leap from flying train that broke
his leg Fred Dubois, of Grove, |. T.,
bandaged the member in weed splints
and crawled two miles to a farm
house, eight miles south Of here. He
was removed to a hospital here and
will recover.
Dubois, accompanied by three
brothers, was returning from Texas,
where he had shown pronounced
symptoms of insanity, and, evading
his brothers, he rushed to car plat
form and jumped off six miles south of
Joplin while the train was running at
high speed The train was stopped,
but the brothers could not find Du
bois.
1t was "a hours later when he found
refuge at the farmhouse, and during
that time a terrific storm had pre-
vailed, drenching him as he lay on the
ground
Dubois, after his jump, regained rea
son. He cut away his trousers leg al
the knee, cut some stiff weeds and
wrapped the cloth around them as q
splint. Then he bound both legs to
gether with his suspenders to better
stiffen the broken member, and begar
his toilsome crawl to succor.
He did not remember leaving hii
brothers on the train, nor having
jumped from It, The skill he showed
in splinting the injured leg is thu
marvel of attending physicians.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
sPoILs ENocH ARDEN TALE.
Husband Comes Out of Hiding Wher
Wife Is to Wed Successor.

Pittsburg, Pa.--Had John Wallace,
of Collins avenue, arrived home one
day later he would have been another
Enoch Arden. His wife, Mrs. Marga-
ret Wallace, is sorely disappointed be-
cause John is not dead, which she be-
lieved him to be.
He was fireman and disappeared
from home four years ago. His wife
kept a boarding house, and one of the
six boarders was to have married her
at three p m. the other day.
Wallace arrived home the morning
before and learned that his wife was
out. He lay down in bed and fell
asleep, where she found him. He told
her to ''skidoo" the boarders, as he
was rich and would maintain her in
the lap of luxury.
Instead she visited Alderman D. G
Negley and asked him If this cruel
blow could be. She loved the boarder
and really wanted another trial al
matrimony Alderman Negley ad
vised her that the law was inexorable
Wallace told his wife he had beer
head chauffeur for the Vanderbilt
family and had made considerable
money. He wore large jewels ant
showed her great rolls Of bills t
prove 1t. M
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
BEDLAM IN CHINATOWN.
Idol Of Ben Kee Was "swlped" by
Some Foreign Devil"

Chicago. Chinatown is In mourning
and will not be comforted, for the
treasured joss of the house of Ben
Kee, 800 Clark street, was lifted from
its resting place and carried away by
thieves. No clew to the whereabouts
of the ancient idol, that for more than
1000 years has been cared for by the
Kee family. was obtained by the po-
lice.
For centuries, according to Ben
Kee, cigar manufacturer and we'll
known character In Chinatown, the
Joss had directed the destinies of his
family fame. 1t was presented to him
by his aged father years ago, and Ben
Kee became wealthy.
Although the joss had directed Kee
in all his transactions and had been
prayed to by his forefathers for cen
turies, it made no outcry when carried
off by the thieves, who also stole sew
eral boxes of cigars, and an opium
pipe, some opium and $85.
When news of the robbery became
known all Chinatown was on the look
out for the thief Cymbals were beat
en- and meeting was held in one o.
the Chinese halls to consider JUS
what steps should lie taken to arres
| the robber
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
YANKEES "LIFT" ANYTHING.
Souvenir Craze Jeopardizes Whole
Continent Of Europe.

London.-There are loud cries ot
protest from the custodians of ma
tional institutions against the extreme
methods employed by American and
other tuorists to get souvenirs of their
visits to England.
There is no showplace of any i'm
portance which has not suffered
from their ravages, despite the vigi-
lance of the officials,
One American who was badly af-
flicted with the craze was caught in
st. Pauls cathedral during the week
in the act of chipping flakes of stone
off one of the ornamental pillars. A
visitor to the British museum tried
to secure strip of mummy covering,
while another contented himself with
shipping off button from the coat of
an attendant
Women who were visiting the
tower of London actually had the
audacity to cast covetous eyes on the
crown jewels, but they were too safe
ly guarded. One, however, consoled
herself by surreptitiously breaking of
a twig from tree.
Managers of big hotels are suffering
from the depredations of souvenii
hunters. Not only silver spoons and
forks, but water bottles, glasses and
even plates have been purloined. A
German visitor, man of high posi-
tion coolly packed big mirror in hi:
box.
Another case is recorded where {
tourist entered one of the city
churches and walked off with sur
plice belonging to famous preacher
but his companion was less success
full, as he was caught in the act o
trying to purloin a stained glass win
dow.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
MARRIAGE FOR LIFE A CRIME
So Says Prof. Larkin and Urges Time
Contracts.

San Francisco.-ln lecture before
the San Francisco Sociological society
Prof. Edgar Larkin, an astronomer,
said: Marriage for life is the great
est crime that can be committed In the
world, from either a physiological,
psychological or anthropological point
of view and the third party who joins
a man and woman in q marriage
for life, whether he acts In civil or re-
ligious procedure or as witness to the
contract, is the greatest criminal In
the world"
Prof Larkin said his views were
the result of 20 years close study Of
anthropology and of human nature.
Continuing, he said: "Ninety-five per
cent. of the crimes In the world are
due to marriage for life, contract
that must be abolished In time. II II
continues the Anglo-Saxon race will
be wiped out.
II know what am talking about
for, aside from my study of these mat
ters, 1t has been proved to me that
am right. / have asked and received
letters from 1900 wemen In the United
States-women who are talented, in
tellectual and college-bred-and they
tell me | am right"
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
UMBRELLA WITH A RECORD.
Carried by Its Present Owner Since
1870 and Still Good.

Lawrenceburg, Ind.-Col E. @
Hayes, well known in the early his
tory of the Big -Four and other railway
companies, celebrated the eighieth an
niversary of his birth at his beautiful
home on the Aurora road. He exhib-
tied an umbrella which has been in
continuous service since 1870 The
umbrella was presented to him by
Henry c. Lord, president of the old
indianapolis & Cincinnati railway, at
that time running from Cincinnati to
Indianapolis. and now part of the New
York Central system. Col Hayes re-
ports that he has never lent his high
ly-prized relic, but he has lost 1t on
several occasions, always regaining
possession.
Col. Hayes was lifelong friend of
former President Harrison, aud his
son-in-law, Jacob NJ. Bauer, is the Re-
publican county chairman, and he was
delegate to the convention which
nominated Roosevelt for the presl.
dency. Ezra G. Hayes, son, is post.
master of this city, having been ap.
pointed on the recommendation OF
Senator Beveridge.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
Held Up With Scissors.

Beaver Falls, Pa-The other night
as Miss Carmichael, trained nurse,
was walking on an unfrequented street
a man sprang out of an alley and at
tempted to catch her. She eluded him,
and pulling a pair of glittering scis-
sors from her pocket, stood on the de-
fensive. The fellow, evidently think
ing the woman had revolver, threw
up his hands and yelled, Don't shoot.
She then marched him up the street
ahead of her, intending to hand him
over to the police, but when an arc
light was reached and the fellow saw
that the weapon held by Miss Car
michael was only pair Of scissors, he
fed.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
WHOLE AUDIENCE sNEEzED.
Joker Scattered Snuff to Give Realism
to Moving Picture.

Middletown, N. Y.-A joker the 9TH
or night caused much annoyance to a
large audience at the Stratton theater
and came very near breaking up the
show. There were two exhibitions of
moving pictures at the theater during
the day. One of the pictures shown
was that of a man eating a raw onion,
while a number of persons stood
around him holding their noses and
wiping tears from their eyes. The
joker saw the picture in the afternoon
and decided to make 1t real
When the picture was shown at the
evening performance there came q
sneeze, then a volley of sneezes, and
in a moment the audience was in an
uproar. People were sneezing and
coughing and wiping their eyes, and
many were obliged to leave the thea
tetr.
The joker had scattered snuff from
one of the balconies, and the electric
far did the rest. The police were
called, but failed to find the joker.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
ONLY COUNTY FULLY WHITE,
Dickinson, In Virginia, Is Happy Over
This Distinction.

Richmond, Vain Dickinson coun.
ty, this state, there is not a single
negro resident. The fact developed
when a directory company which is
preparing statistics received the fol
lowing telegram from the clerk of the
county court of Dickinson county:
"Clintwood, Va.-This is the only
county in the south that hasn't negro
in 1t. Yours truly,
EMERY B. CHASE, Clerk"
Dickinson county Is in the mountain
district of what is known as the
Southwest" and the natives do not
care to have negroes near them. In,
deed, so few negroes reside in the
Southwest that the race question Is
not an issue in politics It is said that
Dickinson is the only county In any
state in the south which is without q
negro resident.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
SNAKESAT WHOLESALE
SAN ANTONIO, TEX, LARGEST
RATHER MARKET.
Is Distributing Polnteof Cactus County
ReptlIes--Latter Always In De-
mand-Snake-Cat atching
Business.

San Antonio, Tex.-San Antonio Is
said to be the largest wholesale snake
market in the United States, and the
fact that there are three Wholesale
snake houses in the city which do a
land office business, besides several
smaller houses, goes to prove this
statement.
One of the large wholesale snake
houses is located on West Commerce
street, another on West Houston
street. These houses handle all
stret, and the third on South Flores
street, and the third on South Flores
kinds of snakes known to Mexico and
west Texas, but rattlesnakes are their
principal stock In trade.
There are said to be hundreds OF
men in northern Mexico and west
Texas who make their living catching
rattlesnakes. They catch other kinds
of snakes when they find them, but
their efforts are for rattlesnakes, be
cause they bring the best prices on the
market. The price obtained for rattle
snakes by the man who catches then
ranges from $1.25 to $3.50 each, and
the snakes are in constant demand.
The rattlesnake dealers here who
buy snakes In wholesale lots ship then
to all parts of the world. Every natior
on earth is said to use some part o.
rattlesnake. From the snake fat, OF
| is made which brings an enormous
| price on the market. 1t can be useC
for many purposes but is very pre-
cious. 1t is sold for rheumatism oil
and is said to be very effective in dis
pelling that disease.
The rattlesnake hides are tanned
and made into leather which yer,
much resembles kid. In fact, it is sail
to be the easiest tanned and most dura
BILE snake hide on the market. In 1t
tanned form it is made into purses
pocketbooks and many other usefu
articles.
While there are snake farms Il
Texas where snakes are raised. We
most of the snakes which are handle
by San Antonio houses come from tn
prickly pear or mountainous regions d
Texas and Mexico. They are caugh
by men experienced in the busines
who know how to handle them. The
always try to catch the snake befor
it bites itself, in which case the fat |
poisoned and unfit for use.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
EASY TO MIX THIS RECIPE
Prepare 1t at Home By Shaking mgredi.
ents Well in a Bottle.

What will appear very interesting to
many people here is the article taken
from New York paper, giving sim
pie prescription, as formulated by
noted authority, who claims that he
has found a positive remedy to cure
almost any case of backache or kidney
or bladder arrangement, in the follow
ing simple prescription, if taken before
the stage of Bright's Disease;
Fluid Extract Dandelion, one-half
ounce; Compound Kargon, one ounce;
Compound Syrup Sarsaparilla, three
ounces. Shake we'll in bottle and
take in teaspoonful doses after each
meal and again at bed time.
A we'll known druggist here at home,
when asked regarding this prescrip-
tion, stated that the ingredients are all
harmless, and can be obtained at a
small cost from any good prescription
pharmrcy, or the mixture would be put
up if asked to do so. He further
stated that while this prescription is
often prescribed in rheumatic afiiic
tions with splendid results, he could
see no reason why it would not be a
splendid remedy for kidney and uri-
nary troubles and backache, as it has a
peculiar action upon the kidney struc'
ture, cleansing these most important
organs and helping them to sift and
filter from the blood the foul acids
and waste matter which cause sickness
and suffering. Those of our readers
who suffer can make no mistake in Civ
trial.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
REeAINs KIDNAPPED CHILD.
Finding Husband Had Taken Six
Year-otd, Mother Pursues.

New Egypt, N. IA double kidnap.
ing. with the mother of the stolen
child as the heroine, occurred here.
Because of domestic troubles Charles
Hopkins and his wife separated some
time ago, the latter retaining posses
sion of their six-year-old daughter,
despite demands on the part of Hop.
kins that she surrender her to him.
Hopkins, it is alleged, entered his
wife's home and carried the sleeping
child away in a wagon. When Mrs
Hopkins awoke and missed the child
she surmised what had happened, and,
securing feet horse, started In pur.
suit. At Cookstown- she found her
husbands horse and wagon tied in
front of a Store with the child fast
asleep on some straw, and Hopkins
presumably, in the store. Jumping
from her conveyance she secured the
child and returned to her home, to
receive the congratulations OF her
neighbors upon her quick wittsdness,
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
IS A GRAND OLD BUSH.
Furnishes Berries for Wedding Pies
for over FIFTY Years.

Quincy, Ill.--When George W. Wet
eel, of Bardolph, and his bride sat
down to their wedding dinner, 90
years ago, a gooseberry pie was on
the bill Of fare. They celebrated their
golden anniversary last week with a
big dinner, to which were invited
their children, grandchildren and
eat-grandchildren, and another
gooseberry pie was on the table, made
of berries from the same bush that
furnished the filling for the wedding
pie half a century before. Through
so years the old bush has kept its
post steadfastly, unwithered by age,
and stands today as strong and rug
ged as in the days of its youth.
The vigor of robust life seems to
belong to the home place. Wetzel is
7s. his wife is 70, and of their six chill
dren all are living.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
GOOSE FIGHTS FOR ITS OWNER,
Follows Master Through Crowded
Streets of Washington.

Washington.-A large Chinese goose
was seen wandering along Pennsyl.
vania avenue and up Fourteenth
street a few nights ago, apparently
following its own inclinations in TAX
ing stroll Its owner was near, but
no sign of his presence was given un-
til one friend greeted another by plac.
ing his hands on his shoulders. At
this movement the goose suddenly
darted forward in defense of the man
thus approached.
He is A. A. Bibb, of 302 Tenth
street northwest, and Doc" is the
name of the bird. doc" is his mas
ter's pet. He came to Washington
about eight moEths ago in a crate
filled with geese, and as soon as Mr..
Bibb saw him he was chosen for a
career that does not usually fall to
the lot of his kind. But DOC" did not
realize the honors in store for him. AS
soon as released, he few away, soar
ing over the tops of buildings until he
was lost to sight, He was recaptured
near the Smithsonian grounds and re.
turned to his owner. His wings were
clipped, and there were no more at
tempts to escape. Docs longing for
liberty apparently disappeared with
his means to enjoy it, and he has now
taken on many of the habits of a
Washingtonian
DOC" is a fine looking, swan-like
bird and weighs about 20 pounds. AL
most every afternoon, when the side
walks are cool, DOC" Is taken out
for stroll. He usually keeps In
front of Mr.. Bibb, and picks his way
through the biggest of crowds will
apparently no fear of becoming los
or trampled upon. If his owner be
comes lost from sight, even for mo
ment, Doc begins an unearthly yell
and continues until Mr.. Bibb hurriei
within view.
Z One of the peculiarities OF tht
goose is that he, although friendly t,
most men, does not like women, ant
is continually making some sympa
thetic girl flee when in his neighbor
| hood.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
INCORPORATING FARMS.
A Nebraskan Has an Idea of Reaching
the Small Investor.

Lincoln, Neb.-A new idea In the
line of stock promotion has been
evolved by an abstractor in York. 1t
is to incorporate Nebraska farms. The
first Incorporation of this character on
record In Nebraska was filed recently.
when the Cedarbank farm of York
county submitted articles to the secre-
tary Of state. The capital stock is
placed at 100000, divided into shares
of 500 each. All of the Issue is
owned by the parties to whom the
farm came as an estate-M. A. Welch
end R. A. Miller, of Philadelphia, and
Mary w. Miller, of Nance county.
These three fill the offices of presi-
dent, secretary and treasurer, and
constitute the board of directors.
The abstractor who completed this
deal has improved upon it. He has Sc
cured options on several farms in that
section, where lands bring from $50
to $50 an acre, and he proposes to
float stock proposition with the
shares placed at some small sum, $40
or $25 He believes that this will
meet the demand that exists ON the
part of the people to invest In farm
land. For six years there has been a
steady rise in the price of farms due
to the good crops and the desire shown
by city men of affairs and others to
own agricultural areas. Prices have
reached the point now where the or
dinary man cannot hope to buy any
sized farm as farms go in the west.
Arguing from these facts the man
with the idea thinks such stock COM
pany would be easily floated II as.
surances could be given that the man
agement of the business would be IL
capable hands. The necessary money
to buy the farms will come from the
proceeds of the stock sales, and the
capital needed to operate it may be
raised by bond issue, in which form
a good many farm mortgages have re.
oeAtly been issued by the loan com
panies that have many small investors
as customers.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
ANCIENT CITY Barred
EXCAVATION WORK AT oEzER RE
VEALs PRElsRAELITE TOWN.
Phllistines Found by Explorers to
Have Been More Artistic Than the
Jews-Ruins of Ancient Je-
N richo Being Dug Up.

Cambridge, MaSs.-After an unusu-
ally long suspension of work by the
Palestine exploration fund, because
affairs at Constantipople delayed the
issue of firman, the excavation OF
Gezer has been resumed under Stew
art Macalister, and it is expected that
the whole place will be excavated
within the two years for which the mr.
man continues.
The plan is to have Gezer remain
uncovered, like Pompeii, so that visit
ors can see a pre-Israelite town with
its altars, idols, burial places, walls
and gates. Corresponding TO the mu'
scum at Naples is that at Jerusalem,
to which all finds" must be brought,
for the sultan claims as his property
all objects found on the soil OF his en-
pire. It is considered much better
that such objects should remain at
Jerusalem than that they should be
taken by tourists, who, in spite of the
law, do carry off many things for
which they secretly pay large prices,
thus stimulating the natives to dig for
themselves.
Mr.. Macalister seems to have found
clew to the history of that mysteri-
GUS people, the Philistines. He has
opened the tomb of young woman
with strongly marked features, differ
ent from any tombs hitherto found.
In this tomb he found a large jar of
interesting pattern, silver ladle with
lions heads on the handle, silver
bowl, mirror originally in cloth case,
a gold bracelet, several ornamental
beads and silver signet ring, and es-
pecially valuable is a bar Of polished
jasper with three gold belts upon it,
and on each belt loop on which
hangs disk Of gold. There Is reason
to believe that the Philistines were
more artistic than the Isrealites and
that the term "Philistine" used by peo.
pie of our day is without foundation.
In addition to this work at Gezer
the Austrians have begun important
excavation at the site of ancient
Jericho and have found city wall. II
is reported that Prof. Reissner is
about to begin work at Samaria with
funds furnished by the Harvard
Semitic museum.
Rev. Prof. Francis Brown of Union
Theological seminary, New York, has
become member of the seneral com
mittee, which now has ten American
members. He will be in charge next
year of the American school at Jerusa
lem, and will promote the cooperation
of England and America in the great
work of verifying and illustrating the
Bible.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
ouEERED BY THE MOON.
Iowa Lad Runs Away Whenever Luna
Is in First Quarter.

Des Moines.-The rays of the moon
In the first quarter made boy tramp
out Of Halsey BusSing. That, at least,
is the remarkable story told by the
boys father in the Juvenile court here.
Young Bussing at the age of has COW
cred several states in box cars. He
was picked up il Des Moines and held
in the Juvenile court. His father said
the boy had hard fall when very
young.
Ever since that time when the
moon is in the first quarter he has
run away from home" testified the
father. cannot-explain what effect
the rays have on my boy, but the influ-
enee is noticeable"
Young Bussing will be sent to the
industrial school.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
Family Skeleton.

Many persons family skeleton is
state of weak digestive organs in
herited from careless ancestors. The
skeleton can be laid to rest by DR..
Oaldwell's Qaxative) Syrup Pepsin.
Better do so atonce, otherwise it will
dog you daily, and keep you in con-
slant misery, and in danger from
worse complications. Syrup Pepsin is
specific for indigestion, constipation,
headache and biliousness. Try it.
Sold by all druggists, at SOC and $l.OO.
Money back il it fails.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
Drums Drive Bats Away.

Washington, Pa.-The beating of
snare drums has been found effica.
cious by Newton w. Rush in clearing
out rat infested farm. The rats were
so numerous they ate the fodder, nip
ped his cattle and took possession OF
his place. He engaged four friends to
help him, and they beat five snare
drums about the house and farm build
ings. causing the rats to scatter Rush
said he has not seen rat about the
place since.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03

wilkesbarre, PA linen collar
saved the life of Edward r. Conner
" at Glen Summit. Hewas doing some
work along the railroad track and was
run down by Lehigh Valley locomo-
tive. but a projecting bolt caught his
collar and held his head few inches
above the rail while the locomotive
dragged him 800 feet. He was half
choked and tainted when released by
the train crew. but speedily recovered
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-03
Shortest Wills on Record.

Lancaster. Pa.-Two wills that hold
the record for brevity have been re-
corded in this county. The one was
that of John A. Kuntz. which read:
Leave all to my wife"
The will Of Archibald f. Bonine,
probated the other day, was almost
as brief 1t said: Everything goes
to my wife, Katie"