davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29
vIRoouAcANDIArE FOR THE HONOR.
Our Crack Band Seeks Admission TO tae
National Guard.

Since Frank G. Dana has resigned as
/ bandmaster of the Third regiment
band. there has been something of a
scramble among various band organiza-
tions in this section for appointment ia
fill the place. Sparta, Portage and
Viyoqua are making strenuous efforts to
get the plum which will be given some
Iilne in March by Col. Holloway.
The CENSOR does not wish to belittle
the claims of any of the other cities
for this enviable honor, but the writer
being well acquainted with Col. Holo-
ways methods, believes he viii give
the appointment to the best musical
erganiza tion near La Crosse, the regi-
ment's headquarters. ViroGua stands
ready and willing to accept its fate
upon this basis We can deliver the
goods as no other band can. This fact
must be admitted, even by the friends
of Sparta and Portage.
ViroqYa as city is proud of its band,
and gives it ample support. Our band
members are young men who perma-
nently reside here, a large percentage
of them owning their own home. With
the additional support received from the
state, in case our band receives the ap-
pointment as a military organization,
would give the boys sufficient financial
backing, to place the Viroqua band
among the best military organizations
in the entire national guard.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES

The girls Badger Club rendered the
following program tuesday night: Roll
call, answered by quotations from la
vorite authors; Sketch Of Kiping Lie,
Marie Bentson; recitation from Kip
ling, Gladys De Garmo; On the road to
Mandalay, Nellie McMSster, recitation,
The Hanging of Danny Deaver, Lotus
Weber; sketch of Eugene Fields Life,
Eunice Hayes; recitation from Field,
Florence Reed recitation from Field.
Letha Hoyt; talks, Clara Swenson, !,
Jeanette Helgeson, Josie Peterson, Elsie
Thiel; song, Recessional, Society.
The Saturday domestic science class
made baking powder biscuits last Satur-
day.
A party of twelve high school students
went, Friday evening. on pleasant bus
ride to Westby. They were entertained
there by Cora Mitby and attended the
dance at the Opera hail.
Examinations are now over and every
body is happy.
The Junior class held a meeting last
Monday after school
Out Of one hundred and fifty five BOYS
taking the manual training only eight
failed. How is that for a record?
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29
Spillman Riegs Coming.

1t is with pleasure that the Men s
Sunday Evening club announces to the
people of Virogua the good fortune to
have an opportunity again TO hear the
great orator, Mr.. Spillman Riggs, one
of the best speakers on the lecture
platform. Mr.. Riggs will be remern-
bered as the one who delivered the com
mencement address here in June, 1906.
when he gave us his famous lecture on
Musical Fits and Mistits. No Viroqua
audience was ever more delightfully."-
entertained than the one which heard
Mr.. Riggs on that occssion The Mems
Sunday Evening club has secured Mr..
Spillman Riggs for a lecture on Mon
evening, February 3 at Opera hall.
This time he will give US his new lecture
on Social Fits and Misfits." 1t is of
a humorous character, yet full of solid
sense. The sale of seats begins Fri
day, January 81, at Dahl's drug store
General admission 25e. Reserved seats
2Ep
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29

w. w. WigginRton, but,er-maker at
the Viroqua creamery, gave out soDe
interesting facts concerning the local
creamery and the buttsr-making i'-
iustry in general, at the annual meet
ing Of the creamery association Space
and time forbids our giving the report
10 full, but we have extracted the fol-
lowing from Mr.. Wiggington's report;
The average price paid during the
twelve months past was .307 cents.
Tod9y a COW producing 300 ponnds Of
butter fat is worth 500, ten years ago
SIS would purchase the same animal.
The price Of butter today is higher on
account Of the better quality manu-
featured. Under sdllful and modern
manufacture the quality becomes uni
form, hence a ready market. 4Slf' n
ers now patronize the Viroqua creai.~try,
giving total output Of 800, 900 pounds
Of butter. Dir. Wiggington believes
that double that amount should be
manufactured in this institution.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29

Our neighbor, Captain Henry Cohnor
is bereft beyond expression BY the loss
of his life companion generous, eomely
Mrs. ConnOr, who passed away at Hills
boro, where she was visiting a daugh.
ter, Mrs. Geo. Thompson, on esday
night at II 80, after only few hours
of illness from pneumonia. Captain
Connor was advised Of her indisposition
Monday morning, starting for Hillsborc
Immediately. He was at her bedside
only a few hours before the spirit took
its flight. The remains win arrive here
this Wednesday evening taken TO the
residence Of 4. w. Hazen. They will
be removed to the Congregations
church Thursday morning at 10 O'Clock
where they may be viewed by friends
till 2 o'clock, at y hich hour the fanera
services will be held.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29
TRAGEDIES. ACCIDENT
FIRES.
Resrstabie Calamsties in N lborins
Places.
MRs. GnppEs sHor m IOWA.

A telegram was received here Tues
day afternoon announcing that Mrs. !
Z. Geddes had been shot at Postville,
Iowa, by her brother-in-law, VIM. Boil
zeil, while in drunken frenzy Mrs.
Geddes had left her home at Manning
last June and had lsne to keep house
for Bolzell, taking her little girl with
her. Particulars of the affair are
meagre but 5he papers state that after
the shooting Bolzell set fire to a neigh
bors barn and fled and that the sheriff
and a posse were in pursuit. Mr.. Ged-
des left on the afternoon train Wednes-
day for the scene of the affair. The
body will be shipped here and funeral
services will be held in the Manning
church Saturday afternoon. Reads
town Tribune.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29

Articles Of incorporation have been
filed with the secretary Of state for the
Bad AK telephone association In west
ern Vernon county. The line has beer
completed from Purdy to Genoa ans
Victory; viii be extended north fror
s. l.. McLees place with addition Oi
Is phones and from Genoa to Stoddarc
over Dudley ridge. Capital stock oi
the incorporation is 50 800, each per
son who has a phone taking share al
s35. Following are officers Of the com
pany:
President--Tolef Andera0n.
Viee-P President Thomas Andersgn
Seeretary-Maihias Lctaem
Treasurer Chris. D. Helaeson.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29
NOTICE

1t has been the Pre-
for certain boys and you
the liberty to make themsel,
in the opera house, by playing >
using fuel and electric lights, desl. ~
ing property and inconveniencing people
roorning in the building generally. They
and their parents are hereby notified
that this nuisance must end and drastic
measures will be resorted to in case OF
future trespassing. Complaint will be
made to the authorities against any one
found in the hall without permission.
Il. G. Brown, M9uager.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29

DIR. David Adams, Of Cameron,
Missouri, died January 14th. Mr.
Adams was a brother of Abner Sill
baugh's first wife. During visit at
Viro1ua last September and October
the doctor made mary friends. He was
intending to come to Viroqua next sums
nser ard make his home with Mr.. Sill
baugh. Or. Adams was an old soldier,
serving in the civil war, high degree
Mason. a fine old gentleman and e
brother Of the late !. G. Adams who
was for many years a teacher in cur
puplic schools.
"Viroqua" cigars are the best.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29
TAY WorIcE og err, Og vIRoouA.

NOTfCE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT AFTER
~ Janu1ry u 1903. the charge for collection Of
city tax money will be az the rate of three per
cent. win be at LagOn Brothers marble works
for tax mopey. r. r. Larson. City Treasurer.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29
BApLY FROZEN AT cAsHToN.

Ellsworth Peterson, who lives in the
south part of the village, started for
his home at about eleven O'Clock We'd
nesday night and remembers nothing
further until about three Thursday
morning when he found himself below
the Congregational church with both
hands and feet frozen and bad bruise
around his left eye. He admits that
he had been drinking, but says that he
had no more than he could conveniently
handle and thinks that in going over
the cement walk below the church he
slipped and fell, the blow on the head
rendering hlm unconscious. It's thought
that his feet can be saved but all, or
nearly all, of his fingers will have to be
removed. This is very sad case,
douhly so, because Mr.. Peterson is a
poor man with large family and if he
should lose his hands, as is very prob
able, his ability to carry on his work
viii be greatly hampared. 1t is not
definitely decided as yet whether he
will be taken to La Crosse hospital for
the amputation or remain at home.
Cashton Record.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29
FIRE AND ACCIDENT AT sTopnAsp.


Sunday forenoon, while the wind on
the ridge was blowing hard from the
south, a spark was blown from the
kitchen stovepipe into the roof of the
main part ol Mrs. Lars P. Noes house
on Oak Ridge, setting fire to the roof,
owing to the high wind, it was inn
possible to extinguish the fire, and the
flames soon gained such headway that
nothing could be taken from the us-
stairs, but most Of the things on the
lower floor were saved.
On Monday while Thomas Eagon Jr.,
of this village was hauling rock from
the quarry, he had the misfortune to
hal / one Of his hands badly smashed
and the bones of several fingers broken
by stone that fell from his wagon.
He is said to be some easier at present.
-SUoddard Times.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29

-Dtu't miss the gre" lecture by
SpillmRn Riggs, Opera house, Monday
evening, February 3.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29
win Be H.ro Next Thursday

will be IN iiroqua to buy horses
Thursday, February 6. Will be in
Viola Friday morning and Soldiers
Grove in the afternoon, February 7.
II. r. LIGHT.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-29

1t cannot be looked upon as anything
but unfortunate for the tobacco trade
that fire loss of such magnitude rs
that which occurred at Janesville on the
18th instant should come at this time.
1t is the second largest tobacco loss
this state, which has been exceptionally
free from such misfortunes, has ever
sustained. Such calamities have a
tendency to frighten the insurance COM
panies which are very liable to either
withdraw from the tobacco field or in
crease their rates, for the insured must
eventually pay sIch losses.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-26

lies anywhere from $500 upward.
An extremely rare IS piece was
that issued by the Massachusetts a.u
california eomnanv. the only denomi-
nation issued by this minting nfIli.
The diverse design bore the nanie %
the company around the border III
closing a wreath. which IN turn = ~,
sounded the Inscription Five d.. The
reverse design was quite marked, the
field containing the crest ana arms VI
upper California, which consisted OIL d
shield bearing a mounted vaquero, at
either side of which were an upright
stag and bear. Above was an arm
with spear in hand, while below .he
shield was the word Alta ArouIo
the border was circle of l3 stars ana
the date was 1S49 The piece weighed
115z grains and had an intrinsic vaiue
OF $4.75.
Only one specimen of this com Is
known, and this came to the mint
good many years ago with lot OF
other gold coins to be remelted. Ine
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-26

mint assayers, however, recognizing
its rarity. placed the coin in the cabi-
net of the United States mint collec-
ton at philadelphia, where it may be
seen today. and it is probably the
rarest of all the numerous gold issues
of California.
The above mentioned are but few
of the numerous and interesting gold
pieces which originated in California,
and the series>-fS~becoming more in
teresting to collectors than any other.
some indeed devoting their entire at
tention to the accumulation of the
pieces of this. one..set.
In the early fifties Senator William
Gwin of California introduced bill
in the California legislature authoriz-
ing the issuance OF 500 and $500 gold
pieces, but no definite action was taken
in regard to the matter. The same
senator was also responsible for the
introduction of bill in congress in
1850 outlining a coinage of gold bars
of values ranging from s1e0 to $4,000.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-26

ALIFORNIA enjoys the distinction
of having issued a far more in
teresting series of gold coins
than even the United States gov
eminent, which not only embraced
larger and smaller denominations in
gold than those bearing the United
States stamp. but also included
variety Of designs peculiarly significant
OF the Golden state
While her $50 slugs, or quintuple
eagles, were of a denomination much
higher than any OF the regular govern
ment gold coins. still there were issued
during the pioneer days rectangular
pieces of gold which passed current
whose denominations ranged from $s-+3
to nearly $4,000. with many interme-
diate denominations.
Not content with this great variety
OF gold currency. fully so varieties of
the small gold dollars of various de-
signs were struck, together with tiny
25 cent and so cent gold waters to
supply an urgent need for fractional
currency.
It is only of recent years that Ameri-
can coin collectors have really become
aware of the Importance of obtaining
specimens of this unique and distinctly
American issue of pioneer or territorial
gold coins, which is yeSTl7 becoming
searcer. and now so great has been
=. the interest aroused ia them that the
most extraordinary, premiums are being
paid for rare specimens. and the ap-
pearance for sale at the present time
OF one OF the gold coins of a scarce
issue of the early California private
mints creates as much of a sensation
among the hundreds of enthusiastic
coin collectors located in different Sec
tions of the United States as would the
unexpected bringing to light of an un-
known Rembrandt or Rubens painting
among lovers OF that branch of art.
The California gold coins were
brought into being through the pecu-
liar conditions existing in San Fran
cisco in 1919 and the early hfties,
when. although there were immense
quantities Of gold dust, gold coins
were Of extreme scarcity, indeed, al
most unobtainable. the few in circu-
lation being French gold pieces.
Custom duties were required to be
paid in gold coin and. as immense
quantities of merchandise were con-
stantly arriving and no gold coin was
available with which to pay for
goods. great embarrassment was being
caused continually. from which the pri-
vate coiners. by striking gold coins
temporarily. relieved the early Cali
fornians
Gold dust in those days widely fluc-
tuated in value and there were many
occasions where it was offered local
bankers at the rate of IS and $40 an
ounce in exchange for gold coin with
which TO pay customs duties, although
the gold dust was actually worth from
SIS to SIS an ounce.
Owing TO a curious loophole in the
law Of the United States it was found
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-26

ness was 1877 and the intrinsic value
s4.4S
A striking $40 goldpiece was that is
sued by Baldwin & Co. in 1850. The
design of this piece showed on the
diverse vaquero, mounted. in the act
of throwing a lasso. At the top were
the words California Gold" and at the
bottom "Ten Dollars The reverse
bore an eagle and the name of the
firm, together with the city of issue.
"San Francisco" The weight of this
piece was 263 grains. of fineness of
$50 and an intrinsic value of S9.s6. This
coin, when well preserved, is much
sought by collectors, and a specimen
has brought 1875.
The rarest specimen of circular Cali
fornia gold coinage, as far as the
amount of the premium, is concerned,
is the $40 gold piece struck by J. S.
Ormsby, who took coming apparatus to
Sacramento some time in 1S49 or 1850
and struck coins there for the convent
ence of the miners. How many pieces
were issued by him is not known. but
it is quite certain that they are now
extremely scarce, only two being To-
Gated, at the present time.
A design of this coin, a specimen of
which last year brought s1,310 at a
sale, was, of a simple character and
yet interesting. Around the edge OF
the diverse was circle of 81 stars in
closing the inscription Ten Dollars.
The reverse bore the words United
States of America" around the border
with the word Cal" below. while in
the center Of the field were the initials
of the coiner, ~. s. O." This gold
piece weighed 25S1z grains, had fine
ness of S42 and was worth intrinsically
$e.37.
Frederick D. Kohler, who had been
associated with Senator Broderick, later
issued rectangular bars of gold which
circulated as money and specimens OF
whicn now bring tremendous premiums
The lowest known denomination OF
these bars was s40.07, while the high
est was $3.50. A specimen of this odd
form of currency of the denomination
or intrinsic value, of $45.34 was sold
last year for $1,000.
The five and ten dollar gold pieces OF
the Cincinnati mining and trading COM
pany also rank among the very rares,
of the California issues. These coins
bore a peculiar design, alike on both
denominations.
The diverse of the ten dollar piece
showed an Indian bust, crowned with
headdress of feathers, surrounding
which was the legend. Cincinnati min
ing and trading company" On the re-
verse was the flying eagle, with arrows
and an olive branch In it's talons. The
inscription around the top read Cali
fornia ten dollars Below was the
date, "1S49." The weight of the gold
piece was 25s grains, of an intrinsic
value of 1870, the intrinsic value OF
the five dollar coin. being S4.95.
There are only two specimens of the
ten dollar piece known which have beer
issued by this firm, one of which is IN
the mint at Philadelphia, and it's value
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-26

that while states were expressly Tor
hidden to strike coins, there was abso-
Iutely no restriction to private in
dividuals doing so and many firms took
advantage of this opportunity and thus
the newly discovered gold fields were
soon supplied with gold pieces of
private manufacture, the most of the
gold coming from the placer mines. of
which vast traces can still be seen from
the Southern Pacific trains at Dutch
Flat and contiguous gold workings
along the American river.
Some of these private gold coins were
worth exactly the denomination
stamped upon their face, while others
were worth materially less. and this
disparity of value ultimately threw sus-
picion upon all such issues and in the
course of time banks refused to accept
them. causing a small panic tempo
rarily.
For a time so far did the coins fall
in the estimation of the public that a
businessman thought he was fortunate
if he could work at least one in a bag
Of regular United States gold pieces.
The gold pioneer coins were grad
ually assimilated, sent to the mint at
Philadelphia and melted, or found their
way into the hands of persons who pre-
served them as souvenirs of the early
California days, unfit in time many of
the varieties became very scarce, and
&os,
coins, such as those issued by the Pa
cific company, which at the time of
their first issue We're worth intrinsic
ally $3.50 and $4.4S respectively to the
$40 and SIS gold pieces, now ranlzsamong
the rarest of the California gold coin
issues, and it is probable that if a
specimen of either denomination were
today offered for sale it would bring
from $1,000 to $4,000.
The origin of the Pacific company
coins is somewhat obscure. but from
what can be learned their mint was
operated some time in 1S49 by David
c. Broderick, afterward United States
senator from California. and Frederick
d. Kolller, who in 1880 was appointed
state assayer for California, with head
quarters at San Francisco.
The design of the coins Of this COM
pany was original and handsome, that
on the diverse consisting of an eagle
flying across the field, the right talon
grasping an olive branch and the left
a hammer. Around the border was in
scribed Pacific Company, California
with the date, -'1S4s," below.
The reverse was occupied by repre-
sentation of liberty cap, from which
diverged rays and stars, the denomi-
nation, 10 dollars" being around the
lower portion of the border. This $40
piece weighed 22s grains. the fineness
of the gold was .797, and the intrinsic
value 1885,
The So gold piece of the Pacific COM
pany was similar in every way TO the
$40 piece, with the exception of the
difference in value, and weighed 13t
grains. Like the foregoing, the fine
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-26

These were recommended to be rect
angular in shape so that they might
be conveniently placed in boxes Tor
shipment. and IL was suggested tnat
they bear devices and legends similar
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-26
Remarkable Series of Gold Coins Which California Has Issued

coins of smaller des
the inscriptions OF
United States OF
however, was ever
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-26

TO those borne by
nominations, with
Liberty" and
America" None
coined
The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1908-10-02
A VISIT TO THE
EUREKA NURSERY

Wednesday an Advertiser re-
porter accepted the invitation of
Mr.. T. J. Lacy to ride with him
out to the Eureka Nursery and
see his fine lot of Satsuma orange
trees. And they are we'll worth
seeing, for he has quite large
nun Der of old trees and everyone
is loaded with large, full and ma
turing fruit. Judging by the
fine success Mr.. Lacy has had
with the orange trees. there is
no reason why the people of this
parish should not engage exten
sively in the growing of oranges.
The Satsuma is a delicious
orange and very hardy. The big
trees Mr.. Lacy has were moved
The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1908-10-02
THIRD WARD ORGANIZES.

A farmers and business mems
meeting was held at the court
houseSeptem Der "a, toorganizeto
successfully fight the boil weevil.
Mr.. J. A. Roy called the meeting
to order and stated the purpose
of the meeting. He then called
for a motion to elect the officers
and Mr.. J. E. Mouton was elect
ed president, Alcee Landry vice
president, and Jos. Billeaud, sec
retary.
Mr.. Perrin then addressed the
meeting.
The following persons then
Joined the organization: Alcee
Landry, Arneaud Baquet. Eraste
Patin. J. E. Mouton, Edmond
Martin, Louis Mouton. Joseph
Billeaud, Ludovic Billeaud. Leo
L, Billeaud, Frank Bacque, F.
Siadous, E. G. Landry, Luc
LAnglinais, VIM. Cayard, Adolphe
Dugas, Joe M. Dominique. Louis
Patin, VIM. Mouton, Alex Con-
stantine, Preston Benton. F. O..
Daigle, Adrien Theall and J. O.
LIE eBlanc.
JOSEPH BILLEAUD,
Secretary.
The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1908-10-02
h st) c al"
Store will be closed Monday d5 p

be planted on an acre Of ground
is quite large and four acres set
with the Satsuma and given the
proper attention ought in a few
years to bring in a very salts
factory income. Now that the
weevil has come, the farmers
ought to find Satsuma orange
culture well worth a trial.
Mr.. Lacy showed me quite a
number of other interesting
things at the nursery, one being
a wonderful vine which he says
is a Mexican product. It runs
along a tall wire fence separat-
ing the orange orchard from the
house yard and drapes the fence
in very attractive manner, re-
lieving the sheen of green with
lovely red flowers. He has a
number of other foreign plants
and especially a variety of orange
he is experimenting with to see