davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18
FOREST FIRES.
Mans CareIessness often Results I'm
Loss of Lives and Property.

Mans CareIessness often Results I'm
Loss of Lives and Property.
Forest fires are often started by
some one throwing down a match
carelessly or spilling out the live
ashes from his pipe" says q Milwau-
kee lumberman. when we were
building the extension from Cham
pion to L'Anse years ago some of the
boys thought they would go down to
Champion for a time. Coming back
one Of them lit his pipe and threw
the match into the dry grass.
Before that fire burned itself out
it had traversed a strip of territory
60 miles long and five or six miles
wide. We lost hundreds OF thousands
of ties by the fire, to say nothing Of
the timber that was burned overall
because a man was not careful where
he threw a lighted match. When
such fires once get started they burn
themselves out; you can't stop them.
"And they play some queer freaks.
l have seen great pine trees, standing
out alone in little clearing 100 yards
or more from anything, and sudden
ly the fire would jump out and few
minutes later nothing would be left
of the tree but the trunk and Scared
and burned limbs. I remember one
case of the kind where a handsome
big pine stood out alone. Suddenly
the flames seemed to gather them
selves into a big ball and burst over
the top of the tree like a shell, envel-
oping it in fire. 1t burned as though
it had been kiln dried.
Somehow the fire seems to take all
the sap out Of the tree. That tree
was completely destroyed in a short
time, the fire sweeping on and leav-
ing 1t a grotesque and blackened
trunk where before was a beautiful
picture.
'In the old days the Indians were
very careful of fire. In the morning
when they broke camp, after going
short distance one of the band would
go back to see that there was no
spark unextinguished. If there was
he would be sure to put it out. If he
did not return to the waiting band
soon two or three others would go
back and if there was any fire they
would help him extinguish it.
"In that way forest fires were pre-
vented. Nowadays with white camp
ers and picknickers going into the
woods and deDarting without care
whether they leave sparks which may
cause a blaze or not, it is hard to pre-
serve the forests. 1 presume it was
something of that kind which started
the fires in that country up in British
Columbia"
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18
LIFE WAS NEVER DULL.
ooo.o11oo-

To those who are acquainted with 1t,
the Uganda Railway seems to be a fit
subject to be dealt with in comic opera.
Named after a colony through which
it does not run, starting from a term
inns placed as far as possible from the
port it serves. running for miles through
natural game preserves, with the result
that trains are frequently held up by
wild animals, every mile Of the road is
always a fruitful field for adventure,
and nearly every mile has had some hui
morous tale attached to 1t.
In the early days, when the road had
been open only little while and wild
animals had not learned the fear Of
man, life on the line was interesting
and often exciting, says writer In the
Colonizer. In August, 1905, the traffic
manager at Mombasa received from
the baboo station master at Simlba a
telegram marked urgent"
''Lion is on platform. Please instruct
guard and driver to proceed carefully
without signal in yard. Guard to adj
wise passengers not to get out here, and
be careful when coming into booking
Office"
This advice appeared to be superfous.
However, one bold sportsman did get
out, and by ascending a tree, managed
to shoot lion and a lioness within a
few minutes. He also wounded an
other lion, the one which had been
waiting on the platform. This lion,
after being wounded, disappeared and
could not be found; so the sportsman
went along the siding to look for him.
He found him suddenly, but owing to
his own swiftness in getting in a blow
on the jaw after an exciting rough and
tumble, he was still there when the lion
made for the underbrush.
Later in the day the station master
received another message from the
same agent. Zone African injured
again by a lion. Please send cart
ridges by next train, certain" And
later from the same man this:
"Switchman is surrounded by two
lions while returning from distant sig
nal, end switchman went on top Of tele-
graph post near water tanks. Train to
stop there and take on train and then
proceed. Please arrange necessary
steps,"
But 1t Is not only big game that an
noys him, for on a later day he sent
this bulletin:
Rats running about, eating holes in
ceiling and biting off swltcbman's toes.
Send rat traps"
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18
Pianist Di.1ikes Applause.

Herr Leopold Godowsky, the famous
pianist, is at present giving series
Of pianoforte recitals in London. He
is so unconventional as to dislike APP
plause; that is, applause of the noisy
order: nor does he look with favor
upon those admirers whose tributes to
his musical genius take floral forms.
The other day, after giving a superb
rendering Of Beethoven's Sonata in e
fiat, a bouquet Of roses was handed up
to him, but he refused to accept 1t. In
terviewed afterward he said:
Serious and dignified music makes
deep impression upon the mind and
feelings of an appreciative listener.
ITO have this impression, which Is
the aim and object of good music,
abruptly and rudely dispelled by noisy
applause is very distressing It must
lar the nerves of artistic listeners, and
it certainly has that effect upon the
performer.
"Good music should be received in
silence. 1 would suggest that people
should silently rise from their seats If
they were pleased with the perform
ance, or remain seated If they were
not appreciative.
at believe such a method would be
equally effective 1t would certainly
be more suitable"
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18
AGAIN THE HoMELY POTATO.
Burbank's Further Experiments
Awaited with interest

Burbank's Further Experiments
Awaited with Interest.
For over twenty-five years we have
heard Of the Burbank potato, but very
few could have imagined what lay be-
hind that name and into what greater
meaning 1t would grow. Potato hoeing
is usually considered a dull, tiresome
task, but as boy Luther Burbank took
different view. He looked at his
home potato patch in New England as
a fascinating problem. The result was
q new and improved variety of potato,
which, when he was Is, he sold to q
seed house for $1.50. This was practi-
cally Mr.. Burbank's first experiment,
and his success since then in develop
ing principally the ideally beautiful in
fruits and flowers makes it all the more
interesting that again he is experiment.
ing with the homely potato. For the
last several years Mr.. Burbank has
planted and propagated potatoes on an
immense scale, and now with 10000
kinds-his own hybrids-he diligently
tuber in size, form and flavor.
Until recently it was almost impos-
siIble to obtain either tubers or seeds
Of the Irish" potato in it's original,
wild form, from it's ancient habitat in
South America. There, high up in The
peaks Of the Andes, the potato plant
still finds food on the grim, gaunt rims
of extinct volcanoes, and slowly, in two
years time, develops into one shape
less tuber. But the Indians of those
regions are as wild and resistant as
the potato, and f1ercely prevented en-
croachments by white men until civili-
cation took the form Of whisky. It is
true that the seeds are washed down
plant changes form in it's descent,
finally becoming the worst weed the
people have. More than 10000 seed
lings, Mr.. Burbank says, of this weed
are found upon single acre. He has
been importing specimens of the orig
inal, wild form from off the coast of
Chile and crossing them with others
Of his cultivated types; from the re-
suits selecting the best for further de-
velopment. OF the new varieties al
ready obtained Mr.. Burbank says some
are almost as sweet as sweet potatoes.
Certainly the world will await with
great curiosity and equal faith the final
results of this present series Of pota-
to experiments.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

the body of q horse, which moves up
and down, as if trotting, when the ma
chine is in operation. The rider sits
In the seat of the cart and treads the
pedals as he would in an ordinary We
locipede, the difference being that when
the wheels go around they put life into
a horse, and when the machine Is
going at a rapid rate Of speed 1t is diff
1cult at a distance to distinguish it
from a real pony cart. The reins are
Of elastic and stretch as the horses
head moves up and down, and the
steering gear is the rod that runs back
from the upright that ascends from the
forward wheel. The saddle and the
steering gear are maintained at the
same distance from each other.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

The records OF the federal officials
at the port of New York show among
other things the number OF immi-
grants destined to each state or ter
ritory. In this connection the strik-
ing fact to be noted is the greaA con-
centration or foreigners seeking Amer
lean homes In a few eastern states,
and especially in New York. For the
quarter ending June Both, the total Of
immigrants admitted at the port Of
New York was 76,446. OF these 81, 22S,
or almost Al per cent, were destined to
New York, and In all probability the
great majority had no destination be-
yond the greater city. One group Of
i've eastern states-New York, Penn
sylvania, New jersey, Massachusetts,,
and Connecticut 49,643 Of
the new arrivals, or almost 65 per cent
Of the whole number admitted during
the three-month period. The remain
Ing 80 per cent were scattered over
all the country. Illinois, next to New
York and Pennsylvania, received the
largest number, $500, or more than Z
per cent Of the total. There have been
some notable changes with respect to
the percentage which different races
bear to the total immigration in con-
nection with the general decrease. For
the second quarter Of 1907, when the
total number Of immigrants admitted
at New York was 3SS,304, more than
five times the number admitted during
the corresponding period this year,
those from southern Italy totaled
93,9S6, or "a per cent of the whole
number. During the second quarter
Of 1908 the south of Italy again sent
the largest quota, but the percentage
fell to a. The percentage of Greeks
also dropped from to 2. Hebrews,
who constituted Z per cent in 1907,
constituted II per cent during this
years period. Germans were per
cent Of the whole number in 1907, and
13 per cent this year. Irish immi-
grants increased the percentage Of
their race from 3 to 9. Forty per cent
Of the Italians over IA years Of age
who were admitted could neither read
nor write. Among the Hebrews % per
cent were illiterate, among the Ger
mans 4 per cent and among the Irish
immigrants less than 1 per cent
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18
A Last Embrace.

AS a well known New Yorker
stepped from a Michigan Central train
in Chicago, a handsome young lady
skipped up to him, threw her arms
rapturously about his neck, and kissed
him many times, saying, "Oh, papa.
I'm so glad you've comet" The old
gentleman threw both arms around
her and held her firmly to his breast.
Soon she looked up into his face, and
horror stood in her eye. ooh, my,
you're not my papa y she said, trying
to free herself from his embrace. Eyes,
I am" insisted the old gentleman,
holding her tightly; you are my long
lost daughter, and I'm going to keep
you right in my arms until l get pO-
liceman." When the officer came and
found the old gentleman's diamond pin
In the girls hand, he said. That's a
new trick here" as it?" was the re-
mark. "Well, it's several weeks old in
New York;
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

Convention requires that the writer
Of a letter shall at the beginning and
end of his epistle express, If he does
not feel, respect for the person whom
he addresses. Sarcasm, vituperation
and virulent hostility may be intro
duced by Dear Sir" and followed by
every respectfully, your obedient serv-
ant" The writer's Of "baboo" English
in India-some OF them, at least-are
more consistent A sympathizer with
the seditIon now In progress in India
lately wrote a letter to an English Of
fetal, which is printed I'm a London
paper, which begins, it is true, with
"Dear Sir" but concludes with this
sentence: Hoping you are not in good
health, am your enemy, Gemaji IT,
mail"
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18
PLEASANT CAPTIVITY.

Many persons are familiar with the
story Of Madam Merriam, who, In writ
ing her observations in South America,
at that time little known by natural
lists, mentioned a bird-eating spider,
and in consequence lost caste, and was
characterized by the oracles Of the day
as untrustworthy and untruthful. Yet
she was completely indicated in later
years, when South American country
was studied by other naturalists, and
the bird-eating spider found to be not
at all uncommon. Olive Thorne Miller
uses this little incident, in "The Bird
Our Brother" as a lesson for observers
Of the present time, when some un-
known fact or habit is reported, not to
be too ready to deny it because 1--WE
have never seen such a thing" AS an
illustration Of the individuality Of
birds, she gives this incident:
An interesting story of bluebird's
learning by experience was told me by
a longtime student Of the lives Of birds
in captivity in an aviary.
cage-made cripple, incapable Of free
dom, but cheerful and contented in cap
tivity, the female with wing feathers
injured so that she could not fly. The
two were kept in cage together. They
did not quarrel. but neither did they
take much notice Of each other, being
apparently perfectly Indifferent.
After some weeks the female molted,
and came out in perfect plumage, upon
which the cage door was opened for
her, that she might have her freedom.
According to the writer's on caging
birds, who usually know nothing about
such cage life as this lady provides for
her captives, the one thing for which
all Gagged birds pine is freedom, and
naturally they would suppose this blue
bird would accept hers with delight.
The captive bluebird did not hurry
out upon this invitation, but after a
while, almost as if accidentally, she
stepped out of the door, and after look
ing calmly round, flew into the garden,
and finally disappeared. Her cage
mate then first showed concern. He
began to call, and seemed so unhappy
that his kind-hearted mistress was
greatly disturbed.
A whole day went by, and the next
afternoon the mistress was called to see
a strange sight, bluebird trying to get
into the cage, while the bird within
was wild with excitement, and calling
In the sweetest tones.
She hurried to the spot, and found
the wanderer trying to squeeze herself
between the bars Of the cage. The door
was thrown open at once, and instantly
the returned bird flew IN. jumped up on
q perch, and fell to a vigorous dress
ing of plumage.
Then followed a great chattering.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

Below and between these plates Is a
third, which holds q pair Of support
ing arms, the ends of which fasten in
circular loops in the longitudinal arms
and hold them upright. The whole
apparatus can be put up anywhere In
a few minutes and taken down as cas-
lily. When not in use the supporting
arms can be slipped out Of place and
the bracket folded against the wall or
door. A board can be placed across
the top If needed.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

Popular etymology is always inter
esting, even If it is sometimes inaccu-
rate. There is the case OF the little
girl who, according to a humorist, re-
buked her mother when she was try
ing to drive a cow out OF the garden
by calling "ScatI" "You shouldn't
say scat" said the little, SAY Scow !!
ScowI" In the same way one should
say "Shenl" to a hen, and "Scrow" to
a crow, and "StrampW to q tramp,
and "Spig" to a porker. But it does
not appear how one should address
a sheep or a sparrow or a snake, or
even a snail Strange as 1t may seem,
this rule or prehxing IS" to the name
OF the creature to be driven away is
not correct, II one may believe what
e native OF Georgia says in a letter
to the New York Times. He writes
that scat is a contraction OF Hiss.
catl" and is in use In central Geor-
gia. Hiss" he says. Is q term used
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18
EXCELLENT WEATHER AND MAG.
NIFICENT CROPS.
Reports from Western Canada Are
Very Encouraging.

Reports from Western Canada Are
Very Encouraging.
A correspondent writes the Winnk
peg (Man) Free Press: 'The Pinch
er Greek District (Southern Alberta),
the original home of fall wheat, where
it has been grown without failure, dry
seasons and wet, for about 20 years,
is excelling itself this year. The yield
and quality are both phenomenal, az
has been the weather for its harvest
ing. Forty bushels is a common yield,
and many fields go up to so, go and
over, and most of it No. 1 Northern.
Even last year, which was less favor
able, similar yields were in some cases
obtained, but owing to the season the
quality was not so good. 1t is prob
ably safe to say that the average yield
from the Old Mans River to the boun-
dairy will be At or 48 bushels per
acre, and mostly No. 1 Northern. One
man has just made a net profit from
his crop of $3.50 per acre, or little
less than the selling price of land.
Land here is too cheap at present,
when a crop or two will pay for it.
and a failure almost unknown. Nor
Is the district dependent on wheat, all
other crops do well, also stock and
dairying, and there is a large market
at the doors in the mining towns up
the Crows Nest Pass, and in British
Columbia, for the abundant hay of the
district, and poultry, pork and garden
truck. Coal is near and cheap. Jim
Hill has an eye on its advantages, an
has invested here, and is bringing the
Great Northern Railroad soon, when
other lines will follow"
The wheat, oat and barley crop in
other parts Of Western Canada show
splendid yields and will make the
farmers of that country (and many OF
them are Americans) rich. The Cana
dian Government Agent for this dis
trict advises us that he will be pleased
to give information to all who desire
1t about the new land regulations by
which O. settler may now secure 160
acres in addition to his 160 homestead
acres, at $500 an acre, and also how
to reach these lands into which rail-
ways are being extended. It might be
interesting to read what is said of that
country by the editor of the Marshall
(Minn.) Messenger, who made
a trip through portions Of it in July,
1908. Passing through more than
three thousand miles of Western Can
ada's agricultural lands, touring the
northern and southern farming belts
of the Provinces of Manitoba, Saskat-
chewan and Alberta, with numerous
drives through the great grain fields,
we were made to realize not only the
magnifcence Of the crops, but the mag
nitude, in measures, of the vast terri
tory opening, and to be opened, to
farming immigration. There are hum
dreds of thousands of farmers there,
and millions of acres under cultivation,
but there is room for millions more,
and other millions Of acreage avail
able We could see in Western Can
ada In soil, product, topography or
climate, little that is different from
Minnesota, and with meeting at every
point many business men and farm
ers who went there from this state, IL
was difficult to realize one was beyond
the boundary Of the country"
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

Wn1cn is suspended Dy
a wire frame encircling the neck. The
mirror is attached to a handle which
can be quickly adjusted to suit the con-
venience of the user. Instead OF en-
deavoring to shave by the aid Of mir
ror which often is hung in dark cor
ner of a room, the user can stand in
any position near a window or other
light and obtain the exact light he de-
sires.
If this cannot be obtained in one
part OF the house. he is at liberty to
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18
Practical Pn1itica

IT don't see much sense in this spell
ing reform movement" declared the
first legislator. ct amt practical"
"Why amt it practical?" demanded
the second legislator. Cant we ap-
point a commission, with high-sRlar'
led head and seventeen minor but lu-
crative jobs? OF course it's practical"
Kansas City Journal.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

for driving small animals. and a
Georgia mother will tell her child to
Hiss the cat out Of the Kitchen" or
to Hiss the pigs out of the later
patch" But she would say, Go chunk
the cow away" AS the dictionaries
do not give the origin of the word scat
any more than Of the word cat, the
Georgian's explanation may be accept
ed as correct until a better one ap-
pearA
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18
Not a Good Thing in a Meat Market.

Not a Good Thing in a Meat Market.
ST just bought this parrot from a
butcher" said the sailor. tits a rare
sort-a gold beak. / got it at bar.
gain, too-a dollar The butcher had
paid Sc for it. But it seems the man
what sold it to him was a practical
Joker. He had known the parrot was
to ornament butcher shop and he
taught it to say the wust thing possible
for such locality.
'SHhis here parrot didn't last long,
for from his perch above the butchers
scales he kept a singin' out in a sar.
castle voice:
"'Lovely meat. Don't tell the lady
what it weighs. Just tell her what it
comes to-"
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

V eIocipe de, for
want Of a better
word, but the
horse will stand a
great deal of whip
ping without NOV
ing. The vehicle is
designed. like a
road cart, but the
third wheel, which
is some distance
I'm front GlIDnOrts
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18
REFRIGERATION.

food. The perfection of this scheme
seems to be in the manufacture Of the
interior lining Of the refrigerator in
one piece, being pressed out Of the
sheet metal and enameled in the same
manner as the porcelain bathtubs. This
leaves all the interior surfaces entire
ly smooth so that every part may be
reached with the cleaning cloth or the
brush. Another advantage claimed is
the positive immunity from leakage.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

It was near the house and tomb Of
Abraham Lincoln, In Springfield, ILL.,,
that the recent riots between blacks
and whites occurred. This is historic
irony OF q kind not new. Medieval
Europeans fought In Jerusalem for pos
session OF the tomb OF Him Who for
babe war
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

step into another room, where he
knows he can secure the correct light,
the mirror at all times accompanying
him. In addition the entire device is
collapsible, so that it can be easily
folded up and carried in a suit case
or other receptacle
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

Thalassotherapy has been adopted as
the scientific name OF a sea voyage that
IL undertaken for the purpose Of re-
storing ones health. 1t was probably
worked out by some doctor with a
small practice.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

the problem for him,
and made the task an
easy one for him. A
California man desires
to still add to the COM
forts of shaving by in
Producing a unique adj
Unstable mirror.
The mirror is held
upright on a bracket
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

During the past four or five months
10000 freight cars have been put to
work. Loafng around isn't good for
freight car, just as 1t isn't good for
man
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-11-18

Heroes like you deserve public rec
ignition. You are brave man." This
was the tribute paid by a New York
Judge to Policeman Clarence Smith,
who followed a maniac up to the top
Of the tower OF the new East River
bridge and there overpOwered him.
Smith ought to get little more than
purely verbal thanks. but he probably
won't.