davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Blue-grass blade., 1908-09-13
From Judge Laid.

Most worthy friend and fellow worker
along the great highway of Freethought. for
the emancipation of Christian freedom.
IL gives me more than pleasure to greet
the members of your convention in Ohio
the State of my childhood and early life
cincinnati, the home and pride of nv low
lui days where l first imbibed the thought
ana proclaimed to the world my unbeief
III all religions, gods, heavens, devils. and
helfs; this came to me as a mater of com.
mon sense; much study has fully confirmed
my early Impressions
In 1862 embarked for that sunset land
where the pillows of the Pacific Ocean wash
the golden sands of California. In this nv
adopted home the population is cosmopoli
tah' the most of our citizens are Freethnk
ers. Catholics and some women are still
in the cesspool of Christianity.
NOW TO my dear friends of the conven.
ton at Canol Dover, let me say: Never tire
OF the grand work in which you are en-.
gagged, for what can be more noble than
10 labor for the uplifting of humanity.
Id religious convention held i'm Rochester
T., l think, few years ago, one of the
most learned of its members, a professor
toid those present that they were standing
around the death bed of a great religion.
never were words more true The world
mas outlived Christianity; it must die. The
stories OF creation, Adam and Eve. the gar
Den OF Eden, flaming sword, as well as the
mood, are already dead, killed by science
and the unearthed tablet history of Babylon
Inc authenticity of the bible has been de-
stroyed by the higher criticism. The more
ihtelilgent OF the Protestant clergy are fast
renouncing Christianity; nor is that all; for
we now have large number, if not n ma
)ority, of the leading bishops and priests
Oh the Catholic Church at war with the
pope. Ihese men in their modernism have
declared every tent of Christianity TO be
Ialse; to which they add that god. their
deus primus." cannot be known to reason.
IL SNORT tney stand on the same platform
Is do vast change is at our very
loors' lew years more when Christianity
VIII go in search of witchcraft. In France
is not only dead but buried. a
enc OF old women standing at the grave is
vi that is left in France. Italy is nearly
eady to follow and Spain is but little be-
ind Our country. except for the combine
the priesthood and politicians, would fol-
ow but our people must realize, as Eu-
ope has done, the curse of Christianity
efore the yoke of superstition is finally
brown off.
IN conclusion, dear friends in convention
I Canal Dover, keep on in your good work
Continued on Page Ten.)
Blue-grass blade., 1908-09-13

SoiuInpuS Next year.
came forward and signed applications for
membership which increased the roster and
the future prosperity of the Union now
became doubly assured
After some discussion the convention
unanimously voted to hold the next annual
convention in Columbus. This selection
was made as being the most central loca-
ton, OF easy access, and calculated to do
more good. Marietta, Urichsville and Zoar.
ONO, were also applicants for the conven-
ton, but the latter gracefully yielded after
the benefits of holding it in Columbus had
been shown by several speakers.
The audience had now increased. and
despite the fact that Masonic ceremony
OF laying foundation stone for a hospital
was also in progress, the body of the Opera
House was well and comfortably filed.
Adjournment was now taken for supper.
Reproduction of Letters.
Following is list of the letters and
previously mentioned:
From Our Own Harriet.
10 Buckeye Secular Union and Materialist
Association in Joint Session at Canal
Dover, Ohio.
Greeting:-I regret my inability to he
present on the occasion of this convention
to clasp hands with the men and women
VINO impersonate the idea of independence
OF thought. l regret that cannot look
into the faces of this band of individuals
VINO represent the majesty of manhood to
protect and the willingness OF womanhood
10 uphold the age of fidelity to principle
winch during past decades seems to have
been submerged in the great deIuge of dis
honor which has swept our country from
shore to shore.
1t is superfuous for me to say-for you al
ieauy r'ailze lt-that strenuous struggles
ana sacrifices are yet before u.s. To be
convinced of the truth of such assertion we
have but to cast our eyes backward over
The trail of tragedies which reach to our
very doors.
Iherefore-realizing that society is un-
safe so long as single unit In its compost
lion is unsafe-the call to Rationalists is
nsistent and they should seek to secure
or the lowliest member of society the en-
arged opportunities for mental and physi
al embodiment which makes for progress
When individuals realize, to the extent of
lcting ohe part, that each one represents
lumahltys inherent and inalienable right
o life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi-
'ess' the wish to invade such right will
anish away. The evolution of good VIII
70 accomplished and liberty and justice
viii be ours.
greet and congratulate YOU
HARRIET NJ CLOSE.
Blue-grass blade., 1908-09-13
Dr.. T. J. BowIes.

noon session. This was a talk from Dr
1. }. Bowles, of Muncie, Indiana author
OF the Blades serial article on the per
sistence of Superstition" Rich and rare.
eloquent and powerful, DR.. Bowles laid
hard upon the orthodox superstitions of
the DAY and by strong line of reasoning
demonstrated how, in the very nature of
things, priestcraft must perish from the
eartn and an era of love arise in their
place and stead. DR.. Bowles was frequently
appiauded. He was at his best, for his ad-
dress was given with an unusual vigor.
which moved all present to storms of an
plause. Accorded an ovation as he rose
to address the convention, the audience
showed no stint of praise and commenda-
ton for he received another ovation as he
closed.
Ihis speech is in manuscript and as II
is too long to print in this issue it will
be given in its entirety in a SUBSEQUENT
issue of the Blade.
Letters Are Read
AT this point the several letters received
by President Roberts were read to the con.
vention, including poem from Matilda C.
Wv oi'Sh III luil
Editor Sercombe.
Calls were now made for Parker Fl Ser.
compe, editor of Tomorrow Magazine, and
this sterling humanitarian and philosopher
responded in short talk, urging upon
Freethinkefs to take up the work of the
convention when they had returned to
their homes and strive to build up similar
organization in every State He was origi.
nal and captivating. 1t was in reality Ser
combe himself, and this lack of the con-
ventional, his open, free and companionable
characteristics won the hearts of EVERYDAY
present. AS he finished he insisted that
Dr' ). Is. Wilson should offer few remarks
upon the subject of organization by States.
Dr. wilson responded to the call, but in
stead OF discussing the subject suggested.
This valiant champion of Freethought read
an original poem upon Parker H. Ser
combe which caught everybody. It is en-
Titled The Crank" The Blade will print
tnis poem, but as Sercombe had inspired it
the Blade yielded to courtesy for a brother
Freethought journalist by asking that it
first be printed in Tomorrow. from which
The Blade will reproduce it.
This brought the afternoon session to a
close number of Freethinkers had come
'Ver from Massillon, Ohio, by traction car.
o take In the convention and hear the
'peeches, among them being j. d. Hunt.
me OF the leading men in that little city
md a banker, but witha one who is not
fraid to show his colors.
Many New Members Made.
Upon request of President Roberts. sun.
lemented by brief talk from Secretary
Blue-grass blade., 1908-09-13
BLUE GRASS BLADE

Lou Lawrence and DR.. Wilson, several now
Columbus Next Year.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-24
Barn DESTROYED

The barn and ice house of
G.. A. Wood was destroyed by
fire last Sunday afternoon about
three o'clock. The building was
out of reach of the waterworks
protection and the large crowd
that gathered at the fire alarm
could only stand by and see the
building burn. A strong wind
was blowing, but fortunately
from the northwest, and the
flames were thus carried away
from the house. Mr.. Wood had
been drying out q large tank
that was in the upper part of the
barn, and had an oil stove in
operation in the tank to help the
drying out process. 1t was the
explosion of the stove when
there was no one around the
tank that started the fire. After
the fire was first seen there was
just enough time left to get the
carriages and buggies out of the
building before it became unsafe
The loss was about 81, 900 and
there was an insurance of $500
on the building.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-24
Excelsior Club

April 18th Mrs. Smith enter.
tertained the club members at
her pleasant home. Roll cal
was responded to by current ev.
ents in regard to miners. Mrs.
Kelsey gave paper on VIM.
Dean Howell with extracts from
his "Rise of Silas Gapham. ~
Mrs. Mills contributed a paper
on the"Art Schools of the U. S. "
Mrs. Conright introduced the
club mem bers to Brete Hart and
his Luck of Roaring Camp "
Mrs. Rix reported that the COM
mittee appointed to wait IN the
city council asking for a street
lamp on the library corner were
very kindly received, the peti-
tion granted and the lamp placed
in position. For their kindness
and promptness in the matter
many thanks are due the coun-
Gil. The session closed to meet
with Mrs. Clark April goth.
The hostess served a supper
that was thoroughly enjoyed by
all present.
E. G. HALL, reporter.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-24

George Middlebrook took the
train Tuesday for Minneapolis
where he will be joined by Mrs.
Middlebr Cok and later make q
VISIT to the old home in Wiscou-
SIN.
Moutevideo Advance: The
Misses May Farley and Nav
Phelan of Milbank were here to
attend the Firemen s dance Mon
day night. They were guests
OF Miss Gertie Kelly.
A. S. Young in remittinQ his
subscription from Hoo uaim.
WASH, states that his health had
been very poor during the win
ter, but that he had been able to
do his janitor work alone and
was feeling stronger this sprine.
F. A. Craft, Of Mitchell, the
state fre marshal, was in town
the first of the week, talking fire
care and looking oyer the sitnar
ton in Milbank. Mr.. Graft
was q resident Of Milbank 1er
some time years ago, when -
was acting as the Singer 8ewing
Machine agent. 81
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-24

Miss Marjory Mcpherson, who
is attending the Chicago Train
ing school, writes the following
account of the breaking of
ground for an additional building
at the school.
"At $3.50 Tuesday afternoon the
student body accompanied by the
faculty, Bishop Mcdowell and sever.
al of the ministers from the city
marched across the street to the lot.
Here they had song and prayer
Miss Monnett being unable to 60 Mr..
Meyer turned the first sod in her
name at which the students all turned
to the window where she was sitting
and gave her the chautauqua salute.
Then the Bishop, the other ministers,
and representatives from the faculty
and each class also turned some sod,
using spade tied with the school
colOrs, green and white.
AS the weather was not very favor
able they all adjourned to the school
chapel where short service of pray
er and song was held, followed with
an address by Bishop Mcdowell.
Many outside who are Interested in
the school and it's work were present
and the chapel was crowded.
The building will be built in memory
OF Mary Delamar Monnett, mother OF
the donor OF the gift which made the
building possible; and will be called
Monnett Memorial Hail."
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-24

Application OF Lawrence Readel for an extern
sion oSoAe J ear on loan No. is on east 4 Of
weet n Sec Stownship l2l range 30 was granted
Application OF Carl Pearson for loan of $1,000
Of the permanent school fund on the north u
OF southeast a, southwest a Of northeastA and
l2l range SO was approved.
On motion, resolved that the board Of county
commissioners IN regular session hereby agree
to pay one half the cost of the proper observa-
tton Of Decoration day by the A r. Provided
however that such cum does not exceed the
sum OF $50 to be paid out OF the county fund.
Board adjourned to April 9th, 1908.
Chas McWaters,
County Auditor.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-24
Considerable of a DrOuth

At the various city cleo lions
in the state last Tuesday the
liquor question in pretty nearly
all of them was the leading or
only issue. Among the towns
going dry were Mitchell,
by 18, Groton 2; Sisseton Is;
Bristol, Britton and Woonsocket.
Webster was carried for license
by 100 majority ana Aberdeen
by 519. Redtield was so close
that we understand the election
is being contested.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-24
The Vote

The interest in the city elec.
tion last Tuesday centered en-.
tirely around the license ques-
ton, and the matter was warmly
contested throughout the cam
palgn, which has been on for the
past two months. The vote in
the three wards was as follows:
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-24
Miihank SD Anril 9th 1903

MItbAnK > u April 9t1 INIo
to adjournment Of Wednesday April sth, 1908
with all members present. The following bills
for which warrants were drawn were audited and
approved:
Engund county treas sal for Feb i9os$l.5 o.
a Croal Milbank sewer tax. .ySt o5
Louis schultz, dep county auditor eslary
L II BENTLEY, state attorney cal Tor Feb 1908 rs %
l. G Lnndqnis, dep t,eaaurer" = 90 on
George Silk county judg. y 3" y 50 30
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-24
MORE SALES DAY TALK
Merchants Favor the Market or Sales
Day and are Discussing Various
Plans. Entertainment NJ
Auctfoneer for Crying Sales
tO Re Given Free

Auctfoneer for Crying Sales
to Be Given Free.
The matter of a sales day has
been quite literally discussed
since the appearance of the mar
ket day article IN last weeks is
sue of the Herald. 1t was i'm.
possible to interview all the mer-
chants, but those seen were in
favor of it-providlng-that all
put their shoulder to the wheel
and PUSH!
One merchant said he believed
it would be far better to take the
money which would be necessary
for fourth of July celebration
and spread it out through a half
dozen market days. This could
be easily done-pay for music,
all prizes, auctioneer, and the
last sales day would come in Oc-
tober.
Another favored a meeting
to be held at the city hall and
each one discuss the matter. A
vote could be taken and the ma
jority rule.
There are many ways of con.
Quoting sales or market day,
accord ding to the town and it's To-
cation and how we'll they are ad-
vcrtlsed.
The most successful plan in
cities the size of Milbank has
been about as follows:
The merchants estimate about
the approximate cost of a series
of sales days, generally six. A
petition is circulated. If the
amount necessary is subscribed
plans are then laid for the day,
generally Saturday, but this is
optional; hours set for entertain
ment, which generally consists
of band concert of an hour on
Main street. From II to IL is
generally used for the sale of
live stock, farm machinery aud
anything else which the farmer
may wish to bring IN for sale,
which is by auction and free.
The band generally gives short
concert at 80 which is followed
by an hour of entertainment con-
sist of loot races, jumping, and
sucn other contests as may be
suggested. A ball game may be
added or substituted, if in the
former case a small admission
fee should be charged by the
ball boys to defray their own ex-
penses. The evening can be dis
posed of as best seen fit; some
cities having a free concert on
the street Or at the opera house.
rhe above can be varied to
suit. Some cities offer prizes to
the parties hauling load Of
grain to the city the longest dis
tance; for the largest load; for
the largest cash purchase, etc.
Whel ever sales days have
been handled right they have
been a success.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-24

Chairman. Chas. McWaters,
Secretary.
The minutes of the last regular meeting and
the adjourned meetings of February 7th AID sth
We're read and approved as read
The petition from Georgia School No was
laid over to April q, 1908.
An abatement of 81 81 personal tax, for the
year 1907 was granted to j. L. W. Zietlow, the
same having been assessed to to the Dakota Tel
ephone Co.
The following bills were audited and allowed
and warrants drawn for the sqmc
Vogelsang K Erickson, coal to county farmS9 rs
Sanitary Chemical Works, bl of no dust. 9 90
Henry Duncan fnmigation at Hans Hen
Bentley, state attorney salary for "
Geo Rix, County judge; sal for March 1905 s. 30
Geo w Sine clerk in supt of school office. 25
o T Brusuen, mdse to Mrs. John Hogan for
Jan, Feb and March, 1903. .................1 II 50
A kcieseI, investigation, fumigation and
Krieser, viewing body OF James Dore 10 -
and taking information n................ IS 20
tion smallpox 25 90
Mittelstaedt Bros. mdse to county ....... 60
Lsuster Bros, mdse to Mrs. Obitz ......... II 20
Chas McWnters commission on Sl6o school
books sold ld......................... l6 90
Fisher filing 3 SAWS for county farm. Is
Joseph Ede, grinding feed for county farm 0
Albert Hcll., cash advanced for domestic
labor on county tarm.... 80. ...... -. 80 90
John Lowitz, work on county farm Jan,
Feb and March al Sl5 per month ........ As 90
Ben Burr, 80 bushels of oats to county farm
at 80 cents per bushel. hel.................... 25 90
Joseph Eide, one hog to county farm ..... 90
August Notte, work on county farm. 49,. 50
Albert Helm. salary supt county farm first
quarter ending March 3lst 1905 ......... 1870 OO
Fred hcttenbeii, grinding feed for county
farm ........................... l TO
Chas McWaters, box rent ent.... IS
W Nixon stamps to county 20 %
o G Frink, investigation and fumgation
smallpox :;......................l II GO
John r Gustafson, wolf bounty l so
Educator School Supply Co, supplies to
county supt... ........................... 13 IS
Hammond Il stephens Co supp to county. Is A.
Otto IIauer, wolf bounty ..... ............ so
LahuoeIS 8 TO
Educator school Supply Co supp to county 50
Schwantes Il kuderlin. mdse to Mrs. Obltz Is %
ID BnrkharGt coal to county. Is 81
John Nelson mdse to Aug Lundberg.... 3 90
Helen klatte, service as nurse to Mrs Geo
IesaiD. D.................. ................... 40 s.
Educator School supply Co supp to count, is 90
Hammod, investigation and fumga-
tion smallpox. Observation-Disclosures. Is Oh
Ben 4 Oehler mdse to Mrs ObitZ. ........ ~
Will Beach printing Co, supplies to clerk
Dakota Central Telephone Co rent for
phone at conrt house three months w 90
Board adjourned to April sth, 1905.
Chas McWaters
County Auditor.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-24
Phone No. 8 for groceries,

Phone No. for groceries.
The 'OS Juniors will serve Ice
cream at the gym tomorrow eve.
VIM. Enos was home from Viii.
mot Tuesday.
Your attention is directed to a
change in the Farmers Bank ad.
Mrs. Kuederling, of Big Stone
returned home Wednesday after
a weeks visit to her daughter,
Mrs. Phi. LauX.
Miss Clara Whempner, who
had been visiting at Minneapolis
and at points in Wisconsin, re-
turned home this week.
Alfred Carl who had been at
the Soldiers home at Hot Springs
during the winter returned to
Milbank Monday. VIM, Shaw
who had also been at the Home
went to Madison.
Word comes from Minneapolis
that Lloyd Hocum who has been
in that city for several weeks
receiving treatment for kidney
trouble, is not improving, but is
growing weaker.
Ex Congress man Frank NJ.
Eddy gave his second lecture at
the opera house Sunday evening
to crowded house. Mr.. Eddy
is a forceful and interesting
speaker on the temperance
question, and presented a lot of
facts in a logical and pleasing
manner. He was we'll worth
listening to.
Ed S Healy, one of our MIL
bank Iolks who moved to North
Dakota a few years ago, came
down the first of the week and
has been spending several days
with his old friends here. Eds
friends are pleased to know that
he and his family are getting
along nicely in Observation-Disclosures
home. He says that when they
left Milbank they thought per-
haps they would never find so
many good friends in any other
place, but he says they have
very fine class of people at Glen
burn, and it has gotten to be a
genuine home to both himself
and family.
AS we have heard consider
about the enforcement of the
prohibitory law in North Dakota
we asked Mr.. Healy what he
knew about it, as one who had
lived in the state, and whom our
Milbank people know as man
who would give careful and
conservative opinion on any mat
ter with which he was conver-
SAINT. He says that he could
only speak for his own communi-
ty personally, but that from re-
ports he belived that in most of
the eastern and older settled
por tiors of the state similar con.
ditions were likely to exist. 1t
was, that for some time after
the prohibitory law first went
into effect there were a number
of blind pigs, but that they were
generally cleaned out, and at the
present time there is very little
liquor sold in the community.
That the towns where there was
q sentiment favorable to the en-
forcement of the law it was pref
ty generally enforced, but tha,
in some of the towns of the more
newly settled part OF the state
no serious attempt was made to
make the law effective. and of
course liquor could be obtained
as freely as in any license com.
munity. In fact the people of
the community got about what
they desired, and when they de-
manded the cleaning out of the
blind pigs there was little
trouble in making the law effec-
tive.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-24
Milbank. S Oak. April s. lsns

Milbank 5 Oak, pril s. 1905
Board OF county comm ssoners met pursuant
TO adjournment Of April 1th, 1908. with all mem
bers present. The following rills were audited
and allowed and warrants drawn for the same:
w S Nixon, freight express box and water
rent and telephone messages. es............. II IS
hntone > Lnpehlck, wolf bounty ......... l so
w Wilson. janitor at teachers meeting
and coal tor same. me....................... co
n + Nelson mdse to county Board OF Health6O 50
! forsIth, mdse 10 Mrs ObltZ. ............ 13
l. Z Ingold, woodfOr court house. .. 90
Eng und. county treasurer, exchange
on draft ......................... 10 20
Nixon, stamps received as fees. s..... 20
N Englund. hox rent ent..... 60
frown oaenger, supplies to county audit l 50
News rrtg 20, supplies TO county ........ l45 50
News Prtg Co Drim election supp TO county PSI t5
News prtg Co, supplies to county "a 15
M j Filbert posting notices of nrin alacfinn 2 D0
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-24

The total vote cast was 437,
the first ward casting 124, sec
Ond ward 1856 and the third ward
157. The total vote ran to SO
more than at the spring election
last year.