davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07

velopment One very prevalent Gus
tom is that which requires sutton
to serve the parents of his intended
bride for period more or less long
before marriage. 1t is really a sur
vival of the purchase stage in the
evolution of marriage, is universal in
extent and is typified by the account
in Genesis of Jacob serving Laban.
"The remedial law, or that which
pertains to the enforcement of rights
and duties, is usually the slowest in
development and in it's origin is in
variably connected with superstition.
Our Anglo-Saxon forefathers tried
causes not by evidence, but by the
ordeal, usually test, in some form,
of physical endurance, which is also
universal institution, in England
lasting till 1915. In some form it is in
use among probably all the primitive
Malay tribes to-day and at least one
form, the boiling-water test, is iden-
tical with that employed by the Anglo
Saxons. Gov. Knight of Nueva Viz
caya tells me that among the tribes of
his province the ordeal, or trial by
battle, which was not abolished in
England until the nineteenth century,
is still in vogue"
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07
THRONES OF RUSSIAN RULERS.
For Centuries It Has Been Custom of
Each Gar to Have New One.

For 500 years it has been the custom
for each of the cars of Russia to have
new thrones, new crowns, new scep-
Hrs, and new coronation robes, and at
the close of each successive reign
these have been deposited in what
is called the treasury of the Kremlin,
together with the valuable gifts each
has received at the time of his corona
ton and during his reign from his fell
low sovereigns or his subjects, says
the Detroit News Tribune. Exhibited
with them are the thrones, and crowns,
and coronation robes of their consorts
and those of the rulers they have over
come in battle, and whose domains
from time to time have been annexed
by conquest to the Russian empire.
Thus, in the treasury, a visitor can
have an epitome of its history written
in gold, silver and precious stones.
There is succession of crowns
upon pedestals standing before the
empty thrones of those who wore
them: also the crowns and thrones of
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07

women who were our ancestors.
have several volumes of histories that
have been written about the family,
but, as is usually the case when one
has home in the city and one in the
country, the things one wants at the
moment always are among those left
behind. That is why 1 haven't any of
them here to show you. No. I think
there is one over there. The Jones
Family of Long Island You may take
it to look over if you wish. The edges
are little tattered. I guess one of
the puppy dogs must have Deen play
ing with it."
Mrs. Jones was disinclined to talk
specifically about the details of the
various holdings which make up her
own vast possessions in New York and
throughout the United States. She &C.
knowledged that her husband and her.
self were interested in almost every
branch of industry to greater or less
extent. But when the conversation
would approach anything that related
particularly to her personal business
affairs or those of the great Jones es-
tate. of which she is a sharer, she in
variably shifted the conversation to
matters genealogical or to generalities.
The most interesting of the many
famous ancestors of DR.. and Mrs.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07
CUSTOMS OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Show an Exceedingly Primitive Stage
of Development.

Of the survival of curious Malay
customs in the Philippines Judge
Charles S. Lobingur said before the
anthropological conference at Baguio:
1.-The Philippine archipelago offers a
fertile and fascinating field for the
student of historical and comparative
jurisprudence. 1t is probably the only
country in the world where the three
cosmopolitan legal systems Roman,
English and Mohammedan-ex side
by side But these are all exotic and
underneath their thin veneer lies a
substratum, which may be found all
the way from Apart to Zamboanga.
The family law is usually the Oldest
branch of any legal system, just as the
family itself is the oldest of human
institutions. And as the basis of the
family, the marriage relation is one
of the earliest subjects of archaic law.
Survivals of Malay marriage customs
throughout the Philippines indicate
ap exceedingly primitive stage Of de-
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07

the Jones family goes back to Queen
Anne, so it is likely Mrs. Jones will
retain possession.
Founder of the Family.
The foundations of her vast fortune
were laid by Maj. Thomas Jones, "who
came from Strabane in the kingdom OF
Ireland and settled with his young
wife near what is now called Oyster
Bay, L. l., in 1893. He brought with
him comfortable fortune, won on the
seas through privateering privileges
granted him by James H., whose cause
he fought for in the battle of the
Boyne. This fortune has been handed
down from the eldest of one family to
the eldest of the next through five
generations, until now the bulk of the
vast accumulations rests with Mrs
Mary Elizabeth Jones.
Mrs. Jones is the daughter of
Charles Hewlett Jones and of Eliza.
beth Oracle Gardiner. She was born
July 5, 1854, and was married to Dr.
Oliver Livingston Jones, her cousin,
when she was 10. They have six chill.
dren, two daughters and four sons.
In summer, and in fact at intervals
during the winter, the family live in
the old Jones manor house, at Cold
Spring Harbor, L. I. There is nothing
ornate or especially striking about
this country home of the woman who
is perhaps the richest of her sex in
America. 1t is simply a large, well.
built mansion of the later colonial
style of architecture, Of which it is one
of the best examples in this country
The rather battered surrey, driven
by the son of the owner of the "hackin'
business at Cold Spring Harbor,
stopped in front of the main entrance
to the mansion and remained there
during the hour and more that the re-
porter was talking to Mrs. Jones.
The richest woman in America was
gowned quite simply in something
light blue. comfortable and we'll worn
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07

The paint dealer was measuring out
quart of naphtha for a customer,
and was giving the usual admonition
against using the stuff near a fire or
light. Being rather talkative man,
he descanted at length upon the
dangers of such explosive fluids, and
related two or three instances of hor-
rible accidents due to them. The GUS
toner promised to be very careful,
and then, when the paint man straight
ened up from his STOPPING posture, the
open bottle before him and the I'M
corked jug still in his hand, both no
ticed that he was smoking!
The customer smiled, though rather
alarmed, nevertheless, and the paint
man exclaimed as he threw his cigar
into a far corner:
"Well, I'll be darned!"
Familiarity with any kind of danger
makes us careless, 1 guess" he ex-
planned, sheepishly. "But if anybody
had told me that I would do such a
thing as that never should have be-
lieved it-never."
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07

die age. But her chief charm and at
traction now is her quick, clear-cut
manner of speaking, and her large.
dark eyes, which look straight at one
while she talks. She Is a woman of ex-
traordinary strength of mind and char
acter, and it takes but a moments
acquaintance to understand why the
great Jones fortune has grown with
such rapidity under her management.
Property in Many States.
"Is it true that you own property
everywhere in the United States?"
was asked.
Eyes, almost everywhere" she an
swered. II pay taxes in every school
district on Long Island, in every or al
most every county in New York state,
and in every state in the union. No,
that last isn't so. 1 forgot about Texas.
I used to own some property in Texas
but was down there while ago and
concluded to sell it. No, l don't care
to say what the reasons were.
THAT is the only property I have
ever sold, except an acre of land that
sold to very dear friend while
ago. My rule is to always buy and
never to sell. In fact, that is the rule
that has been handed down to us from
generation to generation, and was
originated by the founder of the family
in America, Maj Thomas Jones. Our
policy has been to lease the lands we
own for terms of years and to keep
investing the surplus income"
"How large an estate have you here
about the manor house?"
Il don't know the exact number of
acres, but 1 own for two miles nearly
all around it."
This would mean that the lands d.
rectly adjoining the manor house
grounds form what in real estate par
lance would be called parcel of
ground" which would contain about
six square miles. Now, square mile
has just $40 acres. 1t is almost i'm
possible to buy an acre of ground in
the western part of Long Island now
adays. Practically every inch of even
the barrenest of plains has been
snapped up by real estate companies
and is being sold off at from $3.50 to
$1,000 lot. The six square miles of
land that Mrs. Jones owns about her
home in Cold Spring Harbor, if it could
be bought, would be snapped up in "a
hours at the average price of 81, 900 an
acre. At this figure the value of that
property alone would be nearly $4,000
900.
Antedate the Astors.
Your family is older and has great
er possessions than the Astors-isn't
that SOP hazarded the reporter.
Mrs. Jones laughed. Were certain
ly older by hundred years or so in
this country. AS to which is the
greater l couldn't say, for 1 know as
little about what the Astors have as
they do about what l own. 1 hardly
know the latter myself-accurately
that is. But, speaking of the ancestry
of our family, there is much that is in
teresting to me. In fact always have
been fond of and proud of the men and
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07
No international Marriages.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

Poland, Siberia, Georgia, Astrakan,
Kazan, the Crimea, and other nations,
which were formerly independent, but
by force of arms have been added to
the Russian empire. All are covered
with jewels, some of them among the
largest and most precious in the
world. Crowns upon crowns, thrones
upon thrones, scepters upon scepters,
rivers of rubies, cascades of diamonds,
oceans of pearls, some one has said.
The present car sensibly decided not
to have new throne. From the large
assortment of those belonging to his
predecessors he selected one made of
ivory filigree work and exquisite cary.
ing which was captured from India in
1473. The czarina selected a gor-
geous throne of ebony, heavily in.
crusted with jewels, which was cap.
tured from Persia in 1906 1t bears
SIG diamonds and 1928 rubies, besides
many other stones of lesser value.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07

He died in 1913 and was buried G
short distance south of the old Brick
House, on the east bank of the Massa
pequa river. The ancient burial place
about 80 feet square, was threatened
by inroads of the tides, and in 1899 his
remains were removed. His headstnne
bearing the inscription quoted above
is still we'll preserved. In the early
days his was known as the Pirates
Grave" and for many years after his
death it was the common belief isays
John H. Jones in his history Of the
family that some of Maj. Jones
wealth was buried with him, and sc
deeply rooted had this become that his
grave was opened by vandals in the
quest of relics, and the ancient bones
left strewn on the ground. His re
mains now rest in the burying- ground
adjoining Grace church, at South Oys
ter Bay.
Record of History.
About Maj. Jones being pirate lit
tie is known. There is extant letter
from Lieut.. Gov. Golden to his scn
written in 1859, in which he says
while Col Fletcher was governor the
inhabitants of New York carried On q
trade to Madagascar while that island
was frequented by pirates, and many
of the pirates came and dispersed OF
Long Island and around Delaware Bay
1t is also known that james II
granted Maj. Jones, in 1890, as com
pensation for services rendered, q
commission to cruise against Spanish
property. At any rate, the privateer
ing business did not last long, but was
immensely profitable while it did. II
was considered a legitimate business
in those days.
Among the many well-known anu
famous families who are related to the
richest woman in America and her hus
band are the Willetts of Flushing; the
Van Wycks of Flatlands prominent in
the colonial wars) DR.. Valentine Mott
the great surgeon; the Underhills, fa
nous mariners; the Remsens, who in
termarried with the De Peysters and
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07

a postal card from the pickle factory
every two weeks asking him if the
people along his route have all lost
their appetites.
mo literature for you," Steve an
swered.
Strange" said Willie, my lady
friends are very remiss, aren't they?"
"Yes, it looks like they were out to
drop you behind the piano." said
Steve.
Willie tore off a short rabbit laugh,
and then inquired what time the next
train left for New York.
The pickle factory expects Willie
to make Pocomoke City, Squashtown
Junction and Nubbinsville before next
Sunday, so he tossed the train gag
gust to show Steve that he knows
there's a place called New York.
"At 7:45 over the D., L. & o." said
Steve.
Whats the next?" inquired Willie.
"At $40 over the H., B. & NJ"
Steve answered.
(Which gets there frst?" Willie
isked.
"The engineer" sighed Steve.
ooh, you droll chap" said the pick
le-pusher; give me some tooth-picks"
Then Sweet William went over to
big window, burrowed into a big
chair, stuck his feet up on the brass
rail, ate toothpicks, and thought he
was IT.
When / got back to Steve he was
dealing out the cards to lady from
Reading, Pa.
Her husband had been up in the
air with bum auharaobile. and when
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07
MRS. MARY ELIZABETH JONES.

- YEW YORK.-The richest wom-
an in America-or in the
III world-may not be Mrs. Hetty
Green. The greatest land-own-
er in America may not be one
of the Astors. These are the
conclusions that probably would be
reached if the Green and the Aston
possessions could be valued correctly
and the figures compared with those
which would represent the vast wealth
of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Jones of New
York and of Cold Spring Harbor, L. l.
Further than that, the social crown
OF America, long held by the Astors by
reason of their wealth, would belong to
Mrs. Jones if she chose to claim it, for
her fortune is doubtless greater and
ber lineage in this country runs a GEN.
tury further back. She is related also,
far and near, to nearly every one of
the great families in New York and
New England whose names are written
large on the pages of American history
from the days of the Colonial wars to
now.
Probably no one, not even Mrs.
Jones herself, could say accurately
how great is her fortune. 1t is mostly
in land. She acknowledges that she
owns and pays taxes on land in every
school district on Long Island, in
nearly every county in New York
state and in every state in the union
except Texas. The property immedi-
asely surrounding the old manor house
at Cold Spring Harbor, where she
lives in summer, is worth millions of
dollars.
Her husband, DR.. Oliver Living
ston Jones, is also a great landowner,
but his possessions fall far short of his
wifes. Then there is the Jones estate,
which is owned by some % heirs,
which also runs up into scores of mil
lions in value. Three or more thea
tiers in New York city are owned by
her, and it is said to be her ambition
to own property in every city in the
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07
JOHN HENQM
ON TIE
COUNTRY
HOTEL

Dear Bunch: I'm doing a hot-foot
over the state for the insurance com
pany I've hooked up with, and I'm
having the time of my life-believe
me not.
Say, aren't some of these Reub
beaneries the Woody limit!
blew into the Commercial house at
Spoonsbury day before yesterday, and
His Nobs. the hotel clerk, certainly
staked me to a fine bundle of home
made laughs.
Did you ever make Spoonsbury,
Bunch?
Oh! it's on the map, all right.
Spoonsbury is railroad junction
where careless people change cars and
wait for the other train.
fell for this Change cars" gag and
went over to the Commercial house to
kill time.
I was deep in conversation with
Steve Splevin, the hotel clerk, when
an old guy with Persian rug trim
mings on the end of his chin squeezed
up and began to let peep out of him
about the pie he had eaten for dinner.
Calm yourself!" said Smiling Steve,
"and tell me where it bit you"
Steve has been throwing keys at
the wall for some time, and he knows
how to burn the beefers.
"Bit me! bit mel" snarled the old
guy with the tapestry chin-piece;
Hn1fb;po of fbo bind civil wopf vo,,
to know, sir, that your pie isn't fit to
eat, sir!"
"Cut it out!" suggested Steve.
"Cut it out, sir; how can cut it out
when I've eaten it, sir? It's an out
rage, and 1 shall leave this hotel to-
morrow" said Omar Khayaam.
with the exception of $31.72, bal
ance due, that will be about all from
you," said Steve.
I'll see the proprietor" said the old
guy, moving away with face on him
like four dollars in bad money.
eve get it good and plenty every
day." said Steve, and just then some
| thing about six feet tall, wearing a
SLOUGH hat and gilt mustache fell
against the counter, grabbed the regis
ter and buried a stub pen in it's pages.
After looking over the result, I de-
cided the strangers first name must
be Skate, because it looked like one
on the register.
"Bath?" queried Steve.
"Only during hot wave" said
Skate.
Steve went to the ropes, but he
came up smiling, as usual.
American or European" asked
Steve.
Neither said Skate Don't you
see I'm from Jersey City,"
Going to be with us long?" inquired
Steve.
Say, Bub! you're hellanall on ask
ing questions, now amt you?" an
swered Skate. "You just push me into
stall and lock the gate-Tm tired"
Front! show this gentleman to
49," said Steve, side-stepping to avoid
punishment
Then Sweet William, the Boy Drum
mer, hoped into the ring for the next
round.
Willie peddles pickles for the fun
he gets out of it.
1t is Willie's joy and delight to
get ginger-ale bun on and recite
"Osler joe"
When trained down to 95 fiat, Willie
can get up and beat the clapper off
"Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight"
When Willie gets strangle-hold on
"Sheridan's Ride" you can hear horses
galloping outside.
It's the rest of the community get
ting out of harms way.
"Any mail?" inquired Willie.
All the mail that Willie ever gets is
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07

"Why, we lived a whole week in Pitts
burg for less than that"
"You can turn the same trick here
if you carry your own choke and sleep
in the park" said Steve.
whats the name of this mint?"
asked the villain.
Steve told him,
"To the tow-path!" said Barrett
Macready; we're outside the lifelines.
We thought it was the Liverwurst no
tel, where they throw things at your
appetite for 81 a day, double. To
the left, wheel! Forward, march,"
1 followed those two troupers out
to the dingy barroom, because the
moment / saw them / knew it was a
cinch they'd pull some wheezes that
that would hand me couple Of CUFFS.
"The woods for ours! Isn't this a
bird of place for show to get
| stranded?" groaned the low comic, as
he gave the Reub bartender the high
sign, and the latter pushed forward
two glasses and black bottle.
ut wouldn't have been so bad if the
show had gone to pieces in some burg
where the people have insomnia in
the daytime" the juvenile growled.
"But here, Mike, the men go to work
in their pajamas, and the town has
mt any street cars because the con-
ductor's bell sounds too much like an
| alarm-clock, and it might wake the
| mayor"
think that will hold you for to-
night, Bunch. It's enough for me,
and if I'm strong enough tomorrow
I'll hand you the balance.
Same as ever,
J. H.
0,onvripht 1909 hu q w niI1innhn,,n Go \
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07

A diamond ring or so, with the stones
set in the fashion of generation ago,
sparkled on her fingers. Her almost
white hair was combed straight back
from her forehead, with just a slight
puff to relieve its severity. In her girl
hood Mrs. Jones must have been very
beautiful; she is handsome in her mid
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07
ENTRANCE nAlk HALL

United States. She owns property in
most of them now and each year gets
nearer to realization of her ambition.
The other day she had a controversy
with the city of New. York about the
ownership of the sunken meadows up
in the East river They are estimated
to be worth $1,000,00O. The grant to
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07
Secret Prison Writinn.

A remarkable secret writing of the
prisons has been brought to notice in
Germany by Prof. Gross. A we'll
moistened sheet of writing paper is
laid on hard, smooth surface under
dry sheet, a hard point being then
used to write on the latter, which then
at once destroyed. The writing, which
disappears from the bottom sheet on
gradually drying, reappears distinct
ly as often as the sheet is moistened.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07
Chinese Sacred Number.

Five is the sacred number of the
Chinese, who have five planets, five
cardinal points, five virtues, five
tastes, five musical tones. five rsnks of
nobility and five colors.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07

he came down he was several sections
shy.
They found a monkey-wrench i'm
bedded in his left shoulder which he
couldn't remember using when he
tried to fix the machine.
She was travelling for his health.
"My room is Immediately over the
Kitchen" she informed Steve.
"The cook hasn't made a kick up to
now" Steve went back at her.
"But they've been frying onions
ever since we took the room yester-
day afternoon" she snapped.
eyes, madam" chortled smiling
Steve, "this is a local option town,
and the onion is the only pickle that's
allowed to appear in public"
She started a get-back, but her in
dignation choked her, so she gave
Steve the society sting with both eyes
and 1ounced out.
Steve bit the end off a penholder
and said the rest internally.
Just then couple OF troupers
trailed in.
They were with the Bandits Bride
Co." and the way had been long and
weary.
What have you got-double?"
asked the villain of the piece.
1.-TWO dollars and up!" said Steve.
Nothing better?" inquired Low
Comedy. He was making crack, but
nobody caught him.
-Four dollars, with BATH" Steve sug-
gested.
"Board?" asked the villain.
Nothing but sleeps and fresh
cake of SOAP" said Steve.
"Ring down." Low Comedy put in.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07

the Livingstons; the Tangier Smiths
(whose ancestor was governor of Tan.
gier, Africa, under Charles H.; the
Cornells, the Weekses, the Living
stons (who were among the aristoc-
racy when New Amsterdam was viii
lage) the GARDENERS, who were and are
the lords of GARDENERS Island; the
Scudders, the Hewletts and scores be-
side. They are also related to the Fol-
som family, of which Mrs. Grover
Cleveland is member.
Such is the woman, her family past
and present.
No international Marriages.
About the last words that closed the
reporters interview with Mrs. Jones
was his query whether any of her fam
lily had made or were likely to make
any international marriages, and thus
transfer some of the Jones millions
to bolster up decayed nobility.
1--WE certainly have not, and 1 don't
think we are likely to-" she answered
emphatically. eve are Americans,
and are proud of it. Our wealth lies
here, and here it will stay so long as
God wills to keep it in our hands.
had rather be plain American WON.
an, as 1 am, than the queen of any
country under the sum-"
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07
Air Makes French People Cheerful

One of the great charms of Paris
is certainly its atmosphere-so clear,
light and buoyant; 1t Is like inhaling
champagne. Paris in May or june is
sufficient to convert the veriest Of
hypochondriac into a cheerful. good
natured being. This climate has, no
doubt, a great influence on the char
acter of the people, and accounts for
their joyousness, their excitability,
their wit-Donahoe's Magazine.