davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
A Blade of Grass,

1t was only last spring that | was
walking down Macdougal street one
morning and noticed a swarthy, olive
skinned Italian lad on the steps of a
one-time mansion, now turned tene-
ment, busily poking oats into the dirty
cracks Of the stone steps. l stopped a
moment and noticed that down one
side We're already growing encourag.
ing little green sprouts | asked if he
had planted those also, and learned
that every day he picked up the oats
that were dropped by the horses feed
ing from their bags, and planted them.
Then when they came up he trans
planted them into paper shoe box
which he proudly pointed out TO me on
the sill Of an attic window.
Theresa" he informed me, got a
real garden off the nurse, but | amt
sick, so | made one" | looked around
me, and verify TOny's box and tiny
row of green blades were the only
growing things my eyes could light
upon in any direction.
A similar story of appreciation Is
told by settlement worker who was
making her way down Allen street,
the dingiest of all East side streets.
the darkest and most forbidding, when
she noticed little girl tracing a fin.
ger line around two grass blades at
the foot of an elevated station pillar.
You have a flower, haven't you?"
she vouchsafed interestedly.
"'Taint no flower, teacher" was
the indignant protest. here stands a
park. The Craftsman
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Famous American Artist.

When Edwin A. Abbey, r. A., who
has just left England for his home in
Pennsylvania, first went to Great
Britain, he had a commission for a
great many drawings and went to
Stratford-on-Avon. There he engaged
a nice room at the hotel, but did not
ask what the terms were. When he
asked for his bill he received shock
and was obliged to leave his trunk
with the landlord and come on tc
London. There is not much of the art
ist in Mr.. Abbey's appearance. Were
it not for his big, goldrimmed spec.
tacles and his tousled hair one would
lake him for sportsman, for he likes
very light suits and startling ties.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06

just telling you because you can see
for yourself how 1t is. We need every
vote we can rake and scrape. There's
lots of ugly talk about this thing in
my neighborhooG, and it's the same
everywhere. Well, so long"
Now this song and dance" might
be reeled off by some fellow'who had
25-foot lot that was on a street that
was about to be paved with cheap
paving, and his advice" was -four
flush" to try to get reconsideration"
by the board of local Improvements of
the order to pave, If he succeeded, he
would save few dollars in assess
ments. He goes away thinking he has
started something doing which may
lead to reconsideration" The facts
are that his "spiel' has fallen on alb
solutely barren ground. The question
of politics "cuts no ice" whatever
with the matter he is arguing, and a
passing street band playing "Hiawa-
tina" would exert as much influence as
he does in politics. Everyone except
Il6 hlLubOh hHOW JAdJ WHdI lie say 8,
does, thinks and feels is of no more
importance than a rabbit.
No one but a rank "four-fusher''
makes these senseless breaks" but
the large cities simply swarm with
rank "four-flushers."
A favorite scheme of the standard
'four-flushers" IN elections was to put
up an independent" dummy" candi.
date. Sometimes two dummy" can
didates were put forward in the race.
Suppose. for instance, that "A" and
"B" are the regular candidates of the
main parties. "B," we will say, is the
stronger of the two. "A" finances the
nomination of an independent" can
didate, or Prohibition, Labor-Social-
ist, or any old candidate whom he may
think will weaken "B's" chances. If
B. thinks the move will weaken him,
he may up with an independent can
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
HISTORIC PEN HELD AS RELIC.
Used by Franklin in Signing Declare.
tion Of independence.

George Edward McLeland, who lives
at 1925 North New Jersey street, Indi.
annapolis, does not have much use for
a pen, inasmuch as he is not yet five
years old, but he nevertheless has the
most interesting pen in Indianapolis.
II is the one with which Benjamin
Franklin signed the Declaration Of
Independence. His grandfather, Capt.
George w. McLeland, who has passed
his sighty-sixth birthday, has handed
the relic down to the younger George.
Capt. McLeland received it from his
grandfather, Alexander McLeland, who
was a page in the continental con-
gress.
Grandfather was page in that
historic congress-" said the youthful
Georges S6-year-old grandfather, and
he was nicknamed Sandy by its
members. He gave me this pen, which
is made of a wild turkey feather, when
| last saw him at our home down in
Jefferson county, in 1881.
You see, was only a shaver. about
as big as young George there. when he
gave it to me. He told me that all the
men who signed the Declaration of In
dependence did not use the same pen,
and that when Franklin signed it he
turned to him and said; Here, Sandy.
you take this and keep 1t. and now
run along and tell the sexton to ring
the bell and he then. with this pen
in his hand, FASTENED out to the old
man at the bell. and the first music Of
liberty rang out on the air.
My grandfather lived to be S5
years old, and now that | have passed
that milestone, and my days are num-
bered, | pass the old relic down two
generations. l came very near, how
ever, turning it over to the old liberty
bell people when the bell was in Indi-
annapolis a few years ago"
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06

tied Republican or Democrat who,
after election, slides gracefully back
into party traces, perfectly satisfied
to have his independence" elect him,
but carrying the joke no further.
Reform is prolific source of politi-
cal "four-fushins. Take some bust
ness which offends certain Of the more
puritanically inclined citizens. This
business may be regularly licensed
and declared legal, and there may be
constitutional grounds which, until a
change in the constitution, would alb.
solutely prevent interference in the
business on the Eart of the authori-
ties. Does this daunt the "four-flush-
err who wishes little advertising?
Not bit of it. He gets together his
cohorts and besleges the political au-
thorities demanding that they do those
things which are under the law abso-
lutely forbidden.
The authorities consult the law de.
partment, and the department gives
an opinion, based on the soundest au-
thority, that the proposition is unten-
able. Then the reforming -four
fiusher" holds few public meetings
and adds some more "four-hushers" to
the list. Speeches are made and the
authorities are denounced, also the
lawyers who have given the dissent
ing opinion to the views of the reform
''four-flushers.'
Then some scintillating genius
among the brethren suggests that an
injunction be obtained from some per-
fectly unbiased" judge. A descent
is made upon the courts, perfectly
unbiased" and complaisant jurist is
picked out, who issues an injunction,
and the "four-flushers" gather to offer
up thanks. All appeal being taken
from his ruling, the state court, or the
supreme court of the United States,
hands down an opinion that the ''un-
biased judge is an ASS" or words to
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Grosvenor Got It.

Athens. O.-The ground for Athens
now government building has been
purchased on West Union street
through Assistant District Attorney
Moulinier of Cincinnati. The sum
paid Roach e. Lawrence, the les.
sees, was $17,500. This is the build.
ing secured by Gen. Grosvenor during
his last days in congress, allowed by
his associates in recognition of his
long term of service
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
catrow,s Arrest Ordered.

Tanslaughtcr was issued for the arrest
of Col II. q. CatrOw. Col CatrOw re-
Gently struck Eugene Sullivan, an aged
laborer. while running his automobile
at high rate of speed, as charged by
the cOroners verdict. He is a mil
lionaire. resident of Miamisburg and
vas republican candidate for congress
until about week after the accident,
when he withdrew from the race on
account of the notoriety in which the
incident involved him.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06

the fellow who would get you in a
corner and reason with you, emphasiz.
ing his points" earnestly, but in an
undertone.
You know how that is, Mac" he
would go on. THE people out there
feel that way, and that's the way they
feel all over the city. It's strange to
me that some one hasn't pointed it out
to the mayor. If something isn't done
well lose out election day. Such a
comparatively small thing, too. 1t
don't make any difference to me per-
sonally, for | don't care. But don't
want to see our boys lose. Somebody
ought to see his honor about it. I'm
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
SUICIDE LETTER
Exonerate Spence Of Charge Of Ar
son and He May Be Freed.

Columbus. O-Has DR.. A. ID. Spence.
Of Lebanon, who is recommended for
a pardon by the state board, been
serving time in the penitentiary for a
crime committed by another?
The board acted solely upon a letter
left by a suicide, the agent for
Spence's property, in which he de-
plores the injustice done Spence and
declares that he fired the house in or
der that the owner could secure sutfi-
cient means with which to go west,
and that Spence had no knowledge of
the act.
Spence has been in prison foc almost
year and it is understood that Gov.
Harris will free him.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06

the others at the card table and there
by rake down the pot But it does
not always work.
In politics | have seen enormous
quantities of "four-fushing" INDUCED
in; and in fact about two-fifths of all
politics is ''four-flushing"
In the various angles of the political
game there may be counter -four
flushing" or practicing the art on
both sides, or if there are four or five
candidates in The field, there may be
only one candidate who really stands
any show of election, and a quartette
Of ''four-fushers" gaily bringing up
the rear. The also rams" have entered
the race for various reasons. Some
of them get a little notoriety, some of
them to try their political strength,
and others for the purpose of leading
forlorn hope against the probable
winner.
There are "four-fushers" who ply
their vocation deliberately, and those
who do it by dint of long practice at
assimilation; and still others who
have the practice forced on them by
reason of circumstances. Some men
are born to it; other men achieve
''four-fushing, and others still have it
thrust upon them. There are the loud
mouthed and noisy members of the
tribe, and also the quiet and persuas-
lively earnest devotees of the cult The
blatant ones are the fellows who usu-
ally wear large headlight" diamond
stud, and who bring down to the down.
town political headquarters astOnish-
ing reports about what they are going
to do in their particular wards.
| recollect particularly one of this
kind He was always going to do
great things And he would demon
strate by verba! mathematics just how
it was "cinch' that he had the ward
tied up as tight as snare drum. All
suggestions that he might possibly be
mistaken were either pooh-poohed
away, or you were given to under
stand that you were dead nutty."
This gentleman would keep on swell
ing until the morning after election,
and then he would disappear for few
days. When he reappeared. with his
ward knocked "galley-west'' in the
election, and about SO per cent. of his
predictions gone wrong, he would still
have that old "bluffy" walk on him,
and would be gabbing triumphantly
about some precinct that had gone his
way, and explaining how they would
have all went the same way If bill
Botsford" or Joe Sammons" or pete
Highbalr' had Stuck" The only Of
fensive thing about this Holsters atti-
tude was that he assumed that some
one was going to believe him. He was
per Sc a stiff" as such cattle are
termed in politics, and laughing
stock among seasoned politicians, but
he went about imagining that he was
a real factor in politics, when he could
scarcely contrcs his own vote.
AS rule, these plugs" were fellows
who had accidentally gotten a little
feeting notoriety in the ward. They
might BY scme stSnge accident have
even been elected alderman for one
term Or they might have been can
didates on one occasion for that Of
fee. But everybody was ION to-
them. H
The quiet, silky "four-fusher' was
the one who tip-toed around with
great schemes for carrying the cleo
tion by following his advice. He was
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06

didate Of "A's" party stripe, and pay
his expenses to cut into "A's" vote.
All this is "four-flushing" to make
the voters believe there are four or
five "Richmonds in the field" when, in
fact, "A" and B" are the only real
figures in the contest, and the extra
candidates are fakes" And the
beauty about it is that these 'inde-
pendent or other campaigns are often
waged valiantly and a tremendous
amount of dust and excitement kicked
up about them. But the real independ
ent, the independent who sometimes
gets elected on a genuine and not
faxed" race, is usually some disgrun.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
OHIO STATE NEWS
Latest Happenings of Interest Prepared for Our
Readers.
TWO oHIoANs COMMIT SUICIDE.
One Wades Into Creek and Shoots
Himself, Other Takes Poison.

Dayton. Drank LitzenDerger,
Cwner of the Eaton Lumber Co., com
mitted suicide at Eaton. Wading into
creek he fired a bullet into his
mouth. He left a note advising mis-
manager where his body would be
found.
Litzenberger was interested in lum-
Der yards at MiddIetown, New Castle,
Knightstown and Greens Fork, Ind.
10 cause can be assigned for the act.
Philip H. Surface, 60 years old, a
farmer, residing near Lebanon, and
treasurer OF the Warren County Fair
Board, was found deal He committed
suicide by taking poison. He mad been
complaining Of the neat.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Music Instructor Dies Suddenly.

Toledo, O.-Prof. Charles H. rhomp-
son, for the past 10 years Il professor
Of music in the public schools, died
suddenly in cafe in this city, apo
rlexy being the cause of death. Prof.
Thompson had charge of the arrange
ments for the living flag to be pro-
duced during the coming G. A. r. en-
campment. in which 1000 children are
TO particfpate.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Donation From Steel Trust.

Canal Dover. O.--A check was re-
Ceived for $500 from the United States
Steel Corporation, as a donation to the
Union hospital, being erected between
this city and New Philadelphia. The
company has rolling mill here en-
ploying about 1000 men and plant
OF about the same size at New Phila-
delphia.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
skun Pierced WITH Pitcnfork.

Lorain, O.-Eight-year-old Charley
Craver. playing in a field near AM
herst, got in the way of his father.
who was pitching oats into wagon,
and prong of his fork penetrated mis-
skull. He was carried home and his
mother hastened with the child to a.
hcspitar here but the boy died a few
hours larer.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Horevmoon Was Rrief.

Lima, O.-Two minutes was the
length of the honeymoon of Lloyd Tay-
Ior and bride, who came to this city
from Spencerville to be married. Inn
mediately following the ceremony the
police arrested Taylor for alleged for
gerry of checks.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Saved Bv the Police.

Elyria, O.-At the mills of Re Elyria
Iron and Steel Co, when the shifts
were changed James Rigo shot and
killed Antonio Filassi Fellow work
Een captured Rigo. There were many
cries for a rope, but he was rescued
by the police.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Leaps From Bridoe Into Eternity.

Cincinnati.-Mrs. Barbara Oskamp.
So, widow of Louis Oskamp, who was
cousin to Jeweler William S. P. Os-
kamp, Teaped from the center of the
Central bridge and was drowned II
the Ohio river Since the death Of her
husband, five years k5o, Mrs. Oskamp
Lad experienced much difficulty in
making both ends meet, and recently
her health had become undermined
through worry. She leaves five chill
dren.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
A Clever Omission,

did you write to papa, George?"
Asking for your hand?'
"Of course
Eyes, wrote"
That's strange. supposed papa
would be terribly angry. You know
he doesn't like you"
"Yes, know. But l fixed it all right
IL didn't sign the letter."
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
GOV. HARRIS RESTORED
To Health BY Timely Return to the
Simple Life.

Eaton. O.-After a week of real rest
on his farm near this city Gov Harris
has so far recovered from his recent
illness that he will again depart for'
Columbus to resume the duties OF mis-
Office. During his stay here the gov
e1nor never missed a day from the
farm, and his physicians say that the
timely return, for short time even.
10 the simple life has very likely pre-
vented the complete breakdown with
which Ohio's chief executive was
threatened. Country air and farm diet
have done more for him than medi-
cine could have accomplished, he said.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
State Health Board To Inyestiaate.

Columbus, O.-The state board or
health is making an investigation Of
numerous villages through the state
under the Benz law This law pro-
vides that whenever complaint is re-
ceived by the board that : municipal
ity is polluting stream CE water The
board of health shall inspect The CON
di(ions complained of.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
A Reinn of Terror.

St. CTairsvlle, GA reign Of terror
exists among the men employed at he
Provident nine near here, where %
Montenagrans, discharged recently.
are said 10 have threatened 10 shoe.
down any man who entered the mine.
All the men kept from work, although
a sheriff and several deputies were on
hand to act as guards.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
hls Aim.

Wright appears to be a very con-
scientious fellow"
"Yes, he is trying to live up to the
old proverb."
(Which says"
Wright wrongs nobody. Houston
Post.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Loses Life's SAVINGS;

Lima, O.-With tears streaming
down his face, f. J. Blank heard the
decision by which all his savings,
$1,000, paid. he said, TO VIM. Eaton for
a store which the latter never owned.
were swept away. Eaton was released
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
DrinkIe's Condition,

Columbus, O.-Henry Clay Drinkle,
Of Lancaster, for many years one of
the republican leaders i'll Fairfield
county and a brother-in-law of Arthur
l. Vorys. submitted to very grave
surgical operation at Grant hospital.
His condition is critical.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06

Marysville, O.-Hirum WygIc and
William Taylor, while working on a
ditch near Byhalia found human
skull. The point where it was buried
precludes the possibility of its having
once been a burying place, and the sup
position is that some one met Il Vto-
lent death years ago.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Good Grounds For Divorce.

Akron. O.--Mrs. Margaret c. Briggs.
aged 81 years. of Copley, filed suit for
divorce from ner husband. Samuel
Briggs. aged II. One of the claims
in her petition is that he has not ta-
ken a bath since they We're married
in 1904.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
threatened With Death,

Dayton. Own. Redding. a res
taurateur.. received letter purport-
ing to have been written by the Black
hand society, threatening MIN with
death unless he deposited $500 at q
designated place.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06

Toledo. O.-Fire threatened To COM
pletely destroy the famous old Boody
house 1t started in the top story from
unknown origin, and the loss is about
$4,000. Nobody hurt, and the building
is open for business on the lower
floors.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Duty Cost Life.

GAINESVILLE. O.-RinRing of yele-
phone bell in his Office at Bycsville on
July -, when he was lancing an alb
scess. so startled DR.. T. w. Long that
he Let the lance slip and enter his left
hand Blood poison resulted and DR..
Long died at the Cambridge hospital.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
stunq To Death By BumbIebees.

Mansfield, O.-I.aban Pollock died
from the effects of being stung by
bumblebees. He was about II years
of age Mr. Pollock went mp in the
hay NOV to throw down some fodder
and while he was there disturbed a
bumblebees' nest.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Roush Declines Nomination.

Columbus. O.-Secretary of State
Thompson received official notice from
MahIon Roush, the state prohibition
nominee for supreme court Judge, that
he had declined, and requesting the
secretary to remove his name from the
list of candidates filed with him.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
To Build Monster BattIeship

Marion. GA movement TO raise
an enormous sum Of money by popAn>
lar subscription to build mammoth
battleshfp for the government of The
United States was inaugurateG by
Owen Gray Post No. 274, G. A. r.. at
Larue. this county.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Tom lis Grandson Dies

Cleveland, O.-Tom l.. johnson H.,
grandson of MAJOR Tom L. Johnson,
died, after 10 days illness CT a mall
ady that puzzled physicians The
child, years old, was the sen Of I4neN
tin johnson, the mayors cLly sen
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Fourteen Houses Burned.

Van Vert, O.-Fire of unknown orr
Fin destroyed fourteen frame Duild-
ings in Middle Point. small village
east Of this city. The loss is estimated
at $4,000, partially covered by iusur-
anCc
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Heroes Fatally Hurt.

Gallipolis, O-Gas i'm the Hope mine
at Mason, near here. killed Fra Man
ley and Champion Pfore and fatally
injured William Roberts and Ren Phil
lips. The latter two descended into =
deep shaft to save their companions.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06

Columbus, O.-Statc Mine Inspector
George Harrison announced the ap-
rointment of w. c, Wiper as a deputy
inspector, to succeed James Pritchard,
resigned. His district will cover Mus
kingum, Morgan and Perry counties
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
4s2 Butler County Deaths.

Hamilton, O.-Vftal statistics for
Butler county, Just completed. show
that there were 4S3 deaths reported
in the past year, of whom POI were
women. The mortality was heaviest
in January and February.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Ahsurd All Around,

"Who is the old file over there with
tho comic coat, the stovepipe hat and
the baggy -kneed trousers?"
That is the professor who is lectu
ing on the absucdlties of woman 5
dress"
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Victim OF Heat.

Toledo. O.-While seated with her
family at dinner Mrs. huella Stickroth,
wife of Conrad SichToth, was over
ccme by the heat. She died before
medical assistance could be sum-
mOned.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06
Col Curry Stricken

Columbus, O.-Col. w. T.. Curr>.
state commissioner of soldiers clair.s.
was stricken with heat and is CONF ed
to his bed. His physicians statF that
his condition is not serious.