davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
TAKES COLD RIDE
ON C0WCATCHER
PRIVATE o'coNNoR TRAVELS go
MILES AN HOUR ON FRONT
OF ENGINE.
IS NOW IN THE HOSPITAL
Soldier Loses Consciousness on Peril
Gus Perch from Exposure to Freez-
Ing slasts-owes Life to TeIe-
graph Operator.


Baltimore, Md.-Between IL and one
o'clock the other night. while most
Baltimoreans were soundly sleeping
beneath extra blankets, James O'Con-
nor, a private In the Twenty-S ;xth
coast artillery. was flying through
space at the rate of 60 miles al hour.
perched upon the cowcatcher o. the
engine which drew the Baltimore &
Ohio railroads midnight express into
Camden station at 1870 o'clock.
At the time mentioned the mercury
IN the official thermometer at the
weather bureau registered 10 degrees.
In many places the ground was COW
cred with snow and ice. and the air
was biting cold.
AT the University hospital O'Connor
told his story. His experience, ac-
cording to his own statements, was
thrilling, SO much SO that he is not
likely to forget it.
1t seems that O'Connor had up until
last fall been stationed with his com
mand at Fort Flagler, In the state OF
Washington, not far from Seattle.
Last November he came east and since
that time has been In Washington, d.
c. Now, 0'Connor makes no bones of
the fact that he is not a temperance
man. The weather being somewhat
chilly and feeling the need of warm.
ing stimuiant, he proceeded to fill up.
About IL O'Clock he felt reckless and
was apparently In that frame of mind
when he didn't care whether school
kept or not.
Having business to attend to in Bal
timore. O'Connor decided that ne
would come over and look after his
affairs. Why that thought should
have struck him at II o'clock at night
he didn't explain, but at any rate he
decided TO come, and come he did.
When he reached Union station at
Washington the soldier discovered
that he lacked the price of transporta.
ton. There are more ways of travel
ing on a railroad than in a Pullman
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
FEEDS eAsY PINS AND MATCHES.
Nurse Admits She Made Child Sick
to Get More Leisure.

New York,-AuFelia Lightbourne, 1G
years old. VINO says she is a West
Indian, was locked up in the Nassau
CT Inty Jail on a charge Of assault in
the second degree She has confessed
to feeding a small boy Ira her charge
pins, matches and other articles.
The complainant is William J. Purdy
of Rockville Center, vino has employed
the girl for the last two years. Some
weeks ago he noticed his boy, two
years old, was seriously i'll at times
and hairpins. matches and safety pins
we're found in the child's stomach after
an operation.
A few days Ego the girl became
deeply interested In religion. After
one meeting she returned to her home
with the Purdy family and acknowl-
edged she had been the cause of the
repeated illness Of the baby
u gave him pins, matches and
sometimes hair and safety pins so he
would be sick and then | would have
more time to myself. she said
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
Save the Cherry stones

In silent absorption they consumed
delicious cherry PIE
James" said the hostess to the
butler. save all the cherry stones,
please Wash and dry them and put
them on Shelf in the attic"
Why" a guest Inquired, do you
save cherry stones?"
you never saw tbcm burn" said
the hostess, "or yod wouldn't ask
that question. ~ winter long /
keep u copper jar Of them on the
drawing room hearth. AS tie fire
burns up stoop and throw hand
full of the cherry stones in the blaze.
The effect is wonderful. The stones
crackle and send forth delicate green
flames and puffs Of exquisite odor,
an odor as sweet as cherry bios.
SONS floats through tie room"
There's sandalwood,' began an
other guest.
Oh" said the hostess, II use san
dalwood, too, but # compares to cher
ry stones in frangrance as llmburger
cheese compares to heIitrope.'
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15

OF travelling circus--eight more eie
plants were detrained.
Leading Bacil to I've spot where the
driver lay imprisoned, the trainer com.
manded her to remove the heavy tim
bers. With infinite caution, stepping
warily over smouldering Jeans, Bacil
wound her trunk around one huge
rafter raised 1t, and laid 1t some
yards aside. Then, returning, piece
by piece she CALAMITY accomplished
her task.
But still the fire was creeping nearer
and nearer to the helpless driver. No
doubt he was aware that frantic eff
forts were being made to save him.
Yet by what means remained mys-
terry.
A cry arose for water Bacil had
nobly borne away even a charred and
smoking beam But now, unless water
had been forthcoming to stay the
course Of the fire, the work OF rescue
must have ceased. Even this cry
had been anticipated by the trainer.
The remaining elephants were return
Ing from the Monongahela river, which
lay a short distance from the line.
Drawing them up the trainer shouted
word of command,
Instantly, as If performing in cir
Gus. the eight great beasts raised their
trunks and poured a heavy stream Of
water on the wreckage
Back to the river went the eight
elephants Back to her task Of rescue
proceeded Bacil Beam after beam
the mighty beast lifted while at In
teryals her eight fellows returned from
the river and quenched the fire.
Suddenly a great cheer arose from
the onlookers Bacll had removed
the last beam. and amidst the spray
Ing Of water by the living fire engines
the driver, drenched to the skin, W,
hurt, and speeches. with anazsment,
arose and moved into safety
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15

car. and IL occurred to o'Connor that
he was Just about the youngster who
could make the trip on the engines
cowcatcller. When, therefore, the
train pulled out he swung up on the
pilot, and, wedging himself In between
the braces which hold the cowcatcher
In place, he settled down for his ride.
II hadn't been there very long"
said o'Connor, until | was cold all
over. The wind as the train rushed
along cut into my face, and | pulled
the cape of my overcoat up over my
head to protect my ears. | guess that
is all that saved them. For awhile IL
was simply terrible. The train rocked
aud swayed and as II shot around the
curves | thought every minute would
be my last In little while was so
cold that / lost consciousness, and
knew nothing more until walked up
with lot Of policemen standing over
me How ever managed to hold on
to my place | can't imagine. 1t was
just my luck. nothing else"
O'CoHnor, who is only 20 years old.
good-looking and intelligent, owes his
life no doubt 10 the telegraph oper-
ator at Laurel, who saw him as the
express passed that station At that
time the soldier was unconscious. and
II g operator. seeing tn apparently
lifeless form as the train pass through
tht reflected rays OF a station lamp,
telngraphed to Camden station that a
dead man was on the pilot Of the en-
CINE. The operator at Camden station
notified the policeman on that beat,
and he In turn called up the Western
police station and had the ambulance
sent down to take away the body,
Policemen and railroad officials gath
cred on the platform as the train was
coming in. and when It stopped all
hands rushed 10 the front Of the en-
CINE to remove the supposed corpse.
Hauling 1t out of place, they soon saw
that there was still life IN the body.
Restorauyes were applied, and in
little while O'Connor had come around
enough to be sent to the hospital.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
What is it That Tints Dying Leaves9


Jack Frost, it appears, has been
over credited with big achievements
in regard to the autumn brilliance of
leaves. The popular fallacy that this
is caused by frost is said TO be en-
tirely without foundation in fact.
Frost has absolutely nothing to do
with the tinting of leaves except that
it hasrens their fall Autumn coloring
is due to oxidation which is caused
BY the action of heat and light, sim
liar to the rust on iron With leaves
it is due to the fact that in fulfilling
their mission they become choked
with their own excreticns and the
acids thus formed arc acted on by the
oxygen. In an extremely moist atmos-
phere they are not especially bright.
as in England, for example. And in
dry climates the leaves dry IN sud.
denly and their thick skin is not suffi.
GENTLY transparent TO allow the col.
.or being seen beneath. In the
regions where the autumn foliage is
most vivid an average season pro,
duces the finest colors. Neither dry
nor wet summer and an early aut-
umn will effect much brilliancy The
extraordinary range colors ia trees
Of single species is most marked.
particularly so with sugar naples.
And it is remarkable that an indiyid.
ual tree will continue the same colors
year after year; not only that. but a
single branch which will show the
first tinge of color yeac after year.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15

had several vehement declarations of
alteration from trainmen, in New Mex
ico alone having received three pro-
posals of marriage While recuperat-
ing at Needles Miss Holly came face
to face with brakeman who had
followed them all the way from Albu-
querque to press his suit
From New Mexico comes the state.
ment that the two fetching blonde.
are adventuresses. 1t is charged that
they passed two weeks riding up and
down on that division OF the Santa
Fe enriching themselves from the gen.
erosity of trainmemn Miss Holly
laughed when informed of this charge,
and replied that all the trainmer on
the Albuquerque division are plqued
because they preferred the brake
beams to the caboose.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
TRAIN LOSES ITS WAY.
Switched on Wrong Track and Has
Terrific Race for Safety.

Paris.-A passenger train on the
Northern of France line literally lost
its way the other night and had a
narrow escape from being telescoped
by an express which was behind IT.
The train left for Amiens at p. m
All went well until after leaving Creil
where the line to Brussels and Ger
many and Holland branches OFF. Ow.
ing to a mistake of the signalman's s,
which yet remains unexplained, the
Amiens train was switched onto, the
Brussels line, and, In the dark the en-
CINE driver did not discover thu mis-.
take until the train had proceeded a
mile or two on the line to Brussels.
Then, remembering that the Brus-
sells express was only few minutes
behind him the driver decided to put
on full speed and go right ahead II
was an exciting experience for every.
body. The passengers, finding that
the train was travelling at full speed
and running through the stations, be.
came alarmed and pulled the danger
signal
The train ran on to the junction at
Pont st. Maxence, where the driver
hurriedly explained the matter to the
signalman, and was shunted onto a
siding two minutes before the arrival
OF the express At last the train was
sent back to Creil and resumed its
journey to Amiens a couple of hours
late
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
SOUTH DAKOTA COUPLE
MARRIED IN THE DARK
PROMINENT BUSINESS MAN AND
BRIDE HAVE KNOT TIED
IN GLOOM. |

Lead, S. D.-Marriage always has
been called "a leap in the dark" but it
remained for Miss Rose Hynan Of this
city TO be married literally in the dark.
Her marriage to James NJ. Fontaine,
a leading young business man of the
town, perhaps was the most remark
able on record in the northwest coun.
try. After the young woman had
promised to become Mrs. Fontaine she
began to look forward to the wedding
day with regret, if not absolute fear.
Naturally shy il. society, she believed
she would be EMBARRASSED and bewil-
dered when in the presence Of a large
company of friends she took Mr.. Fon-
tame for better or worse" Shs
feared she might faint away, or make
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15

ing TO see what straights lovers OF the
weed We're reduced to.-amusing TO
such of Us as had no hankering after
the stuff ! have known a poor fellow
TO stick TO his quid as if nothing out
death should part them. He would
hold it lovingly and tenderly al day
az sweet morsel under his 'ongue.
not presuming to *chaw" it. for fear
Of wearing it away At night he would
lay it on a stick at the head of his
bunk. where he could easily get at it
early in the morning. He spoke Of 1t
afectionately as his odd soldier
When all taste had been soaked out OF
it, and it was evidently dead. he
would dry it in the SIN, erumble IT
fine and then eremat in his pipe
As he finally knocked out the ashes.
he sighed mournfuliy in memory OF
the departed.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15

such spectacle of herself that she
forever would be shamed. Mr.. Fon-
tame tried to persuade her that no
one would make fun of her or In any
way would attempt to make her life
miserable. She would not believe him
and was almost on the point OF break
ing her engagement and calling the
wedding off, when her lover made the
proposition that they be married in
the dark
Accordingly, they began to lay their
plans. The groom-to-be did not let
any one in on the secret except his
best man, Henry j. Spooler The wed.
ding night arrived, and 100 or mora
guests filed into the brides home.
They were greeted with the sight of q
profuslon of bridal roses and other
beautiful floral decorations.
The guests all were seated, ana
were awaiting the arrival Of the bridal
couple, when Mr. Spooler, the best
man" turned off the electric lights. At
first all was CONSERVATION. The Wis.
itors could not imagine what was the
matter. Then Mr.. Spooler announced
that the wedding would take place In
the dark, save for a candle which
would be placed in such position that
the minister could see his lines.
Presently the bride and groom ap-
peared at a side door They quickly
stepped to their places, where, by the
uncertain llg'St of the candle. their
faces scarce. could be seen. The
minister spoke the few words that
made them one, and, before the bewil-
dered guests were aware Of what had
happened. the happy couple escaped
from the room and entered carriage.
They were driven TO the depot, where
they boarded a train for the east
When the carriage left the house the
lights were termed on. Ever corner
of the house was searched, but no
trace of che runaway couple could be
found. Mrs Fontaine not only had
hidden her bushes, but she had pro
vented any one seeing her wedding
gown, although 1t was just as beaut%
full as It would have been had the
wearer consented to a wedding in the
"limelght"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
GIRLS CROSS CONTINENT
ON BREAKBEAMS OF Gar
NEW YORK DAMsEIS IN KHAKI
TELL or THRILLING TRIP TO
PACIFIC COAST.

San Bernardino. Cal.-Nfiss Nellie
Holly and Miss Beatrice Logan, claim
ing to have aten their way from
New York on brakebeams, have ar.
rived here on their last stretch to Los
Angeles. Dress ed in khaki skirts and
leggings, with light oiled cloth hoods
to keep the dust from their tresses.
they look as though they had just
stepped from a Pullman instead Of
having braved the unusual experience
OF brakebeam tourists.
I'VE had experiences which repay
us for the hardships borne" declared
Miss Holly, and she AYERS that in the
several weeks she and her compan-
ion were beating their way west they
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
Child Les still Under a Train.

Pottsyille, Pa.-Joseph Bradley.
aged six years, wandered upon the
Pennsylvania railroad tracks south OF
this place and was run down by an
engine, but miraculously escaped in
Jury by coolly lying down upon HI
stomach between the rails
The engineer saw the boys perilous
predieament too late to stop. Horror
stricken. he and his fireman wens
back after the engine had passed over
young Bradley's body. They found
finn In tears, but uuscathed-
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
IN the lovely new designs in ribbons

IN the lovely new designs In ribbons
with which the weayers have pre-
seated the public this year the little
ualdens have not seen forgotten A
set Of ri6bons--four yards for sash
and three or four ribbons in narrower
de gn TO amtch--is put up in a dainty
box raady for the summer wardrobe
Tor Easter party,
Those with Dresden designs are
perhaps the ,prsttIest, although blues
and dainty pinks as ever hold their
own. as do the dark reds aud SONS
pl4lds.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
Artistic Tenn. -ament.

YES" said Mrs, Nurl.ch, my son
means TO be an artist
"Tndeed?" replied 3irs. Ascum.
"Thats a laudable ambition"
Yes he thinks IT'S 3ust cute 20
wear those flowing BLACK ties. Phil
adelphia Press
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
Rinht Raek A. Hsr-

"You don't seem to know how 10
manage husband said the widow
who was wearing weeds for the fifth
time in twelve years
NO. suppose not" replied Mrs
Oncewed About ali ! Ruow Is how
to keep one alive"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
steals slee.ar,s Class Eye.

Cincinnati w. Higgins, a tray
cling salesman, caused the arrest Of
w. E. Glassett ia Dayton on a charge
Of stealing a glass eye. Higgins said
he was asleep IN q hotel when his eye
fell out and Glassett TOOL It and sold Il.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
FOOLISH MAN.

As a rule, m"u's q fool,
When IT'S hot. he wants it cool;
When It's cool. he wants It hot
Always wanting what IS not.
Never wanting what he's got
as a rule. mans a fool
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15

Pad and line a wooden washtub or
firmly hooped half barrel, letting the
padding run over the edges, where It
should be firmly tackled. "a this play.
house, baby may be left in perfect
safety.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
vlsIbls supnlx Larne.

Interyiewer--And why do you sea
no end 70 the picture post card
craze?"
Publisher-We cant exhaust the
subjects. They still keep on fnis-
ing Carnegie libraries.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
Beauty Ranped.

There was one admirable thing
about the olItIme tlntype.. said tie
Man with Hgmespun Features.
There was limit 70 the pictures
you could get fro none szposu1s,"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
Butter a. Ela,r.

Elgfn, ILL.,, JaIy 7.-ButEer was firm
a. % cents The sales for the week
we're l.s23. 800 pounds.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15

she-Why, no. The stolen Gains
borough was not a hat Il was pic
tuTe
Her husband-oh thought from
The raiue It was q hat--Town au5
Country
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1908-02-20
Men Who Knew Lincoln.

Greeley, Colo.-E. p. House OF Gree
ley, who during the Civil war and for
several years previous, was noted
special correspondent, knew well all
OF the prominent men of his time. IN
cluding President Lincoln. After
quitting newspaper work. House had
a position in the War Department,
which he held for eight years.
During his first year as correspond
ent he gained the favor OF President
Lincoln by calling his attention to the
bad location OF the telegraph instru-
ments OF the War Department, which
were rear the public hallway. where
spies could hear the important mes
sages passing between the generals in
the field and the department.
To convince the President that a
good operator. in league with the en-
emy. might easily get the messages
from the click OF the instrument. House
pea.ed several Of them. The instru-
ments were promptly moved.
When Lincoln returned from his visit
to Grant at Richmond. and while he
was being serenaded. House was on
hand and reached the front door OF
the White House Just as II was being
closed to keep out the crowd. In re-
lating the incident on Lincoln's birth.
day. House said:
II went up stairs and began inter
viewing the President, when he inter
rupted me with, From the appearance
OF things. ! presume 1 will have to
make a speech, and you can gather
from what have to say all about the
trip When the band ceased playing.
and loud cries went up for Mr.. Pres
iuent,' Lincoln Uncle Abe etc. Mr..
Lincoln opened the window to the
left OF the portico at which he was
standing, viewed the assembly and be-
gan tor speak. was permitted to stand
by his side. catch the words. and tele-
graph them to my papers"
Today, House carries notebook
containing a part of that speech.
S. p. Birdsall. another Greeley pio-
neer was a member of the bodyguard
about the White House. and a favorite
with President Lincoln's little son. He
has a noe written him by Lincoln, al
lowing him the privilege of organizing
a colored troop.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1908-02-20
TROOPS SENT
TO FAIRBANKS
STRIKING MINERS THREATEN
VIOLENCE IN ALASKA MIN
ING CAMP.
REGULARS ENR QUITE
SOLDIERS TO BE CARRIED ONE
HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIVE
MILES ON SLEDs.

Washington.-By direction of the
President, Acting Secretary Oliver to-
day ordered a company of infantry
from Fort Gibbon. Alaska, to Fair
banks, in that territory, to preserve
order during the mining strike in that
section. This action was taken upon
representations from the United States
Court in Alaska to the attorney gen
eral that the presence of federal
troops was needed.
Attorney General Bonaparte
promptly brought the matter to the
attention of the President and by his
instruction afterward consulted with
Acting Secretary Oliver, who. through
General Bell, chief Of stan. forwarded
the necessary orders for the movement
of the troops to the commander at
Fort Gibbon.
Telegrams from Fairbanks to the at
torney general stated that open air
mass meetings are being held by the
striking miners and that threats OF
violence have been made.
Inc WarSnal mas Dttn ultCltu DN
the attorney general to use all the
force at his command TO arrest law
breakers and to prevent intimidation.
The military is expected to give the
marshal moral support and also 10
take action should the disorder prove
too great for any force he may be able
to secure.
The striking miners have picketed
the trail between Valdez and Fair
banks. Most OF the newly arrived la
borers are Russians.
The distance from Fort Gibbon to
Fairbanks is 1876 miles. and the troops
will be carried by sleds over the route.
which is said to be a good one. If
there is urgent necessity for the pres
ence OF the soldiers at Fairbanks. they
can get there in four or five days. but
under ordinary conditions the trip
takes six or seven days.
Fairbanks Is in the center OF n min
ing country with population OF seven
or eight thousand. Persons in Wash
ington familiar with the conditions ex-
listing at Fairbanks say the trouble is
the outcome OF strike year or more
ago for higher wages and shorter
hours for the miners. This the opera
tors have resisted. and their determin-
alton to operate their mines independ-
ent of the Western Federation OF
Miners. II is feared. has led to trouble.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1908-02-20
Better Pay For Soldiers.

washington.-General Bell. chief of
staff, u. S. A, Thursday recommended
in person to the House committee on
military affairs an increased pay sched-
ule for enlisted men of the army. along
the lines laid down in the Dick-Capron
bill. but differing somewhat in scale.
His recommendation contained four
distinct features:
Creation of the grade of warrant Off
Ger. for the promotion of deserving
noncommissioned officers; readjust-
ment of initial rates to pay. that they
shall range from SIS to $42, as against
the range of from SIG to $40 in the
navy: cash bonus of three months pay
for re-enlistment, and an increase of
from 81 to 50 in pay for high attain
ment in craftsmanship. The CORE
spending increase in the navy Is from
81 to $40.