davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-04-07
BUILDING M. & /. THROUGH
THE SWAMP WAS BIG TASK
Railroad Running North from Brainerd Through Bemdii
Now Taps Some of the Most Productive Farming
Lands in the Entire State.

St. Paul Pioneer Press: Building
a railroad is tough proposition in
any country, but when every tie is
laid in swamp the task becomes
stupendous. That was the diff Guilty
encountered by the builders of the
Minnesota & international railway
in Northern Minnesota on practic-
ally every foot of the roadbed be-
tween Bemidji and international
Falls. Next to building the railroad
the most strenuous proposition is the
upbui]ding of the country traversed
by the railway so as to make the
construction of the line profitable.
In the average farming country this
is not difficult proposition. Immi.
grafton naturally follows the railway.
Towns are built at intervals along
the line, and, following the towns,
come the farmers to till the land and
sell their produce in the towns, thus
making the soil first pay them, next
the business enterprises of the towns,
and through their shipments OF
freight and consignments of freight
to them, ard the passenger traffic
that follows, the railway gets its
business.
In the country traversed by the
Minnesota & International, however,
there are many difficulties to over.
come before farming can be made
profitable or the towns can hope to
thrive through the settling of the
country. For miles and miles on
either side of the track and along
its entire length there is nothing
but dismal waste of swamp, seem
ingly unhabitable and offering little
opportunity, at first thought, for the
successful operation of the husband
man. And yet it is said that the
railway company has built wisely in
penetrating this country and that
eventually it will prove the richest
in the production of farm wealth OF
any section of Minnesota. There
are 1900 acres of swamp land in
Itasca county, Immediately tribu-
tary to the Minnesota G Inter
national railway. that Engineer
Ralph of the state drainage com.
mission asserts will, ere long, prove
the most productive of all of Mime
sota's rich farming lands.
That the faith of the railway pro.
moters is not misplaced in this mat
ter and that their wisdom in pene
trating this wilderness of tamarack
swamps will soon bear fruit is amply
testified to by the courage of the
men who have followed its fortunes
into the swamps. Already there are
located along the line many thriv.
ing towns that are little more than a
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-04-07
BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, TUESDAY EVENING, APE

The report of JusticeSimons show.
ing fines collected of $57 at an
expense of $3.50; the report of JUS.
tice Slocum showed fines collected
amounting to SIS at cost of $58. so,
and upon motion both reports were
accepted and ordered filed.
City Clerk Maloy reported that he
had filed his bond, as we'll as that
of the city treasurer, therefore the
resolution presented by a number of
taxpayers was laid on the table in
definitely.
The additional water supply for
the City of Bemidji was taken up
and the water committee reported
the result of the mass meeting to be
that the citizens of Bemidji were in
favor of additional water mains, and
recommended that City Engineer
M. D. Stoner be instructed to Sc
cure an air-lift pump that the city
we'll might be tested. The city en-
gineer was instructed to procure
said pump and have the we'll tested.
The council passed a resolution
requiring poll tax levy of one day,
or in lieu there of 81. so in cash.
TIL e different miscellaneous
licenses issued by the city were
then taken up and a resolution
passed requesting the 'city attorney
to draw up a miscellaneous license
ordinance and present same to the
city council as soon as possible.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-04-07

year old, and some that are less
than that many months in age.
Beginning at Brainerd the line
runs almost directly north through
Beltrami and Itasca counties to In
ternational Falls, on the border line
between Northern Minnesota and
Canada. Originally it was logging
road, running as far as Bemidii
through Pine River and Walker, the
latter the home of the new state
sanitarium for consumptives and
known for several years as famous
summer resort on the great Leech
lake system of Minnesota lakes. At
Bemidji the road begins to strike
the swamp country and from there
it runs for miles through country
that an inexperienced man would
get lost in if he ventured half mile
from the line of railway.
In the construction of the rail-
way the builders ran bitches along
the line and connected these with
lateral bitches running a distance
of two to five miles into the swamps.
These bitches have already drained
hundreds Of acres of the swamp, and
on these lands hardy settlers may
be found filling the rich soil and
fighting with nature to overcome
the difficulties with which they
have to contend.
The state has already appropri-
ated a considerable sum of money to
extend drainage work in this swamp
land, and in a few years it is ex-
pected that practically all of this
section of the great swamp area of
northern Minnesota will be reclaimed
and rendered fit for cultivation.
Soil tests have shown the land to
be rich in phosphates and the other
quantities essential to high stage
of cultivation, and it would surprise
those not acquainted with the ability
of the Northwestern farmer to COM
bat the obstacles which Dame Nature
places in his way to know what they
have already accomplished. In many
of these new towns last fall fairs
were held at which were exhibited
grains, grasses and vegetables raised
by the ventursome settlers, and it
would de difficult for any section of
the state to show such magnificent
specimens of the product of the soil
as were shown at these fairs.
Reclamation of the swamp lands
of Northern Minnesota is an import
ant matter for the consideration of
the business men of the Twin Cities.
It means. the great growth and de-
velopment of the unsettled portions
of the northern part of the state,
and, in the same ratio, the growth
and development of St. Paul and
Minneapolis through whose gate
ways all goods and all products
must be marketed.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-04-07
Arrived in City Today.

Judge G.. w. Stanton and Court
Stenographer John Samuelson ar
rived in the city this morning from
International Falls and are now
ready to take up the work here.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-04-07
Says Goodbye to Bemidji Friends.


Judge M. A. Spooner returned last
evening from Minneapolis and
spent the day in the city making
final arrangements before leaving
for his new field of practice al
Spokane. He leaves this evening
for Fort Francis and from there will
60 west over the Canadian-Northern.
In leaving Bemidji Judge Spooner
carries with him the we'll wishes of
a host of friends-everybody who
knows the judge regrets his leaving
this state.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-10-17
DROPPED into
THE NORTH SEA
AeTOnautS in thhe German Bal
loon PIauen Picked Up by
Fishing Vessel.
HERGEZELL STILL MISSING
FATE OF MEN WHO WENT UP IN
1T MATTER OF DOUBT.
HERGEZELL STILL MISSING

Berlin, Oct. 1.-THE North sea still con-
tnues to give up its balloon victims. Word
rsached here tonight that the German
balloon PIauen and its occupants had been
picked up by fishing vessel 24O miles
rom Spurnhead and landed tonight at
Hull. England. The Plauen was one OF
the balloons that started from here in the
endurance test on Monday with twenty
eight others. The Hergezell. under COM
maud of Lieutenant Foertsch is the only
one Of these now unaccounted for; but a
message was picked up near Oster-
Wanne, in Hanover province, which il is
believed was written on Tuesday. II was
as follows:
-Eergezen at a. m. height 2.1OO me-
tiers; direction and place uncertain, prob
ably near the coast. FOERTSCH.''
Meteorological observations show that
the wind al that time was blowing in the
direction Of the sea, and it is certain that
the HergeZcll was driven to the north
west, the direction taken by the ma
iority Of the other contestants, and that
+ she is found at all she will be found
ike several other balloons in the two
contests, In the waters of the North sea
War vessels are still searching the wa
terS and all outgoing ships have been no
titled az various ports to be on the look
out. and IT is possible that the two men
who assembled in the Hergezell may have
been rescued by some vessel. The eS-
cape Of other balloonists during the past
week is considered little short OF miracu-
ious. The Helvetia, the Swiss representa-
tive; the Castillo. Spanish; the Busley
German, and the st. Louis, American, all
were forced TO make a descent 10 the
sea. but the crews of these balloons, aft
or thrilling experiences, were picked up,
not much the worse for their buffeting
IN the wind and the waves.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-10-17
8lHteDEN Office SUPPLY CO.
T-tsr y complete stationery store in
tJ West Second South.
NEW BANK FOR CLEARFIELD
laws County Citizens to Establish
Institution in Thriv-
ing Town.

--I7tcIaI % The HeraId-J
shines -it-e, Oct. 16.-Clearfieid, which is
7-fs c,T IN the fruit-raising district of Da-
irs- my. Is TO have bank. At a meet
on IT., 81 BUSINESS men of Davis county. held
irsri,,,,.1d5, Il was decided to launch the
sr,bsc.-L,tlon' and a capital of $4,000 was
Re-1-toeG The promoters are John r.
9i3eairnes. Henry II. Blood Heber 7 Shef
az ~ T. John NJ Galley, John r. Galley. all
- Ny SVllle, and James C. Wood, Wal
" stead and a number of other bust
m men OF Clarified
No. ne oIIlcers Of the organization have
~ yer been selected. but the articles
nm corporation are being prepared and
"a De ftled in few days.
~, Ht Institution will be known as the
s,.5SArfleld Banking company and il is con-
I success.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-10-17
Afloat Five Hours.

HUI. England. Oct 16.-The German
balloon Plauen. which left Berlin on Mon
day in an endurance contest. was picked
dp on Wednesday night in the North sea
by a trawler. Clinging to the balloon
were the two aeronauts, Hackstetter and
Schneider. in an almost exhausted cOndi-
ton. The men were brought here and
Schroeder is now in an infirmary. where
his condition is said TO be quite serl-
Gus. The rescue took place about 2fO
miles from Spurnhead
Hackstetter, who shows but little ef-
lccts from his thrilling experience said
tonight that neither he nor his cOmpan-
ions ever expected to survive After the
start they jOurneyed for twelve hours
overland and then lost their bearings
Eventually they discovered that they We're
sailing over water. The extreme cold at
fected the gas and the balloon dropped
into the sea on Wednesday night They
kept themselves afloat on the wreckage
Tor five hours before they were rescued
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-10-17
MOTHER CONTROLLED VOTERS.
CDelineator.)

Mrs Sarah S. Plat Decker, former
president of the General Federation Of
Women's clubs, is an ardent suffragist.
During the years that Mrs Decker has
been president of the General Fedora
ton of WOmen's clubs she has Travelled
all over the Union several times. and
has been called on again and again TO
explain that really nice women" do
vote In one of the eastern seabOard
states an elderly gentleman asked for
information. and when Mrs. Decker
said frankly that she not only always
voted, but was a suffragist from prin-
ciple and conviction, he could not con-
ceal his grief You don't look it." he
said earnestly. Il would never h; We
thought you were woman that voted.
man.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-10-17
SMALL AMOUNT
FOR CAMP AIGN
The Democratic Congressional
Committee Has $4,000 and
Needs $4,000 More.

Chicago, Oct. 16.-The Democratic
congressional campaign committee to-
day made public the list of campaign
contributions Of 800 or over They
aggregate $12.1 while smaller con-
tributiOns bring the total to approx
imateIy $4,000.
Among the contributions was one of
$4,000 from the Democratic national
committee
James T. Lloyd. chairman of the
committee, in making public the COZ
gressional campaign fund, states that
in order TO complete the work the COM
mittee is in urgent need of at least
$4,000. Mr.. Lloyd says:
Inc Democratic national congress-
l2nal committee received. prior TO the
Denver convention. in contributions OF
800 and over, the sum of $500. II has
received in sums of 500 and over. in
addition 10 the above amount. for
THlch il makes specific report on ac-
count OF the action of the Denver con-
'ention in regard 10 publicity of earn
palgn funds. the following amounts:
Names of Contributors.
Congressman r. G. Davey. louisa
na, 500; d. F. Filey, South Caro-
ma; f. w. Saunders. Virginia. 800
each; Morris Sheppard. Texas. $40:
lack Beal, Texas. 500; J. g. McHenry,
pennsylvania. 800: c. II. Weisse. Wis
sonsin. $40; J. J. Russell. Missouri,
us. Thomas Hackney, Missouri 500;
S!ohn " Moore, Texas, 500: d W.
hamilton, Iowa, S137; Champ Clark.
Missouri, 1920; G. NJ Hitchcock. Ne
oraska. 500; c. V. Fernes. New York.
FOO. T. D Nichols. Pennsylvania. 500;
aenry T. Rainey. Illinois, 500: Francis
d Harrison. New York 5000: Lincoln
Dixon, Indiana, 500: r. D. l. Granger,
Ishode Island. 500; II. Z. Flood. Vir-
Slla- 800, Rufus Hsrdy. Texas. 500:
uleo States Senator William J.
stone Missouri $500: Herman Ridder
We" York. $3.50; w. G. Conrad Mon
ANA 800, and Democratic national
committee $1,000.
,; ne total amount of these COntribu-
lions is S6I55. while there has been
.rcelNed from individuals and
''eeS Tor frankable literature"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-17
BOY GONE WRONG.
Orphan Robs Clothing Store and Is
 Soon Captured.

Girard, February 16.T(special.)-Isom McGinnis, a 16-year-old white boy who is an orphan, is in the Russell county jail at Scale, the self-confessed burglar of l. H. Moores clothing store in this city
 The boy permitted himself to be locked up in the store at night and stole pair of pants and a coat and also secured q .05 in silver, a gold watch and some papers from the cash drawer, making his exit through the rear door of the store, which he left open.
 It seems that a clue was obtained and the young boy was followed. but he man. aged to escape to the Georgia side through the assistance of a friend, who carried him across the Chattahoochee river in his batteau Later he returned to Phenix City, and was there arrested. The stolen property has been recovered. The boy s case has awakened a good deal of sym pathy as he has no relatives, and no doubt lack of the proper moral training had much to do with his present unfor- tunate predicament.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-17
CONGRESSMAN SON
 DROWNS AT NE WpORT
YOUNG MAN HAD ENLISTED IN NAVY AND HE AND ANOTHER MAN FALL FROM TUG AND BOTH LOSE LIVES.

Newport. R. l., February 1.-Two men, one in the uniform of the United States Marine Corps and the other in citi- zen's clothes. jumped overheard from the tug Annie R. Wood, while on the way from Newport to Fort Creole today. and were drowned. The bodies have not been recovered. The man in uniform was Pri- vate Benjamin c. Steenerson, a son of Congressman Halvor Steenerson of Min nesota. The other man is believed to be John M. Mcintosh. marine. The two men jumped overheard without warning. The man in citizens dress went under and was not seen again. The uniformed man rose to the surface and was hauled alongside the tug by boat hooks. but just as it appeared that he would be rescued, he slipped out of the uniforT- coat by which he was being held and sank from sight.
 The uniform coat was brought to the police station in this city, where some of Steepersons friends idanfihed 1t as belonging to him. r
 Private steenersossenrsted October "A, 1907, at East Gravid Forks. Minn.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-17
INVESTIGATION OF
 CASHIERS SANITY
BANK OFFICIAL WHO IS ALLEGED TO HAVE EMBEZZLED $45,o0o IS TO BE EXAMINED BY A BODY OF EXPERTS.

Montgomery. February 16-A special to the Advertiser from Pensacola, Fla. says:
 The investigation into the sanity of George C. Sendamore. former cashier of the Pensacola Bank and Trust company. and who is alleged to have embedded about s45,000, will occur Tuesday, a special committee appointed by the court having decided upon this day.
 The committee which is to make an exhaustive examination into the lunacy of the ex-cashier has been named It is composed of Dr. D. W. McMillen, Dr. J. H. Bickerstaff and Dr. M Kennedy, three local physicians. and c. W. Lamare, president of the American National bank and J. Simpson Reese. president of the Peoples National bank. The commission according to instructions, is to convene at 10 o'clock and after organizing, will commence the examination of witnesses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-17
.FLOMATON LOSES
 HEAVILY BY FIRE Big Business House and Hotel
 Are Destroyed ORIGIN OF FIRE UNKNOWN Many Claim That Buildings Were Set On Fire and Investigation Is
 Being Made-Firemen
 Do Good Work.
ORIGIN OF FIRE UNKNOWN

F'lomaton, February 16.-(Special At 2:50 o'clock this morning fire was discov- cred blazing in the Ivy building at this place. in the store room of the Boyett Mercantile company, by an employe of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad company, and before it could be gotten under control had destroyed the building together with the large Exchange hotel, which adjoined.
 The Ivy building was occupied by the Boyett Mercantile company and c. A. Powell & Co.,, the latter firm having been in business only about one week, and had not received more than half of their stock when the fire occurred. The Exchange hotel was the property of William Powell, a leading real estate dealer here, and had just recently been leased to w. T. Price, who together with several board CTS and his family were living in the building. 8hs
 The residence of W. M. Townsend. which stands on the lot next west of the scene of the fire, was slightly damaged, and was only saved from total destruction by prompt and heroic work on the part of the volunteer firemen. With one excep- tion no one was injured. J. M. Middleton receiving a severe gash on his right arm while fighting the flames.
 The total loss is about s25,OO0. partially covered by insurance. The Boyett Mer- cantile company are the heaviest losers, their loss alone amounting to about $10,000 Theories as to the origin of the fire vary, many claiming it to be the work of an incendiary. A full investigation is being conducted
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-17
COMMITTEE WILL
 HOLD MEETING
DEMOCRATS ARE CALLED TO- GETHER TO TAKE ACTION ON
 COUNTY AFFAIRS-WORK ON
 NEW COURT HOUSE AND JAIL.

St. Stephens. February 15.-(Special)- A meeting of the county democratic executive committee has been called to meet here at the court house on Monday, February 24. So far politics is very quiet in this county. All of the old of ficers are unopposed except the treasurer, w. H. Harriss. Dr. J. Chatham of Chat ham, the new county seat, Is out for treasur Work on the new court house and jail at Chatham is progressing very nicely. It is now expected that the fall term of circuit court will be held there.
 News has just reached here of the death of Willis Daugherty, one of the oldest residents of Washington county, at his home near Seaboard, Ala, few days ago.
 The Washington County News, the county paper, announces that it will move to Chatham when the records and of- fees go.
 Surprise has been caused here in court circles by the purchase of several sec- tons of the Wagar Lumber company's lands from the trustees of the Alabama insane hospital. It is claimed that these lands are what are known as swamp ard overflow lands and the Wagar com pany's title to them is void. If this con tention is true. it is reported that it will affect the title to over 150,000 acres in this county alone.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-17
AGED WOMAN DIES
 AT ALBERTVILLE
WORST TRANSFORM IN YEARS VISITS THE SECTION AND CAUSES HEAVY LOSS TO PROP ERTY-A NARROW ESCAPE.

Albertville, February 16.-(Special.)- Miss Martha Mapp, highly esteemed lady of this town, died Wednesday aft ernoon at the home of her niece, Mrs. Ellen Brewer. Miss Mapp had reached the advanced age of S4. She was a consistent member of the Baptist church and her funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. R. Stodghill, her pastor, and interment followed in the Albertville cemetery
 This section was visited Friday by one of the worst rain storms witnessed here in many years and much damage has resulted from it. On the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis railroad. a few miles above here, landslide oc- cured, which delayed traffic for several hours.
 The streams are very much swollen, and late yesterday afternoon w. Corley, a well known dry goods drummer, while attempting to cross Turkey creek, came very near losing his life. His samples were washed down the stream and he barely escaped. .
 The Albertville Dramatic club will on the evening of the 22d, in the chapel of the Seventh district agricultural school, present the drama: "Esmeralda.'
 Some of the best local talent is in the club and the event is looked forward to with much interest
 The following is the cast of characters:
 Old man Rogers Ga North Carolina farmer)--W. R. Bradford.
 Lydia Ann (his wife)-Miss Bettie Moore Hanserd.
 Esmeralda (their daughter)-Miss Viola Allbaugh.
 Dave Hardy Ca young North Caroliniam N B. McLoed.
 Jack Desmond Gan American artist in Paris)-C. D. King.
 Nora and Kate Desmond (1is ssters)- Misses Della Shipp and Pearl Philips ,
 Estabrook Ca man of leisure)-H. A. Bradford.
 Drew Gan American speculator)-Tim Chumley.
 Marquis de Montessin-C. D. King
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-17

vile and Nashville Railroad company, as- sumpsit; Wood-Dickerson & Co. vs. At lanta, Birmingham and Atlantic Railroad company, assumpsit; E. Francisco Cigar company vs. E. H. Payne Cigar company assumpsit; T. Eppros vs. Louisville and Nashville Railroad company, damages; D. Goldstein & Co. vs. Sherman SS Gustin, assumpsit; Walker Edmund company vs. J. M. Hause, assumpsit; G. w. Magnus vs. Sallie Soudenmire, defendant, and D. M. Drennen. garnishee, appeal by gar nishee; Andrew J. Reilly vs. William P. Pinckard, assumpsit,
 The following cases are set for hearing in the second division of the city court today. Judge Senn presiding
 John R. Livingston vs. Alabama Great Southern Railroad company damages; William R. Summer vs. Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company. damages Thomas R. Layine vs. Birmingham Wa ter Works company, ct al, damages James Craney vs. Frank Kreuhouse, damages; Nelson Mccain vs. A. R. Dear born &s Co.,, damages; Luke Jones, pro ami, vs. Warrior Manufacturing com pany damages; P. l.. Holcomb vs. At lanta and Birmingham Air Line Rail- way company, damages; Silar Farley vs. Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company, damages; West Jones vs. Bir- mingham Railway, Light and Power company, damages; J. J. Mum, pro ami vs, semet Solvay company, damages.
 Judge Sharpe presiding. the following eases are set for trial today in the third division of the city court:
 b. s. Richards, administrator. vs. An drew w. Burgin. damages; Willie Ham lton, pro ami, vs. Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, damages; ; Frank Smith vs. Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company. damages; Mary Jane Key vs. Southern Railway company, damages; J. M. Curtis vs. Ala bama Great Southern Railroad company damages; Henry F. Rafe vs. Dr. J. H. Sims, damages; Ed Austell vs. Sloss- Sheffield Steel and Iron company. dam ages; Joseph Burrows vs. Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, damages: Mrs. w. F. TalIey vs. Louis vile and Nashville Railroad company. damages; George A. Caudle vs. Tennes- see Coal, Iron and Railroad company. damages; Jim Spencer vs. Sloss- Sheffield Steel and Iron company, damages
 Criminal Court Docket.
 The following capital felony cases are set for trial in the first division of the criminal court today, Judge A. c. Howze presiding in one section and Judge c. c. Nesmith presiding in the other:
 James Russell, murder; w. J. Fleming. murder; James M. Sims, murder; Dicey Fossett. murder; Charles Martin, mur-