davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1909-11-24
Advancement Noted in Every Line Of
Industrial AdvsBcemeat-Much
Progress Made.

coast. Agent K. II. La Baume,
of the agricultural and indus
trial department of the Norfolk
and Western, gave 20 the press
the following communication:
Il trust l viii be pardoned. 3"
says Mr.. La Baume, elf, in
comparing the two sections
from a development stand point.
7 do not at all times give the
palm to Virginia and the South.
AS a matter of fact. we are
fifty years behind the times in
certain lines of agricultural and
industrial development, as well
as being sorely handicapped by
the blocking of the channels
that make for a better and
more intimate social relation
ship among our people.
"The really loyal friend is
the one that points out the de-
fects, then in all sincerity sug-
gests a method by which we
can hope TO remedy them, and
10 seems 90 me that we need in
Virginia is more friends of this
type instead of those who have
nothing but fiattery and hollow
praise TO offer.
''I note that the latest returns
show that out of twenty-six
million acres of land available
for cultivation i'm the State of
Virginia, less than ten million
acres are under the plow and
probably half of this is not
cultivated as cultivation is un-
derstoOd IN the granger States
of this country Right here is
something radically wrong, and
! am going to cite a few of the
reasons why these conditions
exist, and furthermore why
every loyal citizen in this State,
should lend his assistance to
the early solution of this un-
desirable situation. Virginia
is primarily an agricultural
State. Her towns and her
cities must depend on the agri-
cultural back country with
which they are surrounded
and they cannot continue 60
prosper and insure themselves
a healthy, continued growth
unless this farming territory
around them is guilty ated to
best advantage TO insure largest
returns. l venture the asser-
tion that not one fourth of our
lands today are being decently
faFmed and furthermore the
agencies that are working to-
gether TO bring a larger farm
ing population into the State,
are being handicapped at every
turn by their inability to secure
these idle lands for the new com
ing population, at prices that
are anywhere within reason OF
at nominal valuation based
on their wild condition, and the
capital necessary To be expend-
ed for their improvement
Probably One-third of the coun-
ties of eastern and southside
Virginia are afflicted with 9
little coterie of selfish and self.
centered politicians and county
officers who little by little have
been acquiring these lands fol
themselves at tax sales, fore.
closures and the numerous and
devious way which they have
Of acquiring them at prices
which do not represent one
tiftieth of their real valuation
To illustrate, / call to mind q
certain county in middle Vir.
ginia, wherein one individna
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1909-11-24


our Young men our I'm carloads
where we are glad to bring
them in handfulls. and my
only desire is 20 call attention
to these conditions in a way
that cannot be mistaken and
that will arouse some active
measures for the remedyinQ
OF the conditions which now
exists. Give the railroad in
custrial agents an opportunity
Go offer farm lands aud farms
ia all sizes from twenty acres
up at "A satisfactory price that
win be adhered 60. Give the
homeseeker and settler hearty
and cordial reception when he
arrives. Tell him Virginia is
the best spot on earth. that we
we need him and he needs us.
Appoint a thoroughly practical.
ogriculturist under the iuris-
diction of the State Agricuitur
al College 20 visit these settlers.
after they have arrived and
,s 49, n,a .-. ..f.....
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and what s. a n..ii,.~... ,,.,~,l, :
its nosssssor .sr.t 1~..
~Ifwe don,t aao,t SOM. .r
these measures ANA vorl- a.,
0etber for or.,te- t.~,,,.,..
wider accomnlisbments,5oor mon.
sincere co.onora+ion v. ~.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1909-11-24
GIVES VIEWS
ABOUT VIRGINIA.

ne controls nearly ten thousand
acres of land, which have GER
tainly not cost him an average
of more than Sl.50 to So per
acre and I know personally i.
that a large portion of il was
secured at so cents or less per
acre, yet this same party has
recently refused an offer of
81 so per acre for this land In
large tracts. to be cut up and
put on the market for the bene-
fit Of the western homeseeker
settler that the railroads are
bringing in, and this condition
is perhaps duplicated 60 a great
er or less degree at almost every
court house In half or more of
the counties of the State.
"The railroads are making
strenuous efforts GO get farm
ers from other States with some
capital, TO locate down here and
help US bring back these idle
lands into a state of cultivation,
that will give us increasing
traffic and at the same time
help the community at large.
The native owner of these lands
is coming TO believe that the
whole North must come to Vir-
ginia in order 20 secure farms
and that they can charge two
or three times their value and
still find sale for them. In
other words, one Of the strong
est handicaps 60 Southern de-
velopment is that tendency on
the part of the people 10 almost
never close "a business deal
promptly with a newcomer. up
on the basis first agreed upon.
a farmer viii list his farm
with reputable agency An
+ Ohio or Iowa man will come
down. look il over and decide TO
take it and offers cash pay
ment to bind the bargain until
the deed can be prepared. Just
about nine times out of ten. the
native owner viii begin 20
hedge, to hem aud haw and to
offer some excuse, usually that
he must see his wife and child
rem before ne can close the deal
and then 10 come back with the
price anywhere from 10 10 l5
per cent in advance OF what he
originally asked for the land
am not exaggerating when 1
state that 30 per cent of the peo-
pie whom we bring into this
territory, go back in disguest
as a result,of these unbusiness-
like tactics. which seem to pre-
vail almost universally in the
selling Of farms.
Another condition that is
serious draw wback TO more
material development of Ger
tain territory is the fact that il
is almost impossible To secure
large tracts that can be divided
up without paying them out
right and thus entail large
investment on the part Of out
! side promoters, who have got
TO assume all the risk and show
a confidence in the country
that the native himself does
not demonstrate by reasonable
terms and time in the sale Of
land
"Now let me contrast a few
of the conditions described with
the situation in some of the
newer Western States that are
doubling their population all
most yearly. Up in Montana,
ia the northern section of the
STATE. I fOuDd uaopla- co,n;,,o, Il.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1909-11-24
NAIL CLERK
ARRESTED
For ROSbiuz Nails Betwees srlsol Ana
St. Charles.

ed Thursday morning upon the
arrival OF a delayed train over
the v. & 5. w, on a charge Of
robbing the mails. He made a
complete confession. after hav-
ing been confronted with direct
evidence of guilt. and admitted
that ne had been rihing mail
for some months.
The arrest was made by Post
Office Inspectors William 7.
Marbles, J b Robertson aud J.
lC. koons. Of the Washington
division. who came 70 Bristol
Tuesday to look after many
complaints Of stolen letters.
Suspicion fell upon Mail Clerk
Wilson. and they prepared a
decoy lie etter addressed to
Blanche Madison. Big Stone
Gap, Va, and sent it by speci-
al delivery. It was mailed in
Wilson's car, but when the
mail arrived at the Big Stone
Gap postofice it was missing.
an the while Wilson was being
Ishadowei by the inspectors.
ON the arrival of the train in
Bristol some seven hours late.
early Thursday morning. they
requested Wilson 60 accompany
them TO the Hamilton Hotel. at
the a IN time informing
him that they were postal in
spectors.
The party went direct 90 the
room Of one of the inspectors at
the hotel and after few pre-
liminary questions asked VIII
son 70 show his money. He
put out some fractional cur
rency and said that it was all
he had They pressed him. in
timating that he would be
searched He then pulled out a
second pocketbook, containing
some $40, and in which was
found the four bills, aggregat-
ing sS, which had been marked
and placed in the decoy letter.
Wilson insisted that he had
taken the money out with him
on his run, but when shown
that the inspectors had marked
it and had it perfectly describ-
ed. together with a copy of the
decoy letter. he confessed the
theft.
Wilson was taken to Abing-
I don Thursday and arraigned
before a United States commits
sioner His father, j. C. Will
son, of Wyndale. went on his
bond for y 900 and he was as
once released.
Under the law the penalty for
robbing the mails is one to five
years ia the penitentiary. The
case will be heard at the next
term of court. It is expected
that Wilson will plead guilty.
Il never saw a man exhibit
more ca!mness in the face of
absolute evidence of his guilt. o.
said one of n g inspectors.
Wilson does not seem to be in
the least disturbed.
The prisoner was locked up
ia the Bristol. Va, Jail Thurs
morning, remaining there until
il o'clobk, when he was taken
to Abingdon for formal appear
ance before a commissioner.
Upon his release he returned TO
his home in Bristol.
The Inspectors were compli-
meuted on their quick and sue
cessful catch. Complaints Of
mail robberies have been going
( on in this section since last Jan.
uary Bristol Herald Courier
Erftfov
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1909-11-24

Northern Pacific railroads. and
at every town l visited I found
the natives with their com
mercial organizations. each of
which maintained an attractive
exhibit Of agricultural products.
reception committees Of one or
two which meet an trains.
taking the homeseeker in hand
and assisting him in finding a
location thas would suit him or
her, and thus insure their be-
coming contented and prosper
Gus citizens in the community
eve know that the south is
conservative, bus we do not
now. most OF as. realize how
seriously aud how effectively
we are prevented from decent
accomplishment along these
lines by a lot Of old moss back
obstructionists that are against
anything whatever that re-
quires the expenditure Of a
little money or that makes for
the betterment Of conditions I'm
their locality-uniess old FOSSILS
who have become accepted as
arbiters in the community aud
who are just naturally agin'
anything whatever that does
not put more money into their
own pockets. Every conn
munity is handicapped and re-
stricted by one or more of these
individuals aud the only hope
of salvation is the knowledge
that they cannot live forever.
and the realization tbat the
younger generation will be
more liberal than they have
been.
"Is 10 any wonder that we
are losing our young men and
that they are hocking into the
Wesi by hundreds and thous-
and7, / met Nirginians at
almost every point I stopped.
and the pity of 10 all WAS that "a
majority of them were under
twenty-five years Of age. They
are doing wonderfully we'll in
the West. all the way from the
gulf coast in Texas clear
through Co the Canadian bor-
der, aud almost every one of
them i'm reply TO my question.
Acknowledged that they could
do 10 fully cas- welt ina che South
If the young man was given the
same chance down here that
awaits him i'm the new country.
81 have accompanied parties
of Western and Northern home
seekers time and again in this
State into southern towns and
then been kept busy after
arrival IN preventing Che native
busy body from getting 90 my
men and telling them such
tales of woe about the country
and irs people as TO discourage
them completely before we have
an opportunity to show them
the farming section and what
10 could do. We need more
cohesion and heartier co-opera-
alton and more loyal and
sincere working together for
the development of the country
IA which we live. We need to
get out occasionally ourselves
and see what our sister States
and cities are accomplishing
the iamentable feature Of
the situation is the fact that
when this land is thus acquired
lit is not possible TO secure il for
Development purpo oses at any
thing like a rational. normal
basis. and therefore it deprives
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-12-04

Parr stated that he began his inyestiga-
tions as early as iune or July in 1901,
hut did not take official charge Of the
investigation on the Williamsburg docks
until Nov. II. 1907 He saia the special
agents Of the treasury department. were
allowed 70 take their own initiative in
investigating anything that might APP
pear suspicious to them He said thar
Brezinsiyy and later Dick Whalley were
assigned TO assist him in this work.
The lawyer drew from parr that he
went to the Williamsburg docks alone
on two or three occasions between Nov
IL 1907, and Nov. 20, 1907. the purpose
apparently being to show the possibility
Of parr himself being responsible for
the holes IN the scale stanchions and
the presence Of the fraudulent spring
device. This possibility has been init.
mated BY counsel before and was openly
referred TO IN the penalties trial last
spring
The witness was careful to state that
though he went to the docks alone on
the occasions specified, he was not alone
after he got there
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-12-04
The
Exceptional
Equipment

Of the California Fig Syrup 60. and the
scientific attainments Of its chemists have
rendered possible the production q Syrup
of Figs and Elixir Of SIENNA, in all Of It's
excellence, by obtaining the pure medic
NAL principles Of plants known to act most
benefcially and combining them most
stillfully, in the right proportions, with
its wholesome and refreshing Syrup Of
California Figs
AS there is only one genuine Syrup Of
Figs and Elixir Of SIENNA and as the gem
uine Is manufactured by an original
method known to the California Fig Syrup
%. only, it is always necessary to buy the
genuine to get its beneficial effects.
A knowledge Of the above facts enables
one 10 decline limitations or TO return them
il upon viewing the package the full name
cfthe California Fig Syrup 90, is not found
printed on the front thereof.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-12-04
AN IDEAL SON.
Mrs Jack johnson Thus Describes the
Pugilist.

Chicago. Dec. 4. Mrs. Tiney Johnson,
mother. Of Jack Johnson, champion pu-
gilist Of the world, is in Chicago and
living in the new home Jack bought re-
Gently. Mrs. johnson has not seen Jack
in seven years. but she is the proudest
one can imagine.
She does not approve Of prize fight
ing but she il glad that Jack il at tile
head Of his class She said her son
would whip Jeifries just as sure as the
sun rose on the day of the battle.
Jack is an ideal SON." Mrs. johnson
said. "and there is no need for me to
say am proud Of him RE has never
failed to send me money for my sup
port have lived in Galveston 50
years and this Is my first visit to Chi.
cago expect 10 live here III this home
that Jack bought for the rest Of my
days. My son will be home Christmas
and am planning a big reunion. Be
sides Jack and myself, my daughter
Lucy and Mrs jamie Rhodes and my
other son. Charley viii be here I am
anxious to see my big boy and am sure
he want to see me"
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-12-04

moral courage before engaging in pas
sage Of arms. It is because he has great
reserves al moral courage that be has
become strong figure in national at-
airs. He mixes his war medicine re-
luetantly. even timidly. but when he
takes the long trail there il no turn
ing back. Those who are opposed to
him do well to give him the right Of
way. IN a calm, impersonal way ht
win knock obstructing people down. and
smile an apology for ineonyeniencing
them. After leading a forlorn hope like
hero, he has gone to bed like a Won
an, with nervous headache. lie Is
clinging to d certain absurd revolution
airy theories; he believes in honesty and
econmy ii the government, as in de-
partmeat store; he believes that Con-
aressnsn should do their best for tla
country. and should be permitted to 10
their best; he believes in many other
things, and for any one Of them he if
always ready 10 take of his coat aud
fight, though he may have an appoint
ment al the baseball grounds. a gen
elous. brave, wholesome man. firm il
the conviction that he IS right before
going ahead, this leader Of scared min
GRITTY. his friends believe, viii soon 10
directing the movements Of an enlbat-
tied host"
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-12-04
Follows the Resignation Of
Cabinet
THE OPPOSITION UNABLE
TO Get a Majority-Anti-clericals Hold
Balance of Power--Not Strong
Enough Now to Form Min
istry, However.

Rome, Dec. Announcement Of The
resignation Of the whole cabinet. which
was made BY the premier Thursday, fol
lowing the failure Of the Chamber u
Deputies to pass the bin presented by
the government as measure Of fiscal
reform, forestalled the overthrow Of the
government which the Opposition
strengthened BY union Of the Social
Democrats. Anti-clericals and Republi-
cans, had determined upon and which
the governments contemplated financial
reforms, despite their popular character
We're insufficient to avert. The present
situation is most difficult, since the OPP
position is composed Of different and
opposing factions, which united soely t.
overthrow the cabinet. This accomplish.
Ell the union ceased, and each faction
ia striving TO obtain preponderance ii
the new cabinet. II is not likely that
Signor Sennino, the leader Of the opp0si
ton, win be able to form the cabinet, as
the Socialists and Anti-Clericals refuse
him their support and threatened to join
the retiring premiers old majority,
Furthermore they insist that the new
cabinet must carry through financial re-
forms and initiate an active anti-Cler-
ieal policy. The Radicals and Repnb-
LEANS are undecided az to their course
while statesmen who are able and will
ling 10 undertake the difficult task Of
government are lacking. Sgnor Giolitti
the retiring premier, has succeeded in
proving that he is indispensable, as be
has been able to conciliate all the part
les, and he may return to power after
the overthrow of a short-liyed com.
posite cabinet, which II is most probable
will succeed him unless the general elee.
tions increase the number Of anti-Cler-
ical deputies and render possible an anti.
Clerical cabinet
The cabinet has been in Office since
February, 1906 It's members We're: G.
Giolitti, president Of the council and
minister 81 the interior; T. Tittoni, min
ister Of foreign affairs; Y. +. Orlando
Justice; z. Lacara, finances; 2. Carcano
treasury; 81 Casana, wari G Mirahello
Marine; T. Rava, instruction; p Der.
tolini. public work; f. Coeco-Ortu, agri.
culture and industry; DIR. Q. Sohanzes
post and telegraph.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-12-04
MORE RANGE
FOR FORAGE
New and Valuable Tracts to
Be Opened
In THE NATIONAL FORESTS
A Great Demand for Range-bred Steers
High Attitudes Give the AMI
mails Much Better
Health.
In THE NATIONAL FORESTS

Washington, Dec. 4.-Realizing the
Importance Of untilizing the ranges with
in the national forests for forage pur-
poses because ~ The rapidly increasing ter
ritory otherwise available in the West,
tile Forest Service Is intending to open
hitherto inaccessible ranges in high alti-
tudes By the construction Of trails and
bridges and to develop unused arid land.
In these higher elevations the grass
Is finer in quality and more nutritious
while the climate Is more vigorous, thus
giving the animals better health and
more solid flesh when placed on the
feeder markets IN the fall Forest Ser
vice officials report that they notice a
marked change in the feeling OF cast
ern buyers Of fed steers towards West
ern range bred steers Not more than
a decade ago the latter were purchased
by eastern buyers only when they were
unable Co I'm the feed pens from other
sources. Usually, too they offered a
much lower price than for other cat
tie So great it is said, has become the
demand for the range bred steers that
many stockmen throughout the West
ere selling their stock cattle and are
beginning 60 handle steers exclusively,
On the ranges where few years ago
there were large herds Of cows amt
calves, there are equally large groups
of steers. They are brought into the
ranges at from eighteen months TO two
years old, become acclmated in the
first year and in the second and third
years become sufficiently mature for
market
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-12-04
MAGAZINE REVIEW
The unpopuIaT 0ueen u ItaIy.

Queen Lena Of italy. says Kellogg
Durland in Woman's Home Companion
for December, is one Of the most I'M.
popular queens in Europe. Her court
which, to meet the taste Of her people
should be bright, popular brilliant, il
really the dnllest, the most stupid IN the
Western world / have lived in many
countries, and | am more on less famiI-
lar with al the courts 81 Europe. but
never have ] heard queen SO uniyer-
sally spoken Of with disrespect and dis
approval oi by her own court. Queen
Elena, in an American phrase, plays TO
the gallery, then retires. She gamers
the wheat and ignores the chaH She
Is quick to figure in dramatic exploits,
but reluctant TO submit to the daily
grind.
Rightly Or wrongly Queen Elena has
the reputation among her people for
being the stingiest queen in Europe,
Apparently this is true. She patronaes
almost nothing at all regularly. and If
once in while she lends her name to
appear on public bill, it usually means
this and nothing more. AS far as i
known, she gives less to charity, in pro-
portion to her means, than any queen.
III the world AZ large appreciated to
what extent she has carried her IDEAS
Of simplicity in dress, the glamor that
surrounds her would fade II il inns
possible TO worship d dowd especially
If she is queen, with all the splendor
and taste of the world at her hand
Il have seen her driving IN the CAM
pagne, OF even through streets of Rome,
when | would never have believed her
the occupant Of her exalted position had
not known her. One need not be ex
trayagant in clothes TO be tasteful. Here
she Is III unfortunate contrast to the
queen mother who, still living IN Rome,
is always exquistely gowned and no
matter how simply always with uner-
ring taste
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-12-04

own conscience, to be sure, win be free
from any reflection that he has de-
parted from the prescribed duty of the
citizen, ii such reflection would cause
him any pain, but this will in no wise
help the public nor vindicate the law.
The man who takes his place win OBJ
struct the sidewalks, defy the build
ing department and pay blackmail to
the wardman az inevitably as the SIM
shines. He will do these things. or
things like them, or he in his turn will
cease to do business He may be at
heart the best Of men; most honest. up-
right Jealous Of his good name and
cherishing stern principles Of civic duty.
yet necessity win force him, against his
VIII, to do the things that are done ia
his trade, law or no law. He must do
them there Is no other way. Aud If
by any chance he be exposed and ar
rested and ruined as a penalty for do.
ing some one Of these things. the man
who succeeds him at the old stand win
do them no less; and so win the man
aeross the street and the man in the
next block. For such are the condi
tons of the trade, and no law Of mans
making can change them.