davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-21
Luminous Arc Headlights.

The increased size and speed of the cleo
trio cars now used in interurban service
between cities and large towns, make 1t
extremely dangerous to run after dark
without a good headlight. In the begin
ming OF electric railway service small oil
lamps We're thought to be good enough
for headlight purposes, but when the cars
were made larger and geared to go faster
the small ol~d-fashioned arc lamps or large
-incandescent lamps were used for head
lights. Today it is nothing unusual for the
large interurban cars, carrying over 100
passengers, to hit a speed Of nearly a mile
a minute and in this case the very best
kind Of a headlight is necessary.
When the new luminous arc lamp, with
its flood OF mellow light, was produced
by the engineers Of the General Electric
company they Immediately designed a
luminous arc headlight which Will throw
a beam of light for many yards on either
side Of the track for a distance Of nearly
1000 feet ahead. Such Illumination is of
great assistance to motormen I'm taking
curves or avoiding collisions with vehicles,
animals or persons. Many OF the cities,
however, do not allow these binding lights
within the city limits. Fortunately this
new lamp can be dlmmed by a simple throw
of a switch, making il available for both
city and interurban service.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-21

James Fisk, jr, had been a peddlsr from
his boyhood days through New England
towns. His father was a peddler. and
James had been brought up in that life alb
sorbing all the bluff, nerve and flashy dis
play characteristic OF the travelling vendors
Of Yankee notions and tinwars, who were
conspicuous In the early days. before mer-
chandise had developed In a perfect sys-
tenn 1t ma be said Of Fisk that he had
been a prince of peddlers, and his wagon
was spectacular In appearance, being
painted In the brightest colors and 70
which he drove well groomed horses that
always attracted a large crowd OF rural add
mirers wherever he went.
A story OF an Incident OF the lays when
he was travelling with his father illustrates
Fisk's standard Of moral honesty, An old
woman charged Fisk's senior with having
mlsrepresented the value and quality OF a
piece of calico sold at i2h cents a yard.
Wen. now" said Fisk, b. Il don't
think father would tell a lie for 12h cents,
though he might tell eight Of 'em for a
dollar"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-21

COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS AT NELSON.
filled with golden ears and the thousands
Of bushels piled upon the ground in great
ricks.
The cattle industry has developed to a
wonderful degree in the last few years,
and it is no uncommon thing to find 700
and 500 cattle being fed on one ranch and
fitted for the market.
This industry is conducted on a large
and profitable scale along the Republican
valley. Within a radius Of eighteen to
twenty miles Of Superior, there are on an
average of 40 900 to $4,000 head Of cattle
grazing and fattening for the market. The
cattle business is made especially profit
able here by reason Of the dry, open
winters and quality Of the grasses. The
per cent OF loss Is extremely light and the
usual maladies affecting cattle in other
sections, are scarcely known.
About 10000 head are shipped yearly from
Superior to eastern markets, at an average
price Of $55 per head, so you can grasp
the magnitude of this great industry.
Nuckolls county was organized and held
is first election June q, 1871. The Mormons
passed through the country along the
course of the Little Blue on their westward
way; making the first road or trail in
Nuckolls county, which was, in 1858
adopted, Strengthened, bridged and used by
the government. In 1859, Butterfield started
the pony express over this road, which,
considering the time and route was a haz-
ardous enterprise. The same year, Russell
and Waddell started the overland stage
line and established stations along the
route in Nuckolls, the most noted Of which
was Oak Grow. In 1867, during the Indian
raids, the country was abandoned by the
white settler, excepting a man by the
name Of John Lorin err, who could not be
induced to go, In less than two weeks he
fell a victim to the merciless tomahawk
and scalping knife.
The first permanent settler in the county
was B. L. Comstock. locating at Oak
Grove, on the Little Blue, with his family
in 1861.
The first marriage ceremony in the
county was performed March 9, 1879, by
Judge E. A. Davis, it being about the first
official act. The contracting parties were
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-21
Nor the snme Iorhnn.

we had a county Judge down my way a
few years ago whose love for biblical lore
wa so pronounced that he couldn't resist
the desire 10 air Il on every possible occa-
sion," said Congressman Henry ID. Clayton
Of Alabama a few days since. one day
an old darkey was brought in from the
mountain district under suspicion OF main
tanning an Illicit still. There was no real
evidence against him..
What your name, prisoner" asked the
judge as he peered at the stumbling black
man.
A." Nah names Joshua, ledge was the
reply.
" Joshua, eh?' said the Judge, as he rub
bed his hands, Joshua. you say? Are you
that same Joshua spoken Of in Holy Writ
the Joshua who made the sun stand stlly'
No, ledge was the hasty answer.
'twaru't me. Ah'm de Joshua dat made de
moon shine National Monthly.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-21
In the Field of Electrical Experiment

sleeper may be aroused from slumber to
answer a call and talk to his mother,
wife, sweetheart or business friend 1000
miles away. It is predicted the invention
will be as wonderful in its development
as wireless telegraphy; and Its a~ccompani-
ment, the device to prevent railroad accl-
dents, makes it the more remarkable.
The third rail, which carries the power
for the Lecroix system of wireless tele-
phony, is not deadly" as a person may
walk upon 1t without receiving the slight
est shock. The test was watched by a
few road officials and several newspaper
men. They crowded into the engine cab,
as many as could find standing room at
one time. They found a receiver and
transmitter much like the ordinary tele-
phone attachments on the side of the cab.
Close by were the dlals and attachments
Of the device for sounding the warning OF
danger ahead.
The members Of the party first talked
through the transmitter to train dispatch
ers at either end Of the line and received
messages in response. The train was run
ming at twenty miles an hour: and then
the speed was increased five miles, and
then TO thirty miles. There was not the
s4AbAbS9N upNlou OF the conversation
even as the amount Of speed was increased
To make the test severe the speed was
increased quickly, so that the cab shook
and the cars wsbbied, but there was no
interruption Of the talk.
The wireless telephone having been
tested TO the satisfaction Of the officials.
the traln-stopping device was demon
strated. The train was run in close upon
a passenger train, and the moment the
danger zone was reached, the engineer
having his grip on the lever, the air
brake attachment was operated automat-
ically and the train stopped within fifty
feet, when running AZ twenty-five miles an
hour. There was no sudden jar: II came
to a standstll gradually. There will be a
public test Of this device on Wednesday
OF next week on the same stretch Of track.
Two engines equipped with the device Will
be started on the same rails from opposite
directions az fun speed. Lecroix says he
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-21

The soil OF Nuckolls county Is a rich,
fertile, black loan. one to four feet In
depth, underlaid with spongy clay sub
soil, which makes this land especially
adapted to the growing Of alfalfa, the
greatest hay-producing grass in the world.
Horses, cattle and hogs are produced lib
orally in Nuckolls county and with profit.
Wheat, corn, oats and rye, vegetables
and fruits yield ~abundantly and drouth
has never caused a total failure in Nuokolls
county.
Fruits, such as apples, pears, peaches,
plums, grapes and berries, are Of the finest
flavor.
There are six FIGURING mills in Nuckolls
county, the combined capacity of which
is 1000 barrels daily. These mills are in
operation the year around, and when run
ming on fun time consume daily 5000 BUSH
els Of wheat. This wheat is, Of course,
all grown in the county. Besides this
milling industry there are twenty-six ele-
vators in the county in connection with
the railroads.
Three-year-old steers fed on alfalfa meal
and ground corn will gain about -four and
one-half pounds a day for sixty days. The
reason for this large gain is that this
forms a balanced ration; the steer does
not chew his cud.
Jewel county, on the south Of NuckolIs,
is the banner county of Kansas in the pro-
duction of corn and alfalfa. 1t was I'M
fortunate for Nuckolls county that much
Of its lano was taken in an early day
for speculation by the shopmen Of the
Union Pacific railroad shops at Omaha.
Nuckoll county Is pretty well tlmbered
with natural forests along the streams,
while on the uplands the handiwork of
the frugal h-usbandman is everywhere in
evidence and the level expanse OF farm
land Is studded with young bearing Or
chsrds and numerous groves Of shade
trees.
The artificial timber consists Of maple,
elm, boxelder, ash and catalpa, while along
the streams abound the black and white
oak, cottonwood, elm, ash, etc. in great
profuslon.
In the northern part of the county small
grain crops prevail and in the southern
half along the bottoms, corn is king, as
is readily seen from the many long cribs
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-21

school building costing $4,000 and modern
in every respect. Both Of these schools give
the normal training course,
There are two large Catholic parochial
schools in the county, one in Laurence and
one near Mt Glare School interest is ak
cellent all over the county. At . teachers
meeting in october, nearly svsry teacher
was present Fifty of the Nuckolls' county
teachers attended the state teachers meet
ing at Lincoln November sc
Nuckolls county is one Of the rich eoun-
ties Of Nebraska It's entire valuation
amounts to S2s.OOO.OO0 The produotiveness
of the county can best be expressed and
appreciated. by using a few figures, not
many, Just a few. The farms Of the county
contain $4,000 acres, with 100000 acres
under cultivation. From these farms were
sold and shipped out Of the county, last
year, 80, 300 fat cattle and &C, $50 fat hogs.
Also 300 horses and 300 head of sheep. This
county also shipped out L,5s0,OO bushels OF
corn, $4,000 bushels of wheat and 2S0OO1
bushels of oats. Nuckolls is one Of tho
prominent counties In the state In the mill
ing business. Last year the flour mills OF
this county sold and shipped out 100000
pounds Of flour and 1000 pounds Of mill
feed.
The splendid crops Of alfalfa that are
being grown, are fast bringing this county
to the front as one of the prominent dairy
section of the state More and more each
year, the farmers, or the farmers wives.
are turning their attention to the poultry
industry. Last year they sold and shipped
out 187, 1863 pounds Of butter and 94s, 800
gallons of cream They also sent 10 market
$4,000 dozens Of eggs and 1900 pounds or
dressed poultry. During the last summer,
these farmers used 900 hand separators and
kept $500 head Of COWS on their farms
Nuckoll county stands third In the state
in the production OF alfalfa, as they pro-
duced last season over M,OO0 acres, besides
1900 acres of timothy and 1000 acres OF
clover. During the last season they also
produced los, 900 acres Of corn. 5000 acres
of wheat and 1900 acres OF oats. The
county is also producing a liberal amount
Of fruit, largely for home consumption,
They have at present, growing and in full
bearing, $500 apple trees, 10000 peach.
$500 plum and 1900 cherry trees.
Taking the county as a whole, and from
every standpoint, 1t will compare favor
ably, not only with any county in Me-
braska, but with any county in any state
in the Mississippi valley
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-21

10" commenced with the great trail
period for the overland route
- from 81. Joe. No, to CalifornS.
iaN0IYI The past year has been ole
80 Of unusual prosperity TO the
fai mers Of Nuckolls county. For instance,
q large piano dealer OF Lincoln declares
trat he IS selling fewer pianos to the city
people than he sold last year, but that
the farmers are buying nearly twice as
many as they bought the year before.
The center Of this business is swinging
away from the cities and into the rural
C, mmunlties The farmer had good crops
last year; he sold them at the best prices
on record. and he seems likely to have
the same experience this year.
The Nebraska farmers first duty is to
feed the American people. But one-eighth
OF his products are sent abroad. The
yearly consumption Of agricultural pro-
ducts, is $50 per capita. The average acre
produces but 81 a year. Opportunity in
Nuckolls county yet keeps It's door open
II they could only shut the door Of waste,
the well-belng Of tho people would surpass
all previous human experience.
Nuckolls County was organized as a
county in 1871, has an area Of $40 square
lAlltes q BOBhAaAAhh Va AHHNNNr AAAANN AAAr
public schools, seven high schools, ITO
miles telephone, 1874 miles Of telegraph,
1879 miles Of railroad three free libraries,
free rural mail delivery. This county is
watered by the Republican and Little Blue
rivers, Elk, Beaver. OK Bow and Spring
creeks. The Little Blue Is especially noted
for its water power. It furnishes power
for fifteen Touring mills in the state. The
,ro11..r. - Al. D.,,blt,an ana Tttt1a Niue
are noted for fertility and pro-duotiveness.
No county in the state of Nebraska
can excel Nuckolls county in the raising
OF alfalfa. While alfalfa is raised to a
limited extent in all parts Of the state,
the soil In Nuckolls county is peculiarly
adapted to the requirements Of this wonder
ful grass. Alfalfa grows in this county
or the upland and lowland, rough land
and smooth land, in fact anywhere It is
planted, which is evidence there is no
''gumbo' soil. There Is no crop that can
be raised that will produce the quantity
and quality Of ~roughness as alfalfa. Three
or four heavy crops OF hay are cut from
each alfalfa field each season. Analysis
and experiments have proved that alfalfa
has much the same feeding value and fat
producing qualities as corn. Nc hay can
re raised that has the fattenlng qualities
OF alfalfa, as II contains 30 per cent Of
fat producing elements. AS corn, the king
Of grains, alfalfa does not wear out the
soil, but tends to ~fertilize II. The i'm,
portant advantage Nuckolls county has
over other alfalfa districts, Is that It is
a good corn and wheat country. Alfalfa
and corn will grow in adjoining fields, and
it is a great advantage to the feeder to
be able to raise both hay and grain. as
also to the farmer to be able to market
his corn with his neighbor.
Nuokolls county Is situated in the south
ern tier OF counties, the fourth county
east of the center Of the state and but a
little more than 100 miles west Of the Mis-
souri, river.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-21

men, who appreciate the fact that their
success lies in securing the trade of farmers
in this section, and know that the way
to attract trade to this city is best done
by the laying out. grading and keeping
in strict repair the main roads leading
to the city. Every farmer who is looking
for a market and trade center, has his eyes
on Superior, and the action of the Com
mercial club will bear fruit at no distant
day.
One Of the big industries Of the winter
season is the ice crop, harvested from the
mill race by the Santa Fe railway and local
concerns. Nearly all the ice for the great
Santa Fe system is harvested at Superior
and shipped to various points along the
route.
We hear a great deal of talk Of the "wild
and woody west" and way down east,
many people seem to have an idea that
business out In this section OF the country
Is conducted on a very primitive plan,
but the fact is, that even way out in Ne
braska the retail merchants are fifty years
at least in advance Of the retailers of New
England and the middle states in store
management and in the judicious display
and arrangement of their stocks. West
ern merchants are nothing IL not progress
sive. They are constantly introducing new
ideas into their business, and not only
in the interior arrangement of their re-
spective places of business, but in their
methods Of advertising and extending theil
trade.
No such splendid railroad facilities car
be found in any town In Nebraska three
fold the size Of Superior.
The Burlington & Missouri River railroad
is the Chicago, Burlington g. Quincy's Kan
sas City-Denver main line and carries eighr
to ten trains daily. They built through
Superior in 1879 and have given this entire
valley easy access to eastern and western
markets.
Superior is the erminus Of the Santa
Fe from Strong City, Kan, connecting
with the main line Of their great system
Superior has made a remarkable and sub.
stantial growth in the quarter of a cen.
fury since it sprang into existence. It has
thirteen railroad postoffices, each OF which
has grain markets and general merchan-
disc stores.
Devices and Edgar are Just over the
county line on the north and Davenport,
on two railroads, just over the line east.
Nelson, the capital of Nuckolls county,
is second in size, with a population of
1900. 1t has two railroads., two substantial
banks, a Touring mill of 100 barrels capao-
ity. Besides numerous retail establish
ments, Nelson has two large department
stores, each occupying three large store
rooms, 26x1OO feet, elegant high school
building, churches, court house and hotels.
Nelson is about the geographical center
OF the county. 1t is a well-built little
city and has some very pretty residences.
The court house is a well-constructed
building, as is also the high school.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-21
TelepOst and Telegraph.

- CCEssFUL tests were made
- recently OF the new tele-
post system between ~Indianap-
49, oils and st. Louis, a batch OF
news dispatches for the ST.
- Louis Republic were handled
on the lines with great speed and accuracy.
Many startling claims are made for the
new service by its supporters. y They say
the telepost can transmit sixty messages
over a single wire In the same time the
Morse system requires for one. Four
wires, Il Is said, will do the work Of sixty
eight quadruplex-worked wires OF the
Morse system.
The company uses ordinary telephone
wires for it's service, getting leases upon
them from their owners. A system Of
coils enables the telephone wires TO carry
both telephone messages and telegraph
messages at the same time.
The astonishing rapldity with which mes
sages can be transmitted was illustrated
last night. An operator, using an ordinary
telegraph key, pertorates holes in a tape
which IL run by a motor. These holes are
In duplicate and represent the ordinary
dots and dashes Of the Morse code.
The tape is put into a transmitting ma
chine. At the other end OF the line is a
receiving machine The operator puts his
perforated tape into the first and touches
a button. II is whirled through so rapidly
the eye can scarcely follow II. At the re-
ceivlng end another tape, chemically pre-
pared, Is whizzing with equal rapidly.
The receiving operator removes this from
his machine when the message Is COM
plete. He takes II TO a typewriter. where
two small motors pull Il across the kew
board IN front OF the typlst. who reads the
message and writes Il. The claim Is made
that tho transmitting machine will carry
from so to 1000 words = minute.
The Indianapolis office was opened but q
short time ago. II is a new link in the
chain which Is 10 connect the middle west
division OF the service with the New Eng
land system. Already the company has ar
ranged for IA extension OF its lines from
Indianapolis to Chicago. Chicago h then
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-21


h officials Of Nuckoils county are an
efficient and obliging set Of men, well
qualified for the positions Of trust which
they have been elected to fill.
As a rule the people do not read school
journals and do not study school plans
and measures, and are left to estimate their
value and progress from the several local
conditions. The inestimable value Of
schools Is a sufficient reason TO ask and
secure the attention Of their patrons with
out apologlzing for doing so, AS al in
~stitution II is the result of many years
Of evolution. It's growth, though, not re-
markably rapid, has been steady, sub
stantial and along right lines.
As al institution it is the chief corner
stone Of our glorious republic. We do not
prize It so supremacy because we have
millions invested in wood, brick, stone and
marble in the form of magnificent build
ings, but because our schools are institu-
tions for the education Of our children.
The present state of efficiency of the
Nelson public schools is the result Of many
years of evolution. Its growth, though
not remarkably rapid, has been steady,
substantial and along right lines.
Going as far back as the year Of 1882
we find the school In charge of W.. H.
Gerdts as teacher, with an enrolment Of
forty-five pupils. The next year the en-
rollmen\ was increased to fifty-four and
c.. w. Devall was the teacher.
In the spring Of 1890 the first commence
ment exercises were held, when a class of
two boys graduated.
1t was now becoming evident to many
of the citizens that the old school building
was inadequate to accommodate the school.
In the spring of 1891 a petition was circu-
lated asking for a special election to con-
slider the question of voting bonds for a
new building.
The building was ready to be occupied
in January, 1892. The school had scarcely
gotten located in the new building when
on the 3Oth of March a tornado wrecked
the building.
The graduating class Of 1902 consisted Of
nine girls and seven boys, the class Of 1904,
four girls and six boys and the class of
1905, fourteen girls and four boys.
AT the present time Nuckolis county has
ninety-one school districts. with ninety
three school buildings, where 3,17o students
are taught by 100 teachers, who draw S5O,547
annual salary. The school property Of the
county is valued at $780, 200.
The county has two accredited schools
with twelve grades, Nelson and Superior.
Superior has just moved into their new
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-21

OHN =. kennedy inc uoCSdSou
81 New York millionaire whose
$$f requests to educational, relig-
ious and charitable. institutions
ESR$kSH surprised the country, was one
G4222aSS Of the few potential factors in
the financial world whose deeds escaped the
vigilance Of newspapers. HE was a Scotch
man, with humor," says the Brooklyn
Eagle. HE was a staunch Presbyterian,
with hospitality for all sincere denomina-
lions. AS a railroad man, he was one Of
the most successful and wise OF his genera
ton, yet the least ostentatious and the
least oppressive Of all nat great GLASS.
Mainly, however. he was in business as
a banker and his railroad connections were
developed from his relations to the enter
prises which he financed.
in addition to this. Mr.. Kennedy was
a benefactor Of education, an organizer
OF charities, a student Of history, a friend
of hospitals, a lover OF art and a promoter
OF civilization and learning through mis-
sions in foreign lands. For many years
he was a member and trustee Of the Fifth
avenue Presbyterian church when DR.. John
Hall was its pastor and even before that
time; but at his death ne belonged to the
Madison Square Presbyterian church and
was NlH AllcNA anu dANlbtI Oh IT, charles
II. Parkhurst, the pastor OF that fOunda-
ton. Born IN Glasgow, January 4 1880,
and one Of nine children, John Kennedy
was sent to school only from his fifth 20
the end Of his twelfth year, and at 70 be-
came a clerk and messenger in a shipping
office. At II he was secured by an iron
and coal concern and when he was 20
he became connected with its interests in
the United states, When q years old, he
became a banker In old New York. and at
HIS death on Sunday he was probably the
leading banker OF the old conservative
style in the United States.
The great, good and genial man had no
children. He made learning, humanity and
uplift take the place Of childten in his
heart and mind, and, while he would not
let his left hand know what his right
hand gave. he gave much, thought much,
designed much and powerfully influenced
much which contributed 10 happiness, to