davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06
WHY NOT ALL FARMERS !?

The Des Moines Register and Leader
agrees with the advice President Taft
gave the young men of Jackson, Miss,
in which the president said there was
greater opportunity for real reward
in assiduity, industry, attention to bust
ness and scientific investigation in the
profession of agriculture than in any
other profession that this country af-
fords." The Des Moines paper won
ders why, after all these years of
urgent advice to stick to the farm, the
farms are drifting into the hands of
renters, while the sons of farmers seek
their fortunes in the towns
The answer that suggests itself to
the Register and Leader is that farm
life is not made as attractive as town
life, and until it is the town will al
ways be alluring. When it is the
thing to live in the country in the west
and south as it is in the east, and good
roads, automobiles and interurbans
make it possible to enjoy the country
in the, west and south as it is in the
east, then there may be turning to
the farm.
At the very beginning, the Des
Moines paper holds, is the matter of
good roads.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06

then all of SCOTS books, both poetry
and prose. This was followed by Dick
ems, Thackeray and other masters in
the realm of fiction.
Then came Shakespeare. | read all
or his plays, re-reading many. | pre-
sumo the great dramatist exerted
better influence than any other one
writer because of the deliberation of
SO many sided characters. Out of
MIN came the inspiration to read more.
HIS historical dramas directed me to
the history OF England, and Hume and
Macauley naturally followed. Then
went to France to study her romantic
history; from there to Germany. back
70 Rome, Greece and the Egyptian and
Aryan regions. 1t would be impossi-
Die TO say whether any one single
book has been prominent in its infiu-
ence
The tendency of the above and kin
dred books interested me in the liter
ature and history of my own country
and the growth of the appetite for this
food for thought doubtless created !,
general desire to know more Of the in
situations of government here and
abroad All of my work in this direc-
ton must have from time to tina
fired me with ambition and exalted my
spirit of patriotic duty. In other words.
my increased knowledge of the world
and the men who made it's history and
affairs fitted me in some measure for
1 the duties of life
l do not know that any one book
or set OF books could be chosen which
would make for more opportunity or
| greater success. 1t is the collection OF
books which make for more general
knowledge, and for this, one must
simply cultivate the reading habit and
confine reading to the best books
| written
| The book shelves groan beneath
the volumes which have survived the
decades and centuries. and it would
be well to spend as little time as pos
sible on the current literature but
confine yourself to that which has
stood the test of years, when the
wheat was winnowed from the chaff.
would not discourage light reading
or denounce all literature because it
was new, because you must know
about the things of which men are
thinking and doing today.
Yes, cultivate the reading habit.
and cultivate the art of communicating
what you know to others. With the
genius of hard work, directness of pur-
pose, success will come.
Very truly,
John A. Johnson"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06
Transformed by Forests.

A most striking example of the
transforming effect of forests, not on
ly on the appearance, Jut on the pro-
of country, is afforded by
the department of Landes, in France.
At the close of the eighteenth century
about 100000 acres of that region
were little more than shifting sand
dunes and disease-breeding marshes"
At present the same lands are among
the richest, most productive and
healthful in France, and the change
has been brought about by intelligent
cultivation of pine forests. Even the
character of the climate of the region
has been ameliorated, and it has be-
come mild and balmy. A thin layer
of clay beneath the sandy upper sur
face soil. formerly impervious to
water has been pierced by the pine
roots until thorough drainage is es-
tablished to the spongy earth which
lies below.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06

makes compulsory education impracti-
bic or Objectionable This can be
done with comparatively little ex-
pense, and save the people of the
state thousands of dollars annually
that is now being spent inextortion-
ate. prices for school books and sup
plies.
Then Mr.. Kendall says that the laws
governing relative to the number of
hours taught, branches taught, and
conduct Of teachers are the worst that
he ever heard of. Probably they are
the only ones that he ever did hear
of. While our school laws are possibly
not perfect, and can possibly
be improved on, think that they are
very good. Our schools are strictly
non-political non-sectarian, and not
even the color line is drawn. Each and
every citizen has an equal voice with
every other citizen in school affairs.
Then as to the manner of teaching
and governing our schools, it would
seem to me that with such an able,
hard working, never firing man as
Prof Stuart, with life time of expert
ence behind him, earnestly devoting
his entire time to the welfare of our
schools, assisted by a score or more
Of principals selected from the very
best talent in our city, under whom IS
one hundred or more of the most re-
fined, and best qualified young ladies'
of the city daily lending every effort
to make the most and best possible
out Of our little ones. | say that when
/ consider this array of talent, back
ed up by such an able body Of men
as our school board is composed Of,
it leads me to believe that it must
take an inexhaustable supply of gall
for one who, admits in his own article
that he never finished McGuffey's
third reader, to attempt to publicly
ridicule, advise and dictate at this
time.
Mr.. Kendall says that he was com
PEELED to quit school while studying
McGuffey's third reader, and that he
knew as much at that time as the
children Of this city do when they
graduate from the eighth grade. This
| am not prepared to dispute, but if it
is true, am constrained to believe
that he has forgot lot since that
time.
LII oulilIlinS up L Will say LllotL 1
think that Prof. Stuart and his able
staff of assistants and teachers, know
best what our little ones should study;
how, when and where they had best
study it.
Last I would say to Mr.. Kendall,
and all others that are in the same
frame of mind that he is, teach your
children at home that the school is
right, that their teacher is right, that
the principal is right, and that the
superintendent is right, and that they
must respect and obey their teacher
and their superior officers. If the
patrons of the schools will give the
teachers this much assistance it is a
safe bet that the teachers nor the
schools will never be responsible for
boys being drunkards or outlaws or
standing before the court of justice.
Your respectfully,
H D. Judd
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06
THE ELECTIONS AND REFORM

In great many quarters the con-
clusion will be reached that the defeat
of Heney in California means that the
voters of San Francisco have fallen
from grace, that the election of Judge
Gaynor in New York was accomplish
ed by corrupt politics, and that Glib
honey, Philadelphia's reform candi-
date, was only downed by the hosts
of iniquity. To another great number,
however, the result will be taken as
an indication that the people are tired
Of brass band reform, and are unwill-
ing to concede that all the honesty in
the world is locked in the breasts of
the few whose photographs are seen
SO often with glowing eulogies In the
uplift magazines.
The defeat of Heney in San Francisco
by an overwhelming majority means
that ali overwhelming majority Of
San Francisco voters felt that Heney's
spectacular methods Of fighting vice
have not accomplished the desired re-
suit. 1t would be foolish to assert that
the San Francisco voters were bought
off by the men Heney has been fight
ing. 1t is much more reasonable to
believe that, San Francisco, being
capable Of self government, decided 1t
didn't want Heney and defeated him.
The same is true of the result in
New York. There is reason to believe
that the New York populace didn't al
low itself to get enthusiastic over
Gaynor. But compared to Hearst, a
perennial office-seeker who continually
uses his newspapers to advance his
selfish interests, and Barnard, an
estimable man, no doubt, but unknown
to a large majority of the electorate,
Gaynor was accepted as the lesser of
the evils, and his hands were. then tied
by defeating the Tammany candidates
for the board which disburses New
Yorks funds.
This may be all wrong. Perhaps
the defeat of Heney in San Francisco
and Gibboney in Philadelphia and the
election of Gaynor in New York, may
prove to be grave mistake. But the
voters of San Francisco, Philadelphia
and New York, being for the large
part men intelligent enough to dis
tinguish between right and wrong, de-
cided the question as they thought
best, and certainly that was their
right and privilege.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06
POTENCY OF LIMRuReER.

Baltimore Sun.--It has been com
monplace of observation, indeed, for
hundreds of years that limburger
cheese has remarkable virtues as a
preservative, stimulant and antiseptic.
The man who eats it daily is seldom
misanthrope and never an invalid.
1t seems to exert not only benign
and soothing influence upon the stom-
ach, liver, humerus aorta, vermiofrm
appendix and other vital organs, but
also clarifying effect upon the high
er cerebral centers. One can always
tell the habitual limburgundian by his
ruddy cheeks, his stocky frame and
his unusual affability. He is more fit
than the average man for any conceiv-
able human enterprise. and he is well
aware of 1t. In science, commerce, art
and the metaphysics he is an original
thinker and an accomplished disput-
ant; and even if his task in life be
some humble thing, such as playing
the clarinet or driving beer wagon,
he always does that thing better than
the next thing. All great musicians
love limburger.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06
+ #***#*a*A~#w#*@#*S
i A LOVELY PROSPECT. y
= & i j. i. i. j. 4. j. 4. 4. Il j. j. 4 j. j. y

Good Minister { married MANI
Do you wish to marry this woman?
Mani do.
Minister--Do you wish to marry this
man?
Woman do.
Minister-Do you like the city as d
place of residence?
Man-No; prefer the suburbs.
Minister-Do you like the suburbs?
Woman-No, indeed; prefer the
city.
Minister-Are you a vegetarian in
diet?
Mani hate vegetables. | live on
beef.
Woman can't bear meat. / am a
vegetarian.
Minister-Do you like sleeping
room well ventilated?
Man-Yes; want the window down
summer and winter
Minister-Do you. like so much fresh
air?
Woman--No; 1t would kill me. |
want all windows closed. ~.,Hagi
Minister-Do you like light in the
room?
Man--No; can't sleep with light;
want the room dark.
Minister-Are you afraid in the
dark?
Woman-Indeed am. have al
ways had bright light in my room.
Minister-Do you like many bed
clothes?
Man--All I can pile on.
Minister-Do you?
Woman-No; they suffocate me-
Minister hereby pronounce you
man and wife, and may every bless
ing and happiness in life be yours!--
Detroit NeWs-Tribune
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06
THE Fire STATION LOSS.

According to Alderman Bremhorst,
chairman Of the city councils fire COM
mittee, no investigation looking into
the cause Of the fire that destroyed the
new East End fire station and caused
the taxpayers loss of $4,000 Is to be
made Alderman Bremhorst stated
that the fire committee had gone into
the matter and did not see any need
for an investigation, or that anyone
was to blame for the fire.
1t would certainly seem that when
fire station, installed for the purpose
OF giving fire protection to large
section of the city, is permitted to burn
down, destroying valuable apparatus
and disabling one of the horses, and
that not sufficient insurance had been
taken out to protect the tax payers
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06
Editor Ottumwa Courier:


Dear Sir: In your issue of Nov. 1,
1909, notice an article from the pen
of Harry A. Kendall, a part Of which
can not refrain from replying to If
my few thoughts are worthy of space
in your valuable paper.
Mr.. Kendall makes mention Of Il
man that was fined $500 in justice
court for not sending his boy to school,
and he further says that he should
have been fined 100000. l know
nothing Of the merits of this particular
case, but Mr.. Kendalrs article seems
to apply to all cases of the same
nature. And this is where take issue
with him. A law that compels one to
do thing and does not make it posi-
BILE for him or her to do it, is in my
opinion, an unfair and unjust law.
Here l would like to suggest to Mr..
Kendall a few thoughts; take for ex-
ample man with wife and Ave
children between the ages of six and
working at the packing house for a
wage of SIZE per day, and the corpora
ton is giving him an average of four
days per week, out of which he has to
pay $1,000 per month house rent; now
L.
and paper and figure out how this man
is going to properly feed and clothe
this family of seven during this month
for the remaining $500 (suppose that
he does not have any sickness or mis-
fortune). I'll venture that you can not
do it. Yet there are lots of them
figuring it out for themselves. Now,
Mr.. Kendall, after this man rs solved
this seemingly impossible problem Of
feeding and clothing his family, he
finds that his money is all gone; he
sends his little ones to school with
what books they have, the principal
sends them back with a note to the
parents to buy them $500 worth of
new books He has not got the money
to buy them the books, and they can
not go to school without them; the
child labor law won't let them go to
work, in fact the law says they must
go to school; hen along comes the
truant officer and picks them up,
places them in Jail; and then you say
that the law had ought to be changed
SO that justice of the peoce could
fine that man $4,000 because he did
not have $500 to add to the already
multiplied millions of the law protect
ed school book trusts? Just such ideas
in the minds of our legislators are re-
sponsible for just suck laws as this.
Would it not be much more sensible to
change the law so that the state would
furnish free books to the pupils of the
public schools up to the eighth grade,
and thus eliminate the only thing that
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06
CANNOT SING THE OLD SONGS

l cannot sing the old songs
| sung long years ago.
For heart and voice would fail me,
And foolish tears would flow;
For bygone hours come DER the heart
With each familiar strain,
I cannot sing the old songs,
Or dream those dreams again;
1 cannot sing the old songs,
Or dream those dreams again.
I cannot sing the old songs,
Their charm is sad and deep;
Their melodies would waken
Old sorrows from their sleep.
And though all unforgotten still,
And sadly sweet they be.
cannot sing the old songs,
They are too dear to me;
cannot sing the old songs,
They are too dear to me.
cannot sing the old songs,
For visions come again
OF golden dreams departed
And years of weary pain.
Perhaps when earthly letters shall
Have set my spirit free
My voice may know the old songs,
For all eternity;
My voice may know the old songs.
For all eternity.
A. Barnard, English poet
and composer, 1830-1S6O.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06

The Commercial association has
sent a communication to the board of
supervisors in which 1t advises against
the purchase of voting machines on
the grounds that the county is not in
position just now to incur such an ex-
penditure. The association has sent
another communication to the city
council in which 1t urges that the
wards in the city be divided into
precincts of not more than 400 voters.
This last suggestion Is one that should
be given consideration by the officials
and the citizens. Such plan would
relieve the congestion at the polls and
the long delays incident to counting
the vote in top heavy wards.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06
GOV. CARROLL MEETS A
HAGkLEBARNEY FRIEND.

New Orleans correspondence in the
st. Louis Times.-Gov. Carroll of Iowa
and clergyman at Baton Rouge fell
on each others necks and embraced in
the darkness, because both were born
on Soap Creek, Hacklebarney Hollow,
Davis county, la.
The fleet did not get to Baton Rouge
until after midnight, and the two met
in the darkness above the bluffs. 1t
was the first time they had seen each
other in thirty years. And were they de-
lighted? "Dee-l.ighted" would more
nearly express it. Carroll is the only
native born Iowan the state has elect
ed governor.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06
PEOPLES PULPIT
ottumwa, Iowa, Nov. 4, i
e.-eeee.-.ee-.-s-.-e-e-.-ee-.-e-.->t
Editor Courier

Editor Courier
AS regards our public roads I am
pleased with the agitation they are
ceiving through our newspapers and
with your permission I desire to offer
my views on the subject of road max
ing. The first thing to do is to re-
duce the width to what is necessary
for the public to use-say two rods IN
width, graded % feet, SO that all sur
face water can get away. Two rows
of tile should be used where needed,
say sixteen feet apart. This grade
should be kept in repair by the use Of
the traction engine with heavy roller
attached and the King drag. The
farmer that will take pride in keep
ing the road in repair by using these
implements should have credit on
his taxes for labor performed. want
to say right here the farmer is the
busiest man in all the country at the
times the roads should be worked and
has to neglect his own when he works
the roads, therefors is entitled to COM
pensation. All persons using these i'm.
proved roads for heavy traffic should
be required by law to use broad tired
wagons.
To construct and maintain these
roads we should have a road fund Gre
ated by a levy on all taxable property
in the county; the farmer is not in o
position alone to carry this expense;
he will oppose the improvement of the
roads if he has to make them alone.
You hear but little complaint from the
farmer about bad roads. What wor-
ries him most is to produce something
to take to market.
Retired Farmer.
P. ST. want to endorse what the
editor of the Courier had to say in re-
gard to Strengthening the river.
R. F.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06
Men. Wo nm en-.
an d Children
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO SUE.
FER FROM YOUR ILLNESS2

Chronic diseases can be cured il
you will have just little patience.
My experience covers a period of 35
years. During this long period have
treated many cases of different kinds
of ailments. Isn't this long experience
worth something to you? No matter
what you suffer from you'll find my
methods of treatment materially diff
ferent from the ordinary methods
Acute diseases tend to get well OF
their own accord. Chronic diseases
will continue to grow worse if not Civ
en- attention. Skill, experience and my
methods are at your command just by
calling on me. | will give you an ex-
animation and consultation free, tell
ing you candidly what can be done
DR.. BENZ. {. Stricken & Co.
ONCE los S. Market st. Upstairs.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06

Cures permanently the cases he I'M
dertakes and sends the incurable
home without taking fee from them,
This Is why he continues his visits
from year to year, while other doctors
have made few visits and stopped
DIR. Shallenberger is an eminently sue
cessful specialist in all chronic dis.
eases, proven by the many cures eff
fected in chronic cases which have
baffed the skill of all other physi-
Clans. His hospital experience and
extensive practice have made him 50
proficient that he can name and locate
a disease in few minutes.
Treats all cases of Catarrh, Nose,
Throat and Lung Diseases, Eye and
Ear, Stomach Liver and Kidneys,
Gravel, Rheumatism, Paralysis, Neu-
ralgia, Nervous and Heart Diseases,
Blood and Skin Diseases, Epilepsy,
Bright's Disease and Consumption in
early stage, diseases Of the Bladder
and Female Organs, Liquor and To-
bacco habit. Stammering cured and
sure methods to prevent its recur.
renee given. A never failing remedy
for Big Neck.
PILES, FISTULA and RUPTURE
guaranteed cured without detention
from business. Special attention given
to all Surgical cases and all diseases
of the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat and
Granulated Lids.
NERVOUS DEBILITY.
Are You nervous and respondent,
weak and debilitated; tired mornings;
no ambition-lifeless memory poor
easily fatigued; exeitable and irrit.
able; eyes sunken, red and blurred
pimples on face; dreams, restless
haggard looking; weak back; deposi.
in urine and drains at stool; distrust.
full; want Of confidence, lack of ener-
gy and strength?
DISEASES OF MEN AND PRIVATE
DISEASES A SPECIALITY.
Blood Poison, Spermatorrhea, Vari-
cocele, Hydrocele, Debility, Nervous
ness, Dizziness. Defective Memory,
ETC.. which ruins mind and body, posi-
lively cured.
WONDERFUL CURES.
Perfected in old cases which have
been neglected or unskillfully treated.
No experiments or failures. He I'M
dertakes no incurable cases, but cures
thousands given up to die
Consultation Free and Confidential.
Address
DR.. w. E. Shallenberger,
7se Oakland Blvd, Chicago.
Reference: Drexel State Bank
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06
against such a loss, there is SOME one

against such a loss, there Is some one
to blame.
It was certainly poor Judgment, TO
say the least, to attempt to remedy q
fault In the creosote block paving by
burning OF this inflammable material
with gasoline, without first having
taken the horses and all the fire ap-
paratus out Of the building and IRE.
pared to turn the chemical and SO
on the building in case Just such an
emergency should arise as did arise.
1t was also poor Judgment to delay
placing insurance on the contents of
the fire station until after the fire
happened and there was nothing left
to insure.
No one disputes the fact that the fire
was an accident. but 1t was such a
laundering affair all around that it
would seem to be due the tax payers
Of the city, whose money was per-
mitted to go up in smoke, to conduct
a rigid investigation and make COM
plete report to the city council as to
the findings Of such investigation.
The result shows that something
was done wrong. No one claims that
it was Intentional, but 1t was certainly
carelessness. It was careless to have
quantity of gasoline on hand suf-
tlcient to cause such an explosion as
wrecked the building. The parties
who had the insuring of the building
In charge were neglectful. The whole
business gives evidence of inefficiency.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06

If you desire a clear complexion take
Foley's Orino Laxative for constipa-
ton and liver trouble as it will slim
uIate these organs and thoroughly
cleanse your system, which is what
everyone needs in order to feel well.
Clark's Drug Store: Swenson's Drug
Store.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-06

The men who are contemplating a
candidacy for seats in the next legis-
lature In Iowa, ought to be formulating
plans for building good roads and
Strengthening the streams in the state.
The Strengthening of the rivers of Iowa
would do much to protect adjacant
lands from floods, thereby adding
thousands of acres Of valuable pro-
ducing lands to the state.