davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

surveyed and plated and named after It's
founder. John 1. Blair, on the 10th day Of
March, 1869. SiXty-one thousand dollars was
paid for town lots sold In one day. Hun
dreds Of buildings were In process OF con-
struction at once. The first school in the
town Of Blair was established in 1859, with
Miss Sarah Kibbey as teacher. on the last
Sunday In April, 1869, the first religious
services in the new town were held on the
platform OF the railroad station, by the
Rev, q. G.. o. Groat, q Baptist minister.
Boom days for Blair were quick in passing.
The first few years Of its existence, its
growth was rapid, and It bid fair to be-
come a city of more than ordinary i'm.
portance. The location OF Blair is some
eighty feet above the Missouri river and 1t
has a natural drainage. The site is an Ideal
one for a city. and in all, it is a beautiful
residence place.
1t is the trading point for the farming
community for the country surrounding,
and this trade is the chief support Of the
w The principal manufacturing plants
are the Acme FIGURING mills and a corn
canning establishment of some magnitude.
The plant Of the Danish Lutheran Publish
ing Co., is the most important Of its kind
In the west. This is the official publication
office OF the Danish Lutheran Church, and
does a business OF from 1000 to 100000 a
year. Every line OF the mercantile business
is well represented, and some OF the general
stores carry a large stock. In all there
are about sixty business places In the
city, including two substantial banks and
three newspapers.
In the fall Of 1899 an elegant postoffice
was established by the United States gov
eminent, and is considerable Of an orna-
ment to the town. From the beginning a
lively interest has been taken in the edu-
cational matters by the people Of Blair.
The city has three public schools, includ-
ing o high school. The county has fifty
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

ton Of the Territorial Government in 1854
proclamation dividing the territory in
counties, was isued by acting Governor
y. Cunning, on the 18th day Of
1854. The surface OF the county
presents a beautiful diversified succession
of rolling prairie land, hills and valleys.
The county is we'll watered by numerous
streams, which flow In a general easterly
direction towards the Missouri, and
southerly toward the Elkhorn About 90
per cent of the surface OF the county is
upland or rolling prairie; 80 per cent river
bottom land, and 10 per cent broken and
bluff land. Throughout, the soil is ex-
oeedingly fertile. The bottoms OF the Mis-
souri, river vary in width from two to
seven miles.
The territorial act, recognising Wash
ington county, which was passed February
p, 1856, designated Fort Calhoun as the
county seat. The first session OF the United
States district court was held in 1856 in a
log cabin, which In 1864 was built by the
town site company. In 1856, by popular
subscription, money was raised for the
erection of q building of logs and cotton
wood boards, to be used for court pur-
poses, also as q school house. This was
the first building erected for court pur-
poses west of the Misso Lri river.
In 1858, when William Clancy was a men,
Der OF the territorial council, and Peter S.
Sullivan in the house, both from the town
Of De Soto, the legislature removed the
county seat from Calhoun to De Soto, and
II remained there until the fall election OF
1866. when by vote of the people the county
seat was again located at Calhoun. and
there remained until 1869, when by popular
vote, Blair was made the county capital.
The first court house at Blair was OF
brick. 1t was built for school purposes
The time came when the pride of the many
citizens demanded a new court house. Many
in the farming districts opposed this move
In order to convince the doubters of the
importance of n new building, the com
missioners decided the court house unsafe
and had 1t proped up by placing heavy
timbers about the exterior walls. This wa'
a convincing argument to the farmers, anC
the bonds were voted for the present $50,
900 court house.
Few of the early pioneers had an eye t.
the great agricultural value of Washington
county land. While many sought hom's
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

Judge Frederick f. Crane. the young
and brilliant jurist. who presided over the
Jenkins Hams trial, has a way OF ilumi-
mating with an apt anecdote a point he
wishes to make.
In one Of the early cases he so brilliantly
conducted, before his elevation to the
bench, Mr.. Crane said to IN ~obstinately
retcent witness:
you seem bent on giving the court all
possible trouble. You are like the man
who sat in the dock one Sunday morning
with a bandaged head.
Prisoner said the magistrate 10 this
man, you are charged with having been
drunk and disorderly. What say you
guilty or not guiltyT
That's wot you're paid to find out,
growied the prisoner. I amt got no call
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04
philadelphia witty Divine.


Archbishop Patrick ]. Ryan OF Philadei-
phiR is as famous as he Is eloquent as a
divine, and many are the stories told Of his
quick repsrtee. When Wayne MacVeagh,
former attorney general Of the United
States, was counsel for the Pennsylvania
railroad he called upon the archbishop in
company with MIR. Roberts, president Of
the Pennsylvania system.
Your grace" said MI. MacVeagh. Mr..
Roberts, who always travels with his coun-
sci. VIII undoubtedly get you passes over
all the railroads in the United States II in
return you will get him a pass to para
disc
II would do so gladly" flashed the arch
bishop, IF II were not for separating him
from his counsel"
On one occasion Archbishop Ryan COM
planned to a Philadelphia Gator that one
Of heis sermons had been badly reported.
Il am sorry" the editor responded, but
one OF our best men, who is ikewise a
Catholic, did IT,"
What is his Manner the prelate in
CURED"
Kirkpatrick answered the editor.
And he came mighty near doing IT,"
was the archblshop's final shot.-Philadel-
phia Record.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

-HE same atmosphere and sur
T roundings that prompted the
range horse to buck, prompted
- the early settlers Of Washing
HQNNANt ton county to become boomers.
- 1t was an epoch of blSsted
hopes and unfulfilled prospects. 1t was a
period OF the most brilliant aspects OF
financiering and widest dreams of specu-
ton. The most extravagant pretensions
were covered by accomplishment, hereto
fore marked only by the lapse of years.
A comparison OF the past with the pres
ent gives us a better understanding OF the
growth made the last fifty-four years. In
1855 the total population of Washington
county was 27; ten months later, the
number had Increased to 751: In 1860 It was
1,249, In 1870 it was 400, in 1880, $500; in
1890. 1880, and in 1900 the county had over
1900 population.
In a period so remote that there are no
records Of 1t, only those that lie buried in
the strata of the earth's crust, the little
section OF Nebraska now known as Wash
ington county, was the abiding place of
animals that exist today only in skeleton.
1t matters little to people living in this
day whether 1t was 1000 or 10000 years ago
that such conditions existed, but that they
did exist In the light of modern knowledge,
is a matter ~indisputable. At a more re-
cent time, before the advent Of the white
man in Washington county, It was a para
disc for animals, buffalo, elk deer, beaver
and foxes, all were in abundance and al
home on the pralries and slopes and alona
the streams.
Long before white man set foot upon the
land embraced within the limits OF Wash
ington county the Indians had made Il
their home and hunting ground. They 90.
cupied the river shore and were there ir
the early part Of the nineteenth century
When Lewis and Clark made their expe
dition up the Missouri river, the Otoes
which at one time we're a powerful nation
were there. But continuous warfare re-
duced their number, and even in Lewis
and Clark's time, there were but few OF
them compared to other nations mentioned
In the annals Of that trip.
Washington county is onS OF the orIgina
eiRh counties defined upon the ~organizs
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04
Heedinn the SERMON.

A well-knOwn prelate Of the Cleveland
diocese recently preached a series OF SER
his general theme being Humility"
In the course OF his sermons he necessarily
dwelt upon the n~othingness Of man without
the help OF grace. His auditors were the
gentle nuns OF the Villa Convent and the
convent school pupils made up Of many
young ladies. girls and small boys.
At the. conclusion OF the sermons, says
The Leader. the prelate. while divesting
himself OF the garments OF the altar serv-
ice. turned to the sanctury boys, lads OF
10 or IL years. What are your" inquired
the venerable priest OF one Of the two
boys Quick as a flash came back the an
swer, II am an Irishman. and ! am proud
Of IT," And what are your he asked the
other lad. Crossing his little hands upon
his breast, he quietly reiolned. Father, ]
have been listening. / am nothing"
The aged administrator OF the Cleveland
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

four school districts. with sixty-one school
buildings. Five Of these are high schools.
The county has nlnety-three teachers, with
AIS pupils Of school age.
The valuation of Washington county is
S2I, 700, 900, with a population of 1900. The
county has fifty-one miles of railroad and
seven railroad stations. There are AZ miles
Of public highway in the county, and two
first-class FIGURING mills. A large per cent
Of the farms Of the county are owned and
operated by the people living on them.
In the county collection exhibit at the
state fair for the last eleven years WASH
ington county has won first prize seven
times and second prize twice, and during
that time no other one county has won
first prize more than twice.
This county has 21S.OO acres in farms.
with lS2, 900 acres under a high state of cul-
t~ivatlon. The county has been making
wonderful progress in the last few years
in the dairy industry. At present the
farmers of the county have 1000 acres
seeded to alfalfa, on these farms over
5000 head of cows are kept. and last year
$50 hand separators were in use. The
farmers sold and shipped out OF the county
last year more than 12e, 900 pounds of but
ter and 1885, 900 gallons OF cream. Yet this
is still a corn and live stock county. Last
year the farmers sold and shipped out
II, 300 head Of beef cattle. $1,000 head Of fat
hogs and $500 mutton sheep Besides this
they sold and shipped out 66a. 900 bushels
OF corn. $4,000 bushels OF wheat and 4e2, 900
bushels OF oats. 1t is also one OF the first
counties of the state In the production OF
fruit. At present there are growing and
in full bearing 100, 900 apple, LOO pear,
11,o00 peach. 5000 plum and 5000 cherry
trees. Taking 1t all in all. Washington
county is one Of the very best counties OF
the state.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04
A Test of Frieadship.

Just before Artemus Wards death.
Robertson poured out some medicine and
offered II to the sick man. who said, My
dear Tom, I won't a k any more OF that
horrible stuff"
Robertson urged him to swallow the mix
ture. saying: do, now-there's a dear fell
Iow-fCr my sake. You know 1 would do
anything for YOU
Would your" said Ward feebly. grasp
ing his friends hand for the last Tina
II would Indeed" said Robertson.
Then you take lt!'
ward.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

beaten in all their political plans.
The first school Of any kind established
at Fontanelle was in the winter Of 1855 and
1858, with Miss Emily Strickland as teacher,
who was a partner in the first marriage
in the town, being united with Henry
whittier in the fall Of 1886. Thomas Glib
son brought into Fontanelle the first saw
mill, which for some years was run by
Samuel A. and sllas Francis, One Of the
early store keepers was Julius Branisrd,
and the first blacksmith shop was con-
Quoted by George Hindley.
De Soto was founded by a lawyer and
saloon keeper in 1854 and incorporated
March Z, 1855. In May. 1857. Isaac Parrish,
who was the first newspaper man OF De
Soto. started a flatboat ferry across the
Missouri. At this time De Soto could boast
of fifteen or twenty business pls ices and
more than 500 inhabitants. 1t was a pros
porous place until in 1859 the Pixies Peak
excitement caused many to leave. From
that time the descent of the town was
gradual, and, like Cunning City, its death
blow was received when the city Of Blair
was started. De Soto was one OF the most
noted homes Of pioneer journalism in Ne
braska. In the first three years of its
life four papers were started there.
Notable among the defunct towns Of
Washington county was Cunning City, in
early days an important place with bright
prospects. This city formerly stood about
two and one-half miles north of Blair and
was named in honor Of Governor Cunning.
In 1857 the town had fifty-three dwellings
and several business houses, but 1t has
long since entirely disappeared.
The building of the Sioux City & Pacific
railroad was the means of bringing the
city Of Blair into existence, The town was
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04
A Modern Idea.

A Philadelphia Sunday school teacher
discovered, to her great horror, that some
Of the small members of her class had
taken as literal truths the tales Of ancient
god and goddesses which they had read in
ohild's mythology at school. She deter
mined to destroy this belief by simple logic
and asked:
"Who was it that supported the world
on his shoulders?'
Atlas. Miss Mary" a little girl promptly
responded.
Yes. Now think II he was supporting
the world on his shoulders, OF course, he
could not be standing on 1t. Now, what
supported Atlas?'
A ponderous silence prevailed for a min
ute, then the little girl spoke up:
"Oh, l know! He married a rich wife,
Harpers Weekly.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

That Kentuckians have a very high re-
gard for their native state Is illustrated
by this ancedote told by one Of them;
Once a Kentuckian died. So a near rela-
tive went to the local tombstone artist
TO arrange about an inscription on the
deceased's tombstone.
After due cogitation the near relative
said:
Carve on It, He's gone to a better
place
I'm carve hes gone to heaven II you
want me to-" remarked the tombstone
artist. but as for that other inscription
there's no better place than KOntaehJP'-
New York TtmeA .
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04
Collection Of Short Tales Selected from the Story Teuers Pacl

But the father Of the Kickapoo movement
got into trouble. l believe the last time 1
heard about him he was in jail"
Quick as a flash the old full blood came
back to the Kansan:
Eyes. sometimes even senators go to
jail"
In view Of the fact that Senator Burton,
Longs colleague, had just been sentenced
to jail, Jacobs repartes was thoroughly
appreciated, especially by the other sem
Democrat.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04
Too Much.

"Ay tank Ay 30 across the street and
get the tailoF to mend my waist" drawled
a Swedish foreman, showing his employer
a very ragged vest
IAN right. John."
In a few minutes the swede returned
with his vest untouched.
Aren't you going to have It msnded7'
asked the boss.
"Ay tank not in that shop" replied the
Swede. FAY ask him what he charge an
he say Two dollar Then Ay askhim,
VIII you take the waist in part payment
an he wouldn't do IT." E~verybody's
Magazine,
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04
senator Williams is Reminded.

SShotoF "iAAiAhH IN hchAhnoeo'
THE fix OF many OF my stimAble repub-
Hcan brethren In congress. who want 10
revise the tariff. but are afread Of the
gentlemen who conduct the highly pro-
tected infant industries" said John Sharp
Williams, reminds me Of a nelghbor OF
mine, dow in Mississippi, who went to
prayer meeting one night.
After the spirit got to moving he rose
In his place and said; Friends, 1 would
like to confess my sins. but the grand fury
is in session"
"'Go ahead shouted the leader; go
ahead, brother. The Lord will forgive
- know replied the penitent, but he
(in't on that grand jury - Rochester
Herald.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

too" He did both, and much more. This
account Of his rise from position of student
interpreter OF the Chinese maritime
customs is a romance OF steady effort by
a man of great force of character and
modest manners. "A small, Insignificant
Irishman," he was called, but in the
records OF Chinese development he towers
among the tallest figures. Upon Ii Hung
Chang he exerted great influence in various
crises-perhaps the world will never realize
all the power that has been welded by this
quiet man with the ~inscrutable eyes.
Caution, Of course, he learned In the
Oriental school. once a lady asked him to
accept a rose, and he offended her by say
ing: II should prefer to consider the matter
before answering" But, brought up In
Wesleyan traditions, he never absorbed
any eastern fatalism. In 1896. he felt that
the road was open for his return home
yet he felt that, half hidden, there were
obstacles waiting to be met. He opened
his Bible at random and read the text
Pau said to the centurions and to the
soldiers, Except we abide in the ship, We
can not be saved" That decided him inn
mediately to remain in him
Notable dates in his life have been
marked by a curious coincidence. In the
year he was born, his birthday, February
20, fell on the twenty-third day of the
Chinese first moon. once more IL fell on
the twenty-third of the first moon in 1854
the year he came to China, and not again
until 1874. when his only SON was BORN.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

diocese chuckled as he unfolds the tale.
The seed has evidently fallen on arabic
ground.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04
Tale of a TAritty Scot.

Alexander Wright. brother OF the county
auditor, who IL visiting Cleveland for a
yaeauon period, and who Is in the public
service In his Scottish home. tells this tale
snent one McGregor. a thrifty man In a
land OF thrift. who was seen in Glasgow
wearing a lustrOus sparklsr in his oravat.
To him said Sandy MoDsrmott; "Who
gin ye tho dimon', AcGregorf"
''Robbut myself" was the answer.
Oh, aye" venture the questioner,
''Ye'vs been trating ysrssl'. shT'
mo that. eyether," MeGregor mad re-
ply. Blu ye ken I'm sxeeo0ter OF the
estate O. sammis MeDougAL."
"An' - haze yer hans In the Pile the
moor
Hush. mon" said MeGrsEor, looking
hurt. " Tia a. 4 tn Will First. Il said.
his lswfu' debts were to be paid. which
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

~ pense:
one summer, some years ago. he spent
a vacation of several weeks at q farm
house In a Maine town. The next season
he received a letter from his farmer land
lady inquiring II he woul like to return
In reply he stated that ne would be vary
glad to pass another summer vacation with
her, provided some needed changes were
made about the place.
First" wrote the college president.
your maid Mary. Is persona non grata. be-
ing anything but neat and orderly In her
ways, and II she is stii with you I trust
you viii at least not allow her to wait
on the table.
Secondly, / would ugges that the sAni-
tary condition OF your place would be
greatly improved II the piguty were moved
back a few rods farther from the house
OF done away with altogether.
Il will wait until l hear from you before
deciding about coming"
The somewhat particular president was
treasured by the receipt Of the following
reply;
Mary has went. We haln't had no hogs
on the place since you were here last
Judge.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04
Prepared ia Receive Him. =

lie dignified president Of q well
known and flourishing New
England college, In his mo-
ments OF relaxation tells the
following story At his own X
pense;
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

was onnoicessary under law. Then. II said.
tn execooter was to set aside thirty-fr
pun for tn buryin'. by mind2"
"Oh. aye" responded McDermott-
AN then he wished tn execooter to
procure as handsome a stone as could be
had in a Grassy fer q matther O. seventy
pu'."'
aver
"Aweei. mon," concluded McGregor.
this is the stone, "-Cleveland Leader.
Useless Waste of Energy.
A small Wichita boys father is a demo-
crat- But at the grandfather's house all
are republicans. and when he visited at
the latter place he heard a good many
Jolts flung At democracy and its friends.
He tried to stay loyal, however.
One day his aunt was helping him
through with his lessons, when he sud
denly flung his book into a corner of the
room and said:
"Auntie. it's no use. I'm not going to
learn TO read, It's no use, 1 tell you.
Why. I've got 10 be q democrat, anyway"
Kansas City Journal.
Old Indian Bests se~nAtOr.
The recent death OF Jacob Jackson, the
Choctaw Indian who used TO be SO active
in politics, recalls the time he noored
senator Long when the special senate
COMMITTEES visited Indian territory. seeking
information.
Jacob had been telling Of him plans to re-
move the full bloods TO Mexico, and he
urged the committee to recommend the re-
moval OF all restrictions so that they could
sell everything and 60.
He was questioned closely by various
senators. particularly by Senator Teller Of
Colorado. In a fatherly way the senator
who had once served as secretary of the
interior. and had always had a keen in,
tsrest in Indian affairs. called attention 4
the serious troubles that had befallen tn,
KickapOOs, who had tried to settle II
Mexico.
Senator Long, during the entire hearing
had been very witty. Long took a hand II
QuizEing Jacob. finally asking him II he in
tended going 10 Old Mexico himself.
Yes, I'm the father OF the movement
said Jacob.
D course. then. you win have TO 20
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

How Bob Evans Went to Annapolis.
Admiral Evans tells the story OF how
he happened to be appointed as a cadet
20 the Naval acamedy at Annapolis from
Utah when his native state wal Vlr-
ginia.
william H.. Hooper. the first territorial
delegate to congress from Utah. was a
great friend Of my family" he said. 'Ons
day he asked me II l did not want to be
an officer in the navy. l told him. You
bet l DO He then explained that there
was an appointment to be made from
Utah. and said that II l was only a resi-
dent Of Utah I could get the appointment.
AS soon as l could get my hat and catch
a train l was on my way 70 Salt Lake
City, and l got the appointment. 1 was
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

to help ye do yer work. philadelphia
Bulletin.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04

the first cadet to be appointed from that
territory"
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1909-01-18
Notice hv pnhlication.

state of Oklahoma, Carter County.
Before NJ +. Winfrcy, Justice Of the
Peace. in and for Ardmorc Town.
ship:
VIM. Page Plaintiff. VS.. !. p McRac
and Mary McRac, Defendants.
No 400.
You are hereby notified that Wm
Page. plaintiff. has filed suit against
J. Z. McRac and Mary McRae for the
sum of s3S.41 with interest at 10 per
cent per annum from the LIST
day OF November. 1905. until
paid and warn defendants that
on February 10th 1909. on their
failure to answer will take Judgment
against them for said amount, inter
est and costs Of suit.
Given under my hand, this 10th day
of January. 1909
NJ. +. WINFREY,
17-iw Justice Of the Peace.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1909-01-18
Order for Hearing Petition 10 Sell
Real Estate.

state Of Oklahoma. Carter County.
In County Court
In the matter Of the estate OF
Hattie Clark. deceased.
Now, ON this 9th day OF January
1909 O. w. Rcdncld. Adm. having
filed herein his petition for the
sale of the real estate descrhcl
In said petition for reasons in said
petition stated.
lt is ordered. that said petition
be and is hereby set for hearing
ON the 9Th day Of February, \. u.
1909. az 10 o'clock a. m. at which
time an persons interested in said
estate are required to appear amt
show cause. II any they have, why
an order should not be granted for
the sale of SO much of the real
estate Of said Hattie Ozark. deceased.
as is necessary for the reasons I'm
said petition stated
u is further ordered that a copy
OF this order be- puhishoi for three
successive weeks in the Ardmoyoi'c
Of Ardmorc. Oklahoma.
W. +. BOWMAN.
l21926 Special County Judge