davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
THE GOVERNMENT LAND
Ought to Be Cut up Into. Smaller
 Homesteads.

With 10 to 20 times as many people seeking homesteads on the Indian res- ervations which the government is opening to settlement as there are 160- acre tracts available, what justification can there be for continuing the allow ance of so large an area to each home- steader?
 / At the time when the homestead law was passed, land was abundant, the hardships of travel great, markets few and distant, and 160 acres to each settler seemed not an extravagant al- lotment Often the land was really worth no more than the $1.25 per acre for which after few months. rRsi- dence could be commuted. But now hardly an acre on the reservations is worth less than $6 or $7. Often it is worth over $50 an acre, unirnproved. Railroads carry the settler within a short distance of almost every tract. Markets are available on every hand. An allotment. then, of even 40 acres of unirrigated land is worth from five to forty times as much as when the homestead law was enacted. On irri- gated land it Is of course worth even more.
 The government has seen the folly of giving away 160 acres of irrigated land to each settler. and has, as per mitted by law, cut down individual allotments of such land to 80, 40, and in some eases even so little as 20 acres. The latter is twice as much as is necessary. to support family on such land. Under the improved meth- ods of modern agriculture. even on non-irrigated land, 20 acres is enough. Why, then. continue the extravagant allowance of 160 acres?
 Senator Nelson would do well to add to his other admirable proposals for sa reform in the land laws one lim- iting the size of homesteads on ordi- nary land to not more than 80 acres, and on land of superior quality to not more than 40 acres. Such limitation, besides giving a chance for a farm to larger numbers of settlers, would car ry with it the additional advantages of 1essening, by closer settlements, the isolation of farm life, and of increas- ing the practieability of operative enterprises among the farmers-St. Paul Pioneer-Press.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
DANIELSoN
Mrs. F. B. sibIey Painfully Injured Hub Theater Closed for a Time Pension of $3o Per Month Secured for Francis Burroughs.

MT. and Mrs. Justus Briggs were in Providence on Thursday.
 Rev. Sherrod Soule of Hartford will be the speaker at the Congregational church in Brooklyn on Sunday
 Henry L. Blake of Providence was in Danielson on Thursday.
 Rev. Virgil w. Blackman, pastor at South Killingly, has been unani- mously elected member of the Wind ham county association of Congrega- tional ministers.
 MT. and Mrs. Cosmer A. Young will leave Danielson for Florida next week.
 Mrs. Abel l.. Reeves continues to inn prove after surgical operation at St. Vincents hospital in Worcester.
 Check for Returning Deserter.
 Cassius A. Hamilton has received a check for ten dollars for his services in returning George Gordon to the training. ship Cumberland at Newport.
 H. $. Franklin has completed con<. tract for constructing a small brick addition to the Union mill in Moosup.
 Mrs. O. V. Chartier of Boston is vis- iting relatives in Wauregan and Dan ielson.
 Miss Jennie Beriman has been the guest of relatives in Norwich.
 Close of Schools.
 0AdHy OL lHo ledcu6rS Tn the schools of Killingly will leave Danielson today P'riday) to spend the Christmas va cation at their homes in various cities in New England. The vaaction will extend through two weeks.
 The Danielson basketball team play ed at Putnam against the Canadian athletic club team on Thursday eve- ming. The game was fast and inter- esting. The score is given under the Putnam news.
 The cutting of Christmas trees has already commenced and many have al- ready been brought in. The first Christmas trees of the season will be seen in the lower grades of the schools at the closing exercises today.
 Nose Broken by a Fall.
 Mrs. P. B. Sibley suffered a broken nose when she fell while, crossing the railroad tracks near the Main street crossing Wednesday morning. Mrs. Sibley's face struck against a rail. The injuries were attended to by surgeon.
 Fake Grocery Agent.
 Stories are coming in from the sur rounding country about drummer who claims to be soliciting orders for a Boston grocery house. The supposed salesman takes orders for such arti- cles as may be needed in a household andt collects the money at the same time. The goods ordered fail to appear and it has been ascertained that there is no such firm in Boston as the man claims to represent.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17

thrown by the burglars. Only a can of sardines has been missed.
 Putnam High school will close for the holiday vacation on Dec. 24. The students will get only one week recess and will be at work again on Jan. 8. PeddIers' Licenses Will Net Over $500.
 Capt. John Murray estimates that the receipts from license fees paid by peddlers, jun11men and the like will amount to from $500 to $700 this year. This will be even a better showing than the surprising amount of reve- nue that was received from this source last year. The requirement. that the class of workers referred to take out license to do business in Putnam was adopted last year and has proved to be an exceptionally satisfactory move, not only from the standpoint of revenue received but for business req sons also.
 Plans for Canadian Trip Next Summer.
 While 1t Is long way to August, a plan has already been formed for a party of Putnam and Danielson people to make Canadian tour next summer during the time that the Knights of Columbus are holding their annual convention in Quebec. The trip is to be arranged by the members of the order and will include visits to Mon treal, Quebec St. Anne de Beaupre and perhaps up the Saguenay river. From Montreal to Quebec by steS mer on the St. Lawrence will be a feaEre.
 Unclaimed Letters.
 Letters addressed as follows remain unclaimed at the Putnam pOstoffice: Emilien Dore. Daniel Elliott. c. s. Klimm, H. Eugene Knickless, Harvey J. Parker. Clanson Stone, Mrs. G. II. Bramwell, Mrs. Mary Halligar. Miss May Williams
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
The Point is Clear.

When the Presbyterian church burn ed down in Paterson the Jewish con- gregation at once offered their temple for the use of the Christian worship pers, and the offer was accepted. And now that the Fifth Avenue Baptist church of New York, Dr. Aked's, is about to be demolished, the Jewish Temple Emanuel has been offered to the congregation till their new church is built The point is plain; you can- not miss it-Newark (N. J.) News.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
HOSPITAL DONATIONS
Larger Than Ever This Year-country
 Towns Very Generous.

The free offerings of money, fruits, vegetables, canned goods, etc. made to the Day-Kimball hospital this year is in excess of the offerings of any pre- vious year and is indicative that the constantly increasing scope of the work of the institution, necessitating more liberal giving. Is appreciated all over Windham county. Pomfret, Plainfeld Central Village. Wauregan. Brooklyn, Thompson, Woodstock. Abingdon, Elli- ott and Southbridge are all represented in the list of donors
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
Mountain Preaeher,s veraeitx.

ing from his first visit to the city told his neighbors he had seen a piece of made ice'' a foot thick His church stood for purity and was strong on discipline. He was promptly dismiss ed from the. pastorate for lying. Shortly after member of the discf- pline committee visited the city and saw the same miracle. On returning he broached the matter cautiously by saying that they might have been too hasty in turning out their preacher Forthwith action was brought against him and he escaped by paying the fare of the committee to the city. On the testimony of five men that mountain church now believes in the possibility of ice in suD1mer-Berea College Quar- terly
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
.DANlELSON AND PUTNAM NEWS.

requirements of the state police for the conducting of such places. The Hub had been open for only short time. The new rules are very exacting and are being rigidly enforced by the in specting officers, who are making reg ular visits to places in this part of the state. The Hub may be reopened at any time that the regulations stip- ulated are compiled with.
 Progress on Sewer.
 The fine weather of the present week has permitted rapid progress to be made on the construction of the sewer and the work in Franklin street is well advanced. During the coming week excavations will probably be made in Water street.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
Japan's Luxurious PrIson.

The most luxurious prison in tho world is in Japan, about 15 miles from Tokio. In the midst of gardens, where flourish medlars and cherry trees. where are seen ornamental ponds with water lilies. arises the palatial prison. The cells are spacious and airy. The lighting throughout is by electricity. and the apartments are furnished lux uriously. Bathrooms with marble baths, hot and cold water being lsid on. dressing rooms and reading rooms nothing seems to be wanted to make the sojourn in this prison pisasanf In fact 1t seems an ideal country renI~ dence, scarcely calculated e rs<oce crime
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
PUTNAM
Eagles Membership Nearly 10o-Bur- slary at North Grosvenordale Station Generous Donations to Hospital Death of Elmer P. Knight.

Rho Delta class of the Methodist church will meet this (F'riday) evening with Miss Edna Sheldon.
 George C. McPherson of Providence was in Putnam Thursday.
 Frank A. Foss of Boston called on Putnam friends Thursday.
 Rev. Wallace Stearns formerly pas tor at Pomfret. has moved to Putnam.
 Eagles Membership Increasing.
 Putnam aerie of Eagles held a regu- lar meeting Thursday evening. at which applications for membership were received. The lodge was institut- ed in August and now has member ship of nearly one hundred.
 The Windham High school basketball team will come to Putnam this (Fri- day) afternoon for a game with Put nam High school. 1t will be Wind hams first visit to Putnam this sea- son.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
sinnnIe

They had been making hay while the sun shone, and when they had fnish- ed high haystack the farmers boy shouted from the top, Say, mister, how am I goin' to get dJvn."
 The farmer considered the problem and finally solved it.
 "Oh, just shut your eyes and walk round a biti"-Everybody's
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
Eagles Membership Increasing.
LEFT TICKETS.
Stole Can of Sardines = Burglars at
 North Grosvenordale Station.

It has been discovered that no tick cts were stolen, as was first supposed, when the railroad station at North Grosvenordale was broken into Mon day night. The tickets missing from the case have since been discovered in the waste basket. where they were
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
lIsEs I!IE 10 HaYl

five by the score of 90 to 12. The visitors were completed outclassed at every stage of the game. failing to show their usual good work. and tho victory was an easy one for Putnam The teams played in their regular line-
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
OBITUARY.
Elmer p. kninht.

Elmer F. Knight died at the home of his aunt, Mrs. A. R. Cole, Thursday morning after an illness of several months. Burial is to be in Worcester.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
eLEANINes AND GOSSIP.

The London school authorities have recently made series of measure ments of school children, which shows that the children of the rich are bet- ter grown than poor children.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
SEWER SYSTEM
Badly Needed by City-Referred to in High School Committees Report.

In the report of their investigations relative to providing better high school accommodations in the town of Put nam the special committee touches on the question of properly disposing of sewerage. The lack of a sewer system in this city is constantly attracting the attention of additional numbers of cit izens and the probability is that the matter will be taken up during the coming administration. ConditionsS in some parts of the city as regards the disposition of sewerage are far from satisfactory and may have been the cause of many cases of illness that have occurred during the past two years.
 Holiday Interests.
 There was a real rush of Christmas shoppers in the stores Thursday after noon, indicating that the bulk of the buying for the holiday remains to be done. There is tendency this year to buy the class of gifts regarded as sensible.
 The postoffice is receiving the usual number of missives addressed to Santa Claus. some of them bound for the north pole.
 Lost-Between Bullock street and postoffice. lady's solid gold watch and chateIaine pin. Finder. please leave at F. K Lucier's jewelry store and re- ceive reward. Wilde Lucier.-adv.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17

Tea production in Ceylon in the first nine months of 1909 was 5000, 900 lbs. greater than in the same months last year.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
Should Call for Hohson.

England's newest Dreadnought has a speed of PA knots an hour. That will enable few scared Englishmen to es- cape.-St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
H0De You Noticed the Increo sed TrQDef2

It's sure sign of good weather ana fine roads People Ike to get out into the open air. We furnish the best method. and If you'll take one of our teams you'll say the same.
 MAH0NEy EROS. Fall. Avenu.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17

New York man recently ate s0 buckwheat cakes and a couple pounds of sausage for breakfast, and said that he could really have eaten a good meal had he been hungry.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
COLCHESTER

Pupils Honor Rev. M. x. May, Mem- Der of the School Board--crangs Elects offieers-HoIidsy Sale at M- E. Church.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17


 It is reliably reported that French company is being formed with a capi- tai of S20.000 900 under the auspices of the owners of the French railway in the province of Santa Fe for tho construction of important railway lines fin Argentina. There are fully 100000 Frenchmen fin the Argentina republic. many of whom are extremely wealthy and are endeavoring to induce their countrymen to invest money there.
 The Japanese coal mines now em- ploy nearly 60.000 hands. says Cas- siers magazine, the annual per capita output being 240 tons. The largest mine fin Japan-shaft i1 feet by ia feet. s96 feet deeD-has a daily output of HOO tons. Nearly all the cutting fin Japanese mines is done by hand. but machinery is being introduced and
 t is hoped that cost of production will be reduced. So far as coal is con~ earned the industrial future of Japan seems well assured.
 By some people a taste for oysters is regarded as a sign of comparative affluence Fifty years ago. however. oysters were sold in England at 11 cents a dozen. and 1t was Sam Weller who discovered that poverty and oys- ters always go together" "The poor- CT a place is, the greater call there seems to be for oysters" said Sam. Look here. sir; blessed if I don't think that ven a mans very poor he rushes out of his lodgings and eats oysters in reg'lar desperation"
 The lack Of originality and invent- iveness fin the German shoe industry has seriously interfered with it's rapid development Until very recently man. ufacturers have clung tenaciously to the shapes and styles so characteristic of the German shoe as shown to most American travellers Practically all the novelties and Improvements in shoemaking have come to Germany second hand and it is this necessity of imitation that is the weakness of tho German shoe industry today.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
PICTURE THEATER CLOSED.
Hub Must Comply with Requirements
 of State-Police.

The Hub moving picture theater in the Keystone block has been ordered closed because the arrangements of the place do not measure up to the
Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17
DanieIson Five outcIassed.

In Hammond hall Thursday evening the Danielson basketball team was defeated by the Canadian Athletic club
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-25
ESTATE GOES TO WOMAN
SECOND WILL OF RHODIUs Is DIS
COVERED.


Indianapolis. Ind. Dec. GA special
will of George Rhodius, which instead
OF giving $4,000 to the city of In
dianapo1is for parks, as did his fist
will. leaves the greater part of his
million dollar estaM to woman known
as Eima Dare, Of Doddsworth. will be
filed for probate within few days.
according to public announcement Of
her attorneys late today.
Elma Dare and Rhodius were married
at Louisville on January 21. 1907. 1t
was alleged that she abducted him
from indianapolis and that he was In
sane. and the couple was pursued by
detectives and brought back to In
dinapolis. guardian was appointed
for Rhodius and he was placed In q
sanitarium. A country court annuiied
the marriage. Elma Dare appealed to
the state supreme court and the mat
ter waits final decision there.
Rhodius died last Monday having q
will and codicii made by him a few
filed for probate II leaves the bulk
of his fortune to the city and outs on
E1ma Dare. His relatives are protest.
ing the will on the ground that he was
insane for years even before he mar
ried
Rhodius' attorneys declare that he
was sane when he made his first will
and the attorneys for Elma Dare stat
ed today that II he was sane, then he
was sane also when he made the sec
ond will In her favor few days later.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-25

NEWS OF CENTERvILLE.
more Than Thousand Gallons OF Whia
Aaw RAeeswad.

More Than Thousand Gallons OF Whts-
key Received. -
Centerville, Dec. 24~-(SpeciaL It'll ne
express office at this place has been
doing a land office business for the
last week More than thousand gal
Ions of whiskey have been received at
the express office here during that
time and It comes by every train.
From the size of the packages 10 Is
evident that the whiskey is for In
dividual use, and no one in this entire
community Ii suspected of selling
whiskey. Up to this time there has
not been q case of drunkenness re-
ported to the sheriff In this part of
Bibb county during the holidays
The merchants are doing . nice
business In spite Of the scarcity OF
money.
Cotton is now bringing fifteen cents
in this market.
The social functions incident to the
marriage of Miss Lucille Pratt TO r.
Stanley White, which is to occur on
the afternoon OF December goth, are
being given. Henry r. White, broth
err TO the prospective bridegroom. gave
a luncheon at the Waisworth on We'd
nesday evening In honor OF the ap-
preaching event. On Wednesday
afternoon Mrs. Stephen Douglass
Logan gave . linen shower In honor
OF Miss Pratt. On Monday night
Judge and Mrs. w. l. Pratt will give
reception to the bridal party and
on Tuesday night Mrs. Luman Hand
ley Nunnelee will give the bridal par
ty a reception.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-25
LnUentor Man Of Many Troubles

the machine from sinking into the
soft mud Of the prairie. The inven-
tors neighbors laughed theoretically.
Nothing was done with the device, and
the patent expired long ago. Yet q
description printed within a month. ot
the war automobiie" adopted BY the
British army. shows that Il Is using
substantially the same princlple that
In Illinois, years ago, was reckoned
ridiculous failure.
Citizens Of the type OF that West.
erner invent because they must. But
the ranks OF the inventors are tempo-
rarily enlarged whenever some writer
who IL at q loss for topic revives
the old one OF the things that might
or should be invented and tells the
hoary tale OF some person or arm.
never explicitly located. that has Of
fered 100000 or &1.000.000 for q bot
tie which can not be refilled without
In some way giving warning OF the
fact. Mention OF the rewards sets
myriads busy and brings much grist
to the mills Of the attorneys. Yet,
admitting that II IL possible 10 devisa
q bottls which. when the air Is ex-
hausted. viii not refill itself by the
force OF gravity--and on this point tho
Patent once seems 10 maintain an
open minded attitude--a little ccnsid~
Grafton should serve 10 convince any
one that the practical value OF such
an invention would be comparatively
slight. Bottles must be cheap since
they are generally given away oahd de-.
vice that would prevent refiihng would
almost necessarily be expensive be-
yond safe economic limits.
Yet almost anybody can AFFORD 20
amuse himself by invenfing. In ordis
nary cases the guverumenfs chargs
for patent IL only 1ss, the attor-
ney's fee being ea6 or more. ana his
ing practically the only extra Citi-
gems who have original ideas on the
subject OF airships or submarines.
should surely be able tos raise these
amounts. and, II they baiiE ~ the mo-
ton of public tests. Il should comfort
them to know that the Patent once
lie not so stiff on the subject Of work
ing models as It used to be. Tho mod
ern experimenter may break his neck
or drown in private. and. II his attor-
ney make out q prima facie case, have
the patent issued, doubtless TO the
beneft OF his estate.
As has already been limited, II Is
when he comes to disposing OF the
patent that the Inventor meets the
greatest risks. Frequently. IL he
evades the clutches OF the eharpers,
he shows great ingenuity in outwit-
ting himself. Not many men display
the modest and contented tastes OF
citizen OF Massachusetts who supports
a large family by his Inventions. al
ways soils them outright. and seldom
asks more than $500. and frequently
as little as $50, above the actual ex-
pense. The more common type OF in
ventor. II offered $4,000 would say to
himself: III he's willing to give that
much. It's worth $4,000; and if it's
worth $4,000 to him, it's worth s2o.-
600 to me-" Sometimes the man OF
these exalted ideas finds the flaw in
his logic. Generally 1t is hard expe-
rience that opens HIS eyes by the pro-
cess OF battering his head. As
matter OF fact for all but the excep-
tionai inventions, $4,000 would be
very satisfactory return.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-25
LAD RUN DOWN AND
KILLED BY ENGINE

Eufauia, Dec. 24--tspecial)--A four
teen year old son of Green Fountain
was run over by train here this
afternoon about o'clock ana in
stantly killed.
The engine Of freight train No. So
with T. J. Morris as engineer. which
arrived from Montgomery at 1880
o'clock, had been working IN the yard
and was preparing 70 leave.
The boy had been hunting and was
standing on the Barbour street cross
ing with his gun. He was struck by
the tender as the negine was backing.
His back was turned when he was
knocked down and caught under the
Thsrss was hut one witness to the
accident. an old negro women. who
says she warned the boy. His body
was dragged several hundred yards
and horribly mutilated, his head was
severed and. It was several hours be-
fore he could be identified.