davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-09-09
FALL OF A HISTORIC TREE.

Vancouver's historic old Balm of
Gilead tree, to which Lewis and Clark
are said to have tied their canoe in
1905, and which marked che landing
point of the Hudson's Bay Company
fur traders in 1894, fell victim to the
waters of the Columbia river, says a
Vancouver letter to the Portland Ore
goniM.
This old tree, which stood on the
bank of the river at the foot of Main
street. was the starting poiAt fer all
early surveys in Clark eouRty and the
western portion Of Washington state.
1t marked the point where the city
limits joined the military reservation.
The tree was held in veneration by
Vancouver people and people all over
the Pacific northwest who took an in
terest in matters OF historic interest.
The tree was about five feet in diam
eter at its base and was IS feet high,
being fully so feet across at its crown.
A copper railroad spike is said to have
been driven into the tree, and it was
from this point all surveys began. This
spike is now grown over, but it is
likely that it will be chopped out and
kept in the archives of the city.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-09-09
TO ACQUIRE OLD WATER WORKS
OR INSTALL ITS OWN SYSTEM
THE OLD COMPANY CAN NOT OPERATE IN THE CITY
After Expiration of Franchise Unless New One Granted
The Act Provides That the City May Condemn and
Take the Old Plant at Just Compensation

The Water Company contends that
the city should not own its own water
works, because it would interfere with
its ownership and operation of water
works in Johnson City. We grant that
the Water Company cannot operate
waterworks IN Johnson City when the
city has installed its plant. But should
the people of Johnson City forego all
the benefits of ownership of their own
waterworks for the qualification OF a
private corporation and its officers?
We have the greatest as well rs the
kindest consideration for all the. inter
ests of private individuals. If we could
we would not see the city injure or de-
stroy the rights of any individual. But
fortunately for the Water Company
and its officers the provisions of the
law are so ample for their protection
that there is not the slightest chance
of even the remotest possibility for
their property to be taken without just
compensation. The matter was fully
considered by the business men Of
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-09-09
REPRESENTATION DOES NOT
CHANGE LETTER OF STATUTES
YOUR INTERESTS ARE DULY SAFEGUARDED BY ACT
Pay No Attention Street Gossip, But Read for Yourselves
Selections From the Acts That Make it Absolutely
Impossible for Any Fraud 10 be Committed

90 How shall the waterworks
bonds be secured?
(A) "Said bonds and all coupons at
tached to said bonds shaft, at maturi-
ty, be, and remain, until fully paid, a
lien upon said waterworlls property,
appurtenances, rights, franchises and
privileges acquired by the corporate
authorities of said municipality. Said
lien shall include and extend TO all
improvements, extensions and addi-
tions which the corporate authorities
of said city may make, and shall be in
addition 10 the corporate liability,
which is primary for the payment of
each and all OF said bonds. Said bonds
and coupons attached thereto shall be
exempt from municipal taxation. The
lien hereby declared shall be further
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-09-09

system or plant. This Act is contained
in the Acts of 1909, chapter 46l, pages
l6SS-1G90. Those who fear that injury
or injustice will be done to the Water
Company, will find their apprehen-
sions are not well founded when they
consider for moment the provisions
of this Act.
Section 2 of the Act provides "that
lust compensation shall he made by the
city for rights of way, springs and wa
ter courses, and for existing water
works systems or plants which it may
be necessary for the city to condemn
and take"
Under the provisions of this Act and
the condemnation statutes of the State,
every property owner, whose property
rights it may be necessary to appropri-
ate by the city, "must have just com.
pensation," and he is entitled to have
this question of just compensation sub
mitted to jury of his countryMen
This is the same system of condemna
tion statutes which cities and railroad
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-09-09

Analytical Statement Made by "Voter" That
Carries Conviction by Its Fairness and
Common Sense--Read and Think

pressure of 80 to 100 pounds to the
square inch In its offer to the people
it agrees to furnish pressure of 80
pounds to the square inch. In its
proposition to the board, as explained
by its representatives to the board and
by its expert, Blevins, in his report to
the board, it was to build $4,000 to
$4,000 reservoir in Sinking creek val
ley to hold 100000 gallons of water.
In its offer to people it agrees to go to
Blue springs, Indian creek, Unicoi
county, for its supply. This trip to
Unieoi, however, it is taking rather
late in the day. The city has its own
option on this valuable supply. We
cab attention that it does not appear
anywhere that any solvent company
has consented or bound itself to the
city to make that supposedly vesy sm-
cient and valuable guarantee bond of
100000. Now | ask what more does
this proposition or offer give the people
in the way OF water supply than you
have had for the past twenty years?
Nothing, whatever. In lbs original
proposition 20yearS ago the water COM
pany promised to construct a reser-
voir, or reservoirs, of suitable size and
capacity to supply the town" with
water.
Has it done so? 1t promised then to
furnish water for domestic and manu-
featuring purposes. Has it done so?
Let the voter whose kettle and sink
are dry and whose factory is still and
noiseless answer the question. Will
you trust company which has been
tried for twenty years and whose do
mestic and manufacturing supply has
proven altogether unsatisfactory? Has
its promises been kept? Will you let
the growth of your town and industries
languish for water?
| appear w tiie NOtCI w IO hiIuWS Jlldt
the growth of any city is necessarily y
prescribed by its water supply and can
never get beyond it, what are you ask.
ed to buy or put your confidence in? A
mud bottom reservoir, an inadequate
quantity of water, an unsatisfactory
quality of water, a pressure so low thai
it can not supply the present or future
inhabitants at the higher attitudes, ;
pressure so low that it can not afforC
ample fire protection, and must entai
from year to year great loss on proper
ty owners in increased rates of insur
ance plant which, by its inefiiciency
and insuiliciency, stops the factory
wheels, offers nothing for the publ,
institutions, minimizes the chances o
proper sanitation, offers nothing fo
the hope of Greater johnson City.
Voter, your own interest calls you
your duty to others calls you to NEE
and discharge the responsibility of tn
situation. 1t has its ample reward il
better health and greater wealth an,
prosperity. We will not shirk it.
VOTER.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-09-09

when paid into the said city treasury,
shall be kept and preserved as a SEP
rate and distinct fund, to be used ex-
elusively in the construction or pur-
chase and extention of a system of
waterworks for said city and adjacent
territory. "-[Act 1909, page 594.
Again the Act provides: ''There
shall also be made statement by the
Board of Mayor and Aldermen when
the said waterworks system, acquired
acquired as herein provided, shall be
put in operation, an itemized state
ment of the cost of same, by items,
giving the amount of each item and to
whom paid in the requirement of said
waterworks system. The reports made
from time to time under the pBOvis-
ions of this Act by the City Commits
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-09-09

Sioner, and as herein provided by the
Board of Mayor and Aldermen, when
said waterworks system is ready to be
put into operation, shall be published
in detail in one or more of the newspa-
pers published in Johnson City.n-
Act 1903, page 40l.
The foregoing is made easy in appli-
cation by the following provision:
"That the proceeds derived from the
sale of said bonds hereinbefore pro-
vided for, shall be kept as separate
fund, and shall be known as the WA
terworks Fund, and the receipts and
income derived from the operation of
said waterworks system shall be put
into said waterworks fund, and kept
separate from the balance of the funds
of said city. y Act 1909, page 401.
The above provisions are intended to
safeguard and secure the application of
this fund for the exact purpose for
which it is voted.
The provision that it shall constitute
separate fund known as the "Water-
works Fund" will at once enable every
one interested to see and know that the
proceeds of the bonds are correctly de-
posted in accordance with this re-
quirement, while the provision as to
expenditures requires that "the amount
OF each item and to whom paid in the
requirement of said waterwerks sys-
tenn" shall be kept and published in
detail in one or more of the newspa-
pers of Johnson City, when the system
is ready to be put in operation.
The publicity of the expenditures, if
said appropriation shall be made, gives
to these interested what is regarded as
the highest safeguard against any
wrong doing on the part of any official
Confined oa pogo 81
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-09-09

evidenced by the execution of mort
gage upon said waterworks system or
plant. "-[Acts of Tenn, 1909, Chapter
12l, Sec 3.
90 Will the waterworks bonds be
a good investment?
(A) Yes. They are not subject to
municipal taxation. "Said bonds and
coupons attached thereto shall be ex-
empt from municipal taxation. y Act
1909, page 1894.
They should be purchased by the
people of Johnson City and Washing
ton county.
90 Can the funds arising from the
sale of the bonds be used for purposes
ether than construction, or purchase
and extension of the waterworks sys-
tenn?
(A) No. "The Board of Mayor and
Aldermen of the city of johnson City
shall have no power or authority, eth.
er expressed or implied, either to sell
or convert said bonds into cash until
after a contract for the construction o
waterworks shall have been lawfully
made and concluded, with good anC
solvent persons, corporation or corpo
rations, shall guarantee performance or
their part of said contract by the exc
cution of bond to the city of johnson
City, in amount to be fixed by tht
Board of Mayor and Aldermen, of sale
city.n-[Act 1909, page 39S.
Before single bond can be issuct
or sold by the Board, the contract anC
the bond called for by the above pro
vision must be "made and concluded. ,
Without this is first done there is NJ
power either expressed or implied t.
issue single bond. Furthermore th,
Act provides:
"That the proceeds of said bonds
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-09-09

Watch baby's bowels till the frcsts come.
DR.. Fahrney' Teethiug Syrup keeps them
in good shape. Sample free. (sep-oc
Putnam patriot., 1909-12-17
SANTA DRAFTS THE KxpREssMAS.

SANTA DRAFTS THE ExPREssMAN,
the postman. the delivery man and
whole lot of other folks into his sery.
ice.
For example. he appoints as depu.
ties at least half million extra OF.
pressmen In the United States alone
Ordinarily the express companies have
about that number of employees but
during the two weeks before Christ.
mas, when Santa calls on them to ear.
ry SO many of his packages, they have
to double their forces. To gain an idea
of the immensely of the burdens the
old gentleman imposes on them a few
figures are necessary. The Christmas
packages delivered by the express
companies in the city of New York
alone amount to over two millions, 10
Chicago and Philadelphia about mil.
lion and half each, in Boston over
million and in other cities a proper.
Tomato number. When it is reflected
that this is an average of nearly one
package for every man. woman and
child and that there are something
over eighty millions of men, women
and children in Uncle Sans domain
the stupendous proportions Of this
Christmas business can be realized
On account of the expense OF sending
packages by express Il is estimated
that few If any of these Christmas
bundles are worth less than s.. while
some of them are valued at hundreds
of dollars. 1t is thus seen that the
Christmas business handled by the ex
press companies alone represents a
value of hundreds of millions.
This { ees not take into account the
great number of bundles carried hy
t1e messenger boys. In the four cites
above mentioned these amount to near
~ a half million in number. The ~
vial old saint could scarcely get along
without their help.
In addition. ii is necessary for SANTA
Claus TO enlist the services of an army
of extra store clerks, delivery wagons
and teamSters. 1t can readily be seen
chat for couple of weeks he is about
the biggest business man on earth I
his army were one of war rather thah
peace he could conquer the world.
Then he musfers In Il large array o.
Salvation Army and Volunteer aas
Putnam patriot., 1909-12-17
Christmas
Long Ago
BY FRANK u. SWIFT.


fCopyrlait. 1913. - American Press Asso-
eiaiioaI
e GOOD oil f. 'iore3 Christmas
IA at.4 tic l.ss 1ss4 sAs
q h hearth,
The table filed with feasters an the
room a.roar with mil tn,
With the sfselzin's erammed to bust
in an tie medders piled WITH
snow
A good old fashioned Christmas like
we had 50 long ago!
Now that's the thing I'd like to see
ag'in afore / die,
But Chris mas in the city here--it's
different, oh, my!
With the crowded hustle-bustle Of
the slushy, noisy street
An the scowl upon the faces Of the
strangers that you meet.
Oh, there's buyin', plenty Of 1t, Of a
lot Of gorgeous toys.
An it takes = mint Of money to
please modern girls an boys.
Why I mind the time jackknife
an toffy lump for me
Made my little heart an stockin'
/, Just chock full of Christmas glee.
Putnam patriot., 1909-12-17

An there's feastisi'. Th::...i. o. feedin'
with these stuck up city folk
Why, you have to speak in whispers,
an you dar'sn't crack a joke.
Then remember how the tables look
ed all crowded with your kin,
When you couldn't hear whistle
blow across the merry din.
You see, Tn so old fashioned-like I
don't care much for style,
An to eat your Christmas banquets
here : couldn't so mile.
I'd rather have, like Solomon. a
good yar5 sizncv set
With real old friends than turtle
soup with all the nobs you'd get.
There's my next door neighbor, Cur
ley--fancy how his brows nd
lift
II I'd heller. "Wery chris'mas'
CAUGHT, old fellow Christmas
rift"
Loray sakes, I'd lihe to try 1t!
Guess he'd nearly have TT,
Hang this city stiffness, anyways
! can't get used to 1t.
Putnam patriot., 1909-12-17
Gut Glass
and China

A choice selection Of both. Cut glass
from leading American makers. besides
some very artistic imported coiored glass
that viii certainly appeal to ell people Of
culture and Refinement. BohsOian. Aue-
trian, French China, vsses. Bru.B0n.
Fruit Sets and many novelties that viii
please you. Prices CSC to % 20
Putnam patriot., 1909-12-17

Then your heart il keeps a-swellin'
till it nearly busts your side,
An by night your jaws are achin
with your smile four inches
wide,
An your enemy, the worst one,
you'd just grab his hand an say:
sMebbe both Of Us was wrong, John.
Come, let's shake. It's Chrisma
day"
Mighty little Christmas spirit seems
to dwell tween city walls,
Where each snowflake brings . SCOT.
fake for brother Is il falls
Mighty little Christmas spirit. an
I'm pinin', don't you know,
For a good old fashioned Christmas
like We had 20 long ago.
Putnam patriot., 1909-12-17
Booklets and
Post Cards

A very attrsctivs line OF especially
dainty booklets and post cards carefully
selected for the X nsas trade.
Putnam patriot., 1909-12-17

ciatirn
" HE usual conception ~ -
f1-rs s fsfaf -
i cest Ilso.sIliss.ea vi u,
benevolent old gentle,a.a 80. 3.
visits ali the houses In esh~,s*- 70
the night Of Dec. p and iaavss -, -
ents fer all good children "A 49,. -
members some who are MOI 81 -
But this idea fails 10 do tha h.ss s-oa
saint full justice. As matter 40 -. -
he has 70 be quite mp to date ta -,
his numerous customers. He 4
much man of affairs thar II Il 49,
sary for him to adept n.f sl.rn n.y.,
DDS. = Nowadays il is egsentssl 4
every large business 10 he earr;sa - -
through an army of assistants II.
deputies, and who. pray his ! ,.r
business than Santa Claus When g
first started in the Christmas In.
might have been possible for him i
make a personal visit to all the ho,n..
where his gifts were exrected -.
now all that is changed So he dr,f.
the expressman. the messenger y.
Putnam patriot., 1909-12-17

THE SAINT AND THE MEssEsdHa ~
and lasses to gather and coos 49, =.
mas dinners for the poor aho =,
distribute his presents IL me ss
districts. He never foreets the 49, -.
But among his great fray ...a
ties let US not forget me 49,
Who has not seen the faisnfu. - =
staggering under his gFeat ss1
Christmas morning? The n. =,
done BY Uncle Sans postomc -
two weeks before chrisfm ..s,.su
about double what II IS AZ ~
times. ~Ansthis IL beca use -
C9aus % the extra clerks ana
needed must be credited up
eraps catehap. ..st
FOR CRANE catchup AZ cid - 3
cut housekeeler uses I'VE 49,
grapes. two and half apera' =
Of sugar. half a pint Of vinees =
baespoonful OF cloves. the M -
ramon and allspice and nan -. )
spoonful, Of salt. Boil rue 1879
the vinegar until they ARE so1a s. s
they are cooking press them =
agate o. wooden spoon to go
Juice. When ready strain 49,
rery thin bag and squeeze = -
hard as possible 10 extract 49, 49, =
dele Of pulp. leaving bs.h'ns - =
skins and seeds. Add the II
AID sugar to the juice az -
about twenty minutes o. . -
thick and jellylike. Tbs 4
cold meats. Exchange
Putnam patriot., 1909-12-17
Gut Flowers

AZ usual. everything fresh In The usy
OF choice cut flowers will Be furnished BY
Mrs. shaw, bat Chrislmas oroers sho0id
bs placed early.
Putnam patriot., 1909-12-17
servants
Santa Clan
BY JAN1Hs A. Incrpr...I

~ ~ II p ~ EDt r HON a
copyright. 1879. by America - /.
ciaticn.
Putnam patriot., 1909-12-17
JeWelry

Everything In this line. Brooches, Sleeve
Buttons, Hat Pins, Neck chatns. watch
Chains. Belt Buckles. Charms. Lockets,
silica Pins, Beauty Pins. Baby Pins. u
good quality 10 desired the pricss will
suit.
Putnam patriot., 1909-12-17
Rings
Calendars

Very attractive line, hand colored, -
pias, platinum and iisAogrspAlc, a prices
Of l0c 70 s5c.
Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1909-03-26

wrought vii
Phew she laug hed to sha ke off
her fright. hat was q sure enou ghhIS
nightmare. III dream like That,
I'd wake up the " hole house yappiiln''S5
like ne *S.5
& As the nplace ever intrudesS
upon the unusual, so ID knock on the
door relieved the tension OF the I sit:
uation. twas Sin. He did not wait
for an IMITATION to enter. but, pening
the IGOR, asked. AN 81 come in r. sz$sS|s
..''Sure, come in = cried Pol ly, glad To-
find any excuse to slla he the de- de-
preston Of Echo IS 5drean sss slslS
HoWdy Mrs. yson just come
over to see Jack, 4 I was the Jolly sher-#
IFS greeting
Hes down at the corral" she. III
formed him 0 .5 IA
I Mrs. lien hurried in from the kitch-
Len at this moment, calling: Hcho.3
come here an, look at this here cake,
1t looks as If had been sot on. z { l5s
Echo closed the lid Of the piano and
Icalled her mothers attention to the
presence of Slim Hoover.
How ,ye do, Slim !. Hoover You
might have leftaome of that dust out;
side
The sheriff was greatly embarrassed
Isby her chiding bis ride from
lFlorenceSSto the SSWeetwa the alkali
and sand stirred up BY the: boots of
the horses had settled On his hat and
/ Waistcoat 30 freely that his clothing
! had assumed neutral gray tone,
above which his sun tanned face and
/ red hair loomed like the moon In a
fog Josephine's gcolding drove him
Ito brush his shout ers with his hat,
/ raising a cloud 81. dust bout his
lhead. 5F3;s.5
Stop it =! y, M rs Allen shout shrilly.
s.Slim Hoover, iif your brains was az.
Mantle you couidn't ! blow the top Of
your head off ~ A55s5s:
g5 Polly was 8great ly amused BY Sims
encounter with the Clearly Mrs Allen.
4 Slim stood With open mouth, watch
Ting Mrs. Allen founce out of the room
after Echo, who was wing vain
! toS suppress her laug hter urning ito
Polly, he said, & s. mt seen you III some
I. iitsime.i
l5 Slim was thank fni that the girl was
4 seated at the table with her back to
4 him. Somehow Of other he found he
could speak Ter more freely when
she was not look ing at him
4 "a THAT'S SO n she cha llenged Come
i to the birthda 2,
Not regular, HI he answered.
I Polly glanced slt Z hi 81 oyer her shout:
i der. The look was too much for Slim,
He turned away ;lid 4 his embarrass.
A ment Partl IS, ring from bis
Z bashfuin he coag hea preparators
tosspeaking. But T. had vanished
Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1909-03-26

AS one looks sil eel5 the mi
gician dlsap 5euiiil. sim
gazed az floor and eel ling Oh IL the giTl
might pop M 81 here ying aI
empty chair behind him he san into
sitgIngerly and any tsSy
sl Meantime oily Tgturned with
sBroom ana begun 3sWee piiig out the
5eFi dences #of I'M She spoke
again
laups YET thai killed
old Man, IIerrilll rs
500 Tot ret Blu new shootinss
soYer'n CIR Evn yeste
S3s Slime VA S aoing best make
@conve Ion I'ol1 mot az him
out cry freely
That 50 va her rep
potted hot two China
4 men
Polly.s cniriosit was aroused
hat ri q, she asked .astopp ing her
sweeping FORT 6men
Just to- give the new grave ard a
start, I, Slim buckle ed
h Polly Joined In Ills nerrfment
Spotted Tayl Tor was ~ ways d public
sure senteds Slim
there. sweep ul1ssss
der that Polly brushed Sims
feet ith the broom igorols1y. With
!. an &elab orate q Excuse me! ' sS Slim arose,
but reseated himsel ariot her chair
directly IL the athNsay Polly'ss
broom.
Get out Of there. too, n she cried
sShucks! There ain Il any room for
{ me nowhere, L he uttered sdisgu sted-S
u "
5ou should &c up so ntlch #ofsS$
& TT
Slim att tempted to lze5;a I seat on the
small gilt chair #Which was ackssE2
Il wedding present to- &c o. {, Polly caught
sight OF him In time q took out, II she
shouted. 9Th ha II; WASH Il built for
a. full grown ma 4 81. ~,
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-06-09
Buy your rugs of Theo.

Buy your rugs of Theo. j.
Brandt.
MIR. and Mrs. l.. H. Pearson
were visiting at Anamosa the past
week.
Prof. c. II. Valdez was a bust
ness visitor at Winona, Mimi, over
Sunday.
j. w. Telford of Hesper town
ship transacted business in the city
Friday.
DIR. and Mrs. S. Whitbeck of
Burr Oak Sundayed with friends in
the city.
A fine assortment of diamond
rings at bargain prices this week.
Brunt & Parman.
Miss Ella Treat went to Waver-
ly on Friday, to teach music in the
teachers institute.
w. r. Smith was here over Sun
day, running in from a trip on the
road for the Hubbard Milling Co.
OF Mankato, Mimi.
Our Want Column will find any
thing you want. Its the best detect
i've in Winneshiek county, and the
cheapest. Try it.
John Symonds arrived home
from Chicago las week, where he
has been attending the Northwestern
University dental school.
Miss Crumb returned home to
Faribault, Mimi, Friday, having
concluded her duties as trimmer in
Mrs. H. S. Tupper's millinery.
Herman Smith of this Office is
enjoying a vacation in Cedar Rap
ids this week. His place in the Of
flee is being taken by George Hill.
Miss Ethel Landers is home
from Clarion, Iowa, where she has
been teaching during the past year.
Her sister, Miss Lettie, accompanied
her home, after a visit there.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-06-09
Not On Speaking Terms.

Speaking of teaching practical stud
les in the schools, here is one heard
from a country school, The teacher
asked: IF it takes one woman two
hours to clean a room. how long will
it take two women?" -Four hours"
answered a little girl. Wrong"
said the teacher. "It would take only
one hour" "Oh," answered the OBJ
serving little miss. II didn't know
you was talking about ladies who
were not on speaking terms with
each other. FIX.