davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10
WORTH LOOKING INTO

The very heavy fire losses from light
ming which have been sustained by
scores Of farmers during the recent
spring storms should lead to a consid-
Grafton Of the protection which would
be secured by equipping the building
with scientifically constructed light
ming rods and conductors. IL is true
that when the lightning rod craze was
on thirty or more years ago n good
many unsuspecting folk got loaded I'D
with twice or three times as many
rods as they needed and improperly
grounded TO boot. which were in real.
ity greater source OF danger than
protection. Many had their stomachs
still further soured by having 10 pay
outrageous prices for this shoddy work
Or having BOtes which they gave turn
up for amounts greatly I'm excess Of
the price agreed upon. But this era
has passed, and there are today reputa-
bic lightning rod firms which Will
guarantee 10 rod buildings properly.
This fact - recognized by many in
suronce companies which quote n
much lower rate 10 farmers whose
buildings are thus protected against
lightning damage IN any event It IS q
proposition which farmers who own
big red barns on open pralries should
look into.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10
DOUBLE GATE BETTER THAN SINGLE.

DOUBLE GATE BETTER THAN SINGLE.
etc, In the joints as the work goes up,
and in about twenty-four hours time
Ill the post with the following mix
ture: One part cement, three parts
sand and five or six parts coarse
gravel or broken stone. Stone as large
as hens eggs may be used. Make this
concrete rather wet and fill to the top.
when the caps may be set In place.
The double gate shown in the sec
ond cut has advantages over the sin
gle gate. 1t will not sag; 1t requires no
hinges; 1t may be easily fastened with
hooks or latches. 1t looks neat, and
when cattle are kept there fl less dan
ger to the stock IN passing through.
Square tlmbers or heavy poles may be
used. The gate is twenty feet wide
and sixteen or eighteen high. The two
outside posts should be set well in the
ground and braced at the top, as
shown. The center post, to which the
gate is made fast, turns at the top, IN
the cross timber, and the lower end
sets on a large stone. Iron pins are
placed in both the top and lower end
for pivots, and a post must be set
about ten feet from the center post
and In line with same, to which the
gate is hooked when necessary to have
1t open for any length OF time.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10
SPRING WITHOUT FLOWERS.

Many home would be brighter and
happier were there a larger recognI-
ton OF the claims OF religion and this
given demonstration in attendance at
the neighborhood church in at least
one Sabbath service There Is I'm us all
at best n good deal OF the barbarian.
and this tendency, coupled with con-
unual occupation with things material,
which so often vex and degrade and
tend TO obscure our perception OF
higher things that are really most
worth while, makes It we'll nigh i'm
peratiye that we should avail our
selves of such religious influence as
we can If we would live the best life
we may. Not only does religion give
quality and meaning to the humdrum.
everyday life, but IL means much in
the special crises OF life-when n new
life is ushered IN. when new homes
are established, when the curly head
OF n little child bathed In the fragrance
or flowers or the toll worn hands OF n
faithful parent are laid to rest I'm "the
low green tent" In such hours Il
gives hope Of a life to be where we
may clasp again the hands OF those
who leave us here and where there
shall be no more sorrow or crying. Ma
terial interests are well and good. but
ungraced by a wholesome religious In
huence they are as a day without sun
light or springtime without flowers.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10
TOO MANY BAD EGGS.

The egg and chicken business OF the
country during 1905 amounted TO
about s65o.0oo.OO0. making It one OF
the most important items OF farm rev.
enue. But for many years past there
has been an enormous loss. though
small In any Individual case. as re-
suit OF the inferior quality OF eggs
which were put on the market. with
the purpose OF finding out Just what
these losses were due to the bureau OF
animal hushandry OF the agricultural
department at Washington has the
past year made study of the problem
and in n bulletin recently published
gives summary of Its findings. which
should be read carefully by every
chicken raiser in the country. The In.
yestigator, Mr.. Hastings, finds that OF
the eggs produced In the country I'm
1905 there was loss OF II per cent
between nest and table, itemized as
follows: Dirty eggs, 2 per cent; break
age. per cent; chick development or
heated eggs, 3 per cent; rotten eggs,
20 per cent; shrunken or held eggs, )
per cent; moldy or bad favored,
% per cent. The loss from chick de-
Yelopment seems to be the chief source
OF loss, especially In the south aud
west. where 1t amounts to % or 80 per
cent during the heated season. To pre-
vent this Mr.. Hastings asserts that a
campaign OF education Is necessary
which will make every farmers wife
realize that when eggs are left In
damp nests under broody hens or in
hot kitchens there is a loss in quality
which in the end means n money loss
to herself and her neighbors, while n
system OF buying eggs should be
adopted which viii give each producer
full value for Just what his eggs are
worth. The rule should be infallible to
market eggs as soon as possible after
they are laid. The greatest handicap
In the egg trade is found to be the
practice followed In the general store
or bartering merchandise for eggs. In
which transaction the merchant reck-
ons his profit on goods rs more than
his loss on eggs. Under this arrange
ment he is unable or does not try to
enforce improvement upon his patrons
by buying on a quality basis, and so
long ms he does not and strictly fresh
eggs fetch no more than stale the
seller has no incentive to exercise care
aside from his own conscience.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10
Tho country's Farm Animals.

The crop reporting board OF the bu-
reau Of statistics Of the United States
department Of agriculture estimates
the numbers and values of farm ami
mails on farms and ranges I'm the Unit
ed States on Jan. last as follows:
Compared with Jan. 1, 1908, the fol-
lowing changes are indicated: Horses
have increased 64S,0O0, mules 1874 600,
milk cows $4,000; other cattle de.
creased 604,000. sheep increased ]. 453,-
600, swine decreased 1897 900. In aver
age value per head horses increased
1923, mules cents. milk COWS $1.G0
other cattle 60 cents; sheep decreased
40 cents. swine Increased 30 cents.
The total vnlue OF all animals enumcr-
ated above on Jan. I, 1909, was 1885
$4,000 as compared with S4.331 30
600 on Jan. ]. 1903. nm increase Of
St0lO2o.OOO. or % Der cent
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10
i arm ano
Garden
ARCHITECTURE IN GATES.
Ornamental Posts Of Cement-Advan-
tages Of a Double Entrance.


tagss OF a Double Entrance.
The approach to the farm Is like the
face at the open door of the house
The first cut In this article represents
the gateposts rather than the gate II.
self. However, an iron gate made as
shown from gas or water pipe would
not look out OF place on almost any
farm. 1t may be built by your local
blacksmith and should not be over
expensive. But any iron or substan.
tial gate may of course be used and
IL desired one OF the self opening gates
operated by the wheel of the wagon or
buggy.
Now as to the cement posts. For
small gates they should be from ten to
twelve inches square. for large gates
from sixteen TO twenty inches square
and possibly in some cases even larger.
They are built Of hollow blocks set IN
cement mortar, and the hollow space
Is filed with concrete. To make the
blocks build two bottomless wooden
boxes. TO illustrate we will say we
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

Some 'overclean and particular moth,
ers seem to forget that Il is bet
ter TO have little dirt and disorder
In sitting room and parlor than to have
their boys spending most OF their
spare hours in the haymow and back
alley.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

The squad OF sitting hens should be
provided with toilet facilities In the
shape OF bath OF wood ashes, sulphur
and fpe road dust in good sized box.
1t VIII be n great aid to them In keep
ing rid of lice and mites.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

Intelligent dairymen interested in
the health OF their dairy cows are
equipping new barns which they are
building with yentilating systems and
installing the same I'm their old barns.
which are OF tight construction. The
King system. which is recognized as
one OF the best, lets fresh air I'm near
the floor through several small open
ings, while the foul air is taken from
the building by good sized yentllator
shaft extending from within n foot OF
so OF the floor up the side Of the wall
through the story above the stable to
the cupoia, where It is discharged.
This system recognizes the fact that
Impure air IS heavy and lies near the
floor
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

No longer are corncobs doomed to
perform a mental service as penny
pipes and klndllng wood only. as a
hrm at Council Bluffs, Ia. has by ac-
cident discovered that when crushed
and properly prepared corncobs are an
invaluable aid In the publication Of gas
IN city gas plants. Heretofore in this
process iron filings mixed with shay
ings from the planning mills have been
used In the washers" I'm which the
sulphur In the gas is held and convert
ed into sulphates and sulphuret OF iron.
with the light pine chip the mass
sinks into compact form. making the
passage OF the gas through It dIficult
When the clipped corncobs were sub
sttuted Il was found that the gas
passed through very readily. being en-
urely freed from sulphur even when
heavily charged. With cob chips the
washers keep in working order for
months where In the old way they had
to be renewed in a few weeks. Cobs
that were worth but $50 per wagon
load shOst time.ago are now fetching
$40 a ton. and tho firm which brushes
them cannot begin to OH orders which
are being received.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

1t is about all n grass widower OF
sixty can do to keep his head level
with q dashing young spouse OF TWEEN
ty-two, but when OH top OF this he
buys n $500 automobile he Is In for
grief a-plenty.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

Readers who may have in mind seek
Ing a western home Will be interested
In the drawing which the state land
board Of Colorado VIII hold at Ignaclo,
Colo, on July 10 for the disposition Of
the Ute Indian lands In Pine river
valley, opened by n recent special net
OF congress. This land is to be sup
piled with irrigation, the cost OF con-
structing the canals being payable over
period OF years on easy installments.
The tract I'm question is situated in the
famous fruit section OF southern Col
orado, where lands OF the same charac-
ter under private ownership in bearing
orchards are worth from 81 900 to ST..
600 per acre.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

sciauc rheumatism Is about the only
excuse that the right kind OF father
will offer for not playing one old cat
with those boys OF his.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

One OF the critical periods for the
growing corn and. for that matter. for
any other titled crops is the period OF
bright, rapidly drying weather follow
Ing n heavy driving rain, which packs
the earth and makes II form n hard
crust. Before the crust forms the cul.
tivator should be used.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

When fellow gets hold OF type of
religion that loosens up his pocket
book. makes him pay his honest debts
and provide MS his means allow com.
forts and advantages for those de-
pendent on him. It goes without saying
that 1t is practical and OF the right
kind.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

During the spring and summer
months the flock OF hens do not have
to scratch to keep warm; nevertheless
IL they are confined It is well to make
them scratch litter for their grain ra-
tion in order that they may get neces-
sary exercise.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

One OF the improvements that might
be carried out on many farms this sea-
son is that OF drainage OF the wet
acres. At the least II will cost nothing
to have some reliable man who under
stands thing to come and look things
over and give you n pretty accurate
estimate OF the cost of system of
thing which will carry surplus water
on readily. While economy Of con-
struction is proper consideration, eff
hciency and permanency are Of more
weight and Will mean a saving in the
long run. 1t is fair to say that the
value of land redeemed through thing
Will be worth Ave or six times per
acre the cost OF the Improvement.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

Butter records, like some other lau-
rels, don't seem to stay long in one
place. To illustrate, the blue ribbon
for the largest butter production for
seven days was captured short time
ago by Grace Fayne lis Homestead,
owned by III. A. Meyer OF Syracuse,
n. Y. her performance being 2S.44
pounds OF butter fat. equivalent to
$50 pounds OF butter.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

1t is n matter OF observation that
residents In sections where prairie
wolves abound are not so concerned
over the depredations which they may
commit, but that they almost invaria-
bly, spare the old wolves so that they
may raise q batch OF little ones next
season for the bounty they Will fetch
IL the bounty was done away with en-
tirely the spirit Of the law would DO
better observed.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

He who keeps u neat yard or a clean
and thrifty garden Is essentially pub
lie benefactor, for not only is It
source OF pleasure to the passerby. but
tho good example which is set is quite
likely TO be followed by his neighbor.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

Il is a standon whether ones own
irresponsible puppy or the neIghbor's
hens constitute the greatest drawback
to successful and enjoyable foricul-
ture.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

America is not only carrying moral
light into the dark places OF the earth,
but agriculturally is doing n similar
benehcent work. Among other evil
dences OF this may be cited the fact
that within the past few weeks the
car OF Russia has offered l.. d. Clore
or FRANKLIN, Ind, the boss corn raiser
of the country, $4,000 year for three
years and all expenses to go to that
country and show the peasant farmers
how to raise American corn. II the
ear only knew what this corn raising
business does in making a people eco
nomically and politically independent
he might well have some misgivings
about the wisdom of this his latest
innovation.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

A friend who has several apple trees
In his yard has noticed that certain
tree which n husky house cat has
sharpened his claws on for several
years past has borne the largest guam
tity Of fruit. This was without ques-
ton due to the bruising and mutilating
OF the trunk. the cat doing In this way
unwittingly what the orchardlst aims
to do when he prunes n tree heavily,
cuts and peels up the bark or girdles
the trunk. While this practice OF tree
mutilation may be followed within
certain limits, 1t is questionable IL It is
advisable In the long run. even II the
cat does the job.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

Investigations which have recently
been made by Uncle Sans biological
survey as TO the bill OF fare of the
kingbird have brought out the inter
esting and remarkable fact that, while
he does now and then eat bees, It is
the drones and not the workers which
are his victims. When this announce
ment was first made beekeepers were
wont to consider it as a pretty good
Joke, but their curiosity led them to
make some investigations for them
selves, and they found the department
specialists were correct. Not only did
the kingbird not attack workers, but
he devoured many varieties OF injuri-
Gus winged insects, while his hostility
to marauding crows and hawks IS n
point to his credit, which is a matter
OF everyday observation.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

Life on the average farm would be
good deal lighter for those engaged
In household and field work IL a really
serious attempt were made to limit the
working day to ten hours. In rush
seasons. with help scarce, It is we'll
nigh impossible to do this, but when
ever 1t can be done It should be. Folks
who work hard ten hours a day get
old and rich fast enough without
stretching the treadmill operations to
fifteen or sixteen hours.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

A tempting price often induces the
stock raiser to part with his best pure
bred animals when his own financial
benefit covering a period OF years
would be served by keeping them. 1t
is only in rare instances that such
stock is not worth just little more
to the grower than to any one else IN
less the sale is deemed necessary to
prevent inbreeding.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

The agricultural stand patter may
be defined as the fellow who persists
In following old methods when a new
er method will give better results with
the same or less expenditure Of. time
and money. The scandalous soil rob-
berry which is still going on In many
sections, the failure TO grow on the
farm the crops which Will give best re-
turns and the failure to get the max
imum value out OF the crops that are
raised may be accepted as indisputable
evidence that the class of agriculture
stand patters is all too large.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

A Minnesota reader OF northwest
ern agricultural paper is led to speak
a word In defense OF quack grass be-
cause through its almost complete &C.
cupation Of his farm he was compelled
to, quit grain raising and adopt a stock
raising type OF agriculture. which he
finds more profitable than the other.
The average landowner should be
able to see the errors OF this soil rob-
bling way without going through any
such narrowing penitential experience
as this quack grass imposes.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

The young man who comes to his
majority clean hearted, with good
physical constitution and reason.
able ambition to be somebody In his
day. is by all odds more fortunately
endowed than his fellow who inherIts
a quarter section and n big wad OF
greenbacks merely. 1t is what he Is
rather than what he has that counts
In satisfaction and contentment.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-10

The Ice cream makers in some states
are up against recently enacted pure
food laws which say this delectable
product shall not contain more than /
per cent of gelatin nor less than ~
per cent OF butter fat or, I'm plain Eng
lish, generous supply OF cream.
While this regulation may work a
hardship on the manufacturers OF
some of the stun that has been palmed
or on long suffering public as cream.
II will be deemed n real blessing.
Democratic messenger., 1909-08-20

Vegetable Compound has done for me
during this trying period. Complete
restoration to health means SO much
to me that for the sake Of other suffer
ing women l am willing to make my
trouble public so you may publish
this letter. "-MRs. CHAs. BARCLAY,
R.F.D .Graniteville. VI.
No other medicine for woman's ills
has received such widespread and un-
qualified endorsement. No other med
icine we know of has such a record
of cures of female ills as has Lydia L.
Pinkham's Vegetable Compound.
For more than 30 years ii has been
curing female complaints such as
Inflammation. liberation. local weak
nesses. iibroid tumors. Irregularities.
periodic pains. bachache. indigestion
and nervous prosifation. and 1t is
unequaisd for carrying women safely
through the period of ch.'iira ol life.
II costs IN. little 70 Try lydia Il.
Pin,; ans Neeet.:ti' Compound, ard,
~ Ati,. nar .sss i, "Horiil noun
taim> a: .'.'.. 10 i.:cring women.
Democratic messenger., 1909-08-20
RUNNING THE GANTLET.
An Indian incident In indiana's Pic.
neer Days.


nser Days.
David Johnson, one Of the early set
tiers OF lndianas was a noted hunter
and ut one time was with q hunting
party Of which John Severns was a
member. On that occasion the early
Mr.. Severns. having been there so
many years before any other white
man. was accepted us authority on all
such subjects. In the Pioneer His
tory of Indians" Colonel W. NJ. Cock
rum give. que ot Mr. Severns' stories
~ repeated Dy Mr.. johnson.
Mr. Severus said that IN the fall Of
ls93 lie was With half dozen of his
Indian ncighbors. hunting. aud that he
stayed all night at an Indian village.
During the nlght two white prisoners
were brought In. and preparations
were made for their trial and death.
First two lines were formed facing
each other. and the two men were
compelled TO run the gantlet between
the lines. A point some hundred
yards beyond the lines Of the gantlet
was designated As the place that was
TO be reached to save their lives.
One OF tue nieD was Of middle age.
but fraii: the other was a strong. ath-
letic young fellow. The lines were
made up Of more than 100 Indians.
mostly squaw ws and boys. with enough
active men TO keep the prisoners from
getting away. The young man was
the first TO make the race. He got
through the lane and to the life sta
ton without being much hurt
The older man before he started
held up his hands and offered prayer
to God for aid. then commenced the
race. which was not more than half
completed before he was knocked
down by heavy club In the hands
Of squaw aud was set upon by the
horde Of sauaws and boys and beaten
to death.
Az soon as he was knocked down the
young man. who WAS several hundred
feet away. ran like deer and jumped
into the throng Of Indians aud tried to
save his friends life. but was soon
overpowcred and dragged away.
For this brave act the chief OF the
village adopted the young man to
take the place Of n son whom he had
lost.
MIR. Severns. on being asked why he
did not intercedc for the prisoners.
said that II he had attempted to inter
fere II would have cost him his life.