davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05
GUM CHEWING IN AMERICA
omnipresent Habit Strikes Visitors
From Abroad as One Of the
Country's Wonders.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS students
and three professors Of the University
of Commerce, in Cologne, now in this
country, find the gum chewing habit
looming large among the wonders Of
America. This ought to cause no sur
prise to Americans as all are familiar
with the omnipresent nickel-in-the-
slot gum machine, the inexhaustible
sticks of chewing gum in jars and
piles on candy store and drug store
counters, and the jaws almost unani-
mously in activity in subway Jams,
trolley car crushes and crowds at
large.
Baseball players chew gum to keep
off thirst, children and matinee girls
chew it because 1t tastes sweet, many
persons chew in the belief that they
are aiding their digestion, but most
people chew because they have got the
habit Probably finai analysis would
reveal an intimate connection between
nerves and habitual gum chewing.
There have been attempts to estab-
lish gum in Europe. The results are
as yet inconsiderable. However, the
demand right here in the United
States calls for the manufacture of
5000, 100000 pieces Of gum per year
and gives prosperity to very healthy
eleven-year-old trust If one doctor
says gum chewing is harmless, an
other declares that it overworks the
salivary glands. But to the stranger
within our gates the wonder of the
busy jaws remains.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05
Bonanza Mine Playing Out.

Victoria, B. C.-The famous bonanza
mine. lie Roi, in the Rossland district,
British Columbia, which has yielded
many millions in gold, Is said to be
playing out Diamond drillers, after
much work, declare there is no pay
ore In sight. The mine is now in the
hands of London company.
The famous mine was discovered in
1900 by a French-Canadian trapper,
Joe Bourgeois, who drove the first
stake; located shortly afterward by e.
S. Topping, deputy mining recorder at
Nelson, B. c., whose initial expendi-
ture was $40; developed by former
United States Senator George Turner
and his Spokane associates, who
bought the property Of Topping for
$4,000 and sold 1t to the British
American corporation, organized in
London by Whitaker Wright for $4,000.
900 In 1894, and later acquired by the
LIE Roi Mining company, limited. since
which time it has yielded more than
SAL 100000 in gold.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05
Paul Rainey.

contrary he has increased 1t by
shrewd investments until now he is
reputed to be worth $30,000,000 Even
though he may spend a million every
year he is still living within his in
come.
Singularly enough, neither Paul
Rainey nor his brother has the name
of being dissipated. No scandals ever
have been associated with them. They
are not even considered as reckless
spendthrifts. There is nothing eccen-
trio about Paul Rainey or about the
way he gets rid of his million dollars
year. He is a well-balanced young
man who does not seek to attract at
tention to himself by frantic out
bursts Of profigate waste. He simply
has royal income and disposes of it
by living on an extremely lavish scale
and taking out Of life the greatest pos
cihle enjoyment
Since settling in New York eight
years ago Rainey has been as popular
as any young man ever was in an ex-
elusive social set in America. He is
fine. big, generous man. in whom the
love of living is strong.
Paul Rainey has been a dashing polo
player, a distinguished follower of the
hounds, brilliant yachtsman and a
rather spectacular figure on the turf.
He has been prominent also as an au-
tomobilist. No man can go in for
yachting on the scale he has without
spending hundreds of thousands of
dollars; no man can go into the racing
game the way he has without spend
ing hundreds Of thousands Of dollars.
His purse seems to have no bottom. or
If it has 1t is so far away that it is
hard to find 1t.
Rainey has no town house. His
country place is at Jericho. L. l., and
is called Fruitledge Farm. This is a
magnificent estate and visitors to 1t
are impressed Immediately by its
owners fondness for animals and
birds. The star animal Of the collec-
ton is a large mountain lion.
Rainey's other country place is in
Cotton Plant, Miss. This is his favor
ite winter resort. Down there he has
one Of the finest and biggest packs OF
hounds in the country. 1t was an or
dirarv thing for Mr.. Rainey to gather
a score or two Of his friends, put
them into as many private cars as
were needed and take a run down to
his Mississippi plantation for a fort
nights sport.
Mr.. Rainey's latest whim is dash
for the north pole. He has chartered
for his own use and outfitted at cost
of $500,00O a large steamship and Is
now on his way. Unless some misfor-
tune befalls him and his party he will
be gone probably two or three years
Captain Bartlett. who was the navi
gator in charge Of the Peary expedi,
ton, has charge of Mr.. Rainey's ship
Bartlett is a specialist in arctic work
and is considered at the top Of his
profession.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05

Two years later Mr.. Harland was join
ed in partnership with Mr.. Gustavius
Wilhelm Wolff, a wealthy German. and
in 1874 Messrs. Walter H. Wilson (de-
ceased) and William James Pierre
(now Lord Pierre), pupils of the firm,
were also made partners in the con-
cern, which was subsequently floated
as limited liability company.
The business of the firm from the
very outset continued to increase by
leaps and bounds. In the year 1884,
exactly Is years after Mr.. Harland
acquired the controlling interest in
the concern, there were launched
from the Queens Island yard AZ ves-
sells, aggregating 105,625 tons burden.
In the three years ending 1890 their
total was 81 vessels, Of 126,175 tons.
On three ocasions since they have
achieved the record IL months worlds
output, the figures being: In 1907. 82,-
240 tons; in 1903, 10000 tons, and in
1908. 106,52S tons.
But perhaps one Of the longest of
several very tough tasks undertaken
by the firm Of Harland & Wolff was
the lengthening of the Castle line
Royal Mail steamer Scot (now the
Oceana, Of the Dutch Red Star feet).
1t was in 1896 that the Scot, a Green
ocE-built steamer Of some seven or
eight thousand tons, was sent to Bel
facr 20 have so feet added to her length
am!dship. Messrs. Harland & Wolff
undertook the job. The vessel was cut
in halves. and with the aid of power
full jacks the two ends were pulled the
required distance apart. Each end
was several thousand tons dead weight,
yet the work was accomplished with
out hitch or accident of any kind to
the complete satisfaction of the own
ers. Towards the end of the same
year the Hamburg-American liner Au-
gusta Victoria was similarly length
ened by 60 feet
Still more remarkable probably, was
the building Of the bow portion of the
rejuvenated White Star liner Suevic.
when that vessel was taken piece
meal off the rocks at the entrance to
the English channel some four or five
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05

is the undertaking which is one of the
pet projects of President Taft and to
carry it out congress has appropriated
the sum of 100000
Every since he entered the White
House President Taft has been i'm.
bued with the conviction that the ma.
chinery of government could be oper
ated at much less expense than has
been the case for years past. Among
practical business men the Federal
government wasteful and costly
method of carrying on it's business has
for years been at once a joke and
reproach and Senator Aldrich of
Rhode Island voiced the general opin-
Ion when he recently declared that he
could administer the affairs of the
biggest business institution ON the
continent and by the Introduction of
n odern methods and policies save
fully s300,0O0,O0O a year over the
present cost.
The recent Legislation by congress
was designed merely to enable the
president to start the ball rolling for
reform in the conduct of the Federal
business. With 100000 set aside to
inaugurate the work, the president is
authorized to employ accountants and
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05
BeLfast's Great Shipyard

years ago. The stern portion only
was saved and brought round to South
ampton, where it remained until
Messrs. Harland & Wolff built the
bow end, 260 feet long, in the south
yard, subsequently, with the aid of
three Liverpool tugs, bringing the
weird looking half ship right down
the Irish channel, round the Lands
end, and up to Southampton.
The repairs to the China, of the p.
and q. line, and the Paris, of the Am
erlcan line, were also remarkable I'M
dertaklngs, as was also that of the ST
Louis for the latter company. The
China
IL was In 1870 the first Oceanic was
Quilt on the Queens island for the
Whlte Star company. 1t was a vessel
considerably under 1000 tons The
second Oceanic, launched in 1892 bas
10 times the tonnage almost, while
even up till the present day no one
outside the management of the firm
with the exception of the heads of
the White Star company, knows the
exact dimensions of the two giant
boats now being built for this great
ocean carrying firm, so well has the
secret been guarded. That they will
be between $50 and $40 feet in length
and of about $4,000 registered ton.
mage, is the extent of knowledge Of
the outside public regarding these
monsters.
The firm can in no sense be regard
ed as builders for speed, elegance and
comfort for ocean voyagers being
their especial motto. None of the
boats built by them is intended to ex.
ced 81 knots or 21R knots, which. II
is understood, will be the rate of trav-
cling of the coming White Star leyia.
thans, the motive power of which will
be on the combination principle of
reciprocating turbine engines. At the
present moment between 1000 and
10000 employees are In constant EN-.
ployment, working at high pressure
night and day shift, and receiving
wages to the tune of over 100000 per
week, while the area of the concern
Is about 120 acres.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05
WcTAY0 carxgw N COON R74

~ OSTA RIGA stands alone among
the turbulent Central Ameri-
can states in all things per-
" tanning to freedom, self-govern-
ment and progress. The coun-
try was colonized at first by people
from the ancient Spanish province OF
Galicia, and the colonists have not,
as In many tropical countries, ANAL
gamated with the aborigines; they
have consequently kept to the present
time the original characteristics, as
well as the qualities Of their race, and
the inherent grace and charm Of their
ancestors. They are laborious, pro-
gressive and peace-loving, and have a
record of a long perio" OF absolute in
ternal tranquility.
Three-quarters Of the population in
habit the so-called central plateau.
the climate of which is the most per.
feet realization of perpetual spring.
The agriculture of this region is very
highly developed, the principal prod
uct being coffee, maize, beans and po-
tatoes. The land is divided into ex.
ceedingly small holdings. Almost
every peasant is a landowner.
The Atlantic coast, warm, humid,
and rather unhealthful, but very fer
tile, produces on a very large scale
bananas and cacao, the exploitation OF
which Is unfortunately tied by con-
tracts with foreign companies. In the
banana plantations, covering over a
lQhnrnr1
are mainly West Indian negroes, the
only human beings able to stand
hard and continuous work under the
climatic conditions.
The Pacific coast does not differ
much from the interior but for its
warmer temperature and its extensive
grass-covered savanas, In which
stock raising is the chief industry,
Except for a small part, located in
the western province Of Guancaste,
the 100000 inhabitants are crowded
into a narrow belt extending across
the country from ocean to ocean,
along the railroad which connects
remaining part Of the state--that is
to say, four-fifths of its entire surface
OF about l8,400 square miles--is will
derness, with but a handful of hardly
half-civiliZed Indians inhabiting the
valleys of Diquis and Talmanca.
OF the five Central American repub-
lies, Costa Rica was the first to be
connected by a railway with the east.
ern coast, thus gettinh into close
touch with European civilization. In
many respects this was a source OF
real benefit to the country. The Costa
Ricans became great travellers. They
sent their sons to be educated In for
eign schools and universities. and or
their return these diffused among
their fellow-citizens new ideals ant
more advanced moral standards. For
eign teachers and professors were
brought and kept long enough to es
tablish on a solid foundation an excel
lent school system. SO perfect indeed
that illiterate mon or women are hare
to find, while books and newspaper!
are common even IN the most remote
hamlets. The scientific study of tn,
climate and the natural resources o
the country was carried on at the ex
pense of the government. and the in
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05

PRODUCTION OF modern arts and agricul-
tural methods and implements were
given every encouragement.
Sad to say, the uplift in the general
education has awakened misdirected
ambitions among the poorer classes,
attracted the peasants to the cities,
created a greed for government posi-
tions, these having consequently null
tiplied beyond all reasonable limits,
with a corresponding and necessary
increase of public expenditures.
Moreover, on account of a heavy
public debt, the result partly of un-
scrupulous speculations of foreign
and native financiers and of unwise
undertakings, the government has be-
come entangled in heavy financial diff.
ficulties that have brought the coun-
try to the verge of bankruptcy. This
deplorable economic situation has
been aggravated of late by several
consecutive failures OF the coffee crop,
by unusual rainy seasons. resulting in
foundations, destruction of railroads
and depression of the banana trade.
Two Leading Cities.
Sailing in any staunch ship from
New York or other Atlantic port for
Costa Rica. one lands at Port Limon.
the Atlantic sea entrance of the re-
public. This Is one of the largest ex-
port banana markets In the world.
The trains run into the banana fields
end bring out the thousands of bunch
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05

miles, and is a whole days journey.
The cars in which you make the trip
are not as commodious as American
ones. So you are certain to grow
weary of the trip before you reach the
city. ] suppose It is the only railroad
in the world, a journey upon which
makes one "sea sick"
San Jose is situated in fertile val.
ley and has a population of about 49,.
900. Two railroads enter the city;
one from the Atlantic side and the
other from the Pacific. The latter Is
under government control and is In.
complete. The city is lighted by cleo
tricity and also has an electric street
railway. Those low adobe houses that
have swayed the architectural style
since the early Spanish days are Civ.
ing place to modern brick structures
that pierce the air above the head OF
man.
1t is in this city that you find one
of the finest theatrical houses in the
world. 1t was in course of construc
tion seven years and cost about IS,
100000.
The seat of the cathedral Is here,
one Of the finest in the tropics. It has
three massive doors. "a massive posts
distributed along the three broad
aisles and is lighted with about 500
candles aside from the many electric
lights.
The republic controls the manufao-
ture of whisky and it is in San Jose
that you find her big distillery. Much
American capital Is invested here.
and there is promise Of much business
activity. The climate being salubri.
GUS, trip down there is an enjoyable
one; the city Is often called the Paris
of Central America.
Costa Rica has not had so large a
share as some of the others in the
revolutions and wars which have dis.
tinguished the countries of the 18th.
mus ever since their establishment;
nevertheless, the little republic has
by no means been free from strife
There Is trouble enough on the 18th
mus at all times. and Costa Ricans
would scarcely be human II they did
not put a finger into the pie. Still
the country is safe for foreigners and
Is most interesting to visit With the
establishment of the canal 1t will ex
perience a new lease of life and Is al
| ready getting ready to take the ad
vantages that will come Of entrances
into a new era of prosperity.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05

N MANY respects Messrs
Harland & VOLTS shipyard,
Queens Island, Belfast, is
n - the most remarkable con.
Germ of the kind in the
IS world. For many years past
they have taken the lead in the con-
struction of the largest ships afioat;
they have cut two of the finest liners
on the seas in twain, and added con-
siderable to their dimensions; and
they have built half vessel, the stern
half, and had 1t towed safely from Bel
fast to Southampton, where 1t was
built into the other half. At present
on the stocks of their North yard
two mammoth White Star boats of AS
600 tons each are fast approaching the
launching stage. This lines entire
feet has been built by Messrs. Har-
land Wolff
From the available record It ap-
pears that the first Belfast built ship
was wooden schooner OF $50 tons.
the builder being local Presbyterian
clergyman. This was in 1886, but Ii
was not until 1850 any serious attempt
was made in the shipbuilding line so
for as Belfast was concerned In
that year Messrs. Thomas Barnes &
Co., in addition to starting the Belfast
iron works, erected small slip on
the now famous Queens Island, which
has long since lost its insular posi-
ton though still retaining the name
which was given 1t after the late
Queen Victoria's visit in 1S49, previous
to which it was known as Dargan's
island. The ironworks proved a fail
ure, owing to the heavy expenses in
Cured in bringing the coal and iron
stone to Belfast but the small ship
yard thrived exceedingly under the
supervision of Messrs. Robert Hick.
son & Co.. who acquired it from its
founders.
Mr.. Edward j. Harland. an English
man, was manager for Messrs. Hick-
son, and in 1859 he purchased the con-
cern from Messrs. iHckson, as well as
a small yard adjoining. belonging to
the Belfast Shipbuilding company,
where wooden vessels only were built
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05

systems for the government
While Mr.. Norton will have the gen.
eral direction OF the new project he
will have the assistance of a board OF
directors, as 1t were-a commission
composed of one executive officer from
each department and Independent bu-
reau at Washington and this commits
sion will cooperate with the experts
In bringing about the big reform. The
present movement, 1t may be added,
is not designed so much to enable the
cuttinff off of clerk here and there
although doubtless many clerks VIII
be retired as result of its economies
as to formulate an entirely new struc-
ture of business methods.
Several of the government depart
ments have started on overhaullng OF
their business systems without walt
ing for the general reconstruction and
what has been accomplished thus In
piece-meal fashion gives a forecast of
what may be expected later. In the
u. S. land office, or instance, book
keeping methods have been so sim
plified that a single volume now holds
the records that formerly required
twenty-one different books. In one
office 16 standard printed forms now
do the work that formerly necessi-
tated 83 different documents and In
the postofice department $175,OOO
year is being saved in twine bills by
means of new tying device. Incl
IDENTITY 1t may be noted that some of
the most radical economies that are
expected as a result of Uncle Sans
latest move are looked for In the mail
ing rooms of the departments where
tons of government documents are
wrapped, addressed and mailed each
day
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05

es as though they we're Sc many logs.
The city Is hemmed m on one side
by Limon bay, and on the other by
hills that look majestically down upon
1t through their verdant covering
which knows no change One OF the
most substantial iron piers in the
world is here. With its great iron
piles rooted deep into the bed of the
sea 1t extends far out into the water.
Upon this the trains run alongside OF
the big ships with their loads Of bana-
mas for export Sometimes there are
so many ships here that some have to
drop anchor and walt till others clear
port. II is at Port Limon that they
have a municipal free laundry.
The distance from Port Limon to
San Jose, the capital. by rail, is tos
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05

experts from official and private life
and to inquire into every phase Of the
meth DDS OF transacting the public
business of the government In the sew
eral executive departments and other
governmental establishments. II is
expected that many Of the recommen-
dations for reforms which will be
made by these business physicians
can be carried out promptly with no
other authority than the order of the
president, but where congressional ac-
tion is necessary there is assurance
that 1t will be forthcoming
The president has placed this entire
overhauling of the governmental bust-
ness systems in the hands of his very
capable new secretary, Mr.. Charles
D. Norton. who had quite an interval
of experience as assistant secretary Of
the treasury before coming to his pres
ent post and who while in that depart
ment inaugurated the house clean
ing" of the treasury's business sys-
tens which became in effect the fore
runner of the broad rejuvenation that
is now to sweep the entire Federal es.
tablishment Mr.. Norton has invited
the leading experts in the country, In
Guiding such authorities on the sub
ject as Maj Charles Hine. the reor-
ganization experts of the Hartman
lines, to submit written programs for
governmental business reorganization
and from these propositions he will
select plans. to be carried out It is
the supposition that Mr.. Norton's prL
vate business experience as the pro-
prietor of one of the largest general
insurance agencies in the country for
years before he entered the govern
ment service will stand him in good
stead in selecting improved business
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-11-05
MASTER or FRANCE
Unknown Who Has Become the
Republics Star.
BRAND, Now Prime Minister, Is Only
Forty-six, and Was Not Even
Congressman 10 Years Ago
Considered a Genius.

Paris.-Briand is forty-six years old
He is prime minister and master of
the French republic. He was no
body, not even congressman, ten years
ago.
Also, he is a genius, in the sense
Of a Pitt, Jefferson or Robespierre;
and geniuses are rare. However they
differ, they have an instinct for
greatness. BRAND will be French
president if he wishes. | say "if he
Wishes" because he is not only a
genius, but strange one.
At thirty-five he was an outsider
and. worse. seemingly a failure, even
as a lawyer. Suddenly he willed; and
all came easy to him.
Only genius could have led the ease
loving, hail-fellow cafe charmer, half
cases. in ten years to dizzy power as
the great man of France. The public
is still astounted. Perhaps BRAND re-
mains a trifie surprised.
And perhaps not. He remains a
bundle of contradictions. France
wonders at his erudition. AS cabinet
minister. successfully, of public in
struction, beauX-arts, cultes, justice
and interior, he appeared a laborious
specialist Of each. In the separation
he held the record of all time for
brilliant readiness in the tribune,
master Of a thousand technicalities.
Yet no one has ever seen him open a
book or take a note
He still loves his ease in his cafe.
You cannot be with him five minutes
without feeling the amusing, easy
going companion, bubbling with the
Joy Of life; yet back Of it, even his
old sronies feel a negligent force that