davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
Washington and Lincoln.

Happy is the nation whose mightiest
events are grouped about great person
alities, movable, humanity complete,
Misunderstanding. In them is embodied
the spirit of the historical movements
they commanded. Through them the
best ideals of their contemporaries are
clear to us. Their biographies are ma
tional epics.
Without Washington America, by
weight of growing nationality, would
have parted sooner or later from the
mother country. Fifty years ago the
forces that tended to national unity
were stronger than those that made
for disunion, and in the end unity
must have prevailed, even without
Lincoln. But in Washington and Lin
coin are concentrated the meaning of
the nations great triumphs. The young
nation scrambling to its feet after the
struggle for independence, uncertain,
untried, became instantly personified
in the grave wisdom of Washington.
The spirit Of union, so sorely crippled
by many Americans to be but the spirit
of tyranny in disguise, took before all
mems eyes the shape Of Lincoln, so
that Whitman thought of unionism as
"a new virtue. unknown to other
lands" to be added to Lincoln's hon
esty, goodness, shrewdness, conscience.
That the nation bred, each for his
time, the man who led and typified his
fellow men justifies democracy in its
hope for the future. Washington was
the product of transplanted English
civilization, adopting when the time
came ideals hostile to the traditional
order, but preserving the essence OF
that order in his conservatism and gra-
cious dignity Lincoln was the perfect
fruit of half-century of national in
dependence, realizing a democracy that
was not in Washington's blood, but
which he believed in and hoped for.
The new nation had made new man.
We can easily forget or fail to learn
the principles of events long past. But
the men who were the nations soul,
them we can understand; we hear
their voices; we see their faces; we
love their living presence. And so
patriotism cannot grow cold. The
heart of American history is in these
vivid personalities, and its spirit looks
out
From behind this bending, rough-cut
mask,
These lights and shades, this drama Of
the whole.
Youths Companion.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17

4th August, 1858, which day, the
lodge being present, transactions of
the evening are: George Washington.
raised Mason, Thomas James entered
an apprentice.
Another interesting bit of corrobora-
ton as to the existence of such a per-
son as George Washington is the will
made by his mother. This interesting
document is still part of the records to
be seen at the Fredericksburg city
hall. Few people see any of these
historical treasures, however, as only
men of strong physique are able to
endure the bed and board of Freder-
icksburg's one hotel The will, after
the solemn introduction, refers as fol-
lows to the Father of His Country:
''Imprimis: l give to my son, Gen.
George Washington, all land in Acco-
keek run, in the county of Stafford,
and also my negro boy George, to him
and his heirs forever. Also my best
bed, bedstead and Virginia cloth cur
tains (the same that stands in my best
bedroom), my quilted blue and white
quilt, and my best dressing glass"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
WAsHINGToN's BIRTHDAY.

All honor to that day which long ago
Gave birth to him who Freedoms
cause espoused;
Who, by his ardor in the sacred fight,
The fire and strength of patriots
aroused;
Who knew no master, save that One
divine
Whose strength was his, who knew
no fear, save one
The fear of doing wrong! All hail the
day
That gave to Freedoms cause George
Washington!
Years come and go, and generations
Into the dust. The world it's heroes
gives.
They step upon the stage, then pass
away
And are no more, but Freedom ever
lives.
And while it lives, and while it's ban
ner bright
Is upward flung into the golden sum-
Within the heart of every freeman's
child
viii live that honored name, George
Washington.
Then honor to the day that gave him
birth,
For it is also Freedoms natal day.
Let all who worship Freedoms cause
stand forth
And to his memory their homage
pay.
And let each loyal son the work take
For know we, Freedoms work is
never done
And greater, grander, build the edifioe
Begun so long ago by Washington.
Arthur J. Burdick.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
FACTS ABOUT WASHINGTON.

He was the oldest of five children.
AS commander in chief of the army
he drew $500 a month
Of SO electoral votes cast for the
first President he got 50.
He was 81 years old when he en-
tered upon the office of President.
His army, when he first took charge,
was $4,000 men, 5000 of them from
Massachusetts.
He always had his hair powdered at
public receptions, and never shook
hands with any one at such times
His father had farm of 900 acres,
so that chopped cherry tree wasn't
such heavy loss after ALL
He was very successful as a raiser
of wheat and tobacco, and in addition
carried on brickyards and fisheries in
terests.
He was married to Mrs Gusts Jan.
6, 1859, and for seventeen years they
lived the simple life on their Mount
Vernon estate.
At his Inauguration he wore full
suit of fine cloth made by his own
servants, and the dresses of his wife
were also woven on the plantation
He was just q years old when Gov
Dinwiddie sent him on a perilous jour
ney to Ohio to find out the strength of
the French, which he accomplished
handily.
The Indians said he bore a charmed
life after he got four bullets through
his coat and had two horses shot under
him in movement led by Gen. Brad
dock against Fort Duquesne.
At IS he was the strength marvel
of the neighborhood, being abundantly
able to outwrestle, outrun, outleap, out
pitch quoits and outtoss iron bars any
boy of his age in Virginia, to say moth
ing of his Ratchet accomplishments
He wrote Gov. Clinton, at the close
of the war: '"The scene is at last
closed, and I feel myself eased of a
load of public care. l hope to spend
the remainder of my days in cultivat-
ing the affection of good men and in
the practice of the domestic virtues"
After one of his disastrous cam
paigns the ladies of Philadelphia de-
clined to notice his wife and admin
istered instead the snub direct, which
was in interesting contrast to their re-
ception of her when next she entered
Philadelphia as the wife of the Presi.
dent
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17

by the earliest train there was Poo,
Mauricei-and we parted in anger
More's the pity" sighed Jen, lean
ing upon the shoulder of Sarby; but
you cherish no anger in your heart
now?"
Heaven forbid, sir"
David spoke SO fervidly that Jen
saw plainly he meant what he said.
The massive face of the young man
looked worn and haggard In the
searching light OF the morning. and
whatever enmity the love Of the same
woman had sown between him and the
dead, it was not to be denied that he
was suffering cruelty from remorse
at their unhappy difference. Jen was
sorry, but even in his own grief he
could not forbear a stab.
You can marry Isabella now" he
said, bitterly.
MOI" said David, family. turning
MS face away. AT least, not yet"
The Major looked at him for a mo-
ment or two, then with a new idea in
MS head, he took David by the hand
ana led MIN into the chamber of death.
Swear said he, that you will not
marry Isabella Dallas until Won have
discovered and punished the murderer
of Maurice
ito De eontinued.)
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
HOW TO GROW MISTLETOE
Farastttcal Plant May Be Graft~d q
SONYn ARriOr.a

Farasitfcal Plant May Be Graftsd mr.
sown On Various Trees
Inc m1suetoe is a parasite: that
IS to say, it draws its supplies off food
from the tree on which it grows and
llus0, therefore, weaken it to some
extent; but when there is only q UsIant
0S TWO on a strong tree the effect
cannot be very serious
Curiously enough, though the mis-
tIetoe is additionally associated with
the oak, it is very rarely found on
that tree, says the Dundee Courier.
II IS most common on the apple and
not uncommon on the lime, the mann
tain ash, the hawthorn and the maple,
In the north of France it is cult
Vaced on large scale and it is chiefly
rom that source that We get the i'm
mense quantities of it that generally
appear in the markets shortly before
Christmas
The mistletoe is not sufficient to
grow, but its progress is very slow,
1t may be raised from seed or graft
ed, or trees on which it is already
established may be obtained from sew
eral firms.
When ripe berries are used. care
should be taken in selecting a few
seeds that these are extracted only
from the best shaped white berries.
These will be well matured and suit
able for propagation. The seeds NAV
be squeezed out from the berry by
pressing the latter between the thumb
and forefnger.
In selecting suitable spot among
the branches of a tree for the recep-
ton of the mistletoe seed it is ad-
vtsable to chose sheltered bend. and
to SOW the seed in an artifcialIy made
crevice. This may be made in sew
eral ways
1t may either be a plain horizontal
cut in the bark or it may be triangu-
lar in shape
The seed can then be squeezed into
its place and if it be thought neces-
sary to protect it from the depreda-
lions of birds a piece of fine wire
gauze or linen can be fastened over
the crevice.
A word of warning is, however,
necessary. Failure may follow if an
attempt be made to SOW the seed at
once, The seed does, not become thor
oughly ripe for at least two months
after Christmas. 1t is a good plan,
therefore, to select few of the rip
| est seeds and to preserve them in a
| cool place until the proper time for
sowing arrives.
The mistletoe owes its Latin and
botanical name, viscum, to the
strength or holding power of its glu-
tinous juice, and when the juice hard
ems, as the result of exposure to the
air, the seeds are firmly attached to
the branch. They terminate during
the following year, but, as previously
| stated, development is slow.
Some time may be saved by graft
ing. A small sprig is trimmed at the
base, as in whip grating, and is in
| serted in a downward slit made in but
| not quite through the bark. Clay
! should, as usual, be used to exclude
| the air, and, though the sprig should
| be tied with sufficient firmness to pre-
| vent any movement of its base, the
tie should not be so tight as to stop
| the circulation of sap.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
COMMON CUP MUST GO.
State Board of Health Puts Rule In
to Force in Public Places.

State Board of Health Puts Rule In
to Force in Public Places.
The common drinking cup must go
in Wisconsin. Its doom has been seal
ed by the State Board of Health at
a recent meeting in Madison. The
new rule, which is aimed to prevent
the spread of disease, reads as follows:
'The use of the common drinking cup
on rai1>2ad trains, in railroad stations,
in the public and private schools is
hereby prohibited. No person or cor
poration in charge of or control of any
railroad train or station or public or
private school or State educational
institution shall furnish any drinking
cup for public use and no person or
corporation shall permit on said rail-
road trains or stations or at said pub
lie or private schools, or State educa-
tional institutions, the common use Of
the drinking Gun"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
FREES INNOCENT MAN.
State Board of Control Declares Con
yicted Robber Victim of Injustice.

State Board of Control Declares Com
victed Robber Victim of Injustice.
After serving a portion of a ten
year sentence in Waupun for robbing
the bank of Holcomb, November %,
1908, Tom Burns, who was convicted
of the crime at Eau Claire last April
and sentenced by Judge Vinje, has
been declared innocent by the mem
bers of the State board of control and
Gov. Davidson has issued a pardon
for the man. Burns was prisoner
in the county jail at st. Paul at the
time the crime was committed and
he was serving a sentence from No
vember 10 to % and was not released
until three hours after the crime had
been committed over 100 miles away.
Proof of his innocence was so clear
that members of the State board de-
clare it to be a case of the greatest
injustice.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
WISCONSIN FAIR BOARD HIT.

Governor Suggests University Man
ager to Audit Books.
Refusing the tender of money from
private sources to pay for an audit of
the State fair boards books for the
past ten years, Gov Davidson has sug-
gested that S. w. Gilman, business
manager of the State University, do
the work. The State fair board handles
nearly 100000 each year and is re-
sponsible to the governor only.
Charges have been made that members
of the board are favored in the prize
money distributions
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
Washington as an Inventor.

George Washington, like Abraham
Lincoln, was an inventor. He invent
ed a deep soil pillow, which was used
on his plantation in Virginia until he
heard of better one in England. This
he imported at once. His invention
was useful, which is more than can be
said Of Lincoln's. The latter invented
a fatboat designed to go through very
shallow water orr lift itself over bars,
but it would not work.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
C~(clC( go $3.50
CHAPTER YIII.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER VIII CONTINUED
Perhaps I may settle affairs sooner
than you thing" said AyImer. Uncle
Jen, won't be back to dinner tonight,
as I have TO go into Deanminster."
What about?'
Business connected with the devil
stick and Isabella"
HIN You are pleased to be mys-
ferrous. Why not tell me your bust
ness ?"
Because I may fan" said Maurice.
Here, Uncle Jen. don't be cross; III
tell you about it tomorrow. and then
you will see and approve OF my silence
tonight"
Well" said Jeu, with a shrug, you
are old enough to guide your own &C
tions. But I must say that I don't like
to be shut out of the confidence Of my
two boys in this way"
you'll know everything to-mor-
row"
About David also?"
Perhaps I can even promise you
that" said Maurice, with a smile.
What" cried Jen, do you know
why David has gone to town."
Not for certain; but I can guess.
Now, Uncle Jen, I shan't answer an
other question just now, as must go
into Deanminster."
It was useless to ask further ques-
tions, as Jen saw that the young man
was getting irritated; so, in no very
pleasant temper himself, the Major
went up to his dressing room. He
was Of peace-loving and easygoing
nature fond of qUietness, so it annoy
ed him not a little that all this dis
turbance should take place on account
OF a woman.
David and Maurice both being alb
sent, Major Jen was compelled to
dine alone. This he disliked doing, so
hurrying over his dinner with all
speed, he betook himself to the smok-
ing room with a book. Here he chose
a comfortable chair near the open win
dow, and attempted to read; but the
somnolent influence of the evening
was upon him, and before long the
good Major was sound asleep.
Outside a warm wind was blowing
and the air was filed with the per
fume Of flowers In the darkly blue
sky hardly a cloud could be seen, and
the lllbbIiy just bllOWill6 llGi VI - cAbO <
the tree tops, flooded the still lowell
ness Of the night with wave after wave
of cold light. All was full of charm
spellbound as it were by the magic Of
moonlight, when suddenly a long, wilt
cry struck shudderingly through the
silence.
Accustomed as an old campaigner t.
sleep lightly, Major Jen was on his
feet in an instant, and again heard
that terrible shrek. 1t seemed to come
from the direction of the high-road
and thinking that some evil was beine
done, Jen, without loss of time, raced
across the lawn and into the avenue
In a few minutes he arrived at The
gate, and stepped out into the white
and dusty road; a black mass was ly
Ing some distance down, and towards
this ran Jen with an undefnable sense
OF evil clutching at his heartstrings
The black mass proved to be the body
of man, cold and still. Jen turned
the corpse over and recoiled The
dead man was Maurice Aylmer.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
HELD FOB "MURDERINGn CAT
henosha MAJ Charged with Throw
ing Kitty Into Furnace.

henosha MAJ Charged with Throw
ing Kitty Into Furnace.
An unusual murder case developed
in Kenosha when James Lewis was ar
raigned in the Municipal Court on a
charge of having wilfully and felo-
neously killed a cat. It was alleged
IN the complaint that Lewis had
thrown the cat into a furnace, where
Il was burned to death. Lewis at first
admitted this, but later declared that
he hit the cat over the head with the
shovel and threw the body into the fur
nsce. The proprietor of the hotel fish
ed the bones of the cat out of the fur
mace and they have been turned over
to The district attorney to constitute
the corpus deficit. Lewis waived a
preliminary hearing and was held for
trial Unable to furnish bond, he was
returned to the county jail. The ex-
IRENE penalty is $1,000 fine or two
years in prison
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
PLUNGE SIX STORIES,
Thirty-Five Men in Elevator Take
Terrihle EaII.


Terrible Fall.
Thirty-hve men dropped to what
seemed certain death when the eleva-
tor at the Simmons Manufacturing
Company's plant in Kenosha fell from
the sixth floor to the basement Just
after the whistle announced the close
of the days work and the men had
made a rush for the elevator Eight
Of the occupants were badly injured
and one or two may die, but that the
majority escaped with their lives
seems miraculous. The elevator is
carried on a shaft and this broke,
the fragment cutting up through the
floor of the car as the latter plunged
downward. The men who were not
actually hurt sustained a nervous
shock Arthur Vanasbeck had both
legs broken, Joseph Moloski had his
spine so badly injured that his lower
limbs are paralyzed, H. J. Inclenrock
had several bones broken and Fred
Schmidt was fearfully bruised
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
ONION BIN A POOR BANK.
Farmer Had Not Told His Wife ant

Farmer Had Not Told His Wife and
She Sold Vegetables and Money.
Thinking it about as safe a place
as any, William Jackson, farmer of
Ruling, put $40 in cash and a $50
check in cellar bin and covered them
with onions, but failed to tell his wife
what he had done. He gave it no
more thought until he learned that
his wife had sold some of the onions
Search revealed the fact that the money
was gone and now he is looking for it
among his customers.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
MOST DEATHS NEAR TO LAKES.

Tuberculosis Kills $500 in wiscon-
sin Every Year.
''At least $500 people in this State
die of tuberculosis every year." says
DR.. w. D. Frost, bacteriologist at the
University of Wisconsin, in new bull
letin, Tuberculosis or Consumption,
With Special Reference to Wisconsin
Conditions just published by the uni
versity extension division for general
distribution. The higher death rate
occurs in counties bordering the great
lakes, those having a rather large city
population, the bulletin points out.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
200 FEAR POISON PLOT.
Wholesale Threats Follow killing nj
Child by ssDoctored,, Candy.

Wholesale Threats Follow killing of
Child by E.DOctored', Candy.
A little girl is dead, little boy is
perhaps fatally i'll through eating poi
soned candy, and the 200 inhabitants
of Surfing are badly frightened as the
result of what is believed to be the at
tempt of some denented person to poi
son the entire community. The vii
layers are alarmed because letters have
been found threatening to poison many
of the more prominent citizens. These
letters are similar to those received
by the father of the Nelson children,
the victims referred to. Some Of the
letters contained strychnine and ap-
peared to have been written by a de-
mented woman. A letter threatening
to poison all his meat was signed by
the name of a weII-known butcher, who
is not suspected.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
When George became a Mason.

One of the interesting evidences that
George Washington is not myth is
the record of his becoming a Mason.
Fredericksburg lodge, No. 4, has been
in existence since 1852, and in the
vaults are the original documents
showing that George was initiated as
a Mason on the 4th of November, 1852;
he passed to the Fellow Craft degree
March 3, 1853, and was raised to Mas
ter Mason Aug. 4, 1853. The entry on
rhe journal reads as follows:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
Horse CaIk Punctures Brain.

Struck down by runaway horses,
and with his skull fractured by calk
on one of the horses shoes, Tony Kut-
scher, a teamster, lies at the Clark
house in Neenah, critically i'll. The
calk punched hole as large as a quar-
ter in the crown of the head. and the
physicians who operated on him reach
ed in and touched the brain. Kutscher
walked from the scene of the accident
to the hospital.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
BARGAIN GETTER DIES.

MiItman Makes Lucky Purchase of
Jersey Cow Then Hangs Himself.
James J. Lyons, Madison milkman,
elated over a bargain he had found IN
a Jersey COW, imbibed freely of liquor
and then went to the barn to take a
last look at his purchase. The next
morning his body was found hanging
by rope from a rafter in the barn al
most directly over the new COW, who
was contentedly chewing her cud, una
ware of the presence of death nearby.
except temporary insanity due to
drink.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
sheriff Is Accused.

Sheriff Walter at Hurley will be re-
moved from Office if a committee of
the county board has it's way. The
committee, after an investigation,
charges malfeasance and extortion on
the part of the sheriff, whom Cney
accuse of aiding prisoners to escape
prison if they paid him literally. The
district attorney refuses to cooperate
with the committee, which will hire
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
FAMILY IS POISONED,
Mother Is Found Dead and Child Is


Mother Is Found Dead and Child Is
Dying.
Mrs. P. Behrante and family of five
children were found poisoned at their
home in Washburn. The mother was
dead when found and one child has
since died. The recovery of three of
the other children is doubtful The
news of the poisoning was made known
by the father. He says that he was
sick as we'll as the rest. An examina-
ton will be made When neighbors
first arrived there was a fire in the
house and the husband was running
about in his night clothes.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-17
LEVI WITHEE IS DEAD.
Millionaire Lumberman Succunbs to
Effects of ParaIytic Stroke.


Effects of ParaIytic Stroke.
Levi Withee, millionaire lumberman
and Republican party leader, died in
La Crosse, aged rs. In his 10Th year
and having been stricken by paralysis.
several months ago, Mr.. Withee, known
throughout the State as Uncle Tom, -
has been in a sanitarium until recent
ly. Mr. Withee was born in Maine n
1884 and came to La Crosse when a
young man, where he early became
Identified with the business and politi-
cal life of the city. Mr.. Withee was
for many years one of the leaders in
the lumber industry along the Black
River and operated the Island Lumber
Company at Onalaska, his interest
ceasing only with the close of the lum-
Der industry in that section. LIE fam
lily consists of his wife and one son,
Abner, of Watertown, Fla