davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

I'm the mighty achievements already
wrought and the immensely of its pos
siblities. In the surging spirit of rest.
lessness and discomfort with existing
conditions, does it not behoove US to
reflect seriously and ask ourselves
how much of this is noble discon.
tent, an eagerness to rise on stepping
stones of our dead selves to higher
things and how much of it is Queru.
lousness and dissatisfaction with the
things that are best for us? On this
Thanksgiving day we can look across
the centuries and realize to some eX.
tent the nobility and high character of
the men who laid the foundations of
our national lite, Can we feel that
we are measuring up to the same high
standards they so patiently erected?
Thanksgiving is the day of all the
year when family reunions are com.
mon and the glory and the comfort of
the American home is exalted. BY
thousands of happy tiresdes the chill.
dren and the children's children will
spend the day with father and moth
err" 1t is this kind of day that in
sures the permanence of the repub-
lie as long as it is honored.
1t is a day of inspiration and of
hope, emphasizing in its love and SER
vice, all the best motives and pur-
poses of great people.
The optimism which Thanksgiving
day, with its feast of good things and
happy home festivals encourages, is
voiced in Henry Van Dykes beauti-
full words:
Mortals join the mighty chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father-Love is reigning DER us,
BrotherLove binds man to man.
Ever singing march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music Fits us sunward
In the triumph song of lie.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25
Procras situation.

One great criticism Of our road i'm
provement policy here in Pennsylva-
mia Is that it is too long in accomplish
ing its object, says the National Stock
man and Farmer. We know of one
road on which improvements were be-
gun last year The grading was COM
pleted far ahead Of the paving. which.
Of course, left the unpaved portion a
big mudhOle when winter came. This
year the grading on this three mile
stretch has been completed. but no
more paving is being done. Another
winter will find the public struggling
In the mud on this new grading, while
the road will have to be reshaped when
the paving is finally reached. There
should be some plan of Improvement
whereby a road neeI not be torn up
three years in the making. The public
Is ready to suffer Inconvenience for
the sake of better roads. but 1t should
not have to suffer them for so long a
time
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

There are strangely conflicting
statements made in regard to the
present political and business situa-
tons. One man declares that public
affairs must be run on business prin-
ciples and that business men must
take a more active part in politics if
the nation is to reach it's best estate.
Another is equally sure that business
and politics should be divorced and
that business interests should have
no voice in legislation. AS a matter
of fact, both are right. The general
welfare and prosperity depend upon
business interests and business is def
nitely affected for good or i'll by leg
islation. But these keen business
men should not use improper means
to influence legislation to crafty
their own selfish ends. 1t is not an
easy matter to adjust this relation
between business and politics so that
justice to all shall result and the pub
lie welfare be advanced, but our best
public men have their eyes fixed on
that goal and sooner or later it will
be attained.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

We still tread the same paths that
our fathers have trod." In spite of all
the wonderful progress we think the
world is making, and that it really
is making along some lines, we find
that many of the things we look upon
as new were used generations and
centuries ago in some other part of
the world. Even Walter Wellman's
reckless attempt to cross the Atlantic
was not the first effort to navigate
the air above the great deep. Pro-
lessor Wise started from New York
to cross to Liverpool in a balloon in
1873. His balloon was smaller than
Wellman's and had neither motor nor
propeller Like Wellman, Professor
Wise found himself at the mercy of
the air currents and landed after
twenty-four hours aimless floating-in
Connecticut.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

athletic young fellows at college who
get into the football scrimmage all
are performing service to society
than can scarcely be measured.
1t is inevitable in any undertaking
requiring physical endurance, or in.
volying risk of limb and life, that
there should not now and then be a
fatality. But death is the rule of ma
tule, even in commonplace pursuits.
And there's an influence left in the
wake of these hazardous ventures that
is worth while.
The other day lone robber in the
southwest stopped train, assembled
all the passengers into one car, com
manded them to open their pockets
and put their yaluables in heap, and
then while they looked on he gath.
cred up his booty and escaped. Not a
man in the crowd was man enough to
offer resistance or protest to this high.
wayman.
Two men in New York the other day
stood by and watched a child drown
in pond when either of them could
by wading out in four feet of water
have saved the little ones life.
The town bully" in many com.
munity offers insult upon insult to
fellow beings and none is courageous
enough to take issue.
In Europe recently an American sat
with an American girl in carriage
when a drunken foreigner came up
seized the young woman's hand and
dragged her from the carriage. The
man beside her was not man enough
to move his finger in her defense.
Courage.
That's what these airmen and these
pioneer explorers and these football
players, just as the pioneer frontiers
man of a half century ago, are instill
ing into the race And courage is
what the race needs. There is none
too much virulent manhood as it is.
We need these examples of nervt
and daring, these acts that defy al
obstacles and all precedent and risl
life in the defiance, for the purpose OF
keeping us from becoming a bunch OF
mollycoddles.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25
Danger In Unexpected Road Funds.

A Florida good roads enthusiast who
appears to favor the actual construc-
tion of roads rather than paper or vo-
cal road building puts 1t as follows:
I'VE beg to assure the bond trustees,
enwrapped and enveloped and accom-
panied by our most distinguished con.
sideration. that good roads bonds are
vain and worthless until they are cash
ed and the cash expended for tn,
most estimable and excellent purpos,
originally intended. A million dolla
road fund unexpended is mos,
worthless and dangerous possession
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25
HANDY ROAD TOOL.
Combination Device For Whipping Dirt
Highways Into Shape.

Combination Device For Whipping Dirt
Highways Into Shape.
We recently visited model farm.
and one of the most attractive fea-
lures about 1t was the condition In
which the roads. both on the farm aud
the adjacent highway. were kept 10y
use of the split log drag. This Is
matter of real economy, as well as OF
good looks a visit to another farm
showed modified device which we
had never seen used elsewhere and
which Is the invention of the owner
says writer I'm the Kansas Farmer
1t is so effective that II drawing of II
Is shown herewith 1t is really com.
bination of harrow and split log drag
The harrow teeth are attached I'm such
manner that they can be let down
and the implement used as harrow
only. or the teeth can be raised and
the implement used as drag only, IL
the teeth are set level with the bottom
of the drag 1t forms an excellent clod
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

[From Good Roads Magazine New York !
expects 10 haul Il good deal of water
and use Il roller BY far the most eco
nOmCal way to build II gravel road is
to spread about two inches On the or.
binary surface of road that has been
previously cleared of all dead and
worn Out material that would never
pack again and then plOw the road
and put the gravel on about three or
four inches deep and just allow the
traffic to work it in and have II man
continuously along the road for two
or three weeks with rake 20 I'll in
the ruts and pick out any of the too
large gravel stones, as the top surface
should contain no stones larger than a
hickory nut.
"Another method of constructing
this road which would be still more
economical would be to spread the
gravel on in November or December
Spread it over the road about two or
three inches deep and repeat during
the winter as the traffic works 1t into
the mud. | am assuming now that
we have road that would get muddy
in the winter time and one that would
have clay or loan bottom or large
percentage of loan. If we are to deal
with sandy road 1t will be necessary
to put a considerable percentage OF
clay or loan with the sand prior to
the spreading of the gravel. | have
built quite number of pieces Of road
in this manner, by putting the gravel
on during the winter. and they have
been very satisfactory.
"One of the greatest difficulties with
great many people in mending roads.
in my judgment, is that they endeavOr
to patch up the road instead of plow.
ing II up and letting the whole mass
settle at once. Some people have an
idea that traffic will make a road level
Traffic will mash down some Jumps
and some OF the coarse gravel, but II
the material Is not evenly spread or
the road not properly graded when II
is constructed it will grow worse-that
is, more uneven-as time goes on. 1t is
time well spent In the grading of
new road TO go over It innumerable
times with road machine in order
that the grade may be made perfect in
the beginning, and | know of a great
many roads In Nassau and Suffolk
counties, New York. now which. If they
could be plowed up and have little
sand put in some places and little
loan in others, then be thoroughly
graded with n road machine and have
little gravel added during the winter,
would be good all the year round for
wagons or automobiles. and If they
were oiled they could be rendered just
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

Application has been made to give
a place TO Margaret Brent of Mary
land in the Hall of Fame. Miss Brent
was a friend of Governor Calvert the
first governor of Maryland At the
first session of the assembly after his
death, she applied for permission to
vote in the house as Administrative
of Governor Calvert and also as at
torney for Lord Baltimore, the pro-
prietor of the colony. She was denied
because she was woman. This is
recorded as the first demand for po-
litical rights made by woman. The
English suffragettes should erect a
monument to Margaret Brent. Evil
IDENTIFY many of them are her ardent
followers.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25
ANOTHER AIR MANS DEATH

Another brilliant young aviator has
paid the price of his daring and has
gone the way of the pioneer. Ralph
tombstone, holder of the worlds alti-
tude record, having flown up 9,714
feet, has been added to the list of
more than a score of nervy young fell
lows who have given up their lives
during the past year that a new sci.
ence might be developed.
There are those who ask, whats
the use of risking life when there's
nothing to gain?" But there is a gain
and in risking their lives the birdmen
have contributed an invaluable service
to society.
They are doing more than learning
to fly and teaching the world how to
fly. They are doing more than Great
ing a wonderful new era in civiliza-
ton. They are doing a great share
toward maintaining the strong man
hood of the race. They and the men
who risk their lives searching for the
north and south poles, and the men
who take risk by flying out over the
ocean in dirigibles or in aeroplanes,
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25
KEEP OUT OF RUTS.
In That Way Motorists Will Make
Highways Better.

In That Way Motorists Will Make
Highways Better.
Few problems with which the mo-
torist has to cope have proved more
refractory than that of improving the
roads. 1t is so unwieldly n situation
to handle and its qualifications extend
into such multitude of tanges in the
field of legislation and of public sen
timent that progress has now been
slow indeed None the less it Is pos
sible for each automobile owner here
and now to give practical assistance
to the movement If he only will.
Those who have carefully studied
the road maintenance problem find
that one of their chief difficulties
arises from the fact that traffic inevi-
tabIy finds its way into a pair of ruts.
Each succeeding Ychicle digs deeper,
and so the operation continues until
there is only one part of the road
which can be Travelled with comfort.
Suppose that each vehicle should
seek new path What would be the
result? A smooth, firmly packed sur
face, in practically as good condition
as If steam roller were in constant
operation. Now Is the time when q
policy of avoiding the ruts can best
be made effective.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25
-
GRAVEL ROAD
CONSTRUCTION
Two Economical Methods De-
SCribed by an Expert.
VERY LITTLE SAND NEEDED.

Screened Gravel Is the Most Suitable
Material to Use-Winter Treatment
Considered the Cheaper-Adviee on
the Mendine OF Highways.
Representative William w. Cocks of
Long Island. who has built several
gravel roads and has found them very
satisfactory. tells how they can be con.
structed economically.
ITO the minds of most people," he
says. when we speak of gravel
road comes the idea of coarse sand.
such as they have seen dumped on the
road from time To time and frequently
in such quantities that 1t did not mix
properly with the loan, aud hence
there was n soft, sandy road. which is
the worst road in the world for haul.
ing heavy loads over What | mean
by II gravel road is screened gravel or
gravel that may be found in some
banks that would be suitable for road
construction without screening, but II
should not contain over 10 per cent of
sand in most instances unless one
were to use II very thin coat and over
road that was of very deep loan.
when it would be well enough to allow
little larger percentage of sand, but
otherwise prefer it to carry as little
sand as possible.
There are two methods in which
this kind of road could be constructed
One Is by the formation of Il trench
treating 1t very much as we do road
for macadam and then putting in the
gravel about eight inches deep mixed
with Il little loan or clay. and | be
lieve that now it would be wise to put
some tar oil the top course. In the
construction of this road | would lay
II In two courses. provided | were go
ing to use tar in the upper course
There would he some difficulty in get
ting Il gravel road to pack if 1t were
laid in eight inches thick. and it should
be done in the winter time unless one
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25
SHAME ON MORBID CURIOSITY.

SHAME ON MORBID CURIOSITY.
Shame on the morbid curiosity that
breaks loose in American crowds
whenever distressing tragedy makes
it's appearance. It's a trait that has
no place in decent civilization and one
which ought to be thwarted whenever
it hobs up, even though violent meas
ures be necessary 1t is impossible to
read of the disgraceful scene that was
enacted at the Denver air meet when
Ralph tombstone met death, without
actions could take place in the Unit
ed States. Here's an account that
tells it's own story:
Had his death been part of the pre-.
arranged program of the aviation
meet, in which he was participant,
the event might have assumed more
of the CORY features of the tradition
al Roman holiday. But this is doubt
full
For, possibly before the last breath
of life had departed from the mangled
form beneath the tangle of steel and
wood that had been an aerOplane, a
horde of male and female souvenir
hunters. who in their rush to be in
at the death had distanced the police,
fell upon it and fought for 'mementos
of the occasion
Frantic for souvenirs, the spoilers
Guarreled and pulled and tugged
among themselves even for the pos.
session of the gloves that had protect
ed Johnstone's hands from the cold.
These had been torn from his hands
by the first of the mob, but even more
heartless was the action of one man,
who, cheated of any other booty, tore
a splinter of the machine from John.
stones body, and ran from the scene,
bearing his trophy with the aviators
blood still dripping from it's ends.
The police finally drove the crowd
back and made way for the surgeons,
but there was no need for their ser
vices. No one thought to order the
band to stop playing, and as that or
ganiZation was under contract, ii
blared away, apparently unconscious
of the tragedy, accompanying the slow
march of the cortege that bore John,
stones body to the aeroplane sheds
with the ragtime strains of THE GriZ-
civ Bear"
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25


crusher. and its weight is such that it
can be nicely handled with an ordinary
farm team. There are certain roads
which require good deal of whipping
into shape before they become good
dirt roads. This work can be done by
split log drag if time is taken for it.
1t can be done more readily by the
combination implement herewith illus
trated. as will be shown on n trial.
AS this implement has a value in the
field that is equaled by that on the
road, it may be considered distinct
Improvement over both the ordinary
split log drag and the harrow. The
drawing is sufficiently plain to show
the method of construction, and the
cost for the iron attachments for hold
ing the teeth need not be great. The
teeth, of course. can be set in a wooden
frame, though they are less satisfactory
so because less readily adjustable.
This implement has been used on the
farm where it was made for num-
Der of years and has been found equal
ly effective in the field and on the road.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

Among all the forest trees which
are disappearing before axe and fire
the white birch continues to hold its
own and perhaps to increase. 1t
spreads rapidly in burnt-over areas
and grows thrifty If not crowded
by other trees. 1t is a useful and
pretty wood being used for many
purposes from the Indian canoe to
the spools on which New England
winds its cotton thread. Maine alone
uses about SOO,O0O,OOO spools a year.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

San Francisco grows IA percent in
ten years, in spite of the earthquake.
Frisco is youngster that eats some
thing more stimulating than sugar
and spice and all things nice.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25
MERCHANTS GREAT AUDIENCE.


Many merchant will stop his
work for half an hour to talk with a
customer who is in doubt as to the
merit of his goods. He feels that he
cannot afford to miss the chance to
convert a single doubling individual
into an active partisan of his store.
How INFINITELY more enecUive is mis-
talk to the public when he puts it
into the form of convincing advertis-
ing for the home paper The cost of
one advertisement may not be so very
much more than the cost of the time
he will devote in one day to discuss
ing his goods with single individuals.
In one case he reaches a small group
of people, in the other he states his
case to thousands.
A person who is interested in max
ing certain purchases does not skip
the advertising in that line a great
many days in the year. Furthermore,
the merchant through the newspaper
catches people in the leisure of their
own homes, when they have time to
weigh every word he says.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

In the early history of the naCion
Boston was a typically Puritan city,
while Baltimore was the most pro-
nouncedly Roman Catholic city in the
country. The last census returns
show that time has so changed the
population that Boston has twice as
large a proportion of Roman Catholic
as Baltimore, while with the exception
of Cleveland, Baltimore is the most
Protestant of all the great cities of
the country.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

The Swiss government is to call a
conference to reform the calender
We anticipate a movement from some
of our philosophers to drop out July
4, Christmas and April /.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

1t is hard to tell whether England
breads or welcomes a general election.
The masses will enjoy political
arousement as an addition to the holi-
day festivities, but the higher class 40
not look forward to it with pleasure,
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

We will not annex Panama, says
Mr.. Taft. Uncle Sans working day
is now sufficiently abbreviated by the
time it takes him to inspect the 9th
er back pastures on his farm.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

The United States, France, Ger
many and England agree to reorgan-
ize Liberia. One advantage about
houses of cards is that while they
tumble easily, it is a simple matter
to rebuild them some other way.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

Since the Irish farmers who do not
own farms are given a pension at the
age of 20, they are much more will
ing to pass their little farms and the
responsibility connected with them to
their sons. The same system prevails
in New Zealand. 1t means comfort
to the declining years of these old
people instead of suffering and want.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

America is not the only country on
the map that is putting mp a wall
about high prices. The secretary of
the American board of foreign mis-
sions has letters from 100 widely sep
arated places all over the globe all
telling the same story of high prices
and increased cost of living. So it
can't be entirely the fault of the re-
publican party.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

II the new congress passes tar
if bill, for goodness sake let it make
one that will stick few days. This
trying to build up business with an
earthquake for a, foundation is dis
couraging.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

Unless they are mistaken in their
estimate mountain 81 900 feet high.
er than Mt. Mckinley has been dis
covered in Alaska. 1t will at least
give the mountain climbers a new
peak to try their powers on and to
call each other names about.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

Young King Manuel of Portugal is
the only king now in exile, but there
are other thrones on very shaky foun-
dations and he may have company
in his misfortune before many years
are gone.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

During this Teddyesque silence, one
can now hear New Orleans and San
Francisco disputing about the expo
sition, and calling each other bad
names across the backyard fence.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

King George V is credited with be-
ing able to speak the English Ian
guage so that it can be understood
The new English ruler may not be a
genius but he is certainly a near-gen-
ius if he can turn a trick like that.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

Now they are trying to blackmail
John d. for $4,000. The Black Hand
is probably calculating on the loose
change he saved up to pay the $29,-
100000 fine.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

The Baltimore air meet lost $40.
900. AS long as every man who has
backyard has reserved seat, avia-
ton meets do not promise we'll as IL
line of the show business.
The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-11-25

The appointment of Lafayette
Young to the senate by Governor Car
roll of Iowa as the successor of Sena,
tor Dolliver, again precipitates a sharp
fight in that state between the stand
patters and progressives. Young has
always stood with the conservatives.