davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-05-03
oobson PAYS CITY Part Of Taxes.

All possibility of court contest
between the city of Des Moines and
George l.. Dobson, county treasurer,
vanished when the latter offered May
or Hanna $150,0Oo as portion of the
city's taxes, and agreed to pay the
city 2 per cent on the balance.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-05-03
HUNT BRIGGS HEIRS
Lawyer Searches for Trace Of
Family ofIowa's irst Governor
ESTATE TO BRIGGS FAMILY
Ansel Briggs, Who Died In Pathetic
Poverty, May Have Been With
out His Knowledge, A Rich
Man.

DeS MONIES, apr. ia letlei
which has just come to light sixty
years or more too late, carries the
intimation that Iowa's first governor
Ansel Briggs, who died in pathetic
poverty, may have been, without his
knowledge, a rich man. The irony OF
fate is stamped in glazing characters
over the case in which this highly re-
vered man gave himself and his life's
opportunities for wealth to the state
and to the formulation of the consti-
tuition Iowa now has.
The letter is from William S. Jack
son, lawyer at Philadelphia He has
written to Chief of Detectives Johns
ton for information concerning one
Briggs, who removed from Byberry,
near Philadelphia, to settle In Des
Moines, between the years OF 1925
and 1880. Jackson suggests the given
names of Jacob and Benjamin.
From the letter it is gathered that
the attorney has found an estate be-
longing to the Briggs family. He says
he desires to communicate with the
heirs of the pioneer in Iowa whom
Colonel Johnston believes can be no
other than the famous first governor
of the state, who died in poverty in
Omaha in the early fifties. The finan-
cial state of the family was so impov-
erished at the time of Governor
Briggs death that there was no mon
ey to ship his body from Omaha to
Des Moines for burial and it was only
last year that the Iowa legislature
appropriated sufficient funds to re-
move the remains to Briggs old home
at Andrew, Jackson county, for fitting
interment beneath the soil of the state
which owes so much to Governor An
sci Briggs.
Chief Johnston has instituted a
thorough search for heirs as the let
ter requests and any information I'M
covered will be at once supplied to
the attorney who has the case
Board Of Health Against Long Term.
The state board of health unani-
mously passed a resolution against
longer terms for school children. The
board by its resolution, declares that
the physical welfare of the children
of the public schools is of the great
est Importance. The resolution is as
follows:
Resolved, By the Iowa state board
of health, that the physical welfare
of the children in the public schools
Of the state is of paramount import
ance, that it is necessary to conserve
the physical vigor of growing children
by numerous rest periods and by va
cations Of ample length; that We de-
precate the tendency on the parts
of boards of education to lengthen
the terms of the school year, thus
embracing more and more of the
heated term and materially limiting
the much needed vacation period"
Secretary Sumner, supplementing
the resolution of the board, said: IF
were going to fix the school term,
would shorten instead of lengthen
it. The growing tendency of schools
to develop the mind at the expense Of
the body is bad"
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-05-03

Zig. illustrates composition of an egg;
Fig. 2. tests for freshness Of an egg:
Fig, 3. that nine eggs. one-half pound
Deans. fourteen ounces beef. one-half
pound bread and one-half pound cheese
equals one quart of milk In food value. ]
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-05-03

made at once are:
New corral and picket limo for
Third squadron, $4,000.
Building for fire apparatus, $500.
Quartermaster's stables to accom-
modate rs horses, $4,000.
Additional hay shed, $4,000.
Additional coal shed, $4,000.
Carpenter shop, $4,000.
The secretary Of war has already
authorized the construction work and
it is thought it will be under way by
June 80.
Construction work on officers and
on-commissioned Officers quarters
and storehouses has been suggested
by Captain Hull and he has been ad-
vised that this will be taken up in
the netx years work. These improve
ments will cost about 100000.
In conclusion the quarter master
general says, II hope that conditions
will be such that the department can
be permitted to submit estimates for
1912 to complete the equipment Of
Fort Des Moines with all buildings
needed for a post of its size and
strength Of garrison
Will Study Forestry.
The public school children Of Des
Moines will study forestry under the
supervision of Uncle Sam. Supervisor
of Grades 2. c. Thornburg has adop-
ted the outline of forestry study as
formulated by E. r. Jackson, formerly
county superintendent of Pottawat-
tamie county, head of the educational
department Of forestry. With the in
formation concerning the native trees
at their command the school children
will make excursions into the woods
to study the trees close at hand.
Milwaukee Made Nearly 100000.
The Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul
Railroad company has filed its annual
repore with the executive council. This
report is used as the basis for the
annual assessment Of state taxes. The
report shows that the net earnings
OF the road in Iowa during the year
we're $3,S3S,791.77.
Sons of Revolution Hold Meeting.
Closing with an elaborate banquet
at the Slavery hotel the seventeenth
annual convention of the Iowa So
ciety of the Sons of the American
Revolution, held in Des Moines, was
declared by those in attendance to be
the most successful in the history Of
the organization.
Dobson Pays City Part Of Taxes.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-05-03
Home Course
In Domestic
Science
VIl.-Substitutes For
Meat.
Ry EDITH G. CHARLTON.

In Charge Of Domestic Economy. Iowa
State College.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16
A Park for Georgetown.

The appeal of the residents Of George
town for a park in their section ought to
receive the favorable attention of Con-
gress. The site is already selected. It is
a large tract Of land situated on the
heights of the city and adorned by
grove Of magnificent trees. The property
can now be obtained at a reasonable
figure, and once secured, it will be a rec
reation ground for all time.
In all the years wherein the residents
of Georgetown have paid their taxes. tley
have enjoyed but few of the benefits of
civic administration. Police and fire pro-
lection has been accorded them, but with
the exception OF the playground, which
took a long time to secure. and almost
as long time to put into operation, the
section west Of Rock Creek has been
ignored. Even the much-desired bridge
across Q street. or at some point north
of P street, has never been constructed.
The plea for public park. therefore, IS
one that is deserving of generous con-
sideration
We heartily second the efforts Of the
Georgetown citizens and wish for them
abundant success.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16

being an exposition Of the poetic art such
as no other American writer ever pro-
duced.
The opposition 10 a sculptured recogni-
ton of Poe's greatness is based on a
narrow view of life. Poe's genius was OF
dazzling sort. He deserves recognition
as a writer of undying poetry and Of
prose Of peculiar workmanship. exquisite
in construction, marvellous in the use of
words, and with grip that holds the
attention of the reader to the very end.
Let US differentiate between the man aud
the writer, if we have any qualms of
conscience regarding his material life,
but let US give credit to the genius whose
ability is recognized on foreign shores
and among the best Of our own scholars.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16
French Ennrth of IuIv

From tho New York American.
July Il is the date in the French calen-
dar that corresponds with our Fourth of
July. on that day I'm 17S9 the Bastile
was stormed and razed TO the ground,
which act meant in French what the
Declaration Of Independence meant to
the United States. The Bastile was built
in 1862 and for more than 400 years had
been to the people Of France the most
hated object in the land. Into its gloomy
dungeons for generations had gone the
best, wisest and bTavest men and
women Of the country. and when the de-
tested pile fell before the popular fury
the people felt that it was the beginning
of new era-the era of liberty from the
tyranny that had so long oppressed them.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16
Things Not to Be Proud OF.

In many respects America is the great
est nation in the world. We have the
most natural resources, the largest num-
Der of railroads, the greatest display of
energy, more inventive genius. and fac
ulty for doing things which exceeds that
OF any nation in modern times, and prob
ably that of all times In history But
along with our national greatness We
have an unfortunate tendency to boast
Of it. This grievous weakness makes US
appear ridiculous in the eyes of Europe.
This can be explained. In Europe,
wealth and position are generally in
herited; here, acquired Rank and great
financial influence in America are a nov
city TO the possessor in most cases. What
has been in our possession for a long
while becomes commonplace and no lon
ser "a subject for general conversation,
especially In d boastful way. On the
other hand. that which is newly acquired
gives us q sense of pride out Of proper
ton TO it's real worth, with the result
that We are prone to infict its excellence
on our friends 1t is Ike a new baby
whose latest prank or newest word is
Of such interest TO US that we immediate
ly herald it abroad among our suffering
friends.
Among the things which should cause
shamefacedness are our wastefulness in
resources and in human life. Our rail
roads kill and MAIN more human beings
than do all the other railroads in the world
combined. There are more fatal mine
disasters in the United States than in
any other land; more murders are COM
mitted here than in any other nation,
and relatively We are the most Ndsteful.
Our fire losses, which amount 70 a per
capita Of $25S, are twice rs great as
the average among the European ma
tions. II is estimated by experts that
by the use Of approved preventive
measures we could effect a yearly saving
Of $780, 900 worth Of property.
From excess we go to the extreme. The
present discussion Of high cost OF living
is due in large part to our wastefulness
and our indifference. 10 is no longer a
question Of supply and demand that reg
ulates prices. but what the traffic VIII
bear" We rarely question the price Of
an article. but pay what is asked. This
/ is false economy; and while it tends to
raise prices, viii prove unfortunate in
the long run.
Our use Of our forest lands, Of our
coal deposits. Of our natural gas and oil
reservoirs are almost criminal in their
wastefulness. With all our ingenuity for
harnessing nature. We allow the water
power of the land to fall unused. Only
recently have serious attempts been made
to harness Niagara, while thousands
Of other water-powcr sites are as nature
left them A national introspection and
the taking of an accounting with our
selves might prove beneficial to the nation
as a whole
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16
Uniform Automobile Legislation.

The necessity for q Federal autOmo-
bile law is apparent. ANY one who has
toured through "a number of States
knows the inconveniences and inconsist-
ences which mark the existing statutes
in the various States. The tourist in a
motor car must be a travelling encyolo-
psedia of automobile legislation. He
must carry in the pockets of his machine
a library Of books and pamphlets. or, at
least. a digest, and in many cases an ex-
animation VIII show that a compendium
always omits the very information which
is most desired. \ speed which is law
ful in one state is prohibited in another;
in one State several numbers can remain
upon a car, and in another state they
must all be removed except one; and
there are different laws in different Com
monwealths relating to the warning OF
pedestrians and vehicles.
The fact is that when automobiles
were hrst used no one appreciated that
in a few years they would be engaged
in interstate visitation. To-day an auto
mobile carries its passengers across the
continent, while trips through the New
England or the Middle Western States
are daily planned and executed. II Con-
gress would enact law which would be
uniform in its operation throughout the
Union. the delight OF touring would
reach its maximum. Then there would
be no question as to the amount of Ii
cense fee. no uncertainty about the style
of numbering, no inquiry regarding the
thousand and one things which are now
embodied in a multitude OF conflicting
laws. The Federal law would be the one
statute with which the automobiles
would have to acquaint himself, and he
would adapt himself TO its provisions.
Re would know at all times just what
to do. and the disputes and i'll feelings
due 10 the present situation would dis
appear.
If a Federal law cannot be enacted
then the States should give Us uni
formity in automobile legislation, and
the efforts which are now being made
in this direction by the convention as
sembled in Washington deserve, and
should receive. universal support.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16
The Fify,seven Varieties of Humor.
Says the Topeka Capital:

sag tlle AoptAd Ndp4ldl-
John Keudrick Bangs says Adam was the frst
humorist. We had always had the idea that Adam
was dun, uninteresung person Hke-WeIl, Ike
John Eeudrick Bangs"
Now, that brings on more talk. a whole
lot OF people in this world do net think
John Kendrick Bangs at all duh or un-
interesting. On the contrary, many of
them think him delightfully."- entertaining
The stuff he writes is for the moment
perhaps. and not Of any particular i'm
portance really, save in so far as it serves
TO produce a smile here and there But
whatever it may or may not be. Bangs
fun invariably is kindly and considerate:
nothing of his is biting or stiHging. He
seeks merely to lead us irto a pleasant
frame Of mind. and there he leaves US to
ourselves. on the surface of things. this
may not appear TO be a very ambitious
life work; and yet It is hard to measure
the influence Of a smile or the ultimate
fine effect Of a pleasant thought
Fortunately. humor is not an exact
term. The quip or Jest that appeals
nightly to you may impress your neigh
Dor as deadly dull. God pity the man
whose sense Of humor is so finely deveI-
oped that he. can never laugh out loud
at anything; better. by far, be the man
who fetches a hearty guffaw to greet the
most inconsequentIaI sally There are
those who read our so-caIed high-class
humorous publications from beginning 10
end, year after year, and never crack a
smile; on the other hand. there are those
who laugh uproariously at every varia-
tion Of the old mother-in-iaw wheeze and
walking-the-noor-w with-the-baby chestnut.
For ourselves, we have no quarrel with
either class. We do not assume TO know
what is really funny-we merely know
what we think is funny.
Perhaps Lincoln would have viewed this
problem in the same manner that he look
ed upon efforts to fool the people. It may
be that even Mr.. Bangs might be funny
to all Of the people some OF the time. and
some of the people all of the time, but
surely he would hardly dare hope to be
funny to all Of the people all of the time.
No matter how one looks at it. however.
being continuously funny probably is a
much more serious undertaking than the
aYerase person imagines.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16
where the Meat supply Fails Not

They have quit serving steaks in our boarding house
now,
Ard glut us with turniDs and beans:
We are all keeping busy discovering how
To thrive and be happy On green's;
We are learning To look on the iife-giving nut
With JOY that neer lessons nor pales;
We are thanking kind Fortune for garden stuff,
-But-
They still furnish meat in the jails.
The Testaurant-keepeTs arise 10 declare
That eggs are not served any more;
Ysu win miss when you study the long bill Of fare
The steaks that were mentioned before;
The cooks arc developing wonderful skin
IN cooking stuff furnished in bales;
The Iarsnip and squash let US glorify
Still
They are furnishing meat in the jails
The housewife no longer may please with her hash
Ard sausage has gone by the board;
Since bacons worth moIe than its weight in hard
cash
II is something but few can afford:
The carving knife Tusts, there is nothing to cut.
The cold Ekillet's usefulness fails;
Tne children cry vainly for ham and eggs
-But-
Meat stl is dished UP IN the jails.
Chicago Record Herald.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16
Edgar Allan Poe.

More and more America is coming 70
accept the European view that Edgar
Allan Poe was the greatest literary gen
ius this country ever produced. Again this
summer the question will come up Of
placing this famous poets name in the
Hall of Fame of New York University.
The voting is now going on. and this wild
child OF the Muse must receive ffty-one
votes out Of 1Oo. if he is to be honored by
admission to the colonnade wherein the
memory Of Lougfellow. Hawthorne, Whit
tier, Irving. and Emerson IS already per-
petuated.
Poe's personal character enters into the
question Of his elevation TO a place in the
Hal OF Fame. The memory Of no Amer
lean writer has ever been maiigned as
has that Of the author OF The Raven. 20
Human weaknesses and franues are
rarely overlooked in our great men.
When a close study is made Of the life
Of Poe it viii be found that his weak
nesses were Of a nature common to all
mankind Were Poe living to-day. We
would all say his afliction was nervous
prostration which term in his day was
not known. Temperament is another
term we could apply
Imagination. melody. and beauty should
be the criterions by which we estimate
poets value. The aotionist is judged
by bis power to hold the attention, aud
be tho writings as grewsome as they VIII.
they display power if they combine the
requisite qualities. No one questioned
Poe's ability to portray the beauties of
life, sentiment, and nature IN verse, nor
his power 70 depict unusual and startling
imaginative scenes in prose. As a critic
he ranked high. his Poetic Prinsipls'
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16
SNAP SHOTS.

From the Dallas NeTs.
Silver threads among the gold has no
reference 70 oleomargarine.
The kind Of man who always knows
what he is talking about is never gar
rulous
The average man is a person who would
rather put up a big bluff than a little
money
There is a difference in Texas moon
light and the mere moonshine of other
countries.
II has just about gotten so in this coun-
try that a girls own complexion looks
unnatural
Hope springs eternal in the human
breast, but il is hunger that everlastlngly
rummaEes lower down.
Nobody knows who Gains wife was,
but il Is generally understood that she
belonged to one Of the first families
About the hardest thing IN this world
for a woman to do Is to make her first
husbands picture ft her second husband s
watch
One Of the first surprises that strikes
a man after he has been reduced from
af1uence to poverty is the number Of life s
necessiutes he can do without.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16
SENATOR NELSON DIDN'T KNOW.
Hearing Furnishes Strong Proof In
Refufation of Popular sInnders.


From the New York Evening Post.
The progress of the nationwide cam
paign against race-track gambling Is
summarized in the report of hearing
held last December before a subcomnit-
tee Of the United States Senate's Judi
ciary Committee on Senator Burkett's
bill Ito prevent the notification OF State
anti-gambllng laws by international or
interstate transmission OF Tsce-gambling
bets or of racing Odds The great bulk
Of expert testimony was presented by
Mr.. Henry Brolash. who has listened
10 the lure of the real estate business
after twenty-one years as "a gambler.
poolroOm proprietor, bookmaker upon
race tracks. and handbook maker" in
the course of which busy career he had
booked" III ST. Louis. Chicago, Worth.
Roby, Atlanta, Charleston, New Orleans.
San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles.
Latonia, Louisville, and Benning.
There were members of the Senate
committee who evidently found Mr. Bro
laskTs remarks instructive, as well as
entertaining:
Senator Nelson-There Is one thing
that Is not very clear to me-. that IS.
about these bookmakers. Assuming, Mr..
Broiaski, that I am a boOkmsker and 1
want to bet, now what is the modus op-
erandi?
Mr.. Brolaski-You pick out the horse
you want to bet on.
Senator Nelson-Yes.
Mr. Brolaski-YOu hand me the money
you want to bet And suppose there are
five horses in the race
Senator Nelson-And you and I two
bettors; I betting against you and you
against me. and we pick our horse?
Mr.. Brolaski-You pick your horse. 1
do not have the whole field running
for me except the horse you desire 20
bet on
Senator Nelson-Suppose there are six
horses, and you are a bookmaker; pick
one horse. and you accept my bet?
Mr. Brolaski-Yes.
Mr.. Nelson-Now, how do YOU work it
10 beat me on that bet? Oaughter)
Mr. Brolaski-A hundred different ways.
If you wanted 10 bet on, say. Lady Irma.
and the odds were TO !, ! would give
YOU a ticket which said 10 70 on Lady
Irma" to win.
Senator Nelson-Wbat does that mean?
Mr.. BrOlaski-That means that if she
wins. you get the winnings-S10 and your
s. that you bet making you receive $l5.
Senator Nelson-But suppose / lose,
what then?
Mr.. Brolaski-Then all you have is the
ticket as a souvenir. U4aughterD
Senator Nelson's reputation. and that
Of the h-beslandered legislative body
to which he belongs. viii surely suffer
no harm from the revelation Of such
astonishing ignorance regarding things
about which the very babes IN the street
knowingly prattle.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16
77;zzzzH0DAY TO-DAY IN HISTORY
The Most Daring Act of the Ager February l6.

On February IS. 1s04. occurred what no
less a naval hero than the British Ad-
miral Nelson said was the most daring
act Of the age" He had reference 10
Commodore Stephen DecatUrs destruc-
ton of the Philadelphia at Tripoll
For centuries the Barbary States "Trip
oil. Algiers. Tunis, &C. had supported
themselves by piracy. Most nations, in
cluding the United States, paid them
shameful tribute to win protection from
the pirate ships. In May, lSol. the Pasha
OF TripOli declared war on the United
States and began TO seize American YES
sells that We're cruising in the Mediter-
ranean. -Four Yankee war ships were sent
10 Tripoli. Decatur went along as Grst
lieutenant. During the war tho United
States man-of-war Philadelphia went
aground on reef in Tripoli Harbor, and
was captured by the Pasha. Decatur,
who had already fought vallantly in
several sea battles, volunteered 20 60 by
night into the harbor and destroy the
captured ship.
He seized a Tripolitsn vessel. renamed
her Intrepid. and with a picked crew of
about seventy young Americans. sailed
boldly into the harbor on a moonlight
night february 16 1S0D. He 8teered
straight for the Philadelphia leaped
aboard the captive frigate, at the head
OF his men, and swept the Trip9litan crew
over the rail- into the sea He then set
ire TO the Philadelphia and. under the
murderous fire Of ~ cannon from the
TripoH forts, escaped in the Intrepid.
In reward Decatur was promoted TO d
captaincy.
When Decatur and his men pulled away
from the Philadelphia nsnes were pour
ing from her ports and matches. and he
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16
The First step.

From the Bcstnn Transcript.
Tom tafter vainly chewing his pen)-I
say. Jack. suppose you intended 10 invite
a young lady to go TO the theater, how
would you begin?
Jack-Td begin by pawning my watch
for the price of the tickets. that's how
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16

'Jetfries says punishment has no more
effect on him than revision had on the
tariff " says the New York Herald. Still
Mr.. Jeffries may change his tune after
Prof. johnson has tried a little black art
on him.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-16
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

4 chicken lived. a chicken died.
rs drumstick ard its wing were fined,
It's feathers by a dealer dried.
And. very shortly after, dyed.
Soul. il had none; admitting that.
How comes it, There. upon her hat.
It's rlumes-a mortal chicken 's-rise.
A glorious bird II paradise.
-Edsar 4. Guest, in Detroit Free Pres