davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08

!. not have embraced one-fourth OF the period of
Building activity at Copan.
Again, We shall see, the hieroglyphic In
scripttons at Copan indicate that it was far
older than any of the Yucatan sites, and that
it probably had been abandoned many years
before the rise of the great northern cities.
Still another reason for doubling that Copan
was colonized from Yucatan arise when we ex-
anime the historical data bearing on each. All
the early writer's, native as we'll as Spanish,
with the exception of Palacio, above quoted,
pass over the great southern metropolis In alb
solute silence; but when they come to describe
Yucatan nearly all of them mention the two
largest Of the ancient cities there Chichen
liza and Uxmal. and in some instances even
give brief outlines of their history.
The striking absence of tradition relating
to such extensive site as Copan can only
indicate one thing-that it's fall and subse-
quent desolation had outlived the memory OF
man even at the time of the Spanish Conquest
in 1880; and generation later, when Palaclo
visited the place it had been forgotten so long
that he was unable to find out anything about
it's former history except the very dubious ira
dition given above.
The ruins are more easily reached today
from Guatemala than from Honduras in which
latter Republic they are located. One leaves
the Guatemala Northern railroad at Zacapa,
and either by horseback or cart, journeys east
ward for two days, stopping overnight at Jaco-
tan. The actual distance Travelled cannot be
more than 35 or 40 miles at the outside, but
the road Is so rough and wi<lds through coun-
try so mountainous that it takes two days to
reach the ruins after leaving the railroad. The
modern village of Copan where one can secure
accommodations of sort, is about three-quar-
tiers Of mile from the main group Of ruins.
1t is built over part of the site Of the ancient
city, and has two beautifully sculptured affairs
standing In the plaza under large tree. Sew
eral other sculptural monuments are to be
found In various pigsties and chicken yards
throughout the village, and there is another
group of two or three, a short distance to the
northwest in the campo santo" or bn-,ins
ground.
Taking the path leading to the east from tho
village, fifteen minutes walk brings one to
the entrance on the west side of the Great
Plaza, the largest and doubtless the most i'm
portant court in the city This imposing area
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08
WO/XE AIXp IDOL 10

some 800 feet long by ESQ wide, ia surrounded
on three sides by a terrace 10 to Is feet high.
The interior sides of this are stepped so that
standing in the center Of the plaza the effect is
that of sunken court surrounded on all sides
but one, with tiers of stone seats or benches.
The southern open side Is occupied by
small pyramid about 20 feet high which.
standing midway between the ends OF the ter
race. appears to inclose the area. This pyra-
mid. because of its central position with refer
ence to the Great Plaza, must have been
much more important structure than it's size
would seem to indicate. Standing on It's
summit and looking northward, a great open
air auditorium lies at ones feet. Tier upon
tier of stone benches rising around its sides,
and Ave great monumental states, posted
like gigantic sentiQes guarding its sacred pre-
cints
This mound so conspicuously located on the
open side of the Great Plaza, attracted tho at
tention of the English traveller and archaelol-
ogist, Mr.. A. p Maudslay, who visited Copan
in 1885, spending several months there In pho
tograhping and making molds of the sculptures
and in studying the ruins He cleared Its
sides and excavated It. The summit, he says.
is very small, and shows no signs of any build
ing ever having stood there. Digging through
the floor he sank shaft into the interior OF
the pyramid and found at depth OF six feet
from the top an earthen pot which contained
several jade beads, few pearls, a jade spin
die whorl, perforated disk, and some roughly
carved pieces Of pearl she'll. The bottom OF
the pot was covered with some finely ground
cinnabar and several ounces of quick silver.
Fragments of human bones were taken out
during the course of these excavations and.
finally, at depth of nine feet below the level
of the plain, skeleton of a jaguar was I'M
covered
The use Of this pyramid without building
Of any kind surrounding it must forever re-
main mystery Perhaps here in full view of the
assembled inhabitants Of the ancient city were
practiced the bloody rites of human sacrifiec
or perhaps the DEGREES of rules the omens
from above were handed down. Who can say
now? One thing alone seems reasonably GER
tain; the close proximity and commanding
relation of this pyramid to such a vast open
afr auditorium as the Great Plaza indicates
that it formerly played some very important
part in the life of Copan.
The most interesting feature OF the Great
Plaza, however, is not this pyramid, but the
great sculptured monuments, which are scat
tered here and there around the Enclosure. OF
these five are now standing and three lie pros
trete. They average not far from II feet IN
height and are about 81 feet in BREADTH The
general treatment of them all is much the
same. The side facing the plaza is uniformly
scuptured with the likeness Of a human be-
ing sometimes of sex and sometimes OF
the other, carved n very high relief, which, in
places, amounts to sculpture in the round. The
clothing and headdresses of these figures are
exceedingly ornate
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08

splendid country, an ono beautiful pic
ture, and such an opportunity to use
ones imagination in figuring up tho
amount of the wealth of the crops
through which the trip into town took
US, was not to be enjoyed every day.
And away we started.
1t was delightful. We drove and
drove through avenues of wheat,
which today, having yellowed with
the beneficent sun, is being laid low
by the reaper, stacked and threshed
by the thousands of hands required to
do it, and in great wagons is being
taken to the elevator.
A nights ride by train took US
through 225 miles of this great prov
ince of Saskatchewan-into the south
western part-and from appearances
1t might have been as though a trans
fer had been made across a township.
There were wheat fields, oat fields,
barley fields and fax fields, and many
more that could not be seen. Yet
there they were, and during the night
We had passed through a country sim
ilarly cultivated.
1t will all secure market and get
its way to ocean or local mill by
means of the great railways whose
well-arranged systems are penetrating
everywhere into the agricultural parts.
Prosperous Alberta.
We afterward went over into A.
berta, and here again it was grain and
cattle, cattle and grain, comfortable
farm homes, splendidly built cities
and towns, the best of churches and
the most thoroughly equipped schools.
While talking with Southern Sas-
katchewan farmer he said that the
land he was working, and for which
he had been offered $50 an acre, had
been purchased five years ago for $12
an acre, but he won't SELL He is
making a good profit on his land at
$50 an acre, and why should he sell?
Farther north, land was selling at
from SIS to SIS and $40 an acre. It
was learned afterward that the soil
was similar to that in the south, the
price of which today is $50 an acre.
The climate was similar and the mar
kets as good. In fact the only differ
ence was that today these northern
lands occupy the same position that
the more sOutherly ones did five years
ago, and there are found many who
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08

he could do the same and still have a
balance in the bank. Flax produces
wonderfully we'll, and the current
price is about $3.50 per bushel. We
then drove over into another town.
ship, getting further back from the
railway, and the main travelled road.
Here we found ourselves in the center
of a Swedish settlement. Those form
ing the settlement were originally
from Nebraska. Invited to put up our
horses and stay over for dinner and
a dinner that was enjoyed not only on
account Of the generous appetite Gre
ated by the exhilarating drive. but
also because Of the clean linen, the
well-prepared dishes of roast fowl. po-
tatoes, cabbage, and a delightful des-
sert, some of the history Of the settle
ment was learned. The host and
hostess were modest in describing
their own achievements, and equally
modest as to those Of their friends,
but enough was learned to satisfy us
that they had come there about three
years ago, in moderate, almost poor,
circumstances. Most of them had re-
ceived their homesteads as gift from
tho government, and by careful dill
gence had purchased and paid for ad-
joining land. They had plenty of cat
tie and horses, some sheep and hogs,
and large well-kept gardens, showing
an abundance Of potatoes and cabbage
and other vegetables. Their buildings
were good. Schools were in the neigh
borhood and there was evidence of
comfort everywhere.
On to the Park Country.
Reluctant to leave these interesting
people, the horses thoroughly rested,
were "hooked up" and driven on, I'M
der sun still high in the heavens,
with the horses pulling on the bit and
travelling at 12-mile an hour gait
over a road that would put to shame
many of the macadamized streets, we
were whirled along a sinuous drive
through the woods and then out in the
park country.
Here was another scene Of beauty,
groves of poplar, herds Of cattle,
fenced fields of wheat and oats and
barley and flax. Here was wealth,
and happiness and surely content
ment. The crops were magnificent
The settlers, most of them, by the
way, from Iowa, had selected this To-
cation because of its beauty. It's en-
tire charm was wholesome. Fuel was
in abundance, the soil was the best,
the shelter for the cattle afforded by
the groves gave a splendid supply of
food, while hay was easy to get They
liked 1t. Here was sturdy farmer,
with his three boys. He had formerly
been a merchant in an Iowa town, his
children had been given college edu-
cation and one Of the boys was about
to marry the accomplished daughter
of neighboring farmer.
Through Land Of Wealth.
The invitation to remain to supper
was accepted, but tnat given to re-
main over night was tabled. 1t was
only a 25-mile drive into town over
tho best Of roads. through such
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08

say they Will coms into price nearer
their legitimate value of $50 or $50 an
acre quite as quickly as the southerly
lands. And 1 believe it.
Throughout all this great country.
practically 500 by 800 miles square,
there are still a great, many home
steads which are given free to actual
settlers Many who havo secured pat
ents for their homesteads consider
their land worth from $18 to $25 per
acre.
Immense Crops Assured.
Throughout the southern portion OF
Alberta, district that suffered moro
or less last year from drouth, there
will be harvested this year ono Of tho
best crops of fall wheat, winter wheat,
oats, fax and alfalfa that has ever
been taken off these highly productive
lands.
In Central Alberta, which comprises
the district north Of Calgary and east
two hundred miles, through Camrose,
Sedgewick, Castor, Red Deer, Wetas-
kiwin, Edmonton, Lacombe, Vegre-
vile, Tof1eld, Vermfllion and a score
Of other localities, where are settled
large numbers Of Americans, tho
wheat, oats and fax. three weeks ago.
was standing strong and erect, large
heads and promising from 30 to IS
bushels of wheat and as high as 100
bushels of oats on carefully titled
fields, while fax would probably
yield from Is to 10 bushels per acre.
In these parts the harvesters arc
busy today garnering this great crop
and it will shortly be known whether
the great anticipations are to be real
lied.
Throughout all parts of Saskatche-
wan, whether north, south, east or
west, the same story was heard, and
the evidence was seen of the splendid
and bountiful crop
Rich Yield in Manitoba.
In Manitoba it was the same Tho
fields of grain that were passed
through in this province promised to
give to the growers bumper yield,
and as high as IS bushels of wheat
and 60 bushels of oats was freely dis
cussed.
It would appear as If the expecta-
ton of an average of rs bushels of
wheat throughout the three provinces
would be met.
In a few days the 10000, O00-bushel
elevator capacity throughout the coun-
try will be taxed, the 100000 BUSH
els capacity at Fort William and Port
Arthur will be taken up, and the rail
ways and their equipment will be
called upon for their best. Today the
great, broad, yellow fields are indus
trial haunts, the self-binder is at work
in it's giant task of reducing into
sheaves the standing grain, the har-
vesters are busy stocking and stack
ing, the threshing machines are being
fed the sheaves, the large box wagons
are taking it to the elevators, and no
matter where you 90 it is the same
story and a picture such as can only
be seen in the great grain fields of
Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08
Chess Players Mourn.

In the death of Albert do Roths-
child the great fraternity Of chess
players has lost devoted brother, ac-
cording to one of the Vienna biogra-
piers Of the late fnancier. He was
one of the founders and for many
years the president of the Vienna
Chess club and a devotee of the roya1
game. Not only in the councils Of
the organization did he take an active
part, but for years he spent part Of
nearly every day at its headquarters
where he attained q high place as q
player" says one paper. @*>s<~~ ,~~-sse y )
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08
Cats to Be Taxed in Munich

Though the taxation of cats has
been discussed for some time in Ber-
lip, the drastic step has been averted.
Munich, however, has decided to put
the threat into operation and charge
of five marks per cat per annum is to
be made in the Bavarian capital. 1t is
not, in the first place, as source OF
revenue that the tax is to be imposed.
for ostensibly the purposes sought are
tho public health and the protection
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08
Market for Human Hair.

Tho quaint annual hair fair was
held at Limoges. France, few days
ago. This curious market brings the
great dealers in human hair and tho
representatives of important hair
dressers from all parts Of Europe, buy
ers and sellers coming from Berlin
and Rome, Spain and Austria, and
from all the great towns Of France.
Fair and dark hair is seen there In
great quantities, but here and there
can be seen rarer plaits Of white hair.
which with the red. are sold for -
much ~ $50 and $7osa kilo. 80
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08
RECZORHZICV o.
DOOQNI4T 10 L|X/XEP
CHL4/N8ER or CREA7
I.HLR f.

mountains Of consider:
able height, supplied
with an abundance Of
never failing streams,
and renowned for its
fertility, offers a strik-
ing contrast to the
pare ed waterless
plains Of northern Yu-
catan, which form the
general environment OF
northern Maya sites.
With the former the
water supply was nev-
er u question Of mo-
ment, but with the lat
ter Its satisfactory So
lutlon In Il few places
only. absolutely de-
tcrInined the distrlbu-
ton of the aboriginal
population. And yot,
unlike as these two re-
giOns are. the Maya
civilization, which over.
spread both Of them.
was of sufficient homo
geneity, as We shall
see, to follow In each
one much the same
lines Of cultural devol.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08

of singing birds. Whatever the cause
puss is to be the object Of the tax
collectors energies and must hence
forth wear the badge of authority or
fall into the ruthless hands of the cat
catchers, corps to be formed to en-
force the new decree at its inception.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08
Picked Berries

Fred Vosen. fishing in the Lee res
ervoir, heard on shore noise that he
at first supposed was made by musk
rat, but on investigation 1t proved to
be a big carp.
He watched the fish for some min
utes, and says that along the shore
strawberries hung over the water
distance of from four to ten inches
from the surface, and he was sur
pr!sed to see the big fish bobbing its
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08
Hope.

When come home tonight" said
Tommy's father, after Tommy had,
while in temper, upset the milk on
the clean tablecloth, II shall punish
YOU"
Geo." said Tommy along about
noon, Il hope they'll give dad a raise
tcCay."
why do you want him to get a
raise?" the boys mother asked.
He always seems to be so kind and
cheerful for about q week after he
gets q raise"
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08

head out Of the water and grabbing
the berries. He watched the carp re-
peat the operation half dozen times.
He then tried his bait and succeeded
in hooking the fish, but had to shoot
it before he could land it. The carp
weighed 80 pounds.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08

There are men who sound like pure
gold, and then there are othexc who
make q noise like brass,
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08

Beyond these boundaries there Is az
identical something.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-09-08

! !: ! ! !
HE ruins OF Copan are situated In
y the valley of the Copan river In the
- - western part of the Republic Of Hon
duras only few miles from the
boundary of Guatemala Mountains.
the foothills OF the Cordillera, reach
Ing altitude Of some $500 feet,
~ Y surround it every side, their low
I er slopes overgrown with we'll
J nigh impenetrable thicket Of low
+ trees and bushes, and their submits
~ sparsey covered with pine. The
valley at this point is about mile
ard a half wide. and it is upon this rich river
plain that the ancient Maya metropolis was built
Tho river here flows east and west, sklrtng
the northern foothills, and again having crossed
the plain, rushing along the base of the southern
slopes. modest stream, easily forded in the dry
season, but raging, swollen torrent frequently
overfowing its banks after the rains have set in.
This pleasant valley surrounded on all side by
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-01-11

ey of Brighton made a stirring speech
in support of the bill showing that as
a matter of fairness no one will be de.
priyed Of any rights under primary
law.
Mr.. House of Berlin defended the
committee on internal affairs that con
sidered this bill carefully and report.
ed 1t fayorably. One of the most eff.
fective speeches against the bill was
made by Mr.. Martin Of Brookllne,
who handled without gloves E. w.
Gibson of Brattleboro, who has been
sending numerous communications to
the newspapers in support Of this
bill.
Mr.. Howard of Whiting said II this
bill passes every newspaper man who
has been characterized by Mr.. Hunt
of New Haven as q lightweight will
become a heavyweight and although
the calling Of the clergyman is very
lucrative he should feel disposed to
leave 1t II We have a primary cleo
ton law and join the ranks of the
newspapers but he said nothing OF
whether the newspaper meh we're anx
ious to have him.
In colsing the debate, Speaker Howe
from the floor, deprecated the course
taken BY the opponents of the bin in
lmpugning the motive Of those who
favored It and stoutly defended the
newspaper men from the charges
made against them during the debate
of the afternoon.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-01-11
BIG AVALANCHE OF
WOMEN FILLED
COURT ROOM
At Trial Of Mrs. Schenk CHARGED
With Poisoning
POLICE WERE POwERLEss
one Female Spectator Injured In the
Crush and Taken to a Hos
pitaI

Wheeling, W. W. Jan 11-Exo,,.
ment within and without the court.
mousse marked the first day of taxing
testimony In the trial of Mrs r.aur.
farnsworth Schenck, charged with
poisoning her husband. Within the
court room the almost irrepressible
crowd OF women spectators had 70 no
constantly raped to order by Judge
Jordan. Twice the police without the
courthouse were carried before tho
ons aught Of the women at the Omen.
ing of the building early In the morn.
ing and again in the afternoon follow.
ing recess. In the afternoon the rush
INTO the building was so sudden that
several women were knocked down
and trampled upon, and one woman
was taken to the hospital after the
police had beaten the crowd back.
The disorder within the Courtroom
started with the testimony o. the first
witness, William Wolfe, who had ira.
veled In Europe with John o. Schenk.
the alleged poison victim. Wolfe tes-
tlfied TO Schenk's good health during
the European trip and there we're
gasps from the spectators that
brought sharp rebuke from the bench
when the witness, In detailing con-
yersation with Mrs. SchenK, quoted
her as saying: Billy, don't think
John will live long" Mrs. Schenk
made the declaration according to
Wolfe after the return from Europe,
when Schenk was stricken with his
strange illness.
Or. Gregory Alderman testified that
Schenk was suffering with lead pol
soning before DR.. F. l.. Hupp was
brought into the case. Every symp-
tom OF lead poisoning was found de-
clared DR.. Alderman.
1t was in the afternoon that the
half historical spectators were most
severely reprimanded. 1t came when
DR.. Hupp was testlfying. 1t was
Hupp who revealed the alleged poison
plot and took Schenk from his home
to the hospital He declared that
Schenk was suffering from two pol
sons, acetate OF lead and arsenic. The
dramatic incident came when he said
that on one visit TO the Schenk home
Mrs. Schenk said to him: Perhaps
would be better satisfied II you would
let him die"
This was the only stage of the days
proceedings when Mrs. Schenk dis
played any agitation. She dropped
her head and grew pale as the alleg-
alton was made. Earlier In the day
during the testimony OF Wolfe she
listened intently. and sneered when
he told OF her prediction of her hus-
bands death.
Mrs. Sohenk was smiling as she
entered the courtroom this morning,
and 10 the salutatlons OF her counsel
she replied, Il am feeling fine. am
particularly we'll pleased with the Jury
and l am sure | will get Justice"