davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29
ORIGIN OF A SONG.
History Of "The Little Brown
Church in the Vale"
Touching Little Dirty Composed by
an Iowa Physician Fifty Years
Ago Has Since Been Sung
Around the World.

Des Moines, Iowa.-Not so very
long ago the writer attended great
religious convention. Thcfe were
thousands Of people in attendance
There were great speeches and great
singing. The influence OF this great
meeting was so inspiring that hun
dreds of men marched the streets with
banners bearing appropriate notices.
Nearly every convention has favor
lite song The favorite song at this
convention was, THE Little Brown
Church in the Vale" and It was sung
with an enthusiasm that would make
any one want to come to the church
in the wildwood or anywhere else
where a church might be located.
The town Of Bradford. Iowa. has to
do with the history of the song. The
homes in this little village. as easter
ners would call it. are Of the New Eng
land type and shelter class Of people
who stand for moral. intellectual and
religious development
In 1859 or 1860-or thereabouts--
.uc SOOu pCopiC VI DtouiOAQ tCoOAfCo
to build a church where they might
worship God and teach their children
the importance Of Christian living and
Christian service. The times were
close and the people we're poor; but.
being masters of circumstances and
not their abject slaves" they con-
quered the hard times and their pow
erty by donations of stone. lumber.
hardware. paint. and labor. The Con
gregational Church Building Society
came forward with a generous dona-
ton OF money. and the little brown
church was ready for dedication with
out debt
A little to the south of Bradford
Hes the little town Of fredericksburg
In this little town. surrounded by one
of the most fertile farming regions In
the world. lived a physician. w. s
Pitts He was born in New York. re-
ceived his degree from Rush Medical
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29

Every one who has made the ascent
Of the Matterhorn in Switzerland will
remember the last few miles of that
hazardous climb. When nearing the
summit every step is hewn out OF
either the solid rock or equally solid
glacier. and now a rope is passed
around the novice's body and attached
to a guide in front and one In the
rear.
When but fifteen years of age. Rein
walc made this climb alone, without
guides or other company. when one
little misstep would have meant death.
Having climbed most of the cele-
brated mountains abroad. he came to
America for new fields to conquer. and
he holds more records for mountain
climbing in California than any other
climber Here is list Of his rec
ords:
Mount Lowe-Three round trips in
one day. made in 10 hours SIS minutes;
entire distance. AZ miles: elevation.
6.10O feet.
Mount Wilson-Two round trips in
one day; distance, 20 miles: time. s
hours 2 minutes: elevation. 5000
feet
Mount San Antonio-Round trip In
s hours and 20 minutes, with 20-pound
pack; distance. "a miles: elevation.
10,340 feet.
Mount San Bernardino-Round trip
in IA hours and 20 minutes; distance.
so miles: elevation. 1880 feet. with
40-pound pack.
Mount San Gorgonio-Round trip in
Is hours and 80 minutes; distance. Sc
miles; elevation. 1890 feet. with 40
pound pack
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29
oustavus v. Fox, Carrying Message
to Gar, Crossed Ocean In Mon
itor Mlantonomah to Prove Its
seaworthiness.

ITO Gustatus v. Fox, assistant sec
rotary of war during the Civil war.
was popularity credited. and rightly.
the plan for opening the Mississippi
for the capture of New Orleans, and
the selection Of Farragut for high
command" said Frederick w. Seward.
assistant secretary OF state during the
war and also under johnson.
Il think am safe in saying" con-
tinued Mr.. Seward. who is now In his
eighty-first year, that of all the men
who had an influential part In public
affairs during the war Fox was the
most modest and the freest from any
of the tricks of Acknowledgement
But while he was personally one of
the most retiring of men. he was a
curious. combination of great bravery.
great ability, and a tremendous ca
pacity for work and self-assertion
when important official action was do
manded of him.
often during the war the closest
cooperation was necessary between
the state and navy departments At
such time my father would ask Fox
to take dinner with us, and while at
dinner the whole subject would be
threshed out. Fox never failing us
with pertinent suggestions and ad-
vice. He was a man who could al
ways be depended upon, and his sole
aim was to do what he could. and do
1t as well as he could. for the Union.
After the war was over It seemed
to my father that there should be
some high Official recognition of Mr..
Fox's work during the war Others
high in the administration agreed
with the secretary of state. and so a
hint was carried to Fox that II he
would ask for appointment as rear
admirable had served for eighteen
years In the navy before retiring to
private life as a wool manufacturer
in 1S56-that appointment would
surely be made and confirmed But
Fox absolutely declined to ask for the
appointment. | knew the reason; he
felt that high appointment should al
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29
NEW NEWS Of YESTERDAY

except that which was near sho,s
But Mr.. Fox had long been connde,,
that the monitor was perfectly -.
worthy. and he had stated at yar,on.
times that he would be willing. sbon,s
opportunity offer. to risk his own m.
and stake his reputation as a nav,,
authority upon an experiment xh,c>
would decide once for all the questio-
of the seaworthiness of the month";.
When he was asked 20 carry the con.
gratulatory message to the car he :.
once saw an opportunity Of pustio~
the monitor to the test he had lcos
had In mind. and be stated that \.
would be glad to undertake the Mis-
sion provided the monitor Miantoro
nah was commissioned to take bto
across the Atlantic as the oflcizl ~,
resentative OF the United States.
His request was granted n.
boarded the monitor with perfect con.
fidence. She steamed easily acroz.
the ocean, demonstrating beyond m.
shadow OF a doubt that this type a
vessel could cope with any emerre,c,
of wind or weather which any othe,
type of vessel could meet. And when
this had been demonstrated Mr. Fox
was never happier. He was. BE-
lieve. prouder of his victory over ths
marine engineers than Of the m.
portant part he. played in opening tie
Mississippi. one Of the greatest ieats
Of the war"
Copyright. 1911. by E. J, Edwards An
Rights Reservedl
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29

wife into the hammock. sat down be-
side her. and drew Jimmie-black eye
and torn blouse and all-into the cir
Gle Of his arm. With the other arm
he encircled his paIpitating wife.
Suppose you tell me. be said to
Jimmie.
Jimmie struggled momentarily for
expression Nothing but fighting
would settle It." he began. stubbornly.
Mr.. Merritt's gentle pressure re-
strained his wife's outburst.
You see." Jimmie continued, I'VE
formed baseball club. the Neighbor-
hood nine. Jack wanted to be cap
tain So did L He took on his jump
er n ! took on mine We pasted
time out of each other. I won. and
then we shook hands. and then" con-
cluded Jimmie. magnanimously. Il
made Jack first base. That's all there
was to IT, You understand. don't you.
father?"
"Of course" said Mr.. Merritt, heart
lily. -Everything's all right now. Ell?
No ilifeeling or grudges? Good friends
forever after. and all that. Jimmie?"
Counsel" said Jimmie. indignant
". Didn't we shake hands?"
Beg pardon. son." said Mr.. Msr.
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29
MEN MIGHT LEARN LESSON
just Possibility There Was Some
Good Sense In Mr.. Merrltt's
Philosophy.

Because of difference OF opinion
between Jimmie Merritt and Jack Bur
nett. accumulated by an indiscretion
on the part Of Joey Merritt, who ran
home and told" Mr. Merritt was met
at the door on his return from town
by an excited wife and a sulky son.
Without word. Mrs. Merritt thrust
the dIsheveled Jimmie forward.
"Been nghting again. Mr.. Merritt
asked. somewhat obviously
Jimmie nodded. mot very much. /"
he said. extenuatingly.
with Jack Buruett-his best
friendl~ Mrs Merritt supplemented.
severely. IF II had been one Of those
White boysl But Jack! That's what
I can't understand
rive told her n told her. NUT
tered jimmie. with rude impersonality,
but she Just won't understand I
wasn't fighting JACK cause don't
like him: I had to do t."
Mr.. Merritt gently persuaded his
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29
A Woman is as Young as She Wants to Be

Have you ever thought why It is that
some women are as young at forty
az others are at twenty-five? And /
mean young" not frivolous! Re-
naming young means keeping your
body in q perfectly healthy condition
and your mind in harmony. With at
tention to certain laws a woman can
subtract ten years from her age. She
can do this by treating herself as a
friend and not as a slave. Take ten
minutes. sit down and think how you
could improve yourself by little ef-
fort. Perhaps some Of the following
suggestions will help you:
Everyone needs exercise. Just what
form this should take depends upon
the occupation of the Individual. A
woman doing homework exercises
most OF her muscles during the day.
and n she makes pleasure. and not
drudgery out OF her work. this exercise
Is very beneficial II Is pleasure to
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29
His Fight Against Extra Billy"
Smith Which Settled Point That
President and Cabinet Cannot
Be Mandamused.

Under twenty-sfx postmasters-gen-
eral of the United States did James
Henry MARI serve before he was gath
cred to his fathers He entered the
department in 1885 under Amos Ken
dahl, who has gone down in history as
the brains" OF Jackson's two admin
istrations, and he died a chief clerk
when William F. Villas was enjoying
under Cleveland the distinction Of be-
ing the country's first Democratic
postmaster-general since Buchanan's
administration.
Kendall has been called the man
who really put Jackson up to many Of
his best-known acts as president"
said Mr.. MARI to me one day In the
early eighties. Il remember that 1t
was freely said all through Jackson's
administrations that Kendall, was the
real author Of most of Old Hickorys'
state papers. But however that was.
do know that IT was Amos Kendall
who made the fight. with jackson
back of him, which established the
fact that the federal courts could not
mandamus a president or any mem
Der OF his cabinet
THAT fight all came about because
OF the persistence of Extra Billy
Smith. Extrs Billy as young man.
in the late twenties. had established
mail routes running across Virginia
into the Carolinas and even into
Georgia: he was what good many
years later would have been called a
Star Reuter-. Now Extra Billy was
not content with the regular COM
pensation from the government; he
was always asking for extras. and
when he did not get them he usually
made fuss; hence his nickname.
which gave him national notoriety
long before he was elected governor
Of Virginia in 1916
well, when Amos Kendall became
acknowledgement he made up his
mind that some Of the mail routes In
Virginia in which Extra Billy Smith
was interested we're costing a good
bit more than they ought to. and that
still other routes were unnecessary.
and be proceeded to act accordingly.
only to find himself at once in hot
water with Extra Billy who threat
ened all sorts or political conse-
Quences.
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29

In the negro car Of railway train
In one Of the Gulf states. bridal
couple were riding-a very light. rath-
or good looking colored girl. and a
typical, full-blooded negro of possibly
a reverted type. with receding fore
head. rrotruding eyes. broad. fat
nose. very thick lips. and almost NO
chin
They had been married just before
boarding the train, and like a good
many of their white brothers and sis
tiers, were very much interested in
each other. regardless Of the amuse-
ment OF their neighbors. After vari-
Gus billings and cooings." the man
sank down in the seat, and resting
ais head on the lady's shoulder. look
ed soulfully up into her eeys.
She looked fondly down upon him.
and after q few minutes murmured
gently: Laws. honey, amt you
shamed to be so han omel"-Youth's
Companion
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29
Story About Amos Kendall

Mr.. Kendall. in his dilemma, called
upon the president and laid the
whole matter before him.
He threatens. does her cried old
Hickory when he had been told Of
the rage of Extra Billy Well. you
can say to him that II he threatens
you he threatens me. Let him under
stand that l have never yet been
frightened BY threat
Amos Kendall went back to the
postoffice department and gave final
and emphatic mo- to Extra Billy
who swore nightly that he would
have the law on Kendall: and sure
enough, few days later. Mr.. Kendall
was served with papers in a proceed
ing asking for a mandamus to issue
against the postmaster-general to
compel him to grant extra compensa-
ton to Extra Billy and to restore
certain Of his mail routes.
Again Mr.. Kendall laid the situa-
ton before the president Old Hick-
ory's' ire was up on the instant.
Kendall. he said-and had the
conversation direct from Kendall him.
self--Kendall. don't you pay any at
tention to that paper. II the courts
try to commit you for contempt. you
turn to me. III make II speedily un-
derstood that the executive depart
ment of this government is indepen-
dent of the courts No court can man
damus me or any member of my cab
met We can be impeached. but we
can't be mandamused, and II IL time
that the courts understood it.
80 Amos Kendall went back to the
postofice department and paid no At.
teDtion to the maadamus proceedings.
Then there began a move to have him
punished for contempt. Mr.. Kendall
told me that he believed that had II
been necessary. President Jackson
himself would have gone into court
and denounced the court to its face
for even daring to summon a member
Of the cabinet to the court to answer
charges OF contempt. But the law
officers Of the government took the
matter up. contending that the courts
could not mandamus the executive
department-the president and the
cabinet oficers-and the higher court
sustained that view. settling the issue
once for all"
Copyright. 1911. by e. J. Edwards. All
Rights Reseryed.)
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29

be able to accomplish so much. but
the Homework is not sufficient exer-
else. This woman needs exercise for
her nind and for her beauty-loving
soul In her spare time she should
lie under the trees and enjoy nature
or good book.
II woman wishes to retain her at
Effectiveness and not grow dull and
embarrassing. she must be interested
IN the outside world. Make 1t a point
to go somewhere every day. II you
cannot do anything else. put the baby
In the cart and walk a few blocks.
Do not say you are too busy. II Is
necessary for your health and you
will find the few minutes outing will
give you renewed energies and help
you to see the silver lining. II posi-.
BILE. so to social affairs where you
meet people. Invite others to your
home, but do not tire yourself enter.
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29
How James Parton's Life Of Greeley
Aroused the Interest of "Fan-
ny Fern In the
Author.

Recently told the story Of how an
obscure writer on Nathaniel p VIII
lis Home Journal-James Parton
made himself famous as a biographer
by writing an anecdotal life Of Hor-
ace Greeley In the middle fifties. when
the name and deeds Of the great Wing
editor were On the lips Of every Amer
lean, north and south. My authority
for the story was Parton's friend. Hen
ry B. Stanton. husband OF Elizabeth
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29
Book That Won Writer a Bride

Cady Stanton; and Mr.. Stanton d
also authority for the story told her,
Of how his life Of Greeley won Parton
bride
Il had the story from the lips Il
the lady who became Parton's wife he
year after his life Of Greeley was pub
lished-the widowed sister OF Nathan.
lei p. Willis" sand Mr.. Stanton. ~shs
was then Sara Eldridge in private :Ils.
though known from one enc Of The
country to the other as Fanny Fem.
Up to the time Of the appearances q
Uncle Toms Cabin Fanny Fern stood
pre-eminent among American Womer
authors. her sketches in the New Yfyz
Ledger bringing her In hsndsolne
income.
Not long after James Parton BID
seen his life OF Greeley leap into n
slant popularity. winning him per
manent place among American bIo<
raphers. Fanny Fern visited her broth
er at his estate. 1dlewild. near Ner.
burg. N. Y. There she met for the
first time James Parton, an old en-
plovee of her hrotber's and a fr,e.z
Naturally, the subject Of Parton's sic
cess came up In the ordinary cou<zs
OF conversation-the book was the ta|<
Of the dav-and the poet,s s,r,.r
evinced a lively interest IN the man.
ner in which tha material had been
collected for the life Parton had soeo,
weeks travelling ali over New Hahn
shire. Vermont and Pennsylyania d.
terviewing persons who mad kno1n
Greeley IN the DAYS Of his obecurfty.
and Fanny Fern became 40 interes,ei
in Parton's story of his travels he.
she laushingly declared to him tkat
II he wrote a book entitled How I
Wrote My Life of Greeley. she BE-
lieved 1t would be quite as popular g
the life itself.
Thus Parton entertained the r.
nous Fanny Fern. whose collected
sketches sold over 100000 copies BE-
fore the sale dropped on: while she, K
turn, found Parton deeply interested
in her stories Of her own career
how. for example, after the death q
her husband she was In such strait
ened circumstances that she decided
to open a sewing school. yentnfs
which was not very profitable Then
one day. she wrote out little sketc1
and sent n to a newsuaDar. which pup
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29

New Motor Cars suppianf the canss'
One by one. slowly. but none ~
less surely things old and yenerap's
are aside. destroyed or disregarded p{
trade. progress and other relentles'
instruments Of change. The latssE ?
the attack on the Asiatic caravan p
means OF which the best tea has 81.
brought from China across the Gftz'
Cobb Desert Of Central Asia 10 Russo
crossing enroute three high mopntap
ranges. This picturesque transpoF@
tation by camel win soon give AVA
before the motor car. A line. runn'rt
at regular intervals. has already 80
established and 'wo weeks time y g.
on
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29

rift. contritely. Now run in ana
wash up for dinner. Afterward get
Jack. and wen choose up for a game
of three old cat"
When Jimmie was well in the house
Mrs. Merritt turned puzzled gaze on
her husband.
i don't understand either Of your
she cried Are you encouraging Jim
ME to tight his best friends?'
The beautiful thing about a bov.s
Tight" be parted. is that all rancor
ends with the fight. I'm not sure.
Margaret. that this wouldn't be han.
pier world II men did less hating and
more quick fshting."-Youth's Com
panion.
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29

College. and. pitching his tent in Fred.
ericksburg. Iowa. gave forty Of the
best years of mis- life to his profession
DR.. Pitts was quite a noted man
and had large and increasing prac-
tice. His round of calls included
Bradford. He was well acquainted
with her people and took lively in.
terest in everything that pertained
to their welfare. He heartily seconded
their efforts in building the little
church. Dr. Pitts was also a man Of
musical and literary turn Of mind.
Just prior to the dedication of the
church he was inspired to write a
song to be used on dedication day. He
said. speaking Of his songs. Il call
them inspirations. as they came to
me with force. and had to write them
out"
The name Of the song may not have
been less inspired The little church
is surrounded by large. stately trees
whose overhanging branches have
sheltered both It and its worshippers
from the hot rays of the summers sun
and the cold blasts of the winters
wind. And as he thought of this little
sanctuary surrounded by these great
giants of the forest whom God planted
there. as IL to protect His chosen ones
from harm. he penned this title. The
Little Brown Church In the Vale" to
his song and wrote:
There's church in the valley by the
wildwood.
No iiveler place in the dale:
No spot Is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale
How sweet on a bright Sabbath morning
To list TO the clear ringing bell;
Its tones so sweetly are calling.
oh. come to the church In the vale
There. close by the church In the valley.
Lies one that loved so well:
She sleeps. sweetly sleeps. meath the will
low;
Disturb not her rest in the vale.
There. close BY the side of that loved
one.
Meath the Tree where the wild flowers
bloom.
When the farewell hymn shall be chanted
I shall rest by her. side In the tomb
CHORUS.
Oh. come. come. come. come,
Come to the church in the wildwood.
Oh. come to the church In the vale:
No spot is so dear to my childhood
A the little brown church in the vale
This little song was first sung by
DR.. Pitts on dedication day and was
afterward published by C. NJ. Higgins
OF Chicago In 1866 grom then until
now this little song has been singing
Its way into the hearts Of the people,
and 1t is not too much to say that 1t
grows sweeter and dearer as the years
roll by. II has been sung around the
world II has been translated into
other languages A German minister
across the sea wrote the author Of
this song that he never saw the Eng
fish version. but had often sung It
from the German print. And years
ago lady travelling In England wrote
that she heard II sung in London by
1000 school children.
This little bit OF history viii correct
q wrong impression that The Little
Brown Church in the Vale" Is only 4
child OF the imagination. and to as
sure all that II is "A sure enough
church." and can be seen by any one
who win make q pilgrimage to Brad
ford. "The Little Brown Church" stin
remains as a monument to the enter.
prise and devotion Of the pioneer
Christians Of the vicinity Of Brad
ford.
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29
His Source of Happiness

penny saved from the tips which or
customers leave on the table cio1p
among the crumbs"
Unconscionsly Adolph had been
proving that happiness is often con
dition Of mind rather than Of circu~
stances.-National Magazine.
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29

tanning them. People who are board
ing enjoy simple 'home-cooked meal.
A woman In an office needs different
exercise. She needs to do something
that viii stretch and strengthen the
tired muscles. She also needs plenty
OF fresh air. A brisk walk Is one of
the best exercises for her. Walk part
OF the way to the ONCE. II possible,
and keep your eyes open for the In
teresting things you pass. Use your
imagination In guessing the life story
OF those you meet Forget yourself
by becoming interested in others. and
you will be surprised at the effect
upon your outlook on life. II Is not
work that makes the business girl
grow old and careworn as much az n
is her inability to forget her work du-
ring her play or rest time. Remem-
Der II is the small things Of life that
make up Its enjoyment.
Copyright. 1870 BY w. @. Chapman,
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-29

ouacks and dupes are upper and
under side Of the same substance: cor
vertible personases; turn up your
dupe into the proper fostering ele-
ment and he can himself become
quack-