davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal., 1911-06-24

played to advantage in the discharge
of the duties of this position, at once
attracted the attention of Pope Leo
XIII who straightway appointed him
to preside over the plenary council
During the meeting of the council the
American archbishop further won the
appreciation of the pontif and it was
to give tangible evidence of the meas
ure of this approval that the Pope
nominated him for Cardinal-an
honor the acquisition Of which is COM
memorated in the dual jubilee of the
present season.
The Cardinals patriotism, robust
Americanis1n and clear-visioned in
sight and foresight as concerns the
great vital questions Of the day has,
thanks to his ability as a speaker and
writer, caused his opinion to have
great weight with millions of people
beyond the confines of his church. His
labors in the cause of education have
likewise been notable. For the Cath
Ole University of America-that
growing center Of higher education
under Catholic auspices, he has ever
been a most earnest worker. 1t may
be recalled that he laid the corner
stone of the University and ofhciated
at the formal opening of the institu-
ton, and the impress of his personal
ideas has been clearly made during
long service as Chancellor of the Uni
versity.
Even though person has little
concern for the clerical achievements
of the only American Cardinal the
personality of this remarkable man
cannot fail to attract As BELTS his
Office his manner is dignified, even
stately, and yet there shines through
it kindly sympathy that extends to
the point of geniality. The democracy
and simplicity which characterize the
Cardinal are reflected in his personal
habits. Almost ceaseIessly active, de-
spite his nigh fourscore years, he
arises as early as $50 o'clock on
summer mornings and seldom later
than 6 o'clock in midwinter- Moreover,
he takes up at once the duties of the
day, for he usually says mass at
o'clock, this being the custom even
The Topeka state journal., 1911-06-24

slowed IT away beneath a tub in the
cellar In order to be able to sleep.
nc locked the door of his room to
every one but his mother when he
was at work on piece of music
He removed to New York onca -
cause that was better marker for
his compositions. and in a wear Re
mad become SO homesick that he sold
out his furniture. on "a hours notice
ana came home to Pittsburg. He
reached the white cottage in Law
renceville, still standing, about mid
night. and when his mother camezs
down to see who knocked so late slvg
found him weeping upon the porch.
In spite of his love for his home. he
was destined to die In the great me-
tropolis. In January. 1854, while
at the American Hotel in New York.
he was seized with a fever. Getting
up few days later, he was SO weak
ened that he fell across a wash basin
and cut several serious gashes in his
head and throat. He died In a hos
pital a few days later. from weakness
and loss OF blood. His fame was suf-
hciently established to induce the
Pennsylvania Railroad and the Adams
Express Company to transport the
body and its attendants to Pittsburg
free Of charge. In those days corpo-
rations still had souls.
The Measure of His Genius.
While Stephen Collins Foster had
not the prodigious fertility Of Schu-
bert, who composed seven other songs
on the same day that he composed
Erlkoenig," or of Abt, who has over
5000 songs to his credit, his most
popular songs are sung by more peo-
pie and awaken deeper response than
those of any other composer. If we
except Home, Sweet Home" there
is no better beloved song than "Swa-
nee Ribber.'
Foster has transmitted into unfad-
ing gold the melodic genius, crude
and stammering, of the negro race.
The idyllic care-free life of the old
plantation, departed to come back no
more. lives in those tunes, rollicking
or sad. What Chopin was to the
piano. Foster is to the banjo=the In
strument brought by the slave from
the jungles of the Congo. This is
his claim to fame. and it is quite
enough to rank him high in the his
| tory of American music. His songs
will live as long as any symphony or
grand opera of the master musicians
VINO are most QeVouLly WorSnlped. lie
died when he was only thirty eight
years old, but 1t may be doubted
whether the Psalmist's span of life
would have made his fame any more
secure than it is. He and his songs
are beloved, and that is the highest
assurance of immortality. Pittsburg.
where his daughter still lives. cannot
add to his renown by the erection OF
another monument, but she can show
that she appreciates the richness of
his genius. which received the need
of praise from sources SO diverse as
Washington Irving and Ole Bull.
The Topeka state journal., 1911-06-24

~HE Fourth OF July, 1926. marked
the half-century Of the birth OF
the American nation, and nat
urally was celebrated with a
great display Of oratory and fireworks.
It was about noon OF that day-the
same day on which Thomas Jefferson
and John Adams died-that a patri-
otto company on the outskirts of old
Pittsburg were listening to the ma
tional salute from the arsenal cannon
and martial airs from the band, when
word came that a son had been born
to the man who was the chief spirit
OF the celebration. The child who
made his advent under such glorious
auspices was destined to become
Americas most popular song writer.
the author OF MY old Kentucky
Home" and "Suwanee River and $50
other ballads that everybody used to
sing-Stephen Collins Foster.
His body rests today under plain
gravestone of the fashioned sort,
just like his songs, and many think
that more elaborate memorial would
be out Of keeping. But others hold
that by such a memorial Pittsburg
would be honoring herself, rather
than the poet and composer, and so
movement is on foot to have the
obscure grave in the Allegheny ceme-
terry, almost within view of the spot
where he was born. marked with a
suitably dignifed monument. One
already exists in Highland Park, but
it is not comm mensurate with Fosters
fame and his high rank as a writer
OF songs. Another suggestion is to
have the memorial take the form Of
a music pavilion in Schenley Park.
It was Foster who first delved into
the rich fount Of negro melody to
find the inspiration of truly American
music. There is no primitive people
that has a greater wealth of haunt
ing themes than the descendants Of
the African slaves. and the ante-bel-
lum plantation resounded with the
tinkIe OF the banjo and the chant Of
the cotton pickers. When Stephen
was still a child he would frequently
be taken to a negro church and camp
meeting by a mulatto girl who was
bound servant in the household, and
so he got some of the rhythmic tunes
Of the darkies early into his blood.
There had been a musical strain in
his makeup from the frst-his an
cestry was Irish and one of his moth
er's antecedents was Italian. When
little Stephen was only two years old,
he would often pick out harmonies
on a guitar lying on the floor, and
when he was only seven he was taken
Into a music store where he took up
q flute and in a few minutes had mas
tered its stops sufficiently to play
Hail Columbia"
A Native Musical Genius.
About that time there were several
negro airs that had become very
popular, especially "Jim Crow" and
Zip Coon" A number of the boys
The Topeka state journal., 1911-06-24

lished; it was "Open Thy Lattice.
Love-" Two or three years later a
club of young men used to gather to
sing some of the popular negro melo-
dies of the day under his leadership,
and to enlarge their repertoire he sug
gested that they produce some songs
of their own. THE Louisiana Belle"
was the first-both words and music;
and a week later came "Old Uncle
Ned" which made him famous. The
following year he was in Cincinnati,
working as a bookkeeper for his
brother, whe.- he wrote "Oh, Susan
nah," another big hit. He gave these
two songs to a friend in the music
publishing business. who made $1,000
out of them. Foster had the usual
lack of practical business ability which
marks geniuses.
Story OF a Famous Song.
The sweetest and most widely sung
of all of Fosters songs is THE Old
Folks at Home" better known as
"Swanee Ribber." The story of how
this song came to be written is told
by Fosters brother and will interest
many thousands who sing it and do
not even know that there is a real
Suwanee river. zone day in 1851"
says Morrison Foster, stephen came
into my Office, and said to me: What
is a good name of two syllables for a
The Topeka state journal., 1911-06-24

Southern river3 I want to use it in
this new song of "Old Folks at
Home."' I asked him how Yazoo
would do. Oh said he, that has
been used before I then suggested
Pedee. oh. pshaw.' he replied. 7
won't have that I then took down
an atlas from the top Of my DESK.
and opened the map of the United
States. We both looked over it, and
my finger stopped at the ''Suwanee," a
little river in Florida emptying into
the Gulf of Mexico. That's it, that's
it exactly exclaimed he delighted, as
he wrote the name down. He left
the office, as was his custom. abruptly.
without saying another word" About
this time e. P. Christy, the famous
negro minstrel, wrote to Foster for
song, and this one was sold to him for
$500. Foster made about $751;
from the song afterward.
A faithful setter, given to Foster by
The Topeka state journal., 1911-06-24

most prominent men of the nation
have been glad to join in extending
popular testimonials.
Cardinal Gibbons Jubilee takes on
an added measure Of importance be-
cause it Is a double jubilee. If jubi-
lee is, according to the dictates of
custom, the occasion for ceremonious
observance, what shall be said of such
an event as a two-fold anniversary?
Yet it should be said, in justice to the
Cardinals simple tastes, that all this
display is not by his wish or COM
mand- Indeed. when the friends Of
the venerable head Of the church be-
gan preparations a year ago for COM
memorating the golden jubilee of his
ordination to the priesthood and the
silver jubilee of his elevation to the
position of Cardinal he expressed the
hope that there would be as little dis
play as possible. It was only when
he learned of the deep and widespread
desire to pay him honor that His
Eminence reIented and approved the
more elaborate plans.
1t became manifest early In the
preparations that 1t would be imprac-
ticable to confne the observances to
the eventful date OF June 80 or even
a number of different cities all over
the country desired to do honor to
the distinguished wearer of the Red
Hat and each desired. OF course.
that the Cardinal be present to
The Topeka state journal., 1911-06-24
N01czue7z LoEo9ze1

friend, furnished the inspiration for
"Old Dog Tray" Another popular
song, My Old Kentucky Home was
written under tree that is still stand
ing at Federal Hill, the homestead
near Bardstown, Kentucky, where
lived John Rowan, United States Sen
ator from Kentucky when Stephen
was born, and cousin on his ma
terna1 side.
.'Old Black Joe" is another per-
ennial favorite among the nearly 200
songs that Stephen Collins Foster
wrote. The figure of Old Black Joe
adorns the pedestal of the monument
in Highland Park, Pittsburg.
His Gentleness and Courage.
Foster was one of the simplest and
The Topeka state journal., 1911-06-24

sweetest of souls. One of his teach
ers told his father that stephen was
tho most perfect gentleman he ever
had for pupil" He was on his way
to a party one evening when he heard
that a little girl had been run over
by a dray and killed, and he went
instead to the stricken home and
spent the night there comforting her
parents. Yet his gentle spirit could
develop the courage of lion upon
occasion, as when he came upon two
bullies who were abusing a drunken
man; seizing a fence-ran he drove
them to fight, after a battle in which
he received a scar that he carried
with him to his grave.
So sensitive that the ticking of a
clock annoyed him until he had
The Topeka state journal., 1911-06-24
Il c0HzAP oT z1e LL6zazpY

- HE present week witnesses one
of the most interesting events in
the history Of the Roman Cath
- ole Church in the United States
and the elimination of a showering of
honors such as have never heretofore
been bestowed upon any member of
the clergy in the New World. 1t is
q jubilee which is being celebrated
this final week of June and Cardinal
James Gibbons, the head of the Catho-
lie Church in America. is the prelate
who is being so conspicuously hon
Ored. Yet 1t would convey a distinctly
wrong impression to insinuate that the
tributes being paid to the only Ameri-
can born Prince of the Church are de-
signed for him solely in his clerical
capacity.
On the contrary the expressions of
esteem have far deeper significance.
To be sure many Of the testimonials
which have come to the venerable
wearer of the Red Hat anent this
momentous anniversary may be in
terpreted as proofs of the reverential
sentiments entertained by Catholics
TO-. the beloved leader of the faith on
this side of the Atlantic, but this is
by no means the case throughout.
Cardinal Gibbons has so long been a
moulder of public opinion IN America,
quite Irrespective of his church con-
nections. and has been so conspicu-
ousiy broad-minded in his considera-
ton of all questions that affect the
welfare of the nation that it would
be strange indeed If the general pub
lie did not seize such an opportunity
to testify to its admiration for the
mantle man quite apart from his
ONCE. This is precisely what has been
done and the highest officials and
The Topeka state journal., 1911-06-24

though he be in the country for an
interval of rest or be enjoying va
c ton at some quiet seaside resort
After mass comes breakfast and
either before or after this first meal
of the day the Cardinal devotes as
much time as he can spare to glanc-
ing through the newspapers-a brows-
ing that explains that thorough ia
miliarity with current events in all
parts of the world that is ever mat
ter of surprise to many of the Car
dinaPs callers. The main portion of
the morning is apportioned between
replying to correspondence. receiving
visitors and literary work. For the
latter TIE Cardinal can find all too
little leisure but he has already at
tanned high rank as a contributor to
the literature of the church. his book.
.sThe Faith of Our Fathers being
regarded by eminent scholars and di-
vines Of every creed as a masterpiece
of logic and literary expression.
If opportunity permits, the Cardinal
goes for a walk during the morning
and assuredly he must reserve time
in the late afternoon for q long con-
stitutiona1. He is known as a great
walker. The afternoon is as full of
duties for the Cardinal as has been
the earlier portion OF his sixteenth hour
day. He may take time for q brief
siesta following dinner-for 1t Is the
custom of the Cardinal to have the
principal meal of the day at noon
but there is correspondence and other
official routine to be disposed Of and
some callers are practically certain
to come by appointment The evening
when he can make closer acquaint-
ance with the books of an unpreten-
tious but very valuable library, and
mayhap can seek the solace of an
occasional cigar, is to the Cardinal
the most enjoyable portion of the day.
Never, however, when at home, does
he yield to temptation to continue his
literary indulgence beyond his ap-
pointed retiring hour of ten.
The Cardinal must, in order to at
tend all the functions which have
been planned in his honor, do a con-
siderable amount Of travelling but thfs
works no particular hardship, for he
is a famous traveller, ever ready to
start on at short notice on a journey
that would tax the powers of a man
half his years.
The haaoh ic Lose <F+o.-
The Topeka state journal., 1911-06-24

The beech is less often struck hv
lightning than any other tree; fft1r-
four oaks are struck for every beech
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-16
Man of Great Faith.

Rev. J. M. Pike of Columbia
preached twice in Edgefeld Sun
day, filling the Methodist pulpit in
the forenoon and the Baptist pulpit
at the union service in the evening.
Near the close of his discourse Sun
day evening he spoke briefly of his
rescue work in Columbia, his expe-
rience having proven him to be a
man of unusual. faith. Mr.. Pike
said that some years ago he was
requested to officiate at the funeral
of young woman whose life had
been very unfortunate, and as he
stood beside the open grave some
thing seemed to urge him to give his
life to rescuing young women
whose lives had been bighted, re-
ceiving assurance that ample
support would be given him. He
at cnee established the rescue home
in Columbia. During its existence
of l9 years 1875 young women have
been aided or reclaimed, property
valued at $4,000 purchased and in
the aggregate $4,000 contributed
for the support of the work. There
are now 40 young women in the
home, about 5000 per month being
required for their support, and not al
any time during the lS years has a
dollar been solicited. Voluntary con,
tributions are constantly coming in
that are ample to meet all needs Of
the heme.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-16
EAsT-s1DE NEWS.
Extracts From Old Copy of The
Advertiser. Good Corn Crop.
Protracted Meeting at
Dry Creek.

Newspapers of all kinds interest
me but when I find a freak speci-
men or an old copy / am doubly in
terested. A few days ago, while
rummaging through some trash, I
found an old homemade copy book
covered with ragged yellow news
paper. The upper portion is gone
and there is no date, but I think it
is part of The Advertiser of Janua-
ry 1883.
One man from Cold Spring says
that justa year before Parksville
was almost a virgin forest" One
Edgefeld firm advertises Fine
Cognac, Apple and Peach Bran
dies. Swan Gin, Best Rum, Sherry,
Port, Madeira and Catawba wines,
etc, ETC." An enterprising real es-
tate agent announces that the rail-
road is coming. And the news edi-
tor is responsible for the statement
that on salesday 50 full and pure
blooded Arabian steed was sold
for twenty cents. Quite a bargain,
wasn't it?
This letter is dated at Johnston,
but it was written in the extreme
eastern part of the county of which
many of your readers know nothing.
Well, my only comment is that
they have much to learn.
Fodder pulling is the order of the
day. Corn is good as general thing
and there is much fodder with it. 1t
seems that all Of it was ready to pull
at about the same time. For that
reason, and that reason only, some
are at work who usually hire
their fodder pulled.
Protracted meeting is going on
at Dry Creek, inst over in Saluds
county, this week. The pastor is
being assisted by his brother, the
Rev. Mr.. Smith. One of the best
sermons l have ever heard was de-
livered by him on last Thursday af-
ternoon. At the same service / OBJ
tained copy of Rev. Jonathan
Edwards mighty sermon, Sinners
in the hands of an angry God" de-
liuered at Edge6eld, July, l74l.
More than five hundred were said
to have been converted that night.
In this sermon Rev. Edwards says:
"The God that holds you over the
pit of hell, much in the same way
as one holds spider, or some
loathsome insect, over the fire, abb
hors you, and is dreadfully provok-
ed" Shall we accept that word abb
hors? Why should we?
Johnston, S. c. Gil Brit.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-16

Waters.
Mrs. Thomas Gary has returned
to her home in Florida after a
months stay here.
Mrs. Bert Cassels has gone to
visit her parents, in Ohio, and from
there she will join her husband in
Memphis, Tenn, where he is en-
gagged in business.
One of Johnston's most charm
ing young ladies, Mss Ruth Shaw,
is at home from a visit to Rock
Hill and Columbia.
Mrs. Lucia Lott, of Elko, is visit
ing relatives here.
During the first of the week, Mr..
and Mrs. o. D. Black entertained
at tea, Mr.. and Mrs. Abner Broad
water and their guests, Mr.. and Mrs.
Rigsby, Mrs. Bush and the Misses
Busch, of Spartanburg.
Mrs. Porter, of Orangeburg,
is the guest OF Mrs. w. M. Sawyer.
Miss Bucalow, Of Texas, is spend
ing awhile with her aunt, Mrs. Jack
A. Lott.
Mr.. James Huiet, of Chester, has
been spending few days here with
his mother, Mrs. M. A. Huiet.
Mr.. Sheppard Jones, of Ridge
was visitor here this week.
DR.. L. S. Maxwell, is spending
awhile at his home in Walhalla.
A moonlight picnic was enjoyed
on Thursday evening at,the home
of Mr.. w. L. Watkins near town.
Mr.. Wilmot QUITS is spending
two weeks at Hendersonville, N. G.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Cartledge,
and Mrs. Mena Calhoun, mother,
of the latter, came over from Green
wood in their car for short visit
to friends.
Miss Pender. of Augusta, is the
guest of Miss Cora Mobley.
Misses Petula LaGrone and Or
lena Cartledge will leave soon to
join a house party at Glenn Springs.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-16
NF Does.


s., -sry rIdblisheii
has to dig d. agn news items to
FILL from Gig sps-n to twenty-four
columns, and most of these have to
be got up the first three days of
the week. Did you ever sit down
and try to write two " three COL
ums of matter T. you thought
would interest @ home people?
If you did, did you find it a pref
ty hard task TO Grind it out? Think
how mnch more difficult it is to
write more than twice that much
every day. In addition to this the
average country publisher has got to
attend to all his correspondence,
look after his advertising, post up
his books, collect his bills and su-
perintend things generally. Is it
any wonder that we overlook an
item of news once in awhile, fall to
chronicle the arrival of guest or a
new baby? Every item of news
handed in helps him at his work
and helps him to get out a more
creditable paper.-Grant County
News, Williamstown, KY.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-16
Constables and Blind Tigers.

Has any county yet refused to
pay constable who has done real
work in catching blind tigers?
1t is perfectly natural that they
would not wish to pay constables
who are put over them without their
consent, or the consent of the
people of their county, and who do
little or nothing but draw their
salary.
If there are many blind tigers,
and if there is widespread violation
of the liquor laws, anybody knows
that the constables would knowit;
not only know it, but they would
know who the guilty parties are,
and would be able to break up the,
business. Wherever officers of the
law whose business it is to break up
blind tigers try to carry out the law
without fear or favor, they can do
it. Of course there may be e1cep-
tions here and there and now and
then; but, speaking generally, blind
tigers and liquor constables cannot
flourish together in the same coun-
ty or the same community.
Let these who are crying out
against the failure of prohibition"
take either horn of the dilemma
they wish. Either blind tigers do
not flourish or constables are not
doing their duty.
ANY constable who does his duty
in a tiger-infested community or
county can make not only money
enough to pay his own salary, but
can also turn something into the
treasury.
Any county is right in not
wanting to pay constable to do
nothing.
Let prohibition be given a fair
and impartial trial, and there will
be no more talk of failure
If prohibition is shown to be a
failure" then will come the de-
mand for the dispensaries back
again.
Let the people have square
deal.-Newberry Observer.