davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

constructed. so that none Of its streets
are less than 100 feet wide. This
has made for better health conditions
and has also minimized the fires which
formerly were of frequent occurrence.
All the buildings, even to the large
Cathedral, are of bamboo and light
timber, the most suitable material for
the earthquake belt.
After ten years of extremely diff
cult construction, the Guayaquil and
Quito Railway was completed in time
to carry passengers from the coast to
the exposition held at the capital in
1909. The distance between the ter
minals is approximately 800 miles, and
through nearly its entire length the
road traverses interesting and beau
tiful country. Starting in the rich
tropical plains. it carries the trav-
eller through fertile mountain val
leys, where the products of the tenn
perate zone are grown and fiocks are
pastured at elevations Iof 10000 feet
or more. The only railroad at all
resembling this is that running up the
Darjiling. in the Himalayas. In both
cases there is the experience of rapid
passage through almost every descrip-
ton Of climate and the presentation
Of the greatest diversity of animal
and vegetable life.
Quito is built upon the breast of
the volcano Pichincha. at an altitude
of 1900 feet. The mountain rears its
ragged head 1000 feet higher. There
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

been the man who discovered that an
army travels on its belly. and there
is little doubt that had he had the
advantages of having timed food his
Russian campaign would have ended
differently.
Just after the close of the Civil
War the canning Industry in the
United States took a great forward
stride. and by the time the Spanish
American war broke out there were
1000 canneries in the country, pro-
ducing fish, meat. vegetables and fruit
of every description. Canned goods
made 1t possible for the American
army to be victorious in the Philip
pines. where native foods were unfit
ted for consumption by bur soldiers.
At this period. however, most of
the tin that was used in the making
Of the cans was imported. Today
most of the tin is made in this coun-
try by a score of great factories,
whose output aggregates more than a
billion pounds a year.
There has also been a change in the
methods of the manufacture of the
cans. The original can was soldered
and was crudely put together by hand.
Today there are types of cans used
that are put together without solder
and made by machinery SO rapidly
that they have to be Tailed on a
counting machine.
In the days before the can there
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

about twice the extent of Illinois.
Only very small proportion of the
extremely fertile lands of the Repub-
lie are cultivated. Large expanses Of
upland valley and rich mountain
sides that lie fallow will one day
yield great harvests of cereals. A
noted British economist predicted that
the world will in comparatively short
time run short of grain. 1t certain
that in making his calculation, with
its alarming conclusion, he overlooked
potential sources of supply in South
America, which in the aggregate
would make a vast area. A similar
solution may be sought for the grow
ing shortage in the worlds wheat sup
ply. The grazing grounds in South
America are capable of supporting
enough cattle to provide all the meat
eaters of the earth. Great Britain
has been drawing largely upon Ar
gentina for years, and we are begin
ming to look toward that source. When
it proves unequal to the demand.
other areas will be available. All the
cattle in the United States might
be accommodated in the Orinoco VAL
ley and still leave the vast plains
OF Brazil for further use.
The population of Ecuador is about
100000. 1t is made up mainly of
Indians scattered through the country
in little hamlets. After Guayaquil
and Quito there is but only one large
city, and that is Cuenca. the trade
centre of the south. which has a pop
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

ment of the plantations and neglect
to plant fresh areas with the valuable
tree. Many of the owners are men
who for years have derived large in
comes from their properties without
effort and who live in Europe con-
stantly, giving no attention to their
cacao orchards, nor making any pro-
vision for the future. The oppor-
tunity in this direction for the enter
prising foreigner Is great, but in or
der to avail himself of it he must
have capital and be willing to walt a
considerable period for returns. The
cacao tree will not begin to yield
until the seventh year after planting
and then requires three or four years
more to arrive at full productiveness.
But when that condition is at last
reached, the owner of the cacao
plantation receives splendid returns
on his investment and has an assured
income for life which, with a little
effort. may be extended over the
lives of his children.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

Foreign capital is to some extent
engaged in this field. Two German
companies are operating extensive
cacao plantations with every pros
pect Of the greatest success.
There are large tracts Of wild rub
ber in Ecuador but the difficulties of
access to them and of transporting
the product to the coast make the
gathering of II a somewhat formida-
BILE undertaking. From time to time
expeditions penetrate the remote in
terror and after many months re-
/ turn laden with the valuable product.
AS the authorities are unable to ex-
ercise any supervision over these ex-
peditions, they adopt the easiest and
quickest means of securing the gum,
/ cutting down trees with a reckless
! disregard for effect upon the future
supply. The quest for rubber is ex-
/ tending in Ecuador, as it is all over
/ the world, and unless something Is
done to stop this reckless destruc-
ton the forests will be denuded of
their most valuable product.
Ecuador is one of the worlds chief
sources of supply of laqua, or vege-
! table ivory. The substance, which
| is obtained from the wild palm tree,
! is used to make imitation bone but
| tons.
1t is collected by Indians who trans
port 1t on their backs or on burros,
from the mountainous regions to the
coast.
| Guayaquil is the centre of the trade
/ in what we know as Panama hats"
all of which are made in Ecuador.
I The name Is due to the fact that
Panama was formerly the depot for
! the sale and distribution of them. The
Indians of that country make straw
! head-gear, as they do in all tropical
regions. but it is inferior in material
and manufacture.
The making Of Panama hats for
export has been an important indus
try of Ecuador for more than half
century. AS machinery can never
! be applied to it, the handicraft must
remain a monopoly of the peasants.
| The toquilla straw, "paja," as the
| natives call It, needs to be carefully
treated by a peculiar process, and the
fabrication involves considerable dex-
terity and skill. 1t is not, however,
| the case, as has so often been stated,
that the plating is done under water.
Ecuador offers great opportunities
to individuals with moderate capital,
as well as to corporations with large
resources, for profitable enterprise In
a number of directions. Tropical
fruits should be cultivated much more
extensively than they are. Stock rails
ing is a profitable employment for
money. The conditions in the Andean
valleys are ideal for sheep.
Corporate efforts may secure hand
some returns from working the min
eral deposits. An American company
has been successfully mining gold for
years. Silver, zinc. iron, coal and
petroleum are known to exist in pay
ing quantities.
Aside from these fields Of endeavor,
Ecuador offers exceptional openings In
the promotion of public utilities, such
as railroad extensions, generation OF
water power. electric lighting. etc.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

the larger establishments the can,
and melted down, after which the
metal is cast into window weights"
To those who were in the early rush
to the Klondike the greatest aid was
the tin can, for in the cans was the
provende- on which most Of the pros
pectors lived. Meat. fish, vegetables,
fruit, milk and other foods, safely
sealed in tin receptacles, were packed
on mems backs or on dog sledges
across the narrow trails into the will
derness. When the cans were emptIed
the resourceful pioneers turned them
into other uses. The larger cans that
had held oil were converted into
stoves, while the smaller cans were
used for lamps, crude to be sure,
but more efficient than the tallow
dip.
The tin cooking stove was one of
the greatest boons. The prospector
did not dread moving his camp. Sling
ing his homemade cook stove across
his back and with his dog sledge
laden with other equipment he had
llO lCSAlduSy dOOOI AAAAhAAA5 NAAO ~ oAAA'
There was comparatively little
danger about one losing the main
trail, either, for the way was plainly
marked by the discarded tin cans on
either side. The first winter in Klon-
dixie City will ever be known as "tin
can year." because Of the number
of tin cans that came into the camp.
1t was also during that winter. or
rather, the following spring, that
some genius thought of thinning his
house with the old cans, thereby start
ing everyone else upon the same
course.
Handy men made cooking utensils
out of the cans and made good money
peddling their wares. Until the build
ing of the railroad the tin can had
it's uses. filled or empty, and there
are today standing some of those
timed houses that have given to the
world the name Tin City.
There is, however, a real Tin city,
a community in the heart Of the tin
ore district in Alaska, but those who
made the early rush" to the gold
mine region will never forget the part
that the tin can played. Without the
tin can few would have been able to
have made more than a start.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

provement of the tin can have been
type of can that has an alright cap
that can be removed without the aid
Of a cutter. More than that the can
can be put back again after the con-
tents have been broached. These cans
are used for paints. coffee and many
other things that do not spoil by being
opened for a while and then closed
again. Once a can of fruit or vege-
tables is opened the contents must be
taken from the can or they will spoil.
Innumerable other types Of cans
may be seen-cans that require keys
and yet the ideal has not yet been
reached. OF more than 800 applica-
tions for patents for the improvement
of tin cans more than 100 have been
granted and yet the demand for the
perfect can has not yet been answer
ed. Whether it will come is a Ques-
ton.
But whether the perfect can comes
this year or next is of little interest
to those who deal in the can after
it has ceased to be Of use as a car
rier. Indeed. to the foundry man the
tin can represents to him just SO
much iron of an inferior grade and.
as such. is only fit to be melted and
cast into window weights. the COM
mon fate of millions of cans that are
picked up in the alleys and on the
dumps.
I'VE buy the cans by the pound.
said a foundry man, "and while 1
haven't heard of anyone making a
fortune out of the business in recent
years, the founders of the industry
did very we'll; at least that is what
1 have heard.
The tin can Is not tin at all. The
only tin about it is that which is
washed on by "plating process, just
as silver or gold is put on some other
metal. The tin can is really an iron
can timed. The coating of tin is SO
thin that one cannot measure 1t. 1t
will remain there, however, for some
time. especially on the inside.
when the cans get to US there is
not much of the tin either on the
inside or outside. The solder re-
mains, however. and this is worth
something when recovered. Some of
the smaller foundries are careful
about recovering the solder. but in
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

have been but three eruptions since
the Spanish invasion, the last in the
middle of the seventeenth century,
when Quito was almost entirely de-
stroyed. An ancient city Of the Cara
race, the capital of the Shiri dynasty,
stood on this site in olden times. 1t
was captured by the Incas shortly be-
fore the coming Of the conquering
Spaniards from the north
On these table lands the climate
is temperate and delightful the year
round. Even upon the lowlands IT
is seldom extremely hot, notwithstand-
ing Ecuador is right under the equa-
tor. A breeze WHICH the Indians call
"chandni" blowing from the snowy
range, tempers the atmosphere and
the thermometer hardly ever regis
ters above 80 degrees.
The country is on the verge Of the
arid coastal belt of Western South
America, but 1t enjoys ample rain
fall. Indeed, in parts it is somewhat
excessive. Guayaquil is one OF the
wettest cities on earth. In the south
of the country a peculiar phenome-
non is occurring, where the sandy
desert of Northern Peru is steadily
advancing into Ecuador. Here, and
in a few other parts, irrigation Is a
necessary adjunct to successful cul-
tivation.
Ecuador. like Colombia, Is coun-
try of great possibilities. but little de-
velopment.
Its area of I16.oOO square miles is
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

ulation of about 10000. Lola, near the
Peruvian border, and Ibarra, are con-
siderable towns, but the population of
neither exceeds 10000.
That the country is but little devel-
oped may be gathered from the fact
that the average value Of its exports
is something less than IS per capita
per annum, and its imports only about
IS. With the introduction of cap
ital, which may be expected in the
near future. and the exploitation of
the great resources Of Ecuador these
figures will rapidly multiply.
The chief exports are cacao. cof-
fee, rubber, and vegetable ivory. OF
these the first is the most valuable
and promising'because the worlds de-
mand is constantly increasing. and
there is no prospect of over produc-
ton. Coffee on the other hand Is
subject to violent fluctuations and
sudden drops in price.
The production of cacao in Ecuador
has decreased in recent years. This
IS due to carelessness in the manage
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

more the output is increasing each
year and not a can goes out to lead
life of idleness. Every one is fill
ed. The farm, the orchards, the mines
and the waters furnish the material
which is handled by hundreds of
thousands Of men, women and chill
dren, packed in these cans and then
sent to all parts of the earth.
While the user of timed products
generally regards the can of no value
there are countries in which the can
is held in more esteem than its con-
tents. In the wilds of Africa. for
instance, there are many chiefs who
take pride in their collection OF cans.
polished to a high degree. In the
far North the natives regard the tin
can with reverence, although the day
is fast approaching when they, too,
will see nothing of value in the timed
receptacle, and will throw It away
just as their American brothers do.
Although the art of preserving
fruits and vegetables is an old one.
known centuries ago, the age of the
tin can is young. Prior to 1850 but
few cans were made, and the small
amount of foodstuff thus preserved
and put on the market was regarded
with suspicion. When the Civil War
broke out and enormous armies were
put in the field the question of feed
ing them was the greatest of ell
problems. Napoleon is said to have
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

- HERE are few. if any. portions
Il of the world today offering
@reater opportunities for the
- profitable investment of capital
Ind the establishment of trade rela-
uOns than Ecuador. the little republic
lying directly below the equator on
the west coast of South America. Il
has wonderful undeveloped resources
of various kinds. mineral, agricul-
tural, water. timber. e;c. The trop-
ical products which it exports have
thc great advantage OF being produced
in few other regions. 1t has enjoyed
for years the financial stability that
is deril ed from the monetary system
based on the gold standard, and which
is so potent a factor in international
commerce. Its geographical position
insures 10 it the greatest degree of
benefit from the operation of the
Panama Canal and the increased bust
ness that is sure to result from the
opening OF that waterway is already
being anticipated by enterprising for
eigners and natives OF the city of
GuayaQuil.
Although there are other ports
upon the coast of Ecuador. all the
foreign import and export trade is
done through Guayaquil. The city
lies about 30 miles up the Guayas,
which is the largest river upon the
Pacific side of South America. Ships
find an ample fairway up to the port,
beyond which the river is navigated
by small steamers.
an unenviable reputation in the mat
ter of disease, and especially yellow
fever. Great improvements in san
itauon have been effected, however.
during recent years. The municipality
is taking measures 10 secure good
sewerage and thorough paving. There
is an excellent water supply. The
city is well cleansed and garbage
crematOries are in operation.
This, although going far in the
right direction and indicating the best
Intentions. is not sufficient. There
would be no more difficulty in pro-
tecting Guayaquil against epidemics of
yellow fever and smallpox than there
was in ridding Panama Of these
scOurges. The Government. of Ecua-
dor should enter upon the task with
NAlO OCNCl Illl4ldAlOL VI completing
before the opening of the Canal.
1t is an undertaking in which the
cooperation OF the United States
could doubtless be secured.
Guayaquil is the principal city of
Ecuador. Its population of $4,000 is
considerably larger than that of
Quito, the capital. The practical mo-
nOpoly Of the trade which it has en-
Joyed for many years makes It one
of the wealthiest cities of the world
in proportion to its size. The busi-
ness is concentrated in the hands of
comparatively few firms, which have
accumulated immense amounts of
money. This capital Is too restricted
in its operations, but there are in
dications that In the future It will
be employed in more diversified direc-
tions, with greater benefit to the coun-
try in general.
A few years since the city was re-
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31
SsssSsSssSssS SsszSsS
II TIL caR D0h2D

9HH HEN the average American
housewife buys a can OF
corn, peas or what not, she
w gives her attention solely to
the contents, the can being hurled
into the garbage can without any
thought as TO what becomes Of it.
To her the can is just SO much waste
and to be rid of quickly.
AS a matter of fact by her throw
ing away the can she is unwittinGy
putting that can to its first step -.
rejuvenatiOn to eventually return
her in some other form. In Ne.
York there is a beautiful home lhA
might well be called a Tin Car
House." not because it was construct
I'd of cans, for it was not, but be
cause its owner erected the structure
out of the proceeds of what he made
through tin cans discarded by house
wives.
This man was the first TO realize
that there was value in the tin cans
that were to be found in quantities
on the city dump. He was a poor
man and he began his trade in the
cans in a small way. First he took the
cans, cut off the ends, flattened out
the tin and used the pieces in the re-
pairing of roofs.
The easiest way to get the ends
off was to throw the cans into fire
and melt them off. In so doing the
man discovered that. there was con-
siderable solder. This solder, he dis
covered, was as valuable as the tin,
and It was not long before he had
many employees gathering the tin cans.
Then he built a regular furnace. Later
he found that the whole can could
l,a melted and that, as iron. it was an
asset. True the iron is not OF a good
quality, but ii has its uses, parttcu-
larly as sash weights. and thus grew
instantly the sashweight making in
dustry, a business that employs many
thousands of persons.
There are today but few large cit
les in which there are not sashweight
fOundries. and while much Of their
material is junk iron a goodly por-
ton consists of the lOwly and much
despised tin cans.
Although everyone is familiar with
canned goods, for the cans with their
highly colOred wrappers are to be seen
everywhere, Eew realize the extent Of
the business of making these cans.
1t IS estimated that the annual out
put of cans is two thousand million,
which placed end to end, would cover
a distance of 10000 miles and would
girdle the earth four deep. What is
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

classes against the monopolist. ow-
ing to the police ordinance. the sar-
dine was a source of livelihood to the
Bretons.
One of the members OF this fishing
band was the first to prepare the fish
In oil The venture was great sue
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31
Art i'm CIir11bing the Stairs.

injured where they might be aided.
The body should be held perfectly erect
and the leg muscles madeNto carry
it gracefully up the stairs. Bending
over and attempting to make the body
pull one up stairs Is the hardest way
to climb. 1t puts unnecessary strain
on the back and gives the appearance
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31
Facts About Sardines.

n HE sardine has been honored with
history, the writer being a per-
- son who has made study Of the
small FISH during the greater portion
Of his life. The sardine in the early
days was brought in in small boats.
Then came the police ordinance In
1888 In the interest Of the poorer
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

of weakness.
At the foot of the stairs lift the
skirt slightly with one hand, so that
there will be no danger of tripping
over 1t. Always take the center of
the stairway and do not touch the
banister. Step on the ball OF the foot
quickly and lightly from step to step.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

- HERE are many women who,
form the opinion that climb
- ing stairs is unheaithful. but
this is a mistake when it is prop
erly accomplished and the body is
held erect. The bent-over position
in climbing q stairway Is wrong
one; the organs are compressed and
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

In Egypt in 4O6s B. C. law was
passed permitting women to hold the
sovereign power.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

Empty bottles and odds and ends
have no place about the bathroom.
The old medicine chest should be i'm
maculate. All the bottles should be
plainly labeled.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

cess and there were many imitatorA
From this time the fame Of the sar-
dine steadily increased.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

Do not allow the heel to touch. Hold
the hips still and allow the leg mus
Icles to do the work. \ 1t has been said
that a woman's temper has been told
by her walk
The Nevada County picayune., 1911-08-04
A SIX O'CLOCK BLAZE

Yesterday morning about 6 o'clock the pretty home of MT. and Mrs. C. J. Brooks was de- stroyed by fire. MT. Brooks was on his run as Mail clerk. and there was no one at home except the wife and small children. Mrs. Brooks and children barely es- capped from the burning building. Nothing was saved scarcely at all. We are unable to learn whether there was any insurance on the house and contents. The origin of the fire is a mystery as none had been started that morn- ing.
The Nevada County picayune., 1911-08-04

tive-tonic that does not gripe-effec- tive and yet SO mild that babies can take it. Its tonic ingredients invig- crate the body and strengthen the stomach and bowel muscles so that they again do their work naturally If you have been a victim of salts. pills and strong cathartics you will discard them when you once use Syrup Pepsin.
 You can buy a fifty cent or one dollar bottle of any druggist, but be- fore doing so you may want to try it free. If SO, send your address to Dr. Caldwell and he will promptly for ward free sample bottle. Then, be- ing convinced, do as others are doing and buy it in the regular way of your favorite druggist.
 For the free sample address Dr. w. B. Caldwell, 402 Caldwell building, Monticello. III.
The Nevada County picayune., 1911-08-04

Look out for malaria. tis reasonable "n~ \ few doses 0: 2. ictly .Ash Bit >ess l. A .nf- ? tv-auve.