davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
DRAINAGE OF ZUYDER ZEE

A great project is again before the
people of Holland-the drainage OF
the Zuyder Zee. The sea. which, as
every one knows. is in the north of
Holland, and covers an area of $4,000
hectares, hectare being practically
two acres and a half Just half a cen
fury ago a scheme to drain the south
ern portion of the sea was first moot
ed, and although it received consider
able support, the opposition was great
er, but now an association has been
formed and a bill introduced into
the chamber. The promoters see that
with an increased population means
must be taken to enlarge the country.
and this reclamation of the sea is sug-
gested as capable of accomplishment.
If the sea is conquered there are sew
eraI lakes which can be dealt with
later.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
FORTUNES MADE IN SEAWEED
Turned Into Food, Clothes, Boots. Med
icine, Furniture, Fertilizer and
Many Other Articles.

Seaweed is rapidly establishing a
claim as the greatest friend of man,
and many new uses are being discov-
cred for it in foreign countries.
If the experience of the japanese
and the jewellers on the western shores
Of Norway, Scotland and Ireland is 10
be accepted, there are huge fortunes
to be made from seaweed. The Jap
anese, including the Formosans, en-
ploy some 100000 persons in the sea-
weed industries. These are mainly
engaged in preparing edible products.
China alone consumes 100000 worth
Of the gelatinous articles every year
The edible seaweeds of Great Brit
ain and Ireland are advancing in pop
ularity even among London epicures.
Served with roast meats they are
said to De extremely 3alatable.
The London industry which employs
Devonshire and Japanese eaweed in
the manufacture of such diverse OBJ
Jects as cloth, stout shoes, golf balls.
policemen's boots, picture frames,
marbled floors and electric switch
boards, by no means monopolizes its
uses In Cornwall seaweed is used as
a fertilizer for the land, in France it
finds utility as a stiffener for mat
tresses and a size for straw hats. The
native fishermen Of South Australia
make ropes and fishing nets from local
varieties
Iodine, a,chemical of great medicinal
value, claims seaweed as its principal
source. The production of "keIp." or
burned seaweed, which is the first
stage in its preparation. is an industry
that is rapidly developing in north
western Europe. The hardy keIp
burners Of the Hebrides and Irish
coast have now strong rivals in Scandi-
navia, and in one Norwegian province
at least the revenue from this work
already exceeds that derived from fish
ing and agriculture.
In America it has been found to be
a valuable source of potash, greatly
needed as a fertilizer.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
INDUSTRIAL
ANEp
fIECEIANICAL>
60 NOTES d

Cuba imports most of its stone from
Canada.
Safety matches were first invented
in Sweden in 1855.
Raising dogs for their skins is a
great industry in Manchuria.
By the addition of pulverized mica
concrete is made to initiate granite.
Soda will brighten china that has
been burned or darkened by long use.
Egypt has but one large manufacture
ing industry-the making of ciga-
rettes.
A cloth dipped in hot water and
then in bran will cleanse white paint
without injury
Last year the number of cigars
smoked in the United States was close
to eight billion.
Pneumatic tools are now used with
success in removing fossils from their
encasement of rocks.
The tire demands Of American mo-
tor cars during the present year will
total at 100000 tubes.
a thick paste made of kerosene oil,
sifted coal ashes and air-slaked lime
makes a fine polish for brass.
A process has been invented in Eng
land for the artificial production of
wood from straw or straw grass.
Accumulated in the mines of the
world there is enough coal to create
$4,000. 600 600 horsepower for 1900
years.
Chicago is now the largest piano
producing center in the world. About
100, goo instruments are made there
annually.
California is building two reservoirs
of concrete. the largest in the world,
each to hold million barrels of oil,
at a cost of 100000
A savmill man manufactures excel.
lent cord wood from sawdust and
shavings. The material is compressed
into molds by STEEL pIungers.
A whitewash made Of the sliced
leaves CT the common cactus is much
used in Uruguay and it gives the
buildings a dazzling Wilderness.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
WORK OF THE BEAVERS

The beavers not only cut down
trees for the purpose of making dams,
but also use the smaller upper
branches as storage supply of food
for winter use. These branches, from
two to four diches in diameter, are
cut into lengths of two or three feet
and then by wonderful engineering
ability, are carried beneath the wa
ter and into the beavers houses. or
the burrows, with which the bank of
every beavers dam is honeycombed
There they are carefully stored. The
green bark is the staple article of
food throughout the winter. The dams
are of varying height and length. &C
cording to the particular location. A
dam was found in Mesa county, Col
orado, which was just six feet from
bottom to top and impounded a body
of water six feet or more in depth and
covering an area of several acres.
This dam was perfect in construction.
1t was composed entirely of willow
bushes, as no larger timber grows in
the vicinity
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
WHY Do THEY DO 1T?

There are many strange facts about
animals which no one has ever seem
ed able to understand or explain Here
are few of them:
A fly will crawl to the top of win
dom pane, fly back to the bottom. and
crawl up again. Hardly ever does it
dy up and crawl down. 1t has been
known. however, to repeat the former
process 80 times without stopping.
Hens scratch for food always with
the sun behind them, so that its rays
will reflect on the tiny particles. Yet
blind hen, for whom this reason
does not hold, always manages to get
The sun behind her when she scratches
and she will not miss a single ker-
mel, either.
Cats hardly ever lie with their feet
TO the fire. In most cases they lie
instead with their left side turned to-
ward it. But dogs invariably lie with
their forepaws to the fire.
A mouse overlooks a perfectly safe
food supply, sufficient for a meal or
:wo, to enjoy the perilous pleasures of
an unlimited store. 1t will hide near
The food and come out to nibble when
1t is hungry, for it is not true that a
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
CARVED HIMSELF IN WOOD

One of the most remarkable work
men in the world is Hananuma Masa-
kichi of Toxic, Japan, who has carved
a figure in wood so like himself that
when the two are placed side by side
it is said 10 be almost impossible to
tell which lives and breathes and
which does not.
By several connoisseurs in art this
wooden figure has been pronounced
the most perfect human image of
man ever made. Masakichi has filth
fully reproduced every scar. vein and
wrinkle to be seen on his own body.
The figure is composed of 10000
pieces of wood. dovetailed and Joint
ed with such wonderful skill that no
seams can be detected. Tiny holes
were drilled for the reception of hairs
and eyelashes in which no dissimilar-
ity to Massakichi's own can be de-
tected
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
He Was Shown in Missouri.

AN Englishman who recently ar.
rived in this country went out into
Marion county to visit some of the
Lord Scully lands, and while wander.
ing about ran onto a small white
skunk" says Tom O'Neal. After
wards, on making inquiry as to what
kind of animal it was and the name of
it, he was told that it was a polecat.
After he had changed his clothes he
sat down and wrote to his family back
in England as follows:
I have been out looking over the
country today. and in travelling about |
met with an American cat, a beautiful
little creature, but I think it had the
most offensive breath, don't you know,
of any animal l ever saw in my life. &"
City Journal.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
Paper Bottles

The latest big monopoly is said to
be a trust which has obtained control
OF every machine devised for the man
ufacture Of paper bottles and other
containers for foodstuffs and LIQUIDS.
The new package or bottle win be
made so that Il will be destroyed when
opened and must be thrown away and
a new one purchased with every pack
age Of food or liquid. This means
that bottles for milk, vinegar and all
liquids and packages for butter. oys-
ters, mincemeat and everything else
can be used only once. This viii
greatly increase the cost of living.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
AKED EQUAL TO SITUATION
Example of the Soft Answer That
Turneth Away Wrath--AIso
the Truth.

One Of DR.. Aked's most ardent sup
porters when that divine was pastor
of Mr.. John D. Rockefeller's church
is fond of telling what he considers a
striking example of DR. Aked's wit.
Dr.. Aked was fond of taking long
country walks, and one day, being far
in the country and wandering through
field, he and his friend noticed a sign
nailed to a tree. mo trespassing
here"
Hurrying to get out of the forbidden
ground they met farmer who assailed
them grimly with the remark
Trespassers in this field are prose
cuted."
DR.. Aked smiled at the irate farmer
But we are not trespassers. my
good man" said he.
What be you then?" demanded the
farmer.
I'VE are Presbyterians, my dear sir"
replied DR.. Aked and walked away
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE

A detective was talking about jail
breaking.
Down in Colombo. he said, they've
got a very good dodge against the
jaiI-breaker. It's simple, too. Just
bricks. You see, the Nh wal Jail at
Colombo is surrounded by very high
brick wall Well, the last dozen
courses Of these bricks are laid loose.
without mortar. So, when you try to
escape you climb steaIthily.. hardly
daring to breathe, up the wall, and
with a sigh of relief you reach the
loose course at the top and-clatter.
crash, bang, clatter-a thousand
bricks in the profound silence fall with
a noise fit to wake the dead and a
dozen warders rush out, and you climb
down sadly into their waiting arms"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
Sprinkler for Ashes.

serted in the door of the ash pit or
can be swung around out of the way.
A stop cock regulates the flow of wa
ter from the reservoir to the sprin-
kler
1t often happens that the man who
tends the furnace wants to sift the
ashes and recover the good coal at the
same time that he rakes the fire
down and builds it up fresh, When
the ashes are redhot this is n IN
pleasant, if not practically impossible,
operation. The sprinkling device here
shown overcomes this difficulty and
also acts as an efficient protection
from fires resulting from the removal
of too hot ashes.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
Cause of Ganorene

Medical reports have given many
cases of gangrene as a result of dress
ing wounds with phenol, or carboIic
acid. In a recent case, a mixture of
petrolatum and phenol was made with
no means of accurately gauging the
strength, and the preparation was aD
piled to a bruised finger All seemed
to go we'll for several days. Then gan
creme developed. the finger turning
completely black, and amputation of
the entire finger was necessary.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
is NOT LIKE OTHER MEN

Charles Schuppel. a window washer
If Toledo. O., holds the record as an
Individual of many peculiar foTma-
ions. His heart is on the right side,
lis stomach is too far to the right. his
liver is on the left side, his kidneys
have changed places, and his spleen
s around to the right side instead OF
he left. SchuppeI makes considerable
additions to his regular income by ex-
aibiting himself at clinics He is forty
Fears old and is in excellent health.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
REMOVING FAT BY SURGERY

A surgical operation for the remov
al of fat was performed in London re
Gently by Dr.. w. Wayne Babcock. AS
is well known, large quantities of fat
are frequently deposited between the
skin and muscles of the abdomen. It
was this layer of fat that the surgeon
removed. The operation itself seemed
to be simple, and DR.. Babcock decIar.
ed that in the hands of skilled sur.
geon it was not dangerous. 1t consist
ed in making a long incision in the alb.
domen, turning back the skin, and re-
moving the superfuous fat When
enough fat had been removed the skin
was turned back to it's natural position.
and the incision sewed up. After the
operation the woman was lighter br
twelve pounds.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
Wish Realized

While the mercury was smuggling
close to the zero mark the charter
member came into the Curbstone club
headquarters.
where's the Ancient Carpenter"
he asked.
"Oh, he hasn't been here" replied
the Prominent Plumber, since that
evening when he was wishing for an
other good old-fashioned winter"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
KeYless Lock Is Latest.

The old joke about the gentleman
returning home very late from his
club and vowing he couldn't open the
front door because somebody had
stolen the keyhole, is sadly out of
date at last A foreigner has invent
ed keyless lock which requires
neither key nor keyhole. The lock is
moved by the knobs or buttons pro-
jecting at the right hand side. 1t
can be set in such a way that only
the members Of the house to which it
belongs can unlock it, and it is made
in no fewer than 38,005 combinations
1t is unlocked by pulling one or moe
of the knobs upwards a certain num-
Der of times.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
Saw Handle Removed.

slowed away in the bottom of the box
and not noticed. Each blade is made
with slot in the end that slides into
the slot in the handle. There is a
locking device in the handle which
holds the blade as firmly in place as If
it were there to stay The convent
ence of this arrangement can readily
be understood, even by those who are
not familiar with tools, and to the
carpenter himself It is a godsend. He
can carry dozen saw blades, if he
likes, in the space needed for one saw
with the handle fast.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
|EDUSTM "a
AND 81 I ~
,lECHANlO, y |
METHOD OF COOLING ASHES
Sprinkling Device Invented by New
York Man Enables User to Kill
Fir-Also Good Protector.

A sprinkling device has been invent
ed by New York man that enables
the user to put out the fire IN the red
hot ashes he rakes down and sift them
at once. An upright standard with a
horizontal arm is fastened to a base
on the floor in front of the heater.
This holds an L shaped pipe which
has reservoir for water at the top
and sprinkler at the other end and
which moves about so that the sprin-
kler at the other end and which moves
about so that the sprinkler can be in
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
SHADOW FIFTY MILES LONG

The peak of Teneriffe projects a
huge shadow stretching upwards of
fifty miles across the deep. and partly
eclipsing the adjoining islands. Ex-
aggerated shadows of immense size
are commonly seen in many other
places. On the Harz mountains the
so-called Spectre of the Broken
throws gigantic shadows of mountain
climbers into the sky, repeating every
movement made by them. The same
occurs on the summit of Pambamarca,
in Peru
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07

! mouse runs to its hole at the first
alarm.
Anyone can be a snake charmer.
Find harmless little garter snake,
or something of, the sort, and keep
him in box in the house, visiting
him and feeding him daily. In about
three months he will crawl to you for
food when he sees you coming.
Some queer ways of doing things
are explainable, however. Do you
know, for instance, why a dog Arrays
turns around two or three times be-
fore he lies down? It is because his
remote ancestors, way back in the
prehistoric times, had to scratch
around in the leaves for a bed before
they could find a convenient place to
lie in
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
Pistol Air Brush for Painters.

placed on the market, says the Popu-
lar Mechanics. The paint is contain
ed in the holder above the barrel, and
the compressed air, conveyed by a
tube, passes through the handle of the
curious gun into the barrel, where it
picks up the paint and sprays it onto
the surface being painted.
The machine is made in various
sizes, ranging from the fine needle
point apparatus for artists work to
the sizes used for painting vehicle
bodies and like tasks. 1t is also used
to some extent in painting tin and
metal ware
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
ORIGIN OF SILK STOCKINGS

1t appears that Henry Il. when pre-
pairing for the marriage of his sister
In 1859, first gave the idea for silk
hose and was the first 70 wear silk
knitted stockings at that epoch-mak-
ing event. A hundred years later one
Hindres established a factory for
stockings in the Bots de Boulogne.
This was the first factory in France.
It was a success at the start and when
I received protection from the then
dnisters it was kind Of gold mine.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
No True Friend.

There's a Hugh Ford and a Harry
Ford at the new theater The SINH
larity of initials sometimes makes
trouble. The other day a perfumed
note came for H. Ford" and Hugh
Ford, opening it. found it was from
a woman. The next day Harry Ford
opened a letter addressed to II.
Ford" Then he passed over to Hugh
the bill marked due and payable, !"
which it contained.
You're no true friend, said Hugh
Ford. you might have paid my bill
for me; kept your date. New York
Letter to the Cincinnati Times-Star.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07

In 1866 the venture was turned into a
company. From it arose the Society
Of Stocking Makers. At this time
ribbed stockings were made in Eng
land, but it was not until nearly cen
fury later that such wear was intro
duced into France. The idea, to use
a Yulgarism, caught on" and factories
were established in Paris and al
Lyons.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07

Agent Ito sOur-faced but rich old
LADY, MADAM, am soliciting funds to
start a benevolent enterprise for the
poor blacks of Africa, and ! thought
Sour-faced LADY, can't give you
money, sir; I have bene swindled too
often. All I can do is to lend my
countenance to the scheme.
Agent (sadly) THAT would simply
ruin it, ma'am.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
EviI OF IdIeness.

Work develops all the good there is
in a man; idleness all the evil. Work
sharpens al his faculties and makes
him thrifty; idIeness makes him lazy
and a speudthrift. Work surrounds
a man with those whose habits are
Industrious and honest; in such society
a weak man develops strength, and
a strong man is made stronger. Idle
ness, on the other hand, Is apt to throw
a man into the company of men whose
object in life is usually the pursuit of
unwbolesome and demoralizing diver
sions.-Darius Ogden Mills
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07

Among the machines exhibited
a recent cycle and motorcycle exh
bitton in London was the so-calle
'motor-trip" shown in the accompany
ing illustration from Popular Me
chanics. The user of the machine
stands upon the low platform between
the two rear wheels, instead of being
provided with seat All three wheels
are small
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
SAW HANDLE is REMOVABLE
Saves Carpenter Trouble of Carrying
Bulky TooIs-Can Be Attached
to Many Blades.

Heretofore to be equipped for any
sort of work that would turn up a car
penter had to carry at least three or
four saws in his kit, and saws take
up room. Now a New York man has
devised removable saw handle, so
that all the carpenter need take along
is variety of blades. which can be
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
WORLDS LARGEST LOOM

AT Rodewich, in Saxony. the center
Of the German textile industry, there
has been set up what is thought to be
the largest weaving loom in the world
This huge crank loom is II feet long
and so feet wide. It stands 10 feet
is Of corresponding proportions and
travels to and fro at the rate Of Is
times a minute.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
China suys American Leather

One OF the big firms in Tien-Tsin
China, has received an order to sup
ply the Chinese army with 10000
pairs of boots, at the price of about
one dollar sold a pair. Owing to the
inferiority Of Chinese leather. the firm
decided to buy in America and make
the boots in Tien-Tsin.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
Back in Good Old Bowl DAVIS

A man of apparent means brought
two boys into a barber shop for a hair
cut. While waiting for the compile
ton of the job he said:
Il never sat in a BARRIERS chair when
] was a kid. My brother used to go
over to the engine house and borrow
the horse clippers. Then my mother
would put bowl on my head and cut
around it. Until I was Il years old l
always looked like a window washers
brush"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
Use for Coal Dust

Coal dust, found in every bin. is
usually wasted. Have it brought
in a scuttle and add sufficient water
to make it moist. Bank it upon the
fire and you viii have no fault to find
with the result for hours.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07

North Dakota is the greatest of all
prospective coal fields in this country.
It is estimated that she can supply
499. 996 short tons, Wyoming, Mon
,ana. Illinois ard Co,orsdo follow
,,nse'v.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07

Time is intellectually long, and every
day is a vessel into which very much
may be poured. if one will really fill
it up,-Goethe.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07

Among the Kikuyu people of ETH
Jpia the really well dressed man
wears in the lobe of one ear a large
plug of wood, such as is shown in the
accompanying illustration Often
metal ornaments are substituted for
the wood, but they must be large.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-07
SUPPLY OF WATER

In the whole world there are only
about 1,5OO0O0.00O people. An inch of
rain on our watershed normally would
give two gallons of water for every
man, woman and child on the surface
Of the earth. Put it another way: If
every man, woman and child on the
face of the earth should walk up to
the lakes, reservoir, etc, which hold
New York city's water supply and
each pour in two gallons of water it
would not be enough to last that city
ten days