davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-03-19
GROWN OF FEATHERS INPILLOW
ON WHICH WOMAN DIED.
Strange Phenomenon at the Death OF
Devout Christian Lady at
Princeton, Mo.

Several weeks ago when devout
christian lady died at Princeton, MO-,
a crown of feathers was found in the
pillow on which she laid when she
died, and much has been published In
the newspapers regarding the strange
-phenomenon. Last weeks Princeton
Post has the following:
People of this part Of the country
are much interested in a strange
phenomenon which occurred at the
home OF Isaac T. Holmes recently.
There has been much comment on
the matter; the news has spread and
the city newspapers are asking for
accounts Of it. After the death of
Mrs Holmes, a devout christian lady,
a crown of feathers was found In
her pillow, directly under the spot
wi,ere her head lay when the spirit
xlenarted. The close and compact
weaving of the crown indicates tnat
it is not the work of human hands.
so much did it impress the people
that the Rev. 0. J. wilson, pastor
of the Princeton Methodist church'
discussed it at length in the 1un-
.eral discourse and expressed MS
opinion that it was sign to those
who believe.
That "crown of feathers is IN
the pillow of every sincere Christian
at the time of DEATH" has often been
repeated, but this is the first time
known in this country that the crown
has really been found. It was sug-
1ested by one Of the neighbors VINO
had gathered in a few moments AFTER
the death of Mrs. Holmes, and there
IN the presence of q dozen or more
neople. the pillow was ripped open
and the crown revealed. 1t is
about three inches in diameter and
woven closely, much on the order OF
tho crown of q straw hat. 1t Is very
aolid and compact. Joseph Holmes, a
son If the deceased, has preserved the
crown in a case, and it is being view
Cd by many people from all parts OF
the country.
The Rev, o. J. Wilson was asked
nv representative of this paper to
g;va HIS views on the matter. he
said: .h.+ !,
u,oa Will, me something entirely new
and I find that with everyone with
whom have talked concerning II
tho same is true. "A crown of feath'
e e in the pillow of every sincere
Christian at the time of their death.
must confess that when 1t wa,
f,rst told to me that this crown o.
feathers had been found in the Pill
low Of a certain person ! entertain
Cd a feeling Of doubt, the same q
/ anyone does who has not seen It. ~
4 first thought I had was that II wa
n :. az the many superstitious ideas
81 news ones Of which We find u ever
new "a, section Of the country. Perhap
snna one Had made this and put
infn.the plllow IL order that y mn
fiz - fourd there after death. Or, pei
i hsps. % ksakAse1 had come n Inv g
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-03-19
this accidental formation under the
restless motion of the head.

| restless motion OF the nea0.
1.-THE next day after learning OF
this, ! called at the home where the
lady lay a corpse. l saw with my
eyes and handled with my hands a
little crown of feathers not over
three inches in diameter. BY crown
I do not mean that sort of a crown
that is worn by kings, but forma-
ton similar to the crown of the
head or a hat. The feathers all
weave in one direction, the quilts
pointing into the center and no quill
exposed to sight. It Is exactly alike
OIL both sides, being about three
quarters of an inch in thickness.
II assure you that examined it
most closely and have thought much
about it since. Not for long time
have I observed a phenomenon that
has so dumfounded me as has this.
AS examined the little cluster of
feathers l became convinced that
human hands could not possibly put
Them together in that perfect way;
nor could / understand how macfin-
cry could no 1t. It might be we'll for
me to state that am of scientific
disposition. My Interpretation OF the
Bible and of life would not be regard
ed by the old school of theology as
ortl,adox. I do not mean to say that
I exclude the supernatural from ev-
erything which has been regarded
miraculous; but do observe that
many miracles have natural ex-
PLANTATION. have endeavored to find
a natural explanation for this, but as
vet have been unable to hit upon
one. However, many theories have
suggested themselves to me.
Before going further l have one
thing to tell which will aid in veri-
fying the things ! say. Shortly after
this incident I was called over the
telephone and asked to come to
certain home. When I arrived there
the family presented me with crown
of feathers which they had Just found
in one of their pillows. The affair
had aroused so much interest that
MANY had set to work to examine
their pillows. took the crown into
nv hand and noted that it was just
about the same size as the other one;
i the feathers were woven In the same
| direction and with the same per1ec,
ton; the feathers were OF dlfferen'
| colors, being of the same KIND al
those in the pillow from which they
were taken. asked If there had
been any deaths in the family, and
they said there had been two OF
three, but that the feathers had beer
renovated since. Gaining their con
sent to tear it apart, l began and was
surprised to find how firmly tn
i feathers were put together. Much
pulling was required in order to re
move the feathers from their place.
continued to extract the feathers
, only a few at time, and revolving
the crown In the fingers of my LEI
hand. 1 was amazed at the amour
OF feathers that had been worked IN
Y to it. Seemingly only 9 Few Wer
necessary to compose tue crown, Du
before / had finished ! found that
!. had ! great pile on the table befor
4 me-.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-03-19

Rags Wanted-The Reporter of
fee wants to buy a quantity of clean
cotton rags. Must not be less than
10 inches square, and larger prefer
red. Will pay 2 cents per pound.
We cannot use heavy WOODEN raeo.
Bring in your rags and get tke
money.
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14
lessons PERILS OF THE SEA
Frenchman Has Come Forward With
Jacket Which Is Light and Alb
soluteIy Unsinkable.

1t seems that life buoys, cork jack
cts and all such life saving appa-
ratus are now superseded by the life
saving jackets of M. Deruder. which
are lined with a little known sub
stance called "kapok," a sort of very
fine cotton wood which surrounds the
seeds of certain trees.
The other afternoon, in the pres
ence of representatives of the min
fstry of marine, the prefecture of the
French Maritime league, and the Cen
trail Life Saving society, three men.
clad in kapok lined Jackets and waist.
coats, flung themselves haphazard
into the Seine, at Paris, near the
Pont Alexandra. A second afterwards
they bobbed up. cheerfully and very
much at their ease. One Of them
drew bottle and a glass from his
pocket and drank to the health OF the
inventor in unwatered cognac. Soon
afterwards they were joined in the
water hT a young lady, Nile. Rance
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14

moon in Spain" she gushed, restored
to good temper by BroadwRy's expla-
nation.
"Spain!" 1t was Wallace who ex-
claimed.
Yes, Spain" said Broadway, too
elated at the thought of finding cash
to pay bills to be worried about any
thing. I'm going out this afternoon
to buy sombrero and a tambourine.
Won't you congratulate us, Wallace" ?"
But Wallace simply could not trust
his ears. Jackson. If you're trying to
fool me"
There he goes again." cried the
now thoroughly infuriated bride-elect.
Jackson, I'm not going to stay here
and be insulted in such a manner!"
There! There!" jackson soothed,
following her as she essayed to leave
the room. Don't be worried. Mr..
Wallace only thinks we're fooling
him"
But why should he think such a
thing?"
Wallace, again contrite, approached
and started to apologize. She waved
him back with wild hand.
Leave him to me, dear" Jackson
urged her. In five minutes I'll con-
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14

hum a tune and walk about, endeavor-
ing to look unconscious. Wallace eyed
him with new hope kindling in his
eyes. Was it, after all, jest?
Nov see here, Jackson; If you're
trying to fool me want to know! +"
Mrs. Gerard, who had been upon the
point Of granting him forgiveness,
stiffened in new wrath. There you go
again!" she screamed Historically.
Another INSULT"
Really, Mrs. Gerard, didn't mean
It,"
Then what did you mean?" The
lady fixed him with a baleful glance.
He was entirely undone. "Why, I
God knows! 1 don't!"
"Well," said Jackson, Il think do.
You're still in doubt as to whether or
not we are really going to be married.
Isn't that it,"
Put thus lucidly and simply, Wallace
could not definitely deny that that ex-
planned his mental state. He had
opened his distressed lips to admit
this when Mrs. Gerard prevented the
expression Of his worries with:
But why should he imagine such a
thing? L"
Broadway rose to the occasion, near
ly making Wallace faint with the glib
ease win which ne used eHdedTiiH6
words when talking to the ancient
dame. Just a moment, sweetheart
dearie-please!' Then he turned to
Wallace. Come on, now; tell me the
truth"
well, I will admit" said his mis-
erably heartsick friend, that at first
l did think it was joke. But"
"And you're not quite satisfied yet
that it is not?"
why, of course, if you say-why-"
"Tll put you right. It'll all true.
We're engaged. We're going to be
married and we expect to be very hap
py. Do you believe it, now?"
why, certainly, If you say So" His
next question was Of Mrs. Gerard.
May ask how long you've been en-
gaged?"
I'VE became engaged last night at
dinner"
That's right 1t was last night at
dinner" her fiance corroborated. "It
was during the ice cream"
ct all happened in moment" said
the bride-elect.
Just like this said Jackson. See?
Only one question asked: viii you
marry me? And said Yes
"What?" cried his Mortified inamo-
rata.
'T mean she said yes Beatrice said
'yes," corrected Jackson.
Were going to spend our honey
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14
Barderes, in an elegantly cut Deruder
lied garment.
Advice to Doctors.

BE cheerful" That is Sir Squire
Bancroft's advice to the doctors. DR..
Stephen Paget, in his "Confessio
Medici'-that most companionable Of
books-di dilates on the same theme.
IF you must stay" he says to the
young practitioner who is invited tc
tea, do not stay long, and keep the
door on your lips. Talk of the pa.
tient, of the weather. or of the propo-
sition. which will as surely as the
bread-and-butter be handed to you,
that There is a good deal of illness
about Avoid all topics of church and
state, quote neither poetry nor prose,
give neither censure nor approval to
music and the drama, hide your lik.
ing for any art but your own. Leave
behind you, for gossip to lap, a saucer
full Of the milk Of human kindness"
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14

went to smash every time l took a
look at Broadway. 1 knew my credit
was good; the things wanted were
there; l could have them; so-well,
1 took them, that was ALL"
And now" said Wallace, who had
sat, at first incredulous, and, later,
spellbound. during the recital, you
are fifty thousand dollars in debit"
II don't know the exact amount, but
that's a fairly good guess"
you've been pretty quiet about it.
1t hasn't seemed to worry you much"
Hasn't worried me?" Broadway's
voice was bitter We'll, / don't mind
telling you that have just come out
of the first sound sleep I've had in
weeks. I'll bet I walked to Chicago
and back every night the first month
was broke"
II don't understand"
81 mean if you had measured up my
carpet by the mile. I thought SO much
and worried so much that I didn't dare
trust myself alone. l had the weird
est ideas; l did the craziest things. Do
you know that I belong to the Saliva.
ton Army?"
What"
"0n the level. l went to Newark
and joined one night"
What was the idea? ?"
'I thought It might help me forget
my troubles played the bass drum
foy &uo DiChfc oud couIdnIf ctaDd ft
any longer. Er-have you ever been
In Newark"
To BE CONTINUED.)
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14
RAT DESERVES NO MERCY
Has Been Estimated That Its Presence
Costs This Country Sum Of $167,-
100000 Year.

According to bulletin issued by the
Ohio state board Of health, there are
more rats in the United States than
there are people. The Incorporated
Society for the Destruction of Vermin
estimates that there is at least one
rat for every man, woman and child
in the British Isles. Similar estimates
have been made for Germany, France
and Denmark.
The annual cost of each rat to the
country has been computed at $1.S0 in
Great Britain, $1.20 in Denmark and 81
in France. AS specimens of the dep
relations of rats, DR.. Lantz, in Pub
lie Health Bulletin No. 80. cites the
following:
IAN Iowa farmer, writing to an agri-
cultural journal, reported that rats had
DESTROYED in one winter about 500
bushels Of corn Of total of 1000
bushels stored in cribs. Another farm
er reported that rats had robbed him
Of an entire summers Matching Of 300
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14

or 400 chicks. and stfll another one at
tributed his loss in grain and poultry
for one season due to rats as sufficient
to pay his taxes for three years"
The upkeep of a rat in this country
is about half a cent day. Estimating
one rat to each person, $167, ,OOO,O are
lost annually by the depredations Of
this pest.
Rats begin to bear young when three
months old. They will litter about
six times year and bear from to 12
at litter This remarkable fecundity,
together with the fact that they are
nocturnal in their habits and live in
hidden holes. accounts for the large
rat population and emphasizes the diff
fculty of destruction on a wholesale
scale.
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14

about six months. My credits car.
ried me on. When l first went broke
I made up my mind wouldn't run in
debt, no matter what happened. l put
on an old suit of clothes that morning.
and started out looking for job"
What kind of job?"
ANY kind of job. Messenger boy,
elevator boy-I didn't care! promised
myself I'd earn my living without beg
ging. borrowing or stealing"
He told Wallace of his stealthy
search for the elusive job which was
to have paid up his debts and started
him again, this time as a millionaire
in process OF. construction of new mil
lions.
II started looking for a 'boy-wanted'
sign. 1t sounds funny, but it is fact
My intentions were the best in all the
world But got to thinking of some
thing else, after had walked block
OF two, and where do you suppose
was when 1 woke up? In Delmonico's,
eating breakfast! Turned in there out
of force of habit.
II made. dozen attempts to do the
right thing. cut out automobiles and
rode in street cars for three days; l
went to an opening night at a theater
and sat in the gallery; bought a pair
nf ready=made shoes; I ate meals at a
forty-cent table d-hote and smoked
five-cent cigars-practicing just prac-
ticing, trying to get used to it.
But l couldn't That was ALL sim
ply couldn't! All my good resolutions
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14
cIeopatra's Cure for Badness.

For bald patches, powder red sui
phuret Of arsenic and take it up with
oak gum as much as it will bear. Put
on a rag and apply, having soaped the
place wen first. l have mixed the
above with foam Of nitre and it
worked well.
"The following Is the best Of ALL
acting for fallen hair when applied
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14

with oil and pomatum; acts also for
falling of Of eyelashes or for people
getting bald all over. 1t is wonder
full. OF domestic mice burnt, one
part; of vine rag burnt, one part;
or horses teeth burnt, one part; Of
bear grease, one; Of deer's marrow.
one; of reed bark, one, To be pound
ed when dry and mixed with plenty Of
honey till it gets the consistency of
honey; then the bears grease and
marrow to be mixed (when meIted)
the medicine to be put in a. brass flask
and the bald spot rubbed till it
sprouts. Quoted in Notes to "Caes-
ar and Cleopatra. from Cleopatra's
book on cosmetic.
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14
Goals to Newcastle

Even though crude oil and gasoline
are being largely substituted for coal
as a source of power in Seward PENN
sula, Alaska, 14,405 tons Of coal were
imported in 1912. In spite Of Alaska's
great coal resources. not over 200 tons
were mined in the entire territory in
1912. Alaska is sadly in need Of a
statute allowing her to mine her own
coal, under adequate terms.-From the
United States Geological Bulletin.
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14
sYNoPsIs

jackson Jones, nicknamed Broadway
because Of his continual glorifcation of
New York's great thoroughfare. Is anx-
tous to get away from his home town Of
Jonesville Abner Jones, his uncle, is
very angry because Broadway refuses to
settle down and take a place in the gum
factory in which he succeeded to his
fathers interest Judge Spotswood in-
forms Broadway that $25oO00 left him by
his father is at his disposal. Broadway
makes record time in heading for his
favorite street in New York With his
New York friend, Robert Wallace, Broad
way creates sensation by his extrava-
gance on the White Way. Four years
pass and Broadway suddenly discovers
that he is not only broke. but heavily in
debt He applies to his uncle for a loan
and receives a package of chewing gum
with the advice to chew it and forget his
troubles. He quietly seeks work without
success. Broadway gives what is in
tended to be a farewell supper to his New
York friends, and before 1t is over be-
comes engaged to Mrs. Gerard, and an
Gent widow, wealthy and very giddy.
Wallace expostulates with the aged fiirt-
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14
Remnved Am nonhtn-

Scott dreamed last night that !
died and went to heayen." Mott
THAT settles it. Dreams go by con
traries beyond question"
Middletown transcript., 1914-03-14
Chance AIwa,

Change Always Going On.
Change is inevitable in a progress
sive country. Change is constant
Disraeh.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1914-07-31

Kansas City, Stock yards. July
29.-Beef cattle are slipping this
week due to the fair supplies in the
West, although heavy arrivals of
Australian and South American beef
in New York. set Of Jewish holi-
days this week, and the recent ad-
vance in the price of dressed beef,
prices are leading adverse features.
Reduced consumption and larger
supplies especially on grassy cattle.
have affected a ten to twenty-five
cent reduction ON everything but the
prime natives. and even that class
are barely steady. The biggest part
of the declines on native cattle be-
came effective today, but the quar-
antine grassers got their today. The
supply was 13 thousand head here
yesterday and 10 thousand head to-
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1914-07-31
PLAN TAX REDUCTION.
CONTINUED from page u

CONTINUED from page ~
returned to the board amounts TO
,sS7.155,Os5. When the increase
the total will be approximately what
it was last year which was 1904. $50,
Gal.
This does not include the public
service corporations which are not
yet completed but which will be of
much greater value thi syear than
last 1t is expected that material re
auction in the tax rate which is
sought will be accomplished through
increased taxable values Of public
service corporation and because a
surplus is on hand derived from un
expected sources of revenue. In
connection with this fact the appro
priations this year are more than 1
million dollars less than last year
being s2,795.611. as against $3,SS2.
097. last year.
This time also. there is an unex
pected balance of appropriations of
$50 thousand dollars
The board is sending notices to
the counties in which valuations
have been increased that hearing
will be had on August 12Hat which
time they may appear and show
cause.
The Board will meet August 1S
to complete the valuation for taxa
-
public service corporations. t
The most notable increases in the
land values as returned are in Cot
ton county. where the board raised
the figures thirty per cent. in Jack
son county twenty-five per cent, in
Alfalfa and Dewey counties 20 per
cent. Cleveland -and Greer ten per
cent. Garfield and Haskell, five per
cent.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1914-07-31

This is not excessive. nor even
heavy for the season, but in view Of
the high range of values. opposing
Influence find many vulnerable spots
in the market Stock have been
dragging for two or three weeks the
buyers waiting for one more rain be-
fore they take the winal plunge, al
though the cattle on the ranges are
selling abnormally high.
Existing prices OF 1925 to $3.50
for stockers look reasonable. Heavy
feeders are not selling as we'll as
they did last week, and while some
fleshy animals bring $S to $40. the
most of the feeders sell at $7.15 to
$3.50 Only a few Texsa cake fed
steers are coming in this week and
the best of them are selling at SS.40
and $3.50. Bulk OF the arrivals
amounting to 225 cars in two days,
are medium class Oklahoma steers
which sell at s6.25 to 81. a good
many grass cows included at $3.50 to
$6.
Prime native steers reached 1855
yesterday. the highest price paid
here this year. and the highest on
record for July at this market.
Bulk of the natives sell at So to
so. 50s native grass steers s7.35 90
s9 native cows $3.50 to 81: heifers
$3.50 to $s.75, top veals $40.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1914-07-31

Hogs are regaining the losses sus-
tanned last week. the markets five
to ten higher today. top s.s5, bulk
1915 to $500. Order buyers are
taking good many hogs. which pre-
vent the packers from fighting the
market to advantage.
Receipts today are only seven
thousand head. a very light Tuesday
supply. and the month to date is
nearly seven thousand head short OF
the same date last year.
The average weights last week was
1877 pounds, year ago 2O3 pounds.
Sheep and lambs are recovering
from the break of week ago, which
was terrific in the case OF lambs,
amounting to adollar or more.
Receipts are light. consisting of
natives and Arizonans of medium
quality. Top lambs today brought
$3.50, best ewes worth s4.75. breed
ing ewes are IS and better.
]. A, RICKART,
Market Correspondent.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1914-07-31

Ex-Governor C. N. Haskell; w. A.
Ledbetter. former Standard OIL At
torney; VIM. Kenefick. President M.
O. & C. Ry.; w. A. Rule. Director
Commerce Trust Company. Kansas
City; Joseph Hall. Director Hall
Safe Co., Cincinnati; L. e. Haskell,
]. Hall and Jas. Satterfield, u. s.
Corporation Co., Dover, Delaware.
Judge Armstrong being the presi-
dent Of a big oil company, I want to
ask the farmers OF Eastern Oklahoma
whether or not in this age of pre-
datory wealth and corporate influ-
ence are ever desirous of controll-
ing the affairs of our state and gov.
ernmen,, including our courts, is 1t
right and proper to elect such man
to office.
Very sincerely,
G. A. BUSHA.
Advertisements
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1914-07-31
1000 VOTERS REGISTERED
{ Continued from page j.

a registration Of 1876. this year ?
iS9. gain of four, but there " ,rc
twenty ladies registered in tbs ~srd
thereby reducing the number OF the
qualified voters that many.
In the Third Ward a record regis
trstion is reported. Here 474 are
recorded. as against $3.50 two years
ago. Forty-two ladies registered in
this ward.
Stlll, this ward should have gone
better as It has increased in popula-
ton more than any other word in the
city. Two years ago the Second
Ward had 3s5, this year q dropped
to $40. The Fourth Ward had 3s4
two years ago and dropped to 30S
this year A small number OF ladies
registered in either of these wards.
Not over seventy-five ladies reg
istcred. hence there is 1895 quail
fled voters in this city.
The inspectors have not prepared
the lists so that the strength OF the
parties can be told. but the Demo-
Gratis are going to be the heaviest
sufferers from failure to register.
There are some who Did not think
it necessary to register. These will
he disappointed. so says the elecrlon
hoard, when they go 20 Tie polls on
Next Tuesday.