davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
LIGHTNING DAMAGE.

While the lightning losses during
the month OF April were not especially
heavy, only two very serious lightning
month, the most disastrous of which
was that in which the township high
school at Lawrenceville was destroyed
entailing a loss of approximately $780,
900; yet, in the last week of March
there were a number of serious storms
reported TO the fire marshal depart
ment in five days, causing a loss of
sSO,2 Twenty-one of these fire re-
ports stated that the buildings were
not provided with lightning rods, and
two reports did not specify whether
the building was rodded or not. The
loss on the twenty-one unrodded build
ings was S60.405, and the loss on con-
tents for the same was S17,295, max
ing a total loss of S7S,330 for one
week on unrodded buildings in Illinois.
The loss in the two fires for which the
reports did not state whether or not
the buildings We're rodded, amounts to
a total of $1,000. making the total
loss for five days SSO,23O.
The Illinois fire marshal depart
ment, which furnishes these facts, has
published a little booklet entitled,
Suggestions for Protection Against
which will be sent to any
one interested IN the matter of light
ming protection
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
Thousands of Miles of Precise Levels

The latest publication of the United
States coast and geodetic survey, de-
partment of commerce, contains the
elevations of thousands of definite
points. called bench marks, scattered
over the surface of the country. These
bench marks have been established by
various engineering organizations of
the government, but mostly by the
coast and geodetic survey. The points
of which the elevations are given are
described in this and previously Is
sued reports.
The elevations are the vertical dis
tances above the mean level of the
sea Thus, if the elevation of a brass
tablet cemented into the face of a
railroad station is given as 1000 feet,
the point in question would be that
heighth above the sea. If it were posi-
BILE to dig a sea level from the ocean
to that station IL would be found that
the tablet would be within a few
inches of 1000 feet above the sur
face of the water in the canal.
While the surface of the ocean rises
and falls and produces the phenom-
enon known as tides, yet its mean po-
sition as determined by long series OF
tidal observations remain fixed, and
the precise leveling shows that the
mean sea level is the same. or prac-
tically so. al all points on the open
coast. The lines of levels are so in
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
ONE OF FIFTY CAMPS.

Rock Island can better realize the
magnitude Of the institution called the
Modern Woodmen of America, which
has its home in this city, when IT is re-
fiected that In so states and provinces
in the United States and Canada such
camps as met here have been in ses-
sion today. True, none of them WIS
as large as the one held here and
probably in none OF the others was
there as much interest as in the Illi-
nois camp. but taken together the half
a hundred meetings brought together
many thousands of men and the bust
ness transacted affected the welfare
OF and is of personal interest to
millions
Throughout the greater part of the
nation the affairs of the Modern Wood
men today took a place in the news on
par with the Mexican situation, the
Colorado mine war and other leading
matters of interest. When we pause
to consider that Rock Island was the
head and center of all this activity we
can better appreciate the immense
value as an advertising asset, not to
mention the employment il gives to
hundreds and the business il brings,
this institution is to Rock Island.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

of the Colorado mines.
This master of Standard Oil raises
his voice for the open shop" continued
Mr.. Bryan. yet he stands criminal
viola,oI OF the Sherman antitrust law
of the very first magnitude. He has
done more against the principle of
open competition among manufactur-
ers, railroads. and big producers than
any man in the world, with the ten
tacles of his octopus, the Standard Oil
company, extending throughout all
the nations of the world.
"If there had been as many killings
of Americans under Huerta in Mexico
as under Rockefeller in Colorado,
American soldiers would raise the cry
of ON to Mexico and Huerta would
pay the penalty with his own head IL
he could be connected with the slaugh-
ter even half as remotely as Rockefel-
Ter can be connected with the slaughter
of the last few days in Colorado"
The use of hired gunner under the
name of private detectives, mine
guards. constabulary. special police,
etc, is held to be responsible in large
part for conditions like those in Colo
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
CAPITAL Comment
BY CLYDE H. TAVENNER
CONGRESSMAN from the Fourteenth District.

I RADIO. The first report made by the
secretary of labor. William B. Wilson,
contained strong recommendations for
| federal legislation prohibiting the pri-
vate employment of gunner. There is
such a bill in the senate, introduced
by Senator James MARITIME OF New Jer-
sey. Speaking of this measure. Sena-
tor MARITIME said:
THE employment of armed bodies
of thugs and gunmen-private armies
in effect-by capitalist owners of the
mines is the great evil of our day. In
Colorado, even worse than in West
Virginia and Michigan, these armed
thugs have shot down like dogs men
and women and children. until condi-
tons in Colorado are even worse than
they are today in Mexico.
MY experience on the investigating
committee which went into West Vir-
ginia so incensed me against the use
of these gunner, and | felt so rightly
justified that upon my return l intro
duced into the senate bill providing
that every individual, corporation. or
body of men employing armed guards
for private purposes should be liable
to a fine of at least $4,000 and impris-
onment for one year. That bill was
referred .to the committee on educa-
ton and labor. and there il seems to
sleep the sleep of the righteous and
the just.
eff this bill had been reported and
passed, in my judgment the unfortun-
ate conditions which have prevailed in
Colorado could not have existed. |
Those who have not been in close con- |
tact and seen and felt the atmosphere
that seems to be surcharged with the |
evil of the employment of these armed /
brutes can hardly appreciate the sit |
uation. In West Virginia for a time
it deprived the people of the right of
government, and today |
in Colorado it has done even worse.
THE elimination of government by |
gunner depends on the passage of
such a bill as 1 have proposed, pro-
hibiting private mine owners from en-
listing in their service gunner and
thugs, calling them mine guards, and
using them to beat up, terrorize,
harass and murder strikers and their
and children
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

the medical school and the hospital to
share equally the expense. Power also
is given TO the trustees IL they deem Il
wise to provide for lectures on pub
lie health and hygiene TO be given
TO the poor either in the hospi-
tai or elsewhere" In fact, Mr.. Deer
ing gave IL as his purpose Ito give TO
the trustees of the hospital the largest
possible latitude in the expenditure OF
the interest on the fund, provided that
IL shall be used for the benefit of the
deserving poor" That this gift need
not prevent future mergers of medical
colleges or the development of medi-
cal education in Chicago is made clear
by the statement that nothing in this
deed OF gift shall be construed as in
opposition TO the consolidation at any
future time of the medical department
of Northwestern university with one
or more medical schools" In the opin-
ion of the Journal of the American
Medical Association, one who wishes
to do for the deserving sick who are
unable TO care for themselves could
not plan better than Mr.. Deering has
done. The bequest which he has
made. however. will not only help the
thousands of sick poor who will be
cared for in the Wesley Memorial hos
pital. but will also help thousands of
others in the future. since 1t is to aid
in the education of physicians, who 4
thus may be more practically trained 1
in the care OF the sick
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
PLAYING TO A PURPOSE.

A prisoner in a county Jail in this
state discoursed sweet strains on a
clarinet until midnight for three sue
!. cessive nights. What tunes he played
are not given IN the press dispatch,
Tut the jailer no doubt ruminated that
The prisoners were willing TO listen
the music without murmuring il
j 5 none Of his business. He discov-
cred on the third night the secret OF
the complainant attitude OF the fellow
prisoners. when upon examination the
bars of the window were found to be
sawed and the clarinet player and
three OF his companions missing.
While the clarinet artist with pulled
cheeks filed the jail with his dulcet
strains his fellows in durance indus
triously accompanied him with files
on the steel bars.
No doubt the jailer has forever lost
HIS faith in human nature and will
never listen TO a clarinet solo again
without barking back to that jail de-
livery.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
ENDOWED TEACHING HOS
PITAL.

An endowment Of one million dol
lars has been given by Jas Z. Deering
20 the Wesley hospital. Chicago. an in
stitution which on previous occasions
ha sreceiyed generous aid from Mr..
behring's father and brother. Aside
from the fact that the gift is large. IL
Is worthy Of special mention because
OF the unusual appreciation by the
donor OF how the gift can be made TO
do the most good The income is TO
be used 10 help real charity patients.
and the trustees have been requested
20 Investigate the worthiness OF those
who apply. so that the gift shall con-
tribute everything 20 real charity and
nothing TO pauperism." Even more
worthy OF note. however. is the state
ment by Mr.. Deering that the best
hospital e. that which IS closely re-
lated 20 a good medical school" He
stipulates that the Wesley Memorial
hospital is 10 be a teaching hospital,
an adequate STAFF 10 be. provided by
the medical department OF Northwest !
ern university. II r. also stipulated |
hat the medical school must main
ain and strictly enforce a high stand
ird of preparatory studies for the ad-
OF students" Provision is al
70 made for the maintenance OF a free
Iispensary and Of clinical laboratories,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
The Journey.

IF you were asked to get ready to
start next Thursday on a long jour
ney. do you think you could do so?"
asked her rich employer, who was a
widower.
"Oh, much would depend upon
the kind of journey it was to be-" she
replied
Il mean a pleasant journey-a jour-
ney that would last for month or
more
And should have company on the
Journey"
We'll, hadn't thought of that No,
I don't believe you would. I should
expect you to go alone"
Then I don't believe I could get
ready" she said. turning to her type
writer and making four mistakes in
the first line Of the letter she had
begun.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
Bed Time Tales
BY Clara Ingram Judson
Just One Kitty
~ Clara Ingram Judson.

TIT HE other day. a beautiful big
II party was given at a house on
one OF our handsomest streets.
The shades were all pulled down
and candles lighted the house
The street was almost blocked with
the many automobiles bringing and
taking away guests.
And when the door opened for the
people coming and going the scent OF
fragrant flowers and the sound of
sweet music drifted to the cold out
doors
Dat on the cold front steps in the
dusk of the gathering twilight a tiny
gray kitten sat huddled up in a cold
little heap.
She didn't care much about parties
not she! For parties meant that her
mistress was dressed up in a beautiful
satin gown and had no time or
thought for play
And Kitty loved TO play,
When the party began early in the
afternoon she ran outdoors for a play
with some neighbor kittens and that
was fun, OF course. but as the dark
began TO come one neighbor kitten
said. I'm getting cold; I'm going
home"
Another said, 81 don't think it's nice
W Jul kOlllR NOUlc.
oh. please. won't you stay with me
little longer" said the gray kitten.
"It's lonesome all alone in the big out
Of doors-and in the dark"
'All alone e exclaimed the first kit
ten practically why don't you go
home? There's enough company
there"
Enough = said the gray kitten dis
gustedly. there's too much"
That's the way in this world" said
The sensible kitten. you either have
not enough or too much of everything
and you have to learn to make the best
OF IT, So you might As we'll go home"
Thus advised, the gray kitten had
tucked her tail out of sight and care
fully crawled across the yard and up
10 tlie topmost step and there she sat
a huddled, half frozen little mite.
TomoTr0ztl-The Legen
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
PAVED WITH GOLD.
There's Money In the Street Serapinss
of an African Town.

! There's Money In the Street Serapinos
of an African Town.
Travellers declare, says Harper's
Weekly, that at AKIN, on the Gold
Coast OF Africa. gold may actually be
picked up in the streets. When one
visitor, an Englishman. took the state
ment as a mere figure Of speech his
host Immediately babe woman sery-
ant go out into the main street. gather
a bucEetful OF road scrapings and
work it for gold dust.
In ten minutes the servant returned
with two galvanized iron buckets. one
filed with road scrapings and the 9th
er with water. She also brought three
or four wooden platters, varying IN
size from n large plate TO a saucer.
Removing several handouts of the
road scrapings and placing them in the
large platter. the woman picked out
and threw aside the large stones. peb
bles and bits OF stick and then moIs
tened the remainder with water from
the other bucket. This enabled her TO
remove smaller refuse.
The residuum she put into the next
smaller platter. and she repeated the
process until there was quantity of
sand and gravel ready for treatment.
This she sprinkled freely with water
and by a deft circular movement OF
the platter brought the small gravel 10
the outside. where IL could be thrust
over the edge. When she had repeated
this operation three or four times she
treated the material. which now looked
more like mud than anything else. In
n still smaller platter.
At last, in the smallest platter OF all,
she had the bucketful OF sweepings re-
duced TO a handful or two OF black
sand. This she carefully washed and
sifted. At last with dexterous twist
she brought the sand into a crescent.
the outer edge OF which showed thin
i'm OF yellow. IL was Enthusiastically |
yold dust. The whole operation had |
AIKEN half an hour. and IL had pro
luced about a shilling's worth OF gold |
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

dren and hard
working men to be
shot to death, and
miners are deal
ing death and de-
struction to state
guards called by
the tarred hands
of n corrupt politi-
cal organization to
make the men do
the bidding of the
Standard Oil mag
nate" Representa-
tive J. w. Bryan
of Washington
made this bald
statement to the
house of represen-
tatives while dis
GUESSING his bill to
provide for the
government owner
ship and operation
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

Counting the chickens before they
are Matched. as an exchange observes,
is less liable TO be disastrous to the
crop Of laying pullets in the fall than
the failure to set eggs for fear of bad
luck
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
TELL HER SO

II you think that
she Is fair.
Tell her SO:
Think not that she
will not care y
Tell her so.
II she gives you
courage when
You are wronged by
other men.
Let her know IL now
and then
Tell her SO.
II you love her a.
of old.
Tell her so:
II she makes you
strong and bold.
Tell her so:
As she Journeys by
your side.
II her beauty gives
you pride,
Still. as when she
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

Meow, meow" eagerly responded
the kitten (Which. as everybody knows,
means yes, yes").
So the lady turned back and let the
kitten in.
Hurriedly through the door kitty
slipped past musicians and guests
alike. up the stairs and into the safe
quiet of her mistress room.
The lady. with a smile on her face,
started home. Il believe" she though,
TO herself 81 really believe that kitten
don't like parties"
And the kitty. safely hiding upstair:
thought the same thing.
d of the North Star.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

The Quincy Journal suggests that
the financial troubles Of the Danville
baseball team have been forced by
Joe Cannon TO create political capital
in his own behalf and help him back to
a seat in congress For Rock Island
10 accept the team under such circum-
stances makes this city an accessory
after the fact Raus,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

Mrs. Huxley. widow of the famous
scientist, Thomas Henry Huxley, is i'll
In London. She is SO years of age.
She is the daughter of Henry Heath.
ron, an English brewer. who emigrat.
ed to Sydney. Australia. There she
met Huxley in lS47. when he was an
assistant surgeon on the British war.
ship Rattlesnake.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

Eight members OF the Chicago board
of education were brazenly defiant of
the courts until Judge Foell imposed
a fail sentence of 80 days each for
contempt. Then they all did the grand
crawl.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
AN EXCEPTION

MY boy, you
will have to learn
that you never
can get anything
without working
for it."
"Oh, yes, you
can, pa. I had
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

TERMs-Ten cents per week by car
rier. in Rock Island: IS per year by mail
IN advance.
Complaints OF delivery service should
be made TO the circulation department
which should also be notified IN every
Instance where IL is desired 20 have
paper discontinued. as carriers have no
authority IN the premises.
All communications OF argumentative
character. political or religious. must
have real name attached for publica-
ton No such articles will be printed
over fictitious signatures.
Telephones in all departments. Cen
trail Union. Rock Island 145. 1145 and
2I45.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

With eggs at a dollar each one
might conclude that the city OF Tam
pico is in desperate straits. Gasoline,
however, is probably cheap, and gaso-
line means more to the average Amer
lean than mere eggs.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

War pictures have deteriorated till
the artists are now showing us how
they bake bread in the army camps.
This looks like anything but war to
the old soldier who has been COM
PEELED to subsist on bareback.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

Have you taken a stroll through the
1900 block at night recently? If you
haven't it would profit you to do So
You'll agree that there are some live
merchants there.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

And the guests trailed in and out
and nobody noticed till one lady nearly
stepped on the kitten.
Dear mer' she exclaimed, there's
a cat"
"Oh, it's cunning half frozen lit
tie kitten. she added as she bent down
to investigate
Would you like to get in the house,
kitty" she asked kindly.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

Trouble With Some Kinds Of Trouble.
Troubles sometimes come to us
as blessings in disguise, you know"
Yes" replied the chronic pessimist,
but the trouble with them is that
they generally go away without having
taken OF their masks"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

2 Rock Island has done its best to be
attentive to the visiting Woodmen.
That some of them were too busy to
play in our yard is not our fault.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
May 6 in American
History.

i1SS-NasnInston and Sir Guy Ca1le
ton, the British comniandel'
ranged for the evacuation OF ~ ~
York and other places by bfltiS"
soldiers.
1S64-In the battle OF the Wilderhe,s
the Federal army was decisl,.r
beaten in an attack ON the w0i.
held by General r. L. Lees az. os,
Losses In two days contest io'VVs
Fcderals and HOOD Conieue'"'
testimatel
AL the news all the time-The Argus
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

A scientist is quoted as saying that
nmburger cheese makes brains. This
appears to account for the standing OF
the Rock Island Cheese club.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
inconsistency.

Il always try to keep from worry
ing over things that can't help"
But you have just been worrying
because your wife agreed to meet you
here more than an hour and a half
ago"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
Speaking Of Settlements.

Bill-This paper says that Clayton,
Mo-. Is about to annex nine small set-
Elements on its borders
Jflf-Well. the lady I board with N
trying to do the same thing.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
Can This Re Irue7

81 can't understand it, don't you
know. old chap"
What can't you understand"
"A fellow / was talking to a little
while ago said some of the greatest
men in the history OF the world had
died without ever having seen q
squash court
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

II the Mexican federals become too
ornery at Vera Cruz keep your eye on
Funston. He has habit of finishing
what he starts.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

Especial Correspondence OF The Argus.)
Washington, d. c.. May John
d. Rockefeller. in his robes of piety. is
causing defenseless women and chill
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
Peseinniaf,a nu&In.L

TSSSiHiSts OUTLOOK.
IT look for a sharp rise in stocks
now.
What reason have you to expect a
bull movement"
I've just closed out all the shares
I had"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

Well soon learn whether there is
any humorous side TO the Mexican
situation. John T. McCutcheon has
sailed for Vera Cruz
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

Earn the honors and the praise you
get. No press agent will work for you
after you are dead.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

1t is easy to accept another mans
opinions when you want him to grant
you a favor.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

To prevent the skin from discolor-
ing after a fall or blow. take a little
dry starch, moisten Il with cold water.
and lay II on the injured part.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

Prudence is thing that generally
comes to a man after he gets too ole
to need II.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
Satisfied and Optimistic.

Satisfied and Optimistic.
Are YOU one OF those who believe
we are on the verge of a revolution"
No. sir: at least. l hope we're not
I'm satisfied with things as they are
in this country at present. / won O
bet of 50 yesterday
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

day that I didn't work for
What? I'd like to know"
"The stomach ache :.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

The average man would want to
lock himself in his bedroom If he had
as little on as a girl now wears in
public.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06
CANDID OPINION.

There is no fool like an old fool who
is trying to act like young fool.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

was your bride,
Tell her so.
If her smile imparts a thrill,
Tell her so:
II her touch is soothing still,
Tell her so:
But IL she has lost her grace.
II you've ceased to like her face.
Brother. do not, in that case,
Tell her so.