davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
Electric Locomotives for Panama Canal

Electric locomotives of n new de-
sign will be used to tow ships
through the Panama canal In all.
forty OF these locomotives are to be
built at Schenectady, y. Y, by the
General Electric company and the
first lot has already been finished
and sent to the isthmus. 1t is ex-
pected that all steamships will be able
to run most of the distance across
the isthmus under their own power.
But when they reach the locks they
will be handled entirely by electric
locomotives. Four locomotives will
be used on each ship, two forward and
two aft.
The Panama locomotives each
weigh $4,000 pounds. They are 80
feet long; s feet wide and feet 3
inches in height over the cabs. Each
locomotive has an available tractive
effort of 1880 pounds and a wind
lass rope pull of $4,000 pounds. Four
of these locomotives will be quite
sufficient to handle all ordinary ships,
but in case of the larger war vessels
six locomotives will be used. In all
cases two of the locomotives will be
fastened astern to av- as a brake on
the vessels movement and to direct
her in the course.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
Chan-Chan. the Ruined Chimu Capital

| nearly all the Pacific coast peoples OF
South America north of Chile. pre-
! sent the characteristics found among
large portion of the ancient and
modern inhabitants OF Central Amer
lea and Yucatan utterly distinct from
the highland type of the Inca Conquer
ors.
Be that as 1t may, there are remark
able evidences OF the advanced CIVIL
cation of this extinct race. The irri-
CATION works, aqueducts, reservoirs
and canals whose ruins may still be
seen make 1t certain that the engineer
ing skill of the Chimus was OF the
very highest order. The water was
brought down from the Muchi river,
which was tapped at considerable
distance from the city. The aqueduct
Is so feet high. and from the top or
the ridge overlooking the city one can
trace the plan by which the water was
distributed down the slope over the
city and the surrounding land. Every
where are canals and reservoirs irri
eating fields and gardens, protected
by a great wall which ran for miles
OH the inland side of the city. A study
of these canals suggests differen'la-
ton in irrigating land for cotton and
corn cultivation. The long staple cot
ton of Peru was extensively culttvat-
ed even in this remote period. and fine
iy woven cloth. dyed in gorgeous col
ors. was worn by the wealthy Chimus.
In the art of pottery they were IN
advance of even the laces, for of all
the remarkable work in clay that has
been eXcavated in Peru none can COM
pare in skillful workmanship with that
found in Chan-Chan. Some of these
earthen vessels representing human
figures. heads and groups, were por-
traits of contemporaneous persons, |
and the observer is struck with the
forcefulness with which the varied eX-
pressions of the face are depicted 1t |
is from relics such as these that we |
get our knowledge of the intellectual, !
moral and religious life of these an |
cient Chimus. whose only living trace !
may be found in the language, the |
still spoken in the port of |
Elton, Peru, and the neighboring terri |
tory. The empire was conquered by |
the Incas some $50 years before Phi |
zarro arrived upon the scene-and as
n race they have vanished from the
face of the earth, having been scat
tered apd finally absorbed by the con-
luerors.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
THE OFFICE OF CORONER.

About a year ago the Journal OF the
American Medical Association COM
mented on tae inadequacy of the ma
chinery in this country for proper con-
I duct OF the coroner's ONCE, and stated
that thorough rehabilitation along
modern lines was urgently needed. II
was also stated that 50 long as the
coroner remains an elective officer
With a continuous tenure OF at most
( four years, IL IS not likely that the Of
fee Will be filed generally with prop
erly trained men A bill Is now pend
ing n the New York legislature 10 do
away with the ancient coroner system
and 70 substitute for Il a system Of
medical examiners. The bill provides
for a new officer 20 be known as the
chief medical examiner. who must be
a skilled examiner, who must be a
skilled pathological vita at least ten
years practical experience IN the per
forming OF postmOrtem examinations.
70 be appointed by the mayor. and TO
hold ONCE Until he resigns or IS re-
moved for cause after a hearing. He
VIII appoint assistant examiners, chem
ists, clerks. etc. as may be deemed
necessary, subject 70 approval by the
board OF estimate and appOrtionment. |
The power OF the present coroner IS /
limited so that this officer VIII hold IN 1
quests only IN cases referred 20 him by
the district attorney. acting as a mag
istrate. The new law also marks the
OF the cOroner's Jury,
body which Is costly, useless and often
might be said also
" the petit Jury. Tae medical in
OF crime s. 20 be the duty
II qualified medical officers, capable 4
nd responsible. The bill Is the result {
4 a doint conference Of committees
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

The locomotives are propelled by
means of a rack, or cog rail, while tow
ing and while going up or down the
steep grades from one lock level to
the next, at a speed of two miles an
hour. While running idle, or on re-
turn tracks, the speed is changed to
five miles per hour and the locomo-
tive is propelled without the use of
the rack rail. The locomotive is driven
by two 70 horse power electric
motors, one being direct connected
through reduction gearing to each
axle. In the center of the locomotive
is located a vertical windlass with a
drum holding 500 feet of one-inch
steel hawser cable. This windlass
cable is handled by two 20 horse
power motors. One of these motors is
geared for a rope speed of u feet per
minute. at a pull of $4,000 pounds,
and its function is to adjust the posi-
ton of the ship for anchor or while be-
ing towed through the locks. The
other motor is geared for a rope
speed of 200 feet per minute and its
d ty is to take up slack, or pay out
cable as may be required.
The locomotive has two cabs. one at
either end. The traction motors, as
well as the windlass motors, are con-
trolled from either cab.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

Chan-Chan, the ruined old capital OF
the Chimus. Is not IN China, notwith-
standing that the name might suggest
such a location TO the uninitiated. If
the Chimus ever lived in oriental
lands our archaeologists have failed TO
discover the fact. They were Ameri-
cans. just as were the Incas. whose
traditions traced back an unbroken
line OF kings for a thousand years be-
fore the Spanish conquest, and whose
civilization Is so much better known
to US: and once upon time these
same Chimus were formidable rivals
in all the arts OF war and peace, of the
Incas. They dwe-t along the shores
OF Peru. as did the Incas en- the high
Andes. and like the Carthaginians of
old. were a seafaring people.
Mystery abounds in pre-Columbian
America" writes Walter Vernier in the
March issue OF the Monthly Bulletin of
the Pan-American union. and the far
Their modern research penetrates into
the ancient civilizations of Mexico,
Central America and the west coast
of South American, the more the mys-
terry OF their origin seems to deepen.
Among the problems presented TO arch
aeology and anthropOlogy none. per
haps. is more fascinating than that OF
the Chimu people of Peru. What we
read of these dweilers of the north
coast of the land made famous by the
Incas is contained in casual references
by the early Spanish chroniclers;
what we see OF their civilization con-
sists OF stupendous ruins near the
modern town OF Trujillo." !
The ruined temples and palace walls
OF this ancient city. richly ornamented
in bas-relief. the vast irrigation works,
the sounds containing the sepuichers
of once powerful rulers, all indicate
that the ancient Chimus were worthy
rivals OF the children of the sun" who
finally conquered them.
The Incas, so tradition says, came
from the south 10 settle the region
once occupied by an ancient race of
cyclopean builders. The Chimus of the |
coast are said to have come from the |
north on fiotilla of RATS, and savants |
are not agreed as to the time Of their |
invasion. Some think there is evil |
dence OF two earlier civilizations; 9TH |
ers that everything points to a rela- !
lively short occupancy of the valleys, |
over only a few centuries !
prior to the advent of the Spaniards. |
the Chimus. in common with /
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
Why He Was Late

All" she cried, pointing an accus-
ing finger at him, as he got home
shortly after eleven o'clock. You
forgot that this is the anniver-
sary of our wedding, Don't tell me
that you didn't! You wouldn't be get
ting home at this time of night if you
hadn't let it pass clean out of your
memory
You wrong me, Margaret; honesh
YOU do. / 'membered it jush we'll as
ev'r remembersh anyshing in m life
Honesh. Thash reason m late. / BIN
out tryin' f'rget it. Honesh"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10


mon kind:
The people began to marvel at the might
mess of his mind.
He dropped the common. adopting al
leGorical style,
And the critics had to interpret his mean
ing. after a while
And the people were filled with wonder.
not understanding a bit.
And the poet had fame and riches and
fancied that he was It.
His meaning got deeper and desper. TIL
even the critics themselves
Were stumped IL they read withou. ia
king their reference books from the
shelves,
And his glory kept growing and spread
ing. he was hailed as a prophet, in
deed:
Whenever he wrote a new poem six ma
tions stopped working to read.
Thus. filled with thoughts of his great
ness and scorning the simple ways.
He wound and criss-crossed and doubled
in a metaphorical maze,
Till, clutching his brow. he read slowly
his latest. and said with a sigh:
ITS so deep that can't understand it
my God. what a wonder am IT,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

w EARS ago, out in the part OF
~ our country which is now
called Oklahoma. there lived
an Indian tribe called Pawnee.
These Pawnee Indians were a fine
large tribe and from their relics we
have learned many interesting
things about Indian customs and
ceremonies.
Like most other tribes, the Paw
nee Indians had many yearly festi-
walls ar which time there was dane
ing and feasting and general rejoics
ing.
One of their most interesting
ceremonies was the animal dance OF
the Pawnee medicine men.
The Pawnee dwellings were larger
than ordinary Indian wigwams,
they were built of posts and straw.
The posts were thrust upright in the
ground-tail ones in the center and
shorter ones around the sides. Strong
strips of leather or tough grass
braided were stretched from post TO
post and then the whole big roof
was woven thick and firm with straw
and grasses. Around the sides. the
straw was fitted down carefully to
the ground so that the water would
drain off well.
AS the time drew near for the
animal dance, the inside of the med
icine mems hut was gayly trimmed
with animal trophies.
Skins and feathers were hung on
the walls, stuffed birds and small
animals were hung from the ceiling
and shells and bones were strewed
around on the floor.
In the very center of the dwelling
o large FIRE was built in a huge tur-
tie shell which was turned upside
down and half buried in the dirt
floor.
Around that was coiled an inn
mense snake. The snake was OF clay
the body about foot and half
thick, thirty feet long and gayly
painted green and blue and yellow.
The head was turned facing the en-
trance and great black fangs were
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
QUAINT MARRIAGE NOTICE:
William, Cullen Bryant Broke the News
Gently to His Mother.

William Cullen Bryant Broke the News
Gently to His Mother.
The following letter from William
Cullen Bryant to his mother. quoted
by Professor Chubb in Stories OF Au-
thors." indicates that the author of
"Thanatopsis" could enjoy his little
Joke on occasion:
Dear Mother-I hasten TO send you
the melancholy intelligence OF what
has lately happened TO zoe. Early on
the evening OF the eleventh day of the
present month was at a neighboring
house IN this village. Several people
of both sexes were assembled in one
Of the apartments. and three or four
others, with myself, were IN another.
At last came IN little elderly gentle
maH, pale. thin, with a solemn counte-
nance. pleuritic voice. hooked nose and
hollow eyes. II was not long before
we were summoned to attend in the
apartment where he and the rest of
the company were gathered. We went
in and took our seats. The little eld-
erly gentleman with the hook nose
prayed. and we all stood up. When
he had finished most OF us sat down.
The gentleman with the hooked nose
then muttered certain cabalistic ex-
pressions. which was too much
frightened TO remember. but / recol-
lect that at the conclusion Z was given
20 understand that ! was married to
young lady OF the name OF Frances
Fairchild. whom I perceived standing
by my side and whom hope in the
course Of few months 10 have the
pleasure Of introducingsto you as your
daughterIn-law. which IS a matter OF
some interest TO the poor girl. who has
neither father nor mother In the
world"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
Won in Spite of Herself.

why is it." he asked, that the
prettiest girls generally marry home
ly mem"
DO .hey?" she replied. Il haven't
any idea of ever marrying a homely
man, that is, as long as you and 4
oh, dear. what am I saying? I mean
that / wouldn't care for you If you
were homely. and-and-I'm so fool
ish let's talk of something else,
please, won't your"
Being a game young man, however,
he spoke right out then and succeeded
in persuading her to be his.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
Milwaukee has a Merchants al

Milwaukee has a Merchants and
Manufacturers association that pro
: tects the consumer against the dis
honest advertiser. Recently a con-
Germ there announced an all wool
sweater az a cut price. The concern
was prosecuted for fraudulent adver-
Using. and the association won its
case Good tip to every other city in
the land The merchant who tells the
truth through the advertising columns
OF the newspaper is the merchant who
eventually meets with the best sue
cess.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
In After Years

You told me once" she pensively
said when they met In after years. he
being a widower and she a widow.
that you never could learn to be
happy without me-"
Il know it," he replied. In those
days there was an adage that I had
not tested"
What was ito"
Live and learn"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
IRRIGATING WITH SEWAGE.

A profitable means OF disposing of
sewage from institutions and small
communities in districts where no gem
eral system OF sewage disposal is avail
able is disclosed by a report OF expe-
riments carried on by the department
OF agriculture at the New Jersey train
ing school located at Nineland.
In the past the sewage from this in
stitution. which has a summer popula-
ton OF about 500 individuals, has been
a nuisance. running considerable land
and creating a breeding place for mos
quitoes unless kept well covered with
oil. In 1913 this sewage was spread
over about twice as much ground as
formerly. and this land. instead of be
ing injured. was made to produce
heavy crops OF alfalfa and silage corn.
thus doing away with the nuisance and
securing a valuable crop at the same
time
II was possible to run this sewage
over a part OF an alfalfa field planted
previously and compare the yields
from the irrigated and unirrigated
tracts. The part of the field on which
lHe sewage was IN ''e'NeN 81 'S
OF tons per acre for the season. while
the part OF the fed receiving no sew
age yielded at the rate OF but tons
per acre.
The yields OF corn were not deter
mined. but the yield on the land on
which the sewage water was run was
so much larger than that on the land
not watered that the directors OF the
school are putting in the equipment
necessary to spread the sewage over
still larger areas in 1914.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
The Fitness Of ThInus.

He started as n milkman,
In quite a modest way:
BY using water freely
He made the venture pay.
Becoming a great magnate.
He kept on as before:
BY making use Of water
He added TO his store.
At last the doctors gathered
Where he was lying dead:
Poor man. he died of water
Upon the brain" they said.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

OF The New York academy OF medicine.
trustees OF Bellevue and allied hospi-
tails. district attorneys Office. profess
sors OF pathology in the leading medi-
cal schools. City club. Citizens union
and short ballot association. Its pass
age would result in the removal or a
perni~ious. slow. inefficient system.
which IS n relic OF obsolete social con-
ditfors.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
IN POSITION TO GET FACTS.

81 think" said
the poet, that 1
shall turn my at
tention to sociol-
ogy. 1t seems to
me that a great
book might be
written on how
the poor live"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

That comprehensive" subway pro-
posed for Chicago seemed a trife too
~incomprehensiveT for the voters.
They want a subway. but insist on
seeing the preliminaries carried on
open and above board
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

Time was when a baseball! player
was satisfied TO get his name on the
sporting page. But since the Federals
came into their own he has been trav-
cling along side the war news on The
first page nearly every day.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

Well his wife said. with heart
felt sigh. IF such thing can be done
you ought to be able to do it. But
I almost hate to think of your biogra-
ply going out in that form, after the
high hopes we've had"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

The Municipal League Of Rock IS
land County has reiterated its prom
Use uttered before election that there
Will be an improvement in the man.
ner OF conducting saloons here To
fail to make good is more than likely
TO have its answer il there is another
local option election. as it is declared
by the anti-saIoon folks there will be.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
M mn


He started writing
verses that were
easily n d err
stood.
And here and there
was some person
who told him
that they were
good:
He dealt WI { h
themes that were
common. his lam
guage was plain
and strong.
And a few people
frankly told him
no was blessed
with the gift OF
song.
He began to throw
in italics. hap
hazard, IL may
be said,
And here and there
was a foot-note
to enlighten the
ones who read,
And here and there
was a stanza too
desp for the conn.,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

Neutrality-suspicious. who attempts
after May l to bring into the United
States certain Hawaiian fruits. nuts
and vegetables will face a penalty OF
$500 fine or imprisonment for a year
or both. The products barred are
these which might introduce two dan
gerous pests, The melon fly and the
fruit fly. They include
tomatoes. squashes. green peppers and
string beans.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

Here is a grain OF comfort for mem
bers OF the gentler sex who blush when
they behold a weighing station: Titti
Ruffo. the Italian tenor. holds that only
~beegr women are beautiful. He says
the sylPhlike ones remind him OF a
piece of macaronL
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

TERMS-Ten cents per week by car
rier. In Rock Island: So 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 f. desired to have
paper discontinued. as carriers have NJ
authority in the premises.
All communication % nrgunne ntatiTe
character. political or religious. must
have real name attached Tor DubiicE-
ton No such articles viii be printed
over fictitious signatures.
Telephones IN all departments Cen
trail Unio1. Rock Islsaa I45. 1145 and
zII5.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

Senator Lodge, one of the bulwarks
OF the republican party. cites the Dec
Iaration Of Independence in justifica,
ton OF President Wilson's stand for
repeal OF the Panama canal tolls ex-
emption. That ought to hold the ca
amity howlers for awhile.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

Woman has again proved her right
20 the last word. The Augustana coed
debating club has fairly defeated one
young mans team and viii meet an
other aggregation OF the opposite sex
IN the finals.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

Once more the nurserymen rise to
remark that this has been an ideal
spring for fruit. The freezes of the
last two nights. they say. were benefi-
cial rather than otherwise. because
they will help 10 retard growth. The
trouble with the fruit prospects is that
they are too good They create a feel
ing of foreboding. Something IS almost
sure 70 happen.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

When the day of the animal dance
came the medicine men dressed
themselves in SKINS and feathers.
Necklaces of animals teeth hung
around their necks and belts from
which bones dangled. hung from
their waists. On their faces and
arms were painted pictures of small
animals and from their feet dragged
skins of small animals they had
killed.
In a solemn procession they
marched into the dwelling prepared
for them.
All day long, they danced and
howled around the huge clay snake.
till they fell asleep, exhausted, on
the floor.
Then the next day, every one in
the tribe feasted and spent the day
in happy rejoicing.
m0rrO5O-.Snnfourr SOIdifrS. :
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
Felt the Power.

Bill-Music has a wonderful influence
over us.
JILL know IL.
Did YOU ever feel the power OF a
singer over your
Sure! l married oner' Yonkers
Statesman.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

Now a shoplifters' trust has been IN
earthed on the western coast Com
binations more destructive. but bear
ing more dignihed titles. have long
been parading under the guise Of big
business
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
PAWNEE INDIANS.
-]ICAasa lnSFamJp5een

thrust out to greet newcomers.
Around the sides of the dwellings
were large stuffed animals-wild and
fierce looking-altogeth it was a
stranger sight than any menagerie
YOU ever saw.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

Don't you ever get 10 feeling nerv-
Gus for fear your husband may fall in
love with his typewriter LADY,"
on, no; not az all. She's my moth.
err"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
Evidently Not.

ut is said that Japanese babies
never cry
'ls that so? What's the natter.
don't they use pins over there?"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
April 10 In American
History.

ISu6-tIrnv4at llotatIU Gates -.c
tionary general. died; born - Il
1S5o-John Howard Payne. autusa
Home. Sweet Home dleu'
1902. s,
I9O3-Rev. w. ii. Milburn, the .,.,d
able blind chaplain OF the the 1'
States senate. died; born ,,as,
l9il-Hon. Tom l.. Johnson io Iii
mayor OF Cleveland. o., anu
cal reformer, died: born i>'S
A6vice is seldom wehoEhe' =,
who need IL most Eke It LEAST
Johnson.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

St Paul-Minnesota received $685.
as the Inheritance tax on the estate OF
Charles G. Gates. Payment was made
without a contest.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10
THE ARGUS.

Published daily at 1924 Second ave.
cue. Rock Island. Ill entered at the
postofnce as second-class mattsr)
Rock I.Iaad Member OF the Associated
Press
BY THE ). w. POTTER co.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

CoPyighi-Ciara Ingram hudson.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-10

y EARS ago, out in the part of
Y our country which is now
called Oklahoma. there lived