davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1914-10-11

northeast passage to the land Of silk
and spices, had discovered the White
sea. The barbarians who dwelt on the
ice-bound shores Of this sea had never
and an old historian relates that they
fed in terror and that when they were
pursued and overtaken they prostrated
themselves before r their ,s eaptoTs ot RS. and and
pedition succeeded in opening friend
ly communication with them and from
that time there has been regular
snS esar
In the latter part of the seyenteenth
century Peter ], known as Peter the
Great, deeply impressed with the con-
'dition Of Russia and enthusiastic to
tour. on which he worked at the dock
yards Of Zaandam and Deptford: Just
after the burning of Whitehall ana
the scandals following it. one Of the
set 1t on fire that he might steal the
furniture out of it, all London was on
the qui vive for the royal visit Of the
great Peter. whose fame as reform.
er and humane ruler had preceoeo
him.
The 10th of January. 1897, a vessel
from Holland anchored Off Greenwich
and was welcomed with great eclat, for
Peter was on board. He took boat with
a few attendants and was rowed up the
Thames to Norfolk street. where
house overlooking the river had been
prepared for him. This visit was an
epoch in the history not only OF his
own country, but of England and the
world, for until that time to the pol
sished nation Of western Europe the
empire which he governed had been
what the regions of the far north are
to US today.
This Peter was the father of the Rus
sian navy. His empire, of all empires,
was the least capable of being made
great naval power, owing to its situa-
tion. The Swedish provinces LAY be-
tween his states and the Baltic; the
Bosphorus and the Dardanelles lay be-
tween them and the Mediterranean, so
he had access to the ocean only at the
north. in which latitude navigation
during the larger part Of each year
was perilous or impossible.
Archangel was the only port ne nao
on the ocean and the whole shipping
there was foreign. There did not exist
a Russian vessel larger than fishing
boat, and yet Peter. with a passion
for things maritime which amounted
almost to monomania, determined TO
make navy for Russia. He was
general and g. statesman, but his ruHng
passion was naval architecture and ma
val discipline. He was q great legisla-
tor. as the reforms of his time snow.
but he wished to be a good boatswaih
and good ship carpenter He went 70
Amsterdam, where he took lodging
in the dockyard. assumed the dress OF
a pilot and put down his name on the
list of workmen. and with his own nand
welded the calking iron and the MAJ,
let, nxed the pumps and twisted
ropes. Ambassadors and other great
people who came to pay their respects
to him were forced, often much against
their Will to Chamber UP the rigging
Evening star., 1914-10-11
ARCHAN6sEL A QUEER WOODEN TOWN

him, and rules and regulations do not
suffer by his drunken stupor.
It is a curious fact that the Russian
peasants do not attribute the misery
they suffer from the consumption OF
too much vodka to their own weak
ness, but lay the blame to the vodka
itself as to an evil spirit If remon-
strated with for their drunken condi-
tion. they will helplessly say: 1T seized
me and I could not help myself.
Evening star., 1914-10-11
4 RCHANGEL ID the queer wooden
seaport of northwest Russia situ-

A RCHANGEL ID the queer wooden
~ seaport Of northwest Russia situ-
ated on the White sea, from
whence, according to reports a few
weeks ago. Russian soldiers sailed for
Scotland preparatory to joining the al
lies in France. The. report has not
been verified, but travellers recently re-
turned from Scotland say that 1t is a
fact that a large amount of oatmeal
and. a goodly supply Of Scotch whisky
were consumed about the time they
were said to have been there.
1t is not an unusual thing that Ger
many should try to obtain the mastery
of the Baltic sea so as to dispatch
troops overland from viborg on the
Gulf of Finland. at the head of which
is Petrosrad, to Archangel and Ekater-
ina on the Arctic. and prevent the fur
ther or future shipment Of troops to
France by way Of Scotland. but 1t is q
very improbable thing that she will
attempt to do this at the time of year
when the port will shortly be snow
and ice bound for at least eight months.
The terrible suffering Of Napoleon's
army during tho winter campaign in
Russia is a warning to any future at
tempt to hazard a Russian winter with
unacclimated troops. for even the Ger
mans with their splendid equipment
in the way of warm clothing would
suffer from the rigors Of the climate.
This seaport town of eighteen or
nineteen thousand inhabitants 10 built
largely Of wood, hence fire seems up
permost in the minds Of the tnhabi-
tants: on each wooden house is printed
a sign telling the owners occupation
and stating the article. AZ. ladder or
other article, which. by compulsion, he
must provide in case Of IRE.
These queer houses make the town
resemble a painted billboard; on one
a broom and spade points to a road
cleaner; on another a hreman's lad
der; on still another a loaf of bread,
and on a fourth a pair Of long rubber
boots. On the. gables Of every third
house or SO hangs bunch Of red
mountain ash berriea From the plant
called by the Russians "rubinia," its
scientific name, they make favorite
liquor. and this may be why rowan
berries are the sign Of the dealer In
spirits.
and unusual, most Of them being out
of doors, whore the wares are shown
on movable stalls sometimes covered
with canvas, or are contained In the
large kennel-shaped trunks which
every peasant possesses, or are simply
displayed on the cobblestones of the
place. Reindeer are used as beasts of
burden.
Archangel is one Of the ancient ports
Of Russia and was formerly q great
fishing place Since the sixteenth CEN
tury-and. 1t may be earlier-the mari
time trade Of Russia with the other
carried on there. The place had been
created and supported by adventurers
from England, for in the days Of the
Tudors ship from England, seeking a
Evening star., 1914-10-11

lump appropriation had not been
thought OF.
The troubles Of Minister washburne
also had humorous side, although at
that time neither he nor the other distip-
guished men who figured in the con-
troversy could have seen the joke Of 1t.
December 6, 1870. Count Bismarck sent
a formal .protsst to Minister Wash
burne alleging that tho London papers
had printed dispatches from Paris say
ing that the American legation was re-
ceiving English newspapers In it's Sc
cret dispatch bag. and that these were
being used by the French newspapers
in Paris This Count Bismarck declared
to be incompatible with the rules die
tated by the interests Of military oper-
ations during the investment Of Paris. "
The German chancellor announced:
"The military authorities cannot
sanction that foreign papers of recent
date should reach the besieged without
having previously been examined"
Evening star., 1914-10-11
THRILLING hook

THRILLING book
of deep historic
interest could be
written from the
dispatches and
letters in the ar
chives of the De-
partment of State
written by e. B.
Washburne.U United
States minister to
France. during the
trying days OF the
Evening star., 1914-10-11

that the center of the city
is literally packed with troops, and
that everybody is expecting a collision
tonight"
Evening star., 1914-10-11

Reproduction from copy in collection Of s. Aman.
Evening star., 1914-10-11

lump appropriation had not been
thought Of
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-08

It 10 reported that William rAver-
sham has tentative plans Of estAh-
fishing = permanent stock company
n How York. II. @--.s
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-08

M The legislative committee OF the
Real Estate exchange feels that the
mortgage tax hill will be acted upon
sfaYorably to them. Much activity mas
been displayed in reference to TINS
uflestion. The real estate people 1eei
that not only the citizens OF Rich-
mond, but OF the whole State. are
Interested in this measure. and every
pffort Is being made to have the oiii
acted upon favorably.
ss This committee feels encouraged,
nlso, in steps being taken regarding
the proposed amendments TO the
tcleaner city" ordinance. which per-
nits the street cleaning department
to continue, as at present. In remov-
Ing ashes and trash from other build
Jngs than private residences.
They believe that within few days
The administrative board will act upon
the proposition concerning the pay
ment OF delinquent gas and water bills
II H. thought the delay has been oc-
casioned BY tho problem OF possible
0isp0sition OF the gas plant
All the agents yesterday expressed
great satisfaction at the outlook for
Increased business during the coming
weeks. There IL much optimistic feel
Ing In the atmosphere, and from the
many inquiries received from not only
local bat foreign prospective pur-
sehasers, the roseate hue Of hope en-
n. ~ Tnnsten. az ElAn, = TaAar
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-08
REAL, ESTATE EXCHANGE
BUSY ON LEGISL ALTON
Outlook Promising With Prospects Of Some Big Sales IN Near
Future-Polard & Bagby Busy During Week.

ten. was one Of the most optimistic
of all The dealers yesterday. He can
see nothing but q bright future near
at hand.
Sullivan 4 Co. is now dickering on
several large local deals. which, when
contaminated. will show that there Ia
much gcing on In the local real estate
market.
Pollard q Bagby pulled or several
sales during the week. Ono OF them
was a pretty transaction on Monu-
ment avenue. when the property at
ASIA. that street, was disposed Of for
$4,000.
Another sale pulled or by this Arm
Indicates the trend OF prices. Forty
four feet on Monument avenue, near
Deep Run rtreet. was sold At $3.50 .
foot.
These Church Hill properties were
sold by this company during the
week: No. GIL North Thirty-secOnd
street. q frame dwelling. was sold al
1880: two frame houses at Twenty
eighth and Marshall wee disposed OF
for $4.660: a frame dwelling at 719
North Twenty-eighth street wont for
81 200. and two farms were sold At .
good figure.
Harrison & Bates reported that =
number of propositions were under
confederation by them. with prospects,
Of coming to : head within tho next
Tow 0AyA
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-08
Seay-Bagley Co.


The dry goods business of seay-
Bagley Co. was established in 1879 by
Epes. billiard & Co.. succeeded by
Freeman Epes. then Epes 6 Seay, and
then Seay-Bagley Co.
This is the oldest business in Black
stone. and has steadily grown until 1t
has become the largest and most i'm
portant dry goods store in this section
OF the State. Three times have they
moved into larger and more commod-
tous quarters, and the handsome store
they now occupy is 42x142 feet, and
modern in all OF its appointments.
They carry at all seasons large
and attractive stock that would do
credit to a much larger town.
The motto OF this house Is Reliable
Goods at Reasonable Prices.
H. II. Seay. the present head of the
business, has been connected with 1t
since 1875. When a small boy he came
to clerk for Freeman Epes.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-08
SEAY-DlLLARD CO.

BLACKSTONE. VA. Feb. The
origin OF the Seay-Dillard Hardwara
company dates from the year 1880,
when IT'S founders and constant friends
Captain J. NJ. Harris and Major p. E.
Harris. returned from Kentucky to
tn cir native State. leaving the class
room and deciding to enter COM
merciai life.
From a small beginning the business
has grown to It's present large pro-
portions. It's first store building was
only q room ABOUT thirty by eighty
feet. The plant today covers nearly
block. fronting on three OF the
principal streets OF the town and has
floor space Of more than $4,000
square feet. 1t enjoys the distinction
Of being the largest agricultural and
mechanical supply house in the State.
drawing It's ever increasing business
from the eastern portion OF Virginia
and reaching some points in North
Carolina 1t maintains a regular
travelling force by which means IL has
built up a considerable 3obbing BUSH
ness. A large retail trade Ia handled
by a corps of efficient indoor sales
men which 1t would be difficult to ex-
Gel.
The word hardware" by no means
covers the line. The business Is more
properly q large department store. the
principal lines being vehicles. har-
mesa and saddlery. farm implements.
builders supplies and general line
Of machinery - in fact everything
from a box Of tacks 70 = steam engine
Is supplied. The lines arc carefully
chosen with q view to securing the
best" not seeking the lowest In price,
but tho best OF grades In everything;
high standards' and ''modrate
prices being the characteristic
features Its business motto, Quality
Remains When Price Is Forgotten
has, after years Of experience. proven
the full truth OF the statement
Tho fundamental principle upon
which the business was established
and has been conducted. are close at
tention to details, honesty OF purpose
and courteous treatment to one and
all. Like many other large institu-
tons. It hAS triumphed over dincul-
ties such as financial panics. crop
failures, change Of conditions. etc.
but It has prospcred nevertheless.
The accounting department 10 quip-
ped with tho latest ONCE appliances:
modern and up-to-dAte In every re-
spect. Annual. monthly, and even
daily balances are taken. The con-
Germ has often been congratulated by
the largest and most progressive houses
In the country on the mplishment
Of this very Important feature.
The managing officers are: Rich
mond r. billiard. president: James D.
Crawley. secretary and treasurer, who
are gentlemen of lifelong experience In
their lines and who enjoy confidence
and esteem OF their friends and Gus
toners and the trade in general.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-08
RADFORD STUDENTS
TO PUBLISH ANNUAL

RADFORD. VA Feb. THE stu
dents will publish q student annual
for the present session. Miss Mar
jorie Combs has been elected editor
in-chief. and Miss Maude Goodwin,
business manager. All the interests
and activities OF the institution will
be represented In the annual
The joint educational conference for
the sixth and Ninth Congressional dis
tricts will be held In the normal school
buildings March 5th. sth and 7th.
Several OF the most prominent educat-
ora in tho State arc on the program.
The attendance promises to be very
large.
The authorities Of the normal school
80 offering the students and public an
excellent series Of Lyceum attractions.
Monday night the Boston Lyrics gave
q very high-grade entertainment In
the auditorium. Several other num-
bers arc scheduled fer the near future.
A large supply OF equipment for
the manual arts department has been
received. A largo number Of girls arc
taking courses In manual Axts - = part
o8 thetE e1Act3ya work.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-08
FIRST NATIONAL BANK

There IL no other one thing that
a community than the strength Of its
banks. Like the pulse Of man the
financial institutions OF community
show the progressiveness OF the peo-
Pile OF its community.
The First s-ationaI bank Of Black
stone was organized In 1908 with II.
c. Barrow es president: Henry stokes
and j. A. Sydnor AZ vice presidents.
and s. L. Barrow as cashier. Tho fol-
lowing men compose its present BOARD
OF directors: Henry Stokes. Fl. c.
Barrow. D. r. Epson. J. S. Robertson,
w. l. Powell. G. c. Tucker. T. 8.
Hawkes.. J. A. Sydnor, w. p. Wells,
w. II. Barrow. J. W. Bailey. w. C.
Irby, w. s. Jonea Harry B. Epes and
8. l.. Barrow.
There Is one thing that strikes you
as being rather remarkable. In look
ing over It's board Of directors you
find list OF names which has been
identified with every forward move
ment In Blackstone: men who are
successful not only In handling the
public's funds intrustcd TO their care,
but men who are successful In their
own private business They arc care
full. conservative thinkers. who are
always ready TO help in any progress
sive move for the betterment Of their
community. With such men at the
helm OF an enterprise, It In not a sur
prise to any one who knows these men
that this bank has seen in the Ave
and q half years OF it's existence a
most remarkable growth
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-08
BLACKSTONE NOW
ONE Of STATES
LEADING TOWNS
Early in History Village Was
Terminus of One of Viz
ginia's Progressive Roads.
From a Hamlet of 800 People
in 1887 at Which Time In
corporation Was Had. The
Town Has Grown to Full
Pledged Community.
BY AsHBY b. LAND.

Like any town of any size today
With large tobacco. lumber, fertilizer.
educational, financial or industrial In
terests. and unlike others, because II
Nas all of these ana more, Black
stone stands today as monument to
the success of those few ana noble
men who saw It frst as BLACKS d
Whites" realized what 1t was destined
20 be, and gave their every energy 10
the end that their hopes might be
tsAlized.
Going back to the time when there
was no railroads through this sec
ton, we find that where Blackstone
u now located there were two tas-
ems situated on different sides OF
the old country road, s'hich then led
through that part of the country. and
which was used by travellers to and
from Petersburg and Richmond when
travel was done In cumbersome stage
coaches or in wagons.
Three miles to the east OF Blacks
b Whites was located that most IA
NOUS tavern, "Belicfonte," at which
place gambling tables, the ball room
and the race track were the chief at
fractions
Gentlemen from all points in Viz
g.nia. Maryland, Tennessee and North
Carolina would gather here at certain
eimes OF each year. where large stakes
would he placed ON the different
horses, and "Beilefonte" became noted
throughout irgfnia as great sport
ing hostelry,
In 1916 the soufhside railroad WAS
chartered. 1t was authorized to build
q road parallel TO the old Cox plank
road. which ran from Petersburg
through Blacks a. Whites, now Black
stone. and on. through Lunenburg
country south. the eastern terminus
being established at the present site
u( the Norfolk and Western freight
depot In Blackstone.
About the time tho railroad was
completed, one OF two general mer-
chandise stores were opened. and in
1850 an old union church was built
on the old ST. Ilnke's site in West
Blackstone, the name having now been
changed from Blacks a. Whites TO
Blackstone. soon after the establish
Snent OF tho Union church. n Presoy-
esrian congregation was formed by
b. William White In 1853.
F1.e sAippanK Point.
blackstone being the terminus on
10 Southside railroad, it soon became
the shipping point for all OF that sec
tion OF the country, including all OF
Nottoway county and parts OF LMnen-
burg. Amelia, Brunswick and Dinwid-
die, adjacent to Nottoway.
Mr.. Freeman Epes, who just be-
Gore this had been running general
merchandise store near what Is now
Wcllville. was burned out removing
10 Blackstone and opening store OF
Che same character across the rail-
road back OF the freight depot
Seeing that Blackstone WAS destined
b become In few years the indus
trial center OF Southside Virginia, he
Induced Mr.. 6cott. who at that time
owned Whites tavern. to divide his
farm, then lying. along the eastern
portion OF what is now Blackstone,
Into town lots and to lay of streets.
This was done. and the next move
was 70 induce Captain J. NJ. Harris,
Nslro was at that time residing in Ken
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-08
Blackstone Academy

Blackstone academy. the youngest
member OF the extraordinary educa-
tional system OF Blackstone, is by no
means of least importance. Black
stone, with its fine publ c school sys-
tenn and large school for higher ed
ucation of its young ladies, felt sadly
the loss of Hoge academy. which had
been closed about four years prior to
the opening of the present academy.
Blackstone academy demonstrated
Its value and service II the COM
n,unity by enrolling fifty boys last ses-
sion and increasing this by so per cent
the second.
This school. though much akin to
other preparatory schools of the State
In general curriculum anu equipment.
is unique In many respects. The first
thing that would strike the casual
visitor TO the academy would be the
universal good spirit prevailing among
the boys, and the homelike atmos-
phere which peryades every phase of
the school life. A longer stay among
the boys will bring on. the reason
for this content. Teachers and pupils
are members of one family, and the
comradship of Christian men means
much to boys developing into man
hood Student government. brings
more closely to boys attention his
place in the school and trains him for
larger activities in life.
No other preparatory school of the
State - offering to its patrons the adj
vantages of a thorough ana complete
commercial department IN connection
with its regular academic department,
Thoroughly equipped with rev ma
chimes and using the well known
Gregg system of shorthand and bust
ness penmanship, this department Of
fers all the advantages OF the business
college and the additional advantage
OF the best academic preparation at
the same time.
The academy has on its faculty only
men of experience and training. men
who are not onl fitted for their work
in the Classroom. but who know how
to help boy make the best of him
self.
Many who are looking for homes
where they may enjoy the very best
educational advantages Tor their boys.
have but to come to Blackstone to be
convinced. Already the management
of the academy is looking to larger
buildings and increased facilities to
accommodate its growing patronage.
broadway Jones" has won success
in London with Seymour Hicks play
ing the title role and Elaine ferris
that of JOSte
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-08
New York Clothing Co.

Among the younger concerns that
have opened up in the last few years
In Blackstone, and have met with sue
cess Is the New York Clothing and
Shoe company.
In 1905 the New York Clothing and
Shoe company, Of Petersburg. being
managed very successfully In Peters
burg, and wishing to increase their
business and having forethought. and
being progressive. saw In Blackstone
an opening for an up-to-date cloth
ing and shoe store. They decided to
open a branch in that town. After
making arrangements to handle the
best of everything In the clothing line,
they opened up with Mr. Frank Bragg
as manager Of the Blackstone branch.
This was a very wise move, as Mr..
Bragg knew the people Of that com
munity and their wants.
The store grew in POPULARITY and
favor and In 1908 they secured the
services Of Mr. Campbell Jones as as
sistant to Mr.. Bragg. These two young
men. neither OF when are thirty, ran
tho business with great success and
In 1912. when the New York Cloth
ing company burned out in Peters
burg. they let it be known that their
Blackstone branch WAS for sale.
Messrs. Bragg and Jones, having
managed the business themselves, and
knowing that there were great things
In store for Blackstone, decided to buy
out the mother concern. Electing Mr.
Campbell Jones as president and Mr..
Bragg as secretary ana treasurer OF
the new concern. they have con-
tinued en- their road to success, and
In 1914 find themselves owners of the
most up-to-date clothing and shoe
sfore In This section NJ fhA State err
line.
They have won a merited success
by q strict attention ~ business, a
close study OF the wants ~ their trade
and a courteous treatment OF their
customers This, coupled with their
personal popularity. bring to them the
trade OF the select buyers Of. their
section.