davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

HF o the American traveller in Europe
there is, perhaps, nothing more
curious than the presidency with
which certain old customs are main
tanned. The Romans, for example. OBJ
serve the "saturnalia" of their ancient
pagan ancestors, in, however, a harm
less way. and the Florentines proceed
on a certain morning each year to
catch crickets in the grass simply be-
cause the Etruscans did the same thing
1000 years ago.
When Bismarck, during the term Of
his mission as ambassador to Russia,
was walking one day in the summer
garden in St. Petersburg, as it was
then called. he met the emperor, who
invited the diplomatist to continue his
stroll with him. Soon Bismarck noticed
a sentry stationed in the middle of a
large plot of grass. He asked what
the soldier was doing there. The czar
did not know; the abide camp did not
know. So inquiry was made of the
sentry himself.
ut is ordered" was his reply.
Every official gave the same reply.
ut Is ordered" but none of them knew
by whom. A sentry had always stood
guard in the middle of that innocent
grass plot. Tho archives were searched.
but in vain. for information in this
relation. Finally an aged oflcial was
found who gave the explanation. He
had had 1t from his father that the
Empress Catherine had once seen a
snowdrop ready to bloom in that plot
and had ordered a sentry to stand
guard and allow no one to pluck 1t. For
more than a century the watch had
been maintained because "it was or
dreamed of disobeying the order or
questioning any one as to the reason
therefor.
The infexibility of Russian oflicial
orders has resulted in other queer and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

French of Edward the Confessor
should still be the language. the legal
voice of the British parliament, but
SO it is, in a way. Whenever bill
has passed the commons the clerk, be-
fore he forwards it to the house OF
lords. writes upon 1t. according to tho
ancient usage: "Soit baille aux sefg.
neurs'' C"Let 1t be sent to the lords").
II il is sent from the peers to the
commons 1t bears a like Endorsement:
Soft baille aux communes" ("Let 1t be
sent to the commons").
Should a bill pass both houses 1t
needs only the royal assent to become
law. Here the Norman-Fr APP
pears again. The commons, summoned
by the usher of the black rod. are adj
mitted to the bar Of the house of lords
to hear the statement of his majesty's
commissioners. When all are assem-
bled the lord chancellor makes a sign
to his assistant. who reads the title OF
the bill and then says. in a loud voice:
The king wills it," In the case of
financial bills the form is thus: Tho
king thanks his good subjects. accepts
their faith and so wills it," For pri-
waite bills the form Is: Let it be done
as Is desired Sometimes. II the bill
is of special Importance. the sanction
of the king Is given in person. In such
case the king, seated on the throne
at the end of the chamber, bows his
assent as the clerk reads the title.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

talker. but tells more of the excite
ment and privations of the days after
the war. when he crossed the plains
four times with Kit Carson. Simms
is we'll known in Washington. He
cared for Kit Carson at Beveridge's
Hotel when the famous Indian fighter
was recovering from a severe attack of
pneumonia. Smms says he begged
Carson not to leave Washington with
his Indians SO soon after serious ILL
ness when Carson insisted on starting
from the capital to see his wife at Fort
Atchison. He was so weak from his
attack that he shouldn't have walked
across a meadow five fathoms long,,
Simms says. And yet he started half
way across the country before the bliz-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09
Not LikeIy.

FREDERICK PALMER. the war cor,
u respondent. was talking about YER
dun.
the big leaguers of this war. What
wonderful chaps they are-wonderful
for their bravery. their temperance.
their skill and their intelligent good
humor.
II remember when the pay of the
French soldier was raised from one
cent to five cents a day.
We'll. what do you think of that!
asked poilu in a front-line trench.
"Oh. all right. he grumbled: all
right, 1 guess. provided we aren't taken
now for low-minded mercenaries.'
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

yards were over. The next l heard he
had died during a snowstorm before
reaching his wife and the fort. / told
him not to go, but he was SO big and
brave that ! guess he thought l was
chicken hearted. | loved that man.
other persons living in this vicinity
who fought in the stormy days OF 1886
At are: Owen Thomas Edgar and John
c. Martin, both of this city; Davis
Smithville. w. Va: Oliver
P. watkins, Brookeville. Md; Uriah
Rose, Thaxton, Va: Parkes E. Ash
worth. Ontario. Va; William II Cole
gate, Damascus. Va: Woodson Bassett.
Preston, Va; Samuel Albright, Bebee.
w. Va; Charles w. Johannes and
George w. Ramsey. both of Baltimore.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

bia Historical Society on March 16, 1915,
said:
Norway contained 300 acres The
area taken by the government for the
a large part Of Norway was sold to
Alexander r. Shepherd and in 1873 he
erected a fine stone house. which he
called Bleak House, in which he lived
for some time and which is still stand
ing. west of Georgia avenue and north
of Walter Reed Hospital.
The timber of the present house is
not that which sheltered Thomas Car
berry In that engagement which his
torians have named the battle of Fort
Stevens, which took place during
part of the days of July II and II,
1864. the original Carbery house, then
called the Lay house. was burned. In
carrying out the plan of the defenses
of Washington timber was cut away
generally for distance of two miles.
that the field of fire of the forts, the
fanking batteries and the connecting
trenches should be clear and that no
cover might be afforded an enemy.
Many houses were destroyed for the
same reason that the woods were cut
away. and all houses which might OBJ
struct the view from the forts or fur
nish shelter for the enemy were mark
ed for destruction should the occasion
arise. The Carbery-Lay house had been
left standing, but soon after the en-
gagement opened it was set on fire by
the FederaIs. though not before it had
furnished shelter for Confederate
sharpshooters.
North OF the house and in the midst
of the group of buildings comprising
the hospital is the trunk of tree on
which has been posted this sign: Used
as a Signal Station by the Confederate
Soldiers under Gen. Early During the
Attack on Washington, July II and IL.
1864. Also occupied by Confederate
sharpshooters." The house was shat
tered and set fire by shells from
Fort Stevens, but soon after the war
an appropriation was made for the re-
lief Of the owner of the property and
the house was rebuilt on the exact
plan Of the house destroyed. This Is
the house which stands today
A mass of information relating to
Thomas Carbery was collected by AL
len C. Clark, president of the Columb ia
Historical Society, in his contribution
to that series of papers prepared for
the society by DIR. James Dudley Nor
gan, Michael I. Weller. Madison Davis,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

and President Washington spells it
Stewart.
When Mr.. Carbery, who is variously
referred to in the records as Capt. Car
berry and Mayor Carbery. came into
possession of those lands north Of
Brightwood. he not only gave the name
of Norway to the property, but he
INDUCED his fancy in giving pleasant
names to particular parts of the tract
Allen c. Clark, in a paper on The
Mayors of Neutrality-suspicious. Car
berry" which he read before the Column
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

would take long. the army using the
cavalry or infantry for the purpose of
surrounding him.
as the present conditions in every way
point to the Importance of our being
prepared for any emergency arising
from the many complications that now
exist between this country and Eu-
rope. more serious. I believe. than are
known by the general public.
Being In Richmond in 1876. when
the war broke out. I united with my
classmates of the v. M. l., Edward c.
forming one Of the first companies rails
ed in Virginia for service in Mexico.
Col John F. Hamtramck was in
command; Lieut.. Col. Thomas Beverly
George A. Porterfield and Second Lieut.
Carlton r. Munford were the officers.
Our company sailed from Old Point
Comfort. Va. January l, 1876, and land
ed at the entrance of the Rio Grande
February %, while the battle OF Buena
Vista was being fought;
Il was adjutant of the Virginia regi-
ment and later assistant adtutant gen.
the U. s. A.. and serving In that ca
pacity under Gen. John E. Wool of
Troy, N Y. until the close of the war.
"On one occasion a dispute arose be-
tween Lieut. Mahan of Pennsylvania
and Carlton r. Munford, which result
ed In duel. in which both were killed.
Nahan remarked: The Mexicans are
going to attack us Munford replied:
i do not believe one d word of
that
"Mahan challenged Munford. They
agreed to fight as Tom Richie and
Peasants of Richmond, Va. fought, U.s.
ing muskets loaded with buckshot,
standing forty yards apart and advanc-
ing until within ten yards of each 9TH
er. Both fired, and both were hit. Mum
ford was shot through the bowels and
died in great pain. Mahan was shot
through the lungs and lived several
days ! had been sent to Gen. Bel
knaps headquarters on some military
matter and when l returned, seeing a
new grave. felt confident 1t was my
friend Munford's. Later his body was
sent to Richmond for burial
when We went into Mexico" says
eighty six-year-old George Simms of
GOT N street. I'VE went there in sailing
vessels that could beat anything on the
seven seas"
Simms was a sailor in the United
States Navy at the time of the Mexi-
can war and saw much service up and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

NJ Ell VILLA. IS the rallyinR
OOn cry at the present time of
N 81 small number of gray
haired. stoop shouldered
veterans of this vicinity who went into
Mexico and came out again victorious
in the exciting days of 1S4S47. before
re facto governments of the Carranza
Eind were popular south of the Rio
Srande and human foxes of the Villa
ri fought gamely instead of playing
Nie and seek with United States troops
p the desert
While the khaki-clad force of soldiers
commanded by Brig. Gen. Pershing
work farther and farther across the
Nlkali-covered northern Mexican waste
in search of the bandit chieftain, these
veterans of the Mexican war follow
the meager news CLEANED of the move
ments of the punitive expedition with
as much interest as they did the war
dispatches before President Polk sent a
special message to Congress- May IL,
1876, that war existed by the act OF
Mexico. and Congress appropriated
$4,000, 900 and authorized the raising of
1000 volunteers
When we went into Mexico, landing
at Point Isabel on the Texas coast, a
few miles north of the Rio Grande,"
says ninety-year-od Amos T. Fisher
2lo Prince street. Alexandria. Va. I'VE
did not have machine guns that killed
a thousand men in fifteen minutes or
air craft that lowered over the army
like eyes. informing our officers of the
enemy's whereabouts. We did pretty
well at that. In those days the Next
cans were brave fighters and were
anxious for a little exercise before
breakfast most any morning"
on the morning of December IL, 1876,
eighty-four men of Alexandria ma rched
from that place to join their COM
panies at Richmond and depart for
Mexico. The only living member OF
that band of Virginians is Amos
Fisher. Eighty three have answered
the last muster and left Fisher to tell
tales OF bygone days to any one who
happens to be even slightly interested
in battles before fortytwo- centimeter
guns and gas bombs came into vogue
He was assigned to Company b. I'd
Virginia Volunteer Regiment. and had
his baptism of fire at Vera Cruz. Gen
Winfield Scott's expedition with a
appeared OFF Vera Cruz on the 9Th OF
March. Fisher landed along with
$4,000 other United States soldiers and
sailors before the strongly fortified
city
The city was defended by land works
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

and the castle of San Juan de Ulloa.
built on a reef in the harbor.
They can talk about Verdun," Fisher
says, in his whisper but the sides of
that Mexican stronghold looked i'm
pregnable to us when we first got
close to them. On the ED lombard
ment began from the batteries and
fleet. ] did not close my eyes for sew
enty-two hours. and know what the
allied troops suffered in the retreat to
the Marine. l did not mind the enc
my's fire. but would have given any
thing for just an hour or two of sleep.
The bombardment lasted four days.
and the city and castle surrendered.
We captured 5000 prisoners. and Scott
had lost eighty men and the Mexicans
more than 1000"
AL the end OF his first term of serv-
ice Fisher came home and then re-
turned to Mexico, where he was in &C
tive service until the troops were
mustered out after peace was nego-
tiated at Guadalupe Hidalgo, February
2, 1s4s
An active life is better than tons of
medicine" Fisher says weakly. wan
smile lighting his furrowed face for a
second. He was one of the early forty
miners When the entire country was
great gold strikes" in California. he
sailed from Baltimore on the old
French sailing ship Louis Philippe"
and landed III San Francisco in Deem
DER, 1879 alexandra looked IKE great
metropolis compared to the little VIII
lage of San Francisco which Fisher
saw when he disembarked from the ship
after reaching the Golden Gate. He
sailed up and down the coast for two
years, touching at most of the Pacific
ports of the Central and South Ameri-
lean countries, The ship traded with
many of the Pacific islands.
Il would not have missed my Mex
lean experience for all the gold discov-
cred in California in those days" the
old Virginia soldier insists. we were
fighting for liberty-for the liberty Of
Texas. That is the reason that the
boys in khaki will give good account
of themselves. no matter what happens
in the republic, so called, to the south
OF US. There is no incentive like the
call Of liberty to make a man fight"
When we went into Mexico we never
intended to come out again until the
enemy had been thoroughly whipped"
writes Col. George a. Porterfeld of
Charles Town. w. Va, president Of the
Aztec Club of lS47. He is one of the
most DISTINGUISHED veterans of West
Virginia.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

In letter written recently Col Por-
terheld says:
ut all depends on how persevering
our troops are as to whether they get
villa or not. Owing to the mountain
Gus condition of the country he may
be able to hide in the Sierra Madre al
most indefinitely. By forming a circle
and gradually advancing on him his
capture could be fully effected. Pur-
suing this course. 1 do not believe it
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

VcPedent Folks Special
- Message CongssEg Men Alexandria Marched to Defend the Cause
TxsOnly One Survivor the CompanyCol Poterieds Letter.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

down the east coast of Mexico for two
wears during the war. He Was In sew
eral minor engagements when the fleet
fred on shore batteries. He Is 4 good
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

&C :: : !: 4 ::: !: :: ): :: y: ::
- haired. stoop shouldered
The Palatka news and advertiser., 1916-09-15
INTERLACHEN NEWS.

The ladies of the W. G. T. U. va
ried their usual program by having an
all-day picnic Wednesday at the home
of Mrs. H. T. Mann, and the regular
business session at the usual hour in
the afternoon. To add to the enjoy
ment of the occasion Mrs. Mabel
Ouam-Stevens was present and gave
an informal address in her charming
way. The local Union is growing in
numbers and interest, and is ready to
work energetically to secure State
wide prohibition for Florida.
In defiance of the inclement wealth
err Sunday evening, a large congre-
cation assembled to listen to Mrs.
Mabel Quam-Stevens, who gave a pa
triotic temperance address IN the
Congregational church.
The Sunshine Society held an en-
thusiastic session on Mrs. Brush's pi-
azza Tuesday afternoon, with good
attendance, notwithstanding the pour
ing rain. A nice little sum in the
treasury, and a dozen new books for
the Library were among the good
things reported. The Library has
outgrown its accommodations, and
a new sectional case is to be purchas-
ed at once. The program hour was
devoted to Artemus Ward and Will
liam Dean Howells.
Mrs. Mary Hester returned Sunday
to her home in Hollister, after a
pleasant soiourn of several weeks
with Mrs. Brush.
Rev. Benjamin Stock came up from
Avon Park last week and spent few
davs with his mother, who was then
quite i'll but is since much improved.
Mrs. Georgia Cannon of Francis,
was a Saturday guest of Mrs. l.. F.
Notes.
Miss Grace Townsend returned to
her home Saturday, after spending ten
days as a house guest of Mrs. Ame-
liza Corthell. :,
Mrs. Webb, her daughter and
Young Mrs. Webb, of Kendrick, vis-
tied last week with DR.. and Mrs. Ste
vens. -.
Among the Palatka shoppers this
week were Miss Achsah Notes, Or.
pnd Mrs. Stevens and Mrs. James H.
Davis.
The Palatka news and advertiser., 1916-09-15
FLORAHOME NEWS.

The V. I. A. will give an ice cream
lawn fete Friday night in the Park
near the Methodist church. A pro-
gram has been arranged for the oc-
casion.
A young peoples dance will be Civ
en- Saturday night at Palmetto Hall.
Mr. Barton Oster of Illinois is Wis
iting Mr.. and Mrs. G. C. Hardy. He
contemplates making his future home
here, and will purchase some proper
ty.
A number of Florahome residents
went to the Grandin ice cream festi-
val Saturday night Mr.. and Mrs. G.
C. Hardy and daughter, Mr.. Dunr1ire
and Mrs. A. w. Tucker motored over.
Others in attendance were the Misses
Johns. William Revels, William New.
sen. Mr.. Barton Oster, Mr.. Walcott
and Walter Smith.
The new lights for the church have
been placed
Mr.. and Mrs Weingard spent Tues
dav in the Gem CITY.
Mrs. Knight is selling her stock and
farm property, preparatory to going
to Lakeland with her daughter, Miss
Ida Knight.
Miss Thelma Johns has returned
from visit to New River.
Mr.. James Revels has returned
from a stay in the southern part of
the state.
The Palatka news and advertiser., 1916-09-15
SPAN OF TWO LONG LINES.
They Connect the Era Of the Zeppelin
With That of the Sedan Chair.

The late Henry Gassaway Davis,
once vice presidential candidate, saw
and heard as a boy in Baltimore in
1923 the ceremonies at the official be-
ginning of the Baltimore and Ohio rail
road.
The parsonage Of the occasion, the
driver of ''the first spike" as we should
say nowadays, was the last surviving
signer of the Declaration Of Independ
ence, the richest American of the eight
teenth century, the great gentleman
and illustrious patriot, Charles Carroll
Of CarrolltOn.
Born in 1877, Charles Carroll had yet
four years to live. Thus these two
lives are an arch Of nearly $50 years
between the American colonies of
George lis time and the third year
of Mr.. Wilson's administration, when
Mr.. Davis long life came to an end.
The year of his birth was 1923.
A mere two dozen of such lives as
CAROLS and Davis, dozen of their
united span of years, would take US
back to the first Punic war. Charles
Carroll and Henry Gassaway Davis,
who saw him, together take us from
the sedan chair period to that Of the
Zeppelin.-New York Times.
The Palatka news and advertiser., 1916-09-15
Piqeons and a Doctor,

The carrier pigeon has been put to
new use by doctor in Scotland who
has a large and scattered practice.
When he goes on long rounds he car
ries a number of pigeons with him. If
he finds that some of his patients re-
quire medicine at once he writes out
prescriptions and by means of his pi-
geons forwards them to his surgery.
Here an assistant gets the messages,
prepares the prescriptions and dispatch
es the medicine
If after visiting a patient the doctor
thinks he will be required later In the
day, he simply leaves pigeon, which
is employed to summon him if neces-
sary. To this enterprising physician
the keeping of carrier pigeons means
a saving Of time and expense and Ia
bor
The Palatka news and advertiser., 1916-09-15
LEGEND OF ST. BRENDAN.
Il Claims the Irish Monk as the Real
Discoverer of America.

The first diScoverer of America, ac-
sording to an. old Irish tradition, was
st. Brendan. Brendan lived in the
sixth centlsy and, according to legend,
| fitted out Il vessel and sailed westward
in the hope of discovering an island
supposed to contain the paradise once
tenanted by Adam and Eve. He was
accompanied by fourteen monks, and
the ship was 'victuaed for seven
years.
After sailing forty days and forty
nights they came to an island, where
they found "A hall with tables spread
with good meat and drink" They
then sailed on for long time and
came to another island. wherein were
the whitest and greatest sheep they
ever saw" After stopping for a time
they proceeded with the voyage and
came to third island, called "the par
adise of BIRDS After wandering
about for seven years from island to
island st. Brendan and his monks re-
turned to Ireland, where they aston
ished the natives by tales Of the Won
ders they had seen.
In spite of the wild and improbable
features of this legend it was for cen
turies accepted as truth, and the Span
ish government sent out several eXpe-
ditions in search of the islands Of St.
Brendan The ST. Brendan legend
formed one of the causes which led to
the discoveries made by Columbus.
The Palatka news and advertiser., 1916-09-15
POMONA NEWS.

Miss Marjory Rogers is spending a
week with friends in DeLand.
Miss Elfreda Colwell of Palatka the
popular primary teacher here two
years ago, was a recent guest of Mrs,
Florence and Miss Mary Williams,
Miss Colwell expects to spend the
winter with her sister in Pomona, sail
ing from New York the latter part of
this month.
Arthur Watts of Crescent City WIS.,
tied his father over Sunday.
Mrs. W. D. Middleton and Talmage
Middleton arrived early in the week
from Hortense, Ga, to visit relatives
here and in Orlando.
Miss Mary Green of jacksonville is
spending a few weeks vacation at
home.
Clyde Middleton is visiting his
aunt, Mrs. E. S. Green in Jacksonville
until the opening of school.
Mr.. and Mrs. H. H. Hayes are hap
py over the arrival of little daugh-
ter in their home Monday.
Mrs. Hughes of New Smyrna was a
guest of Mrs. W. S. Middleton last
week.
The Literary Club gave an attrac-
tive program Friday evening and the
attendance was quite large. The
program committee has another good
program in preparation for the meet
ing next month.
Mr.. Waltmeyer of Satsuma spent
several days here recently as a guest
at the Wedertz home.
Five autos filled with Pomonites
went to Crescent City Monday to en-
joy the ball game.
Pomona again was victorious in a
baseball game played on the local
ground Sept. 9th with Satsuma when
the home team easily walked away
with the game, the score being IA to
One of the most exciting and hotly
contested games played this season
between Crescent City and Pomona
was staged at Crescent City last
Monday Sept II, which resulted in a
tie score of 4 to A. Up to the 7th
inning Pomona had the best of the
game the score being to 2 but
Crescent City managed to eke out 2
more scores in the next two innings
through some costly errors made by
Pomona and the game was then called
in the 9th on account of darkness.
The Crescent City boys had a strong
lineup and both teams tried hard to
shove the winning run over. A good
crowd witnessed the game.